Destruction's Daughter

Kiera Sif Mikaelson. Daughter of Klaus and Camille, witch - kinda badass credentials.

[traegics]

Open Starter - @darkskiesrpgstarters

Beckham stood at the edge of the broken fountain-turned-reflecting pool, the paper lantern warm between his hands. Its surface glowed faintly with witchlight, the ink already bleeding a little where he’d pressed the name too hard.

Camille O’Connell.

He’d thought about writing more. A message. A prayer. Something clever, something that would make her laugh. But in the end, her name was enough. The world already knew it — whispered in histories, in warnings, in half-remembered songs. All he wanted was to see it carried into the sky, untouchable.

He crouched and set the lantern into the water. It drifted toward the others, one small light among dozens, until it lifted free and began to rise. Beckham watched it go, jaw tight, shoulders squared like someone trying not to fold in on himself.

Only when he felt eyes on him did he speak, not looking away from the lantern’s slow ascent. “That was my mother’s name,” he said simply. No explanation, no preamble — just fact, offered into the night air.

Finally, he glanced sideways, a faint, wry twist of a smile ghosting across his face. “You write one too? Or are you just here to watch the rest of us spill our hearts on paper and call it catharsis?”

[kieramikaelson]

Kiera pulled her hood back, exposing her face to her brother. "Yeah. I know."

The festival felt...unwarranted? Unearned? To celebrate the world cracking in pieces didn't seem right, in any case. Being thrown across time, seeing things as they might have been, had been enough to deal with. Now all of the familiar comforts that came with that were wiped away and the home she knew and loved was fractured into pieces that didn't make sense to her. "No, I'm not writing one. I just...want to sit here and pretend that I'm back home with her. With our family."

[traegics]

Santiago let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, then set the glass down with care, as if the sound might fracture the moment. When he stood, it wasn’t the guard rising to attention; it was the man who’d finally stopped running.

“I’m not asking you to take it back,” he said, voice low, steady. “I’m asking you to know all of it.”

He searched her face, then didn’t make her wait for the hardest part. “You told your father. I know. He and I have already spoken.” A wry, tired flicker crossed his mouth. “I’m still breathing, which says more about you than about me.”

Silence, and then he forced the blade out between his own ribs. “I didn’t come into this house to fall in love with you. That wasn’t the intention.” His jaw worked; he held her gaze anyway. “I came to get close to Klaus. To stand near enough to the man who ended my first life and the people that I called a pack that I could… decide what to do if the old ghosts ever demanded it.” He shook his head once, as if he could scatter the thought like ash. “Those reasons don’t belong to me anymore. I don’t want them. They rot whatever they touch, and they’re not touching you.”

His hand lifted—slow —and then he fit his palm against her cheek like he was relearning how to be careful. “Somewhere between the first day I stood outside your door and the night you laughed at me in the kitchen, the plan died and something truer took its place. I didn’t mean to love you.” A breath, raw but clean. “I do. And I don’t regret a second of it. Not one heartbeat.”

He tipped his forehead to hers, letting the admission settle between them. “Your father needs never know of any of that but I needed you to know. Needed to be honest with you. If there’s fallout, I’ll meet it on my feet. If there’s a price, I’ll pay it. But I’m done pretending this is anything but what it is.”

His thumb traced the line of her jaw, softer now. “Tell me you want me to stay, Kiera,” he murmured. “And I’ll spend whatever life I have left proving that every reason I came here for was the wrong one—except you.”

[kieramikaelson]

Kiera nodded, keeping silent as she waited for the man she'd fallen for to explain just what he meant. His acknowledgement that Klaus had been told made her smile, just a little. "I think it says a lot about us both, but I'll take the credit if you want me to."

When he began to explain she felt an icy shard threatening to dig itself into her heart; had she just been an afterthought, the byproduct of him getting close to her father? But then he reached up to offer a cupped hand for her cheek as he continued, and the cold in her chest began to melt. And then their heads rested together, and it was gone.

"I can't say that I understand. Because I didn't go through it, and I don't know what it made you feel. But I can say this: I want you to stay. There's not going to be fallout, and the only price you're going to have to pay is maybe a conversation or two with me about your feelings. My father's never going to know, and neither is anyone else."

Kiera tilted her head up a little, and kissed him. "I want you to stay."

[traegics]

Closed Starter - @kieramikaelson

The Mikaelson estate had quiet corners if you knew where to look, and Kennedy had claimed one for herself. The music room glowed faintly in the lamplight, shadows stretching long across the polished wood floors. Her fingers moved over the piano keys with practiced ease, coaxing a melody that was soft, almost wistful—something improvised that slipped between major and minor like it couldn’t decide which world it belonged to.

Kennedy’s shoulders eased as she played, her usual sharp edges softened by the music. For once, she wasn’t guarded, wasn’t calculating—just breathing in time with each note.

The creak of the door made her pause, one hand still hovering above the keys. She didn’t startle; she simply glanced over her shoulder, dark eyes catching the smaller figure in the doorway. A faint smile curved at her lips when she recognized her cousin.

“Kiera,” Kennedy murmured, the name carrying warmth even through her quiet tone. She shifted slightly on the bench, nodding toward the open space beside her. “Didn’t think anyone else wandered in here this late. You looking for me, or just following the music?”

Her fingers brushed the keys again, a few lighter notes breaking the silence. “Either way,” she added, smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth, “if you sit down, I might even let you pick the next song.”

[kieramikaelson]

The piano didn't exactly get a lot of use. It was more the tool of Elijah, and Marcel back in the day, and with all that was happening it wasn't as if there was much time for anyone to be sitting around learning it now. Which was part of what led Kiera down the stairs in pursuit of the sound, curious as to who might have taken it up that night.

She didn't open the door quickly, not wanting to disturb the player, but the sight of eyes looking back at her told Kiera that she hadn't been too successful in her stealth mission. Smiling, she stepped inside and closed the door again behind her.

"Hi Ken," she smiled, raising a hand in a small wave before moving a little bit closer and running one finger along the edge of the piano. "Mostly following the music, but it's an extra added bonus to find you down here too. Do you come and play at night often?" With the offer extended she took a seat, grinning at the thought of being able to pick the next song.

[traegics]

Hayley let out a slow breath, her thumb brushing over Kiera’s arm before she eased back just enough to meet Klaus’s eyes. There was no mistaking the steel there, no mistaking the way she planted herself firmly between them even as his hand lingered on their daughter’s cheek.

“She just told you the truth, Klaus,” Hayley said, steady but edged. “This isn’t a competition. She’s not choosing Santiago over you, and she never will. You’re her father. That’s untouchable.”

Her tone sharpened as she tipped her chin at him. “But if you make her feel like it has to be a choice—if you punish her for trusting someone you hand-picked to protect her—you’re not just going to scare Santiago off. You’re going to push her away. And I promise you, losing her trust will cut deeper than anything that boy could ever do.”

She shifted her attention back to Kiera for a moment, softening as she tucked a strand of hair behind the girl’s ear. “You don’t have to defend loving your dad. He knows. We both do. And he’ll come around—kicking and screaming, maybe—but he will.”

[hybridnik]

The hybrid's breathing was slow and deliberate, as if he were measuring each inhale and exhale to the millisecond. He took in his daughters' words and listened closely as Hayley offered her insight into the situation as well. Where he once might have verbally lashed out at the woman for sticking her nose into his family affairs, he instead remained quiet in silent acceptance and welcome. "I have but merely blinked and my daughter has grown up. All the time spent searching Hope; all the many months lost with you and your brother..." Klaus sighed quietly to Kiera and looked over at Hayley.

"Thank you," The words came easier than he expected them to. "For keeping me from giving in to my baser instincts, Hayley." He turned back to his daughter now. "I do not... approve. Though, I fear there was never going to be any man that was worthy enough to pursue you in my eyes." A soft smile now.

( @kieramikaelson )

[kieramikaelson]

When she had called for her aunt's attention, all Kiera had really been hoping for was Hayley to run interference when she was honest about her feelings and who they were for. But she'd done so much more than that, because of course she had - that was what someone like her aunt did. Helped navigate difficult situations, put herself in harms way, and tempered her father's sometimes tumultuous emotional states. And later, there was going to be gratitude and big hugs for it. In the moment, though, she just rested against Hayley's arm as she waited for her father's reaction.

When it came, it wasn't with peals of thunder and winds that tore down the world. It was with softness, and a surprising amount of sorrow. "Daddy. You know that I never begrudged you looking for Hope. Felt that it meant you were putting her ahead of us. And I'm probably less grown up than you think."

Her heart sank a little when he said that he didn't approve, but when he went on she felt lightness all over again. "No, I'm sure there wasn't. But he's a good man. I promise."

[traegics]

Closed Starter - @kieramikaelson

The whiskey in his glass had gone untouched, the amber catching faint shards of light from the courtyard lanterns. Santiago sat in the quiet, elbows braced on his knees, staring at the ground like it might offer answers the past hadn’t.

He could still feel it sometimes—the moment his heart had stopped in his chest, the sound of his pack’s screams when Klaus cut them down one by one. The end of his first life, carved in fire and betrayal. He’d told himself he hated him for it. Told himself he’d never forget what it meant to be made into a weapon and discarded when the blade grew dull.

And yet… here he was. In this house. Bearing the weight of loyalty not as a curse, but as a choice. Protecting the one person who had somehow managed to make him feel less like a shadow on Klaus Mikaelson’s leash and more like a man again.

His jaw ticked, eyes closing as the contradiction pressed heavy. From sworn hybrid to would-be guardian, to something he hadn’t dared name until it was too late—until he realized he’d fallen in love with the very daughter of the man who’d once ended him.

The door eased open behind him, the faintest sound against the courtyard’s quiet. Santiago didn’t turn. He didn’t need to. He knew the rhythm of her footsteps, the subtle shift in the air when she was near.

His grip tightened around the glass he hadn’t touched, knuckles whitening. A humorless breath left him, more exhale than laugh.

“Once, I was just another of his hybrids,” he said into the silence, voice low, rough. “Bound to him by blood, discarded when it suited him. I died for Klaus Mikaelson.” His jaw flexed, eyes hard on the stone at his feet. “And now I live under his roof, by my own choice, to protect his daughter.”

Finally, he turned his head, the storm in his gaze tempered only by exhaustion and something more fragile beneath. “And somewhere along the way… I fell in love with her and that truth is now out there. Unable to take back. You sure you're ready for that?”

He didn’t name her. He didn’t have to. The truth hung heavy in the space between them as he finally lifted his eyes to hers.

[kieramikaelson]

Santiago's presence in the compound wasn't a surprise, of course, it was a constant. But the longer that he was there, especially now, the more she'd learned to feel for him. to be able to reach out with a sense that was something beyond her core set and know when and where he was at any given time, if he was close enough. And he was always close enough.

When he began to speak she listened, without interruption. She knew his story, of course. Had heard it from his lips, as well as her father's when he introduced the two of them. But hearing it again was never something she'd complain about. And when he turned to look at her she smiled, easy and bright.

"I don't want to take it back. That truth would have burned us both if we hadn't let it loose, and I don't want to be your secret any more than you should be mine. I love you. It's a fact, immutable, and it's always going to be."

[mircges]

❝ Right. I'm sorry, Kiera. ❞ Alexandrea's tone was sincere as her eyes widened in horror of who almost became the unsuspecting victim of the spray she wielded. Once she recognised the person that she was confronting wasn't an immediate threat, her body language relaxes back into neutrality from being on the defensive and the pepper spray cannister gets dropped from her grip to dangle from her wrist.

❝ Sure, we could argue that I wouldn't have so easily heard you if you were intentionally following me. ❞ The brunette werewolf teased the younger woman who she considered to be family with an amused grin and a lighthearted chuckle slipping from her lips as arms get crossed over her chest and an eyebrow is raised with the posed question. ❝ If you like running this path, I would assume that you typically run this route. So, why haven't we crossed paths before today? Also, you know that it isn't safe for you to be running alone in the woods with the constant threat of the Triad's presence still looming. ❞

[kieramikaelson]

"That's okay," Kiera promised with a chuckle. "Best to be prepared, and now I know that you're ready and willing to bring down anyone who you catch following you. I'm just glad it wasn't me," she grinned.

Gesturing to the path behind them, Kiera shrugged. "Usually I go at night instead of in the morning, and I run it the other direction, so I think that keeps us out of each other's way." Raising a challenging eyebrow, she poked her cousin in the chest. "It's not safe for you either, so what are you doing out here by yourself?"

[traegics]

Hayley went very still, the weight of Kiera’s words hanging between them like a live wire. Of all the ways this conversation could’ve gone, that name was the last one she’d expected to hear tumble out of her niece’s mouth.

Her eyes flicked to Klaus immediately, reading the storm already building there, and she slid a steadying hand over Kiera’s shoulder, easing the girl just a little further behind her without making it look like retreat.

“Well,” she exhaled, sharp but calm, “that explains why you wanted me here.” Her gaze cut back to Klaus, tone shifting to something edged but controlled. “Before you fly off the handle—because I know that look—remember you’re the one who put Santiago at her side in the first place. You wanted someone loyal, someone who would die before letting harm touch her. So don’t act shocked that being in each other’s orbit this long… shifted things.”

Hayley tilted her head, eyes narrowing just slightly at him. “And let’s not pretend like this is some random stranger she picked up in the Quarter. Santiago’s yours. Your creation. Which means if you don’t trust him with her, Klaus, then you’ve got bigger problems than who she’s dating.”

Her grip on Kiera tightened for a beat, grounding, protective. Then she softened, just a fraction, her voice quieter as she angled back toward the girl. “It’s messy, yeah. It’s going to make everything harder. But she’s not a little kid anymore—and you don’t get to lock her in a glass box just because you’re scared of what might happen.”

Her eyes slid back to Klaus, sharp again. “So you can rage, or you can accept that your daughter’s growing up and has already made this choice. But if you blow this moment? You’re not just going to lose your temper—you’re going to lose her trust.”

@hybridnik

[hybridnik]

Klaus went still as a statue, his gaze locking onto his daughter - eyes glossing over with the fog of seething fury as it boiled its way through his being; the words replaying themselves in his mind.

I may be dating Santiago.

Words failed to find their way up and out of his throat as his jaw clenched tighter and tighter; his gaze slowly drifting over to Hayley as she stepped protectively between him and his daughter and bore down upon him with the tidal waves of logic and reasoning she had cultivated towards him over their past thirty years together.

"Of course I trusted him. He was the only hybrid of my creation to come back willingly after what I did to them." He almost hissed out, though he tried to restrain its venom. "He was supposed to guard and protect her." His gaze drifted back to Kiera. "Not... steal away with her heart."

He was silent once more for several moments and slowly closed his eyes, letting a slow breath escape him. "I won't kill him..." He spoke slowly. "You are... right, Hayley." The word visibly pained him to express. "None of my children are children anymore... Hope is an immortal. Beckham is a father..." He sighed and carefully reached out to brush his daughter's cheek with the back of his hand. "And my youngest is entering the world of dating..."

( @kieramikaelson )

[kieramikaelson]

Kiera waited for the storm. She let Hayley guide her into a safer spot, like a cliff that the wave could smash against before it reached her, and almost closed her eyes in anticipation. There was anger in his voice, but to her great surprise it wasn't the screaming sort that she'd pictured. Whether it was her aunt's logic that did it, or her father's own growth and her mother's wisdom, or all of them combined, there was only a gentle brush of his hand against her cheek and Kiera let out a shaky breath.

Reaching up, she pressed her hand atop his and peeked around Hayley's shoulder. "No one could ever take what's yours, dad. You're always going to be the first man I ever loved, and Santiago needs to share that heart of mine with you. I promise. This isn't a him or you thing."

[traegics]

Hayley came at the sound of her name, leaning into the doorway with her arms folded, taking in the scene—Kiera looking like she’d rather sink through the floorboards, Klaus looming with that all-too-familiar stare.

She let out a short laugh, dry as kindling. “Well, this explains the emergency call. You’ve got her cornered like she’s plotting world domination, and she figured I was the only one who could save her.”

Her gaze shifted to Kiera, softer but still laced with that wry edge. “You okay, kiddo? Because from the look on your face, I’m guessing this isn’t about homework.”

Then she turned her eyes back to Klaus, one brow arched. “So, what’s this about? Did she actually do something, or are you just entertaining yourself by perfecting your scary-dad routine again?”

@hybridnik

[hybridnik]

"Now why would you automatically assume that I am at any level of fault?" Klaus questioned with a false sense of offense. "Truth by told, Little Wolf, I am wondering the same question. Here we were - discussing boys and rebellious phases; and next thing I know, she has beckoned you." He explained and looked back at Kiera.

"Which can only mean - I'm not going to like what you were about to tell me. Am I, sweetheart?" He raised an eyebrow expectantly at the young woman once again.

( @kieramikaelson )

[kieramikaelson]

Kiera loved her father, more than anyone in the world barring her mother. But she knew she'd walked herself into a verbal corner surrounded by a minefield and it made her impossibly glad that her Aunt was on hand to keep things from getting too far out of control.

"Definitely not homework," she shook her head, blonde hair bouncing on her shoulders. "And I'm okay so far, but I think it's better if I have witnesses for this part."

She moved away a little, tucking half of herself behind Hayley and studying her father's expression. "No. No, you're probably not going to like it. But please remember that you love me very much, and that you would never want to do anything to make your daughter unhappy, and even if you forget that please remember that Aunt Hayley's here and she'll know if you do anything...y'know, reactionary." With a little sigh, she ducked further behind her Aunt.

"I may be dating Santiago."

[mircges]

Where: Forest Surrounding the Bayou

With: Anyone ( @darkskiesrpgstarters )

When: Early in the Morning

Running. Exercise has been said to release endorphins and seratonin, which counteracts the stress hormone called cortisol. Perhaps it was the comforting familiarity of the repetitive motion found in the slmost religious routine. Or, maybe it was just that the practice is an excuse of a coping mechanism to repress emotions by outrunning one's demons.

Alexandrea could be found engaging in this activity with one earbud to listen to her running playlist in the neck of the woods where she grew up, surrounded by the gorgeously vibrant greens of the forest at the cusp of dawn. She would have been happily content with minding her own business if only her enhanced werewolf abilities didn't entail heightened senses that could pick up on hearing the footsteps of someone trailing behind her for the past half a mile.

Thankfully, the brunette werewolf had the paths in the forest memorised like the back of her hand. So, Andrea switched routes before abruptly turning around on her heel to confront the person once they arrived at a clearing with three possible exits, supernatural pepper spray that was attached to her wrist guardedly clutched in hand. ❝ Didn't you learn it is generally considered frowned upon to sneak up on someone? Why are you following me? ❞

[kieramikaelson]

Kiera blinked, taking a step back and putting her hands in the air. "Don't shoot. You're not the only one who likes running this path, that's all." She was dressed for a jog, and unlike the Kenner daughter she hadn't pulled her earbuds from her ears yet. "If I was going to stalk you, I'd like to think that you wouldn't have heard me so easily."

Given the pause in her exercise she took the time to stretch a little, still giving Alexandrea an evaluating glance. Gesturing to the pepper spray on her wrist, Kiera raised an eyebrow.

"Still planning on using that?"

[hybridnik]

Klaus chuckled with amusement at the light shove, but it faded as his daughter continued speaking and he slowly leaned back enough to look her in the eyes. "Is there something that you are not telling me, daughter?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow in expectation as his breathing slowed - as if bracing himself for an impact.

[kieramikaelson]

Kiera felt herself wither, just a little, under that look. For a moment she considered some sort of half-truth, something that might sound convincing, but nothing jumped to mind that wouldn't just raise more questions that she couldn't answer. Turning her head slightly, she yelled over her shoulder instead. "Aunt Hayley!"

[hybridnik]

"Absolutely not." He joked. "All dating for my family became unquestionably off the table when I came back from the dead." He stated firmly. A smirk played at his lips. "Well... I could..." He started, but simply laughed.

"Don't worry, little one. If your mother were here, she would give me one of her quiet and judgmental stares before lecturing me about letting you spread your wings. In her absence - I am almost positive I would hear something similar, but much more abrasive, from your Aunt Hayley." Klaus smirked once more.

[kieramikaelson]

Kiera rolled her eyes so far back that for a moment she thought she could read her own thoughts. "No, you absolutely can not do that," her gentle push against his shoulder had little effect but to make her feel better.

"I think you're right about that; and I'm pretty sure Aunt Hayley's would be much scarier than Mom's would be. Which means that if I were to tell you that I was dating someone, I could safely run and hide behind her..."

[hybridnik]

Klaus chuckled softly as she lamented the lack of opportunities to rebel against the authority figures in her life. His eyebrow cocked curiously as she mentioned running around with boys, however. "Well, you should be thankful. That would be an awfully short run once I removed their kneecaps for thinking about it in the first place." He smiled in a way that said he was joking, but absolutely not joking.

[kieramikaelson]

"Daaaaad," Kiera whined, pressing her face against his shoulder again. "You have to know that I'm going to date eventually. I'm not saying anything serious, but...like, c'mon. You can't just kill every boy that wants to take me out."

[hybridnik]

Klaus' expression went from a hardened, protective one to an almost inquisitive and curious one as she panicked over the notion of Santiago being removed from his position as her bodyguard. It was distracted, however, by the poke at his side and joking remark from the blonde.

"Apologies, but as your father, it is my duty to be as large of a 'buzz kill' as possible. How else are you supposed to grow up and have a healthy 'rebellion against the father' phase?" He smiled and chuckled softly.

"Try not to think of it as not being on the front lines of whatever is to come. Instead, understand that even the reserves and supporting cast are important in a feature-length performance. Should our front line waver, it is important to know that we still have capable individuals able to protect what matters closer to the hearth."

[kieramikaelson]

Kiera was immensely relieved when her father was distracted from any further questions about Santiago. That wasn't going to lead anywhere good, at least until she could figure out a way to tell him that they were involved that wouldn't get Santiago killed - or sent away, which wasn't any better an option.

"Something tells me that I'm not going to have the traditional kind of rebellious phase. It's different when your dad's an original and there's an organization of supernatural hunters who want to take you down, doesn't leave much time for sneaking out at night or going to parties or running around with boys," her voice pitched upward on the last word as she realized what she'd said.

Considering that for a moment, she nodded. "I can do that. I don't know how exactly, but I can. Promise."

[hybridnik]

Klaus' brow furrowed just the slightest bit at his daughter's hesitation. Almost immediately the tone shifted and his expression hardened just enough. "Has he given you a reason to prefer otherwise?" He questioned bluntly. "Because if he has, I can rectify the situation."

He shook his head, however, at her thoughts. "Do not forget the cure that runs through your own veins. Were you to even try to act on these notions, it would not be immortality you would be subjecting yourself to." He warned softly. "You are perfect as you are, Kiera Mikaelson. For better or for worse; power or no power."

[kieramikaelson]

"No, no!" Kiera's reaction was visceral, insistent. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm very glad he'd survive. Very glad that he's around." She was blushing to the roots of her hair, and trying her best to hide it by burying her face against her father's shoulder for a moment. "Promise. No need to rectify anything."

She frowned at his point, letting out a sigh that whistled between her teeth. "Why you gotta harsh the buzz of my great ideas, dad?" Kiera poked him in the side to make sure the joke came across. "I just wanna do something. I'm not so naive that I don't know people are going to come for us. I remember how bad it got last time, how many of us got hurt, and it's just frustrating knowing you'll be on the front lines without me backing you up. Mom would probably call that FOMO or something, but mostly it's just fear."

[hybridnik]

Klaus let out a soft sigh and gently brushed a lock of hair behind his daughter's ear. "You give your sister and I too much credit, I am afraid." He shook his head and gently chuckled. "Had we waged direct war against Triad there would have been an exceptionally high chance that we would not have walked away from that war. Triad still wields weaponry capable of introducing the Cure to vampires. One dose and that would have been the extinction of hybrids and tribrids." He explained and then smirked some. "Well, Santiago would still be around I suppose."

"But you, my sweet, are just as capable of wondrous and amazing things." He kissed her forehead and hugged her once more.

[kieramikaelson]

"I don't think that's possible. Both of you deserve a lot more credit than you get, and we all know that. Hell, even Triad knows that." The knowledge that there was still sufficient weaponry out there that could deploy the cure made Kiera's stomach turn loops inside of her. "All right," she murmured against him. "Maybe you couldn't have charged straight in, I guess." The way he casually dropped Santiago's name made her freeze, for just a moment too long. "I...I mean, that's good, that he'd survive."

Her eyes shut as he kissed her forehead, the gesture so familiar that sometimes she felt it in her sleep. "I dunno," she sighed. "Sometimes I feel like I'd be more help if I let myself get turned. At least then I could fight back. Instead of just being human."

[hybridnik]

Klaus let out a soft sigh at his youngest daughter's comforting presence; kissing her forehead as he approached and welcoming the embrace. "Don't sell yourself short, sweetie. You're a Mikaelson. Power is in our name." He spoke softly as he held her and let out a tiny chuckle at her advice. "You're right." He admitted.

"It is not often I am unsettled. Yet, this attack... it was not planned by myself nor any of my allies in this city. Which means there is an unknown element at work - with the ability to strike Triad at its heart where we seemed to have failed time and again. It... leaves me uneasy." He explained quietly.

[kieramikaelson]

"Oh, I don't deny there's power in the name - hard to compete with a sister who can literally do it all, though," she chuckled. She had nothing against Hope, no bitterness. Even if sometimes she wanted to turn the potential energy in her blood into something kinetic.

Kiera worried her lip between her teeth. "That's not really true, though. I mean, you and Hope could have stormed in there and killed them - you didn't fail to, you just chose not to. Like mom would want. But I get what you mean; who else would have been able to pull this off, right?"

[hybridnik]

"I don't care if it takes a hundred of you and your little coven witches to cast such a spell - I want it done." Klaus' voice carried throughout the courtyard as he stormed after an older witch who was heading for the doors. An arm shot out and grabbed the witch by the shoulder, spinning them around to face him.

"I want this compound protected - I want to know if anyone dares enter that isn't a part of my family. You need time? There isn't any. You need a binding reagent - I am certain my sister Freya has some resources around here someplace and a vial containing a few drops of my mother's blood - blood carried by all of us." He paused for a moment before snarling to himself.

"Damn it. That won't work... my niece, Arty, doesn't bear Esther's bloodline. She is just as important to protect as any one else in my family - so, forget it. Get out of my sight. I'll find another way." He cursed. As the witch rolled their eyes and finished sauntering off, Klaus growled to himself. Perhaps he could have Hope figured something out that could protect them all. His daughter likely had more power in her pinky than the entire New Orleans coven anyway.

( @darkskiesrpgstarters )

[kieramikaelson]

Kiera hadn't intended to eavesdrop, but there was nowhere safe to be except the compound and she'd been sitting at a table in the courtyard because the only other alternative was being isolated in her room and going slowly out of her mind. So when her father and the witch came storming through headed for the door, it was all but impossible to listen in until the two of them were alone again.

"I don't wanna be the one to point it out that you have the most powerful witch around upstairs, but....well, I guess I did anyway. In the meantime, though, can I recommend decaf?" It was offered as a joke, but her expression turned serious a moment later as she reached for his shoulder.

"I'm kind of kidding about the decaf. But I do recommend taking a second to breathe. I know we've all got our backs up right now and things are going to get dangerous, but losing your mind won't help. It'll just make you sloppy - you taught me that." Without any prompting, she hugged him tightly and rested her head against his chest.