everyonelives | why is it you always get to sit in the shade

[Elena follows the sound of his voice to the kitchen and smiles when she sees them.]

Hey, guys.

["Hey, Elena," Sam smiles, before taking his beer and getting up to give her and his brother some room. Damian peers around her and offers Katherine a smile when she appears on the other side of her.]

[While he knows that his wife has every right to be angry with him, he did not think she would pick a fight with her own son about him making a choice that took him away from the danger.

He especially didn't expect her to do it in front of people that they are just meeting, who their son wants to make a good impression on. And they accuse him of being raised by wolves.]

Evie.

[While normally that nickname is said with fondness, this is a bit more clipped.]

Can we discuss this later?

[They were in the middle of lunch.]

["Killed in the fallout, I assume. One of them erected a barrier that caught the whole coven in a bubble. And they call us coldhearted. I'm sure they lost more doing that than they would have if people were allowed to leave." Catherine waves a hand as the waiter arrives to pour more wine. "Anyway, they would have had to die or release it themselves and since no one ascended on the solstice, I think it stands to reason that the Brightons are gone."

Hugo nods. "God rest their sanctimonious souls."

David's jaw shifts, but he says nothing. He's going to have to go talk to Bonnie.]

( He holds in his reaction best he can (15), knowing the truth, knowing that Danny Brighton is at both a disadvantage and an advantage now - and not knowing if he is still a horse in this race. )

What happens to that untapped power?

( Until it's tapped. )

( A protective air settles, Oliver for his son and William for Cooper as they wait for what Evelyn will say. Or not. Mickey has never met Evelyn before, but after seeing this outburst, it 100% makes sense for what Cooper has said about her. )

Will we?

( It's not fair, she's the one who didn't take his calls, not for a long time. Here she is extending a barbed olive branch. )

( "Damian." She sees beer has been given and clacks past both brothers and her mentor to stick her head in the fridge.

Leaving his beer there, Dean moves off of end of the booth and draws Elena in close. )

Detour's something you're getting from me?

Self-induced. And we're sure my niece's fingerprints are nowhere near this?

( He's been there, okay? )

["Well, that's where things get interesting." Catherine looks up as the door to the restaurant opens and she smiles in the direction of those that entire. "Good. Now that we're all here, we can begin."

David turns, and is surprised as the Melrouxs - Gabriel, Helene, Jaqueline and Maxim all head towards their table. Another four top is pulled over and the two younger members of the family look as confused as David and Ezra likely do.]

Mother?

["I know, ideally we would have had the Harpers here too, but Sierra hasn't been heard from in years so her parents will just have to handle that on their own."]

Catherine. What is this?

Staying away isn't always the wrong thing. But, look who's talking.

( Damon Salvatore. )

He probably misses you, even if it's deep deep down. And he always returns, right? Planes go both ways. Only took me over a year to join my brother over the rainbow.

Is your mother a hunter?

( Salt's very hunter. Semi-witchly, but not when it comes to entrances and exits unless they pertain to certain creatures. )

If they're sleeping, they're not snoring.

( And they're not people who need background noise to sleep. )

Maybe we should, too.

Well, count me in for that, too. I believe the best in you. Granted, you haven't exactly shown me the worst -- Not that I'm asking you to. But. I can handle it when it comes.

( Because it always comes. )

We should get some sleep.

We will.

[They have to. So much has gone unsaid for far too long. But in private where she can properly yell at him like he knows she's been itching to do.]

When we're not intruding on these nice people's hospitality.

[Aka after lunch.]

You mean when I'm not intruding.

( That's what he means. Not Michael. Not her son. She's the uninvited. )

Mr. Queen - Queens. I apologize. For intruding on your nice hospitality.

( Oliver hesitates, able to give her the room if she needs it, but not if it makes Michael Sullivan and Cooper uncomfortable. Maybe it's not his place.

"If you need the room, we have enough. That's if your family is okay with it." And this way, they can have that talk.

William glances at his father, back to Evelyn and then to Cooper. )

Jaq. Max, you've ... grown up.

( He doesn't know what to say, he's as caught off guard as his husband is.

"That's what happens, Gainor. Some of us grow into our looks and others just grow older," Max quips, trading cheek kisses with Catherine Gainor before taking his seat. )

Need I remind you, you tried this set-up. Your son and I are bound. You blessed our union ( No matter how begrudgingly ) What are you looking for?

( "Has Ezra always been this paranoid," Max asks his sister through a mischievous upturn of his mouth. He shakes his napkin to unfold it and places it in his lap. )

Edited 2022-10-16 03:21 (UTC)

["I'm fine with it if that's what Mom wants." Because he is happy to see his mother, and he's not sure how it went from there to hear. But gives William's hand a squeeze indicating he's fine, this is just why he calls her Hurricane Evelyn.

Michael keeps his eyes on his wife for a long moment, before glancing over at Oliver.]

That's very gracious of you. Thank you.

Okay.

( Cooper shouldn't be shocked that she has a rucksack in her pick-up parked just out front so when she does need to, she can retire to her room. )

This is where I usually apologize for making a scene. But, I'm just going to be happy that I get to be in the same room as my surviving son and my husband.

( William squeezes Cooper's hand back - as a silence falls over the table, Mia's phone chimes with Faith's name popping up.

Hey Tabloid Princess, guess who just finished her Star City business. Up for a little action? )

["Can you blame him?" Jaqueline replies, before settling next to her brother and meeting David's eyes across the table. Something is up, and while usually she can keep a step ahead of her parents, she didn't see this coming.

"Your marriage was final, this isn't about that," Hugo replies. "This is about something bigger. This is about the future of the Colony."

"Oh, good, you haven't told them yet," Gabriel smiles. "I was hoping we didn't miss the festivities."

As resolved as David likes to be, it's clear that he's starting to lose his patience.]

Will one of you answer my question about what this is?

[Catherine smiles over at her son, but there's no joy in it. Only challenge. "The inner circle has decided to call into session the Gauntlet. You, Sierra and either Jaqueline or Maxim will be expected to participate."

At that, Jaqueline's silverware clatters against her plate and David's face goes completely pale.]

( There's a point in every Colony bread-breaking when it feels like everything slides off its' axis, like the slaughter is ready to begin.

Years ago, Ezra was promised to not be kept in the dark about these things, but with the Colony layers never stop being revealed. It's not possible for his husband to talk him through everything, it would take an entire college course. )

Expected, with a choice in the matter?

["Well, Jaqueline and Maxim have a choice, in that only one of them needs to participate. But given that Sierra and David are both only children, no. They don't have a choice."]

The Gauntlet hasn't been run in centuries.

["Well, we haven't had incentive to." Gabriel admits. "But with the Knightsbridge power up for grabs it would make sense to test which heir would be the best fit for it."

Jaqueline turns her eyes on her father. "The heirs and whatever other shithead decides they want to challenge us."

Helene tsks out the side of her mouth. "Nothing but bloody chum for the true sharks. I'm sure one of the three of you will rise to the challenge."]

Oh thank god.

[It takes a second for Mia to realize she said that out loud, but when she looks up, she flashes them a smile.]

Sorry. I just forgot that I had plans with a friend in town. I'm late.

[She glances over and takes pitty on poor Mickey.]

Mick. You should come with me.

Against them and one another. And what happens to the others. To the victor goes the spoilers, and then?

( He doesn't like this. They're utilizing their son being home, using him again. )

( After a second, she doesn't even wait for a reply and just drops a pin The Pink Door, a hotspot in Star City.

Mickey finally breaks his gaze with his plate around all the awkwardness and figures, well, anything is better than here.

"Sure. Yeah. I'll come with."

William slides his and Cooper's hands back and off the table.

"With - right. They're in town. I forgot." William says. "Old friend of Mia's she wanted me to meet. I hate to - cut this short -" )

Edited 2022-10-16 03:49 (UTC)

[Cooper glances at his boyfriend who is leaving with his sister and his best friend and is he supposed to just ... bail? Given what's going on with his parents right now. He glances to his father and Michael nods.

This is mostly between him and Evelyn. As far as Michael is concerned, they can talk when Coop gets back.

But he then looks to his mother, because if Evelyn wants him to stay he'll stay.]

( "Go. See Mia's friend. Have fun. You deserve it. We can talk tomorrow."

They can all talk tomorrow.

With the green light, William waits for his sister, Mickey, and Cooper and they end up rising in unison. )

why is it you always get to sit in the shade

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