everyonelives | because the lives of the wicked should be made brief

( Lizzie rouses, bouncing back pretty quickly, but still achey as Alice helps her sit up.

"Alice? Where's my mom?"

Archer turns back to Jo, trying not to show all the awkward teenage feelings he's experiencing right now. )

Right. That's a good point.

( Note to self. )

We have containment. Neutralization. It depends on who they are and where they come from. What they represent. Honestly, once this Gauntlet business passes, we're most likely to let them back into the world. With a strongly worded warning.

["Oh, thank god." Alice relaxes some that her friend is back to the land of the living. "She's in the dining room with Archer. Black Badge is rounding up the remainder of the witches."

Jo looks back at the other witches, before shaking her head.]

Just wait for our signal. We're not sure how all this is going to go yet and ... it's possible that it may not be good to let them out at all.

[These are bad witches, Jo personally wouldn't mind if they disappeared for good.]

( Let's not sprinkle any technicalities on that and ruin the moment. While Alice helps get Lizzie to her feet, Archer nods to one of his partners in passing who has the busboy in custody. )

We have extensive debriefing. They're better left inside, we'll know it. Tell Alice...

( He doesn't know, but he has to get going. )

A vampire named Irrabella is on her way, I suggest you clear out. She has strict orders.

( Quality control. "Compulsion." And, he follows one more agent back out, passing Doc, rip-raring and ready to go as he takes in the aftermath, swinging around, gun not out, put poised. )

[Jo nods in Archer's direction, because yes, being gone before the vampire shows up is a good idea, but her eyes are drawn to the mustached man walking in the door, and takes a breath with a smile.]

You must be Alice's father. Jo Laughlin. I'm Lizzie's mother.

( Give Doc a second. He does not see his daughter, or her roommate. But, people were being escorted out behind him. )

I missed the fracas then. ( His hand leaves the handle of his gun as he clears his throat. ) John Henry-Holliday. I wish our greeting was under better circumstances. Do you know where my daughter is?

Here!

[She and Lizzie emerge from the bathroom, both looking perfectly fine even though Lizzie probably isn't. She gives her dad a wave and a smile.]

You made it. Dad, this is Lizzie, my roommate, and looks like you met her mom already, and Archer.

[She will not clarify Archer further at this point in time.]

I did not meet Archer. Did I miss an Archer?

( That's to Jo, the adult in the room. You'll be honest with him, right?

"Where is Archer?" Lizzie says, cracking her neck. )

[Alice blinks, because he was there, wasn't he? There's a brief moment of disappointment as she glances around the restaurant, looking for the familiar face before turning back to the group.]

I guess he had to go back to work.

[Jo does notice that, and nods. "He mentioned that they were sending in vampire cleanup, so we should probably get moving."

And just as the group turns towards the door, Rebekah makes her way in. "Did I miss the party?"]

And an archer.

( Jury's out on if he expected someone with a bow and arrow or someone who has disappointed his daughter.

Almost as if on cue, Alice does receive a message.

Sorry I had to duck you. Saying sorry is getting old, so allow me one more. It was a slapdash plan and it needed to look and sound real, but any chance we could sub in 'be with you forever,' to 'take you out when you have the time?'

"Aunt Rebekah," Lizzie, still a little swimmy, throws herself into Rebekah's arms. They've never been close, but she and Hope are close and it's fine. She's tired. )

[Rebekah blinks in surprise, before reaching up and patting Lizzie on the back gently. "There, there."

Alice glances down at the buzz of her phone but she'll save that for later, until they're definitively out of harm's way. Instead, she turns to her father with a small smile.]

Thanks for coming. But really, we were okay.

Your message didn't sound it in the least.

( He points to Elizabeth, a little behind completely. )

Have you two ever actually met?

["Once? At one of the school family things?" Rebekah doesn't remember, she just remembers there's one blond twin and one brunette twin and Hope is dating the brunette one.

Alice raises an eyebrow.]

It seems you're being a great comfort in these trying times.

[Rebekah snorts before pulling gently away from Lizzie. "Alright. Looks like everything's settled here. I should go relieve Neal before he starts teaching Henry how to forge paintings. Are you all still coming up to the apartment?"

Alice looks over at Lizzie and Jo and shrugs.]

We can?

( "We still haven't eaten," Lizzie says, looking to her roommate, and standing herself up, finally. Sorry, Mom, this is embarrassing. )

We can order us something in. All us girls.

( Cause he's one of the girls now. Though, Lizzie turns. One second, Rebekah is her favorite person (unclear) and now, she makes interesting parent decisions. Glass houses, Lizzie.

"Sorry, you left your son with a babysitter that forges paintings?" )

I was an Original vampire, darling. I've done more objectionable things than Neal Caffrey.

[Alice does not know who that is (2). Alice hasn't met Neal yet. Art forgery does sound cool, she's not judging. Jo also doesn't recognize the name either (4). But she also doesn't care about art crimes either.]

Okay. Point. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm starving.

( Maybe they can get out of here. )

[Yes, let's go. They will actually head back to Doc and Rebekah's and Lizzie can meet Alice's little brother and Jo can coordinate for the aftermath. She's ... doing it behind closed doors which Lizzie may consider suspicious, but for now, Doc and Rebekah are entertaining.

Eventually, Alice perches on the corner of the couch and finally responds to Archer's text:]

Yeah, that'd be fun.

[She's trying to play it cool, but she is not cool at all so it could come off as not caring over text.]

I'm gonna be in New York over break and staying with my dad and Rebekah, and all my friends are going to other places so I will be very free.

[That also does not make you sound cool, Alice.]

( Lizzie knows something is up because her dad denied her Facetime. So, she alerted her sister that the adults are acting up, but is still happy to meet Henry. )

So what you're saying, is I have weeks to get this just right.

That is not what I'm saying.

[But that is a little vague, so maybe she should be more specific.]

New Year's Eve. You plan the date, and I'll meet you. Start the new year with a clean slate?

You'll be the Sally to my Harry?

Does that mean we have to wait like ... twenty years to date? Because that kind of defeats the purpose.

[She definitely wants to date you now.]

No, the big New Years Eve scene. Not saying our date starts at midnight, but if it ensures a year of our kind of bliss, I'm not opposed. And, Alice, you deserve all the bliss.

[That does make her smile, before realizing she's not alone and swallowing it back.]

Well, if it's a good date, I would definitely consider letting you kiss me at midnight.

Is that right. I'll be on my best behavior then. Dial up the romance to 11. This is Spinal Tap, Alice.

Just let me know when and where. And the dress code. Mom always said it was good to ask that so you don't wind up somewhere in the wrong shoes.

Or, dress. Wear a dress. The rest will come.

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eredite - 2025-08-29 03:21 (UTC) - Expand