Pairing: Pearl/Annabelle (F/f) hand, cane

NOTE: Due to time constraints and posting on three platforms, I will no longer be taking requests. I will try to honor previous ones, but I cannot promise anything.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Mystic Falls High School

Sage had asked Damon to drop off Aaron's gym clothes at the high school. He had taken Enzo along to let him practice his driving. This time, they had taken one of the black SUVs. When Enzo protested, Damon explained that Enzo needed to practice driving different vehicles if he wished to get his official license.

"Just pull in here. I'll run in and drop it off," Damon said, shutting the door of the passenger side as Enzo cranked up the radio of an Oldies station.

Damon left the bag in the main office with Mrs. Clarke. He saw Kol when he was leaving. Kol was walking down the hallway with his hands in his pockets, looking a bit out of sorts. His hair was messy and his shirt wrinkled.

"You get thrown out yet?" Damon quipped.

Kol laughed, "Nay, it's lunch. I ate my sandwich this morning so I was just taking a walk. So was the alarm thing your idea of a prank on us? You should have seen Bekah and Stefan fussing over their hair."

Damon also chuckled, "No, I just thought that all of ya Originals were smart enough to reset alarm clocks. Guess I was wrong!"

"Bugger off, mate. I was sleeping," Kol defended. "So what are you doing lurking around here anyway? Looking for another teenage girlfriend?"

Damon rolled his eyes. "Nah, that little shit Aaron forgot his gym clothes and I'd thought I'd take Enzo for some practice driving. My dad is buying him a car. Well, if he lets Elijah teach him piano and shit like that."
Kol almost choked, "Buying him a what? You get a bleedin' pony and he gets a car! Even the little kids got a snake and a bunch of dogs! What do I get? A slap upside the head or another dagger in the heart?"

"Whoa, settle down, Kol," Damon hissed, looking around. Luckily, the hallway was deserted. "Fuck, you sound...jealous!"

Kol took a breath and unclenched his fists.

"You know, maybe I am jealous. First, it was Marcellus, always being the spoilt child and getting whatever he wanted. Coddled and petted constantly...It just gets old being an afterthought, you know? Well, I guess you wouldn't know," Kol said bitterly.

"Hey, man," Damon said, speaking softly. "I'm sorry. I guess I never really thought of it. I have an idea...if you don't mind 'bunking off' for the day?"

Kol finally smiled, "Aye, I could use a day off. A bloke in my class just got called out for an appointment. What say you write me a note or better get call on your mobile?"

"Yeah, we'll go out to the quarry with a case of beer," Damon suggested. "You can show me some super dangerous spells and maybe we can throw Enzo in the lake. I'll tell Dad that we're shopping for...horse supplies or something."

"Make it happen," Kol said, his mood suddenly improved. "I'll tell Rebekah that...Shite, I'll just bribe her. Now that she's not allowed to compel shopkeepers, she's always looking for cash. Do you have like $200?"

"$200! Jesus, how about a hundred?" Damon corrected. "I don't even have $200 on me."

"Aye, that should do it. I'll get my things," Kol said happily.

"Okay, wait for them to call you," Damon reminded him. "Don't fuck it up. And we'll have to have you home at the regular time. Maybe I can drop you back off here at dismissal? Then, Rebekah won't even need to know."

"Oh right, don't want to blow it," Kol smirked. "And then we can buy more beer!"

Salvatore Boarding House

Afternoon

Pearl fumed after the phone call from Principal Weber. He had explained the prank and that Annabelle had confessed. He told her about the detentions and also added that Annabelle was doing well in her classes.

"When I get that girl, I am going to tan her little hide," Pearl ranted, snatching up the cane from the umbrella stand. It had a handle and made a whooshing sound as Pearl swung it furiously, pacing. "Stealing? That is not our way...What was she thinking? Maybe this school thing was a mistake!"

Harper had wisely gone out to the greenhouse to work until Pearl calmed done. Their trip to town would have to wait.

Nadia chewed on her lip, staying clear of the cane. "Pearl, you are blowing this out of proportion. I am sure there is a good explanation for what happened. A few detentions aren't the end of the world."

Vicki sat primly on the settee.

"Um, Miss Pearl, I think Nadia is right. You should talk to Annabelle," Vicki said quietly. "She's luckily that you care about her, but you should find out why she did it."
"'Why?' I do not see how that matters," Pearl said tightly.

"Well, kids in high school can do some stupid things," Vickie replied. "I just think you should try to listen some. That's what I wished someone had done for me..."
Pearl heaved a deep breath and sat down carefully next to Vicki.

"Oh Victoria, you two are correct," Pearl agreed. "I should not assume the worst. It is just that Annabelle has never done anything like this. I feel like if I do not come down hard on her that she will-."

"Turn out like me?" Vicki asked softly.

Pearl flushed and took Vicki's hand. "No, Vicki, that's not what I was implying."
Vicki let Pearl squeeze her hand. "It's okay. I got into drinking and drugs when I was really young. I like to think if someone was there to listen, maybe I wouldn't have. That's all I was saying."

"Alright," Pearl said in determination, laying aside the cane. "I will listen and give her a chance to explain her misbehavior. I know she is a good girl, Vicki, like you are."

Vicki smiled and pressed Pearl's hand back.

"Thank you, Miss Pearl," Vicki said. "I haven't said it enough, but thanks for being here. You taught me more in these past weeks than anyone had ever taught me before. And not just about ironing and stuff, like how to be proud of myself..."
Pearl looked at Nadia, who was tearing up. She put her arm around Vicki and held her.

"It tis not easy to grow into a strong woman," Pearl said huskily. "I know you are very intelligent and strong, there is no doubt in that. It took me many years of living as a vampire to get my confidence and yet I still doubt myself. And you two have shown Harper and me many things about this new age. I will probably never understand things like shorts and music videos, but I do enjoy that washing machine. And that electric stove. So I owe you thanks also."
Pearl held out her arm for Nadia and she came to the small settee. Pearl embraced them both. Nadia realized that even though Katherine acted like a big, slightly immature, sister, she had a mom in Pearl.

Steven's Quarry

Outside of Mystic Falls

Damon walked Kol and Enzo to a shady spot by the quarry. There was a big oak tree that provided shade.

"I don't remember that tree, but I think this is the spot," Damon said, kicking a small stone.

"The place you first got laid?" Enzo quipped.

Damon smiled and handed him a beer. It was a warm day and a cold beer sounded perfect.

"Nah, man. This is where Stefan and I woke up, after the old man shot us dead. Emily Bennett came and gave us our daylight rings. I never thought about it, but she had to have had someone bring us here. I know I give Bonnie a hard time sometimes, but if it wasn't for Emily, we would have burnt to a crisp that day," Damon recalled, tossing another beer to Kol.

"Thanks, mate," Kol said, cracking open the brew and slurping up the foam that bubbling up.

"I don't think you're supposed to shake them," Enzo commented, taking a gulp of his beer. "But I should practice drinking more...I have a date with Lucy this weekend."

Kol smiled, "Whoa, she is out of your league. Way out. You better take her to someplace nice."

"Oh, I aim to," Enzo replied. "Maybe Damon will lend me his 'baby'? Come on, Damon, please?"

"No way. Plus, you don't even have a license yet. Best get on that," Damon said, setting down the rest of the six pack on the ground. "But maybe if you are nice to Stefan, he'll let you take his Porsche?"

"Yeah, right," Kol snarked. "You have a better chance of getting into Lucy's drawers, which is to say, no chance at all!"

"Whoa, harsh," Damon said, gazing at the spot where he became a vampire.

"Damon, weren't you practicing that spell?" Enzo prompted, giving him a sneaky wink.

"Oh yeah, the one that went sideways last night," Damon said, closing his eyes. He had gone riding Azul after his shower this morning. On the horse, he had felt like his old self. He had successfully lifted a tree trunk. Azul startled and threw him, but he had finally done it. It just took a bit of focus.

Damon opened one eye and then closed it.

Suddenly, Kol felt himself propelled in the air several feet.

"What? No, Damon, you bastard...I have to go back to scho-," Kol yelped as Damon catapulted him sideways into the quarry.

Enzo doubled over in laughter, spitting out his beer. But a second later, Enzo was in the cool water sputtering and thrashing around.

"I can't b-bloody swim!" Enzo shrieked, falling into the water again.

Kol fished him out and put him on his feet.

"There, there. It's only a meter deep here. Stop thrashing about," Kol scolded. He whispered something to Enzo, who slicked back his hair and grinned.

"On three?" Enzo whispered.

"Aye," Kol said. The two vampires vamped out of the water and tossed in Damon.

"You fuckers! I dropped my beer," Damon retorted.

"You started it," Enzo yelped, splashing Damon.

"And we ended it," Kol went on with a smile, dunking Damon with a tackle.

Damon came up for air, pushing Kol away.

"Yeah, but I did it," Damon said proudly, jumping on Kol to dunk him. "I fucking did it."

"Aye, congrats. You are the newest wicked witch in the family," Kol replied, coming up, spitting in the water. "Ewww, I think I got seaweed in me mouth!"

"It's probably hair from a corpse," Enzo commented, flicking them both with water.

Kol looked at him in alarm.

Damon shrugged, "I may have tossed a few victim in here myself. You know, in the old days..."

"Ugh, let's dry off," Enzo suggested, but the other two were still splashing and playing in the quarry. The water felt good, although vampires typically disliked swimming.

Enzo took off his shirt and sodden shoes and sunned himself on the bank.

"You look like a drowned mermaid," Kol commented, getting the remaining three beers and sitting down next to him.

"Did you hear Rebekah's tale about the girls turning her into a fish in the tub?" Enzo laughed, his eyes closed.

"Aye, I thought it was bullocks, but Julian talks to animals so who the hell knows," Kol answered, cracking open a new beer. "I hope no one smells this on my breath."

Damon took off his leather jacket and laid it out to dry.

"Just don't get too close," Damon advised. "So Kol, you going to the big dance this weekend?"
"Wasn't planning on it," Kol said. "I don't have a date."

"For a smart guy, you can be pretty dense. Ask Bonnie," Damon said dryly.

"Bonnie? I annoy her more than you do, Damon," Kol responded. "She would never..."

"You two spent hours holed up in the attic pouring over those grimoires," Enzo cackled. "You think she would do that if she didn't fancy you?"

"I don't know," Kol said, looking up at the sky. "I've always ran with witches, but more as friends. The only girls I ever felt comfortable with were the, um, working girls."

"Whoa, there is so much in that statement, I can't," Damon groaned. "Kol, just ask her out. The worst she can say is no or maybe set you on fire. But it's worth a try."

"Set me on fire? Really, Damon, well, you'll be there with Elena, right?" Kol inquired.

Damon was silent a minute. "I think you guys know that I won't be."

"Damon, you got one spell right. Are you sure you are ready for more?" Enzo asked, opening his eyes and turning to Damon.

"No, I'm not sure, but I can't let Klaus go alone," Damon said seriously.

Kol cleared his throat. "I would go, too. But someone has to look after the house. Finn still can barely work the television without Sage there."

"No, you stay," Damon said. "Someone has to look after the house...and Elena. I guess I should have just come out and said this, but I need you to guard Elena at the dance. If you went with Bonnie-."
"I'd be with your girl, too," Kol finished.

"She's not my girl anymore," Damon admitted, joining the other two on the bank. "But that Strix witch was convinced that she is in danger. A lot of danger. I wouldn't ask if I didn't think it was a valid thing..."

Kol nodded, "You need not ask again. I'll talk to Bonnie tonight and turn on the charm. Don't worry about Elena, just take care of my brothers."

"I will," Damon said. "But as to those Strix pricks, I cannot vouch for those assholes."

"Fuck 'em," Enzo snarked. "They aligned with the Travelers and Augustines, they deserve what they get."
"Yes, I already lost one brother long ago and Marcel," Kol said sadly. "I don't wanna lose anyone else."
"You won't," Damon promised, closing his eyes again. He lifted the beer and levitated the last two beers to them. "Let's drink up and get Kol back to school."

Enzo was impressed. "You know, lads, now that Damon can control his magic more, I've thought of a couple of pranks we could play on the family..."

"Or do tell," Kol urged. "I do like a bit of fun! Just as long as it doesn't earn me a trip over anyone's knees."

"I can't promise that, but it would be fun," Enzo said. Damon and Kol leaned in closer to see what Enzo came up with.

Salvatore Boarding House

Afternoon

"So you did do it?" Pearl asked calmly.

Annabelle looked down. "Yes, Mother. I'm sorry. I just wanted the other kids to like me. Aside from Jeremy, I haven't made too many friends. I guess I just wanted to be part of the group."

"I understand," Pearl said slowly. "And you said you apologized to the teachers?"

"Yes, my teacher. She was very nice about it. I also offered to pay for the frogs," Annabelle replied.

"That is good. But daughter, why did you not share the boys' names who came up with this idea with Principal Weber? He said he knew it was not your idea," Pearl pressed.

"I didn't want to get them in trouble...," Annabelle confessed. "And they would hate me!"

"Annabelle, I understand, but if they got you in trouble and didn't come forward then they are not your true friends," Pearl explained.

"No, they offered," Annabelle said. "But I told them not to. Are you angry with me, Mother?"

"I was," Pearl conceded. "But I think I understand better now. I do wish you would have been honest with the principal. These other children should not be doing such outrageous things!"

Pearl nodded. "Yes, ma'am. It won't happen again."
"I am glad to hear you say that. I was going to give you a taste of the stick, but I suppose a week on restriction will do," Pearl said firmly. "You know I warned you several times to behave at school. But I do realize that you owned up to your mistake the best that you could. I will take that into account."

"A week? But the dance is this Friday? You were going to make our costumes!" Annabelle burst out, though she wondered if April was even talking to her now. She hadn't seen the freshman or even Rebekah all day after glimpsing her outside of the office. Great, her only two friends and now they were avoiding her.

"So you would choose a whipping to go to this dance?" Pearl asked with amusement.

Pearl bit her lip and wrung her hands. "Oh, I suppose I would."

"Fine," Pearl said, getting up. "But once I begin, you cannot back out."

"I know," Annabelle said. "Can we do it now so I can get it over with?"

Pearl's eyes widened, usually Anabelle would beg to get out of a punishment.

"Yes, I suppose so. Fetch that chair," Pearl said, picking up the old school cane. It was old, but flexible. She didn't think it would break. She made a mental note to replace the spoon Katherine had burned.

"You're going to cane me here, in the parlor?" Annabelle asked in horror.

"Yes, Harper and Nadia are in the greenhouse. Victoria is up cleaning her room. And Katherine is at work," Pearl said. "Now, hurry. I have to get dinner started. Lamb tonight. It was on special at the market."

Annabelle was surprised, lamb was her favorite. She brought the chair over and placed it where Pearl indicated. It would give her plenty of space to swing properly.

"Trousers down," Pearl said sternly. She had treated the stick with vervain. For it to work, it would have to be on the bare.

"Yes, Mother," Annabelle said, fumbling with the button and zipper on her jeans. She hesitated and then hastily slipped down the french cut panties that Katherine had bought her at the mall, knowing Pearl would frown on them.

"I shall only give you ten with the cane for cooperating," Pearl announced. "But you are going over my knee first."

Annabelle nodded knowing that the caning would be less intense on a warmed up bottom. She kicked up her jeans and underpants and then folded them neatly and put them on the coffee table. They would be coming off one way or the other. In days past when Pearl was really furious with Annabelle, she would whip her first and then spank her soundly over her welted behind. This was somehow slightly better.

Pearl sat in the straight backed chair and patted her lap. Annabelle leaned over and gripped the rails with her hands, her feet brushing the floor. She felt Pearl push up her t-shirt to further bare her trembling behind.

Pearl brought the palm of her hand down briskly on Annabelle's upturned rump. Crack! Crack! Crack!

Annabelle gripped the chair harder and concentrated on not squirming.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Pearl swatted upwards in a fast and even motion as Annabelle's feet started to drum against the floor.

"Owwww," Annabelle whimpered as the smacks peppered both cheeks. She wondered if the boys appreciated her sacrifice, though Matt had shared that Mason had "dealt" with them already at home. Annabelle had made Matt promise not to talk about the incident in front of Pearl or even tell Vicki.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Pearl lectured, "Principal Weber said your school marks were very good. I am pleased you are focusing on your studies. If not, you'd be both spanked and on punishment."

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Crack! Crack! Crack!

"Y-Yes, Mother!" Annabelle yelped. "Owwww, it burns something awful!"

"I am sure it does," Pearl said, now popping Annabelle's sit spots.

Annabelle jerked forward a moment, before steadying herself.

"OUCH!" Annabelle bellowed before breaking into sobs. Pearl was slapping her upper thighs now.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Crack! Crack! Crack!

"Alright, I think that is a good warm-up," Pearl determined. "Up you go."
Annabelle's head swam as Pearl helped her stand up. She knew better than to even try to rub her scotched bottom.

"This chair back is too high," Pearl noted. "Bend over the sofa. Put your hands on the cushions. Wait, put this pillow under you. I want your fanny nice and high."

Annabelle leaned over the throw pillow, feeling juvenile, but more anxious about the cane.

Pearl picked up the crooked rattan cane. It was two feet and six inches long. Annabelle flinched as she heard Pearl swish it through the air.

"Now, you think about why you are here, young lady," Pearl chided, tapping the length across Annabelle's pink cheeks.

"Mother, w-wait!" Annabelle shrieked as the cane walloped her. It was like a line of fire erupted on her bottom, even with the warm up.

Thwack.

"OH!" Annabelle exclaimed, clutching her behind and popping up.

"That shall not count," Pearl warned. "Do that again and I will start adding on extra strokes."
"Sorry," Annabelle cried, her tears dripping down her face. She got back into position and tensed waiting for the next crack of the cane.

Thwack!

Annabelle's fingers clawed into the cushion of the sofa and she shuffled her feet, but remained in place. Barely.

Thwack!

Pearl swung the flexible stick lower, leaving neat red lines on her daughter's bottom. She steeled herself to continue despite Annabelle's sobs.

Thwack!

"Aargghhhhh," Annabelle heard herself wail.

Thwack!

"S-Stopppppp, pleaseeeeee," she grunted uselessly. Pearl gave her a moment between each stroke for it to sink in. The agony.

Thwack!

Annabelle's seat was blazing now. Each cut was a weal of fire. She was crying too hard to even try to move.

Thwack!

Thwack!

"Ahhhhhhhhhh," Annabelle blubbered, unable to speak.

Thwack!

Pearl had lashed below Annabelle's crease and the top of her legs. She would feel these at supper.

Thwack!

Thwack!

Pearl repeated the last two across the fullest part of Annabelle's striped rump as Annabelle slumped over the sofa arm broken. The vervain slowed down most of the healing, but she could see the overall pinkness reducing in some spots. Pearl knew the caning smarted now, but her daughter would recover much quicker than a human would. Though she would deny her her after school blood until her punishment was completed.

"There. All done," Pearl said, setting aside the cane. She pulled Annabelle up slowly and put her arms around her silently, holding her tightly. Pearl finally murmured, "I love you, Annabelle. You will be in fine form soon. Let me wipe your face and then you can serve your corner time." She moved the chair back and then set the cane back in the umbrella stand. She pulled a handkerchief from her dress and went to clean up Annabelle's face when the doorbell rang.

Ding dong!

"Oh," Pearl said, glancing at the entrance. She saw blonde hair through the glass. "I am going to let you out of corner time this time only. Go up to your room and take a nap. I'll check on you in a moment. It's Mr. Salvatore."

"Okay," Annabelle whimpered. She grabbed her pants covering her front and limped up the stairs, praying that no one was seeing her caned behind.

Pearl waited until Annabelle got out of view and opened the door.

"Oh, Stefan Salvatore," Pearl said politely. "It feels odd to welcome you in to your own home, but do come in."
Stefan glanced nervously up the stairs. "I'm sorry, Miss Pearl. I should have called. I hope I'm not interrupting, ma'am."

Pearl smiled, "Oh, you saw that. I'm sorry. My daughter got into some trouble at school today."
"Oh, that frog business? I heard about that. If it makes you feel any better, I heard Mayor Lockwood really gave it to Tyler and Matt," Stefan joked.

"Tyler and Matthew were the ones! Oh, Annabelle took all the blame. I ought to give them a sound caning, too," Pearl fussed.

Stefan chuckled, thinking of Tyler's bravado and influence on Caroline. "Well, you didn't hear it from me, but I'm sure they could benefit from some additional guidance. Tyler, mostly. Matt's a pretty decent kid."

"Did you need to check the vervain?" Pearl asked. "I can get you a basket if you need to harvest some."

"Ah yes, thank you, I will do that. I actually did want to speak with Annabelle, but I can try to catch her at school tomorrow," Stefan said.

"That might be better. Would you stay for supper? I'm making lamb," Pearl offered.

"No, thank you, ma'am. I have to get home, but thank you," Stefan said, heading down to the basement level where his late "Uncle" Zach, really his great, great, great nephew, had grown vervain in one of the cells.

Then, the door opened. It was Katherine.

"Stef, you never call, you never write," Katherine purred. "I was so excited when I saw your car out front. What's the news around the mansion? Anything I should know about?"
Stefan gritted his teeth. Katherine was dressed up in a navy business suit with her hair in a bun.

"No, Katherine, you probably know more about what is going on around here than I do. How's the new mayor doing?" Stefan said, wanting to check the vervain and leave.

"Fabulous," Katherine gushed. "He's a natural...Maybe not a natural, but I am training him in leadership. Heard Elijah is taking a little trip out of town? When is he leaving?"
Stefan stiffened, "How did you know about that?"

"I have people everywhere, Stefan," Katherine bragged. "But relax, I ran into Elijah at the mall. He was getting a new suit made. Don't be so uptight."
Stefan fought to stay calm. "Nice talking to you, Katherine, but I have to run."

"Yeah, me, too. I just came home to change. Another charity event," Katherine said, giving him her best smile. "Maybe I'll stop by the mansion. Peek in and say hi to Klaus? And Elijah?"
"I wouldn't do that if I was you," Stefan answered. "Remember, Katherine, Damon is Klaus' son. You tick them off and who knows what will happen?"
"Are you threatening me?" Katherine snarled.

"No, just warning you to mind your own business, Katherine," Stefan said. "Whatever you are planning. Stop."

"Oh, I'm not planning anything," Katherine said. "Bye, Stefan. Give them all a big kiss from me. See you soon!"

"Ugh," Stefan said, when he finally got down to the basement. Katherine was the worst.