#poor stefan has his fathers possessiveness

[sevensistersofsussex]

You’d think Klaus would realize after the first few times that Elena’s not letting those daggers stay in, and he’ll still have to deal with his siblings. Eventually, Elena starts withholding sex, and Klaus realizes if he ever wants in her pants again, he’ll have to learn how to deal with his siblings peacefully.

Poor Kol. He’s just going through an emotional rollercoaster when Rebekah stole Elena, huh? At first, it’s funny, because it’s not like he doesn’t know Elena needs some time alone (She’s got 3 possessive lovers, and Kol is just kind of crazy, and it’s bad when Kol is the safe spot away from the craziness in Elena’s life), but then she never gets in touch with anyone to tell them she’s okay, and it starts to occur to Kol that something might actually be wrong (in reality, Rebekah is holding Elena’s phone hostage while Marcel gets to know her). Kol feels fear for the first time he can remember, and he goes to help his brothers destroy the town until Elena’s back safely. He starts to realize he cares about her, but it doesn’t fully hit him until he sees her standing in Rebekah’s house, drunk and smiling before she drags him off. Elena slowly realized she loved Kol, but Kol had to actually say the words “I love you” for her to realize, hey, she’s also in love with Kol, he’s not just a good friend that she has really good sex with. Rebekah and Elijah knew before either of them, and were wondering how long it would take for them to realize, and were slightly worried they’d have to interfere to get them to realize it.

The timeline’s chaotic, not necessarily cursed. She might still be a good mom, she just has to keep the kid away from the townspeople their entire life and pray the kid never goes into her room at night. When the kid is first born, Elena and the Mikaelsons have to plan everything around the child’s napping. It’s very awkward. They ask if the kid wants the opportunity to have friends and have to send the kid to a supernatural school away from the rumors, but at least the child isn’t horrifically scarred.

However, if Caroline does have to raise the kid, she’s so thankful she never fell for Elena (and really, Bonnie and Finn too? Maybe the only reason Caroline and Stefan never got pulled in is that they left). Elena’s a lot more flexible than she ever realized, and maybe sleeping with Elena wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. She brings it up to Stefan, and thus, Elena seduces them as well, but they wait for the poor kid to be out of the house. There is no escape from the Petrova allure.

Also, a moment of silence for the town.

I'm sorry, anonymous, but I can't be budged on this. The timeline is cursed.

Growing up where your mother has a harem that consists of all your uncles and aunt is too much. Not only that, but your father is constantly fighting with his brothers to get a scrap of affection from your mother and any person that meets your mom is at risk of being seduced by her. Meanwhile, your mom has ostensibly spent a majority, if not all, of your childhood completely drunk to deal with everything.

This is the kid's villain origin story.

[chaoswillfallrpg]

DAHLIA BLACKWOOD is TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS OLD and an ESCORT at FAIR FARIBAULT’S in KNOCKTURN ALLEY. She looks remarkably like CLAIRE HOLT and considers herself aligned with THE DEATH EATERS. She is currently TAKEN. 

→ OVERVIEW:

tw: murder, violence, death

In Boston, Massachusetts 1894 a miracle happened. ELIZABETH BLACKWOOD gave birth to the first girl in four generations. Not that the Blackwoods thought it a miracle, a family with dollar signs in their eyes they saw a baby girl as making little profit. The Blackwoods had made their fortune in the oil business, an oil tycoon Dahlia’s father WILLIAM BLACKWOOD made more money in the time it took him to stroll to the shops than she, a lowly girl, could ever dream of making in her lifetime. Constantly reminded of her lesser gender, Dahlia grew up thinking of herself as a second class citizen, even despite her family's wealth and the weight her surname possessed. Living in a large Victorian manor house on the outskirts of Boston, her home boasted many rooms, but to Dahlia it only had a handful. Where her brothers were allowed to roam the halls as they pleased Dahlia was kept to her bedroom and school room. When she was younger, she used to sneak out of her bedroom to play with her brothers whom she could hear having fun through her floorboards, but after being bullied mercilessly by them all and left for hours alone all night in the guise of a game of ‘hide and seek’ she gave up on finding friendship with her brothers. When it came to schooling her older brothers JAMES, CHARLES, HENRY and ARTHUR were kept close by their parents, in order to raise them to be entrepreneurs like their father, Dahlia however was sent away to an all girls school. 

At the age of ten Dahlia was happily sent to Windsor Boarding School For Girls, where her parents did not need to spare her another thought. Used to being alone, Dahlia was not phased by the prospect of school, in fact she was excited by the promise of any freedom that it could give her and was actually glad to be away from her uncaring brothers. Making friends with her roommate CORALINE HEATHER Dahlia found a new aspect of her personality she never knew she had. The pair of girls, although exceedingly bright and accomplished in their subjects, made more trouble at the school than all the other girls combined. Knowing full well that her parents wouldn't care for her whereabouts Dahlia spent her school holidays with Coraline. Christmases and summers at the Heathers house were some of Dahlias' fondest memories, Coraline's father FLOYD HEATHER, a young man who looked almost unable to be old enough to have a daughter of Coraline's age, was welcoming and kind, a stark contrast to her own. The pure favouritism of her parents shown in what happens when each of their children come of age. Her brothers were given an inheritance by their father for them to go off and create thriving businesses of their own, and with the Blackwood name to back them up it was no surprise that they all succeeded. While her brothers were given freedom and money Dahlia was brought back home after her final school year and was put immediately out on the marriage market.

 Dragged along to every high-class party and ball Dahlia was shown off to all potential suitors in attendance like a prize pig, her father not caring much for the age or disposition of the men in question.  At the youthful age of nineteen Dahlia was finally out of her parents' hair and sold to the highest bidder, a French aristocrat living in America with a Lordship, thus increasing the standing of the Blackwood family even further. JEAN BASILEIS, her new husband, was a cold man many years her senior, who clearly didn't have any want for a wife but alas needed an heir. Falling pregnant within months of her wedding day and giving birth to a son, she was truly happy to be left to her own devices. Years later Dahlia found herself in a constant loop of unhappiness, her only shining light was her son STEFAN who was growing up to be a handsome boy, not that his father cared. Jean would come in most evening drunk and smelling of other women's perfumes. Dahlia’s life however was about to change, not that she was aware. Leaving Stefan at home with his nanny she headed out in to town to meet Coraline. She had one too many drinks and spilled the secrets of her unhappy existence, saying if she could change it all she would. Being the kind friend she had always been, Coraline offered Dahlia an opportunity to better her life for herself and her son, an opportunity that Dahlia couldn't resist.

 Taking Dahlia to her father Coraline stood by as she ended her life that very night, making way for her new one as a vampire. Feeling strong and powerful for the first time in her entire life Dahlia allowed herself to dream of what she could be now that she had the gifts Floyd had bestowed upon her. Wanting to finally prove herself to her family as someone who can be just as harsh, cruel and cutting as any man she knew she and Coraline hatched a plan to bring the Blackwood empire to an end. Making her way home she played the role of subservient wife well, and acted as shocked as she should be when she received the news of the untimely death of her parents, both died instantly in a crash which was ruled an accident, her Fathers fortunes left to his eldest son James. As the years went on tragedy seemed to strike the Blackwood sons in the most unusual way. First her brother James and his family died in a terrible house fire, his business and wealth being left to the next eldest brother Charles. Now Charles was said to be loving and kind towards his family and so what happened to them shocked most that knew him. A few years after his brother’s death Charles awoke to the sound of a screaming maid who had entered his children's nursery to find them all dead, when turning to wake his wife he noticed that she too was stone cold and pale, and poor Charles, the only one still breathing was charged with their murders and sent to prison for life, his assets all being seized and given to the next in line. 

Now the oldest living son, Henry had indeed been successful in business but in love he was not, a bachelor who lived alone it was several days before his body was found. Seen entering his house by passersby with a beautiful blonde he was found several days later lying dead in his bed. His case went cold, the blonde remained unidentified and his money and businesses, including those from his brothers and father were left to the last standing Blackwood brother Arthur. Unable to have children Arthur and his wife were quite happy living amongst their riches together, or so they would have been if these tragedies had not occurred. Feeling the pressure of the family legacy solely sitting upon his shoulders and also driven mad with terror that he would be the next to meet a sticky end his wife left him and he was committed to a mental institution, legally claimed as not of sound mind and his entire family's wealth was taken from him.  Whilst all of these tragic events were occurring Dahlia found herself sitting idly by. No longer phased by her cheating husband she sat from the sidelines and watched as all of the family money and belongings continued to pour from one bank account in to the next eventually leaving her son, the sole heir to the Blackwood fortune and the only eligible receiver of Arthur's funds when he was committed, thus making herself one of the wealthiest women in America.

After the accidental death of Jean and his mistress, Dahlia was rich and free to live her life and after asking Floyd to change her son into a vampire too the pair traveled the world under the guise of brother and sister spending as much as they wanted and leaving when they were through. Centuries later she finds herself in London working with Coraline at Fair Faribaults. Not because she needs the money but because she has a fondness for playing with rich men. Here she has made friends with GEORGINE FARIBAULT, the owner of the establishment and through her has joined a movement led by a dark wizard who promises vampires a seat at his table when victorious. Loving the power being a vampire has given her Dahlia never wants to go back to feeling powerless again and so happily signed up. Through this cause she also met another new friend SELENA PETROSYAN, a beautiful ballerina who only sees herself as a horrible creature, recently being turned into a werewolf. Understanding the power of other people's opinions well and wanting Selena to see herself how she sees her Dahlia introduced her to Coraline and the trio have become inseparable. Having already been married and not gaining happiness from it Dahlia has always sworn off men for any longer than a single night. However that hasn't stopped her from looking and Dahlia has noticed GRIFFITH VANE, a handsome man who seems to be the epitome of light. She has noticed him around the alleys but has never allowed herself to approach him, residing to admiring him from afar. 

→ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Blood Status → Vampire (former Muggle)

Sexuality  → Up to Roleplayer

Relationship Status → Widowed

Previous Education → Windsor School for Girls, Boston, Massecheusetts

Family → Elizabeth Blackwood (deceased mother), William Blackwood (deceased father), James Blackwood (deceased brother), Charles Blackwood (deceased brother), Henry Blackwood (deceased brother), Arthur Blackwood (deceased brother), Stefan Blackwood (son)

Connections  → Coraline Heather (best friend), Floyd Heather (blood sire), Georgine Faribault (boss/close friend), Selena Petrosyan (close friend), Griffith Vane (object of affection), Constance Song (colleague/friend), Sebastien Fontaine (colleague/friend)

Future Information → N/A

DAHLIA BLACKWOOD IS A LEVEL 6 VAMPIRE.

[thatfanficstuff]

Bound - 11

Pairing: Niklaus Mikaelson x OFC

Warnings: nope

***

Stefan was a good friend, and he was also a smart friend. That is to say, he dropped me off at home then promptly left. I didn’t try sneaking in. There was no point. I lived with vampires. And I was a grown woman. I was allowed to do as I pleased. Or so I kept telling myself.

Elijah came to greet me before I even had the front door closed behind me. “Hello, Cassie. How lovely to see you today.”

I arched a brow at his formal tone and his lips twitched.

“Are you mad?” came from deeper in the house and Elijah gave into his grin.

He gave me a nod and returned to the living room. I wondered how big of a tantrum Nik had thrown when he’d found my note. When he peered at me from the top of the stairs I gave him a little wave. “Hello, Nik.”

If anything, his scowl deepened. “Are you going to answer my question?”

I tilted my head. “What question?”

He narrowed his gaze and started down the stairs. “Are. You. Mad?”

I pursed my lips in thought before shrugging. “Not particularly. I’m actually in pretty good mood today. Thank you for asking.”

Elijah’s laugh drifted in from the living room though he quickly tried to cover it with a cough.

“Not angry. Mad. Insane. Crazy. What would possibly possess you to go off without either myself or Elijah?” He was doing his best to keep his voice level and I took pity on him when I saw the flash of worry in his eyes.

I sighed and put my things on the entry table. “Don’t be dramatic, Nik. I left you a note. I was with Stefan and you could have tracked my phone if you were really that concerned. I appreciate your protective streak but I had it covered.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “I believe we covered this, Cassie. There will never be a time that I do not worry about you. I would appreciate it if you gave me less reason to do so.”

I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around his waist, burying my head against his chest. He held me tightly and kissed the top of my head. Finally, I pulled back to look at him. “Look, if you promise to try and give me room to breathe, I promise to be more transparent about what I’m up to. Deal?”

He hummed which I chose to take as agreement. I released him and put a little space between us. “Damon left three coffins in the house. He doesn’t know what happened to the third. He thinks Bonnie may know.”

Nik rolled his eyes and scoffed. “Of course. The witch.”

I glared at the tone in his voice. “Watch how you say that word, hybrid.”

I wasn’t buying the innocent face he pulled for a moment but decided to ignore it for the time being. He was only trying to get a rise out of me anyway. “Bonnie should be easier to track than the coffin.”

Before he could respond, the front door flew open. In seconds, Nik and Elijah were both standing between myself and the threat, whatever it may be. I couldn’t see past them so I would just have to take my cues from them.

“Our brothers insisted on seeing you. Both of you,” Rebekah said. Rather than relaxing, tension straightened the spines of the men in front of me. Super.

“Niklaus.”

“Hello, Kol.”

“I’m sure you didn’t expect to see us up and around.” Pure venom laced through the voice and put me even more on edge. Nik really needed to quit daggering his siblings.

“Actually, Niklaus was the one who insisted on undaggering you upon Mikael’s death.” Elijah was trying to smooth things between them. He never would have allowed them to stay daggered, either.

“Yes, Rebekah mentioned father’s passing. So you’ve managed to kill both of our parents now, Niklaus. You must be so pleased with yourself.” That was a new voice and I didn’t care for his attitude. Trying to make Nik feel guilty for ridding the world of Esther and Mikael was absurd.

I hadn’t thought it possible for Nik’s shoulders to get any tighter, but they did exactly that. “I did what needed to be done.”

“Oh, don’t start that. That’s your excuse for everything. You don’t get to decide what is necessary all on your own anymore, Niklaus. We won’t allow it.” That was Kol again.

When Nik and Elijah both remained silent, I was finished. I stepped out from behind Nik’s back and took in the three Originals in front of me. Rebekah’s eyes widened slightly as she took me in and her gaze darted from her brothers on either side of her before coming back to me.

“Well, hello, darling,” said the shorter of the two. He was dark. Dark hair, dark eyes and a wickedness behind his smirk that spoke of evil intentions. His eyes ran over me from top to bottom. “Who might you be?”

“This is Cassidy Grimes. She is off limits,” Nik bit out from beside me. He looped an arm around my waist and tugged me against his side.

Kol’s brows shot up. “Off limits? Since when does Niklaus Mikaelson declare anyone off limits?”

“Since Cassidy,” Elijah said. His voice had taken on a harsh edge as well.

Kol prowled closer. “Surely you realize that only makes her more intriguing.”

“Enough, Kol.” It was Rebekah that spoke this time and my eyes found hers in surprise. “Leave her alone.”

He tilted his head as if I was a puzzle he couldn’t figure out. After a long stretch where everyone but him seemed on edge, he shrugged and moved back. “Very well, sister. I was only teasing.”

My gaze moved from him to the taller, quieter brother that had merely stood observing this whole time. Catching me watching him, he gave a little bow of his head. “Finn Mikaelson.”

Of everyone in his family, Nik had spoken the least about the eldest brother. I had no reason to dislike him, but I did just the same. Something about the man just didn’t sit right with me.

“Perhaps we should move into the living room and discuss this like a civilized family,” Elijah suggested.

I pressed my lips together to keep the smartass remark that was on the tip of my tongue from coming out. Being bitchy when I had my powers was one thing. Powerless, I’d rather not tempt trouble.

Nik steered me into the living room. Heat flooded my body and I came to an abrupt stop. My stomach twisted and I felt as if I would vomit at any moment. The room began to spin around me making me feel that much worse. My hand groped blindly looking for purchase, though Nik quickly grabbed mine with his own. “Cassie? What is wrong?”

The panic in his voice led me to believe that I must look about as bad as I felt. I opened my mouth to answer and everything went black.

***

Later I would learn that Nik caught me before I hit the ground. He laid me on the ground and knelt beside me as he tried to bring me around while the others looked on helplessly. Just as he was about to take me to a doctor, he heard a voice he had hoped to never hear again.

“Niklaus.”

He froze, my hand still gripped in his and refused to look up. Seeing her would only make all this more real.

“Mother,” Rebekah breathed out, denying him the ability to ignore the ghost in his presence any longer.

He remained knelt beside me as he looked up slowly to meet Esther’s piercing gaze. Unfortunately, she wasn’t a ghost at all. She was as solid as the day he ripped out her heart. She crossed the space between them and glanced between him and me. “Do you know why I am here, Niklaus?” she asked.

“Because you’re a dumb bitch that doesn’t know when to stay to dead?” he answered without thinking, his focus not easily pulled away from me in my distress.

Esther smacked him, the impact stinging his cheek and sending fury flooding through him. Elijah placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder to keep him calm, lest he forget she was more than their mother. She was the Original witch.

Nik and his mother glared at each other a moment longer before she shifted her gaze to me. “The poor child. Whatever has happened to her?” She sounded concerned, but the small smirk on her face did not go unnoticed by either Nik or Elijah.

***

Bound: @deadmanwalked @the-doctor-9-10 @kawaiirepublic @xlosttdreamss @tkdgirl2012 @cacti-succulents-andlesbians @killerheelsanddullknives @readeity @kayla-03-blog @star-incandescent  @bookwormstrawberry @lostinwonderland314 @zillahvathek @kayluera

All the Things: @swanky-batman @rissyrapp20 @startrekkingaroundasgard @spooookyscary @taylordrunkonwhiskey @laneygthememequeen @collette04 @shatteredabby @thewolf-and-thesheep 

[thevampirediariesdiary]

1.09 History Repeating

The episode’s called “History Repeating”, so OBVIOUSLY it’s about the brothers, a perfect snapshot of their broken, broken relationship - with hints about just what parts of their history might come back around.  

This is the first episode with Alaric!  Despite being genuinely cool, he hits every single “new teacher trying to be a bro” trope like he’s checking them off a list: making fun of his name, telling the students they can call him Rick, and literally throwing the previous teacher’s files in the trash.  When explaining an extra credit history assignment to Jeremy, he literally says “make it sing”.  Rick.  That is not a helpful instruction.  

Stefan is giving Damon the cold shoulder...understandably...  Damon offers up a peace offering: coffee, to help with circulation.  I hereby offer a formal apology for making fun of the caffeine vampire fact two episodes ago.  It did in fact come back up again.  Show continuity, I should have had more faith in you.

Stefan ignores the coffee, so Damon offers a truly half-assed apology: “I got the town off our back, it was for the greater good, but I’m sorry, and to prove it, I’m not going to feed on a human for at least...a week?”  Shirtless Stefan, aka the Platonic Idea of Abs, wanders out of the closet and says “Because I realize that killing your closest and oldest friend is beyond evil and yet somehow...worthy of humor?”  Damon says, “Are you mimicking me?”  “Yes, Stefan,” says Stefan.  “Now that the secret society of vampire-haters is off our back, I can go back to my routine of ‘how can I destroy Stefan’s life this week?’”  Damon pipes up, “And I can go back to sulking, and Elena-longing, and forehead-brooding.”  And adds, “This is fun, I like this.”  “And I will finally reveal the ulterior motive behind my evil and diabolical return to Mystic Falls,” says Stefan.  “Yeaaah I’m done,” says Damon, then shifts back into dopey-Stefan voice: “That’s just like you Damon, you always have to have the last word!”  It’s a weirdly comfortable level of banter, given that Stefan was considering literally killing him one episode ago, but you get the feeling that this is the only way they know how to cope.  Plus, it’s a great bit, so I don’t even care if it’s out of character.  

Caroline yells at Matt for saying “hey” to her repeatedly, as it “reeks of awkward subtext”, and is a “lame guy move”.  He accuses her of reading into the same thing he’s said to her every day since the first grade, and says it’s a “lame girl move”.  I identify the heck out of the introspection spiral Caroline is clearly on.

Stefan tells Elena that he won’t be coming back to school; he’s gonna back off, keep his distance.  “Back off from school or from me?” Elena asks.  Stefan doesn’t answer, just says, “It’s better this way.”  “Yep, I got it,” Elena bites out.  “You’re angry, that’s good,” says Stefan, “it’ll be easier if you hate me.”  It’s condescending and paternalistic and I hate it.

Damon is still pestering Bonnie about the crystal.  “I’ll scream,” she threatens.  “Ohhhh noooo, don’t do that, let’s stay on point,” he says.  Started at the bottom...?  But it freaks Bonnie out enough that she tells Elena, and Elena tells Stefan, and Stefan promises to figure it out.

Jenna, staring at Alaric across the room: I like a man who can dine alone.  Quiet strength. Jeremy: I thought you were still in that Logan-depression thing. Jenna, in the Most Me sentence ever spoken: Oh, I’ve sworn off men forever, but it doesn’t mean I can’t observe them from a safe distance. 

Jenna says Jeremy’s dad had a box of stuff, the-Gilberts-came-over-on-the-Mayflower stuff.  This means the Gilberts and I have ancestors who were buddies!!  Or we would, if it was not Literal Historical Fact that my Mayflower ancestor was a terrific asshole whom No One Liked.

Stefan picks up the brother-impersonation bit again at the bar: S: So, Stefan! You know, I’ve been thinking. I think we should start over, give this brother thing another chance.  We used to do it oh-so-well once upon a time. D: I DON’T, Damon.  I can’t trust you to be a nice guy, you - you kill everybody, and you’re so mean...and...you’re so mean.  ...you’re really hard to imitate, and then I have to go to that lesser place.

Caroline, Bonnie, and Elena attempt to have a manicure night, but it turns into Bennet crystal drama, which I am 200% over.  “What is going on?” Caroline asks. “Why am I not a part of this conversation? You guys do this to me all the time.”  Elena says that’s not true, but Bonnie says it is - she can’t talk to Caroline, because Caroline never listens.  Caroline’s apology speech is fantastic: “It’s just not me.  I don’t believe in the *ooooohhh ghost noises*.  But if you do, then - okay.  I’m in.  That’s what it takes for me to jump on board, because I consider you my best friend, and I’m saying this knowing that Elena’s in the kitchen listening to my every word.  Look, I didn’t know how real this was for you, but I’m listening now, okay?”  I feel like this captures something important about Caroline - she’s not self-centered, precisely, she just assumes everyone’s seeing the same world she is, and placing importance on the same things.  But once she figures out that something is a big deal for her friends, it’s a big deal for her, too.  

Damon: I’m impressed, Stefan.  Fun with booze and darts, sentimental with football, and now: starry night.  ...what do you want, Stefan.  Stefan, seriously: It wasn’t real, Damon.  Our love for Katherine.  Damon, sotto voce: Oh, god.  Stefan, doggedly: She compelled us, we didn’t have a choice.  It took me years to sort that out, to truly understand what she did to us.  Damon: Oh, no, Stefan.  We are not takin’ that on tonight. Stefan: What do you want with Katherine’s crystal? Damon: How do you know about that? Stefan: Come on, you knew Elena would tell me. Damon: How’d you know it was Katherine’s? Emily gave it to her on her last night.  I was with her and you...weren’t. Stefan, defiantly: I was the last one to see her, Damon.  Now, what do you want with Katherine’s crystal? Damon, trying desperately to remain smug: She didn’t tell you? Stefan: We had other things on our mind. Damon: I could rip your heart our and not think twice about it. Stefan: Yeah, I’ve heard that before. Damon: I have a bigger surprise, Stefan.  I’m gonna bring her back.

OKAY SO ABOUT THIS.  First of all, how have they never talked about this before???  It has almost been one and a half CENTURIES.  Second: For someone who starts off trying to convince Damon that all the Katherine feelings weren’t real, Stefan sure seems like he’s still invested in which of them was loved by her more.  Instead of saying “I knew it was her crystal because she compelled me to be there that night and not tell you”, he says he was the last one to see her, like it’s some competition and he won?  And “we had other things on our mind”??  What are you doing?  This is a particularly dumb strategy because it’s CLEAR that Damon has not achieved ANY distance from the whole love triangle; his face when Stefan tells him he was with Katherine that night goes from this:

Shattered trust and suffocating inadequacy, to this:

You can SEE HIM deciding to play his last card, to finally one-up his little brother whom everyone loved more.  And then RIGHT BACK to the sudden-but-inevitable-betrayal look when Stefan basically says they were too busy having sex and bein’ in love to talk about jewelry.  EDIT: I just realized maybe Stefan did this on purpose to get Damon unsettled and angry enough that he would spill his secret?  If that’s the case, it was half brilliant but also insane...since unsettled and angry Damon, at this point in the show, tends more to violence than he does to truth-telling. 

Anyway, we get the tomb spell revelation.  “Did you know witches can use celestial events to draw energy into their magic - pssh, me neither!” says Damon, perfectly proving the point I made here.

This shot, of Jeremy being super pissed when he opens his front door and Elena and Caroline are standing there screaming? 

That’s how I felt through the whole seance sub-plot in this episode.  Also in aww-poor-Jeremy moments, he’s minding his business going through his dad’s boxes when his aunt and his history teacher come home like this:

The show is HEAVILY implying Alaric is a vampire, by the way.  He has a gaudy ring which he says belonged to his father (spoiler alert, that’s a lie), and he does the whole look-pensively-at-the-lintel thing while standing in the doorway.  “You know what, I’m not gonna invite you in,” Jenna tells him.  “Some other time,” says Rick, looking cocky as hell.

Emily Bennet possesses Bonnie and takes everybody to the woods, where Stefan learns there are multiple tomb vamps.  “I don’t care about them, I just want Katherine,” says Damon.  “This isn’t about love, is it, this is about revenge!” Stefan accuses.  “The two aren’t mutually exclusive!”  Emily-as-Bonnie destroys the crystal, despite Damon’s agonizing pleading, and then when Emily leaves, Damon attacks Bonnie. Stefan saves her; Elena gives Damon dagger-eyes which are somehow still a little...disappointed?

And here’s what’s arguably the biggest revelation of the episode, delivered by Damon, tears in his eyes: “Katherine never compelled me.  I knew everything, every step of the way.  It was real for me.”

Elena makes another bid for togetherness with Stefan: “I thought I couldn’t be with you, but I can!  You don’t have to push me away, I can do this.”  “I can’t,” says Stefan, and tells her he’s leaving town.  The back and forth is already driving me insane, and we’re only on episode nine.  Oh, long-form television and your contrived stalling.

Matt climbs into Caroline’s window to tell her “We cuddled, and it creeped me out.”  He needs to improve his communication skills.  But they figure it out, and then eat junk food in her bed, adorably.  Damon sits where Stefan left him, and stares into space, broken.  Stefan throws an old journal across the room and breaks down crying, looking like he’s finally lost control.  Elena confesses everything to a very shaken Bonnie.  And last but not least, Logan Scum-Bucket Fell turns up on the Gilbert doorstep, and asks, “Aren’t you gonna invite me in?”

Music Moments: Barcelona’s “Come Back When You Can” plays over the closing scenes, presumably referring to Katherine - “come back when you can / let go, you’ll understand / you’ve done nothing at all to make me love you less / so come back when you can”.

Eyebrow Watch: “Yeaaaah I’m done”

And a Very Special Edition of Eyebrow Watch, featuring Stefan-as-Damon:

previous episode  next episode

[footyplusau]

Slow starter: Who’s costing your club right now?

Unbeaten after the opening four rounds and chasing the club’s first 5-0 start in its 28-year history, it’s difficult to pinpoint a single Crows player who would be disappointed with his form this year. With that said, midfielder Curtly Hampton has the potential to take his game to another level after returning to the AFL for the first time in more than a year. Hampton played 51 games in four seasons for Greater Western Sydney as a half-back flanker before joining the Crows at the end of 2015. He was injured for the first half of last year before being unable to force his way into the team. Hampton has averaged 14 possessions in his four games this season, with his best performance coming in his side’s Showdown win against Port Adelaide in round three. Hampton’s outside run and pace is critical to the way the Crows play with their quick ball movement. – Lee Gaskin

Generally, the Lions have used inexperienced teams through the opening month of the season and the older players, led by Dayne Beams, Tom Rockliff and Stefan Martin have performed strongly. Even Daniel Rich, who had a poor first fortnight, has lifted significantly over the past two weeks as the Lions search for consistency. The man they need more from is Tom Bell. The former Blue has been used in a mix of roles, but spends most of his time at half-forward and occasionally pushes into the midfield. It’s not all about disposals, but Bell has averaged just 13 a game in the first four weeks (down from 17 last year) and kicked three goals. Of more concern is his work-rate, which has fluctuated within games. Bell is a powerhouse runner – one of the best at the club – and needs to improve his output to help the Lions for the rest of 2017. – Michael Whiting

Patrick Cripps is struggling to recapture the form that made him one of the AFL’s best inside midfielders in the past two seasons. The AFL’s leading clearance player last season with 185, Cripps sits equal 26th with 22 in four games this year, 26 behind league leader Tom Rockliff. He averaged almost 17 contested possessions a game in 2016, but this year that has dropped to 11. Cripps’ pre-season was hampered by a back injury which restricted his preparation for 2017, and he has already taken several heavy hits this season. After last Saturday night’s loss to Gold Coast, coach Brendon Bolton admitted the star midfielder was playing with injury and he appears to be struggling to cover the ground and get to contests. Veteran Dale Thomas, who needs to produce a good season as he seeks to trigger an option in his contract to play on in 2018, has performed well in patches but struggled for consistency. – Howard Kotton

Dale Thomas is going to want to hit some good form before the season goes on too long. Picture: AFL Photos

As much as we don’t like singling out a third-year player, the most glaring example, particularly given the Pies’ scoring problems, has been key forward Darcy Moore. The prodigiously talented father-son prospect has been burdened by the crippling weight of expectation and responsibility of spearheading the Pies’ forward line at the tender age of just 21. Just as he was asked to do last year at 20 when he went goalless just three times. Moore has already been goalless three times this year, tallying just 1.3 in the opening four rounds. Of course, the athletic youngster hasn’t been helped by poor delivery into a forward line that is yet to find chemistry. Solutions include freeing him up with the occasional run in the ruck, a temporary move to defence (where he has played competently at VFL level), or perhaps a state-league stint to regain confidence. Other underwhelming Pies include ex-Docker forward Chris Mayne, whose presence was meant to help the likes of Moore, as was silky former Kangaroos midfielder Daniel Wells, who arrived at his new club out of condition, which no doubt contributed to a lingering calf injury that has so far restricted him to just one VFL game. – Ben Collins

Mark Baguley has been a consistent and regular member of Essendon’s backline since 2013, with his best work often going unnoticed. He’s seemed a little off the pace so far this season, though, aside from the Bombers’ stirring victory over Hawthorn in round one when he performed well. Baguley isn’t the first defender to struggle against Eddie Betts like he did last weekend and he certainly won’t be the last, but as Essendon’s best small defender he often has the important task of shutting down the opposition’s leading small goalkicker. He’s one of a few senior Bombers off their best, with Michael Hurley still warming into things after missing all of last season and having an off-season peppered with ankle issues. Brent Stanton, too, hasn’t quite hit his straps having perhaps not had the same amount of pure midfield time that he enjoyed in years previous to his anti-doping ban in 2016. – Callum Twomey

It was only two years ago that Garrick Ibbotson was nominated in the 40-man All Australian squad, but the Dockers defender’s form slid last season and he has struggled to recapture his best in 2017, despite coming off a strong summer. The 29-year-old was considered by some to be fortunate to avoid the axe after Freo’s horror loss to Port Adelaide in round two, when he overran an attempted half-volley gather in the first minute and coughed up the opening goal – setting the tone for a disastrous day. Disposals certainly aren’t always the best way to judge a backman – and coaching staff might rate performances on a range of other factors – but Ibbotson had just eight touches in Saturday’s nailbiting win over Melbourne and is yet to consistently deliver the intercept marking displays he was once renowned for. – Travis King

  It’s hard to pluck players who haven’t started the season well out of Geelong, given the team’s unbeaten stance. It’s no secret the ‘Harry Taylor playing as a forward’ experiment hasn’t worked, as it’s becoming apparent he makes much more of an impact when shifted forward late in games. Defender Jackson Thurlow is unsurprisingly taking time to find his feet after missing all of 2016 with a knee injury, and has averaged nine disposals over the three games he’s played. Midfielder Sam Menegola missed selection in rounds one and two, but worked hard in the VFL to gain a call up against Melbourne. However, he will now miss a week after a careless tackle on Hawthorn’s Luke Hodge, which will further disrupt his continuity at senior level. – Jennifer Phelan

The Suns have really only had one poor performance in the opening month (and a horror first quarter against the Brisbane Lions), so picking out struggling players is a little difficult. Jarryd Lyons started slowly but has come on nicely over the past two weeks, while co-captain Steven May was also a bit tardy out of the blocks before a good fortnight prior to his hamstring injury. Matching expectations with output, the man struggling most has been boom young forward Peter Wright. It’s far, far too premature to be concerned for a third-year forward – and he turned things around with a three-goal second half against Carlton – but the 203cm powerhouse hasn’t made the most of his opportunities early on, kicking five goals in four matches. While getting his fair share of the ball, Wright has spilt a number of easy marks when getting both hands to the ball. His work-rate has been good though, and a change of fortunes is likely not far away. – Michael Whiting

Big things were expected of Peter Wright this year. Picture: AFL Photos

With an abundance of younger midfielders snapping at his spot going into the season, veteran Ryan Griffen started the year under pressure, and that pressure hasn’t been released four rounds in. Like most of his teammates in the season opener, the 30-year-old had a shocker against Adelaide when his side really needed some leadership and grunt around the footy, with vice-captain Stephen Coniglio injured. Griffen did his bit to shut down Gold Coast star Gary Ablett when he was on the ball in round two, but just five of his 20 possessions were contested, and as we know, the Sun had his head elsewhere that day. A serious ankle injury now sees Griffen out for at least another two months which has to lead to questions surrounding his place in the Giants’ best 22, with players like Jacob Hopper, Matthew Kennedy and Tim Taranto showing some great signs, and Coniglio still to come back in. – Adam Curley

Where do you start? A number of Hawks have made their poorest starts to a season for many years. Cyril Rioli is averaging just over 11 touches a game and has kicked just thee goals. Paul Puopolo is averaging only 10 touches a game. Liam Shiels and Jack Gunston aren’t having anywhere near the impact of previous seasons, although Gunston finally found the goals on Monday against Geelong. Josh Gibson is another warrior from seasons past who just hasn’t got going this year. Luke Breust has averaged two goals a game for the last five seasons but has just five through four games so far in 2017. If any of these players come close to replicating their form of seasons past, the Hawks will soon be out of the pickle they currently are in. – Ashley Browne

There has been plenty of recent analysis and debate about St Kilda’s decision to draft Paddy McCartin with the No.1 pick in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft. The No.3 pick in the draft, Angus Brayshaw, is also yet to fully live up to his standing. It is important, however, to identify a few mitigating circumstances in regard to Brayshaw’s slow start to 2017. The inside midfielder played in the first two games of the season before being dropped, yet with Melbourne’s plethora of midfield depth, Brayshaw was forced to spend the majority of his time up forward and struggled to have a major impact. The 21-year-old was also hampered by a calf complaint in the pre-season and missed a couple of key training sessions over January. Brayshaw was restricted to just 10 games in 2016 due to repeat concussion symptoms. He showed in his debut season in 2015 that he has the talent and aptitude to become a very good player. As a result, Melbourne is confident the young midfielder will reach his potential once he gets continuity and the required assuredness back in his game. – Ben Guthrie

Angus Brayshaw has had a tough run with injuries. Picture: AFL Photos

The popular name to put in here is Andrew Swallow, whose current role and future at the club were put on the agenda by ex-teammate-turned-media commentator Nick Dal Santo last week. The tough midfielder is spending more time up forward this season. Swallow’s average disposals (16.5, down from 20.3 in 2016), contested possessions (7.5, 11.5), clearances (3.3, 5) and tackles (6.8, 7.5) have all suffered. Another player who is yet to get going is 200-gamer Lindsay Thomas, who has kicked just 2.6 in four matches. The small forward – who kicked at least 34 goals in each of the past five seasons – also missed the match-winner on Good Friday in a cruel crescendo to a thrilling contest. His form issues might be an offshoot of Jarrad Waite‘s absence, with the ex-Carlton star’s return potentially only a fortnight away. Ruckman Todd Goldstein kickstarted his season with a much-improved display against the Dogs. – Marc McGowan

Apart from a huge six goal, 30-possession game against Fremantle in round two, star midfielder Robbie Gray has had limited impact for the Power. In the other three games, he has kicked three goals and is averaging less than 15 disposals. Gray – the Power’s best and fairest for the past three years – has played mostly in attack after being troubled by groin soreness in the pre-season. As he showed against the Dockers, Gray is a match-winner at his absolute best with his ability to create something out of nothing and quality ball use heading into the forward 50. But the Power would be keen to see Gray dominate a game on a more consistent basis. Winger Karl Amon has struggled to win much of the football in his four games this season, averaging 14.5 possessions, 2.8 marks and 2.2 tackles. The 21-year-old is in his fourth season with the Power and is out of contract at the end of the year. – Lee Gaskin

Former defender Nick Vlastuin is adjusting to a new role in the midfield and he hasn’t had great results offensively in the opening four rounds, averaging 11 disposals. The plan was for Vlastuin to rotate forward with the team’s other inside midfielders, but he has won 55 per cent of his possessions in the back half. The hard-nosed Tiger’s defensive side certainly hasn’t disappeared, laying 22 tackles in four games, and he is using the ball at 96 per cent efficiency. Josh Caddy came into the team in a similar midfield/forward role, but his average disposals (17.3) have been down on 2016 at Geelong (20.2). He also hasn’t hit the scoreboard as much, kicking three goals from four games, compared to 21 from 18 last season. The recruit is finding his place in the team and expect his score involvements (5.0) and clearances (3.3) to increase the more he plays. – Nathan Schmook

Tom Hickey would be disappointed with his start to the year. After an excellent 2016 when he established himself as the club’s clear No. 1 ruckman, Hickey found himself competing with Billy Longer in the pre-season for a spot in the round one side. The former Sun won the position after an excellent game against Sydney in St Kilda’s last JLT Community Series game, but has been outpointed in three of his four contests this year. His sole win in an individual match-up came against West Coast, which had Nic Naitanui, Scott Lycett and Drew Petrie unavailable. One player on the watch list is Jack Billings. He was excellent last week against Collingwood but had been quiet the previous three weeks. After a full pre-season, there are no excuses for the third selection from 2013. The class he has is enormously useful for a side that can be wayward with its disposal, so the Saints need him to consistently deliver. – Dinny Navaratnam

He started the season with a new role as a forward, but things haven’t gone well for Kieren Jack. Jack blitzed the Swans’ intra-club scratch match in February and looked at home playing inside 50, where his speed and experience are valuable assets, but it went downhill from there when he missed the entire JLT Community Series with a hip problem. The 29-year-old hasn’t been able to find the footy playing as a small forward, averaging just under 17 touches a game, and in the absence of the injured Isaac Heeney, Tom Papley and Gary Rohan, hasn’t been hitting the scoreboard either, booting just three goals from four games. Jack’s ferocious attack on the footy hasn’t left him, but his tackles (2.5 per game) are well down for a man who has averaged more than five in each of his previous seven seasons. – Adam Curley

Former captain Kieren Jack is adapting to a new role. Picture: AFL Photos

After an underwhelming first season in blue and gold, former Swans speedster Lewis Jetta looked to be on the right track during the JLT Community Series after a couple of promising efforts against GWS and Fremantle. However, a quiet round one performance of just nine disposals and a ‘gimme’ goal was followed by a glute scare, which saw him miss out in round two – when coach Adam Simpson admitted his spot would have been under pressure anyway. Jetta returned for round three at the MCG but was criticised for not taking the game on when he had chances to tuck the ball under his arm and break the lines in a deflating loss to Richmond. The 27-year-old was dropped for round four against his old side and, despite picking up 36 touches for East Perth, the 2012 premiership Swan is no certainty to come back in for Sunday’s clash with Hawthorn. – Travis King

Luke Beveridge conceded recently that some his premiership stars, like the Bulldogs as a team so far this season, have been playing in “spits and spurts”. Tom Boyd is one player yet to recapture the form that saw him one of the Dogs’ best on Grand Final day. The mobile big man is only averaging seven disposals, 12 hit-outs and two marks, and has booted just two goals. The coach quickly lost patience with reliable playmakers Caleb Daniel and Shane Biggs, and dropped the duo for the round four clash with North Melbourne. Forward Stewart Crameri has battled form and injuries in his return from a 12-month doping ban. The 28-year-old had little impact in the opening two rounds of the season, before succumbing to a hip complaint.  Premiership forwards Josh Dunkley and Clay Smith started the season in the VFL, and were only serviceable when recalled for the win over the Kangaroos. – Ryan Davidson

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