There Was A Shift In The Mood Once Gabriela Realized It Was Maddison, A Smile Grew On Her Face Before

she could feel it each time they were in the same room, not only was his touch gentle but so was his gaze. it was as if she had come back to life a china doll. if she wanted anything, it was to prove that she didn't need to be treated as such. leaning against a bannister, the cool marble against her warm back caused a calm to wash over eleanor. ever since coming back, it felt as if he was avoiding her and yet also provided her with comfort. the whole ordeal caused her head to feel dizzy. so she spent time with her family, being with her sisters and trying to catch up on the years she missed.

yet, she yearned for nikolas, he was somehow she always turned to when feeling overwhelmed. just as she was thinking about him, their eyes met across the room. a shiver ran up her spine, one so different than before. instantly she blushed, feeling as if she was seeing him for the very first time. elle decided to make the first move, her feet basically floating off the floor as she made her way to her love. when she got to him, she placed a hand on his chest and smiled sweetly. "i'd know your eyes anywhere." she admitted to him so easily.

↷ open ╳ @inaducursehqstarters ↷ muse playing ╳nikolas mikealson ↷ location ╳ vaso bar and venue (bywater ) ↷ event ╳ enchanted evening masquerade

nikolas had spotted eleanor at the enchanted evening masquerade . even the mask she wore wasn't enough to stop him from spotting the brunet across the room in her cloudy blue gown . she appeared god sent , and other words she was a perfect , vision . yet , that didn't stop the tribrid from wanting to keep his distance from her , even though everything in his body was scream to be near her . the tall male felt guilty for his absence in her life but how else could he prove that she deserved better . regardless , of the facts , it didn't stop nikolas's piercing blue eyes from searching the crowd for her .

taking a deep breath, allowed josie to hear the tone of the others voice. looking up at the girl with a shrug, she realized that blossom managed to grab a decent amount of the strewn about papers. "well you seem to be really good at catching, so i guess that makes the situation a little better." she teased, before kneeling down and grabbing the rest of the papers. "i just need to get these to the admin office before they close and then i can go home. this day has been dragging for far too long." she admitted before getting back up to face the other. "i'm uhh josie, thanks for grabbing the rest of those."

she was always in her own world, her head in the clouds as some people would say, although that never bothered blossom. she preferred it that way, but the change in the air was something she could even sense. nightmares and the idea of death lingering around every corner and maybe that was why she preferred to stay in her own world full of art and distancing from others.

headphones blaring her music, her mind not really focusing on where she was walking. her only snap back to reality was when she felt herself collide against Josie. “ah fuck.” blossom mumbled, seeing the paper scatter around the pair of them. herself grabbing as many as she could before the wind would take them away. “sorry about that.” the girl spoke, holding them out for the other. “kinda weren’t paying attention.”

I just thought about what you would do. It’s like you always say: if we stick together, nothing can hurt us.

her nose scrunched up at his teasing, while her shoulders became a little less tense, all from pretending to hold her head high. the only time josie was able to be a person was when she was around family, or at least certain family. "i want to fight that one but so far, you have been right... " she twirled on her feet back to the microwave, placing the popcorn in and setting the timer before shrugging. "plus, we know fate is a fickle thing." josie smirked, making her way over to the fridge and looking at the drink selection. "i love that klaus enjoys hard liquor, it means mom always has mixers around." pulling out all the things needed for a dirty shirley, the witch took out two fancy glasses.

he managed to finish her sentence, something she found both helpful and painful, because it brought up the very emotions she desperately tried to push down. "yeah since the merge." after placing some ice in the glasses, she placed her palms on the cool tile. "it could be an evil spell, i mean those do give me the chills." but there was still something else, a feeling that she couldn't put into words, it was there on the tip of her tongue. she felt lizzie, in a much different way since that fateful night. shaking the thought away, she went back to pouring and mixing drinks, the sound of popping filling the kitchen. "i guess we should wait for aunt freya, she normally is the first to know what evil lurks."

there wasn't a day that passed by that nikolas didn't think about his fiance . about their connection and the bond they shared . it was a bond that he had never had with anyone before and to have that ripped away from him by his own careless action had darkened his path . it wasn't by any means what josie had gone through with lizzie , but there were some similarities between the two . they both lost someone that they had cared for dearly and it was at their own hands . now they were forced to live without the person they loved the best way they knew how .

" well get use to hating because i'm always right . " nikolas teased josie , before breathing a laugh . nikolas looked back to see the brunet open the cabinet door with glee to get to the popcorn . large hands grabbed at the wet cloth to wipe down the marble countertop before a laughed followed underneath his breath of how she would try to keep her snacks and hands in the right place . the sandy blonde having his doubts . " well my fate is in your hands , literally and figuratively . " he joked as he felt his energy change . she was the fresh breath of air that he had needed .

nikolas finished up with his task before turning around to his sister's curious question . " evil spell ? " he questioned , she continued but then her voice drifted off . nikolas could see it in her eyes that it was the thought of their sister lizzie that created the withdrawal . " since the merge with lizzie . " he thought to finish her sentence to show that he understood . " i think i heard aunt freya say something but i haven't felt anything . " perhaps it was the vervain that he had been taken to gain immunity to the potent herb after he was attacked with it by a hunter a few weeks ago . he had of course killed the hunter , but he never wanted to feel that vulnerable again .

"oh, okay, yeah so sorry to bother you." eleanor turned to see the empty table, realizing that the only person she saw in this giant place was charlie. once her gaze went back to the other, he was already sitting, looking just as confused as she was. flexing her hands, she placed the manuscript on the counter before giving the other a smile. "so umm, i've decided to just kinda be up front with people since my brain is moving so much faster than any other body part. anyways, it's not you making this whole thing awkward its very much me." giggling softly, she shook her head and took a seat. "my name is eleanor, have we met before?"

he looked familiar but it was impossible to put any names to faces. elle's memory was still fuzzy, each day she was alive brought something new. the name of a childhood friend or just something she once loved. the whole process made her feel as if she was insane and honestly who could blame her if she was?

Charlie sighed in frustration as he carefully dished up his plate of food, realizing that the girl in front of him seemed to have misunderstood. He could see the confusion on her face as she held the oversized plate that was clearly meant for more than just one person. "It's not for me," he explained, trying to sound patient despite his irritation. "It's probably for one of my cousins or my uncle. You can just leave it on the table over there." He gestured towards the empty table in the corner of the room, hoping she would understand and not cause any further confusion.

Charlie took a seat and silently cursed himself for not clarifying things sooner. He felt a pang of embarrassment at the awkward situation unfolding before him. Glancing at the abundant amount of food on his plate, he couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed by the thought of having to explain himself further.

she hummed softly as his fingers raked gently through her hair, his touch made her feel so needy. tyler was always someone she always yearned for. the moment they met, it seemed as if they were drawn together by fate. gabi viewed the man before her as a saving grace. their first interaction changed the very course of her life. their eyes darted from each others lips and back, as if they were waiting to see who would cave first.

once their lips touched, gabriela pulled his waist closer to hers. it was passionate and deep, causing her lips to linger for a few moments. she missed this. his skin against hers, the way he held on so firmly and yet it still felt so gentle. as their lips parted, gabi's eyes remained closed, a plan formulating in her head of what might happen for the rest of the night. a smirk rose on her lips before eyelids fluttered back open. "i have an idea, how about you tell me more and i show you more." a devlish grin replaced the smirk, as her forehead rested on his. "there aren't any kids here tonight and as much as i want to skip the conversation and go straight to our bedroom, the way your voice sounded on the phone is still playing in my mind." placing a hand gently on his cheek, she pulled back a bit, taking in his facial features. "so you tell me what's bothering you and then maybe i can help ease that worried brain of yours."

giving her husband a wink, she then began the process of making them drinks. keeping close to his body, unable to stay away too much since he had been gone for a few days already. maddison was spending some time with a friend, needing space after a failed test and gabi wanted to ask more questions, but knew that first emotions had to settle.

"is that so . " he breathed lightly when his wife confessed to being codependent when it came to him . " well i promise not to hold it against you . " he teased his love sparingly , but the truth was tyler couldn't breath until he saw gabriela again . when he was gone he felt himself going through the motions . he took his duties as a pack leader seriously but regardless of his duties there was one duty that trumped it all for him ;; and that was her . gabriela was not just his wife but she was his world .

while her arms draped around his waist his hand moved gently through her hair , as he looked down to meet her gaze . he watched her eyes dance around as she tried to take in his features . a smile surfaced as he admired hers . she was sweet and her touch was heavenly to the wolf . tyler had loved before but this was different . he had desired all of her , the good , the bad and everything in between . for tyler this was beyond love , perhaps an escape definition that didn't exist until them . gabriela had spoken about debriefing over drinks and that was definitely on his itinerary but not before pulling her in for a kiss . his lips pressed against hers softly , but deeply . his hand moved to couple her face as his lips caressed hers . he kissed her passionately , breathing her in gently as if she was the oxygen keeping him alive . tyler leaned his head against hers after their lips parted . " i just needed to do that first . " he confessed . " maybe we're both codependent . " he teased as his brown hues found hers .

she'd seen bonnie in old photos with caroline and elena, yet had never met in person. they all said the witch moved away after the twins were transfered from josette to caroline. something eleanor always felt was smart since mystic falls ended up becoming a supernatural free zone. so yes, ellie was staring but not on purpose. the world was new to her, every color and smell felt more vibrant than before. it wasn't until the other spoke up, that the werewolf realized how long she'd been standing there. "oh umm, i'm so sorry, i just.....you look familiar."

it was odd being alive, so far she managed to hide from everyone. putting on a baseball cap and glasses to cover up any noticeable features. how was the public going to react if they saw a dead girl walking the streets?

location: Bottom of the cup

open: everyone

It's become increasingly apparent the longer time ticks by that she's being watched. Naturally it is a little concerning given that in the near year she's been in New Orleans she's kept a low profile, hardly seeing anyone but it seems the more she comes out of her own shadows? The more she becomes a target, perhaps this is one of those moments. "If you have something to say now would be the time." Voice carries out though she hasn't looked up from the book she's writing in, fingers of free hand tap idly against porcelain cup, almost empty from the tea she'd been indulging in. "Or would you prefer to keep staring in silence?" @inaducursehqstarters

hayley didn't regret the fight, even as she lay in bed bruised and battered she held no doubts in what transpired. klaus had managed to find her after inadu had their way. possessing elijah to attack and leave her for dead, deep down she knew it wasn't him. that he wasn't in control of the blows, the hybrid could see it in elijah's face, how his eyes would change from rage to sorrow. he fought so hard to not allow this outcome and she knew that in her heart. she would heal in time, much faster than most. but that brought no comfort, she felt defeated, until hope walked into the room.

the tribrid had grown into her name the moment she was born and proved every day that the name fit, even when hope couldn't see it she was exactly that. the light in the darkness. that tiny spark that kept the fight going. that was who hope was to hayley, so to hear her voice it provided a wave of calm. the hybrids body began the process of relaxing, placing her other palm on hope's face, she smiled weakly. "there was nothing you could babygirl. i'm okay i will heal and elijah isn't possessed anymore."

it was obvious, the guilt and terror that ran through her daughter and she wanted so badly to dim the rage that also bubbled, but she knew hope needed time with these things. the two were protective over each other and hayley knew that she would be picked every time in the tribrids eyes. "don't be mad at him for too long, it wasn't him that did this to me...."

𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃. ⸺ ( @iknowthvnd ) location: hayley and elijah's home.

HER ENCOUNTER WITH ELIJAH, had left one single thought in the tribrid’s mind ( not she wouldn’t run to her mother first, whenever something happened ) but this was different, it involved hayley directly and it was that little detail that made rage inside of her swell, hope’s list of people to ‘ protect ‘ was extensive on a regular day but it was the list that contained the people nobody should MESS with that often made her react, a bit more violently than usual ( and that was saying something )

rushing inside of her family home, her like of sight was frantic as she zoomed from room to room, only allowing her gaze to soften as soon as she spotted her. rushing forward, the girl threw her arms around her, finally allowing the breath she’d been holding to release before she pulled back to meet the hybrid’s gaze ⸺ a silent acknowledgment, to let her know that she was with her, no matter what.

if there was one thing hope was confident of, it was exactly this. she’d fight a long side her mother for the rest of time, regardless of who it was that they were staring down. “ you’re okay.. “ she breathed with a shake of her head, eyes stinging a little as she reached for the woman’s hands, lacing them with hers, she squeezed tightly. “ mom, i’m so… “ what sorry? would that help? would the guilt she felt knowing that it should have been her and not her uncle, help anyone if she shared it? no. so instead she pulled the brunette in for another hug, that feeling of protection that came whenever she was near her mother enveloping her to the point that it felt overwhelming, but. in the best way possible.

a hybrid's hearing was both a gift and curse, especially when you're a mother who kids inherit your own loud remarks. this time she wasn't hearing something that would scar her or cause an eye roll, this sound caused panic and fear to rise in her chest, instantly using superhuman speed to the source. what she saw broke her heart, elijah stood there but there was something else, something inside him that made his actions and heart different. the change was too easy to recognize, if there was someone she knew all too well it was her husband. the two had grown in their marriage to become people who cared so deeply for each others happiness and peace, even when the world refused to give it to them. so to see this scene unfold, it caused the hybrids heart to break, yet she had no time to process any of it, because there was an innocent in danger.

taking a deep breath, she walked over towards her husband, because he was still there, fighting so desperately to stay in control. "elijah, i need you to let them go." hayley's voice stayed calm, trying to only speak to him and not whatever was possessing his body. walking closer behind elijah, she placed her fingers on his wrist, feeling his pulse and how it raced, when her eyes met his, the clear desperation caused tears to well in her eyes. "you are going to let this person go and we are going to figure out what is going on. we won't let this win okay?"

The narrow alleyways of New Orleans were drenched in shadows, the night air thick with humidity. Elijah wandered them, but not as himself. His eyes glowed with an unnatural blue hue. From a distance, someone followed, carefully. Elijah halted abruptly, his senses sharpened by the Hollow's malevolent power. He could feel the presence behind him. Inadu stirred with interest, its attention now fully on the pursuer. A twisted smile crept across Elijah's face as the Hollow spoke through him in a low, mocking tone. “Yon lòt malere ki vle mouri," it hissed in Creole, the words laced with dark amusement. “Ann ba li yon leson."

Without warning, Elijah turned, his movements fluid and predatory. The follower froze, their heart racing. The Hollow's voice, dripping with malice, echoed through the alley. "Ou kouri dèyè m'," Elijah taunted in Creole, the words carrying an edge of sadistic delight. "Kounye a ou pral soufri."

Elijah moved with inhuman speed, closing the gap between them in an instant. The follower barely had time to react before dark energy crackled around Elijah's hands, ready to strike. But deep within, Elijah fought against the Hollow's control, his willpower straining against the dark force. “Run," he managed to whisper, his voice breaking through momentarily, filled with urgency and desperation. “Get away!”

@inaducursehqstarters