royal_musings | [Open Post] Where the Streets Have No Name

Les considered the question for a minute. "I would say that, for the most part, your instincts are correct. If they are set on coming after you, like that monster from last night, there is no such thing as an honorable fight. That isn't to say that you may not come across someone or something that isn't so single-focused because you might."

She took a long swallow from her own water bottle and gave Piper a little smile. "I suppose you could look at it the same as your interactions with any human in general. Trust those gut instincts, they won't lead you astray. Personally, I wasn't always the greatest at it until recent years but it has helped."

"It may seem cliched but it also helped me to keep a record of everything my cousin and I came across. That way we could keep everything straight."

Ricky snorted. "Sometimes it's just easier to give in," he said, unable to help himself from commenting on their conversation.

"Don't let him fool you, those two hardly let Abby and I get away with anything," she muttered but gave Tyler a pleased grin nonetheless. She liked knowing that he found her beautiful.

Don snorted at the teasing but didn't deny it and gave Tyler a nod in acknowledgment.

She smiled. "Absolutely, I'm of the opinion that we can always learn a new thing or five from those around us." She grabbed his hand unconsciously and lead him back toward the door to the garage. "See you, boys, later," she called to Don and Ricky as they left and shut the door behind them so she could continue the tour of the sprawling house.

"So we have the kitchen, pantry, an office space that doubles up as an art space... usually Abby takes over that space on the weekends. With rent being astronomical here, we've all sort of pooled resources together to make do and live together. It's safer in the long run for the pack."

"Such hardship but we have to do it," Tyler teases, following after her as she leads him on to stop Tyler the rest of the house.

Every time he finds a pack to help, he learns more and more about what its like to live with other wolves. He's not like them, not with being a hybrid, but it's still a nice feeling to be part of it for the time being. If only because he just feels so separate from everyone else in his own world, even as close as he is to them. Now that he has to run, he's lost even that.

"You're a pack," he says with a nod, hearing the wistfulness in his tones in his own ears and wincing. "You should be together. Nice you can make it work for you all. Then, realizing how he sounds, he changes the subject. "What does Abby paint? Or is other kinds of art?"

"So... are you saying some of them can be reasoned with?" If she can talk her way out of a fight, that's useful to know. While she's not always been the best judge of character (usually when it comes to boyfriends) when danger is near her gut usually doesn't lead her astray. Last night is good proof of that.

"What? Like a monster diary? Do you have it with you?"

It wasn't every day they welcomed someone new into their home. Even with other wolves or "normal" humans, bringing someone here wasn't an everyday occurrence. They were selective about those they brought into their lives and so she was enjoying giving him a tour.

Les heard the wistfulness in his tone and looked at him with a tilt of her head. Somewhere, deep down she wished they could provide that sort of 'pack' like family for him. She wasn't sure where that feeling was coming from but she wasn't going to think about it for too long. Right now.

Later, her brain would go into overdrive but she'd let it go for now.

"Paint is her primary medium but sometimes she sketches with pen and ink. She started with people but she's gone into a landscape - sometimes fantasy landscape direction. A few of her pieces are hanging up around the house, I'll point them out when we get to them." Les was proud of her best friend and how far she'd come in her art. It suited her.

"Some of them can be reasoned with and what would be in it for them," Les said with a nod. "There will be the rare few that you come across who are too old to deal with the drama and don't want to be bothered. Honestly, they're the best to come across."

Her lips quirked up. "Yeah, like a monster diary. I have it back at my hotel so perhaps tomorrow I can share more details about them then?"

At this point in her life, if she could help another person facing the same things she did on a frequent basis, then it was worth it.

It's good to change the subject, and he's glad for it. A focus on something else than his pain and longing is good. This isn't about him and his desires but about ensuring this pack, like the others, is safe from Klaus Mikaelson.

So long as he manages that, it's worth how much it hurts not to have this.

"Good. I'd like to see them. She ever have them shown? I mean, I may know a few people that could help with that if she hasn't."

Les smiled. "Then I'll be sure to point them out as we walk around." She turned back toward the door and exited the room before answering. "She's had a few shows but she would gladly welcome the additional contacts. I know she's always looking to have more people see her art and potentially buy them. So that would be great if so," she said looking at him with a grin.

"Do you have any artistic pursuits you enjoy?" She found herself increasingly curious about him. She knew he had a tremendous weight on his shoulders so talking about other things that were less serious was good. And it gave her the opportunity to learn even more about him.

"The person I know is in Mystic Falls, but then that gets her works out that way, and they have connections in D.C. as well. Beautiful place in Falls Church I went to once," he adds, thinking about the trip. That had been before he found himself on the road, when he thought he could be a hybrid and still live his life with his friends. Before he learned the truth.

"Me? Naw. I was your stereotypical jock before we became original vampire central," he admits with a snort. "I was the golden child. My dad was mayor, my uncle an adventure, and my mother basically ran the town beside my dad. Until the Salvatores came back to town and brought trouble with them I was just an asshole and a jerk with good looks and a pretty good brain."

"That would be great," she grinned. "Her name has made it to south Florida but that's due to some connections from our side business. Having the extra push to D.C. and that area would be great." She was one of her best friend's biggest fans and was always promoting... well, everything—Abby's art, the shop, the tattoo shop. The list went on.

Les smirked. "Ah, so you'll fit right in then," she said. He had mentioned he had been a joke and an asshole and honestly, who was she to judge. The guys had all been assholes (still were in certain circumstances) with good looks and decent brains. "Exchange jock with gear head and the guys were basically the same."

They were walking toward the main set of stairs when they came across one of Abby's pieces hanging on the wall. She didn't normally draw people so she'd drawn and painted the entire group in their wolf forms. Anyone who came over and didn't know just thought there was a story there and likely didn't think too deeply about it. But they knew and that's what mattered. "This is one of hers. After this, I think she swore off any group pieces for at least five years."

"Too old for drama? That must be pretty old." She almost wants to laugh. She can't imagine it, but then again, she's always been a drama queen. The question of what she could offer any of the ones who will barter gets her thinking, though. Would the usual things like sex or her blood, she guesses, work for a trade? Probably better if she never has to find out.

"I think I'd really like that." She chews her bottom lip unconsciously. The thing is, she's not used to people staying around. Promises to meet tomorrow feel so sketchy when she hardly believes anyone really wants to give her a second pass. She thought she was okay with that but now she's actually excited by the idea of having someone else to talk about the weird things with. Someone who isn't going to look at her like a freak because of what she can do.

"You really mean that?"

"It was as much a surprise for me," Les admitted with a laugh. "But it's handy when you need information that they may or may not have and you find a way to make a trade."

She watched Piper's reaction and allowed herself a little smile. In recent days but for different reasons, she was just as untrusting with people and what they had to say and so she could recognize the uncertainty for what it was.

"Yeah, I mean that. With whatever or whoever may come through this place, you need all of the information you can use. You shouldn't have to learn the hard way as we did." Les paused, consideringly before continuing. "You could come to my hotel or... I can meet you back here or wherever you feel safe to discuss it?" She felt as safe as anywhere in her room with wards protecting it.

He finds himself glad to be able to do more for someone than just warn them and help them protect themselves. Maybe before he moved on to the next pack he could do some good for this one and help them out. One day he wouldn't be there, and hopefully Klaus would be gone too but if he wasn't, they needed all they could have and he'd do what he could for them.

Tyler laughs at that. "Yeah, but I can't change oil with my knowledge and you guys have a good business going here it looks like."

Unlike some packs they weren't hiding but living and thriving. After seeing that he knew he would do what he could to keep Klaus from destroying this for them.

He paused to look at the painting, taking in each wolf, their coloring, the image of a full pack there hung for all to see and knowing no one would see the truth. He couldn't help but smile at that.

"I so don't blame her." That was a lot of fur to paint. "I like you guys," he says suddenly before he can stop himself. "So many packs have made themselves small to the world. Hidden and lost from the rest of the world. You guys have a thriving business, you're... vibrant,' he says, turning to look at her. "It's beautiful."

Sure he's talking about the pack but he even realizes he could mean more. Like her.

"Pfft, we can teach you how to change your oil. I can teach you in no time," she said with a little hand wave. "It's easy," she paused and gave him a look over with a considering hum. "You'll just have to get a little dirty is all," Les finished with a teasing grin.

Les glanced at him (he was more distracting than he had a right to be, thank you) as he looked at the painting before returning her attention to the wolves staring back. She smiled when he mentioned liking them. "Thanks. Being small and hiding from the world isn't our MO." Not that their side hustles were exactly legal but it sure made it fun.

While she was so sure he was speaking about the pack, she felt his gaze on her and felt heat creep up her neck. "I'm not sure about beautiful but it suits us," she mused, glancing at him again.

"Come on, there's more to see," she grabbed his hand and pulled him away and giving him a tour of the first floor. After returning to the living room some minutes later, she motioned to the stairs. "The rest of the rooms upstairs are bedrooms and bathrooms. Nothing too exciting to see up there." Except her room, where had that thought come from??

She glanced over at the time before turning to look at him. "You're probably exhausted and here I am taking up all your time," she shook her head.

"Remember that when I'm covered in oil," he says, knowing he's going to let her teach him and make one step to being independent. It'll be good for him to know.

He pauses, giving her a look. "Did you just tell me you're going to get me dirty? Is that what you said?" He can't help himself. It feels like the Tyler Lockwood he'd once been and he had forgotten how that felt.

He's still watching her though, even as she argues that about being beautiful. "Well then, trust me on it. Definitely beautiful."

And he knows he's not talking about the pack and their actions, and he's not hiding that either. Maybe it's too much but he can't help himself.

His fingers curl around hers and when the tour's over, he doesn't let go. Not until she does. He just doesn't want to.

"I'm kinda tired, yeah but been enjoying myself too much. You can always take up my time."

"It's a good thing I like a guy with a little oil on him," she said offhandedly, with a little grin. Hoping he'd let her teach him. Everyone should know how to change their oil if they are able to.

The little grin widened at his question which made her laugh. "Yeah, suppose I did," she smirked. "Besides, you stick around long enough and it'll be more than just a little oil."

Les glanced at him and found him watching her, causing her to smile. "Then I'll take your word for it."

Truth be told, she hadn't even realized she was still holding his hand well after the tour was over. And still, she didn't want to let his hand go. "You just remember you said that when you get some random text message in the middle of the night." She paused. "Come by the garage tomorrow and we'll get your car worked on. I'll teach you how to change your oil."

And she wanted to see him again.

"Oh so you like 'em dirty," he teases, definitely flirting now. "I guess I can work with that."

And he is finding that he enjoys it. Not only that but believing she is definitely flirting as well.

Unlike her, Tyler is acutely aware he's holding her hand. It feels familiar, and like something he hasn't had since his other lifetime. That time before he realized he had to do more than just try and be normal, something he wasn't anymore.

"Tomorrow sounds good. Should I bring by lunch maybe?"

That's not a date, right? Even if it's a meal and an activity?

"In more ways than one," she teases with a wink. She was definitely flirting with him, unable to help herself.

She was feeling drawn to him. She wasn't the easiest person to get to know but perhaps because of why he was here, Les felt she could trust him.

Les slides her thumb over the back of his hand and grins. "I'd like that," she nods. Was it a date if it also included one of the others? The truth was if only to herself, she was going to count it as a date.

He had thought she had been flirting but he hadn't been sure. Now he is definitely sure of it. More than that, he likes it.

He uses that hold of their hands to draw her in a bit closer, even as he slows his steps.

"You gonna let me take you out for dinner too?"

"Dinner, hm? I don't know," she drawls out, sending him a smirk and letting him draw her in a little closer. She places her other hand on his chest.

"That may depend on how lunch goes."

Les couldn't help herself, to flirt and tease him like this - it was fun. And the fact that he seemed to like it and was interested in her as well, was even better.

He considers her with a grin, loving how this is going. It feels exciting and so different than where his life has been for months going on years.

"I guess I'll just have to be on my best behavior then, won't I?

Not that he didn't have plans for that. For so many reasons.

She leans up and whispers into his ear. "It's okay if you're not on your best behavior too."

Les pulls back with a grin, her hand sliding from his chest. "So lunch tomorrow and then dinner. And, don't be too surprised if the guys want to take you out sometime."

Even as men, she was sure they'd be a little overprotective. As wolves, that was especially true.

[Open Post] Where the Streets Have No Name

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