Pairing: Sage/Damon-Elena (F/mf) slipper
"Amor et melle et felle est fecundissimus."-Titus Maccius Plautus, from Cistellaria
Translation: Love is rich with both honey and venom.
Mikaelson Estate
Mystic Falls, Virginia
September 1855
Older Boys' Room
Kol's hand ached as he dutifully began to write out his lines. Elijah had made sure he had plenty of ink and paper before setting him to his task at his desk in the boys' room directly after school.
"Thank you, Brother," Kol said with a tinge of sarcasm. "I had thought I may have a chance to visit with Hank before you set me to this tedious punishment..."
Rebekah had stayed home with Hank from school today. The girls had not slept well and Hank was anxious for word of her father. Marcel had offered to go and look for him, but the details of his business trip were sketchy. Mrs. Smith's interrogation had not shown any light on his whereabouts.
"You are very welcome, Kol," Elijah said with a smirk. "I am surprised you got off so lightly. I would have tanned your hide and then set you to your work."
Kol rolled his eyes and said, "Hayley was pleased with me today. I feigned not being able to spell 'symposium' so one of the others could win the spelling bee. She even gave me a wink."
"Ah, as in a 'meeting to discuss some subject'?" Elijah asked. "Remember how much fun with used to have with Webster's The Blue-backed Speller? I shall have to get another copy, it was so helpful when I was schooling you and Marcellus in New Orleans."
"It twas fun for you," Kol grumbled. "For us, not so much. I think that twas why you starting assigning us lines in the first place. We never wished to study your long lists of words."
Elijah lost himself a moment remembering those times.
"We do not always get to do what we wish, do we? So who did win the spelling bee? Hayley said Solomon is doing well at his studies," Elijah prodded, standing over Kol's shoulder to watch him write a moment.
"Oh, it twas Harriet," Kol said. "Solomon did win a prize from out of the younger children. I thought I might ask Harriet to the community dance."
Elijah patted Kol on the shoulder, saying, "That would be lovely. She seems like a nice, hard working young woman. Anyone who could put up with Mrs. Whitmore like she has, is a strong person."
"I am sure," Kol said. "Elijah, did you really forgive Niklaus so easily. I mean, for what he did to Mother?"
Kol stopped and turned to look his brother in the eye.
Elijah sighed, "It tis a hard thing to contemplate...But it struck me that Mother was more troubled by the changes in us than anyone else. There were a few times she met with Ayana, almost secretly. It struck me that she may have regretted her actions and was seeking to undo them."
Kol sucked in a breath, "You mean that she would have killed us?"
Elijah took a few steps back. "I do not know, Kol. I am sure we shall never know, but she never looked at us the same. Even Ayana, who loved us almost as much as her own kin, was fearful of what we had become. Perhaps I should not have said anything..."
"Nay, tis true. We were all blood thirsty fiends, mayhaps me the worst of us all. I could not bear the hunger or being cut off from magic. It haunts me still at times," Kol admitted. "It twas not until New Orleans that we truly settled down. But I suppose, not enough for the covens to accept us."
Elijah nodded, "We made many mistakes, but I now wonder if Nature is on their side. You know, it tis trying to balance the scales that Mother's dark power threw off so violently. But I think we can do some good here. If we can get through this next battle."
"If?" Kol pressed. "I have never seen you like this. Afraid."
"We have more to lose this time," Elijah said dryly. "The humans here on the estate that work with us, the children, Freya, and even Sage. I am afraid...of failure. Tis an odd feeling, it makes me feel almost human again."
"Maybe that tis not a bad thing. And you did not mention the thing you fear losing most," Kol smiled. "Your Hayley."
Elijah grimaced, "She is dear to me. I have loved a doppelgänger, a witch, but I never thought I would fall in love with a werewolf."
"We have survived Father, and Mother, we shall persevere over this aunt. And remember, 'Ubi amor, ibi dolor,'" Kol quipped.
"So you do remember your latin somewhat? Yes, where there is love, there is pain. But Kol, I cannot lose her," Elijah stated. "You mentioned the word 'symposium. In town, the land owners are making moves to incorporate Mystic Falls into a proper town. We have made a deal with them for now, but I am not sure how long that peace will hold. We vowed to stop buying businesses, if they cease their own plans for a take over."
Kol thought, "Or you could pull a Niklaus and just murder them all?"
Elijah laughed bitterly, "That did not work so well with the New Orleans witches, did it? I daresay that will we make our home here and not flee again. No more of that. I really do miss my copy of Webster as well as the rest of my library."
"I miss my friends," Kol lamented. "Those harlots and barkeeps really did know how to make merry."
Elijah sighed, "Finish your lines, Brother. I am sure in a few years, Sage will allow you to work at the saloon."
"Or mayhaps I can have one of my own?" Kol thought aloud. "I could invite some of the lovely ladies from my past up here!"
Elijah let out a rare chuckle, "That tis a no, Kol. Now, get back to work before I add a line about not creating a brothel in Mystic Falls."
"You are not fun. You and Webster alike," Kol said, turning back to his quill and paper. Nitimur in vetitum."
"You strive for the forbidden more than most," Elijah correctly, leaving the room.
Whitmore Boarding House
Hayley wanted to sink down into the chair and rest her eyes a moment but Mrs. Whitmore needed her afternoon tea. Hayley considered putting a slug or two of cooking sherry into it to help the old lady sleep. But considering she had reprimanded Kathy for drugging her, she decided to forgo that idea.
"Where did Kathy run off to?" Hayley muttered, looking around the deserted kitchen. She had tasked the girl to put the kettle on, but the kettle was off to the side. "I ought to put her over my knee. I bet she is sniffing after the Lockwood boy again."
Hayley then noticed the back door was ajar. She went to close it and saw a spray of black feathers on the ground. Maybe a cat had been lucky?
Hayley did not notice her green alexandrite pendant that Elijah had given her turning red.
"Harriet, have you seen Kathy?" Hayley called.
"No, Miss, I thought she was with you," Harriet said, looking around in confusion.
"No, the back door was open. She must have left," Hayley said. "I need to get Mrs. Whitmore something to eat. She is not taking care of herself."
Harriet nodded and started to help Hayley slice some loaves of bread and get Mrs. Whitmore's favorite orange marmalade.
"Odd, she just took off," Harriet said. The dark hair girl glanced outside, "She is gonna get caught in this storm. Those cloud don't bode nothing good tonight. I do not likes the looks of them."
Freya's Attic
"By my calculations, the moon shall reach its zenith on September 25," Freya concluded. "I think we have enough Kyanite for all of them. Dragomir did a good job getting these stones. They are not easy to procure."
Klaus put his hands behind his back. "Good, a wolf must stay busy or else they may turn to mischief and gluttony. If you can craft this rings to harness the power of the full moon, then the wolves will effectively be hybrids like me."
"Yes," Freya agreed. "The dagger spells also works. I imbued the power of the dark magic in those objects into them. I wish we had more, but for now, I think we are well-defended."
"And the woman, Mrs. Smith?" Klaus said. "Will she do for the break breaking your curse?"
"I think so," Freya said. "Solomon had a dream that his mother came back to get him last night. It could have been just his wishful thinking, but then again, if he is a seer...It could be more."
"Ilayda set the wards?" Klaus asked. He had been disturbed that the men and Mrs. Smith were able to get so close to the property. But the protection spells only extended to the family and workers, not Hank.
"Yes, Halina helped her salt around the house and outer buildings. Of course, the property is too vast to get all of it, but it should do," Freya said, her hand brushing over the newly made dark object daggers.
"You have been spending a great deal of time with Halina," Klaus smiled. "She is a handsome woman."
Freya replied, "My liking for her? It does not bother you?"
"Nay, of course not," Klaus said. "Sister, I mean, Freya, I am sorry for not trusting you earlier. My mind was clouded with my own deceit. Forgive me."
"There is nothing to forgive. Plus, Elijah said my salve was quite effective in teaching you a lesson," Freya grinned. She picked up a rag to polish the daggers.
Klaus agreed, "Indeed. I could hardly sit still today. Elijah tried to put a pillow on my chair at breakfast!"
"Ha, so that is why you exited the room so quickly! I suppose you did not wish the children to see," Freya said, putting down the cloth. "Have you made your peace with Rebekah yet?"
"Nay, she was with Hank," Klaus said. "I shall see if I can catch her now. And Marcellus. The time is long overdue."
Kitchen
Sage came into the kitchen and found Solomon, Jeremy, and Stefan at the table. They were with Cook and he had served them milk and some apple pie.
"Right before supper?" Sage asked, looking at the large man with an apron.
"Miss Elena said you gave them permission?" Cook asked with wide eyes.
"I most certainly did not," Sage announced. "Boys, where are Elena and Damon? I thought they were doing their school work."
Jeremy wiped his mouth with his sleeve, his mouth full of pie.
"They said they needed to fetch something," Jeremy mouthed.
"Use your napkin, please," Sage said firmly. "If they come back, tell them to remain here. Elena was supposed to help me find Hank some things."
Finn and Elijah, and Marcel came out of the study.
"What tis it, Wife?" Finn asked, seeing her consternation.
"Oh nothing," Sage replied. "I was looking for Elena and Damon."
"They said you needed a bottle of wine for supper," Marcel said. "I handed it over. Twas that not true?"
"No, not at all," Sage said grimly. "I shall go find them and see what they are up to."
"Want some company?" Finn asked.
"No, you go back to your work," Sage said. "The boys are having pie for supper."
"That sounds good," Marcel smiled.
Elijah pointed upstairs, "Your papa is calling you upstairs. You can spoil your appetite in a bit."
Marcel went to see what Klaus wanted.
Klaus' Room
Marcel walked into Rebekah wringing her hands.
"You killed her? The Mother who sang to us, rocked us to sleep, and bore us! Nik, how could you have kept this from us," Rebekah fumed. She put her fingers on her temples and rocked on her feet in shock.
Klaus leaned over in his chair and hung his head.
"Aye," Klaus said in a hollow voice. "But at the time, she was the mother who let us be killed only to awaken thirsting for blood. When I saw my true father's dead eyes, I snapped somehow."
Rebekah's hands balled up into fists. "You did not even know the man!"
"Am I interrupting?" Marcel said, trying to put an arm around Rebekah.
"Nay, I was just confessing to my sister that I am the one who slew Esther, not Mikael," Klaus said heavily.
"Oh Papa," Marcel said, his eyes going back and forth between the siblings.
Rebekah cleared her throat. "Allow me to ascertain that you were afraid we would leave you, had we known the truth?"
"Yes, I am sorry, Sister. I cannot even ask you to forgive me. I should have told you that very day," Klaus said, his eyes tearing. "And there is more, I should have trusted you and Marcellus to make your own decisions. I shall not keep you from your desires. I had no right to do so. I see that now."
"Tis true," Rebekah said. "It just vexes me that you had so little faith in our love for you Niklaus. Even after we knew that you were half wolf, did any of us ever treat you differently?"
Klaus sniffed, "Well, Kol has called me a bastard during more than one row."
Rebekah laughed, letting Marcel hold her. "That twas not due to your parentage. Oh hell, stop looking at me like that."
Rebekah broke away from Marcel and went to hug Klaus. Marcel stood by uncomfortably as his father wept in his sister's arms. Rebekah held out her arm to him and Marcel joined the embrace.
"You are a fool, Niklaus. We made a vow, always and forever," Rebekah whispered. "We would never have left you alone to fight Mikael yourself."
Klaus nodded, but could not speak. He was more relieved than he could say.
Wine Cellar
Sage stomped to the wine cellar and was afraid of what she would find. The skies were darkened and several workers called out to her that it looked like rain. The wind whipped wildly and she pinned a few stray strands of her red hair back in her bun.
"Elena! Stefan!" Sage hollered over the wind. It was kicking up dust and dirt and she protected her eyes as she got closer.
"Shit!" Sage heard someone, probably Damon, curse.
"Young man, you better have your trousers on," Sage snapped. Damon came out with two bottles of wine. Before he could speak, his hat blew off and disappeared in the wind.
Sage indicated that he should enter the darkened cellar. They had one lantern and she could smell wine. She saw Elena scramble up from the ground.
Elena gasped, "Oh Sage, we thought it would be nice to get some wine for supper."
"Oh, really?" Sage said. "That is the lie you are going with this eve."
Elena's face colored, "Sage, we just wanted to be alone to talk. That tis all really."
"And you are in here drinking wine? You were supposed to be working on your school papers," Sage reprimanded.
Damon balked, "Blame me. Twas my idea. It was not Elena's fault."
"Nay, it never is," Sage said sternly. "I have a good mind to spank you both soundly before we get home. I know you two are a fair hand at talking yourselves out of trouble."
Damon hung his head and nearly whispered, "Punish me. Leave her out of it."
Sage grabbed Damon's arm. "Take down your trousers. Maybe a slippering will have you better mind your elders."
Damon glanced at Elena, resigned.
"No! Sage, twas my idea. Please, do not whip Damon," Elena pleaded.
"You go face the wall. You are next, young lady," Sage snapped.
Sage directed Damon to lean over a barrel and took off her right slipper. She shook off the dust and laid the flat leather on his drawers tapping it.
Whap! Whap! Whap!
Damon bit his lip and remained quiet. He could hear the wind kicking up outside.
"The storm sounds worse," Damon tried. "Can we not-."
"Nay, remain silent or I will take down your drawers," Sage warned.
Whap! Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap! Whap!
"Ah," Damon gasped as Sage began to lower the blows to his sit spots. The leather sole burned and smarted, but he aimed to take his whipping with dignity.
Whap! Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap! Whap!
"Oh, we are sorry! We did n-not think we would be m-missed," Damon gasped.
Whap! Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap! Whap!
"You were," Sage informed him. "And this is just your warm up. Pull up your trousers and exchange places with Elena."
Damon was not crying, but red-faced and his rump was stinging.
"Yes, ma'am," Damon said hoarsely.
Elena looked pained but Sage warned her to hurry and bend over the same barrel. She now heard the wind also. She held Elena's petticoats and slips up as she started to whack her over her split drawers.
Whap! Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap! Whap!
Elena screeched as Sage struck a tender spot and almost rose up.
Whap! Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap! Whap!
"Owwwww," Elena whimpered as the slipper cracked over all of her backside firmly.
Whap! Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap! Whap!
The door to the cellar blew open and leaves and debris rushed in.
Sage stopped and let Elena's skirts fall back in place.
"We shall finish this back at the house," Sage said. "We ought to leave. Damon, blow out the lantern. Leave the wine."
Elena stood up and wiped her tears away. She snuck a quick rub in to her bottom.
"We are sorry," Elena said.
Sage softened, "I know, dear, but you cannot just-"
Damon blew out the lantern. "Tis getting worse out there. Mayhaps tis a twister or such?"
Sage paused, "That is odd. Look at all those black feathers blowing around. And what are those...black flowers?"
Damon looked out, "Those look like dahlias! Take cover!"
