survivor

I have learned that if you must leave a place that you have lived in and loved and where all your yesteryears are buried deep, leave it any way except a slow way, leave it the fastest way you can

[nothingleftofyou]

@oftarnishedmemory // DAWN & JULIET

She looked just like -- was she? Uncertainty floored Dawn, her tip toes pressed to the ground trying to get a better vantage without attracting the other girl's line of sight. She cursed her height, no no, Dawn amended, curse Buffy. Totally her big sister's fault, the monks had seen the short Slayer and said Yep that'll be a key trait too. Not cool. Trying to pull up, getting the better angle, and Dawn soon found herself falling flat. Crap. "Uh..." She tipped her head up, having attracted the attention she'd been trying to avoid. At least now Dawn was certain of who stood before her. "Hey Juliet." She greeted, not sure if she should offer warmth or coldness and wondering if she should have bolted from the inkling instead of looking for certainty.

[oftarnishedmemory]

Juliet couldn't remember how she'd even run into Dawn that first night if she was completely honest. She just knew that, for her at least, it had been a get in, get out, move on kind of deal. Jules wasn't good at strings, not since the fallout after the birth of her daughter. She trusted no one except the Crescents, and even some of them were questionable company. It almost made her feel flattered that Dawn appeared to be following her, and it was almost cute that she thought someone with inherent wolf senses wouldn't know they were being tailed. "Dawn," she answered, amused. "Can I help you?"

[mortalsufferings]

Perhaps her ease of distraction was more than just the general sense? After all, she'd agreed to meet up with her ex, who was fresh out of jail, and the father of the light of her life. Ares. The man with whom had captured her heart years ago, and had never truly allowed her to recover. Even when he forced her hand amid their demise. A tragic turn of events, considering the naivety that subsided in her thereafter, thinking they were destined to live their lives together, both in and out of wolf form.

Before she could fully comprehend what she'd gotten herself in for, a brash collision caused the brunette to step back into reality, disastrously so. "This mouth has said and done a lot worse." Damn, probably had to break that habit. Sensual flirtations were a thing of the past now.

"Anyway..." Malia began, before trailing off slightly, beckoning him towards her table, Ares already sat awaiting her return. But, before she could bring him further, she stopped him quickly in his tracks. "You ready?" He'd just experienced a difficult few months, to say the least. There was no pressure if he wasn't quite up to this right away. Even if Ares had continuously asked when he was going to see his father again, whilst Isaac was confined to those dreaded walls. Nonetheless, there was no pressure, at least none she would verbalise.

Head looking over her shoulder, again, just checking on her son, before she pressed on a moment longer. "Oh right, yeah... hi." She forgot she hadn't quite managed to get that out.

[oftarnishedmemory]

His eyebrows shot up in surprise at her quick innuendo, forcing himself not to smile at just how easy it was to fall back into old habits. Bad habits, old ways of thinking, that's what landed him in jail in the damn first place. He couldn't help that thievery came more second nature than honest work; he'd been stealing to survive since he was old enough to walk, it was the Jasper special. Distract the guy at the counter while the kid does the dirty work...got 'em every time. Just another example of what Ares would never go through if he had any say.

"I know," he answered, a smirk that didn't reach his eyes pulling at his lips. He wouldn't pull Mia back into his shit, couldn't stand to turn her life upside down again. She deserved better, that was what he had to keep reminding himself. If he kept her at arm's length, she'd be happier.

A sigh of annoyance sneaked out of his lips and he looked Mia in the eyes, holding her gaze for the first time in months. She hadn't come back to see him in jail after he'd ruined it all, but that was what he wanted...wasn't it? Every single cell in his body screamed for him to reach out and hold her, keep her safe and tight in his arms but he forced himself to remain stoic. "Of course I'm ready, mi reina. Been ready for this since the day I went in." The old pet name slipped out but the sentiment was the same. Nothing was keeping him from his boy. He paused, though, breaking his facade for the first time to give her a grateful smile for bringing him here to take her hand, squeezing three times to let her know that the feelings weren't gone but that side of him had to be and answered. "Hi."

Isaac couldn't sit in that moment for too long, though. He moved past Malia until he was face to face with Ares. Tears welled in his eyes as he pulled his son into his chest, shoulders shaking as he let out relieved tears. "Dios, te extrañé, hijo."

[nothingleftofyou]

"BIG WORDS." Pack wise? Fine. Rory had never had a pack in his entire life, all he'd ever known was being alone. Hell he wouldn't be able to tell you the name of his supposed 'pack' at the drop of a dime, he would need to do some digging and remembering for that. For all Rory knew they did exist properly, just without him. Rory never knew them, so it wasn't like they could be missed. All the same, Rory knew the god damn crescents wolves ran amuck through the city even with the dwindled numbers it was clear. He wasn't the strongest, but like hell they would ever admit to any weakness. Rory would be in a pool of their own blood and still wouldn't ask for anyone else's help. Sometimes Rory wondered if they would end up destroying their own mind ultimately, the way he pushed and pushed the chip despite the agony. If it came to backing down or suffering they always chose the latter. Better then ending up dead for baring your neck. "Wasn't it your pack that had been neutered by some vampire? For, what was it -- 20 years?" For all the history Rory didn't pay attention to, that detail was too interesting to forget. "Doesn't sound all that strong to me, luv."

[oftarnishedmemory]

Isaac had heard every insult that could possibly be hurled at the Crescents over the years. They were under the thumb of vampires, they were loathed by the witches, they were weak, they were unlucky. Honestly, he would be more impressed than insulted if Rory could actually come up with something that he hadn't heard before. And while there was a hierarchy within the Crescents, nothing was ever just given away. Isaac and Ollie had bit and scratched and clawed to earn their seat at the table, the stain that their father had left on their name constantly something that they were forced to fight to overcome. Birdie and Althea had gotten it worse than the boys, but those boys made their mothers' problems their own as soon as they were old enough to figure out how this worked. They'd do anything for them. Hell, Isaac had gone to jail for his mother, after all. But none of that mattered to this outsider, this imposter. "Oh, real original. They all this thick-headed up north or are you some special kind of stupid? It don't matter what the hell happened with the curse, we're back, baby. Make no mistake, you'll want to stay out of the bayou and stay out of my way. No need for a feckless little omega to hang around."

[nothingleftofyou]

There was something nice about not being called broody that levelled him. Even if it was true, which Stefan kinda hated because he didn't want to be that person, it was a nice change of sleight. a good distraction, considering the memories that plagued him of the water deep in his lungs again and again and again --- At the man's following remark Stefan couldn't help but allow a bemused grin, perhaps his first of the night or even week. He thought of Rebekah, the hurt that had made it easy, and the incidental quasi relationship that followed. The one night stand became something else, and it hadn't been deep on Stefan's end. He cared but not in the same way she did. "I'll take it into consideration." Stefan remarked, something of a smirk on his lips, and he would be lying to say the thought was unappealing. If anything he was simply wary, more because of his bad luck in the 'attempted one night stands' department then anything else. At least there were no ex girlfriends in the city, at least to his knowledge.

A brother. It was another word for best friend, for some people. It had been in Stefan's case. His big brother had not only been his best friend but also his protector, and more often then not, more like a father then Giuseppe Salvatore had been. Stefan tried not to think about it too often, just made the spiked edges of their complicated relationship bleed deeper. His brown quirked. "In your way to her?" It was a dangerous road, and while Stefan knew it well he wouldn't wish the same path for anyone else. Just led to a dead end. Curious but not pushing, he added. "Or something else?" There was far too much implication in the term not to bare curiosity.

[oftarnishedmemory]

Now we were finally getting somewhere. Thank God he had started to lighten up; Lucien had been well behaved for far too long that if he had to suffer through much more of this self deprecating drivel, he wouldn't have been able to contain his temper. "Save the considering for someone that has time to waste," he answered, signaling for the waitress to make her way to their table. It was time for alcohol, and copious amounts of it. "You're at a precipice, mate. You're either going to fall off of it back into familiar patterns of despair and desperation or dive into the unknown. Stop fucking thinking so much and just let yourself feel." He ordered their shots and turned back to Stefan. "I can help you, you know."

He let the offer dangle before he switched to the much more somber subject of his smug sire, considering how to answer the younger man's question. Niklaus was no longer 'in the way' of Aurora. He probably hadn't even thought of the girl in years. That was his way, after all...use people up only to toss them aside once they'd served their purpose. "She is not my main focus anymore, sadly." Mostly because after centuries of trying, Lucien had accepted that she would never have him. "Now he stands in the way of my freedom and self worth, the ability to abandon this grudge so I can move forward."

[mortalsufferings]

STARTER: OPEN

TAGGING: @hellsmouthstarters

It was much like any other shift at Rousseaus, egotistical people of every variety storming into the establishment in a drunken parade, forcing her to have to play 'bad guy'. Little did she know, that she was far from as much in this city. She was just a psych major, mourning the loss of her twin, whilst fending for herself with a few shifts a week as a bartender. Those she could potentially be dealing with tonight? Far worse.

Her attention was being beckoned from the other end of the bar, placing up a finger to signal she was aware of their need, she called out, "I'll be right with you, give me a sec." The blonde stated, before finishing up the beverage of choice for the young woman ahead of her, clearly on break from school, as she celebrated with those equally as drunk around her.

"Right, sorry about that," Cami looked down, grabbing a fresh glass, before catching the eyeline of the company before her, "what can I get you?"

[oftarnishedmemory]

It hadn't taken him long to figure out the usual haunts the vampires in this city moved through, and this was the one that he had found himself frequenting. Part of the allure was the pretty blonde behind the bar, the one with the kind eyes that looked at him like he was the only person in the room. He was usually the one captivating people with that look; it was nice to be on the other side of it for once, even if she was giving the same look to everyone else in here as well.

He gave a cheeky wave when she called over, an inferred 'take your time' accompanying it. Lucien felt bad that she would eventually end up being little more than a cog in his master plan, so for the moment he chose kindness. Not letting the lamb see the knife before the slaughter made sure not to spoil the meat.

"No need for the apology, love," he answered, one side of his mouth pulling up into a half smile. "Gin, straight, will be just fine."

[bludbound]

Davina could name a few at the top of head to have a really good time . She had two favorite spots but considering her stance with the witches , it only left her number one choice she was sure the vampire would like . Pretty much a night club and longue for vampires . Sure , there were tourist there but she knew they some would probably never be seen or heard from a again . ❝ ⸻ there's a couple places but I know one where we both can have a good time and thirst your quench . ❞ the brunette witch decided to playfully pull him closer and lead the way . ❝ I am hoping that you won't be . Otherwise , the night would be ... predictable ❞ davina looked up at him with a cheeky smile . Already arriving at the vortex , the bouncer knowing davina let them both in without a hitch skipping the line . Inside the music was loud and made others have an intoxicating primal need , to move and experience joy . GIVE INTO TEMPTATION . for vampires it was a feeding ground as well . ❝ welcome to the vortex , where you are free to indulge in whatever it is you desire . ❞ davina smiled as she took off her jacket , quoting the saying many have said about this place .

[oftarnishedmemory]

Tristan would kill him if he knew that Lucien was intentionally dangling himself in front of obviously powerful supernatural women for no purpose other than the thrill of the chase, but that only urged Lucien on further. "Fairly certain that my particular thirst could be quenched in your bedroom instead of some sweaty dancefloor, but if this is how you get your kicks...by all means, lead the way." Predictable wasn't in Lucien's vocabulary. The very thought of someone being able to guess what he might do next actually made him sick to his stomach. He'd rather be dead than be boring. Lucien followed her inside the club, weaving in between patrons to the middle of the crowd but his eyes stayed on her. There was more to this woman than met the eye, he was sure of it. He could hear the beat of the heart in her chest, so she was no vampire and yet completely comfortable in a club full of them. He wanted to know why. "I told you, my desires are primal but not in the sense that I need to sink my fangs in just any neck." He pulled her closer, eyes locked onto her before he continued. "Unless you're volunteering?"

[nothingleftofyou]

@oftarnishedmemory // tristan & lucien

There was an indomitable habit Lucien had inspired since they were both humans with beating hearts and breathing lungs, and even getting more or less along with Lucien nowadays did little to quell the hyperbole raise in blood pressure. It reminded Tristan of mirroring emotions Aurora inspired in many aspects, but in Lucien's case it was easier to ignore the affection and focus on the frustration. "Are you looking to ruin decades of planning?" Tristan pointed out, exasperated clear in their tone. The Mikaelsons didn't do 'quiet' and the knowledge of them being in New Orleans had become quickly apparent. Yet there was a drawl to the city, and if Lucien's presence was an easy excuse to justify their own-- well, Tristan need be the only one to know such thing. "The smallest slip Lucien, and they'll have your head." Aurora's too, by extension and of course Tristan's himself. The three of them stood together, a lingering effect of in essence being trapped together for centuries didn't make it any less true. It wasn't the first time Tristan felt exhausted with Lucien's recklessness the same as Aurora's, falling into the same role of trying to protect them from themselves. A thankless task as it was, it was far too ingrained at this point for Tristan part with.

[oftarnishedmemory]

God, Tristan might as well have sprouted some feathers and a beak for all his Mother Hen tendencies. It took everything in him not to immediately spout back some flippant response and wander away from his sometimes friend, sometimes enemy. "I have yet to commit even one offense worthy of removing my perfectly coiffed head from my neck, actually," he answered, defiance in his eyes as he stared back at Tristan. While flash and reckless abandon was typically his brand of making an entrance, Lucien had actually practiced some level of restraint since arriving in New Orleans. Other than some harmless flirting, he had kept a low profile; honestly, he felt he should be commended for his efforts. It was immensely difficult to keep a low profile when he was this handsome but alas he had managed. "And if you were a little more focused on progress and a little less worried about the Mikaelsons, we might actually have a plan in place but yet here we are...no further along than we were weeks ago." He rolled his eyes, fingers tapping on his arm in palpable annoyance. "Keep trying to force me to stay on your leash and you'll learn that I bite when backed into a corner, dear friend. In fact, I think it's time I took matters into my own hands and I know just where to start."

[nexvsvorti]

@oftarnishedmemory | klaus & hope

"put that down before someone gets hurt."

[oftarnishedmemory]

Klaus laughs at her self-assured order, trying to think back to the last time anyone convincingly ordered him to do anything. The dagger in his hand glinted in the light as he continued to twirl in between his fingertips. He paid no attention to the blade as he met her gaze, raising an eyebrow. "At the risk of sounding childish, you can't make me, love."

[nothingleftofyou]

“Allow is a STRONG word.” Lacie remarked, her arms tough as they crossed with tightness. “It never stops.” It wasn’t something Lacie thought about often, how the rage she felt controlled her like a puppet on the string. For all the years she worked with both her parents trying to take back control of her own self, coming back from the dead had tarnished all of that control Lacie had once held dearly. It felt like defeat, like there was nowhere for the anger to go if it it didn't explode. "Whether it was outside or inside, the bomb would go off. “I'm not so sure about that," Her smile was mournful and tired. "Whether it explodes or implodes there is gonna be some kind of boom that I can't stop." She was powerless in so many ways, but none more so then at the hands of her own rage. Lacie chuckled without humor, something jagged sliced into her tone. "Even if I knew how to control it, I don't even know which direction to propel."

[oftarnishedmemory]

"It never stops because you haven't figured out to control it," he answered with a shrug. It was a simple concept but one that in practice took a lot more nuance and patience than normal people realized. He took a step forward, picking up a pebble from the sidewalk as he sidled towards her. "You're looking at it from this attitude of defeat. If you believe that you're going to lose before you even start, then that's going to be the end result. You've speaking of an explosion, but you just have to change the course." He tossed the pebble towards her with his right, reaching out to catch it with his left before it could make contact. "If this rock hits you, it leaves a mark. If I stop it before it can make it's mark, I've changed the course. Don't be the rock," he told her, holding the pebble out for her to take. "Be the hand."

[bludbound]

caroline could feel him ALIVE . looking up at him , the blonde lightly smiled at him . she should have stopped being stubborn and admitted it to him a long time ago . she thought she had FOREVER . she should have been more selfish . still , he was her regret . she would always wonder what ifs when he passed . she will change the future for the better. she had no intensions of taking advantage of it . ❝  ⸻ Because I do know how the next two decades will play out . I know it all ... So , I don't want to regret anything ... I don't want you to have any regrets either . ❞ the world wasn't the same without him and A DAUGHTER WILL ALWAYS NEED HER FATHER . She wanted hope to be happy and live a life with her father . the tribrid deserves so much after all she had done for the school . ❝  I want you to live for what makes you happy . never holding back . say what you want . act on how you feel . you're so much more than what you make yourself to be . you deserve to be happy ... so , this time I'll be the one waiting for you . ❞ after all , he was going to have a daughter . enemies to deal with . FALL IN LOVE AGAIN WITH CAMI . she knows it all . the only thing that she's determined to change is to make sure he stays alive . that everyone she loves and cares for stays alive . ❝  Even though the time changes every second , my feelings remain the same . ❞

[oftarnishedmemory]

He was going to push his frustration to the side for a moment. It was the only thing that he could logically think to do that wouldn't end in him shouting at her that she didn't make any bloody sense and he wouldn't allow this moment to be destroyed by his temper like every other good thing that had entered his orbit. "Fine, let's say that all of this is true and you know what's going to happen over the next twenty years. Maybe it's all already changed. I can't imagine we had this conversation in the first version of this event, yeah?" He shook his head, letting out a chuckle. If she thought that he was going to make her wait, maybe he hadn't been as clear about his intentions as he orginally believed. "I intend to be your last," he whispered, taking a step closer and snaking an arm around her hips. "You know what makes me happy? This, right now, makes me happy. You pressed against me, anticipation mounting, three years of cat and mouse about to be realized all at once...that makes me happy." His forehead presses against hers and he smiles, one of those rare genuine smiles that he almost never gives. "You want my confession. Here it is. You bewitched me, Caroline Forbes. Mind, body, and soul, I have wanted this, wanted you, since the very first time you decided to be honest with me at my mother's ill-thought out ball. They say a butterfly flapping it's wings can change the course of time." And finally, his lips find hers, tender and soft and lingering, a kiss that showed that he had waited years for this moment and by God he was going to savor it. "Let's see if a kiss can change the world too."

[nothingleftofyou]

Stefan wouldn't call it a façade, Klaus was capable of being a real asshole. It just wasn't all there was to him, despite what the hybrid would have other's believe. "Maybe more towards dusk at least." He quipped. There was truth to it. Klaus sought him out because of the ripper, yet that kinship remained even when Stefan no longer was one. He'd witnessed the hybrid capable of his own sense of kindness, and perhaps it was because the actions were so fraught they felt so special. "Just don't forget Klaus, being devilish doesn't make you the devil." For all the jaunt his tone displayed, Stefan felt it was important to speak out loud. Not only for it's truth but the reminder that, even if he painted himself as so, Klaus wasn't 'pure evil'. He didn't want that to be forgotten, especially by Klaus himself.

"Something like that." Yes. If only it was Elena having made the choice it would have been much easier. Stefan had been planning to leave, but going cold turkey had never been part of the plan. For all the pain he had felt, his relationship with Damon had been better now then it'd been in a century and there were people in Mystic Falls he still cared about. But that had been before he went missing for months, trapped at the bottom of a quarry, and no one noticed. It wasn't fair to blame them. Blame wasn't even the word. Just... hurt. An open wound Stefan didn't know how to close.

He swallowed, trying to forget the pain that rotted in his chest alongside the phantom feeling of water on his skin. "Honestly? I don't even know what that looks like anymore." His interests. For the longest time all that had been was protecting Elena and Damon. Stefan didn't know what he looked like, what he was looking for, without it. At least there was one focus he was sure of. "Right now, my only is interest is killing Silas." If there was anyone who was an expert in murder it was Klaus Mikaelson.

Klaus wasn't wrong. Stefan himself could of very well made the call, he had done so before long long ago. Before he knew their history, before Klaus had been Klaus, when he'd been the mysterious monster who Katherine was running from, Elijah was 'working for', everyone was afraid of. Now he was something else, though the specifics remained something Stefan couldn't describe. "I figured Caroline would have better luck then I would." He admitted. If it was Caroline or Stefan himself on their death bed Stefan would be more confident. But Damon and Klaus were contrite on the best of days, and Stefan wasn't so sure his plea would have been enough for Klaus's return. Not in the same way Caroline's had been.

[oftarnishedmemory]

He had to force himself not to roll his eyes at the lecture that Stefan was barely able to pretend was supposed to be encouragement. Klaus knew that he wasn't the devil. In fact, if he wanted to be, he was certain that he could be much worse than any devil ever dared to dream they could be, but out of respect for Stefan's soft disposition he'd keep that to himself for now. "Yes, yes, even the big bad can be redeemed, I've heard it all before, mate." He wasn't being obstinate just for the fun of it, he just didn't really believe the shite Stefan was pedaling him. Redemption was for those that wanted to be saved and he was just fine being the immortal bad guy.

"Something like that?" he repeated, chuckling at the coy response. "It's either that or it's not, there's not really a gray area in these situations, mate." But for Stefan there was, wasn't there? Knowing him, he was going to bow out gracefully and let Damon and Elena coexist in their den of the most boring sin imaginable while Stefan suffered in silence, ever the hero. The whole thing made him want to vomit. This is why the Mikaelsons stabbed first and whined later when they were cross with one another. At least it wasn't yawn inducing.

A scoff bubbled out of his lips next and Klaus shook his head. "Deception has never been your strong suit, Stefan. We both know that you've always had two interests in this world that would take your mind off all of this but you can't take off your goody two shoes long enough to let yourself indulge. Blood and sin. I saw it in the 20's, the gleam in your eye when you finally let go. It's what you like." He pursed his lips as he considered the follow up words and he shrugged. "Blood and sin, Stefan. Best way I've found to take down an enemy. Morality gets in the way."

One eyebrow went up at the follow up statement and Klaus shook his head once more. "Another lie. I can't tell if you're trying to fool me or yourself at this point, but you're failing miserably at both." He took a step closer to the younger man, sizing him up. There was something more broken about him than the last time they had encountered one another and Klaus didn't like it, not one bit. "You weren't afraid I wouldn't answer. You were too scared to have to consider what it would mean if you asked me to come and I said no."

[fatefcked]

look at him !! so pensive. so tortured. if the cage weren't of his own making ( oh how niklaus loved his cages ..... ) , finn may have even felt bad. as it stood , they didn't believe this sweet little moment of reflection would be more than a fleeting fancy. their brother would find a new toy to break , another cause to chase with monomaniacal fervor ..... he was like their father that way. " you've had a thousand years , niklaus. it's more than most. "

[oftarnishedmemory]

With everything else that was happening in New Orleans since his return, he supposed that he shouldn't have been surprised to hear his dear older brother's voice ring out. Previously infertile vampires conceiving children? Check. Ex-something or other convinced that time travel had brought them back together? Check. Dead big brother back to life? Triple check, par for the course, and whatever other cliches he could think of. "A thousand years ago, the problem I grapple with would have been thought impossible, Finn. I understand if you have a hard time grasping the concept, I did stray from the use of monosyllabic communication which I'm sure might be too much for your wittle brain to comprehend but I've got a syllable I think you'll get: shoo."

[mortalsufferings]

STARTER: OPEN

TAGGING: @hellsmouthstarters

It was much like any other shift at Rousseaus, egotistical people of every variety storming into the establishment in a drunken parade, forcing her to have to play 'bad guy'. Little did she know, that she was far from as much in this city. She was just a psych major, mourning the loss of her twin, whilst fending for herself with a few shifts a week as a bartender. Those she could potentially be dealing with tonight? Far worse.

Her attention was being beckoned from the other end of the bar, placing up a finger to signal she was aware of their need, she called out, "I'll be right with you, give me a sec." The blonde stated, before finishing up the beverage of choice for the young woman ahead of her, clearly on break from school, as she celebrated with those equally as drunk around her.

"Right, sorry about that," Cami looked down, grabbing a fresh glass, before catching the eyeline of the company before her, "what can I get you?"

[oftarnishedmemory]

Far too much had happened over such a short period of time that distraction was absolutely in order. Klaus needed just a few moments of his life to go back to somewhat normal before he could go back to being the scary big, bad the world needed him to be. He cursed under his breath when the bartender looked his way, breaking her gaze perhaps a little too quickly. Women had only gotten him in trouble lately, keeping his distance was the best bet.

"No, it's fine," he answered, eyes still not glancing up to meet hers. She had an innocent face and fuck if that wasn't his weakness. Kindness was so fleeting in this world that when someone treated him that way....well, he knew the allure the darkness held. That was why it was better to remain on the outskirts, never engage. It wasn't like he wanted to destroy every beautiful thing that came into his world, it just happened.

"Bourbon, neat, if it's not too much," the Original answered, finally flicking his emerald eyes up to meet hers. "Long day."

[bludbound]

❝ ⸻ I am not a flower that should be kept behind glass or a princess that has to be stuck up in a tower . ❞ hayley rolled her eyes at klaus. ❝ I can handle myself and rest assure , our unborn child , only made me more homicidal if there are any sudden movements against me or the baby . ❞ she rubbed her stomach . never would she ever thought that she would be having a baby ... let alone be the one to carry HIS child out of all people . hayley could tell his feelings were complicated towards her and the baby . she wasn't stupid . ❝ you know , you don't have to play nice with me if you don't want to . all I ask of you is to be there for HER and do your best . i know you will do your best . ❞

[oftarnishedmemory]

Klaus scoffed at the idea she proposed, shaking his head. "I would never assume to think that I could Rapunzel you away, Little Wolf." Even though part of him would very much like to do just that. It would keep her safer, certainly, and with this company from out of town showing up at an alarming rate...it would give him time to explain everything to Caroline before she found out on her own. Not that he would dream of telling Hayley that; knowing the brunette, she would find Caroline and share everything just to torture him. "And as capable as you might have been at taking care of yourself for most of your life, you're in new territory and my enemies have a tendency to be more ruthless than the average." His eyebrows furrowed in confusion at her offer and he shook his head. "I'm not playing anything. I want us to get along. The best thing for our child is to have two healthy and happy coparents. Neither of us had that. We might as well give it a shot for him or her."

[nothingleftofyou]

@oftarnishedmemory // KATHERINE - KLAUS

the worst part, honestly, was that katherine had KNOWN klaus mikaelson was in this city. ironic how she spent over 500 years running from the man successfully only to step into his very city at her most vulnerable. katherine didn't know what had attracted her to new orleans in the first place, even knowing it was pretty much her death tour. running from a vampire was a none-starter, especially from an original. and klaus didn't fast deaths, he did torture, something he'd aptly proved in the past. "i'll take a large order of fries." she told the man at the counter because if she was going out, she wasn't going out hungry. however unlikely it was for klaus to wait for her to finish eating, maybe he'd be amused by the act. katherine downed another shot, waiting for the cocky grin that was inevitable.

[oftarnishedmemory]

He could pick out a Petrova doppelganger in a crowd of millions at this point. Those heart-faced doe eyed brunettes were the bane of his damn existence and he wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to strike fear into the heart of the one that stood so close by at his complete mercy. "She'll pass, on second thought," he told the bartender, wolfish grin taking over his features. His eyes positively gleamed as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, forcing her away from the bar and any safe haven that she might have been able to find. "My, my, someone has gotten quite big for her britches," Klaus teased, shaking his head. "Coming into the quarter, into my house, without any Salvatore protection? Certainly not the kind of sloppy work I expected from you, Katerina."

[poohsources]

🐝  *  ―  𝑺𝑯𝑰𝑷𝑷𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑺𝑯𝑬𝑬𝑻.

send 🚢 or ( 'SHIP' ) if you ever considered shipping our characters romantically and want me to fill out the following form for our muses. bold all that definitely applies, italicize what could potentially apply. feel free to add more if you think certain options are missing or you just want to add more.

do i ship our characters together?: yes | no | not yet but maybe soon

would i like to ship with you?: yes | maybe, i'm willing to try | no

type of relationship i could see: childhood or high school sweethearts | exes | engaged | married | long-term relationship | crushes | unrequited love | fling | long distance | online relationship | just dating | new relationship | toxic lovers | friends with benefits

tropes i'd enjoy writing for them: friends to lovers | enemies to lovers | exes to lovers | fake relationship / dating | forbidden love | grumpy and sunshine | star-crossed lovers | surprise pregnancy | second chance | soulmates | amnesia / mistaken identity | forced proximity | secret relationship | slow burn relationship

would i rather plot first or jump right in and see where it goes?: develop their relationship first | jump right in | something in between ( what specifically? )

what now?: let's plot something | send me shippy memes | i'll send you shippy memes | write me a random starter | i'll write you a random starter

anything else i want you to know about me / my character / my shipping habits: ( put whatever you want here )

[nothingleftofyou]

@oftarnishedmemory // RORY & KLAUS

it'd become a nervous tick. given that rory was usually opposed to allowing nerves to even show, anytime they'd come to the awareness of doing it he had hastily stashed it away. the casual flip like a coin between his index finger and pointer, the last and only gift ( inheritance ? ) from their father stored around their neck. the moonlight amulet was enchanted to prevent the transformation from man to wolf, it was probably the kindest thing their dad ever provided. rory had never known the pain of transformation, even if the very triggering of the curse was more recent then not. half the time they kept the necklace under collar to prevent the tick, today hadn't been one of those days. catching himself in the act, rory considered wearing it as a ring rather then necklace not for the first time. eyes set on the necklace bidden ring only for a moment before their typical wariness struck like finite. their head shot up, and rory found unrepentant gaze upon them. or to be more accurate, the amulet. another reason he should have kept it hidden. never to run from confrontation, even when they should. rory straightened their shoulders. "can i help you?" he asked with edge, the familiarity of defensiveness fixated to their tone. expecting the worst was the best form of protection they knew.

[oftarnishedmemory]

He was trying to remind himself to be good, to be the man that his father wasn't, the man that he knew that he secretly yearned to be if he could let his ego and pride get out of the way and just move forward. It was the only reason that he didn't immediately remove the head of the man in front of him from it's comfortable home atop his shoulders. He typically would have done so the second his eyes fell upon the family heirloom in his hands without question or remorse. But of course this was good Klaus, kind Klaus, docile and neutered Klaus. That's what the world was calling for and he could pretend...for now. "The real question, mate, is can you help yourself?" His eyes shift back to the amulet before letting a wolfish grin slip over his lips. "We used to cut hands off of thieves in this city without a second thought. And you appear to be in the possession of something I am certain doesn't belong to you."