Dance It Out

Hayley Marshall

As the months had passed, Hayley had fallen into a sort of rhythm. The first night of the Full Moon she spent with Jackson and Hope, through out the day she would try and take care of any business that had arisen but thankfully she wasn't as involved with the New Orleans politics as the Mikaelson's so there was never much. Her biggest responsibilities were to her Pack and her Family, something she never thought she'd have.

The second night was reserved for Pack business, morale was certainly waning but Jackson and Hayley were doing their best to keep things going. The third night, well by the third night she could feel the moon waning and the pull of the wolf become stronger. She wasn't sure how much longer she was going to be able to withstand being a wolf all month long and human on the full moon only. Chances were she wouldn't want to take her wolf form for quite awhile once they got it all cleared up.

The third night...well that was hers. She and Jackson had discussed it and came to the agreement that they would spend the third night on themselves. Sometimes that meant they spent it together, sometimes not. But it was hers to choose what to do with. Jackson was handling this better then she was, which was unsurprising considering he'd already been through this curse and for a hell of a lot longer then a few months.

The beating heart of New Orleans was the French Quarter, which meant the Quarter was filled with music almost constantly. Tonight she needed to let go, to be free. Usually that meant a night running in the Bayou but she'd done way too much of that lately. No, it was time to return to her first love: Dance. She hadn't had formal lessons since she was kid before she'd been quite literally thrown out on her ass, but that passion still burned.

Jackson had accompanied her, though he wasn't normally inclined towards crowds of people, she had a feeling he just wanted to keep an eye on her. While she had been expecting Jazz, she'd been delightfully surprised when they'd found a dive featuring rock and roll cover bands. Currently playing was Bon Jovi and Hayley wasted little time compelling the bouncer to let them in. They were going to need to be more careful about that seeing as Vampires were out of the coffin now. That was a whole other sea of weird, though honestly the thought of not having to hide who and what she was had some merit. That decision wasn't purely hers to make so it would have to wait.

Jackson was content to find a table and merely watch as she practically bounced onto the dance floor, singing along with the band at the top of her lungs. This was exactly what she needed, and Hayley intended to get every ounce of enjoyment out of it. Everyone seemed to forget that Hayley was still young, barely an adult, with not nearly the life experience of 1000 years like the Mikaelson's.

Alexia Branson

While it was super awesome to be alive again (though, she couldn’t quite explain how or why), there were two big things missing: 1) Her best friend, Stefan Salvatore, and 2) much to Lexi’s dismay, she’d recently learned that Bon Jovi’s latest concert had been in April - just a few months back - in Nashville, and their 2023 schedule hadn’t been posted yet.

So… No Bon Jovi. At least, not for the time being - but, she thought that maybe she could find the next best thing…?

And that is how Lexi managed to find herself in some dive bar in the French Quarter that currently boasted a Bon Jovi cover band on their stage. She gave them a good solid listen from the doorway before committing to the venue.

Not bad, she decided before making her way out onto the dance floor. It wasn’t too packed - there was definitely room to get one’s groove on. In fact, there was another young lady (at least, she looked young; however, Lexi knew only too well that looks could be deceiving, as she was, herself, over 300 years old) rocking out with abandon.

Lexi danced her way over to the other woman and yell-asked with a friendly smile over the blare of the speakers, ”Big Bon Jovi fan?”

Hayley Marshall

The sound of a voice yelling at her forced Hayley to look over to the blonde. She would eye her for a split second, taking in her appearance before returning her friendly smile. "Big music fan!" She yelled back, which wasn't a lie. Hayley loved music, though she'd never be good at performing it herself which was why she'd been drawn to dance. If this new girl had been supernatural and a local she would have known who and what Hayley was. She hadn't exactly been keeping a low profile, but the humans of the city had carried on in simple ignorant bliss.

But the fact that she didn't seem to recognize Hayley was almost refreshing. It'd been forever since she'd met someone new that didn't already have an opinion about the Mother of the Trybrid. Hayley turned slightly towards Lexi so they could dance together. Two souls looking for freedom, there wasn't much need for talk. As the song came to a close, Hayley hooked an arm around one of Lexi's. "I'm Hayley, you want a beer?" She asked in the less deafening interlude between songs. If the woman agreed, she would steer her off the dance floor over to the bar.

"You new in town?" She asked as she leaned on the bar, waving to get the bartender's attention and holding up two fingers to indicate they wanted two beers. Hayley really wasn't that picky, alcohol was alcohol and up until moving to New Orleans she'd really only drank it for one reason and it wasn't for the taste. Elijah had tried to instill some manner of class by introducing her to wine but Hayley was practically a red neck compared to the Mikaelson's.

She waved to Jackson across the bar, who had already grabbed a beer for himself and seemed perfectly content to remain at his table. It was probably refreshing for him not to worry about anything for an hour, no breaking up wolf fights or posturing with the Mikaelson boys.

Alexia Branson

Well, that wasn’t what Lexi had asked, but it would more than suffice.

“Yeah, live music is the best!” she hollered back. And then the other woman asked if she wanted a beer.

Umm, yes!

With a wide, delighted smile, Lexi nodded her reply and followed the other woman away from the dance floor, to the bar. Once there, her new friend asked if she was new in town. Lexi laughed.

”It’s that obvious, huh?” she asked with an amused grin. ”I mean, I’ve been here before, but it’s been a long time…”

Lexi trailed off, wondering if she ought to say just how long ago she was last in New Orleans, as that would likely “out” her as a vampire. But then again, the Big Easy was known for its acceptance of the strange and unusual - maybe her new friend would think that it was cool that Lexi is a vampire?

”I’m Lexi, by the way. I’m not really from anywhere, per se… I’m on the road a lot, but I have clocked a significant amount of time in Mystic Falls, Virginia - have you ever heard of it?” It wasn’t a big town or anything. Quite the opposite, actually. However, it was known for its supernatural activity. It might be a good gauge to see how her new friend may react to her “coming out of the coffin”, as the kids were saying these days.

Hayley Marshall

"Not obvious necessarily, it's New Orleans, pretty safe stab in the dark you might be from out of town." Hayley teased her a little as they leaned on the bar. "I moved here last year, kinda fell in love with the place, and the people. Though I guess technically I moved back. I was born here but got adopted shortly after." She shrugged a little at this last bit, her adopted parents meant very little to her anymore and through Jackson she'd found a connection to her real ones.

Hayley picked up her beer almost as quickly as the bar tender could set it down and held it out for Lexi to clink hers before taking a nice big swig. "Oh that is good." she murmured, taking a moment to eyeball the label before she took another drink.

Lexi's next words however nearly made her spit out her beer before she started laughing. "Oh my gods, please tell me you have not slept with a Salvatore. Or at the very least, please tell me you were drunk." Hayley stated. She didn't remember seeing Lexi when she'd been in Mystic Falls though that was because by the time Hayley hit town Lexi was already dead but they'd probably get there eventually.

"Actually I wouldn't mind Stefan so much, he's cute. But in that boy next door kinda way I've never really found attractive till I met my husband." She nodded to Jackson off in the corner so Lexi would know who she was talking about.

Alexia Branson

The other woman didn’t sound like she was from New Orleans either; however, Lexi was surprised to learn that she had actually been born down here, but that she’d been adopted - and then she shrugged it off as if it were no big deal.

But, Lexi knew firsthand that being orphaned really was, actually, quite a big deal. It had happened to her too, long ago. Lexi had been the only one left to care for her younger brother after their parents had died. Everyone died so young back then…

Briefly, Lexi wondered if the other woman had any siblings.

But then, Lexi had once again been surprised by this woman. She’d name-dropped the Salvatores after Lexi had mentioned Mystic Falls, and then she’d asked if Lexi had slept with either of them..

”Huh. Small world…” she commented with a little bit of a smirk, finding the thought of shtupping one of the Salvatores - and this woman’s reaction to such a notion - quite amusing.

”Actually… Stefan’s my best friend,” she answered. ”He is pretty damn cute, but we’ve never slept together - it’d be far too weird. Damon, on the other hand…” Lexi trailed off with a nonchalant shrug. ”Yes, I was quite drunk. Also, he’d flipped off his Humanity some time before and had tricked me, so…” She shrugged again. ”I don’t think it really counts,” Lexi added, her smirk returning to her face.

The woman had mentioned that her husband was here in the bar, just over there. He was, apparently, the “boy next door” type, and if he was the gentleman that she thought was being pointed out, he was pretty damn cute. Lexi nodded in approval, as if silently saying “well done!”.

”He doesn’t have a brother, does he?” Lexi joked.

Hayley Marshall

In truth, Hayley had been testing Lexi, seeing as she didn't want to be outed herself she figured Lexi might have the same feelings. But talking about the Salvatores was a decent way to learn just how much Lexi knew so Hayley didn't accidentally out herself. She raised a questioning eyebrow as Lexi proclaimed that she was Stefan's best friend, that had to be one hell of a story.

Hayley shrugged as Lexi talked about her one time with Damon Salvatore. "I shouldn't judge, my track record with bad boys is very long." She stated matter of factly, though she didn't really want to bring up the Mikaelson's just yet. She was afraid the second Lexi heard Klaus' name that she would run for the hills and her chance at making a friend would go with her.

She nearly choked on her beer as Lexi asked if Jackson had a brother, well aware that Lexi didn't really know what she was asking. "Not unless you like your men real hairy." She teased, deciding to go out on a limb as her eyes flashed the brilliant yellow of the werewolves for just a second, long enough for Lexi to see but not long enough that others might notice.

It would be very odd that Hayley was a wolf and not wolfed out on the Full Moon. "Don't worry, I won't bite," She added with a smile, wanting to make sure that Lexi knew she didn't consider her an enemy. "Just...steer clear of the Bayou while you're here." She warned, mentioning the territory the wolves called home so Lexi wouldn't accidentally stumble into it.

"I want a shot, you want a shot?" Hayley asked, flagging down the bartender so she could order two shots of NOLA Bourbon.

Alexia Branson

When Hayley flashed her wolf-eyes at Lexi, she raised an eyebrow. So, her new friend was “special” too, just in a different way.

Cool.

A moment later, Lexi finally understood the “unless you like your men real hairy” bit. She closed her eyes and chuckled.

“Haha! So, wait. Both of you, then?” Lexi asked, nodding her head toward Jackson as she inquired as to whether or not the married couple were both of the wolf-persuasion.

And then another moment later, Lexi realized that tonight was a full moon. Werewolves couldn’t help but take their wolf forms when the full moon rose. So…

What?!

Lexi must have looked worried, for Hayley took a moment to promise that she wasn’t going to bite her - and she warned her to steer clear of the bayou.

No problem there. The bayou was, like, the last place Lexi wanted to be. It was gross, and humid, and there were bugs… And there was generally nothing “cool” happening out there (that she was aware of).

“Like, that’s really cool and all - thanks, by the way - but… Umm… How are you here, like this, all hot and humany and stuff?” Lexi asked softly enough to not be heard by humans above the loud music, but loud enough for a fellow supernatural to hear.

“Also, I promise I won’t bite either,” Lexi added with a smirk with a brief flash of fang.

And then, Hayley ordered a pair of shots.

“Woo! Hell, yeah! Shots!” Lexi replied. “Thanks!”

“I dig your style, Hayley!” she said, picking up one of the shot glasses that the bartender had just deposited on the bar in front of them. “Cheers!” she happily hollered, gently clinking her tiny glass against the other one.

Hayley Marshall

So Lexi knew her wolf lore it would seem, or least enough to know Hayley shouldn't be here on a full moon. "It's a very, very long complicated story. The extremely watered down version is that my pack is cursed to the opposite of normal. Hence, why I'm here all hot and humany and stuff." Hopefully Lexi would be smart enough to realize that if she were human on the full moon then that meant she was a wolf the rest of the month.

She and Jackson would return to the Bayou before sun rise but the night was young and they had plenty of time yet to worry about that. Elijah had assured her that they were working on a spell to lift the curse but Hayley was beginning to have her doubts. Not necessarily about Elijah, he was a man of his word, but the witches could be cagey. Course it wasn't going to be an easy curse to lift considering where the spell had come from and who had done the casting.

She smiled at Lexi's enthusiasm at the offer of shots. Once they'd arrived, Hayley would make sure to clink her own glass against Lexi's before tossing the shot back. It would take quite a bit to get either of them drunk, but she did enjoy the burn of a good NOLA Bourbon. She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and she took it out for a moment to see a message from the pack. Glancing up to Jackson, he motioned that he had it and quickly left the bar. He was far too good to her considering the bullshit she'd brought into his life.

Shoving her phone into her pocket, Hayley would turn back to Lexi. "How do you like Jazz? There's a place near by with the best hot wings in the Quarter." She offered, the place she was thinking of was also owned by a Witch and tended to be a bit more out of the way so tourists were less likely to pop in. Plus, at night, the witch kept a dissuasion spell on the place that would keep the humans from picking it.