caroline forbes (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
highlyemotional) wrote2024-09-14 05:29 pm
highlyemotional) wrote2024-09-14 05:29 pm
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WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK
USERNAME:
CAROLINE
text ❖ audio ❖ video
IMPORTANT VAMPIRE COUNCIL
WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK
USERNAME:
CAROLINE
text ❖ audio ❖ video
IMPORTANT VAMPIRE COUNCIL
There's no right way to take that
And no, I don't kill people.
And no, I don't kill people.
[ that's a stupid question and she doesn't want to answer. ]
Do vampires celebrate birthdays?
Do vampires celebrate birthdays?
Hey, I know we don't know each other, but I really appreciated your perspective last round. Can I run something by you?
glad you aren’t dead.
[ “sorry i was an asshole” ]
[ “sorry i was an asshole” ]
[ four or five hours later caroline answers, which in and of itself is weird because she is a teenage speed texter. ]
I'm real lucky that way
I'm real lucky that way
[ someone checking on her, incidentally after maeve had gone, the last person aside from tony to check on her, makes a wave of homesickness tug at her. and then the tickle of shame.
she should have checked on him. ]
Always am!
I won 3rd place in a hand to hand fighting contest at the weird backyard faire thing.
she should have checked on him. ]
Always am!
I won 3rd place in a hand to hand fighting contest at the weird backyard faire thing.
[ He thinks, initially, that it's a rather frivolous sort of thing to send, but he's a frivolous sort of vampire (sometimes), and so:
A photo of Astarion's hand held artfully by one of the windows of the solarium, the bracelet Caroline had picked out at the faire settled neatly around his wrist, the little sun upon it catching the light. ]
A photo of Astarion's hand held artfully by one of the windows of the solarium, the bracelet Caroline had picked out at the faire settled neatly around his wrist, the little sun upon it catching the light. ]
[ he's WEARING IT. well past the faire! he's wearing it and showing her that he's wearing it. caroline hasn't taken hers off, but she knows she usually cares more than other people (too much, too hard) so it's genuinely a surprise that he kept it. ]
It looks really nice!
It looks really nice!
I've only been a vampire for 9 months, I'm not going to beat an elderly man such as yourself. I'd love to chase you.
I got beat by Alina's boyfriend and then tallest man alive, but he beat Alina's boyfriend so I don't really feel bad. Third place!
I got beat by Alina's boyfriend and then tallest man alive, but he beat Alina's boyfriend so I don't really feel bad. Third place!
( it doesn't take much to bribe one of saltburnt's maids into sneaking caroline's gifts into her bedroom. waiting for her prettily wrapped on her pillow is:
under the pile lies a card that reads, )
For the most generous person I've met here,
Knowing you was the only nice thing that came out of werewolf. Thank you for always being there when I've needed you. You might be one of the only genuinely good people I've known.
Your friend,
☀️ Alina
🎀 a paperback copy of twilight, its edges handpainted by alina. on the inside of the book, alina has written: for caroline, from your friend alina. don't tell alia i gave this to you and not her, or i'll never hear the end of it.
🎀 a planner for the upcoming new year with caroline's name personalized on the front.
🎀 and a pair of sophisticated pink perfumes, adorned with gems and bows. uncorking them reveals both are fresh and florally fragrant.
under the pile lies a card that reads, )
For the most generous person I've met here,
Knowing you was the only nice thing that came out of werewolf. Thank you for always being there when I've needed you. You might be one of the only genuinely good people I've known.
Your friend,
☀️ Alina
[ On Christmas Eve, Astarion leaves a set of presents outside of Caroline's room, all wrapped in black paper and silver ribbon. When she opens them on Christmas Day, she'll find:
— A cardigan decorated with pompom cats, and her name embroidered neatly on the garment's right breast.There's also a note, which reads: ]
— A pink, rabbit-shaped pencil case, filled with a variety of pens and accessories.
For the valedictorian,
Something to keep you warm while you study, and something — well, some things — to help you study to begin with. I'm told these will serve you well.
Your friend,
Astarion
[Alia’s gift is wrapped somewhat clumsily in brown paper, likely taken from the kitchens, and taped excessively to ensure it’s secure. Inside, resting in sparkly, star-studded tissue paper: A pretty pink parasol, enchanted to keep off the sun.
A second smooth-polished rock from the lake (yes, everyone gets a rock) with the gift-receiver’s initials carefully carved into it (with what? Don’t worry about it.)
A business card for Sol & Scroll, because if you aren’t patronizing it, you should be.
There’s also a note, scribbled on notebook paper stolen from Alina (sorry, babe):
Caroline -
To keep the sun off your pretty face, when it returns to us.
Thank you for your visit, in the cells. You are kinder than this place deserves.
- Alia
There’s also a note, scribbled on notebook paper stolen from Alina (sorry, babe):
Caroline -
To keep the sun off your pretty face, when it returns to us.
Thank you for your visit, in the cells. You are kinder than this place deserves.
- Alia
[ Left at her bedside while she sleeps off the ReSculpt:
And so, stacked atop her Italian textbook:
— The Wild Iris by Louise Glück
— The first book in a trilogy set in Faerún, chronicling the escapades of an adventurer who journeys along the Sword Coast, including to Gale’s hometown of Waterdeep. Along the way, she also finds herself in a love triangle, obviously. Gale sticks an additional note in this one, which says that while he thinks she ends up with the wrong person, it’s still a favourite of his. ]
Caroline,
I fear I ought to have asked what genre or topic you prefer. I’m partial to poetry and — I’m told — melancholic themes, but I like to lose myself in a novel as much as anyone.
There I go, talking of myself when I meant to apologise for failing to ask after your interests. To make up for my lack of research into this, I’ve gathered one work new to me, based on my adventures in the libraries thus far, and an old favourite. I’ll not be offended if you find them a terrible bore.
Your friend,
Gale
And so, stacked atop her Italian textbook:
— The Wild Iris by Louise Glück
— The first book in a trilogy set in Faerún, chronicling the escapades of an adventurer who journeys along the Sword Coast, including to Gale’s hometown of Waterdeep. Along the way, she also finds herself in a love triangle, obviously. Gale sticks an additional note in this one, which says that while he thinks she ends up with the wrong person, it’s still a favourite of his. ]
Edited 2025-01-23 11:14 (UTC)
I feel I’ve found something much better suited to you.
[ attached: a photo of an initial bracelet, the diamond-encrusted C sparkling against the blue plastic of the egg, still nestled in his palm. ]
[ attached: a photo of an initial bracelet, the diamond-encrusted C sparkling against the blue plastic of the egg, still nestled in his palm. ]
It could be a lucky horse shoe if you squint!
[ she's hoping he won't squint but she's too polite to take a gift without first trying to refuse it. ]
[ she's hoping he won't squint but she's too polite to take a gift without first trying to refuse it. ]
( the campground's constant noise begins to grate on him. he grows tired filtering out the conversations and the unending presence of the manor's refugees. somehow, the thin enclosure of his tent feels more oppressive than any other structure could.
perhaps he grows tired of this place to begin with, with all its manipulative charms. what a whirlwind it's been: one morning an altered reality in which stefan was the love of his life, the next his memories were on display for all to see—and ah yes, there was also that forced change into a werewolf.
some quiet is necessary. he's entitled to it, even.
klaus makes the trek in the late afternoon, what's left of his sketchbook and charcoals in hand. it's easier, here, to enjoy the lively sounds of nature. the lake lapping at its shores, the rustle of small animals in the trees, and the call of birdsong to the setting sun.
he turns along the wild trail closer to the lake and the sight of golden hair arrests him first. for a moment, caroline is an apparition, one at which he gapes, his heart in his throat. it hasn't been long at all since he's seen her: she confronted him just months ago at a bloody scene in france, well-paced judgement on her tongue and precious encouragement in her eyes.
this is not france. in her recollection, she could be from anywhere, any time.
but she is here and she is real. )
Caroline. ( he's transversed the space between them in no time at all, halting a short distance away. )
perhaps he grows tired of this place to begin with, with all its manipulative charms. what a whirlwind it's been: one morning an altered reality in which stefan was the love of his life, the next his memories were on display for all to see—and ah yes, there was also that forced change into a werewolf.
some quiet is necessary. he's entitled to it, even.
klaus makes the trek in the late afternoon, what's left of his sketchbook and charcoals in hand. it's easier, here, to enjoy the lively sounds of nature. the lake lapping at its shores, the rustle of small animals in the trees, and the call of birdsong to the setting sun.
he turns along the wild trail closer to the lake and the sight of golden hair arrests him first. for a moment, caroline is an apparition, one at which he gapes, his heart in his throat. it hasn't been long at all since he's seen her: she confronted him just months ago at a bloody scene in france, well-paced judgement on her tongue and precious encouragement in her eyes.
this is not france. in her recollection, she could be from anywhere, any time.
but she is here and she is real. )
Caroline. ( he's transversed the space between them in no time at all, halting a short distance away. )
[ the last voice she expects to hear on the saltburnt's grounds is klaus mikaelson. she hasn't seen him since, well. since he told her that he would leave mystic falls and never bother her again so long as she was honest with him about her feelings. considering what happened after, she thought that was the last she would ever see of klaus mikaelson.
but he here is, right in front of her, looking a little like he's seen a ghost.
her eyes land on his sketchpad and her stomach curdles slightly with guilt. it was one thing to tear up his sketch for her, another to be faced again with the man that drew it. maybe the guilt tastes slightly of fear, but she's never felt safe with klaus. ]
Klaus. What are you doing here?
[ the confusion scrunches her face up, but dismay lingers around the edges. the mikaelsons aren't exactly the most stable of families, is the thing, and klaus is... one of a kind. ]
but he here is, right in front of her, looking a little like he's seen a ghost.
her eyes land on his sketchpad and her stomach curdles slightly with guilt. it was one thing to tear up his sketch for her, another to be faced again with the man that drew it. maybe the guilt tastes slightly of fear, but she's never felt safe with klaus. ]
Klaus. What are you doing here?
[ the confusion scrunches her face up, but dismay lingers around the edges. the mikaelsons aren't exactly the most stable of families, is the thing, and klaus is... one of a kind. ]
Edited (repetitive!!! ) 2025-08-18 03:24 (UTC)
[ jackie hadn’t known caroline long before she’d disappeared and enough had happened since that she wasn’t able to dwell on her disappearing for long, except for the fear that the same could happen to her and she has nothing to go back to. but while helping get lottie out of the fire and trying to help toss buckets of water at the fire, she spots a tall, blonde, familiar figure through the smoke and on the lawn, and once she can she gets her phone out and tries her old user. ]
Caroline??? Holy shit are you back???
Caroline??? Holy shit are you back???
[ it takes her a minute to place jackie because they hadn't known each other long but teenagers always gravitate to other teens so eventually jackie clicks into caroline's memory and she brightens. ]
Yeah! I just got back. What happened to the house?
Yeah! I just got back. What happened to the house?
Where are you?
Did you know the vampire Armand when you were here before? He's made an impression on the network. There's talk of pitchforks. And a lot of people making it their business.
Until now, I've stayed out of the vampire politics, but apparently, there are vampire politics here.
Did you know the vampire Armand when you were here before? He's made an impression on the network. There's talk of pitchforks. And a lot of people making it their business.
Until now, I've stayed out of the vampire politics, but apparently, there are vampire politics here.
Oh I forgot I know more than you!
[ the best way to open up a conversation. ]
Armand lost his lover recently. Or recently to me, I guess.
I'm sitting in direct sunlight in my bikini because as far as I know, no one knows about me yet.
Gimme a minute this is going to be a lot of texting! Do you want it in pieces or all at once? Also what vampires do you know?
[ the best way to open up a conversation. ]
Armand lost his lover recently. Or recently to me, I guess.
I'm sitting in direct sunlight in my bikini because as far as I know, no one knows about me yet.
Gimme a minute this is going to be a lot of texting! Do you want it in pieces or all at once? Also what vampires do you know?
Damon isn't in his tent and his phone is giving one of those We're sorry messages.
[ oh no... how sad... terrible... ]
I'm sorry, Stefan.
I'm sorry, Stefan.
( he doesn't act rashly, or rush over to whichever tent caroline has been living in right away. he smooths things over with klaus, something he sees himself needing to do more after today. it's been easy to keep the peace, to ride his own side of the fence while damon sulks on his. now, with vampires coming together, it's more important than ever to stay united. and now he has caroline again, who's foolishly accepted an apology he's given once before. but, all his reasons are no longer reasons or excuses. damon comes back. bonnie comes back. so, it's time to pick himself up and take some reins. play politics. be a contributing member to society.
maybe he'll gain employment. help rebuild the house. something.
he's reminded as he dresses for formal dinner that good friends talk to one another. they check in. make sure when they're back in a crazy random, violent world and trapped again, that their friends are heard. and now he has new information. information he could sit on. information he could table. it's complicated. it's always complicated. why can't it get more. but, he's still stefan, and that means that he's going to say something. because he owes her a real conversation.
he's her best friend. and maybe that's how they start. from 'caroline, it's never going to happen,' to klaus' hand gesture.
you fall in love with her, she falls in love with you.
he has no context.
but he does have a nice suit.
he approaches her, seated, before astarion or gale or lestat or one of her other friends sit with her. he even comes bearing a glass of champagne, setting it down in front of her )
Is this seat taken?
maybe he'll gain employment. help rebuild the house. something.
he's reminded as he dresses for formal dinner that good friends talk to one another. they check in. make sure when they're back in a crazy random, violent world and trapped again, that their friends are heard. and now he has new information. information he could sit on. information he could table. it's complicated. it's always complicated. why can't it get more. but, he's still stefan, and that means that he's going to say something. because he owes her a real conversation.
he's her best friend. and maybe that's how they start. from 'caroline, it's never going to happen,' to klaus' hand gesture.
you fall in love with her, she falls in love with you.
he has no context.
but he does have a nice suit.
he approaches her, seated, before astarion or gale or lestat or one of her other friends sit with her. he even comes bearing a glass of champagne, setting it down in front of her )
Is this seat taken?
I'm me again. Even if we're not on the same team. We're on the same team. Always.
I know. Be careful, this is the worst game.
Last year the people voted out as werewolves just went to a dungeon prison but it was pretty nice. We got to visit. I'm not sure it will be as nice this year.
Last year the people voted out as werewolves just went to a dungeon prison but it was pretty nice. We got to visit. I'm not sure it will be as nice this year.
It's not entirely that. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of being pregnant. I already wrote it off, now I have to unwrite it off and having to think about Kai reminds me of it.
Wait.
What do you mean you know?
[ explain right now! ]
Wait.
What do you mean you know?
[ explain right now! ]
[ she laughs when she reads the message, fond, the humor like a balm in these trying times. stefan would take out an ad if she let him. ]
Looks like! I'm a little behind though.
Thank you. I know I love him and I'm glad he caught up with that.
Looks like! I'm a little behind though.
Thank you. I know I love him and I'm glad he caught up with that.
May I ask what led every known vampire to vote for Devon?
[ SIGHS DEEPLY. ]
And this is why I asked Stefan and Klaus to vote for Saber. You see how that worked out for me.
And this is why I asked Stefan and Klaus to vote for Saber. You see how that worked out for me.
( caroline's birthday is a bright moment in the chaotic darkness that has all but swallowed them whole—and especially given their current circumstances, she deserves whatever respite there is to offer in return.
klaus prepares her a bouquet of wildflowers, hand-picked and wrapped in twine. beside them are a book of sketches, stitched closed. there are lovingly detailed portraits of her, her mother and her friends (sans tyler and matt, oops). tucked among the pages is a bracelet of small, carved wooden beads, strung with a few freshwater pearls.
a note is attached to the bouquet: )
Dearest Caroline,
Happy birthday. I cannot think of a better reason for celebration than another year of your existence. You deserve all the beauty and light you offer the world, not only today, but every day.
With love,
Klaus
klaus prepares her a bouquet of wildflowers, hand-picked and wrapped in twine. beside them are a book of sketches, stitched closed. there are lovingly detailed portraits of her, her mother and her friends (sans tyler and matt, oops). tucked among the pages is a bracelet of small, carved wooden beads, strung with a few freshwater pearls.
a note is attached to the bouquet: )
Dearest Caroline,
Happy birthday. I cannot think of a better reason for celebration than another year of your existence. You deserve all the beauty and light you offer the world, not only today, but every day.
With love,
Klaus
[ she spends some time crying over her gift, moving the book away so she doesn't get tears all over her mom's beautifully rendered portrait. she had a picture of her mom, back at the manor, but this is different. it was klaus' choice to include her mother, for her.
unlike the last bracelet he gave her, relegated to the bottom of her jewelry box never to be worn again, caroline ties this bracelet on as soon as she finds it. her thumb brushes over the beads the same absent way she fiddles with her daylight ring.
she puts the flowers in a vase to keep them around for as long as she can, setting them on the little table in front of the window to let the weak sunshine illuminate the bright blooms.
the book is still in her arms when she finds klaus. ]
No self-portrait?
unlike the last bracelet he gave her, relegated to the bottom of her jewelry box never to be worn again, caroline ties this bracelet on as soon as she finds it. her thumb brushes over the beads the same absent way she fiddles with her daylight ring.
she puts the flowers in a vase to keep them around for as long as she can, setting them on the little table in front of the window to let the weak sunshine illuminate the bright blooms.
the book is still in her arms when she finds klaus. ]
No self-portrait?
I know the ending now. I think you'll like it.
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