( It's Davina's apartment, but she's here to see Scott, so he braces himself before getting up and moving to the door. Smiling, because this is a happy occasion, he opens the door to greet her. )
While she never got the chance to learn to let Scott be her moral compass the way Isaac did, there was always something about him that was steady, safe. Different from Derek in so many ways, but still strong. She never understood why he didn't want to be part of the pack until it was far too late, and she never got the chance to correct those mistakes.
She can feel the differences, the internal nagging in the back of her mind that she used to associate with Derek and now she realizes is just "alpha." He's older, too, an actual adult. She, for the first time, feels how much time has passed for them, and it does sink like a stone in her gut, tears filling at the corners of her eyes, but she tries to blink them away, and returns Scott's smile as best she can.]
( He's prepared to be there for her, to answer absolutely every question she has, even if it hurts. He can talk back through their sophomore year. Things were brutal, Derek set an example for her Scott didn't stand for. Between the hunters, what they didn't know Lydia was and Jackson's kanima form (and Matt) and Gerard, life was hard then. Allison also went through everything with her mom and framing Derek. He doesn't blame Erica for becoming a product of Derek's posturing. He never know what it meant to be an alpha and Scott really, really had to learn. He just had friends at the time, friends he trusted. And he saw examples he didn't agree with.
Being an alpha didn't mean teaching werewolves cockiness or intimidation. And it didn't mean beating other alphas into submission. But, he worked through what it did mean. For him. For his friends. He learned on his own, but he also learned by Derek's new example he set. Self-sacrifice. Hard choices. Finding common ground in people you might not trust.
He'd like to think, that despite growing older, he's still the same goofy kid. He's watched more TV and movies and does his own grocery shopping, but, he still has his cute-dumb moments. And, his idealistic moments. And, his foolish moments.
His network has grown wider than it's ever been.
He hopes that ultimately can help Erica the most. )
Hey, Erica. ( He steps aside, ready to hug he if she wants that, he's always been affectionate, but knowing where she's come from as well. Not just with Derek, but the fault. ) Come in, come in. Make yourselves at home.
( He shakes Derek's hand and pulls Hayley in for a hug once Erica does step inside the apartment. The hug is also for her, as well, if she's feeling it. )
[She does take the hug. Aside from the weird angel guy, no one else has touched her since she arrived here. It isn't until after, as she starts to sink into the hold, that she realizes how much she needed it.
More tears slip free and she tries to push them back with a shuddering breath but look, she was held captive for three months, and she thinks she might have died. It's probably a miracle that she hasn't had a small breakdown about this sooner.
And Scott's safe.
After a couple heavy breaths, she sucks it in, trying to get control of herself again. She is not putting her best werewolf foot forward if she wants Scott to let her into the pack.]
You have nothing to be sorry for. You're here now. You're safe.
( Turning to her, he says that as he squeezes her shoulder, trying to calm her. Not imbuing those feelings in her, or taking that pain away. But, trying to soothe her. Relax her. )
[She nods, but where should they start? She has a lot of questions (are her parents okay? what does the pack look like now? why is everyone in New Orleans?) but she knows that there's a big one that she needs to get out of the way before she can fully start to relax.
Derek said it would be fine, but she knows she still needs to ask.]
Derek says you're the alpha now. Is it okay if I be in the pack?
[She's not making the mistake of trying to make it on her own again. She learned her lesson.]
I'm an alpha, now. But, I am the alpha of my pack. Derek's a part of it, and you're more than welcome to be, too. ( he'd never turn her away. ) Hayley's also an alpha, too, and, queen, I think. I don't go by king. Though, I don't think I'm king material. That's all about bloodlines. ( he's had some interesting long conversations and done some readings. ) But, yes, Erica. Please. Join our pack. It's made up of more than just werewolves, Allison's in it, but she does real good, she's way past her mom's death and Isaac forgave her for stabbing her an indeterminate amount of times. And Lydia's in it, she's a banshee. We found out. Stiles. He's a vampire. ( A beat. ) He wasn't then, but he is, now. Derek's sister, Cora... ( he pauses again, knowing they've met. ) ...We have room.
[No, she wants to be in the pack with her friends, no offense Hayley. She wants to at least have something she understands, if nothing else. She flashes him a smile and nods.]
Okay. Cool.
[She has a pack. The rest she can figure out. She then scans her eyes over to the woman in the room who she hasn't been introduced to yet.
"Hi. I'm Davina." She waves before glancing over at Scott, almost as though she isn't sure what would be better here - the regent of New Orleans or Scott's girlfriend. She decides to go with the one that's more personal. "I'm Scott's girlfriend." She hopes that's okay.
Erica's eyebrows go up briefly, then her brow furrows.]
Allison's in the pack, but you two aren't ...
[Together? That feels weird, given how obsessed they used to be with each other but everyone's older now. Maybe that makes sense.]
( His warm smile meets hers. Looking back at his girlfriend, he sheepishly ducks his head, he should have taken care of that introduction. )
We're friends. Close friends. I trust her and everyone with my life. She channeled her family's business in doing good. ( And she was with Isaac for a while. It's fine. They're no longer a thing. ) Davina and I met because there were really dangerous hunters in the quarter being led by our old guidance counselor. ( he lets that play out in his head and hears how it sounds. ) Life is still pretty crazy, even outside of Beacon Hills.
[In some ways it's comforting, that things weren't just weird in Beacon Hills because it was Beacon Hills. Things are just ... weird.
"I also happen to be a witch," Davina adds. "I was wondering if you'd be okay with me having a look at you, magically speaking? To see if we can figure out why you're here?"
Erica nods once before clarifying:]
You're not going to try and put me back, right?
[Davina shakes her head. "Not at all. But the more we know about how you're here, the more we can ensure you get to stay. Make sure there's no take back clause."
I'm certainly not looking to take it back. We'll see what Davina has to say.
[Davina, unfortunately, isn't finding much (16). Even as she probes at the edges of the magic, this is something she's never seen before. But she's not feeling any lingering magic, things waiting to be triggered, or restarted. Whatever spell this is, it's finished.
"I'm not seeing anything waiting to be triggered, at least. Though this magic is ... beyond me."
Hayley makes a face.]
That's worrying, given that you're the one looking.
We could ask Freya. She may have seen something like this before. But the only magic I know that reanimates the dead is from the Voodoo Queens, but they've been gone a long time.
[She glances over at Hayley.]
Is Freya at Rousseau's tonight?
["She mentioned something about having a date, but I can text her and see." Hayley shifts to pull out her phone. "She may not answer if she's ... busy, but if nothing else we can see if Freya's free tomorrow."
Davina's eyes narrow briefly at the mention of Freya having a date, but she shakes it off. Not her business.]
I should reach out to Sophie. See if we can get Erica ID's and stuff to make her a real girl, legally speaking.
[Erica's eyes light up. "Could they give me my driver's license?" She will ask the question, but she does not know how to drive.]
Yeah. Sophie really could. Or Brianna. Or, if Hardison is in town. Technically anyone on her team is qualified. A full ressurection will take more. You're legally...
( Dead. He does turn to Erica, though, because )
Did you learn?
( Did she have time? Was she fifteeen or sixteen? Did Derek teach her? )
... Not really? But I could now! It's not like I'm going to school or have homework or anything.
[Maybe she'll get a job. Eventually she'll have to find things to do with her time. She glances between Derek and Scott with an almost pleading expression.]
Yeah, of course, we can get on that. It may take real classes, though. They're kind of a requirement.
( Not that... it can't be faked. He looks back at Derek.
"Yeah. Scott and I can take you out driving, but we're not experts on the subject," he offers with a gesture. They can get her to and from them, though. Or, get her study materials. "We can help you get your license. Reacclimate.")
[It will not be fun for Derek or Scott probably, but teaching teenagers to drive is never fun. And the longer she puts off trying to figure out if she actually wants to go see her parents the better.
That being said, the next morning she is taken to Leverage HQ to meet Sophie, Eliot and Breanna and they take their time making Erica into a real girl. Breanna will give her her license because who wants to make a trip to the DMV if they don't have to, but Scott and Derek will have to teach her to drive.
That being said, about halfway through the session, the door to the theater opens, and in walks three people almost no one in this room will recognize. While Breanna's busy, Sophie will come over to do the meet and greet.
"Hello. Are you are other friends who happen to have crash landed in New Orleans?"]
Breanna is currently working on Erica, but once she's finished she can get started on Gray and Stephanie. Please, make yourselves comfortable.
[Erica has already been photographed, so when her attention is drawn by other children her age, she will move over to Gray and Stephanie wherever they settle. "Hey, I'm Erica."
"Stephanie," she nods. "You're new too?"
Erica shrugs. "I guess? Is that what we're calling it?"]
( It's a sprawling first floor-bar-former something else, but before Gray could actually make himself at home, Erica approaches.
Damon will make his over to the bar, move behind and snoop. )
There might be different definitions going around, but new about sums it up. Maybe new again for some of the people. That's our dad, but, not our dad. It's fun being us.
Oh, that kind of new. Yeah, that's not my problem.
[It might have been easier if she had been. It feels awkward to tell people you were dead instead. His sister seems to catch on though and her eyes widen.
[Sophie will never say no to a drink. "So you're Damon Salvatore. I've heard interesting things." Her expression says she's old enough that interesting could mean a lot of different things. "People keep being surprised that we haven't met."
Erica on the other hand glances back over at Breanna, figuring the other woman will correct her if she explains this wrong.]
So Sophie is a friend of Hayley's and Hayley is the local alpha, but basically what they do here is help people? But with crime.
[Breanna smirks. "That pretty much sums it up, yeah. We take down people who are using the law to hurt people by hitting them where it hurts most - their wallets and reputation."]
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everyonelives2025-10-11 07:15 am
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While she never got the chance to learn to let Scott be her moral compass the way Isaac did, there was always something about him that was steady, safe. Different from Derek in so many ways, but still strong. She never understood why he didn't want to be part of the pack until it was far too late, and she never got the chance to correct those mistakes.
She can feel the differences, the internal nagging in the back of her mind that she used to associate with Derek and now she realizes is just "alpha." He's older, too, an actual adult. She, for the first time, feels how much time has passed for them, and it does sink like a stone in her gut, tears filling at the corners of her eyes, but she tries to blink them away, and returns Scott's smile as best she can.]
Hey.
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Being an alpha didn't mean teaching werewolves cockiness or intimidation. And it didn't mean beating other alphas into submission. But, he worked through what it did mean. For him. For his friends. He learned on his own, but he also learned by Derek's new example he set. Self-sacrifice. Hard choices. Finding common ground in people you might not trust.
He'd like to think, that despite growing older, he's still the same goofy kid. He's watched more TV and movies and does his own grocery shopping, but, he still has his cute-dumb moments. And, his idealistic moments. And, his foolish moments.
His network has grown wider than it's ever been.
He hopes that ultimately can help Erica the most. )
Hey, Erica. ( He steps aside, ready to hug he if she wants that, he's always been affectionate, but knowing where she's come from as well. Not just with Derek, but the fault. ) Come in, come in. Make yourselves at home.
( He shakes Derek's hand and pulls Hayley in for a hug once Erica does step inside the apartment. The hug is also for her, as well, if she's feeling it. )
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More tears slip free and she tries to push them back with a shuddering breath but look, she was held captive for three months, and she thinks she might have died. It's probably a miracle that she hasn't had a small breakdown about this sooner.
And Scott's safe.
After a couple heavy breaths, she sucks it in, trying to get control of herself again. She is not putting her best werewolf foot forward if she wants Scott to let her into the pack.]
Sorry.
[She swipes at her cheeks.]
It's been a weird day.
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( Turning to her, he says that as he squeezes her shoulder, trying to calm her. Not imbuing those feelings in her, or taking that pain away. But, trying to soothe her. Relax her. )
We can start anywhere.
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Derek said it would be fine, but she knows she still needs to ask.]
Derek says you're the alpha now. Is it okay if I be in the pack?
[She's not making the mistake of trying to make it on her own again. She learned her lesson.]
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Okay. Cool.
[She has a pack. The rest she can figure out. She then scans her eyes over to the woman in the room who she hasn't been introduced to yet.
"Hi. I'm Davina." She waves before glancing over at Scott, almost as though she isn't sure what would be better here - the regent of New Orleans or Scott's girlfriend. She decides to go with the one that's more personal. "I'm Scott's girlfriend." She hopes that's okay.
Erica's eyebrows go up briefly, then her brow furrows.]
Allison's in the pack, but you two aren't ...
[Together? That feels weird, given how obsessed they used to be with each other but everyone's older now. Maybe that makes sense.]
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( His warm smile meets hers. Looking back at his girlfriend, he sheepishly ducks his head, he should have taken care of that introduction. )
We're friends. Close friends. I trust her and everyone with my life. She channeled her family's business in doing good. ( And she was with Isaac for a while. It's fine. They're no longer a thing. ) Davina and I met because there were really dangerous hunters in the quarter being led by our old guidance counselor. ( he lets that play out in his head and hears how it sounds. ) Life is still pretty crazy, even outside of Beacon Hills.
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[In some ways it's comforting, that things weren't just weird in Beacon Hills because it was Beacon Hills. Things are just ... weird.
"I also happen to be a witch," Davina adds. "I was wondering if you'd be okay with me having a look at you, magically speaking? To see if we can figure out why you're here?"
Erica nods once before clarifying:]
You're not going to try and put me back, right?
[Davina shakes her head. "Not at all. But the more we know about how you're here, the more we can ensure you get to stay. Make sure there's no take back clause."
At that, Erica nods.]
Yeah, okay. We can do that.
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No takes-backsies, right?
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I'm certainly not looking to take it back. We'll see what Davina has to say.
[Davina, unfortunately, isn't finding much (16). Even as she probes at the edges of the magic, this is something she's never seen before. But she's not feeling any lingering magic, things waiting to be triggered, or restarted. Whatever spell this is, it's finished.
"I'm not seeing anything waiting to be triggered, at least. Though this magic is ... beyond me."
Hayley makes a face.]
That's worrying, given that you're the one looking.
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Davina's good, but, there's also Freya, right? Or, someone else? Is it, like, definitely magic, though?
( Scott worries that a trigger could mean something else, but at least Davina isn't finding any. )
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[She glances over at Hayley.]
Is Freya at Rousseau's tonight?
["She mentioned something about having a date, but I can text her and see." Hayley shifts to pull out her phone. "She may not answer if she's ... busy, but if nothing else we can see if Freya's free tomorrow."
Davina's eyes narrow briefly at the mention of Freya having a date, but she shakes it off. Not her business.]
I should reach out to Sophie. See if we can get Erica ID's and stuff to make her a real girl, legally speaking.
[Erica's eyes light up. "Could they give me my driver's license?" She will ask the question, but she does not know how to drive.]
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( Dead. He does turn to Erica, though, because )
Did you learn?
( Did she have time? Was she fifteeen or sixteen? Did Derek teach her? )
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[Maybe she'll get a job. Eventually she'll have to find things to do with her time. She glances between Derek and Scott with an almost pleading expression.]
Please?
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( Not that... it can't be faked. He looks back at Derek.
"Yeah. Scott and I can take you out driving, but we're not experts on the subject," he offers with a gesture. They can get her to and from them, though. Or, get her study materials. "We can help you get your license. Reacclimate." )
We're here for you.
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[It will not be fun for Derek or Scott probably, but teaching teenagers to drive is never fun. And the longer she puts off trying to figure out if she actually wants to go see her parents the better.
That being said, the next morning she is taken to Leverage HQ to meet Sophie, Eliot and Breanna and they take their time making Erica into a real girl. Breanna will give her her license because who wants to make a trip to the DMV if they don't have to, but Scott and Derek will have to teach her to drive.
That being said, about halfway through the session, the door to the theater opens, and in walks three people almost no one in this room will recognize. While Breanna's busy, Sophie will come over to do the meet and greet.
"Hello. Are you are other friends who happen to have crash landed in New Orleans?"]
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Gray leads his sister, but both flank Damon.
"I'm Damon. This is Gray and Stephanie. You must be Sophie," he says.
"Hey," Gray says, nodding to her. )
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[She steps back to give them more room to enter.]
Breanna is currently working on Erica, but once she's finished she can get started on Gray and Stephanie. Please, make yourselves comfortable.
[Erica has already been photographed, so when her attention is drawn by other children her age, she will move over to Gray and Stephanie wherever they settle. "Hey, I'm Erica."
"Stephanie," she nods. "You're new too?"
Erica shrugs. "I guess? Is that what we're calling it?"]
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Damon will make his over to the bar, move behind and snoop. )
There might be different definitions going around, but new about sums it up. Maybe new again for some of the people. That's our dad, but, not our dad. It's fun being us.
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[It might have been easier if she had been. It feels awkward to tell people you were dead instead. His sister seems to catch on though and her eyes widen.
"Oh. I'm sorry."
Yep. Awkward. Just like she thought.]
I don't really remember, so it's fine.
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( By the bar, Damon pulls down a very nice scotch and two glasses before zeroing on Sophie. Does she want? )
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Erica on the other hand glances back over at Breanna, figuring the other woman will correct her if she explains this wrong.]
So Sophie is a friend of Hayley's and Hayley is the local alpha, but basically what they do here is help people? But with crime.
[Breanna smirks. "That pretty much sums it up, yeah. We take down people who are using the law to hurt people by hitting them where it hurts most - their wallets and reputation."]
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Gray looks at Breanna for her reaction, too. )
That's badass. Taking down does sound like you do crime, though. So, do you stop the crime or do the crime. Is bringing us all into this a crime?
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