-2-
"I'll get off early so we can visit some before your trip to Georgia," Beth had told her as she slung her purse over a shoulder.
Hope had drifted in and out of the most pleasant nap she'd had in a while. It was four hours before Beth returned smelling like dogs and covered in hair. She was a groomer for an upscale pet spa and only had two appointments that day. Kismet Beth had called it. Hope knew the word well and blamed the cosmic fate on much of what had happened in her life -including her own existence.
Now, Hope trailed behind as Beth straightened up the small apartment, answering all of her questions.
"I'm really sorry you lost both of your parents. Who's your dad? Must be a strong witch line if you could heal Toby as quickly as you did."
Hope picked up a rubix cube and clicked a row before setting it back onto the pile of magazines. She contemplated lying, it was likely Beth had heard of the Mikaelsons. There weren't many people from the supernatural community who hadn't.
"Klaus Mikaelson."
Beth skidded to a halt, the soles of her sneakers squealing against the kitchen tile. Hope felt herself smile at the expression yanking Beth's mouth into a comical 'o'.
"You're a Mikaelson?!" Then quickly correcting herself, she added, "sorry, sorry, I just...wow...how?"
Hope offered a shrug and sighed, "no worries, the responses I get are usually way worse than yours. People automatically assume I'm insanely evil so I usually just use my mom's maiden name." She felt her phone buzz and pulled it from her back pocket to check. Mr. Saltzman.
Sighing she muttered, "sorry, I have to take this," and then into the phone, "hello?"
Alaric immediately launched into a rushed, "I know where you are because of your phone signal but the question is why? You had better be on your way back, Caroline is losing her mind with your aunt and uncle prowling around campus demanding to know why we can't keep track of their niece!"
Drumming her fingers on the countertop, Hope rolled her eyes. She always forgot to cover her tracks with Sheriff Donovan, of course her phone could be tracked.
Hope replied crisply, "I located my blood relatives and decided I wanted to meet them."
Silence.
Then, he sighed long and exaggerated, "so that's why you needed the ripple weed."
"Yes. And it worked well, thank you. I've met two of them already."
He made a weird noise like he was lifting something too heavy. "I take it you're not returning until you've met them all..."
Hope glanced towards Beth, watching the realization pass through her eyes...there were no colleges of interest in Georgia...
"Right..."
"Just...be careful. Alright? And check in with your family for gods sake!"
After Hope slipped the phone back into her pocket Beth crossed her arms and narrowed her green eyes.
"You know where my dad is." It wasn't a question. Hope nodded.
"I'm coming with you."
