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saiilorstars · 3 years

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Chapter 2: Delving into History

Current Story Masterlist // Previous story // Maleny’s Masterlist

Pairings: Klaus Mikaelson x OFC

Pronunciation of OC’s name: Ma-leh-nee

Requested tag: @ocfairygodmother @anotherunreadblog @maaaaarveeeeel @stareyedplanet @perfectlystiles

Chapter Summary: Maleny properly meets Lucien Castle without Klaus' knowledge and since Maleny doubts that it'll take long for Klaus to figure out where she is, she demands to hear Lucien's story before he's undoubtedly threatened.

"Help me! Someone, please! Oh, please help!" Cecilia de Ark desperately cried from the ground, almost to tears from such pain she felt in her leg. Along with her, her horse whinnied in distress for its owner. "Please!"

The bushes rattled until Klaus and Lucien appeared, Lucien slightly out of breath after the speedy run he had to do to get there. Both had been in the courtyard along with others when, through his supernatural hearing, Klaus heard the calls of Cecilia from the forest. With Lucien being nearby, Klaus was forced to tell him of the matter.

"My lady!" Lucien exclaimed and ran to the dark-haired woman. "What happened?"

"I-I have no idea," Cecilia sniffled as Lucien tried helping her up. "I was riding...on my own," she added guiltily, for she was not allowed to do such things. "My horse," she gestured to the white horse near them, "she just…"

"She's afraid," Klaus finished for her, settling the horse for them.

"OW! OW!" Cecilia cried harder the moment she put force on her left leg. She nearly fell back, even with Lucien's support, if Klaus hadn't sped to them and pulled her forwards to him. Cecilia's eyes widened in alarm, the first thing doing was looking at Lucien. "Lucien…" she said shakily, in utter fear.

"I-I-I-It's alright, my lady," Lucien gently said, motioning with his hands.

"What...what are you?" Cecilia slowly looked Klaus up and down, very aware he was still holding her and frightened of what could happen next.

"I am the man that heard you crying out here," Klaus said sternly, and also a bit rudely, "so you will say nothing of this."

"Oh, because that makes me feel so much more secure," Cecilia momentarily frowned. "What are you?" she demanded again, more fiercely.

"Something you are not prepared to see," Klaus devilishly smirked at her. "No worries, we do not mean to harm anyone in this place."

"Let me go right now," Cecilia then ordered. Klaus gave a light shrug before releasing the woman, as she had ordered. Cecilia fell with a hiss as her broken leg harshly hit the ground. Appalled, Cecilia glared up at him. "Have you no manners!?"

"You ordered and I listened," Klaus reminded while Lucien scrambled to help the woman up. "Count yourself lucky, I don't do that for anyone."

"Lucien, what kind of family did you bring to our home?" Cecilia looked at the man with a disappointed aura.

"They will not hurt you," Lucien promised her. "Now please, allow us to bring you back to the castle where the healer can help you."

Cecilia nodded but when Lucien moved her forwards she yelped as a pain jabbed in her back. "Oh!" she exclaimed, throwing Klaus an irritated look. "I hurt my back because of you!"

"Please, my lady," begged Lucien again, "accept his help."

Klaus extended his arms towards the woman but she refused, shaking her head. "I would much rather have you carrying me back," she promptly said.

"But it will not look well if I did that," Lucien insisted, glancing at Klaus for some help.

Klaus rolled his eyes but yielded. "He is right, Cecilia. People's tongues here have a manner of speaking what they should not. Do not give them a reason by having him carry you in on his own."

Cecilia silently looked between the two men, figuring they were right. And under no circumstances did she want anything to happen to Lucien because of her. She gave her consent with a nod, and so Klaus came forwards and swooped her up into his arms. Lucien went for the horse and slowly walked after the two.

"So, there is the friend part," Klaus was telling the story to Elijah and Freya from the lounge room of the compound.

Freya, knowing there was that irritating word coming in, said it herself, "Buuuut?" she rolled her eyes.

Klaus smiled innocently, "But," he said it himself as well, "then came some...troubles…"

At the De Martel's, a celebration was taking place. Out in the field were many tables holding meals and trinkets for the entertainment. Music rang throughout the field, and while some danced to it, others chose to mingle. In a practice area, several women of the Court, including Aurora herself, sat on the grass and intently watched Elijah and Tristan practiced throwing axes are wooden circles across them. Not too far away was Klaus, sitting on a chair and far more entertained by whittling a horse figurine from a wooden chunk.

Still slightly hobbling, Cecilia came towards the table beside him, discreetly talking to him while looking for a good snack. "I did not know people like you could do such calming, human things," she mused.

Klaus smirked, knowing she was still overly displeased with their encounter in the forest. "And I did not know women like you could still walk so calmly and converse with 'people like me' without a scream of terror."

Cecilia looked up, now holding a berry in her hand. "The only reason I have not informed my cousin, or my uncle, about your family is because Lucien has assured me you mean us no harm. But do not mistake that as a kind welcome from me."

"Oh, so I have no 'thank you' deserved from you after saving you?" Klaus momentarily stopped whittling. "Because of me we were able to find you before the sun set. Have you no manners, Lady Cecilia?"

Cecilia rolled her eyes, looking more amused now. "Hmm, I suppose."

Klaus waited a minute for such 'thank you' but it never came. "Well?"

Cecilia dropped the berry into her mouth and smirked. "Oh, I never said I would give it to you."

"Well, that was certainly rude."

"You were the one who dropped me on the floor!" At the reminder, Klaus laughed. Cecilia huffed, "Stop it!" she ordered, but for another minute or so, it went on. Neither saw Aurora's eyes drift to them, slightly irritated with the exchange.

"Only because you ordered it," Klaus pointed at Cecilia, slowly sobering up.

"You are impossible," Cecilia mumbled as she reached for another berry on the table. Klaus smirked again, making it wider when she looked back to him.

"So…" Freya nodded, hearing the newest addition to the story, "...you slept with his first love?"

Klaus made a face, apparently letting her know it was worse than that. "Not...exactly," he answered slowly, backtracking to the doors. He peered out into the hallways, making sure Maleny was no where near before closing them.

"What are you doing?" Freya curiously wondered after he turned back to them.

"Isn't it obvious?" Elijah asked, calmly sitting in one of the couches with a drink in hand, apparently more amused than he needed to be. "He doesn't want Maleny to overhear what comes next."

Freya raised her eyebrows, confused, while Klaus shot him a glare.

"Please," Elijah raised his glass to his lips, motioning Klaus with a hand to keep going.

Aurora de Martel paced in an alcove near her room, rather impatiently, as she waited for someone to come through. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder, making her quickly turn around and see Klaus. The two smiled at each other, and without a word, began kissing. Klaus pushed her against a wall and deepened their kiss.

"No, stop!" they then heard from a distance, clearly a man's voice.

"Let me-" went a second voice, that of a woman's. In the next couple of seconds, Cecilia appeared, apparently being half pulled back by Lucien who was more than terrified.

"What are you doing?" Aurora hissed at her cousin.

"Saving you, what else!?" Cecilia snapped, looking far more angry than Aurora was. "You need to leave," she pointed at Klaus, "They're coming!"

Klaus sent a look to Lucien, almost regretting saving the woman in the first place. "What is she going on about?"

"Do not treat me like I am not in the room!" Cecilia shouted, enraging Aurora further.

"Quiet!" she stalked towards Cecilia, "I'm meant to be in prayer!"

"Then I suggest you get back to it before they find you here," Cecilia upheld her own glare, and being taller than the redhead it was more effective. "The guards were on their way - Lucien and I came through the other way. We came to warn you."

Before Aurora could dispute the matter, Klaus confirmed the story as he heard the steps of the guards growing closer. "It's too late. The guards are coming…"

The group heard the loud voices of the men, along with the weapons' clattering. Aurora visibly panicked and stepped back, turning to Klaus, "If the guards know, then Tristan himself will be alerted!"

"I will deal with them," Klaus assured, but Aurora shook her head.

"No. No, Niklaus, he is my brother!"

"LEAVE!" came Cecilia's loud order. "If you wish for your family's safety then leave already!"

"Go! Now, please! By the window, the same as you came!" Aurora begged Klaus, taking his hand and pulling him for the window.

"Lucien, I think you should go as well," Cecilia then told him, far softer than her earlier orders. "It would not bode well for you if they found you here. Better they find two rebellious cousins alone then with men."

"You will be punished for this," Lucien shook his head, "You must come with us."

Cecilia warmly smiled for his care. "I would only slow you down. Please, just go."

"Lucien, follow me!" Klaus urgently exclaimed as he took his leave through the window, never looking back however.

"Lucien, go!" Cecilia resorted to pleads as well when Lucien refused to move from his spot.

"He will get us into trouble!" Aurora frantically came towards them.

"You should have thought of that before entangling yourself with that man," Cecilia promptly snapped at her. "We came to save you and—"

However, Aurora's brother, Tristan walked into the room with two guards. For a minute, he couldn't tell the scene...and Aurora looked between her cousin and the servant for only a minute before making up a foul lie.

"Tristan! You should have seen what I witnessed," Aurora ran to her brother, feigning disgust.

"Aurora…" Cecilia gaped, both stunned at the betrayal, and terrified for what would now happen to them next.

"Take him!" Tristan pointed at Lucien, and the guards quickly acted.

"What? No!" Cecilia ran up to the guards but one of them grabbed her and pushed her into Tristan. "Aurora is lying! She is lying! Stop it! Don't take him!"

But no one listened to her, and Lucien was taken away in a half drag as he too pleaded...but for Cecilia's well-being.

Klaus took a long breath after finishing up the story. "And, given the circumstance, Lucien qualifies as both friend and foe, and according to Freya's prophecy…"

"Alright," Freya tried not to look as displeased as she was from the story, "So we have that, but let's not forget about family," she sighed.

Neither brother wanted to think about that as well. "Lucien's two out of three- I say we put him down," Klaus said, feigning cheerfulness, "Just like old times."

"Before we murder Lucien, there are certain questions that need to be answered," Elijah reminded, "Chiefly, what is he doing here? And the wolf venom... Why would he lie to you, his sire? I'm afraid we might have to resort to something deliciously medieval here, brother…"

But before any further word could be said, the doors slid open and Maleny poked her head inside. "Hmm, doors closed and yet I'm the only one outside who can't supernaturally hear what's being said in here…" she sarcastically smiled at the three, "Trying really hard not to have my feelings hurt because clearly I'm not invited into this conversation."

"It was a silly, family talk," Klaus waved her off, but realized his error all too late.

"Family talk," Maleny repeated with a bitter laugh. "Keep talking, you're making me feel so much better." Klaus sighed and turned to her, barely starting to walk for her when she pointed at him with a warning finger. "Forget it, clearly I am only a nuisance nowadays." She frowned and purposely sliding the doors harder than needed.

Freya awkwardly cleared her throat and leaned on the desk behind her. "Remind me again why we aren't telling her of the prophecy?"

"Because it is better this way," Klaus muttered, still half thinking of going after Maleny. "As you see, there are some things...that I would rather she not learn about."

"If she doesn't learn it from you, she'll learn it from someone else," Elijah meant a goodhearted warning.

"Where it be about the prophecy or Aurora, the only other person in the know is Lucien himself," a wide grin spread across Klaus' face, "and he's about to die today."

~ 0 ~

Maleny had barely just entered her room when she heard her cellphone go off. She was a little content to see it was Amarrah, for she knew they were organizing a little celebration for Alton's and Yamilet's return. Even if it did all depend on Davina keeping some candle alive, being in human form again for longer than a mere couple hours was something worth celebrating. Frankly, Maleny was itching to get the hell out of the compound for a while. She couldn't take being lied to and having secrets be kept from her. She did not go through centuries of a curse for this.

"Hello?" she finally picked up the phone.

Unfortunately for Maleny, Amarrah was more concerned than needed to be if it were all about a party. "Mal, we've got a problem."

Maleny blinked, "Um...you need more streamers?"

Amarrah sighed, "Kinney stole my laptop and he used the notes in it to bring Lucien Castle in as a suspect. I'm scared of what the guy will do here."

Maleny bit her lip nervously, "No, no, he won't. Hang on, I'm on my way." And before she could hear a 'no' Maleny hung up the call. Grabbing her things she dashed out of her room. She was able to successfully sneak out of the compound without so much as a glance her way. It seemed the secret conversation was far too good to reopen the doors.

Well, that was just fine, thought Maleny. If Klaus wouldn't tell her anything, she would get the information from his 'old acquaintance' that probably was the source of all secret conversations.

~ 0 ~

Cami had gathered all the vampires of the Quarter at Rousseau's, which was currently closed for the meeting to take place. "As long as this serial killer's in the news, cops are gonna be all over this city like a rash. So, no feeding on tourists, and don't even think about going near the locals."

Josh, annoyed with their situation, made a response, "So, what, then? Puppies and bunnies?"

Not remotely amused, Cami shot him a glare. "Josh, you can talk to our contacts at the blood banks and hospitals. Let them know you'll be coming by." She then turned back her attention to the others. "For the rest of you, keep everyone else in line. Klaus and Elijah will get it sorted out, and we'll be back in business in no time."

However, a dark-skinned woman, dressed in business attire, entered the place. Her dark eyes laid on Cami with a look that had the blonde under a shiver, and not the good kind. "Somehow, I doubt that. Your current dilemma will get worse before it gets better. The good news is, I can help!"

Although curious of the woman, Cami stepped towards her and warned, "I don't know who you are, but you definitely walked into the wrong place, so you might want to turn and exit."

The woman nerely smiled. "I'm Aya. Nice to meet you, Camille O'Connell. Now, are you going to be rude, or are you going to offer me a drink?"

Cami tilted her head, annoyed now. "I don't have time for this." She gestured to one one of the vampires. "Get her out of here."

Aya dropped her smile, "A shame... I'd heard you were leader who aimed to make newcomer feel safe and welcomed. What a disappointment."

The moment the vampire ordered to take her out touched her shoulder, Aya grabbed his wrist and twisted his arm, making it break. She kicked him in the stomach and jumped onto his shoulders, entangling her legs around his neck. She twisted her hips and snapped his neck. She gracefully landed on her feet and looked around for a response.

Everyone, including Cami, were stunned.

"Thing is," Aya continued like nothing happened, "I was instructed not to leave without making you an offer." She pulled out a black business card and raised it up for Cami to see. "Will you hear my offer or not?"

Cami looked around, seeing the low possibilities of her people winning against the apparently trained vampire. Plus, she wasn't the kind of leader that charged into a fight without first knowing what was on the other side. If there was something her psychology student years taught her, it was to be observant. She would need to see and study the moves of the opponent. And that was exactly what she planned to do that minute.

Cami walked towards the woman, pleasing Aya greatly. "Ah, acting like a proper lady - intelligent woman. Shall we?" she gestured for Cami to walk out first, and with one nervous glance back at the other vampires Cami left.

~ 0 ~

Lucien was calmly sitting in an interrogation room with Detective Kinney across him, pestering him about the murders which he was being accused of apparently. To be frank, he was quite bored and he did hate to be bored. So, when the door burst open and Maleny herself walked in, with Amarrah a couple feet behind, he felt like the party was finally getting started.

"What are you doing?" Kinney stood up, angrily looking at Amarrah for the imprudence.

Maleny remained at total ease. Her blue eyes flickered to Lucien. "Compel him to forget this and make him leave."

Amused at such an order, and just to see how this was going to go, Lucien obeyed. He compelled Kinney to forget the scene and leave them alone.

"Ams, you too," Maleny walked towards the table, missing Amarrah's fearful face, which clearly did not escape Lucien's judging by his laugh. Maleny sighed and turned to her friend, "I'm gonna be fine."

"But he's a murderer," the French witch said fearfully.

"Hey," Lucien feigned offense, "Whatever happened to 'innocent until proven guilty'?"

Maleny rolled her eyes but kept her back to him. "Amarrah, I'm going to be fine. I just need to talk to him. Go."

Though no where near convinced, Amarrah nodded and walked out of the room, closing the door behind. Soon as she did, Maleny turned back to Lucien, who was and ready widely grinning at her.

"I'm going to go on a hunch and say Nik doesn't know you're here…"

"You're gonna shut up and you're gonna talk," Maleny declared, her tone unusually cold as she sat down across him.

"Oh, you don't think I'm a murderer too, do you?" Lucien pouted.

"I don't know - the murders started the same day you got into town. All the victims match a pattern- wealth that, uh, you yourself seem to exude."

"Hmm! What I am is a ruthless, vicious, unstoppable killer," Lucien declared with utmost pride, "That's not to say I had anything to do with this- far from it."

"Look, I'm here on other business but if I get an admittance from you in the process, then hey, everyone wins," Maleny shrugged. "Why bother denying it if you are what you say you are?"

"You don't know me, Maleny," Lucien sighed.

"No, I don't," Maleny agreed, "And that's why I'm here to be honest."

"Well, I'd be more than happy to tell you about myself," Lucien leaned forwards, "and my first sentence would be that you and I are the same."

"Excuse me?" Maleny blinked, appalled at the accusation.

Lucien chuckled at her comical expression, and went on to explain. "All three of us, actually—the three out of four who survived after being caught in the orbit of Mikaelson family, though each of us with our share of scars."

Tristan had Lucien bounded by the wrists in one of the castle's cellars, and viciously whipped the poor servant hard across the back. Lucien could only cry out in agony answer grip his restraints after each whip. However, his screams, eventually drew in Klaus and Elijah into the cellar.

Tristan greeted them with a dark smile, his face splattered with Lucien's blood. "Have you two come to watch as Lucien receives his punishment? I fear I'm being a touch lenient, given his intentions for my dear cousin."

Klaus felt the inevitable guilt for the pair that had been accused and stepped forwards. "Why torture a loyal servant? I'm sure this is all a misunderstanding."

Tristan's smile fell from his face, and he spoke to the two brothers coldly. "One that remains outside your concern. As son of the Count, I may discipline staff as I see fit. Should you take issue, then I'll need to remind you that you are a guest."

He then returned to the two whipping, but Klaus could not let it slide any further. He went forth and grabbed Tristan by the arm. "Step away from him! Now."

Tristan didn't look very scared as Klaus had meant it to be. "I know what you are," he surprised the two brothers. For a moment, Klaus believed Cecilia had not kept her word. "Our house servants speak of demons hunting in the night. I, myself, interviewed one such maiden. Quite pretty. Thus far, the only survivor of these attacks. I asked what manner of creature had hunted her. She said she was certain it was the Lord Kol, but with the face of a beast. Your entire family sought refuge here, claiming to be noblemen, when, in fact, you are fiends. I can only surmise that you are hiding, which means you're afraid. Somewhere out there, something is even more savage than you."

While Elijah became anxious, Klaus was more infuriated and thus grabbed Tristan in a choke-hold. The human gasped as he bore witness to Klaus' vampire face came out.

"This is not going to be pleasant," but he nonetheless smirked.

Tristan gasped for air and sputtered out before any move was taken: "Do so at your peril. But, should any misfortune befall me, know that I have instructed my fastest riders to spread word of your presence here. Whomever seeks you would most certainly hear the news."

"Niklaus, release him," Elijah ordered at once, seeing there was no point in Ina battle that would ensue Mikael's appearance even quicker.

Klaus eventually let the human go, but was not pleased to do so. Tristan slowly recompiled himself and sent the two brothers another smug smile. "See? We're not so different after all. You wish to protect your family. I wish to protect mine."

Tristan turned back for Lucien, pulling out a knife from his belt for his next move. He grabbed Lucien by the hair and, to everyone's horror, he pushed the knife into Lucien's skin and drew it across his face, from ear to ear.

Maleny blinked in utter horror, "Oh my…" slowly, her eyes released the horror and filled with newfound apologies. "That is awful. I...I don't even know how to respond to that." She shook her head, suddenly thinking of a detail she hadn't yet heard. "But I don't understand, why were you there in the first place? The torturer...he spoke of a cousin…?"

Lucien sighed, "Cecilia. She was his cousin, and…"

Maleny could easily see through the man's eyes the clear affection stored for this woman. "You liked her," she finished for him, almost teasing him. Lucien gave her a sharp look, though probably more amused than he wanted to admit. "Tell me, did the spoiled woman ever even direct a word to you?"

"You'd be surprised to know she was far from the stereotypical rich girl this world has built," Lucien gave a hint of a smile.

Cecilia quietly sat on the edge of her bed, her broken legged propped up over a pillow...and her back comforted with another. She was boredly picking at her nails when there was a knock on her door.

"Come in," she said without looking up. A couple seconds later, Klaus emerged, only garnering annoyed groans. "I do not wish to speak to you!"

Klaus laughed at her apparent annoyance, "I am not here for you, Cecilia. I'm merely offering a chance for you two to converse without being caught."

Confused, Cecilia pursed her lips, about to question him further when she saw Lucien coming in behind. Immediately, her demeanor changed and she smiled widely, reaching out for him.

"Oh! You came!" she laughed.

"You have a little while," warned Klaus before leaving and shutting the door.

"Hm, your friend is useful for something after all," Cecilia mused to Lucien who went for a chair. When she saw him she shook her head and called for him, "No, come here," she scooted from the edge and patted a spot.

Lucien was startled and made it known. "It would not be…"

Cecilia warmly smiled at him, still patting the spot for him. "I do not care. Will you not be near me?"

"I could barely stand being away from you," Lucien sheepishly responded with as he sat down on the edge of her bed.

Cecilia chuckled, leaning back, but then sighed as she slowly grew quieter. "To be quite honest, sometimes I think you are the only one that cares for me in this place."

Seeing her growing sadder urged Lucien to act and bring back her smiles which he did love to see. "Everyone here loves you, my lady."

Cecilia quietly scoffed, her gaze stuck to her window on the side of the room. "My uncle keeps me here out of pity, my cousin Tristan sees me as a nuisance and Aurora finds every suitable moment to make me look bad in front of everyone. They do not love me. And they are my family, supposedly." She slowly reached out for Lucien's hand, giving him a half-smile. "Yet you, who is only but a friend, have shown me more kindness and affection than everyone else put together."

Lucien gripped her hand in his, pleased he was valued by her honestly. "Friend, servant, I shall always be at your side." He surprised himself by actually reaching out with his free hand to caress her cheek, though very much happy to see her accept it without a hint of reluctance.

Cecilia leaned towards him, her face flushed and warm from his touch. "I wish to be at your side as well." This time she touched his face, caressing it. "Please do not leave this place, ever?" she whispered close to his lips.

Falling under her spell, Lucien slowly nodded, his eyes trained on her lips. They seemed to be drawing him, wishing for things that were not supposed to be. He pushed those warning voices away and rested a hand on Cecilia's neck, gently pulling her for a kiss.

"You actually...loved her," Maleny realized and felt ashamed for her earlier teasing. "But, but why would she allow you to be tortured like that?"

"Cecilia was not always treated fairly, but no one could ever challenge Tristan de Martel," Lucien, still bitter, muttered. "Not even the Mikaelsons as you were told. Cecilia was locked away in her room, I imagined."

"Well, not to sound rude, then, but why would you so freely interact...intimately..." Maleny coughed, "If you knew the dangers of being caught?"

"We were not!" Lucien angrily snapped, startling her. He took a minute to calm himself before explaining further. "The irony," he began with a small chuckle, "Cecilia and I were wrongly accused."

"How so?"

"Cecilia was kind, you see, and while her family did not treat her with the same kindness she treated them, she always looked out for them. She sought out Aurora, in the midst of her relation with Nik, to warn them guards were headed their way."

Maleny had let Lucien speak until he was done, but after hearing Klaus' name being thrown in there her mind faltered. "E-excuse me? Nik? K-Klaus was there with...with that woman? Aurora?"

Lucien blinked, in genuine horror he had apparently let out an unknown story of Klaus'. "You...you didn't know...you didn't know about this?"

Maleny shot him a glare. "Does this look like the face of someone who knew?"

"Ooh, now Klaus is really going to kill me…"

Maleny gritted her teeth and leaned forwards. "If there's anyone that's going to be killed it'll be him for not telling me all this. Lucien, I came here to learn of you and of what was going on because apparently, Klaus doesn't think I should know. So tell me, or I'll make sure you die."

~ 0 ~

Meanwhile, Elijah and Klaus had gone to Lucien's apartment to find the old vampire. Instead, they came across the seer that had first shown them the prophecy, Alexis. Alexis was then...politely asked...to show the brothers the visions of their future.

Before they began, Alexis warned them, "Since family is one of your concerns, and you two are brothers, are you so sure you want to see what I have to show you?" she brushed her hair from her neck.

"Oh, I never could resist a good spoiler," Elijah mused as he and Klaus moved forwards.

Elijah bit into her neck while Klaus did the same to her wrist. They both saw visions then, but now different. There was an old spell page before them with unreadable words over it. They saw next saw Elijah's portrait being splashed with blood. The scene then changed to that of an older Asian woman with short, black hair crumbling some sort of herb into a cauldron over a wooden counter. It quickly flipped to Marcel who was angrily throwing a glass to the wall. It changed again to Cami having a spar with someone in an elegant room. It changed one last time to the police department where Lucien and Maleny were, holding hands over the table.

It all accumulated and shocked the two brothers, forcing them to quit feeding off the witch. As Elijah laid down the unconscious woman, Klaus angrily paced back and forth.

"What the hell is Lucien doing with Maleny!?" he raged. When had Maleny even snuck out of the compound? And how did she get to the police department? But more importantly: What. Were. They. Doing. Holding. Hands?

Elijah was a little more preoccupied thinking over the three scenes they had seen before, primarily to that of Cami's. He honestly didn't think Lucien would try something against their blonde witch in a public space. "And what of Marcel- family and friend?" he spoke quietly, "Cami, family and friend. Where do their loyalties lie?"

Klaus sent him a half smirk. "You tell me about Cami's, seeing as you are responsible for her newfound hatred for this family."

"And the first?" Elijah reminded. "Do you know her?"

Klaus thought for a minute of the Asian woman. "No, I don't think I do. In the meantime, find Marcel and Cami and question them."

"And where are you going?"

"I'm going to eliminate an old friend before he gets his teeth into my sneaky blonde," Klaus backtracked out of the room until he turned and sped away.

~ 0 ~

Marcel was having a heated argument with Josh in his loft. After Cami had willingly gone with the mysterious woman, the vampires dispersed and Josh came straight to tell Marcel.

Marcel angrily threw his glass to the wall before turning to Josh. "And you just let her go with the woman!?"

Startled, Josh meekly answered, "She didn't exactly wait for us to give an opinion…"

"Well, who was this woman!?" Marcel demanded, growing more concerned for Cami as the seconds ticked by.

"I don't know," Josh shrugged. "She walked in like she owned the place. Said she had an offer to make to Cami."

"And just who was this woman, Joshua?" Elijah made an entrance into the loft. "Did this woman happen to have a name?"

Josh thought for a good while, until it popped into his head. "I think it was Aya…"

Elijah immediately sighed and closed his eyes. Marcel suspiciously stared at the suited Original. "Friend of yours?"

Elijah awkwardly coughed, shaking his head. "Not exactly - I sired her."

~ 0 ~

Maleny straightened herself in her chair and tried to act as less uncomfortable as she really was. In less than ten minutes she had learned about Aurora de Martel, her relationship to Klaus. Lucien himself was not as comfortable as he would've liked to be, but Maleny was continually asking and to please her he obeyed.

"So," Maleny broke the silence once more, "enough of the woman. Let's continue with you. I don't understand how you are here today, nor why you're here without that Cecilia."

Lucien's dark eyes lowered for a while, as he thought back, "For me, my wounds healed a thousand years ago…"

After Tristan had left, along with Elijah, Klaus quickly sought to break Lucien free from the binds. The sliced open cut across Lucien's face was stoll profusely bleeding.

"I brought you water. Drink," Klaus handed him a goblet for him to take.

Lucien tried to take a drink but as soon as he did he spit it out, the wound stinging him. "What did he do to me?" he saw through the water's reflection the wild cut across his face. Horrified, he dropped the goblet and gasped.

Feeling immensely guilty, Klaus hugged his friend. "Oh, I am sorry, my friend."

During the hug, Lucien found Tristan's knife on the ground and used it to stab Klaus in the stomach. "This was your fault!" Lucien yelled the accusation as Klaus pulled the knife from his stomach. "

"This rage is pointless, you cannot hurt me," Klaus said in frustration as he waved the bloody knife.

Lucien would not listen and tried retrieving the blade through a wrestle. Trying to yank it to away, Klaus accidentally cut Lucien's palm open. Yelping in pain, Lucien stopped to analyze his palm, only to be in awe as the wound healed itself. A couple seconds later, the wound across Lucien's face healed up as well.

Both men were equally stunned at it. "My blood... healed you…" Klaus gasped, his eyes trailing the perfectly composed skin of Lucien's.

"I...am like you?" Lucien backed away from him. Before Klaus said anything back, at least to confirm, he rushed out with the blade in hand.

"You did know Klaus' blood had only healed you right?" Maleny gently asked, fearing the answer gravely.

Lucien seemed troubled by the memory but did his best to play it off. "Come now, Maleny, you and I both know the answer to that. And during the time, I wasn't entirely concerned over it. All I wanted was revenge against the ones that wronged me and Cecilia."

"Tell me what should I do with you dear cousin?" Tristan demanded calmly, yet the hard slap across the face he gave to Cecilia fiercely contrasted his demeanor.

Cecilia fell to the ground, her face covered in tears as she pleaded with him. "I am telling you the truth, Tristan. Aurora has lied to you out of her own fear." She raised her gaze up to the man, her words spaced out due to her sobs. "I do not mean for her to be punished...but...but I would...I do not...wish for Lucien to be...punished as well…"

Tristan harshly grabbed the woman by her arms and yanked her up. "It is clear your affections for the servant just by the way you beg for that which is already done!"

"LEAVE HER!" Lucien had found his way back to the room and was enraged to see Cecilia in such a way because of her own family.

Tristan let Cecilia go during his confusion, and horror of the blood covered man. "How, by all that is damned, are you free?"

Lucien went straight for the kill, but before he could even touch the man one of Tristan's guards stabbed him from behind.

Cecilia screamed in horror as the sword went through Lucien's chest. "NOOO!"

"And so, the last thing I saw before I died, was my dear Cecilia..." Lucien sighed, still clutching the memory like it happened yesterday, "...sobbing for my apparent death."

Maleny's hard demeanor seemed to falter after hearing so much. She could see it was all still raw pain, and no matter what it wasn't her right to intrude on it. "I'm terribly sorry for that," she whispered, "But clearly you awoke from that death, and I imagined you went to Cecilia…"

"Eventually," Lucien agreed with a nod, though there was that bitter tone Maleny detected was for a tragic ending. The man still would not look at her as he went on. "But, you do recall I said three out of four four survived the tale?"

Maleny sucked in a breath, "Mhm…"

"The hatred went so much, that in the end, her own cousin murdered her."

"Tristan?"

"No, the other one: Aurora."

Maleny's eyes widened up, perfectly horrified. "But...but why? If all this is true, Cecilia did nothing but help her-"

Lucien's anger overwhelmed him and he abruptly cut her off in an almost shout. "Because Aurora de Martel is a bloody psychopath with no love for anyone but herself! I was too late, and I couldn't save Cecilia!"

Maleny flinched but allowed the man a minute to compose himself. She felt awful, and she didn't even know why for he was a stranger in the end. Without thinking, she leaned forwards and took his hands into her own. "I am so sorry," she whispered to him. "No one should lose their love under those circumstances. But I'm sure Cecilia knew you were at no fault. If she was sweet and kind as you say, and she loved you, then it was for a reason don't you think?"

Mildly amused with her, Lucien smiled, "Oh, now I know why Klaus is so taken with you…"

"What?"

"You have that adorable ability to make one feel that much less of the monster they truly are." Maleny slowly slid her hands from his, startled. Lucien just chuckled. "Cecilia had the same ability with her family, and for a time with me."

Maleny smoothed her blouse in an effort to get through the awkwardness. "Listen, I know you told me all, but I need to know one more thing. Why are you here? If it's true you haven't seen Klaus in a thousand years, why show up now?"

Lucien raised an eyebrow at her. "Has he not told you of the prophecy? I am here to help keep him safe."

"What?" Maleny blinked. "What prophecy?"

"Well, I might as well say it all and then prove my innocence in the process," Lucien shrugged, seeing it as a double win. "There is a prophecy that foretells the downfall of the remaining Originals. One will fall by friend, another by foe, and another by family. And, seeing as I am in no mood to perish, I came here to warn Klaus and protect him. And that would be difficult to do if I were the one murdering insignificant humans and leaving the trail to me. Unlike my enemies, I have nothing to gain."

Maleny was overwhelmed by all she had recently learned, but the prophecy was by far the worst. How could Klaus not share this with her? Not even a peep. She could understand the difficulty to share with her about this Aurora, but the prophecy involved the entire family!

"Enemies…" Maleny whispered the key word, her eyes slowly raising to Lucien, "...are your 'enemies' already in town, then? Are they the ones trying to frame you?"

"Now, isn't that the question we should be asking?" Lucien dramatically groaned, having lost interest now that he explained his innocence. "But how fortunate it's one I can answer. And hopefully get the hell out of here."

"That would be nice, wouldn't it?" Maleny smiled, slightly amused.

However, in that moment, Klaus burst through the door, more than displeased to find the two together. "I would ask what it was you intended on doing here but I fear the answer would be even more displeasing than the sight."

"Well, I had to get answers somewhere," Maleny sighed, allowing him to pull her from her chair, "And when this opportunity showed up, I snagged it."

"Are you mad?" Klaus honestly wanted to know at the moment.

"No!" Maleny pushed his hand from her arm, "I'm furious! How could you not tell me of this...prophecy? What, did you think you could hide it from me forever?"

Klaus threw a sharp glare attached Lucien. Immediately, Lucien raised his hands in a non-threatening manner. "I thought it would be better if she knew in case she decided to turn on you—"

"Hey!" Maleny cut him off, irritated he was actually going with that cheap excuse. "I would never," she quickly looked at Klaus then, repeating herself in far more serious tone, "I would never."

Klaus' anger slowly simmered as he touched her face, speaking calmer to her. "You need to go. I don't want you to be in here, with him," he briefly glanced to Lucien.

"Are you really going to make me leave?" Maleny asked, more than disappointed, and openly displaying it across her features. It was those looks that made it difficult for Klaus to keep looking her in the eyes.

"Just...for a moment," Klaus said, in the end looking to the side.

Maleny masked her pain with anger. "Fine," she snatched her bag off the floor and pushed past him.

Lucien watched the interaction with great interest, and a little of amusement. "That little look they give you is unlike any other thing, isn't it, Nik?" More angry he was speaking, Klaus turned to him. "Cecilia used to do something like that. Oooh," Lucien whistled, "its like they make you regret who you are, because it hurts them."

"Shut your mouth," Klaus then ordered and went for him, angrier than ever. He spoke about Maleny as if he knew her, as if he knew about them and no one anything about them.

~ 0 ~

Cami felt completely out of place in the top, elegant room of the elite group 'the Strix'. What was more, she was out of breath. The woman, Aya, had surprised her by starting a small spar between them, and though she was severely confused by the radical mood swings of Aya, Cami didn't back down.

"Can you explain, once and for all, why I'm here?" the blonde stood across Aya, regulating her slightly speedier breath.

Aya smugly smiled, knowing the perfect way to begin. "My friends and I could help with your daylight ring situation we hear your in."

Cami raised her eyebrows, clearly interested. "Okay. Now you have my attention. Must I keep fighting you, though?"

Aya chuckled and straightened up, apparently finished with the fighting. "Camille O'Connell, you were caught in a crossfire of the Mikaelsons, and lived to tell the tale. Not everyone has had the same fortune."

Cami was surprised to hear a stranger telling her her history, but played it off like she was calm. "Are you here to tell me my background? I'm pretty sure I know it all."

Aya's smile grew wider, seemingly more liking towards Cami, "This vampire community has gone through so many battles, and a full war. But under your leadership, there has been a remarkable progression - and longtime peace."

Cami wasn't one to flaunt her triumphs, and so was uncomfortable with Aya's talk. "Marcel had a pretty good thing going long before I was even born…"

"Oh, yes," Aya agreed, but also added, "But he had the city to the near brink of war by restraining the witch covens from their magic, and banishing the werewolves to the bayou. He had the city under control to an extent. You, however, have ensured all factions live in harmony."

"Civilized," Cami corrected firmly. "Being human and living in the supernatural world allowed me a different perspective most people fail to have nowadays."

"And what a marvelous city you have created," Aya reiterated. "Let us help you return New Orleans to what it should be, with you as its Queen."

Although Cami was fairly interested in the offer, she knew better than to trust a woman who appeared literally out of nowhere. "That's a great sales pitch, really, but I'm not looking to be anyone's Queen. And, even if I were, I would certainly love to know who's this 'us' you mention."

Aya smirked, "The oldest society of vampires this world has ever known. We are called The Strix."

"Never heard of you," Cami declared instantaneously. "I doubt I want to, though."

"Oh," came a different, yet all too familiar, voice from the doorway. Elijah strode in, looking far more calm than he actually was. Once he had Freya do the locator spell on Cami and find her in this place, he nearly had a heart attack - if it was possible for vampires anyways. He didn't want Cami anywhere near the Strix. "The Strix are a quite the prestigious organization! Responsible for countless wars, numerous plagues, assassinations…"

Cami's eyes widened, clearly alarmed, but Aya's entire demeanor seemed unfazed by the accusations. "You have to break rules if you want to build a new world," she said easily and got up from her chair to greet the Original. "Hello, Elijah. It's been a while."

"You two know each other," she said in realization.

"Intimately," clarified Aya, now wearing a smirk across her face.

Cami looked between the two, unsure if she was feeling dread or...jealousy? Nah, it was definitely the first one…

Elijah didn't waste time and sped towards Aya, shoving his fist into her chest for her heart. "Whatever you are doing here, I know you're not alone."

"Elijah!" Cami exclaimed, "She wasn't doing anything!"

"Let her go, Elijah," a much calmer voice ordered the Original. Tristan de Martel and a dozen other vampires appeared in the room. "No need for this to become vulgar."

Elijah merely rolled his eyes with a light smirk, still not letting go of Aya's heart. "And there he is," he turned Aya around so that he could see Tristan. "Tristan."

"You all know each other," Cami breathed in, beginning to wonder what kind of mess she had gotten herself into.

"Quite," Tristan sent her a polite smile, although it didn't sit well with Elijah.

"Camille, stay back," he ordered her and released Aya from his clutches.

"I wasn't moving," she snapped at him, irritated she was once again being thrown in the sidelines without so much as an explanation of what was going on. "And if I was, I still wouldn't. I don't take orders from you."

Tristan seemed bemused by the blonde but didn't comment on them. He stepped towards Elijah, holding out a handkerchief for him. Elijah snatched it from him and so Tristan looked at the other vampires, ordering them, "Mr. Mikaelson and I require the room. Please leave us."

"Don't have to tell me twice," Cami muttered and turned to leave, ignoring Elijah's offended looks. Behind her went Aya and the rest of the vampires, but as they left Elijah knew that wouldn't be the last time Cami was brought into the Strix's way.

~ 0 ~

Back in the interrogation room, Klaus was still handling Lucien's sudden stay in the Quarter. "Whatever Tristan's role in this charade may be, have no fear. I will discover it. First, I'm going to drain you of vervain. Then, I'm going to ask you a few questions, and, once you've answered, if I'm feeling sentimental, perhaps I'll grant you a painless death."

Lucien completely dismissed the threats with a loud scoff. "Please, enough posturing! Ask me anything you want. As I've said, I am only here to protect you."

"And yet you lied about your werewolf bite. Why?"

"I simply didn't want to bother you! Don't you have greater concerns than a little wolf-bite that I can cure on my own?" Lucien picked up one of the files Amarrah had left behind earlier, "Let's discuss these absurd murders. If it were true that I was scattering bodies about and scarring up faces, then you would be right to assume I'm mentally unstable. I'm not, by the way. But, who would benefit most from you thinking that I am? Who else but Tristan? Because if you don't trust me- if you kill me and are forced to stand alone- wouldn't that benefit him?"

"It's a very interesting theory... only I don't need your protection," Klaus sarcastically nodded, "I'm quite capable of protecting myself."

"Undoubtedly. But who looks after your family, hmm?" Lucien then smiled widely, "Your friends? Maleny, for instance? Such associations make you vulnerable, and thus in need of me."

Klaus didn't take that last statement very well. He harshly hit the table with his hands and leaned forwards. "Simply because you lost your love in a moment of weakness does not mean I will have the same result."

"I didn't lose her because I weak," Lucien snapped. "Your lunatic of an ex murdered her if you would so kindly remember. Now don't doubt me because of-" but at that moment, Detective Kinney came in, and having been compelled the first time he forgot he had left the witness with another person.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he looked straight at Klaus.

"I'm Mr. Castle's legal counsel…" Klaus met the man halfway and promptly compelled him again, "...here to ensure justice is served."

"Hmm, well, your client's not gonna need you today. We found another body. This one's fresh," Kinney then looked over to Lucien who was already smirking with triumph his name had been cleared in front of Klaus. "It couldn't have been you. You're free to go, Mr. Castle. Don't leave town."

Lucien stood from his chair, dramatically spreading his arms wide. "And, like a phoenix, I rise. Do think about what I said, Nik," he said before leaving, passing by Amarrah who had came in with Kinney.

~ 0 ~

"You waltz into my city unannounced with your flock of sycophants flaunting news of a threat," Elijah reviewed all that was wrong with the Strix in the short amount of time they had came into the Quarter, "All the while, your little lapdog Aya is attempting to lure in an innocent woman into this foul group."

Tristan rolled his eyes, but a smirk worked its way across the face. "Luring the innocent?" he scoffed. "I thought I was the one with a flair for the dramatic."

"Watch your tongue," Elijah coldly warned, walking over to the man. "I am not the patient, fun-loving social butterfly you might recall."

"Your little Cami is a potential recruit - she has nothing to do with the large issue we face," Tristan calmly explained, though knew it made no difference in Elijah.

"The larger issue?" Elijah arched a questioning eyebrow.

"You've no doubt heard about the war between the sirelines? Well, as it happens, your line, thanks to my Strix, has wreaked all manner of havoc on Lucien and his assorted interests. As a result, he's desperate to exterminate the lot of us- me, Aya, everyone you've sired. Of course, the economical way to complete this task would be for him to kill you. But you don't believe me. Perhaps you underestimate Lucien's ambition? While I doubt he'd have the gall to attack you directly, I believe he might try and find someone else to do it- namely, Niklaus."

Elijah narrowed her eyes. "What makes you so certain that Niklaus would select Lucien over his own family?"

"From what I've heard, he tortured his friend Marcel and let the mother of his child to be cursed, because he thought it was the logical way to defeat his enemy. With Lucien in his ear, how long before the logical thing is to get rid of you?"

"Well," Elijah discarded the attempt with a roll of his eyes, "How very fortunate, indeed, then. Niklaus is on his way right now to put Lucien out of our collective misery."

That unseemingly alarmed Tristan, enough to have him quickly say, "You have to stop him!"

"And why would I do that?"

"Lucien's seer believes there's an object capable of killing you."

"I'm well aware."

"Well, I don't have it. I'm quite certain my sister doesn't have it, either. Logically, then, one must assume that Lucien has it, or he knows where it is. If he dies, none of us will find it. Not until some other assassin attempts to use it against you. If you've any hope of finding that which can kill us all, Niklaus needs to be stopped."

~ 0 ~

Outside of the police station, Klaus and Amarrah watched Lucien from across the street waiting for an apparent ride home.

Amarrah had her head tilted as she studied the other vampire, "For the record, Vincent thinks you should kill him - I think he's kind of right. Look at all the problems he's caused in like four days."

"Where is Maleny?" Klaus asked after a minute of silence, having also been checking for the familiar scent of his blonde.

"Don't bother looking, she's long gone - and very angry," Amarrah couldn't help laugh.

"Of course she is," Klaus sighed.

"Do you know something," Amarrah turned to him with a curious look, "Cami always says the one thing she admires from you, and respects, is the way you never keep anything from Mal - no matter what it is you always tell her. I don't really understand the whole point of keeping secrets from her at this point...especially if it's because of that guy," she chucked a thumb in Lucien's direction.

"That guy," Klaus mimicked her careless tone for a minute, "happens to be the first of my sireline, which…"

Amarrah blinked, connecting his reluctance perfectly now. "He's the first person you ever turned. Is that why this is so hard for you, because he's the first of your sireline? Well," she crossed her arms, "I think the choice is fairly easy here: first of your stupid sireline," she raised one hand as a scale, "or the woman you love," she raised her other hand and tilted her head to the same side. "If you don't know what to choose, I'm quite sure a good smack in the head will make things clearer."

Klaus rolled his eyes, turning away from her. Although her words were carelessly put together, it did have a bit of a truth. Without so much as a word, he sped away after Lucien.

~ 0 ~

Back in the compound, Freya watched from the doorway a fuming Maleny pace in her room. She was up to speed with what happened in the police station, and while Maleny wasn't really saying anything anymore, Freya still stayed with her, knowing Maleny just needed someone to be there. Maleny stopped walking and looked around her room for a minute, before grumbling more words of anger against Klaus then continued pacing.

Freya sighed and leaned off the door hinge, "Mal, is there maybe a place you want to go to?" Maleny glanced at her all the meanwhile of her pacing, but said nothing. "I just meant that maybe a little time away from the compound would be good for you to cool down."

"I'm not the one that's at fault here," Maleny pointed at herself, huffing. "If anything, your brother needs to come into this room and apologize!"

"Well," Freya awkwardly shifted, "we all know Niklaus' streak of apologies is not so...big…"

"I don't give a damn, he's giving one to me," Maleny gritted her teeth. "Because I deserve one after all I found out. I had to literally go to a frikin police station and talk to some guy I don't even know."

"He didn't mean to cause you harm," Freya used what little she could to simmer some of Maleny's anger. While she didn't agree with Klaus' decision to keep quiet, she could also see there was a genuine fear of how Maleny would react to his past, and the newfound prophecy.

"How could you not tell me about this prophecy, Freya?" Maleny sighed, the question not asked with the same anger she had for Klaus. It was just hurt, offense.

"I just learned of it myself last night," Freya first clarified, raising her hands in innocence. "And Klaus was very firm with his decision this morning."

"I don't very much agree with it," Maleny declared and crossed her arms with another great big huff.

But before either woman could say or add more, Klaus appeared behind Freya, along with Elijah - neither seemed in great moods. It turned out Lucien could not be killed for he was the only one that knew of a weapon capable of killing an Original. They would have to wait until Lucien - or them 0 found it before any killing could happen.

"Speak of the devil," Maleny gestured to the hybrid who made his way inside the room. "Don't worry, I'm here...staying still," she stood a dramatic rigid position. "Good enough for you?"

"Come Freya, we need to discuss matters," Elijah gently took away the other witch, closing the door after them so the other two could resolve their business alone.

"Must I assume Lucien is dead because he told me the truth?" Maleny raised an eyebrow, letting her rigidness go.

"He's alive, for now, due to an unseeable obstacle," Klaus answered her. He tried laying a hand on her but she stepped away from him, making him sigh. "This was exactly why I didn't want you to learn of anything of Aurora and the past. You were bound to be angry with me."

"I'm angry because you didn't tell me anything," Maleny, even more angry, corrected him. "Not because you had some relationship with an apparent psychopath who murdered her own cousin. You have a past, I get that. I'm angry with you because you kept this prophecy secret from me," her voice began to soften up, letting the actual pain be heard. "I'm angry that you thought you had to go behind my back. Have you learned nothing?" She sighed and crossed her arms, coming to stop in front of him. "You realize that's exactly what Elijah did to Cami - keep her out of the loop - and we all know how that ended up."

"I wasn't...I didn't…" Klaus was frustrated she was taking it all out of proportion, and making it a far bigger problem than he thought it was. "...I was merely trying to avoid certain arguments with you."

"Mhm," Maleny pursed her lips, sarcastically nodding, "and how exactly is it turning out?" She gestured to their current predicament. "Because I'm not happy, and you sure don't seem happy either. I don't get it, Klaus, why go through all this trouble just to hide a past relationship and a prophecy that spells death for this family, for you?" She pointed at him, the fear she was hiding momentarily flashing through her eyes. "That's something I need to know, don't you think?"

After a minute or so, Klaus gave in with a small nod. "I, suppose…" He guiltily looked at her.

"No, you know," Maleny quietly corrected him. "And from now on, I expect you to follow that. I love you, I do, but the moment I feel like I don't belong here anymore...I will leave."

The guilt was temporarily replaced with rash anger as Klaus took in the statement. "Are you threatening me?"

"No," Maleny replied calmly, "I'm just telling you what I want - honesty. I think I'm not asking for much."

The two upheld a long look, before Maleny sighed and walked around him out the door. For that night, she would not be sleeping in the same room with him.

~ 0 ~

A tall young man with dirty blonde hair and shiny, blue eyes entered a Chinese, old looking, voodoo shop. He pushed the jingling curtains and smiled upon seeing an older Chinese woman with short black hair and matching eyes.

"Jian," the man, clearly an English, greeted her delightfully.

The woman, Jian, looked up from a book with widened eyes, "Ooh, my Nick, you came back!"

Nicolas Mikaelson chuckled at the woman's excitement as he set a stool in front of the counter. "Believe me, I had a good reason coming back from Tokyo."

"Oh, and why is that? I believed you had to be hiding from your aunt...what was her name?"

"Dahlia," Nicolas rolled his eyes, the mere mention of the woman had his blood boiling.

"Yes," Jian nodded, "You said you had to be on the run. Why would you come back?" Nicolas held his breath in and stared at her, wondering if he was doing well bringing her in. Jian could tell he was debating silently and reached for his hand, warmly smiling. "Go on, Nick, you can tell me."

Nicolas slowly smiled, the excitement of the 'what if' so evident in his tone. "I have reason to believe my mother is awake - in her original body - and is with my father."

The news left Jian blinking rapidly. Having known the man's history, Jian was more than concerned of the accusation. "Are...are you sure? Do you have good evidence of what you claim?"

Nicolas reached his inside jacket's pocket and pulled out a folded, yet wrinkled, paper. "Months ago this appeared where I was," he handed the paper to Jian who quickly opened opened it up. "I was in a restaurant when this fell over my plate. Jian, this is impossible unless Dahlia had access to my parents' blood. And if this was by magic, she would have had to use my mother."

Jian placed the paper on the counter, grimly warning, "This could very well be a trick from your aunt."

Nicolas shook his head. "That's what I'm doubting. See, not too much after I received the letter, I felt my connection to Dahlia vanish. That does not happen. I'm thinking, possibly, my parents put an end to her."

"Nicolas," Jian sighed.

"Jian please," Nicolas took the woman's hands, "I need you to help me find a coven of witches."

"Why?" Jian asked, utterly confused.

"Because, long ago I gave the Collins coven my mother's body to care for. And if it's true my mother is awake, then they would know." Nicolas gripped her hands, his voice shaking with frustration. "I have to know, Jian, please. Help me find the coven."

Jian sighed and gave into his request. She patted his cheek and moved out of her stool to go retrieve some spell ingredients on a shelf behind. As she came back holding a cauldron with green herbs yet to be teared apart inside, Nicolas happily rambled to her about his family.

"When I was a little kid and Marlenie and I bugged our mum about our dad, Mum would never tell us that we wouldn't meet him. She always had hope for us. She always pointed to the sky that was filled with shiny stars and she would tell us that as long as we remained under the same stars of the Earth night, we would always be able to find each other."

And perhaps that would be happening very soon.

#ocappreciation #fd: the originals #klaus mikaelson #the originals #klaus mikaelson fics #the originals fics #the originals imagines #klaus mikaelson imagines #oc: Maleny Rowan

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