but oh what a year

[patrols]

Comments

[notwitty]

After everyone got doxxed? Bonnie, Ryan, Caroline and I were together so we wound up going on the run together. We went from Mystic Falls all the way out to the Winchesters' bunker in Kansas.

[Which they didn't wind up staying in very long.]

It was right before we came to see you at the Armory.

[recrudesce]

Oh, right. Double date turned ditch.

( Context. )

She's a bit of a tyrant of the road trip. But, she does bring the best snacks. When not on the run.

[notwitty]

I did appreciate the snacks.

[They made a stop once they were far enough out of town and sure they weren't being followed.]

It was just a lot of close quarters after we first met.

[recrudesce]

( Of everyone, Bonnie and Caroline were probably good-smelling, good company, two of his favorite people besides Elena. )

Pretty good outcome after they all got the drop on you. Well, except for the B & B. That sounded... bloody.

[notwitty]

[Isaac makes a face as he nods.]

Unsurprising though. I've found that most spontaneous roadside stops are generally not good ideas.

[The last time he randomly stopped somewhere for unfortunate reasons, he, Boyd and Scott all got mind whammied.]

At least those witches aren't going to be bothering anyone else.

[recrudesce]

I don't really do them. Big on my destinations.

( Still big on the outdoors. )

Two less, right?

[notwitty]

Along with some kind of weird construct creature they made.

[He does feel bad for the people who got killed before they got there though.]

Definitely glad this Gauntlet thing is finally done, though. Maybe with the witch problems settled things will actually be quiet for a little while.

[recrudesce]

Golem. Glad he's gone, too. You do not want an untethered one of those running around. Even tethered.

( Not pretty. )

Man. Isaac, one thing you never do, is hope out loud it's quiet, or say it's getting quiet. Now? It won't be quiet.

( And also, gestures at the house of dead people including his mother. )

[notwitty]

[Isaac is about to say that he doesn't believe in that because that's not actually how life works when Stiles comes swinging around the corner, looking like he's trying to run something down.

And he sighs. Because if someone is going to disrupt the quiet, it's going to be Stiles.]

You looking for someone, Stilinski?

[phonetically]

Not you, Isaac, unless you have any information on something called Black Badge.

( "I might," he says. "That's Waverly's," he adds, looking back at Isaac. "She and Wynonna and Xavier intercepted a Gauntlet trap we walked into." )

That's who's going to help my partner. Waverly Earp. She works for them?

( "They work for her? I don't know, she's high up." )

[notwitty]

Xavier Dolls is an Underground guy.

[That's about all Isaac knows - he's been in Europe, but contacts are contacts.]

You might want to ask Jackson's boyfriend.

[phonetically]

( Tyler gestures. There. )

Daylight ring guy.

( He scans the crowded room for him.

"Better known as Alexander," Tyler corrects. Isaac, is Stiles always like this? )

[notwitty]

He did you a pretty big solid, Stiles, you might want to learn his name.

[Isaac's tone says that no, this is pretty normal for Stiles.

Alexander, on the other hand, is on the other side of the room, having what looks like an intense conversation with Serena. They are debating what's the best adaptation of The Christmas Carol. Serena is trying to make an argument for the musical, but Alexander is advocating for the Muppets version.

Jackson is likely nearby wondering when he started dating such a nerd.]

[phonetically]

I had a lot going on, Isaac, on account of transitioning and all. And stopping some weird civil war between Dean Winchester and all of my friends, but I'll be sure to thank him in person by name.

( And he leaves Tyler to deal with a cranky Isaac - who is always cranky and wears too many scars!

He approaches the group across the room. )

Muppet Christmas Carol. Hands down.

[swillpot]

[Isaac doesn't think he's always cranky. Maybe it's you that makes him cranky, Stiles.

That being said, Alexander brightens with someone agreeing with him.]

Thank you.

[Serena makes a face. "Well, if you want to give a basic answer."

Alexander shakes his head.]

Classics are classics for a reason, Serena.

[phonetically]

And nothing is scarier than Jim Carrey's version.

( See also: Polar Express. Nightmare fuel. )

I've been reminded I never properly thanked you for the daylight ring.

[swillpot]

Oh, no thanks needed.

[He won't say that he was properly thanked, it was just by someone else.]

I was happy to help. How've things been going with that? Adjusting okay?

[phonetically]

Other than one or two identity crises, I seem to have my head on straight. ( There is no easy way to segue conventionally, so he just does it. ) I was, uh, talking to Isaac, and he said that the both of you are familiar with an organization that goes by the name of Black Badge?

[geminated]

[Tyler also doesn't have to deal with Isaac for long. His girlfriend wanders over, tucking her arm around his waist and pulling him off to the side. Isaac excuses himself to find his own girlfriend and Liv takes his spot behind the bar.]

Having fun?

[recrudesce]

( Tyler and his mom trade places hovering close to the front door if people need invitations. )

Me? Doing my best. Not waiting for whatever other shoe might drop. Feeling - jolly. You?

[geminated]

I'm doing okay. Making some new friends.

[As much as Liv ever makes friends.]

How's your mom doing?

[recrudesce]

Hosting. Enjoying herself. I think it helps that Elena's parent's, Caroline's mom, even Bonnie's grandmother, they're all back, too. It gives her touchpoints. And she's not alone.

( She wouldn't be, he's there, too. He knows that. )

[notwitty]

[Isaac wanders off in search of his own girlfriend, and catches her on her own in one of the quieter rooms. On the way he grabs some more snacks out of the kitchen and settles next to her.]

How's everything going?

[moralitypolice]

( She finishes leaving Danny a message before stretching out and really letting herself de-tense. )

Hey. C'mere. ( She cuddles him, leaning forward to grab a snack. ) I am doing good. There are a lot of people, but, it doesn't feel crowded. Or dangerous. For a change.

( And she hasn't said the K word. )

Everything good with you?

[notwitty]

[He nods as he passes the plate to her so that she can take her pick.]

I was catching up with Tyler. Erica ran off with a full bottle of vodka so she's probably getting Elena's kids drunk and I'm pretty Stiles is investigating shady government organizations and may put a murder board on a wall before the night is out but otherwise, everything's fine.

[None of those are actual problems, in the grand scheme of things.]