[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/5WCjcc2.jpeg[/img][h1]The 8th Street Coven.[/h1][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] Plotting Revenge.[/right][right][b][code]Cracker Island > Away From a Bitchass Coven (AKA. their Mansion).[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr]

After that shitstorm, Emily managed to put out a call for 8th St to assemble. They met in a clearing in the woods outside of the Historic District, somewhere they could open a portal without an annoying cunt seeing them and going, 'Oh my God, it's magic' (Emily was so angry that she forgot normies couldn't see magic). She crossed her arms, with Vashti at her side, as they trickled in. Jacqueline and Miranda walked up, holding hands and eating cotton candy. Aaron had a giant teddy bear. Then Carol, Greta, George, Malik, Lee, Nadine, and Flora approached without looting.

The last to walk up was Brianna, and Emily immediately dived her, jamming a finger into her chest, "... Where the fuck were you?! I tried to reach you, but you didn't [i]respond![/i]"

Brianna gently pushed Emily's finger away, "Where was I? I was out enjoying myself with the others. My phone died while you were texting me."

"I had the[i] Chalice![/i] The fucking [i][b]Chalice![/b][/i]" Emily said. "We could have made off with it, and those sluts would have been up shit's creek without a paddle!"

Then she paused as she realized something.

[i]"... And how the fuck are we going to get back?!"[/i]

"... My abstraction still works fine even if my phone is dead," Brianna rolled her eyes and put a hand on her hip. "Even if I don't have it, I can open portals."

Emily wiped both hands down her face.

"Fine, just open a..." 

And she was interrupted.

"... Guys, [i][b]wassuuuuuuuuuuup![/b][/i]" 

Phoebe tried roller skating into the scene... but was caught by a tree root and fell on her face. She tried to get up, before she just raised a finger and said, "I - [i]*hiccup*[/i] - tolds that bitch Maya - [i]*hiccup*[/i] - I could outdrink her! Now look at her! She's probably lost in da' woods somewhere! She was holding my hand a second - [i]*hiccup*[/i] - ago!"

"Oh. My. [i]God![/i]" Emily facepalmed before it turned to joy. "Wait, we lost Maya! I can't believe it! We lost Maya! Open a portal before she finds us!" She hopped up and down.

"Phooooeeebbbeeeeee…" Came a chilling wail from the trees. A white sheet covered head popped up from behind a tree root… well, the sheet was now absolutely covered in mud. As sheet-Maya pulled stood up, all that was visible were her ankles and bare feet (and squinting eyes behind badly cut holes). She'd somehow returned more clothed. Carol's rollerblades dangled from one hand, and a stick was in the other. "Youuuuu left me behinnddd… even though… I askkkked you… to slow…. Downnnnnn."

Her words were incredibly drawn out, accent much thicker than normal, and she stumbled over. Seeming to aim for Phoebe but her terrible vision resulted in her flopping against Vashti. "You- hoe-"

Emily facepalmed.

“My bitch!” Phoebe smiled as she tried to hug Maya but got caught on a tree root again and landed on her face. 

“Your bitch got radicalized, bro,” said Vashti, dumping Maya on top of Phoebe. She still looked like a nightmarish mess, covered in little more than bloody rags and viscera that was mostly bits of regenerating wolfman. Her eyes drew thin as she stared down Brianna. She approached Brianna, pushing past Miranda who had started to treat her wounds, and held her hand out. 

“Your phone,” demanded Vashti, her voice dropping into a serious and alarmingly quiet tone for the normally boisterous woman. The leaves of the nearby trees began to rustle in the breeze. “Give me your phone.”

Brianna looked at her hand as she said, “… You goin’ full gestapo now?” She shook her head, “Take my phone: I’m out 8th Street.”

“... Look, Vash,” Emily shrugged, crossing her arms. “I [i]just[/i] want to get off Retard-Island before another one of those sluts pops out of the woodworks.” 

She facepalmed, before she turned towards Brianna.

“... Just open a portal so we can get out of here. I want to burn this stupid thing and go take a nice long bath,” Emilly tugged on both sides of the Dragon Onesie before Brianna nodded.

“We’re clear, right Aaron?” Brianna asked before she turned to the empty expanse of Cracker Island's woods.

“Yeah,” Aaron nodded his head. 

Brianna put her hands together, and went she parted them, she created a massive glowing yellow portal. 8th St stepped through the portal, fleeing Cracker Island because the vibes were off. They stepped through the portal, which closed behind them.

“... Well, I call first shower!” Jacqueline laughed as she walked down the hall.

“Jacqueline, there’s like twenty in here,” Miranda rolled her eyes.

However, they heard growling and pained breathing down the hall… heavy footsteps, and a dragging sound. Emily raised her hand down the hall, which ignited like a torch. The footsteps revealed themselves as none other than Cynthia, in her Abyssal Hunter form…

… And had a small child in her jaws, dragging him by his shoulder.

[h3][i]“... PLEASE HELP ME!”[/i][/h3] 

The kid pleaded, tears in his eyes, sticking his hand out.

“... Oh my [i]fucking[/i] God!” A vein almost burst in Emily’s head as she facepalmed. 

“Not again,” groaned Vashti. She squatted down in front of Cynthia, jabbing her in the head to get her to let the kid go. “This is the last fucking time, bro. I told you already we don’t need anymore stupid kids around here; we already stuck with Carol.”

“Hey, fuck you!” Carol shouted, “You know I’m not a fucking kid! Fuckin’... too many scales motherfucker! Lizard-y motherfucker!”

Cynthia growled, before letting the child go, “Cynthia never gets a chance to eat live again human young. Cynthia is very frustrated.”

“Awww, c’mon!” Maya slurred, leaning heavily against Phoebe. “Let ‘er eat a kid! It’s not like- [i]hic[/i]- he’ll last long.”

Emily sighed.

“... This is going to be a long fucking night.”


[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/G2P70nU.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/3ak3oib.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/lbPeBwf.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/8YqjhLI.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/AtGSCjW.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/4XfybSC.png[/img][h1]The "Rich Kids."[/h1] (With no punk-ass Vanburens to ruin their great time)
[sup][sup]Plus a bonus ninja.[/sup][/sup][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] Not an annoying-ass Coven.[/right][right][b][code]The Valos Manor.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr][center][hider=Song Playing: Superfriends - ZHU][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4PY66JnQMs[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr][hr]

It seemed the [url=https://i.imgur.com/cCPiEfw.jpg]Valos Manor[/url] was celebrating its own, independent of the Halloween Festival.

A location that had Cracker Island in view... especially the random ass storms that took place there. Music blasting could be heard from [i]blocks.[/i] It was a party... featuring the members of the Old Coven who were too good for the Halloween Festival. Not just any members, but the members of the Old Coven that comprised the "rich kid" clique as they were called (Except Trisha; all the homies hated Trisha). It was Sage Pimm, Sylvia Cruz, Jake, Gabe, and Jaska Valos, and Linda ("Lin") Liu - soon to be Linda [i]Valos[/i]. The Valos figured that they used their fancy mansions to have their party while Daddy Valos was out, probably fucking his whores or something. Everyone has gathered in the [url=https://i.imgur.com/IL61Ry6.jpg]fancy hall[/url] that the Valos used for parties. They were drinking, dancing, talking shit, and otherwise having the night of their lives...

... Until the music cut off. 

"The [i]fuck?![/i]" Gabe said as her head darted towards the powerful speakers blasting music... she saw that Linda - or Lin, as she was colloquially known - had unplugged the speaker. The wire was in her hand as she was still bent over. "... You know you could have just turned that off?" She blew some air out as she rolled her eyes.

Lin stood straight up and put her hands together, saying, "I am sorry for interrupting your good time, but there is something we need to discuss before you all get too intoxicated." 

"Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck! Can't it fucking wait until tomorrow?!" Sylvia laughed, still holding that bottle of Don Julio as she thrust it into the air. "Or next fucking week? Whatever it is, it must not have been important enough to dedicate a get-together just for [i]that![/i] Ha!"

"No, it can not," Lin began, "It is [i]urgent.[/i]"

"Yeah, let's hold off on things for a second, okay?" Jake raised his hands and gestured for everyone to relax. 

"[i]Fiiiiiiiiiine,[/i] mami," Sylvia rolled her eyes.

"Okay, let's get it over with," Gabe shrugged as she crossed her arms.

"Everyone comes here," Lin softly said as she gestured for everyone to come to the sizeable circle-shaped sofa. Before she walked over to it and sat down, placing her hands on her lap and keeping her legs together, Jake sat right next to her with one leg over the other. He wrapped his arm over Lin's shoulder while Sylvia flopped on the sofa, lounging with the bottle of Don Julio. Sage sat down at the end, placing their hands on their lap, much like Lin. Gabe just sat down and crossed her arms as she looked at Lin, and Jaska also sat down not too far away from Gabe.

"So... What's the opposite of meeting adjourned?" Gabe asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Meeting rallied?" Jake shrugged.

"Yes, meeting [i]rallied,[/i]" Gabe began, "Let's get on with this so we can keep it moving."

"Yeah, you can't fuckin' edge us like this, mami," Sylvia laughed. "I'm about to ask what's the equivalent of being party blue-balled!"

"Now, we all know about the murders that have been happening..." Lin began.

"[i]Please,[/i] tell me that's not the point of this..." Gabe leaned back, rolling her eyes. 

"No, but please let me continue," Lin answered Gabe before continuing, "We may have another issue... to get to the point, Jake has had word that Blake Schmidt is after the Stygian Snake."

".... [i]HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA [b]WHAT?![/b][/i]" Sylvia laughed, "What the fuck does that teeny-peenied [i]bitch[/i] want with the Snake!? Does he think it'll give him more than two inches?! Last more than five seconds?! [i]What?![/i]"
 
"Do tell," Gabe said, "I'm [i]dying[/i] to know."

"I don't know," Jake shrugged. "I just know that the Stygian Snake is something he wants... for some reason."

"So... you have a plan, right Jake?" Jaska asked.

"Not at the moment, but that's why we're here," Jake answered.

"Wait..." Sylvia mused. "Did you throw this fucking party just to get us to talk about the fucking Stygian Snake?!"

"Yes," Jake said. 

"I mean," Sage pipped up, "I understand, but just be upfront next time."

"I'm sorry you got tricked, Sage," Jake shrugged. "Booze and partying are the only things we can get everyone to agree on."

"To get to the point, we need to stop Blake Schmidt before he gets the Snake," Lin said.

"Well," Gabe shrugged. "Let's just find him and burn his urethra shut."

"[i]Problem solved![/i]" Sylvia shouted as she got up, high-fived Gabe, and then slumped back down.

"It's not that simple..." Jake said. "Do any of you know about the Elite?"

"Nope," Sylvia said.

"The [i]what?[/i]" Gabe asked.

"I heard some things from Mika," Lin said. 

"Huh?" Jaska furrowed his brows.

"... I know," Sage said, and all eyes fell on them. "My parents were in the Elite before they died... My siblings took their place."

"What the fuck are they?!" Gabe said. "You know I [b][i]hate[/i][/b] talkin' in circles!"

"Well... We know the city became a clusterfuck after the Stygian Snake," Jake began, "One of the factions to survive it was the Elite... a collective of rich assholes with magic that Blake Schmidt assembled. They're supposed to be heavy hitters in the city, but they can hardly get their act right."

"Technically," Lin said, "We all are a part of the Elite by name."

"Our parents are..." Jake awkwardly laughed as he ran a hand through his afro-textured hair. "... Apart of it."

"Well, that's bullshit..." Gabe rolled her eyes.

"Do you think Blakey is killing Sycamore?" Sylvia asked.

"Don't know," Jake said. "It's a[i] possibility[/i]."

"If Blake Schmidt gets to the Stygian Snake, well..." Lin awkwardly laughed. "You don't need to tell me how [i]badly[/i] it will end."

"So," Gabe narrowed her eyes at Lin and Jake, "You want us to do something about it?"

"I mean," Lin awkwardly shuffled in her seat. "Who else is going to do something about it?" She then laughed.

"Auri," Gabe said, laughing.

"Now you [i]know[/i] you full'a shit, Gabe!" Sylvia laughed like a goblin.

Jaska awkwardly pulled at his collar as Lin said, "I'd rather leave them out of this, thank you very much," Lin began. 

"I mean..." Sage began, looking to the left and the right before they sighed. "I feel like, despite them not particularly liking us, they should at least [i]know[/i] about this."

"So what?" Gabe raised an eyebrow. "They can come fuck shit up? One of those assholes is probably the one going around tryna' kill us!"

"We don't know that," Sage answered.

"Then who the fuck else would?" Gabe began, "If the killer ain't an ex-Sycamore member, then it's someone those dumbasses blabbed off to! You know half of them couldn't control their mouths if you put a whole-ass gun to they head!"

"Well," Jake shrugged. "While I understand [i]both[/i] of your concerns, let's see if we can handle this on our own [i]discreetly[/i]."

"I mean," Sylvia laughed. "If we [i]do[/i] bring it up to them later, then they gonna bitch, papi."

"Like they won't bitch about [i]everything[/i] they possibly can..." Gabe laughed.

"Hey now," Jake said, "It's been ten years. We aren't teenagers anymore. They aren't teenagers anymore. We should stop holding shit that happened ten years ago against them. We wouldn't want them to do that to us."

"People don't change, Jake," Gabe shrugged. "Especially when you're an asshole that's full of yourself... but go off."

"And you're the biggest example of that!" Sage laughed.

Gabe flipped Sage off.

"Look," Lin said, "Let's keep Auri and the 'reformed' Coven out of this." She finger-quoted reformed.

"I mean," Sylvia shrugged. "Do we even got to work with them? Just tell Auri or whoever the fuck, phrase it like Blake Schmidt is the killer, and boom, mami! Problem[i] solved[/i]."

She laughed like a goblin before she added, "... And even if they fuck up, we at least it's no skin off our backs!"

"One..." Lin trailed off, "My father may be involved in it-"

"... And our father," Jake gestured towards Gabe and Jaska.

"Yes, my father and your father are involved... and I would like it if my father didn't get killed by some psychopath with magic, thank you very much," Lin added.

"Hey, guys..." Jaska waved his hand, getting everyone's attention. "I[i] know[/i] I've been quiet the whole time, and I [i]know[/i] I'm not a leader like the rest of ya'll, but we're talking in circles here."

He paused, "[i]What[/i] do we know?"

"Well, that's a broad question," Lin laughed. "Maybe you can narrow it down for me?"

Jaska shrugged, throwing a hand into the air, "Anything. What does Blake know? Why is he after the Stygian Snake? How is he looking for it? What can we do about it?"

Lin sighed.

"... Don't know, don't know, don't know, and... [i]don't know.[/i]"

"Well, that's reassuring..." Gabe rolled her eyes.

"Come [i]ooooooooooooon[/i], mami!" Sylvia laughed.

"I mean," Sage shrugged. "I can tell you two want to take things slow, not rush into anything. That's why you don't want the Old Coven involved, which I can understand. So, maybe that's the first order of business: finding answers to those questions."

"Well, I know somebody that can help..." Lin softly added.

"Please, God," Jake facepalmed... wiping his hand across his face. "Do [i]not[/i] get [b][i]her[/i][/b] involved."

"... Who?" Jaska asked.

"Nobody, just [i]nobody,[/i]" Jake shook his head, "Just drop it, Jaska. [i][b]Nothing[/b][/i] good is going to come from [i]that.[/i]"

"Alright then," Gabe shrugged. 

"How about we get Triiiiiiiisha to handle all of this, mami!?" Sylvia grinned ear-to-ear.

"Oh God!" Jake facepalmed.

"Heavens, no," Sage replied.

"I'd rather shoot myself than have a conversation with her lastin' more than two seconds..." Gabe rolled her eyes.

"There's a reason why we didn't invite her," Lin answered. "She would only make things harder. I'm not sure if she's not in on it either way."

"Fair," Sage shrugged.

Gabe also shrugged before she added, "How about we do some reconnaissance?"

"Ooooh," Sylvia laughed. "Like some Call of Duty shit, mami!"

"Yeah," Gabe began, "Let's see what we can find out from our respective families, which are [i]apparently[/i] in the Elite just by birth or whatever dumbass shit... then meet again in a week, and see what we find out."

"I can see what Cassandra or Daniel know," Lin said. "Maybe we can get them in...?"

"I wouldn't chance it," Jake said. "Who knows... maybe that's what..."

He trailed off as a poker card mysteriously fell from the ceiling. His jaw dropped as he watched it fall, and soon, everyone else nearby saw it fall and looked in wonder.

"... Is [i]that[/i] what I think it is?" Gabe asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh dear," Lin put a hand on her mouth.

"Wait, is it [i][b]him?![/b][/i]" Sylvia said with excitement in her eyes.

"Aw, damn it!" Jake shouted, "[i]Why [b]now!?[/b][/i]"

[hr][hr][center][hider=Days of Old - Vstyles][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJYKU5axbxU[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr][hr]

The card disappeared as someone swapped places with it. A familiar face to everyone in attendance, a [url=https://i.imgur.com/qoGRuB7.jpg]very tall, African-American and Hispanic man.[/url] He wore a brown pin-striped suit, a wide-brimmed hat with a feather, and some fancy dress shoes. He had a wide grin as he fell from the sky towards the table... and broke it when he landed. He hopped to his feet as he shouted,

[h1][b][i]"... It's Johnny Valos, bitches!"[/i][/b][/h1]

"[i]Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck[/i] my life, bro..." Gabe put a hand over her eyes as she leaned back. "... Yes, we know who you are, [i]asshole.[/i]" 

"... [i]Shit,[/i]" Lin said under her breath.

"[b][i]Johnny![/i][/b]" Sylvia laughed as she ran over to Johnny and wrapped her arms around him, hopping up and down. "Why didn't you tell me you were in town?!"

"... Yeah," Jake raised an eyebrow, then sighed with a roll of his eyes. [i]"Why didn't you?"[/i]

"Oh, come on!" Johnny laughed as he looked at Jake, "This how you treat your big brother?!"

"Yes, when said big brother causes problems," Gabe rolled her eyes.

"Woooow, I see how it is," Johnny laughed.

"It's great to see you again, Mr. Valos," Sage said.

"Great to see you too, homie," Johnny answered, and Sylvia released him. He grinned as he put his hands together. "... I overheard your entire conversation!"

"Awwww damn it!" Jake facepalmed.

"[i]Fuck![/i]" Gabe shouted.

"Oh my," Lin said.

"... [b][i]Yay![/i][/b]" Sylvia hopped, putting her hands together.

"And I'm here to offer my hand!" Johnny laughed.

"No, no, thank you," Lin answered. "I think we are more than up to the task, Mr. Valos." 

"Why are you calling me 'Mr. Valos'?" Johnny tilted his head, jamming two thumbs into his chest. "It's [i]Johnny.[/i] Call Daddy Valos... Mr. Valos."

"Fine, Johnny," Lin rolled her eyes, "My point doesn't change. We [i]are[/i] up to the task."

"Hold on," Jaska began, "I know Johnny is, well... Johnny... but why are you acting like he isn't useful? He won't help us?"

"Yeah, listen to Jask," Johnny said, "You all want information? Well, I know all of you, and I wonder how the fuck you five are going to get that information?"

He put his hands together and grinned at everyone present, "All of ya'll are cushy... I know because you beat the Stygian Snake, ya'll think you [i]something[/i], but you gotta' remember the kinda lives ya'll lived. It wasn't one where you hustled or did anything. It was one where ya' parents handed you everything on a silver platter! Me? I know a thing or two. [i]Especially[/i] about Paranormal organizations."

"... Please tell me-" Lin turned to Jake.

"Yes, we told him," Jake sighed.

"Aaaaaand I'm Daddy Valos' first born son! I'm closer to him than any of ya'll!" Johnny shouted. "If he has something to do with it... well, I'll know all about it by Wednesday!"

Everyone looked in between each other.

"... I know what you're going to say," Gabe turned to Lin.

"Let me guess," Lin said, rolling her eyes. "You want to accept his help. I know he's your brother, but have you forgotten what kind of person he is?"

"Trust me, sis," Gabe answered. "I grew up with that giant pain in the ass: I know all about him."

"... I'm [i]riiiight[/i] here," Johnny added.

"And I also know I'd rather have him helping us than the 'reformed' Coven," Gabe answered.

"I mean, you're worried they'll hurt your father," Jake added. "We [i]both[/i] know Johnny has enough sense not to do [i]that.[/i]"

Lin sighed, "... I guess."

"So..." Gabe said. "Are we in agreement of our next course of action?"

"Yes," Everyone said simultaneously.

"... Then let's [i][b]party![/b][/i]"

"Gimme dat!" Johnny snatched the bottle of Don Julio from Sylvia and began downing it.

[i]"Hey!" [/i]Sylvia shouted as she chased after him, running around, still downing the bottle as Sylvia chased after him.

While this was going on, Gabe ran over to the speaker and plugged it back in, and then they [i]partied[/i] all night long...

[center][hr][hr][hr][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/PrBkwn0.png[/img][hr][hr][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/PFadOba.png[/img][hr][hr][hr][hr][/center]
[center][i]"There's more to it."

"Raven Jones found something in that temple."

"Something that'd change [b]everything.[/b]"

"Something influential."

"Something powerful."

"Something that was [b]never[/b] supposed to have been found."[/i][hr][hr][hider=Come Near Me - Massive Attack][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-Bod1VPL24[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr][hr]

The door burst open; Raven covered her face as the old wooden doors fell, exploding in dust and smoke. She raised her head, seeing a silhouette in the dust cloud. She could hear its loud and strangely [i]human[/i] breathing, and as the dust settled, it became more accessible and easier to see the damned thing in all its inhuman glory. Its paper-white skin helped with that; she saw its [url=https://i.imgur.com/Zh7zu3Y.jpeg]smile.[/url] Almost as disturbing as The Mother Will's, this creature only vaguely appeared human. Or a beast trying to mock a human. It walked on all fours, approaching Raven; as it kept breathing, every step burst its white skin open, and a black ooze dripped from its body.

... There was something [i]alive[/i] in the black liquid. 

It formed tiny snake-like creatures as it approached; they hissed and wailed as Raven took steps back up until her back was up against the stone pedestal. Raven attempted to run to the left, but the creature hopped to its left. She then tried to run to the right, but it also hopped to her right. Raven grits her teeth as she has no choice but to fake it; she turns to the right and tries to appear as if she is about to haul ass in that direction, only to charge to the left. She was almost home free as she beat feet...

... She felt its hand yank at her ankle, and she fell face-first into the stone slab of this temple - well, at least the bone mask broke most of the impact. She dropped the chalice and torch, which [i]still[/i] burned. Out of reflex, Raven flipped over and prepared to defend herself from it - however, it moved with inhuman speed as its hands and feet pattered against the ground. In the blink of an eye, it was on top of Raven, staring at her face-to-face.

Doing nothing.

A bead of sweat went down Raven's face, obscured by the mask.

To attack first, bone spikes came out of Raven's chest and pierced through the monster's midsection, spraying the black ooze high into the sky. However, the creature didn't so much as [i]flinch[/i] as it opened its maw... and sprayed a [i]flood[/i] of the black liquid directly into Raven's face. The bone mask did. She thrashed as she could, but the creature was too heavy for her to move. The spray came to a close, and the creature closed its mouth and got off her. Raven flipped over to her hands and knees as she coughed up the ooze, desperately gasping for air. After a moment, she could finally [i] breathe [/i] and looked up and saw that the creature was gone.

[i]... What was that about?[/i] 

Raven quickly climbed to her feet, grabbing the torch and the Chalice. She needed to get the hell out of this place. She returned to the hall and turned right, opposite where she came from. She abandoned this strange room with the Chalice in hand, kept on her toes, and kept moving - the last thing she wanted to do was run into an Abyssal Hunter [i]that[/i] thing was, so she didn't barrel through the halls at top speeds. Eventually, she came to another door and stopped as she gently pushed the doors open.

She saw another [url=https://i.imgur.com/mWHlHyN.jpeg]large and ominous room[/url]—thankfully (and somehow) less spooky than the other one she was in. She didn't see any more monsters, so she pushed the door open and carefully stepped inside—hoping to find a map or [i]some[/i] way out of there. However, as she approached the shrine, there was a [url=https://i.imgur.com/lSFvNAg.jpg]book[/url] on a podium. Naturally, Raven snatched it, holding it underneath her arm, as Sunshine told her that the Pit was home to priceless artifacts... some of which might be the key to getting out of there.

Though, she wouldn't be able to carry anymore. 

She turned around, walked out the door, and kept walking—she wouldn't stop again unless she found the exit. However, it wasn't long before she heard the eerie white noise that the Pit always had, the screeching of beasts and that walking turned into sprinting. She laughed in relief as she finally escaped this hellish place, as she stepped out into the Pit. She saw the eerie red skies as a red orb shined brightly... 

[i]"... Halt!"[/i]

Raven fell on her behind as she sat up using her arms. Everything she held was dropped yet again. That voice was familiar—that metallic, screeching voice, coupled with the heavy footsteps. Three massive figures stepped out from the bushes to her right, and Raven immediately recognized them.

[url=https://i.imgur.com/ZobomPG.jpg][i]Autoknights.[/i][/url]

Iron golems are powered and created by magic, and Raven (and, to that extent, Sunshine) is unsure whether or not they're being made in the Pit. That was not important; what was important was that the Autoknights served an enigmatic figure who called himself the [i]"king" [/i]of The Pit. Only a madman would declare himself the[i] king[/i] of this hellscape, but the issue was that he had an organized army at his beck and call... and despite it all, they were wholly ineffective at maintaining control of the Pit. The point was that they were [i]dangerous,[/i] and Raven had nothing in her arsenal that could defeat, or even stagger, an Autoknight. She climbed to her feet, holding the Chalice in her hand, and dusted herself off with her other hand.

The "leader" of the trio (Raven could only assume) stepped forward, pointing an [url=https://i.imgur.com/9RqRtyd.png]oversized blade[/url] at her as he spoke.

"By decree of [i]The King[/i], this location is off-limits," The Autoknight leader spoke. "The punishment for trespassing is [i][b]death[/b][/i]."

The other two Autoknights aimed their [url=https://i.imgur.com/HSwIRVp.jpg]massive rifles[/url] at Raven as she screamed, desperately running for the tree line.

"[i]Blood Art Technique...[/i]" Raven's head darted across, seeing Sunshine standing atop a hill. Her right hand was coated in blood; she drew a [url=https://i.imgur.com/59m2QFN.jpg]symbol[/url] in the air that floated. "... [i]The Goliath's Fist![/i]"

Two massive (strangely human) arms burst from the ground, grabbed the two Autoknights aiming their weapons at Raven, and quickly crushed them. The metal that comprised their iron bodies screeched as the Autoknight Leader turned his attention to Sunshine. It held its blade with both hands as it faced her.

"I'll kill you, Wr-" The Autoknight tried to say...

... Before the hands came for it, they flattened it with its palms. The hands fell apart, and Sunshine shook her head as she muttered, 

[i]"Annoying bastard."[/i] Then walked over to Raven and hugged her. "Baaaaaaby..."

"Mama!" Raven shouted, hugging her back. "I was worried about you... where did you go?!"

"I just woke up somewhere in the woods,"  Sunshine shouted. "I went back to the house, and it was crawling with Abyssal Hunters, so I assumed the worst."

"Huh?" Raven furrowed her brows before she said, "The Mother Will told me you were in there..." 

However, an [i]excruciating[/i] headache came out of the blue, and Raven screamed as she grabbed both sides of her head. She fell to her knees, crying.

"Baby!?" Sunshine shouted, putting her hands on Raven's shoulders. "What's wrong?!"

"I-I-I..." Raven stammered out as it seemed like [i]serpents[/i] were slithering underneath her skin. There was a distinct squishing sound as Raven winched in pain. Falling over as more of the snakes began crawling underneath Raven's skin.

"Son of a bitch!" Sunshine shouted as she knelt over Raven, then pulled her knife out. She saw the snakes crawling underneath Raven's skin, raised her knife high, and brought it down on the snake. It let out one final hiss as it expired, and Sunshine spotted another and stabbed that one. Then another, and another... and Raven was oozing blood as she was crying on the ground. Sunshine covered her free hand in the blood... and drew a [url=https://i.imgur.com/QOue4Fi.jpeg]symbol[/url] out of the blood on Raven's forehead. The wounds began closing... and Raven kept crying as the Snakes underneath her skin faded. Sunshine gently stroked her daughter's face until she heard laughter.

On top of the hill stood The Mother Will.

"What have you done, you bastard?!" Sunshine shouted at the Mother Will.

The Mother Will looked down on her with that [i]smile.[/i] 

"I gave her what she wanted," The Mother Will said, "An[i] out[/i]."

"I'll kill you, you bastard!" Sunshine shouted. "I don't know [i]how![/i] But, there's a way! Just like there's a way out of here!"

The Mother Will was silent.

"...[i] How can you kill what doesn't live?[/i]" She began, "Or what doesn't abide by [i]your[/i] definitions of life?"

Sunshine narrowed her eyes as she knelt forward to pick Raven up...

"Don't forget what your Daughter plundered," The Mother Will said, pointing at the Book and the Chalice. 

Sunshine shook her head as she picked up the Book and the Chalice and stuck it in her backpack before she scooped up Raven. Then she walked away...

... And the Recollection ended.

[hr][center][i]"That book is known as [b]Walter's Book[/b]."

"That book has instructions to[b] end[/b] the All-Verse."

"Disguised as instructions to become a [b]God.[/b]"

"That book is in St. Portwell."

"For the good of the All-Verse, you [b]have[/b] to destroy it."

"... [b]Please.[/b]"[/i][hr]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/6P8qTaC.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/32sPLv7.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/5GEuuHz.png[/img][h1]Victoria Blackmore[/h1][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None of note.[/right][right][b][code]The Blackmore Manor. This morning.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr]


Drake was violently awoken.

In a cold sweat - but that was just typical.

He sat up, took deep breaths, and looked around his room again. [color=3874f4][i]God damn it, another weird ass dream.[/i][/color] He thought to himself. [color=3874f4][i]If it wasn't of Jade, it was of that Raven girl... is she still in The Pit?[/i][/color] He wondered to himself. However, he also had to wonder what book that weird voice wanted him to destroy. That temple had something to do with the Stygian Snake, but Drake didn't know anything about the Pit, and he knew either Britney or Jack would know.

Jack seemed like the better option. If he wasn't pissed at him for clocking... Sloane.

Sighing, Drake pulled his legs closer to himself as he looked out the window.

"... [i][b]DRAAAAAAAAAKE![/b][/i]" Victoria shouted from the kitchen (... [i]presumably[/i]). "[b][i]ARE YOU EATING BREAKFAST!?[/i][/b]"

Drake sighed. 

[color=3874f4]”... Yeah, give me a minute!”[/color] Drake shouted back.

He hopped out of bed. Got some food. Then, prepared for the day.

[right][b][code]Later on....[/code][/b][/right][hr]

It was time to go to the next meeting... as hesitant as Drake was, he was willing to give Auri one [i]last[/i] chance before he struck out on his own. It seemed like he would do better that way, anyway. He was fully dressed, wearing black jeans, a white shirt, a black leather jacket, combat boots, sunglasses... and no keys. He dug into his pocket, only to see that he was minus the keys to his Dodge Charger. He looked around his room and didn't find the keys - No matter, it was probably in the dining room. He climbed the stairs and walked into the dining room, where he saw Victoria mopping the floor. He stood in the doorway as he asked,

[color=3874f4]”Vic,”[/color] He began. [color=3874f4]”See my keys?”[/color]

"I haven't seen them," Victoria answered as she continued mopping. "But, I'll give 'im to you if I find them."

[color=3874f4]”Damn it, I need to get to Auri's meeting...”[/color] Drake shook his head as he turned to leave... then he heard the jingle of keys in Victoria's pocket. He looked over his shoulder, then heard it [i]again.[/i] [color=3874f4]”Vic...”[/color] He trailed off.

"Let me put this up, and then I'll talk to you..." Victoria quickly grabbed the bucket and scurried off. Drake trailed into the other room out of curiosity until [i]something[/i] fell out of her pocket.

His keys.

[color=3874f4]”[i][b]HEY-[/b][/i]”[/color] Drake tried to reach for them, but Victoria used her telekinesis to launch the keys into her hand. He looked up at her, as he said, [color=3874f4]”Give them to me! Those are mine!”[/color]

"No!" Victoria shouted, telekinetically putting the broom and bucket on the floor gently. She pointed at Drake and said, "I know you're trying to attend that meeting! Stay away from them!"

[color=3874f4]”Look!”[/color] Drake said, [color=3874f4]”I know how you feel; let me make my own choice.”[/color]

"Your 'own choice'-" Victoria finger quoted. "-involves [i]battery![/i]"

[color=3874f4]”You know I'm not proud of that, now give me the-”[/color] Drake shouted, approaching Victoria with each step. A swirling white portal opened behind her, and she stepped into it. The portal closed, and Drake hissed, [color=3874f4]”... [b][i]DAMN IT![/i][/b]”[/color]

[b][i]"... OOOOOOOOOH!" [/i][/b]Victoria shouted from the dining room. [b][i]"... DID YOU FORGET I COULD DO [u]THAT?![/u]"[/i][/b]

[color=3874f4]”No I didn't!”[/color] Drake shouted back as he power-walked to the dining room.

[i]"Maybe if you paid more attention when Dad taught us how to do this, you could do it too!"[/i] Victoria shouted as Drake got closer and closer.

When he arrived, Victoria already had another swirling white portal ready - one that led outside. She raised his keys into the air as she flatly said. "[i]But look at that, [b]you can't![/b][/i]"

[color=3874f4]”Vic! Gimme my keys!”[/color] Drake lunged forward, reaching for it. [color=3874f4]”I'm not playing these games!”[/color]

Victoria was through the portal with a simple step backward, which closed before Drake could do anything about it. [color=3874f4]”Son of a...”[/color] He hissed as he looked out the window and saw her in the yard. He quickly ran over to the window and easily opened it before he stepped through... however, he forgot it was far smaller than he remembered (or he was way smaller when he used to crawl through these windows) and had to squeeze through a bit. He fell ungracefully but quickly climbed to his feet and stomped over to his elder sister.

[color=3874f4]”... [b][i]GIMME MY KEYS![/i][/b]”[/color] Drake shouted, sticking his hand out as he got closer.

"Drake! [i][b]This[/b][/i] is for your own good!" Victoria began, "Stay away from the Coven! Please stay away from them and get some therapy! [i]That[/i] will help you; being around some toxic assholes [i]won't![/i] Auri doesn't have a goddamn clue what she's doing! She [b][i]NEVER[/i][/b] did, and probably never will!" 

She narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger at Drake, "You'll be safer here if you stay with us! We'll all be! And I'm saying that because we [b][i]need[/i][/b] you here! Especially your nieces! Please! Listen."

Drake came to a stop, sighing, as he looked at his feet. [color=3874f4]”Look...”[/color] Drake trailed off, [color=3874f4]”I know, you're right. On all accounts.”[/color]

He raised his head, staring at Victoria head-on, [color=3874f4]”Auri is a dumbass - [b][i]I'm[/i][/b] a dumbass, probably the biggest you know...”[/color] He put a hand on his chest, as he tried to fight back tears. [color=3874f4]”... But, Auri said that she made a breakthrough; she finally found [i][b]something[/b][/i] useful...”[/color]

He sighed as he finished, [color=3874f4]”... I know it'll just be bullshit, but I'm going to give Auri [i]one[/i] last chance. Just one. I have to... for Jade.”[/color]

Victoria sighed, shaking her head as she stuck her hand out. Using her telekinesis, the keys floated from hers to Drake's—who caught them. "Look, I thought I could talk you out of going there because Dad trusted me to protect you, Charles, and Manda from [i]yourselves[/i] if something happened to him..."

She paused before sighing again, "... But I know I can't talk you out of this. Look, if you're deadset on this, you [i]have [/i]to apologize to Sloane and [i]act[/i] like you're sorry. I don't know how you're going to do it, but you [i]have[/i] to."

Drake stared at the keys as he said, [color=3874f4]”... I don't think I can.”[/color]

"Apologize?!" Victoria scoffed, "It doesn't matter if she rejects your apology, the point is that you [i]realize[/i] you fucked up."

[color=3874f4]”Heh,”[/color] Drake laughed as he put his hands on his sides, [color=3874f4]”You cursed.”[/color]

"[i]Fuckin'[/i] sue me," Victoria rolled her eyes. "I just don't want you two getting in the habit of swearing around the triplets."

[color=3874f4]”How [i]do I [/i]apologize to her?”[/color] Drake shrugged.
 
"I don't know!" Victoria shrugged. "Get her a gif, flowers - [i][b]something[/b][/i] that shows that you give a shit."

[color=3874f4]”I'll figure something out on the way there,”[/color] Drake shrugged.

"Where [i]are[/i] you going?" Victoria raised an eyebrow.

[color=3874f4]”Kari's house,”[/color]

"... That's the big lead Auri came up with?" Victoria raised an eyebrow. "Don't get arrested. Don't beat anyone up."

[color=3874f4]”Now you sound like dad,”[/color] Drake laughed. 

"Again, he asked me to, in his own words, 'protect you three from yourselves,'" Victoria laughed. "Look, you're a grown man, but turn your location on if [i]something[/i] happens."

[color=3874f4]”... Now you really sound like Dad,”[/color] Drake rolled his eyes.

She walked over to Drake, put a hand on his shoulder, and looked him in the eye, "I love you, Drake. I know you're going through a lot and making lots of boneheaded decisions lately, but I care about you. And I don't want you to die a senseless death."

He grabbed his sister's hand and said, [color=3874f4]”I know, and trust me, [i]no one[/i] is dying on my watch.”[/color] He walked over to the car and got in. Victoria stared at him as he drove off towards the meeting.

"... Avenge Jade," Victoria said, "I know you have it in you."


[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/FcbtMmB.png[/img][h1]Auri Auclair.[/h1]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/MzIHaGw.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/32sPLv7.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/6D400qM.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/O6LA4nR.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/6P8qTaC.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/JgL3zQi.png[/img]
[/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b][/right][right][b][code]Kari Wilson's House.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr]


It was a beautiful day to trespass on private property! 

Britney walked alongside a road, holding the Noble Vow in hand, wearing blue jeans, a white sweater, and some pink New Balance running shoes. It provided ample cover for the early November weather, which was beautiful as the winds barraged her and the leaves fell. Adora was right by her side, walking with her hands in her pockets. She wore grey Nike sweatpants and a hoodie with white Air Force 1s. She calmly walked through the woods without a fear in the world. It's been a good week since the Coven reconvened... and Auri asked that everyone meet at Kari Wilson's house; no meeting is excellent... straight to the point because if they sit around each other, they will devolve into bickering.

And Britney wasn't here for all this drama.

She sighed as they finally approached [url=https://i.imgur.com/YEuXEzW.jpg]Kari's House[/url]. A picturesque two-story cabin with a fancy pathway straight to it... and to Britney's knowledge, Kari inherited the place from her grandparents. Lucky her. Auri was sitting at the first stair with the Butterfly staff in hand. Britney and Adora walked over - and the latter crossed her arms, 

[color=fd8a6c]”... You know you shouldn't be by yourself,”[/color] Adora said.

"I know," Auri began. "I just wanted to be the first person here."

[color=fd8a6c]”I'm just saying... I don't want anything to happen to you, Auri...”[/color] Adora shrugged. 

[color=f4eb93]”So, why are we here?”[/color] Britney asked. [color=f4eb93]”We [i]really[/i] shouldn't be here...”[/color]

"I'd like to share that with the group when more get here," Auri answered.

[color=f4eb93]”Sure, but they should hurry up,”[/color] Britney sat down on a rock nearby and placed the Noble Vow across her lap, [color=f4eb93]”I know we're trying to catch a killer, but I [i]really[/i] don't want to get arrested.”[/color]

She awkwardly laughed, [color=3874f4]”So, let's hope they hurry up!”[/color]

However, someone walked up—a surprise: Drake Blackmore. Britney didn't think too highly of him, but maybe this could be an excellent night if he kept a lid on it. Interestingly, he had a bouquet in hand—red roses. That made Britney raise an eyebrow. She was going to bring it up, but Adora beat her to it.

[color=fd8a6c]”Oooooh, Blackmore,”[/color] Adora grinned, putting a hand on her hip. [color=fd8a6c]”You tryna' get booed up?”[/color]

[color=3874f4]”... I have an apology to make,”[/color] Drake sighed.

[color=fd8a6c]”Fair, fair,”[/color] Adora grinned. [color=fd8a6c]”Well, I hope your [i]apology[/i] goes well for ya'.”[/color]

[color=3874f4]”... I hope so, too,”[/color] Drake shook his head, staring at the floor.

After this, more people gathered, and Auri stood up and announced, "Welcome... it's great to see you all; you all look lovely." She tried to sound chipper, but Britney saw through it; she was forcing herself.

[color=3874f4]”So, are you [i]finally[/i] going to tell us why we're hanging out at some dead chick's house?”[/color] Drake raised an eyebrow at Auri as he crossed his arms, still holding his flowers.

"Well, to get to the point, the other day Adora and I our met with our resident necromancer Lyss to get some possible leads from Father Wolf's victims..."

[color=fd8a6c]”... [i]Hmph,[/i]”[/color] Adora scowled.

"... We summoned the spirits of Ashley and Lionel, and everything seemed normal until we summoned the spirit of Kari Wilson. She didn't seem to know who we were, like it was a completely different person. Lyss said it wasn't our Kari, which is [i]very strange[/i]. So... I figured that we'd look into Kari."

[color=fd8a6c]”Yeah, I was right there,”[/color] Adora confirmed. [color=fd8a6c]”I'm wondering how the hell we got a different Kari...”[/color]

Britney held her tongue as it was explained. It was a simple but genius idea to summon Father Wolf's victims... yet they only summoned three? And Kari was the only one that didn't line up. Though, she couldn't hold her tongue any longer as she stood up to her feet and asked,

[color=f4eb93]”How [i]did[/i] Lyss know it was a different Kari?”[/color] Britney asked. [color=f4eb93]”It's also possible that Kari could have had her memories erased or stolen before she died - or that she was simply [i]lying [/i]to you three.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Beats me,”[/color] Adora shrugged. [color=fd8a6c]”[i]I'm[/i] not the supernatural expert”[/color]

"If she was lying to us or had her memories tampered with," Auri began, "... Wouldn't [i]that[/i] warrant suspicion?"

[color=f4eb93][i]Good point, but...[/i][/color] Britney thought to herself.

[color=f4eb93]”Well, in that case,”[/color] Britney began. [color=f4eb93]”Have you thought to summon the Spirits of everyone else, then? What about, you know, her [i]best friend[/i], Elsa?”[/color] She raised an eyebrow.

"I have not..." Auri said.

Adora shrugged. [color=fd8a6c]”... In my defense, I completely forgot about Elsa.”[/color]

[i]Could[/i] Kari be the killer?

She didn't seem the type, yet Kari had all the tools to [i]be[/i] Father Wolf: information. She could know all the perfect opportunities to strike and vanish without a trace. This could be why Father World never left a trace — Kari knew how to cover her tracks. Yet, Britney found it hard to believe a chubby four-eleven girl could be going around stabbing people to death without someone putting up a fight. She also knew that jumping to conclusions this early on was a dumb idea, but she also knew that someone was going to jump to that conclusion regardless of what logic Britney could present to them.

[color=f4eb93]”Well, where is Lyss, then?”[/color] Britney asked, [color=f4eb93]”We can just... summon Kari again, and everyone else, and see if we can figure this out. I know where [i]this[/i] is going, and lemme say that I do [i]not[/i] want to break into somebody's house if I can help it.”[/color]

Auri awkwardly shuffled her feet.

"... Lyss was murdered by Father Wolf during the Halloween Festival."

Britney's jaw dropped.

[color=f4eb93][i]Fuck![/i][/color]