𖤣.𖥧.⚘

Open for @exitiumstarters I Nova

she was on the way back to her bed and breakfast when someone called out to her, and after looking around she finally spotted who it was once she looked up. "hey, honey, are you locked up there?" the vampire asked, taking in some context clues. "i can help, but you'll need to invite me in."

Open Starter - @exitiumstarters

she had tried to make it to her daughter after the announcement, but had gotten stopped by rebekah and when she was free to continue her search, it became clear that skyla had left rather abruptly. she didn't blame the young fairy for this at all, maeve could only imagine just how overwhelmed she was by it all. pushing into the bakery, she could sense the tension coming off of the blonde and her brows pulled into a look of sympathy that only a softness of a mother held. "oh, darling, i came for you." the vampire offered a comforting smile and moved further into the room, and closing their distance as she did. "how are you doing, my love?"

𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚛  »  𝕛𝕠𝕣𝕕𝕪𝕟 𝕣𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕖 — @exitiumstarters

it had been hard not to overhear the phone conversation happening near her, even without heightened senses, so she kept her focus on the book in her hands until she heard the call end. "sorry, i tried my best not to listen in but i failed miserably. i need to know, should i worry for my b&b if it were to catch fire at night?" maeve cocked her head to the side as she raised the question, closing her book after saving her spot with a bookmark.

Davina hadn't noticed the smell of the herb, but that wasn't surprising - her senses were only human, for the most part, and she hadn't bothered dipping into her magic to test for it. "I don't think that's a huge leap. I'd be surprised if the OEA cared enough to insist on it, since deaths here would look bad for us, but...maybe." Her gaze turned towards the bar and she nodded. "It's a good selection. Mikaelson parties have good alcohol, if nothing else." She gritted her teeth, knowing the woman was probably right about that much. "Then I hope they're prepared when it all goes badly. Davina - good to meet you, Maeve."

"if nothing else? there is more. the drinks, the food, the music, and the opportunity to gather here, in a beautifully protected place. i understand, the things the oea have done not just in this city but all over has left marks that are hard to heal but this compound is safe, nothing bad will happen, i can assure you. with that, i'm almost positive that the vervain is just a measure made consistently and not just tonight." the vampire extended a comforting touch to the young girl's arm. "davina, that's a beautiful name, and you look so beautiful as well. i do hope you try to have some fun tonight."

“That depends” Oliver hummed, slowly beginning to enclose their distance, “cus my secret keepin’ rates ain’t cheap.” Given the circumstances, it was a relief to see a familiar face -- mask aside. His smile became a little broader, glancing over her outfit before musing, "you look real nice, Maeve. Even covered in icin' sugar."

"oh, is that so? alright then, name your price, oliver reine." the vampire dared the wolf. a taunting brow raised behind her mask as he moved in closer. ever move he made she notice taking it in so that she could follow his lead, including when his attention moved down towards her attire and a soft laugh passed her lips when he complimented her. "firstly, thank you. secondly, an outfit is never complete without an accessory, and mine just happens to be delicious and sweet." maeve jested, bringing her finger back up to her lips once more to play into it. the vampire turned to the waiter, dismissing them with an appreciative look before her gaze returned to his own. "you look quite dashing yourself, i almost didn't recognize you in that."

He enjoyed being seen as a threat. Of course he did. Where most got adrenaline from being in the vicinity of things that terrified them – Klaus got the adrenaline from being the terrifier. “Now that would be quite the sight to behold” amusement flooding his tone, “upset my sister and we might just find a few guests actively turned to stone.” Lowering his voice, he leaned closer to taunt “I wouldn’t suggest speaking ill of the decor, my sister has quite the temper..” It was refreshing to have a conversation held this evening that didn’t result in somebody attempting to challenge him. However, for one night – he had agreed to play by the rules and would resist from bloodshed. For now. “And here I was thinking that I was being an explementary host, love” he hummed, “but by all means, if you believe that you can obtain desirable conversation elsewhere, then be my guest. Though I must say it does appear to be slim pickings.” 

"i would never dream of upsetting her, you on the other hand should comfort her, all this work she put into this only for the people in this city to turn their nose to it because it's in your name. oh, and don't start with how it's in the family name, you know what i mean." the vampire teased him, a pointed look and arched brow to really make her point. maeve had been alongside this family on and off for centuries, she was well aware of the power that klaus held, and though she did have particular feelings for how rebekah was treated at times, she knew not to cross him because those that did were no longer amongst them. maeve pressed her lips together, her tongue sliding against her cheek as she made her best attempt to keep the smile that she was fighting from appearing. "i am already your guest, am i not? you have been a meritorious host. your restraint tonight has been a beautiful thing to watch, and not that you need it but i applaud you for it."

"It's okay, I'll survive for a bit," she grinned, knowing she was being childish. She had a tendency to get like that, being the youngest of 3 and not entirely understanding the world the way everyone else did. "Sorry, sometimes I act weird, I swear I'm not that weird," she reassured the other with a small chuckle. "I'm Nissa, by the way"

"surviving is nice, but us women have been just surviving since the beginning of time, don't you think it's time to live? have a sweet, i only touched one, the rest are perfectly untouched and my the looks of it-- super delicious." maeve insisted, nudging the waiter to move the tray closer to the girl. "i didn't think you were acting weird at all, now go on and enjoy. it's such a pleasure to meet you, nissa. i'm maeve."

"No will judge you if you decide to so." Juri sighed with a slight chuckle. There was a head nod. "Normally people don't give the help pastries but thank you." Juri smile. "Name's Juri. And you?"

"oh, im sure no one would but manners and all. very important." she waved her hand around as if the manners were in the air around them. "normal is not in my vocabulary, dear, enjoy yourself. i know the family that is hosting, and if they say anything to you, just tell them i said it was ok. my name is maeve and it's a pleasure to meet you juri."

“Up to your standards I hope,” Osman questions, amusement clear against his features as he stood beside the femme. “They were chosen by Rebekah Mikaelson herself so you know they’ve gotta be 5 star sweets.”

"hmm, yes., they are." she responded, looking up with a cheeky grin as her finger left her lips. "oh, were they? you mean klaus didn't hand pick these sweet treats for us all to enjoy? that's not like him at all."

She's wondering the halls of the manor, careful not to wonder into anymore forbidden rooms- or maybe she isn't, it's hard to tell if Katherine means to end up where she does. On accident, or entirely purposeful. There's a few steps, her chin tilted as she observed the other with the faintest smile touching the brims of parted lips. "Of course you would be here." Her tone isn't soft, though it never quite is- but there is a lingering of fondness wrapped around them. "And I'd hoped you'd find better company to party with these days." The Mikaelsons may not have been her guests of choice, but for what it's worth- she enjoyed the o'hara's presence more than most.

"of course i would, i wouldn't dare miss the blind intense chemistry that's bound to happen thanks to these masks. it happens at every ball, and the fire behind it could call into question your own fire, petrova." whether she was to witness or experience it, history tells stories of the future and maeve knew that no matter how many years passed, a mikaelson party would always be both extremely outrageous and predictable. while some favored the former, she was leaning towards the latter these days. "why find better company when the company i keep brings you to me?"

Juri wasn't sure what the other was doing but decided to let himself watch the other.Juri was about to reach for a pastry when the stranger in front of him put her finger in it. Juri awkwardly reached for the other cupcake instead. "How is it?" Juri signed.

"it's delicious. i could eat the whole tray but i'll control myself." maeve laughed, taking the one she had tasted from into her hand, accepting a small napkin from the waiter. "did you want one?"

Not having his memory— it all felt like the room was spinning. It felt like he had pieces of himself looking back at him, people he should know but hadn’t. It’s infuriating, fighting and trapped within your mind. He couldn’t help but watch, and his heart did ache when Lorelai mentioned quiet stories of their past, or things he used to do— or say.. how he couldn’t remember any of it. How the little girl on her hip, had his eyes and his smile, but he couldn’t feel that connection to her like before. He felt— terrible. It’s why he’s lingering on the sidelines, his senses picking up on the other’s conversation as he turned to steal a glance. “Don’t worry— I won’t tell.” There’s a pause and he glances down to the swipe she’d taken. “But we might have to get rid of the evidence.”

"oh, my hero." she exclaimed in hushed whisper as if that would keep their conversation anymore private in this room full of enhanced hearing abilities, but a woman can pretend. a soft chuckle vibrated through her and she licked the icing off of her finger before plucking the evidence off the tray. "or should i say partner in crime? that might be more appropriate now. i just hate that i pulled you into this farce misdeed. partner in crime, or accomplice, whatever you'd like to call it, i'm afraid you can't leave until this tray is empty and i'll need your help for that."

"The Mikaelsons do compel themselves good bakers, don't they?" Davina's voice dripped with something unidentifiable. "Or maybe it's the OEA, conscripting people to cook for them. Or maybe that's all the same thing. But I'm glad they have good party favors out. At least we get to eat before they explain how we're going back to the way New Orleans used to be."

"as much as i would have agreed with that in the past, the staff here reek of vervain, wearing it most likely, but if there are wearing it i have to make the jump that they also have consumed it to avoid the guests eating something not on the menu." she wasn't defending the mikaelsons-- or maybe she was. whatever klaus was up to, and how she felt about it was complex but it was clear exactly what davina thought of it all. no guesswork needed. "i'd wager the vervain was a condition made by the oea, regardless they are very tasty party favors-- and the selection at the bar. ah, yes, i am looking forward to hearing that speech, but if answers are what you think will be given in that speech, i would not hold your breathe, sweetie." maeve expressed, hoping to help cushion the girl's expectation before she gets let down by having unrealistic high ones. "i'm maeve, by the way."