Ain't it useless to fight
Or to pretend
That it'll all come out right in the end
So you wait for me
I who've only time
Yeah you wait for me
Care to ease my mind
Iodine and iron

-Iodine & Iron by The Veils

Scheming has never been something Hanne cared for. But watching Elena's dark doe eyes crinkle at the corners as she explains the situation at hand makes Hanne wish it'd become a more regular thing.

There's an air to Elena as she plots. Hanne hands her the pieces, the pawns of the game in the shape of kitchen cutlery, and watches Elena lay them out across the counter like this is a game she's played all her life. Though the copy of another girl long dead shines a tint of sheer Gilbert. Now, Jonathan, according to the records, didn't actually make anything that worked…

But Elena does.

"I'm not even going to ask if it works," Hanne runs a hand over the glass orb with a sharp smile. "I can tell it will."

"Of course it will." Elena laughs, a bit breathlessly. "I made it."

The orb is palm-sized, something from an old magic kit of Jeremy's when he thought he was going to be the next Chris Angel or whatever. When Elena touches it, it glows a steady maroon, the light reflecting off her olive skin and swathing her in it's red light. Elena spills her blood onto the orb, her pricked fingertips leaving trails of precious Doppelganger power behind. Sweat beads at her temples as she concentrates.

"What are you doing now?"

"We can't exactly carry in a giant orb unless we want everyone to notice it."

Hanne gives a shrug at that. She doesn't particularly care if it's noticed. What are they going to do about it? If all goes well, they'll leave untouched. The two stare at each other with wide grins as the orb shrinks down to the size of a lime.

For the second time that day, the doorbell rings…and then the door slams right open. Jae-Joon walks in like he lives here, a few garment bags clutched in one hand and a giant coffee in the other. His sunglasses really sell the 'I'm better than you' look he gives them. Trailing after him is Enzo, who lingers at the doorway.

"Come in," Elena says offhandedly, swiping the orb and pocketing it.

"Dear ol' mum and dad are parking," Enzo gives a half smile, which looks more like a smirk but the affection in his eyes when he sees Hanne and Elena bent over a clearly malevolent plan offsets any hint of mocking. "They are excited to see what you girls have planned."

He saunters in, taking one of the garment bags from Jae-Joon and disappearing somewhere upstairs. Hanne can feel his cold signature tickling the hairs on the back of her neck- and hear him cursing as he tries to wrangle himself out of his stupidly tight jeans. Jae-Joon tosses them each a garment bag, pulling his sunglasses off with a sigh.

"You just had to be involved with such a dramatic family, didn't you?" He raises a brow at Elena, then Hanne. "Both of you, I swear."

"You are one of the most dramatic people I know, right behind Niklaus himself," Hanne answers dryly, unzipping the top of the bag to see what he brought her.

Deep raven black shines blue beneath the light, winking and wavering like an oil slick. Some kind of royal blue shimmers on the breast of the floor-length gown. A pair of off-white opera gloves rest on the hanger as well, and when she gives the bag a rattle, she can hear the rustle of whatever death trap heels he tossed in there.

"That's beautiful," Elena mutters, reaching out to touch it.

Jae-Joon's hand clasps tightly on her wrist and he frowns at her. "Hello, Bloody Mary, clean up your hand before you run it over expensive things."

Elena rolls her eyes and takes her garment bag with a grumble, also disappearing upstairs. Hanne levels her brother a look.

"What? I didn't just scour magazines for the perfect dress for nothing," He rubs at his forehead. "Replicating things with magic isn't as easy as you think, you magicless worm."

"Children," Erika Nyland steps into the house in her inky gown, her matching black eyes narrowed at them. "I didn't raise a couple of rats. Do be nice to each other."

"I didn't even do anything," Hanne scowled.

"Yes, mother." Jae-Joon sighed, absconding with his bag and shuffling out of the room.

Hanne stared after him, her arms tossed in the air. Why was everyone leaving her? The look on her mother's face told her the answer. Anders walks in behind his wife, also dressed to the nines. Together, they look sharp and regal. In the blackest clothing available, all light seems to be swallowed whole by the couple as they glide over to their daughter.

"Dear, are you sure about this?" Her father asks in his smooth-as-glass voice. He brings a hand to cradle Hanne's cheek, eyes impossibly fond. "You do not have to help this family. They owe you enough already for all the damage Niklaus has wrought."

"They are mine," Hanne is just as quiet as he is, ever her father's daughter. "If they die, it'll be at my hand."

"Is that the only reason?" By contrast, her mother is all sharp edges. "Or is there more to it?"

It's hard to speak. To reach down deep and plunge a hand through her box of untouchable emotions, each one just as damning as the other. But she plucks one and offers it to her mother like one would a finger painting.

"I love them," She admits. "I love them terribly. I didn't know them, remember them, till this year- let alone meet with Finn and Kol again till last this week. But...my heart is full of them already."

The two missing Mikaelson brothers have slid right back into their proper places in her heart, just alongside Elijah and Rebekah. Glossing over Klaus's presence there, it's like a collection has been completed. Like her bones have settled back into her body. If there was ever a time she could have left them all behind, it was gone with the simple gesture of Elijah delivering the invitations for both herself and Elena at the same place.

Most would assume it's because they are family and if one gets it, the other will too. Or even the excuse that it was simply more convenient to drop them off at Elena's place could be used. But Hanne sees it for what it is. A warning.

Stick together and show up together. Don't leave Elena's side, not with mother dearest lurking around like a vulture just hungering for a taste of Doppelganger blood. What else could she want with Elena? All everyone ever wants is a piece of the girl. Her heart, her body, her blood. Nothing is sacred in the eyes of the voracious supernatural creatures who think they deserve a piece of her pie. Whatever Esther has up her sleeve, she needs Elena to be a part of it.

But fucking with Elena is fucking with the rest of them.

"I'm sure." Hanne nods, clasping a hand over her fathers. "I love them. I want to get that heinous witch out of their lives."

"If you are sure," Anders smiles thinly, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Then we shall be with you every step of the way. Elena, darling, come down and share your plans."

"Coming!" Elena calls out, gliding down the stairs less like a prom night fiasco waiting to happen and more like the Petrova-no, Gilbert-no…Nyland. Like the Nyland she is.

"I am taking pictures of this night and nobody will deny me this," Erika waves a hand at her face, blinking back the onslaught of tears. "Our first family murder with our new babies. Oh, I could simply cry!"

"Please don't," Hanne mutters. Her face warms at her mother's dramatics.

"Well?" Elena reaches the bottom of the stairs, giving them a twirl.

She's playful. Light. Like a child of only eighteen should be. Eighteen…Hanne bites the inside of her cheek. Too young for the burden of sacrifice and bloodshed.

Clad in a black gown like a respectable Nyland, it's the glittering stars strewn elegantly across the dress surprise Hanne. The night sky itself wraps itself lovingly around Elena's thin frame before flaring out dramatically in a wide skirt. With her hair and makeup, she looks like a dark Hollywood icon come to life.

"You look wonderful," Erika coos, licking her thumb before wiping a stray bit of liner.

The reaction is instantaneous. Elena follows the finger like a flower seeking sunlight before putting herself back together and giving the assembled crowd a smile. Enzo and Jae-Joon walk back down, the two of them with their heads bowed together, looking like a pair of ravens conversing. Erika's attention flits from child to child before landing back on Hanne.

"Your turn."

Hanne sighs. "My turn."

"They have a valet." Enzo shakes his head, mouth twisting to a subtle snarl. "What a waste of wealth."

Hanne squeezed his arm. "Not a fan of the rich?"

"Never have been and never will be. Nobody gets to this level of wealth on their own two feet, not unless it's from standing on the backs of others." His accented voice comes out thicker toward the end, heavy in places the Mikaelson's voices aren't.

Like the vowels linger longer on his tongue, thick in his mouth and as vicious as the blood he would cough up as a human. The sound of it is enough to make Hanne scowl too. Whatever happened to the Mikaelson's true accents? The question itches beneath her skin. They have shed so many skins as time has passed, do they themselves even remember? Elijah sounds the most American out of them all, with Finn having a strange clipped tone to his accent as if he's still unused to it.

He's a Nyland now. He'll never want for anything, compulsion abilities or not.

"It's been a long climb on the ladder of pretension," Hanne mutters.

"At least you haven't forgotten yourself, unlike this miserable lot. Do you think they wipe their arses with golden paper?"

"Cushy two-ply, though I wouldn't put it past Klaus." The two share crooked smiles. "You look good. It's nice to see you smile."

"It's nicer to see you smile. You frown often enough I am surprised you don't have lines."

"We'll see if you don't get any lines after tonight. Damon might be in attendance. He can never stray far from Elena."

Enzo's eyes gleamed like an oil slick in the sun. "Really? Duly noted."

They wait at the front doors for the rest of their family, a comfortable silence growing. In another life, the Nylands would be dressed so finely for a celebration of sorts. Hanne tilted her head, watching as Jae-Joon nearly ran the valet over before helping Elena out of his car. Elena, for all her effort, still looks mildly ill from his driving.

"You think she's ready?"

"She's a Nyland. She's always ready."

Enzo focused his sights on their youngest member, something like concern slithering in his gaze. "I don't want her hurt."

"For us or for Damon?"

"For herself. She's a good one, that girl. The best of us really."

Hanne said nothing. Elena is the best of them, it's true. The most human of them all. There's a deep-seated need to grab Jeremy and bring him in, to include him in this moment. She thinks of Klaus and something sharp scratches at her lungs at the fact that he is the reason she knows of Jeremy and the reason she cannot be with him now.

"That will change for her one day. It always does."

She shook her head, ignoring Enzo's curious glance. "She's never going to turn. It's not what she wants."

His brow furrows. "When have we ever gotten what we want?"

They shut up as the two near closer. Elena looks less sick, though she does jog a bit away from Jae-Joon who already looks hung over. His sunglasses perch low on his nose as he surveys the yard. "Have they ever heard of minimalism?"

"Don't think that's in their vocabulary, mate," Enzo smirked.

"Depressing."

Their parents are the next to arrive, just as sleek and perfect-looking as when they left the house. Elena gives them a momentary frown before it smooths over. Hanne squeezes Enzo's arm again in amusement, a grin cracking when he squeezes back, just as amused.

"It's show time, folks. Are we ready?" Jae-Joon claps.

"As ready as one can be," Anders replied, looking over the mansion with boredom. "Let's try to have fun tonight, shall we?"

Anders and Erika are the first to go through the door, followed by Elena and Jae-Joon. Hanne sighs. "Well. Try not to kill Damon tonight. Or fuck him. Whatever it is you two are doing."

Enzo shrugged. "It's usually a coin toss to be fair. Try not to do either with that hybrid of yours either."

They cross the threshold and it's like they are in another world. A glass chandelier as big as Jae-Joon's car twinkles from where it hangs high above them, rainbow prisms raining down on the crowd. Classical music plays lowly from hidden speakers, and an endless assortment of wait staff with trays walk around weightlessly as if gliding to the music. A glance at their slack expressions says they've been compelled, even if only lightly. It's more than anything she's ever seen and immediately she feels out of place. Her father's operas aren't even this extravagant.

Their parents are far out of sight, their ink-black clothing swept up in a world of colorful gowns. Unfortunately, Jae-Joon and Elena have been cut off by both Salvatore brothers. Juniper green is all Hanne can see as she and Stefan eye each other warily. He steps aside, smartly knowing when he's been beaten. The weight of a thousand unspoken words, of unhurled curses and cries, lingers in the air between them thick enough to make Hanne choke. It's Stefan who breaks the antler lock, twisting on his feet to walk away.

The sight of his back is becoming a sickeningly familiar one.

Damon on the other hand is so wrapped up in trying to pull Elena away that he doesn't notice the predatory stare Enzo has locked on him. Hanne and Enzo slink over to their wayward family members, effectively cutting Damon's tantrum off. Damon, unlike his brother, does not try to slide away. He stares at Enzo with a grief he can't quite wash from his face, no matter how hard he tries to pull on a grin.

"What's all this then?" Enzo croons. "Is Damon giving you trouble, gorgeous?"

"Not at all," Elena says in a clipped tone. She shoves Damon's hand off her arm. "He was just leaving."

"Bonnie and Caroline would be disappointed in you," Stefan mutters callously off to the side. If it's the turbulence of fighting with his humanity or his own petty feelings, Hanne doesn't know. She sneers at him all the same.

"Actually, her friends are well aware. They will act as backup if anything goes awry."

"Blondie as backup? Now I know you're doomed." Damon snorts.

"Caroline is more capable than you know, mate. At least she follows through." Enzo gives a sharp smile, one that grows sharper the more Damon avoids his gaze.

"That's my cue for a drink. Only so much relationship drama I can handle," Jae-Joon detangles himself from Elena and nods at Hanne. "Let's swap for a bit. Enzo can handle these two."

"Go on. We'll be fine, won't we Elena?"

Elena's lips twitch. "We'll be just peachy."

Jae-Joon sweeps Hanne away, dragging her straight to the bar. For the first time since entering, Hanne is aware of the gaze tracing her skin. It duels past the flashes of hot and cold in the room, along with the dull spots in her vision that are the humans gathered. It makes a shiver race down her spine. The wine she orders does nothing to tamper with the feeling of being watched.

Hanne turns around to watch back.

Klaus is across the way, beside his siblings who are all tangled in conversation amongst themselves. He's the lone Mikaelson whose lips are not moving, the red of them less violent looking beneath the golden light. He looks regal in his suit, the cut no doubt the best money can buy, but it's his eyes Hanne can't stop looking at.

Unabashed awe shines in them. It makes them appear less grey and more blue, a cutting fondness wracking between her ribs at the sight. He moves through the crowd, a big fish amongst the guppies, the humans skittering away from him by energy alone. Klaus is before her all too soon, a vein in his neck pulsating rapidly. Hanne swallows thickly.

"You look…" He trails off, eyes flitting over his face, soaking in her features.

"Good?"

She looks good. She knows she does. Her hair has been tamed and her mother's steady hand has concealed her dark circles, and the dress is so deep navy it nearly looks black. Hanne hesitates but puts a champagne-colored opera-gloved hand on his chest.

Klaus shakes his head. "There isn't a word for what you look like this night."

His heart pounds loudly beneath her hand, the tattoo of it stuttering when she smooths a lapel. His hair has been slicked back for the occasion, the deep golden Botticelli curls disappointedly gone for the night. She longs to tug one free.

Klaus must feel the same, as he reaches forward to curl a strand around his finger, bringing the waves to his lips. "Then again, there are never any words for what you look like in my eyes. Not a one would do you justice."

He says it quietly. Timidly, almost. Hanne drops her hand and steps back. The act makes him drop the lock he was holding. "You look…good. I do miss your hair, though. I…I like your hair curled."

"I will note that for the future, then."

The reverence and possessiveness that gleam in his eyes is too much to bear. It's a mantle she never asked for but holds all the same, too jealous and desperate to ever truly let it go. Unfortunately, it's not the Iona in her that glows beneath his look.

It's Hanne. It's all Hanne.

"Well. This is awkward." Jae-Joon breaks the silence next to them, taking a long swig of what looks to be several drinks in one. Hanne gives it a tired grimace. At least he's taken his sunglasses off.

Words she can't hear twitch in Klaus's ear. His cheek turns to face his family as they gather on the spiraling stairs of their opulent mansion, Esther's dark stare aimed right at them. "Save me a dance."

It's not a request but a demand. On principle, Hanne wants to sneer and tell him to dance with his sister, but once again a fragile quality hangs over him and stops her. "…Alright."

His shoulders relax and Niklaus goes to where his siblings stand tall, a pride of lions looking down at their gathered subjects. Even Kol takes to the image of royalty easily, despite his expression of utter boredom hidden by false delight. He won't remain bored much longer.

The toast the Mikaelsons provide goes in through one ear and out the other. Jae-Joon bows his head, magic making his words sound like bird song. Niklaus twitches from the staircase, eyes lancing through her brother, a frown on his face. Greedy and nosy, that man.

"Your wolf doesn't understand much of anything, does he?"

"He wants. That's enough for him."

"He could stand to take lessons from his elder brother. The dark-haired one."

"About what? Keeping his paranoia under wraps?"

"No, you daft worm. His jealousy. He hates our closeness. Thinks it gets in the way of his bond with you, and I'm only your brother. Does he not understand what I am to you?"

Hanne tilted her head to her brother, brows raised. "Niklaus would have. Klaus only understands blood and what he desires."

"Hmm." Jae-Joon leans back, his voice a sweet mocking tweet. "I would reckon it's due to the odd bond he has with his own family. Lines blur after a thousand years."

"I don't like what you're insinuating."

"Ah, so you see it too? The weird pack mentality they are expressing even as they simply stand there? What else do you think they have done together aside from form a dysfunctional hive mind?"

"You say that as if our family isn't just the same."

"We are a flock. 'Birds of a feather flock together'. Whatever damage your Mikaelsons have is unparalleled."

"You're gross."

Her brother shrugs and takes a long drink. "Just trying to remind you of the mess you are willingly stepping into."

"Trust me. I'm well aware."

Hanne's attention is regained at the end of the speech as the music begins to swell. A song she's never heard before calls the crowd to divide into pairs. It's a wistful song that even she cannot deny. Klaus descends the stairs, eyes on her once again. And just as before, everything in the room but him disappears. She feels more than sees her brother slip away, allowing her this small selfish moment with a love she doesn't know she'll survive without.

They meet in the middle this time. Hands clasping silently, eyes boring into each other's gaze. It's a simple enough waltz, one she allows Klaus to lead them through much to his contentment.

"Much different than the dances of our days, isn't it?" He speaks quietly, in a tone meant just for her. As if he speaks any louder she'll flee or lash out with gnashing jaws.

"Very different. Much stiffer."

"You don't like dances like these."

Irritation bubbles on her skin at his assumption, though it's only because he is correct. "I hate how controlled it is. I barely find it beautiful, and only after my father's relentless tirades on how traditional dancing has meaning."

"Do you miss dances at they were when we were young?"

What an odd question. They are still young, at least in the eyes of the crowd. "Do you?"

When Klaus smiles, it's something brittle and bitter. "I miss everything in relation to you."

"You don't know when to give up, do you? You've been beaten like a dog and you still beg for more."

His grip tightens on her hand and he spins her a tad too fast. "You are the bone I will gnaw until you return to me the marrow of you."

"You'll be gnawing a long time, if not forever."

"The best things in life never do come to us for free. And this old dog has plenty of time to wait, sweetheart."

"I was wondering where you went," Hanne admits, the tension bleeding from her form despite how hard she tries to cling to it. "The shyness doesn't suit you much."

"Do you often think of what suits me, hafrn?"

The world tilts. The world rights itself again in the grip of his hands, in the blue of his eyes. "Hmm."

It's noncommittal and she can see the distaste of it twist his mouth. She grins in turn. Across the room, Elena slips from Enzo's hands and up the stairs with Finn at her back. Hanne spots her brothers harassing the Salvatores into some form of submission; Jae-Joon drinking heavily as he magically stills Stefan, and Enzo giving Damon a rather vicious smile. Her parents dance to a song only they can hear, too fast for the current tempo, lost in each other's eyes.

Klaus sees it too, just over her shoulder when they spin once more. Naked envy clouds those blue eyes to a stormy grey. The music slows to a stop and Hanne pulls herself from him, hands clammy within her gloves. Too much is happening tonight to indulge in nostalgia and she takes a step back.

He follows. Of course he does. His hand catches her elbow. "Another."

Elena trails back down the stairs, Elijah at her heels. They give Hanne a subtle nod. "Maybe later, Niklaus."

"I'll be waiting."

Hanne swallows thickly and leaves him in the middle of the dance floor, his gaze burning her back.

It isn't long until Esther emerges once more, a twice damned moth coming out of the cocoon of her silken lies. The smile she levels with Elena is one full of easy promise, much kinder than the false one she slides to Hanne who lingers at her descendant's side. Servers walk through the crowd to hand crystalline flutes of pink champagne. This time, her immortal children gather at the foot of the staircase as she speaks.

"Thank you one and all for the warm welcome my family and I have received tonight. I will never forget the kindness of your gathered company or the moments we've shared. My children and I have long awaited a night like this, where we can celebrate our reunion and remember our roots in this land. Truly, thank you."

She says the last words with her eyes solely on Elena and Hanne can't wait to see the light in them fade. Elena nudges her, nodding in the direction of Kol, who is trying to take a sip early.

"Don't drink the champagne. It's laced with something." Hanne whispers, her Korean rough as she races against the threat of his boredom. Kol's hand stills and they lock gazes across the room. "Your mother."

Kol is the only one who doesn't take a sip of the champagne. The knowledge of the source of Esther's plan brings the ticking of a clock, the countdown pulling beads of sweat down the back of her shoulder blades. Watching Elijah drink from his flute makes her ill, but Elena puts a steadying hand on hers.

"It'll be alright." Her descendant says softly.

Hanne understands she wasn't supposed to say anything at all. There's no point to it, as the plan will not change with the weight of their knowledge. It was a risky move, this single allowance. Anyone could notice.

The second the flutes leave everyone's lips, the humans start for the exits. Esther watches in total confusion as people leave their things behind. Coats, purses, phones- it's all left to clutter the ballroom as the compelled people flee. Elijah turns in place to look up at his mother, his shoes purposely loud to draw her attention.

Hanne takes that as her cue to weave through the crowd, brushing her bare shoulder against any flesh that is available or sucking in bits of silver soul when it isn't. Her family flits behind her, her parents doing the same, while her brothers walk like sentinels at Elena's side. The Mikaelson siblings watch in irritated suspense, agitation pulling at their brows and lips.

"What on earth is going on?" Rebekah demanded.

"Yes, mother, do tell us what is going on." Kol drawled, dropping his flute of untouched champagne on the floor, his face uncharacteristically still. "Seems you've laced our drinks with something."

Relief floods her at his words. Not only had he not drank from it, he believed her. "Elena?"

"My blood is in the drink." Elena takes a deep breath and Enzo steps a bit in front of her, his hand rubbing small circles into her back. "She's linked all of you together."

"And?" Rebekah sneers but her voice shakes.

"Our mother is trying to kill us all in one go," Elijah says.

"There has to be some sort of mistake. Mother," Rebekah whirls on her mother, eyes so wide and pleading. "Right, mother?"

"There is no mistake." It's Finn who answers. His face is drawn, tired. "Our mother is only trying to correct her mistake, little sister. Let us all finally rest."

"You may be suicidal but I have too much to still live for," Kol crushes the glass beneath his heel, turning on his siblings to stop short in front of Hanne. He stares down at her, face unreadable before spreading into a Cheshire cat's grin. "You sneaky minx, you. Didn't think you had it in you for plotting and scheming."

Hanne shrugged. "Needs must, and all that bullshit."

"Thank you. I can see I was right to put my faith in you. My family, on the other hand," Kol looks over his shoulder, eyes lancing into his mother's figure. "Well."

"I knew you were a liar, but this is a bit much, don't you think?" Klaus whispers. He's quiet but it's enough to bring all eyes on him. He draws his shoulders back at the attention, a smirk that is more cutting with its hurt curling onto his face as he looks up at his mother. "Trying to kill us all after a party…my, what shockingly bad manners."

The irony isn't lost on anyone gathered in the crowd, but his words fall flat. Esther's mouth pinches, her eyes flitting across the faces of her children. Finn climbs the steps like a beaten dog, his shoulders stiff as the truth dawns on everyone there.

"You truly helped her?" Kol shakes his head. "Weak. Pathetic, even. But you've always been such, haven't you Finn?"

"Quiet. There has been a misunderstanding. I am only trying to repair what I have broken, mend what I have unbalanced. It is not out of malice that I wish this, it is love."

"You do not know of love," Erika tuts. "You are a mother. You did this to your children, you must live with the consequences. Every death they have caused is your fault. Every life snuffed, lays at your feet."

"Do not speak to me of consequences, you abomination of Nature," Esther snaps.

"Shut your mouth," Hanne spits. "You've made speeches all night. Nobody cares to hear you speak anymore."

"Unfortunately, she is right." Elijah smooths the front of his tux, gaze flinty.

"You don't understand," Finn pleads. He ignores his family, his eyes on Hanne alone. It shocks her and overwhelms her. She leans into Elena's shoulder, suddenly unsteady. "You can't possibly understand what it is like to live like this. To live with a family such as ours- you were gone before you could see us fall so far. Grace is nowhere to be seen, we are a plague on mankind!"

"Shut your mouth-" Kol snarls over his shoulder, but Hanne stops him.

"You're right. I don't know what it's like to live centuries with a family as dysfunctional as yours. I've been blessed in this life to have a family who stands united and unbending in our love for each other. With a mother who would never think to spill my blood, let alone kill me. And for that, I'm sorry for you. But Finn, do you really think I don't know what it's like to be a killer? My life exists because I must take it from others. Just like you."

"We did this to you. We took the girl you were and killed you and turned you into this-this creature of which I don't know the name of. Let us repay you. Let us repent."

It's unspoken, but Hanne hears it all the same. His guilt clouds his gaze, and makes his fingers tremble, memories of a life she no longer lives haunting his steps. All because he did nothing to stop his father before it was too late.

"I owe you that much," He whispers.

Rebekah breaks into tears and runs into Hanne's arms, burrowing her face into Hanne's hair. Elijah stares at his mother for one last moment before he too comes to stand at the Nyland's side. Only Finn and Klaus remain; one at Esther's back and the other numbly staring at nothing at all.

"Make it up to me but come with us," Hanne pleads. "Come down here and join me. Let us do what needs to be done. Please, Finn."

A shudder works his way up his back and he looks away. Hanne's heart falls. Her feet carry her without her permission, shaking herself free from Rebekah and Elena to get to Finn. Klaus doesn't stop her, still staring off into the distance. But Esther does.

"You," Esther hisses. "You and that girl, this is your doing. I should have known you would bring me trouble once again."

"What?" Hanne stops in place, hands falling back to her side. "What did you say?"

"Did you really think I didn't know?" Esther juts her chin, eyes cold. "I knew all about my husband's little infatuation with you. I must say, when you were gone, it was a relief. Imagine my surprise when my son killed me and I went to the Other Side. I was meant to find peace and yet I only found the bitter truth.

Mikael only turned our children and himself for the sake of you. It is you who has truly doomed us. It is you, who made my children such as they are. I may have spelled them, but if you had not been such a thorn in his side, he would never have thought to extend his life-"

The sound of choking echoes in the ballroom. Blood spills from her lips, staining her teeth. Finn moves to help her but he's frozen, stuck in place by Jae-Joon's tutting finger. A hand, familiar and soaked in red, pokes through the front of her rib cage.

"Never blame the actions of that man on my wife," Klaus snarled, eyes hybrid gold. "That man was a monster from his conception, and you were one for allowing his behavior."

Hanne stares at him in shock. The entire room does. This wasn't part of the plans. It should have been, they should have all accounted for Klaus's rage at the unraveling of Esther's plan, but they'd never expect him to take her heart for a second time so soon.

"Sweetheart, if you have a plan, I suggest you enact it now." He calls over his mother's shoulder, his arm keeping her in place. "Or I really will kill her again."

Her family explodes into motion. Elena pulls free the small orb from her bra, running up the stairs to hold it in front of Esther. Esther, struggles for all her worth and nearly gets free if it weren't for the sudden grip of both of Hanne's parents. Tar black goo writhes on their skin and empty white eyes only look into each other's as they both begin to rip Esther's soul from her body. Hanne joins them, the three of them swaying as Esther's magic beats like a second heart in their chests, intoxicated giggles spilling from Hanne's lips that are buried beneath the nonsensical screeching of her parents.

Esther proves to be a worthy witch, her gasping breath vengeful. "You can not kill me the way you wish to. I will always come back."

"No, you really won't." Elena grips Esther's jaw and shoves the lime-sized glass ball into her mouth, slamming her hand over Esther's bloody lips to keep her from spitting it out.

Somewhere behind her, Enzo and Jae-Joon are controlling the rest of the room, not that they need to. The Mikaelson children watch in shock as the Nylands move like a well-oiled machine.

"What are you doing to her?" Finn roars, fighting against invisible restraints. "Iona! What are you doing to her?"

"Iona can't come to the phone right now," Hanne slurs. "Please leave a message after the beep."

"Beep!" Jae-Joon snickers, clenching his fist and making Finn wheeze.

"We are unmaking your mother," Elena explains, eyes locked on Esther and waiting. "She made me, it's only fair I unmake her."

"Yes, yes, get on with it," Klaus grunts. His eyes flicker to Hanne, softening at the edges as she gives a high grin. "Somebody needs a nap after this disaster."

"You ready? Tear her heart out after the orb comes out and the Nylands let go." Elena looks from her maker to her killer. Her voice is steady, her expression fierce.

"I don't need instruction on how to kill my mother."

"No I suppose you don't," Elena mutters. "Now!"

All at once, everybody pulls back. Esther's body stays in place for all of a second before falling to the floor, her chest cavity empty and her eyes dull. The orb spills from her mouth and down the steps, flashing a murky grey. The Nylands slurp the last of her silver soul, Hanne's parents each wrapping an arm around their daughter when she nearly stumbles from the steps herself.

Klaus holds the heart of his mother in his palm for the second time, expression blank. He drops it like trash, storm grey meeting dark brown as he looks into the eyes of Elijah. Finn cries soundlessly, unable to so much as breathe as Jae-Joon continues to hold him. Elena takes her time walking down the steps to collect her prize. She plucks up the orb and stares at it, lips twisted in sadness.

"Something wrong, gorgeous?" Enzo rests a hand on her elbow.

"Never thought my first dark object was going to be something this heartbreaking."

"But you thought of making a dark object?" Enzo grins but it falters when she doesn't give him a smile back. "You did well. We're proud of you. I'm proud of you."

"So proud," Hanne slurs, giving the girl a thumbs up from where she sways in her parent's grip. "You killed it!"

"….So that's why she doesn't feed from witches," Elena mutters.

"I almost prefer her like this," Kol smirks. "She's funny."

"If that's what you call funny," Jae-Joon rolls his eyes.

"And you! Whatever you're doing to Finn, I want to know. I'm assuming you also taught the copy how to make her first dark object? Where have you been all my life, mate?" Kol crows, sliding up to Jae-Joon's side.

Jae-Joon grimaces at him and pulls his sunglasses down as if to cover his eyes from looking at Kol's face. "You're too close to me."

"Your family is frankly absurd," Elijah drawls, his expression drawn and tired. "I'm glad you are on our side. I would hate to see the carnage left behind if you weren't. Though I know that isn't possible, you love us too much."

Hanne opens her mouth, no doubt to assure the room of her love in her dazed stupor, but just laughs instead. She stops abruptly, brows pinching together. "Where are the Salvatore brothers?"

"Taking a nap in the back room." Elijah shrugs. He adjusts his cuff links, a nervous twitch to his fingers. "Sleeping off a terrible neck ache."

Anders makes a grumbling noise that ends in a long shriek, the tar on his body writhing more before steadying once again. The room flinches, all except for the Nyland children, who only wait. Slowly, the tar fades and reveals Erika and Anders once more. "My apologies. I only meant to say we should be going now. My daughter cannot metabolize the witch's soul as fast as we can, and she should be home where it is safe to sleep it off."

"She's safe here," Klaus protests.

Anders gives Finn a fleeting look. "I do believe you have one last issue to take care of."

"Oh, Finn. Whatever will we do with you?" Elijah sighs.

"Yes brother, what shall we do with you? Jae-Joon, drop him will you?"

"I don't answer to you." Jae-Joon drawls. Kol grins gleefully beside him.

"Let's go, Jae-Joon."

"Okay, mother." Jae-Joon drops Finn, spinning in place and beelining for the door. He speed walks, trying to dodge a curious Kol whose mouth keeps running.

Elena pockets the orb and turns to Enzo, the two of them silently communicating before they follow. It's just the Reapers and the Originals left. Elijah beckons to his sister and they disappear with Finn, who only sags with shame in their grip. Hanne watches through hazy eyes before a bloody hand comes to rest on her face. Klaus looks up at her parents, who only look down at her. She gives a shrug.

"Don't keep her long," Erika warns, gently releasing Hanne. "This is a courtesy I won't allow again if you do."

"I only wish to walk her to her car," Klaus says softly, tucking a strand of hair behind Hanne's ear. He looks at her like she is the only one in the room, his bloody right hand leaving a trail across her cheek. "I won't be long. I swear it."

"We will hold you to that," Anders says. He holds out an arm and Erika takes it, the couple leaving the mess of the Mikaelson ball behind.

Klaus, for all the lies he's told before, is honest this time. He has Hanne lean against him, helping her to her car in silence. Enzo already waits in the car, soft indie music playing from the radio. Every move is gentle as Klaus opens the door for Hanne. He waits, eyes on the side of her face, as she settles in. Before she can put her seatbelt on, he is already doing it for her.

"You saved my family tonight. I cannot thank you enough."

"They are my family too," She shrugs. "I love them, Klaus."

"I know you do."

"Then why are you so sad?"

Klaus pauses, still hovering over her lap. His nose brushes against hers. The words leave him with a solemn breath. "You let me drink the champagne. I never expected that of you."

It's sobering, how dull his eyes look. "Didn't you though?"

"If I had known what was to happen tonight, I would have hoped you wouldn't."

"You're not dead, are you?"

"No. But at this moment I rather wish I was." He pulls from the car, shutting the door.

Hanne watches him go back inside his home. It feels like the high has left her body entirely now, the shards of glass that are his words striking at her lungs and ribs with every pained breath. She licks her lips, ready to call out, to roll the window down or open the door, something- but her jaw clicks as it closes.

"That was heavy," Enzo mutters. "Let's go home, shall we?"

"…Yeah. Let's go home."

AN:

-so many fucking people I swear to god I can't believe I tried to write a bunch of people in one scene lmfao, never again
-okay but Jae-Joon is my fav in this chapter, he's such a star
-'why are you so sad?' UH HE KILLED HIS MOM AGAIN HANNE smh
-Hanne's poor family, always there with Klaus making things awk

*tosses this in and runs off back into the bog*