𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐑 / 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐕𝐎𝐑

There was no shame in Klaus’ actions.   —   No attempt to hide in the shadows as teeth sunk a little deeper into his meal for this evening.  He wasn’t feeding as much lately. Not out of fear of being caught  (  the Mikaelson hybrid rarely felt such an emotion  )  but out of caution that Romania was perhaps not as well-populated as it used to be.  Humans seemed few and hard to find right now, surrounded instead by a combination of supernatural scents that gave him a headache.  It wouldn’t do well to run out of food too fast, too soon.  This meant that when he did finally feast, he did so unabashedly.  Not a single care in the world.   — —   Who was going to stop him?  Only a fool would dare try.  Fingers unwind from blonde hair at the sound of approaching footsteps and Niklaus took one last gulp before finally tearing himself away from his victim’s neck,  bright-yellow eyes finding the source of their interruption.   ‘ Don’t you know it’s rude to bother a man during dinner, mate? ’

Curious, and maybe even a little hopeful, eyes have been watching the blonde for a while now, trying to decide if this was a trick or a treat.  It couldn’t be her.    ——   Could it?  Klaus Mikaelson should know better than to question the probability of one’s existence when his very own should be impossible.  A thousand year old vampire turned hybrid, approaching impending fatherhood, reigning over New Orleans. Striking fear into people’s hearts with the mere mention of his name.  He lived in a world where just about anything could happen and it did, frequently, but doubt still weighed deep in his stomach. He couldn’t bear to taste the bitterness of disappointment if he was to learn this wasn’t the woman he once promised last love.  Just days ago, he came across a woman with the face of Katerina and not an ounce of Elena Gilbert’s personality.  Expected, he supposed, from a doppelganger, but still enough to leave him cautious.  This was not a world Klaus was familiar with and while the woman he could see looked like someone he used to know, there was no guarantee she was. 

That said   —   he’d never been one to run.  Not unless his father was chasing at least and that hadn’t been a problem for quite some time now.  No, he preferred to confront it head on, feet moving forward to get a little closer.   ——   Klaus realises then that he can’t be wrong.  For starters, that never happens.   Secondly, there’s no one else this person can be.  From the familiar scent and the poise she holds herself in, to the warm buzz of excitement that only flares up when in her presence, this woman is completely, irrevocably Caroline Forbes.    ‘ Of all the apocalypses in all the land, what are the chances we both fell into the same one? ’   Words were drawled, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips as he edged even closer.   ‘ Hello, love. ’

Empty tin can rattled loudly as Negan successfully tossed another pebble inside, like some cheap - ass game of basketball.  He supposed this was as good as sports got now,  with the whole world gone to shit.  He misses it sometimes.  Being on the court with his kids  (  students  )  and shooting hoops. Shooting anything that wasn’t an actual gun.  Sometimes he thinks he’s luckier than most,  ‘cause at least the world he came from had already long - gone to shit, giving him some experience before arriving at the Satan’s armpit that was this place.  Other times, he thinks not otherwise. There’s only so much apocalypse one prick can take before he starts to lose his goddamn mind and Negan thinks he might just be reaching his limit.   ‘ Shit. ’   The man breathed out, briefly pinching the bridge of his nose between finger and thumb before turning to the nearest person.  He craves the conversation, something to keep him distracted.   ‘ Y ‘ know what I’d kill for right now?   —   A motherfucking cheeseburger. ’

Quiet whistles filled the otherwise silent air lingering around him, careful fingers rearranging barbed wire still wrapped so delicately around his beloved baseball bat.  She hasn’t seen much trauma yet. Nothing compared to what she would’ve seen if Negan had stayed in his world, but he doesn’t know that.  All he knows is he’s gotta keep her clean.   ‘ You should see this place, Lu.  I mean, we thought Virginia had gone to hell, but this?    This is some real I Am Legend shit.  Feel like I’m in the goddamn Hunger Games. Keep expecting my ass to get thrown in an arena and told the odds are ever in my favour. ’   Both words and actions paused before he huffed out a low chuckle, as if amused.   ‘ Shit. Sorry, baby.  I know you hated those films. ’   Typical Lucille. Heart was always too big for this world. Maybe it was best she didn’t live long enough to see what it had become after all.   —   Or maybe he just tells himself that to soften the grief.  It doesn’t work.   Approaching footsteps briefly distract him and dark, tired eyes glance up, not even looking a little ashamed that he’s been busted talking to an inanimate object.   ‘ Can I help you with somethin’? ’

GODDAMN    —   Negan was going insane here.  Don’t get him wrong,  the universe he came from?  Not doing much better.  Talk about a shitshow from hell, but at least he knew his bearings there. There was some familiarity. Some companionship too,  with the handful of survivors he’d managed to scoop together to create a group.  He didn’t have either of those two things here.  Here, everybody was a stranger and so were his surroundings.   ‘ We are definitely not in Kansas anymore, Toto. ’   Grunts were directed at a dog he’s somehow managed to befriend, large hand petting it’s head while he tried to figure out where the shit he was.  It wasn’t the first time his ass got lost. Wouldn’t be the last either, much to his constant fucking irritation. 

Negan’s knuckles whiten as spare hand tightens grip around the bat that goes everywhere with him, even apparently Romania.  He hasn’t seen any Walkers since waking up here, but he ain’t dumb enough to believe that doesn’t mean some can’t be lurking. Especially not when he’s just heard a twig snap behind him.   ‘ I guess the teddy bear’s were right that I was in for a big - ass surprise if I went down to the woods today. ’   He spoke, gradually turning to squint at the bushes, hoping to get a better look  — —   trying to decipher if they were alive or dead.   ‘ Am I interrupting your picnic? ’

– ♔ Warnings had been made, loud and clear though not followed. That was hardly Claire’s fault, if anything it was their fault for not listening – for continuing to PUSH the womans limits. Of course she was going to react. Never tempt an V A M P I R E, they’ll follow through on their word. Each and every single time. CRUNCH. Broken step upon rubble and stone is pressed to the earth indicating a new arrival, lithe form is turning to face them instantly; “You have terrible timing.” ​​

—————

A quiet night.   —   That’s all he wanted. That was all Van ever wanted, but he had learnt a long time ago that quiet nights simply did not exist.  Werewolves and vampires, sure. Split personalities that could turn a man into a monster,  but a night of peace?  Impossible.  Chaos and commotion seemed to follow the infamous hunter wherever he went, even when he landed back in Romania with no memories of his travels.  He swore he’d never come back here. Not after Anna.   ‘ And you have terrible instincts. ’   Most creatures that came face to face with him had the good sense to show some awareness, but this one seemed either oblivious or uncaring.  If he were anywhere else, he would assume his reputation had not reached this land, but so close to Transylvania?  Also impossible.   ‘ Am I interrupting something? ’

The world may have ended but CAMERON MONAGHAN is still around, actually I think that might be IAN GALLAGHER  ( TWENTY - FOUR )  from SHAMELESS US. While the apocalypse might have changed them they’re still COURAGEOUS and PIG-HEADED, I guess that’s how they’ll survive here. Turns out they came from a universe where HE WAS GETTING READY TO GO TO PRISON, who knows what this one will hold for them.

The world may have ended but DEBORAH ANN WOLL is still around, actually I think that might be KAREN PAGE  ( THIRTY - SIX ) from DAREDEVIL / THE PUNISHER SERIES. While the apocalypse might have changed them they’re still INTELLIGENT and RECKLESS, I guess that’s how they’ll survive here. Turns out they came from a universe where HELPING FRANK CASTLE ESCAPE POLICE CUSTODY AFTER HE WAS FRAMED FOR MURDER BY BILLY RUSSO, who knows what this one will hold for them.

– ☾ Typical response from a man of seemingly one track. If it doesn’t suit him and somehow offer a benefit, Klaus doesn’t care. “Elsewhere.” It’s without a doubt the DUMBEST thing he’s said to her, period. Given that he’s posed countless threats before, perhaps that says enough for itself. “The world has ended and you think I have control over who goes where?” Laughable really, but when has she ever accounted Klaus for being SENSABLE. Never. “There’s no reason for me to help someone like you Klaus. Whatever you THINK you can hold over me? — I’m not the same person I was the last time you saw me.” Point blank, a favor wasn’t going to happen’ certainly not for NOTHING in return.

—————

Klaus makes no attempt to disguise the eyeroll her words coax out of him.   ‘ Always with the dramatics, you and your friends.  If this was the end of the world, love, we wouldn’t be standing here having this conversation.  No, this is just new beginnings. And magic. ’   He’d been alive a long time now. Enough to know the unexplained could, in fact, always be explained, if one delved deep enough.   ‘ I think you’ve always got a trick up your sleeve, little witch. ’   It’s surprisingly a compliment. As frustrating as the woman had proven to be in the past, constantly attempting to thwart Klaus’ plans, he would be a fool and a liar to pretend she didn’t impress.   ‘ No, you’re not. But then, neither am I.  I’m soon to be a father now, Ms Bennett. And I must find my daughter. You understand I can’t take no for an answer. ’

– ☾ Between all the death and manipulation she had dealt with back in Mystic Falls, it’s not entirely a surprise to find that there’s a magic strong enough to pull a multitude of universes together. Had it been slightly terrifying to not know where you are, WHY you’re there? Of course but it was quickly realized there was no changing your fate, not this time. Things here were definitely harder with life only truly GOOD in the center of the town, and even then was it really good? An element of normalcy sure, but things were limited including resources. Perhaps that was why people kept exploring the outskirts, trying to see what they could salvage. Bonnie had been no different, but it wasn’t for empty bottles of booze or canned food. No what she was searching for was items of a more NATURAL state, things to keep her rooted to her magic.

 Had she been anyone else, perhaps someone like Matt, she would have thought twice about being alone on the outskirts of the only thriving life force. However with hardly any threats to her there didn’t seem a point. Or there hadn’t been until today for as the wind shifts through the trees she can SENSE something different; something familiar. “That’s not possible.” Whispered words of reassurance leave, keeping her back turned from the oncoming foot steps; ignoring the swell of emotion building in her chest. He was d e a d, had been for years before she’d even been SUCKED into this wasteland. Magic was strong, but Bonnie knew better than anyone, it wasn’t that strong. Not without a price. ​

—————

There was something so familiar about the scent Tyler found himself tracking.  Something strong.  It reminded him of home. Of Mystic Falls and friendship. Of a comfort he thought he’d lost when he first woke up in Romania.   —   A place he still doesn’t remember travelling to. Doesn’t even remember the world ending, but apparently it has, everything outside Deva’s walls lying in desolation.  There must’ve been magic involved and maybe that’s another thing drawing him towards the outskirts.  Whatever this scent was, friend or foe, it was powerful.  Powerful enough that it might help him find some answers. 

It doesn’t take him long to locate the source. Perks of being a Hybrid. He’d struggled to find them before, too distracted by a bond that left him imprisoned, but that’s broken now and he can finally embrace what that means. The gifts that it comes with.   ‘ Hey, I don’t think you’re supposed to be this far..  ———  Bon? ’   Suddenly, it becomes clear why the scent brought him warmth rather than suspicion.  It was Bonnie.  Or at least, she smelt like Bonnie.  Looked a little different. A little older,  and the air around her seems to all but crackle with something that wasn’t there before.   ‘ Shit, Bon. You have no idea how good it is to see you again. ’   Despite this, he withholds rushing forward. Just in case. Can’t be too careful.   ‘ I thought I was the only one of us who got sucked into this shitshow. ’

– & Romania was a tad dramatic if one was to ask Elizbaeth’s opinion on the matter, though it certainly wouldn’t come across as a complaint. After all it allowed a true reign of FREEDOM. Albeit at the hands of the end of the world, as everyone appeared to know it; but really did it much matter when you were immortal? As with most things in life there was several things to grow accustom to, nothing less rigorous than the change of a century to Elizabeth, but changes all the same. “So then, where are you supposed to be from?” A casual topic for most but with the undertones of chaos and ruin they have all found themselves in, it holds a double meaning. Fluidity has arms bending upward in time with head canting, spark igniting to a cigarette before metallic click sounds; narrowed gaze cascading over the other. 

—————

Well, here they were. It had finally happened.   —   The end of the bloody world.  So much for his noble sacrifice saving the day.  After all those pesky, failed apocalypse attempts the Slayer prevented, someone had gone and succeeded in bringing their world to ruins.  No more football stadiums. No more McDonald’s. No more of anything really, outside of Deva.   ———   He’s been here before. Romania.  The Fanged Four had hurricaned their way through, leaving nothing but blood and chaos in their wake. If he closes his eyes, he can still hear Drusilla’s maniacal laughter.  When they open though, it’s not a former flame he finds stood before him.  No, this was someone new. Someone with a scent he couldn’t quite place.   ‘  That all depends on who’s asking, pet.  Can’t go exposing all my deepest and darkests to just anyone. ’   Though, he supposes, the British accent answers her question for him.