darkest timeline } { of bagels and alpha summits

[impetere]

Cora: [and back in the (new) present timeline, Cora bumps open the front door of the apartment as she comes back from her run, brown bag of bagels resting on her hip. It's a lazy Saturday morning, but since school continues to wreak havoc on her sleep schedule, she was up far too early. A nice run has mellowed her out a bit, and she stopped at their favorite deli on the way back to get some breakfast. Because it's better than her trying to attempt to cook it] Peter! I come bearing bagels.

Peter: You're an angel. I'll be right down. [his voice is coming from upstairs as he fixes his tie, then slips his badge into his pocket. He wasn't a rookie detective anymore, but he enjoyed wearing his suits. So he comes downstairs humming "Sharped Dressed Man" to himself as he went to the kitchen to find his niece]

Cora: [raises an eyebrow when she sees him, while continuing to lay out the spoils. A wide range of flavor options and a selection of cream cheese] You're in a good mood.

Peter: It's a good day. We wrapped up the Marcelus case yesterday, so today we'll get a new puzzle to solve.

Cora: [shakes her head] You know there are other, less bloody puzzles you could be solving.

Peter: But where would the fun in that be? [he leans over to kiss the top of her head.] What's on your agenda for the day?

Cora: Nothing too special. Hal's getting some kind of campus award on Thursday, so I have to find something to wear. [and she'll just breeze right past that an hope that he'll forget the fact that Thursday is when the rest of the Hales are arriving from Beacon Hills]

Peter: [nope, he rolled an 18] Will you be back by the time your mother and siblings arrive?

Cora: When are they getting in?

Peter: Their flight arrives at three. I've arranged for a car to pick them up and take them to the Air B and B that I booked for them near central park. We're expected to meet them for dinner at seven.

Cora: No, Hal's thing is also at seven.

Peter: Hmm. [he should tell her not to go, since this is their alpha. But he's pretty much raised Cora for half her life, and knows that won't work. Plus, he wouldn't want to force her to anyway.] Go to Hal's event, but afterward take an Uber to join us for dessert. I'll cover for you until then, but you know you need to at least make an appearance.

Cora: Fine. [and she will show up, but she's not thrilled about her mother being in town. Derek and Laura, yes, but not so much Talia] I'll do my best. But she is going to be here for two weeks.

Peter: And busy and you will probably not see much of her at all after that until they are about ready to leave, so getting it out of the way now will show her respect as your alpha and mother, and allow you not to hold onto the dread you feel.

Cora: [rolls her shoulders a bit, but she nods] I'll try and get there as soon as I can.

Peter: Good. And when we're done, you can go back and really celebrate with Hal. [he doesn't want details]

Cora: [she's not gonna give them] Are Derek and Laura going to be as busy as mom?

Peter: Not as much, but they will be busy. You should probably text your brother about it. He'll be the one with the most time.

Cora: I will do that. [it'll be good to spend some time with him] Maybe Laura and I can at least watch a movie or something one night.

Peter: Maybe. I'm sure she'll be eager for reasons to get away

Cora: You think so?

Peter: Oh yeah. You know every single alpha in all the packs are going to be eyeing her both as potential alliances as well as more physical relationships.

Cora: [eyeroll] Also a reason why I don't want to be near any of this. Being neither the heir nor the spare means they think they can try to barter for me like some kind of werewolf arranged marriage. [she wrinkles her nose] No thank you.

Peter: [realizes this] You will probably want to warn Hal about this in case they come sniffing around. Literally.

Cora: [she nods] Yeah, I'll tell him. [they also might just hide in his apartment. She will be avoiding werewolf gatherings as much as she can]

Peter: [looks at his watch] And I need to get going. I'll see you tonight.

Cora: [offers him a smile as she takes a bite out of her bagel] Have fun with your murder puzzles.

Peter: [laughs and grabs another bagel on his way out]

Cora: [and once he's gone, and she finishes her breakfast, she'll shower off her run and shoot off texts to both Derek and Laura] What does your schedule look like while you're here?

Derek: [and he's still asleep. Time zones, Cora. But he will text her back after he's woken up] Not a lot. Mainly working to keep Stiles from starting an inter-species incident.
I
Cora: Stiles Stilinski?

Derek: Yeah. You're friends with Verity Price, right?

Cora: Yeah, I hang out at Freakshow sometimes. Why?

Derek: Stiles is her cousin, and he's been learning the family business locally. Mom's had me partner with him, mostly to keep him from getting killed.

Cora: And he's coming to New York too?

Derek: Yup. Very and him are swapping locations.

Cora: [and she brightens slightly] Since you're partners, does that mean you're staying too?

Derek: That's yet to be decided. If Stiles manages to blow up New York, I'm getting as far away as possible. [he won't. He's a good person and friend]

Cora: Well, if you want, we could all hang out together one night? I don't think Freakshow is your thing, but maybe we could go to the Abattoir? It's a really chill cryptid friendly bar.

Derek: That'd be great. Wait, when did you get old enough to drink? [teasing]

Cora: I'm a full on grad student now. [only in year one, but still!] But I would like some time just us if you could swing it. Laura's grabbing me one night for a zombie movie marathon that I'm going to regret, but I should have time.

Derek: Cora, I'll give you all the time I can. I've missed you.

Cora: I've missed you too. How have things been in Beacon Hills otherwise?

Derek: Boring, as always.

Cora: Isn't that a good thing, given that it's Beacon Hills and when things aren't boring people die?

Derek: ... You make a fair point.

Cora: But I bet you're looking forward to being out of town for a while.

Derek: Oh yeah. Definitely.

Cora: Anything you want to see while you're out here?

Derek: Not really. Surprise me.

Cora: Okay. I'll figure something out. I'm gonna be running a little late for dinner, but I'll be there for dessert.

Derek: Great. See you then.

Cora: [and once that is done, she'll swap to Hal] So I might have to duck out for a little bit after the ceremony, but we can meet up after? It's a family thing.

Hal: This the family thing you didn't want to go to?

Cora: Unfortunately. But Peter said it's better to rip the band aid off than putting it off, and occasionally he is right.

Hal: True. And that does sound pretty smart. You'll just have to make it up to me later.

Cora: I will. Promise. I might also need another favor though.

Hal: Oh? What's that?

Cora: So there's this big werewolf summit coming into town which might mean that a bunch of alphas are going to be selling me on the qualities of their sons, so ... would you mind if I called you my boyfriend for the next two weeks?

Hal: Do I need to be near any of these alphas?

Cora: Absolutely not. I just need you to be aware that I'm fully misrepresenting our relationship to a bunch of total strangers.

Hal: Should I buy you a ring or something?

Cora: No, because that means my mother has to get involved.

Hal: Ah, okay. got it

Cora: I just need to be able to go "Oh sorry, I have a boyfriend" if gross werewolves decide they want to try and get in my pants.

Hal: Well, I am perfect boyfriend material.

Cora: It's true. You are pretty solid.

Hal: But yeah, consider us dating. Totally serious.

Cora: I mean, we definitely have the physical aspects down.

Hal: And I think I may have some fun and spoil you a bit. Just to sell it.

Cora: [and that makes her smile] Makes sense. We have to be very convincing.

Hal: So I need to know what kind of flowers you like because I'm not going to send you stuff you don't like. [he already knows the whole snack/chocolate/clothing sizes part]

Cora: Lilies are good? I do like flowers, but I can't really say I have a favorite.

Hal: Hmm. I just may have to try a few things to discover this. >:)

Cora: Well, experimentation is always the best way to make a discovery.

Hal: So Peter knows you're gonna be staying at my place most of the time, right?

Cora: Actually, I learned that my mother is staying at a air b and b. So home is safe.

Hal: ...... but I doubt Peter wants me there for most of the week. Though. Maybe it would be a good idea. Alphas and all.

Cora: Peter doesn't mind. You're welcome here anytime. Just know that my siblings might be around and they would be less used to our relationship.

Hal: Yeah, but you're an adult and they can deal

Cora: Exactly. So if you feel safer staying here, you can stay here.

Hal: Yeah, I think so. I mean, it's not like I'm in danger or anything anymore, but I still don't know why he wanted me out of everyone, so I'd rather not let other alphas have an opportunity.

Cora: Okay. I'll let Peter know. You are free to skip the Hale family dinner, though.

Hal: I'll stop by tomorrow to bring some stuff over. Make it look lived in.

Cora: Perfect. I'll see you then. [and she will also send a text to Peter, saying that Hal is going to be crashing at their place for alpha reasons. should be fine, right?]

Peter: That's fine. Probably best for him, all things considered.

Cora: That's what we thought too. He feels safer here.

Peter: Well, I know Ivanov is not going to enjoy mine or Talia's company during this summit. Hal's safety is one of my concerns with the local pack meetings

Cora: So are you saying that keeping him close to Mom is a good idea? [because that is not what she wants, but...]

Peter: I said local packs. We're liaisons, but the Hales are not considered local.

Cora: ... Then should we talk to Victor?

Peter: Perhaps.

Cora: I'll see if Fi is free for a drink. Worst comes to worst, we can use Derek's connections with the new Price.

Peter: Derek's..... oh God, Stilinski is coming to New York?

Cora: Apparently Very is taking a break and Stiles is rotating in.

Peter: I must talk to Victor then, before Nik accidently breaks him.

Cora: Have fun.