VIENNA--••--DS&SS

•• Chapter Sixty Nine ••

Just to make a statement towards Damon, Vivian found a lengthy dark blue dress, with a slit in the leg that was a bit much for a Miss Mystic pageant, but Vivian wasn't one for following the rules. Her black heels were a decent hight and pretty comfortable to wear, she had long ago gotten used to the the feeling of heels and had never really switched back to regular shoes, she didn't see any reason to since heels went with all of her outfits. Nevertheless, Vivian was ready to head out.

Quickly they reached the party. The big, green and open field was already filled with the unaware citizens of Mystic Falls. Dressed to the T, Vivian was glad she chose something less showy like she did the previous one.
As she and Damon walked across the grass, her eyes immediately caught the sight of Caroline and Elena. Vivian smiled when they noticed her too.
Caroline looked glad to see her, the two of them had a weird sort of friendship while Elena had sent her a glance that was a mix of a glare and a fake smile. When Damon caught the interaction, he let out a chuckle and Vivian immediately sent him a glare. "What? What's so funny, chuckles?"

"Oh nothing. Ohh look, just the professor we were looking for." Damon said, as they approached Professor Shane.

"I think I should be scared." Shane said, as he sent an acknowledgment towards Vivian. She gave him a smile and a head nod.

"Terrified." Vivian told him, as she took a sip of her watered down champagne. The sound of classical music mixed in with chattering of the crowd brought her back to her past. She tried to drown it out with thoughts of what she was going to do if something went wrong, and knowing their streak of luck, something always, undoubtedly, went wrong.

"So." Damon said, "I'm in search of another hunter."

"Hunter?" Shane repeated, his interest peaked.

"Mm-hm."

"With a capital H? Why?"

"Same reason anyone needs a hunter. Loneliness, drinking buddy, fourth for golf."

"A challenge... An annoyance..." Vivian added, matching Damon's tone, neither found her commentary quite funny like she did, she knew if Stefan were there though, he'd at least acknowledge her attempts.

"I thought you said you already had a potential."

"I did, but he ended up being a potential problem, so....."

"Ohh like someone I know." Vivian said, Damon sent her a glare.

"Drink your champagne." Vivian rolled her eyes and did so. Her eyes scanned her surroundings and when they landed on Caroline and Klaus a couple feet away from everything, she couldn't help but become curious about what was going on there.

"Well, nevertheless...There's nothing I can do to help you." Professor Shane said, as the three came to a halt in their step, Damon turned to Shane. Vivian stood behind him, to act as a barrier against Shane and the exit.

"Hm. Well, why don't you help me with this. Why are you here? What's in your little lesson plan there, professor?"

"You think too highly of me, Damon. I'm going to go find the other judges."

"No pity votes for April Young, okay?" Damon said, "just because her dad blew up a dozen people it doesn't mean she should get a tiara."

"But you knew him, didn't you? I think I heard that through the rumor mill somewhere..." Vivian said, Damon nodded along.

"Right. I also heard that you two racked up a pretty impressive phone bill."

"If you want to know something about me, Damon, just ask."

"Okay." Damon said, "how did you convince the pastor to kill all those people?"

"Did you just accuse me of mass murder in the middle of a high school pageant?" Professer Shane asked.

"You said we could ask you anything." Vivian said, just as the mayor spoke over the microphone, altering the people around them. Professor Shane is quick walk away.

"Shady, shady, shady." Vivian mumbled to herself, as the pageant began. Damon shook his head at her and grabbed her empty glass and traded it for a full one.

"Just like someone I know." Damon replied.

"Oh, that's rich coming from you."

"Really? Miss, secret alliances and secret trips..."

"You know, the day's still young and I haven't killed anyone yet." Vivian cracked her neck, her irritation grew by the second the longer she had to endure the pageant.

"Please. Have your pick." Damon said, gesturing towards the crowd. Vivian rolled her eyes and as she did, they landed on Stefan, who walked quickly past Jeremy Gilbert.

"Well, how about that." Vivian muttered as Stefan approached them.

"Vivian. Damon."

"Brother." Damon replied, as he eyed both Stefan and Vivian. "Lovely party, isn't it?" He said, placing an arm around Vivian's shoulders. Vivian gives Stefan a tight lipped smile as Caroline announces the contestants.

"Super. Forgot my suit at home." Stefan said, referring to his casual looking outfit. Vivian stiffed a laugh as the sound of music filled her ears. She turned to the small dance floor where the girls started the traditional dance with their escorts, when the music stopped, it was finally time for them to announce the winner.

"April Young!" Caroline announced, and Vivian couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"So much for no pity votes." Vivian muttered. She looked around again because just as soon as everyone focused back on the party, and April was crowned, Vivian couldn't help but feel like someone was watching her. With Stefan focused on Jeremy, who looked a little murderus as he watched his sister, Damon was the one to notice the distant look on Vivian's face.

"Viv?" He asked, as he nudged her arm to get her attention.

"Yeah. Uh, I'll be right back." Vivian said, as she handed Damon her now empty glass, he hesitated but agreed to meet her back at the house. Without anything more, Vivian walked past the people and towards the ground of the house. With everyone at the yard, there were hardly any lurking people around, not anyone important anyway.

With an annoyed sigh, Vivian did a finally scope of the house and was about to leave but before she could, she was met with a familiar face. "Professor Shane." She spoke evenly.

"Vivian." He acknowledged. She felt a sudden presence behind her and was about to attack before her arms are grabbed and tied with rope covered in vervain. Her wrists burned but she tried her best to act as if it wasn't killing her.
A woman with dark hair and big doe eyes held her in place with unbelievable strength.

"What are you doing?" Vivian asked, through gridded teethe.

"Nothing personal, really." The woman said, "collateral damage mostly."

"You must be Hayley." Vivian realized.

"Pleasure to meet you." Hayley said, then, raised her free hand and stuck her in the neck with a needle and immediately, she went numb and felt herself being carried away as everything went dark.

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