Gabe walks in and goes straight up stairs, he is so tired. There are beautiful feathery wings in his back, and this isn't an unusual sight in this place.

His head hits the pillow and he falls asleep.

Henry follows Gabe inside, but doesn't go upstairs. He isn't tired and can stand to socialize a little, or at least read a book by the bar, his grayish wings draped around himself like a feathery blanket.

Scott was not expecting a bar. A restaurant? A hotel? Whatever this is, he wasn't expecting it, and he's still not sure what he's looking at. There are plenty of humans (or werewolves, or banshees...), but there are also all kinds of people he doesn't recognize. Skin that makes him squint with how vibrant the colors are, eyes that are in unexpected positions, and...an angel. With his face.

Scott walks over. And sits. Next to the angel.

"Hey. Come here often?"

"Live here," Henry says looking Scott up and down, "we might be alts. My name is Henry."

"My friends call me Scott. What is this place? And what do you mean by 'alts'?"

"This place is called Milliways, it is a sort of multidimensional hub in the shape of bar. This place's door temporarily hijacks doors from other places, collecting patrons from around the multiverse. Sometimes these patrons are alternate versions of the same person."

"Right. Here's how this is going to work. You're going to tell me why I should trust anything you say. And then I'll see if I trust you."

"Trust? You shouldn't trust me. You should observe and think for yourself. But if you want reasons to believe me... Well, how many ruses are likely to be based on the premise this place exists and that you met a differently species version of yourself in it?"

"Any druid could probably pull this off. Fooling the senses isn't the hardest thing they've done in the past. And I've recently had experience with technology that could affect memories. I'm sure you'll say you're real, that you're really a version of me, but how well does that hold up when I try to leave? Just stop pretending."

"Oh, I am so sorry. Mind-affecting magic or tech is the worst. I am actually not sure if we are versions of each other, like... are you very close to a half-cousin named Gabe or similar? If you leave, the door will lead to where it normally leads and you might never see Milliways again. And you do realize that if I am real then I can't stop pretending and if am not whoever is doing this to you wouldn't stop pretending for your benefit?"

His eyes change color. "Okay. Let's find out if we're 'alts'." He stands and heads for the door, opening it. Outside, Henry can see a police station for seconds, before the door shuts. "I don't think I know a Gabe. What's he like?"

"Oh," Henry chuckles, "you would know if you had one. Gabe..." Henry tries to think of flattering terms, "very loyal to me and the one he loves. Emotion, impulsive, carefree, artistic. After my first parents died I was raised by his mother, she divorced her husband because he was racist towards me and Gabe never blamed me for it."

"My dad loves me. It was never his decision to stay away. He just wasn't ready to raise anyone. I don't think they're the same. And I don't know anyone carefree. Are you sure you're not a hallucination?" 

"Do you often get useful answers from that question?" Henry says dryly. "And I am pretty sure my first-set of biological parents loved me they just died when I was a little."

"I'm sorry about your family. It's hard not, to not be able to trust who you thought you could."

He glances around for someone, a bartender or a waiter, to order, and he spots someone.

"Excuse me, sir," he says, gesturing at a passing waiter. "Could I please order something? Do you have menus around here?"

"At Milliways we don't need any menus. We offer everything. If either of you want to eat, I'll bring ya something," the waiter says.

Henry waves at the waiter. "It was a long time ago, but thank you, Scott. And while Milliways doesn't like menus, I can make a few suggestions? What kind of things do you like?"

"No game, but fish, chicken, or beef is fine. Maybe some kind of sandwich. What are the prices like?"

"Dirt cheap, kid. Deposit some money into an account back home later, and you'll have the funds here."

"I will go with a monte cristo. With a rapsberry smoothie."

"I'll take a tuna melt, thanks."

"I'll get on that."

The waiter disappears into the crowd.

"So if you aren't an 'alt', why do we have the same face? Have you ever seen that before?"

"So..." Henry asks as the waiter disappears, "do you mind telling me what was up with the eyes earlier?"

"I'm a werewolf. We just do that sometimes. Not a big deal. What's your story?" he says, pointing at the wings.

"Oh, werewolves, those show up here sometimes. And my story is that I am from a group of worlds with reincarnation. Everyone gets to live once per world, and each one has a different species. Demons and Angels aren't embodiments of good or evil, before you ask. I started out as human, then me and Gabe reincarnated as demons and then I died, was born again as a angel and went back to Gabe to rescue him."

"If we have any demons or angels, they're not speaking up. What happened to Gabe, why did he need rescuing?"

"People wanted to use him as a soldier in a mission that would have gotten him killed."

"I'm sorry. I'm glad he's out of there now."

Their food arrives.

"Thanks, my death had far worse effects on him, but I am around and we are safe. We found Milliways after being reunited and have been living here."

"People can live in Milliways? I thought it was a restaurant and bar."

"Oh, anyone can stay in Milliways, my boy!" says the suddenly appearing Bartender.

Henry still wishes Bartender didn't do that. "Yeah, and it is pretty cheap too. Gabe and I sometimes visit other worlds, he finds doors to here quite frequently."

"You can go to other worlds? That sounds fun! But when I opened the door, it led where I came in. How can I get it to go somewhere else?"

"Oh, yes. The door leads to the world of whoever keeps it open. If I opened for you it would lead to Tartarus instead of your world."

"So I can't really visit unless I want to stay, or someone keeps holding the door."

"Or if you or someone there finds doors frequently, or if they have some really rare extra magic that allows inter-dimensional travel. I admit it isn't something to do lightly, Gabe and I don't really have anyone besides each other and he finds doors often enough that we can risk. But some people find Milliways once and never again."

"I don't think I can risk it. People are counting on me."

Henry takes a bit of his sandwich and nods sagely. "I get a sense that we are not alts. Just doppelgangers."

"Maybe. I don't think I'd ever be this comfortable living in a strange bar while people at home had to handle things."

"Handle things?"

"I can't abandon my friends while I spend time in other worlds or the bar relaxing."

"Oh, right. I forgot to mention the time pausing? Well, when the door is closed time is paused in your world. It stays paused until you decide to never to return again or you are somehow incapable of returning, like by death."

"That's amazing! You're saying I could just stay in here for weeks, and I could still be back in time to keep things together?"

"Yeah. Gabe and I haven't completely given up Tartarus, so time is still paused there, despite being more than a year from our perspective."

"Wait, but won't you get too old if you keep staying here? I wouldn't want to lose track of things."

"Admittedly, that is a flaw. But Milliways is our best bet so far."

"It does seem useful. Stiles or Lydia could probably take advantage of what it can do better than I can."

"Yeah, you have time and can meet interesting folks from everywhere. We often sell and trade here."

"I don't think we really have anything to offer other worlds. What do you sell?"

"Magic."

"We could probably use magic. What do you guys want?"

"It varies a lot, mostly things we can't get from Milliways itself. Books and writing materials, technology and other kinds of magic. Sometimes just a trip outside can do. Plain money too, this place takes any currency."

"We have some kind of magic at home. I can try to ask my boss if he's willing to teach you, he'd probably be willing to stay here for a year without getting antsy."

"Oh, do you know what kind of stuff it does? Is your boss near your door?"

"No, and he probably won't be willing to come to the station without an explanation. I guess I can tell him, he'll come if he thinks this is serious. I just don't know how long I can hold open the door before someone tries to look inside."

"Huh, we have just got back from a trip, but we are low in some supplies, specially blank books which are actually important for our magic... Do your world have cheap but safe hotels?"

"What if you can't come back?"

"It's a risk we take, yes. But our other alternatives is going back home and risk being captured or spend the rest of our lives in Milliways."

"If you're sure, I promise the protection of the Beacon Hills pack, once we get there."

"Thanks. I haven't quite decided yet, it would be nice to know more about the world? The name? Number of species? Technology level?"

"I can't name the whole world. I don't really have any authority back home. I have my pack, and the supernaturals of Beacon Hills respect me, but I probably don't have naming rights. Species, we have humans and extras; the extras are all supernatural and magical creatures like werewolves. Some of us think we're human, some don't. Technology level...we have writing, electricity, cars, microwaves, and YouTube, if that helps. It might help to know that Beacon Hills, where I live and where you'll be going, attracts lots of supernatural events and people. You might not like it."

"You guys don't have a name like... Prime, Tartarus, Elysium, Samaria or Thilanushinyel? or Earth?"

"The planet does, but unless we're the only Earth in all the universes, my world still needs a name."

"Oh, no. The opposite. There is an weird over abundance of Earths, usually in the 20th or 21th century too, which makes it easier to get a picture of what your world is like."

"Okay. I should probably go with something special about our world, than. How many Earths have werewolves, banshees, wendigos, kitsunes, druids, werecoyotes, kanimas...stop me when you hear something familiar."

"Of those, I never heard of wendigos and kanimas, technically I never heard of werecoyotes, but I can guess they are related to werewolves? Are we likely to find them if spend up to two months, likely just two weeks, in your world? Also I should take a look magically to see all the traits of your species."

"You'll miss them if you leave our town as soon as you get there. What would you want to look at, magically? That sounds kind of invasive."

"Invasive? I would check your magical properties. Assuming your kind of werewolf isn't some kind of unusual non-magical biology, it would tell me the species' traits. It would involve me staring at you with my halo out."

"Oh, that's cool. Sure, you can check. We're probably magic. Do I have to do anything?" 

"Nothing really, just stay where you are, it should take a few minutes..."

Henry then lights up, his head surrounded by a beautiful light without clear direction.

"Hmmm," Henry says curiously.

What are Scott's kind of werewolf properties?

Scott's eyes flash yellow. 

"Sorry, panicked. Everything's fine."

Henry can learn many things about werewolves. 

They have a connection to the moon; their power grows strongest durging the full moon, while their self-control nearly shatters.

They can transform at any time, to a form with the same shape but claws and fur and teeth. Every werewolf has something that binds them, keeping their humanity ascendant over their animalistic nature.

Their eyes, ears, and nose are sharper than other humans, even without transforming. 

They come in packs. Scott has no pack...yet. There is something he is tied to, beyond Milliways, but Henry can't be sure what it is. 

Henry reports this in case Scott doesn't know or have wrong information about these features.

"Thanks. I already knew most of that. I didn't know I had any ties to a pack anymore. I'll keep it in mind."

"Maybe you should tell me more about yourself? What would you need if you came to my world?"

"It's one service we trade for often, actually. You would be amazed how often people about not knowing their full magical features."

"And well. I am not good at describing myself? Besides being curious about things and want to figure the multiverse out? I am ambitious in a positive way that wants to have power to improve things. Mainly, we would like, books, both written and blanks, Gabe will need access to art supplies."

"We have a library if you want books. Except you should probably leave town if you want to avoid the supernatural. There are probably better libraries in San Francisco or L.A. anyway. Art supplies might be expensive, but you guys can probably find something to make money. The wings might be a bigger problem. Most people on Earth will be surprised, and maybe scared. It could be dangerous for you two."

"We can figure something out on the money department," Henry tilts his head, "it would be too inconvenient if we pretended to be related? We normally use a specific, long-lasting spell to pass for human that can morph the wings away but can't do much else while is doing that."

"I'd have to explain you to my mom. She'd want the truth. I already had to spring the werewolf thing on her suddenly, I don't want to put too much pressure on her. And no one would believe you're a cousin, I'd have to say we're twins. I can say you were with dad. Do you think you could...pretend...you don't get along with our father?"

"I am sorry about your mom, but sure...? I mean, less so if the relevant people are around? Normally, people don't want to set a couple of magical strangers loose in their world, but if you are okay with me being away. Maybe being monitored by someone else, that is an option? We can stay out of sight as long there is interesting things to do."

"You'll be monitored if you're in my town. Otherwise, you can do anything you want that doesn't endanger anyone."

"Okay..." Henry says thoughfully, "so, one thing to get out of the way is - and I apologize for being blunt here - Gabe and I have a sexual relationship, and you are awfully similar-looking to me..."

The implication should be pretty clear.

"I'm probably never going to see my girlfriend again, I'm not you, and if I was going to do anything with a guy it would be with someone I knew better. Thank him for offering, I guess? Or maybe I should meet him, so I can thank him in person."

"I am so sorry for your girlfriend. And it isn't a matter of thanking him? More a matter of, avoiding potential awkwardness."

"Things don't have to be awkward. I should meet him before letting him loose in Beacon Hills."

"Sure. Do you mind if we talk some more? He should be asleep and really tired now. Literally ran upstairs without doing anything else."

"That's fine, you know what he needs. Did you want to know anything else about Earth?"

"I have visited an Earth before, but it was an atypical one," Henry says, "there is such thing as typical Earths, you get a sense of what it means when you have been in Milliways for long enough. It might be a good idea to know about the people I might meet if I stay in town. Not to mention what are the exact details of what my kinds of magic have to offer."

"You'll mostly be meeting people I can tell about this. Stiles and Lydia definitely need to know about any visitors to our world."

"Sure... What are they like?"

"They're both really smart, kind of vicious, and good at making plans. Stiles will love you if you can make nerdy references unless he thinks you're doing it to impress him, then he'll hate you and never trust you. Lydia won't trust you anyway."

"I can't make references, I doubt you world ever heard of The Tales of the Winter Emperor and the Fire Prince or any literature from back home. And what do you mean with vicious?"

"They think I'm too trusting. Recently I've started thinking they're right. They'll be prepared to destroy you if you're a threat to us."

"As long they don't keep us at gun point it shouldn't be a problem. If Stiles is too intimidating, Gabe might flirt with him."

"Could he not do that unless he's really offering? Stiles will probably jump at the chance to hook up with an otherworldly visitor, after he's vetted him."

"Gabe sometimes flirt as a joke, but only rarely. I can tell him not to do that. Usually, even when it is a joke, it isn't just a joke."

"...Just don't tell him anything, then. If Stiles wants to, he can do whatever. Um, what else did you want to talk about?"

"Well. It would be nice if I explained my magic's properties in case you become more or less interested somehow? I can offer you two kinds, one is called spellwords and the other is called the hallowed vows."

"More magic sounds fine, if you're offering. How do spellwords work?"

"Spell works two ways. The first, and the most likely for me to check, is that I use a spell to give you the spell casting ability, then you can memorize a spell from a book. Once a spell is memorized you can cast it once, then you have to read from the book again. The second, which I am less likely to share, would give you an innate spell, which you can cast as many times as you would like. Even with just the first version you can be very versatile, spells can do a lots of things, like healing, conjuring, protecting," he waves his wings, "changing features so you can blend in society, truth detection which I would like to use on you if you don't mind... lots and lots of things."

"Sure. Detect the truth. What do you want me to say?"

"I am going to write a list of several relevant things you said and then have you read it, and then, under the truth detection, have you answer if everything in the list is true to the best of your understanding without dishonest reinterpretation."

"Okay. Let's do it."

Henry does just that, writing on napkins, check-in with Scott and asking him to read everything carefully. Before casting.

"Detect Lies."

The magic has an weird effect, almost, but not quite, multiple people speaking in different languages, but each is intelligible.

"Is everything written here is true?"

"Everything I have told you so far is true, and everything written there is true. I have not lied to you knowingly."

"That was honest. Thanks! Do you want to get Gabe now, or do you want to wander around Milliways for a bit?"

"I can meet Gabe and we can wander together?"

"Sure. He is sleeping, but he will be grumpier if we wake him up later."

Scott is looking forward to meeting this fellow.

"Alright, let's go wake him up then."

Upstairs they go! And into a bedroom with a rather large bed.

"Gabe. I found a non-alt, that will allow us to visit."

Gabe stirs awake and blinks at Scott.

Then with a meaningful smile. "Hello-"

"He is straight and just went through serious things."

"Hello, friend."

"Hey...nice to meet you too. I think I probably have other qualities besides those."

"You do. But I didn't want him to make a lewd remark"

"You never let me have fun," Gabe mumbles, he sits on the bed, his wings are white with a golden-hue.

"We can probably have fun without doing that. For example, we could explore this cool bar and restaurant. Or my world. Whatever you want. I guess you guys are used to Milliways by now, since you live here."

"Yeah," Gabe says before yawning, "interesting folks, but the scenery gets tiresome."

Henry sits on the bed and pats Gabe's head. "Well, we will be able to visit Scott's Earth," then he turns to Scott, "I don't mind helping you explore Milliway, the patrons are the most interesting things anyway, and they always change."

"Okay. Ready for a change of pace?"

"Sure."

Scott opens the door to an empty police station.

"So, are you risking losing the door?"

"I always find it," Gabe says tiredly, before saying casting "Long-lasting Self-Modification."

His wings shrink and vanish, and he looks just like a regular tall blond guy.

"He always does," Henry confirms, "Long-lasting Self-Modification."

His wings too disappear.

"Cool."

They step outside.

And the door closes.

"Where are we?"

"Beacon Hills Sheriff's Department, at your service. Mr. Stilinski is out right now, but he'll be back soon."

"Good, Is he someone that would find weird  that we look too much alike? should we make ourselves scarce?"

"No, he can find out.  I don't know if anyone else will come, though. Maybe wait in his office." 

Scott points it out to them.

"Sure. Anything useful to tell about him?"

"He's the Sheriff. He's my friend's dad."

"Which one? I think you mentioned Stiles and Lydia? Did you call them to come too?"

"Stiles. And no, I can call him now." 

He takes his phone out and shows them where to hide.

They hide.

"Stiles, something weird happened. Um, no. Parallel universes, there was a weird restaurant. No, but there was a guy who looks like me. Yeah, I'm not stupid. He has a friend you might like to meet. A guy, actually. I won't tell him that, you can tell him yourself! Yeah, see you later."

Scott comes into the office with them. 

"Until I see the sheriff it's probably fine if I stay here. I'll keep an eye out."

"Thank you, it is going to take long?"

Gabe fell asleep with his head on Henry's shoulder.

"No, he should be here soon. What did you guys want to do while we wait?"

"Anything? I don't remember if you mentioned Stiles or Lydia are any kind of magical creature?"

"Stiles is still human. Lydia is a banshee."

"Oh, yeah. Aren't those a kind of ghost?"

"Ours might be different. She's human, but her grandmother was also a banshee. We don't really know how that works. She screams when people are going to die."

"Huh, the ghost version is similar on the scream department. I should take a look at her so we can know her abilities."

"Sure. I didn't actually call her, but she'll probably be with Stiles. They're together a lot now."

"Sure, how long will we have to wait?" Henry glances at the sleeping Gabe, "Should we get him some coffee?"

"I think they'll be here soon. I'll go start a new pot for him. You can look around if you want."

He leaves them in the sheriff's office.

Scott is a really trusting fellow. Well, Henry will take a look, since he respects people's privacy and there is a Gabe on his shoulder, that look is rather limited.

The sheriff's office contains files, pictures of crime scenes, old yearbooks, newspaper clippings, and a very messily-constructed bulletin board. 

Okay... Henry doesn't want to snoop around, but he is kinda of curious what kind of crime this place deals with.

Apparently crimes involving disappearing bodies, strange destruction of the school library, and sabotage of the local mental institution.

How charming and kinda random.

There's some conversation outside.

Scott is talking to someone.

Suddenly this guy.

"Hey. Scott's talking to my dad. I'm Stiles." 

He sees Gabe.

"Hey. Nice to meet you."

"Oh, nice to meet you too, I'm Gabe."

Henry was distracted and turns around. "Hi, Stiles. I'm Henry. How much did Scott explain?"

"Cute guy who looks like him and cute guy who doesn't visiting from another dimension. Don't talk about their dad, dads? Don't demand to see their wings. Cool restaurant. Anything else?" 

"About right? Plus some magical powers. And we are hiding the wings because they would be conspicuous."

"Yeah, I don't mind if you see everything," Gabe yawns, "well, maybe after I got more than a couple hours of sleep. Fuck inter-dimensional timezones."

"Yeah, Scott should be in with coffee in a minute."

Stiles just sort of...admires Gabe. 

Yup. 

Gabe is quite admirable. And he admires back, as much as so one that didn't sleep well for the last 19 hours can admire.

"How old are you?"

"Old enough."

Scott returns with coffee for Gabe and Henry.

"Here, since you didn't tell me what you liked it's black and here's some cream and sugar to add if you need it."

"Just checking, Stiles. Thank you, Scott."

Henry puts an unhealthy amount of cream and sugar.

"Thank you!" Gabe tries it black and decides it is good enough to drink the whole cup. "Thanks the cycle for caffeine."

"So do you guys have any cool tricks?"

"Increase Strength." Again there is an weird effect, like Gabe speaking in multiple languages at same time.

Gabe was already buff, now he is almost a cartoon of a bodybuilder.

"Seems useful, I guess. Can you undo it?"

Gabe shrugs and the effect goes away.

"It can be useful, I used because it's my innate spell."

"Stiles, you can't just ask them to do magic for you! We don't even know what it takes to do it!"

"It definitely increased your strength. You just look better this way."

"He can casts as many times he wants so he can waste it for a demonstration," Henry explains, "Mine is anti-magic and we don't have a suitable target here to show to you. On top of those we have other memorized spells and the angelic power."

"So do only angels do magic?"

"Oh, no. We can share it, and the spells are from when we are human. Our corner of the multiverse does reincarnation into different worlds and different species, each with magic."

"Stiles-"

"I want to try it."

"Huh," Henry turns to Scott, "we can give him the ability to cast spells, which is useless if he doesn't have the books to memorize each time. You can control his access to books that you consider too dangerous, and we aren't planning to give you dangerous spells."

"Warning: it takes forever to memorize a spell and then you can only cast once and then you have to memorize again."

"Forever means a couple of hours, tops."

"A couple of hours sounds like forever to me. And Scott does not get to control my access to anything."

"We'll talk about it later, Stiles. You guys can give me whatever books are involved." 

"Most spell take less than two hours. Scott, there is this wonderful spell that prevents unauthorized people from opening something that I give standard with my spellbooks in case you are interested."

"As you can see, Stiles, Henry can be a huge fun killer."

"You sure he's not Scott?"

"Yup. Can't you tell? They have a distinguished body language. Granted, I definitely had more time than you to learn mine's way of moving."

"I would if I could."

"Wait, what?"

"Nothing, don't worry about it."

"Well, I'm very close to mine, and yours isn't him, plus I bet test it or something."

"I asked for his life story and the way Scott... talks. It's just too different from what we know about alts."

"So, Gabe, tell me about yourself."

Gabe shrugs. "I am a simple creature. Keep me around Henry, give me life's simple pleasures and I am happy. I do like painting and sometimes try out other kinds of art. How about you?"

"Hear that Scott? He's an artist."

"You are a sweetie, Stiles, what about yourself?"

"Lately I read about history, mythology, some fiction here and there. I lIke investigating crime scenes, that's always fun."

"Your dad must like the extra help."

"Yeah, the Sheriff loves his son running around at night looking for bodies. It's what every dad dreams of." 

"You say that like it is a bad thing."

"Do you two need a minute?"

"More than a minute, give me some credit."

"Scott, it is just me or this feels like a potentially disastrous teaming up?"

"C'mon, Henry I know you would love to join in the fun," Gabe says with a wink.

"Well, first I would like to know if it would relevant that: Stiles is the Sheriff's son; Gabe is biologically twenty, chronologically nearly-a-hundred; and my face is identical to Scott's. I case those can be sources of trouble."

"I'm mature for my age."

"And very charming too."

"It might be relevant that Gabe maturity is closer to a twenty year old than a centenarian."

"Stiles, this is your dad's office. He works here, every day. He's in the building right now!"

"Good point. That means he's not home. Gabe? Feel like taking a trip?"

"Sure, can Henry come too?"

"Um."

"Hey, it's just your face. I'm sure he's a little different everywhere else. And definitely where it matters."

"I meant his brain, his head, his mind, honestly, what is wrong with you? Okay, let's go."

"Now that sounds like a sensible course of action."

Henry actually looks kinda of conflicted.

"Uh, does it actually bother you Scott?"

"A little, yeah. I'll try not to think about it too much. Not my business, really."

"Well, you are our dimensional-host here. And I should get introduced to Lydia and maybe check Stiles before he and Gabe get to know each other."

"Check him for what?"

"Check him in case there is some secret or unknown magic in him. Just to make sure he isn't a incubus or anything."

"Right, check away."

Henry checks for anything magical about Stiles, he gets the halo again.

Not very magical at all.

Except for the void in his soul that is somehow tied to a sheriff's badge. And a magical tree stump.

"Huh... I am sensing a void on his soul tied to an object and a magical tree stump?"

"Oh, that. Old news, don't worry. Scott has it too."

"Is that true? Is this... typical? Can I take a look at the this tree?"

"If it's what Stiles thinks it is, me and Stiles are the only ones who have it."

"Sure, let's check out the tree."

"Or Scott and Henry can be the nerds checking out the tree. While we two get to know each other," Gabe suggests.

"Far from me from stopping Gabe making new friends," Henry agrees.

"That works. Scott can handle himself."

"Sure, you guys enjoy."

Gabe puts an arm around Stiles' shoulder. "I will try, Scott. In fact, you have my word. Also, Henry could you boost me up?"

"Force Wakefulness!" Henry casts, "don't do anything complicated after three hours."

"Oooh, that is good," Gabe says blinking, "quick Stiles, with only three hours we barely have enough time."

"Alright, let's get this party started!"

Gabe wait until he and Stiles are outside then he pushes the other against a wall and kisses him.

This is okay, right? They aren't inside the building where Stiles' dad work so it must be okay. Yup, no problems. Also, kiss.

"So, Scott. Is the tree thing very far? If it is more convenient and easy to find I could go there flying."

"You can probably fly there. Just on the edge of town. As long as no one sees you, it should be fine."

Stiles certainly doesn't complain.

He's not a bad kisser, if a little stiff.

"I have an invisibility spell. I can guide myself with maps, or depending how magical is the thing I might even be able to find it by using my halo briefly. I would rather secure a place for me and Gabe to stay first, or at least a place where we can meet again? ...Which is likely going to be Stiles' house because that spell is going to wear off and knock Gabe out hard."

"You can probably stay at Lydia's house, it's big. I'll call and ask. As for the tree, I can just take my bike and you can follow."

"That sounds safer all around."

Henry wait for Scott to make the relevant call and then follows him to the magical tree stump.

Scott has a brief conversation, and they're ready to go!

"She says its fine. I'll lead you there."

He hops onto the bike and they're off.

Scott starts walking once they reach the edge of the woods, though.

"I don't suppose you have any magic to stop thieves? I'll be fine without it, no one really comes here."

Henry follows invisible, occasionally speaking to show he is following.

"I have some wards," says Henry's voice nearby, "but it depends what you are trying to protect. I have alarm wards, a thing that makes locks impossible to pick, some traps that could be used for that purpose, but most are things you need to cast once per day."

"My bike, which I just left by the edge of the woods? It's probably fine though."

Scott can travel pretty quickly. He's faster than most humans.

"Oh, right. If something happens I will help track it down."

Henry is impressed with Scott's land speed but Henry flies. He manages to keep up pace pretty easily.

And eventually: magical tree stump.

It doesn't seem to do much.

Scott seems quite enthralled when they arrive, though.

And what happens when Henry uses his halo to understand how it works?

The tree is old. It was once part of a grove, and the magic of that place is still here, though weaker than it was back then. It has regrown some of its strength, and there is a hum of magic around the clearing. 

It carved out a void in Scott's soul, in exchange for something he wanted.

Anything more active? If not, Henry will just report this to Scott.

Nope. 

That's about it.

"I don't think I can get more information about this place yet, it is very... vaguely magical."

"Yeah, that sounds like the Nemeton."

"It was worth the journey. Anything else for me to glowy at before we go to Lydia's house?"

"No, that should be it!"

"To Lydia then," Henry says not suppressing the invisibility any longer and following Scott by flight.

To Lydia.

Lydia lives pretty far from Scott, but it's still a small town, so they make good time.

There's her house. 

And there, opening the door, is Lydia.

"Hello." says the empty air next to Scott, since they aren't inside yet.

"...Hi. Scott, my mom is home."

"Tell her you're going out?"

"Mom, I'm going out with friends."

She turns around, reassures her mom, and steps outside. 

"Okay, let's get into my car and you can tell me what you did."

"I'm Henry by the way, I look just like Scott, that is why I am invisible. Nice to meet you."

"Sure, why not."

She holds the door open for Henry.

He can have the backseat all to himself.

"Well, let's meet Henry."

Henry morphs the wings away (this spell is really convenient) and gets in the car and becomes visible again.

"Henry, nice to meet you."

"I don't think I know anyone with wings yet. I'm Lydia, you've met Scott. Is there a reason you look like him, by the way? Or is no one going to tell me."

"He met me in a inter-dimensional bar that collects people from various universes as patron. As far we can tell our shared face is just a coincidence of the type that can happen when your selection pool is the multiverse. Here are my wings."

Henry morphs the wings briefly, not their entirety since that would be uncomfortable inside the vehicle.

"Stiles called you?"

"As soon as he finished some very energetic work, apparently. He sounded a bit breathless. Anyway, he didn't explain why Henry looked like you, just heralded his arrival. So, Henry, what can we in Beacon Hills do for an angel?"

Henry is a bit busy laughing at "very energetic work" to answer properly.

"Scott, please tell me they bring something to the table and you didn't just adopt lost children, again."

"Sorry, that was immature of me. I have shareable magic that I am willing to trade for things of the luxury level of notebooks, novels or being able to walk around a place that isn't the same bar everyday. We should be out of your hair in a couple of weeks, at very most a couple of months. Oh, and my angel trick is the ability to analyze magic in case you want another source of information on your own abilities."

"I've already done a lot of the work there. Maybe later. Tell me more about your magic."

"There is spell casting: it involves memorizing spells from books, you can cast then once then you will need to read the book again. It is very versatile, it can do healing, invisibility, wards, changing shaping like what you saw with the wings. And from the angel side there is hallowed vows that give you abilities as you to complete or keep up with a vow, less versatile because we only have a limited pool angels around unless I give you the power directly."

"If an angel vows to stop all deaths, can she gain the power to do so?"

"It isn't that easy. I like how you think, but it isn't that easy. There is a limitation on what you can get and what you can vow for. Mine primarily grants the ability to analyze magic, it can also grant some other sensory boosts and I think I might get something metamagic or ESP-ish if I reach apotheosis. For a vow with a similar effect to what you propose you could vow to make your best effort to save lives without causing harm using the secret name of archangel Maegra while holding an angel feather and it would slowly give you the ability to heal others, the more effort you put the faster it grows. It generally better to take smaller steps because breaking the vow sets you back."

"Scott, you take healing and I'll take predicting the future. We've already specialized."

"Multiple people can take the vows. And I definitely think you can't have enough of healing magic. I should warning you that the Precog, if you going to get it at all is going to take a while. Oh, and in my case my vows require you to learn things, whoever gets it should be prepared to do a lot of reading."

Henry definitely doesn't know Lydia well enough.

"I can read just fine. Does having a talent for something already make the vow easier?"

"You could leverage the vow that way, yes. It should be able to boost other magical abilities as well as long they are close enough. I can also give your own version of the hallowed vows but it would require a bit more of trust and at least some magic to detect lies before I am willing to do that."

"How are hallowed vows different from regular ones?"

"If you have the ability, it feels different when they are made, you can feel the power settling and developing as time goes by."

"I don't need anything hallowed, sacred will do just fine."

"Hallowed vow is just the term people use. Despite everything I am not a sacred being, just magical."

"Are the wings something I can get?"

"They come with the species, I am genetically different from humans. I can morph them away through another spell. I have a couple of spells for flight, the strongest takes two hours reading to memorize and gives twelve hours of flight."

"How soon can I start?"

"Lydia, we have to be able to offer them something."

"A place to sleep, food, and a stack of books or notebooks this high," he raises his hand, "and that would be enough. Company and entertainment would be appreciated, even if it isn't of the type Stiles and Gabe are enjoying."

"Yeah, about that-"

"None of our business."

"As for places to stay, you can sleep with me."

"Sure, is there room for Gabe? We usually sleep in the same bed. Unless there is reason to sleep separately."

"Sure, why not."

"You're as bad as Stiles!"

"I actually know what I'm doing."

"You aren't going to be bothered every time someone shows interest in me, are you?" Henry asks Scott.

"Well, Scott? It's hardly any of your business."

"Yeah, it's fine, I guess. Sorry."

"What a very mature and well-reasoned response from you, Scott."

"How about that magic! Let's talk about that, you guys can sleep later."

"Sure," Henry snorts, "How many people do you want me to give spellcasting to? Or hallowed vows? I won't mind giving magic to a few dozen folks if I feel they won't get up to anything more dangerous than using healing and wards. I can also do some spells without giving them to you. I have one that can copy a sphere of matter about a foot in radius."

"Just me and my friends. Stiles, Lydia, maybe Malia. Kira."

"That is all? Is the entire thing a secret from all your parents?"

"I'll offer it to them, but I don't think they'll want it. My mom might try it if she thinks she can become a healer."

"They can have it without using it. Memorized spells don't go away so they should keep at least a healing spell for emergencies. If you keep my feathers they can remake vows as necessary."

"We could really use healing spells. Can you show me how to use one?"

"I can give you spell casting to both of you right now. I kinda want to inspect Lydia magically before I do that. Sorry, Lydia. I have his face but I'm not as prone to trust people.  I want to inspect Kyra too when her time comes, is she a regular human? And  to memorize the spell you need to read it, which most people prefer not doing in a car. If you acquire blank books and writing utensils I can get started on making you copies of healing spells so you don't have to use my own."

"I'll get us any supplies we need. Should we start driving somewhere?"

"Yeah, we can go to my house. I'll show you the way."

Henry is patiently drive around.

And they arrive.

Scott lets himself in, quietly.

"Lydia can help you find food, if you want any. I'll be upstairs getting your bed ready."

"I am not hungry, but thank you. I can use the spellcasting-giving spell on you two right now if you'd  like."

"Maybe after Lydia. She's more excited than I am."

He goes upstairs to be a good host. 

"After me. Cast away!"

"SEED SPELL-WORD!" Henry casts.

There is a brief sense of something just in the tip of her tongue. An unspoken word... and is gone.

"Okay, now you can memorize spells," Henry says taking a tiny book out of a pocket and then after tapping it twice, it grows to normal book size, "here are several healing spells." He pages through the book. "This one is the least one and is really good for small wounds, but it takes about fifteen minutes to memorize so it is a good way of testing everything is alright."

"Alright." 

Unfortunately, math is her speciality. Reading a spell book isn't unusually fast for her, though she does finish in the expected fifteen minutes. 

And she can feel the spell taking place in her mind, a word not made of any sounds but pure meaning and she knows she can just speak to make it manifest as something tangible.

Henry notices she stopped reading, "So did it work?"

She screams it.

The spell is spent. It gives her some feedback of not healing anything because there is nothing to heal, but otherwise it worked...

...then there is something in the after-effect of her usual scream, a clarity to it. She can sense the living beings in the house, she would be able to point Scott's direction upstairs and there is a sense that Henry is actually not human, more so than Lydia and Scott.

Henry ducks, covers his ears and manifests his wings to cover himself.

"What was that?"

"My scream. It's usually a little different, though. I could sense Scott and you. Did I break your spell?"

"A little heads up before? And..." Henry manifests his halo.

"Uh, I don't think anything wrong with it, in fact. Apparently it manifested with you scream in an interesting way it lets you... hear better things related to the spell, with a healing spell you can sense living organisms better, I guess if you used, say... a metal-based spell you would be able to detect metals around you."

Where Scott? Is this kinda of screaming usual around Lydia?

"Maybe we should check on Scott. Werewolves tend not to react well to my usual screams."

Henry nods and walks upstairs.

Scott is standing and covering his ears.

"Is it safe?" he shouts.

"Yes. Quite surprising, but safe. Are you okay?"

"Not if she screams again. Banshee screams are painful for us. Is she done?"

"Well, I think she is? Ask her. I have a spell that creates a sound-proof barrier but it might not work against her and it blocks all sounds. Oh, and she is a spell-caster now, it worked."

"That's good. I finished making your bed, so you can stay here. I'll talk to Lydia."

He goes downstairs. 

Henry checks the accomodations then picks one of his own books and starts reading.

Scott returns after a few minutes.

"Me and Lydia are going to talk about what your magic means for our world. You can sleep here tonight, and we'll figure something more permanent in the morning. Sound good?"

"Sure. Is this the kind of discussion you want to have by yourselves? Is Gabe going to be okay over at Stiles? He won't wake up for a few hours, so moving him is going to be hard."

"He'll be fine, the Sheriff won't kick him out just because...well, I don't think he will. We'll check up on them after lunch."

"Good. I'm not all that tired enough and want to adjust to your timezone. So instead of napping I will copy some spells for you."

"Thanks! See you in the morning?"

"See you in the morning."

And the next morning, Scott is making breakfast. 

Who wants crepes? 

Henry would love some crepes. He takes a look over Scott's shoulder.

"Good morning. Those look tasty."

"Here, enjoy." 

Henry gets a plate of fruity ones with cream and another plate of savory ones with cheese. Scott had to be prepared.  

"You are lovely!" Henry says before digging in.

He sits down as well, sticking to savory.

"Lydia went home as soon as you went to sleep, but we'll go over magic later. What kind of things will she be able to do? I think she'll probably be better at it than I am."

"You mean with normal magic or the scream and spellcasting combo?" Henry asks between bites. "The latter will mainly sharpen her ability to sense things."

"Let's hear about generally too. Will she be better at learning some spells than others?"  

"The main factor is the ability to memorize things, which can be quite a time investment if you use the spells often. I would recommend having each one of you having all spells memorized and then maybe someone with free time or disposition can be your main caster," he shrugs, "why did you suggest Lydia in particular?"

"Good memory, fast learner, thinks on her feet and finds patterns, all things I figured would be useful to applying magic here."

"Sounds like my kind of gal. Now, I'm vaguely curious what kind of innate spell she would get, it sounds like she would be able to fully master spellcasting quite fast."

"Remind me how innate spells are decided?"

"They are - all of my kinds of magic follow this rule actually - anyway it picks something that will foster the sort of person you are, if you are violent, it will give you a spell that will foster your violence, if you are kind the spell fosters your kindness. It is not necessarily something straightforward, someone violent can get something harmless because using non-magical means would foster their violence better. Also, if you are... changing into being a different person it will give you magic that  will foster your change."

"...In my first life, I used to see morality as this sort of game of balance, where everything was about repaying debts, but by the time I first died I was starting to realize that wasn't really the best way of seeing thing."

"And when I reincarnated as a demon, my power was the ability to transfer harm, which was very useful when Gabe and I grew up and got conscripted into the army. Using my power like that... it helped finish the realization that you don't actually have to repay violence with violence. It was terrible, but overall helped me. If not everyone I encountered."

Oh, look that is what an extremely depressed Henry looks like.

"Turning into a werewolf kind of gave me an urge to maim. We've all got stuff we have to work through."

"The important thing is how you relate to that. And you can always just no use the spell if you don't want to. How do you relate to your urge to maim?"

"It's not as big of a problem as it used to be. Lately, what I'm trying to be is a leader. An alpha. Would I get a spell relating to that?"

"Trying to be something does help, specially since it sounds something very major in your life, and thus important to you as a person. But it is not necessarily straightforward. You could still get something that relates to another, more prominent, aspect of your personality."

"It's doesn't take too long for the innate spell, does it? I don't want to waste time for something that won't even help us."

"Uh. I'm just curious what Lydia would get, not outright offering. But from my end it just takes casting and two hours of mild concentration."