everyonelives | Let the moment go… Don't forget it for a moment, though

( Outside on the lawn, you're trying to find your seat, perhaps accepting a pre-graduation glass of champagne, mingling, or, in some cases keeping a close eye out.

Upstairs, you might be getting ready for the event itself. Changing. Receiving or giving gifts or an encouraging word. Maybe some last minute inspiration. (If a glass of champagne snuck its' way upstairs, this is Mystic Falls)

There are saved seats, at the back and on the sides for out of town guests, specifically those meant to be backup. )

( the salvatore school's senior year walks their processional, taking their seats at the front. there are speeches made by the mayor, by stefan salvatore as one of the namesakes of the salvatore school, and lizzie saltzman.

it is not interminably long, but there are performances. there's a string quartet. a choir.

it's an event.

it's the perfect time for small, quiet exchanges or hidden messages sent to one another. or, perhaps, it's a time for reflection and looking to the future. )

( or, the afterparty.

the shockingly (or not so) open bar, sits on the outskirts of assembled tables, assigned to grads but free for all for the guests. waiters also pass around hors d'oeuvres. take a spin around the dance floor with the DJ or slow dance along to the string quartet.

or, if you have more serious or secret business, head on inside the Lockwood estate. but don't go into the off limits wing. and did you see a glimpse of Tyler Lockwood himself? )

[Stefan got in late the night before, after making sure everything was ash the way it needed to be. By the time he gets home, Buffy's asleep, and by the time he rouses the next morning, Katherine and Damian are retreating to the bedroom. He takes a moment to listen, before grumbling and rolling over to press a kiss against Buffy's shoulder.]

Good morning.

[Sam is feeling very much like a fish out of water in these fancy proceedings. He opts for grabbing a glass of champagne and making his way to the back where he can keep an eye on things.

He's here for Jack, but he hasn't lost sight of the bigger picture. His eyes keep scanning the room for any sign of trouble.

He could probably use someone to talk to so he looks a little less conspicuous, being as tall as he is.]

Tyler Lockwood!

[Yes, Caroline spots him as she's making her way back from giving Scott his tour. Yes, she sees him sneaking around in his own house.]

What are you doing here?

[Jo is having a hard time believing that the twins have grown up this fast, but they have and this is happening. And since her better half is off making sure this whole thing goes off without a hitch, she is left by herself in the parents corner for now, drinking her own champagne and occasionally socializing with the other parents.

Also trying not to be emotional about it. These are her babies. They're all grown up.]

Edited 2021-01-11 01:38 (UTC)

( Buffy's dress sits over the chair in the corner, ready to be steamed in the morning.

Unlike most everyone else, Buffy crashed shortly after Katherine and Damian confirmed the hunter was spelled in the basement. While she has lived on less sleep, she is older and there are times she feels the underlying exhaustion. She may be dating a vampire, but she can also get her beauty rest.

Buffy sleeps soundly, doesn't even stir when Stefan wakes. She curls into him when she feels his lips on her shoulder. She rolls over completely. Nothing can keep that smile off of her face. )

Morning. Derek? Stiles?

( Romantic, right? But, she needs her updates. Did they rescue Derek. Is Stiles dead? Did he transition? It's only been a few hours, but Mystic Falls moves faster than Scotland. Research takes longer. Tactical plans are made. Here in the blink of an eye, four things could happen all at once.

And did. )

( A witch contact dropped Allison's and Scott's graduation outfits for the day. While it is not her first choice, she does wear it well. She's got a dagger ready against her thigh and knuckles in her clutch. Not to mention, she just has to tug her necklace off, improvise and whip someone. She's got hand to hand covered if need be. Her hair is half up and half down, tied with a black ribbon that otherwise she'd use to wrap her hands. A little of everything.

Allison can see a cry from help from across the room, and while she carries the champagne for looks, she only plans on setting it down next to her chair. Until the event ends without a hitch, she's on the clock.

Stopping next to Sam, she scans the crowd as they disperse from the main lobby and find their seats. )

We're sitting on the right, Dean and Scott, the left. ( Castiel gets the middle He has an actual seat, and a ticket. Does she say it? 'You clean up well.' Is it cliché? It's true. ) You have someone graduating, too, don't you?

( Jack's -- well, like, three. But, also in his twenties. But, also eighteen. And while this started out as a charade, for Dean it became something else, something he could be proud of Jack for. Jack could've been doing it to make it up to them, to try and make it right, but Dean let that go. Dean passed into pride when he realized Jack found somewhere he felt he belonged.

So, he's a little choked up. On edge, but, misty-eyed. Dean's never met an alcoholic beverage he didn't like. )

They uh, they grow up fast, don't they?

( tyler snuck in, or tried to. luckily, she catches him already dressed. he's got his suitcase rolling behind him. that's right, he's grown up. no longer is he the duffelbagger, caroline forbes.

he turns, a slightly sheepish, caught look on his face. )

I heard there was a graduation. Don't you need a Lockwood ambassador?

( buying it? )

Jeremy wanted eyes on the situation. I agreed. You are looking headmistressy. What do I have to do to be sent to your office?

That they do.

[Jo pats him on the shoulder gently as she looks over the crowd.]

Jack's a good kid. I hope this has been good for him.

Derek's okay. We got him out and took out the warehouse.

[And the people. But he figures that much is obvious.]

Don't know about Stiles. Last I heard, I think they were still waiting for him to wake up.

[He drapes his arm around her waist and snuggles closer.]

I should probably check my phone.

[He makes no move to check his phone.]

[Sam turns to face her when he hears her voice and he's stopped for a moment. Intellectually, he knew she was going to dress up, but he wasn't expecting.]

... Wow.

[And then he hears how that sounded, before he shakes his head.]

I'm sorry. Yeah. Yeah, we have Jack Kline. He's a good kid.

[And he'll make a gesture, like he's escorting her towards the seats.]

[She rolls her eyes, before pulling him into a hug. Even if their relationship isn't what it used to be, she still has a spot for Tyler Lockwood in her heart.]

It's good to see you. It's been a while since you've been live and in person.

( Jo is one of very few people Dean isn't up in arms about getting emotional around. )

Jack never - had kids his age. Or, like his age. We're on the road a lot. Homeschooled him. This did him good.

( He knows. )

Jack's friends with Josie. He - never had friends.

( One hand rests under the pillow, but already she's feeling more relaxed just having Stefan there beside her. )

Maybe leave it. If there's an emergency, they'll triple text. Or, even call.

( Don't call. She kisses his shoulder this time and then his lips and doesn't move further away. Who would? )

Caroline did say the graduation is now at the Lockwood Estate. Arrivals at 1, the ceremony starts at 2. And then she sent in all caps, BE PROMPT.

( It's not the first time she's gotten that reaction. She doesn't hide the smile and the crinkle of her eyebrow as he ducks her head. The chances that her witch assistant did this on purpose are high. But, if it gets that reaction out of him? )

Thank you.

( She lets his arm rest behind her as they follow the path around the chairs. And, right. What they're doing here. )

Scott said. Half-angel. Honestly, until my family reconnected with the Winchesters, we didn't know angels were a part of anything. ( Or demons. ) We thought druids were about balance.

( She glances at him. )

And, you too. Wow. You clean up nice. I was going to say that before. You win best reaction.

( That crude humor is still there, but only with people he knows this closely. )

The packs, they're more widespread. Everyone is on high alert. Monroe's -- she's bad news. I paid cash driving back. How is today looking?

So far so good. The Salvatores, Klaus and Hayley took care of a bunch of them last night, and it doesn't seem like there are any left to make a repeat appearance.

[Which is for the best because Caroline would have been very upset if her graduation was interrupted.]

[He laughs awkwardly, before rubbing the back of his neck.]

Yeah, I guess dressing up isn't usually part of the day, to day. But you do. Look great.

[A n y w a y.]

Yeah, we didn't know either, until a few years back. They have a tendency to be pretty hands off when they can help it.

Yes. Apparently I have to give a speech. It's my turn. And by my turn, she means that I'm actually in town and Damon said "Not it."

[Not that he minds picking up the slack.]

But we have plenty of time. Damon hasn't started yelling at the people using his kitchen yet.

Josie really likes him.

[And Jo will never forget what he did for her. He probably saved her daughter's life, and it means a lot. But she doesn't know if Dean's aware of those things, so she'll keep that to herself.

Today's not the day to upset a parent.]

I'm glad that you decided to bring him here.

( If you're wondering why he's not announcing his return, you just gave him two reasons, Caroline. )

I'll be your eyes from above.

( If need be, he will leap to the ground. )

Thank you, Sam.

( A n y h o w. )

Until they have no choice. It's not just hunters that try to tip the scales. It's darachs, shapeshifters. Witches. When I changed our code, I thought that we would make more of an impact, and all I feel is that the playing field is as uneven as it was ten years ago.

Let the moment go… Don't forget it for a moment, though

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