survivor

She looked just like -- was she? Uncertainty floored Dawn, her tip toes pressed to the ground trying to get a better vantage without attracting the other girl's line of sight. She cursed her height, no no, Dawn amended, curse Buffy. Totally her big sister's fault, the monks had seen the short Slayer and said Yep that'll be a key trait too. Not cool. Trying to pull up, getting the better angle, and Dawn soon found herself falling flat. Crap. "Uh..." She tipped her head up, having attracted the attention she'd been trying to avoid. At least now Dawn was certain of who stood before her. "Hey Juliet." She greeted, not sure if she should offer warmth or coldness and wondering if she should have bolted from the inkling instead of looking for certainty.

Before she could fully comprehend what she'd gotten herself in for, a brash collision caused the brunette to step back into reality, disastrously so. "This mouth has said and done a lot worse." Damn, probably had to break that habit. Sensual flirtations were a thing of the past now.

"Anyway..." Malia began, before trailing off slightly, beckoning him towards her table, Ares already sat awaiting her return. But, before she could bring him further, she stopped him quickly in his tracks. "You ready?" He'd just experienced a difficult few months, to say the least. There was no pressure if he wasn't quite up to this right away. Even if Ares had continuously asked when he was going to see his father again, whilst Isaac was confined to those dreaded walls. Nonetheless, there was no pressure, at least none she would verbalise.

Head looking over her shoulder, again, just checking on her son, before she pressed on a moment longer. "Oh right, yeah... hi." She forgot she hadn't quite managed to get that out.

"I know," he answered, a smirk that didn't reach his eyes pulling at his lips. He wouldn't pull Mia back into his shit, couldn't stand to turn her life upside down again. She deserved better, that was what he had to keep reminding himself. If he kept her at arm's length, she'd be happier.

A sigh of annoyance sneaked out of his lips and he looked Mia in the eyes, holding her gaze for the first time in months. She hadn't come back to see him in jail after he'd ruined it all, but that was what he wanted...wasn't it? Every single cell in his body screamed for him to reach out and hold her, keep her safe and tight in his arms but he forced himself to remain stoic. "Of course I'm ready, mi reina. Been ready for this since the day I went in." The old pet name slipped out but the sentiment was the same. Nothing was keeping him from his boy. He paused, though, breaking his facade for the first time to give her a grateful smile for bringing him here to take her hand, squeezing three times to let her know that the feelings weren't gone but that side of him had to be and answered. "Hi."

Isaac couldn't sit in that moment for too long, though. He moved past Malia until he was face to face with Ares. Tears welled in his eyes as he pulled his son into his chest, shoulders shaking as he let out relieved tears. "Dios, te extrañé, hijo."

A brother. It was another word for best friend, for some people. It had been in Stefan's case. His big brother had not only been his best friend but also his protector, and more often then not, more like a father then Giuseppe Salvatore had been. Stefan tried not to think about it too often, just made the spiked edges of their complicated relationship bleed deeper. His brown quirked. "In your way to her?" It was a dangerous road, and while Stefan knew it well he wouldn't wish the same path for anyone else. Just led to a dead end. Curious but not pushing, he added. "Or something else?" There was far too much implication in the term not to bare curiosity.

He let the offer dangle before he switched to the much more somber subject of his smug sire, considering how to answer the younger man's question. Niklaus was no longer 'in the way' of Aurora. He probably hadn't even thought of the girl in years. That was his way, after all...use people up only to toss them aside once they'd served their purpose. "She is not my main focus anymore, sadly." Mostly because after centuries of trying, Lucien had accepted that she would never have him. "Now he stands in the way of my freedom and self worth, the ability to abandon this grudge so I can move forward."

TAGGING: @hellsmouthstarters

It was much like any other shift at Rousseaus, egotistical people of every variety storming into the establishment in a drunken parade, forcing her to have to play 'bad guy'. Little did she know, that she was far from as much in this city. She was just a psych major, mourning the loss of her twin, whilst fending for herself with a few shifts a week as a bartender. Those she could potentially be dealing with tonight? Far worse.

Her attention was being beckoned from the other end of the bar, placing up a finger to signal she was aware of their need, she called out, "I'll be right with you, give me a sec." The blonde stated, before finishing up the beverage of choice for the young woman ahead of her, clearly on break from school, as she celebrated with those equally as drunk around her.

"Right, sorry about that," Cami looked down, grabbing a fresh glass, before catching the eyeline of the company before her, "what can I get you?"

He gave a cheeky wave when she called over, an inferred 'take your time' accompanying it. Lucien felt bad that she would eventually end up being little more than a cog in his master plan, so for the moment he chose kindness. Not letting the lamb see the knife before the slaughter made sure not to spoil the meat.

"No need for the apology, love," he answered, one side of his mouth pulling up into a half smile. "Gin, straight, will be just fine."

Davina could name a few at the top of head to have a really good time . She had two favorite spots but considering her stance with the witches , it only left her number one choice she was sure the vampire would like . Pretty much a night club and longue for vampires . Sure , there were tourist there but she knew they some would probably never be seen or heard from a again . ❝ ⸻ there's a couple places but I know one where we both can have a good time and thirst your quench . ❞ the brunette witch decided to playfully pull him closer and lead the way . ❝ I am hoping that you won't be . Otherwise , the night would be ... predictable ❞ davina looked up at him with a cheeky smile . Already arriving at the vortex , the bouncer knowing davina let them both in without a hitch skipping the line . Inside the music was loud and made others have an intoxicating primal need , to move and experience joy . GIVE INTO TEMPTATION . for vampires it was a feeding ground as well . ❝ welcome to the vortex , where you are free to indulge in whatever it is you desire . ❞ davina smiled as she took off her jacket , quoting the saying many have said about this place .

There was an indomitable habit Lucien had inspired since they were both humans with beating hearts and breathing lungs, and even getting more or less along with Lucien nowadays did little to quell the hyperbole raise in blood pressure. It reminded Tristan of mirroring emotions Aurora inspired in many aspects, but in Lucien's case it was easier to ignore the affection and focus on the frustration. "Are you looking to ruin decades of planning?" Tristan pointed out, exasperated clear in their tone. The Mikaelsons didn't do 'quiet' and the knowledge of them being in New Orleans had become quickly apparent. Yet there was a drawl to the city, and if Lucien's presence was an easy excuse to justify their own-- well, Tristan need be the only one to know such thing. "The smallest slip Lucien, and they'll have your head." Aurora's too, by extension and of course Tristan's himself. The three of them stood together, a lingering effect of in essence being trapped together for centuries didn't make it any less true. It wasn't the first time Tristan felt exhausted with Lucien's recklessness the same as Aurora's, falling into the same role of trying to protect them from themselves. A thankless task as it was, it was far too ingrained at this point for Tristan part with.

"put that down before someone gets hurt."

"Something like that." Yes. If only it was Elena having made the choice it would have been much easier. Stefan had been planning to leave, but going cold turkey had never been part of the plan. For all the pain he had felt, his relationship with Damon had been better now then it'd been in a century and there were people in Mystic Falls he still cared about. But that had been before he went missing for months, trapped at the bottom of a quarry, and no one noticed. It wasn't fair to blame them. Blame wasn't even the word. Just... hurt. An open wound Stefan didn't know how to close.

He swallowed, trying to forget the pain that rotted in his chest alongside the phantom feeling of water on his skin. "Honestly? I don't even know what that looks like anymore." His interests. For the longest time all that had been was protecting Elena and Damon. Stefan didn't know what he looked like, what he was looking for, without it. At least there was one focus he was sure of. "Right now, my only is interest is killing Silas." If there was anyone who was an expert in murder it was Klaus Mikaelson.

Klaus wasn't wrong. Stefan himself could of very well made the call, he had done so before long long ago. Before he knew their history, before Klaus had been Klaus, when he'd been the mysterious monster who Katherine was running from, Elijah was 'working for', everyone was afraid of. Now he was something else, though the specifics remained something Stefan couldn't describe. "I figured Caroline would have better luck then I would." He admitted. If it was Caroline or Stefan himself on their death bed Stefan would be more confident. But Damon and Klaus were contrite on the best of days, and Stefan wasn't so sure his plea would have been enough for Klaus's return. Not in the same way Caroline's had been.

"Something like that?" he repeated, chuckling at the coy response. "It's either that or it's not, there's not really a gray area in these situations, mate." But for Stefan there was, wasn't there? Knowing him, he was going to bow out gracefully and let Damon and Elena coexist in their den of the most boring sin imaginable while Stefan suffered in silence, ever the hero. The whole thing made him want to vomit. This is why the Mikaelsons stabbed first and whined later when they were cross with one another. At least it wasn't yawn inducing.

A scoff bubbled out of his lips next and Klaus shook his head. "Deception has never been your strong suit, Stefan. We both know that you've always had two interests in this world that would take your mind off all of this but you can't take off your goody two shoes long enough to let yourself indulge. Blood and sin. I saw it in the 20's, the gleam in your eye when you finally let go. It's what you like." He pursed his lips as he considered the follow up words and he shrugged. "Blood and sin, Stefan. Best way I've found to take down an enemy. Morality gets in the way."

One eyebrow went up at the follow up statement and Klaus shook his head once more. "Another lie. I can't tell if you're trying to fool me or yourself at this point, but you're failing miserably at both." He took a step closer to the younger man, sizing him up. There was something more broken about him than the last time they had encountered one another and Klaus didn't like it, not one bit. "You weren't afraid I wouldn't answer. You were too scared to have to consider what it would mean if you asked me to come and I said no."

TAGGING: @hellsmouthstarters

It was much like any other shift at Rousseaus, egotistical people of every variety storming into the establishment in a drunken parade, forcing her to have to play 'bad guy'. Little did she know, that she was far from as much in this city. She was just a psych major, mourning the loss of her twin, whilst fending for herself with a few shifts a week as a bartender. Those she could potentially be dealing with tonight? Far worse.

Her attention was being beckoned from the other end of the bar, placing up a finger to signal she was aware of their need, she called out, "I'll be right with you, give me a sec." The blonde stated, before finishing up the beverage of choice for the young woman ahead of her, clearly on break from school, as she celebrated with those equally as drunk around her.

"Right, sorry about that," Cami looked down, grabbing a fresh glass, before catching the eyeline of the company before her, "what can I get you?"

"No, it's fine," he answered, eyes still not glancing up to meet hers. She had an innocent face and fuck if that wasn't his weakness. Kindness was so fleeting in this world that when someone treated him that way....well, he knew the allure the darkness held. That was why it was better to remain on the outskirts, never engage. It wasn't like he wanted to destroy every beautiful thing that came into his world, it just happened.

"Bourbon, neat, if it's not too much," the Original answered, finally flicking his emerald eyes up to meet hers. "Long day."

the worst part, honestly, was that katherine had KNOWN klaus mikaelson was in this city. ironic how she spent over 500 years running from the man successfully only to step into his very city at her most vulnerable. katherine didn't know what had attracted her to new orleans in the first place, even knowing it was pretty much her death tour. running from a vampire was a none-starter, especially from an original. and klaus didn't fast deaths, he did torture, something he'd aptly proved in the past. "i'll take a large order of fries." she told the man at the counter because if she was going out, she wasn't going out hungry. however unlikely it was for klaus to wait for her to finish eating, maybe he'd be amused by the act. katherine downed another shot, waiting for the cocky grin that was inevitable.

send 🚢 or ( 'SHIP' ) if you ever considered shipping our characters romantically and want me to fill out the following form for our muses. bold all that definitely applies, italicize what could potentially apply. feel free to add more if you think certain options are missing or you just want to add more.

do i ship our characters together?: yes | no | not yet but maybe soon

would i like to ship with you?: yes | maybe, i'm willing to try | no

type of relationship i could see: childhood or high school sweethearts | exes | engaged | married | long-term relationship | crushes | unrequited love | fling | long distance | online relationship | just dating | new relationship | toxic lovers | friends with benefits

tropes i'd enjoy writing for them: friends to lovers | enemies to lovers | exes to lovers | fake relationship / dating | forbidden love | grumpy and sunshine | star-crossed lovers | surprise pregnancy | second chance | soulmates | amnesia / mistaken identity | forced proximity | secret relationship | slow burn relationship

would i rather plot first or jump right in and see where it goes?: develop their relationship first | jump right in | something in between ( what specifically? )

what now?: let's plot something | send me shippy memes | i'll send you shippy memes | write me a random starter | i'll write you a random starter

anything else i want you to know about me / my character / my shipping habits: ( put whatever you want here )

it'd become a nervous tick. given that rory was usually opposed to allowing nerves to even show, anytime they'd come to the awareness of doing it he had hastily stashed it away. the casual flip like a coin between his index finger and pointer, the last and only gift ( inheritance ? ) from their father stored around their neck. the moonlight amulet was enchanted to prevent the transformation from man to wolf, it was probably the kindest thing their dad ever provided. rory had never known the pain of transformation, even if the very triggering of the curse was more recent then not. half the time they kept the necklace under collar to prevent the tick, today hadn't been one of those days. catching himself in the act, rory considered wearing it as a ring rather then necklace not for the first time. eyes set on the necklace bidden ring only for a moment before their typical wariness struck like finite. their head shot up, and rory found unrepentant gaze upon them. or to be more accurate, the amulet. another reason he should have kept it hidden. never to run from confrontation, even when they should. rory straightened their shoulders. "can i help you?" he asked with edge, the familiarity of defensiveness fixated to their tone. expecting the worst was the best form of protection they knew.