𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄:
Welcome to New Orleans
(1790)

WITH IMMORTALITY, change is a constant haunting shadow lurking in the dark corners of one's eternal life. Thus, for Genesis, when it comes to surviving, be the haunted or the hunter, and she chooses to be the latter.

The docks were deserted, and the only sign of life was the lapping of the waves against the shore, and the only light came from the faint glow of lanterns in the distance. The ocean is black as ink, with only the occasional glimmer of moonlight reflecting off the surface.

The sound of the waves is almost hypnotic, and Genesis couldn't help but feel a sense of peace and tranquility amid the stillness.

But it is also a place of great uncertainty, where danger lurks around every corner. Genesis can feel it. This land she had arrived upon is filled with ancestral magic, an impending problem she assumes.

A witch-turned-vampire isn't always greeted with a welcoming hello and offered a cup of tea and biscuits—the greatest shame Genesis Ackerman is for the witches.

Shame that she didn't find herself modest enough to care for such a thing.

One thing she does care about is finding Kol Mikaelson.

Bloody idiot. Just the thought of him—she told Kol not to hide their little scheme of subduing Niklaus Mikaelson with him executing a murder spree as an excuse to his big brothers of his sudden disappearances at night.

And Kol Mikaelson has been confined in the coffin he loathed with every fiber of his being and a dagger pierced in his undead heart since 1703.

On second thought, Genesis should have stayed in Paris—where she is a much-loved Opera Singer in Théâtre du Palais Royal.

Yet, she couldn't.

Not when Kol's magical dark objects are entrusted with her care and the irritatingly helpful necklace that resided beautifully around her neck since he had gifted it to her.

And most importantly, how she continued with their scheme. And now, a bare gold dagger is in her possession. If Genesis is being honest, she needs more resources to complete the spell of the dagger and the other ingredients required for it to work.

Unfortunately, she has to rely on Kol Mikaelson's persuasive charms towards the witches—so that they can help them with the gold dagger because Genesis doesn't know how she'll proceed.

It's why she's in New Orleans in the first place. Scratch that. It's one of the reasons she's in New Orleans.

Kol Mikaelson could wait for a few decades.

After Genesis had learned from her trusted sources that the Mikaelsons resided in New Orleans, a city in southeastern Louisiana, located on the banks of the Mississippi River since the year 1720—two years after it was founded by the French in 1718 and named after Philippe II, Duke of Orléans then in 1762, France ceded Louisiana to Spain, and New Orleans became the capital of the Spanish colony.

It came to her attention after knowing the history of the Mikaelson's most prolonged residence that New Orleans's one-third population consisted of enslaved people—her people. She had learned that most of these enslaved people worked in agriculture, primarily on sugar and cotton plantations outside the city. Significant numbers of enslaved people also worked as domestic servants, artisans, and in other industries within the town.

And that is the reason she needed to be in New Orleans for her people.

But a woman of color such as herself would not be treated differently—even though she had made a name for herself in Paris, France, as a remarkable and aristocratic Opera Singer, much to her dismay, she needed aid to bring a sense of high respect and regards within her presence when she finally made herself known to New Orlean's society, which she will be indeed well known.

Who would've thought that a black woman is a great friend to a wealthy—white nobleman who owns the most prominent boutique in France? Indeed, it is an unbelievable claim but truly believable because Jean's assistant and the men aided her with her luggage and loaded it into the carriage.

They proceeded with their journey to Jean's mansion—her permanent residence for as long as she decided to stay in New Orleans.

The carriage rolled along the winding, grassy path, the soft sound of the horses' hooves the only noise in the peaceful night. The moon shone brightly in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the fields and meadows that stretched out on either side of the road.

Genesis and Jean's assistant—with whom she acquired the name, Juliette, are both lost in their thoughts as they gaze out at the tranquil landscape. As they approached their destination, the dark silhouette of a grand mansion emerged from the shadows, its windows aglow with warm, welcoming light.

The carriage drew to a stop outside the mansion, and Genesis and Juliette stepped out onto the cool, dewy grass. The scent of blooming flowers filled the air, and the sound of crickets and other nocturnal creatures drifted on the gentle night breeze.

The mansion is stunning, its imposing façade towering above them as they make their way to the steps to the grand entrance. Genesis' eyes were immediately drawn to the impressive centerpiece of the entrance hall: a sweeping, grand staircase that rose to the second floor. The stairs were made of gleaming polished wood, with a beautifully carved balustrade that spiraled upwards in a graceful curve.

Juliette took it upon herself to leave Genesis and arrange her belongings—and Genesis already felt the blonde woman's eagerness to be on Genesis' good side. Suppose the young woman is curious as to why Jean, her boss, decided to assign her as, in his words, an important guest and client. The important guest and client is none other than Genesis.

Juliette is not blind—Genesis is beyond gorgeous. She radiated class, sophistication, and power that Juliette had rarely seen before in the fashion industry. There's no question why Jean finds Genesis the utmost importance because Genesis is the one who helped Jean expand his boutique throughout France—he doesn't know how she did it, but she did, and that itself is why he held her with the highest regards—also her insight with women's clothing is a much-needed opinion.

Ascending the grand staircase, Genesis felt she was ascending to a higher realm of luxury and sophistication. The stairs were wide and spacious, with plush, intricately patterned carpets running up the center of the steps.

Genesis couldn't help but feel her red-painted lips form into a grin.

What a grand way to be welcomed in New Orleans.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

━━ I am establishing a new rule that I won't update any chapters until the previous chapter I posted isn't receiving the amount of attention/hype (comments & votes) I would have preferred, so this time I know that ya'll actually want to read my updates. This might get a weekly update if I am satisfied with the feedback!

━━ This chapter isn't meant to be an official return of the fic, just meant to ease everyone in that this fic is slowly coming back. Testing the waters. I will still pre-write the chapters in this fic since I'm not finished pre-writing Act 3 or Act 4. Since I was prioritising other fics. Enchanted will have slow updates.

━━ Please, do not disappoint me again with the lack of feedback and interaction or else I will discontinue this fic again. The new rule was established in my other fic. It shows that readers will interact and vote if they want an update.