@triguilt / plotted starter. we’re garbage.
Life had been a complete whirlwind for the Saltzmans for as long as Josie could remember. Though, really, it was more the Parker’s fault than their father’s side of the family. Still, she could see the tight lines in her father’s face, the barely concealed anger behind tightened lips and the slight furrow of his brow. Music played softly through the car radio as they drove ( a fact Josie was grateful for, the nausea of the ride combined with what was about to happen too much to bear without at least a bit of music helping distract her ), and Josie kept her eyes off of the road outside, lest she make herself sick. Lizzie had opted not to come this time, promising they’d see each other before the ceremony itself, and the goodbye had been tearful, more like they were off to their own funerals rather than something that was supposed to be joyous.
It was a small comfort that this wasn’t the first time meeting Hope Mikaelson. She wasn’t sure if she could handle the anxiety of not being able to measure up to whatever idea Hope had of her in her head. The entirety of this situation was so beyond comprehensible. Being the heir of a mob family ( was that the correct terminology, even? she had absolutely no clue. ), and then immediately being carted off to marry the daughter of another, more powerful family. It was like it was right out of a movie. Only less fun to watch unfold. She’d promised her dad that she was okay with it, even with him promising he’d protect her if she didn’t want to. But.. that was a lie. Not that she wasn’t okay, more so that she wasn’t sure if she was okay with it. How does one begin to process this whole thing at eighteen?
When they arrived in New Orleans, she could feel the nervous lump in her throat grow thicker. There was enough time to check in with Alaric at the hotel but after that, they were off to the compound, her dad looking more and more upset the closer they got. There was meant to be a dinner party with the entire family to welcome her. Some formality of some sort, but she wasn’t sure if that was how things usually went or if it was the Mikaelsons being old-fashioned. There was still so much about this new world she didn’t know. Josie figured watching The Sopranos and Godfather wouldn’t actually prepare her very well for it all, despite Lizzie’s joking suggestions when they were both panicking over what was to come.
God, she hoped her sister was okay and that the family was being good to her. Her jaw twitched and tightened as she remembered them compiling a packet together detailing out her medications, doctors, triggers, and how to help her get through episodes. Tears pricked at her eyes when she thought about not being there for her when she most needed her. This was too much, but she had to get it together. They were literally a few steps from the door, and her bags felt heavier than ever.
Two knocks, and the door was opened by a taller blonde woman, and Josie’s throat felt like it was closing up completely. Behind her, a little ways in, she saw the girl in question. Her future wife. Apparently. Trying to force a smile on her lips only made her feel even more out of place, even as she held out her hand to shake the woman’s hand and both her and her father were led inside and offered drinks.