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

[maxxx]

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[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.]

[phonetically]

( Stiles stands, at a loss, hand splaying flat, palm downward. So, stay, Cora. Because he has to open the door.

Gun still hidden, he unlocks the door, inhales, exhales, and then reveals a woman he doesn't recognize and -- )

Sierra Harper, or do you prefer Maura.

( "Right now, I prefer cooperation. And for you to listen to my friend." She knows what she's doing. Stiles steps aside, closing the door behind his guests. )

Really, thanks for the surprise hostage situation, it's what I've always wanted, especially on my paid vacation.

[tearhiseyesout]

[Jaqueline's always been pretty, but there's always something just off about her smile. It's a little too sharp at the corners, a little too wide in the eyes. So even when she's attempting to be charming, there's always something a little wrong about it.

All her charisma is in intimidate rather than persuasion.

But she steps delicately over the line of mountain ash to enter the apartment, looking around curiously as she does.]

At least you're getting paid. But honestly, it's the ideal time. The only person expecting you anywhere is right here. Win-win. And honestly, if Lydia follows through on her end of the bargain, then this really doesn't need to get messy.

[With the underlying implication that if you make her, she will make it messy.]

[ostensively]

( Sierra, on the other hand, was always the diplomatic heir. Until she realized there was only so far to rise.

Her plan changed drastically as she regained old allies, but her most important tie remains the same. She is not her girlfriend's leash, or her keeper. In this assignment, she is her partner. Her every man. Stiles Stilinski's life isn't of her concern, past needing Lydia Martin's help.

She cases the apartment, assesses Cora, werewolf. A beta. But doesn't clock the gun (7).

"Persons," Stiles corrects. )

You're right. You have Jaqueline and you have me, and the people we represent. We aren't alone in this. Like you aren't. Like she said, we actually want everyone to come out of this unscathed.

( Well, except for Kirsanov. )

Cora, I know your brother wouldn't want you to get too mixed up in all of this. You're just in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you'd like the out.

[tearhiseyesout]

["I'm good, thanks." Though Cora doesn't sound like she's all that grateful. "And I wouldn't talk about my brother like you know him when you left him behind to rot."

Because yeah. She hasn't forgotten that either.]

Touchy.

[Though Jaqueline doesn't sound like that bothers her.]

I mean, he's still alive right? So no harm, no foul?

[ostensively]

He is. Unscathed. That could be the word of the day.

( She smiles, less sinister. More peacekeeping. )

So do we have a deal? We still have service if you want to order anything. We could make a day of it. Really get to know each other.

[impetere]

Pass.

[Cora isn't in the mood for this bullshit. She glances over at Stiles to see how he wants to play this but she doesn't intend to sit around like they're just friends hanging out.]