oo1 ♞ video.

[compulsions]

[That may or may not be a very faint bruise across the bridge of his nose. Elena's arm swing is a little stronger than it used to be and apparently he bruises now which is perfect.]

So how's being in the real world working out for everyone? Scale of zero to zero.

Remember, don't hurt yourselves with those brand new toys.

[Especially you, Elena.]

Comments

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[sainted]

[Stefan's eyebrows go up, and then he actually laughs at the question, not kindly.]

You're asking me to judge your level of sanity?

[He wouldn't call himself crazy, exactly, but his actions in the past three months have not been those of a balanced and healthy person. He's lost count of how many times he's thought this is it. This is the moment he finally turns it off, because if he doesn't, he might just snap and goad Klaus into killing him once and for all.

He hasn't yet. Somehow that's led him to hanging around in an abandoned pharmacy with a vampire-hunting high school history teacher. Stefan digs his phone out of his pocket and keys over to the Network icon to confirm Alaric's story.

Damon and Caroline are here. Stefan listens in for a bit before picking up his crossbow again and going over to where Alaric is still chatting with his brother. He rolls his eyes when Damon tells him to stop eavesdropping, but doesn't interrupt until the call ends.]

For the record, I have no idea what they're talking about either. [He nods at Alaric's phone.] You're heading off?

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[undying]

[Apparently. But since Stefan is the only one treating him like usual - like an interfering human, for the most part - it's all he has left.

Though. Even that. Stefan hasn't once asked him where Elena is; in fact, he's almost being... Stefan-y. Like, minimal bitching when Alaric made it clear he wasn't going anywhere (in order to make sure there's at least a little bit of interference in case the ripper decides to rip again.) He's still an asshole, sure, but it's not emotionless-Stefan asshole. Shouldn't his priority always be Elena? Why isn't he searching up and down for her? Not for her sake, but because the compulsion would be driving him to find her to keep Klaus's little human blood bag safe.

Alaric isn't even sure how to feel anymore.]

Guess so. [He turns to Stefan, regarding him for a second. Wall-throwing aside, he's not... the worst. Until Alaric colorfully remembers how he's spent the last few months tearing people apart and eating them.

Maybe he should just. Poke the bear a little.] You're not gonna ask where Elena is?