Aikido is often translated as "the way of unifying (with)" or "the way of harmonious spirit," which honestly sounds pretty witchy to me. The reason I chose Aikido instead of Judo was simple: both looked badass, but Aikido looked fancy — and a lot like magic.
I mean, you barely touch your opponent, but with the right turning movements you can redirect their strength and send them flying. Basically, you kick ass without using your own strength. It's badass.
"You want to spar?" Reid asked as the instructor told us to pair up. He used to be one of Grams' students — the usual cocky college guy who desperately needs to get his ass kicked by a younger woman. At least he was easy on the eyes.
"Sure, why not," I said, taking my stance with both arms up.
Aikido techniques are usually defensive, so you have to learn to deliver attacks in order to practice. You play both attacker and defender, but waiting to see what your opponent does first is always key.
"Hey Bonnie, want to go on a date?" Reid asked suddenly, clearly trying to throw me off.
"If you can win against me, maybe," I replied. Two could play that game.
He grinned and lunged with a very obvious punch to the face. Cute. I grabbed his wrist, controlled his elbow with my other hand, pressed into the ulnar nerve, and threw him to the mat. I kept the pressure until he was face‑down.
"You'll have to try harder than that," I said, smirking as he flipped himself over. When he looked up, I winked and walked off. I had yet another fundraising event to get to. Seriously, what is it with this town and events?
I got to the Grill just in time to hear Damon proclaim on stage that Alaric's wife was "delicious." Subtlety? Never heard of her. Sure, just announce you snacked on someone's wife in a town with a vampire‑hunting council. Genius.
Elena, Stefan, and Jenna exchanged weird looks, and I immediately regretted coming. Damn Caroline and her events. She was busy with the sound system, but apparently I was required to be here anyway. Great.
Jenna won Alaric's date. Matt's mom — who I forgot even existed — won Bachelor #3. Damon won a date with Carol Lockwood, who definitely cheated.
At least I got free food. And a few minutes with Care before leaving. I was pretty sure Alaric would die tonight, but the guy has a resurrection ring, so… mental note: check those Gilbert rings.
"Yeah?" I answered when Caroline called.
"Omg, omg, omg, Bonnie," she babbled, clearly panicking.
"Care, what's up?" I asked, suddenly alert. Did I forget something important?
"I found Vicki's body. Like… in a ditch."
"Okay, okay," I said, trying to calm her. I definitely forgot who found Vicki in canon — season one details blur together. "Vicki got turned by Damon, tried to eat Elena, and Stefan staked her."
"What do I do?" Caroline asked, sounding lost. Honestly, if I found the body of someone I'd known since childhood in a ditch during a thunderstorm, I'd freak out too.
"Call your mom," I said with a sigh. "Where are you?"
"I don't know. I barely have service. GPS isn't working."
"I'll find you. Don't worry."
I grabbed a map and one of Care's shirts and did a locator spell. Thank the Gods for magic.
I got Sheriff Forbes to her quickly, and we ended up having a sleepover. Tonight, she needed a friend.
John Gilbert was back in town. Have I mentioned how much I hate that guy? Watching him on TV, I never understood the hate. Meeting him in person? Oh, I get it. He and Isobel were perfect for each other — awful people. Not that I had any moral high ground. I'm definitely not Glinda the Good Witch.
Founder's Day was coming up, and I wanted to be as far away from it as possible. Caroline had been yapping about Miss Mystic Falls for years — I was tired of it before it even started.
But I was a Delena shipper at heart, so of course I was going to witness the blue dress scene. It was hot on TV; it would be hotter in real life. Stefan was having blood issues, though I wasn't sure how things were unfolding without the tomb vamps. Fate, probably.
Before the event, I stopped Ripper Stefan from eating some girl. Charity work isn't my thing, so Elena and Damon owe me one. I hit Stefan with a pain‑infliction spell until he let the girl go, then left. I wasn't getting dragged into that triangle.
I did get to witness the first good Delena moment. Damon swooped in to save Elena from being abandoned by her escort. It was pretty damn good.
February 15, 2010
"So your mom is an evil vampiress. I totally called it, right?" I said as soon as Elena opened the door. Isobel was in town, working with Katherine and John. I needed to know if the Gilbert device was in play.
"Let's hope that's the only thing you got right," Elena said with a small smile.
"Maybe I should take up tarot cards," I shrugged as she let me in. "So, what's going on?"
"The council thinks the tomb vampires are free because of John. Nobody knows you killed them before they escaped," she said, closing her bedroom door.
"Stupid idiots," I muttered. I save this town from resentful vampires and still get this? Universe, what are you trying to tell me?
"John wants to use the Gilbert device to kill the supposed vampires in town, but we have it. Now my vampire mother wants it too," Elena said. "Do you know anything about it?"
"I know Emily enchanted it, but that's it."
"Maybe you can remove the enchantment?" she asked hopefully.
What to do? Pull a canon Bonnie and pretend it's off? There weren't many vamps in town — the Mayor might die, but that leads to werewolves. Tyler gets affected. Caroline gets injured and turned by Katherine.
I wanted Caroline to be her awesome vampire self, but she was my friend. If I was altering the script for anyone, it was her.
"I'll see what I can do," I said. "But you owe me. Again."
I couldn't remove Emily's enchantment, but I also couldn't leave things to chance. The only vampires in town should be the Salvatores, Anna, and Pearl. Isobel would leave before the device went off. Katherine was probably already lurking.
If I didn't touch the device, both Salvatores might get fried. I was not becoming Elena's supernatural knight in shining armor.
So, part one: warn the vamps.
I stalked baby Gilbert until Annabelle showed up. She was lucky I liked her character.
"Baby Gilbert. Annie Fangy," I said, sliding into their booth.
"Bonnie, what—?" Jeremy tried to act confused. Cute.
"This is between me and your blood‑sucking girlfriend, Jer. Also, lose the surprised face until you perfect it," I said. "Now, why are you still in town?"
"This is our home. Mother didn't want to leave," Anna said.
"Okay, but be aware the council is planning to repeat history on Founder's Day," I said. "If you're here, it's hasta la vista, baby."
"Thank you for the warning," Anna said seriously.
"You're welcome." I stood — then had the greatest idea of my life.
Jeremy. Future Hunter of the Five. His death frees Silas. Silas mind‑fucks Bonnie. Bonnie is me.
You see the problem.
"Jer, by the way, your sister is planning on having her vampire boyfriends erase your memories," I said with a wicked grin. "Word of advice? Don't tell her squat."
Before either of them could respond, I walked out of the Grill.
The seeds of doubt had been planted.
Give it time — they'll grow beautifully.