Always and Forever: a new life.

A new friend.

In Norse mythology, the goddess Freyja was said to possess a falcon-feather cloak that allowed her to fly through the air and  through time. The ancient Mesopotamian poem Epic of Gilgamesh, included a story of a character named Utnapishtim, whose gods granted him immortality over several centuries. The Greek myths of Chronos and Kairos. The Irish folklore of Niamh and Oisin. The story of Urashima Taro, all told tales of travels through time and visits to different realms.
In modern physics, the theoretical basis for time travel is rooted in the theory of general relativity developed by Albert Einstein. The fabric of space-time is curved by the presence of matter and energy. This curvature can create conditions where time travel becomes possible, such as in the vicinity of black holes or through the existence of wormholes. There is ongoing research on the possibility of time travel, with scientists and physicists exploring the feasibility of creating and traversing wormholes and the effects of time dilation near black holes. However, although the current understanding of physics suggests that many of the proposed methods of time travel, like manipulation of wormholes, would require technology and energy far beyond our current capabilities.

Hope had her chin rested on her wrist as she scrolled on her 2010s laptop that had a pink back cover, she missed her grimoires, she was going to be honest, she didn’t have any of her books on her in this decade and neither did she have access to the Salvatore school library, because as of yet that did not exist.

But she had to admit the internet was useful. What if it’s possible with magic? She thought, maybe wormholes can be influenced by magic to expand or retract? There’s a possibility at least, this was her only working hypothesis. She was in the 2010s that much was sure, so somehow she did travel to the past.

This new knowledge came with a warning. Paradoxes need to be avoided like the plague.
According to her new bff, the internet, there are three types of time travel – travel to Immutable timeline; mutable timeline; or alternate histories. So which one was she in? How did she end up here? All leading back to the same questions…. “Only one way to find out,” she thought out loud.

Huffing, Hope got off the floor snapping shut her laptop, there was some place that might hold answers.

She went outside.

Her footsteps crunching softly on the leaf-strewn path. The quarry loomed ahead, its rugged cliffs and jagged rocks standing like silent sentinels against the backdrop of towering pines. Memories of that day tugged at her mind—a whirlwind of emotions. ‘flashes of white, screaming, gold, black, and the cold grassy floor’

Drawing closer, Hope’s gaze swept over the familiar surroundings, searching for any sign of disturbance or lingering magic. The air seemed the same, crisp and cold, Hope couldn’t help her anticipation. With a deep breath, trying to feel any kind of magic in the air she steeled herself.

“Nothing? Really?” hands slapping to her side, she was getting frustrated.

The sun filtered through the dense canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor, Hope had returned to the secluded quarry where the strange incident had occurred just a week ago. “Did I seriously come here to get nothing?” annoyance clear in her tone “Come on give me sometime, sparkles? Fireworks? Not even an ominous wind?” She shouted as if at the universe.

The crickets were the only thing that spoke back in response. Throwing her face into her plans she sighed, rubbing her forehead, seeing no point in staying there any longer. “well that was completely worthless.” She scoffed ”Thanks.”

Storming off, today had been the perfect day to go do anything shady, it was the day of the barbeque. Everyone was going to be busy in their own personal dramas to care what a new, strange girl in town was up to. She couldn’t believe she wasted this opportunity, she didn’t know what she expected, maybe for a portal to open again, she hadn’t wanted any eyes on her during this day. No one was suspicion of her as of yet, but she’d had way too many run ins with the people from past to be comfortable. Just then Hope considered the thought, maybe, just maybe, keeping a closer eye would be safer? She should know what supernatural activity is going on here, could that be the reason she was transported here to this time specifically?

Pocketing her car keys, Hope entered the Grill and the familiar scent of savoury food and cool air hit her. “hey, I remember you.” Came a voice, Hope turned to see Matt Donovan standing there with an empty tray “Hi, Matt right?” “Yeah, and you’re Hope.” She chuckled “Yup, that’s me. Sorry about that day, I had a lot going on. I didn’t know needed someone to talk to me, so thank you.” He waved casually with a smile “Its no problem, you seem a lot better today.” “yeah.” She gave him a smile back, despite the trashy luck she’d had today she was feeling better than before, she had a plan, and an idea. “You came here to get some? I’d suggest the turkey sandwiches or the strawberry float, they’re a blast.” “That sounds great actually, but I don't know I’m alone right now It’s awkward to eat alone.” she knew what she was going, she was fishing. Matt was one of the most uninvolved – involved people in Mystic Falls and the Grill is where things always tend to happen, she needed friends who would keep her in the loop, often unknowingly. “oh, do you wanna hang? I go on break in fifteen, I got nothing to do honestly, I can use some company.” Hook line and sinker. “great!” she said acting surprised “That’s awesome.” She smiled widely.

“so Hope, where did you move from?” she took a slurp of peanut butter blast, enjoying the whipped cream at the bottom “Louisiana actually, my whole family lives there. Me and dad though, we decided to move after my mother’s death, too many memories.” “Oh I’m so sorry,” “Its okay, it was two years ago, dad drives trucks so even he’s rarely around, especially since everything..” she said softly, swirling the straw around her drink. Matt felt genuinely bad for her, he knew what being alone felt like. “My mom is a dead beat practically," he shrugged "She’s never around and my sister? Pretty much the same. I’m on my own too in the family department.” He empathised.
“Do you miss them? Your mom and sister I mean.” She asked “Yeah. All the time, no matter what I do the feeling is there. Even when people are gone their ghosts tend to haunt you.”

There was a comforting silence that lasted a while. Until Hope felt the glare of daggers in her back. Matt excused himself to go back to work after a while so Hope risked taking a glance in that direction, and saw Caroline Forbes sitting at the table. 'Now what?' Hope kind of chuckled to herself uncomfortably, Caroline probably thought something was going on between them which was so untrue, but if she remembered from her readings Matt and Caroline were in a rocky period.

When she was done, Hope got up to leave only to run into the same blonde vampire on the way out. “Hi! I’m Caroline Forbes. Are you new here?” “Hey, I’m Hope. Is it that obvious?” Caroline smiled “when did you move here?” Only a few weeks ago really, I haven’t made many friends here. Met this sweet guy who works here, he took pity on me being alone I’m pretty sure.” She joked “But that’s a friend I suppose.” Caroline laughed at that “Yeah that’s Matt, he’s my boyfriend you know. He’s like that.” “Oh nice, you guys are lucky. I don’t know many people here so it was nice to meet someone friendly.” “You live alone? Sorry couldn’t help but eavesdrop” she make a guilty face jokingly, Hope laughed “ Yeah? It’s alright. I do.” “I’m sorry I’m being nosey, I shouldn’t hold you up.”
“ No it was lovely meeting you Caroline, I’ll see you around?” “Yeah.” Caroline smiled “Wait hey! There’s like a historical society volunteer event happening tomorrow, do you want to come with me? I sighed up my mom but she’s probably going to bail on me. It’ll be nice if you’d come. What do you say? Are you free?” She brushed her blonde curls aside and looked at Hope expectantly

“I’d like that” She smiled.