Tainted || n.mikaelson

seventeen

"Welcome back to Chicago," Klaus said to the Salvatore siblings as the car parked, Klaus getting out first with Seraphina and Stefan following him.

"What are we doing here?" Stefan questioned as he followed the couple.

"I know how much you loved it here," Klaus answered Stefan as he opened up a door. "Bringing back memories of the good old ripper days," Klaus sighed.

"Blocked out most of them," Stefan mentioned. "A lot of blood, a lot of partying. The details are all a blur," He added in.

"Well, that is a crying shame," Klaus sighed. "The details are what makes it a legend."

"Klaus," Seraphina called softly, making him turn to her. "How come I don't remember seeing anything about Stefan and his ripper phase?" She questioned him, her dark brows furrowed as she thought back to the twenties.

"You and I were too busy with each other, darling," Klaus smirked, making Seraphina laugh and shove him away.

"I'm sure I would remember the headlines though, especially if you talked about it," Seraphina added, looking at him. "And besides, Rebekah and I mostly caused trouble then," She grinned, biting her lips as she thought about all the trouble they caused.

"Don't I know," Klaus huffed.

"He was jealous — I spent most of my time with her then," Seraphina explained to Stefan. "She was fun in the twenties."

"Chicago was magical," Klaus spoke.

"Yeah, well, I'll take your word for it," Stefan responded. "Like I said; I don't remember most of it," Stefan reminded as he walked away.

"Ready to get down to business, then?" Klaus questioned Stefan.

"Why am I still with you? We had our fun, your hybrids failed. I mean, don't you want to move on?" Stefan responded.

"We're going to see my favorite witch," Klaus informed. "If anyone can help us with our hybrid problem, it's her," Klaus said as the man opened up the car door. Klaus motioned for Seraphina to get in, making her do so.

--

"Looks familiar, doesn't it?" Klaus questioned as the three walked into an empty bar.

"I can't believe this place is still here," Stefan commented.

"You got to be kidding me," A new voice rang as a woman walked in, a confused look appearing on Seraphina's face.

"So, a hybrid walks into a bar, says to the bartender -"

"Stop," Both Seraphina and the woman said in unison.

"You may be invincible, but that doesn't make you funny," The woman added, making Seraphina chuckle as they walked closer to the woman. "I remember you," She said to Stefan.

"Yeah," Stefan spoke. "You're Gloria."

"Mmhmm," She replied, making Seraphina smile.

"Shouldn't you be..."

"Stefan!" Seraphina chastised, smacking the back of his head.

"Old and dead?" Gloria finished for him. "Now, if I die, who's going to run this place, huh?" She questioned, motioning around the bar.

"Gloria's a very powerful witch," Klaus explained tos Stefan.

"I can slow the aging down some," Gloria stated. "Herbs and spells. But don't worry, it'll catch up to me one day," She said.

"Stefan, why don't you go and fix us a little something from behind the bar," Klaus suggested.

"Yeah, sure thing," Stefan said, walking towards the bar.

"You look ravishing, by the way," Klaus complimented Gloria.

"Not in front of your wife," Gloria hushed, making Seraphina shake her head and laugh lightly. "I'm surprised you managed to keep her this long; she was so young and innocent the last time I saw her," Gloria sighed, looking at Seraphina.

"Well, watching Klaus for over a hundred years makes you lose the innocence," Seraphina informed.

"I know why you're here," Gloria said to Klaus as they made their way to a table to sit. Klaus pulled Seraphina in his lap, making her shake her head. "A hybrid out to make more hybrids?" She questioned. "That kind of news travels."

"So what am I doing wrong? I broke the curse," Klaus stated.

"Obviously you did something wrong," Gloria pointed out, making Klaus sigh, resting his head on Seraphina's arm. "Look, every spell has a loophole, but a curse that old —we'd have to contact the witch who created it," Gloria explained.

"Well, that would be the original witch," Klaus answered. "She's very dead."

"I know," Gloria responded. "And for me to contact her, I'll need help," Gloria added. "Bring me, Rebekah," She ordered.

"Rebekah," Klaus said, making Seraphina look at Klaus with hopeful eyes. "Rebekah is a bit preoccupied," Klaus informed.

"She has what I need, bring her to me," Gloria demanded.

"What is this?" Stefan called from the bar, making Seraphina look over at her brother. Seraphina got up, walking over to him, seeing the photo.

"Well, I told you, Stefan," Klaus began. "Chicago's a magical place," He reminded, getting up and walking over to the siblings.

"But this is me," Stefan said as he held the pictures in his hands. "With you and Seraphina," He added, showing Klaus the photo. Seraphina jerked it out of his hands, examining it more closely. Her eyebrows furrowed, not remembering this at all. She always thought that Stefan and Damon died when their father shot them.

"Klaus," Seraphina began, looking at him with a furrowed brow. "Explain this to me, now."

march 9, 2020