#go forth valter...to high school

[ephemeralove]

Maria is right – her textbooks are indeed required, and due to the nature of their swapping forms, she did not possess them at the moment. (Valter did not possess them at the moment.)

“If you open your textbook to page 297…,” Professor Selena begins, and that is his cue. (Plans had been made, and Valter would act the part accordingly.)

He first goes through Maria’s things, both to verify the absence of the textbooks and to lend credibility to his next ploy – “Ah, it’s not…” (A pause to further assert the notion.)

Sitting upright, he turns to face Katarina, the same girl who followed the knight out into the blizzard just a few moons ago. He hadn’t known for certain when he first sat next to her, but it seemed the natural place to sit, and it was a familiar face to him – which made any necessary trickery all the easier. Time revealed that the little thing was Maria’s backup.

“Um, Miss Katarina?” the cleric’s voice begins sheepishly, “It seems I forgot my textbooks today – do you mind if sharing yours with me?” (Valter believes it to be the right balance of quiet politeness and wise assertion to feasibly pass – in truth, however, it relied on Katarina and her senses.)

“She’s nice but really shy, so I don’t think she’ll ask why I forgot it.”

(It was Valter’s hope that Maria was right – he only had so much information to lie with.)

If Katarina was a wallflower, then the youngest princess of Macedon was the hummingbird that from time to time flittered energetic wings in her direction. She did not always take a seat beside Katarina, but it was a choice she seemed to gladly make on occasion.

Today is one such day, though her sunny greeting -- one Katarina had been preparing to meet for some minutes now -- goes seemingly forgotten, lost in the burgeoning crease of her brow. She shuffles; she shifts; she falls silent. Something odd sits in the girl's demeanor, distant, or perhaps perplexed. The tactician lightly flexes her knuckles, the mere thought of words heavy on her tongue, pinning it to her teeth.

Suddenly, fulgent spring peers directly into dreary gray.

"Ah..." Caught in her waiting, Katarina slides a palm over her knuckles. Thankfully, the young princess seems not to care, more so concerned with her imposition. A manner that puts others well at ease... if only Katarina could learn it. As she is now, she is still so fearful of being burned.

But gentle, and gentler still, she understands her to be. Katarina's lips lay parted a beat overlong, an awkward thing, bent slowly but surely into an answering smile, by every measure the girl's match in sheepishness.

"...Yes, of course. Here..."

[lalainajanes]

Klaroline + they find out dragons exist/aren't extinct when Caroline accidentally finds herself with a pet dragon

More of the mini drabble prompts from a couple weeks ago! I went full on with the magic school thing here. Sorrynotsorry.

Have It All

When Caroline’snewest student, a young boy from a coven in remote part of Sweden that was exhibitingabilities his parent’s didn’t know how to deal with, had shown up with a blueenameled box as a gift Caroline hadn’t been able to turn it down. He’d smiled,sweet and shy, and told her in heavily accented English that he was lookingforward to beginning to learn and left the box on her desk while one of herassistants set out to introduce him to the other kids in his age group.

She’dstudied the box for a minute, held it up to the light to admire the vivid bluesand swirling silvers that decorated it. It had been remarkably heavy, she’dnoted and she’d been searching for a latch when someone had knocked at heroffice door.

Running aschool meant precious little time to kick back and relax, Caroline had found.She was forever on her feet putting out (sometimes literal) fires. She’d setthe box aside once she’d returned to her office, buckled down to do some of herendless piles of paperwork, and forgotten all about it

Until ithad begun to move. On its own.

Now, acouple years ago Caroline might have screamed bloody murder. Her nerves weremade of sterner stuff now that she was often surrounded by tiny people with extreme,sometimes uncontrollable, power at their disposal. She merely pushes back herchair, eyeing the box perched innocently on a bookshelf under the window.

She’d beensubject to a prank or two and while little Valter Andersson didn’t seem the type to attempt to make anentrance but maybe that had been on purpose, an attempt to lull her into afalse sense of security by hiding his true shit disturber nature.

Magical kidswere definitely crafty.

Carolinestretches as she rises, wincing at the faint crack of her spine. She’d beensitting still for way too long, hadn’t even noticed it was dark outside. The girlsusually hustled out of her office for dinner or their bedtime routine at thevery least, but they were taking a long weekend camping trip with Alaric. She’dbeen invited but had turned the invite down. Caroline liked indoor plumbing andmattresses, thank you very much, and had decided to stay behind and take theopportunity to get some work done.

The boxmoves again, a corner edging over the lip of the shelf and Caroline’s stepsquicken, her hands reaching out to nudge it to safety. She’s surprised that it’swarm, almost hot, considering the sun had set hours ago. It also seems to behumming faintly, and Caroline has no doubt that there’s something witch-yhappening.

“Just don’texplode,” she mutters, reaching for it again. She really didn’t want to have torepaint her office or hunt down a new bookcase this weekend. Feeling for a seamshe’s startled when it opens in her hands. She flips the top up higher, herbrows creeping up when she sees a silver egg thing inside.

It has apronounced crack and is moving about in the bed of silky looking fabric it laysin. She leans closed, almost drops the box when the crack widens.

Was that a…snout? Was there something alive inthere?

Cautiously,Caroline reaches in with a fingertip, brushing away a broken bit of shell. Atiny head peeks out, pale blue and scaly, it’s eyes blinking open to peer up ather. “Oh my god,” Caroline breathes. It makes a noise, a tiny adorable chirp-ything, and its head nudges her fingertip. “Hi,” she manages softly, petting itshead gently, doing her very best notto freak out.

She’d neverhad a pet and lizards gave her the heebie jeebies. Still, no need to scare thepoor little thing. It squeaks again, giving a shudder, breaking though the restof the shell.

At whichpoint she almost drops the box because the lizard had freaking wings.

She’s immediatelystartled again, this time by a knock on her office door and Caroline whirls,setting the box gently on her desk where it’ll be safer than in her shakyhands. She hadn’t even heard anyone approach, so engrossed was she in the boxand its contents.

The knockcomes again, and she calls permission to enter. Klaus’ face is creased withconcern when he enters, his eyes darting about the room suspiciously. “What’swrong?” he asks, clipped and forceful.

Carolinebarely notices Kol wandering in after him even though such a sight usuallywould have gotten an eye roll or twelve. She’d relocated the school to NewOrleans just over six months ago. After a couple years in Mystic Falls Matt wasgetting antsy as they kept expanding, witches from all over sending kids forguidance, werewolves without packs and vampires without sires showing up at theboardinghouse’s door. She’d had to become an expert at deflection, every timeshe ran into one of her old teachers or some of her classmates a comment wasmade about how good she looked and questions about her skincare routine asked.

People wereonly going to buy sunblock and green tea for so long, she’d known.

Klaus hadremained her most generous benefactor, checks popping up regularly no matterhow many times she’d protested it was too much. He’d brushed her concerns asideeasily with jokes, “Nonsense, love. I’ve been meaning to sell that castle forages,” and sincerity, “Only the very best for my child,” and kept the moneyflowing into the school’s accounts.

When she’dbegun to mention packing up and relocating Klaus had pounced on theopportunity. Talked up New Orleans, the history, the abundance of supernaturaltypes who would surely be interested in employment (convincing qualifiedinstructors to move to a town as tiny as Mystic Falls had always been a trialand she often ended up boosting their salaries as an incentive). He’d convincedher to visit, to check out the city.

And, damnhim, Klaus had her totally pegged. Caroline had loved New Orleans from that first evening in the quarter, thesounds of jazz music and boisterous laughter bouncing between the stonebuildings as she walked by Klaus’ side.

She’d beensold even before he’d steered her towards the beignets.

She’dexpected him to pick up where he’d left off years ago in Mystic Falls, tossingbreath stealing romantic gestures her way in an effort to woo her. She’d evenbeen willing to let him.

In theyears since Stefan had died she’d a brief relationship or two, nothing all thatserious because Caroline had found she kind of liked being single. It was niceto be able to do what she wanted, to be a little selfish with her time andenergy, to not be weighed down by the never ending boyfriend woes that hadplagued her since high school. She’d long since accepted that she’d never beStefan’s first choice and she’d made her peace with it, and with how he’d chosento die. She’d fervently wished she’d had a little more time with him, a littlemore happiness, but in the end perhaps it had been better that they’d never hadthe life she’d planned.

Gettingover a lifetime with him would have been so much harder.

In makingthe decision to move to New Orleans she’d known she’d likely have to reevaluateher commitment to her relationship status. Klaus had never been shy aboutletting her know his intentions, that he was still vying to be her last love.He flirted, and charmed, and he’d opened up in the letters they sent back andforth, revealed his own brush with heartbreak, until Caroline truly thought ofhim as her friend.

When she’dbegun packing she’d done so with nervous excitement, thinking of the new chaptershe was starting, one that was going to be filled with new adventures of the personalvariety, not just the professional.

Imagine hersurprise to find that Klaus seemed determined to hold back. Oh, she knew he wasinterested, could see it in his eyes, the rigid way he often held himself awayfrom her. The first time she’d scored an invite to a Mikaelson family dinner(courtesy of Hayley of all people)she’d watched, wide eyed, her neck swiveling like a tennis spectator as thesiblings had sniped and parried over endless courses of delicious food. Thingshad begun to get heated when dessert had been served and Freya had hustled thetwins and Hope to the kitchen, promising ice cream with sprinkles with theircake.

Caroline’sbrand new dress had gotten bloodied not ninety seconds later when Rebekah hadflung a dainty silver fork into Kol’s carotid artery. Things had been a blurafter that, of china smashing and wood splintering. She’d backed away from thetable but Klaus had intercepted her, ushering her down a hallway as the soundsof the chaos in the dining room had grown fainter. He’d produced ahandkerchief, leaned in to dab at the blood staining her shoulder. He’d beenrueful, intent on his work, “Sorry about them, sweetheart. All that time incoffins left Bekah and Kol a little deaf to social niceties. Or at least that’swhat they’ll claim later as they refuse to assist in cleaning up theirdestruction.”

She’dhuffed a laugh, leaned her head back against the wall to give him more room, “Goodthing you’re probably immune to guilt trips, huh?”

She’d stiffenedwhen she’d felt Klaus answering huffof amusement warm against her skin, had been shocked at just how close he was. Hadn’t been surprised bythe ring of gold in his eyes when she’d met them with hers, the way he’d let thecloth drop to stroke her collarbone with his thumb.

She’d beenso ready for him to make a move but he’d straightened, moved far enough away sothat they were no longer touching and seemed to shake himself. “There. Thefabric’s dark enough that the blood’s not noticeable. I’ll make sure you get areplacement. Let’s check on the little ones, hmm? Make sure Freya’s not gone overboardwith the sugar.”

He’d usheredher away, his resting hand on her back with the barest pressure. He’d done thesame sort of thing a million times, backed off whenever a moment got toocharged. Often showed up with other people in tow, Hope or one of his siblings,so that things stayed light and friends. Still, she felt him watching her, contemplativeand eager, like he was waiting.

Carolinewas a smart girl and it hadn’t taken her too long to figure out exactly what hewas waiting for. The ball was firmly in her court this time. She’d have to bethe one to make the next big move.

She wasjust trying to find the right moment.

Klaus iswaiting for her to reply, his hands held at his sides like he’s itching to tearinto something. It takes her a second to puzzle out why. “Oh! No, I’m fine.”She must have sounded strained when she’d told him to come in. “I got a newstudent today and he brought something… weird with him.”

Klausposture eases and he smirks, “I should think that would be the norm at thispoint.”

“Usuallythe weird things aren’t alive,” Caroline says, nodding down at the box on herdesk. Both he and Kol amble over, seemingly curious. “I’m not entirely surewhat it is. I’m gonna have to google and figure out what this thing eats. Itbetter not be bugs.”

Kol’s eyeswiden with something like glee, “Where did you get this? And how much do youwant for it?”

Somethingabout that was a little alarming. “Itwas a gift,” she says slowly. “You’re a big lizard fan?”

He snorts incredulously,“That is not just a lizard, darling. That is a dragon. I told you they existed, Nik. I had a lovely Finnish witch friend inthe 14th century who convinced me but this one daggered me before Icould go investigate.” He reaches out to touch the creature, recoils sharplywhen it sinks its teeth into the pad of his index finger. “Ouch, fuck!” hebites out, shaking his hand.

“Mind thecarpet,” Klaus says mildly, his fingers inching out more cautiously. He waits,his hand hovering over the lizard, sorry dragon,until it seems to get curious, reaching up to sniff his palm. “You never didlearn the value of patience, brother.”

Kol shootshim a glare, his lips tipping up in a mocking smirk. “You can keep yourpatience, Nik. Celibacy is not the life for me.” He favors Caroline with asignificant look, “This one’s been ready and willing for months and you’ve noteven taken a taste. Tsk tsk.”

She itchesto reach out and smack him but instead just lifts her head, refusing to lookaway even though she feels herself blushing. “Is that supposed to convince meto give you my dragon?”

His facefalls, before he attempts a charming grin, “Now, Caroline. Let’s not be hasty.I have plenty of money. Name your price.”

“I have plenty of money,” Klausinterjects. “Which I generously allow you to use.”

Kol’sclearly about to protest but Caroline holds up her hand, “It was a gift anyway.Selling it would be tacky.”

Hisexpression turns cunning, “Perhaps I could borrow it? Once it’s grown, you see.In return I’d be delighted to work some of my contacts, get you all the info onthe care and feeding of dragons that your little perfectionist heart couldpossibly want.”

Sheconsiders the offer, biting her lip. She could use the help but she’s prettysure a dragon’s not something she wants to trust Kol Mikaelson with. She likesNew Orleans as it is and it would be a shame if he reduced it to a burned outhusk attempting to go full Daenerys Targaryen.

Klaus hasgathered the dragon into his palm while she and Kol took part in their stareoff and it seems perfectly content to burrow into the skin left bare by thev-neck of his henley. “Kol will help in any way you need, love. Without strings.”

They sharea series of hard looks before Kol seems to cave, throwing up his hands. Hegrumbles something - Caroline thinks she hears the word whipped - and circlesher desk to throw himself into her chair, head bent over his cell phone.

She leansagainst her desk, watching as Klaus’ fingers stroke gently along the tinydragon’s back. “He’ll need a name,” Klaus notes.

“It’s a he?”Caroline asks dubiously. How would one even checkthat?

“Does thename really need to be gendered?” Klaus asks with a smirk.

Carolinesupposed he had a point. Mythical creatures likely had loftier concerns. “I’dnever hear the end of it if I didn’t let Josie and Lizzie have a say.”

He smiles, “I’msure you’re right. Opinionated little things that they are.”

Carolinetosses him a glare that lacks heat, “Your child isn’t the mellowest either, youknow.”

Klaus seemsunperturbed, “They do come by it honestly.”

“What’sHope up to tonight?”

“She’ll betucked into bed soon, I’d imagine. Elijah’s favorite symphony is playing inChicago and he, Hope and Hayley have an early flight tomorrow. Yours are off inthe wilderness, correct?”

Carolineshifts her weight, suddenly nervous. Back in Mystic Falls she’d never expectedto be casually talking to Klaus about childcare arrangements of all things. Butthis is her life now, and she loves it. Caroline can’t help but think thisweekend might be the opportunity she’s been waiting for. “Do you want to go outfor dinner tomorrow?” she rushes out. “Assuming I can get a dragon sitter.”

Klaus smileis warm, his answer simple, “I thought you’d never ask.”