~Dreamscape~
In the darkened Upstairs Bedroom belonging to the Younger Gilbert Daughter, Amaya Gilbert were jolted awake from her slumber by an echoing 'BANG' that filtered through the otherwise silent Gilbert Household. And as another 'CRASH' resonated from downstairs, Amaya bolts upright in her Sleigh Bed as she searches through the darkness that surrounds her with shallow breaths escaping her trembling form.
"Jeremy? Jenna? Elena? Is that you?" Amaya voiced as she continued to survey the neverending darkness while the sudden anxiety that had flooded her senses continued to escalate.
After several unsuccessful attempts to switch on the Bedside Lamp, Amaya forced herself to leave the comfort of her Sleigh Bed as she cautiously makes her way onto the darkened Second Floor Landing with tentative footsteps while surveying her surroundings with vigilant eyes as she searched for the source of the disturbance.
"Hello?" Amaya whispered with furrowed brows as she stared into the neverending darkness that surrounded her.
With tentative footsteps as she approaches the banister of the Second Floor Landing, Amaya glances over the wooden railing into the vast darkness that lay below as an undeniably familiar Shadowed Figure crosses through the moonlit Downstairs Entryway, causing the Young Gilbert Girl to descend the staircase with an expression of uncertainty as she searched for the cause of her unease.
"Hello?" The sound of Amaya's voice echoed through the otherwise silent Gilbert Household as she made her way towards the Kitchen with an obvious wariness.
As the frightened Gilbert Girl emerged from the dimly illuminated Entrance Corridor into the Open Concept Kitchen, Amaya unsuccessfully attempts to switch on the Kitchen Lights before continuing into the Dining Room as she glanced through the darkened area into the adjacent Family Den that was attached to the Dining Room. However, as the television in the Family Room suddenly flashes on to display the Local News Channel, Amaya is startled by the unexpected onslaught of light as her eyes gradually adjust to the change in lighting.
"This is Logan Fell coming to you Live from the streets of Mystic Falls with Breaking News of another Deadly Animal Attack. The Wild Animal terrorizing the citizens of Mystic Falls has claimed another victim. Local High School Student, Amaya Gilbert. Police are certain that Forensic Evidence will confirm that this is the same animal responsible for recent attacks..." The News Reporter announced with an empathetic expression, causing unadulterated horror to appear on Amaya's features as her School Portrait flashed across the Television Screen.
"You know what happens next..." The sound of Damon Salvatore's voice filters through the otherwise silent downstairs, causing Amaya to shriek in utter terror as she whirls around to find the Shadowed Figure standing behind her.
In the Gilbert Girl's panicked State of Mind, Amaya sprints through the darkened Entrance Corridor towards the Front Door. Once having forcefully wrenched the Wooden Door open, she is startled by Damon's sudden appearance on the Front Porch as he tilted his head with an amused smirk at her attempt at escaping.
After slamming the Front Door in the Ravenette Vampire's face, Amaya whirls around in an absolute frenzied manner as she comes face-to-face with Damon as he obstructed her pathway to the Kitchen, causing another frightened shriek to escape her lips as she lowered herself to the ground with her hands covering her tearstained face as she willed for the nightmare to come to an end.
When nothing seemed to have happened, Amaya uncovered her face before hesitantly standing from the ground as she searched through the neverending darkness for any indication of the Elder Salvatore Brother's presence. However, as the Gilbert Girl made her way further through the Downstairs Entryway towards the Dining Room, Damon suddenly appeared behind Amaya as his arms wrapped tightly around her waist while his Elongated Fangs embedded themselves into the delicate skin of her neck viciously as she screamed in agony.
~Salvatore Boarding House~
With an audible gasp as he was jolted awake from the undeniably frightening nightmare, the Younger Salvatore Brother bolts upright in his Panel Bed as he struggles to correct his labored breathing after having to forcefully eject himself from the horrific vision. And once he had managed to alleviate the inner turmoil caused by witnessing his Elder Brother attacking his Fae Girlfriend, the Green Eyed Vampire directed his attention towards the Ravenette Vampire that were currently lounging in his Office Chair with his feet perched atop the Antique Desk.
"Nightmare?" Damon rhetorically questions with a taunting smirk as he glances towards his Younger Brother as he continues to glower in his direction with undiluted rage. "Do you know how easy it had been for me to access your mind...? You desperately need Human Blood. May even the Playing Field... Football Reference. Too soon?"
With Adrenalin pulsating through his veins as an aftereffect of forcefully ejecting himself from the Psychic Induced Nightmare, the Younger Salvatore Brother crossed the Attic Bedroom within mere seconds with his Vampire Speed before launching an idling Letter Opener at Damon with every ounce of strength he had, causing the object to embed itself into his Elder Brother's abdomen.
"Alright... I deserve that..." Damon admitted with an affirmative nod of his head as he removed the Letter Opener from his abdomen with no outward sign of pain which allowed his Enhanced Healing to tend to the wound. "But I thought you would like to know... The Authorities have caught the animal responsible for attacking Coach Tanner and those other victims."
"What do you mean?" Stefan Salvatore retorted with an expression of confusion as he crosses his arms before his chest with furrowed brows.
"It were an Adult Mountain Lion. It attacked an unfortunate Hunter earlier this Morning... The announcement had been all over the News. Deadly Beast Captured. All's Well in Mystic Falls." Damon declares with a taunting smirk etched across his lips, causing Stefan's brows to furrow further at the notion of the Ravenette Vampire misleading the Authorities to believe the threat had been neutralized.
"Why would you cover your tracks...?" Stefan questioned with an arched brow as he narrowed his eyes on his Elder Brother with obvious suspicion.
"I've decided to extend my visit..." Damon admits with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders as he stood from the Desk Chair with a taunting smirk. "I am merely enjoying my time here with you and Amaya far too much to leave."
"Nothing you can do to her now." Stefan denied with narrowed eyes as his calm demeanor seemed to darken immediately at the unspoken threat to his Fae Girlfriend.
"Well, the Vervain protects her mind from my influence... Perhaps that was never my target... Whether you believe this or not, Stefan... Some women don't need my persuasion. Some women merely cannot resist my rugged handsomeness, my mysterious demeanor, my charming charisma... Not to mention, my unflinching ability to listen to Taylor Swift..." Damon taunts as he approaches his Younger Brother with a cocky smirk etched across his lips before pausing as he impales the Letter Opener into Stefan's abdomen with an unnecessary amount of strength, causing the Green Eyed Vampire to kneel on the ground with an agonized grunt as his eyes clenched at the searing pain that coursed through his senses when he jerkily yanked the weapon from the wound. "This was John Varvatos, Dude... Dick Move."
Without further comment from the Elder Salvatore Son, Damon stepped around his Younger Brother's kneeling form as he made his way towards the Bedroom Door while continuing to examine the damage that Stefan had made to the expensive Designer Shirt that he had been wearing. Meanwhile, the Younger Salvatore Son had forced himself onto his feet by bracing his weight against his Antique Desk as he stared after his Elder Brother's retreating figure.
~Gilbert Residence~
At the Gilbert Family Household, the Younger Gilbert Twin descends the wooden staircase with the Gilbert Family Heritage Collection in her hands as she made her way towards the Dining Room. And as the Mortal Fae approached the Open Concept Kitchen, she could hear the sound of the Local New Station filtering through from the television in the Den as well as the whispered insults of the Gilbert Siblings' Legal Guardian.
"Again... The animal terrorizing Mystic Falls has been caught-" The News Reporter announces with an enigmatic smile while Amaya paused in the Dining Room Entryway to glance between her Aunt and the Mystic Falls Anchorman.
"Scum Ball. Scum Bucket." Jenna Sommers muttered with an expression of contempt directed at the Television Screen, causing Amaya to observe the Strawberry Blonde Woman with an arched brow.
"Should I ask who it is you're insulting...?" Amaya questioned with furrowed brows of confusion as she made her way towards the Dining Table.
"Him." Jenna answered as she gestured towards the television with the coffee mug she had been holding.
"The Anchorman...?" Amaya retorted with an innocent tilt of her head in curiosity as she glanced from her Aunt towards the News Reporter.
"Also known as Logan 'Scum' Fell... Did your Mom ever tell you why I moved away from Mystic Falls?" Jenna inquired with an arched brow as she glanced towards her Younger Niece with an apparent grimace.
"No... You and him? He is attractive, I suppose." Amaya commented with an expression of amusement as she smirked tauntingly at her Aunt.
"No, he's not. There's nothing attractive about him." Jenna retorted with a prominent glower directed at the Television Screen before switching the device off as she focused her attention onto her Younger Niece. "What are you doing with that?"
"I visited the Town Archives yesterday Afternoon and retrieved it from the Safe Deposit Box... Mom had agreed to loan it to the Founders Council for their Heritage Exhibit." Amaya explained as she retrieved an Engagement Ring from within the Antique Jewelry Box that contained the Gilbert Family's Treasured Artifacts.
"Is that Grandma Beth's Wedding Ring?" Elena Gilbert questioned with furrowed brows of curiosity as she entered the Dining Room to find her Younger Twin Sister polishing an Antique Wedding Ban that she could vaguely remember their Paternal Grandmother wearing when they were Young Children.
"Originally, it had been Great-Great-Grandma Mary's Wedding Ring." Amaya corrected without bothering to glance towards her Elder Twin Sister as she continued to prepare the Gilbert Family Artifacts for the Heritage Display at the Lockwood Estate.
"How much do you think this stuff is worth? You know, like on eBay?" Jeremy Gilbert questioned as he made his way into the Dining Room, causing Elena to roll her eyes at their Younger Brother's inquiry.
"You're not gonna find out." Elena declared with finality as she leveled the Gilbert Son with a threatening glower when Jeremy seemed particularly interested in an Antique Pocket Watch that had been in the Jewelry Box.
"That stuff is Mom and Dad's. You can't just give it away." Jeremy retorted as he made his way towards the refrigerator after Elena had snatched the Pocket Watch from his grasp to place it back onto the Dining Room Table.
"She's not giving it away. It's called a loan, Jeremy." Elena commented without bothering to spare her Younger Brother another glance as she poured herself a mug of coffee.
"Mrs. Lockwood agreed to return it once the Founders Council Celebrations had concluded." Amaya admitted with an expression of gentle reassurance directed towards her concerned Younger Brother, causing Jeremy to nod his head in acceptance of his Elder Sister's explanation.
With the echoing of the doorbell throughout the Gilbert Family Household, Amaya pauses in her task of polishing the Antique Artifacts as she makes her way towards the Downstairs Entryway. And once the Younger Gilbert Twin opened the Front Door, an endearing smile appeared on Amaya's features as her Navy Blue Eyes connected with the Forest Green Eyes of her Vampire Boyfriend.
"Hi." Stefan greets with an affectionate smile etched across his lips as he gazes down upon his Fae Girlfriend.
Without breaking eye contact with the Green Eyed Vampire, Amaya allowed Stefan entrance into the Gilbert Family Home with an enchanting smile as she gently closed the Front Door before urging him into the darkened alcove that was hidden from sight by the staircase. And once the Salvatore/Gilbert Couple had exchanged an undeniably passionate kiss, Amaya momentarily burrow herself into Stefan's broad chest with an expression of absolute contentment etched across her delicate features.
"Hi." Amaya whispers with an enchanting smile directed towards her Vampire Boyfriend as Stefan pressed an affectionate kiss to her forehead.
After allowing themselves to linger in the alcove for the briefest moment, Stefan had silently followed his Fae Girlfriend as she ascended the staircase to the Upstairs Landing with their hands intertwined until they had crossed the threshold into her Second Floor Bedroom. At which moment, Stefan had immediately wrapped his arms around his Fae Girlfriend's slender waist as his lips descended upon her own once more, causing Amaya to emit an audible sigh of contentment as she allowed herself to be ensnared by the sensual embrace of her Vampire Boyfriend.
Unbeknownst to either the Green Eyed Vampire or Doe Eyed Fae, Stefan had unknowingly guided Amaya towards her Sleigh Bed before sitting down on the surface of the mattress as he maneuvered her to straddle his lap with the arms that remained firmly wrapped around her slender waist. And as the enamored moment of passion continues, their amorous embrace steadily heightened until Amaya had somehow found herself beneath Stefan as his sensual kisses gravitated down her delicate jawline towards the tender skin of her neck.
However, with the gradual increase of the Heightened Emotions of the Green Eyed Vampire as their passionate moment progressed from an innocent act of affection into something more arduous, Stefan forcefully withdrew himself from Amaya as he was overcome with prior worries of unintentionally causing harm to the Mortal Fae should he suddenly lose control of his urges.
"Stefan?" Amaya whispered with furrowed brows of concern as she immediately noticed the stiffening of his posture, even with his head buried in her luscious Mahogany Brown Waves as he fought to regain his composure from their heated moment of passion.
"I'm sorry..." Stefan muttered with an apologetic expression as he lifted his head away from the tender skin of Amaya's neck where he had been inhaling soothing breaths of her calming scent. "I would never be able to forgive myself if I were to harm you, Amaya... And I fear that I could if we were to continue."
As the Green Eyed Vampire shifted himself into an upright position, Amaya followed his actions until she had perched herself atop her legs as she grasped either of Stefan's cheeks between the palms of her hands. And with the gentle caress of her thumbs against his cheeks, Stefan's eyes fluttered closed as an audible sigh of contentment filtered through his slightly parted lips in response to the gentle motions of his Fae Girlfriend's dainty hands.
"Open your eyes for me, Stefan." Amaya whispered ever so softly as her head tilted to the side with an endearing smile etched across her lips when his Forest Green Eyes connected with her own Navy Blue Eyes. "It's alright... You won't hurt me."
"How can you say that for certain?" Stefan weakly retorted with furrowed brows of confusion as he gazed into Amaya's sparkling Navy Blue Eyes, wondering how she could have such confidence in his restraint when he could not bring himself to believe the same.
"First and foremost... Because I know you. And I know that you would sooner succumb to Death than allow yourself to cause me harm, Stefan..." Amaya assured with an endearing smile directed towards the obviously hesitant Green Eyed Vampire. "But also because Fae Blood does not appeal to Vampires..." Amaya truthfully admitted with an innocent tilt of her head as Stefan found himself staring into her Navy Blue Eyes with an unfamiliar sense of hope that he has not had since before his Transition. "As I'm sure you've come to notice... My Fae Blood possesses an uncommon scent that dulls your sensitivity to blood more so than heightening it, as Human Blood often does..." Amaya paused as Stefan nodded his head in confirmation while his thoughts drifted to the memory of their encounter in the cemetery, remembering the peculiar scent of her blood having carried an almost cherry twinged aroma that he had never happened across during his Eternal Afterlife. "While Fae Blood does possess the necessary properties to sustain Vampires or even revive them from the brink of starvation... When willingly offered, of course... Our blood does not have the qualities as that of Human Blood that makes it appealing to such an extent for Vampires."
With an expression of gentle reassurance etched across her features, Amaya reached into the Upper Drawer of her Bedside Nightstand as she retrieved the Sewing Needle from her Mending Kit before redirecting her attention towards Stefan. And as the Doe Eyed Fae brought the point of the needle to the delicate skin of her index finger, Stefan's posture stiffened instantaneously as Amaya allowed a minuscule amount of blood to surface from the wound with a gentle wince.
"Amaya..." Stefan whispered with uncertainty as his Forest Green Eyes fixated on the small droplet of Fae Blood that had dropped from her finger onto the palm of her uninjured hand.
"It's alright, Stefan..." Amaya gently assured with an encouraging tone of voice as she gestured for Stefan to inhale the scent of her blood. "I trust you."
With an apparent hesitancy, Stefan gently grasped onto Amaya's dainty hand as he brought her palm towards his sensitive nose before inhaling the Cherry Twinged Scent of her Fae Blood, his tensed posture immediately slackening as he found himself calming at the mere essence of Amaya's Mystical Blood without the anticipated surfacing of his unquenchable Bloodlust.
"You understand what this means, do you not...?" Amaya whispered with an enchanting smile as Stefan glanced into her Navy Blue Eyes with apparent relief written across his features. "You're of no threat to me, Stefan."
For the briefest moment, Amaya remained silent as Stefan seemed to become consumed within his own thoughts as he contemplated the unexpected development that could potentially alter his Eternal Afterlife for the better should he allow such. And considering that of which the Doe Eyed Fae knew of the Green Eyed Vampire, it hadn't been too difficult for Amaya to discern the direction Stefan's thoughts had ultimately taken upon the astounding discovery of his Immunity to Fae Blood.
"You have my permission, Stefan..." Amaya whispered with an encouraging smile as Stefan glanced towards her with uncertainty.
After seeming to hesitate as he brought the Doe Eyed Fae's palm towards his mouth, Stefan allowed his Forest Green Eyes to flutter closed as his lips parted ever so slightly to partake in the pleasantly euphoric taste of Amaya's blood. And as the subtle Cherry Essence of the Mystical Blood danced across his tongue, Stefan released an audible sigh of contentment as he calmly withdrew himself from Amaya without being plagued with the overwhelming urge to drain every ounce of blood from her body that normally emerged when he consumed Human Blood.
"How do you feel?" Amaya gently whispered with an innocent tilt of her head in genuine curiosity as Stefan seemingly basked in the sensation that her Fae Blood induced.
"I feel thoroughly... Sated." Stefan admitted with an audible sigh of satisfaction as his Forest Green Eyes fluttered open to connect with Amaya's Navy Blue Eyes. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Amaya responded with an enchanting smile as Stefan leaned forward to gently press an affectionate kiss to her lips.
"Mmm..." Amaya hummed with absolute contentment once Stefan had withdrawn from the sensual kiss while his hand continued to caress her flushed cheek before her eyes fluttered open to connect with his own. "What are your thoughts on the Annual Founders Council Celebration?"
"I have not thought of such an occasion since I was Human..." Stefan admitted with an expression of thoughtful contemplation, having believed that such Celebratory Events had long since been abolished decades prior.
"You've attended before...?" Amaya questioned with an innocent tilt of her head in genuine curiosity as Stefan smiled in amusement of her neverending inquisitivity.
"Mhm... My Family had attended the Inaugural Founders Council Celebration..." Stefan admitted with an affirmative nod of his head towards his Fae Girlfriend, causing Amaya's eyes to brighten as she and Stefan rarely discussed his Human Life or the 145 year Eternal Afterlife that had followed. "Though, the Salvatore Family haven't been invited since Damon and I were Human."
"Well... This year, there's this Heritage Project that had been of great importance to my Mom... She'd always been passionately dedicated to the Founders Council. And for as long as I can remember, she had always adored these Social Events... I know that it may not seem very entertaining but-" Amaya rambled with an adorable blush etched across her delicate cheeks, causing Stefan to smile fondly in response to the Gilbert Girl's nervous rambling in an attempt to request that he escort her to the Founders Party.
"I would be honored to accompany you, Miss Gilbert." Stefan interjected as he leaned forward to press an affectionate kiss to Amaya's flushed cheek as her adorable ramblings ceased.
"The pleasure is mine, Mister Salvatore." Amaya responded with an enchanting smile as she leaned forward to gently brush her lips against his own, causing delighted laughter to filter through her slightly parted lips as Stefan pounced on her until she were lounging across the mattress of her Sleigh Bed before connecting their lips in another passionate kiss that gradually heightened as the intense moment from earlier seemed to resume.
~Salvatore Boarding House~
In the Front Parlor of the Salvatore Boarding House, Damon had been lounging across the Antique Sofa while examining his Younger Brother's High School Assignments with an obvious disinterest when his Distant Nephew appeared in the Dining Room as he silently observed his Vampire Ancestor with an expression of distrust written across his features.
"I didn't know you were here." Zach Salvatore commented with furrowed brows as he paused on the Raised Dais of the Dining Room.
"Merely sifting through Stefan's homework assignments . Evidently, this country no longer relies upon intelligence as much as it once had... Why he would choose to attend High School is beyond me. I mean, during the Seventies, he went Ivy League. Harvard I could understand. Actually... No, I hadn't understood that decision either..." Damon commented with a nonchalant tone of voice after having paused momentarily to reconsider his thoughts on his Younger Brother's Academic Preferences before glancing towards his Distant Nephew with an arched brow. "Alright... I can practically hear the sound of your thoughts spiraling out of control... What's on your mind?"
"Why are you here, Damon?" Zach questioned after momentarily considering whether or not he should voice his thoughts.
"To spend time with you, Zach." Damon retorted after pausing briefly as he directed his Icy Blue Eyes towards his Distant Nephew with a taunting smirk.
"I know you. You always have some motive... So, tell me... What is it this time?" Zach questioned with narrowed eyes as he crossed his arms before his chest with an expression of confidence.
In mere seconds, Damon had vanished from the Parlor Sofa as he appeared before his Human Descendant at Vampire Speed, the Ravenette Vampire's hand wrapping around his Distant Nephew's throat with enough of his Enhanced Strength that Zach choked at the lack of oxygen as he stared fearfully into Damon's emotionless eyes.
"You are in no position to question me." Damon threatened as he allowed his Vampiric Facade to appear across his features as Zach struggled to breathe beneath his chokehold.
"I didn't mean to upset you." Zach gasped through ragged breaths as he stared at Damon's Demonic Features with widened eyes.
"This is not upset, Zach." Damon retorted with an amused tone of voice as he smiled condescendingly down upon his frightened Human Descendant.
"What's the meaning of this?" Stefan demanded with narrowed eyes directed towards his Elder Brother as he appeared in the Entrance Corridor before promptly stepping into the Front Parlor.
"Family Moment, Stefan..." Damon commented with a taunting smirk as he released Zach from his grasp until he dropped to the ground as he gasped at the sudden influx of oxygen. "Spending some quality time together."
As the Elder Salvatore Brother disappeared through the Entrance Corridor as he made his way towards his Upstairs Bedroom, Stefan approached his Distant Nephew as he recovered on the Dining Room Floor while Zach continued to gasp for breath as an aftereffect of the Ravenette Vampire's sudden attack.
"Are you alright?" Stefan questioned as he approached his Distant Nephew with an expression of concern.
"No, I'm not. And neither are you... How many more people have to die before you see that?" Zach retorted with an urgent tone of voice as he struggled to regain his equilibrium enough to force himself to his feet once more while glowering at the Green Eyed Vampire.
"I do. Alright, Zach... I do." Stefan interjected as he crossed his arms before his broad chest with narrowed eyes of frustration.
"Then why aren't you doing anything about it?" Zach demanded with an agitated expression as he glared into the Younger Salvatore Brother's eyes.
"Because I'm not strong enough, Zach..." Stefan retorted as he stepped closer to his Human Descendant while his thoughts briefly drifted towards his Fae Girlfriend and that of which he had discovered earlier that Morning. "Not yet."
"Vervain... Vervain could weaken him if he ingested enough of it. It would help you get the upper hand." Zach suggested with an expression of thoughtful consideration as he lowered his tone of voice to avoid being overheard by the Elder Salvatore Brother.
"Damon ensured that every trace of Vervain in Mystic Falls had been destroyed long ago. And the limited amount that I had managed to locate of the Herb... Is hidden away in the Gilbert Family Locket that belongs to Amaya..." Stefan admitted as he briefly averted his gaze from his Distant Nephew at the thought of the Mortal Fae before directing his attention to the obvious hesitance displayed across Zach's features. "What?"
With an ever so subtle gesture from the Human Salvatore Descendant towards the Green Eyed Vampire, Zach guided the way into the basement of the Salvatore Boarding House before pausing once they had approached the Vampire Proof Underground Chamber, Stefan remaining silent as his Distant Nephew opened the Cellar Door to reveal an abundance of the Vampire Repelling Herb.
"You've been cultivating Vervain." Stefan whispered with an expression of genuine disbelief as he glanced from the Homegrown Vervain towards his Distant Nephew.
"It's just something that's been passed down through the Generations... Blood only runs so deep when you're related to Vampires... Damon would kill me if he knew that I had it." Zach commented with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders as he averted his gaze from the Green Eyed Vampire towards the Cellar of Vervain.
"Yet, you're telling me... Why?" Stefan questioned as he glanced towards Zach with furrowed brows of confusion.
"Because I trust you." Zach responded with an expression of sincerity as he crossed his arms before his chest as he addressed the Green Eyed Vampire. "And you're gonna need it if you want to get rid of him."
With an affirmative nod of his head in understanding, Stefan glanced towards the Vampire Repelling Herb with an expression of determination as he considered the most effective way of eliminating the threat that Damon posed to not only himself but to the Human Residents of Mystic Falls.
~Gilbert Residence~
The Afternoon of the Annual Founders Council Celebration, Amaya makes her way towards the Front Door from where she and her Childhood Best Friend had long since settled themselves at the Dining Table as they prepared for the Social Event that were to occur that Evening. And as the Younger of the Gilbert Sisters appeared in the Downstairs Entryway with the Gilbert Family Heritage Collection in her hands, Amaya immediately noticed her Younger Brother standing before the Front Door glowering at the Lockwood Son as he stood on the Front Porch.
"I'm here for my Mom. I'm supposed to pick up a box of stuff." Tyler Lockwood admitted with an eyeroll as he prevented the Gilbert Son from closing the Front Door in his face.
"Here." Amaya announced as she stepped around her Younger Brother to extend the Antique Jewelry Box towards the hotheaded Football Jock with a pleading expression. "Please be careful."
"Of course." Tyler genuinely assured with an affirmative nod of his head towards his classmate as he accepted the Gilbert Family Heritage Collection with care.
"Yeah, be careful with it, Dick." Jeremy Gilbert interjected with an obvious glare directed towards the Lockwood Son, causing Amaya to glance over her shoulder towards her Younger Brother with an expression of disapproval at his unnecessary hostility.
"Enough!" Amaya declared with narrowed eyes as she glanced between her Younger Brother and the Lockwood Son, causing both Young Men to stare at her with genuine shock since she had always been known as the Calm Gilbert. "Now is not the time. Alright?"
"I'm fine. He's just being a punk." Tyler retorted with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders as he glanced towards Jeremy with disinterest.
"I got your punk." Jeremy threateningly interjected with an expression of agitation as he attempted to step closer to the hotheaded Lockwood Son.
"Perhaps you should leave, Tyler... Tell your Mom that I'll speak with her this Evening." Amaya instructed as she pressed an arm against Jeremy's chest to prevent him from stepping closer to the Lockwood Boy.
As the Younger Gilbert Daughter noticed her Elder Twin Sister and the Bennett Daughter approaching the Gilbert Family Household, Amaya made her way towards the Dining Room Table where she joined the Forbes Daughter once more. And as the Mortal Fae settled into her previous position at the Dinner Table, the Elder Gilbert Daughter made her way through the Entrance Corridor into the Open Concept Kitchen with her Childhood Best Friend following silently behind her.
"Delicate Flower vs Naughty Vixen..." Caroline Forbes voiced as she displayed the Glass Vials of Nail Polish for Amaya to choose between as the Bennett/Gilbert Duo settled themselves at the opposite side of the Dining Room Table.
"Difficult Decision... Can we blend them?" Amaya questioned with an innocent tile of her head as she smiled humorously at her Lifelong Best Friend.
"Look at you. Getting all pretty for your date. You seem happy-ish." Bonnie Bennett jokingly commented as she and Elena exchanged glances of uncertainty between themselves.
"Perhaps that would be because I am happy..." Amaya admitted with an honest smile as she glanced between the obviously hesitant Bennett/Gilbert Duo.
"But don't let that stop you from saying whatever it is you've wanted to say since you walked through the door." Caroline interjected with narrowed eyes as she leaned her forearms against the surface of the Dining Room Table as Amaya gently nodded her head in agreement.
"What if we tell you in the Morning?" Bonnie suggested with furrowed brows of uncertainty as she glanced towards Amaya with apparent hesitancy. "We don't want to ruin your night."
"Believe me... There's no chance of that." Amaya assured with narrowed eyes as she glanced between her Elder Twin Sister and her Childhood Best Friend.
"Okay. But it has to go in the vault because Amelia will kill us if it gets back to Damon that she squealed..." Elena Gilbert agreed without much convincing as she leaned her forearms against the surface of the Dining Room Table before glancing between her Younger Twin Sister and her Childhood Best Friend with thinly veiled excitement. "Apparently, Stefan has a very interesting backstory..."
"Is that so...?" Amaya commented with narrowed eyes of distrust as she glanced between the Petrova Doppelganger and Bennett Witch.
"Do you know what happened with his Ex-Girlfriend, Katherine?" Bonnie questioned with furrowed brows as she focused her attention onto Amaya.
"You'll need to be more specific... Stefan and Damon's relationship with Katherine had been complicated." Amaya responded with an unimpressed tone of voice as her brow arched at the inquiry, causing Bonnie and Elena to exchange glances between themselves as they hadn't expected Amaya to know the extent of the Romantic Relationship between the Salvatore Brothers and Katherine Pierce.
"Right..." Bonnie muttered with uncertainty as she noticed the unconcerned expression etched across Amaya's features. "Yeah, apparently they both dated her but she ended up choosing Damon and that drove Stefan mad. So, he did horrible things to try and break them up."
"Stefan manipulated Katherine. He filled her head with all these lies until... Finally, it worked. And she turned against Damon." Elena continued with a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders as Amaya's expression darkened considerably.
"That sounds like one person's side of the story. Meaning Damon's." Caroline commented with an arched brow as she realized that the Elder Salvatore was attempting to use the Monroe Girl to sow discord between Stefan and Amaya.
"We just wanted you to know." Bonnie assured with an expression of sympathy as she and Elena observed Amaya for any indication of her reaction.
"Alright... Enough." Amaya declared as her expression became that of agitation as she stood from the Dining Chair while bracing her palms against the surface of the Wooden Table as she glowered towards her Elder Twin Sister and her Childhood Best Friend. "It may very well interest you to know that Katherine manipulated both Stefan and Damon... They both fell in love with her and continued with the relationship until her unfortunate demise... And while Stefan has moved on from their relationship, Damon has very much maintained his love for Katherine and blames Stefan for her loss... None of which has any business being tossed about as gossip by meddlesome Teenage Girls with nothing better to do than ruin his reputation and relationship."
"Amaya-" Elena muttered with an expression of disbelief as she stared at her Younger Twin Sister with widened eyes, not having expected Amaya to have reacted to their misinterpretation of Stefan with such hostility.
"No." Amaya declared with such ferocity as she glared at her Elder Twin Sister with narrowed eyes that Elena shrunk further into her Dining Chair. "I understand that you don't care for Stefan... I can accept that... What I cannot accept is either of you continuing to sabotage my relationship with him... Besides, Stefan and I only just begun dating. His previous relationships are none of my concern as of yet."
"Unless he's a calculating and manipulative liar." Elena muttered with a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders, causing Amaya to glare at her Elder Twin Sister once more.
"Stefan is neither of those..." Amaya declared with finality as she glanced between the Petrova Doppelganger and Bennett Witch before averting her gaze towards Caroline with an expression of darkness. "Though, his Elder Brother would benefit tremendously from an entirely thorough Ass-Kicking."
In response to the Younger Gilbert Daughter's whispered comment, Caroline could not contain her snicker before she and Amaya gathered their belongings and prepared to relocate their preparations to the Mortal Fae's Second Floor Bedroom. And as the Forbes/Gilbert Duo made their way through the Downstairs Entryway, Bonnie and Elena could not refrain from observing their departure with furrowed brows as Amaya and Caroline made their way upstairs, leaving the Bennett/Gilbert Duo alone at the Dining Room Table with identical frowns of confusion on their young features as they exchanged utterly bewildered glances between themselves.
~Salvatore Boarding House~
In the Younger Salvatore Brother's Attic Bedroom, Stefan could be found preparing for the Founders Council Celebration that he would be attending that Evening with his Fae Girlfriend. And as the Green Eyed Vampire settled onto the edge of his Panel Bed to don his Dress Shoes, the Elder Salvatore Brother sauntered into the Third Floor Bedroom while absentmindedly fastening the Decorative Cufflinks of his Dress Shirt.
"I'm assuming that Dress Ties are still appropriate for these events..." Damon rhetorically questioned as he made his way towards the Full Length Mirror in the corner of the Attic Bedroom.
"Why are you even attending this Evening...?" Stefan retorted with an arched brow as he glanced towards his Elder Brother.
"It could only be expected... Since we had been at the original Founders Council Celebration..." Damon responded with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders as he glanced briefly toward Stefan through the reflection of the Full Length Mirror.
"We shouldn't be drawing attention to ourselves, Damon." Stefan commented as he stood from the edge of his Panel Bed with narrowed eyes of apparent suspicion.
"By all means... You can forgo the party this Evening... I'll ensure that Amaya enjoys herself..." Damon assured with a suggestive smirk as he turned around to focus his attention onto his Younger Brother while Stefan merely rolled his eyes in response to his Elder Brother's comment as he sipped from an idling Glass Tumbler of Bourbon. "My Goodness... I've driven you to Alcohol."
"Well, I can't seem to rid myself of you... What else am I to do other than continue living my life..." Stefan responded with a nonchalant tone of voice as he took another swig of Alcohol before setting the Glass Tumbler onto his Antique Desk once more.
"Continue living my life..." Damon mimicked with a derisive scoff as he glanced over his shoulder at Stefan with an arched brow. "Therein would be your Eternal Issue... You're dead, Dude. Move on... Now..." Damon continued with a taunting smirk before pausing as he strengthened the collar of his Dress Shirt. "What do you think?" Damon questioned with an arched brow directed towards his unamused Younger Brother before turning towards the Full Length Mirror once more. "Mmm... Everlasting Youth has it's advantages... I have enjoyed being an Eternal Stud thus far."
"Yes. And my having been 17 years old for 145 years has been the epitome of my existence." Stefan sarcastically retorted with an arched brow as he crossed his arms before his chest with an expression of discontent.
"Hmm... Good on you, Stefan. That was actually humorous... You know, I should have a drink to celebrate." Damon suggested with a taunting smirk as he made his way towards the Mini Bar of Alcohol on the corner of Stefan's Antique Desk, the Ravenette Vampire pausing once he had poured the Aged Bourbon into an empty Glass Tumbler as his Icy Blue Eyes gravitated towards the Funeral Program for Katherine Pierce. "1864... You and Katherine were the perfect couple... It had been absolute Hell watching you dance with her."
"Such pleasure had been brief, as you well know..." Stefan interjected with an expression of genuine honesty as he glanced towards his Elder Brother.
"I remember... I had taken my leave from the event earlier than expected... And when you escorted her to her Bed Chambers, I had been waiting for her just inside... You were such a Gentleman... Presenting her with a kiss to the cheek... When what she had truly wanted was..." Damon paused as he glanced towards the Green Eyed Vampire with a taunting smirk as Stefan averted his gaze at the suggestive comment. "Well... Here's to history repeating itself."
As the Ravenette Vampire brought the Glass Tumbler to his mouth, his Heightened Sense of Smell caught the unmistakable whiff of Liquified Vervain from the Aged Bourbon, causing Damon to overturn the glass until the Spiked Alcohol cascaded across the Wooden Flooring before allowing the tumbler to fall to the ground with an unconcerned frown.
"I admire your effort, Stefan... Pouring yourself a drink then spiking the bottle with Vervain... I'm not some inexperienced Sorority Girl. You can't Roofie me... But I admit that I am feeling rather insulted... I thought we were bonding... Suppose I'll have to begin this Evening in a less than pleasant mood... Who knows what I'll do?" Damon commented with an apparent scowl of displeasure etched across his ageless features as he glowered at his Younger Brother before stalking from the Attic Bedroom without another word.
~Gilbert Residence~
Later that Evening, the quartet of Teenage Girls had gathered in the Upstairs Bathroom as they alternated in front of the Wall Mirror while perfecting their appearances. However, with the echoing of the House Phone from the Elder Gilbert Sister's Adjoined Bedroom, Elena makes her way towards her Sleigh Bed as the remaining Teenage Girls continue to prepare themselves for the Annual Founders Council Celebration.
"Hello...? Hi, Mrs. Lockwood." Elena politely greets before pausing as Carol Lockwood explains that an Artifact had been missing from the Gilbert Family Heritage Collection. "What do you mean...? It is...? Are you sure? Cause I saw it...? Let me check. Mhm. I will find it and bring it... Okay. Bye."
With an expression of angered realization etched across the Elder Gilbert Daughter's features once she had ended the conversation with the Mayor's Wife, Elena makes her way through the Ensuite Bathroom towards Jeremy's Adjoined Bedroom while Amaya followed after the Human Doppelganger with furrowed brows of confusion as she wondered what issue her Elder Twin Sister could possibly have with their Younger Brother.
"What's wrong?" Bonnie questions with avid confusion as Elena passes she and Caroline before storming into the Gilbert Son's Upstairs Bedroom with Amaya following.
"Ah!" Jeremy exclaims with annoyance as Elena roughly dislodges his headphones from his ears without warning. "God, what now?"
"The Pocket Watch. Where is it?" Elena demanded with finality as she glowered down at her Younger Brother with her hands on her hips.
"What Pocket Watch?" Jeremy questioned with frustration as he struggled to untangle the headphones from around his neck before focusing his glare onto his Eldest Sister.
"The one you stole from Mom and Dad's box... Look, Mrs. Lockwood just called me, freaking out. It was on the list, Jeremy. Now, she can't find it and she thinks she's the one who lost it." Elena explains with narrowed eyes as she glared down at Jeremy, causing an expression of recognition to appear on Amaya's features as she stepped towards her Elder Twin Sister and their Younger Brother.
"Maybe she did. Maybe Tyler took it." Jeremy denied with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders as he glanced at Elena with annoyance.
"Don't even play that card. Jeremy, you took it. If I go Online, am I gonna find it on eBay? Is that how you pay for your Pot?" Elena retorted with narrowed eyes directed towards her Younger Brother, causing Amaya to bristle with unabashed fury at her Elder Twin Sister's audacity.
"Elena!" Amaya exclaimed with an expression of horrified disbelief as she grasped firmly onto Elena's forearm, causing Elena to flinch under the prominent scowl display across her Younger Twin Sister's features.
"Screw you." Jeremy snarled with justifiable resentment as he stood from his Desk Chair before stepping around his Eldest Sister and storming towards his bookshelf to retrieve the Antique Pocket Watch from the Hidden Compartment on the Bottom Shelf. "I would never sell this."
"Then why did you take it?" Elena retorted with an arched brow as she crossed her arms before her chest with an expression of doubt etched across her features.
"Because it belongs to him, Elena." Amaya announced with narrowed eyes as she continued to glower at her Elder Twin Sister's behavior, causing Elena to glance towards her Younger Twin Sister with furrowed brows of confusion.
"Dad said it goes to the Firstborn Son. His Father gave it to him. And now what?" Jeremy elaborated with an expression of understandable indignation written across his features as he glared into Elena's widened eyes.
"And he had intended to entrust it to Jeremy on his Sixteenth Birthday, as is the Family Tradition." Amaya continued with a somber tone of voice as she glanced towards her Younger Brother with genuine sympathy while Elena seemingly deflated at the revelation.
"Look, Jeremy... It's still yours, okay? Mom promised Mrs. Lockwood. What do you want me to do?" Elena questioned with an apparent sigh of resignation as she glanced towards Jeremy with furrowed brows.
"Just take it and get out." Jeremy demanded with resentment as he slammed the Antique Pocket Watch into the palm of Elena's hand before returning to his Desk Chair as he slipped the headphones over his ears once more.
With another sigh of resignation from the Elder Gilbert Daughter as she attempts to make her way towards her Second Floor Bedroom with the Pocket Watch, Amaya grasped onto Elena's forearm once more with narrowed eyes as she extended her hand towards her Elder Twin Sister with an arched brow of expectancy.
"Pocket Watch, Elena." Amaya demanded with finality as she glared into her Elder Twin Sister's Dark Brown Eyes. "Now."
"Mom promised Mrs. Lockwood, Amaya." Elena stated with furrowed brows as she tightened her hand around the Gilbert Family Pocket Watch.
"And Dad promised Jeremy..." Amaya retorted with an intense glare that had long since focused onto the Human Doppelganger as she stepped threateningly towards Elena. "So, I will only repeat myself this once... That Pocket Watch belongs to Jeremy, Elena."
After hesitating momentarily as she considered her Younger Twin Sister's reasoning, Elena begrudgingly extended the Gilbert Family Pocket Watch towards Amaya before making her way through the Ensuite Bathroom towards her Upstairs Bedroom. Without further interference, Amaya approached her Younger Brother as she gently places her hand onto his shoulder to jostle him from his thoughts, causing Jeremy to glance towards his Elder Sister with furrowed brows of confusion.
And as the Younger Gilbert Daughter extended the Gilbert Family Pocket Watch to her Younger Brother with a comforting smile, an expression of genuine gratitude appeared on Jeremy's features as he glanced towards Amaya with an honest smile, causing the Younger Gilbert Twin to press an affectionate kiss to her Younger Brother's forehead before making her way towards the Ensuite Bathroom to continue preparing for the Annual Founders Council Celebration.
~Lockwood Estate~
With the arrival of the Salvatore/Gilbert Couple to the Lockwood Estate, Stefan and Amaya approached the entrance to the Lockwood Manor before pausing as they reached the threshold as the Mayor of Mystic Falls politely greeted the attractive Young Couple as he passed the Front Door while conversing with the Founding Family Members in attendance.
"Hi, Mayor Lockwood." Amaya greeted with an enchanting smile as the Elder Lockwood Man paused to greet she and Stefan.
"Hey, Guys. Come on in." Mayor Richard Lockwood commented with an affirmative nod of his head in welcoming towards the Gilbert Daughter and Salvatore Son.
"Thank you." Amaya and Stefan responded in unison as the Mayor disappeared into the crowd, causing the Supernatural Couple to exchange amused glances between themselves at their tendency to speak in synchronization.
After the Salvatore/Gilbert Couple had received the necessary invitation to enter the Lockwood Manor, Amaya and Stefan leisurely made their way through the teeming Grand Foyer as they greeted familiar faces while sharing the occasional smile and/or affectionate kiss. And unbeknownst to neither the Green Eyed Vampire nor the Doe Eyed Fae, the warmhearted interactions between Stefan and Amaya had not gone unnoticed by the undeniably jealous Elder Salvatore Brother as Damon observed his Younger Brother with the Younger Gilbert Sister.
Once the Mortal Fae had made her way towards the Heritage Exhibit, Amaya leisurely examined the various Display Cases featuring the extensive Ancestral Histories of the Founding Families of Mystic Falls that littered the vast space. And as the Vampire/Fae Couple approached the Gilbert Family Exhibit, Amaya paused before the Glass Case that featured her Late Parents' Wedding Bands as well as her Mother's Engagement Ring.
"Your Parents?" Stefan gently questioned as he noticed the somber expression that had appeared on Amaya's features as his hand rested against the small of her back.
"Mhm..." Amaya hummed with a wistful smile as she glanced briefly over her shoulder at the Green Eyed Vampire. "There's much History here."
As the Younger Gilbert Daughter continued onto the Forbes Family Exhibit, Stefan allowed his hand to gently trail the length of his Fae Girlfriend's arm before eventually grasping her delicate hand within his own as Amaya glanced over her shoulder once more with an endearing smile directed towards her Vampire Boyfriend.
"The Founding Families of Mystic Falls welcome you to the Inaugural Founders Council Celebration..." The voice of the Elder Gilbert Daughter announced as she and the Bennett Daughter examined the Guest Registry from the Original Founders Council Celebration, causing Stefan and Amaya to exchange concerned glances between themselves as they approached the Bennett/Gilbert Duo. "Wow. Look, it's the Original Guest Registry. Look at all these familiar names... Sheriff William Forbes. Mayor Benjamin Lockwood... Is that Damon Salvatore...? And Stefan Salvatore...?"
"The Original Salvatore Brothers... Our Ancestors... Tragic Tale, to be honest." Damon comments as he makes his way towards the Heritage Exhibit with the Monroe Daughter on his arm.
"We shouldn't bore them with stories of the past, Damon." Stefan denied with narrowed eyes as he glowered at his Elder Brother, causing Damon to smirk at his Younger Brother's apparent discontent with his presence.
"It's not boring, Stefan. We'd love to hear more about your Family." Elena assures with an enthusiastic smile as she directed her gaze towards her Younger Twin Sister's Vampire Boyfriend while Stefan merely glanced towards the Human Doppelganger briefly before averting his attention towards Amaya once more.
"Well, I'm bored. I want to dance. And Damon won't dance with me." Amelia whines with an annoyed frown as she glances from her Vampire Boyfriend towards Amaya with an innocent smile. "Could I just borrow your date?"
"I don't dance." Stefan denied with narrowed eyes as he leveled his Elder Brother with a knowing glance.
"Of course he does... You should've seen him when he was younger. Waltz. Jitterbug. Moonwalk. He knows them all." Damon taunted as he smirked at his Younger Brother teasingly, causing Stefan's jaw to clench at his Elder Brother's attempt to be alone with Amaya.
"You wouldn't mind, would you, Amaya?" Amelia questioned with furrowed brows as she glanced towards the Younger Gilbert Twin with curiosity.
"Not at all. But that's for Stefan to decide." Amaya commented as she glanced towards the Green Eyed Vampire with an expression of reassurance as he gazed down upon her with furrowed brows of concern at the notion of leaving she and Damon alone for any amount of time.
"Well... Sorry, but I'm not gonna take no for an answer." Amelia declared with finality as she grasped onto the sleeve of Stefan's Suit Jacket before urging him to follow her to the Dance Floor.
With the departure of the Younger Salvatore Brother, Bonnie and Elena ventured away from the Heritage Exhibit as they made their way towards the Refreshments Area while Amaya continued to examine the numerous Display Cases that had been painstakingly prepared for the event with the Ravenette Vampire's Icy Blue Eyes following her every move.
"I want to apologize to you for my behavior at the Football Game when I had sought to kiss you... I have no excuse. I was well and truly in the wrong..." Damon admits with an unconvincing apologetic expression as he stepped closer to the Gilbert Girl, causing Amaya to avert her gaze from the Fell Family Heritage Display towards the Elder Salvatore Brother. "My Therapist seems to believe that my behavior is due to my subconscious desire to punish Stefan."
"For what, may I ask?" Amaya retorted with an arched brow as she turned to focus her attention onto Damon.
"Matters of the past... I shouldn't even be speaking of them... Suffice to assume, the men of the Salvatore Family have been cursed with Sibling Rivalry for centuries... And it all begun with the Original Salvatore Brothers..." Damon declared with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders as he idled around the Heritage Exhibit without any discernible direction. "The Salvatore Name was practically royalty in this town... Until the war, of course... The battle that happened here-"
"The Battle of Willow Creek." Amaya interjected with an affirmative nod of her head in the Ravenette Vampire's direction in acknowledgment, causing Damon to pause as he gazed down upon the Doe Eyed Fae with furrowed brows of curiosity at the apparent knowing tone of her voice. "We've discussed it during History Class... Confederate Soldiers fired on Fell's Church with civilians inside."
"Well... What the Historians have omitted from Official Records were that the Civilian Casualties that had been inside Fell's Church during the battle... They hadn't been there by happenstance... They were believed to have been Union Sympathizers... So, some of the Founding Families that supported the Confederacy at the time had them captured and imprisoned in the church before being burned alive... Someone that Stefan and Damon loved very much perished that night. And when they had endeavored to rescue them... They were shot. Murdered in Cold Blood." Damon recounted with an expression of thoughtful remembrance as he gazed distractedly at the Miniature Replica of Fell's Church.
"Who was in the church that they wanted to save?" Amaya questioned with an expression of genuine curiosity as she tilted her head in innocent intrigue.
"The Love of their Life, I assume... Doesn't it always come down to the one you cherish most...?" Damon retorted as he averted his attention from the Miniature Replica of Fell's Church towards the Doe Eyed Fae, causing Amaya to briefly avert her gaze from the intensity that had appeared in the Ravenette Vampire's Icy Blue Eyes.
"Damon... I truly am sorry for the conflict that exists between you and Stefan... But I refuse to involve myself when I have no business doing so. Though, for what it's worth... I do hope that you can resolve your differences once and for all." Amaya admitted with an apologetic smile as she glanced towards Damon once more.
"As do I..." Damon whispered with an affirmative nod of his head towards Amaya with what appeared to be genuine sincerity lingering beneath his tone of voice.
With the conversation having reached an apparent end, the Elder Salvatore Brother guided the Younger Gilbert Daughter through the Lockwood Manor towards the backyard with their arms intertwined where the majority of the guests had gathered to socialize amongst themselves. And towards the edge of the Dance Floor that had been assembled on the pristine lawn, the Younger Salvatore Brother and Monroe Daughter could be seen conversing with Champagne Flutes in their hands.
"What've we missed?" Damon questioned with an arched brow as he and Amaya approached Stefan and Amelia.
"Nothing at all..." Stefan answered as he briefly glanced down at Amaya with a charming smile before directing his attention towards Damon. "Drink, Damon?"
"I think I'll pass..." Damon retorted with narrowed eyes leveled on his Younger Brother with apparent suspicion, causing Amaya to glance between the Salvatore Brothers with furrowed brows before directing her gaze towards Stefan.
"Stefan, do you perhaps have another dance in you?" Amaya interjected with an enchanting smile as she tilted her head to the side in idle curiosity, her innocent question having effectively diverted her Vampire Boyfriend's attention from his Elder Brother.
"Of course." Stefan responded with a dashing smile directed towards his Fae Girlfriend as he placed his Champagne Flute onto the Refreshments Table before grasping onto Amaya's hand.
Without an ounce of hesitation, the Green Eyed Vampire twirled the Doe Eyed Fae onto the Dance Floor with an elegant flourish before drawing her into his broad chest as his arms wrapped around her slender waist, causing an infectious smile to appear across Amaya's features as she and Stefan begun to sway gently to the soothing Contemporary Melody.
"They look so cute together." Amelia commented with an expression of genuine admiration as Stefan and Amaya twirled across the Dance Floor with absolute bliss etched across their features.
"Don't speak. Please." Damon muttered with an agitated tone of voice as he continued to follow his Younger Brother and the Gilbert Girl with thinly veiled envy lurking in the depths of his gaze.
"I hope Damon hadn't bothered you too much..." Stefan commented with an arched brow as he gazed down upon the Doe Eyed Fae, causing Amaya to smile reassuringly in response to the Green Eyed Vampire's apparent distrust of his Elder Brother in regards to his seemingly Human Girlfriend.
"Not to worry, Stefan. Damon had been on his best behavior.." Amaya assures with an enchanting smile as Stefan twirls her across the Dance Floor once more before drawing her back into his embrace. "Though, he had depicted an ingenious tale of the Original Salvatore Brothers and their unfortunate demise that... If I had not known the truth,I probably would have been inclined to believe." Amaya admitted as she and Stefan continued to glide across the Dance Floor together, despite the Green Eyed Vampire's stiffened posture in response to the Doe Eyed Fae's revelation. "I had not known that you were shot in Cold Blood... Nevertheless, by your own Father."
"I prefer not to speak of it." Stefan confessed as he gazed down upon his Fae Girlfriend with an apparent frown of displeasure while Amaya merely smiled enchantingly at her Vampire Boyfriend in apparent understanding.
"And I understand that, Stefan. Believe me... But I want you to know that I will always be here for you when you need me... No matter what." Amaya declared with absolute sincerity as she gazed into her Vampire Boyfriend's Forest Green Eyes before her Navy Blue Eyes fluttered closed when Stefan suddenly connected their lips in an impassioned kiss.
"I know..." Stefan muttered ever so softly with his lips pressed gently against Amaya's own as his Forest Green Eyes fluttered open to gaze down upon the Doe Eyed Fae's dazed expression with fondness. "Thank you, Amaya."
After the undeniably passionate moment between the Younger Salvatore Brother and Younger Gilbert Sister, an endearing smile appeared on Stefan's features as he elegantly dipped his Fae Girlfriend before drawing her back into his broad chest, causing infectious laughter to sound from Amaya as she wrapped her arms around Stefan's neck once more as they continued to sway gently to the soothing Contemporary Melody.
Once the Salvatore Son and Gilbert Daughter had parted ways after their romantic moment on the Dance Floor, Amaya had excused herself to visit the Powder Room with the intent to amend her appearance before rejoining Stefan for an amorous stroll by the Moonlit Lake. However, as the Younger Gilbert Twin entered the Guest Bathroom, she immediately noticed the presence of the Elder Gilbert Twin and the Monroe Girl as they silently reapplied their makeup before the mirror.
"Hi." Amaya greeted with an expression of honest contentment as she came to stand between her Elder Twin Sister and the Monroe Girl.
"Hey..." Amelia responded as she glanced towards the Younger Gilbert Sister before returning her attention to reapplying her Lip Gloss. "So, how are things with Stefan?"
"Good..." Amaya answered with an apparent blush tinting her delicate cheeks as she averted her gaze from the Wall Mirror as her Elder Twin Sister glanced towards her with narrowed eyes of envy. "Better than good... Thank you for asking."
During the Younger Gilbert Daughter's amicable conversation with the Monroe Daughter, Elena had inevitably noticed that the Decorative Scarf around Amelia's neck had shifted enough to reveal an apparent discoloration beneath, causing the Elder Gilbert Daughter's brows to furrow with confusion as she stepped closer to the Monroe Daughter.
"What is that?" Elena questions as she leaned towards Amelia with narrowed eyes focused on the apparent wound on the tender skin of the Monroe Girl's neck.
"Hmm...?" Amelia hummed in response as she glanced towards the Elder Gilbert Twin through the reflection of the mirror to notice Elena reaching for the Decorative Scarf wrapped around her neck. "Don't!"
Disregarding the Monroe Girl's panicked demand, Elena does not cease her attempts to remove the Decorative Scarf until she had successfully lifted the fabric to reveal the gruesome Bite Mark beneath, causing Amaya to subtly make her way towards the Bathroom Door with an apparent uncertainty for what she was meant to do in the current situation.
"Oh my God. Amelia, what happened?" Elena questioned with widened eyes as she stared at the Bite Mark with absolute horror etched across her features.
Without further hesitation, Amaya silently slipped from the Powder Room without being noticed by neither her Elder Twin Sister nor the Monroe Girl as she makes her way towards the small hillside where she knew Stefan would be waiting for her arrival as he overlooked the Moonlit Lake.
"Stefan..." Amaya voiced as she approached her Vampire Boyfriend with an expression of concern etched across her features.
"Amaya, what happened...? What's wrong?" Stefan questioned with furrowed brows as he turned his attention towards his Fae Girlfriend.
"Stefan!" Elena's voice interjected before her Younger Twin Sister had the opportunity to respond, causing Stefan and Amaya to glance towards the Elder Gilbert Twin as she hurriedly approached the Moonlit Lake that were more or less hidden from view of any wondering guests. "You need to do something about your Brother."
"What has he done?" Stefan questioned with furrowed brows as he glanced down at Elena as she approached he and Amaya as they stood before the Moonlit Lake.
"There are bruises all over Amelia's body. Bite Marks. And he's got her all confused and messed up in the head..." Elena declares with an expression of utter horror before pausing as she notices Stefan's lack of reaction. "You don't look surprised."
"I'm dealing with it." Stefan assured with an affirmative nod of his head as he briefly glanced towards Amaya before returning his attention to the expression of disbelief etched across Elena's features.
"Dealing with it?! Stefan, you should be having him arrested!" Elena exclaimed with an enraged tone of voice as she glowered at Stefan with absolute disbelief, causing Stefan and Amaya to exchange brief glances between themselves.
"Elena..." Stefan sighed as he glanced towards his Fae Girlfriend after having noticed the sudden stiffening of her posture as she seemed to become drawn into an unexplainable trance before returning his attention to her Elder Twin Sister. "I wouldn't expect you to understand."
With the obviously hostile approach of the Elder Gilbert Daughter, Amaya had been alerted to the spontaneous activation of yet another of her Fae Abilities to which her Omniscience had been more than sufficient enough to offer an explanation for the unexpected occurrence. As it would seem, the Younger Gilbert Twin's desperation to eliminate the threat of her Elder Twin Sister's futile search, not only for the sake of protecting the Vampire Brothers from discovery but the Human Doppelganger as well from garnering the unwanted attention of dangerous forces, had triggered an ability known as Mentality Manipulation that had inevitably provided her with an answer to the current predicament.
"I don't understand anything, Stefan. So, why don't you just-" Elena huffed with narrowed eyes directed towards Stefan before suddenly pausing as her gaze became unfocused.
With the Younger Gilbert Daughter focusing on her Elder Twin SIster's recollection of what had transpired during the Founders Council Celebration, Amaya entered the Human Doppelganger's mind as she searched for the interaction between Elena and Amelia before altering the memory of the event as an intensive cloud of fog enveloped Elena's subconsciousness. And once the Doe Eyed Fae had severed the Telepathic Connection between herself and the Human Doppelganger, Amaya found herself leaning against Stefan's broad chest for balance as she was overcome with exhaustion as an aftereffect of the unexpected activation of another of her Fae Abilities.
"I guess I'll see you when you get home tonight." Elena commented with an affirmative nod of her head towards her Younger Twin Sister before making her way towards the Lockwood Manor in search of the Bennett Daughter.
"What just happened?" Stefan questioned as Amaya practically collapsed against his broad chest while his arms tightened around her slender waist.
"The activation of another of my Fae Abilities... Mentality Manipulation." Amaya muttered as she lulled her head against the Green Eyed Vampire's shoulder as she glanced towards Stefan with an exhausted glimmer within her Navy Blue Eyes. "I've altered her memory of the interaction between she and Amelia while also removing her suspicions and/or concerns about Damon's relationship with Amelia."
As the Doe Eyed Fae succumbed to the exhaustion that had encompassed her entire being as an aftereffect of the activation of her Mentality Manipulation, Amaya utterly collapsed into Stefan's embrace as he tightened his hold around her waist before effortlessly sweeping her into his arms as her body yielded to unconsciousness. His concern for the Younger Gilbert Daughter diminishing almost immediately as Stefan remembered Amaya explaining the initial reaction of her relatively Mortal Body to the Awakening of her Fae Abilities.
With the Younger Salvatore Brother having noticed his Elder Brother forcefully guiding the Monroe Girl from the Founders Party, Stefan was careful as he gently shifted Amaya within his embrace before making to follow Damon towards the darkened edge of the Lockwood Estate where he would not be overseen by the guests of the Founders Council Celebration. And as the Younger Salvatore Brother approached where the Ravenette Vampire had collapsed moments earlier, Stefan lowered Amaya onto the soft tufts of grass beneath an aged Willow Tree before making his way towards Damon's crumpled form.
"What the Hell?" Damon gasped as he continued to writhe on the ground from the imaginable agony coursing through his veins from the Vervain that poisoned the Monroe Girl's blood.
"I knew I wouldn't be able to spike your drink directly... So, I chose more of an indirect approach." Stefan admitted with a nonchalant tone of voice as he approached Damon's crumpled form with unusually calm footsteps.
After having resisted the immediate effects of the Vampire Repellent Herb for as long as he was physically capable, Damon eventually succumbed to the influence of the Vervain as he allowed himself to inevitably drift into unconsciousness. With the Elder Salvatore Brother having fallen under the effects of the Vervain, Stefan lowered himself to the ground as he pressed his fingers against the Monroe Girl's neck before releasing an audible sigh of relief at the slow but steady heartbeat that he could easily feel pulsing rather lethargically.
Once the Younger Salvatore Brother had disappeared into the darkness with his Elder Brother tossed across his shoulder, Stefan rendezvoused with his Distant Nephew in the Parking Lot to deposit Damon's unconscious form in the trunk of Zach's vehicle before returning to his Fae Girlfriend as his Human Descendant made his way to the Salvatore Boarding House. As the Green Eyed Vampire appeared beside the Doe Eyed Fae's unconscious form, momentarily noticing that the Sheriff's Deputies had discovered the Monroe Girl in his absence, Stefan gathered Amaya into his arms once more before making his way towards the Parking Lot.
After having dropped the Younger Gilbert Daughter at the Gilbert Residence and ensuring that she was comfortably tucked away in her Sleigh Bed, Stefan returned to the Salvatore Boarding House where Zach had been waiting in the driveway for his arrival. And without bothering to comment on the situation, Stefan retrieved Damon from the trunk of Zach's vehicle before making his way towards the Vampire Resistant Chamber in the Underground Cellar.
I have done what I had to do... To protect Amaya. To protect everyone... Yes, Damon. The headlines read Deadly Beast Captured. All is Well in Mystic Falls.