[right][code]Tuesday December 12th.
Restaurant Cubain, De Château sur la Baie [/code][/right]
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. 

[color=e0c4ff]”I’m not laughing anymore. [i]Seriously![/i] It’s no longer funny!”[/color]

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 [i]was[/i] 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. 

[color=de3b1b]”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 [i]him[/i] anyway! It’s for Lee, and he’s done all he could.”[/color] Furio replied as he rolled the glass in his free hand, taking a sip of the whiskey inside as a breather.

[color=e0c4ff]”You’re a bastard sometimes, Foori… I could [i]just strangle you.[/i]”[/color] 
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.

[color=de3b1b]”Save that…-”[/color]
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.
[color=de3b1b]”-Come on, guys! What’s the matter with you, you fuckin’ nervous!?”[/color]

“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.

[color=de3b1b]”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-”[/color]

[color=e0c4ff]”-Baby, honey, now [i]you[/i] 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?”[/color] 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.

[color=de3b1b]”We should’ve done what we said.”[/color] he grumbled quietly.
[color=e0c4ff]”And what? Explain? She’s said her piece.”[/color] Clarissa replied, shaking her head and clearing her throat.

[color=de3b1b]”She’s [i]not[/i] thinking straight!”[/color] Furio did his best to retort, gritting his teeth. 

[color=8882be][i]”Oh you think so little of me, Furio… Even now, among those whom I’m supposed to be closest to, I find conspiracy. Why?”[/i][/color]

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.

[color=e0c4ff]”What? What, what’s-”[/color]

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 [i]just a prank.[/i]

[color=8882be]”Oh… Sorry! The cat scared her!”[/color]

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.

[color=e0c4ff]”Nettie… You ass…”[/color] she shook her head, half a grin coming across her face.

[color=8882be]”I don’t know [i]what[/i] you mean, Riss. It’s just the-”[/color]
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.
[color=8882be]”-cat! He’s so big, she gets surprised. [i]You[/i] are the one who taught her to be afraid of them.”[/color]

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.

[color=e0c4ff]”I think you owe your father and I an apology? For going along with your Aunt’s little scheme?”[/color] 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.

[color=8882be]”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.”[/color]

[i]These days…[/i] Clarissa’s jaw clenched shut as she thought about [i]these days[/i]. 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.

[color=ffa1b7]”Even [i]Daddy[/i] thought it was funny, Mamma…”[/color] she chided, looking up at Furio who cleared his throat nervously.

[color=de3b1b]”What’d I teach you about being a rat?”[/color] 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.
[color=de3b1b]”Now you go in the meat grinder! C’mon! Punishment, your mother says so!”[/color]
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.

[color=8882be]”What?”[/color] Lynette asked calmly, almost goading Clarissa onward.

[color=e0c4ff]”I asked you as a friend. As a Mother. I remember hearing myself say it, I said [i]’Lynnie, please! Please, leave her out of it, because she’s gonna have a hard enough time here soon.’[/i]-”[/color] Clarissa paused, bottom lip trembling slightly.
[color=e0c4ff]”-And you [i]yessed me to death.[/i] Since then, you’ve done nothing with her but encourage the bad behavior. The action [i]against[/i] Furio and I… And you’re weaponizing her. You’re using her against us, and that’s not fair. It’s not! Because we-”[/color]

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.

[color=8882be]”And you’re [i]still[/i] 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?”[/color]

[color=e0c4ff]”[i]You[/i] are serious! Our friendship is serious! The mental health of my only fucking child is [i]dead serious![/i]”[/color]

[color=8882be]”Oh, so I don’t get the distinction of [i]dead serious?[/i] I’m just, y’know, serious, my life is mildly serious, but her? That’s [i]dead[/i] serious.”[/color]

Clarissa frowned.
[color=e0c4ff]”Don’t you dare…”[/color] she intoned remorsefully. [color=e0c4ff]”You know I didn’t mean it like that.”[/color]


[color=8882be]”Yet, you said it like that.”[/color] 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 [i]she[/i] had been wrong about all of this to begin with.

[color=e0c4ff]”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-”[/color]

[color=8882be]”Which nobody seems to care too greatly about. Since it hasn’t been solved.”[/color]

This again…

[color=e0c4ff]”You’re the one who warned [i]against[/i] setting this place up!”[/color]

[color=8882be]”I don’t want my babies killed!”[/color] Lynette asserted in a rather aggressive fashion, gripping down on the cat and causing it to gag.

[color=e0c4ff]”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!”[/color]

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.

[color=8882be]”So, you’re saying that you really don’t care to find a better solution?”[/color]

[color=e0c4ff]”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 [i]know[/i] I can’t take the chance of losing you! I can’t! I won’t, Lynnie! I [i]love you![/i] And I won’t see… Can’t see you go away without me. I refuse.”[/color]

Lynette frowned and let the cat drop from her arms to scamper away before crawling into Clarissa’s arms and squeezing tightly around her.

[color=8882be]”You still don’t ever seem to trust me.”[/color] she commented with a frown.

[color=e0c4ff]”That’s ‘cuz your plans are batty.”[/color] 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.
[color=e0c4ff]”What’re we supposed to do without you? Dance to their tune?”[/color]

[color=8882be]”Or suffer the burden we’ve seen, yeah… Feels like shit, doesn’t it?”[/color] Lynette calmly asked in return, eyes watering slightly at the prospect of death.
[hr]

[color=577d06]”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?”[/color]


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.

[color=577d06]”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 [i]they[/i] want to celebrate it.”[/color] 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.

[color=d1b300]“She’s trying to make our life hell on the way out… Including mundane shit like being stuck in traffic.”[/color] 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. [i]She[/i] didn’t want a celebration over the Dollhouse defeat and Sycamore safety. If it was for Leon, [i]he[/i] 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. 

[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color] She shrugged.
[color=d1b300]“Hopefully we can turn all the attention onto [i]Leon[/i] during the actual party. He likes it way more than I do.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”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…”[/color] 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…

[color=577d06]”Unless you were really hung up on that other one you were watching…”[/color] he conceded.

[color=d1b300]“I’ll watch anything as long as it’s with you.”[/color] 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 [i]always[/i] 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. 

[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color] 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. 

[color=d1b300]“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 [i]and[/i] escape for a while.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”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.”[/color] 

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. 

[color=577d06]”At least we’re the masters of our own destiny soon. No more unnecessary events in our life.”[/color] 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.

[color=d1b300]“True… I can’t wait.”[/color] 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. 

[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color] 

[color=577d06]”She’ll make a fantastic assault drill… Y’know, the ‘in case of emergency’ protocols and all that.”[/color]
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.

[color=577d06]”Weird to think this may be the last time I ever see some people… Andrade’s planning on leaving… Did he tell you yet?”[/color] Casey asked calmly.

Trisha shook her head. 
[color=d1b300]“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?”[/color] 

She looked up at him, before shuffling close and leaning into him. Recharging in the short period it was still just them.
[color=d1b300]“I’m not surprised. I wouldn’t want to stay in the city if I was Andrade either.”[/color] 

[color=577d06]”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.”[/color] Casey shrugged, frowning.

[color=577d06]”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.”[/color]

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. 

[color=d1b300]“It’s something people can get over, right?”[/color] She asked, still frowning.
[color=d1b300]“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?”[/color] 

[color=577d06]”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.”[/color]
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.

[color=8442f5]”And here I was, not sure you’d make it! Thank all of the Ancients!”[/color] 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.

[color=577d06]”Hey, you three… And you, Ivy!”[/color] Casey said simply, assuming violence wasn’t planned thanks to Ivetta’s presence.

[color=ffa1b7]”Your guys’ cat is so sweet, Cousin Casey. Auntie Lynnie says you guys have had him forever!”[/color] 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.


[color=8882be]”She says she wants her [i]own![/i]”[/color] Lynette laughed, opening her arms wide and collapsing them both around Casey and Trisha.
[color=8882be]”My sweet babies… Are you both alright after everything? You’re okay, Trisha? The knowledge coming back isn’t painful, is it?”[/color]

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. 

[color=d1b300]“I’m alright. It was more peaceful than I’d imagined.”[/color] 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. 

[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color]

Lynette nodded her head warmly, taking a deep breath and smiling.

[color=8882be]”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.”[/color] 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.

[color=577d06]”Am I… in trouble? You two?”[/color] he asked very simply.


 [color=de3b1b]”A little bit! But that can wait.”[/color] 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 [i]her[/i] 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. 

[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color] 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.

[color=d1b300]“Wherever you want to… Walk.”[/color]

Lynette waved her hand onward toward the kitchen, guiding her through the doors until Casey was out of sight. It was immediately clear [i]why[/i] Lynette wanted to guide Trisha away from the moment.

[color=8882be]”Now, don’t get the wrong-”[/color]

[color=de3b1b][b]”-Well then why the fuck did you acce-”[/b][/color]

Lynette cleared her throat and shook her head before doing her best to slide Trisha further away from the noise.

[color=8882be]”-ehm… Trisha… Those problems?-”[/color] she shuffled her hands backward at the yelling as Casey’s voice climbed to a height saved for pain and fury.
[color=8882be]”-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 [i]would I have[/i] to see them? Even if I did apologize, even if I did repent. Would you ever [i]really trust me?[/i]”[/color]

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 [i]this[/i] 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… [i]No.[/i]

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. 

[color=d1b300]“No, I’d never trust you.”[/color] She admitted as calmly as she could. 
[color=d1b300]“And I’d never let you be around my children alone. But maybe Casey would have convinced me to let you [i]see[/i] them with him there. But it doesn’t matter, does it? Because it’s already too late.”[/color]

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.
[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color]

Lynette’s expression became flat in a confirmational nod.
[color=8882be]”I can’t even begin to apologize. I just [i]genuinely[/i] want you to know that I hope it’s a nice life. Fill it with good things, Trisha. Don’t let it get like [i]this[/i]. 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.”[/color] she spoke calmly, clearly, and without any form of stammering or searching for the words.

The shouting was still going on, and she grimaced.

[color=8882be]”I can’t wait for the quiet. Trisha… If I asked you, here and now, before anyone else had the chance to stop you… [i]Would you kill me?[/i]”[/color]

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 [i]deserve[/i] 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.

[color=d1b300]“Are you about to try and hurt Casey? Or [i]kill[/i] him?”[/color] She asked back, managing to keep her voice even. 
[color=d1b300]“I doubt it. So, no. I only kill to protect. You’ll have to wait for the people who [i]really hate you[/i].”[/color]

Then a thought crossed her mind, and she almost smiled.
[color=d1b300]“Or, if you’re that desperate, ask Cass. She would.”[/color]

Lynette’s head turned downward slightly, a wry smile crossing her face as she began to snicker. 
[color=8882be]”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 [i]happy[/i], 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 [i]like me[/i]. Or, y’know, like [i]your mom.[/i] Who, may I add, is a [i]vile wretch![/i] Trying to get in touch with her was like being beaten with a metal whisk. No wonder you’re so prickly.”[/color]

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…

[color=8882be]”My point was: There will come a day when a decision must be made. And it will be hard… [i]And you won’t make it.[/i] Prepare yourself… Because things could really tumble out from under a person when they don’t have the guts to make a hard decision.”[/color] she smiled now, nodding her head.

Just as Clarissa slammed the door open.


[color=e0c4ff]”We’re leaving, Lynnie. You come, or you don’t, I don-”[/color]

Lynette threw up one hand, and one finger upon it. Still, her gaze was on Trisha.

[color=8882be]”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.”[/color]
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… 

[color=d1b300][i]I was doing so much better. Stop thinking about it.[/i][/color]

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.

[color=577d06]”Are you okay? Trisha?”[/color] 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…

[color=d1b300]“Just defusing the bomb Lynette left behind.”[/color] 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. 

[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color] 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.
[color=d1b300]“But what about you? I heard a lot of shouting.”[/color]

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 [i]did[/i]... 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.

[color=577d06]”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 [i]against[/i] me. Just so passionately protective of their good friend that they’d do anything to protect and avenge her if need be.”[/color]

He hated telling her stuff like this… But it affected her too. This time, majorly.

[color=577d06]”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…”[/color] 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! 

[color=d1b300]“So they want two more people to die no matter what. And more if they win, I guess?”[/color] Her hands dug into his back. 
[color=d1b300]“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 [i]together[/i]. 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]I’ll[/i] 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.”[/color] 

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 [i]fairly[/i] 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.

[color=577d06]”It’s all twisted. Frankly, it’s fucking stupid. They supposedly love me… So they’ll wait and hope I do the [i]right[/i] 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 [i]want[/i] this to be this way! And, y’know, if they die… What the [i]fuck[/i] happens to Ivy!? There’s a fucking teenage girl in the middle of this, and… [i]What?[/i] What the fuck are we supposed to do at that point?”[/color] he grunted in frustration, not sure of where to start with the issue.

[color=d1b300]“It’s fucked up.”[/color] 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 [i]he[/i] may be feeling about it.
[color=d1b300]“They’re choosing vengeance over their daughter which is… Fuck. It won’t be your fault if they died because- We don’t [i]want[/i] 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 [i]do[/i] and we kill them… We’ll have to… Deal with the consequences and make sure she’s looked after…”[/color]

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 [i]good person[/i] 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.

[color=577d06]”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 [i]bad[/i] kid to live with.”[/color]

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.

[color=577d06]”I was assured that I’d have the freedom to make the right decision. That things are [i]fine[/i] 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.”[/color] 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 [i]had[/i] 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. 

[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color] 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. 
[color=d1b300]“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 [i]sleeping[/i]. But it’s been twelve years. Surely an Ancient Apparition should have some strength back?”[/color] She huffed slightly, before managing a slight smile at him. 
[color=d1b300]“That’s not really a question for you, is it?”[/color]

Casey shrugged, but didn’t want her to think he was indifferent over it.
[color=577d06]”Being with you helps [i]me[/i] 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?”[/color] he asked simply, trying to take everything into account.

[color=d1b300]“Not for her, no.”[/color] Trisha responded, after a moment's thought. 
[color=d1b300]“It’s [i]half[/i] 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.”[/color]

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. 

[color=d1b300]“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, [i]and[/i] the bees will get a nice place to live. It’ll be a win-win.”[/color]

Casey nodded calmly. His hand climbed gently to brush against the top of her head to begin rubbing it comfortingly.
[color=577d06]”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.”[/color] 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.

[color=9399b8]”Is there room for me in that hug?”[/color] 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. 

[color=d1b300]“Sure, as long as you don’t expect any loving gazes like we give each other.”[/color] 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.
[color=d1b300]“I’m guessing that’s our quiet time over?”[/color]

[color=9399b8]”Nah, it’s just me. I’m chillin’.”[/color]
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.

[color=577d06]”Ain’t it nice to be loved, Babe?”[/color] he asked simply, rubbing both of their shoulders as they got close.
[color=577d06]”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.”[/color]

[color=9399b8]”Ain’t no mountain high enough to keep me from gettin’ to you two.”[/color] 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.

[color=d1b300]“Of course she did.”[/color] 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. 

[color=d1b300]“At least you’re quieter than Cass, the other mountain climbing, boundary ignoring intruder.”[/color] She continued with a light laugh. 
[color=d1b300]“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-”[/color]

As if on queue, the doors swung open wide, practically slamming against the walls. 
[color=629c3f]”I heard my favourite couple’s hiding away in [i]heeerreee[/i]. Oh- And Gin!”[/color]

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.

[color=C67C12]”Babe, you couldn’t- Fuck…”[/color] 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.

[color=C67C12]”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.”[/color]

Gin shook her head.
[color=9399b8]”No can do… Not unless Trisha says so.”[/color] she replied, looking up at Cass for confirmation.

[color=629c3f]”Uh… Yeah! Not unless Trisha says so!”[/color] Cass echoed, mostly because she was all too happy to keep clinging like this. Though, if Trisha really wanted them to leave, she [i]would[/i].

Trisha squinted at Gin. 
[color=d1b300]“Why me? Why not Casey?”[/color] 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.
[color=d1b300]“Well… Normally I would say so, but since it’s Cass’ birthday, I’ll be nice. Happy Birthday, by the way, Cass.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“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.”[/color] 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 [i]did[/i] want to escape when possible, but she’d try to enjoy the time with those people as much as she could.

[color=C67C12]”We’re celebrating the end of an old chapter, Cassie… I already told you that!”[/color] 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.

[color=9399b8]”Also, Casey’s got no problem with me hugging him for a while. You do. Ergo, it’s [i]your[/i] decision. Purely practical.”[/color] she beamed up at Trisha.
[color=9399b8]”It’s got [i]nothing[/i] to do with your status… [i]Matron.[/i]”[/color] she winked.

[color=577d06]”Who the Hell even told you that!?”[/color] Casey barked, furrowing his brow down at Gin.

She just looked back up at Leon, then at Casey and Trisha again.
[color=9399b8]”C’mon… Let’s just go out. Besides, uh…-”[/color]

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 [i]their[/i] 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. 

[color=629c3f]”And more importantly than that, [i]I[/i] want drinks!”[/color] 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. 
[color=d1b300]“Alright, let’s go out and socialise with everyone… And get a drink.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Uh, drinks! I said drink! I’m having multiple, thanks!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I’m not stopping you just cause I’m only having one.”[/color] 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. 
[color=629c3f]”Good! Cause I plan to actually get [i]drunk[/i] 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!”[/color]
[hr]
[right][code]One Hour Later[/code][/right]
[color=629c3f]”[b][i]Shots, shots, shots, shots![/i][/b]”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I am [i]not[/i] doing shots.”[/color] 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. 

[color=629c3f]”You don’t gotta, but you gotta watch me do ‘em!”[/color] 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 [i]did[/i] follow. 

[color=629c3f]”You’ll do shots with me, right, Lee?! What about you, Casey?!”[/color]

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.

[color=577d06]”Obviously!”[/color]
[color=C67C12]”Obviously!”[/color]

Casey was good about holding it in, at least. An hour for six pints and a couple shots was [i]nothing[/i] 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.

[color=577d06]”How much’ve you drunk, Casso? Cass… EEEEEEEeeee…”[/color] Casey giggled to himself, elongating her name to a ridiculous degree.

[color=629c3f]”Uh… Like, five double vodka cokes?”[/color] Cass did a quick count, laughing at the clearly already pretty smashed Casey.

Unfortunately, she wasn’t quite [i]there[/i] 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… 

[color=d1b300]“Not as much as you, clearly.”[/color] 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 [i]that[/i] drunk. 

[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color] 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. 

[color=d1b300]“I don’t think it’s changed much?”[/color] 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.

[color=C67C12]”Linqian?”[/color] he said downward, looking at her sitting without recognizing that she was also surrounded by friendly and warm faces.
[color=C67C12]”You gonna make it, dude?”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”No. I’m going to kill myself right here, where I’ll traumatise the most people.”[/color] 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.
[color=CD5C5C]”Since when did you-”[/color]

[color=6e235d]”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.“[/color] 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. 

[color=CD5C5C]”So? He could be fucking listening in for all we know, and it isn’t like his lecturing’s ever made me change shit.”[/color] Linqian shrugged one shoulder, attention turning from her childhood friend- though they’d drifted the last ten years- and back to Leon.
[color=CD5C5C]”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?”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”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.”[/color] 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.

[color=C67C12]”Obviously, it's a free invitation, Loosh. How are you, bud?”[/color] Leon thrust his hand out to Lucien.
[color=C67C12]”Been feeling alright lately?”[/color] 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.

[color=6e235d]”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.”[/color] Lucien replied good naturedly, grinning as he gave Leon’s hand a friendly slap rather than some shit like a handshake. 
[color=6e235d]”If you’re offering, we’ll join! Anything to be away from my annoyingly loud lil brother.”[/color]

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 [i]he[/i] 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. [i]Now[/i] 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.
[color=CD5C5C]”If you’re gonna fucking force me like that, fine.”[/color] 

[color=6e235d]”As if [i]I[/i] could force you to do anything.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”You fucking forced me out of bed today. You and Louis literally teleported into my room, so quit talking shit.”[/color] Linqian rolled her eyes, downing the rest of her drink before slipping out of her seat. 

Lucien held up his hands, grinning.
[color=6e235d]”Guilty… But you’re glad you're out, aren’t you?”[/color]

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.
[color=CD5C5C]”Whatever.”[/color]

[color=6e235d]”Resounding yes in grumpy Linqian language.”[/color] Lucien laughed slightly, looking back at Leon. 
[color=6e235d]”Cass is your girlfriend, right? Who also has…”[/color] 

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.

[color=C67C12]”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.”[/color] 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.

[color=C67C12]”Brothers and sisters of mine? We have company!”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Heyyyyyy! Loos-eeeeeee!”[/color]
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.
[color=577d06]”Buddy! Buddy [i]boy![/i] Have you [i]met[/i] my wife Trisha? Dude…”[/color]

Casey practically hijacked Lucien immediately, proudly stepping back enough to wave his hand to present Trisha. Which awkwardly left Linqian with Leon and Cass.

[color=C67C12]”Baby, do me a favor when you get a sec?-”[/color] he looked at Cass.
[color=C67C12]”-Blast him with something? Just to take the edge off. I’m worried he’ll get sloppy.”[/color] Leon directed, hoping Cass would go along with it. After all, they had sloppy Linqian to deal with…

[color=C67C12]”And, did you decide what you want?”[/color] he asked, making sure Linqian got the seat next to Cass.

[color=629c3f]”Whatever has the highest percentage of alcohol!”[/color] 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 [i]wife[/i]. 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.
[color=6e235d]”Nice to meet you, Trisha… I’m Lucien. Wife, huh? Congrats, dude!”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Ugh.”[/color] 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.
[color=CD5C5C]”I second the strongest shit. And [i]no[/i] blasting me with anything.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”I ain’t gonna! I know a gal who can hold her alcohol when I see one!”[/color] 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. [i]Real[/i] 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.
[color=629c3f]”C’mon bar boy, get pouring those shots!”[/color]

Leon laughed in a good nature, in spite of the quick mental tick that brought his anxiety up slightly.

[color=C67C12]”I prefer something gender neutral in this situation… Bar slut? Bar beast? Boy makes it sound so… [i]Derogatory![/i]”[/color]
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.

[color=C67C12]”Yeah?”[/color] 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.
[color=C67C12]”Oh I do. Don’t worry, we can handle it. A little hand sanitizer, y’know?”[/color]

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.

[color=577d06]”-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-”[/color]

Leon giggled to himself as he picked up a shot, then oriented his body toward Linqian.

[color=C67C12]”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,-”[/color]
He looked at Cass.
[color=C67C12]”And to many more birthdays with one another.”[/color]

Cass grinned at Leon, raising her first shot. 
[color=629c3f]”Yeah, to all’ve that!”[/color] 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. 

[color=CD5C5C]”If Jinhai was here, he’d be giving me a fuck earful for drinking this shit.”[/color] Linqian snorted, close enough to a laugh as she raised the first shot and promptly downed it. 

[color=CD5C5C]”And Greyson’d be tryna throw cash around to show off, fucking asshole.”[/color] The second one went down just as fast. She paused on the third, taking a moment to figure out the whole birthday thing. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Uh… Fucking… Happy birthday, Cass. To whatever fucking bl-”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Hey now! Ain’t bringing negativity into the future toast! You can get round to that [i]after[/i] you drink it!”[/color] 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. 

[color=CD5C5C]”Fucking- Fine! I won’t add shit to that.”[/color] Linqian downed the third shot, the burn in her throat barely noticeable at this point. The warmth that came with it was almost nice. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Can’t be any fucking worse than the last year, right?”[/color]

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.

[color=C67C12]”Hey…-”[/color] he spoke almost privately to Cass.
[color=C67C12]”-Let her get it out? No amount of outside sadness is gonna affect our future… We can let her have it, can’t we?”[/color]

Assuming that she’d go along with him, Leon turned back to Linqian and nodded.
[color=C67C12]”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.”[/color] he tried to get Linqian to talk a little more than [i]just[/i] 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.

[color=C67C12]”Want some more?”[/color] he asked her calmly.

Linqian just nodded, pushing her shot glasses back towards Leon. 

[color=629c3f]”Me too, please, Babe?”[/color] 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. 

[color=CD5C5C]”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 [i]not[/i] worry ‘bout that shit since I was sixteen. It’d be fucking [i]great[/i] 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?”[/color]

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. 

[color=629c3f]”So you… didn’t use the spell?”[/color] 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 [i]that[/i].


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 [i]good[/i] 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…

[color=C67C12]”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?”[/color] he asked as if to lead her to water in a proverbial sense.

Linqian stared at Leon like he was stupid. 
[color=CD5C5C]”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?”[/color]

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. 

[color=629c3f]"My Ma always blamed the wine she had before finding out whenever we did somethin' stupid."[/color] Cass awkwardly laughed, though it had just been one of her mother's many excuses that weren't her shit parenting. 

[color=CD5C5C]”Well if there's a kid, they're gonna get all the fucking stupid genes from me anyway.”[/color]

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.

[color=C67C12]”Just take it a [i]little[/i] 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.”[/color]

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…

[color=C67C12]”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!”[/color]
There was the joke. A cover, mostly.

[color=577d06]”Minnesota!?!?!?!? Fuckin’ Finland of America! B-but they’re… They’re like the Japs! The politeness is [i]fake![/i]”[/color]

Casey muscled his way up next to Cass… 

[color=C67C12]”Hey, dude! Leave the fucking… Leave that shit in the bottom of your brain, dude…”[/color]

Casey pouted.

[color=577d06]”Mmmmkay, I’ll cut your hands off with a sword and see how you like it!”[/color] 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 [i]more[/i] animosity toward others… Though, he never shied away from badmouthing the old regimes.

[color=C67C12]”Don’t get like that, Bub… Or you’re getting cut off.”[/color]

Casey leaned into Cass.

[color=577d06]”Fine… Hit me. I wanna get drunk again [i]anyway.[/i]”[/color] Casey goaded her, half expecting an actual slap but half hoping she’d pick up what she meant. He was [i]asking[/i] to be un-drunk’d.

[color=d1b300]“[I]Heyyyy[/I], it's [I]my[/I] turn to get drunk."[/color] 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. 

[color=629c3f]"Hit you?! Okay, I'll slap some sense into ya!"[/color] 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. 

[color=629c3f]"There ya go!"[/color]

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. 

[color=CD5C5C]”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!”[/color] 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.
[color=CD5C5C]”Should’ve fucking known Trisha would have standards this low.”[/color]

Trisha immediately bristled, squeezing half in front of Casey as if she could block him from dealing with it.
[color=d1b300]“I [I]don't[/I]- it was a drunken mistake. Fuck off."[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Sure didn't sound like it.”[/color]

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… [i]Deserved.[/i] 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 [i]bitter[/i] 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 [i]palpably sober[/i]. His entire demeanor changed, and he leaned down slightly to kiss just beneath Trisha’s ear, whispering as he did so.

[color=577d06]”Be still, my Burning Heart.”[/color] he cooed, then took a deep breath and looked directly at Linqian.

[color=577d06]”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 [i]here[/i]. 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.”[/color]

Capitulation didn’t [i]always[/i] 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 [i]something.[/i] 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.

[color=CD5C5C]”Well then fucking-”[/color] 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. 
[color=CD5C5C]”I fucking swear to God, if you were about to fucking time freeze me-”[/color]

[color=6e235d]”Just tryna make sure nobody gets too burned. Precautions.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”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!”[/color] 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. 
[color=CD5C5C]”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.”[/color]

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. 

[color=CD5C5C]”I don't have the fucking energy to waste on punching someone I don't give a fuck about anyway…”[/color] She managed to grumble out another bit of vitriol even as shit simmered down. 
[color=CD5C5C]”And I’m not gonna fucking trample on their memories right now.”[/color]

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.
[color=577d06]”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.”[/color]

Reaching out for a the free shots sitting on the bar, he passed one to Trisha before nodding and raising the glass to Linqian.

[color=577d06]”To you, and Greyson, and all the other Sycamites who actually gave enough of a fuck to take a real stand.”[/color] he held his shot glass out to cheer, then knocked it back before realizing that it wasn’t regular alcohol.

[color=577d06]”Oh, [b]woah![/b] What the fuck, you guys? That’s gasoline, it’s not alcohol!”[/color]

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.
[color=577d06]”Ffffffuuuuuuuck that.”[/color]

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. 

[color=d1b300]“What the fuck?"[/color] 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.
[color=CD5C5C]”Fuck, watching that almost makes up for it! Fuck! One fuckin’ shot.”[/color] 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. 

[color=d1b300]“[I]Caaassseeeyyyy[/I],"[/color] she whined. 
[color=d1b300]“Whyyyy did you give me that? It really hurt…"[/color]

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. 

[color=629c3f]"[I]My shooootttts[/I]... Leon, Baby, my sexy bar beast… [I]Please?[/I]"[/color]

[color=C67C12]”See, [i]sexy[/i] bar beast is a far better title. You’re so good at this, Babe!”[/color] Leon leaned close to kiss Cass across the bar before lining up a small row of shots just for Cass.
[color=C67C12]”There! All yours; go crazy… Just don’t go racist.”[/color] he laughed aloud, eyes turning back up to Casey playfully.

Which got no response, as Casey was too busy cooing away at Trisha.
[color=577d06]”If I realized, I would’ve warned you, my sweet girl…”[/color]
He was still holding her, though tighter now as he pulled her in and rubbed the back of her head.

[color=577d06]”Juuuuuust relax. Remember, we’re happy when we’re drunk. We’re happy, and silly. And we’ll stay happy and silly. Right?”[/color] he asked her, affection levels teetering between concerned lover and disconcerted caretaker. 

Which left Leon alone with both women once again. 
[color=C67C12]”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.”[/color] he slyly grinned at his girlfriend before looking back at Linqian.

[color=629c3f]"Uh… No!"[/color] 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. 
[color=629c3f]"I'ma go home with the lovebirds and third wheel them [I]all night[/I]!"[/color]

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.
[color=629c3f]"I don't think they'd even notice!"[/color]

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! 

[color=CD5C5C]”I don't. Been too busy practicing combat spells to not fucking die, and I neglected that shit for years.”[/color] 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!
[color=629c3f]"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!"[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Really twisting my leg here.”[/color] 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.

[color=629c3f]"Y'mean arm?!"[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”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.”[/color] 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-
[color=629c3f]"Ooo, that's fucking cool- Sorry, ain't ever seen this!- one minute, just gotta figure this out."[/color]

Linqian’s eyes narrowed.
[color=CD5C5C]”You said you had a spell.”[/color]

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


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.

[color=C67C12]”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?”[/color] Leon asked aloud, very clearly playing, but at the same time not exactly joking. 

[color=629c3f]"[I]Nooooo[/I]... 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!"[/color] 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.
[color=629c3f]"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!"[/color]

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. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Gimme a beer, then, to be safe.”[/color]

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! 

[color=629c3f]"Also, if you ever want free [I]consensual[/I] magical examinations, I can do that! I bet with'a white adept we could project a real good image too!"[/color] 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! 
[color=629c3f]"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! [I]Ooo[/I], I could even-"[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”I can afford an actual hospital now, thanks.”[/color] Linqian cut her off before she could get any further, turning to shoot a sarcastic, but somewhat amused, look at Leon.
[color=CD5C5C]”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?”[/color]

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.

[color=C67C12]”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…”[/color]

Leaning into Cass, Leon placed a kiss on her cheek.
[color=C67C12]”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.”[/color] he looked at Cass as if asking for confirmation.

[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color] 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.
[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Not how it fucking works.”[/color] Linqian hit Cass with a hard stare, shaking her head. 
[color=CD5C5C]”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.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Heh, I understand- I’ve done some shit that’s even freaked out Leon! Ain’t even all been on purpose!”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Waking up to you with six eyes and mandibles was [i]not[/i] my ideal scenario. Hard to be enthusiastic about Spider-Cass in that context… Y’fuckin’ dick!”[/color] Leon laughed hard, shaking his head in continued confusion.

[color=C67C12]”Thats why we establish certain rules. Like no pranks before the both of us have been awake together for an hour.”[/color]

Leon wouldn’t trade Cass for all the gold in Fort Knox. But that didn’t mean boundaries shouldn’t exist! 

[color=C67C12]”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.”[/color]

Stretchy being the titular character of the beloved children’s game “Stretchy and the Gum Machine.” 

[color=C67C12]”Which, I had to tell her… About the clown incident. Were you there for it? Or did you end up just hearing about it?”[/color] 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 [i]worst[/i] incident- for her, those always involved dogs or wolves- but it had been pretty fucking bad. 

[color=CD5C5C]”I was fucking there for that nightmare, yeah. Me and Aryin were goading each other to try fucking [i]join[/i] 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.”[/color] 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. 

[color=629c3f]”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!”[/color] 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.

[color=CD5C5C]”Really, you’re fucking lucky, Leon. If it was me, I’d become a clown the next morning just to fuck with you.”[/color] 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.

[color=CD5C5C]”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 [i]bloated[/i], 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.“[/color] 

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.

[color=C67C12]”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.”[/color] 

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.

[color=C67C12]”Ancients bless the ones who would do good at any cost. This one’s for the best of us. Jinhai included.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”My better half… We lost a lot of the good ones.”[/color] 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. 

[color=CD5C5C]”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.”[/color] Linqian’s lips pulled up into a thin smile, and she let out a small laugh. 
[color=CD5C5C]”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!”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”I think it’s nice.”[/color] 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!
[color=629c3f]”Y’know… Believing there’s nice shit after!”[/color]

[color=a36209][i]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-[/i][/color]

[color=C67C12]”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?”[/color]

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…

[color=C67C12]”Have you heard from your Sister-Wife?”[/color] Leon used the term jokingly to poke and prod Linqian.
[color=C67C12]”The way Greyson was talking, it sounds like she’s carrying a package too. Y’ever gonna, y’know… Go see her? Them?”[/color] 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.
[color=CD5C5C]”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.”[/color] 

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. 

[color=CD5C5C]”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.”[/color] 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 [i]big[/i] 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 [i]was[/i] 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…

[color=C67C12]”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 [i]are[/i] planning for more. More than just this one, I mean. It means you [i]do[/i] have some kind of hope for what comes next. That makes me happy.”[/color] he admitted to Linqian calmly.

[color=C67C12]”Shithead and I have talked about it… A [i]little bit.[/i] 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 [i]before[/i] anything happens that ruins our relationship.”[/color] he turned his head to grin at Cass again, expression full of whimsical teasing.

[color=629c3f]”Just don’t go getting some fucking terminal illness to fast track it!”[/color] 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. 

[color=629c3f]”Oh shit, too soon?”[/color]

Linqian just shrugged. 
[color=CD5C5C]”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.”[/color]

Cass nodded a bit, tugging of Leon’s cheek turning into gentle squeezing. 
[color=629c3f]”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 [i]soooo[/i] strong that it’ll take, like, a fucking magical, building sized tank to ruin it!”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”That’s cute… I honestly think whatever kid you have is gonna terrorise the fucking world. At least, destroy half the population’s eardrums.”[/color] 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.
[color=CD5C5C]”Don’t go getting happy too fucking quickly. The next one’ll have even more red flags I bet.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Is your type [i]exclusively[/i] 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.”[/color]
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.

[color=C67C12]”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… [i]Do you still carry it?[/i] Out of the two of you, she’s absolutely more butch.”[/color] 

[color=CD5C5C]”Your asking like I’ve fucking sat down and thought about who’d be getting pregnant outta me and [i]fucking Vashti Nour[/i]. Sure, there was plenty’ve flirting there, but she was tryna fucking kill me at the same time.”[/color] 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. 

[color=CD5C5C]”Just like my last ex did.”[/color] She intoned, in a way that made it incredibly difficult to tell if it was a joke or not. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Can’t believe Bianca didn’t tell me about this shit… I’ll have to get some visitation outta her. [i]Then[/i] we’ll see about the breakout. Unfortunately for the world, the croc part was part of the appeal.”[/color]

Cass held up a hand, putting down her basically empty glass.
[color=629c3f]”Wait, who’s the Croc-oc? You had a fucking [i]crocodile[/i] person in the coven?”[/color] 

Leon nodded.
[color=C67C12]”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?”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Oh yeah I [i]know[/i].”[/color] Cass grinned, wiggling her eyebrows.

[color=C67C12]”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.”[/color]

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 [i]liked[/i] 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.

[color=C67C12]”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.”[/color] 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.

[color=C67C12]”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…”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”You saw what it did to people, no fucking way that’d end well.”[/color] Linqian grimaced.
[color=CD5C5C]”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.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”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?”[/color] 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. 

[color=629c3f]”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.”[/color]

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.

[color=C67C12]”I’m not even sure it’s the top of the food chain when you think about the [i]actual[/i] 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 [i]supposed[/i] 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.”[/color]

Moreso when he remembered their ultimate goal was to unite the fragments and [i]hopefully[/i] 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.

[color=C67C12]”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 [i]could[/i] affect you. Hell, it could affect the entirety of existence!”[/color] 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.

[color=CD5C5C]”That’s the kinda shit you gotta ask when I'm sober.”[/color] 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. 

[color=CD5C5C]”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!”[/color] She frowned, still drunk enough in the end to let more spill than she normally would.

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

[color=C67C12]”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…-”[/color] 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.

[color=C67C12]”-You know…”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”God, don't get so fucking sappy.”[/color] Linqian rolled her eyes, though there wasn't any particular bite behind her words. Just the typical snide pushback without entirely meaning it. 

[color=CD5C5C]”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.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]"You don't gotta worry ‘bout that, I ain't getting any cult talk from him, and we're together, like, all the time!"[/color] 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.
[color=629c3f]"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! [I]Aadddmiittt ittttt.[/I]"[/color]

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.

[color=C67C12]”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.”[/color]

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 [i]had[/i] been one for confessions. Always, with the confessions. Whether they were real or not didn’t quite matter.

He loved them both right back. [i]The family you choose[/i]. 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.

[color=C67C12]”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.”[/color] he finished, speaking into the little triangle with a smile on his face.

[color=629c3f]”Yeah! And maybe one day, our kids can terrorise people together?”[/color] 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. 

[color=CD5C5C]”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.”[/color]