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

[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?

[bravebartender]

I don't know. But I do want to see Hope graduate so I might just have to risk it.

[She's still very much teasing, and will give his arm a soft squeeze.]

And I did bring a lot of books in case I need to ignore you.

[interminably]

And she wants you there as well. You may have to brave it yet.

( He can tease along with her. )

I brought - what is it you'd called it, my Kindle. I was catching up with Henry James. But, I'd much rather ( turn your screw? no, no. how crass. ) keep my eyes better occupied. How is the practice? On hold for the weekend?

[bravebartender]

[She nods.]

I might have to take a few emergency phone calls, but hopefully those will restrict themselves to outside designated graduation events.

[Life is never that neat and tidy, but she can hope.]

[interminably]

( Hope would understand.

Now, to other topics. Cami is one person whose opinion he values. He doesn't always listen to her advice, but he does cherish it. )

Do you think I overstepped in offering to bankroll Hope's European excursion?

[bravebartender]

No. I think you were being a proud father who wanted to treat his daughter.

[Hope didn't make any outward signs of wanting to do this on her own, so he was well within his rights to dote on her.]

It's a very normal graduate gift. Maybe not to the extent that you can pay for, but a lot of students ask for money to contribute to a trip in lieu of other gifts.

[interminably]

Like I'd allow anything else. In lieu of a once in a lifetime vacation meant to mold young minds and start them on their pathways to adulthood.

[bravebartender]

Just be aware that you can bankroll it, but Hope needs to do the planning. You can't force her hand on where she's going.

[interminably]

Provide the jet's gas and let her flit around where she pleases? ( Yeah, that is on her. ) I can still give suggestions.

[bravebartender]

I didn't say you couldn't. Just don't be disappointed when she decides not to go.

[interminably]

Prague is beautiful this time of year. Likewise, Florence. But, you've made a more than adequate point. I can suggest, but ultimately, it is her decision and hers alone. Her and ( He breathes in and out. ) her friends.

( he does love that she has someone she loves. And that she's related Alaric Saltzman is not something he cares about. but from what he's heard and what he's seen in person, he likes her a lot, both as a person and for Hope. she is just quiet. she needs to discover her voice. she knows not the power she wields as a Gemini siphon.

and still there's a part that worries. eventually, Josette and Elizabeth will have to face a darker coven truth. he knows Hope can handle it, but he still worries. it is a fast approaching expiration date.

dramatic, Klaus. it's still 4 years away. )

[bravebartender]

[She laughs.]

Don't make it sound like such a burden for her to have friends.

[Because it's important that she does. She can't just be isolated within her family.]

[interminably]

( He trusts his daughter's judgment, just ... not her friends'. They're kids. But, Camille does more than a good job of calming him down pre-flight. He brings her hand to his lips and presses a kiss to the back, before bringing it down and holding it as they wait.

And they fly! )

[werewolfqueen]

[And when Klaus turns his phone back on after he lands, there's a text from Hayley:]

Waiting in arrivals.

[Hayley was not supposed to be there to pick him up. He was going to arrange for his own ride and what not, but things change and they need to talk.

Cami wanders off to use the restroom and freshen up after the plane ride, giving Klaus and Hayley a chance to catch up (she knows how things work). Hayley is leaning against her car, and she straightens a bit when she sees him come out the door.]

How was your flight?

[interminably]

( He's surprised he gets the message, but informs Cami as such. An attendant retrieves and wheels their bags behind them. Greeting Hayley, their bags are placed in the trunk of her car. )

Uneventful. A bit anxious. It's not every day your only daughter graduates from the equivalent of high school. ( He's proud. But, he can smell the change of plans from a mile away. ) I thought we'd decided Cami and I would call a car.

[werewolfqueen]

We did. But something came up, and I thought it would be better for us to talk about it during the nice long drive back to Mystic Falls.

[Where their daughter won't be listening in without them meaning to.]

[interminably]

Funny, I much prefer my conversations had and not alluded to. Perhaps, adjacent to the car in which we'll be taking this drive. If I remember correctly, Virginia has such foliage this time of year. Maybe, I'd rather take in the scenery.

( Not without Cami, but, also not prefaced? )

What came up?

[werewolfqueen]

[Sigh. She glances around to make sure no one's listening before turning back to him.]

Hunters. Both here and in New Orleans.

[interminably]

Say more.

( He lowers his voice, jaw setting, immediately on edge. )

[werewolfqueen]

[And she'll explain what she knows about Tamara Monroe, and the army she's been gathering.]

I called a friend in London. It was a massacre. Freya is on it in New Orleans and Damon is running point here, but Ric wanted me to loop you in in case they needed extra fire power. Also, in case one of them was dumb enough to try and and take on Klaus Mikaelson on their own.

[Which they've already proved to be quite dumb by trying to take out Stefan, so, it lent credence to it.]

[interminably]

( He breathes heavy and deep as he seethes inside, not even looking at the attendant when he slips a bill into their hand. )

And when did this all come to light? Not before I boarded that plane?

( Does it matter? He grips the side of the car, recalibrating his thought process. )

Is it Hope? Is it the school?