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

[maxxx]

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[impetere]

Hanging out in the bayou with the rest of the pack. Hanging out with Malia until Parrish came out to visit.

[Though she did actually see Parrish, in the flesh, out in public because the group probably had at least one night at a bar not Rosseau's, as that's still in the process of being rebuilt.]

Nothing too crazy.

[phonetically]

Parrish visited Malia?

( He's out of the loop, you see. )

Malia and Parrish?

[impetere]

Oh yeah. That's been going on a while. She's dangerously close to calling him her boyfriend.

[Which for Malia post-high school is certainly something.]

And when she does, it will make him very happy.

[phonetically]

( Stiles' phone vibrates in his pocket as they step off the elevator. )

Huh, I uh, didn't know they were a thing. Good for her.

( And him. And them.

He unlocks his door, rolls her luggage in and holds the door open for her. With his other hand, he pulls his phone out. )

Lydia messaged me.

( Well, he's just going to call her and tap the speakerphone button. When the call goes through, he doesn't wait. )

Hey, Lydia, Cora's here with me in DC!

[beanchaointe]

Oh good. You have a werewolf with you.

["That doesn't sound good." Cora makes her way closer so that she can be better heard by Lydia. "What's wrong?"]

Oh, so many things. Have you noticed anything off lately?

[phonetically]

( Stiles closes his front door, then, locking it.

"It is Stiles," Harvey says behind Lydia. )

What's Stiles?

( Lydia asked him a question before. )

I - I haven't noticed anything off. Cora?

[beanchaointe]

[Harvey gets a small look at that, because not helping.]

Nothing.

[Cora shrugs. "I just got here, but there wasn't anything that stood out to me as bad? Why?"]

I'm being scouted to help some of our Colony allies with a particular problem of theirs. I was talking to Harvey about it and we realized that they might have some leverage waiting in the wings.

["Who's Harvey?" Other than the dude that Lydia is currently with on the other end of the phone.]

[phonetically]

Harvey is a Colony ally. And there with you?

( Did he approach you? )

What's your leverage?

[beanchaointe]

Harvey and I were having dinner when they approached me. No, he was not involved.

["So Harvey is also Lydia's new boyfriend?"]

We're still getting to know each other.

[But there have been benefits that she is greatly enjoying.]

We're getting off track. My leverage is to be determined. They need me and Parrish to play bait for the target they're trying to take out. But we're thinking that you might be the leverage on their end as you've been rather isolated lately. They haven't actually put you on the table yet, but we're willing to bet that if I resist enough, it's coming.

["Do they know about Parrish?"]

They know he exists and that we're connected but I'm willing to bet they have no idea about Malia. Mostly because they're here pressuring me instead of getting their throats torn out by a werecoyote.

[phonetically]

Apparently.

( Old habits really do die hard. It's Aiden all over again. But, he's not jealous, only concerned. )

Right, Malia and Parrish, so I am the last person to know about this.

( Malia's reluctance. But, he's still playing catch up. )

You think I'm in danger?

[beanchaointe]

I haven't outright said no yet. So not yet, but ... potentially. They probably have someone watching you.

[So they can move when needed.]

[phonetically]

We weren't followed from the airport.

( But that doesn't mean he's not being watched. )

So, now, we're going into hiding?

( Not how he wanted to spend his vacation. )

[beanchaointe]

Not right now? Just ... be careful. And if something feels off, sic Cora on them.

["I'm not an attack dog, Lydia."

Lydia has a comment about that, but Jackson is here and she needs to go.]

Look, Jackson is here. I'll text you if I get any new information, just ... be safe, okay?

[phonetically]

Jackson is there?

( And Harvey? Is this a congruence of current and past boyfriends? Are you ouija-ing for Aiden? )

We're safe.

( He thinks they're safe. Fuck. He hangs up then, trying to wrap his head around what he just heard. )

I can't believe I invited you to visit while I'm under surveillance. What do you want to do?

[impetere]

It's okay. It happens. Supernatural shit never really stops.

[She shrugs.]

I came here to hang out with you. So if you feel safer just hanging out here and watching Netflix or something, then I'm okay with that. I would rather you not wind up witch leverage just because I insisted on going sight seeing.

[phonetically]

( But sightseeing gave them excuses and topics and distractions. Being here alone, just watching Netflix... that will lead to talking. He knows he needs to get to the talking, but he thought he had more time. )

I'll -- call Scott and then, maybe we can make popcorn I guess. Find something to - ( he frowns, looking down at his food. ) There's - I have no signal.

( when has that ever happened not deep underground or behind thick concrete?

If Cora checks the TV, the internet connection is also down, and it won't launch Netflix. )

[impetere]

[Cora reaches for her own phone first, glancing down and finding that she too had no bars.]

Me either.

[But before she can investigate further, there's a sharp rap on the door.]

[phonetically]

( Stiles listens. But a (4) means he can't hear two heartbeats. )

There are multiple heartbeats.

( But he doesn't know how many. )

Did I lock the door?

( He doesn't remember. He zooms back, sliding the lock over slowly, trying not to alert the person on the other side of the door.

He looks back, mouthing:

"Fire escape." )

[impetere]

[Cora nods, moving slowly and going to open the window to the fire escape, but as she tries to get her fingers around the sash, she notices something on the other side.]

Mountain ash.

[And the witches will wait for three, two one ... knock knock knock. "We just want to talk, Stiles."]

[phonetically]

Seriously?

( Well, he can't pretend he's not here now. He goes to the front closet to retrieve his piece, calling through the door. )

Then let's talk through the door. Or better yet, in a public place with cameras and crowds.

[tearhiseyesout]

Yeah, no, public's not going to work for me. I don't have the time or patience to chase you all over DC today.

[Hence the mountain ash and isolation.]

But if you want to talk through the door, sure. Just know that there is mountain ash on all the exits and so long as you stay put and don't make our lives difficult this will all be quick and painless.

[phonetically]

( Yeah, he was going to run. )

Who is our and why did you surround me with mountain ash?

[tearhiseyesout]

Talk to Lydia today?

[Which is a leading question because she knows he has. She's just going to leave it there and assume that it provides enough context.]

[phonetically]

You already know I did. Did you tap my phone?

( Rude. He checks the magazine on his gun, locks it in, and tucks it behind his waistband.

He holds a finger to his lips to Cora, scanning his apartment. If she goes into another room, they won't know he's not alone. He tips his head indicating Cora should head down his back hallway.

They need the element of surprise. )

[tearhiseyesout]

Kinda. Magically speaking.

[Cora nods and goes to do as he suggested but before they can get too far:]

And if you and your werewolf visitor are trying to come up with some harebrained scheme to ambush the bad guys, don't.

[Jaqueline is just here to ruin your day, Stiles, sorry. And she really doesn't have the patience to do that whole thing where she pretends not to know and then does a grand reveal to show off her power. It's trite and cliche. She'd like to think that the fact that she has the information proves her point well enough.]