everyonelives | some roads you really fly

I'm ... managing.

[It definitely was a lot though, so she's not great. She's grateful that Stiles is alive now, but there was a very long time when he was dead, and she's not going to forget that anytime soon.]

When you scream for someone you know, it sticks with you more than a stranger. You feel a lot more like it's your fault, even though you're a harbinger not an executioner. That doesn't really make it any easier.

[She pulls the glass closer, taking a hefty sip.]

What is it like? Screaming for someone?

( He can only imagine. )

[It's hard to explain. She's tried, in the past, but it's more something you have to experience.]

It used to be really bad where I would disassociate and wake up on the other side of town where the murder happened and not know how I got there, but that was more when I didn't know what I was. Now ... it starts with sounds or feelings. It's like pieces of a puzzle where half the box has been knocked to the floor and you don't find the really important pieces until it's too late.

[She makes a face.]

The scream itself just builds over time, until I feel like it's the only thing I can do. That's another thing that I've managed to get a better handle on, but if I'm stuck in a bad situation or really stressed, I can't help it.

When did you find out what you were?

( He wants Lydia to talk, one to be able to because she's going through a lot, but also because Damon is interested. They can speak openly now. About what they are, what's happened. He even opened his bar up for her group. )

I was seventeen. I got bit by an alpha werewolf. Banshees are immune, so it didn't change anything about me that didn't already exist but it ... woke up that part of me.

[She shrugs.]

My grandmother was a banshee. I was going to wake up eventually. Peter just sped up the process. And then he used me to come back from the dead which was great and totally not traumatizing at all.

[She lies, it was.]

Well, I can't talk about using someone underage, but, I did not use her to drag me back from Hell.

( Also, not the -- best topic. He takes his own healthy swig. )

I wasn't always the specimen of hardwork and charm you see before you. Well, I'm all charm. That never changed.

Oh, I've heard.

[While Allison's been trying to manage a hunter army, Lydia's been doing her best to read up on the big names. While the Salvatores weren't relevant before this Mystic Falls adventure, she did a lot of listening.]

You Salvatore boys have quite the history.

That's us. Walking history. A lot I'm not proud of. A lot -- I stand by. Some I had no choice in.

( Everything Damon Salvatore. )

I'll explain anything.

[She shakes her head.]

Not that it doesn't matter, because I'm sure it does and will, but since I'm going to be sticking around for a while, I'd rather not start off learning to dislike my neighbors.

[It just sets things off on the wrong foot.]

Just ... I'm trying to stay away from bad guys. That isn't what this is, right?

( Well, first, she's sticking around. That is useful information. )

That is not what this is. That's not me anymore. Do I act rashly. Am I a vampire? ( Yeah. ) I don't know what pack rules are, but, when people need to be dead, I don't hesitate. If that gives you pause...

[She shakes her head. She didn't like it when she was a teenager but over the years, it's become clearer that certain problems aren't going to go away unless you take the heavier approach.

It's not like she hasn't done the same.]

No. Lately it's been the kind of thing we've needed.

That's the worst of it. I'll even try to be a team player again. The -- hunter, I should've thought him through. Now he's my responsibility. But, that doesn't mean I want him to suffer.

( To have free will, on the other hand... )

You're sticking around.

[She nods.]

Stiles is staying to learn from Caroline so I'm at least going to stick around. Moral support.

[There's going to wind up being more of them, but Lydia doesn't know that yet.]

I thought you were coming back from a work trip.

( Take note, he's not sounding disappointed. )

Not my work.

[Stiles' work. Which might not have been entirely clear at the time.]

And right now MIT is on summer break so I don't have to teach any classes. I just have to work on my dissertation and that I can do from anywhere.

That you can. Does... that mean you'll have time for me to take you out properly? In an establishment I don't own?

( Or, here. Let's not like, but he'd like to drive her into Maryland or even into a nearby city. Maybe between here and Whittemore for closeness and eateries. )

[She leans forward, making like she's going to say something, when her tablet comes to life, featuring Isaac's face on the caller ID.

She glances down, and then glances up at Damon again.]

I'll think about it.

[Because she may be older and somewhat wiser, but she can still play hard to get.

And with that, she will answer the video call and head off to one of the tables where they'll probably be holding their little conference.]

Hi, Isaac.

[And they'll chat amongst themselves about nothing important while they're waiting for the rest to show up.]

( She'll think about it. That's a yes.

About the same time, Derek pulls up into the back parking lot, pulling the break. )

We're early.

[Cora nods, before tipping her head to the side to listen. It doesn't take much to pick up Lydia's voice talking to Isaac.]

Lydia's already inside.

[She glances over to him.]

Are you sure you're okay with me staying?

You want to stay, you should stay.

( She's worried about Stiles. Maybe curious. Wanting to make sure he's fine. Maybe for the good of the Pack. Probably not. He doesn't say that out loud. Plus, she's never been in the same place for longer than a month at this point since South America. Maybe it will be good for her. )

Do you want me to come in?

Up to you.

[She would understand if he wanted to just bail and head to New Orleans.]

Do you want me to tell them?

No, I should. I owe Scott that.

( Allison... too. )

Come on.

( And off the ignition goes as he steps out of the car. As they round the corner, they'll hear Stiles on the phone.

"Sabbatical. Yes it's a word. A real world. You're in the FBI. Just. Call my partner. Because I'm on - itisaword!" )

[Cora stops and turns at the sound of his voice, before raising an eyebrow and looking back at her brother. Good to know that some things about Stiles don't change, even as a vampire.

But she'll fall in behind her brother in case Stiles decides to catch up.]

Scott and Allison are inside.

( A beat. Into the phone. )

No. I was - not - I have friends. Smits --

( Derek is just -- happy he's not always around Stiles. )

Call my chief. Bye.

( And he hangs up with a huff. )

[She smirks a bit.]

Trouble at work?

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