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[img]https://i.imgur.com/FaCzAxe.png[/img]     [img]https://i.imgur.com/1Hvat1r.png[/img][/center]
[right][b]Interactions:[/b] Sloane [@Atrophy], Adora & Auri [@Punished GN], Layla [@Estylwen]
[code]Tranquil Haven Park[/code][/right][hr]
[color=CD5C5C]”Of course he wants to scare us,”[/color] Linqian looked at Layla like she was stupid. [color=CD5C5C]”Hardly matters when he’s also [i]killing[/i] us.”[/color]

[color=9966CC]”Stabbing doesn’t necessarily point towards it being human, Layla,”[/color] Anya said, looking at the girl calmly and completely ignoring her apparition.   [color=9966CC]”There are plenty of apparitions that could wield a knife, or imitate one.”[/color]

[quote=Sloane]“A shame you weren’t there…”[/quote]
Linqian rolled her eyes, scowling. She just couldn’t keep her mouth shut. The look of disdain Sloane gave her almost riled her up more than the words. Her hands balled into fists, nails digging painfully into the palm of her hands, but she was able to keep a handle on her temper more easily than normal. Any other day and she would have punched Sloane just like someone else seemingly had the day before. 

[color=CD5C5C]"Even if Jinhai was still alive, he wouldn't be interested in you,"[/color] Linqian flipped off Sloane’s back, knowing her response was going to fall on deaf ears. She was pissed, but less visibly the normal.

But Sloane's hidden blade cut her deep, slicing through her until it reached the mess of feelings Linqian had hidden deep inside herself. It scratched the surface of the carefully locked box, pricking a hole that was almost unnoticeable. But those feelings, those horrible thoughts, slowly started to leak out. Drops of them crossed Linqian's mind, difficult to process and difficult to understand. 

[I]It should have been you.[/i]

What Sloane had been implying hung there in Linqian's clear mind, bleeding out like a clean cut that she'd barely felt. It hurt her and it angered her, but right now it didn't bother her. It was just there, and the dripping thoughts from that locked up box began to gather around it.

Linqian really didn't care what Sloane thought. Sloane was just wrong, of course. (Wasn't she?)

She unclenched her fists, and then clenched them again. After a moment she pushed these thoughts away, returning to the clear mind Edict had helped her attain. The feelings were entirely unprocessed, but gone for now.

[quote=Auri]"Like what Layla suggested, a buddy system seems to be the best action. Nobody goes anywhere alone, as it seems only those alone are targeted."[/quote]
[color=9966CC]"A buddy system, really?"[/color] Anya raised an eyebrow. [color=9966CC]"Logistically that's rather difficult. We'd have to start moving in with each other for that to work, in the case of those of us that live alone."[/color] It wouldn't work, because it just wasn't feasible. Nobody here would want to spend every hour of the day with someone else. Still, it was best to remain open minded - or at least have the appearance of it. She was smart enough to know when push, and when to pretend to consider someone else's idea. If she pushed too hard against Auri right now then it would have the opposite effect, undermining Anya rather than Auri. [color=9966CC]"It's worth a try, I suppose. I'll pair with Sloane. I'm sure no one has a problem with this."[/color]

Of the others there the only one she could possibly stand would be Jack, and she hadn't seen him for a long time. The "buddy system" was a flawed idea that she didn't hold much confidence in, but if it was going to be attempted she would at least use it in a way that was beneficial for her.. 

[color=9966CC]"But as Sloane said, we don't have the time to waste. Take us to this new 'home base' so we can discuss leads and plans."[/color]

Before Auri had a chance to respond, another familiar face appeared - familiar to Anya, at least, who'd made sure not to forget any of the former coven members where possible. It had made it easier for her and Sloane's... Joint business ventures, and Adora's dreams had been ones she'd frequented in the hopes of influencing her to hand over her ring. Unfortunately it hadn't worked out quite as well as with her two friends.

Adora's dreams were messy, and frequently dangerous. 

Adora made a beeline for Sloane without a glance at anyone else, and instantly demanded those very rings that had been meticulously collected by Sloane. 

It was clear that this wasn't going to go well... Because Anya knew that Sloane didn't have those rings. As far as she was aware, she was the only other person here who knew about the theft. Sloane had done a good job of keeping it under wraps so far, but this situation posed a bit more of a problem. Adora wasn't the kind to just accept no for an answer, either. She should do some damage control now, try to insert herself before Sloane opened her mouth and ended up with another broken bone... And the whole coven turned against her, again.  

[color=9966CC]"Adora,"[/color] Anya intoned, lips curving into a polite smile that didn't reach her chilly eyes. [color=9966CC]"How nice to see you again. I hope you're doing well? Ah, I imagine not... If you ever need help with those nightmares of yours, you can always come to me."[/color]

It seemed like a generous offer, but there was a clear warning there - just as she could make them better, she could also make them worse. Adora may feel that sleep could be an escape but with Anya around, it wasn't. She should be careful of what she did.

Anya reached out to grasp Adora's wrist, though she didn't make a move to pry her hand off of Sloane's shoulder just yet. 

[color=9966CC]"Why don't you ask civilly, without the threat of physical violence, hm? Sloane's not trying to hide from you, she's just a busy person."[/color] Unlike some, was the unspoken but clear insinuation behind her words. This excuse would only hold up for why Sloane was ignoring Adora previously, not why she couldn't hand over the rings now. [color=9966CC]”Do you really believe you should get the rings back? You’re clearly unstable, and will only be a danger to yourself and others with them. It's best that Sloane keeps hold of them, where they’re safe from those that would abuse them.”[/color]