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Candice and Rebekah went to the grill first to give Matt and invitation to the dance much to her dismay because she despised Matt. Elena and Caroline sat on a table chatting about the ball that was going on at the Mikaelson mansion later this evening. "It's all so weird. The Originals are throwing a ball. Like an actual ball." Elena stated, still confused on why exactly they were throwing a party for their little family reunion.

"It's some twisted Cinderella fetish is what it is. And why does the Evil Witch want an audience with you? And why the hell is Candice here?" Caroline looked to see Candice at the bar, sipping a drink as she flipped through a book. "I have no idea. She's probably just here to see Seth or something. Anyways back to the ball, I have to find out what Esther wants." Elena said, oblivious to the heretic listening in on their conversation. Let's just say Candice wasn't stupid, she knew when people were hiding something and Esther wasn't doing a great job at it.

"I thought you told Damon and Stefan that you weren't going." Caroline furrowed her brows, glancing up at her fake sister for a moment until looking back towards Elena. "I did, which is all the more reason why I need a drama free bodyguard." Candice rolled her eyes, she hated that Elena was leading on both Salvatore brothers and using them when she needed them for something. She takes advantage of their feelings for her and uses that to get what she wants. Candice would know better than anyone. She did it herself.

"Well, I think a Salvatore would look a lot better in a tux. And by that I mean Stefan." Candice once again rolled her eyes, she loved Caroline but sometimes she really wasn't a good friend. "Ugh, I can't deal with either of the Salvatores right now. Whatever Stefan is feeling, he is channeling it all against Klaus. And Damon...it's just not a good idea." Elena sighed heavily and conflicted. "Why, cause you two made out?" Caroline snarled, Elena gave a shocked look at her small outburst. "Bonnie spilled the beans," Caroline sighed, Candice frowned slightly, Elena wasn't exactly the best of friends either. Candice sometimes wanted to tear off her head if she even hurt Care's feelings.

"I was gonna tell you. Just, after everything happened with your dad...and Candice." Elena sighed, Candice pursed her lips waiting to hear for Caroline to stand up for herself. "Elena, when you and Matt kissed for the first time freshman year, you called me the second it happened. And now I don't hear about this til now, and from somebody else," Care frowned.

"I'm sorry. It's just I, I don't even know how I feel about it yet. All I do know is that it just used to be so much easier." Elena played victim as always. Rebekah walks into the bar and motions Candice over who immediately rushed towards her. Both pressing small kisses to their cheeks and walking over to Caroline and Elena. "Careful Caroline. It's all well and good until she stabs you in the back," Rebekah snarled, Caroline and Elena turned around to see Candice and Rebekah' arms intertwined and looking as stunning as ever.

"What are you two doing here? I know your mom's rules. No hurting the locals." Elena spoke, Candice tapped Rebekah telling her she had this covered. "Get over yourself, Elena. It's not all about you." Candice says in her sweetest fake voice, the accent clearly caught Elena off guard. Rebekah walks away over to Matt and gives him an invitation envelope to the ball whilst Candice grabbed a chair and patiently waited for Rebekah.

"So you're British?" Elena asked, pulling Candice from her thoughts of Esther Mikaelson who she was madly suspicious of. "We aren't friends Elena, so don't try to suck up to me or I'll kill you myself. And fair warning, if any of you or your little gang lay a hand on the Mikaelsons, I'll rip out your bloody spleen." Candice threatened before getting up and walking over to stand behind Rebekah.

"Oh my god. She's inviting him to the ball. Why is she inviting him?" Caroline looked over to see Rebekah smiling at Matt who accepted her invitation as Candice watched with a smile, she loved when Rebekah was happy. "Probably to get this reaction from us." Elena can't help but feel threatened by Candice who's practically an original herself. Elena knew she probably wouldn't hesitate to kill Candice if it meant she and her friends were safe. Caroline scoffed, "What time is this stupid dance?" Candice smirked, shooting Klaus a text that Caroline would be attending the ball tonight.

Later on Candice couldn't find Seth so they just went dress shopping for Rebekah and headed home to get ready. Candice stared at herself in the mirror, she wore the huge red gown gifted by Rebekah from Kol. It was huge and looked absolutely stunning on her. She put some product in her hair but otherwise left it alone.

She grabbed her satin white gloves and slipped on some rings over it. Rebekah gave her matching heels for the dress. Unfortunately the dress didn't cover all her tattoos which worried her because nobody knew she had tattoos, she was good at hiding it. Kol found himself walking in, eyes widening at the gown she wore, he recalled that experience taking it. "You look absolutely captivating, my love." Candice smiled and gestured to her strings that were untied. He nodded and walked over, slowly tying up the gown and pressing a kiss to her exposed shoulder.

"I didn't know you had this many tattoos. They look beautiful, especially this one." He gestured to the small tattoo behind her ear that had the letter 'K' for Kol. "To be fair I was drunk and it was a dare. I have plenty other tattoos, this one is by far my favorite." Pulling down her glove slightly to reveal a tattoo that read 'Always and Forever' with small droplets of blood leaking. Kol smiles softly. "You never did back out of a challenge. Well I shall see you soon, remember to save me a dance, darling."

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Candice could hear everyone downstairs and that made her slightly nervous. Holding up the front of her gown slightly she descended down the staircase, everyone's eyes went to her. Seth, Damon, Stefan, Elijah, and Rebekah were all starstruck by her beauty. She couldn't spot Kol anywhere so assumed he was still getting ready. Rebekah couldn't take her eyes off Candice which caused Matt to grab her attention so she didn't look creepy. Elijah walked over not seeing Kol and didn't want her to be embarrassed so held out his hand for her. She smiled and mouthed a thank you before placing her gloved hand in his.

"You look exquisite." He complemented, everyone went back to their conversations making Candice let out a relieved breath. "Thank you, Elijah. You look handsome yourself." He smiled and they separated once she caught eyes of Seth Lockwood standing with his mother. Damon walked up to Candice and grabbed her arm gently before pulling her away from the original. "Hey vamp witch combo. Heard you're an impulsive liar." He said sarcastically, Candice rolled her eyes and put her arm in his. "Despite what you think of me, you're still my friend. And besides, we met way before I turned."

Damon furrowed his brows, Candice snapped her fingers returning his memory of their time together. "I knew it! Didn't take you for the rough stuff, vamp witch." He smirked, Candice rolled her eyes and hit his shoulder. "Well now you know and we will never speak of it again. Got it?" Damon nodded, "deal," and they walked over to the two Lockwoods.

Candice sent Seth a small smile which he returned, he just couldn't find himself to be mad at her with how beautiful she looked. Damon grabbed two glasses of champagne and handed one to Carol and Candice. "Hello Carol." Candice and Seth smile at each other before hugging tightly but it didn't feel the same. "Hey, C. You look beautiful." He said, placing a kiss on her cheek and pulling away. "Thank you, you look great as well. I didn't know you were coming." Seth sheepishly chuckled at that.

"Hanging out with your new besties?" Damon asks Carol sarcastically, drinking his glass of champagne. Candice grabbed herself another one and set down to empty one. All she wanted was to get this ball over with and get drunk and maybe stoned in her room. "I'm the mayor, Damon. When the oldest, deadliest, family of vampires moves into your town, you welcome them with a smile." She takes a sip of her champagne. "Technically, I'm older than the originals so you should be scared of me." Candice smiled, Seth visibly tensed remembering she wasn't his Candice Forbes anymore.

"Hmm, Well at least you know who you're borrowing that cup of sugar from." He smirks, placing his hand at Candice back, silently telling her to chill on the alcohol. "I'm trying to protect this town. They've assured me they want peace, and I've assured them that I'd enforce it." Candice lowly scoffed. Oh yeah because they can't kill you in a millisecond if they wanted to. Kol suddenly walks over and kisses Carol's hand as he greets her.

"Mayor Lockwood. We haven't formally met. Kol Mikaelson. I hope your lovely town embraces us just as much as we plan to embrace it." Kol smirked, Candice smiled at the original vampire who couldn't keep his eyes off her. Seth lowly growled and pulled his mother's hand from Kol' grasp.

Damon holds out his hand to shake Kol's hand who he realized was the original who claimed Candice's heart. "Damon Salvatore. Have we met?" Kol looks at his hand and doesn't shake it causing Damon to put it back down. "I've met a lot of people. And you don't particularly stand out. Darling, shall we?" Kol held out his hand for Candice, Seth silently pleading her not to go with him. "Talk later." Candice told Damon before placing her hand in Kol's open one.

Kol pulled her away just as Damon sees Elena enter wearing an exquisite dress, Candice noticed her arrival and scoffed lowly. "Don't worry love, you're the most beautiful woman in this room. Elena in the hideous dress doesn't stand a chance," Kol whispered into her ear. Candice smiled and spotted Finn chatting with Seth.

"That's a weird combo." Candice stated, Kol looked over and scowled at the hybrid talking with his brother. "I know when you're suspicious of something darling. Tell me, what are you being so cautious about?" Kol led her to a balcony for some privacy.

"Your mother, something isn't adding up. Nik ripped her heart out and suddenly she just forgives him and all's well? And as much as I love Finn, I know when he's hiding something from me. Yesterday he asked to borrow my grimoire, I put a spell on that book long ago to tell me if anyone beside me uses it." Candice ranted, Kol listened intently. "And this morning I was told someone used a spell in the book, and it was your mother. I don't know which spell but it's still pretty weird. And I didn't invite Seth, so who did? We all hate Elena so who the hell would invite her? I'm telling you somethings up and I have to figure it out."

Kol nodded and cupped her face gently. "Alright, we'll figure it out. But for now just try to act like you're enjoying yourself." Kol said, Candice nodded and sighed heavily. "I'll try. Now let's go back inside before Damon assumes we're hooking up." She then held up the front of her dress as she walked back inside with Kol trailing after her.

"I certainly wouldn't be opposed if you offered." Kol smirked, placing his hand in her gloved one.

"Shut up."

Entering Candice watched as Elijah called the couple over. Kol pulled her over so she joined the Mikaelson family on the staircase. Candice's fingers brushed over Elijah's, tapping his palm twice with her thumb secretly as they used to do back in 1002. Elijah got the message and sent her a nod. Kol took a spot a few steps from his sister, his arm placed on Candice waist as Elijah began talking. "Uh, if everyone could gather, please." He announced, grabbing everyone's attention as the family went and joined him on the stairs.

"Excuse me." Finn says, breaking his conversation with Elena Gilbert.

All the Originals are standing on the staircase as Elijah addresses the company. Esther walks down the staircase from upstairs, glancing warily at Candice who kept her eyes straight ahead. "Welcome, thank you for joining us. You know, whenever my mother brings our family together like this, it's tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance." Candice looked down seeing Caroline in a stunning dress that was gifted by Niklaus.

Caroline moves her eyes from Klaus who's glancing around the room, and looks to Candice. She was astounded by the huge red dress and the jewelry that looked to be a thousand years old. Candice met her eyes and mouthed 'you look beautiful' to her, Care smiled slightly and thanked her. Despite not being blood siblings, it didn't take away the natural sister bond they had.

Damon who stood by Elena notices Esther, Elena nudged Stefan who was staring at Candice almost as if he was compelled by her beauty. Stefan broke from his gaze and Elena signaled him to look at Esther. "Do you see who I see?" Damon mumbled to his brother. "Oh, yeah." Taking his attention off Esther who almost looked a bit worried, looked to Elena and then Seth who stood by some random girl who started flirting with him. "What's with you eyeing Candice all night?" Damon asked Stefan with a knowing look.

Stefan scoffs at Damon's silent accusations. "You're crazy. I hate Candice more than Klaus hates me." Stefan objects, Elena shuffled slightly away from Stefan when she heard Damon say he was looking at her. "Yeah, right. You've been undressing her with your eyes all night," He retorted sharply. "You've pissed off enough originals, fair warning don't add Kol to the list." Stefan ignores his comment, though he had no doubts Candice would ever go for him anyways. This new persona she portrayed was far more different than the one he knew her by.

"Tonight's pick is a centuries-old waltz, so if all of you could please find yourselves a partner, please join us in the ballroom." Elijah spoke, breaking the Salvatore brothers conversation. Esther retreats silently back upstairs, getting a warily look from Candice. Elena moves to go upstairs, but Damon blocks her way with a glare.

Candice slowly descended downstairs, she catches eyes with a few guys who were clearly waiting to ask her. Kol placed his hand in hers, "Dance with me, my darling?" He whispered into her ear, earning a nod with a small smile. Seth watched from afar with a glare, the flirty girl had unfortunately insisted they danced as well.

A lot of couples and friends joined each other on the dance floor. Elena and Damon joined arm in arm, Candice with Kol, Caroline with Klaus, Matt with Rebekah, Stefan didn't want to but was dragged by Carol Lockwood. Seth was with some random girl, as were Elijah and Finn seeing as they weren't particularly interested in a relationship at the moment.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you are? Because you are." Kol said, as they danced gracefully to the song, 'Give me Love' by Ed Sheeran. "You have, many times. I'm leaving tomorrow night and I still have no idea where to go, I was thinking Portland." She started, following the dance correctly.

"What's in Portland?"

"My coven." Kol spun her and she fell into someone else's arms, known as Stefan Salvatore's. "Hello Stefan, I take it you don't remember me from a while back. I can fix that." She smirked, Stefan glanced at Elena who was dancing with Seth and she stared at Candice and Stefan with pure jealousy. The girl was not very good at concealing her expressions.

"How?"

Candice smiled as they danced, Kol trusted her so he didn't care to glance over and check on her. Candice placed her hand on his cheek and whispered under her breath, returning his memories. Stefan was shocked to say the least. "I remember, you lived with us for a while until we heard you died. Damon was completely heartbroken, he wouldn't talk to anyone for a month. Why'd you leave?" He rencountered, furrowing his brows at the girl he remembered having a crush on when she was with Damon.

"There were some bad people after me, I had to leave in order to save myself. You must understand I did not mean to hurt you nor your brother." Candice wasn't stupid she obviously knew about his crush on her in the 1800s and to be honest she would be lying if she said she liked him in that way because truly she would never be with him. He was nothing more than an acquaintance, present and past

"It's okay, it's in the past. And besides, you chose your side." He spun her, making sure she landed back into Elijah's arms by the small glare he was sent by the original. Elena obviously spun making sure she was in Stefan's arms. "Why are you dancing with Candice? She's on their side, she's bad news. She's practically an original, Stefan." Elena hissed, Stefan smirked to himself. "Jealous much?" Stefan smirked, Elena scoffed lightly and rolled her eyes. "Not the point."

Candice landed into Elijah's arms, her back to his chest, he spun her around and they continued to dance. "I got your message, I'm guessing you're thinking the same as I." Elijah stated, Candice nodded and glanced around making sure nobody was listening in.

Finn sent a nod to Seth and Seth broke away from his partner and walked off, heading upstairs to see Esther. "Yes, and I figured out she invited Elena and Seth. So I need you to talk with Elena and make sure she tells you everything. Seth just went up so I'll try and get information off of him." Elijah nodded and they broke apart, walking away as the dance ended.

Candice tried to listen in on Esther and Seth but figured she did a simple spell to block out hearing. Seth entered with a scowl, he wasn't exactly a fan of the old witch bitch since she tried to kill Elena once already. "I'm guessing you're the original witch bitch." Esther nodded, ignoring the small insult.

"Seth Lockwood. We have much to discuss."

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a/n: candy being the prettiest girl ever >>>

she's got everyone wrapped around her finger and i stan 👏

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