regency au } { of christmas balls and growing relationships

[braveandstupid]

Elena: [the ball is in full swing but at one point through the evening, while Derek and Elena have parted ways to do their obligatory socializing, eventually Derek's ears will pick up:] - will have to discuss it with my husband, and even then he won't have the final say. This will have to go to Laura.

Rebekah: Of course. I would expect nothing less. But I feel like out of all of the options, Hale Manor would be the best fit. You all seem to have ... a soft spot for redemption, as it were.

Derek: [and he will listen a moment before excusing himself from a conversation with the Fells, moving to silently appear at his wife's side] That depends on the crime and the person's desire for the redemption.

Rebekah: [and there's a small smile in Derek's direction, clearly not bothered by his appearing out of nowhere] In this case, her only crime is her father's reputation.

Elena: [glances back to him with a small smile] Derek, this is Rebekah Mikaelson, Klaus and Elijah's sister. [she pauses, before nodding towards an auburn haired girl who's currently chatting with Talia like they're going to be new best friends] And that is Hope. Klaus' daughter.

Rebekah: If you have a moment, perhaps we can speak about this privately? Away from budding werewolf ears. [she knows you're listening in, Hope, focus on being a child for two minutes]

Derek: [The mention of Klaus brings back memories he prefers not to think about. Still, he nods, and holds his arm out for Elena to take] I believe I know a spot that would work.

Elena: [takes his arm as Rebekah nods, ready for him to lead the way.]

Derek: [and he will lead them to a room that is where the grain is stored, stacked against the wall to make a buffer between the surface and the rest of the room. He will lead them in, and then close the thick oak door.] There, that should at least muffle our words.

Rebekah: [nods] Before we begin, I would like to state that Klaus and Elijah are both dead. No matter what the outcome of this scenario may be, my brother will never darken your or anyone's door again.

Derek: [he will look at his wife a moment, then back at Rebekah] I am sorry for your loss, Lady Mikaelson.

Rebekah: Thank you. I know you weren't there to witness it so you may not believe it, but my brother had changed a great deal since the birth of his daughter. She made him better in many ways, and ultimately is final act was to save her life and from being consumed by a very powerful darkness. And my goal here is to hopefully continue that wish.

Elena: I suppose my first question is ... how did your brother have a daughter in the first place?

Rebekah: We're not entirely sure ourselves, beyond some sort of mystical loophole allowed by his hybrid nature. Her mother is Hayley Marshall, the alpha of the Crescent pack, that makes their home south of here.

Derek: And why would her mother not take her own daughter in?

Rebekah: Oh, she has. Hope is very much loved and wanted, that is not the issue. [she takes a breath] The Crescent wolves are an old bloodline, but not a wealthy one. But with the death of my brothers, the wealth and weight of the Mikaelson name has passed to Hope. Freya, Kol and I discussed it, and while we could very easily teach Hope the process of being a lady and teaching her those responsibilities, the Mikaelson name unfortunately has a certain ... weight, to it. However, if Hope were taught by another family, one with a better reputation, and a respect for women in power, she might be able to build a better future with our family's ill-gotten gains.

Elena: Rebekah and her siblings would like to know if we would foster Hope. They want her to learn from Laura.

Derek: So to become Laura's ward. [crosses his arms, thinking. There would be more than enough influence to help train Hope. Beyond Laura, there was Elena, Cora, and Kate who would be able to teach her the different aspects of running a house. She would have Talia to learn with. Claudia is still a bit too young to start these lessons. Perhaps in return he could get her to become the heiresses Lady in Waiting, allowing his daughter to have a chance to see a world beyond the path of Norway and Mystic Falls. And it would help give Hope more of that improvement in reputation. He sighed] I will have to speak to my sister on this, of course. She may not want to make a decision until she meets Hope in person. Would you and the young lady be willing to travel with us to Norway come spring to facilitate this decision?

Rebekah: [she nods] Of course. I do not wish to intrude on your home by forcing an invitation you may not be willing to give. But my sister Freya is both human and a witch, if that is more agreeable. And I can also take you to the Crescent wolves if you wish to speak to Hayley as well.

Derek: I will require that, yes. I will want to speak to her mother before we leave to hear her thoughts on all this. As for between you or Freya, I will leave that between you two and Hope. I would prefer her have someone that she would be comfortable having as she acclimates herself to a strange manor.

Rebekah: That will likely be Freya then. We've all had a hand in raising the girl thus far, but Freya has spent the most time with her after Hope's magic emerged. [and there's something that relaxes in her posture] You have our gratitude for considering the situation at all.

Elena: We do our best not to judge by the sins of our elders.

Rebekah: [nods] Do you wish to speak with Hope now?

Derek: [looks at his wife] I know I can be imposing to others, especially young children and wolves. Do you wish to do this on your own?

Elena: [she shakes her head] She's seventeen, Derek, not seven. She'll have to get used to you eventually.

Derek: Alright then. Let's go.

Rebekah: [and she will guide them back through the room to come up on the two girls and Talia sees them first, flashing a bright smile at her father]

Hope: [shoots to her feet, a little nervous, but she smiles all the same at the older wolf. There's a meaningful look from Rebekah over Derek's shoulder, and then, after a moment, almost as though the manners aren't second nature to her like most nobles, she drops into a shallow curtsey] Lord Hale.

Derek: Lady Mikaelson. [he will bow his head in acknowledgement] This is my wife and mate, Lady Elena. You have already met my daughter, I see.

Hope: Yes. Talia has been very kind ... this is my first ball. [she's a bit sheepish at that admission, but also very excited to be here]

Derek: We all have our firsts, so do not be ashamed of that. Have you been enjoying yourself?

Hope: [she nods] It's so ... colorful. It reminds me of some of the celebrations we have back home, but ... fancier.

Derek: I remember my first ball here in Mystic Falls. It was nothing like I had ever seen. The founders take great pleasure in their home and heritage.

Hope: [she nods] Talia was telling me some of the stories.

Derek: It's important to remember who you are and where you come from, and take pride in it. But also to make sure you present yourself as the best version of yourself, so not to insult those who came before you.

Hope: I believe I'm still trying to learn what that version is.

Derek: [crouching down a bit to be able to look Hope in the eye] Putting aside the wishes of your aunts and uncle, what do you wish to do to continue your learning?

Hope: [she meets his gaze for a moment, unsure what to really say to that] Honestly? I'm not sure I know enough to know what that means. Prior to this I've had a simple life. The biggest responsibility I expected was to take my mother's place as alpha one day. Most of ... nobility is new to me. I just want to do well.

Derek: [and he will smile at that, remembering a young man years ago who Peter had a similar conversation with] Well, that is something that my family can provide, but we would have expectations from you. Loyalty, obedience, and willingness to learn. Can you provide that?

Hope: [nods eagerly] Yes, of course. That sort of thing is easy.

Derek: Good. [and he will smile and stand back up] Why don't you go off and enjoy the ball. Talia? [there is a silent request of his daughter to show Hope around]

Talia: [nods and takes Hope's hand before leading her into the crowd, disappearing into the sea of dancers]

Rebekah: [watches them go with a fond sort of smile] I can't even remember being that young anymore.

Derek: It seems like a lifetime ago. [and he will put his arm around Elena] We can discuss this more after the holidays. Will you two be staying, Lady Rebekah?

Rebekah: We have lodging with the Salvatores until the holiday celebrations are complete. You can call on us at the boarding house when you are ready to go meet with Hayley.

Derek: [nods] Lady Hope is welcome to visit with us during that time. I'm sure she would enjoy being around those her own age.

Rebekah: I will make sure she knows that. [and with a small smile and a nod] But I will leave you to your evening. I believe Sheriff Donovan requested me for a dance earlier.

Derek: Then you should not leave him waiting. [and he will nod his goodbye]

Rebekah: [nods and disappears back into the crowd]

Elena: [relaxes finally, before turning back to Derek] You know, I think dancing seems like a lovely idea.

Derek: Did Sheriff Donovan ask for a spot on your dance card?

Elena: He did not. I think he knew that I would be otherwise occupied.

Derek: Smart man. [leans down to kiss her gently] Let's dance.

Elena: [kisses him back as she lets him lead the way onto the dance floor]

Andrew: [and when everyone is caught up in the dancing and ball, he is going to guide Miranda to a door leading to the outside] I could use some fresh air. Would you care to accompany me?

Miranda: [glances over her shoulder for a moment, before nodding] Of course.

Andrew: [and he will go and get their cloaks, and go outside to take a walk along the snow-covered garden] This has been a lovely evening. I'm really glad you allowed us to come with you.

Miranda: Of course. [she takes a moment to settle her cloak over her velvet purple dress, before turning to face him with a smile] I'm glad you're enjoying yourself.

Andrew: I am also very happy for your company. It feels as once we were away from my home, we really started to get to know each other. Do you feel the same?

Miranda: I do. [she smiles] It feels more like a courtship and less like ... an obligatory contract of time together.

Andrew: I know, and I am still grateful you agreed to come out. [he takes her hand to hold it as they walk] I have become quite fond of you.

Miranda: [her head ducks a bit in response] I am glad to hear it. I've also been endeared by your company.

Andrew: [and once they are far enough away from the ball that no one should be able to see them from the doors or balconies, he stops and takes her other hand as well] Would you then welcome my continuing courtship with you once you return home?

Miranda: [glances up at him for a moment, before giving his hands a small squeeze] I would like that, yes.

Andrew: Good. Now would the lady allow me to kiss her to celebrate?

Miranda: [smiles softly] The lady would like that very much.

Andrew: [and he will smile, and then step closer, his hand going to gently caress her cheek while leaning in to kiss her]

Miranda: [her hands move to his sides as she leans into the kiss, inching towards his warmth against the cool breeze of winter]

Andrew: [he will guide her closer with his other hand, going to her lower back and guiding her to press against his chest if she wants the warmth]

Miranda: [she does, and she just sinks into the kiss, not necessarily sure what she's searching for, but soaking it up all the same and trusting him to guide her]

Andrew: [once she is nice and close, his hand will slowly travel up her back until it reaches her neck, and he will play with the soft skin there right below her hairline]

Miranda: [she shivers a bit at the touch, pushing up on her toes a bit as her hands move to his shoulders]

Andrew: [and he is going to deepen their kiss, the hand on her cheek leaving, slipping under her cloak and resting just on her hip, his fingers massaging there]

Miranda: [she hums softly into the kiss, her arms winding around his neck]

Andrew: [and he will keep kissing her, remembering her words the other day, and slowly testing her boundaries while they are alone. His hand on the hip will slowly start to rise up along her ribs]

Miranda: [she arches up a bit into the press of his hands, and in that statement she mostly meant that he should totally try kissing her sometime, but this feels really good too, so she doesn't stop him]

Andrew: [he's not going to go too far. He won't dishonor her, nor do anything that would cause the knights at tourney to talk about her in the way they did her sister. But as his hand traced the very edge of her breast, he realized how long it had been since he had been with a woman, and he missed that intimacy]

Miranda: [there's a bit of a gasp at that, and she knows that she should push him back, but she's still impulsive enough that she wants to go with what feels good, and in some ways it's logic. Andrew is warm. The rest of the grounds are not. It makes sense to stay close]

Andrew: [the gasp tells him where the line is at, and he will slide his hand back down to her hip. Soon he will pull his lips away, panting as he looks into her eyes, his own glazed a bit with the heat of the moment] You are so beautiful, Miranda.

Miranda: [a full breath of cold air brings her back to her senses a bit, and one hand comes up to rest against her lips for a moment] And you are ... quite good at that.

Andrew: As are you. [he smiled, reaching up to push some hair behind her ear] I could spend hours doing that with you if I didn't need to breathe.

Miranda: [flushes a bit at that] I can see why. [that's ... the lamest line, good job, Miranda]

Andrew: [and he will smile at that, and then take her hand again] We should go back inside before you get too cold.

Miranda: [nods a bit] Yes. Probably a good idea.

Andrew: [and he will lead her back, giving her small smiles because he was enamored by her, and wished to really be able to keep kissing her]

Miranda: [yes, but unfortunately if they had stayed gone for longer than that, a werewolf probably would have come looking for them]

Andrew: [or her father, not knowing he was a werewolf. Or that they exist.]

Miranda: [yeeeeeeeah that'll come up eventually. probably in the worst possible way]

Andrew: [of course it will. But they will return to the ball and he will take her cloak to go hang them back up]

Miranda: [and she will pause in the mirror to adjust her hair and ... hope that the fact that Andrew was her escort for the evening will account for any scents on her >.>]

Derek: [sighs. Because no, but at the same time he knows what young men are like at that age]

Miranda: [they didn't do anything she didn't agree to though!!]

Derek: [just be glad he doesn't smell things that would make him very unhappy, child]

Miranda: [yeah, she'll look appropriately awkward about it if her father happens to swing around]

Derek: [no, he is watching them from across the room as he dances with Elena]

Elena: [and she will see the look on his face before drawing him back to her] What is it?

Derek: Our daughter looks very happy after taking a walk with her young suitor.

Elena: ... And that is not a good thing?

Derek: No, it is a good thing. [looks at her] I just remember what I used to do with young women on long walks in the garden.

Elena: Mmm. I think our daughter knows her limits, Derek. And Andrew's always been very respectful.

Derek: Oh, I know. I just know that Miranda is more like me than she believes. I hope she doesn't rush herself to feel the joy of affection.

Elena: But that doesn't mean that she can't receive any at all. That's an important part of the courtship process.

Derek: I know. And I want it for her, I do. But it was just yesterday that she was having tea parties and running around the stables.

Elena: I know. [one hand comes up and brushes against his cheek gently] But you always knew she was going to grow up.

Derek: I know. And there are still two more to go. At least Thomas will be another father's cause of worry.

Elena: You'll likely have more time with Clara too. She's still a child in most ways. [especially since right now she's just chasing Dylan Lockwood through the snow and probably tearing her dress on something]

Derek: [laughs] Yes, that is true.

Elena: And Miranda will always be your child, Derek. That isn't going to change.

Derek: Our child. And I know. I survived Patience marrying Sam, I can survive Miranda when she is ready to make that choice.

Elena: [she nods. but she also knows that he mostly survived Patience because she didn't end up going anywhere. Miranda's circumstances are different - she will likely wind up moving into her husband's home. but she's not going to make it worse now] I do too. And no matter what, you always have me.

Derek: Always and Forever.

Elena: [smiles as she leans in to kiss him] I love you.

Derek: [and he is going to just stand there and kiss his wife. The kids can all be embarrassed]

Elena: [it's mostly the little ones at this point. the older girls love it, because it's what they want in the end. someone who will love them the way their parents love each other]

Sam: [looking over at Patience's parents and smiling] I hope when I get as old as your father, you'll still love me like that.

Patience: [smiles in return, before turning back to him] Me too. For you, of course.

Sam: I will always love you. [and he will lean in to give her a quick kiss]

Patience: [and she pushes up on her toes to kiss him back, because he's a lot taller than her now] Hopefully by then, it will be better.

Sam: [yes, he is in the skinny tree form. Once he graduates and they return to tourney life, he will evolve to his final stage of muscular hunk] Yes, much better. Perhaps we will even have our own manor at that point.

Patience: [his wife will very much appreciate it when that day arrives though, because as much she loves him as a skinny beanpole, muscular hunk Sam is A+] Maybe. Nothing too big, I don't think.

Sam: Big enough to hold the family we make, but not big enough where my father and Dean feel they can move in. [smiles]

Patience: [she laughs] Enough room for them to visit, though.

Sam: Yes. A small room for them both that will drive them to claustrophobia and to leave again. [laughs as well]

Patience: Psychological warfare. I see what they are teaching you in those classes.

Sam: I am learning a many good things, my lady. They will all have a purpose.

Patience: I'm sure.

Sam: I just hope you are never bored being the wife of a scholar.

Patience: I would never. It's the next best thing to being a scholar myself. [because Sam just tells her everything he's learning anyway]

Sam: [they totally read his textbooks by the fire]

Patience: [best husband]

Sam: So, do you think they will miss us if we slip out early? [because he would like to spend some time with his wife without the werewolf noses around]

Patience: Mmmm. After keeping me busy for most of last night, I don't think they'll mind.

Sam: Good. Do we need to say goodbye to anyone?

Patience: [she shakes her head. if they do, they might convince them to stay] No one we won't see tomorrow.

Sam: Good. [and he will go to get their cloaks, gently placing it around her shoulders, and then offering her his arm]

Patience: [which she will take and let him lead the way back to the Sommers house]

Sam: [and up to their room they will go. He is a bit self-conscious about the rooms being so close, but they were married so everyone should expect them to be having sex]

Patience: [shares that self-consciousness because the walls are thinner than they are at home, but at least in their end of the guest wing, Clara is the only one with wolf ears and she gets put on the opposite end from the married couple. but the house is quiet for now, and she will take in the silence while quietly shedding her cloak]

Sam: [which he will take and lay over a chair, along with his inner coat] How long do you think we will get before your father brings the kids back to sleep?

Patience: [glances over to the lights of the Lockwood manor] Probably another hour or two?

Sam: Good. [and he will step to his wife and lean down, kissing her]

Patience: [she smiles into the kiss, one hand coming up to rest against his neck gently as she moves closer to him]

Sam: [and his hands are going to start working on loosening the ties on the back of her dress]

Patience: [and does her best to help him because fancy dresses are complicated, but once the top piece slides over her shoulders, she reaches up to pull at his clothes as well, trying to help both of them out of their layers as quickly as possible]

Sam: [and once they are free from their clothes, he will smile and playfully lift her up in his arms to carry her to the bed]

Patience: [she smiles in return, leaning in to kiss him again as her fingers slide into his hair]

Sam: [and he will lay her down on the bed, leaning over her to keep up their kissing as he climbs on top of her pressing his body against hers]

Patience: [hums softly as she feels him press against her, her hands moving down to his shoulders and over his back as she keeps him close, enjoying the feel of him resting against her]

Sam: [and he is going to take his time kissing her lips, and then slowly kissing along her neck, then down to her breasts]

Patience: [she arches up slightly as he moves lower, her eyes closing as she relaxes into the sensations. this is one of the few things that she just lets herself go in completely and not having to school her emotions or what she's feeling, and Sam is the one who she trusts enough to see it]

Sam: [and he is able to just focus on her, not having to play a part of the strong alpha male. Just the tender lover who worships his beautiful wife. Which he shows by taking time with kissing each sensitive part of her body, letting his tongue and teeth tease the skin]

Patience: [she moans and shivers through each ministration, her fingers sliding over her shoulders, into his hair, whatever part of him she can touch easily but still allow him to keep doing what he's doing]

Sam: [his hand go between her legs, teasing her to be ready for him as the knights had instructed him on their wedding night. He wasn't ready yet to do the whole part of kissing her down there, but tall man has long fingers]

Patience: [and his long fingers feel very good. there's likely a few acts that she hasn't worked up the nerve to try either, so she's not going to rush him, just let them take their time and find it together. her hips press up to the feel of his fingers, trying to take in more of him]

Sam: [which he will give her, his fingers getting nice and deep, and then curling to rub his fingertip against that rough little spot deep inside of her he found one night]

Patience: [and it has the same effect, her hips lifting slightly to meet his hand as she gasps at the sensation, her fingers curling against his shoulders]

Sam: [and he will smile, sucking on her nipple as he continues to thrust and stimulate her. He is nice and hard against her thigh, moving his hips for stimulation until she is nice and ready]

Patience: [how long that takes depends on how far he's going to push her, but it doesn't take long for her to really need more, tugging at his shoulders gently to pull him up to kiss her so that he can move inside her]

Sam: [no, once she does that, he knows it is time. He will shift to kiss her, his hand guiding one leg up around his hip as he slides deep inside of her]

Patience: [she moans into the kiss as he slides into her, her hips shifting just slightly so that she can take him in better. Her fingers curl against his shoulders, digging in slightly as she keeps him close]

Sam: [and he will thrust slowly, his hands going up to play in her hair. He will keep kissing her deeply, taking her in with all this senses]

Patience: [leans in to the kiss easily, closing her eyes and taking in the feel of his hands on her, before she gets up a little bit of nerve and pulls back from the kiss slightly] Wait, wait. I want ... can I try something?

Sam: [and he will pull back, his eyes glazed with lust but he will blink them away to hear her] What do you want to try?

Patience: [she rakes her teeth over her bottom lip for a moment, before gently rolling them so that Sam's beneath her, but not lying down completely. It's almost like they're sitting together, pressed chest to chest, and she takes a moment to settle because it feels like he's pushing a bit deeper thanks to gravity, but eventually she experimentally rolls her hips against his]

Sam: [and he will groan, because not only was he deeper, but she was gripping him more this way] Oh God...

Patience: [she'll take the groan as a good sign, before snaking an arm around his shoulders to use for leverage, before lifting up and sliding back down again with a soft moan]

Sam: [and he will lean his head back, rolling in the sensations. After a moment he will go to kiss her hard, his hips joining her motions and a hand sliding up to caress her breast]

Patience: [she moans into the kiss, her hips doing their best to meet his motions until they find a rhythm that woks between the two of them. She likes this already, just because both of his hands can more easily touch her, she just hopes it feels as good as it sounds like on his end]

Sam: [oh, very much so. In fact, he's going to urge her to speed up as his free hand slips between them to rub at that little hard spot between her folds]

Patience: [her voice pitches slightly higher at that, and while it makes it harder to keep a good rhythm, in the end she's just rolling her hips against his fingers, hoping to make it to that end with him]

Sam: [he's groaning loudly, hand pinching her nipple and he will thrust up hard as he hits his peek and falls over hard]

Patience: [and in the end, she's not far behind him, gasping as she falls over before dropping against his shoulder]

Sam: [and his arms will wrap around her, holding her to his chest as he catches his breath]

Patience: [hums as she starts to come down tipping her head up a bit to press a kiss to the corner of his jaw]

Sam: [and he will groan happily] This was a good idea. We should do this more often.

Patience: [she laughs] I will keep that in mind.

Sam: Do you have any other ideas you want to try out?

Patience: Maybe. [the ladies in London talk, and while she mostly doesn't participate with her own experiences, she does take in quite a bit] But not tonight, I don't think.

Sam: No. Right now I just want to sleep with you in my arms.

Patience: That sounds perfect.

Sam: [and they will go and do just that]