[center][h3][color=#D8BFD8]T[/color][color=#D4BFD6]h[/color][color=#D1BFD5]e[/color] [color=#CAC0D2]3[/color][color=#C6C1D1]1[/color][color=#C3C1CF]7[/color] [color=#BCC2CC]g[/color][color=#B8C2CB]e[/color][color=#B5C3CA]t[/color][color=#B1C3C8]s[/color] [color=#ABC4C5]r[/color][color=#A7C4C4]e[/color][color=#A4C5C3]a[/color][color=#A0C5C1]d[/color][color=#9DC6C0]y[/color] [color=#96C7BD]f[/color][color=#92C7BC]o[/color][color=#8FC7BA]r[/color] [color=#88C8B7]a[/color] [color=#81C9B5]m[/color][color=#7ECAB3]e[/color][color=#7ACAB2]e[/color][color=#77CAB0]t[/color][color=#73CBAF]i[/color][color=#70CBAE]n[/color][color=#6CCCAC]g[/color][color=#69CCAB].[/color][/h3][/center] It was early in the morning on Thursday and the normally busy 317 building was eerily quiet. While most of the rubble was removed, or pushed together into piles the building itself was still broken, the individual rooms still destroyed, and guests would not grace its halls for a few months at this point. All across the outside there were signs that denoted the closed status. Still, people who hadn’t seen the news or had looked to see online if the building was open still came to the door and left with frowns on their face as they read the big sign that said ‘due to a gas explosion we’re closed until further notice’. This did not mean that the building was empty, however, and down in the basement a large crowd was gathered for a pre-meeting meeting about the most important discussion of all. “Alright you nerds,” Octavia talked as she paced in front of an empty white board. Her eyes drifted towards Bianca as she smiled. While she thought it would take many weeks, Bianca had earned back her trust with a simple ‘good morning’ text the day after the fed reveal. Her eyes returned to the 317 as a whole. Not everyone was here, mind you, but a large group was present all the same.. “I bet you’re wondering why I’m holding a meeting before the meeting that will lead to the meeting with the others.” [color=66CDAA]“I’m more concerned that you’re allowing Feds to attend these meetings”,[/color] Olivia paused as she looked towards Bianca with a raised eyebrow, [color=66CDAA]“hi Bianca, long time.”[/color] “Give Octavia a break, she’s having lady problems,” Alex added as they sighed. It was so tragic seeing the difficulties couples today had. [color=D8BFD8]“I am wondering why I’m here. I could be at home with my babies but you said this meeting was important so here I am,”[/color] Leah scoffed as she crossed her arms. [color=fa912b]”Hey Olivia, look, I’m only a fed on fed time- here, right now? I’m [i]all[/i] Octavia’s,”[/color] Bianca took it easily, looking over at Octavia with a grin and a wink. [color=fa912b]”Plus, I brought bibingka- straight from my mother’s oven! So don’t go saying I shouldn’t be here.”[/color] She gestured to the baked rice cakes she’d brought, still grinning. [color=fa912b]”But why are we here, babe? Not that I’d need a reason- but since I’ve been invited to this meeting, does that mean there’s a problem?”[/color] “Oh yes,” Octavia paused as the smile fell from her face, her eyes narrowing as she looked at Bianca. “The problem is my brother is an idiot, and as a result of the attack on our home I have far too much free time and now… now I must turn my attention to matters close to home.” “Is Jasper okay,” Jordan asked, “or is this ab-“ “This is about him and his boyfriend to be both being colossal idiots, and I have a game in mind to help us help them,” Octavia paused as she grabbed the whiteboard and flipped it over revealing a detailed bracket on the other side. Each day of the month was carefully mapped out in the brackets with each hour of the day having a blank section next to the time for a name. “This, my friends, is the third official 317 Gaypool.” Bianca had been in the middle of taking a drink of water- because being around Octavia made her thirsty- and she almost spat it out. [color=fa912b]”The Gay-what?! This about Jasper and Luca dancing around each other like being gay’s still illegal? You’re gonna need, like, ten more whiteboards, babe.”[/color] “A Gaypool,” Alex’s eyes went wide as they held their arms up to the sky, “yesssss.” “Oh wow that’s surprising,” Jordan frowned ever so but his eyes betrayed the excitement he felt. “I knew this was coming,” Zeri said as she hugged Lori. [color=D8BFD8]“Why does it have a crime name like Gaypool whatever it is,”[/color] Leah scoffed again. “Yes my friends, it is time for us to conduct a Gaypool. Why is it called a Gaypool? Because I like that really old marvel movie Deadpool and I thought the idea of a dead pool was interesting, fuck you for judging me. To answer your question Bianca yes. This is because my brother is an idiot, Luca is blind, and there’s money to be made off of it,” Octavia pointed at Bianca, “this is not our first rodeo. This whiteboard has each day for the next month written out. If the likely situation happens and we have to get another whiteboard we’ll get another whiteboard. And if we fill that one we’ll get a third. We’ll keep this going because our goal will be to predict the day and time when they finally become a couple, which means we’ll be rooting for them to come together every single day.” [color=D8BFD8]“So let me get this straight. We will be placing bets on two guys getting together. I like it. What do they look like together,”[/color] Leah asked as she leaned forward. At that moment Bianca would notice that her phone would vibrate and a text from Lynn would be on the screen. [code]“Hey bitch. The future told me you might need this at this exact moment. Yes I know when. No I won’t tell you.”[/code]. There would be several photos of Luca and Jasper being close, cute, and like a couple attached to the message. [color=fa912b]”[i]Fuck,[/i]”[/color] Bianca swore under her breath. The pictures… those two really were so fucking dumb! Bianca sent a quick text back. [code]Even if it's for my future wife, not myself?[/code] with about ten begging emoji. [code]No.[/code] Bianca’s head then snapped up, grinning at Leah. [color=fa912b]”Ask, and you shall receive. Witness the adorable not-couple that are Luca and Jasper.”[/color] She held up her phone, swiping through the photos that Lynn had sent her. [color=fa912b]”Now, you all know Jasper- I hope. The beautiful lady at the front can describe him better than m me, anyway. But Luca… well, I have a bit of an advantage since I know him. There’s three things you need to know about Luca. One, he’s eternally single. Two, he’s unfortunately attached to a ghost that makes it difficult to be near people. Three, he’s painfully optimistic to the point of it blinding him - but he’s also a realist. A dangerous combination.”[/color] [color=D8BFD8]“And they are not already a couple,”[/color] Leah held a hand to her chest as she leaned back. She was in a state of shock. “Nope,” Jordan chuckled as he leaned back in hours chair and adjusted his glasses. “Every time I see a new photo of them I think ‘wow this is a cute one year anniversary photo’ and then bam, realization that they’re just friends,” Zeri added. “Benefits, maybe,” Lori asked. “Nope. Jasper has admitted that he likes Luca but is so scared of making that first move that he is paralyzed with fear. Luca, meanwhile, sounds like he has simply accepted that he will never find love,” Octavia added as she tapped the board. [color=66CDAA]“And so we’re, what, gambling on two queer people and making their relationship a game? How is this okay,”[/color] Olivia asked as she raised an eyebrow. “Leadership has put two grand in the pool, each bet will run twenty dollars per time. Winners takes all minutes a ten percent cut by leadership who will use that to pay for an entire night out so the new couple can celebrate in absolute style,” Octavia paused as she looked towards Olivia, “we’re not betting on them, we’re rooting for them and having some fun on the side. The winner will get paid, yes, but Jasper and Luca is, and will be, the focus. We’ve done this twice before. Once for Jordan back there, and the second time for Zeri and Lori. It is all in good fun.” [color=fa912b]”Oh, Olivia, don’t worry, we can do one for you next. Have you moved on from Linqian yet?”[/color] Bianca teased, smirking at the other woman. Olivia raised a middle finger and smiled viciously as she shot it towards Bianca. “Oh you had a crush on Linqian? Man,” Alex sighed, “is your former coven just filled with people at various stages of relationship issues with one another?” [color=fa912b]”Oh, you know Linqian?”[/color] Bianca raised an eyebrow, completely unbothered by Olivia’s reaction. She sidled up to Alex. [color=fa912b]”Is it true she’s in a relationship with both Greyson [i]and[/i] Britney?”[/color] “Oh my god,” Octavia raised an eyebrow. “Coven throuples are a difficult thing to navigate,” Jordan said, his tone a strangely understanding one like he once existed that dilemma. “Is Britney kinda short, white, constantly switches between swearing and passing out from pain while being dragged from the dark torture basement of some mafia group,” Alex asked. Bianca’s eyebrows shot up towards the top of her head. [color=fa912b]”That’d be Greyson… though I wouldn’t count him as short. He’s like six foot or something. But definitely Greyson.”[/color] “I suppose he could’ve looked short because he was sitting down, rather chained down to the chair,” Alex nodded their head with this new understanding. Bianca pressed a hand against her forehead, but decided not to ask about that. She didn’t want to know. If she knew she may have to do something about it. [color=fa912b]”Right, probably. Did you get any romantic vibes from them? Or was there too much… whatever was going on.”[/color] “I mean the first night I met Linqian I met him,” Alex paused as a disgusted look fell across their face at the memory of that night and what the two were talking about, “he called me a starving artist while I was eating food. He’s weird. Linqian did call him vanilla I think, so if that has anything to do with romance there you go.” Octavia choked on air at the revelation. Bianca burst out laughing, covering her mouth for a moment. At the same time she moved over to pat Octavia on the shoulder. [color=fa912b]”Ooo, yes, totally romantic. Very romantic- haha- Greyson too vanilla! Oh if I meet him again I’m rubbing this in his face, Linqian never called me that- ahem. Back to the gaypool?”[/color] “I can’t imagine why she would,” Octavia winked at Bianca with a smile. “Now, why do we do these Gaypools? Because we ultimately want them to be happy. As such we will NOT be trying to force this. Even if your bet is about to expire you shall not try and force them together. You can be a supportive person to either Luca or Jasper, make comments about how they would be so cute together, or what have you. You can not be greedy and force it. When they finally get together, we’ll all have a crazy celebration, we’ll invite Sycamore and Greenwood to it, it’ll be a night to remember. Sounds fun?” [color=fa912b]”Hell yeah!”[/color] Bianca grinned, free hand flipping up into a thumbs up as she leaned towards Octavia. [color=fa912b]”I’m invited to the crazy celebration, right? There’s not a no feds allowed rule?”[/color] Then she lowered her voice a little so just Octavia could hear (hopefully). [color=fa912b]”I have an idea for how we can help them realise.”[/color] “Of course, you’re invited,” Octavia smirked as she leaned in, shot her eyes over and lingered on Bianca’s. She nodded her head at the words Bianca uttered. Octavia knew that she had to remain impartial in this game, but at the same time she could have some fun with it. “You’re my plus one.” [color=fa912b]”Well that's a relief, here I was thinking I'd have to spend my prize money on something else,”[/color] Bianca smiled, arm loosely wrapping around Octavia's waist. [color=66CDAA]“Oh please,”[/color] Olivia closed her eyes as she shook her head. She would need to discover a spell to make her forget about everything she was seeing. Bianca just smirked at Olivia, leaning in closer to Octavia. [color=D8BFD8]“Do not judge the lovers, instead celebrate their openness and the beauty of it,”[/color] Leah paused as she looked at the board, [color=D8BFD8]“like how we must celebrate and uplift these lovers we now bet on,”[/color] Leah heavy French voice disappeared as she looked to the side. She missed her love. Everything was still incredibly raw even as it’s been months since her husband's death. Even now she still struggled to sleep, and struggled with the daunting task of raising two kids alone. A tear welled in the corner of her eye as the struggle threatened to manifest. Octavia caught this. She leaned in to Bianca and whispered into her ear. “Her husband was a Sycamore. Stephen Harrington, whomever is killing y’all got him, don’t make a scene here but figured I’d add some context.” Octavia watched closely, ready to rush over to her if she needed comfort again. [color=fa912b]”Ah- I remember him,”[/color] Bianca whispered back, lips pressing together. She'd heard about his death - she knew about all the deaths, thanks to her job. Even if she wasn't close to him, it still saddened her. [color=D8BFD8]“I will not push them to become lovers but I will become friends with both. They will have no choice but to fall madly in love after a few days with me by their side, especially if I trick them into a cute French dinner. No one can resist that,”[/color] Leah’s heavy French accent drove home the point. [color=fa912b]”Oh, you don't understand how oblivious they both are,”[/color] Bianca laughed lightly. [color=66CDAA]“So we can not directly push them together, right? What about using magic to…reveal their inner truth. I’m working on a few subtle, but effective, truth spells. Would that be allowed,”[/color] Olivia finally realized that she might be able to use this pointless activity into something useful. “No,” Jordan said as he pulled out his wallet, “the point of this, all of this, is to help them realize what they want. If we cheat and use magic what’s the point?” [color=1E90FF]“I have nothing better to do so why not, twenty per bet? Either I have to sleep for dinner or I can pay off my car,”[/color] Monica finally spoke up as she yawned. [color=FFE4B5]“I have one question,”[/color] Riley asked as he raised his hand, [color=FFE4B5]“has anyone tried locking them in a closet? Rigged a game of spin the bottle? If they’re so crazy about one another I think this is going to be easier than we think.”[/color] [color=5b692f]”What’re you kids getting up to in here?”[/color] Rohan walked through a door, a steaming mug of Folgers in one hand and Juno resting on his shoulder. He looked up at the huge board with a bunch of numbers on it and didn’t recognize it as something business-related. [color=5b692f]”Not getting into another big fight are we? My knees aren’t up to that,”[/color] He griped. “Good morning Rohan,” Jordan yawned as he looked over, “we’re doing another betting game. We’re betting on when Jasper and this guy named Luca from Sycamore actually become a couple. You want to join in?” [color=5b692f]”...Have you ever considered opening up a casino?”[/color] He asked, jokingly, as Juno jumped down off his shoulder and started babbling. [color=5b692f]”Sure, why not. What’s the pool so far?”[/color] [color=D8BFD8]“We have just begun. No bets have been placed,”[/color] Leah said as she waved towards Juno. [color=5b692f]”Okay… Fifty says they get together properly.”[/color] [color=D8BFD8]“Yes but when? That is the question we must try to decipher, no?”[/color] [color=5b692f]”Anytime before one or both of get married to someone else. How’s that?”[/color] Rohan wasn’t a gambling man, but he sure as hell knew how to play it safe. “I can make that work,” Octavia grabbed a marker and found a blank spot on the board and wrote ‘side bets’ in the section and then wrote down his bet. [color=FFDEAD]“I’ll put fifty against it,”[/color] Cyrus finally added as he leaned forward, [color=FFDEAD]“y’all act like this is a sure fire thing. I know gay romance, and I know it’s a dead, loveless, battlefield,”[/color] Cyrus chuckled as he looked towards Rohan, [color=FFDEAD]“don’t think I will forget about this bet. I always collect.”[/color] “Alright,” Octavia paused as she wrote in Cyrus‘s bet, “how about from here we let the new members, and our guests, cast the next bets. As you’re our guest, Bianca, you’re up.” [color=brown]”Myeh!”[/color] Juno commented, philosophically. Sagely, even. [color=D8BFD8]“I have no idea what you say but I know you are wise beyond your days,”[/color] Leah chuckled with a wide smile. Bianca raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. [color=fa912b]”Ooo, thanks babe, giving me first pick of an actual date. So we have… anytime before marriage, and never so far? Seems unfair but alright.”[/color] Bianca moved a bit away from Octavia, putting her hands on her hips as she scrutinised the board. Then she pointed to the very last day of November. [color=fa912b]”Last day, 8pm in the evening. For every month. I ain't got cash on me, but I'll bring it round next time.”[/color] “Alright,” Octavia wrote down the wager on the board and turned towards Bianca, “the marriage wager is a side bet so don’t worry too much about it,” Octavia paused as she walked over to her purse and pulled out a crisp twenty dollar, “buy me dinner or something to pay me back,” Octavia blew a kiss Bianca’s way. [color=fa912b]”I’ll buy you as many dinners as you want,”[/color] Bianca replied with a wide, sappy smile. Not content with just that air kiss, she stepped over to Octavia to hug her and lightly kiss her cheek. She let go afterwards, though, to allow her to continue her important wager writing duties. [color=fa912b]”How about tomorrow night?”[/color] [color=D8BFD8]“So beautiful, you two and your love,”[/color] Leah clapped her hands together loudly. She reached into her bag and grabbed a single one-hundred dollar bill. [color=D8BFD8]“I would like to place multiple bets. Can I, I don’t know, do seven days from now at eight at night to start”[/color] [color=1E90FF]“Not next, but the Saturday after that by noon,”[/color] Monica pulled a crumpled twenty from her pocket. [color=FFDEAD]“Last day of November, seven in the evening,”[/color] Cyrus held up his twenty as he slowly looked towards Bianca, [color=FFDEAD]“repeat the bet each month.”[/color] [color=66CDAA]“This is so weird. Next Tuesday by noon,”[/color] Olivia pulled out her phone, [color=66CDAA]“I don’t carry cash, is there a cash app we can use?”[/color] “Okay, let’s keep this going until we either run out of spots or y’all run out of money,” Octavia paused as she wrote down the bets. Soon they came flying in, and Octavia spent the next thirty minutes collecting money and writing in the bets. The biggest spender of the group was Leah who dropped two hundred and fifty dollars all by herself. Eventually the bets slowed down before Octavia finally was able to put the marker down. There were still plenty of spots open to bet on but no one was casting a bet. “So that’s it,” Octavia said as she turned towards the group, “I’ll start pulling Jasper, and his lover, into more and more events and hangout sessions. You’re not required to be there for them but it’s more fun if you participate. I know we didn’t quite fill the board, if they get together on an empty space the winner will be whoever guessed closest. Anyone have any questions?” [color=fa912b]”I do,”[/color] Bianca raised a hand, trying her best to look serious. This was serious business, after all. [color=fa912b]”When do I get to take our wonderful host out for breakfast, before we're both busy today?”[/color] “How about let me take a photo of the board, and secure the money, and then you can take me wherever you want to take me,” Octavia stepped close to Bianca. Bianca grinned, hand rising up to rub Octavia's arm gently. [color=fa912b]”Sure thing, take your time- well, not too much time, if I'm late my boss’ll have me working overtime all week.”[/color] She laughed, eyes creasing playfully as she looked at Octavia. [color=fa912b]”I’ll just wait and stare at you lovingly.”[/color] “Make sure you,” Octavia paused as she snapped the photo of the board, “keep a close eye on me,” Octavia paused as she walked towards her office. After a few minutes she emerged and offered Bianca her hand, “ready to go?” [color=fa912b]”I was born ready,”[/color] Bianca smirked, reaching out for Octavia’s hand immediately. She tangled their fingers together, giving her hand a light squeeze. [color=fa912b]”I’ve already chosen a place- you’ll love it. On me, gotta use those big fed bucks for your benefit.”[/color] Octavia let Bianca lead her up the stairs. As they left Jordan and Alex’s remained fixated on them as they left. As soon as the doors to the basement closed, Jasper looked towards Alex and the two shook their head yes. Alex walked over to the painting on the wall, activated the portal, and stepped inside. A moment later they returned with another whiteboard, albeit smaller. They passed it to Jordan who took a look at the title and grabbed a marker and crossed out a part of it. “Alright nerds,” Jordan said as he spun the board around, revealing another Gaypool, “for Bianca and Octavia. How long do we think before one rents a U-Haul?” [hr] [center][h3] Later that day [/h3][/center] [code]“Hello my friendly neighborhood dimensional traveler. We are ready for you at The 317. Do be fast :)[/code] Almost [i]immediately[/i] after the text was sent to Jack, just enough time for him to read it, a wooden door appeared out of thin air. It opened, and Jack walked through. [color=FFDEAD]“Tsk, tsk, tsk. The service around here is atrocious,”[/color] Cyrus responded as he looked up from his phone and smiled at Jack. He was dressed in jet black boots, pants, jacket, and had dark sunglasses on as well. He had a handkerchief wrapped around his neck that he could pull up at any moment if the need arose. Jordan, Olivia, Octavia, Riley, Jason, Alex and Thomas were all dressed in their protest day best like Cyrus. Each wore nondescript clothes, had easy ways of covering their faces and eyes, and those with visible tattoos had them covered. Leah, Monica, and the rest of the 317 who were going to the meeting were present as well. The 317 had a meeting earlier where they had [color=66CDAA]“Jack, what a,”[/color] Olivia paused as she sighed heavily, [color=66CDAA]“surprise.”[/color] “Thank you for the ride,” Octavia spoke as she finished the last of her braids. She did one final look over herself to ensure all her tattoos were covered. She did not know if it would matter but she wanted to prepare for this assault like they were going to a protest. Give them nothing to identify you by, especially if the elite went to the cops after what would happen. “This whole group is coming, can you transport us all at once?” [color=6644ff]”I can. But…”[/color] Jack shut the door behind him. It disappeared. [color=6644ff]”Do not walk in there expecting anyone to be amicable about seeing you . Three of us were killed last night, keep that in mind. All of you.”[/color] “We’re aware,” Octavia sighed as she looked towards Jack, “Aryin told us this morning. She was in a rough spot to say the least. We will be on our best behavior.” [color=6644ff]”Good. I’ve told Sycamore about your plan, but only vaguely. I’ll let the rest of you do the talking.”[/color] And with that, the door flew open again. [color=6644ff]”Follow me.”[/color] Octavia followed Jack through the door and into the meeting room on the other side. All of the 317 who elected to come to the meeting soon followed and poured into the room. “Hello,” Octavia paused as she scanned the room for familiar faces and only spotted Jasper in the crowd. “Oh good, my brother is here,” Octavia let her gaze linger on Jasper for a few uncomfortable seconds. “My name is Octavia, I’m one of the three leaders of the 317. Faith and Sypha are with the other crew, getting ready, but we figured it would be a good time to meet our new friends.” “I’ve heard nothing but good things about.. most of you. I’m Jordan,” he added as he walked towards Jasper. He was flanked by Alex and Lori who both ran ahead and both gave Jasper a hug. [color=66CDAA]“I see that you upgraded from the mansion at least,”[/color] Olivia added as she walked through the door, whistling as she did. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Anya, and she walked towards her with a soft smile on her face. [color=66CDAA]“Hello you.”[/color] [color=FFDEAD]“It is [i]very[/i] nice to see more of the fabled sycamore tree cover. I am Cyrus,”[/color] Cyrus [color=D8BFD8]“I am Leah, it is good to meet you all properly and to have the chance to put faces to the names. I’ve heard so much about you all from my Stephen,”[/color] she added as she did a small wave to the coven. The rest of the 317 filled into the space. Octavia crossed her arms as she walked over towards the table “So we’re going to fuck some shit up together today,” Octavia started as she looked at Sycamore, “this is our first time meeting group to group like this. We’re your guests here so we’ll keep any disruptions,” Octavia paused as she looked at her crew,” to a minimum, but if you have any questions for us feel free to ask away. We’re friends with Greenwood, we’d like to be friends with you as well.”