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

[praevaricatio]

Comments

[bibrid]

( her heart pace slows as she confirms he was of age and show was she comparatively. she doesn't like the shadiness of any of this, but she can definitely help with outsiders perspectives. )

Okay. Setting way aside the everything non-statutory, why was he even sent in the first place? Was your high school a hot bed of supernatural activity, they needed someone to be brought in?

( considering her history with the Salvatore school, it feels like overkill, major. )

And, like, you didn't know who he was because you never met? And your aunt had? Also, I wasn't there, but I know he didn't just spend time or pay attention to you because of the, like, mission. I mean, were you the target?

[eredite]

I mean, Purgatory was always a hotbed of supernatural activity. The Ghost River Triangle has decades of recorded supernatural activity. So it wasn't anything out of the ordinary but for some reason, Black Badge had a vested interest in it.

[They were supposed to talk to Wynonna and loop her in but that didn't happen.]

We had not met. He was adopted by Jeremy and his partner when I was in middle school and we hadn't had a chance to meet face to face yet. My aunt works for Black Badge though, so she had but she was also out of town on another case so she couldn't bust him.

[Would have made a lot of things easier if she could.]

I was not the target, but it was in the high school.

[bibrid]

If you weren't the target then why would he have to spend all that time with you? I know I wouldn't. I mean, I would because you're awesome. And that's why he did.

( Just listen to yourself. )

Going undercover is bogus, though. If you had gotten close, he should've told you who he was.

[eredite]

Yeah, that's the part that I had issue with. He didn't even have to, just fucking Janders convinced him that this would be good for his development or something.

[She rolls her eyes. She may be unhappy with Archer but Janders she wants to punch in the face.]

[bibrid]

... Right.

( She sips again, sets her cup down. )

Just asking, were you or I in any danger at all back there?

[eredite]

[She takes a deep breath and some of the tension flops out of her shoulders.]

Probably not. Though given I don't know where fucking Janders is, I don't know. But not from Archer. I just ... was not expecting him. Especially not there.

[Her phone dings, and she glances at it and sighs.]

And that's Waverly, probably getting ready to play mediator.

[bibrid]

Janders sounds like a glorified butler, but that could be the name.

( Focus. )

Between you and the butler or you and the abs?

[eredite]

[Alice snorts at comparing him to a butler but tips her head to the side.]

The abs. I'm pretty sure Aunt Waves would punch Janders in the face if she had the opportunity.

[bibrid]

If he sic'd the set of abs on you, then she needs to get in line.

( But... )

You want backup?

[eredite]

[Alice knows that she should fight her battles herself, but if Lizzie's offering to be her back up:]

Please?

[bibrid]

( She sighs, crossing her arms. )

Course I'll be your backup. This happening now or...

[eredite]

Yeah.

[She sends back a confirmation text before tipping her head to the door.]

C'mon. My stepmother put her and my mom up in a fancy hotel in Midtown so we have to take the subway.

[bibrid]

You had me at fancy hotel.

( And we can them pivot them over. )