Andrea ducked under the incoming swing. Dr. Saltzman nodded proudly, but didn’t slow the attack. Andrea dodged every blow and even landed one of her own.

“You’re a natural,” he said, stopping to catch his breath. 

“Thanks.” Andrea laughed. “I guess beating people with sticks is my special talent.”

“And how are you adjusting otherwise?”

Andrea shrugged and fell back into the rhythm. “My first class went fine. I like my classmates for the most part.”

Alaric nodded and finally got to the question he’d been waiting to ask. “Have you talked to Hope yet?”

“No.” Andrea’s swings got harder. “And I’m not going to.”

“I really think you should reconsider.”

“Well, it’s not up to me, is it?” Andrea could feel her heart starting to pound harder, and it wasn’t from the workout. “Hope has to want to talk to me.”

“You never know until you try -”

“I said I don’t want to!” 

Alaric went flying backwards, arms and legs flailing as he searched for something to grab onto midair. He landed flat on his back with a sickening sound.

Andrea pulled her lip into her mouth, not daring to move for a long minute. “Dr. Saltzman?” She stepped forward slowly. “I’m sorry.”

Alaric grunted. “Been through worse.”

“I’m gonna - I’m gonna go mediate,” Andrea decided. 

“Good idea.”

She showed herself out of the gym, and moments after the door swung shut, it opened again. This time, his daughter came strolling through.

“Daddy, I need you,” Lizzie said, peering down at him over her clipboard. She offered him a hand and groaned as she pulled him to his feet. “Well, actually, I just need your signature for the decorations.”

“Sure.” Alaric scrawled his name on the line. “Have you talked to Andrea today?”

Lizzie stiffened. “From this day on, I don’t associate with Andrea.”

“What?” Alaric looked up sharply. “Why?”

“We’re just not that compatible.” Lizzie shrugged. “And she’s a Mikaelson.”