[Jo is trying not to stress out. She pushed for a small, family gathering this year because she didn’t want to overwhelm Shep but because it’s a small family gathering, she finds herself stressing over all the details. The place settings looking just right. The food being perfect. There being enough wine.
She has already sent Alaric out for more wine. And ice.
Fortunately after that command she went back to preparing the food, which is why she’s knee deep in mashing potatoes when the doorbell rings and she sighs.]
( Josie is finishing getting ready (probably talking to her girlfriend) so Lizzie self-volunteers after being voluntold. )
I got it.
( She has mixed feelings about her semi-distant family consisting of her aunt, uncle, and newly unearthed uncle. Uncle Luke was always the rebel which only recently she's appreciated and she thinks she definitely got her aunt Liv's take-no-crap attitude. But, now another Parker has come out of the woodwork.
Their lives just complicate over and over again. If it's not a merge...
She answers with a smile, the popular head of student government Lizzie Saltzman persona taking over. In many ways becoming a vampire gave her the confidence she needed. It fought through her "broken" brain and centered herself. She kind of likens herself to Ms. Forbes, nee Salvatore, from what she knows of her life. And she knows a lot after being cast as her in Mystic Falls, the Musical. Caroline came into herself when she became a vampire.
And Lizzie really feels the same.
She doesn't recognize the pair at the door, so she knows who one of them must be. She just doesn't know what to say. Her persona falters. Also, the woman with him is gorgeous. )
Co - come in.
( Her smile dies but she steps back and actually gestures for them to.
Shep smirks, heading inside. Instead of focusing on the life his sister made her herself, the house, he keeps his gaze down on his niece...
[Moral support. Or someone to drive the getaway car if Shep decides he wants to make a break for it. Annie assumes she's expected, but she holds out a hand to Lizzie with a small smile.
Annie is probably not the choice if Shep wanted someone who's good at people, but she'll have his back.]
( It has that old feel, the columns out front. A lot of old Virginia kind of looked like old Portland when you got into classic architecture.
He would rather keep most of those memories in the past. He has enough nightmares.
"You mean, you, mom, aunt Liv and uncle Luke?" Lizzie asks leading them through the house, passing the staircase up. On the left is their sitting room which doubles as a high ceiling'd living room, then dining room and finally, kitchen. "So, this is everyone. Everyone. Uncle Shepherd and Annie. He brought a date.")
[Jo gives Lizzie a fond but exasperated look before turning to face her brother with a smile. It's been a long time since she's seen him, and he hasn't changed much. Maybe she should be surprised by that, but right now she's just so happy to see him, she pushes it to the side.
She makes her way closer. Is he a hugger? Is this a hugging moment? She hangs back but she'll put herself in range.]
He's not. He was once. But for her. For his siblings. He will. She doesn't go in for it, though, so the moment lingers awkwardly as he and Annie hang back in the entrance of the kitchen.
He breaks the moment, stepping forward. Of course he's going to bring her in for a hug. His older sister. )
You too, Jo.
( Lizzie eyes Annie but looks to Josie. She's cute. Her dad pulls open the freezer as she leans against the fridge door.
"I was just about to make some cocktails if you're thirsty." He pulls out a bottle of "You like vodka?"
Shep finally leans back, considers, and then looks at Annie, trying not to shrug but, like, visually shrugging. Up to her. Not that they have to drink the same things. Now he feels like a date because everyone calls it a date. Gross. )
[She holds the hug for as long as he'll let her, another piece of her life she never thought she'd have again returned to her. There's a part of her that chafes at having Shep back in their circle, a part she's come to recognize as Kai wanting to have his say in things, even if he's long gone.
She shoves that down, and focuses on the present. She understands how Kai resented that they protected Shep when they wouldn't protect him, but she wouldn't do anything differently if she had the choice. Kai hadn't earned their protection.
Annie raises a hand. "I'll take a vodka soda."]
We're still waiting on the twins and Tyler. But please, make yourselves at home. There are appetizers.
( Vodka soda's a much simpler 'cocktail,' so the adults in the room are starting with vodka sodas. (Alaric started with a shot of vodka before his wife's family descended, do not @ him. His family is old, distant, and German.) )
Living room's ready. I've been told to tell you the playlist is going and if anyone has any recommendations, talk to the girls. ( Did he do well, Josie? Lizzie? ) I'll bring the drinks.
( Lizzie grabs her soda (coke, not vodka-adjacent soda) and links arms with her sister to nest in the living room. She does take a second to listen to the song playing. Acceptable.
Alaric hands Annie the first drink as everyone else shuffles. )
Thanks, for coming with him. The Laughlin's do well with backup. But, they all really love each other. They just tend to... come out of the woodwork.
[Coming out of the woodwork is an understatement. She knows he's been feeling a bit overwhelmed, so hopefully having back up - or a getaway driver - will help.]
I think he's still processing all of this. He went from having all dead siblings to having living ones plus nieces. It's a lot.
[Just out of curiosity. Should she prepare for surprise siblings every Thanksgiving? Her siblings do not live these kinds of exciting lives, and Serena is the only member of her generation.]
My family's Thanksgivings aren't usually this exciting.
As Josie answers the door, Luke greets her with his sister and her boyfriend not far behind. He turns as he speaks and comes face to face with his niece. )
We brought booze. ( He says holding up - a bottle of scotch, before bringing it back down. ) For your parents. Hey, Josie, happy thanksgiving! ( he steps forward to hug her and move into the kitchen. )
Makes her feel old. ( He calls back behind her before greeting Ric with a pat on the back. He makes himself at home, putting beer in the fridge. He pulls the bottle of scotch out, presenting it to Alaric and - ) Luke Parker.
( And at the front Tyler is very understated.
"Josie," he says, not really knowing what to do with someone else's family. He always had immediate family and then his uncle Mason. And that was kind of it. He knows to be on his best behavior, though, even if Liv doesn't care or make him. "Nice house.")
Luke and Liv, the twins. That accounts for everyone.
Josie flashes Tyler a smile, because she feels like he's been around the family long enough for hug status, but she won't push it if he's not comfortable with it.]
Thanks, but I just live here. C'mon in. Everyone is hanging out in the living room.
[Jo will go for a hug though, but Tyler should know that about her already.]
( It's not that he isn't comfortable, it's that he's anything but used to it. If they push and push, eventually, he'll come around. And so she makes her move, he he accepts, not pulling away. Because that's what family does when you're not a Lockwood, before following her into the living room.
In the kitchen, Luke waves to Annie while Alaric fixes a drink and then everyone convenes, altogether.
"And, I found myself heading further south, mostly staying to myself. I didn't want too high a profile, anyone to ask too many questions and so I thought Los Angeles would be a good city to disappear in.")
In most instances, it probably would be. But that was back in Wolfram and Hart's heyday, wasn't it?
[She can't remember for sure when the law firm started being less of a presence, but it was one of those things that rippled through the community, one way or another.]
It probably depended on the coven you fell in with.
( Hard to be any flavor of supernatural and not have heard of Wolfram and Hart, but he suspects his former coven leader did dealings with them. He might have, too, without meaning to. )
I didn't plan on falling in with any coven. Even now, only Annie and a handful of others know what kind of witch I am. And, most of the Underground thinks I'm good for gadgets. And, a stoner. ( He can be all things. Don't ask. He's not trying to be a bad example.
Barrelling on. ) Because the leader of the coven I fell in with tried to exploit me. Use me. Expose me.
( His leader is why he's a heretic, having slipped him vampire blood to take advantage of what he'd become after.
Tyler sits on the arm of the chair Olivia sits in, or stands beside her depending on what she's doing. Luke sits, rapt by his brother's story. Lizzie listens, knowing what most in the room probably don't, because his heart doesn't beat. He's like her, isn't he? Does her mom know? Her aunt and uncle? Is it her place to say anything?
She doesn't tell people, either. He doesn't sound like he's trying to slip something past them. She watches her mom during his story to suss out if she knows. Or, his friend he brought. (17) )
[Annie isn't surprised. She's worked with him for years, and they've had these talks. She's perched somewhere near Shep, providing a silent presence of support as he works through this story for his sister.
Liv also doesn't seem surprised - he got through most of this with her in Baltimore. She pulls Tyler over onto a loveseat so that the two of them can sit and let Shep get through it.
Josie doesn't know, her brow furrowed ever so slightly as she tries to read between the lines of what Shep isn't saying. But Jo, on the other hand - she's always known what her brother was. They spent so much of their childhood hiding him from both Kai and their father, mostly their father, though Kai figured it out eventually. He watched as they protected Shep in a way Kai was never protected. Never mind that Jo was a child herself and didn't know how, and Kai had never done much to earn her love or trust.
She knows her brother is a siphon. She doesn't know he's a heretic, though the longer she looks at him, notices the disparity between the way they've aged, that she starts to put the details together (15).]
Is he still a problem?
[Do they have a coven to deal with? Because Jo will go deal with them. Parts of Kai still exist within her and she usually manages to channel it in the direction of protecting her own.]
No. I accidentally siphoned the life out of him. And then I drained him. Technically, you could say I'm on the run. And, harmless. For all intents and purposes.
( His callousness drives him to say what he says with a calm, disaffected tone. He wasn't planning on confirming it here, but if he can't tell his family. who can he tell. He probably should've threaded the needle a bit better. But, he's always been the impulsive, carefree (yes, stoner) brother. Even in the 90's.
He does smile after 'harmless,' though. Because, that's what he has to exude.
His smile falls again. )
From the coven. The other members thought what I did was premeditated. And not orchestrated by Grady.
( His leader in LA, if Jo is aware of different covens or Grady Calico's reputation. )
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everyonelives2025-03-12 08:39 pm
mystic falls
no subject
She has already sent Alaric out for more wine. And ice.
Fortunately after that command she went back to preparing the food, which is why she’s knee deep in mashing potatoes when the doorbell rings and she sighs.]
Girls! Can one of you get the door?
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I got it.
( She has mixed feelings about her semi-distant family consisting of her aunt, uncle, and newly unearthed uncle. Uncle Luke was always the rebel which only recently she's appreciated and she thinks she definitely got her aunt Liv's take-no-crap attitude. But, now another Parker has come out of the woodwork.
Their lives just complicate over and over again. If it's not a merge...
She answers with a smile, the popular head of student government Lizzie Saltzman persona taking over. In many ways becoming a vampire gave her the confidence she needed. It fought through her "broken" brain and centered herself. She kind of likens herself to Ms. Forbes, nee Salvatore, from what she knows of her life. And she knows a lot after being cast as her in Mystic Falls, the Musical. Caroline came into herself when she became a vampire.
And Lizzie really feels the same.
She doesn't recognize the pair at the door, so she knows who one of them must be. She just doesn't know what to say. Her persona falters. Also, the woman with him is gorgeous. )
Co - come in.
( Her smile dies but she steps back and actually gestures for them to.
Shep smirks, heading inside. Instead of focusing on the life his sister made her herself, the house, he keeps his gaze down on his niece...
"Lizzie or Josie," he asks.
He hopes it's his niece. )
You brought a date to Thanksgiving?
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[Moral support. Or someone to drive the getaway car if Shep decides he wants to make a break for it. Annie assumes she's expected, but she holds out a hand to Lizzie with a small smile.
Annie is probably not the choice if Shep wanted someone who's good at people, but she'll have his back.]
Annie Chen. We work together.
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( She likes people who stand their ground and shakes her hand willingly. )
Come on in. Everyone's in the kitchen.
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[She glances back to Shep, letting him lead the way and she looks around as they both step inside.]
You have a lovely home.
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( It has that old feel, the columns out front. A lot of old Virginia kind of looked like old Portland when you got into classic architecture.
He would rather keep most of those memories in the past. He has enough nightmares.
"You mean, you, mom, aunt Liv and uncle Luke?" Lizzie asks leading them through the house, passing the staircase up. On the left is their sitting room which doubles as a high ceiling'd living room, then dining room and finally, kitchen. "So, this is everyone. Everyone. Uncle Shepherd and Annie. He brought a date." )
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She makes her way closer. Is he a hugger? Is this a hugging moment? She hangs back but she'll put herself in range.]
Hey. It's really good to see you.
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( She's a friend.
He's not. He was once. But for her. For his siblings. He will. She doesn't go in for it, though, so the moment lingers awkwardly as he and Annie hang back in the entrance of the kitchen.
He breaks the moment, stepping forward. Of course he's going to bring her in for a hug. His older sister. )
You too, Jo.
( Lizzie eyes Annie but looks to Josie. She's cute. Her dad pulls open the freezer as she leans against the fridge door.
"I was just about to make some cocktails if you're thirsty." He pulls out a bottle of "You like vodka?"
Shep finally leans back, considers, and then looks at Annie, trying not to shrug but, like, visually shrugging. Up to her. Not that they have to drink the same things. Now he feels like a date because everyone calls it a date. Gross. )
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She shoves that down, and focuses on the present. She understands how Kai resented that they protected Shep when they wouldn't protect him, but she wouldn't do anything differently if she had the choice. Kai hadn't earned their protection.
Annie raises a hand. "I'll take a vodka soda."]
We're still waiting on the twins and Tyler. But please, make yourselves at home. There are appetizers.
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Living room's ready. I've been told to tell you the playlist is going and if anyone has any recommendations, talk to the girls. ( Did he do well, Josie? Lizzie? ) I'll bring the drinks.
( Lizzie grabs her soda (coke, not vodka-adjacent soda) and links arms with her sister to nest in the living room. She does take a second to listen to the song playing. Acceptable.
Alaric hands Annie the first drink as everyone else shuffles. )
Thanks, for coming with him. The Laughlin's do well with backup. But, they all really love each other. They just tend to... come out of the woodwork.
( And he cheers her glass with his. )
I'm Alaric, Jo's husband.
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[Coming out of the woodwork is an understatement. She knows he's been feeling a bit overwhelmed, so hopefully having back up - or a getaway driver - will help.]
I think he's still processing all of this. He went from having all dead siblings to having living ones plus nieces. It's a lot.
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( Come to think of it. What are the chances they're doing this again. )
It was a coincidence at the same college campus. Her student invited her to dinner. And Elena knew her brother and sister.
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[Just out of curiosity. Should she prepare for surprise siblings every Thanksgiving? Her siblings do not live these kinds of exciting lives, and Serena is the only member of her generation.]
My family's Thanksgivings aren't usually this exciting.
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( He doesn't know if they could take this again. )
It was - a while ago. Years. ( Saying it twice makes it something, right? ) This isn't exciting. This is homey. Let's hope it doesn't get exciting.
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[And she will help him ferry out some drinks as another knock sounds on the door.
"I got it!" Josie says as she hops to her feet and makes her way to the front door.]
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As Josie answers the door, Luke greets her with his sister and her boyfriend not far behind. He turns as he speaks and comes face to face with his niece. )
We brought booze. ( He says holding up - a bottle of scotch, before bringing it back down. ) For your parents. Hey, Josie, happy thanksgiving! ( he steps forward to hug her and move into the kitchen. )
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You're just in time. Dad was fixing drinks.
[She lets him move past her then turns to hug Liv as well.]
Hey, Aunt Liv.
["That never gets any less weird."
Josie laughs before teasing.]
We've been calling you it for eighteen years now. Eventually you're going to have to get over it.
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( And at the front Tyler is very understated.
"Josie," he says, not really knowing what to do with someone else's family. He always had immediate family and then his uncle Mason. And that was kind of it. He knows to be on his best behavior, though, even if Liv doesn't care or make him. "Nice house." )
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Luke and Liv, the twins. That accounts for everyone.
Josie flashes Tyler a smile, because she feels like he's been around the family long enough for hug status, but she won't push it if he's not comfortable with it.]
Thanks, but I just live here. C'mon in. Everyone is hanging out in the living room.
[Jo will go for a hug though, but Tyler should know that about her already.]
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In the kitchen, Luke waves to Annie while Alaric fixes a drink and then everyone convenes, altogether.
"And, I found myself heading further south, mostly staying to myself. I didn't want too high a profile, anyone to ask too many questions and so I thought Los Angeles would be a good city to disappear in." )
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[She can't remember for sure when the law firm started being less of a presence, but it was one of those things that rippled through the community, one way or another.]
It probably depended on the coven you fell in with.
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( Hard to be any flavor of supernatural and not have heard of Wolfram and Hart, but he suspects his former coven leader did dealings with them. He might have, too, without meaning to. )
I didn't plan on falling in with any coven. Even now, only Annie and a handful of others know what kind of witch I am. And, most of the Underground thinks I'm good for gadgets. And, a stoner. ( He can be all things. Don't ask. He's not trying to be a bad example.
Barrelling on. ) Because the leader of the coven I fell in with tried to exploit me. Use me. Expose me.
( His leader is why he's a heretic, having slipped him vampire blood to take advantage of what he'd become after.
Tyler sits on the arm of the chair Olivia sits in, or stands beside her depending on what she's doing. Luke sits, rapt by his brother's story. Lizzie listens, knowing what most in the room probably don't, because his heart doesn't beat. He's like her, isn't he? Does her mom know? Her aunt and uncle? Is it her place to say anything?
She doesn't tell people, either. He doesn't sound like he's trying to slip something past them. She watches her mom during his story to suss out if she knows. Or, his friend he brought. (17) )
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Liv also doesn't seem surprised - he got through most of this with her in Baltimore. She pulls Tyler over onto a loveseat so that the two of them can sit and let Shep get through it.
Josie doesn't know, her brow furrowed ever so slightly as she tries to read between the lines of what Shep isn't saying. But Jo, on the other hand - she's always known what her brother was. They spent so much of their childhood hiding him from both Kai and their father, mostly their father, though Kai figured it out eventually. He watched as they protected Shep in a way Kai was never protected. Never mind that Jo was a child herself and didn't know how, and Kai had never done much to earn her love or trust.
She knows her brother is a siphon. She doesn't know he's a heretic, though the longer she looks at him, notices the disparity between the way they've aged, that she starts to put the details together (15).]
Is he still a problem?
[Do they have a coven to deal with? Because Jo will go deal with them. Parts of Kai still exist within her and she usually manages to channel it in the direction of protecting her own.]
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( His callousness drives him to say what he says with a calm, disaffected tone. He wasn't planning on confirming it here, but if he can't tell his family. who can he tell. He probably should've threaded the needle a bit better. But, he's always been the impulsive, carefree (yes, stoner) brother. Even in the 90's.
He does smile after 'harmless,' though. Because, that's what he has to exude.
His smile falls again. )
From the coven. The other members thought what I did was premeditated. And not orchestrated by Grady.
( His leader in LA, if Jo is aware of different covens or Grady Calico's reputation. )
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