[Right][code]Friday December 8th.
Greyson's Apartment (Prison)[/code][/right]
Trisha had hoped that was the last time she had to deal with Sycamore problems… But she'd agreed to be there at the end. And whether she liked it or not, she was involved now. At least involvement meant more time with Casey. Silver linings and all that. 

A meeting with [I]seven[/I] people wasn't ideal. Though the day long sleep was still keeping her going, she hadn't had much since. Not when Casey was out so much, and every time she closed her eyes some nightmare came to haunt her. But she could at least pretend to be human. She put on makeup for the first time since Thanksgiving, mainly to try cover up the dark bags underneath her eyes, and dressed up in something other than just sweats (which had already been an upgrade on Casey t-shirts and not much else). It still wasn't a major upgrade- a tank top and some dark jeans- but at least it was something she'd go outside in. 

Not that she probably needed to, remembering the state Linqian and Greyson had been in last time. Even Andrade was dressed down… But there were too many people there for her to look like a slob, even with the lingering depressive episode making normal self care difficult. 

She wanted to wholeheartedly believe it would be fine, but the doubts always crept in.

[color=d1b300]“This is my first sort of Sycamore meeting in ten years."[/color] She took the opportunity of the short elevator ride down, when it was just her and Casey, to at least seek some comfort. She was already close to him, but she shuffled closer still, leaning into him. 

[color=d1b300]“They… never normally went well. I'm sure this'll be fine. You and Cass are there to balance it out but… I haven't seen Leon since Thanksgiving. Is he- has he said anything about what happened?"[/color] She was anxious about the whole thing, but equally anxious about facing the one person she hadn't seen since. The Leon she'd known ten years ago wouldn't exactly tolerate someone panicking like she did and getting someone else hurt. He'd improved since, but they still clashed over a lot. Mainly over how she was. And since he was dating Cass… she assumed he wouldn't be too happy about it.

Casey wasn’t much less tired. The bags under his eyes couldn’t be hidden, and he was very clearly in a half-alert state as his black jumpsuit was tied by the arms at his waist. It wasn’t worth getting out of completely, as any moment there could be another Dollhouse attack that he had to respond to. There’d already been plenty, and he knew there’d probably be more before things finished. But, their measured responses had been necessary. The plan was clear enough until this point; a feigned defense, weak and disorganized as they tried to subvert knowledge of troop movement through the organisation.

They’d even kept Andrade in the dark about it, so that the famous double agent-quadruple cross wouldn’t end up being a problem. After all, there was only so much they could trust right now. At least Casey had Trisha. He’d seemed a little cold and distant this morning, as he’d only made it back in the very early morning hours. Exhausted, he had to admit that the fatigue was strong enough for him to need relief. It felt strange, confessing to something he didn’t necessarily feel wrong about. They were drugs, sure… But he wasn’t broken like other people. He only needed the stuff as a pick-me-up, after all…

But still, it affected Trisha. So she had every right to that info. At least she seemed to get over it relatively quickly. Now she was more worried about what other people’s problems were. Which was already getting to be classic Trisha in his mind. It was a good way to be… 

[color=577d06]”Leon’s got a lot on his own plate, Babe. Uh… [i]Fuck![/i] Listen, he… Whatever, listen, you may end up noticing something a little different. He broke the magic seal keeping him and his Apparition separate.”[/color] Casey explained both vaguely, yet ominously.

Trisha furrowed her brow, looking up at him with a little confusion. She didn't entirely understand how it had worked for Leon in the first place. She knew it was different from other Adjoined, considering there was a seal in the first place. Most didn't have that… Which resulted in people like Lila and Luca, whose Apparition ran their lives. 

At least the Queen was never that interested in blurring the lines between them. 

[color=d1b300]“So he's more like a… Normal Adjoined now? Not like how the Temple seems to do it, but outside. Where people just get ghosts attached to them and have no… seals, or suppressants."[/color] She asked softly, trying to figure out what differences that'd make for Leon. Cass hadn't said anything about it… But she also hadn't talked about Leon any differently from normal. 

[color=d1b300]“So she can influence him however she pleases, but he also just has access to her magic? I guess… I can see how that difference might affect him."[/color] She nibbled on her lip, not liking the thought of dealing with someone who could be different from what she'd grown to expect. 
[color=d1b300]“Cass’ll be there, though, so it'll probably be alright, right?"[/color]

Casey cleared his throat and gritted his teeth. Did he have to explain it all? It’d probably help her by being on guard, but did he want her on guard like that? She already was…

[color=577d06]”The main thing is: The last six years, that seal’s been suppressing him. His instincts, his ambition, his will to be combative and unruly. Every primal part of him was locked away. He’s been incredibly docile and willing to follow people like me… And it was all manipulation again. All artificial. He seems to be uninterested in holding that grudge, but the difference in his attitude is pretty stark. He… The only thing he said to me about you is that there weren’t enough apologies.”[/color] Casey explained with full honesty, not hiding it even if Leon probably could hear them clear through the walls over the din of the elevator.

[color=d1b300]“Weren’t enough apologies… To me?"[/color] Trisha's eyes widened slightly. It shocked her almost as much as the whole seal suppressing both the host and the Apparition thing. She shouldn't be surprised, when the Temple was involved, with what they did to other Adjoined. But she'd assumed Leon got some amount of better treatment because he was Lynette's son. 

Instead it seemed he was made into a malleable puppet. 

She felt sympathy for him as much as she did concern about how the meeting might go. But she didn't want to start spiralling- not when Casey was already dealing with enough. So she nodded, reaching out to take his hand and squeezing it. 

[color=d1b300]“That’s good to know. Thank you, Casey. It sounds… really messy, and messed up. I'll just expect him to be… more how he was when I knew him before, and deal with it like that. I can do that. I've been doing a little better at dealing with people... And we're together in it."[/color] She managed a smile, eyes creasing softly as she looked at him. Even through the depression and the anxiety, seeing him- and being near him- helped her feel it was possible to get through things she'd normally avoid, even if they were painful. 

[color=d1b300]“I’d drag myself to any number of Sycamore meetings with you… Not that this one's too bad. Barely a majority of us anyway."[/color]

[color=577d06]”It’s preliminary, frankly. A meeting for Linqian and Leon to bring to the ones who haven't split or disappeared. Numbers are really down… You guys are a dying breed at this point.”[/color] he frowned slightly.

At least the Noble Coven was a fucking myth. He didn’t have to think about “the good fight” that he was missing out on or anything equally dumb. He wasn’t fourteen. He wasn’t desperate to be a part of the herd anymore. But, he still pained for Trisha. There were mountains of closure she could’ve had the chance of getting before… But not from corpses.

The elevator pinged, the doors sliding open to release them into the hall. Casey could hear Leon’s voice yapping away in the other room, but Linqian seemed to be pretty much waiting for them as the doors opened.

[color=577d06]”Oh… Hey.”[/color] Casey looked at the unfamiliar woman, her dishevelled appearance accentuated by the cigarette burning between her fingers.
[color=577d06]”Deathbed Nurse-maid. Crazy temporary job description.”[/color] he absently spoke, not quite awake enough to give a shit if it didn’t go over well.

Trisha frowned worriedly, shuffling closer to Casey to press into his side. Linqian had always been one of the quickest to anger, whether it was over something valid or tiny comments. There'd never been any chance the two of them would get on- even when Linqian was fun and chill, she often said stuff that would then trigger Trisha. But she really didn't want her to snap at Casey! 

 [color=CD5C5C]”One that doesn't pay enough.”[/color] Linqian grumbled, too tired to get set off by the kind of comment that'd always go one of two ways depending on her mood. Normally she'd either get pissed, or find it funny and laugh. But right now she was in some vague form of a work mode- the kind of mode that'd gotten her through years upon years of customer service jobs on minimal sleep. Just pushing herself through shit as much as possible.

She was saving most of her actual energy and emotion for Greyson. It meant he still got snapped at, but he also got all the rest of her that actually made her good to be around. Not that she was suppressing herself or anything, just dulled with all the shit she was dealing with. All the caring on top of that constantly simmering grief. 

It was difficult enough to dredge up a bit of Joy and Rage to turn a patch of her arm ice cold, putting the rest of the cigarette out on that. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Guess I can go back in now that you're here. Y'know how it is when the two of them start going. It's giving me a headache already.”[/color]

Trisha let out a slight sigh of relief, tense frame relaxing slightly. Her hand dropped to take Casey's. 

[color=d1b300]“I’m surprised Greyson has the energy to talk much."[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”It’s [I]all[/I] he has the energy for. He really can't do much else! It's a fucking nightmare.”[/color] She shoved her hands in the pocket of her sweater, turning around and beginning to make her way back down the corridor with the assumption the couple would follow.

Holding Trisha as tight as he could in comfort, Casey followed Linqian back down the hall toward the apartment with the open door. Not much of a prison, but the entire building was really the prison. There was no staircase up to the top floor, so as long as they kept the elevator magically bound to certain people, there was no need to worry about Andrade doing much. And Edict, at least, wasn’t a prisoner. It was a pretty ironic thing for Casey, that the professional was the one people were nervous about now.

Entering the room, there were extra chairs centered around the couch that Greyson and Andrade were sat on next to each other. The last seat on the other side of him was obviously for Linqian, leaving four chairs for the others. Two, of course, were already occupied.

[color=C67C12]”-aking you go through with something like that, Cass. I get that you want to help, and I love that. But, I’m not just going to let you participate in a plan I think is stupid.”[/color]

Casey almost shuddered at Leon’s tone. The first time he came back from the military after Leon had adjoined, he was surprised to find that his attitude had changed so much. He’d always attributed it to being humbled, but he knew better now. Had known better since he’d received the Mautec Transfer from Lynette. Every detail of the bindings had been laid out for him to see, and every string one could pull to get his older brother to dance like a puppet. 

It made him quietly sick then, but at the same time, it was therapeutic. For once, Casey really felt like he’d been in charge of the people in his personal life, rather than being the unheard cat-wrangler that his own personality led him to be naturally. Now, Leon didn't even turn his head to greet them. Casey had to accept that Leon’s laser-focus was back, along with his proclivity toward thoughtless behavior rather than a pre-programmed set of defaults.

At least he would’ve stopped himself to greet Casey and Trisha before… But Cass was in his focus.

[color=629c3f]"And I've told you that I'm an adult who gets to choose what I participate in or not! They [I]need[/I] a Green Adept to make sure Mr Bobblehead doesn't look like… he's two steps away from death! Who else you gonna trust with that, huh? It's-"[/color] Cass cut herself off, head jerking up past Leon to the two coming in. 

It was a delayed reaction, as the sound of them walking in registered after she got out most of what was in her head. She jumped up out of her seat, one hand jerked out to hit Leon's arm. 

[color=629c3f]"We can get back to arguing ‘bout this shit in a moment… [I]Trishhhaaa [/I]! Casey! Good to see you!"[/color] She bounded around her stubborn boyfriend to launch herself at Trisha, in turn catching Casey in the hug too with how close they both were. It was a quick one for once. 

[color=d1b300]“You saw me a day ago…"[/color] Trisha responded quietly, managing a slight smile. 

[color=629c3f]"Yeah, but I always miss you! And I ain't seen Casey in like… a week! You look like shit, dude! Wait, that came out wrong- like exhausted shit! Uh, y'know. Like you ain't ever slept before!"[/color]

[color=577d06]”Y’know I haven’t. Hey, Cass…”[/color] he did his best to embrace her without seeming like he was a dead body walking around. 

Leon didn’t get up at first. Just like Greyson the day before, Leon was having his own crisis of conscience over Trisha. He’d been so wrapped up in false or otherwise hazy memories that he’d only really managed to look like a mellow version of what he had been. Maybe it helped ease her back into being around him, but it wasn’t useful for him to express himself about how he actually felt. 

Never mind the fact that he was still trying to find a healthy way to express his disappointment toward his younger Brother. He’d stepped up. But, in doing so, he maintained lies and deceit that Leon didn’t think he could. It was partly insulting, partly impressive, and totally disruptive to Leon’s train of thought.

Unexpectedly, or maybe totally expectantly, Andrade also stood and moved to pass affection toward the final arrivals. His arms wrapped around Casey, though he avoided getting touchy with Trisha. He couldn’t know which of the two would rip his arm off first, after all.

[color=54678a]”Oh, you are shot… Do you want me to whip you up something?”[/color] he asked Casey quietly.

[color=F5388C]”You’re making food for everyone if you do that!”[/color] Greyson snapped, for once his body was not totally wrapped up in blankets. 

Like Trisha, Greyson was feeling uncomfortable without his nice clothes in front of so many others. So, as a personal request and in spite of the pain, Linqian had helped him shower and properly dress himself with a tie and all. It was a sharp suit with pink accents.

But, he didn’t get up.

[color=F5388C]”Hey again, Trish… Casey…”[/color] he nodded from the couch, hand trailing up to take Linqian’s. He could intrinsically feel the love in the room in spite of everyone's exhaustion.

Linqian didn't stop Greyson, even loosely threading her fingers through his as she sat down next to him. Of course, her words weren't so gentle. 
[color=d1b300]“Do we have fucking time for cooking? We gotta get through this shit before your pain gets bad enough you're begging for medication again."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"There's always time for food!"[/color] Cass piped up, bouncing away from Trisha and Casey and back over to Leon. She was as full of energy as normal- it was easy with the constant Green Lux pumping round her body, even if she hadn't figured out her whole Lux wastage thing yet. But the basic spells were there to keep her awake no matter how much sleep she got… An ability she'd already had mundanely, just enhanced by magic! 

She put a hand on Leon's shoulder, squeezing it. They may have been sort of arguing before the others stepped in, but she wasn't exactly upset about it, and didn't want him worrying about it. 

[color=d1b300]“Hi Greyson… Andrade, Leon."[/color] Trisha intoned each name in turn, visibly twisting away from Andrade even as he didn't go in for the same hug he did for Casey. Thankfully. She wasn't here for it… not that she enjoyed being hugged by many people at all. But she was getting used to it with people she was growing to care about- just Andrade was no longer in that category. 

Of course, she slotted right back in beside Casey when there was no longer a risk of a hug she didn't want, looking up at him. 
[color=d1b300]“If you think food from him will help, you should have some."[/color]

Maybe it was surprising to hear, since they'd had so many arguments about the food. But right now she was more concerned Casey would get hurt because he was so exhausted… It was the root of all of her concerns with that stuff. How it would negatively affect him. But it didn't matter if he got called out in a few hours and was too tired to stay alive…

Casey didn’t really have much of a say.

[color=F5388C]”He doesn’t care, Trish! Andrade, I mean… He only cares if he’s living past this week. Go, Andrade, fucking cook and be free.”[/color] Greyson waved him off like some Don of a mafia family letting a junior member do his bidding. 

Casey cleared his throat, eyes sliding down toward Leon who was mostly focused on Cass. But, he felt the look in turn, and met his brother’s eyes with a look of fire.

[color=577d06]”Save it for the dead guy, Dre… I’ll be alright.”[/color] he quietly intoned, taking a deep breath as Leon’s eyes almost immediately softened. 

This wasn’t a dynamic he’d missed. That [i]judgemental[/i] look. The one that made you feel not just foolish for thinking something, but utterly devoid of grace and intelligence. The same look their Father had when you were caught doing something wrong. Casey cleared his throat.

[color=577d06]”What was the problem we walked into?”[/color] he asked, fishing for information that he hadn’t paid attention to down the hall. 

[color=C67C12]”Lanternfish head here needs to look like he’s not already on death’s door. We need vulnerable, not actually worthless. So, we were thinking of ways to get people in close with him.”[/color] Leon explained.

[color=F5388C]”I floated the idea of keeping Cass as a false hostage. Someone Luis knows Leon cares about, and may draw Sycamore out through his influence. We’re already basing this on the fact that we’re- Nghhhh!-”[/color] Greyson paused, a surge of blood rushing through his swollen head.
[color=F5388C]”-We’re… already supposed to be hitting the negotiation table. Andrade’s got Luis thinking that he’s got me in a secret interrogation in the Temple. That y’all found out I was a rat, and I’m compromised, and that-”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”-It’s complicated! But, the point is, he thinks that having Cass there is gonna make things better, when in reality, there’s no fucking way that it’ll do anything except put [i]three[/i] of you in immediate danger, rather than two. It’s just not going to happen, no. I refuse.”[/color] Leon growled, interrupting Greyson and causing the latter to toss a hand up in frustration.

[color=F5388C]”Another one… Is that how you guys got taught to argue in the Temple? Just keep going in an infinite loop and piss the other people off until they tell you that you win?”[/color] Greyson snapped slowly.

Casey just giggled and nodded his head.

[color=577d06]”Sounds about right, yeah.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I’m getting a sense of deja vu."[/color] Trisha mumbled under her breath. Both to Greyson and Andrade fought the last time she was here, but also… so many arguments Leon was involved in ten years ago. Argument was maybe generous, because that would suggest it wasn't fairly one sided. Fuzzy, unpleasant memories. 

[color=629c3f]"Well that ain't happening here… Cause I keep saying, Babe, it ain't just your decision to make! You can't just refuse on my behalf… What you gonna do, try lock me in a fucking apartment on the day?"[/color] Cass threw that thought away quickly, because it wasn't useful to go down hypotheticals. 
[color=629c3f]"It's a group decision… And we gotta do what's best to make shit work. Cause if it don't? We're [I]all[/I] gonna be in danger anyway! There ain't much different."[/color]

She had both her hands on Leon's shoulders now, pressing into them with enough pressure to be noticeable without hurting. Mostly meant to be comforting, and to keep her own frustrating minimal by gripping at those very nice muscles… 

[color=629c3f]"And right now, they're gonna take one look at him and know he's a step away from death's door! I can fix that, but I ain't confident I can do it then not [I]be there[/I] to maintain it."[/color]

Trisha frowned slightly. 
[color=d1b300]“Can’t Linqian? She's a Green Adept too."[/color]

Linqian raised her eyebrows, before letting out a short laugh. 
[color=CD5C5C]”I see whose life's more important… But no, not unless you want him fucking burnt to a crisp from the outside too.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Why the Hell do you need to make it a point to toss yourself into danger, Cass!? God forbid anything happens to you, do you know how I’ll feel? That I brought you into this and let you just fucking-”[/color] Leon started up again, but Casey cleared his throat as the warm smell of oil and garlic started to waft from the kitchen.

[color=577d06]”-Be honest, Leon. You don’t care how much damage she throws herself in so long as it’s got nothing to do with your problems. You don’t want anything getting back to someone else here…”[/color] He turned his head to look at Trisha before smiling slightly.

Leon clenched his jaw and shook his head.

[color=C67C12]”Am I crazy for not wanting [i]either of us[/i] to have to deal with those potential ramifications?”[/color] Leon snapped back, hand gripping in frustration.

Of course he didn’t want to get bombarded by Trisha. It was probably the worst possible outcome for anything short of Cass actually dying. But, that was the [i]ultimate[/i] bad ending…

[color=C67C12]”But, still, you’re not fucking right Case! Sure, her getting banged up a bit wouldn’t be the end of the world; she got her fucking arm blown off and she’s here, fine…-”[/color] he paused, gaze turning back up to Cass. He’d done his best to avoid becoming emotional in a heartfelt way, but Casey implying he didn’t care was suddenly getting to him.

[color=C67C12]”-But if I fucking really lost you? I’m sorry, but I’m not even gonna give a shit about Trisha at that point! Because if I lose you, I… I lose…”[/color]

Greyson half smiled.

[color=F5388C]”Gets a lot harder when you love someone, doesn’t it? Big Guy?”[/color] he chided calmly.

Cass let out a long breath, grip on Leon's shoulders loosening so her hands were flat. She frowned a little bit. There was conflict, because she understood his care. Just because she didn't love him in the same way yet didn't mean she would be able to lose him either- or Trisha, or anyone else she cared about. But there was concern, and there was control.

[color=629c3f]"I get it, Leon, I really do… But I ain't throwing myself into something I think would kill me. I don't wanna die either! It's something I think I can help with and [I]survive[/I]. You love me and don't want to lose me, I know, but you gotta trust me too! You can't just use it to stop me from doing shit."[/color]

Trisha wasn't particularly happy that she was being used as some kind of consequence. If Cass got badly hurt or died… Well, maybe she would be pissed at Leon for the former. But the latter? She'd be too broken over it to come for anyone. Though she understood why Casey had pointed it out… She was shocked too that Leon already seemed to feel that way about Cass. Was it really some kind of family trait? 

[color=d1b300]“That’s not what he's saying, Cass."[/color] Trisha spoke up, trying to stay neutral. She didn't like being constrained either. She'd had arguments with Casey over the whole not wanting her to go out alone thing… but they'd come to some form of agreement over it. She knew he just didn't want her to get hurt. 

[color=d1b300]“He’s worried. Because you do throw yourself into things recklessly and get hurt. I bet you agreed as soon as they asked, and didn't even listen to the whole plan. You can't really guarantee you'll be alright."[/color]

Cass didn't say anything, because Trisha had hit the nail on the head. 

[color=d1b300]“I think it's… reasonable that Leon doesn't want you to. But- But I don't think it's just his decision. You can come to an agreement, right?"[/color] Trisha did her best to sound reasonable, and like she wasn't hypocritically delivering advice she struggled to follow herself. But she was trying! She shuffled even closer to Casey, not actually looking at anyone and getting a bit tenser, like waiting for some pushback. 

[color=629c3f]"Fucking… I know… Alright, alright! I ain't backing down, but… we can discuss it! Figure it out!"[/color] She slumped forward slightly, arms dangling over Leon before wrapping into a loose hug. She looked at him directly now, with a gaze filled with both her own determination but also the deep feelings she had for him. Not quite love… But she cared a lot.

[color=629c3f]"I don't wanna worry you like that, Lee. I just ain't alright with being told I ain't allowed to do shit, y'know… but I don't wanna hurt you like that. I really ain't tryna be reckless, I swear… I don't plan to throw my life away or force you to go through losing me, Baby, but- I also want this to work, so we can all live. If it don't there ain't gonna be any future anyway, is there?"[/color]

Before Leon could get another word in, Greyson cleared his throat and brought the attention back toward himself.
[color=F5388C]”Look, you two… There’s only two people who deserve being put in this position. But… I think there’s only one person whose actually trying to be helpful.”[/color] his eyes narrowed across the apartment as Andrade looked up and frowned.

[color=54678a]”I already don’t want to be there. Obviously.”[/color] Andrade pouted slightly.

[color=F5388C]”You lost that privilege when you went AWOL on your people, so… Get cracking with the fucking food ideas so we can keep Cass out of the trenches and make everyone happy.”[/color] Greyson pushed, prompting Casey’s gaze to land squarely on his uncle.

It wasn’t a real blood connection, but he did really feel like Andrade was his family. Bonds were sometimes thicker than blood, and only that blood spilled could bring things closer still.

[color=577d06]”This [i]is[/i] a pretty dumb thing to let them get hung up on…”[/color] Casey spoke softly, sauntering off toward the middle of the room toward Andrade. 
[color=577d06]”You’ve got the sauce for shit like this.”[/color] 

[color=54678a]”Well… How about you just let me cook?”[/color] Andrade responded with an almost snobby tone.

But Casey knew what that meant. He shook his head and turned back.

[color=577d06]”Fine, fine… We let him cook. We’ll come back to this… What [i]else[/i] is on the docket for this shit?”[/color] he asked, not bothering to look at anyone else but Linqian to be actually helpful.

[color=CD5C5C]”What the fuck to tell the remaining Sycamore members, for a start.”[/color] Linqian answered after a pause, when neither Leon nor Greyson immediately filled the silence. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Most of the meetings since figuring out the shit in the notebooks have gone… Badly. All of them do. And I've been very vague about what's going on… Cause even with so few remaining, someone will fuck something up! But we gotta tell 'em something.”[/color]

She put her hands up in a half shrug.
[color=CD5C5C]”Not the kind of shit I'm good at. That's normally his job.”[/color] Her head jerked towards Greyson. 

[color=CD5C5C]”Aside from that… The Snake. What do we do about that? Cause sure, maybe its location dies with him… or maybe it doesn't. Having it locked in a random tree somewhere doesn't seem so fucking smart now we're adults being actively hunted for it.”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”Linqian… That’s the best place for it! Once the knowledge is gone, it’d take a miracle or a big fucking coincidence to uproot that shit.”[/color] Greyson asserted.

[color=577d06]”That’s something I can probably help with, at least… I have to agree with Linqian. But, we’ve got reason to believe there’s a natural order of things.”[/color] Casey implied in a calm fashion, with Leon looking at him with disapproval again.

[color=C67C12]”If you’re thinking what I think, then stop. That’s not a good plan [i]either[/i], and you know it. There’s no telling what-”[/color]

[color=54678a]”Yes there is! The Eternal Ouroboros! The snake devours the snake, who devours the snake, and so on in the endless cycle of night! That’s part of what Luis and I studied as boys. The Endless Night was an Ancient who was rejected and cast aside by the others, and so his shadow never developed light. Never developed color. All we know, is that there’s a state where they were once whole, but because of what’s happened, it’ll never be the case again.”[/color] Andrade piped up as he tossed around some pasta in a thick red sauce.

Casey looked at Trisha with a sly grin. They had a piece of that puzzle currently stuck in their freezer… But he wasn’t going to just outright talk about it. He only hoped that Trisha wouldn’t bring it up directly.

[color=d1b300]“Who’s [I]they[/I]?"[/color] Trisha asked carefully, glancing over at Casey and suppressing a slight shudder. She could guess. The Stygian Snake and it's off spring… just like the creature upstairs that she wished wasn't there… But she'd never even heard of this Endless Night. So maybe she was wrong about that. 

[color=d1b300]“You’d plan to let the Stygian Snake out to… Eat another horrifying Snake? And be eaten?"[/color] She did frown a little at that thought. It seemed… like something that wouldn't work, even if Casey was the one that brought it up. Why would they do that?

[color=CD5C5C]”I’m not happy ‘bout leaving it in some fucking uprootable tree- remember you won't be here to suffer the fucking consequences.”[/color] Linqian stared at Greyson, leg bumping lightly against his. The most she could do to express her disagreement now… Gone when the days of grabbing him and burning him, because she'd be the one to clean up and deal with the aftermath too. It was a fucking pain. But then she couldn't help but roll her eyes at Andrade as he went off again.

[color=CD5C5C]”But I dunno any of this shit about natural orders and Eternal Ouroboros. I was thinking fucking… sealing it in some shit and throwing it into that fucking deep trench thing in the ocean. Anywhere that isn't this fucking city.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]"I wanna know about this Ouroboros thing! Like Trisha said, who's eating it?"[/color] Cass added, trying to suppress her excitement at the thought of yet another cool magical tale. She was still standing and hugging Leon from behind, resisting the urge to just climb up onto his shoulders or into his lap. Not exactly an appropriate time… But she wasn't exactly in the mood for sitting nicely in her own chair either. Standing was the ultimate compromise!

Andrade sighed, shaking his head. He didn’t want to be involved. He didn’t want to make the suggestion. He wanted his brother back, and his life as it had been. But nothing was going to go right. It never had… They were Blue children, after all… Blue, and Black. He tilted the pasta onto the plate, spinning it with a fork before pushing past Casey to serve it up. Everyone in the room would be able to [i]hear[/i] the pasta dish as it faintly shrieked in abject agony on the plate. Everyone except for Greyson, whose Emotional Field and connection to Lux was so tenuous that he didn’t know if he could even cast anymore. But he could absolutely pick up that fork and slurp a noodle down while Andrade spoke.

[color=54678a]”[i]They[/i] are the five pieces of the Night. The Dusk Adder, the Twilight Krait, the Boa of the Murk, the Gloomslang, and the [i]Stygian Viper.[/i] You all just call it [i]snake[/i] because there’s no reason to distinguish for you. Again, at one point, the five of them were one being. An Ancient… Which, for the uneducated-”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”-Are a group of supernatural, Godlike beings responsible for propagating Lux across the many realities which exist beyond our own. The Dove-”[/color] Leon interrupted, looking at Greyson.

[color=F5388C]”-Yeah, yeah, the dove, the fuckin’ deer, the asshole dog or whatever.”[/color]

Andrade nodded as he stared at Greyson waiting for a reaction. Anything to happen telling him the formula and ratio were right. Casey was watching too, knowing that if anyone had a trick up their sleeve to keep everyone happy, it was him. Which made Greyson’s near-instant head deflation rather fucking shocking for everyone [i]except[/i] the person eating… Because he didn’t even notice.

Andrade stared at the seemingly cured Greyson and nodded.
[color=54678a]”I… don’t know how long [i]that[/i] will last.”[/color]

Linqian had zoned out when Leon had taken over talking about Ancients, only half checking back in when Greyson thankfully interrupted. But she was completely shocked out of it by Greyson's sudden transformation into a normal looking person rather than the biggest headed asshole in the room. 

[color=CD5C5C]”What the fuck- You couldn't have said the food was gonna do some shit?!”[/color] Linqian half snapped as she stared at Greyson in shock. She didn't like that the food screamed, but… it did the fucking job… She couldn't really complain. She just didn't appreciate the fucking suprise. 

[color=629c3f]"Holy shit!"[/color] Cass ceased hugging Leon to half jump into the air, staring at Greyson with wide eyes. 
[color=629c3f]"That's what he looks like with a normal sized head?! Damn- even more fucking smug, how's that shit possible?!"[/color]

Trisha didn't have much of an overt reaction to the transformation, already tense the moment there was quietly screaming food around. She did subtly flinch in surprise, her lips pressing together into a thin line. 

[color=d1b300]“So… Cass doesn't need to be there, then?"[/color] She asked. 
[color=d1b300]“If it lasts long enough."[/color]

Greyson was surprised by everyone’s reaction. He didn’t [i]feel[/i] any different. His head still felt like a watermelon in a hot car, and his bones ached like they were solidified at the joints.

[color=54678a]”It’s completely illusory. Skinwalker sausage and phantom-egg pasta. Casey, check him?”[/color]

Casey did so, using his powerful White Lux to wash across Greyson looking for any sign of the illusion.

[color=577d06]”It’s not gonna hold up under intensive scrutiny. Either make it better, or start thinking of ways to minimize them checking on him.”[/color]

[color=54678a]”It should be distracting for Luis’ Apparition. Familiar ingredients to its own composition, it’ll get confused and ignore the forest for the trees in a manner of speaking.”[/color]

Greyson’s brow furrowed.
[color=F5388C]”Wait… You’re tellin’ me I… Look fine?”[/color] he asked almost pathetically. [color=F5388C]”But… But I don’t feel no different!”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”He just said it was fucking illusory! Course you don't feel fucking different… Fucking hell, you can't have many braincells left if I'm having to educate you about fucking [I]English[/I] words.”[/color] Linqian rolled her eyes at him, absolutely not holding back. She never did.

[color=F5388C]”God dammit, I fucking [i]heard[/i] him! But… [i]Fuck…[/i]”[/color] Greyson looked rather dejected.

[color=54678a]”You turned your brain into a neon bulb. Not us. It’s gonna be alright. The day of, we’ll hit you with a couple other stimulants. You’ll be a walking Pink bomb waiting to go off. You’ll have your day, Greyson.”[/color] Andrade reassured him.

[color=54678a]”You agreed to wear the Anchor. You [i]need[/i] to entice Brutakus, and any other Viperblood, by being enough of a target. Six, maybe eight entities to bind to?”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”You can’t give me something so that I can at least get a hard-on for ten more minutes of my life!?”[/color] he snapped, unable to perceive the change to himself as he tried to use the camera in his phone… 

To Greyson, there was no illusion. He could still feel the pain, and it was enough of a connection to remove all belief that he was okay from his own mind. It was the easiest way to see past the illusion, but only useful if one had an inclination to begin with. Casey’s test had been just that: A test to see how easy it would be to gain awareness of the illusion in order to break it from the outside. Though, because they were outside, they weren’t [i]constantly[/i] reminded that he was how he was, so the illusion managed to fade back into view after a few seconds for them.

[color=C67C12]”That’s all you’re thinking about?”[/color] Leon asked calmly, looking at Greyson with a frown. He could easily smell the problems still existing inside, but knew that his incredibly keen sense wouldn’t always be available to their enemies.

[color=F5388C]”God… I don’t even want to get into this in front of other people…”[/color] Greyson shook his head, completely dejected.

He looked pathetic enough that Linqian took enough sympathy in him to shuffle closer and carefully put an arm around him. She [I]could[/I] be pretty fucking affectionate when she wanted to be, but it was rarely a thing around a larger group of people… or people she disliked… there was long list of reasons against it when it was [I]gross and sappy[/I] affection like hugging and that shit.

[color=629c3f]"I can get you hard, if you want!"[/color] Cass blurted out in the absolute worst possible way she could, immediately receiving a death stare from Trisha. 
[color=629c3f]"I mean, give you like a magical boost! But I ain't sure I can pump enough Lux in that you could do anything with it. So maybe that'd just be more depressing… I know it would be for me!"[/color]

[color=54678a]”Ace… We’ve been over this. What you want is dangerous. I think you should consider yourself lucky that [i]one[/i] person let you carry on a legacy in their womb. You don’t need to do that to a second woman, and you [i]really[/i] don’t need to pass your genes on like this. Doctor Andy even said, remember? It’s in your blood, in all the nutrients you hold… Pink’s especially toxic.”[/color] Andrade said rather dispassionately, both interjecting and revealing Greyson’s deepest wish without much concern.

Leon narrowed his eyes, passing them from Linqian to Greyson, then back.

[color=C67C12]”You… Son of a bitch… [i]Conception!?[/i] That’s what’s concerning you? You’re fucking rich, Greyson, I tell ‘ya.”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”I [b]said[/b] that this isn’t a topic for here and now! It’s [i]personal![/i]”[/color] Greyson snapped as a reply at Leon, whose head craned back slightly in surprise.

[color=577d06]”Look, sweet as all that is, we didn’t come down here to talk about the status of Edict’s sailors. We came here to figure out what the plan is, and what our part is.”[/color] Casey asserted through the bullshit.
[color=577d06]”If Linqian says one of our concerns should be what to do with the rest of the Sycamites, I say you gather the useful ones, and fuck the rest. Maybe it’d be even better if we just told ‘em the world was ending and there was no chance.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Yeah, right. Then people like Luca would just go on a fucking deathmarch for St. Portwell. We can’t just hide it…”[/color] Leon frowned, shaking his head.
[color=C67C12]”We need to tell everyone… But it needs to be something like the old days. We need a new Pink Bridger.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Which we don't have. The only half fucking Pink Adept we have left would sooner make us all her puppets if she could- not that she can, cause she’s only able to do shit in our dreams.”[/color] Linqian said with a frown. She was fairly certain there'd come a point where Anya stopped turning up anyway, when saving face in front of Sloane wasn't important enough. The day couldn't come sooner… 

[color=629c3f]"We could ask-"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“No. I'm not bringing someone else into this… And she has a job, and other things she can't just drop. But we're also not bringing someone else in."[/color] Trisha interrupted before Cass suggested the only Pink Adept outside of the Temple itself that they knew. Like it would even work… Trisha herself hadn't been attending meetings, so nobody would be happy if she turned up with a Pink Adept willing to bridge that no one knew. 

Cass held up her hands. 
[color=629c3f]"Well I'm outta suggestions."[/color]

[color=577d06]”It’s gotta be Hari then… Sycamore needs to learn that whatever they think the Temple is, it ain’t gonna be around much longer. And anyone still in St. Portwell should be more than willing to play ball.”[/color] Casey asserted, seeing no other way to keep their plan from just leaking out into the morning air.

[color=C67C12]”To be fair… It’s really [i]only[/i] Luca and those goobers from the art collective who are still making moves. Are they [i]really[/i] gonna turn down the help?”[/color] Leon asked, shrugging and turning toward Linqian. 
[color=C67C12]”Call Aryin! See if they’ve got any pink adepts lined up…”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”God, I'm not [I]your[/I] fucking servant, you've got her number.”[/color] Linqian reactively snapped, though she went to pull out her phone anyway. It was an excuse to get out of the room for a moment, and Aryin was her best friend at the end of the day… She patted Greyson's shoulder as she stood up. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Try not to talk enough shit that someone tries to punch your head off while I'm gone.”[/color]

Not that she went very far… She didn't plan to go shouting on the phone call, she just couldn't be bothered making it in front of so many people. So she slipped into the bedroom and pushed the door shut to make it. 

[color=629c3f]"Well… that's maybe one problem sorted!"[/color] Cass said enthusiastically. 

[color=d1b300]“Are there really so few left?"[/color] Trisha asked, glancing between Leon and Greyson. Not that she expected much from Sycamore anyway… They'd never been able to work together unless things were really dire, like they had been ten years ago.

Leon was quicker to confirm than Greyson.

[color=C67C12]”The last meeting was grim. Whoever wasn’t attached at the hip already scattered to the four winds. Ken and Drake are still MIA with Jack spending just about all his spare time searching for them, Greyson sent Britney off, Alizee and Layla are effectively retired… Stormy. He’s still here, but after the last raid, he’s definitely not looking great. Sully… [i]I don’t want to talk about Sully…[/i]”[/color]

Greyson frowned at Leon as he listed off names of the contemporaries who had stuck around to this point. He wasn’t even mentioning all the people who hadn’t made it this far. Casey looked at Trisha with an equally empathetic frown, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her close.

[color=577d06]”We should find Adora… Thank her for accidentally introducing us.”[/color]

Leon shook his head grimly, causing a more pronounced frown on Casey’s face.

[color=577d06]”Shit…”[/color]

Greyson wished he felt sad like them… But there was always going to be a part of him that reveled in the fact that [i]he made it further.[/i] It was pure evil, but he didn’t deny that. Simply, it was kept to himself.

[color=F5388C]”Yep… No more heroes, they say.”[/color] he looked at Leon.
[color=F5388C]”Last of a dead kind.”[/color]

Leon gritted his teeth. The eldest and most skilled adepts had really been lynchpins. Now, Greyson was right. They were a dead breed of Sycamites…

[color=C67C12]”That doesn’t fill me with confidence.”[/color] he replied softly.

[color=F5388C]”It wasn’t supposed to.”[/color]

Trisha leaned into Casey, frowning and closing her eyes for a moment. There was bad blood between her and a lot of Sycamore members, but that didn't stop her from feeling sad about how many had died. Because she'd been friends with many at one point, no matter how short that had lasted. And when she first joined the coven she'd really wanted it to be something her family hadn't been… But it wasn't. Just like her family, everyone hated her by the end. 

And there'd never be a chance to resolve it now. Even if it was her own fault for not going back in the first place. 

[color=d1b300]“I thought that… Maybe less would die after everyone came together."[/color] She whispered. So many people gone… Even Adora, who she'd had an inkling to apologise to. And thank, like Casey said. 

[color=629c3f]"Hey now, don't go tryna tempt fate to take another life."[/color] Cass shook a finger at Greyson at his ominous title for Leon, going back to hugging her boyfriend. She rubbed her face in his hair for a moment before continuing. 
[color=629c3f]"There ain't gonna be any heroic sacrifices or shit anyway. Well, aside from yours."[/color]

Trisha knew what Greyson meant more than Cass did… There'd been plenty of [I]heroes[/I] in the coven of all ages, some of whom seemed to still be alive. But the oldest group… the leaders and organisers… They were all gone. Except for Leon. But with things coming to an end, he probably would only die if everything went wrong and they all did anyway.

[color=d1b300]“What about… the rich clique? I haven't heard from them in a while… they aren't all… are they?"[/color] She couldn't help but ask, none of that group listed. Like her, they hadn't gone back. Unlike her, they'd really stuck together. They were technically her friends. Or, she considered them as friends, even if things were quite combative with some of them. The more time she spent with Casey and talked about things, the more she realised they probably didn't feel anywhere near the same way.

Casey shrugged at Trisha’s question.
[color=577d06]”No clue… We stopped tracking after the Elite crashed out with the notes. Chances are, some of them were already Undesired by the time they showed themselves. No telling who until the dust settles and people show back up.”[/color]

Leon knew a bit more, but he had to weigh whether or not it was worth saying. 
[color=C67C12]”Maybe it’s best to forget ‘em, Trisha… The Valos’ tried to sell us for the magical equivalent of a corn chip.”[/color]

Casey frowned back at his brother, looking down at Trisha to gauge her reaction. He did brace her, hoping she’d not immediately crawl up Leon’s ass over it.

Trisha frowned at Leon, tensing up in Casey's arms. 
[color=d1b300]“They’re not their parents, Leon. Most of them weren't even part of Elite! Jake and Jaska are hardly like Jason… And Gabe's a bitch, sure, but even she's not that bad."[/color]

Of the whole group, Gabe was probably the one Trisha clashed with the most. It was hard for them to be considered friends… From an outsider perspective, it was difficult to consider any of them Trisha's friends. Only Sage and Lin vaguely kept in touch, but Trisha saw the group infrequently enough to not feel so put out she cut them all off. 

[color=d1b300]“Jason Valos hates my family far more than he does Sycamore… He's said shit to me that'd make Casey want to kill him if he wasn't already dead- but they're still my friends! They- They may be shit friends, but I'm allowed to want them to at least be alive."[/color] She bit her lip, leaning against Casey to try not get more riled up about it. But it was hard. She had so few connections… Of course she'd cling to what little she had, no matter how lacking.
[color=d1b300]“And I know they weren't part of stealing the notes. [I]I[/I] was more involved than them in any of the Elite's shit, so if anyone should be forgotten it's me anyway."[/color]

Casey gave a desperate glance to Cass as if begging to be saved before Leon made the-

[color=C67C12]”Trisha… Don’t do this. Spare yourself, for Christ’s sake, it’s not like you [i]need[/i] any more sadness and heartache from the past coming back to punch you.”[/color] Leon half-snapped.

Using that wording, Casey knew Leon had something in his head.

[color=577d06]”You’re withholding…”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”At the Farm… When the PRA showed up… The old lady told me a few of ‘em had been rescued from some kind of Hex. A prison spell. Not everyone, I guess, but… They feel like it was Dollhouse’s game as well. Maybe in conjunction with House of Cards, maybe not. Pimm was dead on the scene, and Liu was critical. Gabe was stable, but there’s still no sign of Jake. Apparently, the youngest Schmidt was nailed in chunks to a giant dartboard.”[/color]


Trisha felt physically sick, turning around to hide her face against Casey for a moment. She wasn't friendly with the Schmidt children. They hadn't been part of Sycamore, and always viewed themselves as… Superior, somehow. Like they all weren't from equally rich families. But that didn't mean Daniel Schmidt deserved [I]that[/I]. 

Nevermind Sage and Lin, who she had been friendly with. Sage was the most easygoing of the whole group… They'd stayed until the end with Trisha. Sure, they weren't close, but they'd been closer to an actual friend than almost all of the coven. Someone who didn't seem to hate her, at least. 

[color=d1b300]“They- They didn't deserve that."[/color] She whispered, squeezing her eyes shut. Her shoulders trembled slightly. There were no tears, but she was struggling with it. It didn't matter how badly they'd treated her or would have continued to treat her, if they didn't keep in touch often and always ended up talking shit at her when she actually attended- or crashed- parties the group had… They were still her friends. 

[color=d1b300]“That… Would've been me too… if I hadn't met you, Casey… Wouldn't it?"[/color]

[color=629c3f]"That ain't the thing to dwell on, Trish. It wasn't you… I mean that shits fucked, but they've clearly been targeting everyone."[/color] Cass spoke up, glancing between Leon and Casey. She wasn't really sure what else to say right now. It was a lot of death for all of these Sycamore members to deal with… She knew Leon had lost plenty close to him too. What could you even say?!

[color=C67C12]”All we can do is stay strong and work together. We’ll push and push until the deed’s done. For everyone we’ve loved and lost along the way.”[/color] Leon intoned with clear sadness in his voice.

He didn’t like thinking about the dead either. To him, especially now, they were all still kids in his care. People who he had to make decisions for, and who should’ve been protected under his wing rather than trying to make raw moves with a group of real magical monsters. This wasn’t gangland shit, this was real evil. Actual consequences beyond Greyson’s petty protection rackets. 

But Casey could feel every bit of Trisha’s quaking. Her heart and soul, the moment that Leon told the truth… And there was only [i]really[/i] one person there who could’ve known more. Yet, he was suspiciously absent from the conversation. He let his head dip slightly, his voice low enough to keep the question between he and Trisha.

[color=577d06]”If anyone knows more, it's Andrade. Do you want me to press him?”[/color] he asked, eyes focused on the top of her head rather than giving away his feelings to the others.

[color=d1b300]“I don't know."[/color] Trisha whispered. She honestly didn’t. Did she want to find out more, when it would probably only be bad news? If Jake was still missing, what were the chances of him being alright? It seemed slim. And did she really want to know why the fuck that had been done to all of them, rather than any traditional killing? Was it just because they were Elite [I]and[/I] Sycamore- Schmidt aside?

[color=d1b300]“Maybe… Not now. I'll think about it."[/color] Trisha shook her head against him, not feeling ready to withdraw from the warm security of hiding against him. She didn't know what her face looked like, and she didn't want to show it to anyone else. And the shaking would only be more obvious without someone to cling to. 

Cass was doing her part to comfort Leon too, having moved to fully hug him from the side. She didn't say anything, cause there wasn't shit to say. It didn't bring them back.

Linqian chose that moment to walk back in, phone still in her hand. She paused in the doorway, quickly surveyed the state of things. Very gloomy. Trisha and Casey seemed caught up in their own world- whatever it was, Trisha was clearly upset- then Cass was hugging round Leon like she was trying to imitate how Casey was holding Trisha. At least Greyson seemed to still be… The normal Greyson. 

[color=CD5C5C]”What the fuck did I miss?”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”Living people thinking about dead people. The usual in this city… What’d Aryin say, any luck on their end?”[/color] Greyson asked, clearly a bit detached once people started getting sentimental.

[color=CD5C5C]”Ah… The usual.”[/color] Linqian didn't have the energy in that moment to jab at Greyson how she was one of those people who quite frequently thought about dead people- or one dead person. There'd been shouting matches over her grief and other shit before, and she wasn't about to join some group sadness session. 

[color=CD5C5C]”They’ve got someone, thank fuck. It'll be way easier to convince the coven to work with someone from 317 than the Temple… Not that I think you'd throw some weirdo at us, but easier is better right now. I don't have the fucking energy to deal with that shit. Aryin's convinced they'll help, specially since y'know… Jasper's the leaders little brother, and still in danger.”[/color] Linqian said, properly walking back in and towards her spot beside Greyson. She did point to Leon on the way past. 

[color=CD5C5C]”She also asked when we're next going for a drink- fucking bitch has too much time on her hands, I've gotta start sending her on more errands. Obviously I said [I]not right now[/I]... Much as I'd love a fucking drink or five. She knows the shit we're dealing with!”[/color] Unlike the rest of the Sycamites, Aryin was being kept fairly in the loop. She lived with Linqian, after all, and Linqian trusted her more than she did anyone else. Though they hadn't seen each other since Linqian moved here with Greyson, they'd kept in enough touch to vaguely know what the other was doing.

Greyson snapped his fingers loudly, causing a boney echo.
[color=F5388C]”You made [i]sure[/i] they could do what we need? We need a plan locked away in our heads, and I can’t train anyone to do it the way I-”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”-I think… Once this is over, Linqian. Cass and I can meet, she’ll- You’ll-”[/color] Leon redirected toward Cass, cutting Greyson’s nitpicking off at the root before he could spread it too far. After all, he wasn’t the only Pink Adept in the world.
[color=C67C12]”-love them. They’re a Changeling, a natural bodyshifter.”[/color] Leon tried to sound a bit more enthusiastic. 

With Casey and Trisha locked out, Greyson was the only one still on the plan. It was the only way he’d get more rest before too long.

[color=F5388C]”Yeah, thanks Leon. Plan your fucking date [i]after.[/i] Not on my time. There’s only a few big moving pieces in this machine, the rest is backup for the cleaning duty. We should handle it all before the PRA has a chance to sweep in, which means cleaning up Dollhouse as thoroughly as you can with that time you have. Which means every single combat Adept and Aberration we can get should be poised for a battle [i]after[/i] our plan works… Or [i]doesn’t.[/i]”[/color]

Cass had been nodding along to Leon, before snapping her attention to Greyson with a half grin. 
[color=629c3f]"Oh, so I am gonna get to fight some of those assholes? Awesome! But I don't think you gotta tell us that… Far as I'm aware, super sappy guy over there's been organising that kinda shit since Dollhouse tried to murder us all at Thanksgiving. Right?"[/color] She glanced at Leon for confirmation. 

[color=CD5C5C]”[I]And[/I] we don't have to worry so much about the PRA. Not them being efficient, at least. I've… Been in touch with Bianca. She got promoted, for some fucking reason, but… Whatever the fuck she did, she's convinced her boss to turn a bit of a blind eye to whatever happens here. For a bit.”[/color] Linqian admitted, looking at Leon and Cass rather than Greyson. She'd not exactly mentioned still being in active contact with Bianca, after all. But it was something he'd pushed her to do in the first place- when shit was different- so he couldn’t get that pissy about it. 

[color=CD5C5C]”She doesn't know shit about the plan, just that there is one.”[/color]

Greyson had no qualms about her talking to Bianca. [i]“Run, wild horses.”[/i] they said. Once he was gone, there wasn’t a damn thing he could do. There really wasn’t a damn thing he could do right now, either. But, Linqian was a good person. She wouldn’t leave him alone in the lurch… Though, he really wasn’t looking forward to actually saying goodbye. 

[color=F5388C]”Jesus… You trying to earn a night off or something? Working so hard…”[/color]

They were all being terribly nonchalant about this. All except Andrade, who seemed to be enraptured by something by his feet. Greyson’s eyes turned downward to look, yet saw nothing. 

[color=F5388C]”I mean, I guess Linqian’s got it all figured out, Guys. We can all go home.”[/color] he joked, weakly raising a finger to poke her in the side. [color=F5388C]”Meds tiiiiiime…”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Night off? To do fucking what? Like anyone else could handle your whiny ass for a whole night.”[/color] Linqian rolled her eyes. It was like it would kill her to admit she wanted to spend what little time was left together. There'd be plenty of time after for her to go back to pursuing meaningless flings in order to fuck the feelings and nights away.

[color=CD5C5C]”You wish I had everything fucking figured out… Y'know as well as I do that I'm not made for fucking sorting out this shit. So no drugs for you yet.”[/color]
She caught his hand before he got a chance to poke her a second time, tired gaze towards him softening a bit. Then she turned her head to look at Leon, Cass and Andrade. 

[color=CD5C5C]”So we've sorted the making him look less ugly shit… Then, dealing with Sycamore is about as planned as if fucking can be. Meeting’s tomorrow morning so… That's enough time for Aryin to sort shit out with 317. We already know the actual plan, after will be dealt with by Temple, remaining Sycamore and 317… I guess we gotta figure out where the fuck to point Sycamore to avoid clashing. But we don't have to worry ‘bout the PRA for a few days. Then the Snake- Viper, fucking whatever. We can figure that shit out after if we really gotta.”[/color] Linqian rattled everything off, going through it herself to see if there was really anything else Greyson needed to be around for. 

[color=CD5C5C]”Anything I've missed we've gotta talk about?”[/color]

Cass shrugged, looking at Leon. 

By this point, Trisha had calmed down enough to at least tune into the conversation. But it only made her feel worse again… Because she was useless. She might as well have not been at the meeting. What did she contribute? A few words, then a breakdown? She'd been out of the loop so long she didn't have anything useful to say… but she couldn't blame anyone but herself for that. Now that she was trying to get involved, she remembered just how shit she was at helping in the first place. She always just caused more problems than she solved. 

She was just as worthless as she was ten years ago. 

[color=d1b300]“Is there anything you need to discuss?"[/color] Trisha asked Casey softly, not withdrawing much from him even as she checked back into what was going on outside their bubble.

Casey had one topic that made him nervous. Paranormal combat was always a lid tosser, but this was something that would slow burn right alongside the dissolution of the Temple.

[color=577d06]”We’re here in agreement that our intention is to shatter the Dollhouse. That’s really [i]it.[/i] Beyond that, I mean… Are we finally dismantling Sycamore? Hardly a coven there to begin with, the only Hold that the group still has is that abandoned bar… But, you guys are still holding the bag on serious shit. Not to mention all the illicitly gathered artifacts that we shouldn’t trust a bunch of shirkers to keep safe.”[/color] he asked, doing his best to not let his tone sound upset or frustrated.

The idea that Sycamore could, and may, always be a target was something that hadn’t escaped Leon’s frame of reference. It was worth thinking about, though the way Casey made it sound, one would think there was the possibility of a coven in the future. For Greyson, it was something he’d always wanted… But not like that. Not a whimper. He wanted chaos. He wanted screaming and blood and everyone fighting for it until their last breath.

But Leon wanted that too…

[color=C67C12]”We can’t just dismantle the Sycamore Tree Coven. There’s too much at stake, and the way I see it, there’s innocent people involved in it that really didn’t even have a choice to be a part of it. They should have a resource to come to for help and support, even if-”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”Leon… That’s real noble, but think about what the fuck you’re saying, man. What is it with cultists thinking that people want to seek comfort in their abusers? People seek comfort from those they admire, and the abuse just further contextualizes the honeymoon periods. Go read a psych book; the last thing some random Sycamite wants is to call you up when they’re being hunted by some puppeteer freak.”[/color] Greyson interrupted Leon, shaking his head.
[color=F5388C]”And I’d ask your opinion, Trisha, but Lord knows you’re the [i]last[/i] person who would come to people claiming to be [i]Friends of Sycamore[/i]. You’d probably sprint the other way if you heard that shit!”[/color] 

Trisha frowned, even though Greyson was right. She just didn't want him talking for her. She tensed up a bit, while doing her best to sound calm. 
[color=d1b300]“I would. I don't trust most of Sycamore, nevermind someone claiming to be friends of us. But that doesn't mean everyone else would avoid it… There should be some offer of help. For people like Luca and Lila, who might actually take it and [I]need[/I] it."[/color]

Linqian couldn't quite hold back a laugh as they discussed if Sycamore should be dismantled or not, as if it was ever really a discussion in the first place. 
[color=CD5C5C]”None of that fucking matters cause Sycamore's gonna die soon as this shit is done. It died ten years ago! Right now it's just a group of people tryna save their fucking lives, forced together cause they just happen to be tryna kill all of us. Threats gone, everyone leaves, simple as. Offer help, fucking whatever you want, just don't be hurt when it ends up how Greyson says. Either way, there's no point talking about that shit like it's something that’ll even be possible. Just sit back and watch it fucking crumble.”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”That’s not what he meant, Q.”[/color] Greyson had taken to shortening her name down to the unique little center.
[color=F5388C]”This… This shit came ten years after. What makes you think it ain’t coming again? It just takes another jumped up asshole who knows the Stygian Cunt is buried-”[/color]

Andrade practically leaned in as if Greyson was about to give up the secret to the air and ruin their plan in an absent minded stupor… But he paused, taking a deep breath.

[color=F5388C]”All it takes is someone linking it to you guys, and to St. Portwell, to keep all of you [i]and this place[/i] in danger. Remember… If this plan [i]really[/i] works? Then the spell keeping the resting place locked up tightens. It gets [i]better.[/i] But it’ll never be a permanent solution. As long as its in your head, people are in danger…”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”So… [i]Wait.[/i] What’re you [i]suggesting then?[/i]”[/color] Leon asked with deep conspiracy in his voice.

Casey looked past his brother to the dying man in the chair, who looked back at the two brothers with a grim smile.

[color=F5388C]”Erase it all. Like it never happened. If there never was a Sycamore, then the Snake would, by all modern accounts, still be wherever the fuck they unearthed it to start. Nobody would have any reason to realize-”[/color]

[color=54678a]”Ace… You’re talking about the [i]Record[/i] here… How-”[/color]

[color=577d06]”-[i]The fucking Macguffin![/i]”[/color]

The same tool that they were using to strip public consciousness of the Beppo Park Incursion… One of the most powerful artifacts bound to the plane of Shimmer, whose very name was a joke because it was so old and esoteric that they couldn’t find the real one… It was at least a fitting name.

[color=CD5C5C]”And what the fuck is this Macguffin shit? It can just erase all that? You wanna fucking erase that much of all of our lives.”[/color] Linqian frowned, eyes narrowed as they went from Casey to Greyson. Sure, safety would be great. Protecting the city was great. 

Protecting Henri led her to even consider doing something so insane. 
[color=CD5C5C]”That doesn't just erase it's location in our heads. That's a shit ton of relationships- Erase Sycamore, none of us here even fucking met. My parents… Died to nothing. A shit ton of people did. That's erasing a lot’ve important memories for a lot've people.”[/color]

Trisha's own frown was equally harsh, arms crossing over her chest as her whole frame tightened. As much as there was so much trauma for her around the Stygian Snake and Sycamore, she didn't want to lose it. She hated the idea of having her mind tampered with on that scale- it was bad enough she had to allow it to lock up the memory of where it was sealed in the first place. There'd been so much bad, but that summer was still so important for who she was. And there were people she didn't want erased like that. 

[color=d1b300]“No way. We're not doing that. Because… It'll have to affect people with Emotional Fields, won't it? Otherwise we'll still be in danger. I'm not losing a whole summer of my life!"[/color]

[color=577d06]”You both don’t understand!-”[/color] Casey became visually excited, perking up and practically leaning forward into Trisha as both his hands came up to cup an invisible force.
[color=577d06]”-You’d be-”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”-Absolutely not. You know the toll it takes. The price we pay for covering up things that [i]don’t[/i] matter? Think about what it’s asking us for, just to scrub Beppo Park from the Blinds!”[/color] Leon pushed, frustration in his voice being incredibly apparent.

[color=54678a]”There’s only one real option. You find the other four snakes, and we form the Ouroboros.”[/color] Andrade asserted, referring back to his earlier plan.
[color=54678a]”If you think for one second that the Akashic Record is going to let go of its knowledge for the sake of your safety, you’re insane. We’ve got a far greater chance of finding the other four ourselves.”[/color]

Casey looked down at Trisha, then back at Andrade.

[color=577d06]”And we’re supposed to trust that this wasn’t yours and Luis’ plan all along? Reunite the five snakes and usher forth the Eleventh Lux?Become Gods?”[/color] he asked, narrowing his eyes.

[color=54678a]”Ask Tamara! Ask any of the Second Council! They’ll happily tell you that my logic is sound based on all the information we have as Adepts!”[/color] Andrade asserted in return, truly tired of having his judgement questioned in spite of earning every little bit of scrutiny he received.

Trisha frowned, arms tightening around herself. She didn’t like either option. Erase everything, or find and free [i]all[/i] the snakes in the hope some insane myth was right. And if they don't do anything, risk people coming after them again… It all sucked. She didn’t even know what to say that wasn’t spilling out negativity that just wasn’t helpful. 

[color=CD5C5C]”I’m not trusting some fucking ancient record that could be bullshit anyway, even if he’s telling the truth.”[/color] Linqian scoffed, cynicism on full display. It was the kind of shit Jinhai always dealt with. Too smart for her, but as soon as it got to abstract shit she struggled to believe it at all. 

[color=CD5C5C]”I still think throwing the fucking tree its sealed in to the deepest part of the ocean is the best bet.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Well it wouldn’t hurt to ask Tamara and that, would it? To see if Andrade ain’t lying and all, no matter what's decided?”[/color] Cass piped up, having mostly stayed silent. It didn’t feel like her place to speak on Sycamore or anything. 

Trisha frowned slightly, head dropping to stare at her feet as she one upped Linqian’s cynicism, pushing into paranoia.
[color=d1b300]“What if they want it too? The Snake. To use for what’s… Going to happen.”[/color]

[color=54678a]”Dadonda’s no friend of the Serpent! The snake! Ancient myth says that the Testudi were just another serpent, but they rebelled themselves! And, and, the story says they forged their homes to travel as Nomads, locking away the evil inside their shells so that they could do good across the Shimmer! They wouldn’t!”[/color] Andrade asserted.

Casey and Leon both had to agree with that sentiment… There were few among even the most radical in the Temple who would rationalize an alliance with any of the evil Squamata that still slithered their bellies across the realm. 

[color=C67C12]”That’s no lie as far as I’m concerned. We’re all raised with the story of Adam and Eve, and even if it’s told a Hell of a lot differently than some normal Church, we all get indoctrinated into the idea that snakes are fucking evil. There’s no chance they’d turn on us like that. I think we can trust the input if we wanted to seek it out.”[/color] Leon tried to sound like he was sure, even if it came off a little shaky.

Trisha hoped that was true. She didn’t have any reason to distrust Tamara and Dadonda. The Queen knew Dadonda from a time long gone… But Trisha was naturally untrusting and paranoid. Especially when she had some kind of life and future to protect. 

But if she pushed back against every solution, that would just reflect badly on her.
[color=d1b300]“I guess… We should ask. We’ll have some time, if the spell tightens after the plan. We don’t have to decide right now.”[/color]

Cass vigorously nodded her agreement at that. Rushing into a solution for something so major in one meeting didn’t seem smart at all! Especially when all the solutions were so drastic. 

[color=CD5C5C]”Right, cause it’ll be easy to find these other Snakes- if they exist. I’m really struggling to believe that shit… But whatever. I know you probably won’t be including me in these lil meetings after the plan’s finished anyway, since there won’t be an important guy for me to keep from death's door.”[/color] Linqian rolled her eyes as her head jerked towards Greyson. 

[color=F5388C]”Why the [i]fuck[/i] do you do this to yourself, Linqian?!”[/color] Greyson snapped upward, hand balling a weak fist that smashed against his own leg in frustration.
[color=F5388C]”[b]You dictate the terms of your own involvement![/b] You always have!”[/color]

He actually pushed up, weakly standing now and turning his whole body to nearly block the two of them off from the rest of the people in the room.

[color=F5388C]”If you care… If you give even a single solitary [i]fuck[/i] about anything left on this planet, then you’ll [i]stick it out until the end![/i] In fact… [i]On my fucking deathbed[/i], I demand that you stay with these fucking people and keep them [i]honest![/i] You’re the most honest person I know! The only person who wouldn’t lie to someone’s face to make them feel better! Quit selling yourself short and take your fucking agency back! I love you! So… So fucking much, Linny… Don’t fucking do this for me, or for Jinhai’s memory, don’t even do it for Henri… Take back your fucking life for [i]yourself![/i] I’m leaving you all the shit you need to be financially secure and successful, but it’ll never be enough if you can’t learn to break this evil fucking cycle!”[/color]

He had both of her hands in his, fingers wrapped between one another and squeezing with all the loving force he could muster. He didn’t care that there were others here… Hearing her talk like that, discluding herself from the conversation preemptively… It was just like her.

And Casey listened to it all, only to place a soft look at Trisha. He wasn’t going to say anything, but the similarities were glaring. Two women with no self confidence, just veiled layers of defense piled on top of themselves and painted to look like a structure. But, he couldn’t not speak up.

Except Leon got to the same conclusion first.

[color=C67C12]”That’s honestly pretty fucking touching, Greyson… But, that just makes me wonder why you two chicks were never fucking friends! Sounds like you both have the same bottom line ass issue.”[/color] Leon absently intoned to both Trisha and Linqian, half a dumb smile forming on his face…

After all, he knew [i]exactly[/i] what he was doing with a comment like that.

[color=d1b300]“I don’t have the same issue as-”[/color]
[color=CD5C5C]”Don’t fucking compare me to that prickly-”[/color] 
Trisha and Linqian snapped at the same time, stopping midsentence to stare at each other- as much as was possible around Greyson. 

[color=629c3f]”Babe, don’t say that!”[/color] Cass spoke at the same time too, voice cutting above the rest as she lightly hit Leon’s shoulder. She didn’t know Linqian well, but she knew how Trisha reacted to things… And she knew exactly why they weren’t friends! Cause yeah, they had the same issue, and they were both reactive. In different ways, from what she’d seen, but she imagined they’d exploded at each other once, Trisha had held onto that… Then that resentment just pissed Linqian off every time they talked. At least that was what Cass guessed to be the case.

[color=d1b300]“Even if we [i]do[/i] have the same issue, that doesn’t mean we’re similar or get on.”[/color] Trisha said, pouting slightly. She didn’t think Linqian was a bad person, or anything, but she didn’t exactly want to be compared to the person who got [i]so[/i] angry all the time. Sure, Trisha knew she was reactive, but it wasn’t the same.

[color=CD5C5C]”Fine, fine, see whatever similarities you want.”[/color] Linqian jerked her head dismissively at Leon. She had more important things to focus on… Mainly the lovesick idiot standing on his barely working legs!

[color=CD5C5C]”If you fucking love me that much, then sit the fuck down, Greyson! You don’t have to hurt yourself to prove your point!”[/color] Linqian half stood herself with genuine concern in her eyes, trying to wrangle Greyson back down onto the sofa as carefully as possible. He made it difficult with how tightly he was holding onto her hands. Not strong enough she couldn’t break it… But she didn’t want to.

She just also didn’t want him to fall over and hurt himself!

She frowned slightly, voice dropping to something quieter and softer.
[color=CD5C5C]”I’ll stick it out. But y’know how fucking hard it is for me to live for myself when I’ve never even had the chance to. Fucking hard to do shit you don’t know.”[/color] 

Trisha went from pouting up at Casey to look at the side, pretending she didn’t hear something very similar- just more curse filled- to things she’d said previously.

[color=F5388C]”It’s called standing on fucking business! God dammit, I’m… I’m injured, I’m not a fucking cripple!”[/color] the crippled man snarled, no longer strong enough to prevent being ragdolled and absolutely pissed off about it.

His masculinity had never been a problem. Confident as he usually was, it was only now that there’d been so much time spent practically invalid that he was becoming sore over it. Actively upset, even. He hated that he couldn’t promise that he’d give her anything else to live for… But he desperately wanted her to make it.

[color=F5388C]”In the end… We die alone. Nobody else is inside you to see you off.”[/color] he mumbled as he tried to catch his breath, finally back down on the sofa after a small struggle.

Casey clutched at Trisha, having felt the shifting over her head and watching as her gaze left him. There was shame he couldn’t prevent.

[color=C67C12]”My point was: If there’s two people more qualified to work together and build a support network for, essentially, abused Covenmates… Then I don’t know them. Because, I know you two… No bullshit women who’ve been hurt by the system before, and know enough to make it better.”[/color] Leon gritted his teeth, hoping he’d be able to get his true point across.

[color=577d06]”What’re you saying?”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”That the original leadership is gone… But there’s still people like Luca out there who are gonna need people’s help and support long beyond this bullshit. I can’t be the person… But, you two can. Because nobody will ever believe that you’re there to help them for someone else’s purposes. Essentially, you’re both totally uncorrupted by power and influence.”[/color] Leon’s words hung in the air.

[color=CD5C5C]”Oh, Luca won’t be coming to me for help.”[/color] Linqian laughed slightly at the suggestion she’d be in any way good at helping other people. She could barely help herself! Sure, maybe it would be easier when she wasn’t struggling to keep her head above the water thanks to Greyson leaving her financially secure for the first time in ten years. 

She sighed, sitting back down herself, one hand subtly moving to take Greyson’s again.
[color=CD5C5C]”Y’know him and Lila- the one other person with a bad fucking Apparition problem- are friends with Evelynn. She hates my guts. The feeling is fucking mutual… But that doesn’t exactly make me approachable, does it? I get what you’re saying, Leon, but we’re also both disliked than more than half the coven. I’m [i]planning[/i] to stay in the city, so if people really need help? Sure, I’ll do it. But I don’t expect anyone to ask.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]”I think most of the coven would rather punch me than ask for help, if we’re going by my track record.”[/color] Trisha said quietly, gaze dropping from the side to her feet. She wanted to believe what Leon was saying. That she could be there for people in the coven who needed help like she had. Nobody else had offered it to her until Casey had… But she didn’t know if she could be. Because what did she know that could help? What could she really offer? 

She chewed her bottom lip anxiously. 
[color=d1b300]“I want to try. But I don’t think anyone likes me enough to ask for my help either.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”There’s fucking… Nobody left! What, two dozen people? What the fuck is your sentiment toward them in the first place!?”[/color] Casey finally piped up, teeth gritted together.

He was a little sick of this past that he’d never had the chance to be a part of. As an outsider, the Sycamore Tree Coven only seemed to do more damage than it did any good. That was the legacy: One of pain. No better than the Temple in his estimation, just [i]innocent[/i] because eighty percent of the membership couldn’t formulate enough thought coherence to successfully mount a defensive operation against a large-scale Apparitional incursion…

As if that was something simple in the first place…

[color=577d06]”Let it die a death! Fuck helping! And, honestly, I think that’s bullshit [i]especially[/i] coming from you, Leon! When [i]you[/i] were always the asshole who wanted to keep your finger on the pulse. Because you’re just as much of a control freak as our Mother!”[/color] Casey finished, and Trisha would be able to feel his breath getting quicker.

Leon frowned, shaking his head. But before he could pipe up, Casey continued.

[color=577d06]”I wouldn’t stay in this fucking city if he was paying me to either, Linqian. Ten-to-one, once the Temple collapses, the few serious Covens left will swoop in like vultures and engorge themselves on the remains! And then, Emily G. Reed gets everything she ever wanted! You’re [i]not[/i] gonna want to be here for that!”[/color] he asserted.

Linqian stared at Casey, before letting out a short laugh. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Now it’s starting to feel like a real fucking Sycamore meeting! Arguments and just getting stuck with shit… But I’m not staying in the city for [i]him[/i]. I’m staying- at least part time- cause the one bitch I got left in my life lives here, and they don’t seem to want to move. If I happen to help any remnants of the coven? Great! But it’s not for that. And like I said before… The coven itself will fucking die anyway! But the people and their problems won’t. Well, they might, with the way poor Luca was looking. I can take a bitch like Emily, though.”[/color] 

Trisha frowned, shrinking into herself and Casey. She knew it was stupid to have any kind of sentiment towards them, or to think about helping… Or that she could help. She didn’t even plan to stay after the Temple was gone. They were going to go somewhere else… So she was just lying to herself and everyone else that she wanted to try. Because she wanted a future with Casey more than anything else. 

She didn’t want him to get any more upset than he was. At least, that’s what she assumed he was. Upset or angry. She didn’t look up to see Casey’s expression, but she could feel his tension and breathing. 

Trisha nodded slightly, speaking incredibly quietly. 
[color=d1b300]“Casey’s right. Sycamore isn’t worth that… Effort.”[/color]

Cass’ head jerked between everyone, trying to keep up with what the fuck was happening. Kill it, don’t, help, don’t… What the hell?!
[color=629c3f]”Hey, c’mon Casey, that ain’t fair. It ain’t like Leon’s telling anyone to put their life on the line by offering some help! Like Linqian said- Sycamore may die, but people that need help won’t!”[/color]

[color=577d06]”You’re a good person, Cass… You’re naturally inclined to help people, and that’s great. But, this ain’t Trisha’s fight… So, all I want to know is: Are we trapping the snake, or are we just hiding it better. If it makes any difference, we already [i]have[/i] one of the other snakes.”[/color] Casey’s voice lingered for a moment as Andrade’s eyes got wide.

[color=54678a]”What!?-”[/color] Andrade asked aloud, panic in his voice.
[color=54678a]”-W-w-which!? How!?”[/color]

Casey waved Andrade off.
[color=577d06]”Classified. Leon? Can we trust you to get the scoop from Tamara and Dadonda? Or should Trisha and I-”[/color]

Leon could feel his brother’s own desire to escape starting to resemble Trisha’s more and more… Maybe it was reflective. 

[color=C67C12]”Trisha… You should be the one. Dadonda [i]hates[/i] Lelou. But, he and Seillean seemed close.”[/color] Leon said, trying not to emotionally grab hold of them both to pin them into the spot.

[color=54678a]”Wait! Wait, wait, wait… Trisha… [i]Ask the Queen![/i]”[/color] Andrade’s voice hung in the air, eyes staring up at Trisha with baited breath.

Casey didn’t want to [i]force[/i] Trisha into it, but if there was concern over who was going to tell the truth, it could easily be put to bed here. Casey’s hands gently rubbed against Trisha as he took a deep breath.

[color=577d06]”Maybe that’s not such a bad idea… Worst case, she doesn’t know whether or not the Ouroboros story is real… Right?”[/color]

Trisha pressed her lips together. She didn’t want to right now. She wanted this whole thing to be done. But she wanted to go and talk to Tamara and Dadonda less. Because they’d expect her to do it soon, when she was struggling to deal with all these people she knew better for any amount of time. 

But the thought of doing it while they all watched her made her feel incredibly uncomfortable, even if Casey would be there. 

[color=d1b300]“I’ll do it if we can go somewhere else. Another room, or apartment… I don’t care, just somewhere the two of us. I don’t want to do it in front of everyone.”[/color] She admitted eventually, leaning into Casey and taking a deep breath.

Casey didn’t even give anyone time to dispute her request. With her still tucked into his arms, he slipped backward and turned his body to prompt her onward. 

[color=577d06]”Borrowing your apartment!”[/color] Casey managed to look at Cass as he was shuffling Trisha off, disappearing around the doorframe and pushing up so that he was next to Trisha and holding her with both arms. He didn’t say anything until they were both inside Cass’ apartment with the door closed behind them all alone. 

His hand swept up against the door, Orange Lux crashing across its surface and onward through the surface of the walls, completely soundproofing the apartment from the outside. As he did so, he looked down at Trisha.

[color=577d06]”You don’t need to fucking do this, Trisha… However they make you feel. It’s okay to not want to help them…”[/color] Casey asserted, jaw clenched in anger as he’d seen what the candor of Sycamore did to her constantly.

Trisha shuffled around to face him, hugging close to him. It was difficult. Because some of the people that needed help were the ones she really didn’t hate. Luca, even Lila after their fight… But nobody there had ever been there for her. It didn’t matter they’d had their own problems then, or hadn’t actively participated in hurting her. 

[color=d1b300]“But doesn’t that make me a bad person?”[/color] She asked quietly. 
[color=d1b300]“Because… Some of them really do need help. More than I do- did. And they don’t have [i]you[/i] like I do.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”They never took the chance on you. You were [i]just a fucking kid[/i] Trisha… Fuck them! Fuck these people! Don’t do this for anyone else besides yourself, and to Hell with their concerns. What happened to you wasn’t right!”[/color] he asserted, knowing full well that if he had it his way, they’d nuke St. Portwell just to bury the sycamore tree under a pile of radioactive ash.

[color=577d06]”If some asshole wants the Snake bad enough, they’re gonna find a way to get it one way or another. This [i]doesn’t need to be your fight.[/i] When we’re gone, it’ll be so fucking far away… You’ll never see any of these people ever again… And if Leon ever tries to make you feel bad, it’ll be [i]far away[/i]. And then, you can ask [i]him[/i] why he’s not here, sticking around trying to help out some magical fucking charity cases…”[/color] 

Trisha nodded slowly, trying not to panic just at the thought of that. Because even though she’d always spat back in his face, Leon had always been that righteous enforcer back in the day. His judgment wasn’t easy for her to deal with… And she thought he was easier to get on with now, but it turned out that was just because of the seal’s suppressing. There was Cass to think about too.

She didn’t want her stuck in the middle. More than that, Trisha feared that Cass would judge her too… 

[color=d1b300]“I know… I didn’t go back for a reason. I didn’t want any of this. Just because I helped fight that fucking Snake so long ago, I’m expected to be stuck with this? It isn’t fair.”[/color] Trisha sniffed. 
[color=d1b300]“Nobody would’ve helped me or cared if I died. [i]Leon[/i] wouldn’t. But it’s hard… Because I feel like I’m fourteen again. When he started talking like that, and Linqian and Greyson just… Being themselves. It’s everything I wanted to avoid. But it’s fine, I can do this much because you’re involved! But I’m not helping here because I care about Sycamore. It’s because I care about you, and Cass, and Mia, Hari and Ed, who won’t leave this city. I just… It makes me feel selfish. But why? I shouldn’t have these responsibilities from something I joined at fourteen!”[/color]

It came spilling out, especially now that they were alone. In the face of his anger towards Sycamore she couldn’t keep her own conflicting feelings inside. It was difficult. Because there was everything she’d wanted from Sycamore, but never gotten. Deep and heavy resentment contrasted by pitiful hope they’d all suddenly like and include her. 

[color=577d06]”You should [i]not[/i] be forced into feeling this way… Some people step up, and that’s great. But some people never asked, and never wanted. You stood when you were asked… When the danger was there. Now? Well…”[/color]

He couldn’t help feeling like he [i]at least[/i] wanted to protect the city based on the principle that it was his childhood home. For all the nightmares, there were dreams here too… Keeping the city safe felt like an objectively good goal, but he could never ask her to have that same connection. Nor did he want to convince her over it. It was her call, and if all this pain was just that? Why push harder?

[color=577d06]”I’ll convince Leon that it’s [i]his[/i] job. You just… Do this last thing for them, then we’re going upstairs. Because I’ve had it with these sadsops.”[/color] Casey asserted, gripping Trisha’s hand in confidence.
[color=577d06]”No matter what the Queen’s answer is, it ain’t our job to find a solution.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I don't… I still don't mind helping with this plan as much as I can. I don't want the city destroyed- or us with it. But when the Temple's gone, that's it. When we leave I'm not coming back."[/color] Trisha responded with as much confidence as she could muster, holding Casey's hand tightly in return. 

Because if they really did make it that far, she believed it would happen. She'd be able to properly leave it all behind. Permanently, unlike when she went to University. 

[color=d1b300]“Alright… I'll ask her."[/color]
Taking a deep breath, Trisha closed her eyes, fully leaning against Casey as she did. A gentle knock where she knew the Queen could hear, getting an eventual sleepy greeting in response. 

[color=d1b300][I]Do you know about it? About the Stygian Snake, and the other four. The… Ouroboros?[/I][/color]

There was a pause before the Queen responded.
[color=c18e1b][i]I do. I did not recognise it at first back then. Nor have I ever seen the form it took before it was split. But I know.[/i][/color]

[color=d1b300][I]Will getting all of the Snakes… stop them? Or will it make things worse?[/I][/color]

Another pause.
[color=c18e1b][i]They are beholden to their nature.[/i][/color]

[color=d1b300][I]What does that mean.[/I][/color]

[color=c18e1b][i]It is not a path to Godhood as you are concerned about. But I have not witnessed it myself, so I cannot be sure the inclination to eat themselves will outweigh that to destroy others. I have only ever seen their destructive nature.[/i][/color]

[color=d1b300][I]Alright… Thank you.[/I][/color]

Trisha pulled out of her mind, blinking rapidly as she squinted against the light of the outside world. 
[color=d1b300]“She knows about the Ouroboros, but she doesn't know if it'll work. Just that it won't help Andrade get Godhood or anything."[/color]

[i]So what if a new Ancient somehow formed? Was that worse than Andrade and Luis holding the power?[/i]

[color=577d06]”Well shit… I can’t say that fills me with a [i]lot[/i] of confidence, but… I don’t know, my assumption is that if we go with uh, what’s her name… Linqian? If we go with [i]her[/i] plan, then there’s even less of a chance of it being safe. And if we already have one of the puzzle pieces…-”[/color]

Say it. Be honest.

[color=577d06]”I’m honestly invested in seeing what the fuck happens. Even if it somehow winds up worse… At least we had the best of intentions. Hell, maybe, if it goes bad and the snakes form a new Ancient, it’ll choose us as its chosen.”[/color] he laughed, a rather morbid thought to have run through his head.

Trisha managed a half laugh, shaking her head at him.
[color=d1b300]“I’d have to get over my… Trauma really quickly if that happened. I also don't think either of us would be good evil Ancient chosen."[/color]

She smiled slightly at him. She didn't feel much better about the whole thing, but she was at least somewhat convinced it wasn't her burden to bear. If it went wrong… well it was just as likely to go wrong otherwise. 

[color=d1b300]“You’re right, we did. Maybe by the time we find them all we'll have a better idea… I doubt we'll find all of them before the plans done, since Greyson doesn't look like someone with… all that long to live. So then we'll know if we can at least trust Andrade a little bit. And we'll have to stick around until the Temple's gone anyway."[/color]

[color=577d06]”We’ll work out what we can, then. Everything else, we’ll get through it. We [i]love[/i] platitudes around here.”[/color] Casey sarcastically giggled, smiling down at Trisha before bending and placing a long kiss on her lips.

[color=577d06]”Whatever comes, I’m so fucking proud of you… And happy I’m yours. C’mon, let’s just tell them, then head back upstairs… We’re not gonna be there in the middle of everything when it happens, after all, and anything else, I can get from Leon or Cass directly. I’ve got a few hours before there’s another meeting about the fresh Kindles from Beppo…”[/color]