Elena's Arrival

After his little fight in the cemetary Damon was forced to return home and change out of his favourite suit and into a less favorable one. This didn't leave him in a very good mood. It did however leave him with an odd sense of deja vu. The last time he'd worn this suit, he'd been watching his brother escorting Katherine to the founders ball back in the 1800's. That did not leave him with a great feeling.

So once he was dressed and ready he headed straight for the ball, making no stops until he reached the drinks table. He needed a good drink to burn away the anger that still lingered inside him. He was surprised he let the kid live but at least now he could let the kid live in fear of seeing his face again. Just then a familiar scent caught his attention, snapping him out of any thought he currently had.

"Elena." He smiled holding his hand out for her to take as he bowed his head slightly. "Care to dance."

Damon smirked and lead her out onto the dance floor. "You don't look so bad yourself." He said giving her a wink. "But this is as you would say my dress code." He smirked twirling her out so he could get a good look at her. He had to admit she would have fit in perfectly in his time. Before too long he pulled her back in close and slid a hand around her waist whilst keeping her hand in his other.

"Such a shame they no longer dress like this. You look delectable." He whispered into her ear with a smirk.

"Not always this formal, but along these lines. Don't tell me Stefan hasn't busted out the family photographs?" He asked he had been so sure he would have. It was one of his brother prized possessions and something he couldn't understand why he loved so much. As much as he liked his human life he hated his family once his mother had died. Mainly because his father had made family life hell.

"Take it as you wish princess. It's open for interpretation." He smirked as he guided her through the dance. This was familiar to him. He'd been taught to dance from a young age. It was just something they were made to learn.

Elena laughed. "I'm almost positive they didn't have photographs when you two were still human." Although the way that the history was explained, the Salvatore's sounded pretty loudest so they could probably just have been painted quite the often.

Nodding, Elena thought of an appropriate way to interpreted his "compliment". But from Damon it couldn't be terrible. [/color]

"Portraits then if you want to get all technical." He smiled with a roll of his eyes. "And just as i thought i'd make myself look all modern you had to go and ruin it with your knowledge of my past." He smirked pulling back so he could see her face. "My father, much like Stefan loved to document our lives but rather than writing in diaries he got portraits and paintings done of the family." He explained, he knew Stefan still had them around somewhere.

"Still puzzling over how to take my compliment?" He asked. "Would you like some help?" He asked getting that glint in his eye that he always got when he was up to no good as he brushed aside her hair and placed a kiss to the side of her neck where it connected to her shoulder.

Damon rolled his eyes but couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face. It was amazing how easily she could calm him down. Seconds ago he was ready to tear everyone in the ball to pieces and now he'd all but forgotten his fight with the younger vampire before hand. "No, i remember everything i've ever done. I have no need to write it down." He replied seriously.

Damon smiled as he pulled back and saw her blush. It was just so perfect. Gently he released her hand and brushed the back of his hand against her cheek. "And all you have to do is ask." He smirked giving her a wink.

As her heart began to pick up he couldn't help but feel some satisfaction. She must feel something for him then, so maybe there was hope for him after all. Or at least he hoped there was. He could lose her to Stefan as well. Not again.

"That depends what's on offer." He said not sure if she was really offering what he though she was but he offered her his arm regardless.

Damon smiled and easily hid the disappointment. He knew it was too good to be true to think she was offering her blood. "I think i'll pass on the fruit punch." He wasn't entirely happy with her drinking it if the hybrid had spiked it but he was human once and he'd have done the same thing.

He headed straight for the drinks table with Elena on his arm and poured himself a glass of champagne. "Are you sure you want to stick to the punch? I wouldn't advise it. It smells revolting even from here." He frowned glancing at the punch bowl.

The heels of my dress shoes clicked against the pavement as I stepped out of the red 1963 Porsche. I rested my hands on the hood for a moment before shooting a gaze towards the valet, warning him, "You take excellent care of my car." The valet nodded, seeing the seriousness in my eyes. I nodded before hesitantly tossing him the keys, watching him warily drive away.

I turned towards the large mansion, feeling the eye rolls itching to be presented, but fought them back. There were far too many people here, much more than the likes of my taste. Clicking my tongue, I strode towards the men collecting the invites. Without looking him in the eye, I shoved my invite into his waiting hand and continued inside, the doors swinging open. Yep, far too many people than I had imagined. Glancing towards the main area, I was taken aback by the sight of Damon and Elena, calmly interacting as if they were old friends. The heat rose to my face, but not allowing it to show. My feet unconsciously traveled towards the two, eyes hard and cold from a long week of absolutely nothing.

Damon smiled and held out a glass of wine for her instead. "Red for the lady?" He asked as he looked up and caught his brother walking towards them. Perfect timing he thought to himself as he sighed. "Stefan, how nice of you to join us." He said only slightly sour as he shot him a we need to talk look.

Continuing on, I walked past Damon, shooting him a sideways glance and nodding slightly, "Wouldn't be a party without me." I flashed a smile before directing my gaze towards Elena.
I stayed silent, just staring into her eyes before clearing my throat, "Yes, well, you look quite extravagant tonight, Ms. Gilbert." I bowed, just as I would do in the 1800's when my heart still had a thud.
Turning back to Damon, I narrowed my eyes, silently telling him that we should head somewhere more private to talk.

Damon raised an eyebrow at their encounter. It was slightly annoying how she got nervous around his brother and not him but he didn't show it. Instead he resorted to his usual form of coping. "If i remember rightly I'm the life and soul of the party little brother. I think Ms Gilbert..." He said half rolling his eyes at how formal he'd turned. "...would much prefer my idea of a party to yours. Do forest animals even party?" He asked.

Subtly he pushed Stefan aside and took Elenas hand. "If you would excuse us Elena, Stefan and i have something to take care of." He said bringing her hand to his lips. "It won't take long." He promised and turned to look for an empty room. As soon as he found one he moved in and turned to face his brother.

"We have a slight problem."

I bit my tongue from snapping back a crude comment, instead, kept on with the 'cool-and-calm' act by just giving a small smile, trying to keep the fire from showing in my eyes.
I snapped my eyes to Elena, giving an innocent smirk before swiftly following after Damon. His words were not a surprise, it seemed that there was always a problem. I slightly narrowed my eyes before replying, "Which is?"

"A little bit more drama would have been nice. It's almost like you don't care." He smiled as he turned to look for what he knew was around here somewhere. What was a library without the hidden bottle of whiskey or three. After 2 minutes of silent searching he struck gold behind a large leather book. "Aha knew it!" He smiled shaking the bottle at Stefan.

"So there's a newborn around town that wants our head on a plate and when i say our i mean anyone with the name Salvatore and Elena." He said taking the lid off the bottle and taking a sip. It felt good to feel the familiar burn down his throat. "It's not even the cheap stuff." He smirked reading the label.

I smirked, "I don't care, brother." I said with slight sarcasm, before patting him on the shoulder, "But for tonight, I'll put on my best smile and act like I care." I shook my head when he had managed to find a poorly-hidden bottle of alcohol.
Shrugging my shoulders, I replied, "Then let him come after us. They're a newborn, they can't do that much damage compared to hundred-plus-year-old vampires."