for the rest of us death will be a relief

[praevaricatio]

Comments

[marinates]

( "I trust she's safe with you and I appreciate you calling me. Let me know if anything else is needed," Bonnie says. Unlike Liv, she doesn't need a magical sobering remedy, this is enough. She has worked through the shock, turns back and sees if Isaac was able to listen in on her conversation over the morning crowd.

In a back alley in Seattle, Enzo gathers himself up now that he's had some time to be alive. He finds he likes Melanie's voice and the cool breeze. He did not like the harshness of the red neon just inside. He does miss that late evening, early morning air. He, yes, loves Bonnie Bennett and he always will. But first thing is first: Sheila. And he wouldn't be Enzo if he didn't know Bonnie was happy for the most part. She has her own found family, her Mystic Falls friend, and a werewolf named Isaac. It has been two decades since Stefan devastated Bonnie and ended what felt like his last chance for happiness and maybe it's not his last chance. Anymore. )

Bonnie thinks she's hallucinating. ( He informs Sheila because Sheila doesn't have vampire hearing, but he doesn't address the alcohol. This is still her grandmother. )

[indurare]

["I'm still not sure I'm not hallucinating," Sheila says with a sigh. This is not the day she expected but Melanie seems to have things well in hand.

Melanie sends a text, asking Wes and Jay Michael to join them outside - unfortunately they all may be leaving the fun early - but while they wait, she turns back to them with a smile.]

I will reach out to Bonnie's friend William and do what I can to get you on your way as soon as possible, but we can probably return to my hotel and manage from there, if that's alright with you all?

[Wes flips his phone over to read the text and sigh. "Melanie wants us outside."]

[marinates]

You aren't. I think if you were, you wouldn't hallucinate me. You and I never met. But, I heard great things. You really made an indelible mark on your granddaughter.

( There's an drop from the deep well of love he carries for Bonnie that accompanies a twinkle in his eye. )

If that hotel of yours has a bar, I won't be far behind.

( He's never wanted to drink more than right now.

Inside, Jay Michael finishes the last of his beer.

"This was fun while it lasted," he says, shoving his chair out from the table. He slaps a few bills on the table. Tips anyone could use in any of the underwear bands. He hugs Ali goodbye and follows his boyfriend out. )

[indurare]

["I will second that," Sheila nods, because she also could very much use a drink. "And real food."]

Oh, both of those things can certainly be arranged.

[And as that's established, the boys arrive and she smiles.]

This is my nephew Wesley, and his boyfriend Jay Michael. Boys, may I introduce Enzo St. John and Sheila Bennett?

[And before Wes has to ask:]

Sheila is Bonnie's grandmother.

[At that, Wes lights up. "Oh, wonderful. We love Bonnie." A beat. "Well, Jay hasn't met Bonnie yet, but I'm sure he'll love her when he does."

Sheila smiles. "Let's not put too much pressure on him."]

[marinates]

( "Probably no pressure needed," he says. He's actually a little wary of Bonnie because of her Mystic Falls connections, but he's heard good things and he trusts Wes. But, he will meet her on her own merits. Eventually. "It's nice to meetch ya both." )

Likewise. There was talk of moving this party to somewhere with libations. I wouldn't turn my nose up at real food, either.

[indurare]

Yes, Wesley would you go get the car? We can continue this conversation back in my suite where there is plenty of libations and we can order room service.

[Both needs met.

Wes nods and goes to leave but before Jay Michael can follow:]

Jay, I was also wondering if you might reach out to Mia? We may need her and William's help on this.

[pumping]

( That's right, William, Bonnie's friend is obviously his roommate's brother, and he has the shortest six degrees to him, so instead of following Wes to the car, he already has his phone in hand. He hasn't been given proper instructions, but he thinks he gets it. This woman is Bonnie's grandmother. All the O'Hara-Hamilton's stan for her. Enzo is attractive, British, and also there.

He can handle this assignment. But, it's very late/early, so he focuses on text. )

If you haven't crashed into bed after patrol, or if you skipped patrol and you're doom scrolling, call me.

[blackstarred]

[Yeah, Mia is awake. She doesn't come down quickly after patrolling and is currently scarfing down ramen like it's her job.

By the time Wes pulls up with the car, Jay Michael's phone is ringing with Mia's name on the caller ID.]

What's on fire?

[She's guessing from the tone that something's on fire.]

[pumping]

Didn't say anything was on fire, but we have something you and William could help with. You met Bonnie Bennett?

( He can't always remember who's met who. )

[blackstarred]

Yeah, we met in Prague. She's cool.

[A beat.]

Why? Are she and Isaac in town?

[pumping]

More like, her dead grandmother is now very much alive and there's a vampire named Enzo St. John. Who, I think was also dead. But, they're themselves. They kind of appeared during the baby shower.

( Melanie recognized the names and now he's climbing into the front seat of Wes' car. )

They need William's help getting papers that would get them on a plane. Not shapeshifters and not zombies.

[blackstarred]

[Part of her wants to go "are you sure?" but she or Coop will just test them when they get there. She can focus on the bigger issue.]

Right. I'll call William. Drop me a pin on where we should go.

[And once they say their goodbyes, she'll call her brother and hope she's not interrupting anything.]

[slavophile]

( No, they have finished what she would be interrupting. But the both of them aren't great sleepers, either. So, maybe Cooper's dozed off, but William's online doing some research on returns, coming up empty, because people don't advertise these things.

He sees his sister's name on the caller ID and picks up. For her. He'd probably let anyone else go to voicemail. )

I know, I saw the group text.

( An address is sent for Melanie's hotel and a room number. )

[blackstarred]

I have a related but more specific problem that requires your help.

[From what she's been told anyway.]

Apparently we've got two in Star City - one of them is Bonnie's grandmother and the other is also a friend of Bonnie's but Jay Michael wants us to meet them.

[She will pass forward that address and room number.]

Could you also tell Coop to bring his stuff to like ... test for if they're dangerous or not? He'll know what I mean.

[slavophile]

Silver and holy water. I know what you mean. Yes, I will wake up Coop.

( Sorry, Coop. )

Not that I don't appreciate being kept in the loop, but why, at this hour, are you bringing us both in?

[blackstarred]

You were the one actually asked for. Jay said something about getting them on a plane? I don't know, I'm just the middle man here.

[But she will come to see what's going down with all of this. And to meet Bonnie's Grams.]

[slavophile]

Mia, if they were dead, they have nothing to get them on a plane. It makes sense for them to come to me. I get it now. I'll grab Coop. See you there.

( And he yawns, sliding out of the chair and heading back into the bedroom. He sits on the side of the bed and shakes him lightly awake. )

Cooper?

[positiveinfluence]

Yeah, I heard.

[Hunters sleep light, even when they're not in a place where they have to. He scrubs at his face before pushing up.]

I'll grab my stuff.

[slavophile]

( He kisses Cooper's bare shoulder in thanks. )

I promise we'll both get sleep after. You got the silver and the holy water?

( He's up, going for his closet, because he will not go in just underwear. )

[positiveinfluence]

Yep.

[He holds up his flask as he finishes getting dressed. Silver flask with holy water and vervain and whiskey. Might as well cover all the bases.]

With all the weird going on, I'm sure it's fine. But better safe than sorry.

[slavophile]

Yeah, I don't think either of them are ghouls or zombies or a third thing, but, just in case we have the outliers here in Star City.

( Essentially, the same. Better safe, than sorry.

In the back of his car with Cooper, he speaks, scrolling the group chat. He has a patient driver, neither him nor Cooper should be driving at this hour. He doesn't use him often. He used him more before Cooper. It's still something he's working on. )

I do think I have my work cut out for me, because this is a lot of dead people, though.

[positiveinfluence]

Is there someone else you could tag in to help? I mean, maybe the Winchesters have their own resources.

[All the hunter fake IDs come from somewhere, sometimes the hunters themselves but sometimes there are people that they tap to help, if they can afford it.]

[slavophile]

That I'd trust to do it like me, my sister, and Zari, who's already in the group chat. ( He thinks hard. ) I don't deal in a fake ID network. The Winchesters might know somebody.

( He makes a good point, so William pulls up a direct line to Sam.

Have my hands full on the West Coast, do you and Dean know a guy or girl who are good with a legit fake? )

Maybe I'll get good news and only have the West coast contingent of drops to work on. Sorry I woke you.

[positiveinfluence]

[True to his word, Sam is not sleeping so William gets a response back fairly quickly: I can ask around. We mostly make ours and they don't have to stand up to much scrutiny.

But maybe some of the people there have a good connection.

Coop shakes his head.]

It's fine. Let's go see what we're dealing with.

[And off they will head to the hotel, where Melanie has set them up in her suite. Melanie has very specific needs when she travels, always has a suite with a kitchenette so that she can store her blood bags, as well as any alcohol she has on hand. She's mixed everyone a drink and ordered meals from the hotel restaurant and now they're all waiting for William and Mia to arrive.

Mia catches sight of her brother as she's moving towards the elevator and she pauses to wait.]

[slavophile]

I asked Sam if they have any help on their end. With identities.

( He will wait as she presses the elevator button. )