open ; welcome to the inner workings of my mind

[persevere]

Who: Caroline Forbes + You + Closed Starters
Where: Everywhere
When: July 6th to the end of the month
Rating: This will get gory, most likely.
Summary: Caroline returns to Wonderland, but she's not quite herself these days...
The Story:

Deux Lux

[Caroline Forbes is here most nights, drinking the night away and dancing on any flat surface she can find no matter the height. She never drinks herself into oblivion because she wants to be at her best, on guard for any of her 'friends' that might feel the need to step in.

She doesn't want help. Anyone with half a brain could see she's just fine.

She's more than willing to dance with anyone who's willing, just don't let her pull you off to that dark corner or you might end up with a few puncture wounds and missing any recollection of the last couple of hours.]

Lake

[She actually carted an inflatable lounge chair out here, and anyone in her path would have seen a blonde blur as she doesn't even bother to hide the fact that she's different. The sun is out and she's in her bikini, hair tied into braided pigtails, sporting a pair of dark shades as she lazily kicks around in the water, catching some rays.

Sometimes you can catch her sunbathing on the edge of the water, too, laying casually out on a towel. Vampire or no, she still likes catching some rays.]

Mikaelson Rooms

[Those who are aware of her living arrangements or any of the others that live there as well can find her lounging in various common areas, usually with a drink in hand, and can be summoned to answer anyone who might knock at the door. She's almost always bored, biding her time with liquor and playing with her phone, stalking messages in search of juicy gossip and drama.

Or maybe she's looking for a snack. It's probably just fine, though.]

Choose Your Own Adventure

Feel free to set up anything anywhere. I'm very flexible.

Comments

[hypoxic]

[As she approaches, she reminds him of his relative place in the food chain. Despite his careful measures, despite everything, she will always have the advantage. She touches him, unbidden. The creep of her fingertips sends a shiver running through him. But he can't -- can't -- let her keep him so frightened that he loses his position. Klaus needs his loyalty now more than ever. He clenches his teeth to still a tremble threatening to expose him further, but there's no helping the spike in his heartbeat. She'll know, but at least she won't attack suddenly. His blood is acidic to her now, and she knows it. It's the only insurance he can count on.

It doesn't stop him from flinching at her description of her own neck-snapping. He can empathize with the unique cruelty she describes. That doesn't make it less of a relief when she finally parts from him, leaving him to release his breath in a single huff.]

Th--that's where you're wrong. The Klaus I know keeps himself up at night thinking of the things he's done. He remembers every injustice he's wrought, and it devours him. He's capable of terrible things -- but who isn't? [It's a familiar defense of Klaus Mikaelson. That behavior fits a pattern. It's just like the time L;aus compelled Fitz to spare his feelings. Hadn't he committed a terrible violation with the best intentions? There must be a similar way to understand this, to show compassion where Klaus most likely floods himself with regrets. Klaus can't be a monster. He can't be. Evil people never strive to do the kind of good that Klaus has shown. ]

You said it yourself before. He's stopping you from killing people. He hurt you because he wanted to help you. Because he loves you, and in a year -- or in however long it takes -- that's going to mean something to you again.

[persevere]

[She did the same things, telling herself that the horrible things she's done have been for the right reasons, but does the result really justify the cost? She killed twelve witches in a single moment to save her friend and she'd carry that with her forever. It's not the only time she's killed, either.

She can tell herself forever that she couldn't help it or that her friend was going to die but it didn't change the fact that she was a murderer.

That hadn't made her turn it off, though. Watching her mother waste away, not being able to save her, not being there to give her a real goodbye? Well, they can all see how that ended.

Her expression hardens as Fitz proceeds to stand up for Klaus to, of all people, her. Someday, she would probably thank him for this. Someday it would mean something again. If it wasn't going to, then she wouldn't have to go to all this trouble to keep from caring about it right now.

Her voice is tight when she speaks, controlled, icy.]

You're the one that said he wouldn't hurt me because he'd put that behind him. I'm just telling you that you're wrong. I don't want his help and I don't want your sympathy either.

[hypoxic]

[There's nothing in her, and that would frighten him terribly if she hadn't explained why. It makes him curious about what she's like when she's in her right mind. Does she smile often? Does she enjoy sunsets?]

I'm sure that in both cases, you'll have it whether or not you want it.

[He returns to his discarded glass, now beading with condensation despite the cold air practically radiating from Caroline. After raising it to her in a small toast, he'll take the bourbon in a single shot, and then nod politely to her.]

Tell Klaus I've been by? And. My condolences about your mum.

[He'll turn back toward the door then. They've probably had enough conversation, he reasons.]

[persevere]

[She's optimistic and, as Klaus likes to put it, full of light. She is none of those things in the wake of her grief. No doubt Klaus would tell him about it, if he asked later.]

Lucky me.

[Now she's just spiteful and annoyed. She turns her head away, focuses on her drink, but answers as he reaches the door.]

Sure. He'll probably be able to smell you were here anyway.