Chains | N.M

12 | fine

chapter twelve
ғɪɴᴇ

River takes a sigh of relief when she steps off the plane, glad to finally be home. She's missed the city of New Orleans with all of its active bustlings. Her niece pushes past her somewhat roughly, taking in the view of the city at a distance with her mouth agape. "It's so pretty, dad," she awes. "I don't really remember much of it."

Theo walks down the three steps, moving to stand behind his daughter. "It's why I love it so much. I know a spot where everything thing looks ten times better; so beautiful you'd think it's magic."

"Like River," she says, looking back at her aunt with a smile.

"More like you, Remmy." The fabrikator shoots back. Remedy smiles wider, looking back at the view.

She tugs on her dad's sleeve and leans into him. "Well, can we go? You both promised me a tour. Beignets or something," she looks off, appearing to have forgotten. They both know she didn't.

"How about we tour the apartment first. Tomorrow we can go out bright and early and have beignets for breakfast," Theo suggests proudly, expecting a reaction from his sister.

Remedy immediately agreed excitedly, starting to walk towards the car excitedly. "No," River said, halting the girl in her tracks. "Beignets after breakfast." —she turns to look at Theo who is smirking—"Dad."

Remedy kicks up nonexistent rocks, "Darn."

| Chains |

The next morning River gives Rem a tour of the city. She shows her Rousseau's, dodging questions about alcohol. They get a walkthrough of her new school, and Theo got to meet the teachers. He left soon after, something about a surprise he had to get working on.

Remedy is munching on her beignet as they walk down a busy street. A presence falls into step beside River, and she isn't too surprised with who it is. 

"I see you've shown Remedy the sweets," he says, looking at River. She goes to reply, but her niece beats her to it.

"Why do you know my name?"

"I'm friends with your aunt," he says, smiling at her. "And she told me a lot about you."

"She didn't tell me about you," Remedy says boldly, smiling at the shock on his face. River lightly shakes her head, and she shrugs. "What? I thought he should know."

Klaus nods, though it's tense. "Thanks for telling me." River only mouthes sorry.

"So what's the plan for today," he asks.

River glances at him, "We're killing time. Theo has a surprise at home that we can't see yet. There's isn't really a plan."

"Good," he smirks. He looks down at Remedy. "I have someone I want you to meet."

He takes them to the abattoir, and River fights chill at being here again. Her trial was short and planned yet it's still uncomfortable being her again.

Klaus rubs a hand across her arm, aiming to comfort her, but more chills arise. He looks to Remedy, "I'm going to go get her, I'll be right back."

He starts for the stats and Remedy questions her aunt. "Have you met this girl before?"

A laugh as she shakes her head, "No, but I've heard great things, and I think you'll like her." Rem nods, releasing her hand to look at some painting on the wall.

"My lovely daughter has arrived," Klaus calls from somewhere upstairs. He just as she sees him come around the corner, she feels a hand at her throat.

She grunts as she's pulled into someone's chest. She feels their magic, old and rusted, making her want to vomit.

Klaus immediately pushes Hope back towards the hall they came from, seeing the intruder and ad River applauds her obedience knowing Remedy would never leave if told.

He calls for Remedy to come to him, and just as expected, she doesn't.

The person holding her speaks, sounding as rustic as their aura felt. "Take another step and no more River."

"Tristen—" Klaus starts but is cut off. All River can hear is the blood pounding in her ears.

"He muted my magic," she heaves out, and in response, the hold on her tightens.

"Quiet," Tristen seethes into her ear. "I just want my sister. Tell me where she is, and your precious fabrikator can live."

Everybody seems to know about her being a fabrikator now, she makes a mental note to get that sorted later.

Klaus seems to be thinking about it, and River furrowed her brows. "Okay," Klaus agrees. "Just let me get the kid out, and I'll take you wherever you want to go."

She feels his nod as black spots start dancing in her vision. She's human without her magic, meaning fighting is futile.

She's vaguely aware of the wind from Klaus using his speed, hopefully, to get Remedy out, but she isn't sure.

She hears something about "Aurora" and "possessive" before the world goes black.

NOTES

I'm a horrible author cause I'm horrible with updates.

You're allowed to yell at me.