darkest timeline } { of magic and new alliances

[deathlessness]

Freya: [so the Abattoir isn't quite a dive, but it's not exactly uppercrust either. It sits somewhere in the middle, catering to cryptids of all shapes and sizes, given the magic that the Mikaelson siblings provided (honestly it's mostly Freya and Kol, as they're the ones that have nurtured their magic enough, but they started it as a gift for Klaus, so it really does involve them all in the end). She's back behind the bar in her band t-shirt that's two sizes too big and has the sleeves cut off, and she glances up when she sees Peter with a smile] Welcome to the Abattoir. What can I get you?

Peter: [and he will take his usual seat, crossing his arms on the bar top] Think you can manage to find me a cure for Stockholm Syndrome that won't damage an already frail personality?

Freya: [exhales slowly, before offering, glibly] Therapy?

Peter: Yeah, the problem with that is that means needing to leave the loft and talk to a stranger. Two things not currently on the "like" list.

Freya: Mmm. Well, unfortunately magic isn't a cure all. If you want it cured effectively, you're going to have to give it time.

Peter: I'm worried he's not going to have enough time.

Freya: Why is that?

Peter: Rumors have it that they are searching for him. We haven't pressed him to go out on his own because it's safer he stays inside at the moment. But if they find him, they may be able to lure him back.

Freya: Well, if your real problem is buying more time, then perhaps the real question you should be asking is how do I have him not be found?

Peter: That too.

Freya: That, I may be able to help you with.

Peter: What ideas do you have? [and he will put money down on the bar and indicate his empty drink glass]

Freya: [and she goes to get him a refill] That depends. Are the people looking for him the type to use or rely on magic?

Peter: I wouldn't put it past them. They know the supernatural and how to battle it.

Freya: Then a cloaking spell, obviously. But I also have thought of something in the event they decide just to use their eyes. It won't be free, however.

Peter: [rolls his eyes] Nothing ever is. How much are you thinking of?

Freya: A meeting with your niece for my brother.

Peter: [licking his lips as he considers it. He knows the personality that Niklaus has, but the MIkaelsons were a tight family like the Hales. They were good allies too] I have to ask Laura first, but for Derek's protection - and Cora's as well - I'm sure she will make it happen.

Freya: Kol and I have been experimenting with recreating fae magic. It's not easy, but we've managed to master something that's basically akin to "don't look here."

Peter: What happens to people they do want to look at them. Cora has a job after all.

Freya: It's not that they wouldn't see her so much as not recognize her as what they're looking for.

Peter: [nods and sips from his drink] Let me talk to Laura. I'll get back to you tomorrow afternoon.

Freya: Good. [she pauses] I know it's a lot to ask. But he's an omega with a pack of witches, and he needs ... more than that. So I appreciate that you're willing to consider it, even if it's transactional.

Peter: It's not like you're asking him to marry Laura or Cora. As long as he behaves himself.

Freya: I'll try and keep him on his best behavior. In the past he was content to be an omega, because he felt he had nothing to lose that way, but ... things are changing for the better and I want to encourage those things. And I think a beta like my brother could be to your advantage. He may have a short fuse, but he can be quite calculating.

Peter: Even knowing by aligning with us will put him in harms way with what's going on with my nephew and niece?

Freya: He's not afraid of the Argents. And there are more important things to consider. I'm sure he'll tell you more when the time comes.

Peter: [nods, finishing his drink and debating on if he wants another to keep the nice, fuzzy feeling he has where he doesn't feel the soul crushing anger at himself] Good.

Freya: [and now that that business is out of the way ...] Are you alright, Peter?

Peter: No more than usual.

Freya: Usually you're a bit snarkier.

Peter: I think I prefer doing my impersonation of a moody drunk tonight.

Freya: Mmm. They're usually less fun.

Peter: I'm not feeling "fun" tonight.

Freya: Fair enough. Another drink, then?

Peter: Please.

Freya: [and she will keep pouring him drinks until he tells her to stop]

Peter: [he won't right away, but there will be a point where he is a bit unstable in his stool that he finally finishes his drink at the time and turns the glass upside-down]

Freya: [smiles softly] How about I call you a car?

Peter: Probably a good idea. Better than sleeping on the bar.

Freya: We do have a guest room upstairs if you'd rather not go home. [a beat] Well, it's more like a guest couch, but it's a very nice sleeper sofa.

Peter: I think your couch would have less judgment than the loft.

Freya: Couch it is. [she smirks] Let me just close up.

Peter: Take your time. I'll just put my head down until the room stops spinning.

Freya: [laughs, but it doesn't take her long to put a few of the lingering customers in a taxi, count out the till and leave the rest for the waitress helping her close to wipe down. When the girl agrees to lock up on her way out, she comes over and reaches for Peter's shoulders] Alright. Time to get you upstairs.

Peter: [and he will lift his head and give her a small smirk] So how long have you been waiting to say that to me, and be honest. [yup, totally drunk]

Freya: [and there's more laughter] Let's not get cocky, now.

Peter: Just trying to have a conversation.

Freya: Mmm. [she steers him towards the stairs] While I won't deny I find you attractive, aesthetically speaking, I think that a drunken hookup wouldn't really do wonders for our working relationship.

Peter: That is true.

Freya: [they ascend to the second floor and she'll nudge open the door to her suite of rooms, because even if this isn't New Orleans, all the Mikaelsons live on top of each other like the codependent disasters they are. Since Freya owns all of it, her's is the largest, with a private bathroom, a bedroom and a small sitting room with the aforementioned sleeper sofa]

Peter: [and he will take it all in] It's nice.

Freya: Thank you. [and she will set him down in a chair while she gets the sofa ready]

Peter: Of course, you'll have to let me repay you for your kindness by getting breakfast in the morning.

Freya: I never say no to free breakfast.

Peter: Good.

Freya: You should probably let Laura know where you are to be on the safe side.

Peter: I usually am out all night. She won't worry unless I don't come in by mid-morning.

Freya: Fair enough. [and she'll retreat to a linen closet and return with a blanket and a real pillow, not a decorative one] Bathroom is right over there if you need it, and my brother's girlfriend, Hayley, may come in early for a draught I've been making for her. So if someone quietly lets themselves in, it's a friend, not foe.

Peter: Don't beat up anyone entering your apartment quietly. I think I can handle that.

Freya: Good. Because I would hate for Hayley to wound your pride so early in the morning. [teasing, clearly]

Peter: [huffs and goes to take off his shoes] My pride is not easily wounded.

Freya: I'm sure. Do you need anything else?

Peter: This will be fine. Thank you for your hospitality.

Freya: Of course. See you in the morning.

Peter: [and once she leaves he will strip down to his boxers, folding his clothing on the chair nearby, and then he will pass out]

Freya: [she will crash in bed as well, because tonight was long and she is tired]

Hayley: [and as promised, somewhere around seven am, Hayley will open Freya's door to the smell of unfamiliar wolf and she'll pause for a moment, before poking her head in. Mostly naked dude sleeping on Freya's sleeper sofa. That seems like a waste of a mostly naked dude, but what are you going to do? She slips in and closes the door behind her, before inching around the bed to get to the peppermint oils with the witch supplies behind the couch]

Peter: [and now that he's sober, he's a light sleeper and will hear her.] Freya said you'd be sneaking in around now

Hayley: Yes, well, nausea doesn't always care how late you went to bed. It will come on whenever it's ready. [ she finds the bottle she's looking for and takes it off the shelf, turning to him as she unscrews the top] I'm Hayley.

Peter: [going to sit up, rubbing at his eyes] Peter. Pleasure to meet you.

Hayley: You too. [she pulls out the eye dropper, putting a few drops of the peppermint oil onto her tongue, and then putting the top back on the bottle] Just out of curiosity, why are you out here and not in there? [she turns and points to the bedroom where Freya is still sleeping with her human hearing]

Peter: Because I'm only here out of Freya's grace in not wanting me to stumble home drunk.

Hayley: Uh-huh. [Mikaelsons aren't that charitable, but okay. she'll go with that for now. She replaces the bottle on the shelf, before going to inch her way out again] Anyway. I will let you go back to sleep. I was just here for the peppermint.

Peter: Good luck with the morning sickness.

Hayley: You know, I don't know why they call it that. It's literally all-hours of the day sickness, but ... thanks.

Peter: My sister used to drink peppermint tea during the day to help. I think Starbucks has one.

Hayley: [she nods] I've been doing that too. But Freya's is spelled. A couple of drops and I'll be good for half the day, give or take.

Peter: It will ease off after the first trimester. Then you will want to eat everything you can get your hands on.

Hayley: See, that I can do. That's pretty much standard operating procedure for a werewolf.

Peter: Then just tough it out, and you'll be fine.

Hayley: [nods] Klaus went out to get bagels. They'll be in the kitchen if you guys want any.

Peter: Thanks. However, I told Freya I would get her breakfast so I think I should go and do that.

Hayley: She won't be up for a couple more hours, probably, if you want to go back to sleep you can.

Peter: No, I don't sleep for long most days. I just need to find some espresso.

Hayley: Coffee shop, around the corner.

Peter: Thank you. [and he will stand up and reach for his clothing]

Hayley: [and she will nod and see herself out so she can be there when Klaus gets back with the food]

Peter: [and he will go out and get himself an espresso, and then pick up some decedent pastries, including beignets, fruit, and more coffee to bring back to her place, and then cleaning up the sofa before settling down to read the paper.]

Freya: [and eventually Freya will rouse herself from her dead sleep and stumble towards the smell of pastries] Morning.

Peter: Good Morning. Feel free to join me, as breakfast is waiting.

Freya: [and she will go do that to inspect his offering] Yummy.

Peter: I wasn't sure really what you would like, so I got an assortment.

Freya: I like everything, so an assortment works. Thank you.

Peter: I'm the one who should be saying thanks. You were the one generous enough to give me a couch.

Freya: [she gives a small shrug] What kind of friend would I be if I didn't?

Peter: Well, thank you. And after this, I should probably get home.

Freya: Of course. And you'll be in touch once you speak with Laura?

Peter: Of course. Speaking of which, said brother has left bagels in the kitchen if you are interested.

Freya: That sounds delicious.

Peter: I'm sure it is.

Freya: [she takes a deep breath as she reaches for one of the pastries and takes a bite] Mmm. This hits the spot, though.

Peter: I'm glad you enjoy it. Can I pour you a cup of coffee?

Freya: Please. [and she goes to sit on the chair she sat him in last night] So I take it Hayley came in?

Peter: Yes. She and I talked for a bit about her condition.

Freya: [snorts] You make it sound like she's sick.

Peter: Well, morning sickness would present that way to those who don't know.

Freya: True. But Hayley's not exactly being shy about it.

Peter: No, she isn't. [and he will bring her over the cup of coffee and sit on the edge of the couch] Were you going to tell me about this before or after I talked to my niece?

Freya: Klaus wanted me to let him speak for himself. He only wanted a meeting, so I didn't see the harm in waiting.

Peter: [nods] Well, then if Laura agrees, I will allow him to do so. But is there anything else I should be aware of?

Freya: [she shakes her head] Klaus and Hayley were both omegas. Were it not for the baby I don't know that they would be considering it, but they want their child to have a better opportunity than they did.

Peter: [takes that in, knowing that it may include then three members petitioning for joining the pack, not just one] That is an admirable intention.

Freya: As rough around the edges as my brother can be, he does have a heart, underneath it all.

Peter: And that is a good thing. [he will stand up, finishing his coffee] Something more than most. I'll call when I know what Laura says.

Freya: [she nods as she gets up to her feet to go with him] I'll walk you out.

Peter: [and he will slide his shoes on again and reach for his leather jacket] Thank you again for your hospitality.

Freya: Of course. You are welcome anytime.

Peter: [and he will nod and then depart, heading directly home]

Laura: [where his niece is on her laptop working on bills and things]

Peter: [and he will hang up his jacket, knowing what he must smell like] You the only one up?

Laura: That I'm aware of. Derek's not coming out of his room much and Cora usually sleeps til noon.

Peter: Good, then I have a request for a meeting with you from an omega.

Laura: [her eyebrows go up] What omega?

Peter: Niklaus Mikaelson.

Laura: Seriously?

Peter: Yes. He has his reasons, and in return for you meeting with him, Freya and her siblings are willing to help create some magic to protect Derek and Cora from being found by the Argents.

Laura: [sighs as she thinks for a moment] What do you think?

Peter: I think there is nothing harmful that can come from a meeting. I also think that if you bring him under your protection, we get an alignment with a very old, very powerful line of witches.

Laura: True. But he's also been an omega all his life. You know the Mikaelsons better than I do - do you think he'll take well to a pack?

Peter: [considers his words carefully] I think his circumstances are changing where he is being forced to think beyond his own self interests.

Laura: Mmm. [a beat] And just the meeting is the price for getting help from Freya? Nothing more than that.

Peter: That was the agreement.

Laura: [she nods] Then set it up. A meeting doesn't hurt anything.

Peter: I will do so. Do you have a preference to the where and when?

Laura: [she shakes her head] Neutral ground will probably be best, but we can always go to the Abattoir if that's where he'd be more comfortable.

Peter: I will bring both options up. Date and time?

Laura: It's not like I have a booming social calendar. Whenever is best for them I can make work. Though we should probably do this sooner rather than later.

Peter: [nods, and sits across from her] How is Derek doing?

Laura: Not great. Gerard being around isn't exactly making him feel safe.

Peter: Perhaps the idea of a concealment spell will be a welcome comfort.

Laura: [she nods] And he's been better since Cora's been home.

Peter: Good. I'm glad she was able to return home safely.

Laura: Me too. Though Stiles took good care of her.

Peter: I expected no less from a Price. Or Price adjacent.

Laura: Neither did I. But I'm glad she has such a good friend.

Peter: Same here. [rubs a hand over his face] She needs someone who she can feel safe like that with.

Laura: She does.

Peter: [and he can't, which makes him glad for the Price adjacent in his life] So what else happened while I was out?

Laura: [shakes her head] Not much. It was all pretty quiet.

Peter: Good. Well, I'm going to retreat to my room and communicate with Freya.

Laura: Okay. Let me know what she says.

Peter: Will do. [and he's going to go crash in his bed, sending Freya a text for Klaus to pick a time and neutral location]

Freya: [and she will let him know when Klaus has decided on a quiet cafe and a date and time]