i'm leaving you my last curse

[bravebartender]

Comments

[slavophile]

I've lost count of how many phones Isaac has lost me. I'm making this one an obnoxious color. I may even have it bedazzled. Or bejeweled.

( He won't, there is nothing stealthy about sparkle. )

Tell me when he intends to be in one place for more then a week and I'll arrange another.

[blackstarred]

He said that he, Danny and Bonnie were heading back to London in a couple days, so you can probably send it to the coven.

[It makes Isaac easy to find, and if nothing else they can hold onto it for him until he gets there.]

Rhinestones are in for phones.

[slavophile]

Then he will be a rhinestone werewolf cowboy.

( This one will probably break, too. )

You didn't know, but I became a Radio Shack while you weren't looking.

[razes]

There are worse things to be.

[Radio Shack, once upon a time, was a much needed institution.]

Why are you this guy's personal phone broker?

[slavophile]

I'm the guy behind the screens, which means when it involves Isaac, or Cooper or Mia in the field, I'm on the other end of the earpiece. Which means if something happens to said earpiece or say a seventh phone, I have to replace it. Or, at least facilitate replacing it.

( Herego the rhinestone werewolf cowboy. )

[razes]

Unfortunately, that is a side effect of being in the field.

[At least as far as Laurel is concerned.]

I've blown out a lot of phones just through sonic scream alone.

[kapiushon]

And I've shorted my fair share.

( Of earpieces. )

Who's footing the bill for all these replaced electronics?

( "Argent Arms International," William answers. "They're an international business, and yes, they do pay me." )

I didn't ask.

( "No, you're just hoping I don't use any of my money to -" )

I didn't say that.

( William sets his glass down on the counter.

"Even if I did, it would be going to a good cause. The supernatural is in danger. The slayers in Scotland almost lost everyone today. And if I could throw money at it - invest it - I still might." )

I just want you to think before you make any big decisions. Who's running your company you built from the ground up while you were away?

[blackstarred]

Zari and Behrad.

[Mia is happy to supply the information, because she and Zari recently chatted at STAR Labs.]

They trade off depending on who's doing time on the Waverider.

[pumping]

( Not that he has a horse in this race, but he knows something about hard-ass fathers. And from everything he's seen of William, he sees decency. So, he makes some commentary. )

Sounds like he covered his bases.

( Don't mind if he sets his open carton of beer on the counter and sips from the one in his hand. )

[blackstarred]

He did.

[Laurel holds up her hands, almost as though to say she's not taking part in her husband's parental judgement. "I think it sounds like he's doing a good thing. Especially if this is what Mia is tied up in now."

Mia's face flickers before nodding.]

At least he had a choice. And gets paid.

[pumping]

You ask Allison for pay?

( "It's - different," William explains. Though, it's not out of the realm of possibility. Slayers go out on their own after training. Find their lives. There was, apparently, a private contracting company using them at one point, though Mia would hear that failed.

"But, I could ask, if she joined full-time." )

[blackstarred]

If I wanted to get paid, there's a Slayer organization I could join. And I don't need to be paid.

[She throws a smile Oliver's way.]

Thanks, Dad.

[Laurel smirked. "I'm not sure this is what Moira envisioned your trust fund being used for."]

[pumping]

( "Nor me, but I guess I set the example," Oliver says, lips drawing into a thin line.

Mickey claps a hand on Mia's back, still on her team. )

Star City's been treating Mia well. You raised a good roommate.

[blackstarred]

Thanks, roomie.

[Who knew back in London that she'd wind up getting a good friend out of the deal? That being said, there's something else she should probably tell her family while they're here:]

Speaking of work, though, I need to go to Mississippi for a couple days.

[pumping]

( Not Mickey, his life took a completely different trajectory, for sure. )

You keep me sane on my more restless nights. Still drinks me under the table.

( "Alright, Mickey," William says, laughing, changing the subject.

And then Mia does it for the both of them.

"Mississippi?," he then asks. )

You get to go on the Riverboat?

( "I'll probably regret asking, but, Riverboat," her father asks. )

[blackstarred]

The Riverboat is run by the vampire conglomerate that decided it was a good idea to blow up the Slayer HQ in Scotland and kill a lot of my friends.

[To be clear it is very personal, and she will be making it personal for them in return.]

Buffy says she knows a guy with a plan, so I'm going to go help.

[pumping]

( "When do we leave?" William asks, without consulting his boyfriend, or letting his father and stepmother even know he's volunteering himself. Because she is going, than so is her brother. He can help, especially if a team is involved. He knows what she lost.

"Hold on," Oliver says. "This is coming together fast. Do you know the guy with a plan? Do you know the plan?" )

In his defense, not knowing the guy with the plan got me where I am now.

[blackstarred]

I do not know the guy with the plan but I do know parts of the plan. Wes' mom is going to get us on the boat, we're going to kill all the vampires who aren't our friends, and then we're getting off the boat.

[The details in between she doesn't have yet, but she's sure she'll get them when she gets to Mississippi.

Then she turns back to her brother.]

You don't have to come. I'll be back by the end of the weekend.

[pumping]

( Off Oliver's, probably Laurel's faces. )

Wes. My boyfriend.

( A beat. )

His mom is Scarlett O'Hara. It's - yeah, it's a whole thing.

( Super pointed, long sip.

"Okay. I know I don't have to. But I want to. Better?" William asks, the silence drawing out. )

[blackstarred]

[Fine, that is better. She nods, because she gets it.]

I'll text Faith, see if there's room for one more.

[And then she'll turn back to her father.]

I will be safe. I will be careful. And even if I don't know one hundred percent what I'm up against, I do know most of the people I'm going with and they will have my back.

[pumping]

( "As long as it's most," Oliver relents, like he has a choice. He does exchange a 'Scarlett O'Hara' look with his wife, sighs dramatically. "Say goodbye this time."

And with that, he leaves the kids and his wife in the kitchen and finds his best friend and his wife by the fire place. Don't mind if he fills up his glass.

Back in the kitchen William takes Cooper aside to explain, and ask if he wants to take a field trip. Mickey gives Mia a thumbs up. That went great. And then he makes small talk with E2.

Oliver leans, arm resting on the mantle, his mother's picture above them. She's overseas, of course, not that he'd involve her. Penny for Oliver's thoughts? )

[prosecutorial]

[Laurel smirks a bit as she makes her way over, leaning against the mantle to watch his face.]

The joys of being a parent?

[kapiushon]

The joys. The sorrows. The headaches.

( He wouldn't change it, but he's getting too old to worry. At least that's how he feels right this second. Maybe he'll feel different five minutes from now. )

Mia and William are leaving again, just for the weekend, but - it was an abrupt decision.

[prosecutorial]

It seems like Mia was faced with an abrupt situation. Her friends back in Scotland were attacked.

[Which she knows Oliver knows.]

I think you all know as well as anyone that sometimes you have to make those kinds of choices.

[kapiushon]

She left. She disappeared, threw her entire life away and only resurfaced because her brother ran into her.

( He knows the circumstances, but they still hurt. And he's still mad at Barry. And William. And at slayers. )

She's still Mia, but, she's -- she remembers something else. And I can't save her from it, or help her, or do anything at my age for any of this. So, I just - watch.