Katerina Petrova was exactly what Hel expected. How could she not be when she bore a stolen face of the goddess' only friend. Darkened eyes staring skyward as if the stars held answers to the many questions and actions that spun within her mind. The weight of each choice weighing upon her shoulders as Hel watched from the shadows. Allowing the vampire a moment of peace. Most likely the first she's experienced in all five hundred years of life as a vampire. Her thick lashes fluttering as she suddenly muttered a Bulgarian phrase under her breathe. A phrase Hel was quite familiar with.

"Sŭzhalyavam mamo."

"She did not hate you," The vampire was standing in a flash. Her fangs catching the pale moonlight as darkened eyes searched for the figure she would never find unless Hel so decreed. "Her last thought was of you. How she wished she'd let you hold the babe, of how she'd failed you."

"Who's there? Show yourself!"

"Now now, Katerina," The girl stiffened. "Did your mother not teach you manners?" Hel scolded, stomping down on a twig. The crack drawing the vampires gaze, only to greet her with the inky darkness of the night as Hel's magic kept her hidden from view.

The moment Katerina turned to run a green mist formed beneath her feet. Stopping her in her tracks, and sending her to the ground. A cry of shock and panic falling from her lips. "Who are you? How do you know my name? Did Klaus send you?"

Hel chuckled. Footsteps echoing within the girls skull as the goddess approached. "You know, you weren't that difficult to track down," Hel's hands locked together behind her back as she began circling the vampire. The barely visible green mist keeping her tied to the ground with little effort from the goddess. She'd had nearly six thousand years to perfect her arcane abilities. A struggling vampire was no match for Hel's magic. Magic she got from her faðir. "For someone running from an all powerful, completely invincible vampire intent on making you suffer, you really are rather predictable."

She cried out in frustration as each movement caused the mist to constrict. "You doppelgängers are so dramatic, predictable, whiny, manipulative..." Hel trailed off. "I want to make a deal."

"I'm listening."

Hel laughed. A harsh, bitter sound that had Katerina's soul cowering. "I know you are, girl." Her hand wrapped around the doppelgängers throat, magic retreating as Hel pressed her against the trunk of a tree. Eyes meeting the vampires as a look of horror crossed her face. Decay and rot all she could see as two glazed eyes peered into hers. Her skeletal fingers and exposed jaw bone catching the little light that trickled through the branches overhead. "I want something, and you are going to get it for me." Her face drew closer to hers. "In exchange, you get to keep your pathetic life."

_

Hel gave Mayor Carol Lockwood her famous smile. The kind that fooled anyone who spared the goddess a glance. From the scullery maids and lowly whores, to the great Odin himself. Nobody could withstand Hel's manipulation, aside from her móðir and faðir. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Hel Eriksson."

The alias was perfect. The story bulletproof. Hel Eriksson, Swedish immigrant, living with her tycoon faðir in an old, previously abandoned mansion on the outskirts of town. Her móðir was still in Sweden, tying up loose ends while her elder bróðirs where busy traveling the world. She'd had the whole story figured out within moments of purchasing the abandoned mansion.

"You're the ones who bought that old mansion, yes?" She nodded. "Welcome to Mystic Falls, and thank you for helping. Three days in and you're already volunteering?"

Hel's mask didn't once faulter even as she found the woman to be increasingly more annoying. "Yes, well, what better way to make friends? And I must admit," she lowered her voice as if telling the woman a secret. "I love masquerades."

"So did my husband. This was always his favorite party of the year," a somber smile crossed her lips. Hel tilted her head. Noting the only Lockwood currently on the property being George Lockwood who glared whenever a female entered the gentleman's parlor. His old clothing and hairstyle a clear indication of the time from which he died. Pity he died so young. Barely having time to pass on the moonstone before a hunter killed the man in his beastial form.

Richard had found peace and moved on.

George must've noticed her staring as he turned to watch her. His hazel eyes meeting hers as he began to approach, a few mortals passing through the man as he drew near. "I'm so sorry for your loss. I know I didn't know him, but still, my sympathies."

"Thank you," there was no gratitude in her voice. "You're going to be assisting Matt and Elena with mask sorting. At that table," she pointed towards a blonde boy with a burly build. A handful of masks in his hand as Amara's doppelgänger smiled at something he said. Elena, she reminded herself. Calling her Amara's doppelgänger would only serve to cause the girl more unnecessary sorrow. Amara was still alive. As was Silas, who's doppelgänger was more boring than Hel remembered the man being.

"Of course," she bowed her head, backing away from the woman and slowly making her way towards the table. George Lockwood now following after the goddess. His curiosity peaked as Hel ignored him. She'd free him one day, she'd free all of them one day, but for now she needed to play her part. A part that didn't include ferrying the souls of deceased supernaturals to Helheim, which she was unsure she'd be able to leave should she return.

"Greetings, it was Matt and Elena, right? Im Hel," she motioned towards herself. "I'm supposed to be helping sort the masks."

"Yeah, I saw your name on the sheet." Matt spoke, giving her a friendly smile. He was cute, but too sweet for her liking. Too bland, much like her uncle Thor who had more looks than brains. The brute of a man would always prattle on about boring topics that were of incredibly little interest. "Each box comes with a bunch of assorted masks. Just open them all up and pile them up by type."

She nodded, grabbing one of the boxes and beginning to sort through the masks. None of them speaking for a good three minutes. As Hel went through the motions of opening up each mask. The tacky material and flimsy plastic no match for the finery she'd witness during her childhood on Asgard. Odin had thrown an extravagant masquerade ball for his wedding anniversary in honor of Frigga. It was a grand occasion it which no expense was spared. Hel had the most gorgeous emerald gown and a silver mask covered in diamonds and emeralds. Hel could remember the stunning golden gown her amma wore. With fine jewels and crystals sown into the fabric. Her mask made of Phoenix feathers and pure gold. She looked like the queen she was, yet even then she stopped to speak to her. She even danced with Hel until her faðir dragged her away for bed.

It was one of her favorite memories of Asgard.

"Are you new?" Hel glanced up at the girl through her lashes. Noting the hesitation in her voice. Her eyes on Silas' doppelgänger rather than her as he glanced at his phone, something Hel truly needed to get. Every teenager had a cellphone, it would be awfully suspicious if she didn't.

"Yeah, just got here a few days ago."

"How are you liking Mystic Falls?"

"It's a nice town. I haven't seen much of it yet, what with unpacking and everything."

She nodded. "I'm...I'll be right back. Hel watched the olive skinned girl who quickly followed after the other doppelgänger. The perfect opportunity for Hel to get inside the blonde boys skull. As soon as she was sure all living eyes where otherwise occupied she pressed her hand atop his, a green glow emitting from where her hand rested atop his.

"I want you to tell me everything you know about Elena Gilbert and her friends. And I mean everything."

_

What do you guys think?

Translations-

Faðir-Father

Móðir-Mother

Bróðirs-Brothers

Amma-Grandmother

Sŭzhalyavam mamo-I'm sorry, mama