The Chosen One

Fourteen: Formal Dinner

Damon

                 Stefan and I stood side by side before the door to the so called Original's estate home. It swung open, revealing Elijah.

                "Nicklaus. Our guests have arrived." Elijah announced as he stepped aside for us to enter.

                 Crossing the threshold with Stefan trailing me, I entered casting a rapid sweeping gaze about. The first thing I noticed was that to my disappointment Jessica was not in the room. However three other women were. All of them wore gold colored tops and black skirts. Automatically I could tell they were under compulsion. Why else would they be here? They stood in the back of the room near the fireplace and faced the round table with place settings for four.

                   "Damon. Stefan." Klaus semi civilly greeted me then Stefan. "I have to admit that I was a bit surprised to hear that you seek an audience. Very bold. Let's discuss the terms of an agreement like civilized men." He motioned to the table, inviting us to sit. "Shall we?"

                   I cast a curious and questioning glance back over my shoulder at Elijah. He hadn't mentioned anything about a dinner.

                  "It's better to indulge him." Elijah stated as he passed by me heading for the table.

                    Wondering how Stefan was taking this, I looked over at him. After the trouble of having to even get him here, I knew that Stefan was not interested in 'indulging' Klaus. Sure enough Stefan had that typical brooding, rebellious expression.

                    Stefan stepped forward walking towards Klaus who just wore a smug smile, a fact that struck me odd. He seemed to be in a pleased mood which only made my blood start to boil at the probable reason why. Jessica. Having her in his possession and with his belief that he was going to get the coffin from us, of course he was smug.

                   "I didn't come here to dine Klaus. Actually I didn't want to come here at all." Stefan confessed though that point was already obvious. "I was told, though, that I had to in order for you to hear us out."

                    Klaus gave a huff of amusement, grinning. "Well we can sit and eat," He motioned to the table again and moved over to a chair that one of the women pulled out for him before sitting down in it. "Or I can slowly tear you limb from limb. The choice is yours."

                   I swallowed my anger, irritation and that twinge of anxiousness about that possibility. Looking over at Stefan, I could see he didn't take that too well either but at this point we didn't have much of a choice. So grabbing the back of the chair nearest to me, which so happened to be the one next to Klaus and the one across from Elijah, I took a seat. Stefan took the remaining chair that was opposite from Klaus.

                   The meal before me looked appetizing and I wasn't going to turn it down. Despite the rough start to this meeting, things could still be swayed to my favor. Elijah and Klaus started in on their meal as well. When one of the women poured me a glass of wine, I thanked her.

                   "Have you still not found your appetite?" Klaus observed, directing the remark to Stefan who hadn't touched his food.

                   Seeing as how Stefan was fixing to make an issue out of it, I needed to keep Stefan toned down in hopes that he wouldn't screw my plan up. "Eat." I ordered him. "Remember that we agreed that you would leave the cranky Stefan at home."