everyonelives | there's something due any day

We'll be wherever Freya is.

( After that, he'll - reevaluate. He wouldn't be opposed to being somewhere Hayley's offered, not that he's ever had much luck in that department. As for the other guy, he can - be friendli... er when he wants to be. That he's around his cousin, he should at least introduce himself. )

Derek Hale.

["Aiden. Nice to meet you."]

Aiden's been standing in while Hayley was in Mystic Falls. He's the one who's been showing me around.

["Not that she needed much of it. She caught on pretty quick." He steps back and heads back towards his own car. "See you both later."]

( He nods. It's perfectly respectable to meet you too, Aiden. Good to know werewolves in New Orleans are just as teen drama worthy as Beacon Hills. Interesting hairstyle, though. )

Yeah.

( And not that it would matter because Aiden or Hayley will be able to hear what he says, but he still lowers his voice. )

How does Freya feel about reversing the spell? I have the moonstone.

Freya will do it.

[Malia will make sure of that. She pulls open the passenger side door for him, as though to indicate that he should be getting into the car before people start overhearing.

Once they're both sealed inside, she continues.]

She just might want something in return.

( He had meant does she think she's capable of it, not if she would. She'd offered, or, had invited them down, anyway. The next part lands how it usually would with Derek as he slams her (rental's?) door.

Sorry, cousin. )

Along the lines of?

[Oh yeah that wasn't even a question. Freya can do it. Freya probably does far more than any witch would be considered healthy.]

I don't know. But the pack says don't give the witches in the French Quarter a blank check. Especially not Freya.

So, I'm signing a future favor over.

( Okay. )

Do you trust Freya Mikaelson?

She kind of gives me Peter vibes.

[Which she's sure is a ringing endorsement, but to clarify.]

The wolves say she's a lot better than she used to be, though.

So, Peter now. Not then.

( Peter, the father. Peter, redemptive. Not... the opposite. )

Yeah. Generally trying to help but will harvest you for spell ingredients if you look at her family funny.

[Look, Peter is her family but she's well aware of what he is.]

Then we'll treat her family with respect. Maybe remind her that her brother did help save me. ( And the mother of his niece. ) And, to keep the peace, I owe her.

( He knows quid pro quo. He just didn't expect this to be quid pro quo. Hayley had been encouraging. The more he finds out about the Mikaelsons... )

["Then we'll figure it out."

She's just not going to let Derek drown alone. And probably everything with Freya will be fine. In fact, Davina will be there when they arrive, getting an update on everything that's going on. She may have lingered a little bit longer, just to see who Malia was picking up from the airport, but when it's not Scott, there's a little bit of disappointment.

Freya, on the other hand, looks up with a smile and a wave.]

You must be Derek. Come in.

( They always will.

He expects Malia to go with him, since she'd picked him up, and he wouldn't expect anything less from his cousin. Unless he asked her to stand down. Not that he's anybody's alpha anymore. )

You must be Freya.

( He might also be disappointed Hayley's not there, that another kid is. (Woman?) Everyone looks young to a werewolf. But, he's collected. No need to show that. )

I have what you asked for.

[Hayley will likely be around later, just to check in. Until then, enjoy meeting another one of the leaders in New Orleans.]

Lovely. We can get started.

[Then she gestures to her other guest.]

Derek Hale, Davina Claire. She's here in case I need to channel some extra magic.

["Being the regent means you're a very effective battery." She smiles as she extends a hand. "Scott spoke very highly of you."

Because of course he did, it's Scott.]

( Oh, he'll - sure, he can shake someone's hand. He totally has more manners than he used to. Barely. )

Regent. You're regent of the New Orleans witches.

( He's in the presence of witch royalty. He keeps eye contact, lets go of her hand when he should and steps back again, regarding Freya. )

Hayley said you've done this before.

["That's me."

Freya nods, a small smirk crossing her lips.]

I have. On Hayley, in fact, so hopefully she left me a good review.

[She gestures for him to take a seat in front of her.]

The only difference is that with Hayley, I knew the witch I did it. This might require a little more finesse.

( He takes a seat in the chair she's set out for him, presenting the moonstone and handing it over. )

Hayley's good review has me optimistic.

Good.

[She gestures for Davina come behind him, and the other witch rests one hand on Freya's shoulder, the other on Derek's. Freya takes the opposite shoulder and closes her eyes as she begins to chant. The candles light up around them and the spell begins.

Malia moves so that she's in Derek's eyeline. Her arms crossed in front of her chest, she watches intently, ready to spring into action if she needs it.]

( Derek tries to keep his breathing even, inhaling and exhaling, the moonstone lighting up in his hand, the clear coloring getting brighter and brighter. )

[The thing about doing this spell without a doppelganger, without a vampire being involved is it's going to hurt a bit. They likely should have warned him before they got started, but ... oops.

First it starts with the brands trying to reverse themselves, singeing his skin as they undo themselves. Then, his body starts to reorient, releasing the parts of him that had been locked away by the binding spell.

And, much like Klaus had, Derek will begin to shift.]

( First, his palm burns, the moonstone practically scalding him, and then his wrists and forehead as the symbols burned into him light up again and glow bright red. He's endured pain before, he's been tortured before, but the pain of being stripped is different than the pain of getting back his power.

He can't fight the fangs that push out and claws now hold the moonstone aloft, his grip tightening.

He probably shouldn't break the stone before they're done, yes? )

[Since Freya is doing the heavy lifting on the spell, Davina reaches forward and takes the moonstone from him, giving him the use of his hands, however he needs to.]

Don't fight it. We'll be okay.

[Across the way, Malia's eyes flash blue in response, but holds where she is, hoping that the spell is almost over.]

( Derek is evolved. When he hears the echo of Davina's words inside his mind, he lets go, relaxing every limb, body still on fire as he practically falls over, pulling at his clothing, but ultimately ripping into it as a black wolf emerges.

Davina is right, as Derek has always been in control of his wolf form. He moves around the table to see if Malia is alright, or to calm her down. He now has... no clothes should he want to shift back, but he can now. )

[Malia crouches down to meet him, resting one hand on the top of his head. She's fine, she doesn't need to be calmed down, now that things seem to have worked as intended.

She's also checking to make sure that Derek was okay, since it seemed to be a lot of pain, but for the most part it seems fine?

She hopes.]

I'll go grab his bag from the car.

[Since, you know, he's gonna need clothes.]

( He was in pain. While the curse was being lifted? Pain. But, now. Just calm. He nuzzles, but just a little before curling up by the fire. )

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