only a human

“Yeah, all roads lead back to your friends. As long as you still have friends here, you’ll keep coming back or will stay here. I know how it works. And I know you totally survived the first time, but just be careful, okay? We don’t know when Finn is gonna show up and what he’s gonna do and I don’t want you to end up in a fight that’s not yours.”

“Unless you choose to leave your friends behind, but I suppose everyone will at some point of their lives find those friends who they just can't leave behind. I came back for one friend, but sometimes one is enough. And it only shows surviving in this city isn’t impossible, though life is a fragile game to play. I intend to keep myself out from those fights, because those fights are not what I am here for. But you too, Matt; be careful.”

“Doesn’t that work for all stories? Everything is just in the eye of the beholder, love. Something you should almost remember.” He smirked. “I think that’s partly my fault. Although I’m not quite sure if that is because of my actions or my failure to keep you alive.” It was still something he regretted… it would have saved him so much trouble. “O, you have managed to get more high ranked friends? Or are the others not someone I have to worry about? Which means I probably broke my parole already, just by talking to you.”

“Everything is just in the eye of the beholder, though I am certain not one would say you were the hero of this little story.”, she willed to sound her strongest upon her words, yet there was bitter tone into them as she responded to his smirk. “Maybe you should have learned sooner that every action comes with consequences.”, his words only reminded him just how much she despised the man before her. “High ranked or not, maybe you should try to remember that there are rules in this city.”, she didn’t wish to comment on his question any further.

As she walked down the alley way, leading to a street. She caught the whisper of her name, and she recognized the voice. Her attention was on Eleanor, the woman who had won the heart of her brother Elijah. Now, he was always private in his matters and his heart, and for him to introduce this woman to her, meant something special. Approaching the brunette. “Eleanor.”

“O, I’m not sure yet where that last encounter would have ended. You might have died, you might not… but that’s all water under the bridge. We’ve had a highly uncomfortable past, which will clearly make our future just as uncomfortable. But yes, your conclusion is correct. I don’t think your high ranked friend will change any conditions, just because the two of you broke up. Unfortunately.”

“I barely survived. But we all remember only our own side of that story--- Just like you said; water under the bridge. And who is to blame for this highly uncomfortable past and the future? Though, I suppose that is also a matter of opinion between the two of us. My high ranked friend is not my only concerned friend in this city, but you may be right; some conditions hasn’t changed, no matter.”

“I’d like to believe it’s all me, but genetics play a part. So you lived here before?” he offered his hand, “How rude of me, I’m Ivan Belikov.”

“Yeah, I was already afraid that sooner or later you’d show up again. And don’t get me wrong, I’m kinda glad to have you back. But now I have an extra person to worry about. And well, some original vampire came back from the dead and is for sure looking for revenge, but we haven’t really seen him yet.”

“All roads lead to New Orleans? I was a bit afraid that I’d find myself back here sooner or later, but honestly I didn’t think it would be this soon. Although I do appreciate your concern, you don’t have to worry about me, I know how to look after myself in this city. So another thing that hasn’t changed since then, then.”¨

“New-ish, I’ve been here a while but I mostly kept myself to myself for a long time. I’m Natalia, welcome home I suppose?”

⊰ — ❝ Something like that. Yes, it is exciting for all of about two minutes, wouldn’t you agree? ❞

She was walking alone in the quarters, there was much some needed time to herself. Not like any of her brothers would even notice if she was gone, she was the third wheel–so to speak. Especially if it came down to Marcel, Elijah and Niklaus. She hadn’t seen Kol in a while as well, he, would have been worried as to where she had gone. Rebekah was following some of her own leads.

“Don’t tell me the accent gave it away?I thought I sounded exactly how everyone here sounded no?”

Elijah didn’t respond simply because he didn’t wish to argue about it. He knew exactly what she meant, yet, he still felt things would move as they did without too much favoritism. “You gave one. The letter doesn’t make it any less of a goodbye.” He didn’t blame her, no matter he would have liked to see her. He understood and didn’t need the explanation. “I shouldn’t keep you.”

“There is only one thing stronger than the fear of dying. The fear of a friend dying because we’re not there to protect them. So yeah, I’m concerned that you came back. The city has not gotten any better and I’m worried about you ending up in some sort of crossfire.”

“I can’t tell you that you’re wrong. We all want to be able to protect ourselves and those we care about. It’s funny--- Somehow I was able convince myself that I got out, but here I am again and the things I left behind are all still here. Is there--- Anything specific I should be aware of?”

▕ ▵ ▏ ❝ I’m happy to see you, I don’t know why you came back or if you are staying long but I am happy to see you. Exchanging emails is fun but this is nice too ❞