perpetual anticipation is good for the soul but it's bad for the heart

[maxxx]

Comments

[beanchaointe]

I don't think they will either. They have some kind of collateral somewhere, it's just a matter of what.

[She checked with Jackson and Allison and nothing seemed off with them. But they aren't the only options.]

[rehire]

They know something?

( A beat. )

Or someone?

[beanchaointe]

I think more like they have someone.

[Because the fastest way to get to any of them is through the people they care about.]

Allison and Jackson seemed surprised and unaware but that doesn't guarantee anything, and they aren't my only friends.

[rehire]

Who on your list of friends would be had?

( They're still new, he doesn't know her that well. )

[beanchaointe]

[She takes a deep breath as she considers.]

Scott McCall, but he's a pretty hefty target these days and dating the witch regent of New Orleans. Isaac is keeping close to a Bennett witch across the Atlantic. Derek ... well, Derek has made a habit of getting kidnapped lately but he's keeping close to Hayley Marshall.

[None of them are people that would want to be pissed off.]

Malia is just a bad choice from any angle.

[Between Parrish, Peter and Malia herself, it would not end well. Which just leaves, well.]

My mom, in Beacon Hills, who's just a boring high school principal. And Stiles, who you've met. Or Derek's sister, but we've never really been that close.

[He's been isolating himself lately. He might be the best target.]

[rehire]

The uppity vampire.

( He frowns. )

And your mother hasn't said anything about anyone approaching her.

[beanchaointe]

No, but she wouldn't. The Sheriff hasn't called either, so I'm going to assume she's fine.

[Beacon Hills is far to go to acquire leverage when there are closer options.]

[rehire]

Then it's Stiles. They wouldn't go up against Davina and Scott, nor would they choose a relative of Derek Hale's.

( And only because they're getting to know each other. )

You and Stiles have history together.

[beanchaointe]

[She nods.]

We've known each other since we were eight. It's a lot of history.

[And that's never minding the romantic part. Stiles, Jackson and Allison are the pillars of Lydia's emotional well being, and they've never really been unseated.]

He's one of my best friends.

[rehire]

You should warn him.

( He tries something, still in David's and Ezra's pockets. He sends David a message.

Do you have eyes on Stiles Stilinski? )

[beanchaointe]

[Lydia nods, reaching for her own phone to send a text to Stiles:]

You still in DC?

[David glances down at the message and hesitates before responding with: Are you asking as my attorney or as Lydia's?

He doesn't mind Harvey's conflict of interest, but David wants to know who's side he's on for this conversation.]

[rehire]

( While Lydia is on the phone... )

Your attorney who gave you his playbook. He's your trump card, isn't he?

[maleficum]

[He doesn't like thinking of it as a trump card. Some would consider it that way, but that gives the impression that he intends to play it.]

We wanted to have all of our options on the table, if needed. So I am aware of him and his connection to Lydia. But I would much prefer to come to a solution that's mutually beneficial for all of us.

[rehire]

Which is why you blindsided us and laid a guilt trip on her at lunch.

[maleficum]

My intention wasn't to end in a supply closet. I just wanted to talk. I admit my approach could use some work, and Allison Argent has already chewed me out for it. But we do intend to meet her terms and provide the plan she asked for, as well as any other demands she might have.

[Aka he is open to this being a win-win situation. He just needs to know what Lydia wants out of all of this.]

[rehire]

We'll be in touch.

( He joins Lydia's side. )

[swillpot]

[When you spend most of your time on the road, you make friends who can help close distances. Routewitches are a special kind of reclusive, dabbling more in the ghost roads and twilight over the daylight with the rest of them, but Alexander's made a few friends over the years.

A few pulled strings and implying that it would cause pain to a certain coven is enough to get them to bend the roads a bit so Alexander and Jackson make very good time. As they make their way up to Lydia's apartment, Alexander glances around:]

So what should we expect here?

[illtempered]

Besides Lydia's questionable taste in men?

( He's not sure, actually. )

I'm not usually cavalry.

( He knocks before giving Alexander a quick peck on the lips. )

Let's see how in over her head she is.

[swillpot]

[Lydia frowns at the knock on the door, before glancing back to Harvey, asking him to see who it is silently while she finishes up on the phone with Stiles.

Alexander smirks into the kiss before shifting to lean against the doorframe.]

Maybe she has a specific plan in mind that needs you?

[illtempered]

( Harvey, antennae up, answers the door. To Alexander:

"Jackson?" )

Jackson. Alexander. You're Lydia's friend.

( And what a friend he is... )

Can we come in?

( Harvey looks back at Lydia, since it's not his place. )

[swillpot]

[Lydia turns and waves for them to come in, before pointing to her phone and mouthing "Stiles." She'll be off the phone in a second.

Alexander takes that as a cue to come in and flashes Harvey a smile.]

Anything new happen?

[illtempered]

( "We figured out their leverage. Now we're awaiting their plan. It should be coming tomorrow morning. We were just brainstorming what Lydia could get out of this. If she goes through with it."

Jackson's not super enthusiastic.

If she goes through with being bait in Siberia.

[beanchaointe]

Allison is on it too. She was pissed.

[As she should be, honestly.]

But I want to have some things in my back pocket that they might not be aware of, hence me calling my favorite kanima. If I could take some venom with me, that would be helpful.

[Because no one is prepared for surprise paralysis.]

Also it would be good to have you and Malia in the wings just in case. I don't think Malia's going to want to be too far from the action.

[illtempered]

( Malia has no filter, like Jackson, he actually likes working beside her. )

Alexander is coming, too. ( Introductions are also in order. ) Alexander, this is Lydia.

[beanchaointe]

["Yes," Alexander nods. "We've met. Nice to see you again."

Lydia nods.]

You too. Let's ... get you guys caught up with everything that's happened.

[And she and Harvey will tag team a recap of where things are at including the witches' arrival, their demands, how Parrish feels about things and what they figured out about Stiles' potential involvement.]