some roads you really fly

[beanchaointe]

Comments

[pumping]

I want to say I'd be good, that I wouldn't crack. That I'm a loyal soldier. But, I want to live. So. Whoever can do it. Make sure it's drilled into me. But - leave me me.

( He's not becoming another number or a shadow of his former self. )

[somanyadjectives]

[Stefan nods, because that makes sense.]

Don't worry. That's Klaus' specialty.

[Compelling you to do things that make you hate yourself. Obviously.]

[pumping]

I thought I didn't like your brother. But, you're a dick, you know that?

( He's heard people in the house. Good brother. Bad brother. They're both bad. )

[somanyadjectives]

[Stefan's eyes narrow.]

You tried to kill me. I know I'm not exactly innocent, but I think I'm allowed to be a little bit of a dick about that.

[pumping]

You're a vampire. You lived a long enough life.

( "Now, now," Katherine chimes in. "He's giving you two choices. Don't force him to give you door number three." )

[somanyadjectives]

[Stefan wouldn't. he wouldn't want to screw up Damon's plan. But he's sorely tempted.]

Trust me. No matter how old you get, it never gets less personal.

[shreds]

( "It wasn't. You were a vamp. An obvious one. You don't think we get files? You're all in them. Brown eyes here should be careful, because she's a person of interest" )

Do call me names, that's never ended badly for anybody. What does he mean, I'm a person of interest? Do you mean dull, dishwater, Elena?

( "Who?" )

[somanyadjectives]

It's personal to the person you're trying to kill.

[And on the Katherine point:]

No, Katherine. I think he means you. You do have a bit of a reputation.

[Because for five hundred years, Katherine was one of the biggest baddest vampires around.]

[pumping]

( "Before."

She's never claimed not to be. )

It's you. Katherine Pierce. Katerina Petrova. Supposedly human.

( "Actually human." )

[somanyadjectives]

[Do doppelgangers count as human? A question TVD seems to flipflop on more often than not, but Stefan isn't going to throw Katherine completely under the bus in that respect.]

I think the world has bigger problems these days than Katherine Pierce.

[pumping]

Like hunters trying to save other humans.

( They're problems. As if on cue, someone new joins the conversation.

"If I may make a slight stipulation. Your hunters are misguided, indoctrinated, and misled. That you would even attempt anything at my daughter's graduation should make me take matters into my own hands." But, he won't. "Stefan. It is customary to let one's guests in when they knock." )

[somanyadjectives]

And yet you still let yourself in just fine.

[He turns back towards Klaus with a smirk, before glancing between the two.]

Mickey, Klaus. Klaus, Mickey.

[interminably]

Like the Mouse?

( "Mantle." At least, it isn't Mickey Rooney. )

Katerina. ...Strikingly tall man. ( Damian. )

[gambled_ourmistakes]

Why thank you. Always good to know I'm still striking.

[Being glib at the original hybrid is probably not his best move. But he also doesn't introduce himself. It's like giving your true name to a powerful supernatural entity.

You just don't do it.]

[interminably]

( Watch it. )

Alright. We all know why I'm here. What would you like me to say? And do be specific.

[somanyadjectives]

Well, we'll need him to go undercover with Monroe's people. So we'll need him to essentially forget he's a vampire when he's with them. He needs to get us whatever information he can and report back.

[And they'll decide what to do with it from there. He then reaches over to text his brother to make sure he's not forgetting anything.]

What's his story for why he went missing for so long? Tortured and escaped or simply took the wrong road on the way to Mystic Falls?

[Damian shrugs. "Why not make him the hero? Took out the nest that was holding him hostage before they could eat him. At least he'll seem like he was being productive rather than treasonous, and it's not far from the truth."

[interminably]

They did mean to capture one of you and end the life of one other, not to mention putting Elena Gilbert in peril. And how will he feed himself while believing himself to be human? Or, am I taking care of that as well.

( He'd like to know the whole thing before he does this. )

[somanyadjectives]

[Stefan considers, rubbing his chin for a moment, before glancing over at Katherine.]

Maybe we should pull a reverse Willoughby. When Katherine was staying there, she compelled everyone to forget they knew her unless they were looking at her.

Compel him to forget he's a vampire, but only when he's dealing directly with Monroe's people. When he's alone, he'll be able to take care of his ... needs.

[interminably]

( He nods, eyeing -- oh right. )

You must be the substitute witch. Bonnie Bennett still proving herself to be better than small town, USA?

( He steps up to Mickey next. )

Do you wear dog tags?

( "Is this you trying to be psychic?"

Klaus smirks, leaning in and dilating his pupils. )

Firstly, once you receive your daylight ring, you will never take it off. Your daylight ring is your dog tags. You don't remove it to shower, to sleep, in inclement weather, that ring is bonded to you. You inherited it from your late uncle.

When around any of Monroe's soldiers or Monroe herself, you are to forget you were ever turned, forget that you were ever captured. When you are around Monroe's soldiers or Tamara Monroe, you are to believe you were captured, but got the upper hand. You slaughtered a nest of vampires and only got this t-shirt for your efforts.

When in front of anyone besides Damon or Stefan Salvatore, you will not be able to say the words out loud, "I am a vampire." You will be incapable. You will have no desire. No one else needs to know your personal affairs.

Should you find yourself alone with any files, plans, or upcoming stratagem. You are to take pictures of whatever you find and forward them to a Salvatore brother. Either of your choice. The Salvatore's are family friends. Anything regarding any movement, mobility, or forward momentum, is to be shared with them as well. Do you understand.

( "Sir, yes, sir."

Klaus breaks his gaze. )

Anything else?

[somanyadjectives]

[Stefan considers for a moment, before shaking his head.]

No. I think that's good for now. It'll at least get us in the door once he's ready.

[And that's going to take some training. But he'll turn to Klaus with a nod.]

Thank you.

[interminably]

One more thing.

( He captures Mickey's attention one last time. )

No matter how awful, no matter how much you feel you have to choke it down, vervain will never be a problem for you. There you blood boils, you will not react.

( He stops, finally, looking back. )

That should do it. Keep him on the vervain diet. Twice a day. Tolerance is possible.

[somanyadjectives]

That was the plan.

[Slowly but surely, they'll get him as prepared as they can.

And once Klaus is done, Alexander will make his way over and hold out the ring to Gatsby.

"Here you go. Don't lose it, you only get one."]

[pumping]

( He's hesitant, first, but takes it and slides it on reluctantly. Bending his fingers, he suddenly has the sensation to in fact, never take it off. )

I can walk in the sun now.

[swillpot]

Or crawl, or run or dance. You can do whatever you want.

[And with that he glances to the rest of the group.]

And with that, I think we're settled. You know where to find me if you need me, but ... please don't.

[Because this is a little messy, even for him. And with that, he is out.]

[pumping]

( Katherine just gives a wave

"He's right. Anytime I worked with a witch, they did not leave on those terms."

Except for Lucy. But. That was Lucy. )

So, who was that?