[Video]

[runboyrun]

H-hey, has anyone-

[Stiles has to swallow a few times before he can keep talking. His voice is thick, rough, and although he's not crying any more, there are still tear-tracks down his cheeks, red where he's been scrubbing at them.]

Has anyone else been... hallucinating dead people? They're hallucinations, right? They've gotta be...

Ellen? I tried the salt. She didn't- it didn't work.

Comments

[Video]

[lightgunhustler]

I haven't seen them do any real damage, honestly. If they really are harmless, then I'd say we got lucky.

[She offers him a sympathetic smile, however. His initial message gives every indication that he's having a rough time of it. She can relate. This hasn't been easy on her, either.]

If she is softening you up... maybe it's best if we all brace ourselves for what's next, just in case.

Re: [Video]

[runboyrun]

[He nods, with a wry little shrug.]

'Braced for the worst' is how I operate, these days. Hyper-vigilant, the school counsellor said. Of course, she was also hiding the fact that she's an Emissary for a pack of Werewolves, so...

[Video]

[lightgunhustler]

She's the what for a pack of werewolves?

[Yes. Because that's what catches her by surprise, rather than werewolves themselves.]

I mean-- preparing for the worst is a good rule of thumb to begin with. That way, sometimes you end up pleasantly surprised. Not often. Otherwise, it just means you're ready.

Re: [Video]

[runboyrun]

Emissary. She keeps their heads on straight, stops them making dumbass life choices. And she can make with the voodoo. Kinda like an old-time shaman, if that makes any sense?

[He makes a face.]

Yeah, it's not exactly a sunshine-rainbows way of looking at things, but it's the one that's least likely to get you killed. So I'll take it.

[Video]

[lightgunhustler]

Voodoo, huh.

[She's seen more of that than she'd like to admit. She nods in reply, confirming.]

So instead of being a wolf herself, she's kind of like a guidance counselor for werewolves? Lines up pretty well with her day job.

Sunshine-rainbows and rose-colored glasses usually only get you in trouble. I like to think I'm a realist, though cautiously optimistic at times.

Re: [Video]

[runboyrun]

Yeah, exactly.

[He smiles, pleased that she's twigged.]

Since we have a town overrun with messed-up teen werewolves... issues coming out of their asses, she's kinda handy to have around. If migraine-inducingly cryptic.

I'm ready for anything. We've survived pretty damned bad in the past, so I can't get by on being totally pessimistic, but you know.

[lightgunhustler]

Sounds useful. Just think, other non-humans could be so much better off if they had guidance or therapy, too.

[The subject of werewolves themselves, however, doesn't seem to surprise her in the least.]

Anything? Guess I know who to recruit when things get tough.

[runboyrun]

Yeah, like how much more endurable would Cullen have been with a century of therapy? Seriously.

[His grin broadens at the compliment.]

Hey, ask me nicely and I'm all yours.

[lightgunhustler]

Cullen who?

[Guess who's not up-to-date on Twilight? Unfortunately, hunting and the unfortunate events that followed mean it's been a long while since she's had time to read.]

Will do, if my mom doesn't get to her first. Going by your initial message, sounds like you two are acquainted.

[runboyrun]

...Never mind. One of the greatest literary tragedies of our time.

[Stiles knows all about the latest phase, but not for lack of trying to avoid it.]

Yeah, she's been showing me the ropes, teaching me a bit about what other creepy-monsteries might try and bite me on the ass. I mean, werewolves were new, a year ago. Now psycho druids, banshees and ghosts, and apparently angels and demons. Which I'm really hoping aren't gonna decide to visit my hometown.

[lightgunhustler]

Something tells me I'm not missing much.

[If she'd lived long enough, she might not have been able to avoid it, but she happened to miss out on the craze before it reached a fever pitch.]

She's good about that, making sure people are looked-after and prepared for what this place likes to throw at us. I hope you don't get angels and demons, either - both of them are pains in the ass, despite the fact that I always thought the angels would be on our side.

[runboyrun]

Yeah, you're not.

[He sighs, propping his chin on his knees.]

I guess the angels are on God's side or something. You know, rocking the whole 'higher plan' thing?

...Is God real?