[indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/lIteEPX.png[/img] & [img]https://i.imgur.com/1Hvat1r.png[/img] & [img]https://i.imgur.com/CIgUv1W.png[/img]
[hider=Mood Music][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc3VsAVmGKw[/youtube][/hider][/center][right][h1][color=f49ac2]Edict[/color] & [color=CD5C5C]Linqian[/color] & [color=ffe63b]Henri[/color][/h1][/right][right][sub][hr]Mentions: Britney Williams, Aryin/Aaron Thorne, Anya Baksh, Lila Blackwood, Jinhai Han | Written in collaboration with [@FernStone] | Location: The House on the Hill > Edict's Apartment [/sub][/right][hr]
[/indent]The meeting had been a shitshow stopped at just the right moment by a timely fire alarm. Linqian had already been planning to head out, but it gave an easy excuse to get the fuck out of there. Though with Britney in some kind of conversation with the not-a-kid, that was their easy ride out of there gone. 

Thankfully, Edict had them covered - all it took was a quick call to have another car on the way.

[color=#CD5C5C]F[/color][color=#C75E63]u[/color][color=#C1606B]c[/color][color=#BB6273]k[/color][color=#B5647B]i[/color][color=#B06682]n[/color][color=#AA688A]g[/color] [color=#9E6C9A]r[/color][color=#996EA1]i[/color][color=#9370A9]c[/color][color=#8D72B1]h[/color] [color=#8276C0]a[/color][color=#7C78C8]s[/color][color=#767AD0]s[/color][color=#707CD8]h[/color][color=#6B7EDF]o[/color][color=#6580E7]l[/color][color=#5F82EF]e[/color][color=#5984F7].[/color]

Linqian lit the cigarette she'd pulled out a while back as they walked a bit away from the main group, making sure to keep a tight grip on it and blowing the smoke away from Edict. Cheap shit, the kind of stuff he was likely to try snatch from her lips and throw away - and she really wasn't for waste right now. 

[color=CD5C5C]”Well, that was an absolute shitshow,”[/color] she said, with a shrug. With her brother's voice in her head it was easier to reflect on the meeting without getting all tense about it, but it had still gone to shit. Very little decided... Again. She was still seriously considering striking it out with just Aryin to hunt the fucking murderer down themselves. [color=CD5C5C]”Thank fuck Lila suggested that group shit, so I don't-”[/color]

She was cut off by her phone buzzing in her coat pocket. There weren't many people who'd call her, so it was either her brother or her (other) boss. She pulled it out with a frown. Andre, right. Less worrying than it being Henri.

[color=CD5C5C]”One minute, got to take this,”[/color] Linqian said to Edict before picking up.

[color=CD5C5C]”What?- I'll take whatever tone I want with you... Tonight?- Fuck no, I'm busy... I got loads of shit going on, fuck off... Just fire Sophie! She never does shit, hire someone more reliable, stop calling me! Yeah I need the money, but I can't-”[/color] The hand not holding her phone to her ear jerked about, trail of smoke following the aggressive motions. It was more comedic than it was scary, similar to the way she used to bicker with Jinhai. [color=CD5C5C]”Oh, threatening to cut my pay again? Well you can go kneel at my mother's grave and beg for her forgiveness, cause her ghost won't be so fucking nice, Andre- Right, fine, you were just asking… Wednesday. Don't fucking call tomorrow, I'm busy too. I'll see you Wednesday.”[/color]

Linqian rolled her eyes, slipping her phone back into her pocket. She turned her head towards Edict with a languid smile. Unbothered, even after what sounded like a lot of aggression. She figured there was no point starting with any actual business while waiting around for a car, so she went with just complaining a bit. [color=CD5C5C]”It's a fucking pain being in such high demand. As if I'd work a shift tonight after doing double Saturday and then yesterday- Well, I didn't really work in [i]that[/i] way yesterday. I certainly worked [I]out[/i].”[/color]

Her eyebrows raised, smile turning more smug, before taking another drag of her cigarette.

[color=f49ac2]“Oh, cram it… Like I wanna hear about you gettin’ stuffed by the big bad wolf.”[/color] Edict started off, knowing that it was going to be a long ride. 

She was mostly relaxed now, even if he was acutely aware that he'd planted a funny little virus in her brain. His Jinhai construct had, at the very least, taken her off the doom spiral course and into a state where she could function. Function enough to think about getting plowed… 
[i]That fuck… Not even transparent cult shit? Because Ruby is familiar. More like she's actual family.[/i]

[color=f49ac2]“You don't make much sense to me sometimes… Didn't I offer you a job? Not like some fuckin’ bullshit mafioso job like whats between us right now: And certainly not some dead end Temple bar where your boss plays cozy for a bunch of crazy people. A real job being in charge of real people…”[/color] 

Edict ignored the whiff of shitty cigarette stench that rolled past him in favor of lighting his own. They were standing on the front side of the main area road, both pressed up against a shop's exterior wall. A scene not so uncommon ten years ago, when they would both loiter with their cheap smokes to bitch for fifteen minutes together.

Edict softened, clearing his throat.
[color=f49ac2]“I'm serious… There is no catch: I think you'd be good at it once you got the hang of being a manager. I know it doesn't sound glamorous, but it's not a small position… More than enough for me to get you set up on payroll right now, and you never have to worry about that prick bothering you again…”[/color]

[color=5487FF][i]That piece of shit, tell him to fuck off. Don’t accept anything. Just walk-[/i][/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”That ‘prick’ you’re talking about knew my mom her whole life, so watch it,”[/color] Linqian retorted, though there was very little bite to it, as much as Jinhai yapping away in her head wanted there to be. 
[color=CD5C5C]”You offered me a job for [i]after[/i] this shit is done. My bills don’t stop, and my debts sure don’t get fucking smaller. It’s not the lack of glamour- I mean fuck, what kinda glamourous job do you think a highschool dropout would be doing? This bar job’s one of the best I’ve had cause I can actually say [i]no[/i].”[/color] 

None of it was said aggressively, rather just with blunt honesty, which she continued talking with. She watched him closely, trying to figure out if he was being honest. Was there really no catch?
[color=CD5C5C]”You’re actually serious? Look, a stable job and pay is all I fucking want… but I’m not quitting the bar one. I’ll reduce my hours, one day a week or fucking whatever if that’s what I need to, but I can’t. It’s not even a lack of trust- What happens if you die? I’d be fucked, again.”[/color]

[color=f49ac2]“Linqian, that's the [i]fucking point.[/i]”[/color] Edict grunted through a cloud of smoke.
[color=f49ac2]“The farm, the club, the fucking… I have legitimate business with legitimate people! I'm not a fucking monolithic dictator sucking my wealth from the state, I'm a business man! Entrepreneurship with a self-replicating bankroll that I can use to expand. The people who I deal with down in Louisiana are starving for full time leadership, and right now the person I have doing the part time work can only handle so much. I'll fucking… Payroll you now. We'll go, we'll do the paperwork; but for God's sake, get some fucking sleep for a change. You nearly blew up your spot, and if people start to see you as a loose cannon, they'll be less likely to work with you!”[/color]

Edict was fantastic at jabbering. He jabbered, and did it some more before he finally took another cigarette drag.

[color=f49ac2]“Besides… There's more pressing issues than work right now. If it takes me paying off your entire life for you to focus on that, I'll take the short term financial impact.”[/color]
His voice shifted slightly as a recognizable car turned down the boulevard.
[color=f49ac2]“I need you to promise me something… That for the next twenty minutes, you will refrain from any sort of physical violence? I know it sounds weird now, but it'll make sense real soon…-”[/color]

The car pulled to a stop in front of them, and a young man got out of the driver's seat in a fresh suit. He practically sprinted to the back of the car, opening the carriage style door for Edict and Linqian to slip into. 
Inside was a private rear cabin, the slight stretch of the vehicle allowing for two bench seats facing one another to be installed. Edict let Linqian get in first, then slipped into the seat opposite of her. 
[color=f49ac2]“My place, Fenzo. Thank you, my man.”[/color] Edict politely instructed, slipping a hundred note to the driver before they were closed into the private space.

[color=5487FF][i]Just punch him right now. In fact, use your magic. I won’t tell you to hold back. Don’t promise that.[/i][/color] 
[color=CD5C5C]”I’ve never fucking hit you for all I threatened it, have I? But fine, I promise, twenty minutes,”[/color] Linqian leaned back, folding her arms in front of her chest. As much as the car was [i]really nice[/i] it was so fancy she struggled to relax. Which was probably good, because it prevented her from nodding off immediately.
[color=5487FF][i]I’m counting down the minutes.[/i][/color]

Linqian laughed out of nowhere - at least it would look that way to Edict. She tapped her head. [color=CD5C5C]”Honestly, you’ve no idea how much I’m fucking holding myself back right now. This is way too fucking realistic- but fine, I get it. Most people already don’t want to work with me, but that’s not the fucking point, is it… I don’t want to die. So give me the paperwork, I’ll cut back on the other shit, and I’ll actually sleep. So long as I can keep a roof over my brother’s head and don’t have to worry about the debt collectors calling round, I don’t give a shit.”[/color] 

Edict didn’t want to mince words. If he had twenty minutes, it meant he had to calm her back down with Jinhai in her head. He couldn’t hear it, but a gentle prod into the recent opening let him know it was working overtime.
[color=f49ac2]”Linqian? Your brother Henri… Uh… Look, I know you told me to keep away, but I’ll come clean with you. I don’t know if he told you like I told him to, but the kid Kindled. Recently, not so recent, but recent enough that he’s got no clue what he’s doing. But the kid’s strong, he’s… He’s learning, Linqian. About us, about you and Jinhai. I’m teaching him. The right way.”[/color]

His words hung in the air, waiting for swift and furious retribution. 

[color=CD5C5C]”He told me.”[/color]
Linqian’s tone didn’t change - in fact it was entirely monotonous. Cold. Just like the temperature in the car, plummeting towards painfully cold without causing any actual damage. Her left hand covered the other, fingers touching the two wedding rings on her right ring finger. Her eyes narrowed.
[color=5487FF][i]I told you so. He can’t be trusted. Do you understand now, Qian-er? This is why I made you cut him off. This is all a game to him.[/i][/color]

Somehow, Jinhai’s own vitriol calmed her down enough to stop her from immediately breaking her promise. Her skin was visibly pallid, the kind it went when her temperature dropped enough to actually hurt someone, but she didn’t make any more movements. Not that she raised the air temperature at all. 
[color=CD5C5C]”What gave you the right to teach him? I told you to keep away for a fucking reason- and I told him to stay away from [i]everyone[/i] too, fuck. Fuck, you piece of shit. If you’ve messed with his mind, that’s it, twenty minutes or not, I don’t give a fuck. And- and you told him to tell me?! Did you tell him to do it like that?! Acting like he thought I was going to fucking disown him or some shit. Fuck!”[/color]

Her hand jerked out to the side, punching the car wall - not denting it, but frost spiralled out from where it contacted. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Give me one reason why I should believe any of this shit you’ve said before this- fuck, why I shouldn’t just beat your ass in-”[/color]
[color=5487FF][i]Seventeen and a half minutes.[/i][/color]
[color=CD5C5C]”Seventeen and a half minutes.”[/color]

[color=f49ac2]”Because when you go and ask him what I’ve taught him, you’ll know that every single bit of it has been true. Linqian, I came here with the same bullshit I left with. I was still holding onto it until I saw that kid. Until he let me in, and I saw who he was, and I felt [i]fucking ashamed.[/i] You hear me, Jinhai? When have I ever felt fucking [i]guilty[/i] about something? That fucking kid, he’s got these… These eyes, and they suck up all the light and the space in the room, they drag it all into one spot, I fuckin’-”[/color]

Edict shoved both of his hands forward, holding them out to Linqian.
[color=f49ac2]”-Fucking kill me now if you think that’s necessary! If that’s really how you feel, like you can’t listen to my explanation, or give me the chance to prove to you that I’m trying to be fucking better, then just end it! Cash me out here!”[/color]

Jinhai was silent. 
Linqian glared at Edict, seriously considering it. To protect her brother from someone that could be a threat, as much as she was starting to trust him. But it was that same need to protect Henri that stopped her. Everything that Edict said made sense. Henri was so bright, he lit up the room, and he brought out the best in people. He could make someone like Edict want to change just by being himself… that was exactly what her brother was like. He was her whole world, and she’d do anything to keep him safe. Sacrifice herself, kill someone, and… let someone else near him that could protect him too. 

Her hands shot forward to grab his. On first contact it would be like holding ice, a sharp burn that quickly disappeared when her temperature moved back towards normal. Her expression didn’t change - still pissed off, scowling murderously. She held onto Edict’s hands like he might somehow jump out of the car rather than agree to what she was about to say.
[color=CD5C5C]”Promise that you won’t hurt him. In fact, promise that you’ll protect him if you have to. If I die, you make sure he doesn’t. If for some fucking reason there’s a choice between me and him, if one of us is going to die, you choose him. Every fucking time. Promise, and I won’t kill you.”[/color] 

Edict’s eyes turned cold and dead. It was an expression that, until now, Linqian never would’ve seen him make in her life. It wasn’t the pain of being nearly frost-bitten, or how hard she was still gripping onto his wrists. He didn’t speak for a long moment, face slowly and surely narrowing the gap between them. When he finally spoke, it was darkness that left his lungs and traveled across the air into her ears.
[color=f49ac2]”I will kill, and kill, and kill again. For that smile.”[/color] 

He didn’t stop staring at her. Directly into her eyes. Into her soul.
[color=f49ac2]”But we need to buckle you down too. No more work. Not so much that you can’t train. Britney and Me, we never stopped working on our magic. It’s good she got you out this morning, but it can’t just be a morning.”[/color]

Taking a deep breath, he finally pulled his torso back into the seat normally.
[color=f49ac2]”And I’m thinking about renting a house. A bigger house: You, Henri, me, Brit, Aryin… Anyone looking to be included in our operations. I’m sorry, but we can’t keep that poor kid out of the loop, not with how he feels about you possibly getting hurt. We’ve gotta include him, and he’s gotta learn how to defend himself. God forbid something happened to him and he couldn’t do anything to stop it.”[/color]

Linqian took a deep breath too. It was what she needed to hear. She was pissed still, but just like Henri’s smile was enough to have Edict trying to change his ways, it was enough for her to push down her anger. [i]For him.[/i]
[color=5487FF][b][i]Don’t even fucking consider it, Linqian. I’d sooner die than have you live with[/i] him.[/b][/color]
[color=a22929][i]”Seriously, use your inside voice… and you’re already dead,”[/i][/color] Linqian groaned in Chinese, pulling a hand back to press against her head as Jinhai absolutely yelled within her mind. It was almost funny, if the current topic wasn’t so serious. 
[color=a22929][i]”This is honestly too realistic- ah-”[/i][/color]

She grimaced, forcing the switch back to English, and back to the actual topic at hand - the one more important than making conversation with a fake Jinhai with an anti-Edict agenda as big as the real one.
[color=CD5C5C]”Aryin’s going to be delighted when she has to move [i]again[/i], since she’s moving into mine tomorrow… Which used to house five, by the way, but I won’t complain if you’re looking for somewhere larger- as much as I’m wary about it. You’re- fuck he’s going to yell in my head again, and I hate to admit it too, but you’re right. I thought that keeping it from my brother would keep him safer, but now that he has magic… Well, fuck, he’s at risk just by being in the city.”[/color]
[color=5487FF][i]Give him my spellbook and it won’t be a problem.[/i][/color]

Just like she often had before his death, Linqian ignored Jinhai. 
[color=CD5C5C]”I’ll train too. It’s not that I didn’t want to, I just [i]didn’t[/i] have the fucking time. You think my sleep now is bad, you should’ve seen when I was working two full time jobs- but fuck, that’s not important. I started working on three spells this morning, but one’s fucking useless, so I need to keep trying… and I need to not work for that. Fuck! I’m still so fucking pissed at you, and it’s worse that everything you’re fucking saying makes sense. Fuck.”[/color]

She groaned, conflicted with all the emotions clashing in her mind while being squished into a corner by the Jinhai voice talking over them. 
[color=CD5C5C]”When the fuck did you really start caring? Just when you got inside his head?”[/color]

Edict’s face deflated. She was going to hit him.
[color=f49ac2]”Seriously? Fuck, Linqian, anywhere but the face…-”[/color] he mumbled before holding up his hands.
[color=f49ac2]”I was… I was going to feed him a line. Get him hooked, to get under your skin and make sure you would stay in line when things got heavier…  It wasn’t the first time I was in his head, more like the second. But he…”[/color]

Edict paused, staring at Linqian with a slacked jaw.

Without a single thought, Linqian shot forward, one freezing cold hand grabbing his hands to shove them out the way and another ice cold fist slamming right into his chest. It remained there and pressed in, forcing him to feel the painfully low temperature as frost spiralled across her clothing and almost seemed to form in her eyes. 

But she didn’t follow up with another punch, pulling back to sit down across from him again, temperature lowering.
[color=CD5C5C]”I’m holding back for him, so keep fucking explaining.”[/color] 

Thankful for the vest plate under his shirt, Edict accepted that she’d broken their agreement and decided to move on with minimal resistance.

[color=f49ac2]”-He took me to your fucking childhood home. I saw pictures of you, your family, it was all in his mind. The kind of picture I would paint. In that moment, I wasn’t me anymore, I was… I was me from so long ago, Linqian! I was fucking younger than him again, I saw myself in him; every little part of me I thought these fucking ingrates burned to death! Him and his fucking smile, and his goofy curly hair, the way he fucking [i]loves[/i] the two of you! You and… Jinhai… And how much he wants to keep you safe, Linqian! You’re the only thing he has left!”[/color]
Linqian would easily be able to feel the bubbling of pink Lux filling the cabin of the car as tears welled up in Edict’s eyes.

[color=F5388C]”Please don’t let this be how things are, Linqian… I wept in front of him, and I’ll weep in front of you, manhood be damned. I want to be a better man, Linqian. For Britney, for you, and Henri… Fuck proving the babbling ghost in your head wrong, Fuck proving the rest of the Coven wrong: They’re right. I’m still a piece of shit. But I can’t change that without y’all.”[/color]

She knew what he’d seen, because it was a real place - somewhere shitty and small and messy, but filled with love. It was a home that didn’t exist anymore outside of Henri’s head. Henri himself was her home now… She couldn’t lose him, but she couldn’t let him lose her either.

But with Edict crying, she wasn’t entirely sure how to react, just staring at him as pink Lux smothered her emotional field without trying to actually get in. It wasn’t that she hadn’t seen other people- men- crying. Henri did all the time, and there were times when Jinhai did too. It was different with them…
[color=CD5C5C]”You might as well just confess your love putting me in the same sentence as Brit, haha,”[/color] she joked through the awkwardness, waving a hand in front of her face. 

[color=CD5C5C]”I… I’m not standing on some fucking high ground where I can give second chances or shit. Henri is everything to me- so fucking be as awful as you want to everyone else, so long as you don’t hurt him, or me, or Brit… Change or whatever it is you need to do for that, so I can actually fucking trust you, and it’s-”[/color] Linqian let out an exasperated hiss, pinching the bridge of her nose. She really hated talking about such serious shit, even when it was someone she knew had deep dived into her mind and seen it all anyway. 
[color=CD5C5C]”It’s not like I fucking trust anyone, alright? But it’s only because it’s [i]you[/i] that I haven’t actually fucking killed you over it- You, Brit, Aryin. That’s it, outside of my brother.”[/color]

Her hands went back to her lap, fiddling with the wedding rings, a clearly non-confrontational posture.
[color=CD5C5C]”Do all of that for us, then, and I’ll try trust you- and Brit too.”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”There’s gonna come a point where you’ll need to take a leap of faith with me. Every bit of you is going to rail against me, and it’s going to look like I’m a filthy liar… But I’m wrapped up in something bad, Linqian. Something that I need to stick with, or we may never really know what’s going on with Father Wolf. I came into it with bad intentions, and they really think I’m in with them. They tried to hurt that [i]kid[/i], I’m certain of it.”[/color] 

Greyson did his best to rope himself back in, taking a deep breath and leaning back into the seat again. His hand flipped through his pocket and started to rummage until he pulled out his cigarette case. One practically flipped into his mouth, and he held out the box to Linqian.
[color=F5388C]”So… In case anything happens to me, we need to set this up as soon as possible. It’s hard enough getting your crew to cover one another if anyone gets pinched, never mind cursory orbits. I haven’t talked to Brit about moving, but I don’t think she’s going to want to. Not even with this sub-group shit.”[/color]

Linqian took a cigarette, not even bothering with a lighter, managing to heat up just her finger tip enough for it to start burning at the tip. A sign of her growing control after just one training session. 
[color=CD5C5C]”I’ll try take that leap of faith when it comes to it… But that shit aside, it’ll be hard to move if she doesn’t want to. I don’t think Aryin will be too happy about living with you, but I’ll be able to convince her. Can you convince Brit? Cause I don’t see how this shit works if you can’t… Well, I already live with Henri and Aryin- nearly- but five is better than three when it comes to watching each other’s backs. I don’t fucking know, I’m not a thinker… I’ll follow your lead with that.”[/color]

She took a long drag of the cigarette, holding the smoke in her mouth before sighing it out without much care for how it filled the space. They were both smokers anyway.
[color=CD5C5C]”One thing. Before we move on with this house shit- and the payroll stuff too- we’re sitting down and talking with Henri. The three of us, because I’m not dealing with anymore fucking secrets there.”[/color]


[color=F5388C]”Then we've gotta get to my apartment: I've been letting him use it to get out of the house, I've got games and shit. Him and his buddy… Uh… What's the name…?”[/color]
Greyson pulled out his phone and didn't see the tell-tale text Henri was instructed to send whenever he left. It was the deal to confirm that everything was spotless and in the same shape in which he found it.

[color=CD5C5C]”Louis.”[/color] Linqian pressed her free hand to her forehead, feeling a headache coming on with each new piece of information. She wasn't particularly happy that Edict had just had her brother at his apartment, and that this had been going on for almost a week without her knowing… but it was better than him out in less safe locations. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Your apartment, then. Anything else you want to tell me? You haven't been training him to use fucking guns or anything, have you?”[/color]

Edict looked at Linqian with a strained expression on his face that could only have been his admission and resignation of his fate.
[color=F5388C]”Y'know, the guys love him. Started calling him ‘Q-Tip’ ‘cuz of the… Hair…”[/color]
The car ride to Edict's apartment was certainly hot for all the wrong reasons. Upstairs, there was a gentle beeping that Henri would've come to know as someone making their way up the elevator coming toward the penthouse. It usually only happened when Edict was coming home, so it served as a good warning to get their ducks in a row before he showed up.

[color=ffe63b]”Hide the booze!”[/color] Henri yelled dramatically as he threw a game controller to the side, character on the screen quickly getting shot in the head. He jumped up, looking around in a panic at the pizza boxes spread out over the place as well. He thought they had more time! 

“It's four cans of beer, and I can legally drink,” Louis commented, not even bothering to get up from the couch, eyes still concentrating on shooting as many other players as he could… before Henri went over and kicked him in the shin. 

[color=ffe63b]”I can't! Its- it's all yours then,”[/color] Henri shoved the cans of beer - two empty, two unopened, all over to Louis' feet and then started to close open, half eaten pizza boxes too. Otherwise the place wasn't an awful mess - they were a few strewn pieces of clothing, both men having discarded hoodies, jackets and shoes in random locations on the way in.

“You respawned,” Louis pointed out. “I'm going to shoot-”

[color=ffe63b]”Don’t you dare!”[/color] Henri jumped to grab his controller, thought of tidying up completely discarded in favour of getting more kills in the somewhat realistic shooter game they were playing.

The elevator opened to an argument.
[color=F5388C]”-ian, I swear to God! I swear, it has [i]not[/i] been that serious! I took him to a racket [i]once[/i] to get a quiet space so I could do an exam, then after that it's all very casual stuff! You guys ain't even Italian! Not even a little! What makes you think I'd even wa-”[/color] 
Greyson rounded the corner trying to avoid Linqian. Turning his head, he looked into the living room at the two younger men.

[color=F5388C]”Oh! OH! Henri!? Help me!”[/color]

[color=ffe63b]”Greyson! Help you with what- Jie?!”[/color] Henri's expression went from a bright and cheerful grin at Greyson's appearance to wide eyed terror as Linqian came round the corner right after him. 

[color=CD5C5C]”Don’t try and fucking drag him into it, [I]Greyson[/I],”[/color] Linqian hissed, pointing a slightly glowing finger at him. Not that she'd gone to punch him again… entirely… but heating up the elevator on the way up wasn't exactly pleasant.
[color=CD5C5C]”You think I give a fuck if it's casual or serious, I don't fucking want him around them, I barely want him around you and I'm seriously fucking regretting-”[/color]

[color=ffe63b]”[I]Jiejie[/I], why are you here, I thought you had a meeting!”[/color] Henri bounded forward, physically putting himself in between Linqian and Edict. He put his hands on her shoulders with a bright grin that had her temperature lowering immediately. [color=ffe63b]”I don't know what you're arguing about, but I'm sure it can be resolved if you sit down and listen to each other's side!”[/color]

“Yeah, take a chill pill, Linqian,” Louis commented from the couch. 

[color=CD5C5C]”Shut up, Louis, don't make me call your dad,”[/color] Linqian snapped, before looking up at Henri with a heavy frown. [color=CD5C5C]”We’re fucking arguing about [I]you[/I].”[/color]

Henri's eyes widened again, head snapping towards Greyson, then back to Linqian. He hadn't even realised at first… oh shit! [color=ffe63b]”It’s not what it looks like, Jie, I swear!”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”I didn't say cover your own ass, Henri! I already told her everything, there's no point in lying. Just… Tell Linqian how you've been doing for the last week! In fact, why don't you show her the progress we've made!?”[/color] Greyson was trying to find a damage control method that would keep her from freaking out more.

If Henri showed her how responsible and diligent they'd been, he figured maybe she'd ease up!

[color=ffe63b]”Oh! Oh- everything?! Even those things I asked for advice about cause I was too embarrassed to ask her?!”[/color] Henri asked with wide eyes. 

[color=CD5C5C]”What [I]things[/I].”[/color] Linqian narrowed her eyes. 

[color=ffe63b]”Nothing! Look, look, Jie! I showed you what I could do before, right? I could absorb light but not do much with it, but look…”[/color] Henri held out a hand, absorbing light from one of the many in the room. Then, in a burst of speed, he dashed around the room - so fast it was only visible by the after trail, and the breeze it kicked up. [color=ffe63b]”I can also shoot a blast of it- I won't do that here- and heal myself. Hit me and I'll prove it!”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”I’m not hitting you, Yi-er,”[/color] Linqian stepped back, arms folded and still clearly pissed. But she wasn't aggressively going after Greyson anymore, so it was a step in the right direction. [color=CD5C5C]”How do you even know that- you know what, fuck it… Is  that all?”[/color]

[color=ffe63b]“No! There's more… Louis, shoot a bunch of guns- in the game!"[/color] Henri shouted loudly enough that Linqian winced, trying to ignore the exhaustion headache that was just making her grouchier about this whole thing. A bunch of gunshots rattled off from the speakers, before going completely silent - while Louis was still quite happily shooting random people in the game. [color=d1b300]“Look, I can absorb and use sound now too!"[/color]

He reached out for Linqian with one arm, easily lifting her up… before going to do the same with Greyson, enhanced strength more than enough to pick both of them up at once. [color=ffe63b]“We've been training really hard, Jie, I promise!"[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Fine, I get it, just fucking put me down,”[/color] Linqian grunted out, visibly softening. She could stay pissed with Greyson for hours, but as soon as Henri was involved and present… it was impossible. She'd always been to soft on him.

Greyson happily swung his legs, no longer the direct target.
[color=F5388C]”See? No harm, no foul. And tell her how safe we've been at the range and stuff…”[/color]
He stopped, pointing at Louis.
[color=F5388C]”You too! Don't act all innocent, I've been letting you hang around us and help him too… You got nothing to defend your buddy with? Anecdotes, anything?”[/color]

While he was mostly joking, peanut galleries were some of his least favorite social happenings. Spectators… Freeloaders stealing their entertainment from the frustration and pain of others.
[color=F5388C]”My point, Linqian, is that if I thought we were doing things the wrong way, I'd have kept it hidden from you, and the only thing you would've heard is that he was magic. [I]Also[/i] my idea for him to tell you in the first place…”[/color]

“She's got my dad's number, I defend him and I get a beating when I get home,” Louis said with a shrug. “But he's been real chill, Linqian, nothing dangerous.”

[color=ffe63b]”Right! It's been super safe, if anything, Greyson's made it safer- remember that one time we all went to a range for fun and I kept doing stuff the instructors couldn't stand? Well he doesn't let me do any of that!”[/color] Henri put both Linqian and Greyson down, turning to her with a pleading expression. [color=ffe63b]”He’s right! I wasn't going to tell you because I didn't want you to have more to worry about…”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Fine! Fine.”[/color] Linqian let out a hissing breath, stepping back again and tilting her head back. Fuck, she wanted another cigarette, but that would mean going back outside. Just because she was calming down didn't mean she was done talking. [color=CD5C5C]”I understand. I'm still not fucking happy about it, but I'm not going to beat your asses over it. It's as safe as bringing my little brother around any mafioso could be… and you fucking told me about it, even if it was a week.”[/color]

[color=ffe63b]”Yeah, yeah, that's right, Jie! And you're real hard to tell stuff sometimes, yknow, you get all mad! So we can move on-”[/color] 

[color=CD5C5C]”We’ve still got plenty to talk about,”[/color] Linqian cut him off with a sigh, before also pointing at Louis. She just looked tired more than anything now, as her explosive temper dimmed like it always did, quick as it came. [color=CD5C5C]”You go home. In fact, go to the bar, cover Sophie’s shift so I have one less thing to worry about.”[/color]

“Well I know when I'm not welcome!” Louis joked, hopping up. He went over to Henri first, patting his shoulder and leaning in. “Good luck explaining the beers without me.”

Then he disappeared in a blink of green and purple, leaving the three of them. 

[color=ffe63b]”They're not mine,”[/color] Henri said immediately, pointing to the beer cans.

[color=F5388C]”Oh, Henri, what the fuck… You gonna sit and lie to two troublemakers? Who ‘you foolin’?”[/color] Greyson lifted a hand and swept it forward, his eyes narrowing in judgement of Henri’s fibbing.
[color=F5388C]”Who cares, man? A couple beers at eighteen ain’t gonna kill you. But lying? That could definitely get you killed anytime. Now-”[/color]

Going into his pocket for another cigarette, he held the case up to Linqian and took a deep breath in order to light his own.
[color=F5388C]”Pay attention, because this is important: As far as what we’ve been doing goes? She knows. Some things we’ve talked about? Not so much. Private, man things… Not vulgar, but… We’ve got different emotions, and without your older brother, you ain’t had many people to talk about that stuff with. It’s fine, and that’ll always be between us. But, whatever is magic? You make sure she and I both know what’s going on at all times. We’ve gotta be on the same page: The three of us. So, how do you feel about moving out of your house and into a new one with me?”[/color] 

[color=ffe63b]”Got it- wait, what?! Like- like with just you?!”[/color] Henri's mouth fell open, shock quickly coming after the relief that Greyson hadn't shared any of those private things they'd talked about… the magic and what they'd been doing was fine. He was glad it was all out in the open. [color=ffe63b]”I’m not sure…”[/color]

Linqian took a cigarette with a frown, but didn't actually light it. She didn't like smoking around Henri - he was the reason she'd been able to almost quit in the first place, even if Jinhai's death had sent her right back to doing it far too much again. [color=CD5C5C]”I’m moving too. Me, you, Greyson, Britney and Aryin… remember I told you about her, you'll meet her tomorrow anyway.”[/color]

Henri scratched his chin as he thought about it. [color=ffe63b]”Well, if Jie's going too and she's already agreed to it! I love our current place but it's not got much space… and living with more people will be fun!”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”You have the largest room in the house- And it's for safety, not fun,”[/color] Linqian rolled her eyes.
[color=CD5C5C]”We’ll move back when everything's over…”[/color]
[color=ffe63b]”What about Ge? He's still…”[/color]
[color=CD5C5C]”Hopefully we can have a proper funeral before then,”[/color] Linqian said, in a much quieter voice, with a sigh. It was easier for her to talk about when there was still the occasional comment from not real Jinhai in her mind, but the reality of her brother's ashes sitting in her closet was never a fun one to have brought up.

[color=F5388C]”That was also something… I know the last thing Jinhai would’ve wanted was me picking up the tab for his funeral, but every bit of my blood feels uneasy not having him properly rested. We may never have liked one another, but that doesn’t mean I can’t respect him. Right? So, that’s covered. We’ll get that done as soon as you’re willing.”[/color] 
Which was the same kind of truth Greyson had given to Henri at the outset. 
[color=F5388C]”But, it’ll be fun too, Henri. A property I’ve been interested in on the bay opened up, so we’ll have direct access to the ocean. You’ll all have your own space, the rooms are big enough. Me and Brit’ll take the top floor, you and Aryin can have the middle, and Henri can take the suite in the basement… Or, whatever, you guys work it out, but there’s plenty of room. We could have more people in, and I still don’t think it’d be a problem.”[/color] 

Greyson continued to look toward Linqian, taking a drag of his cigarette and ignorantly flicking the ashes onto the floor.
[color=F5388C]”We’ll all be close. You’ll have three of the finest Adepts in St. Portwell to teach you, and it’ll be a place where you can use your powers without worrying if other people are gonna be affected. And if it ever comes down to it, you’ll be able to help protect your sister…”[/color] he said, head turning slightly to Henri with an encouraging smile.

[color=CD5C5C]”I’ll need to talk to Sloane first- I'd rather not, but she did offer to pay for the whole thing and I didn't want to accept that,”[/color] Linqian said simply, deciding not to argue with it. At this point, she wanted Jinhai properly buried, rather than sitting in her wardrobe like he was right now… laid to rest in a place they could visit, near their parents. 

[color=ffe63b]”Oh, the whole basement?! That'll be so cool… I've always wanted my own room. Properly… I always had to share with Ge till…”[/color] Henri trailed off, hanging his head slightly. Linqian reached up to rub his shoulder. 
[color=CD5C5C]”At least you always had a room. I slept on a couch for years.”[/color]
[color=ffe63b]”... Jie, you're awful at comforting people!”[/color] 

Though just like that Henri brightened, as if easily cutting himself off from going down the many heavy emotions that came with grieving. 
[color=d1b300]“Oh, if they're as good as you are I'm sure I'll be learning even faster! I can't wait… I have loads of ideas for spells, I'm just not sure about how to do them. Don't worry, Jie, I'll get strong enough that you don't have to worry about anything."[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Aw, that's cute of you,”[/color] Linqian managed to laugh, reaching up to squeeze Henri's cheek with an eye roll. 
[color=CD5C5C]”I’ll be able to fucking defend myself, thanks, but we do need to train more-”[/color] Henri turned his head away as Linqian spoke, coughing. She frowned, glaring at Edict.
[color=CD5C5C]”Can you not fucking smoke inside?! I'm not having that shit around him if we're all living together.”[/color]

Greyson’s head tilted back slightly, a small grin forming across his face.
[color=F5388C]”Brit don’t like it either… But this is my apartment. He’s [i]magic[/i] Linqian… The cure for cancer is in there.”[/color] he said, pulling his free hand up to his temple to tap away at his head gently.
[color=F5388C]”But, when we all move in together, I will not smoke in the house. Because that’s right.”[/color]

He turned his body, beginning to walk further away from the two of them and on toward the fridge.
[color=F5388C]”You got any more pizza in there, Henri?”[/color] he asked very casually, trying to make sure he didn’t stick on anything for Linqian to get mad at.

[color=CD5C5C]”Well I fucking hope he's got a cancer cure, then he can fix the two of us after all our bad decisions,”[/color] Linqian snorted, folding her arms over her chest. She was pretty fucking hungry too, having only managed to snatch a piece of pizza before everything went to shit at the meeting. She looked at Henri expectantly.

[color=ffe63b]”Uhhhh…”[/color] Henri went over to one of the pizza boxes on the floor and flipped it open. There were a few slices left, and he held it up towards Greyson with an apologetic smile. [color=ffe63b]”Didn’t put any in there, y'know how it is, we got big appetites! I'm still growing.”[/color]
[color=CD5C5C]”I fucking hope you're not, you've already outgrown everyone.”[/color]
Henri laughed. [color=ffe63b]”Oh, I bet Jie will cook something quick! Or I can order more pizza… But Jie's cooking is nicer and I'm still kinda hungry.”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”Hey!-”[/color] Greyson prodded, poking the slice of pizza at him as he pulled it from the box. [color=F5388C]”-Your sister’s a busy woman: She’s not your personal chef. If anything, she’s been pretty cool about this whole thing, so you should think about how [i]you[/i] can make that up to her. While [i]we[/i] go work on something that needs to be done. Capice?”[/color] he asked, head tilting and eyebrows furrowed.

[color=ffe63b]”But I only know how to make eggs…”[/color] Henri said. 
[color=CD5C5C]”He didn't mean with the fucking food, idiot,”[/color] Linqian moved to Henri just to slap him around the back of the head, though there wasn't any actual force to it. She tilted her head towards Greyson with an almost grateful smile. Not that she minded cooking- in fact it was one thing she enjoyed that she still had- but it was different when it was demanded. 

[color=ffe63b]”Ohhhh! I get it, yeah, then, capice!”[/color] Henri's fingers formed an ok symbol and he grinned. 
[color=ffe63b]”I’m surprised she didn't yell at us for hours- uh, don't glare at me like that, Jie, I'll do something for you! I'll think really hard about it!”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”So long as it doesn't involve making more mess for me to clean up,”[/color] Linqian pressed a hand to her forehead, looking between them both. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Since I've been pretty fucking reasonable about this all… but don't get any ideas and think you can get away with other shit, alright?”[/color]
[color=ffe63b]”Yes, Jie!”[/color]
Linqian sighed, and turned to Edict. [color=CD5C5C]”Let’s go get that other shit done then…”[/color]

Nodding her along, Greyson led Linqian up to one of the doors that he'd been very insistent about not getting opened. The first night she was here, he'd told her not to open it… But it was fine now. If he really was going to try and work with them, anything particularly nasty was all moot. 
Entering in, it was clear the place was an office. A messy one, with books on books strewn about the desk and small table within. Coffee cups were full of cigarette butts, a fly danced around a rotting apple core sitting on the floor next to a full trash can. On the desk, three monitors sat with a pale pink glow playing off the wall they were facing.

Specifically, the monitors illuminated a massive cork board. It was full of notes, names, pictures taken surreptitiously. Ominously, Linqian would recognize herself in a picture secretly taken at the bar she worked at. She was behind the counter face half-obscured by her arm held up pouring a drink.
There was also a glass display case, and inside were some strange, ancient carvings surrounding a notebook that sat on velvet cloth.

[color=F5388C]”Henriiiii!?-[/color] he called out. [color=F5388C]”If you wanna be useful, come take these cups and wash them for me.”[/color] he chided, scooping up the cups off the meeting table. His foot pulled out one of the chairs, and he nodded to Linqian.

[color=F5388C]”Sit, sit. Let me just tidy up.”[/color]

[color=ffe63b]”On it!”[/color] Henri shouted back, practically running to the door to take the cups off of Edict without even looking at the room, and running back out. 

[color=CD5C5C]”Fuck, if I gotta give you credit for something, it's getting him to do that. You have no idea how much I need to ask for him to get off his ass and do anything,”[/color] Linqian commented, sitting down in the chair Edict had pulled out. Her nose wrinkled slightly, and she had to really resist helping tidy up. It wasn't her place, it wasn't her mess, but that urge was still there. With Henri in and out of the room quickly, and likely to be out most of the time, she lit the cigarette Edict had offered her and finally started smoking it. 

[color=5487FF][i]That's incredibly creepy.[/i][/color]

As Linqian looked around her gaze landed on the very ominous, and creepy, cork board at the back. She stayed sitting rather than getting closer to read anything like the voice in her head wanted to. But she did point to the picture of her, turning to look at Edict with raised eyebrows. 
[color=CD5C5C]”You couldn't have gotten a better picture for your creepy stalker wall? No secret cameras when we were fucking? Hell, a day I was better dressed at work would've done.”[/color]

Greyson looked a little embarrassed about it.
[color=F5388C]”I didn’t take it; I complained when I saw it too, trust me. Didn’t get your face well.”[/color] he shrugged, sitting down at the computer and pulling up a landline phone. Holding it up, he shook it.
[color=F5388C]”Y’know what’s great about magic? Anti-tapping. Leon’s little brother; real cock sucker, and not in a great way. But: Hell of a wiz with magical computer components…”[/color]

As Linqian had to sit there, he plugged in a number. There was a ringing, then a little more, then it ticked over into a woman’s voice.
[color=67856a]”Lotus Root: Julietta speakin’. What can I do for you?”[/color]
[color=F5388C]”It’s me.”[/color]
[color=67856a]”Dat don’ change my questions: What’chu want?”[/color]

Greyson laughed aloud, shaking his head.
[color=F5388C]”Can you prep some onboarding paperwork for a management position on the Farm?”[/color]
[color=67856a]”You finally found someone?”[/color]
[color=F5388C]”Yep, yep. Here in St. Portwell.”[/color]
[color=67856a]”Dey there now?”[/color]
[color=F5388C]”Yes…”[/color]

There was a click on the line, then the computer began making a great deal of noise. Tilting his head back, he brought his hand up to usher Linqian around behind the desk.
[color=F5388C]”If I die, this woman becomes your Boss… So, come here. Come meet [i]my[/i] sister.”[/color] he explained to her.

Linqian pushed herself to her feet with a half eyeroll, taking another long drag from her cigarette before tapping it off into her own hand, cooling down the ashes before dropping them in the full bin on the way past. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Any chance I can swap bosses in before death?”[/color] she asked as she came round the desk. One arm went round the back of Greyson's chair to let her lean on it as she turned to properly face the screens. She raised a hand in a half wave. 

[color=CD5C5C]”Linqian Han. I don't have much experience in farm management, but I've done plenty of person managing in bar jobs.”[/color] Linqian spoke with a certain amount of politeness Greyson probably wasn't used to - she was certainly never that polite with him. It was reflexive when it came to some new possible higher up in a job… him and Andre were different, since she'd known them well before working for them. And she'd rather lose her job than have to be weirdly polite to him. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Nice to meet you.”[/color]

On the other side, an incredibly beautiful dark-skinned woman with the thickest dreadlocks tied into a single tail that hung down her back. Her clothes seemed modest, but her smile was beautiful with her teeth in perfectly straight rows.
[color=67856a]”Greyson… Whad’we say about ‘irin’ your beddies?”[/color]
[color=F5388C]”Naaaaah, it ain’t like that! I’ve known Linqian for a very long time. She’s absolutely the right decision.”[/color]

The woman gave a loud laugh, tilting her head back and snorting. 
[color=67856a]”M’playin’... You said… Sister, spell that shit- L-I-N-S-”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”L-I-N-Q-I-A-N H-A-N,”[/color] Linqian replied easily, squinting at the screen a little. She'd slept too little and been wearing contact lenses far too long, screens were a fucking pain… but she could see well enough to know the Greyson's sister was very attractive. Not that Linqian was going to fuck up what she had here for something like that. 
[color=CD5C5C]”And I made him wait ten years, would've done it earlier if I wanted to sleep my way into money- and honestly, someone easier with that shit.”[/color] She was joking, of course, easing up a bit with the forced politeness she'd grown used to. Possibly not a good thing… for Greyson. 

She laughed aloud again, snorting even harder than the first time.
[color=67856a]”M’likin’ what M’seein’! Gaddamn Gal… Call me Julietta, family L’roq. Dis’ clod y’call Greyson is my half brotha… Lil’ shit.”[/color] she snickered.
[color=67856a]”Y’ain’ gotta tell me nothin’ boutcha qualifications. Far as I’m concerned, until you’re out there, y’ain’ more than a donation. Maybe y’ll be worth it one day, but ‘til then, I’on know nothin’ bout nothin’. Buuuuut I look forward t’seein’ you provin’ me wrong, aye?”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”Jules, it’s [i]extremely[/i] important that we make sure there’s a position for Linqian at the salary we agree on, even if things don’t work out at the farm. I mean it.”[/color]
[color=67856a]”D’ja get ‘er fuckin’ pregnant, Greyson!?”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Ha ha.”[/color] Linqian tilted her head up, telltale heat radiating off her body. Jinhai yelling inside her head didn't help dampen her reaction at all. She was fine with all the rest of it - she didn't expect to be respected for qualifications when she had none, even if being seen as a donation pissed her off a bit when she'd worked so hard to get anywhere in life… but it just meant more hard work to prove it again, as she always did. 

But that shit? Really rubbed her the wrong way, even as she took a deep breath to calm down. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Fuck no. If he did I'd be fucking getting a lot more out of him than a job.”[/color] Not that she would technically know, when it'd barely been over a week and with her cycle completely fucked from stress, lack of sleep and poor eating. But she was pretty fucking confident gut feeling wise. 
[color=CD5C5C]”He’s gotten fucking attached to my little brother. If I'm sorted, then he's sorted. He's the only kid in the fucking picture, so I'm not taking this job just in name or any shit like that. I'll work for that salary wherever I fucking need to.”[/color]

Julietta clicked her tongue between her teeth.
[color=67856a]”Peeeeeace, Sister. T’wan mean’ta be affront, aye? M’play too much, ‘tis the nature of the Lotus…”[/color]
Greyson giggled and laughed slightly.
[color=67856a]”She’be aflame?”[/color]
[color=F5388C]”Yes, Sister. She’s a fellow.”[/color]
[color=67856a]”Den sh’gets what sh’wants! We’ll set’cha lil’ brotha up too, get’chu both onboarded so we can start unloadin’ a bit more of this cash. Salary’s a great way to get it out t’people. ‘Ow long y’thinkin’ we be watin’ before ye gettin’ down here?”[/color]

Linqian's temperature lowered fully back to normal, and she frowned a bit. Aflame? Fellow? Some cult sounding bullshit… did they mean about her magic? Well, whatever. So long as she wasn't dragged into that shit she couldn't give less of a fuck.
[color=CD5C5C]”Don’t set my brother up. He's a college student, he'll be back in a completely different city next summer…”[/color] She held back from saying any shit about him having a future unlike her, because that was not the thing to say to the people she was getting a job from. Probably the best fucking job she'd ever have, and one she'd never qualify for otherwise. But it wasn't what she wanted for him. 
[color=CD5C5C]”And honestly? I don't fucking know how long it'll be. Gonna be stuck here till-”[/color] she paused and looked at Greyson, raising an eyebrow. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Does she know?”[/color]

[color=67856a]”’Bout Daddy Doggy? Aye, ‘das grim shit! M’told young G he should be comin’ back t’me Islands t’be wit us, but what d’wa know?”[/color] Julietta threw her hands up into the air before clearly moving around on her mouse and keyboard.
[color=67856a]”So m’don one then. And what’s the portion, Grey?”[/color]

Greyson looked sheepishly at Linqian.
[color=F5388C]”How much do you want a year? After taxes… We’re legitimate here, so you’ll get your tax paperwork every year. Don’t worry.”[/color] he explained.

Linqian looked back at Greyson, lips slightly parted and eyes widened. For once, she was speechless. It wasn't often that Linqian didn't have an instant response, even if it was a fucking awful one… but straight up being asked how much she wanted? Choosing her own salary? Fuck, he really was serious about all of this shit… 
[color=CD5C5C]”One moment,”[/color] Linqian said, pulling out her phone. She swiped through the lockscreen, displaying a picture of her brothers, and opened up a spreadsheet filled with numbers. Mortgage, bills, Henri's money, all the debts… the amount she needed monthly, how much she earned, how much she still had to pay off. A number higher than it had started at thanks to interest… and a very large one at that. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Fifty five… sixty thousand? Fuck, you can just ask me what I want. I can tell you what I [I]need[/I], and that's about it if I ever want to be debt free.”[/color] she didn't even look up from her phone, frowning at the numbers. That'd cover all the current bills, and Henri's rent when he moved back out… plus it'd pay off enough of the debt yearly she'd be clear eventually. But it was also more than double any salary she'd ever had. 

Greyson narrowed his eyes. He wasn’t sure in that moment if she didn’t understand the question, or if her expectations of lifestyle were simply that low. His tongue rolled in his mouth as he tried to find words to use to convey what he wanted to say.
[color=F5388C]”A-a… A year? Fifty five, sixty thousand a [i]year?[/i]"[/color]
Julietta knew to keep her mouth shut knowing full well that it was her brother’s money that kept their privateering lifestyle afloat.

[color=CD5C5C]”That too high?”[/color] Linqian lowered her phone to look at Greyson, head tilted. With the amount he'd given her so far it seemed pretty reasonable - it wasn't excessive, but she'd be comfortable enough, especially when she didn't have to support her brother anymore. 
[color=CD5C5C]”You can cut it when Henri's out of college, I don't really give a fuck then.”[/color]

Greyson stared at Linqian another few seconds, his eyes not saying anything particular about his actual feelings of disbelief. Finally, he cleared his throat.
[color=F5388C]”Julietta… Please set our friend here up with the level benefit package, and shoot for a yearly net income of one hundred and forty thousand, please. A five year contract. I expect that to be upheld and renegotiated based purely on inflation and a standard three percent increase [i] in perpetuity.[/i] Until, God forbid, the company dissolves. Is that understood, Jules?”[/color]
[color=67856a]”In perpetuity, Greyson, aye.”[/color]

Greyson’s eyes turned back to Linqian.
[color=F5388C]”When you do finally get there, and you start doing everything you’re supposed to be doing [i]well[/i], and you think you deserve more than that? You come talk to me and we’ll work it out from there. I expect to have to make adjustments.”[/color] he said, holding out his hand to her and standing up.
[color=F5388C]”Deal?”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]One hundred and forty thousand, one hundred and forty thousand, one hundred a forty fucking thousand.[/color] Linqian was in fucking shock. That was the kind of money she'd dreamed of Jinhai making one day… she had never wanted it for herself. Hadn't expected much of it to come to her either. How much was she going to have to be working for that money? Every waking hour? Well fuck, she'd do it. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Deal.”[/color] Linqian reached out to shake Greyson's hand. 

Immediately afterwards, it came up to press against her forehead.
[color=CD5C5C]”What the fuck am I supposed to do with that much fucking money? Fucking thinking I deserve more… what the fuck would I need more for. Fucking hell, Greyson, how much fucking work am I going to be doing? Fucking hell.”[/color] It wasn't even a lack of confidence that had her in so much shock so much as realism about her qualifications, and how much she'd ever been able to earn. Sure, she hoped to do management in bars or some shit sometime, but that'd barely reach the amounts she'd said. 
Well, fine, she wasn't going to fucking dwell on it too much. If he wanted to pay that much, she'd let him pay that much. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Don’t expect me to be any fucking nicer to you cause of this.”[/color]

[color=67856a]”Justifiably, ‘tis a lotta work. Big job, lots of machines, probably a hundred employees. I’ss not just a tobacco farm, y’got the livestock and the bumpa’ crop. ‘Tings y’d not think about just imaginin’ a place we grow a plant in. Mostly, it’s the processin’ facilities, where we age the product and roll them smokes… Important shit, reason we can charge almost twenty bucks a pack n’ rich people still be buyin’ em.”[/color]

Greyson nodded his head, hand waving toward his sister on the monitor. The printer under the desk began to spit out pieces of paper one at a time as she transferred them to him.
[color=F5388C]”Once it’s all done, I’ll scan it back in and send it off to you Jules.”[/color]
[color=67856a]”Take a few days: Do you need any dough for now, Linqian?”[/color]
[color=F5388C]”I can cover her for now, just make sure I get another infusion soon. Double it.”[/color]
[color=67856a]”You got it, Lil’ Brother. Linqian, I’ll pick up y’number off the paperwork and contact y’when it’s all set. And, Greyson, the property?”[/color]
[color=F5388C]”All set?”[/color] Greyson asked simply, leaning in.
[color=67856a]”I’ve already called the movin’ company for you.”[/color]
[color=F5388C]”Oh, good shit. Alright, I’ll talk to you soon then; give Momma my love and affection.”[/color]
[color=67856a]”I will, I will. She ‘spectin’ you back down ‘ere before too long so get your shit up there takin’ care of, Baby. B’bye for now.”[/color]

And then the screen closed, Julietta’s face disappearing to leave a blank desktop background. The printer was still printing away below, making little mechanical noises as Greyson leaned back, a smile crossing his face as he looked at Linqian.
[color=F5388C]”You really don’t have a clue about workman value, do you… You know, families like mine got started working through Unions hundreds of years ago: We believe in fair pay by merit. God, I’m just sorry you’ve been getting fucked so hard your entire life. They could’ve paid you better for it.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Well sixteen year old highschool dropouts aren't exactly in high demand, I took what I could get, and kept doing it,”[/color] Linqian shrugged, turning around to half sit on the desk without actually touching any of the shit on there. If he had a problem with that… well he could fuck off, honestly. And then she'd move. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Not like I had any fucking comparisons, and even if I did, most of my bosses wouldn't give a fuck. Couldn't exactly afford to just tell them to fuck off and walk out. The poor salary was hardly the worst I put up with, anyway… current place aside. They're really paying me best they can.”[/color]

Did it even fucking matter if Greyson thought they weren't? Probably not… not like they'd slighted him like that bar he'd burnt down had, or any shit like that. Wasn't a risk. 
[color=CD5C5C]”You don't realise till you lose your parents how much fucking shit you need to ask them. Fuck, they weren't exactly sitting us down as kids and talking about that shit. Even Jinhai with all his fucking brains didn't know shit about ‘workman value' or whatever.”[/color]
Her lips pulled up into a half grin at inner monologue Jinhai's protest to that, pushing it down. If she'd really been underpaid her whole life, it didn't matter that much. They'd made it to here. Henri was healthy. It'd get better.
[color=CD5C5C]”But y'know, I got fucked hard in some pretty good ways in my life.”[/color] Of course, it wasn't Linqian if she didn't sidestep that more serious shit with a crude joke.

Greyson teetered on the edge of danger as his brain thought of every innuendo it possibly could. He choked on the Pink smog that drifted up through the veins in his throat and out his mouth in a little hiss.
[color=F5388C]”You can’t be talking like that with your little brother in the other room… Really kills the potential. I mean, I could lock the door, but that’d look fishy wouldn’t it?”[/color]
Clearing his throat again, he leaned downward and slipped the papers out of the printer. It was a solid stack of them, all neatly marked for Linqian to sign.

[color=F5388C]”Now, I know you don’t have a lawyer, so you’ll just have to trust me that I’m not fuckin’ you over with this contract… Or, you can take it home with you. Sign it as you like, give it back to me on the day we move you guys into the new place.”[/color] he offered, running it through a hole punch in sections before sliding an empty binder out and putting it all in for her. His hand held it out to her.

[color=CD5C5C]”Well you're gonna have to figure something out when we all move in together, cause I'm not censoring myself,”[/color] Linqian's lips pulled into a playful smile, before she laughed. She really wasn't going for anything today, anyway, as much as it was always fun. One time led to another time which led to a whole night, and less sleep. She really needed that fucking sleep tonight.

[color=CD5C5C]”You can't fuck me over anymore than I already have been… unless there's some fucking indentured servitude clause in there, that'd be real fuck.”[/color] Linqian took the binder from him, flicking through it casually. A lot of long sentences and jargon she didn't entirely understand. It was the kind of thing she would've had Jinhai go through with her before… but he wasn't here, and as smart as Henri was he'd probably never read a contract in his life. He'd just get fucking distracted anyway.
[color=CD5C5C]”I’ll trust you this once, since I said I'd try to. Not like I'll understand it any fucking more in a couple of days.”[/color] She held out a hand as she scanned through it, assuming he'd understand she was looking for a pen.

[color=F5388C]”Hey, I figured you could give it to… I don’t know, Anya Baksh or something, have someone with a brain read through it. But fine, you wanna just go for it, please- Fill in all the info between the lines, sign on any stars. I’ll… I’ll call Brit; we’ll get reservations for a nice dinner tonight. You, me, Henri, her… Fuck it, bring Aryin too.”[/color]