entrancelogs | Baby I need a friend, but I'm a vampire smile, you'll meet a sticky end. [Open]

Entry tags:

Baby I need a friend, but I'm a vampire smile, you'll meet a sticky end. [Open]

Who: Caroline Forbes + YOU

Where: All over!

When: October 13th

Rating: PG-13 to be safe? Will update if needed.

Summary: Caroline arrives in Wonderland. Not sure if like.
Notes: There will be a few starters! Add your own if you like. Prose or action are both fine!

The Story :

The amount of voicemails she's left in her life has given Caroline the uncanny ability to know instinctively, in her gut, exactly how much time she has to talk before the time runs out. So when her fingertip presses the End Call button on her touchscreen phone this time, she knows she barely has a second to spare before the heartless and emotionless computerized voice asks her if she's satisfied with her message. Hitting it just in time gives her a surge of adrenaline, making her previously steady hands shake ever so slightly as she runs her fingers through her hair. Okay, so maybe the reason she's shaking isn't because of something as lame as the thrill of perfect timing. Maybe it's because of what she left on the voicemail to Stefan and the tightened nerves and emotional release of saying everything she needed to say to someone who won't even call her back. An uneasy feeling in her stomach reminds her of the times she called Tyler, using his voicemail as the only place in the world she could say what she was really feeling, and she's reminded of the trainwreck of that failed relationship. But she refuses to accept defeat with Stefan, wills herself to believe this time it will be different. One of these days, and one of these days soon, by the way, he will pick up the phone and call her back and tell her he's going to help her fix everything. Just like he used to.

Caroline, now more or less back to her optimistic and determined self, receives her check from a pretty waitress at the diner. She leaves cash with more of a tip than she can probably afford, and moves to start carefully packing away the newest batch of occult books she's been reading. When she opens her bag, however, there's something not quite right in the darkness that she sees there. Frozen with a book in hand, her eyes are transfixed by the emptiness staring back at her. At first she thinks she's had way too much coffee and nowhere near enough sleep, but that's nothing new these days with working so hard to get her home back. Then she feels something.

A lurch in the air, a pull in her chest. Startled, she stands clumsily out of her chair and knocks over her coffee cup on the way. With quick reflexes, she moves to catch the cup before it shatters on the ground...

Only to find herself in the middle of a dark forest, feeling dizzy like the entire world flipped upside-down and she's getting used to being on the wrong side of the earth.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Caroline takes a moment to reorient herself, blinking in the darkness, breathing in the smell of lush greens and old dirt. Whatever just happened certainly wasn't natural, which probably meant magic. Maybe Liv decided to play a cruel joke on her for revenge? Maybe she'd been dosed with something in her coffee and was hallucinating? Caroline rules those possibilities out, as Liv didn't seem like the practical joke sort, and her senses were clearly telling her that whatever this place is, it's very very real. Spotting somewhere in the distance that seems to be a little brighter, Caroline begins to carefully travel towards the light.]

Hello? Is anybody there? [She calls out, surprised at how loud her voice sounds before it hits her. She can't hear a single bird, or the buzz or skittering of insects, not even the rustling of wind through the leaves. She's completely and utterly alone here, wherever here is, and as her heart skips in her chest she realizes how very afraid she is.]

Somebody? [She cries, turning to look behind her, but never stopping her progress towards the lighter part of the forest.] Anyone??

[In an attempt to calm herself, Caroline stops and puts her palms over her eyes, willing herself to take a few deep breaths.]

Okay. Okay. [Feeling less panicked, she drops her hands and blinks open her eyes, giving herself a quick look-over. She's in one piece at least, and the creepy dark forest is also kind of pretty, and no noise probably meant that nothing was coming to kill her. Things could be much, much worse. Caroline holds onto that, looking for the silver lining in this extremely trippy dark cloud. Thumbing the daylight ring on her finger, she continues her journey toward the light, maybe hoping to stumble on some ruby slippers and wish herself home.]

Edited 2014-10-13 16:50 (UTC)

[Michael heard the voice, faint and possibly feminine, and he tilts his head to the side, trying to pinpoint where it's coming from. To the left, no the right, but definitely coming from inside the forest.

He was still relatively new here, and hadn't explored this part of Wonderland until now. Which meant he didn't have solid knowledge as to what lurked inside the forest, but he hadn't expected to find someone inside, calling for help. He rolled his shoulders, letting his wings settle behind him, and took a few steps into the shade cast by the tall tress.]

Hello. Are you alright?

[His voice is low at first, then louder, and he can see a distinctly female shape coming towards him.]

[She hears his steps before she hears his voice, even the quietest syllables coming in loud and clear. Her first reaction is deep, physical relief. She isn't alone. There's someone else here. Caroline lets out a halted sigh, a sound of pent up fear being set free.

Caroline starts moving toward the figure of the distant stranger, her steps surer, her breathing calmer.]

Hello? [She calls out again, hoping it wasn't a trick or a hallucination, quickening her pace. She nearly breaks into vamp speed but decides against it, now realizing that whoever this stranger was? He could be dangerous. He could be the one that put her here.

Caroline stops before she gets too close, a smile on her lips doing very little to hide her wary and frightened state.]

Hey! Hey, oh my god. I'm fine. I just.. [Caroline glances around her before returning her gaze to Michael. She lets out a tired, nervous laugh.] I'm sorry, it's crazy, I have absolutely no idea how I got here.

..Do you happen to know where here is?

Edited 2014-10-14 00:13 (UTC)

I do.

[His voice is firm, reassuring and confident, letting her know that she isn't in any danger. Not from him.]

How you got here is a bit complicated to explain, well, where you are is complicated, too.

[Michael sighed, crossing his hands over his chest, uncertain what to tell her first. His name, maybe. Introductions were always a good way to begin.]

I am Michael, and welcome to Wonderland.

[The place that pulls in all sorts of people, and doesn't let you go home until it's good and ready. The place where you get turned human, and bust out into embarrassing songs without wanting to.]

[His general vibe, while sorta stiff and odd, does calm her down. Of course, pretty soon she realizes that maybe he's a little crazy. Or maybe she's a little crazy. Someone's crazy here. Even if said crazy is just the social no-no of teasing someone who's obviously kind of freaked out.

Skeptical at first, Caroline raises her brows as if waiting for the punchline, but when the punchline never comes.. She laughs. It's a tight laugh, one that bubbles out of her.]

Okay, I walked right into that one. Where am I really?

[The smile lingering on her lips starts to fade as concern forms a line on her forehead.]

Wonderland.

[He took a small step forward, then turned to gesture behind him, a quick wave of his hand in the direction of what lay beyond the tree line.]

It's a bit much to take in at first, but you'll find ways to adjust.

[Eventually. Michael frowned for a moment, then nodded once he'd decided what to do.]

Maybe I can show you. If you get outside the forest, you'll understand better.

[Wonderland.

Okay. Well he can't mean that Wonderland. Maybe it's a town. Or maybe it's a dream? Can it be a dream, please? Or maybe this guy thinks he's Michael Jackson and this is the Wonderland/Neverland Ranch, which might actually be creepier than actually being in a fantasy book.

Caroline, deciding to place her feet firmly on the side of denial rather than believe him, sees little to do at this point but play along with the crazy and/or delusional guy.]

Okay, Michael, let's go see Wonderland. [A beat. Her eyes narrow suspiciously as she nods towards the direction he gestured.] You first.

Edited 2014-10-19 03:45 (UTC)

[Ah. She didn't believe him.

For all of Michael's social and emotional inadequacies, he could pick up on the smaller things like this easily. He didn't blame her for not wanting to feel like any of this was real, and, even though he'd been here a few months, it still didn't feel quite real to him either.]

Alright. The edge of the forest is nearby. [He started to turn, lead the way, but paused for a moment.] What is your name?

[Without waiting for her reply, he'll turn back towards the light and move confidently, unhesitating and sure in his steps. It was still dark, but as they moved closer to the tree line, and farther out of the forest, she'd be able to see his form better. See the distinct lines of the black wings folded behind his back, and further into the light, see deceptively soft looking feathers.]

[ well, super hearing isn't just for werewolves and vampires anymore. the forest is not an especially nice place to be, especially alone, and so it's one of the places that Thor makes it a habit of passing by -- and over, though only briefly.

impossible or not, the forest does not seem to... end. there is some sort of distortion of space, folding over on itself, or... something similar. it's not his area of expertise, and without equipment Thor could not begin to make a guess.

but for all these reasons, he does hear her voice, and then the sound of someone -- someone human-sized and petite -- moving through the brush.

and that's why Thor drops in on top of her.

hi Caroline ]

[Oh-

What the actual fu-]

Woah! [Caroline says it like an accusation. As if landing in front of her out of the sky was as insulting as kicking a puppy.

But that's the nerves talking.

Speaking of nerves, Caroline most definitely took a few superspeed steps back when Comet Thor touched down, and currently she's clutching at the top of her dress with one hand, the other outstretched at her side.]

You scared the hell out of me! [Which is true, but she's also.. Incredibly relieved that she isn't alone. Even if said company could potentially be dangerous, right now, she's more thankful than not. Not that it shows. Caroline has to resist the urge to hit him.]

For future reference? A quick: hey look out below might be good.

Edited 2014-10-14 03:15 (UTC)

My apologies.

[ he says, as he rises... and rises, to his full height of six and a half feet. Thor's smile, though, is both boyish -- and sheepish. ]

I am still working on my... landings, for the people of your world.

[ even as he says it, though his eyes fasten on her in a slightly more intent way. or is he? she moved very quickly. ]

[Caroline watches as he just gets taller and taller, and when he's standing at full height she also notices the general gorgeousness of the guy who fell from the sky. She raises her eyebrows, still peeved and surprised but generally appreciative of the view.

So not important right now. Caroline refocuses.]

People of my world? [Something tells her this isn't leading to a cheesy pickup line.] Is this the part where you tell me you're an alien?

[Haha. Yeah right. Aliens. Pfft.]

[ Thor just smiles. it's a broad, cheeky smile. ]

We are all aliens to one another. And it is... humbling, after being worshiped as a god, to be an alien instead.

[ he chuckles, shaking his head ] ...Some of my people could very much use humbling. Me not least among them.

[Caroline... Just... Stares for a second in serious disbelief. Then she finds the god thing too hilarious to deal with, and bursts out laughing. Caroline covers her mouth with her hands and giggles. Give her a minute. Okay. Okay, she's good.]

So you're a sky god. A god from the sky.

[OK BRO. SURE YOU ARE. She places a hand on her hip and gives him a little sass. At least Thor's distracting her from being scared. That's always good.]

Are you here for some intervention in my kidnapping or am I supposed to get my worshiping on first? Cause, buddy? That's not gonna happen.

[Though Caroline's starting to notice some things. Like his hammer. His clothes. His general... Well, he does have an imposing presence, that's for sure.]

[ ~~yeah according to Doctor Octopus in Peter Parker's body, it's just a thing, an aura~~ well, now he's frowning ]

I do not want your worship. [ he shifts, a bit self-conscious for all the cape and the armor and the shiny hammer ] I only thought to help you leave this forest.

[The more Caroline explores, the more she learns, the more questions she has.

As much as she might need a vacation from, well, her entire life, being magically whisked away to a whimsical yet eerie wonderland against her will isn't exactly her idea of a dream getaway. The mansion in the distance unnerves her, the way it shifts and changes like a mirage, so for now she's wandering the grounds, looking for clues, for people to talk to. And most importantly, a way home.

Dressed in quite the colorful summer-y sundress, she moves with purpose even though she isn't sure where her feet will take her.]

[Caroline can be found Nope-ing out of the hedge maze, starting to wander in then deciding that going into a maze in a magical whatever-land is probably the worst idea ever and marching right back out.]

[Later, Caroline will be exploring vendor stalls with extremely guarded body language, side-eyeing the hell out of the creepy silent masked people and keeping an eye out for anyone who looks sane and approachable.]

[Or pick your own!]

Edited 2014-10-13 17:44 (UTC)

[ Hayley's been spending more time out of doors than in - a habit she'd gotten used to over the past few months in New Orleans, long weeks spent in the bayou. This place is far from the same, but still. Being cooped up indoors for too long leaves her feeling trapped and restless, not a feeling she particularly likes.

So roaming the grounds is not all that unusual for her, especially not in a new place where she's still trying to get her own bearings. She's been avoiding people to a certain extent as well, overwhelmed a little with everything being so... well. Whatever this place is.

Surprises seem to like popping out of nowhere here, however, so when she comes around the corner of one of the vendor stalls, not really paying attention to what - or who - might be nearby, the last person she expects to see if a familiar blond vampire out of her past - and not the one she arrived with. ]

Oh, you have got to be kidding me.

[ Crap. That hadn't been out loud, had it? ]

[A friendly face is not something she's expecting to see here. So it's a good thing when she spots Hayley after she definitely says that out loud, Caroline only has to deal with a familiar one. A very unfortunate blast from the past.

Caroline only wastes a second being surprised, and then she's marching towards her old backstabbing acquaintance with tunnel vision. Angry tunnel vision. The look on her face is a kind of specific pointed hatred that only a former mean girl could pull off, and for a moment there, Caroline isn't sure herself if she's going to be attempting some satisfying neck-snapping revenge or not. Current situation forgotten, Caroline stops in front of Hayley and crosses her arms.]

Hey Hayley! [The saccharine-sweet smile that grows on her lips is anything but sweet. It's practically venomous.] Stab anyone in the back today?

Or are you still having trouble getting people to care enough first?

[ Ugh. She knew she should have gotten out of bed this morning.

She fixes the vampire with an unimpressed look, because how else was she supposed to react to that? She's got enough shit on her plate without adding Cheerleader Barbie to the menu. ]

Back off, Blondie. You do not want to start this right now.

What, are you going to snap my neck again? Don't you want me to close my eyes first? Maybe look away?

[Yeah she has no idea that Hayley's a whole lot more than a werewolf now, but then again, it probably wouldn't matter to her anyway. Hayley not only hurt her, she betrayed Tyler in one of the worst ways possible. Even though it's way in the past now, her loyalty to her friends is something unbreakable. Something that makes her not afraid of death or pain.

But it seems like at the last second, Caroline regains her senses. All fake smiles gone, Caroline's straight with her.]

Okay, you know what, you're right. I don't want this. [She shakes her head a little, as if disappointed, disgusted.] I don't want any of this. [Caroline actually throws her hands in the air before she moves to start walking away.] Just stay away from me.

You're the one that stormed over here and started throwing insults.

[ Hayley felt this was important to point out, because really? And she'd thought her moodswings were bad.

Also probably not best to bring up Tyler. Not someone on on Hayley's favorite person list these days. ]

Or invitations. Whatever. Trust me, I'm just as thrilled to be stuck here as you are.

Yeah, well, you deserve all of it and more.

[Though she's still harboring some rage, Caroline takes the intensity of it down a notch, spinning around to look at Hayley again. Finally getting to the heart of the matter.]

We trusted you. I trusted you. Despite every single flashing warning sign that you were no good, I gave you every chance to prove me wrong. [A light scoff.] You don't even care, do you.

Not really, no.

[ Blunt, but honest. Sort of. In truth, she regretted ever having let herself get drawn into the mess of plots and counter-plots that always seemed to weave so tightly around things in Mystic Falls. Not that things in New Orleans weren't just the same, but again, she never would have ended up there either. Some days she misses how simple her life had been before she'd complicated it with vampires and Originals. But she hadn't been happy then either, had she? ]

I had my own reasons for being there, true. Something I'd been searching for for years. If it hadn't put what I needed at polar opposites of what Tyler was trying to do, then yeah. I would have helped him. And I did help him, where I could. Do you think him breaking his sire bond the first time was easy? Besides. He's not exactly a glowing beacon of trustworthiness himself, you know.

[ There's a flare of rage in her eyes at those words, something sharp and visceral, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. The next time her and Tyler crossed paths was likely to be messy. ]

[Caroline, at least, can appreciate bluntness. At least it's honest, and at least it saves time. She's a regular dispenser of blunt honesty, which tends to get her in more trouble than not. But since there's no real relationship here to salvage, it doesn't matter. She just tilts her head and breathes out a silent that's what I thought, arms folding across her chest.

Brows raised defensively as Hayley explains, Caroline has to stop herself from interjecting. But then she makes the comment about Tyler's trustworthiness and it gives her pause.

Significant pause.

Because she gets it. Caroline doesn't know of Hayley's involvement in New Orleans, not in the slightest, so she doesn't understand the connection. However, with her heart on her sleeve at all times, she can't hide the way her eyes darken, her gaze softens. It's recognition of Tyler's flaws and a reflection of the deep hurt that still lingers in her chest.

Caroline glances away, firm stance relaxing a fraction. She's no longer tense like she's on the verge of lashing out.]

He still didn't deserve it. He didn't deserve working that hard and bonding with all of those people, and you, only to lose all of it because of some- [A beat. She looks at Hayley.] Did you get what you wanted? Was it worth it?

[Although her tone remains accusatory, she's genuinely curious.</small]

Edited 2014-10-17 21:17 (UTC)

[ And then she has to go and be reasonable about the whole thing. Hayley was much more comfortable when she was yelling. Especially because she didn't want to think too deeply about that question. Or the only answers she had to give.

So instead, she wrapped her arms around her middle and averted her gaze, lifting one shoulder in a shrug as she scowled fiercely at nothing in particular. ]

Maybe. Sort of. It gave me a direction and I found the answers I'd been looking for. Along with a much bigger mess in the long run. Was it worth it?

[ There's something like pain that flickers briefly in her gaze, sharp and stabbing, and then she clenches her jaw, stubborn. ]

Maybe. Maybe it will be. Eventually. He wasn't the only one who lost them, you know. Or the others... [ She trails off, frowning, then shakes her head before finally looking back to meet Caroline's gaze, defensive and unhappy. ] Desperate people don't make the best decisions. I'm sorry I couldn't help him. That what happened happened. I guess I owe you an apology, too. I... hadn't planned on that. On any of that.

[Caroline listens carefully, ready to pick apart what she says, to judge and deliver appropriate arguments to whatever excuse she gives her.

But when Hayley gets to the apologies? Caroline doesn't really know what to do.

Because when people are genuine with her, even people she actively dislikes, even people who don't deserve any chances, she has a tendency to give them a break. Even if said break is only biting her tongue. Maybe a little while ago it would have been easier for her to dismiss the half-apology, to completely ignore the self-admitted desperate reason. She'd done some not so great things in desperation to save her friends.

She barely knew a thing about Hayley. And maybe now she gets that even though she thought she gave the werewolf a chance, maybe she didn't. It's not a nice pill to swallow. Which shows in the way she seems reluctant to reply, the slight sour look on her lips.]

Okay. [It's as close as she can get to accepting the sorta apology. At least right now. Her tone's still clipped, but she's no longer on the offense.]

Just, maybe next time? See if there's a better way to get what you want. Maybe a way that involves talking instead of neck-breaking?

[Also as close as she can get to extending the olive branch. An offer to at least consider hearing her out and possibly helping, if things get bad enough.]

[ Hayley makes a face at that, her nose wrinkling in utter distaste, but maybe - maybe - there's the faintest hint of humor glinting briefly in dark eyes. ]

Ugh. Talking is so unreliable. And it takes too long. What's Option C?

[ Because maybe trying to lighten the topic will ease some of the discomfort she still feels over everything that had happened, and her own part in the mess it had become. ]

[Rebekah has had the better part of a week to do her own adjusting, though for the most part, it's been a slow and cynical process. She's never been good at taking others at their word, and while Klaus seemed to have most of the answers she sought, she'd become wary about trusting him, as well -- though she realizes he had offered her a very generous show of faith before coming here, and perhaps she owes him the same. A fresh start, a bit of trust.

Still, there are certain things that she feels she must see for herself in order to believe, and Wonderland is home to many of them. A walk throughout various locations across the grounds had felt in order, but when she comes to where the vendors have set up their stalls, it's not the masked men that make her stop short. It's someone else entirely.]

Well. [She lets out a huff of breath; Caroline's isn't a face she thought she'd be seeing again any time soon.] Look who it is.

[She hears the familiar voice and after a brief moment of are you srs right now, Caroline turns toward Rebekah and spots her with her own eyes. What she feels when she sees the blonde original is somewhat unexpected, because instead of the anger and annoyance she experienced when she saw Hayley, part of her actually feels.. Glad? Relieved? Wait, what?

Caroline decides not to question it, she just goes with it. She takes a few steps closer to Rebekah, her forehead lined with amused confusion.]

I didn't think it was possible for me to be even a little bit glad to see you, of all people. [So weird tho.] ..Are we sure this isn't some extreme witchy drug trip? Cause that would explain.. Uh, everything.

[She smiles a little, but it's shaky. She's unnerved by everything about this place.]

[The relief goes both ways, much to Rebekah's surprise. It's possible that some part of each of them recognizes that they understand each other, in a way, even if they've never been particularly chummy -- and Rebekah finds herself forced to admit that another familiar face here is somewhat comforting, even if their history is a rocky one.]

Believe me, I feel quite the same way.

[She smiles, and it comes out forced -- more of a grimace, really.]

To tell you the truth, I'm not convinced. The witches in our neck of the woods have been something of a nuisance lately. [To put it lightly.] It's certainly plausible to think they're responsible.

[Her tone says it all: she's about 5000% done with witches.]

[Billy is walking the grounds after spending some time with Darcy in the new coffee shop. After being cooped up all weekend it's nice to be outside. He's just passing by the maze when he sees a girl he doesn't recognise take a step in and then immediately think better of it and back out.

He can't help the laugh that bubbles out of him. It reminds him too much of so,etching he would do.]

Yeah, probably a good idea not to go wandering in there.

[Caught off guard, Caroline looks up at the laugh, startled and defensive. But she eases up when she sees Billy, and casually takes a few steps towards him, offering a tight smile.]

Yeah, no, a maze in Wonderland? I decided I'd like to keep my head today, thanks.

Well, so far I haven't heard anyone scream 'off with her head' and I haven't had to paint the roses red, but we do have a crazy red queen, so it wouldn't surprise me if we end up doing that one day.

[He smiles at her.] I'm Billy.

[Caroline looks equally amused and horrified, nodding with a clenched jaw and a tight, tense smirk.] Of course we do. What would Wonderland be without a psycho queen to keep us even more on our toes.

[She hasn't exactly adjusted yet or accepted her lot. So she's a little angry. Caroline realizes her hostile tone and sighs, offering a sheepish, quiet smile in return. She approaches Billy, ready to offer her hand for a handshake.]

Sorry, I'm new, and still freaked. Which I think is completely reasonable considering I've been kidnapped and forced to believe in insanity all in one day.

[Not that being forced to believe in insane things is a new thing for her. Just. Vampires and witches were a lot easier to accept than Wonderland being real.]

Caroline Forbes. [She'll move to shake his hand now if he lets her.]

Totally reasonable. Been where you are. [ He shakes her hand. ] Its not...something thats easy to wrap your head around. Sometimes I still think this is all just a weird hallucination.

I'm still pinching myself. Like every five minutes. [She relates. A lot. Caroline sighs lightly, smiling with self-deprecation.] No results yet, but I'm sure I'll keep trying.

[She places her hands on her hips and looks at Billy.]

How long have you been..?

Edited 2014-10-19 04:55 (UTC)

Well let me know if it works.

[He shrugs. ] About four months. Time is strange here, it was January in my world but June here. It's not so bad, I think you start to get used to it here. I know for some people this place is a whole lot better than home.

[Caroline Forbes is not a quitter. Not even a little bit. She's the type of girl who would not only take on the impossible, but somehow find a way to force it to bend to her will, first by inches and then all at once. But with the light in the sky starting to fade and the air beginning to cool, she can't help but feel a little bit defeated. If this strange new world remained unchanged, if day never turned into night, she might be able to fool herself into hoping that it's all a strange dream she'll eventually wake up from.

The truth is, she can't fight the dying of the light no matter how much she might wish to. This is real. The home she'd been fighting so hard for has been taken from her once again, and something tells her that all the reading in the world won't be able to fix it this time.

As Caroline finally accepts all that she's learned, she finds herself stepping into the sand of a long and empty beach. Pulling off her sandals and carrying them by the straps in one hand, she walks towards the shore, enjoying the feeling of the warm sand between her toes, feeling the calm that comes along with the salt-sprayed breeze teasing her hair. She lets the tension in her shoulders and the worry lines on her forehead fade away.

She finds a spot to sit and stare out at the waves, and after a moment, delicately wipes away the stray tears from her eyes that leaked out without warning. Soon enough, Caroline has had quite enough of the uncomfortable feeling of hopelessness, and she decides to summon some from the light in her heart, the eternal optimism of her soul.

Taking a breath, she sits up a little straighter, and with a determined clench of her jaw, Caroline Forbes not only starts to see the bright side, like the beauty of this solitary beach, but she starts to put together a plan to turn this freaky hostage scenario into something worthwhile. She can make this place a temporary home, at least. She can help where she's needed, get to know her fellow captives, and make some lemonade out of this sour situation.

Her mental pep talk/to-do list is interrupted, though, as her senses start to give her hints that she isn't alone anymore.]

[ Caroline's arrival has not gone unnoticed.

That much is obvious by the encounters she's already had, encounters that have been observed from a distance. There is only one reason why he hasn't approached until now - he does keep his word when he makes a promise, such as the one he made the last time he saw her. Though if he's going to get technical about it, he did only promise never to return to Mystic Falls, and this certainly isn't a quiet rural town in Virginia.

Once she's on the beach, he has a decision to make. Klaus could leave her to her own devices, discover his presence in due time, but that's not the choice he prefers.

So it seems there really isn't a decision to make at all.

His little trick of vamping himself into another's personal space, suddenly appearing in order to startle, is his usual method of greeting someone. This time, however, he simply walks up to her. ]

It's astounding how every new arrival brings another surprise.

[ Rebekah and Hayley's entrance had been a slightly more worrying surprise, since he can't be completely confident in what he's been told happens once they leave home. Time coming to a stop? The thought is ridiculous, and yet he has no way to prove it right or wrong. ]

[Caroline turns her head, looking over her shoulder to see who the cause of the approaching footsteps is. When she sees him, she immediately looks back at the water, hiding the brief reaction of panic on her face. The sound of his voice sends shivers down her spine, a thrill of something between fear and excitement stirs in her chest, and Caroline has to push her toes further into the sand and steady herself enough to even breathe.

For a second there she feels like a fawn in the woods, frozen, as the big bad wolf gets ready to come in for the kill.

But when she slowly releases the breath caught in her lungs, she remembers who she is and how somewhere, deep down, she already somehow knew he was here. Caroline stands and brushes the sand off of her dress before turning to face him, all fear and surprise erased from her eyes, and she greets him, unamused and distant with an exasperated sigh.]

Of course. [Arms somewhat stretched out at her sides, her sandals dangle from her fingertips. She doesn't really look at him, but looks up and around instead, as if addressing her captors.] Of course you're here too.

Because just when I think this day can't get any worse.. [Caroline pauses and places her free hand on her hip before finally looking up at him. She needs to make sure he doesn't get too close, after all. That's the last thing she needs.

Her expression softens, just a little, a flicker of familiarity that isn't all unpleasant. Then Caroline goes ahead and hardens her look right back up. But her voice is more tired than irritated now.] What do you want?

[ Her reaction is met with an amused quirk of his lips. He knew his appearance wouldn't be welcomed too warmly, but when has he ever let that deter him?

Drawing near, he comes to a stop right at the line between invading her personal space and keeping a distance. He didn't think he would be seeing her so soon after they parted, perhaps a few decades or more down the road. The world is small, something he's learned in his years, and Klaus had no doubts they would cross paths once again down the line.

There are no complaints on his part about her arrival. In fact, there's a part of him that's pleased with it. There has always been something about her that draws him in, makes him look at things just a bit differently. With anyone else, it would annoy him. Caroline, as usual, is special. ]

Thought I would come by personally, since it's only a matter of time before you discover I'm here as well. [ Also, he just wanted to talk to her. ] Didn't want you to have yourself an unpleasant surprise waiting on the horizon.

[Caroline knew they'd meet again. She just ~~hoped~~ thought it would be in like, many, many decades from now. Of course she'd also considered the possibility of potentially having to go to New Orleans if someone she cared about was bit by a wolf, but Caroline preferred to think positively. Be prepared for the worst but plan, plan, plan for the best. In her positive everything-will-work-out-the-way-I-plan-it way, no one would ever get a werewolf bite ever again and she'd never get tired of Mystic Falls, never feel the need to go anywhere near Louisiana and maybe in like eighty years they'd bump into each other randomly and have coffee. And by then she could tell him she was definitely, completely, totally over everything about him, and by then he'd be so over her too, and they'd part on good terms for like.. ever. Maybe they'd exchange Christmas cards.

This wasn't in the plan. Nothing about this day was ever even remotely considered to be a part of any kind of sane plan that anyone should ever have. And yet here she is. Adjusting. Really trying not to feel the pull of her connection to the Original Hybrid, and only somewhat successfully willing away the memory of their last, uh, meeting, from her thoughts.

Caroline is highly aware of the exact distance between them when he finally comes to a stop. He's pushing against the edge of what would be considered acceptable behavior but he's smart enough not to blatantly cross over it. It's beyond annoying.]

Uh-huh.. [Klaus she can smell your bullshit miles away. pls.] And the reason you waited until now to personally deliver said unpleasant surprise is, what, exactly? [Yeah she kinda gets that he's known she was here for at least a while now.] Were you worried I'd pretend I didn't know you in public?

Edited 2014-10-15 00:24 (UTC)

[ In response, he simply shrugs. Getting into his actual reasons for keeping his distance until now will be kept quiet. At least for the time being. ]

Perhaps I simply wanted to admire your beauty from afar. [ If ever there was a time to call the smile on his face a shit eating grin, now is it. He figured she would have been aware of his observation. ] Can't fault me for that, can you?

[ That being said, his expression grows a little more serious, turning to look back at the mansion in the distance before he continues. ]

I also thought I might be able to answer any questions you might have. [ Yes, he is offering to be genuinely helpful, and no he won't look her in the face while he does it - so there is somewhat awkward air to him. ] Arrivals here tend to be confusing.

[Caroline breathes out a scoff of a sigh and rolls her eyes. But it turns out all of her determination and annoyance isn't quite enough to stop the smile that grows on her lips in response to his ridiculousness. Fine, Klaus. Fine.]

Oh, I could. [And don't you forget it.

The look on her face turns thoughtful as his expression changes, and Caroline finds herself torn. The easy thing here would be to let herself slip back into their old routine, their old rhythm. The easy banter and tension under insults and hostility. But the problem is their old rhythm led them to a point of no return, and she's not sure what to do with that now. It was on the terms of a promise now made useless.

Caroline can't play this game the same way anymore. She's got to confront and establish the rules. Also? She really does kind of need a friend right now. Even if it has to be Klaus and even if "friend" isn't exactly ever going to be quite the right word.]

Okay. [She accepts the thinly-veiled attempt at peace, at acceptance. At being friendly. ..Ish.] But. [She holds a finger up.] As friends.

[She isn't looking him in the eye now, in fact she's sort of starting to walk a little parallel to the shore, and she's certainly talking a lot with her hands.] I'm not talking about the kind of friends that may or may not have made certain - choices - and discussed or admitted certain things that could blur, or, you know, destroy the lines in the past. [ahem] More like friends that.. I don't know, Facebook friends that moved away and haven't seen each other for a really long time but-

[She stops walking and looks over at him, frustrated, embarrassed, lacking the words to properly explain this in the way she wants to. She gives up on the analogies and just expresses her current, exhausted feelings.]

It's been a really long day and I just don't want all that other stuff being a thing right now.

[ The state of what is between them always seems to be in a constant flux - granted, more negative memories between them have been a result of some action he's taken. Heat of the moment, usually, but nonetheless enough for some kind of change.

Their last run-in when he visited Mystic Falls certainly put them in an odd position, but truthfully he would rather they have some sort of positive tie to each other than not.

That doesn't mean Klaus won't play like he's considering it, with a thoughtful look in her direction as he watches her pace back and forth. ]

Friends... [ He muses this out loud before his expression softens into a slight smile. ] I think that's doable, if that's what you want.

[ Naturally, he would want more, but he's well aware the possibility of that happening is slim. There is still a draw here, to be on some sort of friendly terms. ]

[As the last of the light begins to fade from the sky, Caroline finally gives into the inevitable and decides to settle in for the night. It's been a long, confusing, upsetting and tiring day, and she's far more hungry than she'd like to admit. The mansion, at least, is visually impressive and not the horror show she imagined when she spent a long time staring at it in defiance a few hours ago. It's roomy, well-lit, decorated in the whimsical nonsensical fashion she'd expect from a world out of a drug-trip inspired children's book. It'll do.

Having picked a room for her own on the first floor and a successful first attempt at using a closet to fetch some bloodbags and a change of clothes, Caroline's wandering back down the hallway and spending some time developing a better idea of the layout of this massive, seemingly endless building.

She can make this work. After everything, this, of all things, isn't going to break her or tarnish her spirit. Even if she feels lonely, hopeless, frustrated, and still a little bit scared, tomorrow is another day.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Baby I need a friend, but I'm a vampire smile, you'll meet a sticky end. [Open]

The Deep Dark Forest - OTA

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Mansion Grounds - OTA

[Action]

awwwwhellnawwww snap snap

oh it's on :|

much drama so wow

oh my god not everything is about you

omg why are you so obsessed with me???

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Re: Mansion Grounds - OTA

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The Beach - Closed to Klaus

every move you make~

where's the white oak stake when you need it

as far away from wonderland as it can be >:]

for now........

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The Mansion, evening - Closed to Elena