The Sacrifice

The Dinner Party - 1

I sat at the kitchen table, flipping through a magazine and sipping on some coffee thankful for a quiet morning.

Jenna rested her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her hands as she smiled at me all innocently.

Why did I say that?

"What?" I asked cautiously with a raised eyebrow.

"So Ariel, I was thinking if you could help me with something"

"With what?"

"Well, Carol Lockwood roped me into the historical society thingy and I was wondering, because I'm too busy, maybe you could help give the guy a tour around some old property. Please for me"

Hmm, well it would give me a chance to get some information from Elijah,

"Okay"

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"The old Fell property actually starts just beyond that fence." I state, pointing out into the distance, we were touring the grounds. Jenna gave me a bunch of documents in case he asked for anything.

I stuck my hands in my coat as we walked, it was pretty chilly.

"Ah, the Fells. One of the Founding Families." Elijah mussed.

"Why do you say it like that?" I say skeptically.

"My research showed me that this area was actually settled almost two full centuries earlier. It was a migration of townsfolk from the northeast, um, it was Salem, to be precise."

"Ah you mean the salem witches" I was curious as to why he cares about the witches of Salem.

Elijah nodded "Which means the ever-lauded founding families...didn't actually found anything."

I chuckled a little "Well, I bet the men made a big deal about being founders back in 1860. Men can be very territorial."

"Yes, they can," Elijah muttered as we saw Alaric walk up to us.

"Elijah, this is my friend, Alaric Saltzman."

Alaric nodded in greeting "Yeah, I got your message about walking Elijah here through the old property lines. I thought I would tag along. You know being a history buff and all. Where to next?"

I was about to say something before Elijah spoke up.

"Alaric Saltzman. So you're one of those people on Elena's list of loved ones to protect."

"So are Jenna and Ariel"

"I can handle myself" I mutter just a tiny bit offended.

Elijah chuckles "You don't have to be jealous. I don't really pursue younger women" Alaric tenses, becoming rigid "It's a joke, Ric, lighten up."

Elijah pats him on the shoulder and turns to me "I'm pretty curious about the freed slave property owners. Some say, you know, the descendents of the slaves are the true keepers of American history."

I nod and point at the several different documents Jenna gave me for this "Well, I only brought the surveys. I got the list in the car. Meet me there?."

He nods at me and he pats Alaric on the shoulder again and walks away.

"My god, he is scary but has seriously good hair" I mutter as Alaric and I watch him walk towards the car. He gives me a stern look

"Relax Ric, I'll be fine, you taught me everything I know, remember?"

Alaric chuckled, deciding to trust me "Right"

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Jenna let me off duty so I went with Ric to the grill where we met up Damon and his newest bloodbag Andie Star "Action News" as he put it.

"Other than your lecture on the history of Mystic Falls, did you get anything out of Elijah?" Damon asks both me and Alaric.

Ric shakes his head "No, it was boring. Of course, these two think he's charming." He said, referring to me and Jenna.

Damon raised a skeptic eyebrow at me "What! I mean if you get past the cryptic vagueness he is too charming" I say in defense.

Damon gives me a shake of the head before turning to Ric. "You sounded jealous. Sound a bit jealous?" Damon questioned mockingly to Andie.

Andie nodded in agreement "Kinda do."

I glanced over to Andie and sigh "Maybe we shouldn't talk about this here." I said, motioning towards her with my eyes,

"Andie" Damon questioned and I nodded like it was obvious "she's been compelled not to divulge my secrets. Haven't you?"

"Uh-huh."

They looked at eachother and started cooing at each other "Mmm. My lips are sealed." Andie coos before they kiss.

Alaric and I just stare in disgust, "This is too weird." I mutter, raising my glass to my lips.

"I just need the right opportunity." Damon mutters, talking about his plan to kill Elijah with some mystical daggers John gave him.

"Ah, there's Jenna with her new boyfriend" Damon jokes looking past us, Alaric and I turn to see Jenna and Elijah enter, and Ric quickly turns back around "Hi." Damon called out.

"Hey, guys." Jenna greets when they approach.

"So I hear you two had quite a meeting of historical minds today."

Jenna smiles adjusting her shoulder strap "Yeah, I guess you could say that."

Ric chuckles uncomfortably "Well, as much as I'd like to continue this, I've got papers to grade"

He pulls out a few dollar bills and places them on the table and starts to get up

"And I need to go work a shift" I mutter getting up.

Andie out of nowhere shakes her head "No, you know what? We should continue this. Let's have a dinner party."

"Ooh, my girl. Full of good ideas" Damon says with a smile as he looked at Andie, using the opportunity "I'll be happy to host. Say tonight. Maybe?"

"It's good for me." Andie said. "Jenna?"

Alaric cranes his neck from side to side. "I don't know if tonight works..."

"Yeah, I'm free." Jenna said cutting him off.

Elijah smiled "It'd be a pleasure."

Damon smiles falsely at him "Great."