the ground could open, he could still say please

[slavophile]

Comments

[undermyfeet]

Uh, no.

[A beat.]

Well, not not like them? Given the fact that they tend to attract apocalypses like they're end of the world magnets, but her mom is the Earp Heir.

[moralitypolice]

You too? What is there a book written on them?

( Actually, Bonnie, a series. )

I don't know what an Earp heir is but I guess heir is the word of the day. Okay. Think it over. We have your back. Whatever you decide, if it's yes, then you won't be alone. We'll do it right and we'll do it quietly. If it's no, then you do not, I mean it Danny, blame yourself. You didn't create the Gauntlet.

[undermyfeet]

No, I didn't. But my coven did, or at least is partially responsible. And if I'm going to become their leader that means I have to take responsibility for that.

[Not that the Colony didn't earn their exile, but he knows that the druids don't always make the right call. After all, his father felt that he could ignore Monroe's people until they went away, and that clearly didn't work.]

I'll let you know what I decide.

[moralitypolice]

I'll be there when you do.

( After their serious conversation, Bonnie rejoins Isaac and lets Danny go back to whatever he was doing on break. She waits with Isaac outside of the coffee shop David went into. )

I don't know what he's going to do.

[undermyfeet]

[Danny waits until Bonnie is out of earshot before pulling out his phone. From the look at the time, he knows he's going to have to go back to work, but at least he can make plans for when he gets out, and sends a quick text to his girlfriend:]

Can I come over after work?

[jockwitch]

As long as you promise not to completely distract me with your charming Britishness. Apparently in college they assign reading your first week.

Oh, maybe you could read out loud to me.

[undermyfeet]

Actually, I kind of need to talk to you about something.

[But she doesn't need him as a distraction, so he backs off.]

But if you're busy tonight we can talk later.

[jockwitch]

I'm only as busy as I decide and I decided for the both of us. I'll get my reading done before. But, next chapter you're all mine.

Like tonight.

I'll order in Chinese around eight? We can sit in the common room and make everyone jealous of our happiness.

( How many people come to school already in a relationship? )

[undermyfeet]

Sounds perfect. See you then.

[And he will head back to work, doing his best not to think about the giant decision that was dropped on him until then. But around 8 pm, he arrives at her dorm and texts up that he's arrived and she should come let him.]

[jockwitch]

( The elevator though modern is slow so it's a five minute slog to come down, let him in, and lead him back up.

Luckily, nobody has taken their spot since she's been gone. Great, because it's her Chinese and she paid for it.

She likes the common area, not just because all eyes that pass are on her, but because she doesn't want to ask Alice to leave every time she wants boyfriend time. They find it while she's out, but she doesn't want to keep asking. With Josie, she only really needed her time with Finch and then with Hope post humanity-loss. So, it isn't as if she doesn't find her own solutions.

Settling down, she hands him his disposable plate so they can pick at what they want.

She tries to mask her vague level of worry (10) because she never likes anyone just asking her to talk, but she also believes in her relationship as new as it is. Her guess? Witch business. She hopes it's witch business and not about them. )

So, what did you want to talk about?

[undermyfeet]

[Danny rubs at his forehead because yeah. Probably better to rip off the bandaid and get it out there.]

You know that witch friend of Bonnie's who's not really her friend but he somehow always manages to show up when bad shit happens?

[Because yes. That's the best way to describe David.]

[jockwitch]

The literal portent of everything falling apart. Let me take a wild guess. Everything is going to fall apart.

( How many dead hunters this time? )

This is about you, isn't it?

[undermyfeet]

[He nods, then pauses and shakes his head.]

It both is and isn't? Basically the Colony thinks I'm dead, so since there are no heirs left in Knightsbridge, they're making a play for it themselves. There's this thing called the Gauntlet, and it's basically a giant death match for the crown of the Colony. They have one more heir left to inform before it begins.

Unfortunately, that heir knows what the rest of the Colony doesn't - that I'm alive and what I look like. Remember Maura, the witch we met in Prague?

[He's not sure he's telling her all of this in the right order, but it's a good start.]

[jockwitch]

The shifty brunette.

( What's the Gauntlet? She's a little lost in the order, it's true, but the seriousness rings through. She remembers. Neither her nor Josie trusts the woman but they had no choice and everything happened so fast. )

Making a play for what, Danny? For you? Are you in danger?

[undermyfeet]

Well. Again, yes and no. The shifty brunette is Colony and she knows I'm alive but they're currently trying to find her so ... I don't know. I don't know what that means. But according to David as far as the rest of the Colony is concerned, I'm dead.

[He runs his hands through his hair as he leans back.]

They're going after the collective power. The coven power. So either I try to get it at the autumn solstice, or I might never be able to get it back.

[notwitty]

I would have been surprised if he made a decision right now.

[It's a big decision to make, especially in five minutes.]

He'll figure it out. We just have to give him a little time.

[moralitypolice]

( She's of two minds - that split second decision-making and the thoughtul care this needs. )

He already had enough to shoulder. I wanted him to have time for himself. I wanted him to have time to heal.

[notwitty]

Unfortunately, we don't always get that.

[All of them know that from experience.]

As much as it may feel like the world ends, in reality it just keeps going. We do what we can to keep up.

[moralitypolice]

And stay alive.

( She sighs. )

One of the heirs knows he's alive, Isaac.

[notwitty]

I know. But I think that's going to have to be a David problem.

[Almost as though on cue, David comes out of the cafe. "What's a me problem?"]

Figuring out what to do about the heir that's not you that knows that Danny's still alive.

[David makes a face before nodding. "Yeah. I'll ... I'll figure that out. What'd the kid say otherwise?"]

[moralitypolice]

He's going to think about it. He wants to talk it through. He asked for the week. How far out is the Gauntlet?

( If it hinges on finding Sierra, then in theory all they have to do is not find her. )

[maleficum]

They're aiming to crown the victor on the winter solstice. They probably won't find Sierra before the autumn solstice, so that will be his last shot before he's thrown in the pit with everyone else.

[Two weeks isn't a lot of time, but hopefully it'll be enough.]

[moralitypolice]

Is this a literal pit?

( She assumes metaphorical and world-wide. Massacre-style for anyone actually interested in taking part. )

[maleficum]

No. Very metaphorical.

[Because the world is the arena. They just need to make it out alive.]

It's gonna be a real mess. Not sure if it's going to be Inquisition level bad, but it'll still be bad. But ... I've got an idea, and hopefully we can cut the head off the snake before it even starts.

[moralitypolice]

Explore that option, I'll let you know when Danny gives word.

( Also it's implied, please keep her in the loop, friend. )