#(imagine picture of werewolf ripping its shirt apart here)

[mukuberry]

Do u guys remember Cosmic Rendezvous. good song

[comicteaparty]

July 20th-July 26th, 2020 CTP Archive

The archive for the Comic Tea Party week long chat that occurred from July 20th, 2020 to July 26th, 2020.  The chat focused on Ring Spell by Artem Ficta.

Featured Comment:

Chat:

Comic Tea Party

BOOK CLUB START!

Hello and welcome everyone to Comic Tea Party’s Book Club~! This week we’ll be focusing on Ring Spell by Artem Ficta~! (http://ring-spell.com/)

You are free to read and comment about the comic all week at your own pace until July 26th, so stop on by whenever it suits your schedule! Discussions are freeform, but we do offer discussion prompts in the pins for those who’d like to have them. Additionally, remember that while constructive criticism is allowed, our focus is to have fun and appreciate the comic! Whether you finish the comic or can only read a few pages, everyone is welcome to join and chat with us!

DISCUSSION PROMPTS – PART 1

1. What did you like about the beginning of the comic?

2. What has been your favorite moment in the comic (so far)?

3. Who is your favorite character?

4. Which characters do like seeing interact the most?

5. What is something you like about the art? If you have a favorite illustration, please share it!

6. What is a theme you like that the comic explores?

7. What do you like about the comic’s story or overall related content?

8. Overall, what do you think the comic’s strengths are?

Don’t feel inspired by the prompts? Feel free to discuss anything else that interested you!

Feather J. Fern

1. What did you like about the beginning of the comic? I like how it seems lighthearted at first, but knowing Artem it's going to drop the ball on us really soon haha.(edited)

Also I always love how the backgrounds are, they look great.

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

Hahah, it's a shame I didn't get one more update up XD Thank you so much, Feather~!

snuffysam (Super Galaxy Knights)

well, the CTP is gonna run for the rest of the week...

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

I can't finish the next 8 pages by then XD

My guess is they'll be up the week after next

RebelVampire

For the beginning, I'm with Feather and I like how quickly the comic transitions from just lalala happy school to oh wait there's weird shit going on. I really like stories where the status quo is quickly ripped out from under your feet. My favorite moment in the comic so far is probably the most recent scene when we get to see Lyall's apartment and ya know, Claire starts dropping all these bombshells on us. The scene is the epitome of "Well that escalated quickly" and its just loaded with so much info to unpack. My favorite character right now is Claire. One because she seems the most sensible and mysterious, and two because I love Claire's hair so much and I'm so jealous and want such floof beautiful hair. ;3; As for characters I like see interacting the most, probably Claire and Lyall and they have some really good banter and a relationship, insofar, that's just kind of hilarious in its brutal honesty. A close second for me is Claire and Tasha as it quickly switches from happy smiles to probably most likely to have a catfight in the hallway.

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

Catfight in the hallway, lolol. Makes me want to draw them dressed like cat girls XD

RebelVampire

No not that sort of catfight

probably

O_O

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

comic turns into a catgirl fetish comic

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

1. I like how the first word is Zenchav which was the title of the comic this is a hard reboot of XD 2. My favorite moment was Lyall sticking his hands up Damon's shirt XD I really like how it was drawn and it's the most Lyall thing ever to do. 3. My favorite character overall is Damon, although it's probably Lyall at this point in the story. But I like them all of course XD 4. Damon and anybody, lol. I like when I get to draw him XD 5. I've been trying out a new shading style with this since I almost exclusively just hard shaded before, so it's nice to be branching out a bit and trying some new things. The Intro page is probably my favorite atm.

snuffysam (Super Galaxy Knights)

Theory: Lyall sticking his cold hands up Damon's shirt is how he drains Damon's energy, because secretly he's the witch.

mariah (rainy day dreams)

Oh no! XD that would be a twist!

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

Oh snap!

mathtans

Hmmm, so we ship Claire and Tasha then?

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

I don't not ship Tasha and Claire >v>

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

Drew that picture of them

RebelVampire

We should indeed all suspect Lyall. I mean no parents, lives alone, yet somehow affords everything? That's witchery.

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

How does he afford all that stuff

does he sell drugs on the side or something XD it is suspicious

mathtans

1. I'll mostly echo everyone else here in terms of the start seems pretty straightforward and makes one wonder how the teaser page fits into it all. I'll add a remark on the subtle details of world building, like you've got your digital alarm... and dude straight up has a TAIL, and it's like, no comment, that's normal too.

2. Favourite moment was probably recruiting Claire into the cosplay skit. It's like, hello new person, oh you want to associate with us? Then you need the proper accessories, and Claire's all 'Um, I'm not sure... prop weapons? Uh, okay then...' Cosplay is a force to be reckoned with. (nods)

3. Fave character... yeah, may have to echo Rebel here and go with Claire. Possibly because she's the first chapter name, and like the reader is coming into this new situation, so can get behind her trying to figure it out... but also because I'm big on the time/space bureau stuff and that sounds like a cool job to get.

Damon has a cool cane and has the mysterious ailment afflicting his cosplay though, so he's my fave guy at the moment. (Werewolf blood? Moon thing? Dunno.)

4. I honestly do like the Tasha/Claire interactions the most, because each of them seems to have something to hide, and so you're kind of wondering if and when one of them might slip up. The other girl interrupting with the paint was classic, and I felt it helped break tension. The ship picture (which I imagine won't show in the log) is kind of representative of that with the chessboard too, like they're making moves against the other (though I'm not yet convinced that one is a witch, could be a setup).

Of course, I'm very biased towards the yuri, so grain of salt for my opinions and all. And while the ship was a humour comment at first, I think I'm more into it after seeing a "catfight" could play out.

All that said, the Lyall/Damon interactions are equally good. Lyall's perversion sometimes saying the quiet part out loud.

5. I recognize the art style, have read some of the work before (under different name). Always find the hair impressive, like here you get the impression of each individual strand except that's not actually what's drawn... you can still see the neat ears, Claire having some strands that fall in front of her too. The shading is really good too, like definitely shades of grey, not just black and white.

Kind of echoing the author there, but I can see it.

I'm so bad with themes and need to charge computer, will be back later. o.o

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

I love all this input Math, thank you ;3;/

RebelVampire

@mathtans You have no idea how happy I am that someone noticed the tail that nobody seemed to comment on.

RebelVampire

What I like about the art is how clean and crisp everything is cause mmmm that sexy lineart you can just paint bucket when needed. <3 I like that the comic explores the idea of having someone you've known your entire life possibly be evil. Cause it opens up a lot of questions. Like should you doubt? Should you trust? And at which point have you hit the point of betrayal? So I'm glad we'll get to see a bit of this tackled as Lyall and Claire look for evidence. As for the overall story, I like that there's just lots of questions going on. It's a theorists dream. But I find the more mysteries a comic has, the more engaging it is. Because even when you know the answer, it's interesting everytime to see the characters reach that answer. As for the comic's strengths, see the above and the art. It's super pretty and clean to look at, has some fantastic emotive faces during the more comedic moments, and there's just lots to theorize and look forward too. ;3;

Now I will proceed to weep as someone who beta read the script and actually can't theorize cause I just know .

mathtans

Others may have noticed but not been sure what to say? (Does the tail turn into the cane?)

6. Ok, themes... could be a theme of belonging in there. Like Claire being accepted into the group, like Lyall wondering if she's only talking to him to get to Damon, that sort of thing? Then there's the idea Rebel raised of thinking you know someone but not necessarily knowing them.

Of course, there's also credibility, like maybe Claire is simply an escaped mental patient with really good hacking skills to get herself in the school and apartment. Because that's quite the tale she spins. (Though Lyall had heard of the organization? Or he's pranking her, bit hard to know for sure.)

7/8. The story's been setting up a number of things in the background, I feel. Which can be a strength, as we're learning more character items first. Though Claire's latest revelation I'm really jazzed about, because the idea of time travel (times when demons weren't supposed to be) and personification (Earth as a female entity) are right up my alley. So that's cool.

Also Lyall apparently has a strange aura to go with Tasha's strange energy? Maybe the witch is jumping bodies. Maybe we should ship Lyall/Tasha.

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

Oh my gosh, loving these ideas!

I don't want to give spoilers but I think I'll answer the tail thing cause I never really meant for it to be a mystery It's just tucked into his pants when he's in public is all. That's why he's wearing the track suit for the school and not the standard school uniform, cause the pants are looser.

although it turning into the cane could have been hella cool(edited)

now I'm a little bummed I never thought of that

But the cane has other purposes

mathtans

I didn't really think it was a big mystery, and that explanation makes sense. (So I suppose it could be not normal, only normal for Damon's friends... demon prejudice otherwise?) Ok, so the cane is where he hides his stimulants to keep awake until the full moon.

Comic Tea Party

DISCUSSION PROMPTS – PART 2

9. What are your theories about Damon’s past? Why is he concerned about when the full moon is? Additionally, what do you think was meant about Damon and Xerfonos being the same age but not being twins?

10. Do you think Claire is right that Tasha is the witch Cadence? If so, how will she prove it? If not, who else could it be? Also, what might this all have to do with Tasha’s concern about Claire being the mysterious Draco’s student?

11. What do you think Cadence ultimately wants from Damon? Why would this compel the Earth, and by extension Apus, to protect him? Also, even if the characters find Cadence, can she actually be stopped?

12. Why do you think Lyall reacted so strangely to Claire mentioning Apus, and why do you think he’s so sure Apus wouldn’t care about protecting Damon? Do you think Lyall can trust Claire even for the long term?

Don’t feel inspired by the prompts? Feel free to discuss anything else that interested you!

mathtans

9. I mean, Damon seems to be a demon, but he's cool with being in our world, so... maybe he was born of a human/demon pairing? Or he was adopted by humans when he was a baby and simply given the same birthday as Xerfonos. I'm guessing the full moon has more significance than merely to werewolves (unless Damon needs to bite a werewolf to regain strength idk) and so it would help him.

I will say that initially the "same age" thing didn't phase me because there's more than 9 months in a year, plenty of time for having a second kid born in the same year. But now that I'm debating the adoption angle, maybe there's more to it.

They're not twins... they're TRIPLETS! Dun dun dun. Anyway.

snuffysam (Super Galaxy Knights)

they could also just not be twins due to a date technicality like one was born right before midnight and one was born right after

but yeah the adoption angle would explain a lot

mathtans

10. I don't think she's right about Tasha, or if she's right, not in the way she thinks. Because we've seen some from Tasha's perspective and she didn't seem to be the person in charge of whatever. In terms of proof, I guess she could see if Tasha would cosplay as a witch? And if the shoe fits? But yeah, maybe the witch is jumping between people like I mentioned earlier, or is not actually there yet, like APUS got the date wrong or something. Maybe Tasha's also trying to protect Damon from the witch (hence trying to give him that new name) but it's a rival organization?

I mean, technically still twins in that case, just not having the same birthday. (If Feb 29th enters into it, it gets even weirder.)

Actually, why wouldn't Claire use Damon's given name? Maybe her organization doesn't know everything it thinks it does?

Anyway, just had time for some random thoughts. Back later tonight.

mathtans

11. Cadence may just want him to keep living so that she can keep siphoning off energy. (Thus perhaps APUS wants him dead, it's not about protection?!) Or maybe Cadence wants a sweet cosplay. (Probably not.) Of course, it might be that if she's a free floating witch, she wants his body. Maybe she can't be stopped, but could be redirected?

The Earth aspect is one I haven't really been able to figure out yet. (Are pavonis a type of pasta?) But maybe there's a destiny or something that Damon needs to fulfil first.

12. Lyall could have been pranking, but maybe he knows a different organization like that... or maybe that's the name of some mystery file on his computer that he hasn't been able to open because the Cadence inside him hasn't revealed the password, oooh. I think Lyall can trust Claire (assuming she's not a raving lunatic) and she might even need him to provide better cover (she didn't seem to even know what apartment she was in)... but that's short term. Long term is another question, if she starts getting Apus directives saying to do things he wouldn't agree with.

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

This is all so interesting ;3;

Pavonis as a type of pasta, lolol

mathtans

I'm glad it's more interesting than rambly.

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

Nah, I love it XD I'm afraid I'd give spoilers if I said anymore lmao

RebelVampire

My theories about Damon's past are that he's a werewolf. And that something about being a werewolf has changed how he ages compared to Xerfonos - thus why they're the same age but not twins. Granted I guess they could also just be half brothers who have a shared father who said, "Man I should knock two girls up at once." But werewolf sounds more interesting. No I think we've established Lyall is clearly the witch. He is too suspicious. Tasha probably is a super secret agent or something, hence the suspicion. Maybe Apus is into some shady shit that Tasha knows about, especially Draco, so she doesn't want them jumping in on everything. As for how proof, she won't. Cadence will reveal she's Lyall when the most damage can be caused and Claire will weep her career as a detective is through. Cadence might just think Damon is hot. Although I think Damon has a grand destiny ahead of him, and Cadence wants to interfere with that destiny while also bulking up on some of that tasty werewolf energy. Also, can Cadence be stopped? Probably. But definitely not by these chumps right now. XD Lyall reacted strangely cause that was the Cadence in him going oh shit and kind of taking over. And sure, Lyall can trust Claire to never figure out its him. Sorry Claire, you hot, but clearly aren't noticing some stuff.

mathtans

I hadn't considered the "same father different mothers" angle. O.o Maybe it was a sperm donation sort of thing though?

As to Claire, maybe Tasha will be nice enough to buy Claire ice cream and give her snuggles once she realizes the error of her ways.

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

Tasha and Claire will get to snuggling at some point I'm sure XD

The same father with different mothers sounds most probable

of what's been mentioned at least

mathtans

I mean, time travel could also be involved. What with Apus.

Maybe Claire is Damon's daughter and she's trying to protect her own existence.

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

Maybe Claire is Xerfonos' mother

Wait, I don't think that'd work out lmao

Daughter would be way more probable

Comic Tea Party

DISCUSSION PROMPTS – PART 3

13. What are you most looking forward to seeing in regards to the comic?

14. Any final words of encouragement for the comic?

Don’t feel inspired by the prompts? Feel free to discuss anything else that interested you!

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

I look forward to getting a bit further into the story XD it's still pretty early on atm and there's a lot of really good scenes later. I don't feel like we've really gotten to know Damon yet either

RebelVampire

I am looking forward to seeing people's theories as the story continues and pieces fall into place. It will be interesting to see the routes people take with the ideas of what the answers are going to be. My final words are just read the comic. O_O

mariah (rainy day dreams)

I didn't end up having any brain power to write responses over the week, but I really enjoyed Ring Spell. Damon and his brother are cuties, Claire seems very capable, and I can't wait to find out what Tasha's motives are. I'm real excited to see how the themes of magical marital vows come to the forefront :3

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

Thank you~!

mathtans

Busy weekend was busy. Looking forward to seeing how the Apus thing fits in, like is Claire even from their time period? Will Lyall spill all the secrets? Will the ships happen? I'm so behind in all my reading but I've flagged it to check back when I can.

There was also the bit at the start implying knowing people from other lives, but the time travel possibilities make that weird. And I guess there's also the question of whether a Ring will have a Spell on it. Like, maybe the witch doesn't know she's the witch while she's wearing a ring? Or they have to get her to wear a ring? Here I am guessing again. ^^

14. To conclude, all the best with it, looks like a good setup. I do enjoy the art style too.

Also I guess congrats on being the finale CTP? Nice that you got it in there. Good initiative.

Artem Ficta (Ring Spell)

Thank you so much Math~!

Comic Tea Party

BOOK CLUB END!

Thank you everyone so much for reading and chatting about Ring Spell this week! Please also give a special thank you to Artem Ficta for volunteering the comic and creating it! If you liked Ring Spell, make sure to continue to support it via some of the links below!

Read and Comment: http://ring-spell.com/

Artem Ficta’s Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/artemficta

Artem Ficta’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArtemFicta

[misssophiachase]

Pictures of You

"So you can keep me, inside the pocket of your ripped jeans. Holding me closer 'til our eyes meet. You won't ever be alone, wait for me to come home." - Ed Sheeran (Photograph) 

42 years post TVD finale….New Orleans, LA – 2059 

"What is this all about?" She demanded, slapping a ripped, sepia photograph on the table in front of him.  

Klaus didn't respond immediately ignoring the picture on purpose, his gaze now firmly trained on the blonde who was glowering in his direction, hands on hips expectantly waiting for a response. Everything about it screamed Caroline Forbes and Klaus wouldn't have had it any other way. 

His inner circle was scattered around the table and were equally as surprised by the interruption of their weekly strategy meeting at the Mikaelson compound. By the looks on their faces it was obvious they were torn between staring down at the table and sneaking a longing look at the gorgeous intruder. Klaus was tempted to slaughter them all on the spot for trying to ogle Caroline. After all she was his, even if she didn't really accept that assessment.  

Klaus secretly hoped that one day she would come around but he wasn't holding his breath. 

"Well, hello to you too, love," Klaus greeted, trying to hide his amusement. As overjoyed as he was by her unexpected arrival he also needed to keep up some modicum of civility in front of his subjects.  "Nice drive?" 

"Klaus," she growled warningly. He noticed a few of his minions raising their eyebrows curiously, Caroline certainly was ruining the savage and bloodthirsty reputation he'd built up over the years. If only she wasn't so adorable and distracting at the same time.  

He was trying to ignore just how good her perfume smelt permeating his nostrils as she threatened him. Apparently that saying about time healing all wounds wasn't so true, his wounds were still so raw when it came to the blonde vampire who'd captured his heart.

"Caroline," he countered. He knew it was childish but couldn't help himself. Plus, Klaus hoped it made him look tougher than he felt given the feelings she was causing to course through his body. "We have company, if you haven't noticed." 

She looked around the room, her gaze falling on them all one at a time. It was like she was finally realising other people were witnessing their animated exchange. "Uh, Elijah, I didn't recognise you without the suit." 

"Katherine Pierce prefers the simple look apparently, although I'm certain it's about the fact she has less clothing to remove," the familiar and younger Mikaelson brunette beside him joked. 

The blonde to his left seemed absolutely disgusted by that remark given the appalled look on her face. Klaus wasn't surprised by Rebekah's reaction and by the looks of it neither was Caroline. 

"You're excused," Klaus instructed, willing them to disperse as quickly as possible. Mainly because he was struggling to retain his composure with her to his immediate left.  She was dressed casually in jeans and a fitted, Rolling Stones T-Shirt and Klaus was struggling to not imagine her naked like she'd been with him in the woods all those years ago. 

"I'm more of a Beatles fan, love. I thought you would have known that," he replied lazily leaning back in his chair, once they'd cleared the room. 

"Surprisingly, I don't give a damn about your musical taste," she bit back. 

"So much hostility still," he murmured. "Given it's been almost half a century, I thought you might be a little more pleased to see me."  

Her face seemed to relax slightly as she took the neighbouring seat. Her next comment told him she was nowhere near as relaxed as he'd thought. 

"Not with that condescending tone, Mikaelson. Although, I'm pretty certain you wouldn't expect anything less from me," she drawled. "You always did love the banter."

"Correction," he said. "You always loved the banter, I was actually hoping for the day that you'd take a break from reprimanding me and.." 

"And?" "I suppose that's for another day," he conceded, lowering his graze briefly. "To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure, love?" 

"You haven't looked at that yet," she gestured towards the picture on the table. 

"Indeed I have," he agreed, his gaze merely grazing the photo before returning to her. "But I'm not quite sure what you want." 

The tense silence between them lingered in the air, Klaus knew exactly why she was upset but decided it was up to her. He'd waited for Caroline to turn up on his doorstep for almost half a century and he had no intention of letting her leave him so soon. Call him selfish. She held his gaze, those blue eyes he remembered almost as well as his own penetrating his. 

Her stunning beauty had remained unchanged as expected but Klaus couldn't miss the maturity and pride reflected in her expression. He'd always known that whatever she did was going to be a success and her school had been so much more than that. He never would have donated otherwise. The following silence from her had been a little tough to bear but Klaus knew his donation wasn't about that, it was for the children after all. 

"You're really going to make me ask?" He didn't reply, just cocked his head to the side slightly. "We are putting together memorabilia for the 200th Founder's Day Parade this weekend in Mystic Falls, although given just how old you are I'm assuming you already knew that." 

"You really need to stop with all the compliments, love," he joked, swivelling in his chair. "I'm not surprised that you're in charge of this project though given your..." 

"If you accuse me of being anal I will..." 

"I love it when you threaten me," he teased, relishing in the dirty look she threw his way. It was just like old times. "I was going to say it's lovely to see an extremely organised and most importantly former Miss Mystic Falls in charge of the arrangements." 

"Extremely organised? Did you look up every synonym for anal in anticipation of my possible return?" 

"I'm 1000 years old, I don't need to look up anything, sweetheart," he replied, cockily. "I'm actually offended you think I need a bloody thesaurus." 

"Enough with that Orignal, hybrid arrogance," she drawled. "Just tell me where the other half of this picture went?"  

Klaus knew exactly where it had gone given he'd ripped the photo apart himself. He'd wanted to steal the whole thing but thought better of it.  It probably would have been the smart choice to avoid detection but he'd secretly hoped she'd come around one day asking about it. Now was that day. 

"Talk about arrogance," he muttered. "Why do you assume I have anything to do with it?" 

"Well, you are the one in the photo..." 

"And you're most obviously not," he countered. "Last time I checked I wasn't the only admirer you had in Mystic Falls, Caroline. Maybe you should ask the Quarterback, the werewolf or perhaps Stefan. I heard you two were close." 

Before he could gloat from that snappy retort, Klaus saw a few stray tears running down her creamy cheeks and then she was gone at vamp speed leaving him alone. The one thing Klaus did realise was that the ripped photo was still sitting there untouched.  

He hadn't meant to be so harsh but she'd been gone for so long and the years of desperation and bitterness had built up in that time. Yes he'd told her however long it took but Klaus had never been the most patient of creatures.  Maybe it explained the fact he'd stolen half that picture and placed it in his pocket for safe keeping. Although her image was emblazoned on his brain he wanted a keepsake and that photo was it.  

As he picked it up, Klaus realised another piece of paper lay underneath. It was that cheque he'd written all those years ago that Klaus knew she hadn't cashed. He stared at the cheque and familiar photo wordlessly wondering what to do next. 

Almost on cue he heard her voice. "Nice work," Rebekah muttered.

"I don't remember asking your opinion, little sister," he growled. Rebekah as usual ignored his remarks taking the vacant seat beside him. 

"This is exactly why you have no love life whatsoever," she quipped. "Its been fifty years and Caroline comes here with some weak excuse about a photo. Call me crazy but I think she was hoping you'd welcome her with open arms not provide a list of her ex-boyfriends and past mistakes." 

"It was true though." "I realise Caroline has bruised that over inflated ego of yours but don't you think it's time to finally admit you love her?" 

"That's not the problem," he muttered. "I was always open about my feelings." 

"Yet you couldn't see a love confession when it all but bit you in the face, Niklaus?" 

"But..." 

"I suggest you get to that Founder's Parade pronto. We all know how precious Caroline Forbes is about tardiness." 

Mystic Falls - three days later 

Klaus had been through his fair share of parades over the past 1000 years and this one was no different than the rest. Although if it meant finding Caroline it was worth it. 

He hated to admit when Rebekah had a point but she did. Klaus was acting immature and selfish when he said those things to Caroline because she'd left him and it hurt like hell. He'd tried to forget her and then she had to show up on his doorstep unannounced. Taking his frustrations out on her seemed to make sense. 

The town hadn't changed in all those years and as he made his way through the throngs desperate to find her, Klaus was excited to see a familiar blonde clad in a fitted, red gown atop the Miss Mystic Fall float. 

She looked just as beautiful when he'd first laid eyes on her as she did now. She met his gaze briefly before looking away and waving to the crowd. Klaus knew this wasn't the time and decided to find her later to explain. 

"What are you doing here?" She accused, finding him at a corner booth at the Mystic Grill an hour later. 

"I wanted to bring you this," he offered, pushing the photo towards her gingerly. 

"I might be too busy, what with all my male conquests and all," Caroline scoffed, throwing her blonde waves over her shoulder dramatically. Klaus was trying to ignore just how much he wanted her at that very moment but it was obvious she was equal parts curious and hurt. 

"Please." She looked at him dubiously before flipping the taped photograph over. She didn't speak immediately just stared at it intently. "So, you did have it all this time?" 

"I did," he conceded. 

"I guess I needed a memento of you. You might not realise it but that day spent at the Miss Mystic Falls Pageant meant so much to me." 

"Me too, I might not have known it at the time but I do now." 

"Really?" 

"Really," she admitted. "When I was organising this months ago and going through the old photographs all of the memories from that day came flooding back. I was particularly curious about that ripped picture, I actually kept that half in my pocket hoping that maybe you had the other half." 

"So does that mean?" Klaus asked, almost too afraid to hope for the happy ending he'd been craving for so long. 

"I love you, Klaus," she smiled shyly. "Even if you're an obstinate and arrogant hybrid at times." He was taken aback at first but it didn't take him long to stand and pull her greedily into his arms and kiss the top of her head, followed by a gentle caress on her temple, nose and finally pausing on her lips softly to savour her taste. 

"Well, I love you too, love," he grinned. "Even if you're..."  Before he could continue she applied extra pressure to his lips and they were no longer bound by words just the feelings they shared. 

When they did break apart eventually their noses grazing, Klaus felt her fingers attempting to pry open his jean pocket. "You're going to have to be a lot more stealth than that," he grinned referring to her blatant attempt to return the $3 million cheque he'd donated to her school all those years ago.  

Klaus might have already slipped it in her jacket pocket when they started kissing. Who said males couldn't multi task? 

"I have a feeling we'll be fighting over this for some time to come." 

"It's okay, love," he pulled her closer. "We've got forever."

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