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Skyler Ravenloch responded almost immediately when Sabine reached out, eager enough to set up a meeting with her. Only three of the Hex girls would be in attendance: Thuy, Skyler, and Tatiana. The venue? Mureil's Jackson Square, a creole restaurant in the heart of New Orleans. Known for its historic ambiance and spooky history, the restaurant itself held nothing of import for the group. Upstairs, Sabine would find a seance room quietly sequestered on the opposite end of the building that, although the crooked sign said closed to the general public, no one seemed to stop her from ascending the tight stairs and arriving at the dark mahogany door. It was barely cracked and the Hex Girl's laughter spilled out. 

Beyond the door, red fabrics and brown leather chairs dominated the room. It was sectioned off with heavy red and gold drapery that was currently drawn shut. A red and gold tray sat on a small coffee table in the center, a candle warmer lit next to a small arrangement of cheeses, crackers, and fruit. A sofa took most of the space on the right and three arm chairs took the left. Thuy sat in one of the arm chairs, typing away on her phone, while Skyler tossed a grape up and tried to catch it with just his mouth. However, Tatiana snatched it out of the air just before it landed and shoved it in her mouth. She cackled as Skyler made a noise of protest. Thuy snorted and shook her head, sending Tatiana and Skyler into a laughing fit. 

At first, Sabine didn’t know what she wanted when she reached out to Skyler in hopes of speaking to them as a whole. She mainly wanted to speak to Thuy, especially with some of the information she found out. When Skyler responded with a place and time, Sabine had to admit she was nervous and a little scared. She knew they were powerful magic users and this was New Orleans. If they wanted, they could take her out easily. Sabine didn’t think they would, but the thought still persisted.

She got near the door and heard them laughing with each other. Perhaps they were just friends hanging out and not incredibly scary witches. She knocked gently as she opened the door. [color=A2797E]”Sorry to interrupt, but thanks for agreeing to see me. It’s….nice to see you all.”[/color] 

“Hey, you're here! Kinda thought it was a prank or something.” Skyler laughed, gesturing across the table to a chair. “Take a seat if you want! We got some snacks, tea, a sandalwood candle, the whole nine yards. You eat cheese, yeah?”

“If she doesn't, it's just more for us.” Tatiana shrugged, leaning back into the couch and kicking one leg up. “Shocked you reach out to be honest. Y'all were pretty intense even after the contest. And then you didn't even show to get wasted with us. Missed opportunity, really.”

“Now, now. Let's play nice with the Princess.” Thuy flipped her phone and slid it in her bag, which hung off the back of her chair. “After all, we won't bite unless we're asked.” Thuy smirked and leaned back, one leg over the other. 

Sabine walked in, already feeling the intensity of this situation. She sat down and took some cheese that was offered. [color=A2797E]”Can’t say no to cheese.”[/color] She savored it a bit before she pressed onward. [color=A2797E]”Admittedly, I think the contest brought out that intensity in us, but there was also a lot going on beforehand. I won’t get into it, not that important. But that’s not why I wanted to talk. I guess I am here for clarity, if nothing else.”[/color] She took a breath. [color=A2797E]”So, contest is over, results are in. Nothing to be done about it, so let’s put all the cards on the table. Did you all cheat?”[/color]

The three looked at each other for a moment and then Thuy snorted. “Well, yeah. We cheat every year. Little uppers, pumps our magic up. Too much use makes your magic start to eat you inside out, but it's not really a secret we cheat every year. Your goodie two shoe buddies didn't tell you? They figured us out the first time, but didn't care enough since they smoked us.” 

Skyler nodded in agreement. “Wil and Ava stay clear of it. They actually wanna use magic to better the world, the rest of us…” He shrugged. 

“We just want to do magic, make out, and get high.” Tatiana offered. 

Sabine hadn’t expected that reaction, but she supposed it made sense. The fact they did so and got away with it every year was a little concerning, but also the fact they cheated and then lost, multiple times, was funny.

But that’s also not fully what she meant. She knew about the drugs. She had found that out easily. It was more than that. [color=A2797E]”No, that’s all well and good. You do you. But there’s more. One of my team members got a message from their father, a very bad man who has caused them so much trauma and hurt that it nearly messed with their head, right before our fight. They were given a way to find out who exactly it was, but as far as I know they haven’t bothered to check. So, was that any of you?”[/color]

Tatiana shook her head. “Nah, we only just got your number and we had Bubble’s from from before. Haven't texted y'all at all.”

“We don't sabotage other teams. Just bump ourselves.” Skyler agreed. Thuy just nodded. 

“We knew that she had some parental issues. The coach gave us some deets on y'all, but no way to get ahold of you.” Tatiana continued.  

It very well could have been all lies, and Sabine could have easily found out, but for some reason, she believed them. So she nodded in understanding. [color=A2797E]”Fair enough. I had to check. It really messed with their head. If anything, it made them fight all the more harder in our battle.”

“But while we are on that subject, why do you all cheat and boost yourselves? Your skills seem incredible and I have no doubt without the…uppers you would have given us a run for our money no matter what.”[/color] Sabine made a mental note that their coach gave them details about all of them for later. That might be something to check up on.

“No real reason other than we like the rush. Not only are we getting magic juiced up, its also a challenge to figure out how to get it past the examiners. Fuck up and you get outed, your name dragged through the mud, and all that jazz. Get away with it and you look way better than you are “ Skyler explained, Tatiana nodding behind him as he took a sip of her tea. Thirty sighed. 

“And this one specifically makes it a little easier to keep this demon on a leash, Princess. Blood and brawling makes it want to come out and it genuinely would have been a second before they could have reigned it in. Between Thelms and the drugs, low chance of tearing that giant girlfriend of yours in half.”

Sabine processed the information. If Thuy had something that chaotic and dangerous within her, it was hard to see how she walked through life normally. Sabine knew April struggled with holding in her power, but that was different. [color=A2797E]”I mean if it’s a necessity, then I wouldn’t quite call that cheating. Have you tried some other ways to manage it? A friend of mine got in contact with a powerful sorcerer and was freed from a burden she had. Though I suppose being at the magic school, you would be surrounded by experts in that area.”

“Well, either way, you lost.”[/color] She directed this mainly at Thuy. [color=A2797E]”I told you not to underestimate us. If I am being honest, the main reason we all didn’t come party with you is that you all kind of acted like major assholes, deserved or not. Plus, the cheating thing, though I don’t think any of my team knew the reason behind it. But, I am woman enough to admit I was wrong about you all. You guys are really good and kind of decent people. Still assholes, but tolerable assholes.”[/color]

“Damn, ice fucking cold.” Tatiana cackled. “You can blame Thelma for fucking everything up. She got sentimental and she knows it. If she'd stayed on the field, would have been a different story. The sunshine brigade woulda still handed us our asses on a plate, but we wouldn't have come in third.”

“Chill on Thelms, dude. Its [i]growth[/i], we should be encouraging it.” Skyler shot back. “You remember our first practice sesh when she fucking ran me through just to get to the imp that used me as a meat shield? Ugh, I still have that stupid scar.” 

Thuy smiled and adjusted her glasses. “Yeah, she's come a long way from who she was. Tati, go get me a drink. I think you're the only one who brought a fake ID.” Tatiana rolled her eyes but hopped to her feet. 

“Sky, what you drinking? And Powerpuff girlie what's your poison?” Tatiana asked. 

Sabine let the nickname slide. [color=A2797E]”Something strong and sweet. Dealer’s choice.”[/color] Once Tatiana left, Sabine continued. [color=A2797E]”Do you mind if I ask how that came to be, this ‘thing’ in you?”[/color]

“Death cult. This fucker got a bunch of people thinking they were going to bring about the end of the world and then rule whatever remainded and convinced them to make me, a mortal host or whatever nonsense they call it.” Thuy shrugged, a flip of the wrist signaling that it wasn't a big deal. “Instead, they all got either eaten, dragged to limbo, or their brains fried after Mẹ popped me out. Mẹ and Bõ were fine because they ushered in the glorious coming of this bastard. Now they spend all their free time plaguing the museums of whatever shitshow city they settle in for the season. So much for the cool death cult parents.”

Skyler tossed Sabine a grape. “So what about you, what's your story. Telepaths get shit on pretty regularly outside magic society. You gotta have some crap on your plate you wanna offload.”

Sabine caught the grape and twirled it in her fingers as she thought and responded. [color=A2797E]”Oh you know the classic tale. Girl born with rich parents. Mother dies when girl is young. Father doesn’t know how to parent at all let along single parent so he throws money at the problem. Marries horrible woman clearly hell bent on spending said money like its going out of style. Meanwhile girl develops psychic abilities early on which scares parents leading to father outright distrusting the girl. Mother is the only one to show support and understanding but as mentioned before, dead. New mother hates girl so forces father to send girl to new country and then to new school to get rid of her, all the while blaming girl for things she does like spending money at multiple stores in a single day. Girl is not trusted in school, blamed for things she never did, then girl gets sent to superhero school where she initially hopes they would be understanding of her struggles only to find that they, too, do not trust her. After being labeled a villain for so long the girl decides she is going to be said villain. And then girl meets a good group of people who like her and want the best for her and she learns she can actually do good work and show the world she isn’t the villain her powers make her seem. Despite this, she still struggles making choices for herself, constantly worried about being judged for her powers, her looks, her words, her actions, and has to fight every day to eat something or avoid slashing lines along her wrist to let the pain that’s swelling inside out for god damn once.”[/color]

Sabine takes a beat and eats the grape. [color=A2797E]”So you know, we all got issues.”[/color]

There was a beat of silence. Skyler snorted just as Tatiana hip checked the door open and stared at Skyler, who had slid to the floor from laughing so hard. “Aight, who brought shit and isn't sharing ‘cause I got two friends for you to meet.” Tatiana offered Sabine a hurricane, a mojito to Thuy, and a rum and coke to Skyler. 

“Girl, the way you-HA!” Skyler wheezed as he accepted the drink. Tatiana settled in with her bourbon and kicked up one foot on Skyler's shoulder where he was sitting on the ground. 

“Sabine was just telling us the woes of her life. Said that shit funny as hell.” Thuy got herself under control quickly, mixing the mint in and sipping. “But yeah, people suck. Gotta stick with the good ones, even if they are cheating assholes. As someone who knows something about not letting shit out, you sure you don't want something to take the edge off? Don't have to take what we do, but we got options. Take that urge to slash away, let you eat what you want, gives you a decent chunk of your life back to you. Won't be able to stop taking it, but at least shit won't hurt anymore.”

“Oh, you looking to hook her up with Fell?” Tatiana blinked, seemingly surprised. She considered it for a second and nodded. “Yeah, that's some good shit honestly. Got clicked in the face once while I was on it and I didn't throw a knee in the guy's dick before he had a chance to apologize so I'd say it's pretty solid.”

Would it be that easy to just take something that would allow her to feel everything without the hurt involved? Sure, that was an easy way out. It was an option. But it wasn’t her option. [color=A2797E]”As much as I appreciate the offer, I am going to have to decline. I’d rather feel like this and find decent people to unload it all with. Possibly while underage drinking.”[/color] She said as she sipped her Hurricane, letting the alcohol do its work. [color=A2797E]”Fucking decent assholes, actually. Let’s not be strangers in the future. Fuck knows we could use all the allies we can get.”[/color]

“Amen to that, sister!” Tatiana raised her glasses in a toast. “To drinking with decent assholes and fucking up anyone who gets in our way!” Thuy and Skyler raised their glasses too, clinking them together and looking at Sabine expectantly

Sabine raised her glass, clinking it with the others and then she downed the entire thing, slamming it to the table. [color=A2797E]”Fuck, I needed that.”[/color]. 

“Heeey yo! You actually gonna hang with us, fuck yeah!” Skyler cheered. “Alcohol makes all those pesky problems disappear for a bit! Like when that dick dumped me last year, uuuugh. I was dead for like three days after. Called outta class and everything, til Croan dragged my ass outta bed and locked me in with one pissed off spirit. Haven't missed a class since.”

Thuy took another sip. “And like when Ava got the flu for the first time. Devils below, you'd have thought the world was ending. But if she's gunna hang with us…” Thuy's eyes flashed, literally, and she grinned. “Tell us about that giant. Does she treat her princess right where it counts?” 

Sabine didn’t drink much so she knew her tolerance was low. She would have one, otherwise who knew what she would be admitting? [color=A2797E]”Hits just right everywhere it counts. Girl knows what she’s doing. Hard when she needs to be, soft the other times. Just…that hair…hard to pull when it’s like gripping and pulling on sandpaper.”[/color]

“Yeah, she that good? Kinda thought it'd be worse. Nearly broke my hand when I threw a punch.” Tatiana shook her hand out just remembering the flare of pain that came along with the memory. “If everything is rough, is her tongue like a cat's? All sandpapery and callous.”

Skyler made a face at that. “God could you imagine gettin’ eaten out by something that rough. Just thinking about it makes my ass hurt.” 

Thuy kicked her legs up on the arm of the chair. “How'd you all get together? Giantess and a Princess seems a little fairytale to me and the people in this room ain't living in one that's for sure.” 

[color=A2797E]”Um, no, her tongue is fine. She’s not literally made of rock nor is she a cat.”[/color] Sabine shook her head, more so in amusement than disdain. [color=A2797E]”Would it blow your mind to say enemy-to-lovers trope? We butted heads almost instantly when we first met. I was a snarky bitch, hold for shock, and she was trying to prove something. We sparred and it got heated. And then we became roommates. Yes, I know the joke. But one thing led to another and we bonded over terrible dads and terrible memories and…yeah. We were also with April for a bit, but we sort of jumped into that part of the relationship too quickly. I actually need to talk to her about all of that.”[/color]

“Hm, seems complicated. I'd just leave that to hang as it is.” Skyler offered. “Like, you broke up, did your team stuff, just go your separate ways, play nice when you have to hang out. Doesn't really need to be more complicated than that, does it?” Skyler yelped and groaned, glowering at Tatiana after she kicked him in the ribs. 

“And that's why you're still single. Emotional range of a god damned spoon, I swear.” Tatiana rolled her eyes. 

Sabine chuckled softly, the team dynamic between the Hex Girls was different than her own, but there were noticeable similarities. [color=A2797E]”I’d argue most of the relationships formed in our team were spur-of-the-moment. But also we’ve been put through a decent amount of trouble. Like, we all died essentially. But through some time-hopping shenanigans, we were all brought back. That changes the dynamics.”[/color]

“So everything's just a trauma bond? Rock grounds for a relationship. Though, far be it for me to judge.” Tatiana laughed. “Prue cast a bad spell once a few years back and we all had a full time telepathic link for like, two months? Took the profs forever to figure out and then break. That little guy in Thuy's head was fueling the damn thing, slipping in behind all our eyes.” 

Thuy groaned at the memory, rubbing at one temple. “Nah, fuuuuuck that shit. A fantasy I was really into was like, astral fucking you know? All of the pleasure felt in tandem, none of the mess, but now I just think of when Wil had Charhagen's and how we all fucking felt it every time they threw up. Mood killer [i]immediately[/i].”

Skyler looked at Thuy concerned. “Hey, when's Thelma redoing your wards btw. I know she's in a mood after all that, but you got pretty work up out there.” 

Thuy shrugged. “I'm good. Besides, the spell is a bitch and I don't really wanna get messed up cause her head isn't straight.” 

Tatiana snickered. “Bitch, there ain't one straight person in this group so good luck.” Thuy flicked her off and Tatiana winked at Sabine. “So, how you all doing after that last magic? That shit was wiiiiiild.”

[color=A2797E]”Oddly enough, I have a telepathic link with someone now also. Happened when I was attempting to enter someone’s mind and things went wonky. She sort of got roped into the memory also and now we hear each other’s thoughts. Incredibly annoying, but also useful. She wasn’t part of the contest but I guess she’s part of our team still? Hard to say anymore.”[/color]

Upon reflection, Sabine had noted she was doing better than before. Perhaps it was the dynamic the Hex Girls had with each other: unparalleled support but also not afraid to call each other on their bullshit. She imagined doing so with someone like Danni and getting waterworks instead or doing so with Leah and her going off to punch some rocks. [color=A2797E]”I think everyone is fine for the most part. I think it rocked the Young Avengers more than it did us. In fairness, I think a lot of us went into the contest super messed up anyway. I am truly surprised we won, if I am being honest.”[/color]

“Yeah, same. Absolutely no one thought you were going to win. A lot of people got blackout drunk after you won.” Skyler laughed. “Thankfully, gambling isn't one of our many, many vices so we did not in fact lose anything. Did win a lot of drinking contests though so I guess we did win in the end.”

“Probably want to be careful with that link then. Ours was full blast all the time - every bit and piece got sent through to everyone else all the time. Made it really hard to get out of a fight when you were just eating everyone's anger out of it.” Tatiana warned. “It's was a rough patch and even after, we thought the group was gunna break up. We worked it out in the end but not having secrets can be a deal breaker.”

[color=A2797E]”Yeah, we’ve been practicing a bit more with it. Seems distance makes it harder to hear, though I imagine with practice that would get easier. I also have a ring that blocks my powers and when I wear it we can’t hear each other, so I am allowed some privacy at the cost of my own abilities.”[/color]

Sabine hadn’t actually considered just how much people expected them to lose. It made sense; the Young Avengers were the darlings of the contest. And here came a group of disorganized messes all dealing with their own battles internally that shook it up. People were going to be mad. Hell, she had gotten death threats but she chalked it up to incels being mad at her for whatever reason. It might actually pay to start reading them. She wondered if everyone else was the same.

She was good at social media. She knew how to handle the waves of cancel culture and insincere apologies. Danni was good at it also, so was Dorian, but she didn’t think either of them could handle the incoming storm.

[color=A2797E]”Shit, that explains the sheer number of death threats I got. More than typical. I’m going to have to do damage control. Another headache to add.”[/color]

“I do not envy you. And with your group, yeesh. It's going to be like wrangling cats.” Thuy laughed. “Some of the shit your friends do, woof. Better let them know it's going to be a few weeks before the media gets off their asses. They sneeze too hard and it'll be on the front page the nextnext day.”

Someone has to though. [color=A2797E]”They’ve been through hell and back and still showed up and won. It will be hard but they deserve the win and don’t deserve people harassing them. So yeah, I’ll do what I have to do.”[/color]

She stood up, a little wobbly, but she had all her faculties. [color=A2797E]”It would be a lot better if we could count on the Hex Girls’ support. Things got heated but you all aren’t bad people. We’re better as allies than enemies.”[/color]

“Support? Girl, we ain't promising anything.” Tatiana snorted. “You reach out and we'll see if we're bored enough. We're happy to hang anytime but that sounds like work and I can tell you I ain't here for that.” Skyler raised his drink in support and then downed it. 

Thuy stared at Sabine like she wanted to say something, but made no move to do so. 

Sabine stared back at Thuy. She wasn’t so much surprised at Skyler or Tatiana’s remarks, but she hoped Thuy would be different given her history. [color=A2797E]”Fair enough. When shit hits the fan that’s when you know who your real friends are. Thanks for the hang and the alcohol. We’ll hang in the future once I get this media storm off our backs.”[/color]

It was a few moments after Sabine left the room that the door opened and shut once more. Thuy stood alone in the hallway, the door shut on Tatiana and Skyer. Her usually sassy smirk was turned down and a nervous energy rolled off her. “Hey, I just… I don't know who was texting your girl, but I know who tried to mess up her head. We found out after the fact that Prof A hired the Macleod twins to fuck with you all at the hotel. I don't know about the texting thing, they hate most modern stuff, but we didn't know, I promise. She let it slip when she was chewing us all out for being pathetic bitches. Whatever they did, they're illusionists so it wasn't real at the very least. I know it doesn't make up for what she did but if you need some help, Thelms and I will rally the rest. Just let us know, aight?”

Sabine felt a small sense of satisfaction knowing she read Thuy correctly. [color=A2797E]”I appreciate you telling me. For what it’s worth, you all aren’t pathetic bitches. You fought hard. Granted, cheating is not great, but knowing what I know now I think it was better for your’s and your team’s safety. I’ll let you know if we need help, but hopefully we can manage. I mean, we all were killed in some video game program and came back so how bad can a social media hate barrage be?”[/color] She joked, but a small part of her knew it would get worse before it got better.

[color=A2797E]”Take care of yourself Thuy. And if you need help with your situation, let us know. We got some capable people on our side also.”[/color]