undergrounds | Happy Birthday, Caroline! [Night of Oct 10]

1. Getting ready for the party (for Thomas)

To say Caroline was excited about her birthday would be an understatement. Especially because this was one of those important sounding birthdays, twenty-one. Nevermind that she was in the UK now, where the drinking age was eighteen. It was still a big deal, or at least it felt like it.

She'd been trying on clothes for the last fifteen minutes or so, before finally settling a cute black and gold outfit that was sexy but in a more grown-up way.

For a moment, she wondered what her mother would think of it. She smiled sadly at her reflection before turning her focus to the clock. It was about time for Thomas to arrive to do her hair. She couldn't wait to see what he came up with.

2. Get the Party Started (Open)

Caroline had decided on a pool hall in Haringey as the location for the party, since it seemed like a good, neutral place. She'd basically invited everyone she'd met in London, which mainly included some co-workers (the ones who weren't working tonight), neighbours, and a number of vampires who she was fairly confident wouldn't be snacking on the other guests.

All and all, she was fairly satisfied by the turnout. It made her feel like this London life of hers might actually work out for the best. And so she started making the rounds, smiling at each familiar face she saw - and a few unfamiliar ones too because the more, the merrier.

3. Sorry I can't hear you, I'm kind of busy (Open)

The party has been going for awhile when Caroline heard her phone beeping, alerting her to a text message. She froze for a moment when she saw the notification. It was from Stefan.

Of course he would pick today to end the months long silence. She put her phone away without reading the message, then headed over to the bar for another drink. She wasn't sure how many she'd had at this point but after that, she definitely needed another.

[Feel free to join the party even if your character doesn't know Caroline well enough for an invite, everyone's welcome]

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"Yes, you're right, of course." If he'd had any idea he'd been living with a bunch of vampires, he'd have been far more likely to be on his guard. "But then, sometimes it would put the one keeping the secret in danger if they told."

His sire, or step-father, had a strict policy that no one was to tell his future progeny what he had in mind for them. His punishment for breaking this policy, as he'd explained in no uncertain terms, was death.

Caroline nodded. "It's a tough situation and each time is going to be a little different. But I tend to lean towards honesty most of the time."

Thomas nodded. "I...well, most of the people I spend a lot of time with are already in the know, and among those who don't...well, it would be too dangerous to tell them."

He wanted to tell Inari, but...well, there'd be no way of hiding the fact that she was in the know from the vampire who raised them, and he'd most certainly kill Thomas for foiling his plans. All Thomas could do was keep an eye on her and hope for the best.

"My father...my sire isn't tolerant of that kind of thing."

Caroline could understand that. She remembered how freaked out everyone had been when they found out that Tyler knew what she was. Though ultimately, it had been in everyone's best interest for him to know. They'd needed all the help they could get.

"So you call your sire father?" That was different. Though presumably Thomas had been sired on purpose, unlike Caroline. Plus, the idea of thinking of Damon in any sort of parental role was beyond disturbing.

"Well, technically he is my step father."

Granted, it had been a long time since Lord Raith and his mother were together, and a long time since his mother was even alive, but still. Lord Raith, or at least the vampires under his control, did raise him, and Lord Raith then turned him. It seemed a fitting term.

"Oh. You really do have a complicated family." She might have to take notes in order to keep track of everyone.

"That I certainly do." He hadn't even gotten into the brother he'd never met, or everything with his mother, who he hadn't seen since the day she gave him her witch's amulet.

For a moment, Caroline can't help but think of the fact that all of her family is gone now. Of course, being an only child, there hadn't been nearly as many members in the first place when compared to Thomas' family. And she was the only vampire, so really, it had been destined to happen. But she hadn't expected to be an orphan by twenty-one.

"It must be nice, having them all around."

"Well...I don't, exactly. Only my father is here, the rest are back home. Considering his reputation for not keeping his male progeny around for long, I suspect he might be considering dumping me off here in some shitty situation he doesn't think I'll get out of."

Because why just make your progeny leave when you can passive aggressive them out of your way for good? He'd likely be helping the process along more, but Thomas as of yet had not shown himself to be a particular threat.

"Oh. That's not so nice then. Actually, that's pretty terrible." She shook her head, thinking about how someone could do something like that. She was sure she'd never understand it. "Well, if you ever find yourself in that shitty situation, give me a call and I'll do what I can to get help you out of it."

"Will do. It's always good to know someone's got my back."

Because with Thomas's undeath so far, he was pretty sure he'd need it.

"But hey, it hasn't turned out completely bad. I've met quite a few people I like since I came here."

Which also gave him more hope that it would be harder for Lord Raith to get rid of him in any kind of permanent way than he thought.

"You seem pretty awesome, for example," he added with a smile.

Caroline grinned. "Thank you, you're not so bad yourself."

Meeting good people was sort of the theme for the evening. This place was filled with the people Caroline had met since she arrived, the people who had made her start to feel at home on this side of the pond.

"I'm really glad you were able to come out tonight."

"Thanks," he said, flashing her a smile. "Glad I was able to come out tonight, too. But then, I always have time for something like this."

Happy Birthday, Caroline! [Night of Oct 10]

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