everyonelives | as we pass through arrangements of shadows

I don't know ... making us forget things? Didn't Dracula have like a thrall or something?

[She should not be making references to fictional vampires right now, but this is all the non-Rebekah provided information she has to go off of.]

He did.

( He doesn't like fiction in this case. )

Whatever we really think at the end of this, it may not matter. I think we have no choice. We have to accept this.

[She nods, because that's the thing she's having the hardest time with. The acceptance portion.]

It's just ... hard. My brain isn't wired to go "okay, vampires." But I also don't want anyone coming in and messing with my recollection of things either. So I'm doing my best to get over the first hump.

Then, let's attack it beat by beat. How was your brain wired. Before you met me, did you think anyone could forge as good as I could? Allegedly.

( He smiles, trying to help her through this. )

[She laughs, before shaking her head.]

I thought we were wrapping our head around vampires, not stroking your ego.

We can do both. ( This is what he wants. Be carefree. Take it seriously, but smile through it. Maybe they can get to the root of her disbelief. (Maybe they can attack his own.) But the spotlight is on Sara. ) Really. Think about it. An art forger of my caliber - and thief - you were in a world investigating insurance fraud, but did you believe it could be done. Were you more angry I got my hands on the Rafael? ...Allegedly?

[She shakes her head, before reaching for his hand as she leans back against the headboard.]

It's not that I disbelieved your ability. It's that I was pissed off that you were able to keep getting away with it. And, more to the point, that you could do it while being so damn charming. That's very different than this.

[She shakes her head.]

I know thieves and forgers and criminals are real. No one ever tried to tell me they weren't. But they do say that about vampires and werewolves and witches. So ... I'll get there. I just might need a minute.

( Well, he.... selfishly tried. )

Vlad the Impaler - I assume. Come to think of it, you'd wonder if Rasputin had been a vampire.

I think if we wanted to find out, we're definitely around the right people to ask.

[She makes a face.]

I don't think I actually want to know, though.

The sun's coming up. We should try to get what sleep we can.

( Neal may wake up drunk at this point, but he tugs her to him and to the bed, yawning. )

[Sara goes where she's pulled, settling in comfortably next to him. She's not sure she'll be able to sleep, but she's willing to give it her best effort.]

Maybe things will make more sense with sleep.

I doubt it. But, we have to try, if to at least sleep off the wine.

( He says they should sleep, but all he accomplishes is unlacing his nice shoes and settling a shoulder against hers. )

Is... today ( Peter and Elizabeth's ) Little Neal's baseball game?

[She reaches for her phone, checking the calendar.]

It is. But it's in the afternoon, so we have a little time.

Very little.

( He checks the watch he's just removed and blearily leans way back to set it down on the night table. He lays there, faced down, outstretched. )

Do I have the energy to properly get to bed.

[She smirks before nudging him gently so they can get under the covers.]

I promise you'll be much more comfortable.

( Fighting with all his might, he makes it. These sheets are luxury and everything Neal would sleep in. Yeah, he'll sleep just fine. )

What if we wake up and this is all a crazy dream. And you were there, and you.

That would be nice.

[She shifts and curls into him, running her fingers through his hair.]

But maybe it won't be such a bad thing if it's not.

Maybe. I still have you and you have me, no matter what crazy awaits us later in the morning.

( So. )

That we do.

[She smiles, before leaning in to kiss him softly.]

See you in the morning.

See you in the morning.

( It's cute, it's old fashioned. And as crazy as this day has become, she is keeping him grounded. )

[And with that she drifts off and actually manages to get some sleep. It's only a couple hours but it's enough to fade the adrenaline out of her system and have her adjust a bit.

She's still not sure she's solid on all of it, but she doesn't think that talking to the first vampires will get her the kind of clarity she needs. So she goes and seeks out Doc, and hopes that maybe he'll provide more perspective.]

Good morning.

( Neal, too, although he's sluggish and fighting through the beginnings of a hangover. Only Sara really ever sees him, hair disheveled, t-shirt... morning-Neal.

He kisses her good morning and then buries himself under a pillow for another hour.

Doc has gotten up early, let Rebekah and her brother take Henry for a morning stroll to the local patisserie, leaving him to use what's in the cupboard to make Neal and Sara something hearty. He had not gone through as much wine and the adrenaline had pushed any of it out of his system.

"Good morning," Doc greets, waving a spatula. )

Smells delicious.

[And she is hungry for breakfast.]

Are the Mikaelsons around?

Rebekah and her brother have taken Henry to get breakfast. I have not seen Klaus or his paramour.

( Or... Bela. Maybe she met them down there. )

It's just you, me, and -- is Neal still sleeping?

He is. I think he wanted to try and get another hour.

[But she is awake and her brain is already turning in circles.]

Do you think we could talk?

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