perpetual anticipation is good for the soul but it's bad for the heart

[maxxx]

Comments

[witchaffinity]

( Kol sits on Rebekah's idea to invite Hope up for their bonfire. He doesn't want to invite her for a family event and spring something as deep as the help he and Kieran need from her. If she can even get it. It feels very 'Gotcha' and Kol does not do 'Gotcha'. He is the straightforward brother, unapologetic in his unabashed nature. This is something on another level and so he's something that's very uncharacteristic of him.

He's nervous.

Kieran has a bad week leading up to Halloween and she spends Halloween in bed. Kol volunteers to watch his nephew with Freya so that Henry's parents can have a night on their own - after trick-or-treating in the building of course. Henry makes an adorable cowboy. He even insists on wearing his costume to bed. But first, Hocus Pocus!

Henry falls asleep in his uncle's lap and Freya and him let the film play, though neither watches and Kol ends up muting it. His worry wears on his sleeve tonight. His glass sits untouched in his hand as he sighs, his other hand running through Henry's hair. They speak low, to not wake Henry up, and because the topic at hand is serious. )

Kieran is getting sicker. She has more bad days than good. What's to stop me from taking the choice out of her hands and ensuring she lives a long life?

( And will it work, he knows how cancer and vampirism work if it's advanced enough. )

[deathlessness]

Nothing, I suppose.

[Because really, the only thing that could potentially stop Kol is himself. And the sense she's gotten from Kieran is perhaps this is something she's invested in. Shifting next to her brother, she tucks her legs up to her chest as she watches him.]

Is there a reason you haven't discussed it?

[witchaffinity]

We have. It's last resort for her. It's not about vampirism, it's about her connection. She doesn't want to be cut off. She thinks if she does the right research, she'll figure it out.

( That it's just a matter of time. They've exhausted non-family avenues. The bonfire idea sits at the forefront of his mind. )

All I've done is drag her all over God's creation. Marrakesh, Egypt, Queensland, Denmark.

[deathlessness]

I assume you had reasons for going there? Not just going on wild vacations?

[Though if she were dying, she doesn't think that traveling the world would be a waste of her time necessarily.]

Does she really think she'll be able to find the answer to letting vampires do magic? She's likely not the first witch to try. I mean ... I could try and recreate Dahlia's immortality spell, but I don't think she'd find the century-long naps any more appealing than I did.

[witchaffinity]

Beyond showing her the world, I thought I had leads that could get her somewhere.

( there was only one wild goose chase he sent them on, at first, to prove her mettle and because she hadn't earned his trust yet. her mood swings and general unpleasantness made it clear something else was afoot.

he treated her differently after that, respected her more and became a true partner in this. )

How did you break out of those, anyway? ( it was quite a cycle and he was dead at the time. they'll get back to if he thinks she has what it takes, or if it's even possible in a second. )

[deathlessness]

Dahlia died. She bound us together, so without her to anchor the other half of the spell, it couldn't maintain itself.

[So Freya went back to living her life year-to-year which works for her. She never wanted to be immortal anyway.]

[witchaffinity]

( Magic has always been about balance. )

R.I.P. our psychotic aunt. ( He raises a glass, the ice clinking just a little too loud. He freezes, eyes traveling downward. Henry's out like a light. Crisis averted. He gets contemplative. ) I can't say she's convinced, but I think Kieran believes herself to be very capable. Maybe more capable than anyone else at this. But, her origin is in blood.

( She could be the closest. )

Maybe there is something to Hope's blood, or her friend's.

[deathlessness]

[Freya nods slowly.]

If you trust Kieran not to take advantage of her, then perhaps its worth asking Hope if she's willing to help you.

[Giving a witch she doesn't know her blood is going to be a dicey question, but Hope may want to help.]

[witchaffinity]

And what if Hope wants nothing to do with it? I come out of the woodwork with a dying girlfriend. It's not an innocent scenario.

( He can see Hope already being suspicious, but he won't know if he doesn't ask. )

Maybe, I'm more scared of what she'll say, then the actual ask. I don't know the right thing to do.

[deathlessness]

I think that Hope loves you and while she may have questions, she cares about you. She may still want to help. You were always her favorite uncle.

[Kol was also the one who put in the most effort to keep in touch with her during the time with the Hollow. That good will is still there.]

Ask her. Answer her questions. And if she does say no, then we'll find another way.

[witchaffinity]

Another way around exacerbating and intensifying her already excruciating slow death.

( He sighs, knowing they have no other choice and only needed this last piece of advice. )

We'll put it to a vote. Let Klaus in, because he will feel a type of way about being left out of his daughter's choice. We're all in town for one more night at least. Tomorrow morning. We put it to a family vote.

[deathlessness]

I think we all like to forget that Hope is an adult now and can make her own decisions, but fine. We'll put it to a vote.

[She knows her family well enough to know that Hope being eighteen isn't going to matter. In the face of a thousand years, she's still a baby.]

[witchaffinity]

We both know this is more about bringing it to Hope, than Hope's final decision.

( He's not quite to 'burn heaven and hell' for Kieran, but he doesn't want to create an international incident by going behind his brother's back. )

[deathlessness]

We do.

[But she still thinks that Hope doesn't need her parents' permission to have a seat at the table. But then again, she's always been the aunt that's advocating for Hope's own agency.]

I'm just saying.

[But as she says that, the door is opening to reveal a tired Doc and Rebekah.]

Back already?

[cowman]

After a few rounds on the dance floor, we overestimated our perseverance. It was quite a band.

( And he had the best date in the house! )

[deathlessness]

["It was. They had a full swing dance happening and everything. It almost seemed like it was choreographed."

Freya's eyebrows go up.]

That does sound quite impressive.

[cowman]

It was a marvelous night for a jaunty tune and a two-step.

( Or several, as it were. He approaches his son, disentangling him from his aunt and uncle. )

Thank you both for taking the time. The revelers are still celebrating should either of you want to put on your dancing shoes. How is Kieran?

( "She's getting her rest," Kol says. "Which is where I should be headed. But, you should, sister. The night is young." )

[deathlessness]

[She considers for a moment before shrugging.]

Why not? The night is still young.

[And if the rest of her siblings are going to be responsible, then one of them needs to go have fun.]

I'll try not to get into too much trouble.

[She's kidding. Mostly.]

[cowman]

Maybe seek out just enough.

( She deserves it. She is the sister that keeps everything in perspective. Having her in his domicile has been more rewarding for many reasons. )

[deathlessness]

[She smirks.]

I'll see you all for breakfast then.

[Which she will, even if it turns out to be stumbling back in time just for breakfast. But she promised Kol that she would be there for his big talk with the family, and she's a sister of her word.

She makes her way in to the smell of pancakes and smiles.]

Something smells delicious.

[affronting]

John Henry is making short stacks.

( Upstairs, Kol kisses his girlfriend's forehead, leaves her in bed with a promise of bringing her breakfast and joins his siblings in the kitchen. )

Good morning, sister. I trust you enjoyed the USO?

[deathlessness]

It was certainly brassy.

[She smiles as she goes to slide into an empty seat.]

How was everyone else's evening?

[affronting]

I believe most of us are partied out, though our brother's paramour hasn't made an appearance in a few days time. I trust Kieran isn't under the weather?

( Kol fights the urge to taunt and throw sarcasm back, because they are all here for a purpose.

"I'll pass along your concern," he starts. "Not entirely unrelated, I have a vote to put forth to the family." )

[deathlessness]

[Rebekah flicks not-so-gently at Klaus' shoulder before moving to sit down next to Henry.

"What exactly are we voting on?"]

A way that one of us may potentially be able to help Kieran.

[witchaffinity]

As you all know, Kieran has been under the weather the past few, and, it isn't an isolated incident.

( "And one of us can help her with that?" Klaus asks, curious."Rebekah, you doted on Henry through his cold a few months back, are you up for caretaking again?" )

She has Huntington's. She only has a few good months left. She has more bad days than good. She's also an expert study in bloodborn magic. She believes she can chemically isolate what makes a vampire able to perform their magic.