[Right][Code]December 22nd[/code][/right] 
It had been a long night- but for two people on twenty-four hour schedules, every night was a long one. This time Cass and Leon had chosen to stay up the whole night without even a nap, as it would be [I]five whole days[/I] until they saw each other again. While there'd been a midnight interruption for Leon to visit Lynette along with his siblings, they'd mostly spent the night enjoying each other. 

Which had led to a chaotic early morning when Cass realised she'd forgotten to pack. She'd meant to do it the day before, but got caught up in cooking for the Christmas party and enjoying herself! Thankfully it wasn't a difficult task for her - she just had to throw enough clothes into her suitcase along with her brothers’ presents, all the important stuff like her laptop and passport shoved in a backpack. 

So she was ready for exactly when they had to leave. Sure, it was only cause Leon had stopped her from getting distracted a few times, but it was all good! 

She didn’t feel bad about it since she’d agreed to Leon taking her, rather than driving herself and leaving her car in an extortionate car park. It hadn’t been a disagreement or anything, just something she’d had to think about. She didn’t really like being reliant on someone like that, since it meant when she got back she either needed him to pick her up or she’d have to get a cab. Which was [i]probably[/i] cheaper than the car park, but it’d be so close to Christmas it’d be a pain. 

But in the end she agreed, because it meant more time with Leon. A whole car ride before he saw her off at the airport. The kinda shit you saw in dramatic movies- except she’d be back, and wasn’t quite sickeningly in love with him. She [i]would[/i] miss him though. 

[color=629c3f]”Fuck, Babe, I ain’t looking forward to this flight. It’s almost five hours to Atlanta, then it’s eight to Manchester! I’m going to be bored out of my mind!”[/color] Cass groaned, when Leon was barely pulling out of the parking lot of Cannery. Just sitting still made her think about it!
[color=629c3f]”Maybe I can just make myself sleep for the second one? Like, Green lux zap myself to sleep… D’you think that’d work? Opposite of what I normally do.”[/color]

Leon had used every bit of his Apparitional partner’s confidence and strength to come back home last night like nothing had happened. But, it was on his mind now. Front and center, even… He felt every little bit of scorn and pain still, and he knew that things were going to get [i]bad[/i]. Even just leaving the Temple had been dangerous, and had they not had the portal system back to the Cannery, there may’ve been more dead than necessary.

Now, he was dealing with the fact that Cass was about to [i]leave.[/i] Hopefully to safety, and hopefully somewhere that she was happy enough staying in. Because he couldn’t possibly imagine a world where things weren’t going to devolve into utter chaos here in St. Portwell. How close did Death have to be when it kissed her for her to get the picture? He didn’t know. It made him nervous that Cass was so easily reckless as she was. It made him feel like she’d get hurt overestimating herself, or doing something insane to save someone else’s skin who probably didn’t need it.

[color=C67C12]”Oh, yeah… You should be, at least. There’s gotta be a feeling in there that gets you toward that ultimate sleep. Though, with you, I think I’d be more worried that you’d do it too well and drop yourself into a coma. And that would suck.”[/color]

No it wouldn’t. Not if it only lasted a few months. A torpor long enough to avoid the mayhem of war in St. Portwell.

[color=C67C12]”So, what’s the plan when you get there? Should we get a wire transfer going for you? So that you can get yourself a place to stay short term while you’re there?”[/color] he asked casually, not quite hinting at the biggest topic on his mind right now.

[color=629c3f]”Why would I need a place? I ain’t going back for long… I still got a bed at my parents place, even if the room’s full’ve boxes and shit. But for five days it ain’t a problem. Worst case I kick one’ve my brothers outta their room while I’m back.”[/color] Cass responded easily, though not without confusion. Was it because he knew her relationship with her parents wasn’t great?

It was sweet, but it wasn’t so bad she couldn’t stand less than a week with them for the holidays. Really, it was only four days, since she wouldn’t get there till the morning of the 23rd and left the 27th. 

[color=629c3f]”I ain’t so skint I need money for such a short stay- which, y’know, I appreciate the offer, don’t get me wrong. But I can survive my parents just fine! Who knows, maybe this is the year they come to their senses.”[/color]

He cleared his throat nervously.

[color=C67C12]”You’re… A grown woman. And you’re going to do what you want… But, uh-”[/color]
He was driving, and it was hard to do without focus. But, he wasn’t going to stop unless he had to. She had to get out, after all. As far and as fast as possible.
[color=C67C12]”-Listen, I’m saying this in confidence, and hoping that you’ll take what I have to say to heart. I want you to stay in the UK for a few months. All expenses paid, with the agreement that you’ll come back here in the summer and everything will be fine. We’ll go on our adventures after that, like we’ve talked about… But, the next few months… It just makes me nervous thinking you could get hurt.”[/color] he admitted aloud finally.

Now Cass frowned, folding her arms over her chest. So [i]that’s[/i] what he meant. 

She understood a little bit. He felt like he was dragging her into some crazy war. They’d already had an argument or two during the Dollhouse situation, since she insisted on pushing her way into that too. Because she couldn’t just sit back. Not when her boyfriend and close friends would be fighting for their peace! 

[i]Especially[/i] not in the UK. Much as she loved her brothers, she’d left for a reason. Home had more bad memories than not. Though it wasn’t the main reason she wasn’t going to do that. 

[color=629c3f]”You know I can’t do that, Leon.”[/color] She responded, after actually thinking about how to respond for once rather than just blurting out ‘[i]fuck no[/i]’. 
[color=629c3f]”I ain’t sitting around in another country while you guys deal with all this shit. What if [i]you[/i] get hurt. Or Mia, Ed or Hari? Those three are way more at risk than I am… I mean fuck, I ain’t fragile. I- Well I [i]get[/i] it, but I’m coming back.”[/color]

Maybe she didn’t get it, since she wasn’t agreeing. But why should she be the only one worried about enough to be sent away? Beyond that, she just didn’t want to. She wanted to fight for this little group she’d grown so attached to. To [i]protect[/i] them too.

[color=C67C12]”Cass… If we get hurt, it’s because it was [i]our[/i] problem to begin with… And that being your first question doesn’t fill me with a lot of confidence. I don’t give a shit if one of us gets hurt. I give a shit if you get [i]killed[/i]. Not hurt. [i]Killed.[/i] You can heal incredibly fast, but no, I don’t think you could survive decapitation. Or evaporation. Or any number of other things that large scale magical warfare can present… Cass? I love you… Please.. Just, tell me you’ll [i]consider it[/i] while you’re there. If it ain’t the UK, then fuck, I don’t care where it is! Just [i]not St. Portwell.[/i]”[/color]

He loved that Cass managed to integrate into their family so quickly, and her fervor for protecting that which she cared about was a beautiful trait. It made her so maidenly while remaining strong… She was like Joan of Arc… And he loved that. He loved every bit of it. Whether she was a friend for life, or someone he’d wind up being together with forever, he didn’t need to ask any more questions about it. He loved her. And unlike his clingy little brother who would happily drag his love into pain, Leon was [i]not[/i] the same. He wanted to preserve beauty. To crystalize it in a single moment and have it be as it had always been…

But, something told him that same thing which made him love her, would be the thing that caused the most pain soon enough.

[color=C67C12]”At least [i]lie[/i] to me and tell me that you’ll think about it.”[/color] he calmly pleaded.

[color=629c3f]”I don’t want to lie to you.”[/color] Cass shook her head, frown deepening. She couldn’t just lie to make him feel better, because it would make him feel worse when the answer was still [i]fuck no[/i]. Sure, she could say she’d consider it without lying and spare it a thought, but she [i]knew[/i] she’d made up her mind. 

[color=629c3f]”I will try to think about it… But fuck, Leon, just don’t expect me to change my mind. I [i]know[/i] that I can die. I ain’t stupid enough to think super Green lux will save me from anything… But you should give a shit if one of you is hurt! You should give a shit that one of you might die. I get that it ‘ain’t my problem’ cause it ain’t my family’s cult, but it’s the problem of people I care about. That makes it [i]my problem.[/i]”[/color] 

She pressed a hand against her forehead. She wished that she could at least say that she loved him too, but she just didn’t think she was there yet. But she liked him and cared about him a lot, enough that she wasn’t happy to be a whole ocean away while this shit happened. From the girls, from Trisha, but most importantly from him. And she got that he just wanted to protect her! But she wasn’t someone who liked being constrained or protected like that. She would do what she wanted to and what she felt was right.

[color=629c3f]”I really can’t just sit by. No fucking way, not when you all might be fighting to survive.”[/color]

Leon shook his head and sighed. They were too far from the airport to have the car vibe be this. It was too oppressive.

[color=C67C12]”Last night… Mom almost killed Elise. Blamed her for the entire plot. Said she was just manipulating us all into doing what we’re doing because she wants the power. It… Took our dead father’s ghost stepping in for her to stop. But Elise just… Kept goading her. I can’t begin to imagine the war they’re having, given they’re both seeing things that I can’t. Futures, concepts, ideas of what [i]could be coming[/i]. She adjoined with Dad… Gave up her Lux, to prove to us and to my Mother that the power wasn’t what she was after. That she wanted Mom to die so that the ‘curse’ would be over. I didn’t get it. I still don’t. I can only speculate… But, we had to escape after that. Furio and Clarissa, and a few others… Lena was probably the only reason we made it out. Lena and Elise. And, now… I don’t know where either of them are. I’m scared, Cass. I’m scared, and I’d operate a lot better if I wasn’t equally worried about you.”[/color]

It was a lot to take in, but he hoped that the honesty of what they’d seen the night before would actually trigger some kind of reasoning in Cass’ brain that she hadn’t considered yet. Maybe… It was a longshot, but he couldn’t know for certain whether or not she’d accept it. She’d probably just acknowledge it and move on, or maybe try to comfort him in a singular fashion, but nothing would change the ultimate outcome.

[color=629c3f]”Well, fuck.”[/color] It [i]was[/i] a lot to take in. She’d known it hadn’t gone perfectly even though Leon seemed fine last night, because Mia certainly hadn’t been when they got back- and Casey had whisked Trisha away upstairs immediately. But bad enough that Elise gave up her Lux to adjoin? Lynette trying to kill her?

It was the exact kind of scenario Trisha had worried about last night while they were stuck together waiting. 

But it didn’t make her accept that she had to stay away. Because clearly they needed all the help they could get. It felt selfish on their parts for her to stay away- just to protect herself, and so Leon wouldn’t worry. She understood that he’d do better if he wasn’t worrying about her- but hopefully if she came back and proved she wasn’t just going to die, he wouldn’t worry as much!

It did make her feel a bit bad to immediately double down and say that it didn’t change how she felt. Godamnit, she could be a little less blunt about it. Consider his feelings! Cause she didn’t want to worry him- just not enough to stay away. And she didn’t feel he should be that worried. It wasn’t something she could say right now, but it made her feel diminished. Even though she knew it came from his love for her rather than anything else. 

[color=629c3f]”I [i]will[/i] think about it.”[/color] She conceded just a tiny bit. Even if those thoughts wouldn’t result in a change of heart, at least it might put him at ease a bit while she was away. 
[color=629c3f]”I’m sorry shit was so bad last night. I mean, Lynette’s a real piece of work- Fuck, I ain’t gonna get angry ‘bout that now. I don’t wanna make shit worse for you, Leon. That ain’t what I’m tryna do. I just don’t think you gotta worry ‘bout me like that, I ain’t gonna get badly hurt- but I get that you’re gonna. Just-”[/color]

She cut herself off, waving a hand in front of her. The same hand stretched out to pat his thigh. 
[color=629c3f]”I ain’t gonna keep tryna convince you, cause I said I’d think about it. You just gotta respect my decision at the end, alright?”[/color]

There was a bitter taste that bubbled up on his tongue. Did he have to respect it? No, he didn’t think so. It was a very “old Leon” sentiment that he instantly latched onto in the back of his mind. The creeping idea that he simply [i]knew better.[/i] That, no matter how confident she may be, or how good she was at what she did, there was something that could happen that he [i]knew[/i] would ruin her plans. There always was.

[color=C67C12]”No.”[/color] he said simply, eyes staying focused on the road ahead. 
[color=C67C12]”It feels like a taunt. Like you’re doing the opposite of what I’m begging because you just want to. I know that’s not the case, and that your conviction is to protect and defend and maybe even save, but… I don’t have to respect that being how you handle things. Because I never have. I’ve seen too many people die ‘noble’ deaths for shit they weren’t in control of.”[/color]

Coming to a red light, he took the chance to look at her squarely.

[color=C67C12]”I respect your heart. I respect your care, and your fervor. But I don’t have to respect you doing something against my wish when the sentiment is pure. I’m not trying to hog glory, or to isolate you in a place you don’t want to be… I’m just trying to preserve what we have. And I [i]won’t[/i] ask you to respect that sentiment, because I don’t expect you to.”[/color] he finished, the eerie calm with which he spoke a stark contrast to the animated action and vivaciousness that usually came with him speaking passionately.

Cass’ eyes narrowed. The [i]no[/i] had been unexpected, ringing in her ears while he explained in a way that didn’t make it any more tolerable. He spoke about respecting feelings, and how he didn’t expect her to respect his. But those were [i]feelings[/i]. He was saying that he didn’t respect her choices, and wouldn’t respect this choice. 

What came along with not respecting a choice? Enforcing the ‘right one.’ Though, he couldn’t make her do anything in this case. She had a flight back to St. Portwell. If he went to the extremes of trying to not let her come back to her apartment, then she’d figure something out.

But if it came to that kind of extreme, things would be over between them. It wouldn’t, she was definitely thinking too harshly there- but she wasn’t happy with what he said. 

[color=629c3f]”Fine, you don’t have to [i]respect[/i] it in your heart. And I know [i]why[/i] that’s your wish. I’m not stupid, Leon, I know it ain’t for glory- and I don’t want that either! You [i]know[/i] that’s not why I want to come back. It’s to protect people, yeah, sure, but also to be with the people I care about. I’m not planning to throw my life away for some noble goal! And keeping me away doesn’t preserve shit.”[/color] She was pissed, and how calm he was didn’t help at all. It made her angrier. 

[color=629c3f]”I can’t force you to respect my choice, but you sure as shit ain’t getting to make the decision for me. Don’t even think about it.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”I wouldn’t dream of it unless I could guarantee it.”[/color] was his continually simplistic reply.

Leon didn’t want to argue any more than Cass did. But this had been on his mind all night. [i]All.[/i] About how things would go if he lost her, and what he’d do if God forbid the worst came to pass.

[color=C67C12]”But, there’s supposed to be a snowstorm. So, you may get delayed a day or two.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Huh?”[/color] A bit of confusion cut through her annoyance. Was he going to gather a bunch of Red Adepts to cause a snowstorm? What was a day or two compared to a few months?! It sounded so strangely ominous. 

[color=629c3f]”If there’s a delay, there’s a delay- did this argument turn you into the weatherman?!”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”I didn’t want you thinking some delay magically happened because I wanted it to. I don’t know when you check the weather, or if you do. I’d be too big to be a weatherman: They’d lose the map behind me.”[/color] he commented, a sly smile forming around one side of his mouth.

[color=C67C12]”You… Haven’t quite accepted how I feel. Which is fine. But, I [i]really[/i] care about you, Cass. Enough that I’m not sure how I’d recover from losing you forever. Maybe that’s too melodramatic, but I’ve… Put you in enough danger. More than I should’ve.”[/color] he replied, a frown plastered across his face.

She wouldn’t have even considered him trying to cause a magical delay until he’d talked about the weather so ominously… One argument wasn’t enough for her opinion of him to drop that low. It never should drop that low while they were together! 

And it was a bit melodramatic to worry about losing her forever. She couldn’t live her life worrying like, even though she knew being around St Portwell for that time would mean being in more danger. There was a chance she could die. But she planned to do everything in her power to make sure everyone survived. 

It wasn’t like she’d never experienced loss herself. She’d lost her older brother… And the thought of having to sit at home fearing the worst [i]again[/i] was awful. Not when she could actually do something.

[color=629c3f]”I understand as much as I can, Leon… And I know I ain’t at the same place feelings wise. But y’know, it’s similar for me. Y’know how I’d feel if [i]you[/i] died and there was a chance that if I was there with you, we would’ve both made it out? That’s the kinda shit I’m thinking about.”[/color] She let out a slight sigh, shaking her head. She was still a bit annoyed at how he’d spoken just moments ago, but she didn’t want to stay angry. Not when he was being honest, and she was about to go away!

[color=629c3f]”I don’t wanna argue about it, Lee. I promise that I’ll really think about it, and we can talk about it again in a couple’ve days.”[/color]
[hr] 
The rest of the car journey was filled with lighter topics, though Cass could still sense a lingering discomfort. She was fairly certain the only way to get rid of that was to agree to Leon's plan, which she wasn't going to do… But she also wasn't going to let any of it get to her right now. Not when she was about to go away! 

She promised she'd think about it, so she would. She'd have plenty of time travelling, after all. Maybe she'd even speak to Jack when she got home. But otherwise, she was putting it to the back of her mind for now. 

They arrived with enough time that Cass wasn't worried about getting through security and all of that shit, but not much more. Which was her fault, really, for forgetting to pack the night before. Not that she was one of those paranoid turn up super early to the airport types. 

[color=629c3f]"[I]Soooo[/I],"[/color] she started, stopping in the main check in hall and turning on her heel to face Leon. She let go of her small suitcase so she could grab both of his hands. 
[color=629c3f]"I guess this is it. Like some cheesy hallmark movie, I gotta go through some security gates while dramatically looking back at you."[/color]

She joked with a grin, looking up at him and swinging their joint hands. Like always, she had a lot of energy, rocking back and forth on her heels to keep herself on the spot at least. Knowing how long she was going to be sitting still soon, all she wanted to do was pace around.

[color=629c3f]"Though I ain't gonna turn and dramatically clamber back over like one've em… My brothers would kill me! Maybe next year I'll drag their lazy asses over here."[/color]

Leon had lost a lot of the tension during the preceding ride. Whatever he’d said, she seemed to accept enough that he could at least go off to handle his business. This next week would be [i]the worst[/i] in terms of emotional toll if he had to guess, especially with regards to losses. There were enough… 

And he had to get Elise ready. Their Father… It was still hard to think about. Absolution. The form of it still filled his mind, seeing it weep at the destruction of its children whom it held dear. Even in death, long past it in fact, the spirit clung to the memories and protected the one who needed it the most. They’d had a special bond… He only hoped it would be enough to help Elise through the rest of her life. But, it happened regardless. If she didn’t want to give everything up, she’d be stuck with him for the rest of her life.

And Leon would hopefully be stuck with this woman for the rest of his life… Like butter and bread, she spread on him with a glancing pass of the knife. And he still wanted to preserve that as best he could, whatever it cost him.

[color=C67C12]”Maybe you can drag my [i]active[/i] ass over there. No dragging necessary, just gimmie a little [i]tug[/i] in the right direction.”[/color] Leon grinned widely, playfully tugging her hand in his.
[color=C67C12]”I guess this year, you’ll just have to deal with me sending you videos of the song I’m writing about you. That can be our Hallmark bullshit.”[/color] he joked in turn, long legs gracefully walking through the terminal.

[color=629c3f]"Oh, the [I]horror[/I]! You're really forcing my hand here with this sappy shit. A song you're writing! How will I cope?!"[/color] Cass grinned, tilting her head up to stick her tongue out at him. 
[color=629c3f]"It really ain't the right genre to be hallmark bullshit… but I guess that's why it's [I]ours[/I]!"[/color]

She laughed happily, though the aforementioned gates through to security were fast approaching. 

[color=629c3f]"I'll send you your first Christmas present when I hit Atlanta… You can go through it when you miss me."[/color] She waggled her eyebrows at him. 
[color=629c3f]"Ain't so sappy, but you'll like it."[/color]

Leon's face twisted into a confused expression as he tried to work out what Cass meant exactly. If it was something she could send from Atlanta, then hers would be digital as well…

[color=C67C12]”And what exactly would that be? Did you take a gigabyte worth of nude pictures, or something?”[/color] he asked sharply, a laugh escaping behind it as he thought about the absurdity of that.

[color=C67C12]”Like, animal style? Where you're all to pieces? Because I mean, sure it’d be cool, but nothing’s gonna beat you being here.”[/color] he continued to joke, grinning foolishly.

Cass let out a quiet cackle, waggling her eyebrows as she grinned up at him. It was neither confirmation nor denial, but was probably enough to tell him it wasn't anything wildly different. He was… Pretty close with the nude pictures suggestion. [I]But[/I] the form they came in was going to shock him. The truly Cass spin- though it was much less technological than the other gifts she'd gotten, she'd still coded the whole ‘choose your own adventure' game. And wrote it. Which had taken a bit to get into, cause she was used to the self insert being [I]her[/I] and Leon being the other person! So the reverse was pretty wild to write.

[color=629c3f]"You'll just have to wait and see!"[/color] She grinned, half singing the words. 
[color=629c3f]"Course it ain't gonna beat me being here- what could?! Even a robot version of me wouldn't be as fun… [I]But[/I] I won't be there on the day to wrap myself up in only a ribbon for you, and if I'd done it yesterday Trisha would've killed me."[/color]

Not that she'd ever do that as a sole gift… After all, their sex life was plenty fulfilling. Both could easily ask for what they wanted and get it. 

[color=629c3f]"It's not a robot me though, so don't go fantasising ‘bout that!"[/color]

[color=C67C12]”I have this odd feeling that the Cassbot would break in a situation where Flesh Cass would otherwise bend. So, maybe it’s for the best that whatever digital golem I’m about to receive will be just that.”[/color]

He couldn’t speculate further. She was on a playing field that stretched far beyond his personal ability. There wasn’t anything he could even speculate about. Some sort of virtual reality? She’d been working extra hard on her digital integration magic, so anything was possible… 

And frankly, to him, terribly kinky. Everything she did with computers was unknown territory to Leon.

[color=C67C12]”I have a charity gig the night of the Twenty-Forth. The Celestial Society Santaball. The charity Dad left behind specifically for me to take care of. I usually leave it in others’ capable hands, but if you wanted, there's a livestream at eight our time. You could tune in, see me speak.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Ohhhh, that’ll be… Four in the morning for me! Assuming you mean eight at night. But sure! Y’know I don’t need to sleep. Even if I did, I wouldn’t wanna miss it, any opportunity to see you up on a stage saying shit.”[/color] Cass laughed, grinning brightly. Of course she wanted to tune if she could- it was a shame she wouldn’t be there, but at least she could see it. 

[color=629c3f]”That sounds pretty fun, honestly… Does that mean you’ll be busy most’ve the day with it? Not cause I’m clingy or anything, but the twenty-fourth is probably the only day I’ll have a good amount of time to chat and call. My parents always go out in the evening, so it’s perfect!”[/color] She said, before shrugging. 
[color=629c3f]”It ain’t such a big deal, though. If I’m lucky Ma’ll end up drunk enough one night I don’t gotta worry ‘bout her being a pain if I make any noise late at night.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Why not hook up a hotel room? I’m not even saying that I’ll pay for it, I mean I know you can… But if shit’s so tense with dear ol’ Mum, why stick around to let it give you anxiety over what you can and can't do at night?”[/color] he asked, his Emotional Field actively suppressing the numerous panic attacks over his own familial situation that he’d be going through.

Of course she didn’t want to be anywhere else. They were her family, and she’d have dealt with it whether she had to or not because she wanted them. Even at her worst, Leon figured Cass’s Mom was still someone she wanted to have in her life. It wasn’t like Hari or any of the other wayward orphans of their community, where they came from bad places with few redeeming qualities… 

Or maybe it was, and Leon was underestimating the human desire to be loved by those who mean the most to them. He knew Lynette loved them, even if she was sick about it. She proved it in action over many years, even if the others were quick to dismiss those moments as manipulation. Leon believed he saw a genuinely different Lynette at one point, and had no questions about whether or not he was cared for.

Maybe it was just luck that he was so adored.

[color=629c3f]”Nahhh, it ain’t that bad- the time with my brothers make up for it. I’d rather deal with my Ma and get loadsa time with ‘em than reduce that, y’know?”[/color] Cass waved off Leon’s suggestion. Her mum’s whole ‘be quiet after I go to bed thing’ wasn’t even one of the many things that really bothered Cass. After all, it was a small house with shit soundproofing, especially with all the bedrooms so close together.

It hadn’t been so bad when they’d slept downstairs, with all the kids upstairs. But they’d swapped rooms with Jack after he injured himself, since getting anything installed for him to get upstairs was expensive and would take longer. [i]Now[/i] they did have a little stair lift for him, but they’d never bothered swapping back. 

And it was only for four nights, though she didn’t say that outloud. If she did end up agreeing to what Leon wanted- which was unlikely- she’d definitely be getting a hotel somewhere. 

[color=629c3f]”Last year she was chiller as well… Maybe cause all’ve us are actually grown up. So it might be okay! And I can always go into the living room to make noise just, y’know, the risk of one of my asshole brothers deciding to walk in increases when I do that!”[/color] She continued energetically.
[color=629c3f]”And honestly… It doesn’t really give me anxiety or any shit like that. I just can’t be bothered to have the fight or something like that again.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Sounds like anxiety to me… Well, either way-”[/color] 

He pulled her hand up, kissing it gently as he smiled.

[color=C67C12]”-Someone else wants to say some things to you. If you don’t mind? I’m not sure she’ll let me say goodbye… Which is fine, y’know, since goodbye is forever. Just, seeing you off and all, maybe she’ll end up doing it instead of me.”[/color]

Lelou was being rather calm and placid about permission. He didn’t quite understand why, but he didn’t really mind it either. So, she could stay as quiet and polite as she wanted. And he’d make her case known, since there was no inclination against it due to a poor attitude.

[color=629c3f]”Sure! But first-”[/color] She grinned, reaching up to tangle her hands in Leon’s hair. She leaned up and tugged him down at the same time, planting a passionate kiss on his lips with little care for the fact they were in public. Let them look and get annoyed! 

She smirked up at him as she pulled away. Sure, it wasn’t a goodbye forever, so it was fine if it was still Lelou before she had to run off… But she wanted to make sure he got his proper goodbye kiss anyway. 

[color=629c3f]”Just cause it’s only fair you both get one. You can swap round now if you wanna let her out.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”If I miss you, I’ll [i]really[/i] miss you… Please, just… Really consi-”[/color]

Leon’s voice hitched, causing a little phlegm to bubble up his throat. The biological change was so rapid, and so thorough, that it was like an instant new person standing in front of her. Fingers entwined with her own became slightly less dense, more delicate and possessive. The first act was not to speak, but for Lelou to bring her lips back against Cass’ in a passionate greeting that could only be given by such a primal being.

[color=a36209]”He has explained a dozen times… Yet, I cannot understand why you are leaving us now. In the darkest hour, when we could all be in danger… You’re lucky I’m an accepting Queen, or I would chain you to the wall until you agreed to remain…”[/color]

[I]What a different sentiment…[/i] Lelou’s free hand found one of Cass’s pockets and slipped in, wrapping into the cloth and tugging gently like she was holding a leash of her own. For her, Cass being gone meant there would be a consistent lack of pleasure, which she’d grown incredibly used to.

[color=a36209]”I will explore other bodies… Yet, who will have your talent? Your [i]radiance…[/i]”[/color] she asked between kisses as the ancient wolf treated their moment like they were entirely alone in this airport.

Cass giggled, letting Lelou do as she pleased- not that she could really stop her if she wanted to anyway. Not that she did, thankfully! Though it was going to leave her a little frustrated when she had to pull away and go stand in a line for security!

[color=629c3f]”Well, I ain’t sure there are other who can do it like me… But think ‘bout it like this- Absence makes the heart grow fonder! The sex’ll be even more mind blowing when I’m back cause you’ll have waited for it!”[/color] She responded with a wide grin. 

It was a little hard to think about anything except the intermittent kisses and closeness between them, but she did manage to backstep to what Lelou said before basically calling Cass a sex goddess. It was the completely opposite of what Leon was begging her to consider. It wasn’t really a surprise, knowing Lelou well enough now. She wasn’t a human, nor was she so sentimental. If Cass ended up dying somehow… She [i]would[/i] probably go on a murderous rampage, but probably wouldn’t lose herself to grief. 

[color=629c3f]”It’s only five days… It’s for a very human thing, so I ain’t surprised you don’t entirely get it! I’m guessing if you’re only letting me go since you’re so gracious, you ain’t on the same page as Leon with the whole him not wanting me back till summer thing?”[/color] She asked, getting enough of a moment and breath to actually do so. If Lelou agreed with Cass, then hopefully she could help make Leon more accepting of it.

Because Cass didn’t want it to end up a big argument if she thought about it- which she would- and still said she was coming back. Especially not when she came back.

[color=a36209]”You’re not meant to be away. You fight like a demon. They’re all nervous, love-stricken fools to think that you could possibly be lost to warfare. You were born to fight, and fuck, and conquer. And I would see you by my side in glorious bloodshed for a thousand years.”[/color]

She [i]clearly[/i] disagreed. Leon wept below the surface, but there was little he could do. He accepted the timer and all. A collect call from the deepest pits of his own heart where he kept the beast.

[color=a36209]”Come back to us. Bring your pack, and forget the Island of Myst. Dennegugh, and Claddagh Mough, are lazy things that entice the natives into fat complacency… Caretaker spirits… We will build a new kingdom of martial strength and raw passion together, Cass…”[/color]

The groping, thankfully, wasn’t all carnal. Most of it was Lelou gripping her long claws into Cass’ back, or tugging her this way or that way in the usual possessive fashion. As much as she wanted to rip away the pretense here and now, she understood humans didn't stand for such public indecency in this era…

It was so typical of Lelou to tell her to just come back with her pack- with everyone over there she cared about, presumably. Like her brothers would be happily uprooted and whisked away somewhere else. Humans may need community, but most weren’t like wolves in that way. They split off so often, and didn’t follow the same group forever. 

Cass shook her head and laughed. 
[color=629c3f]”I ain’t gonna come back with the whole troupe- They’d just drag us down! Fuck do I love my brothers, but they really ain’t like me. I don’t think they’d be all that at home in a strong and passionate kingdom.”[/color]

Sure, they were all kindled now, but as far as she was aware the only one who actively worked on his magic was Jack. He wasn’t exactly fighting fit either. 

[color=629c3f]”I promised Lee I’d think ‘bout what he said, so I’m gonna do that. But I’ll [i]probably[/i] be back soon. If I am, I certainly ain’t planning on dying- I can’t if you’re that confident in me! Though I’d like to think I was born to protect more than conquer… Except in the bedroom.”[/color] She waggled her eyebrows, before leaning up to steal a kiss of her own. Thus far she’d mostly been letting Lelou do as she pleased, aside from the occasionally rebellious wiggle away from where the Wolf Queen tried to tug her. 

[color=629c3f]”While I’m gone, will you look after him? Since, y’know, he needs the support and I ain’t gonna be around when shit blows up!”[/color] She asked, before looking up at Lelou with fiery determination. 
[color=629c3f]”Just five days. Probably.”[/color]

[color=a36209]”We only have one another in your absence, Playmate. I’m already doing all I can to affect change in his mind. He’s stubborn, and unwilling to accept his anxiety’s subjective nature. Thus, I implore you, return on the heel of a comet. Rapidity… Five days is considerable in mortal affairs…”[/color]

While Leon may’ve had anxieties about her being there that he was struggling over, Lelou’s attitude was a complete one-eighty. Nothing could’ve convinced her that Cass being gone for even a second was a smart choice. As far as she was concerned, it was all hands on deck now. She’d tasted the Pale Witch’s blood: Something she’d never had the chance to do until last night. And it was astringent. And it was full of pain.

And she would carry that into death itself. Into the jaws of the Hound, only to slip through them as the last moment in the claw of the Owl whose eyes were an ever-turning hourglass. And the remaining sycophants would scream her name from the parapets, and usher in a prolonged dawn… Cass couldn’t miss it… It was the rebirth. A new era.

[color=a36209]”I… Ignore him. I implore you, ignore Leon’s poor judgement. Trust my instinct.”[/color]

Cass probably was going to end up ignoring what he wanted. But she couldn’t do it in the way Lelou was hinting at- by just bulldozing and not talking about it. After all, she wasn’t a liar! If she said she’d think about it, she’d think about it. If she said they’d talk about it again, they’d talk about it again. This time she’d come with a fully made up mind, and that would be that.

Though she’d practically already made her mind up.

[color=629c3f]”I’ll take it all into consideration.”[/color] She said, after a moment's thought. At the end of the day, her decision would be because it was what [i]she[/i] wanted. 

[color=629c3f]”But unless I think of something crazy, or talking to my older brother completely swings it, I’ll end up following your instinct. That was my initial decision, and I can be pretty stubborn.”[/color] She grinned almost playfully, twisting her head around to catch the time on one of the information boards. 

She still had enough time to get through security and to her gate… Just. She really needed to go now, as much as she didn’t want to.

[color=629c3f]”Right now, I really gotta go. If I miss my flight nobody’s gonna be happy! Well, you’ll probably be happy, but you’ll be dealing with two grumpy people as I try figure out how to get to Atlanta on time-”[/color] Cass rambled a bit, before cutting herself off. 
[color=629c3f]”Basically, I ain’t got much time left till my flight.”[/color]

Lelou growled lowly, frustration clear on her face. Rather than healthily sending Cass off, she practically discarded her. It’d seem a lot more harsh if that wasn’t such a typical Lelou thing to do… Goodbye? Now? Practically an insult. Both hands let go of Cass, and she took a healthy step backward before shoving her hands in her pockets.

[color=a36209]”Fine! Go, if you truly must… [i]But please come back soon…[/i]”[/color]

Red blush formed across Lelou’s cheeks as she looked up and away from Cass.

[color=a36209]”I will not watch you go, for the impulse to give chase won’t do either of us any good.”[/color]

Cass giggled as she bounced backwards, resisting the urge to let out a soft [i]’awww’[/i] at the sight of Lelou blushing. It was fucking cute, but she was pretty sure she’d get her head bitten off if she pointed that out!

[color=629c3f]”It won’t- but don’t worry, I’ll be back soon! So don’t go missing me [i]too[/i] much.”[/color] She stuck her tongue out even though Lelou wasn’t actually looking at her, before turning on her heel and hurrying away.

After all, there was no point lingering on it. She’d almost definitely be back soon.