its a city of strangers

[notwitty]

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[havethings]

If it's not taking you over, infecting you, and driving you to need to kill, I think we can call it an accidental win.

( Sitting against their headboard, she lets her head fall to the side. )

Unlike today.

[polydeukes]

[Josie turns to face her more, inching up a bit so that she's sitting next to her.]

Everyone's okay. I know it wasn't a perfect ending, but we're all safe. That's what matters.

[havethings]

Let's recap. What did we accomplish? Maybe we saved a few local witches from hunters that died, anyway. The bomb was a dead end, and there are hunters that remember what we look like. That shouldn't.

( It's a fail of a day, Jose. )

[polydeukes]

[She tips her head to the side.]

We got Bonnie and Isaac back, there was no bomb, and no one died.

[Those things are important too.]

Maybe it wasn't everything that we wanted it to be, but there was some good.

[havethings]

And Bonnie has her magic.

( It's not a wash. She knows it's not. )

As settled as you feel, I know I'll feel better if we get your magic looked at when we get back to school. ( She makes a face, not used to that. ) Or, Mystic Falls.

( She wouldn't be surprised if they continue to pop back in over the summer. That school is a lightning rod. )

There's a lot we don't know about the box, or what kind of magic is in it. Was. And whose. ( She frowns. ) What do you think happened to the clock's magic? Whatever spell was done or almost done.

[polydeukes]

My dad says it's like a reserve. It doesn't regenerate like a well, but people can tap it if they perform the right ritual.

[Easily enough.]

The coven might be a little tight, magic wise but by the time the next solstice comes around, they'll be able to refresh their magic.

[She makes a face.]

Can't say the same for the hole Mia left in the floor, though.

[havethings]

Exploding arrow.

( An (18) is abnormal when it comes to Hope knowing too much pop culture, but it's hard to miss Mia Queen in the headlines, especially after she dropped off the grid as some tabloids had assumed. Others thought she had a falling out with her family. )

Mia Queen in person. And she's a slayer. And the daughter of Oliver Queen. Her dad literally had a super squad.

[polydeukes]

[Josie can't help but look amused because as far as Hope goes, this is dangerously close to gushing.]

If you play your cards right, maybe she'll be your new best friend. I promise I won't tell Lizzie.

[havethings]

Laugh all you want, but she exploded a floor, grappled us up to the ceiling and held her own against three - admittedly amateur hunters.

( Not going to mention the false start in that fight. )

I just never thought slayers would be in our orbit, just Stefan Salvatore's. History doesn't always have them being team players?

( Tribrid. Kettle. )

[polydeukes]

Then maybe we should change that.

[Buffy's never really struck her as someone who doesn't want the help, or that was wholly against accepting help from supernaturals. She is with Stefan Salvatore after all.]

Maybe this is an opportunity to build a better network.

[havethings]

Our network is really just, us, Cleo, and the boys. And now, Danny. Maybe making ourselves available for international monster hunting might be good for us. ...If it doesn't interfere with class.

( As determined as she is to do good something (even in a misguided, single track way, she is still determined to get an education. )

[polydeukes]

Stefan hasn't really told us much about how Buffy's organization works, but ... if they have Slayers near Tulane, maybe we could work with them. Colleges are probably magnets for monsters, good and bad.

[They don't have to become jet-setting monster fighters, but they can do their part.]

[havethings]

It's something to think about. What happens to Danny?

( Is it their call? They should find out. Or, Lizzie should. )

[polydeukes]

I think that's up to him and Bonnie. But Lizzie could probably find out what he's thinking.

[She's probably looking for an excuse to spend more time with him anyway.]

[havethings]

She should. Their weird not-a-thing was the highlight of Bonnie's kidnapping.

( She's never seen two people be more awkward. )

[polydeukes]

Then I will put her on it, while you go make friends with Mia.

[Because they are a team, but Josie really thinks Hope should make some non-Salvatore School friends. Especially one that might understand her unique paternal situation.]

[havethings]

Are you friend-pimping me out, Josie Saltzman? I forgave Cleo. I have girlfriends.

( Namely... Josie and Lizzie. )

Fine. I will make nice. See if she's okay. Talk to Lizzie. Maybe get her to finally say something. I don't want to be hearing about Danny all the way back home. And remind her of the private jet.

[polydeukes]

[She gives a salute in return.]

On it.

[Then, she leans in to kiss her.]

I love you.

| for Mia

[havethings]

Love you.

( A quick kiss is all she needs before finding Mia's contact information. )

Flying back today or tomorrow, but packing is the last thing I want to be doing. Want to get a legal drink with me at the bar?

[blackstarred]

[Mia is surprised, but if William's going to be off having a clandestine romantic moment, Mia should be able to have some fun too.]

Sure. Have a place in mind?

[havethings]

We're insular from Mystic Falls, very what's here is what's here. The bar in the hotel?

[blackstarred]

[They could. But also ...]

My uncle has a club here in Prague. I promised him I'd check it out if I ever came through. Want to try it with me?

| for Josie

[jockwitch]

( Other than rescuing Bonnie, a lot of their plan was a spectacular fail with a body count.

Still, nobody on their side died.

Lizzie has sat with her phone in her hand for the past hour. She oscillates between opening Hope's contact, her sister's, Danny's, even Ethan's, but can't bring herself to message anyone. Danny didn't accept his birthright and now they have another witch (maybe) to worry about. Internationally, anyway.

At least she has some time to herself. Josie can find her in the hotel bar, too, but at a booth, nursing a cosmopolitan she thought she'd like. Leave it to a newly graduated woman. Still, she sips under lidded eyes as she tries to see how Carrie Bradshaw could ever appreciate a drink like this. It's, like, all vodka. )

[polydeukes]

[Josie wanders down after talking to Hope, and finds her sister sitting at the bar. She goes to slide in across from her and raises an eyebrow at the drink.]

Not enjoying that one?

[jockwitch]

If four middle-aged, heteronormative sexpots can drink Cosmos, I can, too.

( She scoffs and pushes her drink away. )

But, there's nothing cosmopolitan about a basic drink I should never have ordered.