regency au } { of planning ahead and needs to protect

[theloophole]

Hope: [finishes setting up the tea room to her satisfaction after sending the servant with the letter for Liam. The verbal invitation is that Hope is asking her intended's cousin-in-law to the manor for tea, but the note itself would reveal her true intentions - a strategy session regarding their soon to come trip to the Dread Doctors' island. Lord Parrish intoned that Liam would be the one with the clearest recollection, and as such she needed every bit of information she could get. She's finishing setting the table, Landon by her side when the butler escorts Liam into the tea room with a nod] Thank you for coming.

Liam: [after assuring Malia that he'd be back by early evening, Liam made his way to the manor. Parrish had told him about the conversation between him and Landon, and while he was glad that his friend had finally found someone who could be considered his family, he also worried that these kids are going to get hurt trying to go there. He just hopes he can find a way to give them what they need without having to remember too much of his own pain while being there. When he arrives, he'll give them both an easy smile] Thank you for the invitation.

Hope: I won't take up too much of your time. Landon and I just want to know as much as possible about the island. I prefer to be prepared.

Liam: I can give you as much as I can remember. It was over twenty years now, though, and um, I was a kid, so that may make things skewed a bit.

Hope: I was hoping mostly for a map. Some landmarks that we might look out for and any traps we should be aware of.

Liam: I could do that. Do you have something I can draw on?

Hope: I do. [she pulls a sketch pad out to place on the table and Landon smirks]

Landon: The benefits of having your leader also be an artist.

Liam: I see that. [looks over at Landon] Which, I heard that you're family now, Landon. Welcome. [and he will take a pencil from Hope and focus on what he remembers. He's not the best artist, and after a bit he stop] Hope, is there a spell you can do to open up memories that I've repressed?

Hope: I can try? I've never done it on someone who was awake before.

Liam: [licks his lips] First time for everything. I won't fight it.

Hope: [she moves behind him, considering for a moment before starting to chant, trying to focus her magic on the memories - worse comes to worse, they'll both go to sleep and wake up in a memory walk which is exactly what happens (8). Sorry Liam. They drop into a hallway of doors but Hope is right along with him] Apologies. But I warned you.

Liam: [rubs at his eyes] No, you did. But I was hoping to only have to remember it, not live through it.

Hope: Sorry - I can end the spell if you prefer?

Liam: No, you need the information and that's locked in my subconscious. Might as well do this. [he sniffs the air] This way. [and he'll make his way towards one of the doors. When he opens it, it's a laboratory. A metal table covered with blood is in the center, so not sanitary in the least. Liam takes a deep breath] The chimera making room.

Hope: [makes a face] Lord Parrish told me about them. That they were trying to create a vessel to carry Malivore?

Liam: Yeah. They'd bring humans here and do surgeries to give them body parts from other creatures.

Hope: That's awful.

Liam: [nods] all the dead bodies were tossed to Malivore, but nothing happened... until Parrish.

Hope: Towards the end Malivore was infusing people with the abilities of creatures. Parrish most have been the first successful test case.

Liam: Maybe. He was the first time Malivore spit someone back.

Hope: Not the last, though. The Necromancer, Seylah - me.

Liam: You've been in there?

Hope: [nods] I did it to save Landon from Clarke. I figured out that my blood was the loophole and was ready to make the sacrifice but it only worked some of the way. I wasn't a vampire yet. So Malivore spit me out to save itself.

Liam: Well, Parrish wasn't that lucky. But he came out and the doctors weren't expecting it. It just got bad from there.

Hope: No one deserves that. I'm sorry.

Liam: [shrugs] We took care of each other. [and he'll lead her through the surgery suite and out another door where they see a large laboratory with a wall of metal cages along one wall--two high, six across, with each having about four square feet of space. They were rusted, dirty, and some still with dried blood on the bars. On the other side of the cages was an open room and the edges of the black pit could be seen]

Hope: [her eyes widen as she moves in that direction and stops short when she sees its full size] It was so big.

Liam: Yeah, but you're also looking at the memories of a kid, and a runt at that. Everything was big to me then.

Hope: I suppose so. But even if we account for the viewpoint it's still twice as big as any of the portals we saw here.

Liam: This is the only way I know how to enter the pit. [and he'll reach for a top cage, crushing the lock in his hands before pulling the gate open.] Consider it an escape route. We can find another way over here.

Hope: [nods, and turns her attention back to him again] Lead the way.

Liam: [and he'll offer to help her up and swing through the cage to the other side before following] Parrish was in this cage. [pointing at one directly to the left of his] They could drag him through to either side. But they never threw him back into the pit after he came out the first time.

Hope: They just tested the limits of his phoenix abilities, I assume?

Liam: Yeah. They stopped making chimeras and focused on him. Testing every way a person could die. He never had a chance to let his memories sink into his head, so I had to tell him everything. Of course I had to learn to talk first, which he taught me.

Hope: But eventually you escaped?

Liam: They talked about him being ready to go back in. Clark came to tell him what that meant - how he was remade to be a vessel for Malivore.

Hope: Just like Landon.

Liam: I guess. That night, I got control of my strength and crushed the locks to get us free. Parrish fought Clarke and killed him... or we thought so, until he told me Landon knew him.

Hope: It's hard to kill someone who's made of mud.

Liam: I guess so. [licks his lips] Clarke and the doctors used that door sometimes. We could go through and see if my subconscious remembers anything.

Hope: [nods and reaches for his hand] Whatever's back there, it's not real. It can't hurt you now.

Liam: I know. But we suppress memories for a reason, at least that's what Lord Hale says.

Hope: We don't have to go. I can take us out and we have enough information to move on what you can provide.

Liam: You wanted a layout and to check for traps. I'm not scared of my past... we all have to face it sometimes, right?

Hope: Just making sure. I don't want Ben thinking I drew his cousin into some reliving of past trauma without his willing consent. [teasing, lightly]

Liam: I'll be fine. And if not, Malia will logic my head back in place.

Hope: Good. [and she will reach forward and pull open the door]

Liam: [and the hallway would be foggy, and the walls seemed high and screams echoed off the walls. It smelled like electricity and death. Lights swayed back and forth and the doorway looks like a million miles away]

Hope: [swallows as she follows in step behind Liam, keeping her eyes out for anything that might try and jump out at them]

Liam: [there are trap doors on the floor at random intervals. Accidently stepping on one sends people down into a deep cave with stalagmites are the bottom waiting to skewer those who fall. But there is a path that's well worn into the ground that avoids them all. Liam follows that path with Hope behind him]

Hope: [stays close behind, so that she can react if needed, but follows in his footsteps exactly, not wanting to take any chances] Are there many corridors like this?

Liam: Three. I think. One for each. They were really big into the Triad symbology.

Hope: Trying to emulate the original bloodlines?

Liam: Maybe. There was only three of them, not counting Clarke. [they reach the other door and it opens to a small dock] I think we found your way in.

Hope: [she nods] We'll just have to be careful getting from the dock to here. [she peers outwards, before pointing] Do you know which side of the island this is?

Liam: [thinks] This isn't the side we escaped on. There was no dock outside that door. Which means we're not facing mainland Europe. [He closed his eyes, putting his face into the wind] The wind blowing is cold, so it's coming from the North. This dock faces Norway, or the other isles around it.

Hope: [nods] Okay. We'll swing around the island to the north then and see what we find.

Liam: Good. So, can we get out of here because I've got my full of nightmare fuel for the next month.

Hope: [gives a firm nod before snapping their fingers to wake them both up back into the real world]

Freya: [and Landon will both be leaning over them as they wake] See? I told you they were fine.

Liam: [takes a deep breath and rubs at his face] For the most part.

Hope: The spell didn't work as intended. But we found what we needed to know.

Landon: Oh. Good.

Liam: [sits up and looks at Landon] Are you sure you want to do this?

Landon: We need to know for sure that he's gone for good and not just hiding on the island trying to find his way out again.

Hope: And we need to be sure that the Dread Doctors are gone for good. Even if Malivore is gone for good, those crimes can't be allowed to stand.

Liam: And what will happen if he's not gone?

Hope: I still have some blood left from the original bloodlines. We find another way. [purses her lips] And if that still doesn't work, we have control of the ideal weapon against him.

Landon: [doesn't look pleased with that but says nothing]

Liam: [looks from Landon to Hope] I don't think I like the sound of that.

Landon: She is the loophole. Nature created her to destroy him. She dies and completes the transition into vampire and then throws herself into the pit and goodbye, Malivore. But we agreed all agreed that the self-sacrifice play was a bad one.

Hope: Unless we have no choice.

Landon: Right now, we don't even know if we have to keep considering this. So let's not until we absolutely have to. You're not dying on this trip.

Liam: You do realize you jump into that pit, Ben's going to follow you.

Landon: See, that's the wrong thing to say because this one always has contingency plans for these things.

Hope: .... He can't if he's asleep. [a beat] And then when he wakes up he won't remember having ever met me.

Landon: There it is.

Liam: And how will that work with a mate bond?

Hope: [eyes wide, scandalized] What are you implying? Ben and I haven't --

Liam: You don't need a bite to begin on. The bite finalizes it, or so I was told.

Freya: And if there is no bite to finalize it and the person involved forgets the other, it will fade.

Landon: [points to Freya] You are not helping. We are trying to talk her out of bad choices.

Liam: You will also forget her, you know. [to Freya]

Freya: I know. [she also knows there's a spell to remember, but that's not what's on the table right now] But in the end, it is a choice Hope has to make for herself. We can't make it for her and we can't force her to choose what we want. We have to trust that she knows what she's doing.

Liam: Wouldn't it just be easier to let sleeping dogs lie and not poke the big black mud pit until you have a better plan B that avoids death at all?

Hope: Not if we're bringing Malivore exactly what it wants.

Landon: Oh, that's low.

Liam: [eyebrows up] Which is?

Hope: His perfect vessel.

Landon: You know he can't take control of me if I don't consent to it, So we make a deal. You don't make a stupid reckless hero move, and I won't let my dad take control of my body.

Hope: [grits her teeth] And if Malivore just swallows you all instead?

Landon: You'll remember us. I expect you to do the work to get us back.

Liam: Again, why are you going to poke the big, black pit?

Freya: We don't even know if the big black pit is still there. This argument could be completely pointless.

Liam: Why not send a reconnaissance team of people that Malivore doesn't care about first to determine that?

Hope: Because that was how we got people enslaved by the Necromancer last time. I'm not doing that again.

Liam: [and he will be about to say something, then lick his lips and tilt his head in confusion] Necromancer?

Hope: One of the things Malivore released in the time he was trying to free himself.

Liam: And here I thought the Hales lived dramatic lives.

Hope: Honestly my time at the Hale manor was rather restful in comparison.

Landon: It's true. Things around here are never boring.

Liam: I'm glad then that you'll be able to visit us when you need a break from the stress. [smiles] so you need anything else from me? Otherwise i should probably get back.

Hope: [shakes her head] No, this should be enough. Thank you.

Liam: You're most welcome. If you need anything further, don't hesitate to call on me.

Hope: [nods and goes to walk him to the door] If you could, I would appreciate you not tell Ben about that fight. Landon assumes the worst of my sacrificial tendencies and I had just promised Ben that I would try to do better.

Liam: Well, a piece of advice from being on the wrong side of an alpha and a Phoenix, and losing the one you love most in the process... secrets do more damage than actions. You should tell him and involve him on things like this. Leaving him in the dark is the fastest way to hurt him.

Hope: I have no intention of going to the island just to die. That isn't what I want.

Liam: I know. But things never go exactly as planned, especially in the heat of a moment.

Hope: I know. I just don't want him to hear of it from someone else and assume the worst.

Liam: Then why didn't you have him here in the first place?

Hope: Because I didn't think Landon would start a fight and reveal secrets over logistics and he's making appearances at the tournament.

Liam: [nods] I'll say nothing, because I trust you will. But for the future, mates work hand in hand, not from different rooms. If you're trying to do better, remember that.

Hope: [there's a sharp expression on her face] Maybe that's your opinion, but in my experience mates are supposed to trust each other enough do exactly that. [working in separate rooms that is] I wasn't aware we would be forced to live joined at the hip.

Liam: You know I'm not talking physically. And as someone who learned the hard way, trust takes time to earn, especially when one has been hurt before.

Hope: I am well aware of that. [her tone is almost bitter, and as they reach the doorframe it retreats to something much more formal] Thank you, again, for your help.

Liam: You're welcome, Lady Mikaelson. [and off he goes]

Hope: [and after he's gone she storms back to the parlor and she and Landon fight some more before Landon is seen storming out of the front of the manor back to the parkers and hope leaves out the back, heading into the gardens and sitting on a bench under her father's favorite tree. She intends to stay there for a while and Freya will give her her space but if Ben asks, Freya will point out where to find her]

Ben: [and he enters the gardens with a cane, keeping up the game with a boarded leg] Hope? Your aunt says you're here.

Hope: [she glances up when she hears his voice and starts swiping at her cheeks] Back here. [she makes a face at the way her voice cracks]

Ben: [and he will come join her, sitting at her side and waiting for her to talk]

Hope: [she looks up at the tree, her frustration evident] Did you know I used to keep track of every choice I made, good or bad? If I made a good choice I would give myself a merit and if I made a bad one I would take it away. I was trying to prove that if I could do more good than I did harm, I would be worth all of the sacrifices everyone had made for me being here, because when you come from a family of monsters everyone is always so quick to assume that you're one too.

Ben: I didn't know that. [takes her hand] What happened today?

Hope: [oh but where to begin] Landon and I got into a fight about Malivore in front of your cousin when he asked about what we planned to do if Malivore wasn't really gone and Landon didn't like that I was honest about our options.

Ben: What are the options?

Hope: I still have some of the blood from the original bloodlines. We could try and see if doing at the source works better. But if there's no other options, the only thing left is ... me.

Ben: [nods] and what is the danger posed by Malivore currently?

Hope: Currently? None because as far as we're aware our destroying it worked the first time.

Ben: Then why do you need to act on it now?

Hope: [a beat] Define act on it. If you mean going to see if it's really true and find out what we can about the Dread Doctors then it's because I need to know for sure if it's really gone.

Ben: Are we bringing Landon with us?

Hope: [nods] And Josie, Raf and Lizzie.

Ben: What are the chances that everything is calm now, but you entering, or Landon's presence, will reactivate it?

Hope: There is no reactivating it. Malivore is either dead or its not.

Ben: But if there's no active danger, I know it's an unknown factor, but better to plan if things were to happen than to manifest the problems. Not just for your sake, but those in the pack. You risk bringing danger at a point where you don't have to. When that day comes and we know the danger is there, then we fight.

Hope: [she shakes her head] No, that's not an option. I need to know.

Ben: Then leave Landon behind so that he isn't at risk, forcing you to go to your plan B.

Hope: I can't do that either, he'll find a way to show up regardless. It's better he be a known entity than an unknown one.

Ben: [thinks] How about we ask my Uncle Parrish to join? That way Landon and Parrish can divide their focus, giving them less of an advantage.

Hope: I can't ask him to do that and regardless they have to consent first. Landon isn't the problem.

Ben: Your risky behavior is. [squeezes her hand]

Hope: What risky behavior? Being prepared? Knowing that my option is the option where the least amount of people get hurt? [it bursts out of like an angry wave] I'm not supposed to exist. I'm a great big supernatural abomination and I spent so long trying to figure out why but the Malivore happened and I knew. [laughs bitterly as the tears start to fall again] Did you know that if I had activated my vampire side and threw myself into the pit properly the first time around like I was supposed to I would have been gone and the pit would have disappeared and it would have been the perfect balance. The only reason I exist is to destroy Malivore and I don't want to die but I can't pretend it's not true either.

Ben: But what if you're not?

Hope: What if I'm not what?

Ben: What if you're not an abomination? What if your existence has nothing to do with Malivore?

Hope: It's the only thing that makes sense. After all, one day I am going to become a vampire and then I'll be practically unkillable. Nature wouldn't put something like that into the world without a reason. [she lifts her hands to sweep her cheeks] I'm supposed to protect everyone. Why won't people just let me do that?

Ben: [hugs her tightly] Because we all love you and want to protect you. And if you're gone, who will protect us then?

Hope: [she leans into him, letting him hold her because sometimes she needs that] The twins grandfather thought that he could use me as a shield for them. He spent all this time with me teaching me to fight and telling me that since I was the strongest, I should always be the plan. And I'm getting better at not doing that, at doing things together, but that doesn't mean I stop considering the plans. That doesn't mean they stop being options.

Ben: It's always smart to make plans, but plans are meant to allow everyone to walk away.

Hope: Life doesn't always work that way. [her eyes drift over to the tree next to them, the one where they memorialize her father, who died sacrificing himself for her]

Ben: Not always, but most of the time. So how about instead of you being plan B, can we make you plan H? And come up with a bunch of other plans that can be tried before we hit the one where I lose you forever? [he presses his lips to her forehead]

Hope: [nods as she closes her eyes at the touch] I'm fine with being Plan H. And hopefully we won't need a plan at all.

Ben: Hopefully. And maybe one day, I'll convince you that you're also worth protecting.

Hope: [she looks up at him, giving him a soft smile] I don't know what I would do if I lost you.

Ben: Probably something reckless to try and resurrect me. [smiles and kisses her]

Hope: Probably. [and she kisses him back, winding her arms around his neck to lean in closer]

Ben: [and he will pull her in closer, keeping a firm grip around her to let her know he wasn't going to let her go easily]

Hope: [and she will continue to kiss him for a moment, before pulling back with a sigh] Thank you, for being here.

Ben: Always and forever.

Hope: [her smile widens] I also apologize because we are about to be stuck on a very long trip with the Parker twins, and Lizzie doesn't travel well.

Ben: Which of her many admirers should we bring to keep her occupied?

Hope: I don't know if that would work because she will absolutely see this as an opportunity to have your cornered and test your mettle.

Ben: She's going to do that anyway. She's one of your best friends.

Hope: It's true. But in a carriage or on horseback, very few people will be there to save you.

Ben: You'll be there. That's all I need... I think.

Hope: [smirks] We'll see. But, Liam's visit was helpful. We found a dock in his memories that seems to lead directly to the private quarters of one of the Dread Doctors.

Ben: That's good. If we can get in and move around without getting lost, it'll make this a lot easier.

Hope: I saw one of the pathways through that he's familiar with. Hopefully things haven't changed much.

Ben: Didn't uncle Parrish say he had been there recently as well?

Hope: [frowns] Not that he told me.

Ben: My cousins told me that when he realized that Grayson didn't show the werewolf gene, he was worried that his son would take after him, and he wanted to make sure he would be safe.

Hope: He said that he saw Clarke after his children were born, but I didn't know what he did beyond that.

Ben: He was gone for a few days, and when he came back he just said Grayson was safe and never talked about it again.

Hope: Hm. Is he still here, or did they leave early?

Ben: The feast is tonight, so he's still here.

Hope: Then perhaps we should attend together. I would say you owed me some dancing but I can't promise it will be an all supernatural attendance.

Ben: I was walking around all day with this fake brace and cane. I can go, but the dancing may be a bit too much on my broken leg.

Hope: That's fine. We'll have to dance another time.

Ben: Then I will see you at the feast tonight. [and he will kiss her again]

Hope: [kisses him back] See you then. [and she will let him go so she can get dressed for later]

Ben: [and he'll head back to his tents to get ready as well.]

Hope: [and the final feast will be just as inclusive as the first was, taken out into the streets in the Quarter, where everyone is welcome to come and celebrate. And this time the kids actually get to party, rather than being clandestine magic casters - they'll even lend Jason the disguise ring if he wants to come with Claudia, rather than spending all his time in the bayou]

Jason: [for safety, he's going to stay behind and probably continue to just catch up on his sleep and trying really hard not to think about what comes next]

Hope: [that's cool, Claudia will stay with him just in case, it was just an offer. But Hope will find Ben's side once she arrives, tucking her arm in his]

Ben: Be gentle. I only have one good leg right now. [and he will lean over to kiss her cheek]

Hope: [nods as she smiles] I promise not to break you further.

Ben: I appreciate that. Also, my uncle is over there. [points at where Parrish is talking to others]

Hope: [nods] I have to do some rounds, so we'll make our way around.

Ben: It's your party, m'lady. You lead.

Hope: [and she will introduce Ben to some of the other faction leaders in town, including witches Vincent Griffith and Davina Claire as well as vampires like Joshua Rosza, as well as a few people she's more reserved with. And eventually they will find themselves at the Wolf table in front of her mother and stepfather]

Hayley: Did you enjoy the tournament, Ben, despite the circumstances?

Ben: [smiles and greets them properly, then his grin grew seeing a familiar face] It has been a very interesting time. Hopefully next year I'll be able to finish the competition.

Hayley: We can only hope. Marcel will hopefully be much more discerning with his guests.

Jackson: But not so discerning that we don't get invited. [Hayley gives him a playful shove]

Ben: Maybe England shouldn't come to French events next time. [shrugs]

Hayley: That would be an ideal world, wouldn't it?

Ben: It would. But for now, I really like this world that you have here, and I think I'll enjoy living here.

Hayley: Good. I'm very glad to hear that. We're looking forward to getting to know you better.

Ben: Same. [and he'll pull Hope a bit closer] I was thinking of staying for awhile after the tournament leaves so I can get to know the rest of Hope's pack, if that is okay with you.

Hayley: Well her house is the one you'll be living in. [teasing] But yes. That's fine with me.

Ben: Thank you.

Hayley: Hopefully it will quickly feel like home.

Ben: It's getting there. I just hope my parents won't miss me too much.

Hayley: I don't think that's something you can negotiate.

Ben: Probably not.

Hayley: I know I certainly missed Hope while she was staying with your family. But I trusted that your family would keep her safe and I would hope that your parents would believe the same of us.

Ben: They will. And my younger siblings will distract them, I'm sure.

Hayley: Do you know if Claudia will be returning with them? [which is her way of asking if she should be making a point to spend time with his sister as well]

Ben: She is. A part of it is so that I'm not away from my entire family of she's here, and I think she's fallen in love with this place.

Hayley: That's good to hear. Hopefully this will work out well for all of us.

Ben: [smiles] I think it will. [and he sees Parrish moving away from the Lords and nods his head slightly for Hope to see]

Hope: [glances and nods] We'll see you both later. [Hayley nods and with that, off they go to intercept Ben's uncle]

Ben: [and he will give the proper bows to depart, and as they approach where more of the Hales are in the room] Uncle Parrish! Can we have a word?

Hope: Just a brief one. Promise we won't keep you long.

Parrish: Of course. Should we take a walk outside as we talk?

Hope: I think that might be best, yes. [and she will gesture to the door that leads to one of the nearby gardens]

Parrish: [and he will catch his wife's eye so she knows where he's going, and then walks with the young couple outside] How is Jason doing?

Hope: Well. Claudia is keeping him company, but there's still a lot to adjust to.

Parrish: I'm sure. Have you ever done that spell before on a normal human and Landon?

Hope: Not exactly, no. We did it on Lizzie, but she's a witch.

Parrish: Then since he won't have his own healing factor, he's probably going to take some time just to rebuild his energy levels.

Hope: [she nods] Claudia's going to stay with him while we're gone, and my mother will be nearby if anything goes wrong. She'll be able to call my aunt.

Parrish: That's good. [he links his hands behind his back] So what do you need of me?

Hope: Ben said you recently traveled to the island. I was able to get some of the logistics from Liam, but I was wondering if there's anything else we should be aware of?

Parrish: There wasn't much there. [shrugs] The pit was dried up and most of the equipment had a thick layer of dust. One of the lab was destroyed, and I took some time to destroy the other two. No sign of any of the doctors, and no documents I could find that explained me.

Hope: How long ago did you go?

Parrish: Ten years ago, when Grayson didn't show any signs of being a werewolf.

Hope: Okay. So Malivore showed up in the portals when I was sixteen and Landon and I met. So maybe there will be nothing there, but maybe there's something they hid with magic.

Parrish: That was three years ago. [thinks] When is the last time you saw Clarke?

Hope: Right before I left for the Hale Manor? [she makes a face] He invited me to his wedding and Landon made me go. It was ... extravagant.

Parrish: Hm. Well, he did work for them, so if he's not there, they're probably gone.

Hope: I think it was more accurate that they worked for him. Clarke was carved from Malivore himself and doing his father's bidding. While he is free, that doesn't guarantee that the Dread Doctors haven't regrouped for worse experiments. If they've left anything behind, I might be able to use it to locate them.

Parrish: [nods] Are you asking for permission to take Liam with you to help guide you through that place?

Hope: No. I already was given a tour through his memories. [because that's comforting] But it was a limited window, and from a long time ago.

Parrish: ... you'd like me to go with you then.

Hope: You don't have to. We just want to know anything you can remember that we should be aware of.

Parrish: [shakes his head] It's still a decade since I've been there. Many things could have changed since then. The land isn't part of any country that shares the ocean border, so anyone could be there. You'll need to think beyond just chimeras and Malivore.

Hope: We'll be careful. Between the three of us we should be able to cast enough spells to keep us undetected.

Parrish: Good. But whatever you do, don't take anything back from there. Even if Landon feels he should. He may not even know if he took it. But there are things there that could bring Malivore back again. And for his sake, and mine, and possibly Grayson's... we can't let that happen.

Hope: Those things are gone. Malivore already swallowed them and if he is still destroyed then they should be too.

Parrish: There's more than three artifacts. He's had centuries before he became the black pit. When I was in there... when he remade me... he said he would four of us, and we would each know a way he had created. It sounds like you found Landon's way. Clarke tried his. I don't know mine.

Hope: Then it's probably for the best you don't go.

Parrish: [nods] I'll always be at your service, though, on matters of this nature.

Hope: I appreciate it. Hopefully they won't be matters of concern for long.

Parrish: One can hope. Just as I hope Grayson isn't the fourth phoenix he predicted.

Hope: Me too. But thank you, again, for the information.

Parrish: You're welcome. [gives her a slight bow] Ben, you make sure you take good care of your Lady tonight before someone else tries to catch her eye.

Hope: [glances back at him with a smile] He's never had to worry about that.

Parrish: Good. [and he will bow again and head off]

Ben: Have I mentioned how much I love you?

Hope: You have, but it's not nearly as much as I love you.

Ben: [and he will lean down to steal a quick kiss before asking] Who else do we need to exchange words with before we can sneak away back to our friends?

Hope: [shakes her head] I think we've made enough rounds for now.

Ben: Good. Let's go.

Hope: [and off they will go to dance and drink and feast, as young people should]

Ben: [surrounded by their friends and not stuffy old Lords]

Hope: [which means Ben will be able to actually dance with his intended given that they are among the supernatural rather than strangers]

Ben: [yeah. He's going to enjoy making this his home]

Hope: [good. Hope is very happy to hear it]

Jason: [and he's exhausted still, but he can't stay in bed any longer. So he slipped out and went to lean on a balcony, listening to the faint sound of music where the bayou party is]

Claudia: [comes out to join him, slipping her arm in his] Do you want to go?

Jason: [smiles and pulls her a bit closer] I think I've had my fair share of festivals for now. I'd just rather be with you.

Claudia: [smiles softly] Well, you'll have plenty of me.

Jason: Good. I'd hate to think I died for nothing.

Claudia: It never would have been for nothing, Jason. You're free.

Jason: The only reason I saw this as an option was because of you.

Claudia: Still. Your freedom is not worth nothing.

Jason: Okay. [he'll make it worth something to him] Do you want to go to the party?

Claudia: [shrugs, because while she doesn't like socializing with most people, it might be nice to spend some time with the pack. but they have time for that] I'd rather be with you.

Jason: [he'll nod, then take a step back, sliding his hand down her arm until he's just holding her fingers. He gives her a formal bow, kissing her knuckles in the process] Can I have this dance, m'lady?

Claudia: [she smiles as she nods, doing a small curtsey in return] It would be my pleasure.

Jason: [and it's not an energetic dance, but it's playful in its formality]

Claudia: [but it's nice, for them to be able to flirt, and dance, and not worry about who is watching them or what they have to plot. They can just be young, for once.]

Jason: [something that this one has never had a chance to do. But the smile on his scruffy face is genuine, and bigger than she's probably ever seen]

Claudia: [yes, and she greatly enjoys that smile, so they will just continue to dance until eventually she slips in closer to steal a kiss]

Jason: [and he will keep her close, stealing one for himself in return]

Claudia: [and she thinks, not for the first time, that they've been left alone with no supervision, and for the first time they don't have to worry about someone stumbling across them doing something uncomfortable, so she keeps kissing him, not pushing for anything more than that but just enjoying the freedom of being alone enough to not have to think about it]

Jason: [and he will keep kissing her until he needs to breathe, then he'll press his forehead to hers and softly chuckle] We really did it.

Claudia: We did. [she smiles] And now we can do whatever we want.

Jason: What I want to do first... is marry you.

Claudia: That sounds perfect.

Jason: Think we could make it happen before your parents leave so they can be here for you? We don't need anything big, do we?

Claudia: No, we don't but ... I don't know if they will agree. [her mother. she mostly doesn't think her mother will agree. not because she doesn't approve but more because she knows that they are running on the high of their successful plot and she wants to ensure that Jason truly is invested in her daughter and not what she can do for him]

Jason: Oh. [his smile drops] She doesn't trust my intentions?

Claudia: I think that this has been a very untraditional courtship and she'd want us to take our time.

Jason: She is probably right.

Claudia: [she nods, because she also knows how mate bonds work, and it's all very complicated] There is no rush. We have all the time in the world.

Jason: Keep reminding me that when I seem to forget

Claudia: I will. And in the meantime, we can court each other properly.

Jason: Well, I guess that means we should probably have separate homes as we do this.

Claudia: Probably. [will she stick to it, though, who knows] I'll likely keep my room at the Mikaelson manor.

Jason: I might... find someplace in the village or the bayou. I've lived this life since I was 8, so I've never actually done anything on my own. I think I need to.

Claudia: [she nods] You will need funds if you're going to do that. Perhaps Lady Kenner might be able to suggest someone who is looking for an apprentice of some kind.

Jason: Perhaps. [smiles] It'll be the first honest job I'll have.

Claudia: [smiles as well] Good. Hopefully you'll find something you like.

Jason: Maybe I'll also figure out things that I like... beyond you, of course.

Claudia: Also a good use of your time. After all, life could be quite boring if I was your only hobby.

Jason: You'd probably get annoyed with me after awhile.

Claudia: Probably, yes. But I don't think we're anywhere close to that yet.

Jason: Good. [and he will put his arms around her and sway to the music] And maybe there are things you enjoy that you can share with me, so we can do them together?

Claudia: I have a few things, I suppose. But they tend to be solitary activities like reading. I don't know how entertaining they would be.

Jason: Well, lucky for you I like reading.

Claudia: Then we can start there, and maybe figure out a few things we like together.

Jason: Like dancing?

Claudia: Oh, there will be a great deal of dancing.

Jason: I can do dancing.

Claudia: Good. It's not negotiable. [teasing]

Jason: I also know I like kissing you.

Claudia: [smiles] I happen to like that too.

Jason: Good. [and he'll lean in to kiss her gently]

Claudia: [and she'll push up on her toes to meet him in the kiss, one hand resting gently against the side of his neck]

Jason: [and he'll gasp softly against her lips at the touch. It takes him a moment to speak, whispering] I think it's going to take some time before I'm fully okay with being touched. But I know you're not going to hurt me. So when I react poorly, it isn't you at all, okay?

Claudia: [nods, staying in place for a moment] Is it okay now?

Jason: Yeah. Because I know it's you, and I want to be touched by you right now.

Claudia: [nods as she leans in to kiss him again] Just let me know if you want me to stop.

Jason: [kisses her again, his hand gently cupping the back of her head] I will. And if I'm not paying attention, make sure you get it before touching me. I can't promise I won't react violently.

Claudia: I will. I promise.

Jason: I have to say, knowing you're a werewolf eases my mind a bit that physically I can't really hurt you.

Claudia: Still, I don't want to make you upset in that way. It shouldn't matter how much damage I can take.

Jason: I know you don't. But I'm a trained assassin, Claudia. My flight or fight could kill a regular person in seconds if needed.

Claudia: I'm aware. I'm not trying to downplay your concern.

Jason: I know. I'm trying not to escalate it, but my emotions have been all over the place. Which, I'm sorry about yesterday and the mood changes.

Claudia: [shakes her head] You have nothing to apologize for.

Jason: [chuckles softly] I guess I should have asked more about what it's like to come back to life.

Claudia: I think we all could have.

Jason: The only thing I cared about was that we would have this. I can figure out my brain along the way.

Claudia: You will. As I said, we have all the time in the world.

Jason: [and he will lean down to kiss her again]

Claudia: [kisses him back, holding it for as long as he wants, but trying to be conscious of where her hands wander]

Jason: [which will be awhile, slowly lowering them to sit on a padded bench on the balcony so they can get off their feet]

Claudia: [yes that's much more comfortable, and her hand will slide to his shoulder, keeping him close]

Jason: [and they can just keep it up until he starts to get tired] I think it's time to go back to bed.

Claudia: Do you want me to get you something to eat?

Jason: Yes. I should eat to get my energy back. Maybe some fruit, nuts, and cheese?

Claudia: [nods and goes to head towards the kitchen] I'll see what I can find.

Jason: Thank you. [and he's going to check his face in the mirror again, decide against shaving, and go to lay on a sitting couch with a big pillow, a warm blanket, and a book near the fireplace]

Claudia: [and she will go and assess what they have in the kitchen, but also Hayley will stop by with some treats from the party, so she'll bring that up as well] Lady Kenner brought some food from the feast, so if you are feeling in the mood for something more hearty, there's that too.

Jason: I can try. [sits up a bit more, making room on the couch next to him]

Claudia: Whatever you don't eat, I can finish. But there's ham and potatoes, and other vegetables.

Jason: It does smell good. Perhaps it'll spark my appetite.

Claudia: [nods as she sets everything down on a nearby table, before pulling it closer so they can sit and eat]

Jason: [and the food is delicious, sparking his hunger. It's not long before he's finished his half of the food.] That was amazing.

Claudia: If you want I could sneak out and get some more for later.

Jason: If you do, I'm sure to be asleep when you get back.

Claudia: I can wait until you sleep.

Jason: You won't have long to wait. [and he settles back against the pillow] Normally I'm not this relaxed, or unguarded.

Claudia: Probably making up for lost time with sleep then.

Jason: That'd take years. [chuckles] I just want enough to be able to function again.

Claudia: Function how?

Jason: Be awake for more than a few hours at a time. Not wake up screaming from nightmares. I can still feel the fire burning sometime inside of me like residual phantom pains.

Claudia: [frowns, before brushing a hand against his forehead gently] Maybe I should check with Hope. See if there's any side effects we should be worried about.

Jason: That might be good. I've been meaning to ask Landon if he felt like this when he came back the first time.

Claudia: The binding spell should have broken. You shouldn't be feeling what he feels anymore.

Jason: I don't think I'm feeling him. It's me, I know that. [sighs] Maybe I'm catching a fever.

Claudia: Maybe. But let me know if you start to feel worse.

Jason: I will. [he nestles into the pillows more] I can sleep here if you want the bed. You should get a good night's sleep.

Claudia: [she feels like she's been sleeping just fine sleeping with him but boundaries. they should probably have them if they're not eloping] Are you sure you'll be comfortable?

Jason: Yeah. If not, I'll bring my blanket over and ask you to shift over.

Claudia: Alright. I'll go for food, the go to bed.

Jason: [and he takes her hand and kisses her knuckles] And I'll see you in my dream.

Claudia: [smiles] Sleep well.

Jason: [and he will, drifting off and his hand sliding off his chest and to the floor, the book he was holding following it.]

Claudia: [she closes the book, setting it to the side, before making a quick run to the party for more food if anyone wants to run into her there before she turns in for the night]

Ben: [he will eventually come and check on her, finding her at the food table] Hey, I'm surprised to see you here.

Claudia: Just coming to steal some leftovers, and then I'm heading back.

Ben: How's Jason doing? [hands her a basket from the bread table she can use for her food]

Claudia: Some moments are better than others. He has a lot to adjust to.

Ben: I bet. So are you both going back to Norway?

Claudia: Actually, he wants to stay here.

Ben: Here? I think the bayou is a little much for him.

Claudia: He doesn't think so. He likes the camaraderie here. I think he wants ... friends.

Ben: [nods] He has proven himself that he isn't as stuck up as I originally perceived.

Claudia: [she nods] He wants to get a real job and build a life. But that does mean that you won't be the only Stilinski remaining in Orleans.

Ben: [grins] Well, if I had to keep one of my sisters with me...

Claudia: What? You wouldn't want Joy around to provide all the gossip?

Ben: She would team up against me with Elizabeth in a heartbeat.

Claudia: So really I'm just the sister that requires less work.

Ben: You're also my favorite sister.

Claudia: I better be. Do you think there will be room for me at the manor?

Ben: Of course. You know Hope will give you whatever you need while you're here. And I can find a room for Jason as well.

Claudia: I'll see what he says. I think he intends to make his own way.

Ben: [blinks] Huh. That's... different.

Claudia: I think he wants to have a real life. One that he made for himself.

Ben: But does he know how to do anything? I mean, beyond what his previous job was.

Claudia: I don't know. But he can learn. Apprentices exist.

Ben: Yeah, but he'd need to learn to cook. Make firewood. mend clothes. [chuckles] He's definitely going to need to make friends.

Claudia: I'm sure survivalist training was part of his previous employment.

Ben: Let's hope. [hears the music] Sure you don't want a dance with your big brother before you head back to your den with your meal?

Claudia: [she shakes her head] I'm exhausted, actually, and I promised him I would sleep. But next time.

Ben: Next time. You're both welcome to join us for breakfast tomorrow.

Claudia: [nods] I'll let him know. Enjoy the party. [and with that she will head back to the house, store the food for later and crawl into bed to get some sleep]