i'm leaving you my last curse

[bravebartender]

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[indurare]

[As the food comes out and more of the party gathers in the dining room, Melanie slowly begins to take stock of all of the guests she hasn't met yet. There aren't many, given the intimate nature of the dinner itself, but there is someone she has been meaning to make the acquaintance of, given how Damon tends to speak of her.

It strikes her how much she looks like Emily. That probably isn't what she should open with.]

Now, if I am not mistaken, I believe you are the lovely Miss Bennet.

[She shifts her drink to her other hand before holding her free hand out to her.]

Melanie Hamilton. A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.

[moralitypolice]

( If you were to ask Bonnie's favorite character in the film she's seen too many times to count (thank you, Founder's Day), it's Melanie Hamilton. that she would ever meet her or Scarlett or Rhett in person, well, Bonnie has been through it, lost the love of her life, most of her relatives, and still.

this is up there for her.

switching her plate to her other hand, she takes Melanie's hand. )

I am, Bonnie. Damon describes me as lovely?

[indurare]

Damon? No. He's much more reticent with his compliments. But he does speak very fondly of you, which if I know Damon is a compliment in itself.

[She shakes her hand firmly before pulling back with a sly look.]

But it's hard not to apply the term when you've received nothing but glowing reviews from everyone who's mentioned you.

[moralitypolice]

( that, she'll admit. although, their relationship was never the same after he desiccated alone, left her a letter and ditched her for years. but, time heals all wounds and he is still someone she trusts. without him, she probably wouldn't have tapped back into her magic. she wouldn't have been able to stop matt's mom and Vicki. and that tomb vampire. )

I don't know how much I glow, but I don't hate that my reputation proceeds me. It is nice to finally meet you. I had nothing but - well - things about you guys just because of who you are. But no bad. All good.

[indurare]

[She smiles.]

That's saying something, considering I'm sure Scarlett's reputation precedes her as well.

[Scarlett is her best friend in the world but it's okay. You can say she's difficult.]

Her determination only increased once she became a vampire.

[moralitypolice]

Reputation or not, she's Scarlett O'Hara. That's not a name just anyone can beat. Not that they'd try. Do the three of you stick together always?

( Don't think he hasn't seen some coziness with Damon. Sweetness. Something is going on. )

[indurare]

Not always, no. Rhett and Scarlett have their moods, so sometimes they'll take breaks from each other and I still have living family that I like to pop in on when the mood strikes.

[And now she has Damon. So what she and Damon may do may take her away from Scarlett and Rhett, but that is their way.]

But at the same time, when there's a limited amount of people who knew you when you were alive, you find ways to remain in each other's orbits. At the end of the day, they are and always will be my family.

[moralitypolice]

Are they aware of who you are?

( Or does she play the part of an eccentric aunt. )

I have that, too. It sounds very high school, but my two best friends are it. We're going to be friends forever, or as long as we can be. Even when we're separated. Do you use technology to your advantage? To stay in touch?

[indurare]

The older ones, yes.

[And by older she means those in their eighties and up.]

They were young when I was still trying to ... remain. But the more recent generations just know me as cousin Melly. Likely for the best. Less confusing that way.

[But she nods at the second question.]

Let me tell you, cell phones were a revelation. The ability to stay in touch without having to change our address or phone number every time we moved? Game changer.

[moralitypolice]

( She nods, she can see that. )

And, you didn't have to wait weeks for word of anything. Or anyone. You can go off on your own and check in and come back together whenever you want. Like for Thanksgiving.

[indurare]

Precisely. Wonderful invention.

[At least in her opinion.]

I'm sure it's certainly made your international travel easier.

[moralitypolice]

It's made staying in touch easier. You've heard of my international travel?

( Is she Bennett famous or does Damon not have anything better to talk about? )

So, you and Damon?

[indurare]

[Melanie raises an eyebrow, glancing to see where the man in question is in the room before turning back to Bonnie.]

What about me and Damon?

[AKA what are you fishing for, Ms. Bennet?]

[moralitypolice]

We're not as close as we once were, but I can see that - he likes your company.

( He she can do some good before disappearing again, especially for Damon - even though he doesn't deserve it - she will. )

[indurare]

We've been friends for a long time.

[Know someone for over a century and you get very comfortable in their presence.]

I've always enjoyed his, even at his most cantankerous.

[moralitypolice]

You don't get to be Damon's friend without the cantankerous. How long have you been Damon's friend? All of you?

( He knows them well, she guesses? How did he never mention them? )

[indurare]

[Oh, that is a question.]

Sometime after the Civil War, I believe. When we were living in Atlanta. I don't think I was truly aware of him, however, until after he turned Scarlett. I was also married at the time and Ashley did not care for him, so we didn't spend true time together until Scarlett turned me in 1873.

[moralitypolice]

Ashley wasn't my favorite character, if I remember correctly. The movie blurs together, to be honest. They show it every year in the square. There was a petition that went around last year to change the movie entirely.

( On the end of the table, Buffy takes a seat by Danny, momentarily distracted by Damon following her boyfriend into the kitchen.

No, she leaves brother things to the brothers, unless they need to bring her into it.

"How are you doing with everything?" )

[undermyfeet]

["It's what Ashley deserves, truly. And I, for one would thank them if they did."

Danny glances up at her, before giving a small shrug.]

It's ... a lot. Doing the job is hard, especially since I'm still a kid and a lot of them are still working on respecting me. But we're figuring it out.

[attainathons]

Heavy is the druid head?

( She can relate. )

Is it better having Bonnie and Isaac there with you? They were, weren't they?

[undermyfeet]

Yeah, it is. I can vent to them without it being venting to someone I'm in charge of.

[And there is definitely some venting with certain members of the community.]

Also when I need a gut check because I felt like I was losing my mind.

[attainathons]

Hard calls get caller. It isn't just your coven, is it? It's others? Across Europe or just in England? That's a lot to hold on your shoulders. You get how special this is, right? You're getting through it. It means something, Danny. On the hardest days. Remember that, okay?

( Okay? )

[undermyfeet]

[Danny nods, because he needs to hear it.]

Isaac's been helping me make allies with some of the other supernatural communities too. So we're not on our own anymore.

[attainathons]

You're building a network. You're leading.

( And then, because she's Buffy. )

And how's Lizzie?

[undermyfeet]

[And with that, he perks up considerably.]

Lizzie's great. I mean, time zones still suck, but we've been talking about her coming out for winter break to visit.