[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/FaCzAxe.png[/img]     [img]https://i.imgur.com/1Hvat1r.png[/img]
[color=ffe63b][h1]Henri Han [img]https://i.imgur.com/CIgUv1W.png[/img][/h1][/color][/center]
[right][b]Mentions[/b]: Edict [@AtomicEmperor] 
[code]November 4th, 10:04am.
Linqian’s House[/code][/right][hr]
It was just past ten in the morning when Linqian dragged herself home. After leaving Greyson’s she had to stop by Andre’s house, suffering some judgmental looks and words, to get the spare set of house keys left with him. She was more willing to go through that than to wake her brother up early in the morning, or risk him sleeping through it and being stuck outside for hours. 

She was wearing more clothes borrowed from Greyson - including a hoodie many sizes too big, making it easier to cover up. Not that she was embarrassed about what had happened after the coven meeting, but she looked a mess in general. The hood was pulled up to cover hair pulled back into a tight bun, the only thing stopping it from being a frizzy mess. There were dark bags under her eyes and her skin was a slightly lighter, more ashen brown than normal.

Nothing she couldn’t cover up with makeup. At least the bruising across her face, after taking Vashti’s skull to it multiple times, was minimal… Durability enhancement was no joke, even if it was nowhere near what Aryin was capable of by herself.

She quietly opened the front door, slipping inside and making her way into the hall. With a yawn, she turned straight into the kitchen on her left.

[color=ffe63b]”Morning, Jie.”[/color]

Shit! Linqian jumped, spinning around to see Henri sitting at the small table pushed into the corner, phone in his hand and smile far too bright for the time of day it was. Well, it was more of a smirk, as he continued.

[color=ffe63b]”Where’d you get that hoodie, Jie? I’ve never seen it. Ohhh,”[/color] he grinned, waggling his eyebrows. [color=ffe63b]”Did you borrow it from whoever you stayed with last night?”[/color]

[color=a22929][i]”What're you doing up so early?”[/i][/color] Linqian completely ignored the question.

[color=ffe63b]”It’s not that early,”[/color] Henri laughed. [color=ffe63b]”We said we'd talk, and I couldn't get back to sleep once I woke up thinking about it...”[/color]

Linqian felt a stab of guilt. After the chaos of yesterday, from nearly dying to seeing everything she wanted just out of reach, followed by the night with Britney and Greyson, she had forgotten. The worry she'd had over what he had to say had been replaced by the normal, constant fear that she wasn't going to be able to provide for him like Jinhai would have... That she might just be putting him in danger. She'd been so stuck in her own problems, about what couldn't be anymore, she hadn't thought about the one person she still had. Fuck, she was a terrible sister.

[color=a22929][i]”Let me grab some breakfast, then we can talk. You eaten?”[/i][/color]

[color=ffe63b]”I had some cereal, but I won't say no if you're cook-”[/color]

[color=a22929][i]”I'm just heating up some congee,”[/i][/color] Linqian interrupted, holding up the small tupperware she'd gotten from the fridge. Things looked a bit bare in there, with only a couple of single portion meals she'd made earlier in the week left. At least there were plenty of vegetables she could use to make something that'd tide them over until her next day off. 

It didn't take her long to get her breakfast ready, making herself some instant coffee at the same time. It was gross, but she wasn't going to waste money on the fancy stuff Jinhai used to buy when she didn't really care and Henri hardly drank the stuff. As she very efficiently ate, Henri was strangely silent. Concerningly so. It only increased the bundle of (nerves) in the pit of her stomach. What did he want to talk about? Was it that bad?

She finished, putting down her spoon and looking at Henri across the table. He caught her gaze and his dark eyes widened, smile slightly panicked. [color=a22929][i]”Go on, what is it.”[/i][/color]

[color=ffe63b]”I- well, you see, Jie...”[/color] Henri looked away, wringing his hands together in his lap. [color=ffe63b]”No, you won't believe me. But I think- I think I might be going crazy. I don't know who else to talk to...”[/color]

[color=a22929][i]”Yi-er, what is it?”[/i][/color] Linqian narrowed her eyes, chest clenching at the sudden panic displayed across her brother's expression. Had something bad happened? Had someone hurt him? Was someone messing with his mind- fuck, who was she going to have to kill.

[color=ffe63b]”You'll think I'm a freak. I just- I kept it from you because I know you will! But I can't keep it in any longer. I... I...”[/color]

[color=a22929][i]”Spit it out.”[/i][/color]

[color=ffe63b]”I think I have magic! I started seeing things that werent there before- people who claimed to be mom and dad, and other weird creatures! And I... I keep draining lights near me. I swear, it's real, I'm not a freak. I'm not, I don't know what's going on, Jie. I'm scared... is something wrong with me? Am I going mad, please believe me, Jiejie, I'm not making this up, I really-”[/color]

[color=a22929][i]”Hey, hey, Didi, it's alright, listen to me,”[/i][/color] Linqian said hurriedly. She quickly covered the distance between them, arms wrapping around Henri. One rubbed his back, the other rubbing the back of his head and gently pressed it into her shoulder. It was how she used to hug him when he was younger - except then she had to crouch down while he stood, and now he was the one sitting. When... Just when had he grown so much? [color=a22929][i]”Everythings going to be fine. It's okay. It's okay.”[/i][/color]

[color=ffe63b]”It's not ok! I'm seeing things and doing things I shouldn't be able to do. There's something wrong with me and-”[/color]

[color=a22929][i]”There's not,”[/i][/color] Linqian cut him off again. She pulled back and crouched down to be at eye level with him, taking his face in her hands. [color=a22929][i]”Listen, there's nothing wrong with you. I have it too.”[/i][/color]

[color=ffe63b]”You do?”[/color]

[color=a22929][i]”Yes, those things you see? They're called apparitions - like ghosts. And you have magic. That's why you can see them all. It runs in the family. Mom and dad had, Jinhai and me too. I hoped that you... wouldn't.”[/i][/color]

[color=ffe63b]”Why? Why didn't you tell me?!”[/color]

[color=a22929][i]”To protect you,”[/i][/color] Linqian sighed. She'd really, truly, hoped that he would never kindle. [color=a22929][i]”The magical world is dangerous. I wanted to keep you away from it. We assumed that if you kindled- that's what happened when you saw mom and dad- we'd be there, or able to talk to you about it. I didn’t expect… it to be like this.”[/i][/color]

In a way Linqian felt relieved. She hadn't wanted her brother to get involved in the magical scene at all - if she had her way he'd still be at university on the other side of the country, safe from it all. But he was here, where (there was a magical murderer close) and people who could magically mess with your mind closer. At least now that he'd kindled he had some kind of protection. 

So long as he wasn't reckless about it. 

[color=ffe63b]”If you and Ge have magic… if it is magic, when did you get it? Were- were your friends magic too? The ones from ten years ago? Is that why you were always vague about what you were doing?”[/color]

Why did he have to be so fucking smart? Linqian went back to her seat, now that he seemed to have calmed down a bit. He’d been quick about it but… This was Henri they were talking about. He always bounced back from things like it was nothing.

[color=a22929][i]”Yes. We were in a coven back then fighting something I’d rather not tell you about. It’s why we didn’t want you involved, because it’s dangerous. Some of my former covenmates are good people, some… not so much. I’d rather you not be around most of them.”[/i][/color]

[color=ffe63b]”Okay… what can you do, Jie? Show me!”[/color]

Linqian’s lips pulled up into a slight smile. She raised a hand and focused on heating just it up, until it glowed orange and heat could be felt radiating off it. [color=a22929][i]”Changing my own temperature, mainly. Jinhai could do a lot more. His main spell was turning himself into ice - but he could do the same for crystals, could control those elements, heal himself… he worked on it a lot more too.”[/i][/color]

[color=ffe63b]”Whoa, cool! So if I work on it I could do more?”[/color] 

[color=a22929][i]”If you work on it,”[/i][/color] Linqian snorted. [color=a22929][i]”Show me what you can do now, then.”[/i][/color] 

Henri grinned. He flicked the switch to turn on the kitchen light before holding up a hand. The light was sucked out of the bulb, entering his body before coming out in his palm as a small ball. [color=ffe63b]“Pretty neat, right?”[/color]

[color=a22929][i]”Right. You definitely need to practice, because that’s useless.”[/i][/color] 

[color=ffe63b]“Aw, Jie, can’t you be nice for once. Wait, that means you’re okay with me using magic?”[/color]

[color=a22929][i]”Can I stop you?”[/i][/color] Linqian rolled her eyes. [color=a22929][i]”You can, but there’s going to be some ground rules. One, don’t join any covens. In fact, don’t join any groups. At all. Don’t seek out people from my coven either, please. I might see if some can help you… but otherwise, they’re off limits. You can talk to Louis or Andre if you want - they’ve both got magic too.”[/i][/color]

[color=ffe63b]“They do? Was I the only one who didn’t know about magic?! That’s not fair!”[/color] Henri jokingly wailed, shit-eating grin on his face before he continued a bit more seriously. [color=ffe63b]”Will you help me, Jie? We have two types, right, so you’ll be the best to help?”[/color]

[color=a22929][i]”I wish I could, but I don’t really have the time.”[/i][/color] Linqian shook her head. She wished she did. She wouldn't be the best teacher anyway, after neglecting her own magic for years. [color=a22929][i]”I have a friend who’s Red and Green Lux too, they might be willing to help. Maybe I can help a little when I have time… Ah, actually, maybe I can help today since I don’t have work tonight.”[/i][/color] 

[color=ffe63b]”Really? Jie, you’re the best! I’m so excited.”[/color] Henri jumped up, punching the air.

Linqian rolled her eyes, but there was a gentle smile on her lips and warmth in her eyes. Seeing him excited like this reminded her of what she was doing this all for. It was worth it, to keep him safe and happy. She could keep going for him.

[color=a22929][i]”Would I lie to you?”[/i][/color] 

[color=ffe63b]”You lied about having magic!”[/color] 

[color=a22929][i]”Not talking about something isn’t the same as lying. We’ll-”[/i][/color]

Linqian was interrupted by her phone ringing. She looked down at it with a frown. Andre… what the fuck did he want? She’d been round at his not long ago.

[color=a22929][i]”Sorry, Yi-er, it’s Andre.”[/i][/color] Linqian sighed, picking up her phone and walking into the living room next door. 

Henri watched her go, leaning in slightly to hear (not that Linqian made much of an effort to be quiet).

[color=CD5C5C]”What?”[/color]

Pause.

[color=CD5C5C]”Are you fucking with me? -I’ll use whatever language I fucking want with you. Last night you said I could take the day off.”[/color]

Another pause.

[color=CD5C5C]”I don’t give a fuck if it’s just Sophie, Brett and Darren. Why hire people you can’t trust? Fuck it being a Saturday night. I’ve barely slept.”[/color]

A longer pause. Henri heard Linqian kick the sofa.

[color=CD5C5C]”Extra pay, [i]and[/i] you give me and Yi-er dinner for a couple of nights.”[/color]

The sounds of Linqian pacing ceased.

[color=CD5C5C]”Alright, I’ll work it. Yeah… yeah. What else did you want to talk about?”[/color]

As Linqian continued talking about less important things, Henri pulled out his phone and sent a quick text off to Edict.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/oh6zvVx.png[/img][/center]
Not long after Linqian came back into the kitchen, expression a lot worse than she’d left. A hand raised to her mouth to cover a yawn. [color=a22929][i]”Sorry, Yi-er, I have to go to work after all. I’ll try and help you later.”[/i][/color]

[color=ffe63b]”It’s alright, Jie!”[/color] Henri jumped up, hands going to Linqian’s shoulders and pushing her towards the hall and the stairs leading up to all the bedrooms. [color=ffe63b]”I’ll be fine training on my own… go get some rest!”[/color]

Linqian narrowed her eyes suspiciously, concerned about what he was up to… did he have some sort of plans he needed her out of the way for? But, she really was tired. If she went to sleep now she could get a few hours before she had to get up and ready. Properly washing her hair would take almost an hour with the state it was in… but she had the time for a quick nap. [color=a22929][i]”Alright, I’m going to sleep. But if you do anything while-”[/i][/color]

[color=ffe63b]”I won’t!”[/color] Henri interrupted, throwing a thumb towards his own bedroom as they went up the stairs. [color=ffe63b]”I’ll just be here gaming!”[/color]

Linqian didn’t have the energy to figure out if that was true or not. She gave a slight wave, went into her room, and immediately collapsed into bed.