◤ 𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖋𝖎𝖛𝖊: ❛ out of sight, out of mind ❜ ◢

✧

         HER BONES ACHED AS HER HANDS TOUCHED THE DIRT BENEATH HER, GROANING AS SHE USED HER STRENGTH TO PUSH HERESLF UP. She looked at her surroundings, seeing the forest around her and the dirt covering her body from where she had laid upon it after her transformation, knocked unconscious as to recover from the turmoil it caused her body. It was early morning by the looks of the sky and she ached even more to think of how she would have to move around and work the whole day instead of resting in bed, which she wanted to after the painful night.

She stood up, leaning against a try as she began to lose her balance again. Her muscles burned as she moved to find her clothes which she hid under a tree the night before when she was just about to rip them off herself as the beast came alive inside her, transforming her into something hideous with no emotion and no regard for any lifeform it saw.

She didn't see any blood on her fingers or flesh underneath her fingernail, and there was no taste of iron in her mouth, which was a good sign so far that no one had come upon her during the night and didn't live to tell the tale. Moving around searching, she finally reached a clearing – the one she had started at the night before – and reached the tree which held her clothes for her to cover her crimes of the night.

As she looked to the clearing again, the waving grass with small flowers was not bright and beautiful, singing pure songs to the heavens, but splattered with her sin. Blood was everywhere. It filled her nose, clouded her eyes as she felt a ringing in her ears. There was blood and a mangled body like that of a beast had killed the human – her. She was the beast who had torn apart the limbs from the body and nibbled on the flesh.

She gasped and brought her hand to her mouth as to not disturb the silence with her cry. She did not know who it was, but she did know that they were dead because of her. Rushing to get dressed, she covered herself and presented herself to be human as she walked away, leaving behind her mess and her sin, her greatest darkness and secret which tore her apart every month and filled her with guilt and shame every second.

As it was out of sight, she let it go from her mind, opening up her door to wash herself before waking up Magnus and starting the day. She did not see it, therefore it did not exist – and she was a monster no more.

✧

WHILE IT DID not plague her eyes, it still lingered in the back of her mind, remind her why she was a monster and why Elijah would not love her forever. Reminded her of why she had Magnus, why he would turn away from her one day, and why she would inevitably be alone her whole life. No one could ever love a monster like her, even if she tried in vain to prove that she was not just a hideous beast but a human with a virus inside her.

When she saw the invitation to the Mikaelson ball this Friday, and a new dress even though she had told Elijah not to give her such expensive gifts anymore, she was tempted to burn the letter and give the dress to Katerina – who did not have to think of such things about herself as she danced in the fancies and surrounded herself with it while placing Niklaus under her spell. But she had promised Elijah she would be there, even if he had broken his own promise with the extra gift, and she did not want to disappoint him.

This would not be forever, but it would be a distraction. An entertainment for her before she would end things as to save herself the heartbreak of Elijah turning away from her and saving Elijah from finding out above her crime and being utterly disgusted by her. The dress itself was a royal purple and looked utterly breathtaking, as they always did.

Magnus babbled on and she looked back to him to see that the quilt she had placed upon him – he had been cold earlier – floating in the air. "Magnus!" she gasped, taking the quilt from the air before softening. She remember when Circe did the same thing and it hurt her to think about her siblings and of the magic they possessed and she had lost. But Magnus' was growing and expanding every day, incredibly strong and prevalent – a Bigora magic tended to be.

"Awe, darling, you will be a wonderful warlock when you're older," she cooed at him, picking him up and holding him in her arms, "Now, I wonder what you'll excel in. You do love nature – maybe you'll be like your Aunt Circe."

She just hoped he would be nothing like her, partaking in this cruel fate and curse.

"You be good tonight, alright? Don't cause any trouble and stay in bed," she told him, as if he understood what she was saying. While he was learning to talk, long sentences escaped his mind so she might as well be talking to a wall, "I won't be here tonight and neither will Pearl, alright? Oh, I know you'll be good."

She kissed his cheek, smiling as he giggled. If only Ophelia could see him now, could see as he grew, as he took his first steps, said his first words, and levitated every object in the house at least once. She would be so proud of him.

Marisol placed him on the ground and went to her room to change into the purple gown, already planning on scolding Elijah for buying her this. She would never be able to repay him, and guilt filled her when thinking that she was taking all these gifts knowing that nothing would come of it between them. She would have to leave and he would be devasted for a while but he would move on. She was hardly rememberable.

Still, she fixed her hair and touched the necklace that Elijah had given her, holding it close before adjusting it to be just right. And when she was done, she went out and brought Magnus to bed, though his cries told her he wished to stay awake. "I know, my darling, but it's time for bed. Your Aunt Marisol has a party to attend and you have dreams to create," she hushed him, singing a small lullaby after to calm him further into he fell into the pits of sleep.

"I love you," she whispered to him, touching his golden hair for a moment before getting up and blowing out the candle which gave light to his room. She prayed for him to sleep soundly, even though she found herself not to be a religious woman, and then blew out the rest of the candles in the house before going outside.

"Fancy seeing you like this," she heard Katerina, turning around to see the smirking woman, "Going to the party?"

Marisol nodded and assessed Katerina to see she was wearing something similar. "And I see you're also attending?"

"Well, when Niklaus Mikaelson personally tells you that you've graced his ball...you have to keep going," Katerina giggled, "You know, I'm surprised you're coming after your absence last week."

"I was working," Marisol lied, linking her arm with the waiting Katerina as the two women walked out of the building, "It's not easy making money, or much of it, so I do what I can."

Katerina hummed. "You know, I have to admit something," she started before confessing, "Niklaus asked me to make sure that you come. Elijah was terrible last week! All moopy and unwilling to dance with anyone else. You had a terrible effect on him."

Marisol blushed at the thought and of how her presence effected the man. She didn't think he'd even notice that she wasn't there, too busy with other women and the wine or the horderves – which were always delicious. "Well I see how it is," she said, "You're only walking with me because Niklaus wants you to."

"Now I wouldn't say it like that. You're my friend, Marisol, so of course I'm going to make sure that you're here," Katerina smiled, "And if Niklaus wanted the same thing, well..."

"You seem quite taken with him," Marisol noted.

"He's a fine man with much wealth, every girl's dream really," Katerina said back, "And he likes me, courts me like a real woman. It's easy to talk to him."

"You attract the attention of a lot of people," Marisol looked at Katerina, who raised an eyebrow, "Oh, don't act like that. You must've seen how Trevor looks at you."

At the mention of the other noble, Katerina turned away. "Trevor's fun, but Niklaus is more than him. Trevor could never truly understand me, but it's a little fun to taunt him."

"You're dangling the thing he wants most right in front of him, knowing that he'll never get it. How vindictive," Marisol characterized her. And while her tone was playful, she felt a bit bad for the man – he was fine, but not rememberable, and not worthy of true attention, though his friend, Rose, seemed to think otherwise. Maybe he'll turn away from Katerina and to Rose. That would suit them both better.

Katerina shrugged, "He knows in his heart I'll never be his. Niklaus was basically claimed me as his own – as has Elijah done to you."

"None of that has happened," Marisol disagreed, though her heart fluttered at the thought.

"But you have to admit that there's something between the two of you," Katerina insisted.

"Maybe," Marisol said, "But maybe not."

"He wants to court you," Katerina mentioned, "Though he's not sure you'll accept."

"How nice of him, but I don't think I will."

"Even after all he's given you?" Katerina gave her a look and suddenly Marisol was pooled with guilt again. She was doing the same thing as Katerina, dangling herself in front of Elijah, reaping the benefits, but knowing he'll never have her, and she felt awful.

So, she changed her tune to say, "Well, maybe. After we've spent more time together, I might change my mind."

She knew she never would because while in her heart she wanted Elijah, he wouldn't want her after he learned how hideous she really was. But this seemed to please Katerina and she rushed to say, "You can't tell Niklaus this, he might tell Elijah."

"Oh, come on, Marisol," Katerina complained, "Would that really be so bad?"

They reached the manor and the conversation ended, though their arms remained interlocked. No one questioned them for an invitation – knowing Katerina's face well enough and trusting that Marisol really did receive one of her own.

And even though she had attended many of their balls before, she still found herself enthralled by the beauty of the place, letting out a breath as she looked around. "This could all be yours one day..." Katerina mentioned in a whisper towards her, smirk plastered on her face.

"Yours before mine," Marisol whispered back, and the two stepped forwards into the room more.

They took apart their arms to reach for a glass of wine, sipping on it before smiling at each other. "Katerina," Niklaus came up to greet them, "You look utterly entrancing."

Katerina beamed at the compliment but tried to hide it by pretending that it didn't mean much to her, only giving him a smile. "And you look as handsome as always," she returned.

He looked away from her to Marisol and smiled. "And you must be the lovely Marisol that has captivated my brother. I apologize for not meeting you sooner."

She didn't mention that she had been against meeting him or any of their siblings, but instead smiled. "No worries, we're meeting now," she said.

"Doesn't she look beautiful, brother?" Niklaus called from behind her. She looked to see Elijah coming up to them and she felt her heart skip a beat at the sight of him. If only he could hers forever – oh, curse Katerina for planting the thought into her head!

"As she always does," Elijah replied, smiling at her before saying, "Marisol."

"Elijah," she greeted him back.

"I'm glad that you made it," he told her and she smiled, but before she could say anything, Niklaus interrupted.

"Yes, and I would hate for you to miss another. Elijah here was a sore sport all night, standing on the balcony by himself and not enjoying the night's festivities," Niklaus outed his brother.

Elijah blushed. "I simply decided to spend the night on my own, brother."

Marisol giggled. She decided to save him from more embarrassment and didn't comment on that fact, but asked, "Well, since I'm here today, how about we dance?"

"I would love to," Elijah told her before leading her to the dance floor, not before taking her glass and handing it to a waiter. The swayed for a minute before he said, "You look simply ravishing tonight."

"Why, thank you. Although, I thought we had agreed to no more buying dresses," she mentioned, "I already have enough."

"Well, I considered your wish, but then Rebekah was having another dress made for herself and I simply couldn't stop myself from asking that this one be made for you," Elijah said, not apologizing like she thought he would.

She was frozen for a minute. "Made for me?"

He nodded, "Yes, of course. Did you think I went out to go and buy a premade one?"

"Well, yes," she admitted.

"I would never. You deserve more than just a premade dress – you deserve handcrafted from the best made just for you," Elijah declared and she felt herself fall a little more for him.

Although, could you blame her? Her mind wished that he hadn't said that, hadn't made her fall just a little bit more in love with him, but her heart rejoiced and begged her to allow him to court her. Like Katerina said, this could all be hers, and the handcrafted dresses wouldn't just be fleeting but forever until the day she died with Elijah by her side.

"You're too kind to me," Marisol told him, guilt stirring more inside her because she knew that she was going to break his heart when she left. They could never last forever. The secret wouldn't stay a secret and he would cast her out or worse, have her murdered for being such a beast.

"On the contrary, I give you the kindness you deserve," Elijah disagreed, an easy smile on his lips.

She looked away from his eyes, seeing Trevor dance with Rose and Katerina with Niklaus. They were such a good couple; they could stay forever and maybe Trevor would see something in Rose one day. But Marisol had a cursed fate which kept her from such niceties, no matter what Elijah believed.

Still, she turned back and smiled at him, wishing that in another life they could be together, and took his kindness as he took her heart.