[colour=steelblue]"Start spreadin' the news...

[right]I'm leavin' today."[/right][/colour]
"Thank you Commissioner." A decorated officer stands on stage, medals clinking on his jacket as he shakes the Commissioner's hand, relieving him of his speech to collected applause. He turns to the podium and clears his throat. Smiling as he lays out a crisp sheet of paper and reads aloud to the hall.
 
"In each graduation of recruits in the Police Academy, awards are presented to outstanding members of the graduating class. Each recipient is given an engraved plaque for various categories." Reaching into his breast pocket, he retrieved a pair of glasses as he flipped the sheet over.

"At this time, I'd like to ask the Mayor and the Police Commissioner to present the following awards." The Commissioner stood back up, making the task look Herculean for some polite laughs from the audience. The Mayor opted for the professional approach, statically maintaining a beaming smile as the two moved next to the podium.

"Our first award, is The Mayor's Award. This award is given to the Student Officer who attains the highest overall average scoring. With an overall average of ninety-nine point sixty-five percent; Mayor de Blasio presents this award to Police Officer Shane Vanburen."

Forward he walks, greeted with applause as he steps onto the stage. He stands straight, as rehearsed. Saluting the Commissioner, the Mayor and the man at the podium. He steps forward once more, taking the plaque with practiced dignity and shaking the hands of both men. The Commissioner gives him a smile.

"Lookin' forward to workin' with you, Son."

Shane turns - plaque shining proudly as its held against his chest. Hand of the Mayor on his shoulder as the cameraman readies the shot.

[i]Click.[/i]

[center][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/mejTny0.png[/img][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjcyLjJkNmI5ZC5VMmhoYm1VZ1ZtRnVZblZ5Wlc0LC4w/drunker-srb.regular.webp[/img]
[/center][right][b][code]The Vanburen Estate - Foyer[/code][/b][/right][hr]

His mind was elsewhere. Perhaps internally trying to put together the moment he made whatever choice had led him to this mess.

Elsewhere enough not to notice the creeping glow until it began encroaching the right side of his vision. Like the sun creeping in through curtains. He snapped back into place, aware of his surroundings. Hearing his sister's voice. Sounding like dread. 

[quote=Tansy & Ezra][color=springgreen]“Look at me—”[/color][color=darkgray]“Shane!”[/color][/quote]

Head snapping to the side. Whatever had been clouding his mind, lighting the ruined foyer of the manor, had receded. All there was now was Ezra dragging in an object cloaked in a white blanket with some effort on his part.

Shane gave only a slight nod and stood up at his eldest brother's request for aid. Picking up the bottom half of the object as thought it weighed nothing at all. He still had his uses.

Tansy offered only customary prying into the details, an object hidden from view and carried by Ezra especially should have flared up every intrusive instinct in Tansy's mind. Instead she merely let the matter drop as Ezra stated he'd explain later. A show of understanding unheard of from Tansy, especially in regards to Ezra. Shane gave her a glance as he and Ezra passed by on their way to the car. She avoided eye contact with a look he couldn't quite place.

Indignation? At being denied answers yet again? No... Shane was familiar enough with that look even before their relationship severed. It was something else, more bitter in her throat. If Shane didn't know better, he'd say it looked like regret.

[hr][right][b][code]East Aaraminta - Construction Site[/code][/b][/right][hr]

It was a rather strange feeling. Driving past the ostentatious sign of James Vanburen, promising the construction of the Vanburen Memorial Rehabilitation Center. Of all the siblings, including the ones that didn't live in the manor, Shane felt he saw James the least. But even he was pretty sure a giant sign like that wouldn't have been his Father's first choice of advertisement. 

He was depicted with that smile people liked to remember him by. The one that seemed to assure you in all the ways you wish you were believed and understood in. Shane, middle child that he was, couldn't help but wonder to himself what the hell James would be thinking as his children drove by him in the wee hours towards the construction site. Too late to ask him now.

Again, showing he still had some value, Shane more or less dragged the object - revealed by Ezra to be a mirror - by himself. Laying against the wall inside the foreman's office, per Tansy's directions. For better or worse, she'd perked up in the car ride over.

[quote=Tansy][colour=springgreen]“There. Ezra said if the Wiccans show up or if something goes wrong to give him or Arabelle a call. Supposedly she can use the mirrors to open a gateway if we need reinforcements or to retreat."[/colour][/quote]

[colour=steelblue][i]'Let's hope it doesn't come to that.'[/i][/colour] Shane thought to himself. Their line-up wasn't exactly awe inspiring. When the strongest relationship you have in the group is with Trisha, things aren't looking great teamwork wise.

Tansy helpfully pointed out the keys to the construction equipment. Owing to his current means of employment, Shane could just about drive a forklift. Beyond that... Questionable. Now wasn't the time to try experimenting either. Still, it was good knowing where things are. Some of the equipment [i]could[/i] be used as a makeshift weapon if the need really arose.

The girl, Tuyen tried getting the lay on all their abilities. He sympathised with her, she already seemed liable to implode at any moment and now she was left with the all star team. Still, her powers sounded useful in any case. Trisha's did too, whether she would actually [i]make[/i] them useful would be a completely different story. Already snipes began to bubble as Tansy put on the pleasantly passive aggressive big sister act. She at least took the chance to describe her own ability, making a blinding light. This caused Shane to side glance her, the light in the foyer and her look of disgust. She was playing her cards close to her chest, no doubt in his mind.

[colour=Steelblue]"I can soak up hits and blast them back at people."[/colour] Shane stated, looking at Tuyen and trying to be as candid as possible. Perhaps too much. [colour=steelblue]"I can take the dogs head on. Beat a couple down back at the house. I [i]was[/i] a Police Officer. I know how to fight and how to use a gun."[/colour]

[colour=steelblue][i]'All too well.'[/i][/colour]

He couldn't help himself, thumb resting under his jaw as he turned back and stood at the open door of the office - looking out at the rest of the site. Synapses firing as he began piecing together what they could try here. A fool proof plan was not happening, they were too uncoordinated and the teenagers were too unpredictable. The goal was to stack the deck. If they were luring the cultists here, then Georgie would be with them too. No matter what they had in mind, she would go against it. That had to be taken into account.

His thumb began restlessly rubbing against his chin as he pondered just about every best and worst case scenario.

[colour=steelblue]"Mind if we look through the grounds now?"[/colour] He asked without asking, taking a step back outside into the cold, back still towards the ambush team.

[colour=steelblue]"I'm thinkin'... I can probably take the most out of everyone here, so maybe have me out in the open."[/colour] Voice dropping off into the mumble as he squinted and looked towards the bones of the future building, he'd get a better idea of how to go about it when they were over there. He turned.

[colour=steelblue]"I could draw 'em towards me. If Georgie actually shows up, I'll have the Horned thing. I can keep it secure with my... Power. Then, assuming they don't go for me immediately, we can lure em towards a point of the site. Hit 'em from every angle."[/colour]

Brow furrowing as pieces formed together in his mind. Wasn't perfect, but it was a start they could jump off from.

[colour=Steelblue]"Have Trisha's creature things act as scouts, if they can do that."[/colour] He looked towards Tuyen. At one time he could've found the words to reassure her, channelled the charisma of James Vanburen to confirm all the best scenarios were possible. That they could achieve them together. Instead, all he could offer her now was a slightly more determined look as he spoke.

[colour=steelblue]"You could use that to manuever behind 'em"[/colour] He pressed his knuckles against each other for emphasis. [colour=steelblue]"Hit 'em from both sides."[/colour]