The halls were extravagant with décor to set the mood for tonight, but the real excitement for tonight was amplified simply by all the ecstatic guests. As servants bustled around trying to tie up the final loose ends, the hosts of the party relaxed in the parlor before the storm truly began. John and Alaric both had a glass of wine in hand, reclining in their respective chairs. Bonnie topped them both off, which earned a wink from Alaric. Elena and Caroline sat on the couch, Elena with curls carelessly tossed over her shoulder, and Caroline sitting like very much the lady. Elena could act dignified in public as to not disgrace her uncle if she must, but he couldn't dictate her actions around her friends, and he most certainly could not discourage her wit in any situation. Katherine leaned against the back of the couch, fanning herself due to the heat of this late August. Elena didn't know if she would really consider Katherine her friend, as she got into trouble that Caroline wanted no part of, but Elena still liked hearing of her scandalous adventures, so Caroline tolerated her. As if Caroline could hate anyone.

John addressed the girls, finding the time fit to delve into their conversation. "Was Klaus at dinner tonight?"

"I don't think he ate with us," Alaric frowned. "But I do think I saw him."

Elena scoffed. "Lurking in the shadows, no doubt. He always has the oddest expressions on his face. I could've sworn he'd eaten something sour! Just looking at the man gives me heartburn."

Caroline giggled at this, but cast her eyes downward. Caroline had met Niklaus before, and seemed quite taken with him once. However, her father warned her off of him, as he was the bastard brother. Caroline didn't care for him anymore, but Elena knew she felt uncomfortable laughing at his expense. "He does have a rather gloomy attitude," she said gently, trying to disperse her cousin's harsh words.

Although Elena understood what Caroline was trying to do, she still had bad feelings about Klaus and wasn't going to stay silent about it. For Caroline's behalf, Elena decided to throw someone else into the fire—Damon. "If there were a man halfway between Klaus and Damon, he would indeed be an excellent man. One is far too much like a work of art—nice to look at, but never speaks—and the other, much like a spoiled little boy, always tattling."

John looked amused. "So the man would talk less than Damon, but be more jovial than Klaus—"

"If he were these things, as well as handsome, fit, and rich, he would not be in want for any woman in the world. All he would need was her good will."

Alaric laughed at Elena's cutting remark, but John found it soon growing old. "Elena, you will never marry if you keep such a harsh attitude."

"As much as I personally enjoy your wit and your company," offered Alaric, toasting her with his glass, "Your uncle is right. Men won't appreciate your wit and bad attitude as we do." John cleared his throat. "Well, not John. "

"I believe I can live with that," mused Elena. "The last thing I want at this point in my life is a husband. I can take care of myself." As an afterthought she added, "The worst would be a husband with a beard. It would be worse than sleeping in wool sheets." She shivered at the thought of that discomfort. Alaric looked slightly put off at this comment, but all was forgotten when Bonnie filled his glass again.

John raised an eyebrow at this. "You could simply marry a clean shaven man."

Elena sighed, leaning forward to rest her head in her hand. "What would I do with a man with no beard? Dress him in my close, as his face will be as smooth as mine? If he has a beard, he's more than a youth, but if he has no beard, he's not a man. If he's more than a youth he's not for me, and if he's less than a man, then I'm not one for him."

Alaric's brows shot up at Elena's blatant disregard for men of any sort. Turning to Caroline he whistled. "Well, Caroline, I hope you have more sense than your cousin. It would be wiser to follow your father's advice than your cousin's."

"I resent that."

He reached over and ruffled her hair. "Sure, kiddo. Where did Bonnie go?" Alaric looked concerned at the disappearance of the only one with a steady supply of alcohol. "I'm going to go find Bonnie. I'll catch up with you soon, the party will start before the hour's over."

As Alaric made his departure, Elena turned back to her uncle. "My cousin does have a duty to please her father—I have no father anymore, so I have no one to please. If the husband you choose for Caroline isn't to her liking, I hope she tells you that she will gladly take another, even if he is only a bastard."

"In legal or ethical senses of the term?" muttered Katherine.

"Both," smirked Elena. "The term all around suits him."

Ignoring the girls' quips altogether, John patted Elena's shoulder warmly. "Well, niece, I do hope that I shall see you married one day."

"When God makes men out of something other than dirt, do let me know. Why would I want a handful of dirt to control my life? I won't be married. Truly, if Adam is indeed the father of mankind, then his sons are my brothers…" Elena paused and placed her hand over her heart. "I do believe incest is a sin, Uncle." Katherine sniggered.

Deciding that it was best to ignore all the females in the room except for his daughter, John took Caroline's hand in his. He must have realized she was the only one in the room who actually valued his opinion. "Caroline, remember our conversation earlier. If Elijah asks for your hand, you know your answer."

Elena cut in again, enjoying riling her Uncle up too much. "But, dear cousin; make sure he does woo you properly. If he presses you too much, tell him that romance is like a dance; it has measure in everything. If you go too fast, you'll eventually fall from exhaustion and die." She patted Caroline's leg. "And you're better than that."

"You are exceptionally perceptive," said John flatly. "Though not encouraging."

"I have a good eye, Uncle," laughed Elena. "Unlike you, I can see what's in broad daylight."

Sending her a glare, John began to usher the girls out of the room. "The party will start shortly. Go get dressed and ready. Beatrice…" he drifted off, eyeing her warily. "Behave tonight. You may hold your own opinion about men, but don't ruin Caroline's chances."

"I wouldn't dream of such a thing, Uncle."

"Good. Then be down here at 8 sharp."

Can we get three reviews before I post the next chapter? That would be great Gotta have some motivation…