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[/center][right][b][code]The Vanburen Estate[/code][/b][/right][hr]

Shane had forgotten how grating the sounds of his sibling's voices could be.

Trisha was, predictably, committed to being no help. Oscar, as was seemingly their dynamic, was opposite to Trisha in that he was contributing, if nothing else. Trying to procure as much information before drawing a definitive line in the sand, which was more than could be said for the rest of the family - Shane included.

Not that the experts were doing so grand either, the girl was clearly unsure of herself. Normally, Shane would be at least sympathetic towards her clear anxiety at being amongst the Vanburens, but he really couldn't afford to suffer any potential dead weight right now. As could easily be gleaned, the Vanburens wore on each other just as much as they wore on Shane. Shane responded to her timid offering of her and Justin handling things themselves with a curt shake of the head.

So caught up in the bickering was Shane that he hadn't immediately noticed Tansy. Just barely keeping himself from showing surprise as she spoke inches from where he stood.

[quote=Tansy][color=Springgreen]“It’s good to see you’re alive. I made ours extra special,”[/color][/quote]

Her tone was that soft whisper she'd sometimes put on. Shane had coined it as her "Sincerity Voice". Usually when trying to relate to someone or appear more caring than the family wealth could allow on its own. It was hollow. Even without being acutely aware of their lack of any sibling warmth, Shane could see through it. He used to like Tansy, used to even stick up for her when others would declare her the phony she was. There was no Tansy, just a meticulously crafted character acting out her rehearsed lines. Shane only realised this when she tried to "help" him. Which went as far as having letters or intermediaries try to convey the burden of reputation that was placed on both their shoulders. She eventually stopped trying, thankfully, but it also meant Shane was now below her performance. 

Unless she needed something. Shane doubted many things about his eldest sister, but her attachment to the family home and her clear disdain for what had happened made him very much believe she was sharing in his libations. He took the tea.

[colour=Steelblue]"Thanks."[/colour] He half-mumbled, quickly taking a little more than a sip from the porcelain cup. The warmth travelled throughout his body, shielding him from the cold of the weather and his family. Almost certainly did Tansy "enhance" his cup more than her own, considering it was more whiskey with tea than the other way around. Shane certainly wasn't complaining.

Good timing too, as Tansy defaulted back to her regular personality and Georgie seemed determined to do more belittling than helping. His ears did perk up at the mention of the Triple Goddess and the Horned God. This was all above his paygrade still, but it was useful information none the less. That... Figure of the Triple Goddess on the Vanburens lawn was certainly still fresh in his mind. He immediately switched off as she regressed back to sniping at Tansy and whoever else entered her brain. If she wanted to stay here, that was fine with Shane. One less person to babysit.

As that thought entered his head, the boy Justin and the other boy- The other boy?

[quote=Blu][color=#4CCEB1][b]"...what has transpired is lost on me, but, from what I'm hearing, these...Wiccans? who attacked you all...I think maybe I can help."[/b][/color] [/quote]

Shane narrowed his eyes. He knew him from somewhere.

It took a few moments but Shane placed him as the musician. His time at Vanburen functions were limited, especially when it came to remembering entertainment that may have been present, but Shane couldn't forget the look on Ezra's face. He was one of James' charity cases or something of that nature, likely much more than that if his presence here was anything to go by. Regardless, his plan to infiltrate the Cult was at least a constructive idea. Though, still one Shane easily found himself disagreeing with. 

As Justin responded, the Cult would absolutely be on edge to consider unknowns at this point. Speaking of, the boy was an unknown to Shane himself. He at least had seen Justin and Tuyen fight alongside his family, he had no frame of reference for this newcomer, and no reason to trust him either.

[quote=Justin][colour=red]"We need to get the Triple Goddess and take her out fast as possible. My basic idea is to lure them somewhere else and ambush them. Not in the manor because they won't fall for that."[/colour][/quote]

[colour=SteelBlue]"Then we're back to trying to contact the member Arabelle met."[/colour] Shane interjected, still looking sternly towards Blu.

[colour=SteelBlue]"Say you're right and they can track the statue. They just gear up s'best they can and come after us."[/colour] Only then did he turn to face Justin. [colour=SteelBlue]"Or, better yet, they figure out we're trying to lead 'em somewhere and decide to raid the house while we're off wherever."[/colour]

Probably injuring or even killing Georgie.

[colour=Steelblue]"We need them more off-balance."[/colour] He muttered. [colour=Steelblue]"Either through the girl who wants out so we can scatter 'em. Or, by being proactive and knocking them down before they can regroup."[/colour]

Placing his cup of (mostly) alcoholic tea on the stone railing and folding his arms, Shane's brow dipped. Making his standard annoyed expression develop into more of a frown.

[colour=SteelBlue]"'Cause, evidently, we're not usually on the same page."[/colour] His eyes briefly glanced at his family. [colour=SteelBlue]"If we do try and draw 'em to us, there's a higher chance than I'd like of us fucking it up and those kids making off with the other statue."[/colour]

[i][colour=Steelblue]'Or, with the way my luck's been going, something worse.'[/colour][/i] Shane thought to himself, looking back out towards the garden. He was done trying to formulate a plan of his own, his siblings had their own agendas that were more trouble than they were worth. The best he could do at this point was try and mitigate their worst impulses. Protecting them from themselves, like always.