moralsandsass (moralsandsass) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2017-08-08 20:51:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, elijah mikaelson, katherine pierce |
Who: Elijah and Katherine
What: Present giving and conversation
When: July, shortly after Elijah got back from vacation
Where: Elijah’s apartment
Warnings: Talk of vampirism, language
Status: Log | Complete
An affair with Elijah. That was strange to dream.
But nothing was a strange as the existence of a cure, in the scheme of things. A cure to vampirism, what a fucking concept. It was the next bargaining chip Katherine was after, a way to negotiate the terms of her freedom so Klaus would leave her the hell alone but when she awoke, that was what had her rattled.
A way out of this cursed existed. Probably with a price, no doubt - and it was a race to it. All because dear, sweet, perfect little Elena was having a shit time adjusting to her newfound immortality and unquenchable thirst and behold, everyone was bending backwards over the special snowflake twat.
It made her miss her twin even less.
Her poker face was on and ready (outfit, makeup, hair, all done impeccably) - she’d meant to catch up with him, not for the conversation to be tainted with discussions of events that couldn’t be controlled but no doubt would that be brought up. Now I know what the deal is about Willoughby, Pennsylvania.
Knock, knock, Elijah.
Elijah was trying not to think about the dreams. He’d spoken to Ezio about them, but he was practically the only one he spoke to about the parts of his dreams that he didn’t know how to react to. He’d learned his lesson in talking to Damon Salvatore. Really, he should have known, but he’d hoped for a moment that he could have been someone who knew a little bit about discretion.
The knock at the door alerted him to the presence of someone else. He listened closely for a heartbeat and found one, though it was slower than the average heart rate, which meant vampire. Or someone experiencing serious bradycardia, but he doubted that. Standing, he made his way to the door and opened it.
“Katherine. I see you’ve come to collect on your gift.” He disguised any awkwardness he felt with his normal, charming smile. “Come in.” He moved out of the way as he spoke, allowing her to walk inside. Once she was, he shut the door. “How have you been? Well, I hope?”
Her smile was coy, deceptively sweet, all to mask that internal dialogue. “What can I say, I’m spoiled rotten,” chuckled the vampiress, clapping her hands together as she stepped inside. “No Italiano here, though - bummer. He’s become a good hunting buddy of mine.”
Let’s just say the two of them had certain needs. Hers was hunger, his was the code of the assassin, and they’d partnered up to kill two birds with one stone some nights. Majority of the time his targets were of the unsavory kind - people in high positions abusing their power and influence, or sleazebags that needed to meet their maker.
See, it was alright to feed from a vein as long as it wasn’t the vein of an innocent.
“But I’ve been good, preparing for a trip to Prague. And that whole ‘meet the parents’ thing when it comes to relationships.”
“These things happen.” He glanced around as well, mildly disappointed by the news, too. Even if he already knew that he wasn’t there. “No. He is not here.” Though, he was not entirely surprised that they were out hunting together. Dream habits died hard. He had to remind himself not to go too far every time...and he still didn’t always succeed. Some people just brought it on themselves. “I’ll pass on the message of disappointment to him. I’m sure he’ll be delighted to know that you were looking for him.”
Prague? He’d opened his mouth to ask what for, but she answered before he needed to. “Look at you. I’m sure it will be pleasant enough. Hopefully his family doesn’t attempt to stuff you with food the whole time. Not that I really minded. It was a better experience than dinner with my parents.” Or the dramatic fall out after that.
He waved it off, though before slipping into his room and bringing out a bag. “I believe I still have a good handle on the things you like. I’ll keep the present if you don’t like it, however.” Because you could never be too short on alcohol. Especially good wine.
“Well, his family’s in Illinois - don’t know exactly what to expect,” Katherine winced with a surprisingly sheepish smile. Dundee struck her as quaint and homey, but despite her travels she’d never been to that corner of the states. “I’m not concerned about the food, I just don’t want them to hate me.”
Usually she gave very little fucks on people’s opinions of her, and if they hated her it was either for a good reason or a petty reason - either way, no fucks. But this was new territory, and she wanted to make a good impression for the sake of their relationship.
That bag, though? Ohhh, she looked delighted. “You’ve gotten me something boozy, haven’t you?”
“I'm sure you'll do well with the whole thing. If nothing else, you can use me as an example of your good taste in friends.” His smile was a teasing one. “I hear I'm an excellent reference.” It was curious to see her expression, though. Something more in line with the girl he'd first met in the dreams. “It's hard not to be a little nervous, however. I couldn't even be sure about everything. It's much easier to do better than dinner with the Mikaelson’s, though. Unsurprisingly.” Elijah believed in her ability to be very charming when she wanted to be.
“It is something boozy,” he replied. “I figured I was safer with that than anything else. I feel like I've gotten boozier with everything.” He figured most of the vampires were boozier after becoming vampires. He was happy to see he'd gone for the right present, however. He was fairly sure it was the correct choice, but it was nice to find his assumptions proven right all the same.
Charming, with that ability to wrap people around that pretty little finger of hers - but meeting the parents? New territory. Katherine looked forward, though, to meet the parents that raised a literal genius. Hank turned out so kind and cute and sweet that they definitely did something right. Kudos to parents who didn’t fuck up their kids.
“Can’t get drunk enough to deal with the rest of the Mikaelsons anyway,” she huffed a chuckle, and opened the bag to reveal something pricy - a wine so red and velvety it looked like blood was sloshing in the bottle. Straight from an Italian vineyard. “But I can still enjoy this at least. You do know my tastes, Elijah. Especially my more expensive ones.”
Wink. “Thank you.”
“Part of me wants to argue, but most of me knows that’s true.” He shrugged. “At least most of your interaction these days is with me. Not counting when Kol decides to pop up out of nowhere.” He didn’t really understand that whole thing. Kol had expressed his dislike for Katherine multiple times and the fact that he didn’t want Elijah anywhere near her. Then he decided to be nice. His brother made little sense at times. Rebekah was the most sensible of the bunch.
“What can I say? I’m a quick study.” He gave her a quick smile. “And you’re welcome. I hope it lives up to expectations. But I have it on very good authority that it is worth the money.”
“He’s playing nice, apparently, for your sake,” she said, rolling her eyes so hard that they could have burst out of her skull and out the door, bye. Katherine barely ever went out her way to type even the first letter to that special Mikaelson brother there, but there he was, like a cockroach. “I’m content with mutual neglect.” Nothing else was necessary - she knew better.
And also preferred to not have a headache on a daily basis.
With the bottle in her hand the vampiress made herself comfy on the couch, legs crossed and hands twirling the wine so she could examine the label. “Has he spoiled anything to you? Has anyone else? Aside from Damon, I guess - fitting that it’s that Salvatore brother that fails at having any tact. He is nicer. Sort of.”
At least to her. They had a brief run in that didn’t involve clothes, and he’d been dropping hints here and there about their dream history. He refrained there, but she’d seen him let the cannon spoiler loose before.
“I don’t know what I have to do with it. Outside of telling him we were friends and he’d better get used to the idea.” Elijah shrugged slightly before finding a seat himself. “Outside of my dream fiance that apparently looks just like you? ...A few things. Also he told Ezio that if something happened to him, I’d probably turn off my humanity.” Elijah still didn’t really understand that. At which point did he give his brother any indication of that happening? Did something similar happen in the dreams that he was meant to know about? “Just Damon and Kol, though. The other Salvatore hasn’t done much spoiling. Oh, wait. Lexi. Apparently I’m her sire, but I really don’t recall that. Perhaps eventually when the rest of my life prior to the present comes into complete focus I’ll remember that.”
There was a long sigh before he made himself more comfortable. “I feel like we all run the risk of spoilers. If any of the others come back, I’m sure it will be interesting to try to figure out what is safe to say and what is not. At least Freya should be safe if she ever comes back...considering the fact that she died at five in the dreams.” Henrik would be safe for similar reasons.” It stood to reason anyway.
“At least there are two of us that might be spared.”
“I can’t get drunk enough to even fathom what this thing with your dream fiance is about,” Katherine groused, mouth contorted into a puckered scowl. Maybe that explained Elijah being so taken with her when they’d first met in England, but who knew - his dreams didn’t seem to come to him chronologically. “And really, do you believe you’re weak enough to resort to that trend? You’re not Damon, you’re not Stefan.”
Jesus christ, Kol, mind your own goddamn business.
There was a deep breath, then a heavy exhalation from her nose, like a dragon expelling angry smoke. “I’m sure there’s some things that’d be nice to know, but the tact’s lacking. If someone asks, free game. If someone doesn’t, approach with caution. It’s really not that hard.”
“Once I know more, I’m sure I’ll tell you. Unless you’d rather not know. In which case, I will carefully conceal it from you.” He wasn’t sure he wanted to understand the whole thing, but then...he was fairly certain none of that mattered. He’d find out one way or another and he’d either be at peace with it or even more fucked up than he already was. It was hard to say.
“No. I don’t think that I’d resort to that.” The idea had formed idly in his mind as something that vampires did, but not something he’d suggest. “I have experienced my fair share of heightened emotions, but not even the guilt has been enough at this point. If I do say anything of that nature, however, I expect that you will kick my ass and if that doesn’t work, a bathtub of vervain should do the job.”
Elijah had to laugh a little. “The fact that you have a better grasp on this than some of the other people here is of great concern to me. It says a lot about the people.” A pause. “Teasing, of course. At least a little.”
A vervain bubble bath! A good way to torture the feelings back into someone, hm? Katherine chuckled, twirling a brunette curl around her finger. “I’d do my best - you’re not going down that rabbit hole under my watch, Elijah. But is my dose of wisdom really all that surprising? I’m good at assessing the situation. Being smart’s how I’ve managed staying alive for five hundred years. And I think the others tend to be a little more…”
Her lips smacked in thought.
“Desensitized, I guess. They’ve been experiencing this for too long that they don’t care, or forget what it’s like to be thrown head first. And then comes the over glorification of vampirism like it’s a walk in the park.” It wasn’t. It meant a long lifespan, a hunger so intense that it was never satisfied, only barely tamed. Nature turned against them, and they needed magic to survive it. “They might as well write the next Twilight installment.”
“One really hopes not. It’s an unfortunate look for anyone.” It was enough that being a vampire changed you - if not right away, then over time - but to give up on feelings? That was another thing entirely. If he didn’t know better, he’d have said that time numbed you to feelings. Perhaps some things were numbed, but others never seemed to be for him.
“No, I suppose your wisdom is not entirely surprising. Nor is their general habit of spilling things. I suppose it’s like vampirism in that way. Enough time passes and you forget what it was like to be human.” You forgot the general considerations...like how not to kill a bunch of people because they were trying to stop something you needed (in your mind anyway) to happen. “If they write more Twilight, I might have to kill myself. Not that I could, but I might try it anyway.” Except Elijah knew very well that they could be killed, but he didn’t really want to go into all of that because dying wasn’t on the agenda...at the moment. “I don’t understand the desire to live forever. I never have. Not that I want to die right now, but...how long do I really want to be stuck with Niklaus should he show up? Not to mention the others. It will be a very long forever.”
Elijah hit it right on the nail. Living a long life fueled by blood, it really did make you forget what it was like to be mortal - to live like a human, appreciate life like a human. Creating a family with someone you loved, watching the children grow, and then growing old together. It was the natural course of life. Katherine had given up on it in the dreams the moment she realized she couldn’t find her daughter.
But she thought about it a lot here. Thought about what it meant for Hank to live his life out with her, and then she thought of the existence of that stupid fucking cure and it left her throat parched.
“You tell me. You dream of an existence that’s a thousand years old, Elijah, and it’s always a battle with what Klaus wants versus what’s best for you and your family,” she said, letting her back sink into the couch. “Maybe you can find a way to be happy for the remainder of your long, immortal life, if you can get over outliving all the humans you love.”
Elijah could understand that. Ezio and he had agreed that they would stay together for as long as whatever they had was, but he was envious of the fact that Ezio had lived a life and grown old with a woman who was probably better suited to him than he was. They’d had children. Children had never really been a part of the equation before (here or in the dreams). He wasn’t sure they would be here. He wondered what he would be like as a father and if it was something a child deserved, though.
“I find it difficult to deny him things. In the dreams.” As if it was all too different outside of them, but he didn’t want it to be like the dreams. He didn’t want to give his brother everything he wanted and be left with nothing but regrets. He didn’t want to abandon him either. It was just difficult to say whether or not there was a balance and was it a balance that was possible to maintain. “I need to figure it out. Somehow.” How did one figure that out? Elijah wasn’t sure, but...it wasn’t anything he needed to worry about now. “Anyway…” Because this line of discussion was far more tiring to think about than initially intended. “I am happy, at least, that we are friends here. That is some small proof that things can be different.”
“I am too. Well, considering we’re a little - complicated? - from what I’ve seen,” Katherine sighed, nosed a teensy bit wrinkled. Oh, his family didn’t even know they started seeing one another again. No one did. And she knew she was taking advantage of the situation too despite the sincerity of her feelings there; from what she knew, she did love Elijah.
But she knew herself, knew that it’d come to an end at some point. She would fuck it up somehow trying to get what she wanted. “And then there’s this rumor of a cure. To this, to what we are. What do you think?”
“Complicated is one way of putting it.” Elijah studied her face for a moment. He knew that his dream self loved Katherine. Klaus had always said that love was a weakness...and Elijah knew that his brother could get into his head better than anyone else. The guilt from years before made him give things up just because Klaus said he wanted it. It was probably why he hadn’t said anything to the others when they started seeing each other again. He’d wanted this for himself.
“I think in the dreams I would not have cared for it. I doubt it would be something I was interested in because there was only enough for one of us. Now? Now, I am not so sure. Kol would probably see it as an insult, but…” He sighed. “I have seen what a thousand years has done to us. I don’t know…” He shifted slightly, leaning back against the cushions. “What about you?” Because by now he was fairly certain she was closer to where he was in the dreams, maybe even at the same place.
Katherine had been asking herself that question all day - what about her? If someone placed the cure right in front of her, with a full guarantee that there’d be no consequence that came with it (which she doubted; it seemed too simple, there had to be some catch to all of it), would she take it? She hadn’t lived a thousand years like the Mikaelson clan but she’d been one of the oldest around, and she wasn’t proud of what she’d become. A lonely, selfish, paranoid monster.
But she also liked the power, the control, the whole concept of ‘forever pretty.’ She wasn’t ashamed to admit it. It was a very human thing to feel, anyway.
“I think so,” was her surprising but honest answer, and there was a little smile there, bittersweet. “In living forever we end up losing who we are now, and we’ll lose the humans we love too. We’re cursed. And we’ve seen our lives lived cursed and maybe, maybe something different would be nice? All those somethings we denied ourselves for whatever reasons we thought were right.” Whether it’s for her own survival or him listening to the tantrums of a brother. “But, anyway, not like we can change things. We’ll just have to deal. Figure it all out as the years pass.”
Elijah gave her a half smile. It was a little surprising, but he couldn’t say he blamed her entirely. It was hard to say that he wouldn’t give the cure to one of his siblings. Finn should he arrive. At least that would save them if he decided to kill them all by sacrificing himself again. It was hard to stop giving things up for others (most notably his siblings) when it felt like he’d been doing it for ages. He knew Rebekah wanted it. Niklaus wanted it for the wrong reason. It just seemed to make a mess of things.
“At least we’ll have each other. I would like to hope that we’ll manage not to be too close to the people we were after years have passed, but I’m not sure I’m entirely optimistic on that front.” He’d have to give up some things. He wasn’t sure they could stay in one place forever either. Not if they didn’t want to be discovered. “I don’t know if it is considered ill manners to hope my parents die along the way.” Henrik on the other hand...he didn’t think losing Henrik would be easy, but at least this time he might make it to an old age. He would not turn him to keep him. Not for anything. He’d just have to make sure everyone else saw things his way. “I’d like to at least enjoy what time I have without always looking over my shoulder.”
He smiled again, this one a little sadder than the last. “We’ll still look after one another, I hope. No matter what.”
Katherine winked, leaning forward and propping her elbows on her knees - the bottle, still in her hand. “It’s a nice sentiment,” she chuckled. A long life span was lonely unless you were surrounded by others similar, but the thought of not having Hank around for the entire ride? Jeremy too? It made her stomach sink quicker and deeper than the fucking Titanic.
“Give me a wine opener. Drink this with me - you did pay a nice penny for it, might as well enjoy the product?” They could drink this easily between the two of them and not lose an ounce of sobriety. Both handy and sad.
“I couldn’t very well let you drink alone. I mean, I suppose I could, but that just sounds sad.” Ignoring the fact that he had certainly been alone drinking at times, but that didn’t really matter. Elijah stood up then, quickly getting the corkscrew and two glasses before coming back. Holding out the corkscrew, Elijah sat the glasses down.
“One day, I swear I may purchase the contents of an entire liquor store. Only I have no idea where I’d put it all.”
After peeling the foil from the top, she took the corkscrew from him to twist it in, turn, and pull. There was a bit of a pop, and the aroma was strong. Hints of cherries and other myriad of fruits, oak too. “Just drink the merchandise, Elijah,” smirked the vampiress. “Best we can do is hope that the buzz lasts for more than two seconds, and mourn how we took the chance to blackout for granted.”