("Yeah, you too. You and your extended family have been more than welcoming. Well. Not you," he starts, shaking his head. "You know what I mean. It's nice. To meet you. Too." And now he's shaking his hand for entirely too long. But, Rhett interrupts the sure to be awkward proceeding clapping both Wes and Rusty on their backs, Jay Michael finally lets go, letting Rhett have his moment. He sips, sheepishly. He really has lost his military cool.
Had he ever had it? (No, peep the bachelor excuse.) )
[Rusty glances over at Wes, who had a "leave him alone" expression on your face. Rusty holds up his hands, before turning and letting Scarlett scoop him up in a warm hug.]
I'm so pleased to see you. I want to hear all about how you made those monsters suffer.
["Not much to tell. I didn't actually get to do much of the killing."]
( Even suffering under his withering look feels fair.
Jay Michael turns to Wes, shaking his head. It's fine. He's learning all of this. And as cool as he sees himself, and maybe Mia? sees him, he's very not cool. And he's going to accept this.
He also doesn't want to ask any curse or dead witch questions because it seems - macabre? Though 'monsters suffer?' Pretty macabre. )
Knowing you working with their ancestors paid off, we can finally stop worrying about our eldest.
[Rusty can see Jay Michael's eyes starting to glaze over and he opts to explain himself.]
I was cursed by a coven called the Colony four hundred years ago. I was working with some members of the coven to take out the people who cursed me. Doesn't break my curse but it now has a seventy-five percent less chance of me being done with it before the next century.
( Jay Michael realizes the explanation is for him, so he clears his throat and straightens up.
Rhett takes it upon himself to pour from his personal scotch collection, light ice, and brings it to his son. )
The people who cursed him used the bodies of the next generation and the next to keep themselves in power. It was quite the gambit until the jig was up. And then everything fell into place. And to think what would have happened had that Maxim fellow not found you in Hershey.
( He nods at that. Of course. Who doesn't like chocolate. Jay Michael frowns at the sound of old witches recycling family members' bodies to lengthen their life - while also ensuring someone else's curse stays put. That's a dedication he's never heard of. And probably was never capable of. He did betray his best friend.
Rhett joins his lady-love, looking back at the family they've put together over the centuries. )
As long as history doesn't repeat itself, I am sure they will find their own groove. And how did you leave things with them?
[That answer comes a little too quickly. Almost as though he's trying to ignore the fact that he's been replaying that last conversation with Max, wondering if he made the right choice.
There had been relief when he walked away. But he can't help but feel that he's kicking a can down the road, rather than closing a door for good.]
I wouldn't call it positive, but I'm not their problem anymore.
I think David and Ezra are going to try. But they have to balance out the three others and there's only two of them.
[... Honestly it may be only one of them David is also a product of his coven. Ezra may be the only one who stands a shot at being a true positive influence.
Scarlett does catch that look and gives Rusty's shoulder a squeeze. "Well, we're all here. Everyone sit, sit. Food's almost ready."]
["Just before you got here, Melanie was going to tell us what Wesley was trying to imply about Bonnie Bennett's taste in men." No, Scarlett has not let go of that bone, not that Melanie thought she would.
Melanie sighs.]
There is nothing to tell. I quite enjoyed speaking with Enzo, and we may be seeing more of each other in the future.
[Scarlett's eyes narrow, before turning on her son. Wesley looks over at her innocently. "What?"
("This doesn't involve that Isaac fellow, then," Rhett deduces. )
No, Isaac and Bonnie are still together. Or, newly together. They're something. I don't know Enzo.
("Lorenzo St. John has a flare I could see Melanie taking to," Rhett says, having crossed paths with him years prior. Years and years, prior. "He and Bonnie did end quite tragically, but, we have forgiven each other for worse," he admits, taking his wife's hand. That's being with vampires. )
[If Melanie's opinion counts for anything, which it should.
"I suppose there are worse people you could be spending your time with," Scarlett sighs. "Will we get to meet this young man before you go galavanting off?"]
He's in Mystic Falls for the holidays, so no. But perhaps we'll find another opportunity.
Or perhaps Scarlett will remember I'm not one of her children and therefore do not have to justify my choices to her.
[She's says it genially, but there is a small layer of irritation at Scarlett's particular brand of overprotectiveness when she's nearly two hundred years old.
Scarlett raises an eyebrow in return. "I don't mean to offend, Melly. I just want to make sure that these men are trustworthy."
Wes shoots Melanie a look of sympathy and she waves him off. It's fine. This is an old fight.]
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( A look. )
She's a hoot.
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Scarlett's head snaps up from where she's checking on the food. "Melanie Hamliton."
And with that, there's another knock on the door.]
That must be Russell. Perfect timing. I'll go get it.
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( He sends a jovial look at his son, turning toward the door as Scarlett moves.
Jay Michael glances to his boyfriend, mouthing "Russell?" )
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"It's not," Scarlett protests as she moves towards the door.
Melanie opens the door and Rusty is, in fact, behind it. He flashes Melanie a smile, and lets her pull him into a hug.]
Nice to see you under less murderous circumstances.
[His tone is teasing, and she laughs. "May that stay that way for a long time. Come, Scarlett has been beside herself."
He makes his way inside and flashes Rhett a smile.]
Am I late? I'm fully prepared to blame the traffic, if so.
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( He waits for his time, but when he's granted it, he draws his son into a bracing hug.
"Murderous, vengeful sorceress," Jay Michael says to himself, nodding. He sips from his drink as he listens as the story comes together. )
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[His eyes then scan over the rest of the room before giving his brother a nod.]
Wes.
["Rusty." He then gestures to the man standing next to him. "This is my boyfriend, Jay Michael."
Rusty nods, before making his way closer and extending a hand.]
Nice to meet you.
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Had he ever had it? (No, peep the bachelor excuse.) )
Both of our boys under the same roof, Scarlett.
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[Rusty glances over at Wes, who had a "leave him alone" expression on your face. Rusty holds up his hands, before turning and letting Scarlett scoop him up in a warm hug.]
I'm so pleased to see you. I want to hear all about how you made those monsters suffer.
["Not much to tell. I didn't actually get to do much of the killing."]
Ah, more's the pity.
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( Even suffering under his withering look feels fair.
Jay Michael turns to Wes, shaking his head. It's fine. He's learning all of this. And as cool as he sees himself, and maybe Mia? sees him, he's very not cool. And he's going to accept this.
He also doesn't want to ask any curse or dead witch questions because it seems - macabre? Though 'monsters suffer?' Pretty macabre. )
Knowing you working with their ancestors paid off, we can finally stop worrying about our eldest.
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I was cursed by a coven called the Colony four hundred years ago. I was working with some members of the coven to take out the people who cursed me. Doesn't break my curse but it now has a seventy-five percent less chance of me being done with it before the next century.
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Rhett takes it upon himself to pour from his personal scotch collection, light ice, and brings it to his son. )
The people who cursed him used the bodies of the next generation and the next to keep themselves in power. It was quite the gambit until the jig was up. And then everything fell into place. And to think what would have happened had that Maxim fellow not found you in Hershey.
( "Pennsylvania?" Jay Michael asks. )
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[It was a good life, up until it wasn't.]
And the coven is their problem now. I hope they realize what they're getting into.
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Rhett joins his lady-love, looking back at the family they've put together over the centuries. )
As long as history doesn't repeat itself, I am sure they will find their own groove. And how did you leave things with them?
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[That answer comes a little too quickly. Almost as though he's trying to ignore the fact that he's been replaying that last conversation with Max, wondering if he made the right choice.
There had been relief when he walked away. But he can't help but feel that he's kicking a can down the road, rather than closing a door for good.]
I wouldn't call it positive, but I'm not their problem anymore.
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It's the Colony. When they lead with positivity, I'll put on Scarlett's heels and dance the meringue.
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[... Honestly it may be only one of them David is also a product of his coven. Ezra may be the only one who stands a shot at being a true positive influence.
Scarlett does catch that look and gives Rusty's shoulder a squeeze. "Well, we're all here. Everyone sit, sit. Food's almost ready."]
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Jay Michael takes the open seat nearby, setting his glass down on the table. )
As long as the balance they find doesn't bring down our Rusty.
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[He settles and reaches for his own drink.]
But enough about me. What have you all been up to?
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( Jay Michael nods, because it's true.
"Came back to Star City with William Queen, Mia, and my friend, Cooper." )
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Melanie sighs.]
There is nothing to tell. I quite enjoyed speaking with Enzo, and we may be seeing more of each other in the future.
[Scarlett's eyes narrow, before turning on her son. Wesley looks over at her innocently. "What?"
Scarlett huffs. "No one ever tells me anything."]
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No, Isaac and Bonnie are still together. Or, newly together. They're something. I don't know Enzo.
( "Lorenzo St. John has a flare I could see Melanie taking to," Rhett says, having crossed paths with him years prior. Years and years, prior. "He and Bonnie did end quite tragically, but, we have forgiven each other for worse," he admits, taking his wife's hand. That's being with vampires. )
I liked him.
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[If Melanie's opinion counts for anything, which it should.
"I suppose there are worse people you could be spending your time with," Scarlett sighs. "Will we get to meet this young man before you go galavanting off?"]
He's in Mystic Falls for the holidays, so no. But perhaps we'll find another opportunity.
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Well, let's hope he stays above Scarlett's worst in the meantime.
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[She's says it genially, but there is a small layer of irritation at Scarlett's particular brand of overprotectiveness when she's nearly two hundred years old.
Scarlett raises an eyebrow in return. "I don't mean to offend, Melly. I just want to make sure that these men are trustworthy."
Wes shoots Melanie a look of sympathy and she waves him off. It's fine. This is an old fight.]
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( "I'm nouveaux?" Jay Michael asks Wes. )
Only to our family.
( "I keep forgetting there is no hiding anything we say in front of you." )
Or, in the other room.
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