𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆; 𝐞. 𝐦𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐨𝐧

- part one, the unexpected reunion

Weeks have passed without further interruptions of the daily life by the hybrid's smirking face. All she wanted, was to forget about the ritual and how the future of the father depended on the decisions. Niklaus used every method of violent threatening to assure the curse would be broken by a witch with enough strength, and Veronika's bloodline promised the double amount.

The dark brown strands pulled back into a tight ponytail, smooth strands curled into thick locks as she buttoned up the last one on the collar of the black blouse. Today was the twenty-first birthday of the young witch, and Elliot rented a table in one of the expensive restaurants that his daughter adored. But with the small pay, the few notes that were earned in the eight hour shift, wasn't enough to visit the place more often than birthdays.

Fixing the hem of the black, skater skirt which fell to the mid of the thighs, Veronika felt a pinch of happiness at the sight of the appearance in the mirror. Nothing could make the day better, except for a wish that would never be fulfilled. A long visit of Daniella, Veronika's mother, who died over six years ago, but the pain hasn't changed the slightest. When the tingling feeling spread through the delicate fingers, the witch missed the wise advice from the mother, a woman who had more experience and could be a useful mentor in dangerous and difficult situations.

But there wasn't a way to bring the woman back, no chance for Veronika to learn about the spells from Daniella. A path, she was forced to take, and one that had to be walked alone. And the spirits of the nature haven't forgiven the witch for misusing the magical gift for the wrong side of the world. Tormented by memories which slowly started to vanish, slowly forcing Veronika to forget about the mother she loved so dearly. And even if the wounds of losing a parent were ripped open daily, she wouldn't show an ounce of pain to the father, who was utterly worried about the condition after hearing about the forcefulness of Niklaus Mikaelson, and the reason she tapped into the magic, hidden beneath the fingertips.

While walking out of the room, and down the staircase to the lower floor, the slender fingers fidgeted with the golden bracelets around the wrist. A reminder that somehow and somewhere, Daniella would watch over the exhausting days of the witch, even if she wouldn't be able to feel the presence or the warm touch. On the way to the living room where Elliot waited patiently, three soft knocks on the solid, wooden entrance door caught the attention. While Bonnie Bennett was the only friend in Mystic Falls, the young witch made along the way, connecting over the magical powers, she didn't expect anyone tonight. Mildly confused about the sudden visit, Veronika strolled to the door. Golden knob tightly between the slender fingers, turning to the right and opening the entrance to the house.

A slight gasp of surprise escaped the mouth as Elijah turned the gaze of the brown orbs away from the dim, yellow lights cascading over the calm streets of the neighbourhood. Corners of the mouth started to move, a gentle and pleased smile spread across the usual emotionless face of the vampire. Veronika couldn't find the words to greet the male, speechless about the fact that he knew where the Bentley's lived and even more about the unannounced appearance at the porch.

„Good evening, Veronika." Calloused and fleshy fingers fidgeted with the button on the dress jacket, as a moment of silence settled between the staring individuals. Mildly surprised by the choice of clothing, he remembered the more comfortable attire from the ritual. Baggy jeans, a white tank top, a plaid button up which was used as a thin jacket and the brunette strands twisted into a rather messy bun with thin hairs falling out.

„If you don't mind my presence, I wanted to offer an apology for leaving your weakened body in the forest. It's not my natural behavior to leave such a lovely woman alone when she just got attacked." Speaking the words in a soft way, he gathered the entire gentleness sun the world to use it within the syllables. The calm sound of Elijah's voice made the heart beat slightly faster, sending a wave of warmth through the mesmerised figure of the witch.