#bourbonandbrushes

[alaricsaltxman]

Best Served Cold || Alaric, Diego, and Niklaus

@darkestbeforedxwn && @bourbonandbrushes The starter I promised both of you based on this plot. Let me know if you need anything changed. And I figure we can just go in the order of the names in the title.

He’d been following the track of Isobel’s fabled vampires for what felt like years now. The Salvatores had been easy enough to discover, but they’d disappeared just as quickly and Alaric was faced with one of two options. Wait around in the town for the brothers to return -- because it was clear this was where they considered home to be -- and figure out exactly which of them had taken his wife, or move on to other things and return at a later date.

When he’d heard of a terf war going on down in New Orleans, Alaric figured it was his best chance to get some practice under his belt. And the closer he got to The Big Easy, the louder those rumors got. Vampires. Werewolves. Witches. All battling it out within the French Quarter, hoping to edge the others out. And, to make matters worse, there seemed to be two different clans of vampires at odds with one another. One was older, stronger, and more careless about who they harmed. Ruling on strength and power alone without any consideration for life. The other understood the values of alliances, and the necessity of the other species.

Or... at least this was what he’d been told by the old bartender down in Shreveport. “You can��t kill the old one,” he’d insisted. “All the stakes in the world won’t put him down for good.” But Alaric was arrogant enough that this only posed as a challenge he had no choice but to accept. He was a hunter, after all. 

Even with New Orleans teeming with the paranormal as it was, it took Alaric over a week before he could get any real leads. During the night, with a parade filling the streets and people everywhere, Ric wandered aimlessly by himself, looking for the signs.

Finally, he spotted one. He waited, following the young man at some distance, and then, after seeing first-hand the evidence he needed, he approached with crossbow raised to his shoulder, wooden stake in place, vervain on a bracelet around his wrist, gaudy crest ring given by his late wife on his right, middle finger. “Careful, kid. I’m a good shot. I just wanna talk.”

[theemmataylor]

A Frozen Medley || Sebastian, Gaston, Emma, Evelyn, Alaric, and the Mikaelson brothers.

So. I’m only posting part one publicly and will include links here for the other FIFTEEN parts, that way I’m not spamming dashes and so that things can actually be navigable. But this is one of my all time favorite verses written with @familyispower / @bourbonandbrushes / @gastonlefevre / @theveritasi. And I don’t think I will ever get enough of it, honestly. 

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI

There wasn't much but a bar, a hotel built from trailers, and a road in the tiny little Canadian town that would serve as the crew's jumping off point for their polar bear adventure, so it wasn't hard for the hotel clerk to find the crew enjoying one last night of warmth and leisure in the bar.

"Elijah!" she called out, walking up to the man she assumed was the group's leader. "A radio call just came in for you. Outdoors Magazine is sending a writer after all -- he'll be landing by float in about half an hour."

Elijah blinked, surprised by pleased. "Lovely." He stood. "I'll go and help him with his gear." It was quite a walk from the lake to the tiny strip of houses, shacks, and town, the ground uneven and muddy, and there were no cars to use.

Looking over from his seat at the bar, Gaston raised an eyebrow, then looked at his partner. "Which one of us bet that one of them would go wandering off at twilight without a gun on their first night up here?" he murmured, before standing. "I'll go with you."

"Lovely. Thank you." Elijah nodded at Gaston, glad he'd spoken up before Alaric could -- he was avoiding Alaric's eyes these days. He went and bundled up, waited for Gaston, and then the two of them trudged off on the ten minute walk, then stood by to watch as a large old floatplane, the same one that had brought them in, came trundling down to a messy, long, rough, bumpy landing on the shallow, muddy, half-frozen lake.

Alaric had just been about to speak up to go with Elijah, wishing they could talk again. Wishing they had a moment to get things sorted out. But Gaston spoke up before he had a chance and Ric knew that it was better if he just stayed behind. If any of the Mikaelsons needed him as anything more than the director of this tour, then they could come to him.

Kol waved at his brother and continued to drink. Sebastian had only snorted in regards to the hunter he'd come with, and then the group of them watched the pair leave.

--

Emma didn't know how she'd gotten herself into this mess. She'd been approached by some friend of Cecelia's and while she'd always dreamed of doing some exciting write up for an adventure like this, it wasn't as if she was really the outdoorsy type.

The plane ride had been loud and rough and the closer they got, the more anxious she got. She saw the list of people who was involved. The nature team. The director. The two... um. Escorts? With guns?

The landing was the worst part, and Emma clutched onto the arms of her seat and closed her eyes and the pilot told her to prepare herself. She whimpered once, grit her teeth, and finally, finally, they had landed and Emma was stepping shakily off the plane. After Emma was brought her pack, she looked around for the men she was supposed to meet.

The pilot pointed to two men standing further on the shore. Emma walked over, pulling her coat tighter around her, and then approached the only slightly less frightening -- though... not necessarily more attractive? -- of the two and extended her hand. "My name is Emma. I'm... your writer? Are you one of the Mikaelson brothers?"

They'd both been expecting a man to come off the plane after the tiny woman, so when she walked up with her pack and addressed them, both looked equally surprised. Elijah blinked and nodded, then offered her his hand.

"Elijah Mikaelson, yes. A pleasure to meet you, Emma. Although -- you're not quite who we were expecting."

Gaston raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "You do realize that we're going after polar bears, don't you?" He sounded amused and he shifted his rifle strap.

Emma shrugged at the first comment, but when the taller man seemed to laugh at her, her gaze narrowed and she crossed her arms over her chest.

"I have been fully briefed on the expedition, sir. And I'm fully prepared. So, if you'd be so kind as to lead the way to wherever it is the party is staying, I would like to warm my hands before we leave out in the morning so that I will be able to keep notes."

Emma shifted her pack on her shoulders and then forcefully brushed past the pair, bumping into the taller one on her way, whispering something that sounded an awful lot like misogynistic prick as she did so.

Elijah gave Gaston a withering look before he moved to catch up with her, but Gaston just laughed his quiet, musical, yet hard-edged laugh as he followed after them. This entire thing felt like a joke -- first, the timing was bad enough, with fall coming in quickly and the hours of usable daylight greatly reduced. He'd heard some sort of argument between Elijah and Alaric about that -- something about their budget, the expiration of a grant, safety -- but it had been so dull, he'd almost immediately tuned it out. Still. There were clearly problems here, and now a woman had been added to the mix?

Wonderful.

"Would you like me to carry your bag?" Elijah asked as they walked along, but then he sighed. "Not -- because I think you cannot carry it, but simply because we came in on an equally crowded float plane," he'd seen all the crates stacked high in hers, "and I remember just how cramped and sore we all were upon crawling out."

Emma looked to the side at Elijah, pursing her lips at the initial offer, and then shrugged and shook her head. "No. I'll tend to my own things, thank you."

She thought many times about how crazy this was, that she was going to be in the middle of this ridiculous expedition with a bunch of men. Men who likely wouldn't believe that she had any place out there. Men who thought she would need to be taken care of and tended to and babied.

But she'd at least thought that it would have taken more than fifteen seconds before the comments about it all started. She had only packed things she thought she would need and had made sure for the two days before she left that she would be able to carry it for long periods at a time. The plane, admittedly, had been overcrowded and uncomfortable. But she was small and could curl up well enough to make herself semi-comfortable.

"So there are six of you? Right? Are they all as pleasant as your friend, here?"

"There's myself, my brother Kol who is actually on screen in the documentaries with me, our brother Niklaus, who handles all photography, still and video alike. Alaric Saltzman is the producer and director, and quite talented with sound. Gaston you've... met. In a manner of speaking. And Sebastian Moran, the other hired gun our insurance company demanded we take."

He glanced down at her, feeling terrible at what a rough bunch she had landed herself with, but just hoped that somehow, she'd come out of this not wanting to murder all of them. "We'll be leaving in the morning on another plane, traveling a significant distance northwest. I believe we're departing at four-thirty... The -- bar is the only place in town for food, and they've closed their kitchen an hour ago, but I'm sure we can manage to find you something…

"Have you ever done anything like this before?"

"You don't need to take care of me, Mr. Mikaelson. I appreciate the gesture, honestly. But I have a couple sources for food in my bag and will manage."

Was it ridiculous that she felt rude just by refusing any help this man extended? But she had told herself that she wasn't going to be a burden. She didn't really feel like she needed to prove herself to him, but the hired gun behind them had already shown here that no leniency would really be given to her.

"I've written for magazines before. And I've done nature pieces. But the conditions have been quite different. I've been in the jungle. In the desert. But not... in the cold, no."

Elijah nodded. "In that case, please, let me ask you to ask if you have questions, to speak up if there's a problem. This is our third time in the arctic, and we did two segments in the Antarctic before... I think -- one of the most important things we learned in our previous trips was that... once away from the last sign of civilization, in such cold, almost empty-feeling landscapes… there's a truly remarkable, tranquil sort of beauty, a peace that -- effortlessly touches the soul. But at the same time, that... the allure of that peace can make it feel even more difficult to handle conflict, odd as it sounds. We were just talking about this yesterday, how -- easy it is to isolate oneself from others, emotionally, even without provocation."

Somehow, some fucking how, he managed not to look back at Gaston when he said it. "So, essentially... Communicate often. Ask when you have questions, speak up when you have problems, try not to just completely isolate yourself emotionally -- because it incredibly easy, especially the... deeper into the white that we get." There was a soft, almost apologetic tone to his voice, rather than any trace of condescension.

"Thank you. I will try to keep that in mind," she said, almost jumping or kind of skipping a little to adjust her bag again better on her shoulders, and then looking over her shoulder at the hired gun. More than anything else about him, it seemed to annoy her that he was handsome. Because of course he was arrogant and condescending.

Of freaking course he held the belief that women belonged at home raising his stupid children, making him dinner, massaging his feet.

At least with the men, they seemed to know one another. The three were brothers, their director knew them well enough. The two hired guns knew one another. Emma knew it would be too easy for her to go silent for the duration of this trip, writing what happened, and not trying to reach out to anybody.

But she could be alone. She was good at being alone.

"Are we heading to the hotel? Or... Sorry. The information I received about this stint of the trip was very minimal. I was given details about the trip, and about the crew. Do I even... have a room?"

Fuck.

Elijah's eyes widened. "You -- do not. Sebastian and Gaston usually share, they're together in one. Kol and Niklaus are together. Alaric has his own, and most of the gear stashed in there... Since we thought there would be no..." And I can't even look at him right now. Gods, how am I supposed to not sabotage this expedition somehow when I can't even look at him? A week ago, he had kissed Alaric. He hadn't said a word, despite having rehearsed statement after statement. He had meant to, but the moment had seemed so right -- just the two of them going through gear, Alaric had moved close to check the serial number on a box…

It was the look of surprise, the moment of complete stillness, that Elijah remembered most clearly about that moment. He had kissed Alaric without meaning to, feeling nothing but the adoration -- the love -- that had steadily been building, and Alaric had said nothing. Granted, that might have been because Niklaus walked in just then, interrupting them (although he hadn't seen them), but all the same, Elijah felt like a monster for it.

He should have asked. He wasn't even sure Alaric knew he had such inclinations before...

That.

"Do you particularly mind sharing with me? I'll be up late reading, but I can assure you I will be quiet and well-behaved. It's not that we can't get you a room, simply that those are all of the rooms."

Emma shook her head and tried to give him a look assuring him it was fine. She considered asking him if he'd be more comfortable sharing the room with the director, and that she could keep the small, equipment filled room to herself. That seemed like the most logical thing, at any rate, but something told her there was a reason they might not be sharing it already? Maybe they didn't particularly like each other.

"I can sleep wherever. In just about any circumstances. So read all you like. Leave the light on as much as you'd like. I... might join you in that activity, even. I didn't bring books, but I have my nook, and had planned to use that while you all were... setting up. Really, my part of the job is observation and note taking. They're expecting me to do a full spread on you guys. So that'll be exciting. But while you're having down time or filming or whatever, I'll mostly just be trying to stay out of your way."

Emma tried to offer a soft smile. She liked this guy. Or what she knew of him thus far. She liked that he was willing to talk to her like a teammate and not so much like she was a woman trying to step foot on a pirate ship -- destined to bring them only bad luck.

"The group... is it... Are they all more like you?" Nice? Accepting? Nonjudgmental? Or like the guy behind us who hasn't even offered to introduce himself to me yet.

"Oh, Alaric and Kol can make anyone fall in love with them in a heartbeat," Elijah assured her with a soft laugh as they got to the hotel, such as it was. Gaston trailed away, back to the bar, and Elijah held the narrow, metal door for Emma. "Sebastian's a bit quieter, but he's charming enough -- inclined to let people be who they are and do whatever they must, he doesn't tend to get involved.

"Niklaus, though, has been in -- a bit of a sour mood recently." The narrow passages through the linked trailers were awkward, but when they made it to Elijah's room, at least there was some space to move.

Some.

The room was tiny. It looked like one of the larger ones -- large enough to have a twin-size bed, not the narrow little barely cot-sized bunks they'd passed coming in -- and was near a bathroom. "I'll let you get settled and head back to the bar -- unless you'd prefer that I wait? There have been a number of wolf sightings in town, and no one, the locals included, goes anywhere alone anymore. So if you intend to come to the bar... It would be best to have two pairs of eyes."

"That's fortunate for them." But I'm not looking to fall in love with anybody. "And, yeah, if you don't mind. I'll just grab my wallet and put my bag down and then be ready to go. After that plane ride, I'm a little restless and I'm not looking to go to sleep any time soon."

And I'm enough of a girl that I'd rather not be left alone.

Her wallet she'd left in the front zipper part of her bag and within moments, Emma breathed a sigh of relief as she set her pack down and stretched, her back and shoulders popping, and then moved to join him again in the doorway.

"You said to not let myself become secluded, right? So... I would like to go to the bar. Please."

"Then by all means." As they headed back, he looked over at her and said, "Thank you, by the way. Thank you for coming. I'm sorry not to have said it sooner." As they walked out, he saw Gaston standing on the porch of the bar, watching the street, his eyes sharp despite his ever amused, derisive expression. He never gets easier to take, no matter how often he and Moran accompany us...

"How much time did they give you to pack and prepare?"

Emma looked at the man on the porch and frowned. She really hoped the rest of them didn't expect her to be as useless as this man clearly did.

"Less than forty-eight hours," she said simply, thankful for the warmth of the bar and the dim lighting. Emma shrugged out of her oversized coat, revealing just how small her frame was, and then awkwardly stuck her hands in her back pockets, shrugging as she did so. She looked at the rest of the men. "Most of that time was ordering a bunch of warm clothing and studying the environment. Trying to figure out how to survive."

She lifted one hand in a sort of wave.

Kol smirked, an almost flirty expression -- something default for him -- and waved back. Sebastian finished his drink, grunted and nodded, and then moved outside to stand with Gaston, and to offer him relief if he wanted it.

"Charmed, I'm sure," she whispered this time.

Klaus had been sitting alone, but he stood and walked over. "So. You're the journalist. Lovely. Expected you to be a bit taller. Come. Sit with my brothers and I. Ignore Alaric, he's being serious."

"Are you drunk, Niklaus?"

"You know, Elijah, it's amazing just how much judgment you can put into the mildest of tones." He put his arm around his brother's shoulders, patted him on the chest, and smiled at Emma. "Really. Come drink with us. Kol was just telling me... something. I confess, I was hardly listening. He does..." Klaus looked at Kol and winked, "tend to go on."

"Taller, sure. To make room for the penis you expected me to have. So I've heard..." She smirked and then moved past the brothers, going to sit near the one who had waved, though she left a couple stools between them.

"Can I have a double tall gin and tonic, please?"

"Have my brothers been rude and or overly stiff in trying to make conversation. Neither of them are the most social of butterflies. Though, Nik, admittedly, is quite the fairy."

"Alaaaaaaric," Nik complained, "Kol's calling me names again." Not that he expected Ric to actually get his face out of whatever work he was doing.

Elijah tensed slightly and fussed over the notebook he'd brought with him, apparently unable to figure out just which page he wanted to read. When Emma's drink was brought over, he didn't so much as look up, because doing so would have him looking towards Alaric.

Nik looked at Elijah, at Alaric, then back at Emma with a smirk. "So, what's your name, love?"

If Elijah would have looked up, he might have seen Alaric looking at him. He might have seen uncertainty and this desperate need to talk about what happened.

But Ric's glance didn't last long, and the moment that Nik looked his direction the first time, his focus went back to his notes on the filming they had to do that first full day of light.

Watching things play out as Niklaus seemed to be doing the same, Emma lifted a brow, met his blue eyes, and then smiled softly. "Emma. Taylor. You, sir, must be Niklaus. The... um... fairy?"

"In the flesh." Nik smirked and sat down on Kol's lap. "Now, what did Outdoors Magazine tell you about the expedition? Did they tell you we leave early in the morning, we're flying out to an Inuit village, where we meet a few dog teams who'll take us the rest of the way?"

"They gave me the logistics of the trip, yes. I read all the notes your former writer had been given on the plane rides. And the thing I probably knew the least about this whole thing was what you boys were like.

"And I didn't really know anything at all about your guard duty. Are they always so pleasant? I don't think either of them were too excited to have a girl on the roster. Were you all just planning some giant orgy?"

"Oh, we usually just have one or the other of them. Moran's the much more charming one. Doesn't seem to like me much..." Nik pursed his lips, shrugged, and ran his fingers through Kol's hair before adjusting his bony little butt so as to hopefully be less uncomfortable on Kol's lap.

"Gaston's quite a talented singer. But when it comes to people skills... Tsk. Bit. Of. An ass. A fine ass. It's.."

"Niklaus, if you do not begin to drink water, or coffee at the very least, I will fetch a syringe from the medical kit and inject you with it myself," Elijah murmured.

"Don't be such a bore, brother," Kol scolded Elijah, wrapping an arm around Nik's waist and helping him adjust before relaxing. "Moran talks when he relaxes a little. Once he's grown more comfortable with your presence. It's like suddenly you're in the middle of a conversation with him, and you don't really remember the exact moment that he started talking."

Emma smiled at the brothers, and then waved over the barkeep and asked him for a cup of coffee, making sure that it was passed to Nik to humor his brother.

"As far as Gaston goes, he made it clear that he believed I'd caught the wrong flight north. Which... is fine. Maybe I'll get to save his stubborn butt from a bear attack or something."

"I hope you don't." Nik huffed, looked at the coffee, then stretched back, pushing himself over Kol's shoulder like a damned slinky before he relaxed into his brother again, one arm around Kol, the other hand reaching for the coffee. "Cheers. No. Don't fight a bear for him, he's bloody paid to protect us. If anyone's getting eaten, make sure it's him, not you."

"You are, as ever, a veritable font of kindness."

"Oooh. Kol, seems I've struck a nerve in our older brother... 'lijah, you told me to lighten up this trip. So. Lightened up? I have." Nik almost never drank this heavily, but at least his tone and energy were playful.

Elijah sighed, rubbed at the bridge of his nose, then stood. "I believe I'll retire."

"Someone has to go with you. I'm sure Alaric would. Won't you accompany my brother back and keep him safe, Alaric? He is the face of Wild Beauty, after all. No offense, Kol, but you saw the poll last week. Sort of a Batman and Robin thing," he added, looking at Emma. "You know, not everyone likes Dick."

"Must you be insuff--" Elijah stopped himself, sighed, and put his notebook back in his coat pocket before quietly and neatly replacing his chair. "Goodnight. Emma, the door will be open, the lights on; please, do not worry about waking me when you return."

"Don't ice-olate yourself, Elijah." Nik thought he was being hilarious and his soft, velvety little chuckle said as much.

Alaric had already started packing up his stuff before Nik had even gotten his coffee. He felt alone in all of this. The desire to talk about things was... a bit overwhelming. And he figured it would be easy to just ask one of the men to walk him back to their hotel.

And then Elijah was packing up.

While Emma laughed at the middle brother, she tried to subtly watch the two.

Ric moved toward Elijah, trying to quietly, silently, request that he be allowed to go with him. But when Sebastian walked in again and Ric looked at the gunman instead of keeping his eyes on Elijah, he felt like he missed his chance and instead moved toward the bar.

"Thank you, Elijah," Emma said softly, nodding in his direction, then looked up at Alaric who seemed to be gripping the edge of the bar as tight as his strength would manage. He glanced at her briefly, then shook his head.

"I'll be in as soon as your brothers are sober enough to walk back with me," she said.

Sebastian watched the entire thing play out with a raised brow, then nodded at Elijah. "You ready to go back?"

Had Alaric looked like he was okay, Elijah would have said yes. But, unfortunately, he looked over at Ric just then, and when he saw the man's hands, Elijah's heart felt like it tightened just as much. He looked back at Sebastian and gave him an apologetic but grateful smile before shaking his head. "Let me just go and see if Alaric is ready to return."

Quietly, he slipped over and stood next to him. Despite his calm exterior, Elijah's heart was pounding as he looked down at Alaric's hands before resting his left over Ric's right, his touch infinitely gentle, caring.

"Alaric," he murmured. "I owe you an apology, I know. I have... been avoiding you for childish reasons. Will you -- are you willing to return to the hotel with me? Perhaps we... ought to talk."

With the touch, Alaric let out a huff of breath and without allowing himself to overthink it too much, he pulled his hand free from under Elijah's and quickly grabbed both sides of his face before pulling him into a kiss. Fast. Hard. His heart thrummed in his chest and his stomach twisted.

Both of Emma's brows raised, her lips parted just slightly as she watched this moment happen so suddenly. Sebastian, too, watched, though his expression remained fairly neutral and relatively unimpressed.

Kol squeezed Nik around his waist and snorted. "I bloody told you," he mused in Nik's ear just as Alaric was pulling away.

"Yes," Alaric whispered, pulling away entirely. Embarrassed. Elijah was a private man. He shouldn't have done that. He shouldn't have made it so public. "Perhaps we should talk."

Elijah looked stunned. He stared at Alaric for a moment before he nodded once, twice, no, a third time, frowned, then went to get his coat. "Mister Moran, if you would prefer to remain here, you're certainly welcome to. Alaric and I will go straight back to the hotel; we'll be fine."

Alaric...

Elijah looked at him, half-convinced that Alaric would somehow already be gone, that he would already have packed all of those feelings in, that he would be pretending nothing had happened -- but the look in Ric's eyes felt like some sort of assurance, an assurance Elijah desperately wanted to understand.

Nik, meanwhile, was laughing quietly, still too drunk to really behave about it. "Took them long enough. You know, Emma, those two have been carefully not eyeing each other for... months. A year, perhaps. No. Two, maybe? Kol, when did it start, the Kalahari?"

"Hush, brother. Watch the show," Kol scolded with a smack to Nik's thigh. Though the smirk on his lips seemed to be infinite and thoroughly pleased with the entire situation. He waited until Alaric had nodded once, avoiding the eyes of everybody except Elijah, it seemed, and then walked with the eldest brother out of the bar.

"About twenty months," he finally said, speaking mostly to Emma. "It's like they've been dancing around the whole possibility of being together. And we couldn't figure out if they were together and just trying to hide it from us. But then we determined they were hiding it from themselves. Their touches were always too careful." He shrugged and continued drinking his bourbon while Nik had to settle for coffee.

"Well... if things work out... Perhaps I should be more careful about going to bed tonight. I..." can just sleep in the hallway floor. "would rather give them their privacy."

Outside, when they were clear of Gaston's range of hearing, Alaric spared a glance in Elijah's direction. "I'm sorry. I... You wanted to talk. And I know you've been avoiding me since you... If you didn't feel anything when you kissed me, if you were afraid of telling me that, afraid that it would split up our company... Elijah, I understand."

Elijah frowned. "I was afraid that you didn't feel -- the same romantic attraction, and that I had grossly overstepped by taking such a liberty with you." He was quiet for the rest of the walk, until they got to the hotel door and he held it open for Alaric. Turning, Elijah nodded to Gaston, who disappeared into the bar now that all of his baby chicks seemed to be settling down for a while.

Stopping in the tiny, drab, sad room that passed for a lounge, Elijah turned to face Alaric. The clerk had already gone home for the night -- she drove a snowmobile with mud skids and carried multiple guns -- and so they had the haunted-feeling place to themselves, for now.

"I greatly admire you, Alaric," he said after an awkward, prolonged silence.

"I was stunned, certainly, when you kissed me, Elijah, but only because after all this time I had managed to convince myself that every look or touch or kind word you had ever given me was out of friendship and nothing more."

He had to smile at the way Elijah confessed his feelings. Only this man could make them sound so proper. But because of the way he'd said them, Alaric felt like anything he said in return would fail to equate.

"I think about you every day," Alaric said softly, reaching hesitantly as if he were going to take Elijah by the hand, but he thought better of it and just brushed the back of Elijah's hand with a singular finger before letting the touch fall away. "I will never be good enough for you, but I do try to be. Because you... You deserve everything good. You deserve every happiness. I guess... what I'm saying, Elijah, is that I think about you every day. I think about... what it would be like to be yours." This is too much too fast. All he said was that he admired me. He could just be talking about my work.

"I'm talking too much. I'm sorry."

Elijah had listened to him with a serious, focused expression. When Alaric reached for his hand and only touched it instead, Elijah glanced down and twitched an eyebrow at the gesture before looking back up to meet Alaric's eyes again. "You need not apologize for expressing your feelings, Alaric. Learning the depths of your -- affectionate  interest is a surprise, but not an unwelcome one. Not in the slightest."

He reached out and took the hand Alaric had touched him with, holding it carefully between both of his, never breaking eye contact. "I hope that, in your wonderings, you imagine a time when we might wake up next to each other without both feeling the need to look away. I hope that you imagine knowing, knowing beyond any shadow of a doubt, that you are good enough -- morally, intellectually, aesthetically. Purely. For between us, there can be no.... measure taken that will ever show within you any lack. You move me, Alaric, deeply, in so many ways that I cannot begin to count them, yet will attempt it, if you like." He spoke calmly, his tone measured and soft and yet almost painfully earnest, and then he raised Alaric's hand and kissed his palm.

"Here," his lips still brushed the soft skin, "you hold my heart." He closed Alaric's hand as he straightened, meeting his eyes again -- ready to apologize if any of it had been too much, but stubbornly refusing to offer an apology again without prompting now that he knew the truth they shared.

Carefully, with the hand that Elijah had kissed, Alaric moved it to brush along the side of the other man's face, holding him there, looking at him. He wondered, silently, how he had managed to capture the attentions of someone so incredible.

His lips parted and he inhaled as if he were going to say something else, but instead Alaric leaned forward and pressed a soft, affectionate, this time much gentler kiss to Elijah's lips. He wanted to tell him that he'd convinced himself six months ago that Elijah was just being polite with him, and that if he couldn't get his shit together to control his feelings, he would need to walk away from the company.

Then, when he still hadn't managed to do so, he had decided two weeks ago that this would be his last project with the company. He had the letter all typed up, saved to his drafts, ready to be sent to BBC. Besides, wasn't it time for him to go back where he belonged, anyway?

But now...

"Thank you," he said quietly, his other hand lifting to rest against Elijah's chest. "I will do everything in my power to keep it beating. My own has... been in your hands for some time now. Even without realizing it, you've taken care of it. Thank you, Elijah."

Elijah closed his eyes and let himself sigh away all of the tension he didn't realize he'd been holding. Alaric's hand on his chest felt like home, and Elijah knew, in that moment, he would never feel this peace again if he lost it. He stayed still and quiet for a long time, listening to the wind as it started whistling around the trailers, and then he finally stepped back and opened his eyes again.

"It seems... to me.. that it would be unprofessional and perhaps indecent to take any intimate steps while on a long journey that requires such.. exceedingly close quarters. You and I both have a great deal of work left to do tonight, I know, and perhaps we should part ways to do so... but it would -- if you will consider it -- give me the greatest pleasure to conduct our work out here, together... Side by side, even if we must be silent."

Alaric's arms fell. And so too, it felt, did his heart.

When he was so close to being able to call the man who had consumed every waking moment of Ric's thoughts with hopes of being together and fantasies of what that would make their trips like, Alaric had forgotten to factor in just how professional Elijah was. Always. While his brothers were in the bar holding on to each other and doing something that many people might consider flirting? While the young woman who had just joined them was looking for her place and trying to relax enough with a drink that Alaric had watched her wince against as she took her first drink, as the two hired guns seemed just as likely to kill the crew themselves as protect them from anything, Elijah was professional. Distantly so.

He nodded once and shoved his hands into his pockets.

"I'll go get my things." He offered Elijah a weak smile, and then went to move past him, down the hall and to the back where he held his own room.

Elijah put a hand out against Alaric's abdomen to stop him; as always, despite the firm decision of his movement, something about his actual touch seemed to offer a choice. He would never force anyone to stay beyond their desire to, human or animal, and yet he wished Alaric would.

"May I have one more moment?"

Alaric stopped with the touch. In that brief moment between the kiss and when Elijah had pulled away, he had hoped. And then, in the even shorter span between when Elijah had stepped back and when Ric had moved for his things, he'd understood -- or so he believed -- that this would never actually happen. Because they would always be on some job. They would always be risking the entire company for the sake of a romance.

"Yes, Elijah," he replied, looking down at the hand that touched him so carefully. "As many as you'd like."

"Your... expression changed enough, please forgive me if I've read too much into it, but I cannot help but worry that my words may have been in some way unclear. I have every intention of -- giving you everything," he touched Alaric's chin, trying to get him to look up and meet his eyes, "and on subsequent expeditions, the others will have simply have to accept us, should things go well. But.. for this, for something we're beginning, I would rather it not be... when someone so new is with us, or when we are -- going to be unreasonably, dangerously close to the predators we go in search of. No one has ever done what we're attempting to do -- not without cages, armored observation vehicles, drones.

"I do not want to deny this forever -- only to give ourselves this one last shoot, one of our most dangerous, before we... change everything. Now that we both know, or have an idea, of where the other stands.. and now that I hope you know I -- will never feel home until we are together, as I have been robbed of any sense of the word since we sat together that morning in the desert and the scorpion walked so curiously, so safely, over our hands where they rested side-by-side. I want, desperately want, to be with you, Alaric. And the moment we are back here, the night we spend here waiting for our return flight, I hope you know I intend to...

"Ensure that you are warm. That night, and every night after. Every. Night. If you permit it."

Something in the words, as ridiculous as it sounded, made Alaric certain that one of them would die on this expedition. One of them would unintentionally, unwillingly rob the other of this chance at what could be something... something Ric had always wanted.

Elijah had a family. He had brothers. Parents. But Ric was... alone in this world, save for this crew. Sure, he'd been married once, and he had wanted so much for her to be his family. But looking back on it now, it was so evident that Isobel never wanted him in the same way. She wanted prosperity. She wanted achievement. She wanted everything Ric had, ironically, gone off and gotten for himself after Isobel had left him in the middle of the night with nothing more than a note that said Please don't look for me.

"I can be patient," he said with a weak smile. "I deal with your brothers for months at a time. And then satellite calls from the girl looking to reconnect with the mother who gave her up," who gave me up, "Only to tell her that I still have no information to offer her. I can be patient. But if you are expecting me to be able to continue on as I did yesterday. Careful. Hesitant. Distant... I don't know that I can accomplish that."

[kolblooded]

What's a lovely little vampire like you doing in a place like this, hm? My, my, Kol. I have been looking for you...

“Are you drunk? And you didn’t invite me? I’ve been here, on this rooftop, all evening. What is it I can do for you, Niklaus?”

[murderasscience]

“The cat isn’t staring at you… he’s staring behind you.”

Meme || Accepting || @bourbonandbrushes

Sebastian’s gaze went first to Evelyn in her leopard form and then back to Niklaus. His jaw lifted slightly as he steeled himself for what he was certain he wouldn’t be able to see, but would undoubtedly cause him harm. The Arctic was beginning to get under his skin – forces he couldn’t fight, things he had no power to overcome. This place was a bloody nightmare.

“Get inside,” Sebastian demanded. “Get inside, the lot of you. Don’t come out until one of us comes in to tell you it’s safe.”

[theemmataylor]

A Frozen Medley || Sebastian, Gaston, Emma, Evelyn, Alaric, and the Mikaelson Brothers

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI

”Would you not go? Heck, Gaston almost refused to tell me even though it was killing him not to. This is ridiculous. You all can be free. You can go home. Go to the Caribbean with Gaston. Tell the reporters that you didn't wander off, I did. And you had been searching for me. Something. Please. Don't make me be your death sentences. Please."

“Forgive me for being so blunt," Elijah shook his head, studying her, "but while I appreciate your willingness to sacrifice yourself for the good of others, what proof do we have that he's telling the truth? Even if I were to consider this as a viable option -- which I will not -- why should we believe the madman that he would set anyone free once he has the one thing he wants?

"And how, Miss Taylor, can you think so little of us to imagine that we would possibly let you go off to become a slave to save us? Not when we have fight left in us, strength. We aren't beaten yet -- and I believe I can speak for all of us when I say that if we simply choose to give up on you and save ourselves, none of us will be able to live with it."

He helped Gaston drink a cup of water, then got him sitting upright, propped against a couple of plastic crates.

She nodded, because that was what people expected of her, but she didn't agree.

Sebastian looked at Evelyn. He didn't want her to shift back, but there were things he would need to ask her eventually. Like, for example, how long they were expected to have before the sorcerer woke.

Kol had kept quiet and Alaric brought a towel that had been near the fire, wrapping it around Gaston's shoulders. Emma made herself comfortable on the ground and pulled her knees up to her chest, resting her chin on them while her arms wrapped around her shins.

She would find a way to go. She had to.

”For argument's sake," Niklaus said, earning himself a scalding glare from Elijah, "is it not her choice?"

"I told you before, this is not a democracy. We're not voting. We're not going by the majority rule."

"Mm. I would ask if you're really still in charge, considering the mission is over," Nik's eyes glittered in the dim firelight, "but that would be mutinous and insubordinate, wouldn't it? Still. It does seem to be her choice. And wouldn't it be better to let the majority survive? Besides. Perhaps, once the rest of us can get out of here, we can find a way to come back to rescue her."

"No!" Gaston exclaimed, although the word was hoarse and it sent him into another coughing fit. When he was done, he fell back again, wheezing but breathing, and he looked at Emma. "Elijah is still our leader. Elijah, Alaric, and Moran. Emma... if you disobey them... what reason have any of us to follow orders? Please. Do not let us break down like that."

Elijah narrowed his eyes, then reached over and touched Evelyn's tail. She flicked it but shifted and stood, looking weary and cold but alert enough.

"Miss Taylor," Elijah said, "please forgive me, but I am going to ask Moran and Evelyn to step aside with me and discuss certain aspects of this -- not whether or not you will leave, but our options for.. either way. Please try and keep Gaston still in the meantime; it seems the man is a fool who is unwilling to look after his own health."

”Aren't we all," Emma replied softly, looking down at Gaston with a worried, but affectionate gaze. Her fingers moved through his hair and she'd helped guide him back down after his little outburst. "Please rest," she whispered to him, moving so that she could make a place by his side, her arms wrapping around his waste. "You cannot guilt trip me, Mr. LeFevre. I will do anything to save your life. Lives."

Kol had kept silent, thinking along the same lines as Niklaus with the thought that they could come back for her. They could find her again. After they'd all made it to safety.

Outside, Sebastian took one of the blankets belonging to Alaric which he'd grabbed on the way out and wrapped it around Evelyn's shoulders. "I do not mean to be... If this is the way to get you out... To get you all out. I have to take her offer seriously."

”But we cannot know how he will treat her," Elijah objected, quiet but incredulous. "How she might suffer, or what he will physically do to her. How can... how can we possibly allow this?"

"There are worse things than being forced to sleep with a man you don't wish to," Evelyn said softly, after a moment of silence. She wrapped the blanket more snugly around herself and stood on the end of it, leaning against Moran a bit, using him as a windbreak. "Knowing that people may die in order to prevent it... I know I would choose your lives over my freedom or my body.

"Moran -- would you help us find her again? Hunt the sorcerer down? Once Alaric and the Mikaelsons have been returned to safety?" It went without saying, she thought, that Gaston would hunt for Emma.

Sebastian nodded. "My objective was to bring the entire party back to safety. They may not all come at the same time. But that was my mission none the less. I will help you find her." And, he thought, Maybe Montparnasse can help us.

"I would never force her to go, of course. But if she... is this willing. I cannot tell her that she cannot do this when any of the rest of us would have already found a way to sneak off by now." Sebastian looked at Evelyn. "He said he would be back for her when he wakes. That we need a decision by then." He closed his eyes. "If she doesn't go, I have no doubt this sorcerer can force us to stay within this winter for... ever."

”Probably. It'll... take me weeks to recover my magic to a point where it's usable, I spent everything I had making a chink big enough to slip through, and I felt his spell slam shut behind me. He's -- more of a god than a sorcerer, it feels."

"A god." Elijah's voice was flat. "That you expect to be able to defeat later."

"Rather than dishonor her bravery," the leopard snapped, although there were tears brimming in her eyes at the thought of what Emma was going to do for them, "you should respect her choice and her sacrifice. Support her. Protect your brothers. Your lover."

"She is but a girl--"

"She is a woman capable of making all of her own choices, and you will not take that from her."

Elijah stared blankly at her for a moment, then looked at Sebastian. "Tell me the truth. Do you honestly believe we'll be able to save her?"

No.

His struggle to speak immediately in response said as much.

"I think... there are other magical creatures. I think I know extremely persuasive people who are always looking for a job to be done. And I think I can find a way to be persuasive enough that she has a team of people looking for her.

"This man is strong. He nearly killed Gaston without so much as batting an eye.. If he wants Emma, we will not be able to stop him. At least... this way she is saving the people she loves." He looked at Evelyn.

Sebastian was surprised that Evelyn was so strongly taking this stance. He would have figured that of anybody, she would be... But he admired her more for this. "Gaston will be unbearable."

"I know someone who can find her," Evelyn said grimly. "There will be a price, but..." her lips thinned and it looked like she wanted to snarl or bite something, but she only shook her head instead. "He can do what my mentor will not do. He'll defy Fate. If I ask him to."

"And that -- can -- give her a chance?"

"He can. He's far stronger than I, and has no reverence for the natural order, even when it comes to gods.. or demons."

The perimeter alarm went off again.

”Fuck that was barely enough time for her to say goodbye, let alone make a decision."

Though, Emma had made that instantly. And when she saw Gaston look at his watch, her gaze narrowed and she almost growled at him. "No. Absolutely not. You're not going out there again. He almost killed you last time." She held his face and waited for Sebastian to come and get her. Because if they had decided that she wasn't going, they would have been back already. In the meantime, all she wanted was to look at Gaston.

"Emma," Sebastian said from the entryway. "You know we would never ask you to do this."

"I'll go," she said quietly, crying. "I won't let you all die."

Abruptly, Evelyn shouted a wordless sound of delight and dropped the blanket. She didn't shift but simply started running, darting quickly through the gate and racing out onto the snow, quickly disappearing from sight.

"What the..." Elijah turned to watch her go, then looked at Moran.

Gaston had tried to get up when he looked at his watch, but his body rebelled and he was forced to comply with Emma's growling. Guilt in his eyes, he covered her hands with his and stared at her tears. "Please, please don't do this."

Sebastian shrugged, clearly as confused as Elijah seemed to be, but he ran after her regardless. He'd be damned if he was losing two women today."

Emma shook her head, unable to meet his eyes anymore. So she looked at his lips. His hair. The hollow of his throat. But she couldn't keep her gaze away for long. "I have to. I've got to do this for all of you. It... It will be fine, Gaston. I'll survive. At least you'll know that. I'll be less likely to die this way, since he seems determined to keep me as... well, to keep me."

Elijah ducked into the entrance. "You... may wish to hold off on saying goodbye. Something seems to have -- changed. Just -- wait."

--

Not far away from the fence, Evelyn had bodily launched herself onto someone else. Arms and legs wrapped around him, she was laughing and crying happily, covering his face with kisses, and in general absolutely beside herself. The young man she had attacked was in jeans and a t-shirt, but he didn't look cold in the slightest. He was short but thick with muscle, and his tanned skin was covered in long scars from claws and teeth, a lifetime's worth, despite him looking to be no older than mid twenties.

When Sebastian ran up, he made Evelyn get off of him. She immediately shifted and purred loudly, rubbing against both of their legs, still unable to contain herself.

"You Moran?" the young man asked, his voice gravelly and rough as if his vocal chords had been damaged long ago; there were deep scars across his throat. His short blond hair was a ridiculous shade, more gold than it had any right to be, and even in the dimmest of lights, his eyes had a subtle green gleam to them.

Sebastian wanted to feel threatened by the man, but couldn't. Evelyn was too happy. Her purring too loud. Still, his expression remained reserved, not that it could well be seen in this darkness, and he crossed his arms to keep from pulling his weapon. "I am. What can I do for you?"

”Name's Evry. Guess I'm here to get you and your people home." He offered a bare, thick, heavily callused hand. "Montparnasse sent me."

Sebastian couldn't help his sigh of relief. He took the offered hand and nodded, then let his own drop down to catch Evelyn's tail as she passed between them again, letting it slip through his fingers, petting her when she made another round.

"Well, the sorcerer plans on coming back for one of our group before long. I'd say the sooner we can make it out the better. Do we... leave everything?"

”Sorcerer?" He quirked an eyebrow but then shrugged and shook his head. "No. I'm going to get you all alive up to Alert, but it'll be a trip. Pack. Make sleds to haul supplies on. Now, what's this about a sorcerer? Someone I need to take down before we head out? Wasn't sent here to hand anyone off to some magician."

”I… don't know... he transforms into a white... into a hawk, perhaps. I don't know. He doesn't pick up on thermal technology. His teeth spin. He wants Emma to be his bride. Which, naturally, has one of my men in a bit of an uproar. He... This is his spell, his magic, that's put us here in the concealed... whatever this is. Evelyn can tell you the rest. I have to go get the crew together.

He started to jog off, stopped just a couple paces away and looked at the man again. "Thank you," he said softly. He would owe Montparnasse something a little more personal to show his gratitude. "Thank you."

”Anytime. Come on, kitty. Let's go back with him." Evry ran along with Sebastian, but Evelyn sprinted ahead of them, leaping over the fence again. She darted into the igloo and ran up to Emma. Purring again, Evelyn knocked her over gently and started licking her face and neck and clothing and hair, a display of joy she would very likely deny later.

Emma squealed and wrapped her arms around Evelyn's neck. She didn't know if Evelyn was saying goodbye, or if something really had happened. "Hi," she said softly, head butting Evelyn. "You seem... what has happened? Is the guy with the teeth here for me? Or... who set off our alarms?"

Evelyn shifted back. "Evry is here. Evry is here. You don't understand, he's -- he's a werewolf, but don't hold that against him, mutts can't help but be filthy. He can fight the sorcerer, though, I know he can. He is alpha because he can. You may not have to go! Emma!" Evelyn wrapped her arms around her and bit her on the shoulder, likely hard enough to bruise.

Emma gasped lightly, her brows furrowing, but she didn't fight away from the bite. Her smile was soft, but there was still a sadness in her eyes. You may not have to go.

She would. She knew she would. Her luck wasn't...

Emma decided not to think about it. "That's good," she said gently. "Evelyn, that's great."

Evry and Sebastian made it back then, and Evry looked around at the others for a moment, then said: "Okay. Now that we're all here... what exactly is the deal with the sorcerer? He's the one that put this... weird barrier spell up?" By the time they'd explained everything they knew, he looked grim but determined, and he nodded.

"Alright. Well. Look. Emma? I'll fight him. He's not taking you. When he comes, I need you not to go with him. Just stay with them, stay safe. If I die -- which I won't -- then you can go ahead and save your pack, but give me the chance to do what I came here for first, alright?"

Emma frowned but nodded. At first she considered not doing the first thing that came to her mind, but screw shyness. Emma wiggled out from under Evelyn, rubbing her shoulder, and then went to wrap her arms around the strange man who was willing to fight for these complete strangers. "Thank you," she whispered. "I don't know why you're doing this. But thank you."

”You're welcome," he said, and gave her a squeeze, "but it's nothing I wouldn't do for anyone. I'm the alpha of all North American werewolf packs east of the Rockies. They've got their own alphas, but in the end, they all answer to me, because I'm the one chosen to uh.. well. Fight dark powers. I'm glad to be able to fight for you guys. Especially you. Don't usually get the chance to defend people who are cute as damn buttons."

Emma pulled away a little and blushed, chewing at her bottom lip. "I... don't understand why he wants me in the first place. There were other women in that town where he sent the wolves. I... am babbling. Sorry. Just. Thank you."

”I don't think any of us understand," Evelyn said quietly, with a hint of anger in her voice. "Maybe we never will."

Elijah was quiet for a moment, then looked at Evry. "Thank you," he echoed.

Evry just shrugged. Talking had never been one of his favorite activities, and trying to carry out a conversation was something he'd just as soon not do. "Well, I'll wait by the entrance, and if he shows up..." He shrugged again. "Once we can get out of here, we will. You guys work on making sleds, something to drag your gear with. Packs if you want, but if we have to cross ice, you'll still need to drag them."

Elijah nodded and got everyone started on tasks, then looked at Moran. "Mind if I look at your leg again, Moran?"

Gaston tried to get up, wanting to help with the work while no one was looking.

Emma had been keeping one eye on him, worried, still terrified that he would stop breathing. When he sat up, Emma stepped over with her arms crossed, shaking her head. "I don't think so, Mister. You remember that whole lecture you gave Sebastian..."

Seb heard his name and looked up. "Absolutely not. You are to rest until we're ready to leave." His attention went back to Elijah.

"Sure. But it's feeling fine. Make it quick."

Emma lowered to her knees and ran her fingers through his hair. "What can I get for you? Water? Soup? Please just rest."

[theemmataylor]

A Frozen Medley || Sebastian, Gaston, Emma, Evelyn, Alaric, and the Mikaelson Brothers

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI

"How long do I get to... I mean, how will you be here. You never sleep enough. I shouldn't keep you up." There was so many things she felt she needed to do, including going out there and helping the guys work. But if... if she helped Gaston sleep well.

Or you're just making excuses to stay next to him.

Mentally, Emma cursed Evelyn. This was her fault; she'd put the idea of Gaston into Emma's mind. "What about you, Mr. LeFevre? How are you really doing?"

“I am half asleep," he murmured. "That is how I am really doing.. should I... let you go? Or are you staying with me?"

“I will stay, if you don't mind. I might go a little later. But sleep for now." She had stretched and almost kissed his jaw when she caught herself. What am I doing? She rubbed her nose against his jaw line instead, to try to keep from being too awkward, and then rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes. "Sleep well, Gaston."

The igloo was built. The generator had worked to recharge the first battery. The fences were on, the markers were running. It was colder than ever, wind whistling around the igloo, but it was warm inside. A small seal-fat fire burned and most had eaten their fill of its meat -- save Evelyn, who had remained outside to eat as a cat and had happily consumed its organs. Now, she was inside, human and stretched out behind Emma so the girl could lean against her. Her arms were folded and her chin on them, her eyes closed.

Elijah was exhausted but content, leaning against Alaric as they ate. Nik had set up his camera but was half-asleep, a bit of seal-meat in his hand, leaning up against his Kol. LeFevre had just come in from watch, and the warmth of the igloo stunned him.

"This... is far more comfortable than the tents."

Elijah gestured at him to come and take meat.

Emma's eyes were closed and she was content and happy, though they half opened when she heard Gaston and her content smile seemed to spread a bit.

Kol was leaning across Nik, stealing a bite of his seal, and then rolling while chewing to rest his head in Nik's lap. "We're one big happy orgy... er... family." The bottle of whiskey was barely touched, but resting on the ground beside him. And it was enough to make him truly feel warm again.

"For some, perhaps it's one and the same," Sebastian muttered, causing Alaric to choke back a laugh. But luckily it sounded more like a cough.

"We saved you plenty. Eat your fill." He scooted to leave a spot between himself and Emma, though there was plenty of other spaces that Gaston could fit. "Tomorrow we work on filming."

Nik shot Sebastian a look. "What was that, mate?"

Sebastian smirked. And Kol nudged Nik to get him to behave.

"I didn't say anything, Klaus. Nothing of importance. Relax. Today is a good day."

Nik huffed and ignored Kol, then moved over to Sebastian and gave him a low growl and a nip on the ear. "My brother wants me to behave," he purred into Sebastian's ear, too quiet for the others to hear. "I always do. Always." Moving back, he settled in comfortably against Kol's side and went back to picking at seal, looking at Sebastian with utterly unreadable eyes.

Sebastian lifted a brow, glancing at Kol, then watching as Nik moved back to sit with his brother. "You are an awful flirt, Klaus Mikaelson. And now that we all share this space, perhaps reigning it in would be a good idea..."

Kol's brows furrowed but Sebastian winked at him, feeling more playful and energetic than he had in days. Even feeling a little talkative.

Emma rolled her eyes, but chuckled.

"Don't think I've forgotten your offer, Miss Taylor, you scoundrel."

Her eyes went wide. "I have extended no such offer."

Sebastian laughed. "Hmm. My loss. Suppose we can't all be as lucky as LeFevre..."

Gaston snorted and settled down with Emma. He looked Moran over and smiled, then turned around to look at Evelyn, who had flopped over onto her back and fallen asleep. Unable to resist, he tapped her lightly on the stomach once -- the purring, questioning, confused meow sound she made was absolutely worth it. She blinked and looked at him, unsure what had just happened, then stretched out and purred more loudly before going back to sleep.

"Emma, you can't be the scoundrel here, anyway," Nik objected. "I claim that title for my brother. If there is any scoundrel here, it's Kol."

“It's true. I scandalize my family weekly, at least. Moran is just talking out of his ass. Emma is all class. She could do better than some..."

"Watch it, kit." Sebastian growled.

"Face it. She's too good for you."

Sebastian hummed and nodded. "There are few who would deserve her. Certainly not you, Niklaus."

"Have we... forgotten that she's sitting here? And feeling even more awkward than normal?" Emma asked, looking at Ric for help, who punched Kol in the leg.

"You boys behave."

“Be... have? Beehive? My dear Alaric, just because we happen to be English doesn't mean we're all Sherlock Holmes."

"I'm... not... sure you can make that comparison in this game," Elijah murmured.

Nik shrugged and snuggled down so he could rest his head in Kol's lap. "So what do we do now?" He asked, and went on to ask Elijah something -- as the marker alarm silently went off.

Gaston's eyes widened slightly as he felt the vibration and he immediately got to his feet and pulled his jacket on, looking at Moran.

Sebastian was already pulling his boots on, grabbing a jacket, and then reaching in the safety case where he'd left his gun.

Emma watched them, willing them to be careful, and she gently nudged Evelyn. Strength in numbers, right?

"It's out to the south. Might just be another bear. But... be alert," Sebastian whispered. "Be prepared for anything."

Evelyn looked at Moran and pointed at herself. "You want me with you? Or with them?" She was on her knees, preparing to shift  the moment he told her where to be.

He looked at her, then at Gaston. Finally back to her. "Sit outside the igloo. If we call for you. You'll hear us. Do not let them get hurt."

With that he took off for the gate, knowing Gaston would be on his trail, hoping he could manage this threat. Needing to be able to protect them even still.

Gaston was right behind him and the two men moved quickly through the darkness and the bitter, biting wind. They didn't have far to go, though, before they could see their guest, the strange sorcerer with the spinning teeth. He stood with his arms outstretched and fingers curved like claws, his eyes wide and manic, and all his teeth bared as they twisted and bubbled up with blood. When he saw them, he seemed to light up with glee.

"Good God, that's disgusting," Gaston muttered, and put his back to Sebastian's once they were stationary.

“Don't waste your ammunition," he whispered, though suddenly frustrated he'd left Evelyn behind. She'd ran him off last time. "And don't be afraid to call for her. She has weapons we don't."

He looked at the man and felt.... less frightened. Though he had no idea why. "What is it you want?" He knew he wouldn't be spoken to. "Why our camp?" You freak.

The man made a wet hissing sound and giggled, then was suddenly standing in front of Gaston. He grabbed the man by the jacket and sniffed his chest before Gaston could even shove him away.

"Don't touch me!" he snarled, throwing the sorcerer to the ground and pointing his gun at him despite what Moran had said. "Who are you? What do you what?"

The thing's teeth came to a slow stop and then he got up to his feet. "What... do... you want?"

"Oh, you speak English? Wonderful. It's quite the accent you have. Should I have asked, parlez-vous francais? Or would you simply repeat my words back to me in French?"

"In French."

"So help me, state your purpose, else I shall test my commander's claims and thus prove myself a terrible soldier to him." He aimed.

"I want -- your little one." He looked at Moran. "The woman. She is like a girl. I need her."

Sebastian's eyes went wide. He looked at Gaston. "Why do you need her?"

He wouldn't be handing over any of their crew. Fucking hell like he would do that. But if he could understand... "Why the girl?" He said again, clenching his teeth, hating this supernatural bullshit.

There was pure rage on Gaston's face. The notion of anyone taking Emma had him wanting blood, but he forced himself to stay silent.

"She will be a good wife. I need someone to cook my meat, to clean my home, to help me with my spells. She will be perfect. I sent wolves to find her. You tried to stop them. You cannot stop me. My magic is too strong. It has always been too strong. I need a good wife, I will have -- Emma. Emma."

Sebastian laughed, but the sound was hollow, dangerous. "I didn't try to stop your wolves. My buddy here and I killed them all. Even the sad one you made chase us all the way up here. The one who knew you were sending to its death.

"But see, here's the thing about women. They tend to like their free will. And as... charming as you seem. I think she's sweet on one of the men she left back home." There was no way in hell he was going to put LeFevre in the line of this thing's fire by announcing that... well, truth be told he didn't think there was anything official to claim. Regardless. This was safer.

"I'll be sure to pass along your proposal. But the only way she's going anywhere is by her own choice. And, like I said, she seems real anxious to get home."

"You pass it on... you pass it all on. This one will have to tell the truth." He pointed at Gaston and his teeth began turning again; two got stuck on each other and strained, more blood oozing up between them than from any of the others. "When she is my bride, I will let everyone else go. You will all live. You will be home. You will be free.

"If you do not tell them that truth -- he will. He has no choice." The sorcerer lowered his hand.

”Right. Full story. You got it, pal."

Sebastian nudged Gaston with the butt of his rifle and backed away toward camp. "Give her a couple days to decide at least. Big decision and all."

No. No way. No fucking way am I allowing this.

Gritting his teeth, he looked at Gaston. "Don't do it. Don't wast that ammo. I know how much you want to kill him. We'll find another way."

”You have until I wake," the sorcerer said, and finally one of the snagged teeth managed to pop free. Once again, he shifted into a bird and let himself fall into the tearing Arctic wind.

As soon as he was gone, Gaston fell to his hands and knees, gasping harshly for breath. He started coughing, choking, and blood flecked the snow. He tried to breathe, tried to rise, but seemed unable to do either.

Sebastian dropped to Gaston's side, touching his back. He hadn't even...

"Take your time. Just breathe." I missed that you weren't. I could have just let you die and not realized it. Fuck. Fuck. He pulled a small cloth from his pocket and helped wipe blood away from Gaston's mouth while also holding on to the back of his head. "We don't need her to worry. And she will. Over you. She'll worry."

Sebastian's own worry was deeply evident in his eyes and the way he held on to Gaston. "Are you okay?"

Gaston shook his head, still coughing, still struggling to draw breath. His wheezing sounded tight and wet; with every cough, there was more blood. Tears froze on his cheeks and he clutched tightly at Moran's shoulder, an instinctive reaction, something he wasn't at all aware of. Blackness seemed to be spreading through his chest, as if the absence of light was something he could feel, something he could be.

Death, he realized suddenly. It was death. That's what was happening. He was dying. Right now.

"Worse," was all Gaston managed to say, and after he fought  that word out, his next breath was so tight, it was a squeak, like some tiny, dying creature.

Sebastian called immediately for Evelyn. Loud. He knew she'd hear him. And he called for her to bring Emma. He wasn't sure if she'd understand that part from this distance. But time... was on short supply.

"Bring the goddamn girl," he said again, pulling Gaston's mouth open and shamelessly checking the airways. But, of course, that wasn't the problem.

He had to tell her all of it. He had to. Fuck.

"I'm not letting you go, LeFevre, you hear me? You better fucking hang on."

Gaston nodded. His body wanted to quit, but he couldn't let it; Moran wanted him to live, so he had to live. There was no dying without permission, not on Moran's watch. He felt himself fall to his side, felt the hard-packed snow against his face, and he wasn't sure whether his eyes were open or closed anymore, but it didn't really matter. There was pain, a world of pain, and he could hear an awful wheezing sound, tight and ugly and agonizing -- but that wasn't still him, was it?

--

"Emma!" Evelyn burst back in. "Get dressed right now! Fast, fast!"

Elijah started to stand but Evelyn shook her head. "Only Emma. Now! I need you to come with me! Everyone else, stay!"

Emma didn't waste time. Actually, Evelyn busting in had scared her so much that she was already standing and now dressing, zipping up her coat and covering her face.

As she ran out into the cold, she didn't know if the sudden tears were from the wind or from some certain, indescribable fear. "Lead the way."

Evelyn took her by the hand and started running, knowing that if she shifted into her leopard form she would probably run too fast and abandon Emma for one dangerous moment, a moment where everything could be lost. They ran as fast as they could together until they found Moran standing over a dark shape and the smell of blood was sharp on the air.

"What ha--" but Evelyn stopped herself from asking a question that was, at the moment, useless. Moran had asked for Emma and Gaston seemed to be dying -- if he needed to say goodbye, she wouldn't waste time with chatter.

Emma fell to her knees. Her hands moving straight for his face. "What... oh my god." She was already crying and the tears seemed to freeze as quickly as they came. "No," she whispered, "No, no, no, no, please don't go."

Emma's hands brought him back from someplace warm and quiet and comfortable, where none of the pain was, and suddenly everything hurt again, but he could breathe. He sucked in lungfuls of icy air, shuddering, and coughed again, then shook his head.

"I can't tell--"

His lungs and throat seemed to close up at once, worse than before.

"It's a curse," Evelyn snapped. "Gaston, you must comply, whatever it is or you'll die. Right here, right now."

Gaston shook his head again, unaware just how much blood was frozen on his lips and chin and cheek, but then he felt Emma's touch again and he couldn't leave her. But if he said the truth --

Gaston closed his eyes. He couldn't. It was better to die than do that to Emma.

Evelyn looked at Moran, mercury-colored eyes pleading with him to somehow make LeFevre talk.

”Gaston you idiot. Do you think you are the only one he'll curse? You think he won't go after Evelyn. Kol. Elijah next? You think he won't make her watch everyone die, and then..." take her anyway? "Do it, Gaston. Stop being a bloody idiot and do it."

"It's okay," she said, leaning down to kiss his bloodied, chapped lips, crying, terrified, more than a little confused. "You can tell me. Please." Her fingers moved over the hat that was on his head. "Please, Gaston. I can't... I can't lose you."

I betray Moran or I betray you...

Gaston shut his eyes. "There... is a sorcerer..." His breath returned, although it still felt ragged, and he wondered if he had only imagined her lips on his. "A madman. The one responsible for putting us here. His teeth spin in his head and blood bubbles out, his nails have grown out so long they look like claws. He says.. that he will have you for a wife. If you go to him, he will let the rest of us go free. He claims he sent the wolves to look for you...

"You can't go, though, Emma. Please. Promise you won't." His voice was a hoarse, pained whisper, but now that he could breathe, he struggled to try and sit up.

Evelyn wrapped her arms around herself and stared a bit listlessly into the darkness, listening.

”Wait. What? A..." She closed her eyes, wanting to be grateful that he was breathing again, but what in the heck was he talking about. She looked to Moran for confirmation of what Gaston had said, though she didn't doubt his honesty.

Emma touched his face.  "I cannot sentence you all to this life." It wasn't even a question, her going. Not while knowing the whole truth. Her gaze lifted to Evelyn. I told you I wasn't destined for love.

"I won't do that. If you can be free..."

"We can find a way to get free on our own. We can survive."

"He sent the wolves. He stopped time for us, essentially. I bet a search crew will find you all instantly. How can you ask me to say no? When it..." she looked down at Gaston again, trying to keep him laying down until she was certain he'd keep breathing. "When it could save you."

S: —> “Some costs are too high," Gaston whispered. His eyes were beginning to clear and he blinked the last of the tears away, then looked over at Evelyn. Frowning, he weakly reached out and touched Moran, then tried to gesture at her, although his body didn't seem to want to obey. "She.. needs to shift." He had to lay back again, as Emma urged, and clear his throat as he felt the blood continue to slowly trickle down it.

"We should get.. back to the igloo... and talk there. Can't stay out here.." Gaston reached up and touched Emma's sleeve. There was a certain unreality about this, and he wasn't convinced he wouldn't just wake up soon and write it all off as an odd dream.

Sebastian nudged Evelyn. "Come on. Shift. It's far too cold for you to have not shifted already. You both have to stop being idiots.

"Emma, can you help stabilize him in a standing position?"

Her eyes went wide, but she agreed to try, and once they had Gaston on his feet, Sebastian apologized for the informality, and then lowered a shoulder enough to let Gaston drape over it. Then he started back toward the igloo.

Emma held tight onto Gaston's hand. She couldn't speak. She just wanted to protect her family.

Evelyn hadn't even realized how cold she was and had stared dumbly at Moran for a moment before obeying. The change felt more difficult than usual, sluggish, and even once she was in fur she lagged as she followed them back.

When they were back inside the fence, Elijah took Gaston from Moran and carried him inside. Only once they were all in there, all safe, did he ask, "What happened?" Serious, frowning, Elijah immediately started cleaning the blood away from Gaston's face, but he looked questioningly at the others. "Is anyone else hurt?"

”I… they found a way to save you all," Emma said quietly, looking only at Gaston. "There is a sorcerer who is looking for a wife. And he wants me. If I go, you all will be free. And since it's not up for negotiation, I'll go before morning. While you're sleeping. It'll be easier that way."

”You're really going to force us to restrain you?" Elijah asked her, eyes sharpening although his voice stayed surprisingly mild.

[theemmataylor]

A Frozen Medley || Sebastian, Gaston, Emma, Evelyn, Alaric, and the Mikaelson Brothers

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI

When Evelyn shifted, Emma didn't stop petting her, now her fingers were merely carding through her hair.

"I'm worried about Eli if you are here. But I think I've.. accepted my fate. I'm okay with it. Thank you for coming for me. I don't know how or why you did. But thank you."

Evelyn nodded. "You're welcome." There was an awkwardly quiet moment where it seemed like she might say something else, then he huffed a little and closed her eyes. "Eli knew I might be gone a long time. Hopefully he remembers to bathe in my absence. I... am not... happy... to be away from him. As for you, little one, you are family. Family I've chosen. I will always come for you."

”Eli not bathe?? I mean. Unless he's being compulsive about the gym, I don't think that'll be a problem. Though I imagine he misses you in his water." She smiled sadly. "I'm glad he has you."

Evelyn blushed ever so slightly but she was smiling too. "Poor oaf," she murmured, pure affection in her quiet tone. "Anyway. Emma. Will you do something for me?"

Watching Evelyn react to what Emma had said about Eli made the other girl smile with complete fondness. "I can try. What is it?"

“First, scratch my back? And second.. decide to live. I am here to get you back alive. It will be much easier for me if you've decided to survive that long."

Emma immediately began to rub and scratch at Evelyn's back, letting her eyes close a little as she did so. "I promise to try. But surely you haven't missed the fact that I... have no reserve for my stomach to feed from. Will you... come home. Not jut for Eli. But for me. I want you to come home with me."

Evelyn stared at her face for a moment, then nodded once. "Emma, I have no intention of dying here whatsoever."

Emma's eyes seemed to light dramatically, and she smiled, wrapping an arm tight around Evelyn and hugging her. "Good. My... brother... he talks about you I’ve never heard him do before."

“Oh? What does he say?" Purring, she melted against her human sister and let her eyes close halfway.

“That he's in love with you. He keeps telling me we needed to meet again. Because you... were who he planned on being with for... any foreseeable future."

A long, slow sigh communicated her happiness, and then she reached up to pet Emma's hair and neck, eyes closed now. "I have never really been a fan of men. They're certainly attractive, they can be ridiculously handsome, but so many of them are nothing but boorish brutes... he's convinced me they're not all utterly worthless after all."

Emma smiled softly, understanding, she thought, what those words meant. "He is using what he feels he has with you to tell me what he hopes I find someday." She shrugged. "It's not meant for everyone."

“You think you're not meant for love?"

���I think I spent my life traveling to dangerous locations so that I can write one or two articles that might make it into a handful of magazines that even fewer people will read. I think that no sane man would wait around for me to come home for two weeks to a month at a time." Emma shrugged. "Plus I'm awkward and weird."

“What about you is either awkward or weird?" Evelyn sounded demanding, but she was confused. She moved to a position where she could get a comfortable grip on Emma's ear, bit it, and then just held on, purring quietly while waiting for answers.

Emma blushed and tried not to squirm. "I'm clumsy. I'm not really that great at making conversations. I would rather have a date by staying home with someone and sitting on their lap and reading than going out and actually doing anything. I can't tell the difference between someone flirting or just being nice. I'm just... weird, Evelyn. And I'm okay with that."

She let go of Emma's ear and sighed against her neck. "What if LeFevre expressed an interest?"

Emma smiled, but she didn't think Evelyn could see it. "Why would he show an interest? I'm not trying to be combative. But he told me he doesn't get attached because it's not fair to do to a mate. What he does for a living, I mean. I'm okay being alone, Evelyn. You don't have to select guys within sight. I think they will all only see me as a little sister."

Evelyn laughed soundlessly, then bit Emma on the neck before curling up completely inside the sleeping bag, head against her stomach. "You travel the world, he travels the world. Perhaps it would be perfect. And you are my little sister."

Emma went to run her fingers through Evelyn's hair and hummed her agreement. "Again. Why would he express interest in me?"

“You are perfect." Evelyn frowned, confused as to how Emma didn't understand that -- not that Emma could see the frown, since it was hidden under a sleeping bag and half pressed into her stomach.

”You know I thought... for the first couple days I thought Niklaus was flirting with me? I don't know. See. I can never tell." She kept working her fingers through the silver strands and looking up into the darkness, jumping a little when Sebastian entered.

He didn't speak to either woman as he laid down grumpily with her back to them, closing his eyes and shutting out as much of the world as he could.

"Anyway. It's sweet of you to worry about me," she said. "But let's just try to figure out how to survive. Then I can maybe go looking for romance."

Evelyn crawled out of the bag and lay down between Emma and Sebastian. Her back was to Sebastian, but she put one of her ankles over his, despite the odd feeling of his boot against her bare foot and ankle, ignoring the way it made the little bells dig in a bit. She was used to tuning them out, and while she had the feeling he didn't want to be engaged right now, she didn't want him to be alone, either.

"Survival will require work, but it won't be impossible." Evelyn almost sounded puzzled. "This is a brilliant group of people, and you all have more than enough skills to make it through this -- especially now that I am here. I can feed myself and help with guarding, I can detect magic even if mine is not yet back to a usable strength, I can help with hunting. Whether you decide to leave in search of a human settlement or to spend the winter here, this group has everything it needs. Perhaps not everything it needs for a comfortable and easy winter," she shrugged, sounding casual and quiet, not particularly worried, "but everything to get you all back alive."

Sebastian didn't comment. He had liked it so much better when people didn't expect him to be a part of any conversation. Of any social circle.

Emma stayed in the sleeping bag but cuddled up close to Evelyn, tucking the top of her head under Evelyn's chin. "We'll get through this," she agreed. "Together."

“We will," Evelyn agreed. She fell quiet for a while after that, contentedly ignoring her hunting partner and just enjoying nuzzling her kitten. When the others came in to warm up -- all save for Gaston -- she barely stirred. They weren't important.

Eventually, though, work on the igloo was to resume. Evelyn sighed quietly and sat up. She bit the top of Emma's ear, then turned to Sebastian. "Moran, I'm going to go keep watch on the tower for about six hours," she said. "Should I wake you when I'm done?" Outside, they could hear that Gaston had just returned and announced that everything was good, other than encountering another polar bear, but it sounded as if the bear had run away.

“Sure," Sebastian muttered. "Make sure LeFevre rests. Since it's such a necessary thing."

"You're being unnecessarily cranky," Emma scolded, though it hardly sounded as such. "Is it so bad that he was looking out for you? That any of us care?"

He didn't answer.

Emma looked at Evelyn and smiled weakly. "Be safe, yeah?"

Evelyn narrowed her eyes at Moran's back, then patted him on the head once, just to irk him, before nodded to Emma and slipping out. Gaston came in only a moment later, needing to warm up out of the wind, and he sat down near them.

"Miss Taylor," he nodded, then looked at Moran. "Are you familiar with a little.. curly-haired slip of a man, works for some French agency?"

Emma looked up at Gaston, considering what Evelyn had suggested. She thought about urging Gaston to get in the sleeping bag. But she only blushed and stayed quiet.

Sebastian looked up suddenly, seeming to be wide awake. "What of him?"

“He's the one. After your first assignment with the Mikaelsons, apparently he started worrying about you. He tried to say that I was being hired on account of the agency he works for having some interest in you, but we spoke at greater length and he admitted there was more to it... and asked me to give you something if I thought you ever truly needed it."

Gaston glanced over at Emma, met her eyes, and gave her a small but genuine smile, then unzipped his jacket and then unzipped an inner pocket. Taking out a small envelope with a lump in it, he held it out in Moran's line of sight. Sebastian was written on it in Montparnasse's precise block capitals.

"Do you want it?"

”Do I need it?" Sebastian asked casually, but Emma thought she saw something... some longing in his gaze.

Of course he wants it, she thought.

“You tell me," Gaston said softly. "I think you're not truly desperate yet... but I also don't believe in letting a person get desperate. You -- aren't usually one to show when you're unwell. I'm not sure what's in here, but I've been carrying it around for... three years now? And never, until now, thought you might need it."

The sniper chewed on his bottom lip, wondering what it might be. Instinct told him to claim he was fine. That he wasn't desperate and he didn't need anything. He didn't need comfort. He didn't need these civilians telling him what to sodding do.

He sighed and held out his hand.

"Thank you," he muttered and rolled over, curling down in his sleeping bag. Hoping for some privacy.

"Would you like me to leave?" Emma asked both of them.

"No," Seb replied. "Stay. Both of you. Stay warm and rest while you can."

Gaston gave him the envelope and then stripped out of his boots and outerwear before climbing into the sleeping bag with Emma. "Do you mind if I pass out on you?" he asked Emma softly.

She held out her arms and encouraged him to get closer. "Please do. I'll play with your hair if... god. Sorry. If that's not just eight kinds of inappropriate." She smiled. "It always helps me rest... but if it's... crossing a line. I'm sorry."

Sebastian took a deep breath and opened the envelope.

There was a handwritten letter -- in his ornate, antiquated cursive which he rarely, rarely used -- and a small, heart-shaped metal vial inside. The vial was heavy with liquid and sealed with wax, in addition to having the lid screwed on tightly. The letter read:

Sebastian,

Please forgive me; I have ensured that Gaston LeFevre will always be hired to serve as your right hand on the wilderness adventures. He is not the friendliest man, but he's quite talented, and his talent is all that matters in this situation, because you are all that matters to me.

I never meant to fall in love with you, but fall I did. Hopefully, you never need to read this, I asked him to give it to you only if he believed you were in danger of dancing far too close to death... but if you are reading it, then please know, Sebastian Moran, that I love you. I need you. Just you. Not your skills, not your resume, not your connections, just you beside me, however often you will allow it. I need you to let me kiss you and touch you and look at you with worshipful eyes, because when you are near, you remind me that my heart matters -- for it is not mine alone, anymore. Now, my heart belongs to us both.

Whatever is happening when you read this, please, please do not give up. Please live, Sebastian. Don't give up hope. Don't give up your life. Please, please. I am begging this of you. In all my years, I have never loved anyone as I love you, have never felt so safe, so happy, so wanted as when I wake in bed with you. You are the meaning in my life. Don't give up hope, because no matter what is happening, I will find you. I will find you. I will always find a way to find you, I don't care what it takes. You are my everything, Sebastian. I know that I am not the same for you, that there is the Other whom you must love first, but please let me selfishly beg it again: live for me.

The vial contains my blood. I had Dante bespell it so that it will work only on you; it will heal no one else. Use it when you have need, Sebastian, please. I love you. I love you. I love you.

Truly Yours, Until the End of Time,

Montparnasse

Meanwhile, Gaston had smiled and shook his head. He pulled Emma into his arms instead and, once holding her close, he began running his fingers through her hair, easing out any tangles. "It is not crossing a line," he murmured.

A sniffle could be heard from Sebastian's sleeping bag -- or rather, Alaric's sleeping bag that Sebastian had taken over for the time being. What if there came a day when he needed this more. This wasn't the end, right? He wasn't actually dying? This was just... He was fine.

But he hadn't once thought about making it home alive. He would have to die for one of them. He would...

He would do anything for Montparnasse.

"I wish this would lead you to me so much more than I care about it healing me." His voice was  barely a whisper. He cracked the seal -- drank the vial. "I love you, too." Sebastian fell back to sleep.

Emma let herself be wrapped up, biting his chest and them immediately letting him go, her cheeks warming. "Um... How am I supposed to comfort you like this? You're the one that should be resting."

“I am resting," Gaston promised her, "and entirely comforted. My two favorite people are here -- how can I be unhappy?" He nuzzled her hair and forced himself to focus entirely on her. Whatever had been in the letter seemed to have affected Moran deeply, for Gaston was sure he'd heard the soft sound of tears from him; he knew he needed to give Moran privacy, even in his sleep.

Nuzzling her hair again, Gaston was quiet for a few minutes. Finally, he asked: "How are you doing, really?"

“You barely know me," she replied softly in regards to him claiming she could be one of his favorite people. "Though, I suppose I likely rank top, uh... eight? Maybe? On this continent." She had thought she heard Sebastian, but she wasn't sure if it was just the sleeping bag rustling.

Emma rested a hand against his chest, then it drifted to his stomach and then she draped her arm over his side, wrapping back around him. "I'm trying to figure out what... what to do to be the most useful. And I... am working to figure out where I belong? I guess. I don't know. I think we can do this. But... I may just be naive enough to think we can do it."

 “You're not naive. We can. I think there were... a lot of frightened, negative reactions to learning the truth, to the way our things were destroyed. Understandably. There is certainly something out there, an enemy we've yet to truly encounter.. but we can do it.

"Elijah mentioned to me that he thinks you're wonderful at keeping an eye on the group in general -- someone to bear morale in mind, to remind people not to be idiots. He's quite impressed by you."

[theemmataylor]

A Frozen Medley || Sebastian, Gaston, Emma, Evelyn, Alaric, and the Mikaelson Brothers

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI

Kol seemed to hear the words Niklaus didn't say. He was thorough and gentle with his hands. When he thought Nik was ready, his hips moved closer and he held tight onto Nik's hip and carefully pushed inside.

"Relax," he encouraged quietly, though his mind was lost in how amazing it felt, nuzzling his nose against Nik's neck. "I'll be gentle. Just try to relax." Kol went slow, kissing Klaus' shoulder. "I need you, Niklaus. I will always need you."

Nik hugged his arms against his chest and closed his eyes and relaxed. He wasn't sure if he loved this or hated this, he wasn't sure if he wanted it to never stop or to already be over. The sensations that moved through his body were intense, overwhelming, and he didn't know where the discomfort ended and the pleasure began; being taken like this seemed to somehow erase the line between the physical and the emotional, and he was lost. He was completely, completely lost, and all he had was the feeling of Kol inside him, reassuring him --

And when he realized that, all at once, Nik started to love it. He bit the back of his hand hard to stifle a moan and his breathing deepened, then started to become rough. "I want this," he whispered, although he wasn't sure it made sense to whisper since he was already having this. "I want this. I want this.."

For a moment, Kol was afraid that Nik would try to pull away, that he would hate every moment of it and he would blame Kol. He was afraid that, for Nik, the sex had never really been anything more than the need to lay claim to something else, someone new.

As his brother whispered, Kol couldn't help his relief and he picked up his motions, then rolled them in their joined sleeping bag carefully so that Klaus was on his stomach. "Fuck," Kol whispered, biting into Nik's back to control his volume. "Fuck, I've needed you."

Once Kol was finished, much later, he rested over Nik for a while, feeling his own heartbeat, and he kissed his brother's shoulder and neck. He pulled his hips back to separate them and sighed. "Are you okay?" he whispered.

Nik had rested his head on his folded arms and he lay still for a moment, his breath shuddering, before he nodded. "Yes," he whispered, lips moving against his own forearm. "Yes.. I'm fine. But you... might... need to do that more often.." He closed his eyes and took a breath, held it, then let it go and reached up to rub a hand over Kol's shoulder. "Are you alright?"

”Yes," he whispered, rolling to the side and pulling Klaus closer. "You've never let anybody do that for you before, have you?"

Nik shook his head. "No. I don't -- I didn't -- like -- allowing anyone to have control over my body. In any way." He was frowning but happy, odd as it all felt. When he noticed that the cat was lazily tapping her tail against Sebastian's chest, watching them with half-open eyes, he just sighed and turned to completely face Kol.

”I hope..." you weren't disappointed. "I hope to have the chance to be with you again," he admitted, seeming to have forgotten that Klaus had already asked him for that. "If you want me to just... receive, or whatever, though, Nik, that's... I can."

Nik shook his head. He hated feeling younger than Kol, but sometimes it happened and this was one of those times. With a sigh, he kissed Kol sweetly, then closed his eyes and rested his forehead against his.

"Switching.... feels... complete."

Kol nodded. Smiled. He shimmied closer until they were touching stomach to knees. "You should maybe sleep?" His eyes closed and he smiled. "We both should..." Kol chuckled. "You're not done yet, are you?"

His laughter was soft, an almost devious little chuckle, and he pressed his hips into Kol's. "What gives it away, love?"

Kol's kiss this time was rougher. He had stopped thinking about how this was wrong after Elijah had caught them. After Kol had claimed he'd initiated it all. Now he wanted Nik and the urgency of his kiss said as much. He didn't care how many times. He didn't care if they did it until the sun rose again. At least they would keep warm. His teeth came away with Nik's lip and he hummed quietly. "So," Kol said with almost a challenge in his voice. "Do something about it."

“Bite your tongue, brother," he purred, "lest you wish me to bite it for you?"

As if playing with Fate herself, Kol kissed along Nik's jaw and then licked along the edge of his bottom lip. "You can do anything you--"

Sebastian's voice filled the small tent and Kol's heart raced. But the Colonel... Captain. Whatever he was, was just muttering in his sleep.

"This chute won't open..."

The bloody hell did that mean? Must be dreaming of jumping out of planes or some such rubbish.

Kol's wicked grin returned. "Anything you want," he continued, melting against Nik's body, refusing to let real life invade their bubble.

The leopard had stopped purring a while ago, and she sighed when she heard the human speaking. He deserved untroubled dreams -- all of them did. She moved, laying partially atop him, resting her soft, fluffy face alongside his neck so her low purring would be near his ear. She couldn't do magic like this -- even if she hadn't been exhausted from her efforts to break into this prison -- but she could still try to help him feel safe and calm. Purring was sometimes the only tool werecats had, and so it was what she gave him -- the soft sound of acceptance.

Tuning out the quiet rustling and slapping noises coming from the other two men -- although the gods knew she couldn't ignore the smells wafting up out of their conjoined sleeping bags -- she closed her eyes again. One fluffy paw rested on his chest and it kneaded softly as she started to drift back off.

Surprisingly, (thankfully), the night passed uneventful. Seb went to wake Gaston after his own four hours were over, wanting to let the rest of the crew sleep as long as possible. He thought he'd been as silent as he could be, but as he entered, Emma sat up a little. She had been tucked in close beside Gaston, likely fueling from his heat source. She smiled softly and carefully crept from the sleeping bag, throwing on clothes and coat and boots before following him back out.

"Do we have to wake him?" She asked. "I know it's his turn. But if he can... you should both get to sleep. More, I mean."

"I've slept too much as it is. Go crawl back in bed. Keep him warm."

She shook her head. "I shouldn't. If he lets me cuddle with him much more and smiling sweetly at me I might just fall for him, and wouldn't that be so typical. To love the man who was mean to me in the beginning."

"Personally, considering the actual likelihood of us all getting out of here alive, I think a little cliche love might be what we all need. I... would kill to get to say goodbye."

Emma's gaze turned sad. "Please don't give up for the sake of us. I mean. You can make it back alive too, you know?"

His lips stretched into what might have been a sad smile. "You have a soft heart. But I'm afraid you're wrong here. But that's okay. I will have served my purpose. That's what matters to me."

Her eyes filled with tears and she searched for something to do. "I'm going to make breakfast," she said quietly. "And coffee. Something strong. Something to warm you all."

She set out to do just that, trying not to look at the strange Englishman. The strange man who loved someone and would never get to say goodbye.

Evelyn had come out while they spoke, in her human form. Arms wrapped around herself, she held the ends of her translucent shroud against her body as well as she could to keep them from flapping. The cold was deeper now than it had been last night, she thought; not significantly deeper, but noticeable. And that, she knew, would only continue.

For a moment she looked between the two of them, then she walked over to Emma, glad that the snow numbed her bare feet enough that she couldn't feel any pain from them. "Emma," she said, her voice quiet and musical, her gaze straightforward, "remember not to die out here. Even if Moran has already decided to. You have the same ten minutes Gaston has -- the stove can be left unattended when you go in to warm yourself."

”Are we going to have to spend the whole day like that? Shooting clips in ten minute increments? I'm not arguing. Just curious. There really is no daylight. And this... cold hurts. More than it did, anyway. I just... What are we doing? Shouldn't we go before winter happens? While we have food?"

"I'll catch a seal today. We'll feed from it. Use it's blubber to burn a small fire. Nothing big. But maybe we can get some heat. Have that family meal you want."

Emma tried to smile. She looked at Evelyn. "You should shift or go in too. You're hardly wearing anything. And Eli would kill me if he knew I was letting you forget about your own well being."

Evelyn frowned. She wanted to shift -- this was misery, and she hated the way her hair whipped around he face -- but she couldn't talk like that.

"Don't worry about me, Emma. I have chosen my lot. Today, to deal with the cold, what you and the others need to do while Moran and I are gone is build an igloo. It will be much warmer than those tents -- and, if you build wisely, you should be able to make it big enough to work and cook within. Everything needs to begin happening inside. I don't particularly care for what you humans do with your cameras," she tried brushing her hair behind her ears, but her fingers were already numb, "but I do need you alive. Whatever your group decides to do, stay or go, you will need to be able to prepare, and that requires shelter. Remember. Shelter first. Always."

In the blink of an eye, Evelyn was in her leopard form. The wind ruffled at her fur but she looked much more comfortable, even while staring up at Emma with a demanding look before turning to Moran to see if he was ready to leave.

Sebastian grabbed a few things. Gun, spear, something to fish with, then nodded at Evelyn.

When Emma caught her eyes again, she frowned, but her gaze spoke of her surrender. "Fine. Ten minutes. Just let me get the food on and the timer set. And... and please be careful. Both of you."

Sebastian again nodded, then held the gate open for Evelyn, following her out.

Emma set up the stove. Food would take a while to prepare. And it wasn't as if she could burn down trees. She had made both a pot of coffee and one of tea, slipping back into her tent with four copper lined mugs with the lids on. They would stay warm until the others woke.

She slipped into the sleeping bag, sitting up while she leaned against a heavy trunk, and sipped at her coffee. Thankful for the warmth of both the man beside her and the liquid in her system.

The wind had scoured away their tracks and most of the scent, but Evelyn was able to lead them out to the same place again. There was no sign of the polar bear, although she watched warily for it, and they found the breathing hole again without incident. Once there, she lay down on the ice and just sighed, waiting and looking up at Moran from time to time.

Eventually, she shifted back and sat up, wrapping her arms around herself. "If you get too cold," she said, "just lay down on the ice and push your face into my fur. Being on the ice won't chill you any more than the air will at this point... I can alert you if the creature arrives." She knew she was treating him a bit like a lost kitten, but it was how he seemed to her. Without waiting for a response, too cold for one, Evelyn slipped back into her fur.

--

Elijah and Gaston were both up when she came back in. "You," Elijah said, "are far too productive, Miss Taylor. You put the rest of us to shame. How are things?"

”I just wanted you all to get to sleep. He was patrolling all night. You and Alaric worked on the generator. Today we need to build a freaking igloo, which I think readers would love, actually. But I... I can't do much. Carry much. And I know you all... I mean. I'll likely die first. So I thought that I would be helpful while I can be."

She managed to make it through without fully crying, though her eyes pooled.

Alaric had woken when Elijah spoke, and rested his head on Elijah, letting him and Gaston choose which drink they wanted before taking the last mug.

"Breakfast should be ready in about thirty minutes."

--

Sebastian had nodded in response to Evelyn, fighting against the cold for as long as he could before leaning into her. She was warm. Her fur smelled nice. And she was soft. And for once he was grateful to not be allergic to cats.

He felt a bump beneath them before she'd roused him and he lifted his head. "Was that..."

Gaston ignored the drink entirely, in favor of just pulling Emma into his arms and holding her. "Thank you," he said softly, his voice warm. "Thank you for caring, for helping us, for making breakfast -- but you won't die, Miss Taylor. You won't die. Not here." He hugged her, careful not to be too tight, and kissed her hair.

Elijah looked down at his tea for a moment, then reached over and took Alaric by the hand. I love you, he thought, and won't let you die, either.

--

The leopard moved very cautiously as she got to her feet; every movement was precise and graceful, deadly, as she took care not to alert the seal under them to her presence. She trusted Moran to do the same, then hunched down, ready to spring. Once the seal showed its head, Moran could shoot it or spear it, but if it started to get away under the ice, if it didn't immediately die, she intended to dive in and catch it. Perhaps it was a terrible idea -- she knew she'd get very, very cold -- but it would be worth it. They would not waste a life, and the humans needed every scrap of meat, fat, and skin they could get their hands on. The fire Moran had mentioned would even warm the igloo some...

It would be worth it.

Emma looked up at him and tried to smile, but the expression trembled a little. "It's okay, Gaston. You kinda expected that I wouldn't make it out here from the very beginning. I'm sorry I gave you such a hard time about your instinct." She stretched to kiss his forehead, this time managing a tiny smile.

Alaric's heart broke for both of them. The gunman, it seemed, had grown fond of her. But her honesty was the most overwhelming. He would never admit it aloud. But she seemed the least likely, strictly off her stature and reserve on material for her body to feed off itself, to survive through all of this. But to actually consider watching her die of starvation and from freezing to death?

He looked at Elijah and kissed the back of his love's hand. I love you, too.

--

Sebastian grabbed the spear. If nothing else, if the seal started to slip under, it would be something to grab on to.

He was silent as he watched Evelyn watch the seal beneath the ice. He could see the feline in her ready for the attack. He could see how dangerous she was. And he found a new sense of respect for her -- which was something, since he trusted her enough to let her be a source of protection for his crew.

When the seal emerged, he waited, waited for it to be far enough out that he had a better shot. That slipping back in wouldn't be automatic. He waited. And finally, he jabbed.

He struck home and watched as the spear sunk deep within the flesh. Then Sebastian hung on. The weight of the animal trying to retreat began to pull against him, dragging him across the ice despite his cleats. "Fuck," he muttered, looking at Evelyn. "I can't shoot. I can't let go. Just... get it to stop fighting. Help me."

Holding off had been difficult, but without him being in danger of going in yet and without him asking for help, the cat had held still. As soon as he began to say help me, though, she sprang. There was a splash, a sickening crunch sound, and the seal went limp and still, the cat's jaws buried at the base of its skull.

Everything seemed suddenly still. The cat's silvery eyes turned to him, seawater and seal blood dripped down her face, and for a moment there seemed to be nothing of importance other than the hunt, the kill, and the silence on the ice. Then, ears going back, she started backing away from the hole, working with him to pull the seal out. It was going to be a long, slow, slippery process, but at least they'd both be working so hard, freezing wouldn't be possible.

--

"Hush," Gaston said softly. He closed his eyes and rested his cheek against her hair. "We'll be alright. All of us. Today, we build an igloo. Tonight, we'll be warmer than ever." Opening his eyes, he looked at Elijah, who nodded.

"It will definitely help, and will buy us time to -- decide. Prepare."

"Indeed." Gaston hugged her once more, then carefully got up and finished dressing. "I'll be back. Forgive me, I need to make my check."

Once he'd left, she wrapped her arms around herself and smiled, her expression seeming far more cheerful than what she felt inside. She'd never understood all those things she'd read about being lonely and smiling through it, but as she watched him leave the tent, she thought she got it. He wasn't hers. He was kind and warm and friendly enough. He was handsome. But he wasn't hers. And he never would be.

He was doing his job. Trying to keep them alive. And that started by making them believe they were going to live.

Emma sipped at her coffee while the other two looked at each other and she pulled the sleeping bag higher up around her, trying to use any of his residual heat it held to warm away her silly, pathetic sadness.

"So," Alaric said, voicing the question for Emma's sake more than his own, "what do we need to make the igloo. Tell us exactly what we'll have to do. We can start after breakfast."

--

Sebastian had been grateful for her, and tugging that seal was no easy quest. He got the material worked under the beast eventually, however, wrapping and tying off the bottom end of it to keep it in a sort of cocoon and keeping the seal from slipping out. "Take a moment to rest and breathe. The journey back will be a long one. When you're ready, we'll go."

By the time Sebastian and Evelyn got back with the seal, which had to be almost three hundred pounds, construction on the igloo was well underway. One of the tents had been disassembled to make space for it and there were tracks and trails in the snow from where they had gone out to cut chunks of compacted snow from outside the perimeter. It had come surprisingly far, Evelyn thought, and it looked big and sturdy, beautifully so. Everyone was sitting down eating and looking tired, and she sighed at the thought of how good it was going to feel to just lay down and do nothing for a while. They had taken turns dragging the seal, but even so...

Elijah looked up and beamed when he saw them return with a large cocooned lump. He pushed himself to his feet and went out to them. "There's hot soup, Moran. Go get some, get off your leg. I'll bring it the rest of the way." Elijah held his hand out to take the end of the cocoon, gratitude and warmth in his eyes and his smile.

They had all worked their tails off to get the igloo to how it was, planning to sleep there that night. It was starting to form shape and all the boys (and girl) didn't waste much time socializing. But then it was lunch time and Kol took over making them all something light to get them through the rest of the "day."

All that being said, though, he couldn't help the relief he felt when he saw that Moran and Evelyn were actually hauling something back.

Sebastian nodded at Elijah's suggestion and went over to sit, catching Gaston's gaze. "Any trouble today?"

The rest of them kept working through lunch, even though Emma had wanted family meal times. This was an exception and there wasn't much time before it turned frigid again. Though Emma did run over and wrap her arms around the cat's neck. "My tent is still up. Go lay on my sleeping bag. Be warm and comfortable for a while. You've worked enough."

Evelyn caught Emma's hand in her sharp teeth and gave a small, careful, demanding tug to show that she would only go into the tent if Emma went with her.

"No trouble," Gaston said, and gave Sebastian food and water. "Niklaus may I have the --"

Nik tossed him the medical kit and he caught it, then looked at Sebastian. "Have you taken your antibiotics today? Put your foot on my lap, I'll check your leg while you eat."

“But I need to help..." the argument wasn't much, and Emma allowed herself to be tugged in the direction of the tent and immediately felt the warmth. She smiled and pet Evelyn gently, lovingly. Evelyn would be good for Eli. She'd already been with him this long. "Are you okay? Sorry. I know you can't answer. And you shouldn't shift. At least not before you're good and warm. I just. Worry, I guess."

"When did I become the one being given orders," he teased lightly, though did as he was told. "Took antibiotics last night before bed." How long ago had that been? Didn't matter. He was fine. "Igloo looks good. Family camping now? Or just one giant opportunity for group sex to stay warm."

”Group sex, of course. Stay. I'll be back." He went and got the antibiotics and gave Sebastian his dose. "Take it right now, in front of me, sir." Please.

The sniper lifted a brow and stared pointedly at Gaston. But when he saw the 'please' in the other man's stare, he consented. "You all act like I'm actively avoiding it. But if you all are going to eat me later, it might be good that I'm not toxic."

It sounded like a joke.

It wasn't.

"Looks like this might get finished tonight. When was the last time anybody checked the markers on the back side? I assume you didn't leave the crew while we were gone?"

“I did not," he said, and once he'd seen Moran take the antibiotics, he got to work checking his leg. He was quicker than Elijah, but just as thorough. "You... really need to take it easy for a few days. Hauling that seal doesn't seem to have... done any good by your stitches."

“Take it... you're bloody joking, right? Listen, LeFevre. I appreciate your concern, but there is no time to take it easy. Thanks to the cat, we seem to have one less person to worry quite so much about. Because I believe her only concern is the girl. But we also have another mouth to feed when we were already not going to have enough food to get us through. So. Tell me when exactly am I supposed to take it easy?"

“Now. Now is when you are supposed to take it easy." Gaston's eyes sharpened, a glimpse of his more dangerous side showing, although he still tried to keep it under wraps. "You killed a seal. We have plenty of food. Shelter is going up. You have to let your leg heal, because if doesn't? We lose you. If you get an infection? They can't eat you, and I suspect you're hell-bent on making sure they do.  Let Elijah worry about the plans, the numbers, the amount of food. You have done something amazing in bringing us the seal -- and now it is time for you to rest."

”Mind your tone, LeFevre." Sebastian spoke quietly, his own tone silky and dangerous. Something he'd picked up from Jim along the way. "I'll rest for a bit, fine. But while I'm here you can make a full round marker check."

The problem with telling Sebastian Moran when to rest, was Jim rarely allowed him the luxury to do so unless he was on the brink of death. And he still felt relatively well. Besides the pain that had crept up to his thigh.

Fucking wolf.

"Elijah is one man. He is one civilian. Do not put too much weight on his shoulders. He will try to carry it all."

For a moment it looked like Gaston was going to immediately obey, but when he finished getting Moran's pant-leg back down, he leaned in closer.

"Moran, I love you like a brother and I would follow you to the end of the earth, but ask yourself one question: Who? Who do you think really hired me? If you think it was the BBC that hunted me down and chose me, you are wrong. If you think it was the Mikaelsons, or Saltzman -- why do you think I am really here?" He stood up and put the kit away.

"I'll go check the markers."

His first thought was Montparnasse. If Gaston cared so much about Sebastian's survival, about his well-being it had to be Montparnasse. But... but Montparnasse hadn't known Sebastian was even in the arctic circle until he'd called.

Once Gaston had stood to go check, Sebastian sat there in silence, staring into the distance. Thinking.

Thinking about why Jim would have hired someone else. Someone to watch over Sebastian. What had the sniper done to cause Jim to believe Sebastian couldn't handle himself. The others, considering the numbers, it made sense to have a two person team. Was that all it had been? Or did Jim doubt him?

Why did Jim doubt him.?

Kol nudged Niklaus lightly as they went for more snow. "He looks like he’s seen a ghost. Think we should tell him it was just your white ass?"

“Moran!" Nik called. "Apparently, my ass is quite an elegant, lily-white apparition. If you've seen it and it frightened you, I apologize. However, if you're going to continue sitting still, you ought to go into the tent, else you'll catch your death."

”The next person who tells me what to do or how to tend to myself is getting shot," Sebastian growled, losing his humor. It didn't matter that everybody seemed to be in better moods than yesterday. He, apparently, wasn't willing to suddenly be part of the jubilation.

Kol inhaled as if he were about to say something.

"Kol, I will shoot you for the fun of it. Do not test me."

The youngest Mikaelson closed his mouth again and his eyes went wide. He looked at Nik and just shrugged the threat away, moving on toward the gate.

The girls were in the tent and Sebastian didn't feel like bothering them. In any case. He wanted to eat in peace, and he was still catching up and cooling off from hauling that seal. Eventually, though, he wandered into the tent and laid down, not speaking to either woman.

Once in the tent, Evelyn flopped down and gave herself a thorough grooming before changing back into her human form. She crawled into the sleeping bag with Emma and snuggled up against her.

"Tell me how you are."

[theemmataylor]

A Frozen Medley || Sebastian, Gaston, Emma, Evelyn, Alaric, and the Mikaelson Brothers

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI

He followed again. But this time didn't do so at a run. He'd fed her, at least. And she seemed intent on keeping the girl alive, so that was something.

They returned to the camp about twenty minutes later, and he seemed to have cooled off a little.

Emma smiled when her friend returned, set her notebook aside, and lifted a brow when she realized what Evelyn had. "Where in the heck did you get a fish?"

Evelyn gave it to her and shifted back, then sat down and leaned back over her legs. "It was so heroic, Emma. Pardon me while I swoon."

Gaston, tense as fuck, stared at them as they returned. "What did you shoot at?"

"He shot a fish," Evelyn said, and fanned herself. "And then I put more holes in it with my teeth. What a glorious team we make -- communication is our strongest suit."

"Uh..." Gaston quirked an eyebrow at Moran.

Nik had been laying flat on the ground, but he sat upright. "Fish? I want fish. Can I have some?"

Emma offered it back to Evelyn. "You eat it. I... am not hungry enough to eat fish yet." Her nose crinkled.

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Apparently fish weren't what we were after, though it was too difficult for the kitten to say such. You'll have to ask her to share it. We'll go back for seal later."

"I didn't tell you to pull the trigger, now did I?" Evelyn raised her eyebrows at him. She didn't sound irritated, really, more like she was enjoying pretending to be; she was far too relaxed to really be cross. "We have a living, breathing Han Solo with us." She took the fish and offered it to Nik, who happily sliced off a bit for himself. Then, if no one else wanted any, Evelyn shifted form and lay down to demolish it.

"Strange... Star Wars references aside... Are you telling me you found a seal's breathing hole?" Elijah asked Sebastian, genuine relief in his eyes, as if them coming back to camp with a fish was the most positive thing he'd ever heard.

Sebastian smirked. "No. She found it. I can't take credit for it. We did however... happen upon a polar bear. He seemed as startled to see us."

Beaming, he stood and hugged Sebastian. "You saw a polar bear? How close? Did it look healthy? Tell me everything."

"God help us," Nik muttered, and offered Kol a bit of sushi.

Sebastian chuckled and awkwardly enough to make Emma giggle, hugged Elijah back with a half pat. "He uh... got close enough to sniff me. And yeah, he seemed healthy enough. If I had had a damn com, I could have paged you."

With a shrug, he stepped back and smiled. "Anyway. We should be able to have seal tomorrow. And, if anybody really wants to join us, I'll let you fish for half an hour."

“I’ll make hooks tonight," Nik offered, although he was sure Elijah didn't hear it.

"He sniffed you? Was he aggressive? Did he seemed to recognize your scent? Did it touch you? How tall was it? How --"

"Brother, please. The poor man's just been traumatized by a conniving little cat who managed to make him catch her dinner and look foolish for it at the same time." Nik waved a fin at Sebastian, lips caught in a delighted smirk, then looked back at Elijah. "Give him a break. Finish the generator."

Sebastian chuckled and waved off the teasing. "I'll tell you about it as a bedtime story." He checked his watch. "Speaking of, Emma, will you start dinner. We need to be in the tents in under two hours."

“I’ll do it, actually, if you don't mind?" Gaston said, seeing that Evelyn had finished eating and had gone back up to the tower, leaving none of the fish behind. "With a third guard on watch, I'd like to be able to help in the camp chores, if you'll permit it, Moran? And if Emma or Nik is willing to show me how to use the stove, of course." He knew perfectly well how, which everyone but Emma likely knew considering he'd cooked for them a few times before -- but Nik and Elijah, at least, kept their mouths shut about it.

Emma smiled and nodded. "I'll help you." She stood quickly and left everything behind where she'd set up and went quickly over to show him how. She was careful to let him figure most of it out on his own, or so she believed, and seemed to be happy having someone to converse with.

Kol's brows pulled together. "But... doesn't he know how to use the equipment," he whispered at Nik, getting a nudge from Alaric who was right behind them. "What?"

"Are you that thick headed?"

"I thought... I mean... whatever. Never mind." Kol huffed and turned his focus back to his work.

“Someone has a crush," Nik murmured, a little sing-song, as he watched.

But it wasn't that -- at least not just that. Gaston hadn't wanted Emma to feel singled out as the one to make dinner just because she was a woman, but he also didn't want to mention it so explicitly and potentially upset Moran, who had had a trying enough day as it was. Still, he was happy to receive his lesson.

"Thank you," he told her. "How is your writing going?"

“Um. I mean. The first page is just a bunch of scribbles saying 'I'm not crazy.' I'm trying to be as honest with it all as I can be, having not actually witnessed any of it first hand. I was... kind of locked inside anytime anything happened."

She was quiet for a moment, stealing a look in his direction. "How are you... doing? I know it's your job to protect us, or whatever. But I don't think... anybody has asked you that."

“I’m -- saying fine seems too easy. I'm not fine. I'm worried. Tense. Tired. Grateful that we have a... cat? Although -- how -- exactly -- do you know her?"

“She's dating my brother? Or they're... more than dating? Maybe. I'm not sure. I know they're a thing. Have been for a while. But I'm pretty sure she's way too good for Eli. I've only met her once. And I... certainly didn't know that she was... that she could..." Emma blushed and shrugged. "I don't know how she found me. Us. But I'm really glad she's here."

“Is... your brother magical too?"

”Mag-- Eli? No? Not that I'm aware of. He fights fires. But that... is about as spectacular as he gets."

“Spectacular indeed. Your poor brother, though, he must be missing you a great deal."

“Maybe." I bet the only reason he realized I was gone was because the magazine called him. "What about you? Anybody missing you back home?"

“No." Gaston smiled a bit sadly and shrugged one shoulder. "I don't really have people... any people. It never -- seemed wise, doing what I do. I didn't want to.. disappoint anyone by not coming home."

”So you've made this your home. Of sorts. I get that. I bet these people miss you. I bet Sebastian does." She smiled softly. "I'm glad you’re here. You, both of you, you make us feel safe."

“I’m glad you're here as well, Miss Taylor. You're far better company than whoever else they planned on sending, I have no doubt of that. Probably some ridiculous Seattleite." Gaston smiled in return.

She scoffed. "Hippies." Emma hadn't done much in way of actually helping him. Instead seemed to just be watching him, keeping Gaston company. "But you can just call me Emma, Gaston. Unless. You prefer last names? I know you and Sebastian do that a lot. But I wasn't sure if it was just a command and rank thing? I... don't know how this works."

“With you," he said, "it's because considering how close we are likely to sleep every time we're together, I don't want to -- be too familiar with you without your invitation, lest you end up... feeling there are no boundaries left to be comfortably behind." He met her eyes, sincerity in his.

Emma searched his eyes in the shadows of the dim light they were cooking under. Without my invitation? She didn't know what to say. "You are kind for... phrasing it like that. But whatever you're comfortable with. I... like talking with you."

“And I with you -- Emma." Gaston held her gaze a moment longer and then smiled before looking down to check the meal. He tasted it and nodded. "Mm. I would call that done. Can you call our errant children over for supper?"

Maybe the darkness covered her blush. Or maybe she did it so often he wouldn't notice. Either way, she held his gaze and then nodded, stood -- again using his shoulder for support -- and then slowly started making her way through the couple groups of boys to let them know it was dinner time. When she got to the fence, she initially invited them both.

"You go ahead," Sebastian said to Evelyn. "Ladies first. And there are only two of you. I'll eat when either you or Gaston are done. And... thank you. For thinking of and finding the seal hole."

Evelyn shifted into her human form as Moran was speaking, and she gave him a puzzled look, not having expected polite words. Reaching out, she patted his arm once, a little awkwardly, and gave him a nod. "I am sorry for not being more clear about it. I spent nearly a month as a cat, searching for her... Sometimes, I -- it can take a while to remember the finer points of human communication."

He shook his head. "No harm done. Go eat." Sebastian's voice was soft and his exhaustion was starting to show; his leg was aching, and he was beyond ready for this day to be over. But there would only be more like them, wouldn't there?

When it was evident that everybody was on their way, Emma sat again by Gaston, feeling his warmth. "How is the generator?" she asked Elijah once he'd settled and she handed him his mug. "Any luck with it?"

Evelyn studied the human a moment longer. "Let me sleep near you. I'll purr until you're asleep. It will help with your pain." She didn't wait for an answer, but headed back in time to find them talking about the generator.

"It's done," Elijah answered, smiling. "We just finished testing it. It's done. It works. When the batteries drain, we can replenish them."

"And my cameras?"

"Safety equipment will be the top priority, but yes, in theory, your cameras."

Emma passed out all the mugs as Gaston filled them and smiled as her family had come together.

"What are we starting with tomorrow?" She asked happily, watching as Kol leaned against Niklaus and Alaric stretched to place a kiss on Elijah's ear. "Is there anything I need to write tonight?"

“Two explanations for what happened might be a place to start," Elijah said, sounding a bit apologetic. "The truth and -- an alternate story."

Nik gave his older brother a dark look.

“Are you going to show them both to the network?" If we make it back?

"Maybe," Kol answered. "Show them the real story, wait for them to laugh at us, and then show them the lie. Because, in the end, people want to be lied to."

Ric frowned at the youngest brother. "We just need both options available."

Looking up at Gaston, she nudged him gently. "What would you do?"

“The truth or a lie? I would lie. I would play up the dangers of the Arctic, let it.. hopefully frighten people away, rather than let any rumors seep out. I would show the truth to no one. Because the minute something like this hits the internet... maybe most people laugh. But some do not. Some -- come up here and start looking for their own adventure, their own magical experience, for proof of -- their own idealized imagining of what magic is --

"And they die." He shrugged.

Pursed lips and a nod were her only response, the others didn't seem to feel the need to comment either. They were all assuming that they would even make it out of here alive. And if they didn't, if their footage was found, then what difference did it make? It would all be uncovered anyway.

Kol was the first to finish, stretching, tousling Nik's hair, and then standing. "I'm gonna go crash. Today has been... anyway. Goodnight."

"Thirty more minutes and I want everybody in," Sebastian called from his spot at the gate. "This cold is biting too much."

"Can I help you clean your tools up?" Ric asked Elijah.

Emma started gathering mugs to clean them. "Do you have anything else to do before getting in bed? You know I look forward to your warmth."

“I just need a word with Moran and Evelyn," Gaston said, and smiled at her. Evelyn twitched an eyebrow before getting up and walking away with him.

Meanwhile, Elijah nodded to Alaric. "Please do. And -- thank you. For all of your help. Trading off like that... If not for you, it would not have been finished today."

Alaric smiled. "We are a team, babe. I'm not letting you stretch yourself too thin. I kind of need you."

Sebastian approached as the others did and started to get ready to go eat, seeing his mug left out for him. "It seems quiet so far. You two should get ready for bed."

“With three of us," Gaston said, and reached out to help Moran sit down, "we can take longer watches. Clearly, we can't be outside for long, but we can always have one person awake in their tent, listening, alert, going out periodically."

"I'll stay out the whole four hours," Evelyn assured them. "On the platform. I won't get cold as a cat. Moran, you look -- tired. LeFevre, you do not. Why don't you take the first watch, I will take the second, and Moran third?"

"So," Gaston checked his watch, "eight to twelve for me, twelve to four for you, four to eight for Sebastian? Rinse and repeat as necessary?"

Evelyn gave a tiny, precise nod. "The weather conditions will not likely improve. Our wards will need to spend most of their time in those tents -- until they build an igloo. Or decide to try and leave for help." She stepped close to Gaston, shamelessly using him as a windbreak and wrapping her arms around herself to try and stop the shivering.

"Your thoughts, sir?" Gaston looked at Sebastian.

Eight hours of sleep?

He nodded simply. Grateful for the opportunity to go last. Even more so for the two he felt he could trust with not just his life, but theirs. "Gaston. I don't want you out for more than ten minutes or so at a time. You may not realize how cold you're getting. And..." his eyes moved toward the other man's tent. "You have reason to want to stay warm. And I know I look like hell. But I want to be woken by either of you if something even hints at being amiss."

Gaston gave him a serious nod. "I understand. Ten minutes, wake you if anything seems wrong. Eat as much as you can; any leftovers will only be frozen solid in an hour, and we're going to have seal tomorrow, no?"

"We will." Evelyn nodded.

--

Nik reassembled everyone's sleeping bags, since they'd been dumped into the cage earlier, and then he went in to find Kol, craving the few minutes of privacy before Moran came in. "Kol..." When Kol turned to look, Nik kissed him quickly, almost seeming to strike like a snake, but with longing, with a deep and desperate need.

[theemmataylor]

A Frozen Medley || Sebastian, Gaston, Emma, Evelyn, Alaric, and the Mikaelson Brothers

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI

"Klaus, I..." Kol's eyes watered in response. "Don't make me live without you."

"You have to, Kol." Niklaus reached up and grabbed him by the face this time, his eyes suddenly seeming to burn with intensity, even in the gloom, even despite the tears. "You have to. You have to."

It was Kol's turn to shake his head. "You're not fucking dying, Niklaus." Kol tried to look away, hating everything about this conversation. "Please live for me. It's selfish and you can hate me for all the ways you will suffer. But I... you can't kiss me and then die."

"I will live for you, Kol, for as long as I can. I will fight. But only if you give me your word that you will do everything you can to survive."

"Okay. Okay, I'll find a way." Kol sighed and frowned, looking around their tent that had seemed so happy the night before.

"Breakfast is ready," Emma called from somewhere outside and Kol watched Nik's face.

"I just wanna go back to bed and pretend like this shit isn't really happening."

"But then you'd skip breakfast, and," Nik wiped his own tears away, "How would that help you survive?" Turning, he called out: "Thank you, Emma. We'll be there in a moment. Don't let that cat lick out of the pot, would you?"

"It would help me survive by saving rations for a later day. And I burn fewer calories while sleeping."

He was being stubborn, he knew this. "It's called hibernating, Niklaus. Bears do it. Not that anybody would consider me a bear, I suppose." He smirked and stepped closer. "Though, I don't think bears are really your type..."

Nik smirked, pulled Kol in by the chin for a rougher kiss than was absolutely necessary, then dragged him outside. "Elijah, tell our brother that hibernating is a terrible idea."

"You cannot hibernate, Kol, you would not survive the attempt," Elijah said without looking up, still working on the generator.

"Kol, I do believe our older brother is ignoring Emma's deliciously prepared breakfast. Shall we drag him to it?"

Ric was standing near Elijah, watching him, worried, needing Elijah to take care of himself. But when he heard Nik and Kol teasing, he backed off, figuring Elijah would listen to his brothers better.

"I can try," Kol argued, eyes back hesitantly on the cat. "So she... knows Emma? What's going on there?" he whispered to Klaus.

Nik looked up at the snow leopard who just twitched her ears back before leaping down from the platform, landing quietly near them. She walked over and brushed against Emma before going over to nip Alaric on the side of the hand and give him a gentle tug towards the food.

"I can't even begin to process what that is," Nik confessed, watching the cat's every move.

After giving Ric the hint, the cat got in Elijah's face and stared at him until he looked up, froze, then slowly backed away as he stood.

Purrfect.

Evelyn jumped over the electric fence -- too lazy to walk around to where the gate was, but apparently not too lazy to jump -- and went up to Moran and LeFevre. She wrapped around them and gave them a few nudges as well.

Alaric pet the leopard between her ears, but only really went for food once Elijah was up. Ric smiled softly at him and then again at the cat as she jumped out to deal with the other men.

"Okay. Okay, we'll eat," Sebastian said, nodding toward camp for Gaston to lead the way. "LeFevre, is there... family? That should be contacted? If someone makes it back? A lady?"

"No. Not for me. And you?" He led the way and watched as the leopard bounded ahead and leapt over the fence, then back atop the platform where she lay down and stretched. Despite the repose, she looked alert enough, and he realized that despite not knowing her at all, between their perimeter and the cat, he felt surprisingly safe.

"Hmm. My sister. And... Well, she can inform anybody else." Not that the list was long. And not that she would know to say anything to Montparnasse. But he would hear. Eventually.

Finally, everybody was seated, Emma was serving out breakfast in their mugs, and she thought. "Elijah... you told me not to let myself become isolated and get lost out here. And with... whatever is happening... I kinda get the sense that we're all in danger of that. Can I... can we agree to no working meals? If I'm gonna... anyway. That makes you all my family now. And I want family meal time, dang it."

Elijah looked somewhat surprised by the suggestion but after only a moment, he nodded. "Thank you. I think that's a wonderful idea, and an important one." He met her eyes and gave her a smile.

Gaston waited for Emma to sit before sitting down next to her. "When we get home," he said, "I fully expect all of you to come to the Caribbean with me."

Nik smiled and ate.

Elijah laughed softly. "Family meal time and a family vacation? You know, if we keep up these spirits, we just may make it through this."

"We will." Gaston touched his mug to Emma's, then Kol's.

Emma smiled warmly and rested her head against Gaston's shoulder for just a moment then started eating. "I've never been to the Caribbean, it sounds like a great idea."

Kol, in turn, bumped his mug against Nik's. He didn't expect it to go around the circle, but good spirits were good for his brother. Nik needed to believe they would live. He needed to have faith that they would make it out of this. "Sunshine," he agreed. "Sunshine would be nice again." Though he'd just seen it the day before, it felt like it had actually been a month or more.

Meanwhile, Alaric had rested a hand on Elijah's leg, happy to be able to touch and be with him through this. He couldn't imagine what would have happened if he hadn't come on this trip, if he'd left the company. He couldn't imagine how much he would have worried. Ric leaned in and kissed Elijah's ear. "I love you," he whispered, then got busy eating.

Elijah smiled again and, when Alaric was still chewing, he turned and gave him a kiss, then laughed. "Such a romantic affair we're having, my darling."

Nik smirked and tapped his mug to Sebastian's, giving him a slightly quirked eyebrow and a strangely teasing but certainly friendly little smile.

Sebastian bumped Alaric's mug, who in turn just took Elijah's and ate from it before giving it back. "Be nice," he said playfully. "This might be as romantic as we get the chance to be."

"So," Kol said finally. "Since we're not really on the assignment anymore. What's the plan. Just camp out until it's time to try and hike? Or are we gonna try and document this?"

"Document," Nik and Elijah said in unison. Nik huffed in mock annoyance at Elijah, then scooted over closer to Emma and leaned on her other side, so she was firmly sandwiched between him and Gaston. "If nothing else," he said, and took another bite, "imagine the wonderful found footage thriller it will make."

"Nothing of the sort. It will be more of a -- Life Aquatic type piece."

Nik snorted. "Does this mean we get to call you Stevesie?"

"If you must." Elijah gave a long suffering sigh and pressed his leg against Alaric's.

"Fine, but if we're going to document, we're still going to be professionals. We have lights, but they shouldn't be kept on long." He looked at Elijah. "We'll need you to try to get things in one take." Alaric was in director mode now, and there was little to be done when he was like this. "Emma, we might call on you to help with phrasing and scripting. Normally we try to do it on the fly, but I don't know that we can risk that this time around. "We want people to know what happened to us without turning into the ghost adventurers who lost any credibility years ago."

Elijah nodded and looked at Niklaus. "Just one camera at a time, I'm afraid."

Nik frowned but nodded, seeing the sense in it.

"What about the three of you?" Kol nodded at the gunmen and Emma, "Can we get you all on film? Can we document your experience for credibility?"

Emma blushed a little, but nodded. "I suppose so."

"I prefer not to be on cameras," Sebastian said simply. Then there was a long pause. "If you make it quick. Concise. But keep most of the retelling of what happened to other people. Like Gaston or one of you."

Nik looked at Kol and gave him a tiny nod. Whatever happened, he would do Sebastian's story justice, whether Sebastian thought it was worth telling or not. If they made it out alive, they could edit out as much as the gunman wanted, but if not? He was a good man, one of them, someone they loved, and he deserved to be known for it.

"Now, here's the question I suppose we most need to ponder upon, now the decision has been made to document... Does the magic stay in?" Elijah twitched an eyebrow as he asked. "Do we tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Or a story the public can believe?"

"How do we tell part of the story without telling all of it?" Emma asked quietly. "What I mean is... this has been a day for us. But how do we say, ‘lol guys we just abandoned our camp for a month and didn't tell anybody.’ How do we tell them that we didn't run off or get abducted without telling them the truth?"

"By lying," Nik suggested, and rubbed his forehead. "Or leaving it as a mystery -- whatever happened to the Mikaelson team? Why don't they remember how they passed a month? But perhaps, Elijah, this is something we should decide on the cutting room floor. We'll film for both."

Elijah nodded.

Emma frowned but nodded. She nudged Niklaus and could feel the uncertainty of everyone.

Once she finished, she stood, using a hand on Gaston's shoulder to help her up, and then walked over toward Evelyn. "Are you hungry?" She asked, though that wasn't really what she wanted to know. How's my brother?

The leopard gave a small nod and looked pointedly at the two gunmen. Gaston had just finished and so he stood. "I hear you, belle, I hear you," he said, sounding good-natured and calm as he climbed back up to resume watch on the tower. Evelyn jumped lightly down again and shifted back into her human form, brushing her fingers against Emma's shoulder as she walked over to take Gaston's mug.

"Thank you," she said, looking at Emma after getting food and sitting. "You know, I enjoyed meeting you. I thought you looked like prey." She smiled, and her eyes, which had earlier been a sort of almost toxic looking violet, shifted into the rich, mercury color of her hair.

"Like prey?" Elijah stood. "Is that a compliment?"

"The highest."

Frowning a little, unsure whether or not to believe her, Elijah nodded. He stepped past Moran and touched his shoulder affectionately as he did so, moving to resume work on the generator. Nik started gathering up dishes as soon as anyone was done with them, and he ensured they were clean -- not that it really mattered. They weren't going to be growing many bacteria out here.

For many of them, there didn't seem to be much in the way of something to do. Sebastian went back out to do the rounds of the markers, making sure they were still flashing, though he could see from here that they were. He wondered exactly how far this spell stretched.

Emma crawled into a tent to gather her things, then returned to a seat positioned near the fence, using a small pen light she held in her mouth to take notes.

Kol followed Nik around for the most part while Alaric helped Elijah however he could, switching out his own hands to work on the generator when Elijah's got too cold. And like that, they all worked through as much of the day as their energies would allow.

To be fair, Emma wrote, compared to yesterday, today was mild. I don't know what the boys will choose to say on film. But if I don't have the truth, if I don't share the truth, then I might go mad.

Most of the time, the snow leopard either stayed at Emma's side or followed whichever gunman was out on a round. The cold was slowly deepening, as though the world was only just now learning that it was no longer summer, and she wanted to make sure that if one of them was out there, he came back alive safely; Emma needed them both. While Evelyn would like to get all of them home, despite them being humans, Emma was the one for whom she cared the most. The girl was sweet, both delicate and iron-strong at once, and she meant far too much to Eli for Evelyn to be willing to give up on her.

At one point, when it was nearly dinnertime and there were a few sparks flashing between Elijah and Alaric as the crank generator began to work -- Elijah estimated there to only be an hour or so of work left on it -- the leopard was out padding silently alongside Sebastian. The night had deepened to the point where Gaston could no longer see them out here; the little flashes of red light seemed to almost be the perimeter of the world, and the tiny, bobbing stars from flashlights were its center. The leopard looked back at them once but then the breeze shifted ever so slightly and she immediately flattened her ears and hissed, stopping in her tracks.

When she hissed, Sebastian did two things. He raised his gun, and then put on thermal goggles.

Naturally, they didn't help. Why would they?

It felt strange to defer to anyone, let alone a feline, but this woman, this cat, had already helped them.

He kept his leg against her so that she could guide him if she wanted to pursue, and his finger rested beside the trigger. "Say the fucking word, darling. I'll fire into the darkness, no questions asked." He had zero doubt she could find a way to signal him without speaking.

The wind was shifting, taunting, and her shoulder was taut against his leg as she tried to be sure she had really smelled something. When the wind settled down a moment later, coming towards them now, she sniffed again and slowly relaxed -- as a very large thermal signature came bobbing up over a small ridge.

A polar bear.

The bear neither saw nor smelled them, and the cat stood up straighter, tail twitching curiously as the bear approached. When it got close enough to notice, it stopped and bounced away a few feet, holding a paw against its chest like a caricature of someone shocked nearly to death.

Sebastian kept his gun up. If the bear charged, he would need to shoot. Still, as much as he knew they wanted to document, this could also provide food... meat for them for days. He stepped back a little, hoping the bear would wander through their markers and alert Gaston. This project was shot anyway. So why not feast?

It took a few minutes for the bear to decide not to be startled, and then it came trudging up to them curiously. It wasn't the largest polar bear, but it held its head up as high as Moran's when it got to them. It sniffed them both curiously before backing away quickly when the cat walked under it, then onto it. The bear grunted and snorted and looked at Sebastian as if he could save him from this invasion of privacy, but then Evelyn relented.

The bear wouldn't taste very good, she thought. She was down on the ground again then, and with one last sniff, the bear decided it had had enough. It raced away, looking worriedly over its shoulder at them until the darkness swallowed them up -- but the cat's thoughts had mirrored Sebastian's and the smell of its feet had given her an idea.

She turned away from their perimeter line and bounded about twenty feet away before looking expectantly at Moran, clearly impatient that he was so slow to follow.

Humans.

He followed, of course he did. But his thoughts were still on whether or not he should have shot it. Whether or not it tasted good, it was protein and would keep them alive.

Sebastian kept his thermal goggles on and followed her out, curious as to where she was leading him.

Eventually, the ground seemed to stretch under Moran's feet. There were occasional cracks and groans with each step on the ice --

Evelyn had led him to the sea.

She stood there sniffing delicately for a moment before darting out in a new direction on the ice, and when she stopped, she chattered at Moran, tail thrashing in excitement. Her paws were at the edge of a hole through which the seawater sloshed, and judging by the ice hanging off of her face, she'd already plunged her head in once before he got there.

"Fish. You want me to fish? With what? Bullets?? I'll lose a hand if I stick it in there..." He huffed, frustrated that this ice could cost them both their lives, but started patting himself down, looking for anything he could use.

Evelyn shifted back. "I am not overly familiar with guns. I understand what they do, but... are they fast?" She wrapped her arms around herself, studying him.

"Are you insane? You'll freeze. And the water slows the trajectory. And a bullet is... if i shoot the fish in the side it'll be a waste of both ammunition and..." he caught sight of the creature swimming beneath them, shot, and the fish slowly came to the surface. "Fine. I'll try to get enough for each person." It would likely need to be more than the seven people they had in case he missed or ruined his target. "I'll... need help collecting them."

The sound of the shot startled her and she flinched, but otherwise didn't react to it, waiting until the air felt still again.

"No, no. Not the fish. Ignore the other fish. They're perfect just as they are. The bear's feet smelled like seawater, and his trail led here. This is a hole for seals. They make these, they come up to breathe out of them, I saw another one like it when I was looking for you. If we come back... When the seal comes up, can you put a bullet in its head? I can drag it out and between the two of us, we could bring it back easily."

She knelt and grabbed the fish, then set it aside. There was no reason not to keep it, it was a meal. Crouched on the ice, she looked up at him. "You understand? We can come back later, with something to pull it on... and catch a very large meal. Days of meat for everyone."

He huffed, nodding. "Yes, princess, i understand."

Was that so difficult to say the first time?

"Princess? I believe you meant to say either Your Grace or  my queen. Princess." Evelyn gave him an offended look, shifted back, and picked the fish up in her mouth before turning and heading back the way they'd come. This time, at least, she went more slowly, making sure he kept up.

[theemmataylor]

A Frozen Medley || Sebastian, Gaston, Emma, Evelyn, Alaric, and the Mikaelson Brothers

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI

The gunman quirked a brow. Even the wolf from this morning hadn't felt that threatening to him, and he'd been snarling and bleeding. But this cat... "Well, I can't just fucking lead you back to them, can I?"

Insane.

You are going fucking insane, Moran.

Might as well embrace it, right?

"One other gunman, five civilians. Film crew. Writer. We... are here for a documentary. I'm here to make sure they are safe. And this morning we woke up to..." He gestured toward the censors that had been deactivated. "And our electric fence down. A rabbit foot hanging from it. Our satellite radio and EPIRB's have all been destroyed. And... I've lost my fucking mind."

I'm out of ideas. I'm running out of hope.

The cat turned back to him and nuzzled her face against one of his hands, then sighed and looked at the markers. She sniffed at it then turned and looked for the next. When she saw it, she turned and started walking calmly towards it, not seeming to care whether Moran accompanied her or not.

He did, surprised that the cat had seemed to... take to him? He wasn't sure. She hadn't bitten him, that was one thing, at least. His eyes lifted back up to the camp site, grateful, at least, that they were in this kind of landscape and he had this kind of visibility from this distance. Even in the still darkness.

Sebastian didn't let his gun relax as it was strapped to his chest. He kept it in hand, though it was no longer raised. For once he didn't speak. He was tired. More so than he would ever admit to being. This trip wasn't supposed to be like this. Hell, after this maybe he needed to just retire.

"The man. Earlier. He had no heat. My glasses... He had no heat."

Evelyn stopped, waiting for him to catch up. When he did, she moved at an easy pace for him to match, letting her fur brush against his leg. When they got to the next marker, she sniffed at it, then went on to the next -- which had the rabbit's heart atop it. The leopard batted at the pole, eyes fixed on the top, and when the heart fell to the snow, the little red light flashed once.

In sequence, the rest of the markers began their periodic flickering.

Turning, she looked up at the tired human. Is this what you wanted? she wondered, and touched her nose calmly to his hand before looking at the camp again.

Sebastian moved closer to the marker and stuck his hand out past it. His watch vibrated with one of the hour markers lighting up brighter than the others. Eight o'clock. Exactly the position they were from camp. Just southwest.

His hand gently pet over the top of the cat's head, carefully scratching behind her ears. "Thank you," he said softly. "It doesn't help us reach out to anybody. But I... feel safer.

"Do you need water? It is all I have to offer you. I can't steal rations from the team."

She shook her head, although offering such human gestures in this form always felt ridiculous. Still, until she saw Emma -- who else really mattered? -- she had no desire to reveal who or what she really was, and so small gestures would have to be enough for now.

The snow leopard sniffed the air when a breeze kicked up, but she only relaxed afterwards, seeming to find no threat on it -- at least not for now. Her long tail twined around the hunter's nearest leg and she huffed quietly.

"Okay."

Sebastian made way for their camp, taking his time when he got close enough to do a circle, looking for any more signs of that fucking rabbit tainting their equipment. He checked the solar panels and then finally approached the fence, making sure the cat didn't walk too close.

"Do not ask me how I know she is safe, but she is. The markers are back up. I assume you know that now, since me testing it set off my watch. I'm going to stand out here for a bit. Go ahead and let everyone out for a latrine trip and to get food and whatever else they would like to keep with them until we can figure out these fences. We still don't have radios. But there is at least something to help us for now."

Anyone else and Gaston would have thought they were insane, bringing a damned cat back to the camp. Here they were, worried about predators, and the man had just brought one with him -- but for the first time, the fox showed its face. It came out, sniffing nervously, and darted over to the cat, sniffing at her paws.

She ignored him completely.

Gaston watched this for just a moment, looked around once more, then climbed down and knocked on the cage. "Open up," he said, "your first prison recess is about to begin."

Niklaus was the first out, desperate for a chance to stretch. He groaned as he did so -- and when he saw the leopard he jumped back, startled. "Elijah!"

Elijah came out, looked at her, and smiled with delight. "How strange. Hello there." Walking over, he crouched and let her sniff his hand before he went back to working on his generator.

Yes. Pet the cat. Of course.

Alaric and Kol were the next two out, their joints cracking as they managed to finally extend their limbs. "You know what's not bloody fair," Kol muttered, turning and catching sight of the cat, stalling completely in what he was about to say. "Where did you come from, darling?" he asked, though didn't extend a hand.

She was a cat, sure. But her teeth were doubtless sharp.

"You were saying?" Alaric prodded, smiling in the direction of the cat, but also keeping his distance. Only snapping in Nik's direction to make sure he wasn't forgetting to get his damn camera.

"Is that she is so small that she wasn't cramped in that cage at all. Just laid across both of us."

"It's not my fault you all make a comfortable mattress when smooshed together," Emma teased, striding out last from the cage and looking up to frown at the sky. "Why is it still dark, though. Like, the electronics I kinda, almost get. Maybe the poles screwed with it or something. Or maybe there is some hoodoo magic craziness going on. But why the darkness?"

"Why the darkness indeed," Elijah said. "The reprieve from the cage is not yet permanent. Refill the water bottles, eat, use the latrine, and get what you need to be more comfortable in there should we need to return, please."

Nik had needed the snaps; he went and got his camera, then headed off to piss, obediently using the damned bucket to please Elijah, but he kept looking over his shoulder at the cat. What the hell was a snow leopard doing here? And why did it look so delighted upon Emma's appearance?

The cat had immediately gone up to Emma once she saw her. She rubbed her head against the woman's hips, purring softly, and circled her several times, rubbing against her constantly.

Gaston frowned and looked around, then risked going up to Moran. "Talk to me, please," he said, shoulder to shoulder. "Tell me how you are doing."

Emma practically squeaked with delight and seemed to forget that she needed to use the restroom or that she wanted her notebook. She carefully reached out to pet the cat, leaning down enough to kiss between her ears, and was now beaming.

Sebastian stood tense, watching the cat, still holding his rifle tight. "Well. A rabbit walked toward me. It didn't fucking hop. And then a man appeared out of goddamn nowhere. His teeth spun. He... I don't know what I saw. It was dark. And I...

"Then she showed up. Walked the markers with me. There was a fucking rabbit heart balancing on one of them. She knocked it loose and the damn thing started flashing again. It's still dark. I'm still confused. But for some reason I'm trusting that damn cat. Who... Well, at least she likes Emma."

"Wait, wait. A man? I was watching you nearly the entire time, I saw no man. Is that what you fired at? I saw a bird...?"

"Yeah, well, he seemed to dissolve around the fucking bullet I fired at him and then turned into the bird when she showed up." He nodded at the leopard. "He had no heat register."

"Wonderful. So -- magic is definitely happening?"

Evelyn shifted back once Emma seemed pleased to see her. Her shimmering gray garments fluttered around her, looking far too formal and out of place in the arctic and her thick, silvery curls looked soft and clean and fresh. She was barefoot as always, the little chains and bells around her ankles glittering even in the seemingly eternal twilight, but she seemed content.

Gaston blinked. "Okay then. That happened."

"I'm not sure you'll remember me, Emma, we only met once -- Evelyn? Eli's companion."

Nik had come back over and just stood there, staring, while Elijah did much the same from his position on the ground.

"Magic is definitely happening," Sebastian responded as the woman appeared.

Emma actually did squeak this time and she wrapped her arms around Evelyn, then stepped back again, blushing. "It is so good to see a familiar face. But..." It dawned on her, suddenly, what was happening. "How did you... Why are you here? Not that I'm not so happy to see you. But... How?"

"How? I've been searching for -- you -- do know how long you've all been missing, don't you?"

Elijah stood. "Missing?"

"It's been a month." Evelyn met his eyes a moment, then looked back at Emma. "A friend named Evry asked me to help look for you. They've been searching some... coordinates, but all anyone ever found was an empty camp. This empty camp."

Elijah looked at Alaric.

"We came here yesterday. Flew in, yesterday." Alaric answered, stepping closer to Elijah and placing a hand on his back.

Emma's eyes were wide but she nodded in response. "Yeah. We... Yesterday we had wolves attack our hotel down in North Star. And then we were woken up today because our fence had quit and the markers had somehow been disabled. But we... have been here. Slept here."

"Is that why there is no sunlight?" Kol asked quietly. "It's not witchcraft. It's just... winter?"

"Early winter," Evelyn said with a solemn nod. "The sun won't come above the horizon again for months."

"Have you -- any way of contacting anyone?" Elijah put his arm around Alaric, trying to feel some sense of hope, but he saw the serious look in the woman's eyes.

"No. The spell that... has somehow... separated you from the -- normal world. It was too powerful. I have no magic left, other than enough to change forms." She put her arm around Emma and hugged her close for a moment, then looked back at Elijah.

Elijah's eyes narrowed and he shook his head. "You've stranded yourself in this... potentially alternate dimension as well then? Why?"

"Someone asked me to help. I don't give up on people who need it. I sent word of what I was doing... but whatever happens, I'll be with you." She looked at Emma's face once more then let her go. "Go. Eat. Relieve yourself. The danger is not yet passed, and we mustn't forget it."

Winter. Elijah had to force himself not to let his dismay show. They weren't prepared to be here for a full Arctic winter, certainly not with some strange, magical foe. He licked his lips once, then looked at Alaric, searching his eyes, trying to see just how he was taking this.

Alaric turned to face Elijah, putting the face between both of his mittened hands. He leaned in and kissed him. "We will survive," he replied softly. "We'll make that generator. We'll ration foods. We'll stay in the tents as much as possible. Maybe even move equipment to one tent and all of us in the other so that there is more warmth. We... We've survived a month, apparently. We can make it longer if we have to. But now that... the barrier seems to be down. Maybe someone will find us."

"Nobody is going to believe us," Kol said quietly. "The network. The magazine Emma writes for. They are all going to want to know what happened to us. But who the hell is going to believe that we were just here overnight and suddenly we're in the middle of winter."

Sebastian looked at Evelyn. "Do you know anything about the wolves? I... you said Evry asked you to help. He had been contacted because of the wolves, the same species of the one that showed up at our front gates this morning. They weren't just wolves..."

Evelyn looked over at Alaric. "The barrier isn't down. I'm sorry. I came through it, but I couldn't break it. We're inside someone's spell -- a very powerful, very dark spell." She spared Kol a glance, then look at Sebastian again. "I can't explain the animals yet. Wolves or rabbits. Evry seemed to know, but I lost contact with him. We split up when I felt a glimmer of magic that led me here, and he felt -- something else, calling him away."

Everything in Emma's expression and stance seemed to wilt.

"We're still missing," she whispered, eyes filling with tears. She looked around at all of the boys she was with, and wished she could somehow protect them.

"We have to abandon camp. But we... will never survive out there. Not in the winter. So what? Do we ration out food and hunt rabid rabbits until summer? And then hope that we are even still capable of getting somewhere, to some kind of civilization where we can make a call.

"People will stop looking for us. We're..."

Doomed.

They were all thinking it. Or at least many of them were.

"Doomed," Niklaus said aloud, his voice soft. "The rabbits will all be gone soon. The foxes... There won't be anything left to eat."

Gaston's expression darkened at the hints of despair he could hear.

"Yet we can't walk out. The winter will kill us..." Nik ran a hand over his face. He had followed Elijah into many places, but even with the greatest danger, he had never once thought that this was how it would end.

There was a deep moment of silence, then Elijah shook his head. "We're not doomed. Merely delayed. Arctic explorations have always been fraught with difficulties -- but we have advantages here. If we ration carefully, we can extend our food supply another two weeks, if we huddle together at night for warmth to make up for the reduction in calories. Walking out -- is not realistic." He turned away from Alaric, but put his arm around him. "We'll make an igloo and live in it rather than in a tent; it will be significantly warmer. We're also not far from the sea -- we simply can't see it at the moment, it's frozen over."

"The sea does us what good, Elijah? You want to fish? With the nets and lines and hooks we don't have?"

"Anything we need, Niklaus, we will make. We have tools. We have a set of brilliant minds. We will survive this winter, however long it lasts, and we will see summer again. And I was not thinking of fish, but of seals. They can be hunted with a spear."

Nik turned away entirely and ran his hands down his face. "No. No. We should try to walk out. To go -- somewhere. Moran!" He turned to him. "Talk some sense into my brother."

Evelyn pulled a sleeping bag out of the cage and wrapped it around herself, standing on the thick fabric as she listened.

"I cannot encourage people to walk to their deaths." Sebastian gave Nik an apologetic look. "Besides. Maybe... maybe if one day here was a month... maybe time will keep traveling faster out there. Before we know it, it'll be summer. But we still need to ration our food. Because when we do leave camp, we'll need food."

Niklaus glared cool daggers at Moran for a moment before he turned and confronted Elijah again. "Well, then. Let's put it to a vote. Since we'll all die equally, we might as well have equal say in deciding to."

"No, Niklaus." Elijah shook his head once. "We are not voting on this. We're not breaking down the order of this expedition and turning this group into a democratic proceeding. Myself and Alaric are still the leaders when it comes to day-to-day life, and Moran remains in command when it comes to dealing with outside threats. That is how it is, that is how it will remain. I see nothing left to discuss."

I don't want to die here, Elijah, Nik wanted to say, but he couldn't make his lips move again. He was still for a long moment, then said, "I'll bloody make breakfast. Light fare for all."

Emma had gone to rummage in the tents, bringing out Evelyn everything she could think of to help keep her warm, including a pair of boots that she didn't know would fit. Then, while Niklaus started breakfast, Emma began working to rebuild the tents.

Alaric put a hand on Elijah's shoulder and leaned in to kiss his forehead. "Let's get that generator running. I don't know what predators will be around. But maybe... it will give us some peace of mind."

"So. If a day for us was a month. It's... what? Late October now? November? We'll be here a week before summer starts to hit at that rate? That would give us five weeks of food to try to make it to some kind of shelter and contact the outside world. Even if we travel 15 miles a day, every day... that's..." he was quiet a second, "Five hundred and something miles. Five-twenty-five, I think. Will that get us anywhere?"

Evelyn had thanked Emma but had to decline, although she didn't explain the reason to her. It wasn't something she liked to discuss, that the only thing she could ever wear again was the shroud she'd be buried in -- the beautiful, shimmering dark grey fabric she wrapped herself in so artfully that the nearly transparent fabric fell in layers around her body, looking like some strange, expensive, perhaps Roman-inspired version of an evening gown. She watched the others for a while before putting the sleeping bag back in the cage and shifting back into her furred form. Then, it was no effort at all to leap up to the platform, and she sat up there, watching and smelling around them.

"If a day was a month," Elijah said, "and not just a -- single magical event." He was quiet for several minutes, then moved to get his work, sitting down with his supplies again and resuming construction. "Without a steady food supply, more than we have, we can't afford the calories we'll spend dragging heavy loads of equipment -- which means taking nothing but absolute necessities, and even then. It's not cold enough to be.... it's just the beginning of winter. Otherwise, we would all be much colder. The metal brittle. It's got to be just about zero degrees right now. If we face an average winter, including the wind chill from the winds that often scour this region -- it can drop another eighty degrees on us.

"That being said -- we're.... fairly close... to Alert. We're technically closer to Eureka, by about fifty miles,, but if the ice isn't solid, we'll never make it across to them. Alert can be reached overland -- in roughly three hundred miles.... as the crow flies. Our route will be significantly longer."

Emma quietly walked over to Niklaus, offering him a sad and weak smile. If she cried it would just freeze, she was sure. "Can I help you," she asked softly, putting a hand on his shoulder, trying to offer support. "If you... want to go be with your brother? He seems... I don't think he liked that news."

Who did?

Sebastian approached Gaston subtly, speaking under his breath. "If we have to trek. If things start to look dire... I wouldn't ever lightly ask you to kill a man. But... for sustenance. For a distraction from predators... you make sure they make it to safety. Kill me if you have to."

"You do realize you'll be entirely indigestible?" Gaston replied, his quiet voice teasing, but he gave a small nod.

Sebastian smirked. "Is that a quip about my personality, LeFevre?"

"You're just so tough and bitter." After a moment of silence while he turned his head to watch the group, he asked, "If it comes to it -- do you want to know when it's time? Or do you prefer -- to have no idea?"

There was a thought. Did he want to know?

"Yeah. Yeah you can let me know. I won't fight you on it. I... trust your judgement, LeFevre."

Again, he was quiet. Then, Gaston turned to look Moran in the eye. He held his gaze for a long moment, then pulled him into his arms and held him tightly -- perhaps a bit too tightly, but he thought Moran could use it. "Mon commandant... je t'aime. And this, none of this, you need to know that it is not your fault. You understand?"

Slowly, Sebastian lifted an arm to hold on to Gaston's waist. "I keep racking my brain. Did I miss the fence being off earlier? The hour before you woke. Did I miss it. Could I have..." he fell quiet and shook his head.

Kol walked over and nudged Niklaus, nodding at the gunmen. "I called it," he mused, in reference to their bet that the two were a couple.

"No." Gaston held him tighter. "No. No. You did not. You could not have. Are you a sorcerer who can stop the sun, my friend? You are not. Can you stop time? Speed it up? No. You are only a man -- and that is all you need ever be. You want to be too much, to protect people from everything -- but you cannot protect them from the dangers of a world we do not even know how to see."

Nik had been letting Emma help him, although he stayed quiet and found himself looking at her more often. If this was the beginning of winter, he and Emma would not likely be around much longer... but then Kol was there, poking at him, and he merely nodded.

"So it would seem."

Kol frowned, glancing at Emma who nodded toward the tents. Then he patted his brother on the shoulder and tugged Nik to go to the tent with him. "Come on. Come talk to me."

"I can finish breakfast, Nik. It's okay," Emma said softly. She wanted to help. She wanted Nik to be okay. Survival was so much about mental strength.

"Please, Niklaus," Kol whispered, vulnerability in his stare.

Nik looked at Emma with gratitude, then turned and stared at Kol for a moment, looking at his brother's sweet eyes, seeing his vulnerability and his strength. He nodded quietly, then called out, "Elijah, Kol and I will be in the tent. Tell the gunmen not to panic if they don't see us." That said, he slipped quietly inside.

"Tell me what you're thinking," Kol whispered quietly, closing their tent and then moving to hold his brother by his face after removing his gloves. "You're not going to die, if that's the shit that's going through your mind. Nik. You're not dying."

Nik shook his head a little, but not enough to break it free from Kol's hold. We all will, he wanted to say. We'll never make it to Alert. Elijah, maybe. Maybe LeFevre. But Moran will die before letting anyone else, and then the others will drop off. Well. Emma first. Then probably Alaric, he'll do something heroic and foolish. Sebastian. Me. You. Elijah. LeFevre...

The tears that always shamed him, but which he could never be free of, returned and he just shrugged.

Kol kissed him softly. Not thinking. Not caring. "I can see defeat in your eyes. Please. Just talk to me."

"You have to promise me," Nik said, and hated that his voice shook, "that you'll live, Kol. No matter what. I need to know my little brother is still alive."

[theemmataylor]

A Frozen Medley || Sebastian, Gaston, Emma, Evelyn, Alaric, and the Mikaelson Brothers

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI

Sebastian left Gaston with Elijah, went to collapse the tents, then returned.

Nudging his brother in the ribs, Kol's face showed only an ounce of concern, though it boiled deep in his blood. "Just. Fucking. Listen. Something's wrong."

Once was one thing. Emma could stay strong through the first one. But now, laying there, terrified and actually shaking, she started crying. It was quiet enough until she sniffled and Alaric wrapped an arm around her. "We'll get out of here. We're okay."

"Okay. So someone fucking with equipment I get. Care to explain the sun trick?" Sebastian muttered.

When the panels failed to work again, Elijah swore and ripped the battery out of one. "Don't touch the fence," he called out, although he doubted either Gaston or Sebastian would. Gaston had just gone to climb up onto the tower. Stripping and splicing wires as quickly as he could, his hands bare now, Elijah wired the fence directly to a battery. He left the circuit incomplete until he'd wrapped tape around the wire. Heart in his throat but hands steady, he connected it.

Sparks flashed and the wires hummed -- and the fence started ticking again.

Elijah lifted the battery and set it in the nest of the panel. "With even the most minor solar augmentation, each battery should have lasted two full weeks on its own. Like this -- perhaps thirty-six hours at best. We have four batteries. I can make a hand-crank generator for the fence or I can attempt to repair the satellite phone next."

"It looked beyond repair," Gaston said, hearing every word crisp and clear.

Elijah nodded. "There's one more option. There are twelve personal emergency indicating radio beacons. Just one of them should be enough to get help to us, and will operate for... well, it's got to be twenty-degrees colder than what they were tested for by now, so I'll estimate their lifespan of each to be eight hours.

"Moran, can you look for a small red plastic case -- the size of a shoebox? They'll be inside it. We were going to distribute them this morning. I'm going to start working on that generator."

Nik smacked his hand against a bar. "What about the bloody sun, Elijah? When is it rising?"

"By all indications, Niklaus, it isn't. Alaric, Kol. We found a hare's foot atop one of the fence posts. If either of you knows any -- significance it might hold, by all means. Please tell us." He sounded vaguely irritated, but mostly calm -- a bit hurried, but in a way that spoke more of impatience to get to somewhere pleasant rather than any actual fear.

Still with his arm around Emma who had at least started to calm, Alaric racked his brain for everything he knew about a rabbit's foot. "As far as North American lore goes, the rabbit, or hare's foot is only supposed to be a sign of good luck. But there are so many stipulations about how you should extract the foot. Like it should be done from the left hind foot. But not just the left hind foot it should be done on a cemetery, and not just the left hind foot taken in a cemetery, it should be done... and different legends contradict once another, but it should be done on a full moon, or a new moon, or Friday the 13th or when it's raining. But it's all hoodoo stuff. There are some reports that it was taken from a shapeshifting witches foot. But back in the 90s they were kind of a major craze. You could find keychain rabbit's feet, both genuine and synthetic just about anywhere." It felt strange to him to be yelling out this lore when he couldn't see anything. But, at the same time, it made sense that Moran might be taking precautions from snipers. "I can't imagine it would be considered good luck if it was taken in the wrong way. And I... can't imagine that there is any cemetery around here."

Finally he fell quiet, thinking, relieved that he had finally started to hear the ticking of the fence again. But the sun not rising... it didn't make any damn sense. This trip was cursed.

Sebastian went to find the radios and was so thoroughly livid at opening the case to find them all burned and melted inside their unscathed case that he threw one across the open space, hearing it crash against the ground.

At this point, their only hope was Montparnasse. Because without a radio, Sebastian couldn't call. But, at the same time, if whatever was doing this to them could stop the fucking sun, there was a good chance they could fake a call to assure people that they were okay.

He returned to Elijah. "Can you make your hand crank generator reach you in the cage? I can't afford to cover you all night. Eventually something is going to attack and I need you behind those bars."

All day, Elijah thought. It's morning now... Even though it didn't look like morning. He considered Moran's question even while already going through gear boxes and tearing out what he'd need, and he nodded.

"I need to build it out here, I'll need the space, but once it's done, yes. I can make it reach the cage and operate it from there."

"So what happens next?" Nik asked, muffled as he was, and he put an arm around Emma as well. "Do we... how long until we're overdue?"

"Alaric? You set the overdue check-in date with the office, didn't you? How much time do we have?" Elijah asked, although he was thinking something else entirely. He was thinking, Now we start walking because either way, we die, and it makes sense to at least try to get people to safety. He was laying out the equipment he intended to take parts from and he finally sat down in the middle of it, multi-tool in hand, and started working.

"Three days. That way we're checking in twice a week. I checked in once we were set up yesterday. So... today is day one."

Mentally, Sebastian was unknowingly disagreeing with Elijah. Because Montparnasse would send someone before then. And he would send someone to the last place Sebastian had had a signal from.

The sniper shifted weight. His leg ached in the most annoying way.

Through all of this, Kol kept quiet. Overly so. He barely breathed. Completely tense and trying to hear out beyond their camp.

Emma, however, grumbled and then sat up. "I need my notebook. I'm not getting out of here alive empty handed."

"Kol," Elijah called, while he worked, "Will you do something for me while you're in there?"

"What is it?" He asked finally, sighing.

"Emma mentioned her notebook. Can you help everyone in there make a little mental list of everything they need if we have to evacuate? We'll likely be just fine. Whatever's happening, we'll handle it. And obviously, staying in place will be our first choice -- but should that become impossible, everyone has a few necessities they must be able to bring out, no doubt. Help figure out what those things are? Talk it over."

He shot Sebastian a quick do not take this task away from them look. For one thing, Elijah knew it was important. For another, he wanted them at least marginally busy with something in there, anything -- even if it annoyed the hell out of them. The last thing he wanted anyone doing was fixating too hard on looking or listening -- it was far too easy to hypnotize oneself with fear.

Alaric, actually, kind of took over for Kol, asking Emma if there was anything else she needed. Then asked Nik which cameras he couldn't leave behind. And finally made a mental list for himself. Kol had one thing on his list.

Niklaus.

Sebastian remained quiet as Elijah worked. He wore the glasses. Saw nothing. Fuck. "Anything? How is your gut?" he called up to Gaston. "Instincts. What are they telling you?"

"That -- the situation isn't dire yet, just more complicated than we know." LeFevre sounded somewhat frustrated. He glanced down at Elijah's progress, but the truth was he didn't have the faintest idea how to do what Elijah was doing, so he couldn't try to hurry him along. He looked back out, continuing his slow circles. "I don't feel like we're about to be attacked -- but also like getting out of this mess will be much harder than it should be. Which. Is saying something."

Sebastian moved to dig through one of his packs, screwing a scope onto his rifle and then signaled up to Gaston to trade him. "Check on the cage," he said quietly when they were on equal footing. "They've been closed off since they woke up. You... are more reassuring than I am."

Sebastian climbed up, eyes constantly searching. This darkness was unnerving. And it would cause them to struggle with the cold far more than otherwise.

"Mikaelson. Make sure you're taking care of your hands. Don't get fucking frostbite. We're going nowhere fast, and for now the fence is working."

Elijah nodded to show that he understood, but he had no intention of stopping yet. Once his hands got cold he'd put his gloves back on to warm up, but until then, he wanted to keep going. His body was warm enough that his hands didn't feel much more than a chill yet.

As for Gaston, he went and crouched near the cage and knocked on the bar once. "Ahoy in there. I don't suppose anyone remembered to pack in a bit of food for you hamsters?"

"Hamsters?" Nik snorted and put his nose against Emma's hair. "Hamsters," he muttered again.

Emma giggled, though that felt weird in that situation and nudged Niklaus with her elbow. "Can I be a gerbil instead? Obviously they're cuter."

"If we're going to be foul beasts," Nik muttered, "I'll be a ferret, thank you."

"A gerbil, a ferret... Alaric, Kol? How are you? Is anyone hungry? We may need to leave you in here for a bit to be sure that you really are safe while we figure out what's going on, but there's no reason anyone needs to starve or go thirsty."

"Water would be great," Ric replied.

"I have a couple things of beef jerky in my pocket. But nothing much." Emma pulled out a couple of the small, vacuum sealed packages and offered them to each of the guys, including Gaston.

Kol denied the offer. "How long until we're out of here. What's happening with the emergency call radios?"

Gaston shook his head at Emma. "Thank you, though. I'll go get some water. Unfortunately, neither the emergency radio nor the EPIRBs are working. Elijah's building a generator now, so that once the batteries for the fence are exhausted, we'll still have protection.

"In about an hour, we'll do a bathroom break, since I know none of you had the chance yet. Can you all hold it that long?"

Nik huffed at Gaston and took one of the jerky packets with a quiet thank-you to Emma, and a soft little nudge to her shoulder. "You make it sound like a field trip, LeFevre."

"Technically," Gaston said, sounding quiet and amused, "it is."

The group nodded and seemed oddly quiet and happy, if a little concerned, with their situation.

"So who is making out on the back of the bus. That's what happens on field trips, right?" Emma teased.

"Considering Elijah is out there, thus denying Alaric the privilege," Nik said, as Gaston walked away, "and Gaston is also out there, thus denying you the privilege, I'm afraid we'll have to get a bit more creative. Why?" Even in the dark under their sleeping bags, his smirk could be heard. "Are you offering?"

Elijah glanced up at Gaston as the man picked up the insulated thermos from yesterday. He brought it and a few cups over to the cage and had Nik open the door -- it only opened from the inside -- just long enough to pass it in to him, then Gaston went back to watching, guarding....

And his hackles went up.

He didn't know what it was, but something had just changed. Even Elijah abruptly stopped what he was doing, pulled his mittens on, then froze in place for a moment before quickly getting up and moving.

Gaston didn't ask if Moran had felt it. He was sure the man did. He turned, rifle up, searching, and ignored Elijah as the man climbed over to the cage and hopped up on top of it almost silently --

And then the wolf appeared.

The wolf.

It came seemingly out of nowhere, trotting up to stop only twenty feet from their fence. It stared up at Moran with a look that almost seemed regretful, tail down and swishing slowly, little spots of blood darkening the snow anywhere it stepped.

"I knew I was going to regret letting you live," Sebastian growled from his perch, gun aimed. But this one was sent in injured. Another distraction. Something to draw his aim and waste his ammunition? "Tell the rest of them to come out. Whoever you're with. Save us all the fucking time."

"Who are they..."

Ric put a finger to his lips to shush Emma. "Something's happening."

"What do you want?"

The wolf took another step closer, but its front leg collapsed under it and it just slid to the ground. Gaston had his back to it and didn't see, too busy watching the directions the wolf might be distracting them from -- and he stayed quiet, although he heard the animal fall.

With an almost pitiful yelp of pain, the wolf managed to get back to its feet. It swayed unsteadily, eyes still staring up at Moran's.

"Fuck," Sebastian muttered and moved to the end of his platform and lowered to hang off the edge, then dropped down so he was beside the injured wolf. "Well?"

Elijah had watched warily as Sebastian left the protective circle of the electric fence. He was tense and ready to go to his aid if need be, although he reminded himself again of Moran's words and held still for now.

As for Gaston, he looked at Moran as often as he could, but he still worked on keeping the area clear. He didn't like this. He didn't like this at all. That, he was almost certain, was the same wolf they had let live -- but how could it possibly have run so far in such a short time? They hadn't even been here twenty-four hours.

The wolf pulled its lips back and snarled weakly at Sebastian, then lowered its head once as if it intended to lunge any moment.

Sebastian had taken aim. "You know you won't live through the attack," he grumbled, as if talking to a stubborn toddler. "You might get a good bite in, sure. But you're injured, and my man here behind me will shoot you without hesitation. So how about you be a good pup and go back home."

The wolf licked its lips, whimpered again, and looked up at him imploringly, despite then growling again. It took another small step forward, eyeing Sebastian's gun, every movement hesitant -- as if it wanted to be anywhere but here.

The gunman watched with reservation. This was twice now he was letting this pup live. Lucky dog. His eyes followed the actions, confused as to why it hadn't attacked, uncertain about what it wanted. Maybe it just wanted to die. Eventually he grit his teeth and took a step back. "This is a waste of time," he grumbled, backing carefully toward his perch again.

As he moved back towards the protection of the fence, the wolf snarled once more. It shook its head several times, tensed, sprang --

And fell dead on the snow not five feet from their fence, when a bullet tore through its skull.

Fuck.

Why?

He wasn't mentally questioning Gaston. Sebastian would have done the same thing, perhaps sooner if it had been Gaston back here. But why did the wolf come all the way out here. Why had it told him no. Something was wrong with their camp? Perhaps. He huffed.

"Stay here with them. I need to check our alarm markers. The ones that were disabled. Mikaelson, stay in the cage until I get back. Gaston shouldn't have to watch two points. It's a half mile there and back. Which direction were the footprints, the marker you found earlier? I'll be gone less than ten minutes."

Niklaus opened the cage door and Elijah obediently dropped down inside, then shut and locked it.

"Those three were the only ones I saw before coming back," Gaston said and indicated the direction. "They all have prints around them -- but no prints leading to the next one." Be careful. Please.

Delightful.

"I'm going to look at all three. Give me fifteen minutes." Then accept me for dead. "LeFevre," Sebastian stepped closer so that Gaston and nobody else could hear him. "My contact that I spoke with yesterday was expecting for me to turn on the satellite phone at least once a day just so he could make sure I was alive. By tomorrow if he still hasn't heard from us, he will send someone. I... have to believe that. His name is Montparnasse. Don't... let him bother looking for me if I don't return. There will be no sense."

Sebastian lowered his thermal goggles on, nodded at Gaston, and then moved in the direction of the markers indicated at a quick run. Whatever was fucking with them, he wanted to end this.

As Sebastian ran back out of the protective fence, Gaston couldn't help but wonder at just how readily the man endangered himself for them. Lesser men would have just considered their contract over and ended the entire association one way or another. There were ways to make sure no evidence could be left behind out here, with so many predators, and the two of them together would absolutely have been able to make it back alive, somehow -- or, at the very least, they'd stand a chance. Moran, though, Moran never seemed to consider it, and that goodness under his ferocity meant everything to Gaston.

That, he knew, was why he would so willingly die for Moran, if it came to it.

-

The footprints around the markers were definitely human and bare. They looked a little too large to be Emma's, although not by much. As Gaston had said, there were no prints leading from marker to marker -- just rings of prints around each once, as if the person had simply materialized at each.

At the third marker, a white hare sat on the snow, calmly watching Moran approach.

When he saw the animal, the first thing he did was check for the missing foot. He'd already spoken to a wolf today, why not a hare too? The effort of words filled his lungs but he fell short, standing at some distance from the hare, waiting to see if it didn't just scamper off. Waiting for the eyes to meet his, for the intelligence that those wolves had.

Somebody here had to have fucking answers.

The rabbit stared at him for a moment before it walked forward. It didn't hop, it walked on all four feet, moving more like a cat, moving straight towards him. It began yawning as it drew closer, revealing its long, curved teeth.

Sebastian lifted his rifle and this image of himself and... himself? -- another man who looked more like a clone -- fighting evil rabbits in a garden, came to his mind.

Weird. When had he had that dream?

Seb growled in frustration. "How many of you fucking animals are going to make me waste my ammunition for the hell of it?" He flipped his gun and struck hard, likely breaking half the body and pinning it to the ground. "What is wrong with the fucking circle?"

The rabbit shrieked for an instant and its back legs kicked as it died -- and then a man behind him giggled. A man who left no footprints on the snow. He looked like he might have been an Inuit and was certainly dressed the part, but the long gray-white locks around his face were matted with blood and his teeth turned slowly in his mouth as he bared them at Sebastian.

Gaston, watching, did not seem to see anything alarming.

The man hissed at Moran and ducked down, then splayed all of his fingers out and began twirling them in surprisingly graceful circles -- and each tooth in his mouth continued twisting, rotating, and dripping blood from the damage roots.

Sebastian had lifted his rifle, taking aim, but stayed his shot for just a moment. His stare narrowed and he seemed to snarl in response. "You Evry, by any chance?"

The man giggled and hissed and his eyes turned milky white. The dead rabbit started spreading out, flattening and stretching over the ground, skin and bones tearing, and the man laughed and began to point his right hand at Moran.

With a frustrated huff, Sebastian again lifted his gun, making sure that this wasn't just some mirage and that he wasn't facing directly at the camp, he shifted his stance just a little, watching as the man watched him, and then fired his shot, directly to his forehead.

The man split apart around the bullet and it passed harmlessly through him. He shrieked with laughter and resumed his slow point -- before staring at something just behind Moran, wide-eyed and surprised. The rabbit ceased spreading over the ground and the man's teeth froze in their place before he hissed and covered his face with an arm. The arm became a wing and then he rushed away, a white bird quickly disappearing against the snowy earth it flew so low over.

And, behind Moran, long tail thrashing, was a creature that looked perfectly at home here, yet did not belong in the slightest.

A snow leopard.

If any of them have let harm come to Emma, Evelyn thought, watching the hunter with wary eyes, I'll eat them all. She would gladly have come for Emma's sake alone -- Evelyn was rather fond of the girl's brother, even if she had yet to truly spend much time with the sister -- but could not have said no to the request given her even if she'd wanted to.

Now, tense and praying not to be the next killed animal, she hoped this was all worth it.

"For fuck's sake," he growled, lifting his gun instantly, though something in this cat's eyes made him pause. "Apparently I'm feeling generous today, giving everybody the chance to prove that you can comprehend anything I'm saying. It's Montparnasse's fault," he muttered the last part more to himself. "This is what happens when he tells me to expect guests."

But more than anything, he had just wasted a bullet. He wouldn't waste two.

"Are you going to bare sharp, curved, fucking spinning teeth at me too? I'm real damn tired of all the abnormal shit. I just want to get these civilians back to safety." Seb still seemed to be talking to himself, though he was staring at the cat.

The Great Cat.

These creatures he respected.

"I need them to live."

When Sebastian went off on his strange, brief tirade, the snow leopard sat back with a look of surprise and her ears back, tail wrapped around her feet. Her violet eyes tracked his every movement, but when he said he needed them to live, she got up and walked over to him, not an ounce of threat in any movement, and brushed her shoulder against his leg before looking over at the camp, then up at him with question.

Meanwhile...

"Elijah," Gaston said.

"Yes?" Elijah looked up from under the tarps and sleeping bags, not that he could see anything.

"Is there such a thing as a... fluffy.... long-tailed... spotted... white... arctic cat?"

"....no. There are snow leopards, of course, but they're--"

"Are they dangerous?"

"Quite, they'll hunt humans from time to time and are stronger than they look. Why?"

"Oh. No reason." Harm Moran and I will end you.

"What did he shoot, did you see?"

"White bird. Flew too close to him."

"Oh." Elijah was puzzled.

[theemmataylor]

A Frozen Medley || Sebastian, Gaston, Emma, Evelyn, Alaric, and the Mikaelson Brothers

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI

Once the sun had started to set and the temperature dropped, it was time to put everything away where it would be stored every night and then crawl into the tents. After waking up at nearly four that morning, and then literally running from the start, there wasn't an ounce of reluctance or argument from any of them.

Sebastian had a silent alarm that vibrated on his wrist to wake him every three hours to make rounds, but he crawled into his sleeping bag, his back to the brothers, and worked to settle his mind enough to allow him to sleep.

As for Kol, his back was also to Sebastian and he was staring at Niklaus, waiting to feel like the gunman was sleeping so that maybe they could talk a little more. In the meantime, he inched closer to Nik, as close as he could manage, then inched his fingers out of a space in his sleeping bag and reached to slowly, gently, boop his brother on the nose. "How are you?" he whispered.

In the other tent, Alaric had been far less shy about snuggling up next to Elijah, nose nuzzling against his jaw, nipping. He was careful to restrain himself as much as sharing a tent with two others might need. But nobody particularly seemed interested in making conversation.

Emma's sleeping bag was about a size too big for her, and she could disappear entirely inside of it. Trying to give the boys a little privacy, knowing that things had only just started for them and maybe they would like the opportunity to kiss without everybody watching. She didn't know. But just in case. Though her body was exhausted, her eyes were open, studying the figure she was now facing in the growing darkness.

"Is it weird that I feel an incredible compulsion to tell everybody goodnight? Also, this kind of feels like the first night of summer camp when I'm exhausted but I'm supposed to stay up all night. And... I'm sorry. I'm going to sleep now." She bit her bottom lip. "I'm sorry," she whispered again.

Emma got warm, soft, genuine laughter out of Elijah and the sound of his laughter got Gaston going. Elijah had been lying on his back for a while, comfortably snuggled into the furs he used instead of a bag, and he shook his head, grinning. "No, it does. It really does feel like that. My body is completely worn, but my mind is racing a million miles a minute, and all I want to do is be up with all of you -- kissing Alaric, talking to you, Emma, irritating you somehow, Gaston."

Gaston was still laughing and it took him a minute to even shut up. He wiped at his eyes, laughter a little softer now, and then shook his head. His sleeping bag crinkled as he moved in it, turning to look at Emma. "This is the worst summer camp I've ever been to. Are you warm enough, Emma?"

Elijah turned his head to look at Ric and, as soon as he could make him out in the gloom of the tent, he grinned and touched his forehead to Ric's. "Hello."

Emma had giggled, but muffled the sound in her sleeping bag. She somewhat looked over her shoulder in Elijah's direction But Gaston's voice, speaking, was enough to pull her focus back in his direction. "It is kind of the worst summer camp, isn't it? And the other tent are the adults, if they can really be called that. And here in like, five minutes we're going to get really loud shushing sounds coming from them." Her arms were wrapped around herself as she shrugged at Gaston. "I'll be okay. I'm small. My circulation is... kind of lame sometimes. I stay cold. But I'll warm up in the sleeping bag eventually."

Alaric had smiled when Elijah turned to him, licking his cheek. "Hello," he whispered, his voice perhaps a little too sultry for the light air the tent had just held. He cleared his throat. "How are you?" His question couldn't be more cheesy. But he was happy.

So. Goddamn. Happy.

"I am fine. A bit concerned for Emma, though. Emma," Elijah turned back to her. "You haven't an ounce of fat on you. Come out of your bag a moment and crawl in with me while Gaston zips your bags together."

Gaston snorted quietly at the way Elijah didn't ask if he was alright with doing that, although they both knew the answer was yes. Sometimes, the man's casual authority was irritating, something it was entertaining, sometimes it was inspiring, and sometimes all of the above. Tonight, he decided entertaining was the right word.

Emma peeked out of her sleeping bag at Gaston, her eyes were large enough that he might have been able to see them in the darkness. "I... That's not necessary. Really. I don't want to make things difficult for him. And you... know that I might have a tendency to be drawn to the heat source while I'm sleeping."

"I won't do anything untoward," Gaston assured her, "but if you're cold, we should change that. Besides, I would much rather be able to just curl up around you and have us both be warmer for it than know that you're next to me and cold. I'll be getting up every three hours," his schedule was different from Moran's, so only an hour and a half would pass without one of them being up, "but I should be able to slip in and out without waking you completely."

"I didn't... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply that I thought you would..." Finally, Emma nodded, crawling out of her sleeping bag in what couldn't have been anything by way of helping her stay warm (cotton draw-string pajama pants and a sweater. Though she did at least manage to wear socks. They would likely end up kicked off by morning.)

She hurried to dive under Elijah's blankets, brushing his skin with her cold fingers and finding herself giggling again. "He's going to hate me by morning. He needs rest tonight. And I'm not going to be able to stop giggling."

Elijah was only wearing boxers, but it in between the animal skins was as warm as an oven. "You poor thing, you're freezing," he murmured. "Alaric, we're going to have a tiny little popsicle on our hands by the end if we don't watch this one." He caught her hands and held them between his to try and warm them for a moment while Gaston rustled around with the zippers. After a few minutes and a few soft curses, there was a long zipping sound and then Gaston climbed into their now much larger bag.

"Done. Come here, Popsicle. I won't hate you. Giggle away."

Once Emma was out of his little fur bed, Elijah turned and nuzzled Alaric again, then bit him on the earlobe -- delicate, teasing, more intimate than he probably should have been.

Alaric's gasp was quiet. Silent. And his hands slipped from under his own blankets -- being the exact opposite of Emma and always sleeping warm; he slept on his sleeping bag, but only ever under a blanket not entirely uninspired by Elijah's -- and over to touch Elijah's chest. "We will have to keep an eye out for her then," he whispered. "At least tonight she'll be well taken care of."

When Emma crawled into the new giant sleeping bag, her sock had already started to twist so that it wasn't quite on right, but she didn't bother fixing it. She was careful to try to keep her hands to herself, knowing that cold fingers on someone's stomach might be the worst thing. "Thank you," she said happily, already feeling a little warmer thanks to him. Emma inched closer. "You really didn't have to offer to do this."

The touch made Elijah's insides seem to twist in a wonderful way. He loved Alaric so much that it genuinely hurt, and he loved that ache. He moved over closer, then slipped his arm around Ric's body and gave him a sweet, soft, gentle kiss. "We will,” he murmured.

"If you two are going to make out," Gaston said, "at least have the decency to be obvious about it." He was grinning and he shook his head, entirely unperturbed by the two of them, and then he turned his attention to Emma. "Oh, I didn't offer, but you're welcome. We are a team, after all. Here." He turned her away from himself so that he could spoon her -- unlike the others, Gaston was dressed, in thin wool pants and a tight poly-fleece shirt -- so at least it wasn't entirely indecent... although nothing he wore really left much to the imagination.

At all.

Still, he was a furnace, and as soon as he was settled around her, he wrapped one of his big hands around both of hers, trying to warm them, and tucked his chin over her head.

"Thank you all the same," she said feeling almost shy about how easily he'd turned her over and then pulled her against him. He was incredibly warm. And... jesus are those his ab muscles I can feel through his... She had only shifted a little, and if she had been in literally any other frame of mind, she might not have started giggling. But the night was a relatively happy one. And she was feeling giddy. "I'm sorry," she whispered, shyly, trying to calm herself. "I told you. You're going to hate me by morning."

Alaric had smiled at Gaston's words, his cheeks maybe warming a little bit and he was just on the verge when Emma had laughed again. "Now I feel like we're the adults who are left out of any inside joke and will have to drug the girl with Benadryl to get her to sleep here in an hour."

"Oh, I could find a way to help her sleep," Gaston purred, there was no other word to describe what just happened with his voice, but then he laughed softly, in all innocence, and nuzzled the back of her head. "I won't hate you by morning. It's an odd situation, to be sure, laughter can help ease the tension."

Elijah smiled sleepily and shook his head, then turned on his side so he could put his back against Alaric -- and drape his hand behind him to brush his fingers over the front of Alaric's sleep pants, just once, before he tucked his arm back where it ought to be and just relaxed. "Goodnight, you two. Goodnight Alaric." He turned his head and called out, "Goodnight Kol. Goodnight Sebastian. Goodnight Nik--"

"Sod off!"

"Klaus." Elijah grinned and flopped his head down onto his pillow.

"If you are going to be an insufferable tease this entire month, I might not survive," Alaric whispered. His stomach had twisted and again he'd found his breath caught in his lungs, holding tight as he wrapped an arm around Elijah’s waist, then bit softly at the curve of his neck and shoulders, quickly turning it into a kiss. "Goodnight, darling," he whispered in return after all the rest had responded.

Emma's jaw had actually dropped at his words, though the intention behind them seemed... obvious? He didn't really seem to be flirting with her. Which was fine. She needed to focus on this month, on her story. And on just trying not to die of any of the six thousand things that could likely kill her out here. As his hands over hers seemed to relax, Emma pulled one arm free and rested it over his, holding on to him. "Goodnight, guys," she said softly before finally letting her eyes close so she could settle into this warmth.

Gaston nuzzled her softly, then closed his eyes as well and settled in for his nap.

Meanwhile...

Nik had almost fallen asleep until the giggle fits had started, and then Elijah just had to go and say goodnight to every blessed one of them. He stared at Kol again, sulking now, before he got up and leaned over his brother -- on his brother -- to look at Sebastian and see if he was sleeping.

Sebastian hadn't replied to the goodnight wishes, and Kol had only chuckled at Nik's response. He hadn't really been close to falling asleep yet, though he didn't really seem to be weighed too heavily about what had happened the night before -- jesus was that only last night?

The sniper didn't react to the proximity of his tent mate, though it remained unclear if he was actually asleep. If someone so much as whispered his name, there was a chance that he would wake, or so Kol figured. But Elijah had just yelled it. But a man like this, trained like this, had to know how to shut everything out in order to get the most out of the couple hours of sleep he was given, right?

Kol's hand rested against Nik's ribcage as his brother laid across him. "And what is it you're trying to accomplish, brother?”

"Conducting a scientific survey," Nik replied. "I'm waiting to see how long Sebastian can handle my staring at him. When he reacts, I have a question for him."

The words were enough for Sebastian to sigh a little heavier than sleep might deem necessary and then just opened his eyes.

Nik's eyes sparkled in the dark as he smiled, and he held still another moment, just watching the sniper, before he asked: "Do you know?"

Of course I know. You two were drunk, which means you weren't half as quiet as you thought you were, and I walked down the hall at just the right time.

"Know what?"

"About my brother and I. What we did last night."

Sebastian's lips twitched into a smile, but the expression was gone as quickly as it came. "Are you asking my permission to continue things?"

That hadn't been Nik's intention -- or so he thought until Sebastian asked, and then he realized that was exactly why he'd asked. He tensed up a bit but then gave a tight, small nod.

"Were something to happen between he and I... it would very likely be while you're here," he murmured, voice too soft to carry to the other tent. "Or when you're just coming back in, or.. you get the picture, I'm sure. If it... would truly... repulse you.. that he and I were -- so close, I'm sure we can refrain for a month. But if you wouldn't terribly mind perhaps walking in on it.."

If you know what we're doing, perhaps it won't wake you up if you hear a soft, furtive rustle from one of us.

"Do as you wish." Sebastian's voice was equally as soft and low. "I'm here to make sure you don't die. And I'm better than most at keeping secrets. Mostly because I don't care enough about anything to share it with the next person. So long as I get to sleep my three hours, which you're interrupting now, and you don't put yourself in mortal danger, then your business is none of my concern."

With that, Sebastian shrugged and turned over onto his other side, giving them his back and all the privacy he could afford them.

Nik resolved to kiss Moran in the morning.

He slithered off of Kol and flopped down next to him again, although he stayed close; Nik was never as warm as either of his brothers. "You heard the man," he whispered. "Perhaps, tomorrow night, when we're a bit less exhausted, you might let me kiss you?" he tried to keep his whisper as soft as possible for Sebastian's sake.

Kol thought of a dozen different ways to respond to that question -- not all of them in the affirmative -- and decided instead to stretch forward to press a soft, lingering, careful kiss to Nik’s lips. They had done this since last night. The kissing. But it hadn't really been... There had been too much question and hesitation in each one. And they hadn't really answered any of his questions except by letting him know that he didn't hate the feeling of Nik's lips against his own.

His lips parted just enough that he could brush Nik's bottom lip with his tongue, and was surprised when he felt something closer to relief than he had expected at the simple act.

Nik shivered with pleasure at that time before he nipped at Kol's lip and retreated down into the depths of his sleeping bag with a soft hissing sound. "Goodnight, brother."

Kol smirked and rolled onto his back, heavy eyelids lowering. "Sod off," he teased, mimicking Klaus himself with the response.

In what felt like moments later, Sebastian felt the alarm on his wrist begin to vibrate and his eyes were instantly open. He slid silently out of his sleeping bag, into his clothing he'd left sitting out so he could dress quickly, and finally his boots, and pulled his face covering and hat on as he exited the tent, being sure to close it behind him as quickly as possible.

The glasses he put on were thermal. High quality, but the logistics were simple enough. The full circle they'd made earlier was saved for daytime. At night he knew he couldn't be out long enough to even run that quick mile circle. He had told Gaston no more than five to ten minutes checking for signs of any heat or life around them. Listening, most of all. And he knew he shouldn't miss anything with these on. When Gaston woke in an hour and a half, he would do the same. And their shifting schedule kept it so that they never went too long without protection

Sebastian checked his ammo and then headed out into the night air, cursing quietly. He stayed the full ten minutes, but found nothing to report, and returned back to his sleeping bag and instantly back to sleep in a matter of moments.

Trouble didn't come until the last watch, which happened to be Gaston's. The sun was nearly up, which was the only reason he decided to exceed his orders. He moved out and went to check the perimeter, but moments later, he was back.

"Moran," he whispered, crouched outside of their tent. "I need you. I'm sorry."

Sebastian was out of the tent before even being fully dressed. He did that on their way, cursing at the biting cold on his ears and nose. But if Gaston needed him, a little frost bite didn't matter. Besides, he was ready quickly. On his way out he grabbed an extra round for his gun and then met Gaston's eyes.

"What happened?"

"You have time to get dressed, I think." Gaston's back was to the tent and he was crouched on the ground, rifle ready, looking out. "The perimeter system is down. Somehow. Without causing any alerts. There are prints all around each stake. The fence has quit, too."

Stars shone out beautifully from the strange, twilight sky, and there was no ticking from the fence. There was no wind, not a sound, nothing but a deep and biting cold and a sense that something was very, very wrong.

Fuck.

He got dressed fully, his stomach twisting. "I'm three seconds from waking their asses up and making them get in the cage."

He tried to think of what could cause this. But nothing, nothing that he could think of would take that much down without an alarm going off.

"I swear to the gods, LeFevre, if you tell me they're wolf tracks, I'm sending them home."

"They're human," Gaston said, meeting his eyes for one brief moment once Sebastian was back out there with him. "Small. And barefoot."

There was another quiet rustle and then Elijah came out, fully dressed. He closed the tent behind himself and looked as if he was about to say something before his eyes widened as he registered the silence where there should have been ticking. He looked at Moran in question.

"Exactly," Sebastian whispered. "While we stand guard, how fast can you put it back online?"

His attention turned back to Gaston. "The girl in your tent... she helped put the fence up. She's not a sleepwalker, is she?"

"No. We were in the same sleeping bag whenever I was there. When I wasn't, I rolled her up against Elijah... and her feet should have been bleeding from that much walking around on the snow and ice."

The deep silence felt like a menacing companion all its own as Elijah moved to the power panels for the fence. His heart was racing and he was far more awake than he had been a minute ago; he'd awoken when he heard the other tent moving, but hadn't really thought anything would be wrong. Now, he could feel it pressing in on them, all around -- the weight of the strange Arctic twilight, the silence, the cold, the promise of predators. The fence was one of the very few things that made this expedition possible, and without it, their lives would only last as long as the bullets did, if the bears they had come here for found them.

Which they would.

Elijah closed his eyes and held his breath for a moment, focusing his fear, focusing himself as he started resetting the panels --

But when he energized them, there wasn't so much as a single blip of power.

"Fuck," he whispered, then got up and turned to Moran. "I need to walk around and inspect the fence. I'll be out of sight if I go behind the tents. Will one of you come with me?"

He knew they should have been bleeding, but was LeFevre certain they weren't? He didn't ask. She felt like a stretch anyway.  

"Gaston. You are guarding these tents. Do not, for an instant, hesitate to shoot anything that moves that isn't us. You know the path we're taking."

He tossed his thermals. "You're guarding more people than I am. Even if we're not going far."

Sebastian hated this. He hated all of this. Their first fucking night. "This is your only chance, Mikaelson. This one round. If it doesn't work I'm calling for an evac instantly, you understand?"

"I understand and agree. Without the fence, our lives will be measured only by your bullets." Elijah got into a bin and pulled out a flashlight. He rubbed the button against his cheek to be sure of which it was, then hit the switch, turning on the dim red beam. He shone it over the fence as he began circling it, looking for any sign of damage, but there was none.

On the opposite side of the tent doors, however, there was a small, white Arctic hare's foot perched atop one of the poles. Frowning, Elijah reached up and took it. He turned the bloody little thing over on his mittened palm, then continued the inspection of the fence as an icy wind began to pick up.

When they got back to the gate, he went back to try the panels one more time.

Nothing.

Elijah looked up at Sebastian and nodded. "We have to call this off. I'll take it apart and try to repair it while they dress and pre..."

Nik came out of the tent, mostly dressed, a little confused, and he held up the satellite phone -- the only satellite phone.

"What the bloody hell is going on?" he asked. Even against the twilit sky, the wires sticking out of the phone were all too obvious.

Elijah checked his watch and then looked at the horizon, seeming untroubled by the phone. He shut off the flashlight, unplugged the panels, and started disassembling one of them, moving quickly and with familiarity.

"Oh, lovely, Elijah, you don't care, but I do. Moran, please, tell me you had an encounter with the phone that you're just dying to be able to explain?"

"Pack your things." He didn't know how to get them out. "At the very least you all are going into the cage. All of you. Now, Niklaus. Get your brother."

He kept his eyes on Elijah and nodded in the direction of the other tent. "Wake them. I want them unreachable. We can hang blankets and make them stay low so they're not visible by outside eyes..."

Something has already been here.

We are already compromised.

Sebastian knew he couldn't let that show. Because if they lost faith or hope, all was lost. "Carry them if you have to. Just get them in that fucking cage."

Elijah dropped what he was doing on the spot and nodded, going into the tent. "Alaric, Emma," he said, kneeling between them and shaking both. "I need you to wake up and get dressed. Put on all of your warmest clothes, but do it quickly, and then you're going to come outside with me."

Nik stood there outside still, looking stunned. "What's..?"

"Klaus. Questions later. Fucking move."

By this time Kol had awoken and was standing behind Nik. He heard the commotion and groaned. "Not fucking again. Haven't we already been rudely awakened enough times for this damn week?"

Still, the tone in Sebastian's voice told him he wasn't kidding. He took the Satellite phone from Nik, and pulled him inside to start getting as much clothes on as possible. With his brother in tow, they were the first in the cage.

Ric woke with a start and took a breath to remember where they were. But he dressed quickly, helped Emma pile on more layers, and they all moved out into the cold where the cages were.

There were hooks at the corners of the cage and Sebastian immediately started hanging a tarp while Gaston kept watch. "Lay down if you can. And fucking stay in here."

He returned to Gaston and quietly spoke to him, watching his back now, standing shoulder to shoulder. "Anything?"

Elijah had refused to go into the cage. He buried the others in sleeping bags, but then he went right back to working on the panels, on his knees in the dark.

Gaston shook his head, scanning with Moran's thermals one more time before handing them back to him. "Nothing."

"You should knock the tents down," Elijah suggested as he worked. "They're two blind spots. You don't need to disassemble the poles, just undo the clips, the tent will fall down, leaving the poles intact. Incidentally, gentlemen, the sun should have been fully above the horizon seventeen minutes ago." And yet, of course, the sky was still dark, the stars still twinkling, the sun forgotten.

"What?" Nik hissed from their cage huddle.

Elijah continued working on the panel, taking everything apart and reassembling it with the same familiarity and confidence Sebastian or Gaston would have used with a rifle.

[theemmataylor]

A Frozen Medley || Sebastian, Gaston, Emma, Evelyn, Alaric, and the Mikaelson Brothers

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI

Elijah watched Kol, then turned and gave Alaric a small smile before he stepped to the side enough that Emma was an equal part of their conversation. "Let's help with getting the tents finished, set up beds, get the kitchen set up, then we can do the usual safety training." Elijah looked at Emma and took his sunglasses off, studying her face.

"How are you doing?"

Emma lifted her face to look up at the two men, smiling. "I... am pleasantly surprised at how much I like it here. I know I'm awkward, and things would probably go a lot smoother with someone who knew what they were doing. But thank you for letting me help."

If she were being honest, it hadn't bothered her all that much when Alaric had walked up to Elijah. And she wouldn't have minded if they'd shared a moment or taken some time for a short private conversation. She liked the stillness of this place and wanted to stand out and stare at the white emptiness. But Elijah was kind and inclusive and she appreciated his gesture.

Alaric watched the girl, unsure as of yet what to make of her. She was awkward, a little clumsy, and tiny. But she was intelligent and seemed tough enough, willing enough to do the dirty work, that he didn't mind her presence.

"Let's... get started then?" he said, smiling softly at both of them, and then turning to join Kol who... wasn't putting the tent together properly? "Kol, what the hell are you doing?"

Kol's attention seemed to snap to and he looked at the mess in his hands. "Sorry... was just... thinking, I guess."

"Yeah, well, we all know how hard that is for you, but let's try to get these up in one go, yeah?"

Kol pursed his lips but nodded.

Elijah gave Emma a quick, brotherly hug. "You're much more useful than you seem to be giving yourself credit for. Everyone has a first arctic expedition, there's a learning curve, everyone here knows that. You're not slowing things down or holding anyone back. Thank you for helping."

When Alaric started acting like their producer and director, Elijah couldn't stop the sappy smile that touched his lips. That man was ridiculous and wonderful and he was absurdly far gone for him. "Come now, Alaric, you know we only insult me the first day in camp. Kol gets a few days, then we can all start hating Niklaus for his ridiculous amount of gear."

Nik flipped Elijah off, set his camera down where it could still pick up their work, and went to help with the tents. He gave Kol a brief, private, worried look, but otherwise focused on getting their tents set up. When that was done and people were setting up beds, he came into theirs with Sebastian's gear and his own in his arms and he knelt next to Kol. "Are you alright?" he asked quietly.

Kol looked at Niklaus for a long moment. His expression was calm, maybe a little empty. Unreadable. "I keep thinking about it," he whispered. "I keep thinking about it and how you... felt so... fucking good."

His eyes dropped to where his hands had been working on his bed. Shame colored his cheeks. "It wasn't just the... act. It felt right. To be with you, I mean. And I... How can we possibly do this?"

"I don't know," Nik admitted. He hated baring his feelings at any time, but for his siblings, he would always find a way to force himself to do it. "If we weren't half brothers, it would be easy. Natural." But what's natural about lying with one's brother, even a half brother? Never mind how much easier it was than any other partner has ever been, because I trust you... but I can never trust women, and I daren't trust strangers. Maybe that's why I love you so dearly.

Nik unrolled their sleeping pads and pulled Moran's bag out of its stuff sack first, letting it fluff up, before he got to work on his. "I almost feel we ought to talk to Elijah." The words were carefully said, spoken without looking up; if there was anything Nik hated more than being vulnerable, it was sharing a secret with someone who didn't need to be a part of it, however wise the move might be.

Kol's eyes went wide. "Why in the bloody hell would we tell Elijah? You want to invite him to share our bed?"

Kol regretted the words as soon as he'd snapped them out, his tone still low, quiet. Harsh.

"I'm... Nik. I'm sorry. I just." He shrugged. "Why? Why do you want to tell him?"

"Because maybe he can tell us -- to stop. Or that it's alright. I don't know. I know I should be ashamed of myself for feeling so complete when I remember what it was like, Kol... I feel -- out of sorts." Understatement of the year.

Kol's gaze lowered to his hands, now idle. "Would you stop?" For him?

Nik was silent for a long time, then sat down on a sleeping pad and wrapped his arms around his legs. He stared at Kol, his eyes somehow seeming to be both hateful and desperately loving at once before he finally whispered, "I don't know. Would you?"

I want to know if it feels the same when we're sober. But how twisted and horrible does that make me? How much would the world turn their back on me if they knew that I wanted to try again.

"I don't know, Niklaus. Maybe we should. But not because of Elijah. How often do I ever listen to him anyway?"

"I don't want to," Nik said quietly, looking down at his hands. "I want to do it again. I know I need to... put you out of my mind until the shoot is over.. but I want you again." Despite whispering, he sounded sullen and stubborn and he knew it.

"I want.... us to be sober." Will it be difficult to even get hard for you if I'm sober? "I know that... there's no point in really talking about this now, because what can we do out here. But I'm... fine, Niklaus. I'm just trying to understand what happened, and why I... would like to try it again."

Nik moved forward quickly and gave Kol a quick kiss, then finished up what he had been doing, setting gear out. "I suppose we'd better go let Elijah talk our ears off."

"Yeah. Because we're the ones who need the bloody safety lecture." Kol rolled his eyes, finished with what he'd been doing, tried desperately to not hold Nik longer in that kiss, and then moved for the exit of the tent, holding it open for Nik. In one month he was sure the urge would pass for them both. So what did any of this matter now anyway?

"Think he'll make us practice with the flare guns again?" Nik followed him out, closed up the tent, then went to get his camera. Gaston was back by then and had crawled up atop the tower to maintain a watch. The other tent was up, everything was in its place...

And Elijah had the plastic case with the flare pistols.

Nik sighed and looked at Alaric. "Can you not convince your boyfriend that we remember how to use them?"

"But Emma has never used one before. And since she is the most observant one of the bunch, with the best hearing, it seems kind of imperative that Elijah go through all the options.

"Don't be a dick, Klaus. Just because you need to get laid doesn't mean you can't have a bit of damn patience."

Alaric's voice was playful and light. He was in too good of a mood to really chastise anybody, or to think that everything Elijah did wasn't absolutely necessary (read: perfect).

Sebastian only spoke with Elijah long enough to make sure he knew what was expected to be shot off into the air, and then moved to make closer circles around the camp, listening and watching.

So, ignoring Nik's whining, Elijah went through their safety lecture as if it was the first time. Everyone fired a noise-making flare once -- practice in case they had to shoot them at polar-bears. They walked through how to use the latrine -- set up in the open for safety -- and how meals were only to be cooked during hours of daylight. Elijah reminded everyone to eat and drink more than they wanted to, to keep an eye on Emma and Niklaus because they were the smallest people there and needed to be monitored to be sure they were staying warm, especially as the trip wore on, and they discussed the necessity of no one ever going off alone. If anyone was leaving camp, they would have a companion with them and a gunman. No one was to go anywhere or do anything strange without letting Moran and Gaston know -- the usual. Elijah sounded grim and calm and clear as he spoke, Nik fidgeted, and the fox darted in and out of Elijah's ankles until he just picked the little fluffball up and started stroking its head while he spoke.

"Does anyone have any questions?" he finally asked.

"Mm. Will you just shoot me in the head now, or must I listen to more of this nonsense every time?"

"Does anyone other than Niklaus have questions?"

She had tried to not be too distracted by the fox. But Ric had had to help her a little with the flare gun. Once Elijah had picked up the little creature, she managed to pay better attention. By the time the tutorial and walk through were done, she was getting a little cold and definitely drained. Emma shook her head.

"Emma, would it be alright if I switched you sides of Elijah? It'll put you between Elijah and Gaston, but I will feel better if you're not next to the walls in any way?"

Alaric smiled softly. His intentions were pure, no matter how much Emma believed she didn't need any protection. She nodded.

Kol looked at Elijah, holding the small fox, and felt a sense of deja vú. "And what if any of us need privacy?"

"Privacy wasn't something any of us signed up for on this trip," Elijah answered, a little more softly than before, but still firm. "If you absolutely need to be alone, take Moran with you wherever you need to go off and be alone at -- he'll leave you be. If you wander off without alerting him, he and Gaston have permission to drag you back kicking and screaming, if need be."

The fox was panting, excited but pleased, and it crawled up onto Elijah's shoulders, then leapt briefly onto Kol's before it bounded away and raced back into its burrow. It came out a moment later and resumed racing around the campsite, enjoying the strange smells and shapes.

Kol shrugged, as if he didn't really care about the answer. It wasn't as if he'd have time to do anything but this shoot anyway.

Sebastian had started moving in on the camp and had heard his name, coming in just in time to hear the tail end of what had been said.

"That includes me dragging your ass back inside when you shouldn't be out, Mikaelson."

Emma, after fixing her sleeping arrangement, had moved to sit on the ground and try to coax the fox closer to her.

Elijah looked at Sebastian and nodded. "That includes you carrying me over the threshold, tender as a new spouse, to throw me down and have your wild way with me, yes."

Nik actually choked on laughter. Elijah's jokes were usually not quite there, but they came out of the blue and were delivered in such a blasé tone, they almost always got to him. "And here I thought I was the savage. So. What's next?"

"Now? We eat. Nobody had breakfast, so everyone remember you're eating for two meals -- your body will be burning extra calories up here just trying to stay warm. Moran. Come into the tent with me, I want another look at your leg while they heat up the water."

Nik set up his tripods all around, glanced up to be sure Gaston was still up there guarding them, felt a stab of stupidity and reassurance at seeing him there, then went to set up their stove to melt snow.

The fox didn't take notice of Emma right away, but when it did, it was all in. It leapt up onto her back, little feet pushing her hat around on her head as it sniffed and sniffed, digging its nose in anywhere it could before it spilled over onto her lap and lay there, panting and tense, but seeming content to be warmer than usual and to receive attention from the harmless giants.

Sebastian smirked and winked, not bothering to look at Alaric who was watching the interaction closely, trying to shake off any feeling of unease.

Emma played with and pet and snuggled the fox as long as it would allow her to do so. It was nice to have a friend here who didn't seem so concerned with safety and dangers and what was next on the agenda. When it finally moved from her lap, though, she decided to help Nik with his tripods and collecting the snow, wanting to be as useful as possible.

"This might seem like a dumb question. But do things ever... relax? While you're on assignments like this. And how often..." her gaze had first moved to Sebastian, and then lifted to Gaston. "How often do they join you down here?"

"They never relax, save for at night. They'll get up and do a check every so often of the perimeter thing they set up, they'll scan around, but mostly they rest when we do, since they need to be so on guard once we're out away from camp and safety, filming.. and even for them, being out at night, when the temperature really plummets, is dangerous beyond the few minutes needed for a check. If you mean, will Elijah quit being so serious? He'll lighten up a bit after a few days, once he sees that people are doing fine, running smoothly, and whatnot. Come here?"

He gestured her over and, once he could, he put his arm around her and grinned and took a selfie of the two of them before winking at her and getting back to work. They had to fill the pot twice to get a reasonable amount of water in it, but there was so much snow where they were camping, all hard-packed in, that there was almost no chance they would run out of it before the trip ended.

"So, love. Thoughts so far?"

--

Inside the tent, Elijah took off his caribou mittens and sat down. Once Moran was sitting with him, he got Sebastian's boot off and carefully, not wanting to hurt him, rolled up his pant leg to get a look at the dressing, see if it had bled through anywhere.

"How's your pain?"

Emma smiled, though her nose was red and cheeks were numb. She would need to cover her face soon. But she was enjoying herself, Nik, and the rest of the camp. She knew once they started filming she would struggle to stay out of the way. But today she got to be a part of the crew. She got to help.

"I think it's freaking cold..."

"It's damn kold," Kol butted in, joining them, smirking to himself at the pun nobody would get. "Tonight will be worse. Make sure you use the latrine before bed and snuggle up tight to one of the guys in that tent."

She blushed. Thankfully, the cold made it so nobody would really notice.

"But I'm excited for this. To see how tomorrow and the rest of this week goes."

Kol nodded and went to stand beside his brother. "You okay?" He asked quietly. "Everything in order?"

--

Inside, Sebastian let Elijah examine him, not too surprised to see a clean wound but plenty of redness. "Manageable. Will take something before bed for it."

"Week?" Nik grinned at Emma. "You know we're up here about a month, love? You're stuck with us -- and with this joker around," he elbowed Kol in the arm, "we're all going to get kold." Nik crouched then and started getting into the main kitchen bin. He set out insulated mugs for everyone and made herbal tea first.

"Kol, bring one up to Gaston?" He knew Sebastian would be let out of prison soon, so he just set Moran's lidded mug aside and offered the next up to Emma, then Alaric. "Soup's up next, with biscuits and gravy," he said, to no one in particular.

--

Elijah examined it critically and carefully. So far, the redness was only as much as would be expected for the body reacting to the wound and the stitches, but the fact that Moran said he'd take something for the pain at all was somewhat upsetting. Elijah carefully packaged their top gun back up, and as he did, he met his eyes.

"If the wolves were.... different, or... genetically altered in some way, we can't be sure just what their bite will do to you. Stay on top of your antibiotic dosage, please." Not wanting to make him bend and flex his calf any more than necessary, Elijah got Moran's pant-leg back down and put the book back on for him, then stood and all but lifted the man to his feet.

"No, I know we'll be here for a month, but after the first week I should be more comfortable with things and have my bearings and at least know a little bit about what I'm doing." Emma took the tea without hesitation, but offered to go up to take Gaston's for him. "I like being helpful when I can be," she said simply.

Kol shrugged, handed her the mug, and then helped Niklaus pour and serve everyone else's. Once Nik had started on the food, Kol went to sit next to Alaric, who was still quieter than normal, save for his regular routine of jabbing Nik about getting lucky.

"You think he and the girl will hook up?" Ric asked casually.

"Who, Gaston?"

Alaric snorted into his tea. "No. Niklaus. He's kind of taking her under his wing."

"Uh... no. I doubt it. She's too new. And he is a paranoid prick." Kol smiled in Nik's direction, though they were speaking low enough he didn't know if Nik heard them.

--

"Thought you didn't believe in the supernatural shit," Sebastian said, though there was no accusation in his voice. "I'll be fine. We have someone who might be visiting camp soon. Someone who might have information on the wolves. Just... so you're aware."

After he stood, Seb took Elijah by his shoulders. "I know you're brave, and I know those are your people. But I need you to stay out and actually listen to instructions if this is going to work."

"It is not a question of bravery, but of practicality and necessity. Had you died in North Star, Moran, you do realize that the entire expedition would have been called off?" Elijah didn't sound upset or accusatory, just curious, trying to understand if they were even on the same page at all. "I will do my best to follow your instructions, but when it comes to ensuring the shoot has half a chance, which requires keeping you alive, I can't simply sit back. But, if it is any consolation, I would never have come off of the roof."

That was a lie, but he told it well, at least. If Gaston and Sebastian had gone down but had a small chance, Elijah would have gone and stolen the utility vehicle and driven at the wolves -- something. Anything. If the situation looked hopeless, he would have stayed, brokenhearted, and just watched, at least, but anything else? Elijah couldn't just watch men die if he could help without completely getting in their way.

Up on the tower, the French-Canadian (because he wasn't English anymore) only glanced over long enough to ensure that Emma was making it up the ladder alright. He took the mug with murmured thanks, then gave her another quick up.

"Ordinarily, I'd invite you to stay a few minutes up here, but you look cold. Go eat. Drink your entire mug, eat a large bowl of whatever Nik's making, eat till you're stuffed. It's been a long morning."

"It's a question of trusting me to do my job, Elijah. You know, I get it. I really do. You're a civilian, but you're brave and you're dedicated to keeping people alive. But me? I'm not just here to make sure you get back alive. I'm making sure Gaston does as well. And sure, if I make it back, that's brilliant. But if I'm worrying about whatever your impulsive, reckless self is doing, it's going to distract me from my real mission. Stay with your crew. Stay with your partner."

Having said all he cared to, Sebastian turned and exited the tent, walking slowly toward the kitchen setup and taking the tea Alaric extended out to him.

The sniper went rigid. "Where's the girl?"

"Emma went up to take Gaston some tea?" Kol replied, quirking a brow and watching how one glance up to see Emma sitting there seemed to help him relax entirely

--

"But you've been up here alone all day. If you'd... like company? I have my balaclava. I can sit here until food is ready, then bring you some. If you don't want the distraction, I'll go back down."

Gaston smiled, not looking at her, and he drank some of the tea. "You're incredibly sweet, but it's far colder up here. In a few days, when you've had more time to adjust to the cold, I'll take you up on that. For now, go sit on Elijah; furniture is just about all he's good for."

Elijah had just walked out, then, and he gave Moran a thoughtful look as he took the tea Nik all but threw at him. Then, after a moment of thought, he said: "I'm sorry for not listening to you, Moran. I will next time. I'm sorry."

Niklaus raised his eyebrows at the two of them as he continued stirring freeze-dried soup into the pot. "Sebastian, have you done something to Elijah? How did you remove his stubbornness?"

Emma nodded and smiled at him without saying anything, then started her descent. When she got back, she sat on one of the seats instead of sitting on Elijah like she'd been instructed. He was nice, but she didn't really know any of them that well yet.

Kol and Alaric had both lifted brows in response to Elijah's statement, but Niklaus beat either of them to saying anything.

Sebastian, on the other hand, just snorted and waved the comment away, taking a drink of his tea. "I didn't. And his stubbornness is still in tact. He'll still do what he thinks he needs to. He just knows I'll be grumpy and yell at him later for it. His intentions are good." Sebastian looked at Elijah for a long moment. "But I suspect when the time comes, you'll end up doing what you feel you need to."

"Since we're all here for science... there's an experiment I've been meaning to try." Nik walked over and stood in front of Sebastian, staring at him, then reached up and booped his nose with one finger.

As soon as Nik's finger got far enough away, Sebastian chomped in its direction and then smiled. "Careful, Klaus. I've shot people for less." But his expression was light and he relaxed back into a seat, drinking at his tea.

Emma backhanded the sniper playfully on his arm and he lifted a brow in her direction. When had he become this person? This one that people liked? When had he become the man who was toyed with and smacked and spoken to like he was part of the group? It didn't bother him, really, aside from him wondering if it just meant he'd gone soft. And then what that would in turn mean for him.

"Face it, buddy. You're a part of the group, no matter how little you want to be." Alaric smirked, cleaning off a seat for Elijah, should he want one.

"That just means you all better not get your asses killed or in my way. Don't make yourselves liabilities." Too late, Sebastian thought. "And don't tell Gaston. That man actually respects me.

Elijah kissed Ric on the cheek and sat down next to him, smiling as he watched the others play with Sebastian. "Don't worry. If Gaston asks, I'll fill his head with all my woes about how we will possibly manage to survive a month without being eaten alive by the elusive Arctic tiger."

"A fascinating new species," Nik nodded, "characterized by re mark able aim -- that was a pun -- and long silences. The great cats never really sleep, but they do rest often. Miraculously, they receive sustenance from the combination of sunlight and silence. It's quite impressive." He checked to be sure the soup was done, then ladled it into people's mugs once they were done with the tea. "There's plenty, so have all the refills you like."

Elijah tapped his mug against Kol's and started eating, his stomach more than ready for actual sustenance.

Sebastian smirked but the look in his eyes was soft. He let his mug be filled and then stood, refusing to eat until everybody had, which meant Gaston as well. He made his way over to Gaston's perch, and then began his climb. Once up there, he nodded at the other man and then toward the camp. "Go eat. I have my soup here. Go socialize a little. Be human." Don't lose that about yourself.

The actual camp fell silent as they all worked on their soup, Emma being the first to go back for seconds, but she barely managed to get halfway through the mug before she had to set it aside, too full to function.

Ric filled his own again, and then reached for Elijah's mug to fill his as well. Kol did the same for Niklaus before sitting back next to him, just a little closer than before. His fingers brushed over Nik's when he handed the mug back. Then more silence.

Content. Needing all the sustenance.

"So, what does Outdoors want to know about?" Gaston asked, glancing up to be sure Sebastian was alright, then focusing on Emma. "I've never read a magazine, but I've heard a bit about them.. are they... looking for more of the Arctic adventure than the science?"

Nik snickered.

Emma smiled when she heard the voice behind her, though that didn't make any sense. She was still convinced that he didn't really think she belonged there. But at least he was trying to be civil and ask her about what she did.

"They... Yeah. They want the adventure side of it. They want me to talk about the gear we used, the equipment selected for the fence. The readers want to know about the wildlife we come across, the setting, mostly. Interviews with the boys. They want to see Nik's pictures." She shrugged. "Some of the science will be appreciated. But it's more about the adventure. If that makes any sense?”

The fox suddenly came darting back and sniffing at the soup.

"Don't," Elijah cautioned the group before anyone could make a move to feed it.

Nik sighed and shooed it away, although it didn't go far.

"How long have you worked for the magazine?" Gaston looked up the check on Sebastian again.

"I don't work for them specifically. I'm a freelance writer. I submit profiles on people or stories about locations. Magazines pay me for my stories. Some of them contact me and tell me what they want me to write over. I can accept or deny them as I choose. For this one... they seemed kind of desperate since they lost the writer before." She shrugged and set her mug to the side, watching the fox.

"Are we doing anything else tonight? I don't... know how much sunlight we have left. I didn't know if I should run and go find my notebook."

"We're going out for a walk soon, we want to be out at sunset," Nik said, after glancing at Elijah to get the confirmation.

"Only myself, Alaric, Niklaus, and one of our guardians will be needed this time," Elijah said, picking it up, "but the rest of you are certainly welcome to come, if you'd like. If you need time to write though, Miss Taylor, and wish to take advantage of the relative quiet left behind, you should."

"I..." Emma nodded. "I don't need watched over, though. I'm not... saying that one of them can't stay. I know you'll insist otherwise. But I'm happy to go hide in the tent or something."

"I'll go with you guys. If you're scouting for filming locations, I want to go. Besides, you know Nik will need constant words of approval and someone when he shows off his pictures. Poor kid need praise constantly," Kol winked at Niklaus and hummed. "Besides, it'll give you and Ric the chance to... walk in front of us a little if you feel you need to."

[theemmataylor]

A Frozen Medley || Sebastian, Gaston, Emma, Evelyn, Alaric, and the Mikaelson Brothers

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI

Elijah had been melting away into blissful adoration, ready to whisper something sweet right back to Alaric, but then Sebastian was taking Gaston seriously. After a moment, he sat up, oblivious to the fact that Nik had subtly turned a camera back on the group of people sprawled around the cargo area.

"I highly doubt they were werewolves," Elijah said, confused at why Sebastian looked so serious about it.

"Why? Giant wolves that understood guns, giant wolves that understood where we were all sleeping, who might have been trying to find a way in while we slept, who were plaguing the village for quite some time -- but only targeting humans, not other animals. Why not werewolves? That alpha was...." Gaston fell silent. "One got away. Sebastian likely mentioned it. One got away."

After a beat of silence, Elijah said: "And you expect it will find us."

Gaston looked over at Sebastian, silent, but his answer was in that glance.

Elijah sighed and flopped back down. "Tissue samples will be analyzed and tested for rabies, but if there are any other abnormalities, I'm sure they'll find them... and doubtless necropsies will be done on a few of the bodies."

Gaston shrugged. "I just think we should be extra vigilant. We may be flying hundreds of miles... but we'll be there a long time. The wolf might find us."

Kol continued to touch Niklaus. His fingers moved through his hair, over his neck and shoulders. Nobody was looking at him. Nobody was noticing anything. Moran had captured their complete attention. Besides, oddly enough, Kol didn't even realize himself that his caresses were any softer than ever before, or that the way he tugged on Nik's ear was any more affectionate. He loved his brother. This was normal. A tip of the plane wings and Kol was fighting nausea once more. He'd mixed liquors and was forcing himself to believe that was the only cause for the upset stomach. Everything else was fine. He was fine.

With the mention of the lone wolf, Sebastian frowned. "Don't know if it'll find us. But I think letting it live was a mistake on my part." He could have made that shot. He should have. And he would take responsibility for the lapse in judgement.

"But we'll all be vigilant..." Sebastian paused as he noticed Emma with her nose buried in her notebook. "Darling. Do not talk about me in your paper. I'm not a source. And everything I say is off the record." His gaze turned suddenly, pointedly, at Niklaus. "The brothers already know this."

"Can I be vague? Just say the conversation happened?"

"I think the month will provide you with more material than you can handle and this conversation won't be relevant by the end of it. Find something else to write about."

Emma looked up at Gaston. "Does this go for you as well?" Her eyes looked around, landing on Alaric and Elijah just in time to see the former nip the other on the cartilage of his ear. She smiled softly. That relationship would definitely be left out. If they ever broke up, they should at least be able to read about this expedition without having to be overwhelmed by buried emotions.

"Is the first day just setting up camp? Organizing luggage? There can't be much daylight this far north."

"There isn't much daylight, no. Our first day will be quite dull, but necessary," Elijah answered as he leaned his head back against Alaric's shoulder and gave it a little shove for more attention.

"And no," Gaston answered. "I can be on the record. Anything Sebastian says that you want to quote, just refer to me and my curmudgeon of an unnamed partner -- don't let his growling scare you off. The information he offers is relevant, even if we can't use his name, likeness, anything."

"You know Kol will cut you out of it all," Nik said, flipping Sebastian off as he continued filming. "But I do like to be thorough with the data gathering."

Alaric wrapped an arm around Elijah's shoulders and continued to adore him. He'd never really been confident enough to ever touch him before, to show Elijah at least this way in which Ric wanted to take care of him.

Emma's wide eyes lifted to Gaston and she nodded. That had been him at the docks last night, right? This was the same rude man. Why was he being so kind to her now?

Nik's comment distracted her and Emma went back to taking notes. Kol had instantly stopped petting Nik when his brother had spoken, and he let his head fall back as if he wanted to try to sleep more.

"I'm not worried about your film," Sebastian said quietly; Emma could barely make out the words. "But she doesn't know. I take my privacy and anonymity very seriously." He smirked and shrugged at Gaston. "I'm not a curmudgeon."

"Just a cur?" Gaston grinned at him.

Nik finally put his camera away and turned to look at his brother, then poked him in the leg. "Kol," he murmured. "Are you alright?"

Sebastian huffed a quiet laugh, but otherwise didn't respond.

"Just working through this hangover," Kol responded quietly, his hands now resting over his abdomen while his eyes remained closed. "Why do you ask?"

"Not allowed to worry about my brother?" He bit him on the arm, made a face, shoved Kol's sleeve up, then bit him again and didn't let go this time.

"Werewolves," Gaston said again, with a little snort.

Nik flipped him off.

Kol watched Niklaus and was suddenly paranoid about how much affection they were showing. Who might know or suspect or think them weird because weren't they supposed to be brothers?

His eyes opened straight on Gaston, trying to read him, but then he went back to Niklaus. "Rabid werewolves. Guess I'm next."

"Mm. Sebastian will be our alpha, since he received a bite directly from a wolf. You'll change next -- Niklaus has apparently always been a wolf... Emma will quietly document everything, Alaric will despair of ever getting his crew to function again, Elijah will wander off to become a seal.. and I... will... be lunch."

Nik somehow managed to smirk at Gaston even with Kol's arm in his mouth.

At least three of them in the plane were pleasantly surprised by Gaston's good humor. His wit and playfulness. Though the crew knew him a little better, Ric and Kol had always expected Sebastian's silent tendencies to wear off on him.

"Which... of course Alaric and I will just let all this happen. Because the first rule of documenting nature is to catch it in what feels like a spontaneous way, and to try to blend in. I imagine we'll dress like wolves and smear blood across our faces so that we smell halfway right. Though. As tempting as you might seem, I think the draw to having seal for lunch is greater."

"Nobody is eating my seal," Ric countered quickly. "I'll fight the whole pack."

"Come on, Alaric," Emma commented. "You'll have to indulge before long."

Nik was choking on his laughter and finally had to let go of Kol to just let it go, and then, tears in his eyes, he said, "Elijah does look incredibly tempting."

"Agreed," Gaston said. "Ten out of ten would eat."

Elijah laughed and shook his head.

While Emma blushed lightly, Alaric nuzzled Elijah and shook his head. "Mine," he whispered. "Nobody is indulging on you but me."

Finally, Emma closed her notebook and set it aside. She'd expected it to be different, somehow. Less playful banter, perhaps. More we're serious journalist nonsense. But maybe this was why their show was such a success.

At some length, she looked at Sebastian and Gaston. "Do you two always work together?"

Sebastian spared a glance in her direction and shook his head. "No. Not always. But we're often selected to watch over this family of nutjobs."

"They keep going to dangerous places, the fools, and we're dangerous enough to be up for the challenge."

"Speaking of," Elijah looked at the gunmen, then at Alaric, "have you talked to anyone yet about that kayaking trip down the Nile we discussed? We might need them for that." Looking over at Emma, he said, "We're planning a new series to film starting in January, explorations of major world rivers, with an emphasis on finding ways to redirect tourists who are looking for wildlife experiences to more eco-friendly, sustainable travel options."

"You hate my cameras." Nik complained.

"I do, Niklaus, I really do."

"I knew it."

"No, babe," Ric replied casually, the term of endearment sliding out as easily as if he'd done it a million times before. "I figured we'd wait until the end of the trip as it offering them warmth to make up for this environment."

He smirked and his eyes turned to Nik while the brother complained, and finally lifted to Kol where the youngest brother sat quietly. Unusually so. Kol didn't fear flying. He hadn't gone outside except to move the wolves, and he seemed perfectly calm in doing that.

"Kol, I have a pill for nausea."

Kol shook his head. "I'm fine. Thanks."

Shrugging, Ric turned back to face the rest. "But Elijah pretty much explained it. I doubt there will be bears or wolves. But the civilians along some of these rivers may not be the friendliest."

Gaston just nodded to show that he would come, and then he moved to stretch out. He positioned himself alongside Sebastian's injured leg, serving as a bit of a shield for it, and then he pulled his beanie down over his eyes and let himself quickly doze off.

"So, Miss Taylor, what are you plans after this?" Nik asked. "Going to stay in the adventure business?"

"I like seeing what I can see before I eventually die. Why? Are you inviting me along?"

"I might be." His red lips were turned up. "You did seem to handle the apocalypse with astounding calm."

"You eventually learn that sometimes people are going to be idiots and risk their lives to save strangers, regardless of the people back home who want them safe. It's not... getting used to it, really. So much as accepting it." She smiled back at him and again wondered if he was flirting with her. "Is there a particular magazine you'd like the write ups for? I can start trying to contact them sooner rather than later."

Elijah, who was vacillating between napping and listening now, looking at Ric. "We were contacted by National Geographic for this one, weren't we? Something about how they haven't covered polar bears in far too long, so when they got wind of our filming schedule, they wanted to know what we can send in?"

Sometimes, it paid -- quite literally -- to be the top of the wildlife documentary foodchain.

Emma's eyes widened. National Geographic would never take her work. Outdoors, sure, they were who had sent her up here this time. There were several others she'd managed to write articles for. But National Geographic?

"If they've already contacted you, then I imagine you don't need my help. I can try to write something up for you guys though?”

"I'm sending them twenty-one stills to choose from, I think." Nik wiggled against Kol, trying to get more comfortable. "A write-up would be lovely to accompany them. They'll want it to be a bit more technical than Outdoor’s, I imagine. You and I will have to work together on it, with Elijah's notebooks." Nik's eyes seemed to glint, even half-lidded as they were.

"Sure," Emma nodded, surprised that they were offering her this. To her knowledge, they'd never read anything she'd written. Hell, they didn't even know she was a female until she stepped off the plane and introduced herself.

"I'm sure we'll figure it out. And it'll look incredible with your pictures." She smirked. "Let's be honest. Half the people only look at the pictures anyway."

"Oh, more than half. Gaston over there represents a major part of the population, he can't even read."

"I can read," Gaston growled.

"I thought you were sleeping."

"You said my name."

"Ah, my mistake."

Gaston huffed.

"Even if he couldn't read," Sebastian spoke up, seeming to startle Emma who had forgotten he was sitting next to her, "in a battle for survival out here, he would eat you for dinner."

Although he was flattered by Moran's compliment, Gaston chose not to show it then and there. Instead, he made a low growling, purring noise and slashed his fingers lazily towards Niklaus -- which was sexier than Nik had anticipated, and he shut up and turned to sleep completely against his brother.

Sebastian smirked and quirked an eyebrow in Gaston's direction. He was about to ask something to Alaric but noticed that he, too, was trying to sleep. So Seb just looked at Emma, nodded once, and closed his eyes.

Emma was left awake, so she pulled her notebook out, one different than before, and started writing in her journal.

The landing was rough but safe. When they stepped out of the plane, it was to an entirely alien feeling landscape; the village felt a world behind. Although it was only the beginning of autumn, everything was white. The air looked almost painfully clear, the sky cloudless and brilliant, almost blinding. Elijah looked around, sunglasses on, and knew that there would never, never be anywhere more beautiful than the Arctic, not for him.

"Alright. We're on location now, everything depends on us," he said, while people were still getting their bearings. "Sebastian, Gaston, you both know this, please forgive me for reminding you of the rules: you are no longer to help us with any work. Your only job is to keep a watchful eye. We'll get everything set up, take care of all the camp chores. If one of you needs something done, let us know; don't distract yourselves from the job. If you need anything, speak up, we'll make sure it happens.

"We're a team up here, everyone. We have to work together or we won't all make it back, and the goal is to make it back. There's an interesting wolf problem back down in the North Star area, apparently; we have to survive to get back and investigate it.

"We dump everything out, let the pilot get out of here, then move quickly. Kol, you and Alaric start assembling the safety platform with the cage," Elijah patted the lump of metal bars that had come up in the plane that morning. "Nik, alternate between filming and helping. Emma, you'll work with me to set up the electric fence and solar panels around the perimeter. Whoever finishes their work first will start on tents.

"If. Anyone sees, hears, or smells anything off, do what Emma did this morning: say something. She very likely saved a great many lives by speaking up. Follow her example."

"Come on, Elijah, you give us these safety talks every time," Nik said, smirking from behind his camera again, panning slowly over the group.

"Yes. Well. If you have any of my stubborn refusal to listen to instructions," he glanced over at Sebastian, a measure of apology entering his voice before he looked back at Nik, "you need to hear it all again and again. But, since you so kindly volunteered, you'll also take care of setting up the latrines."

"Bastard."

"Indeed. As soon as camp is made, we'll meet up and go over every piece of safety gear, precaution, everything. Everyone, try to remember that Emma is new to us and to adventuring in this environment, and make sure to give her extra help."

Emma had lifted her brow as Elijah turned straight business. She had no idea what it was he wanted her to do, she barely understood how to run her own phone, but she was competent enough that if he showed her once, she would be able to repeat the actions exactly.

Kol and Alaric immediately moved in the direction Elijah had indicated. There was a lot of work to get done. And the tents would be no easy matter, let alone lugging all of their equipment and Niklaus' ninety-fucking-one bags of camera and gear into one of them. The arrangements had been made at the start that they would split up the tents with the gunmen. And Kol had volunteered to let Elijah and Alaric to be in one. Partly because he felt more comfortable cuddling up against Niklaus, wrapping around him to keep warm. Elijah was affectionate enough, but Nik always... made Kol feel like he was wanted or even needed right there. In that moment.

Maybe there had been a reason for that.

Meanwhile, Sebastian had gone over to Gaston in the precise location they had planned to set up the tents. "If you'll stay here, I'll go out about a half mile and do half a circle, come back and let you do the other half. I figure this way we can run patrols but still be within shouting distance, especially in this landscape, and not have any issues.

It always made him feel awkward that he wasn't actually supposed to be doing something involving the actual setup. But Sebastian never argued because his main priority would always be making sure these men (and now lady) were safe. That would be a lot easier, granted, if Elijah would do what he was fucking told, but that was, apparently, neither here nor there.

He waited until he was, according to the homing signal, at exactly half a mile out, leaving a flag to mark his place, when he started in his circle and pulled out his satellite phone to call Montparnasse. If he sent someone to the town they'd just flown from, perhaps he could still get samples of the beasts. If he'd even want them. There was a pause before he heard the ringing on the other end. And then he waited.

"Hey, what the hell are you doing in the Arctic? By the way, there's going to be about a three-second delay on speech, so take the phonecall nice and easy," was how Montparnasse answered. He was out and about, but anytime a satellite phone was used to call his number directly, there was no goddamn way he wasn't going to take that call.

"I'm on guard duty for the Mikaelson's again. I thought I would keep in touch with you, though. And... This might sound like a strange question. But what do you know of, or believe of werewolves?" The question sounded ridiculous within this vast landscape of white. He looked up to make sure his path was clear, and then back at the beacon, following the signal as it had been set to keep him in a full 360º arch.

"We... Our hotel was kind of ambushed by wolves. And there were... twenty something? Intelligent creatures. And... something felt off about them."

At some point, Montparnasse thought, he was going to have to confess to this man that he was a vampire, and that he was also the entire damned agency, despite his thousands of contacts and tools.

"Well, werewolves are definitely a thing. There are a couple different species, but unless something's gone terribly wrong, they don't usually attack humans, or hunt them like that... Not in North America, anyway. Central Europe is a different story. But near you... That's worrisome. I know some of the North American werewolf alphas -- you want me to see if I can get one of them to come up and find you? They're pretty good people... And what town were you in when this attack happened? Tell me some details?"

"Canada, actually. In North Star. But my question is simple. Will they remain friendly when they discover that we only let one lone wolf live?" Sebastian walked slowly, and though he was on the phone and making sure he followed the guide, his eyes pierced through the distance. At night he planned on wearing the thermal goggles to give them the opportunity to see literally anything abnormal on the landscape. And, up here, when the sun wasn't always reliable to go down -- though this late in the summer it shouldn't be an issue -- the thermal would be far better than night vision.

"They were definitely hunting. The alpha was a female. Huge wolf. She was able to nearly jump up on the lowered porch roof. I say nearly because I shot her before she could get any footing. I just want to know if I'm going to have to go back and hunt down that wolf."

"This... really doesn't sound like werewolves to me, but it's possible. Luckily, the most prolific werewolf species in North America can't transmit via the average bite, so if any of your people were nipped, they should be okay... but... fuck. This is weird. I hate saying this, but if those wolves were already hunting you -- you might not have to hunt the survivor down. Either it'll find you, or be waiting for you if you return to North Star." Either way, he could see this ending very, very badly for Moran if the sniper didn't see the wolf first.

"The guy I'm going to try and contact is named Evry. He's a big deal in the werewolf world, but reasonable. If you genuinely feared for the safety of your people, he'll understand that. That I can guarantee. Might not be happy about it, but he'll get it. The location you're calling me from now, how long will you be there?" The lags in conversation made this awkward, but that wasn't really anything new for either of them.

Sebastian laughed. "Any of my people? I was the only one bit. But it... wasn't anything to worry about. It's been cleaned and tended to." Sebastian considered the information and he wasn't surprised to learn that it was of no comfort to him. If these weren't supernatural creatures, then why the fuck were there so many, why did they hunt so carefully, so calculated, and why did the guns and death not seem to frighten them at all?

"I'll be here for a month. Frigid. Making sure the dumbass eldest brother doesn't get himself killed. They have a documentary to shoot. There are three of them. One writer who is new to their crew. Female. And then Gaston. Should he come looking then the earlier in the season the better."

"I'll tell him. And this thought has probably already crossed your mind, but if this isn't werewolves? It's something worse. So be careful. Please. I'd like to be able to sleep with you again someday. I'll make sure to get hold of some of the tissues, and if I can discover anything about them, I'll let you know immediately.. but in the meantime, I'll get Evry to head up and hopefully join you."

"I'll be fine, babe. But it's nice to know I'm good enough at sex that it makes my life a little more valuable." He was joking, lighthearted. It was... good to talk to Montparnasse again. Even with the delay. Even with the talk of concern and foreign topics.

"Thank you, Montparnasse. I will... talk to you soon."

"Make my job a little easier and turn your sat phone on at least once a day, even if you're not going to make a call, alright? If you stop doing that, I'm going to assume something's a hell of a lot more wrong than it was, and I doubt the Mikaelsons will appreciate it. And yeah, sex with you is amazing, you make me feel incredible -- but after the sex is even better. I kind of like curling up with you. Sue me, I'm a sap. Take care, I'll talk to you soon. Good luck."

Sebastian smiled at the phone and hung up, thinking about the last time they'd been together. He finished his half circle, still wearing a small smirk when he reached camp again and then handing the phone and homing device to Gaston. "Markers have been set for the first arch. They flash every forty five seconds. And if... something crosses between two of the markers, we'll get an alert." This was normal, he felt as redundant as Mikaelson had been earlier.

"Anything exciting happen here while I was gone?"

Gaston shook his head. The crew had finished unloading the plane and the pilot was preparing to take off. Gaston waited until the hissing of the skids and the roaring of the engines had faded. Then, standing with his shoulder near Sebastian's, but not actually facing him -- they would have very, very few face-to-face conversations until they were back in civilization, back somewhere safe. They would always face opposite directions and always be looking, scanning.

"No. There's a small arctic fox playing around near Elijah and Emma, it looks like it has a burrow in the snow inside the electric fence they're setting up, but it shouldn't be a threat." Gaston bumped his shoulder lightly against Moran's in affection, then went off to finish the circle and set the rest of the markers.

Camp looked like a mess. The safety measures were the most important -- hence the tower Alaric and Kol were working on, and the fence Emma and Elijah had going -- and everything else was just piled up in a jumbled, colorful mess of bags and, in the case of Niklaus's gear, insulated cases. Nik was roaming around with a camera, as per usual, and he made note of the direction Gaston left in, then glanced down at his watch for the time.

When Elijah and Emma had the electric fence set up -- a time consuming and tedious process -- it was sturdy. The gate in it was small, but all of them were in such thick layers of clothing that even brushing against it as they would, they wouldn't be able to receive shocks. The fence itself was six feet high and consisted of a mesh of wires, the gaps small enough to ensure that any nose that came up and touched it would earn the bear an unpleasant surprise. They laid out the solar generators and hooked the fence up, and a rhythmic ticking, snapping sound began.

"The fence is live," Elijah called, although it wasn't necessary, he was sure. Still, there was no reason not to take precautions. He turned to look at how Alaric and Kol were getting on with the platform and the cage below it -- tools that hopefully wouldn't need to be used, but an important last-ditch defense.

Emma had helped and held and did whatever it was she'd been asked to do, but she couldn't help but be a little distracted by the fox that was darting around them. She wanted so much to stop and see if it would come any closer to her, but she knew that their daylight was limited.

The sound of the fence would be something to get used to, would likely make it difficult for her to sleep at night. But eventually she knew the silence without the fences would seem even louder.

Alaric and Kol were just finally, finally getting the platform finished. The cage had taken forever. But it was sturdy and the platform would hold Alaric's station for filming. The cases would have to be built up and broken down each day to protect his equipment from the environment, but that was something he was perfectly used to.

Kol was handing over the last case to be hooked and strapped down to the platform when they both noticed Elijah and Emma approaching. The younger brother caught the softness in Alaric's eyes and then veered off toward the tents, looking across the space at Niklaus, watching him, breathing deep.

"I think I have all the cases on here. What can I help you with?" Alaric asked, stopping to stand just a little too close to Elijah, but he stopped from touching him.

[theemmataylor]

A Frozen Medley || Sebastian, Gaston, Emma, Evelyn, Alaric, and the Mikaelson Brothers

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI

When it was Gaston's turn to take the extra ammo and reload, he winked at Kol. "Thank you, darling," he said, his voice casual, but his hands quick and deft. "Now, get back down there." He glanced at Sebastian's leg and his lips thinned slightly, but then he got back to work. "Moran, care for me to provide a distraction? If I get onto the porch roof, it's a bit lower than this, I could feign distress as if I want to get down, perhaps that would draw a few more into the open for you?"

--

When Elijah was given the message, he keyed the mic again. "Our hunters prefer that everyone stay indoors, for efficiency's sake, but thank you for the offer."

"You've got it. I'll call Ed. Signing off this channel, back once I have contact with him... Anything you want him told?"

"Our departure time may be somewhat delayed, we have an injury to deal with."

"Medevac?"

"I don't think so."

"Okay. I'm going to tell him to wave off and land in deeper water if he still sees those cute boys on the roof, somewhere the wolves can't come mess with him. He can taxi in when you're ready."

"You're a dear."

"Don't tell the hunters." The air went dead.

Elijah looked over at Emma, then smiled and shook his head at her. "Emma, you are quite the remarkable woman. Just what was it you heard this morning, incidentally?"

"Of course he acts like we're not in the middle of a bloody war-zone," Niklaus muttered, amused but annoyed at Elijah's overly calm demeanor, although he understood it.

Sebastian figured the scent of his blood would draw the wolves, but Gaston seemed to be the only one the sniper was willing to take suggestions from and he nodded, preparing himself for the attacks that were about to come.

At least the pack was starting to thin. They should be done before too long, surely.

"LeFevre?" Sebastian said in a gruff voice. "Don't be an idiot." By that he meant, be careful.

--

Emma smirked at the voice over the radio and then seemed to relax back to where she'd been sitting, still taking notes.

"I... don't know what it was. It woke me. Might have been scratching on the side of the building. And I know I heard a howl. This place is... a little creepy."

Kol smirked at Nik and finally met his eyes for a brief moment. "Elijah could have lost his leg and would still be cracking jokes."

"Depends on which of his three legs he lost," Nik returned, glancing slyly over at Alaric before he looked at Emma, who he had been filming for the last few moments.

--

"Yessir," Gaston replied, as he looped a rope around his waist. He slung his rifle over his shoulder and made a little yelp sound, then slid down to the lower roof where he landed flat on his stomach -- intentionally, although it looked like an accident. He froze at first, then made a show out of scrambling to try and find his footing, remaining on hands and knees...

Which drew out the one wolf who had been holding back.

Head lowered, a much larger, more heavily muscled creature came out, her lips pulled back in a snarl as she sniffed towards Gaston. He scrabbled, knocking snow and ice chips off the roof, and let his foot dangle over for just a moment --

The wolves forgot about Moran as the alpha redirected their focus to the frightened, awkward prey. After studying the distance to the roof for a moment, she tensed and prepared to leap -- then launched herself into the air with a single, powerful thrust.

Gaston told himself not to be afraid, even though the moment she had looked up at him, he'd realized she could do it. She could make it up here --

But she didn't know what Sebastian Moran was capable of, or how quickly he could react.

Sebastian had kept silent, holding his fire, waiting to see what would happen. But when that beautiful, terrible creature leapt, Sebastian couldn't help but marvel for a split second.

Then he fired.

Sebastian knew that if he hadn't shot her at such close range and square in the chest, if he had had to shoot her at a distance, she might not have been killed by the bullet.

When she went down, though, the pack seemed to circle in around her.

The sniper kept shooting.

--

Ric had met Nik's gaze and smirked, awkward as he may be. "Yeah, well, at least there is evidence that he'll need that third leg in the near future."

One shot seemed to turn into more and more, and Nik went quiet and pale. He hated guns. If he was going to shoot anything, it would be from behind one of his many cameras; the sound felt like a brutal assault and he was glad not to be one of the hunters.

Elijah dropped his forehead into his hand and rubbed at it, looking deeply sad, but patient.

-

As soon as he felt safe doing so, Gaston joined Moran in opening fire. One of the wolves got away -- just one. It raced away out into the wilderness, tail tucked, looking back over its shoulder from time to time with terror in its eyes. Gaston would have fired at that one as well, but by that point, he was out of ammunition again. It was up to Moran, if he had a shot left, or one wolf would live to tell the tale.

"Fuck," Gaston swore, and sighed heavily as he lost sight of the retreating one.

Sebastian could make the shot. He knew he could. But the creature wasn't attacking. This place would smell of its fallen pack for long enough that Seb hoped there wouldn't be an issue for the townsfolk later.

"I'm going to regret letting it go," he muttered, helping Gaston up, then looking around at all the carnage.

Grabbing the other rope, he let himself down, then watched as Gaston did the same. "We need to move the bodies. Nobody needs to see this."

Sebastian entered through the front doors, seeing the crowd. "It's safe. We're going to take care of the aftermath. If any of you feel willing with a strong enough stomach, we will take help with this. The pack was large."

"I'll go," Ric volunteered.

Kol followed after him, already having dressed by this point. Emma stood, and she looked as if she were going to as well, but Sebastian stopped her. "Ma'am. You can hate me for being sexist all you want. But this carnage out here... I would rather you stayed inside." He felt her start to turn against him, could see it in her eyes. "Please."

She huffed but nodded. "Fine."

"Wait," Elijah called out. "Rare as it is this far north, there have been cases of rabies before in the arctic. These wolves seemed healthy enough, from what I saw, but any unusual behavior should always be considered a red flag. It's unlikely they have any illness, but we need to handle the bodies as if they do -- and we need a sample of brain tissue."

Nik gave Elijah a dark look. "You're kidding."

"Blood, brain, and saliva. I'll get them when the moving is done. But please, everyone, treat the corpses as if they're toxic. Emma, can you put out the radio call to the town that the shooting should be over, and help moving bodies outside of the town would be appreciated? Also, there's a radio call-sign and frequency directory on the desk. Can you look through and try to find a way to contact the local wildlife department? This should be reported. They may not be able to send anyone for days, but..." In all honesty, the bodies would still be there. Burying them wasn't an option, there was no spare fuel up here to burn them with, but they could at least get them sent out of town. "And see if they can give you the information for exactly where I can send our sample to, with the next pilot returning south. It may be tedious, but it's important."

Elijah nodded that the others could go, but he put his hand on Moran's arm, and his eyes were ice-cold. "Your leg is injured," he said, "and you will let me care for it now, before going out to examine and move bodies. Unless you'll be returning south to a hospital, I cannot, will not risk the safety of this expedition by letting you increase your already high chances of infection." This didn't sound negotiable in the slightest. "Gaston will guard the others. You. Sit there." He gestured to the chair by the water and the medical kit.

Before any of them headed out, Alaric checked a couple of the cabinets until he found gloves. They were mediums, and likely wouldn't fit comfortably on all of their hands, but it was enough that maybe they could avoid coming into direct contact with any of the creatures. "The alpha," Sebastian said, glaring at Elijah but there wasn't much force behind the stare, "The alpha should be just off of the front porch. She was huge. The shot is in her chest. Save her for your samples."

As Emma moved to the desk to make the call that Elijah had instructed her to make, Sebastian moved to the chair indicated, barely limping. His adrenaline was still pumping too hard, too fast, for him to be able to really feel anything. Without pardoning himself in front of the woman -- she would likely see plenty of mostly, if not fully, nude men in the month to come -- he kicked off his boots and peeled away his pants, then his coat followed.

It took Emma some searching before she found the number for the wildlife department, and then she made that call next. The man who answered sounded half asleep, and relatively bored with the report of wolves. "No, you don't understand," she insisted. "There were... God. A dozen or more?" She was just going off the shots fired. "Maybe two. And they closed in on our hotel. We had two shooters on the roof. This town is... Please, just come for the cleanup. We're working to move the corpses out of the way, but they shouldn't stay there." Obviously.  "No, I know you're busy. I know this area is prone to such wildlife. But if their scents and there blood will attract larger animals, don't you think you should freaking come and clean it up sometime before winter sets?" It had been a mistake, she felt, to first tell him that she wasn't a local. But eventually it seemed evident that they would be out by the time the week closed to collect the bodies.

When she was finished with the call, she moved over to stand at Elijah's shoulder. "Can I help?"

"Wild animals do tend to bite," Elijah said dryly. He had put long surgical gloves on and had Moran's leg in the garbage can, washing it thoroughly with soap. "But hopefully this one won't sink his teeth into me..." He glanced quickly up at Emma, a playful light in his eyes, before immediately focusing back on cleaning Moran's leg.

"Help would be wonderful. Please go get a clean bath towel, the unopened roll of paper towels from under the bathroom sink, then put on gloves -- the blue ones there should be fine for you -- and I'll ask you to hand me things as they're needed." He glanced up at Moran next, meeting his eyes as he continued working. "We do have the antibiotics your medical statement said are safe for you, you should start them. I'll get your wounds washed, then irrigated, and make sure there's nothing still in them.. but I should be able to stitch most of these. I can numb the area; we have enough to numb four limbs on this trip. Are you comfortable with me doing that?"

His hands continued working as he talked to Moran, careful and deft; this wasn't Elijah's first time with a severe wound, not by a long shot. After another moment, he added: "Thank you, by the way, Moran; your skill and dedication are deeply appreciated, especially in such an unusual situation. It sounds as if the wolves knew we were in here -- Emma, would you tell  him what you heard?"

Emma had snorted a laugh. As a writer, she loved puns, and could greatly appreciate Elijah's wit. But then it was back to business and she rushed off to get the items she'd been ordered to get and then returned as quickly as possible.

Sebastian watched the pair, impressed that they were so comfortable seeming with each other after only meeting less than twelve hours before. But his eyes lingered on Elijah. The touches were gentle enough. Skilled.

"Please don't waste one of your doses on me." The sniper's voice was kinder this time. Quiet. He reached for the basic medication and then took it with the water that Emma was already offering. "I've been in worse scrapes than this. Stitches... They're fine. Just be quick about it." They would be gone for a month. One dose per week. He didn't want to risk anything. Besides, he had no intention of not being able to use his leg between now and boarding the plane.

"Mikaelson," he said after some time, still unwilling to thank the man in return. "I understand why you did what you did. But next time. If LeFevre and I leave instructions to stay inside, then I need you to stay the bloody hell inside." Seb never once raised his voice, but the demand was as conversational as could be.

He couldn't be worried about the rest of them. He couldn't be worried about them when dealing with the unpredictability of wild animals.

"I understand, at least as much as someone in my position can understand, but I do want to remind you that I care whether you live or die, Moran. If I have reason to believe -- and by reason, I mean experience and logic -- that I can offer you vital help without creating another distraction whose safety you need to fret over, I will. It is your job to see that we survive any attacks, and much as it pains me to say... I'll let you die before I force you to fail at that job by letting my life be lost instead... Your life still matters."

When he was done washing it, Elijah took off his gloves and pushed the bin out of the way. He opened the paper towels, had Emma lay the towel over his lap, then made a thick pad of paper towels over it. That done, Elijah had Sebastian put his leg on his lap, he put on fresh gloves -- they had well more than enough, this wasn't a supply they needed to skimp on, not yet, not when it came to handling Sebastian safely, for the sniper's sake -- and he got to work. The irrigation took time, but he carefully cleaned out and examined each wound, asking Emma to aim a flashlight and hold the magnifying glass when needed.

The plane landed while they were working, but Elijah didn't hurry the effort at all.

"What is your take on the wolves' behavior, Moran?" He had started the sutures, using his fingers to create a gentle pressure that alleviated some of the pain of the process. "As a hunter and a warrior -- how did their behavior towards you feel?"

Sebastian's jaw clenched but he didn't make any noise. He watched the cleaning, the stitching, and then when the men finally came in. He lifted a brow. They were finished quicker than he'd expected.

"At least five others came out to help us. The town is a fucking mess." Kol stated simply, his hands were freezing but otherwise they were all in fair condition. "I'm going to go take a hot shower. Shouldn't be more than five minutes. Then we'll start pulling things from the rooms for the plane.”

When the group passed through, Sebastian went back to Elijah's question. "I don't know what to make of it. This pack is larger than any one I've seen. These wolves were... large. When I shot the first one, I wasn't entirely sure that they weren't some kind of cat. But the tails were clearly wrong. And then... I don't know. They were too smart, too big, for their own good."

"Did they, at any point, display a fear of your firearms?"

Sebastian looked up at Gaston. "It's like they kept expecting them to... I don't know... Become useless? The only one that showed any inclination of fear was the one I let run off." I still bet I will regret that. "And I think that was only because we had killed its alpha."

That sent a chill through Elijah. "They -- knew the guns were dependent on ammunition? If Emma hadn't thought to get more bullets for you two... I wonder what they would have done next."

Gaston had just come in and, hearing that it was Emma who sent the bullets up to them, he gave her a brief and appreciative look before eyeing Moran's leg. He said nothing, but patted him once on the shoulder as he moved past, going to pack up their things.

Nik, still filming of course, asked: "So the wolves were stalking the hotel this morning... extra large, extra smart wolves, who weren't afraid of guns? Who understood them? Forgive me, but that's a bit worrisome."

"A bit," Elijah agreed.

Emma had been quiet save for trying again to explain to Sebastian that she hadn't understood exactly what she had heard that morning but the only way she could explain the sounds from her own experience.

Her eyes lifted to meet Gaston's and she smiled weakly, shyly. Then adjusted the light once more to follow Elijah's hands.

"I'm just... glad we hadn't been on our way to the plane and not known they were there."

"That wouldn't have happened. I will always go out first," Sebastian practically interrupted, though he seemed to look at her with an expression that was more reassuring than the scolding his tone seemed to take.

"Oh. Right. Well... You seemed like you were going alone?"

He smiled softly. "You did good, kid. Always report strange noises."

She didn't know why it made her feel better, but it did.

Kol finished with his shower quickly, finally warming up a bit, and then went straight to their room to dress and pack. This distraction had been... nice. Welcome. But he needed to get out of this hotel.

"Nik, why don't you go help our brother?" Elijah didn't look up from what he was doing.

Nik opened his mouth to object but he knew he didn't have a good reason. He shut the camera off, pursed his lips, then trailed ghostlike off after Kol. Slipping into the room with him, he shut the door behind them.

"Kol....?"

For some reason he had known Nik would end up in there with him, and so Kol managed to keep his expression neutral. He turned to face his brother, swallowing the newest wave of nausea from this hangover.

"How do you feel?" he asked quietly.

"You mean about the alcohol? Or about you?"

Kol's mouth opened and closed and he struggled to meet his brother's stare. "You remember."

Nik swallowed hard. His chest hurt suddenly and he was holding too tightly to the camera, so he stared down at it. "I remember...  Kol... you... I should tell you this, before we go north. I..." There had to be a way out of this conversation. He could find something to get angry about, or work for them to throw themselves at in complete denial -- but this was his brother. Could he do that to his brother?

Under less dire circumstances, yes, but this... is important.

"You should know that I've been -- a terrible brother to you. Last night.. wasn't by any means the first time I'd thought about -- such things. And not always drunk."

Kol's stomach twisted and he didn't know what to say. He and Nik rarely had deep conversations. They were reckless and usually the two children Elijah had to reign in in order to get them to take a situation seriously.

With a sigh, he set his clothes on the end of their cot and then stepped closer to Niklaus. "What... So you..." He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed again. "How long?"

"The last year-ish. But I won't -- act on... I won't try to -- make you do -- that -- again. After this shoot, I'll quit. I don't want to be... to cause trouble between you and Elijah. Or to take advantage of you." Nik closed his eyes tightly and took a slow breath, then looked at Kol. "Can you forgive me...?"

Kol was shaking his head before Niklaus could finish speaking. "You will not fucking quit," he demanded, eyes colder now. His thick brows pulled together and he looked at his brother as less of a... well, brother.

"Kiss me," he said, no hesitation in his voice. "Now that we're sober." I want to know if it feels as good as it did last night. "Kiss me again, Niklaus."

For a moment, Nik was sure that all of the air had passed out of the room. He stared at Kol, barely able to comprehend, before he set the camera aside and stepped forward. Taking Kol's face in his hands, he kissed him with all of the desperate affection and need he knew how to show. This might be the last time he ever got the chance to do this, to show Kol just how truly depraved he himself was, to show Kol how truly wonderful he found Kol to be. Nik wasn't usually one to make grand gestures or first moves, but when it was important, it was important.

At first Kol was skeptical. He wasn't sure that his memory of the night before was genuine. It had felt good; he wasn't about to deny that. But had the same... sentiments been there as what he imagined would be. He didn't hold Nik in return. He didn't initially kiss him back.

But then he felt it. And he melted.

One of Kol's arms went around Nik's waist, pulling him closer. He couldn't hate his brother, he remembered promising that, but he didn't know that he would... be this willing. This accepting of something that so many would be disgusted by. After a moment, his lips parted he tried to return all of the affection he felt from Niklaus. It was vital his brother knew that he was loved. Perhaps in more than just a familial way.

Afterwards, Nik looped his arms around Kol's shoulders and closed his eyes, resting his head against Kol's shoulder as well. "We needn't be anything we cannot be," he said softly, a deep, almost pastel-feeling sorrow in his voice, "I know it is wrong to be so drawn to you... but I cannot... trust anyone who isn't part of our family, Kol. And you, you are... you always seem to understand me. I need you."

There were far more passionate words he wanted to say, but he couldn't. He couldn't. They refused to move past his lips and he just hoped, standing silent and still now, that Kol could understand at least part of it, that somehow his hands or his lips or the subtle way his hips seemed to press into Kol's, somehow something would tell Kol that he was the one Nik needed.

I don't know that I can do this.

Kol held tighter to his brother and rested his head on Niklaus' temple, closing his eyes. He wanted to give this a chance. He wanted to give in to the things he felt. He wanted to kiss Niklaus again. But he didn't know if he could sleep with him again. How could he? They were brothers. Family.

But it had felt amazing. Perfect. Like he knew everything I could possibly want.

"I'm here," Kol said finally. "I'm here, Niklaus. I'm not going anywhere." He pulled away enough to kiss Nik's forehead and then rested his cheek against the same spot. "And it's not as if we'll have any privacy over the next month. Let's just... get through this, yeah? Then we'll figure the rest of it out. Together."

Nik nodded and squeezed him again. He knew that he would never really be the one who would have a chance, he wasn't Elijah, but Kol could have been so much colder to him, so much angrier.

"We ought to pack."

--

"Wasn't there someone you needed to call?" Gaston asked Sebastian after he brought their packs out of their room and set them down. He looked at the leg, but it seemed that Elijah was almost done with the suturing. Enjoying the show, Gaston sat down and leaned forward to take in the details, although he was sure to stay out of Elijah and Emma's way.

Sebastian shrugged. "Montparnasse, yeah. He's the one who... Anyway. I was just going to check in. We haven't the time now. I can check in when we land."

He watched Gaston with a light smile on his lips, entertained that his own stitches were becoming some source of entertainment. Emma had looked up at the other man, feeling his presence. "Um... Gaston? Do you mind holding the light and magnifying glass? So that I can finish gathering my things and be out of Elijah's way when he's done?"

Gaston nodded to her and got up, coming around to her side. He took them carefully, and once she was gone, he sat down in her place. "Look at you, Moran, a mess. A complete mess. Washed your leg in a trashcan, hm? Seems about right." He gave his partner a warm smile, but it quickly sobered.

"You saved my life today, Moran. More than once. Thank you. I know you don't like a great deal of gushing but all the same... while Elijah has you captive... I'm deeply grateful. I owe you."

Elijah's eyes had flicked up in recognition at the name Montparnasse, but it was a subtle thing, easily missed, and he quickly refocused.

Sebastian shrugged at the gratitude, not knowing how to receive it. "I feel the debt was more than repaid, Gaston. I wouldn't have survived today had you not been there. You have an excellent shot. Thank you."

Emma returned quickly, having only stayed over night the once, and she left her luggage in an open spot by a chair, tucking her pen and notepad into a side pocket and then returning to watch as the final stitch was put in place.

"Thank you, Elijah," Sebastian said, looking up just as Alaric was lugging out the last of the equipment. "You're too skilled at that, I hope you know. But I appreciate the attention you gave. Let's wrap it and get going. That plane won't wait forever."

Elijah hummed a soft you're welcome and didn't change his pace. He got Sebastian's leg wrapped up once he was completely done with it, then helped him get back into his trousers before taking out one last thing -- a small glass bottle and a syringe.

"The odds of a rabies infection are low, Sebastian, but it's still possible. This isn't something I'll force on you, but I want you to know that without the vaccine, if you begin to show symptoms of rabies, it will be too late. You will die. This is your choice. I would prefer to give you the vaccination, but I cannot force it on you."

"So, no pressure, love," Nik said, walking out and lugging the first round of his gear. He had the most and the heaviest, thanks to all of his camera equipment, but he didn't mind.

Sebastian nodded in regards to the vaccination. There was no point in risking this. This had nothing to do with his pain tolerance.

Kol followed his brother out with a few bags, some of them Nik's, and happened to meet Sebastian's eye. Something... Something in the way that the gunman looked at him made Kol convinced that Moran knew what had happened the night before. But that didn't make any sense. They had been quiet, right?

Emma stood when the two brothers came out and began setting things down. "Can I help with anything?" She looked at Nik. "I don't have equipment like you all do, but I am happy to carry anything you guys need help with."

Kol looked to his brother, letting him decide if he wanted help or not.

The clerk showed up then and started talking to Alaric about everything that had happened with the wolves. She shamelessly flirted with him, despite being at least twenty years older, and a sense of normality seemed to return. Nik looked at them for a moment, then back at Emma. For a moment, he wanted to say no, but instead he just smirked and gave her a one-handed 'be my guest' gesture.

"Any help is appreciated. I only have nineteen tons of supplies -- and then Alaric has all of the food, sound gear, and pieces of camp in his hutch."

Emma beamed at him, happy to be able to be helpful. She liked Niklaus. He was handsome. And he was kind to her. A little flirty, but it never seemed inappropriate.

She headed in the direction of the room and started grabbing bags.

Alaric, meanwhile, flirted back lightly, but ultimately he was just being friendly. His eyes kept drifting over to Elijah. He wanted more from the day before. He wanted to hug Elijah and tell him to try not to be stupid again.

--

Eventually, everything was gathered. And the group was as ready to go as they were going to be. Sebastian managed to find a shirt and sweater to wear under his coat.

"Is anybody else ready to get the bloody hell out of this town? After wolves like that, how bad can the bears be?" Kol smirked and bumped into Niklaus, trying to keep things easy between them. "How long is our flight?"

Elijah had left most of his clothes behind -- the direct opposite of Niklaus, who had one  duffel devoted entirely to thick, fluffy, ridiculously warm garments. He needed them, never seeming to quite give off Elijah's level of heat. By this time, Elijah was dressed how he would be for much of the shoot, in a genuine Inuit suit. Nik smirked at him in it.

"About three hours," Nik said, and bumped back into Kol. "Elijah looked quite silly. I don't know how our dear brother manages to keep warm in those rags... Perhaps we'll just have to always give him more to carry." He knew his brother would be perfectly fine, but he liked to give Elijah a hard time about it all the same.

Gaston fussed a little over Sebastian when no one was looking, making sure he was warm enough, that he didn't try to carry anything yet, and that he didn't over-exert himself, but he at least had the kindness to be quiet about it. Still, by the time they finished loading the plane and boarded it, he was relieved that Sebastian was able to get off of his leg for a while and just relax, even if it was only three hours.

Once the plane was off the ground, Nik was filming again, and he made Alaric set up a boom to handle the noise of the engines. He started with Elijah, who was sprawled on top of a pile of gear -- much the same as the rest of them, but Elijah simply looked the most ridiculous. "Tell our viewers, Elijah. What are you wearing and why, why in God's name do you insist on looking like a murdered seal?"

Elijah sighed at him but began explaining the traditional Inuit garb all the same. He also explained that he used furs instead of a normal down sleeping bag, which got more smirks from Niklaus, who never tired of their brother's eccentricities. Still, he knew there was something to it, especially as the weather got colder and colder; Elijah always seemed comfortable, and was the only one who hadn't had hypothermia yet -- nor did his sleeping bag collect ridiculous amounts of ice simply from the condensation caused by body heat in the down. Still, he forced Elijah to go into history, culture, physics, and aesthetics all in one go before he started filming the others.

After pestering Elijah, he made everyone talk about what had happened that morning -- starting with Emma, who he termed to be 'quite possibly the savior of the day.' Nik seemed to be in an almost inexplicably good mood.

When he got to Sebastian, he asked: "Sebastian Moran. Man of mystery. Will this documentary be the first time you actually speak to the camera on purpose? Inquiring minds wish to know."

Alaric fell more in love with Elijah as he spoke, though this wasn't new information to him. The air of the crew seemed strangely light considering what had happened.

Emma said only as much as she knew, and didn't embellish anything the way anybody else did. Her voice was quiet and she gave an incredibly shy smile. She was a writer. She so much preferred to be out of the line of the camera.

Though, when the camera landed on Sebastian, he looked up but didn't speak, knowing that in a game of wills, this man would not win.

Nik gave Moran a full minute before chuckling and awkwardly crawling around the plane to get more shots. Eventually, though, he went and settled down and took a nap with his head on Kol's lap.

Once Nik settled, Elijah did as well. He always seemed to be relaxed, but now that the atmosphere was getting quieter, he went and leaned against Alaric and closed his eyes for a few minutes -- until Gaston spoke up.

"So, is anyone going to say werewolves?"

Elijah huffed.

Kol's fingers carded through Nik's hair and he didn't care how affectionate it looked. He didn't care if it made anybody uncomfortable. He couldn't not touch him.

Alaric kissed the top of Elijah's head and nuzzled him. He was just about to whisper something when Gaston spoke up. He snorted a laugh. Again, he was about to say something, but Sebastian beat him to it.

"Not the first time rumors of such has popped up. But if they were werewolves..." We just killed a small village of people. "They didn't have much awareness. Some. They understood guns. But Elijah yelling at us didn't seem to affect them."

His tone was completely serious.