27: Don't Ever Doubt That It's a Cruel, Cruel World.
"Wh-what is this?" A man, selected at complete random, questioned with his voice shaking as much as his bound hands. It looked like a cave, with candles hung all around. Various sigils covered across each flat enough surface in what he could only hope was red paint. In a dark corner something growled and scratched at a metal cage.
Riel's face was indifferent as she walked towards the cage. "Someone I knew for a very long time began something magnificent. I have to see that it expands as it cost her her life to start. Now, it's going to cost yours. Yours, and many others." She offered him a smile before putting a key in a large padlock on the cage.
He shook as he knelt on the ground, staring at the cage with wide and panicked eyes that had begun to tear. "Please, you don't have to do this! I have a family! I-I can offer you money!"
"Your human currency means nothing to me I'm afraid. As does the welfare of your family. I never had a family of my own, to be honest. But you haven't got enough time to hear all of that nonsense."
"Sure I do! Tell me whatever you want! I'll listen!"
"Oh, I'm sure you would, but that's not the point. You don't have enough time because you are about to become something much greater than this pathetic life as a human you lead."
The Night Creature that attacked Zina after Saskia's demise emerged slowly from the cage. Riel gave it a gentle pat on the head before it began sniffing around. The man tried to scoot away, but the noise only attracted the creature. It rushed right over to him and tackled him down, shoving one clawed hand/paw into his chest to expose his heart. He coughed up blood as he screamed in pain and begged for mercy. The creature paid no mind as it leaned down and began eating his heart with its massive, pointed teeth.
As it ate, the man's remaining blood began to turn black. Once it was done, the heart completely devoured, it walked contentedly back into its cage. Riel stood over the man's body to watch the black spread across his cells, across his flesh, until the human body began to warp. As he turned, life filled with Black Magic returned to the changing body. Screams turned into snarls, fingers turned into claws, and bones snapped until there was nothing human left. Riel smiled down at the second Night Creature when it finished turning.
"Oh, yes, this is going to work quite well."
Lethia knew the siren-like voice as soon as she was within earshot. She looked down at her daughter in her arms who smiled through her pacifier up at her. They remained at the back of the crowd in the small cafe that Lethia wasn't even sure Klaus knew about. Up on the small stage stood Nova looking barely put together.
"Had enough, I've really
Had enough
Had enough of denial
I'm not alright, but I'm not gonna lie
I don't know that I ever was
All alone, I've waited
All alone
Held it in as I played by your rules
I've been biting my lip, but I'm losing my grip
I'm coming down, down, down
When all the hate burns off, I'm left here with the pain
Behind our vain devices are we all the same?
Change me into something I believe in
Change me so I don't have to pretend
Take a breath and try to play along but
I'm a terrible liar
I feel the world like a brick on my chest
And the party's just begun
Throw the rope, I'm wading
Through the mud
From your mouth flow a thousand truths
But you know, there's only one
When all the hate burns off, I'm left here with the pain
Change me into something I believe in
Change me so I don't have to pretend
Sweet words, they mean nothing, they're not true
Cause the game is over
I want it all or I want nothing at all
Maybe I can
Change me into something I believe in
Change me so I don't have to pretend
Your sweet words they mean nothing, save your breath
The game is over!"
As the crowd clapped for her song, the vampire vanished amongst them. She bee-lined straight for the blondes in the back, nearly smothering them in a tight embrace. "I wanted to come find you as soon as I got to the city but I really don't have the energy to deal with the Mikaelsons."
"I heard what happened," Lethia voiced with immense sympathy. "I also heard about your murder spree and terrorizing Stefan. So what brings you to NOLA?"
Nova sighed. "Honestly? I just can't do it, Thea. I have no home in Mystic Falls; I can't even step foot into the stupid town. Everything I had was because of Damon. It all feels so… empty now. The only thing I can do to not disgrace his memory is to not shut off my humanity and the only reasons I have left to do that I'm staring at. I'm not saying I'm gonna be peachy, I'm a fucking disaster." Lethia giggled a little. "But I can't shut it off again. I can't."
Lethia smiled at her best friend and took her hand. "You're always welcome where I am, Nova. This is actually really messed up but good timing because I was gonna ask if you maybe wanted to be Eira's godmother?" She asked with a sheepish smile.
Nova's eyes widened. Words struggled to form in her brain. "G-godmother? You know I'm not great with little spawns… What's Klaus think about this?"
The blonde sighed softly. "I'm… having my own issues with the Mikaelsons right now. Things have been pretty crazy since Eira and Hope were born and there's all this mess with witches and Marcel. This family and this city is a mess, I'll tell ya. And if we're being real, I'm pretty sure Klaus expects it. The Mikaelsons may be family to me now, but you've been my family always." She smiled.
"There's still the matter that I am not good with children."
"Sure you are!" She grinned and swiftly handed the blonde infant into Nova's arms. "It just can't be any children."
Nova stared down wide eyed at the child in her arms. She could see the smile clear as day behind the dark green pacifier. There was something light and warm in her golden eyes that eased Nova's insecurities. "How old even is she?"
"She'll be five months soon but she doesn't look it, does she? She's hella bigger than Hope." She laughed. "Those are the Kross genes shining through. She'll be walking before the end of the year. Did you have an apartment out here or did you wanna crash with me in the French Quarter?"
Nova couldn't take her eyes away from the child. Five months? Had it really been so long already? "I actually just got myself a penthouse not too far from the French Quarter. Just because I'll stay in their city doesn't mean I'll actually stay with the Mikaelsons." She laughed a little.
The pair headed out, discussing Nova's new music she was finally beginning to write, when the ravenette bumped into someone on the sidewalk. "Oh, hey, Kaleb," the blonde smiled. "Sorry about that, this is my best friend - Nova. She's staying in the city for a little bit."
Kaleb and Nova couldn't stop staring at one another with partially cut eyes for some reason. Nova couldn't put her finger on it but there was something about young Kaleb that just sent her on high alert. Slowly, a dark smile tugged at Kaleb's mouth. "Welcome to New Orleans, Nova. How long do you plan on staying here with us?"
She tried to resist the urge to grab the daggers in her boots. "I, uh, I haven't quite figured it out yet. I don't really have anywhere permanent to return to."
The already creepy smile turned into a sinister smirk. "Well I sure would love to see you stay here permanently."
Once they were finally out of earshot from him, Nova let the shiver she had been repressing run down her spine. "Alright, what is his fucking deal?"
Lethia shrugged. "He's just a witch. Not like, a spectacular one either. I've seen him around town and stuff. Klaus doesn't care much for where I wander but strangely enough Eira and I are welcome amongst everyone."
Nova looked back over her shoulder as they walked. She could almost swear she felt Kaleb following them.
"Lettie," came the warning tone of Klaus as the blonde walked into the room, "why am I hearing Nova Vasile walking about New Orleans?"
She rolled her eyes before handing Eira to him and sitting in a chair. "Because she has feet to walk and they happen to be in New Orleans for a little while. You're both going to be on your best behavior being within proximity of one another, do you hear me?"
"That depends on if she also heard you."
"She's depressed, Klaus. And she's trying her damndest not to shut it off again. I don't think she could handle it or be recovered again. She's perfectly fine here in the city where the sights and sounds can inspire her music passion again. She's safe here. Especially around Eira. Besides, she can keep me out of all of the politics you're neck deep in." She grinned.
Eira laughed on her father's lap. "Don't side with her," Klaus teased the child. "What about the rest of the Vasiles? Or the various creatures out for their heads?"
"Do you really want the gossip? Because I have got it all."
Klaus quirked a brow curiously. "Is it actually interesting to someone other than yourself, luv?"
Lethia rolled her eyes. "Is Zina wanting to bang the hell out of Jeremy freakin' Gilbert interesting enough for you? Or maybe Remiel being on her last leg, Saskia turning to goo, Zarya becoming a dhampir…"
Klaus chuckled. "It never is a dull day for the bloody Vasiles, is it?"
Sweet, sweet mozzarella sticks. How they always went so well with top shelf bourbon. Nova had to have smoked at least three blunts as she walked the city aimlessly before settling in a bar. She thought about singing, but the booze and grease were just too satisfying.
"I came here because I heard a rumor of a beautiful lady singing. What a surprise to find her drowning in liquor and food like a sad little girl."
Had she not been so inebriated, Nova may have noticed the way her instinct tried desperately to send red flags. Instead, she spun on her bar stool and found Kaleb smirking at her. "Listen here, magic boy, I've lost literally everything that mattered to me. I think I'm entitled to have greasy food and liquor as tissues."
Kaleb chuckled and took a seat beside her, hailing the bartender. "I'll have what she's having to drink, and get her another one." As he turned to get the alcohol, Kaleb faced the ravenette. "You're having quite the day, aren't you darling?"
RED FLAGS! WAVING RED FLAGS!
She sighed and downed the rest of the liquor in her cup she already had. "Day, week, month, year, century." She shrugged. "What the fuck even is my life anymore?"
"Sounds like you need something to distract you."
She scoffed a little, looking him up and down. "Come on, kid. How old are you? Witch or not, you don't know the first thing about me."
"I know you're a vampire." The drinks were placed in front of them as Nova's eyes widened. "A pretty powerful one, I assume. Old enough to know Lethia and the Mikaelsons. And one who is so sadly grieving. What better way to grieve than to just let go?"
She shook her head. "No, I can't let go anymore. I can't shut it off."
"Then don't. Do everything except that." Kaleb smirked when he saw the thought cross her emerald eyes. "Instead of drinking down misery all by yourself, live it up. A little 'fuck you' to all the pain the world has caused you."
No longer sober Nova was raving at the idea. She immediately hailed the bartender and slapped down several bills from her bag with a toothy grin. "I'm gonna need your top shelf liquor."
Sober Nova would have noticed the twisted grin on Kaleb's face.
For the first time in a long time in New Orleans was every kind of supernatural creature welcomed into a penthouse for the sole reason to get fucked up and party. Forget the politics, forget the problems, just drink and smoke and dance to the loudest music. A couple of times Nova would sneak off to do a quick bump before downing a glass of liquor and resuming her activities. Vampires, werewolves, and witches alike partied hard with Nova Vasile until dawn threatened.
For the first time in five months Nova felt free. Guilt and loneliness no longer suffocated her. As the party began to thin out she was found once again by Kaleb. Unfortunately she was even more wrecked and really couldn't see the red flags. She was laughing at something when he grabbed her waist from behind which made her laugh more. There had been drinks in his hand all night yet the witch never once got as drunk as other witches who had just as much as he did. Nova hadn't even noticed that he spent the whole night watching her.
"Now listen here," she laughed as she leaned back against him, "I lost my fiance in, like, the worst way imaginable and it's apparently been five freakin' months. I'm bound to do something stupid cause I know he won't know." She giggled as she put a finger to her lips.
"You poor thing," Kaleb cooed in her ear, still smirking. "Still so hung up over someone so unworthy. Don't worry darling, we'll have so much more fun."
The handful of people still partying paid no mind to the witch and vampire beginning a makeout session in the back. As they slowly filtered out, the pair made their way towards Nova's master bedroom. The inebriated haze mixed with heightened pleasure made Nova forget about everything. She even forgot who she was for a period of time. She lost herself in the young witch, reveling in the newness of someone else. Every touch, every kiss made her forget more and more of her pain.
Kaleb let Nova rest for a few hours as he laid beside her. He stared at her while playing with a lock of her hair smirking maliciously. It was at least one in the afternoon when she finally began to stir. He already had a Camel Crush cigarette lit for her. She smiled, gratefully taking the nicotine. "Not a lot of people like these because they're shorts."
"Well when you aren't typically sharing with someone it's just enough."
As sobriety began slowly making its way into Nova something unsettled her about the young witch again. She smoked half of the cigarette before handing it back and slipping on a silk and lace red gown with a black lace robe. While she stood in the balcony with her arms crossed, Kaleb walked up behind her already in his jeans. He wrapped his arms around her waist and felt her settle against him.
"Strange things have always happened in this city, you know," he told her mysteriously with his head resting on her shoulder. "So much astonishing magic and bloodshed. When you think about it, it really always comes down to the Mikaelsons. They own this city."
Nova's brows furrowed. The sinking feeling was becoming almost unbearable. "Yeah… it's not exactly my ideal choice of city, but my best friend and goddaughter are here. They're all I've got left."
"So if they get taken away, then you'll have absolutely nothing left to hold onto? No reason worth living?"
"I… I suppose so?" She tried to look at him but he wouldn't let her move. He was surprisingly strong for a witch. Then, he kissed her neck. Her eyes widened with a flashback to Kol biting her.
"I told you I would get my revenge eventually, Nova. Now you're going to regret ever turning on me, ever killing me. Everyone is."
A shaky breath escaped her lips. "Kol. How?!"
He chuckled in her ear. "I told you, darling; this city is filled with magic and bloodshed. Welcome to New Orleans."
With one quick movement he shoved her off the balcony. Nova fell helplessly for well over ten stories until she hit the pavement. The shock was so great that it shattered her spinal column and stopped her heart.