everyonelives | the ground could open, he could still say please

[Danny learns very quickly that while Lizzie is off being busy playing the role of student, he needs to find something to do with his time. He's careful, asking around to the few people in the city that he knows and trusts, but eventually he finds a small witch community that he, as Danny "Bennett," can ingratiate himself into.

One of them owns a small "holistic medicine" shop out in the middle of Brooklyn, and she hires him to help her creature some tinctures, potions and protection spells, allowing him to put his witchy skills to use. As much as he loves spending time with Lizzie, it's nice to be around other witches again. He misses his coven, and while he doesn't feel like he can go home quite yet, he can still find his people when he needs them.

Today, the spellwork needed is a bit above his paygrade, so she puts him in the front of the store to deal with any spontaneous customers that may come in. It's been a bit of a slow morning, however, so he's currently flipping through a newspaper, only just barely looking up when he hears the jingle of the door.]

Morning. Can I help you with something?

( His first mistake was giving his full name.

Talia is new to New York. Not upstate New York, but the city. She's a little closer to family than she'd like to be, but she has gone to great lengths to stay under their radar. She's never liked their help, never trusted them in the first place, and yes, she's aware she could do with some therapy. Over time the golden girl with the sweet disposition discovered she liked her taste of magic. Being an heir, she was kept on a regimented track. Her parents didn't do her dirty like some, nor did they neglect her as much as she wanted, but she never connected with them.

So, she turns to the city.

It's larger than the European cities she's been to, not as old, and much more faceless. It's what she wants. Blending into the crowd is best, especially when you have an end goal in mind.

While a grand exit has always been Talia's big show, she has knack for finding people like her.

The bell jingles as she steps foot inside, boots making tracks into the middle of the store. This is more like it.

She turns, trying for a genuine smile, but she's still getting used to her muscle memory. It's funny how a body reacts, especially with the unnatural. (7) brings her face to face with Danny like he's her photographer on the first day of school. )

Good morning.

( She can feel the muscles in her cheeks and it takes everything she has not to kick herself. )

Hi.

[His smile comes a little easier, but he doesn't really pick up much false in hers (9). He figures she's probably just new to the area and doesn't really know anyone yet.]

I'm Danny. Are you looking for something specific?

Yes. No. I don't know.

( She laughs. )

I'm sorry, I'm new to New York and the area and the ... scene. Your home coven is never anything like --

( The real world. )

I'm new to the area too. It's a lot to get used to, but it helps if you meet the right people.

[He holds out a hand, because even if he's hiding undercover, he's still a friendly kid.]

I'm Danny.

( God, he's friendly. It's not not nice. She takes his hand, shaking it. )

Talia. Out here on my own living out my Fame dreams. The original, not the cheap remake. I'm a student at NYU.

Oh, so's my girlfriend.

[It's a small world after all. But he's still too trusting, even if he's more careful with his last name.]

So what brings you down to my side of town?

Checking out the witch scene. I thought I might peruse your crystals. And I definitely need to sage my new place.

( You know how it is. )

Sage is in the back, so I'll run and grab it. But crystals are right over there.

[He turns and points to the display in the corner.]

And I'll be right back.

I'll be right here.

( She watches him disappear through the back, already drawing her designs on him, thinking that this is her move. She's given herself the month. Dark magic built around the lunar cycle isn't the Colony's flavor, but she hasn't survived this long only swimming in the shallow end so-to-speak. She needs what she needs. And power is there for the taking, it's just a matter of where.

Rings adorn her fingers as she runs her fingertips along the glass case. )

[It doesn't take him long to find what he's looking for, and he returns with packages of sage in varying sizes.]

Not sure how much secret keeping you have to do, but choose your amount of sage accordingly.

[Because let's not pretend that that's not exactly what it's for.]

In this day and age. Find a girl after her latest break-up and you'll find sage and a bottle of cheap rosé. ( She pauses, preparing her lie (15) ) My older sister's friends.

[There's something about what she says that's off (16), but Danny, being the good dude that she is, assumes that he's just trying to cover for her own bad break up so he doesn't press her on it.]

Well, I say better over prepared than under.

[He gestures to the largest portion of sage.]

But I don't think you need to overspend on it when you can get it at any farmer's market and it's just as good.

You're really talking yourself out of a sale. And they say chivalry is dead. If it rains outside, will you set your jacket down over a puddle?

( Danny is too good for this world. It's a shame that he's standing between what she wants and he doesn't even know it. )

[He laughs.]

Not that chivalrous, I guess. I just know we sell enough sage that losing one isn't going to hurt us.

Got it. The man knows his priorities. Fine. I'll take your word. I won't take any more advantage than I already am. ( She grins, not expecting to genuinely like the kid. ) I appreciate the honesty.

[He shrugs.]

Honesty breeds trust which breeds loyalty. Or at least that's what they tell us.

[Even if he is ratting out his job for what's best for the consumer, sometimes they like that about you and will give you their business anyway.]

Better than anger leading to hate and hate leading to...

( The darkside! )

Full price.

[He grins at the reference.]

Something like that.

[He shrugs.]

Anyway. Anything else you're looking for?

Not today. But, maybe another day. I'm sure I'll see you around.

( Oh, this is why. )

I'm in the neighborhood.

Cool. I'll be here.

[Because this is where he works and all that.]

I'll see you around.

the ground could open, he could still say please

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