persephone's orchard : k.m.

old man serpentine - chapter 49

On the outskirts of Louisiana, the roads were littered with various bars. They all looked similar for the most part. They all had the same dark wood and neon sign outside, all had similar trucks and country music blasting through the open doors. This one however was the farthest Astrid ever got to leaving New Orleans for good.

The one time she had gained the courage to leave the city behind.

Flashback.
1928.

The bar was quiet that day. Astrid found peace in places like this. Being a Mikaelson, she was used to being surrounded with finery and luxuries.

A place like this calmed her down.

The arguments with Marcel had gotten too much, too violent. It was when she found herself creating a stake meant for her son that she decided maybe enough was enough. Even after two decades, she wanted her family.

Moonshine wasn't the nicest alcohol she had ever consumed but it did the job whilst she thought of what to do next. Hank, the werewolf man who had affectionately served her, decided that it was time to leave her alone whilst she contemplated her thoughts. Until she felt a tremble down her spine.

'Half the vampires are out looking for you.'

She didn't show she was bothered, it was the newbie vampire Marcel had picked up from the war.

Thierry Vanchure.

'Don't tell me, you're here doing his bidding.'

Thierry shivered at the sound of her voice, he'd always been curious about his silent leader. 'Maybe I'm just here to have a drink.' He sat down next to her and eyed her closely, his curiosity growing when she made direct eye contact with him.

'I don't speak to strangers.'

'Who said we have to stay strangers? We could be friends.' He'd be lying if he said he wasn't attracted to her.

She looked away, she was feeling the same yet flashes of Niklaus altered her impulses. 'I'm not going back there-'

'And that's fine.'

Silence overcame them as she took another sip, realising how stubborn this vampire was.

'You're that guy who plays trumpet huh?'

To any of the newcomers, to be recognised by the silent shadow that was Astrid Mikaelson would've been an honour and Thierry smiled, 'Why yes, Miss.' The hybrid contemplated, she already allowed the guilt to eat away at her for what the people of New Orleans suffered at the hands of her family.

This could be her rewriting the story.

Not to mention a new friend.

'What's your name?' She questioned.

'Thierry Vanchure.'

'Well Mr Vanchure, how about that drink then?' she smiled.

Flashback Over.
Present Day.
Serpentine Shack.

'Great, a moonshine bar. Tell me again why we aren't jetting off to some faraway tropical destination?' Niklaus had gained his confidence back and Astrid rolled her eyes, 'Do you ever shut up?' She sauntered up the stairs but Klaus refused to move. Having heard the lack of footsteps, she sighed and turned around.

'Will you hurry up?'

'You need to blend in.' He stated, clearly just trying to be difficult. He smiled at her and she vamped towards him. 'Do as I say, would you love?' She smiled sarcastically but he was having none of it.

'Nik, they know me.'

He seemed to relax at these words and unwillingly followed her in.

'My my, hello old friend.' A thick southern accent appeared before a person did and Astrid instantly smiled. Nik watched his wife, entirely puzzled as a burly man stepped out from behind the bar. Top yourself' by The Raconteurs played through the bar speakers and it made the scene look like a movie. He reckoned she looked similar to a biker.

He had a habit of calling her a Bayou girl when she dressed how she did that day, the leather contrasted with the knitted finery of her trenchcoats.

'Samuel, hello you.' She smirked as she pulled up a seat and Nik sat down next to her, uncharacteristically staying silent. Hope however seemed perfectly content with her surroundings and found her step mother's old friend particularly amusing, giggling when he said hello to her too.

'Where's Thierry?' He questioned unknowingly but quickly realised when Astrid couldn't bring herself to reply. Samuel only looked at Klaus then back to her before he seemingly processed.

'Well my god. You lost a good man there.'

Klaus's jaw clenched subconsciously as Astrid looked at him, not knowing wether she should feel guilty or not. 'Sam.. this is Nik.' She introduced her husband with hope of him not having to hear anything else like that.

'You're the estranged husband.' He spoke with a tone the Mikaelson couldn't read and the Mikaelson default was anger. He read Nik's expression instantly and held his hands up before flashing black veins down his eyes.

'Don't be threatened, we're all the same here.' He looked at Hope, 'I'm just happy you two have this little girl. She's an angel.'

'She's not mine.' Astrid said a bit too quickly, being determined to keep Hayley's memory alive and Nik looked guilty, Samuel rose an eyebrow before deciding to lighten the mood.

'That is a mighty shame. I couldn't tell though. She's just as pretty as you.' He cooed over the little girl before turning round and pouring Astrid her regular drink.

'I gotta ask though honey, what's that kingmaker development guy doing hanging with a girl like you?'