[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][/h1][img]https://i.imgur.com/hQyGCk7.png[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/RonBhOe.png[/img][h1]Shaquita Walker.[/h1][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None.[/right][right][b][code]Christiansands, ten on the dot.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr][center][hider=supernova - aespa][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS8I_7_hWdo[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr][hr]

The night hardly even started! 

Britney was the first to approach the neon-lit street, wearing a [url=https://i.imgur.com/Acq0h4u.png]black dress[/url] that fit her [i]plus[/i] sized body well with a purse hanging off her shoulder. She stood in front of the line to the club, and naturally, it was huge because it was a Friday night, and people wanted to par-tay. Though she wondered where Edict and Linqian were, she forgot the unspoken rule among black people: never show up on time for something. There was no way they would miss her in high hell, so she pulled out her phone and started scrolling Instagram.

[color=CD5C5C]”Heyyy, what’s someone as good looking as you doing out here alone?”[/color] After about ten minutes of waiting, Linqian finally appeared (with Edict in tow), awkwardly trying to put an arm over Britney’s shoulder and giving up because of the height difference. 

Linqian was obviously in a good mood, grinning up at Britney. Edict had replaced all of her shit - the most important being her phone, which had allowed her to take most of her shift tomorrow off (and make sure her brother wasn’t causing trouble anywhere). She’d also changed, again on Edict’s dime, now wearing a lowcut black crop top and tight black shorts. 
[color=CD5C5C]”You been waiting long? Traffic was a fucking pain.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”Eh, not [i]that[/i] long,”[/color] Britney shrugged, before she smiled at Linqian. [color=f4eb93]”It’s Friday, you know all those fishermen gotta try to dive in a [i]different[/i] kind of ocean, if you catch my drift.”[/color] She laughed at her own joke.

Edict had gone for some nice, freshly pressed slacks and a button down shirt with a fairly interesting, if not a bit gaudy, repeating print on it. It was kind of hard to discern that it was all roman numerals for some reason, cascading down the shirt like the fall of a mathematical empire. In the lights of the neons, the multi-colored shadows cast by them, you couldn't tell what they were at a glance.

He had his coat on still, and a pair of wing tips that matched his shirt in color.
[color=f49ac2]“Y'know, this city does fucking suck for parking. Old cities usually, like Boston. No parking, no room for big lots, just density.”[/color]

He took his spot at Britney's side, craning his neck slightly to kiss her cheek.
[color=f49ac2]“Wassup Goddess? Ready to go shot for shot?”[/color] He asked, grinning at Britney.

[color=f4eb93]”Goddess? That’s new.”[/color] Britney chuckled as she let Edict kiss her on the cheek, before she gestured at the long ass line. [color=f4eb93]”Yeah, I am, but we’re going to be in line for [i]hoooooooooours[/i] at this rate.”[/color] 

She laughed, [color=f4eb93]”I would have said we should gotten here sooner, but we didn’t want to sit in a dry-ass club.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Maybe I can flirt with the bouncer a bit so we can cut the line,”[/color] Linqian suggested, twisting around to try to eye up whoever was on the door. 

Edict grinned, popping his collar in a comical way. He was here to entertain as much as he was here to enjoy himself, so acting like the sad clown wouldn’t be so hard. Especially not for the clientele. 
[color=f49ac2]”Ladies? I know it’s kind of tough to keep up with what I do. Because, y’know, I just [i]do so much[/i]. But, don’t worry. Edict’s got you both. Come on, let’s go, fuck-a-line.”[/color]

As they walked, he made sure to make a big thing of it to the Blinds who had clearly been waiting for quite a while now. There were jeers and stares, but it only served to inflate the man’s ego as he made it to the front of the line and locked in in front of the VIP ropes.
[color=f49ac2]”Well well well! You boys miss me?”[/color] he asked, seeing familiar faces on the door crew. [color=f49ac2]”Or am I gonna have to call the Boss like last time?”[/color]

The two men, clad in black suits with red ties, looked at each other. Then, they pulled the stanchion’s hook, unclipped it, and gestured for them to go inside.

[color=f4eb93]”... [i]Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks,[/i] ya’ll!”[/color] Britney excitedly said as she strutted inside. She loves it when Edict pulls through! As expected, the club was bouncing, and they could hear the music blaring inside far more clearly. The only thing on her mind was the bar, so she grabbed Edict’s hand and Linqian’s hand with the other. She was briefly curious about the VIP section up the stairs, but a tall lady was staring at her with crossed arms that Britney didn’t recognize, but Edict [i]wouldn’t mistake[/i].

[color=CD5C5C]”Shit, you banging the boss or something, Greyson?”[/color] Linqian teased, very easily allowing herself to be dragged [s]by the dick[/s] towards the bar. To her, this place was fancy as fuck. When she went to clubs - which wasn’t often with how busy she was - it was the shittest, cheapest ones. She narrowed her eyes as they reached the bar, squinting in an attempt to figure out the prices of things. [color=CD5C5C]”So, shots? I’ll drink fucking anything, so one of you choose… If I do it’ll be the fucking cheapest shot on the menu.”[/color] 

Edict laughed when Linqian mentioned fucking the boss, but his enthusiasm quickly diminished as he looked up the VIP at a glance and saw the most irate face imaginable staring back at him. She was ghastly, and obviously unmistakable as the bodyguard who, just that morning, he’d been making some pretty Greyson-Core passes at. 
He could only pray that she wasn’t going to make his life miserable tonight. He figured that things were going to go just fine between Dollhouse and HoC, but… He didn’t want to speculate further and ruin the night, so he was happy to get back to the bar.

[color=f49ac2]”Come on, Linqian, I own a club myself! You think people in my line of work don’t talk? I know the owner personally, he’s been a great mentor.”[/color]
He leaned across, calling for the Bartender whenever they were able.
[color=f49ac2]”Now, I’m getting a couple bottles. Brit? You want your wine? Or something else?”[/color] he asked.

[color=f4eb93]”Yeah, let’s pop some bottles!”[/color] Britney stuck her tongue out.  [color=f4eb93]”Get tequila! Just don’t get that nasty shit!”[/color] She looked over her shoulder, and she swore she could see that lady that was staring at them by the VIP entrance for a second. 

Maybe it was just nerves?

Getting terribly close, Edict whispered into Britney’s ear.
[color=f49ac2]”You’re so cute when you’re having fun.”[/color]
He was a sappy leech, and doing his best to put the thought of Shaquita out of his head. The bartender arrived finally.
[color=f49ac2]”Getting a couple bottles; Patron, the Platinum. And a D’Yquem, white, as old as you can get me for a thousand.”[/color]

The bartender looked a little taken aback by Edict’s candor and, more precisely, the request itself.
“Oh, Sir, if you want bottle service, you’ll have to buy Up for the VIP. There are tables available for walk-in, and if you’re asking for a thousand dollar bottle of wine, I can assure you that you don’t want to be drinking down here.”
[color=f49ac2]”Woah, uh… What if I do?”[/color]
“I mean I’m happy to take your money down here, but we’re not cracking open a fifteen year old bottle of wine so you can foam the crowd like it's a music video. We’ve got more class here at Christiansands.”

Edict looked flatly, then turned his head to look at Shaquita, then back to the bartender. A nervous laugh escaped from his throat.
[color=f49ac2]”W-well, yeah! I mean if there’s tables open, by all means!”[/color]
The bartender, with instant professionalism, slammed the card reader on the counter and grinned.
“Alright! Eighteen-hundred and forty four dollars after tax, go ahead and slide or tap.”
He did his absolute best to hold back the grimace as he pulled out his phone and tapped the payment. When it confirmed, the bartender reached down and grabbed a ticket that he handed to Edict.
“This is good for three bracelets! Head over to the VIP stairs, show this to Ms. Shaquita, and you’ll be all good! The bottles will be waiting at your table, and I believe… Marcos? Will be your server? Shaquita will know, so ask her if you care! Enjoy!”

And like that, he was gone, receding into the claxon of drink orders around them.
Edict cleared his throat, shot another look at Shaquita, and then did his best “I’m not worried” impression.
[color=f49ac2]”You know? Special night, special place, special ladies in my life? Sounds like a VIP moment to me, lets fuckin’ gettit!”[/color] he grabbed both of them around their waists and jostled them all back and forth in a playful manner before forging ahead toward doom.

[color=CD5C5C]”What the fuck?”[/color] Linqian damn near exploded at the price, staring at the bar like it’d killed her parents. That was almost what she earned in a month… she could cover most of the mortgage with that… Fucking hell. 

[color=f4eb93]”My no-no square!”[/color] Britney shouted.

But it was pretty clear Linqian wasn’t suddenly, out of nowhere pissed at Edict when she didn’t throw his hand off her waist or get super hot over the jostling. In fact her exposed skin was slightly cool to touch - she was semi actively casting to balance out how sweltering that actual club was.
[color=CD5C5C]”And here I was thinking about flirting with the bartender to get us some cheaper drinks- fucking thousand dollar bottle of wine! VIP section! Fuck… please tell me the tequila ain’t worth that much.”[/color] Wait, why was she so worried about that? [color=CD5C5C]”You know what, fuck it, sure! I won’t fucking complain.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”C’mooooooooon, Greyson…”[/color] Britney placed her hand against his chest as she said, [color=f4eb93]”You don’t gotta do all that… it’s just a night at a shitty club, you don’t gotta blow all this dough...”[/color] Her face dropped a bit as she looked Greyson head on.

[color=CD5C5C]”Let him waste the fucking money if he has it, Brit,”[/color] Linqian interjected.

[color=f49ac2]”Listen, whether I got it or not ain’t the question. I’m about to spend a lot of money at a lot of places; it’s customary to be polite when you’re patronizing someone else’s club. My own reputation’s on the line. Hell, depending on how long we stay here? I may blow through another ten or fifteen. The owner of this place, last time he was in my Club, spent [i]forty large[/i] between pickin’ up tabs and blastin’ the house.”[/color] 
Edict spun and shrugged his shoulders as they made their way to the stairs for the upper floor VIP section. 

Of course, there she was. In all of her looming figure, Shaquita was there. He could only hope she didn’t mention the morning as they entered.
[color=f49ac2]”Oooh, Shaquita! It’s bumpin’ tonight, what’s goin’ on up here?”[/color] he chattered, handing over the ticket for their VIP bands.

Shaquita stared at him with a blank expression. It seemed like it had been ages… before she cracked a smug grin and took them.

“... You’re bold,” Shaquita began. “You know that, Devola…?” 

She followed that statement with a short laugh as she grabbed the stanchion rope, unclipped the hook, and held it. “The bosses aren’t in right now, so it’s dead up there….”

Shaquita stepped aside, “... However, the bar is fully staffed and stocked. So, enjoy yourselves….”

She paused for a moment.

“... Just don’t have [i]too much[/i] fun,” Shaquita said.

[color=CD5C5C]”Dead?”[/color] Linqian whispered (though it was closer to a hiss). [color=CD5C5C]”What’s the fucking point if it’s dead- guess we can get fucking wasted then hit the downstairs dance floor.”[/color] 

At the thought of all the alcohol waiting for them, Linqian quite happily began to make her way up the stairs, pausing as she got out of earshot of Shaquita. Her voice was still kept to a low whisper. [color=CD5C5C]”Just me or is she fucking hot in a could easily kill me kinda way?”[/color] 

[color=f49ac2]”She’s definitely built. I uh… I don’t know, I like wider curves, y’know?”[/color] he commented back, safe in his secure omission not becoming an issue.

Edict did his best to laugh off what Shaquita had said, quickly coming to the realization that, yes; it was fucking [i]dead[/i] up here. No, Luis and his crew [i]weren’t[/i] here.
[color=f49ac2]”Shiiiit… Bunch’a broke motherfuckers down there - Ain’t nobody poppin’ bottles lookin’ for the good life?”[/color]

Their server was already waiting for them, as were their bottles at a table.
[color=f49ac2]”Alright! That’s what we’re lookin’ for. Can we get a couple shot glass-”[/color]
Getting closer to the table, he found them already waiting. Three, even! And three glasses for wine.
[color=f49ac2]”-Damn, y’know that just makes me want to go home and get my own shit squared away! I like my VIP like I like my wrestling matches, but this is so organized!”[/color]

“Well, it’s a little slow up here. Not too tough to cover four or five covers, Mr. Devola!”
Edict’s ego inflated as the man knew his name. His hands swept toward the booth for the girls to slide in.

[color=CD5C5C]”Fucking hell, I’ve never even been in a VIP section before.”[/color] Linqian slid into the booth first, forcing herself not to look around as if she was in a zoo or something. How dead it was wasn’t really her thing but… it could be nice for a while, let them catch up and get a bunch of alcohol in them before hitting the drunken masses. 

[color=CD5C5C]”I worked in a real fucking fancy club four years back, but they only let you serve up there if you’d worked there a year or more. One of the worse places I worked at too, fuck, they expected you to bend over backwards just cause the clients were rich, while paying fuck all. I only stuck with it cause my ex recommended me-”[/color] Fuck, why did she go and mention him. Whatever. [color=CD5C5C]”Then I got fired anyway.”[/color]


As she talked, she automatically poured two glasses of the wine, pushing them towards Britney and Edict, then filled the three shot glasses… rather than waiting for the server to do it for them. 


[color=f4eb93]”Today’s a first for everything, I suppose!”[/color] Britney playfully said, grabbing her glass of wine and downing it. [color=f4eb93]”But I wouldn’t count that as a loss. Maybe I can get you into modeling.”[/color]

Then she snorted, [color=f4eb93]”I mean, you clearly don’t have a problem with going around booty-out naked. So why not get paid for it?!”[/color] 

She laughed, before glancing at the entrance… She saw Shaquita standing guard by it. Though, Britney swore that she was staring at them. She just shrugged.

[color=f4eb93]”Let’s bump it up to something a little bit stronger.”[/color]

Edict raised his shot glass up.
[color=f49ac2]”As hard as you wanna go, Babe! Lets get smashed and go back downstairs before people think we’re squares!”[/color]
He knocked the two hundred dollar tequila down like water, hardly feeling it even as it hit his gut to sit like a slick atop the acid.

[color=CD5C5C]”You really give a fuck what people think?”[/color] Linqian snorted, downing her own tequila shot, and trying not to think about how much it cost. It was pretty fucking good. She then turned to Britney, lips pulling up into a slight smile.
[color=CD5C5C]”Hey, you really think I could make it in modeling? That shit must pay more than bartending… Cause you’re right, I really don’t give a fuck about getting it all out in front of whoever.”[/color] 

She waved a hand. [color=CD5C5C]”But fuck thinking about money, let’s drink to forget the mundane shit.”[/color]

Britney smiled.

[color=f4eb93]”Now that’s what I want to hear!”[/color]

[hr]

Some time later.

Britney was thrown out on the street outside Christiansands. Followed by Edict, then Linqian. All by Shaquita who stood in the doorway, all eyes were on them…

[color=f4eb93]”...[i] Bish![/i]”[/color] Britney slurred as she tried to push herself to her feet, only to stumble forward and end up back on her hands and feet. [color=f4eb93]”... [i]The fuck?![/i]”[/color]

“... I’ve had enough of your shenanigans,” Shaquita shook her head. Before turning to Edict, “Mr. Devola, you set a bad example.”

[color=f4eb93]”[i]B-[b]bish![/b][/i]”[/color] Britney hiccupped as she turned around, aiming her backside at Shaquita. [color=f4eb93]”Only thing [i]bad[/i] here is [i][b]me![/b][/i] Tell her Greyson!”[/color]

“I-” Shaquita tried to say before Britney began shaking her ass at her, sticking her tongue out. 

Which left Shaquita in a state of stunned silence.

There was nothing quite as disorienting as being thrown out onto her ass while drunk. The world was fucking spinning and it took Linqian a moment and Britney's very sexy shaking ass for her to reorient herself. She pushed herself to her feet, stumbling, and pointing a finger at Shaquita.

[color=CD5C5C]”Heyyyyy we didn't fuckin' do anything you hoe,”[/color] Linqian bit out, getting louder with each word. It was incredibly clear to anyone that knew her that she was well on the way to explosive, pissed off Linqian. Not only had this bitch thrown them out, she'd fucking thrown Linqian onto her precious ass! [color=CD5C5C]”I’ll fuckin'... burn your fuckin' hot ass off…”[/color]

Linqian stumbled forward, hand rising and clenching into a fist as she [I]tried[/I] to get super hot. Except she was just soooo hot already and her magic wasn't responding properly. Her body temperature ticked up until she was… like a toasty human hot water bottle, squinting angrily and very visibly gearing up for a swing.

Edict had, for the last few minutes, been doing his absolute best to sober up for the occasion, blasting himself with a quick Power Word before things got out of hand. As it turned out, the VIP floor bottle rule could be circumvented with one cheap trick: Walking behind the bar like you own it (preferably after spending thousands of dollars on floor shots for the entire club) and just handing shit out. At the time, he figured that so long as he paid afterward, there wasn’t going to be a major issue.

But people must get rowdy. People must get handsy. The same shit that was a nightly occurrence at his club was being treated like a crime by the security crew, and the perps were getting thrown out. Truly, a high-end place.
Now he was standing up after being tossed out, and nearly back to a functioning headspace. His limbs were still ropey, however, and he took a gating step toward Linqian, snapping her up before she could throw any big blows. 

[color=f49ac2]”Woah woah WOAH! N-no fisties. Capice?”[/color] he said calmly and quietly to her, his brain at least able to properly dictate his actions and follow through on a basic level.
[color=f49ac2]”Now… Yes. Shaquita is right! I’m a bad influence.-”[/color]
Linqian still in his arms, he patted her back as he looked toward Britney breaking it down.
[color=f49ac2]”-But [i]she[/i] is… A certified [b]Baddie[/b]! Look at that ass, Shaquita! Go Brit-ney! Go Brit-ney!”[/color] he laughed finally, looking back at Shaquita with a smirk.

Linqian pretty pathetically struggled against Edict's hold in an attempt to continue on her self righteous path to revenge over her poor ass hitting the cold hard floor. Except she was drunk as fuck and she needed her magic to overpower Edict anyway, and it wasn't fucking working!
[color=CD5C5C]”I’m not a fucking child,”[/color] she muttered when Edict [i]patted her back[/i] like she was some kid need placating… except it actually worked. She stopped awkwardly flailing limbs that weren't quite listening to her, scowl turning into a pout and going completely limp. She was only still standing by virtue of Edict holding her up.

[color=CD5C5C]”You… you fucking show her, Brit,”[/color] Linqian slurred, managing to find focus on Britney's ass in an otherwise spinning world, uncomfortably twisting her head around to look at it. 

Shaquita was stunned into silence. Wordlessly slinking back into the club, where she probably reevaluated her life choices. Britney managed to force herself to her feet and hopped around so her back was facing the club.

[color=f4eb93]”.... [i][b]AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY![/b][/i]”[/color] Britney screamed as she shook her behind again. [color=f4eb93]”Showed [i]that[/i] bitch! Let’s go to your place, Greyson! This place is corny as fuck [i]anyway.[/i]”[/color]

Edict laughed aloud at Britney’s antics, and he wondered for a moment about where the connection was between the reserved and regal woman and that same aggressively energetic young lady was. He fell in love with a different Britney for sure, but this one… She was shaping up to still be his type.

All the more reason to make things right. His sobering brain echoed the sentiment, and he let go of Linqian up to the wrist, which he gently grabbed to keep her wrangled. He managed to tangle her up into an actual holding of hands.
[color=f49ac2]”Alright, c’mon… Troublemakers.”[/color]
His other hand reached out and took Britney’s, wrapping their fingers together tenderly.

[color=f49ac2]”We’re hittin’ the most exclusive Club in this entire city.”[/color] [hr]

Thankfully it was a short walk to the Cabstand, and Edict was able to wrangle a cab back to his place. It was only a few blocks, but he figured his fine company would find some sort of trouble in that amount of time walking down the street. 
This part of the city was always high energy on Fridays and Saturdays, and all it took was one Blind giving a drunk Witch a reason to cast a spell. Piss the Warlock off, he’ll make you dance. Piss the Witches off, you end up being branded like a cow or… [i]The Manchineel…[/i] 

The elevator climbed directly into the entry foyer of Greyson’s apartment, the dim lights and warm wood floors giving it a cozy cabin vibe despite being a penthouse suite overlooking the Bay and the Old Town. All masks came off across the threshold, and Greyson immediately went for the liquor cabinet.
[color=F5388C]”Aaaanything you want, Ladies. All yours. There’s still food in the fridge, Linqian, if you… Y’know, felt like cookin’.”[/color]
He grinned, doing his best to look cute as he turned back to look at her.

His hand pulled up a tall, thin bottle of amber colored booze. Whatever container it came in initially was gone, instead this strange and fancy looking slender decanter glowed like a vial of Godly nectar.
[color=F5388C]”Twenty-five year vintage rum. Technically like, twenty six.”[/color] he bragged, pulling a glass out and filling it up, only to summarily begin taking long draws from the decanter itself.


[color=CD5C5C]”You’re fucking pushing it… you’re lucky I’m so fucking good natured,”[/color] Linqian rolled her eyes at Edict, but there was very little bite to her tone. She’d both sobered up [i]slightly[/i] and calmed down on the way over. She brushed past him, playfully smacking his arm on the way past and leaning over to snatch up the glass he’d poured then not drunk from. She took a sip on her way towards the kitchen, opening up the fridge and crouching down. She swayed slightly, eyes squinting at all the ingredients without being able to process it. It was fine, she wasn’t that drunk! She’d cooked feeling worse, and she was fucking hungry.

[color=CD5C5C]”What do you guys want?”[/color] Though she asked, her hands and mouth didn’t quite sync up, as she started grabbing random ingredients. Shit that looked appealing. [color=CD5C5C]”Eh, I’ll just do whatever. Fucking anything I make is great.”[/color] 

And with that she started hunting for a knife, stumbling from drawer to drawer.

Without a second thought, Britney snatched another bottle tequila, popped it open, and shoved it into her mouth. She downed as much as she could, pulling the bottle away from her mouth, then wiping her mouth. She loudly burped before saying…

[color=f4eb93]”... You really gonna cook right now?!”[/color] Britney laughed, before she leaned over the sofa, bracing her hands against it. [color=f4eb93]”What I want is to party! Play some music!”[/color]

Then began shaking her behind again.

[color=CD5C5C]”Hey, it ain’t a party without some party food!”[/color] Linqian turned around brandishing a knife she’d finally found, laughing. She was really a pretty functional drunk, had to train herself to be at old workplaces… And the swaying of her legs was definitely just her shaking her ass along with Britney and not struggling to stay standing. But even though she was unstable, she turned around and started chopping up vegetables like she was completely sober. It was like a full autopilot mode, veg chopped, oil heating up, ass properly shaking along as she just about managed to stay standing. 

[color=CD5C5C]”Don’t knock the Han special drunk noodles till you try em!”[/color]

Greyson was still laughing. It was almost too much energy, but he was so used to a different pace of life. His private places were usually private for a reason. But, these two were fine. It was fine. So, he made his way to the stereo system and began to pick through everything.

[center][hider=Mood Music][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIq6i4-8Nww[/youtube][/hider][/center]

Taking another swig of his own, Greyson made his way to Britney.
[color=F5388C]”Don’t even act like you ain’t gonna be hungry in thirty minutes. All that dancin’ you doin’... Got an ass that’ll get a dude kicked out the club, my Lord…”[/color] he laughed his ass off, getting into the groove with her.
[color=F5388C]”Come on, lets dance in the kitchen… Be gatekeepin’ the dancing and shit.”[/color] He attempted to slowly manipulate Britney by the hips toward the kitchen so the three of them would be together.

[color=f4eb93]”... [i]It’s [b]DARE![/b][/i]”[/color] Britney loudly, and obnoxiously screamed as she, as Edict wanted, moved into the kitchen. She ceased shaking her asss until she got in there, then she placed her hands against the counter and continued. She turned towards Linqian, and asked, [color=f4eb93]”... Whatcha’ makin, [i]bacon/[/i]”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”The most amazing fucking noodles you'll ever eat,”[/color] Linqian grinned. She'd finished chopping a bunch of vegetables and had moved onto chicken, moving over to playfully bumping her hip against Britney before continuing. In reality she was just making simple Lo Mein noodles - something she could do in her sleep… or while drunkenly swinging her hips along to the music. She mixed most of the sauce ingredients and threw some ginger into the hot pan, not reacting at all when some of the hot oil splashed across her wrist. She tilted her head back towards Greyson.
[color=CD5C5C]”You got any dry Sherry- really any dry white wine will do.”[/color]

She then took a step back, fanning one hand in front of her face, grimacing. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Also, why’s it so fucking hot in here? You got the heating on full blast or some shit?”[/color] It would be obvious to anyone with a single, sober brain cell that the reason Linqian was overheating was she’d forgotten to lower her body temperature back to normal rather than toasty warm after trying to attack Shaquita. Gentle heat still radiated out from her. She glanced between the two of them, shrugged, and decided, fuck it. They’d seen more.

Before just straight up pulling off her top, revealing the black, lacey bra underneath. 

[color=F5388C]”Oh but I’m the only one who can’t control my powers…”[/color] he leered, moving away from the countertop to pull a bottle of shitty dry from a nearby cabinet.
[color=F5388C]”Good cooking families keep the shit wine with the oils.”[/color]

But when he turned back around, Greyson realized that Linqian was already taking clothing off. He wasn’t worried about her burning herself; more worried about the gradual escalation that Britney would be queued toward. She’d been staying pretty modest while he was at her house, but Greyson was well aware of her proclivity toward nude living. Now, Linqian was just opening the door to naked drunken noodles.

He didn’t mind necessarily; only that he had to keep his hands and his magic to himself unless otherwise prompted… And that was hard. [i]Extremely hard.[/i]

[color=CD5C5C]”Good cooking families normally know how to cook,”[/color] Linqian shot back, grabbing the wine and pouring some into the sauce she was mixing up.

Greyson put his hands up playfully.
[color=F5388C]”Ayyy, you don’t know my Momma. She got the curry goat in the pot, and the jollof… Y’know, cookin’ is [i]sexy[/i] isn’t it?”[/color] 

Linqian laughed, throwing the chicken, lightly coated in sauce, into the pan. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Oh, sure is, especially when I’m the one doing it,”[/color] Linqian winked, giving a little booty shake towards both Greyson and Britney, still laughing. [color=CD5C5C]”Though I only bring out the sexiness in certain company.”[/color]

Britney loudly smacked Linqian’s behind, then laughed as she put her hands on her hips. However, she started playing with the tag on Linqian’s bra. 

 [color=f4eb93]”... Viiiiictoria’s Secret! We had a shoot with them awhile back, you know!”[/color] Britney laughed. [color=f4eb93]”See, you’d make a great model!”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”You think? I do make even Target bras look hot,”[/color] Linqian grinned, easily moving her arms to toss the vegetables in the pan with the chicken without shifting the rest of her body. She flipped the ingredients a few times before spinning around, leaning back and to the side on the counter. She put one hand behind her head with her elbow on the counter and the other on her hip, which she shoved out to one side.
[color=CD5C5C]”You gotta pose all sexy and shit, right? How’s this?”[/color] 

[color=f4eb93]”You look like- I mean it’s alright, gurl!”[/color] Britney laughed, releasing her hands from Linqian’s hips. [color=f4eb93]”We can work on it! Greeeeeeeeeysoooon! What do you think?”[/color]

Greyson was, obviously, staring without care as to who was looking. It wasn't like Britney didn't know he and Linqian had been together; his only hope at this point is that he'd be able to scrape together the best of both worlds at once.
[color=F5388C]”Tha'ss a loaded question, ain't it? You gonna hit me for answering?”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”We turnt,”[/color] Britney said with a grin. [color=f4eb93]”[i]Everything[/i] I say is going to be loaded.”[/color]

Edict grinned, sliding away from the counter and skulking off for a moment before coming back with a couple more sealed bags.
[color=F5388C]”It don't help, she picked the lamest looking set.”[/color] 

Slapping the bags down on the counter, he slid one to Brit and one to Linqian.
[color=F5388C]”Bordelle. These are like six hundred bucks a set. I bought ‘em cuz I like looking at ‘em… But when they shipped, they shipped here. Not my house in Minnesota, so I ain't seen ‘em yet.”[/color] 

He’d also pulled his jacket and shirt off, exposing his chiseled arms and neck muscles, as well as the tattoos on his arms - and Britney purred. Looking between them, he grinned for a moment.
[color=F5388C]”If y’all wanna put ‘em on for me, I’d love that… Hate to think I wasted money.”[/color] 
As he leaned in across the counter, one hand went for the bottle of tequila and dragged it closer, the other tapping the set he put in front of Britney.
[color=F5388C]”Big tiddies… I can’t lie, I was thinkin’ about you when I bought this one.”[/color] he leaned in, staring into her eyes. [color=F5388C]”And, maybe I sent it here cuz of that… But, you’ve got no evidence that it’s true.”[/color] he bit his lip finally.


[color=CD5C5C]”Fuck, six hundred?!”[/color] Linqian had flipped back round to continue cooking, something she was both unable to leave unfinished, but regretted slightly. Whatever. She threw in the noodles, flipped it all together, turned off the stove and turned back around. She decided to ignore the whole… sort of romantic vibe that was going on. Sort of. She picked up the bag near her and peered inside, eyebrows raising. Shit, it looked fucking good quality - obviously. Her gaze moved up from what was in the bag, to Britney, with a smirk.

[color=CD5C5C]”Well…”[/color] Linqian leaned forward so that she was pushing into both of their space without interrupting their eye contact. [color=CD5C5C]”I’ll put it on if Brit does.”[/color]
It was pretty obvious she wasn’t planning to do it for just Greyson.

Britney returned the eye contact… wrapping her hands around Edict’s waist.

[color=f4eb93]”... I know, you remembered my fuckin’ measurements!”[/color] She laughed. [color=f4eb93]”I’ll put it on… just for you, though, one time thiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!.”[/color] Britney followed that statement with another laugh as she broke eye contact and walked over to the bag, grabbing the bag.

[color=f4eb93]”To the back, friiiiiiiiend!”[/color] Britney said, slapping Linqian on the behind again. [color=f4eb93]”We gotta build excitement! If we change our here Greyson might bust!”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”Girl, I ain't bussin nothin’ unless you tell me to. Actin’ like I don't see naked women every night of my life… Go on, get sexy for the Don.”[/color] Greyson split between them, slapping a cheek of each on their way toward changing.

[color=f4eb93]”... Ooooh,”[/color] Britney purred.

Linqian just whistled, smirking and snatching up the bottle of tequila on the way out.

[color=F5388C]”Anywhere but the locked room. You don't wanna see the bodies.”[/color] he laughed, moving over toward the pan with the noodles. He opened a cabinet to get some plates and cutlery before trying to dish out portions for everyone to eat if they wanted.

[color=f4eb93]”You mean the plant fertilizer?!”[/color] Britney laughed as she disappeared.

It took them a while to get changed - probably because both women were drunk (Linqian’s cooking induced soberness quickly wearing off). When they came back out, they’d changed into the lingerie like promised.

Linqian was pretty comfortable in it, even if the sheer lace and embroidered wave design didn’t leave much up to the imagination. There were lots of extra straps, giving it a slight BDSM look without actually being anywhere near it. Linqian would know. 

She leaned in against Britney, wrapping an arm around her waist, fingers lightly rubbing her skin.
[color=CD5C5C]”How’s it compare to [i]all those[/i] naked women you see every night, Greyson?”[/color] Linqian smirked, gaze equally playful and taunting.

[color=f4eb93]”Guuuuurl, that’s a loaded question, ayyyyyyy!”[/color] Britney laughed, sticking her tongue out. [color=f4eb93]”You know we’re better! We’re us!”[/color]

Greyson was half-tucked into a plate of noodles with a fork in one hand and a cloth in the other. He didn’t look up until he heard Linqian speak, at which point his attention was taken entirely by the beauty and grandeur before him.

His mouth opened wide with the grin of a kid getting a new Playstation for Christmas. It was the surprise new car look, the profit at the end of a long night look.
The work was worth the reward, and it would be rendered unto him. In that moment, every empire in his bloodline coursed with power. Pink Lux filled the room, the veins in his throat turning bright pink as the Lotus’ roots spread across the room. A hand slipped into his pocket, desperate for his channeler as the Lux escaped through him in a great choking pain. 

A pain he was used to. A pain he liked. But a brush of the metal rim on his finger was all he needed to direct a shot directly at a poor Blind on the next floor below them.
The hand still holding the rag wiped his mouth, and he blew out a curl of pink smoke from his mouth. Wordlessly, he rounded the counter.


[color=F5388C]”Y’all wanna ask me stupid questions? [i]How’s it compare?[/i] How about rather than telling you, I just show y’all.”[/color] he bit his lip, a hand now resting on his belt while the other one pointed down the hall toward his bedroom.
[color=F5388C]”I’d run… Cuz if I catch you before the room, it’s goin’ down in the hallway.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Ohhh, is that a challenge?”[/color] Linqian’s eyes narrowed seductively, and she shifted [i]towards[/i] Edict so that she was facing Britney. Both arms went around the other woman. [color=CD5C5C]”Why not here? Maybe [i]you’re[/i] the one that needs to run, before me and Brit have so much fun you’re no longer needed.”[/color] 

[color=f4eb93]”Before we do anything!”[/color] Britney said to Edict, as she approached. [color=f4eb93]”I know this coochie gon’ make you you fall in love but don’t ramp up on that lame-ahh lovey-dovey shit you been on before!”[/color]

Britney laughed, as she stuck out her pinky,  [color=f4eb93]”Piiiinky promise?”[/color]

Greyson’s face shifted from lust to sentiment. Actually, a little embarrassment. His hand reached out, about to wrap his pinkie around hers before he paused. His forehead pressed forward, into her own.
[color=F5388C]”We’re talking more about it tomorrow, and I pinky promise I’ll leave it tonight.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”Yes, we’re going to talk about how good it was and how it changed your life!”[/color] Britney laughed, wrapping her pinky around Edict’s harder. [color=f4eb93]”Can’t lie when I say I haven't been thinking about it - but broooo you gotta let it happen naturally!”[/color]

What else could he do but smile?
[color=F5388C]”Then I can’t be drinkin’ no more girl, get yo’-”[/color] 
Still holding her tight by the pinkie, he lifted her arm up and spun Britney in place so she was looking back at Linqian. His free hand smacked against her ass with a loud clap.
[color=F5388C]”-ass in that bedroom… Talkin’ mad shit like I ain’t about to rock the both of you. Go! Go!”[/color] he cackled.

Linqian snorted, walking backwards at a leisurely pace. Her narrowed, suggestive gaze moved from Edict to Britney, then she smirked. [color=CD5C5C]”Fucking acting like you’re the centre of this shit… So, Brit. Is that cactus available?”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”Of course! It comes in spineless and spine-y assortments!”[/color] Britney laughed as she did a dramatic high-kneed run towards the bedroom. [color=f4eb93]”But run Linqian! He gon get us!”[/color]

Then she disappeared into it, followed by Linqian and Edict...


[center][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/L3RkqJn.png[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/1Va5lRZ.png[/img][hr][/center]

[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/6D400qM.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/O6LA4nR.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/uG295vG.png[/img][h1]"Greta" Faust.[/h1]
[sup]Featuring Luca![/sup]
[/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None[/right][right][b][code]The night after the fight at Kari's House. The Boardwalk.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr][center][hider=So Silent - Zack Hemsey][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZuf9TxuhJc[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr][hr]


The waves were Adora's only company out here... she stood at the edge of the boardwalk, the full moon shining above her, with her arms crossed. She had on a blue hoodie blue sweatpants, and some running shoes, and she had her ears wide open. She took in a deep breath, then exhaled; the boardwalk was completely empty at this hour because it was technically closed. However, she was out here for a reason.

She heard footsteps that ended at the bench behind her, and she glanced over her shoulder to see Greta Faust. Instead of her usual punk attire, she wore a grey hoodie (which she had up), grey sweatpants, and sneakers. 

Just like Adora. Almost made her crack a smile.

"... I'm here," Greta said, both hands on the bench, and she sneered, as she said, "I'm surprised you answered [i]'the call'[/i]," Greta said, finger quoted, chuckling.

[color=fd8a6c]”Why's that?”[/color] Adora narrowed her eyes.

Greta was silent, a mocking smile creeping up on her face.

"... I think you know why," Greta answered. "Now, let's cut to the chase, I have work to do."

Adora sighed.

[color=fd8a6c]”I wanted to hear it from you,”[/color] Adora began, pivoting on her foot to face Greta head on. [color=fd8a6c]”Why are you following [i]Emily[/i] around? [i]How can you[/i] be okay with that shit she pulled at Kari's house? [i]How can you [/i]be okay with her trying to kill Lila over some bullshit [i]she[/i] started?”[/color] She narrowed her eyes at Greta, taking a step forward.

[color=fd8a6c]”We... we used to fight alongside each other. We used to be [i]friends.[/i] How can you [b][i]help her[/i][/b] be a piece of shit?!"[/color] She hissed the last words out, before letting out a sigh and putting a hand on her chest.

Greta sighed, looking at the boardwalk underneath her feet. 

"We [b][i]used[/i][/b] to be friends, but you left," Greta said before raising her head and facing Adora head-on.

[color=fd8a6c]”... I had to,”[/color] Adora weakly said.

"Did you really now?" Greta said as she raised an eyebrow. 

[color=fd8a6c]”This isn't about me!”[/color] Adora shouted, slamming a foot on the ground. [color=fd8a6c]”Answer my questions, Gretchen.”[/color]

Greta sighed.

"Honestly, these days; I cannot give you an honest answer, [i]Appie[/i]," Greta began, chuckling at the nickname. "Ten years ago, I could tell you I rolled with Emily because I was so hurt... Oh, did you know the details of my departure from the Old Coven? Or did you just not care."

[color=fd8a6c]”[i]They[/i] accused you of running around St. Portwell, making monsters,”[/color] Adora said. [color=fd8a6c]”Turned out you weren't, but you left for some reason.”[/color]

"... Do you want to hear my perspective, then?" Greta gave Adora a sinister grin. "I'm sure it'd help you with everything."

[color=fd8a6c]”Yes.”[/color]

"You remember all those potions that you drank that made you strong enough to fight the Stygian Snake? Drive it off a few times?" Greta tilted her head, maintaining that sinister grin. "Or all those healing potions that saved [i]countless[/i] lives?"

[color=fd8a6c]”... [i]Yes,[/i]”[/color]

"... Did you know that [i]I'm[/i] the only person that could make them?" Greta began. "Did you know I slaved away in my own lab near [i]endlessly,[/i] making potions that would help in the fight? I know before I thought it was the best way to save my own ass, but in time I began to..."

She sighed.

"... I developed a soft spot for you all. It was the first time I had friends or people I cared about. You, Lisa-" The mention of Lisa made Adora's skin crawl, but she remained resolute and did not so much as flinch. "-Luca, Olivia, Britney... You all at least tried to be my friend, instead of treating me like a potion factory. So, I made sure to go all out, no longer because I just wanted to keep myself alive, but as many of you alive as possible. I had help sometimes, but I hardly got any sleep most nights because I was working so hard."

Greta narrowed her eyes at Adora, before she continued, "... How do you think [i]I[/i] felt getting accused by the people I did so much to help? Getting treated like a monster that [i]hurt[/i] people...?"

She gritted her teeth before shouting, "... [i]How do you think [b]I[/b] felt having [b][u]all[/u][/b] my hard work - that I did from the [b]kindness of my heart[/b] - just thrown away because some stupid cheerleader[b] jumped to conclusions[/b] instead of using her [b]goddamn[/b] head!?[/i]" 

She exhaled, slinking back on the bench. "You'd be hurt by it, too, Adora. You'd feel [i]betrayed.[/i]"

Adora laughed. 

[color=fd8a6c]”... You sound [i]so[/i] cute when you shout with that nasally, high-pitched, voice, you know?”[/color]

"... Don't diminish my feelings, [i][b]Appie,[/b][/i]" Greta growled.

[color=fd8a6c]”I'm not, trust me,”[/color] Adora began. [color=fd8a6c]”But, none of that explains how you fell in with an open [i]hate-criminal.[/i]”[/color]
 
Greta sighed.

"Look, I was angry, lost, confused; many things," She began. "Emily gave me solace with her new Coven, one I thought would be better - though, I thought [i]anything[/i] would be better without those three dumbasses around. She gave me something that I was missing... 8th Street wasn't all that bad at first. We just practiced magic. Had adventures. We were something that Sycamore [i]should[/i] have been."

Greta turned her head away from Adora. "However, in time, Emily got worse. Vashti, too. They started turning us into their footsoldiers in their game. Lynette tried to stop them, but there was only so much she could do, and she had no choice but to leave for her own sake. Other people left, too, including Luca and Olivia, and I don't blame them."

Adora silently stared at Greta.

[color=fd8a6c]”So, why didn't[i] you[/i] leave?”[/color] She asked.

Greta grinned.

"... And go where?" Greta said. "I made the sad, [i]sad,[/i] mistake of making my entire life this Coven... but I know your little Coven would never agree with this, but we are only fighting the worst threats in St. Portwell."

[color=fd8a6c]”... Like [i][b]us?[/b][/i]”[/color] Adora said, putting a hand on her hip. [color=fd8a6c]”A group of people who are only trying to stop a literal [i]serial killer.[/i]”[/color] She raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't agree with any of that," Greta said. "We had better things to do. [b][i]I[/i][/b] have better things to do."

[color=fd8a6c]”... But, you still went along with it anyway,”[/color] Adora spat out. [color=fd8a6c]”By enabling Emily, you're just as bad as she is! Matter of fact, you're [b][i]worse.[/i][/b]”[/color]

Greta sighed.

"... Is this all you wanted to talk to me about?" Greta said. "You only came out here to shame me?"

[color=fd8a6c]”I came here for an explanation,”[/color] Adora began. [color=fd8a6c]”I know you're better than that. Better than her. You are easily one of the most useful people I know. So why don't you drop Emily's sorry ass and make yourself [b][i]something?[/i][/b]”[/color]

"I-"

[color=fd8a6c]”... And don't give me that 'this is all I know' bullshit because it's just an excuse,”[/color] Adora said. [color=fd8a6c]”You... you have power. You have control. You have the [i]ability[/i]. We all do. So, that's all I want to know.”[/color]

Greta was silent. 

"... 8th Street is more of a Coven to me than Sycamore ever was, or ever will be," Greta said, tears rolling down her face. Her voice cracked "I... I just can't turn my back on them [i]now[/i], you know!"

[color=fd8a6c]”Tears aren't going to sway me, Gretchen,”[/color] Adora firmly said. [color=fd8a6c]”Emily and 8th Street are all [b][i]toxic.[/i][/b] You. Are. Better. Than. [i]This[/i].”[/color]

"... Do you [i][b]really[/b][/i] think you know everything, Appie?!" Greta shouted. "You're still the same self-righteous [i]bitch[/i] that you've been ten years ago!"

Adora grit her teeth, putting a hand on her chest.

[color=fd8a6c]”[i]'Self righteous?'[/i] Gretchen, I'm trying to help you! That's not fair!”[/color] 

"You know what's [i]really [/i]not fair?" Greta sobbed, "How [i]you[/i], our strongest, abandoned the Old Coven - boxed us out - and now you're acting like you can just come back and act like [i][b]everything[/b][/i] is fine! [i][b]I[/b][/i] looked up to you, Adora. Because you were everything I [i]wish[/i] I could have been! Confident. Strong. A fucking[i] anchor.[/i] Instead, I was just the potion-gal that was to be used and tossed away when it stopped being useful! I was just a tool! You and everyone else always treated me like that."

Adora sighed, taking a step toward Greta, and putting a hand on the side of her face.[color=fd8a6c]”Gretchen-”[/color]

"[i]Greta.[/i]" She corrected.

"Gret[i]a.[/i]" Adora said, surprised by Greta's interruption. [color=fd8a6c]”Girl, I never knew you felt that way... I can't speak for the rest of them, but, you know, you were [i]never[/i] a tool to me. I valued everything you did because, without you, that... memorial would be way longer.”[/color]

"I should have done more to help Li-"

[color=fd8a6c]”... Look, don't say it,”[/color] Adora interrupted. [color=fd8a6c]”I know I hurt you by leaving. I know it looks like I'm just waltzing in here, but I'm not acting like shit's cool. I know it isn't. I'm just trying to help you. The others are bunching you up with the rest of those monsters, and I don't want you to go down with the rest of them.”[/color]

"... Do you really think I [i]want[/i] to be with 8th Street, Emily? Under Emily and that psychopath Vashti?" Greta sighed, wiping her tears away. "I would want nothing more than for them to be gone. For better people to take their place. But,[i] they're all I have.[/i] I have no family. I have no friends. I have [b][i][u]nobody.[/u][/i][/b]"

[color=fd8a6c]”No,”[/color] Adora said, shaking her head. [color=fd8a6c]”... They're all you're [i]familar[/i] with.”[/color]

"Maybe you're right," Greta said, looking off to the side. "I'll... have to think about it."

[color=fd8a6c]”... And you don't have to have it all figured out right this second.”[/color] Adora added.

Greta kicked her feet back and forth as Adora took a seat next to her. However, Greta faced the opposite direction. 

"... [i]How is Luca doing?[/i]"

[color=fd8a6c]”I'm honestly not sure,”[/color] Adora said with a shrug. [color=fd8a6c]”Didn't get a chance to talk to the lil' guy...”[/color]

"I'm certain he hates me now," Greta continued to kick her feet back and forth. "I wouldn't blame him for it, though." 

[color=fd8a6c]”Why would he?”[/color] Adora asked.

"I told him I wasn't going to help him if he left 8th Street," Greta sighed. "I... I wish I hadn't said that to him. I have been secretly working on something. Just for him."
  
[color=fd8a6c]”Wait, what [i]does[/i] he need help with?”[/color] Adora asked, and Greta looked blank.

"... You don't know?" Greta asked. "Well, I imagine you wouldn't...."

[color=fd8a6c]”About what? Get to the point.”[/color]

Greta pushed her glasses up her nose as she said,

"Well... our favorite Britney was going around adjoining people to Apparitions to Shanghai them into the Coven," Greta answered. "I was mad about it at first, but I understand that things got a little... desperate. That memorial is proof of that. I know my Covenmates hate her, but I can understand some of the logic behind her decision."

[color=fd8a6c]”You...”[/color] Adora trailed off. [color=fd8a6c]”... You are joking, right?”[/color]

"I'm serious."

[color=fd8a6c]”I don't believe you.”[/color]

Greta pulled out her phone, went through her contacts, found Luca, and said, "I can call him right now."

[color=fd8a6c]”Do it,”[/color] Adora said with a nod, and Greta called Luca. 

[color=6B8E23]”Greta?!”[/color] Luca picked up immediately, sounding surprised. [color=6B8E23]”What’s up? Has something happened?!”[/color]

“Um, no, [i]dork,[/i]” Greta laughed. “I’m with Adora right now… She wants to ask you a question…”

Greta put it on speaker and Adora sighed, 

[color=fd8a6c]”... Heeeey, Luca,”[/color] Adora began. [color=fd8a6c]”I know we ain't talk much, how you doin’, buddy?”[/color]

[color=6B8E23]”Oh yeah, I'm good! Got a lil sick again, but that's just life…”[/color] Luca trailed off, coughing. [color=6B8E23]”How bout you? What did you want to ask?”[/color]

Adora was silent. She honestly didn't know how to ask thi-

“... Adora wants to know what Britney did to you, Luca,” Greta chimed in. “She doesn't believe me, so she wants to hear it from [i]you.[/i]” 

[color=6B8E23]”Oh…”[/color] Luca didn't say anything for a few moments. [color=6B8E23]”Yeah, she adjoined the Rot to me. But I really don't hold it against her anymore! It’s been years, after all…”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”I…”[/color] Adora put a fist to her mouth as she held her mouth. How could Britney do this? Why did Britney do this? [color=fd8a6c]”... I’m at a loss for words, sweetie. I… trusted Britney. I am so sorry. I can’t believe it.”[/color]

[color=6B8E23]”We all trusted her,”[/color] Luca said softly. [color=6B8E23]”It looked like she saved all of us, y’know? Technically she did- I can understand it a bit. So there’s no need to be sorry, I’m really as fine as I can be… But…”[/color] 

There was silence on the other end of the line, as if Luca seemed to be deciding whether to continue or not. Eventually, he spoke again. [color=6B8E23]”Since you’re with Greta, she’ll just call me out on my bullshit. So I’ll be honest. You just have to promise to not tell [i]anyone[/i] else in the coven. Especially not Jasper, Lila, and Lynn, alright?”[/color] 

Greta stared at Adora head-on. Her look told Adora that she knew [i]exactly[/i] what he was going to say next.

[color=fd8a6c]”... Come now, Luca,”[/color] Adora awkwardly laughed. [color=fd8a6c]”Do I look like the type of person to run around airing out people’s business like that?”[/color]

[color=6B8E23]”Welllll… it’s just pretty shocking!”[/color] Luca laughed. [color=6B8E23]”I’ll just come out with it then. I’m dying. The Rot is killing me. I found out a few years ago. It’s- it’s gotten a lot worse recently. Some days I struggle to get out of bed. Magical healing doesn’t help. I’m rotting inside, and that can’t be reversed. I’ve accepted it.”[/color] 

He spoke as if he was just talking about the weather, rather than his own death. [color=6B8E23]”All the people who care in 8th know- I couldn’t hide it from Greta, haha, but I’ve kept it from everyone in Sycamore. Almost everyone… [i]including[/i] Britney. I don’t want her to know.”[/color] 

“You couldn’t hide anything from me even if you tried, Luca,” Greta laughed.

[color=fd8a6c]”... You… I…”[/color] Adora trailed off, at a literal loss for words. That was beyond fucked up. And somehow it got even more fucked up. [color=fd8a6c]”... Britney is going to fix you. I’m going to [i]make her.[/i]”[/color]

[color=6B8E23]”No, no, no, if Britney finds out, everyone will find out!”[/color] Luca said, with a hint of panic in his voice. [color=6B8E23]”I doubt she’ll be able to. I’ve tried everything - we even tried to use the Apparition Killer ten years ago to cut the Rot out. It didn’t work. Even if we get rid of it… well… the damage is already done. I’ve made my peace with it. But I’m sorry for burdening you with it.”[/color] 

[color=fd8a6c]”What do you mean you made your peace? You are literally dying,”[/color] Adora scoffed, putting a hand on her hip as she couldn't believe it. [color=fd8a6c]”It's her mess to fix. I’ll do-”[/color]

“... I’m still working on something,” Greta interrupted, putting her glasses up her nose. “If he doesn't want you to do something; you have no choice but to respect it, Appie, regardless of how much you disagree with it.”

[color=6B8E23]”Thank you, Greta,”[/color] Luca said warmly. [color=6B8E23]”When I say I’ve made my peace I mean I’ve accepted that I don’t have long left. I’m at peace with it. I just want to make the most of the time I have left, alright?”[/color] 

He paused, before saying, [color=6B8E23]”Wait, Greta, I thought you said you stopped working on that when I left?”[/color] 

“... Do you think I’m dumb enough to say that in front of George and [i]Carol?[/i]” Greta asked.

[color=6B8E23]”Ohhhh… Of course! You’re the best, Greta.”[/color] Luca’s grin was practically audible through the call. [color=6B8E23]”But I’m sure Carol would just say a bunch of shit but not actually care- ah, well, she probably wants me to come back. Either way… Thank you both. I might need your help in the future, Adora, when I get worse.”[/color] 

[color=fd8a6c]”... What do you need, Luca?”[/color] Adora asked, pinching her nose. [color=fd8a6c]”Please tell me it's not what I think it is….”[/color]

[color=6B8E23]”No! It's not,”[/color] Luca said immediately. [color=6B8E23]”It’ll just get to the point where I'll struggle to leave my place… Jasper, Lila and Lynn are living with me for safety just now, but they'll probably move out when this thing with Father Wolf is solved! Just like, some company then… maybe bringing round some food. And a bit of help keeping it hidden from the others if it gets it more obvious! Nothing major…”[/color]

Another sigh escaped Adora.

[color=fd8a6c]”... I got you, Luca,”[/color] Adora said. [color=fd8a6c]”But, trust, I’m going to do [i]something[/i] about it. I [i]have[/i] to.”[/color]

[color=6B8E23]”... alright, I can't stop you,”[/color] Luca laughed slightly. [color=6B8E23]”Maybe you'll find something I haven't managed to!”[/color]

Adora sighed. She knew that the best bet was Britney, but Luca clearly didn’t want her involved - there wasn’t much that she could do on her own. She wasn’t a magical expert, she hardly had magic herself!

[color=fd8a6c]”I’ll be damned if I don’t try,”[/color] Adora said. [color=fd8a6c]”I’ll find something. I promise.”[/color]

[color=6B8E23]”Mm, I’m sure you will,”[/color] Luca replied cheerfully. [color=6B8E23]”... ah, I should let you know, Sloane also knows. She found out during the… hallucinations.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Ye-yeah… don’t remind me,”[/color] Adora sighed, wiping her head. She knew Sloane probably didn’t give a shit no how. [color=fd8a6c]”But, can you trust her not to say anything…?”[/color]

“… He can’t,” Greta chimed in.

[color=6B8E23]”And I don't,”[/color] Luca laughed awkwardly. [color=6B8E23]”She’ll definitely tell Anya… but I didn't have a choice! She overheard me saying about it when we were- well we were near enough she heard. I didn't tell her like I told you. But nobody trusts [I]them[/I]. Hopefully they just won't believe it…”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Look,”[/color] Adora sighed, [color=fd8a6c]””If they bring it up to the Coven - I know exactly what to say. Trust me.”[/color]

[color=6B8E23]”Alright, I will!”[/color] Luca said. [color=6B8E23]”Thanks again… I know it's a lot to take in.”[/color]

An exasperated sigh escaped Adora’s lips, because Luca was right; it was a lot to take in. She took a few steps forward, [color=fd8a6c]”Yeah, let me know if you need anything.”[/color]

[color=6B8E23]”Will do! You can get my number from Greta!”[/color] Luca said cheerfully. [color=6B8E23]”Also, Greta? It was nice to hear from you again.”[/color]

“It was great to hear from you again, too, dork,” Greta said. “You have my number.”

Adora put a fist to her lips as she said, [color=fd8a6c]”Luca… just… hold on… I’ll find something to help you.”[/color]

[color=6B8E23]”Thanks again, Adora,”[/color] Luca said quietly, before his tone turned more cheerful again. [color=6B8E23]”Catch you guys later!”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Yeah,”[/color] Adora sighed, as she hung up the phone, and sat down next to Greta.

“So…” Greta asked. “What do you want to talk about now, Appie?” 

Adora shrugged.

[color=fd8a6c]”Let’s just sit here,”[/color] Adora began. [color=fd8a6c]”And watch the wave.”[/color]

Greta was silent for a moment.

[i]“... I’d like that.”[/i]

[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/6D400qM.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/O6LA4nR.png[/img][img]https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/a_ZXp74cmcnxAvQSBK0nee5IJqvtSKuclfYouJxS7HA/https/fontmeme.com/permalink/231126/fd923e18179d11fb770a1c53aea6dd00.png?format=webp[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/lFuOid9.png[/img][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None[/right][right][b][code]Adora’s House > The Salty Seagull[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr]

[color=fd8a6c][i]Oh what the hell did Greta know?[/i][/color]

Adora internally seethed as she lay down on her bed. In the privacy of her own home, Adora dresses far less conservatively, as she has nobody to leer at her. She wore just some booty shorts and a tank top, and she played on her phone as that meeting with Greta played in her head over and over again. She just shook her head as she decided not to think about it. She was just making herself angry. Adora put the phone down and crossed her arms.

[color=fd8a6c][i]Greta was right. I [b]have[/b] boxed people out.[/i][/color]

While she would rather show up to the next Coven meeting [i]naked[/i] than [i]ever[/i] admit it, she was [i]lonely.[/i] The life of a forced recluse does that, but she so desperately wanted something… it didn’t even have to be a romantic connection; she just wanted to talk to somebody. Anybody. Right now, Adora was stuck in a paradoxical contradiction: the only social group she had right now were the same people that were mildly triggering to her.

She should get out more, find a hobby, find the first guy she sees, strike up a conversation, or start clubbing. Being stuck between a rock and a hard place was terrible, but she had to stop. She had to think. Before she sighed, pulled out her phone, and sent Auri a text…

[center][hr][hider][img]https://i.imgur.com/6E7keoO.png[/img][/hider][hr][/center]

Moments later, she had Stormy’s number… and she stared at it for a few moments. Before she just mustered the courage to just up and hit call, and it was too late to back out then. She was going to face this.

After a brief moment, the call went through.

[color=00ff98]”Adora?”[/color]

Adora gulped. It was the moment of truth. That quelling anxiety in her chest was something she had to ignore. She sighed… before she realized that she had just signed into the phone.

[color=fd8a6c]”... Stormy! Stormy! How are you doing today, [i]buddy?[/i]”[/color] Adora just spat out. [color=fd8a6c][i]Oh God, he probably thinks I’m weird.[/i][/color] She thought to herself, her hand shaking as she worried that he was going to hang up.

[color=00ff98]”I’m as fine as I can be, after yesterday,”[/color] says the voice on the other end. [color=00ff98]”And you? That entire thing was horrible.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”I’m… fine,”[/color] Adora scoffed. She tried her best to play off how useless she was in that confrontation. [color=fd8a6c]”I was wondering what you were up to today? If you wanted to grab something to eat.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”I was going to take it easy today, so that sounds like a good idea. Where?”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Are you by the boardwalk? Have you ever heard of the Salty Seagull? Very good sandwiches… On me.”[/color]

The line is silent for a moment. [color=00ff98]”Give me thirty minutes, and I can be there. That doesn’t sound familiar to me, though. Was that after the disaster?”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”It opened up a few years after…”[/color] Adora tried to say before chills crept down her spine. [color=fd8a6c]”... [i]Yeah.[/i] I’ll be there. Food’s real good, I promise.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”I’ll be there.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”See you soon,”[/color] Adora said, sighing as she finally hung up. She sank back into her bed, relieved but realized that she would have to interact with people. One of the people who brought up bad memories, but the feeling of loneliness was more overpowering than those feelings. She hopped off the bed, and while Stormy might appreciate the show, she had to get dressed. There was that part of her that wanted to dress cutesy, but she filled her cutesy attire quota from the Halloween festival. 

She also didn’t want Stormy to get it twisted and think she was trying to date him (An idea that she had to take [i]baby steps[/i] with). Though, Adora quickly threw on some grey sweatpants, a red hoodie, and some white Air Force 1’s. She quickly maneuvered outside until she made it to her car, and then to The Salty Seagull.

[hr]

It was a relatively short and peaceful drive to the [url=https://i.imgur.com/AjP4w5n.jpeg]Salty Seagull[/url]. She parked, and got out - but before she walked up, she took in a deep sigh. Adora wondered if Lihn would approve of this, but Adora saw that it was a sign of strength, and getting her power back - even with bloodied hands. She threw her hood up, and walked up to the front door, and she was immediately assaulted with the smell of fried food, seafood, bread, etc. She sighed, as she looked around for Stormy, only to see that he wasn’t there… thus, she helped herself and sat in a booth as she waited for him.

An old, off-white Cadillac rolled up into the parking lot. It wasn’t the kind of car people drove very often these days, and there was a bit of a story to it, attached to the story of the Sycamore Coven itself through Stormy. He hadn’t been to this part of the city in, well… A decade. Not since he was fighting for his life, and the lives of others. He stepped out in a dark buttoned shirt, and a cargo jacket. Nothing particularly extravagant, and it was getting colder out. He liked to dress practically.

He walked in, looking at the place before spotting Adora, and walked over to sit down.

[color=00ff98][i]”Something[/i] smells wonderful in here.”[/color]

Adora cracked a half-smirk (not a full one, just a half).

[color=fd8a6c]”What are you talking about the food- or, uh, me?”[/color] Adora tried to flirt but there was that stumble that probably made it come out more awkward than it sounded in her head.

[color=00ff98]”I’m not sure yet, I just sat down,”[/color] he said, without hesitating or missing a beat.

[color=fd8a6c][i]Smooth.[/i][/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Let’s, uh…”[/color] Adora’s eyes drifted to the side. [color=fd8a6c]”... Forget about that.”[/color] She punctuated that with a cough.

Stormy nodded. [color=00ff98]”Forgotten.”[/color]

Adora blushed… thankfully, her skin tone made noticing that harder. [color=fd8a6c][i]Backpedal. Think girl, think! Something! Anything![/i][/color] Adora thought to herself as she tried to come up with something to make this less weird, and awkward. There had to be something.

[color=fd8a6c]”... Why didn’t you say hi to me at any of the meetings?”[/color] Adora asked. She couldn’t blame him for not approaching a clearly [i]unapproachable[/i] person—or for looking like she was ready to throttle Sloane at the first meeting she went to (another regret of hers).

Stormy leaned back in his side of the booth. [color=00ff98]”Well… At the first one, I almost killed Britney, so I suppose I was too busy seeing red to say hi to [i]anyone,[/i] but I don’t think you were there for that. The second one, you were occupied. And then I wanted to apologize for nearly turning Auri’s shop into a war zone.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”And then 8th Street happened at the third.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Ehhhhh, yeah, weird shit follows us where ever we go, right?”[/color] Adora said, resisting the urge to say that Stormy would have been justified in putting Britney down for what she did to Luca and the others. However, she felt a pang of regret for making a scene at the second meeting without even saying hi to anyone [i]herself[/i]. What a hypocrite she was. Not that she was ever going to admit that. [color=fd8a6c]”I wasn’t at the first meeting anyway. I… had work.”[/color]

She shook her head, hoping Stormy wasn’t perceptive enough to see through her lies. [color=fd8a6c]”But, the first thing I thought of was getting my rings back from Sloane-y so we’d have some type of edge…”[/color] She rolled her eyes. [color=fd8a6c]”... Having Trinity back would be great, would it not?”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”It [i]would,[/i] but is it that simple? Just get all three, and carry on like last time? I don’t think I remember exactly how it works, did they need three people for each thing?”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”You [i]do,[/i]”[/color] Adora awkwardly laughed. [color=fd8a6c]”But, I don’t think it’d be hard to find three people to use them in the Coven, right?”[/color] She kept it to herself that she was not going to share her rings with anyone that are not Vanessa and Clem. Adora then laughed as she decided to add a joke.

[color=fd8a6c]”We could have shoved Emily’s monster right up her crazy snatch!”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”True,”[/color] he nodded. [color=00ff98]”Maybe we can find them, I could possibly guess to [i]how.[/i] Another time, though.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”I mean…. No time like the present,”[/color] Adora shrugged. [color=fd8a6c]”What is your ‘guess’, if you don’t mind me asking?”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”You’ve been in St. Portwell longer than me, right? How many people outside the coven can you think of that would want the Trinity Rings? There are groups of people [i]outside[/i] the city that would love those, too. I mostly stick to mundane history these days, but I’ve always been good with paranormal history as well.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”None that come to mind, ho-”[/color] Adora tried to answer before it hit her and she [i]got[/i] it. No one outside the Coven should even know that the Coven has the Trinity Rings.

[color=00ff98]”Every now and then, some paranormal near where I work will contact me and ask me about things. Usually, it’s to check facts about an artifact or a big event that happened in the past. Like the Necromancer Purge or the Oni Wars,”[/color] he explained. [color=00ff98]”Sometimes, I hear about artifacts that I actually [i]recognize.[/i] I might be able to ask them about the rings, if they’re willing to talk.”[/color]

Adora raised an eyebrow.

[color=fd8a6c]”Please tell me if you get anything from them,”[/color] Adora asked, before curiosity got the best of her. [color=fd8a6c]”... And Necromancer Purge? Oni Wars? Sorry, I turned my back on magic a long time ago - what are those?”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”The Necromancer Purge was recent, more or less. By that I mean we and our parents were alive for if. Louisiana used to be the United States’ capital for Necromancers, they were everywhere down there, and then someone with a vengeance [i]purged[/i] all of them, to put it politely. Very few people made it out. If any.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”And the Oni Wars happened centuries ago. The latest of them taking place in the early 1500s. They were a series of campaigns by demonic Apparitions looking to take over Japan. Most of them were during the time when samurai were common, and they failed every single time,”[/color] Stormy said. [color=00ff98]”Sometimes they would win ground, other times the old demon hunters of the era would win it back. But they never found any footholds that lasted more than a few decades. That’s why there were multiple. The Oni Wars weren’t very well documented early on, so the best records are from the later ones when most of the Oni Clubs were accounted for in what is today the outskirts of Osaka.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”... Didn’t that one girl have something like that?”[/color] Adora tapped the side of her head a few times as she tried to remember. [color=fd8a6c]”Shit, forgot her name. You know... The short Japanese girl - well, no. The real tough-looking one with the short hair.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”Amy Nakamura? I remember. Most of the Clubs were kept hidden by paranormal families throughout the centuries. Feudal lords, certain samurai who earned the right… Anyone who knew what they were doing in terms of magic. I’m not surprised she had one.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Yeah, her!”[/color] Adora confidently said - even though she wasn’t confident that was the correct person. [color=fd8a6c]”Whatever happened to her?”[/color]

Stormy thought about it for a second. [color=00ff98]”I’m not sure. Maybe she never returned Auri’s call. I hope that’s all there is to it. Someone like her would be [i]very[/i] hard to kill, considering the way the Clubs work.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”A lot of people never answered Auri’s call, it seemed like,”[/color] Adora chuckled, and almost Adora herself was one of them. Though she was curious as to why. Did that many people not like Auri? Or were they [i]that[/i] disillusioned with the idea of a Coven?

[color=fd8a6c]”Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, she didn’t seem like a bad person, you know.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”I don’t think I remember her much. It [i]would[/i] be nice if she suddenly appeared again, deciding to help us figure everything out. But wherever she is, hopefully she’s fine.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”... Hope so, too,”[/color] Adora laughed. Though, with all the murders going on, Adora couldn’t help but assume she’s been murdered. Not much she can do about it, either. Though, there was a question on her mind. [color=fd8a6c]”What do you think of the Coven’s current lineup?”[/color] She couldn’t help but end that question with a chuckle.

[color=fd8a6c]”I mean… I know people probably have strong opinions of me there.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”To be completely honest with you, it worries me,”[/color] Stormy admitted. [color=00ff98]”As kids, we beat a god into submission. But there were over a hundred of us. Most of us didn’t come back, and I’m worried the ones who did are going to get themselves killed.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”I mean, it’s obvious a lot of people just don’t give a shit,”[/color] Adora said with a roll of her eyes. [color=fd8a6c]”Either they’re acting like this is some [i]pow-wow,[/i] or just care about themselves - Auri is hardly doing anything to keep anyone in check or focused.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”It’s not entirely her fault, when some of us just refuse to take this all seriously. There’s a difference between having a life and acting like what’s currently happening doesn’t mean anything.”[/color] He was willing to let a lot of things slide, but what really got under Stormy’s skin was the way some people just didn’t give a [i]fuck[/i] about the serial killer hunting them all down.

[color=fd8a6c]”You’re right but,”[/color] Adora awkwardly laughed. [color=fd8a6c]”Tweedle dee, and tweedle dum rushed out there, tits-out, and dragged the whole lot of us into a fight - and Auri just sat on her ass.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”True. But I can’t blame people for that. That’s what I would’ve done, and I damn sure wouldn’t let them drag anyone away just because they had a giant flesh… Thing with them.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”I…”[/color] Adora stopped herself because there was no way that she could see herself disagreeing with that response. Especially since, if she had the ability to, she would have shoved Vashti’s head up Emily’s ass. She sighed. [color=fd8a6c]”You’re right. It wasn’t Auri’s fault. It wasn’t even those two goof-balls fault for not wanting to be pushed around by Emily.”[/color]

He nodded. [color=00ff98]”It would be different if they walked up to us and… [i]Politely[/i] asked to settle something with those two,”[/color] Stormy had to suppress the urge to laugh at the notion.  [color=00ff98]But let’s be honest, “polite” isn’t in Emily’s or Vashti’s vocabularies. And maybe we could have handled the fight better, made less mistakes. But a lot of us were done with magic entirely. I think we did the best we could with what we had.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”... Me included,”[/color] Adora chuckled, as she never intended to put the Trinity Rings on again. [color=fd8a6c]”I’m glad to see that Emily hasn’t changed at all… she’s still a complete bastard, but I, uh, can you keep this between us, okay?”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”What is it? I’m listening.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”I convinced Gretch- Greta, to come meet me at the boardwalk last night,”[/color] Adora began. [color=fd8a6c]”I tried to convince her to leave 8th, but I can tell what happened hurt her. She is in too deep with 8th St.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”Too deep? What’s stopping her?”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”She claims 8th St is ‘all she knows’ but I told her ass it was all she was familiar with,”[/color] Adora began. [color=fd8a6c]”I was trying to get her to realize that she’s better than this. But she said she was going to think about it.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”I think that’s about all you can do in that situation. Didn’t most of her coven [i]choose[/i] it?”[/color] Stormy asked.

[color=fd8a6c]”I don't know them,”[/color] Adora shrugged. [color=fd8a6c]”Who knows what their situation is.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”I’m sure someone does. If you’re trying to convince some of them to turn their backs on Emily, we could try to ask the others. Some of them have been here longer, after all. Drake and Sloane never left, Luca’s always been close by.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Hey now, let’s take a step back,”[/color] Adora put her hands up. [color=fd8a6c]”I’m not trying to convince them to turn their backs on Emily; I was trying to help an old friend see the light before someone hurts her.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”Right. Okay,”[/color] He metaphorically backed up. [color=00ff98]”You know her better than me. What do you think it would take for her to leave? What did she have before 8th Street?”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”From what she claims, not a whole lot,”[/color] Adora awkwardly laughed, [color=fd8a6c]”She saw me, Luca, and… You know who, as her true friends.”[/color]

She sighed, [color=fd8a6c]”... She may just have to find out the hard way how bad 8th St is.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”Hm… Back in the old coven, Emily rounded up Britney’s victims, promising them an outlet for everything that happened,”[/color] he said. [color=00ff98]”Did Emily offer her something in return for loyalty?”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”None that I am aware of, but to me it sounded like Greta was more pissed at Daisy than anything.”[/color] Adora answered. 

[color=00ff98]”I think I’d be angry too, if someone accused me of making apparitions after what we all went through. That lab was expensive, wasn’t it? I remember driving some of us around to find things for it when Greyson couldn’t source anything with his connections. But Daisy isn’t here anymore… I think you’re right,”[/color] he concluded. [color=00ff98]”I don’t think there’s an easy way to convince her.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”... Well, sounds like there is nothing we can do about it right now,”[/color] Adora sighed. [color=fd8a6c]”But what have you been up to lately? You said you left St. Portwell… Where did you go? go?”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”I moved to Reedsport, half a day from here. I’m a college professor, as of four and a half years ago. History. American, world, and others depending on the year.”[/color]


[color=fd8a6c]”Sounds… Fun,”[/color] Adora said, she was a little bit jealous, she had to admit. [color=fd8a6c]”I work as customer support for some computer company. I spend all day trying to teach oblivious old people how to unfuck their computer… At least they let me work from home.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”I haven’t ever tried that, working at home. I usually enjoy being there in person, it keeps me distracted. Though, I moved everything to online classes so I could come back. Is it difficult, trying to get through phone calls with people over something like that?”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Eh, it’s annoying,”[/color] Adora shrugged. [color=fd8a6c]”... It works best for my situation. That's what matters to me.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”That’s always the important part,”[/color] he said, grateful she didn’t notice that he mentioned being distracted. [color=00ff98]”I take it you don’t get out much, because of that?”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”I’m…”[/color] Adora trailed, [color=fd8a6c]”... A homebody.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”Mm. That must be perfect, then,”[/color] he says. 

[color=fd8a6c]”I wouldn’t say its perfect…”[/color] Adora said, before throwing back up her walls. [color=fd8a6c]”... But, it works.”[/color]

There was an awkward silence.

[color=fd8a6c]”... I just realized we haven’t ordered anything.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”...[i]Right.[/i] I forgot we were here for a reason,”[/color] he chuckled. [color=00ff98]”I’ve never ate here before, I hope it’s good.”[/color]

[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/6D400qM.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/O6LA4nR.png[/img][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjEwNi43NjY3NjcuVTJ4dllXNWxJRVpoY21sei4w/bachelorette.regular.webp[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/r7scdkh.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/Sk5LLO6.png[/img][img]https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/i9mJHtTQ4ljVlHKFlGvOBH8R-LYGwnr8vLigPvEQbVo/https/fontmeme.com/permalink/240204/a46d173d864e54efd06ab675a496cd2c.png?format=webp&quality=lossless[/img][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None[/right][right][b][code]The Boardwalk > Sloane's Apartment.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr]


Amara liked to tell herself she could take on anything that life had to throw at her. Mundane life? Manageable. Armed combat? Just had to keep your head down and your eyes open. Solving a murder mystery? Well, she had help for that.

But after that tragedy of a fight a few days ago, with those punks that made Britney’s problem [i]everyone’s[/i] problem, She came to the conclusion that this was going to be a challenge. The coven wasn’t really a coven anymore. Hell, it wasn’t even organized. Auri wasn’t experienced enough with this like Ashley was. And Ashley might’ve been a nepotistic ass at times, but at least she could keep people on the straight and narrow. But Ashley wasn’t here, and neither was Daisy. So Auri had to fill those shoes.

And Amara’s memories hadn’t gone so far to hell that she forgot how she contributed back in the day. If no one else was going to step up, then she’d fill the shoes herself. And, she thought, maybe she could help Auri with that.

And that started by taking some initiative. After asking Auri for a few phone numbers, she dialed the first one on her list. After a few rings, someone answered.

[color=fd8a6c]”… H-hello?”[/color] Adora answered.wered.

[color=789caa]”Adora? Remember me? It’s Amara, from the shitshow at Kari’s house a few days ago?”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”… Describe yourself,”[/color] Adora began. [color=fd8a6c]”My memory ain’t that good.”[/color]

[color=789caa]”Bitch who made plans back in the old coven? Whole army of ghosts for an abstraction?”[/color] She explained. [color=789caa]”You and I worked together a few times back then.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”… I meant what you looked like, goofball.”[/color] Adora laughed. [color=fd8a6c]”Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t remember you. The Coven gave me a lot to forget.”[/color]

She awkwardly laughed before she added, [color=fd8a6c]”… But, from the way you’re talking, you’re definitely one of us. So how can I help you?”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”After what happened, I figured it would be a good time to try and get things into some kind of working order. So I’m calling around, touching base with people about things. Trying to help make everything easier, y’know?”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Sure,”[/color] Adora began. [color=fd8a6c]”… Do you want to meet in person?”[/color]

[color=789caa]”If you don’t mind, yeah,”[/color] Amara said. [color=789caa]”Doesn’t matter much to me where.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”I was just hanging out with Stormy,”[/color] Adora said. [color=fd8a6c]”I’m not too far away from the boardwalk. Is that good?”[/color]

[color=789caa]”Yeah, I’ll be there in… A bit. On my way.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”I’ll be there chilling, take your time,”[/color] Adora answered. [color=fd8a6c]”See you soon.”[/color]

[hr]

Adora was sitting at the bench, staring at the waves, hands in her pockets and a hoodie up. She was blissfully unaware that Amara’s greatest desire was her yams. 

Amara walked down the boardwalk in sweatpants and a light gray hoodie. The boardwalk felt odd to her. In that strange area between familiar and foreign, where a lot of things seemed to find themselves these days. There weren’t many people out, with the days getting shorter and the weather getting colder, so Adora wasn’t very difficult to spot.

Amara walked up to her, hoping she didn’t scare the girl off by doing so. [color=789caa]”Didn’t keep you waiting too long, did I?”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Oh no, not at all,”[/color] Adora said, 
[color=fd8a6c]”I hardly have anything going on, anyhow”[/color]

She gave the spot next to her a few pats. [color=fd8a6c]”… Have a seat.”[/color]

Amara nods and falls into a seat on the bench. [color=789caa]”So, like I said, I’m trying to pitch in around the place. Trying to reconnect some so I can do that. So I’m just gonna ask the hard question and you can reel it back if you don’t feel like answering.”[/color]

She paused, and then [i]gently[/i] asked, [color=789caa]”Why’d you give the rings to Sloane of all people?”[/color]

Adora was silent for a moment.

[color=fd8a6c]”… I didn’t,”[/color] She succinctly answered. [color=fd8a6c]”’Nessa and Clem did when they left the Coven.”[/color] 

Adora then shook her head, [color=fd8a6c]”I tried to get ‘im back before all this craziness went down, but Sloane didn’t want to give them up. Probably already lost them.”[/color] She shrugged.

Amara didn’t fully remember Vannesa and Clementine. Blurry faces in a mirror that was cracked to hell. [color=789caa]”But there were three of them. You handed yours in?”[/color]

Adora just raised her hand, revealing the ring she kept on her finger.

[color=789caa]”Well… Okay. That’s a start. Ever try finding the other two? I heard that Sloane lost them.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”I mean… Where do I fucking start?”[/color] Adora laughed, leaning forward and putting her hands on her face. [color=fd8a6c]”St. Portwell is a bigass place - if they’re even in St. Portwell!”[/color]

[color=789caa]”There are ways, girl,”[/color] Amara said, thinking about it. [color=789caa]”I’ve got at least two ways to start. One, I use abstraction to figure it out. The other… Promise not to freak the fuck out?”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Well, long as you’re not torturing kittens…”[/color] Adora chuckled.

[color=789caa]”Well…”[/color] She began. [color=789caa]”I was in the PRA for most of the last ten years. Quit around a year ago. I knew people that could probably find the rings easier than me… And I could keep them quiet about it.”[/color]

Adora smiled.

[color=fd8a6c]”... You were expecting me to flip out over that?”[/color] Adora scoffed. [color=fd8a6c]”You got the wrong idea about me. Though, I don't trust them.”[/color]

She crossed her arms, [color=fd8a6c]”They ruined one of my hoodies.”[/color]

[color=789caa]”Yeah… They ruin shit. It happens. But they know a lot about paranormal things. I was kind of a big deal, and I never heard about your rings. Not once.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”... Good, we shouldn’t be airing out all our secrets to the Feds anyhow,”[/color]  Adora said. Before she signed, [color=fd8a6c]”I’m not sure if I want their help though…”[/color]

[color=789caa]”If they know I’m the one asking, I’m sure I can get them to mind their own business. I was around before the guy currently running the place was. They take whoever they can get, since they’re always underfunded. That means I had to keep people from doing stupid shit more times than I can count. As long as it’s not someone like Liao or Keagen, I can likely handle them.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”... I’m still not comfortable with the idea,”[/color] Adora answered. [color=fd8a6c]”How about we see what Sloane knows, then we hit up the feds.”[/color]

[color=789caa]”Yeah, that’s fine if you’d rather do that.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”... She has me blocked.”[/color]

[hr]

20 minutes ago, Amara shot Sloane a few messages, asking if she was free for some in-person conversation. She made sure to phrase it as “coven business” and “proactive planning,” which was neither a lie nor different from Amara’s idea of the whole thing. Sloane was allegedly the last person to know the whereabouts of the rings, after all.

An elevator ride with Adora later, she knocked on Sloane’s front door.

[color=fd8a6c]”... You told her I was coming, right?”[/color] Adora asked.

[color=789caa]”Well [i]yeah.”[/i][/color]

A moment later, announced by the sound of a series of deadbolts being unlocked, Sloane opened the door. She was dressed bizarrely casual for herself, wearing an old pair of jeans and a t-shirt from the Halloween Festival, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. There seemed to be a small, thin streak of paint on the edge of her tightening jawline as her tired eyes looked from Amara to Adora then back to Amara. 

[color=silver]“You didn’t say [i]she[/i] was—whatever, come in,”[/color] said Sloane with a huff, her eyes rolling as she turned to lead the two into her penthouse’s living room. A silver platter with a porcelain teapot , two cups, a saucer of cream,  a few cubes of sugar, and a handful of tiny sandwiches made with smoked salmon and cream cheese sat on her coffee table. Tea for two. Two. Not three, two. Sloane glared at it. [color=silver]“Have a seat wherever. Help yourselves. Just…just…just give me a second.”[/color]

Sloane loudly sighed and stormed off to the kitchen. Her practice of having “proper hosting etiquette” echoed down the hall—the rattling of condiment bottles on the door of the fridge, a quiet [color=silver]“shit”[/color],  the opening and shutting of cabinets and cupboards, the hissing of a tap, and the clicking of a stove followed by a whoosh of flames. 

[color=789caa]”Huh… I thought that second text went through,”[/color] Amara said, checking her phone after Sloane stepped away. 

[color=789caa]”Oops. Forgot to hit send.”[/color]

Adora facepalmed.

Sloane returned with an opened bag of potato chips and a third tea cup. She carefully set the empty teacup down on the platter, turning the little handle ever so slightly that it lined up more aesthetically with the entire presentation, and then unceremoniously dropped the big bag of chips onto the table next to it, likely smashing up a good chunk of the chips. 

[color=silver]“I’m out of bread,”[/color] Sloane said matter-of-factly, then poured herself a cup of tea. She sat on the edge of an armchair, looking ready to rush back off to the kitchen the moment she heard the kettle whistle. She gestured to Amara, letting her know it was time to start explaining why she was being bothered. [color=silver]“Well?”[/color]

[color=789caa]”Like I was saying earlier,”[/color] Amara began, sitting down gently across from Sloane. [color=789caa]”I’ve decided to be proactive about the state of the coven. Talking to everyone, fixing the little problems that add up into major ones. First on the list was the Trinity Rings. And you were the one to have them last. Adora thinks discussing that with you was the better idea, so we’re here.”[/color]

Adora sat down next to Amara,grabbed the teacup,  and sighed, [color=fd8a6c]”... And I was hoping to apologize for my behavior at the second meeting.”[/color]

[color=silver]“I believe you owe an apology to Anya, not to me. If anything I found your behavior…[i]typical,[/i]”[/color] said Sloane. 

[color=fd8a6c]”... And my actions were not directed at her at all,”[/color] Adora narrowed her eyes. [color=fd8a6c]”So, she’s unimportant right now.”[/color]

Sloane turned to Amara, [color=silver]“I take it this list has yet to be properly organized? As I’ve already told Adora, the two Trinity Rings given to me were stolen alongside the rest of my collection. If I had any leads or information on where they might be I would have them already.”[/color]

[color=789caa]”You’ve been sitting on a whole system of leads since your collection was taken,”[/color] Amara retorted, blunt and concisely. [color=789caa]”I asked around, to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. The way I heard it, you had more than just the Trinity Rings. You even had mock versions of most of the big name artifacts we all used. You’ve always been meticulous,”[/color] She continued. [color=789caa]”So it’s only natural you’d keep everything locked up tighter than the Pit.”[/color]

She leaned back in her seat. [color=789caa]”You were robbed, and there’s a pattern when people get robbed. Sometimes it’s as simple as realizing they got in through the window by hitting the latch with a screwdriver. Sometimes the locks can be tripped with a high powered magnet. It’s no different when you’ve got magic involved. So the way you have your vault set up is a clue to how it was breached. You following me?”[/color]

[Color=silver]“I understand how theft works,”[/color] said Sloane, hiding a sneer by taking a sip of tea. [Color=silver]“I didn't just have a vault. I had my collection spread out and reinforced by my hexmarks to protect them–at home, at work, at the bank. There was no sign of forced entry, no prints, no hair, no…anything. My hexmarks were gone, but none of the effects had been triggered.  If not for the missing artifacts it was as if nobody had been there.”[/color]

[color=789caa]”Which means whoever [i]was[/i] there was the type of person who can one, leave no trace when they rob someone, two, nullify magic in some way, and three, gather up a [i]lot[/i] of information,”[/color] Amara said, thinking. [color=789caa]”Magic isn’t just raw power. It’s rock paper scissors, attack and counterattack. So the logical jump there is it’s likely you were robbed by multiple people coordinating. How many people knew about your collection before it was taken?”[/color]

[color=silver]“Apparently too many,”[/color] said Sloane. It wasn’t like some grand secret. A handful of former covenmates had taken up her offer on storing their unwanted artifacts, and many more had refused her but were aware she was asking around. A kettle hissed in the background. [color=silver]“But you’re wrong about magic, Amara. It plays by the rules until suddenly it just doesn’t. Sure, logic would dictate that it was likely a group of people working together, but it’s also possible that it may have been one person working with multiple versions of themselves. Excuse me.”[/color]

Sloane returned moments later with another pot of tea. She sat back down in her chair, [color=silver]“Let me ask something before we get ahead of ourselves. Say we get the rings back. Who do you plan on having them?”[/color] She gave a dismissive glance towards Adora. [color=silver]“Surely not her?”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”... Oh yes, not the person they belonged to,”[/color] Adora rolled her eyes. [color=fd8a6c]”Now, Sloane-y, I know you’re not taking these murders - or even that fiasco at Kari’s house - seriously, but we need every asset we can get right now.”[/color]

Sloane choked on her tea. Yeah, she was notorious for not taking things seriously.

Adora narrowed her eyes, [color=fd8a6c]”... Britney - as hard as it is for me to say her name right now - said that the rings are one of the most powerful artifacts in the All-Verse: what [i]good[/i] are they sitting around in your house, your job, or where ever, right now?”[/color]

[color=789caa]”They might not be of any use sitting around in your vault, but that goes for anyone whose hands we keep them out of as well,”[/color] Amara said. [color=789caa]”That’s the point of locking them down when they’re not needed, right?”[/color]

[color=silver]“Something like that,”[/color] muttered Sloane. 

Sloane didn’t like the idea of Adora having the Trinity Rings, and she wasn’t the only one: there was a reason Clem and Vanessa had given them to her instead of Adora. Adora couldn’t handle the responsibility. She shutdown in the face of pressure. It was ridiculous that she even had the nerve to bring up Kari’s house—Sloane didn’t recall Adora doing anything to stop 8th Street from overrunning them. The temptation to verbally smack Adora down was enticing, fueled further by her having the nerve to call Sloane “Sloaney”, but there was something holding her back. An annoying, filthy four-letter-word: [color=9966CC][i]tact[/i].[/color]

[color=silver]“You two make a fair point. We need every asset we can get, and we need to keep them out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them,”[/color] said Sloane. She gently set down her cup of tea, held her palm out, and stared blankly at Adora. [color=silver]“Give me your ring.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”... Hell. No.”[/color] Adora sharply responded.

Amara… [i]Laughed.[/i] This didn’t surprise her.

[color=silver]“Calm down, you’ll get it back. But with it I can remake my Counterfeit which will destroy the previous one. An asset for us, less useful toys for our thieves,”[/color] said Sloane. She curled back her fingers, closing her hand. [color=silver]“Or is that not what you want?”[/color]

[color=789caa]”Would you be able to make three of them, to fake the whole set?”[/color]

[color=silver]“Not quite. Well, not always,”[/color] said Sloane. [color=silver]“Again, magic doesn’t always do what you think it should.”[/color]

Adora was silent for a moment. Before she sighed, [color=fd8a6c]”... How long will it take?”[/color]

[color=silver]“Long enough that we should probably order an actual lunch,”[/color] said Sloane, frowning at the untouched sandwiches. [color=silver]“So? I’ll even pay.”[/color]

[color=789caa]”I can pay half if you’re gonna insist on it,”[/color] Amara said. [color=789caa]”And I figure that since we’ll be here that long, we can talk about what [i]else[/i] needs to be unfucked in this town.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”I just ate so you don't have to worry about me,”[/color] Adora shrugged. [color=fd8a6c]”The list of St. Portwell’s problems is so long that we’ll all be old ladies by the time we make some headway.”[/color]

[color=silver]“You two can talk, just keep it down,”[/color] said Sloane, putting down her phone after quickly ordering some Indian food for the three of them. Despite what Adora said, she’d definitely want some once she smelled the garlic naan. [color=silver]“I’ll need to concentrate. And I’ll need that ring.”[/color]

Adora sighed as she took the ring off and presented it to Sloane. She took it, then left, then Adora awkwardly smiled at Amara. Before she leaned in and quietly,

[color=fd8a6c]”... I didn't want to say it front of her ass,”[/color] Adora asked. [color=fd8a6c]”But, do you know any ways to get the Rot out of Luca?”[/color]

[color=789caa]”…Not off the top of my head,”[/color] Amara admitted, quietly. [color=789caa]”I know there are some Agents, capital A, that work solely with sealed Apparitions. Binding them and unbinding them whenever they need, but I’ve never met anyone like that. It’s… It’s not impossible to force an Apparition out of someone, but… We can’t do that with what we have.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”There has to be a way, something, anything,”[/color] Adora threw a hand up, [color=fd8a6c]”I told the lil’ guy I’d do something but I don’t know where to start…”[/color]

[color=789caa]”Speaking from experience, us paranormals usually do better in groups. It sounds pretentious coming from me, but you can’t really do everything alone. You could try asking some of the more bookish members of the coven. The ones who did all the research back then. Like that guy with the magic hand… I forgot his name.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”... Jack,”[/color] Adora shuddered. [color=fd8a6c]”Is there anyone else? So I can just do a full sweep?”[/color]

[color=789caa]”Britney. Anya, if she can be bothered. [i]Maybe[/i] you could ask Linqian if she has any of Jinhai’s books and promise you’ll treat them right. That’s the best I got.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Anya’s an automatic no. I’m certain Linqian still doesn't care for me, and Britney…”[/color] Adora shook her head. [color=fd8a6c]”... This is her mess to fix. So best start with her.”[/color]

[color=789caa]”I don’t think she appreciates me being around, but I can come with, if you prefer that.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Sure,”[/color] Adora said. 

Amara nodded. [color=789caa]”Maybe Britney can tell us a thing or two about 8th St we don’t already know while we’re at it.”[/color]

[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/MzIHaGw.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/JgL3zQi.png[/img][img]https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/a_ZXp74cmcnxAvQSBK0nee5IJqvtSKuclfYouJxS7HA/https/fontmeme.com/permalink/231126/fd923e18179d11fb770a1c53aea6dd00.png?format=webp[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/lFuOid9.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/6D400qM.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/O6LA4nR.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/Sk5LLO6.png[/img][img]https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/i9mJHtTQ4ljVlHKFlGvOBH8R-LYGwnr8vLigPvEQbVo/https/fontmeme.com/permalink/240204/a46d173d864e54efd06ab675a496cd2c.png?format=webp&quality=lossless[/img][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/240301/afc2e4e091f5e77155a2bde75504f79e.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/bTCENiv.png[/img]
[/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None.[/right][right][b][code]On Mellon Collie Hill.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr]

Amara was at Adora's side.

They reached the top of the hill and reached the [url=https://i.imgur.com/X20qySE.jpeg]Stone Altar[/url] that rested at the end of the pathway to Mellon Collie Hill. It was a touristy spot where witches met and shit, but now Adora wondered how much of it was bullshit. Legends say it was neutral grounds for witch Covens and other groups in the past, but it had nothing to do with Sycamore far as she could tell. This was a location where Britney suggested that they meet as a sort of symbolic "neutral area" for the two parties to meet. Adora wasn't happy with Britney right now, but she was also the best bet to solving the Luca problem - even though he didn't want her getting involved. Of course, there [i]had[/i] to be a way to help Luca before he [i]fucking died[/i].

Once they made it to to the alter, they found Britney. She had a blue bonnet on her head, her skin was moist, and it looked like she just tossed on a grey romper and hauled ass over here... just sitting there on the steps. All by herself, and Adora couldn't look her in the eye. she just turned away as she said, 

[color=fd8a6c]”... Why are you sitting here by yourself?”[/color] Adora shook her head. [color=fd8a6c]”Are you [b][i]trying[/i][/b] to die?”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”Jack's watching over me,”[/color] Britney responded. [color=f4eb93]”You just haven't noticed him yet.”[/color]

Amara looked around, through the trees and down the path behind them all. She usually had a good sense about this sort of thing, when it came to getting the lay of the land. But she couldn’t see the edgy fucker anywhere.

[color=789caa]”…So, is he gonna show himself or- Oh.”[/color] Amara turned back around and saw Jack sitting on top of the stone altar, above and behind Britney.  Jack wasn’t there a second ago, so he must’ve been making another one of his stupid entrances. He stood, and dropped down to the ground, landing on his feet with a dull [i]thunk,[/i] walking over to the other. 

[color=6644ff]”I saw you two on the way here, we are alone, and no one is searching for us here, that I know of,”[/color] he said. Jack was in his usual outfit, with a long wool coat thrown over dark Autumn-appropriate clothes… Did he ever change that style up? Probably not.

Adora kept her arms crossed as she stared at Jack, a scowl on her face. She sighed as she said, [color=fd8a6c]”Let’s get this over with.”[/color] She looked up at Britney. [color=fd8a6c]”... We need to help Luca, and you’re, at the moment, the best option to do that - even though you created this mess in the first place.”[/color] She rolled her eyes.

[color=f4eb93]”I did, there’s no getting around that,”[/color] Britney sighed. [color=f4eb93]”Let’s cut to the chase… It’s [i]incredibly[/i] difficult to force an Apparition to unadjoin from its current host, but there are some ways.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”... Lemme guess,”[/color] Adora put a hand on her hip. [color=fd8a6c]”We don’t have access to those ways.”[/color]

Britney nodded her head. 

[color=fd8a6c]”Typical.”[/color] Adora crossed her arms.

[color=f4eb93]”If we had a Black Lux user, they could devise a spell to torture the Apparition out of its host, unfortunately we don’t have one.”[/color] 

[color=fd8a6c]”She’s dead.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”It is what it is,”[/color] Britney shrugged. [color=f4eb93]”There’s a sort of artifact that can do something similar… but last I heard it fell into The Pit.”[/color]

Britney shook her head.

[color=f4eb93]”Thus, we should cross that off as an option.”[/color]

[color=6644ff]”Nothing in magic is truly impossible, though…”[/color] Jack trailed off for a second. [color=6644ff]”There are other options. More feasible ones. Yellow Lux could, in theory, guard one’s soul against the bond of an Apparition. Black Lux could bind it into something other than Luca. But my understanding is that we have neither in sufficient form.”[/color]

[color=789caa]”So… Some other artifacts we could look for?”[/color] Amara asked.

[color=6644ff]”Kenshiro and I [i]have[/i] been thinking of making trips out of Shimmer to look for artifacts that we know the definitive locations of. But we want to discuss that with Auri first.”[/color]

Adora slid her hands into her hoodie pockets. [color=fd8a6c]”That’s [i]swell,[/i] but I came out here to talk about helping [i]Luca.[/i]”[/color] Adora shook her head. [color=fd8a6c]”... Ain’t Stormy a yellow-Adept?”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”I am, but I don’t think I’m [i]that[/i] powerful.”[/color]

Stormy made his appearance behind everyone, wearing faded jeans and an old gray jacket. [color=00ff98]”Got here as soon as I was able. The thing about Apparitions is that they can usually [i]choose[/i] to unadjoin themselves to someone, but sealing them is an entirely different subject.”[/color]

Adora turned towards Stormy, and grinned, [color=fd8a6c]”... It’s been a long time, Stormy. How have you been?”[/color] She chuckled to herself.

[color=00ff98]”Didn’t we just meet up yesterday?”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”... That was a joke, sweetie,”[/color] Adora rolled her eyes.

[color=f4eb93]”That is also true,”[/color] Britney said, [color=f4eb93]”It was… a fucked up thought, but maybe we can goad the Rot into adjoining to something like a rat, or perhaps even a blank homunculus. Most Apparitions would rather be Abscised than Adjoined.”[/color]

[color=789caa]”The hard part is getting it [i]out,[/i] though,”[/color] Amara said. [color=789caa]”It’s one thing if we could do that, but we can’t do anything while it’s trapped. And what if the Rot [i]likes[/i] being trapped in Luca? Some Apparitions have a preference.”[/color]

Adora turned towards Stormy, and asked, [color=fd8a6c]”... Can you make it [i]not[/i] like being trapped in Luca?”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”Technically, I could make any Apparition not like being in [i]any[/i] host. Phantombane makes Apparitions feel like they’re submerged in lava, burning alive and slowly dying. Back at the festival on the island, Babylon started screaming in agony when she got caught in it,”[/color] Stormy explained.

[color=00ff98]”But… The Rot’s different, somehow. It was winning during that thing with Emily. It got through Luca’s walls and had him right where it wanted, dead to rights and ready to take over. I stopped it, and it just gave in. I don’t think it just “likes” being sealed in Luca. I think Luca is ideal, or outright perfect for what it wants.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”... So, our only option is to find some type of artifact to get rid of it?”[/color] Adora asked, turning to Britney. [color=fd8a6c]”C’mon, Brit, this is your fault. You gotta know [i]something.[/i]”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”Right now, we don’t have a lot of options, if I knew one, I would have helped Luca by now..”[/color] Britney just shrugged. [color=f4eb93]”I don’t suggest we go to the Pit under [i]any[/i] circumstance. Our only Black-Adepts are dead…”[/color]

Adora bared teeth, [color=fd8a6c]”... [i]You’re an ‘expert’-[/i]”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”Yet, like Jack said, nothing with magic is truly impossible,”[/color] Britney cut her off. [color=f4eb93]”There is a way. There is [i][b]always[/b][/i] a way.”[/color]

[color=6644ff]”I will name a few. One: We convince Sloane well enough to develop an orange Lux spell capable of producing artifacts of that magnitude, rather than counterfeit versions. Two: We outsource the problem to someone, [i]anyone[/i] who comes to mind, capable of acquiring or fabricating an artifact that powerful, or an Adept with appropriate spells. I knew one such Adept long ago, so that may be possible, but I would not count on that.”[/color]

Jack continued. [color=6644ff]”Three: We find a way to strip Luca of his Emotional Field, which he benefits from [i]through[/i] the Rot. By extension, the Rot would be vulnerable to magic that can target it without targeting Luca. [i]If[/i] we can access such magic.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”Most of that sounds damn near infeasible.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Who’s this Adept?”[/color] Adora asked Jack, uncomfortably shifting in her feet. [color=fd8a6c]”More importantly, will he or she do it without hurting Luca or putting [i]another[/i] target on our backs?”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”There are organizations beyond St. Portwell,”[/color] Britney noted. [color=f4eb93]”Like, St. Portwell ain’t the only supernatural hotspot. There’s… LA, Las Vegas, Mirage Springs, Miami, Philly… and so on. It might be a stretch but maybe we can reach out to one of them?”[/color]

[color=6644ff]”Mortimer Zapata. An orange Adept who could create virtually any artifact he wished. In theory, he would never need to even [i]know[/i] Luca. Either by name or by meeting him. He works, or worked, by selecting specific materials relative to what he made.”[/color]

Jack reached into the collar of his shirt, and pulled out a small prism of something black, connected by a chain of small dark beads. [color=6644ff]”I owed him a great deal of paranormal research, in exchange for this once. But that was years ago,”[/color] he said, holding it up where the others could see. [color=6644ff]”I don’t know if he is still [i]alive,[/i] but it would not be difficult to confirm.”[/color]

Adora shrugged.

[color=fd8a6c]”... Well, what other options do we got right now?”[/color] She asked.

[color=789caa]”The Army might be able to reach out to other places outside Shimmer, see if there’s any extra-dimensional shit we could exploit. But that might take awhile to get back to us.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”... The Army?”[/color] Adora tilted her head, saying in astonishment before she smacked herself on the forehead. [color=fd8a6c]”Oh, wait, your ghost thing, [i]right.[/i]”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”... And I know this might be an unpopular opinion,”[/color] Britney added on, staring at Adora. [color=f4eb93]”But, first and foremost, we should worry about stopping Kar- Father Wolf. It won’t matter if we help him if he just gets axed in the end anyway...”[/color] Britney sighed.

[color=00ff98]”And that won’t matter if the Rot gets him killed,”[/color] Stormy cut in. [color=00ff98]”And there are already enough lunatics in this city who would love to wring our necks, so what is stopping us from protecting everyone from both?”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”... That is true,”[/color] Britney sighed. [color=f4eb93]”Speaking of lunatics, that reminds me… ”[/color] She awkwardly chuckled.

[color=f4eb93]”... I think worrying about one lunatic trying to kill us made me forget about the other group, but Greyson told me that the House of Cards mafia is after us - well, after everyone that participated in Voidy’s sealing…”[/color] Britney sighed. [color=fd8a6c]”Like dead, they want us dead.”[/color]

Jack and Stormy stared at Britney silently for a moment.

And then Jack sighed, breaking the silence. [color=6644ff]”I knew I should have killed them all before the coven disbanded.”[/color]

[color=00ff98][i]”What?”[/i][/color]

[color=6644ff]”You heard me.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”I’m not sure if it’s Greyson being… Greyson,”[/color] Britney shrugged. [color=f4eb93]”But, it’d be stupid to blow them off.”[/color]

[color=789caa]”Who the hell are they again?”[/color] Amara asked. [color=789caa]”The big ass artifact hunters? Wait, no that in Arizona… Remind me.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”I’m fucking lost myself!”[/color] Adora laughed.

[color=f4eb93]”... Do you remember Luna Inuoe?”[/color] Britney asked.

[color=fd8a6c]”Don’t ring a bell,”[/color] Adora shrugged.

[color=f4eb93]”Well, the House of Cards is a mafia that operates out of one of the casinos downtown,”[/color] Britney explained. [color=f4eb93]”They [i]were[/i] led by some lady named Phantasia Vorpal who had a hell of a hard-on for us back in the day, but Voidy saved her life back in the day, and she harbors some fondness for the bastard. Though she got iced the other day, I’m unsure if they are still after us - we have to assume they are….”[/color] Britney shook her head.

[color=f4eb93]”They were the group that Luna sold us out to - Layla’s selling us out, too… which is one more person who’s pushing someone else’s agenda [i]when we’re fucking getting murdered[/i].”[/color] Britney ended it with a huff.

[color=789caa]”You have [i]got[/i] to be fucking kidding me. What are we doing about Layla, then? Is this a double-mole thing? Are we waiting to kick her out? Using her to lure us to them? What’s happening?”[/color] Amara asked, more than a little tense about being spied on. 

[color=f4eb93]”Honestly, I haven’t had a chance to talk with Auri about it,”[/color] Britney shook her head. [color=f4eb93]”If it was up to me, she would have hit the door by now…”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Look, fact is, if what you’re saying is true,”[/color] Adora shook her head. [color=fd8a6c]”We need to get rid of her soon as possible. No if’s, and’s, or butts.”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”When we went to search Kari’s house,”[/color] Stormy said. [color=00ff98]”We found Luna spying on us in the trees. I had to keep Drake from vaporizing her. They have more than just one person keeping tabs on us.”[/color]

[color=789caa]”We need to cut the dead weight. It’s one thing if someone in the coven can’t contribute a lot, but it’s a [i]whole[/i] other ballgame if they’re actively working against us. That’s not good for the whole “let’s save our lives” thing. Get her, and anyone else we think has an ulterior motive against us, and toss them, in my once-professional op-”[/color]

[color=6644ff][i]”No.”[/i][/color]

Amara stopped and looked at the edgelord. [color=789caa]”What?”[/color]

[color=6644ff]”Let’s assume, for just a moment, that Layla is not the only “traitor” in the coven.”[/color] Jack’s whole demeanor seemed to shift, at the notion of booting people. [color=6644ff]”Linqian, Anya, Drake. Or even our “leader,” Auri. Anyone you can think of who might have a reason to defect, I don’t care. Then what? Do we throw half of our surviving members to the [i]wolves?[/i] Let them fend for themselves when we are already spread thin? Layla will have nowhere to turn to, other than a criminal organization that only cares for her abstraction, if we remove her.”[/color]

He crossed his arms and looked around at the others. [color=6644ff]”Should we vote Auri out of the coven because she has a life in the mundane world? Linqian, because she cares more for avenging Jinhai than solving a murder?”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”I think you’re getting ahead of yourself just a little, there.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”Jack, I get what you mean, but let’s use our heads here,”[/color] Britney poked hereself on both sides of her forehead. [color=f4eb93]”There is a [b][i]world[/i][/b] of difference between Linqian wanting to avenge her brother, and Auri having a life outside the Coven, and someone actively working against us. Yes, there are probably other traitors, but we’ll be better off without the liabilities.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Yeah I mean…”[/color] Adora shrugged. [color=fd8a6c]”... It seems like Layla picked her people. And if it don’t work out for her? That’s [i][b]her[/b][/i] problem.”[/color]

Adora gave Jack a narrow look as she said, [color=fd8a6c]”Fuck around and find out, that’s what [i]I[/i] say.”[/color]

[color=6644ff]”We are playing a dangerous game by making those choices… [i]Fine,”[/i][/color] He relented. [color=6644ff]”I won’t object, but I do not approve of this.”[/color]

Adora rolled her eyes before she turned to Stormy and asked, [color=fd8a6c]”So what happened to Luna? Did you and Blackmore run her ass off or what?”[/color]

[color=00ff98]”She ran off on her own when 8th Street decided to make a move on us. I don’t know where she is now.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Hopefully she just fucked off,”[/color] Adora shrugged. [color=fd8a6c]”Any other information ya’ll holding onto? Any other burning questions?”[/color]

Jack had something on his mind, actually. [color=6644ff]”We haven’t had the chance to do this, but Greenwood suggested an alliance between them and us after I thought they stole Sully’s Chalice.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Greenwood…”[/color] Adora mused. [color=fd8a6c]”... They seemed cool.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”I mean,”[/color] Britney shrugged. [color=f4eb93]”We can use as many friends as we can right now.”[/color]

[color=6644ff]”I told them I would make it happen, if Auri or the others wanted. I’ve been keeping contact with them when I have the opportunity.”[/color]

[color=789caa]”Before we forget,”[/color] Amara interjected. [color=789caa]”We need to talk about 8th Street. Britney, you know more about them than me. I know a lot about one guy in particular, so before we leave, why don’t we get each other up to speed- I can’t remember everything about them. Some of them grouped up because they were pissed at you, right?”[/color]

Britney sighed.

[color=f4eb93]”... Yes, but I don’t have a whole wealth of information on them, unfortunately. I know the people who were in the Old Coven, and that’s it,”[/color] Britney answered. [color=f4eb93]”I do know who the former third-in-command was for them, Lynnette Domingeuz.”[/color]

[color=789caa]”Doesn’t ring a bell. I’m listening.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”We can hit her up and see what she knows.”[/color]

[color=789caa][i]”Can[/i] we? They didn’t exactly seem willing to play nice the other day,”[/color] Amara noted.

[color=6644ff]”I can be on standby, or be there in person. If they try anything,”[/color] Jack offered.

[color=f4eb93]”... Lynette isn’t with 8th Street anymore,”[/color] Britney flatly noted. [color=f4eb93]”And she’s my girl. We can trust her.”[/color]

[color=789caa]”If you’re sure. Just don’t go alone. I wouldn’t put it past them to tail her after she defected. Or quit. Whichever.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”I’ll have Auri there with me,”[/color]

[color=789caa]”Good. Good.. Not trying to make a big deal out of it. Just…”[/color] She trailed off for a second. [color=789caa]”Dealt with plenty of assholes like them. Back in the PRA.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”You can come if you like,”[/color] Britney said, [color=f4eb93]”I hung out with Lynette plenty of times, and I haven’t seen a single member of 8th Street.”[/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”Then…”[/color] Adora shrugged. [color=fd8a6c]”We know what to do next.”[/color]

Adora nodded her head, as everyone went their separate ways.

[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Uc5Nzr8.png[/img][h1]Lynette Domínguez.[/h1]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/MzIHaGw.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/JgL3zQi.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/6D400qM.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/O6LA4nR.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/Sk5LLO6.png[/img][img]https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/i9mJHtTQ4ljVlHKFlGvOBH8R-LYGwnr8vLigPvEQbVo/https/fontmeme.com/permalink/240204/a46d173d864e54efd06ab675a496cd2c.png?format=webp&quality=lossless[/img]
[/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None.[/right][right][b][code]Downtown St. Portwell.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr]

Night had fallen.

Adora's day began with feeling lonely, followed by hitting Stormy for lunch, questioning Sloane about the Trinity Rings, brainstorming ways to help Luca, and meeting with the previous third in command of 8th Street. At the very least, Adora doesn't feel lonely anymore! The three rode with Britney in her giant Sedan - rich bastard. Adora threw her hoodie up as she climbed out of the car. She tailed behind Amara as Britney led the way through the park downtown. They walked over to the section with the outdoor chess tables and chairs... and sitting there was Lynette Domínguez. She wore jeans, a blue hoodie, a New York Knicks baseball cap, and... some timbs. Aggressively, New York, if Adora had never seen it herself. But Adora didn't know much about the gal; she was glued to Britney's hip in the Old Coven. They hung out a few times, and Lynette ain't change in appearance much - still got her poofy ass hair.

Lynette smiled as they walked up.

"... Hello, hello," Lynette said before she looked up at Britney. "Big butt!"

[color=f4eb93]”Lynette!”[/color] Britney said as she walked over and hugged Lynette; after a moment, she released her.

"You know, I thought it was a little late for our usual chess matches, Big Butt," Lynette laughed. 

[color=f4eb93]”We're not playing chess tonight, Lynette.”[/color]

"Aw." Lynette feigned disappointment. "Though, we never had spectators before... Amara, Adora, it's been so long... I'm glad to see you, especially Adora. How have you two been?" She laughed.

[color=fd8a6c]”I’ve been okay,”[/color] Adora shrugged, standing over the chess table.

[color=789caa]”I’m afraid I don’t remember you, if we’ve met before.”[/color] Amara took a seat across from Lynette at the chess table. She could, in theory, whip Lynette’s ass at it if they had the time. But alas, they didn’t.

[color=789caa][i]”Have[/i] we?”[/color]

“Wow, rude,” Lynette laughed. “We were both in the Old Coven… How could I forget ‘General Amara’?”

[color=789caa]”I dunno,”[/color] she shrugged. [color=789caa]”Probably the way I forget things all the time.”[/color] Not that anyone knew just how [i]much[/i] she was forgetting things…

Yet.

[color=789caa]”Anyway- We came by to talk. You were in 8th Street for a while. Britney told us you’re out now.”[/color]

“Yes, and yes,” Lynette said. “I was the… ‘third-in-command’ of the 8th Street Coven for awhile. Had a lot of good times with them… I kept Emily and Vashti in line. At least before they went full supervillain!” She laughed.

“... What do you need to know? And [i]why?[/i]”

[color=789caa]”We need to know about [i]them,”[/i][/color] Amara said. [color=789caa]”Things we can use against them. How their magic works. Where they go to lick their wounds. Whatever you can tell us. And we need that because, well, I’m pretty sure you were there when they damn near killed us all recently.”[/color]

Lynette was silent momentarily as she leaned forward and put her hands on her face.

“... Now, Amara, are you accusing me?” Lynette simply asked. “Because I have nothing to do with whatever Emily does with the 8th Street Coven. And as long as she and Vashti are in charge, I want nothing to do with them either.”

[color=789caa]”If you weren’t involved with that,”[/color] Amara pressed. [color=789caa]”Then you have to at least know about it. Something like that doesn’t go unnoticed when you hang around them. I’m not here to throw blame around, but we need to know what we’re dealing with.”[/color]

“Again,” Lynette shook her head. “I’m more than willing to help you all out. But I don’t hang out with them anymore. The only people I still have contact with in 8th are Emily’s little sisters - now the new third in command. This is the first time I heard about Emily attacking ya’ll… but it isn’t out of character for her.”

[color=789caa]”Then do you know anything about her sisters’ abstractions?”[/color] Amara asked, not letting up. [color=789caa]”Anything at all that you know about them helps. The more we know about them, the easier it is to put up a fight if they try that kind of thing again.”[/color]

“Well, her one sister, Miranda, is a healer,” Lynette began. “She has a super strong regenerative factor. I saw her regrow her arm in seconds one time. She’s next to impossible to kill. As for her other sister… Jacqueline….”

Lynette paused for a moment, rubbing her chin. “She has an Agent that let her shoot lasers; each has a different effect. Freeze. Heat. Teleport to different locations. Et cetera.” 

[color=789caa]”That is a [i]weird[/i] abstraction to have, but alright… Some sort of artifact? Apparition she’s got sealed?”[/color]

“Sealed Apparition,” Lynette answered. 

[color=789caa]”Cool, cool… Are Emily’s sisters as batshit psychotic as her?”[/color]

“No, in fact, they are not,” Lynette answered. “They are sweet girls… Like less melanated sisters to me. They are just blind to how horrible and toxic Emily is.”

Amara’s eyes narrowed substantially at the sound of someone in the Reed genepool being a functioning member of society. [color=789caa]”How does that add up? Third in command, not aware of the shit Emily gets up to?”[/color]

Lynette gave her a blank look.

“Now look, Amara,” Lynette began. “You asked me to come out here to help you out, but all you seem to do is second-guess what I’m telling you.” Lynette narrowed her eyes.

“... It's obvious you don't trust me. And still think I’m with 8th St despite that phase of my life being over. So, I’m done talking to you. Enjoy the rest of your night.”

[color=f4eb93]”... Look, Amara, let me do the talking,”[/color] Britney stepped in. [color=f4eb93]”This is going [i]nowhere.[/i]”[/color]

“Awwww,” Lynette smiled. “Big butt coming in for the clutch, how can I help you?”

[color=f4eb93]”Look, let me start from the top, and explain everything,”[/color] Britney began, putting her hands up, taking a brief moment to pause to explain this. [color=f4eb93]”It starts at the Halloween Festival with Lila, Lynn, and Emily and her sisters - now, it’s [i]beyond me[/i] why they were engaging with Emily in the first place. Still, Emily said some fucked up, bigoted bullshit, and Lila flew off the handle and beat the tar out of her.”[/color]

“I heard about [i]that,[/i]” Lynette said with a laugh. “I would have made a video!”

[color=f4eb93]”Lila humiliated Emily and George, and now they’re back for blood… We went to Kari’s house, and they ambushed us. They had this giant ass undead monster which fell out of a portal. Emily and Vashti, Carol, and George were there too. This chick with an Aegis Piercer, this Asian girl, and then this fine-ass guy… wish he wasn’t with 8th, hehe....”[/color]

Britney laughed before awkwardly tugging at her romper. 

[color=f4eb93]”They threw up this ice fortress in the background. It was… kinda crazy, so I didn’t get to see everything that happened, but they opened a portal, and zombies fell out of it. Then they threw up this pink mist it made everyone see things they made them happy...”[/color]

Adora winced, awkwardly grabbing her other arm, and shuffled in her feet.

[color=f4eb93]”What can you tell us about 8th Street?”[/color] Britney said. [color=f4eb93]”How can we beat them? How can we stop them? Because I’ll be damned if they hurt Lila...”[/color]

“Hmmm….” Lynette paused for a moment. “Well, a lot, but since ‘General Amara’ over here wants intel about them, I’ll start with the members. You know about Emily, Vashti, Carol, and George, so I don’t need to review them. I have [i]zero[/i] idea about the pink mist, the chick with the Aegis Piercer, [i]or[/i] that fine boul - [sup]but if you want me to get his number, I can get it from Miranda and Jacqueline[/sup].” Lynette whispered the last part, and Britney gave her a thumbs up.

“The undead monsters were created by a woman named Nadine King… you may remember her from the Old Coven - I’m not saying she was a member, but we ran her out of town when she came trying to scam people after the Stygian Snake. Emily plucked her up, and, for some reason, she works with 8th Street. She’s their resident Necromancer. She’s dangerous and cunning… might be among their most powerful members.”

[color=789caa]”That tracks. That thing smelled [i]nasty.”[/i][/color]

[color=fd8a6c]”... Sure it wasn’t your upper lip?”[/color] Adora laughed.

“Most undead things typically do, [i]‘General Amara,’[/i]” Lynette cracked a grin. “The Asian girl is Maya… She can shoot sand and manipulate sound, but not all that bright. She is easily tricked, distracted, and-or manipulated. She usually doesn’t follow instructions, but don’t underestimate her. Usually, she hangs around her bestie Phoebe… who was probably the one that threw up the ice wall. Green-Red Adept, she can create and transform into ice. She may seem stupid like Maya, but it’s all an act. She’s way smarter than she appears.”

[color=789caa]”Okay. Good to know, I’m guessing they’d stick close in a fight.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”I didn’t see them together,”[/color] Britney noted.

“She’s like a… tallish, skinny, black girl, she has yellow and green dreads,” Lynette explained. “Definitely couldn’t miss her - but to my knowledge, Maya and Phoebe have some joint casts, I just forgot what they were. Oh yeah, Greta and Brianna are also in 8th, and, uh, yeah…. There’s Cynthia… she’s, um, a monster from the Pit that [i]someone[/i] else took, turned into their personal attack dog, and we convinced her to turn against her previous “pack leader,” and I still have nightmares about it!“

She awkwardly laughed, “Cynthia is a man-eating monster; she’s strong, fast, tough, and worst of all she’s capable of attuning her Emotional-Field to your abstractions, which can make them half effective. She tanked a full-forced punch from George before… but she also has a perfect sense of smell - before I forget! Glamour is applied to her, so she typically appears as a lil’ black girl with a blonde afro. Cynthia is extra dangerous when the other members of 8th are backing her up.”

[color=f4eb93]”I didn’t see her out there with Emily,”[/color] Britney noted. 

“So she was probably guarding Greta and Brianna like she typically does,” Lynette raised a finger. “There’s Stanley - well, we call him [i]Lee[/i] - he’s a white guy that's average heightened, well-built, has a golden gauntlet on his left hand. The Hero’s Gauntlet.”

[color=f4eb93]”Heard of that…”[/color] Britney mused.

“So, you should know everything he can do, Big-Butt,” Lynette smiled.

[color=f4eb93]”He can create different weapons, swords, a bow and arrow that explodes into fire, a dagger that can summon powerful winds, a hammer that can cause an earthquake, and a barrier that reflects any magical projectiles…”[/color] Britney explained to Amara.

“There’s Malik, the tall black guy with the glasses… last I heard, he can shoot stars and fly,” Lynette said. “Then… last member I know about is Annabelle Heart, an Agent that could control birds and teleport - but… I saw her recently, and um….”

Lynette awkwardly laughed.

[color=f4eb93]”What’s up?”[/color] Britney asked.

“She’s cursed,” Lynette said. “Something has happened to her; I’m not sure what.”

[color=789caa]”I’m not really a curse expert,”[/color] Amara said. [color=789caa]”What happened?”[/color]

“Not sure,” Lynette shrugged. “All I was told was that 8th got into a fight with Greenwood, and Annabelle got cursed in the crossfire.”

[color=789caa]”That’s rough,”[/color] she commented, without any sympathy. [color=789caa]”But… That’s useful to know. All of this helps, thanks.”[/color]
“You’re welcome,” Lynette said. “I know we got off on the wrong foot, but maybe things can be better from here on… do you know when the next Coven meeting is? I may go.”

[color=789caa]”No idea. But we can ask Auri.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”I mean, I don’t think it should be that long,”[/color] Britney shrugged. [color=f4eb93]”We have some type of a lead, and for once, we didn’t get knee-deep in some shit but….”[/color] Britney loudly yawned.

[color=f4eb93]”I’m getting sleepy,”[/color] Britney began. 

“Do you want my number, in case you have any other questions, ‘General Amara’?” Lynette cracked a grin.

[color=789caa]”Sure.”[/color]

Lynette stuck her hand out, “Phone, please.”

Amara reached into her pocket, pulled her phone out, and handed it to Lynette.

“Well…” Lynette asked the group, “Is there anything else I can help you with?”with?” 

Adora turned to Amara, then Britney.

[color=fd8a6c]”Nothing I can think of,”[/color] She said with a shrug. [color=fd8a6c]”Thank you.”[/color]

Then Lynette turned to Britney,

“Big Butt…” Lynette laughed. “Would you like to play a game of Chess?”

[color=f4eb93]”Another time, I’m sleepy, I’m not sure if I should take another shower or not...”[/color] Britney said, before she turned to Amara and Adora. [color=f4eb93]”Let’s go.”[/color]

The four went their separate ways.