Tyler lived! The very next day after Klaus killed to turn him, the newly hybrid walked inside the high school's halls as if nothing happened. Caroline dotted over him, cried and laughed, too happy and relieved to ask questions. Stefan clapped him on the shoulder, the warmer welcome back the vampire could give to an old friend. Elena and Jeremy hugged the boy, while Celia smiled at him from over her sister's shoulder. Bonnie looked like she'd shower him with apologies, but held back and nodded at him with a huge, friendly grin gracing her lips. Even Damon acted cordial. Though his usual snarkiness didn't leave him.
Now that the gang was full again, Stefan managing to break his compulsion and all, they thought they could finally enjoy their last year of high school. They were wrong. Soon, Tyler proved to be sired to Klaus. Meaning, the original hybrid could order him around and he'd happily comply.
Since learning this, Bonnie spend her days and nights ruining her sight over old books, trying to find a way to break the bond. Caroline helped her when she could take a break from guarding her boyfriend to make sure he'd do nothing stupid.
It pained Celia to see her sister like this. Once again hurt by people she loved. And this time, she couldn't even blame anyone for it. It's not like with Bill and Liz, Tyler can't help himself and Bonnie had no other choice. The only other person she can fault is herself. Which, of course, she did, reason for why she cluelessly pushed herself away from the group. Again.
All her attention swirled back to her friends in New York. If they talked a lot before, now they're on the phone every passing minute of the day. Snakes, Dylan or Keith – especially Keith – became the soundtrack of her life. Sometimes, when sleep and conscious battled for control, the siphoner had the impression she's back in the big city and excited smiles contoured her full lips.
Eventually, Tyler left. When he came back the sire bond was gone. And he returned just in time for the semester's end. While he was away, Klaus built a small army of hybrids. Elena has been kidnapped and thrown from one side's arms to the other, causing Jeremy to become super protective. But, at last, Klaus could sire no more hybrids. And the gang planned to stop him from good.
To do so, they needed to bring back a certain Vampire vampire hunter. Encouraged by Tyler's success, by the silence from Klaus and the hopes of a better second half of their last high school year, they frenetically begin to search for him.
After weeks of finding nothing, but not losing ground either for Tyler acted as a spy (Klaus still thought he's sired to him), Elena, Caroline and Jeremy decided they deserve a break. Bonnie wanted to end the originals so much, especially since Rebekah enrolled in their school: a silent threat looming over them. Those old creatures settled in their town and it made her itchy. No, the Bennet witch could stand the three originals no longer. Tyler agreed with her. A bloodlust carved in his heart after Klaus killed his mother, a strong desire to kill the first hybrid and the young Lockwood will not rest until he sees the blond man dead, no matter what it takes. Stefan too, wanted to finish the job and rest later.
So the deciding vote was Damon's. No one thought of Celia as well. They mostly never do, with the exception of Care, Jeremy and Matt Donovan. But he doesn't have a voice in taking decisions either and Jeremy and Caroline didn't care what their friends decided, they were already on vacation.
The dark haired older Salvatore sibling almost said "no pause, keep the work up" until the perspective of a school dance came at hand. Bribed by his own thoughts with the possibility of dancing with Elena, and tired of dead ends in their search for the legendary vampire who hunts vampires, Damon choose to have fun. And he insisted they all go, to protect each other – read: "to protect Elena".
So, the eight friends showed up to the 1920's themed school party. When Celia first got into the Mystic Fall High she was not in the mood for parties. The loud evenings spent in the school's gym, despite the fun decorations and pretty costumes, did not attract her at all. Not even later on, when she got a little better. It was all old news to her. The only reason the town forgave the stranger's lack of enthusiasm is the sincere excitement she shows in its festivals. Be it a Christmas fare or a parade to honor the founders of Mystic Falls, Celia loves traditions and history too much not to get involved with it, engulfed in the festive spirit.
No surprise, then, in seeing the secret witch in a corner at the party. Back in NY Lydia managed to get a scholarship in one of the best science camps for the summer. Dylan was hired at his favorite magazine and earned the title of esteemed reporter. Keith won the 'best short film' award at a prestiged festival and Cooper's business is flourishing. Even old Ruru became richer by the second. After reconnecting to her old magic roots thanks to Celia, she involved herself with the covenless witches community in Mew York and started selling magic herbs as well, alongside flowers. In spite of her happiness she felt for her friends, not to mention how proud she was of them, Celia couldn't help but give in to a small pinch of jealousy. Ruella's independence, the black cafè owner's success, Snakes, the gorgon's bright mind and the two vampires perfect relationship. Dylan and Keith made love feel so easy! And she could have had it all: a creative career, a full, yet content life, enough money to take her in a long longed journey around the world and passionate, powerful love. The kind that takes your heart in a painful grip, only to offer ecstasy in return.
Instead, she had to run back to Mystic Falls and was stuck in there as she's stuck at the stupid party now. Celia loved the 1920's. The music, the wildness, the feral stories. The fanciness and extravagance that stole the eyes. The blinding fashion. Light colored dresses, spiced up with diverse accessories from feathered head bands to loose pearl strings and high heels with sequins, Celia loved it all. The simple satin dress she wore, colored in white and pale gold sent her over the moon. Nude sandal shoes with straps covered in sequins hugged her feet comfortably, despite the pointy heels she had to balance on. The witch went so far as to wrap a black head bend around her forehead, a white, fake feather hanged to it and a pear string around her neck so loose it touched her belly. Usually against hair products, such as hairspray and gel, Celia agreed to let Caroline use them for her hairstyle tonight. All of these were not a problem. But the witch had to pull down her dress every time she moved, be it raising the plastic cup to her lips or walking. It kept raising on its own accord, and it already was too short for her liking, coming above her knees.
"If I ruin this shoes, Care will drain me of my blood," she'd say when Jeremy tried to take her on a dance. She wanted to, but feared what might happen because of her dress' length. Or "I don't know how to dance, Jer." Both lies, but both pretty believable to earn her a pass.
So, after a while, Jeremy and his girlfriend sat at a table and chat. They had fun, though, as the couple had so much to catch up with, things unsaid during the harsh years, moments not spent together due to responsabilities they both had last season to make up for.
Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, up to the point Klaus Mikaelson entered the room. He wore a suit, truly dating back to the 1920's, but kept in an incredible state. He brushed his hair to part in the middle in a way his dirty blond curls shouldn't have looked as good as they did. Rebekah accompanied him. The younger looking original, the only girl in a sea of male siblings, Rebekah Mikaelson wanted to fully experience life. Her fondness of humans and their activities passed as a weakness in his older brother's eyes, right below her undying quest for love. But it never stopped Rebekah from trying. And here she is now, attending her first school dance as a senior high schooler, after too many boring days of pretending to be a normal exchange student at Mystic Falls High.
She found it odd her brother, Klaus, agreed to escort her. But the girl brushed it off. Everyone who knew her brother even a little, also knew the love he has for the 1920's: his favorite decade. The original girl always thought it impossible to choose a favorite time period, though she could go without those awful wars the next decades of the twentieth century.
Anyway, it was by the time Rebekah spotted Damon and decided to annoy the idiot prick of a vampire that Elena also saw Klaus. She was dancing with Stefan, having the best time of her life when all of a sudden the laugh died on her mouth, smile froze on her lips and she pushed Stefan further away on the dance floor. He couldn't see Klaus. The two can't meet. Elena never forgot the cripping moments in which her boyfriend has been to the hybrid's mercy. Under his compulsion, Stefan doubled back to his worst. And will forever regret the haunting acts he did for him.
In the spur of fear washing over her, she went back to that day, when the gym was not as crowded, clouded by the darkness of the night. That dreaded memory of Stefan losing control of himself consciously sprinted from the hole of her mind where she stuffed it and made her forget about Tyler and his own traumatic days in Klaus' servitude. She told herself Damon and Bonnie will protect him. She told herself Caroline is tough and can handle herself. As for Matt and her little brother, they can't be stupid enough to engage in case it comes down to a fight. Her purpose was to make Stefan and Niklaus oblivious of each other.
And it worked. Only because Klaus did not showed up in the midst of a puerile party for Stefan. Not that he'd have missed the opportunity to remember the Salvatore younger vampire about their time together, their friendship. What better place to do so than at a resemblance of the 1920's? But that could wait. For now, he was looking for someone else.
He found the respective when Caroline and Tyler retraite to a table, feet tangled and breaths itched from so much dancing. Celia smiled radiant seeing her sister's flustered cheeks. Knowing Caroline was having fun for the first time in so long warmed her heart. The siphoner shot a thankful glance to Tyler, who seemed too lost in his own glee to notice.
"Ah, Celia, lovely to see you again!" That voice sent chills down her spine. Before she knew it, Jeremy jumped to his feet, searching for his weapons – he always carries a few small wooden stakes with him, prepared as a newbie vampire hunter should be. Tyler bragged his double fangs, ready to protect his girlfriend's sister, but mostly happy to have a reason to pick a fight with the big bad wolf. Caroline's eyes turned red in warning, dark vines webbing down on her cheeks, but she kept her fangs at bay... for now.
Klaus smiled at them mockingly. He put hid hands up in fake surrender and fixed Tyler with a pointed look. When he spoke, though his eyes never left his hybrid's, he made it clear he was addressing everyone at the table: "Now, now, there is no need for all of that. After all, we don't want any accidents to happen in front of these pleasant students." His nasty sweet smile revealed double fangs. That and the meaning in his words sent a clear message: a double threat. Klaus couldn't care less if humans know what he is, he can always kill them, or compel them if he feels generous. But he knows how much normally means to supernatural creatures in Mystic Falls. And how much they care about not hurting innocents, even by mistake.
Caroline's face went back to normal as Jeremy cleared his hands and placed them on the table. The only one who still looked ready to take Klaus down at the tome being was Tyler. The original raised an eyebrow. "I said, stand down, mate."
The young hybrid growled. He would have blow his cover if he shows Klaus he's not sired to him anymore. So Care squeezed his shoulder gently, gesture that thankfully Klaus missed. Barring his teeth, the last Lockwood alive retract his shar fangs and moved aside from under his sire's gaze. His blood was boiling, but logic won in the end, putting them in a safe position.
"Go away, Klaus. No one wants you here." The bold blonde made him smirk, but otherwise Niklaus ignored Caroline.
"Dance with me, Celia," he said instead.
"No way!" "Absolutely no!" Jeremy and Caroline blubbered out at the same time. The Gilbert boy almost reached back for his pointy pieces of wood, but Celia rose and moved forward. She stared in the original hybrid's eyes and saw determination. Of course, he always demands, never asks. And there is a reason he gets away with it even with his family. If she won't accept his invitation, there will be consequences. Bad ones. She knew it and the bloody man was aware of it. After all, Klaus Mikaelson is twenty steps in front of his enemies, fifteen in front of his friends and ten in front of his family.
Seeing the hesitation slowly fading from Celia's trembling figure, Klaus added. "Come on, love. One dance. I don't bite."
"What are you doing?" Jeremy hissed in his girlfriend's ear. She gave him a look she hoped said I'll be fine. We're close to killing him, anyway, can't blow things up now. Put him at ease, conceal his suspicions and took the palm stretched for her.
As Celia entered the dance floor, no pair stopped their own rapid footplay, their smiles remained unshadowed by dark thoughts and the rapid moves continued like the time did not just froze. But the witch was too busy to notice, even if something did actually happen. Her mind engaged in a race with her heart, each trying to win. The prize: a limp body of a siphoner who fainted for the first time in her entire life.
What could Jeremy think of it? The whole night Celia refused to dance with him and now she's mere inches away from Klaus Mikaelson himself, holding onto him for dear life as he spins her, raise her in his arms and twirl the girl, only to lean her down, hovering over her again and again when the music allowed it, moving effortlessly on the beat. To make things worse, Celia could not stop a blooming smile to form on her face. Yes, it was fun! She loves to dance if she has a good partner and with all his downsides, Klaus could dance smoothly!
A smirk climbed its way on Klaus' lips. The secret witch in his arms loose the stiffness she had at first and – dare he say? – enjoyed herself. There was something about this girl that intrigued him. Ever since that first time he saw her, and then on the bridge his interest only grew. Maybe it's the way her eyes sparks with the clear determination to change the world but a twitch in her mouth indicates words rarely come out and not nearly as often as she'd want. Maybe it's her secrets. Or maybe it's nothing but the call of a such a good soul, dusted in between people who cannot see it. Whatever the reason, Klaus realized Celia Forbes is a challenging riddle. And the original hybrid likes both enigmas and challenges too much.
"You are wasting away in this small town, don't you, love," he frased it as a question, but the tone clearly belonged to a statement, a certainty impossible to combate.
At his partner's voice, Celia startled. If not for the strong grip on her, she'd even take a double stake. Lost in the sway and the music, the siphoner allowed herself a moment of happiness, forgetting all about plans to get rid of original hybrids and other too big troubles from the supernatural spectrum she hoped to leave behind when she ran from the other hell witches.
Celia frowned. When the words properly registered with her she didn't want to agree with Klaus. Part of her appreciated the fine mind of his, the way he so easily reads people. The respect she unintentionally planted within her for him, long since forgotten, choose to make its presence known by growing a little. But she won't let him see that as well.
Too late. The little witch is a good actress, Klaus will give her that, but he knew he's right. And he knew her pride and loyalty to her friend's won't let Celia agree with him, no matter how many truths he may be able to lay at her feet. The little witch's expression hardened. As her jaws set closed, the muscles of her chin tensed, along with her cheeks, causing her lips to purse in a round, disappointed scoff and her cheek-bones and jaw-bones to show their glory.
Due to all his love for the extravagant decade, Klaus knew the song is coming to its end. So he put his lips at Celia's ear, so close they almost touched it, and whispered in a husky tone "You want to see the world, travel and be free. I can show it to you one day, perhaps."