everyonelives | there are prizes all around you if you're wise enough to see

He's still so dour.

( she can still slap on the 'what's expected of her' air.

in the sitting room, she accepts a martini, as it's cocktail hour. (it's always cocktail hour in the colony.) )

In all honesty, Helena, I was having an identity crisis.

( which is not even a lie at all. she decides to run along the edges of what she really was doing. )

["Really?" Helena tips her head to the side curiously. "What were you struggling with, dear?"

Helena is very good at pretending she cares. It's one of her greatest strengths, beyond her magic. And she's definitely putting her caring face on now, as though she doesn't plan to turn these things to knives later.]

What we all struggle with. Our family name, my legacy. You tried marrying off your only child, I wasn't about to wait for Max or Max's parents to open their eyes, nor did we need an alliance with another coven. And where did that leave me? An heir without a -- you name it, I felt like it wasn't there for me. And so I had to go out. I had to -- ( what kind of bullshit is closest to the truth. find myself. You get it, don't you, Helena?

[No, she absolutely does not. But she will nod and put on a placating smile all the same. "Of course, my dear. We all go through our growing pains. We're just so happy to have you home."]

I had to... go, and spread my wings, before learning I was always needed back at the nest.

( Hit her with a rock, this is some thick stuff, right? )

[So thick, but Helena seems to be eating it up (6). "I'm sure your parents will be delighted to see you. Would you like me to let them know you're here, or would you rather reach out yourself?"]

I think you and I both know we were never close like that. By all means, alert them. I'm sure they can shuffle their schedule around and be here by morning.

( especially because this means the gauntlet will be officially thrown. )

["Alright. I'll get on that, then. Pleasure to see you, Sierra."

She turns to make her way back up the stairs again, and David waits until she's fully gone, before he makes a face.]

Is it weird that now that I know the truth, being stuck with her is even worse? You would think it would make it easier.

No. I hate her, too. She's always been a clod to be around, but knowing why doesn't make it easier. It just makes everything about her even more fake.

( But, this isn't her mother. It's his. )

Not that you two were ever close in the first place. Even before your first rites.

No, any maternal relationship we had pretty much went out the window when she had me possessed.

[After that, he was never going to trust either of his parents again. He wouldn't have even come back if they hadn't dragged him back.]

I'm sorry for the hand the other heirs had in that.

( She's never apologized for being a part of a ritual none of them understood beyond, it's good for the families. )

[David glances back over to her, before giving her shoulder a squeeze and shaking his head.]

You didn't know. And it wasn't your idea. I never blamed any of you.

We still trusted them.

( And even after, at least immediately after, they trusted them.

At first, they thought he disappeared. Escaped the family, not the demon that took up his body.

Speaking of disappointing parents, she hates that their plan involves drawing her parents back, but it's the only way. )

The chaos we're starting...

( That was going to start. chaos like she did start with leaking the list of supernaturals. )

We always knew was going to be collateral damage. That's why bringing you back in was so timely. We can at least throw it on the Gauntlet.

[And the Gauntlet means their parents started it, not them. They certainly moved up David's time table.

But as he's talking about this, he's texted by his husband and he sighs.]

Any ideas for speeding up the recovery at Kirsanov's but not making it look like we want them to find something?

If Jaq were here, she could make it her mother's idea, but, in lieu --

( of that. she thinks. )

We don't want them to activate protocol or every inner circle member will reunite and ascend earlier than either of us wants them, too. I could create a paper trail. So to speak. There are... ways of making it look like Kirsanov is still alive, but -- MIA. Should a member drop off completely, that could spark an envoy. Bringing the others in from the cold.

[David scratches at his chin as he thinks trying to see what would be the best way to play this.]

Do we have someone who could fake some distress calls?

I haven't burned every bridge. You?

( And there's always the in-the-wind, Hallewell. )

[He pauses, weighing his options, before offering her arm.]

Maybe we should go get lunch? Talk about this over Thai?

[And not in the middle of Colony headquarters, even if they are being private.]

( Yeah, in the belly of the beast. He doesn't have to ask her twice. There's a nice Asian market down a few blocks she used to go to. They get to stay on foot and not use any Colony tracked vehicles.

Once they wait with their number for their food, she resumes their conversation. )

Who do you have in your pocket?

I could see if the Winchesters have someone. But we've been asking them for a lot, and I'm not sure if we want to keep tapping that well.

[Eventually this is going to come back to bite them and they're already unhappy with them.]

I can see if Harvey has someone, as my attorney.

I have someone. ( She studies her old friend, wondering how honest she can be, in the greater scheme of things. And, if she throws this name out, it would involve Max as well, if what Jaq told her is accurate. She doesn't doubt he took the extra steps. It's how they found their lead. ) An ex-Circle member. The perfect person to know to who and how to fake their distress call.

[He considers for a moment before nodding. Probably would not be good to use all of his contacts for a change.]

Do you think they'll be willing to help?

We would owe a favor, and if anything goes sideways...

( but, she keeps that part back. Max is the one that connected himself, didn't he? )

He's a wildcard and I hear it's not the first time you've tangled.

[David raises an eyebrow curiously.]

Who exactly are we talking about?

He's not imprisoned anymore, David.

( She's going to continue to very coyly play this. )

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