Who: Cami and Marcel What: catching up over drinks Where: Lous When: Sat. night, July 2nd Warnings: should be low Status: closed/g-doc
Marcel couldn’t quite explain his current feelings about drinks with Cami. In his own way he loved the blonde, even when he knew she loved Klaus. But, that didn’t mean they didn’t care for one another. Marcel never wanted Cami hurt.
And yet, she’d died at the hands of Lucien. Because of Lucien’s bite as an upgraded Original vampire. It had broken Marcel’s and Davina’s hearts. And not long after, Marcel thought he’d lost Davina.
But now? Here? Marcel could grab a drink with his old friend. They could talk and catch up. Cami didn’t die here and it felt imperative to him that he see his friend.
When he got to the bar he ordered bourbon for himself. As a family member, of sorts, bourbon would be his ‘always and forever’ drink. He looked around to spot his blonde friend.
When he’d first arrived, Cami opted not to tell Marcel about her impending fate, though she wasn’t sure if one of the others had mentioned it. Now that he had gone home and lived through those and many other events, she felt a little nervous about seeing him in person. They had a complicated history, but when it came down to it, he was one of the people she genuinely trusted in New Orleans and she knew that he would probably feel at least slightly responsible for her death, even though there was nothing he could have done to prevent it.
Vampire senses meant that she was able to find him immediately upon entering the bar and she assumed that he wouldn’t be taken by surprise when she walked up behind him and leaned her chin on his shoulder. “That smells good,” she said, signaling the bartender. “I’ll take one of those.”
No, nobody else mentioned Cami’s impending death to Marcel. And maybe he thought it for the best, given he’d found out the same way as everyone else back home. Yes, they did share a complicated history, but Marcel would go to the ends of the Earth for Cami, not unlike how he would for Bex. Her death…well, he’d blamed a lot of people, himself included.
“Hey beautiful,” he greeted his friend and told the bartender to pour a second drink. Marcel turned and wrapped up Cami in a hug. “You look great.” He stepped back to look his friend over, happy to have her alive and in front of him.
Cami was more than happy to return his hug, her vampire strength matching his own. “So do you,” she said. “You said about twelve years passed at home?” If she was doing the math correctly, that would put him from around the time that Klaus and Elijah died. “I think that’s about the point Klaus is from as well.”
Not wanting to spill the details about his sire’s death in case he didn’t know, she kept her phrasing vague. “What was going on for you at home?” she asked.
Marcel knew about Klaus’s impending death, although they were still sitting around the table laughing when Marcel got pulled back into Madison Valley. “Our goodbye dinner before Klaus’s death.” Elijah hadn’t told Marcel his plan yet, so he didn’t know Elijah would also die with Klaus.
“I’m honestly happy to have you both here.” As odd as it sounded for Marcel to say it, he meant it. “Hell. I’m not even unhappy to see Kol.” Marcel figured the Kol part might change, but he didn’t think he’d ever go back to hating him quite as much. Kol saved Davina and gave her a wonderful life, something Marcel always wanted for the Little Witch. It did make him miss Davina and Josh a lot, though.
“I’m happy that we have a chance to actually be together,” Cami said. “And having you and Rebekah and everyone here makes it that much better.” She paused. “I wish Elijah was here though. And Vincent.” Not only would Elijah’s presence help keep Klaus in check, but he deserved a chance to have a real life that didn’t include constantly cleaning up after his siblings.
She took the seat next to him as the server brought over her drink. “So, what are you doing in twelve years?” she asked. “Did you and Rebekah get yourselves sorted?”
Marcel nodded and took a sip of his drink. “I’m glad too. I also wish for Elijah and Vincent. Josh too.” He missed his vampire friend a lot, although not to the extent of Davina. “Maybe less so Davina because I don’t know how she’d do with Kol dating someone else.” Even if he missed her a lot. They weren’t as close, but it didn’t mean Marcel didn’t still think of her as a daughter.
“I…don’t know. I think we do? I proposed to her. She said no.” He took another pace from the alcohol in front of him. “But then Kol reminded her he chose to be happy and that happiness is a choice. I think she listened. She told me she was choosing it and we’re good again.” Which made things in this town more complicated, because he still loved Rebekah and she was with someone else. Kind of.
“I’m glad you get another chance with Klaus.”
The idea that Rebekah would turn down Marcel’s proposal didn’t make any sense to Cami and she made a mental note to text the other vampire and find out why. “You two deserve to be happy,” she said. “I won’t let Klaus interfere while we’re all here.” She was fairly certain having her and Hope would be enough to keep him from getting jealous that he wasn’t the top priority in everyone’s life.
“It’s also good to hear that Davina and Kol are still together,” she said. She’d picked up some things during her time here, but she never really asked about anyone specific.
Marcel knew why Rebekah turned down Marcel’s proposal. He might have been unbelievably hurt, but when he and Rebekah talked again he understood. Who knew that Kol would be the one to talk sense into his baby sister? “I think we do too.” At the mention of interference, Marcel grinned. “At least Klaus back home accepted our happiness.” He’d even apologized to Marcel years earlier, before the Hollow became part of him and his siblings.
“Somehow through everything they found happiness.” He looked at Cami. “Did anyone tell you what happened to D?” Marcel didn’t want to open wounds, but Cami and Davina had been extremely close.
Cami frowned at his question. It shouldn’t surprise her that something happened to Davina. New Orleans was dangerous and the young witch had made a lot of enemies in a short time. “No, no one said anything,” she told Marcel. “I’m not sure if I want to know.” All she needed to know was that her friend eventually found happiness.
“I’m guessing I’m not going to like whatever it was,” she added. “If you think I need to know, you can tell me.” She trusted his judgment.
Marcel nodded. “Let’s just say Davina remains one of the smartest and strongest people I know and Vincent is a brilliant witch. But at the end of the day, D and Kol get to be happy together.” And that Kol adored Davina made Marcel hate him a bit less.
“The ancestors punished her for bringing Kol back to life.” And in the worst possible way.
But then Marcel smiled at Cami again. “She missed you. A lot. We both did.” And unlike Josh, Marcel could spend time with his friend again.
“I’m glad she got him back,” Cami said, though she did not even want to think about what kind of punishment her young friend received from the ancestors. Knowing what she did about them, it was likely brutal and painful. “I’d say to tell her hi, but well…” If and when he went back to New Orleans, he wouldn’t remember this place or talking to Cami here.
Cami waved off the thought, preferring to keep things positive. “Anything good I’ve missed?” she asked.
Marcel grinned. He wanted to focus on some positives. A part of him hoped Davina showed up to see Cami, but he knew how hurt she’d be with Kol dating someone else.
“Oh a few things. You would be impressed with how much Josh grew. Totally came into his own when Rebekah and I needed to get out of New Orleans. I couldn’t be prouder.” Josh had been one of Marcel’s favourite vampires, not least of all because of how much he meant to D.
“You also missed Elijah becoming a piano player.” Marcel didn’t mention why or how Marcel compelled Elijah to forget his promise to his siblings. “In Paris.”
“Eljiah? In Paris?” There had to be a story there because Cami couldn’t fathom why he would leave New Orleans, especially if his siblings were still there. “The piano player thing makes a weird amount of sense. I knew he liked music from our time together taking care of Hope.” Back when Hope was a teeny tiny baby. It was still hard for her to reconcile that infant with the wonderful young woman she met here in town.
She was a little jealous that Marcel got to watch her grow up. “I guess seeing her as a teenager wasn’t quite as shocking to you.”
“Yeah, we hit a point where he asked me to compel him to forget about ‘Always and Forever’. Ended up in Paris. Even gave up his Day Ring at one point.” For a woman. Marcel still felt uncomfortable about Elijah needing to forget the pact, but the Original Vampire hadn’t seen another way to keep him apart from Klaus.
“The first time I showed up it was shocking as hell. You were still alive then and I had left a toddler. Now, though? It’s not surprising.” Marcel wished Cami got more time at home, like Josh and Klaus.
“I’m sorry no one mentioned what happened to me back home,” Cami said. “Though, to be fair, it’s not like you could have prevented it.” Which was at least part of why she hadn’t said anything. There was no point in burdening her friend with that kind of knowledge.
Cami finished her drink. “Have you decided what you’re going to do here?”
Marcel grinned. “Yeah. I’m working security at the museum. Irina doesn’t completely hate me?” Shockingly they actually got along, which Marcel didn’t expect. “It’s a good job. Pays well.” He finished his drink. Of course he had the added joy of not being with Rebekah here, which made things awkward, but he kept trying to give her space.
Cami snorted. “She hates me. So I won’t be visiting you at work.” It wasn’t like Cami cared all that much. She knew that Klaus would choose her over Irina any day and that’s why the other vampire disliked her. “I’m working at the clinic as a therapist.” She was glad to have a chance to use her education.
“I’m sure she does. She doesn’t strike me as someone who cares to share Klaus’s attention.” Marcel could read the other vampire pretty easily in fact.
“That’s okay. I’m glad you found work as a therapist in town. Are there any other therapists?”
That was quite the understatement in Cami’s opinion, though she opted not to further comment on the woman Klaus turned. “There’s one,” she said. “My friend, Linda. She’s fantastic. Her son, Charlie, is half angel. She used to be Lucifer’s therapist.” Because there were people here from even stranger places than New Orleans.
With the level of trauma and dysfunction most of the residents had been through, they could probably use a dozen therapists to treat everyone.
Marcel blinked, happy to leave behind the topic of Irina. “I’m sorry. The actual Lucifer. Fallen angel? And she has a half-angel child?” He felt confused at the moment.
Yeah, in this town, they probably did need a half dozen therapists.
“One of Lucifer’s brothers, another angel, is her son’s father,” Cami explained. “And, yes, the actual Lucifer. He was in town for a while. There are other angels around. A few demons. And I thought dealing with New Orleans was strange with vampires, werewolves, and witches.”
Madison Valley beat New Orleans hands down when it came to strange things.
Marcel sighed. “I’m going to need another drink. How is this place more strange than New Orleans? Today I learned Lucifer and angels exist. Plural. But, I’m glad you have a therapist friend.”
Cami laughed at his reaction though she assumed his question was rhetorical. “It’s nice to have a few friends who aren’t from home,” she said. “Though I’m also glad I get to spend time with all of you.” It was an opportunity that she really was grateful for, especially with Marcel.
“I suppose we should head out soon,” she added.
“I agree.” He wanted to make a few friends here not from home. So, Marcel would put in effort.
“Yeah, I have to get up for work in the morning.” He leaned over and kissed his friend on the cheek.