spamalot } { of surly alphas and awkward dinners

[impetere]

Cora: [in their bedroom, shuffling through her jewelry] Just don't let him intimidate you.

Stiles: [straightening his tie] I won't. I'm just going to stick to non-werewolfy topics.

Cora: Good. And don't let him bait you either. He's a politician, he's good at that.

Stiles: You are free to kick me under the table if you think I need to change the subject.

Cora: Just ... this isn't going to be a fun dinner party.

Stiles: We're having dinner with the family that tried to marry Tyler off to Klaus' brother's mate when they knew their only son was in love with someone else and it took another alpha to come in to his rescue, and now they are here on another coast to witness the wedding that should have been to her but is instead to Caroline and just further emphasizing the fact their son doesn't want anything to do with his tyrannical pack business. [grins and turns to look at Cora] I didn't think it was going to fun at all.

Cora: [she laughs] It would be fun if Klaus was going. But if Klaus was going it would also probably end in us getting kicked out of the restaurant.

Cora: We'll save that for later in the week when he, Elijah and Andrea fly in for the wedding. [she takes a breath, before making her way closer and leaning into kiss him] Thank you for doing this. I know it'll mean a lot to Tyler.

Stiles: Hey, Tyler and I are totally bros now. If it helps him and Caroline, I'm glad to do it. Just remind me not to add his father to the list of wolves I break my hand on their face.

Cora: Will do. [she takes a breath] Alright. Let's go.

Stiles: [grabs his jacket and then holds out his arm to her] And remember, I've got you too.

Cora: You do. [she nods as she takes his arm] Carol is really nice though. I think you'll like her.

Stiles: I guess we'll see.

Cora: We will. [And off they go to the restaurant! Carol and Richard are already there, looking distant and just peering at their respective menus]

Tyler: [and he's already there, just as quiet and giving Caroline small, it's going to be fine right? type smile. And then he sees Cora and Stiles enter and he smiles and stands up] Cora, over here.

Stiles: [yeah, this isn't awkward at all. He's just going to be the quiet person on her arm]

Carol: [glances up with a smile, before getting up as well to give Cora a hug] It's so good to see you again.

Cora: [there's a genuine smile to Carol as she leans into the hug] It's good to see you too. [and with that she steps back and gestures to Stiles] This is my fiancé, Stiles. Stiles, this is Carol Lockwood, Tyler's mom.

Carol: [a bright smile] Stiles! Nice to meet you.

Stiles: It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mrs. Lockwood.

Tyler: And Stiles, this is my father, Richard Lockwood.

Richard: [barely even glances up before he goes back to the menu again] Cora.

Cora: Richard.

Richard: [looks up again and there's a small staring battle of wills before he looks back down again] Well, sit. I'm sure the waiter will be back to take our order soon.

Stiles: [mouths "oh-kay" to both of them before going to pull Cora's chair out for her - totally top manners in a fancy restaurant like this - before sitting next to her]

Tyler: I was just about to tell my mom about the part of the preserve that we're having the wedding at. It's the same plot your sister was married on, right?

Cora: [nods with a smile] Yeah. It's really pretty. I'm sure you and Caroline will love figuring out the layout.

Carol: It sounds lovely. And a small little at home wedding is probably what would have been done in Mystic Falls too.

Cora: My mom's always happy to use the land for things like this, so I'm sure she'll tell you whatever you need to know.

Stiles: Just keep your notes, Caroline. I'm pretty sure we're going to need it next year.

Caroline: Oh, don't worry. I've already started.

Cora: [peers around Stiles at Caroline] When did you start planning my wedding?

Caroline: Wheeeen you told me you got engaged? [innocent smile]

Cora: When were you going to tell me?

Caroline: After my wedding?

Tyler: I would have told you, but I was sworn to secrecy when I walked into the pre-pre wedding planning meeting between her and Lydia.

Stiles: I take it I’m not going to be involved in the planning at all, am I?

Cora: Considering it seems like I'm going to be barely involved, I'm going to say no.

Caroline: You get to pick your tux. And your bride. I can handle the rest.

Stiles: Well, the bride part was easy. [smiles and takes Cora's hand] I may need Lydia's help with the tux though.

Tyler: Hey, at least they are giving you the option to pick your tux.

Caroline: [glances over at him with a smile] It's a nice tux!

Carol: And you've never picked your own tux. [sorry, Tyler. Mom knows]

Tyler: Yes, but the point it, I should get the chance to pick my own. Even if I end up looking like I'm Elvis.

Caroline: You are not looking like Elvis at my wedding.

Cora: Yeah, Tyler, you kinda signed that right away when you decided to marry her.

Tyler: I guess it's a good thing I love her then.

Stiles: We can dress you like Elvis later though, if you really feel that urge.

Cora: That's true. There's always the bachelor party.

Stiles: But obviously it'll be young Elvis. You don't have the belly for old Elvis.

Tyler: I'll think about it.

Richard: [rolls his eyes as the waiter comes up and mutters a "finally" under his breath before placing his order]

Tyler: [and surprise, surprise, the wolf is ordering the steak]

Stiles: [and he's going to fumble with the menu a moment to look at it, and then order something that was chicken in a sauce]

Caroline: [and Carol both order salads while Cora is ordering pasta and Richard has a steak as well]

Tyler: [and he takes Caroline's hand under the table, not knowing what to do since there are no real safe topics to talk about]

Stiles: [after a bit] So um, Ty, how's that bar that you and Matt are planning going along?

Carol: [pauses before looking up] A bar? [mostly curious, totally not judgy]

Tyler: Yeah. We um... there was this bar going out of business near our apartment and Matt and I were talking and we decided to buy it and make it into something a bit more modern but still sophisticated

Carol: [a small smile] That sounds lovely.

Caroline: It's going to be great. They have a really good base to work with, and I know some construction people in town that'll help with the work.

Stiles: And I'm going to help with getting the online presence up and running, work on getting people interested before it even opens so there will already be a customer base ready for opening day.

Carol: What do you do, Stiles?

Stiles: Oh, I actually own my own internet marking company I used to work at Google, but I moved back home and started the company with my team and we've been pretty successful so far.

Richard: [eyebrows go up] You quit one of the most successful businesses in the country to start your own business?

Carol: Richard.

Stiles: Something like that. I'm actually a lot happier now, and making more money, and get time to spend with my daughter and Cora, so it was the right choice.

Richard: [looks unimpressed]

Carol: [is changing a subject] Oh, you have a daughter?

Stiles: Yeah, Claudia. She's four now. You'll probably get to see her running around while you're here. She's debating right now on if she wants to be a superhero or a princess, or both.

Cora: My vote is for both.

Carol: You really can't go wrong with both.

Tyler: She's adorable, Mom. She’s this tiny little blonde ball of energy. [looks at Caroline] Pretty sure she's helping prepare us for when we have kids.

Stiles: I've offered to sell her to them, but they aren't ready just yet.

Caroline: Also, I'm pretty sure Dina would veto the sale. She's getting way too attached to Cora to let her go without a fight.

Stiles: I know, my whole plan to sell her to the circus when she was five is probably going to end up being scrapped.

Cora: Sorry, I kinda want to keep her.

Carol: There's always summer camp.

Stiles: Yeah, things we'll have to look into after we're married.

Tyler: Guess we'll just have to make one of our own then, Care. [grins]

Caroline: [grins at him] I think we'll manage.

Richard: [rolls his eyes again]

Tyler: [he saw that and sighed, then looked at his mother and shook his head slightly]

Carol: [just sighs and looks apologetic. She tries, but Lockwood men are stubborn] Mason's coming out for the wedding, by the way.

Tyler: [eyebrows up, smiling] Really? That’s great. I wasn't sure if he had time.

Carol: [nods with a smile] He called right before we got on the plane - he said I could tell you when I got here.

Richard: [looking less than pleased with that too]

Caroline: [quietly to Stiles] Mason is Tyler's uncle. He is pretty awesome.

Stiles: [just as quietly] So totally not like his dad then. That's a relief.

Tyler: I'll text him tonight and make sure I've got arrangements set for him then.

Caroline: Yep. Pretty much.

Richard: You two are aware that we can hear you, aren't you?

Carol: Richard.

Stiles: [looks back up at him, not apologetic at all] I've been around Cora's family since I was sixteen. I'm pretty well aware of how good your hearing is.

Tyler: [blinks, then yeah, he forgot - Stiles doesn't get scared at wolves] Dad.

Richard: Then let's try keeping the snide comments to yourselves, then. Save it for after dinner.

Cora: [totally staring him down] Funny, coming from someone who's barely said two words since we sat down.

Stiles: And I wasn't being snide. I'd have to be mocking you to be snide. I was just stating fact.

Tyler: [sighs] Stiles...

Cora: [and there will be that light nudge under the table]

Caroline: The Gilberts are flying out too. But they're mostly there to help the McCalls with the babysitting.

Carol: [smirks] They don't get to see Ellie and the new baby enough as it is. I am not surprised.

Stiles: [yup, taking the clue and shutting up...]

Tyler: I think Bonnie's grams is coming out too. At least that was what I got the RSVP for this afternoon... [may not have told you that yet, Caroline]

Caroline: [bright grin] Miss Sheila is coming?

Tyler: Yup. She said there was no way she was going to miss your wedding even if it was on the other side of the world.

Caroline: [happy claps] Bonnie didn't tell me. That's awesome!

Carol: [and they talk some more about harmless wedding things, and eventually Carol speaks up] Well, I think we should get the check.

Richard: Finally.

Tyler: Probably a good time.

Stiles: [nods as well, having taken the quiet route unless prompted at this point]

Cora: Well, it was nice seeing you both again. I guess we'll see you at the rehearsal dinner?

Carol: [nods with a smile as they all start to get up to get ready to go] Cora, if I could have a moment before we go.

Cora: Of course.

Stiles: I guess... I’ll just wait here. [his fingers drumming on the chair he had just pulled out for her.]

Cora: [small smile] I'll be right back. [and with that she and Carol will move to the bar, where they're out of earshot]

Tyler: I'm going to run to the restroom. [and he will leave Stiles and Caroline alone with Richard for a moment, but he knows Cora will be in earshot still]

Richard: [eyes them both before snorting dismissively, shaking his head as he dons his jacket]

Stiles: [goes and sits back with Caroline, ignoring Richard] Oh, YoYo wanted me to float a few ideas past you on the whole camera versus no camera idea for the wedding and how to have a real time wedding collage that people can take pictures with their phones and upload it to an app he writes that will then make you a virtual wedding photo album that you can later upload to any of the book printing sites to print later.

Caroline: ... Is there a simpler way to put that so that, like, my eighty year-old grandmother would get that?

Stlies: Oh, on the user end, they would just open up the app instead of the camera and it would let them take pictures. Still save it to their phone but it'll also upload it to the cloud.

Caroline: So it's like digital disposable cameras?

Stiles: Kinda, just no pile of camera waste. Everyone already has their cell phone so you're saving the expense of buying a tiny pile of them and the cost of getting them developed

Caroline: [taps her fingers against her hand] Could I be able to include that as part of my wedding planning package? Because that would be great.

Stiles: I was actually going to say, if you're willing to be our live test wedding and approve a few photos for us to use for later advertising, I'll toss it in for free.

Caroline: [grins] Totally! Oh, that'll be perfect.

Stiles: [grins] Great. I'll draft up the details and when you guys come by next week to look over the rest of the stuff, we can show you the beta form. [since Yoyo has already started the coding]

Caroline: [yay excited. She has a new toy.]

Richard: [is just standing there, looking sullen and annoyed]

Stiles: [and nope, he's just focusing on Caroline. You don't exist in his world unless you talk to him, Richard] I think you're a really going to like the stuff he and Neha have been coming up with. Though Billy has been trying to help out. So I apologize for any Flashdance music.

Caroline: Hey, I love the eighties. Flashdance works for me.

Richard: Still stuck in those decade dances.

Stiles: Hey, music is music. Doesn't matter when it was made, as long as it's got a good beat to dance too. [winks at Caroline]

Richard: I'm surprised the wedding didn't have a decade theme.

Caroline: [there's a brief look in his direction, but none of the trademark Caroline Forbes sass. She isn't scared of a lot of things but she is scared of him] In high school we had dances to correspond with the various decades. I was usually on the committees for all of them.

Stiles: [notices that, and just side eyes Richard a bit] Yeah, and you've got a great reputation for being a party planner, so I don't see why that's a bad thing. You've just expanded your idea of themes, that's all.

Caroline: [she shrugs] When you're from a small town, it's the little things you get remembered for.

Stiles: Hey, I know this. I'm from a small town too, one that you’re not in. People remember all the little things.

Caroline: [nods a bit, but she's glancing over Stiles’ shoulder, waiting for Tyler come back] They do. And they never let you live it down.

Tyler: [sorry, he got distracted by his cell phone, which he's looking at as he walks back]

Stiles: Well, good thing you're far from Mystic Falls. None of the people here really know all about any of that.

Caroline: [when she sees him she relaxes a bit, glancing back at Stiles with a smile] That is true. Everyone will be surprised.

Stiles: It'll provide you with years of stories to tell people.

Caroline: Indeed. [And once Tyler is close enough, she's reaching for his hand] Ready to go?

Tyler: Yeah, I'm good. [looks over to where his mom and Cora were, running his teeth over his lips] I'll call Mom tomorrow. She and Cora seem to be into their talk. Stiles, you be okay?

Stiles: Yeah, I'm fine. We've got another hour before we're due to pick up Dina. You kids go have fun.

Caroline: [gives him a small sympathetic smile] I'll see you later. We can talk about that app thing.

Stiles: [waves goodbye as Tyler takes Caroline's arm and they leave, and then just sits and watches Cora, fingers nervously tapping along his thigh]

Richard: Do the Hales make a habit of picking such fragile mates?

Stiles: I'd like to see you say that to the medical surgeon tanuki and see his reaction. [he rolls his eyes, but doesn't turn to face him]

Richard: [there's a sharp bark of a laugh at that] Tanuki. Figures.

Stiles: Wow, you know everyone talks about how much of a jerk you are, but I didn't think speciesist was on the list. Guess you can still surprise people.

Richard: You know, it's people like Talia Hale are what's wrong with packs today. She makes people too comfortable. Makes them think they can say whatever they think, but there is a reason why humans are afraid of wolves, kid. [his eyes flash red as he leans forward on the table, staring him down] Might do you some good to remember that.

Stiles: [he looks back at Richard and stands up, leaning forward with an unwavering look back] There are things in this world a lot worse the wolves. Your little eye trick doesn't scare me, and even if I didn't know that the Hales had my back, I've faced down people worse than you. And I refuse to be scared by bullies.

Cora: [Richard gives him a long slow smirk as Cora comes up behind Stiles, placing a hand between his shoulder blades gently] We should get going.

Stiles: [he just watches Richard a moment, wondering what that look was about before he stood up and looked at Cora] Yeah, I think I'm ready to go home.

Carol: [is not looking pleased with Richard, before turning back to Cora with a small smile] See you at the rehearsal dinner.

Cora: [nods with the same smile] See you then. [and she'll take Stiles’ arm gently before leading him out]

Stiles: Tyler said he would call you tomorrow. It was nice to meet you, Carol. [he just gives Richard a curt nod, and then goes with Cora out]

Cora: [leads him out, giving his arm a squeeze as she does] You okay?

Stiles: Yeah, I'm fine. Why?

Cora: Because he's a jackass?

Stiles: I've dealt with worse. And that was during my internship at google.

Cora: [she smirks a bit at that before leaning into him a bit] Thank you, again, for coming tonight.

Stiles: No, it’s fine. I have learned to appreciate Tyler and Klaus a lot more in a single evening.

Cora: [she laughs a bit] When Klaus gets here, things'll really get interesting.

Stiles: I won't lie in saying that I'm kinda looking forward to it.

Cora: I'm just glad he's bringing Elijah with him.

Stiles: Andrea too then, right?

Cora: [she nods] And a date for Klaus, if he decides to bring one.

Stiles: That would be him taking an initiative and talking to the girl that works at the bar he's hot over.

Cora: [blinks as she glances to him] Who?

Stiles: Oh, I didn't tell you? [grins] Klaus and I had a touching moment talking about humans dating wolves and the pros and cons and I got to witness him making longing looks at a bar owner he will never talk to because he can't mate with anyone without turning them.

Cora: Awww. Poor puppy.

Stiles: Yeah. I actually kinda feel for him. We both know what it's like to know who we want to spend the rest of our lives with and feeling we can't have it.

Cora: [she nods a bit] I'm sure he'll figure it out.

Stiles: I hope so.

Cora: [gives his and a squeeze] Klaus usually finds a way to get what he wants.

Stiles: I think it's more complicated than that, but it's his story to tell.

Cora: I'll have to ask him about it when he gets here.

Stiles: You can tell him I didn't give you details and totally respected his privacy.

Cora: I will be sure to.

Stiles: [grins and just goes to move with her back home] This is going to be a very interesting week.

Cora: Yes it is.