[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/5Y8pIBb.jpeg[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/zM7lTtw.jpeg[/img][h1]The House of Cards Mafia & The Elite.[/h1][sup]Featuring the introductions Elynn & Chester Pimm, and Gabriela Valos.[/sup][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] None.[/right][right][b][code]Paragon Halls.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr]

Discussions were heating up as the House of Cards limo made their way to the Paragon halls. Valencia was dressed in a [url=https://i.imgur.com/GDMOOc8.jpeg]decored black suit[/url], sitting beside Demos, who wore a slick [url=https://i.imgur.com/saPC1VV.jpeg]black leather suit[/url]. Across from Valencia sat Isabella, hat drawn low over her eyes and puffed blouse sleeves softening her figure. 

Isabella was leaned forward, hands raised, as if trying to grasp reason and shove it into Valencia's head. [b]“With all due respect, [i]Mother[/i], if the Sycamore catches wind of you outting them on the deal, we're going to have fifteen-plus powerful adepts on our doorstep. Probably [i]more[/i] with how their alliances are.”

“They're not going to find out. Luna's kept her mouth shut.” [/b]Valencia said, rolling her eyes.

[b]“Yeah? What about people like Mr. Kane, hm? How do you think the Elite caught wind of your desperate search for the notes? Who's to say Mr. Kane won't ring the bell?”[/b]

Isabella pinched the bridge between her nose, taking a breath, before her voice lowered, her eyes tilting up to meet Valencia's. [b]“Ma'am, we've been through so much. We can't take another information leak. The first left us without Phantasia, rest her soul. If my suspicions are right-”

“[i]If[/i] your suspicions are right, then we tighten security when this all goes down, and plan backdoors in case things go south.” [/b]Valencia said, her tone hard. [b]“I've got too much riding on this alliance with the Elite. This could be our big ticket to more opportunities around St. Portwell, connections. You know how important those are to our own prosperity, Isabella.”

“And what of Luna? What if push comes to shove? Do you really think she'd choose us over her coven?”[/b]

Valencia was quick in her response. [b]“She knows the punishment for disobeying a direct order. She's loyal. I wouldn't have made her Underboss if that wasn't the case.

“Now, are there any other concerns you wish to air out, Isabella?”[/b]

Isabella stared for a moment, before reluctantly sitting back in her seat.[b] “Just one. With our new intel, what do you plan on doing…?”[/b]

Valencia flashed her wolfish grin. [b]“I'll tell you. Mr. Valos is gonna hate it, that's for certain.”[/b]

[hr][center][hider=Blumenkranz - Kill la Kill OST][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRI5uW6DLXg[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr]

Paragon Halls were active at night… security was through the roof as the various families of the Elite were assembled in the conference room. The Schmidts were all in their seat, with the Liu Family represented by Jiao-Long and his wife, Chunhua. However, another family was present… The Pimms. The leader of the Pimm branch of the Elite, [url=https://i.imgur.com/MJsaFw2.jpeg]Elynn Pimm[/url], sat in her chair with her legs crossed and her fingers steepled. She was wearing a black suit and tie, and next to her was her esteemed brother and mayor-candidate, [url=https://i.imgur.com/p38Z2Tp.jpeg]Chester Pimm[/url], who stood with his arms behind his back. The room was eerily silent, as the tension was so thick one could cut it with a knife.

The doors opened, and Jason Valos hobbled in, with his wife, [url=https://i.imgur.com/f7e4iyc.jpeg]Gabriela Valos[/url], at his side wearing an ornate black dress. He walked into the room.

“You’re late,” Elynn quietly said.

“The fuck I ain’t,” Jason said before he flashed her a grin. “I’m a minute early in fact. So shut the fuck up, Elynn.”

Elynn rolled her eyes.

“Jason, you’re here!” Blake said with a wide smile, clutching a glass of wine while Phillis sat beside him. “I hope everyone’s ready! Our [i]guest of honor[/i] should be here any minute now.” 

“... We don’t have everyone,” Chester nodded.

“Well, fuck ‘im,” Jason said as he hobbled over to his chair and sat down. “I put out a time, and if they want to treat it like an afterthought? Not my problem.” He rolled his eyes.

“Actually,” Chester took a step forward; his sister said something quietly to him, but he ignored her. “Let’s address the elephant in the room.”

Jason grinned again.

“... Got something to get off your chest there… [i]Chesty?[/i]” He laughed. “Geddit?”

“I do, in fact,” Chester narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms. “... Why are you inducting that freak, Sage, into your part of the Elite?” 

Jason kept that grin. “... [i]Why[/i] are you worrying about it? You said it yourself, [i]’your part of the Elite’[/i]. As in, [i]my part[/i]. Not your part. [i][b]My part.[/b][/i] It’s none of your business.”

“It [i]is[/i] my business.” Chester shot back, baring teeth.

“Look, Chester-” Elynn tried to pipe up.

“Look [i]Chesty,[/i]” Jason grinned, “If you’re so worried about Sage’s induction fucking with what little [i]‘authority’[/i] - and I use that word’ loosely - you have here then maybe you should go bitch at your sister. Not me.”

“What game are you playing here, Jason?” Chester asked, “I know that freak, and they wouldn’t want anything to do with us without a reason… Just like how I know you wouldn’t help that freak unless it benefits you.”

 “... And here I was thinking the untreated syphilis finally rotted your brain, Chesty.” Jason laughed before clapping his hands together and putting them up. “You [i]do[/i] have a brain… but it don’t work all that good, though.” Jason laughed.

“You think this is all a joke?! A fucking game!?” Chester shouted, pounding his fists on the table. 

“Enough!” Elynn’s voice sliced through like a blade and stood tall, “This isn’t the time for petty insults. Chester has a point. Sage is up to something. [i]You’re[/i] up to something. We can’t afford that kind of instability right now.”

“[i]‘That kind of instability’?[/i]” Jason raised an eyebrow, incredulously laughing. “Bitch, you say that, and your got those two crazy bitches acting as your attack dogs.”

He paused for dramatic effect; his grin widened, “... Tell me [i]what[/i] about those two screams [i]stable[/i]?”

“You want to talk about [i]stability?![/i]” Elynn hissed, slamming her hands on the table. “My sisters, those [i]‘two crazy bitches,’[/i] as you so elegantly put it, are fiercely loyal and [i]effective.[/i] Unlike you, who seems obsessed with jeopardizing everything we’ve worked for every chance you get!”

“Now, you [i]know[/i] that’s bullshit,” Jason laughed again, leaning back in his chair. “Those two are a disaster on four legs. It’s only time until those two just crash out.” He laughed.

“... Surprised it hasn’t happened already.”

“They’re loyal to us,” Chester said. Unlike you, they know how to follow orders when necessary.”

“[i]Bullshit![/i]” Jason laughed. “They’re [i]loyal[/i] to their fuckin’ impulses. Why else would they flit around like lunatics [i]literally[/i] every chance they get?”

“And yet their chaos has proven useful time and time again. You forget, Jason, that a little unpredictability can be our greatest weapon,” Elynn calmly said as she sat back down and steepled her fingers.

Jason shot her a condescending glance. “... Up until that [i]unpredictability[/i] fucks you over, Elynn.”

“That unpredictability hasn’t [i]once[/i] screwed us over,” Elynn said, not even looking in Jason’s direction. “And you know why? Because I know how to control it.

“You’re fuckin’ nuts if you think you can control those two, Elynn,” Jason laughed at the notion. “They’re one intrusive thought away from killing the whole lot of ya’ll!”

 “Better wild and loyal than a coward that undermines us at every turn!” Chester shouted.

“Shouldn’t you be busy fucking your sister?” Jason gave Chester the biggest shit-eating grin. Chester’s face went red, and he began shaking. However, Jason didn’t stop there...

“... After all, you’re such a knuckleheaded fuck-up you [i]somehow[/i] couldn’t get a girl to bend over for you even if you throw all the money in the world at her.” He began laughing. “So, I don’t think you have no choice, do you?”

“Alright, fuck you!” Chester shouted, charging over to Jason, who drew his pistol. 

“Try me, you ugly fuck up,” Jason began. 

“Surely, that’s enough!” Jiao-Long shouted as he raised his hands and began waving them. “We have guests coming! This is [i]incredibly[/i] poo-”

The doors opened.

To say the lay of the room was [i]surprising[/i] was an understatement, but Valencia knew an opportunity when she saw one. As she and Demos walked into the room, she flashed her wolfish smile, first to Blake, then to Jason.

[b]“Boss-man Schmidt, a fine evening with you around.”[/b] Valencia said, before addressing Jason, side-eying the new Elite member currently about to throw hands with him.

[b]“Mr. Valos, though I'm all for a good fight… might I have a word with you, [i]privately[/i].” Her wolfish smile widened. “It's terribly pertinent.”[/b]

Her hand gestured to Demos, who had taken another step into the room. [b]“I'll leave my husband to regale you.”[/b]

Jason glanced at Chester.

Then flipped him off.

Before sliding his sidearm into his coat pocket and turning towards Valencia, he limped over to her on his cane and said, “Let’s go; there’s a private room over here.” Jason hobbled toward the side of the room, his cane tapping in rhythm with each step, though his confident swagger remained intact.

Jason shot a quick glance back at Chester and Elynn, he muttered under his breath, “... Jackasses.”

Jason said as he pushed open an oak door with a grunt. Inside, the private room was dimly lit from a low-hanging chandelier. A large mahogany table sat in the center, surrounded by plush leather chairs. Thick velvet curtains were drawn over the windows, sealing them in from the world outside. “After you,” Jason gestured, holding the door open as Valencia stepped past him, and he stepped in, closing the door after him. Jason stood by the door and said,

“... So, what’s up?” Jason asked. “Is this about the last time we met? Lady, it was nothing personal; I’m just trying to protect our pockets.”

Valencia took a couple steps into the room before turning back to face Jason, her eyes like little shards of ice. 

[b]“...No. This is about something else entirely.”[/b]

A smirk, and she reached into her suit's inner pocket, pulling out a small recorder. Her finger hovered over the ‘play’ button.

[b]“Now, before you get any funny ideas, I have copies of this, so don't try and steal it.”[/b]

Valencia pressed the button, and a recording of the conversation between young voices.

[i]“Maybe it’d be worth snatching those notes from Blake…”

“... Yes, I think we should.”

“...We’re basically Elite already. Getting them can’t be that hard, right?”[/i]

Valencia pressed a button on the recorder, and the recording stopped. Her eyes glinted up at Jason.

[b]“From what I've gathered, they're yours, aren't they…?”[/b]

She leaned back, resting her back against the edge of the table, smirking. She wondered if Jason could tell where she was going with this.

[b]“Now, it would be a real shame if the rest of the families heard about this… tragic news that your own blood wants to overthrow authority here. Betray your own people.”[/b]

Her smirk widened.[b] “What would they think? Better yet, what would they do? To you, to the young ones. Ostracizing you would be a given, [i]if[/i] they're that generous. Loss of trust, of course. And that'll eat your profits for a [i]long[/i] time.”[/b]

She paused, watching Jason's face, before she leaned in. [b]“That is… [i]if[/i] I tell them.”[/b]

Jason stared at Valencia, completely blankfaced before he grinned ear to ear.

“Oh, you’re clever, ain’t you?” Jason began. “I knew they were up to something… I knew you were up to something.” He began laughing softly.

“So, what do you want? Money? That bitch’s manifesto?”

Valencia's smirk mirrored Jason's. [b]”One million, and I'll forget all about it. You can wire transfer me here.”[/b]

“... And how don’t I know you’ll just show those bastards anyway?” Jason raised an eyebrow. “I ain’t born yesterday.”

Valencia's head rolled slightly, staring at him, before she spoke. [b]“Eye for an eye. I'll give you incriminating files on one of my men. That way, you have evidence to jail him if I talk. Sound fair?

“Of course, [i]after[/i] you wire transfer me.”[/b]

Jason stared at Valencia for a moment, clenching his jaw before he sighed. “... Fine, you win this round, lady.”

Reaching into his coat, Jason pulled out his phone and, with a few taps, began the wire transfer. As the screen loaded, he glanced up at Valencia…

“... I’ll have you know you’re playing a very dangerous game here, lady,” Jason seethed, shaking his head. “The kind of games that end badly.”

Valencia had a serious expression on her face. [b]”I realize that.”[/b]

After a few seconds, his phone beeped in confirmation. “... It's done. Now where are the files on your men?” 

Valencia immediately pulled out her own phone, confirming the transfer. Indeed, the funds had been transferred to her account. 

Good.

Valencia reclined her back a little more against the table, finding the drive that held the files. A quick share, and Jason would find a folder filled with pdfs, audio files and photos available for him to download, all from a text with a shareable link.

Valencia looked up from her phone. “His name is Gianno Francesco. Has a lot of dirt on his hands that I've kept for a rainy day. But lucky for you, it's all yours. Enough evidence to put him away for 25 years, if not life.”

She clicked off her phone and slipped it back into her inner breast pocket. [b]”Now I believe that makes us even. Shall we return to your people?”[/b]

“Hmph,” Jason rolled his eyes, and hobbled out of the room back into the main room with the others.

[hr]

The main hall was quiet after Jason and Valencia left. The faint hum of the building’s ventilation system was the only sound that broke the uneasy silence.  Blake Schmidt sat at the head of the table, reclining casually, a thin smile on his face as he said, 

“Have a seat my boy! We have much to discuss, don’t we?!” Blake steepled his fingers.

“... I don’t trust him,” Phillis was the first to speak up, whispering in Blake’s ear.

Blake was silent.

“Oh, my dear Cassandra,” Blake said, not even bothering with whispering, “I got all of this in the bag. Just [i]trust[/i] me.”

Blake leaned forward, his smile unwavering.

“Let me just say that it is great to meet you! We look forward to working with the House of Cards, don’t we?!” Blake grandiosity said, to relative silence and eye-rolling.

“... I would like to get to know you all a bit more,” Jiao-Long noted with a silent nod.

“That, that!” Blake loudly said. “What’s your name? Tell us about your organization’s goals and accomplishments. And how you came to your position!”

Demos stared out at the faces staring back at him, before she shrugged, taking a seat in one of the seats. [b]“Demos Castles. Let me tell you a little story about myself…

“I was a young lad at the time, could barely grow fuzz on my chin. I walked into a bank during business hours, and I robbed it. Months of planning, to know which safety deposit boxes were heavy. It only took small explosions at the right place to pop them open, and dump out their contents. I was gone before the police, paranormal and mundane, came to the scene.

“I've always been one for antiques, physical wealth. With the gold and limited pieces I collected, I amassed five million that day.”[/b]

The story was sugar icing. Pleasant to listen to, but withheld any meaningful details. He, of course, hadn't answered Blake’s question directly.

Demos leaned back in his seat, gloved hand resting on the polished table. [b]“I know my wife is very pleased to be working with you, Mr. Schmidt. Tell me, what's your stance on fencing? We're always looking for business partners who'll give our… lifted antiques a good new home.” [/b]

“Fencing you say?!” Blake grinned as he leaned back further into his chair. "Well, Mr. Castles, I do believe every business transaction has its, shall we say, artistic side. And, of course, we wouldn’t be where we are today without the occasional… transfer of valuable items!”

Demos nodded. [b]“That's good to hear. It just so happens we have a new shipment of antique and new art pieces, and some precious metal pieces dating back 500 years. Perhaps we can set a time to discuss [i]that[/i] business when it's convenient for you, Mr. Schmidt?”[/b]

Blake grinned.

“We can do it right now!” Blake shouted, “No time like the present!”

“... I thought we had an important meeting here,” Elynn piped up, crossing her arms as she glanced at Blake. “We all don’t need to be here just so you two can discuss buying art.”

“Unless it’s an Artifact,” Phillis added. “Or a sealed Apparition. Then that’s an entirely different subject matter, Elynn.”

Demos's eyes flickered, betraying a slight hunger, before he leaned forward, leaning his chin on steepled fingers. [b]“If I said I could commission an Artifact for you, for the right price… What would you say to that?”[/b]

Blake’s face contorted into a wolfish grin.

“... Now you’re speaking my language!” Blake excitedly said, “Say! How long have you all been operating in St. Portwell?! I wish we met sooner!”

Demos’ eyes crinkled slightly. [b]“About twenty-five years, but we prefer not to make too much noise. You know how it is.”[/b]

Cassandra and Angela looked at each other before Blake could respond. The door opened, and Jason rejoined the group…

“Jason! You’re back! Is everything well?!” Blake said, with a wide grin on his face.

“Yeah, yeah, it’s good,” Jason shook his head as he held his seat in Paragon Hall with the Valos family crest. He looked to the left, and to the right, then his gaze landed on Valencia, “Alright, let’s get to work, shall we?”

“Yes, you assembled us for [i]something,[/i]” Elynn sipped her wine. “Let’s get this dog and pony show on the road already.”

Valencia took a seat beside Demos, smoothing out her suit. [b]”I'm all ears.”[/b]

“I assembled you all here to hash out the details on assembling those damn notes,” Jason spat out. “So that we’re all on the same page here.”

Elynn rolled her eyes, her head turning a different direction, “What’s so important about those damn notes anyway? Kari is dead, and unless they lead to [i]more[/i] artifacts or resources we can ultilize, this is all a waste of time.” Elynn finished with a shrug

Blake straightened in his chair, "Ah, but that’s where you're mistaken, my dear Elynn. Those notes could be the key to unlocking new potentials, wouldn’t you agree?”

Elynn was silent, but Jason turned towards Valencia and Demos.

“... I’m just going to cut to the chase,” Jason said, “Me, Blake, and Jiao-Long have discussed using our laboratories on our headquarters, Elysium Island, as “our grounds” to decipher the notes. Then we get [i]both[/i] of our muscle on the island, and that’s when we activate our two security measures, The Eustis Veil and The Eye of Ankhara so [i]nobody[/i] gets on the island, and if they do, they’re going to have a hard time flitting around without us knowing.”

Jason nodded his head, glancing at Blake, then Jiao-Long.

“Is this Thursday a good time to decipher the notes so we can [i]finally[/i] learn all the dirty little secrets that bitch had?”

Valencia paused for a moment before she nodded, grinning a little. [b]”Thursday works. Tell me a little more about your security measures, though. The Eustis Veil and the Eye. So I can be on the same page.”[/b]

Blake smiled like a fool, and Jason rolled his eyes.

“... I’ll let Blake take the floor on this one.”

“Thank you, my friend!” Blake began. “The heart of our defenses on Elysium Island was created by a genius named Eustis Avitus. Who fused the essence of a powerful Apparition into the Veil! When activated, it summons a chaotic storm that disrupts any teleportation magic! Anyone who tries to breach the perimeter through magic will find themselves lost in a storm of black clouds and lightning!”

“... Make sure to tell them about the downsides,” Elynn rolled her eyes.

“Oh, it’s nothing, my dear Elynn!” Blake laughed at her before turning back to Valencia, “Inside the dome created by the storm, you’re safe from its physical fury, but the longer you stay, the more you risk succumbing to the influence of the Apparition. It whispers; it pulls at your sanity. It’s a clever trap...” He shrugged.

“Oh yes, and the Eye of Ankhara, our surveillance system. Nefertari Ankhara, the creator, infused it with her mastery over sound and perception. Once activated, it creates a network of soundwaves that detect any movement or disruption up to a mile away. If someone enters the area too quickly or creates too much noise, the Eye illuminates their aura and alerts us. It’s sensitive to magical activities, too. Is there any use of magic in its vicinity? [i]Instant[/i] exposure.” 

Valencia nodded, brows furrowing slightly in thought. [b]“...I'll want to be in the control room where the data from the Eye is relayed, so I can move my men as need be. It's likely we will have one group stationed outside the lab, one in another location… I'll need to see a map of the floor plan to best place them strategically. 

“And just to confirm, no windows or ventilation shafts in the lab room where the decoding will take place, right?”[/b]

“There is no control room, my dear; if somebody sets off the Eye [i]everyone[/i] will be informed,” Blake nodded.

Though, Jason turned his gaze towards Blake, and narrowed his eyes. 

“There [i]are[/i] no windows, but there are ventilation shafts; our people need to breathe, after all!” Blake said with a nod. “But, a floorplan is easy work! Our headquarters has two layers: the mansion above and all our facilities underneath! I can get it to you pronto!”

Then Jason facepalmed.

Valencia glanced at Jason, before grinning at Blake. [b]”Appreciated. As I mentioned before, I'll have my little genius take care of the decoding. We won't rest until those notes are laid out bare.

“Now, unless there was anything else…? I ought to get my people prepared…”[/b]

All the members of the Elite looked at each other as Blake just smiled. He got up from his seat, and walked over to Valencia, and extended a hand.

“Now, I’m looking forward to working with you all,” Blake began. “Hopefully, we’ll be working together more… People like us, you know, don’t have a lot of friends, and a [i]lot[/i] of people who would love to see us fall.”

Blake laughed before he said,

“... So, perhaps an alliance is in order!?”

Jason leaned back in his chair and rolled his eyes.

Valencia calmly stood, sliding her hand into Blake’s to shake. Her grip was firm.

[b]”Then let's make it official. The Elite-House Alliance, born today, this Tuesday, November the 8th. Your enemies are my enemies. Your friends are my friends. May we both enjoy a long, prosperous alliance.”[/b]

Demos raised his hands and gave a light round of applause. The rest of the Schmidts and Lius joined him… Jason and his wife, and the Pimms just remained silent.

Blake just laughed as he gripped Valencia’s hand.

“Together, we will [i]all[/i] achieve our goals!”[center][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/vMPZpL4.png[/img]
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It was now a full twenty four hours since Lynn had her last drink, and she was feeling like hell in the middle of some cheap coffee shop .  The bags under her eyes, the red look contained within them, and the constant shaking of her leg betrayed this.  She had a finger in her mouth that her teeth began to chatter on and her nail.  Still, this was suffering that was needed.  Lynn knew that the possible trip to the pit was already dangerous, and it would be downright impossible if she was drunk, or dealing with these withdrawals then.  A second passed before Lynn admitted to herself that she did not get sober for a possible trip to the literal hell of the magical world.  She wanted to get sober because she was a fuck up and she could not live like one anymore.  Lynn tried to fight the withdrawals with a plethora of sweet treats and sweet drinks.  She had a Caramel Frappuccino, a smattering of Deez Nutz, a local chocolate covered nut, and a few cookies.  The table was messy, but there was no point in being neat in a condition like this.

Lynn’s eyes darted to her phone as it finally hit noon.  Drake would be here in less than a minute provided he wasn’t feeling generous to a homeless person, or rescuing a cat from a tree, or if he tried to take a shortcut and ended up in a traffic jam, or if he left a few minutes later than the futures told her, or if he got a call that he had to take, or if a freak windstorm blew him over and injured him, or if there was a water main explosion right under his car, or if the snake had broken free and Drake was one of the first victims of the new reign of terror, or-

The roar of Drake’s all-black Dodge Charger could be heard pulling into a spot… followed by the sound of the door opening when Drake Blackmore walked in. He wore a black leather jacket, jeans, a black t-shirt, a black watch, boots, a black chain, and a black baseball cap. He scanned the room a bit before walking over to Lynn with a smile.

[color=3874f4]”... Damn you look like shit,”[/color] Drake awkwardly laughed. [color=3874f4]”Rough night?”[/color]

[color=F08080]“Yep”[/color] Lynn knew that she looked like shit. [color=F08080]“the roughest of my life so far,”[/color] Lynn smiled weakly but her eyes did not contain any joy.  [color=F08080]“Thank you for coming though,”[/color] Lynn paused as she grabbed another sweet treat and ate it, [color=F08080]“ready to hear what I have to say about Goro and Yoko?”[/color] 

Drake took a seat, then leaned back, putting his hands behind his head, [color=3874f4]”Hit me.”[/color]

[color=F08080]“I don’t know why he went in, or how he got there, but I do know that Goro is in the pit.  Yoko, I do know, went in to find her brother.  They’re still there as of today, but I think they’ll find their own way out eventually…if the idiots they’re with focus,”[/color] Lynn made sure to not drop too much detail about what she saw.  There was no point in telling someone that three of their dead friends had somehow returned from the maw of the hound and were in the pit fighting every single day.  She’d never seen a person who died in the past in the future before.  Lynn paused as she looked at Drake, and then back to the table before she tossed a handful of Deez Nutz into her mouth.  [color=F08080]“Drake, I’ve never seen this before.  I’ve never seen someone I know for a fact is dead alive in the future.  Yoko is with Lisa, Ella, and Saiska.”[/color] 

Drake was silent for a moment.

[color=3874f4]”... Who?”[/color]

Lynn blinked twice in rapid succession.  Oh, they are doomed if they actually go to the pit with the covens ‘lights are on but nobody's home’ bad boy.  Lynn’s eyes flashed green for a brief second as she pulled into the possible future, checking to see what way she could explain them.

[color=F08080]“Anime girl who shouted her spells, spider girl who had her tits grabbed while flying away from Scott Reese and the edgy blood girl.”[/color] 

[color=3874f4]”Yeah, don’t ring a bell,”[/color] Drake shrugged. [color=3874f4]”So, wait, you said that they’re dead, but also alive? How’s that work?”[/color]

Lynn’s right eye twitched.  [color=F08080]“They were in our coven?  They died ten years ago during the nightly battles we fought?  Adora has crippling depression because she-…..you know what? Who they are isn’t important.  They died, dead for a decade,  but for some reason in twenty percent of the futures where we go to the Pit they’re there.  I don’t know how.  I’ve never seen something like that before and I’ve seen a lot of futures,”[/color] Lynn paused as she took a deep breath.  She quickly grabbed the Frappuccino and took a big drink from it.  [color=F08080]“I could show you one of those possible futures.”[/color] 

[color=3874f4]”I don’t really understand any of this, but hit me!”[/color] Drake said with a grin.

Lynn’s eyes flashed green and she was off to the possible future, projecting the vision onto the world so that Drake could see.  It took just a moment for her to find the right way forward, and soon the vision began to show the potential details to Drake.  After several, blazing fast seconds, Lynn’s vision began to slow down.  The vision showed their position in the pit compromised.  Several Autoknights had then surrounded..  Leon and Drake were both injured, Luna was nowhere to be seen, and it appeared the group was at their end.  Suddenly, the knights were engaged and dispatched the metal monsters.

Lisa, Ella, and Saiska were painfully busy just being the worst people.  Drake thankfully couldn’t hear what they said but their humor was crude, rude, and entirely unchanged from when they were kids.  And then Yoko saw Drake, walked down, and began yelling at him.  And yelling.  And the yelling continued before she reached out and hugged him.   Evelynn pulled herself out of the vision and groaned.  The magic was feeling exceptionally brutal on her completely sober and withdrawal stricken mind.

[color=F08080]“From there we would journey together, find Goro in one of fifty different places.  The journey to him is even more dangerous, our group specifically is always woefully unprepared.  In some of the futures you die not long after saving Goro, in some of the futures I die right before we find the exit from the Pit.  In all the futures it seems like us going to the pit is almost more trouble than it’s worth.  We always come home stronger, better equipped, and ready for what comes next, however.”[/color]

Drake leaned back in his chair, his casual smirk never fading. 

[color=3874f4]"So let me get this straight…"[/color] Drake began. [color=3874f4]"We're going to the Pit, and there's a good chance we run into your dead friends or whatever who aren't dead anymore for some reason. But, like, we might also die trying to save Goro. And if we don’t die, we come back stronger. I’m not sure what part of this I’m supposed to be worried about."[/color]

He grinned. [color=3874f4]”You’re acting like this is supposed to freak me out. But, come on, Lynn, haven’t we been through worse? Is it [i]really[/i] worse? How can the Pit be any worse than fighting Stiggy?”[/color]

[color=F08080]“I mean the pit is a wild place, that much is shown to me,”[/color] Lynn paused as she took a bite of a cookie.  The sweets were not helping.  She still felt like shit.  Greyson was wrong.  How could she get a reward if the cravings never end?  [color=F08080]“I want to be nothing but open.  It will suck, arguably more than the fight with the snake.  We had a lot more strength fighting that fight than we’d have fighting this one.  The future tells me that the pit is important, but,”[/color] Lynn paused as she looked up to Drake, [color=F08080]“I don’t know for sure.  The last few days have given me…a clarity in the fog.  That clarity is telling me that life is more complex than what the future shows.”[/color] 

Drake raised an eyebrow.

[color=3874f4]”... And what do you mean by [i]that?[/i]”[/color] He asked.

[color=F08080]“I’m sober, just under a day now,”[/color] Lynn admitted, [color=F08080]“I don’t know if it’ll last but I’m using my power for the first time…sober.  Even back then I was drinking when we were fighting the snake.  The future has always been this cold, detached, empty place that was empirical.  Now, there’s more nuance to what I see.  It feels more real to me.  The emotions seem more real to me.  And it hasn’t even been a day yet.”[/color]

Drake laughed heartily, [color=3874f4]"Usually  it's the other way around. You start saying all the crazy shit when you're drunk…”[/color] He chuckled, shaking his head,

[color=3874f4]”So, if I am ‘getting it’, being sober is making you see the  future different now? Well, how can we be sure it's not a side effect to your withdrawls or something?”[/color]

[color=F08080]“Most of the visions of the pit I have checked were when I was drunk so,”[/color] Lynn paused, [color=F08080]“I want to say that I got sober to get better at the future reading business but I just needed to.  I think the added depth is just my brain screaming at me.”[/color]

[color=3874f4]”I mean, I’m no expert, but if the Pit looks bad when you’re drunk and even worse when you’re clear-headed, that’s gotta mean something, right? Maybe it’s not just your brain freaking out.”[/color] Drake replied.

[color=F08080]“Who’s trying to freak out who now?”[/color] Lynn smiled as she looked across the coffee shop.  [color=F08080]“You may be onto something though.”[/color]

[color=3874f4]”Of course I’m onto something; I’m Drake Blackmore,”[/color] Drake grinned, [color=3874f4]”But hey, if you’re saying I’m onto something, maybe we should start digging. See if there’s more to these visions than just a hangover and a panic attack.”[/color] He laughed.

[color=F08080]“How should we start digging, and please tell me it’ll help with withdrawal symptoms?[/color]. Lynn placed their forehead on the table and.  

[color=3874f4]”As much as I hate to say it…”[/color] Drake began. [color=3874f4]”... We ask Britney.”[/color]

[color=F08080]“Oh joy, that’s going to totally help,[/color] Lynn sighed, [color=F08080]“should I see if she is free now?[/color]

[color=3874f4]”No, see if she’s free yesterday,”[/color] Drake laughed. [color=3874f4]”Of course see if she’s free now.”[/color]

Lynn pulled her face off the table and pulled the phone to her face.  Her eyes flashed green.  A second later she was back and hit the call button.  She put the call on speaker but lowered the volume.  And then she waited as the pressure in her brain built up. Britney answered.

[color=f4eb93]”Hello, Lynn,”[/color] Britney said, [color=f4eb93]”What’s going on?”[/color]

[color=F08080]“Hi Britney, I have you on speaker with Drake .  We’re at a coffee shop, you busy right now?,[/color] Lynn leaned back as she waited for a response

Britney loudly snorted, [color=f4eb93]”... You can throw a rock and hit a coffee shop, Lynn.”[/color] She began, [color=f4eb93]”But what do you need?”[/color]

[color=F08080]“I am dealing with too much withdrawal stuff right now to even remember the name of this shop we’re at let me check their… the Twin Tails,[/color] Lynn paused as she looked towards Drake, [color=F08080]“we’re talking pit stuff.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”... You know it's a suicide mission, right?[/color] Britney said.

[color=3874f4]”Heh! Suicide Mission is my middle name!”[/color] Drake said, shooting Lynn the finger guns.

[color=f4eb93]”... [i]It's Dean.[/i]”[/color]

[color=3874f4]”You remembered!”[/color] 

[color=F08080]“You know what Britney, you’re right,”[/color] Lynn paused as she looked at the phone with anger, [color=F08080]“Yoko has been in the pit for months but of course we’ll all die if we try and help her find her brother.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”She and Goro are probably already dead,”[/color] Britney said with a sigh.

[color=3874f4]”Yo, how do we know she’s dead?”[/color] Drake tilted his head. [color=3874f4]”I saw Yoko fight; she’s a tough cookie!”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”... And how do we know she’s still [i]alive?[/i]”[/color] Britney shot back.

[color=F08080]“In the majority of potential futures she’s alive.  If it was one, ten, even a hundred different futures, of course I’d be more cautious about what I’m saying.  I’ve seen her in thousands of futures, Pit or otherwise.  The future has a part for her to play; she just hasn’t got to it yet.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”But, this is Yoko we’re talking about,”[/color] Britney laughed. [color=f4eb93]”The rude, immature, and stupid pain in the ass we tolerated because of Goro… What exactly do you see her doing? She hated us! And I don’t mean ask your magic that. I mean, you… what do you, Everlynn Serelight, deadass think she will do?”[/color] She finished it with a sarcastic snort.

[color=f4eb93]”Besides, from how you talked at the meeting; we [i]only [b]need[/b][/i] what she has.”[/color]

[color=3874f4]”As much as I hate to say it…”[/color] Drake looked down at the phone, then back up to Lynn. [color=3874f4]”... [i]She has a point[/i].”[/color]

[color=F08080]“As much as I hate to say this,”[/color] Lynn paused as she leaned her head back and pressed her hands to her eyes, [color=F08080]“I’m a fucking idiot.  There are other artifacts we could use to search for Kari.  I mean we won’t get the other fun artifacts but using what we can, here, is the right move.  The pit needs to be a backup plan.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”... It shouldn’t be a plan in any capacity,”[/color] Britney added, [color=f4eb93]”Unless we literally, [i][b]ABSOLUTELY[/b][/i] have to… though, I find your fixation with it-”[/color] Britney cut herself off.

[color=3874f4]”Fixation? That’s a strong word. Brit,”[/color] Drake crossed his arms. 
[color=3874f4]”Pit or not, we can’t just [i]leave[/i] them down there. Especially if Yoko has these... Wayfinders.”[/color] Drake looked at Lynn, scratching his head.

[color=f4eb93]”And I get it Drake,”[/color] Britney sighed. [color=f4eb93]”Sometimes things are just… out of our hands. This being one of them.”[/color] Britney paused for a moment.

[color=f4eb93]”... So, Lynn, what artifacts can we use to look for Kari?”[/color] Britney asked. [color=f4eb93]”Maybe I can point you in the right direction. Maybe we can find Father Wolf and finally put an end to this bullshit.”[/color]

[color=F08080]“Uhhh I know the Mirror On The Wall and The Map Of The Drunken Sailor are in town.  The mirror is a sealed apparition, a seer that can find anything or anyone.  You have to answer three riddles without any assistance and they get harder as you go.  Fail any of the riddles and you’ll be instead shown your greatest fear.  The Map is this artifact that’s been passed around for ages.  The surface of the map changes depending on the query.  The only catch is you have to follow the map to get the destination, and rumor has it that the path it takes you on is filled with monsters and danger.  It’ll mark the location of whoever, or whatever, you’re looking for with an ‘X’ which is kinda cute. I think it’s with a rich kid.”[/color]

Lynn grabbed some more Deez and offered some Nutz to Drake.

[color=3874f4]”Thanks, Lynn,”[/color] Drake said, taking the nuts into his hand. [color=3874f4]”You picked some real fun options! And who are the “rich kid”?”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”... There’s a lot of them in St. Portwell,”[/color] Britney laughed. [color=f4eb93]”Be specific.”[/color]

[color=F08080]“Honestly?  I think I remember the name Jason Valos for the one and a Schmidt?  Maybe Blake?”[/color] 

[color=f4eb93]”... Oh, great,”[/color] Britney said, rolling her eyes. [color=f4eb93]”Well, that tracks.”[/color] She sighed.

[color=3874f4]”Valos? That sounds familiar,”[/color] Drake rubbed his chin.

[color=f4eb93]”There were three Valos in the Old Coven - they were in the ‘rich clique’”[/color] Britney asked.

[color=3874f4]”Oh yeah!”[/color] Drake said, [color=3874f4]”I don't suppose we can just ask for them?”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”Or we can just swipe it from them,”[/color] Britney said.

[color=F08080]“I won’t be very much help in either way right now,”[/color] Lynn said with a sigh as she put her forehead back on the table, [color=F08080]“I really could use a drink.”[/color]

Drake popped another nut into his mouth, [color=3874f4]”Stealing from rich kids? Sounds like Saturday night!”[/color] Drake cracked his knuckles. [color=3874f4]”He probably won’t even notice it’s gone!”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”But people like them tend to have tight security, Blackmore,”[/color] Britney nodded her head. [color=f4eb93]”Plus, the Valos are not only unpredictable, but could be a part of the Elite. So… If we’re stealing it we might need to be careful.”[/color]

[color=3874f4]”We’ll just have Jack swipe it,”[/color] Drake shrugged. [color=3874f4]”Piece of cake.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”He could probably pull it off, the issue is that we won’t hear the end of it,”[/color] Britney laughed. [color=f4eb93]”Though, we don't know if Jason or Blake have any security around their artifacts.”[/color]

[color=F08080]“I could check the future,”[/color] Lynn paused as she sighed, [color=F08080]“but this craving is getting to me.  I don’t think my mind can take the possible future right now.”[/color]

[color=3874f4]”You’re okay, Lynn,”[/color] Drake laughed, before popping another nut into his mouth. [color=3874f4]”We got [i]other[/i] ways to pull this off.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”Sounds like if Lynn doesn’t get that drink, she’ll pass out,”[/color] Britney laughed over the phone. [color=f4eb93]”Normally, I wouldn’t support someone being a functional alcoholic, but Drake, can you please run and grab her [i]something?[/i] Something strong enough to get her to perk up a bit.”[/color]

[color=F08080]“No,”[/color] Lynn said but her mind said yes please, just one drink, anything.  Lynn thought that one cheat drink wouldn’t be the worst, she’d just have to start from the beginning again and deal with a sleepless night, followed by the same terrible morning she had today, followed by an insatiable desire to drink all day long.  She could do that again.  She could totally do it.  Just drink.  Just. One. Sip.  [color=F08080]“I can’t.. maybe a single… no.  [i]no[/i].”[/color]

Drake clapped his hands together, then threw them up, 

[color=3874f4]“... You heard the lady, she said no.”[/color] Drake started before adding,  [color=3874f4]”Not like that ever stopped you.”[/color]

[color=f4eb93]”Now’s not the time, Blackmore,”[/color] Britney coughed, [color=f4eb93]”But, look, Lynn, we don’t have to do everything right this second - okay, I know there’s a serial killer after us, and we need to go our separate ways again, but that doesn’t mean you gotta push yourself if you’re going through withdrawals like this.”[/color]
Britney sighed. [color=f4eb93]”I can just do some digging on Blake and the Valos and come back to you two, okay?”[/color]

Drake looked down at the phone, then up to Lynn.

[color=f4eb93]”Call me if you need me!”[/color] Britney said before she hung up.

[color=F08080]“Okay, thank you Britney.”[/color]. Lynn’s eyes went out of total focus.  Her leg began to bounce off the ground.  She wanted, no, needed that drink.  The pain across her body swelled as every muscle in her body suddenly begged for the sweet release promised by a drink.

Drake popped the last of the nuts into his mouth before shrugging, [color=3874f4]”... What happened to asking her about the visions? About your dead homies?”[/color]

[color=F08080]”Hmmm?”[/color] Lynn paused as she looked over to Drake.  [color=F08080]”Fuck.  Fuck,”[/color] Lynn paused as she began pulling at her own hair.  [color=F08080]”I completely forgot.  Fuck.  I fucking…”[/color]. Lynn paused as she let her head fall onto the table.

[color=3874f4]”Brooooooooooooooo…”[/color] Drake facepalmed with both hands. [color=3874f4]”Look, I’m the last person who should be saying this, but you need to pull it together… I didn’t know you had this problem, but there’s a serial killer after us for saving the world. And we need to get our shit together.”[/color]

[color=F08080]”I’m trying to, Drake, I can’t keep getting drunk.  Like, bro I have been getting drunk since before the snake.  How many more people will I lead to their death if I keep drinking?  The future doesn’t know, and neither do I.  But sober me has to be better.  Sober me [i]HAS[/i] to be.”[/color]

[color=3874f4]”I’m not saying drink, I’m saying…”[/color] Drake trailed off, before adding, [color=3874f4]”Look, I don't want to leave everything in the hands of Britney, there’s gotta be SOMETHING we can do.”[/color]

[color=F08080]”I….agree,”[/color] Lynn sighed as she groaned and took a big drink from the sugary drink, [color=F08080]” Drake, I’ll look back to the future tonight.  I don’t know how much I will see,”[/color] Lynn paused as she sighed, [color=F08080]”but we need options.  And I can give us options.  And I’ll fucking woman up and find us something we can do, pit stop or otherwise.”[/color] 

[color=F08080]”Do you think I’m right about going to the pit?”[/color] 

[color=3874f4]”I mean, I don't care about the Wayfinder!”[/color] Drake laughed. [color=3874f4]”We can’t just leave them there!”[/color]

[color=F08080]”Then let’s keep planning as if we’re going to go to the pit.  Britney can help us with finding stuff to find Kari.  We focus on finding a way to get our friends home.”[/color] 

Drake shot her with the finger guns.

[color=3874f4]”Sounds like a plan!”[/color]