some guys think they can't be winners

[beanchaointe]

Comments

[phonetically]

( Stiles nods. )

Hey. I'm going to get this. And I wouldn't be caught dead inside a mall.

( But, his frustration with Cora's frustration lapses any progress he made (6), and the sound he focuses on, the thing that drowns everything else out is the blood coursing through hers and Scott's systems. Not... great, right? )

[impetere]

[No, definitely not great. His game face is definitely on and isn't going away this time. She takes another step backwards, shielding her behind as she sticks her wrist out to him.]

You need to do something. So either take the edge off or get it together.

[Because as much as Cora cares about him, she is not the soft touch. Him biting her is better than him biting someone else. So make the choice, Stiles.]

[phonetically]

( Her wrist, Caroline, or oblivion. Can he take it. Could he stop himself from going too hard. Could Scott stop him?

With a (16), Stiles tries to rise above and speed off while Scott's true alpha strength (nat 20) tries reaffirming his grip. What would result from that? )

[impetere]

[Scott does manage to keep him in place, but trying to draw that much concentration and focus to pull him away from the blood is enough to clear his head, just for the moment. The noise seems slightly less cacophonous, fading to the background, and he feels like himself, for the moment.

If he makes this last will save, maybe he can keep it.]

[phonetically]

( Screaming from a passing rollercoaster seems to reorient his baseline, as he clears his head and separates the sounds around them. But, his head is clearer now as he looks back up. )

Wait.

( Cora and Scott can see his eyes have returned to normal. His pale look is - well, 1% less pale.

Straightening up, he lets go of the picnic table. )

I'm okay. And, it's like -- the pool. You have to throw me in, so, let's all jump. And you're both here. If I feel it again.

[impetere]

[Cora glances to Scott, seeing how he feels about this. Stiles isn't wrong - eventually they're going to have to trust him to make the right choice. But given how stressed everyone was, it's hard to say whether or not the statement rings true.]

Are you sure?

[phonetically]

( Scott trusts his friend, but, he's worried. Stiles would say anything, especially if he was still desperate. Scott tries to sense Stiles' motive, searching his eyes and his tone (3)? )

[impetere]

[Fortunately (or unfortunately?), Cora doesn't do much better (2). As much as the werewolves get extra information when they need to, that doesn't mean they can always make sense of it.

Cora nods and takes one step back, willing to trust Stiles for now.]

Okay. Let's go.

[phonetically]

( With what they're working with, Scott lets go first, stepping back. Stiles needs to be able to do this on his own, even though Scott's nervous.

But, Stiles straightens up, more himself than he was before his panic attack. )

Let's go.

( He sticks close to his friends, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells, but much more together than he had it. )

What should we try first?

[impetere]

[She takes a deep breath, before shrugging. It's been a while since she's been to a carnival.]

Food or rides?

[phonetically]

Food. Then rides.

( Really give something to slosh around. )

[impetere]

Food it is.

[And they'll head off to the midway, where Cora will get an appropriately werewolf-sized pile of food. Cheesesteak, fries and a soda and moves towards the wooden picnic tables set up for the patrons to sit and eat. She'll go grab a table for the boys to track her down.]

[phonetically]

( Scott gets his own werewolf size meal, some of which Stiles will snack from despite not being able to actually enjoy any of it. The flavor's there, at least, but he's pushed through the cravings. He does wish he'd brought his flask. Did Scott?

Scott indeed slipped Stiles' flask into his coat and passes it over to Stiles as he takes a swig and the two men join Cora at the table. )

See. I can do this. I got this.

( Another pull before he closes the flask again. )

[impetere]

[He does seem to be doing better so Cora relaxes some more. Yeah, this will be fine. There's nothing about this that's going to go wrong at all.]

I didn't think you couldn't. But this is the kind of thing that takes practice.

[phonetically]

What with you being the expert on all things vampire.

( Scott stays out of it, sipping on a soda. )

[impetere]

[Cora's eyes narrow at him as she takes a sip of her own soda.]

I have super senses too, you know. And my own capacity to go homicidal. That's not an exclusively vampire thing.

[She's just saying.

But Scott will get a convenient exit as his phone begins to vibrate against the wooden table, with the name "Davina" flashing on the caller ID.]

[phonetically]

( "Try not to debate impulse control too hard," Scott says, slipping away.

Stiles watches Scott walk away, curious and then he looks back. )

I know. Remember that I am just getting used to my newfound homicidal tendencies. The worst I could worry about being human was incurable insomnia and what some might call obsessive tendencies. Hype that up to 100 and add in my ADHD. ( He muses. ) You think they make Ritalin for vampires?

[impetere]

You would have to talk to a witch for that. Or maybe Deaton. He might be able to whip something up with all his druid herbs.

[It's not her area of expertise. But she's not unsympathetic to everything he's adjusting to.]

I'm not judging you. You get that right? I just don't want you to hurt anyone anymore than you want to hurt anyone.

[phonetically]

( Could help. Feels like cheating, and if they'd found something, why aren't other vampires using it? )

You're right. I don't want to hurt anyone. But, it's now built into my DNA.

[impetere]

At least your homicidal tendencies have purpose.

[Vampires need to eat after all, not that she's sure it'll make him feel better.]

Mine are just ... mindless violence.

[phonetically]

Is that how you see it? Mindless violence? Because, you've saved me before, saved Derek. Saved yourself. You may not have - the smoothest of manners, but what you lack in etiquette, you make up for with everything Cora. And you wouldn't be you. It's how you were born. And, I like that you.

( Well, that wasn't planned. But, here it came. He has liked her since junior year. Though, that was more a one-sided crush turned problem turned Cora escaping for Brazil. He's not a kid, anymore, though. )

[commend]

( Scott leaves the friendly line of fire, a smile coming to his face as he steps out of the carnival grounds. )

Hey you.

( He does check back, making sure no food is thrown or a werewolf hasn't stormed off. )

[regentem]

Hey, yourself.

[He can hear the smile in her voice, because as much as they've been texting, it's good to hear his voice. Remind her that he's a real person and not just a figment of her imagination.]

Did I call at a bad time?

[commend]

Never.

( Absolutely call anytime, though. She can definitely hear the smile behind his voice, too. )

Just at a carnival with Stiles. How are you doing?

[regentem]

I'm good. Just getting some things in order for next week.

[Some of the witches also happen to be bakers. And the French Quarter is going to be full of sugary confection very, very soon.]

Which is actually why I was calling. I was wondering if you might be free to come back to New Orleans?

[A beat.]

Not permanently. I mean, it'd be great if you did want to come back permanently, but I know you have Stiles and I'm not trying to...

[Breathe, Davina. Take it from the top.]

There's this beignet festival next week and I was going to go and I thought we might be able to go. Together.