Family Above All

50. Trouble Brewing

No pairing

Friday, April 6, 2012

Mikaelson Mansion

"I don't even know where to start," Klaus said after the well-stocked black stretch limousine pulled out of the driveway. Both Originals knew that their conversation was probably being monitored by the Strix and they dared not speak of anything of consequence in the short ride back, even in their native tongue. They both simply drank the provided Cristal champagne, though the vampires couldn't resist getting in a few jabs at Tristan de Martel.

"Cristal!" Klaus had snarked, opening the bottle. "Tristan always was a snobby prick!"

"Niklaus, that is his finest quality," Elijah had replied. "Pour me some, if you please. It has been a hell of a day."

"It's not over yet, Brother," Klaus agreed, pouring the bubbly into a flute.

They were relieved to be out of the limo and home, but now the hard work would begin. Ric and Dorian's cars were parked in front of the entrance.

"Oh good, they are here. We'll speak to Dorian and find out more of this so-called prophecy. I'm sure it is just a ruse to get what they want, either the girl or to get us on the move. Perhaps both? Elijah, what are you thinking?" Klaus wondered.

Elijah looked troubled, which disturbed Klaus ten-fold more.

"I apologize, Brother. I should have been on this as I created this mess. Not a word in centuries of them and yet they have the gall to threaten us and ours," Elijah fumed. "What kind of monsters threaten a child?"

"The bloody Strix, that is who." Klaus replied, "We have to find out more about Ava, and as quietly as possibly. We are clearly out-numbered here, but we have faced poor odds before, and triumphed."

Elijah nodded and started towards the house.

"Yes, and we shall triumph over these fools. I need to find a way to speak to Aya alone, without that little weasel Tristan around," Elijah commented. "My first progeny and perhaps biggest mistake."

Klaus shrugged, "Nay, Lucien was worst. He did get us into the Count's castle, but I should have ended him there. If we knew then, what we know now..."

"Yes, there are many things we would have changed, but it is a moot point," Elijah stated, looking up at the grand mansion they now called home. Like their compound in New Orleans, it was beautiful and grand. But would they have to flee this home also?

"The Strix don't seem to know about Ava's wolf side. That's to our advantage perhaps. I'll speak to Lucy about another boundary spell around this place," Klaus muttered. "We could use a more secure fence also."
"Niklaus...I-," Elijah started, pausing before opening the grand door.

Indy and Ava pushed open the door.

"Daddy! Ric and Dorian are here to see you. They really like Mr. Slithers cage. Why were you gone so long?" Indy inquired, her blue eyes vibrant and eager to see her father.

Elijah knelt down and embraced the girls, who were wearing fairy costumes that Rebekah helped them make.

"I'm sorry, ladies. We had business in town. Oh, I love the new costumes. You look like angels," Elijah said with emotion.

"We're fairies!" Ava corrected, her braids tied with a sparkly pink ribbon.

Klaus realized later that Elijah never finished his sentence. He ushered the girls into the house, grateful to be back.

Salvatore Boarding House

Evening

"You two were gone a long time. Was the store crowded?" Pearl asked when Nadia and Annabelle returned, laden with grocery bags.