(open) there's miles between what we say and what we mean

[stefanged]

Who: Stefan Salvatore and you!!
Where: All over the mansion
When: The month of December
Rating: PG
Summary: Stefan's rediscovering himself - and probably setting himself up for failure in the process. Also includes a couple of closed starters.

The Story:
a) press start to continue (open to all!)

[After hanging out with Elena in the Youth Center, Stefan drops by later to peruse their video game selection. He can't remember if he likes them. He also can't remember if he hates them. So he's going through the entire selection - one by one - and wasting almost an entire day in here, keeping copious notes on each genre and what he likes and what he doesn't. His notes grow progressively messier and more tea-stained as the day grows on.

> FARMING SIMULATION: hard pass. girls are hard to please. also what the hell is a blue feather???
> RHYTHM GAMES: okay?? maybe??
> BEAT 'EM UPS: bring them on.
> CITY BUILDER: VERY HARD PASS.

If he's not actively wasting his entire immortal existence in front of a screen, he's alternatively exploring the Chapel, kneeling down and murmuring a broken, quiet prayer to whoever might be listening.

He's not terribly sure of what he's saying, but he stops every now and then, just to gauge how he feels. It's hard for him to tell.

Or maybe you've caught him in the kitchen, with a whole assortment of snacks and beverages. Once again, there's copious notes, and he's scribbling down how he feels. Soda's okay, orange juice is decent, but he sure can't say he likes chocolate milk (blasphemy).

He's gonna be all around Wonderland this month, trying out things new and old, so even if you don't catch him here, give him a wildcard and see what sticks.]

b) you get in your own way (closed to Cami)

[Stefan's tired of pretending that he's okay.

He can't give himself advice when he's stuck in an eternal rut, and he sure can't find inner wisdom in his diary entries. He'd picked up a new one, while he was browsing his closet, and the whole thing feels so hollow.

He's not the old Stefan. He can't pour out his entire heart, and he sure can't see a point in keeping a permanent record. He can, however, see the point in seeking therapy - in seeking an outside, uninvolved third party for said guidance.

So he makes his way towards the Therapy Office and takes a deep breath as he knocks on the door. Out of habit, because he keeps forgetting that he's a vampire:] Um, hello? Is anyone there?

c) apple pie in the sky hopes (closed to Barry)

[After their first successful coffee shop visit, Stefan's determined to master the secret to decent closet pie.

So he's invited Barry to visit his bedroom and teach him the secrets of pie whispering. Pizza pie whispering? Either way, this is a mystery he's determined to unlock, and he'll do the Frank Hardy thing to uncover this treasure trove.

He leans back on his bed, with his back pressed against the wall,] So how does this go? Is there a specific combination or phrase I should be thinking of?

Comments

[deathlessness]

[She shakes her head.]

The person who did is not here and very dead.

[What she doesn't want to admit is that in a lot of ways she's still figuring out who she is. She thought she knew, but it turns out that stepping out of Dahlia's shadow has left room for shades of gray she hadn't been prepared for.]

So I'm free to ... be myself. Whoever that may be.

[stefanged]

[So they're both discovering who they really are. Stefan's expression softens considerably.]

I'm sure you'll find her in time. [his voice grows softer, almost conspiratorial:] If it helps? Most of us don't really know who we are anyway.

[deathlessness]

[She smirks a bit at that, before leaning forward to match his stance.]

I'll keep that in mind.

[But it does help, a little, even if she feels a bit behind the ball, given how old she is.]

[stefanged]

You'd better. As much as I like finding myself, it can get kinda lonely.

[He could theoretically ask his brother, but he's afraid (even now) that Damon didn't mean what he had said, and that Damon would subconsciously box him into some role Stefan was never meant to play.]

If you're free, I was uh, actually trying to figure out what my favorite food was.

[deathlessness]

Always a worthwhile endeavor.

[She makes her way around the counter to eye the options he had in front of him curiously.]

Do you cook?

[Because if that is the case, she will totally hang out and mooch on whatever he happens to be making for himself.]

[stefanged]

I try to cook. From what I understand, I'm best at Italian dishes.

[Which, duh, he's a Salvatore. His Italian roots are gonna demand that kind of culinary prowess.]

That said? I can't make anything without a recipe in front of me.

[deathlessness]

[Hmmm. Freya considers for a moment before moving to one of the closets and closing her eyes for a moment of focus. And after a moment she pulls out a recipe card and places it on the counter in front of him.]

Grilled chicken risotto. How does that sound?

[stefanged]

Perfect, actually.

[He rolls up his sleeves, already rummaging around for various bowls and ingredients they'll need. Stefan may not remember cooking, let alone the chemistry of it - but he can follow a recipe to the letter.]

So which would you rather be: sous-chef or taste-tester?

[deathlessness]

Definitely the latter.

[She shakes her head.]

Unless it involves something simple, like chopping things.

[stefanged]

Hm... In that case, you can sit back and watch me work.

[Stefan laughs, keeping that in the back of his mind as he sets everything necessary on the countertop. Freya's far from the first who's told him that, and part of Stefan wonders how often he did cook back home.]

But uh, I wouldn't mind some wine to go with it. [He peers again at the recipe card.] We'll consider it a tag-team effort: I grab the food, and you grab the drink?

[The work seems equal in his head - and this way, he'll have company on his culinary journeys (because this isn't gonna be anywhere near their last).]