why is it you always get to sit in the shade

[blackstarred]

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[moralitypolice]

( 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?

[vampireboulevard]

[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."]

[moralitypolice]

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) )

[notwitty]

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.]

[moralitypolice]

( 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.

[vampireboulevard]

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."]

[widenecked]

( 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. )

[vampireboulevard]

["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.]

[widenecked]

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? )

[vampireboulevard]

[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.]

[moralitypolice]

( 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.

[vampireboulevard]

["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.]

[moralitypolice]

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. )

[vampireboulevard]

[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.]

[moralitypolice]

( 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. )

[notwitty]

[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.

[moralitypolice]

It's called kistch.

( And it will do for now. )

And what would you call your preferred style?

[notwitty]

[He shrugs, because he's not sure he has one. He's spent a lot of his adult life living out of suitcases in hotels.]

Haven't really had a chance to think about it. But when I last had a room of my own, it was pretty simple. Solid color, bed, dresser, closet, my lacrosse trophies.

[moralitypolice]

Lacrosse trophies.

( He was an athlete. )

Am I dating a jock?

( Totally Caroline's style more than hers, but she can joke all the same. Isaac is much more than just a jock. He's thoughtful. He has a short temper and even shorter patience. But, they ground each other. It works.

Is it weird that it works? She bookmarks girl talk for a little later. )

[notwitty]

[He laughs, before giving a shrug.]

Not since high school. But it was a good outlet for my anger issues.

[Of which he had many.]

I definitely wasn't one of the popular jocks, though. Way more on the loner side.

[widenecked]

( Ryan lets Caroline take the lead after watching Bonnie and Isaac slip around the corner.

As he follows, he listens for anything distinctive going on in the hotel or any passing rooms (14). )

[vampireboulevard]

[It's funny. It's almost too quiet.

He can hear the muffled sounds of conversation, but it's like they're all wrapped in cotton, even to his vampire hearing. But Caroline eventually finds the room, sliding the key in the door which is much louder and harsher than anything else in the hotel.

She lets them in and sighs as she closes the door behind them. The rooms are a continuance of the rest of the B&B, an explosion of pastels and overdone designs. And aside from the soft click of the door behind them, once the door is closed, no other sounds permeate the room.]

I think I need a shower. How about you?

[widenecked]

( Too quiet for how quaint this structure is, right?

That's weird. )

Yeah, I could shower. You go first?

( Ever the romantic, Ryan always has to be -- pressed to act more amorously. But, when he gets to it, he gets to it. He tears off his coat and button down, wife beater surviving the onslaught of rain. )

[vampireboulevard]

[Honestly, after all that time in the car, Caroline's not exactly feeling the most sexy. She wouldn't have said no if he insinuated, but Ryan's not really known for giving those kinds of ins.]

Okay. I won't be long.

[And with that she will disappear into the bathroom and Ryan is free to poke at things if he wants.]

[widenecked]

( Well, Ryan has never been a skilled rummager, but he takes a cursory search around the room (7). It's halfhearted at best and it's mostly about getting to know his surroundings. )