[right][code]Home > Leon's Apartment[/code][/right]
Finally, the day of Thanksgiving arrived. 

Unfortunately for Trisha and her nerves, along with general feelings towards the day, Casey had to be up and out early. Not [i]as[/i] early as his commencement ceremony… But early enough that Trisha was just dragging herself out of bed in order to get dressed as he left.

Getting ready wasn’t so much of an ordeal as then either. The event was more casual, supposedly… Leaving her to figure out something that wasn’t so fancy, but still nice enough she wouldn’t have to deal with extra comments from Tansy about how she looked. 

In the end, she settled for a simple looking, jade green halter neck dress. The bodice was fit close to her body thanks to a thin, horizontal piece of pleated fabric acting as a ‘belt’ that cinched it at her waist. From there the skirts fell in multiple layers to her knees. When the chiffon that made the dress caught the light at certain angles it caused a two tone effect, areas shining a brighter, more emerald green. While it didn’t look like anything too special, anyone with any knowledge about fashion would know just how high quality it was.

Accessories were kept minimal. A simple, thin gold chain necklace, slender emerald drop earrings in the main lobe piercing with the others left as simple gold hoops. The only ring she wore was the ancestral one, with her engagement ring back in its box with Casey for later. Makeup was more coverage than normal, without being as all out as she would go for a properly formal event. Most of her time was concentrated on doing her eyes in shimmering shades of green that matched the dress, and delicate eyeliner that flicked out. A matte, brown-pink lipstick finished everything off. 

When she was done… Trisha didn’t particularly want to hang around their home alone. Not today. Not when it was a day she normally hated, and was kind of dreading. There would be nice parts, sure, but the majority of it involved dealing with family and other people. Pretending to be someone else…  

But she had an out. Cass was still staying at the Cannery, and would be alone too, since Leon was also attending the earlier ceremonies. It meant she’d be awake too, even though it was still early in the morning. 

And Trisha had to tell her about the [i]engagement[/i]. 

Grabbing a simple black handbag, and pulling on a dark wool coat, she headed out of their rooftop house. It had been a while since she had to go down by herself. Her and Casey had practically been glued to each other the last week, even with everything they had to do. At least if he left without her she normally just stayed curled up at home… 

But it was fine. She wasn’t that dependent on him. It was just because of what day it was. She knew she wasn’t going to be alone for the rest of it. He was literally going to propose to her! So why did she feel so much dread? 

At least when she was with Cass she’d be too overwhelmed to even think of anything! It’d be fine. She’d hang out with Cass, make sure she didn’t immediately text Leon, then go to the venue with Ed… Perfect… 

Trisha managed a preparatory smile combined with an eye roll, the Cass reaction classic, as she reached the main door to Leon’s basement apartment, raising a hand to rap it loudly.

There was a couple of humorous howls on the other end of the door, then some shuffling from behind its heavy wooden grain before a voice came through pretty clearly.
[color=66bb6a]”Well hot damn!”[/color]

The door swung open immediately, the peephole having been utilized to the fullest extent. On the other side was not [i]just[/i] Cass, but also Ed herself! Still dressed in her morning clothing, which wound up not being much at all safe for a crop top and a pair of fairly small shorts, she was holding a big cup of coffee. The milky white visage of Serenity curled out from around the top of the door frame as well, a smile on her ghastly white face.

[color=ded2b8]”Miss Trisha!”[/color] she waved one little hand.

[color=66bb6a]”Check it out, Cass! Look whose all dolled up before we even get dressed… You [i]must[/i] be bored up there, huh? Want some coffee, Trisha?”[/color] Ed offered, spinning on her heel and heading back down the main hall. 

Trisha had frozen mid eyeroll when the door was opened by someone she hadn’t expected. Maybe she should’ve expected her? After all, Mia and Hari were also out. 

[color=d1b300]“Uh- Morning Ed, Serenity. Sure, I’d like a coffee.”[/color] She followed behind Ed, brain stalling for a moment as she tried to figure out what to do. How did she tell Cass about the engagement now? She couldn’t ask Ed to leave… That would be rude, and unfair. She liked Ed enough to not want to do that. Did she just… tell her too? Would Casey be alright with that?

She didn’t get much time to get lost in her thoughts, because as soon as she was within sight, Cass hopped up and over the back of the large couch she’d been lounging on. 

[color=629c3f]”[i]Trisssshhhaaa![/i]”[/color] Cass practically tackled Trisha. It was done with careful controlled magic, making sure all the burden was on Cass- a tight, leaping hug that barely moved Trisha, and didn’t ruin her perfectly put together clothes. 

[color=629c3f]”Fuck, you look good! I didn’t expect to see you so soon… Ed said you were going to the fancy Thanksgiving place together, but I didn’t think that was for ages. Wait!”[/color] Cass pulled back from the hug with a grin.
[color=629c3f]”Is it cause you missed me? Awww, you’re so sweet!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Let go of me- I’m just here because I’m bored, like Ed said. Not because of you.”[/color] Trisha completed her frozen eyeroll. 

Cass laughed, letting go of her and bouncing back. She wasn’t any more dressed than Ed- wearing about the same, with a white sports bra and shorts. It was a sight Trisha was used to after a couple of years living together. 

[color=629c3f]”Ohhh, d’you hear that, Ed? Trisha’s bored enough to bless us with her presence. Ain’t that nice?”[/color]

[color=66bb6a]”Dude! Me and the little one are both stoked, honestly. I’ve been so busy doing the sheets and financial shit for the feast that I’ve barely had the time to come up and visit the Greenhouse. Nice to have you down here.”[/color] Ed smiled warmly, redirecting things to Trisha as she made for the pot of coffee.

[color=66bb6a]”How d’you like your sludge, T? Sweet as you?”[/color] she playfully flirted, as she did with pretty much everyone she’d ever met. It was simply in her nature.

Trisha laughed, finding herself relaxing a bit now that she was in company. It was chill company, at least… Well Cass wasn’t exactly chill. Maybe easy was a better word for it. So she wasn’t even bothered by the flirting… 
[color=629c3f]”No, actually, just lots of milk.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”She’s gotta dampen that sweetness, or everyone’d be falling head over heels for her!”[/color] Cass laughed, urging Trisha over to the couch to sit down. 

It was a bit strange. The last time she was here was that first night with Casey. The start of everything…
[color=d1b300]“I’ve been pretty busy too… I [i]really[/i] regret offering up my honey for the festival! Between gathering that and helping Casey plan everything, it’s been a bit of a nightmare. It’s nice to have a bit of time before the actual event… Yesterday was a [i]lot[/i] too.”[/color] 

Ed’s heart skipped a beat thinking about what she’d heard. But, the ever-circulating rumor mill that was the Lynette-to-Mia pipeline didn’t leave her much room for guesses. So, rather than blurt out what she thought she knew, she took the extra second to fabricate a better-

[color=ded2b8]”Those people yesterday! Ma’s grandparents, right!?”[/color] Serenity blurted out excitedly. 

As things went, they weren’t just Mia’s grandparents. Maxwell and Sylvie were Ed’s great Aunt and Uncle. Generations and marriages of branch lines separated them, but they’d never treated her [i]or[/i] Serenity with anything but actual kindness and grace. Even when she was a little girl, the few times she’d met them made them feel almost mythical.

So rather than scoff at her sweet little Casper for blowing her cover, she decided to play dumb and hope Trisha would just assume that Serenity had been haunting the halls while Ed had been sleeping. It wasn’t uncommon to leave the building and run into her pale form playing some kind of make-believe near the elevators.

[color=66bb6a]”Grandparents? You met Max and Sylvie!?”[/color] Ed questioned with great and purposeful excitement, conjuring all the real feelings of magic she had toward them.

Ed filled the cup to the top with milk after pouring the coffee, then sipped a little off the top to replace it with more milk. [color=66bb6a][i]Perfect![/i][/color] Making her way back to hand off, she raised her eyebrows.

[color=66bb6a]”Crazy old bats, I hear! I haven’t actually seen them in some years now, but I’ve got good memories. Aunty Sylvie used to wear these crazy earrings, and as a little kid I always wanted to eat the jewels on ‘em.”[/color] she admitted through a blush.

Trisha smiled at that, reaching out to take the cup of coffee with a thanks. She didn’t have any memories like that with her own family, but it was nice to hear about Ed’s. Before, she might’ve been more jealous… But since the Adjoined meeting a couple of weeks back, she understood Ed a bit more. Sympathised, at least. 

[color=d1b300]“Yeah, they were pretty crazy… No edible looking earrings, though. Sylvie saturated a few things in our apartment with Orange Lux to pour herself a glass of wine…”[/color] Trisha shook her head, taking a sip of her coffee. It was good. Exactly how she liked it.

[color=629c3f]”Like… Controlled the glass and bottle, telekinesis style? That’s pretty sound!”[/color] Cass watched Trisha with rapt attention, while absolutely ripping into a whole loaf of bread. With nothing on it. Like an absolute animal. 

[color=629c3f]”This magic shit, huh? Always amazes me.”[/color] As she said that Cass glanced up past the people, looking over at Serenity with a grin. So far, she hadn’t treated the little ghost as anything but a real child… Though she was incredibly fascinated by her. A whole being made out of magic! It was pretty cool. 

Trisha laughed slightly.
[color=d1b300]“It gets annoying after a while… But they were nice. At least, I could see how much they loved Casey. I could kind of get over Sylvie’s questioning because of that. And she made something… nice… for both of us.”[/color]

Ed [i]knew[/i] what Sylvie was famous for. The kinds of enchanted accessories that you saw in video games… The ones that give your character ten in every stat and have a cooldown that makes you invincible for thirty seconds. The ones that wound up in the plots of faerie tales as the object of obsession. Her face was agape with shock imagining whatever the fuck it possibly could’ve been.

[color=66bb6a]”Dude! You know [i]she[/i] made Leon’s collar? The thing that can bind and manipulate Lady Lelou?! Holy shit, dude, what is it!? A necklace for the Queen? Or, something to protect you from the Wolf dude?!”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Holy shit, she made the collar- Fuck, that’s awesome! What is it, Trish, c’mon!”[/color] Cass was immediately excited too, leaning in towards Trisha.

[color=d1b300]“It’s nothing that exciting.”[/color] Trisha’s free hand rubbed the back of her neck. It wasn’t magical. It definitely wasn’t as interesting as either of those suggestions. She hadn’t known Sylvie made Leon’s collar… But she should’ve guessed she made proper Artifacts. Casey had said she was a Grandmaster Adept. 

[color=629c3f]”So? What is it?!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I- Before I say, you both have to promise something.”[/color] Trisha looked at Cass, then Ed. Honestly… She trusted Ed more than she did Cass when it came to this. Ed didn’t seem the type to immediately spread information. Not that Cass was a gossip, she just couldn’t contain her excitement in that way. 
[color=d1b300]“You [i]can’t[/i] tell Leon, Cass. Not right away. And can you not tell Mia and Hari too, Ed? Please?”[/color]

Ed’s face became wide like a saucer, all openings growing in width as anticipation became everything but exact knowledge. Speculation, prediction down to the littlest differences. What it could possibly be… But if they were swearing to secrecy?

[color=66bb6a]”Ren!? That means you too, sweetheart! No whispering, do you hear Mum?”[/color]
There couldn’t be a leak. This information had to stay between them until whenever Trisha decided it could. That meant zero tolerance for ghastly gal shenanigans.

[color=ded2b8]”Mummy, I hate secrets!”[/color] she replied, falling back on her mimed accent picked up from Cass. It was almost an exact copy, very closely sounding like someone Cass could’ve hung out with in the old neighborhood.

[color=66bb6a]”But you’ll keep it won’t you? For Auntie T?”[/color]

If a ghost could blush, she would’ve. Coyly, Serenity twisted her head.


[color=ded2b8]”Fiiiiiine… I promise not to tell.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Thank you… You won’t have to keep it for long, don’t worry.”[/color] Trisha smiled at the little ghost girl. Then her head turned around to stare at Cass.

Cass had been caught up in laughing at Serenity’s perfectly imitated accent, something that never failed to amuse her. But as Trisha’s gaze turned to her, she immediately snapped to attention. She slammed a hand onto her chest. 
[color=629c3f]”I swear on my life, Trisha, I won’t tell Leon. Look! I’ll even turn off my phone.”[/color]

Trisha resisted rolling her eyes as Cass did just that, knowing she’d turn it back on as soon as she was alone and bored… But it shouldn’t be a problem. She had a way to redirect her. And she appreciated her wanting to try… She knew Cass would try her hardest to keep it secret. 

[color=d1b300]“Alright… It’s, well…”[/color] Trisha’s cheeks heated up and she stared down at her coffee. This was harder than she’d expected. If she had the ring, she could’ve just flashed it without having to say it. It was so easy to talk about with Casey, but as soon as it was other people? It just felt so personal… 

[color=d1b300]“Casey and I are getting engaged. Technically he already proposed last week but… He’s going to do it properly today, with the ring that Sylvie made. In front… of everyone…”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”[b]H- HOLY SHIT![/b]”[/color] Cass shouted, her excitement immediately visible both through how loud she was and the wolf ears that popped out of her head. She launched herself forward to grab Trisha into a tight hug. 
[color=629c3f]”Holy shit, dude, congrats! I’m [i]so[/i] fucking happy for you! I knew Casey was the one!”[/color]

At first Ed didn’t say anything. She was far too occupied screaming in her own head to actually project that out. What she was good at, however, was matching Cass’ enthusiasm. The two ladies had already become comfortable enough that there was no trouble expressing physical excitement between them. Thus, taking advantage of the moment, Ed’s raspy voice climbed up into the sky before kicking forward and slotting into place next to Cass.

[color=66bb6a][b]”Yoooooooo! Yooooooo!”[/b][/color]

One arm was up under Cass’, and the other swung around Trisha to pull her even closer. Ed was really quite a mover, shaking the two others about as she hopped and jostled in excitement.

[color=66bb6a]”You’re serious! Trisha, that’s [i]crazy[/i] awesome! Oh my God, I can’t wait! And you’re- And he’s- Tonight!? With a fucking custom made Sylvie Richoux? Trisha, you’re so fuckin’-”[/color]
Her arms scrunched just a little tighter. As much as they could… Meanwhile, a half-clueless ghost floated about around the scene, clearly thrilled that there was excitement, but not totally reading what it was about.

[color=ded2b8]”See? This is why I have a hard time understanding what’s secret and not.”[/color] she let her ghastly little voice gently push the passive aggressive comment out.

[color=d1b300]“You’re suffocating me,"[/color] Trisha half heartedly complained, even though she awkwardly hugged both Cass and Ed back. As it often was with her… Actions spoke louder than words. Both of their reactions were nice. They were actually excited for her. It made her feel a little bit less nervous about it happening later, and how people would react. She knew there'd be negative ones- primarily from her siblings- but at least she knew there'd be overwhelmingly positive ones too. Ed would be on their side, at least. 

She was smiling. It was a cute smile, matched with a blush and slightly crinkled eyes. She wanted to gush after how Ed reacted… But Serenity put a bit of a dampener on that. She didn't know how to respond to the little girl. She tried her best not to get agitated about it, but-

[color=629c3f]"It's like if you were planning a surprise party for one of your mums… You wouldn't want someone else to tell them first, would you? Or- if you were planning on telling them something! You'd wanna tell ‘em yourself, right?"[/color] Cass jumped in, trying to explain it in a way the little ghost would understand. 
[color=629c3f]"It's a secret cause Trisha wants to tell all her important people herself."[/color]

Serenity nodded with a slow and sagelike calmness. 
[color=ded2b8]”Yeah, I got that part… It’s just relative all the time, and sometimes people don’t specify.”[/color]

Ed nodded emphatically. 
[color=66bb6a]”She’s right on that account. Us three are so used to one another, she can’t possibly know when something’s  secret unless we tell her. It’s alright, my milky girl. This is [i]very[/i] secret right now.”[/color] Ed confirmed, knowing full well that her daughter knew exactly how far she could go now.

[color=66bb6a]”Now, what’s the plan?! You guys know? You’ve already talked about it? Tell us [i]everything[/i] you want to tell us.”[/color] she gushed.

[color=629c3f]"Yeah, I wanna know all the details!"[/color] Cass grinned, leaning in to stare at Trisha expectantly.

Trisha smiled, cheeks going a darker red and one hand creeping up to scratch the back of her neck. Normally she was quite a private person, but when it came to this… Her and Casey, their future together. A future she really wanted. That should actually happen… 

[color=d1b300]“Well… I'm not sure how he plans to do it today. Last week it was more of like… well we argued a little about something, and it was during [I]that[/I]. He wanted to marry me even when we were fighting…"[/color] She admitted, surprisingly honest. Because it was Cass, and after everything that happened with Ed during that Adjoined meeting… 

[color=d1b300]“We’re going to wait a bit to get married. Probably… not the next spring, but the spring after? I don't want to rush into that. It's nicer to properly plan it and have our… dream wedding, I guess?"[/color] Absentmindedly she rubbed the spot where the engagement ring would go. 
[color=d1b300]“We haven't really discussed the specifics of that yet."[/color]

[color=66bb6a]”Yo, what is it with these people and doing shit like that?”[/color] Ed blurted out, concern passing from Trisha to Cass, who now had her [i]own[/i] Richoux to deal with.
[color=66bb6a]”It’s like, the worse you treat them? The more problems come up, the more shit is… Adverse? They cling! Not like crutch cling, but like… Like… Barnacles! There was a time I wanted to leave, but Mimi, she…”[/color]

There was a strong memory there. One that even Serenity felt, passed down from the time of her conception. They weren’t even adults yet. Ed had been struggling with herself. Mia Richoux was the only person who she ever felt she could be herself around. Even thinking about it now was hard, but there was her face. Beet red, tears streaming, begging her to stay. To remain there in time to be seen for what she really was: A kaleidoscope. 

[color=66bb6a]”I used to think she liked me because I acted like shit. So I kept acting like shit. At one point, kind of recently even… I realized that she loves me [i]in spite of it.[/i] Like she can see through all the little bits into my soul and pick out what she loves. Maybe it’s a White Lux thing, but… It never feels like magic. It just feels like she knows. Do you get that with him?”[/color] she asked genuinely, tears coming to the surface of her eyes.

Trisha's nails dug into her palms, and she averted her gaze from Ed awkwardly. She did. Casey said he loved her. All of her. But she knew he didn't love when she acted awfully. Sure, he'd proposed during the fight… but moments before he'd been so close to cutting her out completely. It had been like she was on a precipice. One wrong move and she'd have lost him. Instead they'd ended up closer… was it the same?

Did he love her in spite of that? Or would he lose interest when things weren't difficult anymore? No… No, the difficulties weren't the reason. She'd always known it'd be love in spite of it. She just didn't ever expect to experience it, truly… 

[color=d1b300]“I do. I never thought anyone would love me in spite of it.”[/color] Trisha whispered, voice so small they'd have to strain to hear. 
[color=d1b300]“Nobody’s ever seen through all of the bad bits like that."[/color]

Cass didn't say anything for once, just patting Trisha's thigh comfortingly, another hand reaching out towards Ed in a similar motion. She didn't quite feel the same way. The clinging, perhaps, but from her point of view she wasn't the one with so many [I]issues[/I] between her and Leon. If anything, she was looking past some of his shit! But she got it, of course. She wasn't perfect… never had been, had been worse before. She'd just worked through it already. 

[color=d1b300]“He doesn't always seem to understand in the moment… This time he-"[/color] Trisha cut that off, shaking her head. She didn't want to remember the look of pained disgust. Because he'd misunderstood. Because she'd been so obviously upset, but didn't tell him what the problem was. While it was the most honest she'd been outside of Casey for a long time, there were still things she couldn't speak about. It was difficult enough. Just in the face of Ed's genuinity… It wasn't so much that was comfortable, but for a moment she didn't fear the negative reactions that often came from sharing.

[color=d1b300]“But he's patient about it. Like you said… sees past all the shit to see what he loves, somehow. Like he knows and accepts [I]me[/I]. The actual me. You know I… thought he'd leave the first time we fought. But he didn't."[/color]

Ed knew exactly what she was saying. That feeling of being seen and accepted purely. It was something she could share.

[color=66bb6a]”Well, y’know I really love you dude. I’m glad we can relate on that level, seriously… I’m so fucking happy for you and Casey. Is there anything, uh… You think I could do? I’m not good for much, but I can get things moving on whatever you want. Even today, I can coordinate things!”[/color] she enthused, hoping to find herself included in the festivities as much as possible.

[color=d1b300]“Well… I'm not even sure what Casey plans to do today? I figured it's easier to act surprised if I don't know exactly [I]when[/I] it'll be."[/color] Trisha laughed slightly. Though she did know the actual schedule and she could roughly guess… She'd left the decision for when and how up to Casey. It was his proposal, after all. Though she'd been happy enough with the oddly done, private one. 

[color=d1b300]“But… Do you think you can help make sure we're left alone after the event?"[/color] She had her own plans, after all. Ones that required being alone.
[color=d1b300]“I dunno if his family will try have a celebration beyond the event for it? Which… I don't mind at some point? But not tonight. Though I feel like if Lynette wants something, there's not really any stopping her… then there's my family…"[/color]

Not that either Tansy or Ezra would invite themselves round or the like after. But during… 
[color=d1b300]“They’re my problem, though! I couldn't ask anyone to deal with handling [I]them[/I]."[/color]

Ed’s face brightened up immediately.
[color=66bb6a]”How do you feel about being [i]whisked away?[/i]”[/color] she asked conspiratorially.

[color=66bb6a]”A friend of ours is a rather graceful teleporter. She and Casey haven’t ever gotten along too well, but she knows the value of things like this. She’ll help us.”[/color]
Her words hung for a second before she seemed to snap alive.
[color=66bb6a]”Oh, I mean… A friend of [i]ours[/i]. You met her the other night. One of those cackling little heads sitting at the table? Layla’s… I said friend sarcastically, y’know, but Mazie. She’s nice enough alone. I’ll hook it up.”[/color] she smiled.

[color=66bb6a]”Promise!”[/color]

Trisha's brow furrowed a bit. Mazie… one of the ‘Silent’ sisters or whatever they were called? Trisha didn't remember the details, just what they'd said to Layla about Ed. There was still annoyance about that underneath the surface even though the actual target had accepted their apology at the time. 

[color=629c3f]"Oh shit, that's awesome!"[/color] Cass exclaimed before Trisha could get too stuck in her own head about it. 
[color=629c3f]"Fucking on call teleporter… Dude, this magic shit is amazing. You can just get ‘whisked’ away from all the family drama… Teleportation itself is just so fucking sound!"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“You get used to it."[/color] Trisha spoke quietly, as if it wasn't something she'd avoided for most of her life. Since all that gut wrenching Teleportation during the Stygian Snake era. The Snake that constantly teleported around itself… 

[color=629c3f]"Yeah, yeah, [I]’I’m Trisha and I got bored of magic when I was fourteen and beat a world ending threat'[/I]- like you ain't allowed to enjoy the lil magic things anymore. C'mon, Trish… Don't be such a downer. It ain't like Ed'd let you be ported by someone who was gonna have you come out the other end morphed with Casey, huh?"[/color] Cass hooked an arm around Trisha's neck, pulling her down slightly and rubbing her hair vigorously. The playfulness was enough to get rid of her thoughts about Teleportation. 

[color=d1b300]“[I]Cassss[/i], not my hair!"[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Sorry, sorry, here, lemme braid it real nice for you."[/color] Cass stopped ruining the perfectly unfrizzy and neat waves of thick hair Trisha had spent a fair amount of time taking care of this morning. She shifted around to let Cass fix what she'd messed up. 

[color=d1b300]“If you think she'd do it and it wouldn't be a problem… Sure. I trust you. Thanks, Ed. That'd make things easier for us. I'm sure Casey'll be fine with it if it's for us to get home and be alone faster."[/color] Trisha smiled at Ed, finally giving a positive response. The benefits did outweigh the negatives, after all. 
[color=d1b300]“So long as I don't have to hear anything about their… fanfiction."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Fanfiction?"[/color] Cass paused splitting Trisha's hair into sections, eyes practically glinting. 
[color=629c3f]"What kinda fanfic?"[/color]

[color=66bb6a]”Oh, dude… It’s [i]sound[/i] like you say. All about your girl here, and her tribe of magical classmates? This one girl, she’s an actual factual published author, it’s actually so well written. But, uh…-”[/color] Ed paused.

Having gotten to know Cass enough over the past few meetings, there was a definite sense of justice that had to be expected from her. Things that usually flew under the radar in their circle, or went as an unspoken problem for Trisha, was an open conflict for Cass… She simply didn’t put up with it.

[color=66bb6a]”-it’s probably not so cool to you. I guess, I’ve gotten so used to it I don’t think about it. But, they… Get real info. Not just from people who were there, but… Lynette. She had spies and monitors up the entire time the Sycamore kids were fighting the Stygian Snake. She… Knows a lot about what happened. Even just from sticking a little bug onto Leon before he left for school on any given day, she’d get inner workings. Drama. Gossip.”[/color]

She looked a lot more ashamed now than she had when they were first talking about it.

[color=66bb6a]”Uh… She… Won’t talk about it to you, Trisha.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Good."[/color] Trisha said simply. She wasn't comfortable with the spying, or the writing. Both felt invasive… But she already knew about the spying. Clarissa had spilled that little fact on her second day with Casey. It made her uncomfortable, but it was just something that she had to ignore until the problem- Lynette- was removed. 

Cass raised an eyebrow, lips pursing together to let out a low whistle. 
[color=629c3f]"And I thought the PBL fandom had a problem. One time some girl tried to put a spy cam in one of the changing rooms- y'know, get gossip and videos of em changing and shit? Course she got caught… Ain't so easy when there's no magic. We kicked em outta all our forums and shit… course they got into legal trouble too and shit.”[/color]

She shook her head. Of course, she was against all of that shit. She'd made that clear multiple times- if there was any conflict between her and Leon, it might be more to do with that. She didn't blame anyone here- not someone like Ed who was used to it. Maybe cause they just seemed to accept it. Like it was normal, when it wasn't. 

[color=629c3f]"But beyond the whole fucked up spying shit- it forsakes the sanctity of fanfiction! The fantasy from what lil bits of info we got! If it's gotta be real then what's the point?"[/color] Cass shook her head as she started to do a Dutch braid down one side of Trisha's head. 

[color=629c3f]"And if they're feeding into that system by asking for info- Ooo that's the shit I ain't here for. Ain't blaming you or anything, Ed, yknow… don't shoot the messenger and all. But… I gotta know…"[/color] Cass lowered her voice to a whisper, leaning past Trisha's head.
[color=629c3f]"What kinda ships do they write with Leon."[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Really, Cass?"[/color] Trisha groaned, rolling her eyes.

Ed’s face became death in a mere moment.
[color=66bb6a]”In the spirit of… How Trisha’s asked us to treat things… Maybe if you want to know, you should ask Leon? I don’t… Want you to feel like I’m being rude.”[/color] she said in a very gentle and passive nature. 

It was Trisha’s wishes! Of course! It had [i]nothing[/i] to do with a particular off-brand ship that spread among the little Sisterhood like wildfire and had only made a resurgence in popularity among new readers recently due to [i]proximity[/i]...

[color=d1b300]“Pick a Sycamore member, and there's a fair chance it actually happened."[/color] Trisha intoned, tilting her head back a bit to stare at Cass. Linqian, Aryin… The entire jock squad probably slept together at some point. It'd been a large group of teenagers thrown together after all… 

[color=629c3f]"Then what's the problem with knowing who's shipped with him, Trish? You saw a buncha it… it ain't like they're gonna be shipping [I]you[/I] and Leon or anything!"[/color]

[color=66bb6a]”I mean… Would you feel weird if they did!? Hypothetically?”[/color] Ed asked very slowly.

[color=ded2b8]”[i]Oh![/i] So [i]this[/i] is what a secret qualifies as in [i]this situation.[/i] Cool, alright. I think I can get a hang of it with more active examples, Ma!”[/color] Serenity giggled, floating on above their heads as her ethereal form shifted from outfit to outfit for the occasion she’d never be seen at.

Cass's eyebrows shot up and under her curls. 
[color=629c3f]"Holy shit, seriously? Well I don't feel weird about it cause I-"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“[I]I[/I] feel weird about it!"[/color] Trisha's whole face scrunched up like she'd sucked on a particularly sour lemon. She'd never been too happy about the whole Sycamore fanclub thing anyway… or the knowledge that there was stuff written about her, whoever it was with. But Leon? Her fiance's brother? The guy who she could only really tolerate because of Casey or Cass as a buffer? 

[color=629c3f]"Well it ain't real, Trish… It ain't like Ed's writing it! And would you be comfortable with you written with anyone? Or at all?"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Of course not! It's weird and I'm with Casey! And it's intrusive!"[/color] Trisha pouted. Though she was visibly agitated, she didn't seem to be… aggressive? Or at least making any moves to leave. Her head tilted up towards Serenity.
[color=d1b300]“I’ll give you another active example, Serenity. [I]Cass[/I] is super open ‘bout all this fanfic she writes about her and Leon, but she keeps quiet about the stuff she writes about him and his… rival guy. What's his face."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Two Gun Vlad."[/color] Cass handily supplied. 
[color=d1b300]“Yeah… Bet you don't tell Leon about that."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Well yeah, cause it'd be weird to show him shit that's shipping him with someone else! There's a fan line… and it's forcing ‘em to look at that kinda shit!"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“... Exactly!"[/color]

Cass shook her head, laughing even in the face of Trisha outing her ‘deep, dark secret.’ 
[color=629c3f]"I get'it, I get'it… it ain't like I expected ‘em to be shipping you guys, Babe."[/color]

Trisha just pouted.

[color=66bb6a]”Well, I mean I know it probably don’t help too much, Trisha… But you’ve got a really cool friend for reacting like that at least. I won’t give you the whole ‘It could be worse’ crap, but… That could’ve been a lot more sour. Trisha’s pretty much on the money, by the way, Cass. They’ve recorded and written and logged that boy down to the hump. He’s… The Temple’s Savior, after all. These younger people don’t know him as anything but that. Especially with Max gone.”[/color] Ed explained freely, hoping to at least share insight she had.

[color=66bb6a]”So, they idolize him. It’s… Not the most flattering thing, but I feel like, at least in my experience, he’s handled that bit with some grace. When people ask him, he asks if they want to involve themselves in that life, and most of the time he reasons them out. But they do throw themselves…”[/color] Ed cringed. 

Cass nodded, fingers rubbing Trisha's scalp comfortingly as she continued to braid her hair. Trisha still wasn't particularly happy, even if she knew Ed was right. She didn't want to take Cass for granted like that… even if she wasn't the best at showing it, she did appreciate her friend. In a way, Cass was to Trisha for friendship what Casey was to her romantically. Someone who accepted and saw her…

[color=629c3f]"Yeah, we talked ‘bout that- the whole idolising thing. It ain't really a thing I get. Back home, there's this whole separation… we just don't like bothering people! But seems different over here. Especially with the whole involvement shit Lynette's cultivated… Man, being a saviour ain't all it's worked up to be, is it?"[/color]

Trisha nibbled on her lip as Cass talked, thinking about something else. Beyond the ‘fanfiction’ and Sycamore… With what Cass said… 

[color=d1b300]“Ed… Maybe you can help me understand something? I haven't been able to ask Casey…"[/color] Because she didn't want to make a bigger deal of things than she already had. He was already dealing with a lot. 
[color=d1b300]“Leon’s the Temple's Saviour or whatever… But Lynette doesn't seem to care about Cass? Not like how she's been bothering me. Why?"[/color]

It was rather bluntly asked, like she expected Ed to at least have some insight.

Ed’s face was fairly grim throughout this conversation. To her, it all had to be serious. For so long, it’d been terribly normal to her. To the point that it was freakish. Outside looking in, she could see what the problem was.

[color=66bb6a]”God, there’s a lot of shit to unpack there, Trisha. I mean, I’d do it for you. I will go over all of what I think it is…”[/color] she said calmly.
[color=66bb6a]”But… I’ve got [i]ideas.[/i]”[/color]

Trisha thought about it for a moment, before slowly nodding. 

She wanted to know at least [I]something[/I]. Why was Lynette so set on making her life as difficult as possible? Casey's too, because of it. It made no sense to her that it was just her… Surely she'd do it to all of her children's partners that weren't on the [I]inside[/i]. It wasn't like Cass was someone she could easily lovebomb and get on her side either. Cass was also aware. 

So why was it just Trisha who got so much dragged up? Because it was easier? Because she deserved it more? 

[color=d1b300]“I’d like to know. Your ideas, at least. It's not like knowing is going to make it any worse, is it?"[/color]
Maybe she could deal with it better if she knew what Lynette wanted out of it, beyond just making her- them- miserable.

[color=66bb6a]”Well… Mia. She had a dream. Not a dream, right? A vision. Like Lynette, Mimi’s got some serious foresight. She said a strange woman from a powerful dynasty would cause the destruction of… Well, she calls it the Pale Tower. Lynette, basically. There’s few times that they don’t [i]share[/i] a vision. Which means, y’know… If she’s seen it, chances are Lynette has. There’s a chance she’s trying to push you out? Thinking that she can stave off the inevitable.”[/color]

Serenity cleared her throat.
[color=ded2b8]”Now’s not the time for secrets, Ma.”[/color] 

Ed sighed.
[color=66bb6a]”Yo, why’s it always me?”[/color] she pleaded to the sky for a moment before turning her eyes down.
[color=66bb6a]”I’ll spare you the details. I think they’ve both seen a future beyond. It’s why Mimi’s been so nice to you, and why Lynette can’t bring herself to just kill you and be done with her business.”[/color]

She paused for another moment, trying to find the words.

[color=66bb6a]”The second vision… Was more recent. The same strange woman, cradling the Ivory Tower, swaddled in blankets of copper… It was your face, Trisha.”[/color] she finished flatly.

[color=d1b300][i]What?[/i][/color]
That made no sense. That she was the reason Lynette was going to die? And in some future she’d, what, give birth to… Lynette’s reincarnation? But Trisha didn’t believe in something like that. It didn’t match what she knew of life and death. People died, and the Hound guided them beyond- and sometimes they left a piece behind.

But reincarnation wasn’t a thing. 

Of course. Of course Lynette was treating her like this because of some [i]vision[/i]. Mia too. She was only being nice because of some future where Trisha would birth their new ‘Pale Tower.’

[color=d1b300]“But Casey probably won’t be the one to do it? It’s most likely to be Elise, isn’t it? So… How am [i]I[/i] the one that causes her death? That makes no sense.”[/color] Trisha shook her head, frowning down at her hands. It wasn’t directed at Ed. But how could she feel happy to hear that? 

[color=d1b300]“This is all cause of my fucking Father, isn’t it? ‘Powerful dynasty’- a one man one, sure. It wouldn’t be me if I just had a normal family… How’s that fair? How does it make any sense? All of this started before I even met Casey…”[/color] She took in a deep, shaky breath and pushed the encroaching panic back down beneath the surface. 
[color=d1b300]“At least she isn’t killing me. Just pushing me out, but keeping me alive in case I… Have Lynette the second, somehow.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Does it matter, Trish?”[/color] Cass finished one braid at Trisha’s shoulder, tying it off and letting the waves of her cascade down her back. With her hands free again, she pulled Trisha into a hug. It didn’t make her feel that much more comforted… 
[color=629c3f]”Like… Does it make you like Casey any less? You don’t wanna be with him cause his mom thinks you’re gonna be the reason she’s offed?”[/color]

Trisha’s lips pressed into a thin line, and she shook her head. 

[color=629c3f]”See. I ain’t saying it's great! Honestly, it’s pretty shit. It ain’t something any of you deserve to be in, y’know. You, Casey… Ed ‘n Mia too.”[/color]

Trisha nodded slowly. She didn’t feel much calmer about it, but at least it was helping with suppressing the panic. It didn’t really make things much worse, did it?
[color=d1b300]“I just don’t understand how I can cause her destruction? Hasn’t she seen [i]who[/i] will actually do it?”[/color]

[color=66bb6a]”Casey’s job has [i]always[/i] been to be the Blade. If time is a linear pathway that Lynette and Mia can see, then they saw whatever [i]this[/i] is. In a different world? You’re not here to give him a reason [i]not to protect her[/i], Trisha. And, maybe? Just maybe with the right people next to him, Casey could change the course of the future. But, she knows if she hurts you, then Casey’s gone forever [i]and[/i] the unstoppable happens.”[/color]

These were quiet topics that the throuple had discussed in the sanctity of those few moments where nobody else was around. Entwined in one another, with not even the cat to disturb them. The quiet reverence and acknowledgement that history was in the works.

[color=66bb6a]”Uh… I… [i]Really[/i] don’t want to be pedantic either, Trisha. But Mia’s seen more than just that. As far as I know? She’s been dreaming about you since we were kids. Just, y’know… Never knew it was you until she met you. She’s desperate for your love, and afraid to approach you for it because she’s caught between her visions and reality.”[/color] she frowned.

It was hard to present something like this to Trisha, especially after such good news… But she had asked… Ed was, once again, the bearer of shitty news, and the one trying desperately to keep things tied together.

[color=66bb6a]”And, uh… I don’t think it has anything to do with your Dad, Trisha… The figure? With your face? A crown of gold and obsidian, dripping with amber jewels like honey.”[/color] her eyes met Trisha’s, admitting what she’d been shown herself.

[color=d1b300]“Oh… Of course.”[/color] Trisha frowned, gaze flitting away from Ed’s towards her own chest. Of course it was because of the Queen. That was so much harder to resent. Without her, Trisha would have so little. She wouldn’t have met Casey. None of this would have happened so… She guessed it really was important to the whole thing… 
[color=d1b300]“No wonder Mia was worried I’d be upset about the bee themed dress…”[/color]

She shook her head, still trying to process it all. But it did confirm a couple of things for her. First, that Lynette wasn’t likely to stop treating Trisha like she had been. Second, that the end goal was for her to [i]choose[/i] to leave. To leave Casey so he only had his family left… Then he might protect Lynette. 

But she was never going to leave Casey. 

[color=d1b300]“Lynette’s not going to be very happy about the engagement, is she?”[/color] It was more of a rhetorical question. She didn’t really care how Lynette felt. 
[color=d1b300]“I… Understand what’s been happening a bit more now, even if I don’t like it. She’s unlucky that I’m far too stubborn to leave Casey first.”[/color]

Though it didn’t make everything Lynette was doing easier. Because she was still so worried something would come out that would have Casey pushing her away. Or she’d react badly, and he’d decide that was it. Like he almost had a week ago… Lynette could still have her way. He could still stop loving her. 

And she didn’t understand why Mia wanted her love like that. What could she have seen in dreams that made Trisha look like someone… [i]Good enough[/i] for that? Her love wasn’t worth very much, was it?
[color=d1b300]”But why’s Mia been dreaming about me for that long? I understand dreaming about this but… I’m not exactly that… Important?”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Pretty morbid to dream about your Ma’s killer since you’re a kid.”[/color] Cass piped up. Trisha tilted her head back to frown at her friend, deciding not to correct her. She [i]knew[/i] Cass had been listening, after all.

[color=66bb6a]”It’s probably hard to come to terms with what we know… But, to us? To the few who hear these babbling witches talking in their sleep? It’s important shit. You’ve always been a part of your life, because this path was always coming for her. Dead ahead. She’s been on pins and needles waiting for the chance to really be free her whole life. And I’ve listened to her the entire time.”[/color] Ed explained, unable to hold back in this intimate moment all alone.

[color=66bb6a]”She’s talked about the [i]Bee Lady[/i] for years. And about how she comes and pulls the foundation of the Ivory Tower, and watches it fall into the blanket of copper, and then she picks it up and holds the tower as it begs for forgiveness. I’ve heard it a billion times, seen it dozens. Just trying to help her get through it. High, sober, drunk, gassed, well rested, caffeinated… Nothing’s helped. Until you finally came…”[/color]

Trisha just stared wide eyed at Ed for a couple of moments. Was she really enough for something like that? If her appearing meant that they’d finally all be free… She could understand a little bit. But it still didn’t feel like it was [i]her[/i]. She was a catalyst, maybe, but not the person actually helping anyone. It was what was going to come that really helped Mia, surely?

[color=d1b300]“She’s not disappointed that this amazing figure in her mind turned out to be… Me?”[/color] Like Ed, Trisha let slipping a bit of her inner voice in this private feeling moment.

[color=66bb6a]”She’s only disappointed that she’s not someone who you feel comfortable around yet. Hari and I are doing our best to keep her spirits up… But, we’ve got you, Trisha. You may not like it, it may make you uncomfortable, but… We’re behind you how we can be. How we would want. And we’re hoping that one day you’ll feel better about it too.”[/color]

What else could she say? She understood why someone wouldn’t want to be close friends with three people who, again and again, fell victim to their collective addiction… How someone from a decent upbringing would look at their lifestyle and turn their nose up. But, somehow, Ed knew that none of that was what was holding Trisha back. So, she could only continue to be a friendly face for Trisha to find over and over again in the sea of confusion. Consistency…

[color=66bb6a]”She and I have been together longest, right? I came to live with the Richoux when I was six years old. Me and Mum. And Mia and I haven’t been apart since. We… When she first had her dream, and showed me, we made up a story about the Queen Bee. That she’d be our mom, and would love us and take care of us. Mia’s always gonna be looking for that, unfortunately. I wouldn’t pressure yourself over an impression that strong.”[/color]  

It really wasn’t something Trisha could live up to. Even being comfortable around Mia. [i]Friends[/i]. It was more difficult for her than it should be. Because there was that constant worry about how people would view her, their reactions, the hurt when they realised they didn’t actually like her. It wasn’t only an issue in romantic relationships… Really, how many friends did she have? Four. 

And she wouldn’t have any of them if Cass hadn’t been there to force her way through. And even then… It had taken years to get to this level of comfort. 

It had only been so fast with Casey. 

[color=d1b300]“I don’t know what motherly love is like, so that was never going to be possible.”[/color] Trisha admitted quietly. It was still so difficult to say, like she was choking on the words as she got them out. Maybe Ed already knew. Mia too, if Lynette had spread it. Cass… Cass basically knew because there was no lie Trisha could tell that was convincing enough to explain why her Mother skipped her graduation and didn’t even call. They'd just never spoken about it. Trisha had never admitted it. 

[color=d1b300]“I understand what I represent… But I’m really not like the ideal from her dreams. She’s just going to end up more disappointed because of it. You all will… I am trying to get more comfortable around her. But I don’t think I’ll live up to even a fraction of that impression. Being around me… Really won't improve your lives.”[/color]

She hated being so open, but she hated the idea of being on a pedestal that she'd fall from even more. Even if it wasn't really Ed who'd put her on that pedestal… But she needed her to understand. Like Casey understood she was someone with so many problems, even if he still chose to stick with her. She didn't want to show too much below the surface to anyone else but… just another glimpse for someone who'd already seen more than she'd normally be comfortable with.
[color=d1b300]“I’m not really a good person to be around."[/color]

[color=629c3f]”See… It’s like I said before.”[/color] Cass was still hugging Trisha, since she hadn’t forced her off yet. She looked at Ed over her shoulder. 
[color=629c3f]”It’s all tough and confident on the outside but really she's quite shy underneath! Really struggles with that whole getting close to people thing and [I]accepting what they say[/I].”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I’m [I]not[/I] shy."[/color]
Trisha lightly elbowed Cass in the gut for saying that, but didn’t deny the second part. It was true. She [i]was[/i] growing to like the three girls more and more- but how could she let herself get close and comfortable when she didn’t even believe Casey would stay with her like he said he would? It would only make that loss harder if it happened. 

[color=66bb6a]”Y’know, I really think you just have a listening problem sometimes!”[/color] Ed chided, poking at Trisha playfully.
[color=66bb6a]”I [i]just[/i] said, don’t get hung up on meeting an impossible standard. Let us handle Mia’s expectations. [i]You[/i] just need to make sure that Casey doesn’t get cold feet about the standing arrangement. Especially if we want to avoid the pending Aberration Uprising… People at the Lodge are getting more and more antsy, especially when some of them have serious voices in their heads urging them to action.”[/color] she explained, knowing full well the situation going on at “home”.

[color=ded2b8]”[i]OooooOOoohhhhhh… Kiiiiiilllllll the Adeeeeeeepts…[/i]”[/color]

Ed’s lips pressed together as she spat air out in half-shock half-humor.

[color=66bb6a]”You’re the [i]last[/i] Apparition who should be chanting that.”[/color] Ed giggled.

[color=ded2b8]”They are insufferable, some of them. I wouldn’t be against the drugs if Nana Lynette bothered with context.”[/color]
That was a truly awkward thing for the little girl ghost to say, but it tracked pretty accurately as something an adolescent girl would feel… Resentment not because others are being hurt… Just that she’s been wrapped up in it.

Ed narrowed her eyes at her ghastly daughter.
[color=66bb6a]”Freedom for all, Serenity. No exceptions.”[/color]

[color=ded2b8]”I don’t think you’d say that if you met Rute and Kette like I have.”[/color]

Ed clenched her jaw. Lena was [i]so much different[/i] than them. It was a wonder that she hadn’t started trying to kill people sooner…

[color=66bb6a]”What’s wrong with Miss Lena has nothing to do with her Apparition. Same with me… You don’t deserve to be put to sleep for getting people high. Rute and Kette don’t deserve to be put to sleep for following Lena’s requests.”[/color]

The clear mother-daughter relationship, with Ed acting as a responsible and logical adult, was an odd contrast to their usual dual-chaos relationship. Getting closer to Ed, and by proxy Serenity, found the two entities shared a love of uncomfortable jokes and crude humor… Hardly the way a prim and proper girl would be raised… But in these moments, when Ed got serious, Serenity always seemed to come around.

The young ghost tucked her head and frowned.

[color=66bb6a]”I know you understand…”[/color] Ed replied, taking a deep breath.
[color=66bb6a]”Now, anyway… Like I said, Trisha; just keep up with Casey. That’s all any of us want, is to see the two of you happy. Because we know that if things stay like that? The future we’ve waited for is coming. This is [i]it.[/i]”[/color] she finished emphatically.

Trisha nodded, lips still pressed together into a little frown. The mention of Lena, the Apparition drugs, the thought of a possible Aberration uprising… Would Lynette dying be enough to stop something like that? Ed did mention some standing arrangement with Casey… 

[color=d1b300]“I don't plan to do anything else."[/color] Trisha said eventually, managing a smile. 
[color=d1b300]“I love Casey too much to lose him to anything. And I'm sure he won't get cold feet with anything… I mean, I'm an Aberration, after all, even if I'm not involved in all [I]that[/I]. [I]None[/I] of us deserve to be drugged."[/color]

She pursed her lips. They'd already had a few discussions about Casey's internalised… biases. She trusted that he was getting over the small amounts of magical superiority he still felt. Towards everyone, not just her. She knew he didn't really feel that way towards her…
[color=d1b300]“If being happy with him is all I need to do to help everyone get their freedom, then that's easy."[/color]

Cass let out a little laugh, arms withdrawing from Trisha to go back to braiding the other half of her hair. 
[color=629c3f]"It better be easy! Since you guys are so sickeningly- adorably- in love. And I dunno so much about this shit as you both but… We'll all have some real problems if the Adepts and Abberations can't live peacefully, won't we?"[/color]

Ed gave Cass a wry grin.


[color=66bb6a]”Oh, it’ll be bad news all around. Your boyfriend’s like, [i]the[/i] Aberration in our circles. And I hate to be morbid, but… If him and Casey really went at it? I’m not sure either would make it out…”[/color] 

She’d seen the two brothers fight before. Especially as children. At first, Leon used magic constantly, finding his little brother anything but worthy of a fair fight. But as they got older, the elder grew bored. Started handicapping himself… There were only fair fights in this day and age… But nothing magical. No strength beyond what Leon knew his humanoid figure could produce, and no equipment on Casey’s part that would augment him anymore than his body naturally allowed.

Granted, they were both naturally fit beyond standard capacity… Generations of magical breeding and ritualistic genetic malformation allowed them both to be tremendous temples of Lux and Supernatural energies. Thus, there was no conclusion. Among Adepts, Casey seemed to be approaching the top, and as far as Apparition partners to call upon for strength, Leon was hard pressed to find better.

The weight of Ed’s implication, then… That there could ever be a scenario in which the two would come to deadly blows… If it was avoidable, then it should be done so at all costs.

[color=66bb6a]”They’d expect him to fight in their name though, Cass. Against the ‘Oppressors’. They’d expect the same out of Serenity and I, which obviously means forcing my Baby Girl to hurt her friends and loved ones. [i]Our[/i] friends and loved ones. So, yeah. [i]Real[/i] problems. Like, fucked off problems.”[/color] she smiled.

[color=66bb6a]”Not to mention the Dumb-juice. Trisha can tell you all about that shit.”[/color]

Trisha frowned as Cass turned her expectant gaze towards her. The whole thing was fucked up. The possible war, the expectations, the possibility of Casey and Leon fighting… 

[color=d1b300]“Aberration suppressant. Ranging from putting the adjoined Apparition to sleep for a day to straight up killing us.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Well shit.”[/color] Cass rubbed the back of her neck. Leon hadn’t mentioned [i]that[/i]... Then again, he was trying to keep her away from Temple shit where possible. That did count as Temple shit. 
[color=629c3f]”Well, I’m [i]pretty[/i] sure Leon and Casey ain’t gonna end up fighting like that… Not unless Leon hurts Trish or like, y’know… Lelou ends up in charge. But that’s just a constant risk, ain’t it?”[/color]

Trisha tilted her head. It wasn’t something she wanted to happen. If there was an all out war, somehow… She wasn’t sure what Casey would do. His job was to protect the Elite of the Temple, but when Lynette was gone? She couldn’t see him protecting the oppressive system. But she didn’t see him just letting Aberrations kill the people he cared about… 

[color=d1b300]“I don’t think they’ll fight like that either. All of them want the same thing, don’t they? In a way. Casey, Leon, Mia… Elise.”[/color] Trisha spoke quietly still. It sounded too simple to put it that way. They wanted freedom, but if Aberrations wanted revenge against the Adepts, where would things fall? If it came to that… If she got stronger in time, could she and Casey work together to make sure even Leon couldn’t kill him? But then… 

Trisha tilted her head back towards Cass with a pained look in her eyes. 

Cass didn’t notice as she leaned forward past Trisha, looking at Ed with much more seriousness than she’d normally have.
[color=629c3f]”Look, those two can protect themselves. They ain’t the kind who can be pressured by expectations and shit either… But if that shit happens? If anyone expects you ‘n Serenity to fight? I can take the two of you and your girlfriends outta the city for a while… You can have my room at my friend’s place. I ain’t gonna just watch you guys forced into shit cause you were born into a fucked up cult and people decided you gotta hurt each other.”[/color]

Ed shook her head.
[color=66bb6a]”Mia’s not having it. Hari already tried getting her to bolt, and she stood on both feet. Frankly, first time I’ve ever seen Mia with so much spine. She ain’t like Elise; she’s the type to keep it all in. The first to run and hide. Her and Hari argued about it; but Mia won’t leave St. Portwell again until we’re [i]free[/i]. So, get used to us. In the meantime? Maybe we can work more on that thing, Cass.”[/color] Ed mentioned offhandedly. 

Of course, she knew that Cass was supposed to be kept out of things, but there were [i]looming factors[/i] that would potentially maintain the malice and the cycle of violence after Lynette was gone. Maybe not as organized as it would be if there was a central point, of course. But, Ed had been complaining about a certain computer whizz aloud in the living room one night when Cass was in attendance.

Of course, having already heard about this boogeyman once, it was expected that Cass would only want to hear more about the backroom beast that was Maxwell Junior.

[color=66bb6a]”Did she tell you, Trisha? We’re gonna hit up Gin, and she’s gonna teach Cass how to start using Green Lux to do [i]computer shit.[/i]”[/color] Ed intoned with great reverence. 

[color=d1b300]“She didn’t say.”[/color] Trisha shook her head, looking at Cass again. They’d discussed it briefly a couple of weeks back, when Casey first suggested a joint spell… But Trisha hadn’t heard anything since. She assumed both him and Leon were doing their best to pull Cass back from actually getting involved after Casey had made the mistake of suggesting she help. 

[color=629c3f]”Well it ain’t like I got the chance! You’re too busy being lovey dovey, you’ve forgotten all ‘bout your [i]frriiieennndd[/i].”[/color] Cass grinned, finishing up Trisha’s second braid and freeing her hands to grab her by the shoulders and shake her. 
[color=629c3f]”It’s gonna be some cool shit. Like… Y’know a computer virus, but Green Lux, so it jumps outta the computer and gets you! Well, I don’t think it’s that dramatic, but y’get the gist. ”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“You can do that with just Green? You don’t need Orange?”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Seems so! At least, it seems Gin’s gotta way? So I’m told. I’m pretty fucking excited to try! Imagine, I get to code [i]and[/i] use magic. That’s the fucking dream!”[/color]

Trisha couldn’t hold back a smile at Cass’s intense enthusiasm, while secretly feeling sorry for Leon when Cass fell into her deepest code hole yet… 
[color=d1b300]“It won’t be too dangerous, will it?”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Oh, dude, me and Leon’ve been working on my magic like [i]all[/i] the time. I ain’t the newbie Adept I was a few weeks ago- so even if it is, I can handle it! Just you wait, in a few more weeks I’ll be stronger than you are!”[/color]

It was a joke, of course, but one that unintentionally touched a nerve. Trisha looked over towards her bag- where Princess was shrunk down, and her only connection to the bees right now- with a slight frown. 
[color=d1b300]“I’m planning to work on my magic too, after today.”[/color] She said casually, as if she wasn’t bothered at all.

[color=66bb6a]”You’re always working on something, Trisha! Honestly, every time I come up lately, you’re in the greenhouse. I’m amazed you’re [i]not[/i] working on it constantly. I’d try, but… She’s [i]really[/i] hard to reign into anything focused. You get moody, huh Milks?”[/color] Ed asked her ghastly girl, who was currently dancing to a tune of her own half-sunk in the concrete floor.

Ed could only smile at her and point.
[color=66bb6a]”That’s my girl… God I love her.”[/color] she said with a truly goofy smile.

[color=66bb6a]”Anyway, that’s good. We should all be as prepared as we can be in this day and age… But! Trisha? I’ll make sure Mazie’s good to work tonight. [i]You[/i] keep your eye on the prize. And be ready for every kind of reaction, right? You don’t know what you’re gonna get. But, the three of us will [i]fucking scream[/i] when it happens. They’ve gotta know whose side we’re on. Team ‘Get us out of this fucking nightmare’!”[/color] she smiled, raising her hand up to the other two for a high five.

[color=629c3f]”Hell yeah!”[/color] Cass slapped Ed’s hand with a grin, Trisha following with a bit less enthusiasm. 
[color=629c3f]”... This was a good meeting of the ‘Dating a Richoux’ support group. There ain’t anything else on the agenda, is there?”[/color]

[color=ded2b8]”Well, Mumma always says ‘Lord let us love these Wild Animals’ when Uncle Lee or Uncle Case do funny things. So… [i]Let us love these wild animals![/i]”[/color] Serenity blurted out, her smile peeling through the vague whisplike nature of her facial features. 
There was time left, for the ladies to relax and get ready before transportation had to take place. Elsewhere, just outside St. Portwell, tensions were already rising like the sun for the day. [hr] 
[right][code]Meanwhile - The Chapel, Temple of Charming and Graceful Individuals.[/code][/right]

[color=C67C12]”-And in that, we have spent long enough separated from our own. A new year approaches, a new Decade approaches. As long as we continue to focus on the distance of the past and forgo the principalities of our faith, we shall remain forever behind our kin and kine as they too shall pass us by in turn.”[/color]

Leon stood tall at the pulpit, robes of deep amber with gold accenting each edge and stitch. His voice didn’t waver, nor did it shake singly as he delivered the address which he and his brother had prepared. As Casey was the Blade, so Leon was One of Many; the priest of the order meant to bridge community gaps where they existed. His real job was to be friendly, personable, and always available to serve in helping with a problem within the Temple…

It was a half-neglected post, but it came with the benefit of being the speaker at events like this. Here, in the sacred chapel blessed a thousand times over by the Richoux legacy’s many ancient Orange binding spells. Lux of all types whirled and poured throughout the room, the intensity so great that all in attendance felt the same density of heat in the room. A million million joules of energy cast heat like one wouldn’t believe across the building… 

But there were hundreds here, and outside was a thousand more: Supernatural members of the Temple of Charming and Graceful Individuals, and those from the constituent relations in organizations which dated to far older and more esoteric connections. Truly massive names in the Supernatural communities of Europe, North and South America… Even their African branches made the trip this year, their multitude of colorful robes contrasting against the greys and browns of typical Second Dawn branches.

Casey was sat behind Leon, with Hari to his left and his elder sister to his right. Behind them still was Lynette, draped in trademark gold robes and one of her many enchanted accessories that danced about her head like a wobbly halo. And it was the back of Casey’s skull which was being drilled by evil eyes that tormented his inner mind.


[color=8882be][i]”Juuuuust do it. Go ahead. Take the swing. Not a single person in this room would jump to save me. They all want me just as dead as you do, don’t they Casey? My friends, my family, my [b]babies?[/b] You’re all against me now. Like I’m the Wicked Witch of the fucking West?”[/i][/color]


Just ignore her wasn’t something that worked. But, he had a great deal of mental fortitude. The bombs dropping nearby tended to give one the ability to brace for impact with gusto. Impact after impact rocking his melon into a nice, gentle rest. Concussion. Brain damage. Loss of function. Death…

[color=8882be][i]”Oh waaaaah, I signed up to get shot at because my Grampy said I could! Waaaaah, I ran away from home because people were [b]mean to me[/b] for being different. God! I bled for you! Did you know that? Have I told you that I [b]bled[/b] for you? You nearly eviscerated me, you were so big! I carried you naturally, for nine months! Like a dumbass! For what? You to just let me die!? Over what!?”[/i][/color]

Just. Keep. Listening.