[hr][center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjgwLjJlNmJiMi5VMmhoYm1VZ1ZtRnVZblZ5Wlc0LC4w/enigma.enigma.png[[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/nX3quKN.png[/img][/center][right][code]The Vanburen Estate[/code][/right][hr]

[quote][colour=Coral]"... But maybe let's try to talk them out of something stupid, 'kay?"[/colour][/quote]

Shane didn't really know how to respond. On one hand he agreed that they had basically no plan save for "attack" but on the other he stood firm on the view that the cult had to get broken apart. He had difficulty formulating a response that would make this view clear to Sabrina without possibly upsetting her but thankfully it seemed the Vanburens had already decided to set off. Sabrina went on ahead to join up with the family and their magical expert guides spilling out the door.

Shane lingered, instead making his way to his father's study where he took in the sights. Memories of frustrated conversations about the future and images of his father pouring over a seemingly unending stack of files at the desk flooded back to Shane. He scanned the walls and display cases at the weaponry James had accrued and seen as tasteful enough to show off in his home. To his knowledge, the majority of rifles and other assorted firearms on display were inactive, and Georgie had already taken James' personal rifle. But rifles had never been much Shane's preferred option anyway.

He stood over James' desk and crouched to the bottom left drawer, sliding it open with a creak to reveal a slightly dusted brown case. He picked it up and placed on the desk and forced it open in spite of its unused mechanism. Inside lay a black Browning Hi-Power pistol next to some cartridges filled with ammo. It was a gamble as to whether it'd still be here after all these years, but it seemed James was content to let things lay if he didn't need them.

Shane took the pistol out and aimed down the sights, it wasn't quite the type he was used to but it'd do him well enough. He didn't plan on having to use it against the cultists but whatever the hell they spawned outside the house? Might as well have some options, especially if he was stone cold sober at his family's insistence. James didn't have a pistol belt or any kind of holster tucked inside so Shane made do with the inside pocket of the jacket made by Mary Roberts, fitting tight enough to dissuade some of his worries about a mishap even with the safety on.

With that, he left the estate to join his siblings.

[hr][code]The Edge of the Woods[/code][hr]

Shane felt somewhat vindicated in his decision making as the Vanburen siblings stood before a talking skeleton with horns protruding from its skull.

He hadn't voiced it, or indeed anything at all, but his annoyance at their lack of prep grew on the journey to the cultists hideout. He was planning on pulling Justin aside when they reached the building proper to try and at least coordinate a strike plan. Kids with magic sure but dumb kids none the less, just treat it like a police crackdown on your regular old hideout.

It was only now that Shane was reminded of the fantastical nature of their mission, any attempts at pulling the current proceedings down to a level of reality he could digest seemed determined to fail. The skeleton addressed the Vanburens and seemed to wish to talk with ONLY the Vanburens as he shut Justin down.

Shane folded his arms but felt his right hand press close against the gun in his jacket. He didn't like this at all. Even Shane didn't need Oscar or the kids to fill him in that not all of these magical creatures used force to get their way, some used cunning. Ezra seemed willing to indulge the... Man? Better him than most, at least. Especially the one that also interjected herself into the conversation, the annoying girl who's name escaped Shane. Along with Alexander and Raymond.

Truthfully, Shane didn't focus so much on the topic of discussion, he was content to glare intently at the Skeleton Man, waiting for the slightest twitch that he was about to engage the Vanburens. In spite of his cold attitude, to Ezra in particular, he found himself slowly moving forward to stand alongside him, at least in case his intuition was correct and things did take a... Violent turn.

[colour=SteelBlue][I]'Bullet might not phase this thing, but that's not all I got if he tries making a move.'[/I][/colour] He thought to himself as he narrowed his eyes at the skeleton, awaiting its response to his siblings.