Who: Brooke & Hope What: Catching Up When: Early Feb [Backdated!] Where: Crescent Moon Bayou Warning: None Status: Completed via Gdoc
Brooke was quite proud of herself, even though she wasn’t at all surprised by her knowledge of business and that she wasn’t as stupid as some people tried to claim she was. Yes, most of the time she came across as more interested in fashion, flirting, sex, and partying, but that was her outer surface. Determined to be seen as a different Maddox than her family, and wanting to be better than her father was all she needed to make sure she knew her information. Still, that didn’t stop her from taking some guy’s money who thought he was better than her. No surprise when seeing that he was a bit pissed, but hey, she wasn’t about to let the guy be a buzzkill just because he lost. Though she could say maybe some of the company that she kept was starting to rub off on her. Who was going to argue about earning some extra cash? Brooke had money, but she had no problem with earning more and in such an easy way.
Collecting the money from the bet that she won on their projects, Brooke decided to spend some of it on food, and in the same breath go visit a friend who she hadn’t seen in a bit. Heading over to the restaurant that Hope owned, she made her way inside with her hair clipped up while wearing jeans, a cut off shirt, and a jacket along with sneakers. Heading to the front, Brooke smiled and winked at a table of some people who were staring at her. It was early so the place wasn’t that busy, which worked for her cause then she wouldn’t be getting in the way and could visit with her friend for a few.
“Hello beautiful! I’m here to see my favorite Mikaelson,” Brooke called out without even a care, waiting for Hope to pop up from wherever she was. Anyone who knew Brooke knew it was normal for her to have a flirty little comment like this for her friends, even if Brooke wouldn’t classify beautiful as flirty, but some people did. Harmless fun, and Hope was used to how Brooke was by now.
When Brooke called out, Hope was in the kitchen giving directions to one of the new servers. Hearing the familiar, flirty voice, the brunette quickly passed the girl off to a more experienced waitress for guidance and headed out to the dining area. On her way, she couldn’t help, but smile to herself. It was so like Brooke to call out without a care to Hope and make it flirty too. But it was what made Brooke herself and Hope knew that she, along with everyone else that was friends with Brooke, loved her for it.
Emerging from the back, Hope spotted Brooke in the dining room and made her way over to the blond. Not surprising, Brooke looked like she just stepped off the runway. On the flip side, Hope was dressed for work in skinny jeans, a modest blouse, and ankle boots. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun at the nap of her neck. Her apron already had a few stains on it thanks to an accident in the kitchen earlier.
“And here I thought my uncle was your favorite Mikaelson,” Hope teased with a playful smile. She pulled the young woman into a hug, but, given the stains on her apron, kept some distance between her stomach and Brooke. “Long time, no see, how are you?”
Brooke admired her friend for running all of this, knowing it was a lot of work. There was a reason restaurants were known for being a business most likely to fail, especially in the beginning. But she knew if anyone could handle it that it was Brooke, and she had made it known plenty of times how Brooke was willing to help even if that meant getting dirty in the kitchen or doing the whole waitress role. Two things she would never ever offer or be willing to do for anyone else. Brooke could tell Hope had a very busy day already, and that it would only get busier. No surprise when the food at this place was super good.
The comment about her uncle caused Brook to laugh, shaking her head. “He’s my second favorite, but it’s easier sometimes to let him think he’s my favorite,” she said, laughing as she hugged her friend. Brooke liked both Kol and Hope, so as far as she was concerned they were both important in her book. Both she trusted with her life; however, she had no problem joking about Hope being her favorite even to Kol. She was sure he wouldn’t be surprised by that at all, or at least, be willing to lose to his niece.
“If you get anything on me, it’s fine. Only cause I love ya,” she added with a wink and a smile. Not like she couldn’t get the stains out, but she did notice and appreciate that Hope had made sure not to get anything on her. “I know, and I need to make sure that does not happen again! Even if it’s only stopping in here to grab lunch and see how you’re doing. Been busy, and I won a bet, so I decided to treat myself to lunch here from one of my favorite places in town. What about you? How’s it going with everything? Any juicy gossip?” A little shoulder wiggle on the last question, hoping for some good stuff.
“Oh trust me. It is far easier,” Hope joked in return. She would be one of the first to admit, outside of Kol himself, that her uncle had an ego. Then again, most of her family, outside of her two aunts, had egotistical streaks a mile long. Hope herself didn’t have much of one herself despite having as much power as she did. She’d never been one to brag about being a Mikaelson, especially since at her school everyone knew who her father was and all the terrible things he’d done.
Brooke’s words earned her another smile. Hope appreciated Brooke saying that if she got anything on her, it was okay. “I know, but you look so cute I would hate to mess that up,” Hope replied. Despite the kind gesture, Hope still did her best to not get anything on the blond as she released the other woman and stepped back.
When Brooke exclaimed she wouldn’t let it happen again, Hope quickly waved it off. “It’s okay. We’re both busy. And besides, you’re here now and you have the bonus of winning a bet. It doesn’t get much better than that,” Hope reassured her. Plus, because she knew Hope, the tribrid fully planned on making sure the meal she ordered was cooked to perfection. Winning that bet was going to taste even sweeter.
At the shoulder waggle, Hope laughed and shook her head. “No, no juicy gossip for me. My family is behaving themselves. I can’t really ask for more. Landon got into the music program too. It’s been a wonderful few months.” Even if Hope was a bit hurt that Landon hadn’t trusted her enough to tell her that he applied to the program. It bothered her that he kind of lied to her in a way.
"Oh, I trust you, and you're not going to have me arguing on that comment. So I let him think he’s my favorite to save my sanity when, in reality, it’s you," she said with a nod, before continuing, "just shhh, you can’t let him know that." Holding up a finger to her lips as if it were some big secret. Honestly, if Kol found out, Brooke didn’t care since she knew he really wouldn't, other than to maybe give her a hard time. Brooke knew that she'd do the same thing for her own entertainment, if the roles were reversed.
If Hope had been a complete stranger or someone who was more of an acquaintance than a friend, it’d be a whole different story. But Hope was a friend, and Brooke wasn’t the same person that she had been before the murders all happened. “I always look cute, and even whatever is on you couldn’t change that,” she said before making a face, “okay, that came out sounding not how it sounded in my head, and that’s on me.” Oh god, if it had been any of the men in her life, they probably would’ve had a field day with the comment. “But I appreciate it; however, you’re all good, hun!”
Even with Hope waving it off, Brooke still was determined to stop by more since she loved her friends, and they were important to her. Busy or not, she would always make time for them…or try to at least, and she had been slacking when it came to Hope. “I do had that bonus because some boys are stupid and like to talk a big game,” which only worked out in her favor. Did she need the money? Not at all, she had two amazing jobs. Did she enjoy shutting them up? Oh yes, and the cash was only the cherry on top. “You get the power to pick out what you think is best. I trust your judgment,” and Brooke wasn’t completely sure what she was in the mood for. Well, okay, she knew she was going to be ordering some beignets since she did love them.
“I’m glad to hear your family has been behaving, and also congrats to Landon,” she said with a smile. “Since I’ve heard about Landon and your family, what about you? How are you doing?” Brooke didn’t have other things in front of her or on her mind, making it that she noticed how Hope had said nothing on herself, and there was no way she was about to let that slide.
Hope chuckled. “Your secret is safe with me,” she replied. Like Brooke, she doubted her uncle would mind if Hope was Brooke’s favorite Mikaelson. In fact, he would probably agree that Hope should be her favorite. Though Hope could see Kol giving Brooke a hard time anyway. Teasing and jokes were a big part of their friendship. Honestly, Hope was glad to see her uncle had friends, especially someone like Brooke who could keep up with him.
The brunette recognized that Brooke’s words came out wrong, but instead of calling her on it, she simply laughed. “It’s okay, Brooke. I totally understood what you meant,” Hope replied reassuringly. “Now if I had been a guy. Totally different story.” Brooke’s statement was actually kind of sweet and Hope appreciated it. Though, she was still glad she didn’t get anything on her friend’s clothes.
“Isn’t it always guys talking a big game and then ending up with their asses kicked because of it?” Hope was glad her friend had bested them. No doubt they deserved having their asses handed to them in only the way someone cool and confident like Brooke could manage. Brooke walking away with a pay day? It was a nice bonus and Hope was determined to ensure she received a delightful, tasty meal with every cent. “And no worries. I’ll set you up with the special and plenty of beignets,” Hope added with a smile.
Hope didn’t often talk about herself. When asked how she was doing, her answers revolved around her family, friends, and Landon. Otherwise, her default answer was “I’m okay” and that was where she left it. Her focus was always the other people in her life, protecting them, and ensuring they were okay. So, when Brooke asked how she was doing, Hope had to bite back her typical response. This was Brooke and they were friends. She could be honest with Brooke because Brooke would be honest with her.
“I’m good. Busy with this place.” Hope gestured at the bustling restaurant around them. “I honestly haven’t really had much time for anything else.” Not even magic or going for a run. “But that’s the nature of being a business owner.” Hope shrugged her shoulders in an attempt to brush it off as nothing. “You have to be here a lot to make sure things run smoothly.” And being this was her mom’s restaurant? She wanted to make sure things run smoothly.
“Good because if he gets wind, I know who talked,” Brooke playfully warned her, even going so far as to do the whole watching you move with two of her fingers pointing at her eyes before pointing at Hope. It was very hard to keep a straight face as she did it, but Brooke somehow managed, knowing Hope wouldn’t take it seriously since there was no reason for any of it other than some fun messing around. Brooke wasn’t at all worried on Kol taking it seriously; however, she was not wanting to give him the chance to have more to tease her on. Brooke considered herself very lucky to have friends like Hope and Kol.
Brooke laughed when Hope said about if she was a guy. “Oh god, trust me, I know too many guys both here and back home that would’ve jumped on that without even a second thought. I mean don’t get me wrong, I have a pervy mind, but I have some willpower to bite my tongue…sometimes…depending on the person,” she said the last bit rather slowly. Yeah, most of the time, Brooke would’ve said something or called a person out on it, but like she said, it’d depend on the person. Hope? No, not at all. Kol? Kenny? And some others? Oh yeah, without even a second thought.
“And it always makes the win even more glorious. Yes, everyone loves winning, but when you have someone talking a big game, the win is so much better.” Brooke knew how a lot of people saw her; however, she knew her strengths and weaknesses, and business was one of her strengths. All the years of watching her father, Brooke knew the tricks and definitely what not to do from him. Brooke had many issues with her father, and all ones that would never get solved, but she had to thank him for what she had picked up over the years. Smiling as Hope said that she’d set her up, Brooke trusted her and wasn’t all worried. “I look forward to that!”
Brooke could tell that Hope wasn’t big on focusing on herself, it was hard not to notice that. Another reason why Brooke had called it out, refusing to let it slide. Not that anyone who knew her should be surprised since there were very few things that she’d let slip under her radar without calling it out. She listened, raising an eyebrow at her friend, waiting until she was done speaking before throwing in her two cents. “Maybe you should hire someone on as your second in charge that you trust to run things? You do an amazing job; however, you’ll end up burned out sooner or later, if you don’t take a break from this place,” she pointed out.
She knew this place was important to Hope, and she would never push her to do anything she didn’t want. Though she also knew the young woman needed a break, and that by maybe putting the idea of hiring or promoting someone to her second in command, she might think it over. Last thing she wanted was to see her friend burn herself out or overwork herself to where she had no time for anything else. “Either way, I think we need to change that about your lack of time for other things. Maybe a girl’s night?” It had been a while.
At the words and gesture, Hope just laughed and shook her head. She knew Brooke was teasing her. She doubted the other woman would mind if Kol found out that Brooke considered her to be her favorite Mikaelson. He might give Brooke a hard time at some point in the future, but Hope never doubted that Brooke was capable of handling herself, especially against her uncle.
“The keyword being ‘sometimes,’” Hope teased gently. She knew the blond was flirtatious and didn’t have any issue speaking her mind about anything. Yes, if it had been a guy instead of Hope, she would have definitely been called out on the wording, but Hope wasn’t like that. Instead, she simply found the situation amusing.
Yes, the win was so much better when the opponent had a huge ego. Squashing them was all the more sweeter. “Absolutely. We can set you up with a table if you want,” Hope replied with another smile. She had a few nice spots throughout the restaurant that would be perfect for someone having something to celebrate. Hope was sure Brooke would like one of them and she would make sure the food was cooked to perfection.
Hope’s expression sobered and she nodded. The tribrid knew Brooke was right and she’d thought about hiring on a second or promoting someone. She just wasn’t sure who she trusted enough to take over that kind of position. She was worried that person wouldn’t have the passion she did for her mother’s restaurant. “I know. You’re right,” Hope admitted softly, eyes flickering down before focusing on Brooke’s face once more. “I just don’t know who I could trust enough to fill such an important role here.”
She smiled again at the mention of a girls’ night. Hope knew she could definitely use a break and Brooke’s suggestion sounded perfect. “I would definitely be up for that. We could invite Lizzie too.” They could ask Josie too, but Hope knew Josie wasn’t always about that kind of scene.
Brooke liked the few Mikaelson’s that she knew, and considered the ones she knew like family. Yes, some of them weren’t the biggest fan to others; however, Brooke was one who always had to form her own opinion, not caring how others felt. On Hope’s comment about the sometimes, she laughed. “Hey, I own the fact that it’s only sometimes. I’ve never been one to shy away from what I’m thinking unless I know the person couldn’t handle my comments and I respect them.” That was a very important difference when it came to her biting her tongue. If she respected someone, then she caught on to what they were like, and if they couldn’t handle it or wasn’t their thing, she toned it down a bit. One of the reasons she never hit on Hope even though the girl was very gorgeous. The girl was a friend, and she wouldn’t put her on the spot like that.
At the offer of a table, she bit her bottom lip for only a moment as she glanced around for only a moment. “I’m only going to take a table, if you join me in having some food?” It’d be good to catch up and for them to have some food while talking. Considering it had been a bit since the two hung out, Brooke was sure there was a lot that had to be said. “That’s if you can pull yourself away from work to eat, which is a very important thing people should do,” she pointed out, hoping it would convince Hope to go along with this plan.
Hearing the reason, Brooke could understand since trust was a hard thing to begin with. From what she knew of Hope, it was tough sometimes, but she still loved her friend. If Brooke was more into that area or knew anything about that type of business, she’d offer; however, she knew where her strengths were and it wasn’t with that. One thing to help out when Hope needed it, but this was a big no. This place was special to Hope, so she could understand that tough decision. “You can always do a trial run to see how someone does? If there is someone who works for you that you might see as a possibility, then give them a test run. If it works out, then great, and if not, then you know.” Brooke suggested, unsure if she’d do it or not. At least, she could try some people out to see if it could work or not.
Smiling at the idea of a girl’s night, Brooke knew all of them could use a night in or even out, but just with the ladies. “Yes, and I know Lizzie will want to bring Josie, so I think it could be fun! See what trouble us ladies could get into when left to our own wildness,” she had the hints of a troublemaker smile on her face, loving the idea of them all taking a night for themselves together.
“And that is one of the many reasons I like you.” Hope respected someone that wasn’t afraid to say what was on their mind. However, she also appreciated it when someone had enough sense to know when to keep their mouth shut. Brooke was good at striking that kind of balance with people. It was why Hope was friends with her.
There was a part of Hope that was hesitant to step away from the kitchen, but Brooke was right. She needed a break and to eat something. Hope couldn’t remember the last time she’d consumed anything besides coffee. As if in response to Brooke’s statement, Hope’s stomach gave a growl and the brunette looked sheepish. “I’ll take my lunch with you. You’re right. I need to eat and spend time away from the job.” It would be good for both her physical and mental health.
At Brooke’s words about having a trial run, Hope nodded. The blond was right. She should at least give it a try. If the person didn’t work out, she could let them go, but something needed to change. Hope couldn’t be here twelve hours a day, seven days a week. She did have a life, friends, family, and a boyfriend. While Landon was busy with school now, she still wanted to be available for the times when he wasn’t. “I’ll give it a shot. Like you said, if the person doesn’t work out, I can let them go.” Which wasn’t always pleasant, but right now, it felt like a small price to pay for Hope to have a little time to herself.
The brunette brightened when Brooke mentioned all the trouble they could get into when left to their own wildness. The sentence made her laugh. “I could not have put it better myself, but let’s go grab that table and some food.” Hope slipped her arm through Brooke’s and started towards one of the best located tables in the building. “If you didn’t notice, I’m starving.”