[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/FaCzAxe.png[/img]     [img]https://i.imgur.com/1Hvat1r.png[/img][/center]
[right][b]Interactions[/b]: Edict [@AtomicEmperor], Layla [@Estylwen], Britney & Sabrina [@Punished GN]
[code]The Halloween Festival[/code][/right][hr]
It looked like the information hadn't been as useless as Linqian thought it would be. 

Surprisingly, Edict hadn't pushed her away or tried to create any distance even with Britney standing right there. He did the opposite - putting his arms around her almost automatically. Maybe the night extending beyond the festival wasn't off the table after all… Her eyebrows raised when he took her hand, before smiling at the feeling of a thick, paper wrapped block underneath her fingers. The following movements to cover up the whole transaction, from his pocket to her handbag, were incredibly impressive.

And a little too attractive. She almost rolled her eyes at herself for that. 

Linqian could've gagged over how Edict got over Britney. His smile was sickeningly sweet, it was almost jarring compared to the normal Edict. This time she really did roll her eyes. At least Britney ran off before he could start saying some grossly romantic shit or something.

[quote=Edict]”Linqian, please go with them... I'm gonna stick around with Layla, make sure that we spread the firepower around a little bit, y'know? You're better with those people than I am anyway. We'll catch up, and yes I'll take a Stel. Thank you.”[/quote]
[color=CD5C5C]“Got it,”[/color] Linqian agreed easily, the extra weight in her bag more than enough to stop her from getting annoyed at essentially being told what to do (albeit politely) - and the fact she hadn’t offered to get him a drink. But it was fine. If she thought about it, he was essentially paying for a glorified bar service! On top of the information. Though at the end of the day she was still herself, and had to get a little snide about it. [color=CD5C5C]”Wasn't going to ask, but fine- A Stella for you, and I’ll get a bottle of water for the non drinker.”[/color] Linqian smiled somewhat convincingly at Layla. [color=CD5C5C]”On me.”[/color]

As much as she always claimed her brother had the brains, Linqian wasn't actually stupid. She may not be academically intelligent, but she was smart enough otherwise. It was immediately obvious to her that Edict wasn't staying with Layla to make sure she was protected. She'd just given him information about the void's sealing, which he'd paid handsomely for (unless he'd handed her a massive stack of one dollar bills), and now he wanted to have a nice chat with Layla alone? Connecting the dots wasn't hard. Why it was so important to him she didn't know, nor did she care, quite frankly. She'd been paid and would keep doing whatever she needed to to get paid again.

Including making herself scarce, and going after Britney. 

[color=CD5C5C]”Don't have too much fun without us,”[/color] Linqian smirked, before turning on her heel and hurrying after Britney and Sabrina. She didn't want to stick around, anyway, after she caught the start of Edict laying it on thick with Layla. As she walked, she carefully opened her bag to rearrange the things inside. The envelope was moved underneath the tupperware and beers, and the gun slipped down the side of them so it was easy enough to get out but not so easy to see. Satisfied, she closed her bag and covered it with her cloak. 

Nothing could restore Linqian's good mood like a massive stack of cash. There was a slight bounce to her step as she followed Britney into the drinks area. Now nothing else could ruin her night, nothing-

Except Bianca and Evelynn drinking together.

Just like that, Linqian chest tightened and pure hatred seized her. Seeing Evelynn was enough to put her in a bad mood, but her cosying up to Bianca? That was too fucking much. Fuck. Linqian couldn't fucking believe it. It hurt more than she wanted to admit. It really fucking stung. Bianca had fucking seen what happened! She’d offered her fucking condolences and said she wanted to meet up again. Now she was cosying up with the fucking enemy? The person who said Jinhai deserved to be fucking dead? Bianca had gotten on with her brother- she’d practically been a part of the fucking family for the time she was there. Yet she was fucking drinking with that bitch? Fuck. This was the fucking worst. 

Linqian tore her eyes away from them, dark red lips twisting down into a nasty scowl. Part of her really wanted to go over and slap Evelynn again... But the colder, more detached part stopped her. Evelynn didn't deserve the effort right now. She was dead to her. Something to be ignored. She felt nothing towards her at all. She wasn't even worth having feelings over. A cold apathy washed over her, pushing away the residual fiery rage. She would completely ignore Evelynn's existence. 

Linqian looked back over, gaze ice cold as it passed over Evelynn as if she wasn't there and came to rest on Bianca. It softened slightly there. She looked cute, dressed as a werewolf- shit, they practically matched. Her expression lightened slightly. Bianca caught her gaze and grinned, giving a small wave. Linqian's lips twitched slightly upwards towards more of a straight line than a scowl. She immediately turned away, giving them both the cold shoulder and going over to Britney.

[color=CD5C5C]”Can't believe all it took was some sexy maid outfits for Stormy to fall in with the feds,”[/color] Linqian muttered, watching him gather them for drinks (out of his pocket). Fucking typical. She looked up at Britney, and realised that she [i]hadn't[/i] been there when the PRA had ruined everyone's day a week ago. She'd have no idea who these people were, and had barely paid attention to anyone beyond Lila. Which was strange, cause Lila looked perfectly fine. Linqian gave Lila a nod, because she may be friends with Lynn but she was impressively anti-fed, before leaning in towards Britney.

[color=CD5C5C]”Oh yeah the annoyingly hot maids are the ones that tear gassed us last week,”[/color] Linqian said in a low voice to Britney (and Sabrina). She tried to subtly point to Meifeng. Lila could definitely hear her too, but that wasn’t exactly a problem since she clearly didn’t like the PRA either. [color=CD5C5C]”That's the leader. An absolute fucking bitch- Bianca says she not normally like that, but I don't believe it... oh yeah, Bianca's part of the PRA too. Between us we've got exes in the worst groups possible - the mafia and the government. Lucky us.”[/color]

Linqian lips twitched up into the semblance of a teasing smile. Though, she knew which one she'd choose to work with any day - and actively did. She'd sooner starve to death than get a job like Bianca's. 

Now that she was coldly ignoring her ex she kind of still liked and her worst enemy drinking together, and Stormy making nice with the feds, she actually took note of the situation. Namely the awkwardness. Luca looked like absolute shit and was clinging to Jasper like he was about to jump his bones (which surely wouldn’t be fun for anyone), Lila looked distressed and of course Stormy said that ‘nothing happened’ while essentially telling Britney to fuck off. Which clearly meant something had happened, that much was fucking obvious, but Linqian had no idea what. 

And again, she really didn’t care. All she wanted was another drink and to be out of this uncomfortable atmosphere… But the drinks line was long. Far too long.

[color=CD5C5C]”There isn't another drinks stall is there?”[/color] Linqian eyed the queue with disdain. Surely there must be, in a festival this big. She'd give anything to avoid being in that crush of bodies. She still had two cans in her bag, but there were three of them here and then Edict who'd already put in his order with her. [color=CD5C5C]”Or literally anywhere else we can buy drinks? I don't like the look of the queue, and Stormy clearly isn't inviting us along.”[/color]
[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/XiUHyUc.png[/img]     [img]https://i.imgur.com/K7gWNb1.png[/img][/center]
[right][b]Interactions:[/b] Sloane [@Atrophy] & Jack [@Blizz]
[code]Cracker Island, Halloween Festival[/code][/right][hr]
[quote=Jack]"I have a feeling he only pretends to be so disgustingly stupid, and I'm well-versed in the art of lying to someone's face." [/quote]
Anya found it almost funny how Jack thought she needed help with the lying part of the whole situation. That showed just how well she'd mastered 'the art of lying to someone's face.' It was so easy to keep a lie that people wanted to believe. Of course she was the unfortunate one in this situation, forced on a horrendous date where all she could do was grin and bear it. There had been no manipulation on her part, of course, or subtle nudges towards information. None at all.

Ah, it was so nice to make people believe that had control, or were superior, when they truly weren’t. 

Her dark brown, carefully painted lips curved up into an agreeing smile. She didn't need them to see her talent for what it was. After all, the fact that they both truly believed her to be a good person proved just how well she was doing it. 

And unlike Jack, she didn't idiotically brag about her lying ability (which really defeated the purpose of lying in the first place). She would keep up the facade until she passed, or it was no longer necessary. 

[color=9966CC]”Thank you, Jack. You too, Sloane. I’m sure it’ll be fine. I don’t plan to meet him again unless we need more information, which is unlikely right now. I’m sure by then he’ll have forgotten about me, and you can take my place. I think Sloane is right, though, I think he is just that stupid.”[/color]

Anya’s eyebrows raised as Sloane mentioned her own dating life. It was one thing the two of them never discussed, like an unspoken agreement that it was something neither had an interest in sharing. Though now that Sloane had let it slip, albeit accidentally it seemed, she was curious. Anya allowed her to change the subject awkwardly, while making note of the information. With Sloane she knew pushing would only cause her to withdraw.

Though them finding her an actual date with someone deserving of her (which was no one) wasn’t an idea she was fond of. She watched Sloane who was acting strangely - refusing to make eye contact and brushing back her hair, when her hair was perfectly how out of her face. 

[color=9966CC]”I don’t really have a type,”[/color] Anya replied honestly, deciding not to try and keep up a socially acceptable pretence around them when it came to dating. While very few - perhaps no - people were allowed to see the real Anya, these two were her friends. Well. Sloane was her friend, Jack had newly reentered her life, so that still wasn't definite in her eyes. She didn’t really [i]do[/i] friends anyway. Sloane was a bit of an exception there. [color=9966CC]”To be perfectly honest, I have no interest in dating, and that’s why I don’t talk about guys. If you want a physical type, I can give it, but that’s not what you’re looking for. I’m quite happy to be single, and plan to stay that way for the rest of my life. Romance doesn't appeal to me."[/color] It was more than that, but explaining a lack of romantic attraction whatsoever always lead to more questions. [color=9966CC]"It’s not like I haven’t been through a long list of eligible bachelors provided by my parents. I can’t say any of those dates, well, marriage meetings, were bad, but it made me realise it wasn’t something I wanted. My parent’s didn’t take to kindly to that.”[/color]

Anya laughed lightly, though her gaze turned colder. Her parents were, and always would be, a sore spot. Even if she’d brought them up herself, it made her mood unpleasant. She finished her third drink and glanced around for a server Sloane was so desperately trying to find. Where had they gone?

[color=9966CC]”I do appreciate the offer,”[/color] Anya smiled, coldness in her expression disappearing. Even if Sloane had only brought it up to awkwardly cover up mentioning her own dating experience. She’d hidden it so clumsily that it was near impossible for Anya to miss - but thankfully for Sloane, Anya thought through all her actions enough not to bring it up. [color=9966CC]”But Jack… I don’t imagine you’ve had many options in the void? I’m sure we can find someone for you, between us. There’s plenty of handsome, gay men in my field of work if there aren’t any here.”[/color]
[hr][center][h1]Lihn Phan[/h1] [img]https://i.imgur.com/DaeyXno.png[/img][/center]
[right] Interactions: Clancy [@Zombiedude101], Shayton [@Punished GN]
[code]The Halloween Festival, Kids Section[/code][/right][hr]
Lihn smiled when the kid took the cat ears. He looked a lot less… racist with them on top of the outfit. More ridiculous, but he was young, what did that matter?

Then he started acting odd again. He walked away from her without saying anything - no explanation. It wasn’t the normal running of an angry or scared pre-teen either.

Lihn followed him over to the colouring table out of concern. It was the same table that Tayla was colouring at - Clancy approaching a man that Tayla was conversing with. Lihn raised an eyebrow. 

Tayla was quick to leave - which was a shame, Lihn had hoped to exchange numbers with the other mom before leaving. Or at the very least give her a business card so she could get in contact. St Portwell was large, but Lihn interacted with a large proportion of the magical scene. Hopefully she’d meet her again. She understood her leaving, however. She wouldn’t want her family time encroached on either.

Lihn glanced over at her own daughter. Story time was wrapping up, but she had accosted the story teller himself and was bombarding him with questions. She’d have another few minutes before she came running over.

“Are you his Uncle?” Lihn asked Shayton, raising an eyebrow. Seeing Shayton made her even more confused about how Clancy had left the house dressed like that. “You should keep a closer eye on your nephew. This may be the kids' area, but there’s plenty of dangers for someone so young. Don’t let him lose you again.”

Lihn then looked over at Clancy with a smile. The energy between the two was… off, but it wasn’t her place to question it when the child himself had approached him. The calming emotional aura she’d been putting out momentarily brushed up against Shayton’s emotional field before immediately retracting as she stopped doing it. “I’m glad you found your… family member. I’ll leave you two alone now.”
[hr][center][h1]Bianca Manalo[/h1] [img]https://i.imgur.com/M9y8V0W.png[/img][/center]
 [right]Interactions: Lynn [@NoriWasHere], Linqian
[code]The Halloween Festival[/code][/right][hr]
"Oh there's one guy that'd have you beat when it comes to HR cases," Bianca laughed, pointing to the red power ranger. "Pretty sure HR is sick of his face by now, dudes in there every few days. It's badddddd."

Bianca sipped on the second beer, pocketing her ten bucks. She wouldn't say no to the free drinks... Though unfortunately she couldn't just down another. She was technically on duty, and while two beers wouldn't even get her tipsy it was best to take it a bit slower. So she could drink throughout the night, of course.

"Hey, I get it, that wasn't cool," Bianca held up her hands again, with a smile that said she really wasn't bothered by Lynn bringing it up. She'd already had the conversation with Linqian anyway. "We're not normally like that. Meifeng- my boss- really doesn't like when we get hurt. Eve punched me a couple of times over nothing and it just escalated. Can't take it back, but I'm sorry that shit happened. Shouldn’t happen again. We’re here to protect people against the paranormal, honest."

She went to answer how she'd been doing, but Lynn took a quick trip to the future - and Bianca kept an eye on her drink just like she'd asked to, as if anyone wanting to spike it could get through them. When Lynn came back Bianca grinned and gave her a thumbs up.

"Well, there's plenty of drinks to be had," Bianca glanced over at Britney, then back to Lynn. "Glad you're doing well... And hey, being a fed isn't really that bad nowadays, you should've seen who I used to work for!" Bianca laughed, seemingly joking. Though she wasn't. Her last boss had been a Nazi. "What's new with me, well... It's been ten years, so a lot. I work for the government now, been all around the place with it. Came back to St Portwell two years ago. It's been nice, even if there's a lot different. Not many people still around, and my job doesn't exactly give me the free time to see them anyway."

Stormy seemed to be taking off, gesturing for everyone to follow them. Bianca raised an eyebrow, tilting her head towards Lynn. "Are you planning to follow them?"

Bianca was quite happy to stay here, finishing the beers - she'd followed her colleagues to the drink line for that, after all. She was also happy to follow. As she was waiting she felt a chilly gaze on her, hair at the back of her neck standing on end. She turned her head to the side and spotted Linqian staring at her. She was dressed up as red riding hood - if a slightly damp, tired looking one. It was cute. Bianca grinned and waved at her cheerfully. 

As expected, Linqian turned around and completely ignored it. Ah, how difficult it was keeping up a friendship with an ex (who perhaps didn’t even want it). Bianca took another sip of her drink and glanced at Lynn, joking, “she’s so gonna block me again. Surprised she keeps unblocking me to be honest.” 
[hr][center][h1]Trisha Vanburen[/h1] [img]https://i.imgur.com/eJhsguy.png[/img][/center]
 [right]Interactions: Adora [@Punished GN], Leon & Casey [@AtomicEmperor]
[code]The Halloween Festival[/code][/right][hr]
Suddenly, Adora was pulled off her - and someone else was pulling her up too. The bees automatically split into two groups and swarmed up Casey’s hands too. Trisha didn’t recognise him, but the voice was familiar. She squinted at Leon through blurry eyes and quickly realised who it was. The enforcer himself! No wonder he was stepping in.

Having recognised him, though she had no idea who the other guy was, she silently told her bees to withdraw. Most of them flew back to her, crawling back inside her onesie. Three rested in her hair like guards in case anyone tried something else, and two flew circles around Adora while buzzing threateningly.  

“Leon!” Trisha cried, immediately groaning and doubling over. Leon probably wouldn’t recognise her because he face was fucked up beyond recognition, but he’d probably recognise her voice (she’d yelled at him a lot back in the Stygian Snake days). Plus there weren’t many who had a whole swarm of bees they could control (though it was only a small amount of her actual hive). “She just started hitting me!” 

She was an absolute sight. Blood flooded down her face from a broken nose, coating the top of her bee onesie until the yellow turned red. Bruises already bloomed all across her face. Her red rimmed eyes squinted up at the two men - she had difficulty opening them, and her vision was incredibly blurry. Her head ached, she could feel blood sluggishly dripping down from where it had hit the stall she’d been thrown into. 

She was already sobbing from all the pain she was in, ugly tears streaming down her bloodied face. That wasn’t fake, even as she lied about whose fault it was. But Adora had taken it too far! Unable to take a few fucking words...

Her face was in agony - she was fairly certain more than her nose was broken! She was going to look awful for days! That bitch! 

“I was just trying to have a nice chat with an old friend, bringing up other older friends, when out of nowhere she punched me. She just wouldn't stop, look at what she did.” Trisha gestured to her face clumsily, because she was incredibly dizzy and couldn't really feel her limbs. She hiccuped, tears still streaming down her face uncontrollably. "She... she... she ruined my face..."