Drop-ins

Caroline closed her notebook with a satisfied smile. "I think that about covers it, thanks everyone," she said, obviously dismissing the committee. "If you want to help decorate for the big event, I'll be starting after classes on Friday."

Following the students as they filed out of the small conference room next to her office, she could only be grateful none of them caught her sudden hiccup of surprise at the familiar scent coming through her open door. She rolled her shoulders back before striding through it, determined not to let him rattle her. "I thought we talked about drop-ins."

As usual, Klaus just smirked at the defiant cross of her arms. "With the big event coming up, I was merely offering my services as a chaperone."

"You were eavesdropping," she accused, ushering him out of her chair so she could sit. 

Shrugging, he dropped into one of the guest chairs on the other side of her desk. "Consider me shocked you're planning yet another school dance. Some things never change, love."

She couldn't help a smirk of her own. "It is nice to be the grownup in the room. Our advisor for homecoming would butt heads with me on every decision even though I was totally right." Her eyes narrowed at the memory. "Of course, my party was ruined thanks to you. If you're out to ruin this one, I swear-"

"Not at all," he promised. His hands raised defensively, and his dimples just peeked out. "I merely wondered if the headmistress was allowed to bring a date."

Biting her lip, she glanced over the edge of the desk toward his feet. At the questioning arch of his brow, she shrugged. "Don't give me that look, you're the one who tends to include gifts along with invitations."

With the most mischievous grin, Klaus snapped his fingers. One by one, massive bouquets of daisies were carried into her office by people with matching polos. "Did you compel an entire florist shop?" she asked, eyes wide.

"Not in the way you're thinking." He reached into his jacket for his wallet, slipping a couple hundreds to the nearest deliveryman as they slipped away quietly.

Blinking, Caroline belatedly called out a thanks, but her eyes only left him to stare at the many flowers filling her office in tasteful arrangements. "What if I'd said no?"

In answer, he merely stood and reached for her hand to bring it to his lips. Both caught up in the moment of reverence, they didn't notice their sudden addition until she knocked at the door. "Dad, I thought drop-ins weren't allowed? Josie said she saw you wait- Oh, my god!" Startled, they glanced over to find Hope pressing a hand over her eyes and barely fighting a smile. "PDA is strictly against the school code," she claimed.

Nothing But Trouble

"Got a new one for you, boss. Has a daylight ring and everything."

Klaus raised an eyebrow as Thierry made a swift exit from the room, an opulent office on the Abbatoir's third floor. Apparently, Marcel's rules for magic didn't apply to him, given the soundproofing that must have been charmed to prevent the pounding music below from becoming a nuisance to more important business. "Doesn't it get tiring, micromanaging the city?"

But Marcel just laughed at the condescending tone. "You're one to talk, Klaus. After all, I learned from you. If I know the vampires wandering into my city, the fewer threats take me by surprise. And this one has a ring, which likely means a witchy friend. I don't like strange witches in my city."

Shrugging, he finished his drink as he followed Marcel out. "No one does, they're nothing but trouble."

When they stepped onto the balcony, the sounds of the crowd filtered up to where they stood above them all. "That's the problem with being king," Marcel answered. "All I get is trouble."

And yet, he sounded the furthest thing from bothered by the weight of his crown. Klaus did his best not to scowl; he'd already decided to play the long game at seizing control of New Orleans, lest he lose his protege a second time. But he wouldn't been kneeling anytime soon, either.

A familiar scoff broke through his thoughts. "A king, really? I told your guy I was just passing through, and I'll definitely cut my visit short before swearing fealty or whatever." Hip jutted to the side, Caroline stared at Marcel with a confidence beyond her years - until she saw just who was with him. Then, her confidence turned insolent with a roll of her eyes. "Seriously?"

"Hello to you, too, love," he greeted happily, edging his shoulder past Marcel's. "Fancy meeting you here."

Licking her lips, she stared down at her feet for a long moment. It gave him an excellent opportunity to look her over. She seemed well, healthy and whole. The dress she wore was shorter than the usual fare of Mystic Falls, and he greatly appreciated the length it gave her legs. When she looked back up, she didn't seem the least bit sorry to have found him staring. "Like I said, just passing through," she said with a significant expression before turning to Marcel. "I was told to check in and prove I'm not a threat. Klaus can vouch for that, but I'd rather he didn't if he's not exactly trustworthy."

"He's not," Marcel admitted, intrigued as he glanced between them. "But it's rare to find him caught off guard, and I think you have a tendency to do just that, which means you might be fun to keep around." Klaus bristled at that, but his old friend just clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Come into the office, we'll have a drink and a chat. Get to know each other..."

She stepped forward, hand extended with all the determination and pageant-ready smile of Miss Mystic Falls. "Caroline."

Sparing him a sidelong wink, Marcel brought her hand to his lips. "Welcome to New Orleans, Caroline."