"He's a trauma surgeon," her voice carries over her shoulder and down the porch, sounding distinctly of pride. This is the familiar; not Veritas or dreams or Stefan, but Simon. Behind all these doors are things not-hers, memories and histories she never lived, but Simon is where she claims sole ownership. That's where she makes her home.

"Was."

And in that moment she remembers why the tenses all had to change. The pressure drops as the tiger growls a Katherine growl and when River turns around to look at Stefan (not Simon never Simon) she's back in the sea foam green 'uniform' of the Academy, complete with conductive plating. Veritas, all of Stefan's workings, remain unmoved.

It's River that's in flux, a frightened ball of girl getting pulled back to her own nightmares even as she stands solid on the wooden slats.

"He was but you aren't--" A step backwards. Two. "Why is this here?"