Wow fanfiction...how you gonna do me dirty like that. I'm so embarrassed. First post of the year and it's all mixed up in formatting code. (Though I was wondering about the wordcount...lol)

Hey everyone! Hope y'all had an enjoyable holiday season. Now we can get back to business as usual. I picked a title! It's kind of an almagation of the suggestions that I got over the last couple of weeks. Okay. Get ready for another showdown. See y'all at the bottom.

"Eris, love. My mother has decided that her first order of business since being resurrected after a thousand years is to throw a ball to introduce our family to the town."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. She's also decided to ban all violent acts against the doppelgänger and her groupies." Klaus rolled his eyes.

"She sure is making a lot of decisions for someone who's no longer in charge of things."

"Indeed. Finn is a non-factor. Kol and Rebekah seem to think that she's really back to make our family whole again. I want to believe her, but as a Mikaelson, I am aware that we hold grudges for a long time. Elijah is of a different mind. And as much as a stick in the mud my elder brother is, he's usually very good at spotting a deception. Unless that deception is me, of course." He chuckled.

"So what are you planning to do then?"

"I'll play it by ear for now. Another mark against her is that she wants to have a meeting with that wretched dopplegänger during the ball. She think no one knows about that little note she put on the back of Elena's invitation, but my hybrids were the couriers, of course I know when something's afoot. And if that's not suspect, I don't know what is."

"That does sound sketchy." Eris agreed. "Well you already know that my lot is in with you. And from what you've told me of your mother and what I've experienced from our first meeting, I can't say I'll be upset if you have to relieve her of her heart again."

"Which brings me to why I came over."

"Oh? It wasn't just because you missed my face and hadn't seen Teddy in a while?" She replied, cheekily. He smiled charmingly, she was in love with that smile.

"Would you, Eris Black, give me the unparalleled pleasure of escorting you to the First Annual Mikaelson Ball?" He asked, grasping her hand and bowing with a flourish.

"Meh. I'm not really a fan of balls." Eris started, making Klaus' face fall. "But I'll go if only to see you in a suit and to see what kind of drama gets served up this time."

"Splendid. On that note, I have a gift for you." Klaus snapped his fingers and one of his hybrids entered the room carrying a large box. Klaus took the box from him and handed it to Eris. "I know that you wear only black to honor the dead, but I would be inordinately pleased if you wore this gown tonight." She lifted the lid to see what all the fuss was about. Inside was a beautiful lilac floor length gown. It was almost Grecian in design, backless, with large keyhole in the front. There were slivers of the skirt that shimmered with golden lace. She smoothed her hands over the fabric reverently.

"Well, I guess I can make an exception. After all, my boyfriend went through such a hassle to get me this lovely dress." Klaus' smile was infectious. He gave her a peck on the lips before turning to leave.

"I'll send a car around to pick you up, sweetheart." He said, as he left her home.

At the ball

Klaus was on the second floor landing of his mansion, observing the party and hoping to spot his woman when she arrived. Having no luck, he took a swig of his champagne and noticed the dopplegänger arrive, a Salvatore literally on each arm. Before he could stop it, a glimmer of distaste ran across his features.

"She's kind of an attention whore." Chimed a familiar voice from next to his left shoulder. "Your dopplegänger." The voice clarified. Klaus turned to see Eris there, in the dress he had bought her. She was enchanting, as always, and the makeup she had decided on gave her an ethereal edge. To offset the lack of black in her outfit, Eris maintained her black nails, and went with black lipstick and a dramatic black cat-eye. "Not to mention, her dress is kind of ugly."

"Eris, love. I didn't see you come in." He smiled at her, grabbing her hand to pull her closer for a kiss on the cheek. A smirk curled on her black painted lips and she kept their hands entwined.

"I'm not much for dramatic entrances. I find subtly is usually the way to go." That made him laugh.

"You'd be the first in this town. Let me properly introduce you to my family. It should go better this time now that tempers have settled a bit."

"If you say so Nik." Eris sang, allowing Klaus to change her grip so that she was holding onto his arm, as he lead her down the staircase. Neither noticed the attention they drew from the partygoers, too engrossed in each other.

Elijah watched from across the foyer as his younger brother and his paramour descended the steps. He saw a genuine smile on his brother's face and although he hadn't been able to gather much information on this Eris Black, he could agree that she was a good match for his brother. He finished his drink and left his glass at the bar, moving to meet the couple at the bottom of the staircase.

"Ah, brother," Klaus greeted, "you remember Eris."

"Hello again." Eris greeted, holding out a hand to Elijah. He took it in his own and kissed the back, releasing it quickly at the glare from his brother.

"Miss Black, pleasure to see you again. Hopefully, this meeting will be less violent than the last." Elijah had to hold back a smirk at seeing Klaus take her hand back into his possession.

"I'm not betting on it." Eris said nonchalantly, daintily shrugging a shoulder. "There are too many conflicting personalities and ulterior motives running around tonight for it to end in anything but violence." She shared a smile with Klaus.

"You think?" Elijah was interested in what this not-so-much-outsider saw when she looked at this ball.

"It's the only reason I agreed to come." She smirked. "That, and seeing my Nik all dressed up." She pat Klaus' chest. Klaus rolled his eyes at the second part of her confession, but Elijah could swear he saw the beginnings of a blush make it's way to Niklaus' cheeks. Yes. This woman would be good for his brother.

"Well, if that's all, I promised to introduce Eris to the others so if you'll excuse us..." Klaus started.

"Actually. It's time for the first dance. Which means it's time to introduce ourselves." Elijah maneuvered Klaus away from Eris and back up the stairs, where the rest of his family had congregated during their chat. "If you'll excuse us Miss Black." Eris nodded her acquiescence and headed to the bar.

Elijah was now at the top of the landing, siblings spread out on steps below him, mother looking on from the balcony.

"Welcome, thank you for joining us. You know, whenever my mother brings our family together like this, it's tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance." Started Elijah.

Eris had managed to get the bartender to serve her whiskey instead of the champagne they kept trying to foist on her. Having such strong magic meant burning through alcohol (and food) like nothing. She didn't come here in search of getting drunk, but as it was a night away from her responsibilities as a mother, she could afford to get a little buzzed. Just her luck that the Salvatore brothers were also frequenting the bar.

"Do you see who I see?" Damon asked his brother.

"Oh yeah." Stefan replied.

"Tonight's pick is a centuries-old waltz, so if all of you could please find yourselves a partner, please join us in the ballroom." Continued Elijah.

Eris made her way to the ballroom with the rest of the partygoers, not missing the argument between the dopplegänger and the eldest Salvatore, the two however, never noticed the interested green eyes following their every move.

Klaus made a beeline to Eris once she arrived in the ballroom. They began dancing, getting lost in each other's eyes.

"Have I told you how enchanting you look tonight?" He asked, she pretended to think for a moment.

"You know, I don't think you said it in words, but your expressions were certainly insightful. You looked like the big bad wolf about to eat me right up when I arrived."

"That can definitely be arranged." He replied, lustily.

"Onto other matters," Eris changed the conversation, "there is definitely something going on tonight between the doppelgänger and your mother. If it was just a regular 'ole conversation, one of the Salvatore's could attend, but it's not and they can't, and at least one of them is getting twitchy about it." Klaus looked contemplative at her news.

"You're a gift, you know?" She smiled. It was time to change partners. Eris was spun into the arms of Elijah. She saw that Klaus was now dancing with Caroline (bleh).

"Hello again." Eris repeated cheekily, from their earlier conversation.

"Miss Black. I do hope you're have a good time."

"So far, everything seems to be smooth sailing. I'm looking forward to the screams of fear and faces full of shock." Her lips curled into a sinister smile.

"You seem to be a bit of a fatalist. Am I wrong?" He asked, a bit amused.

"Well, everything does end in death. If not your own, then that of your enemy." Her smile was more amused this time. "What? Did you think the only thing I had in common with Nik was our similar attractiveness?" This received a surprised chuckle from the elder Mikaelson.

"I was thinking it was more of an opposites attract sort of thing. You seem far too innocent."

"Looks can be deceiving, dear. We're a lot more alike than one would guess." She changed tracks. "And look at this," she said, staring over his shoulder, "the fireworks are beginning. Little Salvatore is running off with the doppelgänger and your mother is nowhere to be found. How intriguing." Elijah gave her an appraising look as she tried to keep an innocent face on.

"Thank you for the dance." He said. "It was truly enlightening." She was spun off into another pair of arms. This one belonging to the youngest Mikaelson brother, who she had not yet had the pleasure of being formally introduced to.

"Kol Mikaelson, at your service." He greeted, mid-twirl.

"Eris Black, I'll reserve my pleasantries for when you've earned them." This earned her a smirk from the man.

"I'll take what I can get, love." Eris decided then that she quite liked his personality. It felt reckless and charming. "So what's this I hear about you sweeping my brother off his feet?"

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean. I try not to do any heavy lifting. I have people for that." She smirked back.

"You know what? You're an okay bird."

"Glad to know I have your approval."

"No, no, no. You don't have my approval until we've painted the town red together. But for now, you're alright." She lifted an eyebrow.

"That can be arranged." His eyebrows matched hers now.

Finally, the first dance was over and Klaus found her again, then proceeded to walk her over to his sister.

"Bekah, you remember Eris. I'm sure you two can bond over the trashiness of the current dopplegänger."

The two women eyed each other silently for several tense moments. Klaus hope he had picked a good time for their reintroduction. Finally, the silence was broken by Rebekah.

"The last dopplegänger was much prettier." She said.

"I'm sure she has better fashion sense too. Did you see the dress Elena was wearing tonight?"

"Unfortunately," Rebekah rolled her eyes, moving closer to Eris, "it was almost as bad as her choice in accessories."

"I agree. I was just telling Nik how having two brothers on her arms was overdramatic... not to mention whorish." The two women giggled conspiratorially.

"Your dress is beautiful. It makes your eyes pop."

"Thank you. Nik picked it out for me." Rebekah looked at her brother appraisingly.

"Yes, Nik's artist eye is occasionally good for something."

"You're dress is lovely as well. The mermaid style really suits you. And of course I love the color." Eris winked.

"Let's grab a drink." Rebekah said, looping her arm through Eris'.

"Let's."

Klaus let out a deep breath. He wasn't sure how that would go for a moment.

Rebekah eventually let Eris go, and the two lovers finally reunited on the dance floor.

"My little brother and sister are planning something." Klaus confided.

"Oh? They wouldn't be the only ones tonight. Though I'm sure whatever those two have planned are peanuts compared to your mother's plans."

"You're right. And there's nothing to do except-"

"-wait it out." She finished for him.

"Exactly." He dipped her, and brought her back up for a kiss. The couple continued dancing, only stopping when Esther commanded the attention of the room from atop the staircase, red tinted champagne in hand.

"Good Evening, Ladies and Gentleman. Waiters are coming around with champagne." A waiter came up to Klaus and Eris, Klaus took the champagne. Eris declined.

"Just an empty flute please." The waiter was great at his job and one appeared out of nowhere. The waiter moved on. Eris literally made a flask appear out of thin air and filled the flute with its contents. Klaus raised an eyebrow at his girlfriend's antics. "What?" She defended. "I'm not one for champagne and I tried the whiskey earlier, it was weak." Klaus just stifled his smile, and wrapped an arm around her waist.

"I invite you all to join me in raising a glass. It provides me with no greater joy than to see my family back together as one. I'd like to thank you all for being part of this spectacular evening. Cheers!" Everyone drank.

"So what do you have there?" Klaus asked, interested in the glass his beloved held, after she called the whiskey he hand-picked weak.

"Just a little something from the old country." She said slyly. "Want to try a sip?" He lifted an eyebrow again. "It's quite special." He took the offered sip. She watched him closely.

"That was...quite delicious. What did you say it was called again?"

"Firewhiskey." She said, still watching him. And like clockwork, strange look crossed Klaus' face and a bit a smoke left out of his nostrils.

"Smoke?" He asked. "I'm confused." He looked confused. She giggled a little.

"It's called Firewhiskey for a reason. I'm a little upset you didn't take a bigger drink, that would have been a sight." She smiled. Klaus latched on to her good humor.

"Were you setting me up, love?" He asked.

"Not at all Nik. Just having a bit of fun." She fluttered her eyelashes innocently.

"Mmhmm. Now, tell me you have more of that Firewhiskey."

"Of course, love."

the next day

"I'm so bored! Our sister is a strumpet, but at least she's having fun. I need entertainment." Kol griped. Klaus grinned.

"What are you waiting for then? Go on, have at it." He replied as he finished yet another sketch of Eris, this one including Teddy and capturing the look of pure devotion she wore when watching over him sleeping. It had been a few days since he'd last seen the tyke. He'd have to visit today so Teddy wouldn't forget about him.

"It's not fun to go alone. Join me, Nik. It's the least you do after leaving a dagger in my chest for all those years."

"First of all, daggering you saved your life. We were still on the run from Mikael and you were painting a big, bloody target on our backs. Secondly, I have other plans."

Klaus defended.

"Yeah, yeah. You're speaking of that Eris bird, yeah? You can bring her along. She looks like she knows how to have fun." He allowed. Klaus chuckled.

"I'm positive you would not be interested in her plus one." He replied, thinking of her son. Klaus texted her anyway, and she told him to spend some time with his little brother who was clearly begging for his attention. They'd see each other later.

"That's lovely. We're stuck out here, while the favorite son plays sacrificial lamb. How pathetic you are, Finn." Kol spat, glaring at his eldest brother.

"Be quiet, Kol. Your brother knows virtue you cannot even imagine." Esther protected her favorite son.

"Whatever you think of us, killing your own children will be an atrocity." Reasoned Elijah.

"My only regret is that I did not let you die a thousand years ago." Esther responded, coldly.

"Enough. All this talk is boring me. End this now, Mother, or I'll send you back to Hell." Klaus interjected, hotly.

"For a thousand years, I've been forced to watch you. Felt the pain of every victim, suffered while you shed blood. Even you, Elijah, with your claim to nobility, you're no better. All of you. You're a curse on this Earth. Stretched out over generations. If you've come to plead for your life, I'm sorry, you've wasted your time." Esther said with an air of finality.

The somber mood was interrupted by a low crack and some rustling in the trees next to the group of Originals. The rustling gave way to Eris, traipsing through the woods in a fur blazer, a short leather skirt and four inch platforms like she didn't give a damn. She really didn't.

"Nik! What's the meaning of this meeting in the woods? This part of the forest isn't romantic at all, there's a creepy old house and..." She trailed off when she realized it wasn't just Klaus she was talking to. "Oh. So I guess you didn't call me out here for a midnight rendezvous." She refused to be embarrassed. She pulled out her phone, looking at it. "I guess the message was a bit frantic."

"It was not frantic!" Klaus disagreed loudly. Eris lifted an eyebrow. "It was just a normal, everyday message. I don't get frantic." At that lie, all his siblings present turned to raise a disbelieving eyebrow at him. He pretended not to notice.

"Enough! You, my children, are a blight on this world! I did a great disservice the day I created you, and tonight, I shall rectify my mistake."

"Not with this shoddy ritual you have set up here, you won't." Eris said, moving around the ring of fire Esther and Finn had surrounded themselves with. "And channeling another family's bloodline? Tut, tut. If you can't do it under your own power, maybe that means you shouldn't be doing it at all, huh sweetheart?"

"I knew I liked her for a reason." Kol approved, nodding to Klaus, who rolled his eyes at his brother's untimely comments.

"What do you know about anything, you unwanted child!?" Esther yelled in irritation. Eris, who up until then had a pleasant and even amused visage on her face, froze. Her lips turned down into a scowl, her eyes turned into frigid chips of emerald, and both hands gravitated to her hips.

"Clearly, it is you, Esther, who knows nothing. I am Lady Willow Eris fucking Potter, Archduchess of Pembridge, Girl-who-Lived, Woman-who-Conquered, Savior-of-the-Bloody-Wizarding World, two times over. Next time you want to pick a fight, you need to get some better information." Eris' eyes were on fire. Klaus felt a tremble of lust go down his spine at her aggressiveness. She changed her focus from a shaken Esther to the creepy shack. "Salvatores!" She yelled, lifting a hand. "No need to kill the other Bennett witch today." She twitched her hand, forcing all the occupants of the house to spill out on the grass, where they stayed. "Everyone here is about to learn a very valuable lesson on who's really the baddest witch in town. Death!" She summoned.

Time didn't freeze as it had the first time she inadvertently summoned Death. This time, she did it with all the intent of having those gathered around understand just who they were messing with. The temperature did drop drastically though, enough so that every breath that came out was visible. Well, almost every breath. The once golden fire surrounding the old witch and her suicidal son lowered and took on a blue shade. The effect was eerie.

"Mistress?" The newcomer questioned. The voice was like nails on chalkboard and the singing the angels. Simultaneously the best and worst things one could hope to hear.

"Death. Glad you could join us. I seem to have an issue that only you in your infinite wisdom and power can resolve for me. Before you stands Esther, mother and creator of the vampire species." Death turned to glance at the woman, who shrank under his regard.

"I am aware of her deeds."

"Excellent. Behind me stand most of her children, who she seeks to destroy, thus destroying the entire species of vampires." The Salvatore's exchanged a glance at this new tidbit of information. "Oh yes. Damon, Stefan, I'm sure mommy dearest forgot to tell you this when she was getting your witches on her side to end her children, but you kill them and you kill yourself. Quite the zinger, am I right?" She redirected her focus back to death. "Among her children is my soulmate."

"The hybrid." The hooded figure nodded.

"So you see how displeased I am with the whole situation."

"Indeed. How would you like to proceed?"

"Firstly-" Eris was cutoff by the Original Bitch herself.

"You cannot allow this to happen Lord Death! These beings are unnatural! They should have never been created. All they do is kill!"

"I AM UNNATURAL!" Eris fired back. "And if you hadn't noticed, you're trying to bargain with Death. Spoiler alert, it never works. And by the way, Death loves violent deaths over all others so, if anything, he's a fan of your kids."

"I did enjoy the massacre the youngest male Mikaelson single-handedly wrought on that sea-side village in 1356."

"Why thank you." Kol said, happily. "At least someone else here has taste." He muttered under his breath.

"So here's how things are going to happen. Esther. You're done. Honestly, I don't know how you got back to the world of the living, but you died a thousand years ago and the only one allowed to break Death's rules is me. And no, you won't be going back to this "other side" to plot and scheme some more. Your body will be burned to ashes, scattered to the four winds, and your soul will be tortured for eternity. Or until Nik feels like you've suffered enough. I wonder how it feels to know that the son you wronged the most now has control over your afterlife." Eris smiled sweetly. "Death?"

"Mistress?"

"Make it so."

"My pleasure." With a flick of his wrist, his scythe appeared, and with a slash of the blade Esther began to wail in pain, body disintegrating as she did.

"Ah. Music to my ears." When her body was nothing but ash, a black sphere of light appeared from what would have been her chest and flew into Death's hand. Eris took a deep breath and blew, scattering Esther's ashes. Death closed his fist around the sphere, and when he reopened it, inside lay a shiny black rock on a gold chain, which he handed to Eris.

"What else do you desire of me, Mistress?"

"Oh that's all for now. Thanks so much, you were a great help." She smiled and waved at the dispersing figure. When he was gone, she turned and walked to a gobsmacked Klaus. She handed him the necklace. "I know it's not as visually stimulating as her bloody head on a pike, but I thought you'd like it nonetheless." She shrugged. He looked from her to the necklace a few times, before surprised laughter erupted from him and he dragged her in for a passionate kiss.

"You are truly amazing, my love." He said, brushing her hair away from her face. "Though I was hoping to see your battle axes in action."

"Battle axes?" A strangled voice whispered from the background.

"I know, I know. But it's best to fight magic with magic. Next time. Now, let's blow this popsicle stand." She said, wrapping her arms around his waist and apperating away.

Eris arrived at the Mikaelson Mansion the day after the full moon, Teddy in tow. She was dressed casually, sneaker wedges, leggings and a cropped tank, covered by a letterman's jacket. She hoped the give the family enough time to grieve the second death of their mother (whom she effectively killed), but as Rebekah was the only one not present at the main base of last night's festivities, Eris decided it would be best to confront that situation head on. She had just started to make friends with the immortal girl, killing her mum probably put a damper on it. But nothing an apology and a cute baby couldn't fix.

Elijah answered the door.

"Miss Black. This is unexpected indeed." Elijah said, his face did betray his surprise. It was probably the closest he would get to being speechless. This was her first time seeing anyone but Klaus after showing one of her Trump cards (aka Death). "Please come in." She stepped inside. "And who is this with you?" He asked, finally noticing the child in her arms.

"This is Teddy. My son."

"Your...son. I...see." Elijah cleared his throat. He really was missing a lot of information on this woman. "Niklaus is in his studio, if you would like to follow-"

"Oh no. I'm not here to see him. I came to speak with Rebekah." Eris said. Teddy had been following the conversation since the beginning, his tawny eyes moving back and forth between his mother and the suited original.

"Yah!" He said around his pacifier in agreement.

"If you're sure." He said, motioning for her to follow him. "She's been a bit temperamental since last night."

"Nothing I can't handle." The came to a closed door on the second floor and stopped. Elijah knocked.

"Rebekah, you have a visitor." He said through the door.

"Go away!" She yelled. Something smashed on the other side of the door. Elijah looked to Eris as if he wanted to shrug but his manners wouldn't let him.

"It's fine." She dismissed him and opened the door. "Rebekah, it's me." She announced her presence. "Don't throw anything because I'm carrying precious cargo."

"What do you mean-" Rebekah said, until she cut herself off after seeing Teddy in Eris' arms. "What?!" She sped over so she was right in front of the two. "Where did you get a baby from? He's adorable!" She gushed, waving at Teddy, who was enjoying the attention based on his giggles. "Oh that giggling is precious. Spill." Rebekah directed to Eris.

"He's mine." She said simply.

"Oh. Am I jealous. Can I hold him?" She asked hopefully.

"Of course." They went to the bed to sit down, where Eris transferred Teddy to Rebekah's arms.

"Oh wow." Rebekah said, softly. "How old is he?"

"Eight months. Is this your first time holding a baby?"

"..yes."

"You're doing great. He seems to really like Mikaelsons." Eris said. And it was true. Teddy was intrigued with this woman like he was with the scruffy man he hadn't seen in a while. He grabbed at her long, straight blonde hair, which was totally different than his mum's black, curly hair. His mum stopped him from tasting the hair though. He didn't appreciate that. "That doesn't go in your mouth, Teddy. Rebekah wouldn't like that." He pouted a bit before finding something new to explore. "I actually came her to talk about your mum." Eris started.

Rebekah's face got stony, but her arms remained loose but firm around Teddy. Babies were excellent emotional distractions.

"I'm sure your brothers told you already, but I'm the one that killed her. I know that you might have some unresolved feelings about her, that I've just mucked up by being an outsider and bringing the revenge, so I apologize. Not for killing an evil woman hellbent on a destroying a whole species, but for killing your mum. I know how it feels."

"Thanks." Rebekah said, giving Eris a watery smile. Eris shrugged, a bit embarrassed by the sudden heart to heart. "It's not really even that I'm upset about." She started.

"Oh."

"I mean, yes, she's my mother and I'm furious she thought she could just destroy us like that. But, I thought she had died centuries ago, so I wasn't too broken up about it." Eris nodded, that did make sense. "But I'm upset about that damn doppelgänger- oops pardon my language." She said, looking down at Teddy, who looked up at her with wide eyes.

"It's fine," Eris waved off, "if he starts cussing it will be my fault, not yours. Please continue."

"Anyway, that bloody doppelgänger is the bane of my existence. She's got the whole town wrapped around her pinky finger."

"I've heard. Never actually met the girl, but I've met enough of her friends. Believe me."

"And Matt! He was so nice. Then Kol had to go and break his arm! And apparently he doesn't have health insurance, whatever that is, so he can't get it fixed."

"Oh Matt. He's a good bloke. Very nice. Don't you worry over him, I'll take care of it."

"And then I slept with Damon Salvatore-"

"Oh gross. Why would you do that? He's awful. You can do way better than him." Eris made a face.

"Right? I did it to get back at Elena. Do you know she pretended to be my friend, then stabbed me in the back with a silver dagger?" Eris was taken aback.

"...I can imagine. No wonder she and Esther got along so well, they're both fake bitches."

"Right?!" Rebekah agreed, halfway between sobbing and laughing. "I'm so glad we're friends Eris."

"Me too, Bekah. Me too."

"So what I'm hearing is that you all are up for some revenge." A third voice, male, chimed in. Kol had made his way into Rebekah's room while they were bonding.

"Get out Kol!"

"No can do sister dearest. Those Bennett witches bound our life forces together, the spell is still going strong. I need a bit of revenge to put my spirit to rights. Oh hello, what do we have here?" Kol asked, gesturing toward Teddy. "A miniature human, how quaint."

"This is Teddy, Eris' son." Rebekah revealed.

"Your son, huh? I hope you're planning to tell my brother that you want him to play daddy to your son. That would be a sight to see."

"Barring the fact that Nik already knows about Teddy, let's go back to the fact that you all are bound. Tell me more about this." Eris redirected.

"At the ball, our mother used the doppelgänger's blood to create a link between my siblings and myself. The ritual you interrupted would have been her turning Finnik human, and then killing him. Thus killing us. What happens to one, happens to all." Elijah explained.

"Um excuse me, but why has everyone invited themselves into my room?" Rebekah asked, affronted.

"Give me a few minutes to speak with Nik, and then I'll get started on this linking business." Eris volunteered. "Elijah, if you could lead the way?" She asked, taking Teddy from Rebekah's lap.

Elijah left Eris outside of the door to Klaus' studio. She walked in without knocking, wanting to see Klaus in his environment. Teddy scrunched his nose up at the smell of the paints, and Eris put an air purifying charm on him.

"Eris! Um, what are you doing here?" He said, trying to cover up the painting he was working on with his body.

"I came to offer my condolences to your sister since I didn't see her last night. But then your siblings told me you were still linked. So now, we need to do something about that, and I've got to tell you, I think I'm the best witch for the job. Also, if you think you're hiding that painting of me well, you need to look around a bit because there are about fifty other works that look just like me around the room." She smirked and he had the sense to look bashful.

"I couldn't help myself, love. You're breathtaking. The perfect muse." He walked away from the painting he was working on, wiping his hands on a towel. "Other than my family drama, how are you today?" He asked, holding her face in his hands and kissing her on the lips.

"Just fine, Nik." She smiled. He looked towards the child who made grabby hands at him. Klaus lifted Teddy from his mother's arms.

"And how are you, little wolf?" He asked, rubbing their noses together. Teddy flashed his eyes at Klaus and Klaus flashed his back, making Teddy giggle uncontrollably. It had become a greeting between the two. Klaus, still holding Teddy, looked to Eris. "Let me just get Elijah, he'll have mother's grimmoire and we can get started." Eris nodded and they began to move but were stopped when a pained yell filled the air.

The yelling turned out to be from Damon, who somehow turned up at the mansion, hanging by two beartraps.

"Where did he come from?" Eris asked Rebekah, who seemed to be in charge of this situation. Girl worked quick.

"He was in the dungeon for a couple of hours." Ahhh. "After our chat, I felt reaffirmed in my hatred for Damon. Did you know that in addition to sleeping with me the first time, he seduced me again in order to pry information from my mind about the white oak tree!?"

"Oh wow. Yeah, he's not the smartest cookie."

"You know Bekah, I can't help but think it would be easier to bleed him of vervain if he were upside down." Klaus inputs, Teddy in hand, curiously taking in everything.

"I'm perfectly capable of inflicting pain, thank you very much."

"Well, excuse me, it's not like I have any expertise in the matter."

"Okay, I think I see what's going on. While flipping him upside down would drain him quicker, keeping him right side up takes longer. Which means more knifeplay for Bekah, more pain for Damon, and more catharsis all around."

"Exactly!" Rebekah yells. "Eris gets it."

"Is discussing torture methods really best done in front of a child?" Elijah asked, walking up with large book in his hands. Kol followed shortly after him, sipping from a blood bag.

"How else is he going to learn?" Klaus defended. Elijah held in a sigh.

"Eris?" He looked to her for help. It was her child they were speaking of.

"It's important to know the best ways to get information out of a hostile party." Eris agreed with Klaus. Elijah audible sighed this time.

"You people are sick." Damon input.

"See, if he were upside down, it would be harder for him to speak." Klaus said, knowingly.

"I have the grimmoire, let's adjourn to the other room to make a plan." Elijah walked away.

So we covered a lot this chapter, I think. I appreciate all the reviews, especially the ones where y'all point out your favorite parts of the chapter. I'm gonna respond a little differently this time, just gonna hit the main points here. vepmoon96, I don't know anything about babies, but that makes sense. I definitely like fruit juice more than vegetable juice. It's just facts. So I went back and changed that, thanks.

So we're seeing some relationship building between Eris and and both Rebekah and Kol, more so with Rebekah, but Eris and Kol just haven't made plans to paint the town red yet. I think Eris would love to take him and Klaus on a trip to the UK.

We got to see Death again! Yay. I'm think further on down the line we'll have a flashback of some of Eris' other convos with Death. He seems like a pretty chill dude. But Death will also be coming back in the future because we need to get that whole "other side" situation handled. Loose lips sink ships. That's all I have to say on that.

Aww, Klaus was upset he didn't get the see the battle axes in action. They will be used eventually. I promise. Also, wtf is in that mystery box from like 3 chapters ago? I have no clue. Give me ideas. I was thinking, wonder woman bracelets, then maybe a pair of daggers...I just really don't know.

Also, this story is crossposted on wattpad, under the new title, and the username of LaChupacabra. Visit over there if the fancy strikes you. I like how their comments are set up.

:)