Piper Allison / Alessandra De Luca (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
callmeles) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
royal_musings2020-08-22 01:25 pm
callmeles) wrote in royal_musings2020-08-22 01:25 pm
Entry tags:
[Open Post] If You Love New Orleans, She'll Love You Back
NOTE Open post for specifically Piper Allison/Alessandra De Luca revisiting her old stomping grounds and to maybe meet some new friends. However, if you want to play with any of my other muses in New Orleans, lemme know! I can throw up a starter or you can.
♥
And feel free to start other things with other muses.
[Bourbon Street]
It was the first time Piper Allison had stepped foot in New Orleans since she graduated high school nearly fourteen years ago. It was also the first time in at least ten years that she felt like Piper Allison again and not Alessandra De Luca, the face and personality she'd done everything she could to escape into.
Piper had always considered this city her home, even though she had been reluctant to move here in the first place.
Everything started here. New Orleans was where Piper met Jordan and her friends in Middle School after moving from Seattle. Although she'd always known she was a witch, it was during their senior year when Jordan and she found out they were some sort of "prophesied" witches (prophesied to save the world from evil blah blah blah). It didn't take long at all before finding out Ben and David (as they were calling themselves at the time) were vampires trying to lead an "upstanding life" (read: a human life). Idiots.
After graduation, in the vein of trying to save their family and friends from whatever bullshit would come after them, the four decided to leave Louisana to travel a bit. It never crossed their minds that two of them would never return.
After Jordan and David's deaths, she'd had no desire to ever return to New Orleans. Hell, she still had a hard enough time staying in London for any stretch of time but that's where it happened so perhaps that wasn't a huge surprise.
She had checked into her hotel (a haunted one, if her memory served her correct), dropped off her things, locked up, and headed out for a walk down Bourbon Street and through the French Quarter. Piper wasn't sure how long she was going to actually stay in the city but she figured she'd feel it out.
It was oddly comforting at how much had changed and how much hadn't changed at the same time. She remembered walking and partying down these streets with Jordan and Mercedes during High School without a care in the world. She remembered leading several ghost tours throughout the years for the hundreds of tourists who came through the city. Piper smiled at the memory. She had done it so often that she still remembered the majority of the stories.
She had been less aware of it growing up but after fourteen years of training her magic and attempting to be one or five steps ahead of her mark, she could feel the presence of different supernaturals throughout the city. Vampires, werewolves, fellow witches, and definitely some spirits (of both varieties).
For once, she wasn't here to start any trouble so for the time being, she planned to keep a low profile. As low as a witch can in this city.
After making a beeline to an old favorite occult shop that she was pleased was still operating and purchasing a few items she'd had on her list, she wandered into a nearby bar for a drink.
She could really use the drink.
[So hit her up at the bar, along the street - wherever!]
♥
And feel free to start other things with other muses.
[Bourbon Street]
It was the first time Piper Allison had stepped foot in New Orleans since she graduated high school nearly fourteen years ago. It was also the first time in at least ten years that she felt like Piper Allison again and not Alessandra De Luca, the face and personality she'd done everything she could to escape into.
Piper had always considered this city her home, even though she had been reluctant to move here in the first place.
Everything started here. New Orleans was where Piper met Jordan and her friends in Middle School after moving from Seattle. Although she'd always known she was a witch, it was during their senior year when Jordan and she found out they were some sort of "prophesied" witches (prophesied to save the world from evil blah blah blah). It didn't take long at all before finding out Ben and David (as they were calling themselves at the time) were vampires trying to lead an "upstanding life" (read: a human life). Idiots.
After graduation, in the vein of trying to save their family and friends from whatever bullshit would come after them, the four decided to leave Louisana to travel a bit. It never crossed their minds that two of them would never return.
After Jordan and David's deaths, she'd had no desire to ever return to New Orleans. Hell, she still had a hard enough time staying in London for any stretch of time but that's where it happened so perhaps that wasn't a huge surprise.
She had checked into her hotel (a haunted one, if her memory served her correct), dropped off her things, locked up, and headed out for a walk down Bourbon Street and through the French Quarter. Piper wasn't sure how long she was going to actually stay in the city but she figured she'd feel it out.
It was oddly comforting at how much had changed and how much hadn't changed at the same time. She remembered walking and partying down these streets with Jordan and Mercedes during High School without a care in the world. She remembered leading several ghost tours throughout the years for the hundreds of tourists who came through the city. Piper smiled at the memory. She had done it so often that she still remembered the majority of the stories.
She had been less aware of it growing up but after fourteen years of training her magic and attempting to be one or five steps ahead of her mark, she could feel the presence of different supernaturals throughout the city. Vampires, werewolves, fellow witches, and definitely some spirits (of both varieties).
For once, she wasn't here to start any trouble so for the time being, she planned to keep a low profile. As low as a witch can in this city.
After making a beeline to an old favorite occult shop that she was pleased was still operating and purchasing a few items she'd had on her list, she wandered into a nearby bar for a drink.
She could really use the drink.
[So hit her up at the bar, along the street - wherever!]
no subject
There's witches all over the world, but it's like New Orleans was built on blood and magic. Maybe it's the land. Maybe it's the witches that have worked this land since before the white man ever came here. Kol doesn't know what it is, but he can feel it in his heart, deep into his soul. If he still has a soul.
Walking the French Quarter is like how Kol imagined it felt before his mother gathered and changed the course of their lives forever. How life would have been without being changed forever and his magic taken from him.
That night he's hunting. He's not even sure he's hungry but he's bored, and he's still finding himself caught between the man he could be and the petulant child he's been for a thousand years. Tonight he's much more leaning toward the later in ragged designer jeans and a form fitting silk Henley in a rich heather blue. It's casual as hell and worth a small fortune, and has gained him enough attention but he's been following a wisp for a while. Something that isn't blood like he knows it. At least not intimately. Time to fix that.
Veering and crossing the street, he follows the girl he realises is the one he's sensing. Beautiful, certainly, but she looks fairly normal. Except there's an air about her and he can't help but move closer, especially when she goes into the bar.
Casually he moves up beside her. "I'll take a beer. Something on tap, and whatever she's drinking."
no subject
She had a very off and on again relationship with vampires. Well, no, that wasn't exactly true. She had a very off relationship with certain factions of the Underworld who wasn't exactly pleased that a former Enchanted, who by their thinking shouldn't have the power or the means, killed some of their highest ranking demons and vampires with one of their own.
Still, Piper also knew that there were plenty of vampires, werewolves, witches, and other beings out there in the world who didn't give one shit about the goings-on of the Underworld and any drama that she might've stirred up. So, for now, she wasn't going to assume that this was an upset vampire out for some kind of revenge or some kind of hit on her. They usually attacked first and charmed her later when that was the case. Course, that wasn't to say she was going to not be on guard because that was basically her default status.
Piper had spent the last several years trying to find some way of keeping her astral field presence to reasonable levels. It had saved her ass more times than not and honestly, she rather enjoyed it when others underestimated her.
"Whiskey. Neat," she said to the bartender. "And I can get my own drink," Piper said, glancing at the man out of the corner of her eye. Well. He was handsome.
no subject
Smiling widely as she orders, declining his drink. It's enough to put the bartender back from that smile, but not her. Interesting.
He leans in a bit closer, his accent rich and his look amused. Definitely not fitting his next words. "Come now, Lovely. You can't turn down good old fashioned New Orleans kindness. Even if you aren't a stranger, are you?"
He doesn't know her but there's something about her and the way she moved through the city. That isn't how a tourist moves through this place, not the streets they would have taken.
"The name's Kol, by the way."
no subject
"Oh Darling, you have no idea what I'm capable of turning down," she said with an amused look, though neither confirming nor denying how much knew this city and was as much of a stranger to this city as he likely was.
Which was to say, not at all.
She took the drink from the bartender with a thank you and slipped him a bill before she turned to look at Kol. She only briefly considered which name to give him. Both names, if she was completely honest, were questionable depending on who she was talking to. But, after only a beat, she answered, "Piper."
Piper brought her drink up to her mouth and took a sip, keeping her eyes on him. "So what can I do for you, Kol? Do you always follow women around the city?" She had an almost playful look in her eyes but inwardly, she was ready to strike if it came down to it.
no subject
Leaning against the bar, ignoring his drink because his attention is on her and he's not letting it be distracted. Not yet.
"Piper," he says, not bothering to offer his hand. "Welcome home," he taunts, leaning in a bit closer to her. "And only the special ones. But you know you're special, and I'm betting you know I'm different. Don't you?"
no subject
She hummed and brought the glass back up to her mouth for another sip before setting it down onto the counter, her hand resting over it out of habit. "What gave it away," Piper asked with a raised eyebrow, curious as to what gave it away that she knew New Orleans. Not that she had tried to hide it at all when she got here. And, if he had been following her for a while, it was likely the ease that she moved through the area and taking alleyways that tourists wouldn't use.
"What, you wouldn't call yourself special? Because I would say we're both a little bit special, wouldn't you?" Honestly, Piper couldn't help herself.
no subject
He notes the covered glass and chuckles. "I wouldn't drug your drink. I mean, seems a waste when I can just ask. Nicely." Or compel. He most certainly means compel.
"You don't move like a tourist, but you didn't know about a few changes. You looked at some shops that are newer, but not new. You haven't been in the city for a while. Like me," he admits.
He grins then, wide and toothy. "Oh I think I'm more than special. I know I'm unique. One of a very small and special set."
no subject
"You may not but that doesn't mean there aren't others here that wouldn't," Piper said, she didn't get this far by slacking in her self protection. She watched as he spoke about her movements through the city and the shops she visited. "So what brought you back to town?"
She couldn't help herself, she laughed at his response. "You all really think a lot of yourselves," she mused before bringing her drink back up to her mouth for another sip. But really, it wasn't a surprise. Piper was definitely picking up on the fact that while yes he was a vampire, he was also... a little different than the vampires she's typically run into.
Well, that was interesting.
no subject
And it shows in his wide smile and the playfulness of his words.
"Set a ward then and let them be shocked by the retaliation of is," he says, all but calling her a witch to her face. He's certain he's right and he watches her closely to see her expression about those words.
"Oh, you know how it is. Family moves back to town and you just kind of end up drawn in with them." Which was the truth, and some of the straightest words he's said to her.
He laughs with her. "All do," he says, nodding, believing that. Vampires make humans look like bunnies but Originals makes most vampires look like mice. "But some can back it up."
no subject
Piper hadn't been hiding that she was a witch, most could pick up on it. What she really tried to hard as much as she could was how much she was capable of and who she had been... what she's done since. So instead of some response, Piper shrugged a shoulder. If she were younger she would have put a ward on her drink or some sort of jinx but these days... she tried not to use her magic for things like that. There was probably a ton to unpack there but she let it be for the moment. Truth was, she missed the days when she freely used her powers and actually had fun with them. These days... because she was so tightly wound after being on guard for so long, she kept a tight reign on her magic. It was something, she realized, she'd have to work on now that she could relax a bit more.
"I try not to do things so openly. Not every establishment is so accepting." Truth was, if there was any city where she could likely get away with such use of magic, it would be here. Especially in the company of a vampire.
"Oh, I've known that feeling well," she said with a quirk of her mouth. "It's been far too long since I've been back." Which was perhaps the most truth and straightforward answer that she's given him.
Piper watched as he laughed and grinned. "Some certainly can," she agreed. "And others... well," she shook her head, having done her fair share of killing vampires in recent years. She tilted her head and considered the man standing in front of her. "I imagine those like us are a dime a dozen in this town, why were you following me?"
no subject
He especially likes that bite.
"Oh what? Just because this town holds more nonhumans per capita of any city in America? I mean, in this that a reason to worry?"
Sure there were towns in Europe and Russia and parts of Asia where you might find more of them compared to humans, but New Orleans was a place unto itself with the magic it held.
"So family for you as well?" He draws it out though, curious if she's come for one of the covens, which means he might be treading in dangerous waters. How fun.
He leans in to her, intimately close. "Because neither of us is a dime a dozen. I'm a priceless masterpiece that can never be recreated," he points out. "And you're an unearthed Van Gogh. Until now."
no subject
"I like to think I'm a bit more subtle than that," or really, she had to be more subtle than that. "But New Orleans has always been a host unto itself, hasn't it?" She should know, once upon a time, much of her family and extended family called it their home. Thankfully, she was rather sure that most of her family had left to other locations where they could slide by for another few decades before people start to question them.
"Thank god, no," she said with a smirk. "I'm not exactly a fan favorite at the family reunions these days." Which might've said more than she was willing to touch on but for someone who came for family, perhaps he would understand. "I came because... well, it's been a while."
Piper watched him lean in and arched an eyebrow. "We have this thing called personal space," she said with a teasing glint in her eye. Then he mentioned that he was a priceless masterpiece and compared her to an unearthed Van Gogh which caused her to blink. "You know, that is a comparison I haven't heard yet. I am sure there are plenty of powerful witches in town." It amused her because fortunately or unfortunately she'd made a name for herself and that so far hadn't seemed to travel to New Orleans yet. At the very least, her description hadn't made it to town so she could still slip in and out without anyone being the wiser.
no subject
He knows if she figures out why he can tell the difference with her, then it's likely she'll know there are others in New Orleans since he mentioned family bringing him there.
That brings Kol up short to think about that. He thinks about the years it's been since he's been there, how much had changed... and how the Mikaelson M was everywhere, but no one knew what it truly stood for, that it wasn't for that upstart Marcel. He blames Klaus for that.
He blames Klaus for a lot.
"Do we? I could lean back and be a bit louder, if you prefer," he teases, but he doesn't move back at all, though he does shake his head. "Not nearly as many as there used to be. They've moved, been killed," he says with a sigh. "So many things happen to them."
It isn't that he knows who he's talking to just how powerful she is.
"Besides, not one of them has been as mesmerizing as you."
It's not about her looks but her aura, what draws a person in.
no subject
"Well, witches have a personal space but I've met too many vampires who really like getting in people's bubbles," she teased him in return. She watched as he spoke about the other powerful witches in town. It made her wonder just how many remained - how many families and covens. Truthfully, she'd never gotten involved. Of course, she'd had her family but that was primarily after they'd left for Europe.
To their credit, her father and Jordan's grandmother tried so hard to keep both of them out of the sites of supernatural creatures in town. Except for the two vampires who'd been friends of their daughter and granddaughter for years.
They'd had no idea.
Although she knew he wasn't speaking about her looks, and that nagging feeling returned with the comment, she couldn't help but play it off. "Flirt," she said with a teasing look. She grew serious for a moment knowing he could sense how powerful she was, the last thing she had wanted was to be drawn into or unintentionally get involved with the power plays in the city. "I'm only in town for a few days max, I'm not intending to get involved with any sort of supernatural politics. Is there anything I should be aware of," she asked with a raised eyebrow.
Truthfully, she had hesitated on even asking that because vampires weren't exactly known for giving information freely. Still, not having solid connections made her movements in the city a little iffy.
no subject
Not we, but they. Not that he's denying it but he loves playing this game with her and it's amusing him more than it should.
"They know it puts others off balance and unsettles them. Most don't like others that close, and they get nervous and they get weird about it so then they try and act like they're fine. Except they're not. It means they're more likely to do what you want, or to tell you what it is you want to know."
He can't help but grin at that. "Absolute flirt," he says. "Guilty."
He pauses, considering that. He takes a drink, eyes narrowing as he looks at her. "Don't let Marcel draw you in. He thinks he's runs this city and he is about to go down in flames. That," he says, giving her a hard look. "Is politics very few know. You'll be around a bit and you might learn how much that could change this town."
He's not sure why he's warning her but he can't help but to give her that warning.
no subject
She laughed at the admission and grinned. "At least you're honest," she mused, dragging her finger over the rim of her glass.
Piper watched him closely as he took a drink of his beer and narrowed that look at her. She mentally filed the name and information away to research later back in her hotel. "Thank you," she said, seriously. "I appreciate that. Like I said, I don't plan to be in town long. Just a couple of days max." She paused, brought her drink up to her mouth and took a final sip from it before sliding the glass away then continued, "I've had my own war to fight and don't intend to get involved in this."
As she said it, she felt that pang of being tied to the Enchanted that made her feel as though she should be involved, especially in her home town. But, she'd hung up that hat. This one didn't involve her and so she shouldn't involve herself in it.
no subject
Though the witch part definitely has his attention more than is healthy but he just can't help himself.
"Only a couple of days? Might I find a way to enjoy one of those evenings with you? I promise to keep you out of any wars that might becoming and I won't let others harm you," he says, suddenly serious as he stares at her. "I promise to be on my best behavior."
As if the words of anyone that has to make that promise can be believed.
no subject
"I don't know," she slowly said before raising an eyebrow, her tone taking on a teasing edge, "how are you on ghost tours?" It was perhaps just a little random considering their conversation and who they were. Still, it was one of the things that she'd wanted to do when she came back. Piper had given them plenty of times herself when she was younger and during her high school years. She at least wanted to go on one of them to see how much changed (or hadn't changed).
Piper snorted and gave him an amused grin. "You know, the people who promise to be on their best behavior are usually the ones who aren't."
no subject
So when she proposes one of those touristy ghost tours he can't help but brighten up, straightening and giving her a look. "Hmmmm, well then. I suppose that depends on what you mean by how am I? I can't promise not to make snide comments to you, but I can keep my voice down," he offers. "And we can compare notes on the truth of the ghosts we know."
Because he suspects between the two of them, they know a lot more about this town and it's ghost than any tour guide does.
"I'll try and keep my voice down," he offers, looking smug and amused with himself. "And you're not wrong. But I will do my best not to cause a commotion and I won't snack on anyone until after the evening is over," he teases. "I mean, unless you offer."
no subject
"Oh good because I can't promise I'd keep my snide comments to myself either," Piper agreed with a laugh. "I'm sure between the two of us, we'll probably know much more than the poor tour guide," she agreed with a grin. And not just because she'd given them herself but because they somehow ended up talking to her, to give their side of the story.
She rolled her eyes at the comment about her offering before she sent him a grin. "So long as you wait until after the evening is over to snack on anyone, then we have ourselves a deal. I assume you're not one of the vampires who are stuck in the past and have a cellphone?"
no subject
His eyes fairly twinkle, amused and happy about the way this evening is going. He couldn't have had a better night, he realizes, unless he thought he might get a taste before the night is over.
He doubts he will though.
Dipping a hand in his pocket, he slides the phone towards her. "Why would I want to be stuck in the past? SO much better things here."
no subject
Piper was amused and was enjoying herself. She truly hadn't expected this when she'd left her hotel that evening.
"I've asked the same thing to so many and you'd be surprised," she mused, picking up the phone and entering one of her numbers in it before sliding it back over to him. "There, we'll make plans." She was actually looking forward to it, truth be told. It had been a couple of years since the last one she'd been on.
no subject
And wickedly deadly with the things he's saying.
"They make no sense," he sighs. "What is the point of living this long to not enjoy the technology that comes with longevity?" He shakes his head, not even understanding the way some think.
"I like that," he says, smiling and not even testing to see if it's actually her number. Who would give a vampire that could track them down a bum number? "I'll see you soon then?"
He looks to the bartender. "Her drinks of the night are mine." Not as if it's his credit card anyway.
no subject
Piper laughed. "I cannot agree more. What is the point of living forever if you aren't going to enjoy it?" She truly hoped she didn't become like that as she got older!
"Yeah, I'll see you soon." This was not how she expected this first night in the city to go but... it could have gone much worse, she supposed. He could have been like the rest of his kind and attacked first. But, he did seem older, somehow. Perhaps it was an age thing.
She raised an eyebrow and shook her head at the bartender. "I'm good," she said, having already paid for her really good whiskey. "But thank you," she said, looking at Kol. "Try to not get into too much trouble until we meet again."