Tainted || n.mikaelson

fifty-one

"Where did you get that?" Klaus questioned Elijah as he looked at the white oak stake.

"Our baby sister," Elijah responded. "Once she's human, it'll make no difference to her whatsoever." Elijah walked towards Klaus, holding out the stake. "Take it." Klaus took the stake, standing up.

"Why would you give me this?" Klaus questioned.

"We are immortal apart from the stake. Now that it's yours you have nothing to fear," Elijah answered.

"Silas will continue to torment me," Klaus mentioned, walking away from Elijah.

"Well, you've survived endless torments throughout the centuries," Elijah reminded. "You'll shake this. And if you can't, you outrun him."

Klaus laughed, spinning on his heel to face his brother. "Yes, it's that simple. Without the cure, what makes you think I'll spare your beloved Katerina?" Klaus questioned, walking closer to Elijah. "Or have you figured out, you're simply another fly in her web?"

"You will spare her because I am asking you to spare her," Elijah said. "As your family, as your only living brother, I would ask that you provide me with this opportunity to feel, to care, to love."

"What about Rosalind?" Seraphina chirped. "We spent a month looking for her! Surely she's much better than Katherine." Seraphina walked closer to the brothers. "Give me the stake," She ordered, holding out her hand.

"I have you that opportunity and you sided against me," Klaus said, ignoring Seraphina's orders. "So if I run, it will be to chase her," Klaus informed. "And as your only living brother, I will make it my cause that you never know a moment of happiness." Klaus rapped the stake against Elijah.

"It is such a hollow little life you lead, Niklaus."

—

"Welcome to the dark side of New Orleans," The male tour guide announced as Seraphina and Klaus stopped at the street corner. "A supernatural playground, where the living are easily lost and the dead stick around to play."

"Ah, I love New Orleans," Seraphina sighed as they watched the tourist walk by.

The two walked through the market in the French Quarter, witches putting away belongings at the sight of the original hybrid and his elusive wife.

"Good afternoon," Klaus greeted the witch as he sat at her stall. "Time for one more?"

"I have nothing to say to you," She spat.

"Oh, now, that's not very amiable, is it?" He questioned the witch. "You don't even know me."

"I know what you are," She argued. "Half-vampire, half-beast. You're the hybrid."

"I'm the original hybrid, actually," Klaus gloated. "But that's a long story for another time," He added. "I'm looking for someone, a witch. Perhaps you might be able to help me find her," He explained. "Jane-Anne Deveraux."

"Sorry, I don't know," The witch lied, making Klaus glance at Seraphina before leaning closer to the witch.

"Well, now, that's a fib, isn't it?" He questioned. "Now, you see," He began, reaching for the witch's hand. "I know that you're a true witch amongst this sea of poseurs. So enough with the fabrications," Klaus said. "I've quite a temper."

The witch jerked her hand out of Klaus' hold. "Witches don't talk out of school in the quarter," She informed. "The vampires won't allow it. Those are the rules," She paused. "I don't break Marcel's rules." Klaus turned his head, looking at Seraphina for a moment before turning back to the witch.

"Marcel's rules?" He repeated. "Where do you suppose I might find Marcel?"

—

Klaus and Seraphina walked into the bar, Klaus pulling Seraphina along as he looked around the crowded room, both of them stopping as they watched Marcel sing on stage.

"Thank you." He smiled, putting the microphone back on the stand and jumping off the stage.

"Klaus? Seraphina?" Marcel questioned after he looked over his shoulder.

"Marcel," Klaus deadpanned.

"Must be a 100 years since that nasty business with your papa," Marcel mentioned, making Klaus let go of Seraphina, making his way to Marcel slowly.

"Has it been that long?" He questioned.

"The way I recall it, he ran you out of town." Marcel proceeded to step closer to Klaus, making Seraphina walk toward, getting beside Klaus. "Left a trail of dead vampires in his wake."

"And yet how fortunate you managed to survive," Klaus spoke. "My father, I'm afraid, recently incinerated to dust," Klaus explained, getting closer to Marcel, making the heap of vampires stand up. Seraphina grabbed Klaus's hand, making him squeeze it gently.

"Well, if I'd know you two were coming back in town, if I had a heads up—"

"What, Marcel?" Klaus questioned. "What would you have done?"

"I'd have thrown you a damn parade." Marcel smiled, then laughed, causing Marcel and Klaus to hug each other, making Seraphina sigh in relief, her lips moving in a silent thank you. "And you!" Marcel exclaimed, pulling the girl into his arms. "You're still undoubtedly following Niklaus Mikaelson. My mentor, my savior, my sire." Marcel turned his attention back to Klaus. "Let's get you two a drink." Klaus pulled Seraphina away from Marcel, wrapping his arm around her waist as they were lead to a back room.

Klaus took a seat, Marcel pulling another seat up for Seraphina, who sat beside Klaus as Marcel sat down in front of the two, a bottle of liquor in hand.

"It's good to see you," Marcel said.

"It's good to be here," Klaus sighed, his hand finding itself on Seraphina's thigh as Marcel poured the three a shot. "Although please tell me the current state of Bourbon Street is not your doing."

Marcel laughed, sliding a shot to Seraphina. "Somethings gotta draw in the out-of-towers," Marcel mentioned. "Otherwise we'd all go hungry."

"I see your friends are daywalkers," Klaus commented.

"Yeah, yeah, I shared the secret of your daylight ring with a few buddies," He explained. "Just the inner circle, though. The family."

"Tell me," Klaus began. "How did you find a with willing to make daylight rings?"

we're in the originals >:)

august 19, 2020