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

( He knows better than to give off any evidence of weakness with these two. He also knows better than to get into any of it, any of the reasons why it's been so long between trips. Say what you want about their love for their son, but they still practically traded his life. For power. For legacy. Ever the dutiful son, things have to be swept under the rug. It's a danger to the both of them to go digging into the past.

Lucky for Ezra, Catherine is interested in the present.

He likes Mystic Falls. Even with the assignment he's held onto for so long, he made a piece of that town his home - and by extension, his husband's.

Hard to believe he misses it, but maybe he just misses the general sense of safety he felt on his own property. He also misses California - but only because he grew up there - not because it brings him any sentimentality. )

Beset upon by some very trigger-happy hunters. Truth be told, we may not be returning anytime soon.

( He dangles the hope that their prodigal son could finally return in earnest, because it's not an untrue statement. )

["I did hear about that. Poor Jaqueline left quite the mess in Gabriel's office. It was so kind of you both to come to her rescue."]

We may not be engaged any more, Mother, but Jaqueline is still my friend.

[A questionable friend, but he doesn't want her dead.]

And, Jaqueline did literally crash into us.

( Whether she escaped her own danger only to time it perfectly with theirs, he doesn't know. But, his network was clear. They were hit from multiple angles all at the same time. It wasn't a coincidence and she ,had been in danger. )

Was anybody else in the Colony targeted?

["Not as far as we're aware," Hugo replies. "But not many of the members make themselves quite so visible. They would have to have a very vindictive source to get close to the inner circle."

David mentally translates that to mean their likely were casualties. But they were so low on the totem pole that they're beneath the Inner Circle's notice.]

That's good to hear. Hopefully it stays that way. From what I understand, the list was taken down, so from here on out it should only be stragglers and idiots who get themselves caught.

If only idiots were in a more concentrated area, not scattering their paranoia and violent decisions around London and Prague.

( And New Orleans. )

It's nothing we haven't handled. You haven't handled.

[Catherine turns on Ezra, a slow smile creeping across her face as though he's just given her an opening. David hates that look on his mother's face, because it usually means someone has fallen into a trap.

"It's so funny you should mention London and Prague."

Hugo sighs. "Catherine, we said we'd tell them together."

Catherine gives him a look, before leaning back. "I was just going to say how fortunate it was that the Knightsbridge heir failed to ascend."

David raises an eyebrow.]

And what do they matter to us? I thought they gave us our walking papers a long time ago.

You might react that way about another coven losing their de facto leader to -- whatever failure occurred in Prague.

( He knows Bonnie Bennett was involved but excuse him if he doesn't mention the involvement of a Bennett witch with the Colony. )

[Catherine glances to her son. "Have you told him the history?"

David rolls his eyes.]

The Colony used to be part of the Knightsbridge coven. Until they decided they didn't like how we were practicing magic and cut us off.

["A new heir failing to ascend in a timely manner provides us with an opportunity. And as far as we can tell, all the Brightons are dead."]

An opportunity to - absorb the Knightsbridge coven? Or install your own proxy?

( Or a combination there-in. Forgive him for playing catch up. He keeps his questions clinical, tries to shield his opinions on the matter (13), doesn't glances at his husband, only holds court with Catherine. And Hugo when he chimes in. )

What makes you think the Knightsbridge coven will defer, no matter what claim you used to have?

Because ascendancy isn't just a fancy word for a new leader being chosen. There's a spell. There's a ritual. There's a whole well of power that is currently not being tapped.

[And he also knows that the Knightsbridge heir isn't dead. But that's not something he's going to share with his parents.

Hugo picks up his drink and leans back in his seat. "That well can be tapped by anyone from a specific collection of bloodlines provided they are able to complete the ascendancy ritual. But only one person can truly be in charge."]

Which means you want to try and steal it.

[Catherine gives a charming shrug. "It's an opportunity worth grabbing, don't you think?"]

What happened to the Knightsbridge heir?

( He knows. His husband knows. Do they know? And is it stealing if it falls to them, anyway. In this conversation it doesn't matter what he believes. And are they angling for their son to take his "rightful" place? )

["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. )

["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?

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)

["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."]

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. )

By the time they're done, there won't be others.

[Because they'll all be dead. That's how this game works.]

You realize if the Melrouxs win, or one of the otusiders, that means the Gainor and Harper lines are gone.

["Then you should make sure you don't lose darling," Catherine points out.]

You're -- sitting here civilized pitting your kids against each other?

(Killing his husband, or severing his magic. )

Ever think about an opt-out button?

["To be quite honest," Helene speaks up from her end of the table. "The inner circle has been unhappy with the dedication and drive of this latest generation. We're hoping that the Gauntlet will give them the opportunity to rise to the occasion."

David's fingers drum against the table.]

When is this starting? Sierra needs to be given proper notice.

["The ceremony needs to be performed on the next solstice. Since autumn would be ideal, but since we need time to find Sierra, we will plan for winter."]

And if another Knightsbridge witch tries to ascend on the autumn one?

["We have contingencies for that. Don't worry."]

Why is the Gauntlet necessary. I already know, of the three of them, Maxim's got his eye on it, don't you. Why not just let him ascend. Leave his foulmouthed sister and my husband out of it?

( "You don't really do tradition out in Cali, do you, Gainor?" Max asks tilting his head. "It's called dedication. But, you're on probation, right? Almost getting your mark killed. Where is Elena Gilbert, again?" )

Max, we all took off. Forgive me for not following Elena with hunters on our tail. I'll find her.

[Jaqueline's expression seems almost vacant as everyone argues around her, but she's still stunned that this is happening. Part of it is all the planning, all the struggle, all the work that she and Sierra have been doing, and in one fell swoop, the inner circle yanks it out from under them.

But at the same time, she's panicking with what will have to be done, and she can't, she can't let her brother get in that ring. She knows he'll be willing to do whatever it takes, but she can't watch him kill David, kill Sierra, and she doesn't know if she could bear it if either of them killed Maxim.

The fuckers, all of them.

Glancing away from the table in an attempt to compose herself (10), before glancing down to the phone in her lap and sending out a text to Sierra.]

The inner circle is starting the Gauntlet.

[The fact that they need to talk is a given, but they can't do it here, where her parents are watching.]

We have time, don't we? To decide which of us is going to do it?

["Is it truly a decision, Jaqueline?" Gabriel asks, well meaning but it makes her want to claw her father's eyes out.]

What? I'm not allowed to want to rise to the occasion?

[She's really not doing well at covering how emotional this is making her, but let's be real, she's having a time (2).]

( Maxim's narcissism keeps him from catching his sister's shell-shocked demeanor (2), while (16) Ezra catches real emotion coming from a woman he once thought an enemy.

Fall, Winter or Spring?

He can't miss his sister's outburst, her questions, not when she's falling apart in front of them. His hand comes to her knee to steady her. )

We do, Jaq. We all do. They said Winter. It's not Winter. So. We have time.

( He looks to his father. )

And it's going to be our decision. Not yours. Not that any of this really is our decision. This is the one decision we get to have, so, let us have it. ( That cockiness itches again. ) Not Ezra, Ezra, you don't get a choice in the matter. Feels good, doesn't it. How fleeting that freedom of yours is?

Edited 2022-10-16 04:42 (UTC)

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