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[right][h1][color=f49ac2]Edict[/color] & [color=ffe63b]Henri[/color][/h1][/right]
[right][code]Linqian’s House, Evening[/code][/right][hr]
Henri wasn’t having the best evening.

It had started great. An extra workout, pizza, then he went to the Arcade with Louis for a bit. Overall, a great night! Plus, he finally got to spend actual time with Linqian’s closest friend, and they were pretty fucking cool. Henri was so glad there was someone entirely decent around his sister… Not that he didn’t like Greyson! He’d just been completely honest about his original intentions.

But then he’d come back to an unexpectedly empty house. The menu screen of the Twilight DVD he didn’t even know they had was playing on loop, screen the only light in the living room. There was even a half finished beer. 

[color=ffe63b]”Jie?! Aryin?!”[/color] He shouted up the stairs. No response… and he knew his sister couldn’t sleep through him shouting like that. Plus, she’d never leave the TV running. He frowned, turning it off and switching on the living room light instead. Where had they gone?

Oh… he could just call them!

Henri plopped himself down on the couch and pulled up Linqian’s number. Humming to himself, he held his phone to his ear as it started calling. Buzz, buzz, buzz… huh, why could he hear a ringtone? Strange.

His head turned to the side, and he saw a phone screen lighting up from down the side of the couch. Fuck! His sister’s phone was here… there was another phone too. They’d left their phones! What had happened?! There was no sign of a break in… it was fine. Deep breaths, Henri. Maybe they’d been so exhausted and gone to bed. Or they just went out to get more beer and forget their phones. It was fine.

He could wait. No problem.

Minutes… hours… days…

At least it felt like hours and days. In reality, it had only been twenty minutes since Henri came back to an empty home when the door pushed open. 

[color=CD5C5C]”Fucking hell, just one fucking night to relax, that’s all I want! Fuck, you owe me another beer for that, bitch.”[/color] Linqian pushed into the livingroom, giving Henri a tired stare. He immediately jumped up, before freezing.

Linqian looked like shit. Her left arm was limp, clearly more than broken, and the bone was completely sticking through her skin at her shoulder. Blood coated the whole upper section and the oversized t-shirt she was wearing did very little to cover the burns all over her body. Bruises were blooming across them too, and she was visibly limping as she made her way over to the couch and collapsed on it.

[color=ffe63b]”What the fuck happened, Jie?!”[/color]

Aryin tossed Linqian the head of the zombie before she crossed her working arm over her chest, trying to have some modesty on top of the black sports bra.  [color=00BFFF]”Would you believe me if I said there was an immersive zombie arcade event at the 317,”[/color] Aryin paused as she looked over to Linqian, [color=00BFFF]”I’d offer to get back into cosplay but I’d need both arms,”[/color] Aryin laughed as she walked over to the kitchen and grabbed two beers and walked back to Linqian offering her one.  Her shattered arm screamed in pain as she moved but she was going to figure out a way to fix this before showing weakness. 

Linqian caught the zombie head with her good arm, resting it on her chest as she took the beer. She practically downed it, hiding her grimace of pain from the burns across her body scraping against the couch. It was especially bad on her fingers…

[color=ffe63b]”What’s 317?- wait that's not important! You're both really badly injured! You need to go to hospital!”[/color] Henri looked from Linqian, to Aryin. [color=ffe63b]”Also do you want me to get you a t-shirt?!”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”We’re fine,”[/color] Linqian waved it off. Of course she wasn't. She was in agony, from the arm so broken she was unsure if it could be fixed by mundane means to the second degree burns, deep gashes and busted knuckles and knees from punching. The only place it didn't hurt was a few areas were the burns were bad enough to destroy nerves. [color=CD5C5C]”Here, catch!”[/color] she put her beer down and threw the zombie head back to Aryin.

[color=00BFFF]”A tshirt would be lovely.  If you go up to my room, the top right drawer on the long dresser is my sleeping shirts,”[/color] Aryin paused as she sat down on the couch.  She realised in that moment that her hips were utterly fucked as well, nothing broken just heavily stressed and sore from holding back Scott fucking Reese.  Aryin tried to catch the head but her other arm refused to move and the head knocked off her head, falling to the floor with a plop.  [color=00BFFF]” No, no no hospital for us we’ll be fine.  Linqian, you have your self healing spell right,”[/color] Aryin asked as they rotated the zombies head with their foot.

Linqian laughed. Once she started, she couldn't stop. Henri gave her a strange look, running out the room and up the stairs. 

[color=CD5C5C]”My self healing spell doesn't fucking work yet, bitch,”[/color] Linqian said as her laughter ceased. She grimaced, stretching out her good arm. One finger raised as if to draw Aryin's attention to it. A demonstration. It started to glow brighter and brighter, and Linqian expression got worse until she was biting down on her lip so hard it drew blood to hold in a scream. As the glow stopped the finger was… just as fucked up before. [color=CD5C5C]”Hurts so much fucking worse than the injury too, I'll fucking pass out. We can sleep it off then fucking call up Sully tomorrow.”[/color]

[color=ffe63b]”No way!”[/color] Henri shouted as he came back out with a shirt for Aryin and a pair of pyjama shorts for Linqian. He handed them to them both respectively, before standing in front of them with his arms folded. [color=ffe63b]”You can't stay like this all night!”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]”I mean,”[/color] Aryin laughed as age watched Linqian experience pain, [color=00BFFF]”we’re kinda used to it.  Do you know how many nights were spent like this a decade ago?  It’s a weird thing to say but we’ve had sleep followed by healing a lot more than once.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Yeah, it really isn’t that bad. Gotta prioritise those who’re dying or passed out, y’know, we can fucking get through it,”[/color] Linqian shrugged, before pointing at the zombie head underneath Aryin’s head. [color=CD5C5C]”C’mon, you’re fucking losing at one armed catch.”[/color] 

[color=ffe63b]”You both have an arm you can’t use! You’re more burn than not, Jie! You- call the coven healer!”[/color] Henri hit them both with his hardest glare which… was pretty pathetic and panicked more than anything. Because he was panicking! It hurt him to see his sister and Aryin like this… he didn’t understand why they wouldn’t listen!

[color=00BFFF]”This is a first,”[/color] Aryin said as she looked at her broken arm, [color=00BFFF]”I don’t think I’ve really broken a bone before in this form, and I don’t think I’ve ever lost at one armed catch,”[/color] Aryin paused as she put the beer down and grabbed the head and tossed it back to Linqian, [color=00BFFF]”do we even have a coven healer anymore?  Sully is Greenwood now.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”He’s fucking Sycamore first… And why can’t he be both? You’re 317 and Sycamore… unless you’re fucking abandoning me to the wolves?”[/color] Linqian raised an eyebrow, grunting as she caught the head with her one hand and chest. She then lobbed it back. [color=CD5C5C]”Well, loads of firsts for you today… fucking hell, at least my fucking defensive spell worked, I’d be dead if I didn’t have that shit.”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]”Fuck you bitch you just got me back.  I’m not going anywhere you fucking whore.  Especially with us just fighting Scott fucking Reese. ”[/color] 

[color=ffe63b]”Dead?!”[/color] Henri practically wailed. [color=ffe63b]”That’s it. You’re [i]going[/i] to a hospital! Or- or else!”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]”Or else what,”[/color] Aryin caught the head and went to dribble it, but the head did not have the bounce that she expected.  She picked it up and tossed it back.  [color=00BFFF]”Are you going to hurt us with your words?”[/color] 

[color=CD5C5C]”Yeah, Yi-er, what’re you gonna do? I love you, but you don’t have any power here,”[/color] Linqian laughed lightly, catching the head again. She spun it in her hand… proceeding to almost drop it and having to catch it with a leg. She then threw it back and gave Henri a reassuring smile. [color=CD5C5C]”We’ll be fine, really, Didi.”[/color]

Aryin caught the head and thought, for just a moment, that the two of them may have a concussion as she looked at the zombie's head. 

[color=ffe63b]”No, no, no, I’m not accepting that. You’ve forced my hand!”[/color] Henri pulled out his phone, finding the person who he could see enacting justice. Someone who his sister might listen to… and even if he didn’t, Henri really needed the emotional support. 

After a moment of hesitation, he called Greyson, hoping he’d pick up quickly… And as soon as he picked up (or it went to voicemail), he shouted down the phone, [color=ffe63b]”I need your help, it’s Jie and Aryin, they’ve gone mad!”[/color]

The phone rang, rang again, and a few more times before it was actually answered by a blase voice. Though, not so blase for long as Henri’s panic was crystal clear over the phone.
[color=F5388C]”Henri!? What’s wrong, what’s happened? Is it Wolf? Wh-”[/color] he expressed himself with loud and clear concern, being interrupted by the frantic caller on the other end.

[color=00BFFF]”Henri, we don’t need to bother whoever you called.  We’re fine,”[/color] Aryin shouted as they pulled out their phone.  She took a quick photo of herself and Linqian.  Zombie head painfully visible in her lap. She then took a selfie, her arm painfully bruising already, and made sure that she included the zombie's head.  She opened up her message app and sent the photo with a ‘your lessons worked’ and sent the photo to Leon.  Aryin giggled before she winced.  She looked down at her arms and the rapidly spreading bruises and her smile faltered for just a moment.  That moment quickly passed and Aryin tossed the head at Linqian. 

Henri just narrowed his eyes at Aryin. [color=ffe63b]”No, not the wolf- but they're both really badly injured and refusing to go to a doctor or some magical healer or something! They won't listen to me and I think they plan to sleep it off but I don't think they'll wake up tomorrow and I don't know-”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Yi-er, we're fucking fine,”[/color] Linqian interrupted loudly, catching the head with her body more than her arm. It hit her abdomen and new pain erupted as she felt her rib move. Fuck she'd forgotten it was broken… sharp, stabbing pain radiated out that had her curling around the zombie head. She quickly started laughing, almost deliriously, as she hugged the head.  

[color=ffe63b]”You’ve got a bone sticking out your shoulder! Neither of you can use an arm! There's blood everywhere!”[/color] Henri shouted, clearly getting more panicked by the minute. [color=ffe63b]”I really don't know what to do… please help me fix them, Greyson.”[/color]

There was cold, abject silence on the other end of the line… Like Henri could hear a pin dropping from within. Any reaction probably would’ve been better, so when a gentle chuckle started to echo across the dead space, maybe it was salvation for Henri’s anxiety.
[color=F5388C]”You gotta learn to do it, Man… We’ve been talking about your healing potential for, what, like a week and a half now? Listen: Your sister and Aryin, they’re both pretty hard to kill. If it was just a little scuffle, they may look beaten up… But they’ll be fine in a few hours. For now, I want you to just help them out, get them what they need, and let them do the magic that Adepts are supposed to know how to do.”[/color] he offered such light advice, Henri may have found it callous…

Being the person he was, Henri took it well… though he really didn't think their arms were going to unshatter themselves in a few hours! But that wasn't the point. Well it was part of the point he was freaking out about how injured they were but sure, magic existed, they all had healing potential! Greyson was right he had to learn it and really Henri needed the moral support but it wasn't just that. The real point was… 
[color=ffe63b]”W-well yeah, but it's not only-”[/color] Henri looked over at Linqian and Aryin furtively, before covering his mouth with his free hand and lowering his voice. [color=ffe63b]”Physical, it's mental too… I think their heads are fucked up, maybe they got hit by some magic, they're just- FUCK FUCK STOP THROWING THE FUCKING HEAD AROUND!”[/color]

There was a distinctive thud that would be heard over the phone, from Linqian lobbing the zombie head right over Henri's head. It was quite an impressive throw, considering she only had one arm, managing to actually get it over his six feet in height from where she was lying. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Then get off the fucking phone.”[/color]

[color=ffe63b]”No- really they're just lying around giggling and tossing a zombie head with one arm and I really think their brains are fucked up!”[/color] Henri hissed into the phone, more confident now that his sister had lost her one weapon to use against him. 

Greyson scoffed on the other end.
[color=F5388C]”They’re exhausted, Dude. You fight zombies, see how you do; the other week there was this gi-... Not the point… Fuckin’, do you really need me to send someone over there? Because if you really want Big Bro to take care of all your problems for you, I will. But you’ll never live it down, and you’ll certainly never learn any lessons from it.”[/color]
He took an audible puff from his cigarette.

[color=F5388C]”That makes sense, right? Like, if you’re [i]sure[/i] death is coming and you need the help, just say the word. But… Are you [i]sure[/i] that you’re sure?”[/color]

[color=ffe63b]”Wellllll… I'm not like… sure [I]sure[/I]... Let me like… check…”[/color] Henri really wasn't so sure now. And he really didn't want to never live it down that sounded like a nightmare! He was already, like, the butt of so many jokes by those guys! So, in his infinite wisdom, he decided he might as well make sure. He shifted his phone to his left hand and walked over to Linqian, squatting in front of her. His lips pressed together as he tried to look for the worst of the damage. It didn't seem like she was going to die immediately but also he had very little medical knowledge… 
[color=ffe63b]”Sorry, Jie, Aryin!”[/color] he switched the phone to speaker, putting it down on a gap between the two on the couch, and reached out for both of their shattered arms. 
[color=ffe63b]”Just gonna see if it can- what the fuck, Jie, your arm feels like jelly!”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Get the fuck off me oh my fucking god- yeah that's what happens when you-”[/color] A brief moment of clarity broke through Linqian's likely concussed mind, and she looked down at that phone. [color=CD5C5C]”That Greyson on the phone?”[/color] Then she looked at Aryin. [color=CD5C5C]”Should we tell him?”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]”We’ll have to tell everyone at some point,”[/color] Aryin sighed as she looked over to Linqian, [color=00BFFF]”Greyson we fought Scott Reese tonight.  He’s still alive.[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Pretty sure I burnt his dick off,”[/color] Linqian added, feeling it was important information to add.

[color=00BFFF]”Isn’t that chainsaw fun?”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Oh fuck yeah, it was awesome, can I have it-”[/color] 

There was another long silence on the other end before a far more grim voice began to direct Henri.
[color=F5388C]”Alright, I’m coming. Henri, I need you to get out to your car: Be [i]very[/i] careful, and very watchful. If you see a douchebag with black curly hair and skin like the Devil, you better run for your fucking life back to my apartment however you can… But in the trunk of your car, you need to pull the rug up and take out the black box sitting underneath! Inside, there should be little green packets of shit, so I need you to get tweedle dee and tweedle dumb to eat them [i]as soon as possible.[/i] Did you get all that!?”[/color]

[color=ffe63b]”Yes, I got it-”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Tweedle dee and tweedle dumb, do you want your fucking dick burnt off too, Greyson?!”[/color] Linqian leaned over towards the phone that Henri had very stupidly put on speaker mode, before a whole host of colourful swears came out in a pained gasp. 

[color=ffe63b]”He’s right! I got it all, Greyson, I’m on it! You know where we live right, I’m going to my car!”[/color] Henri turned around and practically sprinted out the house… leaving his phone.

Still on speaker, his frantic movements half-muffled Greyson’s admonishment.
[color=F5388C]”You go ahead and explain to me how you managed to pick a fight with the only supremacist not shaving his fuckin’ head, Linqian, and maybe I’ll take back what I said if it wasn’t your fault!”[/color] 

[color=00BFFF]”A ghost pirate ship appeared in the sky above the 317, opened fire, opened several portals that spewed out zombies with guns, opened fire, and Scott dropped from the ship and landed with this superhero-like pose,[/color] Aryin paused as she sighed. [color=00BFFF]”I pulled Linqian into the fight.  She wasn’t going to let me go alone.”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]”There were people less durable than us behind us.  We did what we had to, to protect them.”[/color]. Aryin stopped talking as she began to hum the 500 miles song, it was completely stuck in their head.

[color=CD5C5C]”He landed with a fucking dickish pose- but yeah I got dragged through a painting into a literal fucking warzone and stopped people from fucking dying! We were having a great fucking evening-”[/color] they didn’t even get to finish Twilight- [color=CD5C5C]”[i]Technically[/i] I jumped into the fucking fight but it wasn’t really a fucking choice. We’re perfectly fucking fine anyway, you and Yi-er are completely overreacting.”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”Scott Reese? You’re playing with the Stygian Snake’s favorite cocksleeve and you want to say I’m overreacting? You’re lucky you’re alive, a fucking decade on I’d be hard pressed if that dude didn’t find some way to bypass Phantombanes, never mind dealing with you two meatheads!”[/color] he barked through the phone at the two of them, his inflection clearly strained.
[color=F5388C]”Where the fuck did Tall, Dead and Racist go when he was done putting the spurs to you both?”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]”We sent him to fucking Ohio through the art dimension,”[/color] Aryin choked out between fits of a madness filled laugh, [color=00BFFF]”he’s in fucking Ohio.”[/color]

Linqian went from real pissed and ready to throw Henri’s phone at a wall, to also laughing- a laugh that was interspersed with very pained coughs. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Fucking- the fucking ass end of fucking Ohio, probably reallyyy regretting picking a fight with a buncha magical artists- oh fuck, that hurts, haha- fucking Ohio!”[/color] She continued to laugh, before forcing out a bit more that wasn’t just talking about Ohio. 
[color=CD5C5C]”We kept fucking fighting after he was gone, anyway, so we’re perfectly fucking alive after getting [i]cannonball blasted[/i] away from his spiky ass.”[/color]

“Hey,” a voice came from behind the couch.  A bloody face emerged from the painting. 

[color=F5388C]”And who the fuck is that with you?! One of your art-hoe friends, Aryin!?”[/color] Greyson groaned.

[color=CD5C5C]”Stop fucking coming into my livingroom!”[/color] Linqian said, twisting around to look at Alex. Then, to the phone. [color=CD5C5C]”Yeah the fucking painting teleporter. A fucking [i]uninvited[/i] guest.”[/color]

Alex turned their head as they smirked.  Their arm emerged with a twenty four pack of the St. Porter beer.  “Am I invited now?”

[color=CD5C5C]”Oh fuck yes, take a seat- would you pick up the head for us?”[/color] Linqian gestured for Alex to come in. 

[color=ffe63b]”I got the weird green- WHAT THE FUCK?!”[/color] Henri ran back into the livingroom, house door slamming behind him, chest heaving from having sprinted all the way down the street to get to his car. He pointed at Alex. [color=ffe63b]”Who are you, why are you covered in blood?! I- I- fuck are we going to die?!”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”Henri, it’s fine… Just give them the stuff!”[/color]

Alex pulled themself out of the painting and placed the beer on the ground.  They walked over to the head and picked it up, maintaining eye contact with Henri.  They raised their nose up, and squinted at Henri.  “Heads up,” they whispered as they tossed it towards Henri.  “It’s my blood, don't worry.”

[color=ffe63b]”What- fuck!”[/color] Henri somehow managed to catch the head underneath his arm, looking down at it and grimacing. He immediately dropped it back on the ground and ran over to Linqian and Aryin, holding out the little bags of green liquid. [color=ffe63b]”Drink them!”[/color]

Linqian looked at the very suspicious liquid, then at the phone, then at Henri. [color=CD5C5C]”Yi-er, I love you-”[/color] 
[color=ffe63b]”Oh my fucking god Jie don’t start-”[/color]
[color=CD5C5C]”-but I’m not drinking the fucking green goop that was hidden in your [i]gifted[/i] car that’s probably Leon’s magic vomit or some shit.”[/color] 

Despair only grew in Henri’s eyes as he shoved the packets forward, shaking them. 
[color=ffe63b]”Please?”[/color] Then towards the phone.
[color=ffe63b]”Greyson, please save me, I think I’m in hell.”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”I can only walk so fuckin’ fast, Kid! Just- Just, fuckin’ be persistant! I’ll be there soon!”[/color]
Henri would be able to hear the soft bing of an elevator door either opening or closing. Either way, Mr. Fix-it was on the case. It’d only be a matter of time before he was standing in the same room as them.

Alex walked over and grabbed a beer, turned out in its side, punched the side as they opened the top and shotgunned the beer as quickly as they could.  “I’ve been to art hell,” Alex paused after they finished the beer, “art Satan was really cool to talk to.”

[color=00BFFF]”Oh is he?  Can you introduce us?”[/color]

“No.”

[color=CD5C5C]”Is he hot?”[/color] Linqian asked, gesturing to one of the beers in a very obvious ‘give me one of those’ motion while still ignoring the weird green packet Henri was shoving towards her. 

Alex looked at Linqian, to the beer, to Linqian, back to the beer, and back to Linqian.  “Ohhhhhhh,” Alex sighed as they walked over, grabbed a beer, and walked it over to Linqian and passed it to her.  Linqian took it and immediately started chugging.  “He was on fire so I think he was hot, yes.”  

Henri frowned, picking back up his phone and switching it off speaker mode so Greyson didn’t have to hear all of the chaos. In fact he didn’t need to hear any of it at all… 
[color=ffe63b]”I’ll- I’ll see you soon! I’ll make them drink this by the time you get here, I swear!”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]”Greyson alone won’t make us drink that shit either.”[/color]. They too were passed a beer by Alex and it was finished within a few seconds.

[hr]

Henri hadn’t done what he said he would… But Greyson didn’t know that until he burst through the door with his tactical Thompson and his bulletproof Temple-Enchanted vest covering his typical high-class business attire. The Suit-and-Tie Assassin let himself through the front door with vigour, arriving to a scene he really didn’t want to deal with.

Linqian was lying against the arm of the couch with her mostly bare legs swung over the back of it. It was the opposite of a nice sight, since her legs were much more burn and bruise than they were skin. The oversized t-shirt Aryin had lent her had ridden up to reveal a very bruised midsection, and the horrible wound on their shoulder with a bone sticking through was even more obvious. The back of their head, hair still pulled back into a tight bun, was still sticky with blood, somehow. There were three crushed beer cans on the couch beside her. But most importantly, the zombie head was in her hands… well, single useable hand. She raised it up and lobbed it over to Aryin. [color=CD5C5C]”Getting tired yet, hoe?”[/color]

Aryin caught the ball with their good arm.  The shirt that Henri had brought down was missing, and Aryin was once again rocking just the sports bra and pajama shorts.  The shorts themself were crusted with the blood of the zombie horde.  Their arm even more bruised than before, Aryin visibly winced any time the arm swayed.  [color=00BFFF]”What part of unlimited stamina does your single brain cell forget,”[/color] Aryin laughed as she tossed the head towards Alex.  They then grabbed their fourth can of beer and drank from it with a passion.

[color=CD5C5C]”Oh I’ll show you fucking unlimited stamina in a minute.”[/color] Linqian half heartedly shoved a bare foot towards Aryin, wincing in pain.

Alex caught the head and looked towards the armed and dangerous man.  They considered tossing it his way.  A second later their demons took control as they raised their head up.  Their eyes squinted as they looked at Greyson.   The blood that caked their face had long since dried, and began to spit in long lines.  “Heads up,” Alex whispered as they tossed the head up in the air towards the well dressed man.  They turned their attention towards their can of beer, sitting next to five empty cans on the table, and took it and she took a big drink from it.  

Henri was slumped in front of the couch, one packet of green liquid held in each hand. He was making continuous shoving movements with it towards Aryin and Linqian, to no avail. As he turned his head around to look at Greyson it was obvious he was on the verge of tears. 
[color=ffe63b]”I’m so sorry, I really tried.”[/color] 

Staring at the sad, sad scene before him, Greyson shook his head and let the submachine gun drop from his shoulder. Swinging down, the barrel nearly tapped against the floor as it hung from the single-sling.
[color=F5388C]”You. Two. Need. [i]Help.[/i] Like serious professional help…”[/color]
Moving to poor Henri, he gave a pat on the shoulder as his right hand outstretched.
[color=F5388C]”Where’s the fuckin’ goo?”[/color] his voice was stern, not exactly comforting despite the gentle hand. Truly it seemed to be the little things sometimes…

[color=CD5C5C]”[i]Ohhhhh[/i] Mr. Murder Wall is lecturing us over need fucking therapy, [i]please[/i],”[/color] Linqian slurred, unsure if her struggle to speak was the pain or the alcohol… probably both. She was even more delirious than she had been before, meaning she returned to her base instincts… being extra easily pissed off. She raised her good hand to flip him off as she glared at him through blood stained glasses. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Fuck off.”[/color] 

[color=ffe63b]”Here,”[/color] Henri pulled back both hands and held up the packets to Greyson. He hung his head, simultaneously feeling like he’d failed by not seeing through on his promise but also relieved that he didn’t have to deal with all of this shit alone anymore.

[color=00BFFF]”I don’t need therapy,”[/color] Aryin paused as she pointed towards Greyson.  [color=00BFFF]”I just need a couple more drinks and I’ll be fine.  Besides, my arm is not- owww,”[/color] Aryin paused as the radiating pain increased in severity.  [color=00BFFF]”Not that broken,”[/color] Aryin finished as she eyed up the green goop with a tiny bit more interest than before. 

Greyson ruffled Henri’s hair.
[color=F5388C]”I know, Buddy… I should’ve been here earlier. It’s alright.”[/color]
Shifting his body, he pointed at Linqian and Aryin.
[color=F5388C]”And you two should be fuckin’ ashamed… Scaring this poor kid like this, and where’s your fuckin’ pals, Aryin? Huh? Most magical troupe of artists on the West Coast and nobody can muster up a healing spell? Fuckin’ sad.”[/color]

Taking a couple beers, he cracked them open and turned his back to the girls so they couldn’t see him swigging out of both bottles. He just had to make room for the Temple juice, which he squeezed a packet of into each bottle before swirling them around and handing them off to Linqian and Aryin.
[color=F5388C]”Here! Drink, drink, it’s fuckin’ good. Aryin, don’t lie to me and tell me you haven’t sucked some of this down already at Leon’s…”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]”l,”[/color] Aryin paused as she took the beer and shifted her eyes to Linqian, [color=00BFFF]”plead the fifth”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”She was too busy sucking something else down I bet,”[/color] Linqian cackled. Before she took the beer, she pointed a finger at Greyson. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Don’t blame the fucking artists, [i]or[/i] the hippies. We bailed soon as the feds turned up. I wasn’t sticking around to get arrested for tryna bible bash Bianca that last time.”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]”Plus everyone else was hurt worse.  Jason had charcoaled hands, Thomas had no hands left,”[/color] Aryin paused as she looked to Alex.

“I nearly died,” Alex chuckled nervously as they took another big drink from their beer.

Linqian took the beer, not even a little bit suspicious. After all, her brain was running at the pace of a snail. She saw beer, she wanted beer, no fucking questions asked. She knocked it back pretty much immediately, drinking half in one go. 

[color=00BFFF]”Cheers you fucking bitch,”[/color] Aryin said as they matched Linqian’s drink.

It was only a few seconds after the two fools started to chug on their new beers that the changes started happening. Broken bones would feel the magical compulsion to remake themselves whole from the most complete source. So, bones broken away from their settings would hiss and bubble away to nothing as a new bone crawled its way through the flesh to return homeostasis to the host.
Leeching from the body’s natural Lux, the Key Lime Pie filling the Temple developed as a fast acting first aid relief did its job with zero compulsions toward comfort. The worst part was the redevelopment of nerves, whose endings had to be reconnected to the brain and would only do so after an agonizing self-suturing process.

It was, sometimes, necessary to be drunk for the shit to do its job. The body naturally fought it, after all, as something like an invading spell or bacterial entity. So as the mixture did its job and the pain started to make itself known, Greyson had already backed off and taken Henri under his arm.
[color=F5388C]”Gotta trick ‘em when they’re like that, Bud. I know you were scared; and so that’s what we’ll work on next. Can’t get like that.”[/color] he did his best to instruct.

Henri nodded almost frantically, looking at the pair with wide eyes.
[color=ffe63b]”I came home and they were gone, and then they got back looking like that, I just panicked!”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Don’t be- oh [i]fuck[/i].”[/color] Linqian had been in a bit more pain at first, but it didn’t take long for it to increase. The bone stuck out of her shoulder dissolved, and her whole arm began to twist itself back into the right shape. The shattered bones righted themselves by snapping back through already torn muscles, beginning to melt back together. Her broken ribs were easier, less painful, but it still fucking hurt… then came the muscles reforming, stitching themselves back together as her concussion was also painfully healed.
 With it came a new level of clarity, and she pointed a trembling finger at Greyson. 
[color=CD5C5C]”You fucking ass- FUCK ME FUCK-”[/color]

Her clearer thoughts were absolutely obliterated by the worst pain imaginable. All the spots across her body that had gone numb, nerves completely burnt away, felt like they were on fire. It was excruciating as they reformed, places where she never should’ve been able to feel again suddenly feeling far too much. She curled into a ball with a pained moan, cursing more and more violently in three different languages. It was worse than the constant pain from all her injuries, her vision blacking out for a moment… but then it was done. The following healing felt like child’s play in comparison, even though it was still agony as the layers of muscle and skin healed from all the burns and gashes.

The first thing to be healed for Aryin was their concussion.  It was like two giant presses were closing around her skull.  It was intense, painful, and as her clarity returned she felt a sensation in her arm that was unlike anything she’d ever experienced.  Aryin tried to remain composed, and the smile that crept across her face indicated that she was not willing to appear weak in front of her friends.  She took several deep, raspy, breathes as she tried to breathe through the pain but there was only so much that she could withstand.

Aryin fell to her knees as the completely bruised arm began to return to its normal color. The bones that had shattered began to reform the complete bone inside her arm, forcing the collapsed meat of her arm back into their normal place.  The nerve pain was the final bit of pain she felt and it was the worst yet.  Aryin simply balled her hands into fists and placed them on the ground, leaning forward as they did.  A moment later it was over.

[color=00BFFF]”How-”[/color] Aryin paused as she looked up at Greyson, [color=00BFFF]”how do you know what I may, or may not, have experienced at the temple?”[/color]. Their head may be healed but sadly it did little for Aryin’s one track mind.

[color=CD5C5C]”Leon definitely fucks and tells, Aryin, I’m sorry to have to be the one to fucking tell you,”[/color] Linqian groaned out. She finally unfurled herself, immediately looking over at Henri. Shit. How did she even start to apologise for this… fuck. 

[color=00BFFF]”I mean, same so I can’t be mad   Oh my god, Linqian we were tossing a-[/color] Aryin gasped as she turned towards the door and saw the zombie head, [color=00BFFF]”did we take a trophy?”[/color]

Linqian could only nod and look away, pushing her glasses up onto the top of her head as if her not being able to see her brother and Greyson would somehow make them disappear.

[color=00BFFF]”Alex, do you have a concussion too?  You were tossing the head as well.”[/color]

“N-…..yes.  Yes I totally do,” Alex paused as they grabbed a fresh beer and took a giant drink from it, “no, no I don’t.  I’ve never been in a fight before so I just thought that’s what you do after a fight.”

[color=F5388C]”Which is it, Chucklefuck? Concussion or nah?”[/color] Greyson asked with a stern voice.

“No,” Alex paused as they took several steps back from Greyson, holding their beer up close to their face, “I was healed at the 317.”

[color=CD5C5C]”Oh my god,”[/color] Linqian whispered. She looked over at Henri… who was just a blur. Reluctantly her glasses went back over her eyes. Then she swapped to a completely different language - Kituba, because [i]someone[/i] had fucking learned Chinese. It was much clumsier, but it did the job for what she wanted to say but was too embarrassed to say in front of everyone.
[color=CD5C5C]”[i]I’m so sorry, Henri.[/i]”[/color]

Henri just looked at her. [color=ffe63b]”Say it in a language everyone understands, then.”[/color]

[color=a22929][i]”我要淹死你 (I’m going to drown you).”[/i][/color] Linqian snapped back, narrowing her eyes at Henri. One fucking thing and suddenly he’s talking shit to her as if she didn’t sacrifice so much shit for him for years. He can deal with one fucking near death, zombie catch incident! Fuck.

Greyson’s hand lashed out, tapping the back of Henri’s noggin.
[color=F5388C]”Don’t talk shit to your sister. What’s done is done, now don’t make me break your arm and have you drink the green shit… She just went through something very painful. Apologize.”[/color]

[color=ffe63b]”She threatened to drown me!”[/color] Henri threw up his hands.

[color=CD5C5C]”Oy,”[/color] Linqian stood up, stumbled, then managed to properly stand and point at Greyson. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Don’t you fucking dare even consider touching his fucking arm or I’ll break [i]yours[/i]. Actually I’ll break something you’ll miss so much fucking more.”[/color]

Aryin simply stood up without a word.  She did not make herself the centre of attention but she wanted to have Linqian know she had her back here.   They simply crossed their arms and kept an eye on everyone.  A moment later Alex took a few steps forward and mimicked Aryin. 

[color=F5388C]”Oh, break it off inside, Linqian! Fuckin’... Your brother calls [i]me[/i] crying about how you’re delusional and fucking wounded and how he doesn’t know what to do, then I try and defend you from his attitude and you treat [i]me[/i] like this? Get bent…”[/color]
He threw his hands up, turning to move back toward the door.
[color=F5388C]”Call me when you’re cool again.”[/color] 

[color=ffe63b]”[i]Jiiieeeee,[/i] I’m sorry.”[/color] Henri hit her with his very ineffective (he was learning) puppy dog eyes. Fortunately for him, it worked on one person - Linqian.

[color=CD5C5C]”Greyson, wait.”[/color] Linqian stepped out, putting an arm in front of him. She wasn’t even [i]pissed[/i] pissed this time, so the cool off was even quicker. Normally she’d just let him fuck off anyway, but there was Henri to consider… and shit to discuss about Scott.
[color=CD5C5C]”You’re right- but you know I’m fucking touchy about him! Just… Yeah, we were being fucking stupid, concussions are absolutely shit- But, fucking- Thank you. For doing that.”[/color]

It pained her to thank him, but it wasn’t as painful as an apology would be. Which was why she wasn’t going to be giving any more of those out. Not verbally at least. Linqian sighed, and looked between Greyson and Henri.
[color=CD5C5C]”You guys hungry? I am after that, and we-”[/color] she gestured to herself, Greyson and Aryin, [color=CD5C5C]”- still have shit to talk about.”[/color]

“I’m famished, I forgot to eat all day again.  I was content to just sleep for dinner, you know,” Alex interrupted the tense conversation by accident. 

Greyson stopped, hand on the doorknob before turning and taking a deep breath. He looked a little too dressed for lunch with his weapon and armor. But, he cleared his throat before acquiescence.
[color=F5388C]”What stuff to talk about?”[/color] 

[color=CD5C5C]”Scott Reese being back from the fucking dead, for a start,”[/color] Linqian snorted, ushering him towards the kitchen next door. She gestured to Aryin to come in too. She was already mentally thinking about how much food she’d have to make, and exactly what she had in the fridge… what could she make. Well, first, making sure they didn’t end up with five in the not massive kitchen.
[color=a22929][i]”Yi-er, will you keep Alex entertained?”[/i][/color]

[color=ffe63b]”Sure thing, Jie- do you play video games?”[/color] Henri cheerfully asked Alex, bouncing back just like he always did.

Alex grinned wide.  “What games you got?”

[color=ffe63b]”Loads,”[/color] Henri grinned back. He gestured to the television with an old console plugged into it - a PS2. [color=ffe63b]”We don’t have the latest shit, but pretty much anything that console can do, I have it! Have you ever played…”[/color] His grin widened. [color=ffe63b]”Star Wars Battlefront 2?”[/color]

“Do not recite the deep magic to me, warlock,” Alex grinned as they ever so slowly shifted their eyes to match Henri’s, “I was there when it was released.”. Alex sat down on the couch and crossed their legs.  “Modern games are kinda ass anyway.  I have a GameCube and a Wi back at my place so I’m right at home on a PS2.”

[color=ffe63b]”Oh fuck,”[/color] Henri said as he turned on the console, handing Alex one of the controllers. The game was already in the console, so it launched right away. [color=ffe63b]”I always wanted a GameCube but we couldn’t afford it… then I asked Greyson to buy me one but ‘retro consoles are too expensive what did I do to earn that’ so he just got me the latest playstation. It’s fun, right, but it just isn’t the same! Oh, what game mode do you wanna play?”[/color]

“Hero assault is kinda a vibe, same with the classic conquest,” Alex paused as they looked at Henri, “if you win I can go grab the GameCube and bring it over.  You’re only, like, two paintings away from my house so it’ll take a minute.  You won’t win though so why did I offer that?”

[color=ffe63b]”Let’s go hero assault then,”[/color] Henri grinned. Since there was only one map, there was no choice there, and they loaded in. Henri immediately chose Mace Windu. [color=ffe63b]”But you’re on. I spent years with this as one of the only games I owned.”[/color]

Alex immediately selected Asajj Ventress as they looked at Henri.  “May the odds…May the force be with you.”  Alex looked back at the screen and waited for the match to start.  Alex wasn’t that great at the game any more, but they used to be a monster in the online world of this game.  Asked hoped that their skills would have aged like a fine wine and not milk like every other skill they had.

[color=ffe63b]”May the force be with you too,”[/color] Henri grinned. He leaned forward where he’d sat on the floor, back leant against the couch - it made it easier to see the pretty shitty screen with his height. The countdown finished, and he easily started to navigate through the city on his half of the screen. A few bots appeared, and he easily killed them. [color=ffe63b]”Let’s say the winner is whoever kills the other the most. Bot kills don’t count.”[/color] 

“Bot deaths don’t count either,” Alex looked towards Henri as the respawn timer counted down. 

Henri laughed, bright and cheerful rather than mocking at all. [color=ffe63b]”Sure, only counts if I kill you- like now.”[/color]

He’d managed to find Alex right after they respawned, jumping down from a building with a slamming ground attack before easily finishing them off. [color=ffe63b]”One-zero.”[/color]

“I’ll have to put on my A game from here,” Alex said as they simply leaned forward and adopted a more focused look on their face.  After they respawned they found what they thought was Henri’s character and quickly dispatched them with ease.

“One all,” Alex said oblivious to the fact that they had killed a bot .  

[color=ffe63b]”That wasn't me,”[/color] Henri laughed, pointed to his half of the screen where he was obviously alive. [color=ffe63b]”This is me.”[/color]

He appeared in front of Alex, jumping almost tauntingly, before engaging in lightsaber to lightsaber combat.

Alex felt the skills returning.  Their muscles began to regain their memory as Alex fought back, and they knew that they would not be seeing the..

“Respawn screen…” Alex looked over to Henri with fear in their eyes.  Alex had just realised that they misjudged their opponent, “what are you?” 

Henri just smiled brightly back at Alex, eyes filled with warm light. It was practically radiating from him. [color=ffe63b]”I’m nothing more than a Jedi Master.”[/color]

He dispatched a few more bots, before coming around and killing Alex again.

The match went on for a few more minutes before Alex finally found relief and got a kill.  It took all of their skill, patience, and luck.  “I got you!  I knew I would get you,” Alex shouted with joy before they realised it was a bot once again.  The match ended a second later and their eyes narrowed, their nostrils flared, and their head slowly turned to look down at Henri.  

“Good game,” Alex whispered with disgust, “shall I go grab the GameCube?”

[color=ffe63b]”Good game!”[/color] Henri said cheerfully. [color=ffe63b]”I’m sure you’ll win next time… and yes please! That’d be amazing, I can’t wait to play it!”[/color]

“Good,” Alex inched upward from the couch, maintaining eye contact with Henri, before they slowly walked towards the painting.  They touched it before stepping inside.  A second later Alex popped their head out.  “Do not follow me, this place is not a place of honour for anyone but me.”  They pulled their head back in and they were off.  

A few minutes later they came back through the portal.  GameCube, and controllers, in hand and a single clear case with a disc inside.  “Hook this up for me, please,” Alex said with the same intense stare as before.

[color=ffe63b]”Got it!”[/color] Henri said cheerfully, taking the GameCube from Alex. He crouched down, unplugging the PS2 and fiddling about a bit to get the GameCube hooked up in its place. He then turned it on. [color=ffe63b]”What’re we playing?”[/color] 

Alex slowly raised their right arm up.  It took a painful ten seconds for it to reach its peak.  “Super Smash.”  They played this game every. single. Day.

[color=ffe63b]”Fuck yeah! One of my college friends has a switch so we play that a shit ton… I can’t wait to play it on the GameCube, I bet it's even better,”[/color] Henri grinned, completely enthusiastic.

“Prepare to die.”  

[hr]
[color=CD5C5C]”Any requests?”[/color] Linqian asked as she started to rummage about her cupboards. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Well, no promises. We can talk while I cook… because fuck, Aryin thinks we should tell the coven, and I think that’s a terrible fucking idea.”[/color]

Greyson’s face was unsurprised.
[color=F5388C]”Listen, if the two of you haven’t already considered that everything happening right now as just an extension of the shit we went through years ago, well-”[/color]
He shrugged, sitting down at the kitchen table.
[color=F5388C]”Something with noodles, if you’ve got it… You know me, spaghetti brain.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Did you seriously just ask someone Chinese if they have noodles?”[/color] Linqian snorted. She went through the fridge and pulled out some chicken, then a shit ton of vegetables to pad it out, and started chopping. 

[color=00BFFF]”I just think it changes things, you know?  We start dying, Scott Reese is back.  I’d want to know if someone else discovered that.”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”Fair point. I’ve gotta say I agree that he should at least be on our radar, even if he’s… You said Ohio? God I hope he doesn’t head North.”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]“Yep, Alex opened a portal and sent him there.  Nearly killed them to do it apparently.[/color]
[color=F5388C]”That guy’s a fuckin’ menace.”[/color] Greyson shook his head.


[color=CD5C5C]”The fuckers we were fighting had a ghost ship and a shit ton of portals themselves,”[/color] Linqian pointed out. She'd efficiently cut up the chicken and thrown it in a pan, moving about the kitchen to pull out all the ingredients she needed to make a simple, but tasty, sauce. She figured a stir fry noodle dish would be good - fast, easy, nice. As she went about cooking, she was visibly relaxing further and further. 
[color=CD5C5C]”I bet they'll get Scott's ass back soon then he'll be our fucking problem again. I hate to admit this shit, but Sycamore can't fucking handle him. It was the Trinity that dealt with him before and they're fucking gone.”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]“I hate to admit that you’re right.  I’m stronger than last time and I couldn’t even scratch him.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”And I had a fucking chainsaw… The chainsaw got through, but otherwise? Nothing fucking did,”[/color] Linqian groaned, looking over at Greyson. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Guess you were right about the fucking need training shit. Maybe we can get strong enough to deal with that piece of shit…”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]”That chainsaw wasn’t at full power. Faith has been looking for the Boomstick artifact that is its pair, apparently they boost each other.  The Chainsaw is one of the most powerful artifacts that we had, and it just scratched him.”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]”Which is why we need to tell the coven.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”And watch them argue over it while some fucking idiot probably goes to fight him and gets a bunch of us killed? No fucking way!”[/color] Linqian turned away from the vegetables she was chopping to point the knife towards Aryin. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Look, I know I’m part of the arguing problem. Fuck, I’m probably part of all the problems, but I just don’t fucking trust them. They’ll do something fucking [i]suicidally[/i] stupid.”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]”There has to be someone we can tell, right?  Like not everyone is that dumb.”[/color]. 

[color=F5388C]”Listen, there's no world where hiding this is the right move. I honestly wouldn't even care who you tell, because word spreads like a fire in a dry field. If you want my advice, I say everyone deserves to know, if for nothing else but their own personal security.”[/color] Greyson finally added, head tilted slightly as he tried to parse out what was going to happen next.

Undead Scott Reese was [i]not[/i] on his objective to solve list, with Greyson imagining him as a mechanical impasse… They would just have to get rid of the guy again and again.
[color=F5388C]”At least we know now… Snake is back? Or maybe it was never fully over… We were kids, after all, maybe someone made a mistake somewhere?”[/color]

Linqian’s poor expression was hidden, with her back turned to them as she finished chopping up the vegetables and threw them in the pan too. She clamped down on arguing about the whole not telling anyone thing… She still thought it was a bad idea, but she wasn’t the smart one here. Saying the Snake was back seemed like a bit of a fucking jump too.
[color=CD5C5C]”Well none of us fucking remember the ceremony, so we might’ve. Like we don’t have enough fucking problems to deal with… There’s barely any of us fucking left too.”[/color]

With everything cooking it gave her an opportunity to actually turn around, leaning against the counter. 
[color=CD5C5C]”At least 317 seemed like they wanted an alliance. The only fucking positive to come outta today.”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]”We’ve done a complete turn around in that department.  It used to be no coven this, we’ll kick you out if you are caught, and now,[/color] Aryin paused as they crossed their arms.  [color=00BFFF]”We’re not strong enough to resist whatever that was, so it’s good to have friends who can.  What did you think of our monsters and stuff Linqian,”[/color] Aryin smirked at Linqian.

[color=CD5C5C]”I was too busy getting the crap beaten out of me to pay much attention to them,”[/color] Linqian said honestly. 
[color=CD5C5C]”Was pretty impressive for a bunch of artists, I guess. And the fucking chainsaw… Fuck, I should’ve just taken it. Honestly, it was so fucking cool- it was fucking fueled by my lux or some shit, shoving that flaming thing up Scott’s ass was satisfying as fuck.”[/color] The explanation of the chainsaw was for Greyson, of course, who hadn’t been there to witness it in all its glory.

[color=00BFFF]”It was indeed!  That’s why I grabbed it for you.”[/color].

[color=CD5C5C]”That’s why you’re my best bitch,”[/color] Linqian grinned. She’d put on the noodles, finishing off the sauce and pouring it in with everything else. Then she thought about something else she needed to talk about… might as well do it now. She spun back around and pointed at Greyson.
[color=CD5C5C]”I talked to Sloane this morning about Jinhai’s memorial service- fucking stuck up bitch thinks I just fucking quit my job for nothing… Whatever, what’s fucking important is that I didn’t take her money for the shit I’m booking. Burnt the fucking cheque soon as I left-”[/color] she was getting a bit off track here…
[color=CD5C5C]”I can’t cover it myself yet. You still good to… pay for some of that shit? Like a loan, you can take it outta my first paycheck.”[/color]

Greyson's face was mostly serene until the topic of spending money was brought up.
[color=F5388C]”Huh? Oh, the… Yeah, for sure, whatever you need. We'll pull payments out of your paychecks if you want to pay back that way, but… Well, I mean, it's not necessary. Jinhai and I had a rough relationship, but the dude deserves to rest well. Right?”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Right, but he’ll be put to rest whether I gradually pay you back or not. Shouldn’t be that fucking much either… the plot and headstone. I still gotta sort it… what the fuck am I gonna do with all that money anyway?”[/color] Linqian waved hand, turning back around to the stove and switching everything off. The noodles were thrown into the pan, and everything mixed together. 
[color=CD5C5C]”It’s going to be an open, informal service… Sloane suggested that. Fucking surprising. Means the whole fucking coven could turn up if they wanted.”[/color] She spoke pretty calmly about it all. Detached, almost. 

She stopped her actions, stepping back from what looked like a simple Chow Mein. 
[color=CD5C5C]”That’s food, help yourselves… that’s the only table we got, so we’ll have to pull it out a bit.”[/color]

[color=F5388C]”I don't see why you have to do what Sloane Farris recommends. From what I hear, Blackmore rearranged her brain's synaptic network the other day. She's probably still not normal.”[/color] Greyson chuckled to himself as he stood to move the table a bit.

It didn't take him long to dive in.
[color=F5388C]”Mmmm… Fuck it's so good. Real Chinese food? Ohhhh Baby… Linqian, you're gonna love the Kitchen at the new place. It'll be great, Hell I’m tempted to use it myself now and then.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Yeah, not normal in that she made some actually good points I agreed with. It was fucking weird.”[/color] Linqian shrugged, grinning at the immediate appreciation she got from him. It was still pretty fucking nice, compared to her brothers who were just too fucking used to getting meals made for them. While Greyson could be a dick a lot of the time, he also had a way with words that sometimes made her feel real fucking good about herself.
[color=CD5C5C]”The fuck would you even be cooking, fried eggs? But fuck, is it big? This place is… well I fucking grew up here, but it’s too fucking cramped. A better kitchen, time to actually fucking cook… it’s like a fucking dream, if you ignore the shit that’s making us all move in together.”[/color]

She then tilted her head back. [color=CD5C5C]”Yi-er, will you grab the other two chairs from the cupboard?”[/color]
[color=ffe63b]”But Jie, I’m in the middle of a match!”[/color] 
[color=CD5C5C]”I don’t give a fuck! Go get them if you want to fucking eat.”[/color]

There was some grumbling, and seconds later Henri appeared with two fold out chairs he put at the small table, making three into five with enough room for all of them… even if it was a bit tight.

Alex followed in a second later.  “Saved by the bell, saved by the bell,” Alex confidently walked in behind them.  

[color=00BFFF]”Oh?  Final score?”[/color]

“We’re three rounds into a best of five,” Alex dusted their shoulders, “I’m up two games but game three is close.”

[color=00BFFF]”Good.  Sit down nerd, this food is amazing,”[/color] Aryin said as they looked over Alex and their blood stained face.  [color=00BFFF]”Trust me when I say you’ll want to clean that off before you eat.  Why don’t you go get cleaned up real quick, I’ll save your spot.”[/color]

“That makes sense,” Alex said as they threw up a peace sign and walked towards the bathroom.

[color=00BFFF]”They’ll grow on you,”[/color] Aryin said to Linqian with a smile as she ate some more of the food, her eyes closing for just a moment as the flavour hit her mouth.

[color=CD5C5C]”Sure, if they stop stepping into my fucking livingroom uninvited,”[/color] Linqian retorted. She served up a plate for Alex in one of the empty spaces, making an assumption and giving them a fork… before grabbing some for herself and putting a lid over the pan. She'd made a shit ton, so there was enough for seconds, or her lunch tomorrow. 

[color=00BFFF]”I’ll have a chat.[/color]

[color=ffe63b]”Thanks Jie!”[/color] Henri said cheerfully. He'd crammed himself in by the wall in one of the worse seats, forcing Linqian to squeeze past Greyson to get into the seat right in the corner, sitting between them. [color=ffe63b]”This is great! Normally you never let me have a second dinner, maybe you should get into fights more often- I'm joking don't hit me!”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Watch it. You've been spending too much time with Louis recently, getting fucking cocky,”[/color] Linqian pointing a chopstick at Henri aggressively, though her posture was very relaxed.  

[color=ffe63b]”Don’t blame poor Louis, he doesn't talk back to his parents like this, Uncle Andre would chuck him out if he did!”[/color] Henri grinned. Then, he had a sudden, amazing idea. One that would make the rest of his evening amazing, at least. [color=ffe63b]”Oh, oh- Greyson, since it's late and you're here already you should stay the night! It's only fair since you always let me go round to yours… I gotta second bed in my room you could use!”[/color] 

Linqian didn't say anything, or even react much, beyond a slight lean towards Greyson to stare at her brother better. She assumed she didn't have to, because he'd turn down the offer himself… he did have Britney to get back to.

Greyson actively narrowed his eyes as he took a large, slurping bite of food. His gaze became something like transfixion to Henri, eyes peering directly into his with a glimmer of malice in his eye.
[color=F5388C]”Henri… You remember Miss Britney, right? Tall, well built, hung out with us at Halloween?”[/color] he asked, pausing before leaning in just a little bit.
[color=F5388C]”Did you find her attractive?”[/color] he asked very open-endedly.

[color=ffe63b]”Yeah, I do!”[/color] Henri said cheerfully, before thinking about the question. Did he find her attractive? Well duh, he was human. But was there more to the question… well no point thinking too hard about it! 
[color=ffe63b]”Yeah, she's pretty! Almost as pretty as Jie!”[/color]

Linqian almost choked on the noodles she was swallowing down, leaning forward and coughing so much there were tears in her eyes. 

“Lady problems?”  Alex paused as they walked back into the room, face cleared of blood.  They walked next to Linqian and patted them on the shoulder.  “That’s rough buddy.”

[color=00BFFF]”ALEX.”[/color]

Still staring, Greyson's lips curled up a little at the corners.
[color=F5388C]”Just ask yourself, Little Brother: Why would big bro Greyson sleep on your spare bed in your house when I have a beautiful lady to go home and lay in bed with? Hmmm?”[/color]

[color=ffe63b]”OHHHHHHH!”[/color] Henri exclaimed, like it had just dawned on him. Like suddenly, everything in life made sense. His eyes went wide, practically shining as he looked at Greyson. 
[color=ffe63b]”I see! So you're one of the guys who always goes back home to their wife at the end of the night rather than staying out with the guys because you don't want to go home to get nagged about never doing enough! Wow! I should've known you'd be like that! But isn't it a bit uncomfortable always sharing a small bed with someone?”[/color]

Linqian choked again on a noodle she'd already choked on, hand slamming into the table multiple times as she forcefully swallowed it and the laughter that was building up. 

“Ohhhh, you’re just like Jasper I see.  I know how to fix this,” Alex cleared their throat, “he wants to go home to fu-“

[color=00BFFF]”ALEX,”[/color] Aryin shot out of the chair, placed a hand over their mouth, [color=00BFFF]”shhh, shhhh..”[/color] Yet Aryin couldn’t help a laugh from escaping her throat.

Greyson could only keep his stern face on for so long before he cracked. His face turned downward first, to not be shamed once again by Henri's deep innocence. But then he turned to look at Linqian.
[color=F5388C]”This is-”[/color] Greyson cracked up, the comment barely audible through his laughter.
 
Turning his head back to the subject, he shook it vigorously.
[color=F5388C]”You're so sweet, Henri Han… No, no. See, Britney's got a real [i]big[/i] bed. Big lady, after all… And when I'm there, I crawl into the bed with her, and I-”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]”Don’t you fucking dare, [I]Greyson[/I],”[/color] Linqian interrupted, twisting her head round to glare at him… though the effect was dampening by the laughs she couldn't quite hold back and the tears at the corner of her eyes from almost choking multiple times. 

[color=ffe63b]”Oh, I get it!”[/color] Henri hit his fist into his open palm, once again achieving enlightenment.
[color=ffe63b]”You then get close together because the bed’s too big to feel comfortable in! Because there's no way you'd be doing that other thing you could be doing in bed [I]every night[/I].”[/color] It was very difficult to tell if he was really that oblivious or if he was doing some weird kind of skit. 

Aryin looked to Alex, whose mouth was still covered, and their stare lingered for a moment before both their eyes went towards Linqian.  Neither felt the desire to be the one to break the news.  Well, Alex did but they weren’t going to break free don’t Aryin’s grip any time soon.  

Greyson was laughing aloud like a hyena, fist bumping against the table and causing his chopsticks to rattle about on the plate.
[color=F5388C]”Henri… My boy… What do you and Louis do in my apartment all day? You don't talk to one another about chasing ‘tang or huntin’ for cheeks? He never mentions his girlfriends? Or you don't ever look-”[/color]
He could feel Linqian's eyes burning a hole through his skull.

[color=F5388C]”Y'know, we'll come back to this later. When we're alone, and people aren't so judgemental of natural processes.”[/color] he playfully snapped, going back to his food.

[color=00BFFF]”I think you’ll find this is a judgement free zone,”[/color] Aryin smirked at Linqian, [color=00BFFF]”I mean I was in my Jane Doe cosplay most of the day to reward the good soldier here for help with my move.”[/color]

Aryin looked back at Alex and removed their hand.  “Why did he get to say it,”  Alex whispered as they grabbed a plate of food and sat down.  They took a bite, put their fork down, and raised their hand to their forehead as they simply slowed down their eating.  After a few more seconds they smirked.  The food was good.  “Thank you for feeding me,” Alex paused as their smile faltered, “and for letting me hang.  I needed this.”

[color=ffe63b]”You’re always welcome! Especially with your GameCube.”[/color] Henri said cheerfully. He grinned at Greyson, shooting him a thumbs up. It wasn't that he didn't know about that shit, just he didn't understand why. Nobody had ever explained the why to him. 
[color=ffe63b]”Anyone else for seconds?”[/color] he then asked, popping up and going over to the stove. 

[color=CD5C5C]”It’s no problem,”[/color] Linqian said, with a hand wave and half smile. It briefly interrupted her staring at Greyson - but also interrupted her natural response to him. Not that she'd had an immediate one, a bit too shocked at being called [I]judgemental[/I]. Her of all people. Sure, she could let things move on, but taking the opportunity of Henri having moved a bit further away…

[color=CD5C5C]”So you think I'm fucking judgemental cause I don't want to talk about that shit with my little brother?”[/color] Linqian asked, tone still pretty light. She leaned in towards Greyson until she was uncomfortably close, voice lowering. Her eyes narrowed, but her lips pulled up into a smirk.
[color=CD5C5C]”You really think there's much to fucking judge? You’re far too vanilla for me to even consider judging anything you'd say. Because sometimes it can get pretty fucking unnatural.”[/color] She cast a side eye at Aryin, thinking about how the shit they'd gotten up to with Leon… now that was the kind of shit that could be judged. Her gaze went back to Greyson, eyebrows raising. 

Greyson visibly bristled at the comment.
[color=F5388C]”Vanilla!? Because I won’t-”[/color]
Biting his tongue, his eyes spun from her to Henri and then back to Linqian.
[color=F5388C]”Sorry, God forbid I use the wrong word. Fucking, non-judgemental my ass, listen to you. You judge as you breathe.”[/color]
He threw up his hands, wiping his face with a napkin and tossing it on his empty plate before shoving off.

He pointed a finger at Aryin.
[color=F5388C]”Just… Let your pals know that when we move to the South End, my house isn’t a starving artist’s halfway house. I don’t need a million people coming through at all hours like it’s a fucking club.”[/color]
And then he made for the door again, half expecting someone to try and stop him again, but far less concerned than the last time.

[color=CD5C5C]”No need to get so pissy about it, you'd think I was saying you were bad… Well you’re [i]always[/i] welcome to come prove me wrong,”[/color] Linqian called after him, posture languid with no move made to go after him. She hadn't expected him to have such an extreme reaction… Wasn't she just pushing back where he already playfully prodded? Even if there was some truth in it. 
[color=CD5C5C]”[I]Anytime[/I].”[/color]

Henri stood at the stove, massive spoonful of chow mein stuffed into his mouth, wide eyed and confused. He tried to say don't go, but it was completely muffled by the food.

“I’m not starving though,” Alex whispered as they finished their food.  “I’m actually full.”

[color=00BFFF]”We do have to work on your visitation manners all the same.”[/color]