[Fortunately for Avery, several things happen at once. As he's arguing with the guards, Edwin Courcey meets JR on their way to the door, making polite small talk with the young intern as go, but as the elevator opens and they make their way into the lobby, Edwin catches sight of something that makes him stop in his tracks.
He's looking past Avery, to the young woman who is playing with a magazine and trying to be inconspicuous. But Edwin recognizes her in an instant and he stumbles forward, confused.
"That ... that's not possible."
Elsie's attention is drawn by the sound of the voice and at first she doesn't recognize him. Her old childhood friend is much older now, looking more like his mother but also his father at the same time. Her eyes widen when she realizes and she tenses.]
Oh, Edwin.
[Edwin blinks glancing from her to Avery to JR and back to Elsie again, before gently taking JR's arm. "Ms. Merlyn, will you please go upstairs and let Mr. Alston know that he will need to delay his departure and we will be joining him in his office shortly."]
("Oh," Avery says, letting the security guard continue their harsh words before leaving him there. Or, maybe being followed, he doesn't know, because he heads back over to Elsie, ready to - do whatever's needed.
"I'll head right back up," she says, knowing he's seen a ghost. )
So much for not making a scene. ( Avery apologizes, ready to stand next to her. He can vouch. He can shoulder whatever's about to happen. The security guard who followed him over to her falls silent as something occurs to them. Like they recognize her from... a picture or maybe one of the firm newsletters they're CC'd on? )
["Jonathan," Edwin begins firmly, addressing the security guard. "I can handle this from here." He's still studying Elsie's face closely, almost as though he's trying to catch the glitch, but he waits until the security guard steps away, before glancing over at Avery.
"My name is Edwin Courcey. I have many questions, but I feel as though they're best saved for upstairs, but I would advise you to measure your answers carefully. Jack will not take this well."
Elsie swallows hard, tucking the magazine into her chest.]
Is he ... how is he?
[Edwin tips his head to the side as he watches her, before shaking his head. "You'll have to see for yourself." He glances to the two of them before gesturing to the elevator. "After you."]
[Edwin leads the way upstairs and down the hall to Jack's office, what was once his father's office. He's currently leaning against his desk, looking annoyed, looking grown up in a similar way to Edwin, and Elsie takes advantage of the two tall men in front of her to hide herself from view as they step into the office.]
This better be good, Courcey, because I had plans this ...
[His voice drops off as Edwin steps to the side, revealing Elsie standing behind him. Jack's face goes pale, almost immediately.]
... What is this?
["The question of the hour," Edwin replies, though his eyes land on JR. "Ms. Merlyn, it is your choice if you stay or go, but safe to say anything you see or here in this office is not to leave this office."]
("I'll stay, if it's all the same," she says, staying back in the doorway.
For his first glimpse of Jack Alston, Avery sees a handsome man. One who's life may never be the same. )
You have no reason to believe this, though Elsie can corroborate it. The both of us woke up a mile or so out of town tonight. We've never met before. I don't know... why. And, because of that face your making... I can also confirm my loved ones would probably make the same one. She's alive.
[He glances to Edwin as he shuts the door to Jack's office, and Edwin nods. "I figured you would want to see it." He then raises his hands, in a series of definitive gestures. Elsie begins to glow, the magic sliding around her shoulders and it seems to pass whatever test Edwin is trying to assess.
Jack's face remains impassive as he watches (19), but when the ritual is complete and it's confirmed it's actually his sister, something in his shoulders slump.]
How did this happen?
["We don't know." Elsie shrugs. "We just woke up in the park."
Jack nods slowly.]
Are you in pain?
[Elsie shakes her head. "No. Whatever did this seems to have ... reset all of that."
Jack nods again, before swallowing hard and looking up at Avery.]
Avery. I died seven months ago in Las Vegas. Elsie went to boarding school with my husband's brother, apparently. That's the only connection I could find.
( And that was years ago. )
A witch attacked us. I don't know why. I worried my husband did something. To bring me back. But. I don't know what that would have to do with Elsie.
( JR stays silent, letting the family reunion go on without her commentary. Also, apparently, Edwin and Jack are witches? Now she has some stories for Mia. And her brother. Though, professionally, everything will stay behind these closed doors. )
["You went to boarding school with him. Asa Azuma?"
Edwin's eyebrows go up because he also does remember Asa, but he and Jack were certainly closer. Jack turns and studies Avery more closely, as Asa has a number of brothers but recognition clicks soon after.]
You're Elton's ex-husband.
[He moves on from that quickly. There's too much to do, and he doesn't plan on explaining that "ex-" anytime soon. He turns to JR.]
Ms. Merlyn, I know you are off the clock, but would you mind calling myself and my sister a car? We are going to be traveling to our family estate in Cheetham. Edwin has the address.
[Edwin nods and steps back to follow her out of the room to her desk. Once JR and Edwin have left, Jack turns back to Avery.]
Getting you back to Las Vegas is going to be a more complicated than I can manage this evening, even with my considerable influence, but do you happen to have someone in England that I may be able to reach out to on your behalf?
("No problem, Mr. Alston," she says, letting herself out to return to her office. She flips the light on and then moves over to her desk, grabbing her phone.
Avery narrows his eyes, because that drops like a lead balloon. )
Hannah. Hannah Navarro. If she's not traveling.
( He tamps down the worry he feels. Elton's ex-husband. Not husband. Not late husband. Ex.)
("My uncle is Oliver Queen and my best friend a vampire slayer," she shrugs as the dial tone sounds. "And my other uncle is an exorcist. Of sorts. Master of the dark arts, he likes to say, but I think he just worries about his influence on impressionable children," she says, before the front desk picks up. )
Probably better to summon her then dump me on her doorstep. I uh... don't have any numbers on me.
["That would do it, certainly." Edwin certainly won't debate that much. "I do appreciate your assistance. And if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to come see me in my office."
Jack nods, because fair enough. He fishes out his phone and pulls up Hannah's number.]
Hannah, darling, I need you to come by the office. ... I know, apologies for the late hour, but I'm afraid it can't wait. ... Yes, thank you. Text me when you arrive.
[As he hangs up, he looks over at Avery, pulling one of his business cards out of the card holder on his desk and holds it out to the other man.]
I do appreciate what you've done for me in bringing my sister here. If there's any way that I may be of assistance, please do not hesitate to call.
("Certainly. Yes, hi, this is JR Merlyn," she starts, giving him a smile.
Avery walks away, towards a filing cabinet, when his eyes find Jack's desk. He studies it, wondering if there are going to be any family pictures. What's this man like. Anything to distract him from being Elton's dead ex.
He blinks away, accepting the business card. )
Thank you. She did most of the work. She kept the light going and led us here.
[There is a picture, a framed photo of Jack and a woman who looks like an older Elsie, likely their mother. Jack smirks at the mention before looking at his sister.]
She always was a show off.
[Elsie turns up her nose in his direction. "That sounds like jealousy to me."
They chat idly until Jack's phone buzzes and he nods.]
( His breath catches, heart starting to race because soon he will have an answer. And he will also be face to face with a friend believing him to be dead. He wants to tell Jack that Elton, his ex-husband is the magic one, but he can't. He can't say it out loud. )
[Are they still? It's hard to say. But Elsie nods in that assessment, because they don't know each other the way they used to. There's so much about each other that they're going to have to learn.]
["No, it's not," Jack admits, but that's all they'll have to say in this, because they're still figuring it out.
Hannah does not appreciate being pulled out her cozy apartment in the middle of the night, but when Jack says it's an emergency, she assumes her business is being set on fire and that can't stand. She steps off the elevator, rounding the corner toward's Jack's office and when she goes to step in the door, she finds herself stopping short by what she sees.
It's the last thing she could have expected. The last thing she could have thought to see is Avery standing in the middle of a law firm in London when Avery is supposed to be dead. When she buried him not even a year ago.
[Hannah's brain is still struggling to process this all, and she eventually manages to tear her eyes away from Avery to look at Jack.]
Is it really him? I mean, did you do all the stupid tests with the silver at the holy water and -
[Jack smirks, amused in a bitter way she's familiar with. "We have a bit more refined means of assessing things here, but he is completely human."
Hannah trusts Jack enough to take his word for it, and takes another tentative step closer to Avery. One hand comes out to briefly rest against his arm, to see that he's real, and then she leans forward, throwing her arms around him before saying softly, tears lacing her voice:]
( Even though Jack vouches for him he has to say it.
He doesn't move, not wanting to spook her. He is solid to the touch. Human again. Alive again. His eyes shut too as he lets his arms fold around her. )
I know, how dare I go and die like that. You should've seen the witches that jumped us. I assume. ( He waits for her to end the hug, before he lets himself ask, quietly. ) Elton?
[Hannah does manage to keep her annoyance at Avery's husband off her face (17), or at least give a fairly good shot at it. It'll all depend on how perceptive Avery is feeling.]
He's alive.
[He's dead to her, but he's alive.
He's not going to get into the gritty details in front of the lawyers though.]
We should get back to my place. I'll catch you up there.
( There's a subtle shift (14), but the entire circumstance must be jarring. She's been pulled into her lawyer's office. Why would she not be annoyed.
First, he turns back to Alston. )
I don't have a wallet on me and so there aren't business cards, but, you know her number. ( Another beat. ) But, I will probably be in touch. ( He nods to Elsie next. ) Welcome back to your life. Let me know if you need anything from me, too.
( And with that, he will accompany Hannah home to get the full rundown he can't read on her face. )
Hannah leads the way back down to her car, and then off they go to her flat. It's very fancy and modern, but as they arrive, Hannah doesn't verbally invite him in. When they arrive in the living room, Hannah is pulling out a cheap-looking silver shotglass and her least expensive whiskey and pouring him a shot.]
Lu would kill me if I didn't double check just to be sure.
[The whiskey is watered down with holy water and the silver should cover shapeshifters. But as he takes that, she's already going to get fancier shotglasses and a fresh bottle of very expensive tequila for the actual drinking of the evening.]
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no subject
He's looking past Avery, to the young woman who is playing with a magazine and trying to be inconspicuous. But Edwin recognizes her in an instant and he stumbles forward, confused.
"That ... that's not possible."
Elsie's attention is drawn by the sound of the voice and at first she doesn't recognize him. Her old childhood friend is much older now, looking more like his mother but also his father at the same time. Her eyes widen when she realizes and she tenses.]
Oh, Edwin.
[Edwin blinks glancing from her to Avery to JR and back to Elsie again, before gently taking JR's arm. "Ms. Merlyn, will you please go upstairs and let Mr. Alston know that he will need to delay his departure and we will be joining him in his office shortly."]
no subject
"I'll head right back up," she says, knowing he's seen a ghost. )
So much for not making a scene. ( Avery apologizes, ready to stand next to her. He can vouch. He can shoulder whatever's about to happen. The security guard who followed him over to her falls silent as something occurs to them. Like they recognize her from... a picture or maybe one of the firm newsletters they're CC'd on? )
So... that's why we need to speak to Jack Alston.
no subject
"My name is Edwin Courcey. I have many questions, but I feel as though they're best saved for upstairs, but I would advise you to measure your answers carefully. Jack will not take this well."
Elsie swallows hard, tucking the magazine into her chest.]
Is he ... how is he?
[Edwin tips his head to the side as he watches her, before shaking his head. "You'll have to see for yourself." He glances to the two of them before gesturing to the elevator. "After you."]
no subject
( He has hardly any answers, but he can answer them regarding himself at least.
Avery making his way to the bank of elevators and hits the button. Still on the bottom floor, he steps in. )
no subject
This better be good, Courcey, because I had plans this ...
[His voice drops off as Edwin steps to the side, revealing Elsie standing behind him. Jack's face goes pale, almost immediately.]
... What is this?
["The question of the hour," Edwin replies, though his eyes land on JR. "Ms. Merlyn, it is your choice if you stay or go, but safe to say anything you see or here in this office is not to leave this office."]
no subject
For his first glimpse of Jack Alston, Avery sees a handsome man. One who's life may never be the same. )
You have no reason to believe this, though Elsie can corroborate it. The both of us woke up a mile or so out of town tonight. We've never met before. I don't know... why. And, because of that face your making... I can also confirm my loved ones would probably make the same one. She's alive.
no subject
[He glances to Edwin as he shuts the door to Jack's office, and Edwin nods. "I figured you would want to see it." He then raises his hands, in a series of definitive gestures. Elsie begins to glow, the magic sliding around her shoulders and it seems to pass whatever test Edwin is trying to assess.
Jack's face remains impassive as he watches (19), but when the ritual is complete and it's confirmed it's actually his sister, something in his shoulders slump.]
How did this happen?
["We don't know." Elsie shrugs. "We just woke up in the park."
Jack nods slowly.]
Are you in pain?
[Elsie shakes her head. "No. Whatever did this seems to have ... reset all of that."
Jack nods again, before swallowing hard and looking up at Avery.]
And you are?
no subject
( And that was years ago. )
A witch attacked us. I don't know why. I worried my husband did something. To bring me back. But. I don't know what that would have to do with Elsie.
( JR stays silent, letting the family reunion go on without her commentary. Also, apparently, Edwin and Jack are witches? Now she has some stories for Mia. And her brother. Though, professionally, everything will stay behind these closed doors. )
no subject
Edwin's eyebrows go up because he also does remember Asa, but he and Jack were certainly closer. Jack turns and studies Avery more closely, as Asa has a number of brothers but recognition clicks soon after.]
You're Elton's ex-husband.
[He moves on from that quickly. There's too much to do, and he doesn't plan on explaining that "ex-" anytime soon. He turns to JR.]
Ms. Merlyn, I know you are off the clock, but would you mind calling myself and my sister a car? We are going to be traveling to our family estate in Cheetham. Edwin has the address.
[Edwin nods and steps back to follow her out of the room to her desk. Once JR and Edwin have left, Jack turns back to Avery.]
Getting you back to Las Vegas is going to be a more complicated than I can manage this evening, even with my considerable influence, but do you happen to have someone in England that I may be able to reach out to on your behalf?
no subject
Avery narrows his eyes, because that drops like a lead balloon. )
Hannah. Hannah Navarro. If she's not traveling.
( He tamps down the worry he feels. Elton's ex-husband. Not husband. Not late husband. Ex. )
no subject
Jack nods because that is a name he recognizes.]
Ms. Navarro is a client. Would you like us to summon her here, or would you prefer we drop you off at her flat?
no subject
Probably better to summon her then dump me on her doorstep. I uh... don't have any numbers on me.
no subject
Jack nods, because fair enough. He fishes out his phone and pulls up Hannah's number.]
Hannah, darling, I need you to come by the office. ... I know, apologies for the late hour, but I'm afraid it can't wait. ... Yes, thank you. Text me when you arrive.
[As he hangs up, he looks over at Avery, pulling one of his business cards out of the card holder on his desk and holds it out to the other man.]
I do appreciate what you've done for me in bringing my sister here. If there's any way that I may be of assistance, please do not hesitate to call.
no subject
Avery walks away, towards a filing cabinet, when his eyes find Jack's desk. He studies it, wondering if there are going to be any family pictures. What's this man like. Anything to distract him from being Elton's dead ex.
He blinks away, accepting the business card. )
Thank you. She did most of the work. She kept the light going and led us here.
no subject
She always was a show off.
[Elsie turns up her nose in his direction. "That sounds like jealousy to me."
They chat idly until Jack's phone buzzes and he nods.]
And your ride is here. She should be up shortly.
no subject
You're twins, right?
no subject
[Are they still? It's hard to say. But Elsie nods in that assessment, because they don't know each other the way they used to. There's so much about each other that they're going to have to learn.]
Why?
no subject
( When he hears the elevator doors open, he turns back toward the open door down the hallway. He's ready. No, he's not. )
no subject
Hannah does not appreciate being pulled out her cozy apartment in the middle of the night, but when Jack says it's an emergency, she assumes her business is being set on fire and that can't stand. She steps off the elevator, rounding the corner toward's Jack's office and when she goes to step in the door, she finds herself stopping short by what she sees.
It's the last thing she could have expected. The last thing she could have thought to see is Avery standing in the middle of a law firm in London when Avery is supposed to be dead. When she buried him not even a year ago.
So, to start, all she can manage to get out is:]
What the fuck?
no subject
She's as white as a sheet, which is a lot for her to be and next to impossible. )
My sentiments. We're a two man resurrection crew. I don't know if you've ever met Elsie, Hannah.
( If he isn't flippant, he may also break down. )
And, I'm alive, too. Again.
no subject
Is it really him? I mean, did you do all the stupid tests with the silver at the holy water and -
[Jack smirks, amused in a bitter way she's familiar with. "We have a bit more refined means of assessing things here, but he is completely human."
Hannah trusts Jack enough to take his word for it, and takes another tentative step closer to Avery. One hand comes out to briefly rest against his arm, to see that he's real, and then she leans forward, throwing her arms around him before saying softly, tears lacing her voice:]
I am so pissed at you.
[Not really. But how dare you go dying on her.]
no subject
( Even though Jack vouches for him he has to say it.
He doesn't move, not wanting to spook her. He is solid to the touch. Human again. Alive again. His eyes shut too as he lets his arms fold around her. )
I know, how dare I go and die like that. You should've seen the witches that jumped us. I assume. ( He waits for her to end the hug, before he lets himself ask, quietly. ) Elton?
no subject
He's alive.
[He's dead to her, but he's alive.
He's not going to get into the gritty details in front of the lawyers though.]
We should get back to my place. I'll catch you up there.
no subject
First, he turns back to Alston. )
I don't have a wallet on me and so there aren't business cards, but, you know her number. ( Another beat. ) But, I will probably be in touch. ( He nods to Elsie next. ) Welcome back to your life. Let me know if you need anything from me, too.
( And with that, he will accompany Hannah home to get the full rundown he can't read on her face. )
no subject
["Of course. Drive safe."
Hannah leads the way back down to her car, and then off they go to her flat. It's very fancy and modern, but as they arrive, Hannah doesn't verbally invite him in. When they arrive in the living room, Hannah is pulling out a cheap-looking silver shotglass and her least expensive whiskey and pouring him a shot.]
Lu would kill me if I didn't double check just to be sure.
[The whiskey is watered down with holy water and the silver should cover shapeshifters. But as he takes that, she's already going to get fancier shotglasses and a fresh bottle of very expensive tequila for the actual drinking of the evening.]