Always and Forever: a new life.

Richmond.

When her feet landed on the ground in Richmond, Hope had her plan fixed in mind. She knew what she needed to do. With the stolen backpack slung over her shoulder and few spare dollars she found in its pockets she made her way over to a certain café that was run by a vampire. Someone named Slater.

She recalled Stefan Salvatore’s diary entry from that day, Damon and Rose had visited Slater in Richmond to learn more about the Original vampires and although Slater failed at providing anything that was useful, Stefan had called him a ‘vampire altruist’  in his diary, turned some time during the 70s he was someone who knew how to make connections and find people who were otherwise hard to find. That’s how he had found Elijah right? And Elena, it was Slater’s Intel that led to the discovery of both individuals.

Well, that’s what I needed right now, she thought to herself, an ally. Someone who can compel people for her, get her the information she needs. All she needed to do was playing her cards right, not reveal too much information.
It took a while but eventually she found ‘The Block’ no literally the café was named The Block. It was grey cemented building with only two floors and a large glass window side with a view of the street for the café goers to enjoy, or well, the vampires to enjoy. The UV protective glass kept the vampires from burning in the sun like they normally would have without daylight rings. That was the main appeal of the place. Well, that and it’s baked goods, she learnt.

She sat there at an empty table feeling a bit jittery if she was being honest to herself, the coffee she bought didn’t help. She chewed on the beignet slowly even though she was really hungry, she hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday. Hope had dealt with a lot of things sure, but this she never had done before. She brushed her hair with her fingers, trying to detangle the red curls that proved themselves more stubborn than her. She had fought monsters, witches, vampires, werewolves, everything under the sun, but time travel? What was she supposed to do about that? she had gotten herself here, on accident albeit, she should be able to figure her way out. But that was going to take a little while, right now, she needed something else.

It felt like it had been hours since she came here, Slater had not yet arrived, she couldn’t help but wonder if he doesn’t come what is she going to do next? Just them the waiter came by, in his teal blue shirt and mop of blonde hair “Hey, can I get you anything?”

“Just water, thanks.”

“You know witches aren’t that common in this place, they don’t really like associating with the vampires. You’re different though, I think it’s because you need something.”

“What?” just like that her guard was up, how did he know she was a witch?

“Come on, you’re waiting for someone because you need something. I’m telling you right now if he’s a vampire he’s not your friend.” The man said like a warning.

“I’m only here to meet him.” She said, blatantly . She should have known a place filled with vampires would probably be employing people who knew about them.

“Why?”

“That’s my business, isn’t it.” Her annoyance slipped out. He observed her for a moment, then shrugged as if nonchalant “Alright then girlie, you know what you’re doing. Be careful.”

It wasn’t as if she hadn’t felt lingering eyes on her since she came in, side glances that came her way every now and then, she was a young living supernatural girl, sitting alone in a room filled with vampires. Grabbing his wrist in that moment a thought occurred to her “Hey, wait. I’m looking for a guy named Slater. He's a regular. When he comes..can you point me to him?” she slipped him a few dollars.

He seemed in thought for a minute “You really do have a death wish if you came here, I know Slater, he comes here often. I’ll let you know when he in, but a quick fyi, it’s a bad idea to hang around in a room full of vampires.” He warned again.

“I know what I’m doing. Trust me.”
It was about an hour later that a man looking in his college years walked into the place with a laptop in hand, as he sat down with his drink the blonde haired boy glanced her way, that was when she knew this is him. Slater.

“Hi. My names Hope.” She sat down in front of him. With all her confidence, feeling like she was channelling Elijah when she crossed her legs and spoke “I’m here to make you a deal.” “I’m sorry?” he spat his drink a little, coughing.

Slater looked, there was no other word for it, normal. He looked like just another college student, blue eyes, brown hair, scruffy beard working on a paper, but Hope knew who he was. “ I know you’re a vampire, and I need a vampire’s help, I believe there’s a world where we can help each other.”

“oh really? And what can I do for you your majesty?” he wiped his mouth and then the tablet with the spare tissue, still coughing. He honestly looked amused at her, like he was only entertaining her to see where she was going. She swiped her hand in the air and the mess disappeared from in front of them “I’m told by a reliable source that you can be trusted.” She spoke honestly on that “And right now I really do need help.”

“Why? What’s seems to be the matter?” He tilted his head, his mouth quirked not out of humour any longer but out of curiosity, he narrowed his eyes measuring her, 'who the hell was she?' she looked 17 or 18 at most and she could do magic she made that much obvious “What could a girl as young as you have gotten themselves into to come to me for help?” he asked “I’m a witch, and I need a new identity. If you can give me that, I can do a spell for you.”

“You didn’t answer my question, though. Are you running away from someone? From your home maybe?” she sighed, she should have planned a story for something like this “No I’m not running away, a spell went wrong and it’s messed everything up in my life. I’m … I guess I’m…trying to fix it but that’s proving difficult. I need a place to live, money to support myself and a new identity that no one will question.”

“Strange girl who shows up out of nowhere, no ID, no past record, nothing and you expect me to not be suspicious?” 

“How would you like a daylight ring?” he didn’t say a word but a lift of his eyebrows told him he was interested.

“Here’s the deal, I’m good at being a witch, I can do these kinds of spells. I came here to see if maybe we could help each other, so what do you say.”

“Deal.”