Jeremy is so familiar with that feeling of being powerless, weak, afraid. Every moment that he pours into training, it's a moment that makes him that much stronger so maybe next time-- Maybe next time he won't feel like that.

He'll be in control. He'll be able to stop someone from dying. It's useless, but it's all he has.

"Welcome to Mystic Falls," he says with a slow, cautious smirk, keeping the crossbow in hand though it's still pointed down. "I'm Jeremy, and this place kind of sucks. Sorry to be the one to break the news to you."

He doesn't mention his last name if only because the baggage that comes with being a Gilbert. Dead parents, dead people all around them.