everyonelives | i'm leaving you my last curse

Don't say vigil.

( But, he can breathe again. )

Dawn, I was so worried. What happened? The castle blew up?

Yeah. I'm not sure on all the details just yet - Scarlett said something about the Ivory Tower, and that seemed to mean something to Stefan? Isaac is doing some digging, but I'm not sure what it means beyond vampires.

They got some witches to go in and turn our own wards on us. At least, I think that's what it was? I came in on the tail end of the witch actually doing it and he was dead after everything went boom.

[She would have liked to interrogate any of the witches more, but for obvious revenge reasons they couldn't really let them live.]

I heard that it was bad, slayers were lost. And the castle, apparently. I'm so glad you're okay, though. And your sister.

( Because, while it is a tragedy, Bonnie, his girlfriend and his sister are alive. And, he heard, the Salvatore's, et al. )

Are you in any pain?

Nope. The doctors currently have me on the good drugs, though I'm sure those will wear off. They said the break was pretty clean though so no surgery or anything. I should be out of here by tomorrow. They want to monitor me on account of the collapsing castle.

[But she's fine, she promises.]

And they said I should be good to fly, so I can still come out to Kansas after, if you still want me to do that.

I would, too. Let me know if they find anything or anything else happens.

( His sister, too. Collapsing castle! Observation! Make sure she is 100%! But, he is going to stop being this extra as he nods with the phone in his hand. )

I know why you're still asking, but, Dawn, you're always welcome. And if I didn't say it, I do want you here.

( And not just because she was in harm's way. )

I know you do. I also know we said we would check in so this is me checking in.

[Dawn takes a deep breath as she leans back against the bed.]

But okay. I will resend you all the details for my flight once I have a new phone.

Okay, good. And take care of yourself. And get your rest. And, some sleep. Just. Take it easy, okay?

( He's not trying to tell her what to do, but... )

I will, trust me. These drugs are making me sleepy so I may not be much longer for this phone call. Also it's vibrating a lot so Lee probably has other people to talk to.

[But she wanted to make sure he heard it from her own lips that she was okay. She figured that would help.]

I love you. I'll see you soon.

I love you, too. See you, soon. I'll be there when you land.

( She hangs up and he stands, phone still in his hands, resting against his lips. His heartbeat regulates itself. He collects himself, heading back into the room. )

I heard Ryan brought pie?

["Yes, we did!" Caroline grins from the table.

Elena glances over to her brother and offers him a small smile.]

Dawn's okay?

Dawn's okay. She's got a broken leg, but it wasn't serious. She's taking a plane tomorrow. So, you'll all meet her if you haven't already.

( And he will take himself a big two slices of pie. He may not have properly eaten before. Are there leftovers? )

["We're all looking forward to it," Miranda nods, and yes, there is more than enough food. Please help yourself.

But a couple hours later, when Elena and Miranda are doing their terrible cook duty of washing the dishes and probably after Ezra has put Irina to bed, his phone rings with Rusty's name coming up on the caller ID.

Ring ring Ezra phone.]

( Ezra's sitting at the war room table with whomever, but he excuses himself politely. He doesn't answer with pleasantries. )

Scotland?

Scotland.

[He's happy that Ezra's at least already heard some of it. It saves a lot of explanations and time, if he's honest.]

We have a rapidly narrowing window. We're going to have to strike within the next few days. Can you get to Mississippi?

I can get to Mississippi. Where are the bodies?

( Because, then they need to round up more retrieval teams. And different ones considering that last are still dealing with extra. )

Last I checked, Muir Woods.

[Which is fairly recently, fortunately.]

Wallace and Corsair are also the type to fuck with you, so I can't guarantee what defenses they would have put on them, but I can guarantee they'll be a head trip.

Not fuck with me. Do we have anyone on the hook for this next round, because I brought people back who are still dealing with the consequence of their last head trip.

( He's going to Mississippi. )

That's not my department. I don't have the kinds of friends we would need to handle this.

[Rusty can't be in two places at once, after all.]

And given the back up that I've arranged for our trip to the Riverboat, I need to be present for that. So I think finding someone to handle the bodies is on your plate this time.

[He knows he'll have to probably manage on his own for the final set of bodies, as Ezra will be off the board after this, so he wants to save his resources as much as he can.]

( Of course he doesn't. He kicks at the corner of a fraying rug, sighing. )

Great. I'm guessing my time table for this is as soon as possible.

Our back up will be arriving in Mississippi in two days.

[He's hoping that you will be there too so they can get this show on the road quickly.]

The bodies don't need to be done by then, but it would be best if they were at least in progress.

The bodies do need to be done by then so they don't hop once your assault on the Riverboat scores you two more off the inner circle menu. I'll get it done. Or, I'll get someone to get it done.

( He knows what he means. )

Would I be surprised by anybody you've lined up to take down Wallace and Corsair?

You might, actually.

[They aren't people normally on their side of the line.]

The Salvatores, some Slayers and assorted friends.

The Salvatores, because Buffy Summers was a target. You've assembled some heavy-hitters. I feel like I'm pulling in the B-team. ( One hand comes to his forehead, fingers resting as he thinks through. His instinct is Sam Winchester because of his network. And his proximity. He's in Northern California. ) Anything else I need to know before I rally my troops?

[He wishes he had more information on the bodies, but of the members of the Inner Circle, Wallace and Corsair were the ones he was least close to.]

Wallace and Corsair like to put on a show, but also like to finish their business themselves. Whoever's going to go, they'll probably have a fight on their hands, but I can't tell you what kind. I'm sorry, but they never liked me much.

They've gone after you for centuries. None of them like you much.

( But, fine. He can communicate a fight will happen. Better than a mindfuck. Not that he's the big fighter. Or, his husband. Maybe they should get on that. Self defense for witches. )

I'll pass it on. Probably the last time you can call me, so, see you on the other side, Russell.

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an_honestword - 2025-07-06 02:33 (UTC) - Expand