regency au } { of self-worth and masque invitations

[vampireboulevard]

Caroline: [after her bridal party duties are accomplished and Sir McCall has gone off to spend some time with his Lady, Caroline can be found hanging on the edges of the room, just watching the party. Despite all she did to plan and prepare she can't help but hear the whispers that the Mystic Falls end of the room is saying about her and it doesn't make it any easier. Time was supposed to do that, as was distance, but that doesn't work out as well as they would like it to. So she takes the opportunity to stay away from people and just watch, which isn't her usual MO for a party like this one, but for right now, it's going to be.]

Tyler: [if she was listening, she would be hearing Tyler going in and interrupting those gossipers, because like none of them were saints either. And since Lady Kira was back with her knight, he was trying not to do too much wallflowering. Instead, he was just watching Caroline from the corner of his eyes until finally he just took a deep breath. Father's wrath be damned.] Would you care to dance, m'lady?

Caroline: [glances over and blinks at him in surprise, her eyes wandering to where Richard Lockwood was sitting with his wife and then back to Tyler again in confusion, lowering her voice] I do not wish to get you into trouble.

Tyler: You're not getting me into trouble. I'm inviting it. [grin] Come on you have been standing here too long. Let's dance.

Caroline: [her eyes soften for a moment, before she nods and takes his hand with a small smile] Thank you.

Tyler: [and he can feel that glare, dad. Deal with it. He will just slide them onto the floor as the next dance is getting ready to start] So how have you been enjoying your time at the Hale Manor?

Caroline: [she nods as she falls into step next to him] It has been good. [her eyes dart nervously over his shoulder for a moment, but they come into focus on him again eventually] They've been very welcoming.

Tyler: Good. I've come to find that the Hales have very open hearts when it comes to those who are looking for fresh starts. I'm glad you're here.

Caroline: [she nods] Still, I miss home and my mother. [but she feels like she's never going to be able to go home. Not after everything]

Tyler: I know she misses you too. I do check in with her, to make sure she is doing well and if there is anything I can do for her. [one of the few, but not going to mention that]

Caroline: [there's a grateful look at that and she nods] We write to each other, but it's not the same as seeing her. Especially when I'm essentially accustomed to seeing her every day.

Tyler: Well, perhaps she can leave the city to her guards for a few weeks and come to spend time here with you.

Caroline: [she nods] Maybe. I think she'd like it out here.

Tyler: As would I. Especially since you are here.

Caroline: [there's a small smile before getting the subject off her for a moment] And how are you?

Tyler: I'm well. It's been different with all of you gone. [aka lonely as hell]

Caroline: You could always come visit us.

Tyler: I have been thinking of it. Though I don't know if Matt would enjoy being left in charge.

Caroline: Maybe not. But you could always bring him with you. [she misses Matt too]

Tyler: I'm sure my father would deny the request if we both left. He would allow it for tourney, but not to come here.

Caroline: [she nods] I suppose all of his knights can't leave at once.

Tyler: But if you would like me to come spend time with you, I will. [because he cares]

Caroline: [she looks up him for a moment and nods, before her eyes wander over his shoulder again to where his father sitting] You shouldn't invite trouble on my account either.

Tyler: I don't care of my father's wrath, m'lady. I've missed you. [and there's so much more to those three words]

Caroline: [she can hear it and she doesn't understand it, not really. As far as the rest of society is concerned, she's worthless. It doesn't really matter that it's not something she actually asked for] There are many who say you shouldn't.

Tyler: Good thing I don't listen to other people's opinions.

Caroline: I suppose. [she doesn't know what to do with this any more than she does anything else that's come of this. It's still unclear how much of this is actually her fault in her own mind.]

Tyler: And if Lord Salvatore ever shows his head back in town, I will rip his head off.

Caroline: [and then she looks up, alarmed, because gone or not, Damon still scares her and he's a lot stronger than most people realize] Tyler ...

Tyler: He hurt you, M'Lady. He needs to pay for his dishonor. [serious eyes]

Caroline: [and she's serious as she looks back at him] And strong as you are, he is stronger. He will kill you.

Tyler: [there is a bit of a look. because he doesn't like thinking he's not strong enough. he doesn't know he has a valuable weapon against Damon either. But he just nods] I just don't like the fact he is allowed to continue on as if nothing happened and you have to leave. You did nothing wrong.

Caroline: [she glances down again unable to meet his eyes] I'm sure I did enough wrong. [flirted too much. Was a little too forward. A little too pleased with the attention of a man who had such stature. She thought she was lucky. She was such a fool]

Tyler: Don't let other people's opinions cloud your judgment of yourself. You did nothing wrong.

Caroline: [her eyes cloud for a moment as she looks up at him before shaking her head] It feels like I did, even without their judgments.

Tyler: Well, I don't believe it. So just listen to me, alright? [grin]

Caroline: [she glances up at his smile and returns it with a small one of her own] Thank you.

Tyler: You're welcome.

Caroline: [nods as the music comes to an end and she takes a step back] And thank you for the dance.

Tyler: [licks his lips, then nods] You're welcome. I wouldn't mind another one, if you want.

Caroline: [normally, she would want but it feels like they're too many eyes on her right now] Thank you, but I think I need some air.

Tyler: I understand. [and he is just going to bow a bit] If you need me, just come find me, or send someone for me.

Caroline: [she nods, curtsying in return, before pausing and tipping her head up to look at him again. She'd offer for him to come with her, but she doesn't want him suffering the brunt of her reputation] Thank you for the dance, Sir Lockwood.

Tyler: [he would if she asked. All she has to do is ask, but he's not going to push himself on her either. He knows she needs time] Thank you for the pleasure of your company, Lady Caroline.

Caroline: [she nods again before going and slipping out into the gardens to be alone. Which is also a terrible idea because some schmuck is going to get drunk and probably give her trouble later but that's not a problem she's thinking about now]

Tyler: [yeah, meanwhile Tyler will be taken to the corner of the room and quietly reamed out for dancing with Caroline and reputation and blah blah blah like Tyler is listening and trying not to repetitively roll his eyes, which is probably pissing Richard off more]

Caroline: [and once he's done he might pick up the sound of one of the Fells bothering Caroline in the gardens, and while she's firing back with her usual sass, he's too drunk to take a hint and go away]

Tyler: [and in the excuse to get some air, he's out there and stepping up to Caroline's side, growling] Lord Fell, I believe you are done here.

Fell: [turns and fixes Tyler with a look, before taking a long pull on his drink] Oh, I'm sorry. Am I interrupting?

Tyler: No, you are making a drunken fool of yourself. You may wish to return inside before you find yourself falling and hurting yourself. [and that is a very veiled threat there]

Fell: [unfortunately, he's sober enough to hear that threat] I would be careful who you threaten, Little Lockwood. Your father may be our leader, but that could very easily change.

Tyler: This isn't between my father and you, it is me and you. My father would sooner disown me than lose his position and we both know that. Doesn't change the fact you're a drunken fool who can't hold his tongue around a lady.

Fell: No, I was hoping she would do it for me. Among other things.

Tyler: [yup, Lockwood anger. That is Tyler slapping the man hard across his face.] Disrespect Lady Caroline again, Lord Fell, and the next one will come at the edge of my sword.

Caroline: [moves between them to try and intervene] Tyler, no.

Tyler: [he gives Caroline a small shake of his head, and his hand goes to rest on the base of his sword] Now, Lord Fell, do you need an escort back inside, or can you find your way yourself?

Fell: [watches them and snorts, before shaking his head and walking away] Another time, then, Lady Forbes.

Caroline: [tightens her grip on Tyler's arm so that he doesn't go after him]

Tyler: [no, he will stay there, his eyes watching the man with his werewolf senses until he was sure he was gone, and then turned to look at Caroline] Are you okay?

Caroline: [brushes her hair back from her face and nods] I'm fine.

Tyler: Good. [shakes his head] The Fells were always idiots.

Caroline: Yes, they are, and I could have handled him.

Tyler: You shouldn't always have to. [his eyes soften a moment] Are you sure you're okay?

Caroline: I shouldn't have to do a lot of things. [but she does. because that's the way the world is. she sighs and glances up at him again] I'm fine. But thank you.

Tyler: [he just nods] Would you like me to stay out here while you get your air?

Caroline: [she doesn't want him to feel like she has to but being alone clearly did not work out like she hoped] If you don't mind.

Tyler: I don't mind at all. [smiles]

Caroline: [smiles in return as she takes his arm. But the smile fades as they start to walk] Why do you keep defending me?

Tyler: [he lowers his head a moment, smiling a bit] Perhaps it's because I have liked you for a while now, but since you were enamored by Lord Salvatore, I never spoke of it.

Caroline: [her brow furrows in confusion] Me?

Tyler: Do you find that hard to believe? [smiles up at her]

Caroline: [she shrugs] Well, before you always seemed so ... standoffish. And after ... I guess I'm not sure why anyone would want me now.

Tyler: [he reached over to take her hand, holding it gently] You are right, I can be standoffish. It’s hard being a Lockwood. And what happened to you doesn't change who you are, Lady Caroline.

Caroline: Maybe not. But it does change what I'm worth.

Tyler: Do you really think I care about that?

Caroline: Most people do. My prospects are pretty much ... gone. No one wants a women to give them children if they can't guarantee that the child is theirs.

Tyler: And you see yourself as that kind of woman now?

Caroline: It doesn't matter how I see myself. I'm not the one who will have to marry me.

Tyler: That's not answering my question. I want to know your answer. I don't care what other people think.

Caroline: [her eyes cloud again, before she looks down at the ground] Maybe? I ... I gave in so easily.

Tyler: But if you had a husband, do you think that would happen again?

Caroline: [a tear slips down her cheek before she shakes her head] I don't know. I don't know what's wrong with me. It was like all he had to do was tell me what he wanted and I would do it. I don't even remember some of it.

Tyler: [he doesn't like the sound of that, but he reached up to brush that tear away] I think there's more to what happened than either of us know. But I've seen you with your friends, Lady. I know how loving and dedicated you are to them. I have no doubts you would be that way to a husband.

Caroline: [she closes her eyes at his touch, tipping into his hand a bit, before she looks up at him again] Do you want to know what the worst of it is?

Tyler: [doesn't move his hand, knowing how people needed affection sometimes. He more than most, but that's a wolf thing] Tell me.

Caroline: [there's a half laugh as her hand moves under her hair, so that it's resting over the scars Damon's fangs left behind] All the awful things he did to me ... and I still have moments where I miss him. How terrible is that?

Tyler: [he looks at the scars and there is this spike of possessiveness that shocks even him and he bites it back. Those are not a human's mark though] That's not sad, m'lady. We all desire affection, and when we lose it, the absence of it causes an absence inside.

Caroline: But I should hate him, shouldn't I? For what he did?

Tyler: You should. But that doesn't mean that you can't be sad at the loss either.

Caroline: [more tears start slipping through and she shakes her head] I hate all of this. I just want to go home.

Tyler: Please don't cry, m'lady. [and he's going to just step forward, pulling her into his arms]

Caroline: [she tries, but she's been keeping it to herself for so long that it's almost like a dam bursting. She lets him pull her closer, burying her face in his shoulder as she tries to pull it back together but once she's started, she can't make herself stop right away]

Tyler: [and he will just hold her tightly, gently rubbing her back and just being a strong presence for her to latch onto]

Caroline: [eventually she manages to push herself through it and pull back, reaching up to brush the tears away with her hands] I'm sorry. Again.

Tyler: No need for apologies. Did it help a bit, getting it out?

Caroline: [takes a deep breath and nods some] A little.

Tyler: Good. [and he rubs her arm a bit]

Caroline: [she nods, before glancing back to him] Though I think I am done with revelry for the night. I should return to my chambers.

Tyler: I'll walk you up, if you wish.

Caroline: [nods] If you don't mind.

Tyler: [holds out his arm to her]

Caroline: [reaches forward and takes it as she leads the way back to her chambers]

Tyler: [and he will walk with her, talking to her about the Mask coming up] Will you be attending?

Caroline: [she pauses for a moment, before shrugging] I received an invitation, but I hadn't decided yet.

Tyler: You may enjoy it. You will be in a mask so no one will know who you are. You can just let yourself disappear into the anonymity.

Caroline: Maybe. I'm not sure I would want to go by myself.

Tyler: I was hoping actually you would go with me.

Caroline: [glances up at him, a small smile on her lips] Really?

Tyler: If you'll do me the honor, that is.

Caroline: [the smile widens, to one that's almost a bit like her old self, and she nods] I would love to.

Tyler: Good. Then I will meet you there and I promise I will make you enjoy that night more than you have enjoyed any night in a long time.

Caroline: That is a tall order.

Tyler: I'm prepared to impress. [he leaned in a bit] Plus, contrary to what you believe... you deserve it.

Caroline: [she doesn't believe it. but he at least stands a chance of changing her mind. She comes to a stop in front of her chambers and turns to face him again] Thank you for walking me back.

Tyler: You’re welcome. Sleep well.

Caroline: [she nods, pausing for a moment, before leaning in and giving him a soft kiss on the cheek] And thank you for not treating me differently.

Tyler: [smiles at the kiss] That was the easy part.

Caroline: [she pulls back and shakes her head] Not as easy as you think. [she then takes a step back and opens the door] Goodnight, Sir Lockwood.

Tyler: Goodnight, Lady Caroline. [and with a bow, he will go and head back to the reception]

Caroline: [and she will close the door and head to bed]