[indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ycOCuCr.png[/img] & [img]https://i.imgur.com/oe0WSFO.png[/img] & [img]https://i.imgur.com/SizLDki.png[/img]
[/center][right][h1][color=6B8E23]Luca[/color] & [color=C67C12]Leon[/color] & [color=7B81B3]Kenshiro[/color][/h1][/right][right][sub][hr]Location: Near Luca’s Apartment > Leon’s Car > Outside the Eleventh Path [/sub][/right][hr][/indent]
Thursday, another meeting was called. Luca had reached out to Leon to meet up, and he’d offered to give Luca a lift to the meeting. It worked out fine for him, even though Luca was always wary about going in people’s cars… but it would be good to give Jasper’s a break from the constant rotting. And it was a private place to talk with little worry of being overheard.

Luca had given Leon an address to a street corner near his apartment. It wasn’t that he didn’t want Leon to know where he lived so much as it was the roads being bad, and the further he got into this area the more at risk any nice car he might have was damaged… assuming he had a nice car. It was a little bit of a walk for him, taking longer thanks to his aching joints, so by the time he reached the corner he didn’t have to wait long in the cold before Leon arrived.

[color=6B8E23]”Hey Leon! Thanks for picking me up! It’s quite the squeeze in Jasper’s car nowadays.”[/color] Luca smiled brightly at Leon as he climbed in the car, making himself as small as possible in the seat. It reduced the area of spread… 

In such an enclosed space, it was impossible to miss the scent of rotting hanging in the air. Especially with Leon’s sense of smell… And it wasn’t just the constant rotting aura around Luca that slowly ate away with everything, or even the surface of his skin covered by many layers of clothes. It was something deeper. Without much effort, Leon would be able to smell decaying [i]flesh[/i]. But Luca wasn’t touching anyone… so it could only be his own.

[color=6B8E23]”First, I wanted to apologise for hurting you at the meeting. I’m sorry. I won’t pretend it was just because I fell- I kept my hand there longer than I should have to hurt you.”[/color] His gloved hands raised in the air, expression the picture of genuine apology. 
[color=6B8E23]”My control slipped because of what you said. I hit you with a heavier dose of rotting too… I’m really sorry.”[/color]

Leon had been driving all morning, and had just stopped to have a spell cast on the car which would hopefully protect the seats from Luca’s influence. Whatever this was about, initially Leon had no idea or preconceived notion; thus he went into it with the same enthusiasm he showed everything else.
By now, the wound on his arm had mostly healed. The Rot, in doses like that, wasn’t enough to completely shred Lelou’s healing factor. But, it left a scar for a couple days afterward.

In the end, he wasn’t so worried about it… But, they hadn’t met since then. Leon could only assume Luca was worried about Layla? Curious as to how things went, maybe.
[color=C67C12]”Oh, Dude… Water under- Wait. You said you did it on purpose, but your control slipped? So what does that mean, like… You would’ve burned me longer no matter what? But it ended up being worse than you thought it was gonna?”[/color]
It was an odd thing to imply, especially as he’d never known Luca to be vindictive like that.

[color=6B8E23]”My control of the Rot,”[/color] Luca said, quietly. He tilted his head towards Leon, not quite smiling anymore. Luca had been in Sycamore until the end - so he'd been around when Lelou was adjoined with and sealed in Leon. They hadn't been particularly close but Luca knew that Leon understood the constant fight with something else in your body. Though, the Rot itself rarely tried to take over. 
[color=6B8E23]”I held on longer partly out of concern for Layla, partly because of its influence. The current Rotting - destroying everything I touch, eventually - is only this 'weak’ because of me actively resisting its influence. It implied I was just a host, got into my head a little bit, and the decay was stronger. If it had been anyone but you… But it won't happen again.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Oh, classic Luca. Seems like everyone's worried about Layla all of a sudden. Why? Someone tries to offer the girl a bit of help with her ghost problem, all of a sudden it's like… I feel like a bad guy. For stepping in and taking charge.”[/color]
Truthfully, Leon wasn't concerned with Luca's apology. It clearly hadn't affected him as much as it affected the rotting young man.

[color=C67C12]”Hey… Get comfy. I wouldn't come pick you up without prepping the car: Its all coated, and even if you did melt the seat or whatever, who cares. Cars are just objects.”[/color] he offered, having turned his head for a moment to see a very stiff looking Luca.

[color=6B8E23]”You can say it's just an object because you don't look like a drug dealer with a whole box of spare phones in your apartment,”[/color] Luca responded lightly, though he did relax. His gloved hands still stayed in his lap, but he let his legs spread rather than trying to make himself as small as possible… not that he took up much room anyway. 

[color=6B8E23]”Look, my problem wasn't with you trying to help her, it was the way you referred to her. 'The Body'. You can understand why I'd get a bit twitchy about that, right? I don't want anyone else to suffer like I have.”[/color] Luca shrugged one shoulder. Perhaps Leon would think that energy should be directed towards Britney - and it had been. But Luca was tired, and he was dying. There was no point going on at someone for something that was unfixable when he could use that energy to help people. 
[color=6B8E23]”You’re right, though, about Layla. We should've done more for her ten years ago - I was too focused on my own that I didn't help her. I've already apologised to her directly.”[/color]

He turned his head towards Leon, and even without look Leon would be able to feel his gaze. There was a quiet intensity to it, a suppressed sense of danger. 
[color=6B8E23]”I met up with her yesterday… I'm glad that her and Alizée are happily Adjoined. Genuinely. And I don't think you're a bad guy, Leon. I know you're just doing what you can in the way you know how to.”[/color] Luca paused. He understood why Leon had spoken like he did on Monday more now thanks to his talk with Layla. His hands clasped together, tips of his fingers already beginning to peek through what had been a fresh set of gloves. 
[color=6B8E23]”That’s why I'm here, calmly asking you why you dragged a struggling young woman into a cult that see people like us as less than human. I trust that you have a reason since you're Adjoined just like us… I want to understand why.”[/color]

The Richoux children had learned to not get defensive over being associated with a cult, or at least Leon knew he didn't. It was only when situations like this came up where there were problems. Strange problems that came with handing out things like honorary memberships and symbolic gestures as a method to try and rope people in. It didn't work, and now there were ties. 

Reasons Leon couldn't mark Luca out for culling, despite him now knowing far more about their situation than he ever should've.
[color=C67C12]”Y'know Luca I get what you mean, but… Well… Y'know how dogs can, like, [i]smell cancer?[/i] They get real funky when certain tumours develop. My point is, I can smell it. And quite frankly, I've never met anyone in our situation suffering quite like you over it.”[/color]

He took a short breath and blew a strand of hair away from his face. But the moment lingered long enough for Luca to consider what he'd said. He hadn't made any big deal of it, didn't even acknowledge until now… But Leon knew what Death smelled like.

[color=C67C12]”Layla doesn't get that the Temple is standing on the edge of change. She won't, hopefully. The lies and abuse, the systemic power. The resources propping the system up… We want to sweep them up. Start fresh. But nobody seems to be ready to accept that.”[/color] 

Luca did consider it, head inclined slightly. He wasn't particularly surprised that Leon had figured it out. It was always a risk - those with supernatural senses would be able to see below the rotting surface. Kari had known thanks to her White lux, he was fairly certain Clancy could sense it too… so of course someone with a nose like Leon's could too. 
[color=6B8E23]”Nobody… within the Temple, or outside of it? Because all we see is a supernatural cult controlling people. All I see- saw- is someone at risk of being taken advantage of.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”I see the same thing. That's why I'm surprised everyone seems to think I'm a monster. That I want to abuse her trust. I don't, Luca… I loved Alizée. Really. And dealing with the Void Heart, you know… I just assumed keeping them both together would be safe. If I had any ulterior motive, it's that.”[/color] he admitted with a fairly stern and factual tone.

[color=6B8E23]”If I thought you were a monster, I wouldn't be here- no, you'd be a lot more hurt.”[/color] 

[color=C67C12]”But if I had been a lesser thing, or an Adept… You'd have rotted my arm off without thinking about it?”[/color] he subtly tried to help Luca to see that he didn't have the high ground here. He needed them to understand one another in a far more equal fashion… Truthfully, he hated feeling like he was being spoken down to. Only put up with it from Temple members because they were family…

The same courtesy he tried to extend to Sycamites.

[color=6B8E23]”Possibly- and I’d be struggling to live with myself for it.”[/color] Luca replied in a similarly factual tone - honest, open, not quite the same cheerful optimism as normal. His more realistic side coming out. 
[color=6B8E23]”Look, Leon, you know that I'm dying. I've accepted that. There's only two things I want to do before I die- not hurt others with this power I have, and protect others from being hurt. I'm not… I didn't reach out to you to sit here and judge you. I'm here to see if you're the same Leon I knew ten years ago- and that you brought Layla into something with the plan to protect her. Because you [I]are right[/I] that they're better together.”[/color] He paused, taking a slightly wheezy breath. These last two days had been… a lot, and it made today just a bit more difficult in terms of pain. 

[color=6B8E23]”You have to understand how it's difficult finding out someone you once knew has something… like the Temple behind them. But I want to trust you. I really-”[/color] he coughed, grimacing. Too much talking. 
[color=6B8E23]”I want to make sure everyone's safe. Maybe Layla is safe in the Temple- but I want to be sure.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Ten years ago, I still had the Temple. But having a bunch of grown folk courting and grooming teens for a religious cult in this day and age is pretty illegal and honestly pretty fucking stupid. So, they did their best to wait like every good pervert.”[/color]

It was hard to not hear the venom dripping from the statement as it left his mouth.
[color=C67C12]”Why don't you [i]come and take advantage of the Temple?[/i] You can see for yourself what we can do, and maybe you can work with us in shaping a better future. Together, you know, after everything. No more Rot, no more dying… Just you and Jasper, and a nice peaceful place.”[/color]

[color=6B8E23]”Seriously? Don't you know-”[/color] Luca covered his mouth, laughing out of nowhere. It was a little self deprecating, but it was a laugh.
[color=6B8E23]”Jasper’s straight, Leon, there's no me and him and a peaceful place- that's beside the point.”[/color] Luca awkwardly waved his hands. 

[color=C67C12]”Oh yeah, Luca. Jasper's as straight as gay guys get. You have a terrible sense for these things, but thats what I get for having a horny ghost in my head: Incredible Gaydar.[/color] he joked in return, though a little plume of steam curled off Leon's hand and formed the vague shape of a tiny woman which sprawled across the dashboard.

[color=6B8E23]”My ghost is the opposite- nothing as unsexy as rotting flesh, but I don't think you're right on this one. No way, he's very confident in his sexuality- which is straight,”[/color] Luca denied, turning a bit red, and waving his hand again. His gaze did turn to the roughly shaped steam woman- Lelou, presumably. He felt the Rot stir inside of him for a moment, before settling back down. Thankfully. 
[color=6B8E23]”My nonexistent love life aside- say I come to the Temple. I get rid of the Rot after we find Father Wolf. Are your healers powerful enough to undo ten years worth of damage? I've seen pictures, Leon- suppressed it long enough to get it checked. It was so easy I think it wanted me to see. Everything is rotting. And you know what's funny? I'm only still alive because of my emotional field. It's killing me, but it's also keeping me alive longer. Can the Temple really save me from that?”[/color]

He didn't speak for a long moment. A very very long moment. Even the little steam doll faded away into the air.
[color=C67C12]”I know that if there was a place in our world that could, it'd be the Rasmussen Lab. The people there are the top researchers of the Eden Project; these people have devoted their lives to trying to bring back the Garden they say God grew here in Shimmer. Esoteric knowledge, tomes from other Planes, captured Demons who are plied for their secrets at every turn…”[/color]

As much as he wanted to extol the virtues and skills of the Board of Directors, he knew what the argument would boil down to… He'd seen plenty of Blinds dying of their own cancer.

[color=C67C12]”Think about it this way, maybe… You've suffered over a decade because of a choice someone else made for you. You can either suffer and suffer until it becomes St. Portwell's problem when you die, and none of it is ever really your choice… Or you can choose to suffer through treatment that may not work, and if it does? You get your life back. If it doesn't? Well, you very clearly weren't planning on making it very long; at least if you die in our care, we have the highest chance of sealing Rot immediately. And, it'd really be your choice: We make treatment suggestions, and you give the okay or the no-go.”[/color]

Luca didn't reply for a short while as he thought about it. In some ways Leon was right. He knew how high the risk was when he died. How could he not? It was what the Rot wanted. He knew that and couldn't do anything about it, beyond plans to go someplace it couldn't do as much harm. There'd been plans with 8th - namely Greta - when he'd been with them. Maybe those plans would come back, and he was sure Sloane was thinking about the eventuality. Leon was right the Temple probably had the best chance of sealing the Rot when it happened. It was a consideration he was willing to make for the greater good and to protect the people he cared about. 

[color=6B8E23]”Do I have to properly join the Temple for this help? That's where I have a problem… and I think my new coven might have a problem with that too.”[/color] Luca offered it up openly and in a friendly tone - an olive branch perhaps. To show Leon was the only one, technically, with split loyalties. 
[color=6B8E23]”I don't want to give the Rot my body when I die. I'm more concerned about that than I am staying alive… and I do trust you, Leon. I just don't trust the Temple. Can I at least meet… I don't know, whoever might be able to help before I properly consider it?”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”As far as the “Oath” bullshit, they're only in place to make sure secrets stay where they should stay; it's fully reliant on whether or not people are willing to carry out the punishment associated with breaking that oath.”[/color]
He let Luca chew on that thought for a moment, what with how many secrets Layla had already handed out to him…

[color=C67C12]”But… Even if there were? It all ends soon. My Ma… She's sick too. Though, not sick like you. She's the kind of sick that would emotionally manipulate a few hundred people into killing themselves for her. The kind of sick you only heal by extrication. So, when we do… [i]Heal her…[/i] The Temple of Charming and Graceful Individuals will probably fold up. No single cult of personality to follow means everyone with followers takes them when they leave.”[/color]

[color=6B8E23]”So there'll be tens of little cults running around St Portwell? That sounds like a whole different problem… but I see your point. It’s not the whole Temple, but just those at the top? Your mom and… her direct followers?”[/color] He nodded slightly as he thought about it. He was trying his best keep an open mind and actually understand rather than immediately react. He didn't want to dismiss Leon's genuine offer of help and… he really did need the help. 

[color=6B8E23]”Seems a bit of an oversight for a magical cult Oath to be purely based on fear, rather than any magic… again, beside the point. Will you really be able to do it? Extricate your own mother. You… and your siblings?”[/color] He was asking genuinely, without judging. He'd had to cut off his entire family for their safety and it had hurt… but it wasn't the same level as this. 
[color=6B8E23]”If you think so, I'll seriously consider it.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”There's a lot of good people in the Temple, Luca. Good people counting on people like me to make things better. And I hate disappointing.”[/color]
He smiled, preparing for a painful sear as he moved slightly to pat Luca's arm. He held his hand there for a moment, to show the man and the entity that he wasn't afraid.

[color=C67C12]”What needs to be done will be done. The people crave freedom, with or without Charm and Grace.”[/color]
He pulled his hand away finally, the pain causing it to involuntarily shake a bit. But once he grabbed the wheel, he felt the low-dose effect fade away under the pressure of the warding.

[color=6B8E23]”I’m sure it will, if there are others like you pushing for it too,”[/color] Luca said, his eternal optimism coming back even as he'd flinched away from Leon's hand - though not fast enough. It was an automatic reaction, a protection mechanism for other people. But he'd gotten more lax recently…
[color=6B8E23]”Maybe I can come round sometime then? To talk about… options more. Well, I might need picked up then too, I assume you don't have a bus service to the Temple?”[/color] He laughed, seeming to relax a bit more - that almost imperceptible tension draining from him. Luca didn't like having talks like this. But unlike what some people probably though, he wasn't a pushover, and would do what he had to to protect others. Which meant… 

[color=6B8E23]”Speaking of good people- and I promise only two more questions, then Luca question time is over- Lila’s been around the Temple a bit too. Is there some kind of…”[/color] Luca grimaced as he asked.
[color=6B8E23]”Strange paranormal egg farm, or is it just one guy with a bird lady laying eggs fetish?”[/color]

Leon laughed at Luca asking about a bus service.
[color=C67C12]”You're a Sycamite. I'm sure we can work out some safe and reliable transport… As for eggs?-”[/color]
He tried to think. The Novoraptor Egg project was cancelled, and even then, they weren't birds.

And then it clicked. The incident earlier that week; Casey had whatever backup he could get.
[color=C67C12]”Norman Whittle!? Don't tell me Lila got caught up talking to Norm fucking Whittle… That guy's just a pervert; if the model only vaguely follows the humanoid plan, you can bet his penis is in his hand. Though, I will say he's… Well, I won't say harmless, but he is a gentleman. He'd never do anything to [i]hurt[/i] an Adjoined. Especially not if he found them attractive… Do you want me to keep an eye on that too?”[/color] he offered.

[color=6B8E23]”Lila can handle herself. Well, she's not quite thinking straight right now. She didn't really see why the whole guy wanting her to lay eggs thing was [I]weird[/i]- but I was worried it was a bigger scheme after what Layla had said. If it's just one… bird guy… she can just snap his neck if she's not happy about it. But thanks.”[/color] Luca laughed, somewhat awkwardly, because it was basically what she'd threatened to do the night before. Thankfully he'd stopped her…

[color=6B8E23]”That does lead into my second question. Well, not really, it's got nothing to do with birds- relationships with Temple members! Lila said she fought with Trisha? Trisha Vanburen? And that she's dating your younger brother… who shot Lila.”[/color] Luca rubbed the back of his neck, the whole situation there feeling like a bit of a mess. 
[color=6B8E23]”I didn't tell Lila what Layla told me- because I promised her not to- but she was, uh, concerned that Trisha was… also trapped. I assume that's not the case? Cause it's Trisha and she's… dating your brother…”[/color]

This time Leon laughed aloud with a full head tilt backward.
[color=C67C12]”Verrrry sweet of you to worry about Trisha Vanburen of all people: No, Luca, she’s not fuckin’ trapped. She’s dating my brother Casey, and he’s got more problems with the Temple than any of us as siblings… He recently took a high position at our Mother’s behest, so I’m hopeful he’ll be just as eager to make changes as any of us.”[/color]

[color=6B8E23]”Well that's a relief- I don't have to worry about Lila going on a one woman campaign against the Temple,”[/color] Luca laughed too. Though, he had also been a bit concerned - there were very few people in the coven he had no care for. Trisha was difficult - very difficult - but he was one of the few people who'd managed to come out of it relatively unharmed. Most of the nastier stuff she'd said just bounced off him. 
[color=6B8E23]”I don't really understand, they had a fight and now Lila's stuck in a more difficult to deal with form, but the moment she heard the Temple might be any kind of danger she was concerned… Even I'd struggle to care that much.”[/color]

He shrugged. Not that he tended to get into fights in the first place. 
[color=6B8E23]”Congratulations to them, if they're happy. If he's someone pushing for changes he must be a good person too… hopefully it, uh, all works out.”[/color]

That sentiment was one Leon didn’t bother answering. He’d already been yelled at by Trisha enough… The path through the city ended in the proposed meeting place, a private area outside of town. Conspicuously, there was a man and a door. The man at least looked and smelled familiar, leaving Leon more-so at ease. Kenshiro, having remained outside the Eleventh Path, stood there puffing away on something. At first it may’ve been mistaken for the cool air, but his hand kept passing up to his lips. As they both got closer, the pungent smell of skunk could fill both their noses. He smiled.
[color=7B81B3]”Hey guys… Just don’t touch the walls on your way in.”[/color]

The door pushed open, and the two of them would be able to walk up a path and into a balmy atmospheric mountaintop that looked out over an impossible jungle. At the path’s head, a massive Japanese style temple sat half-buried in the structure of the mountain. Leon’s hand swept forward, ushering Luca on as he walked behind.

[color=6B8E23]”You go ahead, Leon, I'm going to chat with Ken a bit,”[/color] Luca said as he paused, stepping to the side so he was out of the way, tilting his head up to smile at the much larger man. [color=6B8E23]”Oh, but you should come along to one of the after parties at my place sometime! Then you'll see that Jasper isn't… yknow…”[/color] 
Leon only laughed aloud as he proceeded up the path, waving behind him as he did so.


He laughed, turning to Ken with a smile. With his friend smoking he normally wouldn't stick around… but he was feeling a bit guilty about the new coven, and not telling Ken yet. He needed to, but now wasn't the time. Probably. 
[color=6B8E23]”Hey Ken, you doing alright? How was the trip to the other worlds some of you went on?”[/color]

Ken’s eyes were a little dead.
[color=7B81B3]”I’m having a hard time. It was… Not good. Taxing. I think I’ve been… Playing around the edge of my problems.”[/color]
He blew the skunky smoke away from Luca.
[color=7B81B3]”Got this from Aislin after we were done… And y’know what? Doesn’t fuckin’ help.”[/color]
In an instant, the marijuana cigarette disappeared in a veil of static as Ken crushed it into a fine powder and let it blow away.

[color=7B81B3]”How about you, my friend? You’re doing okay?”[/color]

[color=6B8E23]”You know you can always talk to me, right? About anything,”[/color] Luca said softly, even though he could tell that Ken was redirecting it back to him. It didn't help with the guilt he felt swirling in his gut over what he knew Ken would see as a betrayal. Even just meeting up with (former) 8th Street members would be seen that way… 
[color=6B8E23]”Yeah, you know me, always doing alright! Bit more pain than normal, but that's just cause I've been busy the last few days. Lots to do, you know? Trying to solve a few of our problems… There's some stuff we won't have to worry about so much.”[/color] He continued, rather cryptically.

[color=7B81B3]”Oh… Cool.”[/color]
It he was interested in finding out what Luca meant, it didn’t seem like it. He was, of course, he was happy to hear that Luca still wanted to do things… But how could he care when these sorts of things were on his mind? His wife, his girlfriend…
[color=7B81B3]”I really [i]really[/i] miss Kari. The… The other day, at her house. The vision that gripped me was so confusing. Painful.”[/color]
He looked up at Luca with those same sad eyes.
[color=7B81B3]”I wish I could give you my life. Open a portal and take the Rot far away. Make it someone else’s problem.”[/color]

He looked away, trying not to look Luca in the eye. He was going to talk about Hanna, and about hearing her voice as they left Gloom. About how he had-
[color=7B81B3]”Sorry. I shouldn’t say that to you; it probably feels like a taunt. Or a slap in the face maybe. You don’t really deserve that.”[/color]

Luca shook his head. 
[color=6B8E23]”It’s fine. I know it's coming from a place of care, right? It makes sense to want to take any pain away from your friend even if it's not possible… like I wish I could help you feel better about Kari. But I can't.”[/color] The smile he gave Ken was also sad. It was difficult. They were two people with very different problems, both suffering. Though his suffering was something he managed well day to day… 
[color=6B8E23]”Even if it was possible I wouldn't want you to do that. There's always something to live for even if it doesn't feel like it right now.”[/color]

He doubted it would help but… what else could he say?
[color=6B8E23]”I've accepted how things are for me- but with all this help all of a sudden, maybe I'll find a way to get rid of it, no need for any sacrifices! Not that it's quite that bad…”[/color] he shook his head, diverting. 
[color=6B8E23]”I… found out something that would've made Kari happy. If you want to know… I'm not sure if that'll help, or make things worse?”[/color]

[color=7B81B3]”Is it good enough for her to come home?”[/color] he asked with a very gentle but distant tone.

[color=6B8E23]”Not yet but… yes, when they're back too,”[/color] Luca replied, looking a bit pained at saying that. It was like confirming to Ken that he wasn't enough when he should be… 
[color=6B8E23]”It’s Lisa, Saskia and Ella. They've been brought back to life.”[/color]

Ken’s face changed instantly. Not for the better.
[color=7B81B3]”So… We know where Kari is.”[/color]
Luca would be able to watch a vein in Ken’s forehead begin to bulge, pulsing as blood rushed upward through his head.
[color=7B81B3]”Thanks, Luca. I’m really happy that my girlfriend’s teenage lesbian girlfriends are alive and kicking. It’s great to think that she’s left me for a trio of bumbling fucks.”[/color]

[color=6B8E23]”She’s definitely not with them, unless she met up with them later and went into the Pit,”[/color] Luca closed his eyes for a moment, and took a deep breath. Normally, it would be easy for him to handle and brush off negativity like this. But he'd had a long few days, and with it came that constant ache that made staying positive just a little bit harder. He'd known that Ken might not react well to this… but he hadn't expected a reaction this bad. 
[color=6B8E23]”Look, I get that you feel threatened, Ken. You love and miss Kari. But their deaths [I]scarred[/I] her. Did Kari ever tell you why she cut me off? Or that she had in the first place? It was for them. They have, and will always, be part of her life and her heart. But you weren't a replacement for them, and they're not a replacement for you.”[/color]

He frowned, head tilting as he continued in an entirely serious tone.
[color=6B8E23]”Also, Lisa loves Adora, Saskia loves Ella, and Ella loves anime characters. I don't think you need to worry.”[/color]

[color=7B81B3]”Did I fucking ask, Goddammit!? Fuck! [i]You told me.[/i] You gave me the information, and I thought that maybe the first cold answer would give away that I didn’t want to know. Because as much as I know it’d break her brain and make her giddy like I love to see her: She’s not [i]fucking here.[/i]”[/color]
His hand rushed up to his face, his stupid crying face… Luca didn’t deserve this… But how was he supposed to just apologize for saying how he felt?

[color=7B81B3]”I have this little [i]problem[/i] about losing the women in my life to violence. I’m not exactly thinking about her happiness: I’m thinking about her safety. About-... Me… My happiness...”[/color]
His voice cracked up a little bit.
[color=7B81B3]”S-selfish fucking…”[/color]
His back slumped up against the door jam of the Eleventh Path. Knees came up for him to shove his face into.

The harsher words that had been on the tip of Luca's tongue, along with a harsh, acrid taste as the rotting strengthened, were pushed back down. He took a step towards Ken, but still staying a safe distance away - he couldn't suppress the Rot as much right now, and he didn't think Ken could use his magic easily either… but he still crouched down in front of him. 
[color=6B8E23]”I told you because I thought you'd be happy that she'll be happy. I'm sorry that I was wrong. I didn't mean for it to hurt you like that… You're worried. She was dead, and now she's not… but Kari's smart. Wherever she is, she’s probably there for her own safety. I know that doesn't help, because you're not there.”[/color]


Luca frowned. His tone wasn't as bright as normal. More monotonous, a slight crackling almost. 
[color=6B8E23]”It's selfish, yeah. But you're still thinking about her safety first… I guess…”[/color]

For a second, Ken didn’t move… But he knew he didn’t want to shove all this in Luca’s face. Finally, his head turned up to look at him.
[color=7B81B3]”I’m sorry. You’re trying to help, and I’m…”[/color]
He took a sharp breath.
[color=7B81B3]”I feel guilty. It was the same, almost. Coming back to find out that she was gone? It felt like… My village. I haven’t really told you about it like that, like… You know I lost my Wife. My literal married wife… She was carrying my unborn son. They died, the two of them, like animals. I came home to it, Luca. To the carnage.”[/color]

His chin shook slightly.
[color=7B81B3]”Kari was… Is… What I thought Hanna would’ve wanted. But she keeps coming back in my fucking dreams! Sometimes she begs me to help, sometimes she rejects me, I… Every fucking time I go to sleep, I feel like I’m being… Unfaithful to Kari. But, when I would wake up, I felt the same about Hanna… So, I leave. I leave for months at a time, to pursue the Fiends. The ones who cursed my Gold Lux.”[/color]

He cleared his throat, coming to the problems that were plaguing him.
[color=7B81B3]”At Kari’s house, I was dead with Hanna. I saved our Son, and died bringing him to Tennogama. And one day he’d avenge us. And… It felt [i]so right[/i], Luca… I feel so fucking guilty constantly. Guilty and fucking weak and pathetic, and I-”[/color]
Ken choked up again, looking up at Luca as if he couldn’t find the words to use.

[color=7B81B3]”I-in Gloom… I purposefully summoned a Fiend. A Grand Fiend. Something that would kill me if I tried it anywhere else. But when it manifested, I saw a light. Heard Hanna’s voice. And then the laser beam ripped the building in half, so… It felt like judgement, and I can’t get it out of my head… I want to forget.”[/color] he panted.

Luca was silent for a few moments. What could he say? Nothing he said would make things better for Ken. He couldn't bring his wife back, and he couldn't bring Kari back into this world. There was nothing to fix. Sympathetic words didn't help either. It was painful to see but he was also… glad that Ken was talking to him. How long had he kept all of this buried inside?
[color=6B8E23]”The pain and guilt shows that you really loved them… would you really want to forget them?”[/color] Luca said softly, voice slightly choked up too. His hands moved forward, before stopping and dropping to his side. Rotting away his friend's flesh wasn't a way to help him feel better at all. 

[color=6B8E23]”You’re not being unfaithful to either, Ken, because you can love both… and you'll always love Hanna, but that doesn't change your love of Kari either. And- and neither of them would want you to keep hurting yourself, or summoning things that could kill you… was it really judgement? I don't think they'd blame you.”[/color] Luca shook his head.
[color=6B8E23]”But I don't really know. I'm just… I'm sorry, Ken. You've had so much taken from you… and I'm glad you're talking to me about it… The guilt shouldn't be yours. It's whoever killed them.”[/color]

Ken sat for a moment, and Luca would be able to feel the crawling sensation of a telekinetic hug. A band that Ken could wrap his own arms around, which he did as he stood up. He hugged Luca as tight as he could, a gentle cry still causing Ken’s shoulders to bounce up and down slightly. He hadn’t even looked Luca in the face.
Sure, sure… They wouldn’t blame him. It was [i]his[/i] guilt. His feelings of mourning and survivor’s guilt mixing into the cistern of his emotions alongside a feeling of uselessness and ineffectiveness.

[color=7B81B3]”I wish I could rip the fucker out of your body, Luca… I feel so, [i]so[/i] strongly that it’s what I deserve… But I know it’s not right. I know. It’s just so empty. And, even the Palette Clans. They wouldn’t recognize me; my Mother’s family… Even with her dead, my Uncle… They’ve all just abandoned me. It can’t [i]not[/i] feel like I should’ve died with them…”[/color]


[color=6B8E23]”Of- of course you feel that way when you're the only one left… it's like, sometimes I think, why did we survive the Snake when others didn't? How's it fair that we get to live? But we did- and you do. It's… not what you deserve at all. All you can do is live to make them proud? And I'll stand by your side for as long as I can.”[/color] He didn't hug Ken back because of how the telekinetic band was, but he leaned towards him slightly. He wished he could promise more, or that he'd be around long enough for them to grow old while still remaining friends. But he couldn't.
[color=6B8E23]”There’s still people alive that love you, Ken, even if… it'll never replace the ones you lost or were abandoned by. And- and anyway, you couldn't handle the Rot, it's like an anti-relationship bubble.”[/color] He awkwardly tried to joke.

Ken [i]kind of[/i] chuckled. He wasn’t exactly happy, but he couldn’t stay upset around Luca and the sweetness.
[color=7B81B3]”I’m selfish… I want what I want, you know? If I want the… The evil cancer monster, well… You know.”[/color]
He sniffled, pulling away and releasing Luca.
[color=7B81B3]”I’m sorry for what I said. You’re just trying to help.”[/color] he offered the olive branch the moment his head wasn’t full of Hannako’s face.


[color=6B8E23]”It's alright, I'd never hold something like that against you. You're struggling and I just triggered it,”[/color] Luca replied reasonably, with a slight smile. Sure, some of it had almost triggered him - less him and more the Rot constantly in wait for a gap it could sneak into. But it hadn't. 
[color=6B8E23]”And you know if you ever feel awful, or lonely, you're always welcome to come see me, right? I know I'm not a perfect replacement but company can always help.”[/color]

He shrugged.
[color=7B81B3]”It’s all temporary. I’ll never feel right until I can do what I’ve set my mind to… And I hate to think about something killing our friends as a ‘distraction’, but… It’s really taken me out of my usual mindset. Especially with Kari being gone.”[/color]
Clearing his throat, he shook his head.
[color=7B81B3]”Again, selfish. I’ve only thought about it recently. Losing her, not knowing. Still not really being sure she’s alive or not, I… Should just live. Fuck the curse. Tennogama has a safe place to rest, and we made it for him. Jack can get the fuck out of the Void now, live in something nicer than a house stuck in the disco era. I don’t know… I don’t know much of anything besides I want this shit to be over so I can examine it closer.”[/color]

[color=6B8E23]”That’s the spirit- sorta,”[/color] Luca said with a slight smile. 
[color=6B8E23]”We solve this shit, then we can go back to living… hopefully better. We've all reconnected we hadn't for years, right? Like Jack? That'sThat's… something. But no more trying to steal my ghost, or even thoughts of it.”[/color]

Ken chuckled again, shaking his head before sliding back down onto the concrete. He took a deep breath.
[color=7B81B3]”I won’t make any promises… Now get in there, before you miss everyone's grand plans.”[/color] he said, and the door gently clicked open as if on command.


[color=6B8E23]”Alright, alright, I’ll see you in there later,”[/color] Luca smiled at Ken, shoving his hands in his pockets and stepping inside.
[hr]
[right][sub]The Eleventh Path
[b]Interactions: Everyone Really[/b][/sub][/right]
[hr]
Luca slipped into the Eleventh Path just in time to hear the news of three more people’s deaths… With that sombre feeling hanging over him he made his way over to Jasper, taking the seat next to him and shuffling it a little away to keep the rotting aura away from him. From there, he just listened. He waited for a gap to say anything as he thought.

He didn't particularly like the plan. He knew what would happen. It would end up in a city wide war between them, their allies, and the Elite, and their allies. He… couldn’t afford that right now. And he couldn’t live with all of this coven either… he was already planning to get the house with his new coven. 

Luca hadn’t expected to be torn between the two so quickly.

[color=6B8E23]”I think smaller groups still is a better bet than all living together,”[/color] Luca spoke up, voice a bit rough. He winced. [color=6B8E23]”There’s too many clashing personalities here… and someone like me, who will just destroy anywhere I live. It won’t work out. We can’t force everyone, anyway.”[/color]

If it was in retaliation like Jasper and Aislin said then it wasn’t starting a war… that had already been started, maybe. But it still seemed like an unnecessary danger. He just wasn’t sure…

He paused as 317 appeared. He recognised Jasper's sister from when they visited to get him healed after this first fight with Skelly… but they hadn't really talked then. He automatically straightened up, while also shuffling his chair further away from Jasper so everyone going in to hug him could without getting hurt by his aura.

[color=6B8E23]”Nice to meet you all! I'm Luca,”[/color] Luca said, with a slight smile, raising his gloved hand to wave at them. He felt a lot of eyes on him all of a sudden, which was strange, but he brushed it off. Probably just cause he was clearly Jasper's friend and sitting close to him!

[color=6B8E23]”No matter what, I’ll come, but I want to know what these Artifacts are too. And…”[/color] He trailed off, looking around everyone. [color=6B8E23]”You all understand what doing this means, right? Back and forth fighting until a group surrenders. A paranormal war. I understand you- 317- were attacked, and we have members in both. I just want everyone in Sycamore to understand what this means.”[/color]