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

[maxxx]

Comments

[illtempered]

Right. Well. I like showing you off.

( So, there. )

So, they... pulled everyone in. Haphazardly. ( This is a really disorganized effort. ) Where is Allison?

[beanchaointe]

She's on a job with her dad. But she said she was going to reach out to Sam for more information and talk to David.

[So she's farming information while she's on the road.]

I don't think she's going to be able to get directly involved but she's keeping in contact.

[illtempered]

Are she and Sam -- over?

( He's missing a lot since linking up with the Underground.

"Let's keep our priorities in check," Harvey says. "We should focus on what Lydia will get out of this if she helps them."

And not on gossip. )

[beanchaointe]

[They can have one last bit of gossip:]

No, they're fine. But if Allison was going to be stuck any longer with Dean underground she was going to kill him.

[But back to business:]

Do you think they'll give me a blank check favor? Or will they use that as an opportunity to use their leverage.

[illtempered]

( "They ask for blank checks, they would take yours. Allison paid hers before all this started," he says, thinking about it.

One track selfish mind does offer his colorful commentary. )

Dean's hot, but - I wouldn't want to be stuck underground with either Winchester.

[beanchaointe]

[She's going to ignore that comment for now, but be sure that wine and gossip will come later.]

I could make asks for information. The Colony probably has a lot of information on banshees, hellhounds, all the things that we've been trying to figure out on our own for years and not getting very far. But I'm not sure if that's the most useful option for this.

[illtempered]

( Later.

"And it is your option," Harvey reminds her. )

If they sign blank checks, you might as well ask for the IOU, until you're sure of what you want. If you're leaning toward the Siberian sojourn.

[beanchaointe]

We'll see what Parrish wants to do.

[He's in this as much as she is, and she knows there's a lot of questions he still has about what he is.]

But for now, we're in a bit of a holding pattern until they give us their plan.

[illtempered]

And we pack more people into your apartment.

( Harvey's by her counter, while Jackson's leaning against free wall space by her couch. )

Lydia, can we talk somewhere privately?

[beanchaointe]

Yeah, of course. Let's get you settled in the guest room.

[Alexander glances down at his messages and moves to settle on the couch. "My dad has some updates. I'll be out here."]

[illtempered]

( He follows Lydia into the guest room as Harvey checks his own, sifting through firm emails to see if there's anything that needs to be prioritized.

Jackson once again does his signature lean, this time against a dresser. )

I don't like that you're being used. Is there any way you can get out of this.

[beanchaointe]

Harvey thinks they intend to use Stiles as leverage. They seem aimable enough but they also mentioned they were on a time table, so I don't think they intend to purse other options unless someone volunteers one.

[And she's not expecting anyone to do that in advance.]

And Parrish won't let anything happen to me.

[illtempered]

Parrish isn't omnipotent, Lydia. You're offering yourself up to be captured, all for a crusade for an unaffiliated coven. And they're holding your friend - or considering him as leverage. They're strong-arming you.

( Well, this isn't going to be fun, but )

Isn't Harvey on their payroll?

[beanchaointe]

I'm aware, Jackson.

[She knows how complicated this is. In fact, she's aware of all of these things. But getting a very powerful witch off the board could be worth they effort, if they negotiate things in their favor.]

Harvey is on my side. He wasn't part of it until I brought him into it.

[illtempered]

He was a part of it in Beacon Hills.

( He deflates, his point hanging between them. Then he relents, trusting her instincts. )

I'm worried about you. And pissed as Allison is.

[beanchaointe]

[She can't just go say no, this is different, but she also knows how her track record looks.]

I'm not doing anything without a plan. But these people that they're going after are also causing real harm and Allison was already helping them in some ways. As much as their approach could use some work, this ... might be something worth considering if they're willing to give me the IOU.

[illtempered]

Do you think Stiles is actually in danger?

( Are they willing to go that far? )

[beanchaointe]

He's got Cora with him. I think he'll be fine. The point of leverage is that everyone gets what they want when they're done.

[So he'll be unhappy and have his day ruined, but he'll live to complain about it another day.]

[illtempered]

By force.

( He doesn't have to like it. )

I trust you. We're not going anywhere.

[beanchaointe]

Thank you.

[She appreciates that.]

I appreciate you having my back. Alexander too.

[illtempered]

Always, Lydia.

( Back in the living room, Harvey consults with Alexander.

"Do you have contacts near DC?"

Stiles may between a werewolf, a rock, and a hard place, but there's always a way out. )

[swillpot]

[Alexander takes a breath and leans back, considering for a moment where all of his people were.

Annie and Serena were following his dad out to the midwest for whatever trouble Rowena is pulling him into. Angel and Cordelia were in Canada. Dolls took Crash and Aalis to New York, but that's not close enough to be efficient about it.

Of course Sweets is in DC (Sweets is always in DC), but he's not exactly combat-ready. He's a human, Alexander can't send him in blind to go play with witches of the Colony's caliber.

... Shipp is in Baltimore though. He knows he's dealing with family stuff, but this technically qualifies as an emergency.]

Actually, I do.

[And he pulls out his phone, sending a quick text to Sweets with the info, and then to Shipp:]

Sorry to do this but I need a favor. How fast can you get to DC?

[pricetags]

( It's an easier choice to stick around, convince his family to stay in town longer and to get to know his difficult twin siblings. Difficult to each other, not really him. It's been a long time since he's played mediator. )

You officially pulling me off sabbatical? What level Def Con is this?

( He decides it's high enough to reach out, so he follows up with

Fast.

There, with his two siblings in his hotel suite, he interrupts bickering over Jonathan. )

Hey. She's right. He's no good, and if you're out of thin air older brother can see that, then everyone can. And, I may need to do something for work.

[swillpot]

["Thank you!" Liv shouts back from off screen, clearly this making her right.

Alexander receives a text from Sweets saying that Stiles' phone is going straight to voicemail and his texts aren't being delivered.]

Huh. Looks like my guy in DC already knows Stiles.

[Handy. Sweets mentions he's going to head over to his apartment and Alexander tells him to wait for Shipp, who will hopefully back him up.]

I need you to back up Sweets on something. We have contact there who might be in a danger of the witchy variety and he's suddenly not answering his phones or receiving texts. I'll owe you one.

[Because favors are the currency of everything these days.]

[pricetags]

( "It's a small world after all," Harvey says dryly.)

Will you need my witchy variety?

( Because if so, he needs a witch with magic as he is a heretic. )

And I may need your help.