The next morning was an earlier start for Trisha, even though they’d stayed up late into the night. Pool together for a few hours, then further relaxing in each other's company. In the end, she’d actually drifted off lying in his arms as they watched something on the television. She’d only have woken up when Casey carried her up to bed, drifting right back off when she was put down and bundled up in blankets.

It was nice, to actually sleep two nights in a row. Though the problem had been that Casey wasn’t there with her, so she struggled to sleep. Now that she was getting all of this time with him, it was getting difficult to stay up really late if they were cuddling. It was like all the missed sleep was really catching up on her. 

But they had big plans today, which meant getting up early. They couldn’t leave too late if they wanted to make the most of it, with the days being as short as they were. Though it still took her a while to actually get up after Casey gently woke her up in the morning. Thirty minutes spent trying to stop herself from falling back asleep, before finally dragging herself out. 

A shower, and then some time spent picking out what to wear. Nowhere near the effort of the night before, but it was still a date. She could look nice while still wearing practical clothes. In the end she settled for a black high necked wool sweater that hugged her upper body tightly and was tucked into green corduroy pants. The pants were thicker than most of her others, which made the outfit cozy while still looking nice. 

Her hair was still damp, so she left it for just now as she made her way downstairs. There was no sign of Casey… But she wasn’t particularly surprised, even though there was that reactive spark of anxiety in her chest. She’d taken a while to get ready, so there was no way he’d just lounge about. She could easily guess exactly where he was. 

She grabbed her coat to bundle up, slipping out the back door. Just like she’d expected, the shed’s dropshudder door was slightly open and she could see movement underneath it. 

[color=d1b300]“Babe, have you had breakfast yet? Want me to get you something?”[/color] She called out as she very slowly shuffled her way across towards the shed, careful of any ice.

Casey had been mostly ready a few hours ago, but his bleary rush to work and busy himself had dirtied him again in some ways. He’d brought his work jumper, and had worn it over his nicer clothing with the intention of wearing it during their trip as well. But, as opposed to [i]not[/i] taking apart a vehicle engine apart and putting it back together, Casey had done just that and covered the thing in oil several times over. It was necessary, as certain pieces needed to be enchanted in ways that he didn’t always have the accompanying ingredients to. Other spells had to be used in place, creating tenuous links that he could at least easily repair on the fly if need rose. There was just the matter of getting the individual parts enchanted in the first place. A much easier prospect when they were in his hands.

He heard Trisha’s voice as he was testing that everything was working, and half of her question was washed out in the noise. 

[color=577d06][i]Breakfast? I haven’t even had sleep.[/i][/color]

While Trisha found it much easier to actually get to sleep, last night was difficult for Casey. Every time he closed his eyes for a little while, they flashed into his mind again. Again. Again. Was it a conspiracy? A move to put him over the edge like this? To have him off guard when they finally came back? How could he sleep knowing there was such a nightmare lurking out there now? They could [i]just change their minds again![/i]
He knew he’d feel better once they were out of range of the resort. Unlike the back seat of a particular car, Clarissa had a much harder time marking topless and single-seat vehicles as locations to teleport to, so even if they had been to the cabin Casey and Trisha were staying in, she most likely wouldn’t be able to follow them using the sled as an anchor.

Not that Casey felt safe enough to refrain from checking… It’d come out clean, so Casey was frankly more anxious to get gone.

[color=577d06]”I should probably come in and eat something, yeah… You’re right.”[/color]

As she walked into the shop fully, she’d be able to see him in his work jumpsuit… However that would make her feel, he expected a mixed bag. But, expecting anything at all was better than getting caught without a plan. He was ready to assuage in case she had a cross word.

[color=577d06]”Goodmorning, beautiful lady… The chariot’s all set for a comfy four hour ride. You’re gonna love it.”[/color] he grinned widely.

[color=d1b300]“Morning, my love… Mmm, what did you do to it?”[/color] Trisha asked, shuffling towards him. Even though she’d spent plenty of time getting ready, sleepiness was still lingering. It was the irritating crash after weeks of minimal sleep. It always happened when she stayed up cramming for exams. After they were done, she’d spend days just sleeping. 

At least the ride would fully wake her up. And it worked in Casey’s favour, her bleary eyes barely registering the jumpsuit. At least not enough to think beyond it being practical for working on the snowmobile. Which he’d wanted to do since getting back yesterday. 

There weren't any suspicions, even though she had her own worries. It was safer to say her anxiety hadn’t really reduced after Furio and Clarissa’s visit the night before. She didn’t trust them, so she didn’t feel any more or less safe than she had before. 

[color=d1b300]“Did you make it a bed? Wait, no, that’d be bad, I need the ride to wake me up.”[/color] She stopped just short of Casey, thinking the better of hugging him as she spotted various oil stains. That would be a pain to get out of her white jacket. 

[color=d1b300]“All those sleepless weeks are catching up to me. I woke up in the middle of the night and got set off a bit by the dark, but soon as I unlocked my phone screen for some light I fell back asleep.”[/color]


Casey playfully patted the seat of the snowmobile, happy to have the adorably sleepy early morning Trisha variant grace his presence. He was thrilled that she slept at all, especially considering how early he’d actually crawled out of the bed and down the stairs. He had the whole cabin rigged with listeners and magic detectors, so nothing was going to slip by him at least…

[color=577d06]”Well you come here and rest your weary buns. Saddle up, and I [i]encourage you[/i] to try and fall off the seat.”[/color] he proudly declared, looking at her with bright eyes.

[color=d1b300]“Are you saying my ass looks tired? Where’re you looking this early… That’s rude.”[/color] She playfully whined, sounded extra pathetic and cute at the same time with how sleepy she was. She reached up to rub her eyes, blinking the bleariness away as best as she could. 

She was curious what he’d done, so she clambered up onto the seat. But she was still too cautious to just [i]try fall off[/i]. Even if Casey would catch her, she couldn’t bring herself to lean that far. But she did lean to the side, enough that if the snowmobile was somehow jostled she’d probably fall off.

While she was able to get [i]on[/i] the seat just fine, jostling herself and leaning caused an incredibly persistent unseen force to slowly push back against Trisha. It wasn’t [i]violent[/i], but it was incredibly insistent that she exist somewhere within the boundaries of the seat. It was hard to imagine what it would do if she [i]somehow[/i] managed to scramble off the seat.
It [i]probably[/i] had something to do with the fact that her feet had been sucked tight to the floor… Trisha would be able to shift them forward and backward, even lift them up within the confines of the now expanded portion of space between her legs and the front of the machine…

[color=577d06]”Lovey, as long as your ass is on that seat? You’re stuck until I tell it to let you go.”[/color]

Casey approached the side of the sled and bent down. Trisha would be able to feel the rippling response of magic blast through her legs without affecting her. Without warning, Casey bent down and placed both hands on the sled before tilting it effortlessly with Trisha on it. And, horrifying as it may’ve been, he was right! As he tilted it fully, it just felt like she was laying on a flat glass surface. It cradled her slightly, almost netlike if it didn’t feel so solid…

[color=d1b300]“W-What the fuck, Casey?!”[/color] Even though she didn’t actually fall, the reactive panic still had her heart thudding in her chest. She hadn’t expected him to just tilt it! And of course she panicked. It was a pretty rational reaction, because the result wasn’t based in reality! Magic was crazy for all the things it could do. Though the panic now meant she wouldn’t panic as much later if the snowmobile really swung about. 

[color=d1b300]“Warn me next time, please?”[/color] She took a deep breath, managing to relax the longer the strange, solid surface kept her up. At least it had really woken her up… 

[color=d1b300]“It’s really impressive, Casey. Can I get off myself? Like, if I stand up straight, rather than from side to side? Or am I trapped on it until you decide to let me go.”[/color] She asked, tone turning a bit more teasing towards the end. 

Casey couldn’t help but giggle in a mischievous way on seeing her reaction to the fact that some magical apparatus was keeping her locked in. Her nervous flail was enough to get him laughing with the knowledge that she was totally safe inside it. 

[color=577d06]”There’s a safeword. More like a passphrase. ‘I’m alright, Casey.’ Preferably with your most chipper and enthusiastic tone.”[/color] he grinned.

[color=d1b300]“Safeword makes it sound like something kinky."[/color] Trisha intoned, before taking another deep breath. It took her a moment to gather out enough energy to say, cheerfully,
[color=d1b300]“I’m alright, Casey."[/color]

Upon the utterance as required, the subtle feeling of her legs being held faded, and Trisha would find herself of free movement and locomotion once again. Still grinning ear to ear, Casey patted on the machine happily.

[color=577d06]”I may just buy this out from under them, honestly. Sure, I’ve got nowhere to put it right now, but [i]all that effort![/i] I’m proud! Way more proud than I feel like I should be, maybe.”[/color]

Shrugging, he slipped around it and made way for a small bucket on the floor. Holding his arm down toward it, the fabric of the jumpsuit began to ruffle before the oil stains and splotches started to crawl themselves down toward the wrist to ultimately leak out. Whatever Casey was doing to the clothes, it was causing the oil to literally gather up, only to be massaged out of the fabric and into the bucket with gentle dripping noises.

[color=577d06]”Also, if you wanted to pack a bunch of bees to bring, we can. Or, maybe let the ones you have here out into the cabin? So that they defend it? We’ll be far enough that my monitoring spells won't be working properly here.”[/color] he added calmly, hoping to keep her in the loop without freaking her out.

Trisha frowned, brow furrowing. Did he expect something to happen? When did he set up all the monitoring spells? Clearly, yesterday's talk with Clarissa and Furio hadn't put him at ease at all. He didn't trust them either… Which was a good thing, but his preparations also made her anxious. 

[color=d1b300]“Do you think something might happen?"[/color] She asked quietly, slipping off the snowmobile and shuffling towards him. 
[color=d1b300]“I was going to bring Princess anyway… I don't think I can communicate with them at such a long distance either, so I won't know what happens. If I wake up some of the soldier bees I hibernated, they're more likely to know what to do without me, but I won't know anything's happened until one of them dies."[/color]

Casey shrugged his shoulders. Anything was possible as far as Furio and Clarissa were concerned, and they’d spent the last two months basically calling him a lazy good-for-nothing. If they were going to continue, the least he could do was prove them wrong in a very dire way.

[color=577d06]”Maybe we can coax them into some sort of ambush position? We can only hope they didn’t break into the cabin when they were here, so Clarissa can’t get [i]directly[/i] inside. Meaning, they’d probably use a door if they wanted to this time. If we line the doors with territorial bees led by a few warriors, Clarissa won’t have time to react. I’m pretty sure she [i]wasn’t[/i] lying about being allergic to bees…”[/color] he asserted, assuming they could probably do anything they set their minds to. They were a team after all, and a damn good one too.

[color=577d06]”It’s just peace of mind for me. If anything happens to her, the bees that are there will probably bite the dust. Hell, they may have even brought a goddamn epipen, but what’s it gonna do against a few [i]hundred[/i] stings? Is that, like, even possible to tank with a little epinephrine? [i]Fuck, whose to say there’s not some magical epipen.[/i] Hell, the green probably works- [b]Fuck![/b] I didn’t bring any key lime filling because I didn’t think anyone would get to us here!”[/color] he openly worried now, approaching the cusp of panic.

Trisha frowned, closing the remaining gap between them and taking his hands. It was difficult not to reactively panic. She’d assumed Casey had been paranoid enough to bring some of the key lime just in case… But they’d packed in such a whirlwind when plans changed. But if he was worrying about it, she couldn’t help but worry. He just knew the situation better. He’d experienced more magical war than she had, and knew what Clarissa and Furio were capable of. So that made her anxious, even if she was trying not to freak out about it.

[color=d1b300]“Maybe- Maybe we can contact Leon or someone, get them to send some. Or- There must be healers in the main resort? If it’s a magical community?”[/color] Trisha said, doing her best to try and find solutions rather than add to his panic. Though the hands clutching his trembled slightly, before gripping onto him tightly. 

[color=d1b300]“And if we have access to medical supplies, I think we both have enough experience to keep each other alive until we get magical healing. I’m rusty but, I- I’ve even had to help manually sew up wounds when we didn’t have enough healers.”[/color] She continued, biting her lip. There had been certain battles against the Stygian Snake where the aftermath had been all hands on deck. If you weren’t actively dying, you had to help. 

[color=d1b300]“Maybe the key lime will help against any reaction to their stings, but I think enough bee stings will overwhelm it anyway. Especially the Soldiers and the Bombers. They aren’t just normal bees… But I can set a group of them up on the door. I’ll bring through some of my more aggressive honey bees, and wake up some of the soldiers that I brought with me. Maybe some of the bombers too. They’ll happily lounge by the door if I give them a wool jumper or two… Or do you think I should just wake up all the ones I brought with me, and place them around the cabin?”[/color]

The thought of using her bees without being there to command them, and possibly losing them, was difficult. But she knew the new Soldier bees were able to lead the others enough in a situation like that… They’d get the job done, even if they all perished in the process. She could give different groups different instructions. Maybe instruct some to hide until she came back. Hopefully it wouldn’t be necessary. Casey said it was just peace of mind for him. But she felt he was right to be paranoid, even if it made her anxious too.

[color=d1b300]“Or maybe I just wake up enough to help guard the doors, and the rest if I need to. I don’t want to lose all of my Soldiers and Bombers right away.”[/color] She said quietly, furrowing her brow slightly. She squeezed Casey’s hands again. 
[color=d1b300]“But they can do it. Even if it isn’t an ideal warning, I’ll know if anyone gets in and kills them.”[/color]

Casey nodded in turn, doing his best to calmly guide himself and Trisha back up to the Cabin so that they could both finish getting ready for the day’s activity. He didn’t want Trisha feeling like doom was an imminent thing, because he knew as well as she did that the situation didn’t [i]have to be[/i] something dire. If they took Clarissa and Furio at face value, it was actually fine! Everything should’ve been good, because they [i]said so.[/i] It was only Casey’s rampant paranoia, fueled by knowledge of tangentially related precedence, that gave him reason to fear what was coming. Both individuals were utter loose cannons who, without the direct guidance of their ultimate leash holder, became ravenous and hungry for violence in order to quell all the worst parts of themselves.

It wasn’t wonderful to imagine the unhinged behavior that could stem from any kind of residual nerves they may have regarding the situation involving Lynette. There was nothing saying they wouldn’t wait until dear old Mom was six feet in the dirt before they decided to get a little hands-on with their feelings. He could only be cautious about every little thing now, because they’d [i]shown[/i] that they could be there. There were no ifs about that… [i]And they knew which cabin to crack open in case of nostalgic motives to kill.[/i] 

It was eerie at the [i]least[/i]. Dangerous enough that he felt they should be prepared. So… Not wanting to scare her, but erring on the side of caution nonetheless, Casey thought about what the best configuration for bees would be.

[color=577d06]”Keep a quarter of what you have reserved. Keep them tucked in your luggage, and before we leave, I’ll stash it somewhere they won’t find it. [i]Hopefully[/i]. And it’ll be [i]not here[/i] in case something happens, and either you need to make an escape without me, or preferably we just need reinforcements. I can’t stress enough that if anything happens to me, you need to be able to get as far away as-”[/color]

He stopped himself. They’d been through this before.

[color=577d06]”-well… If we knew someone was here, we’d just pick it up. You and I aren’t going anywhere without knowing the other’s safe, are we? To the end, and meet again?”[/color] he asked her sincerely, if a little sternly. 

It was a big kind of emotion to shift to… The idea that he didn’t have to [i]protect[/i] her by keeping her away from things. He and Leon had just the same discussion the other night about Cass… [i]If love abides, then they must remain.[/i] Casey knew that, crazy as it sounded, Trisha wouldn’t really want to live without him. And he didn’t want her to have to. So, if that meant ride or die until the very end? He figured that’s what made Clarissa and Furio strong. That they were both so fixated only on their own intentions in the moment of combat that their intentions never became clouded by the fear of losing the other one.

Only the fear of living without them. 

[color=d1b300]“To the end and meet again."[/color] Trisha echoed, nodding. Her lips pulled up into a small smile. 
[color=d1b300]“I wouldn't want to go anywhere without you. I don't want you to go anywhere without me either, even if it's selfish to feel that way."[/color]

Even if it meant following each other to death.

She really wouldn't be able to leave him behind if something happened. She'd rather die trying to keep him alive than run knowing it would mean he was gone. And if she couldn't save him, at least she could go trying to get revenge. Maybe it wasn't healthy… But he wasn't only the love of her life, he was her future. All of the plans and hope she had didn't exist without him. 

So even if he was insistent she get away, she wouldn't have been able to do it. She was glad he'd accepted that she wouldn't go anywhere. She'd trained so hard so that she could fight by his side, even if she'd only dipped into the shallows of her newly unlocked Apparitional magic. If he'd continued with his initial thought it might've ended up as more of a fight… No, she wouldn't want to fight him today.

[color=d1b300]“We can protect each other. But having some of the bees in a different location is still sensible. I have Princess, but only so many can get through her at a time. I brought and froze so many to avoid that gridlock."[/color] She continued, beginning to drift towards her bee filled suitcase now that they were inside the cabin. 

But she paused, turning towards Casey and shuffling back over to him. She leaned up to softly kiss him, hovering on her tiptoes with her face close to his as she spoke quietly.
[color=d1b300]“I love you. Thank you for accepting I'll be with you until the end."[/color]

The question that followed as she lowered  herself was much more mundane.
[color=d1b300]“Can you get out some fruit for the bees? They might need it to fully wake up, and it's a good bribe."[/color]

Without having skipped a single beat, save to accept Trisha’s affection, Casey was already rummaging around for food. Fruit was the easiest, and he pulled the plastic tray covered in cling film out of the fridge before unwrapping it and setting upon it himself.

[color=577d06]”Clear on fruit. I’m gonna wash my hands and get dressed. I’m not sure if you want to dress comfortably, or nicely…”[/color] he asked without asking, voice trailing off in wait for the presumptive response.

[color=d1b300]“I can do both… but mostly comfortably."[/color] Trisha replied, gesturing down to her comfy wool sweater and thick corduroy pants combo.

[color=577d06]”Alright, sounds fine then.”[/color]

Stepping closer, he slotted up against her and tilted his head downward to give Trisha a big kiss. She had acknowledged his feelings already, and had even praised him for accepting her own position. It was hard as someone who felt themselves to be a protector. How could he accept they may both die? The goal wasn’t for more people than necessary to buy the farm upstate, it was to prevent more violence by being proactive in planning… It was incredibly difficult for Casey to accept that, without him, Trisha didn’t want plans. At least, not for the foreseeable future. Long enough that life itself may become a pointless affair.

He couldn’t feel guilty about her dying if he was dead too… Hopefully, maybe selfishly, they’d kill him first… [i]Because he wasn’t sure his life would just stop without her.[/i] It wasn’t quite the same. He had guilt now, because he’d seen a hundred other people die with hope and dreams still intact, yet he was here. With relatively little emotional stock in himself, it became far easier for Casey to accept he didn’t deserve to be alive. It was easy to accept, even.

But if her life really started and ended with his? If she couldn’t imagine feeling enough desire to keep going without him? Why even conflict her internally?

[color=577d06]”Babe, uh… You… You wouldn’t [i]kill yourself[/i] if you managed to be the last Paranormal standing, would you? I… Don’t love thinking about this stuff, but I feel like I need to know for my peace of mind! I’d really rather if that wound up happening, well, maybe you’d think about this moment and remember when I said that I still would want you to live, even if it was just to spite the Ancients, and Fate. My angry Queen, too hateful to die… I’d almost want you to turn into a villain… Maybe not, but that sentiment is what I’m trying to get across.”[/color]

Trisha frowned a little, hugging into him as she actually thought about it. Would she? 

It was difficult to imagine wanting to live without him. Maybe tens of years down the line, if the ensuing loneliness didn't get too much. She knew she wouldn't be entirely alone. There'd be Cass, and with her Leon, and the girls. Assuming they could tolerate her without Casey around. Especially when she undoubtedly became an awful person in the aftermath, or fell into a deep depression. 

[color=d1b300]“I wouldn't."[/color] Trisha said quietly, tilting her head up to look at him. 
[color=d1b300]“Kill myself, I mean. I don't know what I'd do. Maybe I would become a villain… Or I just won't be able to do much at all. I don't know, it's not nice to think about. But I wouldn't kill myself… I'm not brave enough to do that. But I don't think I'd take care of myself either. I might wither away… I wouldn't feel like there was much point to living, even if I wasn't brave enough to do something so drastic."[/color]

She was trying her best to be honest. Maybe it was an odd way to look at it, but she really wouldn't be able to go through with something like that. Even at her most depressed or loneliest… Even as a teenager who'd lost a boyfriend who treated her well and was blamed by all her peers for it. Casey was different, but she still wouldn't be able to. Especially if she knew it wasn't what he'd have wanted. No matter how painful living would be. 

[color=d1b300]“I’d probably take revenge on anyone I thought played a part in it, and be reckless about it… Maybe I'd push away all the other people who care just now. I don't know. I really hope it doesn't happen."[/color]

Casey nodded, head tilting down to kiss Trisha comfortingly as both hands rubbed her up and down with the same intention. Holding tightly to her, he tried to imagine a world where she was happy without him. How could he blame her for not wanting to interact with life if something so tragic took place? He couldn't. He knew what that feeling was already. The kind of feeling that kept one in the same clothes for weeks, or abandoning friendships over the agony of goodness without joy.

[color=577d06]”It won’t happen, Honey… We’re gonna be fine. It’ll all be fine. Say Clarissa and Furio were telling the truth? Then, y’know, we enjoy our weekend and head home… And spend the next however many years of our life preparing to fight a couple of people who may never wind up hurting us… But, God forbid they ever try: We’ll be ready for it. Us. Both. Together.”[/color] he asserted, wanting to instill confidence in her.

[color=577d06]”You’re so special to me… Even when the world turns gray, you’re still colored in. I won’t let anyone take me away from that. Not myself, not Clarissa and Furio, not Father Time itself. We’re here together…”[/color]

Besides, they wouldn’t kill her. Hell, maybe they wouldn’t kill either of them. Maybe they’d just bide their time. Casey imagined a world then, with an infant daughter and a prophetic resurrection completed, where two fanatics waited across a span of years for their Lady in Black to be born once more. Clarissa and Furio finally descend, and demand the child or fight to the death for her then… 

He could only hope they’d see the foolishness in hurting them now. Give them time… Just a few years to guarantee that they were just as cohesive a team as Clarissa and Furio.

[color=577d06]”Now, forget it… I’m sorry I even brought it up. Today’s for smiles.”[/color] he nodded, squeezing her tightly and shaking her around a bit.
[color=577d06]”You wanna come with me while I get dressed? Would it make you feel better being close?”[/color] he asked at the same time.

Trisha nodded, managing a smile. It was difficult to drag herself out from those thoughts- the what ifs that plagued someone with severe anxiety all too easily. She didn’t want to let it get to her… Which meant keeping her mind from dwelling and spiralling. Like Casey said, it wouldn’t happen. They’d be fine. They’d survive whatever happened. 

[color=d1b300]“If that’s alright? I don’t want to smother you… Since you’ll already have me clinging to you most of the day. Though a good chunk of that’ll be on the snowmobile, which means it's clinging for [i]safety[/i].”[/color] She answered, hugging back into him before wriggling an arm out to snatch a piece of melon. She nibbled on it, tension seeming to ease as she looked up at him. 

She was still cautious when it came to being too clingy. While Casey had been much better since they left the city, she didn’t want to push it. It was better to be careful until his mood was completely improved. Rejection would be worse… Though in this case, she was probably being way too anxious. He’d [i]asked[/i] her if she wanted to come up with him. 

[color=d1b300]“Plus, I like a good show in the morning.”[/color] She joked, raising her eyebrows a few times and smiling playfully up at him. 
[color=d1b300]“I know I said to dress comfily, but maybe I’ve changed my mind so I can fussily make you change your outfit multiple times just to see you strip again.”[/color]

She was obviously joking, doing her best to lighten both of their moods while also turning attention away from her anxious little question. Sure, she did enjoy seeing Casey without his clothes on, but getting changed wasn’t actually all that sexy. She wasn’t some horny beast like Cass.

[color=577d06]”You can just ask… I don’t mind getting naked for you.”[/color] he laughed, taking her hand and leading her up the stairs.

[hr]
A little while later, and the two were ready to set off on their adventure. Both bundled up as much as was necessary, Trisha would find the seat of the snowmobile to be far more accommodating to her after Casey fussed with it. Where her knees sat, it tapered off so she didn’t have to spread her legs so awkwardly wide. And Casey had even adjusted where things were in the front, giving them both the ability to stretch their legs fully into the fuselage of the machine. Though, if Casey stretched out, chances were that he’d also force her to do the same by the position.

Having closed the garage and made it onto the trail, he tested the theory by letting both legs slide forward. Since he was behind Trisha, both legs came up underneath hers, lifting them up and resting them on his shins as four feet tucked into toasty warm pockets at the sides of the front. Casey was going a [i]little[/i] faster than he’d done initially, finding his work on the suspension to have done wonders for the ride quality. Seventy miles per hour practically felt like they were sitting still, were it not for the wind blowing all around them. 

At least the helmets and magically warmed clothing kept the elements from being too biting. They were a moment or two away from jumping into the loop around the lake when Casey spoke.
[color=577d06]”I’m honestly sold. I know, winter is terrible and getting snowed in forever sucks, but with Magic, we can make all the shitty mundane parts of winter disappear. So… I think I’m gonna settle on moving down here. Or, [i]up[/i], I guess…”[/color]

Trisha still felt a bit nervous on the snowmobile, even though there wasn’t anything to be nervous about anymore. She’d seen what would happen if they turned over, and it didn’t even feel like that was possible. It was incredibly smooth and much more comfortable than it had been yesterday. But anxiety just didn’t follow logic, so it was present for now. Not so badly that it was really noticeable anyway. 

[color=d1b300]“So I don’t get a say, huh?”[/color] She teased. She would be happy to move here… It had never been about the specific location for her. Just getting out of the big cities to somewhere peaceful with him. As long as she had all the comforts she was used to, it really wasn’t a problem.

[color=d1b300]“I’m kidding… I like it here too. I don’t even mind the weather, though it’d take some getting used to. But there’s something romantic about getting snowed in for so long… Maybe because I don’t mind not being able to leave the house for a time.”[/color] If she was in the right mood, that was. There were times she got more stir crazy- or rather, her anxiety pushed her to go out. Like the time she’d gone on a run and gotten attacked by Lila… it felt so long ago. She liked runs and walks to keep herself level headed, but was normally just as happy to curl up with a book for a similar effect. 

[color=d1b300]“And it makes it more difficult for people to get to us. Not quite complete isolation, especially if Cass and Leon or the girls join us eventually, but it would cut us off enough. I like the idea of that. We can be social if we want in the summer, and use all of winter to recover.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Yep! And it keeps people from sticking around, especially if we uh… [i]lie.[/i] Y’know, like telling people how hard it is to deal with the snow in the winter. We can tell them that we bought on a Layline, so Lux just doesn’t work properly on our land. When they ask why, then we hit them with the truth: So we don’t have to see your stupid face more than once a year!”[/color] he laughed, getting ready to make the turn to the right and out onto the loop. 

Having enhanced the machine with more than just comfort, quality of life factors included built-in White Lux sensors, which connected to Casey directly and ran a constant three-sixty radar scan within the surrounding few hundred yards. Picking up lifesigns was difficult, but picking up audio that was as distinct as a screaming two-stroke engine rattling out from under the machine’s plastic facade, was a [i]lot[/i] easier. He knew a few people would be flying by any second now given their speed, so he slowed down just enough to watch as a few sleds roared past before wrenching the handlebars and smacking the throttle to sweep right onto the proper direction.

[color=577d06]”Soak in the scene, Babe. It’s the last we’ll see of the resort for quite a few hours. We’re looking at three hours one way? It should be shorter on the way back, since we’ll have a set path to take back, rather than trying to figure out how we connect from the resort to the state park, then the ranch.”[/color] he said warmly, letting the machine pick up a bit of speed to see how Trisha reacted as they reached the hundred mile an hour mark.

[color=d1b300]“Three hours is a long time.”[/color] She responded quietly, not immediately noticing how fast they’d gotten until she looked to the side and saw the trees going past. She stiffened up a little, glancing down at the speedometer. 

[i]One hundred miles[/i]. There was an involuntary jolt of panic and sharp intake of breath, even though it hardly felt faster than when they’d been at seventy. But she took a deep breath, settling the fluttering in her chest until it was at a minimal level. She could never quite get rid of the fluttery panicking, but at least in this situation she was able to breathe it out to just an annoying niggle. 

It was stupid she even felt that, knowing how safe it was now. But it just didn’t work like that. Not for her, at least. 

[color=d1b300]“But it’s three hours on a [i]luxury[/i] snowmobile. You’ve made it really nice… I don’t think my legs are going to hurt like they did yesterday. I was squeezing the seat [i]constantly[/i], and I can’t even do that if I want to now.”[/color] She giggled, glancing down at her legs propped up on his. She didn’t mind… It was comfortable. She didn’t feel like she needed to grip on like she did yesterday. 

[color=d1b300]“You’ve really improved it. I was honestly a bit worried about the journey… Not because I hate being on it, just it really wasn’t comfortable for me after a while. I don’t have super long legs to spread across the seat so… Thanks for adjusting it so much.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”I’d bend the whole world into new shapes and sizes if it made you more comfortable. But, I’m also glad to have some immediate success with this. Frankly, I was a little worried too, because as much fun as I was having, splaying my legs like this hurts my bad hip. Makes it ache. So, I had to get the legs forward… And then at dinner, I was thinking more about it, so I kind of did something really sly. You nipped at me for it; remember when I was moving your knee around and you told me to stop? You were laughing, ‘cuz I smiled at you and stuck my tongue out I’m pretty sure… But I didn’t really explain I was trying to get a measurement of how far you could get the leg out. Thus, I tightened it up to where I thought it’d be comfortable.”[/color]

And all thanks to the gift and curse of his life. It was such an incredible thing, being able to remember having adult thoughts, feelings and experiences without the convenience of his own accessible magic. He’d known a world full of magic regardless, as Opening wasn’t nearly as difficult as Kindling: Everyone theoretically could open their Third Eye, and be a witness to the world beneath the veil. It only took a powerful firsthand experience to unlock the brain’s natural perceptual senses, as the human body still contained those primordial survival instincts which came naturally to them across all iterations of Earth. 

Humans were born of Lux, as was everything else… To recognize one’s parents does not mean that one carries all of their traits, after all. Still, Casey lingered on the thought of not being able to do this kind of thing. She’d still love him… But would he be the same man? Would he be who he is now if he hadn’t had such a powerful crutch to lean on? He knew his own conditions didn’t even hold a candle to some of the frontline forces who saw man-to-man combat. Especially in the East. The enemy had been on the front foot when he’d been there; no need for all the horrifying desperation that came much later on. 

He dealt with Nazi monstrosities, both in Africa and Europe. Tanks who fed on sand, and used magical incantations to dig between hardpoints like beetles living transient lives. Trees whose boughs each acted as their own body to translate Lux through, forming a grove of magic so thick that walking in without protection meant wholesale evaporation in body, mind and soul.
And the Blood of Hymea… Probably where the meat aversion really started. He remembered having flashbacks of that horrible week every time he found a new body in some rubble during the cleanups when the war had ended. A gynaecological nightmare, and one of the absolute most sickening things he’d ever had the displeasure of dealing with. If they’d not been so ready and prepared for the worst beforehand, he probably wouldn’t have made it home…

[color=577d06]”Is it bad that I think a lot about all the shit that could’ve kept me from meeting you? It doesn’t make me anxious… But, I really don’t know [i]what[/i] it makes me. Grateful, sure, but also still that weird… Like, anxious like it’s still possible. Even though it’s not! And, I mean, pretty soon there won’t be anything to take me from you but whimsy and want! Y’know, I want to do something you don’t, so we just don’t hang out for that small period I mean… Not, like, y’know, cheating or something stupid like that. What’s the point of living in the woods, then going and cheating on your spouse? With who? Your only neighbor in thirty miles? What dumb fuck would do that?”[/color] he asked, trying to lighten the mood before Trisha had the chance to linger on anything too dire. 

Trisha did start giggling, unable to help it when he devolved into ranting about the ridiculousness of cheating in their situation. It was comforting, even though she absolutely wasn’t worried about him [i]cheating[/i]. Leaving her and then finding someone else, maybe, but she knew Casey was too good of a person to [i]cheat[/i]. 

[color=d1b300]“Someone really stupid who doesn’t know how good they have it.”[/color] She shrugged slightly. 
[color=d1b300]“I’m more worried you’ll find a really exciting hole to dig for days in the future than I am you cheating. Not that having the time apart’s a problem… So long as I know. But cheating in any situation is stupid, that one's just especially stupid. You’re practically begging to be caught.”[/color]

She tilted her head, mind drifting back to what he said before. At least he’d alleviated any anxiety she’d started feeling by explaining what he meant. Overexplaining, maybe, but she liked that. 

[color=d1b300]“I don’t think it’s bad that you think about that. It’s not like you’re wishing that was the case or anything… I’ve thought about it too. Not a [i]lot[/i], but a few times. Mostly about how lucky I am to have met you. A lot of people never find their [i]person[/i]. But we found each other, and we’re not going to willingly leave each other now. Relationship wise, I mean, not that we’ll be physically stuck together. Nothing tearing us apart, no cheating, only fun solo excursions.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Oh, so… No Deer Marriage for us?”[/color] he asked playfully. 

They’d gotten on this subject before, but there was plenty of angles to bring it back at her that she may not know or realize was a thing. Though, in this situation, it was purely semantic. The Green Lux process of merging two beings together into some facsimile of new life was well known as part of Alchemy’s most divine processes: The Rebis. Whether it was through Fusion, or Deer Marriage; some cheekily called it an Atomic Wedding. 

[color=577d06]”You’re telling me you don’t want to feel our skin melding together, our organs joining like we’re an un-splitting amoeba?”[/color] he stuck his tongue out in the helmet playfully, though Trisha wouldn’t have been able to see.

[color=d1b300]“[i]Noooo[/i], I don’t want to become one in that way.”[/color] Trisha laughed back. Having someone who physically couldn’t leave was outweighed by no longer being distinct people. Nevermind that the thought of their skin melding and organs joining just made her feel a bit squeamish. 

[color=d1b300]“We wouldn’t be able to cuddle each other anymore, because that would just be like hugging ourselves. That’d be weird! I like my nice and distinct fiance Casey, even if I get anxious that he isn’t physically melded to me. But can you imagine how annoying it could be- Oh, would we be a tall un-splitting amoeba? Maybe I [i]can[/i] be convinced.”[/color] She joked.

[color=577d06]”From what I’ve seen, it’s dependent on the practitioner. Sometimes the fusion’s even temporary… Like, I [i]bet[/i] Cass will be able to fuse with another Adept as part of a Joint-Cast. She’s got plenty of Lux to spare, and she [i]is[/i] the Green Adept, so her conscience will always be dominant. Meaning she’ll be in charge of keeping the two halves perfectly balanced, and that sounds more like an excuse for Cass to start absorbing people…”[/color] he giggled.

Thinking about Cass more made him worry about Leon. He’d lost the leash, and all the good sense that remained in his body seemed to flood out with it. As soon as you left him “in charge” of something, he immediately tried to devour his own foot. He wanted to get rid of Cass… Not in some brutal fashion, and in no way permanently, but he’d done everything except openly say he didn’t want her around. 
It wasn’t until Casey pushed that he told him the truth. He was [i]horrified[/i] of the idea of Cass dying, and Trisha blaming him for everything. Leon was scared of how [i]Trisha[/i] would react… Why? He hadn’t spilled those beans. But Casey had a few good guesses.

[color=577d06]”Speaking of Cass? What would you do if… Like, if something happened to her while we’re gone? Or, in the next few months as things get hairy? Obviously, you’re not dating her or in love with her romantically, but… She’s been with you for a significant period of your life at this point, right? Would you be okay? I like to have a plan, y’see…”[/color] he confided in her, hoping she’d accept that and not think that there was a chance of anything actually happening.

Because, hopefully there wasn’t. Cass was a brutal beast who had more Lux command in a squeeze of her finger than a lot of Adepts did in their entire body. You didn’t need to know a [i]lot[/i] of magic to be effective: You just had to be able to [i]do[/i] a lot of magic. Source, Channel, Cast. The very basic building blocks of a Luxal spell, which were all tied together by the inherent process of the basic Lux wave. Having consistent, powerful command of pure Lux meant that one’s Source was amplified by magnitudes, and as long as one had an efficient or powerful enough Channeler to handle the flow, the spells they cast would be similar in consistency and power.

Cass’ whole skeleton was her Channeler… She didn’t have much of a bottleneck in that department. And because the Channeler was so big, there was a heavy draw of waves [i]to[/i] her. She was a walking magical Tesla coil, and Casey hadn’t worried a single bit about her since Leon and she began training privately. If there was one thing Leon could do, it was train someone magically. Even without Lux of his own to replicate, he was still such a master of the fundamental basics that he could easily talk an Orange Adept through basic formulae that lay far beyond his reach.

Trisha frowned, tensing up a bit at the question. She hadn’t thought about it. Not beyond the freak out she had at Thanksgiving- and so much of that had been because Cass got hurt protecting [i]her[/i]. She hadn’t even considered the chance of something happening to her. It was Cass… She’d always been strong even before her magic. Even though she hadn’t been through any magical warfare like they had, she’d taken to the combat like a fish in the water when they cleaned up Dollhouse. 

So it was hard to imagine something like that happening. It probably wouldn’t, right? It was just a hypothetical, wasn’t it?

[color=d1b300]“I don’t know.”[/color] She answered honestly. 
[color=d1b300]“It depends what you mean by okay. I’d survive and keep doing what I had to until we were safe, but I’d probably be really miserable after. I- I don’t know, Casey, it would be difficult, because she’s the one other person I can almost imagine being there forever. I’d really struggle, but that’s what happens when you grieve someone you really care about… I’d probably end up depressed like I was just after Thanksgiving, but worse.”[/color]

She bit her lip, trying not to worry about the possibility too much. It was a risk… But just as much as it was a risk Casey would die, or she’d die, or any of the girls would die. 

[color=d1b300]“You don’t think it’s likely, do you? [i]More[/i] likely than us dying, that is? Because I know Cass hasn’t experienced anything like this before, but if I can survive the Stygian Snake, she can survive this. She’s way stronger than I’ve ever been. Right?”[/color]


[color=577d06]”She’s survived. She knows what it's like to be in danger. To live in it. Spent years that way. The War was on for five years before we joined as a nation, remember? Who was the bastion of Freedom remaining? Jolly ol’ England and her little brothers. So, no. I don’t think it's likely at all. Frankly, I think she’s an asset to us as a family, and we shouldn’t be afraid to let her be as involved as she wants to be. She’s a joy to have around, and I don’t see her going anywhere.”[/color] Casey asserted, knowing that he only felt one way about this. 

It wasn’t something he was torn about. Wars occurred, and even if they never experienced it, he intended for his own children to understand what it takes to survive, and to come out on top of things. Trisha would learn too.

[color=577d06]”Honestly, I think it’s time we took the gloves off with everyone! You and I have done good so far, but Leon and Cass have been in the shit a few times together now! I don’t want to fall behind!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“What do you mean?"[/color] Trisha had a hard time following that… Been in the shit could mean so many things. Did he mean fighting together? Contextually that made most sense. 

She was relieved at least that Casey didn't seem to think Cass was at any more risk than they were. That was fine. It was just a fact any of them could die in the next couple of months… One that she perhaps had less difficulty stomaching than she should have. She had spent a whole summer at fourteen watching so many people die day on day. None of them had known if they'd survive. It was a similar feeling… Though she'd struggle if Casey or Cass didn't make it, she'd still be able to see things through to the end before falling over. 

[color=d1b300]“Falling behind on… Fighting together? Is that what you mean? Because they fought against Dollhouse together?"[/color]

[color=577d06]”More than once! So, the assassin gets canceled out, right?”[/color] he asked playfully, hoping she could hear his sarcasm in the speakers of her helmet.

[color=d1b300]“Oh, so you're actually dead then?"[/color] Trisha replied with calm sarcasm. 

She didn't really feel that it mattered… Cass was a fighting freak, she just loved getting into them. Trisha would fight if she had to, but it wasn't something she sought out. During the Dollhouse raid Casey had taken her to the van anyway to make sure she was out of the way… So he hadn't even wanted her to fight then. 

[color=d1b300]“You’re ruining my dreams of lounging in bed for the next few months."[/color] She continued, still as obviously sarcastic as she could be. It cleared up as she spoke a bit more seriously. 

[color=d1b300]“But of course they've done it more than us. I only just really unlocked enough of my magic to not just be a dead weight… And you didn't really want me on the front lines with you until now, did you?"[/color] She asked, trying her best not to sound accusatory. That wasn't how she was trying to be, after all. Just honest. 
[color=d1b300]“It might be hard to catch up. Neither of them need to sleep often."[/color]

Casey let go of one side of the bar, coming down to pat Trisha on the belly.
[color=577d06]”I still don’t want you on the front [i]now[/i] Honey… I’m joking. We’ll work as hard as we need to ensure our safety, but we’ve fought our wars already. Both of us.”[/color]

[hr]
The ride out to Blue Rock Ranch was, in fact, amazing. They made highway speeds the first hour and a half straight, with the curated trail they were on leading down the mountain in some fairly hairy turning situations that required a little more attention than other sections. But the entire way, the trail kept opening up into the yawning vista of the Rocky Mountains’ view of Colorado that stretched far off into the infinite point of the horizon. 

The trail dumped them off in a town that was supposed to be “nearby” the ranch, but it took another twenty minutes of petering around the local untamed woodlands before Casey decided directions were probably necessary. So, they hit the only convenience store anywhere nearby, and thankfully a couple passing customers knew where the trailhead was to get to the ranch itself.

And the last leg, while not as exciting visually, became the classic slog that Casey never had much experience with. The rough terrain, unhewn snow often obscuring their path until they were so far into those woods that it felt completely wild. Fallen trees hid just under the snowtop, as did young saplings and untamed shrubbery, and all hunted for the snowmobile’s front skis in unintentional attempts to destroy their forward momentum.

But when the vista finally opened up to reveal a clear, wide open lake frozen in time by the Lord of Winter, Casey knew they’d arrived. It wasn’t massive like some of the other lakes they passed by, but had just enough breadth to its shallows that the lonely tent sitting out in the middle of the ice looked so isolated… And the forest around them was so thick that any sense of privacy lost by such an open position could easily make itself up by way of sheer overwhelming plant coverage. It almost felt like the trees in the area were even conspiring to keep their watering hole a secret.

Casey wanted to take a speedy victory lap around the lake, but didn’t want Trisha to experience the reveal of the amenities they were privy to today alone. Assuming an equal sentiment, he far more politely pulled up next to the other sleds that were there. Two, with one having a whole trailer that got tugged behind it on little skis. Rather than forcing Trisha to use her safety word to be released from the machine, he subtly lifted the spell and crawled off the seat with a groan.

[color=577d06]”Jesus Christ… You could get a blood clot riding that thing too long. Note to self, a new seat is mandatory for all parties involved.”[/color] he said while trying to stretch out and pull his helmet off all at once.

Trisha just nodded her agreement as she slid off, feet hitting the snow covered ground with a soft grunt. She leaned against the snowmobile as regained feeling in her legs. It hadn't been as bad as before Casey adjusted it, but it still wasn't exactly comfortable for such a long ride. She pulled off her helmet, undoing the right bun she'd put her hair in under it and shaking the thick waves out. 

The last leg really hadn't been enjoyable, even with all the modifications. Each time they hit something she'd get a little jolt of fear, although it eased the more they hit without turning over. It just made it slow. Thank God she wasn't the one driving. 

[color=d1b300]“Definitely… It was fine for maybe an hour or two, but started to get pretty uncomfortable after that. And I don't have all sorts of lingering aches."[/color] She admitted, stomping from foot to foot to get the lingering numbness out of them. So long stuck in one position just wasn't nice… More than just her legs, her ass felt numb from all that time on the seat. At least in a car you could wiggle a bit. 

As the aches faded from being at the forefront of her mind, she was able to actually look around. Taking in the beautiful but almost lonely feeling frozen lake, she smiled. Even if the overwhelming white wasn't as appealing as the colours of spring, it was still pleasing to the eye. She pointed with one gloved hand towards the tent. 

[color=d1b300]“Is that where we're going?"[/color]

Not thinking, Casey grinned and shook his head.
[color=577d06]”Nah, just a random tent out here in the middle of bumfuck.”[/color] 

Still, he reached out and took her gloved hand in his.
[color=577d06]”Of course this is our stop. Come on. There's a member of staff from the resort, and I believe the owner of the ranch is here just to meet us and say hello… I think he wants to show the property, but I’ll just tell him that we plan on buying. I guess he’s older, wants to get into the city for health stuff. So, y’know, it doesn't really matter when we move onto the property so much as getting him squared away matters to me.”[/color]

From what Casey knew, the old fella was already staying in the nearest urban center to have medical facilities, and had made the arduous trip up here as a way to sell the potential buyer on the property. At first, Casey figured it may be a good activity back in St. Portwell, but now it was just unnecessary. The landscape had sold itself. So what did they tell the guy?

Getting close enough that the people inside heard the crunching of boots, the zipper door of the tent peeled back to reveal a gentle looking young woman with rosy blonde hair and an apron covering her resort uniform.

“Mister and Missus Richoux! Welcome, welcome! Mister Cabbot and I have been expecting you both for a little while now!”

Casey smiled and laughed, surprised at the person they sent out to set all of this up. But she oozed Orange Lux, which Casey quickly picked up on as they entered the tent to find something [i]a little different.[/i] To start, the wooden floor contrasted the expanded interior walls of cloth which loomed out further than physics dictated it should’ve. There was, on one side, a small fire pit with an exhaust port that allowed the smoke to flow out and prevented the place from filling up. Around it was a set of loungers which looked supremely comfortable.

On one was the figure of a white-haired old man, sat with his cowboy hat on and his thick jacket hung to dry nearby. And he turned to look at the arrivals before getting up with a grunt of his own. Before he made it to them, the two would be able to finish scanning the magically enchanted tent-cabin. On the side opposite the lounging space was an intimate dining table for two, complete with romantic candle fixtures and fine glassware, as well as a little zipper door to what was probably an attached bathroom.

“My guests, my guests! Look at that… Two beautiful young people.” The old man started up as he half-shuffled up to them.
“Miss Jasmine?”

The young woman waved him forward, grinning widely before turning to what looked like some kind of fancy stove. With her blessing to jabber, the old man put both his hands out to Trisha and Casey.

“My name’s Arthur Cabbot. You both call me Art, or Turd, n’y’like, so long’s were not callin’ me late fer dinner.”

Casey laughed and nodded, shaking Art’s hand firmly.
[color=577d06]”Art, it’s fantastic to meet you. I think we clicked while talking on the phone, but it's good to meet you in person, Sir.”[/color]

Art clicked his tongue between his teeth.
“An I told y’on the phone, now; don’t none of that sir crap with me. Been too long since I helt a rifle for my country t’go usin’ slurs like that.”

Casey laughed again. Typical old guard. As soon as you tried showing them any lick of curated respect, they turned all coy.

[color=577d06]”You guys paved the way, Art. We never would’ve run if it weren’t for guys like you walking in front of us.”[/color]

Art waved Casey off with a “pshaw” before focusing his attention.
“And you, young lady! Where’d this dog-faced brute find such a lovely bride? He’dn’t steal you from your family in the East, did’e?”

Trisha let out an awkward laugh, reaching out to shake his hand now that her gloves were off. She wasn't entirely sure how to react to that. Just brush it off, probably. She hadn't really dealt with that many old people like this. She was going to be polite, at least. Tansy's weird microagressions had at least trained her moments like this, even though she always got pissed off at Tansy over it.

[color=d1b300]“Are we looking at the same face?"[/color] She laughed lightly, looking up at Casey with a smile. He was the furthest thing from dog-faced. There weren't many who were as handsome as him, at least to her. 

[color=d1b300]“There was no stealing… We grew up in the same city, so we just met sort of coincidentally, sort of through his brother. If anyone was doing the stealing it was me, right, Casey?"[/color] She gently leaned her shoulder into him, looking back towards Art. 
[color=d1b300]“I’m not sure if Casey mentioned it, but I'm Trisha. Nice to meet you, Art."[/color]

“Ahhhh it's good t’meet you too sweetheart. Y'know I’m just fibbin ‘round anywho. They stopped lettin’ soldiers bring ladies home years ago.”
The old man hooted with laughter as Casey did his best to keep a straight face. 

One had to with old timers like this. If you gave them too much of a response, they got all cute and usually took it too far. So, Casey just cleared his throat.
[color=577d06]”I did, for the record…”[/color]

“Oh, he did! Said him’n the wife, Trisha, ‘s gonna be comin up to take a look at the property. Mentioned gettin’ a picnic goin, and I had to grapple with all that n’til I found’n y’all’s magic and such. Made a lot more sense once I figured the resort on the mountain’s involved and such.”

The two men nodded, and Casey grinned.
[color=577d06]”Speaking of which, Art… I don’t think we’ll need to do any recon, my friend. Even just the ride in here, I mean… Y’know I’m not super interested in the house already, so-”[/color]

Art looked a little hurt.

“Well damn, ‘n I came up for this… Well, can’t win ‘em all, I suppose, but you’re absolutely su-”

Casey stuck his hand up.

[color=577d06]”Art, Art… [i]I’m sold,[/i] Man. I want to buy Blue Rock from you.”[/color]

The elderly face twisted into a ball of confusion.

“But… Y’don’t-”

[color=577d06]”-Don’t… What?”[/color] Casey asked, finally backing the fella off enough that he and Trisha were able to comfortably start pulling their winterized coats and upper layers off.

“Well, just, y’know, the property’s big, ‘n you don’t know where nothin’ is!”

Casey laughed aloud in turn.

[color=577d06]”So when the Summer comes, and we move onto the property, you can show me. But, right now? Spare us both the trouble. Are you headed home after this?”[/color]

Suddenly, Art looked calm and collected. Happy even.

“Well, no, my Daughter and I are stayin’ here tonight. Miss Jasmine’s even been so kind as to offer to fix us dinner once y’all are happy and sorted down here!”

The woman, Jasmine, turned her head.
“Least I can do for the help, Mister Cabbot. Speaking of, can I get you two drinks?”

[color=577d06]”Rum and double cola on the rocks, please.”[/color]

Trisha had to think for a moment. She wasn't sure what kind of meal they were having, so she couldn't figure out if it was a wine or beer occasion. Better to go for neither until she was sure, then.
[color=d1b300]“I’ll have a rum and lemonade, please."[/color]

She'd otherwise been silently listening, slotting right back into Casey's side when her thick outer layers were removed and put aside. She was more than happy to just hug into him without interjecting. He'd told her he was sold on the place, after all, and she was fine with that. It was nice. She imagined the thick forest would be great for the bees come summer.

Casey rubbed Trisha’s back as she clung tightly to him. He was trying to devise a polite way of telling the old man to go home.

“Y’drink any whiskey while you were in Europe?”

Old people questions… He was curious. Maybe he felt obligated to play host…

“Oh, Mr. Cabbot? They [i]do[/i] only have so much time booked.” Jasmine interjected with legitimacy.

Art looked thoughtful for a moment before looking up at Casey with expectation in his eyes.
“You’re [i]really[/i] tied and fit to buy my land? And you’re just gonna… Homestead on it?”

Casey nodded.
[color=577d06]”On my time as a Marine, and a Soldier. So, you get home and give my number a call. You, or your daughter, or whoever, and just leave the information of whoever I’m supposed to get in touch with to put the offer in. When we get home next week, I can guarantee you that your land will no longer be for sale.”[/color]

Casey stuck his hand out again, and the old man shook it tightly before wrapping his arms around the young couple.

“You’re doing an old man a real honor, y’is. I won’t get all sentimental now, but… well, Son, I love this land. I love it like it's another child o’mine. It was my Daddy’s, and his before.”

Clearing his throat, Art pulled away and made for his coat.

“Well… Figurin’ I’ll see y’all again ‘fore I’m dead meat, I’ll keep it short. You doves have a lovely evenin’, and Miss Jasmine? I’ll see you in a lil’ while sweetheart, and we’ll get y’back to the resort by road when y’er done.”

She nodded in return, openly chopping veggies and prepping food.

Casey nodded, seeing the old man off before finally turning his head down to Trisha. Biting his lip, he closed his eyes and shook his head before starting to laugh.

[color=577d06]”Stole you? That was rich.”[/color] he commented, even causing Jasmine to laugh from the corner before she actually bothered starting to make their drinks.

[color=d1b300]“I really wasn't sure what to say."[/color] Trisha replied, shaking her head half in disbelief. Sure, she'd managed to say something, but it felt like it had completely missed the mark, and his response had kind of baffled her. 

[color=d1b300]“That’s why I have you to do all the talking for me."[/color] She added sweetly, reaching up to teasingly poke Casey's shoulder with a smile. Then she laughed softly. 

[color=d1b300]“I still think I'm the one that stole you… I know it was a joke, but could that [I]really[/I] happen? Surely you didn't have enough time to even think about dating? Nevermind [I]marrying[/I] and sending someone back home."[/color]

Casey grimaced. There was a reality a lot of people didn’t realize from the Red War, and the first World War: That they were dirty too, but had all the extra trappings of a time before the internet. Before things leaked into the public by way of rapid online social sharing.

[color=577d06]”There were some men who found comfort where they landed in spite of everything else around them. Even in my day, there are people like that. One of the guys I served in Africa with met this local. Totally converted to Islam, moved down there and everything. Back in the day, it was… [i]Different.[/i] More exploitation, less love.”[/color]

Jasmine, their attendant, finally handed them both their drinks, smiling.

“You guys can be wherever you want, by the way. Take it easy, relax, if you want snacks let me know. I got a special request for a lot of fruit, so-”

[color=577d06]”Oh, please, that would be great.”[/color]

“You got it.”

Casey was given the fruit platter that was pulled from the big cooler, and then casually began to lead Trisha over to the loungers.

[color=577d06]”But, yeah… A lot of guys back in the day would do these crazy shotgun marriages, because they’d be in the rear, and they’d get intimate with a local, but Lord knows there’s no protection because the government expects you to be fighting and not fucking. So, they’d get a woman pregnant, and if they had any heart at all, they’d get hitched and bring the wife and baby over here. War’s sick… Always sick.”[/color] he finished, sitting down and stretching out his legs in front of the fire.

Trisha nodded, sitting down beside him. Since it was cozy enough in here, she slipped off her boots to pull her feet up onto the lounger. Curled up like that she leaned into Casey. 

[color=d1b300]“I assumed they'd be more likely to… Just abandon them."[/color] She admitted, having thought of something more bleak. Though she was still surprised soldiers had the time in the first place. It was human nature, she supposed. 
[color=d1b300]“I know how the other side treated women across Asia. I understand how sick it can be… So I'm more surprised anyone like us could come out of it."[/color]

She trailed off, before reaching out to properly hug into him. 
[color=d1b300]“But that's not really a fun topic for a nice date, is it? This is [I]really[/I] nice. You did well organising it and… I guess we're going to be land owners soon. Well you. But also us. Since it'll be our future home… To have kids then grow old together in."[/color]

She blushed slightly at that, lips pulling up into a warm smile as she took a sip of her drink. 

Casey didn’t hesitate.
[color=577d06]”Us. Your name too. I’m not waiting for [i]actual[/i] marriage to forcibly smash our scattered assets together. We come in equal, and if we never leave, it never matters.”[/color] he grinned back down at Trisha, taking a strawberry from the plate and holding it up for her to bite.

He’d kicked his boots off nearby, and felt the warmth of the enchanted wood floor. Chances were the stove forced its exhaust underneath the structure, letting it get nice and toasty until it practically sank into the ground from the damp snow beneath it. He figured he could do this better, but the chances were high that they needed it not just portable, but storable. The storable part was always difficult for these kinds of substructures utilizing magic to interfere with physics. It was like slapping two places in time and space onto the exact same relative position and expecting there to not be any problems; it just didn’t happen. Folding the entire world within to fit into a tent bag did [i]wild[/i] things to reality, meaning certain concessions had to be made…

[i]At least, for less capable Orange Adepts…[/i]
Casey looked around a little absently before turning back to Trisha, his soft smile still warm and present on his face.

[color=577d06]”Did Cass get the picture of the wolves?”[/color] he asked, as the two of them had seen a running pack of wolves through a clearing some distance off. Trisha had managed to get the snapshot, as Casey had left his actual phone sitting on the bed in the cabin.

Trisha nodded, wriggling around to pull her phone back out of her pocket. 
[color=d1b300]“I sent it but didn't wait around for a reply- Oh, look, she's spammed me since."[/color]

She wrinkled her nose in amusement, waving her phone towards Casey so he could see the masses of messages from Cass. She turned it back towards herself to do a quick skim read for what was important. 

[color=d1b300]“[I]It's like me, Leon and Lelou are there in spirit! That's dead sound! Can you bring me one home?![/I] Obviously not."[/color] Trisha snickered. 
[color=d1b300]“She also said she hoped you did some crazy tricks on the snowmobile… And then she's sent me some completely unrelated memes."[/color]

She shook her head, locking her phone without replying and looking up at Casey with a warm smile. 
[color=d1b300]“She was already jealous of the snowmobile, so I bet it's even worse now I've sent those wolves. It does make me worried she'll throw away her roadtripping plans and move over right away."[/color]

Casey laughed, shaking his head. He wondered for a moment if Cass sent it to Leon… He’d do so later when they got back to the cabin, but he liked to imagine both of them got a smile out of it without being together in that moment. He [i]also[/i] briefly considered what their status was overall… If Leon had convinced Cass to stay in Europe, or if she’d blown through his passive aggressive defenses. It was the exact same fight he [i]wanted[/i] to have with Trisha. Thankfully, he’d done a bit of sifting over it. It was strange to have her encourage his selfishness:

After all, he didn’t really want her to live without him. Imagine another man? Impossible. She’d waste away, and what kind of life was that? Not one he’d want her to have. Not unless he really believed that she’d heal, but he couldn’t know for certain. She may very well disengage from the world entirely out of spite if he was no longer there. 
But, Leon and Cass? Cass was a firecracker. Fierce, full of life, she simply wouldn’t let Leon’s death imprison her in grief. And Leon wouldn’t either. He knew that if Cass was gone, Leon would just continue onward for God knows how long considering the unnatural lifespan he was carrying around.

[color=577d06]”We both know she’d be super bored without Leon. And with Lelou more taken care of, there’s a chance he can go back to actual Blind boxing. Meaning, lots of touring, lots of traveling, and [i]lots[/i] of stuff to do. I’m certain that if they’re still together by the time we get back, there’ll be a lot more appealing shit than some snowmobiles heading her way.”[/color]

He didn’t love talking in probability. Chances were high that they’d be fine, and that nobody would have anything to say once Casey and Trisha got home. She’d most likely be there holding his hand to greet them back to the Cannery upon arrival. Casey had intentionally left his phone due to the fact that it was constantly vibrating with updates and status checks for group messages that he wasn’t actually a part of. The only thing he cared about was the family group text, but with everyone busy and in general proximity, there was nothing happening. 

There wasn’t even a guarantee that the damn thing was safe considering what Junior said and did when they went to visit Lynette as a group. Such dangerous magic…

[color=577d06]”I mean… They’ll be fine. It’s a little thing. Maybe not [i]little[/i], but I feel like it's something Cass can push through. I’m honestly a lot more worried about Leon…”[/color] he admitted in the end, wondering if Trisha would humor his musing.

Trisha looked up at Casey, brow furrowing with slight confusion. What did he mean by a little thing? Or being certain they'd still be together when they got back? She hadn't heard anything from Cass to point to there being problems between the two. Then again, she hadn't heard much from Cass at all. 

Was it because she didn't trust Trisha? No, no, probably because they were both away… And she was with her brothers too. She had other support. 

[color=d1b300]“What’s wrong with Leon?"[/color] She asked, tilting her head. She was comfortable enough right now to ask about it rather than being annoyed they were talking about another couple’s problems. She was curious, and happily content cuddling up to Casey right now. On their lovely date with nothing going wrong between them. 

[color=d1b300]“Or between them, I guess? Cass hasn't told me anything, or messaged me much since she left. I assume she's quite busy with her family."[/color] She continued. 
[color=d1b300]“But she can push through almost anything. I don't think I've seen anything get her down for more than a few days. She tends to be a problem solver… Even if she solves them by force."[/color]

[color=577d06]”I’m worried about that part. I guess, with everything happening, Leon’s nervous about Cass being around. Wanted to spare her the trouble, but you, me and God all know that girl sticks to trouble like seaweed on rice. So, I’m just hoping he doesn’t push too hard and piss her off to the point she leaves him. It’d kind of suck to come home to that [i]and[/i] the other stuff.”[/color] Casey responded plainly, the matter-of-factness covering the little white lie. 

It’d only make her mad or sad that the sentiment was related to her… [i]Though[/i], it could fix things outright. A simple phone call may clear Leon’s anxieties. But, ultimately, he’d leave that up to the two of them, and keep the incident [i]mostly[/i] out of their holiday. After all, if they worked it out on their end before it ever became an issue, then who would ever care?

[color=577d06]”Sorry! Sorry… I should really try and leave home at home… I used to actually do that. The first few years of service. Most of them, honestly. I didn’t even give a fuck if I made it back to St. Portwell when I was in France with the FFL. Before the occupation and all… [i]Crazy[/i] to think about. Angry ass kid, barely an adult… And I didn’t care if I made it back home. Hard for me to imagine now. Not waking up to your face.”[/color] he grinned, winking at her.

Trisha let out a soft laugh, stretching up to press a light kiss to his cheek for his flattery. And just because she wanted to… She could understand with the situation he’d been in then. She’d never felt it so strongly that she didn’t care if she lived or died, but she’d rarely [i]wanted[/i] to go home. Not that it had felt like much of a home for her. 

[color=d1b300]“Mhm, you should always want to come home to me.”[/color] She responded teasingly. 
[color=d1b300]“Though I hope when we move here we won’t have many nights apart. Only when you want to do some crazy hiking and camping that I know I won’t be able to handle. Hopefully no more wars. You won’t have to go through something like that again.”[/color]

The fact that she could talk about him going away so easily was an improvement, even though it made her anxious. If he turned around right now and said he [i]wanted[/i] to spend nights away camping, she’d panic. But she could see the future when they were settled in their home together and she didn’t worry when he wanted to go away for a little while. 

[color=d1b300]“And you don’t have to be sorry. I [i]did[/i] ask.”[/color] She continued. She was glad to know what was going on, so she could prepare for the worst. The aftermath wouldn’t be pretty, even if Cass didn’t hold grudges like she did. And she’d still be there even if she broke up with Leon… Because she’d stubbornly want to help anyway. It wouldn’t be fun for any of them. Cass wouldn’t put it on them, but she wasn’t sure she could deal with a post breakup Leon. 

[color=d1b300]“But you’re right we should leave it in St Portwell… We’ll deal with whatever happens when we get back. Cass hasn’t even talked to me about it, so I shouldn’t think about it. Instead I’ll just think about you.”[/color] She smiled cutely up at him. 
[color=d1b300]“Though I’m always thinking about you.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”That’s crazy… Sometimes I dedicate a sub-brain to you. When I’m working real hard.”[/color]
He didn’t know if she’d even come close to getting the joke, and could only hope that his smile and laughter would keep her from thinking too hard about it.

[color=577d06]”Kidding… You’re always on my mind too. Sometimes literally, when I lay down on the couch and you flop on top of me. I love smelling your clothes, because your detergent rocks. And then you always wear nice, soft stuff. You’ve met my Nana several times now; you know that woman doesn’t wear [i]soft.[/i] Not in like a wool sense, or something. She wears [i]silks[/i], and fine fabrics with thousands of thread counts. Rich people clothes. And Mom wears all this gaudy stuff, half the time it’s made of such stiff fabric that I can’t imagine actually being comfortable in it. The other half is, again, fucking rich people clothing. Christ, can we maybe wear something that doesn’t make you slip off of a leather seat?”[/color]

Casey was ranting along a bit as Jasmine brought the two of them a small tray of deviled eggs with an especially red filling. Without wanting to interrupt Casey, she simply set it down, but that got him to stop wholesale.

[color=577d06]”Oh, mother of God… I’m beyond intrigued…”[/color]

“Just a bit of red bell pepper and cayenne in the mix.” she replied, laughing as she made her way back to her station.

Casey looked at Trisha with a bombastic side eye, practically begging for her opinion as he reached out to one.
[color=577d06]”I don’t like that laugh one bit. Too devious. Should we split it, Trisha?”[/color] 

Trisha smiled and giggled a bit as he ranted, still smiling when he side eyed her. While she wasn’t much of an eater, she also wasn’t really fussy about what she did eat. So whether it was just bell pepper and cayenne, or something hotter, she was happy to give it a try. 

[color=d1b300]“Sure… I’ll taste test it for you, Babe, don’t worry.”[/color] Smile turning teasing, she leaned forward to take a big bite out of the one Casey was holding. Her eyebrows raised slightly as she chewed it.

It was hot. [i]Really[/i] hot. The kind of food she wouldn’t have the tolerance for if she hadn’t grown up in a strange household where the chefs tried to facilitate the multi cultural backgrounds of James’ many children, along with being taken on a crazy food tour the one time she went to the Philippines.

It reminded her of something. It took her a moment of thinking and chewing to figure it out. It was exactly like this type of ramen Cass had [i]loved[/i] during University. Trisha had ended up eating it a lot because she couldn’t cook, until she offered to pay for the meals as long as Cass did the cooking. It was called… Fuegollo? Or something. It was [i]crazy[/i] they got the flavour into a devilled egg. 

She grinned at Casey, not reacting much as she waited for him to try his bit. As far as she was aware, he had a decent spice tolerance, but they hadn’t had anything insanely hot together. She was interested to see how he’d handle it.
[color=d1b300]“You should eat it… It’s good.”[/color] 

Her nose scrunched up cutely, watching him even as she kept talking. 
[color=d1b300]“And I just prefer more comfortable clothes. I have plenty of fancier, rich people clothes for special occasions, silk dresses and the like. But why would I suffer when I can make myself look good with simpler stuff? Plenty of my wool jumpers are expensive too… Because the proper stuff that lasts a long time is pricey. But I buy for quality more than anything, and half of my stuff is thrifted anyway.”[/color]

Casey had taken up an egg half, staring at the fire engine red filling within like it couldn’t possibly be spicy. He wasn’t worried per se, as there was little it [i]could[/i] do to the half-dead nerve endings in his tongue. He’d get most of the flavor out of it, while the capsaicin desperately clung to the surface of his tongue and mouth on the hunt for something to bind to. Oblivium created something of a locked membrane, and the deepest recesses of the tongue’s many nerves were trapped.

But he didn’t bother even popping it in his mouth until he’d fully acknowledged Trisha.

[color=577d06]”Exactly my point. Y’want good shit, not just expensive shit. And the expensive stuff ain’t always good! Now, I may be a little biased, but I [i]do[/i] think you look good in everything short of a turtle shell, so… I guess it's not something you need to think about around me.”[/color]

Finishing his statement with a nod and a smile, Casey popped the egg into his mouth and gave the most skeptical expression he could muster.
[color=577d06]”Oh its fucking spicy ramyun… Oooooooough!”[/color] Casey squirmed in an unpleasant fashion.

Trisha started giggling at his reaction, eyes scrunching up playfully. It was just entertainingly over the top, and he didn't seem to be in actual pain or anything. But even as she giggled away she leaned into him and comfortingly patted his arm.

[color=d1b300]“You don't like it? I think it's pretty nice… Reminds me of university. Cass'd love it. I don't think I can have too many before I'd get sick of it, though."[/color] Leaning forward, she picked up another one and started to nibble at it. She probably wouldn't have any more than this one anyway, because she wanted to be able to eat their actual meal. 

She paused for a moment, looking up at him with cutely creased eyes. 
[color=d1b300]“And I think I [I]could[/I] pull off a turtle shell if I tried hard enough. It'd be a bit of a crazy look, but I'd find a way."[/color] She joked. 

It was nice to hear that he thought she looked good no matter what she was wearing. While she had quickly grown comfortable enough to dress down around him- taking off her makeup and wearing sweats- hearing that he really did find her attractive no matter what brought her comfort. She could probably stop making the effort around him and he wouldn't care. Her looks were the one thing she'd always been confident in and known how to enhance, so she'd always be scared to peel away the extra protective layers she'd had over them. It had been easier with Casey, but there was still a bit of it there. A part of her that still felt the need to dress up out of fear, rather than to look good for herself and for him. 

Though she was mostly there. Putting in the effort because she wanted to, not because she had to.

Jasmine had, from behind them, started cracking up at Casey’s reaction. Unlike Andrade who may’ve launched into a long explanation of how he managed to get the flavor into the filling, she just kept her head down and got to work on the next masterpiece. Casey wasn’t so used to that kind of attitude, but it was nice that she wasn’t stuffing herself into the middle of them over a ganache.

[color=577d06]”We’ll both get turtle shells; it’ll be like that kung fu anime everyone likes.”[/color]
He also went in for another egg, finding that the flavor was at least intense enough that he had a craving for another after finishing the first.

[color=577d06]”God, I hate these…-”[/color] he joked, shoveling it into his mouth.
[color=577d06]”-What an evil fucking snack.”[/color]

Sitting back, relaxing further, Casey found he didn’t have a whole lot to say in excitement. He was content to sit there with her, looking down to see that feline expression of satisfaction splitting across her face. He loved that look. Smug happiness, that her situation was actually worth smiling about… That made things worth it in a visceral way. Every garbage circumstance they had to fight through was alleviated in that calm, affectionate quiet.

He started to hum a song. One of Leon’s. It was a melodic kind of song, that had plenty of sweeping chords, but within the chorus lay a specific lyric that he was clinging to in the moment.
[i]Looking back on ancient feelings: Who beside me remains kneeling? The world’s collapsing all around us, so grab ahold of me.[/i]

[color=577d06]”We’re gonna make sure our kids know they can do anything they put their minds to. But… What do you hope for? Once those days come, I mean…”[/color] he asked faintly, almost like he wasn’t sure of the question himself.

Trisha furrowed her brow slightly as she thought about it in the warm comfort of them. She’d put down her drink for now so she could fully cuddle into him, head resting against his chest comfortably. His question threw her off slightly, but not enough to dislodge the comfort. She just had to think about it. 

What did she hope for, for their future children? 

[color=d1b300]“I hope they find something that makes them happy. Something fulfilling.”[/color] She responded softly, tilting her head up to look up at him with a gentle smile. 

[color=d1b300]“I’d support them no matter what, but it would be difficult if they didn’t want to do [i]anything[/i]. That just seems so… Depressing. Even if they wanted to stay at home and help out with whatever you’re doing, or with my honey- just doing something they want to. I hope they’re smart too, but I don’t… Want to hope for something specific, like going to university or some career path. That’s what my mum did with me, and we know how that turned out.”[/color]

Casey nodded, understanding her trauma about it. It was like how he first felt toward sex. The fear of not knowing if he’d end up like the promiscuous people who raised him…

[color=577d06]”I’d feel remiss if I didn’t… Kind of talk about positive realignment? Like you taught me; we’re not our folks. Not everything they did is what we’ll do, so… [i]I think you can daydream.[/i] Like, it’s not crazy for me to hope that one of them gets into space and wants to become an astronaut, is it? So long as I’m not shoehorning them toward that possibility, it’s fine!”[/color] he explained, hoping to help her recontextualize.

Trisha pursed her lips, silently processing what he said. She supposed he was right… It was the actions that had caused her harm, rather than Maria’s hopes for her. They hadn’t even just been [i]hopes[/i]. They’d been requirements. As soon as Trisha stopped meeting them, she stopped caring about her. 

She wouldn’t do that to her own children. She wouldn’t let herself, no matter how difficult they may end up being. Especially not over something like a hope of what they’d become. 

Her expression eased again, and she nodded to him.
[color=d1b300]“You’re right… It’s fine as long as I don’t force them into anything, or act differently if they don’t end up interested in it.”[/color]

She let out a soft sigh, cuddling into him more before continuing. 
[color=d1b300]“I’d like it if one of them was into computers too. Then I could teach them as they grew up, and it’d give us something to bond over. But I also… Kind of hope one of them wants to become an engineer. Not because it’s what my Mom [i]really[/i] wanted me to do, but it just seems cool. Like an astronaut is cool. Well, maybe less cool than an astronaut.”[/color] She giggled gently. 
[color=d1b300]“Though selfishly I don’t want them to get a job that has crazy hours or takes them out of the country for long periods… Because then we’d see them less.”[/color]

Casey nodded calmly, not so much in agreement as acceptance. He had no intention of ever pushing his kids toward what he wanted out of them, but the premise itself gave rise to a lot of questions. How does one know what their kid’s forever interest would be? How does one healthily encourage exploration without cutting the child off from their closer comfort interests? Is there a world where all of that is balanced in line with what the two of them generally want for their kids as a matter of course? It was a lot to speculate. Worth bringing up now, especially when he [i]remembered[/i] asking Lynette what they both wanted out of him.

[color=577d06]”It’s never really come up, but Lynette said she always imagined me being a charity worker or something. She said I loved helping out at the food banks and stuff when I was a kid, but we both knew that was a lie. [i]That[/i] is the kind of thing I’d like to avoid most for our kids; the idea that they’ll never get a straight answer, or if they do, they’ll always be questioning the validity… That they can ask us a question, and know we’re telling them the truth. I don’t even think I want them to grow up believing in Santa.”[/color] he firmly finished the thought with an incredibly odd statement that Trisha probably would have to dig a little bit to fully connect.

Trisha tilted her head, looking up at him with a bit of confusion. She wasn’t really attached to something like Santa- his existence growing up entirely hinged on the older children pretending he was real, and Tansy would never let anyone else take credit for her ‘generosity’. James himself was always home for Christmas, but he wasn’t exactly hand picking out gifts that were specifically from him, never mind bothering to pretend Santa was real. 

[color=d1b300]“But there’s a difference between playing make believe and lying, isn’t there?”[/color] She asked, trying to at least understand. 
[color=d1b300]“Pretending with our young children that someone like Santa is real is different from lying to their face when they ask. I don’t want to lie to our children either, but I don’t think something like that’s the same? Plenty of children grow up believing in Santa and trust their parents.”[/color]

Maybe she was focusing a bit too much on the Santa thing, but it felt out of place compared to the simple ask a question and get an honest answer part. 

[color=577d06]”Well, it’s just like… Silly! Y’know, the spirit of Christmas and all that. There’s no spirit of Haunukkah, is there? Do we ever hear about the spirit of Ramadan? So, suddenly, Kris Kringle gets his own rent-free spot in our kids’ lives because we’re not capable of providing joy and good tidings without the fuckin’ Krampus’ naughty and nice list making sure our kids stay tame through the year?”[/color]

At least Casey was laughing. It was a lot easier to tell that he wasn’t angry or anything because his expression was wide, and his laugh was breathy. It was only when he started to giggle really tightly, almost fakely, that one could tell he was no longer having fun. It was a whimsical topic, and he knew he’d probably lose out on what little argument there was to make [i]for[/i] his stance… Social pressure was a bitch, after all, and he knew for a fact that Leon didn’t feel nearly the same as him. They’d [i]screamed[/i] at one another drunkenly over this topic last Christmas.

[color=577d06]”And then we’ve gotta reinforce it for their snotty school friends… Which means we kind of are lying in a wild, societal fashion that ensures that not only are the older kids socially expected to keep a lid on it, but a tradition that has [i]adults[/i] just as ballgripped. It displays the capacity for societal conspiracy… [i]Incredibly[/i] slimy behavior.”[/color]

“[i]Holy[/i]! Divorce, divorce, divorce! Santa hater!” Jasmine called from her spot, shaking her head and laughing as she listened for Trisha’s response.

[color=d1b300]“I’m not going to- Over Santa.”[/color] Trisha laughed lightly, not even saying the word [i]just in case[/i] the rings overheard and misunderstood her tone. Though they weren’t even married yet, so there couldn’t technically be a divorce… Semantics. And almost everyone here seemed to be under the impression they were already married anyway. 

[color=d1b300]“I thought we were going to homeschool them? So the only ‘school friends’ we’d be worrying about are Cass and Leon’s- and you’re not winning that fight. You don’t want ours to be the ones trying to rain on their parade by saying he isn’t real anyway. Not when they’re also young.”[/color] She shook her head with a smile. She had a fairly distinctive memory for getting into trouble for that in school… She must’ve been around seven or eight at the time. 

[color=d1b300]“I think it’s whimsical rather than slimy…  It’s not like we’d use him as a threat. It’s just a fun excuse to give them more presents, and play a little make believe with them. Maybe that’s just wishful thinking about something I never got to experience. But I do think you’re thinking [i]way too much[/i] about it. Like pretending to believe in Santa leads to conspiracy theorists.”[/color] She reached up to squeeze his cheek with a teasing smile.

Casey sat for a moment as he did his best to figure out what the deal was. Trisha was right about Leon’s kids: He’d accepted that as fact and knew there wasn’t much he’d be able to do about it. But, it wasn’t like Trisha was doing the usual Santa lover spiel about how important the memories were…

[color=577d06]”I guess Vanburen Christmases didn’t have a lot of Santa… You’re not defending the practice like someone who is part of the conspiracy. You’re advocating for it… Like you wish it’d been there for you. So, I’ll have to get over my anti-Santa bias…”[/color]

He curled her a little closer, kissing the top of her head gently. He wanted deeply to give her everything she’d never had before… Love, family, community… Even the magic of Christmas.

[color=577d06]”And I’d love to homeschool them… But I also worry about being capable of doing it right.”[/color] he added.

[color=d1b300]“Well, we have time to figure that out."[/color] Trisha replied softly. For that and the Santa thing. 

Like he said, she wasn't part of the so called Santa conspiracy (which was a ridiculous thing to call it, honestly). She didn't have strong feelings towards it in that not growing up believing had been one of the more major childhood traumas. But there were parts she didn't want for her children. Still half believing and thinking she was just a bad kid, realising it was really that her dad didn't love them enough… Getting in trouble for resentfully trying to ruin it for other kids too. It was just a small part of the neglectful parenting, but it was one she knew they could easily avoid for their kids. 

[color=d1b300]“It’s not like we're going to have them within the year. We have time to research homeschooling and local schools… Though we're moving somewhere that forces them into a long commute no matter what- Oh, or not so long with magic, I guess."[/color] She giggled softly. 
[color=d1b300]“We’ll decide what's best for them. I don't even know how homeschooling works properly, honestly, so I'll have to do a lot of research to have a proper opinion. And I feel like it'll depend on who we have around us too."[/color]

And who was willing to teach. She was curious what Cass would want to do with her future children, assuming she had them- and had them with Leon so they were around. She knew she'd had plenty of problems with normal schools because of how she learnt, and she was smart enough to teach a lot of subjects. 

[color=d1b300]“But you're right, I do wish Santa had been there. Maybe he was for the older kids when they were too young to know differently, but most of them were happy to tell us he wasn't real… Which, honestly, was better than thinking he [I]was[/I] and we were just all so bad he didn't get us presents."[/color] She said lightly, shrugging. 
[color=d1b300]“In the grand scheme of things, there was a lot worse… But I know how I felt not experiencing it. I want to shower our kids with that love."[/color]

Casey hadn’t even considered the idea of her not minding… She did mind, but the fact that there was an even worse outcome out there where she still believed, and was let down every single year then-on… It did contribute to his idea of ol’ James being from a different plane of existence, however… One where they just didn’t have Santa Claus. After all, what rich asshole didn’t have a servant that made sure Christmas wound up with a fucking present from Santa? 

Unless he [i]also[/i] had some reason to push against the Christmas conspiracy…

Shaking the thought off, he had to agree.
[color=577d06]”Love’s best. And obviously, if the intention for love’s there, then it is what it is… But, I just remember turning to Leon and being like… [i]You know!?[/i] And I remember the feeling of my heart sinking. Because rather than say yes, he acted like he didn’t know too! It sucked. Because then I didn’t know what to believe. It’s dumb… So, obviously they’ll get Christmas like everyone else.”[/color] 

Jasmine was making her way back to them with a couple small trays. A bowl was set on each, with rolling hills of green leaves dotted among red rings that sat in consecutive circles within one another throughout the dish.

“This is my take on Ratattoile. It’s done as a cold salad with a savory vinaigrette. No funny business this time.”

As she placed them down, she picked the eggs up.

“And I’ll package everything real well, so you can go back for more whenever you feel like it in case you don’t finish.”

Trisha managed to tear her gaze away from Casey to look at Jasmine with a smile. 
[color=d1b300]“Thank you, I appreciate that. Casey will probably finish anything I don’t, but it’s nice to know it won’t be wasted if not.”[/color] She nudged Casey with a teasing smile. 
[color=d1b300]“It looks really nice.”[/color]

Then she turned back to Casey, drifting back to the previous conversation for just a final addition. Or at least, it felt like a final addition, even if it was delivered somewhat jokingly. 
[color=d1b300]“And we’ll just need to make sure none of our kids turn out like Leon. No proper older sibling bullying or pretending they don’t know something they do.”[/color]

Nodding and smiling, Casey tucked into his salad confident that they [i]would[/i] figure everything out eventually. Until then, it was just about being together for one another like they needed to be… Strength between them was paramount.

[hr]
A long, warm, gentle evening was spent with the two of them slowly plodding through a curated course meal, with Casey never even winding up heading out to ride the snowmobile around the lake like he mentioned he may. They were treated to some genuine peace after Jasmine was done cooking, and the daylight faded over the horizon of the trees to fade beneath the mountain in a slow dive toward the West Coast. 

They talked about things they always talked about, hardly registering the time passing in one another’s tender, loving embrace. Though, Casey did manage to show off in a way that he consistently did: His willingness and ability to help others, even if it wasn’t something either of them planned on having to wait for. But, just to make sure that things went smoothly, he capped their night by showing Trisha what a real Orange Lux enchantment looked like on a larger scale.

After an extra hour of setting things up around the tent, Casey had successfully bound the entirety of the internal structure into some kind of umbrella pattern. In theory, it could fold the entire tent in a single motion before unreally locking and cinching it into itself section by section. 
When Jasmine returned with intent to put everything up, Casey showed her how the function worked, which thrilled her [i]and[/i] ol’ Mr. Cabbot since everything was now so compact and easily manageable. Weight reduction had been easy, and everything else was so simple that he actually [i]put it back up[/i] for her before taking it back down just to show it off. 

With their good deed having been handled for the night, the couple were able to make haste back to their resort cabin as the snow was beginning to fall around them. They were warned that it was coming in from the North-West, meaning they’d be riding directly into it the further they got. Thankfully, it wasn’t a problem for someone who could ignore things like that by censoring  falling snow out of his vision. And so Trisha wouldn’t be so terrified thinking they were driving back in pitch darkness like Casey could, he enchanted the entire machine sans the seats to glow, with the lightbulbs being enhanced to something like floodlights. 

Though, they mostly bounced back and illuminated them further as the snow got heavier and heavier. There was a patch nearing the entrance to the resort trail where the path was entirely buried by snow, and it probably looked a little miraculous that Casey was managing to fjord them through such a mounding pile of snow. But, he’d marked out everything on the trail earlier in a very passive way, and knew dead on where the trail was packed down beneath them. This significantly reduced the amount of loose snow they had to blast through, and safely led them back onto the magically curated snow highway that the resort tended to day and night. 

Coming up from there, they even passed a pack of the automated plow machines that did the work. Their tank tread bodies locked together in a long line with snow blowing augurs that dug and ripped at the snow, melting and packing everything they ran over before blasting cold, below freezing air from their backs to freeze the pack over. Conveniently, they were built for the trail specifically, as they were perfectly shaped for another treaded vehicle to drive right over the line without trouble. Which, of course Casey did with speed, and sent them for their final surprise of that evening as they cleared a good fifteen feet over the snow before speeding along.

Not long after, they were back at the cabin’s external building. Casey was opening the door inside the garage section, and Trisha got to gently throttle it back inside into position which was pretty much all Casey could coax her into doing. With it off, and them feet from the house, Casey closed the garage door tight and locked it up before smiling at Trisha.


[color=577d06]”Well, we may not be in high school, but I got you back before midnight.”[/color] he grinned, looking down at his watch to catch it at eleven fifty-eight.

Trisha laughed at that, grinning back up at him. 
[color=d1b300]“Oh good, I dunno how the bees would react if I was back late.”[/color]

She began to hurriedly shuffle her way towards the back door- an almost entertaining movement where she was reluctant to pull her feet up off the ground much in case she fell, but wanted to be as fast as possible. The snow was falling heavily now, already settled thick on the path between the garage and the cabin. 

[color=d1b300]“I definitely wasn’t home by midnight during high school, so we’re being much better behaved than I was then.”[/color] She continued to joke, fumbling to open the back door and let out a burst of pheromones at the same time to let the bees guarding it know that it was her. Not that they’d get far when it came to attacking, but it was better to be safe.

Casey snagged one of the liquor bottles from the bar before making his way after Trisha. After all, he was feeling fine. Why not have a drink or two? Drinking done in sadness was the problem, but he figured a moderated beverage may make whatever else they had planned a bit more silly. Not that they’d talked about plans besides getting out of their heavier clothes, wet as they managed to get in the snow. They even stopped half-way to let Casey enchant their outer coats so they were more waterproof.

 [color=577d06]”Well, we’ve simply come to understand the value of responsibility as adults…”[/color] he said, as if he wasn’t in bed by ten every night from the time he was twelve until he wound up in the military and found out [i]just how long[/i] a human being could survive without passing out from exhaustion.

Stepping in behind her, he too let his pheromones leak out to where he knew Trisha had posted the clusters. Assuming they were still there, he was all smiles up and down, even in bee-nese. 

 [color=577d06]”Oh, it smells kinda ripe in here. That’s what we get for leaving that much fruit out all day.”[/color] he laughed, happy there at least weren’t any fruit flies.

[color=577d06]”Actually, that’s a good question… Do the bees keep fruit flies away?”[/color]

Trisha shook her head, wrinkling her nose a little. At least it had only been a day, and the bees had eaten enough of it. After making sure the bees recognised them both, she let them relax from the posts they’d mostly all kept to. A few of the bombers had strayed, but they’d otherwise be good. 

She’d probably set them up again before they went to sleep, but for now it should be fine. 

[color=d1b300]“Only if they eat all of the fruit, I imagine. Bees aren’t exactly predators, so fruit flies don’t have anything to fear from them.”[/color] She said, even though she hadn’t left fruit out for long periods to test that. She pulled off her boots and thick coat, grimacing a little now that she could feel her sodden pants clinging to her legs. Casey’s enchantment had helped, but by the time it had been cast they’d already suffered enough snow. And corduroy wasn’t exactly waterproof on its own. 

[color=d1b300]“They’d probably eat it all before we got any fruit flies- I wouldn’t want to test it during summer, though!”[/color] She smiled brightly at him, shuffling a bit more into the cabin before deciding she really didn’t need to suffer like this all the way upstairs. With some difficulty with how they were clinging to her legs now, she pulled off her pants and dumped them to the side before making her way towards the stairs. 

[color=d1b300]“You need a change of clothes too, or are you going to magic the water out of yours?”[/color]

Casey was shamelessly naked before he even got close to the stairs, waddling bare-assed into the bathroom and kicking on the shower at full blast with his cold wet clothing still in his hands.

[color=577d06]”Nah, Baby, I’m doin’ neither. I put the tequila in the freezer, and I’m gonna jump in this hot fuckin’ shower. You’re cordially invited, and as your physician, I actually recommend it. Medically.”[/color] he said, looking up at her with a dead serious expression before a smile cracked across his lips.

[color=d1b300]“When you put it like that, how can I resist?”[/color] Trisha laughed, sticking her tongue out at him and turning to follow him into the bathroom. 
[color=d1b300]“But since when were you my physician?”[/color]

A hot shower had crossed her mind as something incredibly appealing before being discarded because she didn’t want that time away from Casey right now. She was far too used to their small bathroom at home, where trying to fit one Casey in the shower could be enough of a struggle never mind her getting in with him. But this one was massive! So she really could get the best of both worlds- hot water and him, followed by wrapping up in one of the overly plush towels they’d been provided with. 

[color=d1b300]“Isn’t it better to slowly get warmer rather than jumping right into something hot? So shouldn’t we have a lukewarm shower first?”[/color] She joked, beginning to pull off the rest of her clothes. At least the underlayers had been somewhat protected, but everything above that was gross and wet. With it discarded, she was already drifting towards the quickly heating up stream of water. 

[color=577d06]”Hey now, with both of us in the shower, it’s already piping hot. No sense going slow with it.”[/color] he laughed, sliding the glass door open and letting her step in before entering after her and [i]immediately[/i] swapping the hot water to cold while he stood in front of the door to get out.

[color=577d06]”Oh, no, I’m such a clutz!”[/color] he giggled furiously. 

[color=d1b300]“[i]Casey![/i]”[/color] Trisha let out a high pitched squeal as the lovely hot water suddenly turned cold. She couldn’t get out past him, she couldn’t reach the controls past him either, so her only option was to press herself against the wall as small as possible to avoid what spray she could. 

Not without getting her revenge where she could, of course, sacrificing her hands to splash cold water into his face.

[color=d1b300]“Turn it back.”[/color] She whined, pouting at him.

He did without much begging. He wasn’t exactly fond of cold water either, but the moment was too good to miss. As the water got very hot again, he opened his arms wide and stepped forward before wrapping around her.

[color=577d06]”I love you so much… You’re such a good prankee. You never hit, or do anything super crazy… Just pout! It’s so fucking cute!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“[i]Shuuusshh[/i], it’s not that cute. I could be scary.”[/color] Trisha jokingly protested, still playfully pouting at him. She let out a long sigh as the hot water really started to cut through the cold, practically going boneless against him. It was so nice. 

[color=d1b300]“I’d never lash out over a prank… Not unless you managed to trigger a panic attack, and then it wouldn’t be on purpose. I know you wouldn’t do that anyway.”[/color] She continued honestly. It was lucky, probably, that she hadn’t been traumatised by some awful prank as a child with the amount of siblings she had. There’d been pranking, of course, but not to the level of siblings that were actually [i]close[/i]. 

[color=d1b300]“I’ll get you back one day, though. Outprank the prankmaster, or something like that.”[/color] 

[color=577d06]”Some days, I feel like you’re pranking me when I know you’re not.”[/color] he replied, playfully spinning them both around under the torrential water. 
[color=577d06]”Like when you stepped onto the couch at home and you tripped because your foot slid into the gap between the big cushion and the side one…”[/color] he giggled, tilting his head back and letting the water spray across his face. It cascaded through his hair, the deep recesses warming while the outer layers cooled almost instantly and left him feeling half-in.

[color=577d06]”Maybe we should’ve kicked the hot tub on, but this is better. I get to squeeze your cheeks.”[/color] he grinned before lifting both hands up to grab her facial cheeks and gently squeeze them like he was honking two clown noses.

[color=d1b300]“You’re gonna make them saggy.”[/color] Trisha playfully protested, words coming out a bit funny sounding as she had to move her mouth around the squeezing. She didn’t mind- she liked messing around with Casey, even though it was normally just her following along with his goofiness. 

[color=d1b300]“Then you’ll have to look at me and my saggy cheeks everyday knowing it’s your fault!”[/color] She couldn’t keep a straight face even if she wanted to with the clown honking cheek squeezing, but she did break down into giggles about half way through her sentence. The water was slowly soaking into her thick hair, making it cling to her face, with some annoyingly over her eyes after being spun. 

She reached up to push it all back as best she could, hand continuing up to poke at his chin. 
[color=d1b300]“You’ll never have to worry about that with your killer jawline.”[/color]

Casey could only laugh in turn, wrapping his arms around her and squeezing again before getting on with washing the sweat and outside moisture off the both of them. Twenty minutes later, they were both out and drying off. The cabin was nice and warm thankfully, with the fireplace having come on once they arrived outside as an automatic response to people arriving. It was [i]awesome[/i], and just another piece of domestic magic Casey wanted to try and replicate back home. Stepping outside for a moment, Casey moved to grab his backpack and bring it in, given that it had all their leftovers from Jasmine’s meal.

Fridging it all, still wrapped in a towel, Casey hunted for one of the chocolate bars he’d gotten on the drive out here. He promptly cracked it open and started in upon the melty goodness before offering it over to Trisha.

[color=577d06]”You probably aren’t hungry, but maybe you want a treat? Also, after everything’s said and done, what’s the verdict on being out in something like that tent we were in? Y’think you can live in something like that for a couple weeks? A couple months maybe? I promise it’ll have internet…”[/color] he giggled.

[color=d1b300]“A couple of [i]months[/i]? Soon you’ll say you want to live in one.”[/color] Trisha stuck out her tongue at him, before taking just a little bit of the chocolate bar. 

Unlike him, she’d pretty quickly dried off her body to pull on a large sweater that had once been his but was now definitely hers along with some sweatpants. She loved how soft the towels were, but moving about with one wrapped around her was just a pain. But she had bundled up her hair in a smaller one, like a towel shawl, so she didn’t have to think about drying it yet. Otherwise it would be dripping everywhere. 

[color=d1b300]“It was nice. I’m sure I could stay a couple of weeks in a tent like that- with internet and a shower. It doesn’t even need the internet if you let me bring along enough books. It could be nice to properly disconnect for a week or so… No longer, though. Definitely not months without that. But it was basically like a studio apartment.”[/color]

Casey nodded.
[color=577d06]”I’m just not sure if I want to keep old man Cabbot’s house and live in that while we work the property or not. The pictures I saw made it seem… [i]Rustic, but poorly maintained.[/i] In a battle of clean versus convenient, I’d probably choose the former.”[/color] he admitted.

It would probably be [i]much[/i] better. He had to build the outer structure first, but rather than do that, he figured he’d order it ahead of time. Someone upstate from St. Portwell that he knew would be more than capable of laying down a foundationless frame that Casey could miniaturize and set up inside a tent like a ship in a bottle.
But, that gave him an idea too. Maximizing smaller components never really went well, since it always felt like you were in a jumbo world when it was blown up to normal size… But what if he just miniaturized a mass quantity of materials and [i]built[/i] the structure like a little desk model?

It’d theoretically be thirty times as much effort, seeing as how each individual board and pipe had to be enchanted. Any component had to be before installation, and as they all had to be done individually, it was a lot of magic to go through. 
[i]But couldn’t he just do that with a house of their own?[/i]

[color=577d06]”Well… Maybe not. I just kinda had this crazy brain blast; maybe this whole house thing ain’t gonna be so bad. I’m not really sure how I’m gonna pull it off, but we’ll see. We may end up in the fucking construction business, Babe, I’m not even gonna lie to you.”[/color] he grinned widely, entirely impressed with himself over his own conceptuality.

Trisha had no idea what he was actually thinking, but she could only assume it was some crazy magic for building a house. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to ask, because she probably wouldn’t understand half of it… But if he was that enthusiastic, she’d enjoy him getting excited more than she’d be annoyed she didn’t quite get it. 

[color=d1b300]“Oh? Then we can call our future conglomerate [i]’Bees and Buildings’[/i], or something.”[/color] She smiled back. 
[color=d1b300]“What kind of crazy idea did you have that makes you think we should go into construction?”[/color]

[color=577d06]”If I can automate a high tier artifact to consistently miniaturize housing materials, we’d be able to assemble them like matchstick houses and deliver them for pennies. Get a staging area where we make it look like we’re producing high volume structures, but we’re basically a dollhouse factory using quality grade construction materials. Then we buy up an area for development, and we magically slap down three dozen houses overnight. Sell ‘em for cheap, fuck it. Give some to charities…”[/color]

He was even thinking of self-setting foundational systems, where the concrete would potentially bust open and fill in a pre-fabricated mold to create a sturdy, long lasting foundation instantly alongside the house being placed down. It was more work to set up and maintain as a company that could service Blinds than it was actually getting the infrastructure set up.

[color=577d06]”And I really liked building shit. I still like building shit, but small stuff. Like my guns, or working on the sled… Small bits and bobs are really my thing.”[/color] he continued to explain, hoping she’d see something of his vision.

Trisha nodded slowly, though she wasn’t sure how on earth tiny matchstick houses could become good quality houses. Did the size expansion retain the material quality? But it wouldn’t be the same, would it? It made her head spin a little bit thinking about it. 

[color=d1b300]“I know you like building stuff… I can tell because you get so into something like the sled, and you get excited talking about what we’re going to do on our property.”[/color] She said with a smile. She was sure in the future when they had more time, Casey and Cass would undoubtedly sit down with each other for days and create some crazy things together. 

[color=d1b300]“If you’re taking tiny matchstick houses and making them bigger… Will it be stable? How do you deal with the wiring, do you do mini wires in the mini houses?”[/color] She asked curiously, trying to figure out how it all worked and getting stuck on a few things. Not that she [i]needed[/i] to know, but she couldn’t help but think about the little details.

Casey shook his head, giggling happily as he made way for the stairs to find some clothing finally. As much as Trisha probably liked looking, he was fond of pants. [i]Just pants for tonight.[/i] He figured spending as much time shirtless as he could would be like a private gift, as self-aggrandizing as that sounded.

[color=577d06]”Oh, no… You misunderstand. What I meant about the artifact? The idea would be it would take [i]real true-size[/i] supplies. Real lumber, real timber, I mean, we’d probably create all the fixtures and line ‘em up true to size, but then for assembly, we’d be able to shrink it all down to a point where we can basically assemble the houses by hand. Again, they’d all be [i]real[/i] materials, just… Shrunk down by what would essentially be a magical machine. We call ‘em Miracles, when they do something automatically without input.”[/color] he explained, having had to give his perspective on the difference between said contraptions and standard artifacts multiple times.

As he spoke, his voice got louder and louder to ensure Trisha could hear him down the stairs, not sure of whether or not she bothered following him up.

Trisha did end up instinctively trailing after him, like a little duckling. They were in the middle of a conversation, after all, so she wasn’t really inclined to go get comfy on the couch alone. 

[color=d1b300]“[i]Ohhhh[/i], I see. I figured you’d be building little houses out of little materials then blowing it all up to proper house size. It makes more sense that its proper supplies shrunk to put it together… Would it really save that much time? Since you’ll have to do so much work when it’s at full size. I guess it means you can build it wherever you want and move it to where you want to put it down.”[/color] She rubbed the back of her neck. Even though she was learning more the longer she was with Casey, it was still the kind of magic she struggled to understand. It was so different from her own, and she couldn’t easily translate it to mundane concepts. 

[color=d1b300]“That does sound handy. Would there also be a Miracle to unshrink the house when it’s put together, or would that need to be done manually?”[/color]


[color=577d06]”Uhhh… That could take some refinement. Chances are it’d be a fairly violent reaction. Which, theoretically, could be utilized to do a whole bunch of useful stuff? But, the idea would be that there’d be a curse or something else built into the structure that would release the spell itself and grow everything back up to size. But it’s all… [i]Theoretical.[/i] My little buddy isn’t around to blast ideas at anymore, so I’ve kinda gotta do it by trial and error unless I get real good at Super-Hypothetical physics. It’s like physics, but breakable…”[/color]

And Gin’s specialty. Her ability to know what magic was going to do intrinsically was what made her an incredible physicist. Basic principles were out the window for a mind like hers, and it made her hungry for alternatives. She could easily observe the patterns of Lux, and seemed to have a preternatural sense of what kinds of things would force Lux to build up, rather than flowing and distributing normally. And never mind actually putting those consequences to good use… 

[color=577d06]”I’ve got her voice in my head telling me I should figure out how to pre-install the foundations for them too, so all the company has to do after transporting is activate them in the holes…”[/color] he laughed, pulling his underwear up before moving for a pair of socks.

[color=577d06]”Y’know… You do make me feel special. Listening to me talk about shit like this, I mean. Because you ask about it after… Uhh… I guess I can usually tell when people don’t really care. It bothers me.”[/color] he explained, not entirely implying that there was a person in mind for his ire. 

Trisha nodded in understanding. While she’d gotten good at pretending to be who she thought past friends and partners wanted, which meant never straying into talking about stuff they wouldn’t like, she’d experienced the lack of interest too. Mostly from family, but sometimes when she’d made the mistake of opening up and talking about some book or her bees. 

[color=d1b300]“It’s interesting and I don’t really understand it, so I ask so I can understand more.”[/color] She responded simply. 
[color=d1b300]“I’d still enjoy listening even if I didn’t find it so interesting anyway, because you get so enthusiastic about it. That’s pretty infectious… So I’ll always care, because it’s something you want to talk about, which means it’s something I want to listen to.”[/color]

Most of the time, at least, unless she was in a particularly poor mood. But then listening to anything was difficult… And that wasn’t what he meant here anyway. It was people who didn’t try to care, right? They just listened because they felt they had to, rather than being honest or trying to engage. Not that she could ever tell someone she found what they were saying boring. 

[color=d1b300]“You [i]are[/i] special to me, because I love you, and you talk about things in a way that makes them seem so interesting even if I barely get what you’re trying to say.”[/color] She laughed slightly, smiling at him. She couldn’t understand like Gin had… While she was pretty good at Maths, and thus that part of Physics wasn’t too bad, she always struggled with the rest of it. 

[color=d1b300]“You [i]are[/i] lucky that I like learning so much, and I didn’t lose that completely over years of studying.”[/color]

Casey nodded as he did so often: With a smile filling his face. He was, in fact, very lucky. Because what he’d really wanted all his life was someone who listened. And not [i]just[/i] listened, but really gave a shit. Lynette always listened… It was her best quality. She [i]knew[/i] when you wanted or needed something. Affection, a pat on the back, some encouragement…

[i]But she knew how to manipulate it too.[/i] To withhold, or only string along with the least amount of thread… If she needed you buttered up, she was happy to dangle the meat closer to your mouth. It was all about figuring out how to best get what she wanted. So, she listened to [i]everything.[/i] But they all learned to only tell her what they didn’t fear losing.

With Trisha, it was genuine adult interest… And an interest for the relatively unknown, which was always exciting. Foreign frontiers. The Age of Exploration had ended with a whimper in the back yard of the Industrial Revolution… Any joy one could possibly squeeze out of learning something new on the planet was a feeling Casey wanted to protect. He was nostalgic over learning himself, after all…

[color=577d06]”We’re both lucky as shit. I’m just thrilled that it gets to be us. Even with all the awful things that we’ve been dealing with, I can’t imagine where I’d be right now if I wasn’t doing this with you.”[/color] he said, finally sliding his sweatpants on before stepping closer and leaning down to plant a deep, loving kiss on Trisha’s lips.

Trisha happily leaned into her, arms wrapping around him. She smiled warmly at him as they parted, her eyes creased contentedly. They really were lucky. She could imagine where she’d be… Even if she wouldn’t be dealing with all the shit surrounding them, she’d be stuck and alone with no hope for the future. But she’d found her person, and would hopefully never go back to that. 

[color=d1b300]“I can imagine… And it only makes dealing with all of those things so I can be with you worth it.”[/color] She said softly, leaning up to rub her nose against his. 

Then, she let out a quiet giggle.
[color=d1b300]“You know… I’m getting pretty used to being called Mrs Richoux. Maybe we should just elope.”[/color] 

It was mostly a joke, of course. The security marriage brought was dampened by her experience of constant divorce, and there was still the lingering fear that Casey would try to leave her that made her want to wait that year like they said. As if it would make it any easier if things did fall apart… But she was happy to be engaged, and it had only been a month. But she did like it when she was referred to as his wife, even if it wasn’t quite true yet.

Casey looked down at her with the warmest, most gooey eyes he could possibly muster.
[color=577d06]”Oh, Honey Bee… Don’t make me wait! Marry me, please! I beg you!”[/color]

He was giggling, but if she came to him tomorrow and said it again, he’d not think twice. He was already used to calling her that; there was practically no lag time. He [i]loved[/i] it. And he’d love her too… Forever and ever.