open ♔ holidays

[wynn]

WHO || Everyone and Will's dogs.
WHAT || The holidays
WHERE || Knights castle / downtown London
WHEN || December-January
HOW || Actionspam

[ Castle repairs are still well underway, so there's that ever present remaining air of tension in the wake of the attack, but nevertheless it's the holiday season and people want to celebrate.  Any and all holiday season things can go here! ]

On this post:
Bonnibel // R&D Lab/kitchen
Rumbelle // Closed
Kenzi & Groot // Around the castle
Mars // His room + around the castle
Deryn // Halls + gifts + various
Barry & Thea // Closed
Kate & Baal // Closed
Found Family Christmas // Closed
Felicity // Open
Lila & Sylar // Closed
Irish Christmas // Closed
Gaz // Holidays / Training Room / Woods
Elijah // Around the castle
Deadpool // Open
Cora & Malia // Closed
Poe // Arrival out back
Caroline // Open
Tony // R&D Lab
Derek // Open
Rey // Open
Solo family lifeday // Closed
Katniss (& Francesca) // Open
Des // Open 
Cyclops, Wolverine, Emma F, Nathan // Closed
Pietro // Open

Comments

[ofmyword]

[For once, it speaks to the fact he hadn't wanted to walk back into her life, only to leave a few moments later. It was for her own good, really. And he's never going to tell her that part because she'll rip out his throat.

Her own explanation throws him, too. Everything from how long she's been her, to her last memory of home, to Olivia. Niklaus is another thing entirely, and right now he doesn't feel like discussing his brother with her, not when they have their own issues to work on. His shock shows on his face, unable to hide it from her.]]

Hope. [Is all he manages to get out, wetting his lips with his tongue before he continues.] You named her Hope.

[Honestly? He's at a loss for words, as he often is around Hayley.]

Hayley, if I'd known... I never would have returned to New Orleans. [That's really all he can offer her right now.]

[consequence]

[The Veil is a tricky thing and when he tells her that she had her child, that he had seen her given a different name she stops walking. Her hand lifts, fingers clenching for a moment as she tries to figure out how she's supposed to react to that. Did she name her daughter the wrong thing? Was the debate between her and Klaus something different in his memory? Her jaw clenched, trying to sort out how this could be. Maybe the Veil changed his memory. Maybe --

Hayley sighs, her hand relaxing at her side. Hope is a good name. It's beautiful, actually. It seems to be true to what she's given all of them, too. Frowning, she thinks to the future. To others that might come through the Veil. Her daughter being given two names.]

Hope. [She repeats it out loud. Trying to see if it feels better. If it feels right, but she's unsure now. Glancing to Elijah her expression falters. That brief moment of upset that somehow she's done something wrong by giving her daughter a different name.]

It's okay. [She tries to reassure him. To let him know that it didn't change anything for her. Him being there or on New Orleans - she didn't know either way what she was missing.] You didn't know and I wouldn't have asked you to stay.

Rebekah is here in London. She arrived around the same time as I did. She took her chance at a bit of freedom, though and took a leave of absence. She visits. Spends time with her niece. [Shes suddenly hyper aware of saying Olivia.]

[ofmyword]

[It isn't as dodging landmines is anything new for either of them, but typically those landmines are named 'feelings' and 'Klaus' not 'technically time travel' and 'baby names.' His jaw sets, because with a single word he's changed everything, hasn't he? Elijah keeps his distance, their relationship altered forever by the Veil and differing memories.

But Hope Olivia is not his daughter, and he can hardly criticise Hayley for something she has no control over. Not that he would... in this case.]

Olivia is a beautiful name, you chose well. [He really, really means that. It will be hard to change the association, but he's just happy Hayley and his niece are both healthy - though, happy seems to be a bit of a stretch right now.] You wouldn't have had to ask. New Orleans is nothing to compared to the two of you.

[Especially when it was, essentially, tying up loose ends.]

I'll find her, if she doesn't find me. [They all sort of gravitate towards each other anyway. He shakes his head, mouth set in a thin line as he glances at Hayley.] I thought my family had experienced everything there was, but nothing could have prepared us for any of this, could it?

[consequence]

[Everything has shifted in a moment. A sensation of the ground becoming far more unstable than it had been. Nearly two years of not having his presence near her and in a few moments she's nearly consumed with doubts. He's seen things - been at her side as she takes care of Hope and she won't know any of it. First steps happened here in the castle with Klaus upset that he'd lost the bet as to how quickly she'd be walking. It happens differently somewhere else and part of her aches to know that life too - of only so that she doesn't feel so lost.]

It's probably not what you expected. [What is she going to do when she has to explain that Klaus won't even recall going to New Orleabs at all. That the last he remembers is Mystic Falls. Another deep breath settles in her, trying to keep herself calm.]

Is she safe? Hope - before you arrived here, was she safe?

[ofmyword]

She was.

[It's out of his mouth immediately, before he even has time to think about saying anything else. His expression softens, as he stops and turns to her.]

No harm has ever, or will ever come to her. She's safe, and happy, and loved, Hayley. Her parents, uncle, and aunts will do everything in their power to keep it that way.

[#alwaysandforever]

[consequence]

[Her nodding in relief is interrupted by a moment of confusion. Aunts - he definitely said the plural there and it makes her wonder if Klaus finally managed to convince Cami of something. Not that Klaus seems the type to marry - at all - but unless they've annexed someone else into the family, Rebekah is the only aunt that she knows of.

After hearing the different name and knowing the chance of all the different things, she's hesitant to ask for clarification, but she can't keep her curiosity at bay.]

Aunts? [She gives Elijah a look.] Please don't tell me that Klaus and Cami?

[ofmyword]

[Elijah starts -- not because of Hayley's question but because of how easily it slipped out. Apparently he's more used to Freya's presence in their lives than he thought.

Wetting his lips, he shakes his head, a faint smile appearing.]

Nothing quite that strange. [He doesn't even want to think about the logistics involved in that.] Once again, our beloved mother lied to us. We recently met our older sister, Freya.

[consequence]

Freya? [Hayley's brow furrows a bit, trying to get over the thought that they actually just have family that shows up at random times. Exhaling, she nods.]

Older sister. Got it. It's a good thing that she's back, right? This isn't one of those things we have to worry about her showing up here, is it?

[ofmyword]

Niklaus doesn't think so, but she's proven herself. All she wants is to get to know the family Esther deprived her of.

[So Hayley can probably see why Elijah warmed up to her first.]

I give you my word that Olivia is safe, both at home and here if Freya shows up, Hayley.

[consequence]

[Nodding, Hayley feels a sense of relief wash over her. It's not as if she doesn't believe the people around them would protect her daughter, but she knows that there are far more than just the challenges that face the Knights that they have to worry about. Klaus, even in this world, probably can make just as many enemies and then there are all the ones that might slip through the Veil themselves. She tightens her grip on the baby monitor in her hand, listening for a moment, but being content to hear her daughter slip back into the peaceful sleeping sounds.]

I'm glad she has a chance for that. If she is here, I hope she finds her way to us. I'm sure Rebekah would like to see her. Klaus... is Klaus. He might not find a way to accept it here, either. He took a while with me. He's better now. Having Olivia around him has softened him just a little.

The very smallest of little.

[ofmyword]

Even that is monumental progress when it comes to Niklaus. [That twist of lips turns into a proper smile again, directed at Hayley this time instead of the situation.] But I think we know he doesn't say a lot of the things he feels.

[Or is even aware he feels them.

But despite the expression on his face, Elijah can't help but feel uneasy. Hayley's always had a way of making him unsure about himself, and just being near her again is making certain things bubble to the surface.]

Is there anything you would like to know? It won't do you much good here, but if I can ease some of your worries, I'd like to.

[consequence]

[Hayley takes a slow breath in, holding it briefly as she considers it. She exhales as her hand moves into her hair, tugging a bit of it back and behind her ear.]

I mean, the last I was there was around the time of the explosion in the bayou and if you say that Oliv -- if Hope [She corrects the name, even if she knows she doesn't have to.] is safe, that should be all that matters - right?

Is there anything about my future that you think I should know?

[ofmyword]

[There are a lot of things he knows he should tell her, that she has a right to know. A lot of things.]

Your pack is safe and those responsible for the bombing have been brought to justice.

[Not a lie.]

But there's little worth worrying about, especially here.

[consequence]

[Hayley listens to the reassurance Elijah offers her about her pack, about the wolves and their safety. It had been important to her. They had been family, in a way, for her when she felt she'd lost so much of herself to the drama of the Mikaelsons.]

Am I happy? [It's odd to ask, because she's happy here, but there is still some part of her, some life that's being lived out there or maybe she simply forgot it. It's difficult for her to imagine forgetting something as intimate as experiences from her own life, but it happens.]

If I'm not -- maybe you should lie.

[ofmyword]

Yes.

[He doesn't hesitate to answer, as strange as the question is.(bluff 29)]

[consequence]

[Even if she hadn't believed him, which she does, she probably wouldn't have been surprised by any answer. Rather than dwell on the subject of a life she's not living, she opts to bring him up to more current events.]

You know you'll have to offer your services to watch Olivia for me. [Her smile is a light, teasing one.] I'm sure Felicity doesn't mind, but sometimes the timing of the full moon isn't always fitting to the timing with her social life. Or missions. [Switzerland, even if it had been a while ago, still took a lot out of all of the ones that had gone.]

Sometimes Rebekah would take her, but I think she could do with some time from you. [There might also be a hint of something in those words in regards to Hayley believing that someone else wouldn't mind time with him. Away from the castle. Away from talk of futures and Klaus.]

[ofmyword]

Whenever you need me, I'll be there, Hayley. Even if you just need a break. [He's not afraid to admit he's been missing his niece since he arrived in this world, after how integral she became to his life.] On that subject, those gifts I had with me are for her. It's all clothes, but I wasn't quite sure how old she was so there are a few sizes.

[Awkward uncle time, apparently. He didn't want to show up with nothing for her, after all this time.]

I have plenty of lost time to make up for. [He wets his lips, his eyes lingering on her mouth before he meets her gaze again.] With both of you.

[consequence]

[Did it just get warm in this hallway? Hayley glances away for a moment, still not used to having Elijah right there once again. She'd been without that presence for so long that she's forgotten how easily overwhelming he can be. She takes a breath and returns to looking at him. There's that moment of silence that hangs there, but she just nods.]

I'm glad you came back, Elijah. [Of course, it's at that moment that Olivia stirs in her bed and starts to fuss. Hayley is torn between wanting to see if she'll just cry it out or if she should go to her.] Do you mind? [She gestures over her shoulder, back toward her room.] She might fall back asleep on the way there, but I just would rather be on my way that way.

[ofmyword]

[It hasn't been quite as long since he last saw Hayley, but that doesn't mean he hasn't missed her. He keeps his gaze on her, as if memorizing every little change being in this world has brought. He's startled out of it by the sound of Olivia over the monitor.]

I'm glad to be back. And of course not. [He shakes his head, motioning for her to lead the way. As they head back, something occurs to him.] It's strange to think -- She hasn't really met me yet, has she?

[consequence]

[Hayley offers him an amused smirk over her shoulder.] You'll be a new face to her, but she actually does pretty well with new faces.

Sometimes she sleeps through the night, but the travel and being brought back here, she's adjusting again.

[Hayley reaches her door and opens it, seeing a crying face shift into just a sniffling one as she sees Hayley. Standing in her crib, waiting for someone to come take care of her. Hayley picks her up and moves to open the door further and turn on the light so that Elijah can properly enter her bedroom.]

She'll be just fine. [Her hand soothes against Olivia's back, shifting her on her hip so that they both can face Elijah.] Do you want to meet someone even though you just woke up a little fussy?