[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/FaCzAxe.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/1Hvat1r.png[/img][/center] [right][b]Interactions:[/b] Nobody Alive [code]Linqian’s House, November 8th[/code][/right][hr][center][hider=’Thoughts, they never stop when they're unsaid’][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy240ufjye4&ab_channel=HolyWars-Topic[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr] Linqian woke up in cold sweat, to complete silence. It was still dark. Dim street lights peeked through the flimsy blinds, streaking across the bed. Linqian’s head turned to the side, towards the clock she had beside her bed. She squinted to see through the fuzziness. Six am. Too early. [color=a22929][i]Of course the first morning I can lie in I wake up early. Fucking hell, that your fault, Hai-er?[/i][/color] There was no response. Only silence. [color=a22929][i]Hai-er? Jinhai? [b]Jinhai.[/b] Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck [b]fuck![/b][/i][/color] Linqian sat up, hands grasping at her head and clawing her hair out of its tight bun. Her nails dug into her scalp as if she could gouge out the brother she’d known was never actually in there. It was all just magic. Magic that Greyson had put in there to calm her- but what the fuck? What the actual fuck?! How could he fucking do that. She’d had a glimpse of what things should fucking be like. Heard him again, just like she always should. Just like in the pink mist. Then it was all torn away. [i]Again.[/i] It got worse every single time. She kept regaining the hope she’d fucking lost. She [i]knew[/i] that he was dead… but it was still so fucking hard to accept. Every morning she woke up expecting to find him in the kitchen, or to wake up to him banging on her door with some snide fucking comment. But it didn’t happen. He was dead. Gone. No matter how many times she heard his voice in her head, he wasn’t coming back. Linqian’s face pressed into her thighs as if she could smother herself. She wanted to. What was the point in a world that Jinhai wasn’t fucking in? Things wouldn’t get better. It didn’t fucking matter how much money she got. There was an emptiness that couldn’t be fucking replaced… It was so difficult to care. [color=CD5C5C]Why didn’t he come back? Why, why, why, why?[/color] It was difficult to breathe, like hands were squeezing her lungs. Maybe it was Jinhai. She wished it was Jinhai. Each agonising breath was exhaled as a sob, dampness hitting her legs. Tears. She couldn’t contain them any longer… Fuck it. Fuck it all. [color=CD5C5C]It should have been me, it should have been me, [i]it should have been [b]me[/b][/i].[/color] Linqian bit into her thigh to choke out the pained cries that threatened to escape. She couldn’t wake up Henri… she couldn’t be seen like this. It was too much. It was all too much. No matter how hard she held it all in, she was always going to break. It was so fucking quiet with only her thoughts. They echoed over and over again with no response. It was just her. She was alone. Fuck, she was all alone, and she couldn’t deal with it. What the fuck was she meant to do? Why hadn’t it been her, why couldn’t it have been her? Did she really deserve to live over him? No. She didn’t. Fuck, she really fucking didn’t. What was she without him? Nothing. She needed him… she needed him so fucking much. Without him she was drowning in a dark, empty fucking world. It hurt so fucking much. One hand came down to her chest, nails scratching through fabric to try and tear out her heart. It would be so much fucking easier without it. She was never fucking letting Greyson in her head again. Never. It was so much fucking worse when it all came crashing down. The emptiness more obvious. A barbed knife being twisted in an already gaping wound. His voice was so vivid in her mind, but it wasn’t there. What had began to fade was clear and it hurt so fucking much. [color=a22929][i]”Please come back. Please just fucking come back.”[/i][/color] It was so cold. The kind of cold that wasn’t warded away as Linqian pulled her duvet around herself, still curled up into a tight ball. It was the kind of cold that came with being empty. It wouldn’t go away. And he wouldn’t come back, no matter how much she begged for it, or how much she silently screamed into her skin. Jinhai was dead. And he’d taken most of her with him. [hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/FaCzAxe.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/1Hvat1r.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/r7scdkh.png[/img] [img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjEwNi43NjY3NjcuVTJ4dllXNWxJRVpoY21sei4w/bachelorette.regular.webp[/img][/center] [right][code]The Lampside Bistro[/code][/right][hr] Linqian couldn’t believe she was actually doing this. She’d reached out by choice to Sloane to talk about the funeral and organised to meet her Tuesday morning, bright and early. At least she’d gotten plenty of sleep the night before for once… it meant she was less likely to snap the moment she saw Sloane’s dour face. Since she’d suggested meeting, Linqian had also selected the place. The Lampside Bistro was a small, rustic restaurant which served food throughout the day. It was only a fifteen minute walk from her house and primarily served locals, rather than having any appeal to tourists, being located in the Southern side of the city. It had been around as long as Linqian could remember. While small, the wooden booth style tables offered some amount of privacy and the food was nice. Most importantly, it had been one of Jinhai’s favourite places to frequent, both as a teenager to study somewhere out of the house and as an adult the few times he returned to St Portwell. She hadn’t been in a long time, and never without him. It seemed fitting. Living as close as she did, Linqian got there a fair bit early, ordering a black coffee and finding a seat tucked away in the corner but still visible from the entrance. Sloane opened the door precisely at their agreed upon meeting time, a black SUV driving off behind her. Her typical stark and rigid appearance like that of a highly-decorated military officer was betrayed by near microscopic imperfections that on anyone else would be imperceptible—a wrinkle on her shirt, a bit of lint on her coat, a piece of hair refusing to fall in line with the others—that hinted at some kind of unravelling. Exhaustion, undoubtedly, and a deep one at that judging by the dark bags under her eyes that could’ve been mistaken for sloppy application of eyeshadow. Sloane looked around the restaurant. At first she glanced over Linqian, her eyes focusing on an empty booth by the window where she’d last seen Jinhai in person, old regrets resurfacing anew. Her jaw stiffened and she moved forward, sitting down in the seat across from Linqian without any real acknowledgement as Sloane busied herself with something in her purse. She pulled out a sleek, black notebook and an old fountain pen, setting them neatly on the table, before most peculiarly producing a glass bottle of kombucha, taking a sneaky sip out of it, and slipping it back into her bag. She made a disgusted look with her face and then flipped open the notebook, revealing neatly written notes categorizing different types of memorial services and their costs. She picked up the pen, clicked it, looked at the cup of coffee in front of Linqian, and then finally made eye contact with her. [color=silver]“I never understood why he liked this place,”[/color] said Sloane matter-of-factly. [color=silver]“The coffee here was always terrible.”[/color] A comment about how no amount of kombucha would get rid of Sloane's toxicity was on the top of Linqian's tongue, but she managed to swallow it back down with a deep breath. While waking up that morning without Jinhai's voice in her head anymore had been horrible, she'd had her emotional reaction there and then. Now, she was as calm as she could ever be… calm enough to not immediately blow up at Sloane over her comments, at least. It was an active struggle. [color=CD5C5C]”Habit, comfort? He got attached. It was the only place close enough and near enough he could study in for hours as a teen. Cause y'know, we've never been fucking rich. Coffee's coffee.”[/color] She let out a harsh exhale. She hadn't invited Sloane out to bicker - if there wasn't something practical to be done she wouldn't want to see her at all. At least here Sloane's efficiency and general lack of emotion was useful. Linqian leaned forward to look at the notes as best as she could when they were upside down, loose curls falling forward off her shoulders. The prices she could easily skim through like that, but the details… [color=CD5C5C]”This is… impressive,”[/color] Linqian said, meaning it as she gestured to the notebook. She hadn't even had time to think about the specifics outside of needing to bury her brother. Between work, looking after her brother, and all the coven nonsense she'd barely had time to care for herself… well fuck, didn't look like Sloane did either. Those dark bags were the kind that Linqian regularly had to cover up under her own eyes with magic. It didn't exactly make her feel any sympathy, but at least it proved that Sloane was human. [color=CD5C5C]”Let’s just get it over with then. First off, I got a new job… Pays pretty fucking well. I'll be able to afford the service myself.”[/color] Wasn't technically true, since she didn't know when she'd get her first paycheck. But saying that Greyson would pay for it was a great way to have Sloane get all pissy. Linqian wasn't dealing with that right now. She'd just rather owe Greyson money than she would Sloane, since he could take it right outta her fucking paycheck if he wanted to. But unfortunately, much as she would rather Greyson cover the costs, she'd rather not have him involved in the planning. [color=CD5C5C]”So I can afford it all now, thankfully. But…”[/color] Linqian grimaced, tilting her head back to look up at the ceiling rather than Sloane. She swore under her breath. She really didn't fucking want to say this. Fuck, it was the closest to being nice to Sloane she'd ever gotten. Jinhai better be fucking happy wherever he was now. [color=CD5C5C]”I’d still like your help with the planning. I don't know what the fuck I'm doing with it.”[/color] Sloane’s hand stilled, gripping the corner of the notebook. It had moved to close it the second Linqian mentioned paying for the funeral herself, anticipating Linqian to follow up with a sharp fuck off that, frankly, would’ve been deserved. Outside of a little research online and a few phone calls, Sloane had felt like she had failed on her end of the deal with Linqian regarding Jinhai’s memorial. There were dozens of excuses as to why she’d never been able to bring up fundraising with the people Linqian had suggested, but the ultimate reason was that Sloane didn’t want to. Forking over a few extra thousand was less painful than trying to have a conversation with Britney or needlessly being questioned by the others who would surely doubt her intentions. [color=silver]“Okay,”[/color] said Sloane. It was worse than admitting that she’d like to help but infinitely better than agreeing with Linqian that it was clear that she didn’t know what the fuck she was doing. She flipped the notebook so that it was easier for Linqian to read. It was clear that a lot of thought and care had gone into the planning. Too much, almost. Listings of types of services and potential venues, means of burial and gravemarkers, varieties of urns if Linqian wanted to keep the ashes, and places to spread them if she didn’t. Some of the spots would be familiar to Linqian, areas that she’d recognize as significant to Jinhai, while others would be foreign, secret haunts whose significance were known only to Sloane. The list was essentially a confessional, letting Linqian know then and there exactly how deeply Sloane had cared about Jinhai. There was a kind of pathetic sadness to it too, as the list had glaring omissions in it that Linqian would immediately notice, their absence serving to highlight how her brother’s feelings towards Sloane could not be described as mutual. [color=silver]“I had a few ideas,”[/color] understated Sloane, sliding the notebook over to Linqian. [color=silver]“I circled the ones I thought Jinhai would like, but you should obviously get the final say anyway. And not just because you’re paying for it. Congratulations, by the way.”[/color] Her words were hollow. They almost sounded like an admittance of defeat. Sloane clarified, [color=silver]“On the new job, I mean. What is it?”[/color] Linqian raised her eyebrows, while trying to figure out [i]how[/i] to explain what her new job was without immediately pointing to Greyson. It shouldn’t unless Sloane started questioning it too much, and hopefully she wouldn’t care enough to. They weren’t exactly fucking close. Linqian was surprised she had even congratulated her on the first place, even if it was the most lacklustre congratulations she’d ever received. [color=CD5C5C]”It’s a manager job on a tobacco farm… Not here, but there’s enough I can do long distance.”[/color] It was a simple enough explanation, and one that shouldn’t lead to many questions. It wasn’t like a highschool degree was obviously needed for a job like that. She leaned over to properly read through everything Sloane had written out, wanting to move past that topic quickly. It was… incredibly well thought out. Enough that Linqian could tell [i]just[/i] how much Sloane actually liked Jinhai from it. It was in a way that Linqian would have probably worried about and disliked when her brother was alive, but now… It was sad in a way that Linqian could almost feel sympathy. At least she accepted that Sloane was grieving him too… and grieving something she could never have. [color=CD5C5C]”This location would be best. I want it to be small, and private. Me, our brother, family friends, you and any other coven members that were close to him. Not an open invitation.”[/color] She’d pointed to a circled venue that was a small function hall within St Portwell university - in an older building with a clear academic feel. It wasn’t expensive to hire, but that wasn’t the focus. While Jinhai hadn’t attended the city’s university outside of a few academic conferences, his intelligence and achievements would be reflected by a venue within a university. It was the place he’d spent most of his life. [color=CD5C5C]”I already know where I want to bury the majority of his ashes… There’s a small open plot near our parents in the cemetery in this part of the city. That would be after the ceremony with even less people. There’s some Chinese traditions I want to incorporate into that - burning joss paper, and the like. It’s what we did for my parents.”[/color] She moved onto ash scattering locations. [color=CD5C5C]”For scattering the rest… The old coven lair, of course. Cascade Pines… out of the way, but nice. Oceanview Gardens- cause fuck, it’ll be a bit weird to do it off the coast there, but he… we went there a lot. It’s not on this list, but there’s a smaller park in this area, too. And if there’s anywhere significant other people want to scatter them, that would be fine.”[/color] Linqian leaned back, looking away from the notes for a moment. Her eyes were practically swimming from all of the words, but more than that, it was the thought of organising all of this for Jinhai. Jinhai, who should still be here, who’s voice had sounded so real in her mind the day before… [color=CD5C5C]”I don’t even fucking know where to start with the ceremony itself. Eulogies? Much as he’d probably want it, I can’t fucking speak at it. It’d be a shitshow. Our brother… he’ll break down. Fuck.”[/color] Linqian grimaced, pausing long enough that Sloane could actually interject. [color=silver]“I could always say something, but…”[/color] Sloane stared at the table. [color=silver]“Eulogies, prayers, whatever, none of those really ever seem to bring any sort of comfort. There’s a surrealness to them, an artificiality that no matter how heartfelt still always feels phoney. We could do them if you feel the need to adhere to some kind of tradition, but personally I feel it might be best to have something a little more stripped away from all the pageantry. Something more akin to a celebration of his life instead of us simply mourning our loss.”[/color] [color=silver]“There’d still be photos and flowers, but also some food and drink. People can simply come and go as they please to swap stories, pay their respects, and to meet with people whom they never would have met or stand with people who they normally cannot stand solely because of how much your brother mattered to them. No real structure or ceremonies. No priests, no funeral staff, tears acceptable but ideally caused by laughter or a bittersweet memory. To those outside it would look like a farewell party,”[/color] said Sloane. [color=silver]“And although it isn’t my call, I think you should make it an open invitation. Your brother was special,”[/color] the ‘to me’, while implied, was unsaid. [color=silver]“I’m sure he was special to a lot of people, more than you or I were ever aware of. His college friends, for one. Roommates, exes, people who knew a side of Jinhai that we didn’t have a chance to know. I’m sure some of them might be fucking terrible,”[/color] said Sloane with a bitter laugh. [color=silver]“But if Jinhai can allow for the two of us to sit down across from one another and have a civil conversation then I’m sure that those people would easily be able to behave themselves for him for a few hours.”[/color] [color=silver]“Anyway, if all of that sounds good then the only question that remains is when,”[/color] said Sloane. Doing away with the eulogies and prayers that Linqian would’ve never allowed anyway was something Linqian could agree with. It sounded nice. A good way to remember him, letting them talk about the positive impact he’d made on people. She wasn’t one for crying around others anyway, and wouldn’t have to deal with people thinking she was [i]cold[/i] or [i]unfeeling[/i] for not doing so at her own brother’s memorial service. [color=CD5C5C]”I agree with stripping it down to something more natural. While he was fucking good at faking it, Jinhai never like stuffy things like that. We’ve already missed most of the traditions I’d consider following… He’d [i]love[/i] to have that many people talking about him. I can cook some of his favourite dishes.”[/color] But then there was the [i]open invitation[/i]. Sloane was, annoyingly, right again. There were people outside of St Portwell that deserved to be at Jinhai’s memorial - even people who didn’t. But it was none of them that were the problem… it was [i]him[/i]. Her ex-boyfriend who was originally close friends with Jinhai, and still in his circle of college friends. But surely he wouldn’t? Not after everything that had fucking happened and how Jinhai had cut him off. Even if he heard about it, he wouldn’t be that [i]bad[/i]. Fuck. She couldn’t cut off so many for one absolute piece of shit. [color=CD5C5C]”And we’ll make it an open invite. There are some people I can contact so the word goes out.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”As for when… As soon as possible, but there needs to be enough time for people to get here. End of next week, or early the week after. I don’t want to push it back much longer unless I bury him separately. He’s been… neglected for too long.”[/color] A silence hung between the two. [color=silver]“I can see about calling the university and reserving the hall. Making some of his favorite dishes is a good idea, but I’ll arrange for some other food and drinks as well—I imagine there’ll be more people than one person can cook for. You’ll have to handle calling about the cemetery plot. Oh, and maybe you could make a blog about it on,”[/color] Sloane snapped her fingers trying to remember the name, [color=silver]“Friendster? I don’t have one.”[/color] Sloane slid the notebook back over to herself. Her lips parted and trembled ever so slightly, then she reached into her purse as if going back in for her kombucha to quench her thirst. She instead pulled out a checkbook, the trembling having been silent counting, and jotted down a number on the check before tearing it off and passing it over to Linqian. There was an almost aggressive flourish to the way Sloane clicked her pen and returned it and the checkbook to her bag. [color=silver]“I’ll take care of the hall. That should cover the plot,”[/color] said Sloane, staring Linqian square in the eyes. [color=silver]“As I said before, there’s no strings attached. This money isn’t for you. It’s for Jinhai. But, if for whatever reason you find that unacceptable, you can always try to pay me back once you start collecting paychecks from this,”[/color] the corner of Sloane’s lips twitched, forming a blink-and-miss-it smirk, [color=silver]“lucrative remote farming job.”[/color] Linqian narrowed her eyes at Sloane, before tilting her head down to look at the cheque. Her lips pulled down from a thin line into a scowl. Of course. Of fucking course. Sloane didn’t believe she had a job. What did she think she was doing? Quitting her normal one and just living off fuck all? Linqian didn’t even take the cheque, forcing Sloane to put it on the table. One rough fingertip pressed into it. [color=CD5C5C]”Jinhai wouldn’t want to accept the money either. Believe me, I know him way fucking better than you do.”[/color] Now glaring at Sloane across the table, Linqian pushed the cheque back over. [color=CD5C5C]”Pay for the hall, I’ll cover the fucking plot with the job I [i]actually[/i] have. Why the fuck would I make something like that up? Unlike you, I’ve gotta worry about bills and keeping my brother fed. I don’t need any of your money, Sloane. I’ll pay for the hall too when I have more money. You can take your shit attitude and inherited money elsewhere.”[/color] A flush of red came to Sloane’s cheeks. It felt to her as if Linqian had just slapped her across the face. Sloane’s hand shot forward as if to strike in retaliation, smacking the table so hard as her hand hit the check that some of Linqian’s coffee splashed out of the cup. Meanwhile, the check careened across the table, flying off of the edge and bouncing against Linqian’s chest before falling into her lap. [color=silver]“Don’t make this a thing. Rip it up later if you want. Burn it. I don’t care. Just fucking take it. Besides,”[/color] Sloane gritted her teeth. [i]Besides, I wasn’t the one who said the job was made up. Oh no, I’m sure there are so many managerial jobs that require neither a high school degree nor previous job experience nor a single ounce of interpersonal skills whatsoever. There’s tons and I’m sure they all pay extremely well. I mean, what would the other reality be? That you’re so stupid, prideful, and petty that you’d sink yourself further into debt just to spite my fucking act of kindness? But that would mean you’re a shitty person then. Oh, wait,[/i] thought the tiny voice in the back of Sloane’s head.. [color=silver]“Besides, I heard what you said at the last meeting. You’re not a fucking idiot. Or maybe you are,”[/color] Sloane shrugged stiffly, her eyes dull and unfocused. [color=silver]“But while everyone else wants to chase after billionaires or take a field trip to hell, you can at least realize how fucked we are when it comes to dealing with Father Wolf. So either you can hope that he gets you before me, or you can just take the money so once we’re both dead your little brother doesn’t have to keep you in a [i]fucking [b]shoebox[/b][/i] next to Jinhai.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”Don’t fucking bring my little brother into this,”[/color] Linqian snapped, snatching the cheque off her lap. She wanted to burn it right there and then, but they were in public. She wasn’t stupid enough to display magic like that… so she scrunched it up and shoved it in a pocket. [color=CD5C5C]”You’re right we’re fucked with Father Wolf, but unlike you, I [i]actually[/i] have people who’d care enough to bury me. Greyson, for one - he fucking cares enough-”[/color] about Henri- [color=CD5C5C]”to try pay for Jinhai’s funeral too. Who’ll fucking mourn you? Anya? She won’t fucking care.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”So if I die first, don’t fucking bother.”[/color] Linqian’s hand also slammed on the table, more coffee splashing out and onto her hand. She didn’t even flinch. She stood, just to lean over closer to Sloane. [color=CD5C5C]”Also? He’s not in a fucking shoebox, he’s in a nice wooden one that I [i]hand engraved his name in [b]myself[/b].[/i]”[/color] Sloane turned her head, studying the tile on the floor. Her crossed arms gripped her sleeves so tightly that the seams holding the sleeves to the shoulder were threatening to pop. It was funny. Normally she didn’t care what someone like Linqian would think, because normally she’d assume that someone like Linqian was wrong. Yet today her words hit harder. If the refusal of her money had been a slap, then saying that nobody would care if she died was a knife in the chest. Maybe it was the stress. The exhaustion. The little nagging voice in Sloane’s head that told her that Linqian probably wasn’t wrong—except about Anya. Sloane shut her eyes hard, her face scrunching as if she’d taken another sip of kombucha. [color=silver]“Don’t make a scene,”[/color] she said. To herself? Hard to tell. [color=CD5C5C]”Don’t make a scene?”[/color] Linqian repeated, eyes narrowing at Sloane. The lack of response only made Linqian more pissed off, even as she tried to pull herself back in. What would Jinhai say? He'd tell her to chill out and not let it bother her too much, or to just back away. Except she couldn't fucking hear him say that anymore, because he was fucking dead. And because he was dead she was forced to tolerate Sloane's presence to make sure he got the memorial service he deserved. [color=CD5C5C]”It’d be a lot fucking worse if I was making a scene.”[/color] Linqian’s jaw clenched, biting down on the more heated words and actions that would follow. Fuck Sloane, but fuck giving her anymore of her time. She could be sad and miserable alone. Linqian had better fucking things to do right now. With that in mind, thinking about Jinhai, she managed to pull herself down from a full on explosion. [color=CD5C5C]”Take care of the hall. Text me the details and I’ll set up a blog. I’ll be civil on the day for Jinhai, but don’t expect it from me any other fucking time.”[/color] She didn’t wait for Sloane’s response, already on her way out the door with a cigarette pulled out and pushed between her lips, half drunk coffee left on the table. Sloane watched Linqian leaving in the reflection of the baked goods display. She moved to stop her, sliding to the edge of the booth. Something Lynn said the other day had burrowed its way beneath Sloane’s skin and it would require someone like Linqian to lance it before it got worse. She placed her hand on the edge of the table to help herself up then stopped, settling back down in the seat as she watched the trail of smoke disappear beyond the front window of the store. Sloane huffed, blew a loose strand of hair out of face, and pulled out her cellphone so she could call the hall. She told herself that the window of opportunity had closed, even though she could easily have caught up to the smoker. She told herself it wasn’t worth the fight, even though they were fighting already and had been fighting, in some way or another, for the past ten years. She even told herself that she hadn’t said anything for Linqian’s sake, because there felt little point in making her miserable life even any worse, even though she didn’t care for the woman (and even though Linqian was so ungrateful that she couldn’t even say thank you for all of the work Sloane had done). [color=silver]“You’re fucking welcome,”[/color] muttered Sloane. Sloane was unsure if the ringing in her ear was just the phone. She tried to ignore the pit forming in her stomach, a common symptom that occurred typically when she lied to herself, such as now. She had so nearly convinced herself that the only reason she hadn’t asked Linqian if Jinhai had seemed any different the days before he was murdered was anything other than fear. It was the fear, however seemingly impossible, that one of Lynn’s predictions was right. Fear that everyone in the Coven was, how did she put it, ticking time bombs, incubating some kind of corruption left over by the Stygian Snake that could pop at any minute. Fear that Father Wolf was less psycho killer and more necessary evil. Fear that, while he didn’t deserve it, Jinhai was better off dead. Maybe they all were. The ringing stopped as someone picked up the other line. [color=silver]“Hello? My name is Sloane Faris, I’m calling about…”[/color] [hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/FaCzAxe.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/1Hvat1r.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjEwNi5mMzllZDQuUVhKNWFXNC4x/personal-use.regular.webp[/img][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjEwNi5mMzllZDQuVkdodmNtNWwuMQ/personal-use.regular.webp[/img][/CENTER] [right][code]Linqian’s House, Afternoon[/code][/right][hr] Aaron pulled up to the side of the road, putting the moving van they rented in park as they opened the door and exited the vehicle. The street parking was not free right now so Aaron pulled out his phone and scanned the QR code to pay for a few hours. He then looked around to see if anyone was watching before he swapped forms to Aryin. Ever since father wolf started his killings Aryin has spent much more time in her stronger, more durable form. She had to stay as Aaron to rent the van and drive because, at the end of the day, all their identifications were Aaron. Still, now that she was safely at her destination she was now in the form that not only was durable, but also had the stamina to keep up with the rigors of a move. Aryin sent a quick text. It was simple, a “do I have to do everything my fucking self’ followed by a ‘I’m here whore’. After a few moments, there was a shout from across the road. [color=CD5C5C]”You couldn’t have fucking knocked on the door, you bitch? Did you expect me to just fucking stand on the street and fucking wait?!”[/color] Linqian had her hands on her hips, scowling over at Aryin. A door to one of the small, semi-detached houses was left propped open… It wasn’t like there was much of value to steal, and they’d fucking notice. A car drove by and then Linqian walked over, punching Aryin hard in the shoulder as soon as she reached her. She even added a little heat to it. [color=CD5C5C]”Let’s get this fucking over with so we can relax with some beers, cause fuck, I need it.”[/color] [color=00BFFF]”Can we watch shitty movies while we drink,”[/color] Aryin chuckled as she opened the back of the moving van. The van was fully half packed, with the mattress, dresser and nightstand only taking up a small amount of the total move. The dresser was big, heavy, and was made of solid wood. The boxes were all stacked neatly and were ready to go from this side. [color=CD5C5C]”If you're fine with a shitty quality TV then yeah we fucking can,”[/color] Linqian replied, looking up at the shit ton of stuff they had to move. It'd be fine… she was dressed for the exercise, at least, in a sporty tank top and leggings. [color=CD5C5C]”Y’know I told my brother you'd be coming today but instead of sticking around to help he fucked right off cause he's got essential 'training’ as if that couldn't wait a couple of hours.”[/color] She rolled her eyes. [color=CD5C5C]”Where do you want to start? Your room is mostly clear.”[/color] [color=00BFFF]”Let's start with the easy stuff and we’ll make our way to the small amount of furniture I bought?”[/color] Aryin scoffed at the mention of Henri not helping, [color=00BFFF]”when he gets back we should make him do a few hundred pushups and squats. Training.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”I like that plan, both the easy stuff and making him do all that,”[/color] Linqian laughed, stepping into the van and squatting to pick up one of the boxes. [color=CD5C5C]”As if I don’t have to train my magic too… I’ve been too fucking easy on that kid. Well, at least he’s doing something, I guess. He was doing fuck all before.”[/color] As she talked Linqian began to cross the road, going towards her house. Aryin grabbed four boxes, and carried them in each hand, and followed Linqian. [color=00BFFF]”Look what I can do now,”[/color] Aryin said as she started to have a dull glow emanate from her muscles. [color=00BFFF]” Figuring out how to do plant magic led to me figuring this out,”[/color] Aryin laughed, [color=00BFFF]”Since we’re roommates I'll have to teach you Stonewall now. Get you some training so I don’t have to hold the fucking line by myself,”[/color] Aryin Smirked. [color=CD5C5C]”Huh, that’s pretty neat,”[/color] Linqian said about the glowing. She then twisted herself to kick Aryin’s leg. [color=CD5C5C]”I’ve already gotta fucking version of Stonewall in the works, from when you were punching me yesterday! It’s much better than it fucking was before, just gotta keep it up a bit longer.”[/color] As they entered the house, they were met with a small entrance hall. Normally Linqian was strict about shoes off inside, but she didn’t want to bother with taking them on and off constantly. As they stepped further in there was a door ajar to their left, showing a kitchen. Linqian just kept going forward and up the stairs right in front of them. [color=CD5C5C]”I’ll show you around after we’ve brought all your shit in.”[/color] Up the stairs, she turned to the left, then into the first door on her right. It revealed a medium sized, pretty bare room - containing a bed frame and a wardrobe. [color=CD5C5C]”Here we go - you can do whatever the fuck you want with it.”[/color] [color=00BFFF]”That wardrobe can fit my cosplay stuff,”[/color] Aryin said with excitement. She carried the boxes over to the widow and placed each stack down neatly. [color=00BFFF]”Have I thanked you enough for this? You’re literally letting me move in, can I buy you a beer or something? Like a PBR, something shitty just for you,”[/color] Aryin smirked as she looked at the room. It was quaint, but just a bit smaller than her crappy apartment that was stuffed to the rim. She was going to throw away some stuff but she was going to have Linqian and Henri see if they wanted any of it. [color=CD5C5C]”Fucking nerd,”[/color] Linqian laughed. [color=CD5C5C]”Yeah, you thanked me a shit ton Sunday- but I’ll accept that beer. You can get a bunch of beers for us tonight, cause there ain’t any in the house. I’ll take a PBR or five cause fuck, it’s needed. Maybe I’ll even let Yi-er have one.”[/color] Linqian backed out of the room, gesturing to the door at the top of the stairs. [color=CD5C5C]”That’s the main bathroom. There’s a toilet downstairs, but the only shower’s in there. We might have to time it… I gotta be in there like an hour or two the days I’m properly washing my hair.”[/color] [color=00BFFF]”Timing showers again”[/color] Aryin laughed as memories of the mansion flooded her mind, [color=00BFFF]”I remember your hair routine all too well. Didn’t Emily yell at you for hogging the water one morning? That cunt,”[/color] Aryin side eyed Linqian, [color=00BFFF]”will it be his first drink? If so we need to get some absolutely terrible ones to make it look like drinking is not cool.[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”She was such a fucking bitch - I wasn’t even using water most of the time, it’s more the fucking drying stage and shit… Like I want to take so long. It was only like once a week too!”[/color] Linqian got a bit pissed just at the thought of Emily, the absolute cunt that she was. But it cooled down thinking about her brother. [color=CD5C5C]”Unfortunately it won’t be. He probably drank at college… and he definitely did after the halloween festival. Little piece of shit, we should definitely get him terrible ones anyway.”[/color] [color=00BFFF]”We could get that awful beer from the import store, what is it called, Tsingtao? We could get that and some Korean BBQ for dinner,”[/color] Aryin chuckled at the idea. [color=00BFFF]”Now. It seems to me that I have more boxes in the van than in here. Lazy ass, let’s go grab some more.[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”Sounds fucking good, I’ll send Yi-er round when he’s back, save us delivery cost,”[/color] Linqian said, before reaching out to punch Aryin in the shoulder. [color=CD5C5C]”Shut the fuck up, you hoe, I’m doing you a fucking favour here.”[/color] But Linqian still went back downstairs and out to the van, grabbing three boxes this time… Anymore and she couldn’t see over them. [color=CD5C5C]”You better fucking do the work too.”[/color] [color=00BFFF]”Will Greyson hire a moving crew next time,”[/color] Aryin chuckled, [color=00BFFF]” he should treat you to the move. And by extension me,”[/color] Aryin laughed as she grabbed another four boxes. [color=00BFFF]”Say, how are your arms and legs feeling? Feeling tired yet, you weak ass bitch.;”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”He fucking better, all that fucking cash and shit… I bet he’ll hire one for him and Brit, so if he doesn’t for us, I’ll get Yi-er on his ass. He can’t resist his overly goofy smile,”[/color] Linqian snorted, as she bounded up the stairs to prove that she wasn’t fucking weak. [color=CD5C5C]”Just fine! After four boxes, I don’t feel shit. I’ll keep up for the whole fucking thing, just you watch.”[/color] [hr] [color=CD5C5C]”Why… the fuck… do you have so much shit?!”[/color] Linqian complained as she lugged up another three boxes - which felt like the fucking hundredth. [color=CD5C5C]”I fucking swear, I’m beating your ass after this if I don’t get a nice cold beer right a fucking way.”[/color] [color=00BFFF]”I’m an artist and I make my own cosplays,”[/color] Aryin said without even breathing hard. This was easy. She was even feeling a little chilly. [color=00BFFF]”I need my art supplies, sewing machine and supplies. I did also bring a lot of stuff I may throw out but I wanted to see if you or Henri wanted. Old art equipment, boxing equipment, literal iron bars that I strategically placed in your boxes,”[/color] Aryin passed Linqian with ease into the house, [color=00BFFF]”I will be a doll and get you the coldest, most delicious beer I can find…. If you can beat me on the next round of boxes.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”You fucking bitch, I’ll kick you outta the fucking house,”[/color] Linqian groaned, hurrying up her pace. The fact that she was actively channeling her magic to stay cool definitely wasn’t helping with her energy… but she refused to get sweaty and have to take another fucking shower. Not after she’d washed her hair this morning. No fucking way. [color=CD5C5C]”You can sleep on the cold hard ground and see how you fucking like, then crawl back begging to be let back in.”[/color] Aryin placed the boxes down and turned to face Linqian. She pointed towards Linqian with both hands, she then brought them close to her eyes and mimicked a crying motion, before she pointed back to Linqian. Aryin chuckled as she turned around. [color=00BFFF]”Hell, I’d even do it wearing a maid outfit if you can beat me back up here with the next rounds of boxes.”[/color]. Aryin walked to the window and could see the moving van outside. [color=CD5C5C]”Just a maid outfit? Why not a full fucking cosplay… which would you wear?”[/color] Linqian asked, quietly moving back towards the door after putting down the boxes she had. Hopefully Aryin would start monologuing about her cosplays and she could quickly go down and back up. [color=00BFFF]”How about my Jane Doe cosplay,”[/color] Aryin chuckled as she knew that nothing Linqian could do would ever make her win this challenge, [color=00BFFF]”her walk and all. Like you’d be able to beat me. You’re exhausted, and I literally cannot be exhausted. I’ll still get you all the cold beer you can desire tonight though. As my-”[/color] Aryin paused as she watched Linqian grab three boxes from the van before turning around and saw she was indeed gone. [color=00BFFF]”Fucking whore,”[/color] Aryin said with a scowl, but chuckled as she ran to the stairs. [color=00BFFF]”YOU BITCH.”[/color]. Aryin did not block her way, [color=00BFFF]”that desperate to see my Jane Doe, huh?”[/color]. [color=CD5C5C]”Oh you know I do,”[/color] Linqian grinned, winking at Aryin as she took the stairs two at the time, panting heavily by the time she got to the top and moved past Aryin into the room. [color=CD5C5C]”Go on, get it fucking on. I gotta get some eye candy to keep going, y’know? Ain’t any better options around.”[/color] [hr] An hour later Aryin walked up to the van in her full Jane Doe cosplay, tail, wig and all. It was a very faithful, and very accurate, cosplay and Aryin was quite proud of it. As she walked she did the strut that she did even while wearing the high heels she wore. She looked back at Linqian and winked, opening her mouth while licking her teeth seductively. [color=00BFFF]”All the boxes are done. Are you ready for the really, really, really heavy furniture that I have? Is this eye candy giving you strength?”[/color]. [color=CD5C5C]”Do I have a fucking choice?”[/color] Linqian groaned, doubled over in front of the van with her hands on her knees. She still had enough energy to keep her skin cool enough to not sweat, and tilt her head up towards Aryin with a teasing leer. Her eyes went up, then down, Aryin. [color=CD5C5C]”Oh yeah, it's the only thing keeping me fucking going… and that beer at the end. Fuck! I need to develop some strength spells.”[/color] Linqian forced herself up and into the van. [color=CD5C5C]”Let's get this shit over with.”[/color] [color=00BFFF]”Good,”[/color] Aryin said as she turned back around. She grabbed the heaviest piece of furniture, the long and solid wood dresser, and picked it up all by herself and began to carry it as her muscles began to glow. [color=00BFFF]”Be a doll and grab the mirror for this. So you can watch yourself be weak in real time. Bitch.”[/color] Aryin laughed as they navigated the staircase terribly. While she could carry it alone, it was more difficult to make the turns without someone as a guide. Eventually she figured it out after her one brain cell figured out the geometry and she made her way to the room. She placed it down on the wall opposite the bed. [color=00BFFF]”I think I made a mistake.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”If I find out you dented the wall at all on the way up you're fucking paying for it,”[/color] Linqian said, coming in behind her and putting down the mirror. She was panting heavily, and honestly, felt a bit like she was dying. She wasn't exactly unfit - years of working on her feet saw to that - but she wasn't [I]healthy[/I] thanks to constantly sacrificing her own meals and sleep. [color=CD5C5C]”Fuck, you ain't bringing these to the place Greyson’s getting, are you? It'll probably have all the shit we need… if I gotta move this all back here after we deal with that bastard I might just end it all.”[/color] [color=00BFFF]”No, I’m going to have to serve you a beer in this,”[/color] Aryin said as she chuckled as she walked over to Linqian, placing a hand on her cheek, [color=00BFFF]” It’s giving major ‘ruin our friendship’ vibes and I don’t want people to get the wrong idea about us,”[/color] Aryin tilted her head while shaking it no. [color=00BFFF]”I would not do that to you, what’s here will stay here. At most my cosplay and art stuff will travel. How about another wager,”[/color] Aryin joked as she pulled her hands onto her hips. [color=00BFFF]”I’ll treat you to beer all night in this cosplay if you can beat me back with one of the paintings in the front seat of the car.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”You wish you could ruin our fucking friendship,”[/color] Linqian laughed breathlessly, punching Aryin in the shoulder. She straightened up and backed towards the door. She needed a boost of strength. Some way to get in and out before Aryin. She looked at Aryin, and smiled. It was a sad smile. One that said that maybe, the lengths she was going to go to would be what ruined their friendship. [color=CD5C5C]”I’m sorry, Aryin.”[/color] With a burst of energy, Linqian ran down the stairs and out the door. She slammed the door and locked it from the outside. It was an old house - a bolt lock only, with no way out without a key… and Linqian hadn't given Aryin hers yet. Aryin was aghast. She had no intention of letting Linqian win, but it seemed Linqian did not intend to lose. [color=00BFFF]”You crafty bitch,”[/color] Aryin shouted as she pounded on the door. Aryin continued to pound on the door as she mentally prepared for a night in cosplay, serving beers to Linqian. Linqian just grinned, waving to Aryin through the tiny window in the door. She leisurely made her wave over to the van, grabbed a painting, and walked back. She unlocked the door, ducked passed Aryin before she could grab her, and ran up the stairs. [color=CD5C5C]”I [i]can’t[/i] wait to watch you in that outfit all night! Oh, maybe I’ll send some photos to the coven!”[/color] [color=00BFFF]”Send the photos to the coven you coward,”[/color] Aryin hissed back, [color=00BFFF]” they’ll be blessed to see my cosplay,[/color] Aryin smirked, [color=00BFFF]”I look hot.”[/color]. Aryin paused as she followed Linqian upwards to see which painting and checked which painting she grabbed. When she saw it she tapped Linqian on the shoulder. [color=00BFFF]” Could we put that one in the living room? The other one is the bedroom portal, that’s the common area one.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”Bedroom portal like for all your fuck buddies?”[/color] Linqian asked, pivoting and going back down the stairs with the painting. She went down the hall and turned into the second door on the left, putting it down in there. [color=CD5C5C]”Put it wherever the fuck you want, I haven’t had the chance to decorate yet.”[/color] The living room was pretty bare when it came to decorations. There was a small television with an older console hooked up to it at the other side of the room, with a three person couch and armchair facing it. Along the wall to their left were shelves and cupboards, with various books and a couple of photo frames. In the corner was a smaller one - the shrine for Jinhai along with her parents. It was where the most effort had gone in. She hadn’t had time to do the rest. [color=00BFFF]”It’s a quick way for us to get around the city. If I’d rather not walk I’ll call up Alex and they’ll take me through the art dimension,”[/color] Aryin said as she leaned it on the couch. Aryin saw the shrine in the corner and she looked at Jinhai’s photo. [color=00BFFF]”How about I finish off the stuff in the van, you get comfy, and I’ll go grab some beers on the way home from the U-Haul store. Unless you want to come?[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”Nah, I’ll stay here, tidy up some of my brother’s crap,”[/color] Linqian said, gesturing to the various clothes strewn across the living room. [color=CD5C5C]”You gonna go in cosplay?”[/color] [color=00BFFF]”You fucking know it.”[/color] [hr] Aryin began to walk into the living room with a beer in one hand and her cosplay knife in the other. As she walked, she twirled the cosplay knife around a finger like a fidget toy. She took her time as she crossed the room, before she reached Linqian. She put both of her feet together and began to bend over stretching out the drink with her hand. Linqian lay across the couch, recovering from all the carrying. She had one hand over her forehead, breathing still pretty heavy. Outside of the dramatic posture she didn’t look like she’d been exerting herself. She looked up at Aryin with a smirk, tilting her head as she reached up for the beer. [color=CD5C5C]”Fuck, I could get used to this service.”[/color] Midway through her sentence, the door creaked open. [color=ffe63b]”[i]Jieeee[/i], I’m home- what the fuck is going on?! Did- Did I walk into something I shouldn’t have?! Oh my god, Jie, you look awful, is it because-”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”Shut the fuck up.”[/color] [color=00BFFF]”No, not what you think,”[/color] Aryin paused as she let Linqian take the beer, [color=00BFFF]” your sister and I were just discussing the fact that she is weak, your bloodline is weak, and neither of you will survive the winter without me,[/color] Aryin shot a wicked side eye towards Henri, [color=00BFFF]”I lost a bet and have to serve your sister in cosplay all night. You arrived just in time to not help with the move. Fancy that, how was training?”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”I’ve survived twenty six winters without you, bitch,”[/color] Linqian rolled her eyes, making a kicking motion towards Aryin before taking a long drink of her beer. [color=ffe63b]”[i]Riiighhhht[/i],”[/color] Henri looked between them, before laughing. [color=ffe63b]”Hey, I had this training organised from before I knew you were moving in! But it was great, I can really increase my strength by absorbing sound now. It’s super cool! But I would’ve helped out if I hadn’t already told Greyson I was gonna work on my magic today, y’know, he can be real fucking scary when I try get outta that shit! Oh, Jie, what’s for dinner? I’m starving.”[/color] Linqian just looked at Aryin, will to live leaving her. Aryin looked at Linqian with excitement in their eyes. Finally, some of Linqian’s great cooking. Aryin would be remiss if she didn’t admit that she was looking forward to this dinner since Linqian invited her to move in. Then Aryin saw the pained look in her eyes. [color=00BFFF]”Pizza?[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”Yes please,”[/color] Linqian groaned. Much as she was normally all for cooking, she didn’t want to get up right now. She was fucking hungry too, and making anything would take a while… much as she knew Aryin well enough to recognise that look. Her cooking was fucking amazing, but she’d have to wait till tomorrow to get blown away. [color=CD5C5C]”Moving in treat or whatever, it’s on me. Back to regular scheduled cooked meals tomorrow.”[/color] [color=ffe63b]”I’ve been having pizza all the time at Greyson’s, it’s hardly a treat now!”[/color] Henri pouted, going over to sit on the arm of the couch. [color=CD5C5C]”Too fucking bad, Yi-er, learn to cook if it’s a problem.”[/color] [color=ffe63b]”It’s not, it’s not- I’ll even do the order! I’ll pay for it!”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”With my money?”[/color] [color=ffe63b]”No! Greyson’s, he’s been giving me like… well he keep just fucking handing me these massive stacks when I ask for some to buy pizza at his!”[/color] Linqian closed her eyes, and turned her head away, as if to just not see him or think about that. For fuck’s sake… it was just one thing after another. [color=00BFFF]”How about it’s our treat, Linqian, after all Henri here had a really, really busy day with training,”[/color] Aryin paused as she walked towards Henri, [color=00BFFF]”say, does he have the same lux as you?”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”Sure, whatever… and yeah, that’s kinda how that shit works, idiot,”[/color] Linqian said, turning to look back over at Aryin. [color=ffe63b]”Yeah, I’m Red-Green!”[/color] Henri said proudly, puffing up his chest. [color=ffe63b]”I kindled recently, but one day I wanna be as strong as my siblings!”[/color] [color=00BFFF]”Good. Do you know what is important for us Red-Green Adepts?”[/color] [color=ffe63b]”Uh…”[/color] Henri tilted his head, looking a little confused. [color=ffe63b]”No?”[/color] [color=00BFFF]”A strong body. If your body is weak, like your sisters, your magic will immediately be weak as well. Do you want to be stronger than your sister, Henri? You ready for your second round of training today, Henri?“[/color]. Aryin closed the distance and tapped him on the shoulder with one hand. Aryin looked down on Henri with an intense stare that showed she was serious. Was it the fact that she was forced to wear this cosplay and service Linqian all night that drove this rage? Or was it the initial reaction to a simple decision on food? Did it matter? [color=00BFFF]”Shall we begin?”[/color]. Henri would earn his dinner tonight. [color=CD5C5C]”Bitch, you don’t need to keep shit talking me,”[/color] Linqian rolled her eyes. Henri immediately jumped up and straightened his back, bringing him to his full height of just over six foot where he normally looked shorter thanks to sloucher. [color=ffe63b]”I’m ready! I was always ready! We can begin whenever you want to, whatever you want!”[/color] He was overly enthusiastic and seemed entirely unbothered by how intensely Aryin was looking at him, at least, still brightly grinning. [color=00BFFF]”Good.”[/color] [hr] An hour later there was a knock at the door. Pizza was here, and Aryin could smell it. Aryin, however, was busy training Henri. She had been having him do push ups, squats, and pull ups off her arm and now they were doing unlimited pushups until one of them failed. [color=00BFFF]” Strong body, strong magic. There is a reason for this Henri, I promise you. Just fifty more and you can stop and get the food.”[/color] [color=ffe63b]”Ok, no problem!”[/color] Henri was taking to the intense exercise pretty well. Sure, he was sweating, face more red-brown from the exertion. His curls were an absolute mess, but he was still going at the pull ups. He hadn't even absorbed much sound to help with his strength. It was like he was getting through it by sheer positive will alone. [color=ffe63b]”I understand why, don't worry!”[/color] Aryin counted each one until fifty were achieved. [color=00BFFF]”You did it! Good work, I spent many years in the gym getting stronger after the snake. Got pretty good at boxing as well, which made the application of my magic easier.”[/color]. Aryin paused as she walked towards the door, opening it, before remembering she was still in cosplay. She quickly grabbed the food, gave the man a tip, and closed the door behind her. She walked the food over to the table. [color=00BFFF]”I need to get out of cosplay, I think that delivery driver just fell in love with me,”[/color] Aryin smiled towards Linqian. Aryin couldn’t wait to bring this cosplay out at the next con in Portland or Vancouver. [color=CD5C5C]”Course he did, you look fucking hot,”[/color] Linqian commented. She also got up, stretching her arms above her head. [color=CD5C5C]”I’m gonna get changed into comfy clothes too, take my contacts out and shit… I've been wearing them too often. Overnight use is really fucking with my eyes.”[/color] [color=ffe63b]”I think you look great too, Aryin!”[/color] Henri shouted, getting up off the ground. [color=ffe63b]”Lemme take a quick shower, then we can eat! I'll put the pizza in the oven so it stays warm!”[/color] [color=00BFFF]”Can I change.”[/color] Aryin quickly turned towards Linqian, and held her hands up together like she was praying. [color=00BFFF]”I could use my comfort clothes.”[/color] Linqian narrowed her eyes, as if she was thinking long and hard about it. [color=CD5C5C]”I suppose… it's only fair. Just no comments about the fact I have to wear fucking glasses.”[/color] Aryin sighed in relief, helped put the food in the oven, before taking off upstairs to get changed. She emerged fifteen minutes later, dressed in simple red and beige sleep shorts and a massively oversized t-shirt. Her hair was now in a ponytail behind her head, and she was ready to enjoy some tasty pizza and enjoy her first night in the new place. Aryin smiled as she sat down at the table. One of the additional perks of having unlimited stamina was how little she sweat even with an intense workout. She was still going to take a shower before she laid down for bed, but she was glad she didn’t have to fight for the shower on the first day. Aryin stood up and grabbed three cold beers from the fridge, placing them at each spot. She then grabbed three plates, and three sets of napkins and made the table. Finally, she grabbed the spicy honey and bird seed flakes she brought and placed them in the middle of the table before sitting back down. A text message from Jordan popped up. It was a simple message, and it was just him wishing her luck with the move. Aryin would’ve expected the text in the morning but she was not one to judge when someone remembered to send a text. He sent a picture a second later. It was him with Cyrus, and was captioned ‘welcome to the true collective’ and Aryin could only react with the heart emoji while chuckling. She sent a text a moment later saying ‘tell him to not be a dick now’. [color=00BFFF]”Hurry up, I’m hungry,”[/color] Aryin shouted as she got another text from Jordan. It was another photo, this time with Alex, with a message reading ‘we don’t think that’s possible. You coming to 317 tonight? Alex is taking off and I’ll be stuck with Doom again,’ and Aryin simply responded ‘nah, moving day blues and what not. I’ll be by in the morning though’. [color=CD5C5C]”Fucking calm down!”[/color] There were thudding footsteps before Linqian emerged. She was dressed in a slightly oversized hoodie and leggings, giving Aryin a tired look from behind gold framed glasses. Generally, she didn’t wear her glasses around anyone that wasn’t family… but Aryin had moved in, so she was as fucking close to it anyway. Her hair was pulled back into a looser bun than normal, a few coils falling across her face. [color=CD5C5C]”Some of us can’t just fucking pull our hair back and be done with it, I washed it today, so it’d fucking ruin the hard work I did. Fucking straight hair privilege, you bitch.”[/color] But even after saying all that she moved over to Aryin, hugging her from behind for a moment. It was a show of appreciation for setting the table. She then sat down. [color=CD5C5C]”Let’s start without-”[/color] [color=ffe63b]”Jiieeee you’d start without me?!”[/color] Henri bounded in with a mock gasp. While he’d changed clothes, there was minimal actual difference - a tshirt of a different color and jeans. [color=ffe63b]”Whoa, you set shit up all fancily! Nice!”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”Thank Aryin,”[/color] Linqian waved her hand as he sat down. She then raised her beer. [color=CD5C5C]”Here’s to a good fucking time living together.”[/color] [color=00BFFF]”Yeah don’t mention it. Figured I’d do my part,”[/color] Aryin paused as her phone vibrated once again on the table. [color=00BFFF]”Here’s to the start of a great future,”[/color] Aryin paused as she raised her beer with a smile, before she blew a kiss towards Linqian. Her phone vibrated once again. Aryin quickly checked the messages, another one from Jordan with Octavia, and one from Alex half into the art portal. Linqian pretended to catch the kiss and threw it away, laughing. [color=CD5C5C]”Dig in. Fuck, I need this food.”[/color] [color=ffe63b]”Yeah you do, Jie, you need to eat more! Now that you got that better job you better start looking after yourself!”[/color] Henri started as he grabbed a piece of pizza and started munching on it. [color=ffe63b]”Like Aryin said, strong body strong magic - Greyson goes on about it all the time. If you don’t eat how’re you meant to get better at magic?”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”Are you seriously lecturing me over all the shit I did to raise you? Ungrateful piece of shit.“[/color] [color=00BFFF]”I’d say let’s make him do more pushups but that would be rewarding this behavior,”[/color] Aryin smirked as she grabbed two slices. [color=ffe63b]”Yeah, pushups are quite fun, honestly! Y’know that was basically just a second workout, I did all that earlier today too,”[/color] Henri grinned, already on his second slice. [color=ffe63b]”I’m also still keeping up with my studies to go back to college next year! So don’t worry too much about me.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”I’m not,”[/color] Linqian rolled her eyes, though she very much was. She reached over to ruffle her brother’s hair. [color=CD5C5C]”Just don’t get too cocky, that kinda shit’ll fuck you over. And [i]don’t[/i] start acting like Greyson, he’s nice around you but he can be a real piece of shit. If you gotta have a guy to idolise, idolise Aaron.”[/color] [color=8A2BE2]“Awww thank you,”[/color] Aaron said as he took a quick bite of his pizza. [color=8A2BE2]“I have never been told that I should be idolized but I might get used to it,”[/color] Aaron chuckled, [color=8A2BE2]“as long as you are aware of who Greyson is, and can do, you should be fine. You have a good head on your shoulders like your sister so make sure you use it,”[/color] Aaron took another bite of his pizza as he looked to Linqian and smiled. [color=CD5C5C]”Sometimes I gotta be nice, make you feel like you’re some kinda shit before I drag you back down,”[/color] Linqian said, though she grinned back at him. She remembered back in the day when a lot of people thought they hated each other - though Linqian was a bit easier on Aaron. Really, it was just how she showed she fucking cared. [color=ffe63b]”Don’t worry, I know exactly what he’s like! He literally went inside my head and told me his evil plan to fuck over Jie, but he’s like… tryna not to that!”[/color] Henri said far too cheerfully. While he definitely looked up to Greyson, it wasn’t quite like Linqian thought… It was how he could protect his loved ones. That’s what Henri aspired towards. And he did believe he was going to try. [color=ffe63b]”He can’t lie in there. But I already think you’re pretty cool too!”[/color] [color=8A2BE2]“I appreciate it. Both of you. Truly,”[/color] Aaron smirked as he shifted his eyes towards Linqian, [color=8A2BE2]“thank you. We both know I have an ego that, if unchecked, will grow quite problematically and I thank your bitch ass nature for keeping me grounded,”[/color] Aaron smirked even deeper as he took a big bite of his food. [color=CD5C5C]”Yeah what the fuck would you do without me, huh?”[/color] Linqian laughed, finishing off her first slice finally and going for another. Henri practically shoved a whole slice in his mouth before talking more. [color=ffe63b]”Thank you for being Jie’s friend all this time! Y’know she really doesn’t have many- mph!”[/color] Linqian cut him off by shoving another piece of pizza in his mouth. [color=CD5C5C]”Any of that kinda shit my brother spills stays here, alright?”[/color] [color=8A2BE2]“Oh I knew that,”[/color] Aaron joked, [color=8A2BE2]“once you’ve met the best friend ever no one else can live up.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”Oh shut uppp,”[/color] Linqian jokingly groaned, slapping Aaron on the shoulder. [color=CD5C5C]”See? Insufferable.”[/color] Henri smiled. [color=ffe63b]”It… kinda reminds me of how you used to bicker with Ge. Normally you properly snap at other people.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”C’mon,”[/color] Linqian glanced at Henri, before looking away, smile wavering a bit. [color=CD5C5C]”We’re not getting all sentimental over our pizza.”[/color] [color=8A2BE2]“We’ve had our ups and downs,”[/color] Aaron smiled at being compared to someone as impactful as their brother, [color=8A2BE2]“but we always find a way back to each other,”[/color] Aaron smiled as he looked off to the distance. [color=8A2BE2]“Emotional stuff is par for the course right now. I got drunk with Jack last night and we were both weeping by the end. Most emotions I’ve seen from him I think ever.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”Jack crying? Fuck, alcohol sure does work wonders,”[/color] Linqian said. She did know exactly that… she’d only properly cried over Jinhai when drunk, or hit by a shit hallucination. [color=CD5C5C]”Doesn’t make me enjoying talking about that shit more than I have to. Was bad enough I had to talk to Sloane of all people about the funeral today… shit, I barely got emotional, but it was like even mentioning Jinhai was emotional.”[/color] [color=8A2BE2]“I put on my brave face a lot but you know me,”[/color] Aaron paused as he swapped back and forth several times between his forms before stopping on Aaron, [color=8A2BE2]“I still wear my emotions on my sleeve,”[/color] Aaron paused as he looked back to Linqian. [color=8A2BE2]“How about I take you to a rage room tomorrow. No stress, no talking, just two pals destroying stuff to try and feel better.”[/color] Linqian considered it. It did sound… nice. It was the kind of way she could deal with this shit. Not talking, not getting emotional, just destroying stuff. [color=CD5C5C]”Can we print out pictures of annoying coven members and put them over the shit we’re destroying?”[/color] [color=8A2BE2]“Uh, of course. Is there any other way we worlds do that,”[/color] Aaron paused as he smirked, [color=8A2BE2]“I have a printer at my flat that I forgot, or we can stop by the UPS store and pay someone to do it for us. Bring extra for the worst offenders.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”Greyson’s gotta printer we can use, Yi-er has access to it,”[/color] Linqian said, not really wanting to pay for that shit if she could avoid it. Anyway, he had his fucking murder wall so he shouldn’t have a problem with them printing off a bunch of pictures of coven members to beat up. [color=CD5C5C]”Loads of fucking Sloane and Anya then- and Lynn. Fucking assholes.”[/color] [color=ffe63b]”Oh yeah, I can use the printer! Dunno if we can get into the office though,”[/color] Henri said cheerfully. [color=8A2BE2]“I think if we ask for forgiveness, rather than permission, he won’t get upset. Let’s get a good night's sleep right, and then tomorrow we can figure out a thing or two about getting those pictures printed.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”I don’t give a fuck if he gets upset or not anyway, fucker owes me for not breaking his fucking nose yesterday,”[/color] Linqian said, before nodding. [color=CD5C5C]”Let’s finish up this pizza then we can watch shitty movies till we’re tired.”[/color] [color=ffe63b]”Oh, I’m going back out! I promised Louis I’d keep him company while he worked…”[/color] Henri rubbed the back of his neck. Aaron looked at Linqian after Henri finished his statement. Was he like this at Henri’s age? Always one event after the other, and constantly having late nights. Aaron shook his head as he looked at his good food before taking another bite. Looking back at Linqian Aaron smiled. [color=8A2BE2]“Scary movie or twilight, bitch.”[/color] Linqian grinned. [color=CD5C5C]”Twilight, of course.”[/color] [hr] An hour or so later, they were deep into the start of what was looking to be a Twilight marathon. Linqian hated the movies - but it was the kind of hate that made the movies fun to hate watch. There was entertainment, unlike horror movies that just ended up boring after fighting the Stygian Snake. [color=CD5C5C]”I’m surprised there weren’t more green luxers walking around pretending to be fucking vampires back when we were teens,”[/color] she commented, finishing off her fourth beer. Since she’d actually eaten for once, it wasn’t doing much for her yet. - thank fuck. Aaron knocked back his third beer. His liver was a little worn after the past two nights of drinking but he was still in a good spot. [color=8A2BE2]“Honestly yeah, why weren’t we doing that? I mean you would look fantastic with that glittery skin, and fangs! You would look amazing with fangs,”[/color] Aaron paused as he looked back at the TV, [color=8A2BE2]“I did want to look like Alice as a kid. I don’t know about that anymore.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”You think so? Maybe I should develop a spell for that… imagine the shit I could bite through with super hot fangs?”[/color] Linqian laughed, grinning with very normal teeth. [color=CD5C5C]”Hey, you could still fucking cosplay her or something? What’s stopping you.”[/color] Aryin pulled up a phone album called ‘my cosplays’ and passed a specific photo to Linqian. It was Aryin in an Alice cosplay with one of the worst, most unkempt, most basic, wigs in existence. [color=8A2BE2]“I did! Though I’ve done it much better since, you don’t grow up in this area without wanting to do a twilight cosplay.”[/color] Linqian raised an eyebrow, looking at it before passing it back. [color=CD5C5C]”Well you gotta do a new improved version or some shit. Fuck, maybe we can get a stupid fucking group together. I know it ain’t halloween anymore but… could be fun around all the shit we’re dealing with.”[/color] [color=8A2BE2]“Dude, yes. Imagine if we got all the cool people together to do that? That would be fun. Who would you want in the group?”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”Fuck… I think I’d make a pretty hot Rosalie. Like, not perfectly accurate, but I’m hot enough to be her,”[/color] Linqian laughed. [color=CD5C5C]”Oh, fuck, Brit’s gotta be Bella cause then Greyson can be Edward, he’s kinda creepily obsessed like that. He’s got that same fucking self pitying edgy vibe too sometimes.”[/color] [color=8A2BE2]“LEON AS JACOB!”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”Fuck, yes! That’s fucking perfect! I bet we can find a creepy as fuck doll for him to carry around- oh god, that’s fucking perfect.”[/color] Linqian held her stomach as she started laughing at the image of Leon, of all people, being dragged into this group. Fuck, it was too good. [color=CD5C5C]”Sully should be Emmett, he’s fucking goofy like him… Shit, is anyone hot enough to be Carlisle?”[/color] [color=8A2BE2]“I don't know… We can grab Jordan from the collective to be Carlisle, he’s got that dad energy. I think the better question is who has the mustache to be Charlie?”[/color] “Can I be Jane?” A raspy voice asked from behind them on the wall. [color=CD5C5C]”Stor- What the fuck?!”[/color] Linqian jumped up from the couch, spinning around to face the intruder in an immediately defensive posture, temperature rising. Aaron quickly swapped forms and readied a punch before realizing who it was. [color=00BFFF]”Alex,”[/color] Aryin paused as she tapped Linqian on the shoulder, [color=00BFFF]”what’s going on? Is-,”[/color] “We’re under attack, you need to get back to the 317,” Alex paused as they took a deep breath, “hi, I’m Alex. Cute place. Hurry up and get in the painting, you're the first one I’m grabbing.” [color=00BFFF]”By who,”[/color] Aryin moved towards the painting. “Unknown, but Faith said it was an explosion,” Alex responded. [color=00BFFF]”I got to go Linqian, time to put my skills to the test once more,[/color] Aryin held out a hand towards Linqian, [color=00BFFF]”unless you wanted to help me kick some ass.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”Bitch, you think I’d let you take all the fucking glory?”[/color] Linqian said, slapping her hand into Aryin’s. As if she’d let her best friend just go into unknown danger alone. [color=CD5C5C]”Of course I’m kicking ass with you.”[/color] “Okay, okay, okay you can come,” Alex said as they grabbed Linqian and pulled her into the painting before they did the same to Aryin, “but listen close, do not deviate from the path I take you on. Do not linger. You are a guest in their home, an unwanted ghost. We move, we move fast, and we get you both out as fast as we can. Understand?” All around Linqian would see a sea of white and emptiness but on closer inspection would see that there were many, many painting frames spattered across the entire landscape. Around the frames would be the contents of the paintings itself. In the nearby area there was a painting of a squad of knights fighting a dragon, and the knights and the dragon were visible and they were staring at Linqian. There was a malicious vibe to the way they looked at her, like they did not appreciate that an outsider was brought to their home. “This is our path,” Alex pointed to the paved ground beneath them, “let’s go.” Alex took off in a sprint. [color=00BFFF]”Go,”[/color] Aryin took off after Alex, [color=00BFFF]”what kind of explosion?”[/color] “Unknown,” Alex responded as they waved the two on faster, “but big enough that Faith knew that we were under attack.” [color=CD5C5C]”Fucking… 317, right? That’s what’s under attack?”[/color] Linqian asked as she picked up the pace, trying to ignore the fucking creepiness of the place. It was… nicer than Jack teleporting, kinda. [color=CD5C5C]”So we have no idea what the fuck we’re walking into?”[/color] “Yup, home base too,” Alex paused as they looked back at Aryin, “all the toys are there too. I have zero idea what to expect, so go in expecting the worst so that way whatever it is seems somewhat tame.” [color=00BFFF]”Why are the toys on sight,”[/color] Aryin asked back. “Promotion night, Faith and Octavia wanted to show the newbies,” Alex responded. Linqian had no idea what they meant by that, and she couldn’t be bothered to ask. [color=CD5C5C]”Well, whatever, I’ll punch anything thrown my way.”[/color] The trip ran for another minute before Alex pointed ahead towards a rectangular painting that showed the basement of the 317. “There, that’s the portal out. I’ll be back with the others as soon as I can,” Alex paused as they stopped, watching Aryin and Linqian run past them. “Good luck.”