Tainted || n.mikaelson

forty-three

"You're making a big mistake," Damon commented as he and Seraphina watched Stefan pack.

As soon as Seraphina walked out of the mansion doors, Damon called her, hoping she would help them with the new and improved Elena. Damon wanted her to help him talk some sense into Stefan, so of course she was being sucked into her brother's dramas.

"No, I'm not. If I can get Elena used to animal blood right out the gate -"

"You're reaching," Damon cut in.

"Maybe she'll be able to bypass all the things we went through," Stefan finished, continuing to pack.

"Delusional," Damon sang.

"Maybe she actually had a shot at this," Stefan said.

"Wrong. You're just wrong Stefan," Damon argued, turning to his sister. "Tell him he's wrong," He said.

"I agree with Damon, Stefan. Blood lust is a powerful thing, especially when you first become a vampire. Animal blood isn't going to get rid of it," Seraphina spoke. "With the right person teaching her, she'll be able to stop from draining people dry."

"She won't be able to handle it if she hurts someone," Stefan mentioned, making Seraphina sigh. "Her compassion is her Achilles' heel and everything is magnified right now."

"Then you better hope she's not a fan of Bambi," Damon spat.

"I was like that too," Seraphina mumbled, "But, I learned how to not drain people and now I could probably kick your ass Stefan."

"She needs human blood, Stefan," Damon repeated. "From the vein."

"Oh, come on, you know what happens. You name me a vampire who didn't kill at least one person when they were new," Stefan countered.

"You name me the one who went on a bunny diet," Damon replied, standing from the table. "And didn't kill dozens."

"If she kills someone, she will crumble," Stefan stated. "How much pain do you think she can take before she shuts off her humanity switch?" Stefan questioned.

"It happens to the best of us at least once," Damon mentioned. "We get over it, Stefan. A hundred years or so."

"Yeah, well, I think I'd like her to skip that part," Stefan grumbled.

"She can't learn to control blood lust if she's never actually experienced the blood lust," Damon argued again, making Seraphina hum in agreement. Damon began pulling out the things Stefan had packed, putting them back in their place.

"What are you doing? Knock it off," Stefan said.

"It's like a cheat. Like giving a kid a calculator before they know math," Damon ignored Stefan, continuing to unpack.

"I said stop," Stefan growled lightly, grabbing Damon's arm, causing Damon to jerk it out of his hold.

"Whoa," Elena spoke as she got to the door of Stefan's room. Her eyes landed on Seraphina, who gave her a sarcastic smile and waved. "What's going on? What is she doing here?" Elena yelled.

"Oh, we're just having a little disagreement about process, right?" Stefan explained. "Seraphina's here to stay for a bit."

"You're still not on board with the animal plan," Elena sighed.

"Nope," Damon replied, popping the p. "I say rip off the proverbial band-aid and let it bleed. You're a vampire, Elena. Be a vampire."

Stefan sighed, slinging on the back-pack. "You ready to go?" He questioned Elena, walking towards her. She nodded, turning on her heels to walk out behind him.

"Vampires eat people!" Seraphina called as they left, only making Stefan turn around. "It's a part of the natural food pyramid, trust us," She said, gesturing to her and Damon.

"You're going to be miserable," Damon wanted as they left.

"She'll go to human blood," Seraphina mumbled. "Just a matter of time," She hummed, tapping her fingers against the table.

"Who taught you how to be so in control?" Damon questioned her.

"Elijah. Which reminds me, I really do need to get going Damon," She spoke. She felt terrible for leaving Elijah to his own devices, but her assured it was just him following cold leads for the time being.

"Okay, but one drink with your brother," Damon said, making her sigh.

"Let's go,"

—

"This seat's taken," Damon announced to Liz, making Seraphina look at the sheriff with a sad smile. Liz raises a brow, throwing the newspaper in her hand on the bar, making Damon pull it in front of him. "Faulty gas line leads to tragic explosion at Young farm," Damon read, tossing the newspaper back on the bar, looking at Liz who was leaning against Seraphina's seat. "Really?"

"Better than 'Town Council blown up, police have no suspects'," She deadpanned. "Unless the perpetrator's right next to me," She said, looking at Damon.

"Well, don't look at me. I always take credit for killing people. What about Seraphina?" Damon suggested, making Seraphina scoff.

"I would've done something more creative," She assured as she took a sip of her drink.

"Seriously, stop looking at me like that, Liz," Damon said. "Like Seraphina, if I was going to kill ten people, I wouldn't blow 'em up," Damon stated. "I'd have a dinner party."

"The explosion was sparked inside. This wasn't an accident."

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Damon mentioned. "The council's dead, Liz. I see that as a win, what about you Phina?" Liz turned to look at Seraphina, seeing her nod her head.

"I've known some of the council since I was a kid," Liz pointed out. "They were my friends."

"Well, your friends tried to kill your daughter," Damon reminded.

"Who's the new guy?" Seraphina questioned, watching the male walk towards the three.

"Excuse me, sheriff, hi. I was wondering if I could speak to you for a minute. It's about the explosion at the Young Farm."

"I'm sorry, mister -"

"Oh, Connor Jordan," He introduced himself, holding out his hand for her to shake.

"Are you with the insurance investigators?" Liz questioned.

"No, no. I'm more of an independent contractor," He explained, eyeing Seraphina and Damon, who both gave him a smile. "Can we speak in private?" He questioned Liz.

"Sure," She agreed, turning to the siblings a look before walking away.

"Nice to meet you too!" Damon called out. "Mr. Busybody guy."

may 27, 2020