( he sticks to why he was down in Maryland, continuing the lie (11) )
Weekend away with the new boyfriend. It didn't go well with my sister who had to go back to Baltimore, and then he stranded me. She's always lending me money and she's just going to say 'I told you so.'
[Jaqueline glances down at her phone, reading the notification and knows she needs to keep playing as though the goal's the same until then. She leans forward and places her hand over Luke's (17), letting the pulse of a truth spell pass over the table.]
Luke, what are you really doing here?
[David, on the other hand, just sees Sierra's name and doesn't look closer. "Sierra's texting you." He doesn't really think much of it yet.]
I'm here to buy time, so my brother and sister can help in a hostage situation.
( Another (7) doesn't catch that he's been affected by a truth spell, or he might make a move of his own.
Ezra ducks a head out of the bathroom, stretching the sweater down over his torso. He tries for casual, a (5) as he overcompensates in his facial expressions, and one leg sort of gelatinously follows the other as he steps into the room.
Unfortunately for you, I think you just became the hostage.
[Luke's phone buzzes: All clear. Get out of there.
Jaqueline watches as the notification lights up on his phone, grabbing it and reading the message, before pushing it back to him.]
Why don't you call your sister, Luke. I think we need to be properly introduced.
[David raises an eyebrow at his husband because why are you being weird about a text message (16). "I don't know. I didn't read it." He doesn't make a habit of snooping through his husband's phone. "Is there something I should know?"]
( If Luke has ever been compelled before, he would find this feeling familiar, but, this is witch-on-witch crime, and he doesn't have the upperhand. He tried. He's never been major league material. Some nights, he dreams of another lifetime in which he loses the Merge, back when it counted.
Luke picks his phone up, distress wrinkling the corners of his eyes as he finds his sister's number and dials, bringing the phone to his ear, first.
In Boston...
Ezra is just about tired of playing who knows what and why. He doesn't know what his husband should know. The only thing he can think of, is, what he knows must be on there, and so he approaches his phone, choosing honesty.
"I pointed Sierra and Jaqueline in Stiles' direction."
( He sits there, in the spider's parlor, unaware patrons making conversation around them. A server passes and drops a check on the table behind Jacqueline. Everyone sits, none the wiser. )
Hey, Liv. I'm here with... Jacqueline Malreaux.
( Ezra doesn't see it that way, he knows how close they were, and how she took their approach. They needed a contingency. And he knows David doesn't agree, which is why he didn't say anything in the first place. )
"No, she was hedging. Stalling. We needed a backup." He didn't know their next move if this didn't pan out. )
Hi. I'm assuming you want something? We didn't kidnap your girlfriend if that's what you're worried about.
["I do like it when we can get to the point. And no, I didn't think you did. But we weren't done with Stiles, and I'm gonna need you to bring him back."
Liv grits her teeth and tries to keep her voice low and unobtrusive, never mind the fact that there are three people with superhuman hearing in the car.]
That's not my call.
["I'm gonna need you to make that your call. And until you do, Luke is going to stay here with me."
David buries his face in his hands. "So this is what we're doing now? We're just kidnapping whoever we need to to get the job done? Even when we don't have to?"]
( He can't will himself to tell her not to negotiate with a terrorist, but also, don't negotiate with a terrorist, sis.
Ezra protests. "He was a contingency. An 'if.' Lydia is on board, so I don't know why Sierra or Jacqueline would still be pursuing him. And I thought they were going to monitor him."
And only do what they have to, if they had to.
He wants this all to be over, aren't they means to an end people?
["For now. He's okay for now. He might not be okay later." Jaqueline sees what you're trying to do there Luke, and she's not buying it. Liv grits her teeth.]
What exactly is the end goal here?
[She knows Shep is probably listening, and maybe the werewolf in the front seat. How much Stiles is paying attention is questionable. But she's willing to find a compromise - at least until she's got Luke safe.
"We just want to ensure that Lydia holds up her end of the bargain. I'm sure there's something that works for both of us."]
We're going to the federal building. Bring my brother there, and we'll negotiate.
[And then she hangs up, before Jaqueline can get another word in. And this is probably where the other thread is going to collide with this one, but Cora's head whips around and her eyes narrow. "What the hell?"]
I have a plan.
[David looks back at him before closing his eyes. "Yeah. But I've been trying to do better. And I thought we wanted to make this thing we're building better. And that starts with putting unnecessary weight on our allies."]
Edited (Realized I forgot the husbands.) 2024-04-23 13:24 (UTC)
She wants to talk about it, she can talk about it.
( Stiles rolls a (1) so he is unaware of the backseat conversation, completely. Shep is listening (14) intently.
"She caught on," Shep says.
In their room, Ezra waits for a reaction.
"We'll have nothing to build if we don't have Lydia. I know I crossed a line. It feels like that's all I've been doing since I was assigned to Elena. But, I want this done. I want to dismantle them, I want to build it better BY your side. You don't feel that weight on all of us? Some days, I'm scared it's going to crush me.")
She did. And I am currently workshopping a plan, but I have no intention in letting them get anything they want.
[She says that directly to Cora, and Cora's Hale glare is in full force but whatever, they're the rescue team, she'll either trust them.
For now.]
Do the conference rooms at the federal building have clear walls?
[That's for either Sweets or Stiles to answer whenever they're ready.
"Of course I feel it. I've been living with it my entire fucking life!" When you grow up in the Colony there's always a Sword of Damocles waiting to fall. "And we will get this done. But if we're going to be bringing in our allies, we have to negotiate in good faith until we can't. Otherwise we're going to have no allies left when we're done, and we'll be no better than them. Because the other part of this was making things better."]
I'm thinking that if they want to keep an eye on Stiles, they can do that. Through a fishbowl.
[Cora narrows her eyes at her. "A few more details than that?"]
Barrier spells. Sealing them into a conference room across the way from a glass conference room where "Stiles" happens to be. It doesn't have to really be Stiles, I can work up an illusion with a little help.
[She glances over to Shep, since Luke is unavailable.]
But basically they're following their orders but not actually getting what they want. We just have to get them behind the barrier spells.
[Which could be easier said than done. But it's what Liv's got on the fly.
"I know." David rubs his eyes. "I'll ... try to call them off."
And he will try. But ... Jaqueline will ignore him.]
Yeah, well, I'm open to suggestions if anyone else has a better idea?
[Or suggestions to make her idea better. She drums her fingers against her leg as she tries to whirl the pieces into place.]
We needed neutral territory and now we have that. You guys know the federal building better than I do. Is there a way to separate him from them before they get to the conference room?
[Liv nods, because it does give them a chance to something. "Jaqueline can probably steamroll anyone who tries to get in her way with her creepy mind powers. She's a Melroux."
At that, Sweets perks up behind steering wheel and points to Stiles.]
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everyonelives2023-10-16 07:09 pm
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( And of course, a transaction. )
I don't have much with me, but I'll double your supply the next time you need it, if you need it.
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Don't worry about it. It's on me.
[She raises a hand to flag down the waiter, before glancing over at him curiously.]
So what are you doing in DC?
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Weekend away with the new boyfriend. It didn't go well with my sister who had to go back to Baltimore, and then he stranded me. She's always lending me money and she's just going to say 'I told you so.'
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Speaking as that sibling, we generally only say it out of love.
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( Didn't. That's completely true. )
What brought you down to DC?
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[Don't need to get more specific than that.]
Shouldn't take too long to wrap up.
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Stiles slipped through my fingertips. He has help.
Jaq's phone buzzes, too. )
Do you need to get that?
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Luke, what are you really doing here?
[David, on the other hand, just sees Sierra's name and doesn't look closer. "Sierra's texting you." He doesn't really think much of it yet.]
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I'm here to buy time, so my brother and sister can help in a hostage situation.
( Another (7) doesn't catch that he's been affected by a truth spell, or he might make a move of his own.
Ezra ducks a head out of the bathroom, stretching the sweater down over his torso. He tries for casual, a (5) as he overcompensates in his facial expressions, and one leg sort of gelatinously follows the other as he steps into the room.
"Hm, what did she say?" )
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[Luke's phone buzzes: All clear. Get out of there.
Jaqueline watches as the notification lights up on his phone, grabbing it and reading the message, before pushing it back to him.]
Why don't you call your sister, Luke. I think we need to be properly introduced.
[David raises an eyebrow at his husband because why are you being weird about a text message (16). "I don't know. I didn't read it." He doesn't make a habit of snooping through his husband's phone. "Is there something I should know?"]
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Luke picks his phone up, distress wrinkling the corners of his eyes as he finds his sister's number and dials, bringing the phone to his ear, first.
In Boston...
Ezra is just about tired of playing who knows what and why. He doesn't know what his husband should know. The only thing he can think of, is, what he knows must be on there, and so he approaches his phone, choosing honesty.
"I pointed Sierra and Jaqueline in Stiles' direction."
And sure enough, he's right, looking up.
"He got away." )
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[Aww, she picked up quickly. She must really care. Jaqueline nods for Luke to continue, resting her chin in her hand as she watches him. "Go ahead."
David blinks at him, before holding up his hands as he considers that. "Why? Lydia was cooperating."]
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Hey, Liv. I'm here with... Jacqueline Malreaux.
( Ezra doesn't see it that way, he knows how close they were, and how she took their approach. They needed a contingency. And he knows David doesn't agree, which is why he didn't say anything in the first place. )
"No, she was hedging. Stalling. We needed a backup." He didn't know their next move if this didn't pan out. )
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Hi. I'm assuming you want something? We didn't kidnap your girlfriend if that's what you're worried about.
["I do like it when we can get to the point. And no, I didn't think you did. But we weren't done with Stiles, and I'm gonna need you to bring him back."
Liv grits her teeth and tries to keep her voice low and unobtrusive, never mind the fact that there are three people with superhuman hearing in the car.]
That's not my call.
["I'm gonna need you to make that your call. And until you do, Luke is going to stay here with me."
David buries his face in his hands. "So this is what we're doing now? We're just kidnapping whoever we need to to get the job done? Even when we don't have to?"]
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( He can't will himself to tell her not to negotiate with a terrorist, but also, don't negotiate with a terrorist, sis.
Ezra protests. "He was a contingency. An 'if.' Lydia is on board, so I don't know why Sierra or Jacqueline would still be pursuing him. And I thought they were going to monitor him."
And only do what they have to, if they had to.
He wants this all to be over, aren't they means to an end people?
"We've both done worse." )
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What exactly is the end goal here?
[She knows Shep is probably listening, and maybe the werewolf in the front seat. How much Stiles is paying attention is questionable. But she's willing to find a compromise - at least until she's got Luke safe.
"We just want to ensure that Lydia holds up her end of the bargain. I'm sure there's something that works for both of us."]
We're going to the federal building. Bring my brother there, and we'll negotiate.
[And then she hangs up, before Jaqueline can get another word in. And this is probably where the other thread is going to collide with this one, but Cora's head whips around and her eyes narrow. "What the hell?"]
I have a plan.
[David looks back at him before closing his eyes. "Yeah. But I've been trying to do better. And I thought we wanted to make this thing we're building better. And that starts with putting unnecessary weight on our allies."]
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( Stiles rolls a (1) so he is unaware of the backseat conversation, completely. Shep is listening (14) intently.
"She caught on," Shep says.
In their room, Ezra waits for a reaction.
"We'll have nothing to build if we don't have Lydia. I know I crossed a line. It feels like that's all I've been doing since I was assigned to Elena. But, I want this done. I want to dismantle them, I want to build it better BY your side. You don't feel that weight on all of us? Some days, I'm scared it's going to crush me." )
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[She says that directly to Cora, and Cora's Hale glare is in full force but whatever, they're the rescue team, she'll either trust them.
For now.]
Do the conference rooms at the federal building have clear walls?
[That's for either Sweets or Stiles to answer whenever they're ready.
"Of course I feel it. I've been living with it my entire fucking life!" When you grow up in the Colony there's always a Sword of Damocles waiting to fall. "And we will get this done. But if we're going to be bringing in our allies, we have to negotiate in good faith until we can't. Otherwise we're going to have no allies left when we're done, and we'll be no better than them. Because the other part of this was making things better."]
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That would determine side of the building, floor, maps for going in and out. )
What are you thinking?
Shepherd is ready to wait for a clue into this plan.
"We are. We will." He takes his husband's hand in his. "I'm sorry." )
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[Cora narrows her eyes at her. "A few more details than that?"]
Barrier spells. Sealing them into a conference room across the way from a glass conference room where "Stiles" happens to be. It doesn't have to really be Stiles, I can work up an illusion with a little help.
[She glances over to Shep, since Luke is unavailable.]
But basically they're following their orders but not actually getting what they want. We just have to get them behind the barrier spells.
[Which could be easier said than done. But it's what Liv's got on the fly.
"I know." David rubs his eyes. "I'll ... try to call them off."
And he will try. But ... Jaqueline will ignore him.]
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( "Yeah, I'm not not grateful we're faking my physical presence, but, where does your brother the hostage fit in all of this?"
Pulled over, finally, Stiles and everyone awaits further ideas. )
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[Or suggestions to make her idea better. She drums her fingers against her leg as she tries to whirl the pieces into place.]
We needed neutral territory and now we have that. You guys know the federal building better than I do. Is there a way to separate him from them before they get to the conference room?
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( Not a lot of room to bait and switch, but, even seconds could give them enough time, if he's understanding her plan properly. )
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At that, Sweets perks up behind steering wheel and points to Stiles.]
Call Audrey.
[He has something of a plan.]