Always & Forever A Mikaelson {Sequel to Klaus' Daughter Is A Lockwood}

Fête des Bénédictions

THE FRENCH QUARTER

Elijah got all the factions to agree to attend the Feast of Blessings and bring a gift. Nicole and Klaus are sure there's going to be bloodshed. It is night now, and the Feast of Blessings parade begins. The witches march down the street, and the three currently-alive Harvest girls are hoisted above the crowd on thrones. The girls are each dressed for the element they represented in the Harvest. Monique in floral earth tones, for earth; Davina in bright red-orange, for fire; and Abigail in white, for air. Genevieve anxiously watches it all from the sidelines. She turns to a fellow witch. "It's time. Klaus and Nicole will be at the event, which means the compound will be empty. You know what to do." Genevieve says and joins the Harvest girls on stage to greet the crowd. "Now, in accordance with the Fête des Bénédictions, the witches of New Orleans bless you all!" The crowd cheers. Genevieve steps offstage. Monique steps forward first, and creates a mild earthquake that rumbles the ground below them. Then, Abigail steps forward and raises her arms to create very strong winds that blow around the crowd of tourists. Finally, Davina steps forward, turns around, and raises her palm to the sign behind her, which immediately ignites with fire and sets off dozens of fireworks, which makes the crowd cheer again.

MIKAELSON COMPOUND

Nicole is standing hidden in the courtyard. The witch Genevieve sent has entered the compound, and begins to look around the courtyard. After a moment, he finds Esther's grimoire laying on the table, and reaches for it. Klaus is watching from above, on the balcony. He and Nicole share a smirk knowing Genevieve would try something. "A little too easy, isn't it? We've been expecting you." Nicole steps out of the shadows and cocks her gun that is aimed at the witch. The witch sees her and panics. Klaus vamp-speeds down to face him. "You're late."

THE FRENCH QUARTER

Music plays as Elijah waits near the entrance and waits for Davina to pass through. "Davina." He says politely. "Elijah." She says sternly. "It's lovely to see you. And under far better circumstances." Elijah says trying to ease the tension. "Is it? My friend Tim is still dead, and your brother's still breathing." Davina says harshly. Genevieve appears behind her. "Davina, that's enough. Elijah has been a patron to us this evening. We will show him respect." She turns to Elijah. "Thank you for all of this." She says gratefully. "This isn't for you. You know as well as I that your people would never accept a truce unless we showed them some respect. So be it. Enjoy your party." He says and walks away.

FEAST OF BLESSINGS PARTY

Inside, Genevieve kicks off the after-party by greeting the guests, as everyone grabs drinks from the bar. "Welcome. As is our time-honored tradition, you are all welcome to deliver your offerings. It is our custom that no one should be turned away, no blessing be denied." Guests line up to bring their offerings to the Harvest girls. First is Hayley, who smiles at Davina and is about to give her gift to her, but is stopped by an attendant. She tells Hayley to give the gift to Monique, which she does. The next person, Francesca gives their gift to Abigail. Genevieve watches as no one gives their gift to Davina. Cami walks up to Genevieve. "Do you get any gifts?" Cami asks innocently. "What are you doing here?" Genevieve is confused. "Technically, I'm crashing, but it's you I came to see. Don't worry, I just want to say my piece and then I'll leave. Here." Cami hands her the box. "And what is this?" Genevieve asks skeptically. "An offering, from me. I know we have no reason to like each other, but I want to honor what Elijah has built. What my uncle worked for." Cami says honestly. "Oh. So this is about your uncle." Genevieve assumes. "Like I said, I know you have no reason to help me, but Klaus said a long time ago, you were cheated out of life, and if I can't help him, if you can't help him, so will he. And, so I'm asking you, please." Cami asks simply. Genevieve opens the gift to find an antique hair comb. "Klaus said you were from this era. And I thought with your red hair..." cami trails off. Genevieve realizes it's her comb from her past life and is touched by her gift. "I had one just like this. Perhaps I can help you." She says with a smile.

The line to give offerings to the Harvest girls continue. Davina has still not received any gifts, and Monique sends Davina smug smiles every time she gets a new gift. Davina, near tears, runs away and bumps into Josh on her way out. "Josh! What are you doing here?" She asks and embraces him. "What, are you kidding? No way I'd miss out on your big day. Besides, music, wind, fire? The club kid in me is, like, in heaven." He notices how sad she is. "You don't look like you're having much fun, though. Hey. Come on. Let's get out of here."He says and is about to lead her away when Klaus; who has Nicole on his arm notices him.

Klaus suddenly appears in front of them, Nicole still with him. "Joshua. What a fortunate coincidence, finding you here. We have unfinished business." Klaus says to him. Nicole eyes the situation, not sure what her dad is going to do. "You need to leave here. Right now." Davina says advancing into Klaus' space. Nicole glares at her. "Davina, back off." She says to her. "Easy Nicole. To be fair, love, you're not quite as powerful as you once were, are you? You're in no position to give orders." He says and vamp-speeds over to Josh. "Come along, lad." He says grabbing him by the neck. "Hey, can we talk about this?" Josh asks obviously in pain. Nicole and Davina follow them into the main room of the party. "Josh!" Davina yells. "Dad! Stop!" Nicole yells knowing she won't be able to stop him. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please. We are gathered here today to pay homage to our beloved witches, but one very special witch has been utterly ignored. That seems a little unfair to me." Klaus says and hands Davina a small box as his offering. Nicole and Davina exchange confused glances. Nicole shrugs. "No. I don't want your gift." Davina says rather loudly. "I understand why you would reject me, given our past. In truth, many of us here today have been wronged in the conflict which my brother's treaty ended. Your friend Josh was involved in a plot to kill me. It would be well within my right to execute him here and now. But, in the spirit of solidarity, and for your favor, Davina, I hereby pardon him. Josh from this day forward, you have nothing to fear from me. Please." Klaus hands Davina the box before he leaves. Nicole and the two of them beam in relief. "So, are you gonna open it?" Josh asks curious. Davina opens it, and looks stunned when she finds a lapis lazuli ring and a small, folded up piece of parchment. Nicole smiles knowing what the gift is. "What? What is it?" Josh asks. "It's the spell that makes daylight rings." Davina says happily. "And my dad just rewarded you yours Josh. Congrats." Nicole says and walks away.

Hayley walks through the party as Klaus catches up with her and wraps an arm around her. "I hear you made quite an impression with the wolves. My arrangement with them was supposed to be a secret, and yet you forced it out of them. It's very bold. As was your decision to represent them here today, on your own. I trust you'll do nothing to harm our cause." Klaus says sincerely. "Are you really gonna go behind Elijah's back?" She asks curious. "Come on! What difference does it make to you as long as your people benefit?" Klaus tries to persuade her. "If I find out that you are playing some game, trying to manipulate us for one of your schemes..." Klaus interrupts her. "You know, you've come a long way, little wolf. I knew you were tough, I knew you were cunning, but I never knew you were a queen." He says with a proud smile.

A large group of drummers marches into the party. Confused, Hayley, Elijah, Nicole and Klaus linger nearby and watch them. "Happy Fête des Bénédictions. We have a message for all of you from Marcel Gerard." The lead drummer announces. The crowd frowns, and everyone starts whispering to each other. All of the drummers take out straight razors and slice their wrists open, bleeding all over the floor. The vampires in the room start to get antsy and vamp-out at the smell of blood. Elijah grabs Nicole. "Control yourselves. This is a vulgar trick." He shouts to the crowd. "We do not violate our agreement." He says sternly. The lights suddenly go out, and the vampires start feeding on the drummers, as well as other humans at the party. The crowd dissolves into chaos.

Genevieve runs toward the Harvest girls and grabs another witch to help. "Get them out of here!" She yells in a panic. The chaos continues, and when the lights switch back on, there are dozens of dead/injured humans lying on the ground. On the walls, someone has written "THERE WILL BE NO PEACE" on the wall. Klaus runs and grabs Nicole. "Are you alright?" He asks looking her over. "Yeah, I'm fine. Where's Hayley?" Nicole asks and sees Elijah pick her up and leave the party. "Let's go now." Klaus says and vamps them out.