001} video: if love is what you need, a soldier i will be

[theresalwayshope]

[When the video switches on, Allison's face fills the screen in extreme close-up, an intensely thoughtful look on her features as she struggles to navigate the function of her communicator.]

C'mon...are you even on? [Her voice is low and impatient...then her expression comes alive when she realizes she's on display. Flinching a little, then smiling at her work, she backs up enough to be seen, visible seated at the desk in her cabin.]

Hi. [She smiles and offers up a little wave, then pauses for a moment before laughing as she lets her gaze drop.] Okay, this is way weirder than I thought it was going to be.

[She starts talking with her hands a little, not quite speaking to the communicator anymore.] I guess...I'm just restless. Out of practice, I haven't had to move around for a long time. I haven't been assigned to anyone just yet, but I know I will be. And I just want to introduce myself, you know? Put myself out there for anyone who wants my help. And I honestly do want to help. It's why I came.

[She lifts her head more fully, looking into the communicator with something a little different in her gaze...a little less friendly teenager and a little harder, a little older.]

It's...one reason I came.

[The moment passes, the look fades, and her smile brightens again as she takes a steadying breath.]

But I'm not here to complain about myself, right? So! Um... [A hand goes to her chest as she gestures to herself.] My name is Allison, I'm from Beacon Hills, California...and if any of you need anything at all? Just let me know. I look forward to getting to know everyone!

[She shifts, and part of her body moves out of the picture.]

Now if you'll excuse me...I still have to get settled in.

[She turns around to survey the rest of her room...neat as a pin, in perfect order...not a lot to be settled, really.]

Or...not...

Comments

[theresalwayshope]

Yeah...I am. You a friend of his?

[patheticvillain]

Yes. Yes. Definitely.

[He actually is, but for some reason he can't keep himself from sounding as shady as possible.]

Sorry, I'm just surprised how many of you freaky Beacon Hills people have been showing up lately. And nobody who can legally drink. It's like the Admiral's trying to collect you.

[theresalwayshope]

Yep...that's us. Beacon Hills Action Figures: collect the whole set.

And you are...? [Yeah, Allison's gut tells her something's up...an Inmate she needs to keep her eye on, perhaps?]

[patheticvillain]

Cassel Sharpe. Ask him about me. We're tight.

[And you are supposed to be dead. Man, usually this doesn't wig him out this bad, but there's the little matter of Daneca to consider. He's protective of his friends, all right.]

So how many people are left in the collection? Or is this all of you?

[theresalwayshope]

[She feels a little like she's being assessed, but she lays her suspicion aside for the time being...after all, her friends are here, so she's probably going to come up against a few new friends they've made. Especially Scott...it was difficult not to connect with him, and even harder not to feel a certain loyalty to him. Maybe it was part of his Alphahood...but Allison was pretty sure that was just plain old Scott in action.]

It's okay, I believe you. [There's a hint of a chuckle in her response just before she rolls her eyes up thoughtfully.] Let's see...us four are the original run, if you want to continue with the analogy...but the second edition run of the Beacon Hills Action Figures includes Kira, Derek...probably Dr. Deaton...maybe Ethan and Aiden, they're twins...and possibly our parents. Mrs. McCall, my dad, and Sheriff Stilinski.

[She pauses, then nods with a satisfied little smile.] Yeah...pretty sure that's it. [Because she's not counting Peter Hale. Ever.]

[patheticvillain]

Oh, yeah, Derek. He was here for a second. Had kind of a bad attitude. I didn't really think he was part of your - club. Group. Whatever.

[He wants to say family, but isn't sure that's right.]

[theresalwayshope]

[Family is very right, so right Allison almost corrects him. She stops herself, though, because...well, it's all sort of becoming the same thing to her. Her friends, her family, her clique...her pack.

So she just smiles...thinks...then shrugs and wrinkles her nose.]

It's...we all have a pretty complex relationship with Derek. [And, strangely, she feels a wistful sort of pang at knowing he was here and gone. Her feelings are in this weird, shifting limbo since learning that he saved her father's life...

She's a little surprised to realize she'd actually have been glad to see him if he were there.]

[patheticvillain]

[He puts his chin in his hand, considering her carefully.]

He looked just like my brother. Tried to freak me out. But he was okay, I think.

[Everything was so different then, he really doesn't know what to think about it.]