everyonelives | as we pass through arrangements of shadows

( Oh. Finally. He doesn't care about the airport bartender listening in on his call. )

Me and everyone else we know. And everyone else they know. Gotta catch 'em all.

I thought that you guys took care of all the hunters?

[So how did this list come into being? Something about it doesn't seem right, but he doesn't know which buttons to push either.]

What are you going to do?

( Two questions, different answers. )

We took care of the hunters that went after you and Derek Hale. New Orleans in New Orleans, likewise the kids and Prague, London. We didn't eradicate all hunters. Monroe went down and someone decided we had to scramble.

( At least, that's what people think. )

I'm getting out of dodge. We're all putting Mystic Falls in the rearview, I thought I should, too.

Really?

[Okay, then. He doesn't want to ask the next question, because part of him already suspects the answer but he's going to ask it anyway.]

Where are you heading?

That's where you come in, brother. You're off the grid where I should be. And I've never been. So, I thought, why not enroll in Slayer school.

( He just needs more information that just, Scotland. )

[Stefan makes a face before making his way to find Buffy. He's not allowed to just issue invitations to the castle, so best to make sure the lady in charge is okay with it.]

You do know that I'm not the headmaster of Slayer School, right? I can't just give you a visitor pass?

( "No, but you're in a serious relationship with its' namesake. Do you call her headmistress, Stefan?"

Buffy is just getting back from her night on patrol with a few slayers. Kogo parks the jeep and she climbs down from the front seat, sliding out and hitting the ground with both feet. )

I do not, because that's not what she is. I was just going with the metaphor.

[He makes his way closer, hitting mute because he doesn't want her to feel pressured for Damon adding some commentary. He does smile and say hello before he jumps into the crux of the situation.]

Apparently my brother is planning a European vacation and he wants to drop by. Is that okay?

( "So, Vanilla. Buffy," he remarks. )

Uhm, good morning. ( She waves to the other girls who are heading in from their night shift, buying herself some time. ) Let's start with why is your brother planning a European vacation?

Edited 2022-03-06 05:54 (UTC)

[Unmute.]

No comment.

[Mute.]

Apparently he and the rest of our friends are on some kind of hit list, and he's looking to go off the grid. According to him, everyone in Mystic Falls got doxxed.

( "That's what people say when the reporter gets it right, Stefan. Stefan?

Did the call drop?" He looks at his phone, no, it's going. He's probably consulting with his betrothed. She and Stefan are practically married by now. )

You say "according to him" like you don't believe they got -- doxxed? Not with doxins...

I'm saying that I haven't talked to anyone else yet, and I wouldn't put it beyond my brother to fake a catastrophe to show up and be himself.

[Unmute.]

I'm here, and no, that's what people say when it's really none of your business.

[Mute.]

He doesn't have to stay here. I could put him up in a hotel.

To terrorize the Scottish highlands? I think we'd both rather have him close, than ... doing who knows what in town.

( Or, she doesn't know, but she does think it. )

[He makes a face because she has a point. Then he sighs.

Unmute.]

What time does your flight get in?

Eight hours. Quick flight to New York and then a non stop barely over six hour flight.

( He relented. That was easy. That it's because they don't trust his actions? That's on them. )

Stefan glances down to his watch and does the math with time zones ...]

Okay. Text me the flight details and I'll be there to pick you up.

( He doesn't love that he's some kind of liability, but, he wins. )

OK. ...Obviously, it goes without saying, be careful when you're out in the world. Your name, your picture, and your history is out there.

[Stefan nods.]

I will. You be careful too. There's a lot that can happen between now and you getting on the plane. Never mind what might happen in the air.

Just what I need, Con Air, but with vampires. I'll keep a low profile. Snag some sunglasses, a baseball cap. Blanket for warmth.

( They still give blankets, right? )

[They totally can in AU land.]

Yeah, I'm sure you'll totally blend in.

At least there are like nine people in first class. See you soon, brother.

( And in sunny Scotland, Buffy waits as Stefan hangs up.

"Your brother's coming." )

Yes, he is.

[And as much as he grumbles about Damon, he also knows that this might be good.]

It probably won't be that bad.

Yeah, probably not. You're also allowed to be happy. He is your brother.

( Just in case he wants to... exude more happiness, he can. )

He is. And I love him. It's just ... hard to turn off that sense of impending doom.

[But in theory, the doom has already happened. And Damon has grown and changed as a person. So he's probably overreacting.]

You don't have to talk to me about a sense of sibling doom. Although, I grew out of mine. I'll tell you about Dawn, sometime.

( And how she wasn't always her sister, but now she's the only sister she'd ever ask for. )

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