Katherine.

“And not even a by-your-leave.” Hands in pockets, he spoke with a benign affection reserved for Elena Gilbert, a faint smile at the corners of his lips despite her obvious remaining condition of a lack of humanity. He would have told her the shoes were a touch too Katherine, but that would be rude.

At least she had the sense to release her prey, he appreciated that. It was an odd thing. She was a doppelganger, and yet his only inclination towards the girl had been acceptable protective. Nothing more. She was a wayward child, and it was a great shame that their family had inflicted such suffering onto her and hers.

“Despite our– checkered past, you’ll be pleased to hear that Niklaus no longer holds an interest in your blood.” Stepping into the alleyway casually, his head inclined in a ghost of long forgotten greeting. “But I imagine that is a meeting you would rather avoid, even in your current state, Miss Gilbert. Which begs the question, why are you here?”

If this wasn’t a bit of a hurting feeling, Elijah thinking she’s Elena and being nice to her. Not that she expected any less, but from the Mikaelson family, Elijah was always the only one she could trust. Then now Elijah once again can’t see that she isn’t Katherine. Was the doppelganger really in the mood to play along to say that she’s Elena. Maybe just for a little while. “Klaus isn’t interesting in my blood. That is indeed good news” The vampire answered. 

“Do I really need a reason to be in New Orleans?“ She asked as she tilted her head to a side as she was putting a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Can’t I visit this city?“ She then said because well, she was waiting till Elijah would finally realize that she isn’t Elena. I mean, Elena would never just compel a human to drink their blood. 

Ever since Katherine got back from the death and she still don’t know who did that and who even wanted her back to life. But it doesn’t really matter. Katherine was back and back as a vampire. What could the doppelganger do. As she then decided to head to New Orleans to see if something new had happened there. For sure she was taking some distance not wanting Klaus to see her and knowing that she was in New Orleans that would be something. 

Once arriving in the city she went to the bar to get something to drink after a couple of drinks, the brunette noticed that she just needed some blood. With vampire speed the girl went to an alley waiting for a human. Once a human came by Katherine compelled her not to scream as she started drinking the blood. This was really what she needed. After a while she stopped and compelled the woman again and let her go. 

When she then suddenly heard a familiar voice. 

            ❛   there’s   definitely   a   similar   sense   of   loyalty,   ❜   she   hinted   cryptically   with   a   secret   smile,   not   abandoning   caution   quite   yet   —   a   loyal   psychic   link,   she   was   responsible   for   protecting   them   in   each   moment   &   she   wasn’t   sure   about   revealing   such   supernaturally   sensitive   information   this   soon.   mindful   of   various   hidden   intentions   &   innocuous   guises,   lydia   was   never   an   open   book   —   not   even   to   those   she   developed   a   fondness   for.   at   least   not   for   awhile.  ❛   the   only   ?   mmm,   sounds   a   little   egotistical   to   go   that   far.   but   i’ve   been   mistaken   for   a   vogue   model   occasionally,   ❜   she   added   with   a   charming   simper.    katherine   was   intruiguing  ;   lydia   was   really   beginning   to   like   her   vibe   &   attitude,   precisely   the   kind   she   naturally   gravitated   closer   to.   lydia’s   kind   without   a   doubt.   makeovers   fulfilled,   there   was   still   plenty   of   daylight   in   their   manicured   hands.    ❛   well,   ❜   she   tilted   mauve   blushed   features   in   thought.   ideas   stirring.    ❛   i’m   sure   you’re   wondering   about   the   rest   of   beacon   hills,   which   i’m   honored   to   show   you   around.   what   else   would   you   like   to   see   ?   ❜    to   have  a   friend,   one   must   BE   a   friend   —   instead   of   calling   the   shots   &   being   the   head   banshee   in   charge,   she’s   eager   to   find   out   what   else   katherine   likes.

“I don’t know what else I want to see. Just show me around and show me the good stuff of this town.“ She said with a grin onto her face as she was looking at her phone in the hope no one from Mystic Falls would find out where she was staying now. She just don’t need to think of the stuff that people from Mystic Falls know that she’s alive and they must be happy she didn’t went straight back to that town to have some revenge on them. Katherine trust the girl that she would show some good places around this town. Yet the brunette was still curious who had brought her back from the dead. At this point the girl wanted to drink but she was sure that Lydia wasn’t off age yet to start drinking. Although Katherine is also just a seventeen year old girl. Not that people know that she’s a 500+ old vampire. After this day the doppelganger will just drink at her place. “You’ve showed me the mall so the most important place for us women. Is there anything else? what is nice for us women?” She then asked as she was tilting her head to a side. Looking at her phone to see if she didn’t got  spammed with text messages or missed calls. Putting her phone back in her pocket.  “Just show me around what you want to show me.”

Stefan had this feeling, that something was up. He couldn’t point if it was either good or bad but something felt different. And he wanted to know what it was. His feeling brought him to the Grill, why out of any place this one, he couldn’t tell. But when he stepped inside, he saw her. The person he used to love a lot, the one who looked like his real love, and here she was just a doppelganger. Slowly approaching her from behind, he had no fear to talk to her. “You’re back.” he said out loud, making her attention go on him. “I didn’t think he would actually do it. But here you are. Having a drink like always.”

Katherine was looking in the corner of her eyes to Stefan. “He? Tell me Stefan, you’re the one who killed me. Twice to be exact. Yet here you are. Who the hell wanted me back?” As she then turned around to face the Salvatore brother as she rolled her eyes. “Just let me have a drink. I just got back from the dead. I needed something.” Putting a lock of her hair behind her ear. “If you’re only here to mock me, Stefan. Do us both a favour and leave me alone.” Yes she actually said that to Stefan. The only one she had ever loved if she wasn’t counting Elijah. 

             ❛      girl   can   NEVER   have   too   many   pairs   of   heels,   ❜   lydia   confirmed   in   singsong   notes,   an   approving   smile   blooming   across   opaline   features   as   she   gravitated   toward   a   set   of   rose   gold   stilettos.   ❛   these   would   go   perfectly   with   everything   else   i   found.   ❜   setting   her   mesh   bag   of   new   designer   threads   &   accessories   down,   she   carefully   slipped   into   them   &   struck   a   modelesque   pose  in   the   mirror   before   them.  with   a   manicured   hand   settled   daintily   upon  the   curve   of   her   hip.   these   shoes   are   definitely   a   yes,   she   muses   decisively   and   adds   them.   katherine’s   assumption   diverts   the   strawberry   blonde’s   attention,   making   her   wonder   &   re-evaluate   her   social  poise  —   did   she   really   come   off   as   that   superficial   ?   ❛  why   wouldn’t   i   want   to   hang   out   with   new   friends   ?   ❜   she   countered,   saccharine   yet   honest   —   she’s   beginning   to   like   katherine   more   &   more,   intrigued.   ❛   you   could   say   i   have   my   pack,   ❜   she   alludes,   ❛   they’re   just   not   as   passionate   about   style   as   we   are.   in   vogue  ?   absolutely.  devoted   ?   not   so   much.   they’re   a   charming   little   circle,   though.   maybe   you’d   like    to   meet   them,   ❜   she   suggests   ebulliently,   credit   card   out   to   finalize   a   much-needed   makeover.

“A pack huh? Like werewolves are in a pack?“ She then asked just because she was genuine curious about it all. And this town was getting interesting by the minute if you were asking her. Tilting her head to a side as she was looking at Lydia. “So you’re the only one that has a sense for fashion?” Not that Katherine knows what that is like. Of course Elena and her friends are more in that area. Specially Caroline Forbes. But that’s just another thing. As she had stated she didn’t really had friends. Maybe the time she went to Mystic Falls in 1864 and she made friends with Pearl and her daughter Anna. But that is about it. Luckily now she has Lydia. “Maybe, someday. Who knows.” Katherine chuckled as she was looking at the strawberry blonde. “So, what are we going to do next? After the shopping spree?” As she was taking out her phone and she was looking at the texts she had received and some missed calls. Apparently the people in Mystic Falls found out that she is back to life. This is going to be really interesting, or it’s going to be totally wrong. 

Something was up, Katherine suddenly was brought back from the dead. So she wasn’t in hell anymore. But if she’s back does that mean a certain someone was back too. Like Stefan. No that would be something. Maybe Katherine should give up but no, Katherine isn’t going to give up, she wants Stefan and she was keep trying till she has him back. Of course it will take some time and she doesn’t know how to approach it just yet. So the doppelganger was just going to think of a plan. Then again she also needs to find a place to stay. But first, she needed a drink. 

The brunette went off to the Grill and ordered a bourbon cause damn the girl needed a drink and maybe even get drunk. 

              ❛   i   couldn’t  agree   more.   it’s   the   perfect   time   for   a   makeover,   ❜   she   chirps,   making   a   beeline   for   the   mother   of   all   tasteful   designer   finds   in   the   shopping   district   —   nordstrom.   she   isn’t   typically   this   effervescent   when   she’s   on   a   mission   that   doesn’t   involve   finding   dead    bodies,   but   clicking   with   someone   just   as   stylish   as   herself   definitely   boosts   her   mood.   a   dusty   pink   mini   skirt   catches   her   eye   instantaneously   &   she   picks   it   up   in   her   size,  smiling.   ❛   personally,   i’m   feeling   pink   &   rose   gold   shades,    ❜   she   muses   conversationally,   knowing   how   well   the   latter   suits   her   strawberry  waves.    she   holds   it   up   to    her   hips   in    a    nearby   mirror,   beaming.   now,  she’ll   need   a   top   to   complement   it.   ❛   i   feel   like   dark  reds   would   look   absolutely   stellar   on   you.   ❜

She can see that Lydia was for the colour things in clothes. While Katherine her colour is for sure black. And she just needed some new leather jacket as she found one. Looking around for a nice top or shirt to wear under the jacket. Once finding a good white and dark blue top, she was totally okay with her purchases. Till she saw the high heels section. Katherine walked to the section and grabbed  a pair. “Oh yes, this is definitely what I need.” She mumbled to herself. As she put a lock of her hair behind her ear. Turning around to look at Lydia. “You know, I am surprised you want to hang out with your new friend. I just thought someone like you have a whole friend group.”

❛   PERFECT,   ❜   she   bubbled,   tone   yippy   &   sweet   —   nothing   spiced   up   lydia’s   life   quite   like   a   new   addition   to   her   specially   curated   social   circle,   and   she   could   use   a   distraction   from   all   supernatural   taunts   of   impending   death   in   all   forms.   her   aura   is   buzzing   with   all   kinds   of   intrigue,   crystal   clear   in   rosemary   hues   while   psychic   questions   unravel   past   fleeting,   superficial   ideas.  was   it   more   than   a   style   crush   &   need   for   quality   girl   time,   or   had   lydia’s   banshee   experience   laced   every   figment   of   the   unknown   with   a   latent   superstition   ?   she   couldn’t   quite   define   what   attracted   her   to   katherine,   sensing   a   dark   mystique   —   but   maybe   it   was   the   vibe   her   outfit   gave.   extracted   from   her   thoughts,    she   tilted   her  head   slightly,    parted    begonia    petals    with    surprise.     ❛   you   just   READ   MY   MIND.   that’ll   be   even   cuter,   ❜   she   approved   with   her   best   pageant   smile,   moving   in   close   to   the   brunette   &   posing   for   the   miniature   lens.   a   selfie   was   among   the   first   things   to   cross   her   mind,   but    the   last   thing   she   needed   was   to   seem   clingy   on   the   first   shopping   spree.

Once the selfie was taken the brunette was looking at the strawberry blonde. Since the shopping spree was needed. Since Katherine did needed some new clothes. Since most of her clothes are back in Mystic Falls. And nothing can beat a good shopping spree which she mostly does alone but now she has a friend to do it with. Her very first friend and she always will be shocked about that. “I really need some new clothes. Lets get this shopping spree going.” The brunette then said as she tilted her head to a side. Running her hand through her hair. Technically Katherine is dead but not entirely sure when she should tell her new friend that she is a vampire. 

         very   few   people   spoke   lydia’s   language   so   fluently.   ❛   he   needed   something   as   precious   as   he   is,   ❜   she   trilled,   a   confident   smirk   twitching   at   the   corners   of   sugared   pink   petals.   with   a   cool   marble   exterior,   lydia   kept   her   personal   life   unattainably   personal   —   unless,   by   some   miracle,   she   took   a   shine   to   someone   special,   and   katherine   seemed   to   hold   the   key   to   the   banshee’s   heart   already.    ❛   a   little   DARING,   maybe.   but   girls   like   us   can   make   them   as   hot    as   louboutins   with   the    right   dress   &   accessories.   ❜

ONLY   FRIEND.   first   friend.   either   way,   the   strawberry   blonde   is   honored   to   be   a   friend   let   alone   HAVE   one   &   it   seemed   she   was   finally   perfecting   the   formula   of   establishing   real   connections   —   the   former   before   the   latter.    ❛   my   pleasure.   ❜     maintaining   a   prim,   composed   smile   took   effort   with   katherine’s   phone   in   her   manicured   hands,   tapping   out   her   name   and   her   signature   lipstick   emoji   in   the   contact   entry   with   her   number   before    returning   it   &   producing   her   own   cell   from   her   purse.    ❛   i’ll   text   you   a   nice   photo   for   my   entry   if   i   can   have   yours,   ❜   she   suggested   sweetly,   passing   the   bedazzled   device   to   her   new   FRIEND.

Katherine took the strawberry blonde phone and put her number in it. And then she gave the phone back to Lydia. “Here you go.”  Knowing for sure that Lydia has other friends but it’s good that she has at least one friend. It’s better than nothing and it’s for sure a start. Who knows how long it will take before the people in Mystic Falls will realize that Katherine is alive and not dead. She was dead but suddenly came back from the death and the doppelganger still has no idea who brought her back. That’s a thing for later to find out. Running her hand through her hair as she was playing a bit with her daylight bracelet. 

“How about we just take a selfie together so I have a nice picture of us to put with you in my contacts.” Katherine suggested but it was just an idea right and they were getting off with a good start. And besides Lydia doesn’t need to know just yet that she’s a vampire who’s over 500 years old. 

❝  Do you always make a point to watch your enemies or is that just me?  ❞

“I always make a point. You should know that by now, Klaus.“