[indent][center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjgwLjAwMDAwMC5WR2hsSUVGalkyOXlaQ0J2WmlCMGFHVWdTR2xzYkhNLjA/nordin-slab-rounded-drawn-demo.regular.webp[/img][/center][/indent][right][code]Cloverfield to Raven's Rest, 17 years ago.[/code][/right][hr]
[color=FFB31C]”Lazarus… Bim-Elay! Please, do not make us’uh wait!”[/color]
The Matron’s thick Italian accent echoed through Elay’s mind as he pressed the last box into its place within his trunk. She was like those people in the Army movies. 
[color=1078C7][i]The Generals, standing up on tanks, right?[/i][/color] 
Flashes of television previously archived dug a narrow synapse through his thoughts, triggering imagination to blossom into the vague paints that made up an old technicolor propaganda cartoon. A man shouting out orders, pointed hat on, stars across his lapel… 

But every fibre of his being told him not to go. To grab the bedpost and lift it, to slide under it and let it drive through his gut back into the floor. The vivid image of pain in the mind of a child wasn’t something they should have, but Lazarus Alonzo Motta was something of a free roaming child. Fifth of a collective eight children, Lazarus was the only boy; and rather than neglected, he was somewhat spoiled in a unique place between his two parents. He enjoyed solitude, long stints of playtime in the nearby woods punctuated by the warmth of a Mother’s affection. 

His Momma, Lady to the Matron, would bring gifts of material and emotional affection- More than could be said for the Matron’s own mostly aloof demeanor. Curt, often chiding in her inflection, there were few rare moments where she privately showered a unique and strangely wholesome affection upon her only son. The two women were the dark and light that made up young Elay’s world…

But for the last year, they’d been making final preparations for this very moment. The moment that he would be expected to pack everything. To make his due, as it were. Both parents told him it was his duty, and Momma sang to him about valor and honor every night. She told him about how he would be safe, and that where he was going was a simple place where they were equal. Where the people didn’t suffer under an evil hand.

It only made him wonder if he’d lived under an evil hand so far.

The room he’d occupied since forever was barren now, devoid of the periodic table poster, and of his papers and notebooks, the bookshelf full of his favorites… The little shelf where his collection of rocks and stones had been. His fossils… 
Without warning, his face balled up into a frown, and then his eyes tightened. Tears fell. Even as the servant pulled his trunk away and down the stairs, he stood in the middle of that empty room like a statue. And the boy just cried.

Downstairs, the greatest Matriarch of her time sat against the side of a limousine, her massive body causing the vehicle to lean in the opposite direction. The trunk of it was popped open, awaiting the last piece of luggage to be transported with them directly. The cool autumn breeze brushed against Cadenza’s skin. She could smell a small herd of deer some thousand yards off in the treeline of the property, partaking in one of the slowly ripening crab apple trees. The rotting fruit, slowly fermenting into a tasty treat for the creatures, caused her nose to turn up slightly.

Cadenza ran a hand through the long mop of curly black hair that cascaded down her back and evened out into deep chocolate waves behind her. She stared at the open door to the mansion and listened for the footsteps of her only son to march himself down to the waiting chariot. But what did she get instead? More delays. Things could [i]not[/i] be delayed if they wanted to continue operations here in Cloverfield.

She tried to understand. Tried her best to be compassionate and joyful as was necessary… But this was a step beyond. It wasn’t like they were sending him to some of the shitholes she’d been in.
[color=FFB31C]”Oddio Cristo, Nik!? Can you please go an’a get him!? We take much more time an they’ gonna’ think we pullin’ something!”[/color] Cadenza groaned, her free hand lazily waving like the paw of a great lion.

[color=cc6f6f]"They won't, they won't, you know they're not the sort. I'm sure he's just forgotten something."[/color] The much softer, almost nervous, response came from Nikkita- the Matriarch's consort, practically dwarfed in comparison beside her. She reached out to comfortingly touch Cadenza’s arm with an appeasing smile. It was her way- pacifying without pushing back, even if she was half lying. 
[color=cc6f6f]"I'll get him, won't be a moment."[/color]

Another gentle pat and she went back inside. She just hoped their son was still inside, rather than fleeing into the surrounding woods he liked so much in an attempt to delay the inevitable. It would be an understandable reaction…
[color=cc6f6f]"Elay? Elay- oh, Elay, Gioia Mia."[/color] Warm arms wrapped around the crying boy, and he was pulled into his Momma's embrace. It was a tight, but gentle, hug and Nikki rubbed his back in comforting circles. 
[color=cc6f6f]”Momma’s here… there's no need to cry."[/color]

The boy wasn’t prone to wails, having grown into an otherwise somber lad with few tendencies toward anything beyond placidity. He was a snorter; a genuine unable to stop himself from ugly crying little thing. His arms slipped upward toward his Momma, practically falling into her arms.
[color=1078C7]”D-don’t - Wanna - G-o-ooo…”[/color]

Each word, punctuated by deep nervous honks of choked nasal passages, only added to the sorrow of the moment.
[color=1078C7]”Please! I-i’m… I don’t- I didn’t think-”[/color]
He didn’t have the words to explain how he was feeling. No matter how smart he was, he was seven. Seven years on the planet, to come to know a place of some peace and comfort, to be told it wouldn’t be yours anymore. He could only assume he’d done wrong.

[color=cc6f6f]"Shh, shh, it's okay."[/color] For a moment Nikki just held him. What could she say? It broke her heart to have to let him go like this too. But there'd been the discussions, where she'd carefully questioned and tried to suggest to Cadenza that it might not be necessary gently. But it never went anywhere- and never could go anywhere, when the other part of her wanted it to happen. Her only son sent away… but to a place where he could be free. Yet she was the one left to deal with the fallout, his emotions crashing against her painfully. 

Her arms loosened around him so that she could crouch down, getting at an eye level with him. Tired brown eyes crinkled into a warm, loving look at her son and soft thumbs reached up to try and wipe away his tears.
[color=cc6f6f]"I know you don't want to go, [I]tesoro[/I], I know. But you're doing this for all of us. For your sisters, for me, for our Lady... Because you're our strong, brave son, aren't you? You can be just a little bit braver for Momma, can't you?"[/color]

Tesoro… The Emerald Son. He had always been a special little treasure. But, one that was always contentious. Most Matriarchs and their immediate circles have little such love for the infrequent male offspring, and they typically serve as cannon fodder for the Children of Alezia. Few had opportunities like the child still honking away in the arms of his birth mother. 
[color=1078C7]”B-but wha-t’d I d-o-o? M-omma! I-I… W-wan’t t-t-o… Come back! P-uhuh-leease!? D-don’t ma-ake me goo-o!!”[/color]

Cadenza huffed outside. Not something the child could hear, but Nikki’s trained ear would be more than enough to pick up on it. Though, this wasn’t the normal “Get it over with” huff that she normally shot at anyone taking up more than ten seconds of her time. It was almost empathetic. Private. Like she almost didn’t like it herself.

It would take a couple of extra moments before Elay could stop actually crying. He was still sniffling heavily with snot and tears streamed all down his face. His dark curls were pulled back off his face, and he was in his favorite little suit… But none of it seemed to make him any more confident. Not ready for what was coming.
[color=1078C7]”Please don’t leave me… Momma…”[/color]

[color=cc6f6f]"I’m not leaving you.”[/color] It was only a half truth, at best, no matter how lovingly it was spoken. It wasn’t her choice- it wasn’t really the choice of the woman huffing outside either, even if she could stop it… with consequences. 
[color=cc6f6f]"I’ll visit so often you’ll get sick of me… And when your little sisters are older I’ll stay longer. I’ll never leave you.”[/color]

Nikki leaned back a bit, pulling a tissue out of her coat pocket. She gently wiped away the tears and snot that had covered his little face. 
[color=cc6f6f]"Look at you, my big, brave boy. You’re going to do so well… and Momma will miss you so much, so you have to be strong, otherwise Momma will struggle too.”[/color]

She could still feel his small hands clinging to her arms with all the strength he could muster. Like some other force was holding him and pinning his feet to the floorboards. It wouldn’t be surprising to see his face bright red and straining, only he wasn’t. Just… Breathing. Desperately trying to do what he’d been taught by the Matron and accepting his beloved mother’s assurances.
[color=1078C7]”I c-couldn’t ever get sick of you… You’re-”[/color]
His voice hitched, and he sniffled again before coughing slightly. Even in his pain, he knew he was to be polite in the presence of his elder. His suit coat sleeve flicked upward to block the cough from going anywhere, and did so twice more before lowering it and sniffling one last time.

[color=1078C7]”M-maybe, sometime, I can come back? Like, to stay for a little while? I-i don’t have to have my room, I’d sleep in the barn… Wh-erever our Lady would have me…”[/color] he was in the bargaining stage now, but a foot shuffled forward as if he meant to move along. Hopefully there wouldn’t be another fit on the way down the grand staircase.

[color=cc6f6f]"I’m sure you could, if our Lady allowed it,”[/color] Nikki lied, knowing full well Cadenza wouldn’t. Not when it could risk the treaty. But it was an easy lie to tell to try and placate her son. She pressed a kiss to his curly head before straightening back up, removing his little hands from her arms. 

[color=cc6f6f]"We’ll find somewhere for you that isn’t the barn. If she’s away, maybe you can share with Momma like we always used to? Your sisters can join too… Though last time Gia said she was too old, and I’m sure Rina will feel the same now. It would still be nice, wouldn’t it?”[/color] She gently patted his shoulder, a light push towards the door without much power behind it. 

Slowly, surely, the boy’s feet shuffled in shiny shoes across the threshold of the door for what he hoped wouldn’t be the last time. It was something of a perp-walk, the sad little thing’s head so desperately trying to stay up at a respectable height. But he felt so rotten. Cast out without understanding what it was he represented. 
He was, at least, downtrodden. But feet shuffled down the stairs and out into the front. Cadenza’s arms swept forward, wide open.

[color=FFB31C]”Mi Bimbo! Il grande uomo forte è qui!” My boy! The big strong man is here![/color]
As she yapped aloud in Italian, her boot slipped from the car door and her massive frame pushed forward until she was on her own two feet again. The limousine rocked to and fro for a brief moment.

[color=FFB31C]”Issn’t chu Mamma a live-saver? C’aman, in di auto per favore! The clock, the clock, Dio mio…”[/color] She chided, throwing a subtle grin toward her partner for taking care of what needed to be done.
[color=FFB31C]”We stop, maybe get’a gelato! Matrona gonna tell you a story ‘fore e’thing iss done…”[/color]

[color=cc6f6f]"I thought we didn’t have much time?”[/color] Nikki said gently, though it seemed to be less of a question and more of a light hearted rib after Cadenza sent her in to rush him out. She smiled slightly, hand moving to Elay’s back to guide him towards the car door. 
[color=cc6f6f]"Why don’t you go in first, Elay? You can sit wherever you want, you don’t have to give up the best seats for your sisters today.”[/color]

It was a grim prospect not having any of the girls pushing him around for a better spot next to her. Next to the only real source of true warmth in their light.
[color=FFB31C]”I’ll make up for ‘em, don’tchu worry.”[/color] Cadenza joked, her large hand pressing against Elay’s back to help him into the cavernous rear of the limo. 
Seeking comfort as best he could the boy scrambled for the seat with two armrests so he could prop himself up. At best, he could bury himself in the seat and maybe then they’d change their minds about sending him away.

Cadenza’s hand slipped up for Nikki to take, and she gave another knowing grin. It was subtle, not malicious. It carried a weight of sorrow all its own. After all, neither of them loved the idea of getting rid of this… Little Emerald. His deep green eyes stared at the two women as they slipped into the vehicle on either side of him. The door closed behind them, and suddenly Elay didn’t have anywhere to go. This was really happening…

[color=1078C7][i]Maybe if we stop for ice cream, there will be an icicle that impales me and makes me stuck on the pavement…[/i][/color]

[color=FFB31C]”Ohhhh, Mi Tesoro…-”[/color] the large woman groaned as she let herself stretch a bit in her seat.
[color=FFB31C]”-This is not so different than what would’ve happened! But you must understand… You do this, and in turn you are safe! And so far from all the bad things, Mi Smeraldo!”[/color]

This wasn’t entirely common behavior for the Matron. Her usually aloof nature was somewhat peeled back for a fresh coat of empathy and understanding underneath. Or, attempted. She wasn’t amazing at it. It didn’t come naturally like some other Matriarchs, and she didn’t care if it ever did. It wasn’t her breadwinning feature.

[color=FFB31C]”You’ve been told this!”[/color]

Elay listened and felt shame. Great shame for being emotional, and for not being able to help himself as tears welled up again. He still couldn’t wrap his head around how this was all planned in some way. Like this was just supposed to happen, and he wasn’t somehow responsible for some great tragedy in his own life.

[color=1078C7]”B-but… Ma’am… Didn’t mean t-to uh-uh-pp-set y-”[/color]
As he started to well up with panic, Cadenza’s finger shot up.
[color=FFB31C]”[b]Do. Not.[/b] What’cha Mamma say? You are strong! So be it! Be. It! When you older, you’sa gonna get it all, okay? You’ll make sense of it, and you’ll know it’s what was’a best! Eh? Nikki?”[/color] she chided, hoping her partner would step in to bolster the argument. 

[color=cc6f6f]"She’s right… You’re not going far at all,”[/color] Nikki said softly, her arm coming around Elay and gently rubbing his shoulder. She didn’t want to agree with it… but it was preferred to where a son of a Matriarch would normally go. He would be close and, more importantly, alive. She couldn’t say the same for her own brothers- wherever they may be. 
[color=cc6f6f]"Momma would never let you go unless it was for the best, Mi Tesero. One day you’ll understand… And you’ll be so close! Just a car ride away when you could be so much further. They’ll take such good care of you- they’re all good, loving people. It’ll be like another family.”[/color]

[color=FFB31C]”And! Annnnd… Mi Fratello! Zio Alphonso, do you remember? Nana A and B’s eldest boy! Jus’a like you, he make dis’ pilgrimage, and he’s a great man! If nobody else, he’s gonna take’a good care ‘o you!”[/color] Cadenza added, assuming that a child would automatically find comfort in immediate relations. She had no clue.

Elay tried his best to wipe the frown off his face, replacing it with some kind of childish determination. But it was difficult. Beyond such, to the point he felt a little desperate to get past this hump of grief in his chest.
[color=1078C7]”I… W-hat if t-they make me get r-r-rid of my rocks?”[/color] 
Yet, a child is never above finding a new way to spiral themselves back out of control. But right now, nothing was permanent. No agreement was anything more than a temporary stoppage to a recurring problem.

[color=1078C7]”O-or they s-e-ll ‘em c-cuz they’re [i]poor[/i]!”[/color]
He’d heard some of the Matron’s lesser servants talking poorly of the town of Raven’s Rest. Even his elder sisters. His complaints were obvious parroty, but grief was anything but easy to put down. 

[color=cc6f6f]"They won’t touch your rocks, Cuore Mio,”[/color] Nikki tried to comfort him, unable to quite hold back a slight sigh. It wasn’t at him, but those she’d previously told to not speak negatively about Raven’s Rest in places Elay could hear them. It was just one small part of the problem, but one that could’ve been easily avoided… 

[color=cc6f6f]"It’s true that they’re poor, but where you’re going is a tight knit community that would [i]never[/i] take from their own. Instead they support each other. I’m sure all the other children will love to hear about your rocks.”[/color] It was soft honesty, Nikki seeing no sense in hiding the truth about Raven’s Rest’s poverty from him. He already knew… 
[color=cc6f6f]"What they don’t have in belongings they make up in love. They’ll love you almost as much as Momma does, alright?”[/color]

[color=1078C7]”But not [i]as[/i] much.”[/color]
His voice managed to eek out conviction in that moment, clearing his throat as his brows furrowed into a v-shape across his forehead. The young man’s fists balled up into two little boulders of fury and determination, and he tried to see it through. An argument, just as he was taught. Some kind of rhetoric… That was the word…

[color=1078C7]”But, maybe more… Since they’re not the ones giving up their son!”[/color]

[color=FFB31C]”Hey! Don’t you dare speak’a like that to us! Y’don’t know, Ragazzino! You know [i]nothing[/i] about what’a we goin’ through by losin’ you! An’ gettit’ tru’ your thick skull, eh!? You’a didn’t do nothin’ wrong, Lazarus Alozno! Dio [b]Mio![/b]”[/color] Cadenza groaned, her hand slapping her face and dragging downward.
[color=FFB31C]”Apologize to you’ Ma! No way you goin’ anywhere talkin’ like that to us besides’a da grave! I make another one’o you in’a ten seconds!”[/color] 

The look Nikki gave Cadenza over their son’s head could only be described as tired. The unspoken words of ‘[color=cc6f6f][i]you’re not helping at all[/i][/color]’ were clear in it. But the exasperation along with the pain from what Elay said quickly disappeared, her gaze returning to its normal placid softness.
[color=cc6f6f]"[i]Cadenza[/i], we’re not-”[/color] She shook her head, stopping herself from going down that route. Parents should always present a united front in front of their children… even if she disagreed with what was said. 

[color=cc6f6f]"Don’t say something like that, Elay. I love you [i]so[/i] much. If there was [i]anything[/i] I could do to keep you with me, I would.”[/color] She gently moved her hands to his face, forcing him to look at her. It was an expression so full of love- one that he was used to- but she let just a hint of the sorrow she’d been hiding slip through. Enough to show him how genuine what they were saying was without overwhelming him.

[color=cc6f6f]"We’re doing this because we love you. You’ll be safe and cared for… that’s all Momma wants. But my love for you will never change, no matter where you are.”[/color] Her thumb moved up to rub his cheek, and there was an expectation in her soft gaze. While her words were much kinder, she was expecting an apology too.

Elay had always felt the subtleties in his Momma’s gaze. The ways she looked at him almost always told him how he should be acting with express clarity, and with her hands on his face, he couldn’t escape it. Cadenza wasn’t so blessed, however. As Elay spoke and she answered, it was like everything had gone completely over her towering head.

[color=1078C7]”I-m-m sorry, Momma… M’sorry, M-matron…”[/color]
[color=FFB31C]”You betta’ be! These people use-a to [i]eat[/i] bad children whose disrespectin’ they Ma!”[/color]
[color=1078C7][b]”Eat!?”[/b][/color]
[color=FFB31C]”Well… Not-a no more! But you remember it all the same! In your dreams, in your sleep, yoooooou have to be a good boy, Lazarus!”[/color]

Well, Elay certainly didn’t want [i]that[/i] to be an issue. Suddenly he straightened up, the Matron’s many tales of strange blood death in the far away places invoked his imagination’s wildest pressures. He looked back up at Nikki, mouth agape.
[color=1078C7]”Oh-kay! Okay! I won’t be bad, Matron, I promise! So, please don’t make me stay with the cannibals!”[/color]

Cadenza shook her head.
[color=FFB31C]”Mio Dio, I can only take this so much… What’am I gonna do, huh? Back ‘inna day, they would-a never had you, Bambino! Figlio morto, capice?! This place, they take you’a cuz Nanas nev’a would’ve cared! They’a sell you! For corn, or grain! So we give’em to the Grove, lett’em learn!”[/color]


Cadenza’s voice was loud again. Not shouting, just naturally loud in Italian. Elay just wanted to crawl into a hole with a big rock blocking off the top. He wanted to be buried alive so deep they’d never dig him out. He couldn’t even fathom what they were talking about when the situation was discussed, and all reason flew in the face of that confusion.

[color=1078C7]”Ma’am… If I didn’t do anything wrong, then will you accept me back in your home!? Ever!?”[/color]
[color=FFB31C][b]”A’m naat’a kickin’ you oooooooooout! Ah’m a gonna give you a boot in your ‘ead, you hear me!?”[/b][/color]

[color=cc6f6f]"Elay, tesoro, listen to me. Take a deep breath. You're not getting kicked out, and you're [I]not[/I] getting sold or eaten."[/color] Nikki's head tilted up to look at her partner over his head again, lips pressing together and eyes widening slightly in an attempt to silently tell her to stop talking. It was a look Cadenza should recognise- one used by both sides of Nikki when she said something especially wrong for the situation. Speaking about cannibals and death was just making Elay panic more. But just in case it didn't get across this time… a soft whisper brushed across Cadenza's emotional field.
[color=cc6f6f][I]You're scaring him, Amore…[/I][/color]

[color=cc6f6f]"You're still our son, no matter what."[/color] Nikki looked back down at Elay again, still holding him in place. Her expression softened again. She leaned forward, face close to his as her voice dropped to a whisper. As if it was a conversation just between the two of them- not to hide it from Cadenza, an impossible task, but in the hope he'd feel like he had all of her attention. 

[color=cc6f6f]"I'm sorry, Gioia Mia. This is out of our control. It's tradition- what you're doing is so important. Without you, we'd all have to leave."[/color] She spoke so softly, tenderly. And he would feel a warmth: love, tangible love, a gentle cloud of Pink Lux washing over him. So carefully, without actually doing anything to his mind. She would never use it on her children… she was just filling him with warmth.
[color=cc6f6f]”Some of us are born with a purpose, Elay. This is part of yours. But once you're an adult you'll be free to live however you want… and more importantly, you're loved. So, [I]so[/I] much. It hurts to have to let you go, Cuore Mio. There's just some things we can't change… I'm sorry you have to learn so early. But it's not because of you, or because we want this… [I]We[/I] love you. That’s why the decision is final."[/color]
Elay could feel his mother’s magic washing over him, wanting to curl into her to listen to the same lullabies he’d listened to since he was a baby. She was so warm, so welcoming, so absolutely perfect in her intention. Cadenza stared at her son as all of his attention turned to Nikkita. It was for the best, after all; she had no clue how to get this kid to shut up otherwise. It was just painful, and no matter how much they expressed it, she understood he was never going to get it. Children were simple. Things either worked, or they didn’t.

But Green Lux was what she was best at. As Nikki comforted him, Cadenza’s hand squeezed tightly. She could feel the very atoms of the material she was synthesizing from her flesh, layer by layer as it slowly but surely formed within that balled up fist.
In truth, there was no sensation more convincing than this for Elay. Like every little bit of his life was surrounded by love. He didn’t exactly understand how his mother’s powers worked, but he knew she had them. Knew he was being convinced by them too, but to him it was real. 


An expression that most normal humans couldn’t make. Not even the Matron
[color=1078C7]”M-momma…”[/color]
Elay slipped over the arm rest he’d been stuck on, crawling onto Nikki’s side and curling up practically in her lap.
[color=1078C7]”I-I’m… Sorry…”[/color] he whimpered, little hands wrapping up into Nikki’s coat.

[color=cc6f6f]"It's alright, Cuore Mio… Momma's sorry too."[/color] Nikki's arms slipped under his, and she pulled him up properly into her lap. Holding him there like she had so many times when he was younger, before he grew big enough that it was unwieldy. Thankfully her Green Lux, though more dormant in this state, was enough that it wasn't uncomfortable. It might be the last time she could hold him like this… she could only imagine he'd be even bigger when she next saw him. 

[color=cc6f6f]"Momma's got you… look, you're so big but I'm still hugging you just like I always have… that's how much I love you, Tesoro."[/color] She spoke softly, repetitively, as she blanketed him with warm comfort both physical and magical. 
[color=cc6f6f]”I’ll hold you the whole way… you can even have your ice cream like this. How does that sound?"[/color]

[color=FFB31C]”Woah, woah… Tangente, mi amore! We’a gonna be so late, there’s no stoppin’!”[/color] Cadenza did her best not to raise her voice or make Elay any more upset than she already had… But the ol’ ice cream promise wasn’t exactly the best option in this situation. She braced as she waited for Elay to start fussing again…
But he didn’t. He hadn’t cared about the ice cream to begin with. Being in his Momma’s lap was the only place where he felt safe, and if they weren’t going to budge, he had to take in all he could.


[color=cc6f6f]"Oh? Then you better develop Red Lux right away."[/color] Nikki shot Cadenza a deadpan look for a few seconds, before it softened into a slight smile. She could read her son so easily now that she was using her magic, light as it was. He was as content as he could be in this situation… Her arms tightened around him and she pressed a kiss to the top of his head.  
[color=cc6f6f]"Would you like another treat then, Elay?"[/color] she asked without much clues as to what that would be.


Catching Nikki’s hint, Cadenza scrunched her nose playfully.
[color=FFB31C]”I know [i]what[/i] our Piccola Gazza wants, mi amore… An is’sa nat gelato. Figglio mio, turn’a to look at my face. Por favore…”[/color]

The Matriarch was doing her absolute best to be sweet how she understood sweetness. Her definition was giving, the love of the spread. The offering. In truth, their [i]Little Magpie[/i] had always been somewhat bribable. Tangente was sometimes just the thing to get him to operate. There was a reason, after all, why he was such a young child with an incredibly extensive collection of geological specimens. Fist sized crystals, mostly indistinguishable from those formed naturally, would absolutely auction for an incredible price… The value didn’t matter to him. It was the luster, the surreal nature of those clear lattice structures which let light pass through them with such beauty.

He was interested in the Earth beneath their feet. It came naturally to him as breathing. A little connection between the son and the sire… Cadenza’s specialty was mineral synthesis above the hundred other disciplines she’d “mastered.” And each one of his collection had been made by her hand, with little pieces of her very magic strewn throughout them.
And this piece was no different.

The little ring that she formed in her palm was solid titanium, and throughout it’s design were inlays of green and pink stormy opal so small and thinly placed that they could only have been carved from the metal. At it’s head, the opal formed what almost looked like an eyeball, the thickness of the gem letting it display its inner clouds fully.
Cadenza had already strung it to a thin platinum chain, which caught the ring as she let it slip away from her hand and into the air.

Sitting forward, Cadenza leaned down across the cab of the limo to hover over Elay and Nikki slightly. Her free hand rested on the roof, pinning her where she was.
[color=FFB31C]”Lazarus Alonzo… I’m’a not a [i]good[/i] parent… But I’mma neva  gonna let you tink fo one second that I’mma not tinkin’ about you. You an you sisters! You make’a me a little brighter, okay? So, you take this! An’a next year, I’mma gonna send you something else! An’a, if you start goin’ to school, like a normal little bambino? Then they’a gonna mail me you grades! An’ you keep ‘em up? You keep’a collectin!”[/color]

Elay had turned enough to pay the Matron the respect he’d been taught to, and was sitting next to Nikki by the time Cadenza took a breath. He looked at the ring on the chain, and for a long moment he thought about what it would be like to wear that ring. To feel it on his hand. 

[color=FFB31C]”But this’a one: Special! It’sa me and you Mamma! Together, you see? It’sa titanium, an’a you get the green an’ pink. When’a you look at this, I wan’ you to tink of the both of us! You unn’astand? Capice?”[/color]

She held it out of his reach until Elay accepted what she had said. He did understand, and looked back at Nikki with tears in his eyes.
[color=1078C7]”Promise me you feel that way too? Y-you both mean it?”[/color]

[color=cc6f6f]"I promise, [I]Cuore Mio[/I]- and I mean just that. You're my heart. This is a little piece of us, just like you are. And there's always a little piece of you in here.“[/color] Nikki's hand lightly tapped the left side of her chest, where her heart was. 

[color=cc6f6f]"We'll always be there with you."[/color] Pink Lux filled the cab- pure love, almost tangible. It washed across Cadenza's emotional field and focused on Elay. But it wasn't a bombardment. It was precise, carefully crafting a lattice of love around his mind. Subtle hints of Green here and there to bolster it… a mother's protection against intrusion, until he came into his own magic and didn't need it anymore. It was like a warm, protective embrace.
[color=cc6f6f]”Can you feel how much we mean it?"[/color]

He could. Even with his own emotional state so scrambled, Nikki’s influence over the boy was something he’d grown used to enough that it was a comfort in itself. He associated this feeling with truth, because it’d never happened to him only for her to lie. She always told the truth… 
So he wiped the tears away from his eyes, looked from Nikki to Cadenza, and cleared his throat with a nod.
[color=1078C7]”T-then… I understand, Matron. I promise, I’ll… I’ll keep it close. Thank you… Both of you.”[/color]

Cadenza’s hand slipped downward, handing the trinket to her only son. Her massive hand rubbed the top of his head, and she smiled.
[color=FFB31C]”An’ besides; is’sa no backwater! They’gota telephone! You call-a you Mamma, she right there…”[/color] she laughed, looking up at Nikki. 
[color=FFB31C]”Right, Mamma?”[/color] 

[color=cc6f6f]”Mhm, call whenever you want, I'll always try to answer,"[/color] Nikki smiled softly at them both, eyes creasing warmly. Concentrating on the Joy and Love… it was as much for herself as it was her son. 
[color=cc6f6f]"It'll be like I'm right there. I'm sure your sisters would love it too… I might have to wrestle Chessa for the phone."[/color] 

Their second youngest… who was especially attached to Elay. All the other children's emotions had been an extra layer of difficulty for Nikki to deal with… 
[color=cc6f6f]"And by the time you're big enough to wear that ring I bet you'll be able to drive yourself, and can visit too."[/color]

Consumed by the latticework of love and joy, Elay finally felt himself relaxing slightly. Back into Nikki’s arms, he curled up slightly while holding tightly to the ring. But it would only be for so long… His breaths loosened, and he closed his eyes for a moment. It’d be a long time before he’d be able to make it to that moment where he could return, but he had to. Had to make it.

He would show them that he was brave. That he [i]could[/i] get there.
[color=1078C7]”I will, Momma…”[/color][hr][right][code]Raven’s Rest, an hour later[/code][/right]


Raven’s Rest remained ever rested in its notch in the mountain.  The town bore witness to a myriad of colors that exploded across the landscape.  Various hues of red, orange, and yellow filled the branches of the trees that seemingly stretched for miles and miles outward from the top of this mountain village down to the bustling city far in the distance.  Fall was here, and the air hung heavy with anticipation as this scene meant winter was going to arrive soon.  Still, the towns folk tried their best to get everyone in the spirit for the holidays.  Spooky skeletons, ghastly ghouls, and monstrous monsters decorated the town as it prepared for the Halloween trick or treat event in a weeks time.  Even the church had gotten into the festivities, with a large inflatable ghost staked in the yard.

A small congregation waited by the steps of the church, led by Pastor Frank Miller and his son John.  Behind him was an eclectic woman with messy, but clearly curly, hair pushed into a bun and a man who had equally long hair that was matte black and completely straight.  Both had their hands on the shoulders of a young girl.  She had an oversized puffy coat on and was more invested in a Gameboy than anything else going on around her.  The Wren family was here, and they had nothing but smiles as they looked towards the driveway to the church.

“I know we were late but come on, where is everyone else,” Jasmine Wren asked as she shot a side eye towards the pastor.

“You come back t'me ‘bout bein' late when you got four kids t’ wrangle, Jasmine!” Coming up to the church was a taller woman, her dark hair in neat box braids tied back off her face. One eyebrow raised, green lux ears easily picking up what Jasmine said. She was pushing a stroller with a toddler strapped in, her coily hair in two puffy balls. 

There was a girl about half her size following behind, her own box braids falling loose to her shoulders. She wore mud covered dungarees over an oversized, worn wool jumper. She held the hands of a little boy and girl, the little girl trying to hide behind her back. 

But as they stopped she let go of her brother's hand, pointing. [color=b23b07]“Ma, why's Elara on ‘er gamin' thing- ain't it rude ‘round other people?”[/color]

“We just got ‘ere, ‘m sure she'll put it down,” Eloise Woods responded to her oldest daughter, who nodded seriously and stared at the younger girl.

Elara did not notice the new arrival. They had managed to snag a new copy of the ten-year-old Pokémon game and were currently fighting their way through a gym. An out-of-town traveller had “lost” their device in the restaurant when they went into the restroom, and the device became a gift from Jasmine soon thereafter.

“Elara.”

Elara smiled as they landed a critical hit.  She was so good at this game.  She was the best at this game.  There was nothing that could stop her.  A second later the Gameboy was removed from her hand and Elara tried to protest, her head shooting up to her mothers, but quickly pouted and crossed her arms.

“You’ll get this back when you learn yourself some manners,” Jasmine whispered as she placed the game in her purse.  “They’re gifts, right Elosie?”  Jasmine shot her eyes down to Elara and then back up to Elosie, before she chuckled.

“Gifts, ay, that’s one way’ah puttin’ it,” Eloise snorted. She put one hand on Bryn’s shoulder to keep her at her side, rather than going over to Elara to start her big sister act. “Who else is comin’? Ain’t they late too? Our… visitors. Not a problem s’long as they ain’t got stuck somewhere… y’know, city folk cars.”

“We’re not late,” a panting woman shouted as she ran up the driveway, carrying a small girl on her shoulders.  It was Teresa, matriarch of the Ash family, and her daughter Sierra.  Teresa was a powerful woman who normally carried herself with dignity and grace yet today it seemed like both were missing as her hair was in disarray, mud was spattered over her clothes, and a frantic look was on her face.  “Are they here yet?”  

“No, no not yet but what happened to you,” Jasmine asked with a raised eyebrow.

“We decided to enjoy nature and walk here, and the heels I wore were not suited to the trail,” Teresa chuckled as she put Sierra down and walked over to Jasmine and Eloise.

“Speakin' of unprepared rich folk,” Eloise muttered underneath her breath to Jasmine. 

[color=b23b07]"Ma, how rich ‘r they? Rich enuff to buy one of Elara's gamin' things?"[/color]

Rich enough that, somewhere a few hundred feet down the road, there was a problem spinning the limousine around in the narrow street they were told to come up. Cadenza had, in fact, seen an ice cream parlor that looked incredibly quaint. There was little resistance keeping her from directing the pull-off so they could all enjoy a cone in a cup. She still called it gelato, which it absolutely wasn’t, but who was going to tell Cadenza Motta that it wasn’t gelato? Nobody in their right mind.

But it meant that the limo had to back out, and with it being such a narrow street, there was a bit of finesse required…
Except the finesse wasn’t enough, so Cadenza had to get her hands dirty. Finding the opportunity to avoid the gaze of the few people in that little downtown area, the Matriarch did her best to muckle up underneath the vehicle, bench pressing it by the frame and spinning it fully so it was once more facing the correct way. 

Only once the situation was rectified were they able to progress to their ultimate goal. Around the time Bryn was asking about their wealth, the sleek black monstrosity was crawling up the hill and into view. When it finally rolled to a stop in front of them, it was like the thing was made out of a foreign material. Pristine, with windows so black one couldn’t see through them and metal accents so polished that one could only see themselves staring back. It was audacious for this area… But it only came around once every twenty-or-so years. 

It was a treat for the eyes.

But as it came to a full stop, the driver popped up out of the front, practically sprinting around the car to the entryway before pulling it open fully. First came Cadenza, whose massive frame and immaculately tailored suit would’ve made quite the impression among old and young. It was expected that the Grove would come in force to meet them, but…
[i]If this was a force, then nurseries were just army barracks to these people.[/i]

Turning her body slightly, she offered a hand to Nikki to help her out of the vehicle, assuming that ultimately little Elay would follow his Momma’s lead. 

Nikki looked at Cadenza’s hand with a slight smile, Pink Lux gently wafting out. Undetectable to her Blind son as she carefully checked his mental state. She knew what Cadenza was assuming, but she didn’t think it would be quite that easy without a little more coaxing. Hopefully she would be wrong. She stood up, taking a step towards the entryway before pausing in front of Elay. 
[color=cc6f6f]"Come on, Cuore Mio, let’s go. Do you want to hold Momma’s hand?"[/color]

Despite the belly full of chocolate chip ice cream, Elay still found the time and energy to be incredibly sensitive. Crying again, coaxing him out became just a little more difficult as he did his best to stymie the flowing tears. There were things that felt right, and things that didn’t, and he couldn’t tell anyone that he felt this was wrong. It wouldn’t have worked anyway. The plans were set, and he was so far from being in control that he couldn’t have possibly seen the bottom of it. 

But [i]she asked him to be strong.[/i] So, he held out his hand and grabbed ahold, even though he didn’t exactly move to get up… 
Granted, it wasn’t easy to [i]make[/i] him do much of anything. For a seven year old, he was as robust as one could hope. Not rotund or hefty, but densely packed. Coiled and tightened, Cadenza had been pumping him with extra growth for years. At almost ninety pounds and several inches taller than his peers, he was more like a crying boulder than he was a sad little boy, even if he still acted like the latter. This kind of difference would’ve been clear between himself and the other similarly aged children now standing before them as he finally emerged from the car. 

Like his parents, Elay’s wardrobe meant he was almost always immaculately dressed, and he was personally fussy enough to detail his appearance by way of styling. His elder sisters helped, of course, but he [i]liked[/i] looking nice. He imagined that he was [i]cool[/i], like the men in those gangster films he’d seen Anana and Banana showing in their mansion. This time, he had a waistcoat and a pristine dress shirt (sans tie), along with perfectly pressed pants and a scarf that hung around both sides of his neck without being fully wrapped up.


[color=FFB31C]”Buongiorno.”[/color]
Cadenza’s voice cut her son’s internal thoughts, and his head automatically snapped upward to look at her eyes as she spoke. Exactly as he’d been taught.
[color=FFB31C]”Madonna Cadenza Motta-”[/color] she flourished a bow, one arm across her stomach while the other splayed out behind her slightly.
[color=FFB31C]”-and you are the Matriarchy di Boschetto, no? The Grove-a?”[/color] she questioned with a stern but calm voice.

Nikki stood beside Cadenza silently, one hand on Elay's shoulder. Her smile was well practiced, polite and calm, with her eyes carefully shifting between all of the adults. The neat blouse she wore tucked into a dark, knee length skirt didn't seem to lend itself to the chilly weather- but there were no signs she was cold. While she wasn't as physically impressive as her partner and son, she managed to hold herself in a way where she didn't blend into the background while still remaining relatively soft.

“Yes, I’m-”
[color=b23b07]"Ma, why’re funny words comin’ outta her mouth sometimes? ‘N why’s she bendin’ like that?"[/color] Bryn interrupted her mother with blunt questions. Though she was the oldest of the Grove children, clear by her tallest height (now beaten by Elay), she wasn’t great at knowing when to [i]not[/i] ask things. Or, she knew and just didn’t care. A grimy finger pointed at Elay.
[color=b23b07]"And why’s he so big?"[/color]

“[i]Bryn[/i],” Eloise hissed, hand going to her eldest’s shoulder and squeezing. Bryn wriggled, frowning. 
“[i]Don’t[/i] ask somethin’ like that.” She looked up and back at their guests, a polite smile forming. Noticeably, though she did chide her daughter she didn’t apologise to their guests, rather just continuing.

“Eloise Woods, one of the leaders of the Grove.” 

“Benvenuti! Mi chiamo Teresa, sono anche una delle leader qui,” Teresa smiled as she waved.  Her family had just gotten back from their yearly trip back to the motherland and her Italian was extra crisp today.  Still, the unfortunate quality of the Italian indicated that Italian was never her first language despite being born in Italy.

“And I’m Jasmine,” Jasmine reasoned as she walked forward and offered a hand towards Cadenza, “mind the children.  They’re delights normally I swear.”

Both Cadenza and Elay’s ears perked up as Italian was spoken out of the crowd. It was a warmth for both of them, that told them [i]maybe[/i] this wasn’t so bad. Cadenza instantly trusted the syntax and found it genuine. Elay was just happy to hear the Mother Tongue, making him feel like there was comfort even in this strange place. 
Looking down at the many daughters that surrounded them, Cadenza shook Jasmine’s hand as best she could before stepping forward and squatting down in front of young Bryn. Her grin was [i]huge[/i], and there were far more teeth in her mouth than any normal human.

[color=FFB31C]”You ask’a good questions… Why I so big?”[/color]
She looked up at the other grown women, still smiling, then at Jasmine before her gaze returned. It was naturally conspiratory, and it was almost like she was sharing a secret with the gathered children.
[color=FFB31C]”I’a so big ‘cuz when I meet a man’a I no like…”[/color]
She paused again, leaning in just a little closer.
[color=FFB31C]”[i]I eat him![/i] Bones’an all!”[/color]
Her head tilted back, and she started cackling before standing back up to her full height.

Bryn’s little mouth fell open, and she gaped up at Cadenza. Her look of shock very quickly turned to one of awe. The little girl practically hiding behind her. Robin looked terrified, as if his sister was going to eat him right there. Of course she wasn’t going to eat him… but nasty men? That didn’t seem off the table. 

Elara finally looked up at the big woman and chuckled.  The chuckle quickly turned into a full laugh.

Watching with a slight, soft smile, Nikki stepped forward towards Jasmine and held out her own hand. [color=cc6f6f]"I’m Nikkita Motta, but please call me Nikki. It’s a pleasure to meet you all."[/color]

“The pleasure is ours,” Jasmine smiled wide as she tossed Elara a side-eye.  Maybe that was the key to getting her daughter's interest—crude jokes about eating men to get big and tall.  “I am Jasmine.  This is my daughter Elara!”

“And I am Pastor Frank Miller,” the Pastor said as he walked towards the assembled group.  “If you need anything while you are here do not hesitate to ask, my children.”

“It has been far too long since a member of the Motta clan has graced the Grove.  I hope the drive up was easy, and the journey without hassle,” Jasmine added as she placed her hands on her hips.

[color=cc6f6f]"We had a slight issue turning down the street after we took a quick detour to treat our son to some [i]’gelato’[/i], but it was smooth otherwise. It’s quite beautiful out here,"[/color] Nikki smiled, easily continuing the small talk. But her hand went back to Elay’s shoulder, gently pushing him forward. [color=cc6f6f]"This is my son… Why don’t you introduce yourself, Mi Tesoro."[/color] 

Elay had still been hoping that his Moms would forget they were dropping him off… That they would get distracted talking, and that they’d all just get into the car together to leave. An unsuccessful hope as Nikki pushed him slightly forward. It felt like being led to the executioner’s block… Like he was a lamb. His voice wavered as he tried to introduce himself.

[color=1078C7]”M-m’names…- [i]ay[/i]”[/color]
His voice barely came out of his throat. Even though she hadn’t been looking at him, Cadenza’s head snapped around completely. There was a loud [i]pop[/i] that everyone would’ve heard.

[color=FFB31C]”Lazarus Alonso! Usare correttamente la voce! [b]Now![/b]”[/color]
Her stern voice [i]did[/i] work in that situation. Rather than continuing to mope, Elay snapped to attention. Tears rolled out of both corners of his eyes.

[color=1078C7]”My name is Lazarus Alonso Motta! Please call me L-A. Elay.”[/color] he forced himself to speak loudly, choking on his words at the end of his statement.
[color=1078C7]”Please t-take good… Care… Of me…”[/color] 
He couldn’t stop himself from letting it go. From making a fool of himself as he started shaking more than he had in the car ride. It was all real now, especially as the driver had started pulling his luggage trunks from the limo’s rear and placing them down where they were easily accessible.

[color=b23b07]"Hi, L-A! I’m Bryn! ’m the oldest, so I’ll be your new big sis! This is my brother, Robin,"[/color] she gestured to the boy beside her, then the girl beside her and the one in the stroller. 
[color=b23b07]"That’s Laurel and Marigold."[/color]
She let go of Laurel’s hand and stepped forward, slinging an arm around Elay’s shoulders. It was [i]almost[/i] a hug as she spoke quietly. 
[color=b23b07]"Why’re you cryin’ n’ shakin’? Is it cause you think your Ma’s gonna eat you! Don’t worry! The Grove protects its own, we ain’t gonna let her do that."[/color]

[color=00FFFF]“Oh yes, your mama is totally going to try and [i]eat[/i] you.  I would be sooo upset if I was you,”[/color] Elara said in a monotone voice.  

“[i]ELARA[/i],” Jasmine shouted as she placed her forehead on the palm of her hand.

[color=00FFFF]“Oh.  I’m Elara, nice to meet you mister,”[/color] Elara looked towards their mom and spotted their game device.  A plan was forming on how to steal it back.

Cadenza started laughing louder. She couldn’t help but think of how things were at home, and it reminded her of her own household long ago. Her own mothers had to do the very same thing.
[color=FFB31C]”Ayyyy, you’a see, Elay? They treat you jus’a like Gia an Rina! Dis’a not so different!”[/color]

Squirming against Bryn, Elay could only be honest as he was taught to be.
[color=1078C7][i]”You’d cry if your parents were giving you up!”[/i][/color]
[color=FFB31C]”I tell you, mio Dio, nobody is’a givin’ you up! You’a just gonna [i]live here, Elay![/i]”[/color] Cadenza groaned again, her hand in her face.

[color=cc6f6f]"She’s right-"[/color]

[color=b23b07]"Why don’t we swap and I go to your fancy place and see if I cry!"[/color] Bryn interrupted Nikki before she could begin her comforting. Her arm was still around Elay’s shoulders, hard as it was when he was tall, and she leaned in. A conspiratorial glance was shot towards both of his moms. 
[color=b23b07]"Your smaller Ma looks real young, too, is that why they’re givin’ you up? I heard a lotta teen Mas do that, it ain’t just you."[/color] 

“[i]Bryn.[/i]” Eloise said warningly, though it didn’t seem to have any effect on her daughter. 
Nikki was staring speechlessly at the young girl.

Cadenza hadn’t batted an eye, looking between some of the adults.
[color=FFB31C]”Where’s’a my shithead Brother anyway, eh? He was’a sp’osed to be here so Elay had a familiar face…”[/color]

But Elay wasn’t doing well. Not after what had just been said to him.
[color=1078C7]”They wouldn’t want you either.”[/color] 
His tears had dried up, leaving little streaks down his face as he stared directly into Bryn’s eyes.
[color=1078C7]”You’re not [i]good enough for them.[/i]”[/color]

[color=b23b07]"Well you ain’t-"[/color]
Simultaneously, two mothers sprung into action. Eloise went in and physically dragged Bryn away, quietly chastising her while stopping the brewing fight. 

Nikki stepped forward, crouching down to pull Elay into a hug. She gently rubbed his back. It was a difficult thing to manage, suppressing her own frustration with Pink Lux. Cadenza had moved on, and she shouldn’t undermine her authority… but what Bryn said wasn’t okay. She leaned back, hands moving to her son’s shoulders as she looked him in the eye. 
[color=cc6f6f]"Look at me, Cuore Mio, none of that is true. We already discussed this… We aren’t giving you up. I love you too much to do that willingly. But even if someone says something that hurts you, you shouldn’t retaliate. You don’t say things like that."[/color] She used a tone Elay would recognise - the soft but firm way she always spoke when she was reprimanding her children. Her head tilted up to look over him as she straightened up, and at Eloise and Bryn. 

[color=cc6f6f]”Children will be children, but I’m allowing my son to come here-"[/color] as if she had any choice-
[color=cc6f6f]"- for a treaty under the condition he be [i]treated well[/i] and equally to your own children."[/color]

“I understand, and ‘m sorry for my idiotic daughter,” Eloise looked down at Bryn, who was now pouting, with narrowed eyes. She had her shoulder in a death grip. 
“It ain’t gonna be like that. We treat our members good and equal… And don’t worry, Bryn will be punished when we get home.”
[color=b23b07]"But Ma my-"[/color]
“I don’t care, Bryn. Now, apologise.” 

[color=FFB31C]”Woah, lets’a not be too hasty. The girl tells’a little joke, an’a my son is just’a sensitive poco fika. He’s’a little afraid iss all, girls. Give-a him a little space an’a time, an’ he’s gonna be just’a like you brother. Real brother. Elay’a good boy. No apologies… Just time, eh? It’s a scary thing.”[/color]
Surprisingly introspective, Cadenza’s voice was calm, and she found herself stooping to the children’s height again as she crouched down low… But her head cocked slightly as there was the shuffling of running. Huffing. 

A portly man with thick black hair was huff-puffing his way up the hill to the church. Here he was…
[color=FFB31C]”Alphonso!?”[/color]
Cadenza’s body was already standing again, staring down at Al as he was rushing up the hill.
“My Lady! Oh, oh my God, I’m so sorry!”

All the kids would know Al. He was a fun man, someone who would always bring pastries and other goodies to the different families of the Grove. Looking between him and Elay, the similarities were oddly striking. Same hair, same general face… Only Al was nearly six and a half feet tall weighing close to six hundred pounds. By the time he wobbled into the group, he was grasping at his knees.

Elay was surprised that [i]this uncle[/i] was the one who was sent to join these people… He’d seen him at his own home before, and had been treated to the exact same kind of pastries that the girls had in their own life. But he was quickly standing by his elder sister with something of a big smile on his face.
[color=FFB31C]”Grosso, we were’a fuckin’ late! An’a you don’t even have snacks!?”[/color]
“‘Course I do, Ma’am!”

He pulled his satchel to the front and opened it, pulling out a bag of confections and handing it off to Cadenza. She popped one in her mouth and squealed before crouching down again and opening the bag.
[color=FFB31C]”Ahhhh, so good. Elay? Come’a here.”[/color]

Though he’d been clinging to Nikki, both knew he was meant to do what he was told, and stepped forward. Cadenza’s hand raised up, finger beckoning Bryn.
[color=FFB31C]”You too, Bambina… Feisty’a little shit…”[/color] she grinned.

[color=b23b07]"Ma, what does [i]Bambina[/i] mean?"[/color] Bryn asked, wriggling against Eloise’s grip. Eloise shrugged, and let her go. The young girl hopped forward, not seeming at all intimidated.

Elara suddenly appeared next to Elay, a careful eye would have spotted her, but to the untrained eye it would appear like she snuck over in the commotion and the fighting.  In her hand she held a Gameboy, and she stretched it out towards Elay.  [color=00FFFF]“You like Pokemon,”[/color] Elara asked.

“How did,” Jasmine started as she looked at her hands, and realized Elara somehow stole it from her, “you little shit better not get a champagne taste on a beer budget.”

“I think this would be an appropriate time for us to, maybe, head inside?  We’re preparing some barbecue out back and there are more members inside waiting to meet you Elay,” the pastor added as he held out an arm and motioned for the group to actually head inside.

[color=FFB31C]”Si, una memento, Padre.”[/color]


Cadenza was surprised at the other girl popping up, but giggled and turned her head back to the two who had already managed to make problems with one another. Elay nodded to Jasmine, but he was trained to keep his focus on his Matriarch when she required it. Two of the bonbons from the bag were pulled away, and handed to both Elay and Bryn.
[color=FFB31C]”Eat’a the treat, and shake hands.”[/color]

Elay didn’t think about it. He just took the treat and stuck his hand out, chewing and tasting the amazing flavor of it. To be fair, it did make him feel a [i]little[/i] better.

Bryn did the same, throwing the sweet treat in her mouth and munching on it. Her hand went out to shake Elay’s. 
[color=b23b07]"Ma told me to treat y’like my brother, so I was just doing that."[/color]

[color=00FFFF]“You don’t get used to it,”[/color] Elara said in a monotone voice but had the faintest smirk that Bryn would instantly recognize as the one Elara had when she tried to rile up her friends.

[color=b23b07]"You just ain’t tough enough,"[/color] Bryn teased back, free arm coming up to hook Elara in the dreaded Bryn shoulder hook. She knew the look, so she didn’t get pissed over it.

Cadenza’s hands ruffled both their heads. Elay knew what this meant, and smirked right before her powerful arms shunted their skulls together like two pool balls smacking against one another. It wasn’t hard enough that they were both unconscious, so he counted himself lucky that was all. Granted, Elay wasn’t quite aware of how [i]hard[/i] she had to do that to knock him and his sister out… Hard enough that this girl’s unmodified skull probably would’ve caved in.

[color=FFB31C]”Now you’a really siblings! Da Motta Smack, eh?”[/color]
Patting both of them on the rear ushered them forward, and with his release, Elay was free to speak again. Not that he had the chance…
[color=FFB31C]”Go! Go, go, and watch for your clothes’a catch on fire, Elay… Chiesa is [i]not[/i] our place.”[/color]

As the rest entered, Cadenza hung back with her younger brother, quickly grabbing him by the collar and dragging him close. It was quite horrifying that she [i]still[/i] stood several heads taller than him. Their private conversation faded away as the majority of the group headed for the church.

Bryn took getting her head smacked against another's surprisingly well. There was no crying or complaining, just a bit of pained grimacing. She grabbed Elay's hand, and then Elara's, and tugged them both along. 
[color=b23b07]"We ain't get barbeque often, so this is the real treat. I bet they'll even let us eat first."[/color]

Nikki followed right behind the three children after a quick glance at Cadenza, making sure her son knew she was there with a light tap of warm pink lux against him. She didn't want him to think he was going inside alone to face even more strangers… she'd be there with him as long as she could be.

The pastor was already ready for food despite the beef for the group to discuss business first.  Three thoughts of ribs, chicken, and an assortment of greens and sides filled his mind as he looked towards the front door.  He led the way up the creaking steps, his broad shoulders hunched slightly from years of hard labor and heavier burdens. His son walked a step behind, the family resemblance unmistakable in the sharp line of his jaw and the quiet determination in his eyes.  The Pastor looked back on his son and smiled.  He was going to continue the family legacy, and work had begun to prepare him for the rigorous journeys ahead.  He turned his attention back to the door and with a heavy push the church doors groaned open, revealing a dimly lit sanctuary with wooden pews polished smooth by years of use. The air inside was cooler, scented faintly with aged wood and the lingering sweetness of past potlucks. A single cross hung above the pulpit, its simplicity a reflection of the congregation’s humble means.
“I’d say make yourself at home but this is the lords house,” the pastor spoke again only this time his voice seemed to boom more than before.  He was truly at home here, even if he was just the voice of God above.
“Elara, I’ll let you hold onto your game but you mustn't play it while we’re here, okay,” Jasmine said with a stern side eye to which Elara gulped and nodded in understanding.
The back door, behind the pulpit, was open and the group could see a bulky Asian man behind a grill, who spotted the group and simply waved with a smile.  His name was Daniel Harrington, and he motioned for an unseen person to enter the building.  A moment later a small boy’s head looked out past the doorframe shyly, before he too entered the church and walked up to Bryn.
“Hi, who’s your new friend,” Lucas asked as he avoided all eye contact altogether. 
The smell of the barbecue seemed to follow him, and the church was soon filled with the aroma of sweet and tangy meats grilling to perfection.  

[color=b23b07]"Elay! He gonna be my new brother- sorta. I ain't sure how it works!"[/color] Bryn grinned, once again slinging an arm around Elay's shoulders. 
[color=b23b07]"This is Lucas… you better be nice to him or I'll beat you!"[/color]

Elay stuck his hand out politely as he'd been taught, the frown still filling his face.
[color=1078C7]”Hi… Our names are similar… Lucas, Lazarus. The L sound, and the vowel/S on the end.[/color]

Elay had never been amazing at making friends. These were trained reactions, being taught how to socialize “like a proper little boy should.” It was taxing, and dishonest which was something he was also taught to avoid being. He couldn't figure out when certain rules applied or didn't, and it had become a mire of duplicity in his mind.
It was anxiety inducing.

[color=1078C7]”The food smells nice… Is that your Dad cooking?”[/color] Elay asked quietly, his stomach still working despite every other feeling going on.

Lucas looked up to Elay and nodded.  “He is a really good cook,” Lucas paused as he looked towards Bryn with a crooked head, “but you’re not nice to me all the time.  Who is going to beat you when you’re mean to me?”

[color=1078C7]”I'm biggest. Come to me, and I'll win every time!”[/color]
The most verbose and braggadocious thing the young man had said all day… Very tough talk coming from someone who was pretty much [i]just[/i] crying.

[color=b23b07]"You-"[/color] Bryn pointed a finger at Lucas, then at Elay. 
[color=b23b07]"It ain’t all bout size. Bet I hit you once and you’ll start cryin’... You city folk are all the same, all talk!"[/color] All of this was declared with a wide grin, no clear aggression in the girl’s expression… though she did mean every word.

[color=1078C7]”You shouldn’t talk about fighting so much. My Lady always says ‘Don’t cash checks before the chickens hatch.’ I think it means, like, you don’t know if you’re gonna get stuff before you see what people can do.”[/color] Elay did his best to dissuade this Bryn girl from further violence…

Not because he was afraid, of course; rather because he knew there wasn’t anything he could do about it. Ma, and the Lady of course, would tan his hide if he acted too far out of turn. But he wasn’t comfortable conceding the point to his “new sister”. Hierarchy was important, and Elay didn’t like leaving it unsettled before it was tested. After all, these people were outside the Clans: Just because she was a girl, didn’t put her above him now. 

Thinking about it deeper, a smile cracked across his face. He stared at Bryn now, waiting for her response to his seemingly insightful figure of speech.

Bryn stared back, tilting her head. She looked confused. She had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. What did that have to do with fighting? It wasn't like she was trying to get stuff out of them? She wasn't a thief. 
[color=b23b07]"Well my Ma says ‘if someone acts outta line, give em a good beatin'.’ Cause you gotta show your strength."[/color]

“That's not what Ma says at all!” The little boy who'd trailed behind Bryn, holding their younger sister's hand, finally piped up. 
“She says she'll beat your ass if you keep actin' up.”
[color=b23b07]”Is the same."[/color] Bryn waved a hand.

[color=1078C7]”B-but, you ain’t a Matriarch! Seems like your Ma is, but she’s not as big as Our Lady. So, either you ain’t all that tough, or she hides her powers real well… My Nana’s like that! She’s a real little lady, but I seen’er pick up a whole car when it was in a spot she ain’t want it in!”[/color] Elay enthusiastically spoke about his grandmother Bella, who had shown him a great deal of affection in their infrequent meetings.

[color=b23b07]"What d'ya mean ‘a May-tree-arc'?"[/color] Bryn enunciated the word she'd never heard in her life, looking towards her little brother in the hope that maybe he had. He always read books more. Robin just shrugged. 
[color=b23b07]”And Ma can pick up a car! [I]And[/I] she can do it with vines too! Pa too, he's always carryin' tons of shit on his shoulders… and he can hear us all round the house!"[/color]

[color=1078C7]”But they ain’t from Cullo! So, they ain’t Matriarchs! And, I mean… Dad? I know a few people who have Dads, but usually they’re not… Y’know, doin’ much. They kinda take care of the kids, don’t they!? Like Lucas’ Dad! He’s cookin’, cleanin’ probably… What’s your Dad carry!?”[/color] 
Now Elay was just confused. Vines? He knew some Matriarchs fiddled with plants, but personal strength always came first. So why would the vines be impressive?

[color=b23b07]"Rocks! Pa works down in the mines… he ain't just at home takin' care of us. That ain't normal… he's gotta earn the money so Ma can be a Grove leader. Tha's what I've heard. I don' gettit cause she works too, just less…"[/color] Bryn trailed off, still with absolutely no idea what a Matriarch was or what the fuck Cullo was. Was it another mountain town? 
[color=b23b07]"I ain't sure where you've been, but it ain't normal to have two Mas. How they even have you? It ain't… possible, is it? Y'need a man and a woman to make babies."[/color] Bryn spoke with the infinite wisdom of a nine year old who'd pestered her mother so much she'd been given a vague explanation of the birds and the bees.

Elay was, at the very least, educated in human biology enough to know what made him different from his sisters. Suddenly his face became incredibly smug.
[color=1078C7]”I don’t know, Bryn… Sounds like your Ma’s not that strong if she can’t make a baby with another Lady. Y’ever think that?”[/color]

[color=b23b07]”No! That ain't how bee-ology works! Strength ain't to do with that!"[/color] Bryn frowned.
“Biology,” Robin corrected quietly. 
[color=b23b07]"Whatever! It ain't possible for a lady to make a baby with another lady! Your Ma's just lyin' to you… it ain't possible."[/color]

Elay turned instantly, searching for the Matriarch whom he knew for a fact was the main contributor of his own genes. She had finally come in with her brother, though talking to some of the other people gathered for the welcome. This left only Nikki to deal with his pleading.

[color=1078C7]”Maaaaaa! Bryn says you and Our Lady couldn’t have me! Am I allowed to say!?”[/color] he groaned, knowing full well that he could shut this cocky girl up with one assertion.

Nikki had been talking with a few of the Grove members, but she'd stayed close while keeping one magically enhanced ear on the children's conversation. Just in case… but she'd left her son to navigate the discovery and explanation of families different from theirs. As Elay called for her she turned, glancing over towards her partner in the distance before fully focusing on him. 

It wasn't forbidden to say. In this situation… she didn't want him to have to keep secrets around the people who'd hopefully become a second family for him. There should be an understanding both ways about what their families were like.
[color=cc6f6f]"You are allowed to say… but Elay? Not every family's like ours."[/color]

[color=1078C7]”What do you mean? Like, how!?”[/color] Elay asked innocently.

Nikki smiled gently at him, while internally regretting not talking about this [I]before[/i] they arrived. But how could she? She'd grown up in the same circumstances. It was easy to forget that it wasn't normal. 
[color=cc6f6f]”Well… most families don't have a Matriarch. It's more common for families to be like Bryn's, outside of the Matriarchal clans. So while me and Our Lady had you, for most it's like Bryn said. Neither is wrong or more normal, just… different."[/color]

Elay pointed at his Ma, head fully spinning to look at Bryn.
[color=1078C7]”See!? She said they did it! Our Lady’s got a [i]big cock![/i] And she says I will too when I grow up, ‘cuz it’s in our family!”[/color] Elay exclaimed as if it wasn’t the most impressively out of pocket thing a seven year old boy could say. 

But Cadenza had never been shy, and her rather crude sense of humor left all of her children using words and phrases they never should’ve known to begin with. He still looked smug, but anyone else listening to the conversation would’ve had to deal with that revelation however they felt was right. She [i]heard[/i] Elay say this, and while she didn’t react at all, she gave her only son a very clean and loud high five in her mind.

Nikki's hand came up to cover her face, and the expression of dismay she couldn't keep off it. She should’ve said he wasn’t allowed to say… because she should’ve seen this coming. Hand covering her mouth, she mumbled a few curses in Italian - primarily directed towards Cadenza, who would be able to hear them if she really wanted to.

Eloise looked at Nikki, then Jasmine, before her eyes turned to the children. She wasn’t so upset about her oldest two hearing it- though she hoped Laurel didn’t entirely understand what was going on. Bryn and Robin already knew… she was just concerned that Bryn would take this and become even more annoying about certain things.

Jasmine listened in to the kids conversation with a nervous expression on her face.  The kids were young but knew a surprisingly detailed understanding on how babies were made.  She hadn’t had that talk yet with Elara.  Her eyes slowly shifted over to her daughter, who also had a very puzzled look on her face.  “Oh no,” Jasmine muttered.  She’d have to have the talk later.  Her eyes shifted over to Seren and saw that she was not even paying attention.  Lucky for Teresa.

[color=00FFFF]“Why would you want a big rooster,”[/color] Elara asked as she crossed her arms, [color=00FFFF] “they’re mean enough when they’re normal sized.”[/color] 

Bryn had been staring at Elay, mouth slightly ajar, but started laughing the moment Elara asked. Her chest puffed up slightly- because she [i]knew[/i] about these things. She knew exactly what Elay was talking about! 
[color=b23b07]"He ain’t talkin’ bout Roosters, Elara! You dunno bout that yet? Y’should ask your Ma!"[/color] She put her hands on her hips, turning back to Elay.
[color=b23b07]"I don’t believe you! Ladies ain’t born with those… and we don’ need em! They’re disgustin’! The bigger the worse!"[/color] 

“Elodie,” Jasmine whispered as she stifled a laugh, “how dare you have the talk with Bryn without telling me.  Now I need to explain so much when we’re gone.”

“She asked, I answered,” Eloise whispered back, shaking her head. “I didn’t expect… this…”

[color=1078C7]”Well, I saw it! So, quit sayin’ mean things Bryn! My Ma just said, we're not like everyone else! So throw your rules away, cuz I'm here and I'm alive! It had to happen like that!”[/color] Elay asserted, growing frustrated like he did around his elder sisters when they acted like this.

[color=1078C7]”And don't make me get Our Lady, or she's gonna smack our heads again!”[/color]

[color=b23b07]"Oh yeah? Cause I don’t think she has a big-"[/color]
“[i]Bryn[/i].”
[color=b23b07]"He said it first! It ain’t like I’m being mean- he’s just talkin’ bullshit! Your- your Ma’s in on it too! You’re just tryna mess with us cause you think we’re dumb! So get ‘Our Lady’ over I can take another head smack!"[/color]

[color=cc6f6f]"I’m so sorry for this,"[/color] Nikki said quietly to both Jasmine and Eloise.   

[color=00FF7F]“To everything there is a season,”[/color] John started as he walked in between Bryn and Elay, away from his father, [color=00FF7F]“and a time to every purpose under the heaven,”[/color] John paused as he smirked, [color=00FF7F]“is this the right time to have this conversation when there’s fresh food waiting for us outside?”[/color] 

Bryn rolled her eyes.

[color=FFB31C]”He's right! Elay, quit it with this topic, Eh? I'm not'a gonna whip it out here in da Church infronna dees people!”[/color] Cadenza growled across the room.

[color=cc6f6f]"Or [i]anywhere[/i],"[/color] Nikki said quietly.

“Oh thank the lord,” the pastor mumbled with a chuckle.

“Amen father,” Jasmine sighed in response, before a soft chuckle escaped her loops.

[color=00FF7F]“I’m John, son of the good pastor here.  Pleasure to make your acquaintance,”[/color] John said as he offered a strong handshake.

Elay nodded at John, taking what he had to say and absorbing it.
[color=1078C7]”I like what you said, John… I'm Elay. Lazarus. Like the Bible character! Did you get named after the Saint?”[/color] he asked, taking John's hand and shaking it firmly.

[color=1078C7]”Ma says it's just a book, but a useful book. Good at teaching lessons if you aren't stupid.”[/color]

[color=00FF7F]“The Baptist, yes sir,”[/color] John responded as he shifted his attention towards Bryn, [color=00FF7F]“a very useful book.  If you ever wanted-”[/color] 

[color=00FFFF]“Why you talking about books Bryn when you can’t even read ‘em,”[/color] Elara chuckled as she ran behind the back of John.

[color=00FF7F]“I’m sure Bryn can read just fine, Elara, besides arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars,”[/color] John paused as he turned around and patted Elara on the shoulder, [color=00FF7F]“do you want to start another one when the first one isn’t finished?”[/color]

[color=b23b07]"Fightin’ someone is the best way to get to know ‘em,"[/color] Bryn rolled her eyes as John went on another one of his little quote readings. 
[color=b23b07]"Anyway, it [i]is[/i] done. [i]And[/i] I [i]can[/i] read. I just ain’t into it."[/color]

Elay turned his head to look at the woman he knew to be Bryn's mother.
[color=1078C7]”Is she like this at home, Ma'am? With all due respect, I don't feel very comfortable around her. I'm afraid she's gonna try an’ beat me up…”[/color] he said as innocently as he could, pivoting away from being aggressive in hopes of getting something sweeter out of the deal.

“Look, Bryn, you scared him.” Eloise’s hand shot out to lightly hit Bryn around the back of the head. She pouted grumpily up at her mom. 
[color=b23b07]"But Pa’s friends-"[/color]
“I don’t care. Now, Elay… ‘m sorry she’s made you feel like that. She ain’t. My daughter’s real rough soundin’, but she ain’t a bad kid. She’s tryna act tough, but she ain’t really.”
[color=b23b07]"I’m right here, Ma."[/color]
“She only beats up people who deserve it.”

A small hand grasped Elay’s shirt, lightly tugging on it. It was Bryn’s younger sister- Laurel, the third woods child. She tugged downwards, looking up at the much larger boy shyly. 

The smaller girl instantly made him think of his younger sister Kiki. He practically melted at the sight, and frowned as he crouched slightly. Just like he'd seen Cadenza do a million times.
[color=1078C7]”Oh, hi… I'm sorry, I'm Elay. Don't worry, I ain't gonna fight your sister.”[/color]
Turning back to Eloise, he smiled.

[color=1078C7]”I'm sorry for causin’ so much stuff to happen. Are you sure I gotta stay here? I can't go back home after this?”[/color]
He figured he'd try [i]one last time.[/i]

Laurel nodded with a shy smile, her hand staying grasped into his shirt. 

Eloise looked at Jasmine, then Teresa. She didn’t say anything for a short moment. The answer was, of course, that he had to stay. It was part of a centuries old agreement. Tradition. Throwing away tradition meant risking everything they’d built.

Nikki watched out of the corner of her eye, finding herself hoping that one of the three Grove leaders would turn around and say that he didn’t have to. If it came from their end… and the agreement remained in place, then there was no reason for them to leave him here. Maybe they’d finally move past an outdated tradition. 

“I’m sorry, Elay, but you gotta stay,” Eloise said eventually. That’s all there was to it. They had to protect the Grove over anything else.
“It’s part of the agreement.”

[color=1078C7]”But nobody's even told me what that means! Ma keeps sayin’ it's something we all gotta do to make everyone happy!”[/color]

There was a throat clearing. Portly Uncle Al wobbled his way past his elder sister and up to his own Bryn: Eloise, whom he had grown up with just the same as Elay would do now with her daughter. Despite whatever shortcomings Cadenza perceived, it was easy to tell that Alphonso had come fully into his role as a bridge between the two groups. That was the expectation. He placed a hand on Lazarus’ shoulder, thumb pressing into his neck comfortingly. It was a Motta thing to do, something Nikki knew and did too.

“Maybe I can help?” Al looked at Elay lovingly, then at his Coven Matron.

Eloise glanced at Jasmine and Teresa again, before looking at Alphonso with the hint of a smile. She nodded.
“It’ll be better comin’ from you. I suppose it’s somethin’ he deserves to know.”

Al nodded and got down to his nephew's level a bit more. 
“You listen too, Bryn. One day you're gonna take a Motta in too, so you gotta understand why it's gonna happen.”

While he and Elay were family, it was plain and simple that Bryn and her siblings simply knew Uncle Al better. While he may’ve been down at his family estate once or twice a year, he was in the Wood household once or twice a week. And despite not having his own, he loved Eloise's kids like blood: He understood the crucial nature of this situation.

Lazarus squirmed a little bit, frowning but still giving his Uncle the eye contact he asked for. He could feel his Matriarch's eyes burning into the back of his skull.

“Our family came to America a long, long time ago. Before cars, before lights, before roads and bullets and trains… But we didn't get here first. There were already people here. Magical people, just like us. So rather than hurting one another, they made an agreement. Now, what's most important to Ma, and to Nanna AbBa?”

Elay took a guess.
[color=1078C7]”Matriarchs?”[/color] he asked innocently.

“Technically… It's their daughters! Our family puts a lot of emphasis on strong women. And back in the day, they were even more important, to the point where we boys weren't worth much of anything. So they would give the boys up to the people here, so that we would all be connected. A part of a bigger family, see? So, that's why you gotta be here, and you gotta live with Miss Eloise.”

Al paused, taking a deep breath to consider his next words.
“And you treat her like you would treat Our Lady, ‘cuz she's just as important. And plenty strong! So don't be afraid, eh? You want a little taste of home, I live just down the street. You just come down, or come to the bakery, and I'll be there for you too. Understand me?”

Elay nodded, scarcely understanding more than he did a few moments ago.
[color=1078C7]”So Nanna AbBa did the same to you? Did you… feel like they were abandoning you?”[/color]

Yes… But a show of solidarity and strength was more important here.
“No. I knew my duty to my family. To maintain the way of life my little sisters would be able to enjoy. It's because of you and me, and… Well, Uncle Rocco is still alive technically, but mostly up to you and me to make sure we keep the agreement sacred.”

Elay seemed to consider this for a long moment. [I]Uncle Rocco?[/i] He didn't know who the Hell that was, but he did accept what his Uncle Al said. About not being scared, and protecting the little ones. He looked down at Laurel again, and Kiki's little voice echoed in his head.

[I]“I wuvvu Ewway!”[/i]

It was only natural that the little boy would start crying again. Al took him in his arms, waving Eloise in and turning his head to look back at Nikki. A subtle head nodded to her, trying to reassure her that it would be okay.

Nikki’s lips managed to pull up into a slight smile towards Al. Her own eyes shone with unshed tears which she quickly blinked away. It was difficult for her too. Holding herself back from comforting her son, because she knew she wouldn’t be able to be there for him in the future. She had to let others step in.

“We ain’t tryna replace your family, but we’ll treat you like our own,” Eloise said, one hand coming up to rub Elay’s back. It wasn’t the most gentle, but the intent was there. 

Another, smaller body wriggled its way into the hug between Elay and Al. Arms awkwardly wrapped around Elay’s waist, and Bryn’s rough voice spoke up. 
[color=b23b07]"I’m- I’m sorry I was mean. But I ain’t gonna let anyone hurt you! I’ma treat you just like my other siblings."[/color]

[color=00FFFF]“Gross,”[/color] Elara said as she looked away from the affection and instead towards the food.

[color=1078C7]”If you promise, then I believe you…”[/color]
Elay hadn't been hugging his uncle back, but as Bryn pushed her way in, he felt the compulsion to comfort like he would any of his other sisters. So, one arm wrapped around her, and the other hugged his Uncle in an attempt to channel whatever good energy he could get.

Then there was another set of arms. Shockingly, the Matriarch herself had stepped forward from her position. It was entirely uncharacteristic of her to give this kind of affection, and even more so in such a setting… But there she was, pressed into her own younger brother's back and wrapping her long arms around to Bryn. She pulled everyone tighter.

[color=FFB31C]”You meana lot more to us than the old days. You Ma an Me don't wanna do this. But we gotta, Bim-Elay… Is'a like you goin’ an gettin’a married. You gonna make us all a big family, Unnastand? Capice?[/color]

Al nodded in agreement, shocked as much as Elay to receive any kind of affection from Cadenza Motta.

“Exactly. Our Lady and I are siblings, but I'm absolutely part of the Grove, Lazarus. And Miss Eloise here has always been there for Me. I trust her a thousand percent. And if you ever need anything at all, our family is still bound to us for assistance.”

[color=FFB31C]”Ye, like someone'a wanna Bakery, so all of a sudden, he gotta Bakery!”[/color]

Al sighed. Of course it wasn't all perfect.

“Right. Just like that. Nana AbBa are responsible for building my business… I asked, and they did it. So, those comforts you're used to aren't ever gonna go away. Understand?”

Lazarus did… Or, at least he thought he did. His hand slipped up, grabbing hold of Cadenza's sleeve and remembering the gift she'd given him earlier. But he was smothered at this point, and feeling a little cagey because of it.

[color=1078C7]”Okay, okay! Fine! I'm sorry, I didn't-”[/color]
Cadenza laughed, letting everyone out of the vice grip and standing back up.
[color=FFB31C]”Good! Now you want me to beat you to da food? No! So go!”[/color]

[color=b23b07]"Whoa, I don’t wanna fight someone who eats men for food! C’mon!"[/color] Bryn gasped, suddenly feeling a threat to her rare bbq food. She bent down to pick up Laurel, hefting her up. She wasn’t going to leave the smaller and weaker behind… but the smaller girl was almost four now, it was getting more difficult to carry her. 
[color=b23b07]"I ain’t gonna miss out on so much meat!"[/color] Then she started waddling slowly towards the back door. It was pretty clear she was struggling with another human in her arms. 

[color=cc6f6f]"Don’t worry, I’ll hold her back,"[/color] Nikki said with a soft smile, stepping back towards the group from where she’d been keeping a slight distance. She put a hand on Cadenza’s arm.

Eloise let out a quiet laugh as she watched. 
“I ain’t sure if it’ll be what you’re used to or up to your standards, it ain’t any fancy food, but it’s proper, good shit.”

[color=cc6f6f]"When I was pregnant with Elay, I craved a good barbeque for weeks. We tried everywhere, but nothing was quite right… maybe it’s because the food was here all along."[/color] Nikki looked at Elay with a soft smile, then up at Cadenza with a slight twinkle in her eye. She’d had the exact same craving with another two of her children as well, during the shorter time she insisted on carrying them, but that didn’t matter. It was a nice coincidence. 

“Come and get some food,” Daniel spotted shouted and the congregation was quick to form a line.  Daniel himself prepared a massive feast for the assembled masses, from pulled pork sandwiches to a smattering of ribs, sausages, hot dogs, and a skillet baked cornbread.  As well, Jasmine had brought a homemade mac and cheese dish, as well as a fried okra side that Teresa had made at her house.  Sweet tea was plentiful, as were the petitions.  An hour later there was nothing left of the mass of food.  Everyone who ate was full, and Daniel could only smile at his work.
[hr]
Mingling for a little while longer, the day turned into the evening, and things were beginning to wind down.
“It’s time,” Jasmine said to Daniel in a hushed tone.  Daniel simply nodded his head and stood up.

“Thank you all for your hard work on this feast, and for making this welcome ceremony as good as it was.  It is now time for the initiation.  Only grove members may attend the ceremony,” Jasmine looked towards Elay and offered a weak smile, “we leave in five minutes.”

Elay had managed to forget for a little while, the food a perfect kind of distraction. But now they were saying that there was more, and that people weren’t going to be allowed to stay. This meant that he’d be saying [i]goodbye.[/i] Like a rocket, Elay was back at Nikki’s side now, clutched to her and holding on for dear life. He hadn’t said anything, but she would absolutely know what it was that he was going through.

Nikki wrapped her arms around Elay, holding him in a tight embrace. Her head tilted forward, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. She pushed down her own deep sadness. There would be a time for that… afterwards. When her son was gone. For now, she concentrated on him. 
[color=cc6f6f]"I love you, Cuore Mio."[/color] She pulled back slightly, one hand still around him while the other gently tilted his head up to look at her. Her warm, loving smile and soft eyes with a hint of wetness at their corners. 
[color=cc6f6f]"And a little part of me will always be with you. You’ll be good, won’t you? And you’ll phone when you can? I’ll miss you a lot. And this isn’t forever."[/color]

[color=1078C7]”You wrote the numbers down in my ledger, right?”[/color]
He was doing his absolute best not to cry. He and Bryn and Lucas, Elara, had all been talking over dinner. He didn’t feel [i]awful[/i] now… Just gutted. Just longing for it to not be true… But it was. The Matron’s gift still hung from the chain around his neck, and he felt it warm against his chest.
[color=1078C7]”And, if I need anything? You’ll do it, right? Can we still get… Y’know, the others? Gameboys, like I asked earlier when we were eating? It’s not fair that Elara had to steal hers…”[/color]

The sweet boy was already thinking of the others in a way that benefitted them too… Fairness and equity. The charitable spirit.

[color=cc6f6f]"Of course. Anything you want, Tesoro, within reason. Gameboys for everyone, any other comforts you want… I’m so proud of you for already thinking about the others. My loving little boy."[/color] Nikki said softly. If only she could do more. Sending material goods was no replacement for being there with him. But there was no choice. 
[color=cc6f6f]"You’ll be taken care of here… Treat them like a second family. But your first will always love you, and I’ll be just a call away."[/color]

Cadenza had approached from behind, crouching down and also hugging around Nikki’s legs… Only, her hug engrossed her consort [i]and[/i] their son in an embrace.
[color=FFB31C]”I’ssa time… Elay, you be strong. Am’a beggin’ here. Tough as’a nails this kid. Capice?”[/color]

Elay nodded in turn, feeling affection like he hadn’t in a long time from the source of their family’s power.
[color=1078C7]”Capice, Matrona… Will you ever visit too?”[/color]

[color=FFB31C]”Unlikely… We leave’a that up to you Momma… But, you visit with Uncle Al? Maybe I see’a you then. Or, maybe you birthday, eh? You know I’mma busy lady.”[/color]

He did. And he could accept it as long as his Momma would really actually come visit like she said. He believed them.
[color=1078C7]”Then I’ll write you letters… I hope you read them.”[/color]
[color=FFB31C]”Every single one. I promise.”[/color]

And then she pulled away, placing a hand on Nikki’s shoulder and whispering something into her ear.
[color=FFB31C]”I see you later, Elay… Remember, goodbye’a forever. You never ever say it unless you’a done with someone! Never ever! So, I see’a you soon enough, eh?”[/color]

The boy had tears streaming again, but at least he wasn’t actively sobbing now.
[color=1078C7]”See you… Later.”[/color]
Cadenza gave the boy a playful salute, turned her back, and disappeared out of the Church within a few steps. This left Elay looking up at Nikki, and he was clearly trying to say something, but was choking on his words regardless.

[color=1078C7]”S-so… S-s-see you, Momma…”[/color]
His hands released Nikki, and his body intentionally drew itself back despite every fiber it was struggling against.
[color=1078C7]”Sooner? Rather than… Later?”[/color]

[color=cc6f6f]"Sooner rather than later,"[/color] Nikki repeated softly, hands falling down to her side. She had to let him go. She couldn’t hinder him as he forced himself away. And she couldn’t drag it out, both for him and her waiting partner.
[color=cc6f6f]"I’ll visit as soon as I can. Be brave, and remember we love you."[/color] Her head turned around to look behind her to where Cadenza had disappeared, before going back to her son. A light, comforting blanket of Pink Lux brushed against him. One last magical hug. For now. 

[color=cc6f6f]"I’ll see you soon."[/color] Still smiling, Nikki took a few steps back. Then she turned around, and was gone.

Elay could only hope that the woman meant him too, but as Eloise and Bryn both approached him to bring him along, it was very clear that wasn’t the case.
[hr]

The pastor led his son out of the church, locking the door on the way out leaving only the leaders of the grove, Uncle Al, the children, and Daniel.  

“Alright, Elay, you ever teleport before,” Daniel asked as he placed on his hips.

Elay nodded.
[color=1078C7]”Yes, Sir… One of the revered Sisters in my Grandmothers’ compound is the Teleportation Mistress responsible for ferrying our chosen to Italy. I’ve done it four times in total.”[/color] Elay spoke plainly, as formally as he possibly could.

“Good,” Jasmine responded, “the location of the grove is a closely guarded secret.  You may never actually learn where it is, and if you do you’d be expected to defend that knowledge with your life,” Jasmine paused as she looked towards Daniel, nodded, and back to Elay, “we’ll travel there now.”

Daniel spread his arms straight forward, extending both pointer fingers out and channeled his magic onto the tip of them.  The teleportation magic was advanced.  It had two components to it.  A powerful masking spell that would make it impossible for anyone to track where they went with any certainty, and a very focused and fast teleportation aspect to it.  Sure, Daniel could teleport faster with normal magic but when it came to the Grove he had to be safe.  He began to move his fingers in a circular motion, one clockwise and the other counter.  As he did this, a solid blue glow emanated from his fingertips that lingered in the air.  He continued the motion until his fingertips touched again and he pulled his hands back.  The blue circle he painted in the air stood still, and Daniel reached into the circle with his right hand and gripped.  Blue streaks shot down and impacted all across his hands, dancing across it like lightning before they burrowed into the hand itself, and the ground rustled as a massive blue circle formed underneath the group.  He pulled his hand back, causing the blue circle to extend with it until it formed a cone like shape.  He thrust his hand back forward and the group was instantly transported to the grove.

The group was in a relatively empty cavern that was illuminated by bioluminescent plant growth along the walls that seemed to rage to life with the arrival of the group.  Even though it did little to truly illuminate the area, it did provide enough to act like a soft night light in a dark area.  Elay would see jagged rocks, shadows, and a complete lack of anything in the nearby area.  The corridor was narrow, no larger than the blue circle that Daniel conjured which indicated that this location was very much well known to Daniel.   Yet he would also see a light down the corridor, and this light would feel both warm and inviting.

“Welcome to the Grove, Elay, hold my hand while we walk to the waters,” Jasmine said as she extended her hand through the darkness and into his field of view.

Elay wasn’t aware of how complicated the magic was… Only that his Momma’s own magic didn’t follow him here, so it had to have been wiped away. Clean slate. But they couldn’t take his inquisitive mind. Couldn’t take the processing power, the ability to detect and discern, and the knowledge he carried with him. As a solitary boy, his main interest was in the treasure of the Earth: Precious metals and minerals. Atomic elements that one could hold and handle, what their properties were, how they developed. He was instructed to, and pushed into such an interest as part of his education to this point.

It was expected that he’d Kindle soon. That the Green Lux inside him would be the main source of his power as a Motta, and that in order to keep up, he had to use more than his personal talent and prowess. He’d need knowledge. To be an expert. To that end, his body was changed and affected daily by his family, opening his third eye before he could speak in full sentences and leaving him beyond a child his age.

Thus, bringing him to a place like this… He couldn’t help but release Jasmine’s hand to stare at the bioluminescent fungal material up close. And with it, he found himself staring at some of the thickest and most comprehensive Anthracite deposits he’d ever seen. This place, the weight on his chest, meant they had to be thousands of feet underground at least. Tens of thousands.

[color=1078C7]”The Grove…”[/color]
Elay turned, eyes wide before he moved back to the group.
[color=1078C7]”It’s all coal! I’ve never seen mushrooms like that in my books!”[/color]

“You’re about to see a lot of stuff that isn’t in any book,” Jasmine said with a smile, “it’s not all coal, mind you.  These caverns stretch for miles, and miles, and some many miles more.  You’d think it would be hard for you to find your way back to the waters but there’s always,” Jasmine paused as she looked ahead towards the light, “a guiding light home.  Can you see it yet?”

Elay looked down the hall, and he could. 
[color=1078C7]”Yes Ma’am… Is it common to make passage down to this place on one’s own? Or, is it just some chance that you may have to travel, and you’d be lost?”[/color] he asked gently, curious of why she would make such a specific mention of the light. And what else would be here that he wouldn’t know about?

Probably plenty… They were already in a subterranean cavern system that, by rights, probably wasn’t a hundred percent naturally made.

“You can travel as much of this place as you want, provided you don’t do so alone.  There is magic in these corridors, magic that has a story to tell even if you’re not ready to listen.  So I ask that you always have a friend with you if you want to explore the caverns beyond the Grove itself,” Jasmine paused as she leaned closer, “as to traveling to the grove alone you won’t learn the location for a while.  The first rule of this order is to never reveal this location, no matter what.  Once you’re old enough you’ll be given the secret knowledge of how to travel here on foot.  Until then, you’ll need to use our teleporters.”

[color=1078C7]”Will I ever be denied passage?”[/color] the boy asked very simply, walking along with the group as best he could without trailing off.
[color=1078C7]”The Earth holds beauty. And if it’s peaceful down here, I’d like to spend a lot of time…”[/color] was his explanation. Definitely didn’t have anything to do with the hunt for naturally occurring crystal formations at this depth. Not diamond hunting.

“Access is open so long as someone is free to take you,” Jasmine chuckled, “I’m sure we’ll be able to work something out so that you can come down as often as possible.  Sound fair?”

[color=1078C7]”Yes Ma’am… And I promise I won’t take advantage of it. Someone says no, I’ll accept it. And I’ll never… Break that promise.”[/color]

“We know you won’t, Little Brother.” Uncle Al spoke calmly from the rear of the group. Everyone could tell he was smiling from ear to ear, probably the most enthused about not being the only one bearing the burden of bridging the two groups.
“Now, be still: The real surprise is up ahead.”

Jasmine motioned for the group to follow and led them down the corridor until they finally arrived at the grove after a series of turns.  Instantly the group was bathed in the most warm of lights that seemed to uplift, and calm all who felt it.  The Grove was the name of the cavern, and it was massive.  It stretched upwards an impossible amount, with the ceiling feeling more like the sky than the top of a mountainous cave.  The walls were far away, and to the engineering mind it would seem like it was impossible for it to hold itself together.  All around the cavern there was yellow paintings that seemed to cover most of the surface areas of the walls and it was this paint like substance that gave off the light and its warmth.  Plants, from trees and bushes to the grass under their feet was everywhere the eye could see.  In the vegetation there were animals, deer and rabbits were common but there was all manner of animals that seemed content to live in perfect harmony regardless of if they were a predator or prey.  There were various waterfalls that fed into numerous open ponds.  It was this water that held the magic, and it was this water that would serve as Elay’s baptism.

“So.  What do you think,” Jasmine asked.

As they came into the cave and Elay’s eyes adjusted, he took in the scent of the Earth itself, the constant rotation of life and death among this magical cavern and the waters within it. It was everywhere, and he felt like he’d been transported to a world from a piece of fiction. Though, now he assumed Orwell was actually onto something.
He stepped ahead slightly, looking around until his gaze finally passed a bit of water that cast a reflection. His eyes were still red, dry from crying so much previously. His jacket was half on, pulled across his chest and perfectly fitted for his small, albeit robust frame, and his hair had become disheveled from the heat of all the people gathered above. 

Now that he was so close, the rushing water was causing enough of a breeze that his hair was being blown in all sorts of directions now. Ultimately, it was pinned back and slicked with a bit of moisture from the water hitting the rocks and misting upward.
[color=1078C7]”It’s… Amazing, Ma’am! Is it all like this? How many chambers could have this kind of life in them?”[/color] the young boy asked, voice full of excitement and wonder. 

“There ain’t as much life outside of the main chamber- but many have their own habitat,” Eloise answered from her place in the middle of the group, hands on Bryn’s shoulders to stop her running on ahead. “And many honor our dead. You gotta respect each you enter.”

[color=1078C7]”You mean like, there’s ghosts down here!? Or… Appa… Apparitions?”[/color] Elay questioned with some amount of panic in his voice.

Eloise laughed lightly. “Not that kinda dead… I’m sure there’s some Apparitions down here, all friendly. I mean graves of Grove members long gone.”

[color=1078C7]”So, it’s like the Catacombs underneath Culla… Where the Matriarchs sleep… Does anyone [i]live[/i] down here? Besides the animals?”[/color] his questions would certainly have no end, so preventing him from asking any would be the only solution.

“They don’t. It ain’t allowed,” Eloise answered, before looking at Jasmine, silently urging her to start the ceremony. She recognised the childish questioning - she’d suffered it enough from her children.

“Come, Elay, let us begin the ceremony,” Jasmine added as she began to walk towards the biggest pool of water in the center of the cavern.  As the group approached Elay would see a horn shaped cup sitting on the side of the pool.  Jasmine reached down and scooped up some of the water with it and held it out.  “Are you ready, young Elay?”

[color=1078C7]”A-am I drinking it!?”[/color] Elay asked with a little bit of panic in his voice.

“Yes.  Don’t worry, you won’t fall ill,” Jasmine chuckled, “the living waters can cure everything, even death in rare cases.  You will likely feel even better after drinking it then you did before.”

[i]Naturally filtered, charcoal caves, silicate undergravel, please God and the Mother Deer, don’t get sick…[/i]
Elay nodded without words and stepped forward, taking the cup from Jasmine and bringing it up to his lips before tucking in.

The water would taste like, well, water.  There was nothing particularly remarkable, even if the taste left a gritty texture on the tongue.  Elay would feel a warmth fall over him like someone wrapped him in the warmest blanket.  It was snug, it was comfy, it was wet.  Elay would quickly realize he was now flowing through the living waters at the center of the grove.  He would see that the Keepers were all around the pond, chanting and calling forth something.  He would not know how much time had passed between that first drink, and the current moment.

[color=90EE90]“A new disciple,”[/color] a strange voice whispered into Elay’s ear, [color=90EE90]“how curious.  It’s been a while since your bloodline crossed through my waters.  What is your name?[/color]. Elay would feel a pressure on his shoulders as if something was placing a hand there to comfort the young boy.  The voice and presence would feel welcoming, and it would carry a feeling that would betray its incredibly old magic.

Elay’s head was echoing now, his brain wriggling in its fluids as it received a message from whatever was being channeled by the Grove members. He’d drank the water so assuredly, and of course it’d be something far more than what he imagined. It was incredible… And now there was this [i]thing[/i] in his brain. Speaking. Comforting. He did not weep, but once again tears fell from his eyes.

[color=1078C7]”W-what… Oh… Oh, they… I didn’t think getting sacrificed would feel so nice…”[/color] Elay groaned.

A coy, cute, laugh would filter from one ear to the next as The Entity found the comment humorous, and waves of warm and happy emotions would flood over Elay.  [color=90EE90]“You’re not here to die, young disciple, you’re here to be reborn,”[/color] The Entity clarified, [color=90EE90]“do you often use humor to deflect from your scary thoughts and feelings?”[/color] 

[color=1078C7]”I didn’t tell a joke…”[/color] Elay’s little voice echoed upward toward the ceiling of the cavern. He was genuinely concerned thanks to the eerie nature of the transition.
[color=1078C7]”But… Reborn? Like the Matriarchs? Like the butterfly from the chrysalis? Please, it’s okay! I promise, if you ask my Ma, she’ll do whatever you want to make it right for you!”[/color]

“Oh he’s talking to the water now,” Jasmine said to the group.  While Elay thought he was talking coherently, to everyone present it would sound like he was mumbling nonsense.

[color=90EE90]“Reborn as a keeper!  You are a sacred warrior!  Someone destined for greatness.  Are you ready?”[/color] 

Elay’s body outwardly twisted, reacting to the invasion of this mysterious force with undirected convulsions and the occasional mumbling gibberish.
[color=1078C7]”No! No, no I’m not! What about Momma? And Our Lady? They never said this would happen, I was just supposed to live here! W-what about the Holiest Mother Deer? The Matriarch, and the faith! I’m…”[/color]

Making a lot of excuses. Elay found himself absolutely terrified by the prospect, but totally unable to avoid what was happening. It was all so real, and worse, overwhelmingly powerful.

[color=90EE90]“Don’t worry, my little guardian.  You are home.  You are safe.”[/color] 

Struggling, all Elay could do was exactly what his Momma had told him. Be brave. So he tensed up, took a deep breath, and spoke as calmly as he could.
[color=1078C7]”F-fine! Do… Do whatever you’re gonna do! Just, don’t make me forget my family!”[/color]

[color=90EE90]“We will never take that from you.”[/color] 

The words echoed in Lazarus’ mind. Over and over, he imagined the faces that had surrounded him through his life to that point. Each sister, even Big Momo whom he’d only seen twice in person, the many servants and members of the Twin Hills Coven. His grandmothers. The Matriarch herself… 
But all faded away to that one single face. The one tender, with love and joy in her eyes. The thousand on thousand mornings of waking up and walking into the kitchen for their morning gathering, just to be embraced by her arms and held there for a moment longer than the others. The special love between a boy and his mother. He didn’t want to lose it. Didn’t want to lose them.

A memory of the “best day ever” crossed through his head in a final overwhelming gut punch. A single wailing sob rose up from the deep green pool… Then, everything went up in a deep emerald flare, the edges of the Luxal outburst not fading into dull pink, but rather shattering the light from one color into the other. The vacuum it caused rocked the ceiling above the pools, causing little debris bits to crash down toward the floor. The green colors formed a stable platform upon which pink fractals danced and sputtered across the cave’s roof. 
Magic poured into the boy, whose body was primed and waiting for the right supernatural nudge to awaken itself. The many machinations of Cadenza and Nikkita Motta had paid off, the sheer amount of Lux crowding the boy’s influence showing the fruits of their labor in real time. 

Deeper, far below the pools in the dumping basin of the caverns, a nightmare perceived time in slow drips as it caught up to the present perceived in its mind. A moment of the future perfectly perceived from so many years before. A way out. The time to leave was rapidly approaching, and massive paws gripped at the soft moss beneath them in little massaging motions. 

[color=FF8604][i]Just a little more patience…[/i][/color][hr]
[indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/AhVmyFc.png[/img]
[hider=Mood Music][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TJ89C3Uu40[/youtube][/hider][/center][right][h1][color=0D6793]Elay[/color][/h1][/right][/indent]
[right][code]Present Day - Bridge District, Northside - Elay’s Apartment[/code][/right]
[i]Cold roads walked alone in the morning,
Whose cobbled steps hardly add up.
If I asked you to love me again and again,
Would you free me from these chains?

Mourning, grief is sticky with a dead tree’s last tears,
And things are worse than yesterday.
Crawl like a snake into the pot,
And boil off the worst of it.

But it burns.
The worst is yet to come.
Whether or not legs will be there to stand on?
Is anyone’s guess.[/i]

Elay laid bare in that dark room, staring up at the ceiling fan and feeling every little pain in his body. The last bottle was empty, and Loretta was home for the weekend on family business. Not that she ever got him more booze anyway; said she wouldn’t be caught dead buying that much alcohol from a liquor store. He offered more money all the time, but she wouldn’t budge. 

[i]Fine.[/i] 
Probably better that way. He needed her good image in places like the post office, or the dry cleaner’s. Places where her charms could get things cheaper, or special offers on the side that others didn’t get. That’s really what he paid her for, so… Whatever she thought helped. But that meant he had to get up. That meant he had to… [i]Be out.[/i] So, what was the point in being out if he didn’t make the most of it? Transport the shit in the trunk and go check out the board? No. No way. 

But…

His torso lifted almost of its own volition. Like something else was calling him out there into the dark. But he didn’t want to. He wanted to die in this box, quiet and spared of all the noise and the fuss. The faces that didn’t know what was happening under their feet to keep them propped up. They didn’t know what it took to make something actually happen. He did… But what did he do with the knowledge? What [i]could[/i] he do?

Scars on scars lined his body where the wounds had been worst. Total amputations. Wounds that would’ve killed him had he been any other [i]thing[/i] besides whatever freak he was. Hands were swiped away and put back so many times he had a hard time remembering now. The right leg. Entire torso chunks. They still ached and stung after a decent bender, as dehydrated as he managed to get himself…
Standing wasn’t a great idea. Even his reinforced body had a hard time dealing with the lack of nutrients and actual water in his blood. It was a miracle he made it up to his feet and out of his bedroom.

The place was immaculate, which meant she [i]still[/i] had someone else come to make sure things got cleaned. Which is also what he paid her for… She could afford to live in one of the smaller apartment complexes down on the actual front of the river, which Elay would’ve if he didn’t also need the office… This setup was just convenient, so here he was in this big apartment. With nobody. Just himself, the ghost in the shell as he was. There was a sorrow to it, but in the same breath, he felt it was the prison he deserved.

More than they got. More than he could give them. More than he deserved. A reminder that he was smaller than the things around him no matter what. That he was less than. The gilded cage was a mockery of his miniscule place. The servant that brought home the money to feed the beast day in and day out. And that beast was on the counter, massive orange paw scooping out of a lasagna pan.

[color=FF8604]”Ooooh… Whatever your sister’s been doing with this crème sauce? Please tell her to put more into the mixture next time. The texture is like velvet, and the way it brightens up the flavor of the tomato is a brilliantly refreshing kick to my palette.”[/color]

The cat’s face was totally covered in Lasagna, and his tail wagged back and forth in a rapid fashion as big yellow eyes stared with playful interest at Elay.

[color=0D6793]”Gaaaaarf… I was thinking about that one…”[/color] he groaned, shaking his head. 
The lasagna certainly had been something he was considering. A nice big slice in the oven while he brewed some coffee to try and feel like a normal person. 

[color=0D6793][i]Normal… Yeah. Normal.[/i][/color]

[color=FF8604]”Having a hard day today, Kitten?”[/color] the cat mocked, hearing every single one of Elay’s internal thoughts. The depression was normal, so Garf wasn’t entirely concerned.

[color=0D6793]”Don’t condescend to me, asshole. I’ll toss you out the window again. Right into the river.”[/color] Elay grunted, moving toward the espresso machine and beginning the intricate process of busting out a double shot. 

It wasn’t so much the coffee itself, as the caffeine had little to no practical effect on him. Rather, the ritual of doing so, symbolizing the first thing actually done after what one would consider a “sleep period” to be. He didn’t sleep like others. It came in small waves, never dipping below a certain level of consciousness. Before, it’d been maintained magically through a Pink and Green spell that flushed all of his bodily chemicals in a single piss. Any unnecessary acidic buildup from sleep deprivation or overexertion of the muscles came out with a single bottle of water. He hadn’t slept for an entire month during one operation.

But now it came from the beast. The Master. With him, the agreement was simple. Sleep once a week, but [i]he[/i] could be free to roam.
 Sometimes, Elay wanted to say the Cat’s real name just to make him antsy. He knew he could, but the action had to be spontaneous. It couldn’t be premeditated, otherwise the subject of the prank knew what was coming. So he just kept his mouth shut and continued to pour his espresso, the two accepting a mutual ceasefire for now.

Because as much as Garf loved messing around, Elay [i]could[/i] get him into the river. And he wouldn’t have much of a shot of transforming to get out of it, as Elay was in possession of the majority stock at the moment. Fresh off a meal, Garf’s lethargic temperament only sealed the deal. Cordiality it was.

[color=FF8604]”It’s good you’re up. You’d be proud, when the cleaning woman came I didn’t even [i]actually[/i] mess with her. I mean, I kept moving furniture around, but nothing too extreme. She was getting pretty mad though, I don’t know what Loretta told her to get her to work here, but-”[/color]

[color=0D6793]”Garf… I don’t want to know, man.”[/color]

[color=FF8604]”Fine!-”[/color] Garf responded dejectedly.
[color=FF8604]”-To business it is, since you don’t want to joke around! That woman came by. I posed as you and got the scoop. Apparently the last credit card purchase was at Walter, Fiskin and Devons for a few thousand smacks. The hard part now is that the old woman said Ol’ Billy also snagged a few hundred grand out of an Express account they shared. Apparently a lot of it was their emergency money.”[/color]

As Garf spoke, Elay was accepting the information both verbally and between their minds as something close to a recollection. After all, his body [i]had[/i] been used. He was technically present at these meetings. Probably reeked of alcohol too, which definitely didn’t go well with this dandy lady he’d been dealing with.

[color=0D6793]”So there’s a paper trail. Awesome. Did he do it himself, or by proxy?”[/color] he asked, the final seconds of the pull on his coffee giving way to a moment of silence.

[color=FF8604]”Seems to be him. Someone reported him using the bills to the authorities in the South. There was actually a responding officer who supposedly confirmed that it was William Finkle, and that the money was legitimate. Gave some phony excuse for being down there, like he was looking at property renovation or something else.”[/color]

Elay was hearing Garf’s voice, but it’s like he was sitting there at his desk talking to the woman again… And it was [i]awful.[/i] She went on and on about things in droll. 

[color=0D6793]”Do we have a number? Precinct? Any actual information?”[/color]

In Elay’s mind, he could see the woman turning over some scribbled piece of sheet paper. He reached back into his pocket and pulled it out, then nodded and went for his phone. Only, when he picked it up, it vibrated back at him. 
[i]15 Missed Calls[/i]. At least none of them-
He stared daggers down at the phone. Five missed from Elara. Another three from Bryn… [i]Seven from Moriah.[/i] There was no way in Hell he was returning that one. But, Bryn? She was [i]technically[/i] his Coven Matron.

So was Moriah, but… She was also his sister, and probably wanted to beat him up for past dues. And also hated him… So why was she calling? Why had all three of these-
His hands were already moving. The phone came up to his ear.

Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Ri-

[color=0D6793]”Bryn…”[/color] his voice echoed through the phone line.

[color=b23b07]"Fuckin’ took you long enough, Elay,"[/color] came the responding grunt from Bryn on the other end of the line. 
[color=b23b07]"Y’better not’ve been drownin’ in a bottle- fuck, I ain’t callin’ to lecture you… though I’d ‘preciate you not droppin’ off the face of the earth. You still run that detective agency, right?"[/color]
 
She knew him too well. He didn’t need the lecture. 

[color=0D6793]”What I do is for my own safety. I won’t let anyone take Garf, and I won’t let you lull me in, Bryn. Yes, I’m still a [i]Private Investigator[/i]. If I was a detective, I’d be a fuckin’ cop. Why, you need me to sniff something out for you? I won’t charge if you guarantee me fifteen minutes of safety passing through Raven’s Rest to visit Ma’s grave.”[/color]

The paranoia was still so real in his mind. One of the many reasons for the cage; to protect his only chance at the truth from the Coven that kept him as a prisoner for so long. They’d surely try and lock him up again, and Elay along with him if things got to that. 

[color=b23b07]"I don’t give a fuck about the fucking cat, Elay! And you have [i]safe[/i] passage in Raven’s Rest [i]all the fucking time[/i]! [i]Please[/i] visit her grave. Visit all of them."[/color] There was an edge of frustration to Bryn’s voice, from an argument had too many times. But also a subtle wavering behind it.
[color=b23b07]"Yeah, I need you to sniff somethin’ out, but I ain’t payin’ for it with somethin’ you already [i]have[/i]. I’ll scrape together the cash… And I keep tellin’ you, you ain’t a fuckin’ outsider. I don’t care if you ain’t doing your fuckin’ duties or if you stole a fuckin’ cat."[/color]

[color=0D6793]”Just… Spit it out, Bryn. I don’t want your money, you’re my Sister for fuck’s sake.”[/color]
He didn’t want to have the argument either. He didn’t want to talk about how if she didn’t hold any standards to anything, then the Grove truly was dead. Because if it wasn’t, she’d want Garf locked back up… Because he was a part of the ecosystem down there. He played a role, despite his status as a prisoner.

That if she didn’t care, then why should he? They should all put themselves to the pyre and let it burn away.

[color=0D6793]”And tell me that Elara was callin’ me over the same shit.”[/color] 

[color=b23b07]"You got a funny way of treatin’ me like your sister,"[/color] Bryn let out a short laugh.
[color=b23b07]"She will be… I dunno if it’s reached you, but there’s been a buncha shit for us at home. Monster incursions everywhere- today we fought a face stealer. Fuckin’ got Bill… And John’s sure there’s gonna be more. All comin’ from the West. Like somethin’s pushin’ em outta the mountain. We ain’t got the people to [i]follow[/i] it. That’s why I’m callin’- and Elara too."[/color] 

[color=0D6793]”And let me guess… You went to [i]Moriah[/i] to try and find me. ‘Cuz now she’s fuckin’ blown up my phone too, and I woke up to fifteen missed fuckin’ calls between the three of you! And you don’t lead off with Bill being gone? What the fuck, Bryn?”[/color]

This all sounded like what an Elay in the Service would’ve dealt with. It sounded like a four-years-ago Elay problem. One that required a rifle, and gear, and a helicopter full of people equipped like that, and heavy ordinance on the helicopter, and air support for the forest terrain, and napalm to burn the woods down, an-


[color=b23b07]"Look, I’ve had to deal with enough shit that you’re gonna have to [i]forgive[/i] me for gettin’ side tracked by you yellin’ at me."[/color] Bryn’s eye rolling was practically audible.
[color=b23b07]"I [i]didn’t[/i] go to Mo to try’n find you. I’ve got you’re fuckin’ number! I went to Mo cause she’s our [i]ally[/i] and we need all the fuckin’ help we can get. She told me she wasn’t gonna fuckin’ call you… So don’t blame that on me."[/color] 

There was a deep breath, though the following words weren’t any less sharp.
[color=b23b07]"If you don’t wanna help cause she’s involved, that’s fine. We’ll stop whatever this is. I’ll protect the fuckin’ town with my life if I have too."[/color] 

[color=0D6793]”Oh, sure… Big, Bad Bryn! Grove Matron! Doesn’t want Little Elay involved, ‘cuz he bailed out when it counted, right? Go ahead, blame me for what happened like everyone else does behind my back. How I wasn’t there… Garf told me! He told me I was right!”[/color]
Elay was a sick man… Sick with grief. Anything to avoid seeing those people again. But, he couldn’t avoid it. Not because it was impossible, but because there was a Cat staring at him.

A beast that stared deeply into his eyes and knew every single thought he had. Every. Single. Thought.

[color=FF8604][i]Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. Repent. Repent. Repent. Repent.[/i][/color]

[color=0D6793]”Just tell me where I should start, oh great Coven Matron… How may I [i]serve our Mother Deer?[/i]”[/color] he sarcastically huffed through the microphone of his phone. 

[color=b23b07]"If I didn’t want you involved I wouldn’t have fuckin’ called you!"[/color] Bryn snapped, volume rising. She really did love Elay, under all her gruff layers, but it didn’t change the fact they’d always clashed. And when he was like [i]this[/i]. 
[color=b23b07]"The cat’s lying to you. Nobody fuckin’ blames you! D’you really think that? Y’think I blame anybody but myself? That I want to be shouldering all these fuckin’ responsibilities [i]again[/i]? I don't blame you for [i]anything[/i]. I just wish you’d come home for once!"[/color]

Her breathing was heavier, easy to hear even through the phone. Pissed, upset… the latter a reaction not so many could get out of her.
[color=b23b07]"I ain’t orderin’ you to do anythin’. Y’know that ain’t how we do things in the Grove… Just help if you can."[/color]

[color=0D6793]”If the cat’s a liar, then what good are we to you?”[/color]
He didn’t want this. He didn’t want to push her away. He wanted to scream and cry and beg for forgiveness, but she didn’t have the time. Never did. And she expressed it every time he tried… Or, that’s how he felt. 

He wanted to deserve love. Maybe this would help. Maybe she’d have a reason, instead of just trying to convince him that things were fine between them just because they had this premade relationship. He couldn’t believe that there wasn’t some level of hatred for what he had, and hadn’t, done.

[color=0D6793]”’Cuz I can only assume you want me to ask him… I ain’t no Ranger; goin’ up into the hills and roundin’ the other side to hide in a deer blind ain’t really what I trained for in the Army.”[/color]
Yes it was. That was, more or less, what the first two years of his service involved. Scouting and recon, typically behind enemy lines. Hunting for supernatural targets, killing them and escaping.

[color=b23b07]"I want you to look into it however you see fit! If you gotta ask the cat… fine. I [i]trust[/i] you, not it. But you can choose which one of us to believe…"[/color] She sounded almost… dejected. But probably not, right? Not Bryn. 
[color=b23b07]"Help us figure it out, and stand with us if somethin’ big comes, got it?"[/color]

There was a long pause. Long. Like he’d hung up.

[color=0D6793]”Meet me in the Core. Three days from now. I need to get some sitting money together before I can dedicate myself, but we need to meet in person. I need your Recollection, so I can see exactly what it is you saw. Unless… You’re… Are you still in the city?”[/color] he asked pensively.

[color=b23b07]"I ain’t, unfortunately. Left soon as I finished my power nap- y’know I hate the fuckin’ city,"[/color] Bryn grumbled, as if they hadn’t basically been arguing moments before.
[color=b23b07]"Three days, sure… y’know that's Thanksgiving, right? May as well join us this year if you’re in the area."[/color]

[color=0D6793][i]Thanks… Giving?[/i][/color]
His stomach dropped out again. Was it [i]really[/i] that late in November? Everything was due soon… He needed a score [i]badly.[/i]
[color=0D6793]”Shit… Fine. Can’t avoid it, huh? It’d only look worse if I did.”[/color]

He took a deep breath.
[color=0D6793]”How… How was Mo? Should I call her back?”[/color] he asked somberly.
[color=0D6793]”I’ll definitely call Elara. Let her know I’m okay. What about Bill’s ceremony? Did you already-”[/color]

Maybe not her… He hoped she didn’t have to bury anyone else. Prayed that John got it.

[color=b23b07]"There was none of him left,"[/color] Bryn said, voice getting quieter. A moment where her own grief was clear in her voice, before it returned to its normal stable practicality.
[color=b23b07]"I’ll be holding it tonight and making his grave stone, even if there’s nothing to bury. He deserves it."[/color] 

She was silent for a moment. 
[color=b23b07]"As for Mo… she was pissed because the creatures got near her… [i]stuff[/i]. Only reason she was worried in the first place. I ain’t gonna butt into y’all’s relationship, you choose whether to call her or not. Elara, yeah, call her."[/color] 

Stuff… Lugar Apartado. The Quiet Places. There was a brief time where he knew what was happening because he was actually helping her. Before a little tiff sent him packing… On the one hand, he understood why she was worried, but on the other hand, he was sad that it was all she cared about to begin with. Her loss had truly done something to her, he felt.

[color=0D6793]”I’ll give Elara a call… Set the altar. I’m… I’m on the case, Bryn. See you Thursday. And send me a picture of a piece of paper. Written text stating that Garf and I are safe to enter Raven’s Rest… It needs to be contractual, and it needs to have your signature. [i]Please…[/i]”[/color]

He felt stupid asking, but Garf’s face fixed itself back to the normal everyday cat when he mentioned a contract. So, he could only assume the beast was pleased by the prospect.

[color=b23b07]"Yeah, yeah, whatever it takes to get you to visit,"[/color] Bryn agreed easily enough. 
[color=b23b07]"S’long as you can read my writin’, and don’t mind waitin’ for me to figure out how to send a picture with this damn thing."[/color]

[color=0D6793]”The cat could read a baby’s scribbles and translate it. You’ve got three days… It’s the first condition of our contract for this job. The case. I’ll talk to you soon.”[/color]

Then he closed the phone, snapping it shut and disconnecting the call. Opening it back up immediately, he went to call Elara next, but something had to be taken care of first. He needed to catch up with this lead. It seemed too good to pass up.

[hr]
[right][code]Southside, 15th Ward "Junglelands" - Westwood Precinct[/code][/right]

Elay’s fingers tapped on the Sergeant’s desk as he waited for the man to return with some files and hopefully a little more coffee. He hadn’t had enough this morning, and once he’d had the taste for the day he couldn’t get enough. Dark and bitter as possible… A simple thing he figured anyone could deliver on. This is where the number he’d called led him, all the way across the bridge and into the relative horror of the 15th Ward. One of the cheapest, dingiest and most dangerous neighborhoods in the city, and one he found himself in more frequently than he ever thought he would. 

Granted, that was comforting. When he pulled out the note and recognized not only the name, but the phone number to call, he knew this wasn’t going to be too difficult to follow up with. There was a click, and Elay turned to see John Mackey. “Two Leaf Clover” they called him. Ginger black dude, Mother was a famous performer who settled down in Cloverfield and married a then Detective Daniel Mackey. Few years later, he was police commissioner for the entire city, and was for most of John’s childhood.

Until the scandal burst open that he was connected to the Irish Mafia… Now poor John was down here trying to do the right thing, instead of living in the Gilded Cage pretending that nothing had happened like his mother still did. Elay had done a case for her, and in turn got to know John on a more personal level. Knew the whole family’s dirty laundry.

“So… This Finkle guy. Just… A runaway?” John asked Elay as he set the coffee down on the desk and rounded it to his own chair. In his free hand that wasn’t holding his own coffee, he had a thin file folder.

[color=0D6793]”Yeah. Carmella Finkle, formerly Carmella D’Angenella?-”[/color] Elay’s voice echoed gently, dropping the name of the D’Angenella crime family.
[color=0D6793]”-She’s the wife… She’s uh… Looking to get divorced. Legally. I assume whatever the play is, going through legal channels is a lot easier for her to deal with than whatever alternative she could scrounge up.”[/color]

John nodded in return, nose and eyebrows scrunching together into a thinking man’s scowl.
“Well then… No need to play around with that sort of thing, right? Here’s what I’ve got on Finkle-”

He placed the folder down on the table and split it open. It was an incident report, and a statement taken in Finkle’s own handwriting. That was useful. So was John’s head. Using the hand-written notation as an anchor, and John’s mundane and blind brain as a source, He very quickly compiled a set of memory snaps of the event from John’s response.

[color=0D6793]”Who's the girl, John?”[/color] he asked quietly.

Almost in a trance, John’s response was equally calm and quiet.

“Not sure. Never gotten a name. Seen her around a couple months at least though. Frequents the Bully, pretty sure she’s shacked up at the Deciduous.”

Deciduous Apartments… Not a place he stuck his nose in. Older building, complex like a maze of stairs and halls. Practically non-euclidian. Probably wouldn’t be too hard to fortify, however. At least in small sections.

[color=0D6793]”Any reason she was with William?”[/color]

“He’s been rolling his train in and out of every station that’ll take him. This is the only time I’ve had an interaction with him, but for the past week or so he’s been divvying out cash up and down the Bull for every Jane and Jill interested.”

The Bull, or Bully, was Tauro Boulevard, the main stretch of activity here in the 15th Ward. It didn’t narrow things down too high, but he had other contacts up and down that would be able to point him in the right direction reliably. And, he had her face in his head. If he didn’t see the so-called “Billy Pears” in the flesh, he was sure that he’d at least find [i]her.[/i]