Casey nodded calmly, leaning his lower body up against the bar and letting her slide into him gently. He slowly let his consciousness split positions, with the right ear’s hearing collapsing for a moment. It was odd experiencing full deafness; and the only thing more strange was picking the audio feed back up from a new location using only one. It wasn’t the same as putting a single earbud in. That didn’t give you the sensation of the atmosphere or air of a place. You didn’t get vague gusts of air brushing against your non-existent flesh.

That entire ear was as close to being back up at his chair as it could be without legs.

”-and I have incredibly fond memories of working with-”

She had to be stalling. Or something. He felt like a federal wiretapper at this point, hoping to catch the hardened criminal blabbing about business on the phone. She was scheduled for fifteen minutes, but because of how short Casey cut it, it seemed like she was taking advantage of the gap, which he could contextually accept. She was stalling. Because of him!

”I really doomed us… How long was I on stage? Three minutes? Maybe four, because of the proposal? I gave this bitch an extra ten minutes… She’s just yappin’ away!” he vaguely tipped his hand, absentmindedly keying Trisha into a conversation that had been only in his mind.

Trisha frowned, trying her best not to reactively tense when he spilled that he was listening in on something entirely different. Sure, they weren't immediately talking about anything. Maybe it was unrealistic to expect him to just be in the moment with her, ready to pay attention if she said anything. But she was doing that for him! Even if she had spying magic, she wouldn't be using it.

And sure, he was listening in on a public speech they'd walked away from. But what if Cass and Leon were having a more private conversation and he picked up that too? She still… Really didn't like spying at all.

“It’s just talking." Trisha managed to say, trying to stay calm. To not get too tense. But it was hard.
“It’s not like you have to listen, Casey. Nobody's forcing you to. You're not even there. We came here for some quiet, and you're listening in somewhere else."

Casey reflexively frowned. There were a lot of reasons he figured she may be understanding at this point, but it was a cold realization that he had to be online almost always. Maybe someday, he’d be able to slack… But this duty of maintaining some level of guarded veiling was tiresome. He wasn’t used to it. He didn’t want to do it with his family, and he didn’t want to do it with her.

But he’d just proposed officially in front of a lot of people. More to the point was the proposal itself: So important that it was worth remembering that this was all going to get better. He’d ask forgiveness for now, not permission. But, maybe she’d be willing to see his side if he explained it even half-correct.

”This could be the last time she speaks publicly. And, y’know, maybe she’ll leave something cryptic behind! Some kind of hint or clue about what her plans are for the coming days. And yeah, there’s other people there listening, but I can’t trust them like I trust me! I trust me to really hear it! And, besides, we came back here to make a phone call, and I said ‘Lets take a breath.’. Nowhere did I say- Y’know, no. I’m sorry, Trisha. I’m not doing this. Sit here and be mad at me all you want, but I’m just gonna fuckin-”

He tucked his hand down his pants, pulling up the tucked in shirt until he had a grip on his glove Channeler before pulling it out and tossing it on the floor a couple feet away.

”-take care of the problem. It’s the only thing I can imagine will actually work at this point.”

Trisha reactively flinched, frown deepening.
“I’m not mad at you."

She wasn't. At least, she hadn't been. Upset and annoyed, maybe. It was creeping more towards being mad though with how he reacted. Like she was being unreasonable to be upset about it… maybe she was! But he didn't need to throw his channeler away. He was acting like she was a child throwing a tantrum.

Which only made her feel worse. He didn't even bother finishing his explanation cause he didn't think she'd understand. Maybe she wouldn't! But she didn't think she was being unreasonable. He knew she didn't like the spying. She accepted it for certain safety things, but… she still didn't like it.

“If you wanted to listen to Lynette's speech, you could've said. We didn't need to make the call right now. I was fine with waiting. You didn't need to resort to magical spying. I could've talked to Cass and Leon and Gin if you wanted to pay attention to it."

Casey gently shook his head in response.

”You'd have wound up getting sassy toward someone who doesn't deserve it because you were feeling bad about the situation. So we came back here with the plan to take care of things.”

His voice was incredibly calm. At first, he felt that he probably shouldn't have jumped the gun like this. But the channeler on the ground meant she had his full attention no matter what. Which is clearly what she wanted.

”I made the presumption that, since we were just relaxing and not talking about anything, that I'd slide one side of the headphones on. It's no different than that, Trisha. I'm not spying, or anything malicious. I'm just doing two things at once. I'm comforting my fiance, and listening to my Mom's last public speech. I know I shouldn't care, she's a walking corpse. I get it. I'm sorry.”

“I didn’t say you shouldn’t care. You’re twisting my words, Casey.” Trisha’s hands curled into fists as she tried to stay calm. But it felt like he was just doubling down on thinking she was unreasonable and just apologising because he had to. Because she was making a big deal of something she shouldn’t.

He thought she would’ve snapped at someone else, too. Like she couldn’t control herself at all. Maybe she couldn’t… But the expectation didn’t help.
“You… could’ve asked. I don’t know, it takes five seconds to say ‘oh can I listen in’ or something. Because I’m not doing anything else. And why do you think I’d just snap at someone! Because I’m so unreasonable all the time? I’m sorry for caring about things so much.”

She sucked in a breath, closing her eyes for a moment. She knew she was just proving that as she spiraled. But even when she thought that, she couldn’t prevent it.

”And it takes me a literal eye blink to tune in.”

She was right, of course. But, this visceral reaction to the situation every single time was something that was growing difficult to not actively target. The idea that self improvement was a glacially paced process didn't help when she spun herself into anxiety attacks every other day. She could be as right as she wanted about a couple minor things, but it'd never change the fact that her rawness didn't feel right. Like she was always ready to find a beast to claw into from behind.

”Sometimes I do it without thinking. But I can't right now! Look! I'm right here with you, and we're talking, and I'm not paying attention to anything else but you! My fiance!” he pleaded, hoping the word fiance would become some kind of defusal tool. Bomb squad technology…

“But you don’t want to be! You’d rather be paying attention to something else. You’re only paying attention because you think I’m causing a problem and being unreasonable!” Trisha jumped to wild conclusions with no foundation, the anxiety she’d been trying and failing to suppress spilling out.

But it was true, wasn’t it? That he thought she was being unreasonable, at least, and was annoyed about it. Why wouldn’t he be? But it wasn’t like she’d attacked him. She’d just voiced being upset that he was listening to something else.

“Just like everyone else does.”

Casey's face twisted with vague disgust.

”You're so quick to accuse me of being like everyone else. That's fine, Trish. You can say whatever it is you want about me, but we sleep in the same bed. Tonight, we'll go to bed next to one another, no matter how pissy you are at me. And then tomorrow, you'll wake up next to me, no matter how pissy you are. And every day after that, barring any small period where we're separated by distance for a reason, we'll be together no matter how fucking pissy you can possibly get.” he chided, stepping closer until his hands could reach out to hers.

They tried to intertwine fingers, abutting against hers without any mutuality.

”Thats the only way I'll ever prove to you that I'm not like anyone else you've ever met… But you go ahead and be upset. It's natural, I guess. I'll live.”

“Why’s- Why’s it all on me being pissy. I wasn’t even that upset until you doubled down and threw your glove away. I- I-” She closed her eyes so she didn’t have to see his expression, her own a mix of anguish and irritation.

”Because I don't have these reactions to things, Babe! I don't need plans and preparation- If I freak out over something, I-”
This was pointless. Arguing with her like this was pointless. He took a deep breath.

”-Just… Come back to me, Trisha. We were having a nice night, right? We were doing good? Let's make it twenty more minutes, please…” he pleaded in return.

Trisha’s eyes were still squeezed shut, her head shaking slightly.
“I told you- that I’d always be like this, and you still proposed! This is me. I-”

She didn’t want to get upset or mad at him, just like she didn’t want to panic over things and have reactions. But it was so hard not to when it was all she’d done for all of her life, and normally people just fucked off because of it! And she still lashed out at the one person who didn’t because of everything that had happened before- and she loved him. Which only made her more scared and upset.

“I need to go on a walk. To clear my head.” Before she ruined things more.

”I don't want you to leave, Trisha… I really don't think its fair when I-” have to make sure I don't show you my back anytime I walk away.

He didn't let the whole sentence leave his throat, catching it and coughing it out in a single sputter.

”-thought I was trying to apologize. But, at this point, I feel like whatever move I make is gonna be the wrong one. So, I guess you do what you have to do. I won't spy on you or anything… Will you at least meet me back here when you feel like you can look at me? I love you.”

Trisha nodded, eyes slowly opening, hazy with tears. She didn’t quite look at him- because she was worried about what she’d see. Even though he was trying to defuse the situation, she still felt so worried.

“This is me trying to be better, Casey. So I don’t just get more upset.” She whispered, not sounding all that confident about it. But it wasn’t exactly something she’d tried before- stepping away, that was. Outside of the one time Casey had basically forced her to. They had ended up having a big conversation because of it.

Maybe it wouldn’t work. But she felt so tense and agitated, and underneath it all she knew it was unreasonable. And she still wanted to go home and propose herself and enjoy his company. But she couldn’t if she got more mad! Maybe she really would be able to clear her head.

Or spiral more. But at least she’d be getting upset at herself rather than him, right?

“I love you too. You really-” deserve better. She sucked in a sharp breath.
“I’ll come back.”

”I don't see anything better than you. You'll have to wait until we have kids for that…” he replied simply, putting his hand up in a weak wave.

He really didn't want her to go anywhere. But, if she thought that walking around here would make her feel better, then maybe it would. He had no qualms about the quality of security, at least. There were so many eyes watching everything; all he really had to do was pull a bunch of Recollections and deal with parsing out the collective memories.

But, still… Walk away? To avoid getting upset? Sounded like the opposite of how Trisha worked.

”I'm gonna hold you to coming back… Big trouble if you disappear.” he tried to joke as she took another step away from him.

”I… already miss you.”

Why would he already miss her? She’d just been arguing with him, she just been pissy and unreasonable and-
“I won’t disappear.”

She couldn’t bring herself to say anything else, because she’d probably break down. But that was a problem too! She snapped at him then made him comfort her. Wouldn’t he just get annoyed again if all the self doubts- self hatred- just spilled out?

And she’d probably just snap again. She could feel it, the building resentment that she wanted to- needed to- get rid of. Or try to… Because he shouldn’t have to deal with it.

So while she didn’t plan to disappear entirely, she did disappear back out the side door they’d come in.

She didn’t want to go far, or out of the actual tents. Thankfully it was quietening down a bit- less devout members and those with younger children leaving before all the speeches were done. There were more quiet areas. Nobody tried to talk to her either, thankfully, as she made her way about as far as she could from the box without leaving the canopies. She’d hadn’t brought her coat, after all, just her bag.

And she really didn’t want to run away. She really was trying to do what she said she would- to stop and think things through alone.

So she found herself another quiet spot. Less private, less nice, but hidden away enough between staff areas and the main tables that she felt that she could stop. Stop, think, and hold her head in her hands.

Because she had reacted badly again. Casey may still be putting up with it, but how long would he be able to? She wasn’t exactly improving. If anything, she felt like she was getting worse. Fuck.

They'd already dealt with so much tonight. The proposal and after it was meant to be good. They should've just left. Then she wouldn't have gotten upset.

But there’d be something else, wouldn’t there? Because the problem was her, not the situation. It was all her. Maybe she should go back and apologise. No, no, she was still touchy. She might just make things worse. Did she even deserve to go back and see Casey right now? She didn’t-

There was a shift inside her mind. A subtle stir of the Queen normally sleeping within. Not quite awake, but enough to get Trisha’s attention. She turned her head away from the ground she was looking at towards the nearest table her attention was being tugged towards.

Just in time to see a woman standing up, skin eerily shifting. It wasn’t like a Green Adept, or any other transformative magic she’d seen. It was more disturbing. Like the skin it wore wasn’t quite its, but was enough part of it that changing it wasn’t right either. A blanker, less human version, pulling out a knife to attack the man next to it.

Trisha’s breath caught in her throat, multiple screams echoing in her ears. It wasn’t just one. Was it- It was what Casey had spoken about, wasn’t it? The Doppelgangers- and they’d waited until the end of the night. When things were getting quieter. There were less innocent members left, sure, but some strong Adepts had left too.

But none of the truly important ones.

Shit, shit, shit- Trisha crouched, dropping her bag to pull Princess out. Slightly trembling hands didn’t stop her from willing the plush toy alive, increasing her size back to her normal, large and round size. It was easier thanks to the bread… And the bees immediately responded to her call through it.

Thousands of bees streamed out of Princess’ bright orange fluff, Trisha’s phone ringing with the alarm from the app. She ignored it- it didn’t matter, everyone else was already here. A dense cloud of bees filled the air in front of her as the nearest Doppelganger turned towards her with an eerie gaze, seeming to sniff the air.

Were they targetting specific people? No, that made no sense- why would it come for her now? They were killing everyone, right? Otherwise their targets would be people like Lynette- Or Casey and Leon!

Shit, Casey- He was so far away. But- He’d be safe, he’d be fine, he was a better fighter than she was. She needed to- Ah!

A bee got caught on the blade, another group squashed in the Doppelganger’s hand as it advanced on her. The jolt of pain in her mind was enough to get her to focus, stopping the bees from aimlessly swarming and stinging something that didn’t seem to feel pain. If it did, it didn’t care.

Trisha shuffled back, pulling on the threads that connected her to the increasing amount of bees nearby. Still not all of them… Princess was mobile, at least, and moved out of the way.

It takes at least five hundred stings to kill someone.

One cloud of bees formed a sharp wall in front of Trisha as she retreated, able to block and avoid getting crushed under her command. She’d spent enough time with Casey now to start organising things better, even if it was all under her orders. The main wall was a distraction, the occasional buzz to her mind as one died manageable. But each new group that came out of Princess was sent to sting another area before joining it.

Unpredictable attacks… The kind a living, thinking person could probably figure out. But this was a Doppelganger with orders, not a full fledged human. Not yet, at least.

She hardly had to worry. In a one versus one her bees were overwhelming. The tactics were to minimise deaths- enough stings to kill were easy to reach with thousands at her command. It didn’t stop her heart from pounding in her chest as the first Doppelganger that had come for her fell dead.

Because there were so many more. And she was alone.

Things moved incredibly fast. Like the old days, when a peaceful moment suddenly became filled with chaos due to the Stygian Snake and its many pawns. Some screams weren’t just the deaths of innocent Blinds either; psionic screeches echoed and bounced off one connecting signal to the other as the random violence landed partially upon the Mauteo spread throughout the audience.

White Lux dying in droves was a powerful indicator for any Paranormal individual to take a cue from. Especially when they were all connected like this, as the cacophonous bursting of their spells battered the Emotional Fields of all present. Massive white eyes materialized by the dozens, only to burst into gaseous nothing and climb into the sky. Screaming smoke signals serving as alarm bells in the drone of the evening.

But they weren’t entirely helpless either. Many escaped the initial burst of violence which saw each Undesired pawn twisting their bodies to the right and burying whatever cutlery they had deep into the chest of the unsuspecting victim aside. Some were on the left, or on the other side of the table, leaving them poised to make a counterattack. Most Mauteo didn’t carry blades anymore, but their culture was born of great deeds. They didn’t hesitate to evolve the same tactic as the Undesired, forks and knives plummeting into hollow wooden bodies.

Flesh was flesh, bone was bone, but once it all stopped working, it became clear that some quality of these puppets were never really human at all. That the skin they crawled within had been some incredible illusion, and that all which writhed in agony to the bitter end beneath their killing blows was a shell. A hollow thing that stared blankly, no eyes to speak of. Gears within whirred loudly, then exploded into metal shrapnel that ripped their wooden frames apart with loud pops.
As the one Trisha killed hadn’t exploded, there was a chance it was circumstantial, or otherwise a condition wasn’t met. And certainly not a thing to be cleared up now, as two more were approaching, coated in blood as they’d successfully made it through the opening gambit and noticed a Paranormal target to prioritize.

Trisha grimaced, continuing to back away from the 'body'. Maybe it wouldn't explode, but maybe it would- and she couldn't take something like that! It'd kill far too many bees protecting her.

And now she had two more to worry about. The bees split into three groups now. Each Undesired approaching her was swarmed, doing her best to slow them down. But they weren't really living breathing things. The faux humanity was stripped away and with it any feeling of pain. Where a human would be stopped by thousands of bee stings, they weren't.

The cutlery they'd picked up wasn't exactly efficient against bees, but there was enough strength that they could crush the bees swarming them underneath their hands. Each death was another mental jolt to Trisha's mind, blood beginning to drip from her nose. But while there was just a shell underneath, they still started to succumb to the venom in her bees stings all the same.

But they were faster than she was, with half her mind on controlling the bees and the other half on trying to retreat. The fuzzier her mind got from bee loss the harder it got. A hand practically stripped of all flesh grabbed her, a fork stabbing towards her bee covered neck. Sharp jolts exploded in her mind as her bees swarmed up and pushed back at the metal implement, more fiercely stinging her attacker. She kicked at it, feeling herself pulled to the ground as it tried to get her in its death throes.

She wasn't physically strong enough to stop it, but the venom was quickly killing it. It made it easier to twist and kick it away, even as she hit the ground on her side. She flipped onto her back to start scrambling away, kicking at the grasping hands of two rapidly dying Undesired.

There were a lot of loud pops at this point, not just from the chest cavities exploding from the Undesired perishing, but gunshots filling the surrounding area of the park. The noise was growing to an incredible level as people left without a fight in them began to really scream and break for an exit. Any side would do, as the entire platform was only raised so high that it could hide the crab buried in the sand beneath.

Which is exactly what Trisha needed most right now: In retaliation to the backlash caused by its favored people being killed off by the handfuls, the Crab below the boards had started to raise its temperature to an immense degree. Now, as it sucked water from the surrounding earth and soil, erosion began to occur that exposed its gaping maw and left a newly formed ravine that allowed sea water to travel down the passage and be sucked in rapidly.

And then the crab began to boil. And in doing so, it allowed super concentrated jets of steam to push from its joints and pores in its shell. One of these jets, its trajectory situated just right, buckled the wooden boards above it and absolutely shredded the two Undesired apart before ripping into a crowd. The first few innocents were split in half with a burst of brine, while those surrounding them suffered salty, scalding burns across their exposed flesh as they tried to run.

While they were scary, it also seemed to have a rhythm like a heartbeat. The jets would pulse hard, die off, be dead for a moment, then rage back to life leaving a massive plume of steam to block vision every time.
This wasn’t a safe place for bees. But, it also wasn’t really a safe place for anyone. With patience and a little confidence, the jets spraying out all over the place would work wonders as improvised weaponry, but that was asking quite a lot from people who’d never seen combat and chaos before.

Trisha winced as the splattered, residual spray hit her kicking feet, scrambling and rolling away from the boiling jet stream. She'd escaped the worst of it- the burns on her legs just surface damage, painful but not debilitating. The bees that couldn't get off the Undesired in time were left worse off, burning up with sharp jolts to her mind.

It was bad… But it gave her something else to work with. All of the bees were called back to her and Princess, covering both. Princess stayed hovered beside Trisha- easily moved but not in the way. One hand moved up to try and wipe away the blood streaming from her nose before giving up. The corners of her vision were slightly fuzzy, but not enough to impede her. She'd dealt with worse situations before. Times when she ended up alone against the Stygian Snake's minions too. These weren't so bad. She was older now, more capable.

There were more approaching her now, two close and a few more further. It was easier for them to target the Paranormals where the innocents were fleeing. Anyone who stayed and fought was a target. The jet nearby blasted again as she pushed herself to her feet, mentally counting in her head.

Deep breaths, staying calm, counting down. Let them get close enough to grab… Trisha leapt back in a sudden movement when her internal countdown ended, as the Undesired went for her right over a jet. She landed on her ass and immediately rolled away, bees quickly protecting her in case she mistimed it.

The thing surged forward in response, but tripped when the expected blast of air didn’t happen. One foot fell into the broken boards, causing the Undesired to slip and crack itself open before getting wholesale blasted by an extra-cooked jet of pressurized boiling water.

Several of Casey’s presumed cousins stepped in around Trisha for a brief moment, seeing her struggling on the ground. One of them hoisted her up, and she’d be able to see that his face was completely covered by his shirt so people couldn’t see it. Yet, he moved like he could see everything, and passed her just as quickly as he’d come with the rest of his small group in tow as they hunted for vulnerable dolls to destroy.

Out ahead, Trisha would be able to see the box and the stage in the short distance. It looked like the end of a superhero movie, with lights and flashing colors, massive weapons and gunshots ringing out like life inside a combustion engine. It seemed like anyone who said they cared about her wouldn’t be able to help… Until-

”Triiisshhaaa!”

Cass was still a bit away, fighting through the Undesired that just kept coming. She was a constantly shifting animal hybrid, swapping parts in and out as necessary. Extra limbs grew to block something then disappeared just as quickly. Scales covered her body up to her slightly elongated face, sharp teeth stained with whatever it was those things had in them. Blood? Tasted close enough. Her legs imitated a cheetah’s for speed, with a strong flexible tail that didn’t seem to be from any animal adding yet another weapon she could use.

Of course, there were the signature wolf ears poking out the top of her head.

She dodged and caught the next Undesired that came at her, ripping it in two with a burst of strength. Her veins glowed green with the act, quickly throwing the separated parts in two different directions before it exploded. She’d learnt that the hard way when one exploded right in her face! It was only thanks to her super Green Lux healing factor she was alive and in one piece.

It was easy to heal and recreate. For now. Even with her massive reserves, she was using a shit ton. The closer she got to Trisha the more she was having to exercise some amount of control, rather than just letting her magic run wild.

Trisha was filled with relief at the sight of Cass, no matter how weird she looked right now. She wasn’t being left alone… Not that she thought Casey would do that, even when they were fighting. Or Cass herself, for that matter. But she didn’t have to fight by herself. Thank fuck.

There were more Undesired circling in around her even as Cass tore her way through them. Trisha knew where the jets were now, at least. But it was an extra mental strain to command her bees to attack the closed doppelganger while keeping them out of burning hot steam. They were beginning to flag, the increased heat and humidity in the air not conductive for them. But they were strong, like her. They could keep going.

As Trisha’s gaze was taken by Cass, and the Undesired began to circle around her tighter, the edges of the canopies were starting to get darker and darker, like the night outside was growing moonless. It was; and like being trapped inside an eclipse, the open sides became closed and illuminated from the rear to beam hellish red light which cast writhing shadows along every possible angle. The event lights dimmed, and even the plumes of steam climbing toward the canopy ceiling were subject to blocking weak light and causing amorphous shadows to grow across the floor.

The sensation was all too familiar: And there were only two constants when something like this happened… One, was that there was an Apparition somewhere nearby channeling the energy of the Stygian Snake, and could most likely be found within the arena along with the general populace. And two: Anyone left inside would be fighting to the death. Against the light, and the dark. Against the shadows. Against their own friends, and eventually their senses until all went dark.

Thus, the power of an Archserpent: One of the Stygian Snake’s most trusted lieutenants and creations of its own vast shadowy complex. And that Archserpent didn’t hesitate in manifesting through every single shadow it possibly could. Looking deep enough into any shadow nearby, and one would see the hundred piercing eyes and burning tongue flicking out and waiting for a chance to strike. Some lengths of shadows materialized as serpentine forms without prompting, rushing to constrict and devour anyone they could.

This was bad. It may not have happened to Trisha very often, but there was a wolf’s howling in the near distance that turned into cacophonous rage. He knew. And there was immediate reactions as magical lights and flares all tried to drown out the opportunities for shadow to exist in large, open swaths.

Just like Leon had directed them to do all those years ago.

No, no, no, it couldn’t be. The Stygian Snake was sealed, and all its creation with it. How could it- unless it was free?! Panic clutched Trisha as there seemed to be shadows everywhere she looked. It didn’t matter that lights and flares lit up the area- she’d backed herself into a corner where it was so much easier for the darkness to thrive.

Just like then. Just like all the times she fought its lesser shadow constructs. Various scars flared up in phantom pain as her breathing quickened, each breath getting stuck in her throat. It was like she was doused in cold water. All she could hear was screams and shouts, shadows covering everything. She was fourteen again. Losing the fight for her life. Losing the only people that mattered then.

Her legs buckled underneath her as she struggled to breath. The past and present overlapped into a nightmarish cacophony. Panic pheromones blasted into the air around her and the bees went mad, buzzing and stinging anything that came nearby. There was no more direction, even as the Undesired continued to close in, and shadows began to slither towards her.

I can’t go through that again. Fuck, no, I can’t.

She couldn’t move. Trapped in fear, unable to do anything as an Undesired got close enough to make a stab at her throat.

Blood splattered across her face, but there was no pain that came with it.

”Trisha, snap outta it- Fuck!” Cass had taken the knife to the abdomen, ripping it out and stabbing the Undesired in the eye with it. She quickly tossed that one towards another group to explode them. But there were even more coming. Three lunging at once was difficult for her to handle, even with all of her magic. She let them hit her instead of Trisha, tearing out their fake flesh while they tore at her.

As she went to toss the last one away, seconds ticking down before it exploded, a cold pain burnt through her arm. A shadow serpent had its teeth in her wrist, beginning to devour from hand up.

Fuck, fuck!

Green Lux pumped rapidly around Cass’ body, veins filling with a neon green glow as she rapidly grew. She was large enough to completely block Trisha as the Undesired exploded into deadly shrapnel. It tore off her whole arm and the shadowy serpent with it, more ripping through her abdomen and lodging into various parts of her body.

The pain was intense as she shrunk back down. Natural Green Lux started to heal the wounds as she tore out sharp metal pieces with her one hand- but she seized full control of the magic flow to stop it from healing more than was necessary. All major wounds knit up just as painfully as they formed, her arm rapidly healing but not regrowing. She didn’t have enough magic to keep fighting and properly heal everything. Every wound was clotted, she wasn’t going to die… She was just one arm down now, and covered in a lot of barely scabbed wounds.

As blood mixed with shadows and gore from torn limbs hit Trisha, her panic only increased. Her vision was getting blurry, her extremities going numb as she heaved in sharp, shallow breaths. Tears spilled down her cheeks and panicked whimpers escaped her lips. Not again, no, not again…

She could see them in the writhing shadows. The limp bodies of her friends… The two she hadn’t been able to save that first night. Rose and Samantha… Their wide, blank eyes stared at her from the darkness. There were more- him, Cass- no, not Cass, she hadn’t just died, had she?! It was all her fault. She just got people killed. No, no, no, no-

”Trisha, please, snap outta it! We gotta move!” Cass was doing her best, unable to change her body as much as she was used to. One clawed hand, clawed feet and sharp teeth were what she was left with… But the depleted magic and injuries were taking their toll. It was so fucking hard to protect someone like this. Especially when the fucking shadows attacked!

Trisha barely heard her over the static ringing in her ears. She couldn’t see beyond the images her brain was imposing over her vision, aided by the Archserpent’s shadows. She got them killed, she got them all killed. She was going to die here, too, they all were, they couldn’t fight it, not anymore, not with what they had left-

There was a whizzing noise punctuated by the echoing of metal as sparks burst into life like a flint and steel lighting a bonfire. The spiraling umbrella of raven colored hair could almost be mistaken for Casey, or one of the other siblings at first… But as the slender blade of a long, medieval style longsword struggle against the metal-plated scales of the Archserpent, the acrobatic technique of entry was revealed to be a true Lynette Richoux special.

She didn’t look normal, per se. Whatever drugs and magical stimulants that had been on those tables had left her looking swollen, pumped like a steroid-addicted gym rat. She had some kind of apparatus strapped to her face as well, which was totally blocking her eyesight and leaving her almost certainly blind. She didn’t make a sound, no wincing nor sign of struggle as the Archserpent’s armored scales ground against her sword.

Then, as if nothing had kept her held there to begin with, the Archserpent disappeared into the shadows again, snaking off to cause havoc as it desperately attempted to avoid the White Lux user hunting it down. This was one of the few times Lynette couldn’t talk: She was too busy trying to see the immediate future with as much speed and precision as possible.
For most, battle meditation as a skill was a big guessing game: Parse out a hundred million possibilities and play a probability game while processing an active combat situation simultaneously, and you’ve got the basic gist of this technique. It took a truly powerful or, in this case, accurate maestro of predeterminational probability to make it work.

Few people expected such accuracy. Such impactful judgement and decision making. And normally one would be right: Lynette simply didn’t have the concentration. But all the drugs made it so much easier. Here, she was at her best, and therefore was so locked into her meditative stance, that there was no chance to speak. She was dedicating every possible instance of thought to what was coming.
So that when an oncoming group of Undesired dared to press the once-vulnerable position that Trisha and Cass had been in, she only took a solitary second to consider which angle was best before splitting them to the gears.

She killed them so quickly and so thoroughly, the spell inciting their self-destruct sequence had to catch up. Yet, in a moment’s pause, her eyeless masked face stared down at Trisha in an unblinking facade of black satin.
Get to the center! Now! her voice echoed through Trisha’s mind entirely unconcerned with the nearly shattered emotional field protecting her.

Where external sounds hadn’t pierced through the panic, it was impossible for Trisha to miss a voice in her own mind. It didn’t reduce the panic clutching her, but it broke her out of her catatonic state enough to start moving. Her trembling hands rubbed vigorously at her face, trying to wipe away the tears and blood to no avail.

The potent pheromones in the air sucked back in, the bees following to defend rather than attack. It was still so hard to breath, like glass had shattered in her lungs. The dead bodies were still there flickering in her vision. But her survival mechanism- what had saved her every other time- kicked in and had her managing to get to her feet.

”Thank fuck- Let’s go, let’s go!” Cass didn’t hear what Lynette said to Trisha, nor did she bother thanking her in the heat of the moment- there’d be time after! Because that sword thing had been pretty fucking cool… But not right now.

But even without direction, Cass grabbed Trisha’s arm and started pulling her towards the centre of the tents. Where the magical lights shone brightest, and the shadows seemed to be kept at bay.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Trisha’s whispered pleas were barely audible over the fighting, especially as Cass had to focus her senses precisely without so much Lux to pump through her body. She was running of her own accord, but there was still very little control. Intense panic dulled to heavy emptiness and sharp self hatred as the magical lights and flares burned away the images haunting her. But they were still there, in her mind.

Cass was still there, covered in injuries as she pulled Trisha along with the only hand she had left.

The panic attack was by no means over. Just shifted. The bees still didn’t know what to do, trying to sting Cass through hard scales.

Thankfully only a few got through, something Cass could just ignore.
”Don’t be- just stay here with me!”

They were almost at the center now, the path relatively clear- and what few Undesired there were between them were quickly dispatched by Cass and the bees following her attacks to swarm them. Finally reaching a place where they could both hopefully take a breath.

There was a viscous amount of howling as they got closer to the stage. In fact, it was a form of Leon that Cass and Trisha would never have seen before: Rather than some hybrid between man, woman and beast, the monstrosity ripping at and sinking its teeth into the fabric of reality was truly all beast. A massive Canid form, huge bushy tails swinging in several directions to compliment the multiple heads that gnashed and bit and crushed into nothingness. One head seemed to peel back the layers, another diving into the hole, and the third bit directly at whatever wriggled out.

Great paws with claws the size of fork truck tongs pressed into the edges of the hole, ripping it bigger and bigger as jets of hot water blasted into his flanks. Somehow, the massive Aberration was managing to play tug of war against the Archserpent in its own pocket domain… And it looked like he was winning!

As they ascended the platform, they’d be met with rushing waves of Orange and Pink Lux meant to bolster the mind and spirit of any who entered the square. It was a stronghold, and at the head of it was Casey. At some point, the group had stacked the tables, and he stood up on a chair above it all. His arms flicked and twitched, and it became clear that a great deal of the gunfire that was happening was being done through his power alone. Gunlines, like revolutionary soldiers, surrounded the perimeter of the box at mid-height angles, firing at targets all determined by the controller.

To control like this, it took an incredible amount of White Lux. Not so much that he couldn’t do it, just… Not naturally. Probably something he’d have to deal with later, and he was certain Trisha wouldn’t let him live it down. But, it was for the best. Leon could handle the problem: He knew best how to fight them. And Casey knew how to direct and save people. Both were happening, as his sky-eyes utilized two very real lights above the box to act as spotlights, which he’d enchanted to brighten and tighten like prison spotlights.

Mia was the first to see the two of them, and she rushed to Trisha and Cass with her arms out. A couple of “living” bench seats wormed their way up behind her, ready to act as makeshift stretchers should the need arise.

”Oh thank fucking God Cass! Oh fuck, I could kiss you right no-Oh fuck!”
Mia’s face wasn’t a wince so much as it was a full on gag. She’d rarely seen a state of half-healing like that. But, if Cass wasn’t partial to the good shit, even she’d only be able to last so long.

Once everything had started to go crazy, none of the siblings remaining were above huffing down half a shaker worth of Oblivium salts and cracking a nice piece of Glass between their teeth. The true nature of the VIP Box had revealed itself, as looking around, some of the boards were pulled up neatly and crates of gear and supplies were now strewn about them in states of half-empty. Green, red, the chocolate pudding, and half a dozen other iridescent gel packs were available; and people were pulling pit stops from the battle outside to juice up before bouncing back out again.

It was chaos.

”Fuck, Andy!? Doc!? Maybe you should look at this!” Mia called as she tried to move around Cass to see Trisha.
”Sis!? Are you hurt!?”

“I’m fine.” Trisha said, voice incredibly quiet. The wave of Pink and Orange was enough to dampen her panic, but not enough for positivity of any form to replace it. Just emptiness and clear thoughts- which only went down towards how awful she was. How she’d put Cass into danger- and been useless.

It wasn’t possible for Mia to get close to Trisha. Not because she made any particular moves away, but her bees were covering her body completely. Princess hovered right behind her, just as covered in buzzing bees.

”I’m fine too! It ain’t as bad as it looks! It’s all, like, totally healed to the point I ain’t gonna bleed out. Soon as my magic replenishes in a couple’ve days I’ll be all good!” Cass said with far more energy than someone as wounded as her should have. She shuffled further into the box, letting go of Trisha’s arm and finally being free from bees trying to sting her.

”Good God, woman! Are you hollow? Did it carve you out like a mountain? Jesus Almighty, at least finish your fuckin’ meal, Cass!” Andy snapped as she pressed her way toward Cass with a bag of something mixed up in her hands.
”You and I both know you can fix this, but if you let it wait too long, there’s complications- And we’re gonna need all the energy we can get for any other wounded soon! So fucking suck the bag!”

Casey had only a brief moment to split his concentration and look back down at the area he knew to be safe. He could see Cass and Trisha after having lost sight of them when directing Lynette. She’d been lost in a trance at this point, and he could only hope she was driving the vestigial coils of the Archserpent toward Lelou’s gaping maw…
Conveniently, Andrade had made himself scarce, thus the sealing of such a beast could only be done in a primal fashion. In a final act of desperation, the Archserpent splayed its torso in full, arms unbuckling from its ribcage in shadowy masses to try and reverse the flow of swallowing. To try and oroborous itself while sucking Lelou down into nothingness in the process.

A life for a mad, insane existence.

But just as quickly as it had all started, so too did it end: The mistake of leaving itself open in desperation was just that. A desperate mistake played by a fool. Both front paws of the giant wolf slipped up, powerful hind quarters bearing the weight of the beast within, and planted themselves on either side of the wide open ribcage.
With one singular flex, Lelou ripped the entirety of the Archserpent’s upper torso apart. She splayed it like a spatchcocked turkey, pinning it to grounded reality and beginning to devour it from the inside.

Around them, the illusion faded. The shadows all around them melted into reality as the screaming crowds outside were once more able to reunite with the remaining living who had been trapped inside. But as light flooded back all around them, it was clear that there were few happy endings left.
What bodies hadn’t been ripped apart by the shadow serpents and remaining Undesired had been torn apart by the many spells and hailing magical bullets that had secured the area to begin with.

Outer perimeter security had at least done their own job, and secured the perimeter as intended. The few Undesired that escaped confines had been handled, and the only thing that was left to deal with was the massive wolf Apparition consuming the equally massive snake Apparition in the middle of the event space.
Casey didn’t waste any more time than he had to in dropping every spell he had and rushing down to Trisha like she was the only thing on the planet. The truth was, he couldn’t look at the scene outside that box any more than she could. None of it was okay.

No. He didn’t want to be here. And he was desperately praying that his guardian angel was still alive to uphold her end of the bargain. A pulse of White Magic wriggled its way across the entire place, hitting a small signal in the outside crowd. In an automatic response, a hole opened up below the two of them just as Casey dropped to his knees and hugged around her.
The speed at which they fell was rapid, like they were being dragged through the floor until they were in their dark, quiet apartment again placed softly on the wooden floor by the front door.

And then they were suddenly alone. Thank God they were alone… Save for the absolutely hellish torrent of bees reflecting in and out of itself as Princess managed to wriggle itself through the hole with a massive swarm behind it. It was like being consumed by a jet engine…

The sudden darkness, even natural in a familiar setting, was enough for Trisha’s panic to start climbing again. There was no more Pink Lux to keep all the emotions at bay, and they crashed back into her. The massive swarm of bees responded with confused buzzing, starting to crawl across Trisha and Casey where he held her.

Thankfully, they still recognised his smell and all the pheromones she constantly soaked him in. Enough to not start stinging him like they had Cass.

She gripped onto his shoulders, managing to push through the ice cold grip enough to call them off. The bees detached and moved up to the roof plants, buzzing still filling the air.

There was momentary relief that Casey was alright and alive. But then, the residual fear took full hold and everything else that had followed it. Her disgust at herself for panicking, still panicking when she’d made it out just fine. But she hadn’t deserved to… Someone else’s blood was shed in her place.

She’d panicked and broken- far worse than she ever had before. During the Stygian Snake years everything was driven by survival. There were plenty of panic attacks in the moments they weren’t fighting, but freezing up meant she was as good as dead. Since… She thought she was fine. She had been fine! Until she saw it again.

They’d known to use flares and light. Just like Leon had told them to ten years ago. He’d known…

“Why…” Trisha whispered, voice hoarse. She coughed, throat sore and dry from harsh breathing and blood running down it from her nose. The tears that had only briefly stopped were flowing again. Her look down at him was incredibly raw, filled with all the harsh emotions she felt weighing on her. Continued panic and horror, despair, self-disgust, and a slowly encroaching anger. She couldn’t hide any of it as her body trembled, breathing growing harsh again. But she managed to push quiet words through it.

“Why didn’t you tell me? You- You knew it’d be that, didn’t you? I- I- Cass almost died. It was my fault… cause I didn’t know.”

He almost didn’t hear her. And he certainly didn’t want to reply with any kind of negative response. What he really wanted, and had prayed for, was that dearest Trisha wouldn’t have the energy to be upset. No such luck. But just like she was having a hard time as the influence of all that Pink Lux faded, so was he. And just like Trisha, Casey had been dealing with his own moment of past-to-present anxiety. Had Harietta not been so close by, and had he not been more than willing to slurp down a cocktail of the Temple’s finest Oblivium suspensions, he probably would’ve succumbed to it just like she had.

But nothing prepared him for feeling actual anger at her response.

”What… the fuck are you asking me right now, Trisha? Are you serious?” he asked quietly, almost too calmly in response to what she’d said.

The truth was, he couldn’t fathom it. He couldn’t fathom that she was somehow bringing all of what had just happened back to herself. Not even the blame for it all either; just the sheer tragedy of the situation, and everything he was feeling in that moment. He probably should have been yelling. But the Glass made his mind sharp in spite of the grief.

Trisha reactively flinched, breath catching in her throat. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected. An apology? Some clear emotion, even if it was negative? But of course. He was probably disappointed in her too. Because it was her fault she’d been out of the safe area, and her fault she’d frozen up.

“I’m- I’m asking why you didn’t tell me about something that would’ve stopped me being a liability!” She managed to choke out, a light citrus scent filling the air as her panic flared and her pheromones with it. Not enough to get through any Emotional Field with her mental state, but they were there.

Her panic and agitation was raw, the natural shadows around them seeming to flicker in her vision. All the dead- real and past. Why had she deserved saving?
“Cass got her- her arm ripped off. She should’ve died and I- I- wouldn’t have been so useless if I knew.”

”You are a fucking priority, not a liability. You can fucking afford not knowing everything, Trisha! I have your fucking back!” Casey huffed, practically wheezed, his response into life.

The way he saw things, Trisha could only be a liability acting like this. Like a child. Like she was the only one who mattered, and that she’d have made so much of a difference.

”God damn it all, Trisha, I fucking love you! But people are fucking dead! There’s gotta be hundreds of casualties, and you want to ask me why I didn’t inform you better like it would’ve made much of a difference? This isn’t asinine, it’s ghoulish!”

“I know I’m useless, Casey! But- But Cass could’ve helped other people, she wouldn’t have wasted so much magic in a fucking explosion, she’s actually strong enough to help!” Trisha wasn’t shouting, because she didn’t have the breath to. Everything came out in short, sharp bites.

She started trying to wriggle away from him, finding it easier now that he wasn’t holding her as tightly. She didn’t want to be near him, to feel the disgust towards her practically radiating off him and feeding into her own.

“She could’ve saved people that actually deserved it… Should’ve anyway!”

”We saved everyone we could! Stop-”

As if taking his own advice, as she tried to wriggle away, Casey drew back and took as deep a breath as he could before his eyes started to well up.

”-I mean… What the fuck? No ’Thank God we made it!’ or anything? Not a single iota of gratitude that we managed to get anyone out alive? No big fucking hug or affection? You just go straight for the jugular, don’t you Trisha?!” he snapped again.

How was she supposed to do any of that when panic was gripping her so tightly? She felt so much disdain towards herself, she struggled to feel grateful towards something she didn’t feel she deserved right now. Maybe that was why she was arguing with Casey now- hurting him to hurt herself.

“I’m sorry! I’m fucking sorry!” The way it came out didn’t sound apologetic at all, or any less harsh that how she’d been speaking before.
“I- I don’t choose my emotions! I’m sorry, I don’t fucking deserve- You don’t- I- I- Fuck, just- just- can we please turn on the fucking lights?!”

He had to accept that at least. He smacked his fist off the floor of the room and let the shockwave of Orange Lux rock across the house until each and every light came on in succession. Suddenly, they were in a world of light again, and Casey’s arms were open. He was still on his knees, scooting forward toward her slightly. Bit by bit.

”There! There, it’s okay, Trisha! Just, come here, Baby! Please, don’t let it be like this! I love you!” he pleaded to her, holding his arms up toward her.
”Nothing’s gonna hurt you now!”

Trisha sniffed, trying to wipe away her tears as she trembled and hesitated. The light banished the panic inducing shadows, leaving heavy guilt in its wake. But Casey didn’t deserve to be punished for that…

“I’m- I'm not only worried about myself.” She whispered, shuffling forward before crouching to bundle herself into his arms.
“It’s others too! I- I always get people killed, Casey! I don’t want to… But it keeps happening. Even when I try. I’m- I’m no better than I was ten years ago. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I should’ve kept it all in. I love you, I’m sorry.”

”Baby, you’re not fuckin’ hearing me!” he breathily asserted, lowering the volume of his voice to avoid sounding like he was snapping at her.

But his grasp on her, his hold, was shaking. His entire body was shaking as the adrenaline in his system was left with nothing to circulate toward. No goals, no necessity. It was driving his biochemical reserves into the ground. Trying not to make it too obvious, he cracked the capsule he was keeping tucked between his lip and gums, letting the anti-magic substance race through his bloodstream. The Lux-laden compounds bind to chemical receptors, restricting the flow of Lux-laden chemicals through the brain.

He wanted to come down. He wanted it to be over. There was no patience when the woman in his arms was who he had to satisfy and protect. She was everything to him, and all he wanted was to convey himself to her. But everything was collapsing. He had to get it out now, before everything was gone.

”Some people are not meant to fight wars! Defending yourself? That’s one thing: Everyone always feels comfortable defending themselves. There’s nothing else on the line! But damn this entire world if you think for a second that I’m going to let you think that the people who are meant for that kind of thing aren’t willing to fucking die for people who aren’t. It’s not a fucking choice, just like how you feel about shit isn’t a fucking choice!”

Ultimately, it was her ego. It gnashed and clawed and ripped at the presence of acknowledgement in any shape it could grasp, because all her life had been spent being told to suppress that. And, now he was doing it too. He wasn’t telling her to be different, nor to suppress what she was feeling.

But he was telling her it was wrong. Outwardly so, in a manner he couldn’t take back. So, why try?

”I couldn’t fucking get to you! I was trying to keep that fucking box secure! You didn’t fucking see them all! You only saw what was in front of you, and that was fucking enough! It was me who directed Cass toward you. I put her on that fucking track because I wasn’t strong enough to do it my goddamn self! And I should’ve sent more, because maybe Cass wouldn’t be fucking hurt! There! Isn’t it easy for us to redirect blame onto ourselves because we’re fucking hurt!?” he snapped, tears starting to stream down his face as images of places full of bodies flooded back to him.

”You can’t fucking account for everything! You can’t! You get sent into a fucking hellscape with no information, or fucking bad information, and people just get slaughtered! Dead! Gone! It fucking happens, and rather than loving me like I want to love you, it’s immediate fucking accusations! Yeah! I didn’t fucking tell you, because my point fucking stands! My Mother saw the fucking future, and she couldn’t organize anyone well enough to prevent that shit!” he seethed, his hands flattening out and purposefully avoiding tensing up so she didn’t feel any unwarranted aggression.

Trisha bit down on her lip hard, trying to clamp down on the reactive snapping. She didn't want to fight, she just wanted him to see. To understand what she was saying and feeling. But he wasn't going to. And she was making it all about herself. She shouldn't. She should just suppress it all… because she was wrong. She knew that, he'd told her that, and she hated it. Wrong for existing as she did and feeling like she did… Always.

The normal gut reaction was quenched as she trembled silently against him. Panic was still there, but it was being overwhelmed by all that aggression turning inwards and pushing her towards despondency.

“I know I'm not a soldier. I know. But I'm a survivor, I- I survived against the Snake before. I know what it's like! I've see it, we never had enough, most of us died- but I didn't… I didn't freeze up like that in the moment I…" She bit down on her lip again, shaking her head.
“It doesn't matter. You're right. I don't understand. You did everything you could. Sorry. I didn't need to know, it wouldn't have helped, I'm sorry for making it all about me. Sorry."

Casey’s fingers bent. All ten curled slightly, betraying every bit of pained anxiety trapped in his mind.

”There’s… Just a lot more, Trisha. For once, you literally can’t be the only thing on my mind… But you were. You were every single second that something was happening, and I could ignore it all because I knew you were out there. But once I saw you were safe? That was it… And I ran. And we’re here now, because every bit of me screamed to get the fuck out. I haven’t done everything I could, Trisha. Not even fucking close. I can’t even comfort you like you need to be comforted, because I keep fucking hoping and praying that for once something will go my way and it hasn’t!”

He didn’t want to look at her face. He just buried his head in her neck and began to sob.

”I know I was wrong, and we’ll fucking get there! But god dammit, Trisha, just… Fucking cry for once! If neither of us are doing good, then just fucking sit here with me and be together… Let’s forget for five fucking seconds…” he pleaded through heady sobs.

Trisha nodded, curling her head forward towards his. Her arms wrapped around Casey, hands gripping onto his back. She wasn't crying like he was. All of the extreme, all consuming emotion had happened during her panic attack, then when they got back. Now it was all draining away.

But she still hugged him with a tightness that didn't betray the despondency that was digging its claws into her. She shouldn't have said. Because this was what always happened when she brought up her feelings. She hurt people, and then they left her. He wasn't leaving yet… but she couldn't let him. She'd gotten too comfortable with just letting it out, but she shouldn't have! Not- not that she could always control it. But she had to try.

“I know." She whispered, closing her eyes and clinging to him.
“I shouldn't have said. I should've waited. I'm sorry, I knew it would hurt you but I still did, I should've waited till we were both better. I was so caught up in my feelings I only thought about myself. I- I was wrong to. I won't talk about it anymore. Not until you feel better. I love you, I swear, I really do, I won't do it again. I'll try not to… I'm here… I love you…"

She didn't know how to actually comfort him beyond hugging into him, and admitting she was wrong. She didn't even know how to help herself. But he just asked to be with her. She could do that, it was the least she could do. Anything he wanted… Maybe then he wouldn't realise how she really wasn't worth dealing with when his mind was clearer.

---

The night was full of quiet after that. Mostly the sound of one or another having a breakdown, punctuated at first by the dull vibration of Casey and Trisha's phones. People calling to check on them. At one point in the middle of the night, Casey's hall sensors went off, forcing him into coherence long enough to reset them and ward off those who were coming up to check on them. Thankfully, they were satisfied when they saw the lights of the house blazing, and nobody really bothered them for the time being.

Casey had presumed that there would be big issues for his reticence. But, even Lynette had the wherewithal to stop by. Even if she didn't come up to check on her son and future daughter-in-law, Casey felt her magic crawling up to the edge of his emotional field. There were no insults or breaching questions. Just tender care, and vague anxiety to remain somewhat separate.
But then, after all that, it was completely quiet. Casey knew she wasn't going to sleep, and he couldn't either. But the E-Vac pill he took had at least left him feeling less like a slab of mourning and more like a statue of marble.

The sun was coming up to wash away the dark. But he knew he couldn't shut all the lights off. He'd been staring at her back for almost an hour now, knowing that on the other side, she was stark awake and breathing just like him. Thinking about everything wrong.

And finally, he reached out. Casey's fingers gently fueled against Trisha's shirt, and tugged ever so slightly. He couldn't feel anything emotionally. It was all numb. But he knew that he loved her.

”You're everything to me…” he said quietly in the off chance she was sleeping.
”Everything. I can't live without you now. Please be real…” he pleaded almost silently, not entirely sure he was actually still alive to begin with.

Trisha wasn't asleep. She couldn't sleep. Every time she closed her eyes the shadows began to flicker across her vision. Then, images of the long dead and other horrors. So she couldn't. The nightmare of the waking mind was better. Spiralling further and further. She regretted how she'd reacted when they got back. All the times she'd snapped at him earlier in the day too.

It kept happening. How long would he be able to stay based on promises of improvement she wasn't confident would come? They probably wouldn't. She wasn't that strong. She was someone who failed over and over again. Worthless.

But Casey was still there. She could hear his breathing. He hadn't left. Yet.

At the gentle tug she startled, surprised by his movement after such a long period of silent stillness. She shuffled back towards him, before flipping around to face her. There wasn't any more hesitation as she buried herself against him.

“I’m real." Trisha whispered.
“You don't need to live without me. Ever. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

What little emotional energy she had she channeled towards comforting him. It was the least she deserved. She had too, anyway. She had to prove that she could help him. It wasn't just him being there for her, it wasn't unequal, she could support him. She had to try to be better. Even if she’d fail in the end… she couldn't leave him.

“I’m real, Casey." She pulled back a bit, hands reaching up to hold his face. Her expression was blanker than normal- more tired, despondent- but her love for him still managed to push through. Even in the darkest places it was there.
“See. I'm with you."

The rising sun would never shine through their windows. The entire apartment faced the sea, and they’d only ever share sunsets from this bed. At least there was nothing beautiful to miss. He could focus. His arms held onto Trisha for dear life as Casey took a deep, rattling breath.

”I made mistakes. I’m constantly making mistakes.” he started, taking a deep breath.
”I like to think one day I’ll stop making them. But often enough, its the same mistake. The same bad choice. Like, thinking something won’t be relevant, or won’t be important. Or, fuck, it may stress you out- clearly it doesn’t matter. But I don’t know what to fucking do, Trisha. I don’t know what to do to make it all better…” he quietly groaned, not sure of where he was going, and knowing he had to leave it there before he ramped things up too quickly.

Trisha shook her head. She wanted him to tell her things, because she wanted him to trust her, but how could he when she always reacted the same way. Wasn't that the root cause? It was normal to have some secrets. She was the one who got so triggered by it. Because of everything that had happened before… even though she was so closed off. Hypocritical.

But if she brought it all back on herself, then he'd get upset again. She couldn't do that.

“I keep making the same mistake too. I assume the worst thing." She said quietly, any emotion dampened. Maybe there'd been enough time for her to calm down. Or maybe she'd fallen so far down she didn't see a way back up yet.
“We… I don't know… We keep working on it together? And we- we accept that we both make bad choices sometimes? Because we love each other and when you love someone you- you react more, don't you?"

He didn’t respond to that concept immediately, rather hugging her closer.
”But I keep… Lying. And withholding. And promising you that things will be different soon, but how can I make that promise and then keep… Doing this. I can’t keep doing this to you, Trisha. I just fucking can’t… I feel like a fucking idiot. Like, fuck, I don’t even know for certain how you’ll react to things. I just assume its bad and leave things as they are. I never ask. I never consider. I just do what I think will protect you, and it’s so fucking dumb…”

If nothing else, he could absolutely nail himself to the cross over his behavior. Noble or not, he felt like a liar… And Casey Richoux wasn’t a liar. He’d never liked liars… Until he realized his life was full of them. Then, suddenly, it seemed a whole lot more appealing. It was the exact kind of behavior he’d left to escape. And now he was here, and it was still so damn natural.

”And all this over a fucking… No. No, see, that’s… Where we’ve gotta stop. The attack didn’t happen because I withheld the information from you. I can’t feel like it’s my fault, and you can’t feel like its your fault. That shit would’ve happened. It would’ve happened whether you were with Sycamore or not, because… It was just set up to happen. We couldn’t avoid Dollhouse striking out at us. We couldn’t…” he grimaced.

Dollhouse… It was a name Trisha vaguely knew. From her time in the Elite, rare moments where she actually looked over the information they'd bought. A Miami group, some presence here. But not enough that anyone in the Elite was worried. Then again, nothing worried Blake. The others didn't bother voicing their concerns to anyone but their kin. Maybe some were working with them.

“They’re… behind the murders?" She asked just to mentally confirm it herself more than anything.
“It’s- it's definitely not our fault… If they wanted just you or me they would've done it before. It was the Temple right, but- but-"

She shook her head, cutting off her panic as memories of more documents filled her mind. Information about the group being dangerous- more mafia than coven, at least. But the Temple was dangerous too. Plenty of groups in the city were dangerous. It was fine. No more scary knowing who it was who'd killed so many of her former covenmates that it had been not knowing.

“I… Don't care who it was. I don't care if you keep hiding things and I keep getting upset about it, because I can handle it as long as it's us. Even- even if we have to deal with more stuff like that. I'll be stronger. It just has to be us, whoever's trying to kill us." She bit her lip, hiding her face against him. Great job at not making it about her and keeping it all in…

It didn't matter if she didn't entirely believe what she said. She didn't think the attack was her fault. She wasn't the only Sycamore member present, anyway. But Cass getting hurt? That wasted resource? It still weighed on her. But she could pretend she wasn't still stuck in a mire of self doubt.
“It really wasn't our fault… You’re right… I'm sorry for lashing out last night."

”I love you… Stop apologizing… You deserve to have your time, Trisha. You deserve to be angry. I’m just… I saw everything. All the shit I never wanted to see again. I can deal with… With it being hallways. One, two people… The drugs make it so much easier. Not like in the military, where we had to see everything raw. But… It’s all stuck there now. I’m in fucking agony, and I… I feel like a failure. Because I knew I wouldn’t be able to comfort you, and rather than try, I just… Pushed you away.”

He was more than willing to spill everything he’d had the time to think about. But, it wasn’t going to stop being a problem for a few weeks at least. He needed time to decompress, and debrief. He had to know that the big problems, the new exposures, the people who may’ve kindled… And all the dead innocents… Were taken care of and put in their proper place.

”I… I… Didn’t even hear the end of Mom’s speech. They didn’t attack until they saw Leon on stage. Then, I was separated from everyone. I didn’t know where the fuck you were, I didn’t know where Leon was. Thank God I had the blade with me, otherwise I’d… Be real hurt. I’d never let them kill me… Not before I got back to you.” he curled into her in the same way she tried to curl into him. Suddenly, they were two shrimp with their heads bumped together.

Trisha bit down another apology was something she felt was her fault. She’d stopped him listening to Lynette because she was upset at him. But he’d said to stop apologising, so she should. For now. She even managed to catch and stop the fizzling reaction when he mentioned drugs. She… knew about them. She could understand taking them in this situation. Just about. As long as it was only this situation.

She could be supportive. She really could.
“I feel the same about Princess. If I hadn’t brought her… The bees wouldn’t reach me fast enough.” Though if she didn’t have Princess, she would have brought a group of bees with her. She only didn’t because she knew she could call them so quickly.

“I’m glad you weren’t hurt.” After some head bumping, Trisha managed to embrace their joint shrimp status, legs curling right up against her chest so they could slot together. Her forehead rested on his… Though it was a little difficult to look into his eyes still.

“I don’t think you’re a failure. I… thought you looked cool… When I got to the box. It just got lost in all my other thoughts then. I- I know that doesn’t fix anything. We still both… saw stuff we didn’t want to see again…” She didn’t want to keep thinking about it, even though it was there at the surface of her mind. Constantly intruding.

“But we’re safe.” If only that was enough to push away the guilt and lowness dragging her down.
“I can’t live without you either.”

”We… Found them. Everything. Leon, the others. Greyson’s dying. They’re gonna use him to bait out Dollhouse. Hopefully put an end to this bullshit, so we can at least feel good about you being safe… I’m asking you now if you want to be involved. If you feel like you should be with your Coven when the end comes. I… I would like to be. To make sure it goes smoothly as it can. Especially now… Because we deserve revenge. To take back our agency.” he intoned quietly, looking a little distant before refixing his gaze on her.

”But, I’ll do whatever you want… And that’s as honest as I can be.”

Trisha didn’t feel like Sycamore was her coven. It had been once. But they didn’t want her, and she cut all ties when it ended. They’d never wanted her… But they needed every member for a while. And she was never quite bad enough she got kicked out. Maybe they just didn’t care enough to.

But she wanted to be with Casey. And she didn’t want to keep him from something he wanted to be at because of her selfish feelings. It wasn’t like she hated all of them. How many would show, anyway? Couldn’t be many.

“I… can’t say I really want to when it involves Sycamore so heavily. But I should be there. With you, not them. They’re not really my coven anymore.” It was close enough to the truth. She wasn’t lying about feeling like she should, nor was she saying she wanted to. Just that she would. It didn’t matter that she agreed because he wanted to, did it?

“Maybe at a distance. I don’t know… We’ll figure it out. So long as it’s finally sorted. I honestly… didn’t expect it to be. Because we only ever worked together when the threat was right there, knife at our throat.” She admitted flatly. The implication that came with what she said- that she’d expected and accepted the killer would get her eventually- went unsaid. She sort of had. Had also hoped being with Casey would just keep the threat away.

“I guess some people managed to pull their weight.” But not her. She probably did everyone a favour by not returning, anyway.

”Then we’ll sort it out… But I’m… I’m not lying anymore. Im not hiding anything. I’ll fucking deal with you being anxious, and if you like it less than being kept in the dark, we’ll find a happy medium. And, then, once everything is taken care of, we won’t need to worry anymore. We’ll get a house, move far away, and disappear.” he shook his head.

”I’m not even sure it’s everyone involved in the plan. Some people- Greyson, and Linqian, mostly, are supposed to be pushing things along. If I’m being honest, uh… Well, I’m certain Greyson was a mole. Like Andrade was to us. Yet, now… We’ve got to trust the two ex-moles to make a plan come together. Maybe you can understand why I’m so tense over it in that context.” he explained.

“Andrade was a mole?” Trisha’s eyes started to widen, her breath catching in her throat. She didn’t even get a chance to tell him she was glad he wasn’t going to be lying before getting anxious just like he’d predicted.

Greyson wasn’t a surprise to her. It was obvious how much he hated them when they kicked him out. And he was a scumbag. The fact he’d seemingly changed surprised her more- and the Linqian was one of the people pushing things. Then again, her precious brother had been killed…

But Andrade? He’d been so… warm. He was close to Casey. He made all of his bread! He was in business with her! The whole time, he’d been leaking information? He’d been part of the organisation that wanted her dead? Had… wanted it too?

She’d started to trust him, as much as she ever could anyone within the Temple that wasn’t Leon, Elise and the girls. She shouldn’t have let herself… And if it was a shock to her, it must’ve been worse for Casey.

“I… I understand. I do. That’s… hard to do…” Hard to trust that it would work, and they wouldn’t end up- well, what? Dead, probably.
“Has he been… this whole time?”

Casey sighed deeply.

”When Dad found him, he never had anything to say about his family. He just… Stuck around. So, no. I don’t. He’d been around way too long. We… Didn’t ask. I don’t think Leon or I wanted to know. But, we’re trusting that his current attitude is genuine because of that.” he admitted calmly, thinking about how Andrade had been so reticent and remorseful when he’d been confronted. It wasn’t like him…

”But, it turns out, the asshole in charge is his twin brother. Their relationship is… The reason that the Temple’s been working with Greyson to begin with. That started a couple years ago. But, it turns out, our biggest material buyer has been Dollhouse the entire time.” he cleared his throat.

“O-Oh.” It was a lot of information for her to process all at once, especially when she was struggling to just pretend to be functioning right now. But she’d wanted to know. It wasn’t his fault the pull of that rare depressive low meant she really just wanted to stick her head in the sand, and had to really push to process it all.

“So the Temple was always involved. In that- I mean, like we- Sycamore- were. Maybe not quite the same… Sorry, it’s a lot. They were really everywhere.” She bit her lip, struggling with what to say that wasn’t jumbled or panicked. Because Casey seemed calm, at least.

“If you trust him… I trust you. That… can’t have been easy for you to find out, right? I couldn’t comfort you then but… I can now? Because that’s a big involvement from someone you’re close to.”

Casey was about to deny her the opportunity when his brain hitched onto a concept and stopped dead. He had no feelings about it at this point: Couldn’t. Not until they knew what was coming next. Not until the problems that Andrade was a part of were taken care of. Yet, he couldn’t take this chance away from her. He could see and feel what she was trying to do. She was trying to act strong. And, that was good. He felt comfortable about that…

So, he tucked his head a little more and pressed it against her chest. Casey knew what had to be done… He wouldn’t lie, but he didn’t have to act like he couldn’t see the right path just to protect the sanctity of the agreement. If there was something simple he thought could exist, that would make her feel better? He’d do it.

”I’m… Grateful to you. That you’re willing to listen. It’s hard, because if Andrade comes through with what he says, then there’s no way for me to hate him. But, honestly, I feel like a moron. I’m putting my trust in someone who’s been undercover for at least a couple of years now! Every part of me wants to break everything off and just run, but… I have to be courageous. Because it’s ultimately your problem, and that makes it very much my problem. I’ll never let anything happen to you.” he admitted, trying to let every suppressed feeling bubble up, just so Trisha had something to mow the proverbial lawn over.

Trisha hadn’t expected him to spill so much. She gently nuzzled her face against the top of his head as he spoke, trying her best to think of something to say that wasn’t just agreement. Because it was crazy to put his- their- trust in someone like that. But what other choice did they have? At least, she didn’t have a choice. She was tied to any Dollhouse plan thanks to being a former Sycamore member.

“I… Honestly, if we could, I’d want to run away too. But we can’t because of me so… I’m really glad you’re staying with me and love me that much. I think… It's really impressive that you can trust him. You’re giving all of us a chance because of it, aren’t you? Most people wouldn’t be able to step back… They’d already hate him. So… I don’t think you’re a moron. You’re doing what you think will work.” She pressed a kiss against the top of his head, closing her eyes for a moment. If things didn’t work out in the end, and the worst- whatever that was, presumably involving the Stygian Snake- happened? At least they’d die together.

Casey didn’t know what Trisha had in her mind exactly, but he quietly smiled and shook his head against her kiss. He’d not say it either, but… Thank God they’d die together.

”You’ve seen how things get when I do what I feel will work. You end up feeling hurt, and like I don’t trust you. There hasn’t been anything I’ve felt like I’ve done well regarding how I’ve handled all of this. Like, uh… Besides you. Getting together with you was probably the last good decision I’ve made in a while.” he admitted to her, chuckling to himself.

It wasn’t entirely true, but it was the last island decision. The last port the ship had rolled into that wasn’t attached to a floatsome barge or some kind of ship graveyard. The port was solid, the boat got repaired, there was time to breathe… It was a good choice. But everything since then had been rocky. Rough sailing, choppy water. Unknown territory. Places he’d never been, things he’d never done.

”I love you so much… It’s so fucking hard. I don’t want to make these decisions. That’s why I didn’t take the fucking promotion. God forbid another war came up and I was career Brass! I’d probably fucking hang myself knowing I was sending young men to fucking die! And, my God, the fucking… I don’t even know about my Cousins! My family! My whole fucking… I’m… I just don’t fucking want to do this, Trisha! I really don’t want these responsibilities! But it’ll put us in the best position we can be in for when it all falls down!”

He cleared his throat again, finally tilting his head and looking up at her with tears again.

”And it’s my fault for being selfish… For… Not wanting to deal with you. When you’re stressed like that, it makes… It gets more difficult for me to deal with things when I know you’re stressed. Even if you lie to me, I’ll just assume you’re not good. It’s not because I don’t believe you, it’s a disconnect between my time in the service, and my time outside of it. And it’s a complete disservice to you. You don’t fucking deserve my worst. You deserve my best, and I’m struggling so hard to have the chance to give it to you… And I feel like a dog for it.”

“But you hardly get my best. You get my worst all the time… How does that make me deserve only your best?” Trisha questioned back, managing to stop herself from just straight up telling him she didn’t deserve that. But she wanted him to see that… it was a two way street! They both dealt with each other.

Even if it was hard to hear that he didn’t want to deal with her like that. Of course it made things more difficult for him, of course he assumed… Because the assumptions had been correct so often in the past month. She had to do better at hiding it, at least. So she didn’t put so much stress on him.

“We’re going to be together a long time… We’re going to see a lot of bests and worsts! Hopefully… there’ll be more bests in the future. When it’s all done and you don’t have everything on your shoulders, I- I don’t want you to carry it all alone, Casey. Because you’re doing it for us but… If this has been your worst? Even if it’s just a fraction of it? It’s never going to make me stop loving you.” She managed to dredge up enough emotion to sound confident towards the end. Because that was one thing she did believe, even if she doubted so many other things.

Nothing Casey had shown her was intolerable. All of the good outweighed any bad. He treated her better than anyone ever had in her life… And then still felt bad for it.

”God I hope that’s really the fucking case, Trisha… Because all I want is to do better. And lead by example, rather than the bullshit of planning and pushing and directing these people beneath me to be just as incompetent as they can be without collapsing their jobs. I’m filtering and funneling everything they do back up to Mom so she can’t ever pin down anything specific. It’s the most nerve wracking game of chess I’ve ever played.” he tried to explain his circumstance, not sure if she’d be able to really pick it up at all.

”I just want things to be fucking… Quiet. Finally quiet. No reason for you to worry, and no reason to be worried in turn. And I know it’ll happen, it’s just a matter of fucking when. The answer is soon… But soon is so fucking abstract, I can’t keep telling you soon and expect you to trust me! But, you’re insistent that you do! So, I… I won’t fucking fight you on that! But, even you can admit that it’s stressful!” he asserted, frowning.

”I don’t want you to feel like you can’t tell me anything, just like you don’t want to feel that way… So, don’t hold back.”

“I do trust you… it is stressful, but I’ve never really had hope for a future before you. I can wait however long. Stressed is better than…” How she got the longer she was alone. The days that blended into each other, the struggle to motivate herself to do anything because it all felt so pointless. Until anxiety kicked her out of bed and towards attempted socialisation, and the next partner.

It was harder to accept that she could tell him anything when he’d already snapped at her earlier. She knew deep down it was the circumstances… But it was always so hard for her. Baby steps forward didn’t get her that far from the cliff’s edge behind her.

What did she even have to say right now? Admit that she could feel her mood was low in a way he hadn’t experienced before? Easier for her to hide, but lingering. Depression like… but she didn’t have depression. It was never that bad. But what did she even say? It wasn’t really explainable.

She couldn’t say nothing, because then he’d worry just as much as he might if she spilled something incredibly heavy. An explanation, maybe?

“Earlier, I was… Well, this probably sounds like nothing compared to what you saw but… Before I first joined the Coven I was at the mall with friends. It’s a common story but… it wasn’t the Archserpent. Something similar, but not as powerful. Loads of shadows, and they- my friends were torn apart and devoured by them. I couldn’t do anything. I just wasn’t strong enough. I was only fourteen- they were too. That’s why I reacted how I did.” While there was stuttering here and there, she spoke relatively evenly. Detached in that moment. The severe panic attack had been had, and without the current external triggers it was easier to… suppress the feelings. Like it wasn’t her experience.

Casey took a deep breath doing his best not to immediately snap back into redirection mode. It was a true instinct, and even if she didn’t have a problem with it, other people certainly did. It was that built in Richoux complex; that they simply had to convince everyone else that they were right no matter what. It wasn’t always true. It wasn’t even mostly true. He had to hand it to Leon for breaking things apart in that sector. He’d really busted up his ego, and learned to take a back seat in arguments.

But he didn’t want her to escape their connection. Not when he knew that what he said was unfair.

”People who aren’t meant to fight get put into situations where they’re forced to see shit like that. There’s nothing wrong with… With not being strong enough. Y’think I’m gonna be tough enough to go eat-”
He paused, catching his breath for a moment.
”-y’know… Red meat? After this? No fucking way. Because it’s traumatic. It’s horrifying. Thinking about it makes me feel ill. Why? Because I saw some things I never should have. And so did you, Trisha. You saw shit that a young woman should never ever have to see… But, do you realize we have the same kind of scar? The same deep psychological wounds?”

He untucked his hands, bringing them up to cup her face.

”You think I don’t notice how you get with all the lights out? How sometimes you’ll leave your phone screen on next to your face when you go to sleep? It’s stuck with you forever… And I won’t ignore it now. You’ve gone through senseless Hell, because the Paranormal adults of this city were selfish, cruel and unusual individuals who allowed you to experience it. It wasn’t fair, and it wasn’t right. And we’ll take back that agency. Together.” he asserted.

Trisha nodded very slowly, cheeks rubbing against his hands. She wasn't sure how they'd take back agency over past traumatic events. How was it not that same as just getting over it? But he said it so confidently… she had to believe it.

“Together." She echoed quietly.

“When everything first started, I thought there weren't many Paranormal adults. I didn't know any… My dad was, but I didn't find out until right before he was killed how involved he was. Guess he doesn't get shittiest adult in the world, since he wasn't alive to leave a bunch of teenagers to fight it." She let out a quiet, hollow laugh.
“It wasn't until I really talked to more Adepts… whose family was alive but not doing anything… that I realised it was unfair."

Though she hadn't realised her reaction to the dark was so obvious. It was dampened when she wasn't alone, so she always thought she hid it well. There were plenty of easy excuses for the phone thing that no one had ever questioned. Then again, Casey had a habit of noticing things others didn't. She didn't even think it was that bad. Sometimes the darkness didn't bother her. Others, it was worse. But it wasn't really that same as what Casey dealt with, was it?

“But it's… we don't really have the same kind of scar, do we? You were a soldier, you fought in a horrible war for years, you- you have proper PTSD, right? I just experienced a few traumatic events, and have some lingering anxiety… it isn't really the same, is it?" She asked genuinely, expecting him to realise and agree. It wasn't even downplaying her own experience so much as it was genuinely believing she wasn't that badly affected. Putting aside the severe panic attack during the fight… Being a little scared of the dark wasn't much worse than how she'd been before. It was just normal for her.

”Trisha, my mind was affected in spite of conditioning. Im lucky to only deal what I deal with because of that. But, I mean, think about war. Think about how, y'know, like… Like, the war went on for years for me! But, for a lot of civilians? The war came and went. A day, a week, at worst a month. But it left their homes devastated. Families broken. Minds shattered from the sheer violence and chaos of conflict around them.”

He took a deep breath, only doing what he felt was ultimately correct. Some people may ultimately praise her for being able to keep such a strong lid on things. But, to Casey, this was rotten pumpkin behavior. The surface never looked better, but try and carve it, and it squished under your fingers. The “goodness” was only skin deep. He didn't have to convince her, however… Not knowing it was a simple fact.

So a keen explanation may help in the end…

”These people often exhibit the same signs of distress that a soldier would. And then, normal soldiers dealt with the same. Hit the front lines, your first time out, it hits you hard. Leaves you too sick to eat, or too scared to fight again. But PTSD isn't some exclusive designer condition for soldiers and refugees to claim disability over. Here at home, terrible things happen too. People are assaulted in all bodily manners, they're harassed, they deal with random tragic loss and infuriating helplessness every day.” he left the explanation lingering in the air a moment before connecting the point fully.

”You spent multiple months, as a fourteen year old girl, dealing with the equivalent of a Paranormal war zone. Trisha… You were an untrained, unconditioned soldier in a brutal conflict, fighting for your life sometimes more than once a day. For months! If it takes a normal person a single instance of something happening for a post-traumatic stress disorder to develop. Post, as in after. Traumatic as in something that has caused significant damage to a vital part of you. And then, y'know, stress! You tense up, you act differently than you would, you treat shit like it's always defcon five. That sounds, to me as someone who isn't an expert, like all the symptoms you deal with over these anxiety spikes.” he finished, his hands reaching out to hers more.

”You're not ashamed of me. Nor my condition. So, why are you so afraid of facing yours?” he asked very quietly, doing his best to make the tone sound sad and confused, not accusatory as it could have been.

Trisha's brow furrowed slightly, gripping onto his hands tighter than she meant to. But wasn't it just normal anxiety? Where was the difference? Not that she liked having anxiety either.

Her eyes dropped down and away from Casey as she started to bite her already painfully chapped lips. She was ashamed of all the issues she had and struggled to label. Having anxiety and panic attacks was something negative about her. But if any of it was something like PTSD… then there was another struggle, because she felt she shouldn't be ashamed. Because she wasn't ashamed of Casey or his condition! And it was something reserved for people who'd really done things… But he was saying it wasn't?

“I’m not… I'm… I am embarrassed because it feels like I've always been like this. I don't know if the Stygian Snake really made things worse, or if it's just who I am, I- I don't know, I've always been tense. I guess not with the darkness, but is that any worse than the other anxiety? And then- I hate that. I really hate that about myself. But if it's really something like PTSD- if that's really something I could have- then that makes me a hypocrite, doesn't it?"

She wasn't quite entirely accepting it, but it was hard to deny when Casey put it like that. Her mind wasn't clear at the moment, but her emotions weren't so reactive. She could see reason when something was properly explained to her even when feeling so low otherwise. Because he was right… she'd spent months as a teenager spending every day fighting for her life, seeing people die, and having no one aside from other equal fucked up teens to support her.

”You are naturally anxious, Trish. That's part of you. But, don't you think it just makes sense in the end? That you'd be predisposed to those sorts of issues? You spent your whole childhood being browbeaten by a domineering person, she never gave you the chance to be confident in yourself.”

Not that he was much better right now. He'd hoped that keeping her out of things would give her the chance to build that necessary layer between herself and outside events. To give himself the opportunity to know how to help her when she needed it.
But things all happened so fast, he could only deal with it as it came. So, he couldn't hide. She'd find out too fast, and find out it was all a lie. And then, she'd regress.

She'd probably already mentally regressed, and was subconsciously looking for a reason to lash out. Maybe not today, or tomorrow… But he'd see the results more down the short line. He had confidence enough in her and her habits to make that educated guess.

”I haven't either. And I'm so wrong for that… but, I love you. And it is frustrating: I know plenty of people bigger than you, stronger, tougher, more mentally sound, who didn't escape the horrors around them. Not even close. You aren't a hypocrite for not putting it all together yourself… I… Know enough to know you lost more than friends that summer. Be mad at him all you want, but… Lee told me what happened. The… The boy. You had something ripped away from you. That's bound to leave scars that won't heal right. Hear me?” he asked her calmly, ready for the flood of anger, or sadness, or whatever to unfurl from her mouth and crush him with its pressure.

The… boy? Trisha's breath hitched, curling her legs up even tighter to her chest. Tensing up, but also covering the scar already covered by the oversize t-shirt that swamped her small frame. Leon told him?

“It- It wasn't my fault." She stammered out, clutching onto Casey with sudden panic. Because if Leon was the one that told him… she knew how he felt about it, how everyone else felt about it. They all blamed her, because she had the strength to drag his body out of that forest- she didn't start bleeding out till she was safe. But he wasn't, he'd been dead, and they all thought it was her fault because they didn't like her. But he- he'd been so much better than her, he'd been well liked, it had to be her fault they'd ended up separated from the rest, it was clearly her reckless decision. And she couldn't remember everything… so she couldn't even deny it, but she just knew deep down it wasn't her fault.

“I- I don't know what he told you, but it wasn't, I swear, he- he- we were alone, there were too many of them, I didn't cause it."

Casey was surprised at her reaction. Survivor's guilt usually came with suicidal feelings, a desire to replace or substitute oneself, that they may be the ones taking the loss rather than the actually affected party. A wish that they'd died rather than the victim. And while it was too early to know whether or not she had that kind of feeling too, knowing that she was feeling actual guilt of intention made him really question what the situation had been like.

”Well, he told me you were going steady with a guy at the time. A pretty popular one in your grade, and from what I hear, in the coven too… But, he died. You two were together. Leon said he saved you from whatever it was that killed him, but didn't make it out himself… He said nobody knows what you saw, because you wouldn't let anyone see… I said to myself then, ‘That tracks for Trisha.’ But, that's all! I don't even know the kid's name!”

“Really?" Trisha stared at him with wide eyed panic, trying to find any signs that he was lying. But he wasn't… Why would he? But why wouldn't Leon tell Casey about all the accusations him and everyone else had towards her? She couldn't even blame them for believing it was her fault… There'd been bee stings on his body. Not enough to have really hurt him, but enough for it to be noticeable.

At least, from her memory, Leon hadn't backed any of the wilder accusations. That the two had a fight, and she hurt him before letting him die. That he hadn't really saved her because she pushed him into it. All those people with poor opinions with nothing better to do than to attack her… but everyone had believed it was in some way her fault.

It sort of was. She'd lost control of her bees for a moment… and that moment could've been the difference between him living and dying. It was why he'd had to defend her like that.

“His name was Martin." She spoke again after a moment, voice softer again. There was still that panic she always felt when thinking about him and what happened, but it wasn't as intense as when she thought Casey already had some false account of it. Intertwining with the sorrow she felt towards it that made her more depressively mellow.

“We’d been together for almost a month. A large period of that summer. He was… nice. He was popular because he was nice, not anything superficial like how I was… viewed as ‘popular’. But he wasn't with me for that…" He'd probably been her first genuine partner. Not like the first few, when she'd said yes because it had seemed right and then realised it was a cure to her loneliness. Then the ones after that were going for anyone attracted to her, even if it was just physical. She really had liked him.

“It was a really bad night. We were separated from the rest of our group by hellhounds. They'd… already got me. It's how I got… that…" One hand detached from Casey to point to her left hip, and the bite scar hidden by her shorts. But he'd seen it plenty of times by now.
“He was a Green Adept, so he healed it enough I could keep going. But it- it was really bad that night. A- A new moon, so everything from stronger."

Her breath hitched again, and she tucked her head against Casey as she took deep breaths. She didn't need to tell him. But she'd already started. She should get it out… let him judge her. Maybe then the weight would be less heavy.

“We were exhausted and ambushed. It was… these horrible shadow monsters… the kind from nightmares. And one of them caught me in its gaze, and I couldn't see reality- I lost control of the bees, Casey. And they would've killed me if he didn't step in. They already almost did, after- after he was- was-" She cut herself off, taking a heaving breath and squeezing her eyes shut. But it didn't help. She just saw it all again. Those tall shadowy creatures, with claws like knives.
“There weren't many left. I was already hurt, and one managed to slice under my chest. I- I thought I was going to die… I don't remember how I got away. I just remember when I got to the group looking for us… I'd dragged him as far as I could… then I passed out. When I woke up, everyone was saying he was dead and blaming me. I- I denied it, because I couldn't know b-but, some of it is. I lost control of my bees. And he died protecting me!"

He didn’t say anything to start with. Just held her. Casey’s arms cradled her, head in one hand while the other wrapped around her side to keep her close. Keep her safe. He was trying to figure out how she didn’t associate her situation to some kind of mental breakage. The only option is that she was-

”Wait… They… blamed you?”

Casey was aware that one of the Stygian Snake’s favorite abilities was its talent for breaking up and obscuring Recollections. The magical bodycam which every paranormal entity was capable of reproducing and passing along to others like the Ring tape… It made plenty of sense that they genuinely didn’t know what happened, especially if the two were alone in the middle of the woods.

But… Accusing her of murder? Or, at the very least some kind of serious gross negligence or outright sacrificing with malice?

”If you weren’t a fucking Sycamore Member, I’d almost rather let Dollhouse fucking murder them all. Aw fuck, I can’t fucking believe this! This is what I have to deal with ten years later? These gutterfuckers, how dare they insinuate something like that! The audacity! The ridiculous implication that you were responsible? Even cursorily? You said yourself, you were both separated! He peeled off of them to stick by you! Like a noble person would, when everyone else would’ve just fucking abandoned you like you were garbage!? And they accuse you?!”

He hadn’t quite expected such a visceral reaction of frustration, but there it was. Another reason to be happy they wouldn’t be here much longer… No more bastards. No more fucking Sycamores, or Dollhouses. St. Portwell would be a distant fucking memory soon.

There was something gratifying about Casey so passionately defending her all those years later. No one had at the time. Sure there were her ‘friends’ who didn't say anything one way or the other, and people who ignored it but nobody actually defended her.

“It wasn’t all… wild accusations. Some just assumed I’d started a fight with him or something, because that was how they saw me- and I was like that, but not during shit like that! And they took me not wanting to share my memories as an admission of guilt… But I didn’t want my mind touched anymore than it had to be.” Trisha pressed herself against Casey, trembling.

Part of her agreed, and was resentful about how unfair it was. She wanted to get as angry as he was. But it just made her sad now, and she… couldn’t even blame them. The part of her that hated herself knew she didn’t do herself any favours. Of course they all thought the worst!

“I didn’t do anything they said… but I lost control. And I- the blame isn’t all on them. He- He had stings on him! It was an accident, but of course people started thinking shit. And nobody trusted me. None of them understood why he was with me either. Cause he was too good for me. Like- like-” You.

She took another heaving breath, trying not to let herself spiral into panic again. It was hard.
“When I woke up, I didn’t know he was dead. My mind was so fucked when he protected me- when I dragged him away- that I still thought he was alive. Just injured… So I was pretty hysterical. I was still hurt too. We didn’t have enough magical healers, so they only healed some things to the point of not dying… I don’t think they wanted to heal me more than they had to. But I felt so guilty, and then when I was blamed I just snapped and that made everything worse. There was nobody on my side then, and… I’ve never told anyone about it because I was scared...”

There was a long, long moment of silence before Casey felt like he could speak. There was inescapable fury that needed to be rehoused before he was able to focus on something else. Something better than his incandescence of anger. This kind of emotion never did him any good.

”Honestly? I’m having a really hard time dealing with that. You’ve really gotta point these people out if we see them, because I’m gonna make them hate me just as much as they hate you. But, maybe they’ll think twice. I… just find myself in utter disbelief. I mean, you were Witchhunted in a Coven for Christ’s sake! Is there no sanctity? Truly, this entire system is wrong, it must just be something about this fucking town, Trish. I swear to you. I fucking swear, once we’re gone, it’s not gonna be like this crazy bullshit. It’s just not, we are not gonna let it get like this! Right? You and me? Together!?”

He’d managed to get his hands up to her elbows so he could rest her arms in his as he pulled away enough for them to look squarely at one another again. The look of sincerity was prying through the tears, most apparent in the nearly smug grin. It wasn’t a challenge: It was a guarantee, and he just knew he needed her to confirm it in that moment. In the same moment that one hand slipped down to meet hers again, sliding around the finger and the ring upon it.

”I know you’d never do what they say. Leon didn’t even mention it, so… I think we should confront him about it. See what he has to say for himself ten years later. Maybe we’ll be surprised, or maybe not, but at least it’ll be clear. But, let me be very clear with you… I will die for you. Call me number two, maybe. But, if I thought giving myself up would let you be around longer, I would-”

Sure, if they had to die together, at least it was together… But if there was a way out? He wouldn’t judge her in what came after. He was almost certain he’d leave behind a lifetime widow, but he hoped there’d be impetus to at least continue on with the humdrum of life. Kids, maybe. A legacy. Something that she’d stick with in his honor, to keep going. Anything… Because he could never be sure she’d do it for herself. Who could see that kind of future?

Trisha shook her head, gripping onto Casey’s hand tightly.
“I don’t want that. I didn’t want it then, and I- I really don’t now… I don’t want to live without you. We… Need to get through all this so we can leave and make something better, together. Like you said! I can’t do that alone.”

It was short term thinking when it came to his possible death- but dying and dying for her were very different things. If they really were going to leave the city and have a peaceful life together after this, there’d be no need for him to protect her like that. She only saw it being a possibility in the upcoming months… And if it happened, she wasn’t sure if she could continue.

Maybe after years, if she was stronger. But if he was dying for her? It just made things harder. She didn’t even want to think about it.

“I’d rather die together. I know that’s probably not what you want to hear… But I would! I don’t want to be around longer if you’re not going to be there.” She didn’t even acknowledge anything else he said, so desperate to get that point across.

”Aw, fuck I knew it…” he bemoaned.

”Please, God, I’d never forgive you, Trisha! If you wasted that? If you gave yourself up? We’re gonna-”
He paused, looking up at her face and seeing her eyes welling.

”-Like, someday soon we’ll be in a place where it’s all okay, and we won’t need to worry. But. This is right now. And right now, God forbid, if something happens to me and it saves you? Preserves you so that you can see another sunrise for me? Please, just promise me you won’t dishonor that love… Because if one person does it, maybe they’re just a hero… But if it happens twice? Can’t you see that there’s something fucking special about you!?”

“No, I can’t! I don’t see… I really don’t, I don’t understand. I’m not- there’s so many better people out there. I’m difficult and fucked up and I just make everyone’s lives more difficult. I really can’t see it, Casey. And I don’t think I want to, because I don’t want you to die for me!” Trisha shook her head, heaving sobs following her words.

She really didn’t want to imagine a world without him. It wouldn’t be fair. Not when she’d finally found some kind of happiness. Having it ripped away like that… it terrified her more than him leaving her did now. Because she was beginning to believe he’d stay if he could.

“I wouldn’t follow you like that! I’m brave enough to- to do anything myself, but I- I really don’t want to do it, Casey. I only see a future with you… and I still don’t understand why you want that with me.”

”You’re the girl for me, Trisha… I’m not settling. I’ve been home a couple years now; there’s no chance this is me settling for something. People keep asking me stupid ass questions like that. Am I settling? No, I’m not, because I told you. I saw you. Your picture’s always been in my head. Maybe I lost it somewhere in the sands of North Africa, maybe I left it here on my desk before I left that first time… I don’t know. But I’ve never felt so driven to be beside anyone in my fucking life.”

Casey shook his head slightly, both hands having brought her own hands up so they could curl against her chest as she cried. And with it, he hugged around her again once he’d said his piece. He didn’t think there was much else to be said in that regard anyway… She had all the affirmations she needed right there in front of her. He was here. Still.

”Trust me… I’ll live for you long before I die for you. Every day I wake up, I feel like I’m really living for you. With you in mind. I fucking love you.” he gritted through his teeth.

“I love you too. So much that it’s painful sometimes.” Trisha got out between sobs, curling in towards him. She tried to even out her breathing so that she could at least talk without choking on her words.

“I don’t… understand what you see in me. But I know you mean it, even if I can’t… I feel it. I want to be able to see myself how you see me one day. I don’t want to… hate myself like this… but most people have too! I just… I trust you, I really trust you, I believe you. As much as I can. Because I feel it too, and I know you love me, even though I feel so unloveable sometimes. You- You give me a reason to live too… to actually better my life and myself! I really, really love you.”

”Then we can’t leave one another, Babe. We just can’t, and we won’t. I’ve let you go twice, and both times I’ve regretted it. No more… I promise, no more.” he spoke softly, watching her face as the ever-encroaching sun crested the hills in the East to shimmer back off the bay.

Eventually, Casey had to go to work. They weren’t going to be left alone forever, as much as they might both want that. But he was still the Blade and had to deal with the aftermath of the attack.

Which left Trisha alone in their home. She didn’t make much fuss when he left- she felt she’d already been selfish enough, and didn’t want to make things anymore difficult for him. That wouldn’t be fair, it wasn’t like he wanted to leave either.

Eventually, she got thirsty enough that she had to drag herself out of the safety of bed for something to drink. The sun was properly lighting up the space now, letting her turn off some of the lights on her way down.

A detour to the bathroom found her standing in front of the mirror, staring at herself. Dark bags under her eyes weren’t enough to hide the puffiness from all the crying. Her eyes were bloodshot, turned dull brown in the dim light. Empty, almost… There were still makeup stains here and there, since she hadn’t exactly had the energy to properly take it off last night. Just the blood…

Trisha rubbed her face red and raw with a cleaning cloth, as if she could rub away the dark bags. Or her own skin… Maybe if she peeled it off, she’d find something better underneath. Someone better.

But washing her face that much just hurt. She didn’t bother with anything else. The thought of getting in the shower briefly crossed her mind, before disappearing again. She couldn’t be bothered. She didn’t really care.

She went into the Den rather than going back to bed, glass of water in hand. It was just as comfortable. And there was a television, which she switched on. It was already set on some detective show she vaguely remembered Casey liking. That was fine. It was something.

As the space was filled with more sounds than just her own thoughts, Trisha curled up into a ball at the back of the sofa. In that spot where Casey normally sat, and her with him. It was comfortable enough, but felt empty. She felt empty.

There were things she should do. Coding her website and tending to the bees after last night… But the guilt of unproductivity only made her feel worse, and less willing to move. What was the point, anyway? The one person she had any business with had wanted her dead at one point. And why bother working on her magic? It wasn’t like it would ever be useful.

She’d always be a burden. Worthless. Casey could tolerate it, sure. He was fine to protect her. But that didn’t mean she could…

After a couple of hours, she managed to turn on her laptop. A couple more, she turned it back off. She wasn’t going to do anything on it. But she made sure to keep her phone close, in case he texted. She didn’t want to worry him… or anyone else. A brief bit of energy was given to responding to people. Pretending everything was perfectly fine, and that she didn’t feel like it would be better if she just rotted away on this couch.

She only bothered leaving the Den to go to the bathroom. On the first trip she collected Princess, so she at least had something to hug around. Otherwise, the hours slowly ticked by curled up staring at the TV without taking anything in or the wall behind it. Thoughts crawled in, then slipped away to emptiness at points. There was no energy or motivation to do anything. It all felt pointless, anyway.

Casey hadn’t had much time to text, unfortunately. He hadn’t had much time in general, especially with what he was walking back into. The overall vibe was mixed as he made his way into the site, which had been magically cordoned off in order to keep any unaffected blinds out of the area. Several radial stasis spells were keeping both the event space, as well as the giant crab beneath, relatively time-stable in wait for the Blade’s proper investigation.
It was, of course, Casey’s job to go over everything in order to find out what, why, and how. Which meant that things hadn’t changed more than an hour from the time he left within the bubble.

Powerful Purple Adepts under Clarissa and Furio’s direction maintained the field, while the same duo had taken the mantles of their old jobs with total gusto. Like they’d never been away.
And that caused a fair bit of hostility between the two parties. With Lynette sequestered away, it was left to Clarissa to lead the entire Cult as the Crone-in-Wait, thus there was sudden impetus to discipline for duties shirked. By Lynette’s own demands, the entire stasis plan had been set up in order to give Casey the chance to compress. But, neither Clarissa, nor Furio, seemed entirely happy over it when he arrived.

Which wound up being the least of Casey’s concerns. Surveying the carnage bit by bit made him sick in a literal way, his stomach learning strange new dance moves as he personally verified each and every casualty based on whatever records they could get ahold of. Listings had to be made, cataloguing each of the three-hundred and fifteen dead. The wounded had to be helped earlier, thus were pulled from the field before the stasis was applied. So, a fair count could be made once Casey and the tallytakers had finished their work. Thankfully, most were easily identified by identification cards left in wallets and purses…

The trouble was, three-hundred and fifteen was a large number of dead people. Important, in some cases. Lives would be affected. Jobs. Futures. And suddenly, there had to be a magical solution to this.
A magical solution that the Temple’s reliquary stash was equipped to handle. Tallytakers were important for these situations. With twenty-eight unidentified “Doe’s”, the rest could be targeted by a miracle-craft known by the tongue-in-cheek name of “The Macguffin.” Meant to erase mass death events like this from the public conscience, the many wounded and the fewer dead are able to be catalogued into the machine, then blessed by a pure Adept of each color continuously until all the names were delisted.

Three-hundred and fifteen dead. Another four-hundred and eighty eight wounded. And only twenty eight unknown or otherwise unidentified “loose ends.” The rest would take weeks of continual magic usage to clear up. And in that time, the entire city would be wondering what the fuck happened at Beppo Park on Thanksgiving.
Furio handed the entire bag of problems over to Casey like a man on a mission. The only thing he didn’t do was spit in Casey’s face on the way out. But Clarissa had plenty to say, and damned him in a stern fashion before following her husband out of the space.

There would be lasting consequences if this wasn’t handled properly. The PRA were already there to see them about it, and if it hadn’t been some kind of external attack they had no real proof of instigating, there certainly would’ve been arrests. But, with an organization like the Temple, there was too much red tape for the Federal system to just start kicking doors down and making arrests. For once, they had to yield to a group who knew a little bit more about covering shit up.

Or, at least, the PRA didn’t seem to mind, and had no clear intention of stopping the Temple from handling it themselves… Either they were stretched too thin to handle it themselves, or the incident wasn’t big enough to get dirty with.
Casey got plenty dirty, however… dirty enough that he had to stop at least a dozen times. He’d stopped trying to hide the shakes, which only stopped when someone begged him to take another dose of E-Vac to steady his nerves. And that made it incredibly hard to keep his magic up, or to focus at all…

So, a dose of Glass to pick things back up in the right direction. Not like his time there was short. Eight, ten, twelve… Eighteen hours after he’d left home, he was only now crawling back up the flight of stairs. His arms were laden bags; fresh fruit, and dinner for the two of them. He had to cook, otherwise he wasn’t sure what he was going to do. Having grown quite fond of it, and thankful that the E-Vac was somewhere in the rearview, he knew he’d at least have a moment to feel good about creating something. A necessary change from destroying a thousand thousand other things…

Snowflakes were starting to fall as he made his way into the dark of the rooftop, the canopy leading to the house the only thing lit up… He’d closed most of the blinds that morning, leaving the one shining onto the bed open for Trisha to look out from. And, thankfully, he could see light shining back out from the same place. It’d been incredibly exhausting. He’d eaten some key lime before coming back knowing full well that he’d need any energy he had left to cope in case anything came back up.

Pushing through the door, Casey could easily see the glow from the television down the hall, and cleared his throat.

”S-sweetheart? Perfect pretty princess?” Casey tried to sound playful, but there was a great deal of sadness in his voice. Sadness he couldn’t hide. But he’d always dreamed of coming through the door like this, to a family who would greet him when he called.
”I’m home…”

There wasn't an immediate response. Some quiet shuffling, the soft thud of something soft hitting the floor. Then Trisha herself appeared in the half open door to the Den.

She was wearing the same clothes as when he left- a t-shirt of his she'd stolen a few days before, large enough it covered most of the comfortable shorts underneath. At least the puffiness from crying has finally died down, leaving just the dark bags and red patches where she'd scrubbed her face too vigorously. Her hair was a mess, normally cared for waves turned into an unruly, frizzy tangle. Like she'd just woken up, except she didn't look like she'd slept.

There'd been a few naps in the period of numb TV watching. An hour or two here or there, filled with nightmares and dreams that had her waking up feeling worse. It wasn't exactly restful. But hearing and then seeing him was enough to make her feel just a little bit better. Enough that she was able to get up and off the couch.

“Welcome home." She said softly, voice slightly hoarse from being unused all day. She shuffled towards him, arms beginning to lift up, but paused when she spotted all of the bags he was laden with. There wasn't exactly any room to hug him.

“I missed you. Did you…" She pursed her lips, not sure what to ask.
“Are you alright?"

He was still shuffling by the time she made it out, and he dumped the weight of his parcels onto the counter with a gentle thud. She looked wonderfully comfortable, and he wanted to feel that way too. Thus, rather than worry about any potential shame, he wriggled his pants off of his legs without hesitation. Then, he was free to hug Trisha close. It was apparent as he still hadn’t said anything to the contrary that the day was exactly what she thought.

But did he say?

”No. Definitely not alright. I only have a few hours, then it’s back to all hands on deck. Someone asked me why I was coming home, which I thought was a dumb question. I nearly punched him.” Casey spoke softly, rubbing Trisha’s back as he held her tight.

“You shouldn't punch someone just cause they're stupid." Trisha managed to joke quietly, hugging him back just as tightly. She rubbed her face against him before tilting it again to look up at him. She felt safer with him there, and less consumed by the void filled with guilt and self-loathing. But only a few hours… That wasn't nearly enough.

“Clearly he doesn't have someone he loves to go home to… Uh… only a few hours? Well, uh, is there anything I can do to… help you? I'll do anything you want." As long as it involved being near him, that was. She couldn't bear to be too far away when they didn't have long.

Casey nodded his head.
”Grab the big chef’s knife and the serving platter. I got fruit for the girls.” he half-instructed as he began pulling boxes of strawberries and other sweet fruits from the bags.

”And decide if you want beef, fish, or… Well, I guess just vegetables. I want stir fry, but I want to make it, because I want a lot.” he shrugged, sliding two large watermelons from the bottoms of a couple bags.

Trisha nodded, moving to get the serving platter and knife she'd seen Casey use to cut up fruit out. It was big, so she assumed it was the big chef's knife. She put them down on the counter, immediately making her way back to slot in at Casey's side.

She didn't really want to eat anything. She would if he made it, because she should and she didn't want to worry him. Because she appreciates the effort he put in, too. But it meant she didn't really care what, because she didn't want anything. Beef… didn't seem like a good idea? It was a red meat, wasn't it? She was surprised he'd even suggested it.

“Fish. Or just vegetables if it's easier for you, I don't mind." She answered eventually.
“I’ll eat anything if you make it… but you know I don't really have many preferences. Should I cut up the smaller fruit? There's, uh… still some strawberries in the fridge. I tried dipping them in chocolate and letting it cool, because I thought that'd be nice, if you want any?"

”Oh, yeah! Please, that sounds nice. I’ll do the little shrimp for the stir-fry then. Save the beef for something else.” Casey intoned, nodding his head with a vague excitement.

Trisha smiled slightly, detaching from him again to go into the fridge. She quickly messed the strawberries up from the sappy heart she'd shaped them into before making her way back to him. She put the plate down and picked one up, holding it up to him with a silent smile.

Having his head turned, Casey wasn’t exactly paying attention as he rolled one of the watermelons around to a side for cutting. Yet, as Trisha held the strawberry up and let him bite into it, a combination of sensory factors flooded his brain all at once. The simultaneous crunch of the strawberry, and the knife sinking into the melon. The visual of the white-to-red stem of the strawberry being massive in his vision, the panic of turning only to see the deep red juice dripping down the knife.

He’d come down from the E-Vac almost an hour ago. Now was not a good time. Constitution weakened, the turning motion swept every bit of blood from Casey’s brain, and in a single crumbling motion, he toppled over. The knife dug deeper into the melon, caught there so it didn’t fly away with his hand. But, Casey’s whole head mashed off of the cabinet beneath the island top, causing him to involuntarily grunt in the midst of his unconsciousness.

“Casey?!" Trisha tried to catch him, but she wasn't fast enough or strong enough to stop him from hitting his head on the way down. Panic flared up, but it pushed her to quick action even as her breath grew harsh. She grabbed the knife and pulled it out of the watermelon, putting it safely on the island before dropping to her knees.

What did you normally do when someone fainted? She wasn't sure. It had happened so many times during the Stygian Snake era, but that was normal from injuries and blood loss. Sometimes fear… What if he hit his head? Should she get something for it- No, no, she shouldn't leave him. She definitely shouldn't leave him.

She shuffled forward on her knees, trying her best to carefully turn Casey onto his side before pulling his head up and onto her lap. Having it raised seemed good. She gently felt around his head for any bleeding, holding back tears and panic. He'd wake up… it was just a fainting spell! He'd be fine, she just had to stay calm until he was. Or at least… not let the panic freeze her. She wasn't calm at all, she just wasn't letting the panic attack take full hold.

By the time she was rolling him over, he was at least able to help. It was only temporary, but seeing all the red juice and squidgy liquid surrounding him made him queasy to the point that he had to vomit. Half way up, he surged from Trisha’s arms and pressed for the sink before heaving up the strawberry and the nothing he’d had since Thanksgiving last night.

A fucking travesty. Couldn’t even save the food. Some serving trays were so full of blood they just decided to dump them as is. The thought caused him to hurl up a bit more, head stuffed in the sink. He dared not open his eyes for fear of the lumpy glop of half-digested fruit he’d just eaten. Not to mention the bees were starting to move toward the little bit of juice leaking from the pierced melon on the counter.

Chaos had come again, if not in a slightly more mundane setting.

”I’m- I’m- I’m okay! I’m-” he managed to choke out before his guts tried to purge themselves of their own meaty bits.

“No you're not." Trisha said softly, having moved to comfortingly rubbing his back. There wasn't any accusation in her tone, but it was obvious that he wasn't.

At least he was moving. He wasn't physically dying. She took in a deep breath, nose wrinkling at the harsh smell. But luckily for both her and Casey, she was used to all kinds of shit. Both from growing up in a house full of far too many children, and the summer of hell. She knew Casey well enough now to be able to vaguely figure out what the problem was.

She could sort it. For him. Was functional enough to… for him. Maybe it would help her feel a bit less useless.

“It’s alright, just… give me a moment." Her hand pulled away from his back and she moved around to the watermelon. It was easy to shoo the bees, gently commanding them back to their previous spot in the rafters with a promise of fruit later. She wasn't sure what the right thing was to do with the watermelon… so she moved it into the fridge for just now. Out of sight, out of mind. Any juice that had leaked onto the counter was mopped up along with the knife- as best as she could without access to the sink. There wasn't any visible evidence of the cut made into the fruit anymore, at least.

“Do you… think you can move? I can clean this up." She asked gently as she moved back to Casey, hand going to his back again.

”The strawberry was… Great. I just… I wasn’t thinking, and I saw-”

Bone wrapped in flesh made manifest as the whitest part of the strawberry core gave way to fleshy red edges. Snapped tendon, the inside of the rib. So many places where the human body looked like a cherry cowtail… He heaved again, unable to prevent his mind from wandering back. Back further still, to a time where there was almost no memory. Yet, the oddest, strangest wisp of consciousness calling forward from the past.

A scream. A bone flying at his face.

What the fuck is that?

A bone. The outer rim of red, then the actual pale bone, and the marrow inside. Perfectly grilled. Seasoned to perfection. There was smashing going on in front of him. Glass breaking.

Why the fucking meat!?
Casey reeled back again, giving his whole being up to hurling until the world became gray around him.

Only once he could draw breath again did he moan out in pain.

”I swear, I’ll eat the fucking strawberries, Babe, they’re good! I promise! I pr-”

Bone. Sinew. Tissue. Face.

There was nothing left to give back to the air, yet his gut still tried to give and give. To no avail.

“You don't have to, Casey. They're just strawberries. I don't care about them, I care about you!" Trisha tried her best not to start properly panicking when he just didn't stop heaving. She was worried. Really worried. Was there even anything she could do to help? Did she just have to watch?

She turned her body to properly hug him without constraining him, so he could keep heaving as much as he needed to.
“Its alright… I've put it all away… just tell me how I can help you."

Casey did his best to comfort her as she had to deal with the fact that he was working through this. He had to get the images out of his mind, but it’d all been there the entire day, and he’d just bottled it up behind a gate of drugs that prevented him from noticing it.

His hand gripped hers as gently as it could while he was heaving, and once the action seemed to subside and his thoughts became quiet again, he looked down at her arms around him and spoke weakly.

”I’m sorry… Y-you don’t ha-a-ave to b-be here. But… It’s enough you are. I never ha-ad- Nobody was there like this. I gotta quit thinking about… The tents. G-”
He buckled, doubled until his head bumped against the back of the sink. Wincing in pain, Casey tried to go for as deep a breath as he could get.

”We counted everyone today. All of them. If the greater population knew? If they realized what happened last night? Witchhunts. The Blinds may just wipe us out if they ever realized shit like that happens all the time. Whole communities disappearing from the fucking map. Changing public psyche like we’re in charge… God, please fucking forgive me…” he pleaded, partially to God, but just the same, partially to Trisha.

Trisha still held him as best she could, leaning forward slightly as he did. It hurt to see him suffering so much for something that wasn't his fault. She doubted any of the other people in power within the Temple had the same concerns. She leaned in to rest her face in his hair for a moment, before kissing the back of his head.

“You’re doing it to protect more lives, Casey. So there isn't a witch hunt. It's not your fault. Even if it was… I'm sure God would forgive you. You didn't ask to be put in this position! You're doing what you can." Trisha didn't believe in God, nor did she realise it was her he was partly pleading to. But if saying something like that helped, she would. She knew enough about Catholicism at least to know the core concepts. Forgiveness was a big one from memory, even if it was rarely in practice.

“And I’m not going anywhere. I'm going to stay with you, no matter how you're feeling. You've… been with me through so many panic attacks already! Even if you hadn't- I'm going to be here for you every time I can be. Because I love you and you're my fiancé… I'm here, Casey. You can get it out however you need to. I won't blame you…"

Casey’s anger and anxiety wouldn’t be so easily flushed away. It was easy to get it out, but what did that really do in the end? He’d gotten it out last night, and then there was supposed to be more? Hard to imagine it’d do much if there was more after that. He knew for a fact that it wasn’t just some silly problem to overcome. The ramifications of their actions would be wide spread, and explaining it away simply wasn’t enough.

And the chances were that this would be Lynette’s weakest. She’d be participating as the leader of the ritual to direct the Macguffin’s energies through her own powerful White Lux. It’d be a good time to move on her, just after the completion… But now there were chances other parties would acknowledge the same, and plot against her with that same sparse window in mind. Casey had to be thirty steps ahead in all directions, and trusting Lynette’s judgement of the future was becoming more difficult the closer to the New Year they got.

”Your dinner’s fucking cold!”
A mop of black hair swept out of the way.
Marrow, bone, meat, bullseye.

Casey was just staring down. No words, no whimpering. Just faint murmurs, not even close to vibrating the chords. Air to nothing. It wasn’t ten seconds, it wasn’t thirty. Minutes went by as his brain unraveled in all directions. Scrambled eggs growing like molten landmass in a pan, he tried to categorically list everything to spill to her so that he could finally get it out. But, it wasn’t working. It wasn’t coming out the way he thought, because every time he asked himself what the benefit of her knowing any of it was. His own selfish reprieve? A moment to rub it in her face that she didn’t have it so bad in the long run?

Where did that even come from? What a rotten feeling to project, and totally unwarranted to her when she was just trying to do the right thing. Why was he suddenly bitter? He kept thinking about the number, and visualizing all those corpses lined up in neat rows and columns. Three-hundred and fifteen black bags. That wasn’t a night at the ballpark. That wasn’t twenty Adepts vaguely capable of defending themselves without weaponry. That wasn’t a group of magical gangsters protecting some secret documents. Some were Adepts, sure. But, a lot were trapped innocents. People killed brutally in the opening flourish of the attack. People who had no way of knowing what was coming, nor ways of defending themselves.

”Oh, my God Lynn! You cleared him!”
”You, Bastard! You take care of it, since it was meant for you!”

What the fuck is this…

The clock was ticking. He was like a statue, fingers white-knuckled against the metal of the sink. He couldn’t discern the relation. There were obvious surface things, the meat being a source of pain. Dinner, the table, so he stands. Cooks and eats. Couches it. Anywhere that wasn’t the fucking table. Alright. But, why now?

”Trisha… I… Chair. Please?”

“Alright." Trisha quickly confirmed, rubbing his back once more before going to grab him a chair. The ones at the breakfast bar were closest and easiest for her to drag over- they didn't have a dining table, so it was those or couches, which she wasn't going to try to pull over.

Even though she was close enough to a panic attack herself, she was managing to keep it all under the surface. She probably could manage that until he went back to work. She'd done it before… even if recently she'd been quite weak, she could suppress things well if she really put the effort in. Then she'd be there for him, and he wouldn't have to worry about her.

“Here, sit down- do you need anything else?"

As he plopped down onto the seat, he absentmindedly raised his hands, wrapping them around her and pulling her down to cradle her slightly, letting her sit squarely in his lap. She’d be able to feel both his hands trembling terribly.

”Y’got any bee hormones for shit like this? Otherwise… I don’t know. It’s like playing cards in the dark. Tarot with no candles. I just keep coming up with that same fucking image, this same person there. Some fucking Blind, some person I never met, they just came to have a good time. Came with their family or something, was on the outside edge next to a total stranger. The poor fucker. Near decap, a fucking steak knife. Why them!? Was it so fucking hard to leave the innocent fucks out of it? What was the fucking message? Game on? I couldn’t even fucking look at it, Trisha. I couldn’t function, I couldn’t direct anyone in that moment. It was all gone. Like I was a kid again, and I couldn’t do anything.” he continued to vent, not quite considering how badly Trisha may be ramping up.

After all, this is what she wanted, right? Transparency. Frankly he couldn’t hold it in, so it was this, or some alternative that didn’t involve the woman who was supposed to love him terribly.

”The fucking… Pattern. Th-” he paused, throwing his hand up over his mouth to suppress a nervous gag.

Trisha turned in his lap to face him, her legs loosely wrapping around his waist. One hand went to his back again, rubbing comfortingly, while she leaned back a little to properly look at him.

She didn't know what to say. What did you say to someone who witnessed horrors that threw them back to other horrors? What did she wish someone said to her whenever someone triggered her? She didn't know.

But she did have bee pheromones. A gentle floral scent filled the air around her, ramping up until it was heavier and strong enough to soak through Casey's emotional field. A calming blanket of pheromones. The same kind she'd used on Tansy earlier to stop her freaking out about magic, but ramped up to work on someone magical.

“They’ve spent months killing people in cold blood from a coven that hasn't existed since we were teenagers, some who left the Paranormal world entirely. I'm… not surprised they're cruel enough to kill innocents like that." She said quietly. But that probably wasn't helpful, was it? What would be?

She leaned forward again, arms wrapping around his shoulders. She tilted her head forward to rest their foreheads together while leaving him room to cover his mouth if he needed to.

It was a lot for her to deal with. The whole situation, when she was so low herself. But of all the lows she could be in, this was the one where she was most able to deal with shit. Good enough at pretending to be alright around everyone else before slumping when alone… Not like the erratic drops or intense panic. On the edge of panicking, sure, but her only motivation right now- her first motivation all day- was to help Casey right now. She'd suppress the heavy knot of emotions in her chest for him. Maybe it would prove that she was just as worth it as he seemed to think…

“No wonder you couldn't function, Casey. That's awful… not something… anyone should suffer or see. Nevermind when you've already suffered through so much before."

Did he not want her to respond? Was it worth it? Did another voice need to be present? Not letting her speak, or asking her to be quiet, would be tantamount to shutting her out, and that was never the goal. She’d simply asked for this, and he was no longer willing to let his baser instincts get the better of him. He was going to share.

”It’s why I… Really want to fucking be there, Trisha. So I can put some of these images back into those evil pricks. I want revenge, no matter how hollow it’ll be. I’m not some common street Adept, I’m not a fucking idiot either. But, it’s so fucking exhausting, Trisha… I’m sorry… I’m so fucking sorry. It’s a nightmare to deal with, and- And- Fuck!”

He tossed his head back absentmindedly and mashed it off the corner of the island counter, causing the sharp reaction as he almost dumped Trisha to the floor instinctively. Instead, in his wincing pain, he curled forward and whimpered like a wounded animal.

”Fuck… I just want this to be over, Trish… Like we’ve talked about! Like we’ve said a thousand times already, like that’s anything other than the fantasy we share… I just want to get there Trisha. I’m less than a dog right now, and it’s killing me!”

Trisha curled her body forward slightly, arms moving to cradle his head and back. She took a deep breath to stop herself from trembling.

“I wish I could just make it all go away for you. We could leave… but it would mean abandoning everyone else. And- And I know you don't want to do that." She didn't entirely either, but she was more on the fence- more selfish. If she thought it wouldn't ruin things between them, maybe she would have pushed for it. To get out, fuck the Temple and everyone else in it.

“We’ll get there. Together! I know I can't do much for you right now- I can't go and do all your duties instead so you don't have to worry about it, but… It won't last forever, Casey. And- And I'll be here for you until it's over and beyond that. I promise." It felt like empty assurances. But what could she say? She couldn't make it all go away as much as she wanted to. The only other option was to say nothing… like she was ignoring him. She couldn't do that. She had to try.

The calming pheromones in the air intensified in an attempt to make them actually useful, Trisha ignoring the dull throbbing at her temple that came with it.

He sat in silence as he let the ponderous effect of the pheromones begin to spread out over his senses. This wasn’t bad… In fact, it was good. He’d had a “good” response to the aggression pheromones, so it only made sense that his reaction to this would be at least lukewarm. It was more than that, thankfully. Something distracting enough to give the images time to fade again.

”You’re… Doing great. I’m sorry I’m like this, Trisha… I feel like a fool.” he cleared his throat gently.
”I know I’m not, but, y’know. Putting all this on you. It ain’t fair. I’m just broken the fuck up about it, and it ain’t fair to either of us.”

Trisha nodded, one hand tangling in his hair and gently rubbing the back of his neck. The floral scent remained in the air even as Casey started to come down, lingering and calming. It was a shame that the space wasn't small enough for them to start affecting her too.

“It isn't fair on either of us… But you don't have to apologise. You don't let me apologise when I have… y'know…" She trailed off, feeling ashamed for a moment to even bring up something that wasn't anywhere near as bad. She really had it easy compared to him…
“So… There's no need to be sorry. You're just lucky I'm used to gross things like vomit."

”I’m just lucky to have you here with me… I should cook, or do something, but I just… God, the Bees. The girls, they need food. Go, go ahead. Wait for me in the den, maybe get the blankets and a pillow, I’ll try to fucking nap after I take care of this.” he grunted, loosening his arms around Trisha to let her get up. He knew he could get through it if he telepathically envisioned the fruit, setting the knife to do it without his interaction.

”Or… Maybe don’t. Maybe don’t go, y’know, maybe this is helping. Its like you’re crawling up into my brain through my nose. So strange.” he absentmindedly commented, arms hesitating to tighten again in order to keep her there.

Subtly, but perhaps noticeable to Casey, Trisha tensed up when he told her to go into the den. A momentary stall in her self suppressing brought in a flood of panic that she wasn't wanted there, the pheromones wavering for a moment. But it all stabilised as his arms tightened again.

“I don't want to be more than a few feet away from you." She admitted quietly, leaning in closer to him. He'd have to get up and let go to cook, obviously, but as long as she could be close it was fine.

“The bees don't need to be fed. Don't let their whiny buzzing get to you. They survive off nectar and pollen, which they have plenty of. You're just spoiling them." Her lips pulled up into a soft smile, before her face dropped into his shoulder.
“And the pheromones… are kinda like that. The Queen could mind control people with them, I think."

”We need to get working on that… It’ll make me feel a lot better if you’re better off.” Casey replied gently, taking a deep breath and standing on weak legs with her still clinging to him.

He put her up on the counter next to where the cutting board had been then reached back for his glove. Sliding it on, he tapped the counter and the fridge door opened wide. In the same moment, he had his eyes shut tight, the echoing of the tap radiating like a visual image through his brain. Each step created another echo, and he was able to walk to the fridge and get the platter with a completely colorless rendering of the world around him.

”You call it spoiling, I call it calorie bulking. If we’re gonna get them in shape, they need reserves.” he continued in a calm monotone as he placed everything back down next to Trisha.

Eyes still closed, his gloved hand grasped the knife, using his sonar-like imaging to make a perfect cutting plan for the knife to follow. Which it then proceeded to do completely against the laws of physics.

“They’re bees, Babe, they… Can't calorie bulk. If you want to give them strength… you need to give them a whole pile of pollen to mix in their honey. And the honey is their reserves." Trisha responded gently, giggling softly. Her legs swung slightly where she sat on the counter, watching Casey for any more signs of panic while being impressed- once again- by his magic.

“They’re not people. They have muscles, but it's not the same… it's mainly their wings and thorax. They're not… going to get buff, if that's what you're imagining. These current bees are probably among the strongest and healthiest you'd find. The problem isn't them."

Classically, the joke went over her head. That wasn’t a problem. An involuntary smile broke across Casey’s face as he just couldn’t help but admire her sincerity. How could she expect him to make a joke at this point? Never mind something as great as that. Bulking bees… He got images of those motifs that pilots would have painted on the sides of their planes. Angry Hornets, Black Holes, whatever the squadron had boiled down to an individual’s essential perception. All he could imagine was a cartoon bee with massive little legs and huge burly wings making ten times the amount of noise as it buzzed around.

”Then there’s no problem. They can handle being spoiled.” he nodded to himself gently.

“You’re carrying them around when they get too fat to fly, then." Trisha playfully pouted, glancing away from Casey and up to all the bees waiting patiently in the rafters. It was probably impossible for them to do that… They loved their fruit, but didn't exactly gorge themselves like humans could. And her bees worked hard enough that they'd burn off anything they consumed.

She was pretty sure bees couldn't get fat just as much as they couldn't get bulky, anyway.

“I’m more worried they're going to end up liking you more than me. Which is fine… probably also my fault! I'm blasting you with so many happy and loving pheromones all the time it's no wonder they're falling for you too."

”I’m surprised you don’t do this more often to yourself, or others even… I understand in a sense, that you’d maybe be worried about faking it, but people don’t ever seem to give you the benefit of the doubt. I’d fucking blast them.” he shrugged.

In truth, it was nice. Actually helpful, though he hesitated in overuse. Dependence on any one particular thing wasn’t a good plan to keep. Once the watermelons had been cut and diced, he took a chunk for himself through his blind senses and still managed to eat it. It was a shame that one of his favourite fruits was such a problem to eat sometimes… Usually it wasn’t this bad, and thankfully Trisha’s influence was great for keeping the waking nightmare at bay.

”Thank you… It helps. It’s like I can feel your love inside, in a way. Not, y’know, pervy, but… Like, I breathe, and it’s you.”

As he scraped the fruit off onto the platter, he queued up the knife for a new set of raspberries, which were easy to split down the line. But he had a piece between his fingers and held it out to Trisha with eyes closed.

”Even if I couldn’t kind of see, I’d know where you were. I feel like a bee, I guess.”

Trisha giggled softly, leaning forward to eat the offered raspberry from him.
“Cause you can smell me? Just follow the floral scent… Maybe I'll be able to communicate with you using them one day. Then you'll really be like a bee."

She smiled at him, though she was fairly certain it wouldn't show on whatever magic he was using in place of his sight. But that was fine.
“I didn't mean these pheromones. I meant the subconscious bee ones I'm always giving off that only they smell… And I can't use them on myself unless it's a really tight space. I'm not sure why it works then… I only figured out these ones recently anyway. Before it was just panic or anger inducing pheromones. I'm really glad that these ones are helping you… I like being able to help you."

”You help me every day. Sometimes its in ways you probably wouldn’t like, but you’re a lot harsher than I am sometimes. Y’know, you help me learn more about patience, and about life outside of a base. About what it’s like to live with someone. To get annoyed about something small and dumb, then learning how to smile about it rather than hold it against the other person.” Casey explained calmly, knowing those waters were rocky.

”I’m sure you get annoyed at me. But, then, that presumes that you’d get annoyed at what I’d get annoyed at. Like how you don’t close the toothpaste sometimes, or an area gets cluttered up with stuff and I’ve gotta get it cleaned off before I can relax. But, you do those things. So, chances are, there’s other stuff that I do that bothers you. And, maybe you’re already good at smiling at the stuff I do, but… This is pretty recent for me. The idea that I can positively relate those habits to you. That they’ll make me think of you just the same as a good morning text. Does that make sense?” he asked, tapping the board a few times to get an idea as to how many raspberries were left.

Trisha did her best to not react in any audible or easily visible way. A slight tensing, her smile wavering… But he wasn't properly seeing right now. It was probably just her movements?

She could stop herself from getting upset. She wasn't upset at him... But at herself. Of course he got annoyed by things she did. Of course she managed to fuck up even domestic living. She wasn't careful enough, she left a mess… who wouldn't get annoyed by that? What if it got too much at some point? And he decided he couldn't keep tidying up her clutter? The fact that he was having to learn to smile at it… clearly he was used to people that didn't annoy him. And she did!

So she had to do better. Because she didn't want him seeing something annoying and then thinking about her. He said it was a positive though, but was it really? Wouldn't it end up grating on him? Sure, he did some things that annoyed her too… but it wasn't the same, because she was probably being unreasonable.

“Mhm, I understand." It was much easier to pretend it was the truth when he wasn't looking, and she was so deep in the depth of self hatred everything was immediately internalised. And she didn't want to get upset at him or put anything on him right now… because she needed him there! She didn't want to risk him deciding to leave early.

“It’s my first time living with a partner too. Where everything's shared and there's not a space that's solely mine to leave in whatever state I want to. I used to stay round at partners a lot but… it's not the same. So I'm learning too. Sometimes it's annoying to clear everything up if I'm going back to it the day after, but I'm getting used to… compromise?" She managed to sound calm and reasonable, even though she really wanted to cry about how he found anything about her annoying. So sensitive…

”In the FFL, we were taught to be immaculate. We were supposed to look like toy soldiers as we marched out onto the battlefield. Bunks were clean even on the front. I’d come from a house with Leon and Mia living in it. The only reason Leon doesn’t live like a pig in shit is because someone comes once a week. You’ve never seen Mom with a home. There’s a reason we had to have Clarissa basically living with us as a Nanny all those years.” Casey explained, attempting to highlight the contrast.

”I don’t remember any of the cadets I did Basic with. I just remember the people in the unit I transferred to. The whole, y’know… But, even with them, it’s all blurry. When I was transitioning into the Army, I did a stint in the Marines. Those guys were animals; and when I got into the Army itself, I realized you could actually get worse. Disorganized, messy, chaotic cesspit…”

For a second, Trisha would probably be able to see the eyes beneath the lids roll slightly, bulging from one corner to the other as if he was passing a thoughtful gaze downward.

”But, for what it was worth? That shit became organized. I realized I was wrong about how they lived; that everything we were doing was being done for ease of access and convenience. I learned to live with that mess, so long as I had my eight square feet of private space. A cot to keep clean, a place to stand, a spot to stash my shit in. Anything I didn’t want kept in that space, but still needed out, we just kept out. Nobody gave a shit. You were in charge of your kit. In the end, it made a lot more sense.”

Clearing his throat, he finally tilted the board onto the platter and pushed it on toward the table.

”Let ‘em get started on that. I got rid of all the red fruit.”

“Alright." Trisha nodded, sending out gentle signals to the bees to come feast. They'd been so patient, following her last command to stay in the rafters without any ignoring it.

As a steady stream of bees came down towards the fruit, a matching stream of water began to trip from Trisha's eyes. A small amount at first, before it was a flood of tears that felt out of nowhere even to her. Delayed from being upset by Casey finding things she did annoying- but she'd pushed it down! She really didn't need to cry, she didn't.

Hoping that Casey's magical sight wasn't good enough to see tears, she carefully raised one hand to rub her eye like there was something in it. She didn't want to worry him. She could stop crying before he noticed. She shouldn't make him worry or feel like he had to care for her after he had such a bad episode!

“I’m glad the- the red fruit is done. They'll finish it quickly… I'll clean it up when they're done. Are- are you cutting more, or- or getting started on dinner?" It was a lot harder to sound like she wasn't actively crying when trying to talk.

Casey could only really see with sounds. Except, with so many bees around now, it was like he had a scrambled three dimensional map of his surroundings. He could see her wipe her eyes, and stopped to stare at her without opening his eyes as he tried to figure out why. Was it something he’d said? Or, was she holding something in? What if it was both, then he had to deal with the entire spectrum of issues.

It was worth it. He stepped closer, eyes still closed until he knew the bulk of the bee noise was out of his periphery, then opened them to look directly at her. Deep blue eyes stared expectantly, but with great softness as if he was pleading without words.

”Your turn, Honey. Tell me about it.” he spoke softly, hands cupping her arms so they’d both rest on his while he supported her at the elbow.

“I don't know…" Trisha sniffed, eyes welling up with even more tears. It was sort of true. The previous conversation had been the trigger, but it was just the brick pulled out of the dam she was using to hold back all of her emotions. So it was more than that. But what did she even say? How did she explain it? Something as ridiculous as being pushed into a low, almost depressive episode because of all that had happened when he was still dealing with it all? And she had it so easy?

“I don't want to burden you, Casey. That's not fair. You're dealing with enough. I'll be fine in a few minutes." One hand gripped onto his arm while the other raised to continue wiping away the tears.

”Until you stop thinking of yourself as a burden to others, you’ll never heal, Trisha. I love you, and you’re already helping me. So, keep helping me, and let me help you in return. That’s what support is. I… I just need something to keep the people out of my head. It’s almost a dream you’re still here with me.”

Casey hugged Trisha without any more hesitation, his arms slipping under hers and tugging her close. One hand crawled up and entangled in her hair, rubbing the back of her head in a comforting motion.

”Was it something I said? I’ll explain myself however you want me to…” he cooed.

“Sort of." She answered honestly, head drooping forward as she leaned towards him. If she didn't look she wouldn't see any negative reaction. But it was unfair of her to expect it when he was being so gentle with her… which only made her feel worse.

“I don't like that I do things that annoy you… even though I know that's silly and unrealistic. But… I can't even do simple things and you're going to want to go into the den later and you won't be able to relax because it's a mess from yesterday and I had all day to tidy it but I didn't. I- I- I don't know, Casey, you keep saying I'm not a burden but I just don't understand how I'm not. You barely get a chance to breath before I'm getting upset about something small and then you have to deal with that and it's just not fair."

”Trisha, you didn’t spend sixteen hour days being beaten with a switch and forced to march across France’s worst coastlines. You didn’t grow up being punched around by grown men because you were expected to be stronger…”

He looked at her sincerely, pulling away just enough so that she couldn’t escape him staring at her again with those deep dark blue eyes.

”We have separate thresholds, Baby! I’m so fucking sorry… Y’know there’s spells we can go and have done. Things to totally change your brain; but I know you don’t want that either. And I don’t want that. And if you started cleaning everything up all the time no matter what, this house would become very lonely! If I never saw any sign that we lived here, it’d lack the warmness of what I fought for to begin with. The chance for messy people to have happy lives. Maybe that sounds silly, but it’s not so dumb when you get around to thinking about it like I have.” Casey added gently, trying to make sure that Trisha could have concepts outside of herself directly to grasp ahold of, so she didn’t feel like it was all so centered around her.

Trisha nodded, sniffling silently for a moment. She felt like she looked incredibly pathetic. Her eyes and cheeks had just calmed down from all the breakdowns overnight, red puffiness gone, and now she was at it again.

“O-Okay, I understand, some mess isn't a problem. It should looked lived in… But just because you grew up like that doesn't mean you deserve to be constantly dealing with things. If anything you deserve the break more… I've been so privileged all my life I've barely thought about it… B-But it's not just that. That's… just a bit. T-the trigger, I guess." She shook her head, face scrunching up slightly. She just couldn't stop crying no matter how hard she tried to.

“I th-thought this wouldn't happen when I was with you. It normally doesn't… I'm not single, I have you, I love you… But I just can't do anything. And I'm so scared that I won't get better this time because normally it only happens when I'm alone! But I also feel like it doesn't matter because I'm never going to change anyway…"

It was like she'd decided to be honest with him, but skipped from one issue to the results of another without actually explaining the real problem. It wasn't on purpose. It was normally such a non issue that she entirely skipped over talking about the definitely not depressive but similar episode. Like he should just know, or have guessed she was going through something different.

”Trisha… I love you… Come on, fuck the food. Let’s just… Go. I’ve only got so much time, I don’t want to spend it away from you, or preoccupied.”
He slipped her off the counter, holding her until her feet touched the floor, then he went for her hand.

”We won’t clean the mess either. Because it’s no problem..” he intoned gently, looking down at her now before stepping slightly to the side with his hand still holding hers.

“Go… to the Den?" Trisha asked, looking up at him with tear filled eyes.

”Unless you’d rather go to bed for now…” he replied gently.

Trisha shook her head. She definitely didn't want to go to bed. Then she'd struggle to leave again, and she'd rather be stuck on the couch than the bed.

So she shuffled towards the den, clinging onto Casey's hand like he'd disappear if she let go. It wasn't as messy as she'd made it out to be. Princess was sitting precariously on the edge of the couch, with the blanket they'd got specifically for that room kicked all across it. Her laptop was in the middle, with a few books spread around it. There were a large amount of candles on the floor beside the TV, which was still playing the detective show. Then wrappers from snacks she'd eaten while getting ready before Thanksgiving here and there… it really wasn't that bad.

There were still a few bees in various spots just resting, having been the last group to check in Trisha before she emerged.

Her tears were beginning to run dry, but seeing the couch only made her feel worse. Like there was somehow a big, visible dent from where she'd planted herself for almost sixteen hours.

“I’m sorry for stopping you from cooking…" she mumbled, even though she held his hand in a death grip and had led him in here.
“I’m just too selfish… I spent all day lying around and now I'm just going to keep doing it with you…"

”I think we’re feeling similar, Trisha. You think I’m not feeling like that, maybe. Because I’ve got shit forcing me to go deal with it. But, it’s a lot of therapy to get to that point. Shit maybe you’ve never had to think about.” Casey mused as he looked up at the television. There was a vague smile.

”You started watching Inspector Colimo? Definitely a good one for being down in the dumps. He always catches them, the show holds your hand the whole way. No questions necessary at the end.” he calmly spoke, sliding up into his spot before inviting Trisha into his lap.

”Come on. Come get warm. Tell me more about all the privileges you were privy to when you had nobody who really loved you. We’ll get back to that one for starters, because it’s a good place.” he softly pushed, clearing his throat.

Trisha didn't need much inviting to climb up onto the couch and then Casey. She curled up against his chest, tension easing just slightly. She felt safe here, at least. Warm and safe…

“Not- Not that kind of privelege… I just… I have so much money and I've never had to do anything aside from study and even then… And I'm lazy because of it. Most people can't afford to just… not do anything for days. And I- I just don't have the motivation to fix it because everything's been handed to me on a silver platter aside from actual emotional care." It wasn't true, of course, but it was how so many people viewed her to the point she'd started to internalise it. And she was materially privileged.

“I’ve… never had it that bad! But whenever I'm alone and single I just can't do anything, but I thought it was only then, but it's happening again and- I don't know what lying around doing nothing is except for priveleged?!"

”Comfort? For once in your life, you feel good enough around someone else to act as you would on your own, with all the dirty little details that encompasses. For me, it only ever gets annoying when I know I’m irritable. Sometimes that’s for no reason! But I never want it to be your problem, and so I don’t make it so. I remember how much I love you, and I remember that I’m being unreasonable too! I… It is a discipline thing, maybe. Or, maybe it’s just a wiring thing! Either way, I’m not gonna hold it against you, because I chose to dedicate myself to you in the middle of this. Not some time where you were masking for my sake.” Casey attempted to summarize things succinctly, hoping Trisha would actually hear what he was saying.

”These… Pheromones are really good, Trish. It’s calm…”

“I’m glad." Trisha said softly, while trying to process everything else he'd said.

She couldn't entirely tell if he understood, or was still just talking about the messiness. It was hard… She understood what he was saying. That him getting annoyed was a combination of her bad habits and his irritability, rather than a constant. And there were so many background things that pushed them both into worse states.

“But I… don't want to be how I am when I'm alone. Not- not like this. I don't mean the messiness, or the habits that remind you of me and only annoy you when you're irritable. Not that stuff, I just… I can't do anything. I spend days doing nothing because I can't. It feels like there's no point to any of it, it's like… there's this empty pit in my stomach… I don't know, it feels so lazy, but I get trapped and- and it normally doesn't happen when I'm with someone. And it's not as bad now you're here! But it's… I don't know… I didn't want to make you deal with it. You say you won't hold it against me but you haven't really seen it."

She sniffed again, pressing her face into him.
“Maybe- I'm probably just sensitive after yesterday. I'll probably feel better tomorrow."

[color=577d06]”Trisha? Did… You never ever have access to mental health treatments? Has your doctor never asked you anything about shit like this? Or, do you just… [i]Lie to them?”[/color] he asked very simply, trying to figure out how she managed to avoid the very obvious conclusion that she’d been experiencing literal depressive episodes, probably for a very long time.

“I don't see my doctor that often. I don't really get sick… and I didn't lie to them. It's not like they ask about this? I barely went since I've become an adult, anyway." Trisha pursed her lips, managing to look a little confused.

“Well I've… lied about the panic attacks once or twice… Cause I was having some chest issues as a teenager. My Mom would've found out… But I don't know why they'd ask about this? And it's not like… I guess it's a mental health thing but it's not bad enough to need treatment."

”Oh my God you haven’t been to the Doctor in years, have you? Y’know, before the war, they weren’t asking at every visit. Now, Jesus, it's like they want to know if they can send you to the psych ward before they’ve gotta treat you. Like, have you ever seen one of those questionnaires?” Casey asked, more for the sake of asking than actually needing the answer. That part was clear, after all.

“No, I don't think so?" She shook her head. She vaguely remembered Diyah complaining about some bullshit she kept having to fill in at the doctor's, but she'd never been that specific. Trisha herself had never been given anything like that… Nor questioned like they wanted to send her to a psych ward. Thank fuck… if that happened she'd run and never go back.

”Well, my point was, you’re in no position to do much of anything. And by luxury of your position, Baby, you don’t have to! I’ll never ever get on you for not doing anything if you don’t have to, Trisha! Because, if you did have something to do for someone you love, you’d push through it just like I would!” Casey pressed slightly, tilting his head downward slightly to look Trisha in the eyes.

“I would." Trisha responded, glancing up at him for a moment before looking away. But that didn't entirely seem to be the point… or was it? It didn't really matter if she was miserable and unable to do anything for days on end, as long as it didn't affect anyone else. Especially Casey.

“Is it really alright if I don't do anything? It's not… You don't think it's just me being lazy?"

”No… I think you have some untreated depression that we should have you see someone for, but I know that’s not a lazy behavior. I’m not an ignorant ass, I think. Not in that regard, at least!” he patted her leg with his free hand, squeezing her hand with the other.

”I’ve got so much to do. I can’t let myself hit the slump. But, you can bet your ass that once all of this is over? I’m going into a coma.” he tried to joke, shaking her gently.

Trisha reaction was noticeably delayed as she just stared at him for a moment. Untreated depression? But it wasn't that serious, was it? Didn't you need to be… suicidal for it to really be depression? But if Casey thought it actually was, she wouldn't argue right now. If seeing someone happened, then there'd be no debate whether it was or not anyway.

“As long as I can hug you during the coma." She managed to say back, after visibly thinking for a while. She tried to relax against him- through the shaking- and put the impending many more maybe depressive hours out of her mind. It wasn't really possible, but at least she cuddled up to him better rather than being a tight ball in his lap.

“How long is it going to be like this? With the long hours out and only a few at home?"

Casey was sad to tell her, but this was never something he’d be able to lie about. She’d know one way or another.

”As long as it takes to fix everything. I don’t know. At least a week or two. Really, as long as it takes to settle up with those bastards, and get the victims back on track with whatever magic we can spare. There’s a high chance this delays plans for months, even.” he admitted calmly, knowing full well it wasn’t something she was going to want to hear.

”But, I told you… No more lying or omitting. I know we’re gonna get through this, or it ain’t true love, right? That’s the deciding principle, I feel like. Y’know, hardships and seeing the worst of one another so early is great. It means there’s no surprises! We should just be able to say shit, and accept it, and improve if we need or get over it if we don’t. And we will.” Casey finished with confidence.

A week or two was bad enough, but the chance it could delay things for months. That was incredibly difficult to hear without just starting to cry again. But he was being honest like he said he would, and if she reacted badly then maybe he'd regret it. She didn't want him to regret it, or feel like she couldn't handle things. She could. Even if it meant weeks of barely being able to do anything, it was fine.

She slowly nodded.
“That’s… a long time. Does it mean we won't be able to do anything for my birthday?" She asked, before immediately biting her lip. What a selfish thing to ask. Like it was that important.

“Sorry… I know you don't want to be dealing with this either. That's selfish to ask… I can handle whatever happens. Like you said, we're going to get through this. Seeing you a couple of hours a day is enough…" It wasn't really enough. The bare minimum was maybe a better description. She was still seeing him, at least.

”No, Baby, they’re good questions. The right ones. They pertain to you, and to us, which is what you care about. I won’t hold that against you… And I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I said, y’know, about how you don’t care. I know you care about the people. But, it’s… Hard to think of it objectively. I understand you…” Casey intoned, knowing that he’d been a little more harsh than necessary over her problems the night previous.

”I’ll make time for you. Hopefully by the time your birthday rolls around, we’ll have things just about wrapped up, actually. I’m really hoping that’s the case. As it is, there’ll be some days where I’m stuck just downstairs in the office coming up… Logistical work requiring my attention. So, you’re not gonna lose me.” he added, hoping she’d be able to accept that.

Trisha nodded again, though she'd tucked her head against him, making it difficult to see her expression. She didn't want him to see that she was teary eyed again… she could handle it. It was just difficult to close the floodgates after they were opened, and she was even more fragile than normal. Pushed towards breakdown as much as she was panic attacks… Maybe the one blessing was that neither tended to explode outwards at him.

“As long as you're alright with me coming down and cuddling you. I don't even need to do anything, so I can be perfectly still." She answered softly. It would be worse if he was there, but she distracted him too much that he ended up sending her away. That would hurt more than just not spending the time with him.

“And it's alright if it's not much time when we get to my birthday. Just a few hours with you will make it better than any in the past." She admitted. It wasn't even a lie… the timing of it meant even when she had friends that cared about her, they couldn't exactly be there for the day. One year the four had called her in the evening, but it barely lasted an hour. It had been well past midnight for Cass and Sal too, with the former having to take the call outside with shitty internet connection and background drunks to avoid getting shouted at by her parents.

It had still been one of the nicest things done for her on the day.

“I can survive with whatever time you can give me."

”I’m not gonna be stingy, Baby. I love you. I’ll be here as much as I can be, Trisha, you understand? I believe in you. And I know you believe in me, so it’ll all work out really well. We both know it will.”

There were plenty of X factors that could take him away, but he figured as much as I can be was a decent enough qualifier that if things started to get bad, he’d have plausible deniability. Not that he wanted to deal with raging inferno Trisha. Frankly, he could deal with smoldering depression way easier; she wasn’t trying to push him off of any mental cliffs at this point.

”So, don’t make it sound like you’ll be neglected. Every chance I get? You’re with me.” he rubbed her head gently with his free hand.

“I’m not trying to make it sound like that…" Trisha whined almost pathetically, lips pursing into pout. She really hadn't been. She knew that Casey didn't want to be spending all of his time away and working either. Sure, the constant anxiety that he preferred being away from her would always creep in when he was away… but it was hard for it to clutch her right now when she was cuddled up to him.
“I know you're not choosing to be away… It's not like you're someone who wants to stay at work longer to avoid your wife at home."

She was still worried he'd have the time to think and reflect on how she'd acted last night. Even though he was sorry for what he said right now, it was all still fresh. Anger tended to go to regret but when it all cooled off maybe it would become disdain. At least if she owned it, maybe it wouldn't reflect so badly.

“I’m not… I don't think we're in some bad place and you're going to avoid me. I don't feel neglected, I… I'm not upset or resentful at you for last night or anything… I know everything you said was right…"

She was so in the moment sometimes. Maybe she didn’t realize he could contextualize both at once.

”Maybe it was right in concept, but it wasn’t right in timing, nor tone. We can both recognize that the moment was hectic, and neither of us were in our right minds, however. So, we’ll call that one a stalemate too, that way nobody needs to feel conflicted about pushing one way or another. Agreed?” he asked her quietly, surprised she could output this level of pheromone control after so much time.

Trisha was silent for a moment. She was trying to decide whether to lie or not. Well, it wasn't entirely a lie. It wasn't like she didn't agree. The moment had been hectic and they hadn't been in their right minds, but he'd been more right than she'd been. He'd just reacted to her being selfish after all. If she hadn't acted like that, then it would have been fine. Agreeing to that didn't alleviate her guilt.

But maybe it shouldn't. Maybe she should continue to feel bad about it. It wasn't on him to make her feel better about it anyway.

It being a stalemate was fine, then. Agreeing wouldn't be a lie at all.

“Agreed." She replied softly, looking up at him for a moment before curling back against him. The floral scent continued to curl off her skin. She was honestly barely thinking about it at this point, the slight throbbing at the back of her skull no worse than when thousands of bees bombarded her at once.

“It… wasn't a good night for either of us. I was…" She trailed off, biting her lip and trying to decide whether to continue with the thought. Well, it wasn't such a bad thing to admit.
“Worried you'd be angry at me when you got back. It would've been understandable… but I'm glad you weren't and we can cuddle like this."

”I’ll never be more upset than I love you, Trisha. I can absolutely promise that.” Casey quietly replied as he planted a gentle kiss on her head.

---

The next two days followed a similar pattern, with Casey working for most of the day while Trisha spent it trapped in a depressive slump on the couch or in bed. There were moments where she was able to get a little bit done- a couple of lines of code here, some business research there- but it wasn't much.

She'd still barely slept, only catching a good hour or two when she napped with Casey. The other times were filled with various nightmares after a struggle to get to sleep in the first place. At least he said he would be working in the office tomorrow, so she could spend most of the day with him. She'd probably end up sleeping a lot... But that was fine, because it would mean cuddling him without disturbing him at work.

It was another day of just lying half watching Inspector Colimo and half staring at nothing at all while losing herself to her depressive thoughts. Time ticked by slowly, waiting for the brief relief of Casey coming home for a few hours.

But a loud knock on the door broke her relative peace. Trisha rolled over to grasp her phone, checking the time. 3pm… Far too early for Casey to be back. He wouldn’t knock anyway. Hopefully if she ignored it, they’d leave her alone.

No such luck. It was barely a minute before there was another, loud and enthusiastic rap against the glass.

She didn’t want to see anyone. Not in the state she was in. She hadn’t showered, she’d barely managed to change the t-shirt of Casey’s she was wearing, she looked a mess… She couldn’t deal with most people seeing her like this. There was only one other person who had seen her in this state before. It wouldn’t be so bad… Though it didn’t mean she really wanted to see her.

Frowning, Trisha ordered a group of bees with her to go out the half open window to check who it was. A rough shape or even height should be enough to guess, at least…

Outside, Cass was waiting impatiently. She’d finally recovered from Luxal Fatigue the evening before, followed by a great night with Leon. But he had to leave early in the morning, leaving her bored as fuck.

So obviously she grabbed Ed, the one other person not overloaded with work, and dragged her up to try see Trisha. Cass had heard things through the grapevine about what state she was in… Just comments here or there from Leon, mostly. It was enough to guess, at least.

She’d come up absolutely loaded in bags, filled to the brim with tupperware filled with food. Easy to heat up meals, each in a single portion… Or a half portion for everyone but Trisha, really. She’d gotten Ed to carry a bunch too, and one of the bags had fresh food so she could make the three of them lunch.

Cass had commandeered the kitchen in Leon’s apartment from early in the morning- woken up by him getting up, and not the kind of person to go back to sleep once she was properly awake. Driven by a shit ton of energy and sudden despair about how much junk food everyone ate, she’d ended up cooking a bunch of different meals in bulk. Enough to completely fill Leon’s fridge, half fill her own, and probably half fill Casey and Trisha’s too.

Not that any of them really needed to worry about what they consumed. But a home cooked meal was just nicer! And she knew a certain person- Trisha- probably just wasn’t eating at all.

Or coming to the door! Cass went to knock again, absolutely prepared to stand there and knock for hours, when a soft buzzing echoed in her sensitive ears.

A small group of bees started circling the two of them. Cass’ lips pulled into a wide grin.
”Oh shit, look! She’s totally tryna check out who we are! Heh, watch-”

Cass shot a more devious grin towards Ed, before antenna popped out of her head. It took a bit of adjustment to read the signals- she was relying on her natural magic to understand it and didn’t exactly have practice. But she vaguely got it… Then she started to imitate their pheromones. Giving off the friendliest vibes she could, a hint of a fruity smell entering the air.

The group of bees gave a confused buzz, circling her a few times before darting back to their Queen.

”I totally convinced them I’m also a bee! Bet that’ll have her coming out to check who it is herself!”

The last few days had been difficult, but just like Cass, Ed was a quick bounceback. There weren’t many things that a stint of torpor didn’t fix, a “brief” mommy-daughter nap having cleared up most of the initial anxiety and sadness. There weren’t many names related to her that were affected, thankfully. So, she could afford to be with Cass this morning, doubly because of the Temple-Wide lockdown.

The wider Financial offices were all shut down due to the high security veil, and probably would be until the threat was eliminated. Most job-making endeavors were down, leaving any activity to the deepest echelons of the cult’s leadership. People like Elise and Hari took care of big jobs that kept the organization running; paying bills, situating payroll, keeping the on-site facilities stocked and supplied.

The only problem was, they were missing a big revenue stream. And maybe Ed herself wasn't privy to all the relevant info, but she’d worked the After Dark accounts. She knew the illegal or otherwise untaxed goods and services hadn’t been paid. Logistics had made fifteen shipments of various standard goods: Oblivium materials, enchanted weapons and armors, completed goods, even exo-Shimmer materials. Big hauls like that usually came with big returns… But November had been a Red month.

And if it was a red month, then all that shit happened? They’d never have a Black month again.

”Dude! You’re gonna give her a panic attack, she’s gonna think it's some assassin or something tricking her bees. Did you text her?” Ed chided with concern in her voice.

”I can just go in and ask her to let us in…” Serenity half-heartedly offered, her body clipping into the roof itself.
She’d formed antennae on herself just like Cass, and had formed a sweater on herself that had milky little bee-shaped clouds flying around on it.

”I texted her, but she ain’t responded. It’ll be fine, she might just shout at me a lil while…” Cass waved Ed’s concern off, looking up at Serenity with a smile.
”Nah, don’t you worry, she’ll be out soon. Then you can show off your super cute sweater!”

Trisha had, in fact, been given a jolt of panic and confusion when her bees came back to report a massive, human bee was outside. She knew they sort of saw Casey in that way, but it wasn’t him, because she knew how they reported him. Her hand went for her phone, considering whether she should call him or not about the fact there might be some massive bee imitation outside their door.

Only to see a text from Cass in all caps about coming up.

Oh. Of course. Panic dampened back into the same irritation she’d felt about anyone visiting. She really didn’t want to see anyone… But Cass was the one person that wouldn’t give up.

She finally emerged from the den after a brief moment of making herself not look so awful. Her messy, tangled hair was pulled back into a bun to hide how awful a state she was in and she pulled on a sweater that at least hid more of her. Not that Cass hadn’t seen her like this before.

Cass started waving enthusiastically the moment Trisha appeared. Trisha just shot her a glare, managing a half smile towards Ed. She wasn’t particularly happy that there was yet another person seeing her in this state, but… it could be far worse than Ed.

”Fooooddd delivery!” Cass announced cheerfully when Trisha opened the door to let them in.

“Did you have to confuse the bees?” Trisha asked tiredly in return, not even having the energy to really get angry about it. Especially not at the person who’d gotten hurt to protect her…

”Couldn’t help myself! I just got my magic back last night, anyway… Luxal Fatigue sucks balls! It’s pretty cool, isn’t it? We could totally talk via your bees!” Cass babbled, making her way towards the kitchen area with all her bags. Even as she put them down, she didn’t go for a hug like she normally would. She knew that Trisha as she was right now would want to be touched even less than normal.
”Can I just put all this shit in your fridge? I bulk made a bunch of meals- for you and Casey!”

Trisha just nodded, turning towards Ed. After a moment of thinking of nothing better to say, she asked a simple question.
“How are you… doing after everything?”

”Oh, just bolstering myself for when the other two actually make it home. Hari’s usually easy, but she’s putting a lot of Lux into the main magical solution right now, so whenever she’s on leave, she’s got no more energy to help herself… Or Mia, which… Y’know…” Ed gave Trisha a vague smirk. Mia was never not Mia, so there wasn’t much to report on that front.

As she brought her bags in, putting them on the counter for Cass to sort through, Ed ushered Serenity forward and upward. She was still sleepy from the long nap, and was terribly slow to make many motions at all, but she floated up through the floor completely.

”Hi Aunty Trisha… You look like you need a nap. Wa-”
”-No more sleeping, Ren. Show Aunty your sweater.”

Serenity puffed her non-existent cheeks slightly, lifting her ghastly arms with a wisp of smoke following each. The motif within her formulated design used the infinite depths of her ectoplasmic mass, creating infinitely spanning horizons that allowed the fake bee clouds to buzz about too and fro in a three dimensional space for as long as was possible to see, using the optical illusion of distance perspective to add to the illusion.

”It’s a cloud of lazy bees.” Serenity said very simply.

Trisha stared at the fake bee clouds for a longer moment than she probably should have, momentarily captured by the shifting illusion she could mindlessly watch. But she managed to snap out of it to give some kind of response.
“It is… It’s nice. I wish mine were that lazy, sometimes.”

”No you don’t, cause then you’d have nothing to send out to check out guests!” Cass piped up from where she was crouched in front of the fridge, perfectly stacking the tupperwares to make the most of the space.

Trisha didn’t even respond to that beyond a withering stare that Cass grinned in response to.
“So Hari and Mia are about as busy as Casey, then? He’s only home a few hours a day… And it’s mostly spent eating then napping.”

”Leon’s ain’t been quite that bad, I think… Well, I ain’t really been awake the last few days. Still busy, but I think he gets like six hours back or so? Dunno! Last night he was definitely around for more than a few hours… But there sure wasn’t much sleeping going on!” Cass laughed, eyebrows waggling.
”Don’t think he’s involved in the solution thing, just other shit.”

”Oh, yeah. Lee ain’t allowed on the Macguffin. Neither are any mix-color Adepts. Hari’s the main Pink anchor, so she hasn’t been home yet, I’ve just talked to her on the phone. Mia came back for maybe fifteen minutes, but I wasn’t awake. That’ll be an argument later on…” Ed grinned to herself.

”They’ve got her working with the families of magical victims, since they’re not going to be affected by the magical burst once the piece of shit mind-wiper is charged. She makes toys dance, and she loves kids, so she’s working with the children specifically. I guess some of Andy’s people are teaching her medical stuff too, so she’s rather inundated.” she explained to the two outsiders, since they’d never seen the Macguffin actually used before.

Though, Trisha had been around for its usage. Every big battle against the Snake needed some kind of help to keep the people of Shimmer ignorant of the magical undercurrents of the world. Someone had to take care of things.

”I’m guessing Casey’s spending so much time out because security is on level six. Protocol for a war status with an unknown threat. There’s a high chance that he’d be spending a lot more time away if uh… Y’know, he didn’t have you to come home to, Trisha. Things between him and Furio are pretty bad.” she frowned, having been told by Casey to not keep Trisha in the dark about things that may affect her. Since there was a chance Casey himself may not have told her, Ed only felt it was right that she upheld her end of the agreement by telling Trisha. After all, in her judgement this was necessary information. She didn’t know what was going to happen now that this was all happening, nor did she know about the Sycamore Flourish to end it all.

”From what Hari tells me, they’re like two bulls constantly smacking against one another. I think a lot of people are worried about it turning into something it doesn’t need to be… Not that there’s anything you can do, but God forbid anything were to get back to you, I-”
She frowned for a moment, looking from Trisha to Cass, then back.

Trisha frowned in return.
“You think… Furio would do something to me because Casey isn’t spending every hour of the day out hunting a threat we already know the source of?” She asked, frown deepening.

They knew it was the Dollhouse. They knew it was the same people after Sycamore, pissed off that the Temple wasn’t playing ball anymore. They even had a plan to end it all… but it made sense that Casey hadn’t told Furio that. Not if they were butting heads, and they’d probably end up… against each other when the Temple collapsed.

“Those shapechanging things have been trying to kill me for months. Of course he’d want to…” She trailed off, hand jerking up in a frustrated motion.
“Sorry. You’re just informing me. I’m not surprised, because of how Casey’s been running things. But I don’t think he’d escalate it… Not yet. I don’t think he would want to properly clash with Furio even after everything collapses unless he’s pushed to. Furio probably thinks Casey’s… slacking by coming home like… There isn’t a plan to end things…”

”Far as I know, either we’re completely fucked or gonna be fine in a few weeks.” Cass finished putting things away and straightened up, rubbing the back of her neck.
”But if Casey really ain’t around much and there’s a possibility of something happening to you, Trisha, I don’t mind camping out on your roof. Ain’t even gonna disturb you, I’ll be like a silent guard dog.”

Trisha shook her head.
“I don’t think it’s that bad.”

”Well, that’s where even I don’t know. Hari’s only going to gossip so much over a recorded line, and uh, like I said I’m out of work. Finance Office closed until further notice. So, I don’t get pipelined like that. She’s not used to what living with Uncle Max and Furio was like as a kid though, so she doesn’t know that he’s just… Like that. Like, she knows, but she’s never really had to deal with him like that. Pretty insulated between their positions, y’know? But, if things got bad, Trisha… He’s Lynette’s assassin! Him and Clarissa, I mean they’ve probably killed hundreds of people for her. If she thought for a second that her plan wasn’t going to work? Aunt Lynn wouldn’t hesitate to send either of them.” Ed explained with a more serious face than she usually had.

”But, I really didn’t mean to bring grief to your door. I know it’s hard enough for you, but Casey said… That we should tell you about things if we feel like they involve you, because he says it’ll keep him accountable too. So, I’m… I’m just gonna do that, and respect what he wants unless you feel like it’s a breach between us… I’m sorry.” she almost shrunk as she spoke, realizing that she’d managed to bring what was supposed to be a cheer up session back into the negative world.

”The food is really good… I hope you eat a little bit. Casey said we should bring cut fruit for the bees too, so here they are.” She tried to move on, rather than forcing Trisha into the awkwardness of accepting or rejecting the apology.

In her right hand were massive tupperware tubs full of cut melons and berries, just like Casey had done a couple nights ago.

Trisha was silent, staring past Ed towards the roof outside. She knew that things could get really bad if Lynette started to really fight back before her death… They wouldn’t have this period of preparation. She expected it to happen eventually. Furio and Clarissa wouldn’t exactly sit back and happily let Lynette get killed… But if it happened soon? When she and Casey were separated?

She wasn’t sure what would happen. And there was that fear that no matter what, Casey would end up sacrificing himself for her, leaving her to live without him. She was already feeling depressive, so the information wasn’t something she could do anything with practically… Even if she still wanted to know. Truth was a double edged sword.

It made her really want to just turn back into the Den, close the door and curl back up into the spot she’d barely moved from again.

”Oh yeah, it’s all food you like, Trish! But you ain’t gotta open any up yet… Cause I’ma make us something! Late lunch or early dinner I guess… Normal meal times ain’t really a thing for me now, I gotta have one every few hours.” Cass filled up the silence as she started getting out fresh food from another bag. Chicken, peppers, onions, and a whole bunch of jars of spices.

”I’m gonna make us fajitas! You ain’t gotta eat much, Trish, but at least have some!” She continued, grabbing plates from where she remembered they were and sliding them towards Ed to put the fruit onto.

It was enough to snap Trisha out of it, her head slowly nodding in a delayed response to Ed. While it was easy for her mood to drop right now, she wasn’t as reactive as she normally would be. Her main reaction was just not wanting to be there at all… But it was easier to push things down in the moment.

“Are you sure? Isn’t Serenity scared of the bees?”

”We talked about it… Ma says they only sting if you scare ‘em. She even showed me videos of this nice lady scooping bees out of people’s houses and stuff like, with her bare hands. They’re probably fine.” Serenity replied calmly, floating about on her back like she was in a pool.

Ed was able to focus on the child as well, and happily so.
”Goddamn, Ma’s proud of you Babe. Look at what we can do when we use our brains to think stuff through?” Ed smiled warmly, letting her free hand brush down to tickle Serenity’s stomach as the hand still laden with bags placed them down.

She went to work setting out a massive portion of each fruit, clearly not aware of how much the indoor swarm actually needed. Leon’s tupperwares weren’t small affairs. They were three gallon buckets, and these buckets were absolutely full of any random assortment of fruit salads.

”I know Casey loves his fruit too, so I cut up like fuckin’, I don’t know, six or eight watermelons. Cantaloupe, fuckin… Cass, what else was in there?” she asked, having long forgotten how many deliveries had been stuffed into Leon’s magical kitchen fridge.

”Strawberries, I know, and blueberries, grapes, uh… Was there any citrus?”

”Wasn’t there some grapefruit? I dunno, I ain’t able to keep track of it all! I just eat and eat.” Cass laughed, smiling over at the other three.
”And you don’t gotta even worry ‘bout scaring these bees, Ren. They only string when Aunty Trisha’s scared!”

Trisha shot Cass a tired side eye, before looking at the insane amount of fruit being plated. She had enough bees to eat it all, but not in the house currently…
“I’m going to have to call in a lot of bees to eat all of that… Maybe we can put some more of it in the fridge? If I call too many at once from the hive all of the alarms Gin set up go off, then I have to say it’s not an emergency and all that. I don’t think right now’s a good time to possibly cause any concern.”

”I can just eat any left!” Cass grinned.
”Before I start… Am I good to use your cooking utensils? I can go get my own shit if you want!”

“So long as you tidy up and wash them.”

”Yeah, of course I will, boss!” Cass saluted Trisha before starting to bustle around the cupboards to find everything she needed.

As she did, Trisha carefully called down the bees mostly resting in the rafters. There was a decent sized group in the den too that flew through the slight ajar door, all settling onto various bits of fruits Ed had laid out. Trisha reached out for a strawberry herself, slowly eating it.

“Casey’s probably going to keel over from happiness when he sees how full of fruit and home cooked meals our fridge is.”

”There’s breakfasts, lunches and dinners. I kinda know what he likes, it hasn’t changed much. Some are just, like, serving tubs? Stuff I know he likes a lot of. Two macaroni and cheeses. There’s a bunch of, like, hotpocket things. We’ve basically been cooking since like, well, Cass was up before me, but I remember seeing the clock at like six in the morning. We’ve been cookin’.”

Ed gave Trisha a smile as Serenity made her slow and plodding way into the swarm of bees. At this point, it was clear to her that they weren’t even actually magical. And, therefore, without Emotional Fields of their own to effect, she never needed to fear anything to begin with. And she filled the room with giggling laughter that brought about a change neither Cass nor Trisha would’ve been privy to previously.

As she floated around in the cloud of bees, the vague trail of smoke she left behind started to grow pink, then red before bursting into petals that rained through the swarm and the island beneath the plates. Like the fuse on a stick of dynamite, the red blossoming explosion trailed up to Serenity herself, where upon arriving, it set her absolutely ablaze with blooming red light.
And she was no longer giggling. She was full on belly laughing as she felt the millions of individual points being tickled by the bees within her vague form. And her hair was strands of blood red poppy blossoms constantly tumbling. And her chest looked like it was burning hot, but in the very center were three poppy flowers entwined together and perfectly preserved.

”Ooooh, someone’s in a good mood after our nap. I guess she deserved it too.” Ed said with almost a hollow voice as she stared up at the lightshow.

The bees were a little confused by the bright lights and not-quite flowers around them, but they were far too engrossed in the sweet smell and taste of the fruit to be that bothered. Trisha wrinkled her nose a little bit as a mix of happy and bewildered pheromones hit her. It was like all of her senses were being bombarded after days of not dealing with much at all.

”Whoa, that’s awesome! Your own magical lightshow!” Cass grinned, pointing to the glowing centre.
”I assume those poppies are you, Mia and Hari, huh? Since there’s three?”

Trisha didn’t say anything, silently reassuring some of her more jumpy bees who were thrown off more than the ones happy to just devour fruit.

”The holiest thing is a trio. Hari says that a lot. Does everything she can in threes. One for the Father, for the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Keep digging, you find out three’s been a number in her life for a lot longer than she’s been religious. It’s probably why she clings so much to it.”

Ed was still looking up at Serenity as the Bloom began to taper out. Color faded from the extremities, ultimately leaving only a faint impression of the one-of-three still twisted deep in her milky form.

”Spot on, obviously. They’re made out of our blood. Each of us, slice under the left boob. Heartblood. Mix it with the rest of the heroin we had, and a few other things I don’t care to mention. Then I took the dose. She was mine then on.” she cleared her throat, looking back down at the food she was trying to pack back up.

Casually, she scooped the couple pieces of fruit that bees had landed on in the bucket and set them down before closing the lid for good.

”I’m just… Glad you don’t think we’re freaks.” Ed finished, hoping that they’d be able to just move on. She figured Cass would, and had high hopes for Trisha, so she wasn’t terribly worried, but all the same didn’t want to linger too long.

“I think you’re lucky to be alive.” Trisha intoned, though it didn’t seem that judgmental… At least, anymore so than she seemed on a constant basis. Not that she was that judgmental, she just tended to look it more than she meant to. It was a genuine comment- taking a mixture of blood, heroin and whatever else didn’t seem safe at all. It was a miracle they’d ended up with a ghost baby instead of losing one of them.

”That’s Trisha’s way of saying she’s glad you’re alive, and she don’t think your a freak!” Cass translated with a bright grin. She’d gotten out two chopping boards, and was utilising her magic to create a second set of very long arms she could use to cut the chicken while also chopping up the vegetables. It took a bit of adjustment in terms of her mind, because she was still controlling both- but after this morning, she was an expert! It had made making the insane quantity of food she did easier, even if she’d had Ed there to help in the end.

“I don’t. But I think you are for growing extra limbs in my kitchen.”

”Awww, I even went to the effort of making proper hands this time! God, no one appreciates my craftsmanship!” Cass joked, finishing cutting the chicken into thin slices quickly. Her extra long, second arms put a large pan on the hob and started heating up some oil.
”Ed’s been watching me do this for hours and she hasn’t complained at all!”

”No, but I did mean to say earlier that it’s a fairly impressive setup you’ve got going on. A bit on the gnarly side, and makes me wonder if you need to start wearing clothes with random holes in them.” Ed joked, shaking her head and laughing as the topic rolled back toward Cass. That was far easier to deal with, after all.

”Y’got any honey left, Trisha? That shit’s delish, I was hoping to dip some strawberries in it.”

Trisha nodded, moving around to one of the cupboard to pull out a jar. It was about half full… But she always made sure to fill it up when it got empty. Both her and Casey enjoyed the honey, and the bees were producing enough to meet what she was contracted to give Andrade while leaving her some spare.

“Here. If you ever want any, just let me know. I can spare a jar or two.”

”Damn, Trish, that’s like ten quid down the drain!” Cass joked, grinning as she started frying chicken with one half and cutting vegetables at a slower rate in another. She twisted her head round for a moment.

”Speaking of the whole holes in clothes thing… I was wondering, can Casey make like enchanted clothes that stretch with me?! Like, I can deal with this cause I just wear tank tops with larger sleeves!” She gestured with a normal hand to the baggy black tank top she was wearing, enough space for another pair of arms to slither out.

”But anything else is a pain! Especially when I start properly body shifting… I gotta basically just wear a bra and shorts. Even then it ain’t perfect!”

Trisha shrugged one shoulder.
“Probably? It seems like something he could do if he ever had time.” She glanced towards Ed for confirmation. Ed had, after all, grown up surrounded by their magic. She’d probably have a better idea than Trisha did about what was and wasn’t possible.

”Oh, I’m sure there’s an orange spell somewhere.” Ed very casually replied, packing the last of the fruit into the spacious bottom drawers.

Casey had clearly taken just as much offence to the size of this fridge as he had the one downstairs, as both were enchanted to have roughly the same volumetric storage capacity. Meaning this was all snug but well organized. So, they were free from ordering out for at least a week.

She left a small plate of strawberries out, and immediately went for a spoon to start scooping honey out onto them.

”Thanks, Trisha. How’ve they been doing in the new environments? I hear you started a new colony in one of the other biomes recently?” Ed asked, knowing that was something Trisha couldn’t avoid putting time into.

“They’re adjusting. It’s a little difficult… Since I haven’t really had time yet to make more the way I wanted to.” It wasn’t really true that she hadn’t had time, so much as she’d planned to start after Thanksgiving and everything had gone to shit. She couldn’t exactly ask Casey to see if the Temple’s main doctor would create soul-less human bodies for her to grow bees in right now.

“I created a new Queen in that colony… Casey hopes I can have ‘Princess’ bees that are between me and the others. This isn’t quite that but… They still obey me while being able to expand their numbers a bit. I’ll demote her when I’ve made up for lost numbers.” She explained it all easily. She’d figured now was the best time to create a Queen to make more bees in the way she had before… Only the colony in the other biome viewed that temporary queen as theirs and had the conflict.

But the rate with which she was creating more, she’d only need to be around a few more days. Then it would be a couple of weeks for them to mature…

”What’s the way you wanted to do it?” Cass asked around crunching on some pepper as she cooked. She really didn’t know much about the intricacies of Trisha’s Abstraction… it seemed like no one did aside from her and Casey, really. Leon certainly hadn’t been able to describe anything beyond what Cass had already witness herself.

Trisha glanced at Ed, then over at Serenity.
“It’s a bit gruesome. Maybe not the best pre meal discussion.”

”Oh, I’d hear about it. Gin’s a big blabbermouth, I’m sorry to say, so I know what you’re talking about already… But, like, damn.” Ed huffed gently, snapping down on a strawberry.

”I heard about the jelly they make. Like, it’s not edible? So, what are they for?” she asked quizzically.

“Well, that… It’s not the same as vulture bees. I could make vulture bees, I think, but not all of the bees eat the flesh.” Trisha replied evenly.
“But the jelly is used for larvae nutrition. Normal bees make something called royal jelly too… Just not from flesh. So technically it is edible, just not to us.”

”Alright, then what is the method?! I’m real curious now!” Cass paused her double armed cooking for a moment to turn around and look at Trisha expectantly.

Since Ed already knew, there was no point holding back. Nothing could kill Cass’ appetite… and Trisha didn’t exactly have one to begin with.
“Growing them in human flesh. Back before she was sealed, the Queen would lure humans to her to grow her colony in them. It has to be human- or possibly apparitional- to work. She doesn’t view animal flesh as good enough. I was… Well, Casey suggested that Doctor Nedia might be able to make essentially soulless cadavers I could grow them in. Obviously we won’t be able to look into that until things calm down.”

”Ohhh… That’s so sick! Andy could totally… Wait!” Cass paused, throwing up one of her four hands.
”Why’s it gotta be her? You got a totally awesome, powerful Green Adept right here with nothing but time on her hands to make you all sorts of grim body replicas. I bet I could do it!”

Trisha didn’t immediately respond, lips pressing together into a thin line. Would she want that?

Ed scrunched her nose.
”Andrea Nedia’s an immoral, vapid cunt for starters, with no real regard for ethics besides what her boss tells her to do.” Ed sounded like she was just joking, but she never actually talked like that about anyone.

Trisha would’ve had a much better idea of Ed’s individual issues with Andy, but those same issues meant that Andy was the most likely candidate. If Cass really wanted to try, Ed couldn’t judge her for it. But, she couldn’t lie and say the whole process didn’t make her a little uncomfortable.

”To be fair, Gin made it sound like it was just, like, imitation flesh. Not full cadavers. Like, what, are they gonna be people? Or, just, y’know, like blank flesh presses? Big silicon sex dolls?” she asked, looking a little worse for wear.

“I don’t know.” Trisha said quietly, gaze shifting from them to the floor. She really didn’t. She’d never tried it before, because the idea had always horrified her. There was easy access to dead bodies when she was fighting the Stygian Snake… she could’ve easily hidden one and grown a whole new army. But she didn’t. She only considered it when it wouldn’t actually be dead people.

“Whatever the Queen would accept. I’m sure it doesn’t have to be… like an actual body. A piece of human flesh is enough but even that… Sounds really unethical doesn’t it? I wanted to make the most of the Temple resources while it’s available to me… So I can help more when it collapses.”

”Oh, it’s just flesh you need? Then that’s easy!” Cass said, throwing all the vegetables into the pan, along with what looked like a random assortment of spices. She only needed her normal arms now, so… She adjusted one of the extra ones until it was just a long tube of flesh rather than an actual arm and hand, then carefully shed it from her body. A free hand caught it, before holding it up towards Trisha.

”There. I make, like, a ton’ve extra parts all the time. It’s about the same if I discard ‘em or suck ‘em back in, honestly.”

Trisha’s eyes went wide, and she covered her mouth with her hands. She wasn’t exactly squeamish. But she’d seen Cass have her arm blown off days before… It was part of what had pushed her into the depressive low. The only thing that saved them all from dealing with a full blown panic attack was that Cass looked fine. There was no sign that the extra limb had been there before.

”Dude! You just, like, plopped it! You’re like a reptile, you just lop your tail off and it just doesn’t matter!” Ed giggled, seeming astonished by the prospect of flesh being so readily available.

”What happens if you, like, eat yourself?” she asked, totally unaware of Trisha’s panic bubbling up as she pondered the wonders of autocannibalism.

”I dunno! Probably ain’t a good idea, though, cause of the Lux I use to make these… I bet it’d make my condition worse, y’know? Clog up my veins faster or some shit!” Cass shrugged, waving what was essentially a massive, human flesh sausage around a bit. Maybe it would give her all the energy back… But she didn’t imagine she tasted nice! She’d rather just eat normal food.

“Can we… Not do it in the kitchen? Or my home, preferably. I’d rather… Try in the Greenhouse. Or anywhere else. Another time.” Trisha managed to speak up, voice quiet as she took a deep breath to calm herself. Cass was fine. She was just as energetic as before… She wasn’t hurt. If Cass could just give her a few flesh discards, it would make things easier… It’d be more sustainable too.

Right now just wasn’t the time she wanted to deal with it.

”Oh, sure, of course! Where do you want me to put this? I can probably just… consume it? It ain’t like cannibalism, Ed, before you suggest that! I ain’t putting it in my mouth.” Cass shrugged, managing to step back from her excitement at being able to help Trisha- and actually have something useful to do!- enough to realise her friend wasn’t really in the mood for it now.

“I don’t know… Anywhere but here.”

Ed was just giggling away as she looked at this floppy lump of Cass being handled before her.

”Jesus… I mean, I could store it in one of the freezers downstairs, if you have plastic wrap? I’ll just package it up like it’s hamburger. Though, maybe… You said the Queen’s picky? Maybe you can check with her and see if it’s good enough before we go taking up storage space?” she asked thoughtfully, licking a bit of honey off of her finger.

Trisha nodded, taking a shaky breath. It didn’t even look like an arm. Cass was fine. They were all fine. She held out a hand silently for the flesh lump, taking it with a slight grimace. It weighed more than she expected. She closed her eyes, slowly urging the Queen awake. She’d gotten more responsive recently, so it didn’t take long until she felt her presence stirring. Enough that she wasn’t going to be repeating her question.

Is this good enough for… hosting bee larvae?

There was silence as she felt the Queen’s own pheromones gently flooding from her body and around the sort of arm in her hands.
Yes. But where did you get this from? It is filled with Lux as if it was alive, but it isn’t. How curious.

Cass made it.

There was another moment of silence before the Queen spoke again.
To sacrifice one’s own flesh… What made her want to do such a thing?

“It’s suitable. The Queen is confused about why you’d do it so willingly, though.” Trisha spoke out loud instead of responding to the Queen internally.

Cass just let out a little laugh.
”Well, I ain’t got use of it after I’m done, do I? May as well make some new life with it! Will that make me, like… Their surrogate parent? Am I gonna be a Mom with you, Trisha?”

“That’s not how it works.”

”But it could be… Not all parenting’s traditional. Right?” Cass asked, looking to Ed for support.

Ed was simultaneously laughing at, but also infatuated with, the concept that Cass was proposing. It was something she had to deal with on her own: Was she really this Ghost’s parent? Did Mia or Hari actually have any connection to her? Of course, she felt they did, and treated it all as such. But that didn’t make it true, just that it sounded nice. But, in her case, all three had been a part of the ritual. In this case?

”I feel like if every bee is being made with bits of Cass, it’s more like… Well, yeah. Honestly, what Cass said makes a bit of sense, Trisha, I’m not gonna lie.” she finally commented.

”She’s giving herself up for them just like a mother does. I’m not gonna say it’s more than what you do, because obviously you’re the one constantly telling them what’s what and making sure they’re cared for. But, I’d argue if you start making Cass-flesh bees, they’re closer to her babies.” Ed bit her lip, not really sure how to not be honest.

”Still, if it’s good, get me the plastic wrap. I’ll bring it downstairs right away. Make sure she’s cool with it having been frozen, otherwise it needs to go in a fridge and get used soonish.”

Trisha didn’t even have to ask herself, because the Queen was awake and actively listening.
As long as it is not ice when it is used, then yes.

“She’s fine with it.” Trisha answered, pressing her lips together when she thought about what Ed said. It didn’t really matter… She only half viewed her bees as her children, rather than… sort of magical companions. They weren’t human, and they couldn’t view her as anything but a Queen. They didn’t have the same concept of Motherhood. They probably wouldn’t recognise Cass at all.

“I guess… Fine… If that’s what you want, Cass. As long as you’re not going to try to wrangle some kind of joint custody agreement out of me.” Trisha managed to joke, pulling her lips up into a thin smile. It wasn’t like the current ones had any part of her either, beyond their magical connection. It was the time she spent with them that really mattered rather than any biological connection.

It felt a bit odd to be thinking that about bees, anyway.

”Course not, they’re all yours. I just want visitation… Hell yes! This is super exciting, getting to make baby bees with you! I can’t wait to tell Leon!”

”I don’t think that there’d be any chance of getting that kind of thing contractualized anyway. Kind of no legal proof that she’s contributing to the business in any sort of meaningful way, so-” Ed kept giggling, shaking her head as she pulled and stretched a long strip of plastic wrap out for this hunk of Cass meat.

”True, you’d destroy me in court! Though I think I’d be laughed out for claiming a bunch of bees were my babies.” Cass laughed, turning back to cooking before everything started burning.

“I think we’d have trouble from the whole growing in flesh thing.” Trisha shook her head. Some of the bees had finished with their fruit and were landing on her now, curious about the meat in her hands. She mentally shooed them away so Ed could easily take it to wrap up.

“You know, when Casey and I first started dating and I was thinking about my business… My brother gave me a hard time for having the bees on this property, since it’s in Casey’s name. He said there was nothing stopping Casey from taking them. I found it pretty funny, considering they’re literally attached to me. No court case is taking them away.”

”There is a magical law culture, but getting a judge in a court where it’s safe to trial something with the use of magic is like getting shit on by a bird that eats gold. Only real big major cities would even think of having something like that buried deep in the state building or something.” Ed replied, only vaguely familiar with the concept of magical law.

It was far more common for covens to sue nowadays, but then it was still rare. Why go through red tape and legal hoops? All sides had to agree with the greatest force, and so magical law was only as good as the peacekeepers who administered it.

”And then, obviously your brother’s going off the idea that humans are inherently greedy. Which Casey isn’t.” she finished confidently.

“I know that. It doesn’t matter if Ezra does or not, anyway… I already said my piece to him at Thanksgiving. He can continue believing the worst in humanity while I live happily with Casey.” Trisha managed to sound confident saying that, because she was beginning to let go of her need for approval from her siblings.

It was more difficult when it came to Ezra and her business, since it was something he specialised in. But she had contracts with Andrade now, and trusted Casey. Finding out her brother had magic just meant that… Well, if he caused problems, she didn’t have to stop Casey from solving it however he thought was best.

”Big business folk tend to think like that. It’s all about money and greed for ‘em… You don’t get that far without being an asshole! Unless you’re born into wealth… Which, uh, I ain’t saying anything against. You ain’t an asshole like your siblings, Trisha. God, if I coulda slapped Tansy at that dinner, I woulda…” Cass shook her head, getting a little mad just thinking back to it.

”Ezra too! Pretending he didn’t have magic like we couldn’t smell it… Family’s hard, huh?!”

”Ahhh, I only heard about that. By the time I was up there, well… Things were already crazy. I’m sorry to hear it went sour, Trisha. I know it sucks, but-”

”-That guy who was your brother? I wish you could’ve seen! I was under the table, and while you guys were talking, his feet were squirming! Like he wanted to start dancing!” Serenity interrupted Ed, floating by Trisha as she spoke.

”At the time I wished I could’ve tickled his feet. That would’ve been real funny with me and Uncle Jay both messin’ with him.”

”Oh, God, hearing you call him that makes me cringe.” Ed made a barfing face before holding out her hand for the big meat, which she began to deftly wrap up tight like a pork loin roast.

”You mean Junior? Fucking hell, he wasn’t much less of an asshole than Trisha’s siblings.” Cass shook her head.

Trisha let out a short laugh.
“We were trapped between assholes… My brother probably wanted to run, Serenity. It’s nice to know he feels enough emotion that it made him feel uncomfortable.”

”Dude’s got the best fucking poker face… Oh, you should probably get that down to a freezer, Ed! I’m pretty much done cooking, and you wanna be here, cause I’ll inhale most of it otherwise!”

”Right! Be right back, so, don’t go anywhere!”

Trisha managed to live through the ordeal of having her privacy invaded once again, another trial in the bag as night cast itself over St. Portwell. Casey managed to make it back again, and the usual couple of hours were spent as both did their best to help recharge one another. Emotionally, Casey was able to give enough that he felt like his time at home wasn’t a waste; a big factor in helping him stay attached to the moment rather than letting it all fade into the background.

However, because of his workload the next day being full of progress meetings and debriefings, he had the luxury of calling it an office day. Meaning, rather than losing another day, Trisha was able to crawl herself down to the office and into Casey’s lap. At least, when there wasn’t some super important call where Casey needed privacy.

But Trisha was exhausted. It’d been days since she’d properly slept, and she didn’t have the same supply of magical battlefield stimulants that Casey did. So, the vast majority of her time in his lap was spent snoozing comfortably like a cat. Occasionally, she’d fall asleep, then wake up on the little cot next to Casey’s desk, only to climb directly back into his arms to pass out again.

It was incredibly cute, and worth every moment that he had to deal with some awkward movement to avoid disturbing her. And that was the entirety of their day, with Casey almost completely ignoring the Sycamore business going on downstairs. Though, he didn’t exactly volunteer what was happening to Trisha. But, today was the day Andrade and Greyson both moved into the Cannery: Their prison for the coming days, until Dollhouse was finally finished.

Greyson asked for his own full apartment, so Linqian could stick around and he could invite anyone else he felt necessary. Word was that he’d already sent Britney away, though a deeper word sounded like she left of her own accord. Andrade, on the other hand, was shacked up with Theo. The two having little to no common interactions and no real connection seemed like a good thing in Casey’s mind, as Theo was more than capable of locking down a single Adept in close combat.

In response, the half-empty apartment building had been undergoing inundation as security force members piled into vacant apartments by the dozens. The lot outside was so full, cars were being parked along the front of the Cannery as well as down the vacant side once used for deliveries. Sardine packed, everything was blocked in by large vans set to move out at a moment’s notice.

Casey was able to oversee all this movement thanks to proximity, and kept a tight grip on the internal security of the building. Easy enough that Trisha pretty much missed it all. And so a hectic day became a quiet night, and the two spent their free time once again locked in the comfort of one another.

Only one person in the building was completely incapable of feeling comfort. And the next day was particularly bad for him. The condition, Lux Toxicity, had finally aggregated from his skull, though his cranium was left swollen and pink as the pressure didn’t let up. He could feel his brain turning into a cooked piece of meat with each day that passed, and it was getting harder to cope.

”I hate to say, but you being vulnerable isn’t going to be it. You have a better chance of faking it like you’re healthy.” Andrade commented from his seat across from Greyson’s, very much dressed in casual clothes unlike his typical attire.

”Fuck, sure. I’ll bust a jig for that prick, I’m sure he’ll try to beat me up just for the sake of it.” Greyson replied, his pulsing pink veins a dead giveaway as to the advanced condition.

”Look… Either way, this is going to be painful-”

”-And yet, you're not the one with your ticket punched sitting in line for the last ride.”

Greyson wasn’t doing well with the plan. It sounded like they were putting a lot of trust into Andrade without concrete evidence. Maybe in the world of the Temple, it was common to trust your family to do what needs to be done. But, with this? Greyson’s entire life had been spent understanding that family took care of you until they couldn’t anymore. Until you became a liability, and you had to be put down. Then, they’d do it. Because you’re family.

Casey and Leon spared Andrade over some silver words, and now Greyson was stuck dealing with him.

”I’m just as likely to buy a farm here! What, you think I’ll have some easy time because he’s Adjoined? This thing’s been conditioned for years to be the Snake’s vessel. It's just as dangerous on its own, but the fact that its bootstrapping his Black Lux is just making things worse.” Andrade pleaded, feeling Greyson bridling against the plan.

”For fuck’s sake, Man, I’m just sayin-” Greyson started to reply, but became held up as a spasm shot through his head and forced a shriek of pain out of his lungs.
”Ooooh, fuck! Linqian!? Linqiaaaaan!? I can’t fucking cope, please! Go ask the fucking lady at the fridge if I can have another dose, please!?” he begged, turning in his seat to try and see if Linqian was even sitting with them anymore.

He could barely move without the killer cocktail the Temple was feeding him, but the side effects were just as bad. They put him in a practical stupor, meaning business had to be done sober, or he was a babbling wreck.

”Ace, we’re not done yet, man!” Andrade protested, half looking at Linqian with pleading eyes to prevent the medication from being administered.

Linqian looked up from her phone to stare at them both tiredly from behind the glasses she'd taken to wearing. It was too much effort to bother with her contacts with everything that was happening… or makeup and nice clothes. She wasn't fond of many people seeing her like this, but she was dealing with a lot. That kinda shit fell to the wayside.

She hadn't walked out yet, but was close to it. The only reason she really hadn't was because like Greyson, she didn't trust Andrade. Why would she? He wasn't someone she had any emotional connection to beyond the fact that he'd been part of what killed her brother.

But this plan was also all they had. If it didn't work out, they all died. But if they didn't try, they also all died. So she tolerated him for the plan.

Whatever happened, Greyson himself was going to die. So she did her best to tolerate more from him. She was even willing to play live-in nurse, since she'd sent away the one person who was actually happy to do it. There was no way she was risking Henri being here if it didn't all work out.

”I’ll get it.” She stood up, phone shoved in her sweater pocket. She didn't go right for the door, moving over to Greyson and leaning down towards him.
”But I'm not giving it to you until you're done… Unless you want me to fucking die with the rest of the city? Cause you couldn't fucking tolerate a bit more pain?”

She wasn't above guilt tripping. She didn't give him a chance to respond as she quickly slipped out the door, leaving it ajar behind her. A moment of peace while she went to get another dose… Fucking hell.

But she barely got far before she bumped into someone else she probably should've expected to see. After all, she was dating the Temple's head of security or whatever the fuck he was.

Trisha was shocked to see Linqian when she was on her way to see Cass. Casey hadn't told her anything about her being in the building… Then again, she'd spent most of yesterday sleeping. It was the only reason she felt up for leaving the house today. She still wasn't back to normal, but the extra energy let her shower and drag herself out to at least have company. Spending the day hanging out in Cass' apartment, even if she was deep in coding, was better than being alone, at least.

She just wasn't mentally prepared to bump into another Sycamore member. There was a moment of awkward silence, before Linqian broke it.

”Oh thank fuck, someone else with a low tolerance for bullshit- look, you gotta moment? Help me out, please?” It wasn't really possible for Linqian to look pleading, but she at least didn't look as pissy as she normally did around Trisha.

Not that Trisha wanted to be around her, or anyone that wasn't the few she was comfortable with, more than possible.
“What is it?"

”Just go in there, stare at Greyson judgmentally so he stops fucking whining.” Linqian pointed to the ajar door, before moving forward to go past Trisha. She leaned down to whisper to her.
”I don't fucking like leaving him alone with that fucking Temple traitor… You know what's on the line, right?”

Trisha did, though she didn't particularly want to deal with Greyson and Andrade. But she wanted to live more than she didn't want to tolerate it… and she wanted to be useful. Casey was working so hard right now to sort everything out, she could do this little bit. Especially since it had been her coven… So she nodded.

”Thank fuck. Just ten fucking minutes or whatever.” Linqian didn't give her any opportunity to back down before she was off towards the elevator.

Leaving Trisha to reluctantly push open the door herself. She shuffled in, gaze catching Andrade first. She stared at him with practically empty eyes, moving to stand with a good distance between them. While she was feeling alright enough to be out, the depressive episode was still at the forefront. She was dressed comfortably in sweats, with her hair braided down her back in the hopes to keep it neat for a bit longer. Her expression was fairly blank, erring towards grumpy.

“Linqian asked me to come in to- Fuck." She broke out of her monotonous delivery as she looked over at Greyson, with his large head and constant pink glow.
“Cass wasn't joking about the glowing pink bobblehead thing… You look awful."

Greyson and Andrade had been bickering back and forth when Trisha made her way in and popped the bubble of conversation to two slightly shocked faces. Greyson, for once, couldn’t muster up a hateful thing to say in return. Frankly, he didn’t want to see Trisha anymore than she probably wanted to see him. She was one of the last people he was doing this for. Came after everyone else on planet Earth just about.

But Andrade was far more hopeful in expression, and rose up from the couch to greet Trisha. He was underdressed, much like everyone else in this domestic setting, in some sweatpants and a white tee. Greyson was more covered up by a blanket, but seemed to be wearing some kind of tracksuit underneath. Gaudy as anything else he owned.

”Hey… I’ve asked Casey if I could come up, but… Obviously, that’s not such a good idea right now. I understand it. I’ve just wanted to talk to you about the honey, and about the business. In case anything happens, I want our agreement covered for you. So you don’t feel as though you’ve been screwed over.” Andrade admitted, not exactly loving the idea of writing his last will and testament at this stage in his life.

”The… Honey’s good, Trish.” Greyson quietly spoke, doing his best not to make eye contact with Trisha.

Trisha shifted back on one foot as Andrade got up, not wanting him to try come any closer to her. Casey trusted that he was on their side, but it was harder for Trisha to feel the same way. She trusted Casey's judgment… but that didn't mean she trusted Andrade. It wouldn't have been such a problem if she hadn't been starting to actually like and trust him.

But business was business. They had a contract.

“It’s not been a good time… but we should get something in writing. A contract amendment, I guess. So I'm not screwed over financially as well." She said as evenly as she could, the other ways she felt screwed over going unsaid.
“I have time today. We can get it sorted while I'm out."

Then it was one less thing to worry about. Not that she'd felt particularly worried, because she was too busy feeling like everything was pointless and just assuming it would all collapse.

Her gaze shifted to Greyson, though she didn't quite look at him either. It was difficult to, when he was literally glowing.
“Thanks. I'm surprised Andrade hasn't forced so much on you that you're sick of it… I guess supply’s a bit limited at the moment. At least, uh… You can enjoy something like that still?"

”Enjoy’s a strong fucking word for it. But, yeah, my tastebuds work.” Greyson amended Trisha’s statement, coughing a little before continuing.

”So? Linqian told you that Asshole and Shithole were here, and that you should torture us? Feel free. Last thing I wanna do is sit and listen to this guy go on and on about this shit. The guy who may die talking to the guy who will certainly die about whether or not they can minimize the risk involved is just bullshit at this point.” he snapped the end like a whip, a frustrated stare heading straight for Andrade.

In return, Andrade’s face became sullen and almost frustrated.
”Your situation is the only reason any of us have a chance. I’m just asking you to take my future into consideration! There’s penance for people, Greyson, I’ve seen it! This moment is yours! But, mine? Mine comes later, I pray to God!” he pleaded.

Greyson’s bulbous head tilted slightly to frown at Trisha.

”We’ve been caught in this circle almost an hour now. I’m losing my fuckin’ mind!” Greyson gritted through his teeth.

Trisha folded her arms, staring at them both. When she came in she hadn't expected to end up involved in their argument. No wonder Linqian wanted out for some peace. Trisha had never been on good terms with Greyson- and their last meeting had been the opposite of good. He'd also betrayed them as much as Andrade had… but at least he hadn't hidden that he was a scumbag. It wasn't the only thing that made her slightly inclined to trust him.

That and the fact he was dying.

“Did you give any consideration to all the murdered Sycamore members? At least he-" She half raised a hand from her folded arms to point at Greyson while looking at Andrade.
“- Helped out of some sick, petty want for revenge. I don't see why he has to consider your life at all. He's already dying. He's not going to be there to see whatever ‘penance’ you're talking about."

Perhaps it was surprising that she agreed with Greyson where she rarely did. She wasn't exactly at his side… but even she could recognise he was going to die so the rest of them could live. Or, going to die in a specific way to enable that.

“Also, Linqian sent me in here because she doesn't trust Andrade. I'm not in the mood to be around you both just to torture you."

Andrade couldn’t exactly say much in response to a question like that. Honesty? Was that the best course? He could honestly refrain from making a bigger fool out of himself, maybe…

”Jesus Christ, what a cold room to be in.” Andrade said calmly, almost introspectively. Clearly he was a dead man walking too…
”Y’know, you both may feel a certain way, but Casey and Leon won’t just leave me hanging in the breeze. I’ll get to make up for what I’ve done wrong, and that’s the bottom line. If you don’t want to wear the anchor, then don’t wear the anchor Greyson. I can’t make you.”

Greyson scoffed before a single hand shot up and gripped at his head with a grimacing moan.
”Fuck… This guy’s gonna kill me before we have the chance to put the plan into action. Every little thing has been about making up for wrongs. Like I wanna hear about making up for things at this point?”

It wasn't something Trisha cared much for either. At least, not before Casey… once someone truly wronged her, that was it. It was why her relationship with her ex-covenmates was so bad. They hurt her, and then she resented them forever. She just wasn't quite psychopathic enough to turn to murder over it. As for Andrade… she wouldn't stop Casey from doing whatever he wanted there. If Casey wanted to save him from possible death, that was fine. She could prioritise his wants over her own.

But the good opinion she'd had of Andrade was never coming back.

“It’s a big part of their religion. They have a whole system of penance for Aberrations who act out." Trisha shrugged one shoulder. While she'd calmed down a bit on her Temple distaste thanks to her love for Casey- or more accurately, the actual religion behind it- it didn't mean she had positive views of it.

“What Casey and Leon do is up to them. I'm not going to influence Casey… but I'm not going to change how I feel either." She spoke calmly, not particularly worked up about all of this. Not externally, at least. Not right now.

She even managed a half smile towards Greyson.
“You ‘sacrificing’ yourself is probably enough to make up for everything, right? Not that I have much of a say. I'm alive, and I didn't lose anyone. So… you won’t hear more about it from me. Not that I imagine you want to hear much of anything from me."

”Yet people look at this glaring parallel and say that I’m the wrong one? He dies, and everyone remembers him for at least doing this one last thing right. Me? Years spent doing anything I could to make sure my dreams came true, ruined by a choice I made to try and stick with a man who I thought loved me? So, I die, and it’s whatever?”

Andrade actually had tears in his eyes, an amazing emotion to see from someone who was usually so upbeat and happy. He was positively ready to weep with frustration. It wasn’t like Greyson couldn’t empathize…

”Jesus Christ! Alright! Sure, tell me there’s an option where I get a couple extra days to live after, then tell me it’ll be better if I don’t take that? He’s going to punch me to fucking death. You’re consigning me to inhumanity, a brutal execution once he realizes what’s happening. His hands around my neck. My eyes bulged out and exploding under the pressure.”

It also didn’t mean he was above throwing everything right back in Andrade’s face.

”Which you’ll happily negate! I know exactly what’s going to happen. Same thing as any good Pink Adept before they die.”

”What’s that, if you’re so fucking smart!?”

”Nirvana! You fuckers… You catalyze your brain, stretch an instant into a hundred years. Experience your own happy ending before everything fades to black, intrinsically timing your death in a big comfy bed surrounded by your family? I’ve heard! I’ve heard and I’ve seen it in the Apparitions who devour those moments!”

The idea wasn’t hard to imagine, but the inner workings of it were a magical nightmare. There was just one problem. And Greyson listed forward in his chair, bulbous head bobbing slightly like a fish.

”Who on Earth would be so base as to settle with that ending? Manufactured? The good ending is earned, and you’ll have the chance to get there. One day, when you’ve got Grandkids of your own, and you die in that big comfy bed surrounded by your loving family and your millions built on stacks of blood money from your younger days.” Greyson grinned, and revealed nearly-clear pink teeth with it.

Andrade frowned, sighed, and turned his head back to Trisha.
”And yet I still have to act like I’m gonna die. And so, by law, I have to link you into this fucking emergency will.”

”Be happy you ain’t getting anything from me, Trish. This list has been a bitch to put together-” Greyson finished before starting to hack up a lung again.

Trisha listened to everything they said with a slightly glazed look in her eyes, hearing it all but still zoning out. She could really understand why Linqian had left… but she also hoped she'd come back soon so she could fuck off. But then they were talking to her again instead of bickering about the best way to live or die.

“If you left me something, I'd probably die of shock." She laughed slightly, a hollow sound more than anything. She should probably feel a bit more sympathy towards Greyson in his current state… But it was difficult when he'd been so much of an asshole the whole time she knew him.

She looked back at Andrade.
“If it's easier, just don't. I have enough money. You have no actual shares in my business… And if it fails because I lose my single customer, I'll figure something out." It was a rich person solution, but only one she'd offered when depressed as she was. Her honey business was the first time she was doing something for herself and actually making something of herself. She wanted it to work, but her expectations right now were that it wouldn’t. It didn't help that one of the two people who'd so vehemently supported it turned out to be part of the plot to kill her and her coven.

“Surely we should all be drafting emergency wills, anyway. If you both fail, we all die too." She shrugged. Not that it was something she needed to worry about. Her immediate assets, maybe, but there was already something built into the fund she got money out of every month. It went back to the family.

But that aside, there was one thing she was curious about. Didn't care about particularly, but she may as well ask.

“I’m surprised you're not just leaving everything to Britney, Greyson. From all I've heard, I'd expect you to." Coven gossip still travelled, but Trisha never got the full picture. Only bits and pieces, mainly from a pipeline of Leon to Cass to her. At least now Casey was telling her important information.

Greyson sighed.
”Someome in my line of work leaves behind some pretty toxic assets. All I left Britney was a letter telling her where all the money I was keeping for retirement is buried. She's on her way to the Caribbean, my folks will protect her until she has the baby.” he casually dropped the idea that she was carrying his baby.

”Turns out, it's a lot easier for me to hand out assets under the table. I’m having the hardest time trying to get people in action who won’t just rape my corpse for the valuables. The fuckin’ plantation, the travel company, the accounts in the Isle of Man that my banker is suddenly telling me dont exist anymore.” He went on and on about the complex web of legal and illegal business ventures he was part of.

”Has Casey uh… Said anything to you about what comes after, Trisha? Obviously, there’ll be a period between now and this… Fucking family rebellion.” Andrade asked shyly, knowing his place and not wanting to rock the boat back onto himself.

“I know some of it.” Trisha said, though she wasn’t really sure if she did. What came after? Beyond preparing for the rebellion? Casey barely had time to tell her about what was going on now.
“I assumed preparation for that rebellion. Is there anything else big that comes after?”

Then she glanced at Greyson, unable to hold back the comment in the back of her mind. She felt she was owed it after listening to him complain about his fucking business shit for a whole few seconds.
“You got Britney pregnant? Poor woman…”

”Yeah, and she's one of the only women who never treated the situation like that. She loves me. And she’s gonna love that kid too. And she’ll make it better than I ever was, because she knows me.” Greyson gave Trisha his full attention as he defended his position.

But Andrade’s concerns were just as clear.

”Yes! We have lives to carry on with! Opportunities! Listen, I understand that you’re all gonna have a hard time dealing with me, but… Come on! Others have done worse, y’know? This little hiccup won’t exclude us from doing business, will it?” he asked, practically shaking.

Greyson laughed aloud.

”Dude, what the fuck have they been telling you in private?”

”N-nothing! Nothing! It’s just… This type of thing wouldn’t be happening if Lynette was the one handling it. She would’ve just killed me… So, I’m having a hard time dealing with the chance that I may make it out of this and have more life to go.” Andrade replied.

”Oh, there he fucking goes again, talking to a dead guy about how excited he is to have a nice, long life. Putz.” Greyson shook his head again before tilting it and groaning.

“I can see why Linqian walked out if you keep going around like this. It’s fucking annoying.” Trisha intoned, glancing towards the door and frowning. Surely she could just leave. Andrade probably wouldn’t kill Greyson. But… she should do something. Then she could tell Casey she was sort of involved! She didn’t even end up with a covenmate trying to hurt her- not that Greyson was in a position where he could right now.

She didn’t have much sympathy for either, but it would always err slightly towards the asshole who was dying.
“And yeah, sure, I’m sure Britney will do a great job. She’s more sensible than a lot of Sycamore.”

Then her gaze moved back to Andrade, sharp and almost devoid of emotion.
“We can still do business. But that’s it. A purely business relationship. If Casey wants something close to what you had before after all this, that’s his choice. But my trust doesn’t just come back after it’s been broken… Even if you think others have done worse.”

”This… None of this changes my value. I’m not asking you to trust me, Trisha. The opposite. I’m asking you to take advantage. My knowledge doesn’t evaporate just because you don’t trust me. But my desire to please? My willingness to accomodate? My need to be something for someone… Those are real!!” Andrade pressed, causing Greyson to scoff.

“Sure, as long as there’s the right legal contracts in place to keep me protected.” Trisha responded evenly. For a moment, she channeled Ezra as best as she could- which wasn’t particularly well, when she was still learning about business. But when things were in writing, there was a paper trail she could use if Andrade decided those feelings weren’t enough.

“I’ll take advantage, because it’s useful to me. I’m not going to trust any of those emotions… And I certainly don’t want you to be anything for me that doesn’t aid my business. Even then… I’m not going to be dependent on someone else for it.”

Andrade’s most basic anxieties were being plucked like strings every single day. Every time Casey made his way there was another browbeating session. And now Trisha was here doing it too. Shame. Utter shame consumed him, and he couldn’t do anything else besides shake his head and shrink into himself as he contemplated if this was any better than dealing with Luis.

It was, of course. These people put him up in an apartment, gave him a bed, let him keep cooking and in contact with his restaurant management so that none of his external revenue sources were interrupted. Luis probably would’ve absorbed him wholesale. Life wouldn’t exist for him anymore.

This was still the right choice, no matter how unsure he felt.

Greyson noticed immediately, and mustered up enough Lux to bash Andrade’s emotional field with.

”Oh thank God, he’s down for the fucking count. Are we done!? I’ll wear the fucking anchor for you.” he snapped at Andrade.

Andrade didn’t speak, replying only in a solemn nod.

”Thank fuck. Now, where’s Linqian with that fucking cocktail?” he practically begged.

“Fuck if I know.” Trisha responded, even though it felt like Greyson was asking God or something rather than either of them in the room. She sighed, feeling like she couldn’t leave until the other woman was back.

A single bee crawled out from underneath her sweater before buzzing off out of the ajar door. She closed her eyes, following the bee with a pheromonal thread. It was a practice for her, really. She couldn’t see through it, but she could communicate with the bee and roughly sense what it was seeing.

Enough to find a vague human shape smoking outside. The smoke was particularly clear as the bee accidentally flew through it before beginning to circle the person’s head. There was the slightest hint of Trisha’s pheromones on her… The kind that barely lingered after she brushed past people, as she was always giving them off. The bee started buzzing louder and more insistently around probably Linqian’s head.

“Outside smoking. Hopefully the bee will annoy her enough… Then you can get whatever your cocktail is, and I can leave.”

”Fuck! Y’know Cass? Or Theo? Maybe, maybe Theo will do it! Let her smoke, please… God… Its so fucking miserable. I should… Just let her go too, man! Fuck!” Greyson spazzed, both hands lifting to cup his face and drag downward in frustration.

”Stop! Stop, just, pull the bee off. Fucking… Don’t force yourself to be here. Nobody needs to fucking see me like this, God damn everything…”

“Too late." Trisha intoned, meaning both the bee and anyone seeing him like that. Though the mention of Cass… She supposed it made sense. Cass had been at the raid, and she had first hand experience with Luxal poisoning- just hers wasn't killing her.
“Is Cass helping out too? You know… if I go and get her, then I'll be stuck here for even longer. Probably even after Linqian gets back."

She sighed, a sliver of pity managing to wriggle its way through the pit of depressive apathy that was clinging to her.
“I know it's been years, but I think I know Linqian well enough to know you couldn't force her to stay- or leave- anywhere she didn't want to be. But I can go and get Cass if you'd rather."

”She’s down the hall… Linqian likes her. Sometimes she’ll come and sit if Lin’s taking a break. It's about convenience, more than she’s stuck helping or anything… Don’t get the wrong idea.” he explained.

”But, she’s nice. Funny. You managed to make better friends somewhere else. Makes me think that maybe there’s something wrong with this city, rather than there being something wrong with you…”

“Oh, there's plenty wrong with me." Trisha admitted, without much hesitation for once. It was the mood she was in, and the fact he was dying anyway. What would he do with that? Rub it in her face?

She pulled out her phone, sending a quick message to Cass to come here- not because she wanted to be around longer, but because Cass had told her to message when she was outside in the first place. Because she ‘wouldn’t hear a knock on the door over her music' like she didn't have super senses. Easier to just message in the first place.

“I’m just lucky I found people who tolerate it elsewhere. When you actually think about it, it isn't surprising the way things went. We were all fucked up fighting the Stygian Snake." She spoke while staring at her phone, getting a fairly instant ‘ok hand' emoji response from Cass.
“Takes someone like Cass to deal with it. Seems every Sycamore member that meets her likes her."

”Well, yeah you get fucked up when the guy available to fix shit like that is a guy nobody likes or trusts. I’m not saying it’s my fault half of you are walking around with untreated PTSD, but maybe things would’ve come out a bit different if we all played a little nicer. Not that we can blame anyone, really. None of our brains were fully developed. Nobody, not even the elders. Fucking nineteen, twenty. No less a child than one is at sixteen. We were bound to be fucked over.” Greyson cleared his throat, following it with another coughing fit.

”I never would’ve expected you to have anything done about it anyway. It would’ve had to have been a decision others made on your behalf. There was a weird dynamic when it came to “Froshies”. How people like Leon and the other Grads referred to you guys, the youngest members. Plenty of decisions got made without you guys having much say. We figured we couldn’t trust the judgement. But, uh, obviously that left a big group of people who are all fucked up.” he continued to admit.

Trisha's brow furrowed, as a few things began to click into place for her. It explained how a lot of fights had been set up. There were times when the groups were a mix of ages, others when they seemed to be forced together. But she'd never had a say. Sometimes she'd been sent places that had ended up far worse than she was told they'd be. And it was always ‘unexpected.’

“I wouldn't let anyone use magic to fix me, no matter how much I liked them or how much someone else insisted." Trisha shook her head, frowning.
“I always suspected something like that was happening. Old enough to fight and die, but not old enough to have a say. Typical coven bullshit. Like I didn't see enough people die, and kill enough, to be more mature than most fourteen year olds… Leon still treats me like that, sometimes. No wonder if so many decisions were made for us."

”Hey, don’t act like I got the golden spoon. Maybe I earned a bit of the ire I got, but after a while it was a total principle that I got overruled by just about anyone. Eventually, I got relegated to fucking piggybank.” Greyson scowled.

”And I don’t really get that either. Why wouldn’t you let someone fix you up? Leon did! And he’s, I’d say, much improved despite whatever small problems he may still cause. I’m not saying you can’t do it yourself, but why bother?” he asked, knowing full well exactly what a hypocrite he was in asking a question like that.

“Oh, like you'd willingly let someone else in your brain without control." Trisha rolled her eyes, tone more blunt than it was snappy.
“I don't trust it. I don't trust anyone enough to let them in like that, and I certainly don't want to risk something I don't want touched being changed. I could never trust it. A me without any of my problems wouldn't be me at all."

Her mind was so closely guarded, she barely opened up by choice nevermind letting someone in like that. Casey was the most she could tolerate with his White Lux… getting things fixed like that felt like cheating, anyway.

“And I'm especially distrustful of mind magic after the Snake that fucked with our minds."

”And all under the Dove suffer your prejudice duly. Shame.” Greyson half smiled, taking a breath in and holding it for a moment.

”You haven’t even done it to yourself, Greyson.” Andrade piped up slightly, eyes turning up from the notepad he was writing in.

”What? Sure I did. Just because I didn’t see every red flag as a negative thing, doesn’t mean I didn’t give myself plenty of work. You don’t see me getting jumpy and fucking bubbling up like the rest of these apes when trouble comes. I act. And that’s specifically because I’m capable of scrubbing the fear out of myself. Was…” Greyson replied with a bit of sadness in his voice, hand coming up to gently rub the painful pink bulge in his skull.

”Fuck of a way to go, I guess.”

“Yeah, most people manage to not fuck their brain with their own magic." Trisha intoned.
“But I'm perfectly capable of acting. I killed an assassin just weeks ago, and-"

But she was cut off by the door opening, two possible medication administrators walking in.

Cass had maybe been listening in just a little bit. She couldn't help it, she was just so proud of Trisha for holding a conversation with someone else from her coven! But she couldn't really keep it up when Linqian appeared at the other end of the corridor.

"Looks like I ain't even needed! Unless you want me to administer it anyway?! It's good practice for when I gotta do shit for myself!" Cass immediately filled the space with noise, beelining for Trisha and slinging and arm around her shoulders. Trisha leaned away, but didn't push her off.

”Are you going to deal with him after, when he starts fucking sobbing about whatever he's sad about now?” Linqian asked back, the smell of smoke still lingering on her clothes as she moved towards Greyson with the one thing relieving his pain in hand.

"Nope! I gotta date with my girl! He's all yours today! We can stick around a bit, though!"

”Then I got it.” Linqian looked over at Andrade, before staring down at Greyson. While she looked tired, and had the same resting bitch face as normal, her eyes did soften slightly.
”Is all of the actual serious shit done? I wasn't joking about not giving it to you till then.”

”It’s done. I’ll play ball with him, if it gets all this shit to fade away for a few more hours. I just wanna be with you.” Greyson looked back up at Linqian almost pathetically.

Andrade looked up at Linqian like a guilty party before averting to Trisha.

”That… Kind of reassures me that I’ll be around. So, maybe we can avoid the painful shit, Trish. If it all goes well without me, just get in touch with Bruno Coburg. He’s the one in charge of running my shit: He’ll hash out a new supplier deal with you, so long as the restaurants don’t suddenly collapse.” Andrade nodded, knowing that he didn’t want to keep two perfectly healthy people trapped in this mire that he was stuck in.

Trisha nodded in return.
“I will, if it works out that way. I'm trying not to assume things will work out one way or another." Though she was struggling not to just think there was little chance of whatever they had planned working. The negative spiral of hopelessness, not exactly helped by the state things were in here.

Linqian put her free hand on Greyson's shoulder, very gently rubbing it.
”Alright, alright, I'll give it to you in a moment…” She looked away from him for a moment to address everyone else.
”You guys should all leave, better we get some peace while we still fucking can.”

"Oh yeah, I ain't gonna third- or fifth- wheel you guys getting your time! But if you need anything, y'know I'm just along the corridor. Food, a break, whatever! I'm sure Trisha won't mind." Cass grinned, half shuffling with Trisha towards the door.

Not that Trisha needed much encouragement. She did stare at Greyson and Linqian for a moment, before saying something she wouldn't have said before all of this. Her hands clasped together, fiddling with her engagement ring.
“Thank you. For what you're both doing… I know it isn't for me, or even all of Sycamore, but it'll still save the people I care about."

Greyson stopped shuffling out of his seat to stare up at Trisha with both eyes. He furrowed what he could of his brow.

”Nobody’s ever sorry until it’s too late. I’m-” he cut himself off, huffing.
”-you know. Sorry. For treating you poorly, for… For that time I hit on you. That was really scummy too. And that time I tried to blackmail you and Jason Fornier. And, y’know, the trashcan thing. Everything I did. And it’s too late, so… Spit when you think of me.” he tried to put on a brave face despite the globby pink tears that were forming around his eyes and starting to cloud his vision with their viscous clinging.

It was true that nobody was ever sorry until it was too late… Trisha knew Greyson never would've apologised if he wasn't dying like this. Not to her, at least. Dealing with your own mortality tends to make most people reflect a bit… but he was right that it was too late. Probably would have been even if he was going to live.

“I don't forgive you for those things. But I'm not going to spit when I think of you." She said, trying her best to sound calm rather than pissy and petty. Especially since Cass was there.
“Instead I'm going to try not to think of you at all. I'm going to live a happy life… I'll get married to my fiance, have children with him, and one day happily die surrounded by them and their children. And I won't have the time to think about the people who hurt me anymore."

”Fuck, did you really have to say all that shit right now, Trisha? Now he's gonna start sobbing like a fucking baby.” Linqian groaned. But like normal for her, her actions were contrary to her words. She leant down to help him get out of his seat, one arm slipping around his back.

But he didn’t start blubbering. Rather, Greyson held Linqian tight as he made it up to his wobbly legs. And, amazingly, a smile cracked his lips fully for a second time today.

”Oh… You’ll think of me.” he grinned, shaking his head before nodding with confidence.
”When you’re shitting out a thirteen pound Richoux brat. You’ll see this moment, and you’ll see my smug grin. And you’ll spit on the hospital floor. And I’ll see, and I’ll laugh. And it’ll be the only real moment of friendship we ever have.”

Maybe he was delusional. Maybe he was right. Or, maybe he was fishing for the setup from the beginning. Leaving an impression that’ll last in whoever has to deal with him. Lynn Serenelight had taken him through all of the possible endings, every single scenario they imagined from the influence of White Lux.
And this had been his least-favored outcome. There was one where he’d lived to see the aftermath, only to die by Covenmate a few days later.

But nothing good involved him directly. This sacrifice was the last thing he could do where people may remember his good, rather than everything else. He couldn’t let that happen. He needed as many people to believe and remember him as possible…

Because he didn’t intend on this life being the end. He’d see his son grow. He’d see sunrises. He’d make love again. But, nobody needed to know what he and Andrade discussed in the small, quiet hours. About the magic necessary to transform the human soul into something more…

”Cass? Send Lee over when he gets home please. Time doesn’t matter, if I’m asleep he’ll be able to talk to Andrade… Thank you in advance.”

"You're asking a lot of me here, dude, y'know how little time I get with him?" Cass groaned jokingly, before smiling.
"I'll send him round, don't worry!"

Trisha stared at Greyson, before letting out a slight laugh.
“If I see your smug grin while giving birth, I think I'll throw up before I spit. But sure. If that happens, I guess it's one moment we'll… share."

She shook her head, moving towards the door. It wasn't something she could imagine… but she still could barely imagine the eventual future where she had a child with Casey. Even though it was what she wanted, it seemed so far away.
“If you do end up some kind of ghost, please don't bother visiting me."

”Don’t curse me to a jealous haunting.” Linqian grumbled, pretty much wholly supporting Greyson. It was easier after Cass had taught her a handy little, subtle strength spell that she actually understood.

”Go fucking enjoy your girls date or whatever, I gotta get this future ghost creep to bed and drugged outta his mind.”

”Geeze, I want to spend time with you, you want me sedated? Christ…” Greyson retorted, starting his slow shuffle toward the bedroom the two shared.

There was a lot Andrade still wanted to say. Stuff he wanted to get cleared up. It wasn’t going to happen here, most likely.

”It’s uh… Just about some logistical problems, Cass, it probably won’t take more than twenty minutes. He’s gotta move some physical assets, and he's curious about whether or not Leon will burn the cash to get them sent where they need to go.” he tried to be informative and helpful.

”Fucking hell, you're the one that wanted fucking sedated. My company won't be enough in five minutes and you'll start fucking whining again!” Linqian bickered back, as if they were already in private rather than making the slow journey towards it. Not that she particularly cared, though.

"Oh whatever it is ain't a problem! I ain't so clingy I can't deal with less time with Leon!" Cass managed to respond around half laughing at the old married couple act going on in front of her.
"Twenty minutes, an hour… I'm a patient gal, just means less sleep for him."

Trisha side-eyed Cass. She was now hovering at the door, clearly wanting to leave but feeling trapped by each conversation that started.
“I’ve never heard anyone describe you as patient, Cass."

"Eh well… Willing to fill the time with other shit waiting then!"
[Hr]
[right]Home.[/right]
Trisha spent the rest of the day at Cass', swapping between watching shit together and just chilling in the same space. She didn't leave until it was fairly late, when Cass got a text from Leon saying he was heading back. While the two of them had been on alright terms recently, Trisha had already filled her capacity of seeing people for the day… she didn't exactly want to interrupt their time either.

So she went back up to her own house, choosing to sit in the main room on her phone rather than falling back into the soft grasp of the couch she'd spent so many days rotting in. Tomorrow she'd probably be back there, as her exhaustion would come back, but today she felt at least functional.

When she got a text from him that he was heading back, one of a few that day- he seemed to message whenever he could, but there was rarely time for a conversation or response to hers- she moved from where she'd been sitting towards the fridge. It was still filled with food Cass had made, and she pulled out one of the big tubs of macaroni cheese left. Cass had given her instructions on how to cook it to taste almost as good as it was fresh… and she was fairly confident she wouldn't fuck that up. It wasn't actual cooking.

Just putting the oven at the right temperature, grating a bit more cheese to sprinkle over the top, and putting it in. She set a timer for the exact time Cass had given her. It should be ready just after Casey got home. She didn't really want to eat herself, but she knew she probably should. She'd had bits and pieces forced on her throughout the day by Cass, but she was trying her best to have something when Casey got home and ate.

She pulled out a tomato based pasta dish Cass had also made, scooping a small portion of it into another container and putting that in the oven. The same amount of time as the macaroni cheese would probably be fine… If it burnt she'd just pick out the bits that were fine.

With food in the oven, the most she could do cooking wise, Trisha perched on one of the chairs at the breakfast bar. She stared at the timer on her phone as she waited, watching the minutes slowly tick down.

It took a while longer than she probably anticipated. He hadn’t exactly written anything more than “soon”, so fifteen minutes turned into twenty five. Then another ten. The mac and cheese was long hated up and turned off by the time he made it through the door almost an hour later. He’d clearly been doing things. Not just walking around, or supervising something.

Not to mention, he was dressed for work. The scent of blood and death clung to him, the odd sulfur smell made by the gas blowing off from spent cartridges. But he didn’t look awful. He wasn’t weeping or sullen. Only, his eyes were like big, blue saucers in his head. Two disks of cobalt rolling around in their skull fixtures.

He could see her through the slit windows in the actual door, and saw her standing up to greet him, which caused him to slump a bunch of gear on the floor by the door. His plate carrier unbuckled, shuffling itself off of him like a living creature to hit the floor with a loud thud.
As he sauntered forward a little more, his arms opened wide for Trisha. He didn’t say anything, expecting she’d fill the gap without much prompting.

Trisha immediately moved forward and into his arms, hugging him silently for a moment before pulling her head back to look up at him. She was a little sad that her plan to have dinner hot and ready for him getting back hadn't worked out, but it was fine. He'd clearly been busy… her nose wrinkled slightly, though the smell didn't actually bother her. Not enough for her to stop hugging so close to him, at least. She'd probably smelt much worse yesterday, anyway.

“Welcome home… I heated up some mac and cheese for you, but it's probably already cold. What… happened to your eyes?" She couldn't help but ask about the obvious. It was hard to miss how blown up they were, like he'd gone through some strange photo filter. Magic use, she assumed.

He hadn’t caught himself in the mirror, but he knew the Glass was still working. Everything had a crispy, crunchy background to it, like he was trapped in a bag of potato chips and sand. This would probably be an argument… But Casey was serious about making sure that what Trisha wanted became real. And if she wanted constant honesty, and to not be left out, fine. She’d hear.

”A combat stimulant. Glass. The more it gets used, the more Lux floods the iris and other photoreceptors in the eyes. It dilates the pupils, inflates the irises, but gives you a secondary channeling source that doesn’t cause Lux Toxin. It's just hard to see in bright lights.” he explained the odd side effect, totally skipping over the fact that the main reaction was something similar to Cocaine or Methamphetamine.

”Found out Dollhouse was moving some physical money through mundane means. Spent the last six hours in one of their transport facilities…” he rubbed her shoulder and back as he hugged her, but patted her off so he could move for his backpack.

He could obviously smell the mac and cheese. It was delicious, and he wanted some, but he was excited to show her what he brought regardless.

”Check this shit out.”

From his satchel, he carefully slid an intricate looking glass sphere from its place and held it up in one hand. It was roughly the size of a volleyball, and seemed to have some kind of liquid within.

”The experts are telling me this is a fucking egg.”

Trisha furrowed her brow, shuffling after him. She wasn't particularly happy about the whole drug use thing, but he'd already moved past it… if she brought it back up she'd just look like she was being difficult. They only had so much time together. They could talk about it later. As long it was just being used for this period… or combat where needed… she felt it was pretty reasonable for her to be worried about these things. Anything that might be addictive!

But she wanted tonight to be as nice as it could be. So she managed to not say anything, eyes narrowing as she stared at the sphere.

“An… egg? Really? From what? A massive glass chicken?" The more she stared at it, the less she saw how it was an egg. There certainly didn't look like there was some embryo growing inside it. Unless it was in the liquid… But wouldn't it be obvious?

”Well, uh… How are you feeling? Do you think you could see something scary?” he asked her very simply, putting one hand around her shoulders and the other on top of the sphere.

Trisha wasn't entirely sure, because it depended on what scary entailed. Most scary things didn't actually bother her, because she'd seen worse. But if it was a magical egg…
“That depends… is it related to the Stygian Snake?"

She leaned towards him, lips pressing together as she stared at the egg. She was doing better today. She'd managed to sleep yesterday without nightmares. Only because Casey was there, but he was here now too.
“Actually, I'm feeling a bit better so… I think I can handle it."

Casey nodded, then knocked on the counter, causing the lights in the immediate area to fade away. Yet, the lights seemed to still exist within the egg, trapped and reflected inside until it all slowly faded. As it did, something brushed up against the sheer side of the interior. Something scaley, and long.

The deep, billowing cloud of shadow inside… The coils. The little snake’s head finally bumped against the glass, showing itself fully. Now, Trisha would’ve easily recognized the form of the Stygian Snake. It was something crossed between a viper and a constrictor, having massive spiky horns and a deep black coloration with massive gold and amber eyes.

This wasn’t that. It was… Green? Maybe green in the darkness, some stray light catching it and shimmering off its scales. Its eyes were milky, periwinkle in color, with deep white pupil slits staring up from the shadows. Its little tongue flicked out.

”I don’t suppose you ever got to see those ancient scrolls about the Snake? About how it devoured its clutch and spat them out into the Void? They’re telling me this one is called the Gloomserpent. One of the long lost clutch.” he stared down at the little monstrosity trapped in its own world of shadow.

“We saw… Murals of it in one of the dreams, I think. But not scrolls. I didn't know what it meant. Does that mean…" Trisha trailed off, shuddering slightly. She pressed closer to Casey, taking a deep breath.

She wasn't terrified in that same way she had been when the Archserpent attacked, or in the aftermath then. There wasn't a risk of a full blown panic attack. But that didn't mean she felt no fear at all. It was impossible not to after everything she'd been through. Thankfully, she'd never had associative attacks because of normal snakes like she did with the dark. But this wasn't a normal snake. It didn't look quite like the Stygian Snake, but there were signs. It’s gaze was unnerving.

“Could it be as powerful as the Stygian Snake? It can't get out of there, can it?"

”Sure it can. But they weren’t all born of malice. Just darkness. Stygian, Gloom, Twilight, Dusk, Murk. Chances are, because of what happened, they’re all pretty stunted. But, I bet if we gave the poor thing its day in court, we probably wouldn’t wind up surprised by its conduct.” Casey giggled, wriggling his finger at the trapped demigod within and watching as it just stared back.

It couldn’t, or didn’t, speak. But, its eyes spoke for it, begging Casey to overstep the boundary.

”This one was the only one they had. Whether that means the others are gone, or they just couldn’t find them? Hell, maybe this one’s the only important one. It wasn’t even like, enshrined or anything. It was getting used like a paperweight in that office, someone nearly knocked it off the desk.” he continued, knocking and forcing the lights back on.

The serpent promptly dove back into its gloomy obstruction as light filled the sphere and turned everything inside back into a foamy, pearlescent liquid inside. Casey cleared his throat.

”Makes me want to crack the fucker open and cook it…”

Trisha stared up at Casey, before a giggle pushed its way through her nervous exterior.
“There can't be that much meat on it, can there? I know there's some places where eating snakes is common… but it seems like a lot of effort. Not that it's a normal snake."

She shook her head, still giggling at the prospect of him cracking it open and making an omelette out of it. It helped ignore the fear the little creature instilled in her. Not so bad she couldn't deal with it… but not something she enjoyed feeling.

“You’re not going to keep it here, are you? I'm not sure I can handle a Stygian Snake spawn paperweight. Even if it's trapped in there…"

”The big debate is whether or not keeping it in the dark is better, or in the light. Intense light like this makes it turn into, y’know, liquid egg. But it eats the light whenever it transitions from one state to another. So, everyone’s worried that turning it into this is giving it nutrition, rather than denying it a physical form. Honestly speaking, we’re all stumped. But, unfortunately, there's no place to hide it tonight. Most I can do is bring it down to Leon until we know what to do with it.” Casey admitted solemnly.

It wasn’t ideal, but who else could he trust? The Vault at the Temple was just as vulnerable to an attack as this place was, in Casey’s estimation. And worse, there were plenty of people there with loose morals who would happily run tests on this thing.

”Unless you’ve got any ideas, I say it goes in the freezer.”

Trisha didn't have any better ideas. At least she didn't go into the freezer that much. She could avoid it completely if needed. She hardly went into the fridge right now.

“As long as I don't have to see it… I guess that's fine. It's fine when you're here, just when I'm alone, I can't really handle seeing something like that. Even if it's hidden in the light." She replied quietly, with a slight nod. She understood that there wasn't really an alternative.

Putting it on Leon didn't seem fair, when he probably had his own share of Stygian Snake trauma. That he'd gotten scrubbed by Greyson, sure… but Cass didn't deserve to have an evil snake egg around either. Though…
“If you gave it to Leon, Cass would probably try to crack it open to fight or eat- so I guess it is safest here, for now. In the freezer. Where we can't see it."

She looked up at him, forcing herself to be brave about it while fiddling with her ring to calm herself down. She could do it. She'd dealt with worse ten years ago. Sure, that was why something like this freaked her out now. But she'd survived then. She could survive dark snake spawn being in her freezer.

“At least it's too cold to want ice cream anyway." She managed to joke, lips pulling back up to a slight smile.

Casey nodded in agreement and went back to his bag to pull out a small string of LEDs attached to a little battery pack, which he wrapped around the egg and turned on before popping open the freezer and wedging the thing inside. The freezer door closed with a thump, and Casey turned back to look at Trisha.

”Very strong of you, Babe. I love you, I missed you!” he said, moving forward to wrap around her again now that the surprise was over.

”Y’know you can figure out the quality of the mac and cheese by its heat retention properties?” he asked, wobbling back and forth with Trisha gently as he eyed the pan on the stove.

He did his best to subtly shuffle them over to it before dipping his finger into the center. It was still hot enough to be delicious in the middle, with the bottom having rested on the stove and reflected its own heat back up.
”I’d say it’s pretty damn good. Who made it?” he asked, licking the bit on his finger off.

“Would you believe me if I said I did?" Trisha said, managing a deep pan expression for a few seconds before cracking and laughing.
“Cass did. She filled the fridge up… not yesterday, but when she visited the day before. I guess you didn't have a chance to look yet? She went on a crazy cooking spree the moment she'd recovered her Lux and was left alone, I think."

She smiled, one arm wriggling away from hugging him to point at the honestly tiny portion of tomatoey pasta that was in another pan. It was probably cold, but maybe she could just heat it up a bit too.
“That’s mine. Cass forced me to eat something every time she did today… so it's not much, but I still wanted to eat with you." She felt she had to explain, as some proof that she was doing a little better. Not that she would've eaten much if Cass wasn't there shoving food at her… but she'd pulled something out for herself here too.

Casey nodded gently, kissing the top of Trisha’s head and patting her shoulder before pulling away to move toward the stove. He clicked the burner on, hoping to heat Trisha’s food back up enough that she’d actually eat it.

”Thank you… Dinner together is good. It’s almost a benefit that you’re not a glutton, I get to share moments like this with you instead of just eating half a chicken pot pie standing in front of the sink.” he commented, flicking the pan around trying to get the spaghetti to loosen up off the bottom so it didn’t burn.

”But, also, y’know if you’ve been eating all day, you can just sit with me. I’m not gonna, like, force you into eating or anything.”

“I’ve only been eating small bits. Cass eats every two hours now… but I only had a little bit. I'll try to eat something." Trisha responded, her smile towards him only turning softer.

She was used to people just forcing it on her. It was part of why she had such a bad relationship with food in the first place… meals she didn't want to eat were forced on her growing up until she hit a certain age, and no one bothered anymore because she was ‘old enough' to look after herself. Then she just forgot or chose to skip them. She knew people now cared… and she could deal with it with someone like Cass, who, along with Diyah, had seen the effects of times when she was particularly bad. At least Cass didn't really force her so much as just hand her food and hope she ate it.

But Casey seemed to understand and was more patient about it, while still clearly caring.

“Why would you ever have to eat standing in front of the sink, though? Because if I was a glutton you'd be worried I'd steal it from you? "

Casey shook his head, giggling slightly.

”You’d have already eaten and been full. Why take more time for an unnecessary ritual? At that point, it’s brevity. I eat where the dishes go, then leave again. That’s why it’s… Extra nice. Obviously, you care about our time together. But, it’s more. Like I can trust you’ll always want that first, and I can maneuver around that. Work with it. Eventually, it’ll be second nature and, maybe, make the dangerous transition from assumption to expectation… A future argument, even. One where maybe we’re drifting apart a little, and it comes back to this emotion. The feeling of having someone to wait. And, moreso, waiting for one another specifically, not just anyone who’ll do.”

It was hard to explain the necessity of nostalgia in his life. Holding tightly to memories and feelings like this were paramount for his slowly expanding list of available White Lux spells. It seemed like every day, a new memory made a new form of telepathy, or some other way to observe a remote location in a different dimension… He needed these memories more than ever.

”I’m saying a lot without saying the thing I mean… That I love you, and I’m thankful for you.” he finished.

Trisha nodded, smiling gently at him. As he reheated her pasta she drifted towards the fridge, pulling out a soda for each of them.

“I feel the same about you, Casey. I love you a lot. And I don't think I'll ever mind waiting for you for something like this. If it becomes an expectation, that's fine. I don't want to imagine us drifting but… even then… I don't think I'll mind. I'm always going to love you and want to spend time with you. You know I get more upset when I can't. I really think I will always want that first…"

As she spoke, she moved back towards where she'd been sitting, perching in the chair again to watch him.
“Well… I can see there being an exception when we have children, and they start crying about how hungry they are. It'll be a little harder then."

”Eh, they can eat. I won’t deny growing children. But, knowing you, I bet you’ll just watch them eat and still wait for me.”

Steam was curling up from the pasta now, little plumes ascending each time he moved the mass around in the pan. Plenty warm now, he made for a small bowl and filled it up for her before letting the pan fall back onto a cool burner. Then, he grabbed a bigger plate, looked at the pan of macaroni, and shrugged before sliding it back into its place and picking up a spoon and the entire tray.

”Only problem is we can’t cuddle and eat at the same time… C’mon, lets go see how Colima’s gonna catch the bad guys today.”

“We could technically cuddle and eat, it'd just get messy quickly." Trisha shot back with a smile, moving to take her bowl from him so he didn't have to carry it and his mass of macaroni. She grabbed a fork and her soda before making her way through to the den.

There was nothing playing on the TV already like there had been the last few days, since Trisha had spent most of the day out. Not that she'd done much more with Cass. Instead of Colima, Cass had shown her some goofy, old sci-fi sitcom she liked. Black Hole or something…

Since they weren't going to be able to cuddle until they were done eating, Trisha climbed up onto the middle of the couch and picked up the remote she'd discarded early. Switching the TV on, it was left at the end of the last episode she'd been half watching… so it was easy to click play and just let it move to the next.

She started to pick at her pasta, looking at the TV as she spoke quietly.
“I… bumped into Linqian today. When I was visiting Cass."

Casey frowned slightly as he made his way into his spot and got comfy, both legs crossing to hold the tray up like a platform for him to dig into.

”Oh… Shit, I didn’t mention it did I? Sorry, that one kind of slipped through the cracks, I left it for Leon to kind of deal with. I probably should’ve told you yesterday, but you were so sleepy… I was, y’know, kind of just wanting to let you sleep without rubbing your nerves.” he admitted, half trying to faust the blame before accepting that he could have told her and simply didn’t. He didn’t even know why this time.

”Kinda like the egg, y’know? Better they’re here where we can observe them, than somewhere where they’re obscured in turn.”

Trisha nodded slowly, chewing on a piece of pasta. It made sense that they were staying here. The security of the place was relatively robust, and Casey himself lived here… as did Leon, the one other Sycamite who seemed involved in the plan.

“I understand why they're here. I would've liked to know before being shocked with it but I… also understand why you didn't say anything yesterday. I did spend a lot of time sleeping. Cass said they just moved in, at least. So I know you haven't been keeping it from me for days or anything." She managed to say relatively evenly.

She didn't want to get annoyed at him, after all. And it was easier when she was still in that depressed slump, no matter how much she'd started to crawl out. She was more likely to just start crying thinking he didn't trust her. But that wasn't the case here, at least.

“I talked to Greyson. Linqian basically strong-armed me into going in… But it was pretty civil. I think it was as good as it ever could go with him." She finally turned her gaze away from the television towards Casey. Between the little dregs of upset over him not telling her, no matter how much she understood it, there was something else that shone through. Pride, maybe? Or more looking for approval.

The kind of look someone gives after doing something well, waiting to be praised for it.

”Dying young people tend to get sappy and sentimental. I held the hands of a lot of dead kids who spent their last precious breaths apologizing for shit I didn’t have anything to do with. The need to confess, I think, and purge the soul before exiting.” Casey absently replied, thinking about what it must’ve been like to know your life was on a string between two halves of a pair of scissors.

”Y’said she strong-armed you? I guess that makes sense for a Gangster’s girlfriend to do. At least it’s not something you’re going to need to worry about much longer, Babe. All these people just fade out of our world after this… Again, I’m real proud of you. For, uh, y’know, being in your slump, you’re doing well. I’m impressed.” he happily reassured her, a smile crossing his face as he moved his foot out to press against her leg in a playful manner. Like he was poking her, or patting her shoulder all the same.

The little pout that had started to form when Casey didn't immediately praise her disappeared, replaced by a giggle and sappy smile. She swayed her body towards him, wriggling the leg he was poking with another giggle.

“I managed to stay there for like… fifteen minutes. Which considering my track record…" She continued, still smiling at him. It was such a small thing to be proud of, but considering all the history she had with Sycamore- and especially Greyson- it felt like a big thing. Even if they'd eventually be out of her life completely when this was all done.

“But Linqian's always been like that. I think she's actually… better now that she's with Greyson? Most of her really snappy comments were directed at him. Cass has been helping out, and she said it's like a live sitcom sometimes." Trisha paused to eat another bit of pasta, looking down at her bowl again.

“He actually… did apologise, like you said. Sentimental now that he's dying. He apologised for all the things he did to me. Hitting on me, blackmailing me and another guy, another incident… But I was surprised he did it at all. I didn't forgive him, but I just… really didn't expect it."

Casey smiled, completely unfurling and making his scooting way over to her on the couch, so she could rest against him as she pleased. It’d only be until they were done eating anyway, so he wasn’t worried about joint stiffness. His shoulder brushed against her, and finally he leaned down to kiss her again before straightening out and starting to eat again.

”Well… He is who he is. I don’t know, Leon loves the guy. I asked him recently, y’know, and he’s just… Kind of avoidant about it. Like he thinks I’ll judge him for being friends with a guy like that.” he commented, shrugging before smiling.
”But, still… Fifteen minutes with Sycamites, and I’m not checking your face for bruising. We’ve really come far, haven’t we Love?” he giggled.

Trisha laughed in response, one hand going up to squish her own cheek upwards.
“Maybe I got Cass to heal me… I'm kidding. I don't think Greyson could've even if he wanted to… If Linqian had, you'd be checking for burning. But it was really fine. Not that I'll be rushing to see them again, but… tolerable. So, yeah. Come pretty far."

She smiled, before leaning fully against him as she ate a bit more.
“Honestly, especially with those two. Most encounters with Linqian end up with someone getting burnt. Greyson's never hit me before… It's just all words and blackmail. And the one time he… emptied a trash can on me…"

Casey’s first reaction should not have been a little chuckle, but it was more out of shock than humor.
”Jesus… You’re telling me I need to go beat up a dying guy? What do you… Aw, fuck it, you’ll tell me if you want. Jesus… A trashcan?” Casey shook his head in disbelief.

Trisha nodded slowly. It was one of the odder ones to look back on, and would've been a bit funny retrospectively if it hadn't all been so fucked up at the time. But it wasn't something she felt reluctant to tell Casey the full story about. While it had started as both of their fault, Greyson had escalated it way more than she had. From a lot of harsh words both ways to that.

“A trashcan. I don't… entirely remember how the argument started. There were a lot of spectators… like it was a schoolyard fight and everyone was watching for entertainment. I definitely remember telling he was just upset I rejected him, and from there it really descended into name calling. I called him trash after he used a bunch of names for me and then he… grabbed the nearest trashcan and emptied it over me. It was full as well." Trisha grimaced, nose wrinkling as she remembered.

It had been in the evening too, with only a couple of hours until sunset. Not enough time for her to get home and shower before they had to go on their nightly patrols. One of the few times there'd ended up being a derogatory nickname based on what she actually liked to go by… Trashy Trisha.

“Someone did try to step in and got hit in the face with it after. I can't remember who I was too busy trying to get rotten food out of my hair."

Casey shook his head trying to remember what being that age was like. The only thing that popped up consistently was fear. There was no assuming, then, what a scenario like that could’ve been as a leadup. It all seemed so silly, so childish. He dumped a whole trashcan on her? What if someone had disposed of something improperly? Some kind of medical waste, or the refuse of some addict stuffing the can with dirty needles and shit… She could’ve been seriously hurt, even in a group of magical people.

”Well… That dude’s gonna be dead soon. The moment dies with him, whether or not he apologized.” Casey nodded in a satisfied fashion.

”Nobody’ll ever hurt you like that ever again. Not without serious consequences.” he asserted.

“I know.” Trisha replied softly, turning her head and leaning up to kiss his cheek. She knew that as long as they were together- which was hopefully the rest of their lives- Casey wouldn’t let anyone hurt her if he was there. And if he wasn’t and heard about it… Serious consequences.

“I believe you… I do, sort of get… Well, I wouldn’t say it was revenge? But I was quite petty when he apologised. I said I wouldn’t forgive him, but I also wasn’t going to think about him after he died. That I was going to get happily married to you and have children, and live to see them have children. Y’know… All the things he won’t get to do.”

Casey nodded enthusiastically.
”On the one hand, I’d remember the next couple of weeks being an important part of your life… But on the other, why let him hijack one more thing?” Casey paused, smiling and taking a bite of food.
”You’re coming along, Babe… One day, you’ll look back and not even recognize you in this moment. I’m so proud, and thankful to be a part of that.”

Trisha nodded, smiling back at him.
“I hope so… I really do. I wouldn’t be able to imagine getting there without you here.”

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 seven 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.

“This is my first sort of Sycamore meeting in ten years." 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.

“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?" 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…

”Leon’s got a lot on his own plate, Babe. Uh… Fuck! Listen, he… Whatever, listen, you may end up noticing something a little different. He broke the magic seal keeping him and his Apparition separate.” 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.

“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." 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.

“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." She nibbled on her lip, not liking the thought of dealing with someone who could be different from what she'd grown to expect.
“Cass’ll be there, though, so it'll probably be alright, right?"

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…

”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.” 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.

“Weren’t enough apologies… To me?" 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.

“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." 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.

“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."

”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.” 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.

”Oh… Hey.” Casey looked at the unfamiliar woman, her dishevelled appearance accentuated by the cigarette burning between her fingers.
”Deathbed Nurse-maid. Crazy temporary job description.” 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!

”One that doesn't pay enough.” 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.
”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.”

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

“I’m surprised Greyson has the energy to talk much."

”It’s all he has the energy for. He really can't do much else! It's a fucking nightmare.” 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.

”-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.”

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.

"And I've told you that I'm an adult who gets to choose what I participate in or not! They need 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-" 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.

"We can get back to arguing ‘bout this shit in a moment… Trishhhaaa ! Casey! Good to see you!" 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.

“You saw me a day ago…" Trisha responded quietly, managing a slight smile.

"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!"

”Y’know I haven’t. Hey, Cass…” 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.

”Oh, you are shot… Do you want me to whip you up something?” he asked Casey quietly.

”You’re making food for everyone if you do that!” 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.

”Hey again, Trish… Casey…” 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.
“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."

"There's always time for food!" 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.

“Hi Greyson… Andrade, Leon." 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.
“If you think food from him will help, you should have some."

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.

”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.” 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.

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

This wasn’t a dynamic he’d missed. That judgemental 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.

”What was the problem we walked into?” he asked, fishing for information that he hadn’t paid attention to down the hall.

”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.” Leon explained.

”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!-” Greyson paused, a surge of blood rushing through his swollen head.
”-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-”

”-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 three of you in immediate danger, rather than two. It’s just not going to happen, no. I refuse.” Leon growled, interrupting Greyson and causing the latter to toss a hand up in frustration.

”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?” Greyson snapped slowly.

Casey just giggled and nodded his head.

”Sounds about right, yeah.”

“I’m getting a sense of deja vu." 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.

"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?" Cass threw that thought away quickly, because it wasn't useful to go down hypotheticals.
"It's a group decision… And we gotta do what's best to make shit work. Cause if it don't? We're all gonna be in danger anyway! There ain't much different."

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…

"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 be there to maintain it."

Trisha frowned slightly.
“Can’t Linqian? She's a Green Adept too."

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

”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-” Leon started up again, but Casey cleared his throat as the warm smell of oil and garlic started to waft from the kitchen.

”-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…” He turned his head to look at Trisha before smiling slightly.

Leon clenched his jaw and shook his head.

”Am I crazy for not wanting either of us to have to deal with those potential ramifications?” 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 ultimate bad ending…

”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…-” 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.

”-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…”

Greyson half smiled.

”Gets a lot harder when you love someone, doesn’t it? Big Guy?” 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.

"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 survive. 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."

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?

“That’s not what he's saying, Cass." 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.

“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."

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

“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?" 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.

"Fucking… I know… Alright, alright! I ain't backing down, but… we can discuss it! Figure it out!" 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.

"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?"

Before Leon could get another word in, Greyson cleared his throat and brought the attention back toward himself.
”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.” his eyes narrowed across the apartment as Andrade looked up and frowned.

”I already don’t want to be there. Obviously.” Andrade pouted slightly.

”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.” 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.

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

”Well… How about you just let me cook?” Andrade responded with an almost snobby tone.

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

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

”What the fuck to tell the remaining Sycamore members, for a start.” Linqian answered after a pause, when neither Leon nor Greyson immediately filled the silence.
”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.”

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

”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.”

”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.” Greyson asserted.

”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.” Casey implied in a calm fashion, with Leon looking at him with disapproval again.

”If you’re thinking what I think, then stop. That’s not a good plan either, and you know it. There’s no telling what-”

”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.” 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.

“Who’s they?" 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.

“You’d plan to let the Stygian Snake out to… Eat another horrifying Snake? And be eaten?" 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?

”I’m not happy ‘bout leaving it in some fucking uprootable tree- remember you won't be here to suffer the fucking consequences.” 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.

”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.”

"I wanna know about this Ouroboros thing! Like Trisha said, who's eating it?" 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 hear 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.

”They are the five pieces of the Night. The Dusk Adder, the Twilight Krait, the Boa of the Murk, the Gloomslang, and the Stygian Viper. You all just call it snake 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-”

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

”-Yeah, yeah, the dove, the fuckin’ deer, the asshole dog or whatever.”

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 except the person eating… Because he didn’t even notice.

Andrade stared at the seemingly cured Greyson and nodded.
”I… don’t know how long that will last.”

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.

”What the fuck- You couldn't have said the food was gonna do some shit?!” 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.

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

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.

“So… Cass doesn't need to be there, then?" She asked.
“If it lasts long enough."

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

”It’s completely illusory. Skinwalker sausage and phantom-egg pasta. Casey, check him?”

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

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

”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.”

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

”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 English words.” Linqian rolled her eyes at him, absolutely not holding back. She never did.

”God dammit, I fucking heard him! But… Fuck…” Greyson looked rather dejected.

”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.” Andrade reassured him.

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

”You can’t give me something so that I can at least get a hard-on for ten more minutes of my life!?” 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 constantly reminded that he was how he was, so the illusion managed to fade back into view after a few seconds for them.

”That’s all you’re thinking about?” 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.

”God… I don’t even want to get into this in front of other people…” 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 could 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 gross and sappy affection like hugging and that shit.

"I can get you hard, if you want!" Cass blurted out in the absolute worst possible way she could, immediately receiving a death stare from Trisha.
"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!"

”Ace… We’ve been over this. What you want is dangerous. I think you should consider yourself lucky that one person let you carry on a legacy in their womb. You don’t need to do that to a second woman, and you really 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.” 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.

”You… Son of a bitch… Conception!? That’s what’s concerning you? You’re fucking rich, Greyson, I tell ‘ya.”

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

”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.” Casey asserted through the bullshit.
”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.”

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

”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.” 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…

"We could ask-"

“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." 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.
"Well I'm outta suggestions."

”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.” Casey asserted, seeing no other way to keep their plan from just leaking out into the morning air.

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

”God, I'm not your fucking servant, you've got her number.” 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.
”Try not to talk enough shit that someone tries to punch your head off while I'm gone.”

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.

"Well… that's maybe one problem sorted!" Cass said enthusiastically.

“Are there really so few left?" 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.

”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 don’t want to talk about Sully…”

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.

”We should find Adora… Thank her for accidentally introducing us.”

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

”Shit…”

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

”Yep… No more heroes, they say.” he looked at Leon.
”Last of a dead kind.”

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…

”That doesn’t fill me with confidence.” he replied softly.

”It wasn’t supposed to.”

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.

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

"Hey now, don't go tryna tempt fate to take another life." 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.
"There ain't gonna be any heroic sacrifices or shit anyway. Well, aside from yours."

Trisha knew what Greyson meant more than Cass did… There'd been plenty of heroes 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.

“What about… the rich clique? I haven't heard from them in a while… they aren't all… are they?" 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.
”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.”

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

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.
“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."

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.

“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." 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.
“And I know they weren't part of stealing the notes. I was more involved than them in any of the Elite's shit, so if anyone should be forgotten it's me anyway."

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

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

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

”You’re withholding…”

”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.”

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 that.

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.

“They- They didn't deserve that." 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.

“That… Would've been me too… if I hadn't met you, Casey… Wouldn't it?"

"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." 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?!

”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.” 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 really 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.

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

“I don't know." 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 and Sycamore- Schmidt aside?

“Maybe… Not now. I'll think about it." 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.

”What the fuck did I miss?”

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

”Ah… The usual.” 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.

”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.” Linqian said, properly walking back in and towards her spot beside Greyson. She did point to Leon on the way past.

”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 not right now... Much as I'd love a fucking drink or five. She knows the shit we're dealing with!” 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.
”You made sure 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-”

”-I think… Once this is over, Linqian. Cass and I can meet, she’ll- You’ll-” 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.
”-love them. They’re a Changeling, a natural bodyshifter.” 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.

”Yeah, thanks Leon. Plan your fucking date after. 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 after our plan works… Or doesn’t.”

Cass had been nodding along to Leon, before snapping her attention to Greyson with a half grin.
"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?" She glanced at Leon for confirmation.

”And 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.” 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.

”She doesn't know shit about the plan, just that there is one.”

Greyson had no qualms about her talking to Bianca. “Run, wild horses.” 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.

”Jesus… You trying to earn a night off or something? Working so hard…”

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.

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

”Night off? To do fucking what? Like anyone else could handle your whiny ass for a whole night.” 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.

”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.”
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.

”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.” Linqian rattled everything off, going through it herself to see if there was really anything else Greyson needed to be around for.

”Anything I've missed we've gotta talk about?”

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.

“Is there anything you need to discuss?" 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.

”We’re here in agreement that our intention is to shatter the Dollhouse. That’s really it. 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.” 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…

”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-”

”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.” Greyson interrupted Leon, shaking his head.
”And I’d ask your opinion, Trisha, but Lord knows you’re the last person who would come to people claiming to be Friends of Sycamore. You’d probably sprint the other way if you heard that shit!”

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.
“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 need it."

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.
”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.”

”That’s not what he meant, Q.” Greyson had taken to shortening her name down to the unique little center.
”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-”

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.

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

”So… Wait. What’re you suggesting then?” 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.

”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-”

”Ace… You’re talking about the Record here… How-”

”-The fucking Macguffin!”

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.

”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.” 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.
”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.”

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.

“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!"

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

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

”There’s only one real option. You find the other four snakes, and we form the Ouroboros.” Andrade asserted, referring back to his earlier plan.
”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.”

Casey looked down at Trisha, then back at Andrade.

”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?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.

”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!” 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 all 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.

”I’m not trusting some fucking ancient record that could be bullshit anyway, even if he’s telling the truth.” 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.

”I still think throwing the fucking tree its sealed in to the deepest part of the ocean is the best bet.”

”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?” 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.
“What if they want it too? The Snake. To use for what’s… Going to happen.”

”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!” 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.

”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.” 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.
“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.”

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.

”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.” Linqian rolled her eyes as her head jerked towards Greyson.

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

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.

”If you care… If you give even a single solitary fuck about anything left on this planet, then you’ll stick it out until the end! In fact… On my fucking deathbed, I demand that you stay with these fucking people and keep them honest! 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 yourself! 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!”

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.

”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.” Leon absently intoned to both Trisha and Linqian, half a dumb smile forming on his face…

After all, he knew exactly what he was doing with a comment like that.

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

”Babe, don’t say that!” 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.

“Even if we do have the same issue, that doesn’t mean we’re similar or get on.” 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 so angry all the time. Sure, Trisha knew she was reactive, but it wasn’t the same.

”Fine, fine, see whatever similarities you want.” 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!

”If you fucking love me that much, then sit the fuck down, Greyson! You don’t have to hurt yourself to prove your point!” 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.
”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.”

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.

”It’s called standing on fucking business! God dammit, I’m… I’m injured, I’m not a fucking cripple!” 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.

”In the end… We die alone. Nobody else is inside you to see you off.” 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.

”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.” Leon gritted his teeth, hoping he’d be able to get his true point across.

”What’re you saying?”

”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.” Leon’s words hung in the air.

”Oh, Luca won’t be coming to me for help.” 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.
”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 planning to stay in the city, so if people really need help? Sure, I’ll do it. But I don’t expect anyone to ask.”

”I think most of the coven would rather punch me than ask for help, if we’re going by my track record.” 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.
“I want to try. But I don’t think anyone likes me enough to ask for my help either.”

”There’s fucking… Nobody left! What, two dozen people? What the fuck is your sentiment toward them in the first place!?” 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 innocent 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…

”Let it die a death! Fuck helping! And, honestly, I think that’s bullshit especially coming from you, Leon! When you 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!” 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.

”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 not gonna want to be here for that!” he asserted.

Linqian stared at Casey, before letting out a short laugh.
”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 him. 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.”

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.
“Casey’s right. Sycamore isn’t worth that… Effort.”

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?!
”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!”

”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 have one of the other snakes.” Casey’s voice lingered for a moment as Andrade’s eyes got wide.

”What!?-” Andrade asked aloud, panic in his voice.
”-W-w-which!? How!?”

Casey waved Andrade off.
”Classified. Leon? Can we trust you to get the scoop from Tamara and Dadonda? Or should Trisha and I-”

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

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

”Wait! Wait, wait, wait… Trisha… Ask the Queen!” Andrade’s voice hung in the air, eyes staring up at Trisha with baited breath.

Casey didn’t want to force 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.

”Maybe that’s not such a bad idea… Worst case, she doesn’t know whether or not the Ouroboros story is real… Right?”

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.

“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.” 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.

”Borrowing your apartment!” 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.

”You don’t need to fucking do this, Trisha… However they make you feel. It’s okay to not want to help them…” 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.

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

”They never took the chance on you. You were just a fucking kid 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!” 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.

”If some asshole wants the Snake bad enough, they’re gonna find a way to get it one way or another. This doesn’t need to be your fight. 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 far away. And then, you can ask him why he’s not here, sticking around trying to help out some magical fucking charity cases…”

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…

“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.” Trisha sniffed.
“Nobody would’ve helped me or cared if I died. Leon 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!”

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.

”You should not 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…”

He couldn’t help feeling like he at least 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?

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

“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." 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.

“Alright… I'll ask her."
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.

Do you know about it? About the Stygian Snake, and the other four. The… Ouroboros?

There was a pause before the Queen responded.
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.

Will getting all of the Snakes… stop them? Or will it make things worse?

Another pause.
They are beholden to their nature.

What does that mean.

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.

Alright… Thank you.

Trisha pulled out of her mind, blinking rapidly as she squinted against the light of the outside world.
“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."

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

”Well shit… I can’t say that fills me with a lot 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 her plan, then there’s even less of a chance of it being safe. And if we already have one of the puzzle pieces…-”

Say it. Be honest.

”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.” he laughed, a rather morbid thought to have run through his head.

Trisha managed a half laugh, shaking her head at him.
“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."

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.

“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."

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

”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…”

After passing on what the Queen knew, Trisha and Casey escaped home for half an hour of quiet time spent together. Just cuddling silently in the Den, with Trisha making it clear Casey could snooze if he wanted to. They didn't get much time together, but he'd also barely slept… and she really didn't mind as long as she could be snuggled up to him.

But their peace was always going to be interrupted. Especially when they'd already agreed to talk to Cass and Leon afterwards.

Quite the opposite of almost everyone else involved, Cass was still a bundle of energy as her and Leon piled into the elevator to go up for a post meeting debrief. Or whatever the fuck it was going to end up. Maybe Trisha and Casey would decide they didn't want to do it at all and tell them to fuck off at the door! Neither had exactly looked up for company… But there was shit they had to talk about without all the others' involvement. As the group that'd still be around each other when shit finished.

Cass had even bought them a bit of time by pulling Linqian aside to quickly teach her a neat little Green spell to help in certain areas. Not one that Cass had ever had to use practically, but she was all about exploring whatever Green Lux shit she could!

It'd been an opportunity for Cass to give Linqian a bit of a boost too. Just some light spells to reduce tiredness and help her keep going without getting more and more miserable. Like caffeine but better and longer lasting! Because while shit was rough for everyone- the whole situation was rough- she was the one looking after the dying loved one. Greyson himself had magical drugs, so it only seemed fair Cass tried to give Linqian a little help in the same area.

Doing what she could where she could, because she was involved now whether people like it or not. Though she understood why Leon didn't want her in active danger… They'd just have to have more talks and probably arguments about how he went about saying that shit now!

But not now. Cass did her best to do the one thing she did best- staying positive, sharing good vibes… Keeping things light while it was just her and Leon, rather than dwelling on the shit they'd just talked about.

"What're the chances Casey's sleeping like a baby when we get up there?" She asked with a wide grin up at Leon, swinging her body from side to side like the elevator was a rollercoaster.
"I bet he is! Maybe he won't've even reached their sofa, and'll just be splayed out on the floor with Trish curled up against him like a cat!"

Leon wasn’t terribly concerned at this point either, able to keep things rather light given the severity of the situation. He was more confident than he ever had been as a teenager, and now that all of the ego was rushing back, he had every bit of peace of mind he could muster. The whole thing broke down into two very simple possibilities: Survive and prosper, or die in blood and fury. Lelou was no friend of the Stygian Snake, her agency bound to other ancients like the Deer and the Hound, but she’d been absent during those many years. Experiencing the Hound’s realm, she missed the War of the Eleventh Ancient, and had no real understanding of this Eternal Ouroboros that the humans seemed to know about.

But the Pollen Queen knew, and that old bastard of a tortoise supposedly knew. Contemporaries who hadn’t escaped the bounds of Shimmer, and lived through that nightmare… She was only truly regretful over the fact that she didn’t really have anything to offer them to begin with. If she had it her way, she’d have the Sycamore carved down to a chew toy. It wasn’t like all that power wasn’t greatly tempting. A fifth-fragment of a God whose Lux was a color they couldn’t even see? Who wouldn’t want the chance to harness that and run away with it?

Yet, they intended to join it back together in some perverse ritual? A self-binding ideal? She could pull the basic idea from Leon’s head. The idea that, whether they were neutral, good or evil, the five serpents would happily attempt to devour one another at a consistent rate, never allowing any of the individuals to fully integrate another. There wasn’t just a lot of magic necessary: There was actual factual mathematics seemingly necessary… Not to mention the fact that there needed to be a willing pacemaker…

She’d heard that there was benevolence within the group. That one of the five had been the manifestation of good and justice in its whole. They’d need to connect with that piece, but that meant finding the others, and then figuring out the real truth. And all of that seemed like a rather shaky prospect. At least the events coming in the direct future looked like better prospects.

”Casey can’t be sleeping. We’re gonna be leaving, he knows. He’s gonna be too wired.” Leon said casually in reply, hand gently rubbing the top of Cass’ skull with an absent stare ahead.

He was thinking about his own problems more than he was about the Sycamore situation. The collapse. He was genuinely worried about the fresh Kindles, and what kind of support they’d receive after things were said and done. That wasn’t what the meeting was for today… Today was a total farce in that regard. There would be a lot of people, and they’d be receiving information based on the false notion that the Temple as an establishment would see them through the hardship.

But what would the Temple really be come January?

”We should press our faces up to their windows, like sucker fish in a tank. We should be funnier.” he grinned, knowing he was suggesting just being annoying for the sake of it. But maybe one of them would laugh…

"Ooooh, I love how you're thinking, Babe!" Cass grinned wickedly back at him, a little spark in her eyes. Maybe it wasn't the right time for silly antics… but maybe it was the perfect time! Some way to lighten the mood. Trisha probably wouldn't laugh, but Cass was sure she'd be amused underneath any glaring. And hopefully Casey would! If he did, maybe Trisha actually would, instead of feeling like it'd kill her to enjoy silly things!

"We gotta like, stack. You get your face right above mine… That'll be extra goofy!’ She laughed, rubbing her head vigorously against his hand.
"How's this look? Stupid enough?!"

She puckered her lips, imitating a fish goofily.

”It’s good, but I was thinking we’d go whole hog y’know, like-”
He opened his mouth into as big of an O shape as he could, rotating his tongue over and over again like he was trying to lick the frosting off of a cake.

Then he stuffed his hand against his face, pushing his nose up and suctioning the hand tight with his mouth before letting it go with a pop.

”Then, we can be like ‘Aw sorry figured you’d want a free window cleaning.’!” he started laughing more openly, big dumb grin plastered on his face.

It was a lot better to be happy-go-lucky than it was to be stuck downstairs in the sappy mire, after all… He hadn’t given his life up for something stupid, after all. He’d have much more to come, and that part was exciting enough to be happy about.

"Oh dude, you're awful! That's so fucking gross… I love it!" Cass was cackling like a maniac, hand flying up to slap Leon's arm a few times- as she tended to do when hit by intense laughter or excitement.

"See… this would be the perfect time for me to pull out the extra long tongue! Then I can get more've their window… oh fuck, Trisha's gonna act so annoyed… She's gonna do that thing-!" Cass forced herself to stop laughing for a moment, face scrunching up into an imitation of the expression Trisha put on over shit like this. Like she was sucking on a lemon.

"And pretend she ain't finding it funny at all! Which she totally will be!" The expression broke quickly and she was back to laughing.
"Really were doing ‘em a favour. That windows gotta be a bitch to clean!"

Leon reactively let his tongue extend to the maximum comfortable length… Somewhere by his knees before he had to put a request for some further melding. He found that, now without the seals, he had a comfortable amount of freedom with his bodily transformations. Not quite to the Green Lux Changeling level, he was still able to bend, break, stretch, shrink and inflate every part of himself. He could look like a completely different person, even, and all on command! Like he was suddenly a cartoon character in the real world…

”Babe, that’s the Trisha expression. When we were younger, I don’t think I saw her look any different.” Leon laughed aloud, the elevator finally stopping and sliding open to let them on through.

Leon gave a wave to Norm in the office, who threw up a set of finger guns in return as they passed on toward the roof.

Inside their abode, Casey and Trisha had in fact made it into the den. And, like Leon assumed, Casey wasn’t sleeping.

”I know it shouldn’t bother me, but why is it that every time this show gets good, they do something to fuck it up? Six seasons, forty-five minutes an episode, and I can probably count the number of times I’ve been satisfied by it on one finger.”

As a matter of quick things to do, Casey and Trisha had established a laundry list of popular shows and movies from the last twenty years that neither bothered to watch. On hard days a comfort show was more appealing. But, Casey was far more active mentally today, and given their vague time constraint, he opted for an episode of ”Stranded”.

Mostly because he was obsessed with how bad it was. He’d heard so many adults singing its praises when he was a kid, but it was proving to be a terrible fucking show through and through. At least from where he stood. He felt his White Lux alarm, spotting out Cass and Leon as they came up the stairway toward the roof, but didn’t bother doing anything but remotely popping the door handle so the door would be ajar for them to enter into.

Because he had no intention of leaving this couch, or the woman curled in his arms, until he absolutely had to. He was far too content for anything else.

Trisha didn't have the same magical alarm, and her bees were in relaxing mode since the extra big bee was there to keep her safe. She was contentedly snuggled up to Casey, practically buried into him. It made seeing the screen difficult but… From what they'd seen so far, there wasn't much worth watching.

“Maybe they did it on purpose. To make you keep watching because you think it might get good… They're trying to bait us." She suggested, unaware there were other people fast approaching.

Until Cass very loudly exclaimed, "Aw, fuck, Babe, what's the point of they ain't gonna see us? I ain't cleaning their windows for free!"

Cleaning the…

”You stay away from those fuckin’ windows, freaks!” Casey called from inside, causing Leon to instantly suction himself to the window.

It was enough that he knew.

Cass immediately wriggled herself in front of and under him, getting right in there in that loud window action.

Casey could only chuckle, half curling into Trisha with a groan.

”It’s every waking fucking moment… Was living with her always like this? Because I remember a time when Leon was too cool to be annoying like this.” he groaned into Trisha’s neck.

“Always like this." Trisha grumbled, face scrunching up just like Cass had imitated earlier. So sour, but it wasn't in her eyes like it would be when she was genuinely annoyed.

“She played every practical joke on us under the sun. Me and Diyah threatened to kick her out a few times." She let out a slight huff, turning her head so her nose buried in his hair.
“She was never too cool. I… don't think Leon will be again either… they're bad influences on each other!"

”They’re sucking our fucking windows…” he sighed.

”You should just fucking sting them. It's better than what I have set up out there.” he said calmly, knowing those two idiots could damn well hear him from outside.

Leon assumed he wouldn’t dare activate whatever nightmarish crossfire defensive system he’d turned that roof into, but even Trisha probably wasn’t aware of the dozens and dozens of camouflaged firearms functioning as orange/white defensive turrets. But, ultimately, Leon was wrong in a way he hadn’t imagined. If Trisha didn’t want to retaliate, Casey would be sure to do so.

And so, calling a bluff, Leon patted Cass on the shoulder before growing even more vigorous. The window tasted like nothing, thankfully. Just frost and air, all the bacteria freezing off the triple-thick plate glass. They were well maintained, mostly because Casey was anal about keeping things looking good…

Cass saluted him like a soldier going into battle, absolutely going more ham at it. It wasn't like Casey would shoot them! Probably! Even if he did, she could take a few bullets! She could do this for hours.

That was before the first bee sting. Then the second, then tens of them. Trisha wasn't trying to kill them, but she was annoyed enough to have about a hundred bees descend on each of them.

And it hurt! She could feel the venom from the sting working its way through her body. But worse than that-
"Fuck, y'know how hard it is to resist squashing ‘em, Trisha, plleeeaaassseeee!"

She couldn't fucking kill any of them! Cause that meant hurting Trisha, and she wasn't gonna do that.

“Then leave my windows alone." Trisha didn't bother moving, of course. The two outside had super hearing… And Cass was wailing loud enough that she could hear her.

"Fine, I yield, I yield- Leoooonnn, our new window cleaning business is done for! Bee related attacks!"

Leon didn’t mind bee stings. They weren’t even getting through to the nerve endings, especially when he was able to essentially bury them beneath raw flesh. But the vague lingering itch that it left, the natural venom from bee stings starting to course through him, was annoying enough for him to stop as well. Like the bear trying to eat the honey in the hive…

”Coming in is usually a surefire way of getting them away!” Casey taunted, rubbing Trisha’s shoulders and giggling.

Leon pushed through the door, sliding in with Cass and closing it behind them in spite of the few lingering bees harrying their entry.

”You guys actually gonna, like, greet us?” Leon asked, used to being practically blockaded at the door by the two of them.

However, since right before Thanksgiving, they had Cass’ get-together up here, Casey wasn’t so concerned about his family being welcome in the house. The way he saw it, they were allowed there. They may as well make themselves comfortable.

”Nah, you know the drill. There’s drinks in the fridge.”

Leon grimaced, then shook his head. What a turnaround… He looked at Cass with half a question in his eyes, almost begging her to take the reins.

Cass was perfectly chill with the whole not being greeted thing, content to half treat it like her own home because of it. She’d lived with Trisha for long enough that things were perfectly chill between them anyway… At least, she’d gotten used to just walking in then. Not that Trisha was ever that happy when Cass just barged into her bedroom!

”There better be some good shit in there!” Cass called back, hands coming up to pat Leon’s back as if pushing him towards the Den. She swung them by the fridge, of course, diving in. Thankfully that shit was stocked with soft drinks and booze alike- though not as much of the latter as she had. But at least Trisha enjoyed a beer or two as much as she did, even if it was much less frequent!

She pulled one out for her and Leon before urging him onwards.

”Oh, wait, hold these, I gotta-” Cass shoved the bottles into Leon’s hands, darting back into the kitchen to grab a glass. She started making a horrific sound as she bounded back over, like she was working up a big glob of spit to further dirty their place. She finished right as she stepped into the den, spitting a small ball of off yellow bee venom. .

”Do this! Cool, right? Now I ain’t gotta worry ‘bout shit lingering!”

“Can you not wave that around?” Trisha grumbled, head half lifting from where it rested against Casey to frown at Cass. She was a bit less comfortable with the other two just walking in, and that becoming the thing but… The comfort from cuddling up with Casey outweighed that. She wanted to be as close to him as possible while he was there.

”Hey, this is all your bees hard work I’m showing off!”

Leon was simultaneously grossed out and impressed. He’d seen worse, of course, but it was the casualness of the vomit-like gag that she coughed up the venom from her system.

”Oh, Christ… Metabolize it next time! My God as sexy as it is to have you showing off like that…”

Casey laughed aloud.

”That’s quite the showoff. I wish I’d never had to be the one to see that, though!” he chided at both of them, still managing to wave his hand toward the empty section of couch for them to occupy.

”We were just watching this bullshit trash. Tell ‘em how good Stranded is, Babe.” he taunted her, hoping to drive her into a fit of rage over it… Teasingly, of course…

“Good? Maybe if you're an idiot." Trisha let out a soft huff, face scrunching up again. Her cheeks puffed out a bit as thought about all the shit that had happened in the show. Or more, not happened.

“It keeps… Baiting us! It seems like it's going to get good then it completely ruins it. Consistently. I- I've never felt so taunted by a show before." She gripped her hands into loose fists, getting properly worked up about it. It was so frustrating!

"So it ain't something I should check out?" Cass laughed as she clambered onto the empty bit, grinning at the two of them.
"Though getting teased like that by a show can be fun. Gets you a riled up and shit!"

“It’s just disappointing. And Casey refuses to stop in the middle of it! He wants to get to the end even though I bet it'll be the worst thing ever!" Trisha ended with another huff. Though she didn't actually mind that much when it was doing something with Casey.

”I can probably explain that.” Leon offered, grinning as he flopped down after Cass. He took a long gulp of beer, a smug grin peeling across his face.

”Yeah! Well, we grew up in the same environment.” Casey asserted, shaking his head.

(anyone interested react?)

”You just couldn’t watch anything with Mom around. She was awful.” Leon laughed, rather loudly too.
It caused Casey to groan in frustration.

”There was no point watching if she was around and even a little invested. She’d just fuckin’ ruin it! And, like, I get it, she didn’t really mean to-”

Leon’s face drooped slightly, disagreement clear.

”-Man, don’t even defend it. She absolutely meant to. Maybe I noticed a little more because I was older, but she knew. Remember we used to watch all those competition shows as a family? She used to torture Elise about it. She’d mention shit out of pocket all the time, then when it came up, Elise would freak out because she couldn’t outspoil Ma?” he asserted, shaking his head in vague frustration.

Casey’s deep breath should’ve been anger, but he knew he really had to start letting these sorts of things go… It’d been a while since he’d been to a therapist, but that was the last thing they’d been working on. Looking toward letting things go. Eventually, he hoped to get back to a place where he could order a steak without having to hide it in something. But to let go of that association, he had to let go of a whole lot of other things.

Maybe he’d never get there. There was a lot. But, start somewhere.

So the sigh became a chuckle, and Trisha would be able to feel a slight moment of tension turn into physical warmth as he rubbed his hands up and down her arms for a moment.

”Yeah… She really did that shit. So, I’d like to watch the end. I like to watch the end of anything that doesn’t get spoiled.” he finally admitted.

Leon nodded, frown improving instantly. His hand patted Cass’ leg.

”That’s just it! Makes us pretty anti-spoiler, for obvious reasons. Mia can do it too, but she actually does it accidentally. She usually can’t follow shit like long-form shows without getting lost in where she is.” he offered the explanation, hoping Casey wouldn’t mind a little dialogue. Since, he could recognize that it wasn’t usually a way he’d react.

”I at least want to think that, with the info I have at this point, Mom started like that too. Just, y’know, being too ditzy to really follow the plot and consciously-”

Leon threw his hand up, causing Casey to pause reactively.

”-You’re defending her.” Leon said simply, almost dismissively, causing Casey to scoff.

”I think I’m trying to offer more context. Ladies? Thoughts?” Casey asked, knowing that he’d have at least one friend, if not two depending on how interested she was.

”Oh, don’t try and ro-”

"Heyyy, no making this more've an argument." Cass interrupted, one hand shooting up to pinch and tug at Leon's cheek teasingly.

Trisha shifted slightly in Casey's arms, turning herself so she could better see everyone without sacrificing any closeness. She didn't like Lynette at all, but Casey really was just offering context. Leon interrupting and dismissing him upset her. He was just deciding he was right and pushing it on all of them… It made her get a little tense against Casey, even though she wasn't the one being cut off.

“He is just giving more context. And you shouldn't be interrupting him anyway. He didn't interrupt you." Trisha said quietly, feeling more confidence when it came to defending him than she ever did with herself.

Cass' head tilted from side to side, ceasing treating Leon's cheek like putty to gently rub it instead.

"They ain't wrong ‘bout the whole context thing, Babe. It is that but, but-" Her gaze turned from Leon to Casey.
"It's pretty understandable Lee doesn't wanna hear anything sympathetic towards Lynette right now, ain't it? All things considered."

”Then I can just reword what I was trying to say.-” Casey offered, similarly annoyed that he had to “fix” his speech around his brother.

It was hard to say he missed the seal when he knew what it was doing to Leon, but… Still, Leon waved him on passively, accepting what had been said and at least seeming like he was willing to play ball.

”Ma didn’t ever give a fuck enough to pay attention until us kids were old enough to be involved. At some point, she made mistakes and we were spoiled over things. Rather than apologize and stop, she did the same bullshit she always does. She doubled down on the behavior, until it was just another bitchy part of her personality. The Queen of spoilers.” Casey stared at Leon the whole way, sometimes emphasizing the words that made her sound worse.

Leon’s expression was like listening to music.

”See, all that brain power, you can contextualize without being a fucking knight for people who don’t deserve your compassion.” Leon let the off-handed comment fly, totally missing how it may come off toward a certain insecure person in the room.

Trisha immediately tensed further, legs reactively pulling up to her chest so she became a tight ball against Casey. People. More than just Lynette… Of course. Obviously Leon thought she was the same. He was only tolerating her because of Casey and Cass. Now that there wasn’t some seal making him more content, he was probably even more annoyed to have to be around her all the time. But it wasn’t like she’d forced him to date her best friend, meaning they were stuck with each other even more than before!

Maybe Cass would see his point of view eventually. Trisha wouldn’t blame her. She still didn’t understand why Cass stuck around… What had she ever done to deserve a good friend like that?

“Don’t blame Casey for being such a nice person. That’s not fair on him. Just because some of- some people don’t deserve it.” She said, pressing her lips together into a thin line as she tried to pretend she didn’t know what Leon was implying when it came to people other than Lynette.

Just enough of her physical response leaked out for Leon to take a deep breath and consider what he’d said, and his teeth clamped shut in frustration as he tried to figure out what the Hell to say about this.

”You’re pretty fine until you go making things about yourself. Some of what? What, you’re suddenly in the same category of negative as our abusive dominatrix of a Mother? Jesus Christ, if you were, I wouldn’t hang out with you. I’d tell Casey to leave, which I’m not about.” Leon tried his best not to snap, rather droning on a bit as a reaction to his own desires.

Trying to tamper his unfiltered reaction, he felt a level of personal success, but felt he had to push it to make the point well and clear.

”I’ve never seen you mentally abuse anyone, Trisha. Casey’s plans involve you all the way down, and I’m cool with that. I’m well and good over judging you for petty shit, alright? Please, like, I get that you probably don’t love hearing me act like this now that my balls are fucking back, but I can still contextualize the feelings I felt while sealed. I can see for myself as an adult that sometimes you just annoy me. But, thinking you’re somehow in the same category to me as the woman responsible for traumatizing us socially and emotionally, makes me annoyed and sad.”

He leaned forward, scooting up to the edge of the couch before letting his arm lift up to offer his hand to Trisha.

”Right here, right now… We’re on the same side. Can you accept that? And accept that, if Casey was going to be anyone’s Knight, you’re someone who actually needs it. And I won’t ever tell him he can’t be that person for you. Like, y’know… I’d do that for Cass if someone thought she was too annoying. Or, anything… Please, Trisha, I’m… I don’t want to be a fuckin’ bad guy in your life.”

Casey was a little stunned, mostly because the context had been so thin to begin with. But, this was clearly more anxiety that came from past feelings. He knew Trisha couldn’t just get over things, even with such direct prompting. But, he didn’t want to discourage her, so he gave her a reassuring squeeze hoping his emotion would bleed through to her.

Trisha took a shaky breath, watching Leon move like a bird waiting to be pounced on by a cat. It was all rooted in the past. Maybe the bird would get a few pecks in before it lost… Just like she always got a few jabs in before being completely shut down by Leon ten years ago. And even if he acted more like how he had then, he was fully an adult now. So was she! So she shouldn’t be so anxious about it!

But it wasn’t something she could just ignore. Because it wasn’t just him, it was everyone in Sycamore. He just happened to be the one that was around.

“I didn’t mean it like that- That I’m like Lynette, I’m not, it’s not the same, but that doesn’t mean I deserve- that you think I deserve compassion or anything.” She got out, her own anxieties and self feelings being reflected onto him.

“I know we’re on the same side. I accept that. I also know that you’ll… Probably never like me! Especially now. That doesn’t make you a bad guy, cause it’s… Of course you don’t like me…” Her hand snaked out slightly from the safety of her balled body and Casey, but it didn’t quite reach the one Leon was holding out. Not that she was scared of him in that way… Or really scared of him at all. Just the discomfort of his feelings towards her, how others would come to believe them. Because when she was feeling so low and depressed like right now, it made her react with venom rather than panic. And people who see who she really was.

“But- But- You know how you treated me back then. Just cause you say you’re over judging me for petty things doesn’t mean I… Can believe it… Not when you act like you did then.” It was much harder for her to contextualise, because she’d had very little proof of people changing their feelings towards her. Leon, if he truly was over judging her for those things, would be the first.

Cass didn’t say anything, watching silently while shuffling after Leon, so she was still close enough to reach over. To offer comfort more than anything… And support! Cause, she knew it wasn’t easy stepping back and talking about shit like that. But she also knew how deep Trisha’s anxiety ran. Hopefully… They’d be able to come down from this, at least. Maybe make a little progress! She looked between the two with a wide, encouraging smile.

Leon’s innermost desire was to break through all of the bullshit surrounding them. It had always-

”I hope I can explain this without upsetting you…-” he paused a moment, clearing his throat.

”You’re not the kind of person who talks about how they feel directly. You never have been, as far as my memory is concerned. But, rather than consider why and try to encourage you to do so in spite of that, I just got mad and bowled you over. It was wrong. It’ll always be wrong. And, yeah, I definitely feel that old urge coming back… In every context. It’s a gut reaction, and I can only apologize and try to wrangle that on my end…”

He understood that a bit of placation was necessary to pull Trisha out of the self-pity spiral and into a more hopeful reality.

”Ten years ago, I lacked the tact to sit with you and give more than a moment of my time to consider why you act how you do. I’m sorry. Really sorry. It never took me a lot to recognize when you were giving out every excuse for acting a certain way except the actual reason. In that recognition, I tried to goad you and coax you out with aggression, and that was the road of least empathy. I can see that. And I’m, again, very fucking sorry.”

His hand was still extended to her, and he gave a slight frown.

”You have the right to know that it’s never been easier for me to sniff that kind of thing out. Lies, deceit. Even the subtleties between something like a reactionary fib, and a full blown false narrative. I can see emotional fields. Ripples, flexes, little dents and bruises. I can smell the ozone breaking apart under Luxal influence, and the scent it gives off when a weakness in the field doesn’t cling to the molecules in the air. Will it make it harder for me to not act like I know what I’m talking about all the time? Yeah. And I’m asking for everyone’s patience as I come to terms with that… But, I felt your horror. And, my perception was, that you immediately likened yourself to our Mother, and felt like you weren’t deserving of Casey’s protection… Which I don’t agree with. He loves you, and you’ve never done evil toward anyone, in spite of any attitude adjustments you’ve handed out across your life. You deserve to be defended should the need arise.”

Casey listened to his brother speak, and admit that he too had tools to overexamine people that he couldn’t switch off. It was a difficult thing… Part curse that it’s always available, part compulsion to follow the nose toward truth. But this wasn’t his moment, and he felt no reason to really defend Trisha at this point. After all, it wasn’t like Leon had said anything so rude or drastic that a step-in was necessary… Though, he was examining Trisha’s body language every step of the way, waiting for it to become too much to bear.

Trisha’s disbelief and disagreement was clear on her face- it didn’t need the Emotional Field sight for once. There was shock that Leon had read all of that, but also she really… Didn’t understand why he didn’t agree at all. Obviously they wouldn’t think she was as bad as Lynette. She didn’t entirely think she was either. But she certainly felt like she had the capacity.

She’d hurt so many people. Maybe she hadn’t done evil, but she’d hurt them. Purposefully, accidentally… It didn’t matter, though she’d done both. She was spiteful and said horrendous shit knowing that it would hurt someone, especially as a teenager. Did it matter that she then just cut them off instead of trying to manipulate them to stay with her?

“But I don’t. I may not have been evil, but I- I have done horrible things. Like… Adora! She probably told you what I said after you took her away! How can you not hate me after that? And everything I said back then too? I- I would’ve said worse to you too, if I knew anything I could’ve used.” In her strange desperation for him- and everyone- to see where she was coming from.

Even after all the breakthroughs she’d made it was still so difficult for her to believe she deserved Casey’s love and protection. Especially right now, when she was still caught in a lingering depressive episode that only made all of her normal snappy reactiveness turn inwards.

”Trisha…” Cass spoke up, not particularly wanting to interrupt the moment but feeling she had to say something.
”You gotta not just ignore everything said… Leon’s trying real hard here, and it’s a two way thing. You gotta try too. Even if you don’t believe everything.”

Trisha’s brow furrowed slightly, her hand moving a little bit forward so her fingers just barely tapped Leon’s.
“I- I accept all of your apologies. But I just… Don’t get why you don’t ha- dislike me more. So I struggle to… Not assume you do.”

”You can’t contextualize the fact that you never actually started anything… I think that’s the first place we lose one another.” Leon spoke plainly, causing Casey to laugh aloud.

”Can you blame that?” he asked in turn also not exactly wanting to interrupt, but knowing that simple truth wasn’t something that dawned on someone in a situation like hers.

”Not at all. When people push you into an action, and your response is a guaranteed total defense, its supremely difficult to escape feeling like you’re the bad guy… Right? Trisha? You always feel like the bad guy, because you’re always in self defense mode. And you’re like that, because when you try and relax, someone comes and fucks with you again…”

Leon paused, head turning to Cass with a frown. Oh, the irony…

”But I can name a dozen times I remember, where you were essentially minding your own business. You never asked for people to include you. Never really seemed to want it. And, so, someone goads you, and you simply defend yourself. That’s not fucking evil, Trisha. I’ve never seen you start the problem… You. Aren’t. Bad. And I’m so fucking sorry about whoever made you feel like you are, because its just not true… But the fact that it lingers makes things so difficult… So hard to sit with you and fix it, because everything is just another attack. Some veiled jab at you that you’re scared of, that causes the reaction, and fulfills the prophesied reaction all over again… We can break that cycle! I’m not Greyson, I’m not Adora, I’m not… I’m one of the worst. I left you with a lot of memories I bet… and I desperately want to remedy that, because whether or not I act the same now as I did then, the important thing is it won’t ever be exactly the same. Because I have context, and moreso, I have reasons to humble myself. To finally be able to admit to you that I was wrong! And that I’m so fucking sorry for contributing! And that's here, in front of these two people who both love you from the bottoms of their hearts! You will never be like our Mom. You’ll never do all the fucked up things she did to us… Because there's no real malice in your heart. I can’t smell any. And that's objective reality…” he asserted, tears starting to roll from his eyes.

Lelou was quiet. She only had to feed him memories well examined to help his point along.

Trisha looked at him, staying silent even after he finished. She did her best to follow along and to not let her inner voice interject and disagree. Like Cass had said to do… She was trying to not just ignore it and throw it all away because of what she believed about herself. There were times she’d started it, but as she properly thought about it, she realised she could count those times on her hands. Then she had wanted to be included sometimes, and pushed her way in the early days, but not with people who didn’t like her. Just new people… Trying to make friends and build a community she’d never had.

She still really struggled to believe it all. Because other people didn’t react like her. She was still a big part of the problem. But other people weren’t blameless either. And it had just gotten worse and worse for her over the years. But even before the coven… Her Mom, and all the siblings who didn’t want to be around her and excluded her… By the time she even joined Sycamore, she was already broken and scared. A failure, and failures were bad people.

Leon had hurt her a lot back then. She’d resentfully blamed him at times, but it always bounced back to herself. So to hear him admit that he was wrong in a way she had to believe… It didn’t fix things. But it helped.

“Everyone blamed me.” She said hoarsely, trying her best not to panic over what she was about to say. Over opening up another bit, and talking about him.
“For Martin dying. Of course I felt- feel- like a bad person. I… I couldn’t remember all of it! So I thought everyone might’ve been right. And I’ve carried that with me all of my life… It’s still hard not to believe it.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, taking in a shaky breath. Obviously it wasn’t just that. It was just one part of all the things that made her feel like she didn’t deserve anything. The part Leon had a hand in, related to Sycamore. She wasn’t about to bring up her Mom and all the other issues she felt she’d never get over.

“B- But I can see that you’re not… Exactly the same. You wouldn’t have admitted you were wrong then. I wouldn’t be able to make myself say any of this.”

Leon had always had questions about that night. They’d attempted to utilize Black Lux to investigate, hoping to call upon Martin’s soul in order to work out whether or not she actually had something to do with that little incident. He knew the case more intimately than anyone else here, besides Trisha… Maybe more so in some ways. He’d recovered the body, after all. Always did. The crack team of himself, Jack and Stormy, had always been the silent collectors. The Undertakers. The three of them together had a unique set of skills perfectly suited for defending themselves, and their handful of Joined spells were some of the most comprehensively utilized among the upper crust.

They couldn’t really stop the rumor mill, however. Especially not when they realized Martin’s soul was unavailable for questioning… Like most of the Stygian Snake’s victims, the soul was totally obscured. Nowadays, he knew that it was totally obliterated by the gut of the beast… But something he never could’ve understood in those days was the intimate relationship between Trisha and The Queen.

He leaned forward, clearing his throat.

”You didn’t kill Martin. And I can prove it to you.” he offered quietly, hoping that for the first time ever, he and Trisha could share a moment that would actually heal them both. Absolve them both of something wretched…

Trisha’s brow furrowed slightly, head tilting up to look at him properly. Not avoiding his gaze or trying to hide against Casey. How did he know that? Trisha didn’t even know that. She knew she hadn’t directly killed him. It wasn’t by her hands, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t her fault.

“How? Even I don’t remember so… How can you prove it?” She asked, light hope flickering in between the disbelief.

”Because unlike ten years ago… I know what having someone else inside me can do for me. And I’ll be the first to admit that I was ignorant… Rude, even. That I never cared about the beautiful entity inside of you, because I thought Apparitions were just animals. Beasts to be tamed. I was wrong… Because she was there too, Trisha!.”

Still holding her in his arms, Casey’s body suddenly tensed up. This was a great conversation, and he loved where it was going, but what if he was fucking bluffing!? He was about to suggest something that had an incredibly high chance of blowing up in all of their faces… Yet-

”That next day, I told you directly that we found bee sting evidence. The truth was, nobody who saw Martin before we buried him could tell whether they happened pre, or post-mortem… And nobody bothered to ask the one individual who could tell us everything that her bees were feeling that night. What she perceived… So, you should ask her. Ask the Queen what happened… Unless you already have?” he intoned gently, almost expecting her to have never bothered but wanting to give her the benefit of the doubt.

“I haven’t.” Trisha shook her head, reactively getting more tense again as she felt Casey stiffen up underneath her. Why? Did he think it was a bad idea?

She’d never thought to ask the Queen, of course. Because the Queen was rarely awake to ask. It was a two way problem, of course. Trisha didn’t ask because the Queen was always asleep, and the Queen rarely interjected because Trisha never came to her for help. But she’d been awake that night. Trisha knew that much because she hadn’t been the only one in charge of the bees. Back then she’d been around even less, only a year into recovering her strength within Trisha. She doubted the Queen could even come out then, and would anyone really have believed Trisha’s word alone?

But that didn’t matter now. She shifted herself in Casey’s arms so she could look at him rather than Leon.
“Do you think I should ask? Now?”

Casey had a somewhat pained expression as a return, not wanting to dissuade her, but not wanting her to feel like it was a must either…

”I want you to choose yourself. Y’know… Make the decision because you want to know. Not because you want other people to validate you… I’ll be honest, this dude, whoever he was? I’ll never care about him. Not like you. So, whatever you choose, listen to me now and hear this: It will never change how I feel about you. I love you whether you caused it, or not. Your past will never dictate our future.” he did his best to explain calmly, finally moving in to kiss her gently before pulling away and staring at her with enormous love in his eyes.

”You’re a good person… A great one. One of the best… I won’t let anything taint that feeling for me.”

Leon turned his head back to Cass, a small, encouraged smile saying everything he needed to say to her.

Trisha nodded slowly to Casey, blushing slightly as she felt all of his love washing over her from his gaze. She couldn’t deny how much he loved her… So she’d try to believe that he wouldn’t feel any different about her whatever happened.

Cass smiled back at Leon before piping up herself.
”For what it’s worth, I ain’t gonna think any different ‘bout you either! I know who you are, after all!”

Trisha nodded again without saying anything again. She wasn’t confident, but she wanted to know. Because either it confirmed how she already felt, or she’d be relieved of the guilt that had haunted her. It wouldn’t entirely fix her view of herself, but it would be a start.

“I want to know.” She said softly, still looking at Casey as she slipped into her mind to seek out the Queen.

Can you come out? Please.

The Queen slowly stirred.
For what do you need my presence, dear one?

I want to… Ask about something that happened ten years ago. But I want everyone else to hear too.

There was a brief pause.
As you wish.

It took a few more moments before golden light gently flowed out of Trisha. A fuzzy Queen Bee formed in front of her, lazily floating down into her lap. She was smaller than the last time Casey had seen her- the size of a large rat rather than a small dog. She turned where she sat to look at each person with slightly glowing, beady black eyes.

”Ah, it is a pleasure to see you again, Ser Casseau. Thank you for continuing to look after my dearest Beekeeper.” She continued to slowly spin until she was looking at Leon and Cass. It wasn’t possible to tell normally, because she was a glowing, golden bee. But they would both be able to feel it.

”And who do we have here? I must know my audience before I answer any questions… I see one of you has the scent of the Wolf Queen all over him. How intriguing.”

”I’m Cass, your Majesty!” Cass immediately responded, gaping at the Queen. It was difficult to resist the urge to reach over and squeeze her. She wanted to feel all that fluff… But she knew she couldn’t. Apparitions didn’t tend to be friendly about that kind of stuff.
”Trisha’s bestest friend in the world! Ain’t gonna find anyone who loves her more than me- Aside from Casey, of course!”

Casey respectfully tilted his head, acknowledging the royal hello without making a big deal of it. Even though he too loved the moments where this ancient spirit was willing to present herself physically in their world. The bees were a constant reminder of her power and grace, but seeing her in all her strangeness was an even better display.

As for Leon, he couldn’t stop the physiological reaction he had as someone chose to take advantage of the situation herself. Like a creeping sickness, Leon could feel his forehead pressured by the entity forming its own holes to perceive the world directly. The mouth upon his forehead formed a wide grin contrary to his own which frowned slightly at the discomfort and inability to express himself before being overruled.

”Seilleannnnnnn!!! Still hiding after all these years. What a pleasure, sincerely, to see that you’ve not aged a day!” Lelou spoke up directly, tongue lolling out of her mouth slightly, only to droop down and lick around Leon’s eyesocket. She giggled as she did so, clearing her throat.

”Our little deal stands, I think you’d be happy to know. The Man-things remain utterly repelled in the Acacia Valley, and your holdings remain unplundered. The pack tells me they shelter there often, and your last Daughter maintains the peace.”

She forced Leon’s hand upward, rubbing his own face gently and passionately.

”This one is my unfortunate host… Speak, Boy…”

He hated whatever this was… Some kind of royal front? Bullshit to cut through.

”I’m Casey’s brother Leon… You’ve seen me before. I remember you came out during a fight once, against the Stygian Snake. We’ve met.” he said, not exactly impolitely, but certainly through strain.

”Ah, I’m afraid I do not remember you… But it is a pleasure to meet another who fought in the war against such great evil. And a brother of Casseau's too. A welcome addition around Dear Trisha.” The Queen spoke melodically, with a hint of a soft buzz behind it.

”It has been a long time, Lelou. I’m glad the deal remains, but surprised you have taken a host. The poor boy, stuck with your overly energetic self…” She sighed softly. The two great Apparitions were on amicable terms for all their differences, which was quite something for beings as powerful and old as they were. But they were both an important part of the ancient, natural world, with different realms and subjects. Both were essential to the ecosystem.

”But it is truly a blessing our hosts have come together like this, is it not?”

“You have lands?” Trisha asked quietly, frowning. If the Queen had somewhere to return… A daughter... Why was she still inside Trisha? She was more than strong enough to leave now.

”Of course, though I feared they were destroyed in my long absence. Thankfully, it seems that isn't the case.”

Trisha only frowned more at that. So she hadn’t known? She could leave at any moment? No, hopefully not. She could ask… No, because what if it was the answer she didn’t want? She was already asking one question that could have an answer that made her feel much worse.

Cass was staring at Leon like he’d grown a second head… Which he sort of had. But it wasn’t Leon she was staring at, so much as it was Lelou. She was acting so differently from normal. It was fucking strange!

”So, uh, you two know each other? Like… Way back, I assume? That’s crazy!”

”Oh, I’m just a girl in comparison. There’s a natural hierarchy to things, you see. Madame is vast and ancient, even by my standard. I simply bow in her Grace.”

”Oh, for the love of everything I hold dear, could you not dickride right now? Seriously, I feel every bit of your discomfort, but save it for later when there’s something we can do about it… Jesus, don’t act like you didn’t push me toward this fucking conclusion to begin with, Lelou!”

The sudden outburst was unexpected, as was the reaction of Leon’s forehead trying to leap off of his body, twisting and sinking sharp teeth around his face in an act of desperate violence. Leon fell backwards in pain, unable to scream as he was completely encased in a false mouth, pressure clamping down on his skull as he tried his best to wrest his own forehead off of his cranium.

Reactively, he tucked, rolled off the couch, and darted down the hall of the house, until there was a loud thwack that echoed off the front door.

”Holy fuck!” Cass shouted, half rolling her body forward in reaction and thumping onto the floor ass first. But once she landed, she was far too shocked to follow, mentally replaying the hilarious horror of forehead Lelou trying to eat Leon in her head.

Trisha just gaped, blinking slowly as she tried to process it. The Queen, on the other hand, was perfectly calm and unshocked. Rather typical of Lelou, in her opinion.

Casey couldn’t do anything but laugh, and loudly as he watched the entire scene unfold. But a few seconds later, Leon reappeared in the doorway with a frown, sporting solid red wounds where the teeth had fully penetrated the flesh. But they were clearly healing, and the forehead face was fully pouting as though there was something wrong with being called out for her behavior.

”I apologize for the interruption. Please, Lady Seillean… Your time is precious.” the Queen of Wolves actually apologized for once. Incredible.

”That it is. I graciously accept your apology, Lelou. Now…” The Queen shuffled around in Trisha’s lap to look up at her. It was almost comedic, the way her long legs barely held up her oversized, fluffy body. This wasn’t her true form, of course, but that one took much more energy than she could normally muster. There was no point for things such as this.

”What is it you wish to ask, dear Trisha?”

Trisha nibbled her lip, pulling herself out of her shock of the scene that had just happened and nerves about the Queen’s possible leaving. Just ask the question she had to ask, then they could move on.

“Do you remember ten years ago, when Martin- the boy I was seeing- and I got separated, and trapped by a large group of Shadows? The night I got this scar.” She gestured to her upper abdomen, hidden by the tank top she was wearing.

”I do.”

“My memory of it is blurry. There’s blank spots, what… What happened?”

”Of course there are blank spots, dearest. I had to take control for a period after you and that boy were grievously harmed. I woke up only as I sensed things were going poorly. You panicked, and lost control of the bees for a brief moment. That boy heroically protected you, saving your life.”

“So-” Trisha breath hitched, one hand moving to grasp Casey’s tightly as she sought comfort.
“It was my fault? I hurt him and then- then was the reason he died?”

”No. That’s not what I said. I said he saved you.” The Queen chided gently, floating up closer to Trisha’s face.
”The bees were confused, but only one or two stung him. It was hardly a contributing factor.”

“But I still panicked!”

”Because you were caught within a nightmarish gaze. Even if you had not, they would have overwhelmed you. I was awoken by your injury, and the Boy stepping in before they landed the final blow gave me enough time to take over. If he hadn’t, then he would have died shortly after you did. I was the only one there powerful enough to get you away from that encounter. After he died, I destroyed the remaining shadows. Then I bolstered you enough to pull his body towards the nearest allies I could sense. But even I couldn’t guarantee your survival, dear Trisha. If it had been much longer, you would have bled out.” The Queen calmly explained.
”It is a tragedy. But it was him, or both of you. You did not cause his death. The Stygian Snake did.”

“I really… didn’t?” Trisha asked, needing the confirmation for something that seemed too good to be true. It explained why she didn’t remember what happened after Martin was hit. She’d assumed she’d gone into some kind of panic mode, and her memories were fuzzy because of her injuries.

”You didn’t. I am… Truly ashamed I could not help you more at that time. If I had known you held these feelings, I would have shared what happened with you a long time ago.”

Trisha shook her head. She’d never asked. She twisted her body to bury her face against Casey, not wanting everyone to see the relieved tears starting to slip from her eyes.
“Thank you...”

Leon seemed to be observing everything without any real sign of reaction. He was just listening, certainly. All that time, and they didn’t have a relationship where they just… Jived? There was no melding, no intrusion, no boundaries unstepped. It made perfect sense, what the Queen had said. That was when the patrol picked her up. Why they couldn’t pull a Recollection directly from that moment. They’d assumed there was an entity jamming the abilities, but it was a much more tragic circumstance.

Way fucking worse.
And he could not stop the tears from breaching his eyes. Lelou let him, and as they left his eyes, they boiled up to curl around his head in a comforting hold. The guilt that washed across his psyche was a bomb that even she couldn’t ignore. It’d never been easy for him when one of the younger ones died. Some could walk away guilt free, dissociating from the moment they heard. Just another number. But this was so much worse.

”And I let them say that shit… My fucking God, Trisha…”

He wanted to reach out. Even Casey became somewhat discomforted by the look of abject mourning that now filled his brother’s face. This wasn’t like anything he’d ever seen before. Leon had never had that kind of expression looking at him. Was it something to be insulted by? Should he demand that?

No… This was an expression he’d seen before… Never in Leon, but in men he’d known to lead their fellow men into the pits of Hell. The depths of depravity that was two soldiers recognizing their culpability in one another.
He could only hold her tight, as he watched Leon reactively slump down to his knees in prostration. The emotion of the situation could only grip the three of them from completely different angles.

”I’m… How… I…. am so fucking sorry, Trisha…” he spoke up from a face buried in the carpet. He only wished he could be lower, and his body reactively compressed itself practically flat.

Trisha wasn’t even looking at him to see him prostrate himself and flatten against the floor. She was buried against Casey, face hid in his shirt as her shoulders trembled slightly. She was trying not to sob as emotion overwhelmed her. Relief, sorrow and the grief she’d barely let herself feel. Because she didn’t feel like she deserved to grieve for him. It had always been there in the background, but she rarely let it through.

All this time, she’d believed it was her fault. Even when she vehemently denied it. It went from doubts to belief the longer people questioned, berated and isolated her.

”I- I- I thought it was my fault. They m-made me think I should’ve died instead. I wanted to. I’ve never even- visited him… I didn’t deserve it…” She whispered, hands clenching into Casey clothes as she choked down sobs.
“I thought everyone was right to hate me- I hated me! Y-you… I don’t know how to forgive… any of you… nobody even tried…”

She shook her head against Casey, trying her best to just breathe.

Cass didn't know what to do or say, for once. Her natural instinct was comforting- but Casey was already taking care of Trisha, and she wasn’t sure if Leon would be open to it. She wasn’t sure if she could comfort him. It was a lot of her to take in, from what little she knew of the situation before. What Leon had told her as neutrally as possible… Frowning silently, she shuffled to the edge of the sofa, there for when he unflattened.

Which he did reactively as she got close, reaching out for anything that he could possibly grab onto. He knew Trisha wasn’t going to forgive him. And he wouldn’t forgive himself, either. How could he repair that? He was supposed to do what was best for them, and he’d let her slip through the cracks. Practically thrown her, over a couple of bee stings. He didn’t even have a part in the rumor, but the simple fact was that he had never even considered shutting it down. It didn’t matter to him, after all.

His heart at the time had said that she’d let it roll off. That it wouldn’t take hold of her life. That she was going to be a mentally bitchy and hard-assed individual for the rest of her life. What a fucking judgement. And it was one whose sentiment he could hear echoed from a voice that never even should’ve let him make those decisions to begin with…

”Leon… Some eggs are naturally thick shelled, aren’t they? What’s the harm. A little shame, and they know not to wander off. She’ll be a service to the others. A testament.”

He couldn’t make this about him. He couldn’t turn it. Every ounce of himself recentered to suppress the burning ego that attempted to devour the context for itself and turn it back on someone who he felt he could scapegoat. Lelou wanted it. Pushed, tugged at his brain to let him release the fire right now. To drive himself into the Temple like a spiral spear in the side of a false prophet. But Lynette would have her day. And the chances were high that he’d not even be there to handle it. That maybe his last goodbye would have to be one from a different place in his heart entirely.

So he pushed himself back up, and spoke plainly through the tears as he reached out to Cass’ hand.

”What’s happened, I don’t feel would be forgivable. I don’t ever expect you to have an iota of love in your heart for me. And I can’t even begin to know where to start making up for this, Trisha. If…- C-casey… Casey? W-what… What do-”

He was hunting instinctively for any other voice in the dark.

Casey’s face twisted in frustration. They had places to be. Things to do. And now he had this…

”God fucking damn you, Leon. We’ve got shit to do! This wasn’t-”

”-Shit! You’re right, you’re- Fuck!”

”Just fucking go! Go, go fucking handle it, Leon! Start with that, start with just making sure we get through this fucking week, but you’re Goddamn-”

Leon was scrambling to his feet already, half way out the door.

”-You’re covered, Casey, no fucking questions!” he called back, massive body pounding down the hallway before the door swung open and slammed shut.

Which left Casey staring at Cass with a deep frown.

”So much for a lighthearted debrief…” he tried to make sure that she wasn’t having some kind of collapse as well.

”Yeah, this ain’t what I signed up for! But I guess its… better to get all’ve the Sycamore stuff out on the same day?” Cass said with a slight shrug. Her own struggle with the whole situation was feeling torn over what to do, as Trisha’s friend and Leon’s girlfriend. But with Leon gone for now, she could fully concentrate on the former, which meant she was absolutely fine!

Or as fine as she could be while her best friend was having a breakdown…

”You want me to go? Give you guys some time?”

Trisha shook her head, turning it slightly so her tearstained eyes were just visible. She couldn’t stop sobbing, even though it had been the answer she hoped for. Because it meant she’d been suffering for no reason. It was all unjustified… And the scars were still there. They didn’t just go away.

“I’m s-sorry, Casey, if you have to go… I’ll be fine…” She didn’t look it, face red and puffy with tears constantly streaming down her cheeks. But she could get through it if Cass stayed at least… If there was someone there.

“I don’t even know why- why I’m so upset. It was… The good outcome…”

”Trisha… There’s no way in Hell I’m leaving you right now. Conveniently, there’s an asshole out there who owes us all a whole lot for the grief he’s fucking caused… He’ll make up for it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but I know one day you’ll forgive him enough… Because that’s the kind of hope I have.”

He waved his hand toward Cass, inviting her in to co-comfort Trisha as healthily as she wanted. She had far more of a stake in her life as far as time was concerned. Even if she’d only had the chance to break through these barriers in his company, Cass had just as much to offer in her love and experience. More, he considered.

Cass shuffled her way in cautiously, not sure how Trisha would react. She was always a bit iffy when it came to physical contact when feeling upset. But she didn’t immediately shake off the comforting hand Cass placed on her shoulder, so Cass ended up half hugging them both loosely. She didn’t have the same platonic cuddle discomfort that Trisha did, after all.

”And, as far as this? This crying? You know damn well why… Your entire adult life, you’ve been carrying on assuming you killed that boy… Trisha, Baby… I’ve seen this. I’ve met soldiers struggling with the exact same problem you’re dealing with right now. Of being accused of doing something that they can’t even remember the moment of to know whether or not they did. This is serious business Trisha. And we’re not gonna let the gravity of it escape.” he asserted, holding her as tight as he could.

Trisha nodded, sniffing.
“Some people didn’t believe it or attack me but… Nobody really defended me. The group I was in- the friends I asked about earlier- they didn’t care. Anyone who might’ve cared wasn’t close to me, or was close to people who did hate me. I- I really thought it was me. Even though I told them all it wasn’t and fought with people cause of it… Leon told me he’d been stung! That- That felt like a guilty verdict.”

”That shit ain’t fair, Trish. You were all fighting in a fucking magical war, but you were only kids! You shoulda been there for each other too… But tearing each other apart like that? Fuck! Makes me so mad. You lost someone then instead’ve supporting you, they all turned on you… Course you’re upset now! You have every right to feel whatever you wanna. Sad, angry… You lost a lot, Trisha!”

She had. Her early teen years had been the hardest. First, her Mom turned on her. Then, her Dad was killed. Finally, Martin died and she was badly injured, before everyone accused her of being the one to cause it. All of it combined broke any remaining confidence or positive feelings she had towards herself. Suddenly she had no one, and no hope of ever having even a sliver of support.

“I- I know. You’re right. I… It wasn’t fair. I thought I’d escape it when I went to university… But I didn’t! Because it didn’t change how I felt about myself. This whole time I’ve- I’ve thought I didn’t deserve anything. Because I killed someone, and even my Mom didn’t love me, so why would anyone else?! I- I-” She curled forward, choking on another sob. It was difficult to keep her thoughts straight, emotion overwhelming everything.

“You know they- the healers refused to fully heal me. Only e-enough so that I didn’t die. Said I could… afford a private hospital… Even though they were hardly running. This whole time, I agreed. I never asked for help because… when I finally found people that weren’t my family… they all turned on me…”

Casey felt sick hearing that. That they’d denied her. Their covenmate. Even in the worst situations, soldiers didn’t turn their backs entirely. If you were dying, at least in his unit, they were going to make sure that didn’t happen. And then you’d be back in the fight. Because that was efficiency, and professionalism. You experienced loss, but you maintained your clarity and focus in the line of duty…

”But your Mom isn’t even indicative of that, Trisha… These kids… They were ignorant. Maybe some of them felt malice because of that ignorance… But what she’s left you with only reinforced this notion that you don’t deserve anything. You deserve everything you’ve earned! And everything you’ve worked hard for, and everything you’re surrounded by, all screaming for you to be here with us! And I know this won’t go away overnight… But you deserve me! And I’ll be here with you! So will Cass, right!?” he asked with enthusiasm, rubbing her arms and back with vigor.

”Absolutely! I ain’t ever going anywhere… Someone’d have to tear me away! You ain’t getting rid of me no matter how hard you try!” Cass declared with matching enthusiasm.
”And before you go saying you ain’t worked hard for things… I seen you do it! Y’think I didn’t notice the all nighters you pulled studying?! While I was up coding random shit, you were slogging your way through so many fucking maths text books. And on the side’ve that, you learned to code too! And I know it ain’t shit that comes naturally to you like it does me… Cause I’ve seen all the fucking work you put in!”

Trisha’s face scrunched up a bit even as her sobbing settled down into less violent crying, breathing evening out with tears still streaming down her face. Because she hadn’t gotten much from all of that studying. Just a low grade degree…
“That hard work… wasn’t really rewarded…” She sniffed, trying to put it as neutrally as she could.

”Alright, fine, putting aside that kinda work… With people! I know you ain’t feel like you’ve come far, but you have! Especially since I met you! Sure, you’ve changed a whole lot faster since you met Casey, but it ain’t like you weren’t before. Cause you’re always working hard at shit… Even though you didn’t have the support other people had! You ain’t got the same stable foundation, Trisha, it don’t matter how much money you have. You could’ve taken all’ve that and become some horrible, resentful person who hates the world… But you ain’t. You’re amazing and lovely, and you’re just finally getting all the love you deserve with Casey! And me, of course, but you met me earlier!”

“I… Suppose… That’s true…” It was the closest she’d gotten to admitting that she deserved any of it. Casey was right that it wouldn’t go away overnight. There were a lot of feelings to work through with regards to Martin, and her issues with her Mom were still so present. Though, the associated panic had at least calmed down now that Thanksgiving was over.

“Even if I didn’t deserve it… I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

An evil grin crossed Casey’s face.

”Maybe there’s one place…-” he let the comment hang ominously, pressing his face close into Trisha’s ear.

”D’you wanna go shoot paintballs at Edict? He was part of that group who fucked with you, wasn’t he? Let’s get free petty revenge.” he giggled, thinking about the therapy they used to get from demolishing one another in off-cuff brawls in the FOB after a long patrol.

“He was but… Won’t that kill him? He looked so weak. A paintball will probably pop his balloon head and end it.” Trisha asked, before managing a weak giggle herself at that image. She wouldn’t care if the whole plan didn’t hinge on him being alive. She’d rather survive and live a happy life with Casey than get the petty revenge.

”Oh, I can probably keep him alive!” Cass piped up, easily hearing no matter how much Casey was talking into Trisha’s ear. The blessing of magical sense.
”Though then there’d be no one to hold Linqian back.”

“She… probably deserves a few herself. She wasn’t as active cause she was off rolling around with Bianca at the time but… she did when she wasn’t.”

”Culpable’s culpable. You deserve a little release. Though… Obviously, the higher path and all…”
He did believe in petty revenge. But at the same time, the thought of her proving them right in some fashion because of this kind of reaction… He didn’t want her to ruin her chance at a fresh start. She deserved to heal, but healthily.
”I’m just, not above it, y’know?”

“I’m not either but… my petty revenge normally results in people hating me more.” Trisha admitted quietly. The times when she really lashed out and said awful things as revenge for how she’d been hurt. There were other occurrences where it was more along the lines of what Casey was suggesting… Namely with certain siblings, and when she was younger.

“If he wasn’t dying, I wouldn’t even hesitate… I don’t know. I want to try and move on from Sycamore, but I don’t think I just… can…”

”Honestly, I think you should get to punch, like, every member at least once! And if you ain’t feeling up to that, just do it to Leon once! He can take it!”

”You could probably use Leon as a piece of furniture right now. Uh… Listen, if I saw his expression right, that guy’s not good about this at all. Which means that, y’know, in some way he really did hold you culpable. I don’t really know where the fuck that comes from, and I’m incredibly fucking sorry that became something. But, I also think he’s now very sorry.”

Casey shook his head gently, hearing his brother’s words from before in his head… About defending someone who didn’t deserve it. Irony all around…

”I’m not saying forgive him. He certainly doesn’t expect it. But, in time, don’t be afraid to approach him and reexamine this. Because I’m sure he’ll have a lot to talk to you about. And a lot of things to apologize for. But, I do think there should be something to rub this objective reality in the face of the people who still pa-”

He coughed, sputtered, nearly choked.

”-What about South Street? Or, fuckin’... Eighth Street? Those other assholes! They’ve gotta be on the list, right? Free game!” he exclaimed excitedly.

Trisha’s brow furrowed for a moment as she tried to remember who that was. She’d not exactly kept up with the covens so much, but she realised after a short while.
“Emily and Vashti’s coven? Emily… was one of the worst. Vashti was bad too, but she was more interested in terrorising people who could fight back. I don’t remember who else went with them… George bullied everyone for anything. Carol… Yeah… I don’t think anyone else went? I think the rest aren’t from Sycamore.”

Cass was rubbing her hands together with glee.
”They sound perfect!”

“But Emily would probably… Want to kill us in retaliation.”

”Who said that would be petty revenge? If she was one of the worst, and still is from what I hear… Let’s do the world a favor. Not like we won’t be able to.” he shrugged.

He wasn’t exactly self aware in regards to the tonal shift as he’d not but a minute ago been talking about paintballing someone to… Well, he sounded conspiratorial! Like he was suggesting he’d accomplish some sort of assassination! And he would. In his mind, this was just as real as anything else. They’d hurt her… And not in a way that was forgivable. If it meant his brother would have a chance, he was happy to roll anyone else under the wheels and gears necessary to lubricate the function of their life together.

”I’ve heard plenty too, she sounds like a real bitch- and I ain’t using that term lightly!” Cass agreed, though she wasn’t particularly tuned into the tonal shift from harm to murder. By doing the world a favour, she assumed Casey meant knocking her down a peg or ten.

“Are you… suggesting we go and kill Emily?” Trisha asked quietly, not giving away much about how she felt about the idea. She knew Casey well enough now to notice the shift and realise where he was going with it. She wasn’t actually sure how she felt about it. If anyone deserved it, it was probably Emily. She’d made so many people’s lives hell. In a way she was the person everyone made Trisha out to be…

But what about the repercussions? At least Vashti would probably retaliate. Trisha didn’t know the rest of her coven well enough to know if they’d bother. But they might.

”Wait, you meant killing?! I mean…” Cass sat up, swinging from side to side as she thought about it. Or, more accurately, struggled with the fact that her immediate reaction was to agree. She was someone who’d hurt Trisha badly, after all. Sounded like she hurt a lot more than her. She deserved it… It was basically like taking out those mafia members, really. Not the same as killing innocent people…

”Yeah, probably doing the world a favour.”

”I hate to say this, Trisha… But they’ve got a pretty disproportionate Adjoined-to-Adept leadership ratio. I’m not saying it’s right… But if we’ve got such tools at our disposal, I’m not going to tell you that we shouldn’t do something good for everyone.” Casey implied in a very curt fashion, almost chuckling at Cass by accident.

“I-” Trisha frowned, trying not to tense up just at the mention of the tools they had. The Aberration suppressants… Emily was Adjoined, but from what she remembered, Vashti now had the Leviathan sealed in an object. Whatever she was, it didn’t change her struggle with the thought of using something that horrified her. Emily probably deserved it… But it would also make her a hypocrite, wouldn’t it?

“Vashti isn’t Adjoined anymore. It’s… in her shawl, I think. But I… I don’t know, Casey. I- I understand what you’re saying but I don’t like the idea of using those.”

”Hey, they’d just make it easier. Remember, people like them? Cut their teeth in the raw. They’re crafty, not to be underestimated. But, maybe we can do something better. Linqian’s got an ex in the Government. Some special taskforce.” he spoke as if he didn’t intimately know the PRA, and wasn’t fully prepared to cooperate with them if it meant seeing some justice done.

”Maybe… We can frame ‘em up. Something to do alongside this Snake business… Really wrap that part of your life up completely.” Casey offered confidently, hoping that there’d be a level of compromise there that she’d be able to appreciate fully.

”Oh- Oh- That ex owes us too! Us being me ‘n Leon cause she’s the one that asked us to rescue Linqian and Greyson!” Cass said, clapping her hands together as if a perfect plan was coming together. It sure did feel like it. And it was preferable to going straight to murder!

Trisha nibbled her lip as she thought about it. It wasn’t as bad as using those... And she was sure there were actual crimes Emily and Vashti had committed. They both deserved being locked up for life, really. Emily had been one of the worst to Trisha, but also to so many other people. It didn’t matter that Trisha disliked a lot of those people too… They hadn’t deserved it either.

“Alright. We can do that… If that’s possible. How do you even go about framing someone?”

”Temple’s gonna look weak as fuck soon. They’ll have bait practically hanging in front of them. It’ll be a cinch.” he said rather broadly, a very confident smile forming on his face.

”It’ll be fuckin’ perfect!” he asserted.

”You’re always the man with a plan!” Cass grinned, one hand coming up to slap Casey’s shoulder.
”Speaking of plans…”

She trailed off ominously, causing Trisha to lift her head off Casey to stare at Cass. She was just being goofy, right? She was probably going to switch to talking about the plan. A debrief even without Leon there, or something.

”It’s my birthday next week! Well, Trish already knows that… Anyway, I ain’t planning to do anything on the actual day. It’s a Tuesday after all. But if shit’s calmed down a bit, I wanna do something the weekend after! Pretty sure we’re gearing up to do the plan this weekend, at least based on how Greyson’s talking, so… Should work out.” She did feel a bit odd talking about her birthday with all of the shit happening. It wasn’t like she’d be upset if plans got cancelled or changed. Just, she had to make sure Trisha and Casey knew they were obligated to come!

”Rey’s gonna come. I gave her the brief rundown of shit that’s happening, so she knows dates might change but… Shit, I knew I had something to get Trisha to ask you, Casey! Can she use a spare apartment?! If that ain’t ok, I’ll give her mine, and just crawl into Trisha’s- I mean Leon’s- bed!” Cass grinned teasingly, before pointing a finger at them both.
”Also! Attendance is mandatory! Date changes if certain attendees are too busy!”

Casey tried not to furrow his brow or instantly dismiss Cass’ enthusiasm as selfish nonsense. Because, ultimately, she said if! Meaning that she wasn’t totally ignorant of the idea that they may all be running for their lives by that time. Good!

”Well, obviously if things are all settled down… But, are you sure you wanna do that kind of thing here? Leon would take you anywhere! Why uh, y’know, jeopardize your fun by hanging in a place that could be easily attacked by any number of jerks with grudges? Are you looking for the trouble?” he asked, trying to sound as sincere as possible without judgement.

"Cause I don't wanna just celebrate with Leon? And there's no way I'm getting you two, the girls, and Rey all to go somewhere else for a weekend. Not with this notice? Can you imagine?!" Cass shook her head, before laughing slightly.
"Ain't like I'm thinking of something big. Just back to that arcade- assuming it ain't ruined for you forever, Trish-"

“It isn't. I'm not that bad." Trisha interjected with a little pout. Sure, it was where their first fight had started, but they'd gotten through it together. She wasn't going to be triggered by just going there.

"Just checking! That then, like, movie night at wherever fits whoever's coming. Y'know, small thing. I'm turning twenty five, ain't any major age! Also if we get attacked, that's fine! Cause I get a lil extra excitement outta things… so long as no one gets too badly hurt, course." She grinned.
"This is all assuming we're alive and well by next week, obviously!"

Casey grimaced actively now.

”I don’t want to discourage you. So I won’t. But I will bring up the idea of nobody getting hurt too badly is, in my perception of the situation, irresponsible as a thought on your part. Again, it’d be hypocritical of me to tell you not to go for whatever you want. But.” he finished, not figuring it was necessary to follow the implicit “but” with anything else.

The conversation was a looper, after all. Everything he could possibly say short of “Don’t fucking do that.” came out of his mouth, and he just hoped that there wouldn’t be anyone giving him an attitude over worrying about whether or not things and people were safe. Before Beppo, he probably wouldn’t have thought twice. But now, it was far more front and center in his mind, that something drastic and out of his control could happen… He would be doing his friends and companions a disservice at this point by not at least warning them.

”If you’re insistent, then we’ll be having a party with a lot more than just your close friends. You’ll have so many friends to wish you a happy birthday that you’ll probably have to ask some names. But, I know you so far, so being social won't be a problem, right?”

"Well nah, course not. But if it's that much of a worry, we can just nix the arcade part, movie night in Leon's apartment or something with that big ass setup. Same building we'd all be in anyway, yeah?" Cass responded easily.

She was nowhere near as worried about the after… Perhaps she should be. Maybe it was because she was pretty unlikely to be the target of attack, and was fairly certain she could handle it if she was! But she definitely didn't want anyone else getting all twisted and panicky over something she wanted to do for fun. She wasn't exactly that hung up on her birthday, and would inadvertently end up having a late celebration with her brothers when she went home for the holidays anyway.

She then held up her hands.
"And I get it. I ain't the security guy, so I ain't seeing all the shit that could happen. My bad! Ain't exactly used to the whole uh… crazy supernatural coven shit where everyone's got mad beef at people for just being part've a group."

Casey frowned genuinely. That type of thing definitely wasn’t supposed to be her bag to worry about to begin with. She didn’t really have to, as he was willing to take care of the logistics for her. She was a friend, but more than that, she was Trisha’s best. The necessity of her protection came down to the same deterministic viewpoint that colored everything else in his life now…

Happy Trisha. Safe Trisha. Comfortable Trisha.

”Well, obviously it’s not you anyone would be after specifically. It’s the big guy… Just, y’know, you’re with him. It’s associative. Plus, if we go out, there’s a chance that more Blinds get stuffed in the magical meat grinder. It’s not fair to you to tell you that you can’t have fun, but it’s also not fair that they be put into an unknown danger. Even if it’s just that, and they never find out that they were in a room with people who could turn them inside out with a breath.”

He cleared his throat, doing his best to smile.

”But, my original point is that the more of us there are, the less likely an attack from an opportunistic group of enemies. Trust: You made plenty of an impression at Beppo. There’s people chomping at the bit to meet you, so… Why not have a big twenty-fifth bash? We’ll just flood the arcade with Adepts and friendly Aberrations looking to have a good time on the Temple’s dime.” he offered, coming more around to the idea of having a big party, rather than a small get together.

"Heh, course everyone wants to meet the awesome wolf-hyena-croc woman!" Cass laughed slightly, general positivity not dampened at all by what Casey said. Obviously, it gave her a bit of perspective on the impact of any danger. In her mind, the size of Beppo park and how much it affected others was an exception. Cause surely her and Leon could just fight off whoever they sent for them? But of course collateral damage was a thing! Wasn't something she wanted to be the cause of just cause she didn't mind a bit of a fight.

"If you say that'll be safest then yeah, I'm down. I ain't about putting people in danger for some shit I can do later… so if it ain't a good idea at all, I can scrap it, no worries. But if a big thing’s pretty safe… That'd be real fun! Only if it ain't too much effort for you, though. I know you already got a lot on your plate!" She nodded, before looking down at Trisha, who was snuggled up to Casey and silently listening.
"How bout you, Trish, would you be able to come along to something like that? I know you ain't such a fan of big things."

“I’m fine with big events that don't involve family." Trisha said, pursing her lips. Sure, she felt like she had to put on a mask the more people were around, but she felt that way as soon as they got outside of Casey and her small group of friends.

“It’s your birthday. And it can just be like… going to a club. I don't talk to anyone apart from who I come with."

Cass let out a little evil laugh, lips pulling up into a smirk.
"But I seem to recall you talking to loads of people back in the day. You were always-"

“I’m taken and settled down now, it's not the same!" Trisha interrupted, immediately flustered at Cass' teasing and hugging Casey tighter.

"- Looking for friends, I was gonna say!" Cass cackled.

Casey laughed aloud imagining Trisha running game on some unsuspecting guy at a club. They met under such extenuating circumstances that it was hard for him to imagine her in any other way than what he knew directly. But, she hadn’t been a marionette before they met. She had ten times the experience that he did in regards to the pure physicality of relationships…

It didn’t bother him. It was so abstract, after all. And self consciousness wasn’t a social thing for him; he’d learned long ago that one should only compare themselves to another with the goal of improvement. If he thought about all her exes, he had plenty of logic behind why they weren’t worth thinking about. He couldn’t think of much more he could give in that regard…

And besides, the way she clung to him was a clear indication that there wasn’t a problem. She coveted him like a precious artifact. He liked that… It felt good to be needed like that. He almost melted into her, grinning. Happy, even, that she seemed so able to get over the previous topic. Selfishly, he felt a level of smug satisfaction over a dead teenager… Not a great emotion to have, but one he was able to put away with relative ease.

”Am I sick for wanting to see that? I think Cass just unlocked a new fetish for me, Trish.” Casey admitted with a great laugh.

“Wanting to see what? Me try to pick someone else up at a club?" Trisha tilted her head up towards him with a slight pout. That certainly wouldn't ever be happening.
“Or me trying to pick you up at a club like some odd roleplay thing where we pretend we don't know each other?"

Casey saw her reaction and immediately started blushing.
”Neither! Neither, never mind…”

Because the one he’d thought of first got the clear negative response. Clearly he was a freak for thinking something like that.

”Would… Would it really be weird for me to see you actually hit on someone that isn’t me? Like, I guess I’m just sure you’d never do anything. But, you didn’t exactly seduce me when we met. It’s like a forbidden talent you have, or that’s how Cass makes it sound.” he grinned slightly, trying to redirect it back off the cuff.

"Cause it is! It's a super duper talent, like, she's got this look! Like she looks at ‘em a specific way and they just fall for her!" Cass jumped in enthusiastically, especially since Casey hadn't reacted negatively to the whole how Trisha got with exes thing in the first place. Quite the opposite!

“I don't!" Trisha groaned, hiding her red face against Casey. It really wasn't any special talent. It was just normal flirting. She knew what people- especially guys- wanted, and was able to ham it up. It worked best in a clubbing environment anyway… but had never led to a stable relationship.

“I couldn't, anyway." She mumbled, peeking up at him again.
“Hit on someone else. I'm too… in love… with you… And I didn't seduce you cause you weren't like most of my exes. You didn't look at me that same way, so I just… got you with my personality instead. But it's really not anything special."

Cass' lips split into a wicked grin, one hand coming to rest on Casey's shoulder.
"Don't worry, dude, it really ain't that weird. I can hook you up… With some reading material or some shit! Plenty've people like you out there, even if Trisha ain't into it."

Casey was naive about that kind of thing, but one thing he couldn’t miss was Trisha’s overall reaction. So tepid, it hardly made the thing worth pressing. She’d always be enough. He didn’t have to test her in some sick way for his own pleasure…

”Well, I’m glad it ain’t weird… But she’s clearly not down. So, I think we can skip it.” he asserted, looking back down at Trisha with a tender and loving smile.

Nothing would ever be as important as her smile. Her comfort. He’d heard the old men… Happy wife, happy life. He was more than confident that she’d be everything he ever needed. He didn’t need much to begin with, and she easily surpassed all expectations. Getting into some perverse power fantasy would only taint the purity of their entire relationship.

And… What if she did find someone better?

No. No. Absolutely not, do not hold onto-

Trisha's pensive look broke into a soft smile up at him. Thank god… Maybe he really did just want to see her flirt with someone else, but normally that kind of want led to more. Not that she was comfortable with even flirting with someone else. That felt like emotional cheating, even if it was some consensual thing.

But he wasn't going to press it, and there was nothing in his expression that said he was upset about it. Just love.

She wriggled up to press a light kiss against his lips, eyes squinting happily at him.
“I’m glad… Not that I ever could. Just the thought of hitting on someone else makes me feel a bit sick. I don't want to flirt with anyone other than you."

"And me!" Cass interjected with a grin, making a mental note to get Casey some kind of related book as a Christmas gift. As a joke, obviously.

Trisha turned her head to stare at Cass.
“I said what I said."

"Awww, you're breaking my heart!" Cass clutched her chest dramatically, before grinning at Casey.
"But hey don't worry, we'll skip it… But y'know if you ever think ‘bout stuff like that and you're too embarrassed to talk to Trisha about it, I'm your gal! I've tried just about every fetish under the sun!"

Casey just grinned, shaking his head and holding onto Trisha a bit tighter. Ultimately, she was all he really needed or even wanted. Beating guys up for hitting on his girlfriend had to be a movie thing. They didn’t think that was actually romantic, right? Besides, they had the chance of being assaulted by people who could kill them easily if they weren’t paying attention. How was that any less macho than beating some drunk jerk up. Especially if it was some kind of setup… That would just be plain wrong!

”I think I’d go to Leon first… No offense.” he blushed again, shaking his head some more.

It was a little embarrassing, but he’d get through that without a lot of extra thought, and Trisha would be better off for it in the long run. He kept looking down at her with love in his eyes. She’d gone through so much. And would continue to, if not for a while, at least the next few weeks… He had to make sure she was taken care of mentally, physically, emotionally, from all angles. And that meant really making sure that he was doing the right thing by her.

It was a challenge. But one that made his life far richer than it had been previously.

Act 2.4

_{CW: Corporal Punishment & Abuse}
Pain and frustration melted into anxious anticipation, sparks of conflict flaring up in any random direction as the days grew closer and closer to an inevitable conclusion. An operation of calculated overwhelming force headed by a man who, in the last stages of his career, had been a literal Nazi-Adept Hunter. There were levels of preparedness and conceptualization that all skilled Adepts could strive for; and Casey was taught not to ignore the basic ingenuity found within the human psyche. So, anything that was done in the service of bringing this threat to heel once and for all, was done with such hammering force that one would think he still carried the weight of the Government behind him.

It wasn’t so, of course: But the events at Beppo Park had galvanized a truce in the ranks in order to press the entire weight of several generations of loyal followers into a single effort. The cleansing of the land, and the clean purge of the unfortunate circumstances born a decade prior. Thus, the edifice surrounding Dollhouse was broken pillar by pillar, each crack made by the blood of more and more martyrs whom Casey managed to goad onto greater feats still. And behind it, cold calculations for a war further in the distance, knowing names and faces that could sway things unfavorably for the ultimate winning side.

Those whom he didn’t want to deal with later, died dealing with Dollhouse now. In this instance, Casey wasn’t so picky about which literal side they represented either. Simple radicals, anyone who he felt wouldn’t understand compromise in a losing situation later on. He knew he could sit on the fence as long as he wanted, so long as he and Leon worked in tandem. All part of consideration as he stood in the windy field outside this little grey farmhouse. It was a quiet place, cornstalks growing wild in the roughshod land surrounding the city proper.

The house was on a hill… A suspiciously round, dome-like hill. One wouldn’t notice unprompted, but once it was revealed in ernest, it became an unmistakably awkward feature in an otherwise rocky, craggy coastal landscape. The too-smooth slopes, the unseen vent hoods hidden under the untended crops left to waste away year after year. Down below, dozens of their own lay in wait for the signal to begin laying waste to all forces inside the base. Meanwhile, Casey had gathered a battalion more, and surrounded the farmhouse while leveling the nearby foliage in order to create clear sightlines.

While most scurried about, passing out equipment and getting into defensive positions with magical barriers and countermeasures set up around the complex, Casey telepathically doled out instructions while providing what basic orange benefits he could to his fellow Adepts, all from the line just past the front of the actual property. He was comically armored in what one could only describe as a battlesuit in some kind of Ferroman reboot. He could’ve gone on and on about the delicate specifications and the sheer amount of magic it took to make a set of battle armor like his, but he knew Trisha had plenty on her mind being this close to a potential fight. Never mind not knowing exactly what was happening below them…

They were all in anticipation over that. But Casey was confident enough to let her cling to him without telling her to get back into the truck. In truth, he wanted her there too, so long as she knew the true scope of what he was orchestrating. His attention wasn’t even entirely pulled away, which was impressive. He had plenty of processing power to spare, willing the armor to warm to a toasty level in order to keep her comfortable where she held him. He didn’t speak with his voice, as the helmet had no speakers for him to shout through.

”I haven’t heard anything yet. Everything’s still jammed up about a hundred feet down, like I hit a big anti-Lux wall.” he explained to Trisha through their connection, hoping to ease her anxiety even just a little.

Trisha nodded slowly. In truth, her own attention was divided too- though not to the impressive degree Casey’s was. The most difficult thing was stopping her bees from attacking the strange tin man she was leaning against, that they could vaguely smell and tell was a person but not enough to ascertain the threat. They just assumed close and unfamiliar meant threat while on high alert.

There were thousands on her, though not to the point she was completely covered. They gathered in various ‘strategic’ spots- her shoulders, her braided hair, gathered under her thick, puffy jacket ready to swarm out. A tiny Princess floated beside her, ready to be expanded when Trisha needed to call even more bees through. She’d brought a decent amount with her- enough for an initial defence if needed, but not so much that it was a pain while waiting.

And they were all strangely quiet and still, aside from the small groups that kept trying to make incursions over her arms onto Casey. Different from their normal loud energy, they were like bee soldiers patiently awaiting commands from above.

“So it hasn’t failed yet, at least.” Trisha responded, ever positive. It was difficult when she was facing her first real, planned, combat situation in almost ten years. The fight with Lila didn’t exactly count- there’d never been a true risk there- and the assassin was entirely different. She knew if- when- it happened, that same mood would strike her when she got in the zone and more intune with her bees. But the anticipation and leadup was more difficult.

It reminded her of all those evenings watching the sun set, waiting for the Stygian Snake’s minions to appear. At least it was light…

“You’re going to need to equip this with some kind of… scent generator.” She continued, trying to distract herself from her nerves. She pulled one arm away from him to scoop up a group of bees crawling across the other, depositing them inside her jacket.
“Some of them are convinced that you’re a threat.”

There was a gentle vibration, followed by gentle wisps of condensation like someone was breathing out. In truth, Casey turned on the machine’s ventilation system, and allowed his scent to fill the air around him.

”Does the cold negatively affect their scent tracking? I can turn the fans up.” he asked rather casually as he let one eye fade into an observation patch on the left-rear team lead.
They were bumbling around with some pre-fab walls locked up in spell caps. They needed to be broken and cooked before tossing, but the fools kept cracking and tossing, causing the walls to be more than half-buried in the dense layer of topsoil covering the bunker.

“No, they can sense fine through the cold. It’s other weather that’s a problem, like rain or when it’s really windy.” Trisha explained, letting out a soft sigh of relief as the bees started to pick up Casey’s smell- and her own pheromones that saturated him. It was one less thing to worry about in her own little army, allowing her to order more onto her shoulders and arms without worrying they’d keep trying to attack him.

“Wind’s bad for all of us. It blows my pheromones back in my face too. I’ve made myself panic with that before. At least it’s a clear day today… Just cold.”

Though the cold wasn’t particularly conducive for bee activities either, hers had at least built up a resistance over the years. This temperature wouldn’t affect them. They were well fed, too, which kept their energy levels high.

“But they can smell you just fine now, thanks. They don’t think I’m being statically kidnapped by a tin man anymore.”

”You and I both wish it was tin. But it’s a lot heavier than that. Don’t forget, if something manages to turn me into a can of corned beef hash, the button to release the entire thing is under the crook in the right knee.” Casey chided rather morbidly, his inability to refrain from gallows humor shining through on this cold field.

He didn’t expect much. It was runic armor plating he’d requisitioned from an uncovered cache outside Berlin. Easily one of the most magically conductive metals on the planet made by top-notch Forge Adepts. The metal was meant to be for the magical tank line that the enemy had hoped to roll out. Casey could only imagine that if they hadn’t been squirreling the materials away, and had maybe tried making one of the massive land-barges, maybe things would’ve turned out differently.

For all their technical prowess, foresight really went down the drain in the last two years of that war…

Casey let half of his brain drift off into ordering the team leader to get things done properly before something dumb happened… It prompted some serious movement on the other end, which gave him a headache from the otherwise static position he shared with Trisha.

”That was supposed to be a joke. But, also, y’know, seriously just in case. You won’t be able to carry me if I end up too exhausted to walk. I love you… Something tells me it’ll all work out, y’know?”

“I won’t be able to carry you in or out of the armour.” Trisha’s lips pressed into a thin line. Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that.
“I’m calling Cass if that happens… But I hope it works out like you think it will. I love you too.”

She wasn’t viewing things through a particularly negative lens, but she wasn’t exactly feeling positive either. Not because of anything that happened in the leadup to destroy her confidence. Just the only proper fight she’d been in that counted as a ‘victory’ was when they sealed the Stygian Snake- and with how many people had died that night it was difficult to look back on it as a good one. Every other battle had been a stalemate at best, paused by the rising sun.

“How… long do you think it’ll be? Not until they’re done, but the actual fighting. Hours? The whole day?” She tried to distract herself from the simmering panic with practical questions. If Casey thought he might end up too exhausted to walk, it might end up on the longer end of things, right?

Casey shook his head actively, the metal suit jiggling ever so slightly.

”I have no idea, Love. That’s the thing about stuff like this: There’s no direct precedent. I can tell you about times we’ve spent weeks outside bunker complexes just trying to figure out ways to crack them. In the same story, I’ll tell you about the forty-five minutes it took to actually clear the complex out once we had a solid plan. And don’t even get me started on those damn things.” he replied.

In truth, there was simply no way of judging for sure what the response would be. They had to know that people were gathering up here, right? That the main entrance and exit to the facility below was totally blocked off, and that their Lux access was being systematically jammed section by section? Or, was this all another red herring to begin with, just a distraction to keep the Temple forces busy?

He wanted to give her the comfort of a more specific answer, but it just wasn’t in the cards.

”If you wanna go off just fighting? Could be five minutes. Could be an hour. Could be eight. Failure means, well… Cherish this moment as the last bit of peace we may get. You never know what the ultimate end could be. I know you and I will walk away from this place, but in what world we leave toward, who knows?”

It was pretty difficult to cherish a moment that Trisha didn’t find particularly peaceful. Trisha had always found the leadup worse. It was the moment where she could go further and further down the rabbit hole of panic and think of all the awful scenarios that might play out. In a way it prepared her for actually going in- it could only get as bad as she’d imagined, after all. With enough preparation, she was good at shutting off- or using- the panic while actually having to fight. But the before and after weren’t so easy.

She couldn’t put all that on Casey, though, just because he hadn’t given her an answer that in any way changed how she felt. Made her more anxious, if anything, pushing her to mentally play out all those scenarios where they did fail again.

Some of them didn’t seem better to walk away from. Like the return of the Stygian Snake, or similar…

“Oh, I see. I guess… that makes sense. It was always very clear cut when we fought the snake. Sundown to sunrise. Eight to ten hours… Thank God it was summer. It makes sense most fights wouldn’t be like that. My experience if very night Apparition specific.” She responded casually, like she wasn’t stuck on the possibility of going back to that- in Winter, when the dark hours were longer. Was it even the worst scenario? Surely it could be worse…

Some of the bees started buzzing in response to her thoughts, leaking out as gentle pheromones only they could sense. A group gathered on her neck like that would somehow help.

“It just doesn’t feel very peaceful right now. Maybe it is for you… But you’re organising everything, aren’t you? So how can it be?”

”Experience, mostly. Sitting on the precipice of violence never gets easier. You just get numb. Some psychos like me even enjoy it. Few and far between, but the trait makes for good soldiers. Compliant, easily moved around like chess pieces.”

He tried to shuttle some experience her way. Not directly, rather in the form of what amounted to a pamphlet of emotions which he felt best assisted his overall feelings at the moment. Anticipation, yes, but also that same fear that Trisha knew well. The difference was anticipation over anxiety. The anticipation of free live fire target practice. The thrill of hitting, and being hit. The adrenaline as everything melts away until he was so locked in that it took external stimulation to bring him out of the fervor.

That bloodthirst was cut by the fear that pain and loss may come. But the bridled warhorse craved action more than it cared about future freedoms. Realizing how easy it was for himself put Casey slightly at odds with the familiar feeling, not exactly wishing it to be something Trisha experienced, but definitely not wanting her to suffer the alternative.

”I’m sorry it’s hard. I’d love to have some gold nugget advice to help you get through it, but that kind of thing isn’t easy to muster. I just don’t have it in my pocket right now.” he punctuated the thought by letting his arm wrap around her just a little tighter.

Trisha's brow furrowed as Casey shared his own emotions, something that didn't really change her own. She wasn't sure if anything could ever beat out her anxiety until she was in a moment where that same anxiety helped her survive. 'Peaceful' moments before those situations just let the panicked thoughts multiply. And she really wasn't like Casey. She didn't enjoy fighting like that. The adrenaline during it kept her going, but it didn't thrill her or anything. Maybe because it was never just her safety on the line, but the bees too? Their deaths and the hurt with it always came before any actual physical harm to her.

Or she just wasn't made for things like this.

She appreciated him trying, at least.

"It's alright, I didn't expect you to have something to just fix it." She replied simply, leaning into him. It wasn't as comforting as it normally would be, with the magical armour Casey was wearing and her own thick clothes putting a lot of layers between them, nevermind the bees that had to reposition themselves when she changed how she was hugging him.

"I'd rather be this anxious now than have a panic attack during it, anyway. Even if neither are pleasant this is… better. I'll be fine. I just don't think I'll ever not feel anxious before something like this. I'm not… Strong like you are."

”The goal is to avoid this kind of thing in the future. Just a little longer, right?” he asked, attention drifting slightly toward a wave of perception opening up from below. Something had to be happening…

But Trisha didn’t tense up, and she didn’t seem to have any kind of visceral response to the incoming shock. So, whatever it was, Greyson was at least still alive. Hell, maybe there was a world where Greyson-

The sensation of living in a big carbonated soda bubble full of corn syrup erupted upward through the channel in the center of the bunker, blowing the windows of the farm house out and scattering doors and glass across the front line very slowly. Lazily, the ground shook as if there was something playing sad jazz in the sewers under a quiet street. Brass instruments relaying a dirge let giant pink bubbles full of flower petals crawl out of the house’s confines like fizz escaping a cup.

One particularly intent bubble meandered its rolling body toward Casey and Trisha with seeming intelligence and recognition. Then, before either could put the implication together, the bubble was upon them. And then, like so many times before, Trisha was alone. Casey, once again, magically severed from her.

She was in a large field, thick grass soft beneath her fingers. It spread far from her until it hit the trees encircling this expansive clearing. It was warm, sun gently bathing her skin through the leafy canopy overhead. Early evening, she could vaguely tell. A few hours till sundown.

It was nice. She wasn’t alone, either. The clearing was full of life, laughter and indistinct chatting filling the wide, open space. Her gaze moved away from the trees in the distance towards the sounds.

Different groups of people were scattered around. Sycamore members. The loudest drew her attention first- Ella brandishing her channeler and shouting some lame magical girl phrase, goofing around with Saskia and Lisa while Kari laughed and watched. Adora and her trinity were nearby too, though not without eyerolls towards the antics. Trisha didn’t even find herself annoyed by the loudness for once. It was almost endearing… nostalgic.

Further away, but still in the same area, was Luca, grass turned brown in a circle around him, along with Olivia, Lila and Lynn. A quieter group enjoying each other's company while watching the more rambunctious magical girls.

Just as loud but on the other side of the clearing was the jock squad and the large group surrounding them for the unlimited beer Sully was pouring out. Him and Drake were the worst, clearly already drunk. But it extended beyond them- on the outskirts of the group Linqian and Aryin were both egging each other on to chug a full cup of something.

All of the smart kids were there too, even Sloane and Anya- though they’d brought along a fold out table and chairs to look at plans. Because it was impossible for them to have fun. But they were there.

Everyone was for the Summer Solstice. The longest day, and the shortest night they’d have to spend fighting the Stygian Snake and its minions. Enough time that they could actually relax for once… They could make the most of the nice weather in the place where it all started.

Trisha wasn’t alone either. The Rich clique sat near here, with Gabe and Sylvia bickering about something. She was closer to the more chill members- Sage and Lin talking quietly, though that was indistinct too.

Another hand covered her own, her gaze moving from it up to the smiling face of the boy she’d almost loved and then lost. His dark eyes creased slightly as they looked at her, soft lines of his face showing an immaturity he’d never grow out of. It was the Martin she wished she remembered- the happy, bright boy rather than the desperately fighting teenager who died in front of her.

But right now he looked at her with a gaze full of warmth and hope. It made her feel a little sad, but almost peaceful too. As she was pulled out of the Recollection the feeling and thought lingered.
He would have wanted her to be happy too.

Casey’s face was the first thing to appear as the haze of the massive bubble’s inherent spell passing over her entirely. It was terribly good at remaking that sort of Recollection whatever it was…

”-ey! There you are! You’re alright! Right!? That’s you in there, Trisha!?” Casey asked almost frantically, presuming that she got the exact same kind of treatment he’d gotten.

A happy memory long lost, of a moment where they were all actually together without pain. As much as he cherished it, he was eager to know whether or not the secret of the Tree’s location had been broken as they expected, or if Greyson had somehow managed to protect the power of the spell indefinitely past his demise.

“Who else would it be? Greyson’s ghost? He’d choose someone else to possess.” Trisha managed to half joke, wiping away the single tear that slipped down her cheek before smiling at him. She was still coming out of the memory, everything else a bit fuzzy outside of his face right in front of her.

“It’s me, I’m alright. I’m guessing… It worked? Greyson’s obviously dead and- Well, nothing horrible’s happened yet?”

Casey didn’t waste any time pulling her close and hugging her as the echoing of a mystical trombone blared up through the house like a loudspeaker. All of the sound being funneled out, now punctuated by the echoing rapport of gunfire touching off from that same cavernous source. The fighting had begun in earnest…

”I’m so glad you’re alright… I didn’t honestly know what the fuck was gonna happen! What about the Tree, Babe!? Do you remember where the Tree is!?” he blurted out, freeing one arm to reach down toward his helmet as half his brain started receiving combat reports from below.

“I remember. It’s…” Her brow furrowed, head shaking slightly.
“I’d have to take you there. Big clearing in the middle of a forest outside of St Portwell doesn’t help and I… really only know directionally from my house, or the rundown manor we stayed in. Maybe Leon will have actual directions. He’ll remember too.”

Casey nodded in return, his face turning from excited to serious in a brief moment. It was all he needed to know: That the information existed once again. A signal rocked out across St. Portwell, a simple trigger spell to a communication band that utilized one of Junior’s fancy wireless connections. It was magically encrypted, unable to be picked up by just about any form of bug from an external network, and left Casey free to speak.

”Attention all stationary, prep scenario two, ready the mini-fort. Will update as able, over.”

It was a relief that one of the contingencies that they leaned into seemed to be the correct opening gambit. They needed to get to the tree and lock it down as quickly as possible, and that meant making sure there was as little leakage from the organization at hand as possible. Casey’s biggest concern, after Dollhouse, was the freakish remnants of Sycamore’s worst who still prowled the streets. He’d need to be quick about retrieving Leon, and hope that whatever Greyson did, he kept it out of the hands of Eighth Street.

Casey let his mind drift down to Leon, trying to bother him only to get a brain full of Lelou for his troubles. Recoiling from the bite, Casey shook his head in frustration before refocusing on Trisha.

”That’s totally fine! Here, just… Don’t resist.”

He leaned his forehead in toward her, intent on the casual passing of the Recollection without considering the gravity of the information he was asking to be handed.

“Huh?” Trisha was only confused for a moment before his forehead touched hers, and she felt the tug of him trying to pull the Recollection out of her. She did resist for a moment. She’d never liked Recollection sharing.

But it was Casey. She trusted him… And he needed to know. So she lowered her guard to open her mind, handing over the entire memory to him and the implicit understanding of the Tree’s location with it.

Casey was slammed with the entire memory all at once, but catching it bit by bit, he found enough landmarks to realize why nobody had found it… The fucking tree was so big, it looked like its own grove system from the air. Otherwise, it was in the most random, openly noticeable spot, that the only thing really protecting it was a crotchety old farmer with an over-under slung under his arm. One of the grandfathers of a Sycamite long dead. The kids got the old man to treat the tree like a memorial for that tragic summer, when all those kids went missing…

He really didn’t want to disturb the old man’s vigil… But others wouldn’t mind so badly, so he had to get there first.

”Perfect! Trisha, perfect!-” he praised her, seeing the end and seeing that boy Martin’s face staring back at him… It was almost bittersweet. But he knew better than to let her emotions inadvertently pass into him without reproach. They had to learn in his outfit, and this was no different.

He then tucked back into his radio.
”-Gold team! Off the Morrowville Parkway, on the empty side of the city. Property belongs to a Roger T. Benson, the fucking tree should be eight hundred feet back along the edge of the property line where it meets the forest! Copy?”

The voice on the other side quickly confirmed, and Casey was left with a calm, enthusiastic look on his face.

”Babe! It’s-”
He wrapped his hands around her shoulders, lifting her up fully into an embrace.
”-over! It’s fuckin’ over!”

Maybe he was counting his chickens before they hatched, but in the moment, Casey couldn’t stop the excitement from welling up and out of his body.

Trisha let out a surprised squeak as her feet were pulled up off the ground, not expecting that kind of a response right now. Her arms wrapped around him as best as they could with the armour he was wearing, bees scurrying around to her back to avoid being squished in the embrace.

“I- I guess it is? Nobody’s hunting me anymore. No more Dollhouse and… No more Sycamore.” She let out a sigh of relief, smiling at him before vaguely gesturing towards the building.
“I thought you were excited to shoot people?”

Casey let her down, shrugging with a smile.

”Not a zero percent chance it’s coming. Leon hasn’t responded yet. Should I check on Cass?” he asked her calmly, not wanting her to think he was insinuating that things were going wrong.

Trisha frowned thoughtfully, before nodding. She’d rather know if the fighting was going to spill out up here… If Cass even knew that.
“There’s no harm in checking? Or maybe there is, maybe it’ll distract her?”

”No sense not trying.” he said very simply, patting her shoulder before zoning out, his right eye veering off into another realm.

Deep below, Cass would be able to feel the practiced tug on her Emotional Field. If not familiar at this point, it was at least distinct enough that it’d easily be readable as Casey.

[color=577d06][i]”Cass? How’s things down there Boo?”[/color] he tried to ask casually, in case things were tense.

”Great, awesome, this is way more fun than killing those other gangsters!” Cass’ mentally shouted back, with absolutely no volume control. She wasn’t exactly practiced with the whole Emotional Field magical communication shit, so it just ended up painfully loud.

”Don’t think they expected the massive wolf! Clearly their spies ain’t all that good!”

”Well, try to remind whoever is in charge of the body that you guys are in a big bundt pan. At any time, it could fill with molten batter, or just start cooking altogether. We really don’t know what funky shit is down there. How far down are you?” he asked, letting his head roll to the side and speak aloud to Trisha.

”She’s loving it… Typical.”

“Of course she is.” Trisha rolled her eyes in response- at Cass rather than Casey, obviously.

”Uh, like… Far enough down? I ain’t been paying attention! Can’t you magically figure that out?” Cass responded around the same time.
”Neither me nor Lelou know the fuck you mean with that metaphor… This place gonna fill with lava?!”

”It fuckin’ could! Don’t play with your meals, and link up with the descent team as soon as possible! Keep your beacon bands running, and don’t lose them! You kept it around your waist, right?” he sounded like a concerned parent, letting the other half of his brain lean into the descent group and gauging the gap between them overall.

”There’s quite a bit of space between your groups. Don’t rush! We made location on the Sycamore Tree, so just… Make sure nobody gets out alive, Cass! That’s a grim order, but it’s necessary!”

”Oh, that’d explain what Linqian meant by a shitty hiding place- And don’t worry, I ain’t planning to let anyone live. You don’t gotta worry ‘bout the others either… Y’know what Lelou’s like, and Linqian’s almost more murderous- Andrade’s pretty scary himself!” With the way she was chatting away, it was like she wasn’t in the middle of combat herself- which she was. But it wasn’t exactly difficult at that moment.

”Also I got the fucking band thing on. Y’know how much Leon lectured me ‘bout keeping it on on the way down? He wouldn’t shut up about it! I ain’t ‘bout to live through another lecture afterwards if I lose it!”

”When there’s suddenly a hundred gun barrels pointed downrange and you’re on the other side by accident, you’re gonna be thankful you wore that fucking thing! Keep it on, make sure everyone gets out safe! We’re waiting up here for you!”

Casey’s eye twisted back into place, no longer rolling into oblivion.

”She sounds like she can handle it. Why don’t you let the bees settle down now, and we’ll get you back in the truck where its warm. Eh?” he offered as the sound of slow jazz bathed itself across the countryside.

“You’re not just trying to get rid of me, are you?” Trisha asked, even though she knew it wasn’t the case at all. But it was in her anxious nature, especially when something was happening. What if he was planning to do something crazy? No, no, she should trust him. And he said Cass sounded like she could handle it! Which she probably could, since it was Cass.

And it would be nicer for the bees to not be constantly waiting for a fight.

Head tilting towards the ground, she nodded.
“So long as you think everything’s alright. I don’t want to be back there away from everyone if something actually happens.”

[color=577d06]”Well, honestly, I’d prefer it if you were anyway. Just, y’know, ‘cuz it's dangerous otherwise. Like the bubbles: It was already scary enough that I practically couldn’t move fast enough to block you. It was going to hit you no matter what, and that’s honestly the scarier part. Magic’s… Pretty fucked up, honestly.”[/i] he mused, turning them both away from the farmhouse to walk back toward the truck that had taken them here.

Casey’s gun swung around on its sling at his front, helmet in his off hand and Trisha pulled tight to him in his main.
”You know, I was thinking… Maybe if I’d had the courage to approach you guys that summer, and offer to help… Maybe I would’ve Kindled then. Kind of weird, ain’t it?” he pondered the irony in the situation with quiet consideration.

Trisha bit down her immediate response ‘or you might’ve died.’ It wasn’t exactly a good one, even if it seemed just as likely. Half of Sycamore had died, from freshly Kindled to experienced magic users…

“It is weird, yeah. Things would’ve been a lot different between us, I think… I don’t think we would’ve been in the same group either. You probably would’ve gotten on with Luca and Jasper and that lot.” She responded more evenly, glancing up at him with a half smile.
“Did you not have to deal with any of the Snake’s Apparitions? Or the people it controlled? I know that’s what caused a lot of people to Kindle, before they joined Sycamore.”

”We weren’t allowed to leave Temple grounds without an adult. Only Leon had that privilege. Well… Elise did too, but she wasn’t exactly chomping at the bit to get in. She was doing just about everything in her power to get out.” he smiled, fondly remembering Elise’s vehement disgust every time their mom hinted at “girls from school”.

His sister had always been incredibly snobby… It was only after her time in the Witch’s College in New York that she found softness beyond the basic kind.

”Once there was an alert on grounds, and I saw some of them. But I wasn’t really troubled one way or another if I remember right. Snakes with legs was comic book shit, I must’ve just laughed off the absurdity.” he admitted, not having examined this very early reaction to horrors beyond man’s typical comprehension.

“That almost sounds like good parenting.” Trisha commented drily, lips pulling up into a more of a smile.
“If, y’know, I didn’t know what Lynette was generally like as a Mother… Not letting you out alone during a multiversal threat was sensible…”

Maybe Casey saw it a different way, and wished he’d been included and participating. Probably. Trisha would have gladly swapped places and been protected by someone- anyone- from having to participate. Or maybe she could only think that now looking back on it… She’d had enough money to leave the city for the summer. But where could she go as a fourteen year old? Her Mother certainly didn’t want her over that summer.

“You wouldn’t be saying that if you’d seen one of them eat someone.” She continued with a straight face, before letting out a slight laugh.
“The legged snakes were ridiculous enough that they were easier to mentally deal with than the shadow creatures or other nightmares the Snake created and dragged us into. It’s why I’m not really scared of normal snakes like I am the dark.”

”I definitely saw one bite this guy and swallow him whole, so-” Casey half giggled in return, knowing that he’d probably seen worse.

The Nazis weren’t afraid of experimentation, and still unleashing the failures. Failure to them didn’t always mean that the end result wasn’t a nightmarish killing machine, he’d realized. Sometimes failure was simple as “We can’t control this thing when it's out, so it isn’t a viable weapon platform.” But, the freaks and fiends of Thule still lurked in the forests after the war, and that was the most horrifying thing he’d ever been a part of. The Hunts of the Black Forest.

Of course, he didn’t really know the extent of the Stygian’s abilities, leaving him unwilling to push the envelope any further. Popping the door to the back of the SUV, he held Trisha’s hand for her to step up, then unclipped his chest plate to slip out of it and follow her inside. As it came off, his whole kit shrunk into a convenient hand-held size, rather than something big and bulky enough to encase his chest.

The smooth jazz was still audible through the car… Which meant it was clearly magical music. Only, in here, it was quieter. More intimate. The perfect kind of place to really hear the music. There were no words to the song, but a trombone seemed to carry the lyrical aspect of the dirge occasionally singing out in brassy mourning, other times quenching into a low rumble as it waited for the next moment to soar again.

”This music, huh? What the fuck monster has this as a power?” he openly speculated, not exactly associating the massive pillar of pink light… Though, more hints could probably be ascertained from other sources… Like the millions of pink lotus petals falling and melting away like snow.

Trisha raised her eyebrows up at Casey, before pointedly looking outside at the cascading petals. She'd already guessed based on the timing, and the way the music had echoed in the background of her Recollection. But it was impressive that it lasted so long.

“I think it's Greyson's dying… Spell?" She replied, leaning her body into Casey with a slight smile.
“Or, his ghost musically haunting Linqian. I'm sure she won't be happy about it… but the lotus flowers were always his thing, and it started when the pink bubbles hit."

It made it bittersweet, really. Like the Recollection, showing her a rare moment of Sycamore peace. A time when they were happily co-existing and just goofing off like teenagers should be. Even Greyson himself had been on his ‘best’ behaviour- still a dick, but a tolerable one. It was a bit annoying to be reminded of the rare good memories as everything was ending.

“I’m surprised it's lasting this long. What if… you don't think we'll be stuck hearing this for the rest of our lives, so you?" She looked up at him with a somewhat goofy shocked expression, hoping it was clear enough that she was joking. Trying to push herself away from sentimentality about something she shouldn't really be all that sentimental about.

Casey’s lips pursed together in consideration. If this was a spell, it would feel different. Every sensory perception he had of the anomaly gave him the impression of Apparitional magic, with little to no actual associative Lux. In other words, this was a ghost imitating an Adept, but on an Apparitional scale. Their potential, those outer entities, ranged vastly in opposition to the usual Shimmer Adept, whose upper limits were almost entirely determined by the amount of Lux the human body was able to circulate.

”That… May actually be it, honestly. This is an extraneous birth, it seems like. I’ve seen it once before: We had a situation in Italy; the guy wasn’t in my unit, but boy howdy he was fighting like a demon. Then, all of a sudden, crunch, y’know? He got flattened by this fucking- Well, point is, the corpse fuckin’ erupted into this crazy magic. Intense, way more intense than anything I’d seen. His soul coalesced there and then, into this massive red light that shot a pillar just like that into the sky. Only, when stuff started to rain down from the sky, well… They were bullets. And they weren’t raining. They were traveling. Like, y’know, a bullet. It was actually fucking devestating.” he recalled the amount of friendly fire before the unseen entity vanished into nothingness, taking its lights along with it.

”I took one in the shoulder, nearly bled me out.” he giggled.

Trisha stared at him for a moment, head shaking slightly. He said it like it wasn’t a big deal… Maybe it wasn’t. There’d probably been so many times that he’d almost died during the war. It wasn’t exactly her place to tell him he shouldn’t talk about it so lightly… But it did worry her! For the future, and all the times he might just put himself in danger without much thought. It was a worry she already had, just increased as they moved towards the Temple’s collapse.

“So… We should be grateful that his dying eruption is sad jazz and lotus petals? It’s less dangerous than bullets.” She said, trying not to look too sad about the whole Casey almost bleeding out thing. She did shuffle even closer to him so that she could properly cuddle into him, as much as was possible in the SUV.

“I didn’t know that was a thing that could happen. It never happened against the Snake… I guess no one had strong enough emotions or whatever for it to. For such an asshole, Greyson had a lot of love.” She bit her lip, before letting out a slight sigh.
“The Recollection too, it could’ve been awful. Like, the final battle when we sealed it. But it wasn’t. None of the end has been… Makes it feel like Sycamore was all friendliness rather than friendly fire.”

”People grow, and change. Sometimes for the better, other times not. But nostalgia and tinted goggles aren’t always rosey. Sometimes they’re dark, obscuring, and just get in the way of you seeing anything to do with it. Granted: The interactions you’ve had with other Sycamites is a pretty good indication that there were reasons to feel how you do. I’d never try and dissuade you from your grief. But, clearly, not everyone feels how they felt back then. Even if they’re little changes, they made a big impact.”

For a moment, he smiled, then reached for her hand with great love and sincerity.

”Even you, Trisha. Please, try to accept that you’ve helped, and you’ve changed too. Maybe, we can start to hug them, instead of hitting them. After all, it’s all over now. No more tension. No more struggling for them.”

Trisha’s lips pressed together, looking down at their joined hands rather than into his eyes. He was right that people had changed, and she’d changed too. It had been ten years. Ten years of holding onto all of that resentment she felt towards them… But it wasn’t easy to let go of that. Especially after what happened with Martin. But it wasn’t like she’d given anyone a chance to even talk to her, nevermind make any amends- both ways. Except for Leon and that was only because he was Casey’s brother, and now Cass’ boyfriend.

It was hard to see how she’d directly helped. Cass was around helping thanks to her, sure… Casey was involved because of her. Was that enough? It didn’t really matter much anymore, anyway.

“I don’t know how to start getting over all these preconceived notions I have about everyone. And that they have about me.” She admitted, quietly and honestly.
“I didn’t go back because I thought I was just as likely to die whether I returned to Sycamore or not. They wouldn’t protect me. I didn’t give them a chance, because I assumed they wouldn’t give me one. Even though I know I’ve changed, and they probably had too. But I didn’t think I’d changed positively… I don’t know. I want to try, even if it’s all over and we’re going to leave. Not because of the stuff Leon was talking about, trying to be a coven that helps each other. But… I think there’s some people I could really be… friends with if I didn’t just react like I always do.”

”Like who?” Casey asked very simply.
Of course, she maybe meant Lila, and whoever the Hell she hung around with. Tangentially, 8th Street? No way; he’d already been in talks with a mole about finding ways to get Emily G. Reed to take some kind of bait for the authorities.

He was hoping that it was going to be something having to do with this scenario. Wrapping them up in a magical R.I.C.O. case would be their best chance of seeing Emily in prison forever.

“Probably…” Trisha trailed off, frowning a little bit. How many people were even left alive? So many of the more tolerable ones weren’t. Plenty of them died ten years back.
“Lila, I guess. It was fine until she brought up Evelynn… And Luca and Jasper, maybe. And then, well… Leon. Which maybe sounds a bit silly, but I didn’t really see myself being friends with him eventually until recently. Even when he started dating Cass. But then there’s everything with Martin so it’s still… hard to picture.”

Casey frowned remembering the whole problem with Martin and Leon’s culpability in it. Though, it wasn’t like Leon hadn’t been remorseful. He was hesitant to spill the beans on what they’d talked about between brothers…

”Well… I understand still being hesitant with Leon, but… Well, I hope that one day, sooner rather than later, you guys can level with one another for the sake of your own pasts. Not to say he feels worse than you, because obviously that’s not possible, but he’s absolutely broken up about it.”

And he understood why his brother hadn’t expressed remorse until then, even being in such close proximity with Trisha. Simply put, it was far easier to avoid these things if nobody was intent on calling you out. But, now that the dam was broken, a far more matured Leon could see the track of consequences, and then he had to deal with the emotional ramifications of that. Not that it was great, but any improvement was better than abject avoidance.

Trisha nodded slowly.
“I think… I want to move past it and try, at least. Even if it isn't easy for me, and I'll struggle to not just be defensive for a while. It's difficult because I don't normally… forgive. But I know I should eventually. It was pretty obvious how bad he felt about it. And he is dating my best friend- if Cass and you want to be around him then- then, there's something there for me to build on, right? And I love you and Cass enough to try."

It was a difficult process of convincing herself really, trying to really move past the resentful unforgiving person she'd been. Nobody ever gave her second chances so why should she. But now people did… and she had people that loved her, even if she found it difficult to entirely accept. She wanted her tiny bubble to expand. And either way, Leon was going to be in her life. If Cass really liked both of them like she claimed, then there must be some way the two could become friendly too. Even if it was something she'd never pictured before and still struggled with.

“I’ll need time before we actually… talk about it. Otherwise I'll just snap, and- Well, you know how much I hate talking about things." She gripped his hand a bit tighter.

In turn, he gave her the reassuring hand squeeze.
”As long as you think it’ll come, Trisha. I don’t want you to force yourself: Ultimately, if I have to separate those two parts of my life, I will. I don’t mind. Part of being an adult is doing stuff like that, and making sure that the people affected have enough information that they can also move on somehow.”

It was a difficult circumstance all around. Of course, ultimately, he didn’t love that he was in the middle of it… Thus, try and try again to make sure it’s all settled before they get settled. Before too many things had to be busted and broken in order to fit all the pieces into his life.
But at the same time, his connection to Leon came back to life, like his Brother knew he was being talked about.

”Casey!? The main lift is locked down! Say a prayer, they’re trying something stupid to get it running!”

Casey furrowed his brow inadvertently, clearing his throat.

”Speak of the Devil…” he said aloud, closing his eyes to try and get a better picture from the people he was connected to.

And then Trisha would be able to see the hairs on his arm stand at attention. Every bit of his body tensed, like he was about to vomit.

”That… That’s not gonna work! Stop, don’t fucking do that!”

”Oddly enough, I trust Keera. Besides, what’s the worst that happens if it doesn’t work?”

Then the entire house, and the entire top of the hill, turned into a massive flash of light as the facility split open and ruptured like a giant cyst. And the ejecta was, among the debris of raining corpses and plenty of stuff that had been kept down there, the soaring disk that was the encased lift they’d been stuck inside. The guard team at the top of the lift was almost certainly dead if they hadn’t gotten communication to move, and since he hadn’t seen anyone else leave the house, it was almost a guarantee that they were paste.

And then the matter of fact was that God knows how many people were now soaring through the air like a frisbee hucked out of a clay pigeon trap.

”Oh my fucking GOD!?” Casey exclaimed loudly, almost immediately opening the door again to try and get a bead on where this thing was going to land.

“What the fuck?!" Trisha's reactive panic had all of her bees gathering onto her again with quiet buzzes. She shuffled after Casey, leaning out as best she could around him to also watch the budget spaceship landing. She resisted the urge to grab onto him, not sure if he was going to have to run out or take any other quick action. She didn't want to hinder him just because she was freaking out a bit.

“What- What- Everyone's in there right?!" She was doing her best not to go into full blown panic mode over it. It wasn’t like she could do anything, and it would just make things worse for Casey. She could already imagine how Cass was going to be calling it the best rollercoaster she'd ever been on. If she survived. She had to. If she didn't… Fuck. It would be fine. It had to be. Even if the house and part of the hill had completely exploded.

“Shit… that… Do we need to try and get to… whenever that's going to land? We should, shouldn't we?!"

Casey ran through a big list of the people who were involved that could potentially help this situation. This madness... As far as direct influences, he could think of a couple without getting terribly creative. It was really a matter of how they’d managed to pop the stack and get launched out of an elevator shaft like that.

”And… Catch it? They had some kind of plan. Let’s just-”

His ears caught the sound of loud grinding. There was no way… Spinning his whole body back to the farmhouse, now grabbing Trisha in both his arms, he couldn’t believe that there was a chance that they were coming out of the hole now… That they weren’t in the elevator.

”INCOMING IN FIVE, FOUR, THREE-”

Battered by the incoming psychic communication, Casey was simply stunned as the literal floor of the elevator shaft ground up to the top of the shaft before violently tipping up and over to launch its occupants haphazardly across the field.
There was still fighting happening, causing a great deal of the overwatch crews to try and slide into the conflict in order to overwhelm the enemies with numbers. But, before Casey and Trisha could even make their way up the hill to get there, things were breaking up.

Except for, strangely, Andrade... He wasn’t even using his knife: He had someone underneath him, knees pinning his arms as he drove his fist up and down again and again. He was sobbing. Weeping. Screaming downward as he mashed and mashed. Leon was quick to pull him off once he was coherent, his body producing massive plumes of steam as fresh, open wounds opened and closed with his flesh. His hair was pure white, and his body was massive compared to usual, standing two heads taller than usual with massive boney growths covering his fists like clawed gauntlets.

Casey, still slightly holding onto Trisha for fear of something else happening, quickly guided them up toward the madness. Cautionarily, he looked back at the flying disk just about as it hit the ground and exploded into a cloud of smoke and dust. His brow furrowed into anger, and for the first time, Trisha would be able to see a truly different Casey. Knowing what was coming, his hands came up to clasp over Trisha’s ears so she didn’t immediately get scared.



His voice was like a loudspeaker, booming and full of fury. Though, Trisha would be able to feel that he wasn’t shaking. Rather, his hands around her ears were relaxed! Relaxed to the point that he was able to rub the back of her head comfortingly with his thumb. Leon was a little shocked, and some of the other lesser Adepts stood starkly at attention.

”Casey, don’t-”

Maybe it was bad to be this fearless… Maybe it was detrimental to his health. But Casey did his best to gently move Trisha to the side before rushing his giant brother in a meager attempt to tackle the ton of titanic muscle. He met a wall, but that didn’t stop him from using Leon’s arm like a step to climb him and drive his fist into Leon’s face.
Amazingly, it was enough to send the monster tumbling on his ass… Granted, Lelou had purposefully withdrawn her protection in that instant, but it looked impressively intimidating. But, before he could go to town-

”Hey, what the fuck?!” Obviously Cass wasn’t going to just sit around and let the two brothers beat each other to death- or just Casey beat Leon’s face over and over, like how it looked like it was going to go. No fucking way! He could be pissed all he wanted for how things went, but that didn’t give him a free pass to wail on a guy.

She wasn’t that far from Leon anyway, so it was pretty easy for her to dive in, using her Green Lux enhanced strength to try and pull Casey off Leon without hurting him.
”Fucking- Stop that shit!”

Trisha silently watched from where Casey had moved her to, one hand covering her mouth and eyes wide.

Still in a rage, but ultimately not strong enough on his own to break her hold, Casey baby-kicked until he was back on the ground.

”You didn’t ask! You didn’t fucking ask, you didn’t say anything, you fucking killed my guys!”

Leon was trying to sort out what his brother meant while getting up, though his body had to turn to see the ruined house behind them. A ruined house… His guys? Leon’s heart sunk as he realized the repercussions of their quick escape. Blowing the lid off with the lift, the explosion behind it, must’ve absolutely shattered the house that people were guarding. Actively guarding, in positions inside the place…

When he turned back to face his brother again, there was abject horror in his expression.

”Why… Why did you have people stationed in the house!? You didn’t say anything about that!”

Released, Casey was already moving again, this time rushing past Leon and up toward the ruins of the house proper, where he desperately began shuffling debris out as his telepathic powers hunted for any magical connections underneath.

”Medic!? Fucking… MEDIC!?”

This wasn’t a great place to be for him. Lots of memories of dragging bodies out of bombed out buildings. Now his hands were shaking. Now he was having the reaction that, until then, he could disassociate from. He wasn’t grunting as he moved things, he was practically screaming in desperation. Every ounce of muscle was being used to try and shift things around just so he could get to one faint signal.

”Let me- Let me move the shit!” Cass shoved her way past Casey again, trying to sniff out whoever he was trying to get to. But there was too much dust in the air for her nose to be of much use… But she had magical strength that he hadn’t, having an easier time tearing away a large piece of debris Casey was trying to get through.

”Just direct me! I’m also a fucking medic!”

Others followed after Cass, realizing what’d happened and very quickly jumping into the effort to help. Leon’s nose was sensitive enough in this form, despite all the dust, and he was easily able to begin crashing through the rubble to find everyone. Corpse or not, he could smell them. Hear their breathing. It was far more useful than what Casey was trying to do, considering he could technically do something similar but was far too captured by his emotions to do anything but be… Useless.

He barely even recognized Cass when she stepped in, wildly moving toward whatever rubble he could before his older brother ultimately embraced him and dragged him kicking and screaming back to Trisha with a grim look on his face. He didn’t bother apologizing… It was just another mistake. Another unforgivable mistake. Placing Casey down, he sprinted back up, starting to take control of the situation.

On his knees, Casey weakly leaned back and stared at the situation as the hundred or so people started to clear the rubble out more and more.

“Don’t- Don’t look at that.” Trisha practically whispered, snapping out of her own shock over the whole situation to move around in front of Casey and hug him. She curled around him slightly, trying to cradle his head against her so he couldn’t look.

She held him as tightly as she could, burying her own face into his hair and kissing his scalp. She didn’t really know what to do. The last time he’d said just her being there helped… But the last time was over a watermelon! Not a blown up building filled with possible dead bodies. His men. People he’d ordered in there. Fuck…

“It’s not your fault, Casey…”

There was enough to know that he was blaming himself. Probably the constant low volume ”Can’t save them…” that he was whispering over and over again. Still, he locked around Trisha even harder and began to sob heavily.

”Couldn’t fucking save them again!” he whimpered, hands gripping into her almost too tightly.
But, he was also fighting it internally. He knew she was there, and she was right. It hadn’t been his fault… Directly, maybe… But he had sent them in there. Even if the other group managed to get down and link up, which they clearly had, they hadn’t relayed that there was another group at the top! And he should’ve made sure they knew beforehand, that Cass knew, or Leon knew beforehand…

There were a thousand scenarios in his head where this hadn’t happened… Where people had been more patient, and waited, and hadn’t just done whatever the fuck they wanted… He couldn’t help but feel disrespected again, and totally looked over. How could he accept responsibility for this?
He simply couldn’t. There was no way he could live with this on his hands knowing what had happened recently, and what would happen in the near future. The reality was, it was time, once more, to lead men and make mistakes doing so. No commanding officer had a spotless track record, and if they did, they were lying. He’d come to this conclusion with his Therapist, that there were no perfect soldiers. That everyone was human…

With Trisha holding him, reassuring him, he at least managed to stop whimpering. There was no telling what the others would think after seeing him like this… About breaking down in the middle of command, assaulting a “subordinate” in as much as the two of them agreed Casey was logistically in charge… He didn’t consider that the others would actually have empathy, or respect for him, after this. But, eventually he was at least no longer trying to crush Trisha every time his chest heaved.
He was quiet. Quiet enough to speak weakly…

”Why… Why don’t people wait? Why don’t they listen to me?” he frustratedly spoke from within Trisha’s embrace.

Trisha had managed to hold Casey as solidly as she could, barely making a sound even as he squeezed her tight enough it hurt a few times. But a little physical pain was nothing on the emotional anguish he was going through… Even through the silent sobbing, she could guess some of what was going through his head. The guilt and trauma that came with something like this.

“I don't know." Trisha admitted softly, tilting her head slightly so her voice was completely muffled by his hair. She wasn't sure if it was a question he even wanted an answer for… Not that she had any amazing ones.

“Maybe they panicked. Not… everyone thinks clearly under duress… Not that it excuses anything… I don't know, Casey, I really don't. They should-" She bit her lip for a moment. Maybe it'd be hypocritical to say they really should listen to him, because she didn't always. But she was trying, and in situations like this… She really would. Because he was the one with experience. It wasn't hypocritical to say people should listen to him here, because it wasn't the same as the times she didn't in their relationship.

“People like to think they know best, even if they don't. They don't… like having someone above them. I guess it's cause… we're not all trained like in the military?"

”How the fuck am I supposed to talk to him about this? This… shit… I’ve ruined it. You’re free. You’re both free. Safe, finally. I go and make a big deal out of a few people getting hurt and dying… They signed up for this. They knew there was a chance for danger. For death. But, they didn’t sign up to get mashed by friendly fire. Nobody signs up for that except the Soviets.” he grumbled, not willing to put his emotions into more crying.

He’d done enough work. Enough work to talk himself down, and he hadn’t quite seen anyone’s parts strewn about like a Blonde Betty factory, so that part wasn’t fresh in his mind… But it was still difficult. He didn’t have to see it to know that he’d seen it before. Wrenching rubble out of the way just to find a severed arm that he had to cast aside in a desperate attempt to find the owner.

There were footsteps getting close. Close enough for Trisha to feel the person behind her.
”C-casey? Trisha?”

Casey sighed, head tilting downward slightly in frustration.
”What…”

”Leon asked me to, uh… Well… Three. Three in the accident. Eight down below. He wants to know if you want us to start recovering them from the bowels.”

Casey gritted his teeth, shifting with Trisha so he could look up and behind her.

”If it’s safe enough to mount a recovery, why did anyone think such a drastic escape plan was necessary?” Casey asked in a very firm voice.

Andrade’s first response was a look of sadness. The frown told Casey everything he needed to know.

”Say it. Just say it.”

”It was supposed to be triumphant, I guess… I don’t know, Casey.” he shrugged his shoulders like a beaten dog.

The look of disgust that met him was nothing less than soul crushing.

”And you’re some veteran Adept… Get the fuck away from me.” Casey replied venomously.

”I need to know… Are we going back-”

”Get. Our. People. Back.” he growled lowly.
”And tell Leon, if he’s so fucking smart and so fucking triumphant, he can have his victory lap by dealing with the rest of this shit. I’m taking my Fiance and going home. Tell him he can find his own ride back.”

”I’m… I’m sorry, Casey.” Andrade replied with great sadness in his voice.

”Me too. Sorry I ever thought I could control what you fuckers do.”

Trisha would be able to feel Casey’s bodily strength as he stood up, urging her to stand with him.

”How about it, Uncle Dre? So worried about dying before… Innocent people died for you instead. Good fucking work.”

And without giving him a chance to retort, Casey turned back toward the SUV and begin walking quietly.
”Can you drive, Trisha?” he asked, doing his best to calm his voice down.

“I can." Trisha answered simply. She didn't have anything else to say in the immediate moment… What could she say? It was fucked up. People were always going to die today… But those three had been preventable. She glanced over towards the former house for a moment, briefly glancing at Cass as she darted about helping with healing. Had she supported the whole dramatic escape? Probably.

It was difficult to process. What mattered right now was Casey, anyway.

She had to adjust the seat as she got into the driver's side, taking a moment to get comfortable with the vehicle that wasn't her own. She wasn't someone who enjoyed being the driver, so she rarely did when it wasn't her own car… but she was competent enough to, obviously.

“So… Home? Can you, uh, direct me? Or, I guess, pull up a map… I didn't pay attention on the way here." She bit her lip, at least switching on the ignition.

She glanced over at him.
“I’m… Sorry Sycamore shit affected you like this. I- I know it isn't my fault! But I'm still sorry."

”I wish it was Sycamore shit. It wasn’t, Babe… This being something involving that is just cursory. If it wasn’t this moment, it’d be another in a couple weeks. Some stupid, worthless break in the chain of command allowing people to make bad choices without thinking of consequence.”

Casey cleared his throat, taking a deep breath after and looking behind them.
”Get to the road, take a right. It’s a straight shot to the on-ramp.”

He’d dropped all of his connections in the prior moments, and now had to reestablish connection to the other sectors of the operation. At least there was good news from other directions, including the Sycamore Tree. They’d pacified the old man, and were already in the midst of building a defendable position on top of the tree. He managed to get another crew moving toward the wreckage of the elevator, and it was getting handled by a rather competent and rapidly moving team. The same group, actually, who initially secured the tree once they had coordinates.

Trisha followed his instructions, getting them to the road as she thought about what he said. Her initial thought that something like this was so like Sycamore, assuming the one other member there would be all for it… Because normally that was the kind of person Linqian was. But the more she thought about it, the less likely that seemed in this situation. That triumphant victory had come at the sacrifice of her boyfriend, after all.

“I thought that Temple members were good at following orders. Or is that only when they fear some kind of punishment?" Trisha asked, nibbling on her lip.

“I guess… When you have people higher up who don't have to worry so much, they're not going to follow orders if they think they know better. Especially when they're… Older. Like with Leon, cause he's your older brother. Older siblings always think they're right… Well, not that I think Leon's entirely like mine. But there's definitely a bit of that, isn't there?"

”He’s become considerate when cooled down. But as soon as you get him riled up, all that bridled excitement comes out as bursts of stupidity. Mom knew just as well… Hence the control. Hence the collar and leash. She had five years of relative peace with him, and those years are almost certainly responsible for his fucking introspective reniessance.”

He gritted his teeth, eyes closed and brain being pulled as a fellow White Lux Adept attempted to pull his attention from the farmhouse. An update; two more dead from unhealable injuries. Apparently, a curse user had marked several of them with a true-death mark, blocking any sort of external Lux being pumped into their bodies. And the apparitional nature of the green goo, apparently, accelerated the process. It wasn’t great news. But he didn’t bother oversharing with Trisha.

His attitude got markedly worse, however.

”It was just him. Most of the Adepts in the security corps were trained by Furio. He wasn’t a soldier per se, but Dad knew that he wanted his own militia. So, my uncle trained Furio when he was younger, as a cadet would be trained in the FFL. Military enough to give a fuck about the organization of a chain of command, and the necessity for some form of discipline should that chain fail.”

And there were some legendary stories about Furio’s “discipline.” It was purely corporal punishment. Humiliating, line crossing, corporal punishment. The offender was reduced to nothing more than a misbehaving child, and worse… Because there was nobody to turn to, it went on for more than a decade. He’d never done anything particularly untoward to wind up in that scenario, but he remembered Furio taking a much younger Leon down during an actual sermon.

He remembered how his Mother and Father, and hundreds of other people in the chapel, watched. Impassive, horrified, as Leon was humiliated and practically whipped in front of them. But it never seemed to break his spirit. As if it was all part of it, Leon would do the wrong thing, be punished, and be right back to his usual impulsive and bullheaded nature.

”Leon hasn’t ever given a fuck about a chain of command. He’s got a big ego, I guess. Big enough to take the lumps. Though, I guess lately he’s been cracking up. Maybe it’ll do something. Maybe today will stick.” he finally spoke up again.

”Also, exit eighteen. We’ve got four left, so just stay here in the right. I don't mind going slow.”

Which was, maybe, a necessary thing to distinguish given how frustrated he always seemed to be driving on the highway. He always drove like he was in a rush, and loudly complained at anyone who slowed him down.

Trisha nodded, doing as he said and sticking to the right and the speed limit.

“I’m not that nervous of a driver, you know. Just more cautious… But I've dealt with Cass backseat driving before." She said it more because she didn't want to think she was anxious about being the one having to drive… Or at least, any more anxious than she normally was. There was the worry he'd get upset at her for being slower than he would be, which his words helped with, but it was something she could ignore in favour of concentrating on driving until he started actually complaining at her.

“Doesn’t surprise me with Leon… There wasn’t really anyone to tell him what to do in the coven, since he was Daisy’s cousin, but anyone that tried got ignored or shouted down.” She continued.
“Cass won’t let the ego stick. At least not… With ignoring what others say. She’s not exactly better when it comes to getting riled up and doing stupid things, though. They’re probably gonna make each other worse as much as they’ll make each other better. But she’ll probably be pretty upset over what happened this time so… Maybe that’ll help it stick.”

She bit her lip, not sure if she wanted to continue to say the other thought she had. Because she knew it was wrong. But they’d promised to be honest to each other… And she was trying. He probably wouldn’t hate her, right?

“It’s… Bad, isn’t it, that I think that the leash wasn’t all bad? It’s hypocritical… Because I’d hate that and it’s fucked up. So I know it’s wrong, but he was such… an asshole ten years ago. And if he was still entirely like that- I don’t know. I certainly wouldn’t see a future where I could stand to be around him, nevermind try to be friends.” She gnawed on her lip, half thankful she couldn’t look at Casey to see his reaction.

”Yeah… If it gave him the time to gain some level of introspection, I can’t entirely knock it either.”

His comment would probably be surprising to Trisha, given her thoughts, but he’d spent enough time considering that idea recently in the same light. The fact that Leon would probably be better mind controlled, if just a little. He was dangerous; more dangerous than he had been as an Adept, surely. He was always good, and loved magic enough to practice like his life depended on it. He’d been an amazing Adept.

But Lelou was a Hound-Touched apparition whose history stretched back millions of physical years. What was an Adept to something like that? That was the ultimate crux of the treatment toward Adjoined, after all… The distinct imbalance that came from channeling a vague magical force, versus channeling a being with intrinsic connections to reality bending abilities… In truth, one would always be harder to pin down. Harder to regulate. He wasn’t entirely against Aberrations being monitored, at least until he started dating one.

It was a lot harder to feel that way now. He’d always known there were relationships like Trisha and the Queen. But, it always seemed like the outlier. Like most Aberrations would jump at the chance to do something crazy… It was the influence of their patrons, after all: Most weren’t benevolent creatures. Most were rather amoral, or worse, and didn’t have qualms about bending humanity to their will…

So yeah, the Leash was a good thing. But a bad good thing. A good bad time, for a bad good reason.

”But, you’re obviously right. It isn’t the most moral thing to think. Doesn’t mean we can’t accept that we both feel something like that and just move on hoping for the best from here.” he asserted, almost as if he was trying to convince himself rather than her.

“I guess… Time will tell whether the feeling gets stronger or goes away.” Trisha replied, not entirely convinced that it would be easy to move on from. But it wasn’t like she was morally perfect, especially when it came to how she thought about other people. It was a part of herself she didn’t like, how easily she could think bad of others and be happy something made it easier for her to be around them no matter how negative. But she cared even more here because if Cass got even a whiff of those thoughts… She wouldn’t be too happy about it.

And Trisha really didn’t want to risk losing that friendship.

“At- At least we both feel the same! So we can move on together and do our best. Even though our relationship with him… Is pretty different… I’m just glad Cass is there too. She can actually handle when he acts like… An obstinate asshole.”

Casey nodded.

”Even if we didn’t, Trisha… It’s incredibly important to me for you to be able to express yourself. All I’ve heard about from people are nightmares about how they feel stifled or controlled. I don’t want to be like that. If you hated my brother forever, you hate him forever… The only thing I could ask at that point is that you do your best to separate your feelings from your actions so that peace could be maintained. And, in return, I’d do my best to minimize the interactions completely. To try not to isolate myself from my brother, while still maintaining your level of comfort.”

Maybe for some people, that kind of an agreement would be stifling in itself. In truth, he imagined it would be incredibly difficult, which probably explained why he was running so much damage control all the time. A lot of the talk around the campfire, or what it amounted to in the African Front, had been idealistic soldiers talking about what they hoped life would be like when they got back. Casey’s hope had always been peace. It’s all he ever wanted. Peace, and ultimately, love from those around him. Maybe recognition. Hopefully respect. But, he could deal with peace and love…

And he had love. Peace? Who knew when that would really come?

”It’d be hard. But, I’d do that for you. You’re my wife… Well, just about.” he managed to crack a grin as he looked over at her.

“Almost. We just need to sign the papers.” Trisha managed a soft giggle, blushing as she briefly glanced over at him before turning her eyes back to the road. It was nice to know that he’d do that for her. There’d never been anyone else who would… Being his priority made her incredibly happy.

“I don’t think I hate Leon. I don’t like him, and I don’t know how I’ll forgive him… But I don’t hate him. And I… love you more than I dislike him. Cass too. I want to be the kind of person who can forgive people and build some kind of relationship after I’ve been hurt, without ignoring my own feelings. Nobody’s ever given me that chance- and I don’t think I’d have taken it before. It’s not like I’m perfect or anything… So I do want to try. But I’m glad that even if it doesn’t work out-” Like things often didn’t when it came to her relationships, friendships or otherwise-
“That you’d be willing to do that and still be there with me.”

”I can only hope that things will get better. I’d never ask you to love him, or call him Big Brother or anything… Even I don’t usually give him that kind of deference anymore… But, in hoping that things get better, I like to imagine a world where you, at least, become numb to him. It’d be better than nothing at all.” he shrugged in return.

”Pissed as I am, I still love him. Just because I love you a little more, doesn’t really diminish all of that. So, just promise me you’ll keep trying to deal with him? Or, don’t promise… Just say you’ll do your best. That’s all I can hope for.”

Trisha hesitated for a moment, before nodding. One hand came off the wheel for a moment to reach out for Casey’s.
“I’ll do my best. Because I love you… I promise, I’ll really try.”

---

---

---

---

---

It was earlier than Trisha would’ve liked when she woke up to the sound of her alarm’s musical ringing, reluctantly set only a couple of hours ago. It wasn’t even that early… But Casey hadn’t come home until the early hours of the morning, after only a few hours together at home the day before. Obviously, in the long hours between, Trisha hadn’t gotten any sleep. Still struggled to sleep without him there.

But the thought of having to get up and out of bed wasn’t as awful as it had been the last few days. There was still a reluctance, but it wasn’t as strong. The heaviness she’d felt weighing down on her was beginning to alleviate. Like everything wasn’t so pointless, and she wasn’t as worthless as she’d thought then. Maybe it was because things were beginning to look up… The people hunting her for months were finally dealt with. Or it was just the natural cycle of her depressive periods.

She was slowly beginning to accept that maybe that’s what it was, too. Depression.

One arm stretched out to mute her alarm, before she twisted around to snuggle back up to Casey. She’d set it to give them plenty of time, after all… She wasn’t going to miss out on morning cuddle time just because she was beginning to feel a bit better.

“Good morning.” She spoke softly, tilting her head up to look at Casey with a gentle smile. She was still blinking the sleep out of her eyes… Soft in the morning light.
“Not that we… had a proper sleep but… I missed waking up with you. Getting up together. I don’t even feel like getting up is the hardest thing in the world now.”

Casey had a long night of his own. Only a few hours after getting home, he was called upon to come back out as was his duty, in order to situate everything properly. Leon was notably absent for most of it, leaving Casey feeling at least confident enough to return to the position he was assigned to. Most people seemed incredibly supportive, if not empathetic. A trait he wouldn’t have imagined, and certainly wouldn’t have found in the military. People may’ve been sympathetic, sure, but what he did was a court martial waiting to happen. Only people like Patton got away with bashing a soldier half unconscious to try and snap them out of shellshock…

Lesser officers got rolled under the mat and squashed like ants. No time for games from the US Military… Too busy doing God only knows what else. Still, it was a great deal of effort to go through. It wasn’t like things were simple: More work had to be tacked onto the Macguffin, as the elevator crash had rather unintended consequences. Being that it was so close to the highway, and that it ultimately landed on a local timber company’s mill building killing just about everyone inside, there was some serious press coverage before anyone was able to cover it up.

Which, in turn, got the PRA involved even more so than they had been… Casey was willing to play ball with them, handing over whatever living members of Dollhouse they’d managed to capture from inside the bunker after the cleanup. But, they didn’t seem to have any questions about the Stygian Snake… Maybe because Bianca knew what was supposed to happen… He didn’t bother asking questions at that point. Not when there was a tree to see. He went to the new facility, which looked like a fresh warehouse that the farm was using to store equipment, and actually saw this Sycamore Tree for himself.

It was a rather impressive tree, all things considered. Knotted, gnarled, an awful majesty swirled about it. Only magic could reveal the carvings that were indicative of it being used as some sort of prison, and any further magic was just dangerous… The tree, after all, was still rather hungry. It’s why nothing grew over its roots… Why it was all alone on this hill, completely devoid of grass or grain in spite of its verdant dark green, almost black, leaves.

Impressive, but ultimately frustrating. Just another thing tying her to this place. Another thing tying them all to this place. It had to be guarded. It had to be defended. Project Eden was already looking for new solutions, and Gin had been there working her team to the bone with magical projective testing. He was, at least for now, satisfied between the large presence and the defensibility of the funhouse bullshit some of his hired cousins had come up with. The facility was run entirely on Orange and Purple Lux, turning the interior into an extended-reality space that allowed them to manipulate the dimensions of the interior almost indefinitely… He wasn’t sure what the workaround was, but he knew external Lux jammers could, in theory, prevent anyone from doing anything about it. The only two options left were deal with it, or give up…

Then, there was reporting to Lynette… And that hadn’t gone particularly well with Furio and Clarissa both egging her on for punishment. Casey didn’t resist. He took the lashes that came, knowing that the days of this edifice were numbered. Even Lynette seemed remorseful after the fact, knowing that she’d soured yet another moment with her son where she could’ve spent it reconciling… But her anger and sadness over the situation, and the constant pressure from her closest friends, drove her to make that poor decision. It was something she could only give to him in a burst of White Lux… And he’d rejected the connection. He didn’t want her. He didn’t want to give her the chance to hurt his emotions again, especially not now knowing all that she’d done. About his Father… About Leon and the Leash. About how she’d played them all like sock puppet toys.

He only really wanted to talk to and be around Trisha in that moment… But, Leon still had to be dealt with. It was difficult finding him, until he finally made it to their Father’s first gym. The two men hashed the issue out in the oldest way they knew how. And, once and for all, without any kind of outside help or interference, Casey proceeded to beat the everloving snot out of his champion brother. It wasn’t technique, it wasn’t power: It was brutality. Efficient, calculated brutality that Leon hadn’t quite expected from his brother. Maybe he’d been too gentle, thinking they were just going lightly, but after a couple seconds of actually being assaulted, Leon didn’t hold much back either.

Yet, in the end, there was no real resolution from that. The resolution came after. The sobbing. The crying. The hugging, and the apologies, and the promises. The expectations set. The love that still held, because both of them truly wanted it to be there… It was almost three in the morning by the time the two of them returned to their respective apartments in that tall brick building. And Casey, actually, slept like a baby. He was still intent on doing so were it not for Trisha’s shuffling body and subsequent words.

In a haze, he half-opened his eyes.
”W-who said ‘nything about… Waking up together?”
Still, his arms gently reached out, one slipping under her while the other wrapped over her to tug her in close.
”Back t’sleep…”

“Alright… If you want woken up in an hour by Cass jumping on you after she breaks in, sure.” Trisha responded with a gentle laugh, managing to wriggle one arm up to tap his nose. Even though she was beginning to properly wake up, it was still in the period where she wouldn’t have much difficulty getting back to sleep… She’d love to, honestly. If it was anyone else she’d probably just ignore the plans and go along with it.

But it was Cass. She’d find a way in. And with Trisha beginning to feel a bit better herself, there wasn’t that extra depressive obstacle to overwhelm her anxiety at ignoring plans.

“You’re the one that planned breakfast with Leon and Cass. Not even lunch… breakfast.” She pouted cutely at him, the way she clung to him in turn not exactly screaming someone who wanted to get out of bed- and drag him with her.
“Do you know how hard it is to resist you tryna seduce me back to sleep.”

”It can’t be seduction, my boxers are still on.”
Though, he playfully looked under the covers as if to make sure before laughing and kissing her on the forehead.
”What’s going on? You feeling froggy now that the cloud hanging over St. Portwell has lifted?” he asked in an equally playful, facetious manner.

“Mm, sorta. I’m feeling a bit better… It’s nice not waking up worrying if I’m going to get stabbed. Who’d have thought that’d be a mood improver… But it’s mostly having you here. Hopefully more often.” Her lips curled up into a warm smile, and she leaned up to gently kiss him.

Her tone became something more playfully coy, blinking up at him with purposefully goofy exaggeration.
“You seduce me whatever you’re wearing. Boxers or not, fully clothed… Even a full clown outfit I bet… I just can’t resist.”

Casey couldn’t help but smile back at her after pulling away from their kiss. He giggled, blushed, then bit onto his bottom lip.
”Well… How much time do we have?”

“Enough.” Trisha hummed softly, eyes creasing happily before she leaned in to kiss him again.

---

The two of them were going to be a little late walking into Abrazo, but at least they’d texted Cass to let the other two know that would be the case. Which was fine, since Leon and Cass were practically on twenty-four hour schedules. Giving up fifteen minutes when you could fully utilize twenty four hours just meant they got to eat pancakes together before Casey and Trisha showed up. The place was sleepy on a Monday morning, only the usuals scattered about eating their scones and cubanos while chatting or watching the television that sat over the breakfast bar.

Leon was nervous. He had been the entire day yesterday. A ball of grief and self hatred, even. Cass helped, but at the same time didn’t shy away from admonishment of his actions. It was understandable, but ultimately left him half-terrified of the fact that Trisha may reject him. That, one day, he could still lose his brother and his girlfriend to… Her. To someone who he’d only ever really wronged. It was difficult to know that face would be staring at him. The same one that he always saw when she was pissed off…

He never could’ve known why they were going to be late, nor that they’d be coming in with relatively good spirits considering how difficult yesterday had been. Leon stuffed a piece of pancake into his mouth.

”I just… Don’t know what the fuck this is really supposed to be, y’know? Like, what, will he want to talk about things again with you two around? D’you think that’s a necessary thing to do? To dwell on it like that?” he asked Cass with nervous energy.

Cass couldn’t immediately respond, too busy shoving an entire pancake in her mouth at once. Since the place was so quiet, there wasn’t really anyone who could easily see them nice and tucked away as they were. So she didn’t really care about the whole proper eating thing! Though it did then make it difficult to reply as she chewed and chewed.

She reached out to pat his leg as she worked through the pancake, finally speaking after it was all swallowed.
”Honestly… I can’t say for sure! Though I don’t think it’s dwelling… Like, unless he’s gonna sit down and just rip into you. But sometimes you gotta chat about shit to actually move past it… Which, well, yeah, you guys already did together! But y’know Trisha, probably needs to hear some of it herself and say her own piece. And obviously I’m here to keep the peace! And eat Andrade outta his pancakes.”

And, assuming they were running low at this point, the man himself quietly brought another couple of stacks.

”Hey, I don’t mind. Eat ‘em up.” he spoke calmly, giving a smile to both of them.
”It’s all gotta go, after all.”

Leon looked up curiously.

”Closing shop?” he asked with his nervousness clear in his voice. Andrade nodded in reply.

”What’s left for me?” he asked in a matter-of-fact tone.

Which made Leon a bit sad. He had seen what Andrade did the day before. How it’d affected him. Seeing his brother die, having the chance to seal the apparition that had corrupted both Luis and their father… He’d done the right thing, and Leon didn’t think he was undeserving of a second chance.

”Us? I can’t speak for Cass, but… I’d bat for you, Andrade. You did what was asked of you in the end. You did the right thing.” he looked at Cass, almost to get some kind of confirmation.

Cass was already reaching for another stack of pancakes, pausing to look up at Leon, then Andrade, before nodding.

”Oh, yeah! I mean, you did a bunch’ve fucked up shit and I’m sure there’ll be people who ain’t gonna just forgive it cause’ve doing the right thing in the end. Y’know, other Sycamore people.” She said matter of factly, dancing around directly naming Trisha.

”That’s their right… But it’s others' right to forgive! I mean, I ain’t exactly been so involved so I ain’t sure I even have that right… But I sure do believe in second chances! And I ain’t just saying this cause’ve all the food you’re handing me right now, I really mean it. Cause without you- and Greyson- we’d all probably be dead!”

Andrade sighed.

”It’s complicated, isn’t it… Who knows? To the rest of the world, I’m still Andrade Salamente. I’ve got fucking eight rosettes under my belt. People pay thousands of dollars to host their private parties in my restaurants. Celebrities visit my places regularly. What’s it all for? Compensating for a life I couldn’t live on my own. I’ve done a lot of thinking the last few weeks…”

And then they were caught! From around the booth, someone cleared their throat.
”You two gluttons couldn’t wait?” Casey laughed, sliding around Andrade before hugging into him. His lips pursed up against Andrade’s ear.
”I’m sorry… For yesterday. I can’t take back what-”

Andrade hugged him back tightly, not letting him finish before pulling away and looking at him.
”Sit. Don’t mention it…”

Starting to walk away, he turned back.
”I’ll send a server over so you guys can actually get started.”
But he made sure to pass by Trisha close enough that he could stop and ask her something.

”I’ve uh… Well, the lawyers and stuff, all of it… We’ll need to talk. It’s good. Good for you. The honey will always have a home.” he said cryptically before walking away fully, leaving the four to greet one another properly.

”Honestly, Casey, he just started bringin’ em out with the coffee. We didn’t order it.” Leon weakly retorted, feeling immediately nervous that he’d already forced a faux pas.

”Well yeah, probably cause he saw the hungry look in my eyes and wanted to stop me gnawing on your arm for sustenance!” Cass piped up, trying to wave away any worries about the whole them already eating thing. Because honestly? Even if Andrade hadn’t brought them out, Cass probably would’ve started asking for food after a few minutes sitting in the place.

Trisha’s brow was furrowed slightly as she slid into the empty booth opposite the other couple, trying to figure out exactly what Andrade meant. She hadn’t exactly heard the earlier conversations… Her honey would always have a home? Like, his restaurants? Did he think she was worried he’d stop using it now everything was over?

There was no point dwelling on it then and there. Her expression relaxed, enough that she managed to smile at Cass and Leon. She was in a good enough mood thanks to the morning they’d had combined with the relief of one thing being over, even if there was still a while until things were completely peaceful.

“Good morning Cass, Leon.” She said, a little awkwardly but politely neutral nonetheless. She certainly wasn’t bothered by the food they already had. It was expected with Cass, even before she got magical hunger.

”Morning! Y’want some?” Cass practically shouted back, not letting the surrounding awkwardness and nerves get to her. She gestured down to the stack of pancakes she’d already devoured half of, somehow.

Trisha shook her head as she reached for a menu.
“I wasn’t planning to have something so sweet and filling.”

”Fair, fair… So how was it?!”

“How was… what?” Trisha shot her a confused look.

”The celebratory sex! That’s why you were late, right?!” Cass asked with a laugh, hitting the nail on the head about the why with what was meant to be a teasing joke.

Trisha’s confusion turned into half dismay, half embarrassment.
“That’s not… You promised you wouldn’t ask about that stuff, Cass! That you wouldn’t talk about it as much… I thought we’d agreed…”

Cass just shrugged with a little evil laugh.

Leon's mouth opened into a slight grin, if only for an instant, before snapping shut again and locking tightly. It was a little sad, and a little shameful, that the first thing out of his mouth was going to be a joke at his brother’s expense. After last night, he wasn’t afraid to make the joke, rather taking the five extra seconds to think about it hurt him in return. The entire line of predetermined reactions after that, the potential of ruining the moment…

The truth was, the two of them looked relieved, if not a little happy. There were plenty of things to say that didn’t have to be like that.

”Not hard to guess, you both have a little glow. Plus, I mean… C’mon, you two… We can smell it.”

Casey laughed aloud, if only a little nervous in return. He hadn’t realized it was so obvious, but given how active they were, they probably had some crazy sixth sense for noticing the vibes by now.

”Oh, I don’t know… Babe, how was it?” he asked warmly, head turning to her as they both ended up in the booth next to one another. He didn’t hesitate to plant a kiss on the top of her head.

And Leon could, in turn, take a deep breath. The crux of the previous joke had now been dispersed without any negative implications. It was completely up for interpretation, and nowhere near as crass as “You didn’t wash your dick properly.”

“You know how it was. Great.” Trisha grumbled, voice getting quieter by the word. She turned a bit red and hid her face behind her menu as she leaned into Casey. It wasn’t like she was a prude or anything, but it was just… uncomfortable with this audience. She found it bad enough with just Cass. At the same time, she didn’t want to not answer at all… So she did.

“But I don’t want to open the floor to having to hear about theirs!”

”Awww, don’t worry, Trish! I know you couldn’t handle that!” Cass cackled, legs swinging out to very gently kick Trisha’s under the table.
”I’m glad! That, y’know, you guys actually got some time and fun! You both look better! Not that I think it’s just that, y’know, but… I can tell!”

”It's easy when you have such a great support system.” Casey grabbed Trisha’s hand with enthusiasm, kissing her head again.
”And, y’know, you guys. For taking care of things after what happened, I’m… I’m grateful. That wasn’t easy for me.”

Leon presumed that their conversation from the night before carried over, and spoke as if there was no longer a problem… His hope was that the feeling was true.

”Like I said before, y’know, it’s the least we could do. I, just, y’know…”

Casey nodded.

”I know… There’s nothing we can do to make the mistake right, but we can move forward with the knowledge of what we’ve been through.” Casey replied in a very pragmatic tone.
”And, obviously, celebrate every little second we have with the people who are still here.”

"Exactly!" Cass enthusiastically agreed, leaning back just so that she could grin at them all.
"We gotta celebrate what we got! A lotta shit's happened, but we got each other."

She was glad things were starting off on a… positive note? Yeah, it was definitely positive! At least there was no immediate fighting, and even Trisha looked relatively calm and happy. Honestly, Cass had been expecting worse… and hoping for the best, obviously! Just the last two times all four of them were around each other, shit hadn't exactly gone amazingly.

Trisha also nodded in some amount of agreement to what Casey said, fingers wriggling against his as she tried to figure out what she wanted to say. How much she wanted to say… And how much Casey might want her to talk about here. She wasn't sure. She wanted to be able to really celebrate the people they had too… She'd rarely had people stick around long enough for that to happen. Cass and that group of friends were the longest, and even then, she was never the best at the whole celebrating people thing.

“I’m grateful too. And I want to try and move forward too, however slowly." She glanced over at Leon, then back down to the menu in front of her.

Leon obviously saw her look at him. Their eyes met. He didn’t want her to just brush it aside like that… Especially with her usual aloof nature, considering he felt it was mostly a front. Some kind of defensive posturing.

”Which, we have plenty of time for, right?” Leon asked, partly to all of them, but almost singularly to Trisha.
”I’m… Not expecting anyone to forget. You being willing to work it out at your pace is enough. I just have to, y’know, not… Well, I’d… I…”

He looked rather down now, causing Casey to frown in turn.

”C’mon big fella. Be honest.” Casey intoned, holding Trisha’s hand with intention.

”I’m scared there’s a bias I won’t be able to overcome. And, that, y’know… I’ll lose everything. Really, everything now. Maybe the heart wants what it wants, and maybe fate’s plan has intention, but none of that is concrete. So, the thought that our relationship would have the potential of hurting others around us is unpleasant.” he spoke as plainly as he could. Lelou was rather quiet for this, thankfully… Really, all this emotional stuff was for the birds; so she slept through it easily.

Trisha’s lips pressed together into a thin line. It was difficult to hear that Leon might not be able to get over whatever bias he held. Maybe some of that bias was based in reality anyway, overblown by how things were ten years ago. The worries he voiced were ones that she had too.

While with the Martin situation she was the clear victim, it wasn’t like she always had been- even if Leon himself said she’d often just been defending herself, she didn’t see it that way. Often she made herself the victim. She was difficult too… So there was a possibility that the two people he was worried about chose him instead of her.

A selfish part of her wanted to be chosen in the end. But that was unhealthy, and she had to ignore it- because Casey and Cass shouldn’t have to choose. And she loved them enough to not want them to.

“It’s unpleasant to me too. I don’t want that. I don’t want to make anyone choose between us, or for either of us to lose anything.” She managed to keep her voice even, gripping onto Casey’s hand like it was a lifeline. It was still so difficult for her to talk about stuff like this, even when two of the three people here were some of the only ones that ever managed to drag it out of her. Casey especially… But she was trying her best.

She had to actually prove that. Not just keep telling Casey she’d do better without taking any steps towards it. Her relationship with Leon… how it turned out would affect two of the most important people in her life. So the minimum she could do was force herself to talk.

“I know you probably remember me as an incredibly petty teenager… And I can’t pretend I’m not. I still hold grudges, but… I’m trying to improve. I don’t want to be that person. And even with everything that happened I… I don’t hate you. I can’t say I like you, but… I want our relationship to improve. I really do. Even if it’s going to take some time. I’m willing to try my best, even if it won’t always be pleasant- and I won’t be either. But even if it doesn’t… I’d never expect Casey to stop seeing you. Or- Or for Cass to make any decisions because of me!”

Even though her words came out rather smoothly, there was still a great deal of difficulty involved. She couldn’t look Leon- or anyone- in the eye as she spoke, gaze fixed on the menu. Her body was tense, like she was waiting for the immediate pushback to a rare show of honesty. She was because, because there always was when she spoke her mind. Well, not always… But most of the time. And she was ready to flee or snap if that happened.

Cass stayed silent for once, just listening. But she did pause finishing off the pancake stack to reach for Leon’s hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.

”But, y’know… Do you really, like… Uh… Well, like I said, I just worry that I’ve done too much, and that you won’t ever look at me like I’m not that same asshole. I’m… I understand that that you were a teenager, and my hope is that if I’m consistently open and welcoming toward you, you’ll come around. But, I’m worried any mistake I make is going to leave a bad taste in your mouth. And, if we don’t break down that kind of barrier, then it’s just gonna, like… Be the same as it always was.”

It was hard for him to say this kind of stuff, not because of the honesty, but because he felt like the villain at the table. Like everything he said had the chance to be taken as a hollow bit of bullshit that he didn’t really mean. And Trisha acknowledging that she did, in fact, hold grudges in spite of trying to get better, made him feel like it was an uphill battle that he’d never win.

”Would it be fair to, uh… Well, like, I thought, y’know-”

This kind of lack of confidence wasn’t usual. Even Casey was surprised, especially with the fact that Lelou wasn’t pushing him into some kind of fervor in order to get this over with.

”-maybe, there’d be… Shit, like, I…-”
He gripped Cass’ hand like he was about to fall off a building. He couldn’t recover this. It had to be refreshed. He held his free hand up with one finger, frowning and taking a deep breath.

”I imagined a concept that was, like, I guess a last ditch resort to spare the people around us. One that I still want you to have the opportunity to take if you think it’d be easier for you. Or, overall, better…” he cleared his throat, still not loving that Trisha wouldn’t even look at him.

Especially when he was starting to tear up. He truly wanted a friend here. The last Sycamite. The only other person in the world who may want to be around him, whom he could connect with on that kind of a level. The shared summer was an incredibly important point in his life, and as much as others could say they “got it”, they never really did. It was there, it was them, it was then.

”Don’t you think it’s a little quick to be going to the endgame option?” Casey asked calmly, tossing a concerned glance at Cass.

Cass’ immediate response was a little laugh that actually sounded kinda nervous. She got a bit more used to the new, more anxious Leon post leash breaking… But the way he was talking was like he was going to do something insanely drastic! Like, what else could a last ditch resort be?

”Uh, yeah! Jumping right to endgame shit don’t seem right when Trisha’s willing to try… What even is that? Like, you fuck off or something- something worse?! The fuck is a last ditch resort here?” Cass asked, turning her gaze from shared concern with Casey towards Leon. She did her best to push down the worry, though, and just look caring and encouraging while holding his hand tightly in return.

Even Trisha managed to pull her eyes up from the table in front of her. The actual full eye contact was brief before her gaze landed on Leon’s shoulder, but it was at least there. It helped that there hadn’t been an immediate negative response from him. At least, not directly towards her. Even though there was a lot to think about with what he’d said already… She could only focus on the immediate ‘endgame’ option.
“I don’t want you to leave or anything, if that’s what you mean.”

”That’s not what I mean. And I know everyone’s gonna be like ’Uhhh nobody wants that Leon’ but… I think that, y’know, if we had to share space, I would just… Become wooden. Not literally, but-”

”-But what? Clam up and turn into a mannequin? That’s not a solution, Leon.” Casey retorted. Leon’s face looked firm.

”But that doesn’t mean that it can’t be an option. I can’t hurt her or annoy her if there’s nothing to be hurt or annoyed by. It’s simple, its easy, and I just want her to have the opportunity to honestly consider if that would be helpful to her. Because, honestly? It’d be helpful to me. I’m horrified of saying or doing the wrong thing, and ruining any good will I have with her. I’d rather, if the deepest, truest feeling is animosity, then the victim should at least be able to regain the agency that may’ve been taken away from her. And part of that is feeling like she’s in control of the situation. Not you, not me, not us as a group… But her. I want to honor you however I can, Trisha… Run from it if you want, but… But I do care. I always have. I loved you guys. All you little fuckers, and every single situation made me horrified about what was going to happen to you, but when it mattered most, I crumbled. And yesterday really… Kind of brought that back. About how reckless I really was. And how I was responsible for innocent young people dying. And I didn’t even bother to help…”

And he was crying… It was strange to see the similarities and the differences. With Casey, it always seemed so explosive. Like if he started to cry, it wasn’t just a little… But, Leon’s voice was steady. His hands weren’t shaking. He was just leaking tears down his face.

”That’s all… Just… Honestly consider if you really would want me in your life like this, or like that. Do it one last time, and let the choice be yours. Not what keeps the peace, or keeps things ‘normal’. Make the choice that will make your life better for the long run.”

Trisha took a deep, shaky breath, holding on tightly to Casey’s hand.

It wasn’t exactly an easy consideration, not when he emphasised that it should be her choice. What did she really want? At the end of the day, she’d be content with a life with Casey and their future children and no one else. But there was contentment, because she’d never even expected to have that, and what she’d always wanted deep down.

An actual community. A family. It was part of why she ended things on such bad terms with so many Sycamites. Because many turned on her, and others let it fall apart. She tried to replace her dysfunctional family with a dysfunctional coven… Which had only made things hurt more. Even if she lost hope and gave up, and struggled the more people were around her, it didn’t mean she stopped wanting it deep down.

“When I first joined the coven, I thought it was somewhere I could belong.” She started, skipping over the immediate question to open up. Because it showed that any decision really was hers… Her reasoning.
“Even though the circumstances were fucked up… But my family’s was too, so it seemed normal. I thought it’d work out… Be that place. Obviously, it didn’t and wasn’t. I… wasn’t just a victim in that. I hurt people too! But I really did love Sycamore- and a good amount of the members- too. I thought even for all the shit, it’d last and give me… A place. That’s why when it all ended, I was so- so awful to everyone left. Because it hurt.”

She bit her lip.
“What I’m trying to say is… I’ve always wanted a community. An actual… Family. I don’t want to push one of the few people that might be part of that out because of the past… Even if you’ve hurt me a lot, so have so many people! And I’m sure I’ve hurt you… But this is my decision. Because I don’t think it’s the one that keeps the peace. It would be easier if we never talked but that’s not actually what I want. Even if we clash, and so much shit happened back then… Even back then I wanted the coven and all those people that hurt me to stay together. I didn’t leave until it was really over!”

She shook slightly, leaning into Casey as she took another deep breath. She was pulling up a lot of thoughts and emotions that had lingered for years. That she’d done her best to suppress. Around Sycamore, and her own circumstances.

“I’ve considered this kind of thing for a long time. If I ever met people from the coven again, what would I do? Try to hurt everyone, or desperately try to reconnect. I ended up just running away… But I want people in my life more than I want to hold onto my resentment, even if that’s hard to believe. It’s just that… I’ve only recently been able to accept that.”

Oh, there it is. The floodgates opened like a dam across the table. His hands covered his face, and he visibly tightened his entire body as he tried to not start absolutely sobbing.

”Y-y-you’re g-o-onna be my si-i-ister! Theres n-no world where I… I… You’re… You’re part of my everything! You are, and I was wrong, and I mistreated you, and I don’t want that to be our legacy… S-s-so if you can really accept that… If we can work together t-to end this cycle of pain? I want to do everything I can!”

Casey frowned, clearing his throat and looking around to see if any of the other patrons were watching. They weren’t but the server who was supposed to take their orders noticed him bellowing and promptly slid back into the kitchen.

”Well, alright! Then its settled! The two of you want the same thing, so we’re all in agreement that there’s nothing but love here!”
He took Trisha’s hand and brought them both into the middle of the table.
”Because Leon and I won’t have much left either… God knows where Elise goes after this, and there’s a not zero chance that Junior may go to his grave! So… It’s gotta be this table, right? These people? A new Coven. A stronger one, built on this feeling. Not necessity, not danger, not fear… Love! I hate to say it, but that sounds like the last gift that asshole Greyson left behind!”

”Yeah! That guy sure knew how to love- and there’s a lotta love here too! Even if some of it ain’t so clearly shown… But you’re right! A new coven, or something… Oh, we gotta include the girls- uh, not the pressing matter right now. To loving each other and all that!” Cass slapped her hand on top of Casey and Trisha’s, body bumping into Leon’s as she half stood. Her other arm wrapped around him encouragingly.

Trisha wasn’t quite in the same place as those two when it came to positive thinking… She certainly couldn’t say she felt love towards Leon. Yet. But she was willing to try to build towards feeling something positive. Because he was clearly sorry. She was doing her best to accept that, and let go of the resentment she’d held that hurt her as much as it did everyone else.

“You're going to have to be patient with me.” She said quietly, looking directly at Leon now. She was talking to him more than the other two, after all… They were already more adept with dealing with how she was.
“I don’t have much experience with healthy family relationships… Or any, really. Even if you can’t be as patient as I need and we clash, I still… Want to work together to make it better. I really do want to move forward… As adults. So I can be part of the group… coven, family, whatever we call it… Like I’ve always wanted.”

Leon hesitated for a moment. Casey thought he may be against it, but then he could see the gears turning in Leon’s head, and he calmed down to wait and see.

”I swear to you that I’ll be as patient as a rock waiting for more moss. That I’ll use every single bit of my conscious brain to do right by you. And, I’ll… I’ll ask you for the same kind of patience. Because, y’know, we need to recognize when we’re both working one another up, and that moment should be enough for us to snap out of it and come back to a grounded place!”

And then his hand was in, big enough to grip all of them at once.

”To the family we choose.”

Casey nodded.

”To love, and the family you choose. In the eyes of the Ancients, and all beyond their gaze, I hereby recognize the birth of this Coven, to be named at a later date, and do officiate the binding contract between present individuals. Together, all for one, today and tomorrow, forever.”

It was a little stuffy, but he’d seen Covens formed. He’d been there. A coven could really just be two dudes in a foxhole… It really was the family one chose to remain with… But, it’d be the same thing that Trisha and Leon had heard before. The day of Sycamore’s officiation, where Leon had said those same exact words alongside the other “leaders”. And everyone cheered back then, as if they had any idea what it really meant… Or what it would take to keep such a big family together. It was impossible. But, this?

In Casey’s mind, they were the Coven. No others needed to join unless they truly believed they could put forth the same kind of emotional effort that the four of them could. He believed in every word Leon said, and obviously believed that Trisha would do the same. And he expected a struggle to begin with… It would take time and effort. But, they had both. They could give both.
Though, he was counting on Cass to make the explosion of their hands in the middle, since Trisha was on the bottom and he didn’t want to let go of her hand…

”Hell yeah, to the family we choose!” Cass shouted a little too loudly, staring at Trisha until she echoed the same in a much tamer manner. Then, her hand shot up, a sudden spark of Green Lux letting her practically force Leon’s up into the air.

Trisha managed an actual smile, body relaxing. She didn’t bother trying to move her hand… She’d let Casey do the work there for the both of them. He’d put their hands in the middle, after all.

She knew it didn’t fix everything. But it gave them- her and Leon- a new place to start. And for her, it was something to actually work for. A future outside of just her and Casey… Other people that would hopefully be around. It wasn’t going to be easy… Because she’d have to continue to work on herself, and really change how she dealt with things. Actually try to be less reactive towards more than just Casey… Not that she’d been doing a good job there either. But she wanted to keep trying.

So it would actually work out where nothing had before.

“This is good… Smaller is easier to handle, but Cass is loud enough it makes it seem like there’s at least ten of us.” She commented lightly.

”Fuck yeah I am! I dunno what kinda benefit that brings… But I ain’t gonna get quieter either way!” Cass grinned, hand still raised half slapping at Leon’s in a play fight for air dominance.
”Not that I know what covens are supposed to do? I guess this is more like… Family coven! Supporting each other and shit! Oh- Oh, but I’ve always really wanted to stand around a massive, boiling pot filled with all sorts of horrible shit to make a potion and laugh evilly with a coven of witches, can we do that?!”

Leon and Casey were both laughing at Cass’ enthusiasm. Casey held Trisha’s hand tightly as it came down from the air, and he hadn’t let go. There was a little something that the two brothers weren’t exactly explaining, but at her question, Leon couldn’t much keep it in.

”Well… In the Richoux tradition, the Coven is matriarchal… So, that’s up for our Matron Trisha to decide.”

Casey grinned, turning his head slightly.
”Mmmm… So? Do you want to do some cauldroncraft? That’s practically Andrade’s specialty, he could probably teach us for the future.” he giggled, not really thinking about how much pressure Trisha may’ve felt instantly by suddenly having a title placed upon her.

Obviously, back in the day, the Coven didn’t have a “leader”. To Leon, it was non-traditional, and he’d never felt good about it. Ashley was their “leader”, and only because of the fact that nobody else had the balls or the ego at that point to step up into the spot. But, her, Daisy and Auri had always been something of a triumvirate. Decisions didn’t usually get made over their heads, and that really held things together for Leon then.

But, Trisha was someone that he figured would be get-behindable. That they could all support readily and willingly, because she needed it just as much as they all needed a guiding light. Something to look toward, and to carry, and to be proud of. A real Matron.

“H-Huh?" Trisha stammered out, eyes widening.

"Pleeeeeasssee, Trisha, I really wanna do cool shit with cauldrons!" Cass leaned across the table to flash Trisha her cutest begging look, even clasping her hands together in front of her face.

“That’s not… S-Sure, we can." Trisha managed to agree. Her shocked reaction didn't have anything to do with Cass' wish to evilly laugh around a cauldron… It was the whole Matriarch thing. Suddenly Leon was throwing a title on her and Casey was going along with it.

But she wasn't leadership material, was she? She'd never been in a leadership position. She wasn't sure she could call herself a follower with how much she pushed against authority too… She'd always just been a bit of a loner, though not by choice. But she'd never felt like she should be in charge of anything. It just left more room for fucking stuff up, didn't it? She remembered how people had felt towards the Sycamore leaders back in the day. One wrong decision, and they got a lot of the blame. It was only helped by that fact they were all bickering teenagers, quick to point the finger at someone else in the next moment or get into an unrelated argument.

And also…
“But why do we even need a leader? There's only four of us! And why me? Cass is also a woman!"

Casey giggled to himself.
”You can run your Coven how you like! If you don’t want us to function in a beholden manner, all you need to do is say so. But, if you want an answer, it’s because you’re the thing that brings us all together. You’re the center, as much as you may hate the attention, because if it weren’t for you, this wouldn’t be happening. Leon and I would, after all is done, probably just linger on, or join up with Elise to try and make a difference up North.”

Leon nodded in agreement, shrugging his shoulders.
”And I think it goes without saying; the vibes are different! All of us love you in some way, and you care enough about us. But, you’d never be the type to hold that over our heads. You’re… Not like Lynette.” he said plainly, which prompted Casey to start laughing a little more and nodding his head.

“I know that I'm not…" Trisha said quietly, even though she still believed she might have some capacity to. The things she'd consider doing to keep a hold of people she loved… But her life was finally taking a healthy direction. It shouldn't happen.

“But just because I won't be like her doesn't mean that I'm capable of running a coven. I'm not a leader like that… even when it's this small and if I'm the reason everyone's here…"

"Then just listen to us and run it like a kinda democracy! I mean, it ain't like some kinda coven formed for crazy magical war situations where that structure’s gotta be properly followed, y'know! Think about it like… You get the final say if it's necessary! Or the tiebreaker! Like, we can't decide what kinda takeaway to get, your choice wins kinda thing!" Cass piped up, before holding up a finger with a grin.

"But, uh, even if you say you don't want us beholden to you… Ain't gonna stop me! Didn't need a coven for that, you tell me to jump and I'd've done it before anyway!"

“You’re not that obedient." Trisha mumbled, looking away from Cass' overly enthusiastic expression and up at Casey.
“I don't know… I just want it to be like… A family. Or, well, something more equal… there's always someone in charge in a family…"

”This isn’t meant to make you uncomfortable, Trisha. If it’s too formal of an honor, we’ll drop it. But, it is mostly an honor. We are a family… And having someone who isn’t so confident is actually a good thing in certain circumstances. It means you won’t make stupid fucking-”
Casey cut himself off as he realized he was making a judgement that could just as easily be applied to Leon.

”-Pardon… You won’t make leadership choices without the consultation of your echelon. You’ll be willing to accept ideas and plans that aren’t yours. But, also, at least in my summation, you’re more than able to come from a place of personal strength once you feel your bullshit detector go off. Bottom line, you know when someone isn’t giving you the truth, and you can parse that out without much effort. And, if need be? You have an ancient queen inside you that you can ask for regal leadership advice.”

Leon nodded wildly.
”That’s very true! Everything Lelou’s told me about Seillean makes her seem like a super fair ruler. Like, you know how bees can be. Imagine having to wrangle trillions of them!”

“But they're still different from people." Trisha protested. Though she was sure the Queen would be able to help, bees didn't have the same emotions that people did. At least hers didn't. Maybe there'd been more intelligent and emotionally capable ones in the hive before the Queen was sealed.

The crux of the matter was that she really didn't know if it was something she wanted. Her gut instinct was no. But her gut instinct wasn't always right. It was how she isolated herself. It was just a lot to accept.

“I don't know… Can I think about it? I know you said it's mostly an honour, Casey, but it's still… It's hard for me to accept that it's something I'm actually capable of. I just… need to think about it… I guess give myself a chance to believe everything you're saying. You're right that I'd listen to everyone and make decisions based on that but I… don't know if I'm the right person to make those decisions."

Maybe it shouldn't be that big of a deal because it was only the four of them. But it was almost harder when they seemed to think she'd do it well… because wouldn't it be even more disappointing if she fucked it up?

"Well, it ain't like it's gotta be decided today or whatever… this coven shits all pretty sudden. It shouldn't change much between us right now except for being, like, more dedicated to each other! But-!" Cass jumped in, pointing at Leon.
"Lee makes a good point! Well, it wasn't really his point- Whatever, uh! You already lead and wrangle thousands of bees! Sure it ain't the trillions your ancient ghost did- yet, just wait till we get making more- but it's still a lot! Ain't thousands of bees comparable to a few people?! And you love and care for your bees, and make decisions with their best interest at heart! So… You're already a good leader! Right?”

”I can’t say those are my thoughts exactly, but pretty close. Dedication, Cass hit the nail on the head. That’s all I’m asking out of the four of us for now. Anything else, we have plenty of time to think about… I was mostly worried about the two of you, so as long as you guys agree that the right decision is to work with one another, we’re in the clear!”

He shot a burst of White Lux back into the kitchen at Andrade, who then made sure the server sauntered back out at just the right time. A new one… One that hadn’t seen Leon sobbing. He was still red faced and sniffling, but at least he wasn’t actively bellowing.

“Hey! Leon, Casey. This must be Trisha and Cass! Lots of buzz about you two. Are we all eating big this morning? Is it easier for me to just mark off what you guys don’t want?”

Casey leaned into Trisha slightly.
”Well, I’m fairly certain you're the only one of us who isn’t a pig, so… Go ahead first, my Love.”

Trisha smiled softly up at Casey, eyes creasing with gentle happiness at his consideration. Her order would be the most normal, after all, and probably the quickest to say.

"Whoa, Casey! We're wolves!" Cass exclaimed before Trisha could actually say anything, gesturing to herself and Leon with a laugh.
"So fucking rude!"

“Is it when he was including himself." Trisha countered lightly, actually glad for the moment to look at the menu properly. The food had been nice enough last time that she was willing to be a little more adventurous… or at least try to eat something sizable this early in the morning. If she didn't finish it, there were plenty of people around.

She turned from her friend to the server with a smile. The whole lots of talk about them thing made her feel a bit uncomfortable… but she was beginning to get better at tolerating that kind of attention, at least. And he was just being friendly while doing her job.
“Can I just have the enchilada eggs… And some orange juice? Thanks."

"Just that? Damn, alright, Trisha's really is gonna make the rest of us look like pigs!" Cass laughed, before following up with her own grin at the server.
"Hi! Uh, yeah, you clearly got told the right shit if y'know how much's gonna be eaten… I hope the rest of that buzz is positive… Anywayyyy I wanna try pretty much everything apart from the shit that's too fruit heavy, thanks!"

The server was laughing, and seemed to only actually write down Trisha’s order before dropping the pad.

“Well, that settles that. I don’t even really need to ask about you two.” he pointed his pen between Leon and Casey.
“And, Trisha, just as a logistical question- Where along the train-car deliveries of food would you like to actually have your meal? There’s going to be a pretty long sequence here, so we just need to know if you wanna eat early, in like the first batch? Or, sometime later on?”

“In the first batch, thanks.” Trisha replied. She was a slower eater that all the rest, after all, so she could pick her way through it.

“Okay, that’s perfect then. So, I’ve got a specific order of huevos enchilada, a bottomless juice, which if you want any other kind of juice at some point, just say so… Apple, cran, grape, whatever. And then… Yeah… A free-for-all. Family size sharing dishes for most of the stuff, and then fruit-centric personals for Casey.”

”Tito, you guys are always so good to us… Thank you.” Leon wiped some of the snot out of his nose with a napkin.

“Oh, you know we love you. It’s not like the people in the back aren’t used to bulk orders anyway… Drinks?”

”Oh, yeah, cola…”

”Coffee, and apple juice.”

”What kinda beers do you have?” Cass asked, before laughing at her own joke.
”Just a cola for me too, thanks!”

Tito scribbled the drinks down, then looked up one last time with a smile.
“Alright! Then, I’ll be back with drinks in a minute, and food will start to roll out probably in ten!”
He reached down to clear up the empty plates, then nodded his head at them before sliding his way back to the kitchen doors, disappearing behind them.

”He’s a good guy. Real people person.” Casey commented with a smile.

“He seems nice.” Trisha replied with her own smile, managing to properly relax now they had their food order in and everything seemed settled between them. At least as settled as it could be at this point.

”Oh yeah, you can always tell when it’s forced or natural!” Cass grinned, fingers tapping on the table in front of her now that she didn’t have any pancakes to occupy them with.
”Y’know, fake friendliness for the tips… But I bet Andrade pays real well anyway! But, y’know, when you’re a people person you just get that natural advantage… Like when I worked in a diner! Job sucked ass, but fuckin’ hell did I rake in a shit ton’a cash in tips! Almost made the shit worth it!”

“You only had to get that job because you lost your scholarship from slacking off.” Trisha intoned.

”Well, yeah! I ain’t complaining ‘bout that! Could’ve been worse! Honestly was better than that IT support gig I did at the uni for a couple’ve months… God, that was literal hell!”

”I’m pretty sure people kill one another for jobs at Andrade’s restaurants. It’s the expectation of professionalism. When this place is busy, it’s busy. So, they’ve all gotta be used to that kind of pace. And if you’re expected to do everything right at that speed, you should get compensated for it.” Leon nodded along, taking a deep if not ragged breath.

”What sort of tech were you supposed to be supporting to make it that bad, Cass? I thought you were a wiz at that kind of thing, so clearly it wasn’t hard... But, bad? Just, like, customers?” Casey was terribly curious, and his head turned to Trisha with a surprised expression before turning back to Cass.

”Oh yeah, it was the customers! Fucking hell, try to explain something basic and they’re like ‘but it didn’t work’ and then it’s like ‘ok well did you try this’ and it turns out they just ignored what you said! Or just, don’t know how to restart their own fucking computer!” Cass threw up her hands, one landing on Leon’s leg on the way down to give it a good, kind of comforting pat.

“Cass doesn’t have any patience for tech illiteracy.” Trisha explained, glancing up at Casey with a smile.
“Or it’s more like… She’s too good, so she doesn’t understand how people can’t get it.”

”Hey, that’s not fair, I’m plenty patient! With the nice customers! Like, y’know, the ones that’d actually listen to me!” Cass whined jokingly, lips pursing into an exaggerated pout.
”It was the fucking trifecta… Incompetent people who wouldn’t listen, people who thought they knew better than me, and impatient fuckers who didn’t realise there was a fucking line and we were slammed! I may be good at that shit, but I only got two hands, y’know!”

”Oh, so you’d be better at it now that you can make more hands?”

Casey instantly cracked up, head tilting back as he filled the restaurant with laughter. He didn’t even know why the innocuous comment was so funny, but it sent him into a laughing fit, and he had to wipe tears away from his eyes before finally settling back down. Leon laughed too, but only at how his brother had taken it and was now acting. It was nice to see him so chipper after yesterday… Which meant sex was, once again, the clear winner of personal therapy.

”I mean, it was a legitimate question!” Leon pressed.

Cass let out a thoughtful hum, rubbing her chin. It wasn’t something she’d actually thought about! Since, y’know, it wasn’t a job she ever wanted to go back to if she could help it. It’d drive her insane! Also, wasn’t like she needed to… She could find actual coding jobs nowadays. But! It sure was an interesting thing to think about.

”For some things, yeah! Like the easy tasks, or when I’m doing the same shit on two computers… But unless I split my brain, it ain’t gonna work for everything. And I bet the customers would still find something to complain about!” Cass answered seriously, before grinning and bringing a hand up to pat Leon’s face.
”But I got my hands full with you, Babe, so I gotta dedicate at least two to that- so I’d need, like, four more to make things more efficient!”

Trisha let out a quiet groan.
“Cass, please…”

”What? I didn’t even mean it as a sex joke, God, Trisha!” Cass immediately started cackling, smirking across the table at her friend.
”Whoa, you really think that’s all I think about, don’t you?! I was thinking like two arms to hug while I do IT shit on the side! Or, like, keep a hold of him so he doesn’t go off do something crazy!”

Trisha rolled her eyes, though she was smiling. In a clearly good mood too, even if there wasn’t any raucous laughter from her like there had been Casey. But seeing him enjoy himself only made her more comfortable.
“Like you’d stop anyone from doing anything crazy.”

”Uh, obviously I would… when my boyfriend’s running off to do some crazy shit without me! That shit’s gotta be done together!”

Their drinks arrived just as Casey was about to make his own impulsive mistake. The question bashed his brain as a strand of pain managed to crawl its way back into his mind. The elevator. Crazy shit without me. So, they’d made that decision together? Or, at least, she hadn’t had any sort of compulsion to think that there was a second, better way? But, he and Leon had been over and over it, and the agreement in the end was that there wasn’t going to be any more problems in regards to this. It was as water under the bridge as they could get.

So he took a deep breath and dumped some sugar in his coffee.
”Oh, you two… You really are made for one another.” he grinned, raising his mug at them gently before looking at Trisha.
”You never would’ve imagined this, huh? Did you know how into Leon she was before? Like, did you ever mention that you knew him to her?”

Trisha shook her head. If she'd told Cass before, things probably would've turned out quite different. She loved Cass, but her friend didn't always know when to stop… so who knows if she would've been pushy about trying to meet the guy she was a fan with that Trisha had no contact with at the time. Worse, really, with how she hadn't exactly felt any less resentful at nineteen than she had at fourteen.

“I knew how into Timberwolf she was, because she always called him that. I only went into her room a few times. I did think the guy on the posters looked scarily like the Leon from the coven I was in as a teen, but I kinda brushed it off. It'd been five years at that point so I wasn't sure I remembered his face properly! Maybe I was in denial, but I didn’t really put two and two together till y’know… She got all excited when visiting. So I didn't mention it before.”

”Honestly, probably a good thing! I bet shit wouldn't’ve worked out so nicely! The circumstances were kinda perfect, y’know?” Cass laughed, grinning at the other couple across the table while leaning into Leon. As was the way with her, the lean into him only lasted so long until she was bouncing the other way, a constant ball of energy that'd only stay still when captured. Or at least, she'd then end up vibrating in a single spot.

”If I’d known back then I'd probably’ve followed Trisha back home every summer and been on the prowl in the streets for him. Y’know, not super creepy, just hoping to accidentally bump into each other! Or I’d haunt all’ve the St Portwell goth clubs, lying in wait… Totally would’ve ended with me in a jail cell! Or, worse… With a restraining order from him!”

”Christ, I thought Lelou was the predator.” Casey grinned, giggling and looking at Leon.

His thought in turn was a world where that happened. By chance, some crazy British stalker managed to find him through hook or crook and eventually wriggled her way into his life…

”That’s kind of soulmate shit, isn’t it? Some real connection type attraction that spans across time and space, right? It’s like, you would’ve caught on eventually. You would’ve put two and two together, and we’d have been united through fate!” Leon gripped at Cass’ hand warmly, with a wide and silly grin plastered on his face.

He was joking mostly, but it was nice to know that, in the game of five degrees, he was so easily connected to someone whose love toward him was so genuine. She easily transcended that fan/friend borderline with a bit of legitimacy, and a chance at some genuine interaction… Or, as genuine as it could be at the time. Now she was getting more, but in turn he’d gotten so much of her, that there didn’t seem to be a reason to want to go back. He was in love… But he’d only said it once in duress! He didn’t ever want to smother her with it, or to appear that desperate.

”Is that gonna be a song on an album one day, Lee?” Casey continued to prod, causing Leon to sigh for a long moment and shake his head while smiling.

”I’ll let that one ruminate.”

”Song about what?! An alternative universe where his girlfriend was actually a crazy stalker- oh wait, you probably mean the soulmate shit, right!” Cass laughed, mind immediately going to what would be the way goofier inspiration. Or dark and creepy if he’d wanted to go that way…

She grinned up at Leon, squeezing his hand.
”Glad your mind went right to alternate world fate connections and not ‘oh my god she really is super crazy.’”

“Wasn’t that obvious from the start? The you being super crazy thing.” Trisha commented, laughing softly.

”Well, yeah but not like- Not that I actually would’ve, y’know, I ain’t actually a stalker… Not unless you want me to be.” Cass waggled her eyebrows at Leon, Trisha instantly groaning in response. Cass didn’t actually give anyone a chance to verbally respond to that, knowing it would just be Trisha complaining about her making that kind of comment. Not that it was even that bad!

”But… Imagine how cool it could’ve been, maybe me and Lee would’ve gotten you guys together!” She grinned, gesturing between Trisha and Casey with her free hand.

“Well that… Sort of happened with Leon, right?” Trisha tilted her head up towards Casey with a smile, before looking back at Cass.
“At least, he pushed me onto Casey because he knew who I was. I don’t think I’ve ever been so grateful for someone not wanting to deal with me.”

She tried to keep her tone as light as possible, in the hopes of making it clear there were no hard feelings… Though it wouldn’t necessarily come across. But obviously, that night had turned out as well for her as it ever could have. She met the love of her life, after all.

Leon cleared his throat with a nervous smile.
”Well, I just knew that the most patient person in my life was right there. It was just another instance of that lovely little F word… And, Babe-”
His glare turned more wry and cunning as he twisted his head to face Cass.
”-being my girlfriend and my crazy stalker should go hand in hand…You can stalk me all you like.”

”Oh blehhhhhhh!” Casey chided at the two of them, laughing to himself before smiling down at Trisha.
”She should stalk you and murder you, like some crazy wolf… mother…”

Casey’s own sarcastic expression turned between Trisha and Leon as if he was looking for confirmation that it was okay to joke about the events that had passed.

Trisha let out a quiet laugh, not seeming bothered by the joke at all. The fact her expression hadn’t gotten any worse and she didn’t actually say anything was pretty indicative of that, with how reactive she was when actually upset. It was in the past now, after all. There’d only been a few coven members she was actually close to that died… And she’d had her moment of struggle with that.

Obviously, the low level grief about the events wouldn’t just go away. But she didn’t mind the joke… Not when it came from Casey, at least.

”Whoa, no way, I’d never murder him!” Cass protested, waving a hand in front of her face.
”Maybe an accidental death by exhaustion, but no murder! I’m only stalking with super sexy intentions!”

Though she played it off as a joke, Casey had inadvertently managed to poke one of Cass’ little worries… Or, well, maybe a big one! The whole going off the rails and killing everyone she loved thing! Sure, it didn’t seem that possible now, especially with some time after that lovely Wampus induced dream, but! The fear still lingered, especially with how shaky her magic control was.

She did grip Leon’s hand a bit tighter before continuing.
”Besides… That ain’t possible when Lelou’s around. Thankfully going full Black Widow spider ain’t one’ve my kinks, heh. For both of us, obviously!”

”You’ve bitten my head a couple of times now.” Leon said simply, sticking his tongue between his teeth at her.

”With blunt teeth! I ain’t bitten it when they were sharp!” Cass retorted playfully, her tongue poking right back out at him.
”Like you ain’t a biter too!”

Trisha stared at them with a deadpan expression for a moment, before looking up at Casey and speaking as if the other two weren’t even there.
“I’m not even bothered by this anymore, because it feels more like school yard bickering than anything sexual.”

”Hey! We’d never bicker! I’m just defending my honour!” Cass protested, hands flinging into the air and accidentally smacking Leon’s chin as she’d edged more into his space.
”I don’t want everyone thinking I’m some one sided mauler! Or that one day Leon’s gonna turn up with, like, half his face gone. Or worse- I bite so hard I eat his brain and turn into a brain eating zombie!”

”I bite places you don’t typically expose, that's all I’m saying… If either of us was gonna leave visible marks being careless, it's you, Miss Hickeymarker…” Leon continued to tease Cass, poking at her playfully as the other two looked on.

Casey shook his head, turning to Trisha.
”We’re too vanilla for this…” he commented before turning back to the others.
”Nobody is worried about you mauling Leon, Cass. He’s basically unmaulable, I mean, look at him!”

”That's terribly hetero of you, assuming just because I’m so big and capable that I can’t be a mauling victim…” Leon grinned wryly.

”You misunderstand. You can’t be mauled because you like it. Proven over time, you enjoy being mauled and sometimes seek it out.” Casey did his best to keep a straight face, turning to Cass.
”Please, help me out of this…”

”Oh suddenly he doesn't want to talk about getting mauled…

Cass laughed loudly, slapping the table with one hand.
”You’re asking the wrong person for help, dude! And, I mean, it still counts as mauling even if the victim enjoys it! Y’know what the real problem is?!”

She turned to Leon with a wide grin.
”There ain’t ever any marks anymore! You just fucking heal ‘em! So no matter how much I maul you-”

“You’re both about to be mass stinging victims if you keep this up.” Trisha interrupted drily, trying to save Casey- and herself- from the topic he had kind of made go on by interacting with it in the first place.

”Ooo, don’t threaten me with a good time!”

“I’m threatening you with a bad time. A very bad time.” Trisha intoned, turning her judgmental gaze from Cass and Leon towards Casey, softening. Then a teasing smile pulled up her lips and she raised a hand to gently rub his cheek.
“But don’t worry, Babe. I’ll never judge you for any painfully hetero comments you make.”

”You guys hear that? I get a full pass to be super fucking sexist.” Casey joked, his smile growing as wide as it could.

Around that same comment, the food started to arrive… the table was suddenly full of sweet morning scents mixed together with those grilled spices from the various meats that accompanied Leon and Cass’ first course. Casey was privy to a beautiful looking fruit medley with the telltale addition of Trisha’s honey and some other dipping options. Rather than leave Trisha out of the loop until her meal, there were some more fruits that wound up slid into her general space.

”Saved by the food, Casey…”
”Obviously, I could see them rolling the tray out.”

”Whoa, you weren’t paying full attention to our riveting conversation? Damn!” Cass joked, immediately tearing into some of the meat in front of her. Since Casey and Trisha were there now, she at least ate like a human… Not just shoving a massive piece in her mouth and tearing it to shreds, but actually using cutlery and all that shit. She let out a quiet groan as the flavour hit her tongue.

”Fuck, it’s so fucking good!”

Trisha smiled, picking up a strawberry in front of her and leaning into Casey’s space to steal some of her own honey to dip it in.

”Speaking of so fucking good!” Cass pointed a hand over at the honey.
”Trisha’s honey! Fuck, you’re gonna keep supplying us when all this shit’s over, right? Actually- What are your plans after all the shit’s gone down. Trisha said leaving the city but not much else. I ain’t just asking cause’ve my selfish honey eating wants- but I’m your bee flesh supplier! If you wanna grow even more later, y’know. Also, like, the whole coven thing.”

Trisha didn’t say anything, because she had the honey covered strawberry in her mouth right at that moment. Instead she looked up at Casey to answer for them.

Casey looked thoughtful for a moment. Could he joke around more? Absolutely. But ultimately, these two were privileged parties, and they could all easily reconnect later anyway. So, Casey figured he’d be honest.

”Uh, specifics? Well, we want to get the fuck out of St. Portwell. I’m thinking of one of the empty states. Montana’s appealing; four seasons, plenty of land, loose magical regulation from what the goons in the PRA have told me. Plenty of open space to plant flowers, and roots. Maybe develop a big ol’ chunk for naturalized agriculture. I’m thinking we’d do natural gardens; lots of planting whatever local crops can help the environment, or will grow without disturbing the natural order. I’m hoping to court some spirits. Good apparitions to encourage the land, protect it in return for a little pampering here and there. Hell, maybe they’ll recognize the Queen.”

Casey talked so casually about setting up a magical ecosystem that he didn’t see Leon frowning through his barnyard sandwich. Runny egg leaked from the back of it, and in the pause, he managed to lose most of it to the plate.

”So… You’re gonna continue Eden?”

”I’d like to, in my own way. Hopefully others want to come with us, instead of leaving for Elise’s plans or taking themselves to another coven. Trisha being matron helps, because people will have someone to rally around. Especially if we contextualize the Queen being the main benefactor.”

This wasn’t the first time Casey was implying life beyond just the two of them in their own private world. The truth was, he was so used to the crowding that he had boiled it all down to the benefits. There were a lot of positives to having active staff, after all. Plenty of hands… And if they didn’t trap them? If they treated them like friends and employees, rather than pawns and resources, there’d never be a conflict deep enough to endanger them… It was an ideal.

Trisha didn’t say anything, munching on her fruit and trying not to get too tense when Casey mentioned others- and more than that, her as matron to whatever it ended up being. He’d already mentioned it not just being them a few times. While she’d at least accepted there’d probably be certain closer family or friends that might come along, or join at some point in the future, a whole community was something she was still mentally battling with. She hadn’t really pushed back on it yet because… Wouldn’t that make her look bad?

She said she wanted a community, but not too much. It seemed hypocritical. And it was still a long way off, they had time to figure out the details. She certainly wasn’t going to get upset about it right now.

But the whole matron thing made her more uncomfortable. She could maybe handle being part of a larger group. But being in charge? That terrified her.

”Huh, I mean, it suits you! I can see you out on the fields y’know… harvesting shit. I dunno about the Eden thing, but a magical ghost sponsored farm is pretty cool! Loads’ve space for bee hives and shit too, that’ll really expand the honey business.” Cass grinned, ever positive.
”I’m surprised you’re down for it, Trisha… Always kinda pictured you as a city gal!”

“It’s not like we’re going to be living in a cabin in the woods with no running water.” Trisha paused her nervous nibbling to respond to Cass.
“Casey’s promised me all the modern amenities I need, anyway. Even magical internet.”

”Oh, sweet! That’s good, cause if I had to start texting you, I think I might go mad!” Cass laughed.
”I mean, that sounds pretty nice. You guys really are planning to settle down, huh? So you’re planning some kinda… communal coven thing where everyone helps each other? Trisha and the Queen being at the centre is certainly a selling point… But maybe I’m biased!”

”Plenty of people will be displaced by what happens to the Temple. I see no reason to not help out however we can… And if we’re living off the land, it cuts costs down. I can keep paying the government’s property tax indefinitely, and we can probably work some funky federal bullshit out to get extra land-use variances so we don’t have too many unscheduled visits from officials.”

”Are you really sure about this?” Leon interrupted, a slight frown on his face.
”It just… Kind of sounds like the Temple in a new place.”

Casey shrugged in response, looking at Trisha before turning back to Leon.

”I think that comes from a place where all we really know is the Temple. If I wanted people isolated and unable to escape the circumstance, I’d go to Alaska. And I wouldn’t be offering fibre-speed internet connections to the outside world… We can get everything we need sticking in the lower 48, and I’m not holding some big recruitment drive either. The people who want to stick with me and Trisha will have to express their own desire to join us. I know Trisha doesn’t want that many people to deal with to begin with… But if we can get fifteen or twenty other people who just want to live simple, magical lives together? Why not form a community beneath the Coven? We’re safer that way, and everyone’s lives are enriched by each others’ presence. Like, for instance, you two! Imagine raising children alongside one another? There’s great security in that! And tremendous love…”

”Whoa, let’s not jump right to talking about raising kids, damn! That’s waayyy in the future!” Cass held her hands up to ward off the assumptions that there’d even be kids. Sure, probably! Leon was pretty set on having one even if shit fell apart between them… And, well, Cass could see herself having kids with him. She just wasn’t prepared to make that decision after only a month together.

She turned to look up at Leon.
”But he is right, Babe… It ain’t really the Temple two point oh if it ain’t got all the culty stuff. Or, y’know, the religious aspect and shit too! It’s more like a small town that works closely together that just happens to have magic, y’know. Well, maybe the magic’s more important than that… But, either way! I guess, maybe it’s taking some of the good parts of the Temple… But we all know Trisha ain’t jumping to control a whole group’ve people!”

“I’d rather not be in charge of anyone.” Trisha commented. The thought of people looking to her for decisions already made her feel a bit stressed. But the peaceful future with Casey outweighed that stress… She just hoped there’d be a nice balance.
“And I definitely don’t want another Temple. I just want to… live. And if other people live around us, helping out, and we help them, I guess that isn’t too bad.”

”Yeah, a tight knit community and shit!” Cass nodded, before rubbing the back of her neck.
”But, uh… I ain’t sure we’d be coming along? At least, not at the start? Lee wants to pick his boxing career back up… And honestly, I ain’t sure I wanna be tied down to a place yet! Maybe by the time kids come into the picture, though, heh.”

”There’ll always be a big slab of land for you to slap a home down on… Come Hell, or high water.” Casey raised his coffee.

He wanted to get hung up on the concept of Trisha being a matron… About the idea that they could do whatever they wanted, and that her perception wasn’t a guaranteed reality. That being “in charge” didn’t always mean you were some kind of turgid disciplinarian who micromanaged people. It was the idea of being there to answer questions, and to know the plan from the source… To be a voice of reason for people with unreasonable expectations, or to speak in place of those who couldn’t speak up themselves. It was about being in the middle without being the center.

One day, he hoped she’d know from experience. And he hoped that experience would give her more and more confidence… But for now, all he could do was bide his time.

”In Montana? I mean… Fair? I’d almost certainly need to hire someone to run a portal service back to civilization. Three or four hours from the nearest podunk airfield, just to get flown into some backwater airport and ride another couple of hours at least to a major city? That’s rough. Though, uh… It’s not like I’d be opposed with that concession being made. Even if I was boxing, it’d be easy enough. Remember, Babe… Magic! Things that inconvenience normal people are only so inconvenient with magic.” Leon shrugged at Cass, laughing to himself slightly.

”Fucking hell, I’m still getting used to that shit! Course magic just fixes everything… Well, I still ain’t about settling down like that in the next few years! I wanna be on the roaaaadd…” She twisted in her seat to lightly and playfully punch Leon’s side.
”Like a groupie except I’m actually, y’know, dating the celebrity I’m following! Honestly, I wanna live life a lot more before even deciding to stay in one place properly. I’d love to fucking travel around a bunch sometime! So I sure as shit ain’t ready to move to a communal farm in Montana yet- uh, sorry.”

The last bit was said to Trisha and Casey specifically.

“Don’t be… Like Casey said, there’ll be a place for you whenever.” Trisha smiled.
“It’s not like there’s a time limit. Doesn’t hit the two year mark and we go, no fuck them, we’ll give that land to someone else.”

”Yes it does. Two years, then we sell your chunk of the property to real estate speculators before the next population boom forces them to build highrise apartments on the spot.” Casey grinned, clearly joking.

”Actually, it’s plenty of time to have a house built how we want it. Or, at least, how I want it.” Leon replied, looking down at Cass and frowning slightly.
”Since, y’know, things could always fall apart. Could meet some better boxer on the road.” he teased her.

”That’s harsh! Cass, would you really?” Casey goaded, popping a handful of grapes into the little bowl of sugar before plucking them out one by one.

Cass rubbed her chin, brow furrowing as if she was really deep in thought.
”Well… You never know. Some new boxer could come along that’s taller, sexier and better company!” She joked. She definitely didn’t picture things falling apart because she met a better boxer… She’d already bagged the one she was the biggest fan of! If it fell apart, it’d be because there were issues between them, not something external like that. Obviously, she hoped that wouldn’t end up happening.

“Are there… Any people taller than Leon, that aren’t related to him?” Trisha questioned. Reaching anywhere near seven foot wasn’t exactly common naturally. Sure, probably magically… She frowned a bit as she tried to figure out how possible what Cass suggested was.

”Well, uh, yeah, probably? It’s a hard combo to beat, though.” Cass grinned, twisting her body again to face Leon and reaching up to squish his cheeks. It wasn’t like height was an actual factor… Well, maybe she did have a tendency to be more attracted to taller, buffer people- but! She didn’t have some minimum height requirement. She just wanted to make it clear how unrealistic something like that would be.

”Y’know what I like most about you, Babe? Your positivity. Always the optimist.” She teased, before shooting a glance towards Casey and Trisha to mock whisper.
”Still, save me a spot on the other side of the community. Just in case… Then we can have an across town rivalry.”

”Of course! As long as you both promise to keep your drunken anniversary flings out of our collective space, you’ll have yours. Part and parcel for each of Trisha’s bridesmaids. Right, Babe?”
Casey gave Trisha a genuinely cute smile, and she’d be able to feel his fingers press up tightly against the edge of her ring. His hand was warm, if not a little sticky from the residual honey. He grinned widely upon noticing, pulling away and licking his fingers before rubbing them with a napkin.

”Sorry… Want me to clean it? I mean, I just want a reason to stare at it.”
He reached back down, pulling her hand up above the table to start polishing her ring with a napkin.

”Oh, you’re such an ass… The fucking thing cleans itself I bet.” Leon chided, snorting a bit as he tried not to laugh aloud.

”I have no clue.”

“Better not to risk it, in case it doesn’t.” Trisha commented, looking a mixture of smug and loving as she watched Casey. Even if it wasn’t actually necessary, the little bits of care he gave her always filled her with warmth. She really was the luckiest… And she’d brag about how amazing he was to the whole world if she could.

”D’awwwww.” Cass quickly swallowed the big chunk of a sandwich she’d bitten into, squishing up her own cheeks to watch them like it was some kind of romantic sitcom.
”I get a bigger plot of land cause I’m, like, the chief bridesmaid or whatever you call it!”

“I never gave you that role, you decided that yourself.”

”Well, yeah, but I’m your best friend! Who else would it be… Rey? Diyah? Oh, fuck, you weren’t thinking of Sal, were you? I’ll give it up to him if we get to put him in a dress!” Cass started absolutely cackling at the thought.

Trisha laughed too, shaking her head.
“Well… Since you’ve already decided, it’s easiest to go along with that. I don’t want to add any extra stress to my wedding planning.”

Cass smirked, looking at Casey and Leon conspiratorally.
”Awww, she’s such a tsundere… Just can’t admit she wants it to me!”

”A what now? That’s some anime thing, right?” Casey asked with a half-hazed over look. He wasn’t sure of what he was getting into in a very clear fashion, causing Leon to wave his hands in a warding fashion.

”Oh, please, I know you. As soon as she starts explaining you’re gonna turn your brain off.” Leon asserted, at which point Casey giggled and nodded his head.

”All it means is that she’s perfect to me.”

Watching the busy drones of the Temple flit about to set up Cubain for the events of the night, Furio and Clarissa Natale leaned shoulder to shoulder with their backs resting against the bar.

”I’m not laughing anymore. Seriously! It’s no longer funny!”

Clarissa’s hair bobbed back and forth as her head snapped to the side in an evil glare. Yet, out of all the times to choose, Furio was laughing now. Drink at his lips, he was chuckling away. But there was the scent of cooking wood as the chunk of the bar he was gripped to for balance started to microwave heat under his palm.

”Too far past upset to get bent up over it. Just say your piece, and that’s it. It ain’t like this is for him anyway! It’s for Lee, and he’s done all he could.” Furio replied as he rolled the glass in his free hand, taking a sip of the whiskey inside as a breather.

”You’re a bastard sometimes, Foori… I could just strangle you.”
Playfully, Clarissa extended her neck as much as she could, gently resting her chin on his shoulder without moving in to actually kiss him.

Furio didn’t turn, just kept grinning. Though, the cooking scent wasn’t as intense anymore.

”Save that…-”
Glasses clanked across the hall, and there was a tumble before a crash. Furio watched as the champagne tower came tumbling down into a soaking wet mess all over the bay window side of the restaurant.
”-Come on, guys! What’s the matter with you, you fuckin’ nervous!?”

“Th-h-ere’s a c-cat!”

A massive, ragged Maine Coon cat to be exact, sliding out from behind one of the tables with a hiss, only to slide right back into another one and disappear entirely from the venue. At least, for that moment… Furio laughed aloud again.

”Alright, you got me. I’d probably’a pissed too. Just, hurry up! Clean it? Get it reset? I don’t care how you do it, just fix it. And make sure you get the banners set up, this place looks empty! What the fuck are we screwing around for otherwise? It’s like-”

”-Baby, honey, now you gotta chill. They’re up. We’re doin’ the thing, remember? Just gonna have everyone kind of gather in, then we’re gonna let them pop the thing! All the decorations come down?” Clarissa interjected, being sure to stave off Furio’s wrath from gaining incandescence.

And she was fantastically prepared to do so, knowing exactly what to say and how to say it through years of steering the nuclear warhead in and out of danger. He stared up at the beams in the ceiling, recognizing the little magical poppers in lines over and over again. Streamers, balloons, confetti, all trapped into a neat little package. You could easily fill them with bombs, or other hazardous materials in order to absolutely ruin someone’s day. He fantasized for a moment longer than was absolutely necessary, stepping himself down with the shake of his head.

”We should’ve done what we said.” he grumbled quietly.
”And what? Explain? She’s said her piece.” Clarissa replied, shaking her head and clearing her throat.

”She’s not thinking straight!” Furio did his best to retort, gritting his teeth.

”Oh you think so little of me, Furio… Even now, among those whom I’m supposed to be closest to, I find conspiracy. Why?”

Furio spun immediately, yet found nobody behind him. Nobody was at the bar they’d been standing at, and nobody was around the many scattered tables. Clarissa’s reaction was in response to him, her body spinning to meet him with concern.

”What? What, what’s-”

There was a screech from the back room. Young, feminine… Furio immediately broke into a sprint, hopping fully over the bar and wholesale smashing one of the tap systems with his hip and eating shit on the floor behind the bar… Where he’d find Lynette and his daughter Ivetta crouched in equally childlike positions, both giggling together and at one another as Furio slowly registered that it was just a prank.

”Oh… Sorry! The cat scared her!”

Ivetta cracked up even harder before moving on hands and knees to start hugging her Father. Meanwhile, Clarissa was now staring over the bar at the scene.

”Nettie… You ass…” she shook her head, half a grin coming across her face.

”I don’t know what you mean, Riss. It’s just the-”
As she spoke, that same giant, ragged maine coon appeared in an embrace in Lynette’s arms, and she clung to it like a doll.
”-cat! He’s so big, she gets surprised. You are the one who taught her to be afraid of them.”

Clarissa’s wry grin became a glare at her best friend as she gritted her teeth and cleared her throat. Meanwhile, Furio was playfully wrestling with his daughter when he heard the queue. They both did, really, a disciplinarian queue that forced them both back to their feet.

”I think you owe your father and I an apology? For going along with your Aunt’s little scheme?” she said at her daughter, glare in her eyes.

Ivetta kicked her own heel, hands behind her back as she looked down at the floor. More specifically, at her Aunty Lynette as she started to stand back up herself.

”Don’t let her make you feel bad for having a laugh at their expense, Ivy. They’re both far too uptight for their own good these days.”

These days… Clarissa’s jaw clenched shut as she thought about these days. Ever since Beppo Park, Ivetta’d been acting up more and more. She didn’t want to talk, either, which was never a good sign dealing with kids. She’d seen enough with Mia to know that this kind of behavior just led to worse shit further down the pipe. She was desperate to head it off at the pass, but Lynette seemed equally keen to leave her mark wherever she could before the time came. So, here she was, to leave a lasting impression of youthful fun and rebellion.

As she was spoken up for, the teen grinned smugly.

”Even Daddy thought it was funny, Mamma…” she chided, looking up at Furio who cleared his throat nervously.

”What’d I teach you about being a rat?” he snapped down at her. But, it was clearly in playful jest as his arms quickly snapped downward and scooped the girl up to throw over his shoulder.
”Now you go in the meat grinder! C’mon! Punishment, your mother says so!”
He managed the queue very well, taking them both away so Clarissa and Lynette could have a private conversation.

Still stroking the massive cat, Lynette stared at Clarissa with both eyes fixed on her own. The staredown.

”What?” Lynette asked calmly, almost goading Clarissa onward.

”I asked you as a friend. As a Mother. I remember hearing myself say it, I said ’Lynnie, please! Please, leave her out of it, because she’s gonna have a hard enough time here soon.’-” Clarissa paused, bottom lip trembling slightly.
”-And you yessed me to death. Since then, you’ve done nothing with her but encourage the bad behavior. The action against Furio and I… And you’re weaponizing her. You’re using her against us, and that’s not fair. It’s not! Because we-”

Lynette stuffed the Cat’s face in front of Clarissa, causing her to shout at the top of her lungs in fear as she flailed backwards in response. Her back smacked into the hard wood cabinets hiding most of the liquor behind strong panes of glass. Lynette’s smile didn’t drop in turn.

”And you’re still afraid of a little ol’ cat. What kind of Crone are you, Rissa? You can’t even take a joke? You think this is all so fucking serious?”

”You are serious! Our friendship is serious! The mental health of my only fucking child is dead serious!”

”Oh, so I don’t get the distinction of dead serious? I’m just, y’know, serious, my life is mildly serious, but her? That’s dead serious.”

Clarissa frowned.
”Don’t you dare…” she intoned remorsefully. ”You know I didn’t mean it like that.”

”Yet, you said it like that.” Lynette intoned in a rather hurt fashion.

This set a billion triggers off in Clarissa’s brain. Suddenly, the moment wasn’t about Lynette’s inability to stop herself from meddling. It was about placating her emotions. About feeling terrible that she’d said something to hurt Lynette in the first place. That she had been wrong about all of this to begin with.

”I’m sorry, I’m so sorry… I- Lynn… Lynnie? I-I know… I know you think that she should have fun. You’re right! We’re too hard on her. I’m too hard. I’m just nervous now! Especially with how things have been going, and-”

”Which nobody seems to care too greatly about. Since it hasn’t been solved.”

This again…

”You’re the one who warned against setting this place up!”

”I don’t want my babies killed!” Lynette asserted in a rather aggressive fashion, gripping down on the cat and causing it to gag.

”But if they go missing, the whole conflict spirals out of control. Thousands dead! Thousands if not tens of thousands more affected by the aftermath! We need to contain this!”

Clarissa and Lynette had been over this a trillion times, yet when Lynette sounded the claxon call to have it again, Clarissa responded with an immediate charge into headlong abandon.

”So, you’re saying that you really don’t care to find a better solution?”

”I’m saying there isn’t one! That what we have going on is the last option we have, because if we don’t take that one, then you’re just setting them up to win! And you know I can’t take the chance of losing you! I can’t! I won’t, Lynnie! I love you! And I won’t see… Can’t see you go away without me. I refuse.”

Lynette frowned and let the cat drop from her arms to scamper away before crawling into Clarissa’s arms and squeezing tightly around her.

”You still don’t ever seem to trust me.” she commented with a frown.

”That’s ‘cuz your plans are batty.” Clarissa admitted with a shake of her head, arms curling around her precious big sister figure. The woman who had given her everything, she felt.
”What’re we supposed to do without you? Dance to their tune?”

”Or suffer the burden we’ve seen, yeah… Feels like shit, doesn’t it?” Lynette calmly asked in return, eyes watering slightly at the prospect of death.

---

”Again with the parking at this place. When will anyone ever listen to me about what a nightmare it is to do shit in this part of town?”

Behind the wheel of the new truck that Leon had purchased him in thanks for his work, Casey felt like the tallest human on the planet. It wasn’t such a massive truck that it was obnoxious; an SUV that Leon joked about being safe for bees and babies in the Montana snow. But, given how tall he was, it just made the whole thing that little bit more elevated.

”And they ask me to get here early… That made me laugh. They know they’re gonna be here anyway, yet they want us there early. Like it should be your problem that they want to celebrate it.” he looked over at Trisha as he sucked a frozen latte from a straw in the dead cold of December.

They were stuck in traffic down the road from the Cubane, and Casey still wasn’t sure if there’d be parking in the downstairs garage. But the turn was still a few hundred feet away, giving them time to complain at one another like an already-married couple.

“She’s trying to make our life hell on the way out… Including mundane shit like being stuck in traffic.” Trisha intoned in response, giving him a little smile. It was more annoying for him than her, really. At least, them being stuck like this. She didn’t mind the extra time, just them.

The whole having to be there early thing was annoying. She didn’t want a celebration over the Dollhouse defeat and Sycamore safety. If it was for Leon, he should be the one going to set it up. Or, the ones demanding their attendance should! She wasn’t that happy about basically having to go in the first place. Her battery for large social events wasn’t exactly large in the first place, and had barely charged since the last one.

But at least she had Casey.

“If it was my choice, there’d be no big celebration at all. But I guess that’s why we’re just told to come early and not actually allowed to plan it. They know we wouldn’t want to bother.” She shrugged.
“Hopefully we can turn all the attention onto Leon during the actual party. He likes it way more than I do.”

”And anyone else who decides to show up, I guess. Hopefully enough to hide you away and we can scram early. The next episode of Dockworthy is supposed to be pretty juicy, and I just wanna sit and watch it…” he admitted coyly in reply.

At least they were on the same page about spending time together. He valued every second of privacy he got with his fiance… It was more than a pleasure for him at this point as well, rapidly becoming something he hoped to soak up his entire life. He felt odd not having her clinging to him in a half-nap state during the lows. He almost liked that best if it wasn’t such a sick thing to wish for more of…

”Unless you were really hung up on that other one you were watching…” he conceded.

“I’ll watch anything as long as it’s with you.” Trisha replied sweetly, squinting happily at him. For her, watching TV was still a mostly background thing… Something to distract herself with or to do with Casey. Though, she was beginning to actually enjoy what they were watching now. Or, allow herself to. It wasn’t like there weren’t televisions in the Vanburen household, or even Maria’s place. There was just the pressure from her Mom to always be working and doing something productive.

So it was nice that she could relax with him, and was beginning to be able to relax when it was just her too. Though she wasn’t sure how much that would last as she was coming more and more out of her depressive episode.

“Honestly, I’d watch paint dry if it meant escaping this and just getting to cuddle with you. If that’s what you want to watch, we can. If it’s juicy enough maybe I won’t fall asleep.” She laughed.

She was still catching up, after all. But it wasn’t like she planned to fall asleep as soon as they got home today. Actually, she had plans beyond just watching TV. Not that she’d told Casey… Because they were delayed surprise plans. Maybe it was a mistake to plan to propose after another event that could go wrong, but it felt more… right. The idea of escaping away together and then doing that. Even if she hadn’t been able to prepare as much as she had the last time, she just wanted to show her love for him like he had for her.

“Maybe we should start suggesting events have a ‘kids’ room, set up a TV there, and lock it so only we can get in. Then we can pretend to show face and escape for a while.”

”I… Really tend to doubt that would work. Mostly because Cass would hear us, and would want to come watch too. And then it wouldn’t just be us.”

There were a few different reasons besides that, but he was sticking to this one for simplicity sake. The last thing Casey wanted to get back into was the conversation about how the Temple wasn’t going to be around long enough to worry about that.

”At least we’re the masters of our own destiny soon. No more unnecessary events in our life.” he still managed to let the feeling leak out… But that was just the most exciting prospect for their future. And he couldn’t wait much longer.

“True… I can’t wait.” Trisha smiled at that. She really couldn’t. It would be worth all the pain over the next few months. She’d suffered enough over her life anyway, so what was a little more.

“Though… If Cass and Leon do end up in Montana with us, I’m not sure if our peace will last. Cass is the least peaceful person ever, and she’ll definitely end up bursting in all of the time. We’ll need to Cass entry proof our whole house.”

”She’ll make a fantastic assault drill… Y’know, the ‘in case of emergency’ protocols and all that.”
The corner was coming, and Casey hooked the right to travel down behind the building and up to the garage. This time, since they were both going up together, Casey and Trisha were able to leave the vehicle downstairs in a parking spot before making way to the elevator.

”Weird to think this may be the last time I ever see some people… Andrade’s planning on leaving… Did he tell you yet?” Casey asked calmly.

Trisha shook her head.
“Is that what he meant by my honey always having a home yesterday? And why he wanted to talk? I didn’t exactly want to deal with that today… But I guess I’ll have to do it soon, won’t I?”

She looked up at him, before shuffling close and leaning into him. Recharging in the short period it was still just them.
“I’m not surprised. I wouldn’t want to stay in the city if I was Andrade either.”

”It’s all the same, ultimately. For the best. But, yeah, I guess if he said that to you, it sounds like what he meant. Maybe not today; he’s got another week to get things settled before he takes the vacation and doesn’t look back. I… Am still torn about it. But, I guess Mom’ll be pretty hungry soon. We all will. That’s the only guy who can actually work with Oblivium gone from the Temple.” Casey shrugged, frowning.

”I don’t love the idea of starving people out, but it’s a tactic. The withdrawals will probably be pretty bad for most people.”

Trisha hadn’t even thought about that. She pressed her lips together into a thin line. She wasn’t empathic enough to care about the vast majority of the Temple, or Lynette. But Casey, and the girls? Those three already had it difficult enough, and she would struggle to see him suffer.

“It’s something people can get over, right?” She asked, still frowning.
“And for you… What are you going to do? If you can’t get the bread that helps with all the calories you need, are you going to… Try eating meat again?”

”We’ll be fine. I’ve got enough enriched flour stashed away. We already worked out a spot to keep more in wait for a transfer when we find some property… For now, I’ve got some here in the city. Enough to last a couple of months.”
He spoke so matter-of-factly, like everything was easily taken care of. It was, in a sense. After all, there wasn’t much anyone would be able to do except wean themselves off of the stuff like every other drug. He was mostly worried about the girls, given their predilections to begin with.

It was hard to imagine them not falling into the trap here as well. But the elevator ding’d, and the doors slid open into the lobby of the hotel across from the entry to the restaurant. There were friendly faces setting up the ambiguous “congratulations” banners, and Casey waved at them in turn as the two of them entered…

By this point, the previous tension had been somewhat dispelled. The trio of old friends were standing together watching as Ivetta danced with the cat in her arms in the middle of the room. Casey was rather shocked to see that, having known how careful Clarissa was dealing with cats. After all, any cat could be a Wampus.

Which, he knew this one was… And not just any Wampus. The beast mewed with excitement as the two of them entered the restaurant.

”And here I was, not sure you’d make it! Thank all of the Ancients!” The cat grinned up at them.

Casey did his best to ignore it, not wanting to deal with the pain in the ass that was his myriad traumas associated with this bastard cat. Yet, he couldn’t kick it in front of Ivy… So he just held Trisha tighter and kept stepping past it.

”Hey, you three… And you, Ivy!” Casey said simply, assuming violence wasn’t planned thanks to Ivetta’s presence.

”Your guys’ cat is so sweet, Cousin Casey. Auntie Lynnie says you guys have had him forever!” she beamed.

Casey only nodded politely, getting immediate vibes of ill will from his aunt and uncle. But, Lynette was as casually open as she seemed to always be these days.

”She says she wants her own!” Lynette laughed, opening her arms wide and collapsing them both around Casey and Trisha.
”My sweet babies… Are you both alright after everything? You’re okay, Trisha? The knowledge coming back isn’t painful, is it?”

Trisha reactively tensed as Lynette hugged them, doing her best to not have a worse reaction than that. She even managed to very weakly hug Lynette back with one arm, the other holding tight to Casey. It was better to keep the peace… Or go along with things as much as she could. She’d be gone soon, after all.

“I’m alright. It was more peaceful than I’d imagined.” Trisha admitted, not particularly worried about Lynette assuming the knowledge came back in some kind of good memory. It wasn’t like she was going to share the contents.

“I don’t have to worry about waking up to a murderous replica over my bed anymore, so I would say things are going alright. Even if getting here wasn’t easy.”

Lynette nodded her head warmly, taking a deep breath and smiling.

”That’s encouraging news! Then, maybe you’d do me the honor of coming along for a little walk? Just… To talk. Not what you think, really… I’m rather tired, and I know that soon it’ll be far more unlikely that we have the chance.” she asked seemingly out of the blue, and totally lacking in any prompting. Though, Clarissa and Furio seemed actively against offering greetings.

Casey still prompted them anyway.

”Am I… in trouble? You two?” he asked very simply.

”A little bit! But that can wait.” Furio’s head nodded at Ivetta, then motioned toward where Trisha and Lynette were speaking.

Trisha frowned a little bit, glancing back at Casey before looking at Lynette. Did she want to go for a little walk with her? Obviously not. But there was still that deep seated need to not appear like the worst person in the world. And in a way it was her fault Lynette was going to die, even if there were so many other people involved. Maybe it was the least she could do.

And, if it ended up as bad as all the other talks they had… How Trisha dealt with it would show if she’d really made any steps forward.

“Sure, alright. We can talk… As long as it really isn’t what I think. I’m tired too, and don’t have the energy to put up with bullshit right now.” She replied, turning her head to stare at Furio and Clarissa for a moment before her attention went back to Lynette again. She gestured with one hand, the way she nibbled at her lip showing the nerves she was trying to cover with a fake confidence.

The tension from Clarissa and Furio shook it more than anything. She knew Furio and Casey had been clashing… And was worried something would happen. But clearly, they didn’t want to talk in front of their daughter. But then… Would she leave, and they’d get violent? Trisha wasn’t sure, and that made her just as nervous as whatever Lynette may want to talk about. But she couldn’t do anything about them at the moment, so she only hoped this talk really wasn’t like all of the other ‘talks’ with Lynette.

“Wherever you want to… Walk.”

Lynette waved her hand onward toward the kitchen, guiding her through the doors until Casey was out of sight. It was immediately clear why Lynette wanted to guide Trisha away from the moment.

”Now, don’t get the wrong-”

”-Well then why the fuck did you acce-”

Lynette cleared her throat and shook her head before doing her best to slide Trisha further away from the noise.

”-ehm… Trisha… Those problems?-” she shuffled her hands backward at the yelling as Casey’s voice climbed to a height saved for pain and fury.
”-will pass. You see, I was, well- It doesn’t matter! I won’t be there, will I? To tell you how sorry I am, and make it up to him, and to them, and to see the children that come after. But, I know how you feel ultimately. What right would I have to see them? Even if I did apologize, even if I did repent. Would you ever really trust me?”

Lynette let the question hang in between them as she looked at Trisha expectantly. There was a bit of a difference between playful Lynette and whatever this was. She didn’t seem stressed, so much as she seemed like there was actual pain happening. Like she couldn’t bring herself to peddle the bicycle any longer. The exhaustion was in her voice. As she waited for an answer, she was almost anticipating Trisha’s response, her head gently moving from side to side in a rapid fashion that was almost subliminally pressing toward the ultimate answer… No.

Trisha didn’t answer immediately, frowning silently. She was visibly tense, but it was still just as much because of what they’d left as it was being alone with Lynette. The seemingly different Lynette didn’t make her feel any less wary. She was always the paranoid sort… It was why her answer could never be any different than what was expected. There was no point lying and pretending at that moment.

“No, I’d never trust you.” She admitted as calmly as she could.
“And I’d never let you be around my children alone. But maybe Casey would have convinced me to let you see them with him there. But it doesn’t matter, does it? Because it’s already too late.”

At least in her mind, it really was past the point of no return. The further she pushed her children, the less likely anyone was to want to save her. Not that Trisha had ever wanted to… Maybe Casey had.

Her head twisted around to look at the door they’d come through, concern clear across her expression as she got tenser. She didn’t want to be around whatever argument was going on, so she almost appreciated Lynette taking her away… But it didn’t stop her from being worried. There were two of them, and only one Casey. But surely… If their daughter was still there, it would just be shouting.

And as much as she didn’t trust Lynette, she at least believed she didn’t want Casey dead. Because the easiest way to prevent her own death would have been to kill Trisha, or Casey, in the first place, even if it cut off some possible magical reincarnation. But she hadn’t.

She turned her attention back to Lynette.
“Would you really have been able to make it up to him? Because you seem to be doing everything you can to make them suffer before you go. Any apologies from you would be empty.”

Lynette’s expression became flat in a confirmational nod.
”I can’t even begin to apologize. I just genuinely want you to know that I hope it’s a nice life. Fill it with good things, Trisha. Don’t let it get like this. I know, you think it must be hard getting to this point. But, then, you’ve got your own personal role models to let you know just how fucked up being a parent is. So, do better. That’s all I can hope for too. That you’re better than all of us combined, you two. I want nothing more than my childrens’ ultimate happiness. Even if that means making sure they see one last black stormcloud before the sun shines in.” she spoke calmly, clearly, and without any form of stammering or searching for the words.

The shouting was still going on, and she grimaced.

”I can’t wait for the quiet. Trisha… If I asked you, here and now, before anyone else had the chance to stop you… Would you kill me?”

Trisha’s expression wavered, flitting from as coldly neutral as she could muster to anxious and conflicted. Unlike the other question, there was no immediate easy answer. Would she?

She didn’t know. It would cut short the suffering Lynette was causing, and would continue to suffer until she died. Maybe it would save lives if she pointed out more sub-groups that needed to be removed. But could she really do it? Did she even deserve to? When she’d suffered so much less than Lynette’s own children and many other Temple members?

And what would happen to Casey outside. It would be an immediate, vengeful fight. They might kill him.

“Are you about to try and hurt Casey? Or kill him?” She asked back, managing to keep her voice even.
“I doubt it. So, no. I only kill to protect. You’ll have to wait for the people who really hate you.”

Then a thought crossed her mind, and she almost smiled.
“Or, if you’re that desperate, ask Cass. She would.”

Lynette’s head turned downward slightly, a wry smile crossing her face as she began to snicker.
”Yeah… She wasn’t really in the cards, that one! I’d never been too concerned with whether or not Leon would wind up all that happy, so… I suppose it really is just another reason to be thankful that you’ve come along. Y’know, it’ll be that attitude that makes you a wonderful Matron. You stick to your guns! Remember, a decision made is a decision paid: You will reap every single seed you decide to sow, whether you wanted it to be there or not. And that lesson alone is enough to keep you from being like me. Or, y’know, like your mom. Who, may I add, is a vile wretch! Trying to get in touch with her was like being beaten with a metal whisk. No wonder you’re so prickly.”

She still didn’t seem to have any trouble yapping away as she’d always done… Plenty of time for the argument to begin cooling down in the other room. The shouting was far less intense, and even less frequent than it had been…

”My point was: There will come a day when a decision must be made. And it will be hard… And you won’t make it. Prepare yourself… Because things could really tumble out from under a person when they don’t have the guts to make a hard decision.” she smiled now, nodding her head.

Just as Clarissa slammed the door open.

”We’re leaving, Lynnie. You come, or you don’t, I don-”

Lynette threw up one hand, and one finger upon it. Still, her gaze was on Trisha.

”If only things were different. I really wish they had been. But what is, will always be. Goodnight, Trisha. And, congratulations on the End of Night.”
Lynette backed up a couple of steps before turning on her heels and following Clarissa out of the door, leaving Trisha all alone for the moment.

As soon as there was no one else in the room, the tense string keeping Trisha upright and rigid- as if confident- snapped. It wasn’t towards relaxation, but more a crumple, leaning against one of the counters and covering her face with her hands.

It hadn’t been that bad, as far as talks with Lynette went. But of course, she threw shit on Trisha on the way out. A hard decision… that she wouldn’t make? It could mean a lot. Could be some major fuckup she’d make in the future. She wouldn’t even be surprised. How was she even supposed to prepare herself for something like that? Just thinking about it had all her insecurities crawling up her throat, trying to devour her.

It wasn’t helped by the mention of Maria, no matter how brief or scathing. The Mother she wasn’t able to get into contact with either… Who she’d try her best to never be like. But she was more worried she’d end up like Lynette. A clingy, emotionally manipulative mother that needed pacifying by her own children…

I was doing so much better. Stop thinking about it.

She rubbed her eyes, frowning and taking a deep breath. She should go back out to Casey, so he didn’t worry. But she was still struggling to get out of the loop she got stuck back in- past failures, future failures. Constant failure. It wasn’t even that she wanted to hide it from him by only coming out when she wasn’t visibly conflicted… She just couldn’t bring herself to move as she tried to process it.

But it didn’t take Casey long to barge into the doors that they’d left through, immediately scooping her into his arms as if they’d had iron bars in between them for days on end. His arms kept her tight to him, hands slipping up to rub the back of her head in a comforting motion as he took deep breaths in and out.

”Are you okay? Trisha?” his voice was full of supreme concern and infinite love as he practically searched her for wounds or shakes. Anything showing any sort of discomfort, all he wanted to do was ease it…

“Just defusing the bomb Lynette left behind.” She responded, without much hesitation. She buried into his arms, hugging him back and taking her own deep breaths in tandem with his. His appearance was enough to pull her out of the downward spiral before she fell too far.

It hadn’t even been that bad, and she was still struggling with it. She really had a long way to go.

“Something about the future… A hard decision I won’t make. It wasn’t even bad until then- until right at the end, when she mentioned my Mom and said that. I guess it’s not a conversation with Lynette if she doesn’t try to make me doubt myself… Not that that’s hard.” She was fully honest for once. It wasn’t something she could even try hiding, and she wanted Casey’s comfort more than anything. None of it was exactly new.

She was lightly trembling, but it wasn’t as bad as it had been before. Nowhere near a full blown panic attack. Just normal anxiety and doubts brought back up… Not enough to stop her from tilting her head up to look at him with her own concern and love.
“But what about you? I heard a lot of shouting.”

Casey already found himself in a new conundrum. Again, this was supposed to be a celebration for Trisha, Leon, and whichever other Sycamites decided to show their faces. But others had to make problems where they shouldn’t exist. He had known there was sincere animosity building up since he’d been handed the reins; and that Clarissa and Furio had imagined he’d come onto the seat and curtail the efforts of dissonant parties.

He’d obviously achieved the opposite of that. Which meant that the animosity and resentment was only growing. They felt lied to. Cheated. As if he’d bamboozled them, and finessed the seat out from under Furio as if he hadn’t wanted to step away. He did... And he’d admitted that to Casey openly and freely. But, he’d expected an effective successor, not one whose dereliction of duty was a purposeful assdrag to allow the Temple to fold up like a wet rag.

”I’ve been reassured that if anything extreme happens to Lynette, I’ll be the first one to experience consequences. And that whatever is given, I should expect to receive a thousandfold. Which is a cool ultimatum in my head, because it’s like… They still seem willing to put it all behind them if I start doing what I’m supposed to do. I’m not gonna. But, it's still nice to think that their hearts aren’t against me. Just so passionately protective of their good friend that they’d do anything to protect and avenge her if need be.”

He hated telling her stuff like this… But it affected her too. This time, majorly.

”I’m sorry… I’m not gonna let you go, and I know you wouldn’t want it… But this whole situation puts you in a significant amount of danger too. It’s not like the unknown of Father Wolf, but when it all goes down, they’re not gonna spare you. Here’s hoping that it’s just one last fight for our lives…” he fully admitted to her, not able to leave anything significant out.

Trisha frowned up at him, body tensing. But she didn’t look more panicked than she had before, her eyes narrowing in something closer to anger. Of course they wouldn’t let something like that go. She understood being protective of a friend, and being destroyed by their death. If Cass died… She’d struggle a lot. But if someone killed her in a situation like this, would she really go after whoever it was and risk her own life? Kill someone else?

Maybe… but Casey wasn’t even the one who was going to kill her! It pissed her off that they were willing to destroy their future over the downfall of a woman who’d dug her own grave. Their own too!

“So they want two more people to die no matter what. And more if they win, I guess?” Her hands dug into his back.
“I’m going to need to really start training more. With my magic and… I should get better with a gun. Maybe we need to train together. Because if they’re going to come after you- it’ll be us! And they’ve been married so long… We did well against that assassin, but we’ll need to be better than that, won’t we? I’ll need to get stronger because if they really want to hurt you… they’ll try kill me first, won’t they? I won’t let them. And you’re right, I won’t leave you either.”

Casey held her close and tight while she worked out what she felt was necessary. He didn’t entirely disagree, in that it’d be a far better prospect if she was just a little bit more prepared… But, it was mostly a matter of class. The fact of the matter was that even if they didn’t have a matrimonial bond as a fighting pair, even if they’d not spent their entire adult lives training together and learning how best to use their abilities in tandem; they would still be two Master level Adepts with practical paranormal combat experience that totaled up to probably thousands of hours between the two of them. It’d be intense training for him… But, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad for her? If the Queen cared enough, there was always the chance that she’d come to their aid.

And if she was anywhere near as healthy as she had been in her heyday, then there was a high chance that her influence over Trisha would be enough to spur them toward victory. After all, he knew that he had the expertise and understanding to defeat Furio in a closed setting without interference. And he was fairly certain he could get that plenty of times before things got bad… But why escalate before it was necessary? Why be who they are, and do the thing that they’d do to anyone else? It’d be ironic, sure… The two deathdealers of the Temple being assassinated by an efficient and animalistic killer with little regard for the brutality caused to them. But, what would Lynette do? What would the security department members still loyal to them do in return? Casey bet the answer had something to do with the poor Aberrations still left in limbo over this whole debacle. And they didn’t deserve to die because he wanted to spare himself the troubles.

”It’s all twisted. Frankly, it’s fucking stupid. They supposedly love me… So they’ll wait and hope I do the right thing… Right in their eyes is to put a stop to whatever’s in motion. Yet they’re so willing to utilize violence on their own terms! I don’t fucking want this to be this way! And, y’know, if they die… What the fuck happens to Ivy!? There’s a fucking teenage girl in the middle of this, and… What? What the fuck are we supposed to do at that point?” he grunted in frustration, not sure of where to start with the issue.

“It’s fucked up.” Trisha agreed, frowning more. It wasn’t like there was anything she could say to fix that situation. They had a daughter… And they were still choosing this path. Maybe they were so confident they’d win that they didn’t even think it was an issue! But… Her and Casey deserved to live too. They shouldn’t have to die just because Casey refused to uphold an oppressive system that got loads of other people killed.

All she could really do is hope to alleviate any guilt he may be feeling about it.
“They’re choosing vengeance over their daughter which is… Fuck. It won’t be your fault if they died because- We don’t want to fight. We’re not starting it. If they don’t try to kill us… I guess they’ll still be a problem but… I don’t know. We just have to do the best we can. If they do and we kill them… We’ll have to… Deal with the consequences and make sure she’s looked after…”

It wasn’t exactly a burden Trisha wanted, and it was a struggle enough to not just ignore the problem and get pissed at Clarissa and Furio deciding murder and death was more important than living for their daughter. But Casey was a good person and she wanted to be better for him. That meant not leaving a teen girl with nothing if they had to kill her assassin parents.

”I don’t doubt she’ll be looked after. If nothing else, Elise intends on continuing things in some fashion. Maybe the structure to maintain her care will be there. Or, who knows… Maybe we inherit a fifteen year old girl, and we have to raise her the rest of the way. As long as she doesn’t realize what happened exactly, I don’t imagine she’d be a bad kid to live with.”

It was a rather morbid concept, but so was Furio and Clarissa choosing death over peace. Whatever was going to come next would be painful and difficult to deal with, but if they planned on living through it? There was nothing else to really do but deal with it all the same. Child or not, assailed or not, life didn’t stop just because things were hard. In fact, in Casey’s experience, things always got worse when the going got tough. It wasn’t something to look forward to… But, it also wasn’t something to back down from. The challenge of life…

All he could do was hug Trisha a little tighter.

”I was assured that I’d have the freedom to make the right decision. That things are fine until they aren’t anymore. So, yeah… We’ll start tomorrow. No questions, either. We’ve gotta do what we’ve gotta do. And, honestly? We’re getting Leon involved. I’ve said before, but you two can connect on the level of Adjoined. Your Apparitions even know one another. If that’s not motivation enough for our fuzzy lady, I don’t know what will be.” Casey asserted, taking a deep breath and pulling away slightly to look down at Trisha’s reaction.

Trisha pursed her lips, not exactly looking happy about it. But she did nod. She’d said she was willing to try with Leon… Just, training was the kind of thing that had happened back in the day. Chaotically, but it happened. Leon was always an asshole… But it could be different. And she wanted to live and keep herself and Casey safe.

“Alright. I’ll need Cass to grow me a lot of limbs to grow more bees in anyway… So it’s only fair he gets involved too. I said I’d try with him… We both agreed to be patient, so it won’t be like it was back then.” She nodded again, not particularly convinced but still willing. She had to be.

She bit her lip, brow furrowing with a hint of confusion in her eyes as she looked up at Casey.
“There’s something I don’t really understand. Lelou spoke to the Queen with deference, and Leon’s so magically strong, but I’m… Not. I guess it’s because she’s not always sleeping. But it’s been twelve years. Surely an Ancient Apparition should have some strength back?” She huffed slightly, before managing a slight smile at him.
“That’s not really a question for you, is it?”

Casey shrugged, but didn’t want her to think he was indifferent over it.
”Being with you helps me sleep… Maybe she feels the same? She’s had a long life, and from everything I understand, she was in charge of a massive kingdom at some point. Surely, you get tired of all the responsibility, all the effort, all the time spent needing to defend yourself and your people from things like Lelou, or the Snake, or whatever the Hell else… But, if we think about it like that… Twelve years ain’t a lot of time either, is it?” he asked simply, trying to take everything into account.

“Not for her, no.” Trisha responded, after a moment's thought.
“It’s half my life… And barely any of hers. Maybe when she adjoined to me she just assumed she’d have a nice body to sleep in, and someone else to look after the bees… And she does, mostly.”

It wasn’t exactly easy to understand how an Apparition felt, even though Trisha knew she could technically ask. Their relationship had gotten a bit closer in the last month, but not to the point Trisha felt comfortable just going to the Queen about things. Though she’d have to… When they started training. Not tonight.

“I’m sure she’ll be willing to lend me more if she knows it’ll only be for a short period. Then, she’ll get all the rest she wants, and the bees will get a nice place to live. It’ll be a win-win.”

Casey nodded calmly. His hand climbed gently to brush against the top of her head to begin rubbing it comfortingly.
”Whatever happens… I’ll protect you. Whether the Queen does or not, I’ll give everything I have to make sure nothing takes your life. I promise.” he asserted, taking a deep breath as he let his magic flow outward into the restaurant.

People were starting to show up. Other Temple members invited in, who were always early arrivals. Mia and the girls, with Gin and her brother in tow. Norm and Theo, and a few other Cannery residents. Putting banners and balloons up, looking for Casey and Trisha. Someone warded them off, said something about the situation, and everyone but Gin seemed to be willing to follow the boundaries set.

”Is there room for me in that hug?” she asked very simply as she pushed through the swinging doors.

Trisha took a deep breath herself, properly clinging onto Casey for just another moment. It looked like their alone time was over… But at least it was just one person for now. They’d get through the evening, and then be alone again after.

“Sure, as long as you don’t expect any loving gazes like we give each other.” She managed to joke as she pulled away from Casey slightly, but not fully out of the hug. There was still a bit of tension in her frame… But there almost always was. It only ever seemed to go away when it was just them, somewhere safe. Home, normally.

She wasn’t rejecting Gin, though. Now that she was more out of her low she was back to trying when it came to hugs with other people… Desensitising herself to it.

Without magic like Casey’s, she couldn’t tell how many people had arrived. She could just guess it was more than Gin.
“I’m guessing that’s our quiet time over?”

”Nah, it’s just me. I’m chillin’.”
Without much fuss or effort, Gin slid right in between Trisha and Casey, both arms wrapping as far as they could. She took a long, warm sigh.

Casey giggled, looking up at Trisha with a playful pout.

”Ain’t it nice to be loved, Babe?” he asked simply, rubbing both of their shoulders as they got close.
”But, yeah… More people are here. My sisters, uh… Some of the security guys. Gin just ignored what the others were saying about giving us a bit more time to come out on our own.”

”Ain’t no mountain high enough to keep me from gettin’ to you two.” Gin replied in a calm, collected voice. She seemed to be melting against the two of them, like that was the only place she wanted to be.

“Of course she did.” Trisha intoned, though she didn’t sound annoyed. She was surprised that she wasn’t. Maybe she was getting used to the intrusions and people being around… Or more likely that she’d prepared herself for a night full of other people that she was taking what she could get in time alone with Casey. She hadn’t expected much of it until they got home later.

“At least you’re quieter than Cass, the other mountain climbing, boundary ignoring intruder.” She continued with a light laugh.
“But I guess we need to start thinking about going out? Before even more people arrive, and it gets more awkward… God forbid Cass gets here and barges in and stretches her arms extra long to get around us all. That would-”

As if on queue, the doors swung open wide, practically slamming against the walls.
”I heard my favourite couple’s hiding away in heeerreee. Oh- And Gin!”

Cass bounded over to them before anyone with non magical reactions had a chance to react, leaping up to hug them all. She didn’t stretch her arms like Trisha had said, but she did lighten herself so she could body slam into them without actually doing any damage.

The lump of humanity simply bobbled slightly at the added weight.

”Babe, you couldn’t- Fuck…” Leon rushed in not but a few moments after her, a big frown forming on his face.

Casey looked at Cass, then past her curls toward Leon. He couldn’t help but smile at the feeling of love. His hand popped out, inviting Leon into the group hug. He laughed in return.

”Nah, it’s okay Bro… I heard what you guys were talking about, we can just pull out for a little bit longer. Come on, Cass. Gin.”

Gin shook her head.
”No can do… Not unless Trisha says so.” she replied, looking up at Cass for confirmation.

”Uh… Yeah! Not unless Trisha says so!” Cass echoed, mostly because she was all too happy to keep clinging like this. Though, if Trisha really wanted them to leave, she would.

Trisha squinted at Gin.
“Why me? Why not Casey?” Why did everyone suddenly want her to be in charge of decisions?

She took a deep breath in, managing to ignore her uneasiness over being trapped in a group hug for soaking in the feeling of… People wanting to be around her like that.
“Well… Normally I would say so, but since it’s Cass’ birthday, I’ll be nice. Happy Birthday, by the way, Cass.”

”Thanks- though today ain’t about me! That’s why you get to decide shit… I think? Oh, but then Leon also should, cause he’s also from Sycamore… Oh, fuck, this is why we shouldn’t celebrate multiple people! Shit gets messy!”

“It’s not like it’s a celebration where we boss people about… And he was trying to get you out for us. Which, uh, I appreciate. Thanks Leon… Even if we’re alright now.” Trisha couldn’t actually look at Leon because of Cass blocking her vision completely on that side, but hopefully he’d get that she meant it genuinely. That they were alright maybe wasn’t right, but she wasn’t going to feel particularly comfortable knowing there were all these people waiting for them outside, no matter what. It was better to rip the bandaid off and go back to comforting each other later.

And she did love Cass, and was beginning to have a similar feeling to some of the other people in her life. Such a large event wasn’t for her, and she did want to escape when possible, but she’d try to enjoy the time with those people as much as she could.

”We’re celebrating the end of an old chapter, Cassie… I already told you that!” Leon giggled as he made his way closer to begin peeling the barnacle off of the group hug so it could break up.

Having gotten used to the ways he could influence her, Leon was quick to let his lips fall upon her neck, kissing and embracing her until she had no choice but to loosen up and unlatch. Carrying her like a stiff object, Leon turned his body in order to fully separate Cass from them. Gin patted Casey and Trisha on the backs, then stepped away herself.

”Also, Casey’s got no problem with me hugging him for a while. You do. Ergo, it’s your decision. Purely practical.” she beamed up at Trisha.
”It’s got nothing to do with your status… Matron.” she winked.

”Who the Hell even told you that!?” Casey barked, furrowing his brow down at Gin.

She just looked back up at Leon, then at Casey and Trisha again.
”C’mon… Let’s just go out. Besides, uh…-”

Gin finally directed their gaze out at the kitchen. And at the dozen or so people toiling away and desperately wanting to get to the section of the kitchen they were occupying, but clearly too polite and well trained to interrupt them for logistical reasons. Casey had been aware, but what else was a position like his good for but absolute respect. They’d wait, and they’d wait as long as he wanted them to wait. It was their event, after all. If the hors d'oeuvres were fucking burned because they couldn’t get to the ovens? Oh well.

Casey nodded toward the door, letting Trisha take the first steps toward it at her pleasure.

”And more importantly than that, I want drinks!” Cass shouted, having easily adjusted to her new position clambering on Leon rather than a group of people. Though she did start climbing her way back down him as they seemed to actually be making moves towards leaving.

Trisha glanced at the various workers actively avoiding their area. She hadn’t even realised, and now that she did she felt bad… But she wasn’t the one that had chosen to come in here in the first place. It was fine. They were leaving now anyway. Definitely leaving… She couldn’t comfortably stay now!

She reached out for Casey’s hand as she started shuffling towards the door, making a shooing motion towards the others with her free one.
“Alright, let’s go out and socialise with everyone… And get a drink.”

”Uh, drinks! I said drink! I’m having multiple, thanks!”

“I’m not stopping you just cause I’m only having one.” Trisha quickly shot back.

Cass grinned, finally detaching from Leon to hop backwards and open the door with her back for the rest of them.
”Good! Cause I plan to actually get drunk tonight… It’s only fair, since my birthday’s been hijacked! Not that I care… But y’know how much it takes for me to get drunk now?! I ain’t had the money for that since I kindled!”

---

”Shots, shots, shots, shots!”

“I am not doing shots.” Trisha grumbled, as she was physically dragged towards the bar by her friend. She never did shots, because it was a one way road to her blacking out soon after. She didn’t want that. She didn’t want to get drunk at all.

”You don’t gotta, but you gotta watch me do ‘em!” Cass shot back with a grin. She hadn’t even bothered to grab Leon or Casey like she had Trisha… Because she assumed Leon would follow her, and Casey would follow Trisha like a lovesick puppy!

A correct assumption, considering they did follow.

”You’ll do shots with me, right, Lee?! What about you, Casey?!”

Casey didn’t exactly indulge often. He valued his sobriety when it came to the overwhelming effects of alcohol poisoning, and rarely had a mind to get utterly wasted. That being said, of all nights, tonight was the last one he’d probably have the confidence to get wasted during. Thus, even though Trisha had been so good about it, Casey had polished off six pints and a few shots already.

Leon was a remarkably good big brother about the situation, and hadn’t done much to leave his brother alone. Mostly because he was worried: The situation during the raid had brought back a lot of bad memories for the both of them, but it deeply affected Casey in a way that Leon only assumed he wasn’t interested in talking about. Which made sense: It was a situation he’d been through enough during actual wartime. If it hurt Leon to think about now, it was probably still killing Casey. He was good; he didn’t overly share or talk about it constantly. But, that same behavior meant that nobody but Casey could ever know what was going on in his head exactly.

At least Leon could enjoy getting drunk. He had an infinitely running purge system, with Lelou happy to take every bit of ethanol she could get in order to drown her own frustrations out. Thus, he wasn’t trashed, but he was drunk… And compelled to drink as much as he was allowed.

”Obviously!”
”Obviously!”

Casey was good about holding it in, at least. An hour for six pints and a couple shots was nothing in the grand scheme… A dangerous pace to set a precedent for. But, he seemed to be able and willing to get up from the table they’d been sat at, with plenty of people crowding them by chance and clearly wanting to interact with a few of the Sycamites who decided to show up.

”How much’ve you drunk, Casso? Cass… EEEEEEEeeee…” Casey giggled to himself, elongating her name to a ridiculous degree.

”Uh… Like, five double vodka cokes?” Cass did a quick count, laughing at the clearly already pretty smashed Casey.

Unfortunately, she wasn’t quite there yet. The frustrating thing about having to constantly use her magic, was that it was constantly eating whatever fuel it could get! Alcohol was just less effective! And she was purposefully not casting any negate alcohol effect spells! Thus, the plan to do a shit ton of shots. She’d hoped the mixed drinks would work, but she was just too powerful…

“Not as much as you, clearly.” Trisha intoned, in a way that made it difficult to tell whether it was joking or serious. But as they reached the bar and Cass let her go, she immediately made her way to Casey and pressed into his side… So it had to be a joke. She was too clingy to be upset.

In the time they’d all had their many drinks, Trisha had only had a pint and a half. Which wasn’t much in comparison, but was enough to push her into tipsy territory… And not far from drunk. The start of possibly dangerous territory when it came to her mood. Which was why she didn’t really want to get that drunk.

”Aw, that’s an unfair comparison! He ain’t got the alcohol eating magic! And look, he’s still standing! His sense of humour’s just gotten more simple!” Cass laughed, pushing up onto her tiptoes to fully look at all the bottles behind the bar to try to decide what kind of shots she wanted.

“I don’t think it’s changed much?” Trisha tilted her head up at Casey, smile making it much more obvious she was teasing this time.

Casey gave the only kind of goofy grin in response that he could possibly give. He didn’t much care if she was upset or not. There was a tablet in his back pocket that would fix the problem. He intended on popping it in a few hours, but just like Trisha, being in this roiling pile of humans made him anxious and nervous. Two problems very much solved by a poison that took away one’s social inhibitions.

Leon was easily able to saunter behind the bar, walking the line back down toward his baby Coven until he turned his head and saw a frowning face not doing a whole lot. And it was that face that really hurt him… Because of course she wouldn’t want to be celebrating right now. If she wanted anything, it was to be away from this place.

”Linqian?” he said downward, looking at her sitting without recognizing that she was also surrounded by friendly and warm faces.
”You gonna make it, dude?”

”No. I’m going to kill myself right here, where I’ll traumatise the most people.” Linqian barely skipped a beat in responding sarcastically, slowly tilting her head up to look at Leon. Her eyes were hazy enough that it was clear she was also already drunk, a good way through her current drink.
”Since when did you-”

”Holy fuck, Lin, you can’t just say that shit! You’re lucky Pa’s off chatting to some other boring old men, or he’d lecture your ear off.“ The young man closest to her, and who seemed to be keeping an active eye on her, jumped in, nudging her with his elbow. He was tall enough that he sat a good head taller than Linqian, and notably wasn’t drinking… Lucien, Andre’s oldest. Louis, his other son, was part of the friendly gathering around Linqian- and him and his friends the source of most of the noise.

”So? He could be fucking listening in for all we know, and it isn’t like his lecturing’s ever made me change shit.” Linqian shrugged one shoulder, attention turning from her childhood friend- though they’d drifted the last ten years- and back to Leon.
”I was gonna say, before I got fucking interrupted… Since when did you fucking work behind a bar, Leon? Or you just grabbing yourself a whole fucking bottle?”

”Well… I was just going for a bottle. Care to join us? I wouldn’t call it celebrating, so much as just drinking for Cass’ sake.” Leon indicated down the bar with a nod.

Cass was still pressed up as far as she could be on the bar to see the bottles, rather than just enhancing her eyes to be able to see… Well, she could’ve been doing both for all Leon knew. She was just like that, after all.

”Obviously, it's a free invitation, Loosh. How are you, bud?” Leon thrust his hand out to Lucien.
”Been feeling alright lately?” he asked, desperate for a little bit of small talk rather than suddenly dealing with his and Linqian’s shared loss. Greyson wasn’t a good man, but he was good enough to them… It was hard not to mourn. Harder for her, obviously.

”Yeah, not too bad. Y’know how it is… But most days have been good recently. Though, that just means the days of fatigue are coming up.” Lucien replied good naturedly, grinning as he gave Leon’s hand a friendly slap rather than some shit like a handshake.
”If you’re offering, we’ll join! Anything to be away from my annoyingly loud lil brother.”

In the distance, Louis stuck up a hand and a middle finger towards Lucien- easily picking up what he said thanks to his Green Lux. Lucien just laughed.

It seemed strange from the outside that he was the one with the shame, when it tended to go hand in hand with hyperactivity. Both Makoumbou boys were easy going, but Lucien was much more chill. Now at least. Linqian could easily remember how crazy he’d been when they were younger. He’d gotten on more with her than Jinhai then because of it… It was a while after they’d left he chilled out.

Maybe because of the Shame’s effects.

Linqian looked between Leon and Lucien, before letting out a slight groan.
”If you’re gonna fucking force me like that, fine.”

”As if I could force you to do anything.”

”You fucking forced me out of bed today. You and Louis literally teleported into my room, so quit talking shit.” Linqian rolled her eyes, downing the rest of her drink before slipping out of her seat.

Lucien held up his hands, grinning.
”Guilty… But you’re glad you're out, aren’t you?”

Linqian’s head tilted towards the side, glancing at the group she was being dragged towards. Totally against her free will. Definitely not appeal in spending just a bit of time with people who might actually understand… Well, Trisha probably wouldn’t. But at least she’d understand the Sycamore shit they’d been through before.
”Whatever.”

”Resounding yes in grumpy Linqian language.” Lucien laughed slightly, looking back at Leon.
”Cass is your girlfriend, right? Who also has…”

He didn’t quite name it, looking a bit uncomfortable to be bringing it up in a situation where there was already enough pain to be dealt with.

Leon nodded happily, walking with them down the bar.

”Yessir… Your cousin’s supposed to be flying in to help her get better adjusted with it. Hopefully we can get it all crammed in and have her sent back home before things get too weird.” he admitted, knowing full well that people like Lucien weren’t blind about what was going on. Far enough away from the inner circle to avoid the bomb blasts, but close enough to see the mushroom clouds.

”Brothers and sisters of mine? We have company!”

”Heyyyyyy! Loos-eeeeeee!”
Casey pushed around Cass to grapple Lucien into his arms, bundling him tight for a moment before letting him go and planting a hand on his noggin.
”Buddy! Buddy boy! Have you met my wife Trisha? Dude…”

Casey practically hijacked Lucien immediately, proudly stepping back enough to wave his hand to present Trisha. Which awkwardly left Linqian with Leon and Cass.

”Baby, do me a favor when you get a sec?-” he looked at Cass.
”-Blast him with something? Just to take the edge off. I’m worried he’ll get sloppy.” Leon directed, hoping Cass would go along with it. After all, they had sloppy Linqian to deal with…

”And, did you decide what you want?” he asked, making sure Linqian got the seat next to Cass.

”Whatever has the highest percentage of alcohol!” Cass slapped the table, grinning at him. She wasn’t so sure about the blasting Casey thing… Mostly cause she didn’t know how to do it without being incredibly obvious about it. Maybe Trisha’d help if she got annoyed at how Casey was acting.

Cass twisted around in her seat to catch Trisha blushing, embarrassment not enough to cover the overly sappy look she was shooting Casey at being introduced as his wife. It didn’t matter that it wasn’t the case yet… Just that he got even cuter towards her when he was drunk like this. She liked it. She didn’t even say anything, just giving a small way and shuffling back towards Casey.

And Lucien easily took it in stride, recovering from the shock of being grappled to smoothly smile at Trisha.
”Nice to meet you, Trisha… I’m Lucien. Wife, huh? Congrats, dude!”

”Ugh.” Linqian muttered under her breath, doing her best to ignore what was going on behind her. She’d never exactly been the type for being around overly lovey dovey couples, but obviously it stung just a bit more to deal with right now. It’d stung after her last two break ups too, and nobody had died then!

Technically wasn’t really a break up with Greyson, anyway… Fucking, whatever.
”I second the strongest shit. And no blasting me with anything.”

”I ain’t gonna! I know a gal who can hold her alcohol when I see one!” Cass patted Linqian on the shoulder, though the look she shot Leon around her was clearly one of some concern. Though… It wasn’t surprising that Linqian was drinking herself into a stupor after the shit circumstances. Real shit considering what she was landed with leading up to them too.

She didn’t let herself dwell on that negative very long, knowing that some upbeat energy was the best for this kinda shit. So she slapped the bar again, grinning playfully at Leon.
”C’mon bar boy, get pouring those shots!”

Leon laughed in a good nature, in spite of the quick mental tick that brought his anxiety up slightly.

”I prefer something gender neutral in this situation… Bar slut? Bar beast? Boy makes it sound so… Derogatory!”
Never-the-less, he knew the assignment. Two green Lux monsters with little to no compunction over the taste of the drink they’re inhaling… It was a no-brainer to reach for the everclear.

“Leon!?” one of the actual bartenders looked incredibly concerned as he was gathering shot glasses with the bottle in his hand.

”Yeah?” he asked calmly, not even really grinning. There was a song playing in his head… It was probably still playing in Linqian’s head too. Surely she wanted it gone.

“Oh, n-nothing! Just, y’know, making sure you saw what you picked up!” the concerned bartender whinged.

Leon held the bottle up and shook it playfully.
”Oh I do. Don’t worry, we can handle it. A little hand sanitizer, y’know?”

And then he poured nine shots. Three for each of them, sliding them in front of Linqian first, then himself, and finally the impatient Cass. The bottle made its way back up, and Leon gave a quick glance at Casey.

”-no, cuz, she’s just awesome! Honestly, like, if you can’t find someone whose worst parts you still like? There’s no point, dude. Noooooo fuckin’ point in wasting your breath. What happens? Y’know? It’s just-”

Leon giggled to himself as he picked up a shot, then oriented his body toward Linqian.

”This one’s for the beautiful man who never had the chance to come and save everyone. The next one, is for the asshole who came back and forced himself into our lives, and gave himself up for it… And this last one is to the future,-”
He looked at Cass.
”And to many more birthdays with one another.”

Cass grinned at Leon, raising her first shot.
”Yeah, to all’ve that!” As much as she wanted to just knock it back she turned her gaze towards Linqian, waiting for her to go first. After all, Cass hadn’t even known the person the first shot was for.

”If Jinhai was here, he’d be giving me a fuck earful for drinking this shit.” Linqian snorted, close enough to a laugh as she raised the first shot and promptly downed it.

”And Greyson’d be tryna throw cash around to show off, fucking asshole.” The second one went down just as fast. She paused on the third, taking a moment to figure out the whole birthday thing.
”Uh… Fucking… Happy birthday, Cass. To whatever fucking bl-”

”Hey now! Ain’t bringing negativity into the future toast! You can get round to that after you drink it!” Cass interrupted, before Linqian could mention a bleak future. Probably felt like that in this moment for her… But it really wasn’t something to drink to.

”Fucking- Fine! I won’t add shit to that.” Linqian downed the third shot, the burn in her throat barely noticeable at this point. The warmth that came with it was almost nice.
”Can’t be any fucking worse than the last year, right?”

Clearing down his three shots was like water. Lelou gave him a nice, warm shiver up his spine that felt like a second hug. It was enough for him to speak up with confidence.

”Hey…-” he spoke almost privately to Cass.
”-Let her get it out? No amount of outside sadness is gonna affect our future… We can let her have it, can’t we?”

Assuming that she’d go along with him, Leon turned back to Linqian and nodded.
”I’m sorry… Go ahead. Say what you wanted to say. To whatever… Bleak future that may be? You know as well as I do, it’s what you make it.” he tried to get Linqian to talk a little more than just letting her be in her feelings. There were ways to bring someone out of this kind of stupor…

Though, given that it was Linqian, he didn’t expect any tremendous progress. Just enough that she’d probably clam up when presented with conflicting ideas, or… Hell, maybe she’d get more aggressive. He didn’t want to rob her of the chance to get just a little more physical. She’d done so well in the bunker, it was hard to think that she hadn’t had all the violence she could ask for… But nothing was going to bring any of the dead men in her life back. None of the dead people.

”Want some more?” he asked her calmly.

Linqian just nodded, pushing her shot glasses back towards Leon.

”Me too, please, Babe?” Cass asked, after a pause of waiting for Linqian to say something. Obviously giving her the floor and everything… But if she was going to take a moment to answer, Cass may as well as for a bit more to drink, right?

Linqian wasn’t really struggling with a response so much as she wasn’t sure if there was any point. There wasn’t even a flare of anger to follow, the mood swings going low into cold apathy as much as they pushed into fiery anger. Like a fucking yo-yo. At least the heat was closer to feeling.

”Sure, future’s what you make of it… Just pretty fucking hard when the future you started to make gets torn away from you twice in a fucking row. Sure, Greyson left me with all this fucking money… Y’know I’ve never been able to just not worry ‘bout that shit since I was sixteen. It’d be fucking great if having to work wasn’t the only thing that kept me going after Jinhai fucking- and what’s the point in all the fucking money when I only got two people to share it with?”

Not that she’d ever had much more than that, ironically enough. But there’d been the friends her and Jinhai shared… Even if they all fucked off after he died. Now it was just her, Henri and Aryin… And Aryin probably wasn’t going to stick around forever. The whole moving in thing was just temporary.

”So you… didn’t use the spell?” Cass couldn’t help but ask, unsure of what actually useful thing she could say. It’ll get better? Not necessarily. Early stages of grief fucking sucked, and she’d had way more people around to help with her own.

Linqian didn’t say anything in response to that, needing at least three more shots to even consider going into that.

Leon had poured himself a screwdriver, wanting something to drink without it being hardcore balls-to-the-wall. But, when Cass asked that question, he almost spit out the sip he was taking. It was a good question. Two would, in theory, become three… And that third was a life worth preserving. Lelou knew, and thus Leon knew, that life had already gestated within her. He wondered if she’d stop drinking if she knew…

”Uh… Y’know, Linqian, I hadn’t really thought about that… I guess, y’know, you must not have if you’re drinking like this. Right?” he asked as if to lead her to water in a proverbial sense.

Linqian stared at Leon like he was stupid.
”Fucking hell, course I did. Fuck knows if it actually worked… But d’you think most women could even find out this fucking early? And they just don't fucking drink?”

Though grieving as she was, she wasn't entirely that careless… Well, she'd done enough research to know drinking a bunch while possibly pregnant probably wouldn't fuck shit up. Cause, it was the only chance with Greyson… and contrary to how she generally came across, she'd always wanted to have a kid. Hadn't planned for it to be now, but shit happened, people died.

"My Ma always blamed the wine she had before finding out whenever we did somethin' stupid." Cass awkwardly laughed, though it had just been one of her mother's many excuses that weren't her shit parenting.

”Well if there's a kid, they're gonna get all the fucking stupid genes from me anyway.”

Leon leaned down and into Linqian, taking a deep sniff near her ear. A dog thing, obviously, but it was mostly a ploy to get close enough that Cass would need to pay attention to hear him speak.

”Just take it a little easy. Like, y’know, a souffle in the oven… Except, y’know, we can’t make another one like it. The source of the cream isn’t exactly giving out more samples.”

And then he pulled away, his face unflinching. It wasn’t even a smile… He knew she wasn’t here for jokes. She was here because she felt obligated, and knew that nobody in her immediate life was going to let her sit and rot. She had more life to live…

”Why not, uh… Go take over the family business? The Twin Cities are gonna be missing a Don, right? Step in! Bring Minnesota to heel, those frigid bastards!”
There was the joke. A cover, mostly.

”Minnesota!?!?!?!? Fuckin’ Finland of America! B-but they’re… They’re like the Japs! The politeness is fake!”

Casey muscled his way up next to Cass…

”Hey, dude! Leave the fucking… Leave that shit in the bottom of your brain, dude…”

Casey pouted.

”Mmmmkay, I’ll cut your hands off with a sword and see how you like it!” he said with an incredibly light tone for the subject at hand… Not shocking for Leon.

It was, after all, a bad war. A bloody one. Animosity was still high to this day, and while he hadn’t fought on the Eastern Front much during the later parts of the war, he had plenty of experience going to the mat with the Japanese soldiers in China when the war started. Leon was generally shocked that Casey didn’t have more animosity toward others… Though, he never shied away from badmouthing the old regimes.

”Don’t get like that, Bub… Or you’re getting cut off.”

Casey leaned into Cass.

”Fine… Hit me. I wanna get drunk again anyway.” Casey goaded her, half expecting an actual slap but half hoping she’d pick up what she meant. He was asking to be un-drunk’d.

“Heyyyy, it's my turn to get drunk." Trisha jokingly complained, having trailed right behind Casey though with much less physical and verbal intrusion. She was in the very clingy stage of her drinking… Not that she was not clingy normally. Just not so bad. She didn't even care to push at anything Casey was saying, head still very much in the clouds- if painted red from embarrassment- from how much he'd rambled away about her.

"Hit you?! Okay, I'll slap some sense into ya!" Cass caught Casey's meaning, but still reached up to slap both hands against his face. The main saving grace was that she was at her normal strength, minimising the green lux enhancements to not burn off all her own alcohol. But her hands stayed there after.

It wasn't that difficult to suck the alcohol out of his bloodstream. She'd learned, after doing it a couple of times before, that she could either just get rid of it or take it herself. Normally she went for the former… but today? Why waste it! The veins on the back of her hand glowed green for a moment, and she let out a slight sigh. Finally! The double combo of shots and everything Casey drank was starting to get to her head.

"There ya go!"

Linqian had been silent after Leon whispered a metaphor she'd have to be blackout drunk to not get. So it really had worked… Fucking hell. Even if it had been planned with full knowledge of the circumstances, it was a lot to process. Not like there'd been much time before. She glanced down at her stomach, before silently pushing her remaining shots over towards Cass.

But just because she was processing shit didn't mean she wasn't listening, even if there was a fucking delay as her drunk brain dealt with everything. Her eyes narrowed, shifting in her seat to glare at Casey where he'd pushed his way in.

Culturally, there weren't exactly good feelings from her towards Japan. That shit preceded the fucking war… But it was fucking different hearing a word that had been thrown at her a couple of times dropped so casually. Obviously not as bad as the people it actually targeted, but it wasn't like the actual racist bigots could tell the difference. And there were plenty of them in some of the pubs she worked in during and after the war.

”Really gonna just fucking drop that and move on? Why not just go fucking throwing other slurs round too! May as well get it all out. Since you can drop it so fucking casually!” Linqian snapped, ticking up towards that rage she was known for… But it seemed pretty fucking reasonable this time. Though it was partly something to latch onto. Another emotion rather than depression…

Her glare flickered between Casey and Trisha.
”Should’ve fucking known Trisha would have standards this low.”

Trisha immediately bristled, squeezing half in front of Casey as if she could block him from dealing with it.
“I don't- it was a drunken mistake. Fuck off."

”Sure didn't sound like it.”

Lucien gave a nervous laugh from the other side of Linqian, seeming to be preparing himself to grab her if she jumped from verbal to physical violence.

Casey’s world caved into focus as he found himself being yelled at. Which… Deserved. But, ultimately, the woman who was yelling at him was way more drunk than he was now. He expected that part, even in the foggy haze. He knew what he said. The war was bitter in that part of the world. His only surprise was that a half-Chinese woman was even close to being concerned about something like that.

But he was also White, and knew what it was like for some other people to be compared to the Germans. Not him… It rolled right off his back. Names didn’t mean much when you saw so much industrial death. But, he found Trisha ready as she could be to defend him, which wouldn’t do in her state. In turn, he became palpably sober. His entire demeanor changed, and he leaned down slightly to kiss just beneath Trisha’s ear, whispering as he did so.

”Be still, my Burning Heart.” he cooed, then took a deep breath and looked directly at Linqian.

”I apologize, Linqian. I have no excuse, and you don’t have to forgive me. I don’t talk about my time in China lightly… But it will always be a special place to me. For all the awful things I saw. It doesn’t excuse my words here. You’re well within your rights to be upset at me, and you should feel free to carry out whatever consequence you feel I deserve.”

Capitulation didn’t always work how one wanted it to. Sometimes it invited worse things. But, he figured the woman who just lost her boyfriend after having lost her brother, may just want to feel like she’s in control of something. Anything to grab ahold of and careen into the dirt. He’d let her. He could take that feeling.

The air around them heated up slightly as Linqian did, even as her brain got stuck for a moment. It was the kind of shit that pissed her off cause of how she was, rather than having ever sat deeply the few times it was thrown at her. It was always fucking mistaken discrimination… Fucking shit, obviously, but not quite like any of the other shit that actually hit a nerve.

And more than that, she knew what the war had been like there. They'd been long out of the country, but her and Jinhai had contact with enough cousins to hear shit firsthand. She loved her home country more than she was fucking upset by what he'd said… She fucking missed it, really. Because everyone was alive then.

”Well then fucking-” Linqian started, before suddenly twisting around to glare at Lucien as his hands landed on her shoulders. She reached up to hit the back of his head, briefly burning him in the process.
”I fucking swear to God, if you were about to fucking time freeze me-”

”Just tryna make sure nobody gets too burned. Precautions.”

”Fuck off- I was going to say then fucking keep it inside. It's whatever, I don't fucking care that much about shit thrown at me by racists who saw someone Asian and spat out whatever the fuck came into their head! Fucking shit to hear, fucking pisses me off, but whatever!” She turned back to Casey, letting go of Lucien. Her expression wasn't exactly great, but she clearly wasn't going to escalate to physical violence this time.
”I’m not risking getting fucking severed by one side cause I burned to death someone who actually fucking defended my country. The shit that happened there was fucking worse.”

Obviously, that wouldn't actually happen, severance wasn't so fickle. But it was a nice self excuse for her de-escalating, the anger irritatingly quick to simmer out back to nothing. Waiting for the next thing to explode at but unable to latch more onto this. Her mood swings were only worse with the grief, but on top of that she could still hear that fucking slow jazz in the back of her mind. It frustratingly dragged her back down, just like Greyson had managed to a fair few times- when her anger wasn’t directed at him, that was.

Jinhai would’ve told her to knock it off too. Fucking bastards who tried to stop her from slapping people but went and fucking died themselves.

”I don't have the fucking energy to waste on punching someone I don't give a fuck about anyway…” She managed to grumble out another bit of vitriol even as shit simmered down.
”And I’m not gonna fucking trample on their memories right now.”

Trisha didn't say anything, because the message was clear from Casey. But she was clearly still unhappy, tense as she leaned against him. She was too selfish, and tipsy, to step back and think about the shit Linqian was going through. But she was holding back her urge to snap back in defence and just escalate the situation further… Because it was for Casey, and if he didn't want that. It would only make things worse for him, and then everything would be worse.

Casey knew that overexplaining didn’t mean anything to someone who was drunk. It just didn’t work. His best option was to just be kind.
”You’re a strong woman, Linqian. Even if you don’t feel like you are. I hope you can find it in yourself to press forward into that new dawn. We’ll always be around if you ever get into trouble.”

Reaching out for a the free shots sitting on the bar, he passed one to Trisha before nodding and raising the glass to Linqian.

”To you, and Greyson, and all the other Sycamites who actually gave enough of a fuck to take a real stand.” he held his shot glass out to cheer, then knocked it back before realizing that it wasn’t regular alcohol.

”Oh, woah! What the fuck, you guys? That’s gasoline, it’s not alcohol!”

Leon only grinned back, tapping on the bottle of everclear… Which made Casey vomit in his mouth as the image made a purchase in his cornea.
”Ffffffuuuuuuuck that.”

Trisha took the shot without much question, because it was Casey handing it to her. She loved him and wanted to toast with him, even if it meant doing a shot which she hadn't really planned to do. But one wouldn't kill her… And she’d probably still be aware enough after it. It would be fine.

She immediately regretted it. The alcohol immediately burned, and she reactively gagged. It only got worse on the way down, causing her to bend forward to start coughing. Bad enough it brought tears to her eyes.

“What the fuck?" She managed to splutter out.

Watching the two of them, Linqian's lips quirked up into a smile. Then she broke out into laughter. It wasn't exactly the nicest laughter, but it wasn't like it was overly mocking on anything.
”Fuck, watching that almost makes up for it! Fuck! One fuckin’ shot.” She pretty quickly got incoherent, laughing away about how pathetic their shot taking was, like the alcohol itself wasn't insane.

Trisha pouted, heat beginning to spread across her body until she was completely flushed. It hadn't gone to her head yet… Maybe it wasn't so bad. But it still hurt when she drank it! She turned around to direct that adorable little pout up at Casey, bringing up a fist to very weakly hit his chest.

“Caaassseeeyyyy," she whined.
“Whyyyy did you give me that? It really hurt…"

Meanwhile, Cass was turning her own pout towards her boyfriend… Though for a very different reason. She looked mournfully at where the two shots drank by people who just couldn't appreciate them had been, then up at Leon. Her fingers wriggled towards all the empty glasses in front of her.

"My shooootttts... Leon, Baby, my sexy bar beast… Please?"

”See, sexy bar beast is a far better title. You’re so good at this, Babe!” Leon leaned close to kiss Cass across the bar before lining up a small row of shots just for Cass.
”There! All yours; go crazy… Just don’t go racist.” he laughed aloud, eyes turning back up to Casey playfully.

Which got no response, as Casey was too busy cooing away at Trisha.
”If I realized, I would’ve warned you, my sweet girl…”
He was still holding her, though tighter now as he pulled her in and rubbed the back of her head.

”Juuuuuust relax. Remember, we’re happy when we’re drunk. We’re happy, and silly. And we’ll stay happy and silly. Right?” he asked her, affection levels teetering between concerned lover and disconcerted caretaker.

Which left Leon alone with both women once again.
”So? El-Q? If you’ve got a spell to protect the package, I’ll gladly sit here and drink with you until we figure out a way to get you right. Cass will too, because she’s attached to me and has no choice, obviously.” he slyly grinned at his girlfriend before looking back at Linqian.

"Uh… No!" Cass joked goofily, having already downed a couple of the shots Leon gave her. She grinned back at him, jerking her head towards the sappy couple behind them.
"I'ma go home with the lovebirds and third wheel them all night!"

Just like Leon's joke at Casey, Cass' didn't get through either. Trisha was cuddling into Casey, face practically hidden against him as she nodded up and down in agreement with what he said. There was some quiet mumbling, muffled by how tight she was pressed against him- some continued whining about the alcohol that quickly devolved into affectionate and loving, if a bit incoherent, responses.

Cass turned back with a goofy expression.
"I don't think they'd even notice!"

Linqian let out a short laugh, shifting herself to block Casey and Trisha from her vision. Though they were so sickeningly sweet it practically brought up no feelings of jealousy from her… The only time she'd been anything close to that was with Bianca, and they were teenagers!

”I don't. Been too busy practicing combat spells to not fucking die, and I neglected that shit for years.” She shrugged one shoulder. She dealt with alcohol well herself through virtue of being a Green Adept, so it just got fucking eaten, and an experienced drinker anyway. But all of her specific spells were geared for fighting, since she'd only ever worked on it when she needed to fight.

Cass tilted her head, cogs visibly turning inside as she processed the shit that hadn't been directed towards her. Spell to… Protect the package… Oh!
"I can do that for ya! Just, y'know, I gotta refresh like… every half hour so… you ain't actually allowed to escape and drink with anyone else!"

”Really twisting my leg here.” Linqian intoned sarcastically. In terms of company in this place, there weren't really many others she'd be alright drinking with… Even in the city. Leon was basically an actual friend at this point, and she liked Cass.

"Y'mean arm?!"

”Whatever- Cast the fucking spell, then lemme drink. It's gonna take a fucking while if you're wanting to figure that kinda shit out.” Linqian rolled her eyes at Leon, holding out an arm to Cass.

Cass ignored it to shuffle forward, one hand going to Linqian's stomach. Way fucking easier to go to the source! Otherwise she had to search veins and shit and-
"Ooo, that's fucking cool- Sorry, ain't ever seen this!- one minute, just gotta figure this out."

Linqian’s eyes narrowed.
”You said you had a spell.”

"I will!"

Leon looked on with something of a smile. He hoped for the little bastard’s sake that Linqian would be able to quit on her own once they were gone… Even if there was little to no chance for some kind of sickness to affect it in the prenatal stages, he knew all too well what a Mother’s trauma could do to a child. And they didn’t need another Greyson running around in deed.

”Cass, are you… Magically examining her? You’re gonna get cut off soon too! Don’t you think that’s a little bit of a privacy violation?” Leon asked aloud, very clearly playing, but at the same time not exactly joking.

"Nooooo... I'm tryna figure out the best way to protect it! I ain't ever done it for, like, just a bit of the body instead of, y'know, full alcohol protection!" Cass protested, looking up to stick out her tongue at Leon playfully.

Sure, she'd taken a little look… But she had to, cause she had to build some kinda magical buffer around the barely there cell bundle!

There was a gentle green glow as she actually figured it out and got to work, before pulling back with a grin.
"There! I mean, lemme check when you drink, just in case! But should be a nice anti-alcohol buffer there! Drown yourself in all the booze you wanna!"

Linqian's brow furrowed slightly, trying to check with her own much less developed magic. She couldn't really tell the difference, so she'd just have to trust Cass… Which she did, considering everything the other woman had taught her so far had worked.

She tapped the bar.
”Gimme a beer, then, to be safe.”

Cass was making her way through the rest of her shots, as a reward for her good work. She wasn't exactly that worried about getting cut off… She could make herself sober easily! Well, it'd get to the point when casting would probably be a fucking risk and she might grown a few limbs in the process, but that was just the price she had to pay!

"Also, if you ever want free consensual magical examinations, I can do that! I bet with'a white adept we could project a real good image too!" Cass excitedly started to ramble at the prospect of even more cool magic use. It wasn't like she was surrounded by pregnant people she could practice that stuff on!
"I bet I can do all kinds've stuff to help! Like, no morning sickness! No pain! Shit you'd get from a doctor but better cause magic! I can help teach you! Ooo, I could even-"

”I can afford an actual hospital now, thanks.” Linqian cut her off before she could get any further, turning to shoot a sarcastic, but somewhat amused, look at Leon.
”Does she always get this fucking excited about new magic shit? Or is it just the fucking alcohol? It isn't some fucked up experimentation fetish, is it?”

Leon laughed. Clearly Linqian was forgetting all the enthusiastic lectures Leon used to give before Ken showed up and started helping people with learning magic in a practical fashion. He’d always been utterly passionate about magic, the applications and theories of it, and any reason he could find to babble about it himself, he would.

But Linqian definitely didn’t want that happening now.

”Geeze, don’t kill my Baby’s shine. It's a whole new world for her; she didn’t have the privilege of Kindling in time for a summer of nightmares herself. So, everything’s new. Mostly…”

Leaning into Cass, Leon placed a kiss on her cheek.
”And we love that excitement. It's good. Better than booze in my opinion. Enthusiasm is as intoxicating as you allow it to be, and I don’t think either of us hold back.” he looked at Cass as if asking for confirmation.

”You lost me a lil bit on the better than booze bit… But fuck yeah! Ain’t any holding back here… I don’t think I could! Ain’t in my nature, I’m an all or nothing kinda gal. Magic’s definitely an all! It’s fuckin’ awesome!” Cass grinned, practically bouncing in her seat. It wasn’t exactly much different from how she normally was, even though the alcohol had very much gotten to her head now.

She leaned towards Linqian, grin widening as she nudged her.
”C’mon, you can’t deny you’ve been enjoying all the Cass lessons! Cassons! Well, ain’t like I’m teaching you fundamental shit, just sick ass spells I’ve figured out! Like… The erection spell! I’m basically the other father or something!”

”Not how it fucking works.” Linqian hit Cass with a hard stare, shaking her head.
”Can’t even say I get it. That kinda shit was always much more Jinhai’s thing. It’s why I end burning my fucking clothes off half the time- didn’t exactly think hard developing that shit. Just what fit.”

”Heh, I understand- I’ve done some shit that’s even freaked out Leon! Ain’t even all been on purpose!”

”Waking up to you with six eyes and mandibles was not my ideal scenario. Hard to be enthusiastic about Spider-Cass in that context… Y’fuckin’ dick!” Leon laughed hard, shaking his head in continued confusion.

”Thats why we establish certain rules. Like no pranks before the both of us have been awake together for an hour.”

Leon wouldn’t trade Cass for all the gold in Fort Knox. But that didn’t mean boundaries shouldn’t exist!

”And we still had to work that out, because at first it was no magic in bed, but that didn’t work. So then it was no magic until you have a coffee, but then she just woke up before me and drank a cup of coffee, then turned herself into a Stretchy character.”

Stretchy being the titular character of the beloved children’s game “Stretchy and the Gum Machine.”

”Which, I had to tell her… About the clown incident. Were you there for it? Or did you end up just hearing about it?” he asked Linqian directly.

Linqian reactively grimaced, taking a good long drink of her beer at that memory being dragged up. It wasn’t exactly the worst incident- for her, those always involved dogs or wolves- but it had been pretty fucking bad.

”I was fucking there for that nightmare, yeah. Me and Aryin were goading each other to try fucking join when shit happened, so we were basically in fucking circus enemy territory. I’ll never be able to go to a circus again, fucking hell.” Not that it had ever been on her top list of things to do for amusement anyway. At the time, it was because… Well, shit sucked, may as well try out the circus.

Great until the clowns turned into literal corrupted nightmares.

”See that’s some fucking movie ass shit. Like, crazy murder clowns? Shit just ain’t seem real… Course it is, but fuck! See, anything I come up with, something’s already done it worse!” Cass laughed, reaching out to pat Leon on the shoulder as some kind of apology for all the Snake trauma she kept accidentally stepping on.

”Really, you’re fucking lucky, Leon. If it was me, I’d become a clown the next morning just to fuck with you.” Linqian’s grimace turned into a more of a taunting smile. Maybe she wasn’t that bad… But she sure as fuck had taunted Greyson over plenty in the short while they were together.

”Wasn’t even the only time there was that kind shit. You remember one of those fucking nightmares we got trapped in? Everything was fucking bloated, like shit was gonna explode, or all fucking twisted, but human enough to make it real fucking freaky. It was fucking… me, you, Aryin, Drake… Fuck if I remember… Wasn’t Trisha fucking there too? Dunno who’s fucking nightmare it was drawing on.“

Leon immediately spun his head to make sure Trisha wasn’t getting blasted by residual trauma… But whatever world she and Casey were in, they may as well have been at home. Shaking his head, he turned back to the conversation.

”Oh, yeah… Drake’s blueberry inflation fetish. Dude was fucked even when we were kids… God, I hope him and Ken are alright… There’s no fucking way we’re gonna find them after what happened. Which sucks. I was happy Drake seemed like he wanted to talk to me. I missed him.”

But, plenty were gone. So he could only pour another set of shots and slide them out for the girls and himself. He raised his glass and looked at Linqian.

”Ancients bless the ones who would do good at any cost. This one’s for the best of us. Jinhai included.”

”My better half… We lost a lot of the good ones.” Linqian intoned, raising her glass before downing the shot. They lost a lot, really, but some of the worst escaped the blade somehow. Emily, George, Vashti… Well, Vashti was bloodthirsty and murderous, but not quite on the same level as bigots. Sloane and Anya too- bitches, but not the worst on the list.

”I’m sure they’re all having a massive, crazy party in the Hound’s realm, not having to worry about any of the mundane shit. At least, I like to hope so. I’ve burnt enough fucking joss paper for Jinhai to be living it up in the afterlife.” Linqian’s lips pulled up into a thin smile, and she let out a small laugh.
”Kinda funny, though… Still following the beliefs I was brought up with even though we know the shit doesn’t work, cause we know ‘bout the Hound existing. Hell, my family knew when bringing us up like that!”

”I think it’s nice.” Cass said, already pushing her empty shot glass towards Leon in the hope he’d pour her another. Sure, she could stretch out for the bottle herself, but she didn’t want to stomp on his bar beast terrain!
”Y’know… Believing there’s nice shit after!”

Fools. Hopeful fools who don’t know what the realm of the Hound is like! Death is War! It is Hell! They do not sing beneath your feet- They writhe in dro-

”That’s something we can hope for, certainly. At least we know one guy who got to escape that fate entirely. Y’think he’s watching us from somewhere?”

That guy being Greyson. While his death was real, and large portions of him no longer remained, the essential bits and pieces were held together by a clever curse Andrade used. A low grade binding spell, using Void Heart of all creatures, to trap and purify the two of them as one entity. Greyson’s having been flushed with Lux created the perfect environment for the catalyzation process, and everything that had once been Void Heart was replaced with Love. True Love, which came from the deepest, most rich sources of Pink Lux one could find.

It was a rather impressive concept, and insured that even if they were missing to him, Greyson’s direct memories of life and what’d happened would remain buried somewhere deep inside the Apparition. Maybe one day, he’d even remember. Maybe he’d have the chance to return to Linqian, or even Britney…

”Have you heard from your Sister-Wife?” Leon used the term jokingly to poke and prod Linqian.
”The way Greyson was talking, it sounds like she’s carrying a package too. Y’ever gonna, y’know… Go see her? Them?” he asked, genuinely curious about the odd circumstance of having two half-siblings being born relatively close in age, but so far apart.

Linqian rolled her eyes at Leon, merely flipping him off for the comment before actually answering his question.
”Hers was more planned I think… But, yeah, I will, assuming she’s willing to explain that shit to her kid. I want mine to have whatever family they can get- shit’s important to me. ‘Course it won’t be like me and Jinhai had, ‘specially if Brit stays over with Greyson’s family rather than coming back, but I hope they’ll be friends.”

It was probably the most positive thing she’d said all night, and not something she needed to think about much. She’d thought about it before, when her and Greyson had decided to try- and gotten the means to.

”I plan to have plenty more kids myself anyway, just gotta find someone else to have ‘em with. And I’ve talked to her, yesterday. Y’know, telling her what happened, if a pink ghost playing fucking jazz turned up, to just seal it and toss it in the sea.” Her tone turned sarcastic again, like that little bit of hopefulness was too much to continue with.

Leon laughed aloud, every sense in his body telling him that there was a hand, or some other funny limb, wrapping around the bottle of booze they were nursing. Which, in turn, caused him to clench up and stare at Cass before pouring a big cup full of booze. It emptied the bottle, and he laughed before handing it to Cass and dumping it in the trash for another. Then, another shot for Linqian.

For anyone not in the know, this kind of behavior would’ve looked reckless, dangerous and frankly foolish. But, drinking with Adepts was foolish. Most couldn’t do anything about it… But these Greenies? Having a Green Lux Adept turned a night of drinking into a marathon of seeing how much liquid one could suck down their gullet before they reach the point of no return; unable to draw on any more magic to coherently cleanse the liver of its duties.

It was the equivalent of having a full-sprint marathon over the course of several miles. The normal human just couldn’t possibly sustain it. Yet, here they were…

”Well, I know you’re rich now… But money’s really no object. You want a house down there? You want the private jet rental? We’ll make it easy… Though, I think it’s kind of awesome that you are planning for more. More than just this one, I mean. It means you do have some kind of hope for what comes next. That makes me happy.” he admitted to Linqian calmly.

”Shithead and I have talked about it… A little bit. Obviously, not trying to move so fast. But, I told her that she’s pretty cool, and I think we’d make a great kid together. So, I’m hoping that she’ll say yes before anything happens that ruins our relationship.” he turned his head to grin at Cass again, expression full of whimsical teasing.

”Just don’t go getting some fucking terminal illness to fast track it!” Cass shot back, reaching out to grab his cheek and tug. She was already a good way through the cup he’d given her, absolutely not holding back with the drinking… Or saying shit she maybe shouldn’t. Her eyes widened slightly as she looked at Linqian.

”Oh shit, too soon?”

Linqian just shrugged.
”Whatever you say doesn’t make shit worse. Not like it fast tracked it like that… I’ve been plenty ready to have a kid, just never had the fucking financial stability or longterm partner. Y’know, at least a year long- don’t trust anything less with that shit.”

Cass nodded a bit, tugging of Leon’s cheek turning into gentle squeezing.
”I sure ain’t ready yet… You’re gonna have to wait a couple’ve years, Babe, but by then I bet we’ll be soooo strong that it’ll take, like, a fucking magical, building sized tank to ruin it!”

”That’s cute… I honestly think whatever kid you have is gonna terrorise the fucking world. At least, destroy half the population’s eardrums.” Linqian teased, seeming to ease up a bit more. The extra booze helped, and the talk about the possibly good future rather than the shit was annoyingly nice. Didn’t fix shit, but made it a little less soul crushing in the moment.

She did point a finger towards Leon.
”Don’t go getting happy too fucking quickly. The next one’ll have even more red flags I bet.”

”Is your type exclusively criminals? Because I hear the PRA is looking to put a few old friends of ours away for extended sentences. You may need to stage a breakout for Croc-oc.”
Leon’s smile was teasingly sweet, as if he actually wanted Vashti Nour out of jail. She was just as menacing, and easily one of the most dangerous Aberrants alive. At least the Apparition she was associated with was stuck in a scarf.

”And if you get her out without going back for the Croc part, you just get a loud ass bitch for yourself! Though, at that point… Do you still carry it? Out of the two of you, she’s absolutely more butch.”

”Your asking like I’ve fucking sat down and thought about who’d be getting pregnant outta me and fucking Vashti Nour. Sure, there was plenty’ve flirting there, but she was tryna fucking kill me at the same time.” Linqian shook her head in disbelief. She’d barely even started to think about how she’d go about having a kid with another woman… The kinda shit she’d figure out when she got to it.

”Just like my last ex did.” She intoned, in a way that made it incredibly difficult to tell if it was a joke or not.
”Can’t believe Bianca didn’t tell me about this shit… I’ll have to get some visitation outta her. Then we’ll see about the breakout. Unfortunately for the world, the croc part was part of the appeal.”

Cass held up a hand, putting down her basically empty glass.
”Wait, who’s the Croc-oc? You had a fucking crocodile person in the coven?”

Leon nodded.
”Oh yeah. An Aberration, like Trisha and I. Y’know, sometimes, how Lelou just kinda crawls out of me? And you wake up, and it’s her in the body, not me? How it’s always a bunch of fun for you, and it’s kind of like a spicy thing in our relationship?”

”Oh yeah I know.” Cass grinned, wiggling her eyebrows.

”Well, imagine that, but instead of being a regal wolf-queen, there was an actual factual saltwater crocodile thing who had every intention of killing you and everyone else you know and love. That’s what poor Vashti was dealing with.”

Thinking back to those days made him feel bad for her. And, even a little bit bad for Emily G. Reed. After all, it wasn’t like she had things any easier. She just liked how evil Babylon was… And all the power that came with it. Vashti was in a constant state of struggle back then, and typically caused a lot of issues for their group.

”Thankfully, we at least managed to seal Leviathan in a scarf. So, now Vashti uses it as a safety blanket, and can more freely control her abilities because of it. The beast itself doesn’t care where it lays, only that its bloodlust be sated… And Vashti generally has no compunctions against fulfilling that lust. So, yeah. Straight to jail with her.” Leon shrugged.

Ultimately, unless she found some kind of peace and love being torn away from her domineering commander, he figured she should probably fucking stay there too. Nothing was worse than some high level Apparition using their powers for evil.

”Though, she’s always made me wonder what being adjoined with the Stygian Snake would’ve been like. If it’s really that bad for everyone involved, or if you get privilege by being its host…”

”You saw what it did to people, no fucking way that’d end well.” Linqian grimaced.
”Half of it’s fucking thing was corruption! It fucked with our minds too, and it wasn’t fucking attached like that. I imagine it’d be like whatever Vashti dealt with… Or Luca… on an insane scale. It’d just end up with another person to use.”

”Can something that powerful even adjoin? I’m sure it wouldn’t wanna, so you’d have to force it, and… Wasn’t it hard enough getting it in that tree?” Cass treated it a bit more like a thought exercise than Linqian did, not immediately shutting down the suggestion. Though, she’d never experienced the Stygian Snake… Thankfully.

”I bet it’d be a real power high for the person Adjoined with it. Like, that’s some fucking insane magic to use! You’d totally get some crazy rush outta being on top of the food chain- not that I’d ever, y’know, use my magic to get on top like that, heh, just fun to think about.”

Leon thought about it. If they’d bound it to the Sycamore Tree, then it had to follow the same Apparitional rules as everything else.

”I’m not even sure it’s the top of the food chain when you think about the actual Paranormal cosmology. The evolution of the universe, and all that… Not to mention, like we were talking about before, at the last group meeting. The Stygian Snake’s only a fifth of what it was supposed to be. It’s supposed to be, y’know, a whole ass Ancient. That’s nothing to joke about, honestly. It’s pretty scary to think that.”

Moreso when he remembered their ultimate goal was to unite the fragments and hopefully cast out the entirety of the Serpent as an entity. What did they even call it? The Deer was the Deer, the Lion the Lion. The Hound… Was a Wolf? But also a Hound? Was that evolutionary? Theories for another day.

”Which reminds me… D’you think you’d want to help us, Linqian? If you were able? I meant what I said about that entire saga of our lives being in the rear view, but the truth is that we’re only as safe as that fucking tree until we expel it completely. Obviously, if you just want to live your life, I can’t stop that. But, I’m gonna make decisions about what’s best to do with it… And I’ll be honest that they could affect you. Hell, it could affect the entirety of existence!” Leon admitted openly, not wanting to bait Linqian’s help, but absolutely wanting her prepared in case of emergency.

Linqian's eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at him. She'd only gotten involved with Sycamore again because Father Wolf killed Jinhai. Magic was part of her life, sure, but not like that. But there was a certain fucking appeal to being involved in more… The danger could be fun. Bring her some feelings she desperately needed. But also actually being around people! Not fucking socially reclusing like she tended to, aside from quick and casual flings. Yeah, that could be nice.

Shit… Definitely the drink talking.

”That’s the kinda shit you gotta ask when I'm sober.” Linqian answered eventually. Sure, she wasn't out of her mind drunk, but she was definitely drunk enough… Just good at stopping it from being obvious. Or getting racist.

”It’s not just me anymore. Could push it either way… Fuck, y'know, the appeal of getting into fucking magic fights and getting hurt- But can't do that reckless shit anymore, right? Or get offed by the next fucking knife murderer!” She frowned, still drunk enough in the end to let more spill than she normally would.

"Don't worry, I'll stop Leon from making any stupid decision! And if you do help… I'll throw myself in front of you so any reckless shit ain't hurting the baby!" Cass declared loudly.

Leon grinned between the two women, taking a deep breath before nodding. Of course it was appealing, but ultimately she was the one thinking clearly for once. He hadn’t exactly intended for her to go through with his offer while carrying the baby… But, if they were intending to get this done as quickly as possible? It’d need her long after birth. Maybe they’d take long enough that she’d wrap back around to being available.

”Well, just uh… Keep it in mind. If we need you? We’ll call. If not, we’ll still call… But that’s just to keep in touch. I ain’t lettin’ you disappear back into the dark. Spending all this time with you has made me happy. You’re one of the only ones willing to deal with me considering…-” he paused, looking around as his hands raised slowly to indicate the massive crowd of friendly Temple members casually surrounding them in a veil of humanity.

”-You know…”

”God, don't get so fucking sappy.” Linqian rolled her eyes, though there wasn't any particular bite behind her words. Just the typical snide pushback without entirely meaning it.

”You’re lucky Greyson explained shit enough to me that I’m not so worried I’ll be fucking snatched and forced to convert. So long as none of the crazy cult talk comes out at me, I don't really give a fuck anymore.”

"You don't gotta worry ‘bout that, I ain't getting any cult talk from him, and we're together, like, all the time!" Cass grinned. It turned more teasing as she leaned towards Linqian, slinging an arm around her shoulders. Then she leaned in even closer, practically rubbing her cheek against Linqian's.
"Just admit iiitttttt… You like our company! You're soooo fucking happy Lee ain't gonna let you just fuck off. C'mon, admit it! Aadddmiittt ittttt."

She started playfully poking Linqian's side at the same time.

Linqian didn't admit it, though she didn't deny it either as she brought up a hand to push Cass' face away and tried to fend off her prodding.

”Linqian doesn’t really do confessions, Babe. Talking about stuff with your emotions leaves you open and vulnerable; both of which are positions that Linqian hates. As opposed to, y’know, quite a few other positions.”

In a different world, Leon would’ve propositioned her then. After all, they were familiar. She liked the last time. But, now it was all… Serious. There was a strong feeling of wanting to maintain this woman’s safety. Of wanting to ensure that everything went well for her. She was a one-time lover, and yet, so was the man who left her behind. Both had given him their time, trust, and shared their bodies… Greyson had been one for confessions. Always, with the confessions. Whether they were real or not didn’t quite matter.

He loved them both right back. The family you choose. He’d made the choice… So amazingly, the sexual desire evaporated like alcohol into the air. He leaned forward over the bar, one arm around Cass and the other over Linqian, to squeeze them both together in a warm, loving embrace.

”Sappy or not, we love you. You’ll always have a place with us. You, and whatever monsters that follow you… child or otherwise. And I’m glad we made it.” he finished, speaking into the little triangle with a smile on his face.

”Yeah! And maybe one day, our kids can terrorise people together?” Cass grinned, wriggling her arm out enough so that she could drag Linqian even tighter into the group hug.

Linqian grumbled under her breath, but there was no reactive heating up. After a moment she did actually hug them both back… There wasn’t exactly any point keeping up the cold bitch pretence when the comfort was right there. They’d both seen through that shit thanks to her state looking after Greyson- and even before that, the night with Leon- anyway.

”Well… I’ll fucking hold you to that. Cause, I guess it’d be nice. To have more people around, whatever the fuck happens. I’m glad we made it too.”