everyonelives | sometimes people leave you halfway through the wood

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?

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?

( "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.

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.

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. )

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.

( 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?

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.

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

And what can we do?

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.

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.

Yeah, thank you. I'll take any help I can get.

[And with that, he will pull out a card with his number on it and pass it to them. He can be fancy for the right people who might appreciate it.]

If you need anything, let me know. I'm heading up things in Europe, so I can make a call if needed.

You - head up the things in Europe.

( He's young. But, he passes the card along to Bela. )

Is that all you needed, Bonnie?

( Speaking of, Bonnie takes Bela aside, leaving small talk between Elijah and Isaac.

"Actually. Bela. The witch we met with earlier. What's his last name?" )

["Someone had to do it," Isaac comments in return as Bela and Bonnie head off for some perceived privacy. "Allison wanted it to be someone she trusted."

Which either says good things about Isaac or terrible things about Allison.

Bela, on the other hand, follows Bonnie's lead.]

Gainor. David Gainor. Are you ... pursuing a lead?

He could be lucrative. He could be the key to it all, honestly. It's been a long time since we've had a coincidence like that.

( "And she trusts... exactly how old are you?" )

["I'm going to choose not to be offended by that question because most people are probably infants as far as you're concerned." Sometimes the smartass Isaac is still there, even when he's trying to be his most professional. "But old enough."

Bela nods.]

Just be careful. The Colony isn't a coven that's easily trifled with. Particularly avoid Harvey Specter, if you can.

Harvey Specter.

( She can do that.

"You can choose what you wish, Isaac." )

If you do run into him, be careful what you say.

[Lawyers, after all, will do whatever it takes to trip you into a deal that screws you. Doubly so for witches.]

Otherwise, I'm sure you'll be able to handle David.

David, he's - there's something dark about him. I could feel it.

( Part of that witchy empathy she tends to stretch. )

[She pauses, unclear if she should go further, but at the same time, it's not like it's a secret.]

Well, the Colony would never claim to be witches of noble intent, but David's case is a bit unique. There's rumors that when he was a teenager, his parents had him intentionally possessed to get information out of a demon but contained that situation poorly.

They had him possessed? I felt that residual darkness, that's what I got from him.

( Well, that's horrible. )

[Bela nods.]

He lost almost five years of his life, before he finally got exorcised. That's how he met his husband. His situation within the Colony is unique, but I'm fairly certain his intent is to core the whole of the leadership out and start over. Part retribution, part public service.

You know an awful lot about his inner machinations. Are you fairly certain or are you two close?

( Or, formerly. )

He's my client. A lot of the moves he's mad, I've been facilitating.

[With all kinds of dark objects and cursed totems.]

So, does that make me your next client?

( So to speak? )

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