The Soul of Sundae

“I know, I know… everyone around me always tends to drag me down, telling me I cant’do something because it wouldn’t be right, blablabla…” Even when it was the necessary thing to do. “But well… they do let emotions lead them, so… what else can you expect.” And lately even he let his emotions influence him, something that complicated matters immensely, in a way he actually didn’t want. It just… happened. It was the reason why he was still here, after all. That, and Marcel turning this city into a playground for vampires. And he had to admit… with Klaus on lockdown, it was a whole lot more fun, hanging around in New Orleans. As long as it lasted, obviously. He shook his head. “Nope, you wake up, dead, very confused, even more hungry and feeling very, very guilty, until you discover later you have a switch in your head you can play with, which makes sure you can survive and eat without mourning everyone you have to kill to do that. Balance, I guess.” Something he embraced, the moment he was done with his own punishment for living on when Katherine had not. Or at least, that’s what he had thought back then. He nodded. “It must be terribly annoying to be trapped inside the moment the sun is out… and imagine how vulnerable you’d be….” No wonder those nightwalkers were willing to do anything for a chance on a ring. “A motivating factor? Maybe. But also usually the cause to screw up everything you want to achieve. Trust me, I’ve seen it happening over an aover again.” He shrugged at the thought of Stefan. After all those years, after almost two centuries, he still didn’t know what he wanted to do about him. “Let’s just say that no one is allowed to kill him except for me. And trust me, I’d have my reasons for that.”  

He smirked. “Nope… you won’t. Although I have seen witches live far past their natural age…” Some who posed as their own daughters, when he ran into them, about seventy or eighty years later. Another thing they condemned in vampires but shamelessly did themselves. “I do. Too much, if you ask some. I just think there’s never a too much from something you really enjoy.” Be it booze, food, sex or blood… he was here to indulge, not to live the life of a monk, depriving himself of all things he wanted. “O, I’d hate that. And I’d do anything to try to prevent or reverse that. Doesn’t mean I don’t expect those at a disadvantage because of that to come after me. Which is why I usually make sure to kill them first. So maybe her biggest mistake was to mess with vampires. Hard to kill too, next to those kids and we have patience. Ten years might be a long time for you, but for us? They just fly by…”

He sighed, annoyed. “They should just use the barkeep for their free therapy session, not someone drinking too. But that’s something not everyone understands yet.” He grinned and chuckled at the idea of him being modest. “Never have been, never will. What’s the fun of denying how awesome you are? And well, if you expected me to kill you on sight, it’s not that hard for this to go better than you expected.” He was silent for one moment, doubting if he would say something positive or not. “But I have to admit. I don’t loath you as much as I had expected to.”

“Most people have morals that way but they can all be bent in certain extreme circumstances.” After all, he’d never advocate murder as an answer and yet he’d carted poor Issac off to his death at the promise of having what he’d always wanted. “Would the phrase, ‘we’re only human’ be considered inappropriate?” he asked, a small chuckle following his statement. It didn’t particularly bother him what Damon may have done in his past, after all he was unlikely to tell him and in turn Egrid was just as likely to keep quiet about his own less... glamorous past. “Sounds extremely disorientating.” he said quietly. For magic it was very different, the skill was essentially always there but it simply manifest in small bursts until a person could control it. He’d ended up setting several things on fire, freezing a cooked goose or blowing over picture frames when he was angry. A rare visitor had believed his home to be haunted after a few of those occurrences happened. “It is understandable though, a species is built to ensure it survives and reproduces; if vampire’s were unable to feed at all unless they were sociopaths then they’d likely have died out some time ago.” They were the way they were, just as witches did unspeakable things when it came to ensuring their power remained strong. “It certainly would be if you owned an ice cream business.” He said somewhat wryly, though that probably applied only to him. “Probably. They were a motivating factor for me and helped me get here, get a business set up.” that alone was probably a good life for him to live but... it wasn’t enough. It also caused him to help with the Harvest and that, well that had ruined him. He smiled softly, “Family protect their own, even when it’s done in very strange ways.”

He blinked and tilted his head slightly, “Really? Did they continue to age as the went?” It would perhaps lend some credence to the idea of witches as ‘Old Crones’ that the fairytales he read seemed to love so much. But he’d never read anything in the book Bastianna gave him that hinted at an extended life-span. “Well, when you can live forever I suppose there’s no such thing as too much.” He in theory could indulge his pleasures forever, but he couldn’t help but wonder if after so long the thrill of a poison would fade away. “Most would.” he replied, again that wryness to his tone. “Is that because of your switch or were you perhaps that vicious in your human life as well?” he sighed, “I don’t think she wanted to so much as she was left with no choice to.” he paused a moment, “Vampires struck the first blow after all.” They’d massacred the coven before the Harvest was complete, that had ruined the balance of the city. “Hmm. But there’s a little comfort in knowing there’s an end.”    

He blinked once again, chuckling softly, “Surely most bartenders aren’t qualified to be doling out therapy to people?” Though they probably had more experience than most with the human condition. “Well it makes people underestimate you, that can be useful in certain points.” It was how he’d captured Isaac after all. “True, but I’m still pleased it did go better than I’d thought it would.” In some misguided way it gave him hope for the other’s he’d meet. Egrid chuckled once more, “High praise indeed considering you’re no fan of witches.” 

“It always does. I just don’t look back because of that. I mean, if I can’t change what happened, there’s no need feeling bad about it, isn’t there?” At least, that’s what he told everyone else what he did. He even tried to tell himself. But he didn’t spend months on a string of villages he couldn’t even remember the name of, somewhere last year, just because he liked being there. He just hadn’t wanted to face the consequences of what he had done. He chuckled. “That’s because you miss a handy switch to do that. Comes included with the whole vampire package. Like I said, having to wear a ring to be able to go out in the sun is a small price to pay for all the advantages.” He shook his head with a sight. “I’ve seen a lot of people over the years, kid… emotions are never a strength. They just stand in the way with whatever you want…” If Damon really wouldn’t have cared at all, he wouldn’t have found himself in the cemetery, assisting at some stupid ritual, after all. But no… he had to save his brother, only to find out he had gone full ripper and disappeared on him not long after that. “Precious? A pain in the ass, you mean…” He shrugged. “Well.. you made your choices… now you have to deal with the consequences. If you wouldn’t have wanted that, you should have moved just after that night. That’s usually my move.” That stopped being his move after he started to get involved with Elena. He really should rethink that whole relationship… it made him weak, someone he hadn’t been in a long tome. But somehow just walking away seemed impossible.

“You probably haven’t ran long enough. You get used to it, after a while.” It came with being a vampire, never having a place to settle, because somehow people would find out you didn’t age. Or, like in his case, you pissed off too many people, so it would be better to leave. He ignored the whole sympathy. He didn’t need that. Especially not from a witch. He doubted one moment before giving his opinion about the ice cream. “It’s better than the strawberry variant… I still prefer the real stuff though. I guess the only ice I need are the cubes in my drink.” He frowned. “Losing your magic, you mean? That’s hardly gonna be enough to pay for what she did to my brother and those kids… But I’ll tell you, if you’re still around.” Maybe Egrid didn’t like running, but Damon wondered what would happen if Marcel would find him. Maybe that would be incentive enough. 

“I guess it’s the whole vibe of someone sitting in a bar alone with a drink. Somehow that invites people to tell their very boring lifestories. Usually one or two looks are enough to scare them away, unless they’re really drunk.” He grinned. “In that case I do punch them from time to time, because yeah, you’re right, I’m far better at that.” He shook his head. “It wouldn’t do any good. I would be bored, you’d have a very painful face. Better for the both of us not to do it.”

Egrid smiled softly, “If only emotions were so simple for everyone with everything.” Though he suspected that even this man, as heartless and happy as he appeared to be, had something tugging at his heartstrings he kept secret. Vampire’s were human once and he was beginning to suspect there are some parts of humanity that simply won’t let go. Maybe that was why the Werewolf let him live that night. His humanity was what sealed the decision to led poor Isaac to his untimely death after all. “And is it an immediate process? You wake up vampiric, hungry for blood and lacking any emotional capacity?” It just seemed too convenient to him, but so had magic when he’d first begun to truly study it; by then he was aware of the oft hidden price. It was hard not think about hidden prices to vampirism too. “It that all? One little ring and the sun can’t harm you,” he smiled, “That’s good, I think I’d pity something that couldn’t enjoy the warmth of sunlight.” Even if he’d always prefer the cold at heart. “What if your emotions are driving you to what you want?” he asked, “Could they not be just one more motivating factor then?” he sighed, “And yet you still saved him, family... brothers,” his voice dropped, “They’re the most precious you can have. You never realise how much until they’re gone.” He was quiet for a few moments before nodding, “You’re right. I made my choice and now here I am, enjoying one nice day before those consequences come to call.” Which they would, a terrible, inescapable fact.

“Maybe so, but I don’t think I’ll have the time you’ve the luxury of to get used to it.” He had only his life, another seventy years at best to try and build something, revel in it and then bequeath it to whoever he had left behind. At the moment it wasn’t looking positive but perhaps time could change it. It was it’s own magic after all and could alter things irrevocably. “You’ve got your poison of choice it seems,” he said with a small, soft chuckle, “Doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate a small change before you return to your alcohol in it’s liquid form.” He nodded at the question and sighed once more, “Perhaps not, but I feel that price very keenly. Imagine if you’d lost your gifts after this, to wake up old and feeble when hours before you’d been strong and handsome.” It was something like that to his mind. “We’ll have to wait and see.” He’d be at the King’s mercy when he came calling.

“There is something fitting about the picture,” he said with a small nod, “A little like free therapy.” People sometimes told him a great deal of their lives as they ate, he imagined they spoke even more under the influence. “And modest too,“ he added with the tiniest of chuckles, “I’m pleased we agree. Though it doesn’t seem as though we’ve hurt for things to discuss. This has gone better than I expected really.”

“Does anyone ever really have peace in life? Seems most only find it in death.” The brunette said with a sigh, looking over him. She was impressed his gaze hadn’t faltered under the weight of her own. Mary had a tendency to come off stronger than she needed to. “-It’s nice to meet you, Egrid. The things we speak of are rather morbid though.” The witch said as she wrapped her shawl further around her body. “It’s cold out-would you rather not have a conversation out in the middle of it all? Not to be crude, but your body doesn’t look like it can handle much more injury.”

“O, I know it’s true. Sometimes it’s just worth that price.” Although he doubted if he would turn back time. Yeah, he would be able to undo some of his really stupid mistakes, but generally it wouldn’t be worth it… Then he shook his head. “There’s a good remedy for that… just stop caring and you don’t lose anything along the way.” He smirked. “And the biggest thing I lost can be solved by something simple…” He held up his hand with his daylight ring. Not being able to walk in the sun was a pretty harsh price for immortality, but that could be solved. The eternal hunger… well, he had learned to live with that. “And hey… I still have my brother to annoy, so…” He still had the most important person for him. “Love?” He frowned. “and you think you get that by sacrificing someone? That sounds pretty… crazy… you do realize that?” He shrugged. “Just stop caring about them. Trust me, it solves a lot.” Then again, this kid didn’t have that very handy humanity switch that had helped Damon so often. “Yup… they are the problem. They just love taking that out on me. Well… not anymore. Not here, at least.”

“Well, if it’s running or being killed, I think I’d know what I’d choose…” Then again, sometimes you just needed to take a stand and take what was coming to you. He had tried that when Klaus was coming for Elena. He had failed spectacularly, but he had tried, he hadn’t ran. “You’ve got to be kidding me…”, he sighed, but he couldn’t help but laugh. “What happened to just having strawberry and chocolate flavours?” He took the cup, even when he had made a joke earlier. If the guy delivered, he couldn’t do anything but eat it anyway. “That sucks…”, he said while he took a first scoop of the ice cream. Which… wasn’t as bad as he thought it would be, even when he still didn’t get why some people needed to freeze everything when the pure stuff was so much better. “Because I don’t want to risk her getting away with it…” Then he grinned. “And because I like giving her a few threats before Marcel gets to her. I don’t appreciate being used as puppet.”

He shrugged. “Maybe I’m too used to people who want to put all their misery on me. If you’re not that… well, all the better for the both of us.” He didn’t need more people’s misery. He had enough of his own. He grinned. “Well, at least we have that much clear.”

“Perhaps now,” he conceded, “But I wonder if it was at the time? It has a funny way of changing our perspective on things after all.” he’d been repulsed at what he’d done to his brother when it had happened, believed himself to be the monster he’d been dubbed. Now? It was different. An unfortunate accident that could have been avoided if his brothers had truly loved him as they said they did; as he’d loved them. “I’m afraid I haven’t yet got the hang of switching off my feelings. In some ways they’re my strength.” his strength of hope was perhaps one of the few reasons he was able to stand here in the sun and be an abstract part of so many people’s happiness. “That’s good,” he whispered, “Please, never take him for granted. A brother is such a precious thing.” A true one, who loved and cared for you as you did him. “Out of context? Certainly. But I was desperate,” still was, “And it made a great deal more sense at the time.” He shook his head and sighed quietly, “I truly wish I could, life would be so much easier them but...I can’t.” a small shrug followed, “I simply can’t.”

“I’m sorry you had to deal with such discrimination. No one should be made to feel lesser for what they are,” he understood that better than most, “I’ve been running a great deal of my life, I think I lack your tenacity.” Failure after failure to get the one thing he wanted... He was tired; hope to be out in the world was one thing, but hope to try and best the odds of his loneliness? That was a great deal further off. Egrid chuckled softly, “Most don’t ask for the boozy ice creams, but I always pack a couple just in case a parent or young couple want something with a bit more kick to share; do you like it?” he asked quietly. “Mmm,” he agreed, turning once more to gaze at the reviling people before turning back to Damon. “I daresay she never will, we paid a punishment the moment the harvest failed. Not as great a punishment as you would inflict, but a punishment nonetheless.” he sighed, “Well, do let me know how it all works out.”

Egrid tilted his head slightly, “Why? You strike me as a man more physically than vocally inclined.” More likely to punch than talk. “What good would throwing my unhappy ending at you do?” he asked, “None. Better to eat ice cream and enjoy the sunshine.”

“I have to agree. There will always be a market for chocolate,” she said, enjoying the cold treat. She smiled at the younger man. “Definitely a win.”

“Either that or you are just more observant than other people,” she teased. The compliment was lovely. Something she needed to hear these days. Certainly her husband wasn’t handing them out. “And thank you. I’m glad I no longer look a horrid shade of green.” She nodded, a small laugh escaping. “Definitely back in full force. Nothing terribly odd. I’m not craving a pickle with this ice cream, but I seem to always want spicy food. The hotter the better. Jambalaya in particular, without shellfish, of course. I’ve heard so many stories of weird cravings I was truly expecting to wake up one day and want something ridiculous. But nope. Not yet anyway.”

“So long as the season’s change and the sun sets as the moon rises.” he confirmed with a smile, “Glad you think so, I’ll keep it on the menu.” he added quietly.

She couldn’t tell if she was being judged or not, but she definitely could sense the disappointment rolling off Egrid in waves. It was a bitter emotion, one that’d been clinging to her for the last few days and refused to release her. But there was no changing the past and she supposed she’d just have to add it to the list of things she wished she’d done differently. 

“On the bright side,” She said with false cheer, quickly trying to pull any sort of bright side out of her ass. As if there was anything good to be found in any of the messed up situation the duo found themselves in. “…I doubt he’d want to kick you while you’re down so you’re safe for now, at least. Besides if he wanted to kill you I think he proved he very well could have. There’s a reason you’re alive.” The more she thought about it, the more she found truth in those words. Who would let their prey go only to go back for it later? Why not finish the job in one go? “You’ll be fine.” She reiterated, not quite sure if she was trying to comfort Egrid or herself. 

Egrid’s rebuttal was a bitter truth and even though it was the last thing she wanted to hear, she forced herself she mull over every word. “We have angered a lot of people,” She repeated slowly. “But most don’t even know you were involved. Just stay low, don’t interact with any witches if you can help it. Don’t mention the Harvest, don’t even think about the Harvest. Marcel is busy licking his wounds but when he decides to come out of hiding he might want revenge. If you have to, tell him I threatened to reveal you’ve been doing magic. That I threatened your family. He only cares about one thing anyway and that’s who was holding the knife.”  

Congratulations, indeed. She wished he could see her point of view, understand how much had been at stake for her. He was willing to aid in the murder of children for the chance of gaining a family of people he’d never met, while she was fighting for the one she’d already had. What had he really lost other than a pipe dream? “I should go.” She stood up, the squeaking of the chair underneath her deafening against the tense silence that had settled. “Good luck with everything. I know it’s not worth much but I do think you’re going to be alright.” 

Egrid was in his own way being quite judgemental right now, though as much of Sophie as he was of himself. After all, one could only lead a horse to water, they could not make it drink. He’d been only too happy to go along with Sophie engaging words, even when they’d involved he go along and participate with ghastly things. She had been as secretive as he had been blasé.

His gaze slowly returned to the young witch, utterly devoid of emotion yet still managing to remain more judgemental than ever. “I repeat; children are dead, we are without magic and several very powerful members of the New Orleans supernatural community wish us dead.” he paused a moment, pinning her with a frosty gaze, “There’s no joy to be found in this misery.” So he hadn’t been killed, he’d simply been beaten to near-death so that this wolf or someone else could return and finish the job. “Really?” he asked quietly, “Well, thank you for that assessment Ms Deveraux; though I don’t feel any safer.” It had been nightmares in the hospital and he suspected many more now he was home.  

“That vampire, the one who was assisting you also.” Or he assumed he had been, after all he’d been holding another of those poor children in place for their ghoulish plan, “He saw me there; and the Mikaelson’s, unconscious though they were I doubt it would take much to find out I was involved.” he shifted slightly on his chair and made a noise of discomfort, “Most importantly, the King of the Quarter looked me dead in the eye as I left Isaac with you. He won’t be licking his wound forever.” He looked away, Egrid would hold himself culpable for this... for Isaac’s sake if not his own; he knew what he’d done, he’d intended to do it. “I’m not about to throw you under the bus, so to speak.” he whispered, “We acted in this together, we should at least face the consequences of it together.”

“Yes, yes, everything comes with a price, I’ve heard it all, over and over again.” If there was anything Bonnie Bennett was good at, it was preaching about what it would cost her and nature and who knows what else to do what she had to do, while he was usually just waiting, trying not to yawn and hoping she would finally get to the action part of it. “So you regret what you’ve done? What was your goal, by the way? Get magic back? That was worth a kid’s life?” Ok…. they had probably counted on them coming back to life again, but come on… how stupid were they? That just didn’t happen… not without vampire’s blood, at least. He shrugged. “Of course everyone blames you for wanting to stay alive. They do the same with me. I just don’t care about them.” At least Jenna hadn’t been a kid. And she hadn’t died… not by Klaus’ hand, at least. Although Damon had expected exactly that to happen when he brought her there. “Well… judged by the number of headaches your kind has given me, it’s more than just words…”  

“Well… that doesn’t sound too bad then. If you can outrun those who want to kill you.” He looked at the ice cream stand again, still deciding against having one, unless… “You don’t happen to have ice cream with alcohol, don’t you? That’s the only exception on not wanting anything I’m willing to make.” He frowned. “You saw someone hurt your brother?” Then he chuckled. “I’m already in that line, ok? I’m not crossing Marcel on this… I’ll take my chances after he’s done with her, but I’m pretty sure there’s nothing left for me then…” He shrugged again. “Well… I get to keep my life and my playground around here, so I guess that’s only fair.”

He thought for a moment if he was in for a story like that. “Well… I’m not a shrink and I’m not sitting at a bar with a glass of bourbon, so I think I’ll pass on the sobstory… I’m not the one to get a sympathetic reaction from anyway, so…”

“Then you must know it’s true, even in your case.” Egrid watched him for a moment, “I’d wager you’ve lost things you cared for in your years of life,” however many of those he’d had, “All part of the price for living beyond your years, forever young and beautiful.” Whereas magic brought things to the world that shouldn’t be there, forces, elements, bodies... And something needed to be lost in exchange. Even then the powers could be taken, leaving you with nothing, as had happened to him. “Yes I do.” he smiled softly and shook his head, “I loved my magic, but no, I didn’t want the power. I simply wanted love.” it was the crux of his motivations and if the other wanted to hear more he could ask; frankly Egrid doubted it. Living so long probably made one a lover of secrets. “I’d really rather it all just go away.” They wanted the past back, an impossible dream, as impossible as getting what he wanted, what he deserved. “Then it’s them with the problem, I’d just as soon we were all left to our own lives.”

“Perhaps I’m growing tired of running.” he was tired of so much lately, so he’d thought to ignore it all for this one sunny day and try to fall bak into old times but... no. Even that was denied him, albeit in a more pleasant way than he’d expected. He chuckled softly before opening a small section of freezer that was separate to the others and pulled out a small tub, “Buttered rum ice cream, made with the real stuff, the alchol makes the ice cream softer and easier to scoop due to it’s low freezing point.” he explained softly, “Yes.” Egrid looked away, “Very badly.” He’d killed his brother. “Why bother looking at all then? If your playground is safe and there’s likely to be little left of her as you put it?”

Egrid handed over the small tub and tilted his head slightly, “You assume I’d be so willing to tell it.” The only person who’d heard the truth of his past was Isaac and well... the poor boy took his history to the grave. “No, you don’t seem the type.” he said, eyeing the other with perhaps a tiny touch of humour in his gaze.   

   Policemen always seemed so pointless, always just around the perimeter of actual harm and justice, completely unaware of how small a change they actually made in a city chockfull of supernatural creatures. A vampire was running the quarter, and yet the human faction was nowhere to be found. How well was justice fairing on their side of the fence, if a poor entrepreneur like Egrid couldn’t sell his ice cream without being robbed of every ounce and then some?

   “Not long.” Rebekah thought, more convinced by her own conviction than the hope of Marcel having a change of heart. He hated her family, now more than ever. But her answer to Egrid’s question snagged at the tip of her tongue. The hand that was pouring water into the kettle stilled, and she swiveled around to look at the man she’d invited into her home. 

   "I never said I was being kept.” 

Egrid noticed her movements come to a pause and at her statement he was certain he was onto something. After all, simply because Rebekah hadn’t said she was being kept here didn’t mean it wasn’t true. They, somewhat cumbersomely, placed both cast-covered hands on the table and looked at her, their gaze no longer blurred slightly by harshly bruised eyes and cheeks.

Kol chuckled. What did he know of magic? “I have studied magic longer than you have been alive mate.” Shading his eyes, he squinted up at nearby clock tower and let out a sigh. “Can we settle with a you will see? I really must be on my way. But do not worry mate….bet on my side and you will have your magic back in no time.”

Egrid was simply unsure how to reply to the other’s cryptic words, though he was happy enough to let him be on his way. “O-oh course.” he said quietly, still watching the other wearily, “Though I’ll bear what you said in mind... If you need to find me I own an ice cream shop in this town, The Soul of Sundae.” It wasn’t as though things could be worse for him, and if there was a chance he could regain his magic...

That was one thing this kid did worse than he did. Damon had been forced to do what he had done. Maybe not literally, but with the life of his brother depending on his actions, it felt like Sophie had forced his hand. “Well, if someone will come up with a way to rewrite the past, I guess it’s you lot. Or not, because it would be a huge unnatural thing, of course…” He couldn’t help but say the last words in a mocking tone. He shrugged. “No one wants to die. I don’t blame anyone trying to stay alive.” It’s what he had done pretty much his entire life as well. And yeah… he had done some things to achieve that that he wasn’t proud of. Jenna was just the last example of that urge that came to his mind. He nodded. “You don’t want to know how often I’ve heard the whole abomination of nature thing. Sounds kind of empty now, coming from the same species who sacrificed kids to keep their power.” No, he wasn’t better than witches. He killed and he enjoyed what he was doing. He just wasn’t painting himself better than he was. He was the bad guy and he was fine with it. It was the part he played best, after all.  

“You’re just assuming that everyone there is out to kill you?” He thought for a moment and came to the conclusion that it might not even be that wrong. Marcel did want to blame something for what happened there, and Klaus… well, it was safest to assume he was always out to kill someone. At least, that was Damon’s experience. Sophie would be on this guy’s side, but he had no idea where the witch was and how trustworthy she was, now she was target number one of a few people. He huffed. “I couldn’t care less about her intentions. Everyone always means well, but that doesn’t change what happened. She hurt my brother and that wasn’t some kind of accident. She’ll pay for that.” He didn’t forgive and forget. Especially not someone like Sophie.

He chuckled. “Delivering yourself to him sounds like a dumb move.” That much he had to give the guy. He had no idea how forgiving Marcel would be for him, but walking into the lion’s den after you helped killing his cub was one of the stupidest things you could do. Marcel knew where to find Damon, which was probably the reason why he visited so soon. “Several years?” He was surprised… The guy still seemed young. “Someone wanted to kill you before all of this?”

“It wouldn’t be that simple, nothing ever is.” he said softly, not reacting to the sarcasm but a sigh soon following, “If there’s one thing I learned about witchcraft it’s that all magic comes with a price. Had I known in this case what the price truly was then I wouldn’t have paid it.” But he’d been blinded by his own desperate hopes, and now there was nothing left worse preserving safe his own selfish need to keep living. “I’m sure there are others out there who’d be more than willing to place blame for wanted that.” His remaining brother, Marcel, that werewolf to name a few. “You really don’t like witches very much do you? Why loiter on the thought, it’s only words and you know better than anyone who and what you truly are.” If the vampire was content with his life then it wasn’t as though he or any other witches had room to judge.

“Not everyone,” he smiled wryly, “The humans around here like me. For my ice cream if little else, but... the supernatural community is hardly a fan, those that know of me, anyway.” It wasn’t like he was impacting enough to make large waves, Sophie was the real star of their gruesome performance; he’d simply assisted in setting the stage. “I can understand the wrath that comes from harming someone’s brother, better than almost anyone.” He’d taken his brother’s life, accidentally, and his remaining sibling hadn’t thought before aiming that shotgun at him. “You may have to get in line though, she’s probably the only person in this city with more to fear from vampire’s than myself right now.”

Egrid inclined his head slightly, “I thought it might be. I’m remorseful, not suicidal.” his quiet words were followed by yet another sigh. There was going to be an end to this with time, thinking just how much was the hard part; as though there were an hourglass hanging over his head, more grains of sand falling with every passing second. He looked back up at Damon and held his gaze for several seconds before nodding, “Yes. But that’s a very long and unhappy story.”    

“This city never forgets. Some say it’s part of the charm, but it’s beginning to look more like a long list of grievances more than anything else.” Mary deadpanned, cutting her gaze to the younger man as he mentioned her words provoked something for him. “Self-hatred is a check.” The woman said, choosing to side-step his prying and offer another vague answer that someone who didn’t know her would fail horribly at trying to diagnose. “Keeps you from tilting into the extremes, both good and bad. Decadence is overrated and shortage weakens you.” The witch said simply before shrugging. “I’m in the business of keeping secrets. I will give you my name, however. Mary.” She offered, the first blatant truth of the night. 

“Well… then you brought it upon yourself, didn’t you? You’re one of them? The witches, I mean?” That was one of the only reasons he could imagine for someone to willingly involve themselves in something like that ritual. “I can’t blame anything for trying to get back on anyone involved in that slaughter if it was about their loved ones…” Marcel included. He had expected the other vampire’s visit and he couldn’t blame the man for wanting to point out a guilty one. He was just glad it wasn’t him. “Well… I don’t care about what trouble you have among each other. I just hate that somehow you lot always want to bother me with it. And tell me what an abomination I am on top of that. At least I don’t sacrifice kids but keep telling everyone I’m the moral superior one…”

He shook his head. “I’m not moralistic. Pragmatic, probably. Killing you wouldn’t bring me anywhere, so I don’t see why I would do it.” He didn’t have any beef with this kid. He didn’t know the guy he brought to the sacrifice, he only wanted to pick a fight with Sophie from everyone who was there… he wasn’t going to get himself in trouble over nothing. “So she just forced herself some allies. That does not make me feel better about it, you know.” He shrugged. “I know. I’ve tried to locate her before to stay out of her way and that didn’t go so well either. We go way back, Sophie and I, you know. Might be one of the stupidest mistakes I’ve made in my life, and that says something. But she’ll turn up eventually. She can’t hide forever, and when she does…” He drew a finger over his throat, making very clear what would happen to her. Marcel wouldn’t allow her to live and even if that would be the case, Damon would gladly finish her off.

He chuckled. “Maybe. Maybe he’ll just get worked up more as long as Sophie stays hidden. There’s a lot of aggression hidden in him about that night and he’ll direct it to someone eventually…” No idea if this kid would be important enough for that, but well… it wouldn’t hurt Damon if he would scare him a bit. “If you consider that last part a win, then I guess your day isn’t too bad. You’ve been afraid of that ever since? That someone involved would come and kill you?”

“Of course I did.” he said quietly, “I don’t anyone but myself, I’m not looking for pity. I know exactly what I did; if I could I’d take it back but... even for witches I think rewriting the past is impossible.” If it were he’d likely change a great deal more than simply poor Isaac’s untimely end. “No, I don’t blame them either. Though, forgive my self-preservation for not wishing to die myself.” A vampire. They were immortal (to a degree) having escaped death in that form he supposed fear of death must be different to this man’s mind. “Witches treat vampires that way?” he asked quietly, a slight frown in his face, “I didn’t know. And you’re right, it does seem hypocritical.” He wasn’t raised in witchcraft, but a vampire didn’t always murder, at least not as they’d done, as he’d been privy too.  

“Well, either way I’m happy to have one less person out there for my head right now.” The list wasn’t exactly long but having a list like that at all was something of a concern. A concern that kept him up most nights of gave him nightmares when sleep won. “It would appear so. I can’t hold what she did against her, I didn’t exactly stop to read the fine print when she told me what she required.” his quiet voice hardly carrying between them. He’d been too desperate to think too hard and it had cost him his conscience and his magic. “I wouldn’t betray her, but I see no harm in telling you I don’t know where she is. Though, for what it’s worth, Sophie thought she was doing the right thing. Her intentions were better than mine in that regard.” (@sophie-deveraux​) Even if she hadn’t told him the complete truth. “In your eyes I suppose it won’t make a difference.” he thought of his brothers, “The road to hell, as they say.”

“I know.” That was something they at least agreed on. Despite everything what he had done, despite living for almost two centuries, bringing a child to slaughter was something that still didn’t sit well with him. He just hadn’t had a choice. “Paid a price? Someone wasn’t happy with what happened there?” That wasn’t exactly a miracle… half of the people present didn’t even approve of it, let alone those who weren’t allowed there. “Me? I just wanted to get my brother back. He underestimated a witch, paid a price for that and needed me to get him out. That’s all. Otherwise I would not have been here. I’m not only not a witch, I don’t like them either. They’re nothing but trouble.”

And a bunch of hypocrits as well. Condemning him for feeding off people to stay alive, but in the mean time it was fine for them to kill kids, as long as it served a higher purpose. He shrugged. “O, I might have killed for less.” Hunger, boredom… this might be a better reason. “I just don’t see the use of doing something to you over what I did too. I talked my way out of that, so…” He smirked. “Can’t you guess by now? Sophie arranged the whole thing, didn’t she? She thought she could just use me as her puppet. She needs to find out she can’t.” It just wasn’t up to him to do something about it. He had given Marcel a good enough explanation for him cooperating with Sophie, he wasn’t going to blow his chances by denying Marcel his revenge. “He’ll come to you. He did that with me, at least…” He absentmindedly touched his throat where Marcel had pinned him against the wall. “And then you ran into me… I’ve been known to ruin a few parties…”

Egrid supposed he was now an ‘unofficial’ member of the New Orleans Coven; he’d lost his magic along with the rest of them (what few remained). But he’d not been raised with, nor inducted, by them; he held none of their values since he’d never have the chance to learn them. To him what he’d done was no great victory in any regard. “Yes,” he said softly, “I don’t know who he was, but I think he was rather close to the young man I’d brought.” That was eaier than having to say his name. Egrid’s breath stilled for a moment, “You were there for family... I suppose are motives weren’t too dissimilar then. As a witch I can agree, it seems trouble dogs us a great deal.” All he wanted was a family and peace... both denied him.

“How oddly moralistic of you,” he said, voice still soft, perhaps a tad difficult for a normal person to hear over the din of so many people enjoying the park. “I’ll endeavour not to bore you for the remainder of the conversation then.” a slight deadpan entered his tone; Egrid liked to consider himself rather interesting but then he could never claim he’d murdered out of boredom. “I suppose that makes sense. Sophie’s coven was all but gone, she was without allies; I think I was her only one.” And even he hadn’t been there to support her as much as he wanted what the Harvest could bring him. “You’ll have a difficult time pinning her down, she’s not a weak woman.” He didn’t mind talking about her, it wasn’t like he had any idea where she was, nothing on her he could give away. “Yes, rather foolishly I keep thinking the longer he waits perhaps the less... aggressive he’ll be.” He let out a tiny laugh, “I wouldn’t call it ruined, I made good money and it seems you won’t kill me today.”

   “Tea then.” 

   Rebekah decided, her tone waltzing effortlessly in between an invitation and a command. If the fact that Egrid was currently working was on her mind, it didn’t show. And why should it? He was his own boss; the only way she’d ever operate if she decided to go out and get a job one day. Rebekah turned to one of the kitchen’s many antique cabinets before the man could argue and reached for her favorite brew: cardamom cinnamon tea. 

   Rebekah grabbed two sets of china and glanced back at Egrid. The bruises on his face alone would take seconds to heal for her…A few nights had hardly done him any good, and she grimaced at the idea of what he must’ve looked like when he’d been all but done with. “Have the police found anything?”

Egrid resigned himself to the fact that he’d been commandeered as a guest with little fuss; sitting carefully in the nearest chair and resting both his cast-covered arms on the table. It seemed the woman (vampire - he reminded himself) was in somewhat dire need of company. Must come from being stuck in this rand house; he still wasn’t sure it was just an overprotective sibling behind that...

“Do you wish it to forget?” Mary pondered, looking over the battered boy with what could have been concern had she had the heart to care. “Or do you wish for you to forget?” The woman continued with a mindless glace heavenward. “-Most times, I find it’s the self that wants to forget what it’s done than others. You can live with others hating you, but I find it difficult to function when you hate yourself.” The witch muttered, returning her onyx gaze back to the other. “But, that’s a personal thought, I suppose.”

Mary leaned off the wall slowly, wetting her lips as she mulled the issue over in her own head. She could live with John hating her; it wouldn’t be easy, but she could leave and distract herself until his memory faded enough that it wasn’t encroaching on every thought she possessed. It was the guilt that eroded through her own walls that left her feeling defenseless. She hated herself for Ethan-for John. She’d killed both of them in a way, and that was enough of a horror to appall even herself. 

Egrid blinked slowly at her before glancing away to look at the deserted road, which would they prefer? Neither option was as wholly appealing as it sounded. To lose oneself would mean he’d have no purpose again, to lose the others meant he’d be even more alone. Better someone who wished him ill than no one there to wish him anything at all. “Hmm, I don’t hate myself.” he said after a moment, “I may not like myself right now, but I’m far from hatred.”

“Don’t talk about it? Why? You’re ashamed of yourself?” He should be. Everyone involved there should be. Him included, probably… he just wasn’t. He was just saving his brother that night and to do that, he would have done worse than assist at some kind of twisted sacrifice ritual. “By how soon you disappeared again, I assume you don’t look back at it as one of your finest moments?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know how much attention you paid that night… but I wasn’t exactly an innocent bystander myself…” He might not have done it out of free will, but he had delivered one of those kids to the knive just as much as this kid here had done. “Wouldn’t make much sense to kill you for something I did too, would it? There’s only one person present there I want some kind of revenge on, and that’s not you.” He shrugged. “I just couldn’t help noticing, that’s all. Why? You expect someone coming after you?” Marcel might though… even when the other vampire was focussed on Sophie, Damon wasn’t sure what he would do to other participants. After all… he had shown up to Damon’s place already to demand what his role had been in all of that.

“Yes.” he said, “There’s no pride to be had in taking a child to slaughter.” he paused a moment, “I left when I did to guard over the proceedings, I paid a price for that.” he said quietly. Paying a price for what he’d done? No. He didn’t know what he could give; at this point all he had was his own life and really, what was that worth to the vampires of Marcel or werewolf who attacked him?