Aventurine | Finn Mikaelson

Mandrake Root

Finn found himself behind the wheel of Aina's car, the engine humming beneath him as he navigated the unfamiliar road. Aina sat beside him, a patient teacher as she guided him through the basics of driving.

"Remember, Finn, the pedal on the right is the gas. The middle one is the brake, and the one on the left is the emergency brake," Aina explained, her voice calm and reassuring. "And always keep your eyes on the road, no distractions." Finn nodded; his concentration focused on the road ahead as he carefully maneuvered the car through the deserted country lanes. As they approached an abandoned stretch of road, Aina pointed ahead.

"Let's practice here, Finn. It's a safe spot with no other cars around," she suggested, her eyes glinting with excitement. Finn took a deep breath, his hands gripping the steering wheel with determination. With Aina's guidance, he eased his foot onto the gas pedal and slowly began to pick up speed. The wind whipped through the open windows, tousling Aina's hair as she leaned back in her seat, a smile playing on her lips.

"You're doing great, Finn! Keep it steady," Aina encouraged, her voice filled with pride. As the hours passed, Finn grew more confident behind the wheel. Aina praised his progress, her encouragement spurring him on. He gradually gained speed, maneuvering the car with ease as Aina allowed him to drive them down the highway toward New Orleans.

"The speed limit here is 60 miles per hour, Finn. Keep an eye on the signs," Aina instructed, pointing to the speed limit markers along the highway. Finn nodded, adjusting his speed accordingly all too soon they were entering the bustling city of New Orleans. The towering buildings and crowded streets were a stark contrast to the quiet countryside they had left behind. Finn felt a bit intimidated by the bustling city, unused to such a large, populated area. As they navigated the busy streets, he observed the sights and sounds with a mix of fascination and trepidation.

"Welcome to New Orleans, Finn," Aina said, her voice filled with warmth, "I know it's a bit overwhelming, but trust me, you'll love it here. There will be so much to see and experience in this city. It's a supernatural hotspot!"

Finn nodded, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling city around him. The cacophony of honking cars, bustling pedestrians, and vibrant street performers filled his undead senses, overwhelming him. Aina guided Finn through the city streets until they pulled up to their destination, a quaint dark-green wooden house nestled on the outskirts of the Bayou. Sensing his rising anxiety, Aina reached over and grabbed his right hand, pulling it off the steering wheel, and held it between her hands. She squeezed it with a gentle smile on her face. "Don't worry, Finn. I'm here for you. Now, let's get settled in, and then I go show you where I'll be getting the final ingredient for my potion!"

〰〰〰

As they stepped through the threshold of Angus' old house, Finn felt a tingling sensation run up his spine. The air inside was musty with a hint of magic, evoking a sense of reverence. Aina led him through the dimly lit corridors, the wood floors creaking beneath their feet. After they had put away their things in their rooms, they walked toward the backyard, hand in hand. Aina, wearing a backpack filled with her potion equipment, led him toward the backyard, where a small greenhouse stood amidst the overgrown foliage. She approached the entrance, her hand reaching out to dispel the spell that had kept the greenhouse in stasis all these years. The glass doors creaked open, revealing a treasure trove of exotic plants and herbs, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the dilapidated state of the greenhouse's exterior.

"My great-great paternal grandfather, Angus Ogden, used to own this property back in 1914," Aina explained with a proud look on her face, "Sadly, Grandpa Gus was shunned from his coven for dabbling in dark magic and assisting your brother, Kol. He fled the city before they could punish him further and settled down in Alabama, starting the Oak Valley Farm. He met his wife, Margot not long after, which led to their son, Craig, being born and so on and so forth until my sisters and I were born."