what is this / 01

[stiling]

[ The transmission starts off audio, a confused voice spluttering to itself as Stiles haplessly hits buttons on his communicator. ]

Okay, well, ya said Cape Kore like that means anything to me, but here's the thing, sucker, is that I've never been to a Cape Anything. --Who even lives near a cape, I'm not a cape kind of --

[ Video! It flips over and the face jumps and makes a few surprised shapes. ]

Well. Hello, guy. That just flashed. Nine-one-one? Hello? I'm, um. I'm not living here. There's been a mistake.

Comments

[stiling]

Whoa, okay, hang- Hang on.

[ There it is, he's jumping off the couch for a second now, hands up and placating, beseeching, something, he's not really sure what he's trying to get at here. But there's an edge to his voice, a bit more of a panicked squeak that he's not bothering to contain because being kidnapped is one thing, but being kidnapped in space is something else entirely. ]

It just looks like a town! It's just a freaking town and I was just in my own bed, minding my own business, [ literally, but let's, not, get into that, ] and now there's aliens and superpowers and this is a whole multi-generational kidnapping ring? Lydia!

[preytosociety]

[See? This is what she was trying to avoid. This. He likely isn't accusing her, but that's what it feels like. She knows he isn't blaming her or calling her crazy, but it still somehow feels like an attack. She stands up, gesturing wildly]

What do you want me to say, Stiles? Do you want me to lie to you? Do you want me to tell you everything's going to be okay and we're fine? Because we're not! This is what I've had to deal with for almost a month. At least here I have people that actually give a damn about what I'm going through!

[That... she didn't mean that. Of all the people to say that to, Stiles was the one that deserved it the least. She straightens, composing herself.]

I'm sorry you're stuck here. But you wanted to know. This is what knowing does to you.

[stiling]

[ Hello, guilt, his old friend. Stiles' mouth flaps a few times, mutely. ] I didn't mean-

[ Before he gestures a hand towards Lydia, sinking onto the arm of the couch this time. It's no secret that Lydia's little break wasn't handled with the kindest of care - between Derek and Scott and Jackson and, well, even Stiles didn't really have the time to give a shit about Lydia's moment of crazy. ]

I'm sorry. All right? You're kinda laying a lot on me here and you gotta, gotta know how it sounds. Seeing's gonna be a lot of believing on this side of the planet. But I wanna know. I wanna know. Like hell am I gonna go charging into something without figuring out all the last details.

[preytosociety]

[She nods. Stiles still doesn't even know what really happened. Derek knows... knew? Not all of it, but enough. She doesn't want anyone to know. Lydia would rather just be crazy. It's better than weak.

Her head snaps up and her expression hardens.]

I know. I know it's a lot. But it's just beginning so you better get your shit together, do you hear me? I have to be able to rely on you and I don't need to be worrying about you getting into trouble every five seconds, got it? You should just... stay close. [Idiot.]

[stiling]

Yes- ma'am.

[ And Stiles' head rears back a little, between the tone and the look in her eyes right now. There's also the bit of the fact that Lydia's giving him the pep talk right now. That's a strange turnaround for him. Kind of trippy. ]

[ Besides. She said she'd worry about him. ]

Powers, right? You mentioned powers. What kinda stuff are we talking about here?

[preytosociety]

The ability to create and control electricity. [Reaaaally going to have to watch out for that one.] Teleportation, levitation, super... strength, I guess. I don't know! Ask around. You read all those stupid comics. Just stay away from a blonde named Elle. I mean it.

[There is no way in hell she's telling anyone about what Daneel can do. Not even Stiles.]

No werewolves yet, if that's what you're asking.

[stiling]

Um, they're graphic novels, and they're actually awesome.

[ He pauses a beat to let the whole thing really sink in, trying to readjust his understanding of the word 'impossible' for the umpteenth time in the last year. Werewolves are starting to seem like old news. ] Jeez, who'd've thunk that that wouldn't be the weirdest thing on the table? This is, like, top shelf power stuff.

So now who the hell's Elle and whose puppy did she kick?

[preytosociety]

She's a psycho with a grudge and obviously only wants to kill me because she can't get with me. Really, it's just sad. I'd feel bad for her if she wasn't a complete bitch.

[And there's that trademark Lydia Martin smile. She's starting to feel like her old self again.]

[stiling]

[ Oh, he knows that smile. He's very familiar with that smile. It even jars a bit of one of his own, a quick quirk of a grin at the side of his mouth as he raises his eyebrows at her. ]

Let me rephrase my question: How many of her puppies did you kick?

[preytosociety]

[The smile just gets wider and she shrugs. Elle started it. She brought it it on herself.]

Enough of them, apparently. Just keep your distance. You have a knack for getting involved in stupid situations. [Ugh, he's really going to fit in with the other two.] ... What's the last thing you remember doing?

[stiling]

[ His own smile grows, a little proudly at him and his stupid situations. ] Hey, can't have an adventure without the one dumbass who starts the whole thing.

[ As for what he remembers, that gets a bit of a swallow, another open and shut of his mouth before he answers. ] You know, sleepin'. Just sleeping away, sleeping the night away. [ His eyebrows furrow in a bit of a frown. ] Scott and I spent the day practicing. Why?

[preytosociety]

No reason. [She wanted to see where they were. Obviously past the kanima. Obviously past Jackson dying in front of them only to become a werewolf. He was back to boring, normal life... and then he ended up here.]

I think this couch pulls out. Let me check if we have any extra bedding. Kobra and Party share a room and Dan has the attic. I'll have to check with them first, but I don't see there being a problem with you staying here for a while.


... But you have to promise not to be a total freak.

[stiling]

[ He makes a scoffed sound of insult. ] Me not be a total freak? Where do these people even get their names, flashlight raves?

-- Wait, you're letting me stay here?

[preytosociety]

[The most eyerolling ever--]

Would you rather sleep alone in a strange house with no food? Or maybe you could live in the fountain.

[stiling]

No, I just, uh. [ His hand rubs at the back of his neck. ] Thanks.

Besides, the fountain's pretty nice.

[preytosociety]

Yeah. Pretty nice. [She shrugs] If you're into hypothermia and a slow death.

[stiling]

As long as you know what I'm into. [ What. ]

[preytosociety]

So I know what to avoid.

[But her bitchy-smile falters for just a second. There's the tiniest sign of a real smile breaking through.]

Do you want something to drink?

[stiling]

[ His mouth flickers a little, something softer as he finally shrugs off the jacket she lent him. ]

Yeah, I could go for that. Then we can tour around Crazytown.