[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/zfATZDK.jpeg[/img]

[h3]THE 317[/h3]

[img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/534770802651037707/1231766495541989397/c3LUb4m.png?ex=663826f1&is=6625b1f1&hm=85dd3e621c33aaaa90193e36aa361fefda75d770ff72bcad8543e248399e2e8f&[/img]

[h3]GREENWOOD COVEN[/h3][/center]

[right][code]317 MAIN COMPOUND - 317 NEW COMPOUND[/code][/right]

Jordan stood at the front door to the 317.  He was wearing a black fuzzy sweater that was one size too big with a pentagram on the front, blue acid-washed jeans, and trademark circular frames on his face.  Today was a slow day once more, people were either still hungover from the Halloween festival or saving whatever they could for the upcoming holiday sales that the artist here would no doubt be offering.  A slow day simply meant that Jordan could simply stay alert, watching and waiting for something to happen.  And if that meant walking out to the courtyard, buying delicious food from the trucks, and simply people watching his way through the day then so be it.  He had enlisted some help as well running Aaron’s room so that the Faith would be none the wiser to his absence today.  

Jordan took a big bite from his tacos and smiled.  Today was going to be an easy day.  And then he smelled it.  It was a familiar, pungent smell that seemed to permeate the area around him and the presence of it was enough to give him a slight buzz.  Greenwood, and the brought their green.

[hr][center][hider=Zero Tolerance - David Holmes][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1DyB-RQYA8[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr][hr]

“... Heeeeeeey, babe,” Ruby walked up with a smile on her face… she was wearing red jeans, some white sneakers, and a white tank top. She stepped through the front door and walked over to Jordan. She just [i]reeked[/i] of weed and alcohol. She walked over to Jordan and gently caressed his arm. “... You’re lookin’ [i]lovely[/i] today.”

“... God damn it, Ruby!” Naomi shouted as she walked up, wearing some black New Balance sneakers, some black Nike sweatpants, and a hoodie. She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“... Sorry, bro,” James walked over, wearing the same exact outfit as Naomi, but he had a backpack on… his axe was nowhere to be seen. “She got turnt up before we got here!”

“Hey, I [i]tried[/i] to stop her!” Jessica walked up with her hands behind her head. She was wearing a white button-up shirt, with some jeans and some black cowboy boots. Her grandfather’s leather cowboy hat hung off the back of her neck like some kind of weird necklace. “But, she wanted to drink and get high first!”

Ruby whipped her head around towards Jessica.

“... If I can pass a field sobriety test [i]something[/i] is wrong,”

“Yes, we are sorry,” Pearl said, walking up in a blue dress and tall boots. 

“What a lovely day!” Kashmira shouted as she walked up with a wide smile on her face. She wore a dark green t-shirt with black leggings and some sneakers. She looked up at Jordan and said, “How are you doing today, friend!? Are you feeling wonderful?”

Autumn silently walked up wearing some jeans, a black overcoat, and some tall combat boots. Similarly, Amelia didn’t an entrance either as she wore a green military jacket, some black jeans with some black leather running shoes.

“Yeah, dab me up!” James walked over to Jordan, putting his hand out.

“He probably doesn’t know what dabbing is!” Noami laughed.

“... Is that because he’s [i]white?![/i]” James laughed back.

“Wait, no, the [i]other guy[/i] didn’t know what dabbing is…” Naomi tried to explain herself.

“Because he’s white!” James grinned.

“Oooooh, shut up, boy!” Naomi shook her head.

What… the… fuck?  Suddenly Jordan knew his day was not going to be so simple anymore.  Greenwood never just showed up together for no reason, at least not that he knew.  If they were here, they would be wanting something.  And he hoped that the 317 would listen.  They fought together once before, and it was a good fight to fight.  He could not linger on these thoughts, though, he needed to greet the guests.  Jordan's eyes rose up to Ruby and smiled.  He remembered Greenwood's leader very well, and he remembered the quality of their weed.  If he played his cards right, and by play them right he meant simply hang out with them, he might be able to get high for free for the rest of the day.  His eyes drifted to James.  Placing his plate of food down on the chair behind him and then dabbed up James.  

“What’s good,” Jordan asked as he looked over the rest of the coven, “what brings you down to our humble establishment today?”

“Seeeeeee!?” James shouted as he looked down at Naomi, who crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

“Greenwood…” Ruby said, before she shook her head. “... Greenwood came here today to talk business. An alliance… I know we didn’t end things on the greatest terms, but I think we can hash things out. The city is getting more dangerous by the second, and I don’t think either of us can operate the ways we were before, babe….” She got to the point.

The smile faded slightly from Jordan’s face.  “And here I was hoping y’all missed this ugly mug of mine,” he sighed as he rubbed his neck.  Jordan remembered that after the Nazi fight was finished, Greenwood was not too happy that Faith was continuing her monster-making business.  It was a sore point, while on one hand she only ever did it on verifiably evil people it was still an evil line of work to be in and disrupted the natural order of life.   What’s worse, is Faith had a hand’s off approach to verifying if the groups she sold to were not terrible, and often overlooked the potential for harm that her actions would bring.  Jordan remembers very well that final argument, and Jordan wished that Faith had just listened to reason back then.  “Faith and Octavia are off-site right now but I can take you to them,” he paused as he smirked, “they might not be happy to see you after last time but those who were there are,” he looked over the group, “a few of us have been pushing for the 317 to take a side so things might be different this time.”  Jordan waved for them to follow.  “Only one way to find out though!”  

He led them down the one wing of the 317 until they were about halfway down and stood outside a locked door.  He knocked three times looked over the group and smiled.  A second later the sound of three separate locks unlocking was heard and the door was pushed open slowly by Alex, who looked like they were just asleep.  

“What do you want,” Alex said as they yawned, “I was doing important work for the collective.”  Alex was dressed in a dull lilac sweater dress with black leggings underneath.  They had on a pair of purple Converse, and their glasses were crooked on their face.

“Important work,” Jordan raised an eyebrow before he motioned for Alex to look behind him.

Alex’s eyes drifted and rested on Ruby’s face.  They yawned and started for a few seconds longer before the worn-out gears inside their brain finally began to turn and the realization sank in.  “Oh shit, what’s up y’all?  Come on in, come on in, you guys got any gummies?  I’ll pay.”  Alex stepped aside as Jordan led the group into the unassuming room.  The ceiling had a painting on it that seemed to change as the group entered the room, wherever Greenwood would stand they would see a small dot appear as well.  The floor was similarly painted and had a similar effect.  Both paintings seemed to have another painting inside of them and a third inside of that one.  

“You all stand against that wall,” Alex spoke as they pointed toward the wall opposite the door.  

“... Is that your firing line?” Jessica snorted as she threw a thumb towards the wall, but walked towards it anyway.

“Nice place,” Ruby looked up at the ceiling. 

“We got some gummies but Ruby’s…” James said as his eyes drifted towards Ruby. “... Yeah, good luck getting them from Ruby.”

“Maybe it’s our parting gift,” Ruby answered, “How have things been, babes? I hope better for ya’ll than it has been for us…”

“Not so much better,” Jordan sighed, “conflict with the 8th, we’re worried about other groups pushing us, and a few of us are off trying to stop some murders leaving us a little more vulnerable.”

“So there’s a chance,” Alex chuckled, “and it’s not our firing line,” Alex paused as they activated their power, opening the portal between the floor and the art dimension behind it.  The group fell for only a second before they landed in the oddly white dimension of art.  “It’s our elevator.  Simple rules for this place, do not wander off the path,” they pointed to the path underneath them.  The path led to a nearby painting on the ground.  “Do not interact with the locals under any condition, they know you’re here with me but they do not like it.  Now, let’s just,” Alex paused again as they opened the next portal and motioned for everyone to jump through.

Jordan led the group into the next portal and once again fell for a brief few seconds before they landed in another building room.  Jordan opened the door and exited to a new, different building.  This building was without windows, and it was made entirely out of concrete.  String lights dotted the building providing an uneven lightning that hid many of the blemishes. There was no discernable or remarkable feature that would tell the group where they were, but they would be able to see Summer at a workbench, a dozen homunculi behind her, and Faith and Octavia a few steps away.

“Jordan, everything-“ Faith started but paused when she caught sight of Ruby.  Faith crossed her arms and leaned on her hip as a frown formed across her face, “Greenwood.  A surprise.”

Octavia had a smile as she looked over the group.  “Maybe a welcome one, what can we do for you today?”

Naomi leaned forward and whispered something in Pearl’s ear as Ruby took a step forward.

“Sooo….” Ruby awkwardly shuffled her feet as she looked at Octavia. “Doc Ock, my girl… How have you been? You’re looking lovely as ever.” She smiled

“Sypha’s not in tonight? I mean, it’s not fair to discuss what I wanted to discuss without all your leadership present...” 

“Sypha will be here soon,” Faith said as she shot Jordan a look, which Jordan surged in response to, “Alex, go grab her from her office and bring her here,” Faith paused as she watched Alex shrug their shoulder and give a thumbs up, before they disappeared into the painting.  “While we’re waiting is there anything we can get you?  This building is finally ours however it needs a lot of work before we can open up the exhibits here to the public,” Faith paused as she pointed towards a wall across from her.  A table was present with a coffee maker and a few boxes of donuts.  “Summer is making a few homunculi to fix this place up, and get it ready for the contractors to come in.”

“We’re hoping it can be another huge boost for the community at large,” Jordan interjected.

“That’s the hope,” Faith smirked, “another draw to hopefully put more money into the restoration of this area without raising the property taxes on the residents.”  Faith looked to Ruby, “we can start the discussion now, what can the 317 do for Greenwood today?”

“Well… your homeboy mentioned problems with 8th Street earlier,” Ruby nodded towards Jordan. “Along with a few of your members off to solve some murders…”

“Sycamore, I presume?” Pearl asked.

“A few of our members?”  Faith asked as she looked over to Jordan who was wincing.  “So it seems, yes.”  Faith's eyes rested on Jordan’s for an uncomfortable and silent minute.  “The answer to your question is yes,” Faith crossed her arms, “8th street started a fight with two of our members at the Halloween festival, and hurt them really badly.  Sypha healed them as much as they could but they could only heal so much when the damage was caused by George,” Faith paused as she exhaled.  “Things are not as around town as I hoped they would be after last year.”

“Ooooh,” Kashmira held her mouth. “Maybe I can take a look? They don’t call me Dr. Sarei for nothing!”

“It’s still a clusterfuck, even after the Nazis were taken care of,” Ruby shook her head. “I’m not surprised that 8th Street are bullying people there of all places… their leader usually recruits the aggressive idiots that are in that sweet spot between being too dumb to question her orders but strong enough to be useful to her.”

She shook her head, “But it’s about time that we stand together against Emily, against the Wolfpack, against the Elite, against [i]all[/i] those bastards. You must realize that it’s only a matter of time until things go to hell again, right?”

“Heh,” James grinned, “It’s already gone to hell it seems like! You worried we’re gonna reach super hell or something?”

“Aryin took the brunt of the damage so they should be fine,” Jordan said to Kasmira, “but I’m sure they appreciate the offer.”

“Their leader is a sad woman who desperately wants to be important,” Faith scoffed.  

“A sad woman who wields tremendous power,” Sypha spoke as they exited the painted elevator, “Ruby, a pleasure to see you again.  As is the rest of you.”

“You got here fast,” Jordan chuckled.

“Zeri was in my office and spotted you all on the cameras, I tried to get to you before Alex took you down but I was a minute late,” Sypha walked past Greenwood, and walked to the side of Octavia and Faith.

“I’m starting to agree,” Octavia said to Greenwood, and then she repeated herself to Faith and Sypha.  “You’ve both seen it, they’re going to come for us eventually.  You don’t exist with a trove of powerful objects without inviting a challenge.”

“We can defend ourselves,” Faith quickly shot back.  “We have enough automotans to defend both locations, and if they fail we have the horde.”

“We’re also not fighters,” Sypha responded soon thereafter, “speaking from experience most of our collective will not do well if a serious war were to break out again.”

“Speaking from experience,” Jordan interrupted, “I think we both know that some fights are worth the risk.”

“Jordan, we’re artists,” Faith started as she threw her hands into the air, “were artists.  I’m worried that if I get involved, if we get involved, that this safe place I’ve built will be torn down,” Faith rose in volume, “I’m worried that all the work I’ve done to rebuild this community will be taken from the people who need it most, and I’m worried that everyone who came to me for protection will find that I can not do anything when shit hits the fan.  So yeah, I’m afraid of things going to super hell.”

“I mean,” Naomi shrugged. “I’m a college student. He’s a college student. [i]She’s[/i] a college student. She’s a waiter in her parent's restaurant. She’s a librarian. She’s a fitness influencer.” Naomi gestured to, in order, James, Kashmira, Pearl, Autumn, and Jessica, then to Amelia and Ruby. 

“And these two….” Naomi crunched her face up, as she said, “... Just eat each other’s asses all day.”

“You know it, Naomi,” Ruby said. “You should join us. We can make like an ass-eating ouroboros.”

Naomi was stunned.

“... [i]No thank you.[/i]”

Jordan smirked at the idea of an ass-eating ouroboros.

She shook her head, before she added, “Point is, we’re regular-ass people too! And we fought Nazis sorcerers, wannabe supervillains, rich assholes, and all the other assholes that stomp the streets.”

“... You were only in Greenwood for like a year, Naomi,” Ruby raised an eyebrow.

“So? I did all that, [i]in a year,[/i]” Naomi laughed.

“We saved the world in Boston,” Jordan waved his hand to Sypha.

“And we also watched so many good people die in the process,” Sypha responded with a sigh.  

“You’d watch many more good people die if we don’t protect this town from the fuckers that want to rule it,” Jordan countered.

“And eventually, if we don’t do anything right here, right now we’ll be alone against all our enemies,” Summer interjected from across the room as they put their inventions down, “my automatons are good, the horde is good, but will they be good enough if they come for us in the end?  I do not know.  I do know that when we worked together we destroyed a great evil, and now more evil is making itself known and we’re cowering,” Summer slammed her hand on the table, “behind our walls and our guns and our monsters.”

“Look…. Summer here has a point, babe.” Ruby took a step forward. I can tell all of you have mixed feelings about what to do next… and I feel the same way. But, if Emily gets her way and 8th St takes over the city…”

She glanced at everyone present, from Greenwood to 317.

“... They are [i]definitely[/i] coming for you. Especially if assholes like the Elite, Wolfpack, or if the Nazis rise again because that asshole Berlioz [i]is[/i] still out there.”

She sighed.

“... How about this? One of my spells lets me create an emotional connection between a group of people,” Ruby began. “You all will be able to see how everyone feels, and maybe it can help you all make up your mind.”

“Ruby,” Amelia finally spoke, “You don’t have your channeler.”

“And I don’t need it,” Ruby answered before she threw a thumb at Kashmira, who smiled and waved. “We have our Green Shaman here, I can take it.”  

“Let’s do it,” Octavia said as she looked over to Faith, “we can trust them.”

“Agree,” Summer returned to her Inventions.

“I’m on board,” Jordan said with a smirk, “don’t judge me the what you see.”

Sypha looked to Faith and Faith returned the gaze.  A few seconds passed before Sypha gave Faith a nod.  “Go for it,” Faith said in a tired voice.

[hr][center][hider=Pins & Needles - Silversun Pickups][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBf7u56NJ6k[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr][hr]

“Alright…” Ruby cupped her hands together and closed her eyes. Burns traveled up Ruby’s arm, and she did not so much as flinch until they reached her hands. A pink ball of swirling energy formed in her hand, starting out the size of a baseball until it got much bigger. Swelling up to the size of a yoga ball, Ruby had no choice but to raise the ball up into the air… until it absolutely exploded. 

When it exploded, it formed a massive transparent dome made of pink energy around the group. Inside it, various wisps, lines, and whatnot carelessly floated in the air, and everyone had their own aura that corresponded with their present emotion. Not only that, but everyone would begin to [i]feel[/i] it if they focused on someone. 317 could see Greenwood’s collective concern and their [i]confidence[/i] in not only themselves but also each other.

“... [i]Ow,[/i]” Ruby said. 

Greenwood would see a few different emotions from the 317 members present.  Overall, however, the collective all had a similar fear that permeated all the other emotions.  A fear of failure, a fear of being swept aside, and a fear that all the terrible things that they’ve done to survive until this point would be for nothing.  Faith looked confident in her fear, as did Sypha, but Octavia sunk a little into it.  Jordan’s fear was fueling his anger, his strength, meanwhile Summer’s was feeding into her creativity.  Overall the 317 would read as being afraid, but confident and ready for a fight if it were to reach their doorstep.

“Let’s address the elephant in the room, shall we?” Ruby gave them a wry grin. “We’re both…” She glanced over her shoulder at the rest of Greenwood. “... Afraid, concerned, worried. We both know why.”

She shook her head, “But, the point of this is so that you all can understand how [i]you all[/i] feel better because we made how we feel very clear and I’m also making it very clear we have [i]nothing[/i] to hide, but [i]plenty[/i] to show.”

“... Oh, God, [i]please[/i] keep your clothes on this time, Rubes!” James laughed.

Ruby shook her head.

“Now, tell me,” Ruby said, narrowing her eyes as the burns got more intense… she didn’t flinch. “... Will you all sit on your asses while our enemies only get [i]stronger?[/i]”

The aura over Fair changed ever so slightly at the call to arms.  The fear was still there but it was being to mix with another emotion.  Faith was ashamed of something.  “Listen,” Faith started, “I still have much to hide.  Why do I get to be apart of the group that defends this town when I’ve brought monsters into existence that may threaten it one day?”

“... Are you still making monsters?” Ruby raised an eyebrow. “Why are you acting like you haven’t crossed the threshold yet? You still have a chance to make amends.” 

She looked at the rest of Greenwood, before she said, “Look, we didn’t want anything to do with you all because we thought, back then, you all were [i]bound[/i] to go off the deep end and start making civilians into monsters. Every fucker that does fucked up shit for the [i]’greater good’[/i] does.”

She shook her head. 

“However, we never considered helping you all so [i]we[/i] don’t [i]have[/i] to go that far. So we can keep [i]each other[/i] on the straight and narrow.”

“Yes,” Faith said bluntly as she eyed up Ruby and pondered what to say next.  “As always they were an evil person, a serial killer who murdered his wives to get a payout from insurance.  No matter how desperate things get I’ll never do that to someone innocent,” Faith sighed, “fuck,” Faith looked at the members around Greenwood and then the few 317 members.  “This is the worst part of leadership.  No matter which way we go there will be repercussions that will be felt for a long time….. but,” she paused as she looked at Octavia, “that might be easier to handle with some friends by our side?” She asked as she shifted her vision back to Sypha, and Sypha reluctantly gave her a nod.  “Alright,” she took in the deepest breath possible, “you have our attention.” 

“... And who determines what someone does is ‘evil’?” Ruby tilted her head, and the burns got worse but this time, Ruby seethed. “Who judges them? You? What about what your people think? What about what we think?”

“Proof,” Faith replied bluntly, her aura growing more confident and justified, “and verification.  I don’t think anyone will cry over a few transformed Nazis, murderers, serial killers, rapists…. At least now their life has a purpose and will no longer threaten my home.”

“... And nobody should,” Ruby shook her head. “But, it’s [i]all[/i] a slippery slope… What happens when you all are put on the line and [i]run out?[/i]”

“If I may intrude, Ruby,” Pearl said, “I said the same thing when you said we were no longer going to follow our previous no-killing rule. That it’s a slippery slope.”

She narrowed her eyes at Ruby.

“... I want to say we were pushed against the wall against the Nazis,” Ruby answered, “But, we agreed to only kill the bastards like the Wolfpack, 8th Street, the Nazis.”
“... And how is that any different?” Pearl asked.

“... Because I said it was,” Ruby answered.

“I agree,” Faith said in response, “but it is one that I tread with utmost caution.”  Faith paused as she motioned around the area.  “For ten years I have used my spellbook to build up this community from the ground, and I have never crossed that line.  I will never cross that line, that I can guarantee.  I love this city, this community, and the people who make it up to ever turn into a problem that will threaten them.”  The aura grew stronger around Faith, Octavia, and Sypha.  Each one had a vivid blue aura that showed their determination.  “We will never be a threat to this city, that I can promise you.”

“I may be a transplant but this place has a charm that is hard to describe,” Sypha joked.

“We saw this city reduced to rubble once, we’d never do that ourselves,” Octavia smirked.

“Well, that makes one of us!” Jessica laughed, throwing her arms behind her back. “For one of us, Ruby will flip the whole world on its head. Ain’t that right, Rubes?” She shot Ruby a shit-eating grin.

“... Yeah, ain’t that right, Ruby?” James also shot her a shit-eating grin.

Ruby rolled her eyes.

“I’ll do anything for my friends, yes,” Ruby shook her head. “But, that doesn’t mean I’ll be going off the deep end anytime soon.” 

She sighed, “We’re going to be protecting this city’s nature and getting rid of the assholes without becoming an asshole ourselves.”

“I mean,” Naomi shrugged. “You got us to check you. We check each other. We [i]been[/i] checkin’ each other since day one!”

“Yeah, we aren’t going supervillain anytime soon,” James said.

“So…” Ruby turned towards Faith. “... [i]Are we friends now?[/i]”

Faith sighed as she looked at Ruby, letting a tense silence fall between the two of them.  The silence lingered for what felt like minutes before she shook her head with a chuckle.  “Fuck it……. yes.”