Back in Mystic Falls

34. Egg Fight

*Sorry for the long delay. I will try to catch up but I fear I may also be gone next week. So updates will be slow. Thank you for all of your messages. Please excuse me if I cannot respond to them all. This is the first chance I have had to write in weeks.

Pairing: Sage/Jeremy (F/m) switch, mild

"So familiar are eggs to us, however, that in the eighteenth century they were referred to as cackling farts, on the basis that chickens cackled all the time and eggs came out of the back of them."
― Mark Forsyth, The Horologicon: A Day's Jaunt Through the Lost Words of the English Language

On Route to Mikaelson Estates

Mystic Falls, Virginia

August 1855

Afternoon

Kol held Stefan on his lap in the coach as it bounced over the rocks and stones on the road home. He sniffed and Kol rubbed his back, but when he started to cry, Rebekah took him on her lap.

"Hush, now," Rebekah said, getting out a hankie to wipe away his tears.

"But I am g-going t-to g-get in more t-trouble!" Stefan whimpered.

Damon rolled his eyes, "You are fortunate Father is not around. He would surely have taken the strap to you for mischief like this. Now, stop yammering."

"Damon, he is just a child. Can you not be more patient?" Rebekah said with reproach, looking sternly at Stefan's handsome older brother.

Kol looked at Stefan and rubbed his arm. "Aye, he is a wee lad. I have to admit that I did not think that school mistress would be so firm with him."

Damon bit back a sharp response when he noticed Croiá watching him closely. In a more measured tone, he rasped, "You disrupted the whole class with that prank. What did you think was going to happen?"

Stefan tried to stop his tears and mumbled, "It was a jest...I did not wish to hurt the frog. Is he back in the pond?"

Kol smiled, "Aye, he is fine. Now, try to shut your eyes and rest."

Rebekah pulled Stefan closer to her chest and mumbled comforting words and he settled down. His small, chubby hands reached back and rubbed his bottom. The stiff trousers were itchy and uncomfortable, though he knew his plight was far from over. Rebekah pulled out her fan and tried to cool Stefan's face as he was sweaty and flushed.

Croiá smiled and said in her accented voice, "The school teacher is rather comely, though, strict as she is."

Kol smirked, "Our brother Elijah thinks so, too. Perhaps we will have another sister-by-law soon, like Sage."

Rebecca chortled and looked up from comforting Stefan, "That will be the day. Croiá, did you like school?"

"It was most of interest. But some of the other girls were staring at me. I do not think they care for me," Croiá remarked sadly.

Damon frowned, "Oh, Katherine? Do not mind her. She is probably envious of you."

Croiá shrugged, "I do not know why she would be. I tried to speak to her and she cursed and turned her back to me."

"Forget her nonsense," Kol advised. "Damon is right. She is catty and hostile. Rose seems kind. Though she has her hands full with that sister. I bet she gets whipped tonight, too, Stefan!"

Stefan's eyes popped open and he started to sob openly. Rebekah took her fan, closed it, and smacked Kol smartly on the arm.

"Owww," Kol moaned, rubbing his arm. Croiá covered a smile and the group lapsed into their own thoughts until they arrived home.