𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 - the welcomed alliance

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𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐀𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 the party Marcel had thrown was over the top would definitely have been an understatement. She would have much preferred to be laying on a couch in the Abattoir with her laptop nestles on her stomach as she watched whichever television show or movie she decided on; she did have nineteen years' worth to catch up on.

But she had agreed to Rebekah's invitation and decided that if she was actually going to attend one of Marcel's parties, she wouldn't be underdressed.

The siphon hadn't taken all that long when it came to picking out her outfit for the night; she had completely bypassed the dresses Marcel had filled her closet with and instead skipped to a power-suit. It was blood-red and was crafted from the finest of silks. Her dark eyes had skipped over the bralette she had first selected and instead she shrugged on the suit jacket and did the buttons up, leaving her chest bare beneath the deep plunge the jacket offered.

Her hair had still been slightly wavy, and didn't have to o many stray hairs out of place, so she left it exactly as it was before she applied some red lipstick and pull out a pair of red pointed heels.

The siphon shook her head as she watched the rose petals fall from the sky as the music pounded in her ears. With a huff, she tossed her curls over her shoulder and readjusted the locket that hung on show on her bare skin before walking forward, head held high.

Her steps paused as she caught sight of the two blondes she had attended the party for, she slapped a smile on her face, though it faltered just slightly as Klaus approached the two.

"He's the brother actually, and my sister is right. You do look stunning." Klaus spoke, his voice capturing Cami's attention immediately.

Ophelia hummed as she placed a hand on Cami's shoulder, her hand being tickled by the angel wings that protruded from Cami's brilliantly white outfit, "Hey, angel."

"Oh!" Cami gasped as she spun, her eyes widening as she looked over her friends' suit, "Oh, wow, you look-"

"Absolutely stunning." Rebekah finished for the human, returning the smile that Ophelia offered her.

"An angel and a devil in our midst's hm?" Klaus grinned.

Ophelia couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her ruby red lips, "Wouldn't you know?"

She knew she was playing with fire, or rather a beast, but she just couldn't help herself. Before waiting for the witty remark that Klaus probably had brewing on his tongue. Though by the upturn of his lips, he clearly understood the hidden meaning behind her remark.

Ophelia scanned Rebekah's outfit and as her sharp eyes reached the blonde's face, she could see a small hint of insecurity on the originals face; as if searching for approval.

It struck the siphon. She had a thousand years' worth of compliments and unimaginable strength and yet, the girl was just that, a girl. She was still just a teenager even after all those years. The siphon could understand the poor girl, having to pick up after her brothers, being daggered constantly, and having any love interests killed wouldn't exactly do wonders for her.

Ophelia grinned, her pearly white teeth looking even whiter against the red that was smeared on her lips, "Rebekah. The prettiest Mikaelson, as ever."

Rebekahs form relaxed, a genuine spark of happiness filling her vibrant eyes as she grinned, pulling the brunette into a friendly hug. She wouldn't admit it, but next to Cami she had felt second-best, her old love Marcel stared at her as if she were a real angel, and now with her brother swooping in with compliments for the blonde? Well, it was... nice to have someone notice her, be friendly to her rather than being scared. "I like you more with every second."

The original's voice was softer than the feathers adorning Camille's back, she really did sound like a teenager who had received her first compliment.

Klaus watched the scene carefully. He knew small pieces about the woman who looked ready to conquer the world; she had a temper, that much was made obvious by the way Marcel had spoken about her. Though the hybrid had to wonder; just how anger could someone so small possibly hold? He had tried to pry and ask questions about the woman, but Marcel wouldn't spill. He had answered the basic questions; she was twenty-two and wise beyond her years, she was a valued friend and Marcel trusted her.

She obviously knew about the supernatural, knew about what Marcel was and therefore, she almost certainly knew about what he was. It was intriguing, to say the least, seeing someone so young entrusted with Marcel's secrets and with his kingdom, the kingdom Klaus wanted back.

He wanted to get to the bottom of who... and potentially, what, the brunette was. After all, if he were to become king of the quarter once again, he himself would need someone who could gain the trust of the unruly vampires.

"Well, you two chit-chat." Rebekah gestured between her older brother and the blonde bar-tender as she grabbed Ophelia's wrist, noticing the woman tense beneath her grasp, "Ophelia promised she'd dance with me."

⋆⋆⋆

"So my brother told me that you're in cahoots with Marcel," Rebekah spoke in what she perceived to be a nonchalant tone, her lips wrapping around the end of the glass she held, champagne bubbling on her tongue.

It was obvious, especially when Marcel had shot Rebekah a warning look after catching the pair dancing together.

Once again, Ophelia could hear the hint of insecurity in the originals voice, alongside a small spark of distrust. The siphon nodded, "I suppose you could say that." she hummed before sighing, "I was there when you came to see your brother and Davina. I asked her to make you forget me, thought you wouldn't trust me."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I get the feeling that me being... in cahoots, as you put it, with Marcel, makes you distrust me anyway. I'm not one for making friends Rebekah, but I do enjoy your company, so, I was actually hoping that we could start over." Ophelia paused, taking a sip of the whiskey in her hand, "You aren't horrible to be around, and that's rare."

Rebekah's lips slowly stretched into a smile as she contemplated the woman's words. She could tell that the brunette was someone who enjoyed a certain type of company, and for once Rebekah fit the bill. She wasn't going to pass up the offer of a new and real friend, especially after Ophelia had spilled the truth just to prove her words. "I'd like that. Just don't get any ideas about conspiring against my family."

"I will choose the winning side, every time. But I won't let Davina get hurt in the crossfire. Unless she herself decides to join the fight, I will do whatever I can to keep her safe, she's just a child whose family tossed her aside."

"It sounds as if you understand the feeling."

Ophelia's face became guarded. Nobody knew what she had been through, what her teenage years were like, or that she had spent the last nineteen years in solidarity; it wasn't a story she wished to remember. The things she had done to land herself in that world... that was something that wasn't to be told.

"I suppose I do." the siphon sighed as she placed her drink on the counter.

"Well, enough of that," Rebekah spoke as her hands smoothed out the wrinkles of her dress. She could see that the brunette didn't want to speak of whatever thoughts were swirling in her mind and Rebekah didn't want to scare her friend off so soon, "So, what do you think of my brother?"

"Klaus? Why?"

"Well, you've got a sharp tongue yourself-"

"-Okay, I see where this is going." Ophelia chuckled, "He's not my type. Sorry to disrupt your game of matchmaker."

Rebekah furrowed her brows before a mischievous smile erupted. Girl talk wasn't something she had ever really had the time -or friends for that matter- to do, "No? Well, what is your type then, love?"

"I'm- I'm not really sure..." Ophelia breathed. Her siphoning abilities came to light when she was sixteen, and before then, she had only had one boyfriend. They had been together for a couple of months, they slept together, stayed together for another week or so before it ended like most young couples. It wasn't love; it was a relationship with a crush she barely knew.

After that, after her siphoning abilities were discovered, she had never been allowed to leave the house. Then she was sent to the prison world. She could never connect with anyone, because... she just couldn't, everyone she had ever let in had tossed her to the side or had been taken away. "I don't really do relationships either."

Rebekah Mikaelson was nothing if not a hopeless romantic, and the thought of the young woman never having had a romantic connection with anyone saddened her. But it shocked her too; Ophelia was stunning, her slim figure was always dressed with outfits that complimented her skin tone or figure, her hair always seemed to be curled perfectly and she radiated confidence.

"Me neither. Well... they never really end well." Rebekah muttered, her shoulders slouching.

Ophelia chuckled as she locked her eyes onto Klaus, his mouth was curved into a wolfish grin. "Well, with your brothers around..."

"Exactly. Nik believes that no man will ever be good enough for me. Elijah... I know he wants me to be happy, but with Nik around, killing every man I've ever loved..."

The conversation had suddenly turned very somber, so, Ophelia being one who didn't know how to properly comfort, did what she did best and tried to lighten the mood with a joke. "I actually told Davina that if your brother didn't look like death himself, he'd be attractive."

Rebekah's mouth fell open, a hearty laugh ringing out, "You're attracted to my brother!?"

"I never said that." Ophelia chuckled as she shook her head, her light curls that had already begun to fall out fanning out around her. When she had first heard of the originals rolling into town, she certainly hadn't expected herself to be at a party talking to one of them about how she had found another -who had a dagger in his chest- attractive. "But I can see the outward appeal."

⋆⋆⋆

Ophelia and Rebekah had spent a majority of the evening judging peoples outfits, rating them on a scale of one to ten, though none ever achieved anything more than an eight. The tens were reserved for the girls to give each other.

It felt odd for Ophelia. She was spending her evening with what Marcel would currently perceive to be 'the enemy', but the siphon had enjoyed her small time with Rebekah than any amount of time with Marcel. Perhaps it was due to the fact that neither of the girls had been able to live their teenage years as teenagers; Rebekah was turned into a blood-lusting vampire and Ophelia had been deemed a monster, an abomination to be condemned to years of abuse.

The conversations between the two flowed freely, and as Marcel focused his hearing on the two girls, he kicked himself. The two were getting along like a house on fire and as his dark gaze drifted to Klaus, he could see the hybrid's focus was on the duo too. A smirk adorned the hybrid's face, he could see the two becoming closer and it would inevitably work in his favor.

It hadn't been his plan to convert Ophelia to their side. But if she played along the way he desired; all would be fine. If not? Well, she was a mortal, he could smell that much and therefore she would be perfect leverage if Marcel decided to step out of line. It was a win-win.

And knowing his dear little sister, she'd be able to gather all the information on the short brunette that he could ever need.

As the evening progressed, it was hard to miss the glances between the two original siblings. Ophelia's gaze moved away from Klaus and landed back on the blonde in front of her, "You and your brother are conspiring."

Rebekah blinked in slight surprise, a quick smile covering the look, "I'm sorry, what?"

"I'm not stupid Rebekah. But... I also won't say anything."

Rebekah recoiled slightly; confusion written across her pretty features. She had been certain that though the two were new friends, the brunette wouldn't hesitate to run back to Marcel with information. "You- you won't?"

"I saw the look you gave your brother when you saw the dagger in his chest. You'd do anything for him, wouldn't you?" upon seeing the soft nod the original offered, Ophelia smiled slightly, "I had a brother. Would have watched the world burn for him... I'll do what I can to convince Davina and Marcel to give him back. But I can't make any promises."

"Why would you do that? Go against Marcel?"

"Because I know what missing a sibling feels like. A piece of your heart stays with them." Ophelia cleared her throat and quickly doused the burning sensation with a gulp of her mimosa, "Carry out your plan, and I'll do whatever I can on my end." the siphon reached over the bar, grasping ahold of a spare piece of scrap paper and the rather blunt pencil that rested beside it. She scribbled her number down before holding it towards the original. "If you need anything, call me."

Rebekah chuckled at herself, a hand flying to her face as she dabbed at her eyes. The kindness that the brunette was showing her had struck her heart. The fact that she was helping because she knew of the love between family. "Thank you, Ophelia, you have no idea how much it means to me to have a real friend. But please, don't put yourself in danger for me."'

"I have my own tricks, Beks, don't worry about me."

⋆⋆⋆

The evening ended with a bang. Ophelia had been swooped away by Diego at Marcel's request, and from the twitch of Rebekah's lips, Ophelia knew that it had something to do with whatever plan Klaus had concocted.

As it turned out; during the rousting of the witches that Klaus had suggested to Marcel, Thierry had killed another of Marcel's nightwalkers when they had tried to harm Thierry's witchy little girlfriend, Katie. The rules were simple in the Quarter; you didn't need a reason to kill a witch, especially during a rousting. But if anybody killed a fellow nightwalker there would be punishment.

Ophelia had crossed her arms as she leaned against the railing as she watched Marcel and Thierry argue. A spare glance was thrown over her shoulder, only to see Rebekah stood with Klaus. The two gave her short nods that went unnoticed by anyone other than herself; confirming that Rebekah had told Klaus of Ophelia's plans to help them.

Ophelia had offered a wink, paired with a quick smirk that quickly faded into the stoic expression she usually sported as she turned back to face the on-going argument. It didn't take long for another nightwalker to join them; the newly turned Josh pulled out an old piece of paper and handed it to Marcel, claiming it was found inside Katie's shop. It was the spell for daylight rings; the rings that allowed fortunate vampires to walk in the sun without spontaneously combusting.

Ophelia patted Marcel's shoulder, whispering a small 'good luck' before taking off; she didn't need to stick around, she knew that Thierry wouldn't see the light of day for a very long time, he would be condemned to spend time in the garden, desiccating until Marcel saw it fit for him to rejoin them.

Ophelia walked freely down the streets. After all, if anyone, witch or vampire approached her, all she'd need to do is touch their bare skin and strip them of their magical energy and be on her way. Perhaps it was reckless, believing herself to be safe even though fresh blood ran through her veins.

But if any of the nightwalkers even heard a peep of her voice, they'd come rushing.

"I hear you've decided to join the fray." An accented voice called out to the only other occupant of the street. Ophelia rolled her eyes as she pulled her hands from her jacket pockets, spinning in place to face Klaus.

"You heard correct. I told Rebekah I'd do what I could to get Elijah back to you."

"You'd so easily turn your back on Marcel?"

A smirk formed on her ruby lips. "Klaus, I play for the winning team and I know that if it did come to blows, you'd win. I'm not a naive little girl, I help Marcel with some of his... problems, and he lets me stay in the Abattoir. That was our deal. Anything else he gives me..." She shrugged nonchalantly, "I feel no need to repay."

The smirk on his handsome face grew, his head tilting just slightly. He was impressed at the woman's mindset. She was smart; she made a deal and fulfilled her end, anything else that was offered to her, she took. "I see why Marcel keeps you close by. Smart, aren't you love? But there's something else, isn't there? He keeps little Camille around because he fancies her... but why would he seek counsel from a human?"

"Perhaps I'm not a human."

His eyes narrowed, that dangerous glint appearing, "A witch?"

Ophelia hummed, and with her love for dramatics, she held out a manicured hand. Her eyes lit up as Klaus eyed the palm of her hand, she knew he wouldn't back down from a challenge. His eyes flickered back to her face, narrowing as he slowly placed his hand on top of hers.

Within less than a second, the brunette's hand began to glow a vibrant red, and Klaus grit his teeth as his body erupted in pain. With a quiet chuckle, Ophelia snatched her hand back and observed her nails, "Not a witch."

"You're a siphon. What a rare little thing you are." Klaus muttered, his eyes sweeping back over the woman in red. His mind whirred at the thought of meeting a siphon. The original family had been around for centuries, so of course they had heard of the magical abominations, but none of them had ever met one.

"Rare? I suppose. Useful? Most definitely." Ophelia stated with a single arched brow and a wicked, self-assured grin that could rival his own. "I meant what I said."

Upon seeing Klaus raise a brow the siphon sighed. She twisted her head to the side, her eyes scanning the buildings that surrounded them. Balconies were covered in twinkling lights and vibrant flowers; every single part of New Orleans was gorgeous. "I told Rebekah I'd help, and I will. I also told her to call if she ever needed anything. I suppose I can extend that to you. But don't take my help for granted, and never ask me about Davina."

Her tone was final, offering no arguments to be had and the hybrid grinned, his pearly white teeth shining in the dark of the night. More often than not, Klaus would kill someone for talking to him the way she did, demanding things and such. But she was clever with her words, she never offered anything without asking for something in return and vice-versa. She always spoke as if making a deal. It was something that would make sure her words appealed to both sides, she would gain and so would her opposition. She was tactical, intelligent, attractive, and not to mention, incredibly brave. Each of those traits were dangerous on their own, but all rolled into one?

She spoke to him as if he didn't have the power of both vampire and wolf behind him. Her head was held high, and though he could see the goosebumps littering the bare parts of her skin, she never shivered or gave him any sign of being weaker than he was, though they both knew he was far stronger. Her attitude reminded him of the little wolf carrying his child, though some parts reminded him of when his big brother would sit down with a glint in his endless dark eyes, ready to strike a deal... or more accurately, give his word.

She was a welcomed alliance indeed.

⋆⋆⋆

After her little run-in with Klaus, it seemed that her little alliance with the original family was sealed with a metaphorical shake of the hand. The siphon had spun on her heels and walked further into the cold and dark night, the familiar sound of a vampire speeding away signaled that Klaus had taken his own leave.

She made it to the church within less than fifteen minutes and trudged her way to the church attic, opening the door slowly as she tried her best to not scare the little tween witch inside the old and dusty room.

The two had spent some time talking and Ophelia smiled as Davina animatedly showed the siphon the drawings and paintings she had done throughout the day, declaring that she would be using the siphon as her next muse, 'You look hot in that suit.'. The young girl had announced before she padded over to her paints, selecting the perfect shade of red.

Before long, Davina abandoned the ruby-red pain and instead began to scribble madly; Ophelia simply watched with a singly brow risen. She knew that the young witch would zone out whenever a witch was using magic and so the siphon could only assume that another dumb little witch had decided to stand against Marcel. Her bet was placed on Katie getting revenge for Thierry's sentence to the garden. Luckily, Davina, the ever-powerful little harvest girl that she was, used her magic to help Marcel stand against his rouge witch.

The dark-skinned vampire had later visited them. He thanked Davina for her help and had explained to the brunettes how Klaus himself had swooped in and snapped Katie's neck, saving Marcel from the wicked witch and Ophelia inwards applauded the hybrid. He had come up with a good plan, it got himself on Marcel's side and gained the man's trust; that much was made abundantly clear when Marcel told the two that he was 'going to make things right' by giving Elijah back.

Davina however, didn't agree with her savior. "No." She responded with an air of finality. Ophelia would have smiled at the girl for her attitude, but considering she had promised to help Rebekah and Klaus bring their brother home, a pang of annoyance struck her instead.

Marcel frowned at the young witch, his gaze flicking over to Ophelia who shrugged, "What? Davina-"

"-No." The little witch interrupted. She moved her determined gaze towards the ornate coffin that held the body of the suited original. She didn't want the old vampires running around the city that her father-figure had spent so long building. She wanted it to be safe. She wanted her own freedom. "You said the old ones were dangerous. I won't give him back until I know how to kill them."

Ophelia rolled her shoulders as she threw a pointed look towards Marcel, one which read 'this is your problem.' and stood, gathering her phone and the mints she had been chewing on before making her way over to the vampire, "Daddy duties getting to you already, Marcel?"

"Oh, Shut up."

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07-08-2020

𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗸𝗮𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺... 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹, 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽!!