Breathing ∞ Kol Mikaelson [1]

[30]

"Why do you still put yourself through this? You do realize there's no actual reason you have to be here?" Emma's voice came out in a confused tone as she and Rebekah stood at her locker together. Up until then Rebekah was listening to Emma complain about the difficulty of the algebra exam she had just taken.

"Well, not only is it a good way to keep an eye on Elena and her little friends," Rebekah started to say.

"And torture her." Emma added for her friend. Something Rebekah didn't even try denying.

"But I also have obligations here. The dance committee is preparing for the school dance which is only days away. They are in desperate need of my help." The blonde's words made Emma laugh in amusement as she slammed her locker shut before the two started to make their way out of the school.

"Well, considering how the last one turned out, I can't even bother arguing with that." Emma joked. In truth, Rebekah's explanation made sense. While school and the whole experience was something Emma had been exposed to her for her whole life and it was nothing new to her, it was to Rebekah. She wasn't here to bother with classes, homework, and exams (as she's more than shown by now). Instead, she just wanted to have fun with it. And who could blame her. "But unlike you, I'm not a fan of high school, and after a day spent in it, I'm eager to do something fun. Want to join in?"

"Sadly, I have plans. I'm meeting the mayor for the Wickery Bridge event this afternoon." Rebekah shared, the tone of her voice already revealing that she doubted it would be much fun. Emma could easily assume the same, which made her stop by her car and, instead of unlocking the door and getting in, turn to the blonde with a questioning look in her eyes.

"Okay, what are you up to?"

"What do you mean?" Rebekah pretended to be oblivious.

"Oh, come on! When I went by your house a couple of days ago, Klaus was all cagey and not letting me in. Then I proceed to find you hanging out with the Salvatore like you're all the best of friends, and now you're meeting the mayor?" Emma listed off the events that happened in just the last few days. "You're digging for something."

"Couldn't I just be building connections in hopes of achieving a more peaceful life in Mystic Falls for myself and my family?" Rebekah questioned light-heartedly.

"No." Emma's answer was short, sweet, and leaving no room for bullshit.

"Fine, get inside." Rebekah shook her head at her friend's persistency, moving towards the passenger side of Emma's car while the brunette quickly unlocked the car and jumped in before Rebekah could change her mind about telling her what was going on. Emma was sure that if she herself started digging and doing her thing, she could find out. But why put in the work if you can just have someone tell you?

"So? What is it?" The Park woman asked her friend once both found themselves hidden away in her car. Of course, if anyone with any kind of special hearing decided to listen in on their conversation, the car wouldn't provide much protection, but at least this way they looked completely normal. Like making plans for the rest of their afternoon together.

"The short version is, the night my mother tried to kill us, I was with Elena. There are these tunnels and caves beneath Mystic Falls." Rebekah started to explain, Emma's brows furrowing curiously. Until now, she'd heard nothing about caves and tunnels. "They've been there for thousands of years, and the old Vikings used to write on the walls."

"What do old Viking scriptures have to do with anything?" Emma couldn't help but ask. The beginning of this story certainly wasn't making much sense.

"There is only one weapon out there which can kill an Original. Made from a tree which we destroyed before returning to the old world." Rebekah reminded.