( Hope finds her way to Bridget's room with Danny's help.
His own room is how he left it, a graduation cap now hanging from one of his bedposts. His wardrobe is updated, matured as he has 'grown up,' and likely gone to college, Oxford, as the diploma identifies.
Once he emerges, dressed in whatever he chooses, Hope meets him, Bridget having already had a dress hung up, that she pairs with a leather jacket to make it more her style, that, and the temperature even coming from her window indicates she needs to bring one.
But, she's all about Danny as they come back together. )
I don't think you need to, but I'm still somewhere in between this being about a lesson you need to learn or if we were actually sent somewhere else, me in your sister's body.
( She pauses. )
I'm really hoping for the former because I have a girlfriend, and while your sister was a babe, I've always been comfortable in my own skin.
You think that's what I'm doing? I'm in the passenger seat, ( She opens the door to the town car, holding it open for him. ) and, mind you, I am not a passenger princess. But, I know when something isn't meant for me.
( She waves a hand. This is for him, not her, but she does close the door behind him.
And then, a minute later, she does open the opposite door, sliding in. ))
Let's see where the pumpkin takes you, Cinderella.
[Danny settles into the seat and leans over to look out the window, watching as the place that's always been home starts to run past the windows. He does miss it, for better or worse.]
I'm going to have to go back to London when this is done. If this gets done.
She's good at those. When all is said and done, ask her point blank. Make her be honest because she will tell you what you want to hear before telling you what's actually going on inside her brain.
( Which is Lizzie's way, isn't it?
The car winds through the posh neighborhoods to a familiar gated roundabout. It's coven holdings, where ceremonies throughout Danny's lifetime have taken place. A small and modest manse. )
[Danny nods, because he will do that. He doesn't want to just be told what he wants to hear. But for now, he'll watch as they arrive, fingers drumming anxiously against the arm of the door as they pull in to a stop.
This hadn't looked like this when he left. But when he left, things had been still recovering from the effects of Monroe's hunters.]
Whatever this is, it's trying to tell me something. I said I would see this through.
[And even if he screwed it up the first time, he's not going to let the Colony get it. And he's not going to let Hope stay here stranded with him if the only way out is through.]
( That's what she wanted to hear, what this place needs to hear. If she's riding shotgun, mistake or not, she's going to help in any way she can.
She accepts the door being opened for her as Danny's is opened.
She joins Danny on the other side of the car as it drives away. )
Happy birthday.
( The lobby inside is filled with relatives, family friends, and strangers dressed in their best. Some take food from passed trays, while others make their way into the main room, and yet some others - Danny will recognize distant cousins - are coming from upstairs, having booked themselves for the night. This is a large event, and by and large what Danny expected his sister's ceremony to be like. )
[He lets his eyes scan over the faces, and his family aren't the only ones who they lost that night who are there now. It almost feels too much, but he squares his shoulders and reaches for Hope's hand as he continues to move forward.
He doesn't think he can fake a smile, or pretend that he's in the moment, but he can push through. And Hope can keep him grounded to the reality he needs to return to.]
Thanks.
[And with that, he steps forward into the room full of people.]
( Hope stays close. His mother, Frida, of Irish and Spanish decent spots them from the corner, politely excuses herself, and approaches her son (and who she thinks is her daughter). Frida takes in the sight, her two grown children looking fabulous.
"What did I tell you about the dress, but why on Earth did you pair it with that jacket," Frida says to her daughter, proud she was right in her choice. Hope just smiles, looking down at herself, as Frida faces Danny proper. She doesn't really know what to say to not her mother, so she doesn't.
"Mijo," she says to him. "Your father and I are so proud of you." His choice of outfit is fine, but today is not about fashion (if you're Danny) - even though life is always about fashion and zest. "We always, always knew you'd both do great things."
She comes around them, putting arms around their shoulders warmly, bringing them further into the party. "Now. Mingle, mingle. All your distant relatives are here, a few girls also coming of age, Danny," she said, squeezing him close. "And they're all here for you. For both of you.")
But, it's still -- Danny's birthday, right?
("Bridget, both things can be true. It is your brother's birthday and it is also the day you both take your birthright for yourselves. We talked about this. We do not steal thunder in this family, we shine together. And if we strike someone down in the process, well, we never strike twice, now do we?" she jokes.
Her warmth shines through, reminding her kids that they are a formidable family, and maybe there is more than meets the eye to this day. )
[He's missed his mom so much. The nudges, the sass, it's all just as it should be and it hurts that when this is all over, she's going to be gone again. But he will make a face at the comment about the girls.]
I don't need a girlfriend, Mum.
[He's got one, and she's great. Unfortunately Frida will never meet her.]
("Or boyfriend. Or, anyone with personhood. Whomever. You think I need your father? I don't. But I love your father. And I only hope you will find someone you love as much as your father challenges and drives me." The both of you, she indicates, as she lets go.
She stays for an extra minute, trying to compose herself, a tear creeping along the corner of her eye. She seems to shake it off.
"I'm going to find your father."
She kisses each kid on their cheek and with a flourish disappears back into the crowd. )
[Danny sighs as he watches her go, before glancing around the rest of the room. He's not really feeling in the party mood, and the look he gives Hope says as much.]
( Almost as if he has willed it to, the rest of the night is a blur in the form of a handshaking montage or small talk and grisly reminders that, not only are his parents gone, but some of his relatives, too. And if they aren't gone, they are in hiding, or perhaps they don't trust he will do what's needed for the coven. Eliza has done what she could, sending Danny to allies in New York, but dissenters like Della still exist with Della herself dressed extravagantly and praising the Brightons' legacy.
But for all the polite discourse, something nags at Danny's scalp. He can definitely roll a few sense motives as the interactions blow by. )
( This isn't Hope's experience, as she's stated, so her (2) gleans nothing, her (8) brings suspicion, but a (12) hits weird from a distant cousin, who she assumes shouldn't feel this emotional about a birthday, or the passing of the torch.
She excuses herself, to go to the ladies room.
While she's gone, Danny hits on something major. Della, on the surface, wishes him a happy birthday and speaks of the old ways and the greatness their coven strives for. But, underneath that "charm" and "reverence," is a woman that believes his parents and his sister have this coming. She doesn't trust Danny and she altogether dismisses his sister as irrelevant.
Coupled with his 4 and 5, people are just acting weird. Like, it's a celebration and not a celebration. Is it him?
In the bathroom, Hope finishes up, ripping off a piece of toilet paper when two girls leave their stalls but their dialogue is muffled by the air dryer. When she flushes and leaves the stall, they go silent, eye her weirdly, politely say hello and make a comment about her jacket.
What is it about this jacket? She slips it off and looks at it, thinking she catches something in the mirror, a sickly green something, but when she turns, she misses it.
After washing her hands, she rejoins Danny, holding the jacket. )
Danny, I'm starting to think this is about more than just your birthday.
( Hope, turns to get a look at the other faces, who just feel like they're conspiring or whispering. But, Danny can see something on Hope's his sister's back. It's a winding, black scar, almost like tree branches with a faded lime green outline running along side. It does not look good.
And before he can say anything, his mother is back by their side.
"We don't need to remind everyone," she says, stepping close, smiling at the others. "Jacket back on?")
[Because this is not his mother, and these are not his people, no matter what happened. Frieda wouldn't just cover something like that up for the sake of appearances. He catches Hope's arm before she can pull the jacket back on, trying to get a better look (17) and what he sees he doesn't like.
He knows it's some kind of curse, but he's not sure he's strong enough to break it on his own. He reaches out to catch Frieda before she can pull away.]
("Danny," Frieda says, trying to calm him down with just one word. "Now is not the time," she adds, a stone-smile in someone's direction. That (17) catches site of something edging out from the neck of his mother's dress. The same color. )
[Danny tries to keep his composure, but he's honestly had enough. He didn't ask for any of this. He didn't ask to be tortured like this, and he's done pretending everything is okay.
He's not interested in playing anymore games.]
No, enough! What is this? Because I know it's sure not real. And I'm not going to just keep running in circles waiting for the solve to pop out of thin air. Because this? Isn't Bridget. This is my friend. So whatever curse you put on them needs to stop. She didn't ask to play pretend. She doesn't deserve the consequences.
[Is he just yelling into the ether? Maybe. But Hope is just trying to help him, and he's not going to let her suffer. He's more than willing to throw himself on the coals.]
If you want to curse someone, curse me. I'm the only Brighton left to choose from.
( It's not real, that for much is sure. The room goes silent, Danny's outburst drowning out the music, the revelry, and everything freezes. Hope freezes, his mother's aghast, confused expression falls and then flattens.
"You couldn't just follow the mystery as it unravels. You always skipped to the end of the book." It sounds like his mother, but it isn't his mother, not the other guests either, who don't move. Hope stands, frozen, as confused by his outburst as everyone else. "Why must you fight everything? Even believing in yourself. For some it comes naturally, for you, you -- cock up a spell meant for you.")
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bibrid) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
everyonelives2023-02-21 07:44 am
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His own room is how he left it, a graduation cap now hanging from one of his bedposts. His wardrobe is updated, matured as he has 'grown up,' and likely gone to college, Oxford, as the diploma identifies.
Once he emerges, dressed in whatever he chooses, Hope meets him, Bridget having already had a dress hung up, that she pairs with a leather jacket to make it more her style, that, and the temperature even coming from her window indicates she needs to bring one.
But, she's all about Danny as they come back together. )
Apparently, there's a car waiting for us.
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[He pauses as he goes to head down the stairs to where the car is waiting.]
I have no idea where we're going.
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( She pauses. )
I'm really hoping for the former because I have a girlfriend, and while your sister was a babe, I've always been comfortable in my own skin.
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[That's why it's so hard to tell which one she is, unless he's looking at the right angle. He tips his head back against the seat as they drive.]
Not just look-wise. But she always knew exactly what to do next - or at least how to fake it. Take charge, and all that.
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( She waves a hand. This is for him, not her, but she does close the door behind him.
And then, a minute later, she does open the opposite door, sliding in. ) )
Let's see where the pumpkin takes you, Cinderella.
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I'm going to have to go back to London when this is done. If this gets done.
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( But, she also adds )
What does Lizzie say about your returning there? Don't tell me. She's already applied to transfer to Oxford.
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Not yet.
[She might, depending on how things go, but they haven't known each other that long.]
But she says she's okay with it. Putting on a brave face at least.
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( Which is Lizzie's way, isn't it?
The car winds through the posh neighborhoods to a familiar gated roundabout. It's coven holdings, where ceremonies throughout Danny's lifetime have taken place. A small and modest manse. )
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This hadn't looked like this when he left. But when he left, things had been still recovering from the effects of Monroe's hunters.]
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( She gives the place a once-over through the window. )
We can skip this part, find a bar and another way out of here if that's what you want.
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Whatever this is, it's trying to tell me something. I said I would see this through.
[And even if he screwed it up the first time, he's not going to let the Colony get it. And he's not going to let Hope stay here stranded with him if the only way out is through.]
no subject
She accepts the door being opened for her as Danny's is opened.
She joins Danny on the other side of the car as it drives away. )
Happy birthday.
( The lobby inside is filled with relatives, family friends, and strangers dressed in their best. Some take food from passed trays, while others make their way into the main room, and yet some others - Danny will recognize distant cousins - are coming from upstairs, having booked themselves for the night. This is a large event, and by and large what Danny expected his sister's ceremony to be like. )
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He doesn't think he can fake a smile, or pretend that he's in the moment, but he can push through. And Hope can keep him grounded to the reality he needs to return to.]
Thanks.
[And with that, he steps forward into the room full of people.]
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"What did I tell you about the dress, but why on Earth did you pair it with that jacket," Frida says to her daughter, proud she was right in her choice. Hope just smiles, looking down at herself, as Frida faces Danny proper. She doesn't really know what to say to not her mother, so she doesn't.
"Mijo," she says to him. "Your father and I are so proud of you." His choice of outfit is fine, but today is not about fashion (if you're Danny) - even though life is always about fashion and zest. "We always, always knew you'd both do great things."
She comes around them, putting arms around their shoulders warmly, bringing them further into the party. "Now. Mingle, mingle. All your distant relatives are here, a few girls also coming of age, Danny," she said, squeezing him close. "And they're all here for you. For both of you." )
But, it's still -- Danny's birthday, right?
( "Bridget, both things can be true. It is your brother's birthday and it is also the day you both take your birthright for yourselves. We talked about this. We do not steal thunder in this family, we shine together. And if we strike someone down in the process, well, we never strike twice, now do we?" she jokes.
Her warmth shines through, reminding her kids that they are a formidable family, and maybe there is more than meets the eye to this day. )
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I don't need a girlfriend, Mum.
[He's got one, and she's great. Unfortunately Frida will never meet her.]
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She stays for an extra minute, trying to compose herself, a tear creeping along the corner of her eye. She seems to shake it off.
"I'm going to find your father."
She kisses each kid on their cheek and with a flourish disappears back into the crowd. )
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Think we can skip ahead somehow?
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But for all the polite discourse, something nags at Danny's scalp. He can definitely roll a few sense motives as the interactions blow by. )
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But when it comes to someone like Della on the other hand? There his hackles are definitely high (19).]
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She excuses herself, to go to the ladies room.
While she's gone, Danny hits on something major. Della, on the surface, wishes him a happy birthday and speaks of the old ways and the greatness their coven strives for. But, underneath that "charm" and "reverence," is a woman that believes his parents and his sister have this coming. She doesn't trust Danny and she altogether dismisses his sister as irrelevant.
Coupled with his 4 and 5, people are just acting weird. Like, it's a celebration and not a celebration. Is it him?
In the bathroom, Hope finishes up, ripping off a piece of toilet paper when two girls leave their stalls but their dialogue is muffled by the air dryer. When she flushes and leaves the stall, they go silent, eye her weirdly, politely say hello and make a comment about her jacket.
What is it about this jacket? She slips it off and looks at it, thinking she catches something in the mirror, a sickly green something, but when she turns, she misses it.
After washing her hands, she rejoins Danny, holding the jacket. )
Danny, I'm starting to think this is about more than just your birthday.
( Hope, turns to get a look at the other faces, who just feel like they're conspiring or whispering. But, Danny can see something on
Hope'shis sister's back. It's a winding, black scar, almost like tree branches with a faded lime green outline running along side. It does not look good.And before he can say anything, his mother is back by their side.
"We don't need to remind everyone," she says, stepping close, smiling at the others. "Jacket back on?" )
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[Because this is not his mother, and these are not his people, no matter what happened. Frieda wouldn't just cover something like that up for the sake of appearances. He catches Hope's arm before she can pull the jacket back on, trying to get a better look (17) and what he sees he doesn't like.
He knows it's some kind of curse, but he's not sure he's strong enough to break it on his own. He reaches out to catch Frieda before she can pull away.]
What is this?
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( "Danny," Frieda says, trying to calm him down with just one word. "Now is not the time," she adds, a stone-smile in someone's direction. That (17) catches site of something edging out from the neck of his mother's dress. The same color. )
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He's not interested in playing anymore games.]
No, enough! What is this? Because I know it's sure not real. And I'm not going to just keep running in circles waiting for the solve to pop out of thin air. Because this? Isn't Bridget. This is my friend. So whatever curse you put on them needs to stop. She didn't ask to play pretend. She doesn't deserve the consequences.
[Is he just yelling into the ether? Maybe. But Hope is just trying to help him, and he's not going to let her suffer. He's more than willing to throw himself on the coals.]
If you want to curse someone, curse me. I'm the only Brighton left to choose from.
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"You couldn't just follow the mystery as it unravels. You always skipped to the end of the book." It sounds like his mother, but it isn't his mother, not the other guests either, who don't move. Hope stands, frozen, as confused by his outburst as everyone else. "Why must you fight everything? Even believing in yourself. For some it comes naturally, for you, you -- cock up a spell meant for you." )
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