[ Because there are times that Niklaus Mikaelson just can't hand a simple gift over, Cami will find a couple of items on her bed the next time she enters her room.
First will be a small painting of New Orleans, one of many he's created since arriving all those months ago. He figures she might be just as homesick as he is.
Beside that is a small box, inside a silver necklace with a pendant that is a runic symbol. Included is a small note inside:
Thought you could use a little reminder of home. As for the necklace, if you're curious as to the meaning of the symbol you know where to find me. -Klaus
After that, he returns to his room and proceeds to paint a storm, his inspiration returning to him for the first time in weeks. ]
[All things considered, Cami's had a pretty good Valentine's Day. There had been far off galaxies and elementary school arts and crafts, plus chocolate, which Cami is never going to say no to. It had been light and fun, and entirely free of the confusion that floods her mind whenever she thinks of Klaus Mikaelson lately. Because while yes, they've been intimate, and yes, there are definitely feelings there, every problematic reason they'd had for not acting on them still exists. He's still bad for her in every imaginable way. Clearly it's a good thing they didn't go the cheesy romantic route and make a date like they were actually some sort of couple rather than a pair of people who don't know what the hell they're doing.
And with enough booze and chocolate, the sting caused by said lack of date should fade away nicely.
Of course, as he so often does, Klaus derails any sort of plans Cami might make for herself the moment she steps into her room. Even before she sees the box, the painting has an unmistakable source. Putting aside her shoebox, Cami moves over to the bed, picking up the artwork first just to look at it.
It's home. New Orleans, a place that only loses the craziest city in the universe title to Wonderland itself. She smiles a little, thinking of things that have happened on the very street Klaus has depicted. It's a sweet gesture, and Cami already knows just where on her walls she wants to hang the painting.
She might have even done so then, except he's given her a second offering. While the artwork may have been from a friend, jewelry has a pretty clear and traditional message. The necklace is absolutely beautiful, even without any knowledge of the symbol's meaning. And of course, Klaus has taken care of that too, teasing her with the promise of understanding should she come to his room.
Except that offer is so much more than a simple promise to talk, and she knows it. Her fingers trace the outline of the symbol as in her head Cami makes any number of guesses to what it might mean. For as callous and cruel as Klaus can be, when he makes a gesture of good will he always seems to find the perfect form for it. Whatever this rune means, it's not just what Klaus thinks of her; it's how he views this thing that's developed between them.
Honestly, she could kick him for putting her in this position.
Well, he's going to have to wait a bit longer to tell her. This isn't a formal evening out to a gala, but Cami still wants to wear something nicer than she had to Star Wars. It's a good date night outfit, but still simple enough to Cami's eyes to make it look like she hasn't gone to too much effort. She's nearly ready to talk out the door when she takes another look at the necklace, still stunning, still safely tucked away in its box. She debates it for a second, then puts the lid back on, opting to carry the gift with her. Whether she'll wear it before the night is out depends entirely on what he has to say--and Cami would be lying if she claimed she isn't eager to hear it. One way or another, tonight may truly be the moment when she knows what's happening between them.
Shortly after, Klaus will get a knock on his door. She doesn't have a present for him, certainly not anything with the same thought and consideration he showed. But she has brought along a rich red wine, well aged, more than suitable for sharing on this particular night.
[ When he hears footsteps approach his door, he pauses in his painting, brush hovering an inch over the canvas before she knocks.
The stereotypical view of artists as hippies covered in paint never truly fit Klaus. He is methodical, like he is with most actions. It soothes him, gives him control, and an outlet that's much easier to pour himself into than deep conversations. It's a comfort, to create something vibrant and beautiful from nothing. He has many moods that have him at the canvas, but tonight it's a good one.
Setting his tools aside, he's soon at the door, mouth turned up just the slightest in a small smile as he sees Cami. She's carrying the necklace he gave her in a box, the bottle of wine an unexpected but welcome addition. ]
I see you found my gifts. [ There is something to be said about finding the right kind of present for someone he cares about, someone who's managed to find her way past the fortress he built around his mind and his heart. They're still there, of course, centuries of fortifying them don't lend to easy destruction, but she is one of the few he would not mind letting in completely. Stepping aside, he gestures for her to come in. ] And I see you've brought one of your own.
[He's doing the crooked grin thing again, and Cami almost chides him for it--almost, except okay, seeing him maybe makes her smile a bit too.]
Considering you put them on my bed, they were a little hard to miss. [And greatly appreciated, even as she still holds one in her hands. At his welcome Cami steps into the room, turning to offer the bottle of wine to Klaus when he points it out.]
I did, although you're going to have to share yours. [She doesn't point out that she hadn't realized they were actually exchanging gifts, and that a bottle of wine wished up from the closets hardly matches the thought and effort put into what Klaus has provided her. Cami silently promises to find something worth what he's given her, regardless of how this night turns out for them. Even if they decide to simply stay friends, he deserves that.]
The painting is beautiful; thank you. [And not the only one he's working on, from the state of things. While his artwork is a way for Klaus to exercise control, there are still signs: the way the canvas is set up, the smell of paint in the air. She's curious about just what's on the canvas, but restrained enough to not go over and look.]
And the necklace-- [Stunning is the word that comes to mind as Cami looks down at the box, easily able to picture just what's inside. That's all the more reason not to open it again, not with all the questions she has about his intentions, not to mention her own.] Your note said you would tell me what it meant?
[ He takes the bottle from her, glancing it over before turning his attention to her. He follows her inside, placing it on a table before straightening back up, glancing at his unfinished painting. ]
You're welcome. [ Such a sincere show of gratitude has him glancing away from her for a moment, looking a tiny bit awkward before turning his attention to the necklace. His promise to tell her what it meant is genuine, but amazingly enough, there's the smallest amount of nerves bundled inside him. It's rare that he should feel such a thing, but for all his claims to Elijah that he turned his humanity off centuries ago, it's been switched back for a long time now. This meant it came with all the emotions he would rather not experience. ] It's a rune - that's what we learned to write in when we were human.
[ His mother gathering them all around her, patient with them all as they practiced the shapes. She wanted them to be educated, even if education hadn't been the most important thing at the time. He'd had a little trouble himself, but he won't say that. ]
It's called 'Kenaz'. It means - well, it means several things. [ A little like ancient tarot cards in a way. He steps closer to her, glancing at the box. ] For this, it's a symbol of intellect. Knowledge, tied to your studies, and intuition. You've always been very intuitive.
[For someone who typically exudes confidence—or arrogance, to be more blunt about it—even small shows of nervousness can stand out. How he can’t quite look at her when she thanks him, or when he talks about the necklace is a pretty clear signal, one that’s probably older than Klaus himself. It’s strange to see on the hybrid, but not at all unwelcome; if anything, Cami finds it cute.
And she’ll do Klaus the favor of keeping that thought to herself for now. You’re welcome.
When he starts to make good on her word, Cami gives in to the temptation and pulls the lid off her jewelry box. A symbol learned in Klaus’s past, back during that brief time when he’d been happy. He doesn’t mention his mother, but Cami has little doubt that the woman is the one who taught him. Dancing, literacy, and who knows how many other things a parent should nurture in their child. For a moment Cami has to wonder just how everything had turned out so horribly, when it’s clear that Klaus has a deep fondness for this memory; another thought best left unsaid, for entirely different reasons.]
So you got me a necklace because I’m a good therapist? [The corner of her mouth twitches a bit, because of course he hasn’t. Cami knows there’s more to it; Klaus has even said as much. But she can’t help it when he adds tied to your studies to the list of meanings. It’s far too safe for the way he’s acting now, not to mention for the quality of the gift he’s given her.]
[ He isn't cute he is charming and eloquent. Except when he isn't, which happens whether he wants it to or not.
He watches her open the box, silent for the moment. It was a very personal gift to give, even more so than the painting. Klaus has no trouble with art, or bragging about it, but the necklace is another matter entirely. Her question gets a huff of laughter in answer, and he turns away in order to work on opening the bottle she'd brought with her. ] Among other things. More so for the reasons why you're such a good therapist - there are some traits people are just innately gifted with.
[ Finally opening the bottle, he's pulling open a cabinet nearby for some glasses. ]
[Notably, cute is not mutually exclusive from either charming or eloquent. Cami might be able to make a case for him being all three at once, in fact, which is certainly better than being none of those things at all.
Once the box is open and the lid set aside, Cami traces the shape of the rune with a fingertip. The sound of his laughter is nice—all of this is, in fact. Anyone from the outside looking in might actually think them two normal people getting ready to share a bottle of wine and toast the holiday. But of course they are anything but normal; certainly Klaus is. An ancient, immortal hybrid, very possibly the most powerful creature their world has ever known, unstoppable save for few limitations and killable by an even smaller number. He has in his time been vicious, unspeakably cruel, guilty of horrors that would no doubt haunt Cami to know of.
Maybe that same outsider, when given a little more detail, would tell Cami to set aside the necklace and go. Steve had said as much earlier: that this relationship would be a bad idea—and Cami had in fact agreed with him.]
Innately gifted with insight. Well, that just makes what I have to ask really ironic. [Because good idea or bad, Cami needs to know the truth about this, all of it. She can’t continue to deny her feelings, but she also can’t let them blind her. Klaus is a dangerous person, capable of things Cami would barely tolerate in anyone, much less a friend—much less someone who she saw as more. Whatever is developing, they need to take control of it, define it for themselves before either of them gets in too deeply. She doesn’t want to be hurt, of course, but Cami also doesn’t want to hurt him by letting things get out of control.]
I need to know what I am to you, Klaus. [Therapist, friend, something more. She asks gently, her words question rather than accusation.] What are you hoping is going to happen between us?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
backdated to vday!
First will be a small painting of New Orleans, one of many he's created since arriving all those months ago. He figures she might be just as homesick as he is.
Beside that is a small box, inside a silver necklace with a pendant that is a runic symbol. Included is a small note inside:
After that, he returns to his room and proceeds to paint a storm, his inspiration returning to him for the first time in weeks. ]
eeeee :D
And with enough booze and chocolate, the sting caused by said lack of date should fade away nicely.
Of course, as he so often does, Klaus derails any sort of plans Cami might make for herself the moment she steps into her room. Even before she sees the box, the painting has an unmistakable source. Putting aside her shoebox, Cami moves over to the bed, picking up the artwork first just to look at it.
It's home. New Orleans, a place that only loses the craziest city in the universe title to Wonderland itself. She smiles a little, thinking of things that have happened on the very street Klaus has depicted. It's a sweet gesture, and Cami already knows just where on her walls she wants to hang the painting.
She might have even done so then, except he's given her a second offering. While the artwork may have been from a friend, jewelry has a pretty clear and traditional message. The necklace is absolutely beautiful, even without any knowledge of the symbol's meaning. And of course, Klaus has taken care of that too, teasing her with the promise of understanding should she come to his room.
Except that offer is so much more than a simple promise to talk, and she knows it. Her fingers trace the outline of the symbol as in her head Cami makes any number of guesses to what it might mean. For as callous and cruel as Klaus can be, when he makes a gesture of good will he always seems to find the perfect form for it. Whatever this rune means, it's not just what Klaus thinks of her; it's how he views this thing that's developed between them.
Honestly, she could kick him for putting her in this position.
Well, he's going to have to wait a bit longer to tell her. This isn't a formal evening out to a gala, but Cami still wants to wear something nicer than she had to Star Wars. It's a good date night outfit, but still simple enough to Cami's eyes to make it look like she hasn't gone to too much effort. She's nearly ready to talk out the door when she takes another look at the necklace, still stunning, still safely tucked away in its box. She debates it for a second, then puts the lid back on, opting to carry the gift with her. Whether she'll wear it before the night is out depends entirely on what he has to say--and Cami would be lying if she claimed she isn't eager to hear it. One way or another, tonight may truly be the moment when she knows what's happening between them.
Shortly after, Klaus will get a knock on his door. She doesn't have a present for him, certainly not anything with the same thought and consideration he showed. But she has brought along a rich red wine, well aged, more than suitable for sharing on this particular night.
that outfit is SO CUTE btw
The stereotypical view of artists as hippies covered in paint never truly fit Klaus. He is methodical, like he is with most actions. It soothes him, gives him control, and an outlet that's much easier to pour himself into than deep conversations. It's a comfort, to create something vibrant and beautiful from nothing. He has many moods that have him at the canvas, but tonight it's a good one.
Setting his tools aside, he's soon at the door, mouth turned up just the slightest in a small smile as he sees Cami. She's carrying the necklace he gave her in a box, the bottle of wine an unexpected but welcome addition. ]
I see you found my gifts. [ There is something to be said about finding the right kind of present for someone he cares about, someone who's managed to find her way past the fortress he built around his mind and his heart. They're still there, of course, centuries of fortifying them don't lend to easy destruction, but she is one of the few he would not mind letting in completely. Stepping aside, he gestures for her to come in. ] And I see you've brought one of your own.
thank you! i saw it and knew it was the one.
Considering you put them on my bed, they were a little hard to miss. [And greatly appreciated, even as she still holds one in her hands. At his welcome Cami steps into the room, turning to offer the bottle of wine to Klaus when he points it out.]
I did, although you're going to have to share yours. [She doesn't point out that she hadn't realized they were actually exchanging gifts, and that a bottle of wine wished up from the closets hardly matches the thought and effort put into what Klaus has provided her. Cami silently promises to find something worth what he's given her, regardless of how this night turns out for them. Even if they decide to simply stay friends, he deserves that.]
The painting is beautiful; thank you. [And not the only one he's working on, from the state of things. While his artwork is a way for Klaus to exercise control, there are still signs: the way the canvas is set up, the smell of paint in the air. She's curious about just what's on the canvas, but restrained enough to not go over and look.]
And the necklace-- [Stunning is the word that comes to mind as Cami looks down at the box, easily able to picture just what's inside. That's all the more reason not to open it again, not with all the questions she has about his intentions, not to mention her own.] Your note said you would tell me what it meant?
no subject
You're welcome. [ Such a sincere show of gratitude has him glancing away from her for a moment, looking a tiny bit awkward before turning his attention to the necklace. His promise to tell her what it meant is genuine, but amazingly enough, there's the smallest amount of nerves bundled inside him. It's rare that he should feel such a thing, but for all his claims to Elijah that he turned his humanity off centuries ago, it's been switched back for a long time now. This meant it came with all the emotions he would rather not experience. ] It's a rune - that's what we learned to write in when we were human.
[ His mother gathering them all around her, patient with them all as they practiced the shapes. She wanted them to be educated, even if education hadn't been the most important thing at the time. He'd had a little trouble himself, but he won't say that. ]
It's called 'Kenaz'. It means - well, it means several things. [ A little like ancient tarot cards in a way. He steps closer to her, glancing at the box. ] For this, it's a symbol of intellect. Knowledge, tied to your studies, and intuition. You've always been very intuitive.
no subject
And she’ll do Klaus the favor of keeping that thought to herself for now. You’re welcome.
When he starts to make good on her word, Cami gives in to the temptation and pulls the lid off her jewelry box. A symbol learned in Klaus’s past, back during that brief time when he’d been happy. He doesn’t mention his mother, but Cami has little doubt that the woman is the one who taught him. Dancing, literacy, and who knows how many other things a parent should nurture in their child. For a moment Cami has to wonder just how everything had turned out so horribly, when it’s clear that Klaus has a deep fondness for this memory; another thought best left unsaid, for entirely different reasons.]
So you got me a necklace because I’m a good therapist? [The corner of her mouth twitches a bit, because of course he hasn’t. Cami knows there’s more to it; Klaus has even said as much. But she can’t help it when he adds tied to your studies to the list of meanings. It’s far too safe for the way he’s acting now, not to mention for the quality of the gift he’s given her.]
no subject
He watches her open the box, silent for the moment. It was a very personal gift to give, even more so than the painting. Klaus has no trouble with art, or bragging about it, but the necklace is another matter entirely. Her question gets a huff of laughter in answer, and he turns away in order to work on opening the bottle she'd brought with her. ] Among other things. More so for the reasons why you're such a good therapist - there are some traits people are just innately gifted with.
[ Finally opening the bottle, he's pulling open a cabinet nearby for some glasses. ]
no subject
Once the box is open and the lid set aside, Cami traces the shape of the rune with a fingertip. The sound of his laughter is nice—all of this is, in fact. Anyone from the outside looking in might actually think them two normal people getting ready to share a bottle of wine and toast the holiday. But of course they are anything but normal; certainly Klaus is. An ancient, immortal hybrid, very possibly the most powerful creature their world has ever known, unstoppable save for few limitations and killable by an even smaller number. He has in his time been vicious, unspeakably cruel, guilty of horrors that would no doubt haunt Cami to know of.
Maybe that same outsider, when given a little more detail, would tell Cami to set aside the necklace and go. Steve had said as much earlier: that this relationship would be a bad idea—and Cami had in fact agreed with him.]
Innately gifted with insight. Well, that just makes what I have to ask really ironic. [Because good idea or bad, Cami needs to know the truth about this, all of it. She can’t continue to deny her feelings, but she also can’t let them blind her. Klaus is a dangerous person, capable of things Cami would barely tolerate in anyone, much less a friend—much less someone who she saw as more. Whatever is developing, they need to take control of it, define it for themselves before either of them gets in too deeply. She doesn’t want to be hurt, of course, but Cami also doesn’t want to hurt him by letting things get out of control.]
I need to know what I am to you, Klaus. [Therapist, friend, something more. She asks gently, her words question rather than accusation.] What are you hoping is going to happen between us?