Pairing: Pearl/Annabelle (F/f) slipper

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Lockwood Mansion

Morning

Matt finally found his phone on the floor of the living room, under a pizza box.

"Shit, five voicemails?" Matt said. Tyler was getting his car keys.

"Hurry up, fuckface, we're going to be late," Tyler chided, putting on his shoes. Even though, Carol Lockwood wasn't here, Tyler still tried to put his shoes in the closet. She didn't want the floor scuffed up, or maybe it was germs. Tyler really wasn't sure, but his thoughts were interrupted by Matt yelling.

"Vicki is missing," Matt shouted. "She busted out of the hospital last night!"
"What?" Tyler asked in shock. "I thought you said she was locked up in the mental ward?"
"I did. I can't believe she would escape. Never mind, this is Vic, she would totally do this," Matt said. "You go, I have to call the hospital."
"Fuck that," Tyler said. "We'll drive over there."

"But you'll be late," Matt replied.

"I don't care. This is your sister, man," Tyler said. He contemplated waking up Mason, but figured he would tell him later. "Let's go."

Matt shrugged and grabbed his phone and followed Tyler out the grand entrance of the mansion.

Salvatore Boarding House

Katherine had called the Sheriff and informed her of the body in the dumpster and the rogue vampire, Frederick, being on the loose.

"He's very dangerous," Katherine reported. "He should be detained or taken out. We wash our hands of him."
Liz Forbes said she would put her new deputy on it.

"Just be careful," Katherine warned. "Frederick has been in a cave for decades, he won't want to go back in a cage. Oh, and there is another victim. She may turn, she may not. There was no id on her."

"I understand. I'll check for any missing persons. She might have been a transient. We've done this sort of thing before," Liz said, thanking her for calling.

"I bet you have," Katherine muttered, after hanging up.

"Who was that?" Nadia said, coming in the kitchen.

"The Sheriff. Frederick is no longer our problem. Are the others secured?" Katherine asked.

"Yes, Pearl has them and the girls in cells in the basement. Mother, is it not odd that the Salvatores have that in their home?" Nadia inquired, pouring herself a cup of tea.

"Not really," Katherine answered, biting into a sweet roll. Now that Pearl could work some of the appliances, she was baking. Katherine always watched her figure, but Pearl was a fantastic cook.

"But why?" Nadia prodded. She took a roll from the pan.

"Um, Stefan is what we call a ripper," Katherine said, chewing. "You know, he goes into a frenzy when he has human blood and...takes off their heads."

Nadia choked on her roll, taking a sip of tea to wash it down.

"A ripper? I think I've heard of this, but I've never met one," Nadia said horrified. "What is the cure?"
"Oh, there is no cure," Katherine said lightly. "He just drinks animal blood. Horrible, isn't it?"

"Was he always like that?" Nadia wondered, reaching for a napkin to wipe the icing off her fingers.

"I suppose. I don't really know. I had to flee from here after he turned," Katherine admitted, licking icing off her manicured finger.

"You mean, you left them to fend for themselves? After you turned them?" Nadia demanded, her voice shaking.

"Daughter, my life was in danger," Katherine purred. "Now, any signs that the little girl is turning downstairs? We could use this to our advantage. Create an ally."

"An ally? She's just a child," Nadia said. "You go look in on here. I'll be taking a walk."

Nadia stormed off and Katherine shrugged.

"Moody, that one," Katherine said. She'd check on the girl after she had another roll. She would skip lunch.

Pearl busied herself by folding clothes.

"Harper, we need to get you some more clothing," Pearl said. "I think the Salvatore boys were a bit taller than you. I heard that you can just purchase things already made now."
Harper's brow creased, "But how would they know my measurements? Or how tall I am?"

"I do not know," Pearl admitted. "But we will figure it out. I am going to go see if my naughty daughter is up. She has an appointment with my slipper today."
Harper cleared his throat.
"Miss Pearl, I am very sorry about last night. I tried to stop them. All of them," Harper explained, looking miserable.

"Oh Harper, do not apologize. You did nothing wrong," Pearl said, she gripped his chin and kissed him on the forehead. "I feel truly fortunate to have you hear. You know, I love you like a son."

Harper felt his cheeks burn and he blinked back tears.

"Ma'am, not only did you save my life as a soldier, you have given me this immortal life," Harper said roughly. "I am in your debt."

Pearl stood tall and smiled, "No, my dear boy. You are a free man. And you can do whatever you wish as soon as it is safe. Now, you take some leisure time and enjoy yourself today. No more chores or I will take my slipper to your behind, too. Is that clear?"
Harper laughed and nodded, "Yes, ma'am. I will take some air in the gardens."
"That tis a fine idea," Pearl smiled, watching him go. She fiddled with the cameo around her neck. If only the others were so obedient.

***
Annabelle hated not having her phone. She didn't dare to ask Pearl for it back, but Jeremy was her only friend in town. She needed to see him.

Pearl opened the door without knocking as Annabelle was staring out the window.

"Another day in your bedclothes I see?" Pearl scoffed, looking at Annabelle's pajamas.

"I didn't think it made sense to dress when you are just going to strip me," Annabelle said in a dejected tone.

"You made that decision last night," Pearl said sharply. "I hate to see you moping around here. Starting tomorrow, you are going to school."
"School?" Annabelle said in shock. Her mother had mentioned it before, but she assumed Pearl would arrange a tutor for her. Would Pearl really let her go to school? Getting out of this house seemed like a vacation.

"Yes, the public school is supposed to be quite good," Pearl said. "But first, you might as well slip down those trousers and take your punishment."

Annabelle sighed and obeyed her mother.

"Mama, please, not too hard," Annabelle, couldn't help begging, as she bared her behind and leaned over the bed.

"Oh, it will just be hard enough to get you to mind me when I tell you to do something. You have been on your own too long. And what have you accomplished? Nothing," Pearl snapped, taking out the leather bed slipper she had found in a trunk of clothes, out of her sweater pocket. It was stiff from age, but would do nicely, she thought.

Annabelle turned her head and exclaimed, "I was trying to free you! Don't you understand?"
Pearl's mouth grew firm as she slapped the slipper into the palm of her other hand, feeling the sting. "I understand, but you know my expectations for you are high. Annabelle, you are all I have left. For hundreds of years, we fought just to survive. We came to Mystic Falls and learned how to walk in the daylight and how to thrive. And yet, that was stolen from us."

Annabelle hated when her mother referred to her deceased siblings and father. They had been dead for centuries.

"Katherine Pierce is to blame!" Annabelle exclaimed.

"No, it was not her fault. It was the town's people. They wanted our lands, our properties and businesses. It was Jonathan Gilbert's fault. He betrayed us," Pearl answered hotly. "Now, think about why you are getting a whipping? I told you to stay in the house. We had things under control at the Mikaelsons. It was dangerous out and yet you were going to go anyway."

Annabelle let out a cry as Pearl zipped down the slipper across both of her quivering cheeks.

Crack!

The sound was sharp, but the sting even sharper. Annabelle bit down on her lip. She would not fuss, Mother hated that.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Pearl said. She took out a small glass jar of ointment she had made earlier, while Annabelle slept. "I think this will help you remember who is in charge here. It's a bit of vervain and other herbs. You will really feel this."
Pearl used a glove to apply the salve to Annabelle's backside and thighs. It burned slightly and Annabelle wiggled.

"Stay still, child," Pearl warned. She slipped off the glove, careful not to burn her own slender fingers. "You are getting sixteen licks."
"Sixteen!" Annabelle whined. She usually only got ten with the cane unless she had been especially naughty.

"On each side," Pearl finished, slapping down the slipper smartly. Whap!

"Ohhhhh," Annabelle said, popping up and almost grabbing her rear in her shock. The slipper smarted.

"No, you will burn your hands. Keep in position or I'll find a cane," Pearl warned sternly.

Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!

Annabelle began to cry as her mother slippered her bottom hard. But then, she comforted herself with the realization that she would see Jeremy...at school.

Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!

Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!

Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!

"Ahhhhhhh," Annabelle fretted, gripping her bed covers to keep her hands away from her flaming rump. Mama always spanked hard, but this new concoction made it ten times worse. She would never disobey again!

Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!

Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!

Annabelle cried out and tried to push herself up, but found her mother pushing her back down.

Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!

Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!

Pearl made sure to count each slap of the slipper and when it was over, ordered Annabelle into the corner.

"Hands on your head, miss," Pearl said. She guided Annabelle over to face the corner, as she awkwardly navigated with her pajama pants at her ankles.

"Kick those off," Pearl finally said. Annabelle, sobbing, obeyed.

"Mama, it stings so badly," Annabelle wept, wanting to rub, but knowing she could not. The throbbing was intense enough to cancel out the shame of being bare bottomed and forced to display it in the corner like she was five.

Whap!

"Stop whining or you will get another licking," Pearl warned, unable to deal with fussing in her only surviving daughter.

"S-Sorry," Annabelle wept, putting her hands on her hand and trying not to shuffle as she cried.

Pearl let Annabelle calm down and stop crying in the corner for a few minutes before speaking to her.

"Are you done fussing?" Pearl asked.

"Yes, Mother," Annabelle said, sniffling.

"Then, come, we will clean you up," Pearl said, getting a damp rag from the attached bathroom.

Annabelle turned and pulled down her shirt to try to preserve her modesty, but couldn't help but turn to look at her bottom in the dresser mirror. It was glowing red and swollen.

Pearl came out, "Yes, I think that new remedy will suit us well."

Pearl wiped Annabelle's face and then sat on the dresser chair and pulled her daughter into her lap.

"I love you, Annabelle," Pearl said, petting her daughters. "That tis why I am hard on you. Life is cruel, but we are going to get our position back in town. We will be independent and get back our wealth. I know we can do it with some hard work and focus. Now, be a good girl and get dressed. Katherine is going to take us shopping. You will need appropriate clothing for school."

Pearl stood and helped Annabelle off her lap carefully. She got out Annabelle's clothes and watched as she pulled up her underpants and a skirt. She saw Annabelle wincing when the fabric clung to her bottom and stood up and hugged her again.

"There, there. All forgiven, my little one," Pearl cooed.

"Yes, Mama. I am sorry I disobeyed," Annabelle said, soaking in her mother's comfort another minute. She always knew Pearl loved her, but would Pearl ever see her as an independent woman?

"You ought to apologize to Harper. He is upset over the whole thing. Now, before we leave, I need to see to the others. Oh, here is your phone," Pearl said, leaving it on the dresser.

When Pearl left, Annabelle checked her messages. There was nothing from Jeremy...maybe he had already moved on?

Mikaelson Mansion

Elijah's Office

Katherine called Elijah to check on Damon and inform them about the girl and Frederick. He took the call in his study for privacy, keeping an eye on the living room. Enzo was taking a break from his lessons and was playing with the kids.

"And the other two?" Elijah asked, watching his children coloring on the floor. Their dogs lounging near them. Elijah had to admit, after the dogs had been bathed, they didn't smell. Well, not too bad.

Indy asked Enzo to draw her a kitty. Elijah smiled and then turned his attention back to the call.

"They are in the cells. Pearl is going to deal with them later," Katherine reported on the other end of the phone line. "I'll let you know if the girl turns. We don't know who she is. Need another project?"

Elijah laughed, "Oh, we've quite the full house here. Keep us posted. And Katherine, thank you for last night. You and your daughter were very helpful. Miss Pearl, as well."

Katherine giggled, "Oh Elijah, you have no idea how helpful I can be. Watch over my boys for me. I'll check in soon."
Katherine hung up before Elijah could reply.

Damon strolled in after chatting with Enzo and twins a moment, saying to Elijah, "Let me guess? Katherine?"

Damon was in jeans, boots, and his leather jacket. He looked back to normal.

"Yes, you heard?" Elijah asked, putting the phone back in his jacket.

"No, I saw the weird expression on your face. I know that look. I was that look," Damon smirked. "I don't recommend it. Katherine is poison."

"I do not harbor any feeling for Katerina," Elijah claimed. "Like your friend Elena, she is a beauty, but it goes deeper than that."

"Oh?" Damon asked, leaning against Elijah's desk. "How so?"
Elijah smiled, "That is a story for another day. Perhaps your father will tell you more about the first doppelgänger we knew. She almost tore us apart."

"Oh, I think I heard that story before," Damon said. "But I didn't come here to bother you. I just wanted to say thanks."

Elijah was perplexed, "For what, Damon?"

"For looking after Stefan the other night and while I was sick. I know you meant well and were holding sh-stuff together," Damon said. "It's clear how much everyone relies on you, especially my...father. It still feels odd to call him that."

Elijah crossed the office.

"Thank you. That means a lot, but that is what we do. When you were ill, I saw something in Niklaus that I have rarely seen since we were human. Fear. Now, with you being back to yourself, he is also well. I am grateful for that. How are you feeling today?" Elijah asked with concern.

"Good. I mean, I had a bit of a hangover, but it went away fast. Do you think I'm really in the clear?" Damon asked slowly.

"I do," Elijah answered honestly. He sat back down at his desk. "But I fear the forces behind the magic. I know Greta must have been a powerful witch, but I have never seen a spell like that before. It concerns me. For instance, what was her or their end game?"

"Their? I thought Greta was working with the Travelers and they are all dead?" Damon pressed, running a hand through his dark hair. He needed a hair cut.

"Yes, that is correct," Elijah agreed. "But we lost track of that Professor Shane. One benefit of being so old is that I have contacts all over. There are many organizations and networks working under the surface, yet none of them can locate this man. I suppose I don't like loose ends."

"Yes, that's true. And no one seems to have gotten to the bottom of the explosion at the Young farm. But bizarre things always happen in Mystic Falls," Damon explained.

"Indeed. Yet I find that coincidences are often, in fact, related. We still need to be vigilant. Here, I had hoped to get the twins enrolled in school and I am now dealing with a missing vampire. Oh, and when the cave vampires escaped, they almost killed a teen girl. As we speak, they are holding her in your basement cell at the boarding house," Elijah shared.

"Ugh, I hate the thought of Katherine rummaging in my underwear drawer," Damon winced. "But those cells have come in handy a time or so. Especially when Stefan was on a binge. I should actually head over there and check on things. The vervain supply here is dwindling. I was also going to make a blood run to my favorite spot."

"The blood bank?" Elijah prodded.

"No, Mystic Falls Hospital. Dr. Meredith Fell and I have a deal. I give her vampire blood and she hooks me up with human blood. Sometimes there is something about it where they can't use it, but it's fine for our consumption," Damon said, standing up and putting his hands in his leather jacket pockets.

"I think they call that a symbiotic relationship," Elijah smiled. "Let me know if that girl turns. I'm not sure Katherine and Pearl can handle another vampire over there..."

"Oh, I am sure they cannot handle anything more considering they let three escape," Damon stated bluntly. "This is exactly what I was afraid of, if that tomb opened. Any unexplained deaths and the town council panics and started hunting vampires again. No matter, I'll check into things."

"And Damon?" Elijah said. "No more binges, okay? Last night was a bit of an outlier, but I really will need you to focus more. Kol will work with you on your magic tonight. But the drinking needs to cease."

Damon nodded, "Sure. No problem..."

Elijah didn't need to know that Damon was crossing his fingers in his pocket. Ha, quit drinking? That was a good one, he chuckled to himself.

Enzo heard and got up.

"Damon, you going somewhere? I can come," Enzo said quietly.

"Nah, man. You stay here and babysit," Damon said. "I need to clear my head. It's been a rough week, you know?"
"Yeah, you had a witch in you," Enzo quipped. "You sure you're okay? I mean, it was a pretty wild scene. How much do you remember?"

Damon glanced down at the kids and replied, "Not much. The last I really remember was at the Traveler camp...After that, just bits and pieces. I didn't say anything weird, did I?"

"No, but you were almost levitating at one point and your eyes turned black. Oh, you also caused earthquakes with your mind and a weird storm that was cracking the windows and shut down the power grid...Do you remember the snake bit?" Enzo asked, he really needed to talk to someone about last night.

"Ah, a little. Look, Enzo, we'll catch up later," Damon brushed him off. "I really have to go."

Enzo watched him go and then turned back to the kids. Julian hadn't said a word about the snake...Enzo thought maybe playing dumb was his best bet. Surely, that python couldn't get out of the attic.

After School

Kol sat in the chair as three of his older brothers yelled at him. After five minutes, he couldn't take it anymore and exploded.

"It's not fair! Ric was on my case when I didn't even do anything!" Kol finally yelled back.

Klaus crouched down in front of him.

"Brother, what you do was wrong! If you cannot see that, we have nothing to discuss," Klaus said softly.

"And what you did to me, was not wrong? Nik, you stole my dark objects and said they were destroyed. What is your punishment for lying? Deceiving?" Kol retorted.

Finn crossed his arms over his chest.

"Kol, I said we would discuss that later. Right now, we are speaking about your misbehavior," Finn clarified.

"Speaking? You've all been screaming at me for ages!" Kol snapped.

Elijah pulled over a chair.

"We shouldn't be shouting at you," Elijah said, taking a breath. "Yes, I think you have a right to be upset with Niklaus, but taking it out on Ric is not the way to go. He had a right to punish you. You had no right to do what you did."

Kol nodded, "I know. I was just so tired and bored...Rebekah has been cross with me and I was trying to make her laugh. I don't know, maybe I was trying to irritate her?"

Kol put his hands on his head and stared at the carpet.
Elijah leaned in closer, putting his hands on his navy slacks.

"Kol, look at me. Why is Rebekah upset with you?" Elijah asked gently.

"Oh dammit," Kol cursed, getting up quickly. "Forget I said anything. Just give me my punishment and let us be done with this!"

"You refuse to tell us," Klaus asked archly, raising his eyebrows. "I suppose I shall go ask her."
Klaus vamped out of the room in a blur.

Kol implored, "Finn, Nik took me down to his new lair. You should see what he has done there! It's probably not just me he's been stealing from..."

"Lair?" Finn prompted. "Kol, I'm sure Niklaus has good reason for stocking up on things. Dark objects are not toys."
"I know that! I bloody had them made. And he needed a Claire witch to get into that tomb," Kol expounded. "Elijah, tell him!"
Elijah nodded, "Yes, he would have needed a witch from that line. Kol, you are too frantic right now. I want you to go bathe and change into your night clothes. Then, sit down at your desk and write out everything. Including the part with Rebekah."

Kol stomped his foot. "Fine. But I am not going to take Nik's betrayal in stride. He has his son back. He doesn't need to steal my things now."
Finn looked at Elijah questioningly.

Finn put an around around Kol.

"Brother, are you jealous of Damon? If so, you need not be," Finn said, before Kol shook off his arm.

"Nay, I'm not jealous. Of Damon? If he doesn't watch himself, he's going to implode," Kol warned.

"Implode? What do you mean?" Elijah asked, stepping closer.

"Elijah, he's seething with magic," Kol said bitterly. "All that power. Damon lacks the temperament to control it. Mark my words, it shall go badly if he fails to get a hold of himself."

Finn tried again, this time, taking Kol by the shoulders.

"Kol, Damon's our nephew. We must help him. I know I have been busy with Sage and adapting to this life...And Elijah has the twins now, but you are also our concern. You can speak to us freely," Finn said, looking Kol in the eyes.

Kol blew out his breath harshly.

"Speak freely. Where should I start? Rebekah was feeding from a human boy at school. Wes' ward Aaron is ready to explode with rage. The kids barely eats, doesn't sleep. Julian is playing with rats in the attic. Poor Indy just follows him around...And Enzo is a loose cannon. God knows what he will do next. Yet all the attention is on Damon. Nik, Stefan, Elijah, you, you all cater to him. Damon this and Damon that, I cannot bear it," Kol shouted.

Finn pulled Kol into a tight embrace and looked at Elijah over Kol's shoulder.

"I am sorry, Kol," Finn said. "We shall look into these things. Now, do as Elijah asked. We will deal with your punishment tonight. For now, stay in your quarters. We love you and will see this through, hmm?"

Kol blinked away his tears, embarrassed that he had spewed everything so childishly.

Elijah patted Kol, "And we'll speak to Rebekah. She knows better than to feed at school. Did you punish her?"

"I spanked her at school in a closet," Kol said glumly. "I didn't mean to, but she was out of control."

Elijah opened his mouth and then shut it.
"And you are just telling us this now?" Elijah harped.

"It wasn't today and I thought I handled it," Kol moaned. "But I see you are blaming me. You told me to be on top of things. I was."

Finn nodded, "I think you were within your rights to discipline her if she was out of control. But we still need deal with your behavior at school today."
"I was, um, within my rights," Kol replied in surprise. "She messed up and went feral on me when I corrected her." He was stunned that Finn sided with him. That was new.

"You have always looked after her when we were children," Finn determined. "I know not about after, but I know you would never see her harmed."
"No, I would not," Kol said, flushing with emotion. "I shall go bathe now."

Finn and Elijah walked out, shutting the door.

"My son is speaking to rats?" Elijah said in astonishment. "I best lay some traps in the attic. I meant to do that yesterday, but with everything that happened..."

"Yes," Finn agreed. "I will find Niklaus and Rebekah. Sage is probably still out with the twins and the dogs. They need a good deal of exercise."

"Yes, both the children and the dogs," Elijah said, heading up for the attic door. The traps were already up in the attic, all he had to do was set them. Easy.

***
Elijah spotted the snake and felt like he was going to pass out for a brief second. It couldn't be the same snake. This was...something different. It had to be the same snake. How was this possible? Someone had set out a bowl of water and the carrier was here. Empty.

"Niklaus!" Elijah hollered. He trotted down the stairs after he didn't hear a reply. He heard voices in Rebekah's bedroom.

Klaus was speaking to Rebekah in her room. Rebekah was angry and had her hands on her hips.

Klaus snapped, "Drop the attitude. We'll continue this in a moment. Elijah, what is it?"

"You need to come with me," Elijah said, pale.

"Are you sweating? Jesus, I hope you don't have a bloody Traveler in you! What is so important?" Klaus fumed until he saw the python. It was hanging from the attic rafters above them.

"You see?" Elijah whispered. "It's the same snake."
Klaus' eyes widened and he grabbed Elijah's arm.

"How is this possible? Who would have brought it back to life?" Klaus hissed, dragging Elijah into the hallway.

Just then, Enzo, Julian, Indy, and the dogs came up.

"Daddy, did you find Mr. Slithers?" Julian asked, running up to him. "Enzo helped Aaron and I bring him upstairs. Can he stay in our room?"

Elijah leaned down, "Julian, how did this happen? That snake was gone."

Julian shrugged, "I know. He was sleeping and I woke him up. The birds, too. Can you move him into our room?"

Enzo picked up Indy and started to move towards the children's bedroom.

Klaus yelled, "Enzo, wait right there. I think we need to have a word."