[hr][h1][color=#000000]A[/color][color=#131101]c[/color][color=#262303]t[/color] [color=#4D4607]O[/color][color=#605709]n[/color][color=#73690B]e[/color][color=#867A0C]-[/color][color=#9A8C0E]F[/color][color=#AD9D10]o[/color][color=#C0AF12]u[/color][color=#D3C014]r[/color][/h1]
[hr][right][code]Casey and Trisha's Home[/code][/right]
On Friday, Trisha actually got to lie in past 5am. One of the benefits of living together was that Casey could slip out when he woke up, and there were no bees living in the same room to disturb her. As much as half asleep Trisha was reluctant to let her very comfortable pillow go, she eventually got over it and replaced him with an actual pillow. She didn’t set an alarm, figuring she’d wake up naturally while it was still morning. 

But a strange, increasingly loud buzzing interrupted her dreams. With a groan, she rolled over, feeling about for her phone. She propped herself on her elbows and squinted at it. It was just past 11:30, she hadn’t set an alarm, so what- [i]shit[/i].

Her phone displayed in annoyingly large writing ‘[code]Incoming Call: Cass[/code]’

She fumbled for the answer button, rolling onto her back and holding her phone up to her ear. [color=d1b300]“What?”[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”OH MY GOD TRISHA FINALLY! WE MESSAGED YOU LIKE HOURS AGO BUT YOU FUCKIN’ IGNORED US!“[/color] Cass’s voice assaulted Trisha’s ear, so loud she had to hold her phone away from it. [color=629c3f]”[i]I[/i] was all for just turnin’ up to your gaff and just banging on your door but Reyna said we gotta phone you first, so, that’s what I’m doin’.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“What?”[/color] Trisha repeated, mind slowly processing what the fuck Cass was saying, taking a moment to actually understand her accent and slang. [color=d1b300]”You’re… coming to my place?”[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”Yeah! We’re like, fifteen minutes out.”[/color] 

Trisha shot up, suddenly [i]very[/i] awake. [color=d1b300]”From what place?”[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”Y’know, the one Reyna visited before, fuckin’ posh ga-”[/color] 

[color=d1b300]”I moved.”[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”Nah, you’re kidding, fuck- Rey, she moved!”[/color] There was some mumbled talking in the background. [color=629c3f]”The fuck you move to? It ain’t far is it, cause Reyna’s gonna lose her head if she’s gotta drive much longer.”[/color] 

Trisha pressed a hand against her forehead, trying to push down the impending sense of doom. This wasn’t what she wanted to deal with right after waking up. [color=d1b300]”It’s ten minutes away… I’ll text you the address. Text when you’re outside, it's… difficult to access.”[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”Sweet! Oh- you’re new boyfriend better be there, even if he has to absolutely leg it to arrive before us.”[/color] 

[color=d1b300]”He’s already- whatever. I don’t have time, bye.”[/color] 

Trisha very unceremoniously hung up, staring at her phone for a few minutes just processing what the fuck had just happened. Then, she sent them the new address, and then… the panic set in. She had [i]maybe[/i] twenty minutes to get ready. That included getting dressed, doing her hair, makeup- letting Casey know. Shit. 

Alright, calm down, before the bees get added to the situation- She took a deep breath and jumped out of bed, scurrying over to the wardrobe in their room. It wasn’t big enough to hold all of her clothes, so she’d just unpacked a few things which… made it easier to choose. She pulled off the t-shirt and shorts she’d worn to sleep, throwing them on the bed. There was no time to take ages choosing like normal, so she went with something easy, quickly getting dressed in a black dress with a tight fitting, off the shoulders bodice and a looser skirt that fell midway down her thighs. It didn't do anything to cover the mottled blues and purples across her upper body - but if she wore a turtleneck she'd just get more questions with how her friends were…

Trisha spun around on her heel, clattering down the stairs, almost tripping over her own feet at the bottom.
[color=d1b300]“Casey! [i]Caseeeyyyyy[/i]!”[/color] She had [i]no[/i] idea where he’d be so she shouted… she really hoped he was still in the house, otherwise she’d be running all around trying to find him. [color=d1b300]“I- my- fuck, I forgot to find out when my friends were getting here and they’re almost here!”[/color]

There was no response, making her really feel like she’d wasted her breath by explaining the situation to an empty house. It was fine. He was either outside, or downstairs. Or out… but if he was out it was fine, she’d just deal with a bit of shit from her friends, that was all. She took another deep breath, forcing herself to at least appear calm. It was fine. She could handle this - or at least pretend to. 

As soon as she stepped outside, about thirty bees descended on her. Their confused pheromones bombarded her as they mostly landed in her hair and on her shoulders. They’d obviously felt her intermittent panic, and gone between coming to her and not as she jumped between freaking out and calm.
[color=d1b300]“All good,”[/color] she said softly, letting out a soothing scent. Satisfied in her safety, most of the bees buzzed away back to their new paradise, leaving her with just a few burrowed in dark, messy waves of hair.

There was no sign of Casey on the roof, and she couldn’t hear anything, so that meant downstairs. She rushed over to the door leading off the roof, not even bothering with shoes - socked feet pattering down the stairs and into the corridors of apartments below. 

There were a lot of apartments he could be in. Biting her lip, Trisha started to walk down, ears straining for any sounds of life. Thankfully she didn’t have to get far, the muffled sounds of [i]something[/i] coming from the apartment closest to them. She pushed open the door to that black metal box. Had he registered her with it yet? Could she just put her hand against the wall to get in? But if he was in there doing something… now inside here it sounded like bangs - hammering or gunshots maybe… wouldn’t she disturb him if she just went in. It wasn’t that important, was it? She could go down by herself. Better than disturbing him doing something important.

[color=d1b300]“Casey?”[/color] she called out towards the wall she was pretty sure had the door in it, loud enough it should be heard if it wasn’t too soundproofed, raising a fist to tap on it. If he didn’t hear she’d just… go back up and get ready, then figure things out.

Inside, behind the second door, the indoor range was alight with gunfire as Casey put round after round into the randomly appearing targets. Modern ear protection was something of a magic in its own right, hardly needing to be adjusted for a range like this despite the tight quarters.
Each shot was a dull thud in his ears, the electronic components of the earphones adjusting the amount of dampening to meet different needs. The shots were dull thuds in comparison to the notification on the wallboard that someone was looking to come into The Box.

He immediately ejected the magazine and cleared the chamber of the rifle, laying it all down and pulling his headset off before making it to the door. He didn’t open it, but he did slide the eye slot open. Trisha wouldn’t be able to see the wide golden retriever grin form on his face, but she certainly would be able to see his eyes narrow at her.


[color=577d06]”Ooooh, whaaaaats the password, Miss?”[/color] he tried his best to sound aloof.

Trisha narrowed her eyes back at him, but it was less of a cheerful narrow and much more of a tired one. As much as she would really love to have time to play some back and forth, her internal clock was ticking down. She'd much rather spend what little time she didn't need to use on some much needed morning hugs.
[color=d1b300]“[i]Casseyyy[/i],"[/color] she whined, pouting rather cutely. [color=d1b300]“Good morning, please come out, I forgot to set an alarm and my friends are twenty minutes away?"[/color]

Casey frowned, mostly because he didn’t realize things were going to be quite that rushed. Immediately, the door opened and he was standing there, more or less in the same shorts and shirt he went to bed in.
Seeing his face, he had a slight but playful frown.
[color=577d06]”Oh, man… Sorry Babe. You want me to go get showered and stuff?”[/color] he asked her pretty plainly.
[color=577d06]”It’ll be an Army shower with that much time, but I’ve gotta put my stuff here away.”[/color]

His torso bent down, planting a kiss on her forehead before he spun and made way for his gun and the other things he was using.

[color=d1b300]“Yeah, if that's alright,"[/color] Trisha half smiled, rubbing the back of her neck and unable to hold back a yawn. [color=d1b300]“It’s on me for not checking when they'd get here yesterday so… don't worry about it too much. I can always tell them to go wait somewhere."[/color]

Just admitting the blame in such a simple way made her feel uncomfortable, like nails were scratching at her chest. It wasn't how she'd planned things to go… she hadn't expected them to be here till at least midday. Why was today of all days the one that Cass had been successfully dragged out of bed early? 
[color=d1b300]“I’m going to go back upstairs and finish getting ready… I'll see you up there."[/color]

She backed out of the room with a smile which quickly fell when she was out of his sight. The journey back up was just as quick, not quite jogging to avoid breaking into any kind of sweat. She wanted a shower too but she just didn't have time. She nipped into the bathroom to grab all of her stuff - makeup, hairbrush, and a small mirror she was glad she'd had the foresight to bring along. She was used to having her own bathroom, so sharing one was yet another adjustment that she really wasn't used to after only one day. She took it all to the counter in the main room, setting up a little station. Her phone was placed unlocked beside her, group chat open, ignoring the unimportant messages as she shooed away her bees and started to properly brush out her hair. 

It only took Casey a few minutes to get his stuff situated. Assuming she was going to be using the shower upstairs, he opted to use the one that was still intact in their office. Furio was there, working as usual.
[color=577d06]”Chief…”[/color]
[color=de3b1b]”Boss…”[/color]
Casey threw his hands up.
[color=577d06]”Woah, woah. Let’s not go throwing out crazy titles or expectations here.”[/color]

They both laughed, and Furio swung around in his chair.
[color=de3b1b]”What’d she want?”[/color]
[color=577d06]”She’s got some friends coming, just gonna shower.”[/color] Casey explained in the lightest way possible.
Furio’s head nodded along, and he smiled.
[color=de3b1b]”They comin’ here?”[/color] he asked.

Casey was impacted by the question, and it left him stunned for a few moments.
[color=577d06]”She… Said they were twenty minutes away? I assume yes.”[/color]
[color=de3b1b]”Alright! I’ll expect visitors.”[/color]
[color=577d06]”I’m pretty sure she said some of them are Blind, so…”[/color]
[color=de3b1b]”Some? Is one a Sycamore? Any?”[/color]

Casey did his best to recall what she’d said, but some time after the wine and the crying, it was all a haze.
[color=577d06]”Gonna go ahead and say that I’m ninety-nine percent sure no.”[/color] he offered, figuring that was going to be enough. Furio cleared his throat.
[color=de3b1b]”Y’know, protocol is usually a lot tighter than what you’re giving me right now.”[/color]
Furio’s gaze turned downward, expectantly staring at Casey. He took a deep breath in turn.
[color=577d06]”Y-yeah, Uncle, I know. I’ll be five minutes in the shower, run up and ask her, and then-”[/color]

Furio dusted his hands off, pushing back in the chair and standing.
[color=de3b1b]”Take your shower. Do your thing. I’ll go up, ask, and grab you some clothes so you can be nice and fresh for your little second housewarming.”[/color]
[color=577d06]”Oh, I don’t know if they’re even gonna come up, Uncle Furio! D-don’t worry about it, I-”[/color]
Furio put his hands up.
[color=de3b1b]”Shut up! Please! I’m doing you a favor so I don’t have to see you traipsing around my fuckin’ office during my last days of being the boss like you’re in a nudist colony!”[/color]

Casey grimaced, hand flicking up for his watch.
[color=577d06]”Fine, man, fine. Whatever, I’m wasting time as it is with this. But if she gets pissy with me because you’re prodding, I’m gonna rip your shit apart.”[/color]
[color=de3b1b]”Rip my balls you precious angel you.”[/color]

Casey stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Furio stared for a final moment before seeing himself out and upstairs. Not bothering to ring, he simply invited himself onto the roof and up to the front door. He didn’t hesitate to swing it open, though he didn’t quite enter so much as drape himself in.

[color=de3b1b]”Heyyy, Trisha!? It’s Furiooooo. Mind if I come in real quick sweetheart? Casey’s showering downstairs, asked me to get him some clothes!”[/color] he called in through the open door.

When the door opened Trisha had assumed it was Casey, so panic shot through her when it was a voice that wasn't. She twisted around in her seat and the few bees with her automatically reacted, shooting towards Furio. Thankfully she was awake enough to properly react, instantly telling them to stop. Five bees screeched to a halt halfway to Furio, before reluctantly buzzing back to Trisha and landing on her shoulders.
[color=d1b300]“... Uh, hi, sure, come on in,"[/color] Trisha said, expression relaxing back down to some more neutral than caught out. She was in the process of twisting her thick, wavy hair into a proper bun at the bottom of her neck, both hands taken up with it. [color=d1b300]“His clothes are up in the loft… just don't mind the mess up there."[/color]

[color=de3b1b]”Oh, it ain’t a mess. You guys just moved in, a mess is expected anyway.”[/color] 
Furio wasted no time making his way through and up, but he spoke to her through the open floor plan.
[color=de3b1b]”Casey said you guys have friends coming? Anyone from Sycamore I should roll out the carpet for?”[/color] he asked so casually.

Trisha laughed, as if he was telling some kind of hilarious joke. There was a bitterness to it, her eyes darting over to the stairs up to the loft before moving back to the mirror in front of her.
[color=d1b300]“The only Sycamore members I'm on speaking terms with are too rich to come round to my place, or Leon as of last night. They're university friends, unrelated. None are even from around here."[/color]

She paused, finishing tying her hair back. If Furio was here… she hadn't even really thought about the whole security thing they had downstairs. She hadn't actually planned to invite her friends round in the first place until they'd surprised her with practically being there, meaning she didn't have time to plan anything else. It wasn't exactly a situation she wanted to bring them into.
[color=d1b300]“They don't have to come up if there'll be a problem going through downstairs. Things Blinds shouldn't see… or maybe the other way around?"[/color] She also spoke very casually, not signs in her voice that she was annoyed about it.

[color=de3b1b]”Well I imagine they’ll ask questions. You and Casey get a story straight?”[/color] he asked back, starting to rummage through clothes. He found most of them were hers, and he’d only brought a backpack up from downstairs for now. Lazy fucker. So he simply picked it up and started back down the stairs.
[color=de3b1b]”No need to worry about anything really, not like they won’t just see closed apartment doors. I guess, if you know whose driving, you can give me their names and I’ll make sure they can get into the side lot. I figure Norm’ll be fine, he’s got nice clothes on today.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I’ve got a story straight, I just haven't discussed it with him. I'm sure he'll go along with it,"[/color] Trisha shrugged one shoulder. It shouldn't be hard, she'd just tell them he had some kind of security job, and keep them moving through that floor. She was used to fielding and ignoring annoying questions from them.
[color=d1b300]“The one who's driving is called Reyna- she's the only one with magic. She can read auras, so she'll know Norm's magic too if she sees him, if that'll be a problem."[/color]

[color=de3b1b]”Well, I mean… Can she read auras [i]well[/i]? It don’t take a skilled White Adept to know this place is [i]engaged[/i] as it were. I mean I hope she’ll have enough sense to not bring it up to your Blind friends, but she’s gonna ask you some extra questions.”[/color]
Furio wasn’t supposed to be pressed, and he certainly wasn’t acting like he was… But know he was going to need to know a whole lot more about this Reyna person than he wanted to find out. He tapped his foot anxiously.

[color=de3b1b]”I mean… If I wasn’t…”[/color] he cleared his throat.
[color=de3b1b]”Uh… It’s Casey’s show  now, right? So, I’ll… Be an adult and let you guys handle it. But, I would be leery of your friend. Will be. We can’t know who wants to hurt you or Leon or any of us. But, I’ll stay in my office and I’ll trust you both, and I’m sorry that I’m a grumpy ol’ man like that.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“If Reyna was going to hurt me, she would've done it four years ago,"[/color] Trisha said, tone slightly cold. She understood, but also didn't like her friend being questioned like that. Just because she was white lux didn't mean she was some invasive asshole like the temple was used to. 
[color=d1b300]“As far as I'm aware she's a fairly skilled adept, but she's also good person. She's only ever used it on me for an impromptu therapy session- "[/color] maybe a bit more information than she needed to give out there. [color=d1b300]“ So yes, trust Casey's trust in me. I'll answer any questions without giving away anything about the Temple, don't worry."[/color]

Furio really wanted to say more. He almost couldn’t help himself.
[color=de3b1b]”More just, we don’t know who could be controlled by forces beyond our understanding. You remember the Snake: It would be in your mind one second, next you wake up somewhere you never wanted to be. It ain’t her fault, ain’t anyone’s fault and it’s got nothin’ to do with what she knows or doesn’t know about the Temple.”[/color]

He shrugged his shoulders.
[color=de3b1b]”I’m… Very sorry. Seen a lot in this business, and it’s paid to be a paranoid fuck. I hope you and Casey can find a better balance than that… I think our organization needs it just as much as you both deserve it. Capice?”[/color] he asked as sincerely as he could.

[color=d1b300]“Yeah, I understand,"[/color] Trisha waved her now free hand, as if it didn't really bother her at all. It did, but she did also get it. It wasn't like she was out here trusting many people - or anyone fully. It was just a different kind of trust. She wasn't worried about magical threats to an organisation that already spied on her…
[color=d1b300]“I’ll balance him out if he starts getting that paranoid about people."[/color]

It wasn't so much meant to be a dig at Furio, just a statement of truth. That kind of paranoia and lack of trust would eventually turn on her, who was technically also an outsider to the Temple. She didn't want that. 
[color=d1b300]“But I do get it. I might not be on the same level, but I'm more cautious than you'd think, since I [I]do[/I] remember the snake."[/color] She did a pretty good job of keeping her tone even, as if just the mention of it being in her mind put her on edge in a way she didn't really understand. It hadn't quite happened like that, but there were patches she didn't remember from back then. It always had its ways of getting in. It was a specific bit she didn't like to remember. Couldn't, really.

[color=d1b300]“You better get those clothes to Casey before he traipses up here in a towel,"[/color] Trisha smiled as if she wasn't not so subtly trying to get him to leave. [color=d1b300]“Oh, sorry in advance for how annoyingly loud one of my friends is, I'll try get her past the apartments as quickly as possible."[/color]

[color=de3b1b]”Got it, no worries. We’ll keep it down ourselves.”[/color]
With that, he was off. Another ten minutes went by before Casey made his way up freshly dressed. He’d actually worn the clothes Furio brought only long enough to get back into Leon’s apartment so he could grab something nicer to wear for Trisha’s friends. He dressed as uncomfortable as possible, assuming that they’d be pretty preppy. 

Jeans, a white collared tennis shirt, square toed shoes. He had his half-wet hair pulled and tied courtesy of his Uncle, and the nice watch that Leon had gotten him when the war ended.
He walked into the house smelling like cologne.
[color=577d06]”Hello my Baby, hello my honeeeeeyyyyy…”[/color] he sung into the place.
[color=577d06]”We’ve got Norm waitin’ for your friends downstairs Trisha Bee, so he’ll bring ‘em up.”[/color] 

He swaggered about, looking for her.
[color=577d06]”Anything you wanted me to get done?”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Uhhh- m'dunno,"[/color] there was very mumbled response from the bathroom, followed by the sound of the sink running. She popped out, beelining for Casey with a small trail of bees behind her. She stopped just in front of him, holding her arms out to the side and swaying her hips slightly to swish the layered skirt. 
[color=d1b300]“How do I look? I had to rush, I didn't have much time to choose what to wear."[/color]

The black dress was different from what she'd worn around him so far - namely the more comfortable crop or tank top and baggy pants combination she tended to favour. It had a lower cut, strapless bodice with short off the shoulder sleeves that were pulled in tight at the top but loose towards her elbows. The skirt fell about mid thigh, loose enough to have some movement to it but not too voluminous. It was the kind of dress that could work in a variety of settings - for both a nice day out, going to a bar, even to go clubbing. She'd done a bit more with her makeup, too - darker, more purplish eyeshadows, simple eyeliner, and soft pink lips. Still relatively simple, since she hadn't had much time. She'd swapped out the simple hoop on her front lobe piercing to be a longer one, a twisted loop that swayed a bit with her movements, and the other two were now just simple studs. 

She stopped swaying and reached out for his hands, squeezing them. The bees meandered past her towards him then paused, floating confused in front of him, and going right back to her. 
[color=d1b300]“You don't smell enough like me anymore, they're confused- I like it. The cologne."[/color]

Casey smiled at her, looking her up and down. He was glad he ended up dressing up a bit similar, the idea of pairs and things matching making him feel satisfaction.
[color=577d06]”I think you look fantastic, Babe.”[/color] he grinned. His hands reached out for hers, and he pressed forward to kiss her for a moment. He didn’t automatically go for tongue, but it was on his mind. How could it not be?

[color=577d06]”And I’m glad you think I smell good. It was in a box of my stuff from before I joined Basic. Been sitting in my room, barely had the chance to use it.”[/color]
He did feel like he was missing something, however, so he made way for the hoodie he’d left on the rack when they were done moving yesterday.
[color=577d06]”When I woke up this morning, I was looking out at the same moon we fell asleep looking at. I really hate the Winter.[/color] he chuckled.


[color=d1b300]“You know if you sleep in past five the sun's up?"[/color] Trisha teased, smiling brightly at him. It'd been a stressful morning, what with barely having a morning at all after waking up, but it was fine. She had him with her and she did like spending time with her friends… as much as she wished she'd had a couple of hours warning. 
[color=d1b300]“But summer is nicer… long days, not having to worry about getting cold. I'm looking forward to spending our first summer together next year."[/color]

She really hoped they made it to then. Her lips parted to say something else, but her phone buzzed on the counter, distracting her. She unlocked it with her thumb and squinted down at it.
[color=d1b300]“Uh, they're basically outside- that wasn't twenty minutes was it? Shouldn't have trusted Cass' estimations… it's fine…"[/color] her voice lowered into a mutter at the end of what she was saying. Her fingers flew across the screen as she sent a quick response letting them know where they could park and that someone would get them. She then locked it, moving back to Casey's side. 

[color=d1b300]“Ready? They're really all fine, just a bit loud sometimes…"[/color] She spoke quickly, as if they were about to enter some insane battle and she only had seconds to give him the battle plan. [color=d1b300]“I’m just going to say you have a live in security job if they ask- oh, Reyna will know you're magic right away, but she won't say anything. She really doesn't pry much, just the basic stuff like that and surfaces emotions- anyway, let's go outside?"[/color]

Casey calmly nodded, chuckling about Trisha’s explanation of their story. He was happy enough to hear about it, but he wondered if they’d been told whether or not it was very recent.
[color=577d06]”Oh yeah, but I mean like… Yeah, alright. I figured maybe we’d just wait in here but we’ll go get ‘em out there.”[/color]

Taking a few steps forward, he swung the door open and held it for Trisha.

[color=d1b300]“There’s less things that can be knocked over out on the roof,"[/color] Trisha commented somewhat ominously, smiling at him. She paused in the door, stretching up to press a kiss to his cheek. 
[color=d1b300]“Thanks, babe, I know it's a lot."[/color]

They barely got a few steps out of the house before there was the sound of thudding footsteps, as if an elephant was sprinting to get onto their roof. The door was going open, and [url=https://i.imgur.com/SkrXxpP.jpeg]a woman of average height[/url] barreled out. She had short, curly hair with blue tips and was dressed extremely casually - a baggy black hoodie with dark, ripped jeans with all sorts of chains hanging off the belt. Her light brown eyes immediately found Trisha, already massive grin growing even wider.

[color=#629c3f]"[b][I]TRISHHHAAAAA![/I][/b]"[/color] She shouted loudly enough that she could definitely be heard downstairs. She charged towards Trisha, leaping at her in some sort of flying hug. Her arms and legs wrapped around the slightly smaller woman, sending them both crashing towards the ground. On the way down Cass twisted with a nearly inhuman speed, so that she landed on her back with Trisha safely protected.

If Casey looked close enough, he'd noticed cheetah like spots receding as quickly as they appeared from Cass' hands and ankles. 

[color=d1b300]“Let go-"[/color]

[color=#629c3f]”I ain't fuckin' letting you go, it's been a fuckin' age! Like monthhhhsss!"[/color] It was obvious as soon as Cass opened her mouth that she was one of the British friends Trisha had mentioned, with a rougher northern English accent. 

[color=#75a8ff]"Come on, Cass, let her up."[/color]
Through the still open door came [url=https://i.imgur.com/q8wajxT.jpeg]another woman[/url], with two more people close behind. She spoke with an accent that made it obvious English wasn't her first language, a distinct, drawn out Latin American accent to it. Dark, kinky hair was pushed back behind her ear and her dark eyes moved from the two on the floor to Casey, lips pulling up into a calm smile. She pulled her denim jacket close around her.

Right behind her was [url=https://i.imgur.com/egdBSOd.jpeg]taller, slender woman[/url] - dressed the nicest of the three, in a halter neck burgundy dress with a short, black wool jacket and a myriad of delicate, gold accessories. Her makeup was obvious but well done, painted red lips pulled into a thin line. Last was [url=https://i.imgur.com/7xuvDgh.jpeg]the one guy of the group[/url], just a bit taller than her, coming out with a laughing grin. He carried about three bags, and had a rucksack on, swinging one up with a sweater covered arm.
[color=#ff984f]"We brought brunch! Or lunch, whatever!"[/color] Also clearly British, but with a smoother accent closer to the stereotype. 

Cass finally let go of Trisha and helped her to her feet with a laugh. Trisha rolled her eyes, immediately going to slot in at Casey's side. 

And so all eyes moved to him.

Cass looked him all over before getting in real close for a better look.
[color=#629c3f]"Whooooaaa, so Mr tall, dark and handsome is your boyfriend? I ain't saying it's suspicious but you bring us to your fancy as fuck gaff and pull out a dead handsome man, but you sure you ain't-"[/color]

[color=#ff984f]"Give the man some space, come on,"[/color] Sal had reached them, grabbing Cass by the back of the collar and dragging her back so she wasn't practically pushing into Casey's space. He dumped her a bit away along with the bags and went in for a hug with Trisha… lifting her well off the ground and spinning her around. 
[color=#ff984f]"Trissshhaaa, I've been excited to see you for months!"[/color]

[color=#757abd]"You only invited yourself along a few weeks ago,"[/color] Nadiyah, the only one who hadn't talked yet, commented snidely. She glanced up and down Casey with a raised eyebrow and cold expression. Of the four, her look was the most judgemental. [color=#757abd]"It is nice to see you again, Trisha."[/color] 

[color=#ff984f]"Well I'm always in a state of excitement to see my friends,"[/color] Sal laughed, putting Trisha down and stepping away. [color=#ff984f]"Well, introduce us to this incredibly handsome man, Trish."[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Back off. You’ve got a mouth, don't you, introduce yourself,"[/color] Trisha shot back. 
Sal held up his hands and laughed. 

[color=#629c3f]"Gladly!"[/color] Cass pushed back around Sal, holding out a hand towards Casey. [color=#629c3f]"I'm Cass, which rhymes with ass!"[/color]
They all groaned.

[color=757abd]"Nadiyah,"[/color] the tallest woman said, without a hand held out to shake or a smile. 

[color=ff984f]"I’m Salvador but you, [i]handsome[/i], can call me Sal,"[/color] Sal lowered his voice until it was silky smooth, leaning in towards Casey with a wink and a smirk. Trisha’s hand immediately flew up to slap his chin. It wasn’t a hard hit at all and he chuckled, completely unphased and unmoving.

[color=75a8ff]"Don’t joke around too much, Sal… It’s been [i]too[/i] long, Trisha, I thought that you maybe were avoiding me."[/color] Reyna smiled and moved past the other three to Trisha’s side, pulling her in for a [i]normal[/i] hug. Trisha half returned it, grumbling something about being busy. It wasn’t like she’d been avoiding visiting Reyna, it was just a lot of effort to go to Portland and it always ended up being a therapy session forced on her that she didn’t want. Well maybe she had been avoiding her a bit.
[color=75a8ff]"Reyna, and it’s a pleasure to meet you,"[/color] Reyna stepped back and turned around towards Casey, also holding out her hand.

Casey was happy to observe, to be someone on the sideline of Trisha's interactions. Cursory. But they were, obviously, expected to focus in on him at some point. He wasn't intimidated by their closeness, nor was he worried about whether or not he could make friends. His main concern was simply not saying something stupid.

Though, he couldn't help swooning when Trisha got barky. What she said to Sal made him grin ear to ear, and Cass’ introduction was more than he could ask for as an ice breaker. From his personal perception, the only one who didn't seem thrilled to be here was Nadiyah. He felt the side eye, but with underdeveloped White Lux, he wasn't going to try and gleam anything from her Blind psyche.

Attempt to impress, expect to misstep.
Casey's hand quickly struck out to mine away the wall of hands.
[color=577d06]”Casey Richoux, Casey Richoux. Nice to meet you guys; I haven't heard this many British accents since we stopped off in Scapa Flow for a refuel at the end of the War.”[/color] he grinned, shaking hands lightly.

With Reyna specifically, he gave a grin and a nod, bumping against her Emotional Field with his own vestigial White Lux in as friendly of a manner as he could.

[color=577d06]”You guys just studying here? Or is it permanent residency?”[/color]

There was a slight shift when Casey mentioned the war. Not much, but both Sal and Reyna look at Cass with some amount of concern. The woman herself didn't seem bothered, however, still grinning brightly.
[color=629c3f]"Permanent! Well… that's the aim, y'know how hard it is to get a green card, and I ain't gonna shack up with someone just for that,"[/color] she chatted away. [color=629c3f]"Well, dunno about Sal, he fucked off to Spain for a year back when we graduated."[/color]

[color=ff984f]"I just couldn't bear the separation from you lot,"[/color] Sal said dramatically, with a laugh. 

[color=75a8ff]”Sure you couldn't… It is nice to meet you, Casey,"[/color] Reyna smiled. There wasn't quite a message against his emotional field, but the like tap that came back was a clearly friendly gesture. [color=75a8ff]"Trisha never seems to want us to meet her partners…"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Cause you all start asking unnecessary questions and making annoying comments,"[/color] Trisha rolled her eyes. It wasn't like she'd purposefully kept them from her friends. Right now they don't exactly all live nearby, and back when they were studying… Well, very little lasted long enough.

[color=629c3f]"Aw, Trish, we ain't that bad!"[/color] Cass laughed, leaning on Nadiyah, who just gave her a cool glare but didn't say anything. [color=629c3f]"Soooo… you fought in the war, Casey? Shit, thanks, sure you get that shit a lot but we lived through all the fuckin' bombing."[/color]

Casey laughed at their interactions, listening to Reyna as she mentioned Trisha’s other partners. Obviously, he knew that he was clearly the best. She hadn’t moved in with any of the others. Cass asked about the war almost instantly, which was expected. He mentioned it, and he had fond memories of the short time he spent in that cold, Scottish port.
[color=577d06]”Oh yeah, the Blitz and the Lockdown. I appreciate your thanks, though… Thank you for, I guess keeping your spirits up? Did you guys have any civil duties?”[/color] he asked back, just trying to make some casual conversation about a nightmare.

[color=629c3f]"Nah, well, just the usual, growin' food and shit. We were like, teens when shit was real bad, then came over here,"[/color] Cass shrugged. [color=629c3f]"My brothers were drafted, though! They were like a fair few years older than me so there was no escapin' it. Sal here managed to dodge the bullet- literally, heh."[/color]
[color=ff984f]"You're making it sound like I draft dodged or something,"[/color] Sal snorted, reaching over to ruffle Cass' hair. She slapped his hand away playfully. 

Trisha's expression tightened slightly. This wasn't a conversation she wanted them to continue on, and she was surprised that Cass was choosing to continue it. She glanced over at Reyna, who gave a slight nod.

[color=75a8ff]"Let's continue this inside, it's cold out here. You British two might be used to it, but I still haven't adjusted to this weather,"[/color] Reyna said calmly, with a relaxed smile. [color=75a8ff]"More importantly, the food will get cold."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Oh yeah, shitttt, I ain't fuckin' eating cold pasta, fuck that shit!"[/color] Cass shot over to one of the bags Sal had dumped. He also bent down for the other two, which looked particularly square shaped. [color=629c3f]”Let us innnnn."[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Nobody’s keeping you out,"[/color] Trisha rolled her eyes. She then reached out for Casey's hand, fingers threading through his. [color=d1b300]“Do you want to do the honours of showing them the place?"[/color]
Not that there was much to it.

[color=577d06]”Whatever you say is my pleasure.”[/color] Casey smiled back down at Trisha, taking her hand in his and pulling it up to kiss it before he spun on his heels.
[color=577d06]”And may I say, as a life long resident of St. Portwell, welcome. We’re happy to have you. I don’t know if my associate Norm gave you guys the rundown when you got here, but this is the Cannery Apartment building. Kind of a historic building in the town, been here almost the entire time. But, [i]our house[/i]-”[/color]

Casey swung his arms up to their house built atop the building.

[color=577d06]”Is like… Twenty? Years old? Originally, the landlord built it because his wife wanted a house instead of living in the apartments, but he didn’t want to live too far from the building. They compromised, and now I’m acting Landlord. Family business!”[/color] he smiled. Taking Trisha’s hand back, he walked them both forward to the door and swung it open for everyone.

[color=577d06]”C’mon in! Pile in, it's warm and comfy.”[/color]

Trisha smiled up at Casey as he explained. It was a pretty good one, managing to avoid mentioning anything that pointed towards a magical cult. It was a better one that she would have given, for sure.

[color=629c3f]"Whooooaaa,"[/color] Cass was the first one through, striding right in and looking around the place. [color=629c3f]"Hey, this place is fuckin' sound. Shit, I was absolutely dreadin' sitting in your fancy fuckin' place after Rey described how white it was… this is awesome! Like, dead homely."[/color]

[color=ff984f]"Sure is… where's my landlord boyfriend to give me somewhere like this?"[/color] Sal laughed, as the other three followed Cass in. Those two completely glossed over the whole our house thing, and Sal raised one of the bags. [color=ff984f]"Where do you want this?"[/color]

Trisha pointed towards the large countertop. 
[color=d1b300]“He isn't here, this one's mine."[/color]
[color=ff984f]"Aw, Trish, you really think I'd try steal him- is there a chance?"[/color] Sal joked, winking at Casey again.
[color=d1b300]“Only if you have a death wish,"[/color] Trisha shot back. 

[color=75a8ff]"It is nice, but,"[/color] Reyna fixed Trisha with a look she knew meant some kind of prying, and a possible lecture, was coming? [color=75a8ff]"What does he mean by [I]our[/I] house?"[/color]
[color=757abd]"I would like to know that too,"[/color] Nadiyah added.

[color=d1b300]“It means exactly what it says, we're living here together,"[/color] Trisha said as nonchalantly as she could, grip on Casey's hand tightening a bit. She wasn't… super bothered about if they thought it was a bad idea. Just a bit scared of the disapproval Reyna and Nadiyah might show. 

They both stared at her.
[color=75a8ff]"You moved in together… after a couple of days?"[/color] Reyna asked slowly, still looking calm, but Trisha had known her long enough to read the shock behind it. [color=75a8ff]"That seems…"[/color]
[color=757abd]"Stupid,"[/color] Nadiyah said bluntly.

[color=d1b300]“Don’t start, Diyah,"[/color] Trisha said, glancing up at Casey and then at her friend. She really… really didn't want Nadiyah to start going off about things she really didn't want to hear. 

Nadiyah, thankfully, recognised the look… and decided to start ripping into her in a language Casey (hopefully) wouldn't understand, switching to Arabic. [color=757abd]"[I]Are you stupid, Trisha? How long have you known him?[/I]"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“[I]Just trust my judgement, please,[/I]"[/color] Trisha snapped back, words much more stilted than Nadiyah's, more following the modern standard than the Libyan dialect Nadiyah spoke in. She… was nowhere near fluent in a language she'd essentially picked up from short visits to her mom and then brute force learning to have discussions with Nadiyah that no one else could understand.

[color=757abd]"[I]Why would I? You have terrible taste. You get yourself into situations where you're stuck, and then you get hurt. But this… this is a new level.[/I]"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“[I]I'm not stuck- and it's not the same. It's…[/I]"[/color] she waved her hand trying to describe how it wasn't the same. It just wasn't. Casey wasn't the same as the other people she'd dated, apart from maybe Reyna. It had started differently. [color=d1b300]“[I]He's not like them. He treats me well.[/I]"[/color]

[color=757abd]"[I]Oh, right, because nobody can ever fake that. Remember, who was it… you dated someone who seemed nice, acted nice, and then after a few weeks of monopolising all your time, he changed and hurt you really badly.[/I]"[/color]

Casey had been listening the entire time, but really didn’t want to disrespect the situation. Trisha couldn’t know how closely he’d worked with the locals, nor could she know how long he actually spent in North Africa. But the language was easy to him, and he found himself gripping tighter to Trisha’s hand.

[color=577d06]”[i]I really hate to disturb your personal discussion. I think it’s great you’re looking out for her too, Nadiyah. That’s great.[/i]”[/color]
His voice hung in the air as the eyes peeled up and looked at him as a singular unit. Arabic, just like they were using.
[color=577d06]”But if I know what you’re saying, it’s hard to argue without me hearing. So… Maybe just give me a shot?”[/color] he finished in English.
[color=577d06]”Unless we want to swap to a different language. I’ve got French and Spanish in the back pocket.”[/color]
Casey grinned a slightly evil grin, his eyebrows rising as he nodded at Sal.

Nadiyah's eyebrows raised, and Trisha's head snapped up towards Casey. She was glad he'd interrupted when he did rather than just listening until it got into things she wasn't comfortable being open with yet. 

[color=ff984f]"Ooo, yeah, let's switch to Spanish,"[/color] Sal grinned. 
[color=75a8ff]"That would be easier for me,"[/color] Reyna added with a smile. She reached up to put a hand on Nadiyah's shoulder, rubbing it. [color=75a8ff]"It is unfair I never get to speak my first language… ah, well, let's give him a chance, alright, Diyah?"[/color]

[color=757abd]"Alright, I suppose I jumped to conclusions,"[/color] Nadiyah said evenly. Throughout the conversation her expression hadn't changed very much, only narrowed eyes as she got more verbally aggressive that relaxed now. [color=757abd]"I'll give you a chance."[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Since when was it-"[/color]
[color=629c3f]"Oohhhh Diyah stop acting like such a stuck up ass, we all know you're soft as fuck inside!"[/color] Cass interrupted, leaping over at Nadiyah's other side and hooking an arm around her neck, forcing her to bend over. [color=629c3f]"Unless you're just jealous cause Trisha got such a smokin’ hot boyfriend!"[/color]
Nadiyah rolled her eyes at Cass. [color=757abd]"You know I have no interest in that."[/color]
[color=629c3f]"Well just picture a smokin' hot woman then!"[/color]

[color=ff984f]”Hey, before we get too into this, let's eat, I'm starved,"[/color] Sal said. He'd pulled out a whole bunch from the boxes along with Cass while they were talking, laying it out across the counter. There were big pizza boxes and smaller tubs of what looked like pasta. [color=ff984f]"We went to an Italian on the way over… we didn't know what you'd like, Casey, so we just got a whole lot."[/color]
[color=629c3f]”Yeah cause [I]someone[/I] wasn't answering our messages."[/color]

Trisha ignored Cass's dig. She was still a bit visibly wound up, grip on Casey's hand not loosening, but she took a deep breath. She'd expected this. 
[color=d1b300]“Let’s have something to eat,"[/color] she leaned up towards him, speaking softly. [color=d1b300]“You’ll need the energy… they're not that bad, just nosey."[/color]

Casey was at least happy about the fact that Nadiyah conceded the point. It was a bit more frustrating that Trisha hadn’t put out the fire earlier. He found himself lingering on it as something he’d find a reason to bring up later. No problem; couldn’t be. So it was annoying?  Everything else was too.

[color=577d06]”Hey, me and food have a weird relationship. Though, I’m not a big pizza guy. It kind of, well… What kind of pasta did we get here?”[/color]
He wasn’t above tucking into simple food, finding himself hoping for some sort of scampi or alfredo that didn’t look like someone’s head-mashings. It wasn’t as bad as the raw flesh color of things, thankfully having a very different sheen compared to the color of spilled blood.

[color=577d06]”But, y’know Trisha I can be nosey too. I learned from the best, y’know.”[/color] he giggled, bumping into her gently.
[color=577d06]”Like, uh… Sal? From Spain fully? Born and raised?”[/color] he asked, eyebrows rising. 

[color=ff984f]"We got macaroni cheese, carbonara-"[/color]
[color=629c3f]”That one's mine!"[/color] Cass shouted, sprinting over to grab up the plastic box Sal had just gestured to.
[color=ff984f]"- which is Cass's, and some kinda spinach Alfredo thing. I think."[/color]

[color=577d06]”Oh, no problem. You said Mac and Cheese, so I’m on it.”[/color] he smiled, going for the gooey golden deliciousness.

[color=ff984f]"Perfect,"[/color] Sal grinned. [color=ff984f]"And to answer your question… Spanish born, sadly not raised, my family moved to Manchester when I was like four."[/color]
[color=629c3f]"What do you mean sadly, you wouldn't have met me if you didn't move!"[/color] Cass pointed out, kicking at Sal's ankle. [color=629c3f]”Oh, Trish, where do you keep your plates and shit?"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I’ve got it,"[/color] Trisha said, finally loosening her grip on Casey's hand and letting go to get out a bunch of cutlery for the pasta, then trying to remember where they actually kept the plates. She just started opening random cupboards in her search.

[color=ff984f]”Only Diyah's actually American born and raised,"[/color] Sal continued, opening up the pizza boxes. There were three - a plain margarita, something with a ton of -meat on it, and something with a ton of veg on it. 

[color=75a8ff]"Technically I'm American,"[/color] Reyna commented with a light laugh. [color=75a8ff]"South America is part of America."[/color]
[color=ff984f]"Right, right, only Diyah's from the states. Well, Trisha too."[/color]

Trisha, as her name was said, popped back up from her plate hunt, looking over towards Casey with a look that clearly said ‘i don't know where anything is in our kitchen but I'm too embarrassed to say that please help.’

The scent of cooked meat hit his nose like a punch. There was a great need to extract from the spot he was at, which Trisha happily gave him an out to do. He couldn’t [i]not[/i] stare at her, after all, so catching her gaze wasn’t a problem. He pushed up and away, sliding out while he tried to maintain conversation.
[color=577d06]”Uh, right. So, full British, Spanish raised British,-”[/color]

He spun slightly to keep looking at them, pointing to each individual as he relayed his memorized information.
[color=577d06]”Then, I mean… Egyptian? Or Lybian? But, your folks, right? You’re born here, so a States Citizen. And then, born where, Reyna?”[/color] he asked her, just being nosey. Not giving them the chance to be nosey about he and Trisha.

As he listened, he stayed quiet. But, with gathering things, he was hoping Trisha was watching so she could know where their dishes and cups had been put. Though, he did take the time to whisper to her.
[color=577d06]”Nothing has to go back in the same spot, Babe, so don’t worry too much about keeping it neat.”[/color] he smiled, kissing the top of her head as he handed off some plates.

Trisha had watched carefully as Casey pulled out everything, committing it to memory. He said it didn't have to go back to the same spot, but if it didn't go back where it belonged then they'd never know where their stuff was. But it wasn't hard to remember, so she just nodded to him with a soft smile. 

[color=757abd]"Libyan,"[/color] Nadiyah said, taking a plate and stacking a few pieces of the vegetable covered pizza on it. [color=757abd]"My parents moved over just before having me."[/color]

[color=75a8ff]"And I'm from Ecuador,"[/color] Reyna said with a smile. She hung back as both Nadiyah and Sal got their pizza, seeming to be waiting for everyone else to serve themselves first. [color=75a8ff]"I was… sixteen, I believe, when I moved over with my family. It is safer here, but I miss the warmth back home."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"I don't miss my home weather!"[/color] Cass laughed. She'd just taken a fork, not bothering to take the carbonara out of the plastic Tupperware it was in. But she hadn't started eating, instead she was watching Casey and Trisha with an increasingly widening grin. 
[color=629c3f]"You guys are soooo cute… Trish, I didn't wanna start out with it, but,"[/color] she gestured to her neck with a smirk, [color=629c3f]"you're clearly gettin' a lotta love, huh?"[/color]
Sal whistled, and Nadiyah rolled her eyes at Cass. 

[color=d1b300]“Shut up,"[/color] Trisha groaned. She'd known she wasn't going to escape this, and her reaction was a lot more annoyed rather than embarrassed compared to the night before with Casey's family. She was used to it. 

[color=629c3f]"You can't silence meeee, I want all the deets! C'mon, tell me, when-"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Just because I invited you into our house doesn't mean I invited you to our relationship,"[/color] Trisha said, pointing a finger at Cass. It was clearly in good nature, because Trisha appeared more relaxed than she had been before. She took her own plate and put a couple of slices of the margarita pizza on them. [color=d1b300]“Keep asking and I'll make you shut up."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Ooo, Trish, don't tempt me with a good time,"[/color] Cass laughed. 

[color=d1b300]“Neither of us will enjoy it,"[/color] Trisha intoned, fixing Cass with a hard stare.

[color=629c3f]"Heyyyy, don't assume I won't, anything can be enjoyable if you try hard enough,"[/color] Cass grinned, waggling her eyebrows.
[color=757abd]"Cass, can you not make us all look bad in front of someone new?"[/color] Nadiyah interrupted, also fixing Cass with a cold stare.
[color=629c3f]"It ain't that bad, Diyah. Right, Casey, it ain't bothering you? Not like I'm gonna steal your girlfriend."[/color]

[color=577d06]”Oh, I mean, true.”[/color] Casey laughed, bringing one of the couple chairs from the island out into the parlor.
[color=577d06]”I’m a big virgin, so I’m sure you could outmaneuver me.”[/color]
Casey liked Cass. She was the kind of person he wasn’t bothered by at all; if the worst she did was get into people’s business and give out good energy, she’d be the easiest to deal with.

[color=577d06]”Plus, I mean I was a Marine. Pretty hard to be poorly impressed when one of your Sergeants liked to play the ball tucking game.”[/color] he giggled, taking a spoonful of mac into his mouth. There was a good cheese mixed in with way too much mozzarella that was clearly meant to give it a good cheese pull. Photo-food.
[color=577d06]”I’ve got so many stories that’d make you blush, and honestly none of them have anything to do with awful shit happening. Just, like, the shit people do, y’know?”[/color] he laughed openly.

[color=629c3f]"Ohhhh yeah, people do so much weird shit, I'm pretty damn normal, honestly… especially compared to you army folk,"[/color] Cass laughed, before flashing an ok sign at Trisha. [color=629c3f]"I like him, he's passed my test!"[/color]
[color=ff984f]"You have defeated the first boss,"[/color] Sal intoned, before laughing too. [color=ff984f]"Don't let Cass fool you into thinking she's got legit moves she's dated, like, two people."[/color]
[color=629c3f]"Shut upppp, don't out meee!"[/color] Cass punched Sal in the side. He half kicked her back, and the two continued to play punch each other with their free hands all the way over to the parlor area, when they finally stopped to sit down on the main couch. 

Reyna and Nadiyah followed suit with sitting down, though Nadiyah perched on the edge of the smaller couch they'd chosen as if she'd somehow get the cheese from the pizza she was delicately eating onto it. 

[color=d1b300]“She’s been trying for nearly five years, and you succeeded in a day,"[/color] Trisha said to Casey. She'd trailed after him when he'd brought out the chair, just kind of hovering as if this wasn't her house where she could sit literally wherever she wanted. 

[color=629c3f]"Awww, Trisha, babe, you totally fell for my charms, we'd just be too powerful together!"[/color] Cass joked, winking. She then very enthusiastically slapped the space between her and Sal. [color=629c3f]"C'mon sit between your two favourite people! I just knowwww you've missed the Cass cuddles."[/color]
[color=757abd]"Pretty sure you've been replaced by someone else with a name starting with Cas,"[/color] Nadiyah pointed out drily, lips curving up towards an almost smile.
[color=629c3f]"Nooooo!"[/color] Cass wailed dramatically, making fake sobbing sounds as she started to stuff carbonara into her mouth.

[color=d1b300]“You can't replace what was never there,"[/color] Trisha retorted. 

[color=ff984f]"Yeah, keep dreaming, Cassi,"[/color] Sal mockingly patted her head, grinning and turning to look at Casey. There was a glint in his eye. [color=ff984f]"So, Casey, how exactly did you two meet? Trisha gave us [I]very[/I] few details. Her messages are the shortest shit ever."[/color]

Casey grinned, looking down at Trisha. Of course he wasn’t going to tell them that, and he figured he’d do his best to help his girlfriend out while assuaging at least a portion of the worries her friends had about the situation. He was a member of the Charming and Graceful, after all… If Grace gifted him with anything, it was the Richoux propensity to avoid awkward truth with convenient lies.

[color=577d06]”Trisha and I were in high school together. Hung with a different crowd, but we had a few classes together and we were quiet friends. At least friendly. But I’m a loser, and didn’t ask her out then. I came back home recently from up North, and we actually met back up at the Halloween festival here. Which, by the way, if you’ve never been to the St. Portwell Halloween Festival, you’ve gotta come. We’re like the Salem of the West out here.”[/color] he grinned, throwing a thumbs up.

[color=577d06]”But, yeah, we’ve really not left one another’s side since. I knew I’d be coming back to this place, so I asked her if she wanted to try living it out. Worst comes to worst, there’s empty apartments downstairs she can use. I don’t really see that being necessary though.”[/color]

Both statements were true, obviously. He’d be just as likely to let her live downstairs for the safety of it regardless of their relationship status, but he really wasn’t keen on things becoming like that. 
He wanted Trisha in his life as long as he could have her.
[color=577d06]”I really think she’s just embarrassed about how people are gonna act, y’know? But I keep tellin’ her, Original Sin is just shame, right? If you don’t feel the shame that people try to force on you, it rolls off your back.”[/color] he shrugged, spooning some more of the stringy glop into his mouth with a wide spoon.

Trisha nodded slightly as Casey spoke, but her gaze had immediately moved to Reyna rather than Sal who'd actually asked the question. She was watching Casey intently, with the same calm smile she'd had for most of the time so far. Even Trisha couldn't see through it to tell if Reyna could read past the truthful cover to the lies within it. She didn't remember the full extent of her life detection, just that it was something she could do as passively as basic emotion reading. Paranormals didn't feel it happening. And that made her worried, even though the other three ate it up.

[color=ff984f]"Oh, that's good to hear! We were worried when Trisha said you guys started dating Tuesday that you'd just met then!"[/color] Sal nodded, seeming satisfied as he ate some pizza. [color=ff984f]"I did want to come for the festival agesss ago but Trisha said she was hanging out with other friends - guess I understand why now."[/color]

[color=757abd]"Moving in with someone you've known since highschool is slightly less idiotic than someone you just met,"[/color] Nadiyah concurred, glancing between the two.
[color=629c3f]"But Trish, why would you be embarrassed? You know we'd never judge you! We've seen you in all sorts of shit states, like when you-"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Lets not,"[/color] Trisha interrupted. She finally stopped staring at Reyna and shuffled closer to Casey, nibbling on one of the slices of pizza she'd taken. Her mind was jumping all around the place, from the comfort that came with Casey saying he didn't see her moving out being necessary in the future, to discomfort at the mention of Original Sin and Reyna's possible truth reading. At least no one-

[color=757abd]"Are you religious, Casey?"[/color] Nadiyah asked. [color=757abd]"You mentioned Original Sin, though it's… an interesting way of looking at it."[/color]

Casey shrugged at the question.
[color=577d06]”You get a lot of time to read in the down periods. Raised in a weird little Christian sect, but never got nuts over it. I did think that the whole Paradise Lost book was pretty cool though, the one where you see the Devil making Hell and shit? Obviously, religious fanfiction, but still cool, it’s the type of shit that sticks in my head.”[/color] he shrugged. 

Obviously, he had no clue there was a situation where someone was reading his mind would be present. Everything he knew about Emotional Fields told him that there’d be some sort of struggle generally; at least Adept to Adept. Rarely did someone have a spell that wasn’t extremely telegraphed that could freely bypass the natural defences.
His Mother, as he was aware, was so effective because of the way her powers worked. Being able to observe people remotely through some innocuous means made it hard to pinpoint her to begin with.

He wondered if she’d join.

[color=577d06]”How about you guys, any religious trauma? Or just the normal stuff?”[/color] he giggled.

[color=757abd]"Sadly,"[/color] Nadiyah said drily, seeming surprisingly fine with the question. [color=757abd]"I was raised Muslim, but clearly."[/color]
She gestured to her hair. [color=757abd]"Islam in Libya is… well, it's not something I can agree with. My parents were less strict about it since they moved away, but it was still there until I moved out."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"I just got the regular shit,"[/color] Cass laughed, having somehow finished off most of her pasta in the short time she wasn't talking. 

[color=75a8ff]"I'm technically Catholic, lightly practising,"[/color] Reyna said with a smile, gaze almost unnervingly fixed on Casey. 

Which just made Trisha uncomfortable. Why would she be staring so hard if she wasn't reading his aura? Just what could she read again without it being felt… she tried to remember at what point she'd feel that intrusion. Rarely. Reyna wasn't exactly the intrusive type in general, unless she felt it was for safety. But the basic emotion reading… the lie reading, perhaps. 
[color=d1b300]“Are we [I]really[/I] talking about trauma this early?"[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Hey, you know I'm an open book,"[/color] Cass said cheerfully. [color=629c3f]"We're bonding here! Maybe Casey and Diyah can make a religious trauma support group, get friendly, y’know…"[/color]

[color=757abd]"That doesn't sound like a bad idea. I’m surprised, Cass, I didn't know you had a brain in there,"[/color] Nadiyah said.

[color=d1b300]“No, absolutely not,"[/color] Trisha shook her head, trying to clamp down on her agitation when she failed to change the topic. Reyna's gaze flickered over to her for a moment, before returning to Casey.

[color=75a8ff]"Religion aside, you grew up here in St Portwell, Casey, is your family still here?"[/color] Reyna asked with a smile. [color=75a8ff]"I know Trisha has three sisters here that she was living with. Do you have any siblings?"[/color]

While he didn’t mind the questioning, his predation senses were tingling like he was being stalked by the cats. He actually took a cursory glance outside, scanning across the rooftop trying to see if the blighted beast was waiting. He wasn’t, thankfully. But, that did lead him back to Reyna’s eyes.
They locked with her as everyone else talked, until there was a shift that clicked into place. Like his body went from loose and noodly to locked and rigid. He tried channeling a little bit of White Lux again, but without his glove actually on, it was just going to hurt. He wasn’t practiced enough to ignore that kind of pain, not these days.

Thankfully she started talking, and since she was the only one he was uncomfortably focused on, he quickly answered.
[color=577d06]”A couple, yeah. Well, out of five I’m the middle. My older brother lives where he likes, my older Sister is up in Seattle most of the time, my younger brother lives outside of town, and my little sister actually lives here in the basement. Which, coincidentally, is our childhood home. Big apartment down there, enough for everyone. Her and her girlfriends are happy enough, which makes me happy.”[/color]

He held his gaze a little while longer, still smiling.
[color=577d06]”Sorry, I just… Can’t get over feeling like I’ve got some cheese or something? On my face?”[/color] he asked, pretending to search for some cheese he knew wasn’t there.
[color=577d06]”Or, maybe you recognize me? I look a lot like my Dad, and he was a famous boxer. Max “Gravity” Richoux? World Heavyweight Champion, I think record holder for the largest modern boxer to hold the heavyweight title. Started his own league for guys our size, The Superheavy League? Posters. Tooooons of posters. I’m sure I can get one.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]"OH! OH SHIT! I knew there was a reason I liked you from the start!"[/color] Cass shouted, jumping up and punching the air. She then shot finger guns at Casey. [color=629c3f]"Not only are you a middle child of five, making us totally connected cause same, but your dad's also a fuckin' legend! Damn- nobody ever knows about boxing, these heathens won't get it… fuck, now that I'm lookin' I see the resemblance, how did I not notice before?! Could you actually get a poster? Shit, that is so fuckin sound."[/color]

[color=75a8ff]"Is he on any of those posters you used to have in your room?"[/color] Reyna asked, finally looking away from Casey and over towards Cass. It was partly because she realised he'd realised, and partly because she also realised she'd been magically prying more than she should. 
[color=629c3f]"Oh yeah, a fair few. I had a whole wall of that shit… you know how hard they are to find now?!"[/color]
[color=75a8ff]"Right, that makes sense, sorry if it looked like I was staring too hard,"[/color] Reyna smiled at Casey.

[color=d1b300]“Just don't look at all,"[/color] Trisha muttered, quietly enough that only Casey should hear it. She'd felt him stiffen, and knew he'd realised that Reyna was reading him in some way. She should've warned him… but also why couldn't Reyna just keep her eyes to herself. 

As she did look away, Casey untensed a bit and put his bowl down on the table before wrapping an arm around Trisha. He leaned back slightly, smiling widely as he nodded along to Cass’ enthusiasm.
[color=577d06]”No worries! I just didn’t want anyone sitting in anticipation. But, absolutely. And one of my Brother Leon’s too. ‘Timberwolf’ Richoux? He fought Carlo Herron for the Superheavy title a few weeks ago, actually, so we still have a bunch of those posters. Signed, too. I mean shit, I’ll hook you up! Date and everything if you wanted!”[/color] he offered up his own brother, laughing aloud as the expression left his lungs.

Not being stared at helped. It wasn’t so much that he cared what she was doing, it just… She was strange, and it didn’t feel good. And knowing she was the only magical one made him definitely feel like there was more than just a contemptuous gaze behind it.
[color=577d06]”And he’s bi, Sal.”[/color] he winked, clicking his tongue between his teeth and shooting a finger gun at the wonderful gentleman. [color=577d06]”I honestly don’t know what the fuck I am, so I can’t exactly jump into the water.”[/color] he laughed aloud a second time.

[color=d1b300]“You can't jump in because you're taken,"[/color] Trisha said with a light laugh, nudging him with her elbow before leaning into his side. She'd eaten one slice of pizza before putting down her plate. Reyna looked over at her now and Trisha stared back, clamping down on the surface agitation and forcing herself to relax against Casey.

[color=629c3f]"Oh shit! Timberwolf too… well I should've fuckin guessed that!"[/color] Cass spun around and pointed a finger at Sal. [color=629c3f]"Back off, Sal, you ain't even into boxing, I'll fuckin' end you before I let you get the jump on me for that date."[/color]

[color=ff984f]"Hey,"[/color] Sal laughed, holding up his hands and grinned at her, then over at Casey. [color=ff984f]"Let the man decide himself… maybe we can share."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Oh I suppose… but I ain't sharin' the signed posters! I'm fuckin taking those for myself."[/color] She then spun round towards Reyna and Nadiyah. [color=629c3f]"See, ladies, this is why I'm bisexual - the chance to bag fit boxers of all genders."[/color]

[color=757abd]"I'm not into the muscular type anyway,"[/color] Nadiyah shrugged, looking amused. Like she was watching some kind of show… but it wasn't a judgemental watching, at least to those that knew her. 

[color=629c3f]"More for me!"[/color] Cass turned back towards Casey. [color=629c3f]"Would you really hook us up? Shit, just meeting him would make my day."[/color]

Casey grinned, slipping his hand into his pocket and pulling out his phone. He loved this.
[color=577d06]”Oh, for sure. I’ll even have his big dumb ass bring you the poster.”[/color]
He quickly flicked through it, pulling it up to his ear after a moment. There was ringing, ringing, and finally-
[color=577d06]”Yooo, what’s up. What are you doing?”[/color]
Silence. Listening.
[color=577d06]”Alright, come up. And stop in the office, grab one of your posters. And one of Dad’s if there’s any.”[/color]
More listening. Anticipation.
[color=577d06]”Well, no, I’m just… There’s a couple people visiting who’d love to meet you, and I know how big your head gets. Especially when you weren’t the first person who came up, it was Dad.”[/color]

A grin came over Casey’s face.
[color=577d06]”Yeah, yeah. Exactly. Alright? Cool, see you in a few minutes.”[/color]
And then he hung up the phone, pointing at Sal and Cass.
[color=577d06]”Ayyyy, we’ll figure it out soon enough. Either way, you’re getting your poster. Now, I’ve gotta ask… Did you guys just bring lunch? ‘Cuz we can go anywhere you guys want. I’ve got plenty of recommendations if we wanted to go have fun.”[/color]
Though, places he thought were cool and what was actually cool, he didn’t know how close the crossover was. Could’ve been miles off.

[color=577d06]”Well I mean, maybe not so much in this weather, but… Oh, Trisha, did you ever go to the Walden Arcade?”[/color] he asked her. 


[color=d1b300]“No, never really had the chance,"[/color] Trisha shook her head. It was less that she hadn't had the chance and more that when she was in St Portwell properly she was studying, fighting the Stygian Snake, or spending time with the type of girls who wouldn't go to an arcade. She hadn't really been into that stuff before meeting this group anyway.

[color=ff984f]"Shit, an arcade?! We have to go,"[/color] Sal grinned, already cheerful expression lighting up even more. [color=ff984f]"We just brought lunch since it seemed rude to just impose ourselves-"[/color]
[color=757abd]"Something they would've done if I hadn't suggested it,"[/color] Nadiyah interjected.
[color=ff984f]"-Right, but we didn't have other plans! We figure Trisha would have suggestions but we're definitely going to that arcade. If anyone disagrees it's just because they're scared I'll hand their asses to them."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"I'll beat your fuckin' ass if you start on that,"[/color] Cass said, pausing what seemed to be panickedly rearranging her hair after pulling off her hoodie to reveal a black tank top with rips down the side underneath.
[color=ff984f]"Whoa, calm down with the violence, that's not going to be a good look in front of your boxing hero."[/color]
[color=629c3f]"Boxing is all about fuckin' violence!"[/color]

[color=75a8ff]"An arcade is something we can all enjoy,"[/color] Reyna smiled. As she did, she slipped off her denim jacket, putting it over the arm beside her. Trisha let out a soft sigh of relief, relaxing more. [color=75a8ff]"So long as Sal doesn't get aggressively competitive. Avoids the cold weather, or starting drinking midday."[/color]

[color=577d06]”Ah I mean, I’ll dominate him. Put him in his place.”[/color] Casey joked, sticking his tongue out at Sal before laughing loudly.
[color=577d06]”Shit, sorry. I’ve never been more comfortable than in a barracks full of dudes acting gay. So, that stuff’s just gonna slip in and out y’know.”[/color] He tilted his head back, laughing some more as he thought about the absolutely heinous shit that would be said back and forth between the good-natured gentlemen he served with. Monsters. Animals every one.

[color=577d06]”But it’s great. It’s on the bay, and it’s got this like, outdoor balcony on the back where we can sit and get drinks; they updated it to cater more toward people our age. Go figure.”[/color] he smiled, offering them an idea of what was to come.
[color=577d06]”But yeah, I mean they’re still running strong. I went there when I got back to town with my younger sister a few weeks ago, and my mind was blown. I thought I’d definitely need to go there with more people, so this is perfect. I’m really glad you guys are game.”[/color] 

He felt his phone vibrate, and he pulled it up to look. Leon telling him he was about to head up.
[color=577d06]”And we’ll see if big brother’s free. If you guys don’t feel intruded on by him, we’ll definitely bring him along. Because he’s another dude who loves playing games. I mean, he’s nearly seven foot tall so like, those basketball games are guaranteed losses.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Don't underestimate us shorties when it comes to basketball,"[/color] Cass grinned. She still hasn't sat back down, practically vibrating with energy and excitement. It wouldn't be surprising if she started bouncing off the walls. [color=629c3f]"Oh, maybe I can pretend I dunno how to play, then your brother can teach me… he better come along! If you guys cockblock me Ima be pissed."[/color]

[color=ff984f]"I, for one, am looking forward to actually having a challenge if you're as good as you say, Casey,"[/color] Sal smirked, cracking his knuckles, eyes practically burning with a competitive light. He then winked. [color=ff984f]"I'm not easily dominated."[/color]

Trisha groaned, though it was less the unsubtle innuendos that she knew was a joke (though they jabbed at her fragile confidence too) and more the memory of all the times Sal had gotten competitive while they gamed and ended up cussing out whoever slacked just slightly in a team game, while managing to be both a sore winner and loser. 
[color=d1b300]“Are you alright with the arcade?"[/color] she asked Nadiyah, the only one who hadn't agreed.

She shrugged. [color=757abd]"I enjoy watching you all worked up over unimportant, supposed to be fun things."[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I guess it's that then,"[/color] Trisha nodded, smiling up at Casey. It would be nice, so long as Sal's competitiveness was directed towards anyone but her. 
[color=d1b300]“Leon can come along to keep Sal's attention off you,"[/color] she said playfully, seemingly unbothered by the jokes that were going on there. She was used to it with Sal at least… 

Casey laughed at the idea of Leon taking the spotlight. He almost wanted him to. Obviously her friends were here for Trisha, but if he could get her to himself? He didn’t mind that. He could see himself doing evil things to keep Trisha’s attention.
Not evil… Naughty. Like, inviting his handsome, rich, famous brother to a get-together where some of those attending were very clear fans.

That wasn’t evil. He’d seen evil.

[color=577d06]”Well, Nadiyah, I’m not really sure what you’re into. But, there’s luck stuff. They have a mock casino where you gamble tokens for tickets to get prizes… And because they’ve gotta follow local legislation against actual gambling, you can’t actually lose your ante. It’s pretty neat, and a pretty clean gambling high. If you’re into that sort of thing. I know I’m probably gonna see if I can get a jackpot out of a craps game our something; I love that shit.”[/color] 
He was laughing often and loud, making sure to keep his energy up. There was only so much of it he could dedicate to dealing with people outside his circle, so they were on a timer against his mood.

[color=577d06]”But, honestly it’s no rush or anything. You guys take all the time you need to catch up, I mean… You came for her, right?”[/color]

[color=757abd]"I just go with the flow, though getting some money out of the trip does sound enjoyable,"[/color] Nadiyah mused. Her friends all laughed at her saying she went with the flow… it was very much not true, but she was genuinely fine following along in situations like this. 

[color=629c3f]"Well yeah, obviously we're here for Trish, but there's no better way to catch up than over some games! Well, games then a couple of pints in a pub, but we gotta wait for that cause two and she's gone,"[/color] Cass grinned. Her eyes widened as she suddenly remembered something. [color=629c3f]"Oh shit, before I forget…"[/color]
She ran over to Sal's backpack, rummaging through the front pocket and pulling out a small box. She practically skipped over to Trisha and held it out.
[color=629c3f]"Happy birthdayyyy, [I]Trishaaa[/I]~"[/color]

Trisha just stared at that box, then at Cass.
[color=d1b300]“It’s not my birthday till the end of December."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Yeah well, we ain't gonna see each other again before, are we? And I gotta go home for like a month over Christmas… so consider it an early gift! The rest of these assholes didn't think ahead like I did."[/color]
[color=75a8ff]"I live in the same state,"[/color] Reyna commented.
[color=629c3f]"Yeah but I bet you'll be back in Chicago for the holidays. Anyway, cmon, take it and open it."[/color]

Trisha wriggled out of Casey's hold a little bit to lean forward and take the box. As she did Cass took the opportunity to hook an arm around her shoulders, spinning over to her other side with a grin and leaning in. It was just an unwrapped box, so Trisha opened it to reveal a pair of nice, gold coloured honeycomb design dangling earrings. They were actually… surprisingly nice compared to Cass's taste. While she wasn't actually someone who enjoyed getting gifts, she did appreciate this. There'd clearly been effort put in.
[color=d1b300]“Thanks, Cass. I uh, yeah, I like them."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Shit, that's a relief!"[/color] Cass grinned, turning around and properly hugging Trisha. Trisha half hugged her back. [color=629c3f]"You were always pushing honey on us and had that cool beekeeping hobby so yknow, I figured you'd like them."[/color]
She let go of Trisha and put her hands on her hips, looking at Casey with a jokingly intimidating look. [color=629c3f]"When her actual birthday rolls round you better spend loads of time pampering her. Everyone's normally busy so it's always a bit fuckin’ shit."[/color]

Casey looked over the bee styled earrings. His eyes went wide, and he snorted as she mentioned Trisha pushing honey on them.
[color=577d06]”Babe! Holy shit, tell them about the-”[/color]

There was a knock at the front door, which swung open regardless of whether or not someone was letting him in. Leon stepped in like a Goth Prince, baggy black jeans and boots, a pristine white t-shirt, tattoos gleaming upon his rippling muscular arms. His neck bulged about the line of the shirt, straining just a bit too much. His hair was tied into a braid down his back, and he wore a half-folded beanie over his head. He was holding a bundle of plastic sleeves in his arms.

[color=C67C12]”Heyyyy, I heard people were talking about some fuckin’ boxing up here?”[/color]
His handsome, wolfish grin parted to reveal the sharpness of his teeth.
[color=C67C12]”Lemmie take a guess…”[/color] he said, looking about the people gathered before pointing at Cass directly.
[color=C67C12]”Had to be you, right? You’re looking at me like I’m not actually here.”[/color] he finished, actually managing to grin and make his face just a bit more handsome.
[color=577d06]”Oh, yeah… Ladies? Sal? Meet my brother Leon. Leon, this is Nadiyah, Reyna, Cass and Sal.”[/color] Casey gave out casual introductions, being sure to reach for Trisha in order to give her hand a good, affirming squeeze.

[color=629c3f]"Holy shit!"[/color] Cass gaped at Leon. Her hand shot out to slap the person nearest her - which was Trisha’s arm. Cass managed to get a good few hits in before Trisha was able to get far enough away, gripping tightly onto Casey's hand. She was glad he'd taken it, the contact helping her deal with the extreme excitement that normally had her grumpily leaving the room for a while. 

Sal whistled, standing up with a grin. [color=ff984f]”Great to meet you, Leon, I see good looks runs in the family, huh?"[/color]
[color=757abd]"Yes, a pleasure,"[/color] Nadiyah said in a smooth tone that made it impossible to tell if she was being genuine or sarcastic. [color=757abd]"The more people to hold Cass's attention the better."[/color]
Meanwhile as Leon stepped in, Reyna brushed her fingers over her denim jacket and looked over at him. Her eyes immediately squinted and her lips pulled down into a small frown, and she let go of the jacket. It was a minimal reaction, unnoticed by most of her friends. [color=757abd]"... Nice to meet you, Leon."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Shiiitttt you guys can't be fuckin' serious, nice to meet you, that's all, fucckkkk, this guys like a fuckin' legend in boxing, you just don't get it, fuckin' hell,"[/color] Cass had snapped out of her weird slapping whatever was closest state to bounce over towards Leon, screeching to a halt just in front of him. [color=629c3f]"Shit, Rey, Diyah, you guys don't know how fuckin' easy you have it, I bet you could get it on TV all the time, but back in England I had to fuckin' hook up this shit on a computer just to stream shitty quality matches… then I missed a shit ton when all the poles near us were taken out. Fuckkkkk, I can't believe you're actually fuckin' real rather than some figure on fuckin' TV."[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I could have told you that since ten years ago,"[/color] Trisha commented, rolling her eyes at Cass, but she was smiling slightly. Her grip on Casey's hand had loosened, playfully tapping her fingers against the back of it. 
[color=629c3f]”You've known him for ten bloody years and you didn't tell me?!"[/color]
[color=d1b300]“No. I knew him ten years ago. Different thing."[/color]

Leon didn’t bother with any sort of magic, wanting to respect Trisha’s space. He could’ve given a great sniff of the air and known a lot of things; but he didn’t. Not, that is, until Lelou screeched so loud in his head that he couldn’t ignore the warning. 
His nostrils flared, ears opening as the water and air seals ever-so-slightly unlocked to grant him a sense of the paranormal.

What he found was a room full of magic. No different than usual, only these were all people he didn’t recognize. Who? Trisha’s friends? From where?
[color=C67C12]”Y’know, Casey didn’t mention magical fans. I would’ve brought the [i]moving[/i] posters instead.”[/color]
Casey furrowed his eyebrows, head turning to look at Reyna again before swinging back to Leon. He threw on a fake grin.

[color=577d06]”They’re [i]pretty awesome[/i], but I don’t think I’d say magical!”[/color] he tried to insinuate.
[color=C67C12]”Caseau, you seriously need to sort out some White Lux spells, my man. And Furio said there was only supposed to be one. So, why’s there three and a Severed?”[/color]

Leon shook his head at his brother with a look of annoyance before turning back to Cass with a smile.
[color=C67C12]”That’s some pretty serious praise though. Boxing isn’t so hot anymore, but they won’t really let me into any of the MMA leagues, since there’s really nobody willing to put up a bracket for guys my size.”[/color]
Leon spun, putting down the tubes on the counter before stepping back into the middle of the room.

[color=C67C12]”You wanna throw some punches? Hard as you want, as much magic as you wanna use.”[/color] he grinned at Cass, leaving the rest of the room to deal with the probable psyche damage he’d just bombed them all with.

Casey looked back at Reyna, then at each in turn until he was looking at Trisha.
[color=577d06]”I’m… Confused?”[/color] 

Trisha looked back at him, shaking her head without saying anything. She was also confused.

[color=629c3f]"As much magic as I wanna use?!"[/color] Cass squeaked, eyes widening in clear panic and head snapping around towards Reyna. 

Trisha frowned. There must be something wrong here, Leon must be sensing wrong, only-
Cass had grown a pair of wolf ears. A pair of wolf ears were sticking out of her head, out of nowhere, twitching around nervously. 
[color=629c3f]"Ahhhh, fuck, Rey, how do I make them go away?"[/color] She reached up to try and cover them with her hands.

Reyna sighed, holding up a hand to her forehead. 
[color=75a8ff]"I was going to talk about this until Sal tagged along. I didn't realise he was severed… I don't see that."[/color]

Trisha was still staring at Cass's wolf ears, and so was Nadiyah. She has an expression of shock that none of them had ever seen before. Reyna and Sal seemed to be taking it best.

[color=d1b300]“I didn't know,"[/color] Trisha said eventually, voice getting really quiet as she looked up at Casey. She was worried he'd think she'd lied. And after what Furio had said earlier, that they might not trust her… well, did they even trust her in the first place? But she really hadn't known. As far as she'd been aware it was only her and Reyna. 
[color=d1b300]“I really didn't know, only Reyna ever told me. I wasn't hiding it or anything."[/color]

[color=75a8ff]"Cass kindled right before we graduated,"[/color] Reyna stepped in, explain calmly to the whole room. [color=75a8ff]"Nadiyah only became… an Agent, I believe, sometime last year. Sal…"[/color]
[color=ff984f]"I severed when I was eighteen,"[/color] he shrugged.
[color=75a8ff]"I don't read that,"[/color] Reyna continued. [color=75a8ff]"There has never been a time when I could bring it up, and I didn't think it was my place to out magic without the subject present."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"... And Trisha?"[/color] Cass asked, seeming to get over her shock, even though the ears remained. 
Trisha didn't answer, and Reyna shrugged. [color=75a8ff]"The whole time we've known each other. I'm sorry, by the way, Casey."[/color]
She gestured to her eyes. [color=75a8ff]"It's not something I turn on and off at a basic level. If I wear my jacket, I see auras, and read the changes. I know I was looking too much earlier."[/color]

Leon and Casey frowned at one another, both realizing at once what they’d inadvertently done. It wasn’t something they could take back however, so the only thing Casey could do was try and make it right.
[color=577d06]”I mean… Obviously, apologies are accepted if it’s something you can’t control. I mean, you were giving me a staredown like you didn’t believe me, so… I guess that cat’s out of the bag too?”[/color]

Leon piped up.
[color=C67C12]”You’re a White Luxer. Like our family”[/color] he said to Reyna, shrugging his shoulders.
[color=C67C12]”The intrusion is honestly expected in our household, so don’t go feeling too bad. Casey’s just been sensitive ‘cuz he’s got himself a girlfriend to be protective over.”[/color]
His gaze turned back to Cass.
[color=C67C12]”Now, you gonna hit me, or are you just gonna stand there and howl at me, little miss Green?”[/color] he tilted his head downward seductively, putting his hands up for her to strike.

[color=577d06]”You serious?”[/color]
[color=C67C12]”You may as well just let it go, dude. Clearly we cracked open a big misunderstanding, so just… Y’know, live with it. So what, everyone’s had magic, not like we ain’t lived around it our whole life.”[/color]

Casey tilted his head back, sighing as his hand gripped Trisha’s, the pressure valves releasing. He relaxed slightly.
[color=577d06]”It’s just… Awkwaaaaaard…”[/color] Casey finally blurted out, nervously laughing as he did. 
Leon didn’t seem much phased, ready to put Cass to a test.

[color=629c3f]"Oh shit, I'm allowed to use any magic right? Uh- ain't so good at this magic thing, anyway,"[/color] Cass shook her head, wolf ears twitching a bit. But she grinned, eyes narrowing up at Leon. She jumped from foot to foot for a moment, before shoving her hand in her trouser pockets and properly pulling out the guitar keychain in there. 

[color=75a8ff]"Don't hurt yourself,"[/color] Reyna implored, glancing over at Nadiyah, who was still sitting in a state of shock. She went over to her and patted her shoulder, gesturing towards the corner of the room. To Trisha, she said, [color=75a8ff]"I'll talk her through it over there."[/color]

Trisha nodded. She didn't say anything at all, just holding on tightly to Casey's hand, still slowly processing it all. It was difficult to decide how to feel. She looked at Cass, but also wasn't really looking at her.

Cass finally seemed to figure out what she wanted to do, shifting into an awkward fighting position. A curled monkey's tail pushed through her lower back, balancing her out, and spots grew visible through the rips in her jeans. Her nails lengthened into sharp claws… which she then looked at, and laughed. 
[color=629c3f]"Aw, fuck, not what I wanted, I'm way better at the howling part, honestly,"[/color] Cass shook out her hands, eventually the claws retracted. It was replaced by scales coating her hands and wrists, fading up into another set of spots all the way up to her shoulders. [color=629c3f]"Alright, better not start cryin' when I knock you off your feet."[/color]

She twisted her body forward, fist shooting towards Leon's hands at a supernatural speed. It slammed into it with enough force to send a loud bang echoing around the room, her strengthened legs and arms combined with speed and hardened hands allowing her to put a lot of power behind it.

Casey watched with baited breath in anticipation of what would happen here. He wanted to see serious, awesome raw power… To see an Adept fresh to kindle with a great deal of hidden potential. Leon was waiting for the same, as both were conditioned to the ultimate wait to see what a fresh wizard could do.

In the end, some of the plants overhead jostled about with the shockwave flying upward toward the ceiling. Obviously, as he’d held his open hands up intent on catching the blow, Leon did just that with speed and strength to match and exceed. Not like he wasn’t a trained champion boxer or anything… Like lightning, he’d grabbed and thrown Cass’ hand downward, letting the free hand lash out at full speed with deadly precision. 

Even if she flinched the wrong way and got closer, he’d know exactly when to stop. It was almost literally an instant, and his hand was hovering an eighth of an inch away from Cass’ jaw.
[color=C67C12]”You know you’ve got that “fresh Lux” smell that all the freshly Kindled do. Pretty cute. Like the ears.”[/color]
He hand that had thrown the mock punch flicked up to pat her head, rubbing the wolf ears with a smile.

[color=C67C12]”I’d ask if you wanna feel my wolf ears, but-”[/color]
[color=577d06]”Alright, alright… Jesus Christ, guys, I mean…”[/color]
Casey’s head looked at Trisha before looking toward where Reyna and Nadiyah had gone off to.
[color=577d06]”It’s clearly a big deal to some people, so… Let’s chill out? Maybe?”[/color] he asserted, looking back at Trisha with empathy in his eyes.

Cass gave a little, involuntary wiggle when Leon rubbed her ears, almost leaning into it and seeming completely unphased by also almost being punched. She twisted around to look at Casey and Trisha, nodding. The tail was pulled back in first, and she grimaced as she began the arduous process of returning all her features back to normal. The ears stubbornly remained, though.
[color=629c3f]”You can show me yours later, I'm here till Sunday,"[/color] she winked, laughing.

[color=d1b300]“Yeah, no more punching or animal features in my house please,"[/color] Trisha finally said, sighing slightly. She managed a thankful smile towards Casey. It was the last thing she'd expected… suddenly her mundane life was growing less mundane. Did she actually know anyone without magic? Ezra, Tansy and a bunch of her other siblings, she supposed. But that was really it. Was it really a problem? Maybe not. She rubbed the back of her neck. 

[color=ff984f]"Man, if I knew keeping my lux would've allowed me to punch someone so hot, I wouldn't have severed,"[/color] Sal joked, still very much lounging on the couch. [color=ff984f]"But yeah, it isn't nice to focus on something some of us aren't involved in anymore! And clearly it's broken Diyah, look-"[/color]

[color=757abd]"I'm fine."[/color] Nadiyah and Reyna made their way back over to the group. She didn't look so shocked anymore, looking cooly at Cass's ears, before shaking her head. [color=757abd]”It's just a bit shocking to learn that magic is common enough that my friends, my friend's boyfriend, and his brother all have it."[/color]
[color=75a8ff]"You'll get used to it,"[/color] Reyna said.

[color=d1b300]“Not everyone gets used to it,"[/color] Trisha frowned, as if she hadn't taken the many new magical things she'd been exposed to the last few days relatively well. Her view was an extremely skewed one, where the magical world was mainly a dangerous thing focused on fighting something that could easily kill her, and the non magical was the rest of her life. 

[color=C67C12]”I mean, we can kill that feeling pretty quick. Reyna, when you came here today, did you notice anything weird about this building?”[/color] he asked. [color=C67C12]”Or the guy who met you at the door? Or the elevator you took to get up to the top floor? This place glows like a magical beacon. If you’re real observant, you’ll probably be able to feel out the Cat Demon in the basement.”[/color] he grinned evilly, hand reaching down to tug Cass’s shirt.
[color=C67C12]”C’mon, let’s get your posters signed, we can talk about the date we’re going on later.”[/color] he waggled his eyebrows.

[color=577d06]”Mon Dieu, Leon! You animal!”[/color] Casey called, looking back at Reyna and Nadiyah as they came back.
[color=577d06]”I’m… Listen, I’m real sorry. I cocked this one up, I… Shit, man…”[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Fuck, yes please!"[/color] Cass shouted a little too loud, patting Leon’s hand before very happily bouncing over to tubes on the counter.

[color=75a8ff]"Don't worry about it,"[/color] Reyna was the first one to respond to Casey, holding up her hands and smiling. [color=75a8ff]"If anyone's at fault it's me. I knew about the magic and yes, I could see it in the whole building. I should have figured someone else would be able to tell."[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I would've appreciated a heads up,"[/color] Trisha grumbled. She glanced over at Leon, then back at Casey. [color=d1b300]“And someone who doesn't just come in sniffing magic out."[/color]

[color=75a8ff]"You can't expect me to text you something like that, Trisha,"[/color] Reyna shook her head. [color=75a8ff]"You failed to mention that your boyfriend has magic too. But it's not important now, right?"[/color]
[color=757abd]"Well, I do think it was a ‘cock up’,"[/color] Nadiyah said bluntly. [color=757abd]"But I accept your apology, it was unintentional. None of us hold grudges over things like this."[/color]
They both glanced at Trisha for just a moment, before Reyna looked over towards Cass. 
[color=75a8ff]"We should think about going to that Arcade soon, before Cass drags your brother into a room somewhere."[/color]

[color=d1b300]“She does that in my house and it's over,"[/color] Trisha intoned, not being very clear about how it would be over, but it would probably involve a lot of bees.
She wasn’t really happy about the whole magic situation, but she was trying to let it go. It wasn’t really anyone’s fault. It wasn’t even really that bad. She definitely shouldn’t let it ruin her time with her boyfriend and the friends she didn’t see very often. Move past it, enjoy herself.
[color=d1b300]“Going to the Arcade sounds good, if everyone’s done eating, I want to see Casey beat everyone- especially Sal."[/color] She reached out to hug Casey’s arm, pressing her face against it.

[color=C67C12]”Y’know, I don’t think she’s capable of dragging me anywhere. But I’ll happily go.- Here, check this out, its from my da-”[/color]
Two fans of a sport hit it off like peas in a pod, leaving the rest of the group to sort out what was going on. Casey looked back, then looked at Sal with a grin.

[color=577d06]”If you flirt, like, a little louder? I’m sure he’ll give you just as much attention.”[/color] he giggled, standing up from his seat with Trisha’s hand tight in his.
He looked back again to see how absorbed Leon was in talking about their Dad, so he turned his head to Trisha and nodded at Leon.
[color=577d06]”Yes? No? I understand no.”[/color] he shrugged. [color=577d06]”Not that… Not that I think no at this juncture will stop the train.”[/color] he grimaced.

[color=ff984f]"I let her have this one, this time,"[/color] Sal held up his hands and laughed.

Trisha chewed on her lip for a moment as she considered it. She was still on shaky terms with Leon, and she wasn't particularly comfortable with him. But… she glanced over at Cass who's already high energy had already gotten higher. It was difficult to say no when one of the few friends that had actually stuck with her was that happy about it. Especially when it was Cass. It wasn't like he'd be with them all day, either.
[color=d1b300]“Yeah, you've put something scary in motion,"[/color] Trisha half joked, managing a smile. [color=d1b300]“He can come along, I imagine at an arcade we'll split up a bit? Different games. And they're here till… Sunday morning I think, right?"[/color]

[color=75a8ff]"Yeah, here all day tomorrow,"[/color] Reyna smiled. [color=75a8ff]"Not that we'll be demanding all of your time, unless you want to give it."[/color]
[color=757abd]"No, we are demanding Trisha's,"[/color] Nadiyah countered. 

[color=d1b300]“Yeah, two whole days, I actually need Leon to come along so I don't get a headache from Cass's shouting,"[/color] Trisha managed to joke a bit more fully, finding herself relaxing again. Yeah, it was really alright. 

Casey nodded.
[color=577d06]”Heard that, Big Man? Or do you need Mumma’s permission today?”[/color]
Leon was too busy GUSHING about his own father to the girl, not missing opportunities to talk about his own record.
[color=577d06]”Leon?”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”-so we were just kind of waiting for this fuckin’ pussy. We’re sitting there in his corner, I’m wrapping his hands-”[/color]
Casey took a deep breath, tilting his head back and snapping it forward.
[color=577d06]”Leon Furio!?”[/color]
The massive man jumped out of his skin.
[color=C67C12]”-What!? What!?”[/color]
[color=577d06]”Pay the fuck attention, God… We’re going to Walden! You’re coming!”[/color]

Cass would be able to see Leon’s childish grin.
[color=C67C12]”Oh… Why didn’t you just say that?”[/color] he asked, holding his hand out to Cass and wiggling his eyebrows.
[color=C67C12]”I guess the date is right now, huh?”[/color] he grinned.

Casey groaned.
[color=577d06]”God, I’m so fucking sorry for this.”[/color] he said, shaking his head and taking a deep breath.

[color=629c3f]”Fuck yeah it is, I ain’t gonna wait,”[/color] Cass grinned, practically slapping her hand into Leon’s. 

Reyna laughed as she looked at them. [color=75a8ff]"Well, honestly, when Cass is happy, we’re happy."[/color]
[color=757abd]"Cass is always happy."[/color]
Reyna shrugged.

[color=d1b300]“Alright, let’s go, let’s go,”[/color] Trisha started gesturing towards the door with her free hand… before realising she didn’t have any shoes or a coat on. She pointed to the door, looking at all of her friends. 
[color=d1b300]“If you aren’t all out by the time I’m back, I’m calling it.”[/color]

[color=ff984f]"Aw, don’t worry Trisha, I won’t steal your boyfriend while you’re gone!"[/color] Sal laughed.

Trisha just rolled her eyes at him, giving Casey’s hand a squeeze before letting go and running up to the loft.