"The only thing wrong with immortality is that it tends to go on forever."
― Herb Caen
Mystic Falls, 1011
The flowers along the path were blooming, the snow from the harsh winter melting and leaving tiny puddles everywhere. Carefully Tessa lifted the hem of her dress, not wanting to wash out mud stains. The woven basket dug into her arm, filled with herbs. Her mother required most of these as the village healer. Tessa was her helper, fetching herbs and plants and occasionally making home visits. Her heart wasn't in it though, but it was a job. There was one more herb to collect before she could go home. Rosemary, the only herb that grew on the other side of the Falls. She rolled her eyes, the trek would take her to dark at least.
"Tessie!" A voice called and Tessa turned, a smile lighting up her face.
"Nik. What are you doing out here?" She asked still grinning.
"I gave the rest of my chores to Kol and went to your house only for your mother to tell me that you are out collecting herbs." Klaus explained walking beside her. "I don't think your mother likes me very much. Getting her to tell me where you were was a bit like milking a bull."
"You don't milk a.." Tessa trailed off as she realized what he was implying, a blush appearing on her cheeks. "I get what you mean."
"Where are you off to now? Your basket looks quite full." He commented rummaging through the various plants.
"Don't touch them Nik." Tessa scolded. "I have to go get rosemary."
"Isn't that on the oth-" Klaus started but she cut him off.
"The other side of the Falls, yes. I am not looking forward to the journey." She huffed and readjusted the basket.
"I'm coming with you." Klaus replied confidently easily taking the basket from her.
"No Nik you don't have to. I thought that there was a celebration tonight, aren't you taking Tatia?" Tessa reminded him reaching for her basket.
"I'll skip it. I get the feeling that Tatia will not be short on company." Klaus said overtly casual and Tessa froze.
"I was going to tell you I swear but how was I supposed to bring that up?"
"A simple I-saw-Tatia-screwing-your-brother would be nice." Klaus snapped.
"I saw Tatia screwing your brother." Tessa said weakly with a small smile. He smiled slightly and looped his arm through hers.
"I can't get mad though, I was the one who said that we weren't together." He shrugged.
"Wow that's surprisingly mature." Tessa slowly nodded shooting Klaus a glance.
"Yes well I still get to spend the night with a pretty woman." He winked and she raised an eyebrow.
"You truly are the village fool." She smirked.
It was a ten minute walk before Tessa could even hear the waterfall. Klaus had kept her entertained, telling fantastic stories of fighting bears off in the woods.
"Thank the gods that someone like you is here protecting me." Tessa chuckled after he finished a particularly tall tale.
"Indeed." He chuckled, draping an arm over her shoulder
Atlanta, Georgia 2010
It was an exceedingly normal day for Tessa Eriksen, now Tess Johnson. She had chatted with the neighbors, gotten her grocery shopping done and even had a nap. Currently sipping on some warmed up O+ she flipped through People magazine. A buzzing filled them room and one manicured hand grabbed the cell phone sitting on the table.
Marcus (Witch) calling...
"Hello, Tess here." Her customary British accent was replaced with a sweet southern accent.
"Tessa good to hear from you." A man's strong european voice filtered through the disposable phone.
"Likewise Marcus, what news do you have for me?" Tessa asked, the witch never called unless it was important.
"There is someone at my door asking for you." Marcus replied, his boredom evident in his tone.
"Who?" She was curious now. Nobody really knew she was close with Marcus.
"Tessie darling." This new voice was british like her and she recognized it immediately.
"Nikky what have I said about trying to contact me through my friends?" She scolded only a little interested in the fact that Klaus found out about Marcus.
"If I called you, would you have answered?" Klaus scoffed.
"Maybe. I told you, relaxation time." Tessa rolled her eyes. "I had to go alone because you stuck Rebekah in a coffin."
"You can yell at me all you want about that when we meet again. Where are you currently?" Klaus asked, much to the amusement of the blonde vampire.
"Atlanta Georgia. I'll meet you at the Soft Serve Cafe tomorrow at noon. Kisses." She hung up and set the phone on the table. He could never make it to tomorrow, if Tessa was correct he would be at her house in three hours.
AN: This is just a small 800 word prologue to the story. This is a complete rewrite of A Curious Thing.
If you followed A Curious Thing, the reason I decided to take it down and rewrite it was that I wasn't completely happy at the way the story was going. To be honest I though I did a poor job of characterizing Tessa and I knew I could do better. This is the (hopefully) better version.
{Please Read & Review}
Much love, Adelaide