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     “Hope Mikaelson… Hayley’s daughter. You don’t remember me because I jumped into a pit called malivore and it erases people from existence. but I was there. You brought me there. ” 

“Hayley had a daughter?” He whispered. How could he just forget all of this? How was that possible. He had long forgotten about the other girl sitting farther down the bar. “You were there? When...?” When Hayley was killed was what he wanted to ask, but couldn’t bring himself to say it.

      “I hate that you don’t remember me. Mostly because that means you wont remember what you helped your mother do. I forgave you but knowing your mother is alive…” Hope shook her head. It was her she wanted to hurt all this time. No roman. He was just an instrument. 

“Remember you?” He was sure he would have remembered her. “My mother? What... What happened with Hayley?” Maybe it was time to close up the bar early. “Who are you?”

“Haha, don’t worry about it. Sometimes I don’t pay attention to what’s going on around me either.” He said with a smile. “You don’t have to do that, but if you’re offering – just some whiskey sounds good.” He remarked.

“It’s the least I can do.” Roman grabbed a glass and the whisky bottle. “Whiskey it is. Classic choice.”

“Slip her your number? Bloody hell mate, don’t be a pansy, go take her panties as a souvenir.” Kol rolled his eyes. He glanced to the girl and gave her a little wave. “I will hop behind the bar go walk that girls world Roman. For the love of god.” 

“Well you don’t waste anytime getting right to the point do you?” Roman asked the much older vampire. “I barely remember how to talk to a girl some days, okay? She might want me now, but once I start talking I’m sure that’d chance.”

     “Oh I’m sure you wouldn’t. You’re pretty good at pretending and stringing along pretty girls. I’m sure your mother is also alive somewhere. Have you been contacted by her?” She questioned. 

Suddenly it felt like the entire conversation had shifted. “I, uh, I’m sorry?” He questioned. His mother? Why would she be asking about his mother? And why hadn’t it crossed his mind that she be back along with everyone else.

He laughs, “I have a hard time thinking she wouldn’t put you to sit if she had it to her mind.” He comments looking at the woman batting her eyes even now. “Mind so busy you can’t tell when a woman has eyes on you?”

“As lame as it probably sounds, it’s been a good while since I’ve been out with a woman. Guess I forgot the signs of someone trying to make a move.” Roman admitted.

Hayley’s eyes narrowed as she was forced to witness some poor woman flirting with the man who had played a huge part in her death. Growing annoyed, she stood up until she leaning against the bar close to Roman. “I’d be careful with that one. I heard he gets around and tends to leave a little something behind,” the brunette said meaningfully, her nose wrinkling in disgust. The bartender left quickly, as Hayley had expected her to, and she flashed Roman a smile. “Hey, Roman. Long time no see.”

Roman could feel the anxiety building up inside him when he laid eyes on the woman. “Hayley.” He managed to say in an almost whisper. “I... I, um.” He didn’t know what to say, he couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

       “Hmm, all up to you roman. What would you like to do?” Hope mused about as she waited for her drink. 

“It’s Hope, right?” He asked sitting the glass in front of her. “I don’t want to admit this to a pretty girl, but I haven’t exactly been out in awhile. I think I’d make a fool of myself if I even tried flirting back.”

        “Of course.” She lightly chuckled. “Why else would she be staring at you with hungry eyes.” 

“Um... alright, I’m going to sound pathetic here, but I hadn’t noticed.”

Lila looked up to notice that he was talking to her and not the redhead.  She didn’t see that going over well.  “Ye.. yeah,” she looked over his shoulder.  “I think she wants your attention.”  She didn’t want to get anything else for fear that she might end up with someone in her face.

“Man, you are either really out of it today, or my flirting game just isn’t as good as I thought it was.” Maverick remarked. “Rough day??” He questioned with a slightly concern look.

“Sorry, man. I guess I’m just so used to going through the motions here I didn’t even realize.” That and he hadn’t been looking to flirt with anyone lately. “Let me get you a drink on the house. What do you like?”

walking into the grill with the other, she sits across from him before turning her gaze to look up. “why are you being so nice to me ?” josie asked as she lifted the menu to see what she could want. “i mean better than drinking let’s be real.” she wasn’t one to drink a lot or one to drown her sorrows in a bottle of vodka.

“Why wouldn’t I be? Your mom, Caroline, has always been nice to me. Even your dad, when I’ve done some not so honorable things.” Roman shrugged before looking down at his own menu. “I definitely want some cheesecake. That might be slightly better than drinking.”

autumn followed him, eyes looking around at the places he pointed out. she guessed it wasn’t that bad at all. it still wasn’t the same as florida, but it didn’t seem so much as a dump as her first impression.”ice cream shop does sound like probably the best place around here.”

“Oh it’s delicious. Come on, I’ll get you a welcome to Mystic Falls present. Whatever flavor of ice cream you want, however many scoops, on me.” He figured it might cheer her up a bit. She had seemed so down when he firs came up to her.

“Ouch.” Duncan chuckled with a frown. “If I were her I’d be pretty offended by that. I can’t believe you.” Maybe it was because the other seemed to be so clueless, or because Duncan loved to flirt back. 

“Are you serious? You really think she’s flirting?” Roman guessed he’d have to pay closer attention from now on.

“And you are.” She answered her own question with a light shake of her head. “That girl over there? The least she wants from you, is your number. I’m actually surprised she hasn’t slipped hers already.” 

Roman looked over at the girl. “Are you sure? I think she’s just being nice. Trying to get a free drink or two is all.” Maybe he was in denial.

“I’ve been around a very long time Roman, and even I am not that blind.” He countered to the younger man. “Right, your bar tending skills mate still need some work, she’s here for that dashing smile of yours and well a good ole romp. I suggest a little irresponsibility of course and that you oblige a poor woman.” 

Roman still didn’t know if he completely believed the man. “Eh, maybe. But I will have you know my bartending skills are great.” He chuckled softly. Being a bartender wasn’t exactly his dream job, but it was something to do for now. “Maybe I’ll slip her my number, I am working right now after all.”