CHAP 37:

Softly knocking on the door Jonas' muffled voice invited me inside.

"Hi." I began. Glancing about the room to find him posed studiously, with his head bowed as his eyes followed the stroke of his finger down a page of a Grimoire.

"Good afternoon." Frowning at the feeling of having wasted another day of my life I closed the door.

"Already? I'd hoped it was still before midday. I've only been up for under two hours."

"I'm afraid so." He turned his head and wrist slightly to check his watch. "It's nearly one."

"I hope you'll excuse me if I don't gush about that being the best news I've heard all day." Laughing sadly I moved over to a chair near Jonas and picked up the Grimoire on it's seat. Even for a book as large as it was, I found it surprisingly heavy. This physical factor had me considering the amount of knowledge within it's covers. While the old leathered texture of it forced me to imagine the extent of the knowledge within. Were there any historical references? Or perhaps inside would be spells used mainly in a time when any aspect of daily life could be hard labour. Maybe there'd be something a witch or wizard would use to wash their clothes with far more ease that every one else for the time in history. Who knows? The washing machine may have come about when it did because someone came across a tub of water that was swirling clothes around by itself. Water which may have even been heated, without having to use a fire. The ideas combined into inventions in households today could very well have sprouted from a magical find. Even if the thought was far-fetched, it really wasn't all that seemingly impossible. Not with all the things I had learned recently. Tentatively, I let my curiosity get the better of me. "Do you mind if I look through this?" I asked softly. Not wanting to interrupt him with whatever he was doing, but not liking the idea of waiting patiently until it became awkward either. There was a long pause before Jonas looked up, giving me enough time to regret asking. "Sorry. That was rude of me to ask. These would all be so important. I'll just put this down on the bed shall I-?" I shifted my weight to step towards the bed closest to me, but was cut off when he finally spoke.

"You're welcome to look through any of these. I think you can be trusted not to abuse them." Jonas said with a slight comforting smile. His emphasis on the word abuse, Made me think that while vocally he was referring to the physical state of the Grimoires. That Klaus' use of their contents was far more harmful.

"Thank you. I didn't want to impose. I just thought I'd do something while you continue what you're doing." Jonas had gone back to concentrating on his own Grimoire by the time I finished speaking.

"I won't be long. I just need to focus on this for a bit longer. You'll have to excuse my lack of hospitality just now, I need to keep my focus."

"It's fine." Came my soft reply as I took the seat and with some restrained excitement positioned the old book on my lap. I sat looking down at it for a little while, just taking in it's age and the feel of it's cover beneath my fingers. Not only was I aware of the existence of supernatural beings in this world. But I was about to see something of great value to one of the races. Anticipation couldn't even outweigh my awe at the possibility of looking inside and I continued to sit, just looking down at the old book. I didn't even realise how much time had passed until I heard Jonas sigh and the soft thud of what I assumed was the Grimoire he was focused on. Still marvelling at what I had in my possession I paid no mind to Jonas' movements, despite how loud they were compared to the near silent vampires in comparison.

"You might want to actually open -", Jonas's hand entered my vision and turned the cover back on it's spine to reveal the first page. "It. If that helps." Without a word, my only response was to bend myself forward to look closer at the mixture of symbols and words. Thinking of the hands that had recorded the information on this first page alone set my mind in a spin. What they'd used to scribe with and when clouded my awed wonderings. Until I began substituting writing implement after writing implement while gazing at the page as a whole. I'd been looking down at the first page for god knows how long when Jonas cleared his throat, causing me to look up. His expression held the most joy I'd seen on his face and I considered him with reservation as I began to feel self conscious.

"Sorry. What is it?" I asked slowly.

"You." I raised my eyebrows and he laughed. "You've barely made a dent on looking through that Grimoire despite being so engrossed with it for nearly half an hour." How did time fly like that? I'd barely noticed time passing at all.

"It's been that long? Wow. Gosh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude if you were wanting my attention in all that time."

"No no. It's fine. Just remarkable. Though unsurprising I suppose. You've mentioned your love of old things." Remembering our last conversation and how it had involved Elijah had me grimacing internally. Pre-scolding myself to restrain any emotional feeling concerning him was altogether too easy. Especially considering Jonas' emphasis of old seeming to referto Elijah. Surprised and happy with myself, my resolve was tested further when he humorously asked if I had a tendency to just stare at the vampire all day long. Laughing at his comment and the joy of my emotional independence having not blushed, I set him straight with an equally laughable response and we continued to laugh.

My focus now off the Grimoire in my lap, I didn't miss when Greta came in and the mood in the room changed. Jonas' general warmth instantly toned down as he asked about Greta's apparent outing. Her responses were cold, detached and impatient towards her father and I felt extremely out of place. Though I'd come to maybe learn some information and just spend some time with Jonas, leaving had an increasing appeal for me. As she began searching through the array of Grimoires and papers Jonas seemed to give up trying to engage in conversation with her. So I thought I might at least try and be conversational with the witch. Maybe it was the pressure of Jonas being family that had her acting so unlike his daughter.

"So, Greta. Thank you for the use of your make-up yesterday. Klaus was very pleased with my initiative. I was wondering. Would you mind if I used some again for this evening? Klaus is insisting we go on a date."

"You're welcome." She said simply, before moving towards me and taking the Grimoire from my lap. Watching as she moved to where her make-up was kept I saw her pick out a few products and pocket them before walking out of the room with the box and Grimoire. So, did that mean I wasn't permitted to use any more of her products? Not to mention, if I was, how was I to do so if she'd taken them with her?

"Uh?" I trailed off in confusion.

"Your guess would be as good as mine." Responded Jonas sadly. "All I can say is, that is not the daughter I knew." Sighing loudly he stacked a few Grimoires from their scatter about the room and added them to an ordered pile just inside the door. "I'm just going to pop out for a coffee. Did you want one?" He asked as he began to open the door. Jonas hadn't looked at me directly since Greta'd left and I didn't need any more of a hint that he probably wasn't in the mood for company right now.

"No thank you. I should probably go anyway. Klaus has company and if I'm in our room I'm guaranteed not to spoil his Reveal of me." I said standing and moving to the door as Jonas opened it wider and let me out before him. Okay, so I'd kind of made up a reason to leave which was probably ridiculously oblivious. But I didn't think Jonas would care.

Walking back to my room I couldn't help but feel disheartened. My visit with Jonas hadn't been productive in any way. Except for excersizing my restraint when Elijah had been referenced. I felt optimistic that being negative toward my pathetic reliance on him, was reinforcing me to get a grip and rely on myself alone. It wasn't like I was rejecting him exactly. Just prioritising my ability to cope in my predicament. Though doing so pulled at something within my chest, I found it disturbingly easy for me to cast Elijah's role in everything aside. Especially since he'd wormed his way into my heart. Mentally shrugging off nostalgia, as if he and I had been something in the past. I continued along the hallway to Klaus' and my room. Elijah had said I was distant before he was sent away. Maybe it truly wasn't what I'd thought at the time and secretly hoped since, that I simply wasn't consistently wall free. Who could blame me for having given the go-ahead on reconstruction of my shelter? As I got closer to the destination I didn't really want to visit, I made myself aware that I would have to stop upon reaching the door. Instead of running past it and never returning. IfI went out to the main hall it was likely I'd run into Klaus, his company and Jonas. All three options I'd set myself up to avoid. I had nowhere else to go. When I opened the door something behind it was pushed across the floor. The soft scuffling noise catching my attention, I looked down to see the box of Greta's make up. Apparently I was permitted to use it again. All of it and either was to keep it, or she just didn't want me in her and Jonas' room. Whatever the case it was a bit extreme of her. I wouldn't have needed all of it, and she needn't have just given the bulk of it away like she did. If I was going to require an excess of make up Klaus would surely get me some. Picking up the box I deposited it on the broken lounge before locating the book I'd browsed through previously. Laying down on my front atop the made bed I began flicking through it. I wasn't really in the mood to read. But I wasn't in the mood to just lie around either.

"What are you doing?" Klaus' voice enquired within my head. It wasn't accusatory, more curious or conversational than anything else.

"Nothing really." I responded after sighing aloud.

"Are you still in the witch and warlock's room?"

"No."

"Is that the truth?"

"Yes." I shot back impatiently.

"Settle down love, I'm simply checking."

"Can't you smell or sense my heartbeat to know where I'm located?"

"Not since the witch and warlock ensured that no vampire on this site could locate the human to be among them at my Reveal."

"Oh. So they'll still smell me, but not know who it is exactly?"

"Mhmm. I don't want any accidents. Most will assume you are Katerina Petrova and that I have reclaimed you after your betrayal of me centuries ago. That in itself may be a risk to your life. But not so much as a band of vampires who may find it in themselves to revolt against me on the night."

"That makes me feel so much better about your little celebration."

"Don't worry. What's mine is never usually contended by others." I am not his. I am not his. I am not his! "You are mine Elena." Rolling my eyes I closed the book and turned over to face the ceiling.

"Can't you focus on your company instead of annoying me? I've been agreeable to your impending date, but it doesn't mean anything. You still make me sick."

"I love you too. And my company is rather boring at present. Discussing contracts usually are. You on the other hand never cease to excite me."

"Oh, shut-up." I thought back lightly, my internal voice toned with humoured disbelief. It was quite a casual response. As if I were bickering amusedly with a friend. Klaus certainly found it amusing by his breathy laugh which was almost too silent to hear. Or receive. However it was that I could decipher his thoughts.

"So. Would you like to shop for what you'll be wearing tonight?"

"Shop? You mean you haven't already picked out something for me?" I thought bitterly.

"I have an assortment of dresses in my wardrobe you could choose from. But I thought I'd give you the option of purchasing something if you'd like. With an escort of course." I smiled broadly to myself at this. It was some freedom after all. An outing would be nice. But I wasn't sure I'd appreciate it knowing what was coming, and I really couldn't see myself all that interested in dressing up for a date with Klaus. Snickering softly I rolled and sat up to get off the bed.

"Perhaps I should take a look at your dresses." I thought and laughed out loud following my emphasis on the fact that he'd described them as his.

"You're soo hilarious." Klaus thought through a groan. "You have a habit of turning my possession of everything you've worn and are to wear against me. I am perfectly happy with wearing male garments Elena, without having to cross-dress."

"Hey, you're the one who can't communicate that fact well enough." I back-chatted casually as I opened the two doors on the wardrobe outwards. Revealing two lengths of mirror on the inner sides of each door.

Beautiful falls of striking yet soft colours also met my eyes. There were three dresses of about the same length hanging within. Just the decent length of them satisfied me. To hell with anything else. Though I tried not to get too pleased, as the necklines on them might yet be horrifically exposing. Not getting ahead of myself I viewed the dress to the left first. It was a deep rich red and made mostly of satin from first perusal. Taking hold of it's hanger I drew the dress from the wardrobe and studied it while holding it up in front of me. It was stunning. My line of sight followed the numerous lines on the form-fitting dress that drew into the very centre level with the waist, where the material had been gathered toward some black detailing of beads and sequins. Their brilliant shine in the minimal lighting within the room told me it was nothing compared to what they'd be in better lighting. They seemed magical almost. Magical in a childish, shiny and illusive kind of way. Allowing my eyes to look upwards eased my concern as soon as I saw the halter neck design that would run down low, but not too low, nor to widely across my chest. I wished there was some more black detailing at the top of the dress, perhaps along the neckline to even it out, but that was just me being picky. It was certainly a beautiful dress. In all honesty I'd wear one of it's design any day. Knowing it would reveal my back I turned it to see how low the cut was. It was low. Estimating it would finish about an inch above where my bum crack started I reasoned it to be okay. It was just my back after all. Placing it gently on the bed I turned back to the wardrobe to assess the remaining two.

"You've been quiet a while. Everything all right?" There was no concern in his voice, rather curiosity.

"Your concern is touching, really." I paused sighing. "I'm looking at the dresses."

"And?"

"And, what?"

"Is anything to your liking?"

"I don't know yet. I've only looked at one of them properly."

"What's there to assess so critically?"

"You're kidding right? Asking me that when I've had no choice but to wear that extremely revealing number you gave me when we met with your werewolves." Came my demure response.

"I would hardly have you wearing anything of that sort to a restaurant, on a date, Elena."

"Well, with you I just don't know do I?" I pointed out bitterly as I brought what was the middle dress out to be assessed. This one was a deep navy blue of a very soft and light fabric that fell in an abundance of material from the waist down with random gold detailing of crystals and little metal circles adorning it. The circles had slight mobility so that they swayed with movement and flickered light a little. The top was simply of a corset structure that would surely raise my breasts up and have me thinking they'd overflow or pop out the whole time I'd wear it no doubt. Just the appearance of the cup sized support made me dubious of it's suitability. It was a nice dress. One I would wear if it were to fit my breasts. But I was just automatically skeptical about it. Placing it gently on the bed next to the red I turned back to the remaining garment. The final dress was ivory, which instantly turned me off it due to it's colour being suitable for use as a traditional wedding dress. It was slim-lined and very simple, but with a fantastic cut to hug a woman's body in all the right places, without being restrictive in any way. It had sleeves, very small. Just cutting off after falling softly from the wide material that covered my shoulders. It was soft and feminine and likely breathtaking when worn. I didn't want to appear so for Klaus, so I hung it back in the wardrobe straight away without even letting it be compared against the others on the bed. "These are all in my size yes?"

"Yes. Though you're welcome to try them on of course. Hows it going?"

"I don't think there's any need for me to shop. The red one seems fine. Though I want to see how it fits first. I'll let you know if it does." Came my reply as I picked up the blue and re hung it.

"Excellent. Pity I can't come and help." I could just picture his face as he thought that.

"Mmm, big shame." I murmured in response with sarcastic emphasis on big.

Once I'd put the dress on minus my bra I stepped in front of one of the lengths of mirror. The dress fell to my knees, where the hem line was quite a bit narrower than the widest section of the dress at my hips. Balanced out beautifully by the deliciously hugging waist of the dress. My outline was fabulous. From my broad shoulders into my waist, out to my hips. Before heading slightly inwards again and ending at my knees where my legs took over the show. It was too good to wear for Klaus really. But was the best option compared to the others. It was likely that if I did reconsider shopping, I wouldn't be able to leave with something I truly wanted in any case. So the red would have to do. Though I felt undeserving of wearing it. It's not right to wear something so fabulous when the resulting image was for Klaus.

"The red will do." I resigned as I turned from the mirror and looked back at it to assess the cutaway back.

"I agree. You look delicious." Klaus complemented. As if he was in the room with me, seeing how I looked in the dress. Spinning around full circle my glance of the whole room showed me nothing.

"Klaus?" I questioned aloud only to receive no answer but his chuckling within my head.

"Sorry. Did I startle you?"

"Hardly." I scoffed.

"Then why prey tell, did you twirl around in alarm?"

"I-."

"You?"

"You're bluffing. You have no idea what I may or may not be doing within your room."

"Not all the time. But I do at the moment. You're wearing the red dress and looking rather flustered presently Elena." Looking at my reflection I tucked the hair that fell to the right of my head back behind my coinciding ear. "As you push hair behind your right ear." Dropping my arm I gaped at the mirror. "And impersonate a goldfish."

"Stop it! How do you know this?" I whispered loudly as I searched the reflective glass before me.

"I have eyes?" He suggested simply.

"Tell me. Klaus. Tell me now."

"Your tone's a little pushy. Can't say I like it." His deepening voice sing-songed in warning.

"Please tell me? Is it some special mirror?"

"I suppose your use of please restores our balance of power." He mused.

"There is no balance of power between you and me. It's all you-."

"Precisely." Huffing I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at the mirror. "Alright, alright. It's not the mirror specifically. I'm seeing what you're seeing. The world through your eyes, as it were. It's only because you have a reflection at this moment that I can see you in particular."

"How often do you do this?"

"This is the first time. This talent of mine is more justifiably one of those party tricks my brother refers to. Can I help it if I wanted to see how the dress fit?" Biting my lip I moved to the side, so that the mirror didn't reflect my image any longer.

"What you wanted was to perve."

"Well if you'd have gotten changed in front of the mirror it's likely I would have welcomed the show. Come back to the mirror won't you?"

"Were you watching me the whole time?"

"No. Just when you indicated you were going to try it on. Seeing through your eyes takes a bit of concentration. Greta's doing some witchy business with my company, so I had time to premeditate the connection."

"I'm so glad you haven't got any mirrors on constant display in here." There was a knock at the door then. "Is that you?" I asked as I turned my head in the direction of the sound.

"Is what me?"

"Whoever's just knocked on the door." I countered impatiently.

"That'll be your accessories arriving. I can only see, not hear what you do. So I wasn't aware you had company."

"Accessories?"

"Yes. Look through them. Have some fun Elena. I'll see you in a while."

With that he left me to answer the door and rummage through three packed boxes I received. Each one packed with all sorts of accessories. From jewellery to hair pieces and products, perfume, nail polishes, and an abundance of make-up. I wouldn't need to use Greta's after all.