#˚・` . 𝐀𝐫𝐜 Hey!Brother New Orleans

[obl1tus]

It  had  been  roughly  three  years  since  she  had  last  seen  her  family,  at-least  some  of  them  anyway.  She’d  returned  to  Mystic  Falls  after  centuries  but  too  late.  Two  of  her  brothers  were  dead,  a  fact  she’d  found  out  in  a  screaming  match  with  her  sister  and  one  that  had  sent  her  spiralling  into  silence,  voice  breaking  as  she’d  repeated  her  sisters  words  and  had  them  confirmed  to  her.  It  had  killed  her  to  realise  she’d  lost  her  chance,  a  chance  to  make  amends,  to  be  with  her  family  again.  There  had  been  an  overwhelming  grief  and  there  had  barely  been  a  moment  where  Bryn  had  seen  her  brothers  features  before  bolting  for  the  door,  unable  to  express  the  lost  she  felt  around  her  siblings.  She’d  felt  as  though  she  didn’t  deserve  to  mourn  with  her  siblings  then,  as  though  she  didn’t  deserve  their  forgiveness  and  she  couldn’t  look  her  brothers  in  the  eye,  couldn’t  deal  with  the  fight  that  would  almost  certainly  break  forth  with  Niklaus,  couldn’t  deal  with  Elijah’s  reaction,  whatever  it  may  be,  no  she’d  decided  it  was  best  to  not  go  there.

              So  she’d  left,  almost  as  soon  as  she’d  arrived,  not  a  word  said.  They  hadn’t  known  if  she  was  coming  back  and  she  hadn’t  said.  The  answer  was  she  hadn’t  and  she’d  had  no  intentions  of  returning  to  her  family  again,  not  until  she’d  received  a  call.  The  second  she’d  heard  her  sisters  voice  she’d  hung  up  but  a  text  had  come  through  a  moment  later     ‘  Pick  up  the  bloody  phone,  it’s  an  emergency,  Elijah  is  missing. ‘    the  text  had  her  picking  up  the  phone  and  calling  the  number  back  in  a  moment  of  seconds,  barely  wasting  a  moment  from  the  second  she  got  on  the  phone  before  making  her  way  to  New  Orleans.  As  expected,  her  and  Niklaus  had  immediately  clashed  head  on.  He’d  tried  to  throw  her  out  but  Rebekah  had  stepped  in,  stating  she’d  called  the  brunette. 

        Of-course,  the  events  that  followed  were  no  surprise,  Niklaus  had  denied  everything  else  and  Marcel  had  proved  a  futile  lead,  though  she  was  almost  certain  he  had  something  to  do  with  this  from  the  news  she’d  heard  on  the  streets.  Trying  to  sneak  had  ended  badly  and  Bryn  was  at  her  wits  end,  all  but  ready  to  do  something  she’d  regret  when  Elijah  walked  into  the  home.  It  had  been  a  touching  reunion,  or  so  she  assumed.  Bryn  had  simply  met  his  gaze  and  nodded,  allowing  the  others  privacy  in  a  reunion  she  felt  uncomfortable  watching  and  had  excused  herself  with  the  promise  she  wasn’t  leaving. 

         It’s  later  that  night  that  Bryn  finally  finds  a  moment  alone  with  her  brother,  everyone  else  had  gone  to  bed  or  were  lingering  elsewhere  and  Bryn  lingers  in  the  doorway  of  the  room  her  brother  occupies,  arms  folded  as  she  leans  against  the  doorframe,  gaze  assessing  her  brother  silently  for  any  sign  of  harm.  There’s  a  moment  of  silence  before  she  speaks. “  It  was  Niklaus,  wasn’t  it?  Whatever  happened  to  you? “  frown  furrows  her  forehead,  irritation  sparking  as  arms  unfold  and  she  steps  forward.  There’s  no  apology  here,  no  explanation,  because  Bryn  has  never  done  vulnerable  and  she  certainly  doesn’t  intend  to  start  now. “  Why  do  you  put  up  with  him?  Do  you  ever  get  tired  of  being  subject  to  his  ire?  Cleaning  up  his  messes? “  a  bitter  tone  laces  her  next  words. “  You’re  lucky  you  weren’t  killed. “  she’d  glad  he’s  not,  so  so  glad  he’s  safe,  and  she  means  to  say  so,  she  really  does,  but  the  words  refuse  to  leave  her  mouth  and  so  she  glowers  from  across  the  room. 

@mikaels0n-elijah gets a starter

[oblitum]

Bryn groans at the sight of the male, at the stench of wolf that ripples off him. " Great, as though dealing with Niklaus isn't bad enough, one of his hybrids come sniffing round. " there's nothing but disdain on her features, lacing her tone. " What is it exactly you want? My brother is otherwise occupied and the last thing this family needs is more trouble. "

@crownedhopelesss liked for a starter

[oblitum]

Jaw clenches, blue-grey hues flicking over her brother's features. Her shoulders are tense, her entire body language is rigid, equally ready to dissolve into a fight at a moment's notice. She scoffs at his response, eyes rolling as irritation pinches at her features. " You daggered me. " she practically snarls. " You should be the one asking my forgiveness. You're the one who drove me away, just like you do all of us. " did he think that he could swoop in and 'save' her and she would just let go of her anger? If anyone should know how stubborn she is, it's him. She feels like they're having the same conversation they'd had centuries ago when she'd snuck down to the basement and tried to un-dagger her slumbering brothers.

She remained angry with him; he could see it in the way she looked at him, the way her body tensed. He could easily devolve this into a fight. He was good at such things. He knew exactly what loose thread to pull and just how hard to yank. It was something he had perfected over the years.

"You are family," he countered simply. "Despite any differences we may have, that does not change that one simple fact --- and when push comes to shove, I honor that." Well, in his own way. He was well aware that in some cases he was the cause of his family's woes but he deemed that different in his mind. Outside threats would be dealt with swiftly. " --- as for forgiveness, that is a separate matter in my mind. Why? Do you believe you have earned it?"

[obl1tus]

Bryn  stops  in  her  tracks  at  the  sound  of  her  sister's  voice,  but  doesn't  initially  turn.  Eyes  flicker  closed  and  a  hand  reaches  out  to  one  of  the  walls  of  the  hallway  as  she  swallows.  "  Yes.  "  She  tells  her.  Her  voice  does  not  waver.  She  finally  turns,  meeting  her  sisters  gaze.  "  There's  nothing  here  for  me  and  I  refuse  to  be  bullied  into  a  corner  by  our  tyrant  of  our  brother.  "  Gaze  is  hard  as  it  meets  hers  again.  "  If  you  had  any  sense,  you'd  do  the  same.  "

@fallsblood sent are you actually leaving? — from rebekah.

[oblitum]

                             There's a split second decision to be made and they should both know the one she's going to make. It's not the one Freya wants. She stares at her sister for a second in disbelief, scoff reverberating in her throat. Her sister was powerful, a great witch, but she was still human and that made her vulnerable and while she was a lot of things, she wasn't about to feed her sisters to the wolves.

              " Tell me you don't actually think I'm leaving you here? " they're out numbered which means leaving her sister is a death sentence, however powerful. Bryn can probably get through half a dozen or so, maybe more, before they get too close. Can perhaps clear the perimeter enough for her sister to get out. That's all that matters. She shakes her head. " I'm not going anywhere, Freya. " she states simply, gaze flicking over the place. She's in front of a chair in a second, turns it upside down and snaps it to make two stakes, throws her sister a grin.

              " You take care of the witches out back, I'll take care of the henchmen, they won't know what's hit 'em. " Freya Mikaelson was a martyr, but Bryn wasn't about to let her to do this alone.

@viikingwitch sent: let me handle it , just go !

[obl1tus]

Bryn stiffens at Freya's words, footsteps slowing until she comes to a stop as the words sink in. Her jaw clenches, hurt welling in her chest, a lump instantly lodged in her throat at her sister's words. Had she truly come off so detached her sister thought so little of her?

Her head is loud. . . Buzzing with noise, if Freya continues her sentence then Bryn doesn't hear it, glad her back is to her sister so she can't see how her face falls, perhaps putting her stillness down to anger. Part of her would rather that than her sister know just how her words hit. The world seemingly echoing in an endless cycle, leaving her speechless. After a moment, she takes a breath, schooling her features into an impassive mask before turning.

A brow raises, maintaining her silence for a moment longer before she realises her sister isn't going to give her anything without being promoted. " And do tell what that's supposed to mean, sister? " Her voice is clipped, a forced cool tone.

@viikingwitch sent: ❛  i didn't think you'd care so much.  ❜

[oblitum]

                       She almost breathes a little sigh of relief at her sister's dismissive words— almost because quicker than she can react to, her wrist is held in her sister's hand, her grip tightening as she begins to realise something is wrong. Bryn hisses, irritation and frustration rising within her. " Could you be any louder? " brunette scowls at her sister, gaze narrowed. " I don't think they quite heard you in the quarter, would you care to try again? " cupboards slam open around them, reacting to her anger and she winces, which. . . doesn't help matters.

          Bryn takes a breath, swallows, trying to think of a perfectly logical answer to this question that doesn't involve something as crazy as her being— human. ( and a witch apparently, her brain prompts her ) She knows she needs to remain calm, remembers coming too after the witches spell and her panic sets a car alarm off, shortly after the whole thing is on fire. She doesn't want another situation like that. The wails of cars had followed her all the way home, she was surprised she hadn't been caught out already.

          She could try a lie about not having fed in a while but after that little display, however minor, she doesn't think Leah would buy it. Jaw clenches, nostrils flaring as she sucks in a breath through her nose, she hated this, hated being. . . vulnerable. " I don't want the others to know, " she begins, her voice low. " Something happened, I— " a pause. " I think I'm human. " voice drops to an almost whisper, hooded gaze meeting her sisters through brunette tresses.

               Home sweet home. Only it’s not sweet and it’s certainly not home – for all their praise for and fights over New Orleans, Leah really doesn’t see the appeal. Maybe she doesn’t like staying still for longer periods of time. Maybe because, every minute, she feels like she’s one breath away from the pointy end of Nik’s favorite daggers. Or maybe it’s the never-ending parties when she’s not in a mood for one.

               She does her best to stay out of the compound – long enough to get some breathing space, not long enough to make Elijah hunt her down ( or freya. she doesn’t really know how to hide from a witch as powerful as her brand new darling sister. yet ). But this evening, she’s inside, sneaking around the house, trying to get as much intel on what’s going on around as possible. While she waits for another chance to flee, she might as well do something useful.

               The sound of a glass breaking and a shaky breath of her younger sister definitely catches her attention. She walks inside the kitchen without much hurry, bored eyes taking in the mess. Not much to see here but – there’s just something about the way Bryn is holding herself that grabs her attention.

               And the smell of blood. Strong and sweet, with just a small undertone of magic. They don’t keep witch’s blood bags around, can't compel them to be their meals either. And it’s fresh, too, fresh as the straight from the vein stuff.

               “Right. Whatever.” She turns back around.

               Only to – in a blur much faster than a human could react to – runs to her other side and grabs her wrist. Stares at the hand wrapped in a dishcloth ( gods, the germs on that thing ). Leah’s eyes darken, veins jumping out and she has to shake her head to gain control. “You’re not healing,” she states the obvious, grip tightening. “Why the fuck aren’t you healing, Bryn? What did you do?”

[oblitum]

                                  Tongue clucks against the roof of her mouth at Hayley's comment, running over the back's over her teeth in a frustrated manner. Bryn had never been good at controlling her temper but she holds in it, takes a breath and mentally checks herself, reminding herself the brunette is pregnant and in a highly stressful situation, defensiveness was normal, as was the girl's own temper. Lips purse as she observes her, bites her tongue to stop herself interrupting. " Are you quite done? " she asks when the girl is finished. " I understand this a highly— " a pause, considering her words carefully. " unusual situation. " she leads with. " I apologise for the lack of familiarity, the relationship with my family is complicated and I prefer to make myself scarce than deal with a temper tantrum from Niklaus. " and probably herself in return.

               She waits patiently for Hayley to calm herself, wandering further into the room and pouring a glass of scotch from the crystal decanter on a table in the room, twirls it round in the glass before taking a sip and turning back to the woman. " I'd offer you some but— " she trails off, some people drank while they were pregnant, especially those of a more supernatural nature but she's unsure of Hayley's own personal morals and doesn't wish to offend further.

               Bryn nods at the explanation, a chuckle escaping her lips at the following tangent. Perhaps she deserved that. " Fair enough. " she concedes. " I'll say no more but Hayley— please consider your step wisely. " it's her turn to hold up a hand now, waiting for an outburst, an valid one at that. " That's not a threat, " she explains. " You don't need me to tell you how delicate the situation is, I just ask you bare it in mind as you move forward in your— friendship. " If the child had been Elijah's instead they could all breathe a sigh of relief but unfortunately it was not and there were ego's to battle along the way.

      " You're right, I haven't been the most available, or perhaps friendly. How are you doing? Do you need anything? "  she questions with sincerity.    

@adeathsentence cont from here

[oblitum]

It had been roughly three years since she had last seen her family, at-least some of them anyway. She’d returned to Mystic Falls after centuries but too late. Two of her brothers were dead, a fact she’d found out in a screaming match with her sister and one that had sent her spiralling into silence, voice breaking as she’d repeated her sisters words and had them confirmed to her. It had killed her to realise she’d lost her chance, a chance to make amends, to be with her family again. There had been an overwhelming grief and there had barely been a moment where Bryn had seen her brothers features before bolting for the door, unable to express the lost she felt around her siblings. She’d felt as though she didn’t deserve to mourn with her siblings then, as though she didn’t deserve their forgiveness and she couldn’t look her brothers in the eye, couldn’t deal with the fight that would almost certainly break forth with Niklaus, couldn’t deal with Elijah’s reaction, whatever it may be, no she’d decided it was best to not go there.

          So she’d left, almost as soon as she’d arrived, not a word said. They hadn’t known if she was coming back and she hadn’t said. The answer was she hadn’t and she’d had no intentions of returning to her family again, not until she’d received a call. The second she’d heard her sisters voice she’d hung up but a text had come through a moment later    ‘ Pick up the bloody phone, it’s an emergency, Elijah is missing. ‘   the text had her picking up the phone and calling the number back in a moment of seconds, barely wasting a moment from the second she got on the phone before making her way to New Orleans. As expected, her and Niklaus had immediately clashed head on. He’d tried to throw her out but Rebekah had stepped in, stating she’d called the brunette. 

      Of-course, the events that followed were no surprise, Niklaus had denied everything else and Marcel had proved a futile lead, though she was almost certain he had something to do with this from the news she’d heard on the streets. Trying to sneak had ended badly and Bryn was at her wits end, all but ready to do something she’d regret when Elijah walked into the home. It had been a touching reunion, or so she assumed. Bryn had simply met his gaze and nodded, allowing the others privacy in a reunion she felt uncomfortable watching and had excused herself with the promise she wasn’t leaving. 

      It’s later that night that Bryn finally finds a moment alone with her brother, everyone else had gone to bed or were lingering elsewhere and Bryn lingers in the doorway of the room her brother occupies, arms folded as she leans against the doorframe, gaze assessing her brother silently for any sign of harm. There’s a moment of silence before she speaks. “ It was Niklaus, wasn’t it? Whatever happened to you? “ frown furrows her forehead, irritation sparking as arms unfold and she steps forward. There’s no apology here, no explanation, because Bryn has never done vulnerable and she certainly doesn’t intend to start now. “ Why do you put up with him? Do you ever get tired of being subject to his ire? Cleaning up his messes? “ a bitter tone laces her next words. “ You’re lucky you weren’t killed. “ she’d glad he’s not, so so glad he’s safe, and she means to say so, she really does, but the words refuse to leave her mouth and so she glowers from across the room. 

@shapedhistory gets a reunion starter

[oblitum]

It's not that Bryn doesn't empathize with his ordeal. She does, and the guilt of leaving him behind eats at her even now but her fears aren't unfounded. Cool gaze assesses her brother almost warily as his temper rises and she tries very hard to keep her own cool, despite his words. Jaw clenches, hands tightening around the mug as she brings it to her lips, almost hoping the scalding liquid will soothe her own temper. It doesn't. " I didn't try to kill us all. " she snaps, placing the mug down on the counter, hard. " Forgive me for having my concerns given the last time you distanced yourself from everyone you were working for our mother. " she scoffs, turning from him to face forwards, inhaling through her nose to cool her rising ire.

"What history are we speaking of here? And when was I ever gone? You're speaking like I got some sort of track record when I only ever acted out and took some space for being wronged first." He could feel anger build up within him, mocking him to drop the will of not wanting to start a fight. Yes, he had derailed quite a bit when he was first released by Elijah. Siding with Esther, running off and going into hiding from them even, but that had been temporary. It happened over the course of a couple of weeks. After that, he had followed his own path for a while, but not with the intend to hide from them. If they'd wanted to know where he was at, all they had to do was ask.

"And actually you know what, that's very rich coming from you. The one who actually disappeared for centuries." he put his mug down and pushed it away. The rise of his blood pressure and the restless feeling that accompanied it, had made his need for caffeine completely disappear. He looks at her long and hard for a moment, debating whether or not he wanted to grant her request. "It's just.. I'm still healing Bryn, if you do not know from what.. I cannot help you."

@oblitum

[obl1tus]

Shoulders  slump,  the  adrenaline  from  their  fight  leaving  her  in  waves  and  guilt  etches  in  the  girl's  features  as  they  soften.  She  hadn't  meant  it,  not  really  but  anger  had  taken  hold  of  her  tongue  and  she  had  fallen  back  on  the  impulse  to  strike.  To  harm.  Even  when  there  is  no  real  need.  It's  a  defence  mechanism  she  yet  to  unlearn.  She  hesitates  only  a  moment  before  reaching  out.  "  Come  here.  "  she  mutters,  not  giving  him  the  opportunity  to  argue  as  she  closes  the  distance  between  them,  arm  wrapping  around  her  brothers  waist  as  her  chin  rest  on  his  shoulder,  standing  on  raised  toes.  "  I  know  you  wouldn't.  "  she  insists,  regret  seeping  into  her  tone.  "  I  did  not  mean  it,  I  was  angry  and  I  misspoke.  "

Dealing with her concern was going to take some adjusting. It was a tiny earthquake that occurred, a shift in the ground he stood on. Someone else knowing made the nightmare become more real again. It had always been real, but he'd been trying his best to push it away to the furthest corner of his mind. He was blessed with blissful little moments where he did not think of it at all. Could he continue to live in ignorance if she was going to keep throwing him worried looks? Reminders? He is barely able to hold her gaze, but he gives her a grateful nod. "Thank you." She was considerate in her own way, not pushing him in a moment where he felt so close to falling apart and unsure of what he needed. "Made it this far, didn't I?" He tries to relax his muscles but they remain stubbornly tense. "I'll be alright, Bryn. Just.. Please, don't ever think I'd plan something like that again." He can't find the strength to describe his betrayal in more detail. He wasn't unstable in the crazy sense anymore, he did not want to harm his family and he could not stand the thought of her thinking he still might.

[oblitum]

Bryn winces, not realising he hadn't caught onto that piece of information already. Damnit, if only she'd kept her mouth shut a little longer. She's beginning to regret everything about this conversation, everything about agreeing to talk to him. She works her jaw, glancing away uncomfortably. It's not that he doesn't have a right to ask these questions, or that he doesn't deserve answers but Bryn feels vulnerable. and vulnerable is never something Bryn has dealt well with. She's never had to have her siblings step in before; never needed saving and even if Freya and Finn were the last people to gloat; her pride was wounded. She didn't like not having the answer to her problem, being unable to fix it herself.

Her mouth opens and then closes again, features flushing. She knows she's being unkind but sharp words have always been her defence mechanism. It was supposed to be harder as a vampire, having emotions. . . everything was heightened but the truth is as an original, she'd found a medium, a way to bury her feelings enough they didn't overwhelm her, that she didn't feel the need to turn it off, but now, being human again? It was like all those coping mechanisms were crashing down around her and she feels tears prickle in her gaze in frustration and she sucks in a breath through her teeth, hoping he won't notice her losing her composure.

" I know. " She begins softly when she's sure she can hold her voice steady, though there's still a hint of wariness in her tone. She lets out a heavy breath, placing her cup on the table and leaning forward, hands rubbing down her face, and sighs. " I know. " She repeats again, an apology in her tone as she leans back in her chair. " I'm sorry Finn, you didn't deserve that. " because he didn't, she knows he wants to help. Lips purse, his question giving her pause. She's not sure he fully understands it's not a reflection on him, as to why she won't let him help her, why she kept it to herself.

A frown furrows her brows. " I don't know Finn. " she admits " I'm not sure I was thinking about you at all. " she tries to find the words to explain. " I thought it would be safer if you didn't know, for all of us. I thought if I could fix it before word got out, then that would be safest. " She holds up a hand, as though to stop him commenting. " I've left a lot of people to keep them safe, so there's nothing to exploit should our enemies come looking. Don't think I wouldn't do the same for this family. " another pause. " I know I was gone. . . for a long time, that sometimes I keep you at arms length but that doesn't mean there isn't anything I wouldn't do to keep this family safe. "

"You were human when you called me?" Up until now he had believed it was the result of her last run in with the witches. "Bryn.." The amount of risk she had taken going at it alone like that was off the charts. His voice was a mixture of worry and disappointment. Worry took the lead by far though. He let's out a sigh and shuts up, takes his time to process everything she was telling him. He only speaks again when he feels composed enough to do so. "I have done anything but act like your keeper. I let you go, respected your wishes and trusted -and still trust by the way- your ability to handle yourself." What he had trouble with now though was trusting whether or not she was being truthful with him. He wanted to believe though. And perhaps in this instant he did. "Honestly, what did you think I'd do had you told me from the start?" He does not understand her reasoning. Were they not stronger united than divided and keeping each other in the dark? How was distance going to keep any of them safer from enemies looking for a weak spot? "And before you answer that, know that I am not trying to lecture you. I'm just trying to understand." There was so much more he wanted to know, but he could not ask her twenty questions at once.

@oblitum

[obl1tus]

Bryn  rolls  her  eyes  at  the  smug  smile  on  her  brother's  features,  her  own  expression  one  of  exasperation.  She  hadn't  expected  him  to  give  her  an  actual  answer  but  it  still  irks  her  not  knowing  how  long  he'd  been  standing  there.  Perhaps  made  her  uneasy.  Being  incredibly  private  with  her  private  life  was  a  skill  she  had  perfected  over  time—  if  nobody  knew  her,  nobody  could  use  her  weaknesses  against  her,  her  friends.  It's  not  as  though  she  expects  Finn  to  use  it  again  her,  Bryn  knows  he  would  never,  not  even  during  the  time  he  had  worked  with  their  mother.  She  trusted  him  implicitly.

She  worries  letting  her  guard  down  risks  those  around  her,  if  she'd  been  lax  enough  her  brother  had  witnessed,  who  else  could  have  seen  by  chance?  The  uneasiness  fades  just  as  quickly  as  it  comes  however  at  her  brother's  words,  fondness  shining  in  her  gaze  as  a  hint  of  amusement  twists  on  her  lips,  corners  tucking  upwards.

"  It's  different.  "  She  responds  concisely,  "  He  can  hold  his  own.  "  The  hint  of  amusement  turns  into  a  grin,  imagining  exactly  how  that  scenario  would  play  out—  and  then  morphs  into  realization,  features  contorting  in  distaste  at  the  thought  of  the  aftermath.

"  Luckily  for  me,  Niklaus  doesn't  care  enough  about  me  or  my—  "  a  pause  "  friend.  .  .  "  She  continues  carefully  "  for  history  to  repeat  itself.  "  She  pretends  not  to  notice  his  studying  her,  he'll  get  no  tells  from  her  thankyou  very  much.

She  whirls  round  on  him,  brow  raising  questioningly.  "  Just  getting  in,  brother?  "  Bryn  knows  he  doesn't  sleep  much  but  she  allows  the  question  to  sound  suggestive  all  the  same.

She gives him nothing, so he chooses to give her nothing in return. That was often the method he enforced when she was being evasive. "Long enough" he hums as he walks up, a smug smile playing around his lips.

He wasn't a creeper, but while he'd been on his way in he had seen them just as they broke apart. It told him more than enough about what kind of friends they were. He takes the hand with the offensively poking finger and lowers it gently before letting go again. "Bet you never told that guy what happened to most of Bex' dear 'friends' " he adds, perhaps a little too amused with the situation. He leans into the wall, crossing his arms as he takes his time studying her. What she did with with whom was her business. In fact he preferred not knowing all the details. He'd scare the living daylight out of that man if he so much thought about hurting her though. Something he was sure she knew already.

[oblitum]

                 Bryn  smiles  at  that,  head  shaking  as  she  lets  out  a  small  chuckle.  It's  a  valid  question.�� One  she  too  wouldn't  mind  the  answer  to.  How  long  could  this  precarious  peace  last?  She  loves  her  family  but  holds  no  delusions  as  to  how  long  they  could  spend  under  the  same  roof  before  they  begin  to  turn  on  each  other  once  again.  What  she  doesn't  say  is  how  much  she's  missed  them,  how  lonely  centuries  away  from  her  family  had  made  her.  It's  not  like  she  hadn't  created  her  own  relationships  along  the  way  but  she's  no  fool  and  the  life  of  a  Mikaelson  means  risking  those  you  love.  Something  she  had  no  intention  of  doing  so  running  became  her  biggest  pastime,  anything  to  keep  them  safe,  even  if  it  meant  abandoning  them.  She  doesn't  have  to  worry  about  that  here. Doesn't  have  to  experience  the  dull-edged  knife  of  loneliness,  or  at-least  not  in  the  same  way.  She's  still  lonely  sometimes,  feels  as  though  she  doesn't  quite  fit  but  it's  better  here,  with  them. 

She  hopes  this  tentative  peace  won't  break  too  soon.  "  I  confess  I'm  wondering  the  same.  "  she  muses,  whirling  around  the  clear  liquid  in  her  glass  and  taking  a  small  sip  as  she  stares  ahead.  "  You  know  we  can't  be  under  the  same  roof  for  too  long  without  all  hell  breaking  loose.  .  .  perhaps  Niklaus  will  make  yet  another  new  enemy  to  keep  us  united.  "  she  glances  over  at  her  brother  humorously.  "  It  would  seem  it  usually  takes  a  common  enemy  to  unite  us.  "  she  muses,  a  frown  furrowing  her  forehead.  "  I  suppose  it's  the  price  we  pay  for  being  immortal.  There  is  no  peace.  " 

Time had pulled them in different directions, forced them to make decisions that only widened the gaps --- the idea that they could all stand together at this point in their lives was a foreign one. Time would be key to ensuring that this worked (but not all of them were patient enough to let the process play out).

Elijah stood, looking at the sister he felt an immense connection to while at the same time wondering if they were strangers in many ways. He gave a small laugh at her observation, noting how she had skimmed over his question. "Touche," he commented quietly before shifting himself to answer the question. "My mind is often full --- right now it is contemplating how long we can be under the same roof before civil war breaks out."

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Soft  gaze  flickers  over  his  face,  searching  for  something  she  can't  quite  decipher.  Bryn  doesn't  understand  his  words,  and  could  never  truly  understand  what  he's  gone  through.  She  shudders  a  breath,  hand  reaching  out  as  though  to  touch  him,  to  offer  comfort,  but  she  thinks  better  of  it,  lips  pursing  as  she  takes  a  step  backward  with  a  small  nod.  She  doesn't  want  to  upset  him  further,  doesn't  want  to  drive  him  away.

"  I  understand,"  she  murmurs.  Her  voice  is  quiet,  her  gaze  still  not  leaving  him.  "  I'm  sorry.  I  wish  I  could  understand  what  you  went  through,  that  I  could  erase  your  pain.  "  she  wants  nothing  more,  heart  clenching  painfully  at  the  obvious  discomfort  that  tormented  his  features.  "  I  will  not  mention  it  further  but  Finn.  .  .  should  you  wish  to  have  someone  to  talk  to,  I'll  be  here.  It  won't  go  any  further,  I  promise.  "

"I know" he admits in turn. "In fact, I think even Klaus would not leave me like that knowingly." He could place no blame there, not that he would ever admit that to his half-brother. It was altogether best if he did not learn about this at all, Finn would not be able to stand in for himself if his brother ever decided to use the knowledge against him. "But my thoughts were not always as rational." There must have been a year at least where he convinced himself they left him conscious in that coffin on purpose. Right around the time he heard them undagger Kol. He couldn't help but think they must have learned the truth then, only to figure out later they had not. "My life has been spent far longer in darkness than out here in the world and.." It takes a lot just to get the words out. On a day to day basis all his energy was spent on not thinking about it. On ignoring it and pretending it never happened. Speaking of it out loud felt like torture, his throat was dry and constricted. His muscles tense. "And if I close my eyes long enough I cannot distinguish that reality from this one. Please, just, don't ask me to speak of this anymore. I don't care what you can and cannot handle, it's me who cannot handle it."

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There's a sheepish smile given, mixed with a hint of amusement. He hadn't truly expected her to let it go had he? Had he forgotten that she was like a dog with a bone when she wanted answers that weren't forthcoming? It's not that she wants to pester him until he snaps. Bryn isn't trying to start a fight, she doesn't want to fight with him but she worries. After everything they've been through, she needs to know he's okay. His words lead her to raise a brow in silent question but she's not judging. " You're not the only one in this family who frequents the bars in the quarter, " she tells him. " I probably know the name of every bar in a ten-mile radius. " Bryn wasn't one for sleeping either, she understood full well how a troubled mind could haunt you. " The difference is, there's clearly something troubling you and you try to hide your late-night escapades which makes me worry more. " she sighs, taking a large sip of the bitter liquid that sits in the mug, leaving him to decide what to do with that information. She hopes he might confide in her, perhaps not everything, but enough. She's not stupid enough to think he will though. She hesitates at his words, teeth sinking into her bottom lip as she debates. " I don't know, " she admits at last. It's her turn to sigh this time. " I understand you need space, Finn. " she begins, " but I worry you take too much, I worry that one day I might find you gone again. " she glances over at him, eyes conveying genuine concern. " Can you tell me something at-least? " she pleads. " It doesn't have to be everything, I just need to know that history isn't going to repeat itself. "

He rolls his eyes and does not bother to hide it. "Very funny" he shoots back. "You know, you should be a comedian." The will and energy to deal with sarcasm, anyone's sarcasm, was just not there at the moment. He felt the tiredness deep within his bones and he was not going to pick a fight with her. It was simply not going to happen. "Though if you really do want to play it like that, since I spend most my nights out, there's quite a few bars I can recommend to pay a visit." He nursed his drink, and cared little for what she would think of his comment. He knew it would probably only confuse her further, but this was what he'd been doing the entire time. It was when the house got quiet at night he would flee the scene only to return the next morning. He was grateful for being in a touristic town too, no matter the day of the week, there was always something going on somewhere. Always a place to go to keep his mind occupied and to prevent finding himself alone and stuck in the trap that was his own company. He took a deep breath, not liking the shift in the atmosphere he felt between them at all. "Is this how it's going to be from now on?"

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