Broken Souls

1

"Staying out of it all was the easiest option."

"Why did things become so complicated?

Working at the Mystic Grill had become a piece of cake for Solène. She'd been working there for over a year; now she could go into autopilot once her shifts started. It was relaxing, in its own way, when the Grill wasn't the spot for a supernatural fight. Sol stayed far away from those, not really interested on inserting herself into the plot of a television show she watched as a teen.

For the longest time, she stayed far away from Elena and her friends. Only when she was on shift with Matt or Jeremy, since he'd started in the summer, did she speak to either of them. She'd also cracked and had a few conversations with Stefan Salvatore, but she insisted it was due to him being a favorite character of hers when she watched the show. They were acquaintances now, perhaps. Solène hasn't seen the young vampire since he ran off with Klaus, spending the summer helping the man make hybrids. Well, attempt to, anyways. She knew he should be back soon to come after Elena, who was still alive after her sacrifice.

She did not want to be around when Klaus stepped back into town, yet she couldn't ignore this nagging in the back of her mind that told her to meet the Original Hybrid. Sol would shake her head and push those nagging thoughts away— far, far away. It was not in her plans to waste her second life since she had woken up in the body of twenty year old Solène Griffith. It had taken some adjustment. The original Sol had apparently run away from her last foster home, hiding out until she was eighteen. It was pretty easy to deduce from the crappy studio apartment she'd woken up in with almost no possessions; that and the small notebook the original Sol had scribbled her plans and money budgeting into.

Not having gained the original Sol's memories, she had to dig through everything in her 'new' apartment and figure out everything she could. It was how she discovered she worked at the Mystic Grill, having found the work schedule.

It took well over six months to properly adjust to her new life here, and in some ways she was still adjusting. However, she'd finally allowed herself to try and let some people close to her — not the characters in the show — but she'd met a guy named Carter Woods. Aside from not being a show character, he was also very much human. It made her life easier, not being involved with the prominent characters or trying to interfere with the story's plot lines. She'd thought about leaving Mystic Falls all together, but it'd be so expensive to move and she was stuck in her rental lease for the apartment.

With a deep breath, Sol turned on autopilot and filled drink after drink. Doing the minimum responses, and very light flirting for the extra tip. Being the only one on shift today over 21, she was manning the bar. It wasn't difficult. No one had ever got handsy with her before. A few people passing through had certainly been too flirty, but she'd never really had a lot of trouble with patrons before. She knew that if something had happened, Matt or even Jeremy, would quickly step in; just as they had when she'd rejected the flirts, or when patrons got upset during service.

Later in the shift, when the bar had slowed down, two people had walked into the place. Sitting down at the bar, Sol's heart raced when she saw the two new customers. Dropping her gaze to the ground, she took a few deep breaths. She had to relax and serve him like three was nothing wrong. If she attracted his attention, she could die.

After one final deep breath, she approached the two. "What can I get for you?" She asked the man with shortly cut hair, who rubbed his stubble before smiling up at her.

"Your finest bourbon would be lovely." Nodding, she spun around to grab the bottle and a glass. Setting it down in front of him, she poured the appropriate amount of alcohol. "Thank you, love." The man grabbed his bourbon, eyeing Sol who was trying her hardest to remain calm in front of him. Seeing the brief glance she gave to the man beside him, he too turned to the side.

Meeting his companions eyes, he lightly tilted his head to the side in a silent question. "Sol," the brunette spoke, looking back to the woman behind the bar.

"It's good to see you, Stefan." Her voice was stiff. "Welcome home."

"Thank you," he offered a light smile. "Let me introduce you. This is my... friend Klaus Mikaelson. Klaus, this is Solène. She came to town a little over a year ago."

Internally, she was cursing Stefan out for formally introducing her to the homicidal hybrid, but she still forced a smile onto her lips. With the words 'I don't want to die' on repeat in her head, she greeted Klaus. "It's nice to meet you." Hesitantly, she placed her hand into Klaus' extended one. He slowly pulled her hand closer, all the way up to his lips. Placing a chaste kiss on her knuckles, that sent shocks up her arm, his eyes looked up to hers.

"It's a pleasure to meet someone as lovely as you." Sol nearly choked on nothing at the words. Was Klaus flirting with her right now? Why was her heart fluttering at his words? How come his accent made her knees feel weak?

Stefan looked curiously between the two who seemed to be exchanging lightly heated looks. Did he make a mistake introducing the two? Not that he could really avoid it. One way or another, if Klaus wanted it, he'd come learn who Sol was.

Keep calm.

"Thank you for the kind words, but that's an exaggeration. Please excuse me." We've only just met! What're you talking about?

Solène escapes to the back, taking a deep breath before feeling her phone buzz in her pocket. Answering the call, after seeing Carter's name on the screen, she smiles lightly. His voice relaxed her; this was what she wanted— normalcy. Human interaction. Getting herself involved with the supernatural would only get her killed, and she didn't have anyone or anything that could bring her back from the dead.

"Hey, Sol."

"Hey, what's up? I've got to get back to work soon." She glanced out front to the bar to see if anyone needed a refill, her eyes skipping over the handsome Original. Her action only caught his attention and prompted him to listen in on her conversation.

"I wanted to let you know I won't be able to make it down tomorrow. Coach wants to squeeze in another practice for a game coming up. But I should still be able to make it down the next day to take you to pick up your car." This change of plans kind of worked in her favor. She wouldn't have to worry about Carter and Klaus running into one another and in two days, she would be out of town. She'd finally saved up enough money to get herself a car. It was really starting to bother her how much Carter had to drive down here from Whitmore to meet up.

"That's okay. Thank you for letting me know," her eyes darted out to the bar again. "I should probably go."

"Okay. Stay safe. I'll talk to you later, babe."

"See ya," she said softly, trying to ignore the pet name. She didn't really enjoy being called 'babe' or 'baby,' and she couldn't pinpoint why. They just didn't really suit her tastes. Taking her place back behind the bar, she slipped her phone back into her pocket. "'Scuse me, love." Klaus raised his empty glass for her to see.

Nodding, she silently grabbed the bourbon to refill his glass. "Boyfriend?" Niklaus asks as he shares another look with Stefan. Clearing his throat Stefan offers, "Are you still dating Carter? How is that going?"

It really took everything she had not to strangle the vampire right then. What was he doing trying to divulge all her personal information for Klaus?

With a sigh, she answered, knowing full well they could easily compel her. "Yes, it's going fine. He's just busy with soccer practice." It was probably the worst part about still quietly living in Mystic Falls— no access to vervain. It'd be really suspicious to ask the secret council for it; it's called the secret council for a reason. She certainly couldn't ask Stefan if he was still growing it in his cellar.

The only vervain she could easily access was the stuff Liz gives to Matt to put into the coffee. The only problem with that is Sol absolutely loathes coffee; so much so she can't even bring herself to suffer through it to ingest the herb.

She wanted to live here as if she were dead; not bringing attention to herself in anyway. That's the reason she avoids everyone as much as she can.

In response to her admission, Klaus simply hums.