sometimes people leave you halfway through the wood

[madskilled]

Comments

[somanyadjectives]

Let me know. I have to go check on Faith, but I'll be in town for at least the day.

[Maybe longer, if he's needed. But mostly he's just here to check on his people.]

[moralitypolice]

If you wait two, we can go back with you. The most he wants to do, that he'll need to do is say goodbye.

( It's better to have her, a vampire, and maybe two slayers accompanying them as they travel. But, all she can do is ask. )

[somanyadjectives]

I can do that. I'll grab a hotel room.

[He'll give them all the time they need.]

Any other players in town I should be aware of?

[moralitypolice]

I'm glad you asked.

( Always so thorough. )

Elijah is coming here at some point. He and Bela Talbot ( she doesn't actually know if Stefan's heard of her ) are in town. We needed a way to cover everything up, a massacre of this size would get national attention for the wrong reasons.

[somanyadjectives]

Good plan. I'll text him, see if he wants some help with the load.

[It certainly can't hurt to have another vamp compelling their cover story.]

[moralitypolice]

I didn't know you two were so close. You have Klaus Mikaelson on speed dial, don't you?

( A joke! )

[somanyadjectives]

[Stefan raises an eyebrow with a smirk.]

Sometimes it helps to have an Original vampire on speed dial.

[moralitypolice]

Sometimes, like those mornings you enjoy a cup of coffee and a little reminiscing about the city of Chicago.

( LOOK, BONNIE MADE A JOKE, STEFAN. )

[somanyadjectives]

[He laughs.]

Something like that.

[But he nods in agreement.]

I have some more people to track down, but I'll check back in with you once I'm settled in the hotel. Let me know if you need me.

[moralitypolice]

( She gets up again. )

Thanks again. And I'll be in touch, too. Stay safe, Stefan. For all we know there are still hunters around.

[somanyadjectives]

I will. You too.

[And with that he will reach out to Elijah and Bela first, just in case they need the hand:]

I spoke to Bonnie and I'm in town. Do you need a hand with the cover story?

[uniquelyvulnerable]

Without access to the upper echelon, we have what we've covered under control. Stefan Salvatore, I wasn't aware you'd flown across the pond.

[somanyadjectives]

I've actually been living in Scotland. Seemed like time for a break from Mystic Falls.

[uniquelyvulnerable]

Why on Earth have you been living in Scotland?

[somanyadjectives]

I had a real craving for haggis.

[No, he's not, that's a joke but also not giving Elijah too many details.]

[uniquelyvulnerable]

Forgive me for ever finding you to be the more tolerable Salvatore brother.

Should you have the time and means, we worked locally, but there are national names I could pass on, ones that could properly rubber-stamp this.

[somanyadjectives]

I'm sure Damon will be relieved to be back on top.

I can head in that direction. Send them my way and I'll see what I can do.

[uniquelyvulnerable]

And that's enough of any discussion on what brother holds which position.

Bela is sending you a time, place, and pictures. Revelry got out of hand.

[somanyadjectives]

I'm on it. Let me know if you need me anywhere else.

[And he will go to handle all of that. Once everything is taken care of, he shifts to texting Faith:]

Want to grab a drink?

[madskilled]

You and your hair want a drink with me? Thought you'd never ask. We're all at the Standard.

[somanyadjectives]

I'll be there in an hour.

[He has to get back across town after all. And probably book a room himself. But once he does that, he'll make his way over to the hotel bar and scan the room looking for her.]

[madskilled]

( She has a table all to herself, feet up like the professional she is. She holds two fingers up, and takes a big gulp from her drink. )

Well if it isn't Stefan the hero across the pond.

[somanyadjectives]

Is that what they're calling me these days?

[He moves to slide onto the seat across from her.]

Because it feels like today's been more about cleaning up messes.

[madskilled]

As one of the messes, we thank you. Thought all we'd have is a little rough and tumble and then a security shift. Last night brought out all the surprises.

( She'd be smoking because of one of them. But, she listens to basic rules. )

[somanyadjectives]

From what it sounds like, it was pretty rough.

[And as the drinks arrive, he picks up his glass as he looks at her.]

How're you doing with all of it?