#I figured there'd be a little animosity

[averseunhinged]

here is another thing that was supposed to be a short and fun exercise in writing scenes with a lot of action, but has instead turned into a four part thing with the last part being the only part i've actually finished. AS USUAL. i am incapable of writing a short one shot.

this is sort of what i wanted the augustine storyline to be. you know. if there'd been an actual budget for the show and candice king had any interest whatsoever in being a stunt-heavy action star. i mostly just wanted to write caroline going undercover as a las vegas exotic dancer, giving klaus a lap dance, and then kicking augustine ass in heels. like tvdu + secret diary of a call girl + alias.

this bit is from the first part, which involves writing five characters in the room and two on video, and that ended up being way harder than i expected.

"There was a disturbance in the Quarter last night," Marcel began, accepting a tumbler of bourbon from Elijah with a nod of thanks, and settling back further into his seat.

Josh snorted.

"Something to add, Josh?"

"That's putting it mildly. People are already talking."

"Are people?" Klaus asked flatly.

"The nightwalkers," Marcel admitted. "There've been rumors coming through the underground, mostly down from New York's sub rosa. It all sounded like a fairy tale. Or an exaggeration, at least."

"Or," Josh cut in quietly, "like a society of people who need to believe there are heroes willing to help them."

He flipped through the file and pulled out a stack of neatly organized files. Davina's animosity toward the Originals was unrelenting, but she was willing enough to have collating parties in the middle of the night, as long as he brought top shelf vodka and some of Cami's good hand-muddled mixers. Josh passed out the files and then brought the video stills up on screen.

There were two figures standing close, heads tilted toward one another. It wasn't a particularly clear shot of the pair, but based on build, they were likely a male and a female, though close to the same height. The woman was slim, but athletic. The man was broad and barrel­-chested. Both wore similar all-black outfits: combat boots for the man and lighter boots with a low heel for the woman. Slim black jeans and motorcycle jackets with raised hoods for both. Amongst the colorful tourist trade in the Quarter, they stood out like ill omens.

“Well, who have we here?” Klaus drawled, draping himself over an armchair with his usual excessive display of hot people privilege. Josh would just look awkward and desperate if he moved like that.

Not that Josh didn’t think he was hot. His self-esteem was fine in that department, but it was more of a boy-next-door adorable than ancient evil smoldering. He could pick up a human guy no problem, but Klaus’s human conquests were either idiots or had an unfortunate, obvious danger kink. The ones with a slightly better life expectancy didn’t want anything to do with him. Josh once watched a blonde sorority girl slumming it at the wrong bar spend twenty uncomfortable minutes trying to extricate herself from a flirty conversation, Klaus absorbing her annoyance like that was what powered him.

Josh would not be surprised.

“No-one knows. They just show up and do good deeds. If your definition of a good deed involves unspeakable violence, I mean."

"Usually does with vampires." Marcel grinned. "There was a group of like-minded ones. Old guys, too. They set up in a warehouse in the Bronx and none of the sub rosa had the power to oust them." He paused, looking down and swirling his bourbon around the glass, his voice tight when he began again. "Sick fucks were taking little girls, not one of them over twelve. The New York vamps wouldn't do a damn thing about it."

Klaus laughed derisively through his nose. "Of course they wouldn’t."

"They are a society with rules, Niklaus," Elijah began before he was rudely interrupted.

"They're worse than the ton, doing nothing and accomplishing less. They're immortal beings and they've shackled themselves."

"It didn't matter either way in the end," Josh took up. "The whole warehouse went up in flames. Witnesses claimed they saw a man and woman in black leading the kids out, but they couldn't remember anything else about them. Not even hair color."

"Witchwork," Klaus spat out, disgusted. The witch problems of the past few years had left him with little patience for them or those who allied with them.

"Probably," Josh admitted with reluctance. "The girls were definitely compelled. Except one was witch-blooded, but in foster care. No known coven of origin. No-one knew until they realized she was the only one who remembered anything."

The men were all silent for a moment.

"I am loath to ask what she remembered," Elijah finally said, stoicism weighed down by reluctance.

"Things no eight-year-old should." Marcel replied, short and hard. "She said the woman was the Angel of Death and she'd come to help them. That she was beautiful and terrible and she made the bad men scream. The sub rosa started calling her Angel after that."

“There’s something else, too. A YouTuber on vacation was filming the street with a pretty high quality camera when the fight broke out. There’s something about the way the man moves. The way he holds himself, maybe? I don’t know. Just…familiar.” Josh shook his head. “Sorry. Not that helpful.”

Josh selected and started a clip from the video. The focal point was the man. His movements were smooth, but the muscles were tight and bulging, hands clenched at his sides until his arm snapped out, grabbed an attacking human by the neck, and spiked them into a café table. It was almost phlegmatic, if you didn’t mind watching someone get decapitated with wrought iron detailing.

“No, Mr. Rosza,” Elijah murmured. “You are correct. He’s restraining himself. Forcing himself to take far more care than he could. He’s more powerful than he’s showing, has greater strength than he is using. Perhaps an attempt to conceal his age.”

Marcel rolled his drink between his hands. “That hybrid who came after you…”

“Tyler Lockwood,” Elijah supplied.

“No, not Tyler. He’s happily wasting his time in the wilderness with a pack in Oregon, like a pig in shit. I’d know if he was inclined to anything more complex than subsistence farming and building tiny homes,” Klaus sneered.

[steadybelieverpersona]

Ch.48: Those Who Yearn for the Gods' Gaze

Paimon: This should be the place. But Sangonomiya was right, it doesn't look like anything suspicious is going on... Could they be hiding? Let's see what we can find. These Electro Monuments look a little suspicious...

Y/n: Aether use your Electro powers!! (Who's that Pokémon? :D)

Upon lighting up all three Electro Monuments

Paimon: Yikes! A huge lawachurl! Was it drawn out by the Electro energy?

Y/n: It's tall!!!!

Aether: Y/n that's the least of our concerns!!!

Upon defeating the Thunderhelm Lawachurl

Paimon: Phew... glad that's over. As monsters go, that one was pretty tough. But what's such a huge Thunderhelm Lawachurl doing here in the first place? It doesn't make any sense... Also, the atmosphere here gives Paimon the creeps. Anyway, the good thing is that it's over now. We should probably get going... *noticed Teppei* Huh, Teppei? What are you doing here?

Teppei: *cough* ...Wow, this is a surprise. Didn't know you were the ones investigating here. I just got back from delivering some supplies to the front line. I figured I'd stop by and clear any threats in this area on the way back. *cough*...

Paimon: Are you alright there buddy? You're looking slightly the worse for wear.

Y/n: "Coughing and Grey hair?, These symptoms look familiar to me but where?" You sure you're alright? Your not stressed or anything similar?

Teppei: I'm fine, it's nothing. I must've caught a cold a couple days ago while I was out at sea. On my way past, I heard that someone had just arrived on the island to investigate, so I thought I'd come and take a look. If there'd been some real danger, I might've had the chance to be the hero... Heh, shame it was just you guys. Guess I came here for nothing.

Paimon: Teppei, don't you think there's something strange about this place?

Teppei: Hmm... now that you mention it, there is something a little off about it. It could be that the Tatarigami is more palpable here, I guess. We're not that far away from Orobaxi's remains.

Y/n: Orobaxi? Who's that?

Teppei: A god. Look, there's the corpse over there. *points at a snake skeleton*

Paimon: Aah! It's a gigantic snake skeleton. It looks terrifying!

Teppei: Orobaxi was the one who brought our ancestors from Enkanomiya up to the surface. That's the origin of the Watatsumi Island you know today. Our ancestors regarded it as a guardian deity, but during the Archon War, Orobaxi invaded Yashiori Island. The Raiden Shogun came out in person and slew Orobaxi with the Musou no Hitotachi. That same slash also formed what later became known as Musoujin Gorge.

Paimon: The Raiden Shogun created Musoujin Gorge in one slash? Wow, that's pretty incredible...

Teppei: Yes. But the Archon War was brutal... *cough* and Yashiori Island was completely destroyed during that battle. They say the shogun lost something very dear to her along the way too. Since Orobaxi's death... *cough* there has always been some animosity between Watatsumi Island and the Shogunate. But our different beliefs have nothing to do with why the resistance was formed. We only rose up to fight against the Vision Hunt Decree. When Orobaxi attacked civilization, the shogun stood up and put a stop to it. But now that the shogun is stripping people of their ambitions with the Vision Hunt Decree, it's time for someone to stand up and stop the shogun... *cough* Alright, I'm heading back. I was just dealing with some of the Shogun's elite samurai, so I think I'm gonna take a quick breather, then it's onto my next assignment. You should report back to Sangonomiya as soon as possible. Don't stay here longer than you need to — being around the Tatarigami too long won't do your health any good... *coughing*...

Y/n: Take care of yourself.

Teppei: Hey, don't worry about me. Peak condition... *leaves*

Paimon: Teppei's sure made some big progress if he's already dealing with Shogunate Samurai. Paimon can hardly believe it. Let's report back to Kokomi.

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Paimon: Kokomi, we're back— Oh, look, Gorou's here too. What happened? They look so serious...

Y/n: Something doesn't feel right...

Sangonomiya Kokomi: Approximately how many people are exhibiting these symptoms?

Gorou: I haven't had the chance to do a full count yet...

Paimon: Kokomi, Gorou... what's going on?

Gorou: Recently, Aether, Y/n, some of our soldiers started showing symptoms of accelerated aging. I called them in for questioning and found out that they'd privately acquired some secret weapons from our sponsor. Most of them are highly ambitious types, vehemently opposed to the Vision Hunt Decree. They've been using these new weapons secretly since getting hold of them.

Y/n: "Accelerated aging!?! Weapons!?! Could it be...."

Sangonomiya Kokomi: So that's why the war has been going unusually well... But risky secret weapons are not the answer. We must put a stop to it immediately. Gorou, have you managed to acquire one of these weapons?

Gorou: Most of the officers refused to hand them over. Still, I did manage to get one... *shows the weapon*

Aether: Oh dear...

Y/n: This is...

Sangonomiya Kokomi: Aether, Y/n, do you guys know something about this?

Y/n: It's a Fatui Delusion.

Gorou: So that means our secret sponsor is the Fatui?

They nod their heads

Sangonomiya Kokomi: But why would the Fatui do this... Forget that, there's no time. Right now, we need to inform the whole army to cease using their Delusions immediately. All soldiers who have shown symptoms are to be taken for treatment. I just hope we'll be in time to save them.

Paimon: Wait a second... speaking of soldiers with symptoms...

Y/n: Teppei.... *immediately runs off*

Paimon: Wait, Y/n!!! Uhh, let's go check on him!

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Paimon: Teppei!!!

Teppei: Oh... *cough* Hey, guys. What're you doing here? Just a moment, lemme get up... Oof, it's weird, I don't know where all my strength's gone...

Y/n: Teppei, you have to tell me. What's been going on with you?

Teppei: Hmm? Oh, right, yeah, I haven't had time to give you both the full details. Well, I've made a lot of great contributions to the war effort lately. Fighting the Shogun's Army at sea, taking on Shogunate Samurai all by myself, rescuing my comrades fr—from an ambush... things I never would have dreamed I could do when you guys first met me. *cough* If only I were stronger still. The stronger I am, the more I can do for the resistance... Wait a sec, where's my secret weapon gone?

Y/n: Tell me about this weapon. When did you start using it?

Teppei: *cough* It wasn't long after you and Aether were made captains of Swordfish II. I met these mysterious people, and they said they were with our supporters. They gave it to me and said that as long as I have the will to become stronger, this secret weapon will answer my call. Haha... *cough* It's just like a Vision, isn't it? Of course, I've never used a Vision, so I wouldn't know the difference...

Aether: This is... a Delusion.

Teppei: Delusion? *cough* Oh god, that doesn't sound very good... So... what's the difference between a Delusion and a Vision?

Y/n: *shakingly breathes* A Delusion drains the user's life force.

Teppei: *cough* Gosh... Well, I suppose it's not too surprising that a mysterious weapon of unknown origins would come with its risks. I've been getting more and more tired over the past few days, and I have this... strange sense of dread. At first, I'd find I was a little more beat than usual after a battle. Didn't think anything of it. But today, I got back, and suddenly, my vision was going blurry. This is a real shame... There I was, thinking I was catching up with you both, haha... Guess I didn't receive the favor of the gods, after all...

Y/n/Aether: ...

Teppei: Hey, Aether, Y/n, would you guys do something for me? When our uniforms are ready, grab mine for me... bring it back here, and we can change together...

Y/n: *feeling her tears welt up*

Aether: *has a serious look*

Teppei: What's that look for? Don't worry, partners. As soon as I've rested up, I'll be right as rain. Right as rain, I tell ya... soon as I've... rested up... *closed his eyes*

Paimon: Teppei...

Aether: The Fatui... *leaves with Y/n*

Paimon: Hey, Aether. Y/n, where are you guys going? Heyyyy... *follows them*