regency au } { of werewolf 101 and emotional complications

[vampireboulevard]

Caroline: [she sleeps later than she normally would, her body exhausted from the effort of being forced through that kind of change, trying to hold it back and failing. As she wakes she's still tired and sore, but she needs to continue to go about her day, so she cleans herself up, get dressed and makes her way down to find food when she finds Tyler outside her door] Sir Lockwood!

Tyler: [and that jolts him awake from where he had fallen asleep aside her door] M'Lady. Good morning. [and he is going to rub at his eyes]

Caroline: [she swallows awkwardly for a moment, straightening just a bit] What are you doing here?

Tyler: I was just... making sure you were okay this morning. In case you needed someone to talk to. [and he will stand up slowly, stretching]

Caroline: [she nods again, before smoothing a hand down over her dress] I'm fine. Really. [lying liar who lies]

Tyler: [he just smiles, knowing that] It is okay, you know, if you are not.

Caroline: [there's a small, frustrated face before she shakes her head] This is all ... very overwhelming.

Tyler: It can be at first. It just takes some getting used to, that is all.

Caroline: I am ... not entirely sure I want to be used to it.

Tyler: I can understand that. But it is not something that can be reversed.

Caroline: [sighs] I know. [her lips purse for a moment, before stepping down the hall] Are full moons ... always like that?

Tyler: You will always feel the pull, but when you learn to control it, you will be just like you are normally.

Caroline: And what do I have to do to do that?

Tyler: We have to figure out how to help you keep yourself calm and level headed, and not to focus on the pull of the moon.

Caroline: And how do we do that?

Tyler: Time and practice

Caroline: [she nods. She's an overachiever so she'll try and do it fast, but right now, she isn't sure she can do it at all]

Tyler: Let's go get something to eat. You are probably starving.

Caroline: [exhales slowly before nodding] Yes. Please.

Tyler: [and he will hold out his arm to her, escorting her down]

Caroline: [will follow his lead. they slept past breakfast with the rest of the household, but it's not as though it would have been good company to begin with]

Tyler: [totally loading up on carbs]

Caroline: [is trying to be ladylike but just wants to shove it all in her face]

Tyler: The one good thing about werewolf metabolism is you can eat whatever you want, and you will never gain an ounce.

Caroline: Perhaps. But we still need to be polite.

Tyler: So eat slowly.

Caroline: [she gives him a small look at that before continuing to eat her food]

Tyler: [nope, smirking around a slice of bacon]

Caroline: [sighs as she continues to eat. after a moment, she glances over at him curiously] Have you always been this way?

Tyler: Well, it runs in my family. But I didn't come into it until I was nine.

Caroline: But you knew. What you would become?

Tyler: You don't really know until you are. My mom was human, so it was a fifty fifty thing.

Caroline: I see.

Tyler: But it took me awhile to learn how to control it. And teenage hormones basically made it worse. At least you don't have to worry about that.

Caroline: [she glances over at him for a moment, her eyes wandering briefly, before swallowing and turning back to her food again] Right. At least there's that.

Tyler: And I have spent a lot of time with you, Lady Caroline. I know you will be able to figure this out and have it make you stronger.

Caroline: [she swallows before nodding] Yes, but I doubt this will improve your father's approval of me.

Tyler: [he licks his lips] M'lady, if I may be blunt... with this you may not want to return to Mystic Falls. My father... he will not take kindly to it.

Caroline: [puts her fork down for a moment, before glancing back to him again, a flash of anger in her eyes] So what? I will just never see my mother again? Or my father?

Tyler: Caroline, my father will try to control you if you want to return to Mystic Falls for more than a visit. He will force you to join his pack.

Caroline: Oh, well that's just lovely then. He essentially runs me out of own based on a reputation that I did not earn by choice and now I can't go home because some rabid insane wolf woman decided to bite me! [yep, that would be her temper flying a bit off the handle. Her breathing is heavy and her eyes glow bright gold, claws starting to inch from the beds of her nails.]

Tyler: Okay, Lady Caroline... you need to take a few deep breaths and calm your heart.

Caroline: [she glances to him, then down at her hands as she lets out a startled squeak her hands shaking a bit as she tries to calm down]

Tyler: [and he gets up and goes over to her, taking her hands] Just relax. Close your eyes and just focus on your breathing.

Caroline: [watches him for a moment as he takes her hands, and exhales, closing her eyes as she starts to relax. As she does, the claws start to retract again and the frustration turns from anger to near tears]

Tyler: [and when her claws are gone, he's going to gently push those tears away] There, better.

Caroline: [looks down and shakes her head quietly] I can't do this, Tyler.

Tyler: Yes, you can. I have faith in you.

Caroline: I feel ... out of control.

Tyler: Then let's fix that.

Caroline: How?

Tyler: Werewolf 101

Caroline: And how do we do that?

Tyler: I'll show you. Can you ask Lady Elena if I may have your time today?

Caroline: [she pauses for a moment, before nodding] I can. I don't think she would mind.

Tyler: Good. Wear something you are comfortable moving around in. I would suggest pants myself, but that is up to you.

Caroline: I will see what I can find.

Tyler: Meet me in the knight's courtyard in an hour?

Caroline: [she nods] Alright. I will be there.

Tyler: [and since she was calm, he went back to finish his breakfast]

Caroline: [and she will do the same before going off to find Elena]

Tyler: [and when she comes to meet him, he will be waiting in a peasant shirt and a pair of pants, sitting on a bench and working on oiling his blade]

Caroline: [she makes her way out soon after, not in pants - Caroline Forbes doesn't own pants - but she's wearing her simplest dress and comfortable shoes. As she approaches him, she takes a deep breath] I hope this is ... acceptable?

Tyler: [he looks up and.... yeah, she's beautiful in anything] Yeah, that will work.

Caroline: [nods as she makes her way closer] So what are we doing?

Tyler: We're going to help you learn to bring out your claws when you want to, and keep them at bay when you don't.

Caroline: Alright.

Tyler: [moves his sword behind him and pats the bench] Have a seat.

Caroline: [nods and she goes to sit next to him, hands clasped in front of her.]

Tyler: Okay. So the control comes from being able to focus on each piece you have gained from being a wolf. How have you been doing on your senses?

Caroline: [gives a small shrug] Scents are distracting. The hearing I can tune out most of the time because I'm used to parties, but ... the smells you can't really escape.

Tyler: No, but they can also be helpful. You can actually smell emotions.

Caroline: [frowns as she looks up at him] How?

Tyler: It's called chemical signals. Your body gives off scents. Like when you're angry, or sad. Scared. And we can smell them.

Caroline: So I must be giving them off all the time.

Tyler: Just a bit. [small smile] But to be fair, at least you bathe. I live with the knights.

Caroline: [she snorts] So ... how do I tune them out?

Tyler: Best thing I found? Find a scent you like and put it on your shirt collar and then teach yourself to find that scent when you are walking into new rooms or feel overwhelmed.

Caroline: Like perfume?

Tyler: Yes.

Caroline: [she nods] I'll try it.

Tyler: But when you learn scents, you can learn what a specific person's scent it. It's like a snowflake - no two scents are the exact same.

Caroline: [she nods again] And is that how we would ... track someone?

Tyler: Yes. It can also teach you how to know who is at your door before you open it, and it really ruins the fun of a mask ball.

Caroline: [she laughs softly] I'm sure.

Tyler: [holds up his wrist] Here, smell my wrist and tell me what you get off it.

Caroline: [takes his wrist awkwardly for a moment, before leaning in and doing as she's told] Dirt. And ... sword oil.

Tyler: Okay. Now, smell my neck and tell me what scents are the same there.

Caroline: [and there she hesitates because that's sort of ... intimate]

Tyler: It's the place on the body where our scent is the strongest.

Caroline: I am aware, but ... [she glances around to see if anyone else is there to see]

Tyler: It's a normal way we train. No one here will think improper of this.

Caroline: [she swallows before nodding, leaning in towards his neck to take a deep breath, trying to ignore his proximity, but he'd probably hear the uptick in her heartbeat]

Tyler: [he does, and he does his best to stay calm, but there would be a hint of attraction there. A sweet scent because he can't lie - he is attracted to her so much]

Caroline: [that sweet smell sparks the same in her because she likes the way he smells, more than she probably should, and when she starts to feel those hints of arousal start to perk up in her she tries to push back, not wanting to go too far]

Tyler: [he catches the whiff of that in the air and he shifts back a bit too] So um... what did you smell?

Caroline: [at first she blinks up at him like she's confused by the question, but after a moment she realizes what he means and blushes at the fact that she doesn't have an answer] Um. ... I ... I don’t know.

Tyler: It's okay. Perhaps you can try again later. Maybe with your ladies if you are more comfortable.

Caroline: [she takes another step back] Perhaps this wasn't a good idea.

Tyler: Are you okay?

Caroline: [she nods and turns away from him] I just ... [her eyes close] ... I don't want to make a fool of myself.

Tyler: Lady Caroline... with me that is a hard thing for you to do.

Caroline: [turns to face him] I don't like not being in control of myself.

Tyler: But that's what we're trying to work on.

Caroline: [she takes a deep breath] And yet when I am close to you, I feel like I am not in control. Like I ... want things.

Tyler: Well, that's a different kind of control. [a small smile]

Caroline: [makes a face] It doesn't feel like it. It feels ... it feels like the way Damon used to seduce me. Like my wants are getting ahead of my common sense.

Tyler: [licks his lips, and then nods] Then perhaps I'm not the best teacher for you.

Caroline: [sighs, before pulling back and burying her face in her hands] If no you, then who?

Tyler: Anyone carrying the last name Hale would be able to.

Caroline: They have enough troubles at the moment. They don't need me adding to it.

Tyler: You are a part of the pack here, Caroline. They have a responsibility to you to help.

Caroline: I don't want to be someone's responsibility, Tyler.

Tyler: And this isn't something you're going to master in a few days, Caroline. You're going to need a pack. You need people who can help you, and who you will help in return. People who can take care of you and make sure you learn everything you need to know.

Caroline: [exhales slowly] I don't know.

Tyler: [frustrated, his scent getting sour] And you can't ignore it and think it's going to go away. I've been this way a long time, and so have the Hales. But we can't help you unless you want to and are willing to let us.

Caroline: [she makes a face at that, before burying her face in her hands] I know. I know. That I know.

Tyler: Perhaps you can talk with Lord Derek. He and Elena can help you as a team so you have her there to help support you.

Caroline: [she nods. She wishes things were simpler. at least with Tyler she doesn't feel like having to teach her is an inconvenience or distraction from finding their sister and alpha. but Tyler is an entirely different kind of distraction] I hate this.

Tyler: As you have said, consistently.

Caroline: Yes, well. I hated myself before this. Becoming something I couldn't control only seems to have amplified it.

Tyler: You know, in this place, you are the only one who hates you.

Caroline: And there's part of me that will never understand why. [she glances back to him] I am grateful, but after being shunned by so many, it is hard to see why others wouldn't follow in suit.

Tyler: Because others, like us here, know how the world really works and know you are the victim. Nothing more.

Caroline: It doesn't feel like I am. I still don't know why I never told him to stop. I didn't want it, I knew better than that.

Tyler: [licks his lips] Has no one told you the powers that Damon has?

Caroline: [glances over to him in confusion because no. no one told her he was a vampire]

Tyler: [GOOD JOB GUYS] M'lady... Damon is not human.

Caroline: [her brow furrows] He is like you?

Tyler: No. He's a... a vampire.

Caroline: A vampire?

Tyler: Yes. A creature who rose from the dead and drinks blood to survive.

Caroline: [her hand wanders to her neck where the scars of Damon's teeth still linger] I ... I thought I was hallucinating. That there was something wrong with me.

Tyler: No, there was nothing wrong with you. We just didn't know what was happening until it was too late.

Caroline: [she lets that sink in for a moment, before her eyes start to cloud] Why did he do this to me?

Tyler: Because you're a beautiful woman and he's an asshole. Plus it's well known he was infatuated with Elena... and if he couldn't have her...

Caroline: So he forced me instead. [yeah, that doesn't make her feel better, tears slipping down her cheeks]

Tyler: [and he goes to her, reaching up to gently take her hand.] He has a power called compulsion. It doesn't work on werewolves, but I know of it. They can make those who aren't protected able to do whatever they ask, with no memory of it being a command and thinking it was their own idea.

Caroline: Why did no one tell me?

Tyler: Well, it was not my call to make. I thought it would be told to you by your ladies.

Caroline: [part of her is hurt that they didn't but when she looks back at him there is gratitude there] Thank you, for telling me.

Tyler: That's why I will never shun you, m'lady. You did nothing wrong in my eyes.

Caroline: [watches him for a moment, before those wants get ahead of her again and she leans in to kiss him gently]

Tyler: [and he will blink, and then smiles and kisses her back, but only gently. Not wanting anything more from her]

Caroline: [she pulls back after a moment before ducking her head and blushing slightly] I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that.

Tyler: No, it's okay. [he smiles a bit] I have been wanting to do that with you for a long time now.

Caroline: [there's a small look at that that's almost coy, a bit of the old Caroline coming through] Then why didn't you?

Tyler: Because I didn't want to upset you while you were working to get yourself back on your feet. You needed your time and I wanted to respect that.

Caroline: Not many would.

Tyler: Well, I'm not like most of the people we grew up with.

Caroline: Apparently not.

Tyler: [smiles] Perhaps I can show you non scent related things instead, and maybe Lord Derek can teach you that part so I don't distract you?

Caroline: [deep breath] Perhaps that would be better.

Tyler: How about how to bring out your claws when you aren't upset so you can use them?
Emily Proulx (21:08:59): Caroline: [she nods] How do I do that?

Tyler: You don't want to over think it. Just think of your fingernails growing into little claws and flick your hand out. [and he demonstrates]

Caroline: [she watches him before taking a deep breath and then flicking her wrist out annnnnnd nothing happens. She makes a frustrated face]

Tyler: Just let it happen. Relax.

Caroline: [she nods, taking a deep breath and trying to relax] Relaxation and I don't exactly go hand in hand.

Tyler: Well, I don't know if I can help you with that, but it will help you a lot in learning all of this.

Caroline: [nods and tries to keep breathing] Okay.

Tyler: [he smiles, but really he's never trained anyone before so he's kinda winging it]

Caroline: [that's fine. she's never learned before so it's fine. She takes another deep breath and tries again, in a smooth gesture, and she succeeds!]

Tyler: [grins] There you go!

Caroline: [opens her eyes and she brightens] I did it!

Tyler: Yes, you did. Good job, m'lady.

Caroline: [clearly pleased with herself. until she tries to pull them back, and that ... takes a few tries]

Tyler: But keep practicing and soon it will just become second nature.

Caroline: [she nods] I will. I'll try, anyway.

Tyler: Now just remember if you get too upset or angry, and your heartbeat rises, they will also come out. So if you need to keep it from happening, you need to calm down. The best thing to do is to think of something and focus on it. Use it to bring you back.

Caroline: Like what?

Tyler: Well, I used to use my mom. Thinking about her and how she would sing to me when I was a kid and sick in bed.

Caroline: And now?

Tyler: Now I can usually do it on my own.

Caroline: Even when you're upset?

Tyler: [bites his lip] And when I can't... I listen for your voice in the manor.

Caroline: [her head ducks with a bit of a blush] I believe that is probably the first time someone has ever said I had a calming effect.

Tyler: Perhaps I am a bit biased.

Caroline: Perhaps. But it is sweet all the same.

Tyler: [smiles]

Caroline: So what else do I need to learn?

Tyler: Well... um... come here. [he will lead her to a cannon ball] Pick the ball up.

Caroline: [squints at it, then squints at him]

Tyler: Trust me.

Caroline: [she sighs before taking a deep breath and going to lift it]

Tyler: [and look at that werewolf strength, making it easy for her to lift a cannon ball that normally would break a human's back to lift]

Caroline: [her eyes widen and she glances back to him] That's impossible.

Tyler: For a human. Not a werewolf. You've got super strength now which comes in handy when you want to swing a sword or try and lift a bunch of things without breaking a sweat. You also have super speed, and really good agility with it.

Caroline: Interesting.