[ there's a pause at that. john looks up at her, giving a small and sympathetic smile. he's really got nowhere better to be as well. oh, sure, people got all wrapped up in his life here in mathias. still doesn't mean he really belongs with them though. raylan, his best mate? he's got two other blokes he's tied up with and living with. three's usually a crowd, and john's got no interest in hanging around like a fourth wheel. zed? she's missing, and he's got no idea if her body is going to wash up on the beach or if she'll wander back into town one day. the hargreeves? eh, brothers already, and he's not going to get involved in that. daisy's got people at the boarding house... and their last conversation hadn't gone swimmingly. ]

I don't either.

[ a bit sad, a bit pathetic, but he'll admit it. namely because she's a stranger and it won't matter much to her what he says in the end. ]

Then how about we see if we can find a way into their room? [ he inhales and puts his hands on the cold floor below them. he closes his eyes. ] Oh, spirits of earth that might still linger... we respect you and your mighty house. Take this offering of energy and reveal thy secrets.

[ there's a slight vibration then - a low hum if elena can listen close enough. it echoes through the wood and the stone beneath them. a moment passes, and john's eyebrows knit together. oh, he can feel that room beneath them. but, the stone isn't responding like it should.

bloody fucking mathias and it's issues with his magic. ]