canon au } { post-6a, of spirit quests and learning magic

[hasperkynipples]

Stiles: [after leaving the bunker, he heads to New Orleans and checks in at some crappy motel just off the interstate. The next morning he drives into town and goes to walk around, looking for the church. When he finally finds it he will walk in, seeing that it's not in service at the moment - which is good because God probably isn't big on talking about witchcraft during worship ceremonies. He will still look at the holy water basin and bless himself because which he doesn't do church, he remembers some things]

Vincent: [God probably also isn't pleased by the fact that the church is run by a witch either, but God doesn't really have a say in the matter. The holy water also isn't holy water, but an odd mix of things that is sure to out any kind of trouble before things even start, but since Stiles passes all of those tests without screaming in pain, Vincent will make his way out from the back, eyeing him carefully] We're closed. Office hours are on the sign by the door.

Stiles: I'm not here for confession. I actually was told that I could find someone here. [he looks at the slip of paper] A Vincent Griffith?

Vincent: Well, good, because we ain't that kind of church. [he takes a breath and crosses his arms in front his chest as he does] And just who told you that?

Stiles: Michael Winchester. He's a family friend.

Vincent: Mind giving me a second to confirm that ... ? [please fill in your name here]

Stiles: Stiles. Stiles Stilinski. [which, who knows, he may know from various things like the Beacon Hills nogitsune "incident", or the darach, or any of the other things that Deaton may have sent out to contacts for guidance]

Vincent: [it's definitely a unique name if nothing else, before nodding to one of the pews] Have a seat. I'll be right back.

Stiles: Alright. [and he will sit down, his eyes exploring the windows while his leg bounces a bit on it's own]

Josh: [hums as he makes his way into the church, and when he spots Stiles] Oh hey, new dude.

Stiles: [waves his hand] Hey. Be careful, the guy here will point out the place is closed.

Josh: Oh, don't mind Vincent, he's just wary of new people. This place is never actually closed.

Stiles: Wait, tall black dude with a goatee is Vincent?

Josh: Last I checked. [a beat] Dark skinned guy, right? [because ... it could be Marcel, but Marcel tends to be more of a showboat and personable in general]

Stiles: [nods] Yeah, tried to chase me out of here.

Josh: Have you checked where he lives? Can't blame a guy for being paranoid. Plus there's this tourist company that wants to put St. Anne's on some kind of haunted churches tour, and Vincent is a good guy, but he's got a limit on how much ignorant bullshit he can put up with on a day-to-day basis. Basically, he just wants to make sure that a) you are who you say you are and b) that you are actually here because you need help and not just because you're nosy.

Danny: [the door had opened halfway through that bit because Josh you forgot your phone at his place but as he sees who his boyfriend is talking to he just sighs] Actually, I doubt he can ever not be nosy.

Stiles: [turns, and then blinks] Danny?

Josh: [squints between the two of them] You guys know each other?


Danny: Yeah, we went to high school together. [to Stiles] What are you doing here, Stiles?

Stiles: A friend sent me to see Vincent about a problem I'm having.

Danny: No, you are not bringing Beacon Hills problems here.

Stiles: It's not a Beacon Hills problem!

Josh: Are Beacon Hills problems better or worse than New Orleans problems?

Vincent: From what I've heard, they're somewhere in the middle. [makes his way back out and over] You check out though. Sorry about earlier. [though not actually that sorry]

Stiles: No it's fine, i get it.

Danny: [sighs] He's an annoying pain in the ass, Vincent, but he has good intentions. I can vouch for him but I'm not responsible if he breaks anything.

Stiles: I'm not going to break anything! [said as his hands go flying up to show he's innocent, which may hit a candlestick holder and send it and the candle crashing to the ground] That... I didn't see that there.

Vincent: [his lips twist a bit in what could almost be a smirk, while Josh laughs] Let's take this to my office.

Stiles: Sure. [and he will slide his hands into his pockets as he follows]

Danny: [hands Josh his phone] You forgot this. I should go, but whatever he says about me, ignore him. [and he will lean in to kiss Josh because hi boyfriend]

Josh: [smirks as he kisses him back] Listen intently and memorize every word. Got it.

Vincent: [and with that they will leave the adorable couple in silence as the door closes behind him. The office almost looks like a counselor's office, only most therapists probably don't keep spell ingredients in vials on their bookshelves] Have a seat.

Danny: [laughs and kisses him again] Be careful. [and then he will head off to work]

Stiles: [and he will go and wander first because] There's a lot of cool things in here...

Vincent: Yeah, and if you want my help, you'll leave them where they are unless I say otherwise. [and there's that intent "you better do as I say" look]

Stiles: That's why my hands are in my pockets. [and he will go and find that seat]

Vincent: So. What are you looking for?

Stiles: Training, I think. Or just knowing if maybe magic is something I can do.

Vincent: [his head tips to the side] And what makes you think you have magic? Does it run in your family?

Stiles: Um, the fact that the body I'm in was created by a nogitsune when he separated my consciousness from his while he was possessing me, and he kept the original one?

Vincent: [.... and he's thought he heard a lot of crazy in his time] I'm sorry, run that by me again.

Stiles: [and he is going to pretty much just explain to Vincent about the sacrifice to the darach and the nemeton and how it released the nogitsune that possessed him and killed like, a small portion of the town before he was able to get control back after his friends went into his head and how they were still connected magically until Scott bit it and then the after effects] And that's not even going into the stuff that happened after that.

Vincent: [notgitsunes are nasty, man] What happened after that?

Stiles: So right after that we had hunters coming in from every which way because there was a hit list, and then once we got them gone, these freaky guys called the Dread Doctors came into town and started experimenting on kids to bring back the beast and one of them almost killed me, and I um... I accidently killed him trying to escape. [he admits now it was an accident, but he looks down at his hands that managed to get out of his pockets] And then to make things worse we solve that crisis only to have these ghost riders come into town and kidnapped me for what I thought was maybe two weeks but it was over three months and my life has been pretty much erased from existence at this point and I still have no idea what I even am, or why I just keep getting so angry all the time and snapping. I feel like I have no control over anything, and I dunno... i want something I can control. Something that can make me not feel so powerless living in a town where everyone else is a supernatural something or another and I'm the token maybe human.

Vincent: [he smirks a bit at that, before leaning back in his seat] I hate to break it to you kid, but ... if you're going into magic just for some control, it has the chance to take you to some pretty dark places. Magic isn't about that - it's a way of life. It's giving yourself over to something bigger than yourself. If anything, magic is a lack of control and using the power granted to you to do good with it.

Stiles: [and he sighs, looking down at his hands] I've been to pretty dark places. I already know what that path looks like. I don't want to ever go down that one again.

Vincent: [runs a hand over his mouth for a moment as he studies him] Look, I'll determine if you're capable, and see if this is an avenue, but I am not a teacher. And if this body is a nogitsune remnant, you're going to need a pretty heavy duty cleansing spell before you can even think about channeling it in the right direction.

Stiles: And even if I'm not capable, I'd rather know. And I'd still be down for that cleansing spell. I don't have a lot of cash on me though.

Vincent: [he waves his hands] This isn't a cash service - I don't make money off what I do here. This is a sanctuary for anyone who asks for it, but the witches in this city aren't as powerful as we used to be. But there is someone else I can send you to for that cleansing ritual.

Stiles: Okay. [because while he doesn't like being passed off, he can understand needing to get to the right person for the right thing] Thanks.

Vincent: [he nods] I would help, man, I really would. But I don't have the power to help you push back against a nogitsune right now.

Stiles: No, I get it. You're being honest and I appreciate it.

Vincent: [nods before reaching for a pad on the table next to him] Her name's Bonnie Bennett, and she lives in Mystic Falls. She's also been through quite the bucket of shit, so I'm sure she'll be able to relate to you on that level a little bit better than I could.

Stiles: I've heard of Mystic Falls before. Not been there though.

Vincent: It's a lot safer than it used to be.

Stiles: Sounds like my town.

Vincent: They had more of a vampire problem than a werewolf problem.

Stiles: Yeah, we have an everything problem, not just werewolves. IN fact, the wolves tend to be the ones that save us rather than the problem.

Vincent: Well, consider yourselves lucky, then because they can be a pain in the ass everywhere else.

Stiles: [and he's going to rub his neck and look off to the side because that's an awkward and touchy subject for him at the moment] So what does it take to determine if I'm capable?

Vincent: [takes a deep breath] A couple of tests? Nothing to invasive, just seeing how you respond when you get pushed.

Stiles: Alright.

Vincent: [glances down at his watch] You staying in town?

Stiles: Yeah. I got a room out by the interstate. French Quarter tends to be out of my price range.

Vincent: [nods] These can take some time and I have another appointment I need to get to, so why don't you come back first thing in the morning. We'll start fresh, get it done early and see what we see.

Stiles: I can do that. [he gets up, thinking] Safer to do this on a full or empty stomach? [because Dean's talked about witches and bodily fluids way too many times]

Vincent: [.......] Let's go with empty, just to be on the safe side.

Stiles: Got it. I'll be here at eight.

Vincent: Alright. I'll see you then. [and with that he will walk Stiles out to where Josh is waiting and he rolls his eyes] Don't you have a bar to run?

Josh: Yeah, but it's a bar. Bars open at night.

Stiles: Then shouldn't you be sleeping?

Josh: Nah. I mean, don't get me wrong, I like sleep, but the vampirism of it all kind of throws the need for it out the window.

Stiles: So no coffin and being dead during the daylight. I'll remember that. [nods] Thanks, Vincent. I'll see you tomorrow.

Vincent: [nods and looks to Josh] I'm going to see Marcel. Make sure you lock up behind you.

Josh: [salutes] Tell our fearsome leader I said hey.

Vincent: [nods and off he goes]

Stiles: [blinks, watching Vincent go] So if you're not here for him...?

Josh: Dude, I helped build this place with him. I don't need an excuse to be here.

Stiles: Okay, sorry I asked. I should be going so nice meeting you. [and he was going to head out. Maybe walk around a bit so he can say he saw the sights while he was in town?]

Josh: [....] I wasn't trying to blow you off?

Stiles: Okay, I'm confused then. Why are you here then? [he is actually confused, but Stiles is in a strange town where he knows no one - okay scratch that one person so he's just guarded]

Josh: I was dropping some stuff off, but since we were leaving at the same time, I figured the least I could do is buy Danny's friend a drink and grill him needlessly for fun boyfriend blackmail.

Stiles: And find my tires slashed tomorrow, probably not the best plan in the world. I'm sure he's already told you not to believe a word I say anyways.

Josh: He did. But sometimes it's nice to get the Danny story from people not him. [is he still slightly paranoid that a good thing is going to have a catch? possibly.]

Stiles: [nods] How about we get lunch instead and I'll answer questions?

Josh: Works for me. I know a great burger place.

Stiles: Now you're speaking my language.

Josh: Follow me. [and he will lock up Vincent's office and the more personal areas of the church before leading the way down the French Quarter to a fun burger place that Cami showed him where he will order two of a particular special] Just trust me. If you hate it, I will eat it and you can order whatever you want.

Stiles: I still eat like I'm in college so I doubt that's going to happen. [small smile] I can see why Danny likes you.

Josh: [smiles a bit] He's a good guy. And you don't find a lot of those in New Orleans so I'll admit, I've been approaching with caution.

Stiles: I'm surprised he'd be here, to be honest. But he's actually a good guy. He can be a bit of a jock sometimes, but that was back when we were teenagers so I'm sure he's matured since then. I know I have.

Josh: He also doesn't really talk about Beacon Hills a lot. But with what I've heard about it from some of the local witches, that's probably a good thing?

Stiles: The town's nicer when you don't know it's full of creatures? But yeah, the last five years have kinda sucked just a bit.

Josh: That sounds like the five years before Marcel and Vincent booted out the Mikaelsons.

Stiles: I don't know a lot about this place, to be honest. Just what I've been told from the Winchesters.

Josh: Well, let's just say the oldest vampires of my kind of vampire in existence considered this place their home for about three hundred years, give or take. And that wasn't always a good thing.

Stiles: Let me guess - bag of dicks?

Josh: Oh, Klaus was definitely a giant bag of dicks at first. Rebekah was okay, but she tended to side with her brothers more than she should and Elijah ... [holds up his hands as he leans forward] Okay, here's the thing about Elijah Mikaelson. He starts off like a reasonable guy. And he's definitely the kind of guy you want on your side, so long as you know that you can keep him there. But if you even so much as look like you're going to fuck with his family? Sayonara. You can kiss that heart in your chest goodbye.

Stiles: Damn.

Josh: Yeah. Anyway, the Mikaelsons basically built New Orleans back in the day, allowed the nine covens to slide in and do their thing, and made deals with the local humans to help cover up their less ... personable qualities? And on the way Klaus rescued-slash-adopted this slave kid from one of the local plantations and named him Marcellus - he eventually became who we all know today as Marcel Gerard.

Stiles: ............. Okay then.

Josh: Look, you need to get the history to get why things imploded the way they did. See, along the way, Marcel fell in love with Klaus's sister, Rebekah, which is weird and slightly incestuous, but the Mikaelsons kind of give off that sort of vibe, so I guess for them it wasn't that weird. Along the way, Rebekah fell in love with him too, and they got a crap ton of shit from Klaus for it. In 1919, they decided they had enough, and to bring in the one person that Klaus feared above all else - his father, Mikael, who wanted him dead. They figured Klaus would run, Mikael would follow, and they would finally have a chance to be together without Klaus' interference.

Stiles: No, dude I'm listening. Trust me, that's just how I react to things that really have no words for. that's a lot of backstory. So I'm taking it that the very old man plan didn't go off like they wanted? [nibbles on a fry]

Josh: Nope. Mikael burned half of New Orleans to the ground, killed a shit ton of people, and wound up forcing all three of the Mikaelsons out and away from the city, thinking that Marcel was dead. But he wasn't. And with the Mikaelsons gone, there was a huge power vacuum in the vampire department. After he recovered from the fire, Marcel stepped in to fill it, establishing rules for the vampires to keep them under the radar but still able to be themselves, he drove the werewolves back out to the bayou before they got any ideas and he was on pretty friendly terms with the witches, so long as he stayed out of witch business and they kept out of his. That is, until Davina Claire.

Stiles: Who's Davina Claire?


Josh: [and there's a small sad smile] Davina Claire was a pretty rad sixteen year old witch from the French Quarter coven. See, the witches in New Orleans used to practice ancestral magic, where they consecrate their loved ones to a giant communal magic pool that basically feeds back into their descendants. But in order to maintain that power, every quarter century they had to do this ritual called the Harvest, where four young witches are sacrificed and in the Reaping, they will be resurrected to bring power and blessings from the ancestors to the witches of the city. There was this witch named Sophie Devereaux who's niece was one of the girls chosen. She went to Marcel because she didn't believe that the resurrection part of the ceremony was going to happen, and more to the point, it's pretty fucking messed up in this day and age. Marcel was understandably upset, because one of the few rules he had was that you don't mess with kids, and so he rounded up some vampires and they went to stop it. By the time they got there, though, the ritual was already in progress and the only girl left standing was Davina. So Marcel took her and hid her in the attic at St. Anne's, under the protection of Kieran O'Connell, the local pastor.

Stiles: And cue Witches versus vampires.

Josh: Yep. Marcel shut down all magic in the Quarter. Anyone caught even thinking of doing a spell was killed and he made ... several public examples of that. But witches don't fuck around, so they made some moves of their own, and that meant bringing back the one person they thought would be able to put Marcel back in line - Klaus Mikaelson.

Stiles: So let me guess - New Orleans, the city where plans never work the way they should.

Josh: Well, no one ever counted on Klaus being a daddy, so I guess you can say that.

Stiles: .... Vampires can still have kids?!


Josh: [he laughs] No. But Klaus isn't just a vampire. He's also a werewolf, and werewolves can. Or something like that - it's this whole mystical loophole, that he and this badass, fiercely fabulous werewolf named Hayley Marshall happened to fall into. She barely even remembers it herself. Regardless, Klaus knocked her up, French Quarter witches figured it out when she came to New Orleans looking for more information about her family, and gained themselves one massive bargaining chip. It seemed to work better with Elijah than it did for Klaus for a while, but it still got them what they wanted - the Power Trio of the Original vampires in New Orleans.

Stiles: Barely remembers getting knocked up. Sex must be bad after however long the guy lived. [and wow he's out of fries. He's been eating this whole time] But they're dead now, right?

Josh: The witches? Oh yeah, super dead. The war over Davina basically wiped out all the coven elders and Davina wound up being sacrificed anyway because her powers were killing her and would have taken the city along too, but she actually did come back so that was a bonus.

Stiles: No, I meant the Mikealsons. I heard they were all dead.

Josh: Oh. .... Yes and no. Klaus is definitely not, Marcel has him locked up under the old compound sealed up behind a shit ton of barrier spells and staked with some kid of dark magic torture knife.

Stiles: ... Marcel doesn't play around.

Josh: No he does not. Not after ... yeah. Marcel put up with a lot of shit from them over the years, but they crossed the one line that you do not fucking cross, and that pushed him over the edge.

Stiles: So the lesson I'm getting from this is stay out of vampire business and get the heck out of town as fast as I can. Should I be worried about leaving Danny here? I mean, he's a big boy and all but dude...

Josh: [shakes his head] No, Danny'll be fine. I'm tight with Marcel, but I'm a nobody, and so is he. No one's going to be trying to leverage me.

Stiles: I hope so. But... if you want I can give you my number. Consider it a "hey can you come get my boyfriend out of town because he won't listen to me and I just drugged his beer" call.

Josh: [he laughs] Trust me, I have my own means of doing that. [Danny wears his vervain, he doesn't drink it, so ... Josh will not be proud of that moment, but he is also not above compelling his boyfriend for his own safety]

Stiles: Alright. But the offer still stands.

Josh: I will keep that in mind. [and he will finish up his burger] You know, you should totally come out to Rosseau's tonight. I think you'd have a good time.

Stiles: I'll keep it in mind. I was going to play tourist this afternoon. Do all the normal touristy things that my phone travel app tells me to go see.

Josh: [nods once and then points to one of the small shops across the quarter] Before you do, go in there. Buy one of the hemp bracelets. Trust me.

Stiles: To wear or to smoke? [smirks]

Josh: [laughs] Wear. It'll protect your head in case you run into a vamp who doesn't want to play by the rules.

Stiles: ... Magic?

Josh: Vervain. It's a vampire deterrent.

Stiles: So mosquito repellant for vampires?

Josh: Basically. If you're wearing vervain, you can't be compelled, which makes it harder for them to eat you.

Stiles: Alright, I'll get two just in case.

Josh: Good plan.

Stiles: So I'll be going. Thanks for lunch, and I'll try and stop by later.

Josh: [nods and finishes off his burger] Sure. See you then.

[And eventually he does wander by Rosseau’s and runs into a friend of Danny and Josh’s, and starts rambling about his girlfriend woes.]

Landon: So here's a suggestion. Instead of pouring all of this on a total stranger, have you ever thought about telling this to her.

Stiles: I can't. I want to, but I can't. It won't make her come back and I can't do that to myself.

Landon: How do you know?

Stiles: Because I know. She needs to figure her own head out, and she doesn't want me around to do that. Telling her how much she hurt me will make her stop focusing on herself and want to focus on me and then she won't get what she needs and I can't do that to her.

Landon: Look, she keeps calling you. Which means she obviously wants to talk to you. I think she would rather get rid of whatever is impeding you from talking to her than have you continuing to suffer in silence on her account.

Stiles: I don't want to talk to her though.

Landon: Don't you?

Stiles: [shakes his head] Not until I figure out what I really want from her. Right now I still don't know

Landon: Well, what do you think you want?

Stiles: Right now, I just want to stop hurting.

Landon: Well, you're not going to find that here.

Stiles: Probably not, but this? [holds up the tumbler of whiskey] it helps a bit.

Landon: Don't rely on that too much. It's a slippery slope.

Stiles: Oh trust me, I know. My dad was an alcoholic for a while after my mother died. Everything in moderation. [yeah, like father like son in coping mechanisms]

Landon: Mmmmhmmm.

Stiles: So which of my friends told you to come over here to hit on me?

Landon: Do people often need to be conned into hitting on you?

Stiles: Actually, yes. Or drunk.

Landon: Well, I did this all on my own. All they did was decide not to interfere.

Stiles: [chuckles, and he looks over at him] That so?

Landon: [raises her eyebrows] I've always had a thing for the scrawny scruffy type. [a beat] Then again, everyone tends to be my type.

Stiles: [he laughs at that] You're the first guy to ever hit on me, so thank you. You've answered a question I've had for years.

Landon: [waves a hand in an indulgent bow] You're welcome.

Stiles: [looks over his shoulder at Josh and Danny, and how happy they are together, then at Landon] You probably picked the worst candidate to flirt with though

Landon: Yeah, already realized that when you started rambling about your ex-girlfriend.

Stiles: Sorry 'bout that. First guy to flirt with me and I fucked it up. [chuckles] Figures.

Landon: [he starts off shaking his head before pausing and tipping his head to the side] Do you want it to go somewhere?

Stiles: [he looked at his tumbler a moment, fingers tapping on the side as he debated about it] I've never been with a guy before. Wouldn't even know what to do.

Landon: I didn't ask if you knew what you were doing. I asked if you wanted to.

Stiles: [he ran his teeth over his lip, seriously considering it. But the thought of sleeping with someone who was not Cora...] Thanks, but I don't think I'm ready yet. Appreciate the offer though.


Landon: Well. [and he'll reach forward and snake Stiles' phone to put his number in it] That changes, you know where to find me. [It'll be under "Landon ;)"]

Stiles: I'll remember that. [and a moment] Though... I have always wanted to know what it was like to kiss a guy.

Landon: [glances at him and grins, and then because he's Landon just leans in and lays one on him, because kissing is a no-commitment kind of thing.]

Stiles: [and his eyes widen for a moment, because whoa. And then the part of him that craved affection leaned in, kissing him back because he just needed that moment]

Landon: [is more than happy to give it to him, one hand coming up to rest against the side of his neck gently]

Stiles: [while Danny and Josh are high 5'ing in the background, Stiles leans in just that bit more, needing the touch so badly. It's been months. Almost a year really, since Cora stopped being as affectionate the further into the pregnancy]

Landon: [he's going to keep going - at least kiss wise - until Stiles tells him to stop, so it's all on you, Stiles]

Stiles: [yeah, after another minute he will pull back because air. Yeah, breathing is a good thing.] You're... you're good at that. Damn.

Landon: [he gives a small shrug] I take pride in my work.

Stiles: Pretty sure if I was into guys, I'd be begging you to take me now

Landon: [he laughs] Oddly enough, I've had that happen.

Stiles: I don't doubt that

Landon: So. Now you've kissed a guy.

Stiles: Yeah, that I have. Can cross that off the bucket list.

Landon: As I said, if you change your mind, you know where to find me. [and with that, he's going to wander off and see if he can actually get laid]

Stiles: [and he's going to just let out a deep breath and finish his whiskey, and then head back to the motel so that he can head to Vincent’s the next morning. and so he comes back to the church the next day, sipping on his coffee and he actually has a second one because that's what you do, right? Bring coffee to the people offering to help you? Habits. He's also got sugar packets and creamer packets in his jacket pocket in case because he doesn't know how you take your coffee...]

Vincent: [and he's waiting there, dealing with some church business, and then looks up in surprise] You're on time.

Stiles: Despite my appearance and reputation, I'm actually pretty respectful of the people willing to help me with things. Plus, I come bearing coffee.

Vincent: [nods as he reaches to take it from him] It's not you. I'm just not accustomed to people requesting my help being punctual.

Stiles: I have a cop as a dad. He kinda drilled it into me. [sips his own coffee] I didn't know how you take it so I grabbed some creamers and sugars if you need any.

Vincent: I usually just take it black, but thank you.

Stiles: No problem. Do you need to finish anything cause you were doing something when I walked in so I can wait?

Vincent: [shakes his head] Just trying to keep on top of things. A community doesn't run itself.

Stiles: Yeah, I can imagine not. And I appreciate you taking the time to help me.

Vincent: Better to get people on the right path then have them wind up on the wrong one. Sometimes a little guidance can make all the difference.

Stiles: Yeah, and right now I'm pretty much in need of a lot of that.

Vincent: Well, let's see if we can get you started. [and she'll gesture for Stiles to follow him upstairs to the attic. it used to be Davina's room, but now Vincent has cleared it out, leaving only her easels and artwork behind. The grimmoires he recovered from the Abattoir and other spell ingredients are sitting on the shelves, but otherwise it's just another attic]

Stiles: [and he will follow Vincent up, his eyes taking in everything as they normally do] Art studio?

Vincent: [shakes his head] Those belonged to the previous resident. Didn't have the heart to take them down.

Stiles: [nods] Davina Claire.

Vincent: [raises his eyebrows] Josh told you about Davina?

Stiles: He wanted to give me the 411 on things in town so I didn't step into the wrong store or end up a snack. [holds up his wrist to show the hemp bracelet]

Vincent: [eyes the bracelet and nods] Smart guy. [and he goes to settle at the head of the circle on the floor] Davina Claire was better than all of us. She didn't deserve what happened to her, but there were powers greater than us conspiring against her.

Stiles: [and he will go to look at one of the pieces of art, and then sit as well] Sometimes that happens. I heard she managed to do a lot to help people, though.

Vincent: [smiles a bit, bittersweet] She did. She managed to save all of us from the ancestors in the end. Hopefully, another little girl won't have to go through what she went through ever again.

Stiles: [looks at the piece of art again] Hopefully.

Vincent: [takes a deep breath] So. I'm going to need you to take a deep breath and clear your mind.

Stiles: I'll do my best. [and he will close his eyes, trying to clear his mind as he takes that deep breath]

Vincent: If it helps just try to find one thing that grounds you and drowns everything else out when you think about it.

Stiles: [and his mind will automatically drift to Cora, and he will relax a bit more focusing on her]

Vincent: [that's good. and that's when he'll begin the chanting and we'll do some handwave-y magic things because I'm not actually sure what we want to do here?]

Stiles: [well, if Vincent is testing to see if Stiles is capable of being a magic user, he would get a nice blue glow because the nogitsune made sure he made Stiles' new body capable of magic in case he needed to swap into it. If he's looking for the presence of magic, he will get the orange nogitsune outline residue over Stiles' body]

Vincent: [well, he's looking for a little bit of both, which gives him a smidge of a headache, so he'll pull back eventually and quietly end the spell] Well, you're definitely capable and definitely in need of cleansing.

Stiles: So half good, half bad then?

Vincent: [he nods] The cleansing will be more of a challenge, but that's for you and Bonnie to figure out. Once that's done, she should be able to teach you to harness that magic.

Stiles: That sounds like a plan then. I like it when plans come together.

Vincent: [he smirks] I'm sure. And now you should probably get out of this city before you get drawn into vampire business.

Stiles: Oh, totally. Thanks though. [and he is going to move to stand up and stretch his legs]

Vincent: [and he will get up as well, putting away the ritual ingredients in their proper places before going to walk him out]

Stiles: If you ever decide to take a vacation in California and happen by Beacon Hills, look me up.

Vincent: I don't think I'll be getting a vacation anytime soon, but I'll keep that in mind.

Stiles: Good luck with everything here. [and he will thank him again and head back to the crappy motel where he will try and start the jeep, but it's not turning over and damnit]

Dean: [and this is where we insert some of the scene with Dean?]

Stiles: [and yeah, Roscoe finally gave up the ghost and pointed out that driving hard and around the country without regular oil changes and repairs isn't going to fly. Which is why Stiles is stranded at a crappy motel in Louisiana. He can't figure it out himself, so finally he goes to grab his actual phone and pulls up the number of Dean Winchester and hits send]

Dean: [glances down at the phone for a moment before hitting accept] Yeah?

Stiles: So I know I've been keeping off the radar but Roscoe broke down and I'm standing here not knowing what the hell is wrong and I promised Jody not to put anymore duct tape under the hood so I'm calling the only mechanic I trust to take care of my jeep. How far are you from New Orleans?

Dean: [glances down at his watch before sighing heavily] I can be there by lunch.

Stiles: [sighs in relief] Thank you. Thank you so much

Dean: Give me the address.

Stiles: [and he will lick his lips looking around to see if he could figure it out] Um... just put down the Saint Vincent Guest House. You'll know it when you see it. [seriously worst hotel in the area]

Dean: [there's a pause as he makes a face] Really? That shithole?

Stiles: The Ritz was all booked up.

Dean: Alright. I'll be there as soon as I can, so stay put. [a beat] Don't catch anything.

Stiles: I'll do my best. [he’ll probably be sleeping in his jeep]

Dean: See you in a bit. [and with that he will hang up and get ready to hit the road]

Sam: [seeing that] Going somewhere?

Dean: Stiles called. Needs me to come have a look at his Jeep.

Sam: Good to know the kid is still alive

Dean: Yeah. Shoot Jody a text and let her know?

Sam: I will. Think you can convince him to call them?

Dean: I'll do my best, but I make no promises.

Sam: Let me know if you need me to join you

Dean: Will do. Remember that shithole we stayed in in New Orleans that one time?

Sam: That the place we woke up and the toilet was covered in roaches?

Dean: That's the one. I'm gonna try and get him somewhere better but for right now, that's where you'll find us.

Sam: He's probably out of money, Dean. Hold on, let me get some of the cash from the back room and you can find a way to slip it into the glove box.

Dean: [nods as he keeps packing and makes sure the Impala is ready to go.]

Sam: [and he will hand Dean a thermos of coffee and the envelope of cash to help fund Stiles for some more time. Not like they actually got it legally anyway]

Dean: [yep. and off he goes to New Orleans]

Stiles: [yup, fast asleep in the back of his jeep, windows up, doors locked. His hair is longer, still scruffy and probably hasn't showered in a day or two]

Dean: [makes his way over, spots him in the back, and knocks on the window]

Stiles: [jumps, sitting up. His hand reached for the baseball bat in the foot well, but he sees Dean and relaxes] Hey, yeah give me a sec

Dean: [nods as he goes to lean against the engine block]

Stiles: [and he will slip out, stretching. He's a bit skinnier than normal, but looks good otherwise] So how was the drive?

Dean: Not bad. I've done worse.

Stiles: Thanks for coming. I know you probably had better things to do.

Dean: [he shrugs] I don't mind. Besides, Jody would have probably had my ass if I didn't at least check on you,

Stiles: I take it you texted her where I am?

Dean: Yep. Not where, just that I'd seen you.

Stiles: [pops the hood] Thanks

Dean: [goes to peer in and see what's up]

Stiles: [leans over to watch] I've got some fluids and stuff in the trunk. I think it's the radiator again but I can't find a leak

Dean: [nods and he will just get to work, doing his mechanic thing]

Stiles: [after a while] Hey Dean, what's the difference between magic and witchcraft?

Dean: [picks his head up] Nothing.

Stiles: really? I thought there would be some kind of difference between them

Dean: Magic and witchcraft are synonyms. What matters is how you got your magic.

Stiles: Whether you're born with it in your blood, or you learn it

Dean: No. Whether you have natural talent, or you sell your soul for it.

Stiles: Ah.

Dean: Why?

Stiles: Just wondering.

Dean: [looks at him] Uh-huh.

Stiles: [licks lips] I may have also thinking about learning some things.

Dean: [sighs] Talk to Willow.

Stiles: Yeah, I will. [eventually]

Dean: She's seen the good and the bad. She's been the good and the bad. You won't find anyone who knows more than her.

Stiles: The good and the bad comes down to intention though, right?

Dean: It does, sort of. But it can be addicting, which can skew your intentions.

Stiles: Well, anything can be addictive.

Dean: True. But magic drags you down all different kinds of rabbit holes.

Stiles: like selling your soul

Dean: Or absorbing a lot of dark magic in a fit of grief and nearly ending the world.

Stiles: ..... Yeah, that doesn't sound good.

Dean: [he shakes his head] As I said, Willow's been through the good and the bad. She's the best person to talk to if you feel you really have to go into magic.

Stiles: You're not a big fan of it, are you?

Dean: Do you want to know how many witches have tried to rip my guts out with their brain?

Stiles: Probably more than the ones wanting to kiss you I take it

Dean: ... No, they do a lot of that too. Usually before the gut ripping.

Stiles: Girls seem to excel at sending mixed signals like that.

Dean: [eyebrows go up at that, and he glances over at him] Anything in particular you want to get off your chest in that department?

Stiles: Nope. [totally nothing at all.] So what's the verdict with Roscoe?

Dean: [sighs as he pulls back] Gonna need to get some parts, so that might take a few days. I'll call a buddy of mine and see if we can get it towed out of here, and I know a better motel to crash in.

Stiles: [licks his lips, then nods] I guess I can handle a few days delay

Dean: Got somewhere to be?

Stiles: Big D&D convention.

Dean: That's the one with the dice right?

Stiles: Yeah. I’ve got a sweet dragonborn rogue I'm itching to play

Dean: Cool. Charlie talked me and Sam into LARPing once.

Stiles: Oh yeah? I did a few sessions up at Berkley

Dean: Yeah, it was a full on Braveheart kind of thing. It was fun.

Stiles: [chuckles] Sounds like it.

Dean: [he nods] She's still probably got pictures somewhere.

Stiles: I'll have to ask her one day.

Dean: Yep. [sighs as he steps back to pull out his phone, the lock screen featuring half of a chubby baby face and hand, and the other half of the picture is Dean making a face, but it's gone as soon as Dean pulls up his friend's number]

Stiles: [it was long enough for him to see and he looks away, sucking on his lips a moment as he pushed off the car] I'll go pack my stuff up

Dean: [nods and goes to make the arrangements]

Stiles: [and he will go to sit in the back seat and shove things in a bag, looking a moment over the seat to make sure Dean wasn't looking as he pulled a photo of the baby out of his wallet a moment, looking at the baby and taking a deep breath before hiding it again behind his license]

Dean: [may not have been looking but totally catches it in the rearview mirror. but a few minutes later, he hangs up] My buddy'll be here in fifteen.

Stiles: Awesome. [and he will finish showing things in a bag]

Dean: [and the tow truck will show up and Dean will chat with him about the parts he needs for a minute before waving him off and off he and Stiles go to a new, actually decent motel]

Stiles: [and Stiles will look at the motel] So we splitting the room?

Dean: [he shrugs] We can, or I can just put it on the plastic.

Stiles: Yeah, that works too. [ID theft? not his first time, won't be his last]

Dean: [nods and goes to pay for the room, before they head up to get comfortable]

Stiles: I'm going to grab a shower if you don't mind

Dean: [nods and waves a hand before settling on one of the beds to turn on the TV] Go for it.

Stiles: [and he will go and take a nice, long hot shower, enjoying the feel of the water on his face]

Dean: [and he will find a D-list horror flick to laugh at]

Stiles: [and he will finish and come out, looking at his face a moment before grabbing a razor and going to shave the unruly scruff off. First time he's had a smooth face in a while and it's weird]

Dean: [glances over and smirks] Look at that. Welcome back, mountain man.

Stiles: You really have an obsession judging people by their hair.

Dean: Have you met my brother.

Stiles: Yes, that's how I know it's not an exaggeration

Dean: [there's a beat] Lack of grooming habits can be a sign that things aren't that great. Emotionally speaking. It's something you keep an eye out for in my line of work.

Stiles: You ever just think people like warm faces and necks?

Dean: Some do. And some just don't care enough to do anything about it. Sam? He grows his hair out like a girl, but I know he's okay if he's still shaving, showering, all that good stuff. If he stopped cleaning up, I'd know something was wrong.

Stiles: And what are your ticks, mister constant day old scruff?

Dean: [he smirks] I like my hair short, and I like a little stubble but not too much. Either of those go out the window and something's up. Or you could always just gauge it by my drinking.

Stiles: Drinking is always a sign. I know that one

Dean: [he nods] Except I'm basically an alcoholic, so it's more about the volume than the fact that it's happening.

Stiles: You're a functioning alcoholic

Dean: [he nods] Have been for years.

Stiles: My dad was that way for a while after my mom got sick.

Dean: [he nods] My dad was too after my mom died.

Stiles: Where you there, when she died? [goes to lay in the free bed, staring up at the ceiling]

Dean: I carried my brother out of the house.

Stiles: My mom just faded away. I was sitting on a chair across from her crying because she had been yelling to leave her alone because she didn't want me. That I was evil and trying to kill her. And then she just closed her eyes and was gone.

Dean: My mom wasn't sick. She burned to death, on the ceiling of Sam's nursery. My dad ran out, put Sam in my arms and told me to get out of the house as fast as I could.

Stiles: Still sucks. You know what I miss though... hearing my mom when she wasn't caught up in her dementia... when she would just hold me and tell me she loved me.

Dean: [he nods, glancing down at his beer] Me too. [though he has that now, but he remembers when he didn't]

Stiles: [rubs at his face] She always knew what to say, you know. When I needed to hear it. She always believed me too.

Dean: And you're having a hard time finding that somewhere else?

Stiles: I just... I had it again. And then I'm pushed away and I can't go back to that again. I'm tired of being pushed away from people who say they love me.

Dean: I don't think she meant to push you away, dude. [a beat] I don't think that's what she wanted. She just didn't want to weigh you down. I can't say that's not a feeling I haven't had when I was at my lowest.

Stiles: She never has. Hell, I'm the one who has all the emotional issues for most of the time we've been together.

Dean: [he nods, before swinging his legs over the side] Look at it this way: she made a lot of unilateral decisions that impacted you over that last year. She knew that she had to leave or she wasn't going to make it. But she didn't want to make another decision for you.

Stiles: Instead she told me not to wait for her.

Dean: Why didn't you go with her?

Stiles: Because I love her. And when you love something, you're supposed to let them go.

Dean: First of all: that's bullshit. Second of all: if that's the case then maybe you should stop feeling sorry for yourself and man up and realize that she didn't push you away - you stepped back.

Stiles: She left. She didn't want me to go.

Dean: You didn't fight for her. So don't put this all on her because you had a choice too. It's not like she snuck out in the night and left you a Dear John letter.

Stiles: I've fought for her for the last few months. You know, up until I was taken and everyone forgot I existed for a while.

Dean: Yeah, and she recognizes that. But from what Liv told me, that fucked with her hard.

Stiles: Yeah, I know. I heard

Dean: Yeah, you heard. You heard about how you being gone meant that the father of her kid was just some anonymous college dick who she couldn't really put a name to. How in her head, that made her twice the disappointment she already felt that she was? It wasn't just that she lost her boyfriend, dude.

Stiles: Yeah, I said I heard. I'm the one who was at her side every day, watching her distance herself from me and from the situation. Blaming herself for all of it. Before i even was taken. Trust me, when I was in that hellhole that was the only thing I could think of. That's why i begged her to remember how much I loved her when I got pulled away because I didn't want her to go down that hole. I'm not an idiot.

Dean: I know you're not. Which is why I'm reminding you how bad shape she was in, and hoping that you might realize that she might have been worried that you wouldn't get the support you needed because you were relying on her and she couldn't give it to you.

Stiles: The thing about being in a relationship though is that we're supposed to be there for EACH OTHER.

Dean: Yeah. And it also means you recognize when you can't be a good partner to that person and be aware enough to admit that. Trust me, me and Sam didn't always get this right and we did a lot of damage over the years. But at the end of the day, she knew what she needed. She left it for you to decide what you needed and you chose not to go with her. You didn't choose her. Maybe it was for the best or maybe it wasn't but at the end of the day, you have to live with that.

Stiles: Yeah, and if I choose her, then I can't get what she things I need and feels guilty for letting me come and neither of us heal and it gets worse and the cycle just keeps going. I didn't have a choice - I already lost either way.

Dean: How do you know? How do you know that what she needed was distance from you and not just distance from where everything went down?

Stiles: I didn't. I didn't know one way or another because the only way TO know was to make a choice, and I can't have both. So I made the best choice - the one I thought she wanted.

Dean: But not what you wanted.

Stiles: [one sharp laugh] I never get what I want. Why should this have been any different?

Dean: You're never going to get what you want if you don't ask for it. Or fight for it. It may suck, and you may lose, but doing nothing? Only going to keep perpetuating that cycle.

Stiles: I'm tired of always fighting. I've been fighting ever since Scott got bit. Since my mom died. I'm tired of everything being a fight.

Dean: Well, tough shit, because that's life, kid. [he takes a deep breath and leans back with his beer] I've had to fight for every damn thing I've ever had, including this lovely world as we know it. We all have. Buffy, Derek, your girl - nothing comes easy. Anything worth having comes with a side of blood, sweat and tears. So what you need to do now is decide if she's still worth fighting for. And if she is? Tell her. [a beat as he gets up to go grab another beer] If she isn't, you should probably tell her that too.

Stiles: Sometimes I think everyone would have been better off if the nogitsune had killed me.

Dean: [sighs] Yeah, I've been there too. So has Sam. But I'm fairly certain there's a handful of people back home, and a girl in Scotland who would probably say otherwise.

Stiles: They'd move on. Cora at least wouldn't be where she is now

Dean: No. But I don't think you is the thing she'd regret. And also, do you remember who she was when you met her?

Stiles: Yeah. Mini female Derek.

Dean: Angry, pissed off at the world, and running head first into shit that would absolutely get her killed. Probably would have if she didn't have something else to think about.

Stiles: We don't know that

Dean: When did you two start messing around? Before or after the nogitsune?

Stiles: After…. Well kinda during....

Dean: Right. So the fact that she even made her interest known at all, means that she was already in deeper than you think. Follow that up with you then dying, after almost everyone in her life has died? Yeah. I'm sure she would have taken that real well.

Stiles: You know, you really aren't the beacon of functional relationships to be lecturing me

Dean: You know, you're right. The last functional relationship I was in, she got possessed and nearly murdered by a demon, and she has a kid to boot. The demon used her to lure me out and she wound up in a coma. And you know what I did? I got Cas to heal her to make things right, and then I told him to make her and the kid forget I ever existed. Because that's what people like me do when they're constantly losing people left and right. Do you really think it would be better for her to have turned out like me?

Stiles: No, yet you're lecturing me about leaving when you did it yourself.

Dean: Yeah. So that you don't make the same mistakes - again, do you really want to turn out like me?

Stiles: Nope. Already one of those existing in the world.

Dean: Exactly. So listen to me when I say that you shouldn't follow my example and run away from shit. It's never going to make you happy. And loneliness sucks way more than hurt pride, trust me.

Stiles: I'll take your word for it

Dean: Good. [and with that he will sigh as his quest for beer comes up empty] I'm gonna run to the liquor store. You want anything?

Stiles: [his stomach growls] Food would be good

Dean: Food it is. [and with that he will head out for booze and food which is really just an excuse for Stiles to think about what he said and maybe actually do something about it]

Stiles: [nope, he's exhausted and will just pass out]

Dean: [well he tried]

Stiles: He will think on it. later]

Dean: [fair enough. it's going to take him a few days to fix the car and while they may take a small detour to see the next Star Trek movie ("Uhara is hot, dude.") but otherwise Stiles will mostly have time to himself]

Stiles: [and he is going to spend it just sitting around on a bench, thinking and bored, researching on his phone]

Dean: [and will just be tinkering on the car. tinker tinker tinker]

Stiles: [and at one point he will be sitting with his legs crossed on the bench, smoking a joint and his phone will be balanced on his knee and there will be a feather on his other knee, and he will just be staring intensely at it]

Cora: [and given the time, ring ring ring, here's your daily call from your girlfriend who you're ignoring]

Stiles: [and he will jump because it breaks him out of his concentration, the feather falling to the ground next to his joint.] Shit [and he will reach down for it, looking at the phone and debating a moment]

Cora: [she's just going to leave you another message if you don't answer the phone]

Stiles: [and he knows Dean is nearby, probably lurking so he sighs and ansers it, putting the phone to his ear but not saying anything]

Cora: [....] Is this going to be another one of our silent phone calls where I basically talk to thin air and judge your mood by noncommittal noises or are you actually going to talk to me this time?

Stiles: [licks his lips, and finally after however long it's been since she's heard his voice] Depends on what the conversation is about.

Cora: You tell me. You answered the phone. [she could just tell him what she was going to say into his machine but she can't help but think after this long of ignoring her there's a point to it]

Stiles: You're the one who called. A lot, by the way. I got all your voicemails.

Cora: Yeah, well ... [there was a beat as she shifts a bit to stare at the ceiling] ... I didn't think I'd actually get you. I haven't before. And I was actually calling to tell you that I was going to stop. [a beat] I don't want to, but I can take a hint. Or at least, I thought it was a hint.

Stiles: A hint at what?

Cora: You don't want to talk to me. Or hear from me. I don't know. That you ... moved on?

Stiles: You wanted me to. You didn't want me to wait for you.

Cora: ... I think what I said was that I would understand if you didn't. I didn't say that was what I wanted.

Stiles: That's how it sounded to me.

Cora: [there's a long, long quiet pause, before] Well, maybe that was what you wanted. To not wait. [because she still feels like he resents her for everything that happened]

Stiles: What I wanted was you. I needed you. But you needed something else and I knew my needs and your needs would cancel each other out.

Cora: So the solution was ignoring me for almost a year?

Stiles: No. The solution was to leave and try to figure out who I am without you. Because you gave me no guarantee that you were coming back, and I'm the one who destroyed what we had because I forgot a goddamn condom. After everything in the last few years... I don't know who I am anymore, and I need to figure that out… and I need to do that away from the rest of you like you felt you needed.

Cora: So you couldn't have just told me that? I would have understood. [clearly, since she was doing the same thing]

Stiles: I was angry at myself. I still am. I tried so hard to help you, but I obviously am not enough, and I don't want to hurt you anymore. All of this is my fault.

Cora: No, it's not. it's my fault too.

Stiles: No, it's not. I'm the guy, the condom is my responsibility. [he takes a deep breath]

Cora: I should have stopped when I realized you weren't wearing one. [there's a beat] And I'm the one who gave her away. I never blamed you - I felt like you blamed me.

Stiles: How can I blame you? We made a choice together.

Cora: I didn't say my head was in a logical place, Stiles. I felt like ... a disaster. Like I had let so many people down, and every time I felt your frustration or sadness my first thought was this is your fault. He's going to hate you for this.

Stiles: I never hated you for any of that. But I'm pissed that you left. We're supposed to help each other and you didn't ask me to go. You just told me you were going. Sure, maybe I could have asked if I could go with you, but you came off that it was something you needed to do. Without me. And that's not a couple. We had been through so much, and I tried so hard but you kept pushing me away. And I kept saying it was just the pregnancy, I know she doesn't mean it. And then the riders and then... and then you said you needed to go away and.... [rubs at his eyes] That was what broke me, Cora. We had each other's backs though alpha packs, and nogitsune, Argents, dread doctors, and ghost riders and I just... I thought we were stronger than this. But I'm not. I'm broken and I needed you too but I love you too much to be selfish when you needed something more than me.

Cora: [a pause as she listens to all of that] I would have said yes. But I wanted it to be because you wanted to go, not because you thought I expected you to because you're my boyfriend. I couldn't even really tell for myself if you still wanted to be my boyfriend.

Stiles: Right now I'm not in a place where I can be anyone's boyfriend.

Cora: And I wasn't in one where I could be anyone's girlfriend.

Stiles: And I can't tell you when I will be. [pauses, licking his lips] But I um... the only thing I can tell you that I know is that even pissed at you, and all of this... I never stopped loving you. Think that's why it hurts so much right now.

Cora: [she nods for a moment, because she can understand being pissed at her, but the last part is heartening, if nothing else] I can wait.

Stiles: [nods] I um... I need to go.

Cora: Okay. [there's a beat] Do you still want me to call?

Stiles: I can't promise you I'm going to answer, but I'll never let the inbox get full.

Cora: Okay. Be careful.

Stiles: I'll try. [and he will hang up]

Cora: [she ... wasn't done but that's okay, she'll just text it to him instead] I love you. [And then she will put her phone away and go to sleep]

Stiles: [and his concentration is broken so he's going to just pack his feather and half-smoked joint up and head back inside]

Dean: [and a little while later, he'll hear the engine of Roscoe rev to life]

Stiles: [and he will come out, still shaken a bit but trying not to act like it] That sounds better.

Dean: Yep. You should be good to go.

Stiles: Good, because I need to get the hell out of here.

Dean: [nods and tosses him the keys] Go for it.

Stiles: [and he will barely catch them, dropping his bag in the process]

Dean: [eyebrows raise] You alright?

Stiles: No, but that's my norm these days. [and he will toss the bag into the jeep]

Dean: [nods, before going to clean off his hand] If you're around Lawrence, Kansas and need to get off the road for a bit, bunker's always open.

Stiles: I'll remember that. [probably won't take him up on it]

Dean: [yeah, well, Jody would have murdered him if he hadn't at least made the offer] See you around, kid.

Stiles: See ya. [and off he will go, heading out of New Orleans and towards Virginia]

Dean: [to find a bennett witch to teach him how to float feathers?]

Stiles: [among other things, yes]

Bonnie: [well, she's here when you need her, magic buddy]

Stiles: [well, have a jeep pulling up into town, a confused face stepping out and looking around] And I thought I came from a small town...

Caroline: [totally judging your Jeep] There is no way this thing drove all the way from California.

Stiles: Yeah, well, like the Millennium Falcon, this hunk of junk is the best thing on four wheels.

Caroline: [her eyebrows go up] I don't know what that is? But sure. Whatever you say.

Stiles: [eyebrows go up] Seriously? Star wars?

Caroline: ... Oh. The one with Rey!

Elena: [wanders over to see what Caroline is doing] Is everything okay?

Stiles: [close enough] Yeah. The ship she flies. That's the Millennium Falcon.

Caroline: Oh. Gotcha.

Elena: Star Wars is not her forte.

Stiles: Wouldn't have picked that up. Either of you two know where I could find a Bonnie Bennett?

Elena: [the girls look at each other for a moment before crossing her arms in front of her chest] Why do you wants to know?

Stiles; Because I came to town looking for her? [confused eyebrow furrow] So I'm taking it you do know.

Caroline: Yes. We do. But people who come into our town looking for our best friend tend to have shady agendas.

Elena: [points to Caroline] What she said.

Stiles: [looks at them a moment] Wow, this is what Scott and I must look like when people come to our town.

Caroline: [ ... ... ... [ Wait, Scott McCall? You're from Beacon Hills?

Stiles: [tilts his head a bit] Yeah, that's oddly correct. How did you know that?

Caroline: [glances around before she inches closer] My boyfriend is a werewolf. An alpha like him pops up and people notice.

Stiles: Ah, yeah I've heard about that whole werewolf rumor mill. Guys gossip worse than old ladies at church/

Caroline: We gotta hear about each other somehow. [she pauses before glancing to Elena] I'm Caroline Forbes, this is Elena Gilbert.

Stiles: Stiles, Stilinski. Well, I'm out of the loop, but it's nice to meet you both.

Elena: Why are you looking for Bonnie?

Stiles: I was told she could help me find some answers, and maybe a direction.

Caroline: [her eyes narrow again] Do your answers involve manipulating her into shady magic or getting her potentially killed?

Stiles; I'm optimistically hoping the answer is no

Caroline: [she looks over at Elena and they have a silent conversation with their eyebrows for a moment, before they turn back to him] Fine. We'll take you to her. But if that answer turns out to be yes, we'll kill you.

Stiles: Fair enough. Won't be the first time. [motions for them to lead the way]

Elena: [that response is a bit worrisome and Elena squints at him for a moment, but after that she shakes her head and off they go to Bonnie's house]

Stiles: [looking around town as they go] These buildings are really old. Not used to that where I'm from

Elena: A lot of the buildings are the original structures from 1865.

Stiles: Nice.

Caroline: The town council does a lot of work to preserve them.

Stiles: That's kinda cool. Again, not what I'm used to, but still cool

Elena: [nods and will talk about history things! before they wind up at the Bennett house and she lets them in] Bonnie?

Bonnie: Kitchen!

Jeremy: [is totally there too, not distracting her at all]

Stiles:] Just follows along]

Caroline: [is bringing up the rear to see whether or not Stiles needs an invite, and when he doesn't, she shrugs and continues to head in]

Bonnie: [is in the kitchen, totally being distracted, when she glances over and her eyes widen in surprise at Stiles] Who is this?

Stiles: [waves a hand] Hi, I'm Stiles. You probably also heard of my best friend slash alpha Scott from Beacon Hills?

Bonnie: [wait for it, wait for it...] The one Alan Deaton is working with?

Stiles: Yeah, that would be him.

Bonnie: [nods and relaxes] Okay. Did Alan need something? He usually just calls personally.

Stiles: No, actually I didn't come because of him. Or Scott. Um, I actually was told by Vincent Griffith you could help me when I was in New Orleans.

Bonnie: Oh. Help you how?

Jeremy: [looks over at Elena and Caroline because New Orleans. Nothing good comes from there]

Stiles: You um... it's kinda complicated and personal

Bonnie: [sighs] You're going to have to spit it out in front of my overprotective vampire best friends, or they're never going to leave us alone.

Caroline: Oh, don't worry. There were already threats.

Stiles: [spins to look at the girls] Wait, you two are vampires?

Caroline: [smiles like sunshine]

Elena: Yeah. Surprise?

Stiles: ... okay, not all vampires are brooding lovesick men. Got it. [back to Bonnie] You ever hear of a nogitsune?

Bonnie: Evil Japanese fox spirit. Fond of possession.

Stiles: Yeah, that's the one. The supernatural rumor mill give you a heads up about the one in Beacon Hills a few years back.

Bonnie: Alan and Marin called, wanted to see if there was anything in my Grams' old grimoires.

Stiles: [his fingers tap nervously on her counter] Was there?

Bonnie: Well, yeah, but it was mostly about containing and restraining one. Nothing about removing one from the host which was what Alan was looking for.

Stiles: [nods] Well, that part kinda ended up being a surprise twist. [looks at the floor a moment] I was the one possessed.

Bonnie: [watches him for a moment, before glancing back to her friends] Guys, go.

Caroline: But ...

Bonnie: We'll be fine. [glances to each of them meaningfully, including Jeremy] Go.

Jeremy: [looks at Stiles, but he's not getting the hunting feeling, so he nods] Call when you're done.

Bonnie: I will.

Caroline: [frowns but narrows her eyes at Stiles] Our earlier conversation still stands. [and with that Elena will haul her out of there]

Stiles: You've got good friend. They are very loyal and protective.

Bonnie: We've been through a lot together. And I may have died a few times? So I think I earned their overprotectiveness. [but we're not here to talk about her. she steps away from the counter and gestures for him to follow her] In here.

Stiles: [follows] Yeah, my pack is like that. I'm the token human most of the time and after the nogitsune and some other things it's been a bit smothering at times/

Bonnie: Yeah, it can be. But it's what they do. [she pulls one of the grimoires before moving to sit on the couch] The thing about nogitsunes and their particular kind of possession, is that it's symbiosis. A relationship. The fox can't leave unless the host rejects him.

Stiles: [goes to sit across from her in a chair] Well, I rejected him, but he didn't leave my body. He pushed me out.

Bonnie: [frowns as she considers that] Well, you survived and it's gone. The body has to be something other than its magic.

Stiles: That's what I need help figuring out. [and he will tell her about the sacrifice for his dad because of the darach, and his feeling of anger and how it's harder to control and then being kidnapped by the riders and erased from everyone and how he can't sleep without nightmares and feeling that something is itching under his skin wanting to be controlled]

Bonnie: [she nods slowly, drumming her fingers as she listens] Well, we could do a cleansing. See if it's something that's lingering from the experience.

Stiles: Will it hurt?

Bonnie: Physically? No. But mentally? It probably won't be pleasant.

Stiles: [sighs, shaking his head before taking a deep breath] Story of my life. What do I need to do?

Bonnie: Move the coffee table. I'm gonna get some candles.

Stiles: [and he will go to do that, putting it to the side]

Bonnie: [she will settle them on the floor, cross legged, and a softly murmured spell will light the candles around them in one breath, she then holds her hands out to him] I will be your anchor to the real world. If I sense something is going too far, I will pull you out. But you also need to make it through the obstacles in order for the cleansing to be complete.

Stiles: Okay. Just don't give up on me too easily - I learned how to be tricky before the nogitsune got into me

Bonnie: Oh, don't worry. I won't. [wiggles her fingers] You ready?

Stiles: Yeah. [and he will take her hands and close his eyes]

Bonnie: [and she closes her eyes and starts chanting under her breath, her voice even and melodic. as she works her way through the spell, the world will fade around them and back to Beacon Hills in Stiles' mind they will go.]

Stiles: [and welcome to Eichen House, Bonnie. Enjoy the evil creepy feeling]

Bonnie: [good times. she'll just take his hand and gives it a squeeze] I'm with you. Lead the way.

Stiles: I hate this place. I don't want to be here. [but it's where his nightmares always start]

Bonnie: But the spell thinks you need to be here. So take it back.

Stiles: [his hand is shaking, but he nods and off to the door to the basement they go]

Bonnie: [follows his lead, keeping an eye on things]

Stiles: [and as he walks into the basement, the sound of a drill comes from behind them. He spins, afraid, and then screams in pain as the steel jaw of a trap clamps down on his leg]

Bonnie: [keeps a firm grip on his hand] Focus, Stiles. You can do this.

Nogitsune: No, he can't. And he knows it. [coming out from the shadows, moving smoothly]

Stiles: You're not real.

Bonnie: That's not how you’re going to beat him. Right now, he is real. And you have to force him out.

Nogitsune: You can't force me out. I made this body you're in. It is a part of me.

Stiles: Yeah, and what are you now, a fly in a box. You can't hurt me anymore.

Nogitsune: Can't I? [his eyes will shift and there are two oni joining them] I've been waiting to restart this game. Too bad Scott isn't here this time.

Bonnie: He may have made the shell, but he didn't make [you]. You were strong enough to separate from him before, Stiles. You can do it again.

Nogitsune: It is a symbiotic relationship. He needs me to survive. He knows that he should have died.

Stiles: No, that's not true.

Nogitsune: He can feel it in his bones. When he has blood on his hands. He knows he wanted it. He is happy he killed them.

Bonnie: I've killed people too, Stiles. Sometimes you have to. Sometimes it's how you survive in this world because it's kill or be killed. Knowing it's necessary doesn't mean that you were in the wrong.

Nogitsune: The witch knows, but does she? Shall we show her, Stiles? Show her what you did to Donovan?

Stiles: Stop.

Nogitsune: How you stood there, staring at him. Watching him die. Only called for help when you were sure he was dead?

Bonnie: It's okay. You can show me. Show me all of it.

Stiles: No, please no.

Bonnie: Obstacles, Stiles. He's holding your secrets over you - in order to get rid of him, you need to have nothing to hide. [a beat] I'll show you mine?

Stiles: You don't have to

Bonnie: You have to cross this one way or another, Stiles. You have to put it all on the line, so whatever you need me to do to help you do that.

Stiles: [staring at his shadow self, and the shadow self smirks. The scene shifts to the library. Climbing the scaffolding. Stiles struggling for the pin. Donovan seeing it. His eyes widening, begging to stop but Stiles smirking and pulling the pin. Donovan falling, impaled. Stiles climbing down, listening to him beg. Twisting the pipe a bit]

Bonnie: [her eyebrows go up at that] Don't con a con. [And she will close her eyes, beginning to murmur a spell that finds the truth]

Stiles: [and it will back up, and Stiles beaten, shoulder bloody reaching for the pin as Donovan grabs his leg. The pin goes, Donovan falls. Stiles climbs down, but Donovan is dead. Stiles just stands there, then goes to try and pull the pipe out, then just stares at his bloody hands]

Bonnie: There. That's better.

Stiles: [looking at his bloody hands] I still wanted him dead

Bonnie: Did you? Or did you just want to survive? There's a difference.

Stiles: Both. He tried to kill me. Threatened to kill my dad.

Bonnie: Did you plan to kill him?

Stiles: No. He was trying to kill me.

Bonnie: Then that's not the same as murder.

Stiles: I know. Justifiable Homicide. Self defense. But I still killed someone

Bonnie: Yes. You did. But that doesn't make you like the creature who's trying to manipulate you. He intends to kill. He doesn't care about the blood on his hands. You do. He's trying to pull you down on his level and you're not. You're better than that. Show him that.

Stiles: [and he looks at his bloody hands, shaking. He closes his hands, making fists as he takes a deep breath] How do I show him?

Bonnie: That's for you to decide. I can't do that for you.

Nogitsune: You can't, Stiles. We are a part of each other. You know it.

Stiles: No, I'm not like you.

Nogitsune: You enjoy it. The tricks. The power. I can give you all the power you crave if you just let me back in.

Bonnie: It's up to you, Stiles. Is he in, or is he out?

Stiles: He’s out. [his hands fist, and he looks up to stare the nogitsune down]

Nogitsune: You do not have a divine move this time, Stiles. You will not win again.

Bonnie: You can do it, Stiles. And you may not have a divine move, but you have me.

Stiles: I need to force him out, right?

Bonnie: Yep.

Stiles: Good. I'm going to try something then.

Nogitsune: Give it your best shot.

Stiles: [the only thing he could think of was out of a movie, and so he just imagined a powerful force flowing through him and he raised his arms and hands and just 'pushed'. Trying to use that Force to push the nogitsune out of him]

Bonnie: [will step back and watch, ready to lend him her power if he needs it]

Nogitsune: [and it will throw him back a good few feet, and he will growl, his eyes glaring at Stiles] I will kill them all for that.

Stiles: No you won't. You're not going to hurt anyone again.

Bonnie: You've got this, Stiles.

Stiles: Get. Out. [gritting his teeth, he tried to go it again, and this time he threw the nogitsune across the room.] And STAY OUT. [one more time, and the nogitsune hit the wall and disappeared into black smoke that faded away]

Bonnie: [as he forces the nogitsune out it's like a shockwave that runs out through them and they're both rocketed back to the present. Bonnie opens her eyes and looks up at him, raising her eyebrows] How's that feel?

Stiles: [he's panting hard, looking around a moment and it's almost as is his eyes glow a bluish tint a moment as the power fades back out of him before he focuses on her] I don't know.

Bonnie: Just ... let it settle for a moment.

Stiles: [nods, leaning back, and then he realizes his arms are shaking and he leans forward instead] I think I could use a drink now.

Bonnie: I'll get the whiskey.

Stiles: Thanks

Bonnie: [and she'll had back to the kitchen for the bottle and glasses]

Stiles: Thanks. [and he will reach for a glass with shaking hands] How did I do that?

Bonnie: It's your mind. You have more control over it than you think.

Stiles: I'm thinking more the whole Force push thing.

Bonnie: As I said, it's your mind.

Stiles: Yeah, but... [looks at her] The reason I went to New Orleans was because I wasn't sure if my body is just some piece of magic or not, and if I need to worry about like fading away one day

Bonnie: And clearly you're still here.

Stiles: So if I am, it's not tied to the nogitsune at least.

Bonnie: Apparently not.

Stiles: I never felt like this before it though. And it's really been noticeable after the riders

Bonnie: What riders?

Stiles: Ghost Riders.

Bonnie: Which are? We don't get a whole lot of ghosts in Mystic Falls.

Stiles: The Wild Hunt?

Bonnie: Like the old Norse story?

Stiles: Yeah. We got a hellhound as a deputy in town, curtesy of the nemeton bat signal

Bonnie: Fun times.

Stiles: But yeah. I got taken by them, and my life was erased for a while. Which sucks because my girlfriend was pregnant at the time and suddenly she didn't remember me and let's just say when I got back everything was a little messed up

Bonnie: Sounds like it.

Stiles: There's this thing Deaton talks about - a returning to the mean. Things balancing out. I need that, and I really think that this is something I have to figure out too before I can find my balance again

Bonnie: So why didn't you ask Alan to help you? He wrote this ritual; he could have taken care of it in Beacon Hills.

Stiles: I... I kinda don't trust him. There's something about him I just never really felt completely okay with him.

Bonnie: So you come to his cousin instead?

Stiles: Better than Marian who pretty much told me she was going to kill me.

Bonnie: [she huffs a laugh] Marin is very take no prisoners. She takes after our ancestor, Emily, who tended to balance the greater good over everything else.

Stiles: She mentioned something about that

Bonnie: Emily possessed me once. She's a head trip.

Stiles: But you don't take after her, right?

Bonnie: No. My priorities are my people first, everyone else second. Which hasn't made me all that popular with the witch community.

Stiles: Move to Beacon Hills. That's kinda the motto Scott goes by. He could use more people on his side like that.

Bonnie: [she shakes her head] Mystic Falls is my home. I'm not leaving it in a lurch without a Bennett witch.

Stiles: Well, you ever change your mind, I can recommend a good loft apartment complex.

Bonnie: I'll keep that in mind.

Stiles: [finishes his whiskey] So um, how do you know then if you're magical?

Bonnie: For me it started with weird dreams. Prophetic visions. [a beat] spontaneously setting things on fire?

Stiles: I've been having dreams lately. Last few weeks about feathers. Falling around me like snow, but slowly. Kinda like the rain in Now You See Me 2?

Bonnie: [her head tips to the side with a smirk] Floating feathers was one of the first tricks I've learned.

Stiles: Seriously? [and he will pull put his phone and show her the playlist of videos about making feathers float he had been watching]

Bonnie: [laughs before shaking her head] That's not how mine worked.

Stiles: Can you show me?

Bonnie: Hand me that pillow.

Stiles: [does so]

Bonnie: [tears open the pillow, spreading the feathers around her. she then murmurs an incantation and the feathers slowly start to raise around her]

Stiles: [watches, his face enthralled] Wow

Bonnie: Yeah. It's Elena's favorite trick too.

Stiles: How did you do it?

Bonnie: It's a spell.

Stiles: I heard the words. I've seen Sam, Dean and Willow do them before. But like, the words and the energy part...

Bonnie: [she takes a deep breath] It's something that has to flow through you. To clear your focus so that all there is you and your power.

Stiles; Well that explains why I've been unable to do it. My head is not a quiet place

Bonnie: Meditation helps. So does finding things that center you.

Stiles: ... are you telling me I need to find an anchor?

Bonnie: Maybe not that literal. But I've found that emotion grounds me. The purer it is, the stronger the magic is.

Stiles: So something like love?

Bonnie: That's a good start.

Stiles: [nods] and the words -do you need them or are they like focusing things?

Bonnie: The words are important. Otherwise the magic could go wild.

Stiles: Can you teach me?

Bonnie: ... Sure. I can try, anyway.

Stiles: Do or do not, there is no try

Bonnie: [she snorts] Yeah, whatever. But not tonight. That cleansing spell wiped me out.

Stiles: Sure. I'll go find some place to crash.

Bonnie: There's a b and b down town.

Stiles: How expensive?

Bonnie: Not too bad? But you're not going to find a whole lot of crappy motels around here.

Stiles: I guess i could just sleep in my jeep.

Bonnie: [gives him a look] You're not going to sleep in your jeep.

Stiles: It's not like I haven't before. The back seat is surprisingly comfortable

Bonnie: [shakes her head] Go down to the sheriff's station, ask for a guy named Matt Donovan. Tell him I sent you and you need a place to stay.

Stiles: I'd prefer not to sleep in a jail cell? My dad is a cop and I've done that a few times. Hurts the back

Bonnie: I was thinking more his massive house with lots of guest bedrooms.

Stiles: Oh. Then yeah, I'll go down to the Sheriff's station

Bonnie: Good. And I'll see you tomorrow.

Stiles: See you tomorrow. And Bonnie... thanks.

Bonnie: Happy to help.

Stiles: [and off he will go to talk to Matt and he gets to get a room and will shower and then crash in the bed, suddenly exhausted]

Bonnie: [and Bonnie will have a drink and probably call Jeremy but spend a lazy night in]