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Rebekah's sobs had stopped as her too-human body fell into exhausted sleep, and the quiet stretched out through the plantation house in a parody of peace, though he supposed it was more the silent stillness of death. Appropriate, really. They'd all died a long time ago, after all, at least together. And Kol had died once more, alone. And then again tonight, and they'd been bound for a few moments, and Elijah could see again where Finn had made his misstep, had misjudged Niklaus.
Where he had, too, he supposed, though the day's schemes and losses wore down on him enough that his hand trembled as he poured himself a drink.
They'd preserved Kol's body to consecrate as Rebekah searched for the spell to save him, again. Another rebirth, leading eventually to another death.
Going back to the Abattoir had seemed wrong, and Elijah was grateful for it. The peace was a better counterpoint to his thoughts than the sound of...what was undoubtedly going on there. What he had allowed through his own foolishness, his inability to break through his own walls and hers until it was too late.
Everything was welling up in him: this new thing he was becoming as of yet without a name, the words that were stopped before they formed, the grief for a brother he'd failed to mourn properly before, the shards of the walls he'd let come down. It was a good thing he didn't need to breathe, because he couldn't right now. He hurled the glass in his hand at the mirror, shattering both instead like the fractured pieces of himself.
It felt...good, and for a moment all he wanted to was to tear down everything and leave it burning in his wake. Instead, he shuddered and sank to the sofa, head in his hands and tried to--what was the expression? Shut the stable door after the horse has bolted? Ridiculous saying, really, but he understood it well, right now.
Where he had, too, he supposed, though the day's schemes and losses wore down on him enough that his hand trembled as he poured himself a drink.
They'd preserved Kol's body to consecrate as Rebekah searched for the spell to save him, again. Another rebirth, leading eventually to another death.
Going back to the Abattoir had seemed wrong, and Elijah was grateful for it. The peace was a better counterpoint to his thoughts than the sound of...what was undoubtedly going on there. What he had allowed through his own foolishness, his inability to break through his own walls and hers until it was too late.
Everything was welling up in him: this new thing he was becoming as of yet without a name, the words that were stopped before they formed, the grief for a brother he'd failed to mourn properly before, the shards of the walls he'd let come down. It was a good thing he didn't need to breathe, because he couldn't right now. He hurled the glass in his hand at the mirror, shattering both instead like the fractured pieces of himself.
It felt...good, and for a moment all he wanted to was to tear down everything and leave it burning in his wake. Instead, he shuddered and sank to the sofa, head in his hands and tried to--what was the expression? Shut the stable door after the horse has bolted? Ridiculous saying, really, but he understood it well, right now.
Elijah wasn't even sure what he was doing having any issues of any sort. He didn't have the right--reaching back out to Katherine had been foolish in the extreme. His heart was already torn, but letting it keep fixating on Hayley wasn't doing any of them any favors and was likely to get her killed. Shifting his focus back to Katherine had always worked in the past.
Admittedly, finding out about her current...predicament made it seem a little more important somehow. What he didn't understand was why she wouldn't let him try and help her, even. He owed her that much, surely?
He honestly didn't know what Castiel could do about it except provide an ear, wasn't sure he even wanted anything done, though his knowledge of the arcane was always useful. Elijah had been reading through Esther's grimoire, but so far nothing in there provided any assistance. But there was no way he could discuss it with anyone at the house: Rebekah would roll her eyes, Hayley would be hurt, Klaus would head to Virginia to kill Katherine.
So, here he was, settled in French 75 at Arnaud's in the Quarter, hoping no other vampires showed up (surely they were all too young to appreciate it?) and wondering why he kept letting his life get so complicated. Family above all. Klaus first. That's what he'd always sworn, what he'd vowed, what he owed.
Wanting more was just asking too much.
Admittedly, finding out about her current...predicament made it seem a little more important somehow. What he didn't understand was why she wouldn't let him try and help her, even. He owed her that much, surely?
He honestly didn't know what Castiel could do about it except provide an ear, wasn't sure he even wanted anything done, though his knowledge of the arcane was always useful. Elijah had been reading through Esther's grimoire, but so far nothing in there provided any assistance. But there was no way he could discuss it with anyone at the house: Rebekah would roll her eyes, Hayley would be hurt, Klaus would head to Virginia to kill Katherine.
So, here he was, settled in French 75 at Arnaud's in the Quarter, hoping no other vampires showed up (surely they were all too young to appreciate it?) and wondering why he kept letting his life get so complicated. Family above all. Klaus first. That's what he'd always sworn, what he'd vowed, what he owed.
Wanting more was just asking too much.
Elijah sat inside his car staring at his phone blankly. Clearly none of the others in town had thought to run their plan by Ric who could, at least, have told them what they were doing, who they were searching for, after what Elijah had told him. He might not have known to tell them it was a bad idea, though--Elijah had only shared so much.
It wasn't visible, but he was trembling. What was visible was that he was shaken. He tried to push it back, closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, trying to settle before he got out and moved into Ric's building, heading up to his apartment.
They'd made plans to go into the city for the Central Virginia Celtic Festival which amused Elijah after many years spent in Scotland and Ireland, but for which the actual appeal was a whisky tasting that Elijah had heard was going to have some rare vintages which weren't being advertised.
All things considered, he could use the drink, though that really hadn't been his intention in suggesting it. Now he had to wonder if it wouldn't be a farewell. Not that he wanted it to be, but neither did he want to be here with any of his siblings when Mikael got to town.
Shaking his head, he moved up the stairs to Ric's apartment, knocking lightly and trying to not look as bothered--and scared--as he was.
It wasn't visible, but he was trembling. What was visible was that he was shaken. He tried to push it back, closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, trying to settle before he got out and moved into Ric's building, heading up to his apartment.
They'd made plans to go into the city for the Central Virginia Celtic Festival which amused Elijah after many years spent in Scotland and Ireland, but for which the actual appeal was a whisky tasting that Elijah had heard was going to have some rare vintages which weren't being advertised.
All things considered, he could use the drink, though that really hadn't been his intention in suggesting it. Now he had to wonder if it wouldn't be a farewell. Not that he wanted it to be, but neither did he want to be here with any of his siblings when Mikael got to town.
Shaking his head, he moved up the stairs to Ric's apartment, knocking lightly and trying to not look as bothered--and scared--as he was.
The werewolf girl had left the party before Elijah got to confront her with what Rebekah had told him about the father of her child. He realized, then, that he had no idea how to find her, how to talk to her. All he had was her first name and that wasn't enough to look her up. He could hardly go knocking on the door of every "Hayley" in town.
That was when he remembered where Jack had gotten his information about Elijah's species. A werewolf girl. While there might well be another werewolf in town from their world who knew him, he found that a bit unlikely. Better the coincidence.
He could call, but this was too important to trust to a phone call, so he found himself at Jack's door, unexpected, and hoping he was home. Inexplicably nervous, he knocked, and really, really hoped Jack knew where to find the girl.
That was when he remembered where Jack had gotten his information about Elijah's species. A werewolf girl. While there might well be another werewolf in town from their world who knew him, he found that a bit unlikely. Better the coincidence.
He could call, but this was too important to trust to a phone call, so he found himself at Jack's door, unexpected, and hoping he was home. Inexplicably nervous, he knocked, and really, really hoped Jack knew where to find the girl.
[OOC: Continued from here.]
Elijah looked at her as she seemed to crumple in on herself. Worry flickered in his eyes, along with a kind of helplessness, but he couldn't just let her sit there and cry. Reaching out hesitantly, he slid an arm around her shoulders, firm enough to be felt, to let hr know she could curl in to him, but loose enough she could easily pull away if it wasn't welcome.
"Then that's what we'll do," His voice was just a murmur. "There may be something more I can do, but we need to get our bearings and I need to get Rebekah and Kol acclimated to this century. So, we'll go home, first thing tomorrow."
No one was up for it tonight, including him.
--
Somewhere deep down inside, somewhere she couldn't even acknowledge at the moment, she felt a little flutter when he slid his arm around her. Just a little trip to her heart rate as she shifted to lean against him, her head resting against his shoulder as he held her lightly.
Nodding a little at his reply, she wet her lips. "It might be the safest place for you. Stefan is determined to keep Klaus from going back there." Of course things had a tendency to go the other way from what they planned.
--
Elijah felt the trip in her heart rate, but didn't know what to put it down to. He almost pulled back, but then she was leaning against him, so he tightened his arm, just a bit.
"That is a good thing," he agreed. "Just until the others get acclimated. We have the daggers, so there is little he can do to hurt us, at least."
It was sweet of her to think of them, he thought. "We'll figure something out."
Elijah looked at her as she seemed to crumple in on herself. Worry flickered in his eyes, along with a kind of helplessness, but he couldn't just let her sit there and cry. Reaching out hesitantly, he slid an arm around her shoulders, firm enough to be felt, to let hr know she could curl in to him, but loose enough she could easily pull away if it wasn't welcome.
"Then that's what we'll do," His voice was just a murmur. "There may be something more I can do, but we need to get our bearings and I need to get Rebekah and Kol acclimated to this century. So, we'll go home, first thing tomorrow."
No one was up for it tonight, including him.
--
Somewhere deep down inside, somewhere she couldn't even acknowledge at the moment, she felt a little flutter when he slid his arm around her. Just a little trip to her heart rate as she shifted to lean against him, her head resting against his shoulder as he held her lightly.
Nodding a little at his reply, she wet her lips. "It might be the safest place for you. Stefan is determined to keep Klaus from going back there." Of course things had a tendency to go the other way from what they planned.
--
Elijah felt the trip in her heart rate, but didn't know what to put it down to. He almost pulled back, but then she was leaning against him, so he tightened his arm, just a bit.
"That is a good thing," he agreed. "Just until the others get acclimated. We have the daggers, so there is little he can do to hurt us, at least."
It was sweet of her to think of them, he thought. "We'll figure something out."
If there is one thing Elijah has, it is patience. He'd found Damon's witch, taught her the spell, ensured that Elena got her daylight ring. And he's waited. It's taken everything in him, some nights, not to go knock on her door, to see if she's thinking of him the way he's thinking of her. He's kept up the roses, if only because it seemed to make her smile and he does know something about how courtship used to go.
Whatever passes for dating these days, he is less certain about. Honestly, he doesn't think they are "dating"--one night, and one day do not a relationship make, and since she hasn't called...well. He is almost passing it off as a fluke--blood and new heightened sensations and the need to hold on to something.
That makes his heart ache a little, but he's started teaching, which occupies his time, and pursued his not-relationship with Sif in the same casual way it had begun. Honestly, the potential problem there doesn't occur to him. Until someone indicates that they want more with him, in his mind they are both free to do as they please--especially among goddesses and vampires. Just as he won't assume a relationship, neither will he assume a commitment.
He's made a couple of friends--using the term loosely, given his pretending to be human with them, still--and that keeps him occupied, as well, and not sitting around all day brooding over Miss Gilbert.
Really.
No, really.
At the moment, he's checking his mail in the foyer of the building, messenger bag slung over his shoulder and obviously full (his students' papers). There isn't much of interest in the myriad envelopes he pulls out, but he sorts through them as he stands there, tossing away the junk.
Whatever passes for dating these days, he is less certain about. Honestly, he doesn't think they are "dating"--one night, and one day do not a relationship make, and since she hasn't called...well. He is almost passing it off as a fluke--blood and new heightened sensations and the need to hold on to something.
That makes his heart ache a little, but he's started teaching, which occupies his time, and pursued his not-relationship with Sif in the same casual way it had begun. Honestly, the potential problem there doesn't occur to him. Until someone indicates that they want more with him, in his mind they are both free to do as they please--especially among goddesses and vampires. Just as he won't assume a relationship, neither will he assume a commitment.
He's made a couple of friends--using the term loosely, given his pretending to be human with them, still--and that keeps him occupied, as well, and not sitting around all day brooding over Miss Gilbert.
Really.
No, really.
At the moment, he's checking his mail in the foyer of the building, messenger bag slung over his shoulder and obviously full (his students' papers). There isn't much of interest in the myriad envelopes he pulls out, but he sorts through them as he stands there, tossing away the junk.
[Fic] Barely Breathing
Apr. 11th, 2013 05:54 pmTitle: Barely Breathing
Pairings: Elijah/Damon, Elijah/Klaus, Implied Damon/Alaric
Summary: Post the S3 finale, Elijah and Damon have each lost a loved one and have to find a way to go on.
( They've both lost. )
Pairings: Elijah/Damon, Elijah/Klaus, Implied Damon/Alaric
Summary: Post the S3 finale, Elijah and Damon have each lost a loved one and have to find a way to go on.
( They've both lost. )
Bad Things (For ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
itconsumesher)
Dec. 5th, 2011 08:24 pmHearing a rumor that Mikael was in town was, honestly, the last thing Elijah wanted to deal with. It was, however, the thing that finally dragged him across town to the Salvatore mansion. Honestly, he'd been putting it off for too long. It wasn't that he didn't want to see Rebekah. Gods, of course he wanted to see her. He'd missed her more than any other sibling Klaus had taken, and it was her death--thinking Klaus had just thrown her into the ocean--that had driven him over the edge.
But he wasn't certain how much she would want to see him. After Klaus had daggered her, surely she wasn't quite as loyal? But...he knew how deep those bonds ran, for both of them. Deeper than he wanted to think about, honestly. He just wasn't sure hers would run to him, as well. She hadn't come to find him, after all, any more than he had her--but maybe they hadn't told her?
Only one way to find out, and he'd be damned if he was going to let Mikael hurt her, so he found himself at the door to the boarding house, knocking lightly.
Damon answered, looking vaguely disgruntled when he saw who was on the other side.
"What do you want?"
Elijah sighed. "To see my sister."
"Are you going to take her away?"
Elijah arched an eyebrow. "That's up to her. I'd merely like to speak with her at the moment. Make sure she's all right."
"Why wouldn't she be?"
"Dagger. Back. At your dining room table. Dagger, heart, at Elena's cabin. Plan ruined, more than once. Do you want me to go on?"
"No one's put a dagger in your sister."
"Forgive me if I'd like to see proof of that for myself instead of taking your less-than-stellar word for anything."
Damon looked as if he were debating slamming the door, but it must have occurred to him, finally, that Elijah had been invited in multiple times and could just toss him aside and come in if he wished. He finally stepped aside. "She's in the library."
Elijah nodded his thanks, brushing past him much as he had that night at the party, and moved with no sign of his inward trepidation to see his little sister for the first time in far too long. Given the state of his temper upon Mikael's reemergence into their lives, it was probably a very good thing Damon hadn't pressed.
But he wasn't certain how much she would want to see him. After Klaus had daggered her, surely she wasn't quite as loyal? But...he knew how deep those bonds ran, for both of them. Deeper than he wanted to think about, honestly. He just wasn't sure hers would run to him, as well. She hadn't come to find him, after all, any more than he had her--but maybe they hadn't told her?
Only one way to find out, and he'd be damned if he was going to let Mikael hurt her, so he found himself at the door to the boarding house, knocking lightly.
Damon answered, looking vaguely disgruntled when he saw who was on the other side.
"What do you want?"
Elijah sighed. "To see my sister."
"Are you going to take her away?"
Elijah arched an eyebrow. "That's up to her. I'd merely like to speak with her at the moment. Make sure she's all right."
"Why wouldn't she be?"
"Dagger. Back. At your dining room table. Dagger, heart, at Elena's cabin. Plan ruined, more than once. Do you want me to go on?"
"No one's put a dagger in your sister."
"Forgive me if I'd like to see proof of that for myself instead of taking your less-than-stellar word for anything."
Damon looked as if he were debating slamming the door, but it must have occurred to him, finally, that Elijah had been invited in multiple times and could just toss him aside and come in if he wished. He finally stepped aside. "She's in the library."
Elijah nodded his thanks, brushing past him much as he had that night at the party, and moved with no sign of his inward trepidation to see his little sister for the first time in far too long. Given the state of his temper upon Mikael's reemergence into their lives, it was probably a very good thing Damon hadn't pressed.
Standing all alone
I bled for you
I wanted to
Each drop my own
Slowly they depart
But fall in vain
Like desert rain
And still they fall on and on and on
Got to get back to a reason
Got to get back to a reason I once knew
And this late in the seasons
One by one distractions fade from view
So
Drifting through the dark
The sympathy
Of night's mercy
Inside my heart
Is your life the same?
Do ghosts cry tears?
Do they feel years?
As time just goes on and on and on
Got to get back to a reason
Got to get back to a reason I once knew
And this late in the seasons
One by one distractions fade from view
I'm looking for you
I'm looking for i don't know what
I can't see there anymore
And all my time's been taken
Is this what it seems?
The lure of a dream
And I'm afraid to walk back through that door
To find that I've awakened
The night seems to care
The dreams in the air
The snow's coming down
It beckons me dare
It whispers, it hopes
It holds and confides
And offers a bridge
Across these divides
The parts of my life
I've tried to forget
It's gathered each piece
And carefully kept
Somewhere in the dark
Beyond all the cold
There is a child
That's part of my soul
Got to get back to a reason
Got to get back to a reason I once knew
And this late in the seasons
One by one distractions fade from view
The only reason I have left is
You
Halloween Fun (For havenosecrets)
Oct. 30th, 2011 10:02 pmElijah wasn't convinced that going to the Grill was the best choice he and Jenna could make, but it was Halloween and there was a party, and she needed to feel like there was some normalcy left in her life, changed as it was. Maybe Ric would stay away and they could avoid the awkwardness all together.
His luck really hadn't been that great, lately, though.
And the knowledge that Stefan was back in town didn't help.
Nevermind Rebekah, if that rumor was even true.
Klaus was gone, and Elijah had avoided him and Jenna was safe, so the worst was surely over, yes?
Maybe his luck was changing.
So, it was, that he put on the costume he'd picked out--Victorian elegance with sweeping long coat, leather waistcoat, goggles on his top hat and clockwork pieces dangling. He'd discovered Steampunk and he was in love. The science fiction element added to the era of clothing he'd always loved best was an impossible draw, even if he felt it was a little silly to get all excited about it. He hadn't been excited about anything in a long time.
...Except he was, admittedly, really excited about going out with Jenna, even if maybe it was a bad idea. He didn't belong here. Maybe he never would. But with her...maybe he could find a way toward some sort of sense of it for a little while, at least.
Finally dressed, he headed to her place, pausing on the porch and hesitating just a moment before ringing the bell and hoping Jenna would be the one to answer and not Elena.
His luck really hadn't been that great, lately, though.
And the knowledge that Stefan was back in town didn't help.
Nevermind Rebekah, if that rumor was even true.
Klaus was gone, and Elijah had avoided him and Jenna was safe, so the worst was surely over, yes?
Maybe his luck was changing.
So, it was, that he put on the costume he'd picked out--Victorian elegance with sweeping long coat, leather waistcoat, goggles on his top hat and clockwork pieces dangling. He'd discovered Steampunk and he was in love. The science fiction element added to the era of clothing he'd always loved best was an impossible draw, even if he felt it was a little silly to get all excited about it. He hadn't been excited about anything in a long time.
...Except he was, admittedly, really excited about going out with Jenna, even if maybe it was a bad idea. He didn't belong here. Maybe he never would. But with her...maybe he could find a way toward some sort of sense of it for a little while, at least.
Finally dressed, he headed to her place, pausing on the porch and hesitating just a moment before ringing the bell and hoping Jenna would be the one to answer and not Elena.
England 1492
The guests had left, human and vampire both. Trevor had taken the girl--Katerina--back to her lodgings, and Elijah hadn't stopped thinking about her, since. Klaus had taken her away for a bit, at his most charming, and Elijah had no doubt of the game they would find themselves playing over the next few weeks or months. Klaus had waited too long, they'd looked too hard...There was a flicker of excitement in his stomach at the idea of Klaus finally having what he wanted, and it mingled with a twist of some unidentifiable emotion at the thought of what the cost would be.
It was ridiculous to care, of course. He didn't. She was beautiful and he knew what she would give his brother, and that was all that mattered.
But he was remembering her smile as he leaned against the window, looking out over the dark gardens. He sipped at the wine in his hand--well laced with some guest's blood--and tried to think of the future, once Klaus had what he wanted, and not anything else that might distract him from their goal, because it was his as much as Klaus's--he wanted this for his brother, wanted him to be all he was meant to be. And that's what he kept telling himself as he drank his wine, then poured another glass and started on that one, as well.
The guests had left, human and vampire both. Trevor had taken the girl--Katerina--back to her lodgings, and Elijah hadn't stopped thinking about her, since. Klaus had taken her away for a bit, at his most charming, and Elijah had no doubt of the game they would find themselves playing over the next few weeks or months. Klaus had waited too long, they'd looked too hard...There was a flicker of excitement in his stomach at the idea of Klaus finally having what he wanted, and it mingled with a twist of some unidentifiable emotion at the thought of what the cost would be.
It was ridiculous to care, of course. He didn't. She was beautiful and he knew what she would give his brother, and that was all that mattered.
But he was remembering her smile as he leaned against the window, looking out over the dark gardens. He sipped at the wine in his hand--well laced with some guest's blood--and tried to think of the future, once Klaus had what he wanted, and not anything else that might distract him from their goal, because it was his as much as Klaus's--he wanted this for his brother, wanted him to be all he was meant to be. And that's what he kept telling himself as he drank his wine, then poured another glass and started on that one, as well.
[Fic] Masquerade
Jul. 17th, 2011 01:26 amVenice 1856
The notes of the music sparkled like the jewels on the masks the dancers wore as they spun around and around on the parquet floor beneath him. Elijah rested against the balcony, pale fingers of one hand fiddling with the ring he wore on the other. His nail scratched and caught at his family crest, emblazoned in gold on the circlet—a constant reminder of his quest lest he be tempted to forget himself.
He was tempted, anyway.
She was hunting. So was he.
In and out through the crowd, she flitted, a dark shadow in the bright lights of the carnival masquerade. He had to smile—a tight, quick, flickering expression—that her gown and mask were both stark black, with only the jet and onyx beading to lighten them when the flames of the candles reflected in their polished surfaces. She was death come to dance, and the men who flocked to her thought her only an imitation and laughed as they tripped a measure to their own doom. The women who swarmed around him, seeking to lighten the shadow he cast, did the same. What light her darkness didn't absorb, he swallowed, black domino swirling around the other dancers, black mask concealing over half his face.
She saw him when one dance led into another. Her lips were red, the only color about her, but they drew his gaze as he was sure they were meant to. His gaze stayed trained upon them as he moved through the steps, ever toward her.
“You're meant to catch me.”
“But if I catch you, the game will be over.”
His fingers curled around hers in an iron grip, just as those blood-red lips—surely she'd fed on one of her partners to achieve so perfect a color—parted in startled recognition.
“Elijah...”
( It was petty, that the tremor of both fear and defiance in her voice sent a thrill down his spine. He hadn't wanted her to fear him, but his anger demanded it now, and she gave, as she should. )
The notes of the music sparkled like the jewels on the masks the dancers wore as they spun around and around on the parquet floor beneath him. Elijah rested against the balcony, pale fingers of one hand fiddling with the ring he wore on the other. His nail scratched and caught at his family crest, emblazoned in gold on the circlet—a constant reminder of his quest lest he be tempted to forget himself.
He was tempted, anyway.
She was hunting. So was he.
In and out through the crowd, she flitted, a dark shadow in the bright lights of the carnival masquerade. He had to smile—a tight, quick, flickering expression—that her gown and mask were both stark black, with only the jet and onyx beading to lighten them when the flames of the candles reflected in their polished surfaces. She was death come to dance, and the men who flocked to her thought her only an imitation and laughed as they tripped a measure to their own doom. The women who swarmed around him, seeking to lighten the shadow he cast, did the same. What light her darkness didn't absorb, he swallowed, black domino swirling around the other dancers, black mask concealing over half his face.
She saw him when one dance led into another. Her lips were red, the only color about her, but they drew his gaze as he was sure they were meant to. His gaze stayed trained upon them as he moved through the steps, ever toward her.
“You're meant to catch me.”
“But if I catch you, the game will be over.”
His fingers curled around hers in an iron grip, just as those blood-red lips—surely she'd fed on one of her partners to achieve so perfect a color—parted in startled recognition.
“Elijah...”
( It was petty, that the tremor of both fear and defiance in her voice sent a thrill down his spine. He hadn't wanted her to fear him, but his anger demanded it now, and she gave, as she should. )
