as we pass through arrangements of shadows

[shreds]

Comments

[braveandstupid]

[She nods because she can understand that feeling too. She did her fair share of drifting, trying to figure out how to put meaning back in a life that had been filled of so much trauma. She found her way and she's sure that Nadia will too.]

Okay. But ... if there's anything I've learned, it's that no matter how hard you try to hold on to someone, you can't keep them with you if they don't want to be there. Eventually, at some point, you're going to have to find your own anchors.

[But she won't try to push. She just reaches for her arm and gives it a soft squeeze.]

For what it's worth, though, I hope she shows.

[tramplemain]

( What's an anchor when you've felt like you lost yours after your mother died. )

Thanks, Elena. Are you and your sister heading out?

[braveandstupid]

We haven't decided yet. Our destination is a little up in the air, so we're going to talk about it over breakfast.

[No decisions should be made before coffee, clearly. This is also kind of a lie, but it'll give them some wiggle room.]

[tramplemain]

Then I guess we'll be seeing each other if you're going across the street.

( And just like that, a smile returns, too. Friendly. Delicate. Only slightly tear stained cheeks puff out. )

Well, I should...

[braveandstupid]

Yeah, no problem.

[She points down the hall.]

If we don't leave, we're not too far. Knock on my door if you need anything, okay?

[shreds]

( She nods, letting Elena and then herself out of her room, pocket book in hand. She heads the opposite way down the far stairs, probably toward Phil, as Elena can see Katherine leaving the front lobby, the door slamming behind her with the ring of a bell. )

[braveandstupid]

[Elena hangs back and then makes her way down to meet Katherine half-way, hanging back towards the stairs.]

Anything?

[shreds]

He recognized her picture, but not her name. He doesn't remember the name she gave, but it didn't start with the letter 'N.' There is an old photo behind the desk from years ago, staff and family of staff. Nadia's last name matches the last name of one of the women. ( It's not hard to charm a seventeen year old. ) She looked like she was a maid. Obviously, 4/20 in there doesn't remember staff from thirty years ago.

( She rests a hand on the railing, propping one foot up. )

Nadia isn't lying about her mother being here, but we don't have a connection between them past that. Or, a trail.

( She holds up a key dangling from her finger. )

But Not-Natalie hasn't checked out.

[braveandstupid]

[She takes in that information, nodding as the pieces of Nadia's story fall into place. At least they seem to be on the right track. In fact, her eyebrows go up a bit, pleased that they have a step in the right direction.]

Maybe we should go check on her.

[shreds]

That front desk jockey did give us the wrong key the first time.

( Who's to say he hasn't this time?

The assigned room is down below, underneath them, down one of the halls and located in the middle courtyard area. Until now, she and Elena have only been around the front. It's a nice place if it didn't wreak of foreboding danger.

Katherine holds the key out to Elena. )

Between the two of us, you'll garner more sympathy for our "mix-up."

[braveandstupid]

[Elena nods as she takes it, before following the number down to the door in question. Glancing around to make sure they're alone, she presses her ear to the door briefly to listen in (6). Not very well, with her lame human hearing, but assuming she doesn't hear anything, she'll try her key in the door.]

[shreds]

( Maybe the faint sound of the TV? But it's hard to tell, with a (6) it could also be coming from behind her.

The key works, as it is the right key for the right room.

The second the key slides into the door, however, the occupant inside hears. Katherine is behind Elena and doesn't hear a familiar sound. Hair wet and drying, Natalie Morales doesn't take any chances, cocking her gun and training it on -- twins?

"Is this take your sister to break into somebody's room day?" )

[braveandstupid]

Oh my god. I'm so sorry.

[At least she bluffs slightly better than she listens (13).]

We were just checking in. The guy at the front desk must have given us the wrong key.

[But hey, at least she's alive. It's already a step up from the dead body she was thinking she might find.]

[shreds]

( Elena's attempt at making a smoke screen clears when recognition reaches Natalie's features (19). She doesn't bring the gun down yet, because she knows better and she has lived that kind of a life.

"Exactly to what do I owe Katherine Pierce and, I'm guessing, Elena Gilbert the pleasure?"

( Katherine, never a fan of being recognized locks up, herself, hand grasping the edge of a knife handle behind her. )

[braveandstupid]

[Welp, that's unfortunate. She holds up her hands and takes a step back, opting for something a little more closer to the truth.]

We're not looking for any trouble. Honest.

[She takes a breath and decides to opt for the truth rather than further expound on the lie she started.]

We were just talking to a woman named Nadia who was looking for you. We just wanted to make sure you were okay. Which you clearly are.

[shreds]

Nadia?

( Well, her aim definitely falters as confusion passes across her face. )

Nadia doesn't know who I am. We've never met.

( She's sure she's never been spotted. )

She's looking for me?

[braveandstupid]

[Elena's head tips to the side, a curious expression crossing her face.]

She said that you were making a plan to meet. She thinks you're standing her up.

[Which is throwing up some red flags.]

[shreds]

( "How do you even know her? She's never been to Mystic Falls or Bulgaria," she says, dismissively. )

We get it, you stan. Elena ran into her here. We've only just met and she mentioned you by name. Well. First name.

( "So, you being here is a coincidence," she says, gun finally lowering fully. "Fucking hunters." And doppelgangers. "Close the door." )

[braveandstupid]

[Elena doesn't look a gift horse in the mouth and scoots inside, waiting for Katherine to get in before closing the door behind her. She steps back crossing her arms in front of her chest as she gives Natalie room to talk.]

She and her boyfriend are here. I think her patience is starting to wear thin but "Phil" convinced her to wait it out another day. She seemed like she was in a not great place.

[Which she would know. Elena's been in her fair share of not great places.]

I just was trying to help, so I talked to her.

[shreds]

... Wait, who's Phil?

( Why is none of this making sense to her? )

And why am I standing her up?

( "Because, cold feet apparently extends to long-awaited sibling reunions. Or, so she thinks." )

Long awaited what-now?

[braveandstupid]

[Okay, let's take this from the top.]

According to Nadia, she and Phil, her boyfriend, are here because she believes you planned to meet up with her. You've been texting? She was getting really disheartened because you made these plans and you didn't show up. And Phil, being "understanding," has been here supporting her the whole way, and convinced her to stay one more day, just in case you did show.

[She tips her head to the side.]

But I'm guessing that that is not why you're here?

[shreds]

( "Nadia's being catfished, because I haven't been messaging anyone, let alone talked to anyone else except for some fact-checker from my hometown, Hayes."

Please role, Elena, to hide your part in that...

"Nadia and I are not sisters. Nadia is an only child whose father killed himself and whose mother died of a broken heart, or so a very flowery obituary said. She was young and in good health, and until a few years back she was a member of her community. I crashed her mother's wake but didn't interact with Nadia directly, because before the beautiful speeches, Nadia split. I tracked her to this hotel but I haven't been able to find her, it's like she disappeared." )

[braveandstupid]

[At least this poker face is pretty good (18). Elena keeps her face fairly neutral, that melts into a look of sympathy at all that Nadia's been through. She frowns, because she seems to be able to find Nadia, but that could be a good or bad thing.]

If you're not related, then why did you follow her? What are you hunting?

[shreds]

( "What was her boyfriend's name?"

She will get right back to your answer as she sets her gun down on the table and picks up an old tome she's been studying. )

[braveandstupid]

She said it was Phil.

[She hasn't actually talked to the guy, just seen him. She hadn't noticed anything off at the time, but the red flags are definitely pinging at this point.]