[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/WZyxkRP.png[/img]     [img]https://i.imgur.com/Ykr0chB.png[/img] [/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/zngMbhb.png[/img]     [img]https://i.imgur.com/qlZlDys.png[/img] 
[h1]& [color=19FFBA]Kiki Motta[/color][/h1][sub]with [@AtomicEmperor][/sub][/center]
[right][code]Vin & Loni’s Apartment, Evergreen Apartments, Westwood “Junglelands”[/code][/right]
Loni didn't have any headphones on her, but she did have a handy Green spell that let her completely dampen her own sense of hearing. One of the first she'd developed to help her sleep through the screaming matches their old neighbours used to get into, and other disturbing sounds in the night she never quite got used to. It was helpful here, letting her gather what few things she had here- mostly changes of clothes- without hearing anything. 

She still went outside to wait, watching the remnant leaves sway in the breeze. It had been so pretty when they first got together… 

When Kiki was done and came out, Loni didn't ask what had been done- and Kiki didn't say. Loni knew he was probably dead… but she didn't need to hear about it. 

It was a fair walk to the Evergreen Apartments, one that Loni insisted they take rather than calling a cab. It was one place where she was frugal… But it only broke the bank because of how much she spent on other non necessities. At this time of day the walk wasn't exactly dangerous, but it was still nice to have someone a bit more intimidating at her side. Though she'd grown used to just not feeling safe every time she walked home from work. 

Inside the Apartment Complex itself, after Loni just opened the front door without even needing to pull out her key. [I]Totally secure.[/I] She remained cheery the whole walk up [I]six flights of stairs[/I] to the top floor, the out of order sign on the elevator almost taunting the higher up they got. She did pause when they reached the metal door to the hallway her apartment was on. Normally it was left wedged open, because it was just as broken as everything else in this place. But no… 

It had a large dent in the centre and had completely crumpled in on itself. It could barely be called a door anymore. A shell of itself, literally. She hadn't actually noticed on her way in earlier, with a demanding toddler and time constraints. When… had that happened? 

Loni gestured to it with a slight laugh, turning her head towards Kiki. 
[color=ff7360]"I bet Vin did that when they was pissed at somethin'! Maybe cause I asked ‘em to move into Leopold with me…"[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”I hope not… She’s prickly, but getting that pissed over a simple request would tell me there’s a lot wrong there.”[/color] Kiki projected, following Loni quietly through the rundown complex.

In truth, she’d seen plenty of shitholes. Something that the people from the South probably weren’t aware of was the sparsely populated nature of some of the oldest apartment buildings. The oldest stuff, with locked in rents that elderly people still lived in, tended to look something like this. Only, it wasn’t so much malice as it was general disinterest in maintenance and repair on the part of the Landlord. Cheaper to let them crumble into the ground, so you could sell the valuable vacant lot that major companies were chomping at the bit to develop. 

The “Landlord” of the Forth Ward happened to be Moriah. Ergo, with a desire to have an [i]actual[/i] population, she’d spent quite a bit of pocket money bringing those old buildings up to snuff. Because it was all for tithe-materia, Culla was supposedly willing and able to subsidize the rents, but the mental point had been: Before she was in charge, Tuscania was a shithole too. And she remembered spending plenty of time smoking pot and breaking windows in the old factories.

And the apartment buildings, where there simply were no children left to utilize the old playgrounds. Parents didn’t want their kids in such dangerous hovels. She remembered Christina Tutti, and the time her Father came around in his Italian supercar to look for her. It was glorious when he took a single pot-hole at a slightly-too-high speed, and the front fender bounced and snapped off the front on one side. She remembered laughing at the way the carbon fiber panel jiggled, and managed to grin even as she passed by the ruined door.

Loni smiled back, glad that Kiki didn't seem to be judging the place too hard. It had mostly been a joke about the door, after all. Sure, it was probably Vin, but it was way more like it happened just because someone closed the door and they had to smash it in to get home. 

Soundproofing within the hall was pretty shit. Just a few steps along and they could hear the screaming baby from 603. Loni barely reacted, so used to it at this point that she breezed right path. All the way along to the other end, where the apartments got slightly bigger. While this corridor itself was where they'd grown up, the current apartment wasn't. They'd moved a few doors down after Loni moved back in, because Vin refused to let her have a child in an already cramped one bedroom apartment. 

Loni hadn't thought it was so bad. Their Mama never had an issue with two children in there… but this one was nicer. They both had a room! 

The lack of soundproofing also allowed them to hear much more fun sounds as Loni pulled out her keys. Loud squealing and what sounded like mock roars, along with nonsensical babble in the typical Luci style. 

[color=51684c]”Oh no, you got me! Princess Luci wins again!”[/color]

Loni pushed open the door to reveal an apartment in a much better state than the rest of the building. A single main room, going from a rug covered living room area to kitchen with a small table. Just two seats and a high chair. The couch was worn but comfortable looking, facing the corner of the room where there was an old box television hooked up to a VHS player. Shelving units had a mix of video boxes, books (mostly about animals, bugs, or for children) and pictures. It was messy, with toys strewn all about the place, but seemed clean. There were three doors off it, with two closed and the one to the bathroom slightly ajar. 

Vin was lying on their back near the couch, knees bent and arms flopped back like a wounded animal. A little body sat triumphantly on their stomach, letting out gleeful cries while patting their face. As the door opened both turned to look. Vin's already soft expression softened further as they looked at Loni. It was in these moments it was easier to mistake the two- when all the normal viciousness they held was stripped away. 

“Mama!” Luci rolled off Vin, pushing herself to her feet and sprinting towards Loni. Loni crouched down to scoop her up, stepping further in while spinning a giggling Luci around. 

[color=ff7360]"My beautiful baby! You been good for your Tio? Showin' ‘em who's boss, huh?"[/color] Loni hugged her daughter close with a bright smile. 

Luci continued to giggle before spotting the other person who'd come in with her Mama, wriggling with chubby hands outstretched towards Kiki. 
“Ahn ee!” 

Vin rolled from lying down into a squat position, before standing fully. They weren't dressed in much- just a loose tank top and boxers. Their hair was messy from play tussling with Luci, sticking up all over the place as it tended to do with the slightly more choppy style they had it in. Still similar enough to Loni's that the two could easily pretend to be the other, at least… 

[color=51684c]”You got rid of him?”[/color] They asked Loni simply. 

[color=ff7360]"I- Guess I did!"[/color] Loni squeaked out, knowing Vin didn't mean it literally… But that was exactly what had happened! Technically she hadn't even had a chance to break up with him. 

[color=51684c]”Good.”[/color] Their lips pulled up into a wider grin, teeth slightly sharp, and they finally looked past their beloved sister to Kiki. They were in a good enough mood thanks to a morning with Luci and Loni getting rid of another shitty man in her life that they didn't even mind the intruder for once. There were some mixed feelings about her presence- they assumed Kiki had been with Loni when she broke up with that asshole teacher. On one hand they were glad someone was there, on the other… wished it had been them. Then they could've broken his legs if he said any shit. 

[color=51684c]”Kiki… I woulda got dressed if Lon said you'd be comin' round. You were with her for the breakup?”[/color] They ran a hand through their hair. There was always a visible change when they talked to anyone that wasn't Loni and Luci, the rare softness completely hidden behind a more savage grin. 
[color=51684c]”Never liked the fuckin' asshole… Had it out for me in school-”[/color]

[color=ff7360]”All’ve the teachers did if you think 'bout it like that! You got into fights and skipped all the time!”[/color]

Vin waved that off with a slight laugh. 
[color=51684c]”You skipped too, Lon… This guy had a real thing, he got me suspended a bunch’ve times when normally they didn't care! Fucking- if only it was fucking illegal to sleep with a sixteen year old, I woulda beaten him up then.”[/color]

Loni laughed awkwardly, hugging Luci close even as she squirmed and tried to get back down to the ground to have the freedom to run anywhere. 

Kiki didn't think much of the apartment. It looked somewhat like one of the abandoned apartments that Milli and Eagon had shuffled stolen furniture into and called a “safehouse” during the Cataclysm. There wasn't any particular connection to whether or not the conditions were conducive for Luci's safety or growth, since unlike Moriah, she didn't really think there was anything wrong. Where Moriah may have, for the hundredth time of walking in and sighing, continued to plead with her to move North, Kiki could only give Luci the focus she deserved.

Excitedly, she stuck her face right in range of both the little hands, puffing her cheeks with air while doing her absolute best to smile at the same time. While dealing with having her face pressed like a grape, she was taking in what the siblings were saying with rapt confusion. Loni… Sure, it made sense she didn't know. But-

[color=19FFBA]”Y'know I should've guessed neither of you really got it, but… Honestly, Vin, I thought she was just hiding it from you. Like… We live in [i]Virginia[/i], babes… Law's eighteen! Like, federal [i]and[/i] state! Trust me, I did this essay in school, ‘bout Virginia lawmakers try'na sneak in some reduced age of consent law into a state bill concerning environmental protection efforts… Like… I kinda let it go earlier, Lon, but [i]shit dude.[/i] I guess I should've come and got you, Vin… I'm so sorry…”[/color]

There was an immediate tension in the air, though Vin tried to keep it down for fear of alerting Luci. Though, she associated their tiger form with fun play time, which always helped when they were set off by things like this. Their grin turned into more of a snarl, nails lengthening minutely. 

[color=51684c]”If I’d know, I would’ve done somethin’ bout it a long fuckin’ time ago.”[/color] Vin’s hands curled into fists so they didn’t cut themselves, turning to look at Loni with an expectant eyebrow raise. If they’d know that was the case legally, they would’ve gutted the guy earlier. [i]Should’ve[/i] done it when they were sixteen anyway, legal or not. But teen Vin didn’t have the protection of the biggest gang behind them then, and killing a teacher would’ve landed them in jail.

Then where would Loni be now? 

[color=ff7360]"Well, Mama said sixteen was alright! It ain’t like we knew!"[/color] Loni stared at Kiki with wide eyes, once again feeling like the rug was pulled out from under them. Another thing she hadn’t known. She tried her best not to panic again, glad that Luci was distracted squishing Kiki’s cheeks for now.
[color=ff7360]"I- I slept with a lotta people as a teen! Mama knew and said it was alright so long as we consented."[/color]

[color=51684c]”Well, Mama was wrong bout a lotta things.”[/color] Vin’s brow furrowed. While they didn’t have the same blind faith in their deceased Mother- as much as they loved her just as fiercely- they hadn’t exactly questioned that. Or had much knowledge of laws in the first place, beyond the basics. Had broken plenty… It was only over the past few years where they learned a lot of shit wasn’t okay from Gideon.

[color=51684c]”That fuckin’ bastard- whaddya mean you’re sorry, Kiki? You didn’t hit the fucker hard enough- wait. You hurt him so much there ain’t gonna be any fight left?!” Or killed him.[/color] They didn’t say that bit out loud. They tried to hide that they’d killed a good amount of Loni’s exes. Sure, she knew they got violent and just about handled that… But killing? It would only be worse if she knew that it wasn’t just Vin doing it, but her boss slash coven leader too. 

[color=19FFBA]”I would’ve held him until you were around for sentencing. With your testimony, it would have been your right to carry it out… Now, uh… Well, can you get us in touch with the Hollow? By the Cullan Proclamation, we owe your organization a debt, I’m afraid.”[/color]

She was mostly sorry that Vin would have to cursorily deal with Twin Hill dealings. It wasn’t in their nature, as far as Kiki understood, to be participatory in their sister’s magical life. They’d gone down separate paths, and both managed to fit squarely into a position among two of the most esteemed Covens in Cloverfield. And, frankly, their relationship with Momo wasn’t one that she wanted to share with Vin; especially not with her eyes dead-set on Loni with all the romance of a new puppy. 

[color=19FFBA]”But, based on, uh… On, y’know, Loni’s position within our organization, it’s not really something I could avoid. If I hadn’t passed the sentence, well… Well, moreso, I’m in a bit of hot water at home! So, I’m kinda doin’ things on Momo’s good graces… Which means doin’ things by the book, see? If that hadn’t been the case, I’d have been more inclined to follow Loni’s wishes in the moment, and then maybe uh… Well, you and Momo would’ve maybe seen one another anyway?”[/color]

This was, of course, the first ex of Loni’s that Kiki was responsible for killing. She’d killed others; mostly during the Cataclysm. Imagine, people still tried to loot the places that weren’t destroyed, as if that was a smart idea. In times of war, Cullans brook no insult and generally give no quarter; thus, even the Blinds who knew no better were targets. Well, more like food. 
But, Kiki’s point landed squarely on the fact that, after just about every breakup there’d been over the last few years, if Loni didn’t get to them in time, they just [i]disappeared[/i]. Momo had admitted that she was keeping them in the way that all Matriarchs knew how; through their genes. DNA pulled from dead bodies were stored away for study and examination. Even the corpses of Vin’s kills were pulled whenever they could be, all for a singular purpose.

Kiki’s job was to pull the emotional and physical memory from those samples, utilizing it to figure out what it was that Loni saw in each man… Because there had to be [i]something.[/i] Only, it was hard to lock down a pattern, or any kind of consistent ideal which she seemed overly attracted to. It was a puzzle for the ages, and probably went a long way in explaining Kiki’s bordering obsession.
Loni was her [i]job.[/i] Knowing her. Being close. But the desire to be [i]the[/i] one wasn’t what anyone intended.

[color=51684c]”Probably… You saved me the hassle, really, I ain't fond of dealin' with your boss.”[/color] Vin snorted. It was an understatement, really. Sure, there was a healthy amount of respect between the two. Especially when they so often met with the same goal in mind… and it gave Vin some comfort to know if they died there'd be someone to still protect Loni. 

But that was also part of the problem. Loni didn't need them anymore. It was like they were being replaced…
[color=51684c]”It’s fine. If the fuckers dead, the fuckers dead, I ain't gonna fuss about how it happened. The Hollow ain't either… But if you really gotta, I can get you in touch. You want the boss, or you good with one of his right hand men?”[/color]

Technically, Vin was one of those. Moriah knew that, Kiki probably knew that. Loni didn't. As far as she was aware, Vin was cursorily part of the Hollow- they worked at the Hollow Tap, and got some benefits because of that. Protection and the like without being a full fledged gang member. Lies they told her, obviously… 

[color=ff7360]"What kinda debt do we owe ‘em?"[/color] Loni was a little confused by that, and couldn't help but ask. She'd crouched down now to let Luci go, the little girl having gotten bored of squishing Kiki's cheeks. Free to run around, she was doing so, running back over to Vin to hit their legs, before running over to Loni again. Like a human yo-yo.

[color=ff7360]"Cause it was in Hollow territory?"[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”No, ‘cuz you’re their family. Usually, things don’t get weird like this, but occasional blood relations put the Whispering Flesh at odds with other entities due some kind of deference of respect. Adrien wronged you, but he [i]also[/i] wronged Vin, see? Except, Vin had priority, because she had also apparently experienced personal offence at his hands. Ergo, Vin’s boss would need to be the one presenting the perceived tithe due, so long as it were in line with all parties affected; meaning, both of you.”[/color]

It was a lot of legal jargon. She paused for a moment, clearing her throat.

[color=19FFBA]”Plainly? You figure out what you want, Vin. Loni knows plenty to be able to tell you what sounds reasonable and what don’t. You already said: You don’t really give a shit, save it’s been handled. If you want the debt cleared without consideration, precedent says you just need to submit a written confirmation waiving your right to the Prosecution process. A text, basically, saying ‘Hey, no hard feelings: Adrien Evans isn’t worth any kind of debt, and the Twin Hill Coven ain’t responsible for payin’ reparations in regards to his Prosecution. Make enough sense?”[/color] Kiki asked, doing her best to keep things straight forward as possible.

It was good that she explained it in more simple terms, because the legal jargon went completely over the twins' heads. While Vin was much more street smart than Loni, they struggled just as much academically… if not more. Loni had at least [I]tried[/I]. Vin was fairly certain if the system hadn't been so rigged against her she would've found a niche she loved enough to really study. 

They nodded slowly in understanding to the less fucking confusing explanation. 
[color=51684c]”It does. A text to… Moriah? Or you got one of those fancy organisation numbers that can be texted?”[/color]

They had Moriah's number- mainly after a few times turning up at the same exes house. It was purely practical, and for the purposes of keeping Loni safe. But they already knew what they wanted as ‘reparations’, and assumed it was reasonable enough. The next ex was theirs to kill, no Twin Hill intervention… it was only fair. 

[color=ff7360]"No askin' for tons of money over it!"[/color] Loni exclaimed jokingly, shuffling behind Luci in a squat position as her daughter made way for Vin again. 

[color=51684c]”What, like your boss ain't got lots to spare?”[/color] Vin snorted, shaking their head. 
[color=51684c]”I’ll save that for you, she's desperate to throw her money at you, y’know.”[/color]

Loni giggled a little bit. She was relatively quick to get over the second bombshell dropped on her over this relationship. Sure, what she'd seen thanks to the Recollection still lingered. It was hard to just move past that. But she didn't want to dwell in the moment… not when she was surrounded by so many people she loved! 

[color=ff7360]"Y’hear that, Mijita? Vin thinks we're spoiled!"[/color] Loni gasped. 

Luci looked up at Vin with wide eyes, not understanding at all what Loni said. But her little face scrunched up into what was an imitation of sternness and she patted Vin's leg, babbling away what was probably meant to be a lecture only she could understand. 

[color=51684c]”Whoa, calm down, lil Miss… I ain't sayin' that. You don't want me sayin' anythin' your Mama doesn't like, huh?”[/color] They crouched down to be at Luci's level, glancing past her for a moment to look at Kiki. 
[color=51684c]”I’ll send the text soon as this menace ain't tryna tell me off.”[/color]

Kiki stared down at Luci with a slightly confused look. She was always curious as to what was going on in the little girl’s head. She wasn’t an infant, and had never bothered crawling into an infant’s mind. But, this one in particular always seemed so [i]with it.[/i] Even if her grasp of speech wasn’t amazing, her comprehension seemed accelerated in some fashion. Like she knew everything she was saying, and it was just up to the observer to translate. 

[color=19FFBA]”Uhhh… Just, y’know, text the Boss. Your word’s enough; just don’t expect any grand text back. She ain’t much of a texter.”[/color]

She was at least aware of Momo’s personal number being available. It was for everyone, after all. Personal didn’t translate to private in the wide branches of the Whispering Flesh. Private meant private, and Momo didn’t [i]text[/i] privately. Digital communication wasn’t private, after all.

Mirroring Vin, Kiki squatted down behind Luci, getting to roughly the same level and letting the massive coat covering her flare outward like a big dress. She grinned, reaching forward and tapping Luci on the back of the shoulder.

[color=19FFBA]”Excuse me, Ma’am? Are you looking for assistance in litigation? I hear you’ve got quite the slander case on your hands. Though, the office is aware that, unfortunately, [i]the truth[/i] isn’t exactly slanderous to tell. It’s really a hollow case, and council suggests a change of course.”[/color] she said plainly to the little girl, knowing from all the books that the best thing she could do to help Luci was speak to her like a human. 

Luci turned her body so that she was looking at both Kiki and Vin, folding her arms and scrunching the front of her navy dungarees against her chest. 
“Ahba oo eh ie! Tee-oh ay Mama ea bah bah ea!”

Vin bit their lip to hold back a laugh as Luci spoke so sternly, when the words coming out of her mouth made absolutely no sense at all. Loni didn’t bother holding back a giggle watching her daughter at the two people squatting around her, earning her a little pout from Luci. She was, after all, defending her Mama right now!

[color=51684c]”You’re bringin’ that back up, huh? What I said ‘bout your Mama earlier?”[/color] Vin guessed, folding their arms to mimic Luci’s posture. 

[color=ff7360]"What [i]did[/i] you say about me?"[/color] Loni asked, shifting to behind Vin, hand moving forward to gently shove their head with assumption it had been [i]something[/i] mean.

[color=51684c]”Just that I bet Luci’d beat me in a fight where you couldn’t.”[/color]

“Ohn!” Luci shook her head, before letting out another long rant of not-words. 

[color=19FFBA]”Oh, that’s [i]hearsay[/i], Luci! It means, there’s no physical or corroborative evidence to suggest that the statement’s got any kind of truth!”[/color]

Kiki giggled, sliding down onto the floor and out of the jacket in a single motion, like a human noodle. She wound up with her head next to Luci’s foot, looking up at her like she was a talking head rather than a whole woman.

[color=19FFBA]”In other words?-”[/color] she narrowed her eyes conspiratorially at Vin, then at the little girl again.
[color=19FFBA]”-[i]Tio’s a big fat liiiiiiiarrrrrrr![/i]”[/color]

“Eye-ah!” Luci threw her hands up in the air in agreement with a loud laugh. Her smile widened, beaming up at Vin with a hint of smugness. She wasn’t at all bothered by Kiki’s unnatural shifts, 

[color=51684c]”Aw c’mon, I already got enough people gangin’ up on me… You gotta stop bringin’ more over.”[/color] Vin held up their hands with a slight laugh, glancing at Loni. It all seemed good natured, though. They were always the least prickly they could be around Loni and Luci. Especially in their own home. 

[color=ff7360]"Gotta stop lyin’, then. Y’know I can beat you in a fight! I always did as kids!"[/color] Loni giggled. 

[color=51684c]”Cause I let ya.”[/color] Vin shook their head. But there was some truth to it- they really could never win when it came to Loni, because she’d always be the priority. They’d lose at everything if it made her happy. 

[color=ff7360]"Nah, that’s a lie too. There ain’t any… Physical or corroborative evidence! Right, Kiki?"[/color] Loni snickered, as she moved towards the back of the room, where their little kitchen was.
[color=ff7360]"You have lunch yet?"[/color]

[color=51684c]”Nah, was gonna make omelettes for you gettin’ back. Shoulda known you wouldn’t warn me.”[/color]

“Ohm!” Luci bounced up and down in excitement, mind moving onto other things now that justice had been served. 
“Ohm, ee!”

[color=ff7360]"You love omelettes, don’t you, Baby?"[/color] Loni smiled softly at Luci, the smile not fading as her gaze moved to Kiki. 
[color=ff7360]"You wanna stay to eat? Can you?"[/color]

Kiki was so ready to blurt out what she was thinking; how she knew Momo didn’t want to keep her away. There was only one kind of code for that feeling that she could get away with expressing.

[color=19FFBA]”I was told specifically that my task until further notice is to be your detail. We call it [i]lo scudo a sinistra.[/i]-”[/color] she said with a signature Cullan inflection that made the expression just a little sexier than it was. As she spoke, she let her right arm come up over her left arm like she was brushing it across a flat surface.
[color=19FFBA]”-The shield on the left. Turning any blade meant for our beloved; who I may add was [i]very[/i] strong earlier. She deserves some extra love in those omelettes, Vin. Can I help? Do you guys want any special ingredients? I’ve got a couple of Chess’ spells rolling around, I think I can scrounge up whatever we don’t have!”[/color]


[color=51684c]”She was? Well, I ain't gonna argue with that.”[/color] Vin grinned again, moving towards the kitchen. As they went past Loni they wrapped an arm around her, hugging her tightly for a brief moment. Then, in signature annoying sibling fashion, messed up her hair as they stepped away. 

[color=51684c]”We ain't got any meat, that somethin' you can make? Like sausages or bacon or some shit?”[/color] As they asked, Vin was pulling out everything else they needed. Eggs, cheese, then a good selection of vegetables- peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes and chillis. 

[color=ff7360]"Wait, wait, so you're gonna be… around more?! I thought you were gonna be runnin' errands for Momo all the time and I'd hardly see you?"[/color] Loni interrupted the mundane food talk to stare at Kiki with wide, excited eyes.

[color=19FFBA]”I think you’re conflating my current assignment with some kind of permanence. You know as well as I do that as soon as you’re across the border in the North, there’s enough Twin Hill posts that you don’t need a detail.”[/color]

Bacon… Kiki knew flesh manifestation, sure. But, bacon specifically? What fucking part of the pig was that again? Somewhere along the back? What were the qualities of bacon, really? Dense fat marbling, usually forming a cap along the top while still marbling the meat itself. Bacon shrunk because when it cooked, its fat rendered from the flesh, right? So, it had to-

[color=19FFBA]”I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen uncooked raw bacon. In my life…”[/color] she admitted finally, pulling out her phone and bumping off the shitty South Side tower signal that was available. 

Pretty quickly, she was looking at pictures of slabs of bacon. Whole pig backs, stripped down to the bone for their delicious fatty bacon. Now, her faint inherent memory pulled from Chessa’s culinary experience was coming back to her, and she grinned.

[color=19FFBA]”Oh! Oh, yeah, I can do some fuckin’ ham and bacon I think. You have any [i]potatoes?[/i]”[/color] she asked with a grin forming on her face.
[color=19FFBA]”Or, alternatively, any neighbors you don’t like?”[/color]

[color=51684c]”Oh, [i]plenty[/i].”[/color] Vin grinned.

[color=ff7360]"No way, we ain’t turning the neighbours into bacon!"[/color] Loni shook her head.

“Bay-oh?” Luci initiated, tilting her little head. Then she turned around and toddled away, plopping her ass in the middle of the rug covered living room and grabbing at some of her toys.

Vin just chuckled as they crouched down to open up one of the lower cabinets, pulling out a good amount of potatoes and setting them on the counter. 
[color=51684c]”That enough?”[/color]

Then they were pulling out a knife to start chopping up the other vegetables with incredible efficiency. 
[color=51684c]”So… You’re only protectin’ Lon cause she’s in the South? Y’can leave after you make us some bacon, then, since I ain’t lettin’ her outta my sight till we get back to that fuckin’ fancy building of yours.”[/color]

[color=ff7360]"Vin! That ain’t happenin’, I invited Kiki round cause I wanted her round not for-"[/color]

[color=51684c]”I’m joking.”[/color] Vin turned their head around to smile at Loni, the only sign it had been a joke a glint in their eyes. If Loni couldn’t tell, who else would be able to? It was often difficult with them… Most of their jokes said in such a deadpan, serious manner. Always things they’d say seriously, too, in the wrong mood. 

[color=ff7360]"Good."[/color] Loni nodded with a light huff. Now that they could see Vin’s face they could tell it was an actual joke… If only that understanding worked when they were turned away! Sure, there were some things the two just intrinsically understood about each other, but this often went over her head. 

She moved to sit with her daughter, knowing Vin wouldn’t let her near the kitchen when they were the one cooking. As she started to mess around with Luciana’s toys, she had a though.
[color=ff7360]"Are the posts on higher alert then or somethin’? Cause… I was in the North when I got attacked."[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”They definitely are now… But, I wouldn’t blame you for kickin’ me out either Vin.”[/color] Kiki half-joked back, sticking her tongue out as she popped the first potato into her mouth wholesale. 

While Gourmation may’ve been outside her full capability, she was familiar enough with the Cullan process of gastronomic conversion to pull this off. She made sure to close her mouth tight and turn away before letting her teeth shred the potato within like a biomechanical mulcher. Then two, then three-

[color=19FFBA]”Uh… Don’t let Luci see this? And, don’t think about it too hard. Gimmie a plate.”[/color]

Loni’s eyes widened slightly, one hand moving to Luci to make sure to turn her away from Kiki while distracting her with a chunky plastic lion toy. How… How bad was turning potatoes into meat?! 

Vin grabbed a plate and handed it to Kiki, watching with actual interest. Unlike Loni, the thought of it being a bit of a gross process just made it exciting for them.

Receiving a plate, Kiki did her best to silently slide a roughly shaped pound block of bacon out of her throat. As it landed on the plate, it tilted and flopped down, completely unsliced and smelling fresh like it came from a vacuum sealed package. It was even [i]dry[/i] which one may not expect. But, the spell caused her saliva ducts to halt production in expectation of production… Made for a dry throat, but an uncontaminated product on the other side.

[color=19FFBA]”Oh holy shit… Can… Water?”[/color]

She took two wobbling steps toward the sink before stuffing her mouth up to the faucet and turning it on.

[color=51684c]”I wouldn’t-”[/color] Vin tried to warn, but it was too late and Kiki was already drinking directly out of the tap. Fucking priveleged North Sider… Probably wouldn’t kill her with the Green Lux, at least. As she guzzled the probably grim tasting water, Vin went to their small fridge and pulled out a jug with a filter on it.

[color=51684c]”Pipes have been fucked since the cataclysm. They fixed ‘em enough to get water, but it ain’t the kinda shit I’d wanna put in my body.”[/color]

Shrugging, they took the plate with the block of bacon and got to work slicing it. It was thrown straight into a pan as they moved back to the vegetables.

[color=ff7360]"It ain’t [i]that[/i] bad. You remember when the factories were spillin’ somethin’ in, and the water started comin’ out brown?"[/color] Loni piped up, not looking up from playing with plastic animals with Luci. 

[color=51684c]”Yeah, cause you got real sick from it. Fuckin’ hell, this is why-”[/color]

[color=ff7360]"Don’t go on a rant again, [i]please[/i]?"[/color]

Vin rolled their eyes.
[color=51684c]”What, just cause your friend’s from the North don’t mean she won’t understand? She ain’t seem like one of the [i]bad[/i] ones.”[/color] 

What was sickness to even a typical adept, the child of a Matriarch learned to repurpose entirely. Any virus or microbes infecting the water were simply filtered like any other source of biological material, sterilized and consumed in the raw by the incredibly iron gut they’d all been given. Gifts from beyond, unnatural improvements implanted long ago without consideration of permission…

Not that any of them would’ve said no had they been able to understand. Kiki didn’t particularly remember any of her Mother’s procedures particularly affecting her negatively, and she was only left with positives. Though, what she was being left with was a sense of painful retribution. Revenge. A need to set things right. They were absolutely right: The water supply, whether due to the poor pipe repair or something worse, was totally infested with bacteria of all kinds. It was totally gnarly stuff!

Yet, she waved Loni off from the pitcher. She wasn’t worried, just needed volume. Finally, she pulled away after shutting the faucet off.

[color=19FFBA]”Oh, Deer in the fucking woods! That’s- I just swallowed an entire universe worth of microbes! What the [i]fuck[/i] is going on with the- Like, the building doesn’t have a filtration system? Holy shit!”[/color]

[color=51684c]”Nah, it don’t.”[/color] Vin answered. Not for lack of trying from residents and certain local groups. But there was only so much influence Gideon could wield against building owners who didn’t give a fuck, living somewhere he couldn’t touch them with laws that protected them. The fact anything worked at all was thanks to him. 

He’d gotten the building’s heating fixed so people wouldn’t freeze come winter, and even provided the filter jug Vin had pulled out. Sure, they could afford that stuff themselves, but most couldn’t. 

[color=51684c]”It used to, but it got fucked cause’ve all the acid. And the owner’s would rather the place fell down than waste any of their precious money. Y’know, rents gone up on most of the apartments too? Recouping fuckin’ losses or some bullshit!”[/color]

[color=ff7360]"Ours ain’t gone up?"[/color] Loni commented, tilting her head with a little confusion.

[color=51684c]”Why d’you think it ain’t? Cause I ain’t let ‘em. But it would’ve… And the fuckers that own this place won’t even sell! Cause it ain’t as profitable as it would be if they kicked us all out and sold the land to some fuckin’ Northern asshole wantin’ to expand. They’d push us even further South if they could.”[/color]

Kiki frowned, scratching her head.

[color=19FFBA]”Would… If… I mean, hey, listen, with everything that’s been happenin’, maybe somethin’ could get worked out? Like, what if I could square somethin’ up where Lon’ could come home, and we could start actually taking care of some of these neighborhoods down here?”[/color] she asked very simply, having a vague idea of what she could do. 

The secret to wealth was in trust and credit, not liquid currency or hoards of physical wealth. Even in Culla, credit was granted based on Tithe provided only as a means of projecting Tithe expectancy. As it stood, Culla had plenty of outside resources generating physical wealth, and kept their own banks for the purpose of international funding to their various branches outside the motherland. 

She presumed there was an argument to be made in favor of picking up the tab on the building if Gideon Cross allowed Twin Hill presence in the South. As it stood now, their only agent was partial, and certainly unreliable. 

[color=19FFBA]”Y’know Deciduous? The apartments on the other side of the Jungle down the Bull? Apparently my Brother’s armin’ the lady over there with some kind of case, thinkin’ Moriah’ll be able to move our people in there. But, I figure, if we do it without Gideon knowin’, that’ll just cause more animosity than good, right? So… Let’s try and cut a deal [i]here[/i] instead!”[/color]

Vin furrowed their brow a bit. They weren’t exactly the best person to ask about diplomatic group relationships. Sure, Gideon brought them along to meetings. Keep telling them they needed to learn and shit. But they weren’t good at it. They were much better at just beating people up who wronged them. 

[color=51684c]”Deciduous is a real shithole… Technically outta the Hollow’s influence. Kinda a dead zone. I ain’t really the guy to ask ‘bout this… But I don’t imagine he’d be thrilled about it.”[/color] Vin rubbed the back of their neck, shaking hair out of their face as they threw the cut vegetables in with the sizzling bacon. 

[color=51684c]”But he ain’t against workin’ with groups that actually care ‘bout the South. If you guys got the influence to buy the place and make shit better for us? Yeah, he’ll be down to cut a deal, I bet. I can organise somethin’. He’ll wanna actually talk to Moriah, I bet.”[/color]

[color=ff7360]"I thought you didn’t like North influence down here?"[/color] Loni asked softly, tilting her head. She struggled to keep up with exactly what Vin’s thoughts were. It was simplest at just hating the North, and the complexities went over her head.

[color=51684c]”I don’t. But I ain’t gonna push away shit that could help down here cause of it. Some fuckin’ fixin’ would help [i]us[/i] way more than it would the North.”[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”Technically Mo’s under a contract sayin’ she can’t legally own property down here. We’ll have to set things up real slick so the city departments keep their fat money honking noses out of it. But, honestly, I’d push for Elay to keep things under control here like he was planning with the other place. He needs more stuff to do…”[/color] Kiki pondered quietly, thinking about her brother while she quietly gripped into the oversized cuffs.

[color=19FFBA]”But I think that’ll be a talk we all have at a later date. Until then, uh… Y’know, I’m alright. Ma blessed us all with iron guts, so if anything, the little bugs in the water is just extra protein. Lookin’ good, Vin, that shit smells bomb already.”[/color] she grinned.

Vin nodded. It was all shit on their end to sort out, anyway. They’d set up a meeting with Gideon- probably have to be there- but otherwise it wasn’t the kind of shit they had to think about.

[color=51684c]”Wait till you try it. I got a speciality- nice smellin’, shit tasting.”[/color] They laughed, tilting the vegetables and bacon out of the pan onto a plate to wait as they cracked the first eggs in. 

[color=ff7360]"They’re just being modest! Vin’s a pretty good cook… We split it, but it always looks like a bomb site after I’m done!"[/color] Loni added brightly. They could both cook on roughly the same level, just with different things they tended to make… There hadn’t really been a choice as their Mama got more and more sick. Even before then, she was out for work so often they had to learn to fend for themselves.

[color=51684c]”It’s impressive how fuckin’ clumsy you are in the kitchen, Lon, considerin’ you dance and shit. I assume you ain’t fallin’ off the pole and shit?”[/color] Vin laughed lightly, throwing cheese, vegetables and bacon into the sizzling first omelete. 

[color=ff7360]"It ain’t the same!"[/color] Loni wailed. 
[color=ff7360]"Right, Kiki? It’s totally normal to be great at dancing but make a mess while tryna cook, right?!"[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”Goddamn the kitchen, you should see her makeup and wardrobe at work. I have no clue how she can even find two matching heels.”[/color] Kiki giggled, snagging a piece of her own bacon off the plate and crunching on it.

[color=19FFBA]”Ohhhh… Oh god…-”[/color] she paused, swallowing the bacon and staring up at the ceiling.
[color=19FFBA]”-Deer? If you can hear me, please strip the knowledge of how to make bacon from my brain. My Lady Most High, wherever the smokey maple flavor comes from, I can only imagine it's a blessing of yours.”[/color] she openly prayed to her Ancient as she came to terms with the fact that she managed to make delicious ingredients without too much fuss.

She cleared her throat and shook her head, then grabbed another piece and started making way toward Luci.

[color=19FFBA]”Lucianaaaaa… Come here mamacita, try a piece of tocino! Auntie made it herself!”[/color] she giggled, holding out the little piece of bacon for her as she squatted down into a cross-legged position on the floor.

[color=ff7360]"Heyyyy, it ain’t that bad at work!"[/color] Loni whined with a playful pout.

[color=51684c]”I seen your room here… I can only imagine how bad it is when you gotta actually rush to get ready.”[/color] Vin laughed.

“Toh? Bah!” Luci dropped the toy dinosaur she’d been slamming against the lion Loni was holding, turing around and wriggling on her bum towards Kiki. Her eyes lit up excitedly as she smelt the bacon, leaning in to eat it right out of Kiki’s hand with a giggle. What followed were squeals of delight. 

[color=51684c]”Here, Lon, you have the first one.”[/color] Vin flipped the omelette out of the pan and onto a plate, before getting right to making another.

Loni nodded. She’d split it with Luciana anyway, so she leaned over to pick up the little girl. 

“No!” Luci immediately started protesting, kicking her legs about.

[color=ff7360]"C’mon, Mijita… We gotta eat at the table."[/color] 

“No! No, Ahn ee!”

[color=ff7360]"Aunt Kiki will sit at the table with us, won’t she?"[/color] 

Kiki didn't hesitate, standing back up and holding onto the little girl's hands.

[color=19FFBA]”Momma's right, Lil’ Bug. C'mon, come sit and eat. Auntie's right here, so’s Tio. And mama's gonna get you something delicious, right? Tio Vin made it with extra love!”[/color]

As they sat, Kiki was already cutting up the food into Loni-sized pieces, and then Luci-sized pieces.

[color=19FFBA]”You just hold her, Babe… Let me feed you. It's always easier when you have both hands on her.”[/color] Kiki grinned, letting the fork pierce a Loni piece and holding it up to her.

Loni couldn’t exactly argue with that, since it was true. Luci was a messy eater and tended to flail her arms while wriggling all over the place. More often than not she tried to feed herself before getting the food everywhere. 

[color=ff7360]"Thanks, Kiki! You’re the best!"[/color] Loni smiled back, quite happily leaning forward to eat the piece of omelette that Kiki offered her.

“Me! Me!” Luci started kicking her legs, arms waving towards Kiki with grasping hands.

[color=ff7360]"You gotta say please, Mijita."[/color] Loni gently chided.

[color=ff7360]"Me, ee!"[/color]

Vin watched the scene with a tiny, niggling feeling that something was… Off. Not off, per say, but there was some kind of disconnect. It looked incredibly domestic… What kind of friend fed a friend? Then again, those Twin Hill folks were real weird and Loni wasn’t exactly someone who cared.

[color=51684c]”Here.”[/color] They slid another plated omelette onto the table.
[color=51684c]”Loni’ll probably eat two, assumin’ she used magic today.”[/color] 

Loni went to protest that she wouldn’t eat that much, pausing with her mouth open. She [i]had[/i] flown over at a point where there weren’t many eyes on the river… Cause it was easier and faster. Her appetite was always bigger when she’d transformed at all. 

[color=51684c]”Knew it. You gotta stop feelin’ bad about eatin’ so much sometimes. Think ‘bout what’s gonna happen when Lu kindles… She’ll be the same.”[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”One hundred percent correct. Don't forget how many more calories Green magic forces the human body to burn! I get having a girl dinner now and then, but eventually you'll fuckin’ fade away, Girlie! And on stage, probably!”[/color]

Kiki's concern was obviously not unfounded, of course. She'd seen Loni's weight fluctuate before; moreso in the old days. She was much improved from the Cataclysm, though back then it generally made sense for her to assume that hunger was necessary. Now, it was just a stubborn habit. 

It was hard to beat her pre-shift routine. Usually it consisted of whoever was attending practically forcing some kind of granola bar or pop tart down Loni's gullet. Moriah wasn't apt to play around about it: If she said someone needed to eat before their shift, there was usually a reason. Loni was just so scatterbrained sometimes that, at least Kiki presumed, she just genuinely spaced out. It's not like she was ever reluctant…

[color=19FFBA]”We can always get more. So, eat! Here-”[/color] she paused, cutting a piece off both omelettes and holding up two forks. One to Loni, and the other with a much smaller piece to Luci.
[color=19FFBA]”-Mama and Luci, om nom nom!”[/color] she grinned fully, taking in every bit of joy in the moment.

“Ommm!” Luci repeated as she took her piece, chewing it loudly. 

Loni saved her argument for after taking another piece. 
[color=ff7360]"That ain’t always true! Sometimes we can’t-"[/color]

“Mama, om!” Luci interrupted, demandingly kicking her fluffy socked feet against Loni’s legs. 

[color=ff7360]"What, I gotta say it too?"[/color]

Luci nodded, babbling away again.

[color=ff7360]"[i]Ommm.[/i]"[/color] Loni echoed, causing Luci to grin brightly and giggle.

[color=51684c]”Don’t pretend it’s all cause’ve money, Lon.”[/color] Vin brandished the spatula towards her. They were now making what seemed to be a monster omelette, as thick as the pan with a ton of fillings. How they liked it, compared to Loni’s preference of a normal sized one. 

[color=51684c]”You forget, or you look in the mirror and think you’ve gained weight when you ain’t. Sure, growin’ up it was cause’ve money, but we ain’t lackin’ in that now. Hell, you could eat out that whole fuckin’ Italian restaurant over there and I bet Moriah would just be fuckin’ happy about it!”[/color] 

[color=ff7360]"It’s not cause’ve the looks anymore…"[/color] Loni protested. It was, like with so many things, her forgetfulness and how easily influenced she was. Still all those lingering doubts from when she was a young, impressionable girl. It wasn’t like the others around her, Vin aside, had Green Lux. Even her Mama. 

[color=51684c]”Sure it ain’t… Then you ain’t gonna protest when I make you a third, huh? Like Kiki said, tons of calories burned. Gotta use up the eggs anyway!”[/color] Vin’s lips pulled back into a wicked grin, head tilting back towards Kiki.
[color=51684c]”You wantin' any? We probably got enough.”[/color]

Aware of it looking rather hypocritical if she said no, she locked in an excuse before denying the food, and then still made it completely conditional.

[color=19FFBA]”Yeah, but I mean, if I can cook it? Not sayin’ you ain’t good at it, I just like my eggs like a disgusting animal, and cookin’ em like that is delicate work. Unless you make a decent soft-scramble?”[/color] Kiki shrugged her shoulders non-confrontationally. 

Truly, she didn’t want to presume what Vin’s skillset was. Not like they talked enough for her to know much. But, she didn’t mind waiting, if nothing else. After all, her attention was almost entirely fixated on the tender moment before her. She made sure to catch the globs of cheese from the corner of Luci’s mouth, tipping it back in.

[color=19FFBA]”Jesus Christ, Luci…-”[/color] she breathily giggled to herself.
[color=19FFBA]”-You learn to eat from Auntie Momo? Sciattona…”[/color]

“Ahn Mo!” Luci giggled, seeming to agree that she had indeed learned to eat from her Auntie Momo. 

[color=51684c]”Nah, we ain’t soft-scramble folks here. If you wanna, you can make ‘em yourself when I’m done.”[/color] Vin shrugged one shoulder. 

Loni glanced between them, smiling. Even though it was a simple thing, she was glad there was no fighting. Vin had a tendency to get a bit tetchy with anyone that wasn’t her or Luci… Especially when said person had ‘barged’ into their space. Like a territorial animal.

[color=ff7360]"Yeah, we ain’t, but we also ain’t precious about our cookware!"[/color] Loni giggled.
[color=ff7360]"And Auntie Momo ain’t the only bad influence… It’s Tio Vin too!"[/color]

[color=51684c]”Huh?”[/color] Vin, almost comically, looked over from absolutely tearing into their thick omelette like an animal while the third for Loni didn’t need immediate tending to.

Kiki could only laugh out loud at the sight. 

[color=19FFBA]”Holy cow, the resemblance is uncanny! Man… I wish… Well, I hope one day you guys can find some kind of even ground, Vin. You and Momo, I mean! I uh, don’t wanna get long winded about it or anything.”[/color] she smiled up, her enthusiasm only slightly dulled by the idea that Vin probably wasn’t very interested in the concept.

[color=19FFBA]”Just, y’know, I bet Lon’s said the same thing: Y’all are fairly alike in the best kind of ways! I’d easily imagine you in the Cullan Cryptarn, or as a Lady of the Dames on the frontline- Ooh, I’m sorry! Sorry, shit, I gush!”[/color] she bit her lip, putting her imagination to bed for now to make sure both girls in front of her got food.

Like she found admiration for Loni, she extended such fantastical perception to Vin. She knew it wasn’t right, and did her best to refrain from spilling it, but she’d expressed her [i]headcanon[/i] to Loni before. Long ramblings she was never sure Loni was even going to remember later on.

Vin's brow furrowed, a hint of confusion in their dark eyes. Sure, Loni had said they had some similarities with Moriah. They could get it a bit- there was healthy respect between them because of it. Strength recognised strength and all that… Though from what little Vin had actually taken in about Matriarchs, they could never actually compete on a purely [I]physical, Green[/I] basis. It'll probably be mutual destruction if they went all out against each other… Only because of Vin's strong, honed Black Lux. If that weakness didn't exist, they had no hope. 

Frustratingly. It was part of why they didn't like Moriah. Inadequacy in comparison, and fearing that they'd lose Loni to this new, better family. None of that Black Lux taint that scared her… It was a conflicting feeling. Glad she had other people to protect her, upset there were other people around… 

And they were used to being the strongest person in the room. There were few they deferred to… only Gideon, really. 

[color=ff7360]"Vin ain't the organised violence type! Like… Mama suggested the army when we were young and they scoffed at that."[/color] Loni shrugged, happily eating all the food offered to her. 

[color=51684c]”Cause I ain't serving a country that's done fuck all for me.”[/color] Vin snorted with a slight eye roll. 
[color=51684c]”The fucks the Cullan Cryptarn? Or a Lady of the Dames… sounds like a fuckin' stupid title, honestly.”[/color]

Stupid title or not, Kiki was just happy enough to have someone taking interest enough to ask questions!

[color=19FFBA]”Oh, I mean, maybe it does sound a bit dumb! But, it’s a pretty important position! I mean… You can look at it and be like ‘Oh so they’re just teacher’s pets’ but really they’re like uh…-”[/color]

She realized quickly that actual military terminology was impossible, but so was a high level vocab explanation.

[color=19FFBA]”-Well, basically they’re the ones who coordinate all the Adepts serving in the Corps underneath the Commendatoriate. Essentially, squires to the Knights that are Matriarchs. And then the Corps is the footman army; professional soldiers loyal to Culla. My sis Fio’s a Lady of the Dames!”[/color] she explained enthusiastically. 

It was essentially a Non-Commissioned Officer’s position, and almost always reserved for Matriarchal daughters who weren’t Matriarchs themselves. Their own little club: The Noble Ladies of the Bridge Society, whose job it was to breathe humanity into the often inhuman orders and expectations of the Commendatoriate above them. Oftentimes, their job was far more difficult than one would imagine, as they typically presided over entire platoons of men who were tightly corralled to prevent exposure to outside ideals and values. Almost all of their power came from the edifice that surrounded them, meaning all of the “Noble Ladies” were expected to mirror and echo the strength of their Matriarch. 

Career Ladies were often stronger than the Matriarchs who came to command them based on their experience and familiarity with their magic. And, just like Moriah took care of Sori as a student, it wasn’t uncommon for the Noble Ladies to act as teachers and mentors of young Dames until such a time that they were battle-tested in their own rights. They were a respected caste of warriors, and the most hardcore career soldiers that the Cullan military could muster at any given time. 

[color=19FFBA]”But, uh… Well, the Cryptarn is essentially the Death Caste! They’re Black Lux users, sworn to Culla and only taught a specific group of spells given to our ancestors by the Deer. She stole them from the Hound, and taught us to use them in order to conceal Culla from the Hound itself! Which is why they say people who live in Culla don’t die!”[/color] she excitedly explained, scooping another bit of omelette into Luci’s mouth, then Loni’s.

Loni didn’t take the omelette with as much fervour as before, brightness dimming a little bit. She hadn’t heard that people in Culla don’t die… She thought and assumed they did. Sure, their creation wasn’t natural, but prolonging your life to become deathless was… Wrong. It was what their Mama had warned them against. 

[color=51684c]”Maybe if I’d grown up in the cult, sure… But I ain’t fond of givin’ up my freedom. Or commandin’ and coordinatin' shit… That’s fuckin’ boring. Didn’t realise you guys had a Death Caste, I thought Black Lux was fuckin’ hated.”[/color] Vin shook their head. They weren’t interested in the way they looked up to the Cullan way, but more out of some interest in the more militaristic aspects of their society.

How they organised themselves to kill. What Vin could listen to and copy. But their opinion of the overarching coven was poor. The Matriarchal dominance was just another caste system, people putting themselves above others because of some birthright. Maybe that one was strength, sure, but it was still fucked to them.

[color=51684c]”Pretty fuckin’ restrictive if it’s just specific stolen spells. Is it just protective bullshit? I’d rip someone’s throat out before I let ‘em restrict what kinda magic I could do. Bet they’re looked down on too.”[/color] Vin wasn’t above jumping to conclusions as they finished off their first omelette. Another was ready for Loni, and they set about making themselves a second.

[color=ff7360]"Vin, you asked."[/color] Loni said with a slight frown, before looking at Kiki.
[color=ff7360]"Do they really not die in Culla?"[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”I think it’s more that the souls don’t get taken. They don’t get moved into the Hound’s domain, they don’t get redistributed, yadda yadda. Physical bodies last as long as the spiritual connection exists, but most mortals can’t keep up the staving off of age. The basic stuff that makes you a person starts to break down. Then, you go into the Great Tree, and your soul lives in the Deer’s light until a time where you force yourself back to the surface to be claimed!”[/color] Kiki explained excitedly.

[color=19FFBA]”As for their relationship, Vin? They can’t really be touched! We’re all taught how important they are, and how the point of them being there is to protect us all. It’s a noble thing. The Cryptarn are honored for all the things in their lives they give up. But, they’re [i]beasts![/i] You’ve got nothing but time down there to figure out how to call upon the souls in the Tree to do crazy shit!”[/color] she added, hoping that it at least sounded cool.

She knew she was never going to win Vin over. That had never been the point, honestly. But, like Loni said, she asked at that point.

[color=19FFBA]”Ain’t like I ever expect you at our door, Vin: I think my original point is that I get consistent badass vibes from you. And, y’know, Momo respects it. But, [i]I like it.[/i] I heard you mopped up one of those [i]goopy guys[/i] all by yourself!”[/color] she applied gentle buttering up as a subtle technique.

Vin’s eyebrows raised slightly. They found it a bit odd, because very few people who weren’t in some kind of rough gang had any interest in being near them. And Kiki was Loni’s friends- anyone who expected the twins to be similar were hit with the harsh reality soon enough. So for her to say she ‘liked’ the badass vibes was… Odd to them.

[color=51684c]”I did. Did she tell ya it almost got me too? Hell of a fight, ain’t had one that fuckin’ fun in an age.”[/color] Their lips pulled back into a wider grin with all the joy of a Green Adept shining in their eyes. 

[color=ff7360]"No, because you didn’t tell me that?!"[/color] Loni squeaked out, trying to keep her voice low so to not freak out Luci. Thankfully, she was distracted for the moment eating all the cheesy-egg goodness Kiki was feeding her.

[color=51684c]”Oh, shit. Well, I’m fine. Ain’t so bad, y’know magical healin’ and all.”[/color] They rubbed the back of their neck, not particularly happy they’d upset Loni. They genuinely thought they’d already said… Or maybe they decided not to say at all. Fuck.
[color=51684c]”The fucker I fought was strong. It could… Copy magic, I think. Some of the shit it used against me was way to similar to my own shit. Thank fuck it was an Apparition so I could fuckin’ blast it.”[/color]

Kiki froze involuntarily. Momo hadn’t said [i]anything[/i] about them copying magic! Was… Were [i]her[/i] powers out of their reach? Was it a testament to the power of two Matriarchs meeting; that one against the other was only a matter of who struck first? No, it couldn’t be- Nobody had experienced a Verulian Tremor. She knew Momo would’ve had to power up significantly, and since there were no ripples in the surrounding area, there was [i]no chance[/i]! 

[color=19FFBA]”[i]That[/i] is why we should all be talkin’ more! I know maybe every time we meet, I sound like a broken record, but I don’t think [i]Moriah[/i] even knows they can copy magic! She fought three at once according to her report, and there ain’t a shred of evidence to suggest they were copyin’ her magic! I mean, this completely changes the way we’re going to be expected to handle future engagements! Like, do your people know there’s [i]more!?[/i] Mo says she’s got my [i]brother[/i] on the case! And he doesn’t work for [i]shit![/i]”[/color] she blurted out, genuinely concerned over the lack of cross-communication between factions in the city. 
After the Cataclysm, it almost looked like there was going to be some kind of [i]Union![/i] But, nowadays, it was back to profit-seeking and keeping to one’s own space. At least people in the North weren’t actively killing one another over ward control, but still!

[color=ff7360]"The one I dealt with didn’t! I don’t think? It sure didn’t copy any of mine… It just merged with the shadows and controller other people!"[/color] Loni also hadn’t heard about the whole magic copying thing, looking at Vin then Kiki with wide eyes.

That sounded awful. Because what if they copied something super powerful and blew up the whole city? Could they do that?!

[color=51684c]”Calm down, we dunno they can all do that. Mine didn’t teleport around shadows or any shit. Maybe they’re all fuckin’ different. They’re [i]Apparitions[/i], after all, not like… Fuckin’ monsters our Black Lux can’t touch.”[/color] Vin held up their hands to a casual comment that had elicited more of a reaction than they expected.

They probably should’ve expected it, though. Maybe they should be more worried… But they weren’t, yet. If they could kill it, it wasn’t a problem.

[color=51684c]”The fuck you mean more? Like runnin’ ‘round now? I know there was mine, Lon’s, Momo’s, and some one outta town Gideon mentioned… But I ain’t seen more since. Or sensed ‘em, and I’ve been checkin’.”[/color] Vin frowned for a moment, before devouring half an omelette in one bite. They were done with making theirs now, it seemed. 

[color=51684c]”But fine, if there’s more, you’ve got a point ‘bout talkin’ more. I ain’t a fan of that shit-”[/color]
[color=ff7360]"Cause you’re pricklier than you gotta be!”[/color] 
[color=51684c]”Yeah, sure, whatever… But I wanna keep the city- and those two- safe. The Hollow wants the same thing, far as I’m aware. If there’s more… Well, what’s your brother lookin’ into?”[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”Well, Momo’s sendin’ him into the mountains! I guess it’s what he does best: He was some kind of hunter or tracker in the US Army. He never served for Culla, ‘cuz Mom and Our Lady had to give him up as a kid. But, he’s also not an Adept anymore, he’s Adjoined; so maybe they won’t be able to copy the Cat’s abilities. Either way, there’s s’posedly some kind of bigger threat that’s comin’ down to sweep through the Valley, or so says those Hippies up in Raven’s Rest.”[/color] she casually commented in reference to the Grove settled in the North.

She didn’t know a lot about those people still left up there. When she was young, the town was a thriving little community, if not almost entirely full of people who were out of work. With all the people from up there who died in the Cataclysm to protect the local area, it was a wonder anyone stuck around in ghost towns like Raven’s Rest. Elay hadn’t! She was certain that was the first thing he did after claiming the Wampus Cat; move back down to where civilization met destruction. At least he was here to watch it all get rebuilt…

[color=19FFBA]”But, usually he works locally down here. Like, y’know, at Deciduous! I guess right now he’s lookin’ into this weird card game racket. He [i]has[/i] stepped on Hollow toes a few times; it’s good that he’s not technically one of us in that regard!”[/color]

Reactionarily, Kiki rubbed the coat against herself like a hug, remembering Elay at his best, rather than his most recent.

[color=ff7360]“There’s a bigger threat comin’?!”[/color] Loni squeaked out, loud enough for Luci to look up at her with wide eyes.

“Ah-bah?”

[color=ff7360]“It’s okay, Baby, Mama’s just shocked. Uh-”[/color]

[color=51684c]”Nothin’s gonna happen while Tio’s here, huh? Your Mama’s just worried there’s a big threat comin’ for her [i]food[/i].”[/color] Vin moved over to Loni and Luci, leaning down to kiss Luci’s curls. Then they tore off a piece of omelette. 

[color=51684c]”Ahhhh…”[/color] They said as it moved towards their open gullet.

“No, ahd! Ahd!” Luci giggled, legs kicking and hands flailing towards Vin. Right before they actually ate it, the piece changed direction and was sent to Luci’s lips. She happily ate it, distracted once again. 

With the crisis averted, Vin looked back at Kiki with more seriousness. 
[color=51684c]”If there’s maybe a bigger threat, I gotta tell Gideon… Assumin’ he don’t know. He ain’t always sharin’ these kinda things with, uh, staff members.”[/color]

Then their brow furrowed. Someone with a cat who’d stepped on their toes… Why did that ring a bell?
[color=51684c]”What kinda Cat’s he got?”[/color]

Shit… Was this a secret? What if they were looking for him?

[color=19FFBA]”An… Orange one… Big, fat, orange… Sassy?”[/color] she replied very simply, almost coy in her attempt to discern a reaction from Vin before going too far into things. Her face said “oops” all over it.

There was a moment more of thoughtfulness, before recognition dawned across their face. Then a wide grin, with slightly sharpened teeth. 
[color=51684c]”That was your fuckin’ brother?”[/color]

The first time that guy had caused trouble in their territory, someone else had been sent. Said person had refused to ever deal with him again. So the second time, it was Vin. [i]They’d[/i] said they’d deal with him every time he caused problems from there on… Because they rarely got such a good fight.

Someone who was clearly enjoying it too. It had been good. Until Vin had used a bit [i]too[/i] much Black Lux, that was, and the sassy bastard cat dipped. Still been a good fight after- just they’d stopped worrying about losing. He hadn’t stopped till he couldn’t fight anymore.

It had been fun!

[color=51684c]”He ain’t been lookin’ to cause any more trouble, is he?”[/color] Vin asked ominously. Maybe the Hollow really was looking for him…
[color=51684c]”He was the last real fun fight I had aside from the goopy copier, and I ain’t exactly gonna hunt one of ‘em down.”[/color]

Kiki grimaced.

[color=19FFBA]”Oh Deer in the Forest, why must he make trouble when he doesn't find it? He's such…-”[/color]

She stopped herself when she realized the kind of expression Vin had on their face. That same look Momo got when one of the Matriarch Cousins came… The look of knowing there was someone interesting to slobber.

Most training exercises were Mo's excuse to let out some aggression. Long gone were the days of the Cataclysm and before, when Matriarchs like Allegra and Bella would travel into the mountains to hunt strange hill monsters for the thrill. Now, the world was so sterile. Especially their local area. The overinflux of Paranormal beings shuffling into the city after the Cataclysm had seen to it that any wild or otherwise untamed powers fled for the hills beyond. 

[color=19FFBA]”Ancients all, please don't tell me he… You're not looking for him to hurt him, right? I promise, we've been trying to wrangle him back up. Actually, could… I pay? I mean, pay for one of your people, or maybe the network, to keep tabs on him down here? There's this chick! Nessa Mendoza, or Mendez, something? The two of them have been shacked up, but Momo don't care enough to think its dangerous. But, Elay doesn't really shack up with people, right? He kinda does his own thing! So, so, so-”[/color]

She was openly nervous now. Maybe giddy? Her anxiety level wasn't clear, but she was suddenly asking for surveillance as if the Twin Hill didn't have the capacity for it. Her best assumption was that Vin would at least have the spare resources to get the task done subtly. For Moriah, little Dryad constructs didn't exactly blend into the South Side aesthetic…

[color=51684c]”I ain't lookin' to hurt… Just fuckin' fight. Ain't the same thing. But we ain't really the surveillance type. ‘Specially if it ain't on our territory.”[/color] Vin responded, head tilting with a hint of confusion at the sudden change. They did have eyes and ears here and there, but it wasn't exactly something Vin paid attention to. They protected people who needed it, and beat up those causing trouble. The guys under them tended to be the violent sort. Maybe they could ask Marco if he had anyone… But saying what? 'Spy on my sister's friend's brother cause she's worried about his girlfriend?’ It sounded incredibly ridiculous put like that. 

[color=ff7360]"W-wait, are you worried she'll hurt him? Or that they're gonna do somethin' together?"[/color] Loni asked, shuffling her chair around towards Kiki. One arm stayed wrapped around Luci, while her other hand reached out for Kiki's. She seemed really nervous! 

Vin didn't particularly care for the reason. 
[color=51684c]”I ain't guaranteeing nothing, but I know guys in this District at least… And I can keep a lookout. Then it ain't Hollow business- cause soon as it is, it's a pain in the ass for me to explain.”[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”All I’m sayin’ is that he doesn’t hang around [i]anyone[/i] for more than a day or two at most. I’m getting weird vibes! Like, how do I explain? Like, when our Ma disappeared, right? People started showing up around her. People that Chess and the others don’t think she [i]ever[/i] would’ve hung out with. So, I’m worried! I wanna make sure she ain’t, like, mind controlling him. Or worse, that the Cat’s forcin’ him to do something he ain’t really supposed to! Our Lady [i]rolls[/i] in her grave as it is!”[/color]

Her admission to some kind of internalized fear wasn’t uncommon. She wasn’t the closed book that some of her older sisters were, after all. But, it was what was coming through the family gossip line that got her worried more than anything. That Elay had shown up in two places back to back, pretty brazenly. 

[color=19FFBA]”Lon… What do you know about parasites?”[/color]
She was chopping up the last little bit of this omelette into tiny pieces to pop into Luci’s mouth. But, her gaze was locked on Loni.

[color=ff7360]"Well there's a lotta parasitic bugs. Most've the time they live on their hosts… or they're, like, parasitic breeders! Lay their eggs where another bugs were- wait?! You don't think-"[/color] Loni covered Luci's ears as she happily nommed away, leaning forward with a hushed whisper.
[color=ff7360]"She's stolen some've semen to make a super baby, then gonna dump on him, like'a parasitic wasp?!"[/color]

Vin couldn't help but just outright laugh at that suggestion of their sister's. 
[color=51684c]”C’mon… that guy ain't doing anything he don't want to. He's got magical protection, mind control ain't gettin' through that. Otherwise… what is she, a seven feet tall hulk? Or the cats got the hots for the girl and's makin' him keep her around? Fuckin' hell- he probably just wants the easy, consistent fuck.”[/color]

[color=ff7360]"Vin!"[/color] Loni admonished, like that was somehow worse than what she'd suggested.

[color=19FFBA]”Well, I was thinkin’ about the Cat! Y’know, how there’s cats that eat rats, but the rats have a parasite that makes them shitty and weak, and practically begging to get eaten? Because the parasite wants to be inside the Cat! I figured, y’know, maybe- Look, it ain’t the weirdest thing that’s happened! If she’s got some kind of parasite apparition, maybe-”[/color] Kiki tossed up her free hand.

[color=19FFBA]”-Maybe the Cat becomes the one who gets mind controlled without even realizing! Otherwise, I mean… He’s probably got the hots for her, yeah.”[/color] she ultimately shrugged, shaking her head.

Pushing the last pieces of omelette onto the fork, she made a car noise as she sent it flying toward Luci’s mouth, but then imitated the car tires squealing to a powerslide before letting Loni eat it.

[color=19FFBA]”You done with that pan?”[/color]

“Ahhh! Mama!” Luci squealed, wriggling on Loni's lap so she could stand like she was going to steal the piece right out of Loni's mouth. Loni quickly ate it before laughing slightly. 

[color=51684c]”Yeah, it's all yours.”[/color] Vin nodded.
[color=51684c]”Just don't burn anymore shit onto than's already there.”[/color]

The whole brother thing was settled in their mind. It was obviously just a normal, longer term hookup. Even the worst people could have them… not that Vin knew much about this guy, outside of his fighting ability. But he must be pretty bad if his sister didn't think he'd keep anyone around for just a few days. 

But Loni was looking up at them with adorably wide eyes, practically begging them to do more. The more she stared up, the more Vin couldn't take it. Fucking hell, why the fuck should they help some North side woman just cause-

[color=51684c]”I ain't promisin’ anythin’, but if I see him, I'll check. That she ain't gotta Apparition mind controlling his. Real fuckin' easy to tell with Black Lux.”[/color] Or by punching him. If something was leeching the cat, there was no way it'd be as strong. 
[color=51684c]”That’s it. Cause Loni's clearly worried that you're worried.”[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”I swear, Vin, that it wouldn’t be on my mind if it wasn’t [i]crazy![/i] Lon’s met him a couple times. He’s intense, ain’t he Lon? There’s gotta be enough red flags there that you wouldn’t date him!”[/color]

As she spoke, Kiki stood up and planted a kiss on Luci’s adorable little noggin before making her way to the pan. There were still plenty of eggs amazingly, so she cracked near half a dozen into a bowl and whisked away until they were well beaten. Butter hit the pan on low heat, and she let the egg mixture dribble out of the bowl into the hot oil. It didn’t sizzle, which was what she was looking for. No noise; just the slow coagulation of egg curdle until it became a gelatinous, near soupy texture. She folded in more butter, salt and pepper, and kept slowly stirring.

[color=ff7360]"He's pretty intense, but he ain't… the worst? I'm sure someone would! Just not me!"[/color] Loni said cheerfully, letting Luci down so she could run back to playing with plastic animals. She wasn't going to admit that she only knew about those red flags because Kiki had told her… and the real initial turn off had been his relation to Momo and Kiki anyway… 

[color=51684c]”Oh, must be real bad.”[/color] Vin intoned after watching Loni for a moment. If she even admitted it without having experienced it, it must be fairly obvious. Normally Loni only noticed the red flags when they hit her right in the face… 

[color=51684c]”How much money he got? There's plenty down here who’d sleep with all sorts just to leech their cash- cause, y'know, we ain't get many opportunities. That seems [I]way[/I] more likely than an Apparition parasite.”[/color] They asked, not bothering to hide their disgust for how Kiki was making her eggs.

[color=19FFBA]”He's totally broke! I'm pretty sure every time he has the opportunity to make more money, he increases his budget for alcohol! I mean, he's got assets? A car, the business; though, I'm almost certainly it ain't actually his. Some other dude owns the building, so it can't be his entirely.”[/color] Kiki explained as she pulled the pan off the heat entirely to finish her egg glop. 

The she paused as she watched it come together, thinking about the conversation. How'd they get to Elay? Oh, right…

[color=19FFBA]”I think my point was how Mo's got him prepping to do some army shit in the mountains. I'm not sure if this new girlfriend is gonna go with him, or if she's staying here in town. Either way, maybe we can make it a joint effort? Like, if they're Apparitions, maybe one of you can go with him? Keep him safe? Or, maybe there's another Black Lux user you could call?”[/color]

She realized that she was asking a lot, but the natural inclination toward babying Elay extended to each of the girls. Whether they were able to break the internalized conditioning or not was simply a matter of desire. Gia? She'd been burned enough by him. And Chessa had her own feelings regardless of the broken spell. 

But Kiki? She never believed it was magic. Never believed their Mama could've conditioned all the sisters to pay their brother an exorbitant amount of attention and deference. It simply made no sense from the Cullan perspective, so it never would've happened to begin with!

[color=51684c]”I dunno any other Black Adepts.”[/color] Vin dismissed that suggestion immediately. There hadn't been any in the Hollow before they joined, and they had a bad habit of killing any with magic vaguely similar to their Mama's… or their own… It was the other Adepts fault for not being strong enough to beat them, anyway. 

[color=51684c]”You ain't seriously suggestin' Lon could go with him?”[/color] They stared at Kiki for a moment, before laughing. Obviously not. The one of you clearly meant them. They weren't in the business of just doing shit for Twin Hill members just cause Loni was part of it, even if it was her closest friend asking. Technically for Kiki rather than the coven. 

[color=51684c]”Honestly I don't give a fuck if your brother's got some Apparitional leech or keepin' him safe-”[/color]
[color=ff7360]"[I]Vin[/I]."[/color]
[color=51684c]”- But the fuckin’ threat? That I'm interested in. I dunno how the fuck you propose I'd even go with him- seemed the kinda solitary, punch anyone nearby type-”[/color]

[color=ff7360]"Like you! You'll get on great!"[/color] Loni piped up brightly, giggling. 

[color=51684c]”Sure, or kill each other. Whatever- I wanna know what the fucks going on. So I'd follow him just for that.”[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”Then, I can hook it up! I’ll promise Momo I’ll start working cases at the Agency, the uptown ones that she wants a feminine hand for. And it’ll take pressure off him finally, which he’ll return by takin’ you along! I’ll make sure to tell him not to treat you like you’s military, but we know you ain’t so that’s all good. You’re an asset I say, and if he’s got any kinda mutual respect, he’ll probably just try and tell you what to do once he figures you ain’t got a clue anymore. Is that something you can deal with?”[/color] Kiki asked, making the last pass of the spoon into her velveteen scramble.

Which she then dumped wholesale into her mouth like a trash can lid opening to accept refused garbage. It was hot; but not hot enough to burn her tongue and mouth like a normal person’s would. All she got was hot, eggy and buttery goodness…

Like a monster…

Vin was far more bothered by the consistency of the eggs than the method of eating. Loni was used to it, but… 

[color=ff7360]"Luci's never gonna eat normally with all've you eatin' like this around her!"[/color] Loni exclaimed with a laugh. 

“Mah?” Luci looked up from her playing at the sound of her name. 

[color=ff7360]"All've your aunts and uncles are bad influences, ain't they, Mijita?"[/color]

“Bah!” She succinctly agreed, throwing a toy horse into the air with a giggle before going back to playing.

Vin let out a light laugh, the sight softening their answer just a little bit. 
[color=51684c]”If he tries to tell me what to do when it ain't needed, I'll rip his throat out. Otherwise? Sure. But he gotta know he ain't in charge. I ain't workin' for him or this agency… I'm goin' cause've personal interest. Maybe if it works out, he ain't gotta worry 'bout causin' problems on Hollow territory. If he needs more motivation to take me along.”[/color]

They didn’t ask for money or anything. From the way they were viewing it, they were doing this as a Hollow member. A joint venture, or some shit. They'd have to talk to Gideon about it anyway, cause they couldn't just fuck off for a few days with no notice. 

Kiki giggled at Luci’s response, shaking her head at Loni with a big smile before refocusing on Vin’s statement.

[color=19FFBA]”Don’t [i]literally[/i] rip his throat out. He’s only violent like that when he’s drinking, and there’s a higher than usual chance he’ll be sober during the operation! Now, we were already planning a cross-coven meeting. Let’s just put that little sidebar into the agenda and we can play it by ear based on how things go! I think that sounds super reasonable, if you think you can agree with that Vin? Not even a friend thing, just a, y’know, smart thing to do between two of the biggest covens in Cloverfield.”[/color] she turned with a smile, starting to move toward washing the pan before stopping dead in her tracks.

[color=19FFBA]”Wait, yo, if the water’s that fucked up, how do you do the dishes?!”[/color]

[color=51684c]”We boil it.”[/color] Vin intoned. 

[color=ff7360]"It ain't so bad when it comes out warm either! At least, the shower ain't feel so bad!"[/color] Loni piped up. Not that the hot water lasted long… or Loni had showers here that often. She pretty much always showered after work anyway, since the facilities there were way nicer. And it was easier to get Luci cleaned up then too! 

[color=51684c]”Well it ain't bein' ingested then so it ain't so much of a problem.”[/color] Vin moved back towards the kitchen, pulling out their biggest saucepan. They filled it with water and threw it back on the stove. 
[color=51684c]”As for the meetin’ and brother shit… sure, sounds reasonable enough. I'm sure soon as I tell Gideon he'll want someone goin' out there anyway. Easier to work together, since we ain't got the numbers to spare if shit might get into the city in the meanwhile.”[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”You… Don’t have the [i]numbers?[/i] You’re a gang, ain’t you s’posed to have goons and shit? [i]We’ve[/i] got goons! The entire waste management treatment facility’s full of Twin Hill goons!”[/color] Kiki admitted, a shocked expression on her face as she filled the pan with water and stuck it back on the burner to heat up.

[color=51684c]”We got 'goons'- fuckin' lower level members, yeah. But they ain't just sittin' around treating waste all the day waitin' for the call, they got actual shit they're doin' everyday. We gotta be like the fuckin' police down here… ain't like they do shit. And y'know how many died in the cataclysm? We ain't just got idle people sittin' ‘round, especially if there's more of those goopy fuckers around.”[/color] Vin shook their head, not particularly surprised Kiki had just assumed that. 

Gideon was rich, but not that rich. So much of his money was funnelled into improving the city. It wasn't like Twin Hill were so many of the members did work that actually made the money that paid them- like Loni. Vin worked far more than they were actually paid for, but they certainly weren't making a shit ton. It wasn't like Gideon'd ever charge unreasonable protection rates or any of that shit… They had the numbers, but they also had a shit ton of ground to cover. It'd be a push for them to go, cause they were pretty fucking important in the grand scheme of things! 

[color=51684c]”Shit ain't work the same down here. Gotta be judge, jury, executioner and protector. Everyone's got their shit they gotta handle… gonna be bad enough if I go and other guys gotta replace me for awhile.”[/color]

Kiki narrowed her eyes. The only thing she could assume was either they seriously lacked manpower, or the sheer size and density of The Circle’s population compared to Tuscania- Wait… They were in charge of a [i]sizeable[/i] chunk of the entire South Nine. Their lines were just so stretched, and the Cullan Tithe favored Moriah’s strategic control of the city’s waste treatment facilities so heavily in order to protect that asset, that they had people to spare.

A third of the Fourth Ward’s police force was Cullan-born, typically the Third-Eye Opens who could act as bridges between their Blind comrades and their magical kindred. Those kinds of Mundane who, unable to fit into the society that gave birth to them, or otherwise unwelcomed, would be taken to the Schola and raised as nameless chattel. Coming here to America, and being part of the Tithe’s affordance to a tributary like the Twin Hills, was frankly a blessing.

[color=19FFBA]”Y’all find yourself spending magical power on mundane tasks? Get Third-Eyes… Ain’t like there ain’t good people lookin’ for jobs, right? Safe pennies from y’all is probably a lot better than nothing from nowhere, right?”[/color] she described the basic concept, shrugging her shoulders.

[color=19FFBA]”I mean, y’all got a lot more ground to cover than us. We just drive the trucks, right? But, the way I see how money works, the more hands available to make it, the quicker it funnels in no matter who else is scrapin’ off the top. Basic trickle down theory; the boss just has to be willing to have all the shit flowin’ down to them rather than letting it climb up a pyramid.”[/color] she was staring down at the bubbles slowly forming, imagining the millions of germs dying and slipping to the surface in the ribbons of steam forming.

Vin rolled their eyes at what wasn't exactly a bad suggestion, but just didn't work practically. 
[color=51684c]”Your overestimatin' the amount of people that'd work for the Hollow. We got Third-Eyes, we gotta influx of new recruits since the Cataclysm, but it ain't enough with what we gotta do. I ain't gonna pretend to understand the money shit anyway… but I trust Gideon. He made it, after all! And he gets his hands dirty all've the time.”[/color]

Loni laughed a bit nervously, worried that Vin was actually going to start at fight or something. They were beginning to get that way they did when they felt someone was talking bullshit, and when it was someone from the North… they always started to react worse… 

[color=ff7360]"We ain't tryna fix the Hollow issues, are we? Ain't like they don't got loads've cash… but there are loadsa people who ain't quite so desperate to join."[/color] She said with a slight smile. 

[color=51684c]”Yeah, like… this annoying fuckin' lady I met. Cleaner at the hospital, I kinda offered her a job cause… She clearly needed the extra cash! And cleaners are real useful but nah. She just wanted to babysit Luci if it was needed.”[/color]

[color=ff7360]"She's gonna be fighting all the free babysitters for that!"[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”No offer for something later on? No splicing the racket? I’d have hooked her up with any other Hollow-adjacent mom in need of childcare! If you’d trust her to do one job, you’d trust her with another, right? It’s basic business; Momo don’t let any stranger walk away without figurin’ out something they’d be able to do in the org. That’s, uh… Well, obviously that’s why you guys got off to a bad start, if I remember?”[/color] Kiki asked, satisfied as the bubbles started to froth up at the surface.


[color=51684c]”How much demand for a Hollow babysitter d’you think there is?”[/color] Vin asked with a slight laugh just at the image of it. Certainly wasn't something that had even crossed their mind. God, would Paloma pester them even when they were away. 

[color=51684c]”Yeah. She tried to get me to move over for some kinda fuckin' work, I don't remember- like I'm only doing shit for the money. Only fuckin’ cared a bit more ‘bout it cause Lon had Luci in the way… But I ain't ever gonna abandon the shit down here.”[/color] It hadn't just been that, of course. It was the perceived threat. Their sister came back because she was pregnant, only for Vin to have to deal with this woman that had stolen their role in some ways for the year and a half they were seperated. 

Of course they weren't friendly. They'd already made up their mind, and the attempt to drag them into doing some shit for ‘the org' as Kiki put it hadn't helped. 
[color=51684c]”She ain't exactly the friendliest about it, either.”[/color]

[color=ff7360]"Hey, Momo's real nice when you ain't bein' all aggressive at her!"[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”I won’t say this as a defence, more an explanation; but she can feel how much more you’ve been exposed to the Hound’s Shadow than Lon. That’s gotta make plenty of sense, given the biology goin’ on there. She gets nutty!”[/color]

Finally, the satisfactory foam level in the water had been achieved. Maximum surface tension. All the leftover particles filled it with a vaguely viscous yellow hue that bubbled until she pulled it away. Then, with the sponge in hand and soap upon it, she dove an ungloved hand right into the water. Her skin quickly equalized with the boiling temperature of the water, her Equalization spell sparing her any of the detrimental effects of boiling herself. She began scrubbing away happily.

[color=19FFBA]”But, hey, that’s what people like me are for! Us Adepts, we’re like the uh, vampire familiars. Walk in the day, do the master’s bidding, all that happy crappy. Not so intense, probably, but personally if I can do shit that makes everyone’s lives easier, I’ll do it. Except for giving up dancing, I think I’ll do that ‘till I can’t cast a spell to look sexy anymore.”[/color]

[color=ff7360]"You don't gotta look sexy to keep dancin'! Maybe in the club, but nothin's stoppin' you!"[/color] Loni said brightly. She certainly didn't plan to stop… the only time she did was when she was too pregnant to get on a pole! 

[color=51684c]”It is easier dealin' with you than Moriah, I'll admit that much.”[/color] Vin shrugged one shoulder. They weren't exactly jumping to have anyone from that part of Loni's life in their own or anything, but they could recognise the more tolerable ones. They'd accepted a long time there'd be disconnect between their groups anyway, since they were so different. Future partners too… 

[color=51684c]”But what happens if Lon starts using more Black Lux? Moriah gonna stop bein' around her so much? She ain't gonna kick her out, is she?”[/color]

Kiki happily licked her lips.
[color=19FFBA]”[i]Actually…[/i] Loni can tell you about that. She got an honor detail recently! So I hear, at least…”[/color]

She leaned back to look at Loni squarely.

[color=19FFBA]”You can tell her just about anything except where the detail is. Can’t give that one up. That’s the rule as someone in your position.”[/color] she explained.

Though, she wasn’t sure how well Momo really explained the significance of the opportunity that child provided the future of Culla. Surely, she would be a freak… But, she would be the first of her kind! A Cryptarn Dame, born above a seed that came directly from the tree in the center of Culla. The Heartwood… It sent chills up her spine just thinking about what she could do for the other Matriarchs, and for the Cryptarn in Culla… [i]Or what she would potentially do [b]to[/b] them.[/i] It was too much for her imagination, and she reflexively swung her hips about in joyous revelry. 

Vin turned and raised their eyebrows towards Loni, who just waved her hands in front of herself. 

[color=629c3f]"I'll tell you later… I ain't feelin' like gettin' into it again right now. But… I don't wanna do more Black Lux anyway! Not when it's so dangerous."[/color] Loni shuddered slightly. She didn't see herself getting over her Black Lux aversion anytime soon, and didn't want to. Not when it killed their Mama. She had a protection spell, she didn't need anymore. 

Vin held their tongue for once. It was an argument they'd had over and over again. Them using their Black Lux for work was why Loni had left in the first place. From what Vin had seen, as long as they didn't do what their Mama did, they'd be fine. They had Green! They could track it! They knew they were perfectly fine and Loni would be too. 

[color=51684c]”Well, sure, ain't gonna be a problem then. Don't mean I like you feelin' like you ain't allowed to use half your magic cause some ragin' magical bitch-”[/color]
[color=ff7360]"Vin!"[/color]
[color=51684c]”- can't handle a lil spice. But we've had this argument before, I ain't lookin' to argue again.”[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”Oh, it’s no argument! It’s the story of the Lion with the thorn, or the Elephant and the mouse. Neither controls their nature, yet it can’t be disputed that they are deeply affected by that very nature. Our elephants just smash, rather than turn and run. And with a pretty crappy success rate, may I add. She’s actually gotten pretty good about it, I’d say. When Loni gets scared, and she can’t control it, Momo’s usually good to be there! It’s kind of crazy, actually, so I’d start worrying about that, maybe.”[/color] 

And the pan was finally clean, the last bit of water tugging away the soap down the drain. She placed it back on the stove, not sure where else to keep it safely without accruing just as many germs as if she’d just washed it with the tap water.

[color=19FFBA]”If I’m bein’ real honest, and I know it’s gonna sound nutty, but I don’t think Moriah wants to hold her back from it anymore. Hence, y’know… Lon…”[/color] she shrugged, moving back across the kitchen to wrap her arms around Loni’s shoulders and plant a kiss on her head.

[color=ff7360]"W-What?"[/color] Loni stammered out, head slowly creaking back to look up at Kiki. 

Vin let out a slight sigh. 
[color=51684c]”You’re misunderstandin’ a bit, Kiki… The argument ain't just ‘bout Moriah. It started long before she was even around. It’s cause of the exact thing you're implyin' right there. Moriah's black lux allergy is just part of the problem! And if she don't want you holdin' back Lon…”[/color]

Though even they knew it wasn't as simple as that. Even if Moriah's tune had changed, the last few years had already formed the idea in Loni's head. Reinforced what she'd decided was the truth- Black Lux was dangerous for everyone and herself. That wall had already been built and couldn't just be knocked down. Their Mama hadn't helped, both in life and death. 

Loni started to shake her head. 
[color=ff7360]"No, no, I ain't usin' it more. Ain't it enough I ain't upset you do, Vin? If it's already gonna kill you like it did Mama, someone's gotta be left for Luci! Even worse that it hurts Momo too! I use my Green, it's fine!"[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”I’ve never thought that part of you was ugly, Lon… It ain’t scary to me either. Not when I know you’ve got so much more support behind you than your Ma! Think about all you’ve said to me before! All the stories about how your Ma didn’t have anyone behind her! Don’t you think that hurt more than her magic?”[/color] Kiki pleaded gently, rubbing Loni’s shoulders gently.

[color=19FFBA]”I ain’t tryna turn this little meeting into a bad dream, Baby… I’m sorry. Nevermind it all for now.”[/color] she softly cooed, leaning down and hugging Loni.

[color=19FFBA]”Lulu, sweetie? Come hug Mama! C’mon, come here! We’re huggin! Look, Tio Vin’s gonna hug too!”[/color] she not-so-subtly waved her hand at Vin to huddle up.

Loni wasn't able to stop herself from crying when her Mama was brought up, big fat tears rolling down her cheeks as she tried not to full on sob. 
[color=ff7360]"It- It was the magic that killed her! We know that!"[/color]

[color=51684c]”But it wasn’t all've her magic.”[/color] Vin said as softly as they could. They didn't go direct for Loni, instead swooping past Luciana to pick her up so she didn't have to panickedly toddle over to her crying Mama. 

“Mammmaaaa?” Her own eyes got a bit watery in reaction as she was plopped into Loni's lap, immediately hugging into her. A little hand even came up to try wipe away the tears.

[color=ff7360]"Mama's okay, Baby."[/color] Loni sniffed loudly. Vin crouched beside them to wrap their arms around the two most important people in their life- oh so carefully, because of their own strength. It was why they were always so standoffish in the first place… 

[color=51684c]”Mama used specific magic, Lon. Y'know that. She was inviting spirits into her body. Not like, Apparitions-”[/color] They explained, for Kiki rather than Loni.
[color=51684c]”Actual spirits from beyond that the Hound’d collected. Course it hurt her. But you ain't gotta do that kinda shit, Carnalita.”[/color]

[color=ff7360]"But I know the spell!"[/color]

[color=51684c]”So? Ain't anybody forcin' you to use it.”[/color]

Kiki buried her face in Loni’s hair to prevent the reaction from reaching Vin. The abject horror mounted in a rapid fashion until she was staring indignantly at the follicles of hair on Loni’s head. Pain. Confusion. She had to ask herself what her big sister’s end game was for so long until she finally came to this point. The point where someone wasn’t avoidant, or able to blow past this part of the conversation.

Loni’s Mom had been, essentially, a Cryptarn! Only, she had no source of Life to pull from, meaning that she got her spirits from the most plentiful and ubiquitous source available to her: The domain of the Hound…
Kiki knew that the Apartado under the Mall had been buried in the bones of hundreds of dead Adepts. Cullans who had given their lives to protect whatever Momo told them to. Noble, valiant men and women. There were even a couple Lesser Dames, as she understood, encased in copper vessels to act as anchor souls for the tree to grow its roots from. 

Chances were, they probably still hadn’t decayed. Their nascent Green Lux almost guaranteed mummification before the flesh could ever actually rot away… The only question was whether or not she [i]needed[/i] Loni to teach the child through attendance, or if she’d already somehow extracted the knowledge through the Cullan Method.

[color=19FFBA][i]Saliva, blood, hair, marrow, gamete, waste…[/i][/color]

The list echoed in her head. The six requirements of the Tithe, all necessary components to pass along an individual’s genetic memory to an unborn Matriarch. Did Moriah think that she’d just have an easier time convincing Loni? No… If she was going to start encouraging it, maybe she’d found some other way entirely…

Her head raised up, the fear and concern slowly melting away.

[color=19FFBA]”She-They… That shit’s so fucking right, Vin. Right, Lon, like- Look, Momo knows you’d never wanna use a spell like that, so she would never force you! Like, I think? I think she’s managed to [i]infiltrate[/i] the Cryptarn. ‘Cuz, see, they… I know it’s crazy, but they use a spell [i]just like that[/i]. To tap into the tree we call the Heartwood! It’s where the Deer can store and hide souls so they don’t get taken by the Hound! Every Ashram and Fortress important enough gets at least a small tree, and-”[/color]

She paused, taking a deep breath and wrapping a hand around Luci to keep her comforted too.

[color=19FFBA]”-Auntie’s point is that… I think she’s gonna show you. One day. Because, when they bowled that rubble down and built the place on top of it? Momo got permission to plant a seed. Which means, Cloverfield’s gonna have its own Cryptarn. I think that they’re… Gonna try and teach you how to do it with [i]Joy[/i], Lon. A better way.”[/color] she admitted with incredible sincerity and reverence in her tone.

Loni shuddered a bit at the thought. She just couldn't imagine it ever being joyful. She didn't want to commune with the dead! She hadn't asked to learn the spell! It wasn't her fault she was able to while Vin couldn't, no matter how much they'd had it drilled into them too. 

[color=ff7360]"B-But you said the Cryptarn give up a lot. They're always underground! I don't want somethin' like that… I just wanna normal life. I ain't lookin' to ever do it."[/color] She whispered, trying her best not to start crying more just thinking about it. Not with Luci in her arms. She tilted her head forward to nuzzle into her daughter's curls. 

She never could. Not when she liked her life as it was- not with both what she had and wanted. Her daughter, all the other children she hoped to have one day… 

[color=51684c]”That ain't necessarily what she suggestin', Lon.”[/color] Vin said evenly, rubbing Loni's shoulder. 

[color=ff7360]"T-They whispered to me, down there. It felt like Mama's magic… I didn't think much ‘bout it, but it scared me."[/color] Loni admitted. She didn't want her magic to take her away from Luci in any way. Whether it was her life or her time. 

[color=51684c]”You ain't gotta go wherever that is again, not unless you wanna. I bet Moriah won't make you… But Lon, if it don't hurt you, it ain't a bad thing. You ain't gotta become one of those Crypt thingies, just comfortable with yourself.”[/color] Vin tried to reason, glancing past Loni to Kiki. 
[color=51684c]”I’m curious how they got that spell. Are they… pure Black Lux, or Green-Black? I suppose it ain't surprisin’ someone figured out a similar spell.”[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”That’s the whole point, y’see? The whole story is that the Deer stole a bit of the Hound’s power during a chase, and hid it with the Witches of Culla. But, because she knew they’d be afraid of it, she locked it up in the purest form of life there is. A great, big oak tree. The Culla tree is an entire grove, technically, of interconnected trees that stretches across the entire city, that’s how big it gets.”[/color]

She realized then that Momo basically hadn’t explained anything to Loni… Maybe if she had, the reaction wouldn’t be so visceral.

[color=19FFBA]”But, in our case, Lon? She’s doin’ something special. The Unborn’s gonna bridge the gap. A Cryptarn Matriarch, totally hidden from the hound and able to manipulate Apathy as an extension of [i]Joy[/i]. It’s… Super complex magic, because you figure they’d never be able to coexist… But, there’s a way!”[/color] she excitedly finished, face looking down at Luci, imagining what the next generation of Cullans would be like after experiencing Momo’s Painted Revolution.

Vin held back their more snide remarks because Loni was still so upset, but their disdain was clear in their expression- hidden from Loni as she cuddled Luci. They'd never be able to coexist? Sure, Vin hadn't been combining them for years or anything! Fucking up themselves rich ass test tube Green Adepts…


And Loni was eating it up, the tears starting to dry. Like Black Lux could and should only be used when it was hidden from the Hound. The Hound was no worse than the Deer… Life and death were both of equal importance. Everyone died. It was natural. 

Both Green and Black adepts had just as much capacity for evil. One just had the stigma attached to it. And Green was more common than Black… There were probably a larger quantity using it for bad. 

[color=ff7360]"Is it really possible? To use em both in that way?"[/color] Loni asked, finally looking back up at Kiki with wide eyes. 
[color=ff7360]"Without the Apathy gettin' overwhelming?"[/color]

[color=51684c]”It's already possible.”[/color] Vin spoke as neutrally as possible. It was easier when it was Loni they were speaking to.
[color=51684c]”I do it. You did it too, before Mama got sick! It doesn't require a grown baby and complex magic to have em coexist.”[/color]

Kiki giggled and nodded.
[color=19FFBA]”I meant for [i]Matriarchs[/i] Vin. Of course Adepts can do it: That’s what the Cryptarn are for! But, imagine having someone like Momo, ‘cept they can do all sorts of shit that we don’t even know about. Like, we could watch and see what Vin does, but is that what the Deer’s magic would look like? Would Matriarchs express that differently? That’s the fun speculatory part.”[/color] she added, voice steadying out to calm explanation again.

[color=19FFBA]”But, Vin’s right. Totally right, again. Crazy how right you are all the time, Dude!”[/color] she expressed directly to Vin.


Vin let out a slight laugh, almost violent tension reducing when Kiki clarified what she meant. Matriarchs, right. 
[color=51684c]”That’s what I keep tryna tell Lon, but she don’t listen half the time.”[/color]

[color=ff7360]"You ain’t always right."[/color] Loni protested with a pout.

[color=51684c]”Name one time I wasn’t, then.”[/color]

Obviously, she couldn’t there and then. But it definitely happened! Loads! They were just too stubborn to admit it, like she was too stubborn to admit they were right sometimes. 

[color=51684c]”Exactly.”[/color] Vin laughed a bit more, reaching out to ruffle Loni’s hair, then Luci’s. 
[color=51684c]”I suppose it’ll be nice to have someone else in Lon’s life that ain’t gonna run at the first blast of proper Black Lux.”[/color]

[color=19FFBA]”Lon’s gonna be her [i]Godmother.[/i] Momo says she wants her to grow up alongside Luci, so she plans on releasing her early. With any luck, She’ll be with us before Loni needs to defend the Apartado.”[/color] Kiki nodded with a smile.

[color=19FFBA]”Y’know, I’m really feelin’ the love right now. You guys wanna take the little one and go see a movie?”[/color] Kiki asked with a big grin.

[color=51684c]”You payin’?”[/color] Vin immediately shot back.

[color=19FFBA]”Well, these two can’t.”[/color] Kiki grinned down at Loni and Luci, tucking them into another big hug.

And she felt [i]so warm[/i] in that moment.