NoriWasHere

The Return of Magic - An intro

One final bump

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

CATTY COLLAB

”This isn’t a fucking dictatorship! You can’t just decide if we’ll work with them or not. You can work with them if you want, but as a group we gotta vote. Don’t you dare decide that we need their help because you want to keep your own ass protected. We decide that as a group.”

Lynn quickly raised her hands as if she could calm down the fires that were coming out of Linqian with that alone. She had to know she was not trying to speak for the whole group. Lynn simply wanted to try and get the feds off their back for a while after this shit show, and she knew the easiest way to do that was to put on a show of her own and offer their leader some fake respect. “Linqian,” Lynn started as she flashed a quick smile, “can we talk about this in a sec-” Lynn cut her words off as she watched as Linqian’s eyes narrowed.

“You haven’t even lost anyone, so fucking back off.”

Lynn felt the heat of frustration simmering beneath her calm exterior as Linqian's assertions clashed against her ears. Haven’t lost anyone? She took a deep breath, attempting to rein in the emotions that threatened to spill over and out of her. Linqian must’ve forgotten. Linqian must’ve forgotten that Lynn has lost everyone up to this point. Her parents, her brothers, her sister, and everyone else on her father’s side of the family. Linqian must have also forgotten all the friends she then lost in the battle with the Stygian Snake. She has lost more than most people here. And yet Linqian, of all people, forgot. A conflict began to brew deep within her mind. She wanted to, no, she needed to remind Linqian that she did lose people too, so all she was trying to do was protect the family she found within the coven. This conflict intensified as she grappled with the balance between expressing her past without calling Linqian a cunt in the process.

For a moment, Lynn's eyes reflected a subtle sadness, a shadow of the losses she carried within. She remembered the emptiness, the void left by her family, the sadness that each casket left behind, and the deep yearning for a family that had made her fall in love with the people important to her in this coven. Did Linqian not care? Did Linqian not realize that Lila, and Jasper, were the only family she had left in this godforsaken town? Why would she, of all people, make a comment like that? Sure, working with the Feds after they just attacked them was not a move Lynn wanted to do. In truth, all she wanted in this moment was to go get drunk and forget this attack ever happened. But with yet another name soon-to-be added to the mural, and no solution in sight from anyone else, Lynn wanted to at least get some assurance that they would have some protection if Father Wolf was discovered and they needed help. The realization that her commitment to helping the coven might not be reciprocated stoked dormant anger within her.

Lynn raised her hands in a calming gesture, but her mind still raced. She considered the fragile bonds that held the group together, understanding that decisions needed to be collaborative, and understanding that she stepped out of line with her suggestions. She could not, and should not, speak on behalf of everyone. She remembered that’s what she disliked about the coven before and she walked herself right into the same mistake even if she intended to play nice with the feds to get something in return. But Linqian's comment about loss struck a nerve, reopening wounds Lynn had fought to keep closed. And there was no amount of alcohol in the area that could keep it closed in this moment. Instead, she focused on her breathing in an attempt to ground herself and prevent a meltdown. After a few seconds, she felt those feelings begin to simmer down. She felt like she could continue without worrying about a potential meltdown. She felt like she could explain what she was trying to do. She had to keep up the illusion that she was okay.

"Linqian," Lynn began, her voice still composed, "you’re right. Fuck, I’m sorry, I just wanted to look out for everyon-"her voice cut out suddenly. In Lynn’s mind, the desire to find common ground, to bridge the gap, or to make Linqian see what she was trying to do faded away. The subtle sadness in her eyes gradually transformed into anger as Linqian's words persisted. The images of her lost family flashed in Lynn's mind, intensifying the surge of emotion within her. The desire to protect her newfound family clashed with the frustration of her past being forgotten. Lynn's composure slipped, and her forced smile gave way to a pained look. Her family was buried in this town. A fifteen-minute drive down the road and they would be at the very cemetery that was a fixture of her younger years. Would Linqian even care? How could someone like Linqian even say something like that?

“On second thought Linqian,”Lynn started as she waved her hands in the air as a single tear fell down her face, “fuck you. I haven’t lost anyone? Anyone,” A second tear began to stream down her face, and then a third. It was too late to stop it now. Lynn knew this and she knew that she had to get away from the group before she said something she would regret. Linqian’s words cut deep, and Lynn wanted to hurt her back. And before she could take a step, she blurted out “I am glad Father Wolf took Jinhai from you, you deserve as much.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized what she had said and took a step back as even more tears began to flow.

”What did you just say?” Linqian bit out, quieter than before, but with each word punctuated by the intense anger she’d been trying to suppress. How dare she? There were some things Linqian could accept. If Lynn said it should have been her and not Jinhai? Fine. But that she deserved this? That he deserved to be killed. ”Go on, say it again.”

Linqian knew that she wouldn’t. Her hands clenched and unclenched at her side, jaw tensing and rage marring her face.

”You think that Jinhai deserved to fucking die? That it’s good that he’s dead? Fuck. You. He was all that I had.” With each word she got angrier, chest heaving up and down. Her temperature ticked up and up, until she was bathed in a deadly yellow glow, burning as hot as her anger. She wanted so badly to hurt Lynn just like she’d hurt her, but Jinhai would- Jinhai was dead. ”You piece of fucking shit, I’m going to make you wish Father Wolf killed you instead, you fucking asshole.”

With no one to hold her back, Linqian stormed over to Lynn. With one hand she grabbed her by the collar, getting close enough that Lynn could feel the boiling heat radiating off of her.

”And keep my brother’s name out of your fucking mouth.”

Blinded by rage, Linqian slapped Lynn with a burning hand right across the cheek. Before she had a chance to get another swing in, Maximilian had appeared in a sudden burst of speed and grabbed her by the bicep, and yanked her backward.

“... That’s enough!” Maximilian shouted, unbothered by Linqian’s heat.

Lynn stumbled backward after the burning strike smashed across her face. She stood still for just a brief moment as the burning sensation began to radiate across her cheek. Her eyes were locked onto the ground below, the anger that had populated them had ceased to exist for just a brief moment as Lynn registered what just happened. “You just hit me,” she whispered, “you fucking bitch you just hit me.” Her head quickly darted back to Linqian’s, eyes alight with rage once more, as her hand gently touched the burnt cheek and she winced in pain. Any thought of the disparity in power between the two quickly disappeared from her mind as her vision tunneled onto Linqian's face. She did not care if Linqian would win in a fight when powers got involved, Lynn wanted to hit her back. She tried to take a step forward but she felt someone’s arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back and away from continuing the fight. She shot her head around and saw that Lila was the one pulling her away.

“Lila let me-”Lynn’s words were cut off as Lila threw her weight into the pull, flipping Lynn around and forcing her to look the complete opposite way. “That bitch deserved to-“

“Lynn, the fuck,” Lila said she pushed her back another few steps. Lila was angry and her anger was currently directed at Lynn.

“That cunt deserves it,” Lynn shouted towards Linqian, “she fucking started it, let me go so I can finish it.”

”You fucking bitch!” Linqian shouted back, struggling to try and get to Lynn to continue the fight - barely registering who was holding her back. ”You fucking started it, but I’ll fucking end you! Let me at her!”

She bared her teeth at Lynn, kicking out ferociously with little care for what damage she did in her desperation to burn Lynn until she begged her to stop. ”I’ll make you wish you were dead, you fuck! I bet you fucking saw his death and didn’t stop it! You’re the fucking worst, you fucking cunt!”

“Of course I saw his death,” Lynn shouted back with a laugh. Jasper had moved into the middle and was trying to use his frame to block their sight of each other, and to grab if anyone broke free. “I’ve seen everyone here die a hundred times,” she paused as she shot her head to the side to catch a glimpse of Linqian, “and I’ll smile as I watch you die a hundred times more!”

”Too bad you won’t fucking be able to!” Linqian twisted herself to see Lynn, glaring at her in the hope she could burn her like that. ”I’ll kill you before you do- Watch my death all you want, it’s the only joy you’re going to get in your fucking pitiful life, I don’t give a fuck, you fucking murder voyeur, but you should have. Stopped. His! It’s your fault. His death is your fault, you sick fuck!”

Lynn shook her head as Lila forced her back even further. “Would you have even believed me? Would he have believed me? And where were you when he died, why the fuck weren’t-“

“... And you all stopped the Stygian Snake? You all?” Meifeng asked, bending forward to let out a bout of laughter. “You all seem just about ready to tear each other’s throats out. So color me amazed.”

Linqian temporarily stopped struggling against Maximilian’s grip to snap her head at Meifeng. ”You shut the fuck up about things you don’t know about! People died fighting that thing. Stay the fuck out of it!”

“Oh, I know everything,” Meifeng answered.

Lynn stopped her fight against Lila’s hold on her as she slowly shifted her gaze towards Meifeng, “I don’t remember asking you a god damn thing, isn’t there another peaceful meeting across town that you have to fuck over?“

“Well, I’ll just go grab some popcorn,” Meifeng just shrugged. “Continue doing that serial killer’s job for them.”

”Hey,” Linqian’s head snapped back to Lynn, completely ignoring Meifeng now she’d told her to shut the fuck up. Her anger turned back to the person who’d caused it - the fed boss was right, Lynn was doing Father Wolf’s work for him. ”You shut the fuck up to. You think I wanted to be fucking away? You think I wanted to come home to see him dead? Fuck. You. Maybe you saw the future where I was away and told the fucking killer! Jinhai’s blood is on your hands more than mine!”

“My hands? My hands?? You’re fucking delusional if you think I had anything to do with his death, and how fucking dare you accuse me of that. But yeah, by how much you bring it up I think you were happy you were away when he died, because now you get to be the center of attention any god damn time you want. My whole family is dead because of our goddamn curse and you don’t hear me bring it up every other god damn sentence you selfish cunt.”

Linqian froze, chest constricting as Lynn’s words actually hit a nerve. And it fucking hurt like hell. She grimaced, body temperature lowering back to normal. She was still pissed, but now she just wanted to be away from her. There was a bit of guilt there too - she hadn’t thought about Lynn’s family, she hadn’t meant it like that. She shoved that feeling down immediately. No, fuck her. Lynn was the bitch in this situation. Her chest was still heaving up and down, bloodshot eyes wild and angry, but she was fucking exhausted. ”Jinhai was everything to me, but you wouldn’t understand that. Whatever. I don’t give a fuck about you anymore. Fuck off, you’re dead to me.”

“Likewise,” Lynn responded as the pain in her face caught her off guard. She tried to pull free again from Lila but her muscles were spent, and she would not be getting free anymore. She mouthed an ‘ow’ as she finally realized the extent of the injury on her face. She wouldn’t need surgery, but she would need to spend the next week making sure it healed well. And that might require a trip to the hospital.

Meifeng chuckled again, “... Never have children, you two.”

And that hit a nerve for Linqian too. She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palm, and glared at Meifeng again. ”... Oh, shut the fuck up!” She tried to shake off Maximilian, shooting a glare at him. ”I’m done. I won’t hit her again.”

“Jesus fuck,” Lynn said as she looked towards Meifeng, “no one gives a fuck.” As she finished she was too weak to hold back the tears. She nearly fell backwards but Lila still held her tight. “Fuck, fuck,” Lynn whispered as the pain on her cheek began to grow in magnitude and tears began to cover her face. Her mind instantly went to the flask of liquor in her bag, once she was away she would drink it all and then some more.

Linqian rolled her eyes when Lynn started sobbing, looking away - and then taking a few steps away so she could just completely ignore it. Fucking shitshow. She couldn't wait to get home and down a bottle of cheap wine, and pretend this never happened.

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

INTERACTIONS@Punished GN@FernStone

“Oh,” was all Jasper could say as the agent took off her mask, revealing her Adjoined nature to him. He went through a few emotions quickly, each one staying on his face for a second or less. Surprise, confusion, curiosity, before ultimately inspiration. Jaspers eyes darted from the woman’s antennas, to her thorn like protrusions, to the red vine-like tendrils that covered the frame of her face. He slowly led his gaze back to the woman’s and blinked as he felt an agent unlocking his cuffs, and pulling him back up to a standing position. He flashed a half smile as he turned away from the woman. He wondered what kind of apparition bonded to form that appearance, he was not scared by it but he was inspired. There was a beauty in the colors that he could use, and he began to think of what his next painting might be, and how he’d incorporate these color patterns to it.

Painting. His mind fixated on the word, and then he shifted his eyes towards the painting he brought. He’d need to spend quite a bit of time restoring it. He shifted his eyes over to Jack, who held Auri, and he exhaled. He hoped they’d be able to heal her, he really did not want to see the power vacuum that her death would cause. The already fractured coven split and splintered even further. “Why do I care though,” Jasper thought to himself, “I don’t think I’ll be sticking around much longer.” He sat there, for a moment more, before he looked at Lynn, Lila, and Luca. He knew they would more than likely stick around, and he also knew that he had to be there to protect them. “Fuck,” he thought to himself as pressed his hands to his temples. He looked over his friends as he threw his hands down to his sides. They started with Luca, and never left.“My man,” he thought to himself as he watched Luca being bottle fed some water. A smile at the ridiculous sight crossed his face and refused to leave. Good for him, if anyone deserved some action it was Luca.

---

---

“Just as we,” Lynn paused as she tasted vomit in her mouth as she extended her hand towards Anya and pointed, “thought. These wolf idols are Father Wolf’s calling cards,” Lynn paused as she looked towards Meifeng, “do you know of anyone else who wasn’t a Sycamore coven member who was killed by him” she paused as she looked over the rest of the group, “or is it just us dying right now?”

She let the question linger for a moment. “And if it is just us being murdered right now that should fucking worry you.”

Lynn paused as she let out a little groan. While the fresh air had helped tremendously, she was still covered in that poison and the tear gas still clung to her eyes. She knew she needed some water to flush her eyes, but she left her only bottle of water inside the ruined church. She had her flask, as always, but she did not fancy the idea of pouring vodka on her eyeballs. She looked around and saw agents passing out water to a few members. And then she saw Luca being swaddled like a little baby by an attractive older woman. She let her eyes linger on the sight for just a moment, worried that it had just awoken something inside of her, before she turned her attention to the front and faced their leader Meifeng once more. “Can you pass out water to the rest of us as well? Heal those who need healed, take away the one you are here to arrest, but please give us all some water so we can flush our eyes the rest of the way and calm our throats. We’ll leave after, and I promise you some of us will do what we can to not end up on your radar like this again.”

“As well, maybe we can help each other out. We’re the ones dying so it’s not like we have a ton of options,” Lynn shrugged as she paused, “but we can both agree that we are the target. Maybe if we encounter Father Wolf we can give you a call so you can collect your pound of flesh,” she paused as she took a step forward, “avenge your fallen.”

She did not like talking like this to the Feds. She did not like the idea of involving them in their hunt of the wolf. But she knew that needed their help at least right now, and she knew that once a group is on their radar they never leave. And with 8th street threatening their members like they did last night, she’d rather keep on their good side at least until they were able to figure out how to protect themselves in this new magical world that inhabited St. Portwell.

As well, the PRA was a vital piece to figuring out the puzzle that was Father Wolf. If she could get their resources on their side, Lynn would be able to have a much easier time finding answers in the possible future.

---

---

Lila took a deep breathe as an agent took off the cuffs that had begun to dig deep into her hands. She did not thank the agent, nor did she look at them, instead she simply rose to her feet and walked towards her friends. She trusted Lynn was not in all honestly wanting to work with the Feds, and she looked worried at what she saw between Jasper and a fed. The more Lynn talked the more an anger grew within her.

“I am still impressed by your troops and your skill Meifeng,” Lila sneered, “came to arrest one person, burned down a church, realized the scale of the fuck up and now you want to leave like nothing happened.” She let her eyes linger on Meifeng as she moved next to Jasper, pulling him away from the bug girl. She looked at him, back at the bug girl, and back to Jasper as her face danced between disgusted and confused. The disgust was for one singular reason. It wasn’t because she was this weird bug hybrid, no that was surprisingly okay given that, as children, they fought a literal world ending snake, and she sees a giant crow lady in her sleep. She would not judge someone for liking someone adjoined. And she was not going to judge Jasper for the lady catching his eye. Lila would not think any less of him, nor would she call him a furry or anything like that because he wouldn’t be one. She would judge him for the fact that she was a fucking PRA member.

“Bro, she’s a fed,” she whispered, “fuck all the way off with that nonsense.”

Lila looked over and saw Luca being bottle fed and watched, in horror, as he was called baby. What the fuck was going on? What the fuck was the PRA doing?

“Listen, if we’re free to go I’m going to leave,” Lila said as she looked over to Auri, ‘shit,’ she thought to herself. What the fuck happened at the back of the church. “Please heal her though,” she paused as she looked around the area. Ten years had passed since they fought the snake, but she could still see the ruined buildings, the bodies in the streets, and Auri being this hurt brought back a lot of those memories. “Please heal her,” she repeated,“and then fuck off.”

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

An Oracles Guess On How People Have Changed

Britney.Williams
"You will redeem yourself, or you will die trying to." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	You did something that I don’t think I have it in me to forgive. You made monsters out of our friends, and yet if our roles were reversed I don’t know what I would have done. Britney Williams, you make me feel conflicted. In this new coven, I will keep one eye on you and a second on your future. If are truly trying to make amends, you had better show up here and in the future. What you did for Lila was a start. What would you say if I thought the sealing failed?
Drake.Blackmore
“The man who I thought could move mountains." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	Oh you were so my type back in the day. Strong, charismatic, and heroic all bundled into a cute frame. Time has changed, but not you. You may try and keep your secrets today, but the future has a funny way of telling some truths. If you ever need someone to talk to, I am always available and I will bring the strong stuff to help you out. l think you need therapy.
Alizée.Altieri
"I saw you die a hundred times, but it never prepared me for it actually happen." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	I shall bring flowers to the mural for you.And I shall do whatever is needed to ensure the void is never a problem again.
Eksa.Thresh
”A promising future awaited you, I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	i wish I could have got to know you better. It’s getting hard to look at the mural today knowing who might be on it tomorrow
Linqian.Han
"We shared a drink in one future." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	You used to be a colossal bitch. I looked to the possible futures and I don’t think you are. I think you’re like a New York nice, abrasive, and rude with your words but secretly you care very much about the rest of us. At least those of us not named Sloane. Though if that possible future taught me anything it was to not get drunk with you. You’re an angry drunk and I’m a sad one. That does not mix well.
Luca.Oliviera
"I looked to the future to see if I can help. I never find answers but you never stop being you." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	Luca, there are many words that I want to say to you, but we both know you’ve heard them a million times before. I will say no matter what the future actually brings, you will greet it with a smile and a brave face. I have a super soaker I can fill with alcohol if you ever want to have a drink
Tayla.Choi
" You cut yourself off but the future still has plans for you.." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	You don’t need any more power than what you have now. You and your son always look happy together in the future I’ve seen, and I’m here for you if you need any help in the here and now. If you ever need to know if a gift is a good idea let me know and I’ll look for you.
Finn.Reid
"Another name on the mural, another face I thought I’d forgotten." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	I will never stop until we find who did this to you. I think I’ll take a shot in your memory
"Edict".Devola
” You are and always will be, a fuckup. You’re our fuckup, but a fuckup all the same." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	You caught a lot of flak, some of it deserved but most not, back then. I see you haven’t changed today. You nearly killed us all back in the church because you were scared. If I could I’d vote you out again. I will never let anyone leave a drink unattended around you. Ever.
Kali.Mahendra
"For a fed you were alright.." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	I did not like learning that you were a fed, I liked it even less as I learned you were gone at the same time. I hope you can rest easy now.
Simone.Le.Fay
"Another close friend lost to the wolf." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	You always had my back before, I’m sorry I wasn’t there to havea yours. Maybe I’ll need to take my power more seriously to help the others
Clancy.Patrick
" Your an enigma. What does the future hold for you?" _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	I can’t say I hope to get to know you. Kids scare me.
Jack.Hawthorne
"I hope we can talk one day about your future." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	You came back. I worried that you’d stay home forever. You were another guy I felt was owed much. You did things that no one else could’ve done, and I never thanked you for that. What if I told you that in every possible future, with every possible threat I see, you’re there holding the lines alongside us. You left us before, but the future says you’ll never leave us again for long. I always wanted to talk to you one-on-one back in the day. Maybe we can get a drink and catch up sometime in the present?
"Sully".McPherson
"My man." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	You did something that no one else could have done, and that made the bad times bearable. Beer chalice aside, you did more to keep my sanity during those dark times than I can count. I owe you much, and I hope we can reconnect now that I’m back. I looked into your future, you’re always the life of the party..
Everleigh.Thorn
" While your future isn’t with us, I still wish you the best. If anyone can protect you from father wolf it’s the feds." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	Actions. Your actions brought the PRA raid and for that I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to trust you. I hope you can find peace in those cells
Leon.Richoux
"Your future scares me.." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	I try to not look at your future. They can be frightening. Maybe seeing you again and talking to you again will change how I feel. I don’t know what you like to drink but I suspect it’s weird
Stormy.Carson
" You’re our eternal protector." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	You protect. You’ve always protected us and you will continue to do so. As far as I’m concerned you’ve earned free drinks for life. Back in the day I wish we could’ve been closer. I know I will make up for that here and now. Why did you have to get so hot? You age very well into the future
"Lyss".Burns
"My first crush. I’m glad I was right about you." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	I do want to know what your little book contains. In every future, you would never let me see. Regardless, I’m glad to see to doing so well. If you ever need a look into the future you can count on your friendly oracle in these uncertain times. While he’s a fed, go for it. Mamma gets what mamma wants
Anya.Baksh
" You are a loser, honey you’re an uptight little bitch who plays games with the dreams of others. You don’t change. You never want to change." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	You are a cunt. I don’t know what made you into this horrible person but one thing is for certain, I won’t let you ever get power over the coven. It’s not like you’ll have any dreams to steal from me. You have the power to do so much good, and yet you squander it by being a petty, vindictive, shadow of Sloane. I would have a hundred shots with Sloane before I have one with you.
Adora.Phoenix-Prescott
"You are always our strongest. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I will not let your sorrow consume you." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	You were dealt the toughest hand of everyone in our coven. Your saved me, you saved Luca, and you’ll save us all again before long. It’s who you are, and I want to be here for you now. I never got to say how sorry I was. I should have told you what I saw. If you knew, you might’ve done things differently
Layla.Hyacinthus
" You will not be the voids next victim." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	I don’t know what I can do, but I will see you free from that abuse. I admit I do not know you all that well. I think we walked in different circles, and it feels like today was the first time I met you. But I am here for you if you ever decide you need a friend. I can let you know what a free future looks like. You can’t end up like her.
Jasper.Wilde
"A fed? Really? That’s who catches your eye? Bro I can see the future, why try and hide this?." _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	I can’t tell you how excited I was to see you again. It’s like no time has passed since we last saw each other, and I’m so happy you got sober. I’ll be hanging out with you a lot more again and that means I get to judge you for your taste in women. Like bro common. I am just glad that you’re with me today. I missed our friendship, I missed our adventures, and I am glad we get to do it all over again.
Lila.Blackwood
"The sister I got to know. I’m so glad to be back with you. _______________________________________________ ...................................................................	Words will never describe what you mean to me. You have become this strong, independent, young woman who is no longer afraid of what others say. You are authentically yourself and that is all you need to be. Though I am noticing something weird with you. It seems like that ever since we sealed The Maiden. I see terrible things coming your way, and your future is filled with it. I think you should talk to Britney again, if the future is any indication the sealing did not go as planned

The Symphony - A Fated Quest

@DemonQueenLil

I have one final spot open for new interest!

The Symphony - A Fated Quest

@Aeolian approved!

The Symphony - A Fated Quest

@Thunder999999 and accepted as well!

The Symphony - A Fated Quest

@Abstract Proxy

Accepted as well!

The Symphony - A Fated Quest

@Renny

Accepted! Can’t wait to see him IC

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

INTERACTIONSMeifeng, Fiona @Punished GN

Lila chuckled as the taser wore off and the leader of the PRA began her villain monologue. Of course, this whole assault, this whole mess, was because someone was upset that their established power was not respected. Of course, this whole assault and the pain she and her coven were feeling in this moment was because some fed had her ego bruised and she just had to remind everyone who the top dog was. The more she thought about the whole mess, the more the urge to laugh built. Eventually the chuckle returned as Lila could no longer contain it. She shook her head until she spotted Luca on the ground, they were healing him but the healing was coming at a cost for Trevor. Lila saw just how hurt he was for the first time, and she spotted the blood that had been thrown up. He was hurt. Really, really, badly. And there was nothing she could do to help her hurt friend heal.

The laughing stopped. Inside, a voice began to call for her to get angry and this anger quickly became visible on her face. How dare they? How dare these fucking feds hurt her friends, how dare this cunt stroll in without a hint of remorse, and how dare they blame us for their dead friend. How can a group be so ineffective that they allow this, all of this, to happen? The church was burning down, Luca was on deaths door, and they were shooting off tasers like there was a half off special at the taser emporium. How. Dare. They. The rage continued to brew inside her. She wished she could call on her crows right now. She wished they could peck out these agents eyes and have them rip at their throats until they too colored the ground like Luca. She took in a deep breath as she shook the thought from her head. Lila knew that using her crows would only result in further harm to the group, but she just wished that she had them before. They could have warned them that the Feds were coming, they could have evacuated and Luca wouldn’t be dying and she wouldn’t be in more pain than she has ever felt. She knew she couldn’t do anything in this moment with her crows. And she knew that for the first time, she regretted sealing The Maiden. Instead, she looked up at their leader and said three words in rapid fashion.

“Go fuck yourself,” Lila paused for a brief second as she shook her head, “if you think we’re going to talk to you after this clusterfuck you’re as dumb as the planning here suggests.”

The sound of a single *caw* caught Lila’s attention and she looked and saw a dozen crows on a nearby building looking at her.

Before anyone could do anything else, a shouted “hey,” cut across the area. Lynn slid up to a kneeling position, hands still in the air still, and her eyes were locked onto Lila in a way that Lynn hoped would read as a trust me. “I think I can say one thing for everyone here, and that while we’re a bunch of idiots,” she pointed towards edict and let out a nervous chuckle, “I mean just look who we have within our midst,” she paused as she turned to face Meifeng directly, “ we’re not murderers, and I think you know that. If you’re able to plan this operation you had to know where we would be, you have access to our phones. Check our location data for yesterday, I’m confident that you’ll see that no one was there when your colleague was killed,” she paused as she sighed, “was anything found with the agent, perhaps an idol of an animal perhaps?”

Jasper rolled onto his back and groaned softly. His nose was broken, it was still bleeding, and if the ringing in his ears and his circling vision was any indication he had a minor concussion. This is why he did not want to come back to the coven. For every good memory, for every person he loved , there was two bad memories and a few people he hated. He could deal with his hatred towards those people, hell he would even consider therapy to figure out what is causing it, but he couldn’t deal with too many more bad memories. In the past, it was these bad memories that pushed him to become an addict. How can one expect to stay sober when the only memories of your teenage years is the sight of your friends dead around you, and the literal war that ripped through the town itself? And now, on his first day back in the coven the Feds burned down a church. He shook his head to shake the thoughts away but as he did, someone off to the side caught his attention.

Jasper rolled his head towards the woman and stared for a brief moment. She wore some strange armor, unlike the rest of the agents, and she had a look to the exposed part of her face that suggested that there was more than meets the eye to her. But he could tell she was very much beautiful. He whispered “you’re very pretty,” towards the agent but too soft for most people to hear. He did not want to be seen complimenting a fed. He turned his head back forward, looked at the agent who shot him, before he turned his attention downward. He was over this day, he was almost over with the bullshit of the coven and he awaited whatever the fates had planned.

Lila looked around the area as more *caws* filled the area. The more she looked, the more beady eyed crows she spotted. She tried to count them quickly but stopped the futile effort as she realized that there had to be at least a thousand. Lila felt an uneasy sensation as she looked over the crows. She knew what they wanted. They wanted direction. Lila did not know what this meant, but she did hope the sight of the massive murder around would give the agents a moment to pause and think of the mess they made.