Chapter 3: Raveling
"I think we forgot, how important actual human connections was." ~ A/N
….
Persephone hated Chicago more than any place on the planet. But she supposed it was time, she had missed them very much. Her eyes narrowed suddenly at the blonde ripper who entertained Rebekah's company. She knew him, for a brief time she had to go look into a lead about Katherine; there she had found the doppelganger having fun toying with two brothers. Typical Kat.
"Now look what we have here, and I was under the impression you were a gentlemen Salvatore." He quirked an eyebrow at the woman who seemed familiar. Barely missing the look of glee upon Rebekah's face. The two quickly embraced.
"I was wondering when you'd make an appearance." A voice sneered from behind her, Persephone turned quickly looking at him with such loathing. Her gaze pierced through him with an intensity that make any human squirm.
"If you wondered so badly you would have come back to New Orleans for me, so save of the heartache and don't speak to me. Regardless, I am only here to wish Rebekah a happy birthday." And the dark haired immortal did just that before leaving just as quickly as she arrived. It wasn't until he daggered his sister did he see her again.
….
If there was something she hated more than anything else it was war. Humans were such a fickle thing to her, with feeling that could so easily be offended. She sat in a quiet pub, a cigarette in one hand and a newspaper in the other. Her eyes darted over the words carefully as she read, the war was over. As a vampire war was a wonderful feeding frenzy that made everything less suspicious and maybe had Kol been around it would have been enjoyable for her. But without her best friend at her side she dared not partake in the frenzy. Persephone could sense his presence long before he slid into the booth across from her.
"Hello Elijah." She greeted taking a drag of her cigarette. As soon as the item was away from her mouth he took the stick from her and put it out.
"I am appalled that you of all people would take up such a habit." She rolled her eyes, annoyed that he took it from her, she set the paper down.
"Surely I'm free to do as I please, or have you forgotten that your family abandoned the right to tell me what to do when you left me to die in New Orleans." Her voice was cold, eyes narrowed. For the man before her was no greater than his brother. His eyes were unreadable as he regarded her.
"I believe you've forgotten our deal then sister." She snarled at him then, vampire face an all. What did it matter when she was in a pub she owned after closing hours?
"What does it matter now brother? It's not like I have any reason to believe that what you said was truth." Persephone sneered, her posture stiffened at his words. Finally she glared.
"Pity, and here I thought you were better than that Persephone." Suddenly the air around them became suffocating as she stared him down. The original found himself having a time at trying to breathe.
"I think it best you leave Elijah. And don't come back." Her words pierced him like a double edged blade. Standing from the booth she left the area walking away swiftly. As she walked away it became much easier for him to breathe. Perhaps…
….
Sometime during the 20th century
Why had she come? She sunk to the grave, leaning on the stone for support. Technically there wasn't anyone buried here. Niklaus had the stone constructed for her, it was a memorial for her brother. It also served to her as a reminder to what she owed him.
"Josiah what am I supposed to do?" The ghost of her late brother sat on the stone his back turned to her, a sad look on his face.
'You know I can't talk back Seph.' His thoughts were his own as he regarded his little sister. So many centuries had passed since he'd seen her smile. And of course he had been forced to watch her suffer for these last years.
"What's the point of talking to you when you won't even reply?" She closed her eyes, sometimes if she focused enough Persephone could feel his presence around her. Josiah bent down in front of her a sympathetic look on his face. 'Yet you still talk.' Shaking her head she could have sworn she almost heard him.
"I figured I'd find you here?" Persephone looked up her face blank, she hadn't heard him approach.
"Today's his birthday. I wish he was still here, he was my brother after all." He handed a bottle of bourbon to her and took a seat next to her.
"You still haven't told me why you're here Persephone?" His tone questioned her, she shrugged innocently.
"I'm just checking up on you Damon, I intend no harm." He chuckled taking the bottle from her hand and taking a swig.
"Well I'm here for a funeral." She snorted taking the bottle back from him.
"I pretty sure that's the punchline for our first meeting." He shook his head, of course he remembered that meeting very fondly.
"It's a terrible shame, when a beautiful woman is senselessly killed." He looked up, the woman who spoke was beautiful. She could have almost put his dear Katherine too shame.
"I guess you would be familiar with the concept." He said plainly. She rolled her eyes.
"It's been a long time since then. By the way whose funeral is this anyhow?" The woman questioned curiously watching the procession from afar.
"One of the founding family's daughters. Apparently the town fancies it's self a serial killer." She laughed quietly.
"That does seemed to be the fate of those apart of the founding families. Tell me Mr. Salvatore how long since you've been home." He eyes betrayed his surprise as he looked at her.
"Not long, I grew up with her. Came to pay my respects. Although from a far." She nodded her head in understanding.
"That's right, you're newly turned. People here still would recognize you." The air that surrounded her made him realize she was far older than she appeared and the fact she knew so much didn't unsettled him as it should but he was still curious.
"How do you know that Miss?" A playful smile graced her lips as she regarded him.
"Nicolls. Persephone Nicolls. Let's just say I was a mutual friend with Miss. Pierce."
"You never did tell me how you knew Katherine." Her eyes snapped over to his as she sighed. Of course this was what bothered him. She rolled her eyes a lie formed on her tongue.
"I turned Katherine. A very long time ago. So every now in then I'd wanted to check in on her. Of course the last time it had been too late. I'll never forgive myself for what happened to her." And neither spoke after that. Persephone told him what she needed him to hear all the while protecting herself and Katherina.
Dusting off her dress she stood, giving on last look to the dark headed male. "It was nice seeing you again Damon. I'll see you around." With that last parting remark she left.
….
Persephone had always been a creature of habit but so was he. So it shouldn't have surprised her then when Niklaus walked into her bar wearing his typical 'I'm king of the world' smirk as he watched her drop a whole tray of shot glasses. She looked distastefully at the mess before glaring at him.
"I've managed to stay away from you for almost sixty years. What do you want Niklaus?" Her tone was haughty as she placed the empty tray on the table.
"Now Love, is that anyway to treat your family." She snorted looking at him placidly, because she was sure he had expected another reaction out of her.
"Nik, I'll tell you once more. The moment you un-dagger Kol and Rebekah is the moment I'll consider us being a family again." He smirked at her almost like a madman.
"Didn't Elijah dearest tell you love, I dropped them to the bottom of the sea." Persephone raised her brow at him slowly.
"If you were expecting some reaction, you won't find it here. Besides I am no fool. You seemed to have forgotten Niklaus, I know you. And if you thought I'd believe that bullcrap then you don't know me." He scowled at her smug expression, a small growl escaped his lips. She raised her figure to his lips shushing him.
"So that bring me to my previous statement. What do you want Niklaus?" She eyed him bravely, watching with amusement as he looked down at her glaring. Finally he let out a frustrated sigh.
"I think I might have found my doppleganger." And she smiled at him, happy for him at that moment.
"Congratulations Nik. I'm truly happy for you." He bit back a grin.
"I need you to keep an eye on her for me." She raised a brow at him.
"Why? Why won't you just break the curse now, surely you have all that's required." Klaus shook his head. Besides, he still had not found the lost stone. But Persephone need not know that information.
"She is only a child, now is not the right time." Persephone nodded her head in understanding. Niklaus no matter how cruel most believed him he would never harm or kill a child.
"Very well, where will I find her Niklaus?" He smirked at her.
"I believe you know the place, after all you did hide Katherine there from me." Persephone offered him an indifferent snort. A dust pan full of glass in her hand she turned from him and walked back behind the bar.
"You enjoy the fact that she fears you too much too actually care that she still lives." He leaned against the bar pouring himself a drink while watching her set up.
"It astounds me that you think so highly of yourself that you assume to know me Persephone." His voice held a sense of seriousness to it that she only cared to ignore.
"Because I do know you, always have. But I hope you know you're paying for that, most expensive scotch I have on hand." He smirked at her as he pulled a bill from his pocket.
"Very well, love. Now don't forget our deal." She rolled her eyes at his expense, and slowly nodded her head.
"Yah, yah. Now get lost, your brother will be by or call in the next hour to contemplate my lost soul. Surely your presence isn't wanted for that." Klaus smirked at her words, he of course knew of Eliah's attempts to watch over the woman. Pathetic that his brother assumed he would actually allow harm to come to Persephone.
"Goodbye, Persephone." She waved behind her back as she turned from him. Her mind began its work to come up with a plan.
XOXOX
Let me know what you think!
Sincerely, La'Rae