~Dreamscape~
In an unfamiliar stretch of forest, Amaya Gilbert once again found herself surrounded by the darkness that had long since descended across Mystic Falls. And as the distant conversation between an unsuspecting young couple filters through the otherwise silent air, an eerie sense of dread registers within the Younger Gilbert Daughter as she silently makes her way towards the source of the disturbance with tentative footsteps.
However, as the understandably frightened Gilbert Girl emerged from the woodary into the seemingly inconsequential campsite that she had been guided towards, an imminent Sense of Death that she always seemed to experience in situations similar to this was emanating from the barely illuminated tent at the center of the clearing. And as an admittedly familiar fog slowly swept across the ground from the surrounding forest, the inevitable anxiety that had registered within Amaya's mere being considerably heightened.
"Hey..." An unfamiliar female voice sounded from within the tent, causing Amaya to pause her momentary panicking. "Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" An unknown male voice responded almost immediately as he briefly paused his previous ministrations.
"I heard thunder." The unknown woman answered with an apparent tone of concern lilting her voice, causing Amaya's brows to furrow in confusion at not having heard any such noise.
"There's no thunder." The man responds as he attempts to divert his girlfriend's attention towards their prior activities.
"Are you sure...? Because if it rains, we won't be able to see the Comet." The woman commented with an arched brow directed towards her unconcerned boyfriend.
"It's not gonna rain. Listen... I got you a little something. It's back at the car... Don't you move." The man teasingly demanded with narrowed eyes of feigned seriousness before making his way towards the entrance of the tent, causing Amaya to approach the unsuspecting couple cautiously as the Sense of Death continued to intensify the further the scene progressed.
"Stay dry." The woman commented from within the temporary structure as her boyfriend slipped into the surrounding darkness.
"It's not gonna rain." The man assured with an amused tone of voice as he rolled his eyes at his girlfriend's worries.
For the briefest moment, Amaya was able to follow the unfamiliar male through the immense darkness of the thick foliage as he made his way towards where their vehicle had supposedly been parked with nothing but the flashlight in his hand for guidance. However, with the unmistakable echoing of an alarmingly familiar 'SWOOSHING' sound, Amaya could no longer distinguish between the neverending darkness as she silently searched for the unfortunate Human Male.
Within mere moments of the disappearance of the unknown man, the unmistakable sound of liquid dripping from above quietly echoed through the clearing. And with an expression of hesitancy, the Gilbert Daughter cautiously directs her attention towards the unknown woman that had emerged from within the tent with an obvious triumphant smile displayed across her features as her gaze sought that of her boyfriend.
"I told you it was gonna rain!" The woman taunted into the neverending darkness that surrounded their campsite.
With the expression of triumph firmly etched across her features, the woman begins to search through the darkness for her boyfriend in the dense foliage that surrounded their campsite with the dim light of her flashlight. However, as the unsuspecting Human Female suddenly noticed the lack of rain that she had been expecting, her brows furrowed with confusion as she cautiously turns around to investigate the dripping sound that had lured her out of the tent.
Towards the edge of the clearing, Amaya had long since found herself trembling uncontrollably as her frightened whimpers echoed through the otherwise silent night as she helplessly watched the scene unfold before her with immense anxiety. And as the woman shakily lifted the flashlight in her hand to illuminate the treetops directly above the tent, Amaya's dainty hands promptly cover her mouth as deafening screams immediately reverberated through the clearing from both the frightened woman and the unfortunate witness.
With the undeniable inkling that the woman would soon meet the same Fate, Amaya hastily followed the unsuspecting female through the dense foliage as she attempted to flee for safety from the horrific scene. And as the woman emerged from the darkness of the forest, the Gilbert Girl observed with an expression of anguish etched across her features as the Female Victim unsuccessfully attempts to wrench open the Car Door.
"Open! Please! Open!" The woman shouts with desperation as she continuously wrenches on the Door Handle.
However, amidst the unknown woman's hysteria, the unexpected 'BEEP' echoing through the otherwise silent night caused the frantic actions of the Human Female to cease immediately as she suddenly whirls around to press her back into the cool metal of the Car Door while searching the surrounding darkness with widened eyes for any indication of the culprit.
And as an undoubtably familiar Shadowed Figure suddenly dropped down from above onto the unsuspecting woman, an earsplitting scream echoes through the otherwise silent darkness as the Younger Gilbert Daughter suddenly averted her gaze from the horrific demise of yet another Human Being that she had been unfortunate enough to have witnessed.
~Gilbert Residence~
With an audible gasp as she was jolted awake from the horrific nightmare, the Younger Gilbert Daughter bolts upright in her Sleigh Bed as she searches frantically through the darkness of her Second Floor Bedroom with wide frightened eyes. And as her entire being was continuously wracked with trembling breaths, Amaya shakily threads her fingers through her soft Mahogany Brown Waves with her thoughts continuously whirling through her mind without any semblance of order.
Truthfully, the Gilbert Girl could not understand the reasoning behind the nightmarish visions that had been plaguing her dreams for the previous weeks. However, with the discovery of the recent disappearance of an undoubtedly familiar couple that she had recognized at once from her nightmare several nights prior, Amaya had begun to speculate that her frightening dreams were not merely grotesque figments of her Imagination.
What is happening to me?
And with that seemingly innocent thought filtering through her mind, an unprecedented Sense of Knowledge had suddenly been awoken within the Younger Gilbert Daughter, causing Amaya's Navy Blue Eyes to flutter about as though without preamble for several moments before she suddenly collapsed onto the mattress of her Sleigh Bed as her adolescent mind adapted to the unparalleled influx of knowledge that no Seventeen-Year-Old-Girl should have access to.
At approximately 6 O'Clock in the Morning, the Younger Gilbert Daughter was roused from her unconsciousness by the shrill sound of her Alarm Clock, causing Amaya to bolt upright on her Sleigh Bed as she was suddenly alerted to the infinite knowledge that now resided within her young mind. And with the newfound understanding of the nightmarish dreams that had been plaguing her slumber for several evenings, an immense sense of dread registered within the Gilbert Girl as she came to understand the implications of the Visions.
"Death Perception..." Amaya whispered with an expression of horror etched across her features before forcefully averting her thoughts from the frightening concept as she discovered the technical term for her Gift of Infinite Knowledge. "Omniscience."
With another shuddering breath as she forcefully averted her thoughts from the unexpected development, Amaya begins to absentmindedly execute her daily routine as she prepares herself for the inevitably exhausting day that awaited. And once the Younger Gilbert Daughter had deemed her appearance adequate enough, Amaya emerged from her Second Floor Bedroom to be greeted by her Aunt and Legal Guardian on the Upstairs Landing of the Gilbert Family Home.
"Do I look adult...? As in respectfully parental?" Jenna Sommers questioned her Younger Niece with an expression of uncertainty as she gestured towards the dress she was wearing.
"Depends... For what, may I ask?" Amaya responded with an innocent tilt of her head in curiosity as she examined the obviously nervous behavior of the Sommers Woman.
"Jeremy's Parent/Teacher Conference... Hair up or down?" Jenna questioned with an expression of hesitance as she briefly gathered her Strawberry Blonde Hair into an improvised updo before allowing her luscious tendrils to cascade down her back.
"I would suggest something sophisticated yet comfortable... Especially since you'll be meeting with Tanner... Perhaps an informal updo would suffice." Amaya advised with an exhausted tone of voice, causing Jenna to glance towards her Younger Niece with an expression of concern.
"Are you okay?" Jenna questioned with furrowed brows as she examined Amaya, immediately noticing the prominent bruises beneath the Gilbert Girl's eyes.
"I haven't been sleeping well... I'll be fine." Amaya assured with an unconvincing smile directed towards her concerned Aunt before averting her gaze towards her Younger Brother's bedroom with an expression of confusion. "Where's Jeremy?"
"He left already... Something about getting to Wood Shop early to finish a birdhouse..." Jenna responded with an absentminded tone of voice before pausing as she noticed Amaya's expression of confusion. "There is no Wood Shop, is there?"
"No..." Amaya answered with furrowed brows as she gently shook her head in denial before an expression of thoughtful consideration appeared across her features. "Truthfully, I wouldn't worry too much, Jenna... Knowing Jeremy, I would wager that he merely wanted to visit Vicki at the Hospital before school started."
With an affirmative nod of her head in acceptance of the Younger Gilbert Daughter's assumption, Jenna resumed her previous task of attempting to arrange her Strawberry Blonde Hair into the suggested hairstyle while Amaya averted her gaze to the ground with furrowed brows of utter bewilderment as her thoughts whirled with the sudden realization that she had inexplicably known of her Younger Brother's whereabouts without prior knowledge of such.
However, once the Gilbert Girl had eventually noticed the expression of apparent concern that had appeared across the Sommers Woman's features due to the uncharacteristic behavior that her Younger Niece was currently exhibiting, Amaya paused momentarily as she gathered her composure once more before inevitably resuming her morning routine with an absentminded wave towards Jenna in farewell as she made her way towards the Front Door.
~Mystic Falls High School~
During Third Period at the Local High School, Stefan Salvatore could be seen observing the Younger Gilbert Daughter with furrowed brows of genuine concern as he immediately noticed the worrisome behavior that Amaya Gilbert had demonstrated for the entirety of the Lesson Period. Meanwhile, the Younger of the Gilbert Twins was obviously struggling to concentrate on the History Lesson that Tanner had prepared for his Junior Class as her Navy Blue Eyes continuously fluttered with exhaustion.
"Originally discovered nearly five centuries ago, it hasn't been over Mystic Falls in more than 145 years. Now, the Comet will be at its brightest right after Dusk during tomorrow's celebration..." Mr. Tanner explained with an uninterested tone of voice as he addressed the obviously bored Junior Class.
And as the Dismissal Bell echoed through the History Classroom to indicate that Third Period had ended, the Salvatore Son paused momentarily in the doorway as he waited patiently for the Younger Gilbert Daughter to join him while Amaya perched her School Bag onto her shoulder before standing from her desk as she deftly gathered her belongings into her arms with an apparent yawn of exhaustion forcing itself from her parted lips as she and Stefan entered the crowded corridor.
"I brought it..." Stefan announced with an endearing smile as he retrieved an aged copy of Wuthering Heights from his Shoulder Bag before offering the novel to Amaya. "As promised."
"Wuthering Heights by Ellis Bell..." Amaya recited with an impressed smile etched across her tired features as she examined the First Edition. "Where could you have possibly found an edition of such pristine condition...?"
"Passed down through the Family... An Heirloom, you could say." Stefan answered with a secretive smile as he averted his gaze to the ground beneath his feet.
"Mmm..." Amaya hummed absentmindedly as she continued to examine the publication with genuine interest.
Unbeknownst to the Salvatore Son, with the unforeseen awakening of the Younger Gilbert Daughter's Gift of Infinite Knowledge, Amaya had inevitably learned of the existence of the Supernatural Factions which had unintentionally exposed Stefan as an evidently notorious Sired Vampire that had Transitioned shortly after the Battle of Willow Creek in 1864 alongside his Elder Brother. And while such information should have frightened the Doe Eyed Girl, Amaya ultimately could not bring herself to distrust Stefan despite having legitimate cause to be wary of the Green Eyed Man.
However, upon discovering that the Chestnut Haired Creature had prolonged his residency in Mystic Falls indefinitely with the sole incentive of encountering the alluring Doe Eyed Being that had seemingly inspired such insatiable desire within himself, Amaya had been overwhelmed with an immediate sense of endearment towards Stefan for having the courage to risk exposure to the Founders Council purely for her benefit. Especially considering the Founders Council had been partially responsible for his Mortal Death in 1864 which had caused him to Transition.
"I have plenty of books. By all means... Keep this one." Stefan offered with an encouraging smile directed towards the Gilbert Girl, causing Amaya to glance towards Stefan with widened eyes of astonishment.
"Oh! No, I shouldn't..." Amaya denied with an expression of uncertainty as she glanced between the Green Eyed Man and the proffered Classic Novel. "But I would quite enjoy reading an Early Edition... I promise I'll return it once I've finished."
"Alright." Stefan responded with an apparent fondness lilting his tone of voice as he nodded his head in acceptance of Amaya's unnecessary reassurances.
"Morning." Caroline Forbes greeted with an excitable smile as she approached Stefan and Amaya before linking arms with the Gilbert Girl as she begun their journey towards their joint Fourth Period Lesson.
As the Forbes Daughter guided the distracted Gilbert Daughter through the crowded corridors with their arms intertwined, Amaya absentmindedly explained what she had discovered through her Omniscience about the nightmarish visions that had been plaguing her dreams for several weeks as well as their subsequent meaning, causing Caroline to furrow her brows in thought as she seemed to process the startling information that her Doe Eyed Companion had happened upon earlier that morning.
"Okay, I'm confused. Are you Psychic or Clairvoyant...?" Caroline questioned ever so quietly with genuine curiosity as she glanced towards her Lifelong Best Friend.
In moments such as this, Amaya was immensely grateful that the Honey Blonde Haired Mortal had always been such an invaluable companion towards her despite the obvious competitive streak that existed between Caroline and the Elder Gilbert Twin. Especially considering the overwhelming information that she had learned about not only herself but Mystic Falls as an entirety by mere happenstance with the unexpected activation of her Gift of Infinite Knowledge.
Though, the Younger Gilbert Daughter had not intentionally discovered the existence of the Supernatural Community nor the individuals within the seemingly unimportant town that were either considered Unnatural Beings or have connections to aforementioned creatures, Amaya had merely wondered if she were the only Ethereal Being residing in Mystic Falls with such abilities which had inevitably resulted in her Omniscience providing her with the answer she so desired.
"Technically, I'm of the Fae Species... Ethereal Beings that are created in the Realm of Avalon before being born into the Mortal World..." Amaya admitted with an expression of gratitude directed towards the Forbes Daughter as she and Caroline continued their journey through the crowded hallways of Mystic Falls High School. "From what I could discern amidst my hysteria this Morning, the Fae Species have long since established means of secure passage from the Gates of Avalon into the Mortal Realm by manipulating Significant Historical Events throughout Human and Supernatural History to deliberately disguise our individual arrivals. And once we've entered the Earthly Domain, we're considered mere Mortals until our Fae Abilities begin emerging as we approach Maturity at 18 Years of Age... As I've ascertained, with Elena being the current Human Doppelganger of the Petrova Bloodline, my mere existence could be considered an anomaly amongst the Supernatural Community since Mortal Shadowselves were always meant to have come into existence as singular entities. But... Truthfully, the Fae Species had never before deigned the Birth of the Petrova Doppelganger as an adequate Method of Creation... Not until I'd been brought into existence. For reasons I know nought, might I add... I know that I should've delved further into the matter if it could've assuaged my worries. I guess I was afraid of what I might've discovered about not only myself but those that I care for as well... And I think my faith has been shaken enough as it is."
With an affirmative nod of her head in acceptance of the understandable concerns that were plaguing the Younger Gilbert Daughter, Caroline smiled reassuringly towards her Childhood Best Friend as she and Amaya arrived to their Fourth Period Lesson with time to spare. And with an audible sigh of apparent exhaustion, the Forbes/Gilbert Duo approached their allotted seats while directing their conversation towards matters that were more appropriate for public discussion as they waited for Final Bell to announce the beginning of class.
~Mystic Grill~
That Afternoon, the Forbes/Gilbert Duo were seated on the Front Patio of the Mystic Grill with the Gilbert/Bennett Duo as the four of them folded Information Pamphlets detailing the Night of the Comet Celebration that would occur the following Evening. And as the Bennett Daughter broached the subject of her Ancestral Witch Heritage with her companions, Amaya silently exchanged brief glances with Caroline as the two of them listened to the blatant disregard with which she regarded her Maternal Grandmother's warnings.
"I was talking to Grams and she said the Comet is a sign of impending doom. The last time it passed over Mystic Falls, there was alot of death. So much blood and carnage, it created a bed of Paranormal Activity-" Bonnie Bennett explained with an expression of concern etched across her features as she glanced between the Gilbert Twins and the Forbes Daughter.
"Yeah. And then you poured Grams another shot and she told you about the Aliens..." Caroline interjected with an obviously taunting smirk directed towards the Bennett Daughter, causing Bonnie and Elena to scowl at the Forbes Daughter as she directed her attention towards Amaya. "Then what happened?"
For the briefest moment, the Bennett Girl exchanged an annoyed glance with the Elder Gilbert Twin in response to the Forbes Daughter's obvious disinterest in anyone besides her Childhood Best Friend before promptly focusing their attention onto the eager conversation that Caroline had directed towards the Younger Gilbert Twin in regards to the events between Amaya and Stefan on the night of the Back-To-School Party.
"Nothing..." Amaya retorted with an audible sigh of resignation as she absentmindedly continued to fold Information Pamphlets.
"You and Stefan spent the entire night talking...?" Caroline questioned rhetorically with an arched brow directed towards her Lifelong Best Friend.
"There was no sloppy First Kiss? Or touchy feely of any kind?" Elena inquired with an expression of disbelief written across her features as an apparent rosy hued blush appeared on Amaya's delicate cheeks.
"Of course not." Amaya responded with an incredulous tone of voice as she glanced towards her Elder Twin Sister.
"Not even a handshake? I mean, Amaya, we're your friends. Okay? You're supposed to share the smut." Elena declared with a taunting smirk directed towards her Younger Twin Sister, causing Amaya to scowl in her Elder Twin Sister's direction for the inappropriate comment.
"We just spent the Evening getting to know one another..." Amaya admitted with a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders as she averted her gaze to the pamphlet grasped within her hand.
"That's adorable." Caroline commented with an excited smile directed towards her Childhood Best Friend while the Elder Gilbert Twin silently scowled in annoyance at the lack of details from her Younger Twin Sister about the Salvatore Son.
"Okay. What is with the blockage? Just jump his bones already!" Elena declared with an expression of annoyance directed towards her bashful Younger Twin Sister. "Okay, it's easy. Boy likes Girl. Girl likes Boy. Sex."
"Profound." Amaya sarcastically comments with an expression of disapproval directed towards her Elder Twin Sister's inappropriate declaration.
And with the last of her Information Pamphlets prepared for distribution during the Town Celebrations the following Evening, Amaya calmly stands from the Patio Chair without uttering another word on the matter as she gently perches her School Bag onto her shoulder, causing her companions to glance towards her with furrowed brows of confusion as to her sudden departure.
"Where are you going?" Caroline inquired with an expression of curiosity etched across her features as she observed the actions of her Childhood Best Friend.
"I agreed to come by the Boarding House once I had finished helping the Event Committee with preparations for the Night of the Comet. Stefan and I need to study for the Advanced Algebra Quiz that we have tomorrow..." Amaya admitted with an absentminded tone of voice as she retrieved her Car Keys from her Shoulder Bag, causing Elena to glower in distaste at the implication of her Younger Twin Sister visiting the Salvatore Son in the privacy of the Old Boarding House.
However, before the Elder Gilbert Daughter had the opportunity to comment on the matter, Amaya made her way towards the Car Park in Town Square where she had parked her vehicle earlier that Afternoon, oblivious to the annoyed scowl etched across Elena's features nor the expression of smug satisfaction that Caroline was currently directing towards her Elder Twin Sister's apparent jealousy.
~Salvatore Boarding House~
In the driveway of the Salvatore Boarding House, the Younger Gilbert Daughter emerges from her Pristine White Chevy Camaro with an expression of uncertainty written across her features as she momentarily examines the massive Salvatore Household. And with an obvious hesitancy, Amaya makes her way towards the Front Door of the illustrious manor, pausing for the briefest moment as she fleetingly contemplates leaving before someone notices her presence.
However, once having hesitated momentarily as she heaved an audible breath in an attempt to assuage her frayed nerves, Amaya gently tapped the Antique Knocker against the heavy wooden frame before pausing as the ornate Front Door casually opened to reveal the darkened alcove of the Entrance Corridor.
"Stefan...?" Amaya voiced with furrowed brows of confusion as she hesitated to further enter the Salvatore Boarding House. "Hello?"
With an expression of apparent uncertainty, the Gilbert Daughter tentatively entered the eerily darkened Salvatore Residence before pausing to examine the Sitting Room that resided directly before the Entrance Corridor. However, as an easily recognizable 'CAW' echoed through the otherwise silent abode, Amaya visibly flinched as she whirled around towards the Front Door at the precise moment that an undeniably familiar Black Crow soared into the Boarding House.
Once the ominous Black Crow had promptly disappeared into the extravagant Front Parlor, Amaya hesitantly followed the animal further into the Boarding House as her Navy Blue Eyes surveyed her surroundings with apparent uncertainty in regards to the suspiciously absent residents of the enormous manor. However, with the eerie creature suddenly appearing once more as it soared through the massive space in the direction of the frightened Gilbert Girl, Amaya stumbled backwards slightly with an audible gasp of alarm before shrieking as her back collides with the chest of an unfamiliar Raven Haired Man.
"Pardon me... I had not meant to intrude. The door was..." Amaya muttered with an embarrassed blush as she glanced towards the Entrance Alcove before pausing momentarily with furrowed brows of confusion in response to the securely closed Front Door. "Open..."
"You must be Amaya..." The Mystery Man comments with an expression of amusement as he gazed down upon the blushing Gilbert Girl with an apparent smirk. "I'm Damon... Stefan's Elder Brother."
"Right. Of course..." Amaya whispered with an affirmative nod of her head in greeting towards the Ravenette Vampire, having discovered the existence of the Elder Salvatore Brother earlier that morning. "Pleasure to meet you, Damon."
For the briefest moment, the Elder Salvatore Son could not contain his genuine surprise that the Younger Gilbert Daughter seemed to have been aware of him prior to their initial meeting since his Younger Brother tended to avoid admitting to having an Elder Brother as much as possible.
"You as well, Miss Gilbert..." Damon retorted as another smirk appeared upon his handsome features as he rested his hand against Amaya's lower back to guide her further into the Sitting Room. "Please. Come... I am certain that Stefan will be along any moment."
Once the Gilbert Daughter had emerged into the Front Parlor of the Salvatore Boarding House, an expression of genuine fascination appeared across Amaya's delicate features as she examined the elegant Sitting Room with wonderment, causing Damon to pause momentarily with an innocent tilt of his head as he observed the Gilbert Daughter with honest curiosity.
"Wow..." Amaya breathed with widened Navy Blue Eyes as she gazed across the lavish Sitting Room with an awed expression. "This is beautiful."
"Rather ostentatious in my opinion..." Damon comments as he glanced around the Front Parlor with an expression of disinterest before focusing his attention onto Amaya once more as she stepped further into the Sitting Room with idle curiosity etched across her features. "I can understand why my Brother seems so enthralled by you... Though, I must admit... For awhile, I had thought he would never overcome his grief for the previous one. Nearly destroyed him."
"The previous one...?" Amaya questioned with furrowed brows as she directed her attention to the Elder Salvatore Brother as she tilted her head with an adorable expression of curiosity.
"Mhm. Katherine...? His Girlfriend...?" Damon responded with an innocent tone of voice before allowing an expression of feigned guilty realization to appear across his features. "Oh. You've yet to have the unfortunate Exes Conversation..."
"Mmm." Amaya hummed with an unconcerned tone of voice as she averted her gaze from the Elder Salvatore Son, causing Damon to furrow his brows in confusion of the Younger Gilbert Daughter's lack of reaction.
"Well... I'm sure the conversation will arise relatively soon..." Damon commented with an expression of avid satisfaction as he averted his gaze from the Gilbert Girl. "Or perhaps he had merely not wanted you to believe him to be on the rebound... We're all aware of how those relationships end."
"You sound as though you believe all relationships are doomed to end." Amaya responded with an arched brow as she tilted her head in curiosity of the Elder Salvatore Son's comment.
"Guilty as charged..." Damon counters as he gazes down upon the admittedly Beautiful Human that continuously occupied Stefan's thoughts before an accomplished smirk appeared upon his features as he sensed the arrival of his Younger Brother. "Hello, Stefan."
With furrowed brows of confusion, Amaya directed her attention towards the Entrance Corridor that led into the Front Parlor to notice that Stefan had appeared with an apparent darkness overtaking his usually calm facade as he scowled at his Elder Brother with resentment in regards to the Raven Haired Man's proximity to the Doe Eyed Girl prior to his arrival while Damon merely crossed his arms before his chest with an apparent pleased smirk directed towards his Younger Brother.
"Amaya..." Stefan greeted as he forcefully averted his gaze towards the Younger Gilbert Twin before focusing his attention on his smirking Elder Brother once more. "I had forgotten you would be visiting."
"You've certainly made that very much obvious, Stefan..." Amaya commented with an audible sigh of defeat as she paused momentarily to observe the Green Eyed Vampire with an apparent frown of disappointment. "Perhaps I've overstayed my welcome..."
"Nonsense. You're always welcome here, Amaya. Is she not, Stefan...?" Damon inquires with a taunting smirk directed towards Stefan before glancing towards the Gilbert Daughter once more. "Perhaps I should find the Family Albums and Home Movies. But I must warn you... He hasn't always been such an Adonis."
For the briefest moment, Amaya allowed herself to glance towards Damon with an amused smile in response to the Elder Salvatore Son's sense of humor at the expense of his Younger Brother. However, as the Younger Gilbert Daughter directed her attention towards the Younger Salvatore Brother once more, Amaya immediately noticed the barely suppressed resentment lurking in the depths of Stefan's Forest Green Eyes as he glanced between Damon and herself.
"Thank you for visiting, Amaya..." Stefan voiced with narrowed eyes directed towards his Elder Brother, causing Amaya to scowl at the Younger Salvatore Brother's appalling behavior towards her merely due to Damon's presence.
"Mmm..." Amaya hummed with an expression of hesitancy as she glanced between Stefan and Damon with furrowed brows. "I think I should take my leave... My Aunt will soon be wondering where I am..." Amaya commented with an absentminded tone of voice as she tightened her grasp on the strap of her Satchel before glancing towards the Elder Salvatore Brother with an obviously timid smile. "It was nice meeting you, Damon."
"You as well, Amaya..." Damon assured with an innocent glimmer in his Icy Blue Eyes as he brushed his lips gently against the skin of her knuckles in farewell.
And without sparing another glance towards the Younger Salvatore Brother, Amaya immediately sidestepped Stefan as she made her way towards the Front Door without uttering another word, causing an accomplished smirk to appear across Damon's features at Amaya's obvious disapproval of Stefan's behavior in regards to her presence.
"Wonderful girl you've found yourself, Brother... Calm. Sensible. Patient... You, on the other hand, seem exhausted..." Damon taunted with an egotistical smirk as his Younger Brother stepped further into the Front Parlor once the Gilbert Daughter had taken her leave. "Did you overexert yourself...? Allow me to hazard a guess... Hospital?"
"Someone had to correct your mistakes." Stefan commented with an emotionless expression as he crossed his arms before his chest.
"Well... Were you successful? Did the powers of persuasion perform as they should? May I remind you that if you don't Feed properly... Such tactics are susceptible to malfunction." Damon taunted with an expression of feigned concern, causing the scowl etched across his Younger Brother's features to darken considerably.
"How long had Amaya been here?" Stefan questioned alternatively as he purposefully disregarded his Elder Brother's alleged concerns.
"Why? Worried, Stefan...? Afraid we may be doomed to experience traumas of the past...? Is that not why you insist upon wasting your Afterlife with this pathetic portrayal of your being an ordinary High School Human?" Damon inquired with an arched brow directed towards his brooding Younger Brother, causing Stefan to shake his head in response to his Elder Brother's taunting.
"What I choose to do with Eternity is my decision... If I want to remain in Mystic Falls with Amaya under the pretense of an average Human Life... Then that is ultimately my choice, Damon... Just as your preference to create chaos in your wake is your own." Stefan commented with an indifferent tone of voice as he crossed his arms before his chest while glowering at his Elder Brother.
"Alright... I'll acquiesce to your point, Brother. But I need not remind you..." Damon paused as he stepped closer to his Younger Brother with an apparent smirk as his expression darkened ever so slightly with sadistic intent. "The only semblance of Humanity that you will ever encounter... Will be the mere seconds in which your victims waver amidst Life and Death... That momentary lapse between purely Feeding for survival... And succumbing to the Ripper that always lurks in the shadows."
"What are you attempting to accomplish here, Damon...?" Stefan demanded with an ominous tone of voice as he suddenly towered over Damon while his Vampiric Features endeavored to overshadow his Human Facade, his entire being having stiffened as he fought to restrain his Ripper Persona from escaping the confines of his mind to attack his Elder Brother for being unwise enough to challenge his control.
"Wouldn't you like to know..." Damon taunted with an unconvincing smirk as he immediately realized that he very well might have agitated Stefan beyond his limits, having noticed the darkening of his Younger Brother's expression as he consciously suppressed his Alter Ego as the Ripper of Monterey.
Without the Blue Eyed Vampire furthering the tension within his Younger Brother, Damon cautiously stepped away from the Green Eyed Vampire before promptly making his way towards his Upstairs Bedroom while Stefan remained in the Sitting Room as he continued to subdue his Alter Ego with strenuous effort to prevent the Ripper of Monterey from being released after decades of containment.
However, once the Chestnut Haired Man had managed to soothe his Inner Demon, Stefan tilted his head ever so slightly as he immediately noticed an idling sense of his ulterior personality that seemed to have lingered within himself, causing his brows to furrow at the peculiar merging of his Ripper Persona with that of his Humanity as he felt the sudden urge to protect that of which he considered his own by whatever means necessary. And despite his usual urge to suppress all traces of his Alter Ego, Stefan found himself considering the notion of harnessing the more sadistic aspects of his Vampiric Nature while maintaining his Humanity.
For Amaya...
~Gilbert Residence~
In the Dining Room of the Gilbert Household, the Younger Gilbert Daughter was seated at the Dinner Table as she discussed her earlier encounter with the Salvatore Brothers with her Aunt Jenna. The truth of the matter was that Amaya had not been the least bit affronted to discover that Stefan had refrained from revealing that he had an Elder Brother, considering the tension that had existed between Stefan and Damon for decades, but to have been dismissed in such manner as she had by the Younger Salvatore Brother bothered her more than she would care to admit.
"He apparently has raging Family Issues and, according to his Elder Brother... He could very well be on the rebound." Amaya explained with an expression of misery as she smothered the Ice Cream Sundae that her Aunt placed in front of her with Chocolate Sauce and Whipped Cream.
"Well... At least it's an Ex-Girlfriend. Wait until you date a guy with Mommy Issues. Or Cheating Issues. Or Amphetamine Issues." Jenna comments with a humorous tone of voice as she glanced towards her Younger Niece as Amaya spooned Ice Cream into her mouth.
As silence descended between the Sommers Woman and Gilbert Girl, Jenna's attention is averted from Amaya as the Youngest Gilbert Sibling arrives home while obviously under the influence as he glances through the Entrance Corridor towards his Elder Sister and Legal Guardian gathered at the Dining Room Table before making his way to his Upstairs Bedroom without uttering even one word.
"Jeremy?" Jenna voiced as she made to follow the Youngest Gilbert Sibling as he made his way upstairs while Amaya remained in the Dining Room with an expression of disappointment. "Jeremy? Where were you?"
"More Stoner Stories? Look, Jenna, I get it. You were cool. And that... That's cool." Jeremy comments with an intoxicated smile directed towards his furious Aunt, causing Jenna to scowl towards her Nephew as he resumed his journey towards his Upstairs Bedroom.
"Oh. No. No. No!" Jenna muttered with an expression of uncharacteristic anger etched across her features as she heaved the Red Apple in her hand at the back of Jeremy's head.
"Ow. Why? Why did you do that?" Jeremy questioned with furrowed brows as he whirled around on the staircase to glance down upon his Aunt with confusion.
"Listen up! Quit ditching class or you're grounded. End of discussion." Jenna asserted with finality as she braced her hands on her hips while leveling the Youngest Gilbert Sibling with narrowed eyes.
"Parental Authority. I like it. Sleep tight." Jeremy commented with a dismissive smirk directed towards his Aunt before resuming his journey upstairs.
Once the Gilbert Son had disappeared into his Upstairs Bedroom, Jenna directed her attention towards her Younger Niece with furrowed brows of confusion, causing Amaya to shrug her shoulders nonchalantly even as she she shoveled another spoonful of Ice Cream into her mouth.
~Mystic Falls Town Square~
On the Morning of the Comet Festivities, the Younger of the Gilbert Daughters made her way through Town Square with the Forbes Daughter as the two of them distributed Information Pamphlets to the numerous citizens that they happened to cross paths with.
"Night of the Comet! Pamphlet?" Amaya inquired with feigned excitement as she extended an Information Pamphlet to another passerby.
"He didn't call, did he?" Caroline questioned with an expression of sympathy as she glanced towards her Childhood Best Friend.
"Or Text. But then I remembered... We never exchanged that information. We never reached the point of trading pointless messages." Amaya admitted with an audible sigh of resignation as she shrugged her shoulders with feigned nonchalance.
"That's an important milestone in any relationship." Caroline commented with an empathetic shimmer in her Sky Blue Eyes as she gazed sadly at the obviously disappointed Gilbert Girl.
"Perhaps... But the timing had been wrong from the beginning." Amaya asserted with an expression of sorrow etched across her features as she averted her gaze to the luscious grass beneath her feet.
"When is it ever right?" Caroline countered with an encouraging smile directed towards her Childhood Best Friend.
"At least I allowed myself to consider the possibility..." Amaya responded with an expression of desperation for the Forbes Daughter to understand her reasoning.
"Did you...?" Caroline interjected with an arched brow directed towards the Younger Gilbert Twin as she crossed her arms before her chest.
"Pardon...?" Amaya voiced with furrowed brows of confusion as she and Caroline pause their actions to focus their attention onto each other.
"All I've heard are reasons why you shouldn't..." Caroline admitted with an obvious gentleness lilting her tone of voice, causing Amaya to avert her gaze to the ground with an expression of thoughtful consideration.
Without further discussion of the possible relationship between the Younger Salvatore Son and Younger Gilbert Daughter, the Forbes/Gilbert Duo resumed their journey through the Town Square as they continued to distribute Information Pamphlets for the Night of the Comet Festivities amongst the citizens of Mystic Falls.
Once darkness had descended across Mystic Falls, the Forbes/Gilbert Duo were joined in Town Square by the Bennett/Gilbert Duo, who were accompanied by the Donovan and Lockwood Sons, as everyone gathered to witness the Comet's journey across the night sky. Once the Celebration had commenced, Caroline revealed the small Cardboard Box of Event Candles that she had procured for the gathered Friend Group.
"Hey, I got the candles." Caroline announced with an enthusiastic smile as she settled the Cardboard Box onto the Picnic Table that the group of High School Students had commandeered.
"Thank you, CareBear." Amaya voiced with an appreciative smile directed towards her Childhood Best Friend as Caroline used her candle to ignite Amaya's own.
As casual conversation commenced amongst the group of High School Students, Amaya silently distanced herself from the jovial discussions with the intention of observing the phenomenon that was currently passing overhead. However, as the Younger of the Gilbert Daughters' gaze had been averted to the ground, Amaya had been unaware of the approach of the Younger Salvatore Son until he had used the flame of the Younger Gilbert Twin's Candle to ignite his own.
"Thank you." Stefan whispered with an appreciative smile as he gazed fondly down at the Gilbert Girl as Amaya gazed upon him with an expression of uncertainty. "Hi."
"Hello." Amaya responded as she tucked an idling strand of Mahogany Brown Hair behind her Diamond Pierced Ear.
However, as the memory of the Younger Salvatore Son's behavior the previous Afternoon filtered through the Younger Gilbert Daughter's mind, Amaya averted her gaze to the ground once more as she attempted to distance herself from Stefan, only for him to follow her with an expression of guilt displayed across his features.
"You know... That Comet has been traveling through space for thousands of years... Utterly alone." Stefan commented as he approached the Younger Gilbert Daughter as she gazed at the Comet that had appeared above Mystic Falls.
"Mmm... Bonnie's Grandmother claims it to be the Harbinger of Evil." Amaya retorted with an amused tone of voice as she refrained from glancing towards the Younger Salvatore Son.
"I refuse to believe that such an extraordinary phenomenon could be considered Inherently Evil... The Comet does not provoke Humanity to commit such heinous acts such as those that have happened in the distant past... Society merely cannot accept that we are genetically capable of committing unspeakable horrors of our own accord..." Stefan whispered with an expression of thoughtfulness as he gazed upwards at the Comet before directing his Forest Green Eyes towards the Younger Gilbert Daughter as her brows furrow in consideration of his reasoning. "I must apologize for my behavior yesterday Afternoon. I had not been myself..."
"I had ascertained as much..." Amaya admitted with an affirmative nod of her head in acquiescence of Stefan's rather redundant utterance. "You failed to mention that you have an Elder Brother."
"We are none too fond of one another... It's complicated." Stefan responded with an audible sigh of resignation at the mere thought of his troublesome Elder Brother.
"Always is..." Amaya whispered with an affirmative nod of her head in understanding before subtly glancing towards the Younger Salvatore Brother with hesitancy. "He mentioned your previous Girlfriend... Katherine?"
"Is that so...?" Stefan questioned with furrowed brows of concern as he silently considered what his Elder Brother could have possibly claimed that would cause Amaya such turmoil.
"Mhm... He'd claimed that she had broken your heart..." Amaya answered with a somber tone of voice as she averted her gaze to the ground beneath her feet.
"Much time has passed since then..." Stefan assured with an expression of hesitancy as he noticed the Younger Gilbert Daughter's peculiar silence on the matter.
"Time only serves to lessen the heartache of losing someone you care for... But it cannot shield you from the suffering that ensues when those that you cherish most in this world inevitably leave you... Whether that be by choice or by happenstance... And such misery could destroy you if you're not careful." Amaya conveyed with an anguished expression etched across her features as her thoughts whirled with the impending notion that she had essentially been destined to roam the Mortal World alone for Eternity.
"Amaya..." Stefan interjected with a pleading tone of voice as he shifted to stand before the Younger Gilbert Twin as he realized where their conversation would lead.
"No, Stefan... I understand. I do... You could never imagine just how much I empathize with you... Complicated Secrets? Check. Complicated Siblings? Double Check. Too complicated to even contemplate dating? Triple Check... And that's fine... Because we met. And it was epic... But then Daybreak emerged. And Reality arose. So..." Amaya paused as she failed to contain the tears that had gathered in her Navy Blue Eyes, causing the expression of misery displayed across Stefan's features to strengthen at the trail of tears drifting across her flushed cheeks.
Without further contemplation from the Younger Gilbert Daughter, Amaya gently extinguished the flame of her candle as she made her way towards the Parking Lot of the Mystic Grill, causing Caroline to excuse herself from the group of High School Students that had gathered around the Picnic Table to follow her Childhood Best Friend towards her vehicle while Stefan merely observed Amaya's retreating figure with an anguished expression.
~Gilbert Residence~
On the Upstairs Landing of the Gilbert Household, the Younger Gilbert Daughter silently made her way towards her Second Floor Bedroom as the memory of her conversation with the Younger Salvatore Son continued to filter through her thoughts. However, as she noticed movement from within her Younger Brother's bedroom, Amaya paused in the darkened hallway as she glanced through the slightly ajar Bedroom Door.
"Jeremy?" Amaya questioned with furrowed brows as she approached the Youngest Gilbert Sibling's bedroom.
"No, it's me. The Hypocrite Patrol." Jenna announced with an annoyed huff as she continued to riffle through Jeremy's Desk Drawers.
"What are you doing?" Amaya inquired with an expression of confusion etched across her features as she observed her Aunt's frazzled behavior.
"I've become my own worst nightmare. The Authority Figure... That has to violate a 15-Year-Old's privacy... Jackpot!" Jenna exclaimed with an expression of agitated accomplishment as she retrieved the hidden Marijuana Pipe from the Gilbert Son's Closet Floor. "I see the hiding places haven't gotten any more creative."
"What brought this about?" Amaya questioned with an expression of concern directed towards the Sommers Woman's uncharacteristic behavior.
"Your Asshat of a History Teacher shamed me good yesterday." Jenna admitted with an angered scowl as she thought about what she had been told by the insensitive Tanner Man.
"Ahh. You were Tanner-ed..." Amaya surmised with an affirmative nod of her head in understanding of the righteous fury that she could practically feel from her usually calm Aunt.
"Discover the impossible, Ms. Sommers... Got it. Thanks." Jenna commented with an expression of frustration as she revealed another Marijuana Pipe from Jeremy's Underwear Drawer. "Like I didn't know I was screwing up."
"You're doing your best, Aunt Jenna... That's all we could've asked of you... You were as unprepared for these circumstances as we were..." Amaya assured with an expression of sympathy directed towards the Sommers Woman. "And Tanner was wrong to make such an inaccurate comment about your skills as our Legal Guardian..."
"But he's right. You know why? Because I'm not her... She made everything look so easy. You know... High School. Marriage. Having you... I can't do it. I'm gonna say or do the wrong thing and he's gonna get worse. And it'll be my fault... It's impossible." Jenna admitted with an expression of defeat as she collapsed onto the Gilbert Son's Panel Bed.
"This is nothing more than the anxiety that you've been suppressing... And that could only be expected, Jenna... I would be concerned if you weren't frightened... But you're not alone in this... We're just as afraid as you are..." Amaya whispered with an encouraging smile directed towards her Aunt before pausing as an expression of realization dawned upon her features. "I have something that I must do... But will you be alright?"
With an affirmative nod of the head from the Sommers Woman towards her Younger Niece, Amaya immediately made her way downstairs with her Car Keys grasped firmly within her delicate hand as she crossed the threshold of the Gilbert Residence into the darkness that had long since surrounded Mystic Falls with an expression of determination etched across her delicate features.
~Salvatore Boarding House~
On the Front Doorstep of the Salvatore Boarding House, the Younger of the Gilbert Daughters gently tapped the Door Knocker against the heavy Wooden Door before stepping backwards as she patiently waited for an inhabitant of the enormous manor to answer. And as the Heavy Wooden Door opened to reveal the Younger Salvatore Man, an expression of combined confusion and astonishment appeared across his features at the mere presence of the Younger Gilbert Girl.
"Hi..." Amaya whispered with an expression of sheepishness as she clasped her hands before her abdomen.
"Hi." Stefan greeted with a gentle smile directed towards the obviously bashful Gilbert Girl as he opened the Front Door further to offer Amaya entrance. "Would you like to come in...?"
"Actually... The Comet's this way..." Amaya responded with a timid smile as she gestured towards the Front Yard of the Salvatore Boarding House.
And as the Younger Gilbert Daughter poised herself against the Decorative Brick Half Wall that separated the Manor Entrance from the Front Yard, an endearing smile etched itself across Stefan's features as he makes his way towards Amaya as she silently gazes at the Comet that could be seen streaking across the night sky.
"I apologize if I'm intruding... Especially considering my behavior earlier this Evening..." Amaya admits with an expression of remorse as she subtly glances towards the Younger Salvatore Son before averting her gaze once more as her Navy Blue Orbs connect with his Forest Green Eyes. "The truth is... I had convinced myself that taking unnecessary risks at the moment could ultimately be considered unwise... That the timing was completely reprehensible so soon after the accident... But when I had reminded myself that my Late Parents would have wanted nothing more than for me to be happy in their absence... You had unfortunately reacted negatively to my presence around your Elder Brother. Which had seemed to merely reaffirm my hesitancy on the matter..." Amaya explained with an expression of uncertainty as she briefly glanced towards Stefan before averting her gaze once more. "And I know that my actions had been unfair to you. Especially if you had reciprocated my feelings... Not that I am insinuating that you should. But if you had by chance-"
"Amaya." Stefan interrupted the Younger Gilbert Daughter's nervous rambling with an affectionate smile, causing Amaya to pause in her unintelligible explanation as she glanced towards the Younger Salvatore Son with an adorable blush tinting her delicate cheeks.
With an expression of tenderness etched across his features as he brought his hand to caress her flushed cheek, Stefan tentatively leaned towards the obviously inexperienced Gilbert Girl as his eyes continuously drifted towards her slightly parted rosy hued lips, providing Amaya with the opportunity to oppose his advances if that were what she had wanted.
Once he had realized that the Younger Gilbert Daughter would not deny his affections, Stefan leaned forward to gently connect their lips for the first time, causing Amaya to lean further into his embrace as her Navy Blue Eyes fluttered closed at the soft caress of his lips against her own as she and the Younger Salvatore Son became consumed within one another.
AND SO IT BEGAN...