MFHS; Exterior: When Stefan exits, the first thing he happens upon is a group of boys in the parking lot. He's mesmerized by the one who is on the ground, bleeding from the shin. Stefan's fangs come out. He buckles and leans against a posting board as he tries to fight off his transformation. Suddenly, someone lays a hand on his shoulder. Before even looking, Stefan growls as he grabs his would-be assailant by the throat. It's Alaric, who somehow manages to free himself from Stefan's chokehold. Stefan apologizes and lies that he was feeling a little sick. He passes by the wounded boy on his way to his car. Alaric, who watches after him, starts to get the picture. Commercial.

Gilbert Gables: Elena opens the door to find Alaric, who cleans up better than your history teacher ought to. He asks her how Stefan is doing, but she still thinks everything is fine and he's bouncing back. Uncle Snark comes out and asks Alaric what he's doing. Alaric: "I'm the chauffeur." Snark thought he was driving, but Jenna disabuses him of that notion, even as she greets her handsome date. She turns back to Snark and tells him he can take the Germ.

Mayoral Mansion or Founders Fort or Somewhere Founder-y: Anna, who also cleans up well, arrives in a cute little black number, with her hair up in a carefully casual/messy updo that works because of her youth. How awesome is Malese Jow, by the way? She totally holds her own in her scenes with Somerhalder and makes you believe her Anna is his Damon's peer. She's also pretty savvy and good about staying in touch with the fandom. She's edited together a "Team Anna" video (to one of her own songs) full of notes and cheers from cast, crew, and fans alike. It's here. Ian Somerhalder starts and ends it, by the way. To those of you who thought the Anna character was too twee when she was introduced -- do you still feel that way?

Anna runs into Damon, and reminisces about the 1864 version of this event. She was going to enter until all the badness went down. Damon laughs that nostalgia's a bitch, so Anna tells him if he's just going to mock her, he can move along. He can't until he tells her that John thinks Pearl stole an artifact from Original Johnathan back in the day. Damon doesn't know what it is, but doesn't want Snark to have it. Anna says she could ask Pearl about it, but since Damon doesn't trust them, why should she. Damon points out that Snark's continued presence is going to make it impossible for Pearl and Anna to stay in town. "Find out where it is. He leaves? You can buy a welcome mat."