royal_musings | doing as the tourists do - drink & go ghost hunting (for Kol)

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doing as the tourists do - drink & go ghost hunting (for Kol)

Piper had been the one to suggest the ghost tour and make sure that Kol would be on his best behavior. Which, when it came down to it, all she asked was he didn't bite any of the guests until after the tour. The day before, she had actually been looking forward to it too. She supposed it was only fitting. She had always enjoyed verbal sparring with others and doubly enjoyed anyone who could keep up with her.

That morning, she had gotten up and gone to the cabin where it had all started. Adonis had met her there, told her a bit of the history he and David had found all those years ago after the fact and talked to the little ghost girl who had remained. She'd seemed disappointed that Jordan wasn't with her and she couldn't bring herself to tell the ghost of all things that Jordan wouldn't be returning. Throughout it, she'd felt fine.

That was, until she'd returned to her hotel to get ready for that evening.

Within an hour or two, she'd started to feel lethargic and felt she needed to blast the AC, it was so warm in her room. Piper knew she needed to get up and at least look human even if she didn't particularly feel very human. She shot off a quick text to Kol (though she wasn't sure why she shared that bit of information with him) before leaving her room with everything she needed - phone, wallet... a knife just in case.

It was still warm and humid out for New Orleans but somehow, Piper felt even hotter. This wasn't a feeling she'd experienced since... well, before they had died. She wasn't going to assume it was that (though there was a very small part of her that was hopeful). She pushed all that aside as she came up on Kol just minutes after the last text and gave him a grin. "So, have I been ditched for a bachelorette party?"

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He knows he's playing hard games but he's got the feeling she can take it. He definitely thinks she's strong enough to handle the games he plays and take it on without him pulling punches.

"You love it when I'm honest," he points out, as if he's being outwardly honest. Except in the wanting to bite her. He definitely wanted to do that but it didn't have to be yet. He suspects there's going to be more times between them.

"One year? Okay. I can live with that. I'm counting from ten months ago when I said hi to you on the street though."

Because that never happened but it still makes him smile.

"Is that what we're calling this," Piper mused with a grin. "Because I think we're both operating on just this side of actual honesty," she said holding up her fingers spread just a little apart. Truth be told, she didn't expect anything different considering who they both were. They've only really known each other for a few days. She had no doubt that he wanted to bite her and that there were elements of true honesty that have happened so far between them but neither of them had gotten this far in life (or unlife) by simply trusting everyone that came into their lives.

Piper laughed and arched an eyebrow. "Is that right," she said. "It's funny because I'm definitely counting since you offered to pay for my drink and I turned it down at the bar three nights ago."

And although she was certainly being the smartass here, she found his play on words and elaborateness amusing - causing her to smile. She was enjoying his company and it was a nice distraction from how she was feeling otherwise. Piper leaned into him just a little, seeking out that coolness.

"Welcome, everyone to our Haunted New Orleans trolley and walking tour. There will be a few places where we will all get off the trolley and take a stroll along the most haunted places and streets we have available. So, I hope you have your walking shoes on! Our first location that we are heading toward is Royal Street."

"I think you know honesty from me more than anyone else has in a long time." Which in his mind is the truth. He's hidden his true nature from so many people and he's been open with her.

Yet he knows there's a lot she won't ever know about, things he likely won't ever take a risk in her knowing. Maybe it comes back that originals have done some of the killings they have, but not which one. He's glad to hide behind that anonymity.

"Wow, you're shooting me down from ten months ago? It's not my fault so many handsome men say hi to you," he notes with a smirk. "But come on. Fine. You know, I'll split it with you. Six months ago," he says, trying so hard to look innocent. As if he's truly offering her something.

His arm wraps more snugly around her, frowning at that heat as he rubs his hand along her arm.

"Ooooh, dark shadows," he whispers to her, leaning in until his lips nearly brush her ear. "Snack spots."

She smiled at the admission from him. "If it helps, other than a couple of others, I've been more honest with you than anyone else in recent years." And although he didn't know the truth about her yet, she'd been the more authentic Piper Allison with him than she has with anyone in nearly a decade. Adonis didn't count, they'd known each other for decades and he always saw behind the masks she'd worn. Eames and Arthur, well they were a different matter all together.

Piper laughed and sent him an amused grin. "Mm, how about half of that and go... three?", she teased him, watching his reactions. She exhaled a soft breath at his cooler hand sliding down her arm, leaning into him.

"You really should have eaten before you came," she said, her tone taking on a playful note. She glanced at him out of her corner of her eye with a laugh. "I'm sure bridesmaid #2 will be willing. She's the one that invited you to the wedding, right?" Piper had to admit, mostly to herself, that she enjoyed the way this felt with him.

They're both taking chances and he knows it. Truths, seeing one another again, and doing so in the middle of New Orleans of all places, it was taking chances but he's enjoying it. Just like he's enjoying having her in his arms.

"Oooh, three works for me. In three months I can taste you... at least your blood." Maybe he's hoping for the rest much sooner given the way he says it.

"I did eat, but she's throwing off so much desire..." He glances up, seeing her staring. He's about to make another comment when the guide starts talking again.

"If you look to the peak of the building to your right, you'll see a stylized letter M. They're all over the city, built into the stones and permanent parts of the city," he says.

Kol shifts, sitting up a bit straighter and listening attentively now.

"Many believe it's the initial of a powerful family that once lived in the city. They were known to run secret parties that were weekends of debauchery. Sex. Drugs. Even deaths."

"There were no drugs," Kol muttered softly.

"And if you ask the right people, these parties are still going on to this day."

That makes Kol frown though, tensing.

"If you know the right people, maybe you can even get an invite, but be careful. Many believe this is why so many disappear in this city."

"None of them are in this city and haven't been for over a century," he hisses, mostly because he's confused, kind of because he wants her to know why he's bothered.

Piper raised an eyebrow before laughing. "Hm, I don't know, I'm still leaning toward the one year anniversary for the blood part," she teased him. Though she said it, she was also well aware that things could change. It would have to happen after she told him who she was and that was the part she wasn't sure when to bring it up. Which, honestly, was more of a surprise than anything else. It wasn't even a matter of if she'd bring it up anymore. It was simply a matter of when.

As the tour guide started to speak, she noticed the change in Kol's demeanor. She listened to what the young man was saying and glanced at Kol. No, vampires would have no use for drugs - not the sort humans were into anyway.

She nodded in agreement with his muttering words and frowned when the guide mentioned continued parties to this day. "Didn't you warn me about a Marcel? Do you think that he's using you and your family's name/reputation?" Her voice remained low so they wouldn't be overheard.

Piper snorted when she heard a female voice, likely one of his groupies, pipe up and ask if he'd ever been invited to such a party. None of these people had any idea of what they were dealing with.

The teasing and talk of feeding is gone. At least for the time being. He's definitely sharply focused on something else entirely, and he wants to know just what has been going on in this town. Marcel might have been Klaus' favored child but he was not a Mikaelson and he never would be. No matter how their brother had treated him.

"It has to be him," he mutters. "My brother's favored, and yet he lets him run wild like this and kept me in a box. Well then. Maybe we should visit him. I can guess where he is."

The compound. It has to be. That massive house they abandoned when their father found them.

Kol straightens suddenly, gesturing the guide closer. He smiles sweetly, staring into his eyes, compelling him.

"Yes, just where are these parties held?"

The guide stares at Kol, his expression empty. "There's a place in the French Quarter," he says, wide eyed. "They call it..."

"The Abattoir."

"Yeah. You know it?" The guide smiles then, nodding.

"We should go by there, don't you think?"

The wedding party cheers at that, encouraging the change of plans."

While Piper wasn't feeling at top strength, she was becoming well aware of where this was going. Truth be told, she didn't blame Kol because if someone was using her family to their advantage? You can bet your ass she'd be there.

She nodded and pushed the heat and everything down as far as she could so she could focus on this. Piper watched attentively as Kol compelled the tour guide. It was fascinating the skills and abilities different vampires had at their disposal and this one was surely handy.

When the wedding party cheered, Piper glanced at the others on the tour who seemed intrigued but curious at the change in plans. "Well, this night is looking more interesting by the minute," she said then turned in her seat to look at Kol more firmly. "What is your plan?" She didn't give one shit if he decided to take every single one of them out but she needed to know how much she should share until they got there.

Dropping back in his seat as the guide gave the change of directions, he leans into Piper trying to calm himself down. He's angry and he's seeing red and he has no idea what to do but he knows he's positively certain that if his brother was here, he'd find himself in a box again.

Good thing he'd run away from that.

"Plan? You think I have a plan?"

He makes a face, considering that.

"Actually, I'm just going to check things out. The truth? Sadly? Marcel wouldn't know me. I was locked in a coffin for most of that time and only released in time to be locked back up so we could run. When my brother took Marcel in, and the bloody upstart thought he had rights he didn't, I was staked for saying so."

Which isn't the only thing he'd done but enough of the truth that it wasn't lying to her. Not outright.

"Are you going to be okay?"

Piper grabbed his hand as he leaned against her and gave it a squeeze. She was just going to comment about coming up with a plan if he didn't have one already but then he said he was just going to check things out. She nodded slowly. "It's a good Plan A at least," she said and tilted her head. "What if he does know you," she asked.

She figured there was likely more to his story but she wasn't going to call him out on it. Instead, she nodded at his question.

"I'll be fine. For now." She looked around them, watching the other attendees talk amongst themselves before she murmured a soft spell that would keep people from overhearing their conversation. "How much do you know about the prophecy of The Enchanted," she asked.

It was a sudden question and one that she hadn't planned on revealing just yet but if they were going to walk into a potential shit show, she thought she should at least be upfront with him. Because it ultimately led into the other, more recent part of her life. Namely where she's been the last decade and what she's done.

"Then I'm going to rip out his bloody pathetic throat and remind this city what that initial stands for," he says, squeezing her hand back. She knows who he is and what he can do. He hasn't hidden the monster he is from her and he sees no reason to start now.

He felt that magic close around them, frowning that she felt the need for that protection. Shifting in his seat, turning to face her more fully as he considers her.

"About maybe as much as you likely know about Original vampires. What does that have to do with your illness?"

He's getting an inkling but he wants the answer from her and suspects it may well change his plans should he be recognized later.

Piper nodded. She could hardly blame him, honestly. She'd exacted her own revenge over the last decade and she didn't feel much (if any) remorse. Everyone who was killed by her hand or Adonis' was because of their involvement in Jordan and David's deaths.

She watched him turn toward her and watched his face closely then nodded. "I'm one half of the Enchanted," she said, though she suspected that he was starting to realize that. "Over a decade ago, my cousin (the other half of The Enchanted) and my boyfriend were killed in an ambush. For the last decade, her boyfriend (another vampire) and I took down every single demon and vampire involved." Her voice was matter of fact, not letting herself get upset by it, or at least forcing herself not to. She knew she was speaking to a vampire and her killing other vampires and demons were probably tacky, she wanted him to be aware.

"As for what it has to do with this illness, the only times I've ever felt this way (and it's been a long time) is when I've been getting a new power." And she was trying really hard to not feel hopeful about that. When Jordan died, she was sure that was it and what she had was be all she would have. Which was still more than the average witch.

He's hyper, and that is how anger translates. If he's not careful everyone on the bus but Piper might not survive this night. Hell, he may just do that for his own comfort to let out the anger he is feeling.

Yet he's listening to her, catching what she's saying, the stories he's heard of over the years about Enchanteds. Some think they're as mythical as Originals. And yet here he is. With her.

A brow arches though when she says it would be a new power, and he can't help but be curious. Both about that and something else.

"You talk about your revenge and powers. I have to wonder then. Maybe it's for this, for what I'm about to do. Want to help me?"

He's not had anyone but family before to help him, and they had rarely actually helped him. Now he might actually have a partner in things, and not just a witch he's using.

Piper watched him closely, unsure of how he would react. She knew of course how certain parts of the community viewed the Enchanted and saw them as just a mythical entity, someone or something that wouldn't happen. But they had and she still was rather angry at times to know that Jordan was killed because of who they were. She pushed that anger away for the time being and nodded a little at the eyebrow arch.

Then he said that and she hummed, considering it. "I blame the ghost girl at the house I visited earlier," she muttered, though her tone teasing. Still, he did raise a good question. "Even if it's not because of this, I will help you. I do know a little bit about revenge these days. If someone was using my family or my families name for their own means, I'd be doing the exact same thing."

She only hoped she lasted until the end of the night before passing out. "Just promise me that at the end of the night, you'll make sure I get back to my hotel." Piper wasn't one to trust or rely on others very much, if she could help it so it said a lot that she was asking him this favor.

Perhaps it's that he is a mythical entity. Despite his brothers being monsters throughout the years, and Kol throughout the times he was free, they still weren't entirely known as beings that truly existed. Even those turned by them didn't always know who they were.

Kol had heard about the Enchanted and, unlike many, he had truly found reasons to believe in them. Because as a former witch that misses what he lost, he aches for the reality of a power like that.

A power like that of the woman sitting in front of him.

"Oh don't blame innocent ghost girls. I suspect this is on me," he says, but there's a tiny bit of a smile then. He knows it's not likely because of him, but he will gladly take advantage of it all.

Which means he lights up in that moment when she agrees to help him with it.

"I promise," he says, going solemn as he says it. "And... and I promise not to start a fight tonight either. I will finish it if one starts, but I won't start one." And he means it. If she can sense such things, she'll know he's not lying.

Piper snorted in amusement when Kol took full credit for her situation. "You would," she teased him with a little smile and fully amused. "I don't know for sure if this is the case, it's... kind of a surprise, honestly but it is what I've experienced in the past when we got a new power. I should be okay for a while but if a fight does break out..."

She nodded, sensing that he was telling her the truth when he promised that. "Thank you," she said. "I appreciate that."

It was right about then that Piper felt the trolly come to a stop. "And we are here, ladies and gentleman. The Abbatoir," the compulsed tour guide called out when they arrived.

Piper looked up and dismantled the silencing charm, knowing anyone who had tried to hear what they were talking about would have just heard a random conversation from a very happy couple. "Ready?"

"You know me so well already," he teases, though it's true. Sad enough she's figured him out in much less time than his family ever seemed to. Or any of those witches he thought were on his side and then weren't, who had turned on him.

This though feels different. It's why he made the promise to her. He isn't planning on starting a fight. Not right now. He is having much darker thoughts, and realizing he has ideas that could change their lives. Or at least his, even if she won't stand by him.

Looking a bit calmer as the charm breaks, moving to stand up and offering her his arm. "Oh you have no idea how ready I am for this. Come on then. Let's see if the gentleman in charge is around."

The funny thing was, living and working with Adonis for as long, Kol sort of reminded her of her good friend in that they were both rather cocky (especially their appeal to women). So, for Piper, it wasn't that difficult to sort that side out about Kol and in fact, made it easier for her to understand and relate to.

The biggest difference was that she'd never been attracted to that side of Adonis where she certainly was with Kol. At least, was beginning to in the very least. Besides, at this point and after a decade of hunting down every single being involved in her best friend's deaths, who was she to suddenly decide that starting a fight or war was not something she did? If you asked, from what little she knew so far, it seemed justified.

Piper's mouth curled up as she took his arm and stood from the seat before making her way off of the trolly. "You know, I almost regret my outfit for tonight. If I'd known we were crashing a party, I'd have dressed up a bit more."

"You look fantastic," he assures her as he guides her off the trolly and toward the door. He sees someone standing the door, already confused on why the tour had gotten off here. He can't help but smile though as he brushes past the others with Piper on his arm.

They aren't flashing fang but he knows they're a vampire. He also is betting they've never even heard of an Original and have no idea that there's someone that can compel them.

Fools.

"Excuse me," he says, trying to sound intimidating to Kol and Piper. Kol definitely doesn't look intimidating himself and he knows it. "Are you on the list."

Kol smiles wide, leaning in close and meeting the bouncer's eyes. "I'm sure if you look again, you'll find our names," he says without even giving them. "Try looking harder."

He peers at the list. "Oh. There you are," he says hollowly. "This way, Sir," he says, moving to open the door for them.

Kol smirks, guiding her inside.

Her mouth curled up at the compliment and allowed him to guide her off the trolly and toward the door. Subconsciously, she straightened up and slipped in the mindset she'd had through the last several years as 'Les' and sent the doorman a smile. She pushed down the heat she could feel steadily getting stronger, there would be a time for that later.

While Kol had been the only vampire she'd sensed on the trolly, that was certainly not the case here. But they were nowhere near as strong as the man who stood at her side. In her own state, she knew she didn't come off as the most intimidating witch in the area but she did enjoy when people underestimated her.

Piper smirked in amusement as she watched Kol compelled the doorman. When he "found their names", she did her best to hide her snort and walked in confidently into the party. "You know, I'm only slightly disappointed I wasn't ever invited to the super special vampires-only parties," she said, her voice quiet enough for him to hear. "Though I suppose my invitations are permanently "lost in the mail" but all the same."

The energy is there all around them. Of vampires and feedings, of fear and excitement that is running through everyone. He lives on this, and it's there in his head that it wouldn't take him long to destroy everyone in the same place. He could literally destroy them all.

He aches, feeling the tightness around his eyes as he holds himself in check. Sliding his arm around her, pulling her in and holding her close to him as he steps inside with her at his side.

"I didn't get one either," he points out, lifting his gaze to look around. The opulence, the atmosphere, the fucking throne at the front of the room. "Are you kidding me? That damn thing is still here?"

He rolls his eyes, sighing as he shakes his head. "You can tell which brother turned Marcel. Drama queens, all of them." As if he has room to talk, especially with what he says next. "I used to go into rooms like this and leave when I was the only left standing."

"That's even more disappointing. Can't even be bothered to invite extended family," she said dryly. Her arm slipped around him in response to him pulling her closer to his side. She could (and would've) protested but they'd made large strides since they boarded that trolly for the ghost tour just thirty minutes ago.

Not to mention, they were surrounded by more vampires than she could shake a stick at, and the only one she semi-trusted here was the man at her side.

She glanced up at the throne on stage and blinked slowly before giving him a disbelieving look. "Looks like the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Piper shook her head with a laugh and looked around. "I always knew vampires were the OG drama queens."

"You never invite the black sheep," he notes. "Can't be trusted and all," he adds with a dark chuckle. He isn't hiding who he is. Not from her at the very least. He sees no reason to be quiet, especially not with what he's thinking. Or what he had just said.

"Oh yeah, it started with us. You don't live this long, take on so much, without being all about drama. Though my mom was that way and she was just as bad and not a vampire."

But then she was a witch, but that's why he's not mentioning that to his companion.

He's not sure what he was expecting but then someone steps in front of them. He is big and bulky, a weight lifter or the like, pale and looking upset. And he's eyeing Kol.

"You're new here."

"Not as new as you think. Where's Marcel?"

The glower only darkens. "Not here. Who are you?"

He steps in closer, meeting the other vampire's eyes as he compels him, something other vampires can't do to one another.. "Someone you didn't see here. Now, where's Marcel?"

"He got called away. Something about the Bennet grimoire, whatever that is."

"Disappointing as it is, you raise a good point. More or less why I'm never invited to the family reunions either," she agreed with a little grin. She wasn't ashamed of who she was turning out to be but her family sure was.

Piper snorted in amusement as she thought of his family while also keeping an eye on their surroundings and the party around them. That was until someone stepped in front of them and questioned Kol.

It was fascinating to watch Kol compel the other vampire, just as he had the vampire at the door and the tour guide. It was fascinating to watch and knew, logically and realistically that she could find herself on the other end of that gaze regardless of how much they may be enjoying each other's company.

When he mentioned a grimoire, Piper's interest was piqued. The family name was likewise familiar and just like her family's name, was old no doubt. To have her hands on that knowledge was tempting. "Fascinating," she mused, her arm tightening around Kol.

She was glad though that they wouldn't be pushed into a large fight while she wasn't feeling fully herself.

Kol can fairly feel her excitement at the mention of the grimoire. Glancing sidelong at her, a wicked smile curving his lips.

"We'll get your hands on it," he promises her, leaning his head against hers for a moment, a soft intimate gesture.

"Tell me, friend," he says to the other vampire, tapping him on the chest with his index finger. "That means he's up in Virginia. When are you expecting him back?"

"Tomorrow."

"Does he know you're throwing a party while he's gone?"

Somehow he goes paler. "No. Why? You gonna tell him?"

Kol laughs, shaking his head. "No, friend. I'll keep your secret if you keep mine. Where does he keep the grimoires? In the office?"

His eyes dart towards a door and then back to Kol. It's all he needs. He leans up, meeting his eyes again.

"We never had this talk."

The vampire shakes his head, wandering off like they're not there. Kol looks to Piper. "Wanna find some books?"

doing as the tourists do - drink & go ghost hunting (for Kol)

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i look forward to her thinking 'yeah, this is all mine too now - not just kol's.'

And right now he's not thought about fully but he will, and be all for it.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how it plays out!

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