[hr][hr]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/C1v8wCc.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/weyxoMn.png[/img]
[/center]
[hr][hr]
[right][code]Monday December 11th. 
Home.[/code][/right][hr]
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 [i]that[/i] 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.

[color=d1b300]“Good morning.”[/color] 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.
[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color] 

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 [i]all[/i] 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.
[color=577d06]”W-who said ‘nything about… Waking up together?”[/color]
Still, his arms gently reached out, one slipping under her while the other wrapped over her to tug her in close.
[color=577d06]”Back t’sleep…”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Alright… If you want woken up in an hour by Cass jumping on you after she breaks in, sure.”[/color] 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.

[color=d1b300]“[i]You’re[/i] the one that planned [i]breakfast[/i] with Leon and Cass. Not even lunch… breakfast.”[/color] 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. 
[color=d1b300]“Do you know how hard it is to resist you tryna [i]seduce[/i] me back to sleep.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”It can’t be seduction, my boxers are still on.”[/color]
Though, he playfully looked under the covers as if to make sure before laughing and kissing her on the forehead.
[color=577d06]”What’s going on? You feeling froggy now that the cloud hanging over St. Portwell has lifted?”[/color] he asked in an equally playful, facetious manner.

[color=d1b300]“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 [i]you[/i] here. Hopefully more often.”[/color] 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. 
[color=d1b300]“You seduce me whatever you’re wearing. Boxers or not, fully clothed… Even a full clown outfit I bet… I just can’t resist.”[/color]

Casey couldn’t help but smile back at her after pulling away from their kiss. He giggled, blushed, then bit onto his bottom lip.
[color=577d06]”Well… [i]How much time do we have?[/i]”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“[i]Enough[/i].”[/color] Trisha hummed softly, eyes creasing happily before she leaned in to kiss him again.
[hr]

The two of them were going to be [i]a little late[/i] 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 [i]why[/i] 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.

[color=C67C12]”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?”[/color] he asked Cass with nervous energy.

Cass couldn’t immediately respond, too busy shoving an [i]entire[/i] 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.
[color=629c3f]”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]I’m[/i] here to keep the peace! And eat Andrade outta his pancakes.”[/color]

And, assuming they were running low at this point, the man himself quietly brought another couple of stacks.

[color=54678a]”Hey, I don’t mind. Eat ‘em up.”[/color] he spoke calmly, giving a smile to both of them.
[color=54678a]”It’s all gotta go, after all.”[/color]

Leon looked up curiously.

[color=C67C12]”Closing shop?”[/color] he asked with his nervousness clear in his voice. Andrade nodded in reply.

[color=54678a]”What’s left for me?”[/color] he asked in a matter-of-fact tone.

Which made Leon a bit sad. [i]He[/i] 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.

[color=C67C12]”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.”[/color] 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. 

[color=629c3f]”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.”[/color] She said matter of factly, dancing around directly naming Trisha.

[color=629c3f]”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- [i]and[/i] Greyson- we’d all probably be dead!”[/color]

Andrade sighed.

[color=54678a]”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…”[/color]

And then they were caught! From around the booth, someone cleared their throat.
[color=577d06]”You two gluttons couldn’t wait?”[/color] Casey laughed, sliding around Andrade before hugging into him. His lips pursed up against Andrade’s ear.
[color=577d06]”I’m sorry… For yesterday. I can’t take back what-”[/color]

Andrade hugged him back tightly, not letting him finish before pulling away and looking at him.
[color=54678a]”Sit. Don’t mention it…”[/color]

Starting to walk away, he turned back. 
[color=54678a]”I’ll send a server over so you guys can actually get started.”[/color]
But he made sure to pass by Trisha close enough that he could stop and ask her something.

[color=54678a]”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.”[/color] he said cryptically before walking away fully, leaving the four to greet one another properly.

[color=C67C12]”Honestly, Casey, he just started bringin’ em out with the coffee. We didn’t order it.”[/color] Leon weakly retorted, feeling immediately nervous that he’d already forced a faux pas. 

[color=629c3f]”Well yeah, probably cause he saw the hungry look in [i]my[/i] eyes and wanted to stop me gnawing on your arm for sustenance!”[/color] 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 [i]and[/i] 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. 

[color=d1b300]“Good morning Cass, Leon.”[/color] 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.

[color=629c3f]”Morning! Y’want some?”[/color] 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.
[color=d1b300]“I wasn’t planning to have something so sweet and filling.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Fair, fair… So how was it?!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“How was… what?”[/color] Trisha shot her a confused look. 

[color=629c3f]”The celebratory sex! That’s why you were late, right?!”[/color] Cass asked with a laugh, hitting the nail on the head about the [i]why[/i] with what was meant to be a teasing joke. 

Trisha’s confusion turned into half dismay, half embarrassment. 
[color=d1b300]“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…”[/color]

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.

[color=C67C12]”Not hard to guess, you both have a little glow. Plus, I mean… C’mon, you two… We can smell it.”[/color]

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.

[color=577d06]”Oh, I don’t know… Babe, how was it?”[/color] 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.”

[color=d1b300]“You [i]know[/i] how it was. [i]Great.[/i]”[/color] 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 [i]not[/i] answer at all… So she did.

[color=d1b300]“But I don’t want to open the floor to having to hear about [i]theirs[/i]!”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Awww, don’t worry, Trish! I know you couldn’t handle that!”[/color] Cass cackled, legs swinging out to very gently kick Trisha’s under the table. 
[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color]

[color=577d06]”It's easy when you have such a great support system.”[/color] Casey grabbed Trisha’s hand with enthusiasm, kissing her head again.
[color=577d06]”And, y’know, you guys. For taking care of things after what happened, I’m… I’m grateful. That wasn’t easy for me.”[/color]

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.

[color=C67C12]”Like I said before, y’know, it’s the least we could do. I, just, y’know…”[/color]

Casey nodded. 

[color=577d06]”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.”[/color] Casey replied in a very pragmatic tone.
[color=577d06]”And, obviously, celebrate every little second we have with the people who are still here.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Exactly!"[/color] Cass enthusiastically agreed, leaning back just so that she could grin at them all. 
[color=629c3f]"We gotta celebrate what we got! A lotta shit's happened, but we got each other."[/color]

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.

[color=d1b300]“I’m grateful too. And I want to try and move forward too, however slowly."[/color] 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.

[color=C67C12]”Which, we have plenty of time for, right?”[/color] Leon asked, partly to all of them, but almost singularly to Trisha.
[color=C67C12]”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…”[/color]

He looked rather down now, causing Casey to frown in turn.

[color=577d06]”C’mon big fella. Be honest.”[/color] Casey intoned, holding Trisha’s hand with intention.

[color=C67C12]”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.”[/color] 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.

[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color] 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.

[color=d1b300]“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 [i]me![/i]”[/color] 

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.

[color=C67C12]”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 [i]not[/i] 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.”[/color]

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.

[color=C67C12]”Would it be fair to, uh… Well, like, I thought, y’know-”[/color]

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.

[color=C67C12]”-maybe, there’d be… Shit, like, I…-”[/color]
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.

[color=C67C12]”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…”[/color] 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.

[color=577d06]”Don’t you think it’s a little quick to be going to the endgame option?”[/color] 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? 

[color=629c3f]”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?”[/color] 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. 
[color=d1b300]“I don’t want you to leave or anything, if that’s what you mean.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”That’s not what I mean. And I know everyone’s gonna be like [i]’Uhhh nobody wants that Leon’[/i] but… I think that, y’know, if we had to share space, I would just… Become wooden. Not literally, but-”[/color]

[color=577d06]”-But what? Clam up and turn into a mannequin? That’s not a solution, Leon.”[/color] Casey retorted. Leon’s face looked firm.

[color=C67C12]”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 [i]horrified[/i] 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 [i]victim[/i] should at least be able to regain the agency that may’ve been taken away from her. And part of that is feeling like [i]she’s[/i] 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 [i]loved[/i] 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…”[/color]

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 [i]just leaking tears down his face.[/i]

[color=C67C12]”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 [i]yours.[/i] Not what keeps the peace, or keeps things ‘normal’. Make the choice that will make your life better for the long run.”[/color]

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 [i]her[/i] 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 [i]family[/i]. 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. 

[color=d1b300]“When I first joined the coven, I thought it was somewhere I could belong.”[/color] She started, skipping over the immediate question to open up. Because it showed that any decision really was hers… Her reasoning. 
[color=d1b300]“Even though the circumstances were fucked up… But my family’s was too, so it seemed [i]normal[/i]. 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.”[/color]

She bit her lip. 
[color=d1b300]“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 [i]a lot[/i], so have so many people! And I’m sure I’ve hurt you… But this [i]is my[/i] 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 [i]back then[/i] I wanted the coven and all those people that [i]hurt me[/i] to stay together. I didn’t leave until it was really over!”[/color]

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. 

[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color]

Oh, [i]there it is.[/i] 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.

[color=C67C12]”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!”[/color]

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.

[color=577d06]”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!”[/color] 
He took Trisha’s hand and brought them both into the middle of the table.
[color=577d06]”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 [i]this feeling.[/i] Not necessity, not danger, not fear… [i]Love![/i] I hate to say it, but that sounds like the last gift that asshole Greyson left behind!”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color] 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.

[color=d1b300]“You're going to have to be patient with me.”[/color] 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. 
[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color]

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.

[color=C67C12]”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!”[/color]

And then his hand was in, big enough to grip all of them at once.

[color=C67C12]”To the family we choose.”[/color]

Casey nodded.

[color=577d06]”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.”[/color]

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 [i]give[/i] 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… 

[color=629c3f]”Hell yeah, to the family we choose!”[/color] 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.

[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color] She commented lightly.

[color=629c3f]”Fuck yeah I am! I dunno what kinda benefit that brings… But I ain’t gonna get quieter either way!”[/color] Cass grinned, hand still raised half slapping at Leon’s in a play fight for air dominance. 
[color=629c3f]”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?!”[/color]

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.

[color=C67C12]”Well… In the Richoux tradition, the [i]Coven[/i] is matriarchal… So, that’s up for our Matron Trisha to decide.”[/color]

Casey grinned, turning his head slightly.
[color=577d06]”Mmmm… So? Do you want to do some cauldroncraft? That’s practically Andrade’s specialty, he could probably teach us for the future.”[/color] 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.

[color=d1b300]“H-Huh?"[/color] Trisha stammered out, eyes widening. 

[color=629c3f]"[I]Pleeeeeasssee[/I], Trisha, I really wanna do cool shit with cauldrons!"[/color] Cass leaned across the table to flash Trisha her cutest begging look, even clasping her hands together in front of her face. 

[color=d1b300]“That’s not… S-Sure, we can."[/color] 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… 
[color=d1b300]“But why do we even need a leader? There's only four of us! And why me? Cass is also a woman!"[/color]

Casey giggled to himself.
[color=577d06]”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.”[/color]

Leon nodded in agreement, shrugging his shoulders.
[color=C67C12]”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.”[/color] he said plainly, which prompted Casey to start laughing a little more and nodding his head.

[color=d1b300]“I know that I'm not…"[/color] 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. 

[color=d1b300]“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…"[/color]

[color=629c3f]"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!"[/color] Cass piped up, before holding up a finger with a grin. 

[color=629c3f]"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!"[/color] 

[color=d1b300]“You’re not that obedient."[/color] Trisha mumbled, looking away from Cass' overly enthusiastic expression and up at Casey. 
[color=d1b300]“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…"[/color]

[color=577d06]”This isn’t meant to make you uncomfortable, Trisha. If it’s too formal of an honor, we’ll drop it. But, it [i]is[/i] mostly an honor. We [i]are[/i] a family… And having someone who isn’t so confident is actually a [i]good thing[/i] in certain circumstances. It means you won’t make stupid fucking-”[/color] 
Casey cut himself off as he realized he was making a judgement that could just as easily be applied to Leon.

[color=577d06]”-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. [i]And[/i], if need be? You have an ancient queen inside you that you can ask for regal leadership advice.”[/color]

Leon nodded wildly.
[color=C67C12]”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!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“But they're still different from people."[/color] 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. 

[color=d1b300]“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."[/color]

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? 

[color=629c3f]"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-!"[/color] Cass jumped in, pointing at Leon. 
[color=629c3f]"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?”[/color]

[color=577d06]”I can’t say those are my thoughts [i]exactly[/i], 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!”[/color]

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 [i]don’t[/i] want?”

Casey leaned into Trisha slightly.
[color=577d06]”Well, I’m fairly certain you're the only one of us who isn’t a pig, so… Go ahead first, my Love.”[/color]

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.

[color=629c3f]"Whoa, Casey! We're [I]wolves[/I]!"[/color] Cass exclaimed before Trisha could actually say anything, gesturing to herself and Leon with a laugh. 
[color=629c3f]"So fucking rude!"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Is it when he was including himself."[/color] 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.
[color=d1b300]“Can I just have the enchilada eggs… And some orange juice? Thanks."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Just that? Damn, alright, Trisha's really [I]is[/I] gonna make the rest of us look like pigs!"[/color] Cass laughed, before following up with her own grin at the server. 
[color=629c3f]"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… [I]Anywayyyy[/i] I wanna try pretty much everything apart from the shit that's too fruit heavy, thanks!"[/color]

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?”

[color=d1b300]“In the first batch, thanks.”[/color] 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.”

[color=C67C12]”Tito, you guys are always so good to us… Thank you.”[/color] 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?”

[color=C67C12]”Oh, yeah, cola…”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Coffee, and apple juice.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”What kinda beers do you have?”[/color] Cass asked, before laughing at her own joke. 
[color=629c3f]”Just a cola for me too, thanks!”[/color]

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.

[color=577d06]”He’s a good guy. Real people person.”[/color] Casey commented with a smile.

[color=d1b300]“He seems nice.”[/color] 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. 

[color=629c3f]”Oh yeah, you can always tell when it’s forced or natural!”[/color] Cass grinned, fingers tapping on the table in front of her now that she didn’t have any pancakes to occupy them with. 
[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“You only had to get that job because you lost your scholarship from slacking off.”[/color] Trisha intoned.

[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”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.”[/color] Leon nodded along, taking a deep if not ragged breath.

[color=577d06]”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 [i]hard[/i]... But, [i]bad?[/i] Just, like, customers?”[/color] Casey was terribly curious, and his head turned to Trisha with a surprised expression before turning back to Cass.

[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color] Cass threw up her hands, one landing on Leon’s leg on the way down to give it a good, kind of comforting pat. 

[color=d1b300]“Cass doesn’t have any patience for tech illiteracy.”[/color] Trisha explained, glancing up at Casey with a smile. 
[color=d1b300]“Or it’s more like… She’s too good, so she doesn’t understand how people can’t get it.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Hey, that’s not fair, I’m plenty patient! With the nice customers! Like, y’know, the ones that’d actually listen to me!”[/color] Cass whined jokingly, lips pursing into an exaggerated pout. 
[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Oh, so you’d be better at it now that you can make more hands?”[/color]

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. 

[color=C67C12]”I mean, it was a legitimate question!”[/color] 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. 

[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color] Cass answered seriously, before grinning and bringing a hand up to pat Leon’s face. 
[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color]

Trisha let out a quiet groan.
[color=d1b300]“Cass, please…”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”What? I didn’t even mean it as a sex joke, God, Trisha!”[/color] Cass immediately started cackling, smirking across the table at her friend.
[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color]

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. 
[color=d1b300]“Like you’d stop anyone from doing anything crazy.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Uh, obviously I would… when my boyfriend’s running off to do some crazy shit [i]without[/i] me! That shit’s gotta be done together!”[/color]

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. [i]Crazy shit without me.[/i] 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.
[color=577d06]”Oh, you two… You really are made for one another.”[/color] he grinned, raising his mug at them gently before looking at Trisha.
[color=577d06]”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?”[/color]

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.  

[color=d1b300]“I knew how into [i]Timberwolf[/i] 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.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Honestly, probably a good thing! I bet shit wouldn't’ve worked out so nicely! The circumstances were kinda perfect, y’know?”[/color] 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.

[color=629c3f]”If I’d known back then I'd probably’ve followed Trisha back home [i]every[/i] 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!”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Christ, I thought Lelou was the predator.”[/color] 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…

[color=C67C12]”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!”[/color] 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.

[color=577d06]”Is that gonna be a song on an album one day, Lee?”[/color] Casey continued to prod, causing Leon to sigh for a long moment and shake his head while smiling.

[color=C67C12]”I’ll let that one ruminate.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Song about what?! An alternative universe where his girlfriend was actually a crazy stalker- oh wait, you probably mean the soulmate shit, [i]right[/i]!”[/color] 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.
[color=629c3f]”Glad your mind went right to alternate world fate connections and not ‘[i]oh my god she really is super crazy.’[/i]”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Wasn’t that obvious from the start? The you being super crazy thing.”[/color] Trisha commented, laughing softly. 

[color=629c3f]”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.”[/color] 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!

[color=629c3f]”But… Imagine how cool it could’ve been, maybe me and Lee would’ve gotten you guys together!”[/color] She grinned, gesturing between Trisha and Casey with her free hand.

[color=d1b300]“Well that… Sort of happened with Leon, right?”[/color] Trisha tilted her head up towards Casey with a smile, before looking back at Cass. 
[color=d1b300]“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 [i]not[/i] wanting to deal with me.”[/color]

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.
[color=C67C12]”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-”[/color]
His glare turned more wry and cunning as he twisted his head to face Cass.
[color=C67C12]”-being my girlfriend and my crazy stalker should go hand in hand…You can stalk me all you like.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Oh blehhhhhhh!”[/color] Casey chided at the two of them, laughing to himself before smiling down at Trisha.
[color=577d06]”She should stalk you and murder you, like some crazy wolf… mother…”[/color]

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.

[color=629c3f]”Whoa, no way, I’d never [i]murder[/i] him!”[/color] Cass protested, waving a hand in front of her face. 
[color=629c3f]”Maybe an accidental death by exhaustion, but no murder! I’m only stalking with super sexy intentions!”[/color]

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.
[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”You’ve bitten my head a couple of times now.”[/color] Leon said simply, sticking his tongue between his teeth at her.

[color=629c3f]”With blunt teeth! I ain’t bitten it when they were sharp!”[/color] Cass retorted playfully, her tongue poking right back out at him. 
[color=629c3f]”Like you ain’t a biter too!”[/color]

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. 
[color=d1b300]“I’m not even bothered by this anymore, because it feels more like school yard bickering than anything sexual.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Hey! We’d never bicker! I’m just defending my honour!”[/color] Cass protested, hands flinging into the air and accidentally smacking Leon’s chin as she’d edged more into his space.
[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”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 [i]you[/i], Miss Hickeymarker…”[/color] Leon continued to tease Cass, poking at her playfully as the other two looked on.

Casey shook his head, turning to Trisha.
[color=577d06]”We’re too vanilla for this…”[/color] he commented before turning back to the others.
[color=577d06]”Nobody is worried about you mauling Leon, Cass. He’s basically unmaulable, I mean, look at him!”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”That's terribly hetero of you, assuming just because I’m so big and capable that I can’t be a mauling victim…”[/color] Leon grinned wryly.

[color=577d06]”You misunderstand. You can’t be mauled because you like it. Proven over time, you enjoy being mauled and sometimes seek it out.”[/color] Casey did his best to keep a straight face, turning to Cass.
[color=577d06]”Please, help me out of this…”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Oh suddenly he doesn't want to talk about getting mauled…[/color]

Cass laughed loudly, slapping the table with one hand.
[color=629c3f]”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?!”[/color]

She turned to Leon with a wide grin.
[color=629c3f]”There ain’t ever any marks anymore! You just fucking heal ‘em! So no matter how much I maul you-”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“You’re both about to be mass stinging victims if you keep this up.”[/color] 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. 

[color=629c3f]”[i]Ooo[/i], don’t threaten me with a good time!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I’m threatening you with a bad time. A very bad time.”[/color] 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.
[color=d1b300]“But don’t worry, Babe. I’ll never judge you for any painfully hetero comments you make.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”You guys hear that? I get a full pass to be super fucking sexist.”[/color] 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.

[color=C67C12]”Saved by the food, Casey…”[/color]
[color=577d06]”Obviously, I could see them rolling the tray out.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Whoa, you weren’t paying full attention to our riveting conversation? Damn!”[/color] 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. 

[color=629c3f]”Fuck, it’s so fucking good!”[/color]

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. 

[color=629c3f]”Speaking of so fucking good!”[/color] Cass pointed a hand over at the honey.
[color=629c3f]”Trisha’s honey! Fuck, you’re gonna keep supplying us when all this shit’s over, right? Actually- What [i]are[/i] 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.”[/color]

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 [i]anyway.[/i] So, Casey figured he’d be honest.

[color=577d06]”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.”[/color]

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.

[color=C67C12]”So… You’re gonna continue Eden?”[/color]

[color=577d06]”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.”[/color]

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 [i]community[/i] 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. 

[color=629c3f]”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.”[/color] Cass grinned, ever positive. 
[color=629c3f]”I’m surprised you’re down for it, Trisha… Always kinda pictured you as a city gal!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“It’s not like we’re going to be living in a cabin in the woods with no running water.”[/color] Trisha paused her nervous nibbling to respond to Cass. 
[color=d1b300]“Casey’s promised me all the modern amenities I need, anyway. Even magical internet.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Oh, sweet! That’s good, cause if I had to start texting you, I think I might go mad!”[/color] Cass laughed.
[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color] 

[color=577d06]”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.”[/color] 

[color=C67C12]”Are you really sure about this?”[/color] Leon interrupted, a slight frown on his face.
[color=C67C12]”It just… Kind of sounds like the Temple in a new place.”[/color]

Casey shrugged in response, looking at Trisha before turning back to Leon.

[color=577d06]”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…”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Whoa, let’s not jump right to talking about raising kids, damn! That’s [i]waayyy[/i] in the future!”[/color] 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 [i]could[/i] 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.
[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I’d rather not be in charge of anyone.”[/color] 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. 
[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Yeah, a tight knit community and shit!”[/color] Cass nodded, before rubbing the back of her neck.
[color=629c3f]”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.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”There’ll always be a big slab of land for you to slap a home down on… Come Hell, or high water.”[/color] 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.

[color=C67C12]”In Montana? I mean… [i]Fair?[/i] 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… [i]Magic![/i] Things that inconvenience normal people are only so inconvenient with magic.”[/color] Leon shrugged at Cass, laughing to himself slightly.

[color=629c3f]”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 [i]on the roaaaadd[/i]…”[/color] She twisted in her seat to lightly and playfully punch Leon’s side. 
[color=629c3f]”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.”[/color]

The last bit was said to Trisha and Casey specifically.

[color=d1b300]“Don’t be… Like Casey said, there’ll be a place for you whenever.”[/color] Trisha smiled. 
[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”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.”[/color] Casey grinned, clearly joking.

[color=C67C12]”Actually, it’s plenty of time to have a house built how we want it. Or, at least, how [i]I[/i] want it.”[/color] Leon replied, looking down at Cass and frowning slightly.
[color=C67C12]”Since, y’know, things could always fall apart. Could meet some better boxer on the road.”[/color] he teased her.

[color=577d06]”That’s harsh! Cass, would you really?”[/color] 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. 
[color=629c3f]”Well… You never know. Some new boxer could come along that’s taller, sexier and better company!”[/color] 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. 

[color=d1b300]“Are there… Any people taller than Leon, that [i]aren’t[/i] related to him?”[/color] 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. 

[color=629c3f]”Well, uh, yeah, probably? It’s a hard combo to beat, though.”[/color] 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.

[color=629c3f]”Y’know what I like most about you, Babe? Your [i]positivity[/i]. Always the optimist.”[/color] She teased, before shooting a glance towards Casey and Trisha to mock whisper. 
[color=629c3f]”Still, save me a spot on the other side of the community. Just in case… Then we can have an across town rivalry.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”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?”[/color]
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. 

[color=577d06]”Sorry… Want me to clean it? I mean, I just want a reason to stare at it.”[/color]
He reached back down, pulling her hand up above the table to start polishing her ring with a napkin.

[color=C67C12]”Oh, you’re such an ass… The fucking thing cleans itself I bet.”[/color] Leon chided, snorting a bit as he tried not to laugh aloud.

[color=577d06]”I have [i]no clue.[/i]”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Better not to risk it, in case it doesn’t.”[/color] 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. 

[color=629c3f]”D’awwwww.”[/color] 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. 
[color=629c3f]”I get a bigger plot of land cause I’m, like, the chief bridesmaid or whatever you call it!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I never gave you that role, you decided that yourself.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color] Cass started absolutely cackling at the thought.

Trisha laughed too, shaking her head. 
[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color]

Cass smirked, looking at Casey and Leon conspiratorally. 
[color=629c3f]”Awww, she’s such a tsundere… Just can’t admit she wants it to me!”[/color]

[color=577d06]”A what now? That’s some anime thing, right?”[/color] 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.

[color=C67C12]”Oh, please, I know you. As soon as she starts explaining you’re gonna turn your brain off.”[/color] Leon asserted, at which point Casey giggled and nodded his head.

[color=577d06]”All it means is that she’s perfect to me.”[/color]