first shot → video → day 103
[ It's fairly early when Allison poses her question to the network. Not obnoxiously so, just a little earlier than most would expect a teenager to be up of her own accord. She's already been for a run and there's a little evidence to show as much. She's just a little puffed, breathing returning to it's normal rate, and the clothes she's scavenged from the house aren't an ideal fit, but they're still closer to gym gear than the dress she'd arrived in (thanks scientists). Her hair is piled up in a loose bun on the top of her head, cheeks still just a little flushed, and she's only just at the door. She really should go inside and get herself sorted first, but network etiquette 101 is escaping her right now - and besides, the question is important.
There's a friendly smile at least, and for a moment she just eyes the feed a little, unsure of how to start. Finally it comes with a light clear of her throat and a sheepish look at the device on her wrist. ]
So I really hope this thing is working, or I'm going to look like an idiot. [ She laughs, a little awkward, and moves to sit down on the porch. The video jerks in response to the movement, but settles again once she does. ] I just have a quick question, nothing too taxing I promise.
[ She glances away for a second, a little stuck for how to pose the question without sounding like she's up to something, but finally just decides to bite the bullet. Everyone needs to defend themselves, right? That sea monster sure proved that. ]
I'm looking for a bow. Mine got...left behind, I guess, and I'd just- I'd feel a lot more comfortable if I had one. If anyone knows where there might be something like that around town or...God, even if you know how to make one, I'd really appreciate the pointers.
[ She pauses again, all awkward awkward Allison, and she's about to add something else.
Unfortunately at that point, the feed cuts out. Or perhaps fortunately, for the people listening. At that rate, they were going to be there all day. ]
There's a friendly smile at least, and for a moment she just eyes the feed a little, unsure of how to start. Finally it comes with a light clear of her throat and a sheepish look at the device on her wrist. ]
So I really hope this thing is working, or I'm going to look like an idiot. [ She laughs, a little awkward, and moves to sit down on the porch. The video jerks in response to the movement, but settles again once she does. ] I just have a quick question, nothing too taxing I promise.
[ She glances away for a second, a little stuck for how to pose the question without sounding like she's up to something, but finally just decides to bite the bullet. Everyone needs to defend themselves, right? That sea monster sure proved that. ]
I'm looking for a bow. Mine got...left behind, I guess, and I'd just- I'd feel a lot more comfortable if I had one. If anyone knows where there might be something like that around town or...God, even if you know how to make one, I'd really appreciate the pointers.
[ She pauses again, all awkward awkward Allison, and she's about to add something else.
Unfortunately at that point, the feed cuts out. Or perhaps fortunately, for the people listening. At that rate, they were going to be there all day. ]
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[ She didn't quite go in there this morning - she's curious but not stupid, and unarmed and without any kind of knowledge or back up is not the how you want to be when you start exploring places in a creepy little town. She knows where to go though, and it's hardly far. ]
Alright, give me ten and I'll be there.
[ She signs off quickly, a bright smile already on her face that she can't quite suppress. It's a little stupid, she shouldn't be so emotionally invested in a weapon, but a bow represents a lot to her. It means a lot to her, and she misses it a lot. Ten minutes end up being an exaggeration, all she does is retie her hair into a more manageable ponytail, tuck the dagger into her waistband and find a long sleeved shirt to replace the vest and then she's off.
She jogs up to the tree line, slows to a walk as she gets nearer, and then peers around for a moment before leaning up with her back against one of the trunks, waiting for Dean to appear. ]
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Dean got into hunting way too young, but that doesn't mean he thinks it's good for every kid everywhere, and he hates that there are teenagers here. They have lives, man, or they could've. What's this place going to do to them?
He has an easy smile anyway when he approaches her, bow in one hand and a thing of arrows slung over his shoulder. ]
I was almost hoping you'd be a fox. [ Yeah, okay, the first message was a video, but still. He liked that Disney movie. He brought a piece of paper with him with a bullseye scribbled in the middle, too. He holds that out to her and points at a tree for her to fasten it to. ]
Alright, show me your stuff. You better impress me. I came all the way out here and everything. [ He's mostly teasing, a light kind of competitive push. He wants to see what she'll do with that. ]
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[ When he arrives, her first move is to size up the bow carefully. Of course it's not hers, but that doesn't mean she's not itching to try it. So much of her identity is tied up with the presence of a bow at her side now, with the ability to protect herself - and to protect others. Arriving without one had been unpleasant, to say the least. ]
If it'll make the disappointment a little easier to bear, I can whistle for you if you'd like?
[ It's okay, she liked that film too.
She takes the paper, raises an eyebrow at the bullseye, but smiles a little beside herself. It's been a while since she's aimed for this kind of a target, but she's not worried. She just fastens it to the tree quickly and walks back with a slight grin. The competitive push works, she can't help it. Allison has always been competitive - she'd had to been to compete, after all - and now is no different. ]
Oh, you're on. Come on then, hand it over.
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The whistle comment gets a smirk and a nod of approval, but he's already moved onto the next stage of this. He hands over the bow and the arrows too and steps back, giving her space as is polite and would probably be smart if she didn't have a clue what she was doing. ]
Remember, the point is to get the arrow on the bullseye. [ Now he's definitely screwing with her, and he gives her a big wink. ]
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So like, the bullseye is the middle bit, right? [ She makes the comment in a vapid, airy tone, settling her stance and squaring her shoulders. Loading up a bolt into the crossbow, she raises it, smiles just a fraction, and fires.
She doesn't need to check to know that the shot is near perfect. She's been doing this since she was a little kid, and a stationary spot on a piece of paper is a hell of a lot easier to hit than a target running at you with quite some speed. She just holds the bow at her side, looking at Dean as she tips her head in the direction of the paper. ]
Like that?
[ Go on, be impressed. ]
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Not bad. [ He grins at her. ] Now you have to split it down the middle. That's how these things go, right?
[ Referring, of course, to Robin Hood. ] If you want to win the crossbow's hand in marriage. [ No, okay, he's kidding. ]
So you just do this competitively? Do you hunt?
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Oh, I think that might be pushing it a little. [ Laughing quietly, she shifts her weight a little and holds the handle on the crossbow with both of her hands.
And she's about to answer his question on competing when Dean adds hunting on there too, and she hesitates. It's not for long, but she stops with her mouth slightly open like she's been caught out, shakes her head and gives a slightly embarrassed smile. ]
I used to. [ Smooth, Allison. Real smooth. That confidence has wiped itself quite quickly, and she looks back to the target on the tree instead. Targets on trees can't tell when she's (badly) lying, okay? ] Compete that is, not hunt. Nationally.
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Uh-huh. You win any titles?
[ That's okay, Allison; Dean'll find a way to cycle back around to that super obvious lie. He comes up to her and takes the crossbow from her, loading it up with another arrow and casually holding it up, taking aim. His body is relaxed, his gaze focused; he's no newbie to this either, and when he takes his shot, it lands just above Allison's and to the right a bit. ]
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A few, yeah. I'm more experienced with a recurve though, probably could've given you your Robin Hood moment with that.
[ She watches as he takes the shot, unable to help the semi-critical gaze. He's got good form, a little less rigid and a little more casual, but certainly practical. It's not a professional stance, it's a hunters. ]
You're good. Who taught you?
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I'm better with a rifle though. Nothing fancy; just enough to do the trick. [ Sawed off shotguns and handguns, actually, but who's counting. He smiles, his eyes more knowing than his dialogue necessarily lets on. ]
But you don't hunt, right? [ Not that he's talking about your usual hunter's fare. He doesn't automatically assume supernatural hunter, but this place isn't exactly a random sample size of the population. And why would she stumble her way through a bad excuse for a lie over deer hunting? ]
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So she doesn't process it. She just shakes her head and smiles, wondering vaguely if Dean's a sport or survival kind of hunter (because she doesn't think there's others, it hasn't occurred to her yet) and looks at him a little curiously. ]
I haven't shot a gun. Well, only once, but it was a long time ago. [ But she doesn't even get as far as asking her next question because he's asking leading ones of her own, and Allison clearly hasn't been as subtle as she had hoped. Pressing her lips together as she tries to come up with something to change the subject, she shrugs and tucks some flyaway hair out of her face. ] I- do I look like a hunter to you?
[ She laughs awkwardly, glancing down at herself before holding her arms out. ]
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He doesn't even give her a sassy look, no snark, nothing. His eyes don't even move from hers. ]
You really want me to answer that? [ Because yeah, she's reminding him of Krissy right now. ]
I'm guessing you don't, since you're trying, and doing a terrible job, by the way, to act like all you use that bow for is winning trophies.
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You wouldn't believe me even if I told you.
[ It's a cop out of an answer, damn closer to the truth than she wanted to give out, but she's not that great at lying. Well, she's good at lying to certain people, but strangers with pressing questions really aren't her specialty. ]
It's a long story.
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It's cute how she thinks Dean hasn't heard of everything. He licks his lips to keep from rolling his eyes, and then he smiles. ]
Try me. You can give me the short version, though. What do you hunt? [ He narrows his eyes, tilts his head. ] Is it vampires? Werewolves? Demons, ghosts -- am I ringing any bells?
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Her expression falters and she fixes a frown on her face again, but when she looks back at him it softens, and maybe she's just a little curious now. Maybe he's not just shooting the shit, maybe he's actually being serious here. ]
You...are you being serious? [ She falters slightly, scuffs her foot against the ground and then sets the crossbow on the floor carefully. ] Because if you are...
[ She doesn't quite know how to finish that sentence, so she just gestures vaguely before letting out a soft sigh. ]
It's kind of the family business.
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And then she goes and says that, and his eyebrows shoot up before his face relaxes into a smile. It's a kind of a sad smile, nostalgic and a little pained, but a smile nonetheless. ]
Yeah, it always is. My brother and I, this is what we do. Now, you should know that there are some things here, some people, that might be the kind of thing we'd hunt back home. No one's caused any trouble yet, so you shouldn't either. Too easy to start a panicked situation in a closed-off community like this.
[ After all, he doesn't know how short her fuse is on this kind of thing. Krissy and those other teenage hunters, they were vicious and bloodthirsty in their quest for revenge. ]
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We're...my family is kind of specialised. You know, Argent. [ She's hesitant about talking about it too much, but she has a slightly sheepish smile on her face as she looks at him. It's just been a long time since she's been able to really talk to anyone about the life - since Gerard, really and look how that turned out. ]
I'm not going to go on a crusade, don't worry. [
been there done that] I don't- there's a code. Besides... I'm technically retired.[ Yeah, and look how long that lasted. Two days in Kore and she's already looking for a bow. ]
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Don't think I know any Argents. Maybe you've heard of me. Last name's Winchester. [ His family name's gotten around among hunters and monsters alike. ]
And good for you, on the retirement. Congratulations. [ He smiles, and he really hopes that it works out for her out in the real world, but it probably won't. Here she is, looking to arm herself already. That instinct to protect yourself never goes away, and by extension, that instinct to protect others when you know you can do it better than they can. ]
lmao i didn't realise that i'd left this with the icon browse thing open for like 15 minutes
Argent, as in silver. Werewolves? [ pls get the joke ] And I've never heard of other hunting families. Makes sense that there's more of us though.
[ She laughs though, a lot of the tension lifted as she folds her arms over her chest. The retirement thing is a bit of a sore subject though, and she hesitates for a second over it. It had been the intention, after all. It had been the deal breaker on returning to Beacon Hills in the first place - that Allison retired along with Chris, and they started a normal life. Things rarely work out quite as planned though, and she'd barely lasted a month before she was out again with a bow and quiver over a shoulder.
And she'd lied. She'd lied and lied and look where that had gotten everyone. Nothing is going to be solved by starting that up again, so she heaves a sigh before shaking her head. ] Don't...don't congratulate me. I'm not really. It's- hard to get out, you know? I wanted to, I really did but-
[ She just hunches her shoulders, a wry smile on her face. ] Kind of has a way of dragging you back in, huh.
and i totally missed the name joke OOPS
There, though. The retirement thing. That sounds way more likely, as much as he'd hate to admit it, and some of the tension relaxes away in his shoulders too. Saves him from having to make the speech himself some other time. ]
Yeah, it's not easy to get out once you're here. You can't untrain what you've spent your life gearing up for. I'd like to say that you're young, there could be some hope for you still, and that's true, but... Well, anyway, you're here now. It's not like this place is normal, but the only thing we hunt around here is deer, so there's something.
shdjfsd GJ RACHELLE
Honestly, that suits me perfectly. Deer's all I want to hunt right now. [ Allison raises a hand to the back of her neck, rubbing slightly at the top of her neck as she tilts her head, and she inspects Dean for a moment. It's...really quite fascinating to her. Sure, it makes sense that there's other hunters, but meeting one outside of the family?
It's...kind of really cool, actually. ]
Vampires though, demons, ghosts? That stuff is all out there too? [ It's hard to believe, but not impossible. After all, there had been no such thing as werewolves in Allison's life only a year ago, and now look where she is. ] And you hunt it?
IT'S 6 AM AND I'M ALMOST DONE WITH THIS CIDER
That's right. These days mostly I'm after demons, but when I started out it was a good mix. Demigods are a big pain in the ass. Always some random special tree root dipped in some kinda animal blood, stake 'em in the heart or the kidney or something stupidly specific.
wjfhdj u badass
Tree roots dipped in blood? That's...far more complicated than we deal with. Cutting in half does the trick, decapitation. ..Fire. [ Yeah, that one sure does it too. Just ask Resident Argent Victim Derek Hale. She's more than happy to keep listening though, taking a slight step closer as she speaks again. ]
The worst we've had in Beacon Hills is a kanima, nothing close to that bad. Honestly, I didn't even know there was anything else.
u no it
Maybe you'll luck out and there won't be. We may not be from the same universe, or whatever. I don't think I've run across a kanima, either, but -- [ He's heard that before. ]
Hey... Are you friends with J-- Lydia?
smooch smooch
And then he drops the "J-- Lydia" bomb
what were you going to say there dean does allison have to punch someoneand she frowns a little more before raising an eyebrow. ]...Yeah. She's from back home, one of- well, my best friend. [ She shrugs, still obviously confused. ] Do you know her?
see icon for the casual face
so smoov dean
ofc