Always And Forever | Elijah Mickelson

Dance the night away

To say Elijah's evening was far from pleasant would already be too kind of an description. In modern words you could say that it 'straight up sucked'.

He was already annoyed with recent events, such as getting daggered, undaggered and reunited with his siblings who, combined, seemed the maturity of a three year old. Now, he also had to deal with the two Salvatores brothers who only seemed to learn through death threats.

And now this. The name he hadn't dared to call out for over a century. The name he had tried to forget for over a century.

He took a few to steps to his window, looking out of it to see into another time.

1865, Italy

It was a pleasant evening in the house of the Marino's, the most powerful family of the district. They had their mansion in a beautiful, rural town a few miles from Florence. The men would spend most of their time in the big city, doing business and God knows what, but every second weekend they'd come home to their wives and hold festivities on their property.

Elijah was currently attending one of these festivities. The Marinos dealt with many things but mostly with art. For all they knew he was an Englishman sent from the royal family to select pieces that would grace the halls of the british palace. He had compelled anyone that wanted to see if he really was who he claimed to be and earned himself the title as their most important buyer. The head of the family, Michollini Marino, had invited him to stay with his family in their hometown whilst they waited for the selected pieces from all around Italy to arrive in Florence.

Michollini was the father of three sons who were in the business with him. He was the only one who could speak English and therefore talk to Elijah, who pretended that he wasn't able to speak Italian. The things people say if they think you can't hear them are sometimes the most valuable pieces of information.

"Dear Elijah!" Michollini spoke with his heavy accent, coming forward to engulf the vampire in a hug.

"Are you enjoying the festivities?" he asked, clicking his glass with the one Elijah was holding. The latter smiled, looking around the ballroom.

It was filled with warm candlelight and beautiful people in beautiful clothing. Elijah had to say that despite the old fashioned morals, especially those of men, he was rather enjoying this century.

"I just wish I'd be able to make conversation. Your family must think that I'm prying," he spoke, charming smile on his face.

"Ah, that's exactly why I wanted to bring you here! I have someone in my family that is able to speak to you!" he exclaimed, making Elijah raise his eyebrow.

The Original had to suppress a devious smile. His plan was working.

"Just where is she..." Michollini said,looking around the room.

"Ah, right there!" he exclaimed, pointing towards the dance floor.

Elijah followed his gaze, eyebrows knitted as he tried to make out exactly which person he was referring to.

Then he saw her.

Suddenly, all air was knocked out of his lungs, his usually controlled expression going completely slack as his mouth opened.

Elijah always thought that the Petrova Doppelganger was the most beautiful girl on earth, that nothing could come near her.

Yet this girl, the one he had been sent out to find, was the kind of beauty he had never seen before. She wasn't equal or better than the Doppelgänger he once so adored. She wasn't even comparable. Her beauty stood it for itself.