pineslog | This is the web, web that you weave

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This is the web, web that you weave

Who: Katherine Pierce + you; Damon Salvatore
Where: Her home, French's General Store, S&D Automotive, Britches and Hose, Weaver's Bar
When: March 14, all day
What: Guess who has their memories back?
Warnings: Some violence. Will update as needed, otherwise.

You were different from my last but now you got it mirrored
OPEN. Main Street. French's General Store.

[ The morning sun is shining over their just lovely backwater town as Katherine pads through the house. The one she shares with two souls who have mutually accepted along with her (maybe grudgingly), that there's so much more to who she is, to her story, than they've exposed. Because, she'll get her memories back. Sooner rather than later, as the days go on. Color her impatient with each passing day.

It happens as she's pulling a bloodbag out, the chilled item falling from her fingers and snugly back in with the others. There's a torrent of information that sweeps over her, fog lifting, reality settling in, and the ache of a life always on the run coating back over her mind. She wanted this back, her life, and now that she has it? She wants to tie the person who ever cut it off from her up by their ankles to watch them bleed out.

Okay. She needs to gather herself, her resolve. First things first: appearances. There's...nothing in the house, other than a few containers of makeup, that she wants. Needs. Slipping into an outfit she's acquired (denim, what the hell), including jeans with a snug fit and lower waistline than most of the atrocities she's seen lately. She snatches up the camisole that's she now remembers using to impersonate Elena, sliding it on and starting outside. Those ankle boots, also Elena-y, get put on too.

She strides down the street, a girl on a mission, the spaghetti straps out of place in winter weather but whatever. There are more important matters to attend to than a breezy walk, so she speeds up to vampire speed to make her way to the town center, stopping out of sight of anyone and casually walking out of an alley.

Popping into the general store, she searches for a beauty section. As if they'll -- oh, there actually is one. Maybe this town won't be as horrendous as it could be. She spies a human shopping in the area and compels them into buying the items she wants. As a gift for her: it is her birthday, after all (it's absolutely not), and the people in this town have wanted to be oh-so welcoming. A curling iron. Lipstick. Products for her hair. A manicure kit (are the people here barbarians, not providing someone with the basic necessities she needs?)

Items in tow, she stops by a clothing store. With the world's least appealing selection. She manages, compelling the shop-hand into thinking how well the outfit suits her, how it was meant for her closet. She heads back to the house in that. Where, the infamous Katherine Pierce comes together, best she can in Wayward Pines. ]

And as it all plays out I see it couldn't be clearer
For Damon. S&D Automotive.

[ There is no game she's intending to play with Damon as she steps into the garage. They both know that Stefan's her favorite to play games with, anyway. Damon, he's always been the more creative ally to have. Plus, there's a hurdle they need to get over here. She's sure his heart is oh-so shattered after mistaking her for Elena (looks like Elena finally made the switch that Katherine could see coming from a mile away; though, how long it'll last, that's another story...that won't play out there -- she hopes Elena Gilbert never actually shows up.) Her ego's getting in the way with how she's presenting herself, putting herself out there for him to be testy over. Again, might as well go in strong and take it as it comes. She doesn't actually need to do this: interrupt his work day. Yet, selfish.

Maybe he'll be relieved that she's back? No more weird Elena-ness. No more attempted soft touches to bridge a gap between them that she can't believe anyone ever made her forget. What's wrong with the people in charge around here? She's back to Katherine. If her being regarded as a psychotic bitch makes for better relations overall, that's a plus in her book. This way, they can stop pretending that Damon doesn't constantly want to rip out her jugular, too.

She's acquired black heels (not the best ones, but they'll do): a chunkier heel than stiletto, but not awful enough that she looks like a goth wannabe reject. They click across the cement floor, legs long and clad in black pants (the closest fit to her own style that the '90s clothing there allows), a dark purple crushed velvet sleeveless top on, generous with the cleavage. Her makeup is done to a tee, that obnoxious pink she came in with her makeup bag set aside for a red bought by their friendly neighborhood friend. Most importantly, her hair is curled, divinely. She thinks she's really outdone herself, toying with the daylight bracelet over her wrist when as she comes up to find Damon working on a car. ] So industrious. You always were, when you put your mind to it. [ There can't be any doubt that her memories are back, not with that confidence in her tone, throaty voice having fully returned. When he first meets her eyes, her brows pop and she adds -- ] Hey roomie. You'll never guess what happened while you were out. [ A smirk, a giggle.

Yep. She sure is back. ]

Now sing
OPEN. Main Street. Britches and Hose. Weaver's Bar.

[ She's scoped out the lay of the land, its residents (both natural and those forcibly immigrated in), in the first two weeks. Yet, Katherine couldn't seek out the sorts of people, of information, that she finds herself drawn to. There was no allure brought out by her full personality, but with her memories back...she's on the hunt for interesting people.

Things go about as she expected them to a la Salvatores. Reality bites sometimes, what can she say? They're stuck there together though, and she knows that both of them simply must have allies around. She's not stalking after either brother that day (she's not stupid.) It's the first day she's reaching out to anyone that doesn't reside under the roof of where she calls home.

Daylight hours still, she finds herself in a lingerie store. Interesting. For all the sexually repressed soccer moms of the '90s, she wonders? She goes along the aisles, a presence about her that says why yes she's interested in speaking to you, if you're in there too. Holding out a black teddy, her head tilts, curls tumbling down over her shoulders as she hums -- does she want it? ...Maybe.

With the fall of night, she finds a bar, and there's only one thing to do at a bar: compel free drinks out of the bartender (who knows if she can, depending on who's working), get people to buy her drinks and/or flirt. All of the above sounds lovely to her, the infectious giggle she has carrying out when she gets her first drink. There is a 100% chance she'll approach you, fellow patron or staff member. Bars are great for meeting people, everyone knows that.

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[ Katherine aims to steady herself, preparing for the inevitable barrage of emotions. Could it be easier if it was Stefan giving her a look at the daughter she can't quite wrap her mind around actually being alive (undead, but still) for the duration of her own life? Maybe. Yet, Damon's presence and compassion, the contact that's necessary yes yet, they all help her to put one step closer to managing through.

There's that apology and assurance of getting what's coming to him, and the context that's painted fills her with an inexplicable dread. She didn't think he was lying, but seeing herself in the state she is, it's insane. It hurts her, but she wouldn't have wanted him to stop showing her.

Then, there she is. The face, the eyes, the curls that are as unfamiliar as they resonate on a personal level with Katherine. The accent, the words shared, the scene that Damon barely observes. This isn't the memory she'll want to remember, but her own words? Those affect her, and she knows they'll continue to. Even she's surprised at the notion of putting someone else first, after all this time.

What happened between herself and this daughter that caused them to be able to rekindle a relationship? What did she ever do to earn the love of her child? She was weak as a human and gave up too soon as a vampire. See. Even Katherine can feel guilt.

The tears that shed are unstoppable, and it's impossible for her to care that one of the people who has viewed her as nemesis in the past is now seeing her at her most vulnerable.

Then, Katherine obviously in Elena's body, an event she actually believes did happen, comforting her daughter with words that tear at her soul.

When that memory fades, a sob wrenches out of her and looks like she actually can lean on Damon for support. Because he's helped her more than she deserves in the time she's been there. She falls against his chest, face going into the crook of his heck, arms at her sides. It's not so much seeking an embrace, but a natural reaction to that death, that promise that she loved Nadia.

She did. Does. Against him as she is, another scene plays and with the contact they're making, she assumes. There's more. How is there more?!

She's always been a step ahead of him, emotionally, mentally, looking back to check on him with that same coy expression. Or, she thinks she has, that she's more mature, and that's okay. That Damon lets her shine is part of the reason she's always loved him. She's literally physically ahead of him in that moment, turning around to walk backward with a sway in her step as they come up to the stomping grounds they've made the most memories: or, that's what it feels like. High school leaves an impression on you, and they're still so close to those years that, sometimes, she feels like they should still be going to classes every day. Stopping, reaching out to take his hand, they're walking in a path off the sidewalk, onto a trodden one of dirt and grass. They've been here too many times to count, approaching a grove of trees.

Full moon shining overhead and casting a bright light over them, the memory speeds to her suddenly seeing Damon on one knee, presenting a ring to her, and with hands clasped over her mouth, tears springing from her eyes, all she can think, say, is YES.

It fades, and she immediately pushes Damon back, away from her, no real force behind in with the upheavel of emotion. ] Wha--why. That isn't funny, Damon. [ Great, she's still crying, and now he's going to laugh at her for being stupid enough to ever trust him. ]

[ He holds her, because Damon Salvatore is not a monster. At one time people described him as one. Elena thought he was a monster. Bonnie. Caroline still might. Maybe not 'monster.' He lefts her sob into his shoulder, something he's never once witnessed. He knows she's had to have sobbed in her life. She smells like Katherine, like the Katherine he once knew, the Katherine that played them both, that loved them both. But, he has a long memory. She loves Stefan. Always has.

"If we've lasted this long, I think it's safe to say you and I are in it for the long haul. We met here, in these halls. And maybe one day our children will meet the people they love in those halls."

He stands, she jumps into his arms.

His eyes are wide, his brow rises, his look of confusion should be evident. ] Katherine. That wasn't me. That was this - [ His eyes close, familiar rage (familiar to Katherine) bubbling up. ] Town. [ His eyes flash. ] We get... flashes. Like prom. [ He shakes his head. This timing takes cake. ] Katherine, I'm sorry. [ And maybe that's for everything. For this accidental memory. For that first memory. ] I hate this town.

[ If only the town wasn't evil incarnate. Katherine could've had a cry, arms rising to hug him when he reciprocates the embrace. It's what she needs. Needed. Until something got into both their heads and screwed around with them.

At first, she doesn't know what to believe, and she loathes that her chest starts to quickly rise and fall in awkward hiccups of nervous emotion that she can't fight off. This is not a set of emotions that Katherine is accustom to letting herself feel, especially not around someone else.

He's explaining, though her eyes bounce back and forth to meet his, to look instead at any other thing than him until he mentions prom. The emotion starts to steady, and Damon Salvatore apologizes to her. It should be about as absurd as her earlier, days before, apologies to him. It's not. Without this event? She would've been spiteful over how she acted, like a puppy begging for approval when she spouted off apologies for doing what was natural to her: pretending to be Elena.

Now, this connection that's shaped a bizarre similarity that's screaming at them to feel like a bond, causing them both to fully, sincerely hate the town, it makes her indifferent to certain matters.

Still doubtful, hurt, pained, suspicious (though not directed at him), she steps back over to Damon. ] That's...fair doesn't matter. I hate this place. But...Damon. [ Aching still registers over her features, but her tone is on the straight and narrow as she gives him a serious look, reaching over to place her palm over his shoulder. ] We can't let it win. Whatever it is. You may not want to, but -- we could be stronger. Together. Whenever we find out more [ about what it is, and she hopes her meaning is clear. ] If we're on the same side, it...goes without saying, doesn't it? [ How much they can achieve. ]

[ She steadies him, centers him in ways Katherine only did in the late 1800's, but with more equal footing. Something neither of them expected to come out of Katherine's drop by. Katherine had wanted to celebrate, play the camaraderie game considering when she was from. But they both got more than they bargained for today. ] We always did come together to defeat the common enemy. [ A tilt of the head with an extra, offhanded much more Damon comment. ] When you didn't turn around and screw us over. [ Which, to be fair, a lot of that as Isobel and by extension, the mastermind himself, Klaus. ]

I think today's proven that we're not the people we've always been, or that we've come off as. We're both ogres with layers. [ Shut up, Elena likes Shrek. (He also doesn't hate Shrek. It has a good story.) Damon's never denied being the ogre, Katherine would definitely be Fiona, an ogre at night, by secret, in true form.

And he doesn't trust her farther than he could throw her, not if it comes down to her life or his. Because she will always choose hers. But until it gets dire, and this is the first time where Damon thinks that it has to, that it will, he can accept whatever's happened today. ]

I need a drink.

Neither of us are afraid to do what it takes to win. [ It sounds somewhat offhanded, the outbursts of emotion fleeting, her usual facade slipping back in. Katherine, who she is when she's casually being herself, no air of her darker traits being aimed in Damon's way. She meant it when she said she wants to be an ally.

She lets out a laugh, air from her nose and the sound otherwise cut off in her throat over the analogy he creates. Does she have time for animated movies? No, but she gets what he's saying, even without caring about the names, the specifics, the plots of the franchise. ] We both know how far action goes rather than words, and I bet we'll both be proving that's true. To one another. Maybe other people we both...trust. [ Stefan. She knows a certain blonde is around too, not that she and Caroline have any degree of like, much less trust, for one another. They'll see what happens. ] Definition of that word pending. [ She gives him a wink.

There's Katherine. Eyes still radiating with pain, but letting it roll off her shoulders as quickly as possible. ]

Let's. Here? Or. Bar? [ Her head tilts. ]

[ Pending. ] Indefinitely.

[ Damon would like to forget it all, too. It's a lot, even for him. Watching himself torture her, watching her say goodbye to her daughter, Katherine sobbing into his shoulder. No, this is all going into the vault. ]

Bar. Here's -- [ Emotional. ] Stefan can finish the oil change.

[ A firm nod.

Katherine's already setting certain memories back into the recesses of her mind.

That earns another nod, a glance at the car. ] You... [ her lips purse, sighing as she looks down at her shirt, giving an amused huff ] I'll go get changed. Meet you there? [ Maybe he has something he needs to attend to, too; or, maybe they would do better with a fifteen or so minute break apart. Heavy feel to the air, after all. ] Or, beat you there. [ Why not be playful? She's off, not waiting for an answer, dashing away. ]

[ First, he places a call to Stefan, one long-needed to let him in on a few details, including this newfound truce he did see coming, but not by way of too many emotions. With that done, he makes a detour of his own. He does owe her a new shirt, one purple crushed velvet shirt in the bag that he sets down on the bar next to her. He did ruin it. And it wasn't an altogether horrible shirt as far as nineties fashion goes. ]

Katherine beats Damon Salvatore. Again. [ Oh look, his titular smirk. ] Not that I had any skin in the game. [ He doesn't mention the bag. It's his silent gesture, a token of their truce.

Better than the moment the two of them may never publicly or even privately acknowledge. ] Think people here know we're engaged?

[ She's wearing that camisole she used for Elena impersonation purposes, yet with how she appears as her usual self now? It's just as Katherine-y as it is Elena-y. Either way, she's ordered them drinks. There's a tab open. If Damon wants to pay it later, he can. If not, well, they can both compel.

She grabs the bag, looking inside and grinning at him. A glass of bourbon is pushed his way. ] It comes naturally, what can I say?

[ At that question, her brows rise. ] I don't know, but about that. Damon. I -- need to show you something. [ To which she brings one of her hands over toward him, hovering over the bar, closed at first, opening to reveal a simple band. ] I found it, in a drawer in my nightstand, when I was back at the house. [ She slips it on on her ring finger. Perfect fit. ] I think...it's more than just -- engaged. [ Her lips purse down a little. ] Where the engagement ring is, your guess is as good as mine. [ Could fake him have afforded a diamond ring as a token of their commitment though? The memory was fuzzy on that part. ]

[ He rolls his eyes and picks up the glass. Neat, just like he likes it.

At that he does turn, his eyebrows raising, what else could she have found out today. Don't tell him, they're planning a June wedding.

Taken aback, he leans in the other direction, just instinctively. He signed on for a truce, not for a marriage in progress. ]

Great, so in UnPleasantville, we're married. [ He downs his entire drink in that moment. To the bartender, he brings his pointer finger up and points down. ] Keep 'em coming. Long overdue celebration. [ "That is you, Mrs. Salvatore. It's good to see you again." He gestures for him to keep pouring, the Mrs. Salvatore grating in the wrong ways, there should only be one - or two, if Caroline and Stefan ever straighten things out, maybe they have... He downs the glass as soon as the bartender tips back the bottle. ] Christ.

[ If it grates on Damon, imagine how it affects Katherine? Her jaw hangs unceremoniously open, fingers stilling at toying with the gold band that rests on her finger. She starts to tug it off and as the fates have determined for them that day, she's left feeling awkward with it not budging. Whatever, it's just a ring. Her ring-bearing hand drops swiftly into her lap.

Honestly? Being a Mrs. Salvatore? Should come with a marriage to Stefan, not Damon. Which she's not saying. They both know she'd think it, naturally, impulsively, but she won't be rude.

She downs her entire glass, motioning for another. Looking up to the ceiling, she finally focuses back on Damon. ] I didn't know if it was actually, really true. God, Damon. How... [ her shoulders slump, word trailing off into a pause. ] What're we...do we do anything? With, about, this?

[ For once, she's flabbergasted. ]

We could get divorced. I'm sure there's a church in this town, though finding a church that would let you in its doors might prove difficult. [ His hand comes around his glass, again. ] What do you even do for work? Do I support us?

[ It's a far cry from the emotions of only an hour or so ago, but those are long gone for the time being. Maybe forever. With what they learn, more questions keep arising. It's one thing to remember random friends, and clients, even growing up here, but having a different life. ]

You realize that you and Stefan are probably sneaking around behind my back. [ It's not even an accusation. Seriously. It's more, a, of course this is how it would be. ] How is it us?

[ Her eyes narrow at how cold his words turn. ] Maybe I'm a homemaker. [ Laugh away -- no, really. ] I don't know, Damon, what do you want me to say? It's not like I made this choice for us. You're the one who proposed to me, remember? [ If anyone's to blame, it's him! Well, neither of them are, the town is. Yet, volatility.

Glass brought to her lips when he says that, taking the statement to include more unkind words; until his tone actually sinks in. Taking a longer drink before she lets it settle back on the bar, she sighs in frustration. ] Do you think he'll remember anything about this? Have you remembered going to school with him too? Because I haven't. What if... [ she leans over to him, whispering ] there's a lack of consistency.

[ Her back goes straight. ] Are we gonna tell him? About this? Serious question, Damon. No attitude, no matter how pissed off I sound. [ A beat. ] I'm not upset at you.

No, not really. I don't think we can call what happened back there remembering. [ He is not to blame! ]

There is. Stefan's notions stay more vague, while I have nice vivid memories about long lunches at a deli called Lamargochino's. [ Or, something like that. ] There's no reasoning behind any one memory, muscle or otherwise. [ They just come. ]

And I'm a little upset with you, but, that's my default setting. [ More honesty. ] I already talked to him, he knows we're at least engaged.

[ She could easily be to blame for saying yes to the proposal, too! But, blame won't help, so she actively moves past that. ] Right. I agree, Damon.

[ Some days, she may care specifically about listening in purposefully because they're talking about Stefan. She asked about him so she and Damon would be on the same page, though, experience gathering. Holding onto all he says, her lips thin with the conclusion he draws. A faint chuckle at his being somewhat upset with her, eyes nearly rolling in quiet amusement. Finally, a nod. ]

The memories. I'm basing what I think off what's happened with you both, since you've been -- aware [ actual eye roll ] of being here longer than me. It's...weird, that it's so different.

[ Stefan knows, and she nibbles slightly at her bottom lip, considering asking what the younger Salvatore had to say. She meets Damon's eyes. It's a selfish question, and she'll find out later. This day? Them, there. It can be about just them. If they're gonna do the ally thing and mean it, she needs to put more heart into it. She picks her glass up again, not drinking from it, making the liquid swirl ] Good. It's...weird, but not a secret. [ A glance at the bartender, eyes widening. ] Obviously.

[ Her eyes narrow at Damon slightly, smirk starting to form. ] So, Mr. Salvatore. [ She ain't sorry, suddenly. ] Think your wife [ she makes a face ] can out drink you? [ Embrace the story or live in misery? ]

Edited 2017-03-15 06:24 (UTC)

[ They agree. They agree. ]

Only thing you can base it off. [ Not anyone else. Not right now. ]

Obviously.

[ Right. Why they're here. ] Only one way to find out. [ He too raises his glass to her. ]

[ Her lips press together. Yap. Making a popping sound when he repeats her sentiment about how absurdly they're recognized as being married in this town.

She brings hers over to his clink them together, not abashed that they aren't toasting anything, taking a sip. ] We could get creative with it, too. Play a...game. The harmless kind. [ She's quick to add that. ] Since this place keeps trying to force youth on us, how about -- two truths and a lie, [ she whispers -- ] future edition. [ They're already breaking rules, right? ] About, me. [ Her shoulder rises. ] I pick the wrong lie, I drink. Right, then you do. [ How about it, Damon? ]

[ Mid-sip he pauses, but she says it's the harmless kind. Despite a Katherine Pierce game never being harmless, this does sound the closest to that. He considers it, tipping his glass. Sure, she learns about the future, and there are plenty of rules when it comes to time travel, but this doesn't seem like that, and he feels like breaking more and more rules. ] The Best Hits of Katherine Pierce. Okay. You know you killed Jeremy Gilbert, but did you know you were in Nova Scotia at the time? Of course not. Though, who cares about Nova Scotia when the craziest things happen right there in Mystic Falls, like the original doppelgänger, herself. And, you never once caught a cold as a human. Apparently, Katherine Pierce's immune system couldn't be pierced.

[ She's trying to bond with you, Damon! Really!! Honesty from her, it's indeed alarming. As she listens to each set, the glass will be firmly planted in place on the bar's top to ensure they play this game right. She laughs at the pun -- oh, Damon. ]

Canada. Hm. [ She wants to know more about this original doppelganger, but she also wants to win (everyone's a winner in a drinking game!) Her eyes narrow slightly. ] The cold one. There's no way I said that. [ ...Right? Since all humans get sick!! ]

[ He lifts the glass to his lips and takes a big gulp, setting it down again. ]

Canada. And I never said you said it. [ And he thought it was clever. Elena might not turn a blind eye to using Jeremy's death in a game to pass the time, but he came back to life, didn't he? ] But you did catch a nasty cold. You slept with Stefan. You refused when Stefan needed help carting around Klaus' siblings. You helped Stefan get over a case of PTSD.

[ See, they both look at the bigger picture, at the elements that really matter. She smiles, playful, only a little smug.

That next list? Her brows raise high at the first option. She thinks she's got this one in the bag too. ] Reverse psychology, Damon? That's mean. [ Just because she wants something doesn't mean she's 100% confident she'll get it, not with the Salvatores. ] Stefan wouldn't sleep with me. No matter how hard I'd try. [ What? They both know she'd have sex with either of them if they were willing. Ain't no secret. ]

Drink up, Katherine. [ And he does sit back at that, trying to relax the best he can. ] Rebekah and Elena find a town in Florida [ Pennsylvania. ] you've completely compelled. Elena impersonates you for once. You hid the cure in a fish tank.

[ Her mouth opens in surprise, though she smiles through a gasp. She takes a long drink. ] When? I mean, that's...not very Stefan, not as I last knew him.

[ Really considering those options (losing two times in a row?! inconceivable!), she knows she'd compel a whole town if she needed to. Not like Florida is so far out of the realm of possibility, either. ] We both know how much I love compulsion. [ Her eyes widen in emphasis because duh. ] I bet vampire Elena would try that. And fail.

[ Her nose scrunches a tiny bit. ] A fish tank? There's better spots. That one.

You were human. Maybe he was feeling nostalgic. [ No, it had to do with her therapy methods, he's pretty sure. ] I didn't ask.

[ Or care, he'd been dating Elena. ]

Fish tank. Full of vervain, but a fish tank. Your compelled townsfolk were not Floridians. And you're right, Elijah recognized her right away. [ Oh, a pang of something that could resemble guilt, but Katherine would probably find pleasure in Elijah not falling for Elena. ] You triggered the Hunter's curse. The whole of the East Coast was mind whammied to look for you, we asked you to play Elena in an attempt to kill Klaus.

[ A slow nod. ] I didn't think you would have. And I wouldn't have asked you why anyway. [ Maybe another day, in another conversation, she would have: okay, they both know she would have.

Her lips purse hard to the side at losing another round, but she takes another sizable drink. ] Of course he did. It's Elijah. She thought she could fool Elijah, of all the people that have ever known me? [ A shrug; apparently Elena did. ]

Asked. You'd ask if I would, especially if playing nice keeps up. Hmm...the entire east coast. [ It's just absurd enough that that might be real. Then again... ] Just Virginia. Spells don't tend to reach out that far just, willy nilly. [ Killing a Hunter, that might've accidentally happened.

Is she awful at this game yet? ]

This is the web, web that you weave

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