hey old friend, whadaya say old friend

[beanchaointe]

[Stiles has told Lydia several times that she doesn't need to stay in Mystic Falls. She's refusing to listen. Things are starting to get worse here, and whatever impending storm is coming is going to be here soon. She puts herself out and about in town when she can, trying to see if she can catch something that might give her a clearer idea of what's going to happen.

What she isn't expecting, is to run into a familiar face.

She's having another text argument with Stiles about her current life choices when she catches a familiar set of cheek bones out of the corner of her eye. She turns towards them, eyes narrowing before she asks:]

Jackson?

Comments

[illtempered]

( Lydia's text fighting and Jackson is text flirting. It's new for him, wanted to. With Ethan it just was. They got each other. With Alex, he doesn't get him, and he kind of likes that. He prides himself on being alert, attainable, and yet here he is, face phone first.

That's -- that voice. He looks up, his face still flushed, an amused smile apparent. )

Lydia?

( And as if they're a chorus, both, together,

"What are you doing here?" )

[beanchaointe]

[In another world, Lydia might have called "jinx." But now isn't really the time for that, and she's just amazed he's here.]

I was driving back to DC and I got sidetracked.

[She answered, now it's your turn, Jackson.]

[illtempered]

I was working a job from one of McCall's world wide wolf networks. What sidetracked you?

( The impending attack isn't a coincidence, is it? )

[beanchaointe]

[She makes a face, before reaching to take his arm and pulling him out of the street.]

Something bad is going to happen here, and I haven't figured out what it is yet.

[illtempered]

( He's never experienced her banshee power firsthand. )

Is that why you're here? To... portend the coming badness? ( He's not trying to ask the stupid question, but he thought being a banshee was about, feeling something and sending in the cavalry. ) They're might be an attack on a supernatural boarding school outside of town. My job collided with someone else's. The foster children were saved and dumped on the school. And being relocated today.

[beanchaointe]

[Lydia nods, because that makes sense, and she shivers before shaking her head.]

This whole town feels like a graveyard.

[illtempered]

Not outside of town.

( He gets cold just thinking of it, grimacing. )

What are you still doing here?

[beanchaointe]

I couldn't just leave here and let everyone die. I'm trying to figure it out.

[She holds up her finger.]

And don't you start trying to talk me out of it too. Derek is already on his way here, I will be fine.

[illtempered]

Oh, if Derek Hale is your one-wolf reinforcement. You have me, too. I'm crashing at the headmaster's. Alaric. Dilf hot. Married.

[beanchaointe]

Thanks for that.

[She glances around and the Grill isn't too far from here.]

C'mon. Let's get lunch and we can catch each other up.

[illtempered]

It mattered.

( It doesn't. )

Yeah. You think this town knows what a kale salad is?

( Wait, before they start to walk, Jackson turns. He hugs pulls his best friend into his arms. It's good to see her in person. )

[beanchaointe]

[It's good to see him too. She leans into the hug, enjoying it for a moment, before pulling back with a smirk.]

I'm surprised you know what a kale salad is.

[illtempered]

One date judged me on what I ordered. It's not that I cared. I need to not stand out. Bisexual bombshells don't eat their weight in calories.

[beanchaointe]

[She rolls her eyes as she links her arm in his.]

Then you'll be happy to know that they use an air fryer. Come on.

[illtempered]

( And they, arm in arm, reach the Mystic Grill which is - fine enough, Jackson guesses, sliding into a booth.

Jackson's phone vibrates, so he pulls it out. He laughs at the message, smiling, that familiar flush coming to his cheeks. )

[beanchaointe]

[Her eyebrows go up at that as she picks up her menu.]

Who are you flirting with?

[illtempered]

( Firing off a text, and then his eyes come up from the phone. )

Alexander. One time criminal turned... Supernatural Witsec. We almost spent the night together.

[beanchaointe]

And then impending doom intervened?

[How rude of it.]

Sounds like you two hit it off.

[illtempered]

Us a gifted bottle of expensive scotch. I don't know where he is now. He's a part of the underground.

( As for Damon, who saw Lydia come in, he does not use his better judgment. He listens, very carefully. First, she comes in with a friend. From DC? Definitely a friend considering they discuss someone he's flirting with.

His ears perk up when he hears 'Supernatural Witsec.' and the word, underground. )

[beanchaointe]

That outfit Scott's working with. Interesting.

[She glances up at him again.]

Your new school friends didn't happen to mention anyone by the name "Lockwood," did they? Isaac said they might be a good person to talk to.

[illtempered]

No, no Lockwood mentions. There's a Lockwood mansion they're talking about moving graduation to. Did Isaac mean the mansion?

( Sirens go off for Damon. Lockwood? Really? They're looking for Tyler? And the underground whatever that is.

The waitress starts to approach Lydia and Jackson behind them but Damon ushers her away, a hand around her back. It's comical, actually.

A few seconds later, Damon steps up to the table.

"Welcome to Mystic Grill. I see you got your car." )

[beanchaointe]

[Oh look, just the person she wanted to talk to before Jackson got here. She looks up with a smile.]

I did. I thought I'd stop in for lunch while I was here.

[Not a word, Jackson.]

[unforgivably]

( "You left your car here last night?" And he thought he had a cute story to tell. Look at Lydia stealing his thunder. )

We're happy to have you back. I'm Damon Salvatore.

( "Salvatore." Jackson repeats. "Like the school."

Damon's friendly smile doesn't break, but his nose does crinkle. )

The boarding school on the outskirts of town? Yeah. A friend named after my brother and I's - our family's legacy.

( Jackson just nods. )

Is this your friend from DC?

[beanchaointe]

Sort of.

[She doesn't want to get too bogged down in who Jackson is. It's not why she's here.]

I was actually wondering if you could answer a local question for me.

[unforgivably]

I might be able to.

( He bites his tongue. "Lockwood," he's expecting. Jackson sits back to look at the menu. But, from under the menu he is very impressed. Damn, Damon. )