coming at you fast, midnight

[cosmiccon]

Comments

[beanchaointe]

... Actually getting a straight answer is so refreshing for once.

[She's been shrugged at so many times that she hadn't expected Bonnie to be able to come through, but she's grateful that she has. It's nice to know that what she is has clear lines and rules with limits she can measure.]

Apparently I'm so rare that most people don't know anything.

[moralitypolice]

I don't know who you've asked, but I know when it comes to this knowledge, people keep it to themselves. ( They never help, even if you know how much knowledge you need. Or, they take advantage. ) After my Grams died, I had to figure it out for myself. Even a distant cousin didn't explain anything to me, just told me we'd see each other again.

( Did they? )

[beanchaointe]

I was awakened by an alpha werewolf who intended to use me to bring himself back from the dead, but he wasn't exactly the most forthcoming with details, and he doesn't give anything for free.

[Thanks, Peter.]

And my grandmother was a banshee too, but she died in an insane asylum before I was old enough for her to tell me anything. Basically, I've been figuring it out as I go.

[moralitypolice]

All this time?

( She was awakened as a witch as a teen as well. Bonnie assumes it's been that long since their whole friend group originated in high school. )

What happened with the alpha werewolf?

[beanchaointe]

Oh, he's still around somewhere.

[Unfortunately.]

His daughter is one of my best friends, so unfortunately I have to see him more than I'd like, but Peter Hale is occasionally useful. Sometimes Malia can get him to do things for free.

["Emphasis on sometimes," Isaac sighs. "No one actually likes him, but Derek can't bring himself to kill him again, and it's been what? A decade since the last time he tried to kill Scott?"

Lydia snorts.]

Something like that. I'm sure if things continue to get weird he'll swan in to be cryptic in our direction.

[moralitypolice]

He's tried to kill Scott? And he's you best friend's father?

( "We're here," Ryan says, putting the car into park. He was actively not trying to eavesdrop. But he's fascinated nonetheless. It's no architecture school. )

[beanchaointe]

It's ... much more long and complicated than it needs to be.

[But that is the entwined nature of things in Beacon Hills. But since they're here: "I'll fill you in later," Isaac says, giving Bonnie's hand a squeeze. "It's a doozy."]

[widenecked]

( "For all of us, apparently," Bonnie says.

Everyone climbs out of the car and traverses the stone drive, ascending the steps. )

Are we meeting Tyler?

[vampireboulevard]

We are meeting Tyler.

[Caroline confirms as she comes up next to him, and before she can knock, the door is thrown open revealing another blond.]

And Liv. Hi, Liv.

[Liv's thin smile matches Caroline's and she nods. "Caroline. Ryan." Because she pays attention when Tyler talks. She glances back behind them and there's a more genuine smile for Bonnie. "Bonnie. Bonnie's friends. Welcome to the Armory."]

[recrudesce]

( Hi's all around as the group is brought past the lobby and into the Armory's main stronghold we've seen in canon before. An assistant unloads a cart of books brought for them for this very trip as Tyler stands to greet everyone.

Bonnie, his childhood friend, Ryan, Caroline's -- yeah -- he's year past his and Caroline's relationship falling apart, and a redhead he's never met. )

She did say she was bringing an Entourage.

[beanchaointe]

A lot of needs were converging at once.

[And since they're the only ones who haven't been properly introduced, she holds up a finger to indicate herself.]

Lydia.

[Then she points to the werewolf standing next to her.]

Isaac.

[Isaac waves, with his familiar smartass smirk. "Sup."]

[recrudesce]

Tyler. Liv. ( and then he nods. ) Ryan.

( "Tyler." No animosity. Just brief, gruff trading of masculine energy that heterosexual men do in front of their current/ex-girlfriend. Someone should break this up. )

[vampireboulevard]

Right. So Bonnie is here to look at some Grimmoires to find out some stuff about something called the Gauntlet?

[Because that is the witch ask to all of this.]

While I am going to go check on my vampire mentee and make sure he's okay. And we all meet in Mystic Falls at the Grille when we're done?

[recrudesce]

The Bennett case is over here.

( "Case?" Bonnie asks, as Tyler draws her, Lydia, and Isaac further into the armory.

Ryan stays put.

"You're meeting Stiles?" )

[vampireboulevard]

[Caroline nods.]

And as much as I enjoy your company, I think this needs to be a one-on-one conversation.

[But she doesn't want to just abandon Ryan to her friends, so:]

Are you going to be okay here while I'm gone?

[widenecked]

As much as I enjoy your company I think I'll be able to entertain myself.

( Caroline's concern is cute, but he does well on his own. He'll wander. )

[vampireboulevard]

Okay.

[She smiles, before leaning in to kiss him gently.]

I'll see you at the Grille.

[And with that, she'll duck out of the Armory to go meet Stiles.

And Ryan is free to return to the rest of the group where Isaac is settling into the seat next to Bonnie so they can gossip and over research. Because that's what everyone should do over research.

"So. Have you met Derek?"]

[phonetically]

( Meanwhile, in Mystic Falls, Stiles parks the Jeep he had shipped across the country on the street. He crosses, exhaling. Readying himself, he lets himself into the Grille and slides into the booth the group had their summit in back when their lives involved local real estate.

He's dressed as a civilian but his look has elevated since he was a teenager, and since he was turned. He knows things change once someone is turned. Maybe his change will be for the better. )

[vampireboulevard]

[Caroline strides into the Grille like she's supposed to be there. No matter where you go, Mystic Falls always welcomes you home - at least, that's what Stefan and Damon have taught her. She knows there's going to be a time when it's just her and Lizzie making this trip home, long after all her human friends are gone and even with only the Salvatores there to greet her, Mystic Falls will still be Mystic Falls.

She glances over to Stiles with a smile, before sliding into the booth across from him.]

Hey. You look good.

[phonetically]

Thanks. Do you tell that to all the vampires that failed your 101?

( Confidence may travel. )

[vampireboulevard]

[She smirks, before leaning over and dropping her voice a bit.]

Hate to tell you, but if you haven't murdered anyone yet, you're technically still passing.

[No one gets through vampirism clean, but unless he's hiding a body she hasn't told him about, he's miles ahead of most Mystic Falls vamps.]

[phonetically]

That's your bar?

( Has he been excelling all this time? )

Can I share something with you?

[vampireboulevard]

In your first few months, yes. Making it through the day without committing murder is the bar.

[But she nods as the waitress comes over, and Caroline orders herself a drink before leaning back and glancing back to him.]

Share away.

[phonetically]

( Not wanting to become his father, Stiles has taken to coffee, but once a day he makes it Irish. His once hasn't happened yet. )

When I skipped town, it wasn't -- ( He sighs. ) I said it was about control and about putting everyone in danger, but, I was vulnerable and I'd gotten close to someone I didn't think I'd have a chance with -- and instead of let myself try, I...

( Fill in the blanks. )

[vampireboulevard]

Ah. The old having feelings for someone as a human was hard enough but now being a vampire makes everything worse so I'm just going to run away instead of dealing with it routine.

[Caroline nods, because hoo-boy has she been there.]

You are not the first to fall into this trap, you will not be the last.