𝟚.𝟙𝟜: 𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖'𝕤 𝔸 ℙ𝕝𝕒𝕔𝕖 𝕎𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕃𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝔾𝕠

-Narrator's perspective-

"Now, where was this Cupid that hurt you? I just want a moment to talk." Arabella said, half joking after the story she heard while she was gone. She brushed her hair while Hope, who was sat in front of the mirror laughed. "I am serious. Who gets to hurt you and lives?"

"But he's dead. So you won't be killing anyone today." She pointed out, missing this kind of normal with the blonde. Where Arabella would just be a dangerous, protective Vampire over her. "If we're talking about who hurts who, Then let me go back to the Prison world and kill a werewolf."

Arabella chuckled, shaking her head while she looked at Hope after she brushed her hair. With much thought over last night, the vampire watch as Hope wore a necklace around her neck. The very same one she retrieved from the Prison world.

Not being sentimental or anything, Arabella first got it by Klaus. It's not like she'll tell Hope that but maybe some day, she will.

"Do I really have to go to this thing?" Again, Arabella complained out loud and only for Hope to laugh at her choice of words.

"If I'm going, you're going." She replied shortly, taking in the necklace that suited her perfectly like none other. Then, she stood up and faced the blonde. "Besides, Emma specifically said you're going."

Arabella nodded, rolling her eyes in disbelief. "Well then." She gestured to the half open door, both of them ready to go out. "After you."

In a habit and moreover want to, Hope pulled Arabella up by her wrists, both of them facing each other. "Hi." Hope said sweetly, an innocent smile plastered on her face while she kept her hands on the Salvatore's arms.

"Hi there." She replied with the same tone, hands over the other's waist. With much power over herself when Hope was inching closer to her face, Arabella swerved her face to the right, getting close to the Mikaelson's ear, lips brushing onto her ear slightly. "We are going to be late if you continue to tease me like this." She whispered, backing away with an amused smile seeing Hope blush.

Hope chuckled, pushing her slightly as they got seperated. "Fine. Let's go." She opened the door, leading them both to the gymnasium.

"What do you think Dr. Saltzman has for us now? Some sort of mission with the super squad or something?" She joked, earning a sarcastic chuckle from Hope.

"It better be something worth while."

While the two were side by side, walking in the empty halls to get to the place where Emma told them to be, their voices echoed inside the school. Mostly Hope's laughter because of Arabella's continuous ploy to make her alight.

As the two walked inside the room, everyone was there well, except Josie but god knows where she's been. Arabella pulled up a chair and placed it just behind Hope who was besides Josie who just arrived as well.

When the rest of the crew was here, Emma clasped her hands and got started. "As supernaturals, we all carry a burden. Our eyes are open to evil. And recently, you've had to face it. Some of us process these traumas by suppressing what happened. For others, it's easier to bury it deep inside and pretend like nothing's happened at all. Still, others may take a different route, such as-"

"-Pushing people away in an attempt to

self-isolate?" Hope interrupted. "Because everyone they love is in perpetual danger, which oftens results in them becoming perpetually dead. See? There. That's it. That's my therapy. Can I go now?"

"I'm afraid not, Hope. Because the point is we can all do better at processing the traumas we've been through. Which is why Dr. Saltzman has asked me to conduct a special group lesson today." She started and mostly everyone in the room disagreed with this plan.

"I, for one, could really use this, and I would appreciate everyone's support." Lizzie said, looking at them when they were whining silently on their seats.

"Honestly, I don't know why I'm here, but I'm down to help." Mg said, smiling to Lizzie who was in front of him.

"You will all have an important role to play in this simulation." Emma started and everyone only looked at her blankly, mostly judge-y. "Oh, stop looking at me like that. It'll be fun." She said in a cheerful smile and pulled the cloth off a box. "This device was created by Professor Rupert Vardemus."

Lizzie frowned in slight disturbance. "Ew."

"The Real Professor Vardemus. He's quite famous in mystical therapeutic circles. It's his variation on a Chambre de Chasse. All your psychological conerns will be transferred inside to form a shared narrative. Now, the world you create together can be anything, from pirates on the high seas to spies in the Cold War. But no matter what it ends up looking like, it will be designed specifically to help you. Out here, you're unconscious. You'll have no awareness that you're in a simulation."

"So, it's like a game?" Mg asked, squinting his eyes in a guess. When Emma nodded, it simply peaked Lizzie's interest more.

"Uh, how do I win?" She asked in triumph, already wanting to win.

"Simply reach the end of your story and you'll be given an escape word. Say it aloud and you'll become self-aware again, then wake up here, having discovered something valuable in the process. Any questions?" She asked on the last.

"Uh, yeah. I have a question." Lizzie spoke up, eyeing the girl who just walked in from the door. "What the hell is she doing here?" She looked to the others and gestured to Jade.

When Lizzie mentioned her presence, Josie looked at Jade, having to remember something in particular. More specifically, something that included in her dreams.

"Hi. Uh, sorry I'm late. Uh, weird dreams." She excused, looking to the Brunette Siphoner who maintained their eye contact. Jade pulled a chair to sit down with the rest.

"You're just in time, Jade. Don't worry. What we're about to do here is merely a simulation. And I'll be in it as well, and self-aware the whole time. I promise to keep a careful eye on all of you." Emma stepped towards the box, ready to open it.

Arabella sighed, her legs crossed while she waited for the Chambre de chasse-like prototype was ready to take them out.

"Everyone think of bright, sunny, tropical beaches."

By the time they knew it, the box opened and a bright light revealed, almost too bright for them that it would make them blind. And then, their mind disappeared to go to the simulation.

☘︎︎

In the grey and cold night, she was better known as Luna. A brilliant mind who worked alongside with her adoptive siblings, Stefan and Damon Salvatore. Despite her name was well known to the world, she just wanted a simple life.

That was why she travelled to Mystic Falls to get a much more better life than what she had in New Orleans. Atleast, that's what she hoped for.

Stepping inside Landon's bar, she was greeted with someone singing by a small stage in front. She inhaled in the sweet aroma of alcohol, pulling her coat off and swinging it on the stool she sat on.

Luna raised her index finger, calling in the bartender behind the counter. She almost lost her balance seeing the woman look magnificent for her liking.

"A uh... Bourbon please." She said, clearing her throat. Luna's eyes met with the light blue eyes once more, feeling a flush of happiness in her chest which was unlikely.

"Coming right up." Hope said, also amused to see such a face here in this bar. She pulled the bottle behind her and grabbed a glass from under the counter, placing it in front of Luna who can't take her eyes off of her. "Visiting? I've never seen a face like yours before." She ignited a conversation, just finished pouring the alcohol.

Luna nodded, taking a sip of the beverage all in while watching the girl clean up from around her. "Family connections." She answered simply, propping her elbow on the desk, simply looking.

"Must be a hell of a family." Hope hummed, wanting for their conversation to last more. "Con- Considering your eyes, I mean." She said, slapping herself mentally over stammering.

Luna chuckled, nodding. Cute, she thought. "I must be intruding your work. Please, go on." She said, looking over to the other side of the bar to a man who looked unamused of the service here.

When Hope looked back, she almost lost the urge on not to roll her eyes. She dropped a dish cloth on the sink, rounding the counter to get to the people who needed to clean their table.

Luna circled the glass on her hand, having her other hand on the table while a person sat besides her. She didn't mind it and was not her business to know but when he spoke, she groaned.

"Miss Black." Milton greeted in formalities, giving her a look of pleasantries.

"It's Salvatore and Let me guess, my father?" She asked, a tight smile on her face. "But wait answer my question first, which one?" Luna snapped quietly, drinking her drink whole and almost slammed it on the counter.

Milton seemed nervous of the girl's behaviour. "Emmett." He answered truthfully. "But I am on official business. I'll handle your case afterwards."

"Delighted." She mumbled, looking around the room, fidgeting with the empty glass on her hand.

"This ain't a peep show." Hope whispered to the detective then rounded the counter, sent a simple smile to the blonde who nods.

"Can you blame me? Elizabeth Saltzman's a star. I've seen all of her movies." Milton said blankly.

All in while they were talking, Luna was just looking at her glass. It wasn't her business to listen anyways but couldn't help but hear everything. Especially when she heard that Mikaelson was the bartender's name. She definitely needed some sort of release in their alcohols.

"Another one?" Hope asked after her talk with the detective was over. She gestured at the glass when Luna was dumbfounded.

"Oh, uh, No. I must be going." She said, not wanting to get attached on a simple trip in this town. When she reached out for her wallet with one hand, a warm hand held hers that was on top of the counter.

"It's on the house." Hope said, stopping the girl's action.

The two stayed silent, quietly gawking over each other but it was mostly Luna who cleared her throat. Hope diverted her eyes away, taking her hand back.

"Thank you, Ms. Mikaelson." Luna gave her a warm smile but still took out her wallet, grabbing a couple of bills. "But, it's not up for debate." She said, standing up and placed the money over the table, just besides the glass.

Hope's eyes widen over it, wanting to refuse but Luna was putting her coat on and fixing the collar. "I do hope I'll see you again." She exhaled, looking over to her. Luna smiled discreetly, seeing how Hope looked amused and blushing.

"Wait. I uh.." Hope suddenly called, earning the blonde's attention who turned around, waiting for her. "My shift ends in a few." She didn't even know why she said that. Hope must be pushing her luck and regretted it immediately but also, not.

Well that certainly brought a smile on Luna's face who nodded. "And I'll be waiting in the back with my car. My name's... Arabella." She introduced, holding her hand out. Like she said earlier, she wanted a life where she wasn't burden with her second name.

"Arabella..." Hope mumbled and a smile on her face as she shook her hand. "I'm Hope. Nice meeting you, Bella."

The nickname made the girl smile again, retreating her hand back. "Like I said, Hope, I'll be waiting." She gave her one last look before turning her heels and exited the room.

For a first, Luna felt genuine emotion when she saw something potential inside Hope. Her smile never faltered as she entered her car, her driver asked her where to.

"Um behind the building. We're picking someone up." She said, looking outside the window while the car moved.

☘︎︎

"I do not need another lecture, mother." Luna whispered in spite, looking back to her bed which Hope was sleeping soundly. "These killings in the town will not reach me. And don't act like you've ever cared about my well being at all." With that said, she lightly hung the telephone down, disconnecting the call.

Arabella, who she was in this town, looked back to the bed and saw the girl still sleeping peacefully. She sighed, knowing that this will bite her in the ass one day. She wrote a letter on her notepad, ripping it off. The girl walked over to where Hope was, first, admiring how she looks then placing the paper on the side table.

She exhaled, knowing that moments like this will never last for her. Arabella fixed her coat and left the room, wondering if Hope will get mad if she went on without her. It's not like she'll leave permanently, she's not that much of an inconsiderate jerk for not saying a word. But, she is here for a vacation but then, Stefan pulled her to a job nearby as she had no choice but to do so.

☘︎︎

"Hope come on." Arabella pleaded, following her every step that was going through places inside the restaurant where they met. "I couldn't get away from my job here- And I told you I'll get back to you." She explained, leaning on the counter.

Hope clicked her tongue, avoiding eye contact to the blonde who was making her weak. "A letter of you saying you'll be back and yes, here you are a few days later." She said, not really wanting to be pulled into another drama.

With the whole place closed, they had every time and privacy in the world to argue. "I'll explain more if you would just talk, properly." She said the last word more sternly, grabbing her wrist making Hope stop moving.

"A talk?" She snorted and pulled her hand back, finally looking up to those pair of eyes. "I don't even know why we're having this conversation. We just met briefly."

"Yes but that brief moment I wanted..." She sighed, rounding the counter to properly see Hope. "I wanted to get to know you. Never in my existence have I met someone like you, Hope. If you're leaving then I'm coming with. We can have a whole lifetime on getting to know each other."

Hope shivered in a sigh, feeling more and more vulnerable. Especially when Arabella held her hands. "Why?" She finally asked, gesturing to why she had to leave when they had something special.

"My brothers. They are incompetent and unreasonable. I was here for a vacation and they wanted a favour and I was in this town." She explained truthfully. Not really wanting to get into the details. "I am deeply, sorry. My business- my work, is truly unnerving. If I had the time, I would meet you but I couldn't."

"I'm sorry too, Bella. I haven't been completely honest with you." She sighed, pulling back her hands making Arabella frown in confusion. "The main reason why I'm leaving is... because I'm reuniting with... with someone else."

And just like that, the other shoe dropped. Arabella exhaled, knowing that this sort of bad news will always come to her. But, it wasn't her place to be mad since they shared nothing but physical intimacy and that only.

Having the need to leave, Arabella nodded, stepping back. "Well... It was nice while it lasted, right?" She forced a smile, having to look at how pain flashed on Hope's eyes. "I will go straight to the train station- away from you as I will go to New Orleans. Don't worry, I'll keep my distance." Arabella quickly left, pushing the doors open and didn't bother to look back.

"Bel..." Hope sighed, closing her eyes in defeat as she made a mistake.

Arabella sighed, having her hands inside the pocket of her coat while she walked in the dark night. She even passed a woman who was running around with handcuffs on. It rendered her confused but didn't question her intentions as she kept walking.

The girl's mind was filled with many things. The disappointment of everything and everyone failing her. She just wanted something normal. Something she started and no one helped her, unlike her family who did everything for her.

"Sorry." She apologised when she bumped into a girl, Arabella looked at her which she looked familiar.

"Hello, Ara." Josie said, cold tone but a smile on her face.

"Um... Do I know you?" She asked, more skeptic of their situation.

Josie hummed, "No. As of this moment anyways. But I do know your family. Rich parents. Business adoptive brothers." She complied, earning a much more confused look to the blonde.

"How do you-"

"-Let's not get into that anymore. You just met Hope Mikaelson, correct?" She asked and Arabella nodded, hesitant but still answered. "Did she say that she'll be leaving you after your little get away?"

"Okay you are insane. I'm gonna go." She tried to leave but Josie held her arm firmly, keeping her in place. "Let me go." Arabella protested, brushing away her hand which kept its place.

"Can you tell me about your family instead? How they treated you unfairly since you were a child. That it got you to meet Damon and Stefan Salvatore who took you in." She informed and it only got Arabella to scoff. "They mistreated you-"

"-Okay enough!" She finally snapped, pulling her arm aback. "I don't know who you are and how you know me so leave me alone. And for the record, my brothers are the only one keeping me from killing myself. So don't ever act like you know who I..." Before she can even finish on her rants, something caught her eye.

She frowned, looking at a word that just appeared on the concrete wall besides them. "Letalis..." Arabella whispered then she remembered everything. "Oh. Well that was that." She said like it was no big deal and looked at Josie. "Hey. Thanks for that."

"Don't thank me yet." She hummed before shoving her hand inside the girl's chest. "Sorry, Ara. This is personal business with Hope and my sister."

Arabella groaned, body fell on the ground as she watched Josie walk back to the restaurant.

☘︎︎

Arabella gasped, jumping in her seat while she looked around in a frantic. She looked around the room and realised she was back here. "Oh no..." She whispered, covering her face with both of her hands.

"Hey hey, Ara." Emma called, jogging to the panicking blonde on the chair. "You're back. You're safe." She said in order to calm her down.

"Where the hell is Hope?" She asked in concern, eyes shotting up to see the girl still in the simulation. "You need to get them out of there." She turned to Emma who sighed.

"It's not up to us. What did you last see?" She asked.

Arabella exhaled, standing up and looked at Hope. "Josie. She killed me after I remembered."

"Josie? But she died. I saw the killer kill her." Mg said, confused and glanced at the sleeping Siphoner on the chairs.

"I don't know but I'm sure of what I saw." She answered, walking back and looked at the three sleeping witches. "They need to get out of there."

☘︎︎