Secrets, Plans & Aftereffects

Kieran's Penthouse

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Characters

Siobhan Donovan	Jenna Donovan	Brooke Bishop	Serafine Roche	Kieran Collins	Harper Donovan

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It's been over a month since It happened. In all that time, Siobhan hasn't seen Brooke. She's spoken to her. Emailed. Texted. Face to face conversation? Hasn't happened. It's not that she doesn't care or doesn't want to see the older woman, but each time she thinks of it, she worries that it'll just send them back to that place and that moment and Siobhan doesn't want to go there. However, her shrink (her mother-in-law) has hinted and suggested more than once that seeing Brooke again would be a good idea. Healthy. A step forward. The last time it wasn't so much a suggestion as an 'assignment.'
The hybrid did call ahead before coming, to make certain that Brooke was up to the visit and that Siobhan wouldn't be disturbing her. She's not alone, though, because Siobhan refuses to go anywhere alone. Jenna is with her and after having the door man call up, they've been told that they can go up the elevator. It stops at the penthouse and Siobhan actually peeks into the outside foyer before stepping out of the elevator and stepping up to ring the buzzer.

—-

The amusing thing at the moment, is that Brooke lives fairly close to where Siobhan used to live now. It's definitely a change for the Brooklynite, and the building is rife with security, and she's added a few 'magical' alarms to Kieran's place just to make her feel a little safer.
The witch is well aware that Siobhan is coming, and even if she weren't, the moment the younger woman steps into the outer foyer, she knows. One of the magical alarms goes off to notify her that someone is just outside.
Lady goes racing toward the door, and the redhead laughs. Her little dog has definitely made this place her home, and she's been happily working on her garden up on the terrace, including a dog run for Lady up there. It's been her excuse for not going out too often, and definitely not without Sera or Kieran being with her.
Opening the door, she smiles. "Siobhan, come on in. Can I get you something to drink?"
—-

Sera is about to tell Brooke that Siobhan has arrived, after all, she can hear the elevator reach it's final descent but Lady beats her to it. Considering she's in quite the undignified position of playing tug of war with the puppy on the sitting room floor, the vampiress takes the moment to stand up and set herself to rights. It's not often that she lets herself go and can be seen in such an informal state, but she's spending the day with Brooke and it's a sign of her level of comfort with the witch. She does grab a handful of her curls and using hair clips, tries to set them into some semblance of proper order.
There's a slight frown as she hears the sound of two heartbeats, but Brooke isn't panicking. Sera assumes the other hybrid brought along her husband.

—-

Jenna's been in the building before, but never up to the penthouse. Friends of her parents have a condo here, and they've been there for dinner a few times. She's not at all surprised by the doorman, the need for permission to be let up to the penthouse, or the way the foyer looks when she steps out of the elevator.
What she is surprised about is that this is where her boss lives. He's not that much older than they are, and this is a place she'd imagine her Grandmother Forbes living in if she were alone.
"Are you sure this is the right place, Shiv?"

—-

Siobhan nods. "It's the address that Brooke gave me." Siobhan too has been in the building before. Previous to the kidnapping, she talked to Brooke enough to know that Kieran is filthy rich and comes from old money. Not that the other woman is interested in his money, but things come out in conversation. Knowing what she knows about him now? Siobhan isn't at all surprised that the man can afford to live here. Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that Brooke is here, and her brother assured her that Kieran is apparently considered 'safe enough' by the Priory, she would have arranged to meet her friend elsewhere instead of in the vampire's lair.
She won't, however, out the 'man' to Jenna, if only for the sake of protecting Brooke.
Smiling when she sees Brooke, she is a bit assured. Then there's a puppy dancing playfully around her ankles and she can't help but laugh as she reaches down to scratch Lady behind the ears. "Yes, I guess. Thanks."
She coos a greeting to the puppy, and then explains to Brooke, "Jenna came with me. I hope you don't mind. I … wanted the company." Which translates to she despises being alone.

—-

"It's fine," Brooke tells the other witch. She knows how that feels, and knows for a fact that she wouldn't be going anywhere without someone else either.
"Miss Donovan, won't you please come in as well? I'll just head to the kitchen to get us all something to drink. Is sweet tea alright? I just made a fresh pitcher this morning. Just head on in to the main room," she says, pointing the way, "And I'll be right back."
Beat.
"I've got company, but I doubt she'll mind the two of you joining her. I'll bring enough for everyone."

—-

Her friend, then, Sera realizes. It's truly no surprise that the woman isn't going anywhere alone. She doubts that Siobhan has recovered from her ordeal; same as Brooke.
"Hello, Mrs. Donovan. Miss Donovan," Serafine greets the women when they enter the sitting room. She smiles warmly at Siobhan, "I'm glad to see you out and about. You look wonderful." Given that she saw the younger woman at her absolute worse, it is good to see that physically she's recovering.
Motioning around, she indicates the other seats in the room, "Please sit. I was just visiting with Brooke." The vampiress grins and wrinkles her nose prettily. "Using her as a captive audience to bounce a few ideas off."

—-

Blue eyes widen as she realizes who Brooke's guest is. Jenna stares at the vampire for a moment, and then clears her throat. Offering a smile, (only because Chance and Rhett have both confirmed that the woman isn't going to be a threat), she says, "Doesn't she? Vacationing in sunny California helped with that, I think." Nudging her bestie, the little empath grins. "Vacations help with a lot of things, don't they?" She has noticed that her brother and his wife are a lot closer now than they were before the vacation.
"I didn't know that you knew Brooke, Miss Roche."

—-

Siobhan, too, has a moment of surprise when she recognizes the vampiress. She covers over it quickly and smiles graciously. "Thank you."
Beat.
"Also, thank you. Christian told me you were there and what you did … " Siobhan shifts, because talking about it is still hard, but the woman (vampire) deserves a thank you for what she did.
Clearing her throat, Siobhan gives her a smile, "Please, call me Siobhan?" Mrs. Donovan makes her think of her mother-in-law, even though Karen is technically a doctor. She only feels probably comfortable when it's Harper calling her that.
"Vacations are good for a lot of things." Lady choose that moment to drag a small stuffed animal over, and butts against Siobhan with it. She grins down at the dog. "You want to play, hmm?" Sitting on the edge of the couch, Siobhan scoops up the toy and gives it a gentle toss across the room. The little puppy yips with joy and bounds away to properly attack it.

—-

Brooke really isn't long in the kitchen. It doesn't take much to pour four glasses of sweet tea, and make a small snack. Carrying it all out, she skirts Lady's rambunctious running down the hall, and laughs.
"If it makes everyone feel more comfortable, we can dispense with the formalities. As far as I'm concerned, we're all friends or family, and it makes it a lot easier on me if I don't have to recall my 'Miss' and 'Missus' every time I'm talking to one of you."
Setting the tray down, she moves to sit beside Sera, and grins.
"That reminds me, Siobhan, my brother will be in the city next week. If you could let your brother know? I think it'd do a lot of them a world of good to have another male witch to hang out with for a while."

—-

"You're welcome," Sera says somberly to Siobhan. "I'm just happy that we were able to rescue everyone." She doesn't say that they saved everyone, or even that everyone is well. Sera is much more of a pragmatist than that. Everyone was rescued, the rest is a long road back.
"Yes, Brooke handles my PR. I'm a bit quirky and she's able to juggle my idiosyncracies," Sera says with a laugh and a wink. She fully expects that Siobhan knows what she is, but she doesn't know that Jenna does. Both young women can take her words how they will.
"Oh, yes, thank goodness, gladly," Sera laughs at Brooke's suggestion. "I'm happy to let my hair down and get rid of the formality. I do think that Miss Roche makes me sound like a school teacher, and neither Brooke nor I is so much older than the pair of you that it's required." Technically, Sera is older than that and more, but she's going for appearance's sake.

—-

"Oh, yes! Please call me Jenna," the little empath says to Brooke. She's meaning to include the vampire in that, but she's focusing on the other witch for now.
"Your PR? Oh, for your books, right?" Jenna does recall that Sera is an author, not just a gallery owner. It makes sense that Sera has two professions, considering what she knows.

—-

"Thank you for the tea," Siobhan says to Brooke. She takes a glass and sip. "It's very good."
She grins at Brooke and nods her head. "I will. I think it would be great for Chris to have another male witch to hang out with. It'll be a treat for him. We only know one other and …" Siobhan trails off with a shrug. There's no need to mention Cooper and his magical heritage in the presence of a woman (vampire) who doesn't know him.

—-

"He doesn't know what he is yet, I know." Brooke did try to look into it, but the adoption records are sealed. If the Coven knows his heritage, they're not saying a word.
"I know that Will is definitely looking forward to it. He'll be going to school here in the city in the fall, so it'll be good for him to have a friend his own age to begin with." Wanda, on the other hand, is deferring a year and staying behind to help with the B&B, as she wants to put away money to travel Europe. In that regard, Brooke is putting away a little every month to help both twins.
"Thankfully he'll be staying on campus, so I won't have to worry too much about him finding a place in the city."

—-

Sera knows exactly whom the pair is talking about, but she sips her tea quietly, giving absolutely nothing away. In fact, she wears the look of a person who is trying to follow a conversation, but is missing parts of it.
"I'll bet that makes you happy, Brooke. Having another member of your family close by?" Sera asks. Of course, that is going to complicate things if her brother has no idea that his sister is dating and living with a vampire, but she's certain Brooke is working that out in her head.
"That's a good thing. City living is expensive. Starving college students really have trouble finding decent places."
Turning to Jenna, Sera gives the young woman a nod and another smile. "Yes, exactly for that reason. Book signings, radio interviews, it's all very good for an author to do. I was just always a bit publicity shy until I met Brooke and she showed me that it can be handled expertly. She's fabulous at what she does."

—-

"Cooper?" Jenna tilts her head.
"I've seen the work that you do around the restaurant, Brooke. You must be doing quite well with your business, working for two such high profile clients. I know you handle a few of the people on Broadway too. I have an agent, but I guess I should start looking for a PR person eventually too. Could you recommend anyone?"
Beat.
"Oh, what school is he going to? I know a few who go to Columbia, and a couple that are still at NYC."

—-

Siobhan laughs. "Yes, Cooper. Brooke and I have talked about his … issues." Siobhan hand waves it off. "Though he seems to be adjusting." The last is said for Brooke's benefit because Jenna knows that Cooper seems to be having an easier time of it. If his continued interest in Ariel is any indication.
She looks apologetically at Sera. "Sorry, I'm being rude, bringing up a topic that you aren't familiar with."
Beat.
"And Julliard. We know people at Julliard," Siobhan points out. "So, there is plenty of opportunity to meet people. Chris is going to Columbia. He's going to stay on campus, too." Probably better for him. It'll allow him to get comfortable being 'out' before he talks to their parents, even though Siobhan knows he's worrying over nothing.

—-

"I'm glad that he's doing better with it, considering that he doesn't know about everything else his friends can do."
Brooke glances at Sera, and then grins. "He'll be doing general studies this year at Columbia, until he decides between Social Work or Educational Studies." It's not something she would have expected of her brother, but the witch is proud that he wants to do something 'important' with his life.
"If your brother doesn't have a roommate yet, we can try to set it up so that they're rooming together."
Wrinkling her nose, the witch says, "It complicates things a little, but he's got a full scholarship, so I could hardly tell him not to come to the city."
Beat.
"Worst case, I would've asked Kieran to let him sublet my old place at a decreased rate, since I know he's the one that bought out my lease, even if he's not saying anything about it."

—-

It's a good thing that Jenna can't pick up emotions from the vampiress, otherwise she'd wonder about the vast sense of smugness that is radiating off of Sera. She doesn't normally do that sort of thing with glamour, but she could sense the war going on inside of Cooper. She merely gave him what he wanted.
"Both are excellent callings," Sera agrees. She looks over to Siobhan, "I've heard from Bryn that your brother is interested in pursuing nursing or medical research?" The vampiress knows that Christian has decided to pursue involvement in The Priory, and therefore he's had a good deal more contact with her fiance lately. Bryn is clearly impressed with the young man, though he hasn't come right out and said such. Sera's good at reading the man, and the bond helps as well.
"We knew that was coming, sugar," Sera waves a finger at Brooke. "Kieran wasn't going to let you stay there alone another minute once he had you back safe and sound. Of course he's not going to admit that he did anything of the sort. He has a reputation to protect." Sera gives her friend a nudge and a wink. She knows her Maker is somewhere about and can hear the whole conversation.
—-

"Sera knows Cooper," Jenna says quietly to her best friend. "They've uhm… met before." There's a blush on her cheeks as she says that, and she reaches for a glass of the sweet tea. Taking a big sip, she settles herself on the floor. Legs cross in front of her, and she's happy that she wore a pair of shorts today rather than a dress. It makes it easier to play with the puppy.
"Tisch as well, though, really that's just a secondary part of NYU."
Beat.
"Wow. Mr. Collins must really love you, if he was willing to do that just to have you close to him," the little empath says, taking the romantic side of things, over the possessive side of things. She'd like to think that Chance would do something similar for her if she'd been taken.

—-

"She does?" Siobhan blinks at Jenna. She's about to ask when Jenna's blush and behavior tells a lot more than what she didn't say. The little hybrid blinks and takes a large sip of her own tea. Not because she's embarrassed, but because she has to stop herself from commenting on one, Cooper sleeping with a vampire, and two, questioning the fact that the woman is currently involved with someone. Neither of which is her business.
Except sex with a vampire. Things may still be a little awkward between she and Cooper, but he is her friend and she doesn't want him hurt. Then again, Brooke is having sex with a vampire and … she definitely needs to talk to the other witch-sorcerer alone.
"We can do that, yes," Siobhan latches on to the earlier conversation. "It would be great for our brothers to be roommates. They'd have a lot easier time of it with not having to hide the magic."
Beat.
She takes another sip of her drink, and would feel bad, except she isn't saying anything most people haven't figured out. "As long as he doesn't mind having a gay roommate."
Beat.
Her curiosity is too much, and she can't help but look over at Sera, "You know Cooper?"
—-

"I'll look into it then. I think Will would just be happy with not having to hide who he is to care too much about Christian's sexual preferences." Then again, Brooke isn't at all sure what her brother's preferences are, because she's never sat down with him and had that conversation, and it's not like there's been a lot of dating going on for either of her siblings. The pickings in Lima are slim, and both have been focused on school and helping with the B&B to worry about it.
"Hopefully Chris won't mind having a 'ginger' for a roommate," Brooke teases, trying to draw the conversation a little away from Sera.
"You know what, Jenna, I really think he does." Glancing down the hall, she smiles, and then leans in to whisper, "Just don't let him know that you've seen a softer side of him."
Beat.
"Bryn has nothing but good things to say about Christian, by the way. He'll be a great asset to the Priory if he pursues it."

—-

Sera is neither bothered nor annoyed by the revelation. She settles against the couch, sipping the sweet tea and crosses her legs. "Yes, I know Cooper. We met at Purgatory, and then kept crossing paths. I find that I quite enjoy his company." It's not an admission of sleeping with him, but it's clear that Jenna knows the vampiress has taken the dancer to bed, and Brooke is very familiar with Sera's needs and appetites. If Cooper has been bragging a bit, well, Sera isn't at all upset or offended. He's impressive to be so young and inexperienced, and he's earned a few bragging rights.
"Kieran is … protective." Possessive is more like it, but in the end, it comes down to him wanting to keep those he cares about safe. The list of people he cares about is a short one, so he isn't to be discouraged, however heavy handed he is. "But yes, he does love Brooke a great deal. You can see it when he looks at her."

—-

"Pres knows her too," Jenna tells her friend. "Pres is the one that told me you've all… met." Yes, Jenna knows more than she wants to about that whole situation, and she's told her other bestie to be careful where vampires are concerned. It's the only thing she can do, really. They're both grown men.
"There's nothing wrong with being protective. I get that. Especially after what happened. Besides this place is so beautiful." There's some definite masculinity in the decorations, but she can see the homey touches that have been added, likely by Brooke's hand.

—-

Siobhan is wondering how the hell she was out of the loop on this one, but she's not going to pursue it right now. She'll probably be taking Preston aside later, though.
"I don't think that Chris will care that Will is ginger, either," Siobhan laughs.
"This place is beautiful," Siobhan agrees with Jenna. It's gorgeous really. She's willing to bet half the art work is real and was probably purchased or bartered or whatever for around the time it was created. "I love the art work."
—-

"We both know I don't mind how… protective… Kieran can be," Brooke tells Sera quietly. The witch is submissive, and since she's been here, she's done everything Kieran has asked of her. He's given her free reign on her office, and the terrace, and he's helped her quite a bit with her business.
"To get back to what you asked earlier, Jenna, I can help you with that. However, I know that you and Mr. Van de Mark are both extremely careful, and likely really don't need the help. Tell you what. If you really need a good PR spin, I'll see what I can do."
Beat.
"Kieran has his own personal art dealer," she says, nodding toward Sera. "They both have extremely good taste."
—-

"I know you don't sugar," Sera reaches over and pats Brooke's arm fondly. It's a good thing she doesn't because the pair would have issues. Just as Sera has no problems with being submissive to Bryn. It's natural with him, and anything else doesn't feel right.
"I can't take all the credit. Kieran found some of these on his own." If Sera knew what Siobhan was thinking, she'd agree that the witch isn't so far off the mark. A few of these are originals, and Kieran has gone through a great deal of work and expense to keep them preserved.
"Jenna," the vampiress fixes her attention on the actress, "Will you be returning to Broadway soon?"

—-

"I'd like that," Jenna tells the older witch. "I know I likely don't need it yet, but it doesn't hurt to have the bases covered just in case. Grandmother hates when there are rumors about the family; at least ones that aren't beneficial." Mrs. Forbes doesn't mind if Jenna and Chance's names are linked in the papers, provided that they're not caught doing something that would bring shame on either family.
"Oh, definitely! In September, I'll be taking over a role in "Rock of Ages". I've been meaning to talk to Mr. Collins about it, but with going to Texas, and the upcoming vacation I've got for London, I just haven't had much time. When I'm at the restaurant, I'm usually busy."

—-

"Oh yes, Jenna and Preston are always so careful." Siobhan honestly says the words with a straight face. She might not know what her bestie got up to at the party in Vegas, but she does know about that one time at Purgatory. Then again, she hasn't told her bestie about her and Harper's 'little exploit' at Comicon either.
"Am I included in that offer?" Siobhan asks Brooke with a grin. She's still not convinced that she needs to be worried about anything. She might have married Harper, but she's still just a dancer, and not a big name one.

—-

It is a good thing that she and Kieran click so easily, the same as Sera and Bryn. In the last month, Brooke has grown closer to her boyfriend, and while she can't fully explain it beyond the little she's been told, she's happy about it. She's never felt as close to anyone as she does him.
"That sounds wonderful, Jenna. Congratulations on another role. I think you and Preston are both going to become big names."
Beat.
"Yes, of course, Siobhan." Since the younger witch is already technically covered under the agreement she made with Regina, it's not a huge deal to add her into the grouping. "In fact, if any of you have any issues, please feel free to come to me for help. I can't promise I can bury everything, but anything supernaturally related will definitely be taken care of quickly."
Beat.
"Who do you think squashed the fiasco last summer, hmm?"

—-

"Congratulations! That's spectacular that you're in another performance. It means you're doing something right." Sera gives the young actress a friendly smile.
Finishing off her iced tea, she sets the glass back on the tray. "Why not talk to him now? As long as you're here? He's around somewhere. We could find him and allow Brooke and Siobhan to talk? I'm sure that there are witchy things they want to discuss that would bore us." Which is Sera's way of acknowledging that she doubts Siobhan came over to make small talk over iced tea and that both women likely need to talk about things for sanity's sake. She figures Brooke might be more comfortable without Jenna there; Likewise, Siobhan might be more comfortable if Sera, a veritable stranger, isn't present.

—-

"You know Mr. Collins?" Jenna blinks at that, and then shakes her head. "Of course you do. You have space under the restaurant, and you're his art dealer." There are times that the little empath wishes she had her brother's ability, and this is one of them. She's wary about leaving Siobhan on her own, even though she knows that no one can get into this apartment.
"Are you alright with that, Shiv? I mean, me slipping out for a few minutes? I won't be long, I promise."
There's a pause as Jenna remembers her manners, and tells both of the older women, "Thank you. I do hope it means I'm doing something right. I just really hope it doesn't interfere with my work at the restaurant. I do love hostessing there."

—-

"Yeah, Jen, that's fine." Siobhan's lax words and response will tell her best friend that she is all right with being left with Brooke. No flashbacks, no worries. Maybe at Brooke's old apartment … well, suffice to say that she wouldn't have gone to Brooke's old apartment anymore. This place is locked down, and Siobhan felt the magical alarms when they arrived.
Also, as odd as it sounds, it's comforting knowing that there are two vampires here. She may have lots of questions for Brooke and hold a bit of wariness, but the witch-sorcerer hasn't forgotten that Kieran and Sera were there and active during the rescue.
"Brooke and I will just talk witchy stuff," Siobhan adds with a faint grin.

—-

"Sera and Kieran are good friends, actually," Brooke tells the little empath. "I met him through her." Reaching out before Sera can leave, the witch sets a hand to her friend's arm. "Thank you, Sera."
She won't admit it, but having her friend there is comforting. The place may be completely secure, but knowing that Sera can and will protect her if necessary definitely helps.
"Yes, we definitely have plenty of witchy things to discuss."

—-

"Anything, anytime, you know that." Sera pats Brooke's hand and gives it a squeeze.
"Kieran's one of my best friends," Sera tells Jenna, as she rises gracefully to her feet. "You know the sort where you just sort of click, and it's like you've been friends forever?"
She leads the actress out of the sitting room, keeping a polite distance and not crowding her space. Sera is well aware that Jenna knows what she is, just as Siobhan does, thanks to their cute little werewolf friend.
The vampiress waits until they're out of earshot of the two other women, and lifts her brows, giving Jenna a bemused smile. "I hope that you do realize I'm not a danger to you. Or Siobhan."
Beat.
"Or Cooper."
Sera's not denying that she's dangerous, that's the nature of the beast.She's not interested in harming Jenna or anyone the empath is connected to.

—-

"You have to teach me that spell I felt when I arrived," is the first thing that Siobhan says as Jenna and Sera are leaving the room. There are spells up at her home and her old place too, because she's over there enough visiting. Those wards were placed by her mother and father, and attuned to charms, but they're not personally attuned to Siobhan the way a spell of her own making would be. They went up early in summer, and she wasn't in any condition to learn something new or tax her powers, and really hadn't thought about it until she sensed Brooke's own wards.
"Please," Siobhan adds, remembering her manners.
Beat.
She puts up a privacy spell, just so that Jenna doesn't accidentally overhear. "Your boyfriend is a vampire." It's not a question. It's something that Siobhan wants to get out there while she can.

—-

"Yes, of course." Brooke doesn't have any of the grimoires handy, as she's got them all locked away in her office. Kieran has been decent about taking his 'meals' at the club instead of parading them around in front of her, but just in case she wants to ensure that her important things are safe.
"It's a simple alarm charm, really. You cast it on the entrance, and tune it to magic. Anyone of a magical nature will feel it going off. Sort of like a full body vibration. You can add an audio component to it. The only reason I haven't is because it drives Lady insane."
Brooke can walk her through all the steps, but she's distracted by the second statement.
"He is. When did you realize?"

—-

"Mom linked a few to some crystals and charms at home. I could link them, too, right? So that everyone would be aware?" Beat. "Hers are more silent, I think. I like something more forceful, especially if Harper could hear it."
"Sometime around when that evil bitch was pointing fingers and pointing out that he was a vampire, and you weren't denying it," Siobhan says. She strokes fingers through her hair. "I didn't believe it and then I sort of thought I misheard things, but I heard Chris talking to someone, maybe Rory? - at the hospital when I was supposed to be sleeping so I asked him about it. He wasn't going to tell me, but I'm good at tricking him still."
The witch-sorcerer isn't at all ashamed either. If her brother is going to join the Priory, he needs to up his bullshit detector skills, and she told him as much. To his credit, Siobhan doesn't think anyone else would have tripped him up, but she has the advantage of birthright.

—-

"You could. The auditory aspect is a switch up of the privacy spell. Rather than blocking the noise, you want to amplify it so that everyone can hear it." Brooke waits a beat, and then adds, "It wouldn't hurt, I think, to have an actual physical alarm system either. I know a good company. One that installed the alarms for Bridget's shop. Let me set that up for you?" There's still a bit of guilt there, that Siobhan was taken simply because she was visiting. Brooke won't ever really be able to make it up to her, but doing things like that go a long way to helping with her own guilt.
"Well there was little point in denying it if she thought it true. Having a vampire in our corner at that point was a good thing." Exhaling a little sigh, she glances down the hall. "I did figure that your brother would say something. I should have told Bryn to ask him to be quiet." Even so, there's a bit of a grin.
"Kieran won't harm you, or Jenna. He may not have as much humanity as Sera does, but he'd never hurt anyone that's important to me."

—-

"I think Harper is already taking care of it," Siobhan says. He's been particularly good and patient with her little quirks and they both realize that there will come a time when she'll have to be home alone with no one else around. It makes her slightly anxious thinking about it, so she tries not to do so. He did mention looking into such a thing.
"I'll ask him." She picks up the phone and fires off a quick text to Harper. "He's at work right now, so he might not answer until he gets a break." They have an agreement that Siobhan will actually call him if she's in trouble or panicked. She's still working on a 'panic button' sort of spell that they can both respond to.
Siobhan frowns a little and reaches for Brooke's hand. "Don't be worried about Chris. No one else would have gotten that information out of him. I know what buttons to push and where to poke. You have siblings. You know how it is."
The hybrid glances in the direction that Jenna and Sera went. "Chris told me how he was when it came to getting in there and getting you out. I know that he's very dedicated and protective of you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come to his . .. home to see you." Siobhan almost says 'lair' but catches herself.
"But are you sure that he's safe for you, Brooke? Or that she is?" She meaning Sera. Siobhan lowers her voice though the spell is in place. "You'll be completely cut off from the Coven if it gets out what's really going on. What about your family?"

—-

"Then let him know that I'd like to pay for it. It's the very least I can do to ensure that you're safe in your new home. Consider it… a wedding gift." They'll both know that's not what it is, but if Siobhan poses it like that, she knows that the well bred, Upper East Side man will be unable to refuse.
"How is he liking his job with Rhett?"
Beat.
"I'm not worried. He kept the secret as well as anyone his age could have, especially with an older sister coaxing it out of him."
There's another beat, and then a laugh.
"Siobhan, this is my home too, and you're more than welcome to come by any time. If it makes you uncomfortable though, I can perhaps come and see you next time."
Finishing off her tea, the witch looks down to see that Lady is curled up under the table and grins.
"I'm positive, and Regina thinks, at the moment, that I am using him to spy on a rather important vampire in the city. My aunt is aware, and hasn't said anything, though I'm sure she'd be more than happy to." Brooke does love her aunt, but the woman can be over protective and very opinionated at times.
"Siobhan, do you recall what it was like when you knew that Harper Donovan was the one for you? That no matter who you dated, or wound up with… he was the only one you'd truly be happy with? That's how it like for Kieran and I. There is no glamour keeping me here. He's honestly unable to do that to me. Yes, he's a vampire, and yes, I know he killed plenty of those who took us… but he did it for a good reason, and I suspect that Bryn would have done the same thing were his hands not tied by the Priory."

—-

"I will," Siobhan says. She would argue, but she gets that this is something that will help Brooke. The hybrid is paying attention to her psychiatrist and she is learning and adapting her behavior. Trying hard not to sweat the small stuff and pick her battles. It's the reason she didn't rip Preston a new one when she found out what was going on with Ariel, although she knows her friend totally expected it.
"I can get used to it. I mean, he hasn't tried to eat me so far." Siobhan has run into him a few times at Purgatory, and he's been nothing but a gentleman. Flirtatious, but it's been innocent and above board.
"If you're sure . .." Siobhan trails off with a happy, wistful little smile at the reminder. She knew for a very long time that Harper was The One for her. It's hard to imagine that Brooke could feel that way about a vampire, but she'll keep reminding herself that Kieran Collins hasn't hurt or threatened her, and apparently cares a good deal for Brooke. Though she didn't know that vampires could care.
Her eyes widen and she hurriedly adds, "I don't mean that you can't come visit me. You're welcome to come over any time. Really."

—-

"You think Kieran would try to eat you?" Brooke actually laughs at that, and reaches out to set a hand to Siobhan's arm. "Vampire or not, Kieran is a good man. He may go about things, and think things differently than you or I, but then again, so would a werewolf, and you happen to be friends with two of them," she points out.
Vampires are a little more dangerous, but that doesn't mean that a werewolf would look at a human the same either.
"I'm positive. I could go in and explain this whole supernatural thing that makes me so positive, but suffice to say, Kieran is my soulmate, and yes, vampires do have souls."
Beat.
"As for the Coven, I honestly could give a rats ass if they ostracized me. Regina held back during the rescue, and only sent people after your grandmother, mother, and my mother asked her to do something. If Lizzie, her own relation was of little concern to the Coven, why should I care if they wouldn't want me? I'd be better off. Besides which, it's likely come out that I'm a hybrid as well, and she's going to trust me with very little in the future."

—-

Siobhan won't argue that point. She's certain that Quin and Kay look at them differently than they do other werewolves. It hasn't stopped her being friends with them, but then again, werewolves only have one bad night of the month. Vampires have the choice to make every night a bad night.
"I think he's a vampire, and I think the vegetarian ones are only on television and in books," Siobhan answers honestly. "But you trust him, and you love him, and as long as I don't catch him or Sera staring at my throat, I'll be fine."
Beat.
"They do?"
Siobhan blows out a breath of air and looks down at her lap. Her hand balls into a fist, because she knows that, and it's the one thing she hasn't quite been dealing with in a 'let it go' fashion. The hybrid knows that she's always been on the fringe because of her lineage. It really pisses her off that it took three witches going into bitch mode to light a fire under The Coven. "I know what that's like."
Beat.
Her eyes flash darkly as she looks up at Brooke, and though her words are calm, there's no missing her frustration. "We're so much more powerful and stronger than they are. What gives them the right to think they're better?"

—-

"You wouldn't be wrong in thinking that, but Kieran won't feed from you." Unless it was an absolute emergency, he wouldn't do anything to upset Brooke that much.
"Vampires also don't usually feed so much that it'd kill someone. Less than a pint will sustain them for a day or two. They could actually feed less than that from a few donors, so they'd wind up taking very little." There is also blood from blood banks; another thing that she's going to suggest Kieran look into for the future. For one, they do help out quite a great deal, and if there was ever an issue… owning a blood bank would ensure that he and Sera have an extra supply in case it's needed.
"Siobhan, that's the same thinking that sorcerers generally have. We may have more power than them, but we aren't 'pure'. We're a mixture of witches, and something that most of them still loathe. Which is why I would still like to form our own little group. We could digitize our grimoires, maybe bring Lizzie into the fold, and work as a group of intelligent individuals who don't bear any prejudice to anyone. Along side the Priory even. I was considering working with them in a public relations capacity anyhow, this last month. After what happened, they're going to need help in that department."

—-

"Good. Then … I'll get used to it."
She shakes her head at Brooke. "I'm not suggesting that we're better or pure or that we should take over the world or anything like that. They're the ones who have problems with us, and that's not fair. I'm pointing out that they're really no better than sorcerers, are they? They should be embracing us, and working with us to see what we can all do together, but they aren't. And they won't."
The younger blows out a frustrated puff of air. "There are reasons why I've been sneaking into my father's grimoires since I was in high school and that I go to the Undercity. I should have had other witches to learn stuff with, but I've always been on the outside looking in." The words that are coming out now are years of pent up frustration that Siobhan's never expressed. "It says something when a sorcerer was more interested in my magic than the Coven that's supposed to support and help me."
Her shoulders slump when she's done and she blinks away a tear that's threatening to fall. "Count me in, I'm tired of trying to fit in where I'm not wanted."

—-

"I know you're not, at least not really. Though, technically, we are better in most regards. Not because of our magic so much as the fact that neither of us has ever really been prejudiced against either witches or sorcerers."
Brooke exhales a sigh, and looks to the ceiling.
"No. A lot of them are really no better. They don't go for power, but there's a certain prestige in being a pure witch, or being the descendant of one of the original families."
Beat.
"But I want you to know, Siobhan, that you've never been on your own. There will always be people willing to help you, and you know I'll help you with whatever I can. Even if I were to stay in the Coven, like I said, you are always welcome in my home, and you're always welcome to ask questions, and look for spells with me. You're not now, and you've never been on the outside when it comes to me." That is one thing Brooke prides herself on. She may have been young when Siobhan was born, but she's never considered the younger woman an outsider. There was always interest there when it came to the type of magic she'd develop, and what she might be able to learn from the younger woman.
"Good. We'll start with a smaller group. Your cousin, and your friend Cooper are welcome to join as well. It's time he learned what he is, and a smaller group will be able to ease him into it. We can invite your brother and mine if we decide to have meetings, and Christian can share that information with the Priory. I'd rather just consider us a 'study group' for now, as opposed to having Regina or the elders think that we're going to over throw them or whatever nonsense they'll get in their heads about it."

—-

"I know," Siobhan whispers. Venting done, the fight has gone out of her and her shoulders drop a bit. She takes a moment to get control of herself, though she does reach out to give Brooke's hand a squeeze. A thank you and show of solidarity.
"I'm not sure Coop is ready for that big of a leap yet. He's started to accept that we are what we are, but I think that telling him what he is?" Siobhan frowns and shakes her head. "It's still baby steps with him, though Ariel would know better than I do."
Beat.
"A 'study group.' I like that."

—-

"So tell him in the act of full disclosure, he's invited to see what it's all about. With multiple witches there we can help him get a better grasp on things. You can invite the rest of your friends as well. Harper and Jenna may be unable to use magic, but they'd be able to let you all know if a spell were working on them or not, or if they could feel and hear what you want them to via the magic."
Beat.
"Besides which," Brooke adds, "I'd like to work with all of them. I've told you that before. We could possibly even get Purgatory on nights when it's closed to the public, if Kieran allows it. Just to have a neutral meeting place, where everyone can relax with a drink."

—-

"That would be the best approach," Siobhan nods her head enthusiastically. It'll give her an excuse to sit and talk to Cooper, because she'd really like to get back in touch with her friend. Life is too short to let something stupid, that neither of them can remember, come between them. It's all water under the bridge and she's over it. She'd like to think that he can get over it too if he knows she's not dwelling.
Dismissing the spell, Siobhan shifts on the smaller couch where she's sitting. She's no longer asking Brooke questions about her vampire boyfriend, so there's no more need for privacy. "Then maybe it's time to go ahead with it. I think that everyone would be interested, and it's not like some good wouldn't come out of it."

—-

"I figured so. He could be around magic more, see others using it, and if he gets a spike of wild magic, there will be enough of us there to handle it." Brooke smiles at that, then wraps an arm around Siobhan in a small hug.
"I'm glad you came here today. I was going to visit you at some point, but I don't like to go out alone, and explaining why you'd have to actually invite someone in with me would have been a lot more awkward than this."
She knows that Kieran can hear them again when the spell drops, but she's not worried about Siobhan knowing.
"Let me talk to Kieran about having room at the club, and seeing if Owen doesn't mind being there with us. It'll give us another set of ears if someone comes in." And she'll honestly feel safer having the werewolf there if Sera, Kieran, or Bryn can't be.

—-

"More of us to take the blame you mean?" Siobhan asks, smiling a little for the first time since her little break down. If she didn't trust Brooke so much and think of the woman as an older sister, she'd probably be embarrassed by her outburst. She is glad that Jenna wasn't here to see it.
"I don't go out alone either, so I understand it. I don't like going anywhere alone." Siobhan doesn't even like going to the bathroom alone, though she is getting better at doing that, and venturing into parts of her house without someone right by her side. Not often, but she does sometimes.
"Owen, the tall, hot bartender?"
Beat.
"I'm married, not dead."

—-

"Precisely. We can blame it on witch, and sorcerer magic interacting poorly or something." Brooke has no clue how they're going to handle actually telling the young man of his heritage, but she does know that sooner, rather than later, it'll be necessary.
"I don't blame you. I think it'll take us both a while to get back to that, hmm? Not unusual, given the circumstances."
Beat.
Laughing, she nods. "Yes, that'd be the one. He's a sweetheart too, so I'm sure if it doesn't interfere with things he'd be more than happy to help us out."

—-

"He's had experience with that," Siobhan says. It's not even bitter, it just is. She knows that was the ultimate cause of what happened between them. There's no taking it back, and she just accepts that she's going to have to be more diligent and careful in the future.
"I know. I'm just glad that Harper and everyone else is patient and willing to humor me."
Beat.
She sobers and broaches another topic. "You can tell me it's none of my business if you want, but … how are things, knowing that, a Reynard is your father?"

—-

"So you mentioned before… the incident." Brooke shakes her head, pushing thoughts of it away. She's discussed it with Kieran. With Sera. With Bryn. She really doesn't have it in her to go back to that day again, and she's coping in her own ways. Growing the garden, watching it thrive is good therapy. She has had a few conversations with Karen Donovan as well, at the Priory House, with Bryn present.
"You have a wonderful husband, and a great group of friends. I'd be surprised if they were impatient with you."
Beat.
"It's difficult. I'd love to talk to Mum about it, but I don't want to dredge up anything for her." It's worse because Brooke is fairly close with the man who raised he as his own, and she doesn't want him to think that anything's changed just because she knows about her sperm donor.
"But he's not really a father, he's just a biological donor. I mean, he's never done anything to be a father to me, with maybe the exception of sending in some men to help with the rescue."

—-

Siobhan picks at imaginary lint on her pants for a moment. "I think it would make things easier if Cooper did know the whole of it. We could get back on an even keel. I miss him, you know?" She's going back to the Company on Monday, and while there are other dancers she's friends with and gets along with, she and Cooper had a special connection.
"Maybe you should though? Find out what happened and the why of it? Just to put it out there and clear the air between you and your mother? So you're not wondering about it fifty years from now and still confused." Of course, Siobhan had an easier time of it. She was born knowing she had a dual world heritage.
"But he did send help," Siobhan points out. They've already talked about how The Coven had to have their arms twisted.

—-

"Then let's immerse him slowly into the world of the supernatural. We can make it an open forum where anyone can ask anything, no judgment. If there's something you and your cousin want to know outside of the group, I can set aside Sundays like before."
Brooke really wants to do this; to help others where the Coven won't. There are witch spells that they're not even supposed to know until they've been enveloped completely by the Coven.
"I plan on talking to Randall Reynard about it, as I'm certain I can get the story from him without apologies and hurt feelings. If not, then I'll bring it up with Mum." The witch doesn't care if she's confused about it. It's her heritage, and she'll embrace it, but that doesn't mean she wants to be accepted by the sorcerer, or muck up her family to do it.
"Yes, he did. That I want answers for. Why he was so willing to help his illegitimate daughter, and what he expects to come from it. Other than that…" Shrug.

—-

"Hopefully that won't break him," Siobhan sighs. She smooths a hand down her pants leg. "It's funny though, how he sort of disappeared for a couple of weeks and then came back more accepting of it. Maybe dangling sex in front of him helped him adjust." Maybe he actually likes her cousin that much which maybe means Ariel won't get hurt. Siobhan keeps telling herself that Ariel is an adult, but it doesn't stop her from worrying.
"I can't imagine that he'd have any reason to sugarcoat things or take the easy road," Siobhan agrees. "He might be more frank with you."
Beat.
"Maybe he doesn't want anything? Maybe a part of him just feels like a guilty asshole so he did it because of that?"

—-

"He needs to know. Regina's way of thinking on that is wrong. We shouldn't be waiting for him to figure it out, especially not if his magic is working its way to the surface." Brooke raises her brow at that before shrugging. Could be that he needed time to work things through, could be that Shiv disappearing made it important for him to not stress over it.
"Exactly. I'd rather the frankness, than having Mum crying or stressing out over the fact that I know."
Beat.
"Maybe, but this is a sorcerer we're talking about."
—-

"He does need to know, but you didn't hear …" Siobhan shakes her head. "Once things … settled - " And there's a euphemism for being kidnapped and recovered, "Preston told me how upset and bothered he was by it all. How he thought it was evil. He was completely freaked. I'm pretty sure he'll completely freak again when he finds out he's one of us."
Beat.
"I'm trying to give sorcerers the benefit of the doubt. My cousin, Liam wasn't so bad and my grandfather did send Harper and I a check when we eloped." She still has no idea how he found out about it, but he did reach out to her.

—-

"Then we'll handle it. We have calming spells, and I think if he's got Preston with him there, it might make it a little easier. If he has all of you there, or if we just ease him into it… use magic around him, see how sensitive he is to it, and go from there."
Brooke knows that he'll freak. Who wouldn't? Going through life thinking one thing, only to have someone say, 'surprise, you can now use magic, and by the way you're a witch' would be enough to make anyone upset; with the exception of an eleven-year-old child in a bad situation, who would likely just find it cool.
"I know you are, and you're right. I should give him the benefit of the doubt, but… he's also a Reynard…"

—-

"Preston is his calming spell," Siobhan laughs softly. Whatever else might be going in Cooper's head, Siobhan has seen the pair of them together. She didn't need Harper or Jenna to tell her that Cooper genuinely cares about Preston. He's just nowhere near being able to let those walls down and say it out loud. "But yes, calming spells are good. I've been working with them a lot lately."
Siobhan holds up her wrist, showing a small crystal dangling from a bracelet. "I've needed them and my shrink said they would serve a dual purpose of getting me focused and comfortable and used to directing my magic again in small bursts." Her mother-in-law is good at what she does.
"Yes, he is," Siobhan agrees. They've both been raised with stories about how the Reynards are. It's hard to imagine that Randall Reynard just had an altruistic streak and doesn't want something in return. "Maybe he was looking for some good karma?"

—-

"I think that all of us that were there, that have that ability, have been honing our skills at calming spells." They're pretty basic things, and a good way to work up magic again. Not to mention they help with the nightmares, and the stress of being alone.
"Maybe. I guess I'll find out his motivations when I finally get a chance to talk to him."

—-

It's not too long before Jenna, and two others can be heard coming down the hall. The little empath is oddly comfortable, and she wonders if that is part of being in the presence of a vampire (or two in this case) as well.
She should have asked, when she had the chance.
"I hope we're not interrupting anything." It may be on good authority that they're not, but even so she wants to let the women know that she's returning, and not wanting to disturb their conversation.

—-

"Welcome back," Siobhan chirps out brightly, lifting her head to greet her bestie. She starts when she sees Kieran, and then gives herself a mental shake. Of course he's here; it's his home and it's the middle of the afternoon. Until that moment though, it doesn't register for her that it's the middle of the afternoon, or to wonder why Kieran and Sera are awake. Aren't they supposed to be asleep? That's one of the things she should maybe have been asking Brooke about. Now she'll just have to ask about it later, or get the information about vampires out of Christian.
"Oh no, we're just catching up. And plotting."

—-

"You can all be in on the plot though," Brooke tells them, looking up when Kieran enters the room. She didn't need to hear him coming down the hall to know that he was there. Since she's moved in, she's become attuned to his presence a little more. A smile blossoms, and she gets up to greet him. Nothing more than a sweet kiss to the cheek, and then she's moving to the arm of the chair she knows he's liable to take.
"Because I was wondering if we might be able to have Purgatory on one of the nights it's closed. Possibly have Owen there to keep us company while we form our little study group."
Beat.
"Or, an extension of the Coven and the Priory, really. I haven't come up with a proper name for it yet."
—-

"Plotting? You know that I love a good spot of plotting." Brooke may intend for the greeting to be nothing more than a peck on the cheek, but Kieran has other things in mind. He wraps an arm around her and pulls her in for sound, but brief kiss, holding her tight and close to his body. Giving her a wink, he releases her and heads toward the wet bar at the end of the room. "It's after noon, therefore it's not too early for a drink. May I get anyone anything?"
Kieran glances back and gives his girlfriend a curious look, "What exactly are you planning?"
Beat.
"I'm not saying no, I'm just curious to know what you two witches got up to while you were left alone." The words are light and affectionate, and hinted with teasing.
The vampiress smiles fondly at her Maker and her friend, giving her head a little shake. They are an adorable couple, and no matter what Kieran may think of himself, he's definitely more human around Brooke. It's easy to see how much he loves her.
"Stop, sit down, Kier. I'll get the drinks," Sera says. She doesn't mind doing it, and Brooke would probably like the enjoy his closeness for a few minutes.

—-

"Study group? What are the two of you planning on studying?" Jenna is about to offer to help with the drinks, but then figures Siobhan's been on her own or long enough. Sitting down on the floor again, she reaches out and rubs the quiet little puppy's stomach.
"Do you think Ariel would like a job at the restaurant, Shiv? I may be taking on role as a waitress after I return from London, and that means that there'll be a hostess position available if she wants a bit of a savings before she starts school this winter."
Beat.
"If you have any sparkling water, I wouldn't mind a glass."

—-

"Sort of a supernatural meeting of the minds, but Brooke and I would be focusing on our magic. It'd be open for anyone, too, though. Like Chance and Ariel, and it's not just for magic. An open forum to ask questions and to focus on - " Siobhan's eyes dart quickly to Kieran and Sera, and she stops herself from giving away what Jenna can do, "Anything that anyone can do, or wants to talk about."
Beat.
"I really should let Brooke explain it."
Siobhan smiles. "Yeah, I think she would. As long as she has a few hours a day to work on her cello, which won't be a problem right now." She doesn't say that she happens to know that their grandmother is paying for Ariel's living expenses; the fact that woman had the money to do it surprised them both. But she knows that Ariel would like to be a bit more responsible for handling things herself, and a job would come in handy for that.
Beat.
"Sparkling water sounds good."
Beat.
"No, wait. If you're doing drinks? A glass of white wine? If it's not too much trouble?"
—-

The look of surprise on her face at the full kiss from her boyfriend is almost priceless. The redhead stares at him for a long moment, and then reaches for his hand before he gets too far. She's fine with being alone in the penthouse these days, but that doesn't mean she doesn't like having the closeness too.
"We have plenty of white wine," Brooke tells the younger witch. "It's my favorite." Smiling over at Sera, she says, "Bring the bottle, and a few glasses? The large bottle of sparkling water too? That way I can make a spritzer." She doesn't want a full glass of wine at the moment, but mixing the two would be nice.
"The Coven hasn't been helping the younger generation as much as they could be. I thought, for the few younger witches I'm closer to, it would be nice to have a small gathering. You and Sera are more than welcome to join us as well, as is Bryn. I just want to have a group where we can all share things, and aid the Priory without actually needing to be a part of them. Though I have been considering helping them full time with any of their public relations needs."

—-

Kieran loves the look of surprise on her face. He likes that he can surprise her. Settling in his favorite arm chair, he grasps Brooke gently by the waist and sets her in his lap. He might have shown a bit of restraint with his treatment of Sera back in his office, only because it would have been too much to explain if he'd gone overboard with her. Brooke however, is very much his girlfriend and he doesn't intend to be restrained in his own home. Besides, he has seen Jenna and her boyfriend at Purgatory; the pair is quite openly affectionate. He gets a vibe off Siobhan that says the younger witch isn't particularly shy when it comes to expressing herself either.
"From what I understand, The Coven hasn't been exactly helping anyone other than the inner circle in the last few years." Kieran isn't afraid to say what he thinks. Though for Siobhan to be discussing such a thing with Brooke, the young woman probably has little love for the Coven.
"I think that's an excellent idea. They could probably use the additional help, as they don't have a lot of bodies to spare for that sort of thing." He traces his fingers gently down her spine. "Sera's practically a Priory widow and she's not even married yet."

—-
Sera isn't going far. There's a perfectly good wet bar through the arch that leads into the extension of the sitting room, with a wine refrigerator. She can still see into the other room, and everyone can see her.
She retrieves the bottle of white wine, pops the cork and places it on a serving tray. Next up is three fingers of scotch for Kieran, and that bottle is added to the tray as well. A bottle of Perrier for Jenna, and lastly a glass of red wine for her. The glass is slightly frosted, and the wine is laced with blood, but not overly so.
Sera carries the tray back into the room, delivering the drinks. Jenna and Siobhan first, then she pours a glass of white for Brooke as well. After giving Kieran his scotch, she settles in the other arm chair, sipping at her wine. "I'm hardly a widow, Kieran. I see Bryn every night, every morning and sometimes he stops by in the middle of the day." She doesn't add that he's busy right now with Gideon, tracking down another lead on who took Brooke and Siobhan, and why.

—-

"I like that idea. I'll definitely bring it up with Chance, and I'm sure he'd be more than willing to be part of it." The Nash family might take offense to that, but she doesn't care. Taking the Perrier, she smiles at Sera and offers a quiet thank you.
"Oh! You're getting married?" Yes, Jenna knows exactly what Sera is, but that doesn't mean that the woman can't choose to get married.
"Congratulations!"

—-

"I can't imagine that he wouldn't be," Siobhan laughs. "Your boyfriend loves learning new magic." She misses the fact that their schedules and time doesn't permit them to work together anymore. When they do have down time together, they're hanging out in a big group - and there's nothing wrong with that either.
She perks up at the idea of Sera getting married. "Really? You're getting married? Have you set a date? Picked a place? Do you have a wedding coordinator? I can give you the name of mine if you'd like? She's excellent."
Taking the glass of wine, she gives a polite thank you, and catches the scent of something faintly fragrant on the air. Sera's perfume maybe? She didn't notice it earlier, but it did waft past when the vampiress brought the tray in the room.

—-

"We all love learning new magic," Brooke points out, "And there's nothing wrong with that." Curling her feet up to fit in the armchair with Kieran and herself, the redhead smiles. It is comforting, and she doesn't mind him being unrestrained.
"I don't know that it's all Regina's fault. I think the elders have a lot to do with that too. They're keeping things, and magic from anyone that they don't deem worthy. I'm of the opinion that the more knowledge we have about out abilities, the better."
Beat.
"You wouldn't mind? It might mean that I'll have to take off with Bryn if something big comes up, but you know the restaurant and Purgatory are two of my three top priorities."

—-

Kieran is smart enough to not point out that he isn't going to object to anything that gives Brooke a focus and distraction and takes her out of the penthouse and back into the real world. At least not in front of guests.
He smiles a thank you at his Child for the scotch and takes a swallow.
"No, I wouldn't mind. It sounds like a worthwhile endeavour. I know how much you support the idea of cross-learning and openness among supernaturals who could help each other."
Beat.
"Sera and I will just have to get pissed and lament our busy, working lovers together." He tickles his fingers over her knee, mouth curling up in a smile. There's a teasing twinkle in his eyes.

—-
Sera takes another swallow of her wine and laughs. "Thank you, and no, we're not that far in the planning process. We haven't even set a date yet." There hasn't been time, and Sera would like to pursue a daywalking spell of some sort for her and Kieran for the day of her wedding. She hasn't broached it with Bryn yet, because she doesn't want him owing favors on this one. Sometime, when all the fall out from the kidnapping has blown over, she'll meet with Gideon and see if he can point her in the right direction.
"However, I will take the name of your wedding coordinator, Siobhan. It can't hurt to have her contact information."

—-

"Shiv's coordinator is really good to work with too. I was helping her while Shiv was on tour, and she's pretty laid back, but quite serious about doing her job well."
Jenna gives Lady's stomach another little rub, eliciting a playful little yip from the puppy. If she didn't have such a busy schedule, she'd look at getting a pet. It's definitely something she can think about for the future if she ever buys her own place.

—-

The scent is lingering, and distracting but Siobhan can't really place its source. She takes another sip of the wine, and licks her lips slowly. It's not quite what she's expecting and not as pleasant on her tongue as wine normally is. She may not be the epitome of UES breeding the way Jenna is, but she's able to politely finish the glass.
"I can send it to you right now?" Siobhan offers. She pulls out her phone and pulls up her lists of contacts. It will only take a few seconds to send the contact information to the vampiress.
She watches Jenna with the puppy and grins. "You should get a puppy. Between the four of you, there'll probably always be someone home with it."

—-

"Siobhan, are you alright?" Brooke has been watching the girl, and for a moment it almost looks as if she's going to be ill.
Distracted by Kieran, the witch turns to him and kisses him soundly.
"I promise that I won't leave you alone for too long, and most of the work I can do from my computer here anyhow, unless a public face is needed."
Beat.
"Besides which, I doubt Sera would be happy with me if Bryn didn't make it home."

—-

Kieran returns the kiss just as soundly, sliding his hand down to playfully pinch her backside. Just to feel her squirm, hear her giggle, and possibly watch her blush a little.
"Good. I like having you here when I come back from a long night at work." Kieran dips down and nuzzles at her neck briefly.

—-
Sera shares her number with Siobhan and in a few seconds her phone chimes to announce she's received the text message. "Thank you so much. I'll be sure to mention that she came highly recommended from the Donovan women."
When Brooke asks her question, Sera looks to the younger witch. The girl does seem a little bit pale as she sips at the wine. "Sugar, is the wine not to your liking? I can make you something else, it's not a problem."

—-

"You think so? I don't know if we've got time for a puppy, really. Pres is going to be busy with his theater, and Chance has law school. I'll be working, and on Broadway. I guess it could be good company for Ariel. I'll talk it over with the roomies and see what they think."
Jenna isn't sure that they'll be able to handle a puppy, but maybe a kitten would be a bit easier. Cleaning a box once a day wouldn't be as bad as having to walk a dog, or giving it a good yard to play in.
"Here, Shiv, you can have some of my water, I don't mind."

—-

"Good points," Siobhan agrees. "Ariel will probably be going to the theatre with Pres when she can, at least until school starts for her." Siobhan is still trying to adjust to the idea of Preston having a girlfriend, never mind that it's her cousin. It's still an odd concept.
Siobhan glances over at Brooke. "No…I'm fine. The wine is fine. I think I just have an odd taste in my mouth. Please, you don't have to get me anything else Sera."
She accepts a swallow from Jenna's water, but it doesn't drive away that slightly lingering scent. The thing is, it's not a bad scent. She rather likes it.
Beat.
"I'm sorry, but are you wearing perfume, Sera?" Siobhan looks toward the vampiress. "I don't mean to be rude, but it's very pretty. I like it."

—-

"Maybe a cat then?" Brooke is no telepath, but on the list of pets that are good for apartment living, she knows of very few. "Bridget has one, and she likes him just fine. She brings him to work with her."
Brooke does squeak, and laugh. Resting her forehead against Kieran's, she smiles. "I promise that you'll always know where I am. If I can't make it home, I'll call and you could always come to the Priory house and meet me…"
Beat.
"Are you sure, Siobhan?"

—-

Kieran finds Siobhan's question a little curious. Only because he knows that Sera isn't wearing anything that she wasn't wearing earlier, and she isn't wearing perfume today at all.
"In that case, you are free to pursue whatever study group or Hogwart's branch that you and Siobhan want to pursue," Kieran teases his girlfriend.
He glances over at the younger witch. "Honestly, you can dislike the wine. I wont' be offended and I have plenty."

—-
Sera frowns briefly, giving the young woman a curious and confused look. "It's not rude at all, considering that it was a flattering statement. Particularly since I'm not wearing any perfume."
Sera laughs and smiles, "Though I'm certainly willing to share with you the brand of soap, lotions and shampoo that I used today."

—-

"A cat! I was just thinking that. Are you sure there's not a bit of psychic in your bloodline?" That's just a bit of a tease, and Jenna grins up at Brooke.
The question about perfume has Jenna blinking a little, and she turns to look at Siobhan curiously.
"You're not pregnant, are you Shiv? Pregnant women do get a heightened sense of smell…"

—-

"Oh! A little kitten! How perfect would that be?" Siobhan beams between Brooke and Jenna. One would almost think that she was the one considering getting the cat.
"What?" Siobhan practically squeaks, eyes going comically wide as saucers. "No! Definitely not. No!" She wiggles her nose and daintily rubs it, a frown deepening. She can't deny that her nose has been more sensitive lately, and she's more sensitive to smells. However, there are no other signs of pregnancy.
"No, of course I'm not," Siobhan repeats, but with a little less conviction.

—-

"Siobhan, are you sure you're alright?" Brooke has a bit of concern in her voice, and a worried look on her face. "Have you spoken to your father about the sensitivity? Do you think it could have something to do with…" There's a trail off, because the redhead knows that the younger witch will know what she's getting at.
"I haven't had anything like that, as far as I know, but I can keep an eye out for it just in case."

—-

Kieran turns his full attention to the dancer for a few moments. It's a little surprising that she's happily married and seems so agitated with the idea of being pregnant. She's a dancer, and it would interfere with her dancing.
He rubs the space between Brooke's shoulder blades comfortingly, knowing that it's not easy for her to think or talk about it. He wants to give her that support.
"No," Kieran says after a long moment, "You're not pregnant." Granted, depending on how far along she is, even he might not detect it. However, if she's far enough along to have symptoms, she's far enough along for a heartbeat to be heard and for her to be emitting pregnancy hormones. Neither of which is happening at the moment.

—-

Sera is able to concur with Kieran's assessment. As she is sitting closer to Siobhan, the vampiress can tell that there are no pregnancy phremones around her and definitely no fluttering, rapid additional heartbeats.
She takes another sip from her glass of wine and sets it on the table. Reaching over, she lifts Siobhan's glass of wine from the table. "Why don't I just get rid of this for you, sugar. Get you a glass of water, maybe with a slice of lemon?" It's very obvious that the wine wasn't sitting well with the witch.
"If you're truly interested in a pet, one of my patrons at the gallery is also a breeder. Completely humane. Only one litter of pups or kits at a time, and they're all fostered by her family or a hand picked family until she finds someone to adopt them out to."

—-

Turning to look at Kieran for a moment, Jenna tilts her head. He told her not to mention what he was, but she doesn't think he'll be able to explain that to Siobhan.
Biting back her question, she takes another sip from the bottle of water and smiles at Sera. "I'd like that. If you know someone that's reputable. I'd rather not get an animal from a mill. I was thinking of the shelter, but I know that those animals need a lot more time than I might have right now." Instead, she'll make a sizable donation to the shelter to help out with those animals that she won't be able to rescue.

—-

Siobhan's curious look mirrors Jenna's as she looks over at Kieran. She knows what he is, and she figured that he was aware that she had that knowledge. She didn't expect him to come out and acknowledge it, especially not in front of one of his employees. His words are comforting, though. Knowing that she isn't preggers. She won't dare ask him to explain specifically how he knows that, but she suspects her bestie might.
"It's just a little sensitivity," Siobhan explains quietly. "I don't notice it often, but I'll mention it to my father. It's probably nothing."
The fragrance hits her hard when Sera sets down the wine glass. Siobhan's gaze zeros right in on the glass, and she has to fight the urge to pick up the woman's glass and drink from it. She's never smelled wine like that before. It's fruity with a slight tang underneath that actually makes her mouth water.
It's a little disconcerting because Siobhan has never reacted to food or drink like this; except when she's been eating all of her meat rare, and resisting the urge to actually taste the lingering blood in the packaging.
"Actually, Sera, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, could I have a glass of what you're drinking?"

—-

Brooke raises her brow at that, simply because she knows that Sera usually enjoys a glass of bloodwine while she's at the penthouse, and she has no doubt that's what it is now.
Sharing a glance with the vampiress, she turns back to the younger witch.
"There's blood in that wine, Siobhan."
Her voice lowers a little, and she looks right at Siobhan. "So it likely isn't nothing. We should ask Lizzie if she's experiencing something similar."

—-

"Well, now, isn't this interesting." Kieran doesn't say it in a mean or condescending fashion. It's an observation. A very curious observation. The dancer is trying hard to look controlled and composed, but Kieran can read the taut lines of her body. From the way she is trying to astutely avoid looking at the glass of wine, to the way one of her hand clenches in a fist in her lap. Her reactions have all the makings of a drug addict or alcoholic trying to resist their poison of choice, or of someone fighting a mild bloodlust.
The latter isn't exactly a good comparison.
"You should call Lizzie, luv," Kieran agrees. No, Brooke hasn't had any such reactions, but that might simply be because she's not been deprived of blood. He's not saying anything, however, not in front of Jenna and Siobhan.
Steely blue eyes flicker to Siobhan, "And you should talk to your father and Bryn."

—-
The request has Sera lifting her brows as well. She too has picked up all the signals her Maker has, and suspects it's not the wine that Siobhan wants. Which isn't normal or natural for a human witch, who isn't sharing blood with a vampire. Even then; Brooke clearly isn't jonesing for what's in Sera's glass.
"I'll just get rid of this as well," Sera says simply, returning to claim her own glass.

—-

"Shiv?"
Jenna looks a little confused at that. Wrinkling her nose, she makes a face. The thought of drinking blood turns her off completely, and she's got to set the bottle to the side because that's all she can think about now.
"I can call Lizzie. I've been keeping in touch with her since the hospital." She doesn't know the whole story there yet either, but she does know that something to do with Lizzie's mother and her own father has had her parents a bit tense lately.

—-

Siobhan should be confused by that, but it's in line with the constant craving she's had for red meat. Very rare, red meat. The fact that it's blood, and probably human blood should completely turn her stomach. However, the knowledge doesn't change how good it smells.
"No!" Siobhan's protest is loud and desperate, her hand reaching out and grabbing Sera's wrist as the vampire goes to remove the glass.
Beat.
"Oh god." Realizing what she's done, how she's reacting. What she's reacting to, Siobhan lurches to her feet. "Oh god." Her intention is to flee the room and find the bathroom, but she gets to the main hallway and freezes. The embarrassment from wanting blood mingling with the panic of being in a strange place alone.

—-

Silently slipping from Kieran's lap, Brooke gives a nod for the empath to make the call. Then she follows Siobhan, because she knows that she's likely the only one who can help her through it at the moment.
"Siobhan, wait."
Once she catches up to the younger witch, Brooke touches her shoulder. "If you want to leave, I'll understand. Just make sure you take Jenna with you? You shouldn't go out alone."
Flicking her wrist, she puts up a quick privacy spell.
"I haven't been having the cravings like you are, but I take some of Kieran's blood often enough that I likely wouldn't…"
Beat.
"Do you want me to call your father?"

—-

Kieran watches Brooke head out after Siobhan, saying nothing. He figures that Brooke can handle her mentoree and whatever it is that she is going through right now. Besides, the younger witch is probably more embarrassed and mortified than anything else at the moment.
"At the risk of expressing what is probably going to be the unpopular opinion, you should have poured the glass of wine." He can predict that's going to go over like a lead balloon with Jenna, but it's quite obvious to him that Siobhan wants it very badly. She might even need it.

—-
"Kieran!" Sera gives her Maker a chastising glare and hiss. Yes, he did share the unpopular opinion. That doesn't surprise her. Sharing it in front of Jenna? That surprises her, though Sera doesn't know why it should.
She shakes her head. "I'll get in touch with Bryn after Siobhan has spoken with her father."

—-

"I…"
Jenna glances after Siobhan, then Brooke, and sighs. Sliding her phone out of her pocket, she types a quick text to Lizzie rather than calling her. It keeps her focus, and is a little less rude than taking off to make a call. She carefully words the text to mention what they might have figured out, and asks if she's having any weird cravings.
"Does this mean that Siobhan might be part vampire now? I mean, as far as we know… vampires are the only ones who need or crave blood, right? There's not some strange supernatural creature out there that's just now showing itself? It's not part of the fact that she's a hybrid, right? I mean if Brooke's not having those symptoms…"

—-

Siobhan hugs herself, shaking her head. "I wasn't trying to leave. I just wanted to get out that room because I was so embarrassed. I wanted to find the bathroom, but I don't know where it is and I was out here, alone …"
Beat.
"I should be disgusted, right? But I'm not disgusted. I wasn't disgusted. I still want what was in that glass. I want it a lot, Brooke. It's not even disgusting to me that you're saying you drink your vampire boyfriend's blood. Do you see a problem here?"
"No. I want Harper." No, Harper has no insight into what's going on with her. He's not a doctor. He's not a magic user. But he's her rock and he's who she wants right now.

—-

"It's alright. I can show you where the bathroom is if you want a few minutes alone." Brooke wraps an arm around Siobhan, giving the younger witch that time to try and compose herself.
"I don't see a problem here, but then again, I'm dating a vampire and sharing his blood is a more intimate thing than sex. It's a complete connection with him. I thought it was disgusting at first too but…" Once she accepted the fact that Kieran was a vampire, and knew what the properties of his blood were, she didn't mind it so much.
"Call him then. Rhett will understand. He knows what happened to us both, and unless Harper is doing something critical at the moment, I'm sure he'll spare him for you."

—-

"Ach, luv, unfortunately, I can't answer that. I've never heard of a part vampire, though." Kieran leans forward and rests his hands on his knees, meeting Jenna's eyes very seriously. "I think that all we can say for certain is that something more might have happened to Siobhan when she was taken. I'm neither a doctor nor a magic user, so I'm not about to speculate on anything, but I think you're right. It's not related to the fact that she's a hybrid."
Beat.
"Brooke will talk to her, and then Siobhan will talk to her father. I'm sure Dr. Knight and Bryn will get to the bottom of it, whatever it is."

—-
Sera crosses the room and sits on the couch beside Jenna. "I'm certain that they'll figure this out. This is what Bryn does, what the Priory does. I may be a bit biased, but I think he's very, very good at what he does."

—-

"Brooke isn't having those symptoms, right?" Jenna glances down the hall, and idly reaches down to pet the dog again. It's a comfort thing, and with the privacy spell up, the puppy is the only thing in the apartment that she can sense.
"Isn't that what Blade is? Part vampire? I don't know, my brother would. He's the one that reads comic books."
Beat.
"She won't talk to either of them until she calls Harper. I sent Lizzie a text, by the way. She hasn't responded yet, but that's not unusual. She's likely busy doing something else."

—-

"Please," Siobhan says, leaning against Brooke. She is still horribly embarrassed by her reaction, but it's Jenna she doesn't want to face at the moment. There's no way she didn't disgust and freak her out her friend.
She worries her teeth over her lip. Her gaze moves around the hall, looking anywhere but at Brooke for a moment. "Brooke, I really want that blood." Now that she knows what she's been wanting, the craving won't let go.

—-

Leading the younger witch to the guest bathroom, she nods to the phone in there. Yes, she realizes that it's an odd place for a phone, but several apartments in the city have them.
"Give yourself a few minutes in here. Splash some water on your face. Call Harper. I'll go out and call your father from my phone, and have Sera call Bryn. I want to make sure that the blood will be alright for you first."
Beat.
"If your father says it's alright, I'll get Sera to mix you a glass of bloodwine… it'll be a little watered down and likely easier for you to stomach."

—-

"No, Brooke doesn't seem to be experiencing those symptoms," Kieran says. It's subtly different from saying outright that Brooke is free and clear of it. The difference is that Brooke is sharing blood with him. If something happened to them that makes her need or want blood, then she's had no outlet for expressing such a thing because she's getting what she needs.
Beat.
Kieran grins at Jenna. "Blade is a comic book character. Never heard of anyone becoming a part vampire because their mother gotten bitten while pregnant." He holds up a hand before she can ask. "I'm not a comic book geek. I keep apprised of vampire literature and media, because it's bloody entertaining."

—-

"That's good, at least. That she's not having those symptoms." Biting her lip, the little empath looks down at her phone. Jenna is worried about Siobhan, but more than that, she's now worried about everyone who was rescued, and why they might suddenly have a need for blood. Beyond that, she's also wondering if it's manifesting in different people different ways.
"Just because he's a comic book character doesn't mean that it hasn't happened. A lot of things like that have some basis in reality…" Playing with her phone a bit, she searches for something and then holds her phone to Kieran. "There's a lot of lore about dhampir, so it could be a possibility…"
Groaning, she rolls her eyes. "That's the worst pun ever."

—-

"Thank you, Brooke." Siobhan pulls down the lid and sinks to the toilet seat. "Could you take down the spell? I think Jenna will feel better if she can sense me and privacy spells block that." Her best friend will respect that she needs a few moments to compose herself, and will give her the space if she needs it.
"Will you not be gone too long?" The witch doesn't feel silly asking the question. She might be safe in the penthouse, but the place is huge and it's not familiar. Being alone for too long will be distressing to her.
Siobhan makes certain that the door is left open a crack and splashes water on her face. Then she sits back down and dials Harper.

—-

"I promise, I won't be long." Brooke drops the spell easily enough as she leaves the bathroom to give Siobhan a little privacy.
Stepping back into the main room, she tells them, "She's just taking a few minutes to get over the fact that she's suddenly craving blood."
A glance is given to Kieran, and another to Sera. "Can you call Bryn? I'm just going to head back down the hall and call Robert to see if it's alright that she get blood, or if we should bring her in to see him."
Beat.
"If it's the latter, I should likely get checked as well."

—-
He hasn't been on the job long, but Harper's already sat down and spoken with Rhett about the situation. The man has been quite understanding about the need to take personal calls every so often, and he did try to get Harper to defer the internship until the fall. Harper wasn't having any of that though, because he'd like to bank up some vacation time so he can take Siobhan on a proper honeymoon.
Stepping away from his work area when he sees who's calling, the first thing he says is, "Did something happen?"

—-

Sera nods. "That's understandable. Poor thing." If Jenna could pick up on vampire emotions, she'd sense that there's genuine concern and sympathy there. As it is, it does ring through the vampiress' words.

She pulls out her cell and promptly rings her fiance. Sera doesn't know the limits of their telepathic link and they haven't tested it yet. Besides, a phone call is easier and doesn't require explanation.

"I don't know if he'll pick up," Sera apologizes to Jenna. She knows the young woman has to be worried about her friend. "If he doesn't, I'll text him." He usually picks up when Sera calls, but she thinks the emotional factor of their link is stronger than the telepathic part right now. If he's not sensing that she's in distress, it may go to voice mail.

—-

"You don't need to apologize to me," Jenna says, shaking her head. The phone is held out to Kieran still for a while longer before she drops it into her lap. "Siobhan is going to be fine. I know she is. We'll figure this out, because we always do. Even if it takes a little while."
Drawing her knees up to her chest, she takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.
"Sorry, it's just been an extremely long summer already."

—-

There's nothing Kieran can do at the moment except worry about Brooke. That's not productive, so he takes the offered phone and looks at what Jenna has on the screen. He gives her a light, hopefully comforting smile as he hands it back. "I've heard all sorts of rumors and stories in my time. I've never met a true dhamphir. Anything is possible, but let's let those more in the know than we are take a look at things, yeah?"
No need to jump to conclusions. It could be latent magic or some extreme form of pica.
Kieran reaches out and gives Jenna's arm a pat. "Like you just said, you'll figure it out. It's going to work out." He doesn't say it will be fine, but they'll get to the bottom of it.

—-
"I'm not hurt and no one is after me," Siobhan says. She sighs and rubs her free hand over her pants. "And I'm not having a panic attack right now."
Beat.
"I think I know … I know why I've been eating so much meat rare. It's the blood, Harper. I want the blood. I'm craving it. It's not enough though …"
Siobhan looks up at the ceiling and blows out a breath of air. "I think I need human blood."

—-
Pacing the hallway as she waits to get through to Robert, the redhead tries to think back on the last month. Has she been taking more of Kieran's blood than she normally might have been? Is it something they're all going to need now, or is it a passing thing due to the dark fae messing with their systems?
The conversation with Robert, once he's able to talk to her is short and sweet; give Siobhan what she needs for now, and then bring her in to the hospital. Brooke does let him know that she would like a work-up too, simply because it only makes sense since they'll both be there anyhow.

—-
"Okay, good. So what's up?" Harper is glad that she's not panicking, and that she's not in danger. "Do you need me to come and get you?"
Beat.
"You want the blood." He wishes he could reach out and hold his wife, but at the moment that's a little difficult.
"We'll figure it out, alright, Flutterbee? Maybe you just need another IV, and this is your body's way of letting you know. I can be there in twenty minutes if you need me, or I can meet you at the hospital to go talk with your father."

—-

Bryn's phone rolls to voice mail, and Sera isn't terribly surprised. She leaves her fiance a short, but concise voice mail regarding the new development with Siobhan, and including the fact that Brooke is getting in contact with Robert. She also mentions that Jenna has texted Lizzie to see if the other young woman is having issues, and that Brooke will possibly be getting checked out as well. Hanging up, she then sends him a short text that touches lightly on the voice mail but doesn't leave quite as much detail.

She exchanges a quick glance with Kieran, wondering the same thing he is. Is Brooke not showing symptoms because she's been sharing his blood?

—-

"I'm not jumping. I took a logical step and there conclusion was," Jenna says with a slight grin. It's a worried grin, but it's there at least.
"I don't think Doctor Robert'll get to the bottom of this, at least not medically. I don't know of any medical issues that would arise like that. Maybe porphyria? I know that they use that to explain vampirism-type things in some people."

—-

"No."
Beat.
"Yes."
Beat.
"I don't know." At least she's honest.Siobhan is confused, conflicted and worried if she's being honest. It's not normal to crave blood. Unless you're a vampire. Which she isn't.
"Brooke is calling Dad for me. I really needed to talk to you." To feel that grounding so she doesn't completely freak out and lose it.
"Could you come here? We can go to the hospital together. I really need you right now."

—-

After getting off the phone with Robert, Brooke moves toward the bathroom again. Leaning against the wall, she waits for Siobhan to come out and be ready to face everyone.
"It's just precautionary," she whispers, knowing that Kieran can hear her. "I'd just rather find out what's going on, than sit and worry about Siobhan."
"It'll take me some time to get there," Harper tells his wife. "If you don't mind waiting for me, I'll stop there first. I'll just need Brooke's new address. I'll keep the car outside the building to take you to the hospital, alright?" He'll need to let Rhett know what's going on, and make sure he can leave early. He'll figure out a way to get out of there without causing too much of a fuss though.

—-

"You need to stop over thinking it," Kieran tells Jenna. He flicks his gaze to Sera and then past her shoulder and turns back to the actress. "You can do what ifs and maybes until your head explodes. It's not going to give you any answers."
Beat.
"Dr. Knight might not have an answer, but he can do a full medical workup. It will show if anything is wrong or any deficiencies that might explain this away. Bryn will be on the magical aspect of it as soon as he sees Sera's text or gets his voice mail."
As much sense as his words make, they don't stop him from worrying about Brooke. He's good at hiding that from Jenna, though his forte really isn't comforting people.

—-

Off the look, Sera goes and pours Jenna a glass of scotch. She has no way of knowing what the young woman prefers to drink, but a bit of hard liquor usually isn't frowned upon in these situations.
Carrying the glass back to the couch, she perches on the edge beside Jenna. Sera presses the glass into Jenna's hands. "It's late enough to have a real drink. Something with a little more kick to soothe the nerves?"

—-

"Oh, I know he will. I'm just saying that there aren't that many medical reasons a person would be craving blood, which means it's got to be something that happened to them while they were away." Jenna knows that the vampires are trying to comfort her, and it's a really weird situation.
"Huh?" Taking the scotch, the little empath downs it in one gulp. Her nose wrinkles up and she looks up at the ceiling as her eyes water a little. She's not big on scotch, but she's been known to drink it from time to time.
"I'll be fine. I'm just worried."