{Oh, how we cope with these slow days

[itchtokill]

Who: Kol Mikaelson OR Cisco Ramon and YOU
Where: Various places
When: Month of February
Rating: PG (?) will warn for anything worse as needed.
Summary: Kol is setting up to sort out this memory business; Cisco is getting down to business making a lab space, helping Chloe with the WPA, whatever.
The Story:

Comments

{Another day goes by, I think it feels just like yesterday » OTA

[itchtokill]

When he isn't busy trying to crack all of Wonderland's secrets, Kol may be found at any number of places around the mansion-- The usual haunts like the library, where he's continuing his earlier research into the history of Wonderland. A feat that proves near-impossible, because every world and universe out there seems to have a version of the story of Alice and her trip to Wonderland. But none of it matches what he knows about the Alice here, or even very much of this very real Wonderland he lives in now. The 5th floor bar is a good place to find him when he isn't angrily mumbling at the shelves of the library, or found in the pocket of one of his siblings, as Mikaelsons are so often wont to be at any given time. He never has less than a half-full bottle of bourbon at his side when he's there and his mood may range from downright tetchy to overly witty and charming depending on the day. Come say hi, if you want to take the gamble. He may end up just about anywhere on Wonderland's grounds, however, if anyone fancies something a bit more wild-card with him!

[persevere]

Caroline never used to be the biggest reader in the world, but a certain hybrid slowly started to change that ever since he gifted her a bunch of books he thought she should read. While she would usually retreat back to somewhere more private, she's lounging in the library with her current choice of reading material, peeking over the top of it as Kol grumbles with annoyance at the shelves.

He's probably looking for something specific or useful. Wonderland isn't very good with that.

"If it makes you feel any better, it doesn't usually give me what I want, either."

[itchtokill]

"Yes, well, I'd really rather it--" He's started answering before he's even turned around, not paying enough mind to the voice until he's faced with the owner of it, which sort of snaps his jaw shut, tight, and earns her a rigid, "Oh." As in, 'it's you.'

[persevere]

"Wouldn't we all."

Don't mind her while she just answers as if he didn't stop in the middle of his sentence to be rude. She's trying to play nice here. "But it's not going to give you any information on a way out or, well, anything about 'here' at all honestly. Believe me, we've all tried."

[itchtokill]

"Yeah, people keep saying that." He rolls his eyes. Sounds more like defeatist attitude to him, and that's exactly what Wonderland wants-- its residents left with no fight, no drive, and no memories; Kol isn't keen on letting anyone take everything from him so easily.

The bar

[twirlier]

Misty spends more time in bars in Wonderland than she has ever before in her life. Before on the boat, and now in both of the two in the mansion. Mostly because most of those she considers friends tend to spend a lot of time drinking, and in truth what else is there to do?

Though that day Misty is seeking out one person in particular as she pauses inside the door, looking around as she lets her eyes adjust to the darkness. Finally spotting a familiar face, she slips her way through others and moves to settle in on a stool next to Kol, not worrying about the gamble in talking to him. She can handle herself, and is kind of used to cranky men, so it's all good.

"If I asked for a drink, is it going to be that paint thinner you're drinking?" She teases, smirking as she nudges him with one shoulder.

[itchtokill]

He turns at the sound of a familiar voice, all bright smiles. "Misty, darling, it's been ages." He chuckles a bit at her comment, "Excuse you, this is the best bourbon this bar will hand out. It's hardly paint thinner." He gives her a teasing sort of face. "What's your poison, then?" He's not entirely sure he's convinced she drinks at all.

[twirlier]

Grinning at him, delighting in crossing paths with Kol once more. There's been so much madness as of late in the mansion and she's been dealing with things on her own end that she hadn't let herself realize how much she missed her friends. Until now.

"I'm sure it's marvelous," she says. "It's some of the same stuff I think Gren drinks," she admits. She pauses a moment before perking up. "Oh, do they have that pink tequila stuff? I had this creme thing that was so good."

[itchtokill]

"Sounds like some mixed thing-- I think I could make you something." He grins and hops over the bar top, landing easily on his feet on the other side of it, moving about like he'd done this his entire life. He grabs the tequila, curaçao, and some on-the-sweet-side fruit juices to mix her a drink and set in down on the bar in front of her. "So, tell me. What have you been up to recently, luv?" He asks, leaning on his arms against the bar. He feels like it's been entirely too long since he's talked to her.

library;

[mandrakes]

"What did the books do to you?" Regis asks mildly. He could hear the other vampire muttering from several aisles away, but the precise source had been a mystery until he rounds the stack and finds Kol standing there.

Of course, he knows that there are many reasons one might be irritated at a particular section of the library or indeed the entire place, given its capricious nature and tendency to simply do as it wishes without regard for those attempting to use it. No one has been able to keep it in order quite as well as Evelyn did.

"Would another set of eyes be of any use?"

[itchtokill]

"I'm rather certain they're purposely trying to put me off," he admits, hands settling on his hips as he turns toward the familiar voice. There's a soft huff as he admits, "Honestly, I doubt it. I think the library's just having a laugh at me." And Wonderland seems sentient enough to do just that, if Kol were asked.

[mandrakes]

"Hmm. Perhaps it's because of what you're looking for."

Can a library take offence? He doesn't automatically assume that Kol is searching for something untoward, but who really knows when it comes to this place.

"Or you could be right. I've seen stranger things happen here."

[itchtokill]

"Probably." He admits with a frustrated sigh. "It's never too keen on giving us anything like a lead on its own inner-workings." Not that Kol can actually blame Wonderland for that; he wasn't one to divulge his innermost plans, either. But it was far more annoying to be on the side that was in the dark rather than in the know.

° library

[beautifullies]

Today, Claire isn't researching her future - or past, as it were - but she does have a few books in her arms of note. Mostly regarding medicine and science, but a few books regarding astrophysics, very dumbed down and simple for her to understand. She wants to try and understand more about how she could have traveled in time, why Jamie can't.

When she spots Kol, she tilts her head to the side with a faint smile on her lips.

"By the look on your face, the books are getting the best of you today."

[itchtokill]

"They really rather are." He admits, turning toward the owner of that voice that is becoming increasingly familiar by now. Claire is quickly becoming some sort of very persistent fixture in his life in Wonderland. "Did you know there have been nearly fifty versions of the Alice in Wonderland story told, re-told, and spun about in the last century?" He sounds exasperated.

[beautifullies]

If someone would have told her two of her closest confidants would be vampires, well. A year ago she might have told that person they were out of their minds.

"Christ, no, I had no idea. I realized there might be adaptations," she says with a bit of a frown. "Are you trying to find one that matches our experiences here?"

library

[bibliocorn]

The continued frustration with understanding Wonderland and the complete lack of text on the matter is one of Sunburst's bugbears. Knowledge is power- hell, it's his power, and lacking in it never sits right with him. He likes being able to research so much into a subject it would make others heads spin. But here...it's like trying to solve a riddle with most of it missing. And an answer that changes every month.

He trots over to Kol, a pile of books levitating along beside his head, which he dutifully places on the table next to the rest of the (largely) unhelpful texts.

"Any luck?"

[itchtokill]

"Not particularly," he admits with a soft huff as he glances up from the spot at the table he'd claimed hours ago. "There's loads of different versions of the Alice story, and a ton different takes on Wonderland, but none of it sounds like anything we've ever dealt with here."

[bibliocorn]

"Hmm, I've found that, too."

A fact Sunburst is none too happy about. He levitates a book into the air, flicking through the pages- speed reading something he's read what feels like a hundred time already.

"This version of Wonderland is far less willing to give up its secrets. Even the cast of characters, though similar to the Residents we have here- they are just different enough to make the whole thing rather frustrating. And trying to get sense out of them here is near impossible."

5th floor bar;

[thevulnerability]

Because Chloe also lives in the penthouse over Deux Lux means she spends an awful lot of time there, and that time spent isn't always easy. Thus, she occasionally crosses into enemy lines and pays a visit to Damon's old bar. It's still difficult to be there sometimes; it reminds her of the earlier days in Wonderland, when she had Lucifer and Elena, and Damon's was often the place she and Elena would escape to when they needed to talk without the concern of prying devil ears. Being there makes her feel a little closer to her friend, even though she's long ago come to terms with never seeing Elena again.

Thus, stumbling over a Mikaelson isn't unwelcome, even if it isn't one of the siblings she is close to. Freya and Klaus have proven themselves to be such important parts of her life that Chloe takes being a friend to Mikaelsons for granted, to the point that she doesn't always entirely grasp how dangerous they really can be.

She slides into the seat next to Kol, a drink in her hand, and offers him a smile. "Nice place, huh?"

[itchtokill]

Nik and Freya both seem rather fond of her in their own ways, but Kol hasn't quite figured out where Chloe fits into his life-- or if she should, yet. Still, company is welcome all the same and he turns his attention toward her. "As good as any, I suppose."

[thevulnerability]

He doesn't really need to figure it out. Chloe will find where she fits, and there she will stay, likely whether he wants her to or not.

"My place is better," she says with a smile, taking a sip of her drink. "I run Deux Lux, on the sixth floor. Luckily, I think the lack of money in Wonderland basically kills the concept of competition."

fifth floor bar bc they need to carouse a bit y/y?

[poppycock]

Heartfelt conversations over a few drinks aside, Mikaelsons do tend to congregate where there is ample supply of liquor. Tonight is a good enough night as any and the fifth floor bar is a lovely spot for it. Just seedy enough, with the added benefit of history to make it homey.

Klaus has been knocking them back for no particular reason — boredom, mostly. Brotherly bonding as well, perhaps? History does paint a pretty picture of the trouble he and Kol got into when they've imbibed, so why not liven this down-spell up?

Another swig of whiskey swallowed, Klaus turns the empty glass on the table, lip down. Slurring only slightly, Klaus lifts his pointer finger to Kol. "You know, there was nothing that compared to Normandy at the turn of the century; that was where we spilled the most blood." Obviously this is where reminisces take them: carousing and bloody murder. It would be a lie to say has not missed this: he loves Freya, but they do not have centuries of experience to share.

[itchtokill]

Arguably more alike than either would rather admit, Kol and Klaus have always had a grand time together when their priorities aligned just so, between the bitterness and vitriol. Tonight is certainly one of the more amusing nights among them, and perhaps far more necessary after their last conversation. Kol has lost count of how much he's been drinking, but it's enough to feel the buzz, keep that relaxed and easy-free feeling spinning its way through him. "We did have fun then, didn't we?" Because bloodbaths equal a good party in the Mikaelson clan. Hopefully no one overhears too much of this conversation, it might get awkward for some of their friends.

[poppycock]

Let it be awkward, is what Klaus would say, and only a bit because of the drink. They've never made a point to feel ashamed by their exploits; quite the contrary. "There's nothing like a war to cover one's tracks." And isn't that the truth.