[right][code]Thursday November 16th
Cass’ Apartment[/code][/right]
The next day, things were back to more of the normal routine- a night together filled with vigorous activity and then cuddling to sleep, before Leon had to go for his Layla Hyacinthus babysitting duties. 

Which left Cass with no excuses to stop her from dragging herself up to her apartment to start unpacking. 

It had gone well for a while. She moved her desk to the back corner of the main room, in a nice little nook between the bathroom and the apartment walls. Then, she’d gotten to work setting up her monitors and main computer. The other desktops were just shoved under the desk to be dealt with later. 

She’d started ‘unpacking’ her clothes- mainly throwing them into piles on the very generously provided couch that had obviously been snuck in there when she was in Portland. Then, she got distracted. Because she made the mistake of unpacking some of her books in the middle of going through her clothes… Because the box was in the middle! What else was she supposed to do?

So of course she started reading a book she’d gotten half way through and forgotten. It was only natural… What better place to read a book than in the middle of a bunch of boxes and strewn clothes? 

And it was peaceful! For a little while at least, until there was the faint sensation of eyes following Cass’ place alongside on the page. Like the feeling of primary school, where two children had to share the book and read along. Finally, after a few pages, a small voice made itself known openly.

[color=ded2b8]”Can you [i]please[/i] stop reading so quickly? I don’t understand all of it.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Holy shit!”[/color] Cass nearly jumped out of her skin- and literally jumped in the air. Which was impressive, considering she was lying on her stomach.

She turned to face the little ghost girl with wide eyes. She didn’t recognise her but… She could only assume she was a ghost attached to one of the other residents. She wasn’t sure who but… That didn’t really matter much. Not when she looked so young! And cute!

[color=629c3f]”Where did you come from?”[/color] She asked, before suddenly flipping to the start of the book. 
[color=629c3f]”And of course you don’t understand it… You’re starting from the middle! Here, we gotta start from the beginning!”[/color]

[color=ded2b8]”No, no, the [i]words![/i] I still haven’t learned [i]all[/i] the words yet. Anyway, I’m a Ghost! A dead one! I got pickled in a wine barrel, like, a long time ago. Still buried under the floor downstairs!”[/color] 

The milky white visage of the girl was [i]not[/i] dressed like any kind of Gold Rush era dirt basement child who died in a vat of wine. She was in sweatpants, and a comfy looking sweater that had [i]some kind[/i] of logo on the front. Only, it was like looking at a two-hundred forty-four pixel image blown up; terribly fuzzy, no clarity, almost artificially intelligent…


She looked down, then back up, and she smiled visibly. It let out the oddest wisps of white smoke that smelled [i]terrible.[/i]
[color=ded2b8]”Well… Can’t fool ‘em all. My Moms are comin’ up to say hello. And, give you presents to keep your new house warm. Whatever the Hell that’s supposed to mean. I’m Serenity.”[/color] the ghost explained vaguely.

Her cumulous, almost gaseous form may have stuck its arm out to shake the hand, but in the same instant, it retreated back as if it’d never been there before.

[color=ded2b8]”It's about all the shakin’ I can do. Unless you’d really like to [i]relax with me.[/i]”[/color] Serenity intoned calmly, her whole shape collapsing into a cloud only to reform sprawled out across the floor.

Cass had no idea what ‘relax with me’ meant. It didn’t sound like something awful, but… She couldn’t relax right now! Not when she still had a shit ton of unpacking to still do. And her Moms were coming up? Like, Ghost Moms? Was this really a haunting? Obviously not from a wine barrel death, but maybe something else…

Either way, she clearly couldn’t touch the little ghost girl right now. 

She closed her book, rolling to sit up. 
[color=629c3f]”Well, it’s nice to meet you, Serenity. You ever heard of an air five? It’s like… a high five, but your hands don’t actually touch. Like- we both make the motion without slapping each other! It’s pretty cool!”[/color] She raised her hand and made a high fiving motion to demonstrate.

[color=ded2b8]”Yeah, yeah… I do it with my aunts and uncles.”[/color]
Reactively, the young ghost threw her own hand up, even mimicking the slapping noise with her mouth.


Her form was still laid on the floor, not really doing much of anything besides being a visually ambiguously aged young woman. She could’ve been ten, could’ve been sixteen, but it all seemed to get lost in the way the fog rolled under her vague features. 
[color=ded2b8]”How [i]is[/i] Uncle Lee? He left this morning, I assume to hang out with that Layla girl! He keeps complaining about it to Ma, so… I bet!”[/color] she asked, not really [i]knowing[/i] she was supposed to care about how Cass was settling into the new Apartment.

[color=629c3f]”Well, it’s more a job than it is hanging out.”[/color] Cass shrugged one shoulder, not seeming bothered at all with the question or topic. 
[color=629c3f]”So… Y’know, everyone complains about their job a bit! But yeah, he’s gone to look after her. Otherwise he’s good! I mean, who wouldn’t be hanging out with me all the time?”[/color]

With her mentioning Uncle Lee, Cass had a slightly better idea of who her Moms might be. The three girls in the basement apartment? Mia, Ed, and Hari? They’d met, and talked a little bit, but not spent much time together yet. Which… made this pretty exciting!

[color=ded2b8]”Oh, well… I guess I don’t know the answer to that one. I don’t know you to say one way or another, do I? Can I copy the way you talk? I [i]loike ih.[/i]”[/color] she wasted no time commencing with her plan. 

However, the door knock was already interrupting her.
[color=ded2b8]”Aw, geeze, fun police. Fun… Bobbies? Monties? Which one?”’[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Oh, you’d never get this- we call em the Dibble. A bit odd, I know.”[/color] Cass laughed, hopping to her feet. 
[color=629c3f]”Feel free too! I ain’t gonna stop anyone from tryna sound less American!”[/color]

Still laughing, she made it over to the door- having to step around boxes and other discarded books to get there. She opened the door with a bright grin, launching right into it.
[color=629c3f]”Hello! Welcome, welcome… Y’here to pick up your kid? She’s been real good, honest.”[/color]

Outside the door were three women, the same she’d met previously, only this time they at least seemed like they were going somewhere. Catching them mostly naked could never have bothered Cass, but the one at the head of the pack [i]always[/i] tried to make a great first impression.


[color=0072bc]”Hey, Cass! We, uh… Well, what better person to send up and check to make sure we’re not just barging in! Did she scare you too bad?”[/color] Hari asked, her bright red hair shimmering in the light from the hall. 

Flanking her on both sides were Ed and Mia, one of whom dressed like an Adam Sandler impersonator while the other dressed in very soft clothing. Hari at least looked somewhat distinguished, but that didn’t do a lot surrounded by two homeless people. Though, anyone in the know on fashion would be able to clock Mia’s as the most [i]expensive[/i] outfit with her eleven hundred dollar kashmir sweater and camel fur knee high socks.

In her arms, Ed carried a couple of boxes wrapped in gift wrap, while Mia was holding something large and rectangular behind her back.

[color=66bb6a]”We’re honestly here to welcome you! Wanted to say hello, bring you gifts! Leon told us you were moving in up here, so we got uh… Well, the usual package!”[/color] Ed explained, her vaguely hoarse voice giving strong contrast to Hari’s. Mia didn’t speak, but did peek her head in and smile at Serenity, who smiled and waved back.

[color=629c3f]”I got no idea what the usual package is, but gifts are always welcome! Come in, come in- Uh, sorry ‘bout the mess. I got distracted while unpacking.”[/color] Cass pressed against the door to hold it open and let the three in past her. Once they were inside, she immediately darted over to the couch, grabbing as much clothes as she could and throwing them over some of the boxes. 

[color=629c3f]”Heh, there we go, now there’s room to sit! Make yourselves comfortable… Unless you were just wanting to drop stuff off and leave?! Which I totally get! I ain’t got much to offer right now… Aside from water.”[/color] She was a bit erratic, mostly with the realisation that her apartment really wasn’t ready for visitors. 

Then she paused in the middle of everything, gesturing slightly with her arms. 
[color=629c3f]”Do you do hugs?! Leon said it’s a family thing, but I don’t wanna assume!”[/color]

Mia was quick to have an expression of shock and excitement.
[color=ed145b]”Oh, girl, you’re not gonna be able to escape huggin’ me after this!”[/color]


[color=0072bc]”No, Mimiiiiii-”[/color]

It was too late. As Mia got close enough to Cass for a hug, she whipped it out. The frame, half as tall and just as broad Cass was, was burnished metal with a coppery sheen. Powdered, almost. But inside was, for the second time in less than a day, an insanely valuable piece of Gravity memorabilia. Obviously, for a family that’d been around him all their lives, the Richoux siblings had plenty of different relics and stashed heirlooms. Most didn’t even have homes, and were waiting for the day that Leon managed to open some kind of boxing museum.

But this was [i]it.[/i] It wasn’t Leon, no; Maxwell IV in all his glory, going up against the Greek God Ares: At the time, probably all time, the fight between Gravity Richoux and Ares Katsaros had been such a spectacle event that fortunes were made and lost in bets that night. And this was the absolute Cadillac of display pieces involving the fight. A full poster, pristine and sealed in the frame since the day after the fight, along with ringside pictures, event programs, newspaper articles, clippings, and… 

At the very bottom of the display, held in place by a powerful spell and lightened to keep the frame as nimble as possible, the [i]Cosmic Collision Galactic Championship belt.[/i] The only one of its kind, made for the event and still kept by the Richouxs to this day.

Until its rightful heiress found the [i]perfect[/i] fan to hand it off to.

[color=ed145b]”[i]This[/i] is my pleasure to give to you… To welcome you. I know it’s too much, but I want you to take it [i]anyway![/i] Because, Brother or not, you’ll always be a fan of our Dad. I hope, anyway![/color]

[color=629c3f]”[i]Holy[/i] shit! What the fuck?!”[/color] Cass’ reaction was as extreme as it always was. Just [i]seeing[/i] the poster was enough to have her practically vibrating. Then, all the other pictures? The [i]belt[/i]?! She did her best not to actually [i]bounce[/i] for fear she’d hit into something so precious. But all that energy had her swinging from side to side like a metronome at the fastest tempo. 

[color=629c3f]”Are- Are you sure?! I mean- I guess you are! Holy fuck, I’ma have to hang this up in my bedroom… Shit, thank you so much!”[/color] She took the frame from Mia, just staring at it for a moment. Taking it all in. It was [i]amazing[/i]. Everything was placed perfectly, and it was just… filled with so much. 

[color=629c3f]”One minute!”[/color] Cass darted off with it, to safely stash in her bedroom. Once she came back out with free hands, she went right for Mia. 

She hugged the taller girl with incredible enthusiasm. It wasn’t a light hug at all- though Cass was careful not to squeeze Mia too tight. After just a moment she [i]lifted[/i] her off the ground, and even spun her around. She was surprisingly light…

[color=629c3f]”Shit, I don’t think I got enough words to say how amazing that is! Fuck, thank you, I’ll treasure it forever!”[/color]

[color=66bb6a]”Augh, Mia!”[/color]
[color=0072bc]”No fair!”[/color]

The other two girls immediately closed in, with Hari hugging Mia’s legs into Cass while Ed moved in for the double pickup. One arm slipped under Cass, the other under Hari, and there was a moment of hoisting before nothing came of it… But they were all [i]very[/i] close.

[color=0072bc]”She was [i]supposed[/i] to reveal that last! So we [i]all[/i] got excitement!”[/color] Hari explained through a squished mouth muffling her speech.


[color=ed145b]”I got-The first huuuuug. You twoooo-Both suuuuuuck!”[/color]
The three of them laughed in unison, and Hari lifted a hand up to pinch Mia’s bony arse.

[color=0072bc]”Slag! You betray the Coven! Sister Cass, to the Couch of Doom with her!”[/color] Hari playfully instructed, putting on a fake pirate voice.

Cass laughed with them, grin so wide it threatened to escape her lips. They were all… So fucking… Adorable! God! She’d always wanted younger sisters. Was this what it was like?!

[color=629c3f]”Now, now, ain’t that a bit harsh? It’s cold and lonely over there!”[/color] Cass cackled, before bending her legs slightly. Green Lux subtly rippled across her body, further enhancing her natural strength. 
[color=629c3f]”Gotta make sure she has some company!”[/color]

She quickly shifted her arms, somehow managing to slip around [i]all three[/i] of them. It wasn’t the most stable or comfortable, and she was basically pressing them all into each other… But! It was more than possible for her to lift them all up and waddle the few steps over to the couch before letting them all go. 

[color=629c3f]”There we go… And don’t worry! Plenty’ve hugs and excitement to go around. I dunno how much Leon’s told you but I’m, like, an expert in excitement.”[/color]

All three of them started squealing when she managed to wrangle them all into one bundle of lesbians. Ed particularly wasn’t used to the treatment, so her feet instinctively kicked and pumped at the air before they landed in a pile on the couch. 

[color=0072bc]”Eddy, you [i]kicked[/i] me!”[/color] Hari pouted playfully, wrapping her arms around Ed and kissing on her before she could pull away.

[color=66bb6a]”Save it! Save it for Cass!”[/color] Ed laughed, finally pushing her away before they managed to situate themselves on the couch in a human fashion. Though, Ed was quick to get back up and bring over the other gifts.

[color=66bb6a]”Now, uh… Well, what with the Trisha Decrees, we’ve been pretty hesitant to ask much. Afraid we’ll hear [i]too[/i] much, and then it’s squaams to the ceiling.”[/color]
The two boxes were both big enough that they had to be carried underarm like footballs.

[color=0072bc]”Mind you, not sure how clear we made it, but we [i]love[/i] Trisha.”[/color] Hari added with an incredibly matter-of-fact tone.

[color=ed145b]”Porcupine Trisha… We do, I promise! We do! Just, well… This is really the first time we’ve ever made concessions for people outside our circle, right? It’s hard adjusting. So, it’s refreshing you want hugs, and like-”[/color]

[color=0072bc]”-You don’t want us out of your apartment. Not that I’m using magic to know, just… I know I don’t need to, I can feel it.”[/color] Hari included, piggybacking off of what Mia was saying.

[color=66bb6a]”But, we figured you were different, and Leon said so, so we figured coming up here today to welcome you in would hopefully start you off on the right food.”[/color] Ed said, stomach growling at the end of her sentence.

[color=ed145b]”Food? Hungry, Babe?-”[/color] Mia started giggling, wrapping her arms around Ed and squeezing. [color=ed145b]”-Admittedly, we [i]did[/i] order a delivery. It was two-of-three that we’d order you some treats, and the third came around when we decided we’d be okay with doing that even if you [i]didn’t[/i] want us around.”[/color] she continued on to admit.

[color=629c3f]”Well, food tastes best when there’s other people around! And yeah, course I want you guys around… I mean, sure, we haven’t really talked much before! But that just makes it all more exciting, huh?”[/color] Cass grinned at them all. 

She could completely understand where the wariness came from, if Trisha was the comparison. Cass loved Trisha with all of her heart, but she also knew her friend’s flaws. She was so prickly. Always keeping up high walls so she didn’t have to risk anyone hurting her… Not understanding the stability of platonic love. 

[color=629c3f]”I get it with Trisha, you don’t need to worry bout that either. I love her too, but she’s always been like… delicate china! Gotta treat her just right. Eh, that ain’t the right metaphor, cause if that was the case I would’ve smashed her…”[/color] Cass got lost for a moment, before clapping her hands together. 
[color=629c3f]”Anyway! I know exactly what she’s like. I understand being worried, since I’m her friend! But yeah, I really ain’t like that… Hug me all you want! Bother me all you want! Well, heh, maybe not at certain times when I’m with Leon… but otherwise! Completely open.”[/color]

She nodded, hoping that reassured them a bit more, before continuing. 
[color=629c3f]”Y’know, she used to be [i]worse[/i]. Not… Not as a person! With hugs. When I first met her… When was it? Six years ago! I’d hug her and she’d flinch away. But y’know who you’re looking at?”[/color] She grinned, pointing a thumb at herself. 
[color=629c3f]”The reason that Trisha Vanburen tolerates hugs from anyone who isn’t a romantic partner!”[/color]

[color=ed145b]”Tolerate’s a [i]very[/i] strong word, I’d say.”[/color] Mia pouted slightly. Hari held her close, patting her head like a sullen child.


[color=0072bc]”Oh, never mind her Cass. Couldn’t quite get across what she wanted to say to Trisha, but it’s important to her. Maybe, if you’re that open, you’ll be able to help [i]all of us[/i] out with relating to her. And, her little problem specifically.”[/color] Hari smiled, sticking her tongue out slightly. 

[color=ed145b]”Probably! But, uh, I really don’t wanna make this about that, right? We’ve done enough pushing lately elsewhere, we’ll just-”[/color]

[color=66bb6a]”-accept that for once, we’ve got an easy friend? Sounds [i]great.[/i]”[/color] Ed replied, sending the others into roaring laughter. 
While they giggled, Ed was already positioning the other presents.

[color=66bb6a]”So, every tenant gets a historic piece of boxing memorabilia, because the building is just as much a boxing legend as Gravity was. Then, you get a nice woven blanket!”[/color]

She handed off the first box to let Cass rip open and admire the incredibly intricate woven detail. The threads were a loose fibre, with plenty of fluff and little divots indicative of a crochet style, and it looked like a nebula in space similar to the cassette cover Leon had gotten her.

[color=0072bc]”Because what's housewarming without, y’know, something to warm your house. That fibre is actually nice wool, grown in the colors, not dyed. We’ve got magic, why not grow a blue sheep?”[/color] Hari laughed nervously.

[color=66bb6a]”And the second is to warm yourself! Only one rule: Leon can’t drink any. Its not exclusion for the sake of it, only that he has plenty of his own: Don’t let him drink yours. If anything, let it age. It’s a great year, it’ll only get better in the bottles.”[/color]

The second box, much heavier, revealed itself as an eight pack of French wines from the L’matise vineyards. The only connection she had to her French blood left was the Cabernet that ran through it. Four whites on one side, and four reds on the other, all varied in taste and savor.

[color=66bb6a]”I also know you’re not a snob, but everyone loves good wine. So, I hope they’re all good!”[/color]
[color=0072bc]”We!”[/color]
[color=ed145b]”All three! We want you to be happy and feel excited to be living here. Because we’re happy to have you.”[/color]

All three smiled between one another, nodding along happily.

Cass was blown away by the gifts. The woven blanket was beautiful. Seemed super cozy too… just in case she had any cold, lonely nights! Then, the wine… She wasn't so much of a wine drinker, but Ed was right! Everyone loved a good wine! 

[color=629c3f]"D’aw, that's so fucking cute… Thank you so much! Shit, this is all amazing… I ain't ever got a housewarming gift like this!"[/color] She grinned, quickly darting away to put the blanket on her bed where it'd be safe from any unpacking chaos. The box with the wine was placed in the kitchen before she bounded back over to the girls. 

[color=629c3f]"Seriously, thank you!"[/color] She pulled Hari into a tight hug. 
[color=629c3f]"You too!"[/color] Ed got one next. 
[color=629c3f]"... And it's only fair!"[/color] She couldn't resist swinging back round to give Mia another hug, before she went to perch on the edge of the couch. Mostly because she had too much energy to properly sit down… 

[color=629c3f]"I feel insanely happy to be here! And, y'know, I was a lil worried I was gonna have to camp out on the gym and force my friendship onto people… I'm a pretty social person! But Leon’s got all his duties, and Trisha's busy being in love… So I'm super happy to have you three as well!"[/color] She spoke incredibly enthusiastically. So genuine. She really was happy about it… She was such a social creature. And it was doubly awesome that these three were people so important in Leon's life! 

[color=629c3f]"But I gotta ask… before it tears me apart tryna figure it out…"[/color] Cass trailed off, expression seeming to turn a bit more serious. Just for a moment.
[color=629c3f]"What kinda food did you order?!"[/color]

[color=ed145b]”Well, we wanted sushi. Our plan was to drag you out, but-”[/color]
[color=0072bc]”-I figured, and we [i]agreed![/i] We [i]did[/i] agree, I don’t want them making you think I’m some evil taskmaster-”[/color]
[color=66bb6a]”-We agreed it’d be better to have it delivered, that way we can help you unpack!”[/color]

Clearly all three had something they wanted to say, but adding three contributions on a single thought was never easy. Most days, Hari was the group speaker purely by virtue that she had the fewest “off” days. Mia’s natural antisocial personality crawled out of her throat every few days, while Ed’s depression symptoms came in long, slow waves that weren’t always predictable. Hari had no qualms about blasting her own brain with her Pink Lux, then getting back to business until a time that she could truly purge the negativity.

But they were [i]all[/i] excited. Excited to be here, excited to be welcomed, and even more excited that it seemed like she had no problem with them [i]staying.[/i] None of them were particularly tidy, leaving most of the inhabited space they shared devoid of peaceful respite. Each way the head turned was a mess to clean, and this being their shared day off of work, none of them wanted to be cooped up. Not down there with [i]It.[/i]

[color=629c3f]”Oh, you’d seriously do that? You don’t gotta just cause you’re spending time up here and eating and shit! Honestly, any excuse for me to put it off longer…”[/color] Cass laughed. She was just more than glad to have the company. Not that she was the kind of person who needed it- not when she fell into some kinda hobby hole. But when faced with the daunting task of unpacking? Boring shit? Yeah, it was nice. 

[color=629c3f]”If you guys wanna help, you gotta be alright with my technique… Which is pure chaos. As you can probably see, cause I got clothes everywhere! And books too! I got distracted reading one… Wouldn’t’ve stopped till I was done if your lil ghost daughter didn’t pop up on me. Thank fuck, honestly!”[/color] Cass grinned, hopping up and moving towards the kitchen.

[color=629c3f]”So… What do you guys wanna drink? I got water, fancy wine, and a couple bottles of beers in my bag I nicked from my friends. They’ll be warm, I didn’t have time to put em in the fridge last night. There ain’t anything in there-”[/color] Cass paused midway through talking, opening the fridge as if things would just materialise inside it. They [i]had[/i]. At least a mix of soda cans and some more beers. Maybe put there when some of the guys moved her shit up?

What a nice gesture.
[color=629c3f]”Well I guess I gotta load of soda too! And cold beer!”[/color] 

Ed laughed aloud.
[color=66bb6a]”I get a text message from Casey yesterday asking me to skim a little budget for a grocery run. I sent it off through the proper channels, so it’s nice to see the fruits of my labor.”[/color] she asked, clapping her hands and getting up.

[color=0072bc]”Is- Is that a case of fucking Last Round in there? [i]Please[/i] don’t tell me those idiots paid for beer we can get for free!”[/color] Hari groaned, furrowing her brow.

[color=66bb6a]”Naaaah. I told them to grab one from the store room. Uh, Cass? If you [i]ever[/i] run out of beer, go upstairs one floor and hit up five-o-three. Just open the front door, walk in, grab another rack or whatever, walk out. No questions.”[/color] Ed laughed again, getting closer to Cass and snagging a few beers so she didn’t have to carry everything.

[color=ed145b]”This isn’t a brag: That shit’s like water at this point… In fact, I honestly trust that the water quality in the beer is better than St. Portwell tap.”[/color] Mia made a disgusted face after saying that, then laughed aloud as Hari playfully slapped her leg.

[color=0072bc]”Well don’t scare her! She’s gonna wind up perpetually drunk, unwilling to drink water like a normal human!”[/color] Hari’s half-straight face turned into a playful smirk as she giggled.

[color=629c3f]”Oh my poor, young, sweet Hari… I’m English! Of course I’m gonna be perpetually drunk!”[/color] Cass cackled as she pulled out one for herself, immediately opening it. She grabbed another to make it four between her and Ed, already knocking back hers. All that unpacking- what little she did- had been hard work!

[color=629c3f]”I’m a Green Adept! I ain’t too worried ‘bout what I put into my body. I bet I can repurpose the nasty chemicals or whatever into like… A noxious gas fart or some shit!”[/color]

Ed was quick to hype Cass up, slapping her drink down on a solid surface and making quite the show of pointing at the newcomer with both hands in motion. Rapid stabbing points, big sweeping pointing motions, so vigorous that even Serenity began to mime her Host-Mother with eerie precision. 

[color=66bb6a]”[i]She understands the [b]fucking[/b] assignment![/i]”[/color]

The rapid motion ended in a hug while the other two laughed their asses off on the couch. Serenity wrapped herself around them in a smokey wisp, letting her form turn into a curly cloud before hugging Ed’s back directly… Which promptly [i]broke up[/i] the hug as Ed nervously cleared her throat.

[color=66bb6a]”Aaaah… Sorry. Ren? You know the rules, Baby, I’m sorry…”[/color]

The ghost looked somewhat sad, kicking imaginary rocks with her cloud feet. But she nodded and let out a terribly quiet apology.

Cass tilted her head as she watched. It didn’t seem particularly fair on the little girl, ghost or not. Was it… Something to do with what she mentioned earlier.

[color=629c3f]”You ain’t allowed to hug outside the house or somethin’? That seems a bit unfair- unless it’s… To do with the relaxing thing?”[/color] She looked a little confused, staring right at Ed with some amount of prompting in her gaze. Not that she’d be upset if she didn’t get an answer! It just seemed a lil harsh…

All three women shared [i]a look.[/i] How much to reveal, how much to explain, how far before-

[color=66bb6a]”Serenity’s… Our baby. All three of us. We made her together, and I was the only one whose Lux wouldn’t bind. I couldn’t Kindle. So, when she was born, I took her on as my own. She… Well, touching, hugging, can be dangerous for our girl. More like, for the people around her.”[/color] Ed explained, only for Mia to clear her throat.

[color=ed145b]”Dancing around won’t help anyone…”[/color] Mia grumbled, clearly in pain over the current moment.

[color=66bb6a]”If you accept hugs, and affection, you’re accepting that you’ll keep her safe. Protect her. Which means, in return, she’ll keep you at peace. Peace for the three of us… For a long time, was pretty serious opiate usage. Serenity is our little Poppy Princess, uh- Y’know. Heroin. Hugging her, accepting her, means she’s open to making you feel at peace. So, unless you’re interested in learning what it feels like to be super fucked up? We try to keep her as un-clingy as we can. At least outside of designated times. She understands, but she’s still a little girl about things… She’ll be a baby probably as long as I live.”[/color] Ed admitted, smiling as Serenity slotted into her side.

[color=0072bc]”Only, poor Ed ain’t immune either. So, too much hugging, or too much of a good feeling… She gets just as caught. We don’t really want anyone out of commission right now.”[/color] Hari added, rubbing Mia’s shoulder and leg as the girl seemed to grow weepy and anxious within moments.

It was the moment of truth. Well, probably one of many. The gates of Richoux friendship included things like “Please don’t hate me for my heroin baby.” or “My Mother made me breastfeed until I was six.”. Strange, often maddeningly minute moments of trauma that would eventually leak out, each another opportunity for the person on the other side to pass hate through their judgement until the love was lost… 

And then she’d be alone again. Only them. Their little universe. She didn’t hate it, but the thought of being trapped alone, isolated even in that trio, gave Mia enough impetus to loathe the feeling of losing new people.

Cass looked incredibly [i]sad[/i]. They were all so young… She knew Mia was eight years younger than Leon, so… Twenty one. They were all around the same age. And Ed said Heroin had been their peaceful place for a long time… They must have been even younger when they started. She could only guess. It was difficult to keep the anger out of her expression too- that anger she felt towards unjustness. Where the fuck had the adults been?!

But she was smart enough to know they’d perceive the anger as being towards them. But she couldn’t hide the sadness. Hiding anything was difficult for Cass. 

[color=629c3f]”So you can’t ever hug her unless you’re alright with that happening? That’s awful for you all.”[/color] Her volume was much lower than it had been. There wasn’t that same excited bounce. Instead it was replaced with empathy and sympathy. 

She made her way over to the three girls on the couch, crouching down in front of all of them. She patted each one on the legs, before very gently resting her hands on Mia. She seemed to be reacting the worst, after all. Did she expect rejection? Probably… A lot of people would. She wasn’t a lot of people. 

Cass looked up at them all with big eyes shining with compassion.
[color=629c3f]”I ain’t gonna judge you guys for any of that- or Serenity. I may be judging the adults in your lives who let that- shit, not important right now! Wherever you are right now with it… Well, course, recovery is better- that’s beside the point! Maybe it don’t mean much coming for a practical stranger, but I’m here, y’know. That ain’t gonna stop unless you do something really heinous.”[/color] 

Though it was a little rambly, the point got across. She cleared her throat a little awkwardly, looking at Serenity. 
[color=629c3f]”I’m sorry, Ren- if I can call you that- but I ain’t gonna be able to hug you or anything. I did heroin once in uni- an ex suggested it may help me chill out a bit- and I ain’t looking to do it again. I like my normal energy!”[/color] 

Mia couldn’t keep from balling, immediately reaching out and wrapping around Cass at the first sign of acceptance. It was all she could do up to that moment to keep the dam from bursting open, and now it was just a sobbing hug that echoed through all their ears. Serenity, however, slowly and calmly rubbed Mia’s back while nodding at Cass.

[color=ded2b8]”It’s okay… I know, at least, that it isn’t easy for people around me. But, the people around me love me. And sometimes we relax.”[/color] her ghostly smile curled up just a little more.


[color=0072bc]”With… The important distinction that it’s not-”[/color]
[color=66bb6a]”-Hey! She said we’re good. Let’s trust her; no more qualifiers.”[/color]

The two of them seemed satisfied, which meant all of their attention had to be turned to the [i]actual[/i] baby of the situation. Mia was still desperately clinging to Cass’ shirt, hunched over into her lap and sobbing. The release, hearing that there wasn’t going to be immediate rejection and that there was little chance of lasting, prolonged judgement based on a twenty-year built notion that she wasn’t anything but a lazy slob. That her addiction, and the impetuous need to escape the constant pressure of simple existence, didn’t define her. 

Trisha had been so lukewarm… Even the relayed moments of goodness that Ed, or Casey had obviously seen were dull because of how difficult it was trusting anything between them besides Trisha’s utter disinterest. Sure, they’d exchanged niceties, and it was instinctual for Mia to give as a means of showing affection. It was effort she went through, after all, proving that she was useful and not worthlessly lazy. That she really had been crippled by expectation, and that giving her life to the darkness of nothing like the authors of old had been purely reactionary. But… 

[color=ed145b]”I-i j-u-ust d-o-on’t wanna lose… You… I don’t wanna lose another friend…”[/color] she quietly wept into Cass’ lap. It was probably odd to see such a strong reaction, but the buildup had been there long before Cass was ever the subject of its results.

[color=629c3f]”And you won’t.”[/color] Cass leaned up towards Mia, arms wrapping around her. She held her close, one hand moving up to soothingly rub the back of her head. It was an extreme reaction, and Cass didn’t know everything behind it- but she could guess it was much more than this.

She’d experienced similar before. Well… A very different negative reaction to the slightest thought of abandonment from Trisha. No wonder there was a struggle between the two. Trisha always held people at an arms length to stop herself getting left. It wasn’t something she’d ever [i]told[/i] Cass explicitly, but Cass had experienced plenty of events that pointed to it. She was too insightful to miss something like that. 

It made her sad again that Mia was so used to it that she was breaking down like this. 

[color=629c3f]”You ain’t gonna lose me! Look, lemme make a promise… Even if shit doesn’t work out with Leon? We’ll still stay friends. Unless you wanna take his side cause it's a messy breakup- which it won’t be! But otherwise? None of you’ll lose me. I’m the kinda friend who sticks around through all kinda strife, alright?”[/color] She spoke as soothingly as was possible for her too- maybe a bit too loud to have that real comforting feel. But what she was saying was more important! And that she was still hugging her, and would until she felt alright enough to let go.

And, with a surprising jerk of strength, the entire height of Mia extended out, arms tucking into Cass and hoisting her up into the air to squeeze as she shook them both back and forth. There were no words, and Mia hoped that the sobbing didn’t turn into squealing as she allowed herself the moment. Only a moment, however, as the other two slipped off the couch and formed a solid surface of human shoulder under her.

Mia began to chant, voice still wobbly from the tears.

[color=ed145b]”She’s a jolly good fellow- For she’s a jolly good feeeelloooow-”[/color]

And within a moment, all three of them were carrying Cass around her apartment, tossing her up and down with joy and laughter returning around them. The establishment of a promise, and the understanding of a group of girls who could safely add a friendly face to their [i]very[/i] small book of outsiders. Really, the [i]next[/i] insiders. Friends and relations made outside this stupid cult, and their stupid way of life… In praise of Goodness on Earth in the form of Cass, Mia, Hari and Ed celebrated.
[hr]
After the celebration, the four got down to hard work… or at least the chaos of helping Cass unpack. It was a less stressful thing with some help- at least she could get suggestions for where to put shit! By the time food came, all of her clothes were properly (ish) put in the closet, and books were randomly put on the one shelving unit put in the apartment. She'd definitely need more, but for now it was fine. 

Sure, they got a bit distracted in the middle when Cass properly set up her electric guitar and gave them a little show- but Hari was able to sensibly pull out of it and redirect them. 

By the time food arrived, all that was left was boxes of her electronics equipment, of random shit, and a box full of photo frames she didn't want to think about placing yet. Also all of the boxing posters… again, she has to figure out where to put them! 

But there were more important things to worry about now. Mainly, eating the insane amount of food the girls had ordered. 

[color=629c3f]"Holy shit, you got enough to feed an army!"[/color] Cass practically vibrated as she helped laying all the food out across her kitchen counters. She didn't have a proper table- didn't really plan on getting on either, she could use her desk- so they had to make do with what was there. She probably shouldn't be surprised about how much food there was. She'd spent enough time with Leon… and she know about the Obli-thingy infection, but the girls were just so skinny! 

[color=629c3f]"Thank fuck, honestly. I gotta eat at least five times what I normally do now."[/color] Cass grinned. 
[color=629c3f]"Me and Leon practically are a hot pot place outta their meat yesterday… you shoulda seen their faces! They weren't so surprised by the first like five portions Leon had, cause he's a big guy y'know, but by the time I went for my fourth they were sweating a bit!"[/color]

There had to be four sushi boats worth of various morsels scattered about the counters. Like a military operation, the other three seemed to know and fall into their roles without hesitation. Ed had produced a small, folded sheet of parchment paper which, when enrolled, covered the entirety of the tabletop. Hari was popping container after container, leaving them all open and passing them off to Mia. 

In her hand, a small set of tongs which seemed to gingerly pick up each cut roll from its center piece, lifting in a static position as if they'd never been separated.

[color=66bb6a]”Being in a different city is the only way we can eat buffet style in our family. Before Gravity disappeared, Gramps and Nana came to town. He took all of us out to Mr. Roundtable's unannounced, and we got banned out of principle. I remember the owner still being apologetic, like he was sorry he didn't have enough food. But we were still asked not to come back! Then all the other buffets started doing it too. Now, if you're Temple, you can't go to a buffet in town.”[/color] Ed laughed.

[color=ed145b]”I can't blame ‘em. Besides, we've got Andrade. You wanna eat something crazy? He's got you.”[/color] Mia grinned as she spread the roll she had like a strange set of flower petals across this artsy food display.

Hari, close to Cass and snagging the occasional nigiri as she opened boxes, leaned in slightly.
[color=0072bc]”How [i]much[/i] do you actually know about our situation, anyway? Like, I know Lee isn't the [i]most[/i] transparent dude when it comes to talking about private things, but like… Y'know, cult of goth people, eating copious amounts of food, gathering wizards… You've gotta have thoughts on it, right?”[/color] Hari asked, curiosity in her voice.

Leon wasn't? Cass had found him pretty fucking transparent so far. Sure, he didn't offer up a ton of cult information from the get go. But if she ever asked about shit? He answered. Like the Oblivium infection - she knew cause she'd seen the inside of his mouth, all those black patches. Impossible to miss. Then the crazy apparition food… again, asked after Casey told her to steer clear of screaming food. 

[color=629c3f]"Well Leon ain't that secretive around me, so I know enough? Like the whole Lynette spying thing, the food- I ain't missing fucking black patches in my boyfriend's mouth-, the freaky cats- Ooo, that's looking real good."[/color] She couldn't help but get distracted for a moment by the way Mia was laying out the rolls. Sure, it'd be ruined when they ate, but it was nice for now! 

[color=629c3f]"Anyway! Obviously… I ain't so pro-cult. The coven thing? I can totally get. I didn't know how much I was missing till I came here, really. But as soon as it becomes a cult it's all control and…"[/color] Cass rubbed the back of her neck. 
[color=629c3f]"Well it don't take much to read between the lines and figure you're [I]all[/I] pretty fucking trapped. But I bet there's loads of people like you guys- uh, assuming I ain't read things wrong and you're super pro spying and control."[/color]

Where had she been going? 
[color=629c3f]"I think it's pretty fucked up. The actual cult, [I]not[/I] all the people in it."[/color]

Ed started laughing aloud. There seemed to be some kind of inside joke between the three of them, with Hari taking her face in one hand and shaking her head. Mia just looked shocked.


[color=66bb6a]”But, once again, we prove that nobody actually gives a fuck about what we’re doing! God, it’s so funny how many times I’ve been like ‘Yeah CULT y’know CULT ahahaha CULT’ and then people look at me like it's not a bad marketing strategy? We could be handing out vouchers for free homes on skid row, nobody’s going to give a fuck about what good we do. It’ll always be overshadowed!”[/color] she groaned, bouncing up and down with frustration.

[color=ed145b]”It ain’t like we can really explain what we’re doing [i]anyway![/i]”[/color] Mia intoned, shock turning to a vague frown.

[color=66bb6a]”Yeah we can! We’re goddamn Methodist environmentalists, we participate heavily in community outreach with an emphasis on giving back to the planet that harbors our petulant asses. That’s the [i]thing![/i]”[/color] Ed continued, a smile still on her face, but a clear verbalization of annoyance still ushering forth from her.

[color=0072bc]”It’s a weird situation, don’t blame her fo-”[/color] Hari tried to inject logic, but was cut off by Ed.
[color=66bb6a]”Woah! Nobody’s being blamed for anything.”[/color] she responded, defending her position.

There was a moment where the two women had a vague conversation between one another with eyes and head tilts alone… So Mia stepped in.

[color=ed145b]”Temple membership is like… Ninety percent Blinds who are looking for a church that isn’t going to tell them how to live. We provide that. Hippies like us, rich people like us, but most of the time they’re just doing the ‘Designer Religion’ thing. Spirituality, people try it out, some stay and most either quit or move onto something else. That’s the hard part. The federal government can’t even really wrap their heads around it.”[/color] Mia shrugged.

Another moment passed, and Hari took a deep breath before smiling.
[color=0072bc]”The only people who get culted, unfortunately, are people like you, Cass. Adepts who kindle into a situation where they don’t have support. Or, people like me: Magical people in bad situations who need safety. Which is what Mia meant, talking about the Government: We’re not classified as a cult. We’re not on their watchlists. Real people don’t get swallowed up in our system… Just the ones already living outside the norm.”[/color]

The three of them didn’t see it as defending the situation. Clarification, morelike. They were happy to accept that whatever it was [i]they[/i] were involved in was something altogether different than what most people were. Most people didn’t eat food made out of ghosts…

[color=629c3f]”Whoa, I pay taxes- paid taxes- the Government’d be coming after my money if I disappeared!”[/color] Cass waved that suggestion away. She’d spent a good couple of years with her only magical support being a Pink-White friend a good half day drive away… Not really felt bothered till she got more. But it was a good thing nobody in the Temple showed her their computer systems before she knew about the whole cult thing… 

[color=629c3f]”Look, I ain’t looking at it so black and white, even if I said it’s fucked up. You can do good things as group while still hurting other people- and I’m sure there’s plenty who’ve been hurt, right?”[/color] It was a rhetorical question, and she quickly moved on.
[color=629c3f]”Some people can be sheltered and grow after being accepted, others get trapped. [i]You[/i] can do a lotta good with the resources you got, but there’ll be people who abuse it. And… It can fundamentally be a group- coven, or whatever- with a proper aim, but if the core’s rotten, the bad’s always gonna be overshadowing the good.”[/color] 

Cass talked evenly, but she clearly wasn’t upset by what Ed had said. She couldn’t resist reaching out for a roll and popping the whole thing into her mouth, swallowing it down before saying a bit more. 
[color=629c3f]”Like I said… not black and white. I’m the kinda person who’s gonna call out injustices, but I also recognise the good, y’know? It’s like… our whole fucking society! The system, the people right up there with all the power going to their heads? Pretty shit, but that don’t discount all the good people under ‘em do.”[/color]

[color=0072bc]”And, my good ladies, remember that we’ve hardly had time to step into anything. We’re shitty babies, remember? Good for nothings?”[/color] Hari stuck her tongue out playfully as Mia laid the last box of sushi out. There had to be half a gallon worth of soy sauce packets and little wasabis, or hot mustard packs, pickled ginger slices dotting the spaces between the rolls. It all popped with color.

[color=ed145b]”I am [i]definitely[/i] good for laying the sushi out.”[/color] Mia giggled, grinning and looking up with a smile.
[color=ed145b]”Sorry, Cass. If I can’t see it all, sometimes I forget what we got and lose out on eating what I actually wanted. Like that-”[/color] she pointed to a roll end with a shrimp tail sticking out of it.

Then, in a moment of strangeness, she snagged the same roll end and ate the entire shrimp tail along with it. It didn’t even really look like she chewed, just… Rolled in around in her mouth, then swallowed…

[color=66bb6a]”We’re good for plenty. They can’t judge us ‘cuz we chose to spend our time how they didn’t like. Well, they can, right? But, fuck ‘em! Because they’re not real either.”[/color] she grinned and nodded, throwing up a fist toward Cass for her to bump.
[color=66bb6a]”And it’ll all be over soon enough.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Over? Like how?”[/color] Cass’ fist shout out to bump Ed’s instantly, equal parts intrigued and concerned by Mia seeming to swallow something whole. She wasn’t going to start choking, was she?! 

[color=629c3f]”Some kinda crazy coup?! Or shit just gonna dissolve? I know Casey was talking bout getting me to look at computer shit cause’ve your crazy brother, but I ain’t heard much beyond that. Or since that… Probably a Trisha gag order!”[/color] 

Cass grabbed some more plates, putting a little stack beside all the food. She started to absolutely cover hers in sushi… Getting something from every box, before pouring soy sauce over it. 
[color=629c3f]”But since I’m dating Leon, pretty sure I got the same rights to know about stuff as she does.”[/color]

There was a short “Should we” glance exchanged before both faces focused on Mia. Clearly, she was the only one in conflict about actually saying anything. However, after a moment of using the sushi as a buffer, she cleared her throat.

[color=ed145b]”Enough time’s passed. Everyone’s tired of the status quo. There’s no big scary nightmares in St. Portwell anymore; people don’t feel so scared. They forget why they needed help in the first place. I know for the three of us, we already tried to get out once, so… There’s nothing saying we’re opposed. But, unfortunately, the coup part was spot on. Mom’s not the type to go quietly into that good night, y’know?”[/color] she explained very simply, doing her best to avoid the nuance of her visions. After all, how could she explain herself? 

To one of Trisha’s friends, no less…

Cass nodded, mouth forming a little ‘Ah’ shape. It did explain why Trisha was [i]so[/i] against her involvement. A coup meant there were sides and fighting. It wasn’t the kind of thing everyone came out of unharmed. But that was often the price that had to be paid for freedom, wasn’t it? 

[color=629c3f]”So it's gonna be real messy? And probably dangerous too…”[/color] Cass trailed off, stuffing a soy sauce covered sushi roll into her mouth and giving it a thoughtful chew. She hadn’t heard much about Lynette that made her seem like anything near a decent person. Sure, Leon clearly loved his Mother. But there were some really Mommy issues there… A lot of just casually said shit that she made her dislike the woman. 

But she was still his Mother. And Mia’s too. 
[color=629c3f]”That must be pretty tough for you. Even if you’re all fine with getting out, the whole situation… I imagine you gotta lotta mixed feelings about it. It’s…”[/color] Cass scratched the back of her neck. 
[color=629c3f]”Well, there ain’t really anything I can say that’ll make it all better! But if the worst happens- whatever that shit may be- and I’m here? I’ll at least help make sure you’re all safe and sound in the end, yeah?”[/color]

[color=ed145b]”I… Wish it had more to do with my Mom. She’s sick- I’ve known that since I was a little girl. I think I knew earlier than the others, relatively. Because of how early I Kindled, and… How close we were. Became. Forced… Scarily, it’s the feeling of knowing your animal’s sick and won’t get better. I’m resigned to that. It’s the fallout. The aftereffects, really. I don’t know, uh- Eddy?”[/color] Mia started to explain, clear dissociation as she let her actual thoughts tumble out in piecemeal for once. Hari wasn’t able to hide the shock on her face in response.

Ed stammered slightly, but found her footing quickly.
[color=66bb6a]”Ahhh, well… Y’know, there’s Adepts, then there’s Aberrants. Adepts are natural spellslingers: If you’ve played D&D, they’re like Sorcerers. You. But, then, Aberrants are like Warlocks. You gain your power via an Apparition, a ghost essentially, whether it takes a liking to you, needs your body for something, whatever. The culture’s always been divided among the Temple.”[/color] Ed explained, taking up some sushi from the table and eating it wholesale.

[color=ed145b]”Ed’s an Adjoined Aberrant. Hari and I are both Adepts. It’s [i]part[/i] of the culture that we’re seen as better than them. Than her. Because our magic comes from [i]us[/i] and not from some source that isn’t beholden to you. Which is obviously dumb, because Lux isn’t [i]beholden[/i] to us. But, assholes argue semantics, and will make it your problem if you stand against the system that keeps them comfortable.”[/color]

[color=0072bc]”There’s a high chance that the differences are not reconcilable, and that Lynette may become increasingly harsh and spiteful as things wind up. Which means, the undercurrent bubbles up to the surface.”[/color] Hari added, tone dire.

[color=ed145b]”And so people like Ed… or [i]Leon.[/i] Will be expected to fight for freedom. And, Hari and I will be expected to do harm in return. Civil war… [i]Then[/i] a coup. Because, why not step down [i]gracefully?[/i]”[/color]

Cass’ legs bounced up and down as she zoned out for the first little bid Ed said- though the D&D comparisons were entertaining. She knew the differences between the two. Reyna had told her, [i]then[/i] Leon had told her, and they’d even talked about the whole nonconsensual adjoining thing. Maybe she needed a little ‘not a complete beginner’ sign or something…

But she snapped back to it when Mia mentioned the whole better than her thing. That… made absolutely not fucking sense. It was just another kind of discrimination cause of how you were born. Like racism, but for magic. Of course the Abberants would want to rise up in that situation. But it didn’t mean all Adepts were awful either… Fuck, that really made the situation extra messy. 

[color=629c3f]”And you can’t just say ‘fuck those expectations’ and [i]not[/i] hurt people you love?”[/color] Cass asked bluntly, before quickly realising it wasn’t a fair question. 
[color=629c3f]”Sorry! I know it ain’t that simple. I mean… that’s just fucked up. We ain’t any better cause we got magic genetically. I’m sure there’s plenty of Adepts who think the same… Nobody deserves to be dragged into a civil war. But I also get wanting to fight the oppressors! Fuck.”[/color]

It wasn’t really something she could have any kind of positive reaction to. She wasn’t [i]in[/i] the Temple. She didn’t know the politics, or if it could be swayed away from some kind of civil war. Killing Lynette first? But people might still fight. 

[color=629c3f]”Casey and Trisha’ll have problems too, won’t they?”[/color] Cass frowned, shaking her head. It didn’t make it any better or worse. It was a bit hard to wrap her head around the whole moral dilemma.
[color=629c3f]”No one should have to fight like that if they don’t want to…”[/color]

[color=ed145b]”Casey and Trisha are-”[/color]
The words came out fast enough, and Mia had enough of a physical tensing, that she couldn’t help but stop and think about how she was [i]about[/i] to react. She’d already felt it coming on, but hearing those names… The Dream.
[color=ed145b]”-the… most important people in the story. I know it sounds funny, but you see the future with White Lux. It’s a curse, really. If you’re accurate, you prove to yourself that your world is on a string, and that choice is all a grand illusion. It’s a parabolic lens. All points reflect toward the same singular instance. Mom functions on that principle. She knows, she’s seen when she dies and by whom.”[/color]

She lost track of what she was trying to explain. There was a moment taken to rip open several wasabi packs and squeeze them into her mouth without reprieve. She needed focus.

[color=ed145b]”If Mom’s seen what I’ve seen, then… It’ll take her, my sister, another Temple member, and a rogue Apparition to bring her down. And the [i]only[/i] reason it happens is because Casey’s the person in the hot seat to protect her. And the only reason that he’s not fallen into the brainwash is because, unlike the last fucking ten years, he hasn’t been crippled with depression and anxiety like the rest of us… Because he’s got [i]Trisha.[/i] She’s his security blanket. So secure, he’s been shirking his duties completely. The security teams are in shambles, Furio is [i]pissed[/i] with him. He straight up [i]refused[/i] a duty recently…”[/color] Mia did her best to explain the whole thing as lamely as possible. No frills, no mist, no haze.


It was quite a lot for Cass to take in. She knew the gist of Casey’s job. Temple security, head honcho after Lynette… She didn’t really understand why he’d been given the job when he was so clearly besotted with Trisha. Did Lynette think he’d snap out of it because of duties, or whatever? That Casey wasn’t brainwashed seemed like a good thing. But it was hard to read how Mia felt about it with how she was just dealing out the facts. 

Nevermind the whole prophetic dream stuff. Cass was still getting to grips with magic itself! That was way out of scope of what her very practical brain could imagine. 

[color=629c3f]”So Casey won’t protect Lynette because of Trisha… Furio’s the guy who had his job before, right? So people real deep on Lynette’s side are pissed, makes sense… Do [i]you[/i] think it’s a bad thing? All of you?”[/color] She decided to just ask the question on her mind after processing the facts as best as she could. 

[color=629c3f]”That Casey isn’t gonna protect her, and shit will collapse violently, instead of staying the status quo?”[/color]

[color=#0072BC]"[/color][color=#0C7BB1]A[/color][color=#1984A7]b[/color][color=#268D9D]s[/color][color=#339693]o[/color][color=#3F9F88]l[/color][color=#4CA87E]u[/color][color=#59B174]t[/color][color=#66BB6A]e[/color][color=#76A668]l[/color][color=#879166]y[/color] [color=#A96762]n[/color][color=#BA5260]o[/color][color=#CB3D5E]t[/color][color=#DC285C].[/color][color=#ED145B]"[/color] the three girls said in unison, almost instantly in reply.

[color=ed145b]”Like [i]I[/i] said… Mom’s a sick animal. Sick animals can’t ask for fairness. But sick animals don’t tyrannize others either, so...”[/color] 

[color=66bb6a]”Uh, f-first time Mia had a dream about Lynette dyin’, we were… Eleven? We’ve hashed it out a [i]lot[/i] over time as the picture’s gotten clearer in Mia’s head. The bottom line is that the system needs to go. Lynette’s not willing to make concessions, or to back down, because she’s convinced there’s only one way. I think it’s how these White Luxers actually ‘predict’ the future. They just lock in on something they think’s gonna happen and just fulfill the fuck out of it.”[/color] Ed tried to joke, only for Mia to give her an awful glare.

[color=ed145b]”Regardless, we’re not going anywhere until it’s resolved. Not until the armistice is signed, and the triage is done. I want sick people recovering before we start scrambling for our own skins. I’m not a little girl hiding under a skirt anymore.”[/color] Mia spoke sharply, with great conviction in her heart.

Cass nodded, serious expression breaking for a bit of a smile. Of course, the whole situation was shit. But they seemed determined to move forward… Which seemed like the right course. At least, to her. Even if it came at a cost… 

[color=629c3f]”Well, I ain’t planning to either. I know I’m not Temple, but I already feel like a protective big sister to you three- nevermind Leon, Trisha and Casey too. I’ll stick around and help how I can ‘till everything’s peaceful.”[/color] She spun around to the fridge, pulling out four more beers and handing one off to each of the girls. 

She then raised hers towards them, smile widening. 
[color=629c3f]”Gotta toast to that, right? To staying until everything’s over, and making sure there’s peace and happiness in the end.”[/color]

The three girls weren’t shocked to hear Cass say something like that, or react the way she did… But they [i]were[/i] inspired. Encouraged to stay the course.

[color=0072bc]”In so many words: Here’s to turning out the lights, Sisters. And the Coven of the Hidden Rose.”[/color]
The three girls put their hands together, and it became clear that all three shared some kind of ring tattoo: a little band, and a rose as the center. They smiled together, then at Cass. Serenity’s ghastly little hand slid up to meet them through the table, causing laughter across before they pulled away and drank.

[color=66bb6a]”We’ll get you one too, if you want. Join our coven… We do tea parties and cuddle puddles on Thursdays.”[/color] Ed grinned at Cass.

[color=629c3f]”[i]Ohhhh[/i], are you proposing to me, Ed?! Leon’ll be so upset!”[/color] Cass laughed, grinning back. It was good there was no lingering bad mood for now. 
[color=629c3f]”I do like the sound’ve tea parties and cuddle puddles, though! The more people to cuddle the better, I say. Sure, two’s nice ‘n intimate, but there’s just something real comfortable about lying in a pile of bodies.”[/color]

Not really thinking about how that sounded, Cass went back to absolutely demolishing the sushi on her plate. 
[color=629c3f]”How d’you form a coven, anyway? There any magical world coven creation rules, or it just a get a group together call it a coven kinda thing?”[/color]

The three of them laughed, unanimously shrugging.

[color=ed145b]”Traditions based on culture! To lock that down to anything besides a union of like minded individuals is just showing what culture you’re from. We figured the things we valued out of our relationship made for good Coven tenants, so we decided those are the lines we’d establish ourselves on. Love-”[/color]

[color=0072bc]”-Dedication-”[/color]

[color=66bb6a]”-and Faith! If you love your sister, if you’re dedicated to her, and have the utmost faith in her, then… Clearly you feel about her the way we feel about one another. Meaning, you’d qualify just as well for the same treatment. Just, y’know, as an example.”[/color] Ed finished their little display, and the three hugged with Hari in the middle. 

[color=0072bc]”It’s a marriage in spirit, I guess. The dedication part, really. Like, we’d never expect anyone to just relinquish themselves, but eventually it’d be nice to have a whole group of people living together in [i]love.[/i]”[/color] Hari smiled, giving a hint as to her own ideal.

[color=629c3f]”Awww, that is real nice. Honestly, super fucking adorable- not to sound patronising! It’s just so… ugh… so cute!”[/color] Cass was bouncing again, just thinking about the currently little love filled group that one day might expand to something equally loving, just larger. It was sweet. Idealistic, but not a bad ideal. 

[color=629c3f]”The kinda thing is something I’ve imagined before too. The whole larger group in love thing- none of this separate partners thing. That’s what’s always broken down my past poly relationships! For me love and dedication is the real important thing… I wanna dedicate myself completely, whether it's to one or multiple people!”[/color] Her hands threw into the air, almost throwing beer everywhere. 
[color=629c3f]”So- the point- it’s a Coven I can really approve of!”[/color]
[hr]
The day continued along into the evening, then the night as darkness fell around St. Portwell in a veil of cold. Eventually, Mia’s social battery drained up dry, and she craved the comfortable filth of their massive bed. Not before there was a text message that came into Cass’ phone at least, detailing Leon’s status. He’d be home soon, which meant that there’d only be a short lapse between accompanying bodies. 
He was interested in seeing how things had been put together upstairs, and knowing vaguely that Mia and the girls had been up to visit, he could only imagine the result. 

A day spent hanging around Layla was a day spent doing a whole lot of [i]vibing[/i]. She was, at least, an easygoing girl to be around, whose primary focus seemed to be the reeducation and reintroduction of Alizee Vul into the reality of Shimmer. Plenty of time spent just [i]going places[/i]. They’d been out to a farm, then to the ocean, off to a shopping mall, then back to the Temple Grounds for a service. 
He’d not expected her to take to the actual religious aspect, but either she was faking terribly well, or she found some kind of value in the spirituality. Either way, he was at least satisfied with it being his job, essentially.

Rather than head upstairs immediately, Leon headed down and gathered up the stuff for Cass’ record display, so that they could get it done together and find a place to hang it before settling in for their night together. In total, maybe an hour after the three girls left, Leon’s massive hand knocked squarely on Cass’ apartment door.

[color=C67C12]”[i]Luuuuuucyyyyyy[/i] I’m hoooooooome!”[/color] he jokingly called through the door.

There were a couple of clatters inside that Leon would easily pick up, and a distinctive thud of someone jumping down onto the floor. Then, a moment of eerie silence. 

[color=629c3f]”Whoaaa, how did you know my sexy alter ego?!”[/color] Cass shouted from inside, finally crossing the distance from her desk to the door with big bounds. She pulled it open, immediately leaning in the door frame with one arm above her like she was posing in some kind of magazine. Since the girls had left she’d changed into her real comfortable clothes- which today was a loose tank top and boxers. 

She grinned up at him. 
[color=629c3f]”Did’ya miss me?”[/color]

Leon didn’t waste more than a second looking her up and down before letting his lips make purchase on whatever open flesh they could find. Hands full he couldn’t grapple ahold of her like he wanted, which probably prevented the floor from becoming a mess on impact.

[color=C67C12]”Of course, but you never really know what you’re missing until you see it again. God [i]damn[/i] you look so comfy. Can you, uh- Nevermind, y’know, I’ll have my way when I put this shit down. Look! Look, it's all the other matching records! And the display I got!”[/color] Leon managed to get his attention to shift from the carnal to the playful, not wanting to go back on his primary intentions. 

Having pulled away, he spared a moment to give the place a full lookaround, checking out the final results of the move-in.
[color=C67C12]”Had good help today? Hari’s great for moving, she gets things organized.”[/color] he intoned.

It took all of Cass’ willpower to not just jump him as he stepped inside and she kicked the door closed behind him, records in his hands be damned. But! Patience just made the final result better. And there were things to talk about and show off. 

[color=629c3f]”Oh yeah! You’d be looking at a barely changed place if they hadn’t come up!”[/color] Cass grinned, bouncing over to gesture her arms wide around the room. There were still boxes tucked between the couch and her desk, and she was clearly in the process of putting up her posters. That was what the thuds had been- her kicking unimportant shit off her desk while standing on it to put up the poster Leon had signed in front of it. 

There was some mess left over from the food, though- with beer cans and plates still in the kitchen, because Cass had told the girls she was fine to tidy up… then gotten distracted. Obviously. But it wasn’t too bad.

[color=629c3f]”You really [i]do[/i] have all of the records, huh? Not that I didn’t believe you, just- wow! It’s kinda insane you managed to collect them all.”[/color] Her attention shifted from vaguely showing off the main room to bouncing back over to Leon, getting her face up really close to everything she was holding. Like it helped her see it any better… 
[color=629c3f]”Oh! Are you wanting to put together that record display thingy together just now?! Hell yeah! You chose the right time, before I cover the wall in posters!”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Would’ve been way easier if I’d have just done it online, but I tried to find them all in the wild! And, with your help, I did! So, let’s get these in place how you want.”[/color] Leon smiled, moving toward the table and placing everything down where he could. 

He nabbed a leftover roll still sitting out and swallowed without consideration. The display had sections for each record, and then a weirdly shaped space that was for the sleeve in the middle. Just one sleeve, which Leon had neglected to bring since Cass had the yellow copy’s sleeve up here. One of the displays, on the bottom right, had a notch carved into it, allowing one to grab ahold of the record within and slide it out without disturbing the others.

[color=C67C12]”Now, which one is the one that gets played? I’d recommend the dark green one, just because if it ends up getting scratched at all, it won’t show as badly.”[/color] ed

[color=629c3f]”Are you underestimating how good my record player is?! Whoa, and where she can hear you!”[/color] Cass teased, elbowing him as she slotted right into his side to look down at the display. 

It was very cool. She’d honestly never seen anything like it… Especially with the notch to let her take one out whenever she wanted! When he said that was possible she’d imagined it being at the top, and her having to climb onto shit to reach it. This was way more convenient! 

[color=629c3f]”But since [i]you’re[/i] the one recommending it, I [i]guess[/i] I can do that. Dark green in the bottom right… then we gotta fit all the other colours around it aesthetically! Unless you think complete chaos would look better- oh, I should get the yellow one!”[/color] 

She detached herself from Leon, bounding over to where she’d set up her record player for now. It was on a specific stand she had for it, with her favourite records already packed into the shelves underneath where it sat. There were two more boxes of records beside it that she hadn’t found space for yet… But the one she needed was right on top of the boxes! So she snatched it up and bounced back over to Leon. 

[color=629c3f]”Here we go! Yellow’s gotta be at the top, surely, cause it’s the colour of the sleeve too!”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Yellow is the rising sun, too. Takes its place at the peak of radiance.”[/color] he grinned, pulling open the display fully and taking the yellow record out of its sleeve. 

The sleeve itself went in first,letting the other discs come out from behind it. Yellow was first, then his mind immediately went for the grey one.

[color=C67C12]”Grey’s close, right? Or, did you have a specific idea?”[/color] he asked with a big grin.

Cass shook her head. 
[color=629c3f]”I don’t tend to preplan these things. Honestly, if it was me I’d just shove em in random places and call it a day, so… Grey’s good!”[/color]

She put her hands on her hips, surveying the other colours. Aesthetics and figuring what went with each other was never her strong point, but she could at least try figure it out. They were doing it together, after all. 

She pointed to the light blue one. 
[color=629c3f]”That ones pretty close to the grey, ain’t it?”[/color] 

Then she also pointed to the orange, and neon green ones. 
[color=629c3f]”I dunno how the fuck we’re gonna put these in a place where they don’t clash awfully with the yellow.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Uh… Yellow’s the sun, orange is the setting sun. Mental gymnastics, sometimes it's easier to just let things roll and let other people put their own conclusions together.”[/color]

From Grey to light blue, dark blue, then the dark green, light green, light red, orange. Looking at it from the display angle, Leon at least felt satisfied. 
[color=C67C12]”It’s going up in your place… Best to have it how you like it rather than how I like it, right?”[/color] he offered.  

Cass took a step back, putting her hand to her chin in the ultimate thinking pose. Really, she wasn’t thinking of much at all. It looked good. She couldn’t think of any better combinations. What else was there to it? 

[color=629c3f]”I think it looks fucking awesome!”[/color] After a reasonable time of fake thinking she grinned, bouncing up to smack a kiss on Leon’s cheek. 
[color=629c3f]”I don’t really have a strict colour combination preference or anything. If it looks good, that’s perfect… And if I tried I’d make it look like record vomit!”[/color]

She giggled at that, beginning to scan her apartment for a good place to put it. 
[color=629c3f]”Oh, since you’re here you can get it real high up- somewhere I couldn’t reach. Like… Above my bedroom door! Wait, no, that’s a shit spot- Above the couch?!”[/color]

She once again started bouncing around, trying to figure out the best spot by standing in various locations and staring at the wall. At the same time, her mind was whirring in the background, trying to figure out how to bring up the topic she wanted to before things took a turn back towards the spicier. After all, nothing was more of a boner killer than talking about your mum’s upcoming death.

But how did she ask?! She couldn’t just be like ‘oh how do you feel about the whole Lynette being killed thing’ could she?!

[color=629c3f]”It was great hanging out with the girls earlier! Nice to know there’s a buncha people I can hang out with if I got the social cravings and you’re busy.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Oh, absolutely!”[/color] Leon happily blurted, moving toward the couch and leaning the frame up where he thought she wanted it.

[color=C67C12]”Here good?”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”That’s fucking perfect!”[/color] Cass grinned, after moving to a position where she could see past him. It do look really nice held up on the wall, so it’d look even better properly up!


With her approval, Leon wrenched forward, stuffing the frame into the wall by the built-in pins until he knew it wouldn’t move without his permission ever again.

[color=C67C12]”And, don’t forget it’s not just them! All the folks who work up on the eleventh floor are great, definitely enjoyable people. Ed knows ‘em, she’ll introduce you. Casey could also introduce you to the security guys who live here: The Cannery is pretty exclusive living when it comes to the Temple.”[/color] he smiled, pulling away and stretching his shoulder muscles.

[color=629c3f]”Oh, that’d be awesome! I’m a pretty social creature… And I know I ain’t gonna get much from Trisha, what with her so grossly in love.”[/color] Cass laughed, more happy for her friend than in any way upset she knew her Trisha time would be limited. She just had a much smaller social battery, after all… 

[color=629c3f]”And it’s exclusive living, huh? [i]Oooh[/i], the benefits you’re giving me, Babe, they just keep coming! The apartment in an [i]exclusive[/i] building is a pretty fucking good one! I’m beginning to understand all those people who chase and try to date celebrities now!”[/color] She joked, tilted her head back with a laugh. 

Wait, she really wasn’t doing a good job at moving the conversation towards a less jovial mood! Fuck. Well… It’d get there. It wasn’t like Lynette was going to die tomorrow.

Leon laughed with her, his face snuggling up to hers and kissing her before pulling away.
[color=C67C12]”Oh, you’re too much. I only say exclusive so you know they’re not a bunch of zany freaks! You never have to worry about doing your laundry downstairs at an odd time, or using the gym and getting accosted by someone.”[/color] he grinned.

Reaching his hand up, he slid the record out of its slot to show Cass just how easy it was.

[color=C67C12]”Damn, this action works better than I thought it would. Just, make sure you watch the rubber gasket. When you’re putting it back, make sure it’s not tucked up and folded against the record, or it’ll get all dry and crack up.”[/color] he instructed, getting real close to observe the little slot before pulling back.

[color=629c3f]”But I like getting accosted by freaks in the gym.”[/color] Cass giggled, following him in getting right up close to the record display- which involved climbing onto the couch for her. It was a really nifty design. Pretty amazing. 

[color=629c3f]”Right, right, I’ll make sure I’m careful! I wouldn’t wanna try to lube something like that up around all the records!”[/color] 

[color=C67C12]”God, you’re such a pervert. I love it. Tell me more about lubing up around a bunch of records.”[/color] Leon grinned, finally grabbing ahold of her properly and swinging her down onto the couch to hold hands and cuddle.

[color=C67C12]”I really missed you. Missed your goofy ass accent, ‘n all your energy. The face you make when I touch you here.”[/color] he said softly before cramming his finger into her side to tickle her, his other hand restraining her arm so she couldn’t fully escape.

[color=629c3f]”Fuck, [i]stopppp[/i]!”[/color] Cass laughed, legs reactively flailing about and kicking him. Her whole body wriggled to avoid the tickling, but she was pretty solidly trapped unless she wanted to flop off the couch. 

Which she didn’t, obviously. 
[color=629c3f]”Missed bullying me, more like!”[/color] 

Not that she disliked it. Any of it. Just having his hands on her- Wait, no, slow down. Shit to talk about! If it was still on her mind now, it meant it’d be on her mind for the rest of the night. She didn’t want that! It was fucking distracting to all the fun shit. But how did she ask-

[color=629c3f]”How do you feel about the whole Lynette dying thing?”[/color] 

Immediately, her eyes went wide.
[color=629c3f]”Fuck, that was meant to be a thought! A thought! I swear I was gonna ask in a much better way at a much better time!”[/color] 

Leon’s face almost instantly became confused. Cold, almost disconnected, he stopped and let Cass go with an oddly slow and calm movement. He usually wasn’t like that around her, seemingly trying to keep up with her own speedy hands and limbs crashing around him. 

[color=C67C12]”Well… Shit…”[/color] he said absently, frowning and situating himself a bit more squarely on the couch.
[color=C67C12]”At least like, I don’t know, ‘Hey can I ask you something heavy?’... I’m all for answering whatever you ask me, but… Damn, dude. Damn.”[/color] 

He took another moment to breath before he was actually able to answer the question without frustration or sadness.

[color=C67C12]”Like crap? I don’t want a dead mom. I [i]really[/i] don’t want to lose anyone, either. How much did they tell you?”[/color] he finally asked.

[color=629c3f]”I’m sorry, Leon.”[/color] Cass shifted to be sitting and facing him, one leg bouncing with some agitation. She’d really fucked up asking it the way she did. She hadn’t meant to, but that didn’t make it much better. 

[color=629c3f]”For [i]that[/i] and for bringing it up like that- even if I meant to do it better, I didn’t, so- I just gotta apologise, really!”[/color] 

She looked at him sincerely, hands clenching and unclenching  in her own lap over and over.

[color=629c3f]”They told me how a lot- the whole thing, I’d assume. How your… sister’s probably gonna kill your mum, how it’ll happen cause Casey is slacking on all his duties cause of Trisha, and how there’ll probably be some kinda civil war after. I… Well, obviously I wanted to ask you cause when I heard I thought about how shit it must all be for you. So… Like, how can I help support you through that?”[/color] She shook her head, directed towards herself. 
[color=629c3f]”Not asking so bluntly would be a start, I suppose.”[/color]  

For the first time in their relationship, Leon was more or less stumped. He couldn’t really think of anything to say from his position that would be any more comforting. It wasn’t a good situation all around, so dealing with it in any way was enough to make him anxious. But, was it even about the situation?

[color=C67C12]”I’m worried that if I let you go much further, you’ll wind up involved. Involved in an inescapable way, and I’d not only be dealing with the real chance of you getting hurt, but Trisha too. Like, in the sense that if something happens to you, that’s game over. Trisha makes Casey’s life miserable forever, and he chooses her over me. I never see my brother again. I lose him, and you, and anyone else who dies a pointless death. Its not…”[/color]

He trailed off, not really sure what to say about it. He really didn’t have anything worth saying, did he? She was worried. Concerned. For him to tell her to not be? What did that even mean? It was impossible. She was here now, and in it.

[color=C67C12]”It’s not easy to say, Cass. We’re not even really [i]there[/i] yet, y’know? She’s still above ground. Still making our lives actively miserable. I don’t really [i]want[/i] to give her that time once she’s gone.”[/color] he admitted, frowning.
[color=C67C12]”I’ll have an easier time than Casey. So, be thankful for that, I guess…”[/color] 

Cass nodded slowly. She understood the worry. He was probably right that Trisha would have a pretty awful reaction if she got hurt. But did that mean she was supposed to just sit by and watch when people [i]she[/i] cared about were already deeply involved? Of course not. 

[color=629c3f]”Well, I ain’t really tryna be thankful for anything in the situation… But sure. I get not wanting to dwell on it at all.”[/color] She rubbed the back of her neck. There was also uncertainty on her end over what to say. Why had she brought it up? Because she wanted to make it wasn’t something constantly dragging him down… Or to see if she could help, like she said. And because she owed him the honesty that she [i]knew[/i]. 

[color=629c3f]”I know the whole situation’s tough… and messy. I kept thinking bout that over and over… But y’know I ain’t the kinda person who can just stand by and not do anything. Especially when people I care about are involved. But I promise- [i]sincerely[/i] promise- I’ll do my best not to get hurt. I sure don’t plan on dying… I just wanna help keep everyone safe. That’s it.”[/color] 

He shrugged with frustration.
[color=C67C12]”I’m already guilty. Bringing you this close, like I didn’t know what I was doing. But, you’re not a fucking porcelain doll either. You’re here because you want to be, because you feel like there’s a reason to be. If its as easy as you liking me, then… Just do what you said. Try not to get hurt, use your better judgement, and if you come into conflict with Trisha over it, then stand on your feet and know that I’m right behind you.”[/color]

But… They’d only been together a few weeks! He seriously didn’t [i]want[/i] her in a position where violence could happen, but they’d already been impulsive once. There was no taking it back.

[color=C67C12]”When you went to that raid… Innocence died. You killed, and accepted that you did. If it gets bad, I promise you’ll have to do more… And it may take from you. More than you know yet, maybe.”[/color] he frowned, pulling her close.

[color=C67C12]”If you feel like it's too much? Promise me you’ll tap out. I’ll send you anywhere, do anything I need to get you out of harm's way if it comes to it… But, just promise me you’ll admit it if it does.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”I promise that I will.”[/color] She craned her neck back so she could properly look up at him without moving away. So he could see from her eyes that she really meant it. 

She did. She’d absolutely keep the promise… But she doubted it’d come to pass. Not when protecting people was so important to her. And there was the thrill too, that she’d felt during the raid. The love of the fight and the risk that came with it. Though she would do her best to not purposefully put herself in harm's way. 

[color=629c3f]”I can handle having to kill again, if it’s necessary. And we’ll deal with anything taken if it happens. Ain’t much point worrying about something that may happen… Eh, well that’s a bit ironic considering what I asked about, ain’t it?”[/color] 

Her arms wrapped around him, even though she kept staring up at him with that open, honest gaze. 
[color=629c3f]”I really am so fucking sorry for how I brought it up. I know I already apologised but it really wasn’t fucking okay!”[/color] 

[color=C67C12]”Uhh… It’s alright, Babe. It’s fine. You’ve clearly been thinking about it, right? Since you heard today clearly. I’m just sorry you’ve been living with that all day. It's definitely not what I was thinking they’d bring up”[/color] Leon quickly admitted, letting Cass feel him soften his arms and release the tension through his body.

[color=C67C12]”Just… Y’know, start with a qualifier. That’s all.”[/color] he giggled, pressing his face into her neck and kissing.

[color=629c3f]”I’ll try my hardest- it ain’t something I can always control. Sometimes the brain to mouth filter just don’t work… But I won’t fuck up that bad again! And it’s all good, really. Wasn’t like it was most of what we talked about, just a lil bit.”[/color] She relaxed too. Well, went from a bit tense to steadily increasing energy. Which meant a lot of little wriggles, cuddling him as she was. 

She twisted her head to kiss, then lightly nibble, his ear. 
[color=629c3f]”I bet you had a much chiller day, though. Or was it more intense?! Did the babysitting turn into bodyguarding?!”[/color] 

Leon shook his head giggling.
[color=C67C12]”Layla’s always been pretty easy going. Though, a friend of ours tells me he may’ve had a hand in convincing her that we’re the people to stick around with. She used to be adjoined to this real piece of work Apparition, so now we’ve just gotta keep her mind off it. Since, y’know, if she digs for it enough, she’ll find it in the Temple’s sphere. That’s the job: Keep her mind off Void.”[/color] 

Sounded like a strange job even in his mind. It was, of course, definitely strange and not a job someone in real life would have. But, there were no rules when it came to this kind of thing. Only magic and consequence.

[color=C67C12]”Well… Actually, her situation is [i]super[/i] strange. A real case study of magic and its capabilities.”[/color] he explained.

[color=629c3f]"How so? I assume it ain't just the being Adjoined to something as edgy sounding as the Void?"[/color] Cass asked curiously. It was an incredibly strange job- she'd honestly just assumed the job was making sure Father Wolf didn't kill a Temple Sycamite member, this kind of keeping him safe too. 

Keeping someone's mind off a ghost… Eh, well, it was a job that actually involved doing shit unlike, say, being a middle manager. 

[color=629c3f]"Does she have some kinda extra magical ghost bond or some shit?"[/color]

[color=C67C12]”She’s part of a cursed bloodline. Usually, that means bad things. Bad luck, constant inability to get ahead in life for generations. But sometimes, something so bad happens, it makes its own little Hell for the afflicted. In the case of the Hyacinthus’, they’re inexorably linked to a few of the most horrendous and abusive voidlings you can be attached to.”[/color]
He hoped he wouldn’t have to explain voidling, but realizing very quickly that “Void” and “Voidling” were too close for comfort, he knew it couldn’t escape scrutiny.

[color=C67C12]”Voidlings being little creatures born of a [i]place[/i] called the Void. Her object of affection Voidheart, is an equally shitty voidling, but far more broadly concerning than the Rhiil siblings. The Rhiil are like three ticks: They suck her blood, they mess with her brain, and there’s always a potential for lyme disease. But they could never suck so much that she dies of anemia. However, if she adjoins to [i]another[/i] voidling that isn’t them, they scarper. Can’t compete for the tap. That’s how Voidheart came to get his claws around her.”[/color] Leon explained, hoping to catch Cass up as much as she wanted to be caught up.

[color=629c3f]"Damn, that is a pretty fucking shitty situation. I can see how it's real strange too. A buncha ghosts all wanting one girl… Yikes."[/color] Cass shuddered for effect, before she processing something he'd said in the middle of all of that. Not the Void… a place she'd never heard of, and frankly didn't sound like somewhere she ever wanted to be. It was in the name! But no, it was ‘her object of affection.’

[color=629c3f]"Wait… is she in love with this Voidheart?! Like- a ghost? Voidling, Apparition, whatever- cause it sure kinda sounds like it if you're saying he was her object of affection or whatever. That's possible?!"[/color] Of course that was what Cass got caught up in.

Leon nodded.
[color=C67C12]”It’s not entirely natural, not from a creature perspective, but from a mental perspective. Y’see, until the point she was faced with the option of playing into Voidheart’s hand, she was an all-you-can-eat for the Rhiils. For the first time in her life, there was a creature that wasn’t trying to devour her maliciously. Voidy’s a seducer: He finds people in pain who can’t protect themselves, tells them he’ll save them and he’ll- You know the spheal. It’s a load of hot crap, so we’re all working to make sure she keeps this [i]new[/i] Apparition.”[/color] he nodded, hoping that whatever plan his mother actually had for Voidheart herself never came to fruition.

[color=629c3f]"Ahhhh… yeah, I see, he's basically her saviour in her eyes. No wonder you gotta spend all your time stopping her from thinking about him! Man, that's textbook abusive relationship… ‘saving’ someone only to use em yourself…"[/color] Cass shook her head in disgust. But it was an Apparition, and they didn't really play by human rules. More seemed malevolent than not. 

[color=629c3f]"I take it the new ones much better? Thank fuck, hopefully she does keep ‘em. Maybe eventually realises that the other ghost wasn't good for her…"[/color] Even though she barely knew the girl, she really couldn't stand people- or things- that took advantage of others. 
[color=629c3f]"At least I understand your job better, now! It sure does sound like a full time one, heh… I've done the whole convincing someone an abusive ex was bad for em thing, seems harder when it's a saviour ghost."[/color]

For a second, Leon wondered if he should even go into any detail about the [i]new[/i] ghost. 

[color=C67C12]”It’d be a lot better if the ghost wasn’t also Voidy’s last ‘girl’ if you know what I mean? Uh… Alizee. Girl I was pretty close to as we grew up. Adjoined with Voidheart, did the song and dance for years and years. Tried to get her out of it, but she ended up dying. On… My watch, really. I did everything I could to try and save her from the situation, but she was a moth to flame. But, her essence rekindled into an Apparition. Thankfully, we’ve managed to unite the two of them. Alizee doesn’t remember much, save for [i]fucking Voidheart[/i] which goes to show how deep the claws can get.”[/color]

He figured he may as well, and avoid having to rehash the explanation later.

[color=629c3f]"Damn… following her even past death, huh?"[/color] Cass' eyes had gone wide, her mouth parting in shock. The whole thing was kind of insane and hard to keep track of. She could vaguely picture the messy relationship diagram in her head. Both girls were adjoined to Voidheart, now to each other… It was like the good ending to every love triangle. 

[color=629c3f]"And I thought some've my past relationships were messy! Sorry, bad joke… But that sure does double your problem with keeping em away from the ghost predator, doesn't it? I bet their just bouncing off of each other."[/color]

He nodded wildly in return.
[color=C67C12]”Thankfully, I have Lelou. Not that she’s directly helpful, but I recognize the signs of a conversation in an Adjoined mind, so I usually catch her and pull her out. She really avoided it at first, but now she knows it's coming. I’m…-”[/color]

Leon cut himself off with a thought that had already occurred to him previously, but hearing Cass’ side would help. She was so morally north-facing, how could he ignore her? And, if she didn’t say nay? He could stop feeling bad…

[color=C67C12]”-Is it weird for me to feel conflicted about the situation? I’m surveilling her, and even though it’s not how my Mom intrusively watches everyone, it’s still… Dishonest? Between Greyson implanting thoughts in her head, and me actively watching her like I’m a babysitter all the time… She knows [i]why[/i] its happening. Hell, she knows [i]when[/i] at this point. But, I can still feel the two of them bucking me constantly. Every little spot, every little thing… It hits Alizee with a new memory, and Layla main lines it, because she can’t control it. So, there’s all this nostalgia and shit that isn’t hers. But, ultimately, she wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for people like us! And then, on top of that, her natural state isn’t anything to write home about! Like… I don’t know how to feel, Cass!”[/color] he finally blurted out, shaking her as he did so.

[color=629c3f]"Whoa there, you're gonna make me dizzy."[/color] Cass patted his arm- even though it wasn't really much more movement than she'd normally be doing herself. It was just hard to think when she was being shaken about! 

[color=629c3f]"I mean… Feeling conflicted is fair. But ultimately [I]you're[/I] doing it for her safety, right? To try and keep her- both of em- away from something you know'll just hurt them? Sure, it ain't the most honest… but sometimes you gotta make those moral sacrifices to keep someone safe. I ain't so sure bout the whole thought implanting thing… But you're doing your best to help her now that she is in this position."[/color] Cass answered evenly. 

[color=629c3f]"I can't tell you how to feel, cause y’know… I ain't you. But! Intent's pretty important. And sometimes you gotta make harsh choices that someone won't like to stop em from crawling back to that kinda abusive situation."[/color]

He shook his head, frowning slightly.
[color=C67C12]”I just… Don’t know, Cass. I guess I wish she’d never come back. She’d be dealing with her own nightmare how she had been her whole life, and nobody else would feel responsible. But maybe that’s me being lazy.”[/color] he frowned in return, squeezing her just a little tighter.

[color=C67C12]”Sorry… Real downer stuff tonight, huh?”[/color] he asked calmly.
[color=C67C12]”At least you’ve got this nice place. You like it?”[/color]

[color=629c3f]"It's all good, we both brought up a downer subject, so we're even."[/color] Cass reached up to ruffle his hair aggressively, before smiling. 
[color=629c3f]"Hell yeah! It's fucking sweet… I ain't ever had this much space to myself. I've always had flatmates so the only space that's mine is my room. Never been much've of an issue, but I do like having the whole place."[/color]

Her smile pulled up into a wide grin. 
[color=629c3f]"Plus, I don't have to worry about anyone getting upset at me for being messy! I can just leave dirty clothes all over the place, no worries! I can do whatever I want wherever I want!"[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Dude, try and get your laundry done at least: I’ll absolutely make you regret not doing so. You’ll not be expecting me, I’mma be in here in the dead of night one night eating the crotches out of all your panties.”[/color] Leon grinned widely alongside her, goblin brain instantly activating as the air cleared out.

[color=C67C12]”Seriously though, I’m glad you like it… Is it bad that I’ve been thinking about all the things I’d do to you up here?”[/color] he held her rather still, making sure their eyes met as side glances, grins still consuming their faces.

[color=629c3f]"It ain't at all… I've been pretty fucking excited, to be honest."[/color] Cass' grin got wider somehow, and she made tiny wriggling motions within his hold. Sure, they'd done it in plenty of places… Leon's sex dungeon bedroom was a pretty fucking good one. But it being her place… it was fresh, new.

[color=629c3f]"We gotta christen the place after all, don't we?"[/color]

Leon only grinned with more evil in his eye.
[color=C67C12]”Fuck a Christening… Let's Baptize this bitch. Slip n’ slide style.”[/color]
In the early hours of the morning, after fully baptising the place, the two curled up together for a peaceful night's sleep. At least, it was peaceful for a couple of hours… 

[b]”FIVE! FOUR!”[/b] 
Huh? Cass stirred at the slightly staticy sound of a number blasted out into the air. A hand reached out to grope for her phone, only to find it wasn't on the bed… of course. And she was trapped by another arm… a comfortable arm… 

[b]”THREE! TWO!”[/b] 

Had she set her alarm to some number countdown? What the fuck? She groaned, starting to wriggle out of Leon's hold. 

[b]”ONE!”[/b] 

As a [URL=https://youtu.be/UuRkAyRfz_c?si=e_ZTmoKtJldm6ABz]jaunty little tune[/URL] started to blare out of her phone, she woke up fully. 

[color=629c3f]"Fuck- Fuck!"[/color] She wriggled herself fully free and shot over to the edge of the bed, grabbing her phone from the bedside table she'd dumped it on. She was [I]so[/I] tempted to just decline the call… but he'd just call back again. And again and again until she answered. Because he knew what she could be like. But still! 

[color=629c3f]"It's fucking six in the morning, Jack! Why the fuck are you calling me?!"[/color] Cass practically screeched, very much leaving Leon no chance of still being asleep if he'd somehow ignored the blaring theme tune ringtone. 

Her older brother appeared on her screen with a grin. His dark, curly hair was kept just a bit shorter than Cass', and he was wearing a t-shirt with a triangle telling a circle ‘you’re pointless’. Thankfully Cass had been awake enough to accept the call [I]without[/I] turning on her own video. 

[color=d0e672]“Wow, is that any way to greet your brother, Cassi?!”[/color] Jack snickered on the other end of the line. 
[color=d0e672]“Like you ain't missed me at all! I got my maths wrong figuring out your time, is all. And honest mistake… but you're awake now, ain'tcha?”[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Against my will! I can still fucking hang up on you!"[/color]

[color=d0e672]"Awww, you're so grouchy in the morning… is that why your video’s off?! Cause me to see you're dopey half awake face? C'mon, I've seen your ugly mug after just waking up plenty!"[/color]

[color=629c3f]"... My camera's off cause I'm naked, Jack!"[/color]

[color=d0e672]"Whoa, you with someone right now?! Damn, Cass, what would Ma say? Maybe I should go-"[/color]

[color=629c3f]"You know I don't give a fuck about what Ma thinks."[/color] Cass let out a little huff, wanting to wipe that smug grin off her brothers face. And… she totally could. She had an amazingly evil idea. 

She turned to look at Leon, finger raising to her lips to tell him keep quiet. Not that she thought he'd interrupt or anything… but it was extra important he didn't speak for her plan to work. 
[color=629c3f]"Speaking of things Ma doesn't approve of… You ain't lost your interest in the PBL cause it's the off season, have ya?"[/color]

[color=d0e672]"Course not! The fuck do you think I am, some casual fan?"[/color]

Cass smirked. 
[color=629c3f]"Hey, I'm just checking! You'll never guess who I met recently…"[/color]

Jack's expression turned thoughtful. But before he could open his mouth to guess, Cass was already continuing. 

[color=629c3f]"Timberwolf! In the flesh! Like, not just that I saw him, I [I]met[/I] him!"[/color] Cass gushed, easily dragging up her intense fan excitement. Even after weeks spent with Leon it hadn't dampened. She doubted it ever would! 
[color=629c3f]"And I got exclusive posters of him and Gravity… He even signed a whole bunch of them!"[/color]

[color=d0e672]"Holy shit!"[/color] Jack exclaimed, eyes going round with shock. He leaned forward closer to his phone camera.
[color=d0e672]"You serious?! You met [I]Timberwolf[/I]?! Fuck- did you get any for me?"[/color]

Cass' grin turned into something filled with pure evil mischief. She shuffled on her knees back towards Leon, glancing away from her phone for a moment to wink at him.
[color=629c3f]"Nope! Why would I?"[/color]

[color=d0e672]"What the fuck, Cassandra?! You didn't?!"[/color] Jack's reaction was immediate and overblown, hands moving up to grasp his face in despair. Exactly as Cass had expected and been aiming for.
[color=d0e672]"C'mon, Cassi, surely I can have at least one?"[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Nope! They're all mine!"[/color]

[color=d0e672]"Seriously?!"[/color] Jack began to look like a man who was about to lose his house and was desperate to keep it. 
[color=d0e672]"Surely there's some way you can get me one? You must be able to go to another fan meet or something sometime! Please! I'll do anything for you, Cass, you just know how fucking hard it is to get PBL stuff over here. I just need one… I ain't as big a fan as you, but I'm still a fan!"[/color]

[color=629c3f]"You'll do… anything?"[/color]

[color=d0e672]"Literally anything!"[/color]

Cass was more than satisfied that she'd got her revenge for the six am call and subsequent bullying… so she turned her head to look at Leon, eyebrows raising. 
[color=629c3f]"Well, y'think you can sign another poster, [I]Leon[/I]?"[/color]

The face on the screen- with all its similarities to Cass’- went from despair to confusion in a split second.

Leon had hardly woken up even with all the excitement. If Lelou needed rest, she needed rest; the decision was no longer his to make. But nobody could fully escape that voice, and with her being so enthusiastic about what was being said, he was doing his best to not just fall back asleep without concern. She was talking to… He could hear a younger male’s voice in the speaker in spite of the buzzing. Jack. 

If he remembered correctly, one of her brothers. Okay. She was bragging. Bragging about him, and having signed merch. There was a low, rumbling laugh as she was teasing him; one that would’ve been hard for the phone speaker to pick up. And when she finally asked him the question, he lazily reached his hand out for the phone.

[color=C67C12]”I’ll handle this… Let me see.”[/color] he quietly mumbled half into the pillow.

[color=629c3f]”Dude, you’re barely awake! What’re you gonna do, snore at him?”[/color] Cass laughed, not helping with her brother’s confusion. Instead of handing over the phone, fearing he’d take it and pass right out, she clambered right on top of Leon. With a bit of wriggling she got comfortable enough that she could hold it in front of both of them, letting Leon see the man on the screen.

If his eyes were open enough. 

[color=629c3f]”My camera ain’t on cause, y’know, naked and all.”[/color]

[color=d0e672]"Cass…"[/color] Jack’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, leaning even closer to his phone camera. 
[color=d0e672]"D’you think cause you’re banging someone with the same name as Timberwolf you can pass off a signature as his?"[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Why the fuck is that your first assumption?!”[/color]

Leon lazily scooted until he reached a point that he knew Cass wasn’t in frame. He was shirtless, covered in bruises, but the second part could be easily passed off as a fight. Hair still mangled, half knotted and absolutely pulled in a dozen different ways, he turned the camera on. Real close at first, so only his eyes showed in the picture streaming back to Jack.

He took a deep breath.

[color=C67C12]”This thing on? Jack Williams? [i]The[/i] Jack Williams?”[/color] he asked, playfulness veiled in a weak seriousness.

Jack wasn’t such a big fan that he could recognise Leon from just his eyes. Cass almost definitely could, but her brother wasn’t in the crazy fan sphere she was. Just a big lover of the sport. So he squinted. 

[color=d0e672]"Ay, the same… You’ve got some real nice eyes, mate. Real blue. I can see what my sister sees in you, whichever Leon you are- wait-"[/color] He frowned a little bit, distracted for a moment from the false promise of Timberwolf posters for a while. 
[color=d0e672]"How much has she been shit talking me for me to be ‘The’ Jack Williams?!"[/color]

[color=629c3f]”As much as you deserve!”[/color] Cass couldn’t exactly stay quiet… Especially when she was having to stop herself from doing her normal constant moving that’d get her in frame! She could only suppress one thing at a time!

As Leon pulled the phone away to reveal his bare chest, and the very recognizable tattoos thereupon, he made sure to totally spin toward a wall where Cass wouldn’t possibly jump in front of the camera. Saving her from herself, of course.

[color=C67C12]”I’ll be honest with you, man; not enough for me to know why you’d be worried about it. [i]Are you?[/i]”[/color] he asked, mostly letting him deal with the potential mindfuckery of it [i]actually[/i] being him.

[color=d0e672]"Worried it’ll overshadow my shining personality, ay- Wait, what the fuck?!"[/color] In a response spectacularly like Cass, Jack processed the tattoos only after a few moments and answering the following question. His mouth fell open, eyes going so wide it looked like they might pop out of his head. 

[color=d0e672]"[i]No fucking way[/i]- Damn, Cass, are you really- actually- shagging Timberwolf?!"[/color]

[color=629c3f]”[i]Dating[/i] him! I’m [i]dating[/i] him! You couldn’t have thought’ve a single nicer word?!”[/color] Cass flailed her arms around, before rolling away to grab the sheets and wrap them around herself. Then she shuffled back to Leon. 

[color=d0e672]"You’re dating… Timberwolf…"[/color] Jack was clearly still processing it, head tilting back like he was having a mid life crisis. But after only a moment his gaze snapped back to his phone. 
[color=d0e672]"Mr Timberwolf, what kinda dirt does she have on you?! Blink twice if she’s got you trapped in a basement!"[/color]

Without hesitation, Leon started blinking rapidly.

[color=629c3f]”[i]Leeeoonnn[/i], what the fuck?!”[/color] Cass immediately pounced on Leon, playfully hitting him. 
[color=629c3f]”Fucking ganging up on me!”[/color]

Laughing as Cass went on, Leon shook his head and finally moved more of the hair out of his face. 
[color=C67C12]”[i]Anyway![/i] It’s nice to talk to you, Jack. And don’t worry, I won’t leave you out in the lurch: I’ve got a plan to hook you up. You’ll only need to wait for as long as it takes me to get everything together. I need shoe size, shirt size, pretty much anything you can wear. And then, make sure you let Cass know what your favorite fights are. I’ll get you everything I can. How’s that sound?”[/color] he asked with a bit of pep in his step. 

[color=d0e672]"Seriously?! Shit, course that sounds amazing. Cassi already knows most’ve my sizes, [i]and[/i] favourite fights. We watched plenty of em together, after all! So long as it ain’t a hassle for you to get all that together… I know you already got the family’s biggest hassle on your hands."[/color] Jack laughed, flashing a grin through the screen. He’d gotten over his shock pretty well. A Williams family trait: bouncing back up easily. Or, maybe it was more the changeable mood. 

[color=629c3f]”Eh, that’s a lie and we both know it! [i]Tony’s[/i] the biggest hassle cause he’s the baby of the family.”[/color] Cass shot back, ceasing her attacks on Leon to focus back in on her brother. 

[color=d0e672]"Yeah, yeah, you’re all hassles."[/color] Jack smirked, shaking his head.
[color=d0e672]"Also, I’m sorry for waking you, mate. If I’d known Cass was with someone I would’ve waited a couple more hours."[/color]

[color=629c3f]”So it [i]was[/i] on purpose!”[/color]

[color=d0e672]"Guilty."[/color] Jack held up his hands. 
[color=d0e672]"I do have some shit we gotta talk about… But more importantly, how on earth did you meet?! Please tell me it wasn’t at some kinda fansign thing?"[/color]

Leon shook his head with a calm smile.
[color=C67C12]”Cass and I have a mutual contact. We met by chance through them; Cass was enthusiastic about meeting, and we got to spend more time together than I usually get to spend with fans. Turns out, I like her. Even with all the chaos.”[/color] he nodded.

[color=C67C12]”But, it’s fine… No worries about waking me up. Though, if there’s something serious you guys need to talk about, can I go back to bed? Unless you think you [i]need me[/i]”[/color] he half-joked.

Jack’s grin got wider as Leon talked about how they’d met. As much as he spent half his time bullying her, he did love his sister. So if she was happy and things were going well… Good. 

[color=d0e672]"I ain’t got anyone needing punched in the face right now, so I’m good!"[/color] He laughed. 
[color=d0e672]"Feel free too! I didn’t even realise Cass’d be with someone when I called, y’know. Real fucking awesome surprise, though."[/color]

Cass had sat up properly, staring down at Leon with a teasing spark in her eyes.
[color=629c3f]”Are you seriously gonna kick me outta my own bed?!”[/color]

For a moment, Leon did consider leaving the bed, but narrowed his eyes.
[color=C67C12]”Hey, you want someone to point fingers at, it's his fault! You heard him, he [i]did[/i] do this on purpose.”[/color] Leon grinned, eyes still squinted in sleepiness.

Giggling, Cass rolled out of bed with her phone. She turned back off the video as she got rid of the bedsheet, shuffling out into the main room and letting the bedroom door close behind her. She pulled a baggy t-shirt and shorts from the closet before sitting down on the couch to talk to her brother. 

[color=629c3f]”So… What did you wanna talk about?”[/color]

Jack’s jovial expression turned more serious, and he sighed. 
[color=d0e672]"Christmas… Well, it’s mostly Ma. I wanna give you a proper warning, give you plenty’ve time to prepare. She’s being like [i]that[/i] again."[/color]

[color=629c3f]”So?”[/color] Cass waved a hand dismissively. 
[color=629c3f]”She’s normally like that.”[/color]

[color=d0e672]"She seems serious this time. She’s talking ‘bout kicking you out if you don’t agree to stay… She’s mad at all of us, cause I’ma be leaving soon too, but you went first. She even said if you don’t pull your weight for the family you ain’t welcome for our holidays."[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”What, she’s gonna fucking ban me from christmas?”[/color]

[color=d0e672]"It [i]won’t[/i] come to that. Even Da ain’t happy about that. Majority wins, y’know? Just… it might be pretty tense. Worse than usual."[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”Y’think she’ll try force me to stay? To what, fucking look after you- when you don’t even need that?!”[/color]

Jack’s silence spoke far more than words would have. 

[color=629c3f]”Fucking seriously… [i]Eight[/i] years. Eight fucking years and she still thinks I’m some little girl to boss about! And that all’ve you are useless cause you’re, what, boys? Fuck! I gotta stop hoping she’ll change.”[/color] 

Of course she wouldn’t stop hoping that. Because it was her Mum. She still loved her, even if she couldn’t stand to be around her. And her Dad had changed. Just a little bit, really just accepting that Cass had left and was never really coming back, but it was something. But ironically, for all her traditional values her Mom’s word really was law in the house. 

Jack smiled sadly. 
[color=d0e672]"I’m sorry Cassi. She ain’t stop treating me like an invalid, and I ain’t needed the help for years. It’ll be better next year, since Rob’ll have his own place. We’ll have Christmas there."[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Fucking better be.”[/color] Cass let out a sharp exhale, trying to get lose the anger with it. 
[color=629c3f]”I’ll see if I can stay at Sal’s if shit hits the fan.”[/color]

[color=d0e672]"Can we all come? His place has way more space."[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Dream on, he ain’t your friend.”[/color] Cass rolled her eyes at him, laughing slightly. The laughter didn’t last long as her mind went back to something else. Something brought up by talking to Leon yesterday, about the possible civil war- and having to kill again. She’d wanted to talk to Jack about it, and now she could… 

[color=629c3f]”Can I ask you something? About the War?”[/color]

[color=d0e672]"’Course. It ain’t like you to ask permission, Cassi, something up?"[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Nah! Just curious.”[/color] Cass shook her head. 
[color=629c3f]”What was it like for you, killing people? Especially the first time.”[/color]

[color=d0e672]"I hardly had time to think about it. Y’know, we were sent to France when the Germans were invading in full force. It was kill or be killed. Really, it was survival mode the whole time. Y’know how many people died? It wasn’t till I was [i]safely[/i] evacuated that it really hit me. The PTSD, y’know, I got enough’ve a breather to think ‘bout it till I was sent to the Mediterranean front. It really hit how many I’d killed. Enemies, sure, but people with family’s just like me…"[/color]

Cass frowned a little. It hadn’t been the same for her at all. There’d been the survival aspect… But she hadn’t dwelled on it much since. Maybe because she talked to Leon about it immediately afterwards? 

[color=629c3f]”Did’ya talk bout it with other soldiers? Was it the same for them?”[/color] 

[color=d0e672]"It varied. Everyone who made it out didn’t freak out, cause that would’ve killed em… There were people who took it well during the war. They viewed it as a necessity, all’ve that stuff. The scariest were the people who could just [i]kill[/i] without a worry. No hesitation. Even though I was fighting to survive, I still hesitated. These people just did it without thinking."[/color]

Cass did her best not to let her expression worsen. Was that what she was like? She hadn’t hesitated. There hadn’t been any thoughts during it, and very few afterwards. It was like it had been natural. She wasn’t even that worried about having to do it again. Fuck.

[color=d0e672]"But! I’m sure they’re doing well now, just like I am. Why were you suddenly curious?"[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Well, it ain’t like I can ask normally cause Mum’s around and starts freaking out. Plus… Remember Trisha? Her boyfriend fought in the War too! So I figured it might help me understand him better.”[/color] 

[color=d0e672]"Awww… That’s our Cassi. Always so considerate."[/color] Jack teased, grinning at her. He didn’t seem all that upset that she’d asked, at least. She only did because she knew his PTSD wasn’t so close to the surface anymore. 

[color=629c3f]”Yeah, yeah, shuddup.”[/color]

The two chatted for another half an hour about much less serious things, before Jack had to go. While Cass had put things to the back of her mind for now, the resulting agitation was still there. It was a feeling that meant she couldn’t just relax. She had to move or constantly do something, her limbs jerking about the moment she put her phone down. Overwhelming, somewhat anxious energy she needed to channel somewhere.

Which meant she couldn’t crawl back into bed with Leon. There was no way she was getting back to sleep now… 

Her eyes darted between her new drum kit and her computer. After a brief thought, she shot over to the latter. Less likely to disturb Leon… and she had plenty of coding projects to get lost in for however long she needed to.

But Leon hadn't really fallen asleep. Not entirely, anyway. The same way a dog takes a snooze, his ears and nose remained active enough to alert him to shifts around, and let him slip in and out of consciousness without much effort. Flying in the face of its tonal quality, Leon found Cass’ voice to be terribly soothing; thus it was difficult to avoid accidentally eavesdropping.

So he just didn't. He listened to her, and then the phone buzzing beneath. And, in doing so, he felt a great deal of sadness. Knowing that there was something going on that none of the siblings could escape hit close to home. Close enough that he felt like something had to be done.

As Cass and Jack settled into the lighter conversation, Leon went to work on his phone rattling off messages to contacts in the UK. He was determined to do more than sit idly by when it was, in fact, a problem that his wealth and connections could fix.
By the time he was done, he had fifteen condo listings, five homes and a whole ass flat building within commuting distance of Manchester for Jack and Co. to choose from. 

Having taken longer than it took to hear all the talking stop, Leon emerged from the bedroom in nothing but the sheet wrapped around his waist. Skirts were incredibly comfortable, after all. Holding his phone in his hand, he took a look left toward the nook where Cass’ computer was. He didn't hesitate to take a picture of her, the position she was in hilarious. 

She was like a chair gargoyle. Both feet planted on the seat, ass planted firmly behind for stability, and fully tilted toward the computer. He wasn't sure how someone got comfortable like that, but he'd seen the behavior before. 

[color=C67C12]”Sometimes I wonder if sitting correctly in a chair is attached to Neurotypicality. We've been on for like almost a month now; I don't think I've seen you sit like a human ever.”[/color] he grinned, stashing the picture for safe keeping in his phone.

There was a brief pause as Cass finished off a small bit of logic from the program she’d already gotten stuck into. Just a silly little game to occupy her brain. But her mind quickly unstuck from the hole it was starting to fall into at the sound of Leon’s voice, so she could turn her attention to him. 

[color=629c3f]”That’s cause I ain’t human! I’m an extra stretchy alien.”[/color] Cass pushed on her desk to spin the seat around to face him. 
[color=629c3f]”But I ain’t ever really thought about it. Not like I ever got diagnosed with anything! A buncha teachers told my parents to get me tested for ADHD and that, but y’know, they don’t believe in that stuff. No point now!”[/color]

She tilted her head, glancing him up and down before swapping topics. 
[color=629c3f]”What happened to going back to sleep?! I thought I was gonna get a couple hours peace!”[/color] She laughed… Obviously not what she actually wanted. Having him awake and active was far better than getting into any code hole.

Of course her reaction was funny enough that he couldn't help himself. The laughter just came naturally around Cass.

[color=C67C12]”Oh… Well! I certainly know when I'm not wanted!”[/color] he playfully snapped. But, rather than leave, he slid himself closer to her and bent down to kiss her. Or, kiss [i]on[/i] her more precisely. He could see the spots she was warmest, and instinctively let his lips explore her soft skin.

[color=C67C12]”Honestly… I was listening to you. Your voice. I was headed back until uh… Well, uh-”[/color]

Did he feel like a dick for eavesdropping? Not if he could help the situation, but if she rejected him negatively, it'd be a lot harder to not feel dumb.

[color=C67C12]”-Listen… I can help, I think. Your brother fought for his family, he doesn't deserve to be stuck somewhere that he feels suffocated. No more than Casey does. I… I want to buy property over there anyway. There's an opportunity for me to invest money in a larger property. A flat complex, something like a hundred flats. I buy it through the company, set up infrastructure, three months tops your brothers all have their own apartments. Free. Grandfathered leases, all that… Or, houses! If its simple, I mean within a week! We transfer the money, they-[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Leon, that’s [i]way[/i] too much.”[/color] Cass interrupted before he could start detailing how he could buy all of her brothers [i]houses[/i]. She wasn’t upset at all that he’d listened in- she’d planned to talk to him about it anyway, and would’ve left the apartment if she didn’t want to risk the dog ears picking it all up!

But buying a whole flat block? [i]Houses[/i]? 
[color=629c3f]”I really appreciate you tryna figure something out for us! But I can’t really accept you… buying them houses! Or even free flats! Sure, if you’re planning to invest in something over there already, that’s fine. But there’s gotta at least be rent or something. They won’t be comfortable if there ain’t either… And it ain’t so bad you gotta waste so much of your money on it.”[/color]

Of course it was that. What was it with people not wanting free stuff? He'd never met a person who didn't want the handout until it was staring them in the face. Then, only then, did the bastards grow humble when faced with Leon's overwhelming desire to give. It was the steward within, knowing that the only resource necessary for a comfortable life was the seemingly infinite stretch of profits that continued to roll in. 

Was he a land baron? The fifteen or twenty properties owned by the Temple were controlled by his stake in the organization, and the rent that flooded into their coffers from it ultimately hit [i]his[/i] payroll first. It was nothing to get more, still knowing that he'd probably sell off his stake in the LLC once management changed hands. But, for now, the money was was a great flood. And people's attitudes toward it, rather than his own conscience, was the dam.

[color=C67C12]”Free is just the first thing I offer so people honestly tell me what they can [i]comfortably[/i] afford. If you go from zero to something, everyone feels satisfied.”[/color]

A lie. He meant free, but everyone just saw “trap.” Maybe it'd be easier to do when there wasn't a cult… But, then again, the money wouldn't be infinite at that point.

[color=C67C12]”Can you mention it, at least? That I want them comfortable, and I'm willing to work something out to get them on their own feet? And that it isn't a problem or some kind of imposition, because I enjoy doing things for others?”[/color] he tried to return to sincerity, looking deeply into Cass’ eyes as he spoke.

Cass didn’t look away as she properly thought about it. It was difficult to accept something so big. It wasn’t how any of them were brought up. They’d been taught that they had to work hard. They shouldn’t just accept free things… But it was more than that for her. 

[color=629c3f]”Alright, I’ll talk to them about it. Jack gets money from the government, and he’s gotta proper grant when he starts uni next September… He was planning to find somewhere anyway. Dom graduates from his masters this summer, and Tony’s gotta year and a half more… But he ain’t even in Manchester most’ve the time. What I mean is that they can afford something! But having someone willing to give a decent rent’d help ‘em all a lot.”[/color]

She couldn’t exactly reject on their behalf. And she didn’t want to just push away his generosity. But…

[color=629c3f]”It ain’t cause I don’t trust you or anything. I know you wouldn’t pull the rug out from under ‘em if anything happened to us. It’s just that… Well…”[/color] She looked a little frustrated. But she was always honest where she could be, even if she didn’t know how the fuck to say something diplomatically. 
[color=629c3f]”It makes things pretty unequal, don’t it? You getting rent controlled flats for my brother, and I just ain’t contributing.”[/color]

Leon didn't know how to make the scenario equal. He didn’t even think it had to be. He furrowed his brow, trying to figure out what to say that wouldn't have the usual consequences. The first six things that came through were rejected on principle, and answers were filtered further until he had what he wanted.

[color=C67C12]”How can I alleviate that? I'm doing what comes natural for me, and that entails giving. I do it because I can, and because I enjoy people feeling secure. If my actions don't give you that feeling, then explain why so I can fix it.”[/color] he said in a curt fashion. Thankfully, in spite of such brevity, he didn't sound mad or upset. His face spoke of genuine confusion and conviction to make things here right.

[color=629c3f]”It’s not [i]you[/i].”[/color] Cass was quick to respond, holding up her hands. It wasn’t something he could fix because it wasn’t like he was doing anything wrong. Sure, maybe it was too much for how early in their relationship it was… But giving wasn’t a problem.

[color=629c3f]”Y’know about the whole traditional family thing… You’d think my Mom wouldn’t want me to do the same, right? But, uh, she’s its biggest champion. So I grew up being told to not bother trying hard with school, and I should just learn to properly cook ‘n clean ‘n shit. That I’d just stay at home till I got a husband! Like, I said ‘bout being expected to marry… But in the shitty traditional way! Like, I couldn’t be anything but a housewife. So… I still struggle with shit like this cause of it, even though I got a lotta therapy when I left. I just ain’t really had many partners spend that way, y’know? And it ain’t like you’re giving off any signals that's what [i]you[/i] want! It’s just a deeply rooted worry.”[/color]

She was [i]completely[/i] honest about it. Cause while she didn’t come with the bundle of issues some others did, this was one she had. The one that affected relationships, really! She’d taken real steps to move away from the person her Mom had tried to- and almost succeeded in- making her, but that didn’t mean she was completely over an entire childhood worth of it.

If nothing else, Leon tried. Right now, the trying was a bit more desperate as he tried to link together her concern to his actions. She even said herself, he’d never expressed wanting to lock her down.

[color=C67C12]”So its inequality by… I presume there’s a privilege here that I must be so used to that I can’t understand. Is… Is this about independence? ‘Cuz, I mean, you said! They [i]can[/i] pay their own ways. But so can you! Uh… Y’know, I know contextualizing it over again probably ain’t gonna fix anything. But, like… There’s no wizard lease here. None of our legal contracts grow teeth and latch onto you. You’re not ‘hitching’ your cart to my horses until the end of the trail, like…-”[/color]

He paused, trying to find the words to use to ease her frustration. Whether or not he was able, however, was a different story altogether.

[color=C67C12]”-I guess I don’t know. I see you, I see an independent woman who doesn’t [i]need[/i] help. I just think you deserve it, and I’m in the position to provide. You’re not the only one. Only a few people in this building actually pay rent: Most of them are just good friends, or people who I care about and feel like they deserve to be comfortable in their lives. Is that… Wrong?”[/color] he finally asked her, not with sarcasm, but a sincere inability to figure out if he’d really done something wrong.

[color=629c3f]”No… It ain’t.”[/color] Cass shook her head, shuffling forward to reach out for his hands. She hadn’t mean to make him feel confused or start questioning shit… Not that she regretted being honest, or anything! Just, the consequences. 

[color=629c3f]”If people accept it and you don’t force it on em? ‘Course it ain’t wrong. That ain’t what I’m tryna say at all! There ain’t strings- I get that- it’s just cause you care. It’s a kind gesture.”[/color] She squeezed his hands before continuing. 

[color=629c3f]”I don’t even have a problem with the offer myself! I ain’t upset at you at all, I don’t think you’re judging me or any shit I just… Fuck, well- I just… Fuck, how do I explain?”[/color] Cass got a bit frustrated again, too many thoughts in her head to clearly form what she was trying to get across. 

[color=629c3f]”I get worried I’ll get used to that kinda shit and… somehow lose who I actually am. Cause it happened before! And I know it’s completely [i]irrational[/i] but it’s like the one thing I got stupid anxiety over. I bet that doesn’t even make sense- but it really ain’t what you’re doing. You ain’t doing anything wrong, it’s just my own issue- which, heh, I guess you’re lucky to stumble on? I ain’t got so many.”[/color]

She was still holding his hands, so he gripped hers tighter as she wrapped her head around an explanation. She was afraid of… Losing her ambition? Her drive? And it’d happened before…

[color=C67C12]”Were… You supposed to be married to someone? I don’t mind, obviously, I just feel curious now. If you’ve gotten to the point where you’ve, y’know, lost yourself; I’d at least like to know the context. Maybe I can gleam some preventive wisdom.”[/color] he explained, thumbs rolling against the backs of her hands.

[color=629c3f]”Nah, nah, it wasn’t that extreme. It was just when I was growing up, I… honestly really didn’t like myself for a while! Cause after I went through puberty my parents really started pressuring me to ‘act more like a girl’ cause I should be growing outta being ‘boyish’. So I suppressed myself and basically lost a lotta it for a while. I was super quiet! Tried to be more ‘like a girl’, y’know? It wasn’t till I moved over here I really stopped that. I had to do a lotta work to accept myself fully. So I ain’t… Worried about it happening again cause’ve something you do. It’s…”[/color] Her whole face scrunched up. It seemed ridiculous to say what she was about to with how self confident she generally was. 

[color=629c3f]”My fucking Mum! She finds out bout the flats for my brothers, and I [i]know[/i] she’s gonna be like ‘So you finally took my advice, Cassandra, and found a well off man? I knew you’d realise your mistakes eventually!’ or some shit like that! It’s pretty unfair for me to worry bout it cause’ve that, right? Like I ain’t the teen girl I was then, and what’s between us ain’t anything like that. It’s just the longer I ain’t conformed the worse she’s gotten.”[/color]


[color=a36209][i]Taunt her.[/i][/color]
[color=C67C12][i]What now?[/i][/color]
[color=a36209][i]Inform her of your intent. The belief that you are extricating them from her life. That their reduced proximity to the matron is no sign of relinquishment, but rather… Emancipation, as Mia says.[/i][/color]

Well, if anyone in his life was good at being petty, it was Lelou.

[color=C67C12]”I think, if it comes to that and you feel like you need a better grip on the moment, then… You should be honest about the intention. Plain and simple, if your mother is so stressful that they want to avoid her, she shouldn’t be sheltered from the fact. So, you let her know that you have your own stuff. And that you can do for you anytime. And, if she can’t understand what you mean, you explain better. That way I can be sure that she knows: Your brothers are Men. They deserve the opportunity to flourish without a boot on their backs. And as a Man myself, I’m willing to give them the opportunity where their mom won’t. It just so happens that I have the finances to back up my conviction, is all.”[/color] he suddenly had a very smug look on his face, as if he’d solved the puzzle.

As if it was any easier for the Richouxs to get that boot off their own backs. Hell, they were going to have to [i]kill[/i] their way out.

[color=C67C12]”And as for who [i]you[/i] are? Don’t you ever fuckin’ worry about that. Dating, single, divorced, fused together: You’re a solid person. A grand soul. Another smile I’d like to see flourishing. As long as you’re alive, I’ll be sure to bring you right back to who you really are, no matter how far you stray.”[/color] he admitted, sliding his back against the wall into a half-squat so they were equal in height for once.

At least this was something he really knew he could back up. Everything else? It was a hard sell: Family was family, and she could just as easily never want him involved that intimately. And he understood why. But, between them? He didn’t see anything that she could ever do to lose the status of “friend.” Maybe not even [i]best[/i] friend. The last person he had in his life who could keep up, after all…-


[color=629c3f]”Well, I can’t really argue with that. You just gotta strip in front’ve me and all the feral energy will come back no matter what!”[/color] She brightened up a little with a laugh. 
[color=629c3f]”I’m only kinda joking there… It is something I try not to worry about, cause I’m super fucking happy and confident with myself now. But it’s nice to know someone’ll kick me back to that if my Mom makes it slip. As for the rest…”[/color]

She couldn’t [i]really[/i] bring herself to say that talking to her Mum was sometimes like talking to a brick wall. The last few years she had that very same conversation, and she’d just gotten bored of it. Sure, it’d be a different one about a current partner… But it was the same old argument. The shit with her brothers was a bit different. 

[color=629c3f]”I ain’t so worried ‘bout the younger two. Far as I’m aware, she just wants ‘em in the city so they can help out if needed. So, y’know, she expects ‘em back when they finish uni. It’s Jack… Good luck convincing her to stop treating him like a kid. Like the bullet took out his brain when it took his legs! Sure, he really struggled the first couple of years- y’know adjusting and PTSD and shit. But she’s convinced he can’t do anything! Whenever he argues about it, it’s like it just goes over her head. Dad ain’t any help too, cause he doesn’t really care.”[/color] She shrugged. 

[color=629c3f]”But if you wanna try break through the wall that is my Mom with cold, hard cash? I ain’t gonna stop you!”[/color]

Leon shook his head. Of course being mean wasn’t going to fix things, but Lelou felt Leon’s immediate emotional response and amplified it. It was a straining reaction that wasn’t [i]entirely[/i] his… But he’d grown used to feeding her, and by proxy, the behavior. The headmate-equivalent of a dog scratching its own ear.

[color=C67C12]”Y’know, actions just ultimately speak louder than words, right? Like, why bother uh… Straining ourselves. We already won at life, right? That [i]should[/i] give us the confidence we need to let these kinds of things roll off our backs. We’ll get there. It’s a lifetime of conditioning to shed, that’s all.”[/color] he grinned, finally laughing and moving to kiss her face with excitement.

[color=C67C12]”You’re here for it, right?”[/color] he looked at her expectantly.

[color=629c3f]”Course I am!”[/color] Cass grinned back. She’d already been pushing through her own conditioning alone for years… Adding some company only made it easier, even if he brought along his own burdens. 

[color=629c3f]”If nothing else, I’m always gonna be punching my way forward. I don’t like getting trapped too much in the past, even it gets real… sticky sometimes!”[/color] She laughed. Really, it was just [i]this[/i]. It just happened to be a pretty big thing.

She leaned back slightly to firmly plant her ass in her chair, legs able to swing out from their curled up position so her feet planted firmly on the wall to ‘trap’ Leon between them. Her hand came up to form an okay symbol.
[color=629c3f]”That’s yet another difficult conversation we’ve gotten through! We’re really on a roll, Babe.”[/color]

Smug confidence bubbling back up inside him, he could only grin as his hands shifted to holding her by the legs. Slowly, surely, he pulled her forward, looming down until she was the one trapped in the chair.
[color=C67C12]”We’re just hungry for everything, ain’t we? Even… Resolution.”[/color] he giggled, slowly lowering until they were both engulfed in long black hair.