sometimes people leave you halfway through the wood

[madskilled]

Comments

[moralitypolice]

She's a friend of a friend. Literally, I guess, now that Elijah's involved. In my network, Bela finds you.

( She's not sure she's supposed to say Bela's a vampire, especially to a werewolf. )

[notwitty]

[Isaac assumes she's a vampire, because she was who Bonnie called when she wanted to recruit vampires, but he'll leave it there for now.]

What about Elijah? I know he's an Original, but is he the kind of old vampire who you can persuade to help with a common good, or is he the kind that finds it really hard to care?

[He wants to know how much of an uphill battle he's facing.]

[moralitypolice]

He's the kind that -- values honor and doesn't want the world to burn. Outside of his family, it takes persuasion to get him to help. But, he does help friends.

( He's a question mark, but one she thinks could work. )

What do you need from them, anyway?

[notwitty]

My boss is actually trying to recruit some of his family. His sister, Freya - the witch. She thinks that if Elijah is already on her side, that might be easier.

[He, however, isn't so sure.]

Personally, I just need help. Because we underestimated Monroe's numbers once, and I think it can only get worse from here. This is the kind of situation where we can't really afford to play by species lines.

[moralitypolice]

She's not wrong.

( But, they're all paranoid and slow to trust, anyway. )

Do you usually? Stick by species?

[notwitty]

[He shakes his head.]

My pack is an assortment of humans, werewolves, werecoyotes, kitsune - Scott's a takes all comers kind of alpha. You can be on his team as long as you want to make things better.

[moralitypolice]

And you do, want to make things better. Beyond Tamara Monroe?

[notwitty]

I want to do the best I can.

[Which isn't exactly a yes but.]

Being helpful hasn't always come naturally. Scott's got high standards but he's also pretty forgiving. And he was there for me when no one else was.

[Basically, he will follow Scott McCall to the ends of the earth if he asked him to. Scott's earned that loyalty time and again.]

[moralitypolice]

People deserve second chances, Isaac.

( Enzo taught her that. A little late past anything that happened with Kai, but she thinks she's earned that years long grudge. )

And that's a good answer. I could probably sway him, but you'd also have to be convincing. You play well with others, right?

[notwitty]

Better than I used to.

[It's something you learn, when you're put in charge.]

I just tend to be really direct.

[moralitypolice]

Elijah will like that. He doesn't suffer fools and he doesn't take well to beating around the bush. Bela, either, come to think of it. Come at him direct, but firm.

( She can't guarantee anything, but it's something. )

[notwitty]

[He nods, before a small smile crosses his face in return.]

My specialty.

[But with that, he will continue inhaling the food like he's starving - which to be fair, he is - as they wait for Bonnie to get a sign that her vampire friends have arrived. He has a feeling Eliza isn't going to want to invite an Original vampire into her home.]

[moralitypolice]

( Bonnie won't watch, for the most part, and except for peeking a head in on a sleeping? resting? on Danny, she's back downstairs when there's a knock at the front door. She looks over to Isaac as she comes down the stairs, crosses the room and opens the door to Elijah and Bela.

"Good morning." )

[notwitty]

[Isaac will follow her to the door, just looming over her shoulder like the tall imposing werewolf he is.]

Hi.

[Bela raises an eyebrow in return, almost amused. "Isaac Lahey, I presume?"

Isaac smiles with a nod.]

That's me.

[moralitypolice]

Isaac, Bela and Elijah. How about - let's take a walk.

( She grabs her jacket, nods to Eliza and closes the door behind them. On the sidewalk, she speaks again. )

How did it go with the city officials and the police?

[enjoythe_ride]

Well enough. Your friend Stefan made things a bit easier. Thank you, for pointing him in our direction.

[Three compelling vampires are better than one after all.]

How are the witches doing?

[uniquelyvulnerable]

( "There's no reason we can't all work together.

And the witches are in mourning. There's a bit of unrest, and blame to go around." )

That does tend to happen with blame, especially when it isn't properly assigned. As for your hunter problem, any strays that came our way were taken care of. As far as we can tell, they are either in pieces or in the wind.

[notwitty]

We have reason to believe they're regrouping. I don't know when or where the next attack is going to be, but I have reason to believe this is only phase one.

[And more is definitely coming.]

Honestly, we could use as many allies as we can get in dealing with the situation, if you're interested in hearing more.

[uniquelyvulnerable]

Witches are very particular with what business they include vampires in, and most prefer us out completely. Do you know without a doubt our help will be appreciated?

( he does look to Bela for her take with this answer. he's on the fence. )

[notwitty]

Witches aren't making those calls. For one, I'm not a witch, and while I do appreciate their help, this isn't just a witch problem, or a werewolf problem or a vampire problem. Monroe's people are coming for all of us.

[Bela crosses her arms in front of her chest because she has been staying out of hunter business for a reason. She's not exactly thrilled to be hopping back in, but it's also not an issue she can ignore.

She's in the group targeted for extermination. They might want to discuss it in less mixed company.]

As far as Monroe's concerned, this isn't just a war. It's an extermination. And while I know you're harder to exterminate than most, I'm going to guess you have people you care about who aren't.

[uniquelyvulnerable]

( while it could come off like a threat, Elijah knows he's giving him the example he needs. he has a niece, also harder to kill, but not infallible. and family across the globe. old friends. you have his attention. )

You're talking about a - what - a supernatural Holocaust? We've overcame zealots before. Monroe, how many are in her ranks? What should stop us from decimating them?

[notwitty]

Because they're not just your average collection of hunters. For one thing, she's militarizing the ones that already exist, helping them coordinate better and work together. She's spent ten years gathering her numbers and planning last night's attack.

[And he knows that attack is only just the beginning.]

Her next move will probably be radicalizing the locals. Pulling the wool off their eyes and showing them exactly what's been living in their backyard. Explaining the unexplained deaths. Showing them exactly how they've been hurt. She places the gun in her hands and points them at exactly who she wants gone.

[uniquelyvulnerable]

( "She's building an army, Elijah. Militarizing civilians against us." )

And what can we do?

[notwitty]

Well ... my boss would like it if you put in a good word with your sister.

[Again, he's not one to disguise his motives.]

She's heading to New Orleans to talk to Freya. To all of the faction leaders there, actually. But in a more practical sense? We need to find out where Monroe is heading next. So if you could stay in contact and let us know if you see any of the signs, we'd appreciate it.

[He doesn't have anything super actionable for Elijah right now, but he just wants to make sure he's on the team.

Bela smirks at the first request. "I'm sure Ms. Argent will find it takes a lot more than that to get Freya on her side."

Isaac shrugs.]

I'm just doing my best to make the right friend.

[moralitypolice]

He's trying, guys.

( "Bela is correct, no matter what I instill in my dear sister, whether or not she takes in any of this, that's on her. But, I will pass along my sentiments. And your -- Ms. Argent's concerns."

Only Freya decides what Freya will do or why. )

Thank you, for hearing us out.