The Duke's Hunt

Keep An Open Mind

The thunderstorm was soothing, every thought clearing from The Duke's mind while his eyes were trained on the drops that ran down the window. Slight bumps in the road giving the water that extra push to the bottom, forcing him to start over at the top. The raindrop affair going on for only a few minutes at a time, usually during a break in conversation between the three people in the carriage. A slight movement over his right leg grabs his attention and he drops the curtain, letting the carriage grow dark.

"You should try getting some sleep, Nik, you were up all night." Claire, his closest friend, states as she looks up at him.

He rolls his eyes and looks away from her and across the way to his little sister, her head laid back against the wall with her eyes closed. "It wasn't all night," he looks back down to his friend. "I easily bought myself a couple two, maybe three hours of rest before sunrise. How much did you get? If you just knew I was up all night, how long were you up?"

Claire shrugs and closes her eyes again, turning on her side. "Long enough."

He chooses not to answer and lays a steady hand over her shoulder, laying his head against the curtain over the window and closes his eyes. The sound of the rain over the carriage clearing his mind again, allowing him to get the rest he needed.

~

"Nik... Niklaus..." Claire's soft voice come from beside him, a light tapping on his shoulder. He shrugs her off, grumbling in response, causing her to roll her eyes and close her fist, punching his arm to wake him up. "We're almost there."

Klaus grabs his arm, rubbing it for a moment as he glares in her direction, "you didn't have to hit me." He mumbles, reaching a foot out to tap his sister's bare foot. "I'd wake up and dry the drool from your chin, little sister." He smirks, pointing to his chin jokingly. "You've got some just there."

"Piss off, Nik. I'm not the one that needs to impress suitors. I'm well spoken for, and he doesn't mind a bit for drool." Rebekah sasses before sitting herself up straighter and stretches. "Although, I'm not entirely sure why the two of you don't just court one another. You're together constantly anyways." She suggests, pointing between the two.

Claire snorts and covers her mouth, "sorry, that's just, a ridiculous suggestion. I'd never be able to put up with him day in and day out. No, thank you."

Klaus smirks and draws the curtain back, looking out. "It's good the rain has stopped. Won't have to wait for either of you to re-apply your makeup for twenty minutes." He states, dropping the curtain again and looking between the two as the carriage comes to a stop.

"Try to be on your best behavior," Rebekah says, making a face. "As hard as that may be for you."

The carriage door opens before he can respond, I cold breeze surrounding them. "Your Grace," the coachman bows his head as The Duke steps out and scans the crowd around them before turning to the side and offers his hand.

Rebekah takes his offered hand, stepping out of the carriage, shivering a moment and offers the crowd a proud smile, parting from him as children ran to her, complimenting her dress.

Claire clears her throat from inside the carriage, making Klaus roll his eyes as he turns around. "Am I to see myself out? What if I fall?" She asks matter of factly, staring at him until he offers out his hand. "That's what I thought."

He scoffs in response, reaching a hand down to pick up her dress from over her feet. "Thank you, Nik-"

"Your Grace," he corrects her, letting go of her dress as she steadies on the ground.

"Right, sorry." She mumbles, looking around them. "I think I'll get a feel for the town and meet up with you later this evening." Claire offers him a smile and let's go of his hand. "Try to be open minded here."

The Duke rolls his eyes and waves her off, joining his sister as she makes her way through the crowd. "It wouldn't kill you to smile every once in a while, Nik. It would make you a little more approachable, even." She utters through a smile, nodding her head to thank the men opening the front door.

Soft music fills the air, welcoming the two inside from the cold weather. People standing to the side, offering smiles and short greetings as they pass. They make their rounds, making short conversation with those in attendance for a couple hours.

"Champagne, Your Grace?" A quiet voice asks to his left.

He lifts a hand dismissively and shakes his head, "we're quite alright, thank you." He replies, a hidden smile creeping to his face at the sight of his dear friend. "Go on and mingle, sister, I've got important business to discuss with an old friend."

Without another word, he makes his way through the crowd, his smile growing the closer he came to her. A squeal escaping her lips when he picks her up and spins her around in a hug. "You, have not aged a day, Your Grace." She says through a smile when he finally sets her on the ground.

"You're one to speak, what's it been? Three? Four years now?" He asks, walking to the side to be out of the way. "Did you ever find that sister you spoke about so much?"

"I did, actually. About a year ago, it's been a little difficult, reconnecting after we had been apart for so long, but I'm just happy to know she's alive."

"And well?" He prompts, raising a brow in her directions. "Is she here with you tonight, I'd love to meet her."

"No!" She clears her throat and gives him a knowing look. "No. She's not here tonight, this isn't really her kind of thing, and I prefer you don't meet her. I know you, Niklaus, and my sister won't become a throw aside."

"Ouch." He gives her a look of offense, taking a step away from her. "You, Deanna Winchester, wound me. To think I've not grown in the last four years? You're meant to have a little more faith in me." He shakes his head and takes another step away.

Deanna sighs and reaches a hand out, "Nik-"

"It's 'Your Grace', in case you forgot," Klaus pulls his arm out of her reach and looks away from her. "I think I've had enough of this gathering. I'll see you around."

He ignores the calls she makes for him to come back and makes his way towards the front door , taking a step into the night. "Your carriage, Your Grace?" The coachman asks, opening the door for him.

"Save it for my sister and Miss Singer, if you will, I think I'll put my legs to good use tonight." He gives a thankful smile and walks around the carriage and into the empty streets. Low chatter on the sides by the coachman and the horses shifting their hooves on the ground.

The sky had cleared up, the moon and stars on display for the town, a perfect picture moment. Klaus closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, taking in his surroundings, remembering the scene around himself.

A loud clash from an alleyway between two shops caught his attention. His ears strained, listening for just a stray animal that had gotten into a rubbish bin. A faint sound of struggling and a low whimper making his stride pick up as he followed the sound.

Rounding the corner, he stops in his tracks. An older man lay flat on the ground, his chest heaving as a young woman stood over him, her foot over his throat. "I'd suggest you find some place else to drop your drawers, and perhaps with someone closer to your age." She says, her voice full of confidence, yet still soft.

The man nods quickly and rolls over, lifting himself off the ground and backs away from her. Klaus looks down at him as the man backs into him and turns around. "Oh, Y-Your Grace- I can explain."

Klaus takes him by the collar of his shirt and pins him to the side of the building. "I don't care much for explanations, but believe this," he hisses, looking the man in the eyes. "Every moment you think about a woman, every moment you walk into a brothel, you'll be less than pleased." He speaks slowly. "You will never satisfy another woman."

The man steps aside and backs away when Klaus releases him, a look of embarrassment on his face.

"Thank you, Your Grace." Her soft voice spoke, this time closer to him.

Klaus turns his gaze towards her, a small smile on his lips. "There's no need for thanks. You did all of the work." He compliments, holding his hand out to her. "What's your name?"

The girl takes his hand hesitantly, and takes in a sharp breath before looking up to meet his eyes. "My name is-"