At Marcel's new compound in Algiers.
"The witches blame us for what happened to their Regent; they've ramped up their attacks on us since losing your girl. We need to respond in force and put them down hard enough that they don't even think of getting back up again," said Diego heatedly.
"Hmm, and what of Davina, any sign of her?" asked Marcel, looking to Thierry.
"No, I'm starting to doubt she's even in the city," said Thierry.
"Marcel! What are we going to do about the witches? And the hunters, for that matter?" Diego asked. "Our numbers are dwindling by the day; we need to act!"
"Hey! Careful now," Thierry warned.
"Calm yourself Diego, we'll deal with it. In fact, you have my express permission to deal with it in any way you see fit. How's that sound? Think you can handle it?" asked Marcel.
Diego visibly brightened, straightening his posture, "You can count on me, I won't let you down," he said, taking his leave.
Marcel held Thierry back, "Look after him, will you? I still need to figure out a way to deal with these Originals. I don't have time for this."
Thierry gave a nod. "I'll handle it. Besides, we usually know when the witches will attack beforehand anyway, so we'll be fine on that front. Do what you need to do," he said, referencing his inside informant before following Diego out.
Marcel sighed, pouring himself a drink. He smirked, "Gia? If you're going to try and sneak up on someone, may I suggest less perfume?" he said, turning around.
"You're not Gia," said Marcel, losing his grin.
Katherine smirked, "No, I'm not. But I'll be sure to take your advice should I want to sneak up on you."
"Who are you?" asked Marcel, setting aside his drink, wondering how she got past his men.
"So you're Marcel Gerard, the not-so-secret adoptive son of Klaus Mikaelson, banished from the French Quarter, searching for the girl he lost while his men fight witches and hunters... You can call me Katherine," she said, walking up to him and then pouring herself a drink.
Marcel's frown turned into a knowing grin, "Ah, the famous Katherine Pierce, or is it Petrova? I've heard of you. Anyone who can piss off Klaus for that long and stay alive, is a friend in my book," he said grabbing his drink and toasting her.
Katherine grinned, "I heard you were charming." Clinking glasses together, they drank.
"What can I do for you?" asked Marcel, pleased to meet another fellow Klaus hater.
"We both have the same problem. I'm here to offer my help," said Katherine.
"Is that right?" asked Marcel, crossing his arms.
"Let's just say the hunters won't…" Katherine trails off as another woman steps inside as if she owned the place.
And though Katherine's appearance here was unexpected, Aya, if nothing was adaptable.
Marcel's brow furrowed, "Is no one watching? Who the hell are you?"
"Aya," Katherine breathed her name, fully on edge.
Aya's left brow raised, surprised she knew of her, "After looking into your background and assessing your potential for joining us, I have come with an offer."
"Who is us?" questioned Marcel.
"We are The Strix, the oldest society of vampires this world has ever known. Unlike the commoners you might be familiar with, we belong to a higher echelon, striving for stability in a tumultuous world. From what we've gathered, the city you once governed was in such a position before it was taken from you. Allow us to assist you in restoring New Orleans to its rightful state, with you as its king," Aya declared, making her case while stepping closer.
"Sounds nice, I'll give you that," said Marcel, turning to Katherine to ask, "And you've heard of this?"
"She's not lying," answered Katherine, giving more weight to what Aya said.
"If you both follow me, you can see with your own eyes what we offer," invited Aya. "Do not waste this opportunity; this is a chance to rid yourselves of your shackles and be free once more," she said when she saw them hesitate.
Words resonating with their very soul, they followed her out.
Watching from a vantage point, Jackson calls Klaus to let him know what's happening before speeding back to the Abattoir.
Arriving at the Davilla Estate, Aya leads them inside to get an inside look at their operation and to introduce them to Tristan.
"Welcome, Marcel, and Katherine, a pleasant surprise. There is always room for someone as resourceful as you in our organization," said Tristan, giving her a nod of acknowledgement.
"One question," said Katherine.
"By all means, ask," said Tristan as a couple of cloaked women walked in.
"I think you're forgetting the elephant in the room. We're on opposite sides, two different lines, and Finn's out there killing Originals, or trying to at any rate. What are you doing about that?" asked Katherine.
"We have ways of dealing with them, plans to capture have been in motion since before we arrived, but the real goal is to have our witches break our links to them if possible," said Tristan, gesturing for the Sisters in cloaks to join them.
"And this is the latest weapon we've personally made, a stake that, while it won't kill, will even put Klaus down," said Tristan proudly, receiving the cursed stake. Created by The Sisters based on their ongoing research on the Serratura.
A dark wooden stake intricately carved with fanged monkey skulls, with rubies in the eyes at the base.
The stake was magically imbued and works similarly to the silver daggers, it neutralizes an Original without killing them. However, whereas the dagger left its victims in a dreamless sleep-like state, the stake keeps them aware but immobile. As such, they are aware of their environment and the amount of time they're trapped for. Also, the stake has a secondary curse laid upon it, one that causes its victim, should the stake be removed, to go mad and become a ripper. The sign of this curse is a monkey skull brand on the forearm of the victim, and the curse seems to be largely immune to witchcraft. There are symbols similar to runes written on the stake indicating how to temporarily stop the maddening curse using a silver knife, white muskroot, and a spell removing the monkey skull brand of the cursed arm.
Rubbing his chin, Marcel grinned, "Alright, I think we've seen enough, or at least I know I have. Consider me impressed. You got quite the outfit going on here. Where do I sign up?" he asked with Katherine sporting a similar sentiment beside him, eye's glued to the stake.
Tristan's lips curled up ever so slightly, "You'll of course need to be initiated, a test of sorts, proving you belong with us."
"Lay it on me," said Marcel, undeterred. He couldn't ignore the chance to take back his city, and at the very least, this was an opportunity to possibly win back Davina, not trusting Klaus to help.
"I want you to arrange an event that leads to Sage's demise. Aya will help with the details," said Tristan, who turned to Katherine, "As for you…"
Katherine, ever the schemer, knew exactly what to get him, interrupting his speech, "I can get you Elijah."
Tristan couldn't help but grin. "Then you're going to need this," he said, handing her the cursed stake, which she took greedily.
When they left, Aya asked him, "Do you trust her?"
"Not even a little," said Tristan.