Dinner Party
Both Elijah and Eliza stared at each other for a moment, not speaking a word. Though the silence in the room did not feel awkward, it was merely as if they were both contemplating the other; trying to decide whether they could or could not be friends. Questions were bubbling in Elijah's mind and he was almost desperate to find out more about Eliza and Niklaus' relationship. Before Niklaus had left, Elijah had seen that he had somehow changed since they had their last encounter. There was a new sort of calmness and satisfaction in Niklaus' demeanor, as if he was finally happy with the world he had always loathed. Never before had Elijah seen Niklaus so protective and furious when he threatened to harm Eliza; obviously he'd seen Klaus angry before, but now his anger seemed to hold fear as well. It was like his greatest fear was to lose her. The last thing he noticed was how Niklaus melts for Eliza; anything she wishes or wants he obliges with. Eliza really did have him wrapped around her little finger and it was strange yet pleasing for Elijah to see. Finally someone can control him. Elijah thought to himself.
" So are you going to introduce yourself or am I going to have to call you Nik's brother?" Eliza was the first to speak and her angelic, polite voice echoed around the room. She was also very curious about Elijah. Eliza wished to know why he had wanted to kill Klaus, what their sibling relationship was like and what Elijah himself was like. Surely Klaus would have not left her and Elijah alone if Elijah's intentions were too harm her. This must mean that Klaus trusted Elijah...
" Surely you already know my name Miss Petrova. I highly doubt that Niklaus will have failed to mention me before if his somewhat affection for you is real," Elijah said and Eliza instantly noticed the calmness in his voice. Just from Elijah saying this Eliza could already tell that he was quite formal and in a way chivalrous - he;d called Eliza miss Petrova.
" Well I did think that a old school man like yourself would have wanted to formally introduce himself," Eliza said. A smile formed on Elijah's face as he realized that she had already deduced something about himself. Now he knew that she was very good at reading people.
" I'm Elijah Mikealson and it's a pleasure to meet you Miss Petrova," Elijah said almost playfully, just like Klaus had done when he and Eliza had first met.
" Please call me Eliza," Eliza replied in a mock formal voice that she used to use back in the twenties.
" So my brother tells me my father is dead, now please tell me. Can I trust that this is correct?" Elijah questioned.
" Trust me, Nik wouldn't lie about Mikeal being dead,"
" Then I'm curious to know how Niklaus managed to kill him, as my father has survived for over a thousand years and held the only weapon that could kill us all," Elijah said.
" Damon and Katherine decided they wished for Nik to be dead so they awakened Mikeal. The problem at the time was that Nik was already out of town trying to make more hybrids, so to lure him back to town Mikael decided to kidnap me. He tortured me to make me weak and then compelled me to tell Klaus that I never loved him. When Nik came to save me I said what I'd been compelled to say but tried to tell him that I was compelled, that obviously failed. Then when Mikael staked me and somehow missed my heart, Damon attacked Nik, Stefan saved Nik and Nik used Mikaels own weapon against him," Eliza explained, shuddering slightly at the memories that were arising as she spoke. In a way she was pleased with herself for actually managing to retell that story.
" So Niklaus returned to Mystic Falls to save you from father?" Elijah asked curiously. This shocked him beyond belief, as Elijah knew all too well that the only people Klaus had ever stood up against Mikael to save was Rebekah and himself. Never would Elijah have believed anyone who said Niklaus was capable of loving a girl so much that he'd stand up against his greatest fear to save.
" Yep,"
" Then I'm very sorry for the part you played in my father's death. He should never of hurt an innocent person like that," Elijah said sincerely.
" You actually seem genuinely sorry... When really you should be thankful that I played my part otherwise your father wouldn't be dead. Nik's the only person who was actually sorry that I was involved," Eliza said with a small frown. She had originally thought that Elijah would be a lot like Klaus; but this assumption was based on her first meeting with Elijah when he had been killing Klaus.
" Unlike Niklaus, I'm not a fan of innocent people getting hurt," Elijah said.
" You seem like exactly the opposite of Nik. I have to say I did think you would be like him as the last time I saw you was when you were killing him in that clearing," Eliza said.
" I believed then that Niklaus had killed my siblings and thrown them to sea, you can't blame me for wanting revenge," Elijah said, sounding as if he was sorry that he'd every tried to kill his half-brother.
" Nik would have never have done that. He favours his family too much and he's not the monster everyone believes he is," Eliza replied.
" Then that's something we have in common; we don't believe he truly is the monster he's perceived to be. I believe he can be saved," Elijah said, looking away from Eliza for a moment and taking a seat on the small sofa that was in the corner of the room. Immediately Eliza followed and sat down beside him. " You remind me Eliza of Elena and Katherine as a human,"
" Really?" Eliza asked, slightly confused.
" You're moral and vulnerable. You've been brought into problems and conflicts that were never yours in the first place and this has resulted in you being targeted," Elijah explained softly.
" The difference is that I don't mind being involved in these 'problems and conflicts' as you call them, it's a small price to pay to be with Nik. I know that'll he protect me from any danger that comes my way and that he'll be broken if he fails. Which is why I'm more scared for him than I am for myself," It was strange opening up to someone who she had only just met, but Eliza felt as if she had a lot in common with Elijah.
" Your selflessness is becoming foolish. You have no guarantee that, that is how Niklaus will act if you come into danger," Elijah said, not wanting this poor, innocent girl to be killed because of his brother.
" Actually I do. Back in the twenties, after we'd met and became a couple, Nik and Rebekah fled from Gloria's bar when Mikael came after them. Nik thought I'd be safe since Mikael didn't know who I was, but Mikeal did already know me and decided to turn me into a vampire. When Nik returned to try and find me, he found me dead. From what I've heard and seen, he was very much broken after that night. My supposed death was the reason why Rebekah was staked," Eliza explained, watching as the frown formed on Elijah's face as she said this.
" So the two of you have been together since the twenties?" Elijah questioned, eager to know more.
" No. After I completed the transition Mikeal returned and compelled me to forget all about Klaus and Rebekah. It wasn't until months ago when I returned to Mystic Falls that Nik saw me again. He thought I was dead for ninety years. But I didn't remember him when he came and spoke to me and it wasn't until Mikael returned that I gained my memories of him back,"
" So finally I've found someone that can actually control my brother and bring out the good in him," Elijah said, smiling at Eliza who he believed didn't deserve any of the trouble that Klaus had caused for her.
" Trust me I can't control him. If I could he would never have compelled Stefan to turn off his emotions in the first place, he would have never daggered you, he would have undaggered his family by now and he would have never hurt Elena. But I wouldn't want to control him, he's fine just the way he is now," Eliza answered.
" You would have told him to resurrect my family?" Elijah questioned.
" He craves his family and I can see that. He's just afraid of them getting hurt," Eliza explained and Elijah smiled.
" That's very selfless of you considering I highly doubt they will accept you straight away. They're all very annoyed with Niklaus and I'm sure they would more than happily take there anger out on you, especially Kol. Maybe not as much Rebekah," Elijah told her.
" Then why aren't you doing that? You were obviously mad at Nik when you were undaggered. Why not punish him by hurting me?" Eliza asked curiously.
" As I've now learnt, you don't deserve to be hurt. It would be terrible for the world to loose such a selfless and good-natured woman such as yourself," Elijah complimented her and a thankful smile formed on Eliza's face.
" Thank you and I could say the same thing about yourself Elijah,"
" Hopefully not the woman part though," The two of them chuckled lightly together.
" Of course not. I just hope that you are wrong about the rest of your family and that they will accept me and forgive Nik just like you have,"
" Then I will promise that if any of them wish to harm you, Niklaus won't be the only one they'll have to stand up to do so," Elijah promised.
" That's very kind of you Elijah," Eliza said, slightly confused to why Elijah had accepted her so quickly and was being so kind to her.
" I see that the two of you have managed to become friends," Klaus' voice rang through Eliza's ears and as soon as she heard him, a beaming smile formed on Eliza's face and Elijah caught this. Though when Eliza turned to face him, she saw that Klaus for some reason was slightly glaring at Elijah with some sort of emotion in his eyes that Eliza couldn't quite work out.
" You're back," Eliza exclaimed, jumping off of the sofa and practically running into his arms. Elijah watched her as she left the sofa and Klaus noticed this. Possessively, Klaus wrapped both of his arms tightly around Eliza's petite frame and kissed her softly on the forehead, still glaring at Elijah.
" We're hosting a dinner party tonight, which the Salvatore's will attend so we can make a deal with them brother," Klaus announced, still keeping one arm locked around Eliza's waist as she pulled away from their embrace.
" I best go find myself a dress to wear then. It's been looking for a good reason to go shopping," Eliza said, only just realising that it had been months since she'd last went shopping. She missed it terribly.
" Make sure it's blue as you know that's my favourite on you. It brings out your eyes," Klaus told her with a smile and Eliza nodded.
" I promise," She said while rolling her eyes. " See you soon," After kissing Klaus on the lips softly, Eliza headed out the door to her car. Once she had left, the two brothers turned to each other and Elijah was the first to speak.
" Can I have a word brother?" Elijah asked, his eyes narrowing while he tried to work out Klaus' true intentions with Eliza.
" Go ahead," Klaus said.
" If your intentions with Eliza are to play her in anyway-" Elijah began in a raised voice but Klaus interrupted immediately with an angry expression.
" How dare you question my intentions!" Klaus growled in annoyance. " I won't deny that her slight resemblance to Tatia is what first caught my eye but I care for her more than I ever cared for Tatia. If it came down to a choice between the two, I would always pick Eliza,"
" That girl deserves nothing of what you've brought upon her. She's incredibly kind and selfless with nothing but good intentions. If you do anything to hurt her then you lose the only person in the world who see's you as a good person. I will not allow you to hurt her Niklaus," Elijah stated. Even though his voice was still calm yet raised, his tone was deadly.
" You speak so highly of her Elijah. One could confuse that for affection. Remember Eliza is mine and if you dare even try or even think of stealing her away from me then you will be back in the coffin for the next century," Klaus growled possessively, jealousy thriving through him.
" My affections for her are nothing more than family affections. I see now that she will be apart of our family for a long time and she deserves to be treated like a sister after everything she's been through for you. But I do wonder Niklaus what you would do if she wished to be with someone else?" Klaus' answer to this question would confirm for Elijah how much Klaus truly cared for Eliza.
" Then I would let her go brother. But it would then be my life's goal to win her back," Klaus muttered, dreading to think of the thought of Eliza together with another man. It was bad enough seeing another man flirt with her.
" Take care of her Niklaus, she deserves it," Elijah told him, returning his tone to it's usual calmness. As Elijah walked away, Klaus nodded to him before heading towards his 'painting room' as he liked to call it. After pulling out a clean white canvas, he began to paint her again; this time he would paint when he first saw her in Gloria's bar.
" That dress looks stunning on you sweetheart," Klaus commented as he arrived in his and Eliza's shared bedroom. The dress was very simple yet beautiful; the top half was made of ruffled fabric with a matching belt tied in a bow around the middle and the bottom half elegantly rested on her hips and fell to mid way down her thighs. Seeing that she had not yet zipped up the dress, Klaus instantly aided her and carefully zipped it up, purposefully brushing his hand against her soft skin as he did. Eliza shivered as he did this. She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck. Once the dress was fully on, she turned around and planted her lips on his.
" I picked it out especially for you," Eliza told him after she pulled away from their steamy make out session.
" I have to say you look very tempting love..." Klaus said while brushing his hands up and down her hips.
" Well then you'll have to wait until tonight," Eliza said with a cheeky wink. It felt extremely strange yet right flirting with Klaus like this. This was mostly because she had been incredibly naive back in the twenties. Now she felt as if she was capable of doing everything.
" Then I can't wait for tonight," Klaus whispered in her ear and kissed the edge of her jawline before bringing his lips back to hers again.
" Promise me you won't hurt Stefan tonight," Eliza said as she pulled back again, but still kept her arms locked around Klaus' neck.
" We've already been through this love. I've already said I won't hurt Stefan," Klaus rolled his eyes.
" Just making sure," Eliza said. " But I think your going to have to let me go now as our guests have arrived and I haven't finished getting ready,"
" Not just yet," Klaus replied, pulling her tightly against his chest as she tried to break free from his arms. For the third time, Klaus pressed his lips to hers and she ran her fingers through his messy, short hair.
" Niklaus our guests have arrived," Elijah called and reluctantly Klaus pulled away from Eliza.
" You should wear a suit more often by the way, it looks good on you," Eliza told him as Klaus headed out the door and down to the dining table. Once he saw Stefan and Damon standing at the front of the dining area, he planted a smirk upon his face in fake happiness.
" Damon, Stefan! You told me you seek an audience. Very bold. Let's discuss our agreements like civilized men, shall we?" Klaus suggested.
" It's better to indulge him," Elijah said.
" I didn't come hear to eat Klaus. In fact I didn't want to come here at all. But I was told I had to because you would hear us out," Stefan snapped grumpily, glaring hatefully at Klaus.
" Well, we can sit and eat or I can rip your throats out. The choice is yours," Klaus threatened, but the room fell silent as Eliza entered in her stunning blue dress. Everyone but Stefan turned to look at her.
" I do hope that nobody's throats are going to be ripped out tonight," Eliza said with a small frown while heading over to stand by Klaus.
" Oh good the traitor decided to join us," Stefan said sarcastically, turning his glare to Eliza.
" I see your still as grumpy as usual," Eliza commented with a deep frown.
" I see your still a little slut who should be dead," Stefan snapped back and Klaus growled angrily in response.
" Why don't we all take a seat," Elijah suggested as the tension in the room rose. Leading Eliza over to the table, Klaus pulled out a chair for her before sitting down beside her. The food was then brought to the table by the compelled ladies and everyone began to eat and drink in complete silence. Though it was apparent to everyone that Stefan was doing neither.
" You lost your appetite?" Klaus questioned.
" Eat," Damon ordered firmly. " I thought we agreed to leave grumpy Stefan at home,"
" Since when does he ever leave grumpy Stefan at home?" Eliza commented, receiving yet another glare from Stefan. Afcter a few moments silence Stefan began to eat.
" That's the spirit. Isn't it nice? Four of us dining together? Such a treat. Is this what you had in mind when you pulled the dagger from my brother?" Klaus asked Damon.
" Well, I know how he felt about you, so I figured the more, the merrier." Damon said with his typical smirk.
" Well, Elijah and I have had our share of quarrels over the century. But we always make it through," Klaus said and him and Elijah smiled at each other.
" Kind of like you and Rebekah, right? Where is she, by the way? Last I checked she was still daggered because you were afraid to face her," Stefan said.
" If you're referring to the fact that Rebekah knows I killed our mother, I've already come clean to Elijah," Klaus replied, keeping his voice calm and even. Showing his anger would only provoke Stefan more.
" Hey, Stef, remember when you killed dad? Might want to dial down the judgment until dessert," Damon snapped at Stefan; acting as if Stefan was a dog he was trying to keep under control.
" We're here to make a deal, Damon. Doesn't mean we need to kiss his ass for seven courses. We'll leave the ass kissing for Eliza," Stefan growled in frustration and Eliza rolled her eyes.
" God you really can't control yourself Stefan can you? You always have to snap at me so you can keep telling yourself that you hate one of the only people left who still cares for you," Eliza said with a fake laugh. Instantly Klaus could tell that this was still upsetting Eliza so he took her hand from her lap and laced there fingers together in an attempt to comfort her.
" Oh I don't have to convince myself. I already know I hate you," Stefan said casually, liking the fact that Eliza was beginning to look genuinely upset.
" You keep telling yourself that. But when you realise all the mistakes you've made, you will have nobody Stefan. Nobody who cares one bit for you," Eliza said, before climbing up from her chair and storming out of the room. Both Klaus and Elijah watched her as she left and Klaus debated whether to go after her. But if it was his choice, he would kill Stefan Salvatore for ever hurting her like he has. Somehow he would get his revenge for her.