[right][code]Beppo Park[/code][/right]
With their view of the road above Beppo Park clear, the headlights of the cars pulling into the parking lot by the boatload were easy to see coming. Ed turned her head as there was an uproar of people cheering and clapping. Right on queue as the congregation was arriving, those who were already waiting for admission to the event were allowed to begin their descent into the event space as they pleased. There was quite the commotion as people shuffled in and took seats everywhere they could. People put down jackets and scarfs to mark reservations, and everyone who Cass and Trisha didn’t know seemed to carry a little card. 

Before there was anything else, Trisha would be able to feel a familiar tickling against her Emotional Field. Probably the only kind of disturbance she’d even allow at this point, and still only familiar enough to [i]assume[/i] it was who it was. But, like the needle on a record player, there was scratching in a gentle rhythm until it finally popped into song. From the distance, as they were pulling in, Casey was already searching and hunting for Trisha’s presence.
And to tell her he’d found her, he began to play her a [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eyIZsQSDU0]song[/url] across the surface of her Emotional Field. A warm, loving and tender greeting, and a song he’d shown her fondly.

More than once, people came up to the ramp to try and climb into one of the prime seats, but the “Reserved” signs with the red rope across the staircase leading up kept most people out. Those who it didn’t, Ed was on hand. She stayed right by Trisha until they could all see the small crowd of coastal giants sliding through the mass of humanity like an Addams Family ripoff.


Both men seemed to lock eyes upward, the raised section not so tall thanks to their significant heights. To compare the looks of admiration to one another was to see two different versions of the same smile. Two men, so alike in their absolute passion for what was closest to them, had both gained this feeling from the same place. And now, as they turned their heads to share the moment, Leon and Casey wrapped their arms around one another. 

Being at the rear of the group, the others were perhaps not so privy to the sight, but for Cass and Trisha? Those smiles were there… And they looked so, so warm…

There was a great deal of commotion at the bottom of the steps, with lots and lots of French being exchanged in various tones indicating only disharmony among them. It was loud, loud dissonance that only ended with the shuffling of bodies until an organized filing was formed. Plenty knew their seats already, and it became clearer that the cards actually showed people where their seats were specifically on a little chart. 

At first, there were no familiar faces. Lots of European dialects that Cass would possibly have an easier time picking out. Alongside them, other peoples whose languages couldn’t possibly be described. Tribal languages from the hundreds found in central Africa, congregational representatives from all branches of the New Dawn throughout the Old World, and even Asian representatives hailing from India and China, Laos, Cambodia, Korea… They filtered into the rear table as the first place to fill up, and none gave the two girls already seated anything more than a well wish. Then came the filling in of the second table, and alongside the other cousins and close relatives of the Richoux branch, Ed filed herself in.

Not, however, before giving Trisha an extremely quick introduction to her Mother; the youngest daughter of Maxwell and Sylvie, whose closeness in age to her daughter could only conjure more uncomfortable questions. Most, again, had no regard for Cass and Trisha. The two girls were left to their devices as the cursory nature of their relationship to their slightly distant cousins from the West remained unexplored. People simply shuffled in, taking their seats and settling down for what they all knew was coming. 

More talking, mostly. There was another podium at the front of the platform, after all, for other people to stand and talk at. It was a little menacing…

[i]Was that where the Proposal would happen?[/i] In front of everyone? All the way up there, where everyone had to look at them? At least, perhaps thankfully, the eyes of those who she’d see again the next day, would be totally obscured by line of sight. Classically, if you can’t see the predator, they clearly can’t see you, right?

But it was interesting to see who in her life Trisha had met that was actually included in that table of Richouxs. Nestled among them, quiet Theo sat and gave Trisha a friendly wave… Whatever the relation was was terribly unclear, especially given the difference in his stature compared to most of the others at the table. 
But, with that table nearly full came the first actual meaningful interaction of the night… 

[color=fc6603]”Ooooooh, Sylvie! Two beautiful ladies are sat down in front of us![/color]
[color=0377fc]”Max… I can’t. Too much noise.”[/color]

Maxwell, his giant frame half-dwarfing Sylvie’s lithe and frail figure, was keeping her guided with one hand in hers and the other on her side.

[color=fc6603]”It’s Trisha, Love…”[/color]

Suddenly, the old woman looked a little more excited… Both hands gripped around in surprise.


[color=0377fc]”Merde! Trisha, please forgive my rudeness… My brain in this place, I am eh… Mush! The day is so long already!”[/color] she was immediately attentive, leaning in toward Trisha.

[color=d1b300]“Don’t worry about it, Sylvie, I understand. Social events like this are… Tiring.”[/color] Trisha shifted in her chair to face both of them with a polite smile, though she knew one couldn’t see it. They weren’t familiar enough to bring much comfort, but it was at least nice to have some more positive attention. 

And there was the gentle song that had played across her emotional field combined with Casey’s smile to boost her mood slightly. Not too long until he was there too…
[color=d1b300]“It’s nice to see you both again. Hopefully you’ll enjoy the… less ceremonial part of the Harvest Festival.”[/color]

Cass had half jumped up, leaning across the table to stick a hand out towards both Maxwell and Sylvie. She tried to keep her voice at a more normal level- not shouting like she often did. 

[color=629c3f]”Hello, I’m Cassandra Wallace- but please, just call me Cass! You probably already know I’m Leon’s girlfriend, but just as importantly, I’m Trisha’s close friend. It’s nice to meet you both… I can see where Leon gets his charm from.”[/color] She grinned at Maxwell, then Sylvie. 
[color=629c3f]”And where Casey gets his good nature from too!”[/color]

Maxwell was quick to reach out his hand.
[color=fc6603]”You would be so charming if I didn’t know you were [i]British![/i]”[/color]

The old man’s face brightened up like a lightbulb, his big bushy beard half blocking his open mouth which began to howl with laughter from within his chest.

[color=fc6603]”Kidding, kidding! But I got you… Manchester! I hear this in your voice!”[/color] he exclaimed excitedly.

[color=629c3f]”Ah, really?! That’s impressive!”[/color] Cass said back with matching excitement. Especially when she’d been trying to tone down her accent… Just a little bit. She [i]was[/i] a bit out of place surrounded by all of these rich people. Not that anyone had given her issues before! And really, it was just trying not to use certain words. The accent itself would never go away. 

Still grinning, her eyes narrowed in mock suspicion.
[color=629c3f]”You can really tell? It isn’t cause Leon told you, and now you’re tryna pull one on me?”[/color]

[color=0377fc]”Oh, love… We’ve spent many years up and down the coasts. Three in London, and another two on the other side in Liverpool.”[/color] Sylvie spoke up, holding her hand out to slide against Cass’ face.

[color=0377fc]”Beautiful girl. Beautiful. Max, seat? Please?”[/color]

Max looked over at their seats and laughed.

[color=fc6603]”The only thing Leon has told us Cass, is that you have a great passion for our family business. We will speak, I’m right here.”[/color] he pointed at the seat.

[color=8882be]”Yes, Dad! Please, move your [i]fridge-like body[/i] out of the way so some of us can file in![/color]
Lynette’s voice was loud, almost grating. Max’s head swung backward, and he grumbled something else in French before sidling off. And then, there she was. With no barrier, for the first time directly in front of Cass. But, it was guaranteed that Trisha would get the attention.

[color=8882be]”Good heavens, you two must’ve gotten here early. Trisha, honey, I [i]love you![/i] And, honestly? I’m fucking thrilled your sister’s sitting at your end of the table. You can keep her.”[/color] she spoke with a smirk and a drink already in her hand, a soft cardigan bundling around her. The free hand stretched like a cat’s paw out to Cass.

[color=8882be]”Lynette, love… Pleasure. Leon treating you well?”[/color] she asked with an heir of aloof disinterest. Elise was, of course, right alongside her mother. And she didn’t look pleased. She did however stretch her own hand out to Trisha.

[color=f0cd8d]”Can I say I missed you yet?”[/color] she gave Trisha a gentle grin, trying to be calm about her own day.

[color=d1b300]“Who am I to stop you?”[/color] Trisha gave her a polite smile in return and took Elise’s hand to lightly shake it, a hint of understanding in her gaze. The recognition of one covering up anxiety to another. 

Cass let Lynette’s disinterest bounce right off her, taking her hand in greeting with a wide grin, acting as if she didn’t even realise. It seemed easier in this case. Don’t give her anything to dig into… And Cass genuinely didn’t care if Lynette wasn’t interested in her. Her only disappointment was she couldn’t take some of the negative attention away from Trisha. 

[color=629c3f]”Cass- though I’m sure you already know that! It’s a pleasure to finally meet you too. Of course he is, would you expect anything less? He’s clearly been raised to treat women well, after all!”[/color]

[color=d1b300][i]Some women.[/i][/color] Trisha thought but didn’t say, turning from Elise to Lynette with her smile turning much more fake. 
[color=d1b300]“Lynette… I’m surprised you don’t want Tansy on your end. You two seemed to be getting along so well.”[/color]

[color=8882be]”Ooooh, you’re so good at this game Trisha. Listen, it’s been a long day. The mask is honestly [i]worthless[/i] at this point. Congratulations, by the way. I’m thinking of a way to fuck with you over it, but-”[/color]

Elise didn’t bother talking this time. There was a strange new dynamic in all of this, and an outcome in the near future wasn’t exactly clear. The only clear thing, was that whatever happened in that chapel today broke something in Lynette, and now Elise was somewhere between hospice nurse and new management…

[color=f0cd8d]”Yep, go ahead. Talk your shit, Ma. Trisha, Cass, seriously don’t worry about crazy, here.”[/color] she tried to regard the two of them with reassurance.
[color=f0cd8d]”She’s in for at least a fifth from the time we left the Temple to here. It’s all just, y’know, hitting her at once.”[/color]

Cass raised a hand to half wave off Elise, head inclining slightly towards Trisha. She wasn't bothered at all! Well, not for herself. For Trisha… a bit, a bit, but that just meant watching her closely and making sure [I]she[/I] was alright. 

Trisha's expression didn't waver much as she stared at Lynette. The mask wasn't just for her. So the smile remained, even if her eyes narrowed slightly. 
[color=d1b300]“It’s alright, Elise. She's just saying what she actually means for once."[/color]

It was almost frustrating that after all this time, the last few weeks of torture, Lynette was acting like she was the one suffering between the two of them. Sure, she was preparing for her own death… But Trisha struggled to feel sympathy for someone hurting so many others. Hurting her, and Casey. After the talk with Ed, she had a new understanding about why Lynette was specifically targeting her. 

It only made things worse. All of this shit, her own suffering, over a dream? When it wasn't even her fault in the end? 

And the congratulations? For the… engagement? She couldn't have found out from all the times her and Casey talked, so it must've been from this morning… Of course. As long as she didn't ruin it? Trisha was going to try not to let it bother her. 

[color=d1b300]“And [I]thank you[/I] Lynette."[/color] Trisha stared at her unwaveringly, voice lowering to a level where it shouldn't spread beyond their small group. Not for those with normal hearing at least.
[color=d1b300]“But if you don't intend to fuck with me over that or anything else, you should make your way to your seat. You're blocking others from getting to their seats- particularly people I'd actually [I]like[/I] to spend my time with."[/color]

[color=8882be]”Sure, sure. People you [i]don't want to see too.[/i] Though, Gods, that girl- Your sister may be wonderful at her job, but she's an utterly miserable person. I tell her I'm terminal, she asks which airport. I ask her to lunch, she says how many months from now. Rude, rude, rude, and runs in the family. The only time I ever met your fa-”[/color]

She had to spin around to not bump into a niece as she stumbled up the inner aisle. Elise was shoving at that point, trying to get her up to the front. Furio and Clarissa slid through with their daughter in tow, following just behind Lynette. Furio didn't bother speaking, but Clarissa gave a warm welcome. 

[color=e0c4ff]”Trisha! Cass![/color]
Of all the Temple members, it was terribly easy to “run into” Clarissa just about anywhere their organization could be found. More than once, she'd dropped in on Cass and Leon unannounced. Mostly to ‘take the cats for a walk’, which Leon expressed horror over every time it happened.

But Clarissa had never let the mask drop in front of her, so her arms spread wide as she tried to pull Cass into a hug. These feelings were genuine anyway: the girl was totally outside the plan. Whatever influence she had was either mirrored, or she really was just a sweet and good natured companion for her admittedly precious nephew.

[color=e0c4ff]”Crazy times coming, huh? Make sure you're thankful for today's peace and calm.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]"This shit ain't crazy? Man, these massive events must be the norm for you all!"[/color] Cass laughed, easily returning Clarissa's hug. She figured it was best to go along with these things, continue being friendly. In her mind her main job was to make things as easy as possible for Trisha, especially right now. Keep her happy and don't make any other problems! Even if she disagreed with all the shit that was happening in the Temple, and as an extension didn't exactly have a positive view of a lot of the inner circle. 

[color=d1b300]“Clarissa, Furio, Ivetta. Nice to see you all."[/color] Trisha politely greeted them all, even if only one had greeted them. She was just as determined to keep up the mask to a certain extent. She was used to things constantly brewing underneath the surface- or always assumed they were. Outright aggression was more difficult, because then she couldn't stop herself from reacting or panicking. 

[color=d1b300]“Hopefully it stays peaceful… or as peaceful as a large dinner can be."[/color]

[color=de3b1b]”No reason for it to not be peaceful, we'll take care of anything that isn't.”[/color] Furio intoned as she stuffed Richoux cousins tighter into their seats. He was making a path for his ladies, like any good husband would.

[color=ed145b]”Caaaaaaass!”[/color]
Mia was already shuffled into the dead zone left as the Natale's shuffled up to their seats. 

Mia gave Cass the full glomping, her dress tumbling down as long legs made purchase around Cass. Hari was close behind, and held her hand out to Trisha.

[color=0072bc]”Hey T… You managing?”[/color] she asked Trisha calmly, simply, and without any clear intent besides concern.

[color=629c3f]"Whooaa, you're gonna knock me over! You're lucky I'm so strong!"[/color] Cass laughed, wrapping her arms around Mia as she jokingly tilted herself backwards as if about to fall. She quickly righted herself with more laughter. She was more than happy to hug the much taller girl even if it was a bit awkward with how cramped everything was. 

[color=d1b300]“Mhm, managing is about the right word."[/color] Trisha smiled at Hari with a bit more genuinity behind it than had been there before. 
[color=d1b300]“It’s nice to see two more friendly faces. How about you two? I guess Mia missed Cass loads."[/color]

She turned her head towards Mia and Cass with a smile, tone clearly light and joking. She was doing her best to take the new knowledge she had about Mia, about her dreams, and… to be more gentle? At least?

Hari’s eyes said more about the day than any words she could’ve given. It’d been some days since she shaved her head, and the natural blonde was creeping back in to coat her head in a golden sheen. 


[color=0072bc]”I think everyone’s just ready for everything to be over. There was a scene; we were already an- Y’know? Never mind.”[/color]

[color=ed145b]”I missed you too, Sis-sha! I just- Y’know, Cass doesn’t mind me being unchill and like, grappling her.”[/color] Mia smiled, definitely drunk just like her mother was. At least it was a somewhat socially acceptable method of blocking out the pain of life. 

[color=ed145b]”Where’s my Dwina? Etienette!?”[/color]

Her tall, lanky frame looked over the table of cousins. But Ed’s seat was vacant. Other people were already pushing past the little blockage at the front. Other Temple bigwigs that Trisha’d never had a reason to speak to, and tucked betwixt, Ed’s arms wrapped around both of her anchors. Tugging them together, all three knocked heads by accident, causing Mia to wince.

[color=ed145b]”[i]There you fuckin’ are! How’s my girls!?[/i]”[/color]

She was too drunk to focus, but Hari wasn’t at all. Pink Lux only needed love, and for a moment while she was being hugged, it looked like her eyes brightened up. Kissing Ed’s cheek, she did wriggle away in order to square back up with Trisha and Cass.

[color=0072bc]”Hey, Cass. I’m, uh, in case I don’t get to say it down the row, I’m thankful you’ve both come into our lives. Seriously.”[/color] she said sincerely, hands reaching out to both of them.

[color=629c3f]"It's Trisha you should be thankful for, really! I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her."[/color] Cass grinned, taking Hari's hand and squeezing it. 

[color=d1b300]“Then you show be thanking the person who punched me in the face."[/color] Trisha said dryly. But she took Hari's hand and smiled again. 
[color=d1b300]“I’m… thankful too. Even for the negatives, I haven't had this many people around me for a while."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Same here! It's like I've gained three lil sisters overnight- I always wanted one! So three? Fucking great!"[/color]

[color=92278f]”Good, good. Keep ‘em.”[/color] 

The innocuous comment came with a shoving that knocked Ed and Mia off balance and into what would be Casey’s chair. They didn’t fall, but Mia’s instantaneous dejected look gave away her discomfort all the same.The voice wasn’t one Trisha would’ve heard since Casey’s coronation dinner… And back then, his presence had almost ended with a physical altercation. Would this time be any different?


Junior’s face turned over to face the knot that’d formed at the head of the table.


[color=92278f]”Now, girls? Please shuffle your flat asses up the aisle so that the rest of us can actually sit?”[/color] he continued, snapping his fingers [i]quite[/i] loudly in spite of being surrounded by all that noise.

[color=66bb6a]”Great to see you too, Juni.”[/color] Ed replied, venom in her tone.

Giving both girls one last kiss, Ed made way to her seat. Junior’s face took up the spot that Ed had been in before, the gaunt and chiseled Richoux features trimmed short, a devil’s goatee on his chin and lips. Whether it was all that had been said, implied, and personally witnessed, or it was just a natural aspect of him; but Junior just [i]looked[/i] evil. His smile wasn’t malicious, but bloodthirsty none-the-less.

[color=ed145b]”You can get by, Max. Go sit. We’ll be done in a-”[/color]

Three sets of eyes locked in across the table at a single point at the other end. Junior didn’t hesitate, breaking up the narrow aisle toward his Mother. Mia, however, huffed. In spite of the clear stress, her hand reached out and really took Trisha’s tightly. She leaned in.

[color=ed145b][i]”We can do this. We can do this. We can do this.”[/i][/color]

In truth, all the young woman wanted was a life of her own that wasn’t attached to the corpse of her family’s faith. She wanted to have a mostly normal life, and especially to share it with someone whom she’d [i]seen so long.[/i] 

Though Trisha was normally touch shy around anyone but Casey, she managed to clamp down on her normal reaction. She was trying to get more used to it, and had become more accepting of the occasional hug from Mia and the other girls. It was a bit more difficult when she was anxious too but… She didn't want to fall so short of Mia's expectations. She already would by a lot…

There was a hint of a long dead feeling inside Trisha: a nurturing, older sister feeling. Barely a spark, but it was enough for her to rest her other hand over Mia's, clasping it from both sides.

[color=d1b300]“It’ll be fine."[/color] Trisha said softly, with as much conviction as she could muster. She didn't entirely believe it herself but… She tried. 
[color=d1b300]“[I]We’ll[/I] be fine. I believe in us."[/color]

She really was trying her best, covering her own anxieties with as close to a genuine smile as she could muster. 
[color=d1b300]“You should get seated. At least it'll be Cass dealing with him."[/color] Though even as she spoke, Trisha didn't fully let go of Mia's hand. Letting her let go…

[color=629c3f]"So true, oooh, I already want to punch him."[/color] Cass hissed under her breath.


[color=92278f]”God, don’t punch me, I’ll cum.”[/color] he blurted out as he was sliding toward his seat.

[color=fc6603]”Maxwell! Damn your tongue!”[/color] Max the Elder snapped, raising a massive hand up to point at his Grandson.
Junior stuck his hands up as if to waive apology, then made his way to his seat.

Mia could only keep her frustrated look so long before it was no longer worth it. Looking at Trisha, all she could do was genuinely smile again.
.[color=ed145b]”Minecraft tomorrow… It’s supposed to snow!”[/color] she mentioned before pulling away.

Hari was in tow, and smiled with a head nod before walking along. Then, there really wasn’t anyone left… Just two looming figures beyond excited to see their ladies. Casey’s arms wrapped tight around Trisha, pulling her close and guarding around her like she was the most precious treasure on the planet.
Leon, by contrast, leaned down and planted a kiss on Cass’ lips before letting his head slink around to bite at her ear.

[color=C67C12]”Couldn’t get the stink of you out of my nose all day… Missed you, missed you.”[/color] 

Casey didn’t say anything, of course. He didn’t have to. His arms, his deep embrace, the way he cradled Trisha like there was going to be a kidnapping attempt… His head swiveled around, trying to get a read on every single face he could see clearly.

[color=629c3f]"You saying I smell?!"[/color] Cass laughed playfully, lips pulling into a wide grin. She twisted her head around to kiss Leon too- it was only fair! And she really couldn't have him biting her like that, not when she was trapped like this. 
[color=629c3f]"Missed you too… but calm down a lil before I jump over the table and abscond with you!"[/color]

As Casey's arms wrapped around her, Trisha's tightly wound nerves slowly started to unravel. The tension she'd been holding in her frame disappeared as she leaned back into him. She turned sideways in her chair, face turning fully to press into him. Her eyes fluttered closed as she slowly breathed in and out. Just feeling him there. Starting to feel safe again. Loved.

Her eyes opened again, looking straight up at him. One hand reached up to caress his cheek. 
[color=d1b300]“Hey. I [I]really[/I] missed you."[/color]

Casey’s hands slid up her body until they were both holding her face. She’d be able to feel them shaking slightly, calming moment by moment as they embraced.

[color=577d06]”That’s fine… I’m a big target, you’ll get better with practice.”[/color]

He smiled brightly at her, lips peeling up into a goofy, toothy grin.

Trisha stared at Casey for a moment, before laughing. It was such a bad joke, but it didn't matter because it was from him. He was so incredibly goofy, but that was part of what she loved about him. 

[color=d1b300]“Then you'll just have to stay close so I can keep practicing."[/color] She giggled with an incredibly soft smile. 
[color=d1b300]“You’ll just have to keep missing me, though, since I'm such a small target."[/color]

[color=577d06]”The only way I can miss you is when I can’t see you, Trisha. Here, let me sit. Uh, did-”[/color]

As Casey was taking his seat, Leon was sitting down [i]with[/i] Cass on his lap. 

[color=C67C12]”God damn, what a long fucking day.”[/color] he said softly to Cass, eyes passing around the table to get a look… There were a couple empty seats left. Vanburens? He could only presume.

[color=577d06]”-did anyone tell you how food and stuff is gonna work? I know we planned, but uh… I think most people in this box are getting actual meals delivered, rather than using the common buffet we set up? So, it’s probably just gonna be you, me, Cass, and your siblings going out to get something… Unless, do you think either of them would bother braving the lines?”[/color] Casey asked Trisha with genuine curiosity as he sat down in his massive high-backed chair. 

[color=d1b300]“I…"[/color] Trisha trailed off with a small frown. She hadn't realised most people around them would have meals delivered. She should've. How else would they get their Apparition meals? Then again, she'd assumed there would be… a special table or something. There was no way her siblings would be happy having to queue if everyone around them was getting food delivered. 

[color=d1b300]“Probably not. I don't think Ezra will kick up a proper fuss- but he probably will comment on it, maybe complain directly to us as the organisers? I imagine he'll just try and get one of Andrade's staff to bring it for him? As for Tansy… she'll definitely make a fuss when she sees almost everyone else getting food brought to them."[/color] Trisha's brow furrowed, hands automatically listing towards Casey's as she thought more about it. She wasn't actually confident in what she said about Ezra. They rarely saw each other outside of mandatory family holidays - which always involved a completely catered and served meal of the highest standard. 

[color=d1b300]“I’m not sure how she'll make it, though. She's not always predictable, especially when it's not just the two of us. She might even try and make me do it for her. Or you, since you're her ‘precious’ little sister's boyfriend. Or…"[/color] Trisha's gaze moved past Casey, to Leon and Cass. 
[color=d1b300]“Maybe she'll even try and flirt with Leon to make him? Cause y'know… strong man who could do it all for her."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"-don't worry the long day will definitely be worth it, tonight we'll- Whoa!"[/color] Cass had fairly quickly moved on from comforting to flirting, with one hand carding through Leon's hair while the other trailed up and down his back. She had absolutely [I]no[/I] reservations about her current sitting position when around his family. If anything, she was pretty fucking happy with it. But the enhanced hearing didn't turn off, and she couldn't help but pick up the conversation from the other intimate bubble next to theirs. 

[color=629c3f]"Sexist much! I'm a strong woman who could do it all for her too."[/color]

Trisha laughed slightly. 
[color=d1b300]“You’ve met Tansy, is it really surprising she'd go for Leon over you? Would you even want to?"[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Hell no!"[/color] Cass pulled her upper body back a bit from Leon, staring at him. 
[color=629c3f]"I ain't normally like this- but I'm laying down a rule… no accepting flirting from Trisha's siblings! Specifically her sister."[/color]

Trisha shuffled in her seat to get closer to Casey with a slight smile, speaking quietly- not that it mattered with the super sensed couple beside them. 
[color=d1b300]“I think it'll be… interesting. I'm honestly not entirely sure how my siblings are going to act."[/color]


Casey shrugged. At worst, they’d have some kind of reservations about how things were organized. Maybe they’d dislike the fact that there was someone scheduled to speak in five minute blocks pretty much entirely throughout the event. They only really needed to make it until just after his block… But that was another hour or two at least. And he didn’t really want to miss the food either; they’d planned the food out so well with Andrade that it’d be a damn shame to not get as much as he could…

[i]Not that there wasn’t a huge cooler sitting outside their rooftop home full of pre-made collections from each of the lines or anything…[/i] Andrade had done some rather special catering, after all, not just for the Blinds, but for everyone’s sensibilities. There was a yawping from down the table.

[color=8882be]”Caseau Richoux!? What boogie fucks do you think we are? We’re [i]all[/i] waiting in line with our people, because that’s where we belong.”[/color] Lynette yelled, arms raising in a shrug to ask her son what was wrong with him non-verbally.

[color=577d06]”Ain’t enough food in that buffet for the entire clan plus you, Glutton! Where th’fuck d’you think Andrade’s sourcing food from, the fucking food realm?”[/color] Casey shouted back, the overall noise of the crowds surrounding them drowning it out to more of a casual conversation.

[color=8882be]”How about you look at your tableside seasonings! Tell me if you notice anything!”[/color]

Casey furrowed his brow, then looked at Trisha before looking down at their little spot of salt and pepper… Both were there, and so were a bunch of other things… Parmesan cheese, butter pats, the typical restaurant spread… And then [i]one other shaker[/i]. It was full of some kind of cayenne or other finely ground chilli, but when he picked it up, he knew right away that it was concentrated with Apparitional essence. Essentially, a demon-spice shaker… And it was at every single condiment station on the table. 

Immediately, Casey’s White Lux filtered out across the tables nearby. Of course, the New Dawn was no stranger to the practice; so he expected them around the other box tables… And thankfully that seemed to be the only place. They weren’t unwillingly spiking all the blinds and magical guests that could be out in the crowd, at least… He immediately slipped the one that would’ve served Ezra and Tansy out of its slot, along with the one in front of him and Trisha, and Leon and Cass’. Subtly, he passed one off to Leon, pocketing the other for the meal. 

It wasn’t like he [i]couldn’t[/i], after all… He needed some energy anyway, and an actual meal that did something would help tremendously.

[color=577d06]”Well, I guess that solves that problem then… We’ll just make sure your siblings don’t have a fuckin’ accident, huh? At least we all get to file up like the peasantry.”[/color] he half-joked, smiling at the little corner of warmth.

[color=92278f]”Please, waste the good shit on the rich Blinds? I can’t believe they’re even allowed up here. Trisha, you think your sister would freak if we got her silverware to start dancing?”[/color] Junior piped up, leaning into the vacant seat where Cass would’ve been sitting.

Trisha was fairly certain Tansy would still freak out when she found out they had to line up with the ‘peasants’, nevermind if the silverware started dancing. On the other hand, Ezra would probably act like it was nothing and get offended they'd dirty silverware like that. 

[color=d1b300]“That depends. With all of these people around? No. She's quite good at keeping up the mask."[/color] Trisha said drily, not wanting to encourage any magical use in front of her Blind siblings. Of course Tansy would freak out. Any non magical person would, unless they were a boring borderline sociopath like Ezra. 

[color=d1b300]“I’ve only seen it crack a couple of times… So I don't think any magic will do it. I'd rather the silverware stayed in its place, anyway."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Oh yeah, the cutlery starts dancing away from me?! I'ma get real murderous… or I'll just start eating with my hands."[/color] Cass joked, inserting herself to try make things a bit easier for Trisha. 
[color=629c3f]"She's so right too… Tansy's got like. The most insane stone face. Like, all measured reactions! And I accidentally walked outta my room [I]completely naked[/I] when she was round once."[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I’d rather not remember that."[/color] Trisha groaned, leaning towards Casey to try and capture a little bit more warmth. Emotional warmth, that was. 

[color=629c3f]"It wasn't that bad! She barely reacted so, like… Magic really ain't gonna cut it."[/color]

[color=92278f]”Wait, you’re serious? So, you’re telling me that, regardless of reality shitting its pants in a way she can perceive, she’s got the willpower to sit there and deal with it happening? There’s [i]zero chance[/i] I’m not doing it now.”[/color] he grinned, that same face of whimsy that Cass and Trisha both knew from their respective lads represented now with… [i]Malice.[/i]

[color=92278f]”You clearly can’t just [i]deal with that[/i]. Not without something crazy happening to your brain, so… I’m calling your bluff.”[/color]


[color=577d06]”You’ll be calling a fucking ambulance if yo-”[/color]

Leon’s head turned to Casey, urging patience and calm for a single moment before he turned back to Junior. The grin of joyous malice shifted slightly, concern entering the mind’s eye.

[color=C67C12]”Brother of mine? Just… [i]Don’t.[/i] If you can play nice? For even an hour? I’ll make sure that new Model R ends up in your driveway. One hour, Max. That’s all-”[/color]

There was a looming presence. Someone leaning over Leon and Max and the empty chair between them. It was [i]incredible[/i] how subtle the movements of such a large man were, but there he was… Maxwell the Elder, rotund ogrish figure half-stretching his suit vest. He leaned as much as his round body would allow the sphere to bend, until his face was right between both of them.

[color=fc6603]”Maxwell? I did not hear your brother bargain with you to do the right thing, non?”[/color]

It was a miracle he fit in that slot, until one looked behind him slightly and realized that he’d utterly displaced the cousins sitting there to step in and handle his familial obligation as the ultimate Patriarch. Treating both boys like the children they were, he pursed his lips.

[color=fc6603]”I will know. And now I will be watching.”[/color] the giant man spoke ominously before stretching out his hand and letting something roll onto the table. 

It sat for a moment before popping up on eight little legs… A brass spider of incredibly intricate clockwork…

[color=92278f]”D-don’t worry, Puppa… You don’t need t-”[/color] Junior slinked low in his seat as he was interrupted again.
[color=fc6603]”I am not worried. You have been warned.”[/color]

He then gave a brilliantly warm smile to Trisha.

[color=fc6603]”Your siblings are Blind… We will protect their sensibilities.”[/color] Max spoke with equal friendliness.

[color=d1b300]“Thank you."[/color] Trisha responded genuinely, with a slight smile. One hand moved to Casey's arm, comforting rubbing it.

She didn't particularly care for protecting her siblings. But she didn't have to deal with the fallout of them finding out about magic. Especially not here… Not at the event her and Casey had organised, at a dinner table where she already felt uncomfortable. 

[color=d1b300]“I was a bit… worried, but I believe that you will. This whole event is meant to be blind friendly, after all, isn't it?"[/color]

Cass had gone from raptly watching the situation to suddenly curling in towards Leon, pressing her face right into his shoulder to hide her face. Her body shook just slightly. She fucking couldn't! She just couldn't show her face right now! Maxwell the Elder was just… way too fucking sexy stepping in and handling everything! Like, holy fuck. The way he spoke, the way he didn't accept any shit… 

[color=629c3f]"Holy fuck."[/color] Cass whispered under her breath against Leon's neck, unable to completely keep it in. 

Trisha had no idea what was going on with her friend so she… decided to ignore it. She tilted towards Casey and forward, pointing to the spider. 
[color=d1b300]“Can you see through that?"[/color]

[color=577d06]”Yeah, it’s directly hooked into his eye. You’d be amazed how much of that man isn’t actually flesh and bone.”[/color] he said, knowing full well just how mechanized his elderly grandfather was.

After all, an Adept’s life didn’t have to end at the stopgap of age. There were no rules, and a million solutions to the problem of a person’s relative lack of longevity. Some material planes, he knew the people lived for hundreds and hundreds of years… But here? They only had about eighty… And for someone like Maxwell, there was the matter of the latest stages of Oblivium. Whatever organic pieces were left were so addled with magical cancers and other problems that the magic wound up being the only way to [i]maintain[/i] homeostasis… 

He often wondered how much time the two elderly grandmasters had left… Or how much longer they really [i]wanted[/i] to be there.

Junior actively stared down at the little machine, nose turning up finally as he tried to redirect his ire toward the people on the other side of him… Thankfully, there seemed to be some willing conversants, so he didn’t immediately turn back to ruin the mood again. But, being at a table with so many talented observationalists made conversing privately difficult. It had to be psychic, or coded well enough that others couldn’t read.

Thankfully, the subject of his Grandfather and the mastercrafted prosthetics that were wrapped up in such a wonderfully fresh pressed shirt was something he took great pride in talking about… Assumed that one day, he’d even do the same. It was a right of passage, he felt, to be able to slowly replace one’s weaknesses as time aged the body beyond repairs.

Leon, however, curled over Cass and whispered into her ear.
[color=C67C12]”If you just came thinking about my Grandpa, I’m gonna lose my mind.”[/color] he intoned, clearly joking by the smile that curled up across his face.
[color=C67C12]”Grandpa lover… He’s [i]married[/i] y’know, not available.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Babe, y'know it ain't [I]that[/I] easy to make me cum."[/color] Cass good naturedly grumbled into Leon's skin. She didn't move her face away- mostly because it was a bit red and she really didn't want to have Trisha look over and get upset or feel uncomfortable. 
[color=629c3f]"Sometimes the unattainability makes it hotter! And if I'm lucky, I'll get my own hot old man one day."[/color] She withdrew her face a bit to grin at him, eyebrows going up and down a couple of times. 

Cass didn't really have to worry about Trisha looking over at her, her attention captured by the spider and Casey rather than the couple she assumed were whispering about non table appropriate topics. 

[color=d1b300]“Can he still see out his eye normally, or is it just looking through the spider?"[/color] Trisha asked, genuinely curious. Her brow furrowed as she thought a bit more about the lack of flesh and bone. Like, he'd replaced it with mechanical parts? Magical mechanical parts presumably? It was incredibly impressive, if a little terrifying. How far could they go? Could they replace everything? Fully prolong their life?

[color=d1b300]“Is that kind of thing… Normal for an Orange Adept? Replacing flesh and bone- I'm assuming that's what you mean."[/color]

[color=577d06]”Maybe not [i]too[/i] normal. Definitely something that happens though, I mean there’s a thousand magical ways to replace a missing piece. Just kind of depends on if you live a life where that’s a necessary skill to develop. Tells you a lot about what he used to do.”[/color]

[i]What he used to do[/i] was unclear in scope. Records in the Richoux tomes detailed the magical war for the succession of Bloodlord in the European Grand Cult. Something like the church for wizards and witches… Also something that his family was [i]not[/i] on the winning side of, hence their prompt escape from Europe with what little money they had left. It was only by the grace of the EGC’s weakened state in this day and age that their family was able to reestablish old roots with new money.

[color=577d06]”Gramps, what’d you do in the Old War again?”[/color] Casey called over, leaning back so that he could look at Trisha as well. 

The massive man sat back down in his chair, turning his head and leaning.
[color=fc6603]”I made equipment, and when the call came, I brought my hands to bare! I earned every little scratch… Met your Grandmother shortly before its commencement, and it is to her ring which she gave to me that I owe my life to this day!”[/color]

He held up his thick, nearly padded hand. On it was a ring of pure steel that constricted the flesh, causing it to bubble around the band.
[color=fc6603]”My body has grown since. I can no longer remove it, you see. The knuckle even, is too big. And to change it would break the oath. So, eventually, I will need to replace the finger too. But I do see with the eyes. Both are false. Both see in front of me, [i]and[/i] what is not.”[/color]

He flicked his hand, and like a practical sleight of hand magic trick, a trio of small orbs appeared between his fingers. While they didn’t fully unfurl as clockwork spiders, they did all open their mechanical lids to reveal the eyes that see through them.

[color=fc6603]”I am an Artificer now. I began my craft with puppetry here in America. When you come, you will see my friends I have made.”[/color]

Casey and Leon were both giving their Grandfather plenty of mental attention. The constructs were a blessing and a curse… Sure, a fully autonomous groundstaff made out of wooden people was cool… But remembering the daily ass-kickings during summer training by a bunch of bronze-clad warrior puppets? Interesting times, not-so-interesting circumstances.

[color=577d06]”He is also where Mia got the idea of [i]her[/i] specialty. Toymaking.”[/color] Casey explained, relating back to Princess the Bee, and the similarity of the magic going into it.

[color=d1b300]“Oh, I see."[/color] Trisha nodded, glancing down towards her bag under her seat where Princess was stored in a shrunk down form. The only reason she was comfortable not having any bees on her right now. She'd been listening intently, even though she didn't entirely understand the distinction between creating living puppets and being an Artificer. Presumably an Artificer made artifacts but… weren't both useful? 

Strangely, most of the Orange Adepts she'd known didn't really focus on objects. At the time, Leon used it to fight… As did the Hatanakas at the time. Bianca was almost solely a magic booster, though she'd been learning some magic similar to Casey before the end of the coven. But the distinction was all blurry to her… 

[color=d1b300]“I didn't realise it was that different. Sorry, I'm not that knowledgeable about this kind of stuff."[/color] Trisha admitted, a little painfully, inclining her head. But she did have another question about the spiders specifically. 
[color=d1b300]“Do you not get overloaded from seeing through so many eyes at once?"[/color]

Cass had unfurled from hiding against Leon, not quite able to hold back her own excited addition to the conversation. 
[color=629c3f]"Can I come see the puppet friends too?!"[/color]

Maxwell’s face lit up like a christmas tree, his pure white teeth glinting in the yellow lights of the canopies.
[color=fc6603]”Can you suppress your wretched accent?”[/color] 

And then he open mouth, full belly cackled at his own joke until a diminutive hand flicked up to smack him on the back of the head. Sylvie’s whole torso had to lean forward in order to catch Cass’ gaze.

[color=0377fc]”You are welcome in our ‘ome, Sweetheart. Pay this vulgar putain no attention.”[/color] she spoke with genuine care. There was a flash of evil in her blind eyes that glinted upward at her husband.

[color=fc6603]”Of coooooourse, just be ready! While the puppets withhold their fists, the [i]dog[/i] is none-so-sensible!”[/color] he laughed again, leaning his hand over to ruffle Cass’ hair.
[color=fc6603]”You are a good sport! I see why Leon is so attached!”[/color] he said with a wink.

Then, turning his attention back, he playfully waved his hand at Trisha.
[color=fc6603]”Now, as for the confusion? Non, I am simply so used to it. For fifty years, I have had at least four eyes. Conditioning is slow, steady, and constant, as all Luxal conditioning should be.”[/color] 

The old man was, if nothing else, incredibly informative… Which was clearly where Casey got the trait from. The passion seemed to be an entirely family affair. However…

[color=629c3f]”Oooh, fighting dogs sounds fun! I’m well used to dogs too!”[/color] Cass laughed loudly, hooking an arm around Leon’s neck to more easily turn and grin at both of his grandparents. She didn’t want to take the attention back away from Trisha, of course, it was just rude to not respond at all.

Trisha nodded, once again considering it properly- though it was a bit difficult with Cass cackling in the background. Slow, steady and constant conditioning… Did that work for all kinds of magic? When they’d first met, Casey had talked about how Lux saturated them whether from kindling or an Adjoined Apparition. So perhaps when they said Luxal, they meant magic in general, not specifically Adeptal magic. 

[color=d1b300]“I see. I ask because I can… sort of see through my bees? It’s not [i]really[/i] seeing. Not in the same way. But I very quickly can’t use my own senses, so I was wondering what it was like with the spiders. I guess… I just need to keep practicing with it.”[/color]
[color=8882be]”Goes for just about everything, Queen Bee!~”[/color] Lynette’s voice echoed across the table. She’d gotten wine from [i]somewhere[/i] despite it not being served at all… Seating would take at least another twenty minutes, and the organized food rush of tables being allowed to get up in organized fashions would take so much longer…

But she raised her glass up at Trisha, swirling the deep red liquid.

[color=8882be]”Don’t worry! You’ll get used to it like never before!”[/color] she chided, a drunken smirk crossing her face.

Maxwell’s face became a little less joyous, voice quieting as he leaned in slightly.


[color=fc6603]”Terrible as she is, truth reigns. You can grow muscle two ways, but both require absolute consistency and technique. Casey will help you, surely… For as long as it takes!”[/color]

[color=8882be]”Awwww, Trisha, see? See how lucky you are? Soon, you won’t be [i]burdened by fucking inlaws.[/i]”[/color] she smiled back at Maxwell, raising her glass with a smirk.

Gritting his teeth, Maxwell smiled back, but Sylvie’s hand slowly climbed up through her husband’s beard, warding him off further interaction for now. Even Casey seemed to withdraw, looking from Trisha to his Brother and Cass, then back.

[color=577d06]”An-ny-way…-”[/color] Casey shifted, looking back out at the crowds still filing in.
[color=577d06]”-How was the day, you two? You guys have a relaxing day getting ready?”[/color] he asked, clearing his throat and shaking his head.


For another moment, Trisha’s narrowed eyed stare remained on Lynette. Then she turned her attention back to the person who made it all worth it. Who made suffering the inlaw that had burdened her with a lifetime worth of torture worth it. She turned her body completely towards him so her legs rested against his. 

She wished she could say it was relaxing. It had been, to a point. Before they’d left the Cannery. The time spent with Cass and Ed had been nice. The period of time getting ready…

[color=629c3f]”Oh, yeah, it was pretty good! Like… I did Trisha’s hair and everything. Ain’t it cute!”[/color] Cass answered first with a bright grin, pointing to Trisha’s head. Two dutch braids ran along the top of her scalp, stopping just above her shoulders where the thick waves of hair were left free to tumble down her back. 

[color=d1b300]“Only because you messed it up in the first place.”[/color] Trisha responded with a light frown. 

[color=629c3f]”Hey, that ain’t my fault, I was just so excited about-”[/color] Cass choked on her words as Trisha glared at her, coughing lightly. [color=629c3f]”- seeing you! It felt like it’d been so long.”[/color]

Crisis averted- namely Cass’ excitement overriding her ability to keep secrets. Trisha looked back up at Casey with a slight smile. 
[color=d1b300]“Getting ready was nice. The three of us- Ed too- just hung out for a while before getting ready. The journey here… wasn’t so relaxing.”[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”Oh yeah…”[/color] Cass went still, the normal constant excited movements disappearing for just a moment. She hadn’t forgotten about what had been said when they were driving here, but it had been put to the back of her mind. But with Trisha bringing it up… She didn’t want to talk about it here. Honestly, Cass was a little worried that Trisha might try to. It wasn’t the right place. Her head jerked back to stare at Leon with more seriousness than normal. 

[color=629c3f]”We gotta talk about some of that shit- and it’s bad shit- later. I ain’t like [i]upset[/i] or proper angry at you or anything, it just hacked me off enough that we’re gonna talk about it.”[/color]

Leon’s teeth gritted in response, knowing only vaguely what this issue could possibly be. With the group he was aware of in that car? It could’ve wound up being fucking [i]anything.[/i] But, he was at least confident that whatever it was would be ending sooner rather than later.

[color=577d06]”Oooooh, Leon’s in trouble [i]again?[/i]”[/color] Casey chided before Leon could reply, causing him to frown slightly.

[color=C67C12]”Geeze, leave her alone with more than two people who don’t like me, all of a sudden I’m in trouble!”[/color] he could only joke defensively at that point, unsure of where to go from there.

[color=577d06]”Oooh, let me guess…-”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”-No! Absolutely not!”[/color] Leon replied with a snappy tone.

Casey could only laugh in response, turning his head to smile at Trisha.
[color=577d06]”Is it bad, Babe? How bad is it?”[/color] he asked, playfully poking at Trisha’s pouty cheeks.

Trisha puffed her cheeks up further in response to the poking. 
[color=d1b300]“Pretty bad if it’s true. But-”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Nuh uh.”[/color] It was Cass’ turn to interrupt before Trisha could get any further, one hand shooting forward to point at Trisha. The other had wriggled its way through Leon’s hair, scratching the back of his scalp gently- and perhaps surprisingly. 
[color=629c3f]”The whole point of me saying I wanna talk to him about something later is I want to talk about it [i]later[/i] and [i]in private[/i].”[/color]

Well, as much privacy as they could ever get in this cult. She shook her head, looking at Leon again.
[color=629c3f]”And you’re no [i]in trouble[/i] necessarily. It’s just shit we gotta talk about, cause I ain’t just gonna listen to them and go ‘oh yeah you’re so right how fucked up’ without getting your side!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I was going to say but Cass defended him.”[/color] Trisha added, only pouting more after getting interrupted when she wasn’t even going to [i]go into it[/i]. She’d gotten the message from Cass, and it was her issue to deal with. Trisha wasn’t exactly worried about Cass putting up with bullshit… 

[i]How fucked up?[/i]

Not only did both brothers look at one another with a new visage of abject horror, but Junior also seemed drawn into the new pain.

[color=92278f]”But how fucked up [i]really[/i]? Like, fucked up in which direction?”[/color]

Leon reached his hand out and smacked Junior’s nose like a dog, driving him off before clearing his throat and quickly trying to clear the subject.

[color=C67C12]”Whatever [i]it is[/i], the worst things die with-”[/color]
[color=577d06]”-Time! Time, heals all wounds and all that, I mean… Look at me! Totally… Totally fine!”[/color]

Junior stared at the both of them with narrow eyes.

[color=92278f]”Yeah, [i]okay[/i]. I really believe it too.”[/color]

Trisha frowned, leaning closer to Casey as she tense up a little. But before she could really react, Cass was talking. 

[color=629c3f]”Well, who asked you to believe anything?! You ain’t even part of this conversation!”[/color] Cass’ original plan of play dumb or just let anything Junior said bounce of her had gone out the window pretty quickly. It wasn’t that he got to her like he did Trisha… But she always got more irritated where people she cared for got involved. Or when people stuck their noses in where they didn’t belong… 

[color=629c3f]”The next thing that’s boutta be fucked up is your face when-”[/color]
[color=d1b300]“[i]Cass[/i].”[/color]
[color=629c3f]”- I can’t even make threats now? [i]Triisshhhaaa[/i]- fine! But this is why I didn’t wanna talk about it here… So conversation over, we’re moving on, got it?”[/color]

She stared at Junior most intently, though it was said to everyone. She really hadn’t wanted to bring it up. She’d only said to Leon because she was worried Trisha would… but it really was something she wanted to deal with in private! [i]Especially[/i] with what Leon just said- or was going to say. The worst things die with Lynette… 

Frowning a little bit, she glanced at Leon. 
[color=629c3f]”I believe- and hope- it goes with [i]time[/i].”[/color]

[color=92278f]”Time this, time that… You’re in on it too then? Good, good. Outsiders, fuck it! Everyone, come eat Lynette Richoux’s corpse with us!”[/color]

Junior’s frustrated face turned from Cass to Trisha.

[color=92278f]”All [i]Adepts[/i] eat free.”[/color] 

Before Leon or anyone else could chastise him to his face, Junior stood up.
[color=92278f]”Gotta be cousins to talk to…”[/color]

And then he slid off, heading in Lynette’s direction up the table. The little brass spider broke off into an absolute sprint as it dashed along, picking up momentum before flicking itself off the table to clamp into Junior’s shirt. Whether it was by Maxwell’s command, or some autonomous process, was unclear. Though both would be incredibly impressive in their own rights.

Leon took a deep breath, tilting his head back.

[color=C67C12]”Every single holiday, can’t even break up into little groups… Conversations get heard across the table, doesn’t matter if you’re whispering or-”[/color]

Casey reached his hand across the table.
[color=577d06]”-You’re anxious, Lee… Maybe you two should go somewhere and talk? Get it over with while we’re waiting?”[/color] Casey offered, face forming into an empathetic frown.

Leon shrugged in response.
[color=C67C12]”It’s… Fine if Cass can wait. I’m just… Starving, and Lelou’s [i]not[/i] enjoying anything about today, and now I’ve got [i]this[/i]... Obviously, another thing I’ve done to myself. If it’s something fucked up, then I bet I know exactly [i]what, and who said it.[/i]”[/color] he implied without any veil of opacity.

Cass frowned, shaking off her anger towards Junior as she twisted around in Leon’s lap to properly face him. She could wait- she hadn’t planned to bring it up until later in the first place. But now it [i]had[/i] been brought up, she didn’t want him sitting around miserable or stewing. Especially if he thought he knew. 

The worst thing would be if Leon was sitting there trying to figure out what she thought about, rather than just talking. 

[color=629c3f]”Well… I can help with the starvation?”[/color] Cass leaned her whole torso to the side, grabbing her sizeable shoulder bag from under her seat. From it she pulled out… A whole loaf of bread. She held it up to Leon. 
[color=629c3f]”I brought it in case I got hungry while waiting. But, uh… I can wait, but I ain’t so happy about it just stewing if y’think you know what it is. I didn’t bring it up to have it hanging over you all evening.”[/color] 

She tilted backwards to look over at Casey. 
[color=629c3f]”Is there actually somewhere more private where we could talk?”[/color] 

Trisha didn’t say anything, but she had curled in towards Casey. It shouldn’t have, but Junior’s words directly towards her had set her off. She shouldn’t care… but she did. Because she [i]wasn’t[/i] an Adept, and it was just another thing she always felt inferior over.

Leon thought for a moment before nodding.
[color=C67C12]”Yeah, come on… Trisha? Casey? We may as well get a stretch while we can, because the next big trip is getting packed into a line like sardines. And, uh… I mean, if it got brought up in front of you both, I’d rather clear the air completely, Trisha. That way you both get the same impression. If it’s bothered her, I can only imagine it’s bothering you.”[/color]

Casey looked at Leon and shrugged, then at Trisha.
[color=577d06]”Your call… I’m not about to get mad or upset tonight. Not uh, with all the good vibes and such. My thanks for my life is pretty much overpowering whatever stink I may be feeling.”[/color] he offered Trisha the opportunity on the off chance she’d take it.

Trisha frowned, expression scrunching up in the way it often did when she couldn’t quite make up her mind. In a lot of ways she felt like it didn’t really affect her like it did Cass. But it did colour her already negative view of Leon further. If he and Cass were going to be together then… She probably should give him the chance to clear the air.

If he could. 

[color=d1b300]“Sure, I’ll come. It’s not [i]really[/i] to do with me, but I did hear about it so… It isn’t something that I’ll just forget.”[/color] Trisha said after a pause. 
[color=d1b300]“So long as you’re coming along, Casey. I’m not expecting you to get mad or upset or anything…”[/color]

She wasn’t entirely sure [i]why[/i] he’d said he was going to get mad or upset, so she decided to clarify. Just in case that… seemed like an expectation? Like something needed on her behalf?

[color=629c3f]”[i]Alrriighhht[/i], let’s go talk shit out then.”[/color] Cass rubbed Leon’s shoulder before sliding off his lap into the tiny gap between him and Casey.
[color=629c3f]”Somewhere without eavesdroppers!”[/color]

[color=8882be]”Oh, yeah! Enjoy yourselves! Stop by the beer stand on your way back, Leon, have them bring us up a bunch of pitchers!”[/color] Lynette called toward the head of the table as they were standing up as a small group.

Leon waved at her… It was like putting old Betsy out to pasture at this point…
[color=C67C12]”Whatever you want, Ma.”[/color]

And he would, of course. Though, on their way [i]to[/i] the quiet place, rather than coming back from. He was Leon Richoux, after all… There wasn’t a line in that place forming that didn’t [i]somewhat[/i] bend to him. All it took was one friendly staff member to know that an order was being asked for up at the Box, and things were sorted. On they went, bundling coats back on as they left the warmth of the canopies. Out by the shore, the sun had properly set on St. Portwell, leaving a dark purple streak across the horizon.

As they walked, Casey took in faces and marked names. People he saw on duty. He felt the buzz of Lux being bolstered by Glass doses. There’d been a threat from an unknown source, and he’d specifically called for an increase in security measures… That meant those inclined to do so were ready for more than just a song and dance. They were instructed to keep a second dose, in case the events and cleanup went on longer than the first. Twelve hours wasn’t enough…

But he didn’t bring it up. No, he was far too curious to hear about what skeleton his brother was hiding that wound up getting surfaced now… By the time they’d reached the spot where the rocks became wet and the foam trickled up to the soles of their shoes, Casey had already enchanted Trisha’s jacket to provide a nice, even distribution of warmth across her body.

[color=C67C12]”Aaaaalright… You… Want me to guess? Or, you just gonna tell me?”[/color] he asked calmly. This was the quietest Lelou had been all day, the wretched thing now teetering on the edge of her seat as she hungrily awaited today’s subject matter.

[color=629c3f]”Dude… Y’think I’ma make you guess? This shit ain’t unhealthy like that.”[/color] Cass gestured between the two of them. She wasn’t going to drag it out. The whole point of coming out to chat about it, rather than waiting until later, was so it wasn’t dragged out. 

[color=629c3f]”Alright so [i]someone[/i]-”[/color] Cass wasn’t going to throw Felicia under the bus, even if Leon had already guessed who it was.
[color=629c3f]”- brought up illegally filmed magical porn and [i]your[/i] involvement in it. They were pretty certain of your consent in it, and everyone else’s lack of consent. [i]And[/i]- to me this is an important point- Lynette’s involvement was pretty stressed. She was, fucking- ugh… They described her as your pimp. [i]So[/i]... I assume there’s some truth to the filmed magical porn, but what exactly is happening?”[/color]

She was blunt and to the point, looking at Leon with a completely open gaze. A lack of judgement, even if she was nowhere near as bright and bubbly as she normally was. 

[color=629c3f]”And when did your involvement start?”[/color]

Trisha remained silent, but she did shuffle closer to Casey as Cass talked. Her gaze was on her friend much more than it was Leon. Carefully watching someone she rarely had to comfort, but would if it came to that.

And there it was… Leon was more staggered by how blunt she was about it. Caught off guard frankly. Lelou could only reel back in utter disgust and the concern of a topic that she found to be nothing more than [i]a good deal.[/i] And she made that apparent, only stunning Leon more as he tried to come up with some kind of words to use. But, she was asking about two things: 

What’s happening, and when did it start? 

Because, when it started was when his involvement started…

[color=C67C12]”Oh… Fucking…-”[/color]
Of course, not remembering wasn’t an option. He was still a White Lux Adept back then.

[color=C67C12]”-Just before my eighteenth birthday. I’d won the last youth tournament I was in, and Mom… Walked in on… Me. I don’t think she just [i]walked in[/i] you know? But… Listen, at the time I didn’t think anything. Really, I didn’t.”[/color]

He was trying his hardest to keep himself from sounding emotional at all. Mostly, it was fear of how he’d be judged. He could [i]feel[/i] his Brother’s immediate concern. This wasn’t the only incident in their immediate family… Just another abuse to add to the pile. But, illegal porn? Consent?

[color=C67C12]”The girl cleared out, but Ma stayed. Said she was going to make sure I wound up just like Dad. That the name wasn’t going to die, that she’d make sure I got taken care of until I could take care of her. Understand, Dad was still [i]missing[/i] at this point. Wherever the fuck he is now, dead or whatever, we had no clue back then.”[/color]

It seemed so obvious to him now as a near thirty year old man. Life was still far ahead of him, yet there was this now. All the weight of a life spent doing wrong and presuming that all the good would make up for it, just for some British girl to knock it all out with a sledge. Life was funny, they said… But he found it ironically cruel.

[color=C67C12]”At first, it was by ask. Whether they were magically or physically recorded, I have no idea. I was asked to do a lot of things, but I was still an Adept then… There were almost eight years like that… Just, cruising off the fame of being Gravity.”[/color]

Cass would probably remember the Black Hole era. For several years, Leon wrestled with his Father’s mantle, winning far more trophies and belts than he had as Timberwolf in the last four. If he had to describe the best period of his life, he’d say it was those years. Those years unbothered by guilt or hunger.

[color=C67C12]”I assume back then, it was enough… That people would pay to have their own recordings made. Or, that’s what I was told. How far back the tradition of recording my personal life goes, I honestly don’t know. Maybe [i]that[/i] started without my consent. But, by the time Lelou was in my life? Frankly, she was making a lot of the deals. I could’ve said no, I won’t deflect the blame… There were moments I knew my willpower could’ve measured up. Or times where I should’ve told the person who I knew would be victimized to leave before they lost their chance.”[/color]

Casey was a bit stunned. He’d been away so long, trying to avoid this place like the plague. There was too much pain, and it was all circulated through the gossip column that drove itself through the center of the Temple. So, now for it to come out? Like this? Over Thanksgiving dinner? 
He’d pulled a joint out as they were standing there, but at this point still hadn’t gotten around to lighting it. There was so much to unpack…

He could only try and watch all the faces involved at once.

Trisha watched with wide eyes, too shocked to say anything. She’d been shocked enough when Felicia said it, but to hear all this from Leon? It was… difficult. Because she could understand. If she was asked by her own mother to do something like that? Anything, really… She’d do it. Just for a sliver of love or pride. 

So she didn’t know what to say. She didn’t feel it was her place to, either. Her gaze moved from Leon, to the floor, then to Cass. 

From when Leon started talking- from when he said it was [i]before[/i] his eighteenth birthday- Cass’ expression had gotten worse and worse. With the intense emotion came body changes she couldn’t entirely control. Wolf ears were pulled back, a tail straight stiff behind her, with sharp teeth visible as she pulled her lips back into a snarl. Her hands clenched into tight fists at her side, sharp nails drawing blood from her own palms.

She was pissed. Beyond pissed. 

But not at Leon. It was just like she’d guessed. Abuse and grooming. While he certainly shared some blame for the later years, it was difficult to look past everything that had built up to it. It had started before he was even an adult. Probably years before in some way- Cass knew about the fucking sex portrait those parents forced their children to witness. It was obvious in the ‘Mommy issues’ that Leon had. 

It was incredibly difficult to force herself to stay there, rather than go on an immediate one man crusade slash suicide mission against Lynette. She wasn’t someone who could tolerate something so wrong… And doubly so, nothing made her more angry than someone she cared for being hurt. It didn’t matter if it had started long before she met him… 

[color=629c3f]”Before… You were eighteen?”[/color] Cass managed to get out between clenched teeth. Her eyes were red, and she struggled to look at him. 

Because she was worried he’d take her rage as being directed towards him. Unable to fully channel it she crouched down suddenly, grabbing a small rock and squeezing it in her hand until it was crushed to fine dust. Then another. By the third, she’d calmed down enough to stand back up and look at Leon. The redness in her eyes was more clear then, unshed tears shining in the corner. 

It was rare to get emotional like this, in such a negative way. Trisha had only seen it a few times… Mainly when she or another friend was hurt badly, or on certain anniversaries with her brother… 

[color=629c3f]”Leon…”[/color] Cass choked out again. [color=629c3f]”That’s… This is why I wanted to talk to you. That’s what I fucking told them! The fucking manipulation and power dynamics there- fuck! I ain’t… I ain’t saying none of it’s on you. Not those last years, if you really could’ve but… Fuck! Fuck, I want to rip Lynette’s throat out [i]right now[/i].”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Well, let’s not. Like I said when I [i]knew[/i] that Felicia mentioned it, once everything’s done, it can’t happen again.”[/color] Leon said with intentionally strong conviction.

But Casey’s voice cracked that open.
[color=577d06]”What? No, no! Nooooo! Not what’s happening? No, not even fucking close. What? Wait-What? What!?”[/color]

His mouth was agape as he stared at his brother. He didn’t have the words… Never mind-
[color=577d06]”With her!? You did that to [i]Felicia?[/i]”[/color]
Leon immediately held up his hands.

[color=C67C12]”Woah, Casey, don-”[/color]

Casey stepped forward on one foot, both hands reaching with violence for Leon’s shirt.

[color=629c3f]”[b]Hey![/b]”[/color] Before Casey could reach Leon, Cass was in between them. One arm came up to block Casey’s hands while being careful to keep her claws pointed away from him. Visible lines of Green Lux rippled underneath her veins as her emotions fueled near thoughtless casting.

[color=629c3f]”We are [i]not[/i] getting violent.”[/color] 

Trisha didn’t move as Casey stepped forward, arms just wrapping around herself as she trembled slightly and watched with even wider eyes.


Cass made her point, but Leon had a point of his own. He didn’t resort to the brute physicality he knew he could produce to get her out of the way, however… Leon leaned down, getting into her ear.

[color=C67C12]”I have things to answer for. He has questions to ask. Respectfully: Let us handle how we talk… Please, Cass… I love you.”[/color] he said with a rock steady calmness. 

Sure, he didn’t [i]want[/i] Casey to punch him. He was going to try and use his words first… Maybe nothing would’ve happened besides some shirt grabbing, but… Maybe her intervention was correct… Because rather than Leon’s request being the end, it was Casey who managed to pause and back off. Who managed to take a deep breath, because Cass needed him to just as much as she needed Leon to be okay.


[color=577d06]”You… Did it. You, and our Mom… Two reasons for that poor fucking woman to hate Adepts even more. Like anyone could ever forget what the fuck you did back then… I’m just lucky I wasn’t a part of it, I guess. That I left, and came back, and everything happened without my fucking stink on it. So, who handles things? Junior? Ma and Junior?”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Casey… Please! Don’t be like this to me, Casey… I thought we were-”[/color]

There was a lot to unpack. He’d had pretty low opinions of Leon after he left… Mostly for conduct in the same vein as this. Casey was no moral crusader, but he definitely had problems dealing with the shady shit some of his family participated in. But, Leon [i]had[/i] been cleaning his closet out lately… And he could understand why this topic may have been one he was waiting to bring up…

[color=577d06]”Is there [i]anything[/i] that’s been done recently?”[/color] Casey asked very simply.

[color=C67C12]”N-... Not… Not that I’m allowing the publishing of.”[/color]

The answer wasn’t just ominous. It brought Casey a boiling rage that he hadn’t felt in quite some time, because he could [i]smell[/i] the implication.

Cass lowered her arm, letting her clawed hands dangle at her side. Her head tilted up and back at Leon, yellow-ish eyes squinting in confusion. Recently? Her mind slowly ticked along as the constant, accidental casting took some of her capacity to immediately think things through. Who…?

[color=d1b300]“What?”[/color] It was Trisha who’d been silently watching the whole time that spoke next, taking a step forward. She clutched her bag to her chest. There was no buzzing like there normally would be, just eyes narrowed at Leon. 

[color=d1b300]“Is it with Cass?”[/color] While Trisha’s volume didn’t range, there was an intense coldness to her tone. 

Cass’s eyes widened slightly. Oh, of course. [i]That[/i] would make the most sense. Her eyes narrowed again. For once, it was difficult to figure out what she was feeling.
[color=629c3f]”Is it?”[/color] 

He [i]obviously[/i] didn’t directly answer with yes.

[color=C67C12]”Casey took care of all the bugs in the apartment when he became the Blade. I didn’t know where she got it from until I spoke to someone else about it and found out that she’d been… Asking the cats to bring them in. I didn’t think that she was particularly friendly with them, so I never imagined it was a possibility. When we went to San Francisco and came back, she tried to hold it over my head, like she’d send it to whatever fucked up websites Junior sells the prints on. I did the [i]other thing[/i] she asked me to do instead.”[/color] he explained, looking down at Cass.

[color=C67C12]”I [i]never[/i] would’ve gotten you anywhere near that situation. I thought it was behind me, honestly, and that I finally had the chance to start something fresh with you. But, here we are again. Another girl in my life who my Mother’s violated thanks to their proximity to me.”[/color]

So he hadn’t known at the time. Of course, Cass was pissed. Pissed at his mother, and pissed that he hadn’t told her when he found out. Part of her understood as well why Lynette hadn’t made much effort to push her out at all. There was probably the assumption this would come out, and it would happen… 

It made her incredibly uncomfortable. Like a crawling sensation across her skin that happened so rarely… More things that they’d definitely have to talk about in private. It would be difficult not to be paranoid now… 

[color=629c3f]”Why didn’t you fucking tell me? I know it ain’t the kind of shit you can just bring up… And it still would’ve been shit! But finding out like this is a whole of a lot worse!”[/color] Cass gritted her teeth, body perfectly still aside from the frequent shifting of her skin. She was stuck in which direction to go. Back off, slap him just to feel better, do nothing at all?

And would she be able to hold Casey and Trisha off? Because she could tell they were angry too, feeling the heated emotions behind her. She understood. But this was about [i]her[/i] and how she decided to deal with it. 

[color=629c3f]”And what did she make you do?”[/color]

[color=577d06]”The Caramel Farm… Cass, uh…-”[/color]

Casey could only try to pad what he knew she probably wouldn’t have any concept of… How certain things worked in the Supernatural world. Things like Covens, and murder. Even if she had been on that raid, how could he, or either of them, be asked to explain away the things they’d done to placate their mother in her last days.

But Leon didn’t want to run.

[color=C67C12]”There’s no planet where the answer to this question is explainable. Casey’s probably gonna say that. Try to. But, I can explain. She made me hurt people. Innocent people. Kill them even. She knows her days are numbered, and she’s trying to strip and burn anything she can. Any operation the Temple’s been running up until now, she’s trying to end it. So, she catches people like Casey and I by the nose rings, and makes us do it for her. So our hands are dirty too.”[/color] he explained without hesitation.

[color=C67C12]”I killed twenty five people at that farm. Because I had a bunch of thoughts, and made the decision to find a pathway to avoid them. And I really like you, but if I know you like I feel like I’ve gotten to know you? You’ll probably have the same question I did: Is your privacy as a person worth twenty-five lives? Because, as far as I’m aware, she’s kept her end of the bargain… My hope was that the dirty deed, and whatever else she may ask of me, would mean she’d go to her grave with the footage stashed in that little machine of hers. And that your privacy would be safe forever.”[/color]

It wasn’t a question Cass had to ask herself. Or at least, she knew her own answer right away. 
[color=629c3f]”If she holds it over your head again? Tries to get you to kill more people? Let her publish it. That’s [i]my[/i] decision.”[/color]

It was a difficult thing to swallow. She understood Leon’s reasons for doing what he did, and that he couldn’t exactly ask her first. Not when it was a threat. It was all so fucking complicated. Him and Casey… were somewhat complicit for killing people for her. But Lynette was at the centre of it all pulling their strings. Could either say no? 

She knew Casey wouldn’t if it kept Trisha safe. Clearly Leon was the same for her, even if she didn’t want that blood on her hands by proxy. Her head twisted around to look over at Trisha to see how she was reacting.

Trisha already knew about the killing. Casey had told her during that argument, after she went to the Aberration meeting… She’d found it easier to put it to the side of her mind than she should. Casey’s safety, and her own, was just more important to her. So she couldn’t quite meet Cass’ gaze, pressing into Casey’s side and looking down at her own feet.

Cass frowned, looking back up at Leon.
[color=629c3f]”Look- it’s fucked up. The whole thing is fucked up- and you ain’t escaping all the blame, but she’s the problem. [i]She’s[/i] the one manipulating you- both of you! I ain’t fucking blind to that. Even if I’m still pissed you didn’t tell me- if [i]anything[/i] like this ever happens again, somehow? I want to fucking know.”[/color] She jabbed a clawed finger at him. 

[color=577d06]”No… It’s never happening again.”[/color]
Casey’s hand was rustling in his pocket, and before Leon could stop him, he had a cellphone pulled out.

[color=C67C12]”Casey, what are you doing?”[/color] he asked, confused and a little worried.

[color=577d06]”I know where the fucking thing is, Leon. We’re not letting another day go by where she’s got that fucking thing, not a chance. Killing to keep people safe is a far enough leap of logic; it made sense in the army because we were fighting [i]literal Nazis.[/i] But here? What the fuck are we doing?”[/color] Casey asked, time passing just long enough for the other end to pick up.

[color=577d06]”Yeah, Michael? Listen, do me a favor… Get down to Lynette’s office [i]now.[/i] And mentally prepare yourself for some effort, this isn’t gonna be simple to explain over the phone.[/color]

Casey pulled away from Trisha, absentmindedly turning his back as this wretched situation became a mental priority. Leon’s voice filled in the dead air.

[color=C67C12]”Jesus fucking Christ, this is [i]not[/i] what I had in mind…”[/color]

After a short pause, Cass let out a very light laugh. 
[color=629c3f]”What [i]did[/i] you have in mind?”[/color]

Trisha reflectively tensed up as Casey pulled away, anxiety only heightened as she was suddenly faced with his back during this situation. It [i]wasn’t[/i] about her, but it didn’t stop her from struggling to deal with it. His anger towards the situation being twisted, fear creeping in that she hadn’t reacted in the correct way. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself as best she could. It wasn’t that. He was dealing with something. 

She was the ridiculous one to expect him to never turn his back, even though she knew he was trying not to… She should be able to handle him stepping away like that. Not immediately feel like she’d been cast adrift… 

Trisha stepped slightly closer to Cass, but it didn’t offer much more comfort. Cass had squatted down again, crushing more small stones in her hands as she tried her best to calm down. It was fucking difficult. The whole situation had her blood boiling. Literally, it felt, with the way her magic was reacting. 

[color=629c3f]”Well fuck, I hoped it wouldn’t be so bad either… We ain’t gonna miss the food if I spent ten minutes de-fanging myself, are we?”[/color] The topic switch didn’t feel quite right, but she needed it to calm down further. There was still things she wanted to discuss with Leon, at least, but she’d keep that to herself until it was just them…

Leon gripped at the bridge of his nose.
[color=C67C12]”No, no… We’re not going to miss anything, Cass. I need a moment myself.”[/color]

Casey was [i]very[/i] intense on the phone as they proceeded to decompress on their own. At one point, he circled back to them in order to pass the joint he was clinging to off to Cass, along with a lighter for her to decide its fate.  Describing how to get through Lynette’s elaborate set of traps utilizing a particularly unique Adeptal skill set over a telephone was anything but easy… But, after fifteen or so minutes of him yapping on, he seemed satisfied.

Finally, he was able to turn back around.

[color=577d06]”Leon! Call Edict, he owes us a favor. Tell him he needs to stash something for us, that he’s not allowed to ask questions. Tell him to meet our guy at the [i]abnormal spot[/i].”[/color] Casey directed, taking a deep breath.

[color=577d06]”If we can make this happen, I’ll feel a lot better. At least then, she won’t be able to dangle it over your head… Or anyone else’s. We can make a big deal of gutting it too.”[/color]

His arms wrapped back around Trisha like finding home again. She was always so warm to snuggle against, regardless of the enchanted jacket.

Leon was quick to make for his own phone, but had no luck calling Greyson at the moment. He did send a text to him [i]and[/i] Linqian in the hopes that one would come through. For now, all the little group could do was sit and hope. 

[color=C67C12]”Family meeting adjourned for now? Or, is there something left on the docket?”[/color] he asked, sliding his phone back into his pocket.

Cass had decimated the local small rock collection in the decompression time, before lighting up the joint Casey had handed her. Alternating between smoking and breathing seemed to do the trick as her less human features finally pulled back into her skin. It left a lingering fatigue behind. She knew where it came from, of course, and what it meant for the next day or two... But she ignored it for now.

She stood back up from her crouching position with a sigh. Then she shuffled over to Leon, tilting towards him until she was leaning her entire body against him. One arm draped loosely around his torso and she held up the small remaining joint up to him like a peace offering. 
[color=629c3f]"Nahhhh, not from me."[/color]

Trisha had spent the past fifteen minutes particularly unhappy, concentrating on not letting her mood fall further or her anxieties take over. The moment Casey was next to her again she was clinging to him like he was a life raft keeping her afloat. She pressed her face into Casey's chest, taking deep breaths as she practically smothered herself in his arms. 

Her head popped back out from burrowing into Casey, twisting around to stare at Leon for a moment. Was there anything else? There was… Did she want to bring it up right now? Risk getting upset at Casey when today was meant to be their day. But wasn't it already ruined? And with the mention of Edict, it was on her mind again. 

[color=d1b300]“Why did you bring Cass along to deal with the House of Cards?"[/color] She asked simply, trying her best not to immediately get annoyed. She didn't want to get too upset right now… She was trying to get it off her chest so it didn't longer. Her head then tilted up towards Casey to stare at him. She held onto him tighter even as she continued. Because she had a pretty good understanding of how his job worked now… Nothing like that happened without his approval. 

[color=d1b300]“Why did you let it happen?"[/color]

Leon and Casey both exchanged a look. They knew where the conversation had come from, where it went, and what ended up as the outcome…

[color=C67C12]”I mentioned where I was going, and what it would consist of. She expressed an interest in spite of the dangers, I asked if she wanted to tag along… Just to observe from close range…”[/color]

[color=577d06]”They came to me, and as two adults, I’m not going to withhold their rights. I think all three of us knew we were betraying your trust, and I’ll make that up to you how I can… But I can’t apologize for doing it. Only for breaching our agreement on my end.”[/color]

The two men looked at one another again, and openly nodded with an agreement in their eyes.

[color=C67C12]”I’d rather ask for your forgiveness than your permission. And, I won’t gush about how talented she is for being so fresh… You should expect excellence out of her, I would imagine.”[/color] Leon flourished the conversation, trying to give Cass as much padding as possible, despite her probably needing it the least.

[color=d1b300]“She just spent ten minutes struggling to get rid of wolf ears.”[/color] Trisha pointed out with a frown. Though she [i]knew[/i] Leon was right- even if Cass seemed to have some control issues, just in the last few weeks she’d clearly gotten much stronger with her magic. Even compared to some people who’d had it since their teens… But that didn’t make her any happier about it. 

[color=d1b300]“I thought we were keeping her [i]away[/i] from Temple issues… I thought you were going to stay away from them, Cass?”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Well it wasn’t [i]technically[/i] a Temple thing.”[/color] Cass shrugged, figuring out how to best keep the balance of not upsetting Trisha too much while being firm about her own autonomy. 
[color=629c3f]”But that doesn’t matter! Like Casey said, I’m an adult… And I never really agreed to staying outta shit. Like, I can hold my own, Trish. Even if I didn’t fight all this magical shit as a teen. [i]And[/i] I have just as much stake in all this as you, don’t I? You’re dating Casey, I’m dating Leon- I can involve myself as much as [i]he’s[/i] comfortable with. You can’t expect me to sit by when all this shit is going on around us- around [i]you[/i]- can you?”[/color]

Trisha pursed her lips, face scrunching up in an expression Casey would know fairly well now as ‘unjustified disagreement’ - she knew she was being unreasonable, but didn’t want to accept what Cass was saying. She couldn’t stand there and argue that Cass didn’t have the same right to involve herself that Trisha did. Then, she’d be questioning her relationship with Leon. But Trisha had never wanted to be involved like that… She just wanted to be with Casey. But there was that stupid dream. 

[color=d1b300]“Fine. But you [i]all[/i] knew and nobody was going to tell me.”[/color] And there was the thing that upset her more. Part of her had hoped that somehow Casey hadn’t known as well. That it was something Leon and Cass kept from him. But he knew… 

While she didn’t want her close friend to be in danger, she [i]knew[/i] she was a fully competent, magical adult. But to have both her and Casey know it was something that she wouldn’t like- that betrayed her trust- and then keep it from her as well? 

It felt like she was being pushed out. And it felt like they just expected her to react badly to everything. She did, didn’t she? No wonder they didn’t ever want to involve her… 

[color=d1b300]“I understand. It doesn’t matter, it’s not like I need to know anything.”[/color]

Casey quickly took both of Trisha’s hands, slipping in front of her. The hair not tied up draped over her, giving her a moment of total privacy with him… Even [i]if[/i] they could both easily hear.

[color=577d06]”You clearly needed to know, like you’ll need to know in the future… But, please accept that I’m [i]always[/i] going to try to insulate you. And that means there’s going to be things I automatically assume you should be kept out of; things you’re better off just not hearing. For your sensibilities, and the stress in your life at the moment… Clearly, that’s not going to work, right? You need to be told everything. I need to be willing to be the bad guy, and to hurt your feelings sometimes by telling you the whole truth. At least until all this is over, then the truth is whatever we make between ourselves… There won’t be a need for any more protection.”[/color]

He didn’t whisper so much as he spoke in a wholly confidential way… Like they were in a room together, sitting side by side. His hands gripped hers, thumbs rubbing across the skin gently.

[color=577d06]”You [i]need[/i] to know. Because the temporary anxiety you feel now will be better dealt with than the permanent anxiety later: Of never [i]really[/i] being able to trust one another, and of always watching to see what the next little white lie will be… And I’ve preached honesty to you, hypocritically withheld information, and implicated others all in the same action.”[/color]

He was awfully good at making sure his face was all she could see in that dark shroud around them.

It was hard to get more upset when he laid it out so clearly. Not that she [i]wanted[/i] to get more upset. Because what he said was a big part of it. She’d been trying so hard to be more honest. Even if she stumbled, she was getting there. It made her so anxious not covering up things she’d normally keep hidden. But then he doesn’t do the same, for something involving not only him but one of her few friends? 

[color=d1b300]“It makes me feel… excluded.”[/color] She whispered, barely making enough sound to form the words. It sounded ridiculous once it was out there. He was talking so clearly about trust, and that was such a big part of it… But she also just felt that childish anxiety like everyone else was in on something that she wasn’t. 

[color=d1b300]“Like you all know something I don’t, and will keep having more secrets, and then…” leave me.[/color] She didn’t voice it because she knew Leon and Cass [i]could[/i] hear. And she knew it was ridiculous and irrational even if she couldn’t stop the feeling. Her hands tensed in his, fingertips pressing into his palms. She took a deep breath, trying her best to not get caught on the irrational. To actually take in everything he’d said.

[color=d1b300]“I- I do want to know. Because I trust you more than I’ve ever trusted anyone, and… I don’t want to be questioning everything. I’m trying so hard to [i]reduce[/i] that and get better. I understand you wanting to protect me… But insulation would only make me turn inwards and h-hurt myself. So you’re right, I need to know, even if it upsets me at the time.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”And, again, all this is [i]so[/i] temporary, Trisha… So temporary. As soon as things are dissolved completely, and Elise takes the reins of whatever she holds onto, we’ll be able to sit back on our haunches with a [i]booming[/i] honey business. At worst, we’ll live off of whatever money we’ve been left, thank [i]God[/i] our parents did at least one thing right… And we’ll be [i]free[/i]. Free of all this fucking need for withholding and secrecy. It’ll be over…”[/color]

He did, unfortunately, keep kicking the can down the road every time something like this came up… It was the assurance of Fate, that the whole situation would be handled and that by this time next year, they’d be cruising or settling, whatever they wanted. But he couldn’t keep treating their relationship like they [i]would be[/i] there. He had to worry about the [i]now.[/i]

[color=577d06]”But, okay… And, I promise I’ll work with you whenever you get pissed… But, you’re gonna get pissed, because you’re going to know about Cass working on a new replacement system for the people working on project Meek… The Eden technicians who are, y’know, gonna stick around with Elise. They need systems to store things, stuff, I really don’t know the computer details but… She’s agreed to help. Any contribution you think [i]you[/i] can offer, feel free… Again, not something we considered Temple business, since whatever the entity will be without Lynette could never be [i]this[/i] again.”[/color] he continued to explain, hoping she’d either understand, or get on board. 

Just like with everything else, it had to be aired… Which meant throwing Cass under the bus. Originally, it’d been plans about Junior, but as Leon was able to describe more and more instances of Green Lux being a sleeper-wonder in the world of Supernatural computing, Casey quickly realized the different applications she [i]could[/i] work on…

[color=577d06]”Much safer, I figure… And a great way for her to train that captures her imagination, but isn’t violent. Leon mentioned she had some doubts after that night… So, I don’t want her in that situation anymore than you.”[/color] he admitted finally.

Trisha frowned, brow furrowing. A project to… store things? A replacement system seemed like more than that. If it was related to Project Eden, then that was dipping into proper Temple projects… But it was for after Lynette was gone. For whatever there was after. Not the Temple. Not something as big and controlling she assumed and hoped.

Elise had never given Trisha a reason not to trust her, outside of her natural inclination to not trust anyone. 

She took a deep breath, squeezing Casey’s hands as she tried to breath through the anger. She didn’t like it. She could rationalise it, but disliked it. 

[color=d1b300]“It does… sound safer…”[/color] She managed to get out, while forcing herself to breathe in and out slowly. She didn’t want to react. Get pissed, like Casey said. Her agitation about it was written across her face, but it was just as clear that she was trying to work through it. 

[color=d1b300]“She’s an adult, I can’t control what she does, even if it upsets me. I [i]don’t[/i] like it because I don’t know who’s involved. I don’t… I don’t really trust anyone else. I trust you, I trust you want her safe too- It’s just hard to separate it from the Temple, even if it’s not. But it’s better than fighting. I also know if you offered her a magical computing job, nothing would keep her away from it.”[/color]

Trisha took another deep breath, seeming to calm down again. There was still a lot of tension in her body, panic and irritation twisting together just beneath her skin… But she wanted to work through it here and now. Then they could go back together, suffer through whatever their family threw at them, and… Get engaged. 

[color=d1b300]“But I don’t think I can help. I’d just get in Cass’ way- and I have so much to do too. But that’s fine. I’m… glad you told me…”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Just because you think you have nothing to offer doesn’t mean I think you won’t end up helping. Besides, how else would you get to know the people who may end up still being in our lives… At least cursorily… It’ll be nice to have a place to go, won’t it? To bring out kids, let them meet Auntie Elise, hear about crazy ol’ Grandma and what she used to do to us… And then, when we get there, you’ll be able to be like… ‘Oh, I do know you. You work on [i]this thing[/i], and you helped with the big event we were invited to last summer.’... And that’ll be way better than saying you never bothered meeting anyone in the first place.”[/color]

His heart was in the right place, but he could feel the old Richoux tendency. Clamping down on something, because you think it's right, only to piss everyone and anyone else around you off… He couldn’t let himself do it.

[color=577d06]”You’re not going to be able to avoid seeing or hearing about her involvement. Either you’ll get curious enough to look into it, or you come to the firsthand conclusion that you don’t actually want to be [i]involved[/i]... Just included. But, at least then it’s based on a reality you bothered to observe [i]firsthand.[/i]”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I’m not trying to avoid helping because I don’t want to bother, or want to avoid people.”[/color] Trisha said quietly, just about managing to not react as badly as her immediate annoyance could push her too. He’d misunderstood. She understood why he’d misunderstood. Because she’d been like that before… often was. Avoiding people or getting involved outside of her tiny bubble.

But that wasn’t one of her top reasons. It was a reason to not want to, but it was one she knew wasn’t strong enough to resist being dragged into something by the force of nature that was Cass. 

For once, she managed to mentally step back. To explain rather than react and just make things spiral as they continued to not understand each other. 

[color=d1b300]“I just don’t know when I’ll have the time. Honestly. Between honey collection, looking after my bees, growing more bees, training my magic [i]and[/i] setting up a website for my business. And that’s just for work… Nevermind spending time with you, playing Minecraft with Mia and Ed, visiting your Grandmother… It’s really not because I can’t be bothered. I [i]do[/i] struggle with meeting people like that, but I know it’s something I should try and work on. Especially people that are around you- and might be around us. I want to try… But I can’t when I’m exhausted from everything else.”[/color] 

Casey was through the moon, both arms swinging around her and drawing her in tightly.
[color=577d06]”God, I’m so fuckin’ proud of you Trisha… I could just fucking… You’ve done a great job. You were clear, you said what you had to say, and you get the praise [i]and[/i] a chance to remind me about what [i]my[/i] priorities should look like.”[/color] he spoke with tremendous excitement, pulling the veil away and smiling at her in the dim light.

That warm, warm smile… 

[color=577d06]”Then, y’know… No more dealing with all the Aberrations and stuff… Why put more on your plate sending you around a group who don’t really seem to do much besides stress you out, huh? Ed, Gin, Leon, they’ll pad any interactions you get into. Let’s focus on our future, especially now that the veil’s gone, huh? You heard Mom… The mask? Doesn’t mean shit now.”[/color]

Leon had been silently cuddling into Cass, appreciating the fact that she wasn’t dismissive or pushing him away. He’d talk for a million years if it meant there was one person who was willing to go to bat for him in the end… He could only try to show her through actions that he’d do the same. But, hearing Casey say something like that after everything else he’d been purposefully drowning out, he couldn’t just ignore the statement.

[color=C67C12]”I found a place to store Kane and Abel. Somewhere we hadn’t thought of before. With them out of the picture, she’ll need to come over personally to wreak any havoc she wants to. But-”[/color]
He frowned, waiting for them to look at him.
[color=C67C12]”-I’m just not sure, uh… well, whether or not she’d bother at all. Especially not with Nana and Puppa staying in the Bay, at least two of our uncles, a dozen cousins… Our Grandparents came back here expecting a fight. I just… Don’t think she’s got it in her.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Well what’s that mean?”[/color] Casey asked, a confused grimace crossing his face as he turned fully to look at his brother.

Leon could only shrug in response.
[color=C67C12]”It just makes Ma’s statement more oddly placed. Like, she planned to see Trisha more, maybe? Something to be careful about… Which is why I mentioned her Agent of Chaos no longer being around; it could give her a reason to show up herself… You see my conundrum?”[/color] he asked openly to the group.

Trisha leaned against Casey with a deep frown, having turned around in his arms to look at Leon as he spoke. It dampened the embarrassed happiness she felt at Casey’s praise. Would Lynette bother, or did she not have it in her to fight anymore? No… She just wasn’t hiding it. 

[color=d1b300]“She’ll try to make my life as miserable as possible before she goes.”[/color] Trisha intoned with strange confidence. But did that make keeping the cats around worth it? To just protect her, when they preyed on everyone in the basement flat too? 

Cass tilted her head. She didn’t know Lynette well enough to make a comment on whether she would or wouldn’t come over. But… 
[color=629c3f]”She ain’t gonna be coming round to bother me. Really got the idea she couldn’t give less of a fuck… I mean, I’m assuming you heard? Couldn’t sound less interested meeting me for the first time. Which y’know, means if she [i]does[/i] bother she’ll be focusing on Trisha.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Because it’s… my fault.”[/color] Trisha explained, knowing that Cass was thinking the same thing. They’d both heard about the dream from Ed. The clear difference in how Lynette treated Trisha and Cass… And she should be honest about it. Maybe they already knew.
[color=d1b300]“That she’s going to die.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Eh, I’d call you more of a catalyst, Trish.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Oh, not the fucking White Lux prophecy bull-”[/color]
Leon started up like a car, but Casey was quick to turn the key off.

[color=577d06]”-Wait, wait… Mia said [i]Princess of Black and Gold[/i]. That could just as easily be her [i]or[/i] Elise… They’re both daughters of the New Dawn, we still fly the colors proud at the end of the day. Black and gold this, and that, everything else… Thinking that it’s bee stripes and then pinning this on you isn’t fair, Trisha…”[/color] he explained calmly.

[color=d1b300]“She saw my face, Casey. In a more recent vision. The woman had my face… How can that be anyone but me?”[/color] Trisha replied, tilting her head up to look at him. It hardly mattered, because what mattered was what [i]Lynette[/i] believed. But the face? The honey dripping from the crown? It was hard to deny. 

Knowing the few differences between Mia and Lynette’s forms of prescience, Casey had reason to believe that was probably true. Leon, however, hadn’t ever bothered to gather that kind of context. All he could do was be annoyed by the prospect of ever-shifting imagination turning into prophecy. 


He put his hands up, waving the whole thing off.
[color=C67C12]”Then if you got told that, then you also got told the part about the Princess in Black and Gold swaddling the Ivory Tower like a baby. So, fuckin’... Explain that one.”[/color] he said poignantly. 

However, Casey got exactly where Trisha was going with it.

[color=577d06]”That does [i]not[/i] change Mom potentially fixating on Trisha. We both know that, and we’re definitely old enough to understand that her perception is all it takes to [i]kill someone[/i].”[/color] Casey grimly intoned.

[color=C67C12]”But if it’s her and she’s swaddling Ma, then Ma’s not gonna… Kill her…”[/color] Leon said, voice slowing to a halt as he put those pieces together.

Not like Ed hadn’t earlier, but neither of the boys had been there to hear it… Which meant that now Casey got to come to the realization, and he had a whole different image in his head of how this could go. His eyes widened, his jaw clenched. They knew, collectively, of [i]one[/i] ritual that could guarantee a soul’s selective reincarnation. 

[i]Because it was a White Lux ritual…[/i]

They had a moment to think about the implication. The fact that, thanks to her connection with some vague static point in a guaranteed future, she [i]could[/i] be born again… And had all the time in the world to get ready for it…

[color=577d06]”Aaaah… Well… Aaaaat least we can bet on Mom’s superstition being strong enough that Leon’s right. She’s probably got no interest in actually physically hurting you. Hell, maybe it’ll be good? Especially now that uh, if this handoff works, we’ve got massive leverage on her. Hell, we may even be able to spare her now! Showing people that box, she’d have to resign from the internal pressure!”[/color] he said excitedly.

Trisha felt a little sick. Even if she didn’t believe in reincarnation… Hearing it again, the possibility of having [i]Lynette[/i] as her child, was enough to have discomfort crawling across her body. 

But it wouldn’t happen, would it? It wasn’t something that matched her understanding of death, even in the magical world. 

[color=d1b300]“Then what, Casey?”[/color] She asked, voice still quiet. She didn’t want to tell him she thought that wouldn’t work out… It was his mother. 
[color=d1b300]“The Temple has a chance to keep going? Lynette… Keeps hurting people anyway, just with less power?”[/color]

Cass frowned. 
[color=629c3f]”Eh, uh- yeah, it ain’t my place, but… I don’t really get how Trisha possibly having a future Lynette baby means she could be spared now?”[/color] 

[color=577d06][i]Ffffffffffffffffffff-[/i][/color]
[color=577d06]”We don’t have anything to force Severance on Adepts available exclusively. We’d need time to get something to Sever Lynette, so she uh… Can’t use your future-womb as a target for orbital reentry.”[/color] he said as flatly as he could, instantly gripping the bridge of his nows in a pained response.

[color=577d06]”Jesus, that sounds bad…”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”So we’d need to get that shit before anyone kills her, or she does more- Oh shit, Trisha?!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“[i]Hu-rgh.[/i]”[/color] Trisha interrupted Cass as she suddenly crouched, curling forward to dry heave over the ground. There was nothing in her stomach to actually throw up, but just the thought- and the way Casey put it- had the nausea shooting up from minimal to unbearable. 

It was horrible. The idea of Lynette [i]targeting[/i] her… her ‘future-womb’ like that, and the embarrassment of not being able to hold back such a visceral reaction. Why the fuck was that something Lynette could do? And could Trisha have children knowing it wasn’t just a possibility. But she wanted them so badly too… 

One arm wrapped around her stomach as she tried to suppress the retching, gritting her teeth and squeezing her eyes shut.

Casey was immediately shocked by the visceral reaction to this information. In his mind, if there was a solution to the problem, then it was all that was necessary to move on from it… But it also wasn’t his body. Though, the next thing to pop into his head was not going to be said…

[color=577d06][i]Not like we choose who our kids are anyway…[/i][/color]

No, no… Certainly not-

[color=C67C12]”Geeze, Trisha… Can’t be that bad, I mean it ain’t like we pick our kids, right?”[/color]

Casey looked up at Leon from comforting his fiance, a mixture of shock and awe on his face.

[color=577d06]”Don’t… [i]Don’t talk.[/i]”[/color] Casey intoned quietly, trying his hardest to stifle a laugh and a smile in front of Cass.
[color=577d06]”Now is [i]not[/i] the time for jokes like that. Get in touch with whoever you can from the outside, tomorrow… Find out what its going to take. [i]Outside the Temple.[/i] Do you hear me?”[/color]

Leon raised his hands, looking down at Cass.
[color=C67C12]”You heard him. That’s my job tomorrow… Not shopping.”[/color] he said with a vague snark and another grin. 

He was trying his best to get over himself, and the vulgar jokes were about the only copes he could use in the situation.

[color=629c3f]”Oh my God, Leon, now ain’t the time to joke!”[/color] Though Cass’ tone wasn’t as chastising as it could be, she wasn’t really going to just stand around and laugh. Her hands came up to gently push Leon’s chest, not so subtly suggesting that they should probably step away.

[color=C67C12]”No, no, wait!”[/color] he interrupted.
[color=C67C12]”To be [i]very[/i] frank, we don’t actually [i]know[/i] how the ritual works! For all we know, Severing her won’t actually help! Maybe her dying is a deal-sealer, and-”[/color]

Casey’s look went from humor at the circumstance to dead seriousness.

[color=577d06]”I… I do. Remember? The whole book thing, locking minds, passing on knowledge through White Lux? You think I don’t have the blueprint for it in my head? Just because I can’t see a future to send myself to, doesn’t mean I don’t know how it works! Now, do what I tell you! Please! For once in our fucking lives, let me be the big brother.”[/color]

Leon frowned, but understood that he’d made a mistake again. It wasn’t hard to tell…

[color=C67C12]”Fine, fine… Sorry, again. [i]Fuck[/i]...”[/color] he grumbled, nodding Cass along hoping that she’d follow. 

[color=577d06]”Trisha, Baby… Listen… It’s gonna be alright. We’re gonna make it, nobody’s invading you. You’re going to be alright, our kids are going to be fine. Here, use my shirt, did anything come up?”[/color] he asked with great concern, his entire focus falling back onto her.

Trisha shook her head continually, managing to turn around to curl in towards Casey. It was difficult to suppress the sickening feeling, because just the thought of Lynette targeting her body like that… It made her want to throw up again in the hope it would rid her of any influence that was somehow already there. 

But there wasn’t actually anything to throw up. Just a burning feeling in her throat from trying. 

Her body trembled, but the dry heaving had stopped. 
[color=d1b300]“N-no, I haven’t eaten today… there’s nothing to throw up.”[/color] She admitted with some difficulty. She reached out to grasp onto Casey, while burying her body against him like she was trying to disappear into him. 

[color=d1b300]“Can you really stop it? I… I know we can’t choose our kids but…”[/color] Her voice was a hoarse whisper, and she grimaced.
[color=d1b300]“It’s my body. It’s- it’s violating, it feels so gross, even if it hasn’t happened yet I just… I can’t stop thinking about it.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Okay, first? I’m [i]so sorry[/i] that I chose the most vulgar way to phrase what the fuck is happening right now. So, relax. Sit, sit with me-”[/color] he said, bringing her close and slipping down to sit on the ground. He pulled her onto his lap so she’d be safe from the cold, wet rocks.

[color=577d06]”-and hear me out. She’s not going to be invading your body, not in any meaningful way. You’d never know, and as far as I’m aware of the ritual, the child is all their own no matter what. My Mom’s tribe…  They made this spell to maintain a single priestess’ consciousness across generations. Essentially, the child’s born. They grow, they are who they are, until they Kindle. Then, they… Start to get funny. With a connection to Lux, the stowaway is able to feed enough to grow actively in the psyche of the host.”[/color]

He held her close, speaking slowly and clearly so that she’d hear every little thing he said. And then he tensed, only assuming there’d be panic coming next.

[color=577d06]”I’m explaining it because, aaaahm-”[/color] he stammered, not sure how to actually tell her what was coming next.
[color=577d06]”-I’m… I don’t even know if Severing her Lux actually stops it. This ritual would generally be performed as the first spell a priestess would cast. They’d see their next target, aim, and fire into the future. Essentially, they’d anchor themselves to points in the distance, and drag their tribe there by force… But, nothing outside of the actual use case has ever really been tested. The [i]Bad Omen[/i] was always, [i]apparently[/i], when your Priestess could no longer see a point in the future to anchor herself to. Obviously, she’d try continuously over her life, but… Usually there was no seeing a point ahead, because Fate hadn’t made one.”[/color]

Which was a statement that had incredibly ominous connotations all its own…

[color=d1b300]“So she’s probably already done it?!”[/color] As Casey predicted, with the nausea reducing it was panic that came crawling in next. She trembled in his arms, trying to take in the feeling of his warmth to stop the anxiety spilling over into a full attack. 

[color=d1b300]“And it’s just… ‘fated’? It doesn’t matter what we do? It- So nothing was ever in our control?”[/color] It was a difficult thing for someone realistic like Trisha to swallow. She’d had magic for almost half of her life, but not in the same way Casey or other Temple members had. To her magic was just another thing she could see. It was explainable, in a way. 

But fate? Things just being predetermined? She’d never believed it. Still didn’t entirely… But if Lynette could see a point, and anchor herself to it? Did it matter what showed her that point? 

She was trying her best not to let all the panic blow over. But it was difficult. Casey’s explanation helped reduce the grossness she felt in her own body, but not the fear she felt for any future child of theirs.
[color=d1b300]“So no matter what, one of our children is going to have a Lynette parasite feeding on their magic?!”[/color]

[color=577d06]”No. No, not at all! That’s not what I’m saying; I’m saying [i]we can’t possibly know.[/i] We won’t know until we… Raise the fuck out of ‘em. That’s the scariest part. And if she opened her parameters, it probably doesn’t even need to be XX chromosome’d. Boy, girl, fuckin’ lizard… What we know for sure, is that there’s a high probability that her and Mia’s dreams are both accurate enough to recognize your face. And if that’s the case, then Mom’s probably had a long time to live with the moment, meaning that… For as long as she’s known about this ritual, she’s probably been hunting for her anchor.”[/color]

He took a deep breath. It was an [i]incredibly[/i] complex ritual that required daily tending over a period of literal years. He was trying to remember any of the signs from half-buried memories in his head. Digging for skeletons on the beach… Finding treasure instead.

[color=577d06]”Are… You… You… Please, don’t leave me over this…”[/color] he whispered, a sense of dread in his voice.
[color=577d06]”I-I understand… If you did, I get it, and not wanting to have anything to do with me. If… If you did leave over it, the ironic thing would be that, if she did see an opening, it wasn’t from you. So their prophecy would’ve just been goofy. All for nothing. But, me being selfish, asking you to stay? Just asking for trouble, aren’t we?”[/color] he asked, starting to weep quietly into Trisha’s hair.

[color=d1b300]“W-W-What? No! I’m not leaving you!”[/color] Trisha panicked reactively, Casey’s worries about it only increasing her own anxiety. It hadn’t even been a consideration. At no point had she thought about leaving him. She didn’t want to- she’d never want to, not unless he stopped loving her. 

[color=d1b300]“I’m… I’m not so confident about kids anymore… But I don’t care, if we live together without them or risk raising another Lynette- I hate the thought, but losing you would be worse! I don’t want to go back to being alone again… Please don’t even think about us splitting up… Staying with you is more important than anything else. I can get through everything else if it’s with you…”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Then, obviously we’ll work it out! We’re going to make it work, right? Like seriously: You and I, right now, are going to promise one another that whatever happens with our kid, kids, who knows… We’re going to deal with it like adults, like parents who love their kids, and the [i]moment[/i] something like that ever happens? I’ll know, because I know what to look for. We will [i]fix this.[/i] No matter what, Trisha. Come Hell, or high waters.”[/color]

He spoke with such conviction, as if he even believed himself. He did to a degree, but not the way he should’ve. It was hard to believe, really… The future was so far away, wasn’t it? How could they ever know? He wasn’t [i]gifted[/i] in White Lux. Neither was Elise, thankfully… Nor Junior, bless them all…

Just poor Mia… 

[color=577d06]”And, if it was never actually us? Then we win. But, I’ve got no intention of living our lives like we’re not free or something… We’re in charge of our lives.”[/color]

Trisha pulled her head back a bit to properly look at Casey. She had to believe him when he sounded so confident about it. They’d be able to handle it. It was so far in the future… A future where they had children, and their child had kindled. So many years away. Maybe she wouldn’t have all this anxiety she had now. She [i]would[/i] be able to handle something like that. 

With Casey. That was what mattered most. That she was with him. 

[color=d1b300]“Alright. I’ll try not to let it colour my view… or make me too anxious. I promise that if it happens I’ll deal with it like that.”[/color] Trisha managed to say as calmly as she could while slowly coming down from the peak of a panic attack. It was still so much to worry about. But she didn’t want a prophecy or possible future to ruin her [i]now[/i]. 

[color=d1b300]“I want to live our life together doing what we want to, instead of worrying about it leading to that. It’s really hard to not panic… But I love you so much. I think I can get through anything if it’s with you, even if it's difficult. I really love you, Casey.”[/color]

Casey’s heart bubbled up again, like he was floating on a cloud. Her reassurance was all he needed for revitalization. The tears didn’t stick around, nor did the sour attitude…

[color=577d06]”That’s all I can ask you to do, Trisha… That’s [i]all.[/i] I love you… So much.”[/color] he said quietly, leaning forward and kissing her on the lips with a gentle tenderness.

[color=577d06]”You want to take a bit more time? We’re going to be waiting…”[/color] he offered.

Trisha nodded, relaxing against him. She couldn’t quite let go of all the tension, but at least she was able to feel a bit more comfortable in his arms. It was exactly where she’d wanted to be all day… She just hadn’t expected to go through all of this…

[color=d1b300]“I need a little bit longer before I can face anyone else. Especially if my siblings have made their way to the table…”[/color] She didn’t particularly want to deal with them at all, but she’d be able to after calming down a bit more. 
[color=d1b300]“Though I’m worried what’ll happen if they have, and Leon and Cass went back. I really don’t think that's a good combination… Because they’re incredibly open, and my siblings [i]aren’t[/i].”[/color]

She shrugged, burrowing herself against Casey.
[color=d1b300]“But I’ll be fine in just a little bit.”[/color]

Casey nodded, arms keeping her steady as his body rocked back and forth with the motion of the waves on the shore. 

[color=577d06]”I think that makes them the perfect warmup. If we get there, and they’re already upset, it’ll work out perfect.”[/color]
He grinned slyly at her, kissing on Trisha’s forehead again before looking out at the waves.

[color=577d06]”Man… The crabs are being [i]so well behaved[/i]. It’s kind of crazy, like I haven’t felt any kind of stirring.”[/color] he explained with a laugh.

[color=d1b300]“So… we probably won’t end the night by being eaten?”[/color] Trisha replied with a small smile. When she’d found out the whole event would be on two massive crabs… It was safe to say she was a little shocked [i]and[/i] then worried when he said they might be a risk. 

[color=d1b300]“That’s good, since I had other plans. Is there normally something that sets them off or is it just based on their whims?”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Uh… Essentially. Really, my only control over them is based on a mutual trust. They’ve got some crazy Lux absorption magic going on, but you need White to actually talk to them. So, I can [i]ask[/i] what’s wrong. I can check in. But, they’re not particularly inviting. Just not anxious? I guess?”[/color] he explained with as much assuredness as he could. 

[color=577d06]”I did feed them some of my war memories. Maybe they got used to being shelled? And it's helping them cope with all the noise?”[/color] he speculated.

[color=d1b300]“You shared war memories with the anxious, massive crabs to help them cope with the noise?”[/color] Trisha’s response was a bit incredulous. If Casey started sharing his war memories with [i]her[/i], she’d become a panicked mess. 

[color=d1b300]“How… Did that help?”[/color]

Casey half smiled, shrugging in reply.
[color=577d06]”Uh… Orange Lux is representative of Courage. I needed to do a lot of crazy things that took a lot of balls. A lot of explosions happened pretty close to me, but I had a job to do. Had to keep going. So, maybe they’re not very talkative because they’re just locked in.”[/color] he admitted, vague pride in his voice.

[color=d1b300]“Ohhh…”[/color] Trisha’s eyes widened, before she nodded. That made sense. If he’d gotten through that without dying, and with courage, of course that feeling would be transferred. 

[color=d1b300]“Maybe they are? Can’t say I’m an expert in massive crabs.”[/color] Trisha giggled, leaning in closer to brush her nose against his. 
[color=d1b300]“But I do know that my fiance is very cool and brave. No wonder you’re not fazed by most things I throw at you.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”You’re too good to me for having upset you so recently… You seem to be pretty good whenever I throw something at you, so maybe I’m just copying?”[/color] he asked teasingly, sticking his tongue out.

[color=d1b300]“Well not to brag, but I did grow up with about twenty siblings. Means you get used to dealing with almost anything.”[/color] Trisha joked in response, hand coming up to poke his cheek. Of course her siblings hadn’t made her more tolerant… Even if it made her used to a lot of disappointments. Maybe it was growing up in that environment, and fighting the Stygian Snake, that meant she could handle most things. 

That and wanting to stay with Casey more than anything else. 
[color=d1b300]“So of course you’d end up copying me, since you only have [i]four[/i].”[/color]

Casey’s grin was one of full acceptance of the bit.
[color=577d06]”Oh, yeah. Absolutely, like, definitely gonna have to yield to you on that. It’s not even really fair when you put it like that, right?”[/color] he laughed.

[color=577d06]”Glad we’ve established a knowledge hierarchy when it comes to something like this.”[/color]
Shaking his head, he bolstered his legs and braced both feet firmly before hoisting Trisha up along with himself from a dead squat.

[color=577d06]”What do you think? Never wanna leave? Wanna see the ring again before we break the news?”[/color] he asked her with a playful look in his eye.

[color=d1b300]“I’ve been trying to forget what it looks like so I can act surprised, don’t tempt me like this, [i]Caasseeyyy[/i].”[/color] Trisha teasingly whined, pouting at him. She’d gladly just look at it for hours… But it’d be on her finger soon, then it’d never go anywhere. 

[color=d1b300]“I never wanna leave [i]you[/i].”[/color]

He nodded his head gently.
[color=577d06]”Never for long, Trisha Bee… Never forever. That’ll be one of my vows to you, I already decided. Did I tell you? I started thinking about them? I know its a long way off yet, but… To never say goodbye, to always return in storm and unsafe port. Never abandon you, or think to walk without your steps in mine… Uh, poetic shit.”[/color] he added the last little flare as if he hadn’t been reading poems about marriage the last three days.

Trisha’s cheeks heated up, followed by a sappy smile. Her eyes creased with soft love. There was a little fluttering in her chest as he spoke… But just as much as what was in the ‘future’ vows, it was the fact he was thinking of them already that made her feel so soft. 

[color=d1b300]“It’s beautiful.”[/color] She said quietly, hands gently cupping his face before she leaned in to kiss him softly.
[color=d1b300]“I can’t believe you’re already thinking about them… You really do want to marry me, don’t you? Uh, obviously… But I don’t know. Every extra thing just makes it feel so much more real.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”It’ll be all the more real in a few hours. Now, come on. Let’s get back where it’s warm. I don’t want to miss Grandpa’s speech either.”[/color] he grinned. Still holding her aloft, he pressed on and up the embankment toward the coastal lip where the dune met the wash at high tide. Then, letting her go of her own volition, the duo made an intentionally slow return through the massive canopied platforms.