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

( Ryan does know they're somewhere in Missouri. He remembers passing the Ohio-Missouri state line, but they hadn't been driving in a torrential downpour then. The highway came to a standstill. With Applemaps, what could go wrong if they deviated from the highway.

Everything, considering the torrential downpour and the delayed map response.

Ryan thought if they kept going straight, they'd find something, but if there's a sign or any indication of anything, he can't see it. Caroline is right. )

Is there anywhere that looks like it's nearby?

( And like it's possible to get there? She might have to break the news to him that service is nil, but for now, he keeps up the quiet Ryan Atwood grit. )

The GPS is gone.

[So that's a no, at least temporarily. She squints out into the darkness, trying to catch glimpses of signs that might indicate that there's somewhere to sleep, but the rain is coming down in torrents with no sign of relief in their sights. Sign after green sign disappears into the darkness before she sees it, a green indicator sign with a white bed stenciled on it, showing that there is a place to sleep at the next exit.]

There!

[She points into the darkness, urging him on.]

Take the next exit.

( Excuse the jerk of his wheel, that 'there' was sudden, but he regains control of the car and the wheels as he avoids hydroplaning. Flipping up the turn signal, he slides the car over into the exit lane, following her directions. )

Sorry.

It's okay.

[The exit lets off into a shadowy road and a long stretch of trees, which at least cuts down on some of the wind. They pass a gas station or two but no motels or obvious pieces of lodging until ...]

Is that a B&B? Coming up on the left?

( He does make sure to commit to memory where the gas station is for later. In this, or even in clear weather, it could come in handy. Ryan tries to peer past the angry windshield wipers. )

Maybe?

( He sees a building at least, is there parking? )

[As they get closer there is in fact parking, though a smaller lot in comparison to what they would expect from a motel or a hotel. But there are empty spaces that lead up to a quaint Victorian looking home, with a small sign out front that reads: FIVE OAKS BOUTIQUE INN.

Underneath it, dangling from the two hooks is a small removable sign blowing in the wind: VACANCY.]

Seems like they have rooms. Want to give it a shot?

We don't have a choice in this.

( He pulls the car into the small lot, the rain still pouring. )

It's better to stay here than to attempt the roads.

( Especially with how it's been. )

Isaac, Bonnie.

[Isaac stirs, peering out into the rain and blinking in surprise. He doesn't feel like he's been asleep that long, and the fact that it's still dark means it's not his turn to drive.]

Are we there already?

( Isaac's movement alerts Bonnie, who doesn't have the stamina of a werewolf on her side, so her waking up is a more groggy affair. She tries stifling a yawn, covering her mouth. )

Is the bunker under that house?

[Caroline shakes her head, turning to face them from the passenger's seat.]

The weather is terrible, and it isn't safe to drive. So we're stopping at a B&B to try and wait it out.

["Great," Isaac sighs, peering out into the darkness. "Sounds like fun." Then, after a beat. "It's still your turn to drive."]

We'll negotiate driving orders when it clears. ( Even after getting some rest, she feels like she needs more. ) Or tomorrow. Should we make a run for it?

( In their haste to get out of town, she remembers nobody packed an umbrella. Unless there is one in the backseat, or the trunk. In the meantime, she tries to peer through the downpour to see if there is anything striking about the B & B (spot 17) )

Vampires have a bit of an unfair advantage there.

[He's just pointing that out. Werewolves are fast, but they're not move like a blur fast. Caroline narrows her eyes at him, before grabbing Bonnie and zip zip zooming them up under the wraparound porch of the B&B safely out of the rain.]

( Don't worry, meager amount of baggage in hand, Ryan zip-zap-zooms he and Isaac next, not out of obligation, but math. He's not about to leave him soaking in the rain.

You're welcome. You're kind of a dick. )

Thanks, Care.

Anytime.

[She still flashes Isaac a look before pushing open the doors and making her way into the bed and breakfast.

What greets them in the interior is a slightly overperfumed lobby looking like it's come straight out of a B&B that seems to go a little above and beyond. Underneath the cloying scents of lilac and perfumia which makes Isaac sneeze from the strength of it, is a set of couches and arm chairs that are an explosion of paisley, all leading to a front desk made from polished wood. Standing behind it is a middle aged woman with a very aggressive perm in her chestnut hair, a bob of poof curls that bounces a bit as she turns to face them.

"Oh, well hello there. You poor things, were you out in that storm?"

Caroline offers her best smile as she makes her way closer.]

Yes, and we were hoping we might be able to get some rooms?

["Oh, sure now. Let me just check the guest book and see what we have available."]

( Ryan takes up the rear.

Holy 90's, woman. At least Bonnie thinks so, too. )

Two.

( They were on a double date before having to go on the run. Not that money's an object for anyone traveling with two vampires. )

["No problem. We've got two rooms, but unfortunately they're on the opposite ends of the floor."

Caroline waves a hand.]

That's no problem. We know we're putting you out.

[Plus they have super hearing, so if something goes wrong, theoretically everyone will be able to hear it. The front desk lady nods as she starts getting the paperwork together.

"Alright then. Just fill in all your information and we'll get you all settled. There's an event schedule in your packet, and you just call down to the front desk."

Caroline nods as she goes to step forward and start filling out the paperwork.]

We walk fast.

( Yes. Walk.

"Event schedule?" Bonnie asks. In this? Clearly it won't be bird watching. She hopes it won't be a game afternoon.

Bonnie peruses the events, tilting the paper to Isaac, too. What kinds of events? )

[It's all very quaint, really. One day this week has a board game night. There's some karaoke. A nice potluck at the end of each week. Really it's just charming little activities for people who are staying more than a night to avoid the storm.

There's even a dinner theater mystery party one night. Fun times.

The lady at the front desk smiles and holds out the keys to each of them. "Just in case you'd like to join us. We try to keep things fun here." Once Caroline and Isaac take the keys she nods. "My name's Babs, and if you need anything, just call down to the front desk."]

Thank you. We really appreciate it.

[And with that, she will turn back to her friends and nod towards the carpet covered stairs.]

( All Bonnie can think is how a guest on vacation can participate in a potluck, but maybe it's about welcoming locals. She knows Caroline would get a kick out of the mystery party night. Isaac and Ryan would find the bar. )

We do.

( Once they're not within earshot, Bonnie has to ask. )

Usually, I'm the first to sign us up for group activities, but that was a lot.

["Oh good, so it wasn't just me." Isaac is not a joiner. It's a miracle Scott got him into the pack in the first place.

Caroline nods as they head up the stairs.]

I know, but we don't have to stay here long. We just need to get some sleep, and wait out the storm, and then we can go.

[Everything will ~~not~~ be fine.]

No murder mystery party?

( She's joking, but this is Caroline. And she would organize one of her own. She has. They all have. Literally. )

[Caroline raises her eyebrows before shaking her head.]

Not this weekend. At least, I hope not.

[They reach the top of the stairs, where they have to part ways.]

We'll be just down the hall. Text if you need us.

[Or scream. Caroline will come running if there's a scream.]

( For give her if she anticipates the oncoming jinx. )

You too.

( She knows Isaac, Caroline, and Ryan can all hear each other even at a faint whisper, so she's at least not worried for any kind of friendly interference should they need it.

Bonnie, key in hand follows the number to the door she'll share with Isaac. She gives him an encouraging, 'Well, better get this over with' look before letting them inside their room. )

[Isaac is not quick enough to catch what Ryan notices (5), but he does notice the explosion of color that meets them on the inside.]

I feel like we're in a teen girl's bedroom from an eighties sitcom.

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