&. 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.

the demon tilted their head with a sweet smile, happy to take the compliment in. "thank you hope. i have a few other plans with this outfit, tyler is not happy about the whole me joining the faction, but it's kinda hard to be mad when i look like this." her hands hovered around her breasts before letting out a chuckle, admiring the humor that poured out of the tribrid beside her. she was a lot like her mother and father, it seemed like every good part of klaus managed to shine with his daughter. something that gabriela could relate to even though she'd never tell him that. "ohh yeah, i forgot you don't really need to do the whole breathing thing. i'm sure your mom would love this conversation if i was not having it with you."

gabriela hated the way her family and the mikaelsons still held such anger towards each other. it was something she hoped to change, but the murders got in the way of that plan. hayley had already agreed, that there was no need for any of them to hate one another. all of them had done some horrible things, all out of fear and thinking it would provide their loved ones safety. "hope can i just say, it has been really nice seeing you and kaya be friends. i know there is a lot of bad feelings our families have had towards each other...." they'd never say it, not yet, but they also loved hope and her siblings. the demon took great pride in her family and that love grew bigger, as she met other families who held that loyalty as well. "i wish i could change the things that had been done, the things i've done, but we just can't and it also doesn't help to hold it in."

" WELL IF IT HELPS ANY, you are an absolute vision, gabbi. " the tribid complimented with a bright smile, tense shoulders relaxing slightly despite the tinge of animosity held for her husband hope wasn't unaware of the reason why it existed and while that often made for an awkward moment or millions between herself and kaya ⸺ she couldn't deny the high regard she placed her friend in and that somewhat extended to her mother, even if such sentiment would NEVER actually feel true where tyler was concerned. " at the very least, we'd be having a better time breathing. " she mused with a snort. " suppose it's lucky, that technically i don't have to. " the advantages of an activated vampire side. " secret is safe with me, after all if i told her you said it, then i'd have to admit i HEARD it and that just opens an entirely different can of worms... that none of us deserve to dive in to. "

once he gripped her tight, it felt as if she could breath. burying her head into his chest, eleanor took in his embrace. tears flooded her eyelids but she was too tired to make a noise, but for the first time she felt less anxious. shaking her head softly, her voice was muffled from how close she was to him. "don't, it's okay you don't need to be sorry." it was a mistake and she knew that. after taking some time to take him in, she pulled back and looked him in the eyes. "you don't need to be sorry, i could see it in your eyes. can you just stay with me? i need a bath and a cheeseburger." she admitted, feeling as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. "i missed you so much..."

nikolas was taken aback to say the least . when eleanor grabbed his hand something shifted inside him . it was like he felt himself come alive again , but how was this possible . it was a feeling of relief that rushed over him when he realized he wasn't going insane . " don't be sorry . " the realization that she was real changed something in the tribrid . and her confession about crawling out of a grave and being such a mess made him instantly wrap his arms around her . regardless of his fear of hurting her he couldn't bear being separated from her anymore . large arms held her tight . " god i missed you elle . . i'm so sorry . " he breathed . " i'm so . . so sorry . i should have been more careful i shouldn't have lost control . " he began to confessed .

"you sure? cause i only need a few tomatoes so it's no big deal." gabriela was calmer now, always fighting that darkness that lurked inside her. it was something she grew better at with age and time, her loving family also dulling any of that need for something other than love. yet every day was a struggle, her soul was free but she still wasn't human. "if you are grocery shopping for someone else i think they normally keep those orders in a special place." grabbing some random produce and placing it in her tote, gabi turned around to point towards the booth labeled pick up. "they give you a discount for helping others so make sure to take a look around. there is a stall whose blueberries are perfectly in season right now."

The boy relaxed against the stall, taking in the bustling market around him. "It's fine, I don't really need it," he mentioned casually. He couldn't quite pinpoint why he had decided to visit the market, perhaps just to pass the time, but then recalled that he needed to collect an order for his mother. "I'm just here to pick up an order, I suppose," he added with a shrug, flashing a smile at the girl as he stowed the order in his backpack slung over his shoulders.

eleanor wasn't sure where to go tonight, with nikolas remaining at arms length and her family so caught up in her return, it felt as if nothing was right. sure being back from the dead wasn't right or normal either, but to be treated like such a fragile piece of art, well it made the young woman anxious. the feeling never left her, it seemed once she crawled out of the grave, she was destined to feel out of place in the world. possibly because she didn't belong here anymore. none of it made sense, so she made her way to the outside area of the venue and took in a the fresh air. only coming back to reality when a voice filled the silence.

tilting her head to the other, she opened her eyes and furrowed her brows. trying to think what answer would be best. bolting felt like the best option. yet, her feet stayed planted on the ground. "honestly, i can't answer that. i want to leave this ball so badly. get away from everyone and just be, but i don't want to worry people anymore."

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

the redhead was still on edge after drinking from his father , damon . the limitation of blood was starting to get to him . he didn't want to feed on anyone else because he didn't want to hurt them , but that didn't changed the fact that his craving for the taste often danced on his tongue . however, andrew knew that his father would give him another hit before the night was done so he decided to think about something else for a change . " should we dance like we belong or ditch this place ? " andrew approached the other .

gabriela had little answers for the many problems that loomed above the people she loved. yet, she was going to do everything in her power to keep them safe. so when josh and aiden asked for the demon to check on blossom, they jumped at the task. before she could even knock on the door the other was aware of gabi's presence. placing their hands in the air, they surrendered before walking closer. "i am also here to ease my own mind thank you very much." shrugging, she placed her nervous hands in her jean pockets and gave a tight lipped smile. "it's not easy finding out this type of thing and well if you need to talk to anyone, i'm here."

@iknowthvnd muses: blossom &. gabi location: outside the rosza house

"did they ask you to check how i was?" blossom asked, eyes not moving from her sketchpad. she could sense who it was and there was a slight ease spreading through blossoms body. "because if they did, i'm fine. i told them that and i can tell you too." eyes looking briefly up at her. she should be grateful to know she was a banshee, that all her nightmares, the drawing of what now made sense, death scenes were apart of her but yet, it felt more isolating than before. "plus you don't have to do what my dads say. they really aren't scary at all, especially when there's a spider around.."

Thanks, but I’m more of a make-everything-worse kind of gal.

there were very few people who hadn't reacted with wide eyes and a dropped jaw as eleanor walked into the room, one of them happened to be felicity. this wasn't exactly that weird to witness when your family had done similar things for centuries. so despite all the anxious energy that filled the streets of new orleans, there was still this content energy that wasn't shocked by a person crawling out of her grave. right now, it was all that elle could handle every other type of environment overwhelmed her senses.

art was important to the gerard family, how could it not be when you've lived so many lives and seen it evolve? so as the two settled into comfortable conversation, the busy world around them began to melt. feeling as maybe the world didn't have to be as terrifying as eleanor thought. yet it couldn't be denied, the eerie feeling in the air that never left since the power went out, only to mysteriously come on. a chill ran down her spine, causing her eyes to grow wide. "sorry, i'm still adjusting to having a pulse." elle admitted, ever since coming back, she had become hyper aware of her heartbeat. the way it would quicken when someone gave her a certain look on the street. it caused her to feel vulnerable in such public places.

Felicity looked up and, upon recognizing the familiar face before her, a smile of recognition tugged at the corners of her lips. "Oh, hey there! I'm sorry, I was so zoned in I didn't even notice you," she said apologetically, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Her friend chuckled softly, a warmth in their eyes as they responded, "No worries, you looked really focused. What are you drawing this time?" they asked, leaning in to get a better look at Felicity's sketchbook.

As Felicity eagerly shared her latest project, the two friends settled into an easy conversation, the bustling energy of the coffee shop providing a comforting backdrop to their reunion. In that moment, Felicity felt grateful for the interruption that had brought them together and looked forward to the shared moments of creativity and connection that awaited them.

@inaducursehqstarters

it's possible that everyone who was brought back was now bonded. lizzie was related to her fiancé, his family was the polar opposite of her blood one, so it always fascinated her how the mikaelson group dynamic worked. running dirty fingers through her hair, eleanor nodded to the other. feeling instantly soothed once in her presence. "you're back too, so that means..." she trailed off, as her brain worked at a much faster pace than she could currently handle. "well now i have a horrible headache, do you think you remember your way to the boarding school?" all her senses were fuzzy, along with her vision and nerves. it felt as if she had been numb for several years, waking up from a coma like state, but it was different than that. she hadn't been hooked up to helpful nutrients, so her bones ached and she felt dry, it caused her to shudder.

it felt different, almost unnerving being back. she knew she had died, there was no way to stop the merge and here she was. god, she wondered how long she had passed but no, she needed to pluck up the courage to head back home or to the boarding school. her eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she saw the other, almost as if she could sense that they were both alike, both back from the dead. this set the uneasiness that lizzie felt already to now, a ten.

“could i?” she commented, as she heard the other speak, hoping to settle the feeling she had. talking to the girl would put things into perspective for her.

"of course, your dad and i are willing to help you with whatever you need. what you are is still new to both of us, being a mix of demon and werewolf, it means that you have abilities we both do." finishing her drink, gabbi let out a soft sigh. not happy that kaya had threatened raymis, he most likely would retaliate, but she also knew that he was able to press too far. make you say and feel things that weren't exactly what you meant, anything for him to stop. "no he didn't like that, but don't worry i will speak with him. we haven't talked in a really long time and i was hoping to never see the man again. but life can't be that sweet i guess."

twirling on the bar stool, they eyed the dance floor and watched as others began to enjoy the night. "have you tried any of the fancy food? i had a few salmon puffs and maybe one day i can perfect that recipe." she decided to make jokes, enjoy the night for what it was. there was no way she'd be making salmon puffs, the family was normally eating crawfish boils and other new orleans favorites. it wasn't fancy but it was enough.

Kaya listened to her mother talk with sympathy and understanding. She knew that both of her parents had been through the ringer. That was part of the reason why she didn't like to trouble them so much with the goings-on of her own life. She never wanted to be a burden or cause them too much stress.

"I'd never felt anything like that before. I honestly think this is the first time I've used my like, demon powers, or whatever. Maybe after the masquerade, you could teach me more about all this stuff. And Dad, too. I don't really know what's going on with me lately, Mom." She took a small sip of her drink, already feeling the effect of the shots coming on. "No, no. That was it, just tried to scare me. I did also threaten him, and I don't think he liked that so much."

"i don't think i've been in a relationship at all..." the siphoner admitted, maybe it was the atmosphere, or maybe it was the drinks, but it felt as if she could say anything tonight. "there have been a lot of one night stands, but i don't think anyone has ever stayed long enough for it to be considered anything other than that." her eyes scanned the crowd, trying to spot someone who wasn't already paired up. "breaking up before a fancy ball is rough, but now you got some more choices. there are several pretty people in the room and a decent amount of the single ones are hovering near the bar. see anyone you like?"

"I both love and hate that I am single," she admitted as she looked over at Josie with a 'please entertain me' look on her face. "I've pretty much only been in 1 relationship in my life so I don't even know what my type is. Like of all times to break up we chose right before a ball"