Cami O'Connell

It wasn’t necessarily his desire to ensure that Cami stay locked up in her room, merely his job, and yet he wasn’t as forceful with it with her as he was his other inmates. The history between the two causing for some leniency where she was concerned. Stepping away and leaving the other CO to guard her room was the last thing he wanted to do but when you gotta go, you gotta go and so he stepped away for no more than five minutes and when he returned to find the CO flirting with a couple of the nurses, blue hues rolled as he moved to check the room, a heat rising in his chest as he found it empty and he quickly exited the room and approached the other CO, grasping his shirt from behind and shoving him against the nearby wall. “Have you lost your mind, idiot,” Leonidas questioned the officer. “She’s gone and so is your badge once we get her back to the prison. Stay here, if I come back and you’ve so much as moved a damn muscle I will ensure that you don’t even make it back to the prison.” Another shove was given to the male as he quickly stalked off in search of the blonde, an audible sigh leaving his lips as he searched everywhere could, trying to be as inconspicuous as he could so as to not alarm anybody as he knew the chaos that would ensue if anyone discovered that an inmate had escaped. The last place he had expected to find her was the chapel, silently making his way in as he approached before the space between them was minimal and he found his digits lightly landing against her wrists, his lips inches from her ear as his grip eventually tightened around her wrists. “Dangerous game you’re playing, love,” Leonidas whispered. “The irony being that neither of us burst into flames when we stepped over that threshold.”

-

She knew it was only a matter of time before Leo came looking for her, in reality it was like a game of cat and mouse and while he liked to believe he was the cat in this situation she knew otherwise. Only she needed him, he made life on death row far easier to bear and if she wanted to try to make any kind of escape during her stay here she would need him eating out of her hand. Perhaps even able to convince him to join her going somewhere tropical. With his hands around her wrists she gave him a sly grin. “Story of my life.” She answers back tugging her arms knowing full well that if he wanted there was no getting out but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t try. She chuckles leaning towards him as she lowers her voice, “Do you have sins you want to confess, Leo?” She asks with a slight raise of a brow that went along with her smirk. “Or are you looking to just add to the list?” With her hands being held in his control that didn’t stop the blonde from carefully picking up a leg, gently running it up his inner thigh. 

       bex saw her fair share of interesting and unexplainable things working in the psych ward. nine times out of ten, people refused to believe her when she would tell them about her day, that was how crazy her shifts often were. bex had worked with an inmate or two in the time that she’d been a doctor, but none of them had ever been like cami o’connell. 

       the fact that her blonde patient wasn’t supposed to be mobile, let alone out of her room, was cause for concern when bex spotted cami wandering the halls. keeping her distance, bex followed cami into the chapel and stood in the doorway as she spoke. ❝ somewhere you’re not supposed to be. ❞

-

Without feeling the need to look back at the other Cami offers a shrug, “Everyone is entitled to be right with their god, right Doc?” She answers knowing full well that if she had asked for it she could be cleansed of her sins, of her crimes as far as god was concerned but she didn’t care enough to do so. Not that anyone else needed to know it, “I have my belly split open barely stitched closed, I doubt I can be a danger to anyone...well besides myself.” She drones on before turning her head to look at the other with a smile on her face. After all once a doctor wrote off on her being well enough to be transferred back to prison, off she would go, no more vacation.

Tru wasn’t terribly religious; she liked to believe that the good in the world came from the hard work of people in it, not from any higher power.  But she did know and respect that many of the people who came to her for help drew inspiration from their faith, and so each of her shifts started the same way - a visit to the chapel, to ask that if there was something higher out there that it give its strength to the patients who needed it.  Most mornings those visits were quiet, with only a few family members or patients for company.  But as someone took a seat right beside her she knew the visit wasn’t likely to be as quiet as usual.

“I’m not an expert or anything, miss, but if y’all ask me you should be letting the doctors do their work.  Nothing you find in this here chapel is going to make you feel any better than what they’ll do for you.  If you don’t mind my saying.”

-

Cami looks over to the woman giving her a snort of a laugh, “Sitting in the big guys house and still talking shit about him.” She nods her head with another laugh, “No, I like your style.” She answers looking back up at the statue of Jesus looking down at them. “I’m pretty sure doctors have done all they can for me for the mean time.” She would stable enough to walk so they would deem her stable enough to get back to the prison soon enough, she’d have to do something about that. “Don’t worry, I’m not expecting the lord to heal me with the power of prayer. Haven’t looked for him to much of anything in a long time, I take it this is more a nice place to nap with your eyes open for you?”

Making her ways through the halls wasn’t hard, there were signs fucking everywhere but what shocked her the most was that she ended up outside the chapel, she would have kept going but if she was being honest the fresh wounds of surgery were trying and so she pushed open the doors and made her way to a pew before she couldn’t walk further. “Irony is here somewhere.”

Cami O’Connell AU bio task 004

Gabe was more than happy to continue participating and he was genuinely having a good time, it was a relief to see his family enjoying themselves too. He just realised however, that he needed to pace himself a little better than he had been. Cami’s point coaxed laughter from him, before he nodded his head in agreement, “I don’t think these guys got that memo” he teased. Gabe feigned disappointment as he excused himself from the shot ring, breathing a deep sigh of relief towards Cami, “I owe you one. Whatever you want, as long as its not another drink” he chuckled. “But seriously, thank you. My social skills are a little rusty and gettin’ myself out of that was proving difficult.” He was happy to follow on as Camille guided them out of earshot and Gabe tugged his digits through his hair as he listened to Cami’s advice, “you know, I might just use that neat trick. At least until until faces are no longer blurred.”

-

Cami smiles amused, “That’s okay, first one is free.” She answers giving a wave to the group they left behind. “The stressors of being social, it happens. Lucky enough they’re likely just easy to grab the next unknowing victim to shove shots at. Better to keep your dignity and whatever you have in your stomach right where it is.” No one wants to be the one throwing up in the bushes if they can help it and she couldn’t lie and say she wanted to avoid hearing, seeing or smelling that. “It comes in handy, the amount of times my brother and I felt guilty about partying. We didn’t want the sinful judging looks from Jesus and less from our uncle but nothing would be worse than classmates thinking we were the priests dull nephew and niece.” Not that it mattered in the long run given her brother going into the church.

Klaus was doing his best to attempt to remain calm, knowing that despite the fact they were both feeling much better, any unnecessary stress that his moods could add were not welcomed. “I did not wish to overstep, Camille” he hummed softly, a sigh accompanying his words. “Nor argue.” The hybrid lowered his head for a moment and closed his eyes, his jaw was taught and his breaths were slightly laboured as he attempted to regain control of both himself and the unfortunate situation. Progress was staying by Camille’s side and actually navigating through how the both of them were feeling, as usually by now Klaus would have fled and inflicted needless bloodshed, even without having first located those responsible. Anything to release a fraction of the tension that he felt. “Whilst that may be, your protection at the compound will be impenetrable, both myself and Hope will ensure it.”

 As his eyes reopened to look upon her features, his expression softened. “I understand and I am sorry, this should never have happened to you and as much as I desire to make the streets run red with the blood of those responsible, I respect your wishes, Camille. But know this, you are not my weakness. Nor have you ever been. You are one of my greatest strengths and that is what I am afraid of.” Loving Camille brought with it compassion, a softer side to Klaus that had long been buried but was grateful to have been revived.

“That can be arranged, love. First thing tomorrow” his tone was quiet, finding himself calming as Cami settled back into his embrace, placing a soft kiss against the top of her head before nodding in agreement, “of course – do you wish for me to leave?”

-

Cami couldn’t help the scoff that fell from her lips, “Klaus Mikaelson, not wanting to overstep or argue. Hell must be a little chilly these days.” She jokes, hell freezing over seemed like the sort of thing to happen when Klaus became reasonable but than again he had been through a lot in the time she was gone anything was possible. “I don’t doubt that, I know that if anywhere will be safe for me its here. I won’t have trouble sleeping at night I know that.” At least she had hopes, what was logical and what her mind might manifest could be very different things.

That was how Cami wanted to be seen, she was an anchor for the Mikaelson family when they needed a calm mind or when they needed to hear they were being unreasonable. She just needed others outside of the family to see that was well, she might be a newborn vampire in many people’s eyes but that didn’t make her any less capable. She just needed an edge for those that over powered her vastly. “You’re a better man than people will ever give you credit for and you shouldn’t be ashamed to let the world know it.” She understood why he did hide things, she understood his early years were harsh, knew Mikael was a cruel man she even faced the man herself. Though adding more targets to his back and those around him wasn’t a way to live life. 

Leaning into the hybrid she shakes her head and holds one of his arms in comfort before looking up at him, “No, that’s not what I wish.” Unwrapping his arm from around her she slinks off the bed and holds out a hand to the hybrid. “I didn’t want to be the one to say it but you stink.” She points out to him, while she might be covered in grim and blood, he had been sweating for days just the same.

“I’m taking bets now on who think will last longer tonight,” Tara joked. “The younger generation or the older generation. My money is on us older folks especially if you’re a Crescent. We were raised on moonshine and partying until the sun came up.”

@farfromhomestarters​

-

“I think my money will be on the older simply cause who ranks as the oldest.” Original vampires seem to have an advantage but the kids have more heart she had to think. “I don’t know you’re talking to someone with Irish roots, there very well might be whiskey running through our veins. Nothing makes one drink like the guilt of the church looming.” She teases taking a seat with her glass in her hand.

This wasn’t the first party Kilo had been to by far, but unlike all those other parties he found himself easily and far more distracted at this one. He was nursing a drink in his hand, staring out at the crowd. There was a faraway look to his eye, like he wasn’t really there. But that was just the norm for Kilo these days. 

He felt someone brush against his shoulder and it made him tense for a moment before he forced himself to relax. It was probably just someone trying to get past him, he was probably blocking some kind of entrance, an exit maybe to one of the cabins? Could have been someone trying to get to the bar area. 

Kilo pushes the drink in his hand into his mouth, coaxing the bitter liquid down his throat as it washed away the dryness that had settled there. 

@farfromhomestarters​

-

Cami had been walking around the party feeling fine till the overwhelming feel overcame her and she was starting to feel like she was surrounded and unable to breathe as easily. She made her way through the most crowded section and breaking through she ended up having to place her hand on the next young man she passed. 

Vampires were just as able to suffer panic attacks as the next person and her recent kidnapping and torture it seemed took a greater toll on her than she had been willing to admit to others and herself. “Sorry.” She lets out taking deep breaths as she tried to focus on the trees around them swaying gently in the wind.

“Somethin’ like that” Gabe forced with a wince, rubbing his chest as the alcohol burned on its way down. Whilst he could once hold his liquor, even he had to admit that he was out of practice, supernatural being or not. “I’m a little rusty” he mused before addressing the group that had adopted him as his voice purposely became louder, “and as much as I appreciate the generosity of my friends here, we should really be getting back.” The wolf smiled as he gestured towards Cami, hoping that she would be his way out as he began to stand up and offered more gratitude to those around the table before gesturing towards the party and addressing Cami, “shall we?”

-

Cami had seen a great number of friends forced to stay out in the bar drinking far more than they were happy with. Cami being who she was usually slipped them water rather than more shots or even watered down coke to color it like the bourbon and more than usual she never got a complaint for it. “I think the whole point of this party is to make people feel better, not make them sick.” She points out with a hesitant smile on her face before she nods her head. “Oh yeah sorry to burst the party guys but we really need this one back.” She tells the others with a false sympathetic smile as she grabbed the others arm gently urging him away from his crowd. “I can read a drowning face when I see one.” She whispers over to him as they walked a distance away. “Spare your liver a little for the night, get an empty bottle and fill it with something that can pass for the alcohol it should be.” She advises him, “Works like a charm, someone offers you a drink you just raise your bottle.”

“I’ve heard that about you,” Hope nodded.  “There aren’t a lot of people who’d say no to any of my family, much less my father, which makes it pretty impressive of you.”  She shrugged, not willing to let the cops’ actions go without at least the offer of a reward.  Having her father’s heart broken was enough to save him from, never mind anything worse than that.  “Maybe they don’t, but I still feel like I should give them something - even if it’s not in an official capacity, you know?”  A present from the family, maybe.  Camille’s suggestions of things she should be doing were fun, but unlikely.  “Those are nice thoughts, but I don’t see college in my future.  I don’t even think I technically graduated from high school.”

When she turned to face her properly, Hope mirrored the motion - the talk was an important one, and it was important for her to show that Cami had her complete attention.  “I don’t really remember you, no.  But the family’s shared plenty of stories of you, so it’s not like you’re a stranger either - not just a photograph,” she rephrased with a smile.  Hope’s brow furrowed as she tried to remember just where the artifacts were, until an eventual smile dawned on her face.  “You’re in luck, actually.  I think all of them are in one of the compound’s storage rooms, except a few that came to Mystic Falls with me.  And you’re welcome to them.  You know that if my dad trusts you, I’m always going to do the same.  And I want you to be safe.  Come over and pick them up anytime, okay?”

-

Cami gives a nod of her head, “Maybe it would have been smarter to just listen to him, when he tried to get me out of town years ago. Call it pigheadedness or simple fact that I wasn’t gonna let anyone chase me from a city even if it might have been for my own good.” The idea of finding out that she was being compelled, that things about her own life were being kept from her didn’t sit well, no matter who was holding the strings. “I owe them my life but I’m not sure what I can do to pay them back for it, nothing really ever seems to cover that kind of tab.” The idea that Hope was willing to try was something, it made Cami feel like her life did matter to others and not just Klaus. “Guess there’s always time but that ticks away faster than people want to admit, even vampires.” Hope had the ability to do anything she put her mind to in life it seemed, she just hoped the young woman took advantage of it.

Cami offers a warm smile at the mention of the Mikaelsons telling stories of her, “So you’re dad kept his word, I don’t think there’s much that can offer comfort when you’re dying but hearing that your legacy will live on in some fashion was pretty nice.” Cami wouldn’t have her own kids to live it on at least none of her blood but she was glad that at least her time with Klaus and them would be passed down. It was what she wanted, a big party to celebrate her life, not mourn her death, stories told with laughter and tears. “I’m glad that you feel that way, I personally have an attachment when a baby saves my skin. Eventful babysitting adventure with your uncles.” Had the car not stopped and refused to start again they would have been too close to the explosion, giving credit to Hope seemed to be the only logical choice. Letting out a sigh of relief she reaches out giving Hope’s hand a squeeze, “You don’t know how grateful I am for this.” The objects were her uncles legacy and handing them off to Hope was the best idea but having them back could be the only thing to give Cami the sense of comfort she was in need of.  “Most women end up taking over the closet with all their clothes, your dad gets dark objects slowly taking over the drawers.” She tried joking, though that might seem more normal to him, if not practical.

Gabe had been adopted by a group of drunk strangers and in all honesty, he wasn’t mad about it. He had however, rapidly come to the realisation that he wasn’t twenty years old anymore and despite being a wolf, his metabolism wasn’t handling the alcohol as well as it used to. In a clumsy cheers motion, with a deep breath and a nod the wolf geared himself up for another shot, before hearing his name called through the crowd, a saving grace as familiar face headed towards him. “Oh thank god, here. Take this” he mused, extending his drink to the newcomer. 

@farfromhomestarters​

-

Walking around a party had Cami feeling conflicted, on one hand she was glad to have a distraction from everything that had been going on and on the other she couldn’t help but wonder if any of the hybrids that had taken her were lurking in the shadows waiting for another chance. When a shot was put in her hand she gave the man who held it a questioning look. “Are you being thrown the distillery?” She asks with a teasing smile as she shot back the drink.

“If there’s one thing you can count on from a Mikaelson it’s that we don’t like the word no.”  Fortunately she hadn’t needed to have that discussion with the guards, likely for the reason Cami had suggested - that Klaus would have made sure all of the family were exceptions to the rules.  Hope bit her lip, not at all comfortable with the fact that someone else had needed to save the woman in her city.  It should have been her, and that was something that was going to haunt the queen for some time to come.  Not only because Camille’s life had been at stake, but because her own father’s was as well.  If she couldn’t keep both of them safe, what kind of job was she doing as regent?  “I’ll make sure that they’re rewarded well for their service, I can promise you that much.”

She nodded, exhaling softly.  “Neither of those would have been acceptable - and if it had come to that I think I would have gotten over my feelings about pulling arms off, because I wasn’t about to lose either of you.  I’m going to do my best to assuage that guilt and I’m sure you will too.”  Hope sipped her beer, giving Cami a curious look.  “What did you want to talk to me about?”

-

“Something I learned early on, I still have no trouble saying it.” She answers honestly, it was one of the reasons why Klaus liked her, her mind, the spunk that she had or so she had surmised once or twice. Cami offered a small smile and shakes her head, “I somehow don’t think they’ll take one. Some people just want to do their job, the praise wouldn’t be needed. I do owe them but I don’t think that rests on your shoulders, you’re still a kid. You should be planning trips to places you’ve never been, college, experiencing things with that boyfriend of yours.” Cami wasn’t going to stand by and pretend she supported something she didn’t even if she did love the Mikaelson family. The crown of New Orleans was something that should have been melted down and never picked back up, metaphorically speaking. 

She sat silently for a moment trying to think the best way to word it to Klaus’ own child who already knew the risks. “He has hundreds of life times worth of enemies, I don’t think he’ll be able to curve that guilt easily. It took years for me to get the mere fact he was worth risking a little danger for, that he was worth being loved.” She wouldn’t be surprised to hear that he still had trouble believing it given how many years of Mikael’s hatred and abuse he had endured. “I know you don’t really remember me maybe save for a picture on the wall.” She gestured to the wall of photos off to the side of the bar. “When I was dying I told your father to write my will, he was a tad grumpy about it but I assume you had gotten the items I bequeathed you. Not to be an Indian giver but I was hoping that if you still had them or any of them really that you would allow me to take them back till my untimely death hopefully many years in the future.” She explained turning to face the tribrid completely. “I know the risk involved in being in love with anyone in this family, I accept those risks but I also know that compared to you all, compared to the enemies out there I am outmatched unless I have those artifacts.”

“Oh, they did,” Hope assured her.  “They’re right where you left them.  But they weren’t stopping me or anything, so I figured I’d just let myself in.”  Not that she’d have allowed anyone to stop her, but it was nice that they hadn’t tried.  Stepping up to the bar and sliding onto a stool she gestured for Cami to join her.  “Apologies for not finding you sooner.  Not so long ago I’d have just pulled the arms off of people until someone told me where you were, but apparently searching for you with my humanity on isn’t nearly as efficient.”  Exhaling slowly, Hope gestured for a beer.  There was an awkward silence that lingered in the air before she spoke again.  “I’m glad you’re alright, Camille.  For my father’s sake - and I don’t mean that wolf bite.”

-

“I’m sure your dad likely made sure that Mikaelsons weren’t barred, not that any of you wouldn’t let yourselves in either way.” She smiles softly knowing that the last thing they’d do was let some compelled guard tell them no easily. Looking at Hope however was surreal for the vampire, seeing her all grown up looking a perfect mixture of her mother and father. She was just as pretty as ever and Cami was proud to get to see her as an adult in person. “Well I’m glad that you didn’t pull anyone’s limbs off, its not something I would want someone to do for me. You were going through a lot already you don’t have to apologize, the two young men that found me were kind enough and I was in no position to be picky about who showed up.” She wasn’t sure the details of how they found her but she gathered it was related to a witch doing some spell and the combination of police work. “You and me both.” Cami answers looking to the young girl with a soft smile, “I would hate for your dad to have to experience watching me die a third time. Or to have him die because some witches couldn’t trust his word. I know he’s gonna be beating himself up for some time about it all.” The linking of the two seemed extreme but given what the local witches did to her brother and uncle she wasn’t shocked. “I was actually meaning to talk to you, I just didn’t want to add more to your plate.”

“If you say so.” she shrugged. Damn, there goes her little killing spree… Go figure, she had to find a new release now. Glad the blonde had asked, the vampire fished an elegant business card from her purse and held it out to the woman. “Here” she said, her expression pleasant and actually honest as she waited for the woman to take it. “You may never come to like me, but eventually you will need me“ she said simply. It was true for all lawyers after all. And, well, girls had to stick together.

-

Cami studied the card in the others hand for a few seconds before deciding it would be rude not to just take it. Looking it over she at least learned some things about the new vampire. “I really don’t think there’s much need for a lawyer but if there were I have some people who have more connections than any one person might need. But I guess you never know.” She tucks the card in her back pocket, “Is that what brought you to New Orleans? Practicing law? Cause if you’re used to compelling the judges you won’t get much out here. Most higher officials already know about the supernatural.”

As Camille turned in his arms, he ensured to hold onto her tighter, satisfied that she was feeling better as for the first time in days he felt as though he could breathe easy. He continued to tease his digits through her locks, pained by the tears that were shed as he could feel the damp warmth of them against his arm. After his enraged rant, Camille began to pull away from him and he was reluctant to allow for her to do so. His pained hues gazed into her own and his chest ached as he looked at the blood and tears that remained on her features. Common sense had led Klaus to believe that it had been an enemy that had taken Cami, that much was obvious. It wasn’t the first time she had been in danger from association with the Mikaelsons and unfortunately, may not be the last. 

He couldn’t quite find the words to speak and instead, he simply nodded as his gaze faltered from hers and he appeared vulnerable within her presence. The guilt was eating away at him from the inside and unfortunately, that would be something that would continue. He would obsess over this for months to come. Punish himself for ever having allowed for Cami to be put into danger. The confirmation that this was in fact Klaus’ fault understandably worsened the guilt, but if it was something Cami needed to do for herself, then he would support that decision. Klaus’ gaze remained low, attempting to blink back the moisture gathering within his hues, as his hands remained on the vampire’s frame, tightening against the material of her clothing as he slowly lifted his gaze, “as you wish, Camille.”

- 

Camille swallowed down the rage she felt knowing full well that Klaus was beating himself up more than she ever could and it wasn’t her plan to make him feel any worse, she was in no mood or place to fight someone who cared the most about her wellbeing. She was by no means a damsel in distress sort but she knew her limits, even as a vampire, now she simply just needed to find things to curb those weaknesses and she knew where to find them or at least hoped they were where she thought. 

She expected Klaus to argue and be determined to cast hell onto the ones who would hurt someone that made him vulnerable so when he folded giving her same answer that he had when she once asked him not to kill for her. Only this time her reasoning was vastly different, “They’re dangerous and I don’t know what kind of motives they will have now that they’re first plan seems to have fallen through.” She didn’t want anyone else getting caught in the cross hairs which meant they had to be stopped by any means. “I need to be able to show people that I’m more than just Klaus Mikaelson’s weakness or any of the Mikaelson family’s weakness.”

Cami had an idea for that one that she had before her death, she wanted to be able to help the people in New Orleans who couldn’t help themselves. It wasn’t an easy task given she was such a young vampire but the gifts that her uncle left her would make that task much more attainable, “I need to talk to Hope but that can wait. For right now.” Giving a nod as she settled back into the hybrid’s embrace for a moment. “I have to get cleaned up, spending two days in a nasty warehouse.” The blood that was caked onto her clothes were a mixture of her own and some of the hybrids that too close.

Ophelia shrugged. The woman could deny it if she wanted to, but that was exactly what they looked like. Well well well, jackpot. “Poor thing.” she offered, slightly feeling for the female. Now she was either someone important or had pissed somebody off real bad. Ether way, it was tough luck having to be shadowed. A grin took over her face when the female mentioned her clothes; she was rather proud of her outfit choice. “Well, thank you.” she said as if she’d been complimented. “Comes with the job.”

-

Cami didn’t like the pity in fact she never did but at the same time she couldn’t really deny it given the fact that she went through hell to get where she was now. “Can’t complain, I’ve had worse company than them.” She answers knowing full well that they certainly didn’t rank low on the list of terrible company even if a little silent. She notes the narcissistic mentality in believing that her observation was a compliment and nothing else. “And what would that be?” She had a feeling the woman wanted to talk about it.