all pomp and very little circumstance

[jockwitch]

( Lizzie Saltzman unsurprisingly nominated herself to give a speech at graduation. This was after campaigning against having a valedictorian, not because her sister might have won it, but because it wasn't an inclusive idea. The better idea would be to have each faction speak at graduation. That was Hope's idea. She's not wrong, and Lizzie doesn't fight it. She does, however, quietly campaign to be the witch vote.

Among her platforms Lizzie is now not only aware of, but an advocate for, are body positivity, feminism, being heard and making a difference, and increasing diversity -- species diversity. Just about the one cause she hasn't taken up is LGBTQ rights, but the school is colorful enough, and really, has anyone had a problem with being whatever they want to be at this school? No. It's not the being gay that she's ever had a problem with, it's her sister's choices. First, Winifred Sanderson herself, and then the walking on/off switch Jade -- Hope wins out the top spot and thank you, how can her bestie not? The walking Tolkein character gets his own happy ending, comes into his powers and stays friends with everyone.

Lizzie sits on her bed, the door wide open, so that anybody passing by can speak to her if they'd like. And not just so they can hear the makings of quite the speech. Her flash cards are sat in front of her. She could do a spell and memorize it. But, that's showing off.

A flight and an airport away, Klaus Mikaelson sits in the luxury lounge, awaiting his chartered plane. The glass of champagne in his hand is unnecessary and just the luxurious touch he usually indulges in. As far as bad habits go, his zest for the finer things doesn't go away. Now, he has someone to experience them with, someone he not only trusts inherently, but calls him on his worst tendencies. Camille O'Connor does not suffer fools lightly. Especially when he goes on his tirades. His paranoid months still come and go. So do his painting jags. Klaus will always have his deepest faults. But, his family also does their part. If he truly screws up, a sister or brother will take him to task.

Or, Kol will take him on a bender. That one never ends well.

He arrives at the airport separate from Cami, having taken a few days to run an errand regarding a graduation present for his daughter. That, and, tangling with a loosened thread he doesn't know will only draw him further in to a new, deadly adventure.

Nobody checks the vehicle left in the carport, or the trunk where a dead hunter might still be. He'll only be gone the weekend.

In Mystic Falls, Hope Mikaelson feels lucky enough to be walking containers of soft serve iced cream to one of the benches of the town square. She has a girlfriend she loves, one who doesn't see her as the Tribrid, who can take care of herself, and who's found the voice that Hope always knew was there. She has a mother she almost lost, due to her own petulance as her father might call it. And while she is estranged from one of her uncles, she stayed close to the rest of her family, including the father that came back to her, and the step-mother she'll never call a step-mother. But, she likes Cami. Cami tows the line and if Hope is having a moral or psychological dilemma, it's Cami who she reaches out to. Not that she tells her mom or her dad this.

Her family telephone tree is as such. Dad, she checks in with, but for the most part, he's the last person she calls in. Mom, almost every day, even with a text. Kol, if she wants to hear a funny story, or if she wants to be told she's right. Rebekah, if it's teenager-related. She called her a lot in her mid teens. Freya for witch stuff. And Freya to tell her what she needs to hear. Cami when it's complicated. Her father has a way of sussing things out, and of reaching out before she does, him, which is really what she's always wanted.

For now, she has her mom in town. And right now that's all that she needs. For a long time it was only here and her mom. She remembers those years so vividly, even from a young age. As twisted as her upbringing and her family's life has been, she couldn't change anything. It would all change.

So, as far as she's concerned, she's lucky. And she's just getting started.

Somewhere down south, Katherine Pierce closes the front door of latest motel room they've taken. She inventoried the trunk again. There's something different about the past month. They've never gone this long from having a job. She doesn't like it. She's always been on the run, first for her life, and then because she never wanted to settle anywhere. She lost the love of her life, and from what she's heard of what came of Elijah, that was no great loss to her.

Getting out of Mystic Falls was the best thing she ever did as a human, even with the help of her daughter. That's still a harder relationship to maintain. She always feels like she's playing catch up there, but she never misses a call, a FaceTime or a dropped pin. Damian never minded when she took her days off. After all, he'd hunted alone for years before he took Katherine under his wing.

He'd saved her from vampires with a grudge, vampires of her kind. And while normally thanking people wasn't her style, she had to admit he was worth thanking with the jawline alone. It took some nudging and prodding to get him to train her. She was used to being the predator. And even in full health? Her human body did not do her any favors.

Training gave her back the discipline she'd always had, just a different outlet for it. A healthier one? That's not up for her to decide.

Sighing, she contemplates taking another run at the pool table in the bar on the corner. If not the pool table, one or five men will definitely buy her a drink. But, the antsy feeling she gets isn't from needing alcohol. Nor is it from a need to get what she wants from men. No. She's got that itch. The one that used to tear someone's throat out on a whim. That itch never went away, especially when she discovered hunting. You'd think she'd be sympathetic to what she was. Finding a different vampire line altogether with a different origin?

Major game changer.

Digging into one of their wallets, she tries to find the card she wants. She's going out. )

Comments

hope }

[werewolfqueen]

[Klaus starts talking about chartering a private jet to go to Virginia for the wedding and Hayley immediately nopes out for greener pastures. Not that she hasn't come to appreciate her co-parent over the years, but spending several hours trapped in a confined space with him does not sound like her idea of a good time.

Besides, Hope hinted that she should come up a little early, giving them time to bond before the rest of the Mikaelson clan swooped in.

She makes her way over to the bench where she spotted her daughter and flashes her a smile.]

One of those for me?

[havethings]

( Part of Hope inviting her mom down early is keeping Hayley from the extravagance of the Mikaelson's. Hope has already turned her dad down three times when he offered her and her girlfriend a whirlwind tour of Europe. Only the best.

Yeah, dad. She's all about the lap of luxury. )

One of them does just happen to be for you. They were all out of fresh beignets.

( She holds one out for her mother she slides over. While the Salvatore School graduation is one such event, Mystic Falls is prepping for their movie in the square. Townspeople bustle around them, including many classmates Hope briefly remembers from her tenure at Mystic Falls High. )

Thanks for coming down early, Mom.

[werewolfqueen]

[She takes the soft serve from her, and smiles as she sits down next to her. It's nice being here for quality time with her daughter. As much as she knows the school is better for her, she can't help but miss her.]

Of course. Any fun pre- or post-graduation plans with your friends?

[havethings]

Post, there's still the idea of... Europe. Floating around. Not because Dad offered, but. Something before college? Pre-plans, this. The twins are going to be busy with their family in town.

( Hayley can even stay in her daughter's room if she'd like. When Alyssa Chang came back to life, she also moved rooms. Lot of bad blood with everyone there. But, at least she and Jed are happy? )

Can you handle two straight days with your daughter?

( And are you okay with some teenagers going to Europe for a month or so? Burying that lede in there. )

[werewolfqueen]

I think I can make it work.

[The two straight days part. But don't think she didn't miss that Europe mention.]

Where do you want to go in Europe?

[havethings]

France. The UK. Italy. Spain. Maybe Ireland. We haven't made concrete plans yet. It's still up in the air.

( As she picks at her fro-yo, she does hazard a question. )

How would you feel if we took dad up on his offer? Josie's never been on a private jet, and it would lower our expenses.

[werewolfqueen]

That's between you and your father, but I think out of the two of us, you know he's the one to spring for expensive graduation gifts. I also think that letting him do it for you is not a bad thing.

[Letting Klaus spoil Hope has never really been an issue when all of Klaus's enemies exist to keep them shrewd and on their toes.]

It's just a matter of if your friends will be comfortable with it.

lizzie }

[polydeukes]

Are you holding court?

[Josie smirks at the open door as she makes her way back into their shared room, eyeing Lizzie's setup curiously. She knows that her sister has her heart set on making a commencement speech, and she's sure she'll be the one to give it. But the interim incentivizing is amusing all the same.]

[jockwitch]

( Her brows knitted, she picks up one of her index cards. )

I don't have to hold court. If anybody wants me, they know where to find me.

( This is her vision of being chill. How's it working, sis? Are you buying it? )

Should anybody have any questions before the vote. ( They shouldn't. Is she not the front-runner. What little she's learned. She sets her card aside again, and then gathers all of them to make room for her sister. ) Tell me, what have you heard. What's the witchword?

[polydeukes]

[She is not buying it but she appreciates the effort that Lizzie is making. And she's not going to try and get in the way of Lizzie's pursuits, but she's not sure she wants to get in the middle either.]

Don't worry about it. If you stress too much, you turn yourself into a less attractive candidate.

[jockwitch]

Then let's talk all things Europe. I know Hope's overturned leaf of a father offered, but we're not accepting. Right?

( She's all for jetsetting, but not on Klaus Mikaelson's dime. Besides, that's why she'd been saving up this past year. She became the odd witch about town. MG helped her set up the app. She made good money. And while it was "working," it was benefitting her and her sister's summer plans. )

By the way, MG, Kaleb, Rafael and Landon all want in. This summer we'll never forget is turning into some kind of stag party of Salvatore School nexts.

[polydeukes]

[Weeeeeeeeell ...]

It would be kinda cool to fly in a private jet.

[She's just saying! And then they can use the money they saved for other things.]

And I think Mom and Dad would feel better about it if it was more than just you, me and Hope. We don't all have to do the same things. The boys can go off and do whatever it is that they do, and the three of us can stick to our plans.

[And she doesn't say it, but are you sure you want to be the third wheel here, Lizzie? Traveling with a couple and no one else?]

[jockwitch]

( Okay. You have a valid point. But, Klaus Mikaelson. The Great Evil. )

I could see a Mom okaying the private jet. Dad will be harder to convince. We should bring it up tomorrow in front of uncle Stefan. Klaus is like his friend.

( An old one. And if they bring it up in front of other people, maybe it will be harder to say no. )

If the Curly Haired Cabbage Patch going doesn't bother you, it doesn't bother me. Having two vampires and a werewolf could also be good, if we find any trouble.

cami }

[bravebartender]

[Cami makes her way over, various travel necessities in hand. While she very much intends to catch up on her reading on the plane, she also has a tablet tucked away for checking her email and her phone is fully charged. She is a woman who is used to making the best of long airport waits.

She is not expecting to be shuffled towards the luxury accommodations, though you would think that after this long with Klaus she would be.

She reaches their seats, before sitting down next to him with a sigh.]

So how fancy is this chartered private jet?

[interminably]

( Klaus knew she'd find him. He'd sent some poor airport soul to fetch her when she arrived. He still has some old tricks that are not nearly as nefarious as they used to be.

Glass of champagne in hand, he offers it to her. He will even bring her one. )

It gets us to where we're going. Privately. And there may be more champagne on board. This is a joyous occasion, we should all be celebrating.

[bravebartender]

Hey, I'm all for celebrating.

[She takes the champagne from him with a nod because she also has a feeling that there's a reason why Hayley elected not to travel with him in a sturdy metal tube.]

I'm also all for privacy. I have to do enough minding my tone in the real world as it is.

[interminably]

You're free to choose whichever tone you wish to choose. There is no flight attendant, just a handsomely paid pilot. One well-versed in all things supernatural.

( They can speak freely. As he sips from his champagne glass and turns to face her, he leans in. )

Is there something going on I need to know about? Something that would warrant a tone?

[bravebartender]

[She shakes her head. She was mostly just referring to the fact that she can say "vampire" without feeling the need to qualify it.]

Not at the moment. But being stuck together at thirty-eight thousand feet might change things.

[That's mostly teasing.]

[interminably]

( He opens his mouth halfway. He does love her sense of humor. She is not a reticent woman. She speaks with care, but she speaks her mind. )

For several hours. How ever will you survive?

katherine }

[gambled_ourmistakes]

[Damian isn't entirely sure why he agreed to taking on Katherine Pierce as a hunting partner. For all intents and purposes, given all the people she's hurt, he should have dispatched her himself - or, less messy scenario, left her to fend for herself and letting her enemies take care of it for him.

He doesn't know why he took responsibility for her and kept her with him. He doesn't know why they get along as well as they do. But he spots her getting ready to make a break for it, and he can't help but smirk curiously.]

So where are we going?

[shreds]

( She slides out one of the Platinum anywhere cards, but the one with the lowest credit limit, the one that doesn't draw attention. Smiling, he meets his eye. )

Ten years of working together and still you don't trust me. ( She's betrayed people in more, it's true. But she has a good thing going with Damian. And boy is he nice to look at at the end of the day. After a shower. Even after a run, he has ... an appeal. ) I thought I'd get a drink. Every trail we follow and contact you have is cold. Even the hunter network, it's crickets. I'm bored. You coming?

[gambled_ourmistakes]

It wasn't a question of trust.

[He was genuinely curious. And also bored enough that he wasn't going to let her go alone. He likes to be out and socializing too.]

And of course I'm coming. When have I ever turned down a social outing.

[shreds]

( The way he sounds, sometimes. But, that's Damian. He does put the 'damn' in Damian, at least in looks. Underneath his formal etiquette. )

I took a look around yesterday. The bar is all peanut shells crushed on the floor - and everything is damp, so you could change. Or, you could go like that.

( Or, she just wants to watch him change. But, really. It's hot. And sometimes, he just comes off more stiff than most hunters. So polite. )

Ooooh. We could work on your swearing. Rough up those smooth edges. ( She smirks. ) I'll be outside when you're ready.

[gambled_ourmistakes]

I swear.

[There's usually just a point to the swearing, or a more heat of the moment situation. And it isn't so much about formality as being careful with his words.

You never know when they can be used against you.

He glances down at the "FBI" suit he's wearing, but he takes the cue from her about the dress code and nods.]

I'll be out in a minute.

[shreds]

( Katherine Pierce doesn't have friends. She has people she decides to trust in, her contacts (his contacts, really, but she's made her own, too). And she has people she doesn't speak to anymore. One name she's never erased from her phone hasn't received a call from her in almost a decade. It came with starting her new life. It didn't matter that they'd slept together and that that was real. Once Nadia was in the picture...

A picture she still had to leave behind.

Damian is different for Katherine, different than anyone she's allied herself with. He's not her best friend like Isobel was. He's not her patsy like so many men and women were. And he was never a pawn in any game she played.

He was just in the right place at the right time. And she didn't let go of him.

(Honestly, she tracked him down to his next job and saved his life to repay him the favor. And to show that she could learn. She was tired of being weak, human Katherine. Help make her strong.

She didn't talk about her time as a vampire much. She thought about it often. About Nadia, about running, about any one of the A-Z plans she used to make. Contingencies on contingencies. Her cache is helpful, at least, and a never-ending well of money she'd set up and finally regained access to.

Yeah, she owes someone else a favor, now.

Another Katherine might tell him she was waiting outside and leave without him, but she does. She walks the length of the motel pool, phone in hand.

On any day she could call him. But, today won't be it. She tucks it back into her back pocket as she turns when she hears the door open. )

Better.