you're gonna love tomorrow, i'm making it my personal guarantee

[praevaricatio]

Comments

[rehire]

It matters. The reason Ezra is there is so we're not blindsided by hunters and overpowered question marks. Do you think Harvey Specter the lawyer would go into anything without anticipating every turn? I was told your husband was the best of the best. A legacy.

( And even then, Harvey was called in. And if Harvey was called in, then it doesn't matter. Elena being gravely injured, or not.

He's fucked up. )

[maleficum]

Look, if these were your average chucklefuck hunters, I would say you're right to be disappointed. But that isn't the case here.

[David finally puts the book to the side and gets up to face him more.]

I tangled with these guys in London. They're smart, stealthy and tactical. They start months in advance, work on indoctrinating the locals before they bring in the big guns. They don't leave obvious signs until they're ready to strike. They're as close as you can get to professionals, and they almost killed me, Harvey.

Me.

[Which is saying something because David almost always has an exit strategy. It's not a mark against his magical prowess, it's a comment on his ability to get himself out of a situation with minimal damage.

And he almost didn't make it out of London.]

[rehire]

( He makes a strong enough point. Strong enough that they're not openly thinking of retiring his husband. But, he'd be naive to think it wasn't an option on the board. )

And the Winchesters were brought in. The OG vampire slayer herself, Buffy Summer, and werewolves. I didn't think the Salvatores had this many friends. You're telling me these hunters are tactical strategists, that they are as deadly as they are surprising, but I also have to worry about the imbalance this creates. We don't need this many wildcards around the miraculously healed doppelganger.

( Maybe the hunters are a moot point, but they no longer have a hold on the situation. Sometimes, that means, silently observing, and sometimes, that means intercepting. Stepping right in. )

This is why we almost lost her in the first place.

[maleficum]

Well, the school for supernatural children is having their graduation this weekend.

[Some things are just coincidence and opportunity.]

I'm willing to bet that that's why all the big names are in town. And I uncovered that the Slayer was keeping Stefan Salvatore close months ago.

[rehire]

( Maybe, that's a part of it. But, something doesn't smell like a graduation convergence. )

She's sleeping with him?

( Just because you uncover it, doesn't mean Harvey the witch fixer knows everything. )

Darwin eat your heart out. Any more top of the food chain unions I need to know about?

[maleficum]

Not that I'm aware of. But now that I know you're such a gossip, I'll be sure to keep you apprised.

[He will. He'll get little text updates with the latest movers and shakers.]

[rehire]

You call it gossip, I call it keeping apprised.

( But, enough of the verbal sparring. )

I'd ask if there's anything else I should know before we meet the town car downstairs, but maybe that's best discussed over - scotch?

( AKA, let's get moving, Aiden. )

[maleficum]

[He shakes his head.]

Honestly, that's all I know about the landscape right now. If you want more answers we're likely better off going there.

[He then raises an eyebrow.]

You're aware we don't need a town car, right?

[rehire]

Did you walk your car through the door, miniaturize it and dress it up as one of my replicas?

( This is New York, David. )

[maleficum]

No.

[He idly waves a hand.]

But I could step through the door and be in Mystic Falls. I'm saying we don't need a car.

[rehire]

( He - fine, play your power move. He gets Donna on the phone, tells her to use the car for the next few days. )

And where will this door to door service be taking us?

[maleficum]

Probably Ezra's apartment. Unless you want to go right to the hospital.

[Put eyes on the doppelganger for himself.]

[rehire]

( He sets the receiver back down, coming around again, grabbing up his shoulder bag. )

As long as you don't walk us out of the janitor's closet.

[maleficum]

[He rolls his eyes.]

No.

[But what he will do is open the door to Harvey's office. None of the muggles around will know the difference, but Harvey will be able to see the interior of an elevator, set in the basement.

David gestures for Harvey to lead the way, before following him on and closing the door.

Once they're within the elevator, he presses the button for the ground floor.]

[rehire]

( Harvey never has trouble taking the lead. He steps right on through. Donna will cover him. Maybe, he will only take the rest of the day. )

You've told me everything I'm walking into?

[maleficum]

You know everything I know, Harvey.

[He doesn't sound bored to be dismissive. It's more his natural affect.]

I can't tell you what I don't know.

[rehire]

And yet, I still anticipate disappointment and surprise ahead.

( The doors close behind them and Harvey lets David take the lead, button-wise. He's along for the ride, here to evaluate, replace, and perhaps eliminate.

Nothing too serious. )

[maleficum]

[He hits a few buttons - he's guessing Elena's still in the ICU, unless they've managed to move her that quickly after her "miraculous" recovery. Once they reach the floor, David steps out first, eyes scanning the faces and through the windows in search of either the patient or their doctor.]

[rehire]

( Harvey, overdressed for any hospital, follows. He steps out of the way for four incoming, Stiles, Lydia, Jackson and, Alexander. Or, from Harvey's side, a witch, and three supernaturals. He doesn't say anything, just smiles to let them through, giving a very pointed look at David.

He waits until the elevator doors to close. )

Elena's room is up ahead?

[maleficum]

[David barely gives the cluster of supernaturals a glance as they pass him by, keeping himself focused on the task at hand.]

Yeah, I think so.

[Probably the room the new vampire just came from.]

[rehire]

( Probably. He doesn't direct David in any way, or tell him to follow his lead. David's done this before, and with Harvey. It's easy.

The door is already open, that makes things easier.

He knocks, softening his cutthroat edges, curious if she'll still be in her bed or, up and walking. )

Elena Gilbert?

[maleficum]

[Elena looks up in surprise, glancing between the two men in front of her. She wasn't expecting any visitors, especially visitors she doesn't know, but here they are.

"Yes?"]

I'm Officer Gainor, with the state police, and this is ADA Specter. We wanted to ask you a couple questions about the accident you were in last night?

[rehire]

You're not in trouble. This is the third accident that's occurred along that stretch of highway. And we'd like to address the county's concerns.

( He makes his own statement, not approaching the bed, giving Elena her space. )

Do you mind making a statement? We found two cars. One registered to you and one that was stolen.

[braveandstupid]

No, not at all, but I'm afraid I'm not going to be much help.

[She's not trying to be unhelpful, even though her spider sense is tingling - usually the locals try to cover things up before they make it outside the town boundaries.

Fortunately for Elena, this much is the truth:]

I was unconscious for most of it. I don't really remember much.

[rehire]

Do you know who was driving your car?

( Since she was unconscious for most of it. He's aware she won't give him anything useful. But, he will now have to be thorough enough to cover any other motive. )

Until they found the abandoned car, they were calling it a hit and run.