[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/MzIHaGw.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/JgL3zQi.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/FaCzAxe.png[/img]     [img]https://i.imgur.com/1Hvat1r.png[/img][h1][color=f49ac2]Edict[/color]  [img]https://i.imgur.com/hQyGCk7.png[/img][/h1][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None.[/right][right][b][code]Yes.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr]

Linqian looked at Britney’s car, then down towards the road. She really didn’t want to leave her own here… that would be a pain. Even if she was a bit more relaxed now that she knew she wasn’t going to be spending the rest of the evening alone, it would still be another thing to worry about.
[color=CD5C5C]”I’ll follow in my car, since I brought it, just-”[/color] Linqian went to put a hand in the pocket of Edict’s jacket, immediately realising that it wasn’t hers. Shit. Shit, shit, shit. [color=CD5C5C]”My fucking car keys were in my fucking coat that got destroyed in the fucking fire! Fuck!”[/color] 

[color=CD5C5C]Deep breath. Don’t kick a tree.[/color] Linqian clenched her fists, trying to stay calm, and turning towards both Edict and Britney. She decided to go the slightly more diplomatic, not targeting the mafia member among them, approach. [color=CD5C5C]”Neither of you happen to know how to break into and hotwire a car, do you?”[/color] 

Greyson took a deep breath.
[color=f49ac2]”Oh fuck, I love hearing that. Yeah, that’s fine. Let’s go, I don’t want to take any longer than we have to. Thankfully we just need to get into it.”[/color]
With the ice wall gone, there was only rain water and a smoldering wreck of a Cadillac where his beloved car had once been. What a fucking shame. His hands started to shuffle across Linqian, nowhere they hadn’t been prior, but on the hunt for the pocket his phone was in.


[color=f4eb93]”Ummm….”[/color] Britney put a fist to her chin as she thought for a moment, pivoting her upper body from left to right as she thought about a solution. [color=f4eb93]”Is it like a fancy new car? I practiced picking locks with my plants a lot back in the day...”[/color]

Getting his phone finally, Edict nodded.
[color=f49ac2]”That should work. There’s a spare key in the glovebox, unless you gave it to someone else Linqian… At least you won’t be up shit’s creek.”[/color] he concluded, looking over at Britney and smiling.
[color=f49ac2]”I love when you say shit like that out of the blue, y’know?”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”Just letting ya’ll know I can get in,”[/color] Britney laughed.

Linqian rolled her eyes, grimacing at the grossly sappy words coming out of his mouth.
[color=CD5C5C]”Fucking hell, Greyson, tone that shit down.”[/color] Linqian sneered, gesturing to them both to follow her. [color=CD5C5C]”It’s just a bit down the road… I didn’t even know there was a fucking spare key, you think I have time to rifle through the glovebox? Thank fuck there is.”[/color] 

As Linqian had said, her car wasn’t really that far away. She’d parked it along the road, not hidden in a bush like Britney’s. She pointed to it, and turned to Britney.
[color=CD5C5C]”Do whatever you have to do, I promise I won’t get pissed if you damage anything.”[/color] Because she’d probably make Edict foot the bill. 

[color=f4eb93]”I can get in without breaking anything, just hold on…”[/color] Britney walked over to this fancy car, and then put her finger against the lock, and out of her finger came a thick wooden vine that wormed its way in through the mechanisms. There was a series of clicking, and grinding before the lock popped up. Britney smiled. [color=f4eb93]”... Still got it!”[/color] She laughed.

[color=f4eb93]”[i]Voilà…[/i]”[/color] Britney gestured for Linqian to get in. 

Linqian couldn’t help but grin at her. [color=CD5C5C]”Shit, I’ve gotta learn that some day… Let me check if Greyson wasn’t making up shit about the spare keys.”[/color]

She got in, leaning over into the passenger side to pull open the glovebox. It was pretty empty - she pulled out the owner’s manual and threw it in the back, before finding a [i]suspicious[/i] plastic bag. Thankfully there weren’t any drugs in it, just the spare keys and registration. She really should’ve looked in here earlier. 
[color=CD5C5C]”All good,”[/color] she popped back out, shaking the spare keys. At the same time, she unlocked the trunk, tilting her head towards Greyson. [color=CD5C5C]”I’ve got a change of clothes in there, want your coat back? Otherwise… I’ll follow you wherever we’re going, Brit.”[/color] 

[color=f49ac2]”Fuck the coat for now, lets just get where we’re going. I’ll…”[/color] he turned to his burning wreck one last time, then to Britney. 
[color=f49ac2]”I’ll be in your passenger seat… Fuck, man…”[/color] he mumbled, unclipping his bulletproof vest so it dangled loosely as he skulked to the truck.

[color=f4eb93]”So, um…”[/color] Britney looked around, awkwardly shuffling in her feet. [color=f4eb93]”Do you want to get some [i]actual[/i] clothes first? I know Bean will hook you up for free if she isn’t busy.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Don’t worry about it, I got some,”[/color] Linqian popped open the trunk, rummaging around and pulling out what looked to be a pair of shorts and a plain t-shirt. She shuffled around to pull on the shorts underneath Edict’s jacket. [color=CD5C5C]”Gotta be prepared in case I ever need to change before work, so I’m all good. Let’s get going.”[/color] 


[color=f4eb93]”Bet,”[/color] Britney laughed, before looking down at her soaked sweater. [color=f4eb93]”... Maybe I need to hit up Bean. Or stop by my house. I’m [i]soaked.[/i]”[/color]

[color=f49ac2]”You won’t hear me complainin’.”[/color]
By then, he was on the phone in earnest.
[color=f49ac2]”Richie? Yeah, I’m gonna need a wrecker. — Yep. It’s a sad one, so just ping me and take it from there. And be careful! You may see some shit you don’t wanna see.”[/color] he babbled on toward the truck.

Linqian rolled their eyes once again at Greyson’s back, leaning against her open car door as she looked at Britney and lowered her voice. [color=CD5C5C]”The fuck did you see in him? Y’know what, don’t answer that- Let’s go to your place or Bean’s, whatever’s fastest, then hit somewhere up for food. I’m fucking starving after all that shit… or I can cook for us?”[/color]

Her eyebrows raised slightly, winking teasingly as she joked, [color=CD5C5C]”then we wouldn’t need to worry about clothes at all.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”My house is booby-trapped,”[/color] Britney awkwardly laughed, before she pulled out her phone - which was also soaked, but it was still functional. She called Sabrina, and near immediately, she answered.

“Brit, how are you?” Sabrina asked.

[color=f4eb93]”Good, good,”[/color] Britney said, [color=f4eb93]”Are you busy right now?”[/color]

“... You need an outfit change?”

[color=f4eb93]”... I need an outfit change.”[/color] Britney sighed. [color=f4eb93]”Do you mind if Greyson and Linqian come over, too?”[/color]

“Sure,” Sabrina began. “But, I have Messiah with me, so… no cursing, no drinking, you know…”

[color=f4eb93]”That’s fine, I’ll let them know,”[/color] Britney said, before she covered the microphone with her hand and said, [color=f4eb93]”Bean said it’s fine, but she’s got her younger brother there if that’s cool! He’s like, ten, I think.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”All fine by me, I’m great with kids,”[/color] Linqian said, flashing Britney a thumbs up. She got into her car and poked her head back out. [color=CD5C5C]”I’ll just follow behind you.”[/color] 

[hr]

The time spent driving between the sticks and where Sabrina lived was spent with plenty of Greyson being aggressively passive about his car being destroyed for nothing in between him rattling off text messages to people in Minnesota. He wasn’t even considering that he could’ve killed anyone in the fight, mostly assuming that George had been the one to catch the majority of direct hits.
[color=f49ac2][i]Wrong guy to shoot at, really.[/i][/color]

By the time they arrived, it was well after noon. The cold sun was shining in this part of town, far from the influence of 8th Street’s Stormlizard. Edict let Britney go in first if she wanted, or if not the two of them would be waiting for Linqian who ended up getting a little separated by traffic. When she did arrive at the Vanburen manor’s little parking area, Edict had a cigarette in his hand and another in his lips. One, of course, was for her.
[color=f49ac2]”Figured you’d want one of these before we went inside. Unless you’re too cold, but I think I’d laugh if you said that.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Fuck yes,”[/color] Linqian took the offered cigarette, and held it up for him to light. She’d taken an extra moment in her car to awkwardly get changed, coming out with a fresh t-shirt tucked into shorts and Edict’s coat over her shoulders. It wasn’t ideal for the weather, but she wasn’t a wimp who couldn’t handle that… plus, she subtly raised her temperature to offset it. [color=CD5C5C]”I was trying to quit, but that shit isn’t easy… lasted two days. Wait. One. Well, whatever, today started and absolute shitshow and only got fucking worse. Fucking hell.”[/color]


[color=f49ac2]”Well, what’s the scoop here? The fuck did I drive into?”[/color]
After swearing, he ducked a little bit and a grimace slipped across his face.
[color=f49ac2]”Ahhh… Sorry. But, still you know what I mean, Linqian? Like, the house being gone? You mean to tell me you left your shit in there and it’s all gone?”[/color] he asked her with a serious, but very quiet intonation.

[color=CD5C5C]”I left my shit in there to stop it being fucking setting on fire. But yes, it’s all fucking gone.”[/color] Linqian waved her free hand in exasperation. [color=CD5C5C]”It wasn’t like I just stripped for fucking fun. We went to the house, searched, then Emily and her gang turned up. She demanded Britney and Lila- fuck knows why she wanted Lila- and I wasn’t just going to stand by for that shit. You remember that spell me and Aryin used to do back in the day? Puts us at clothing burning temperature, so I [i]sensibly[/i] stripped before punching Vashti in the face. Didn’t work out so well.”[/color] 

Linqian held up her hands in a shrug, before taking a long drag of the cigarette. Fuck, it was nice after all of that shit. [color=CD5C5C]”Emily set the house on fire while I was wrestling with Vashti… Everything gone. Fuck. At least I still have some cash at home. At least no one died, huh? They might’ve gotten Brit or someone if I’d stayed clothed and cool, hah.”[/color] 

[color=f49ac2]”Listen, don’t worry about the money. I owe you, you really just don’t know it yet. So, reach in the left inside pocket. Take everything that’s there. That’s yours, and for putting yourself in harms way for the people who can’t. Split that shit with Thorne, for [i]going all out[/i] like the ‘Coven Anime Club’ used to say. Y’know… Good ol’ CAC.”[/color]

He laughed through his cigarette, flicking the ashes and taking a final drag before moving toward the door.
[color=f49ac2]”Now hurry up, cuz we’re gonna need to stay on alert and I don’t want 8th Street targeting Sabrina’s house for Britney’s sweet sweet-... Presence.”[/color] 

Linqian looked down at herself, then at Greyson, then down at herself again. [color=CD5C5C]”I appreciate the money, but where the fuck am I supposed to put it? If I walk in with the pockets at my ass full of cash it’s going to look a little fucking suspicious. I’ll take it when we leave, alright?”[/color]
She also quickly finished off her cigarette, rolling her eyes at his back and following him towards the door.

Edict had left his gun and vest in Britney’s car thankfully, as he wasn’t so disrespectful that he’d bring a loaded firearm around for a kid without at least providing a fake one to entertain them. There was a distinction in the wetness of his shirt from where the multi-face carrier blocked the heavy rainfall and soaked it up.

Walking in, he held the door open for Linqian as she made her way in.
[color=f49ac2]”Hey, back again. Twice in a week, living in the lap of luxury at Casa de Vanburen.”[/color]

Sabrina was sitting down on the sofa, wearing a red sweater and some blue jeans and some loafers. She kept her legs together as ahe looked at them, before a warming smile formed across her face. 

“Yes, it’s always a pleasure,” Sabrina said, before she gestured to the little boy sitting next to him. He had to be around four-eleven, and had a curly afro on his head. He wore a green hoodie, jeans, and some black and red Jordans.

“... And this is my little brother, Messiah,” Sabrina said. “Say hi, Messiah.”

Messiah raised his hand, “... Hi.”

[color=CD5C5C]”Hi Messiah,”[/color] Linqian waved to him, walking over to the couch. She took of Edict's jacket before she sat down, careful to keep it off the pristine white surface (since it had gotten rained on). [color=CD5C5C]”I’m Linqian, nice to meet you. Good to see you again too, Bean.”[/color]

She made sure to drag out her name, saying it slow enough that the pronunciation should be obvious without being patronising. She smiled gently - likely surprising Edict when just a moment ago she'd been swearing about losing all of her shit. [color=CD5C5C]”How old are you, Messiah? You look like you must be… about twelve? When my brother was your age he was much shorter… absolute nightmare too. Wouldn't sit still, he'd be bouncing off the walls right now.”[/color]

“I’m ten,” Messiah answered. 

“I made sure that he was raised to be very well mannered,” Sabrina answered. “And behaved.”

[color=CD5C5C]”... Right.”[/color] Linqian smiled, a little speechless. Was that a dig? It felt like a dig. She didn't have it in her to continue after that.

Edict simply waved at the young boy, not wanting to make too much of a stir. He looked around for Britney, clearing his throat before making way for the kitchen to be out of the way of the child; no need to get yelled at for saying the wrong thing.
As he walked, he peeked down the hall and saw a light on.
[color=f49ac2]”Brit? You down there?”[/color] he called.

It wasn’t a tremendous amount of fun acting like he was a lapdog, and moreover he felt like at this point it may’ve been somewhat smothering for the freedom loving woman he knew… But nobody was in danger quite like Britney. Except maybe Kari, but… Well, she was dead. Right? Definitely dead. No doubt about it.

[color=f4eb93]”... Yeah, I’m in the guest room changing!”[/color] Britney shouted. [color=f4eb93]”What are you trying to watch?!”[/color]

“Britney!” Sabrina shouted.

[color=f4eb93]”Oh,”[/color] Britney shrugged. [color=f4eb93]”Sorry!”[/color]

Edict laughed in turn, shaking his head.
[color=f49ac2]”What’d you say before we got here? Something about behaving?”[/color]
He sauntered down the hall further, but didn’t turn into the room. He just wanted to speak lowly.
[color=f49ac2]”No… Just, making sure you’re safe. Never know, some fucker-”[/color] he stopped, clearing his throat. Swearing wasn’t even a habit, it was vocab.
[color=f49ac2]”-Some dude like Jack could pop up at any time, right?”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”True,”[/color] Britney calmly answered. [color=f4eb93]”But if someone teleports in here, they are getting the machineel.”[/color]

He shook his head.
[color=f49ac2]”Hopefully after the meeting I had this morning, we can at least stop worrying about House of Cards. We have some mutual friends who I think can convince Phantasia that the game she’s playing is for keeps, and she’s the sucker.”[/color] he offered her the idea and listened for some sort of reaction.
[color=f49ac2]”I was thinking maybe we could celebrate? Or do you think it’s too early?”[/color] he half joked.

[color=f4eb93]”... Oh?”[/color] Britney asked. [color=f4eb93]”Who are these friends? I would love to celebrate to get my mind off that clusterfuck…”[/color]

[color=f49ac2]”Some curated uh… Business associates. House of Cards and I both dip into their pockets on occasion, so out of anyone I think they’d be fairly beholden to their profit margin. Does it make sense when I say that, as a Pink Luxer who knows the way the cookie crumbles, they’re people who I desperately want to tell you about but know I can’t? Not until everything is over.”[/color] he intoned with a great deal of secrecy in his inflection.

Britney was silent for a moment. 

[color=f4eb93]”... I understand.”[/color]

She took a few steps towards the door and opened it, revealing to be wearing a blue checkered button up shirt, some jeans, and some dress shoes. Britney smiled and posed.

[color=f4eb93]”... How do I look?”[/color]

Greyson grinned genuinely and warmly.
[color=F5388C]”Like a lifetime’s worth of happiness, Babe. Everytime.”[/color]

Britney smiled, a redness filled her face.

[color=f4eb93]”Thank you,”[/color] Britney began before she started teasing. [color=f4eb93]”... But what if I was wearing a diaper? Would you feel the same way?”[/color] She stuck her tongue out.

He walked a little closer to her, still half soaked from the rain and mud.
[color=F5388C]”Not this game again… You know how I feel about you?”[/color]
He cleared his throat, speaking quietly.
[color=F5388C]”I saw you in that hallucination. You were on my mind from the moment I woke up in it until I got pulled out. We had rings, and kids. I saw some beautiful shit in that dream that I want to make real. I’m gonna change my life, Brit…”[/color]

Britney grimaced, before she smiled, she took a few moments before she stepped over and grabbed Edict’s hands.

[color=f4eb93]”Maybe we can, once all of this blows over…”[/color] Britney said. [color=f4eb93]”I
‘m willing to try again… If you’re serious-serious… but pump the breaks, just for a moment, thank you.”[/color]

He tilted his head back with a slight exasperation before nodding.
[color=F5388C]”You’re right. It was just intense, is all. Did it hit you? Or… Some trick up your sleeve?”[/color] he asked.

[color=f4eb93]”I held my breath!”[/color] Britney laughed. [color=f4eb93]”Almost passed out until I came up with something - I felt sooo smart… Until it went away.”[/color]

She coughed, [color=f4eb93]”... What exactly did you see? Because everyone wasn’t doing so hot afterwards…[/color]

He furrowed his brow at the question, thinking about what she had said.
[color=F5388C]”Well, like I said, I saw you. Really, it was… A warm, inviting dream. Like a real lucid one? I knew immediately we were living in Louisiana. On my tobacco plantation. You, me, two kids, a third on the way. Our son had Kindled the night before. Killed someone. You were taking it hard, and I was trying to console you over it. Understandably.”[/color]
Shrugging his shoulders he chuckled.
[color=F5388C]”Sounds like a lot of people want shit they don’t have a chance of getting back.”[/color]

He let the thought linger for a moment before clearing his throat again. He got real quiet.
[color=F5388C]”You meant, like, Linqian? She did look pretty bad…”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”I mean Sloane almost died,”[/color] Britney awkwardly laughed. [color=f4eb93]”But Linqian, yeah, Adora, Jack…”[/color]

Greyson grimaced at the memory of Sloane.
[color=F5388C]”Oh, yeah… But I mean, if it was that bad? Baggage galore. The cast says it all, I think.”[/color] he shrugged, clearly not as concerned about the others.
[color=F5388C]”I’m kinda glad you missed it; I’d hate to see you down on yourself over something you wished was true. Now, come on, let’s go see if Sabrina won’t mind helping Linqian and I out. Unless… Something else on your mind?”[/color] he asked, eyebrow rising to question her.

[color=f4eb93]”... You know she will,”[/color] Britney smiled. [color=f4eb93]”Let’s go!”[/color]

When the two of them came back, Linqian twisted around to give them both a look that clearly said ‘save me.’ After a very lacklustre response from the child and what felt like her parenting of Henri being questioned, there'd been an awkward silence. And with a silence came thinking, and with thinking came feeling fucking shit. She hid it a bit better this time - she didn't look that much different than the normal slightly annoyed Linqian. Shoulders tense, lips in a thin line, eyes slightly narrowed. Except she wasn’t annoyed she was spiraling towards the state she'd been in before. 

[color=CD5C5C]”You took so long I thought you were-”[/color] Linqian paused, glancing at Messiah, and quickly switching what she was going to say.  It'd be pretty obvious to them what she's planned to say. [color=CD5C5C]”Eloping. Oh hey, Brit, you look good.”[/color]

She smiled slightly as if everything was still totally alright, fiddling with the wedding rings on her fingers (which escaped being melted because they were her channeller). 
[color=CD5C5C]”So, we staying here and hanging with Bean and… Messiah, or we hitting up somewhere else?”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”Um, before we do anything,”[/color] Britney began as she sat down. [color=f4eb93]”Bean, can dry off Greyson’s clothes?”[/color]

“Oh, gladly,” Sabrina said, raising a hand, as she manipulated the fibers in Edict’s outfit to wring out the different liquids that were in it. “All better… do you need anything else? Maybe some clothes? I don’t mind at all.”

[color=CD5C5C]”I’m al-”[/color] Linqian paused, stopping herself from going with her normal answer of not accepting things for ‘free’. This was fine, right? It wasn't money. She could view it as an advance payment for her bringing up Sabrina to the coven when they had a meeting that didn't involve getting attacked in some way almost right away. [color=CD5C5C]”Some kind of thick, winter jacket? I… lost mine.”[/color]

Sabrina pinched her fingers together as if she was holding something, and fiber by fiber she created a thick, hooded puffer jacket. It was all black and had a fur lined hood. Sabrina gave Linqian a warming smile.

“Ta-da!”

[color=f49ac2]”Has anyone told you you’re the best lately, Sabrina? We really appreciate the help…”[/color] Edict grinned, taking his coat back finally.

[color=CD5C5C]”Sh- Wow. Thank you so much, Bean.”[/color] Linqian just resisted letting out a torrent of swears, though she muttered a couple under her breath in Chinese. It looked… amazing. Was that real fur? What the fuck. Shit. She almost forgot the cash in Edict’s coat she hadn’t taken yet cause she’d had nowhere to fucking put it.

“It’s no problem,” Sabrina said, “I’m here to help.”

As Edict leaned down to take his coat she caught his wrist, saying in a low voice, [color=CD5C5C]”remember to pay what you owe later, yeah?”[/color] 

Then she let him go and stood up, taking the new jacket from Sabrina. With the closest to a genuine smile she’d had she put it on, almost tempted to give a spin… but that would be fucking embarrasing. 
[color=CD5C5C]”This is amazing… I won’t need to worry about freezing to death anymore. I’ll repay you with that thing we talked about last time.”[/color] She smiled at Sabrina, before turning to Britney and Edict with a thick bravado to properly cover the cracks that had been forming. [color=CD5C5C]”How’s it look? Wait, not sure I need an answer, I already know I suit anything.”[/color] 

[color=f49ac2][i]”You look fine. I’ll pay outside, Mèimei.”[/i][/color]
Edict’s voice echoed out of his mouth in an incredibly unlikely string of syllables stretching out into very clear, pronounced and pitch perfect Mandarin Chinese. He cleared his throat, but his head nodded at her, as if what he’d just said was typical or normal for him.
[color=f49ac2][i]”Just covering.”[/i][/color]

He subtly nodded toward her, as if he was still complimenting her and covering the agreement at the same time.

Linqian went from being slightly impressed that Edict could talk a little Chinese, if peeved because it reduced the languages she could secretly shit talk him in, to [i]pissed[/i]. Meimei? Oh that fucking asshole knew [i]exactly[/i] what he was doing with that. She wasn’t smiling much to begin with, and it turned cold. Just covering? Right.

[color=a22929][i]”Meimei? You want some fucking respect or something? Keep that shit out of your mouth.”[/i][/color] Linqian let out a rapid torrent of Chinese, but at a perfectly reasonable level. For anyone that couldn’t speak the language, it didn’t appear [i]that[/i] aggressive. But she was clearly agitated, fists clenching at her sides and trembling slightly. It was wrong. She’d heard it from the right person not that long ago and he was [i]fucking gone[/i]. And this asshole was ruining it.
[color=a22929][i]”There’s only one person I’d tolerate calling me that, and he’s dead. Thank you for reminding me, asshole… Fuck you- fuck your ancestors to the eighteenth generation, you bastard.”[/i][/color]


Edict’s eyes went wide. Right… The hallucinations. Must’ve been something to do with Jinhai, which made him nod and grimace slightly. But, rather than the typical vindictive “burn your favorite bar down” Mobster Prince, he simply accepted it. He remembered that one of the pictures in his own hallucination was of himself, Britney, and Linqian awkwardly holding their daughter. He distinctly remembered the sensation of a strong friendship. 

Of trust and love. Like it was somehow finally okay to call her that.

[color=f49ac2][i]”Okay, yes. That’s probably deserved. Thank you.”[/i][/color]
Slipping his coat back on over himself, he dusted the sleeves off.
[color=f49ac2]”I’ll uh… See myself out. Be waiting for you both when you’re done.”[/color]
As he turned, he shot Britney a quick glance, eyebrows wiggling as if he knew what he was leaving behind.

“... Should I note that Messiah has been taking lessons in - what is it again? Mandarin Chinese?” Sabrina noted.

“Yes,” Messiah nodded.

Britney almost broke out laughing.

Edict heard them as he hit the door, and found himself unable to hold back a burst of air from between his lips. The door opened, a cold wind swept, and then it shut behind him.

[color=CD5C5C]”... You couldn’t have said that earlier?!”[/color] Between Edict actually, well, admitting to having fucked up and the kid having overheard a shit ton of the worst Chinese swears she could muster, Linqian’s anger disappeared just like that. The other feelings were more difficult to ignore, but she pushed them down just as she held back laughter. She turned to Messiah and Sabrina with an apologetic smile. [color=CD5C5C]”Please forget everything you just heard. Hopefully you didn’t understand half of it. And if you ever need a conversation partner- well, it’s my first language!”[/color]

Messiah just nodded his head. Leaving it open how much of it he understood.

Linqian then turned to Britney with an awkward laugh, jerking a thumb towards the door. It was just like it always was - quick to a volcanic eruption, but always brief if deadly. This time it had been forcefully stopped and now Linqian just felt a mixture of shock and despairing amusement.
[color=CD5C5C]”Should we go after him? I may have cursed eighteen generations of his ancestors and honestly, they probably don’t deserve it, even if he does.”[/color] 

Britney kept laughing, as she got up and gently grabbed Linqian by the hand, [color=f4eb93]”Yeah, let’s just get out of here! Thank you for having us, Bean!”[/color] She gave Sabrina a wave of her hand.

“Anytime,” Sabrina nodded her head. “Let me know if you need anything else”

[color=CD5C5C]”Yeah, thanks again,”[/color] Linqian smiled awkwardly, more than happy for Britney to grab her hand and gently drag her out. The moment they got outside she couldn’t hold back anymore, raised one hand to the air in frustration (still holding Britney’s with the other, it was warm), keeping her voice low just in case it traveled. [color=CD5C5C]”How the fuck was I supposed to know he knew Chinese?! Now if he starts cursing out his teachers or whatever I’ll be to blame… If I’d used that in China I probably would’ve gotten killed- oh fuckkkk.”[/color] 

Linqian wasn’t actually that caught up in it, cause all kids learned swearing eventually. But it was a good way to ignore all the other lingering feelings that had come swarming back up after she’d desperately buried them. How she hadn’t even been that annoyed when Jinhai called her that in the hallucination, how she’d let him call her anything he fucking wanted as long as he was back- fuck. Stop thinking about it. She turned slightly towards Edict with something closer to exasperation than annoyance.
[color=CD5C5C]”Greyson, don’t call me that shit again and we’re good, okay? I’m just-”[/color] She raised a hand to her forehead. Why the fuck was she explaining? He’d been the dick in the first place- right but he was a dick that was paying her and one of her only friends still around. Fucking hell, was this maturing? No, not particularly. [color=CD5C5C]”I’m real fucking touchy about it. But your ancestors didn’t deserve that-”[/color]  

Greyson had his hands up before Linqian even finished.
[color=F5388C]”Hey, I get it. Bad time for a joke, that’s my life. And as far as my ancestors, I’d say you just give it a few days and you’ll probably change your mind again.”[/color] he giggled to himself, finally reaching into his pocket.
He looked a bit surprised at the large wad he pulled out, furrowing his brow before unfolding it and looking at it for a few moments.

[color=F5388C]”I didn’t think I grabbed this much when I left my place this morning…”[/color]
He started to thumb off hundred dollar bills until he decided to stop at a nice round number before effortlessly forking the small stack over.
[color=F5388C]”Though, I’ve gotta ask… Because I’m curious about the power, not about digging into your personal trauma… What’d you see in the Pink Haze?”[/color] 

[color=CD5C5C]”Yeah, we’ll keep going round in this fucking circle, till one of us dies,”[/color] Linqian said drily - which was just about her saying that she’d stick around Greyson even if he was a massive dick and she continued to blow up at him. She took the stack with a slight smile and shoved it in the pocket of her new jacket. Split with Aryin there should be enough for a new phone and a little extra. It was enough that she was at least willing to answer the question.

[color=CD5C5C]”Yeah, I get it, we gotta figure it out to beat it. I saw the apartment we lived in until I moved back.”[/color] The one he died in. She spoke monotonously, as if from a book, pushing down the raw pain at just thinking about it and embracing an emotional numbness. [color=CD5C5C]”Obviously Jinhai was there, and Henri. There wasn’t really much to it. We talked. It was as if he was alive and everything was fine. Oh- I also had a partner, I believe. That bit was fuzzy. It changed too, to back when I was… nineteen I think. Just cooking for my brothers. I guess it's something I missed or wanted. I really fucking didn’t want to leave.”[/color]  

Greyson scrunched his nose up.
[color=F5388C]”I saw a future, not a past. I definitely saw something I wanted. So, that’s the easy part… Hard part is how you get it to be that strong but that physical.”[/color]
He rifled off another grand and practically pushed it into her free hand with the money already in it.
[color=F5388C]”If it makes you feel any better, I’m certain my ancestors [i]probably[/i] deserve it. Just leave my descendents alone, God forbid I ever have any.”[/color] he shook his head, laughing through his nose.

[color=CD5C5C]”I won’t curse them to be born with hemorrhoids then,”[/color] Linqian laughed, seeming to go back to her… more normal self just like that. She shrugged, turning to Britney (who’s hand she was still holding, because why wouldn’t she until Britney let go). [color=CD5C5C]”Dunno about the strength part. Britney’s the brains- uh, magical expert.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”Clearly,”[/color] Britney said, still holding onto Linqian’s hand for no reason. [color=f4eb93]”That haze pulls out some type of subconscious want or need. I’m not sure if it was the result of an Adept, or some concoction Greta made…”[/color] She tapped her chin a few times.

[color=F5388C]”Greta? God, is every nightmare from the past still skulking around this fucking city?”[/color]
He shook his head.
[color=F5388C]”Oh… Shit…-”[/color] he looked between the two of them. [color=F5388C]”-Did either of you see George? Or, that black monster thing? I was just shooting, I don’t really know if I hit anyone in the rain. But, you think they’ll be back soon?”[/color] he looked a bit concerned at both of them. 

[color=f4eb93]”Yeah, who could miss George?”[/color] Britney chuckled. [color=f4eb93]”Black monster? Didn't see that, are you sure it wasn't some undead minion?”[/color]

Then Britney sighed. [color=f4eb93]”But, I’m not sure… It's obvious they want Lila… And Emily doesn't know when to quit…”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Black monster…”[/color] Linqian narrowed her eyes, thinking. The whole situation had been pretty chaotic, and she hadn't seen much beyond the start. Oh, maybe- [color=CD5C5C]”It couldn't be the kid, could it? Ashley’s cousin. When he offered to keep an eye out I saw he had this fucking wound on his stomach- no blood, just black. I figured I was just seeing things after the fucking hallucination.”[/color]

She shrugged. Could be him, could not be. [color=CD5C5C]”They’ll definitely be back, Emily’s even more of a raging bitch than before. They're fucking strong too… if it wasn't for the fucking rain I could've hurt Vashti more, but its the one fucking thing that weakens mine and Aryin's spell. I gotta figure out some fucking cold defensive shit… really regretting not working on my spells all these years. Or I'll just shoot her- oh wait. Lost that too.”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”Damn, my pistol!? That's it man, that's it. This time they had me, but next time is grenades and fuckin’ car bombs. I'm not gonna sit and let 8th Street ruin our shit because people feel bad about what happened. And I'm definitely not gonna let them hurt you.”[/color] Greyson growled, making eye contact with Britney directly.

[color=CD5C5C]”Technically you gave it to me, so it was my pistol,”[/color] Linqian muttered, for once not rolling her eyes about Greyson doing something she’d view as ‘sappy’. She also tilted her head towards Britney. [color=CD5C5C]”Yeah, I’ve got your back too. I fucking fought them today, i’ll fucking do it tomorrow- maybe just be a bit smarter about it.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”Yeah, tear those bastards a new one, Greyson,”[/color] Britney grinned, before she turned to Linqian. [color=f4eb93]”I mean… you did the best you could, I think almost everyone turned their back on magic, even me...”[/color] She rubbed the back of her head awkwardly laughing, before she clapped her hands together.

[color=f4eb93]”But, I mean, your Lux is red, riiiiiiiiiiight?!”[/color] She smiled at Linqian.

[color=CD5C5C]”One of them,”[/color] Linqian laughed. [color=CD5C5C]”Honestly, I’m not so good at the side. I struggle with shit if I’m not using my body- fucking not like that- and the little I’ve developed since is green Lux. Jinhai did more cause he had time. You should’ve seen it, Brit, he learned how to turn himself into crystals and was suddenly dropping that shit all round the house. Would’ve been great if it was valuable, but [i]nooo[/i].”[/color]

Linqian gave a rueful smile. [color=CD5C5C]”So I might… need a bit of help with that shit.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”Don’t worry!”[/color] Britney said. [color=f4eb93]”I got you, sis! I just need to teach you to connect to Gaia, and channeler her-”[/color] She paused for a moment.

[color=f4eb93]”... I sounded crazy as fuck right there, didn’t I?”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”A little bit,”[/color] Linqian smiled, holding her hands up. [color=CD5C5C]”If we're gonna do this we should invite Aryin- I need that bitch to teach me some kinda durability shit, and they'll be down to connect with Gaia too.”[/color] She winked, then glanced at Greyson.

[color=CD5C5C]”I guess Greyson can… watch, if that's the shit he’s into.”[/color]

Greyson shrugged, giggling a little bit.
[color=F5388C]”She’s not wrong. Even in principle, Britney helped me when I was learning how to deal with my own spells. It's about the roots.”[/color] he tugged at his hair. [color=F5388C]”That’s what the Pink Lotus is all about. Now, we were gonna go celebrate some good news. Are you coming?”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”The fuck you got to celebrate?”[/color] Linqian looked at them suspiciously. Had they gotten back together? Nah, that didn't seem right. Well, whatever. [color=CD5C5C]”Yeah, I'm coming, when would I say no to celebrating shit? I can't drink too much cause I got a ten hour shift tomorrow, but plenty of fun can be had without that.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”C’mon, girl,”[/color] Britney grinned as she put a hand on her hip. [color=f4eb93]”You tellin’ me the great Linqian Han is defeated by a hangover?”[/color] She stuck her tongue out, before turning to Edict. 

[color=f4eb93]”... What did you have in mind, Greyson?”[/color] She began. [color=f4eb93]”C’monnnnnnnn, the suspense is killing me!”[/color]

Greyson looked a little thoughtful at first.
[color=F5388C][i]Don't say the worst thing, don't say the worst thing.[/i][/color]
Taking a deep breath, he tapped his finger against his chin before grinning widely.
[color=F5388C]”Let's go to fuckin’ Christiansands tonight. I can get us in, we can party, get fucked up, head back to my place after since its close by there?”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”I mean there are better clubs,”[/color] Britney shrugged. [color=f4eb93]”But, let’s par-[i]tay![/i] It’s been a lil’ while since I clubbed.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”No idea where the fuck that is, but sounds perfect,”[/color] Linqian smiled, before tilting her head towards Britney. [color=CD5C5C]”Since now I gotta get fucked up to prove that a hangover doesn’t do shit to me- I can work those shifts feeling like shit just fine. So long as you’re not too precious about the furniture in your fancy as fuck place, Greyson.”[/color] 

[color=f4eb93]”What? Are you gonna piss all over his crib?”[/color] Britney laughed, sticking her tongue out.

[color=CD5C5C]”Can’t rule it out,”[/color] Linqian shot back.

Greyson just laughed at the two of them, slowly rotating around and wrapping his arms around Britney before putting his chin on her shoulder.
[color=F5388C]”Hey, if there’s better clubs? Show me. Because honestly, I’m pretty homesick for *my* club. Some lights and sweat are enough for me, I don’t care where.”[/color]
And then he looked back at Linqian.
[color=F5388C]”Just call off your fuckin’ shift. I got’chu.”[/color] he grinned.


[color=f4eb93]”Eh, let’s just go to Christiansands,”[/color] Britney shrugged. [color=f4eb93]”Or at least start there. Most of the clubs are on the same block or in walking distance anyway!”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”My boss- [sub]the other one[/sub]- is going to fucking kill me, but I won’t turn that shit down,”[/color] Linqian grinned. She didn’t actually have any way to contact Andre right now but… She’d figure that shit out later. [color=CD5C5C]”Hey, gotta start with the shit clubs, then we can go to a better one . If you start with the best it’s gonna be fucking disappointing later, right?”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Butttt…”[/color] she pointed a finger at them both, eyes narrowing slightly. [color=CD5C5C]”If we go back to Greyson’s and you two go fuck or something while I’m left twiddling my thumbs, I’ll be real pissed.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”Awwwww… If that happens you can hold my hand so you won’t feel left out!”[/color] Britney stuck her tongue out again.

[color=CD5C5C]”You mean you’ll make me watch without letting me join in? Now that’s just fucking cruel!”[/color] Linqian laughed, gesturing in mock exaggeration. 

Greyson couldn’t hold back his laughter any longer, pulling away from Britney and letting one of his hands climb to his forehead. He playfully smacked Britney on the thigh as he slightly staggered away.
[color=F5388C]”Girl you’re rude as hell!”[/color] he laughed aloud. [color=F5388C]”Come on, you know I ain’t ever been worried about nobody else in the room.”[/color] his eyebrows raised playfully, his giggling mostly subsiding.

[color=CD5C5C]”Fucking hell, be more sappy, why don’t you,”[/color] Linqian rolled her eyes.[color=CD5C5C]”Can we get going? I need a few drinks to deal with this shit.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”I need to change into something more appropriate, and make myself even sexier,”[/color] Britney laughed. [color=f4eb93]”But let’s meet at Christiansands arooound, then?”[/color]

Greyson grimaced a little bit. He definitely had to freshen up again, even with dry clothes he wasn’t clean anymore. But they could probably get some other things done in the meantime.
[color=F5388C]”Yeah, fine. I’ll take our friend here out and get her hooked up with some replacement shit. Like your phone, maybe we can hit the Warehouse and get you a new bag and shit.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Yeah, thanks, I need at least a fucking phone before hitting a club,”[/color] Linqian nodded, putting a hand on the top of her head and frowning. Her hair felt [i]horrible[/i] but that would take hours of washing to fix… thank god it was tied back at least. [color=CD5C5C]”We’ll go do that then while you’re getting ready, Brit.”[/color]

Britney clapped her hands together.

[color=f4eb93]”It's a plan then!”[/color]