why is it you always get to sit in the shade

[blackstarred]

Comments

[maleficum]

["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.]

[praevaricatio]

( 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. )

[maleficum]

["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?

[praevaricatio]

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. )

[maleficum]

["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.]

[praevaricatio]

( 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?

[maleficum]

["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."]

[praevaricatio]

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. )

[maleficum]

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.]

[praevaricatio]

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?

[maleficum]

["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."]

[praevaricatio]

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.

[tearhiseyesout]

[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).]

[maxxx]

( 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?

[tearhiseyesout]

[She holds her father's gaze, and he doesn't flinch, but he does concede her question. "You have until the Harpers are able to speak to Sierra in person. Once she is made aware, the announcement will be made to the rest of the coven so we will need to know who of the two of you is competing by then."

She nods, before glancing back to Max with an expression that says they will discuss this later.

She glances down and types quickly:]

Winter. But they have failsafes in place to keep anyone from getting it in autumn. Not sure what they are yet, but I'll try to find out.

Max and I don't have to make a decision on who's competing until your parents give you notice. Buy me time to work on him and David?

[Aka, do your best to not be found?]

[maxxx]

( Yeah, he knows. He's not able to actually get away from his sister when she has a bone to pick, or when she gets her yen from self-sacrificing - or disappearing for weeks at a time. Yeah, you're right, you'll talk.

They're not the only ones with contingencies. I can make it rain as hard as they can.

Harder even. )

Thank you. For the invitation, Catherine.

( He's still the youngest son, polite, even if he's been trapped again. )

It's hard to believe the last time we were all together, you were explaining the diplomatic upside to screwing my sister over.

[maleficum]

[Still. Be careful.

And that's all she can say for now in mixed company. Everything else will have to wait until she's alone. Instead, she'll just lean back and let Max glare daggers at Catherine Gainor.

Catherine's eyes narrow. "We all have to make the best of bad situations on occasion, Maxim. I'm sure you know that."

David grits his teeth before getting up.]

You know what, as much fun as you all trading barbs left and right may be, I think I'm done with dinner for the evening. Ez?

[He looks over at his husband like they should leave.]

[praevaricatio]

( Preparation means I won't have to be.

Ezra stands, too, always there to back his husband, pushing in his chair. )

I'm not thanking you.

( For the company, for the hospitality, for blindsiding them.

Lead the way, hus. )

[maleficum]

[He will take them back to their room, even short cutting them through the bathroom door to their bedroom. It's the only place where he knows for sure that they will have privacy.

Mostly because he ensured that they would with his own spellcraft.

Once they're there, he sinks down onto the edge of the bed and buries his face in his hands.]

Fuck.

[praevaricatio]

( This isn't happening. This won't happen. He rifles through one of their duffels and pulls out a special silencing weed. Setting it on a glass knick knack he'll use as an ash tray. )

Incendia.

( A pink fume wafts through the air locking down their conversation. It takes everything in his power not to smash the knick knack under hand.

Gathering himself, he turns to face his husband. )

I'm not letting this happen.

[maleficum]

How exactly do you intend to stop it?

[Because really, he's open to options. But he knows how the Colony likes to play and he will not lose his husband because he wants to try and play politics. He also is trying to calculate how many pieces of his own he has to move.]

Because if you get caught interfering, they will kill you.

[praevaricatio]

( He knows his husband won't like his immediate ideas. He hates his them himself, but it feels like one of their only options. But, maybe it can fall under contingency. )

David, I've been married to you long enough I know there is no stopping it, but there is always a play. It only takes Maxim, Jaq, even tracking Sierra down to claim it, and then you're off the table. No one dies.

( Barring that. )

[maleficum]

[David closes his eyes, because yes, that would be the play, if this were about power and not control.]

As good as those intentions are, people dying is the point. The claim to the power is just a fun bonus. They're forcing us to do this to try and break us and force us back in line.

[praevaricatio]

Then we're getting out.

( He decides it. He knows it's harder and next to impossible, but he's always had the idea in his back pocket. It just feels like the resort you can't come back from. And it may have to be repeated. )

[maleficum]

Have you learned how to magically change my DNA? Because if you've figured that out, we may stand a chance, but if not ...

[The Colony specializes in blood magic for a reason. They will summon him back.]

I'm an heir. I've been informed. Unless you kill every single one of them, once they begin the Gauntlet, I'll be pulled back.