NoriWasHere

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

“Oh by the way your enemy lived.”

Octavia listened to Ruby explain the battle plan. Her brow furrowed, her eyes darted from face to face in the crowd, and her finger tapped on her thigh. She was nervous about what was to come. She had been in a few of these bigger battles now, but it did not help keep these thoughts from overwhelming her. Still, she knew she would be okay as long as everyone did what they had to and watched each other's backs.

“That’s not all,” Octavia added after Ruby, “time is of the essence. From what Aryin, and Linqian told me, and what Aislin should be able to confirm, they have a monster named Scott Reese fighting for them. If we want to have any chance today we need to be in and out before the sun goes down. I do not want to face the monster again.”

“He survived everything that we threw at him,” Jordan sighed as he dabbed up Jasper. His eyes looked at the gap between Jasper and Luca and wondered if there was a way for him to accidentally push them closer together. “I’m Jordan by the way, I’m really strong and really durable.”

“Oh we’re doing introductions,” Alex added as they looked over towards Anya. She was just as beautiful as Trevor described. Alex knew that they would need to work their magic to ensure that relationship was flourishing. They then turned their attention to Luca, and they knew that they would be their new best friend very soon. They had a few weeks until their time was up so they would be patient. For now. “I’m Alex. I can access the art dimension.”

“We don’t know if he’ll be on the island but I don’t like the idea of leaving that to chance. Thomas, and I can use the force or whatever,” Thomas added as he flashed a smile.

“Riley is the name. You know how you kill an evil person with a gun,” Riley paused as he turned to the side, showing the technologically advanced looking Plasma Launcher that Summer built and pointed towards it with his thumb, “magic gun. Besides that I’m a spell slinger so if I save your ass out there you’re welcome ahead of time.”. Riley shifted his eyes towards Jasper, and grinned at his soon to be target.

“Cocky much,” Jason shook his head as he took a step forward, “I am Jason. I can create, and manipulate, plasma.”

“I’m Monica. I’m not much use in a fight but if you need information out of someone’s head I gotchu,” Monica stuck out her tongue as she flashed a peace sign.

Octavia waited for the rest of the 317 to finish introducing themselves. “The rest of us are either not coming or with Faith and Sypha helping Greenwood scare the rich pricks to run home. If you need more weapons,” Octavia paused as she considered her options, “we’re willing to open our vault as a token of friendship. We don’t have much, but I want us to have the best chance possible today. If you would like to counterfeit something you can have your pick,” Octavia looked towards Sloane, “most notably we have The Chainsaw of Ash. And this war is coming regardless of today,” Octavia paused again as she looked towards Luca. He was cute, and he seemed like he had a good head on his shoulders. “This city stands on the precipice of conflict. We thought that defeating the Nazis would be enough to make this city a safe place for all but we were wrong. No matter what happens today there will be darker days ahead. It’s better to navigate those shadows side by side with your friends,” Octavia paused as she looked at Ruby, “than trying to do it alone, or by waiting for it to envelop you.”

“If you want to take a look at the artifacts I will take you to them. Can I open a dimensional rift here,” Alex asked as they looked around for a painting.

Jordan looked towards Jack as he placed his hand on Jasper's shoulder. “This plan today is ours but the war to come affects us all. You are right, though, there will be no shame in sitting out the fight if you’re not ready for it. This is sudden, last minute, but the longer we wait to attack back the more time they have to prepare for it, the more time they have to attack again.”

---

---

Lila groaned softly at the continued conversation. She truly did not want to fight. She did not want the coven to fight. And she did not want to risk anyone more. Yet the 317 was only speaking truth to something that she suspected. Something bigger than Father Wolf was looming over the horizon. For the past ten years, the hardest thing she had to deal with was getting insurance to pay for surgeries and the recovery from them. Now, their coven was being murdered, the 317 was destroyed, Scott Reese was back and the 317 was talking about darker days on the horizon. Things are bad right now, and Lila knew this, and the more she thought about it the more she realized that this might just be the tip of the iceberg. Lila pushed her food away and stood up from the chair.

“Okay. If we’re going to do this we gotta have a plan beyond split into these teams and hit them harder than they can hit us, right,” Lila asked as she scanned the group until she landed on Octavia who simply shook her head. “Holy shit,” Lila paused as her gaze went back to Ruby and rested there for a moment. Lila put both of her hands together in a prayer like position and she held them there as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath in.. They were going to run into a gunfight without any plan beyond ‘we have separate teams filled with the power of friendship’ and hope for the best. This was not acceptable. Lila exhaled as she leaned her hands forward, before dropping them. “Lynn,” Lila paused as she looked towards her friend. The two looked at each other and Lynn nodded her head. Lynn’s eyes went green as she went to the possible future. “For future reference any plans that rely on our shared strength alone are probably bad plans. No offense to whoever came up with it,” Lila paused as she looked back to Lynn. Lynn should be able to develop some small alterations to the plan that would hopefully improve things.

“Now. I don’t want to tell you guys how to run your assault. But I want to make sure we are not putting ourselves in any-”

---

---

“Oh my” Lynn shouted as she returned from the future.

“What, what did you see,” Lila asked as her feathers all ruffled at the sudden noise.

“A lot of zombies with guns. An endless horde. I think the entire Elite will be there. Jordan, you’ll say something like ‘at least the ghost ship isn’t here’. No Scott Reese, at least as far as I can tell. But there’s a lot of zombies,” Lynn paused as she looked towards Lila, “there’s not much room for advanced tactics in this fight. It’ll be hell. If I were to suggest an alteration to the plan it would be for the Veil team. They should finish up quickly and then move to support the artifact team. That’s about as much as I could see,” Lynn paused as she tried to think of everything she saw. She began to chew on her fingernails.

“A word of caution is the best I can offer. They have a lot of guns, we don’t have a lot of healers, be smart. I won’t be joining you on the island. Is there a way for us to setup anything to support from afar? I don’t want to not help but I will be a liability on the island.” Lynn finished as she frowned. In truth she watched everyone die once again in the possible futures. It was never just one, or all, but the typical chaotic mismatch of death that battles brought. In one future Luca died but in several others he lived, and so on. As such, Lynn did not feel it was her place to tell people that she watched them die again when they already know death is in the cards.

This was life for sad old Lynn. Always watching others being the hero, but always the afterthought herself.

---

---

Jasper looked up at Jordan and smirked. It had been too long since they had been around each other. The two used to be inseparable back when Jordan first joined. He took the hug from Lori and Alex and chuckled as he tried his best to return it back to them but the angles that they took made it difficult. Still, it was very nice to see many of the artists who had made his time at the 317 so memorable. He looked at the group as a whole and smiled brightly.

“So these are my friends, Luca,” Jasper whispered as he used his eyes to point towards Jordan, Lori, and Alex.

Jasper listened to what the groups were saying, what the attack would entail, and what the future told them that they could expect. He sighed in relief when Lynn said that Scott was unlikely to be a combatant in the fight. Small blessings and what not. Still, he knew that he needed to be better to protect his friends from what was to come and thankfully his training with Stormy had allowed him to think outside the box. And that gave him an idea. An endless horde of zombies meant he would need something to counter that. Jasper pulled out his bag and grabbed a canvas from it, and some paint to practice with, and began to work on a new summon.

“I can’t promise I’ll be able to come up with anything in time but I might be able to help at least slow down a zombie horde,” Jasper sighed as he continued. “I’ll be in the support category for this attack for sure. I’ll be bringing out my ranged summons and helping keep y’all clear.”

The idea that he had, which was beginning to take shape, was an expansion on his Army Ranger. Instead of being this tactical unit that was all about taking out priority targets from range he wanted this new summon to be flashy, tanky, and a priority target for the enemy. It was big, bulky, well armored and armed with a weapon with six rotating barrels. It was the most ambitious attempt yet for his summons. Time would tell if it would even work.

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

The 317 gets ready for a meeting.

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.”

“I’m more concerned that you’re allowing Feds to attend these meetings”, Olivia paused as she looked towards Bianca with a raised eyebrow, “hi Bianca, long time.”

“Give Octavia a break, she’s having lady problems,” Alex added as they sighed. It was so tragic seeing the difficulties couples today had.

“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,” Leah scoffed as she crossed her arms.

”Hey Olivia, look, I’m only a fed on fed time- here, right now? I’m all Octavia’s,” Bianca took it easily, looking over at Octavia with a grin and a wink. ”Plus, I brought bibingka- straight from my mother’s oven! So don’t go saying I shouldn’t be here.”

She gestured to the baked rice cakes she’d brought, still grinning. ”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?”

“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. ”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.”

“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.

“Why does it have a crime name like Gaypool whatever it is,” 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.”

“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,” 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. “Hey bitch. The future told me you might need this at this exact moment. Yes I know when. No I won’t tell you.”. There would be several photos of Luca and Jasper being close, cute, and like a couple attached to the message.

”Fuck,” Bianca swore under her breath. The pictures… those two really were so fucking dumb! Bianca sent a quick text back. Even if it's for my future wife, not myself? with about ten begging emoji.

No.

Bianca’s head then snapped up, grinning at Leah. ”Ask, and you shall receive. Witness the adorable not-couple that are Luca and Jasper.”

She held up her phone, swiping through the photos that Lynn had sent her. ”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.”

“And they are not already a couple,” 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.

“And so we’re, what, gambling on two queer people and making their relationship a game? How is this okay,” 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.”

”Oh, Olivia, don’t worry, we can do one for you next. Have you moved on from Linqian yet?” 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?”

”Oh, you know Linqian?” Bianca raised an eyebrow, completely unbothered by Olivia’s reaction. She sidled up to Alex. ”Is it true she’s in a relationship with both Greyson and Britney?”

“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. ”That’d be Greyson… though I wouldn’t count him as short. He’s like six foot or something. But definitely Greyson.”

“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. ”Right, probably. Did you get any romantic vibes from them? Or was there too much… whatever was going on.”

“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. ”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?”

“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?”

”Hell yeah!” Bianca grinned, free hand flipping up into a thumbs up as she leaned towards Octavia. ”I’m invited to the crazy celebration, right? There’s not a no feds allowed rule?” Then she lowered her voice a little so just Octavia could hear (hopefully). ”I have an idea for how we can help them realise.”

“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.”

”Well that's a relief, here I was thinking I'd have to spend my prize money on something else,” Bianca smiled, arm loosely wrapping around Octavia's waist.

“Oh please,” 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.

“Do not judge the lovers, instead celebrate their openness and the beauty of it,” Leah paused as she looked at the board, “like how we must celebrate and uplift these lovers we now bet on,” 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.

”Ah- I remember him,” 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.

“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,” Leah’s heavy French accent drove home the point.

”Oh, you don't understand how oblivious they both are,” Bianca laughed lightly.

“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,” 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?”

“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,” Monica finally spoke up as she yawned.

“I have one question,” Riley asked as he raised his hand, “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.”

”What’re you kids getting up to in here?” 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. ”Not getting into another big fight are we? My knees aren’t up to that,” 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?”

”...Have you ever considered opening up a casino?” He asked, jokingly, as Juno jumped down off his shoulder and started babbling. ”Sure, why not. What’s the pool so far?”

“We have just begun. No bets have been placed,” Leah said as she waved towards Juno.

”Okay… Fifty says they get together properly.”

“Yes but when? That is the question we must try to decipher, no?”

”Anytime before one or both of get married to someone else. How’s that?” 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.

“I’ll put fifty against it,” Cyrus finally added as he leaned forward, “y’all act like this is a sure fire thing. I know gay romance, and I know it’s a dead, loveless, battlefield,” Cyrus chuckled as he looked towards Rohan, “don’t think I will forget about this bet. I always collect.”

“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.”

”Myeh!” Juno commented, philosophically. Sagely, even.

“I have no idea what you say but I know you are wise beyond your days,” Leah chuckled with a wide smile.

Bianca raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. ”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.”

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. ”Last day, 8pm in the evening. For every month. I ain't got cash on me, but I'll bring it round next time.”

“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.

”I’ll buy you as many dinners as you want,” 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. ”How about tomorrow night?”

“So beautiful, you two and your love,” Leah clapped her hands together loudly. She reached into her bag and grabbed a single one-hundred dollar bill. “I would like to place multiple bets. Can I, I don’t know, do seven days from now at eight at night to start”

“Not next, but the Saturday after that by noon,” Monica pulled a crumpled twenty from her pocket.

“Last day of November, seven in the evening,” Cyrus held up his twenty as he slowly looked towards Bianca, “repeat the bet each month.”

“This is so weird. Next Tuesday by noon,” Olivia pulled out her phone, “I don’t carry cash, is there a cash app we can use?”

“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?”

”I do,” Bianca raised a hand, trying her best to look serious. This was serious business, after all. ”When do I get to take our wonderful host out for breakfast, before we're both busy today?”

“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. ”Sure thing, take your time- well, not too much time, if I'm late my boss’ll have me working overtime all week.” She laughed, eyes creasing playfully as she looked at Octavia. ”I’ll just wait and stare at you lovingly.”

“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?”

”I was born ready,” Bianca smirked, reaching out for Octavia’s hand immediately. She tangled their fingers together, giving her hand a light squeeze. ”I’ve already chosen a place- you’ll love it. On me, gotta use those big fed bucks for your benefit.”

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?”

---

Later that day

“Hello my friendly neighborhood dimensional traveler. We are ready for you at The 317. Do be fast :)

Almost immediately 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.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. The service around here is atrocious,” 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

“Jack, what a,” Olivia paused as she sighed heavily, “surprise.”

“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?”

”I can. But…” Jack shut the door behind him. It disappeared. ”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.”

“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.”

”Good. I’ve told Sycamore about your plan, but only vaguely. I’ll let the rest of you do the talking.”

And with that, the door flew open again. ”Follow me.”

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.

“I see that you upgraded from the mansion at least,” 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. “Hello you.”

“It is very nice to see more of the fabled sycamore tree cover. I am Cyrus,” Cyrus

“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,” 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.”

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

Lila found joy being back in the eleventh path. This place was certainly unique but she felt like that made it even better. She was one of the first to arrive, and she came wearing an oversized black hoodie and some bicycle shorts. She was still very monstrous, and her eyes darted from person to person to see if anyone was looking at her any differently than the last meeting. She tried to pay these thoughts no mind, and instead focus on the delicious buffet Jasper had prepared for her this morning. She had two bowls of soup, several burgers, a pair of club sandwiches, and various other small snacks ace treats. She shared them with her crows which had all made the journey this time to the eleventh path. Her crows were, for a lack of a better word, a nuisance to the coven today. If anyone had anything shiny or tasty visible, three of her crows, Little Shit prominently, would try and steal it away from them. Lila was not paying this any mind.

While in-between bites Lila tried her best to pay attention to what Jack was saying and her mouth went agape as she learned about Auri and the others. Her eyes scanned the room once again and, at least to her eyes, confirmed that they were not present. She looked to Britney, and then to Aaron, and then back to Jack. She began to tap on the table with her one clawed hand. Fuck. This was starting to feel like she could be next. If Father Wolf killed three people at once they were no longer safe in their little hideaways. She needed to get stronger. She was stronger now but she knew deep in her mind that if she stood any chance against father wolf, she’d need to be the best version of herself.

As Jack turned to talk about other plans Lila returned to her food as she listened more intently. A battle was about to be fought today by the sounds of it and Lila’s eyes went wide. She looked around at the group and returned to the food but she ate with a feast in her mind. She knew she was in no condition for a fight. It had been only three days since she fought Trisha, and her mind had not had a chance to heal. She could fight, but what would she do if she went delirious during the battle? Lila listened as Jack finished his monologue and looked over to him. She did not know if he was true to his words. Would they be able to opt out, would they take anyone who wanted to help, or did they have a list of members front and center in their mind who they’d take and leave the others at the wayside?

“Two questions,” Lila raised two taloned fingers up in the air while her other hand held a cheeseburger. “Why are they attacking the elite, and what can we do to help if we’re not in any condition for a fight currently,” Lila paused as she took a bite of her food and quickly swallowed, “I’m still recovering from….everything right now so I may hinder more than help. I can be an eye in the sky for a minute but…I don’t know how long I’ll be useful,” Lila sighed as she took another bite. She chewed this bite and swallowed it a few seconds later.

“Also our first move as an alliance is to attack. Love that. Such a good look for us.”

---

---

Lynn’s eyes darted from Lila, to the crows who were harassing the coven, and then back to Lila. Her mind was more calm today but Lynn knew that it was only a matter of time before she would feel the terrible pain that sobriety was known to bring her. No longer was her mind dulled and this meant that the small things quickly bothered her. Small things, like small birds who flapped their wings too closely to her ears and the sound of Lila eating her second massive meal.

It wasn’t even the fact that it was Lila eating so much that bothered her. It was just the sound of someone eating. And if anyone else brought a three course meal to a coven meeting, or even just a sandwich, Lynn would feel the same. Her hands ran through her hair, which was as much a mess already as the makeup on her face, as she tried her best to listen in to what Jack was telling the group.

The revelation about Auri was not unexpected, but it hit a bit harder than she thought it would. While she was never able to pin down who was going to die, or when, she had gotten the feeling that the future was leading that way. Though how does one voice their concern that the future has one dying a little more than usual? Regardless Lynn bowed her head during the moment of silence and sighed as she knew that it was beginning to look pretty bleak for the Sycamore crew.

Lynn knew that they needed to band together even more now that Father Wolf was targeting the groups. But she did not think that everyone would like what she had in mind.

“I am willing to support. Just get me some coffee and I’ll start checking the future,” Lynn waved a hand in the air as she exhaled, “but I don’t want to skip over what you said about Auri and the others,” Lynn paused as she looked towards Britney, “if father wolf has begun to target groups as well is it time for us to find a way to all live together?”

---

---

“Lila you can view this as more of Greenwood and The 317 attacking back,” Jasper said as he leaned back in his chair. He was wearing a button up shirt, like always, but had the foresight to at least wear a jacket overtop. “My sister is one of the leaders over at the 317 and she looped me in with what was going on,” Jasper paused as he crossed his arms. This meeting had already delivered so much bad news with the revelation of Auri and the rest. Jasper could not bear the thought of losing anyone else to the murderer but the idea of living under the same roof as the rest of the coven sent a chill down his spine. That would mean he would have to be in close proximity to Sloane every single day and he truly did not know if he was strong enough to do that. “I don’t know the details fully but I do know the Elite apparently attacked them earlier in the week and it really pissed off the leadership. ,” Jasper added as he looked towards Britney.

“I’m in. I’ll fight to get these artifacts for us,” Jasper paused as he looked towards Jack, “what artifacts are we after? I think I speak for a lot of us when I say that no matter what, finding out who is killing us is the most important thing we can do, but I also agree we need to be smart about how we do it. Can you tell us more about the plan? Like we’re not going to just go in guns blazing and hope for the best from there, right?”

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

Norm

In the skies above St. Portwell Lila finally found freedom in the midst of her new cursed form. It was practice night number two and she was cruising the skies with her murder at her back. And she was having fun. This was the first time she was able to get the timing right and she was up in the sky for a minute now. While she still had misfires with one wing flapping out of order she was still able to maintain elevation. She knew she needed to return to the ground soon as she felt herself grow tired as she flew. She pulled her wings close as she dove towards the ground like a bird of prey. As she neared the ground she pulled her wings wide and leveled out above the ground.

You got this.

You can do this.

You better be able to do this.

You are a strong, capable, bird lady who- is that a fence?

*crash*

Lila’s whole world spun in an instant as her body twisted and contorted as Lila crashed through a solid wooden fence somewhere out in the countryside around St. Portwell. The momentum from her flight carried her well through the first fence, then the second, into the dirt, another pair of fences, and then all the way across the ground beyond, down a hill, before her time was finally stopped by a large tree. She felt something break with the impact, and she groaned as she tried to stand up. Up the hill she watched as the backyard lights flipped on at the two houses. Her eyes lowered and saw there was a telltale dirt ditch dug by her body that pointed right to her.

“Fuck,” Lila cursed as she pulled herself to one leg, the other refusing to allow any weight. She quickly turned into the forest and hobbled into it as quickly as she could. Flying was easy, landing at speed was not Lila was coming to learn. As with most flying lessons she had to learn them the hard way first. As she pushed further and further away from the suburbs and into the forest she realized she not only needed healing, but someone to be here with her in case Father Wolf was on the prowl tonight. She had already burdened Sully once, she felt like needed to give him a break. She knew every other healer in the coven was either dead or not with the coven. The only other option was calling Jasper to have his 317 friend help but Jasper was busy. She sighed as she remembered one final option.

She pulled out her phone from the breast pocket of her costume, and called a number she never thought she’d call.

‘Weird red head from the Temple who said I was good looking’

The phone line rang.

Two or three rings got through before the telltale emptiness of a live line gave way to a warm voice.
”This is Norman… How can I help?”

“Hi, did you give your number recently to a bird woman,” Lila groaned as she pushed further into the woods, “that’s a roundabout way of saying this is Lila.”

There was an audible sound of interest accompanying the harsh noise of an office chair squeaking into the upright position.
”Oh, I am so happy to hear from you! Had me worried I wouldn’t get a chance to tell you how much you struck me…” his voice echoed through the line in the way a cat’s purr did in an empty room.

“I struck you,” Lila’s brain dropped the ball, forcing her body to stop moving. “I’m pretty sure I only struck Trisha. I don’t recall hitting you…. Anyway you said to give you a call wherever, and Casey said to ask for help with maiden stuff from the temple right? Can I call you whenever to ask you for help?e”

Lila would be able to hear the pleasure in Norm’s voice.
”Struck me mentally, H- Y’know, you’re right you didn’t hit me. And I really appreciate that. So, yes. Anything you need, I’m here for you. Consider me your Guide to Charm and Grace…”

“Oh did I insult you? I don’t,” Lila paused for a second as the gear finally turned in her head, “ohhhh I get it. Thank you….yes…. I may need medical assistance, could I ask for some help for that? I think I can limp back to town if I really needed to.

There was another loud shuffle on the end, Norm’s muffled voice only half breaking the sound of something scraping against the microphone over and over again.
”Shi-PHGHPGH-ucki-pHGHOSHGF-nd I’ll be right… Right there! Just, where are you? How bad is it!?”

“I’m somewhere… somewhere. I’ll be honest, I think I’m lost as well. I think I was over the farm fields to the north of the city but I was getting close to being back so probably suburbs? Can I drop you a pin? And oh, not so bad I think. Maybe a broken femur, ribs, possible concussion? So not so bad.”

More scrambling, frantic movement against the plastic of the phone.
”PGHGPGHGHPH-ckin’ pin and I’-PHGHPHGHGPHGH-ere to help! Do you need me to stay on the phone?”
There was wind now, and a whole lot of it before it all faded away into nothingness.
”Can you hear me okay now!?” he asked very clearly.

“Yes! Yesss,” Lila had a more giddy sound to her voice. A wind that was absent before rushed across the phone. “Oh my god the crow in front of me just did an aileron roll. I should try that, should I try that?”

”What!? No, absolutely not. I don’t care how bird-like your skull is, if you’re concussed just stay grounded. Where the Hell’s that ping?”

“Oh yes, yes, the ping that will tell you where I am at at I can be helped, yes let me,,” Lila paused as she grabbed the stylus from her pocket and sent the location pin. It would reveal that Lila was in a small wooded area just north of the city, maybe a twenty minute drive from the center. “I sent the ping that will tell you exactly where I am at this exact moment.” Lila put the stylus back in the pocket, and balanced on the tree branch she climbed up to. It was harder than it needed to be with just one leg but her talons made it much easier than not. The branch groaned under the concentrated weight.

On the other side of the phone, there was a loud shredding noise that sounded like glass being run over by a tractor trailer. Sharp crackling was the sole sound for a minute or two before everything got quiet again.
”I’m over the city, I can make it in… Twelve minutes. Can you just stay put there for that amount of time? Don’t get afraid when the ice rocket buzzes you overhead, okay, it’s just me…”

“Come again now,” Lila immediately responded as she contemplated if she heard ice rocket correctly. A caw was heard over the phone. “Like I should just keep an eye on the sky for you?”

”You’ll know: I make a lot of noise.”

As the minutes passed, Lila would be able to hear a faint crackling sound getting closer and closer, until the air above her head was filled with powdery snow. Colder, colder still, feathers would need to be ruffled to stay warm. And then, like a boat from the haze, a solid ice track slammed down from the heavens.
In its wake, a solid domed sleigh of ice, almost like an Olympic Toboggan, jettisoned through the air at an incredible speed.

”Bleeding momentum, stand by.”
A massive spiral of ice like a Hot Wheels track formed all at once, and the vessel with Norm presumably inside hooked into the spiral track to swing upward. Finally it caught a lip, flipping and smashing open into a cloud of snow from which Norm emerged with a frosty white beard and a suit of ice.

Rushing toward Lila now, he slid down next to her on his knees, an arm stretching out to open his hand and reveal a few packs of the good stuff: The green substance she’d been given to eat the other day that had healed her.
”Express delivery for The Maiden and her Host.” he was clearly out of breath, huffing and puffing, but grinning ear to ear as his gaze looked her up and down.
”God Damn, pretty soon you’re gonna be laying eggs…”
His grin immediately faded, and he smacked himself in the face out of embarrassment.

Lila, initially impressed by the theatrics, recoiled backwards, her wings covering her entire form. “I,” Lila tightened her wings around her form, “brother,” Lila paused as she reached out and grabbed a few bags of the good stuff. She consumed it thinking it’ll be nice and easy. “brother ewwwooohhh my god,” Lila shouted as the healing spell took hold and her femur, and ribs, painfully reformed in her body.

Several crows swarmed around Norm, cawing with an angry tone.

“Please don’t talk about a woman’s eggs, okay, like ever again. Also please do not talk to me like I’m going to lay an egg. That will not happen,” Lila put some weight on her leg and sighed as it felt normal. She pulled her wings even tighter to protect herself and her none existent eggs.

“Also the big bird is in timeout. You’re dealing with Lila, just me, and not the apparition calling my body home.”. Lila’s eyes squinted at the man as she tapped on her chest. She had thus far instantly regretted even calling the number. Sure, he got here faster than Sully would’ve, and she did not have anyone else that she could call at short notice to heal her, but limping back to town suddenly seemed like the smart idea. Hell, she could’ve flown back and just broke the other damn leg there and got healed by someone. She was more than just a host, she was Lila, and she was a force to be reckoned with. Lila stood up completely straight, stretching out her hindlegs as she did, and while she did not rise above the redhead’s normal height she at least looked down on him with even more prejudice.

“You are weird,” Lila giggled as the seriousness fell from her. She offered a hand to the strange man.

Instinctively, Norm threw his hands up in something of a shy acquiescence. A crow got particularly close, buzzing his shoulder with a taloned foot as it passed; something he had to deal with in order to prevent tension in the situation.
”You made your point, Lila… I figured a little joke wouldn’t ruffle any feathers, but…”
He let his hand wander out to meet hers, shaking in a firm fashion before it pulled away again.
”You’re right, though. I am pretty weird; that’s kind of the world we live in isn’t it? Coven Girl, Temple Boy… Y’know?”

“Oh to be mundane,” Lila faked a feign with the top of her palm pressed against her forehead, “but yes. Strange times with strange people,” Lila paused as she looked at where the crows were flying. “You guys are doing so good at defending my honor,” she paused as she pulled out a bag filled with nuts, dried fruits, and other tasty treats, “let’s leave the weird man alone now, okay? Is this offering to your liking,” Lila paused as she poured the contents into her hand and raised it up. Instantly the murder swarmed her hand and within a few seconds all trace of the food was gone. A moment later the crows no longer came close to Norm, however, one did come flying in from the direction that Lila came from. She could hear shouts from a woman about how a crow had stolen her necklace. A second later the contraband was in her hand. Lila could also hear the woman telling her husband to go look for it.

“Thank you, is this for me,” Lila paused as she pondered what to do with the necklace. She opened up another pouch and pulled out a few rings. Both looked expensive. “Take the necklace back okay,” she paused as she offered both hands up to the crows and they took the offering, and the stolen merchandise, and left. “So temple boy,” Lila paused as she looked back over, “any idea how they stole a necklace off a ladies neck?”

Norm’s eyes were wide, perplexed. They were pretty far out in the public forest, so the fact that there was anyone to steal a necklace from in the first place surprised him. But, there they were. He stammered for a moment.
”I-I… I uh… Well… They’re crows? Aren’t they, like, the smartest birds on the planet or some shit? Plus, magic… I’m more amazed that they’re willing to bring it back to where it belongs. But I guess in the end, you tell them what to do. Right?” he asked casually, the ice surrounding him starting to melt as the moments passed.

“Usually. Usually I give an offering, give them a command, and they go do it. Lately though they have been…. different, Lila knew that her crows were gaining some autonomy. While they still listened to her commands they seem to be more willing to steal what is not theirs and bring it back to Lila. “They are very smart, I’ll give them that.

“Whatever the reason, I'm sure nothing bad will happen. I mean how much damage could they cause?”

Norm’s lips pursed together slightly, thoughts crossing his mind.
”Miss Lila… They’re attached to the Maiden, no? From Temple records, she’s a Class Two Apparition! I… I’ve done a lot of studying when it comes to that sort of stuff; and from what I know, there’s a chance that-”
He paused, a little shy about her reaction from before. He wasn’t here to make offenses, and felt that ultimately he only wanted to help her.
”-Well, I mean… You probably already know. Everything’s kind of a struggle? Right? How it feels like sometimes you’re trying to eat with a hand that isn’t attached to your body? Maybe she’s feeling some kind of dissatisfaction, or boredom that you haven’t been able to fulfill.”

Shrugging, he had a look of concern splashed across his bearded face.
”Something to think about; and maybe something the Temple can help you with if you want to try.”

“Oh I know she was bored, Santa,” Lila paused as her eyes narrowed on Norm, “she was so bored, so dissatisfied, that she tried to take over my body. Like I get it, if I was trapped in someone else and my needs weren’t met I would be mad. She never told me what she wanted from me, what she expected from me, what I could do to make her time trapped inside me more bearable but no! Nothing. I only learned that she was going to kill me and take control after I was too fucking broken to do anything about it,” Lila felt the tears well in her eyes, and they could not contain them for long. “And now I have an angry prisoner inside my soul that wants nothing but revenge on me for daring to protect myself and a body that is not my own that I’m trapped in, once again, but sadly there’s no fucking pill I can take this time to change that. What can the temple do to help me with my fucking problem, Norm?”. Lila took a step back away from Norm. Her crows began to show more signs of agitation once again.

“I don’t want help Norm, I need it. Can I trust that the temple will have my interests listened to or will you be more concerned with the Class Two apparition?”

As she started to get more and more emotional over the subject, Norm recoiled into a tighter and tighter space. He wanted to help as much as he could, but… This was the first time he’d ever bothered to put himself in this position. At once, he felt shame and potential packaged into a single inclination toward action.
In his hands were his convictions, his belief in the Faith he’d grown up in, and in front of him was someone begging to be helped. Begging to know what answers his Faith had for them.

So how could he reconcile his Faith with reality? The reality that, even if Her Grace was wrong about things, she could still end up being right because there was some kind of God on her side? He knew of things that would help Lila now, on a practical basis… But, was it for her? Was it not for the ultimate benefit of the Temple?
The Modus Operandi when dealing with Adjoined was to keep the Host in power… It kept the Human element most present, accessible by those outside influences. Bond-making, coming to feel that sense of community from within; it was how they maintained the Apparitional Host.

The outer ring, the buffer zone of the Temple’s social structure, was propped upon the shoulders of people just like Lila. Desperate people with unruly phantoms who come into the world of magic through often chaotic and inexplicable means… They’re the most vulnerable, the most in need of the help, and often the first ones to give themselves up for the cause that saves them in the end. Typically, as a born and Kindled Adept, he benefited from this cycle, and now he found himself with the opportunity to let things continue…

Or try something else…
”You want me to make guarantees I can’t make… But I know we’ve got resources. At the very least, offerings that can help you placate her; something to work toward an overall increased quality of your relationship. Our philosophy is generally skewed toward the Host maintaining autonomy over their lives, right? So, I’d say your needs align with our goals. Maybe that’s enough for you to at least let us try helping you?” he explained as calmly as he could, expecting her rage at the prospect of what he offered.

“And what does that help look like,” Lila asked as the fiery fury died down ever so, “the offerings? Will I have to curse people like she wants to? Turn them into FUCKING crows? Will that make her happy?”. Lila paused as she bawled her hand into a fist. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she focused on her breathing. She was unstable right now. She knew it. It was so hard to fight it though. There was something so natural about being unstable. Lila did not like that. She did not like how quickly her mind would fracture like this. This was weakness, weakness could be exploited by the bird and if she was weak against the maiden she would be gone. Black and white. Lila pushed the rage down, further and further with each breath until she almost forgot why she was mad. But not completely.

“I’m sorry. That fight with Trisha hurt my mind a lot. You’re just doing your job, I think. I honestly have no idea what you do at the temple besides weird orgies and a weird obsession with Apparitions,” Lila paused as she finally opened her eyes. “What is class two?”

Norm tried his best not to laugh when she listed the things she actually knew about the Temple. At first, he felt compelled to defend the monastic sexual rituals necessary to keep certain spirits among them appeased. It was, after all, just like her needing to turn people into crows: It was just the only option.
”Class Two: Entities are typically malign, dangerous to the Host, actively working toward their own power. They almost always seek to become Class One at all costs, for whatever reason. Those sorts of things are determined after a more comprehensive study.”

He tapped his chin for a second.
”Like, uh… Like Leon! He’s in the same boat as you; Class Two Apparition, constant grappling for the host body, the concern about whether or not you’re gonna be the one waking up in the morning… As far as I’m aware, the plan when he Adjoined Lady Lelou Faim was to treat her with full dominance. They weakened her inside him, applied a regulator that was held by a trusted companion, and from there the two started to work on their relationship from a different angle. Leon put a lot of work into it…”
He could only hope that name-dropping someone familiar to her would help her accept that there were similarities, and that with those came possibilities for good to come.

“Leon,” Lila furrowed her brow at the name. “I did not know Leon as well as I should’ve back then, and the coven is different now so it’s almost impossible to really get one on one time with people outside your group. I should’ve called him after the fight,” Lila sighed as she closed her here again and focused on her breathing. “I have been trying to ignore the problem by pretending everything was just as it was, but I can’t do that anymore. I should’ve,” Lila looked to Norm again as she opened his eyes, “I should’ve never trusted the bird. I don’t know what to do now, but I think l I’ll need to see when Leon is free next. Maybe drop in and break a leg unannounced?”

”You missed Adjoined night… The night you and Trisha got into a fight, Leon hosted his monthly Adjoined support night, and… Well, maybe it wouldn’t help too much yet. You should, I think. Come in and see us, that is. Even Her Grace would surely take the time to tend to you.” Norm offered, shoulders almost permanently shrugged at this point in the conversation.

He had no idea how people like Elise Richoux did this sort of thing effortlessly. Maybe she was just pushy about it; didn’t leave people with the time to think.
”Why… Why wait? We should go there now!” he extended his hand.

Lila considered it for a moment. What else did she have to lose? The more she thought of it, the more bad the idea started to sound. She was in a fragile mental state and that would make it much easier for them to influence her into making decisions she normally wouldn’t. She sighed as she shook her head. It was going to be no.

“Thank you Norm. Truly. But I am afraid that the answer is n-… wait did they,” Lila paused as she suddenly saw three of her crows flying in. One still had the stolen necklace, while the other two had bloodied earrings in their claws. She heard, through the crows, a man shout, “that’s it, I’m getting the gun,” and Lila’s eyes went wide. She knew it would be a matter of minutes, maybe ten, before the man stumbled his way towards their spot in the woods. No time to react. “On second thought guns beat magic, let’s go,” Lila quickly spoke as she grabbed Norm’s hand.

---

Traveling with Norm was quite a delight. Rather than the standard ass-to-mouth style olympic toboggan racing, he had the luxury of creating a space big enough for both participants to feel like jet-fighter pilots. The sliding, pill-shaped sled they hurled through the air in was solid and opaque ice on the floor, while being open and clear on the top for them to look out.

Occasionally, he formed a foil in between trees that took them so close it felt like they were bound to crash. But he followed the natural landscape, and when it was absolutely necessary, he’d form a blast of ice behind them that would send them rocketing back up to speed. It was like a roller coaster that neither of them were in control of, despite Norm’s clearly practiced performance indicating the opposite.

Thankfully, the walled off Temple lands were near enough that it didn’t take long to get back. Taking them in a low trajectory, Norm let the toboggan slowly shred itself apart as they descended. Each chunk ripped a bit of the object’s momentum away from it, the grain of his guide rails getting harsher and harsher until there was a popping motion at the end. Like an air break that gently launched them both upward just enough that it was like stepping off an elevator.
Being that it was the evening, the green of the lawns surrounding the various buildings of the compound were mostly free of Temple membership, leaving the duo free to make their way toward one of the bigger buildings.

”So, earlier… You asked me what help looks like! And I… I don’t really know exactly what it’s gonna look like. But I know that it’ll probably start here.-”
He pushed the door to the building open, and inside was some kind of kitchen. Or, more aptly, some kind of university cafeteria. It was a bit more intimate, with booths and tables set up like it was a restaurant as opposed to somewhere that college students could get a pudding cup. Small groups sat together, quietly talking and chatting. Some were alone with books or laptops, and others still were visibly accompanied by Apparitions of all shapes and sizes.

”-It’s our public kitchen. It’s kind of an if you know, you know sort of place, but it is open to the public. Anyone can walk in here and pay for a meal, just like one of Mr. Salamente’s restaurants. As one of our leaders, he’s able to use this place to allow magical apprentices the chance to learn how to use the Temple’s bevy of extraordinary ingredients.”

Perhaps the Maiden would be able to sense the magic of the area, the thick sludgy air full of Lux from all different sources. Apparitions, their hosts, the Adepts in the kitchen… Every single plate of food radiated some sort of energy or scent that screamed delicious to a potentially hungry phantom.
”It’s those ingredients that we find help our Adjoined friends. When the Apparition within realizes they’re being fed good, quality food that benefits them alongside the host? It’s a game changer. You can start to work together, instead of one trying to dominate the other for the scant resources that exist.”
He did his best to explain casually, just standing with her and walking slowly, waiting for any sort of interjection or outright rejection of the current situation.

Lila’s stomach rumbled as she smelled the air. She’d ate so much food today, a Chipotle bowl for lunch, a sandwich from Fox in the Snow cafe, leftovers from Jasper's dinner with Luca, several pudding cups, a chicken tender basket and blizzard from Dairy Queen, but for some reason being full eluded her.

“Smells delicious. Ever since I subdued The Maiden I’ve just been so hungry. Can we grab a plate and continue the talk?”

Norm’s hand swept out, graciously guiding her along around the corner. The place opened up into a warm, hearty looking buffet line where people of all ages and sizes were pulling food from. Beyond was a counter staffed by people who looked to be handing out special items, or made to order affairs which seemed to be equally accessible by all. And it was varied in its scope, with smells of Asian, South American, Latin American, Caribbean and African cuisines sliding up through Lila’s nose to splash against the pleasure centers of the brain.

”From what you’ve said, Lila? I think you’d really love some of the noodle dishes. Maybe at the back-” he pointed at one of the counters, where steam was billowing out from all sides. ”-They’ve got this Magufish curry, and some of the nova rice. I think you’ll find yourself a bit more relaxed, and maybe even a little more in control. They’re really filling, and you can hope the Maiden will be a bit sluggish because of it.” he explained.

“Honestly the noodles sound perf Norm. I’m just so..” Lila paused as she unzipped a pocket on her hip and pulled out her wallet and began to be pulled in by the smell. While she knew she was walking towards the location Norm pointed out it felt like she was floating along like a cartoon character following a smell in the air. Eventually she found herself in front of the counter and she looked at the person standing behind it with a rabid intensity. “I’ll take one of everything please.”

The woman behind the counter smiled warmly at her, taking a deep breath.
“Oh, dearie me… Fresh face aren’t we?”
As she spoke, it became very clear to Lila that nobody else was working back there. Just the pots, pans, knives, hammers, stoves and ovens; one other person was sliding around on some sort of board contraption, occasionally tapping on one of the self-functioning kitchen implements.
The woman turned her head.

“Did you hear her!?”
“Yes, yes… Let me work, damn you.”
Her sweet face turned back to Lila, printing off a ticket from the machine above her and handing it off to Lila.
“You go on and take this to the counter over there-” she pointed toward the end of the line, where there was a lone cashier waiting. “-and you’ll be able to pay. When it’s all done, we’ll bring it out to you Sweetie. Don’t forget a drink now, there’s juices and homemade soft drinks. Beer and wine, too. Just show your ID to the cashier.”

But Norm was clearly waiting for her as well, and as she was able to leave the food counter he caught her before the cashier.
”I’ve got you; no need to pay. I’ll take the ticket and scan it for my account.”
He also had a ticket, but also had a plate full of salad and croutons with some little anchovies and crumbled cheese.

“Yes, fresh face. Thank you!” Lila smiled warmly towards the woman behind the counter. She grabbed the ticket and looked towards Norm. She grabbed a juice as she walked over and held out the ticket. “Thank you. For everything today. I don’t know why asking my friends for help right now is extra hard but I appreciate you being willing to while I’m down.” Lila’s head slowly shifted as she caught sight of her crows cornering a lone patron. She reached into a pocket and pulled out some more jewelry and held it out. With her connection to her crows she simply commanded them to be on their best behavior here and a moment later a crow swooped in and took the offering, saving the patron from the mean mugging murder.

“They have so much more personality now. Are they allowed inside here?”

As Lila asked about whether or not the crows were allowed inside, a small school of fish floating around a person waltzed on through the hall and into one of the other parts of the building. Norm simply smiled, nodding toward an empty table.
”If there’s animals in here, we assume there’s magic involved. Wouldn’t just be a random crow; so they’d simply try to find you and ask you to get them under control. Which you have… They really love shiny stuff, huh? Is it specifically jewelry?” he asked as he sat down.

“They like things that sparkle, that are shiny, or are tasty,” Lila chuckled as she sat down, “when I was first adjoined I had to give them a gift for everything they did. When the maiden was sealed in me I had full control over them. Now, the crows that I have the ability to command, require the gifts once again.”. Several crows landed on the table between the two of them. Their beady eyes looked to Lila and then Norm with expectations carried with their look.

Norm had, among the many things on his plate, a small vine covered in thick, red berries. They looked like grapes, even. His hands pulled a handful of them off, holding them up to the crows and smiling.
”Eat, and be full ye leel Souls. Be what you are.”

The crows walked over the table, examined the offering, and began to take the berries from Norm. “They have been asking for so many offerings I’m worried. What if I have to go into battle with fat crows?”

Norm looked flatly at her.
”Surely they can’t get fat. They’re not… Well…”
He tried to poke one, and found it heavy and fully formed as a real crow.
”Wow… Well, maybe having bigger crows is better for combat.”
And then Lila’s food came. The friendly woman from before carted it over, and the order filled the table with various soups and dumplings, noodle dishes with bird and animal proteins of all kinds.

”Hey… Look at this, huh? There’s no way you’re gonna have a problem with her for the rest of the night, I’d say.” he laughed.

Lila took a deep breath, breathing in the savory smells around her, before she started reached for the first dumpling and placed it in her mouth and took her first bite. Immediately she could feel The Maiden awaken and float up to the surface, the icy tendrils tried to wrap themself around Lila’s mind but their strength was simply not there for her to manipulate Lila.

“This food…Eat slowly so I can savor it.” The Maiden whispered.

Lila began to eat quicker. But she quickly felt the same sensation that The Maiden did. This food was magical. The flavor was magical. Lila wanted to savor it too, but the rumble of her stomach quickly reminded her that she was too hungry to go slow. She finished the dumpling she had and began to pull a bowl of soup over. She took a single sip and she could feel the same sensation, and she could feel The Maiden rejoice.

“She woke up really quickly when we tasted the food. She wants me to eat slowly.”

”I hate to say she's probably malnourished. It's not really the host's fault ever: You could never be wrong for denying a violent spirit the feast of Mankind it may desire. That's why the Temple takes a great deal of pride in the food we make. We provide a healthy and happy environment for people like you. For hosts dealing with needy headmates, it can be a real relief!”

He laughed thinking about his own regulated diet of amplifiers and toners that had long since shaped and colored his pure Red Lux into a honed tool.
”I'd say you guys, overall, tend to have the bigger, more diverse menu than Adepts like myself. The nutritionist here really hammers Adept diets.”

He had been given a purely vegetarian meal… Because it pissed him off, essentially. The necessary rage for casting started off with the basic inconveniences sprinkled throughout one's day.
He picked at the salad of blue tomato and other whacky ingredients in the raw that Lila probably never would've seen.
”Anyway, eat all you like. If you guys need a second portion, we'll go around again together.”

Lila’s eyes froze for a second before she looked at the food. There was a visible shake to them as she looked at the food. They rose up to meet Norm’s. “I’m not eating humans, am I? I’m not having a feast of, and including, Mankind right?”

Norm shook his head.
”Oh, no! No. Much better. I would be breaking some vows telling an outsider exactly what it’s made of, but I assure you: It’s truly the compromise between the conscious Host and the ravenous Apparition. Our methods cross a thousand years of research and understanding of this symbiose, and as far as I’ve studied, we’ve learned what works best. Nowadays, we’re just making it better and better with modern magical technology.”

He was doing his absolute best to remember every pamphlet, every little seminar from the Eden Project, every single conversation he’d had with Ginara… Every bit of things even he wasn’t allowed to hear.
But there was a crinkling, or some kind of metal rattling that caused him to look away. His face became excited, and he slid himself from the booth.
”Oh, Your Grace! How expected you would find us!”
”Norman… You know nothing escapes my sight.” a deep, feminine voice cooed, passing against Lila’s ears like velvet.
”And is that sweet little Lila Blackwood? What a blessing it is to have you at one of my tables!”

Looking at her, Lila would find the stern, high cheeked beauty of the raven-haired Lynette Richoux. Her ice blue eyes stared down, warm skin tones peeking from behind the powdered pale meticulously applied across her body. She was clad in a black robe, golden spheres hanging from an equally gold chain belt. The weight of them kept the chain tight around her waist, causing the robes to separate clearly into an upper and lower half.

”You may not remember me… But I am Lynette Richoux, Prophetess and Highest Grace of the Temple of Charming and Graceful Individuals! I also happen-” she dipped her head slightly, almost humble about the coming fact. ”-to be Leon Richoux’s Mother… I do believe we met once, long ago when you were a teen. You came to these grounds for some healing alongside a group of the others, and I remember your sweetness fondly. And this is my dearest Crone and secretary: Lena.”

Beside her, something like a clone. She didn’t wear the same warm face, or have the same striking features. But the energy of an Adjoined could be felt as a radiation of expressive heat.
”Would you or the Maiden be opposed to our accompaniment?” she asked, a warm grin splitting her face down the middle.

Lila’s eyes slowly rose to meet Lynette’s. The blue irises with their jet black interior met the matriarch of the temple and trembled ever so. She listened to the women and remembered their shared past well. She scared Lila, as a kid and now. There was always something so off about the vibe she carried. “Yes yes, we met before though I wore different skin back then,” Lila paused as she cursed at herself internally at the strange comparison. “The Maiden doesn’t have a say in things right now. Please, join us.”

”Then it seems you’ve found pleasure in your stomach! Dinner is incredibly important to our closest family in these parts…”
Lynette let her hip bump into Lila, sliding her into the booth while Lena slid in next to Norm, tossing her arm into his bundle of jewel colored grapes and snagging a few to toss in her mouth. The two of them spoke lowly to one another for a moment.
”Odds?”
”You’d love to know.”

”Ehem? Children?” Lynette chastised them both, a brow turning up to cut their chatter. Lena’s face was immediately smug, while Norm looked across at Lila with some embarrassment.
”Pardon, your Grace. Yes, Sister Lila here had some trouble with the Blade’s Closest, and we assisted her. I passed along contact information, and today she requested our help herself. I was happy to bring her here.”

”And I am happy that she’s been brought here! I had little opportunity to cultivate relationships with you all back then, and it was such a shame more of you weren’t interested in coming to us. I can feel your radiant confidence and comfort as you continue to process dinner both metabolically and spiritually.”
She seemed so happy to talk about it. So thrilled, absolutely convinced by her own words.
”It’s by some of the oldest practices on Earth that we come to the same conclusion over and over again: You are what you eat. If you’re eating a balanced, fulfilling meal and treating your body, mind and soul how they should be treated, you will be fulfilled!” she spoke with the conviction of someone who knows they’re correct.

“The food is good,” Lila paused as she ate another dumpling, eyes shooting to the side as she looked at Norm and Lena. She felt a wave of distrust shoot over her, The Maidens distrust, as she looked back at Lynette. “The Maiden seems to like it. I’m not religious. You can thank my parents back in Ohio for not being super interested in joining back then and now.”

Lynette twisted her face into a look of joking horror.
”Ah, the purgatory of the Midwest. Ohio…”
She giggled, playfully nudging Lila.
”You’d hardly call us religious around here, unless the Gym’s a religion. I’d call us a Family, Lila. A big one, and we have some beliefs here and there that may align with a book or two… But it’s only religious if you treat it that way. Besides, what’s faith and religion when we know that things beyond our world and even dimension exist? If we know, then there’s simply no question of faith: Only a question of expectation!”

Lena was staring at Lila, but more so staring at her plate. Hungry eyes didn’t waver, only snapped away at the sound of a little ruckus down the row.
”I’ve told you to curse more.” Lena giggled.
”I find it impolite in good company…”
”Oh, we must be dreadful company then, Your Grace…” Norm laughed, elbow bumping into Lena’s as she shared the laugh.
”Ohhhh, eat shit, Norman.” Lynette coldly responded, leaving a moment’s pause before she too started to laugh.

Lila saw Lena’s hungry eyes staring at her food through a crow that was perched above them. She pushed an untouched bowl of noodles over as she maintained her focus on Lynette. “We had cedar point and corn hedge at least. Religion did enough damage that this place feels scarily similar. I distrust the higher powers if there are any. If there was someone, something, above us guiding us why did they allow the snake to kill a bunch of kids,” Lila paused as she took a deep breath, “I don’t have faith in anything or anyone other than my friends. And my crows.”

Almost on command a crow landed on the table carrying a phone. Not just the bedazzled and shiny phone case it had, but someone’s entire phone. Lila raised an eyebrow as she looked towards Lynette, then Norm, then Lena, before back to the crow. She grabbed a dumpling and held it out, sending a command with her mind to return the phone to their owner, and the crow grabbed the dumpling but flew off without the phone. “Little Shit.” That particular crow was becoming more well known to Lila for their unique blend of chaos and disobedience. As such, in the moment, she decided that the crow will forever be known as Little Shit.

”Little Shit indeed…-” Lynette pointed out. ”-Lena? Please take that phone back to…-” she picked it up, flipping it in her hand and looking at the case. ”-Miss Cleovetra. I’ll meet you in a moment.”
Lena was unable to enjoy the bowl of noodles offered to her, rather taking up the phone from Lynette and taking her wordless, thankless leave.

Refocusing, Lynette took a deep breath and maintained a smile for Lila.
”I encourage you to spend some time with us. Maybe you’ll find yourself a bit more comfortable being here as time passes, Lila… And if ever you need help, I’m sure Norm will be there as your main point of contact with us. If nobody else, I would trust this young man with my life a hundred times over.”
She outstretched her hand, and Norm happily took it like a son would take his mother’s hand.

”What praise!”
Pulling the hand away, she kept smiling at Lila.
”Did you… Well, did you want to ask me anything? Anything at all, I’m happy to put your mind at ease.” she offered.

Lila pulled the bowl of noodles back slowly, a clear look of disdain falling across her face. She had offered her food to a hungry disciple of the church and their matriarch denied her the gift of it. That was telling. She felt the maidens distrust grow as her own grew to match it. Lila did not touch the food from there, instead pulling over another dish and taking a bite. “No thank you ma’am,” Lila paused as she forced a smile across her face, “Thank you for all your help in both the past and present.”. She looked over to Norm and gave him a more emotion filled smile. “I may contact Leon soon about the support group here soon to see if that can help, at least a little.”

”And this is something else I would encourage! I sincerely look forward to seeing you here again in the future, Dear. Peace and Health be with you both, and you Norm.”
Sliding out, she stood and gently bowed. Then she was off like a phantom, as if she weren’t even there.

Norm took a deep breath, shaking his head.
”I… Hope that wasn’t too much. You did great.” he commented gently.

“It was very illuminating,” Lila paused, eyes tracking Lynette, before she slid the noodle dish towards Norm, “is there any way to ensure Lena gets some food? She looked very hungry.”. Lila grabbed the last of the dumplings and started chewing on three of them with a ravenous intensity. The Maiden once again protested the quick pace and Lila slowed her chewing to accommodate. It was weird that The Maiden was so friendly right now. Lila knew better than to ever let her guard down but it was nice that they could find common ground thanks to the lack of respect shown by the temple. Maybe Norm was right. Maybe the temple could actually help her with The Maiden.

Norm’s eyes darted from the bowl of soup back to Lila, laughing with a slightly nervous laugh.
”Uhh… I mean… Sure? I’ll be sure to, uh, make sure she gets that, Lila.”
Not the smartest, but perceptive; Norm was a precision fighter who always looked for the finest, smallest points of impact. Conversation and learning how to understand someone was no different.

”This is… It’s an offering thing? Like, a tradition? You give gifts to the crows, they take them without ever saying no. But, is it a problem if people don’t take your offers?” he asked her simply.

Lila looked at Norm, down to the food, back to Norm, and then to herself through the eyes of a crow. Did she just give a person an offering? She thought over it more and she realized that yes, yes that was some form of her offering. Why did she give a person an offering? Her vision switched back to Norm and decided to lie. “It was a gift. Totally not an offering. Just feeding a hungry friend of yours. Totally…..I think it was an offering… It might’ve been. I don’t mind if someone doesn’t want it, my crows can be picky too you know? I just dislike it when the choice is taken from them. I offered her food, and Lynette sent her away,” Lila finished as her eyes slowly looked away.

Norm's eyebrows raised. Conspiratorially, he leaned in toward Lila with a grin.
”If you knew her like we do? You wouldn't have made the offer… But I'm sure the Crone of Punishment will come to claim her gift at some point. So rest assured, she'll have what's hers. Now eat up, enjoy… I can take you home after you've had your fill, or you can hang around.” he offered with a kind smile.

“I see,” Lila paused as she leaned back and crossed her arms. She wasn’t fully satisfied with the explanation behind the behavior. Lila did know that Adjoined often had unique restrictions, arbitrary rules, and a generalized sense of bullshit compared to adepts and agents. If she didn’t have The Maiden sealed within her she knew that she’d be more confined to the whims of a murderous maiden. Still, Lila knew that being an agent like this was much more complicated. Lila pulled the rest of the food close. This was not going to be a pretty sight. This was not going to be graceful. There would be no honor found in the gluttonous display Lila was about to put on. She felt The Maiden give her blessing to eat away so Lila was going to put on a terrifying show.

“I just gained the ability to fly Norm,” Lila paused as she smirked, “you gotta let a girl spread her wings.”

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

A trip down memory lane to Boston.

Tuesday night

Jordan took several steps away from the lesbian chaos that was unfolding amidst the backdrop of the ruined 317. His eyes on Cindy, someone he and Sypha knew very well from their time back in Boston. Cindy was someone who had saved their life more than once, and that trend was only continuing all the way on the opposite side of America. Jordan, unlike most of the 317, did not harbor any ill will towards the PRA. He has history with them after all. You don’t save the world from a world ending threat together and not have at least a little respect for the people who helped you through it.

“So,” Jordan started as he picked up a large concrete slab and moved it towards the building, “you finally decided it was time to catch up after all these years by saving our asses again. When did you get to our neck of the paranormal world?”

“There was a big reshuffling of agents in the St. Portwell area,” Cindy succinctly nodded. “The Director wanted all of their best agents here, so, I got shuffled here with my best friend and some other Agents I’m familiar with.”

“Don’t tell me,” Jordan grinned from ear to ear, “is Mei Bae in town too?”

“You know it. Where she goes, I go.” Cindy nodded, “I’m taking up night shift for the week, so she’s probably in her apartment sound asleep. She’s going to be giddy to hear about all of this.” Cindy rolled her eyes.

“Yeah. Yeah this,” Jordan paused as he picked up another slab of rubble, “this is insane. Like I was sitting right there,” Jordan paused as he pointed to the front entrance, “eating a late dinner. One moment I’m joking with Aislin, Doom and Gloom while the old man watched over us and the next moment,” he pointed to the sky, “a ship opened fire, zombies started shooting at us, a monster took an ungodly amount of punishment.” He paused as he looked down at his exposed chest, ripped clothes, and sighed. “I haven’t pushed myself past my limit in so long, since that final fight back in Boston.”

“Don’t worry, one of Meifeng’s goals is to try to bring some semblance of peace to St. Portwell,” Cindy then smiled. “See how I didn’t say back to St. Portwell?” She then laughed.

“I’m learning this city is in need of it,” Jordan sighed as he sat down. “Do you have any idea who could’ve done this?”

Cindy looked to the left and the right, “Nothing definite, but I looked at some of the previous case files we had on Das Sonnenrad, and this somewhat fits their MO.” Cindy was silent for a moment. “Again, nothing definite, because a good chunk of them got killed, arrested, or skipped town, and not every necromancer is a white supremacist, but there are still a few groups left of them around St. Portwell.”

“Nazi’s again,” Jordan scoffed, “I thought we ran them all out of town.”

“We did,” Sypha added as they walked over, “how’s one of my favorite PRA agent doing?” Sypha was pale, drowsy, and tired looking. The yawn that escaped their lips drove home that point.

“I’m doing alright,” Cindy said with a shrug, “My back’s still killing me all the time, but my son is in remission, and he should be good.”

Then she gave Sypha a catty smile, “But, how are you doing? You know our medic has a spell that can remove tiredness… After he’s doing healing everyone.”

“I’m good,” Sypha smiled as she looked over Jordan with an intense stare, “and I’m glad that your son is in remission. How long now?”

“Six months now,” Cindy proudly said with a smile, “Cameron’s a tough kid. Way tougher than I was at his age.” She laughed.

“Honestly, there were days I thought about giving up the badge and turning my back on this Paranormal nonsense just to focus on him,” Cindy began, “But… shit like this proves that I am needed here.”

“We needed you back then,” Sypha smirked as they looked at Cindy, “and we needed you again today. Cameron takes after his mom, so I knew he’d be tough.”

“If you track down those responsible for this, we’re more than happy to lend our strength once again. I know we were never PRA bound with our lives, but that doesn’t mean we want you to face that alone,” Jordan smirked.

“She’s not alone, dear brother. Tell me, what do you think of your agents,” Sypha asked as they looked over to the tall and handsome one. They wanted to know their names as well.

“... I know you two are competent, but It's our job,” Cindy began. “My Agents? I’m surrounded by some of the PRA’s most competent and powerful agents. Some of which saved my ass…”

Cindy trailed off, “... And Trevor.”

“Your healer,” Sypha asked as they looked over towards the huddled masses, spotting Alex in the process, “we have a Trevor as well.”

“Once we get this place built back up we’ll have to give you the tour,” Jordan joked. Part of him wished to be apart of the fight that brought vengeance against the fuckers who dare attack his home, but part of him felt like it was no longer his place. “Be careful, Cindy, one of our artists has talked about that Scott fuckhead a few times since they joined. I felt how strong they were,” Jordan lingered his eyes on Cindy’s for a moment, “he was much, much stronger than anything I have experienced.”

Cindy laughed, before she turned to Maximilian, who was talking with members of Greenwood and the 317. “... And you haven’t seen Maximilian in action. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here…”

She sighed, “... A lot us wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him.”

Sypha smirked at the name, a cute name for a gorgeous man.

“I haven’t,” Jordan chuckled as he looked over at everyone talking, “he seems like a good person. I hope I never have to see him in action but it’s good to know that he’s on our side.”

“If Maximilian gets involved, then things have already hit the fan,” Cindy turned towards Jordan, her voice dropping low. “... Get what I’m saying?”

“I do,” Jordan swallowed the words as he said it. “This attack was that bad then?”

“Look around, brother,” Sypha returned their attention back towards the group. “We just lost everything that Faith has built in less than fifteen minutes. A pirate ship was fully visible in the middle of a very populated city. Do you think whoever did that cared for the PRA response? Or what every one-eyed open just witnessed?”

“Obviously not,” Cindy shrugged, “They had enough sense to split when we showed up so maybe they know a bit more than we thought.”

She then turned to Jordan, then Sypha, “... And the lack of regard to the whole masquerade is… Scary.”

“It feels like something big is on the horizon, no? Like,” Sypha paused as they looked towards the ruined building, “this feels like the opening shots of…”

“No, this isn’t the start,” Jordan paused, “we’re in the middle of something much bigger than I think we know and it just feels like the beginning again.”

“Yeah, if this is the start…” Cindy laughed, holding the world’s most awkward smile. “... We’re in for it, aren’t we?”

“Well,” Jordan squinted his eyes as he looked around for his glasses, “I’m just thankful we’re always stocked up on beer and wine. We’ll need it to survive I fear.” Jasper raised his eyebrows before laughing.

“I’ll need more than a drink to get through this mess,” Cindy chuckled. “But, maybe I can grab a drink or two… I know it’s drinking on the job, but who gives a shit right now?”

“I won’t report you,” Sypha smirked, “please mind the mess, I promise we’re usually more tidy.” Sypha motioned for Cindy to follow.

“Let’s go before Trevor sees,” Cindy laughed. “He’ll send the Director to come get me.”

“Hopefully he’ll meet Alex and the two can keep each other busy,” Jordan joked as he led the way into the 317. There were ruined homunculi that sparked ever so often. The walls were all damaged, and various paintings and canvas scattered the ground. He led the group to the common area nearly at the end of the wing. The destruction here was limited, only with plants and various decorative pieces littering the ground. Jordan opened the door and led them in. He walked over to one of the three fridges and opened the door, leaving it open, and then grabbed a pair of beers. He walked over to Cindy and offered her one.

“At least this room is still standing,” Sypha sighed as they walked over and grabbed a full bottle of white wine, pulled the cork out with a nearby wine opener, and began to drink from the bottle.

“Sorry, but, um,” Cindy raised a hand at Jordan, before pointing at Sypha. “What she’s having is more my speed.” She laughed.

“We have a fresh white, a couple lovely blends of red, sparkling and a rosé, what’s your poison tonight,” Sypha asked as she walked over to cabinets and grabbed a wine glass.

“More for me,” Jordan chuckled as he finished the first and started the second.

Cindy grinned, glancing at the fridge before returning to Sypha. "You know me, Syph. I’m all about the red tonight." She paused, taking in the chaotic state of the room, then chuckled again. "Might as well pretend this is some fancy dinner party..." She laughed.

“You need to join us for one of our legendary pub crawls,” Jordan joked as he opened a cabinet full of snack food, “apparently we’ve had one of your agents with us the last time.”

“Here you go,” Sypha added as they passed Cindy a full wine glass of red wine, “just a couple drinks.”

Cindy threw it back without a second thought, smiling with a pleased look. “... I would come, but I don’t think I have it in me anymore,” She said. “I usually get tired after seven these days.”
She laughed. “... I know when I was a teenager, I was just partying until twelve am every other day and then waking up for PT.” She laughed.

“I’m enjoying my youth while I can,” Jordan said with a smirk.

“I much prefer the easy night myself, but every now and again I will enjoy a night out,” Sypha took another drink from the wine bottle.

“If this is the start of something bigger after every messed up situation we should find the time to have a drink,” Jordan said as he finished another beer.

Cindy sighed, "... You know, this isn’t just about us anymore. The city’s changing, and whatever’s behind this attack knows that. They want to disrupt the balance, and they’re doing a damn good job of it..." She rolled her eyes, then chuckled.

"... But with the way things are going, we all might need to pick up drinking as a hobby just to keep from going crazy."

“We’ll be ready to defend this city, our friends, from whatever comes their way,” Jordan grabbed another beer and opened it.

“Hell, at this point, it’s starting to feel like we’re keeping the universe from falling apart!” She raised her glass toward Sypha and Jordan, “... A toast?”

“To saving the world, and maybe doing it again,” Jordan said as he raised his beer.

“At least we’re not dealing with those creepy witches this time,” Sypha joined the toast as she raised the bottle of wine.

“Please, no,” Cindy said. “Here’s to not saving the world. Because hopefully, it’s not in danger, right?”

“To not saving the world,” Sypha and Jordan said in unison as they extended their drinks towards Cindy.

Cindy laughed.

The glasses clinked as they made contact, and Cindy downed the rest of her drink in a single gulp.

---

Lila walked down the road as she made her way towards Sabrina’s home. Britney had texted her the night before, giving her the address, and was expecting her in a half-hours time. For some reason Lila decided that it was better to show up a little early without telling Britney. As they approached they rubbed their hands together, as visions of the surrounding area danced across her mind. The murder was in the sky above her, eyes scanning for any potential threat as well as any people who might see her walking towards the door. While the blind were safe from her more monstrous form, she was still wearing the same toga that Sully had thankfully gifted her. While it was not a perfect solution to her clothing problem, it still allowed her to walk around without having the blind see her naked form. As well, Lila did not want the one eyed open to perceive her. The murder did what it was told, and circled above and watched around without question.

A moment later Lila was by the door. She curled her hand into a ball, raised it up, and knocked. Lila knew that whoever answered the door would see a taller, more monstrous Lila. Hindlimbs replacing her legs, body completely covered in feathers, and unnaturally long arms and legs. Her face was thankfully still her own, albeit with black eyes with blue circles for irises but the rest of the body was very much changed. Nothing more so than the giant wings that curved adorned her back.

A few moments later, Sabrina opened the door,

“... You must be Lil-” Sabrina said before abruptly cutting herself off after seeing Lila, covering her mouth. “... Oh dear.”

”It’s cool, it’s cool, it’s LIla,” Britney said as she quickly ran over and put her hands on Sabrina’s shoulders as she looked over them. Then her jaw dropped. ”... LIla, what the hell happened to you?”

“The Maiden tried to take control. She forced a lot of transformations really fast, and the more I transformed the more she gained influence on me, and the more influence she gained on me the more she had me transform,” Lila paused as she smiled at Britney, “I figured out a way to weaker her as I learned more about the magic I have, and ta-da,” Lila paused, “kind of stuck like this until I figure out what to do next.”

”Jack needs to find that damn needle,” Britney said, ”At this rate, there won’t be any Lila left.”

“Hurry up, come in,” Sabrina grabbed Lila’s talon’s hand and guided her inside, and Britney closed the door. Sabrina leads her to the sofa in her living room. “Try not to make too much of a hoot. My little brother is in the other room, and already he’s One-Eye-Open.” She nodded.

“It’d be more if a caw but I get your point, I’ll keep it quiet,” Lila paused as she sat down on the sofa, “I am going to be a problem around the One-Eye-Ope. And the blinds because it is very hard to fit into my normal clothes. I can’t quite walk around naked!”

”As if your freaky-ahh wouldn’t try,” Britney laughed.

Lila paused as she placed her head into hands. “I’m so very tired, just tired, tired of this, and tired of all these changes.” Lila looked towards Britney and smiled, before she started a soft chuckle. “I do feel strong though so small blessings.”

“Well…” Sabrina shrugged. “That’s why you came here, right?” She tilted her head.

“My Apparition, the Silkworm, can create any clothes I can imagine; just, uh, tell me what you like.”

“Well I was hoping that Britney might give me some fashion tips to accentuate my wings,” Lila said sincerely, before she looked to Sabrina and smiled, “you did say you could make cute costumes so I am here to ask for your help as well. Can I get a cute costume, and some clothes I could wear on a day by day basis until I figure this…..this out.”

“I got you,” Sabrina said… as she stuck her hands out and created several outfits that would fit Lila perfectly. Shirts and skirts, jeans, and whatnot… a mish-mash so Lila can create whatever outfit suits the occasion. Sabrina smiled as she asked, “For the costume… I’ll need some pointers. Otherwise, you’ll be dressed up like a Power Ranger.”

“Well, before I go into that I have two questions. One, have you made anyone else in the coven a costume yet, and two can I change into something that is not a literal picnic blanket. These clothes look amazing, thank you,” Lila smiled a first true smile since she woke up this morning.

“No, and yes,” Sabrina said, before pointing at a room off to the side. “That is the guest room, you can change in there.”

Lila nodded her head and smiled. She walked over and grabbed the clothes before she walked into the nearby guest room.

[insert Britney and Sabrina if you want]

Lila emerged after seven minutes wearing the white hoodie and black skin tight pants that were included in the mash of outfits. Sabrina did the impossible, and the hoodie had somehow accommodated the spurs that connected her wings to her body. The pants, as well, fit comfortably with the hindlimb legs, and for the first time since the day of the meeting Lila felt somewhat more normal than a monster. Sure, the hands themselves were clawed and the black feathers poked out from the sleeves and from the neck hole, but to the blind, and One-Eyed-Open, Lila atleast had the look of a girl again instead of just a monster.

“If I was a hugger right now I’d give you one,” Lila said as she looked down at the clothes she wore, “feels right up there with the time I finally was able to dress myself as me. Thank you.”

Sabrina smiled,

“... Don’t mention it.” Sabrina began, “Is there anything else you need?”

“Well, Britney, is it smart for me to train? Like the bird bitch is bidding her time to try again, but in the meantime do you think it’s smart if I try and, I don’t know, try and get better at flying,” Lila paused, “like from what I know now I don’t think it’ll cause any further transformations. If it is safe I think I would like a costume.”

”I don’t see how it could hurt,” Britney said with a shrug, before a mischievous smile, ”We can make you like a superhero costume, you can be called the “Bird-Bitch’” She laughed.

“The Bird Bitch is in timeout right now,” Lila chuckled, before she laughed, and soon the laughter turned into a sigh. “but I kinda like that name for myself. I don’t want to look like a superhero. I want something that I can train in, you know? Like,” Lila paused as she pushed both wings fully out and each one was larger than she was tall by a noticeable margin, “I don’t think the blind will notice these but they’ll notice a girl soaring through the air. Maybe something that, I don’t know, gives me camouflage. Like a wingsuit, but cute.”

“... And I think you underestimate this city’s drug crisis,” Sabrina quipped.

Lila pushed both of her hands together and raised them up to her mouth. She closed her eyes as she took a deep breath, lowering her hands down as she did. “I never thought of that. I mean if it’s not as bad as Ohio I don’t know that I would notice.”

“But I get what you are saying… I trust that you will not be flying around in broad daylight?” Sabrina asked, “I can cook something up.”

“If it can be avoided it will be,” Lila smirked at the thought. Bird Bitch soaring through the air. “Thank you, so much Sabrina. Next time I see Trisha I’ll tell her that her sister is amazing.”

Sabrina awkwardly laughed, “That’s not necessary. She already knows how great I am to her and the rest of my siblings.”

“She’s got a cute boyfriend who has a weird friend,” Lila joked back.

“I heard,” Sabrina laughed, “While I do miss her, I don't have to keep Messiah away from her room.”

Lila remembered that Trisha’s boyfriend’s friend said she was quite the looker when she was even more monstrous than she was now. He was very much into the more bird-like appearance. “A chance you can make the costume with a monster fucker repellant? I worry that I’ll be attracting the wrong crowd like this.”

Sabrina awkwardly laughed, before glancing towards Messiah’s room, and as she held her gaze there, she said, “... That’s outside of my expertise, unfortunately.” She then shrugged.

“I’m certain you’ll find someone to help you with that.”

”Just carry around a spray bottle full of water and be like,” Britney added, acting as if she was holding the spray bottle. ”Pst! Pst! Pst! Get back you horny fiend!”

“Oh that’s a good idea. I call get a sharpie and write ‘horny be gone’ on the side so that I have my first superhero accessory.”

”Make Stormy come up with a spell just for that!” Britney laughed.

“We could test it on the coven, maybe we’ll have a bit more focus with it.”

”Oh, you know the problem isn’t just that they’re horny,” Britney laughed. ”I had to agree with Rubes here and there.”

“I know, I know. Was it like this ten years ago and I was just too innocent to remember,” Lila sighed with a smile. “I know I’m much more likely to speak my mind now, and it felt good doing so, but that meeting was,” Lila paused as a soft giggle escaped her lips, “my thirteenth reason. Honestly, I think it led to all this,” Lila paused as she pointed vaguely at her body. No. Lila knew better. The only person to blame for this, all of this, was herself. Why did she trust The Maiden? Why did she say what she did to Trisha? Lila wished she could say that it was the corruptive influence of The Maiden but it truly wasn’t. Lila fucked up, and now Lila knew that she had to deal with the consequences of it.

“Don’t joke like that, please,” Sabrina said.

”It was, but at the same time it wasn’t,” Britney began her explanation, taking a moment to wave her hands around a bit as she looked off to the side. ” As you said, everyone in the Old Coven had their little crews where they excelled… I mean, you didn’t see the Blackmores rolling with the ‘smart crew’.” She laughed.

“I will refrain from joking like that again Sabrina,” Lila spoke as she smiled towards Sabrina. “We were just different cliques held together by the end of the world. I still don’t know what my clique is called but I’m glad I get to see more of them this time around.”

”Eh, you’re acting like ya’ll need a fancy name!” Britney said, laughing. ”What about something corny and overdramatic like ‘Birds of a Feather’?” She grinned at Lila.

Sabrina facepalmed.

“I like it. We’re all dealing with an apparition in some way,,” Lila paused as she tilted her head, “except for Jasper. But we’re happy to have Jasper in our little flock. Especially Luca.”

Britney tugged at her collar, looking away, and then said, ”I’m glad… How’s Luca doing if you don’t mind me asking?”

“He’s oblivious to romantic advances, a little bit more sick, but he’s happy. As happy as he can be, but happy all the same.”

”I know I fucked him over,” Britney began. ”But I’m working on helping him. I promise.”

She nodded, ”I just think we should worry about Father Wolf.”

“I think you should make both a priority. What good is stopping father wolf for Luca if he dies right after? I can handle the Maiden for a while longer, but Luca needs help soon. He deserves the happiness he’s finally getting.”

”You’re right Lila, I’m just-” Britney cut herself off, taking a sigh. ”... I fucked his whole life up one time; I’m scared that I’ll mess it up all over again.”

“It is a character flaw of yours,” Lila joked with a soft chuckle, “It’s never too late to try and make amends.”

”Tell that to Sloane,” Britney rolled her eyes.

“It’ll take work,” Lila paused, “it may not even work. But if you want to try and make amends then don’t worry about what people like Sloane think,” Lila paused as she smirked a weak smile, “only you, and those you hurt, get a say in that. Fuck the noise.”

”Maybe you’re right,” Britney said with a sigh. ”But, could we discuss this another time? Maybe more one-on-one.”

“Of course.”

”... What do you think of our Greenwood buddies?” Britney asked.

“They seem nice. Sully is a good enough benchmark for their character. If he likes them then I think they gotta be alright. What do you think of them?”

”I mean, I personally think that they’re cool,” Britney started off. ”I honestly trust them more than I trust certain people in Sycamore - but if I had to be honest, that’s not saying much. I’m just wondering what they’re hoping to accomplish - like you know, get from this alliance.” Britney shrugged.

”I wasn’t surprised Ruby was just about ready to walk out, though. Sycamore doesn’t want to deal with Sycamore, so why would anyone else?” Britney awkwardly laughed. ”I mean, hopefully, what you suggested will help - God knows it’ll stop some of the screaming - but it’s just a bandage over our actual problems.”

”I hope so. I can’t face too much more chaos right now. I’m tapped out. My brain hurts in a million different ways so if the chaos is not lessened by my plan then I may have to take a few days for myself,” Lila sighed as shook her head.

”Brooo, I found a grey hair rhe other day,” Britney laughed.ghed.

”My feathers haven’t dulled, they still have their glossy blue-black shine,” Lila paused as she smirked, ”I don’t think they’ll last more than a few more meetings though.”

”Your feathers, or Sycamore?” Britney laughed.

”I think we both know the answer to that,” Lila chuckled, looking towards Sabrina, ” You chose a grand time to help us.”

“I mean…” Sabrina fiddled her thumbs and then shrugged. “I just don’t want to see people get hurt. Not when I can do something about it.”

”I am ready for this to be over. What do you plan to do when father wolf is killed, Britney?”

”... Go back to living my best life!“ Britney laughed a bit, before she shook her head. ”Well, I’m going to help Luca and whoever else needs or wants it… but, this has been one hell of a clarion call, so…”

Britney sighed, ”... I think I’m getting back into magic. Finding artifacts and training, you know. I know everyone else will go back to living without magic, but I don’t want to be caught flatfooted again if something like this pops off again.”

”You can’t be the only one who prepares for the next evil to threaten our life. If I’m still attached to The Maiden when this is all finished I’ll want to train as well. Maybe I,” Lila paused as she felt her stomach rumble. Instantly her eyes shot around the room, looking at every table and shelf for any signs of food that she could quickly and quietly steal before Britney or Sabrina noticed. ”I think lunch is in order! Are you two hungry? You look hungry! Can we make something to eat? NO! Can we order something to eat? Can we make something to eat and then order something to eat?”

Britney and Sabrina awkwardly looked at each other… Britney smiled widely at Sabrina, showing all of her teeth.

“... I can order us some food,” Sabrina shrugged. “But… are you okay?”

Britney’s eyes went from Sabrina to Lila.

”Hmmm? Oh me! Yes! Yes I’m fine just hungry,” Lila looked around seeing if there was any snacks she could spot once again, ”I mean I had a massive breakfast, a large snack on the way over, but I’m sure this hunger is normal. Normal. Normal!”

Britney pivoted towards Lila and stood straight up… she paused for a moment before she walked over to her. She grabbed Lila’s clawed hand before she looked at Sabrina - still holding that smile. ”... Lila and I will get some food! It was great having you!” She waved goodbye as she tried to lead Lila out the door.

”Okie-dokie,” Lila chuckled as she let Britney lead her out the door, bag of clothes swinging haphazardly as she walked.

After Britney made it outside, she closed the door slowly… and once she heard that click, she facepalmed, ”Jesus Christ we need to fix you… The Maiden is starting to seep into your brain.”

”No, no I’m fine! Fine! I’m just hungry,” Lila protested as she looked at Britney with a suspicious look. ” Promise promise last night I was totes much worse but I got food, oh my god the food was so good, and then I felt better,” Lila smiled as she remembered how good that food was. Lila saw through a crows eye that there was a single teenager walking down the road with a big bag of food from Dairy Queen. Her head shot over and waited impatiently for him to show up at their section of the road. A dozen crows landed around Lila and Britney and all looked towards where the teenager would show up.

Lila’s eyes narrowed as she focused.

”No, no, no,” Britney turned towards Lila, before grabbing her by her wrist and pulling her towards her car. ”We’re going to pick something up at the drive-thru and then we’re going to eat it in my car… then I’m dropping you off wherever you need to be.”

”Awww, but there’s takeout food coming our way,” Lila protestedbut let Britney drag her towards the car. ”okay fine. Fine. We can get our own food. I guess.”

Britney smiled at her.

”... Let’s go.”

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

Olivia misses Eleanor

Olivia Anne.Marie Weiss

23 | Olivia Anne Marie Weiss | She/her [hr//]"It’s all just a bunch of hocus pocus."

Description:

Olivia stands at a rather short height of 5’3”. She is a tiny character that moves through her life with grace in her step. Olivia is confident and she carries her posture as such. Her head is always held high, her steps carry with it the weight of her expectations, and her smile is ever present on her face. She has no set style, but she is always dressed nicely. Olivia often has a high bun coiled style to her hair. Her eyes are a darker brown that carries the same warmth that emanates from get smile. Olivia dresses well, even if she sometimes presents a little basic.

Olivia was born and raised in Seattle, and moved to St. Portwell when she was eleven. It was at the young age of twelve that Olivia was exposed to the magical world around her. She was walking to a friend's house when the snake’s rampage caused a kindling event, transforming the book she carried into her Grimoire, and she was rescued soon thereafter by a girl named Britney. Much was explained in that initial meeting, and much more was learned in the war. Eventually the coven emerged victorious but Olivia knew she could not stay. The Grimoire demanded she study and learn, and the coven was not a place that could facilitate that. As such, Olivia was among the first to leave without even saying goodbye. She spent the past decade finishing school, graduating with a Masters in Art History, and begun work to decipher more of the iconography found with the Grimoire. When the call to rejoin the coven was sounded Olivia did not join. Instead, she pushed and pushed to be accepted into the 317.

This morning she finally got the call.

Abstraction: Adept: Green-Blue-Orange-Black

Sacrificium - Olivia can heal, curse, boost, and summon the dead as long as she chants the spells needed for the magic and offers the ingredients to ensure a spell is successful. Her channeler is a Grimoire that has been passed down through countless generations. Each page in the Grimoire is a spell, with an incantation that must be spoken and a list of items that would be needed. Until Olivia is ready for a spell the pages will appear to be gibberish. Once she’s ready, the spell will become clear and Olivia would be able to use that spell to full effect. The Grimoire will need to be open to the page of the spell to cast it, but it can sense what Olivia is about to cast and will open itself to that page.

The Grimoire was originally created long ago by Olivia’s distant ancestors and was done so in Latin. The book translates to the language that Olivia understands but this has led to some spells being rather silly.

The Transference -

“By my will, your pain I take,
In your stead, your wounds I break.
Heal you now, as I withstand,
Restoration flows from my hand.”

This is one of Olivia’s healing spells and was the first of three spells at her disposal during her time with the coven. It is a simple one at its core, but one that Olivia must prepare for mentally. By chanting the incantation, and by pressing her hand on someone, Olivia is able to heal them of all wounds. To do so she takes them on herself. If someone has a broken arm her arm will break during the spell, if someone has been shot she’ll have an exact replica of the bullet wound. As such, she will only heal what won’t kill her.

Self Reliance-

“With this blood, my strength shall rise,
In sacrifice, my spirit flies.
Healing flows from pain I share,
Renewed and whole, beyond despair.”

Used in conjunction with The Transference, self-reliance is a spell that Olivia can use to heal herself. She must first offer up her blood willingly to get the magic flowing. This means she’ll have to draw her own blood with a blade, or any sharp object instead of any wounds caused by another. As she chants her body will heal but it will heal slowly compared to other healing magic. If she has a broken arm, for example, she might have to repeat the chant several times before it is mended.

Blood Boil-

“With gathered might, my magic flows,
In this hand, the fury grows.
By touch alone, your blood I sear,
Feel the heat, your end is near.
In boiling wrath, your life shall fade,
By my will, your fate is laid.”

Blood boil is the second of the three spells Olivia knew during the war against the snake. Olivia’s spell enchanted her hands with her green lux, and if she makes contact with another person or creature she will cause their blood to boil. A strong creature will be able to resist this magic, only having the effect localized to the point of contact. But if they’re weak, or if Olivia enchants the spell further with her blood sacrifice, she can cause all of their blood to boil.

Acid Strike-

“With this breath, I call forth spite,
Acidic venom, ready to bite.
By my will, I spit and strike,
Melt away, like candle’s light.”

The third and final spell from their time with the coven, Olivia is able to turn her spit into an acidic liquid that she can spit out. It does not enhance the amount of spit in her mouth, or how far she can spit it.

Familiar Form-

“From my core, our essence wakes,
By my will, the spirit breaks.
Familiar guide, answer my call,
Emerge and stand, before me fall.”

The last green lux spell Olivia has learned, Olivia is able to summon her witches familiar. The spell requires her to get naked, sit cross legged, and chant this spell for as long as it takes to summon the familiar. The familiar is a spirit, and must decide whether or not they will answer the call. If they do, they’ll be born from the flesh of the witch who summons them and will be fueled by the witch's life force. The summoning is an incredibly painful process. If the witch chooses to dismiss the familiar they’ll simply turn to dust and the life force will return to the witch.

Creeping Weakness-

“Shadows creep, your strength shall wane,
With every breath, I draw your pain.
Life’s spark dims, your power fades,
In silent whispers, my spell invades.”

By chanting the spell creeping weakness Olivia is able to make her target feel weakened. The weakness they feel would be subtle at first, maybe a step forward would rob them of their breath or the act of using magic would take more energy than normal. However, if she is able to keep the chant going the effects of this spell would grow in power and scope. After thirty seconds it’ll start piercing through emotional fields, and the weakness will only grow in strength. Olivia must very within earshot of her target for the spell to work as her words carry the curse.

The Fool -

“In shadows deep, where fears reside,
Laughter echoes, truth belied.
Insult and jest, your hearts exposed,
In merry torment, your shame is imposed.”

When Olivia offers her blood up willingly, she can also curse the minds of a singular target. This spell can pierce emotional fields however it can only do so with a hefty blood offering. When the spell takes hold, the target will be subjected to vicious ridicule, taunts, and be swarmed by a terrible laughter that can drive them mad. The spell can last anywhere from a minute to an hour depending on how long Olivia chants, and how much blood she uses in the spell. Once again, the target must hear the chant in full to fall under it’s effects.

Obey Me-

“Hear my call, your will shall yield,
In my command, your fate is sealed.
Bend your mind, your heart must sway,
Submit to me, and do as I say.”

Obey me is one of Olivia’s most aggressive curses. Whereas her other spells work like a needle, Obey Me is like a hammer smashing against the walls of a person's mind. This spell requires a hefty blood offering, and will make Octavia weak, however, it will be able to smash a person's emotional field and subject them to Olivia’s command. Olivia can only maintain control as long as she chants, and as long as the target can hear her voice from her lips. This curse does not require the target to hear, only to be in the line of fire.

Faerie Fire-

“Flicker bright, in shadows deep,
Awaken fear, let panic seep.
All around, let visions blaze,
In this fright, their minds will craze.
Let flames of doubt consume their sight,
In terror’s dance, they lose their fight.”

Faerie Fire is Olivia’s most powerful individually cast curse. It requires a lot of blood and part of her life force to cast. The spell will target seven people and curse their minds to think they’re on fire. Everything they see, touch, taste, smell, and feel will tell them so. It is incredibly painful, traumatizing, and debilitating. The spell will last for seven minutes. Each target does not need to hear, however, those that do will feel the spell hit with an increased magnitude of power.

Fantastical Feline-

“By fur and blood, the magic blends,
In this vessel, the spell ascends.
With this mark, take form anew,
Transformed with grace, my feline crew.”

Olivia’s curse magic can be used to disguise herself, and others, as simple house cats. They’ll still be able to talk like normal but for all other intents and purposes they will be a cat. She’ll need to have a tuft of cat fur and drain her blood into a goblet, mix, mark, and then chant. The spell lasts for seven hours but can be ended sooner.

Banishment-

“Together we stand, our voices align,
With power united, your fate we entwine.
From this realm, your presence we sever,
Into the pit, now and forever.
By our will, let shadows arise,
In darkness, your spirit flies.
Through the veil, we cast you away,
In the pit, forever you stay.”

Banishment is the first and only spell that Olivia has learned that requires another adept to cast. The two adept’s must cut their hands, hold them together, and chant this spell three times without interruption for it to succeed. If successful, their target will be plucked from Shimmer and banished to the pit. The spell exerts a toll on both adepts, as their blood loss will be significant and their life force drained for seven hours. As well, there will be a hole in their soul that the adepts will forever feel. For there is no greater curse than the pit, and to truly commit to the spell a part of them must accompany the target there.

Haunting Specters-

“From shadows deep and sorrowed past,
I call the souls of victims cast.
Rise from the graves, let anguish swell,
To haunt the living, a vengeful spell.
With whispers soft and chilling cries,
Unleash your fury, let terror arise.
In shadows they gather, a spectral horde,
To bind your spirit with chains unscored.
Feel their pain, their wrath, their fear,
For in your presence, they now draw near.
By my will, let vengeance flow,
Through cursed winds, your fury grows.”

The first necromancy spell Olivia learned, Haunting Specters allows Olivia to summon the victims of a target and allows them to get their revenge. Olivia will need to do several things before she begins the spell. First, she’ll need an object of importance to the target. The more important an item is the stronger the spell. Next, she’ll need a black candle to establish the connection with the spirits. From here, she’ll need to create a circle out of salt and fill a chalice with water to give life to the spirits. Lastly, she’ll need to open her grimoire and look into a scrying mirror and repeat the chant seven times. The phantoms will be released from here and haunt their target until they are dead, or the summoning circle is broken. The haunt will start slow, but will ramp up over a week's time at which point it will be a battle between the spirits and their mark.

Communes with the dead-

“By the name I speak, I call to thee,
Awaken now, and set your spirit free.
Spirit of [Name], I seek your voice,
Join with me; let us rejoice.
With open heart and intent sincere,
Reveal your words; let all be clear.”

Olivia can act as the vessel for a spirit to allow them to speak with the living. Olivia will need three things to summon a spirit like this. A drink that they liked, a food they liked, and an object that was important to them. Once she recites the chant the spirit, if willing, will possess her body. The spirit can only drink what was provided, eat that which was given, and talk to those in their presence. Olivia prefers this to be in a more intimate, secluded setting as they give up their autonomy for seven minutes while the ghost is in their body. If someone tries to interact with her during this time she will be at the mercy of the spirit.

A Final Fight-

“From earth below, where spirits dwell,
I call the fallen, hear my spell.
Rise once more, from dust and pain,
Join my cause, in this battle’s gain.
In honor’s name, your strength I seek,
Fight for me, as this moment’s bleak.”

The ultimate spell for Olivia and the black lux that fuels it, A Final Fight calls on any who died at the location to rise up once more for a final battle. The spell itself will nearly kill Olivia if she is lucky or will actually kill her if she’s not. This spell does not require a body, item offering, or even knowledge of who died where. The simple act of casting this spell is enough for Olivia to bring an army of the dead back with whatever weapons they may carry, if any at all. They are both solid and not, as strikes against them will simply pass through while their strikes will hit true. Only lux can dispel these spirits.

Empowered Touch

“With this touch, my power flows,
Strength and speed, like wind that blows.
By my hand, let courage soar,
Unleash your magic, forever more.”

The weakest lux that Olivia has access to is her orange lux. She has only recently mastered her first orange lux spell and it is rather weak. She can slightly boost a person's strength, speed, magic, or mood but it’ll be a small increase.

First of a few new 317 NPC’s

A vivid blur

Cyrus.Tempus

23 | Cyrus Tempus | He/Him [hr//]" Oh you’re so adorable when you get mad."

Description:

Cyrus is a tall, lanky, but conventionally attractive man. He walks a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and it is one of the first things that people will notice. They will often either think he’s the most confident man in the room or the most cocky. There is never anyone in the middle. He is always dressed well, with well fitting button up shirts and stylish pants. He will often accessorize with bracelets, rings, and other charms on his hands.

Cyrus began his life in a town called Peacetree City in Georgia. He showed incredible athletic ability and as such was a constant fixture on the sport scene. He was the best on his team with baseball, football, and soccer and somehow he found the time to perfect all three. When he made it to Highschool he committed to just football. He started all four years and was his school's starting quarterback. In his senior year he carried the team on his back to the state championship. In the game he suffered a terrible leg injury on the final play of the game. His selfless act allowed his team to win, but it also stopped him from ever competing again. The raw emotional pain he endured as a result led to the events that caused him to kindle.

Cyrus took a gap year while he recovered. In this time he developed a knack for photography and quickly found a passion for it. It was a violent passion, much like sports were, and he had to become the best. After a few tears of schooling, and countless hours of training, he joined the 317. Right before the attack on the 317 Cyrus was promoted from the JV team to the varsity level.

Abstraction: Adept: Gold-Purple Lux

A wrinkle- Cyrus can project versions of himself from alternate timeline, have them take actions, and swap with them if the bed arises.

A team of my own-

Cyrus can summon three versions of himself from alternate timelines. They may be dressed the same, with slight variations, or be completely different. These versions of himself will be able to move, take actions, and act independently from his control. These versions of Curtis l Cyrus can not interact with our reality, they can not touch others or be touched themselves. There will be a flicker that will reveal them to be ghosts of Cyrus so he won’t be able to shadow cover jutsu his way out of a fight. They will be holding whatever Cyrus is holding.

Assume Control-

Cyrus can swap with any alternate version of himself at any time. If one is readying a strike, and has an opening to land it, Cyrus will assume control and land the strike. As well, if Cyrus is about to be hit he can also swap his way to safety.

A French Connection

Leah.Louis Dubois-Harrington

29 | Leah Louise Dubois-Harrington | She/Her [hr//]" If you ever threaten my children again I will cut off your penis, and sew it to your face so the world will always see you for the dick you are.”

Description:

Leah stands at short five foot height with a relatively petite build. She has incredibly curly hair that reaches down to the top of her shoulders. Her mother was French, and her dad was Korean, and thus she’s inherited a very ambiguous face. She is always dressed incredibly well. Every outfit is meticulously put together. Her business is fashion so she always ensures that she looks good. If anyone spots her at home she will threaten them to ensure they never spill the beans on what her home look is.

Leah was born in Paris, France, and spent the first twenty three years of her life here. Her parents pushed her to master her native French, her father’s Korean, and English as a third language, though she speaks it with a heavy French accent. She was a good student who always was at the front of her class. A chance encounter with a vampire apparition as a teenager caused her to kindle and murder the bloodsucking horror that threatened her. She tried to bury the magical side from here and soon she found herself graduating college at eighteen. In her eighteenth year she met an American man named Stephen. The two dated for several years before they moved back to his hometown of St. Portwell. Four years ago they married in a beautiful ceremony back in Paris and set out to build the perfect life in America. The two would welcome a child four years ago, and another child the year after. The two raised their daughters Aurora and Rose together and Leah truly believed she had found her happy place. Stephen was once a part of a coven and, with his help, Leah’s magic flourished and she found strength with it. She found work as a part time fashion designer at The 317 a year ago and combined her passion for creating clothes with her magic.

Six months ago Charles was killed, crashing her entire world down with it. The case is still open, with no leads on the suspect, and the only thing left behind was a wolf carving. The more she learns about the monster that hunts the Sycamore tree coven, the more it is clear that her husband was murdered by this Father Wolf due to his connection with the fateful fight against the Stygian Snake. While she is facing mounting pressure to return home to France, she has decided to remain to help the 317 in their fight, and may lend her support to Sycamore if the need arises.

Abstraction:

Adept: Gold-Red lux

A Whimsical Melody: Leah is a gold-red adept who, while listening to music through her Walkman channeler, can turn inanimate objects into her magical minions. The function of the minions depends on the emotion used to create them. Happy emotions build minions who help whereas angry emotions build monsters. She is still a novice with her magic so she is limited in scope and function for now.

Nine To Five-

When Leah plays music through her Channeler she can create magical minions. As she dances along to the music, an important step in this magic, she’ll be able to turn mundane objects into these minions. A broom will start sweeping, a mop will start mopping, and dishes would clean themself for example. Any object can be turned into a minion and these minions are only useful for the simple acts of keeping a place tidy, and helps her turn even the most boring of chores into a fun magic filled adventure. She uses this magic when she is also creating the clothes that she sells. The needle, thread, and every other tool will animate and do the work for her. She’ll need to create the designs, and know how to create the outfit she wants, as even if they’re magical they’re simply tools that Leah uses. Leah will typically use as upbeat song to fuel this magic.

You outta know-

If she, her kids, or her friends are threatened she can use the very same magic to turn a simple object into a magical monster. If she turns a stuffed animal into a monsterous minion, for example, they may grow in size to monstrous heights, adopt some terrifying fangs, and have a personality that is prone to lashing out suddenly and violently towards perceived threats. Anything created with this spell will change physically, and they will all attack without a second thought.

Eye Spy

Monica.Tesfa

31 | Monica Tesfa | She/Her [hr//]"Magic, like art, is truly found in the eyes of the beholder.”

Description:

Monica is a tall woman. She stands at a height of five foot eleven inches her height has allowed her to look down on most men. She dresses comfortably, and tries to always look decent for every occasion without sacrificing her comfort. Her hair is very coily and very much blown out, and she spends countless hours each day working on it.

Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Monica had a relatively simple life. She played sports, got good grades, and went to college. After graduation, she stayed in Ann Arbor and opened a cute but quaint vintage fashion store where she curated, and restored, old and interesting pieces of vintage history. She had sections for clothes, equipment, and had basically a bit of everything under the sun. One day she had a box of antiques donated after a man in town died and it was in this box where her magical journey started. She grabbed an old pan flute with three pipes, made out of bronze, and played a melody on it. The melody was simple, but it was enough to break the seal that held an apparition inside, releasing it and causing a kindling event. While the apparition only thanked her, it’s presence alive without glamor caused a significant emotional moment.

She could now hear the thoughts of people if she was able to look them in the eyes. As well, if she knew who she was looking for, she could also project her own thoughts into theirs. She was pulled into a local coven who sensed her magic and she trained from there. Eventually she learned of a magic filled collective out west and decided it was time to truly combine her crafts. She arrived three months ago and has been an independent artist at work here.

Abstraction:

Adept - Pink Lux

Monica is a pink adept who, by looking in someone’s eyes, can read their thoughts, learn much about who they are, and can search for minds telepathically in a five hundred foot radius.

Eye of the beholder-

When Monica looks someone in the eyes she learns much about a person. What their proudest moment is, what makes them afraid, and what they’re currently thinking. It is a subtle intrusion but it is quite powerful at finding ways through the emotional fields of adepts. The longer she holds the connection the stronger her magic becomes. She does have trouble with adjoined, and can not penetrate a raw apparition in the wild.

Deus Ex Woman - Monica can also reach out with her mind and connect with those around her. She’ll find it hard to read the thoughts of others, but can with enough concentration, but she can freely talk through this connection with ease.

A Soldier Far From War

Darren.’Riley’ Mayfield

37 | Darren ‘Riley’ Mayfield | He/Him [hr//]" Oh that’s cute that you think you can beat me.”

Description:

Darren is not the tallest man in a room. He is five foot five, but has packed it with a sturdy muscular frame. He dresses like a man half his age with a common theme being fishnets, denim jackets, and ripped jeans. He has various tattoos across his arms and chest, the most visible being the one that denotes his time with the marines.

Darren was born in Indiana and, at a young age, decided that he would find his way through the world as best he could until he was old enough to enlist in the marines. His father was a marine, and his father before him was a part of the army, and as such Darren felt that it was his honor, and duty, to carry on that family tradition. His grades were never perfect but he got by. He played sports but was never the best. He enlisted as soon as he could, and by the time he finished with his training the country was preparing for a war in the Middle East. He fought in the first, second, and third conflict that flared up in this part of the world. It was early on in these conflicts that the sight of his entire squad dead caused him to kindle. He kept his magic secret, and he kept it that way all the way until after he was honorably discharged.

He was now thirty years old. A warrior without a war to fight or train for. He moved out to Seattle at thirty two and within a year he met a woman named Faith who discovered his secret. She showed him that the magical world was much bigger, and much more scary, than he ever knew and he learned that it was only a matter of time before the best big magical fight kicked off. As such, he moved to St. Portwell and began to train with help from Faith. It was here he discovered a love for painting and quickly learned he had a knack for it. He started a project called the Soldier Series, a loosely connected series of paintings that he began to sell at the 317. It was more expensive than they had any right to be but he sold them with a story, and with the promise that thirty percent of the proceeds would go to a wounded warrior charity, a promise he has kept.

Faith has told him that a war had found them, and that she’d need more soldiers to fight it. Darren heard enough and as such he was promoted to a full time member.

Abstraction:

Adept. Red-Purple

Darren is a Red-Purple adept who focuses on creating, manipulating elemental magic.

Take Flight-

Darren focuses the fire of his red lux into the palms of his hands and, or, the balls of his feet. As the power grows a visible red ball will appear. Eventually the magic will shoot out with a powerful force that allows him to either fly through the air, or rocket across the Ice Rink spell. This gives him a very versatile movement skill. He needs to be careful while using this spell because while he may be immune to the magic he uses, he’s not immune to crashing and breaking his bones.

Fire Lance-

Darren points out his ring and middle finger together, while his pointer and pinky touch underneath, and channels his fire magic into the air between the fingers. As it readies the fire will form a ball. From here Darren can either shoot out a fire blast which envelops a target, fire spears that try to impale them, or continuously channel it into a flamethrower.

Fire Walls

Bringing his hands together Darren will channel his fire magic for his ultimate spell. He’ll shoot his hands out and in the process of doing this will create large walls of fire. The walls are nearly twenty feet long and ten feet tall. He’ll aim to place this on either side of a group of enemies so that they’ll be trapped in between. Then he’ll slam his hands together which will cause the magic walls of fire to slam together as well. There is a physical force applied with his purple lux. This is not enough to squash them but it is enough to hold the targets in place while the now single wall of fire incinerates their targets.

Cold Blast-

Darren once again pushes his ring finger and middle finger together on top while the pointer and pinky touches underneath. He then channels the ice aspect of his ice magic and, like Fire Lance, can utilize the magic in several ways. He can send a magical blast of cold magic to knock an opponent off their feet, create daggers of ice that get launched with his purple lux, or even just channel the magic constantly to have a constant cold flamethrower that envelops targets in a magical cold that can freeze them to their core.

Ice Manipulation-

Darren can manipulate any of his magical ice. This could be to cause it to grow from a simple patch to a field of ice spears, or allow him to change the size of his ice daggers. If it’s ice made from his magic it’s able to be manipulated.

Ice Rink -

If Darren needs to install crowd control, or move around a battlefield quickly, he can summon his red lux and use it to coat the entire area, or a small subsection of the area, in a perfect rink of ice. He will also use his purple lux to push down on the ice uniformly to make it as smooth as possible. It is magically slippery so most will slip and fall on it but Darren has practiced over the past two decades and is able to not only navigate it, but speed across it.

Destructo Disk-

The ultimate cold spell, Darren holds a hand up and back and forges a disk of ice above it. It quickly gains size, Ave with two seconds this disk its as wide as he is tall. It is compressed during this process, and given a spin, with his purple lux, all the while the edge gets sharper and sharper. He then uses his purple lux to throw the spinning disk, and can guide it through a crowd. He can not adjust it too much as the disk will lose its spin if he tries to deviate it too much from its initial course. The disk is sharp, and can cut through those with weaker emotional fields with ease, and can pose a threat to those who have a stronger one.

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

---

The Guild > Many Locations > Luca’s Apartment

---

”So… Where are we going?” Luca asked as he got into Jasper's car, making sure to sit close enough to the door to not catch him in his aura.

All he knew was that they were having dinner, and maybe doing some more things… as friends, of course. As much as Jasper telling him to keep his evening clear to spend time together out somewhere sounded like a date, it definitely wasn't. Jasper was straight after all! And if Luca had pulled out one of his best shirts, worn so little it was mostly rot undamaged, it was just in case they went somewhere nice to eat. But it probably would be somewhere quiet, with loads of space, thanks to his rotting so… maybe he'd look out of place. But that didn't matter too much!

”I hope it's not Dairy Queen again!” he added, laughing.

“Hey, Dairy Queen is a respectable spot for a dinner,” Jasper paused as he turned on his car, “plus their Nutter Butter Shake is worth it every time,” Jasper paused as he looked over to Luca. “But no, not Dairy Queen. We’re going to a restaurant that an acquaintance of mine owns. He spent entirely too much money on a few of my paintings,” Jasper paused as he pulled the car into the road and into what should be a wonderful night, “so I return the favor by going to his business and spend money there,” Jasper paused as he turned on the Bluetooth to his car and began to play his playlist which featured a lot of romantic songs.

“Have you heard of The Guild,” Jasper asked with a smile. The Guild was one of the premier dinner locations in Columbus. It was new, fresh, and most importantly ambitious. Rumor had it they were chasing their first Star. The menu was entirely vegetarian, which Jasper hoped would be easy on Lucas’s system.

”I haven't, but I'm sure if you go regularly I'll like it,” Luca grinned. ”I don't really… Well, I can't eat out much, so I barely even know the places nearby. Not that there's many… unless Olivia went and talked about it, but she was mostly a cute cafe person.”

He nodded his head slightly in time to the music, before paying more attention to the lyrics… he blushed. It was cute, romantic- but that was probably just Jasper's music taste! ”The owners got good taste if he bought your paintings, are they hung up there?”

“Oh yes,” Jasper said as he looked at Luca out of the side of his eyes, “hey, then let’s make tonight as memorable as possible. I can’t say I went ahead to make arrangements,” Jasper smirked, “let’s just say I have prepared a surprise. I needed it before tonight and I just got it this morning,” Jasper paused as he merged onto the Highway.

”Oh what is- wait, I won't ask, that stops it being a surprise,” Luca smiled, leaning back in the chair with a relaxed sigh. His gloved fingers tapped on his knees. He honestly couldn't wait to spend the evening together… enough that he wouldn't worry too much about the risk. Just a night with his best friend! Nothing more! Maybe they'd even hold- no, the music was influencing him! He'd put hope for that aside. ”Well, I can't wait, I haven't properly been out for a while… so long as there's no risk of me hurting anyone. Hopefully that weird skeleton doesn't follow us either!”

“No spoilers,” Jasper said with a smirk. The rest of the drive was peaceful but filled with laughs. Jasper kept his eye on the rear view mirror to see if Skelly would make an appearance. Soon, Jasper pulled into the restaurant parking lot and had his car placed his car into park. “stay there. One second,” Jasper paused as he opened his door and walked along to the passenger side, opened it, and offered a hand to Luca. Luca would feel a similar sensation, albeit weaker, to phantombane.

Luca looked at Jasper's hand, then up at Jasper. He could feel the sensation similar to Stormy's phantombane, the rot recoiling inside of him. It wasn't that he didn't trust Jasper but… ”Is it… safe. I won't hurt you? Are you sure?” his hand hesitantly reached out, but hovered just over Jasper's anxiously.

Jasper grabbed Lucas’s hand and gently pulled him from the SUV. He could feel the same rot sensation but it was subdued, bearable, and Jasper smirked. Stormy was a great teacher. “Suprise.,”

”You… you learned Phantombane?!” Luca's eyes widened, before he grinned brightly at Jasper. He squeezed his hand - in a totally friendly manner! Because straight bros could definitely hold hands like this. ”Thats what you were doing today… I'm so happy for you, that's great! This is the best surprise, honestly, in so glad you're working on your magic. Have you shown the girls yet?”

“I asked Stormy to show me a few things and it turned out he showed me more than I expected,” Jasper chuckled. “Hopefully Lila is there when I get back. It won’t work on her but hey, be kinda fun to show off my adept prowess to you all, Jasper chuckled as he used his other hand to direct Luca towards the door.

“Shall we?”

”Yes, let's go,” Luca grinned up at him, not letting go of Jasper's hand… because why would he? If Jasper was fine with holding hands to show off his power, then Luca wasn't going to let go. He might as well make the most of it. The feeling of Jasper's much larger hand around his was… so nice. He never wanted to let go.

”You’ll have to get in between me and other people,” Luca said quietly as they entered the restaurant, looking around with wide eyes. ”Since it's still there I'm just….not hurting you.”

Jasper led the two to the hostess, provided his name and the two were led to a quiet corner of the restaurant with two chairs, one with its back to the wall without anything or anyone in the nearby area. The table was set, and two menus were placed in the seating area. Luca would notice right away that the decorative feature of this bar was simply class. There was a massive chandelier in the middle of the ceiling, the large windows looked out into the sea. He would also see a plethora of abstract art, each with a small plaque that had the name of the painting with the initials JW at the bottom right corner of each one.

“I may have called ahead and requested a table in the corner

”I’m glad you really are the best l… friend a guy could ask for!” Luca finished off cheerfully, coughing to mask what was almost a mistake. He sat down, twisting in the seat to look at the art. He rarely got to see what Jasper had painted, avoiding art galleries where getting too close could ruin the hard work of so many people. But here they were far enough away his aura wouldn't get to the paintings, and he could admire them at a distance. ”They're beautiful.”

“Can I see your arm,” Jasper asked as he pulled out his paint brush. He looked at Luca and chuckled, “Oh yes, they’re beautiful.

Luca was a bit confused, but he held out his arm anyway. Hesitantly he rolled up his sleeve to reveal a slim arm, light brown skin covered in scars and marks he had barely any memory of. He tilted his head, looking at Jasper. ”I don't just show my arm to anyone,” he joked.

Jasper held up his paintbrush and looked at Luca with a ‘trust me’ expression. He first painted a small circle, the paint was the magic of his lux made physical, and then another larger circle around it. He connected the two circles at the top with a single thin line and activated the glyph. It was a simple phantombane glyph. Normally it would last about ten minutes but with the rot Jasper guessed that would be cut in half.

“Well then, today is truly special if you trust me enough to show it. The glyph is a phantombane spell. I won’t be able to keep it up forever but, Jasper smirked as he grabbed Lucas hand and ran his fingers across Lucas’s, “It will hopefully help make tonight more enjoyable for you..

”W- Wow,” Luca stammered out, face heating up. He looked at his hand with a mixture of awe and… he really couldn’t put a name to the other feeling. Where Jasper’s fingers touched his sent little shivers up his skin, warming it up. He couldn’t resist flipping his hand around so his fingers threaded through Jasper’s. It was to prove it had really worked! A totally bro thing to do, holding hands to make sure Jasper’s new magic worked. ”That’s amazing, with this I can actually eat without worrying! I can suppress it myself but it really takes a toll.. Thanks, Jasper!”

He looked down at the menu, trying to read what was on there but really struggling to with his hand still holding Jasper’s. But… he wasn’t going to let go. Nobody could blame him for making the most of what little he got! Even if it was just a magic confirmation thing for Jasper. ”What do you recommend? Since you’ve been here before.”

“Everything is good. Like really good. I, Jasper paused as he flipped his menu around, pointing towards a dish, “have enjoyed the summer squash crudo, the Tempura cauliflower and the Papardelle. You can’t go wrong with the appetizers as well!

”Ooo, that does all sound nice,” Luca smiled, trying to ignore the constant thudding of his heart in his ears. Sure, this felt like a date, but it definitely wasn’t. All of the food recommended sounded great… He’d have to skip Tempura cauliflower, anything battered was too much of a risk. But the other suggestions he could follow. ”What kind of sizes are the dishes? Full ones, or is it a tapas style place? I’ll need to order extra anyway… Don’t worry, we can split the bill by what we got rather than in half!”

“Luca, you’re not paying for anything. I am treating you tonight, Jasper paused as he chuckled, “You could grab the movie tickets after this if you wanted to, Jasper paused as he thought how to answer the question about the size of the dishes. He brought his hands back and used them to provide Luca a rough estimate for the size of the dishes. “A healthy amount of food. Expect leftovers, especially if we grab a starter, Jasper paused as he smiled. He hoped Luca thought of this as a date from the presentation alone. He thought back to what his sister said when he went out with Lila, “you’re a fucking idiot if you think he doesn’t like you like that,” and he hoped that he was right. He’d treat Luca to the night without stress, and see how Luca feels because he wasn’t entirely sure how gay dates worked.

Jasper looked across the restaurant and saw a man reading a newspaper nearby.

Jasper was offering to pay for it… like a date. But it wasn't a date! Couldn't be, as much as Luca wanted it to be. Maybe it was normal to treat your friend to dinner? His only experience of dates was from movies, and he hadn't gone out with friends for over ten years. Him and Olivia always alternated who paid for the takeaway. ”I'll definitely get the movie tickets! And any popcorn, always gotta have popcorn at the movies.”

He twisted in his chair slightly to look at whatever Jasper was looking at. Some… old man with a newspaper, if the almost skeletal fingers holding it and decision to wear a top hat in the day and age was anything to go by. Strange, but that uneaten Papardelle in front of him looked good…

”If we have leftovers we can bring some back for the girls… though the Rot eats about half of what I do, so maybe we won't! I definitely want a starter… the food all sounds so good.” Talking about food was easier than thinking about how much this felt like a date, even though it definitely wasn't. Just Luca hoping too much. ”There's so much I want to try… maybe we can share a bit?”

“Of course, Jasper smiled, “we can try a bit of everything if you want, and we can definitely share! And at the end we can get some dessert. I’ll just have to fight the owner to actually pay for everything. He’s going to come out and demand that we accept paying for nothing. But let’s get a few starters, and a few entrees so we can share a lot.

”That sounds perfect. Between us we'll make sure he lets us pay,” Luca grinned. ”We definitely need dessert… Let me look…” he perused the starters first, humming thoughtfully. ”Ooo, they have halloumi, I love halloumi - Liv used to make this amazing halloumi dish when we lived together. That, everything you recommended- shit, they have veggie Feijoada as an entree. I haven't had it since I lived at home… you ever tried it?”

“He is very stubborn,“ Jasper looked over the dishes Luca mentioned and his body rumbled. “Let’s get the Halloumi, the tater tots are divine here so we can get them as well, the fried pickles, and maybe one of every entree?”]

”Sounds good to me… I didn’t eat all day just to prepare for this!” Luca joked, smiling brightly. He did eat, of course, but nothing ever really made him feel full. Half of it decayed away on the way down… At least most of the time the flavour fought through what rotted in his mouth right away, too. With the food decision made, he leaned back slightly to look over at Jasper's paintings. ”Which is your favourite painting you’ve done? Of the ones I can see from here… I rarely get to see art, so it's amazing seeing some of yours.”

“Not these, but I do like these ones a lot. I was still in a lot of pain when these were made, and that pain helped a lot with my creativity. My favorite pieces are ones that I’ve never sold. They mean a lot, but I think I put too much pain into them, they’re too specific to our shared past,“ Jasper paused as he smiled, “they’re less abstract than these pieces, and you might see some familiar faces in them. But, I will give you my favorite one here,“ Jasper pointed to one that was across the room, “that is Twin Dance. I painted it when I was conflicted over my feelings, my wants, my desires,“ Jasper paused as he chuckled, “my sexuality, he paused as he looked at Luca and smiled, before returning to the painting, “one side of the painting is the feelings that I showed the world, my courage, my leadership, my strength, and my passion. The other side my insecurities, my fears, doubts, questions, and confusion,” Jasper paused as he pointed towards the middle, “The middle was where the truth was. I am strong but I’m afraid, I am courageous but I doubt my own decision, and so on,“ Jasper paused as he looked at Luca, “other people have taken a different meaning, but I never correct. The correct interpretation is always in the eye of the beholder, you know?“

Jasper had questioned his sexuality? Well… Luca supposed that made sense. Most people did. No wonder he was so confident in his straightness and willing to do all these things with Luca, that most people would assume meant he liked them! He’d questioned it and realised he definitely wasn’t gay… it all made sense. ”That’s really… inspiring, Jasper. I can see how each bit represents what you’re talking about. It’s amazing. You really are an amazing painter- and person.”

Luca turned away from looking at the painting and looked back at Jasper with a bright smile. ”I hope you know that you always have people supporting you! Even if you feel afraid, or doubt yourself… I’ll always be here for you.” As soon as he said it, Luca felt a bit guilty about it… because he wouldn’t be. He'd only be here for maybe a year or two at best. ”I’d really love to see those other pieces one day… If you’d let me, of course! I don’t want to intrude in something so private.”

“Of course, you are always welcome,“ Jasper spoke as he smiled. “We can do a private tour whenever you wish,“ Jasper looked towards the painting once more and smiled.

A second later their waiter showed up. She was tall, thin, and had a full suit that was expertly tailored. Her hair color was split right down the middle, blue on one side and black on the other. “Howdy folks, I’m Sarah I’ll be your waitress today. Can I get you any drinks and starters, or are you ready to order?”

”Hi! Yeah, uh, ready to order! Can we have the Halloumi, the tater tots, the fried pickles and one of every entree? Then to drink…” Luca flicked to the drinks menu, while leaning away from the waiter just in case. He didn’t want her caught in his aura… even if it was somewhat suppressed still. He paused at the mocktail section of the drinks menu… yeah, may as well treat himself. ”Can I have the passionfruit and elderflower spritz?”

“I’ll get a-“

“Okay,” Sarah interrupted as she wrote all that down in a fancy looking notebook. “I’ll just get your usual drink, Jasper, you don’t have to say it. What brings the two of you out tonight? Fancy first date, celebrating something, or is it someone’s birthday?”

Luca coughed, cheeks heating up a bit. Fancy first date? That’s what he wanted it to be. But it wasn’t… Jasper was straight! Plus, he probably liked Sloane. It was unfair for Luca to hope for something that could never be. What if it ruined their friendship? ”Uh, a celebration! Celebrating a reunion and some successes…”

“Something like that.“. Jasper started with a smirk towards Luca.

“I am sorry to say but I do believe we are out of the veggie Feijoada. Someone here has ordered all that we prepped, can we add something else to the order to make this right?” Sarah pointed to a nearby table at a held up newspaper. Neither could make out any details about the man who had stolen the delicious food that they were waiting for.

Luca looked over at the nearby table, covered in empty plates… there was one still uneaten, and it looked perfect. Nostalgic, just like her his mom would make feijoada. He'd been looking forward to it the most… but it was fine! Clearly that fine gentleman just had really good taste. He looked up at Sarah with a smile. ”No, it's fine! I think we've ordered more than enough food otherwise, don't worry about it.”

He looked back over at Jasper, right back to smiling brightly. ”The company’s what's important really, it's all good food.”

“Thank you for letting us know in advance,“ Jasper smiled as he looked back to Luca, “the company is what I’m here for.“

Sarah smiled and walked away. A faint ‘first date then’ could be heard as she returned to the kitchen.

“I’ll make you that dish tonight when we’re back home. I won’t let one greedy person rob you of a dish you asked for.“

”You’d do that?” Luca asked, immediately brightening. His eyes creased into an adorable smile, blush dusting his cheeks from Jasper saying he was here for the company too… though obviously it was the best friend company! For sure. ”Oh, maybe I can get my mum's recipe- oh. I haven't talked to her in years… but I'm sure you'll be able to find and make one that's delicious! Your cooking is amazing.”

“I’ve always liked being as self-sufficient as I can be. Part of that was learning how to cook. Get that recipe! I’m more than happy to follow it even if it is just a list of ingredients and temperatures,“ Jasper smirked, “how rude of that guy to order all of them, and then leave a single plate out to tempt us.“

”Unfortunately I can’t get the recipe… I had to cut off my family, because they kept trying to visit me. That was a long time ago, though!” Luca shrugged as if it was something he was perfectly fine with. It was something he’d made peace with, just like his death. ”Seriously! I guess he’s just a big feijoada fan… I can’t fault that.” Luca twisted around in his seat to look at the guy. He did seem pretty boney… probably needed all the food.

”Oh, do you think if you get better at the glyphs I could learn to cook too?” Luca asked, suddenly. ”I always wanted to learn but… well, I got stuck like this at fifteen so barely had the chance.”

“I think so! They’re not powerful, and they take a bit of energy to pull off, but if I get a big enough glyph on you or a strong enough one, I’m sure we’ll have you cooking before long.“. Jasper paused as their drinks were brought out. Jasper had a local alcohol free beer called Man Overboard. It was their seasonal drink, and it reminded him of an Oktoberfest beer in the flavor profile. It came with a nice head of foam on the top of the tall, frosted glass.

“Cheers, to us, and the good times to l that follow tonight.“

”Cheers,” Luca smiled, raising his glass to tap it lightly against Jasper’s. He took a sip… it was really nice. Of course, there was that bitterness from the fresher fruit juice in it festering but he was used to that. The sweetness shone through it. ”And to all the other good times too! I’m so glad that you’re back in my life… Imagine if you hadn’t come back the second meeting? We wouldn’t be here on- out for dinner.”

Luca coughed, almost saying on a date. He was being influenced. He wished it was a date… but that was just a wish. And he felt a bit guilty too, because he was planning to leave Sycamore. Or at least… go to help, but it wouldn’t really be his Coven anymore. He wanted to tell Jasper but he’d said to Greta he wouldn’t tell anyone yet. ”Is there anything I could do that’d make you stop trusting me?” He asked suddenly.

“You’d have to say something like ‘Skelly is lowkey kinda fine’ for me to question your judgment. Even then, it’ll be more of a ‘you feeling okay? Can I get you a snack? Do you have a fever?’ kinda question. Why?“

”It’s definitely not that,” Luca laughed, before going back to look a bit more serious. ”It’s…” He'd told both Greta and Miranda he wouldn't tell anyone from Sycamore yet. He couldn't go back on his word. But… he could at least tell Jasper the basics. He was sure he'd understand.

”I can't tell you everything yet, but I'm forming a new coven. I'll still help Sycamore, but it won't really be my coven anymore. You and the girls will be welcome to follow me but… a lot of people won't be happy about it. That's why I can't really tell you the details yet. If it spreads before we even start it won't work out, you know? And I really want it to work… but it's kind of like betraying Sycamore.” It was a different side to Luca - that perpetual positivity stripped back to show a bit more of a nervousness he rarely felt. He knew this was the right decision, but he could lose friends along the way. It had been a long time since he'd even had people to lose.

Jasper listened intently to what Luca said. He was surprised, and his face reflected this, but he wanted to take in all the information. “Can I ask why?“. In truth Jasper had a good idea why. He wanted Luca to say the reason so there was no misunderstandings.

”Why I want to move covens? Well… Sycamore isn't really a coven, is it? It's a group of people trying not to die, forced together. And I want to keep helping with that. But once all of this is done, everyone will go their separate ways again. Most people can go back to their normal lives… I can't. Not while I'm like this.” Not that Luca expected to ever find a cure. Even if he did, would the damage be reversible? But he wanted to be with people again. Part of something that would last until he passed as peacefully as possible. ”The fighting will never stop, with each other and others. I don't want any of Sycamore to die, and I still care for most of them but… I want to be part of a coven that helps each other, with everyone I really care about in it. I hope that will include you, Lila and Lynn too.”

“You’re not getting rid of me that easy. I say speak for the girls but for me the current coven is not working so I’ll follow you into the unknown.“

”I wouldn't want rid of you,” Luca smiled warmly at Jasper. Definitely not. Even if they couldn't be anything more than friends he… wanted Jasper in his life for the rest of it. ”It’s not quite the unknown! Well maybe for you… and I guess it'll be new. But everything’s easier together, right? And I'll be second in command of the new coven so you'll have an in.”

“Can we do both until this father wolf is caught? Or will we be doing our own thing to track him down,“ Jasper said with a smile. At the end of the day Jasper was back in the magical world, might as well be a part of a group that made him happy. No other reason.

”I think so. I still plan to go to all the Sycamore meetings even if I don't really feel like I'm part of it…” Luca hadn't actually talked to Miranda about that, but they could in the future. He was sure her and Jacqueline wouldn't have a problem with them doing both for a while. Sycamore only existed for a purpose, anyway. ”I’m sure we'll look into it separately as well, but I wouldn't want to leave everyone out of the loop… as much its always a shitshow, we're still working for the same goal. I'm sure there'd be some kind of alliance too if Sycamore allows it.”

“Well,“ Jasper paused as he thought long and hard about the option. On one hand there was enough bad blood that this coven was doomed from the start. A fresh coven, free from that baggage, may be a place that he could finally be free of the baggage that holds him down. “As long as we keep helping everyone track down this killer, and make that the first priority, you have me.“

”Of course, I… Well, I only rejoined Sycamore to make sure no one else died. It'll always be my first priority, because there's so many people I love that he could kill,” Luca said, with a smile. So caught up in the moment that he didn't even think to include himself in the people he was trying to keep alive… because it was never for him. And that was why he would never leave Sycamore. ”I’m glad you'll join me. Really. We're looking for a place to stay as a coven too, so maybe we'll be able to live somewhere a little nicer and less cramped! You can have your own room again rather than having to sleep on my floor.”

“That’s one of the things I like about you,“ Jasper paused as he got lost in Lucas eyes for just a moment, “you got that protector in you. I don’t think I have much I could offer you in terms of a place for the coven. My compound is self sufficient, but not big enough to cover much more than your apartment,“ Jasper leaned back as he smiled, “if I slept anywhere else who would read me bedtime stories as I camp out on the floor.“

Luca blushed when Jasper said it was something he liked about him… obviously as a friend. You had to like things about your friends. But it was nice to hear. Even if Luca was very confident in his decisions and himself, he was only human. Compliments would always get through. ”We already have ideas for the place, so don't worry. I'm going to be using the stacks of cash I just have sitting about. I’m secretly rich.” Luca grinned, laughing. Not quite, but he certainly had enough… most of his money went on cheap replacements and medication. Otherwise he spent very little. ”You’d still be welcome to my floor if you really wanted! I'm not even sure if I'd move in with the new coven… because of the Rot. The current place is already destroyed by it. So maybe there wouldn't have to be a change, if you're that desperate to stay on my floor.”

“I’m just desperate to be around you more,“ Jasper winked as he said his most oblivious flirt yet.

Luca choked on his drink, bending over and coughing. His heart hammered in his chest and his whole face heated up. Was this what it was like having a straight guy friend? Constantly having to hear things that sounded so close to flirting but clearly weren't? Maybe it was Jasper… he really was confident in his sexuality. ”W-well, you're lucky that I like having you around.”

Luckily, he was saved from saying anymore by their starters arriving. The dishes were spread out on the table between them, with Luca leaning away from Sarah to make sure she wasn't caught in his aura at all. The smell of the food was enough to make his stomach grumble. He was always a little bit hungry thanks to the Rot, but also lacking in appetite due to the sickness. An uncomfortable situation but this food… ”It looks amazing. I don't know what to start with…”

Jasper grabbed his fork and used it to pull a single tater tot off the pile. It was dense, moist, expertly fried, and the seasoning was visible even on the outside. It was also steamy, hot, and begged to be eaten. He held it up for a second before offering the first bite to Luca.

Luca stared at the tater tot, then at Jasper. His cheeks started burning more, skin darkening to a reddish-brown. Was- was this normal too? He'd never had straight guy friends… he barely had friends at all! And he was now realising more of his friends were women so he was out of his depth. If he backed down would that make him less manly? But it was just so… the flirting was too much. His heart was trying to escape his chest.

Eventually, Luca leaned in, taking a bit of the tater tot. He only ate half of it, making sure not to touch and start to rust the fork. He chewed on it, turning away as he did to hide how much he was blushing.
”Oh it's really good… uh, you're really comfortable with who you are, aren't you, Jasper?” So confidently straight he'd feed another man in a public place…

Jasper felt like he was coming in too acting with the flirting but did enjoying the art of it. “I’m starting to be,“ Jasper paused as he finished the bite. Instantly he closed his eyes as the layer of crunch gave way to soft, buttery soft, potatoes inside. The flavor melted across his tongue in an explosion of taste and Jasper needed a moment to compose himself. “I love this.“

”Me too, it's really great!” Luca said, assuming he was talking about the food. That would make sense. Well maybe he loved being able to spend time together, which was nice too. Luca did enjoy that a lot. He glanced down at all the plates, then his hand. ”Do you mind… doing another glyph on my hand? So I can eat without destroying the forks.”

Jasper pulled the phantombane aura into his hand and reached it out for Luca's hand and held his paintbrush at the ready. He gently grabbed Lucas’s hand and turned it over so the top of it was facing up, he pressed his palm against Lucas’s. The drawing of the glyph just took a few seconds but Jasper smiled for it all.

“If I didn’t know any better I might assume you only ask so you can hold my hand,“ Jasper joked as he let go. The glyph powered on a second later.

”You caught me!” Luca joked back, with a laugh. He wanted to hold on for longer, because maybe that was part of it but… he didn't linger and let go. He wasn't going to let the meal go to waste. There'd be plenty of chances to hold Jasper's hand later.

Wait, why did he think there's be plenty of chances later? They were just friends… just wishful thinking! Luca picked up his fork and stuffed some halloumi into his mouth. It was nice, and barely changed as he chewed and swallowed. Cheese was one of the better things in his mouth… it didn't just start to rot. ”What kind of movie should we see later?”

Jasper finished sampling a bit of every dish, used the napkin to clean his face, before he looked back over to Luca. “I know it’s a bit late in the season for horror but there’s that horror movie in theaters, The Evil Dead. It’s an old one but I think it’ll be fun. They’re also playing that new inside out movie which looks cute,“ Jasper paused as he gave Luca the options he could remember.

”Let’s see the Evil Dead,” Luca said as he continued to eat. It was really good, and it was all food he could easily stomach… which was great. Even if half of it got decayed before it even reached there. ”We got interrupted the last time we watched Horror… I doubt it’ll make us actually scared, after everything we saw, but it sounds fun! I’d like to see something like that on the big screen. I can’t remember the last time I went to the cinema. Maybe five years back… with 8th. It was small, just us, so I could go without hurting anyone.”

“I’m happy to help you experience more then,“ Jasper paused as he looked at Luca. “We really haven’t watched any horror since the Bee Gee’s,“ Jasper paused as a patron walked too close to the table, “revealed themself to us. Do you remember how confused the girls were?“

”They were so confused, they thought we- well you remember,” Luca laughed as he finished off the last of the halloumi. ”It’s shit we can’t explain it. Even to Clancy, who saw it! I thought that’d maybe break the curse… but we’ll just keep confusing people…”

“Ahhhh good times, good times. That was the day we went to get costumes for the festival too. Crazy how it all feels like yesterday,“ Jasper took another few tater tots, “I do hope someone will eventually realize what we’re dealing with and help us break the curse.“

”Me too, we have enough to worry about without a skeleton hunting us,” Luca sighed, finishing off the rest of the starters without realising it. ”Oh, sorry, I should’ve left more for you!” He shook his head with a laugh. ”But on the skeleton… Clancy saw them. Maybe we can get him to help us somehow.”

“We’ll have enough entrees to fill us, and the girls, up. You are fine Luca,“ Jasper chuckled, “if not we’ll just need to train more. I think I can have a few more tricks up my sleeve here soon to deal with the bone head.“

The sound of someone angrily flapping a newspaper followed by a quick laugh filled the air. Jasper looked over to the man at the other table and raised an eyebrow.

Luca tilted his head as he looked over at the other table too. Could the gentleman over there hear them? No, must not be able to if they were talking about Skelly… just strange then. Maybe he was upset that there wasn’t any more feijoada. ”I’m definitely down for more training. It’s good for me to keep in shape! And I think… if I get fitter, I’ll be able to use more powerful rotting without hurting myself. Then I can weaken that asshole so we can finish them off.”

There was more angry newspaper flapping, along with some very loud eating. The flapping stopped and was followed by a contented sigh. Luca looked back over at the man at the other table… he’d eaten the last feijoada. And his strangely skeletal hand was rubbing his suit clad belly as if it had been so good… Luca frowned, looking down at his hands. He couldn’t even leave one plate for them?

“Training will be scheduled then. Maybe we can use my glyphs to try and give you a day break from the Rot to maybe make your body feel better as well.“

”That’d be great,” Luca let out a slight sigh. ”I’d just spend all day sleeping and eating as much as I can!”

As if by magic, as Luca spoke about eating, all of the entrees arrived and the starters were cleared away. It looked amazing… a shame there was no feijoada, but it looked great otherwise.

”Shit, there’s so much. I dunno if I’ll be able to walk back to your car after this!”

“Don’t worry Luca, I’ll carry you back if you can’t walk. Let’s dig in!“

”I’ll hold you to that,” Luca grinned, hiding the desire for that to happen behind his fringe as it fell across his eyes. He really wanted to be carried by Jasper… but it could still hurt him.

The food was as delicious as the starters. Luca practically devoured a person and a half worth of food, meaning there weren't as many leftovers as expected. He wasn't actually full afterwards, there was still that constant rotting hunger, but he was as satisfied as he could be. Not much of the pain that normally came with eating too.

”That was amazing, thank you so much for taking me out here Jasper. It's been really-” Luca stopped mid sentence as he looked past Jasper, at the man with the newspaper.

Except there was no newspaper. And it wasn't a man at all. Glowing eyes stared at Luca from a skeletal face, massive top hat barely shading them. Underneath the hole where there should be a nose was a fake moustache, that the third hand previously hidden by the newspaper was twirling. Skelly seemed to smile, raising another hand at Luca.

”J- Jasper,” Luca whispered.

Jasper’s eyes narrowed at the skeleton, his nostrils flared and his hands tightened around the knife he held in his hand. “I see them.“. Suddenly it all made sense. This fucking skeleton ordered the dish that Luca wanted. The skeleton knew that it would bring Luca joy. The skeleton was trying to fucking ruin his date night.

“This fucking Skeleton thinks he can run date night,“ Jasper whispered softly as he cracked his neck. “They won’t do anything here, Luca, he’s just trying to be a dick.“

”They ate all the feijoada…” Luca said, glaring at Skelly past Jasper. He was too intent on this to hear what Jasper whispered, though the neck crack was kind of hot… ”I know we haven't had dessert yet, but can we get the bill? Go to the cinema? I'm sure he won't follow us there.” Luca spoke quietly in the hole the skeleton wouldn't hear.

Skelly was staring back at them both, before pointing between them and dragging a finger across their skeletal throat. Then they laughed, a haunting cackle.

“Yeah, let’s get the check and go, Jasper said as he pulled his eyes off the skeleton, “I won’t let them ruin this night.“. Jasper raised a hand to signal the waiter.

Skelly had begun to scrape off the remnants of the feijoada with his hand and was savoring the flavor while looking at Luca.

Luca's fingers dug into the table in front of him, wood beginning to rot underneath their tips. As it splintered into his fingers he let out a light gasp, pulling back his hands immediately. ”They couldn't ruin it no matter how hard they try.”

A moment Sarah came over with a smile on her face. “I hope everything is going well. Have you had a chance to look over the dessert menu?”

“Not tonight,“ Jasper said as his friend quickly dropped from his face, “can we get some to go containers and the check?“

“I can do one of those, I’ll send the-“

“I will double my usual tip if you secretly grab the check and bring it back to me.“

“I’ll be right back.”

Jasper smiled as he looked over to Luca. This night would not be ruined. Jasper shifted his gaze back to Skelly but stopped right at his chest. He stared intently at a spot as if something was amiss. Jasper then pointed at the spot as his face began to have a disgusted look to it. Skelly looked down, saw that everything was normal, before they looked back to Jasper and sighed. Skelly shook their head at the childish games Jasper was playing.

Luca giggled a bit at Jasper’s antics - it was what the skeleton deserved, to be taunted a bit just like it taunted them. Luca held up his hand, clenching it into a fist to indicate that he wasn’t scared of Skelly. He would weaken them again if he had to, even if it hurt him.

”At least he waited till we finished eating to be a dick,” Luca said quietly. ”Shame we didn’t get dessert… but we can just get loads of popcorn at the cinema.”

Sarah came back with the bill. She was looking around her nervously, checking for the owner just in case. Jasper pulled out his card and grabbed the bill and the pen, wrote a nice tip, and gave it back to Sarah who quickly ran to the register.

“Oh that’s going to be so fun! I’m so glad I get to take you to your first movie though. Movie theater popcorn is so good. We can even have some candy,“ Jasper said with a smirk.

”It’s not my first ever, just my first since I adjoined,” Luca laughed. ”I never got candy when I went before though… I can’t wait. We can eat all the unhealthy shit, since we’re adults with money and that.”

It didn’t take long for Sarah to come back with Jasper’s card, and they could leave. Not before one last look at Skelly.

One hand of Skelly’s raised to wave at them, while a tiny hand that was still growing back flipped them the middle finger.

---

The cinema that Jasper took Luca to was small, but quiet. Out of the way enough that not many people would travel to it… how it was still open was a mystery. But it was the perfect location for Luca. He didn’t have to worry so much about accidentally hurting anyone, especially when most people around would be blinds.

There were even little machines to buy the tickets from, and he chose them two seats far away from anyone else, a few rows from the back… not that the cinema was too filled.

”What do you want to eat?” Luca asked with a grin, walking towards the snack counter. ”My treat!”

“Obviously we need to get some Skittles, you know taste the rainbow and all,“ Jasper said smirking as he pointed towards the Crunch bars. “That chocolate was my favorite as a kid.“

Luca nodded in understanding. Of course Jasper wanted to taste the rainbow! He was an artist, he loved painting and saw meaning in everything. Tasting colours must be a whole different, amazing experience to an artist. ”We’ll get all of those then!”

He grabbed a bunch of Crunch bars, a packet of skittles to share, then also asked for a large popcorn and a large soda at the counter. He grabbed a bottle of water for himself… he’d maybe have a bit of the soda, but he couldn’t really handle it otherwise.

”Let’s go!”

Jasper grabbed as many snacks as his one hand could carry, popcorn bucket held in place by the elbow, while his other hand carried the extra large drink. He led the way to the movie theater and to the perfect date night scary movie to hopefully get close to Luca.

---

Jasper led Luca out of the movie theater thirty minutes later as the fire alarm blared. It echoed against the walls of the hallway, forcing everyone to cover their ears with their hands. Despite what the alarm suggested there was no indication that a fire was occurring. The movie theater attendants had a bored, if upset, expression on their faces as they helped evacuate the building. The hallway only smelled of butter. And the air was as clear as it was when Jasper entered. His mind knew better. Jasper scanned the crowd, knowing who had caused this terrible interruption to the date night.

And then he saw them. Through the crowd the skeleton grinned at Jasper and Luca. Jasper pointed towards Skelly with one hand while his elbow nudged Luca.

”That asshole,” Luca whispered, ears still ringing and sore. He was close to Jasper, using him as a physical shield to protect the Blinds from the rot… but he could still see Skelly. Glare at him, and feel upset at him.

Skelly stared back with a devilish grin as they raised their baby arm…..

---

….and waved as they crashed their bumper car into the one Jasper and Luca were in.

Jasper sighed as he looked over to Luca to make sure was alright. He slowly turned his head back to face Skelly, lips curling as his face began to boil red.

“You are a fucking……,“

---

“DICK“ Jasper shouted as he jacked up his car. His eyes on the skeletal finger jabbed through his car's front tire. Off to the side Jasper knew that Skelly was keeling over laughing, pointing at the two with a hand that was missing its middle finger. Jasper did not want to give him the gratification of his attention.

“Don’t worry Luca, we’ll have some fun at the Science Center’s After Dark event,“ Jasper said to Luca through the driver side window. His tone betrayed his annoyance at the skeleton.

Luca nodded, hand clenched as he tried his best to suppress the Rot and not damage Jasper’s car. ”You’re right! I’m sure that’ll be quite and-”

---

”- absolutely full of Ghosts?!” Luca looked in shock at the science centre that was quiet when it came to normal people, but filled with Apparitions of all kinds. Skelly sat on an exhibit, sinister cackle echoed by many other ghosts.

”... do they have friends?”

Jasper’s mouth was agape as he looked at a particularly nasty ghost who waved at him, before using her pointer finger to tell Jasper to follow her. Jasper simply shook his head no. “I know Skelly doesn’t,“ Jasper paused as he looked towards Luca, “that which has no joy has nothing to offer a friend.“

”You’re right,” Luca replied, suddenly smiling when he thought about it. That was right. The two of them were such good friends because of the joy they shared. ”Why don’t we try going somewhere for dessert? Since we didn’t earlier. Oh, ice cream is perfect for-”

---

”-giving me a headache. This is giving me a really bad headache.” Luca groaned as they once again had to evacuate, alarms blaring as they were doused in water from the sprinklers.

Skelly watched them from inside, match still lit in his hand even as the fire he’d started was put out by the sprinklers.

“I swear I’m going to kill this monster. Come on Luca, this night has been perfect even with the skeleton interruptions. Come on, let’s get….“

---

“…home….“.

Jasper sighed as he put the car into park. The duo had finally managed to make it home but not without a fun night filled with many memories. Like when the skeleton ruined dinner, injured them in a bumper car crash, destroyed a tire, was an absolute freak at the science center, and stopped them from getting ice cream.

“I wish that we could tell the girls about what happened tonight

”Yeah, I bet they’d have a good laugh about it,” Luca said. He rubbed his wrist, wincing. It… didn’t quite feel broken from the bumper car incident, but it was definitely sprained. He’d be struggling to walk tomorrow too. ”I still had a great night… thank you, Jasper. It was really fun. That skeleton didn’t manage to ruin it, even though he tried to. Honestly, anytime with you is time I enjoy. A lot.”

Just being near his crush was enough to make Luca happy. Getting to spend time around people, feeling things he hadn’t in a long time… having a bit of real hope again. It was nice. Skelly couldn’t take that away from him. His love for Jasper was much stronger than that.

“This is the first of many my dear Luca,” Jasper said as he held up his paint brush, “may I?”

”Of course,” Luca smiled brightly, lighting up his entire face. There was a light blush across his cheeks, but he still held out his arm. ”Paint as much as you want!”

Jasper painted a sigil on Lucas hand before he channeled the phantombane into his own. He then grabbed Lucas' hand with one, and the bags filled with leftovers with the other, and pointed with his head towards the entrance to the apartment complex. “Shall we?”

The warmth from Jasper’s hand in his spread up Luca’s arm, until his whole body felt warm. It was a comforting, bubbly feeling. He let himself bathe in it for a moment. It was nice… and it was fine to feel this way, right? Jasper had taken his hand. Friends held hands all the time.

He shouldn’t question it. Just go along, enjoy it.

”I hope the girls have had a good night without us around,” Luca chatted brightly as they made their way into the complex, waiting a few moments for the elevator. ”I haven’t really seen either of them today… I was out most of the afternoon too.”

“Oh they’ve had an easy night I’m sure. I doubt that they’ve done anything besides drink today,” Jasper said with a grin. Jasper squeezed tighter on Luca’s hand. “I was gone in the morning and when I got back they were both gone. What were they getting up to today, did they tell you?”

”Lila said she was training when she went out… I didn’t see Lynn at all, so no idea,” Luca shrugged, smiling widely up at Jasper as the elevator reached the ground floor and they could step up. Being able to hold hands with Jasper like this… it was really nice. He’d rarely had any physical contact outside of the occasional bubbled hug with Ken. And when it was the person he liked… he felt lighter for it. Like the rotting wasn’t there anymore. ”I want to hear about Lila’s training, honestly. Hopefully it went well!”

Jasper led Luca into the elevator and hit the button for their floor. A few moments later they reached their floor. Jasper smiled at Luca as the two found themself outside the door. Jasper looked towards Luca and smiled as he was getting a strong desire to get closer to him. Jasper took a step closer, practically pressing up to Luca. The sound of Lynn shouting “no, no, no,” before the sound of glass shattering filled the air. Jasper looked to the door as he dropped the food. His mind went to a place that father wolf occupied.

”Lynn!” Luca barely had a chance to react to, or enjoy, how close Jasper had gotten. He didn’t pull out his keys - there was no time. Instead his whole body pressed against the recently replaced wooden door, rotting it away, and he burst into the flat. ”Lynn?!”

Luca would see Lynn in the corner of the room on the ground crying. She was wearing an oversized blue shirt, stained with tears, and white sweatpants. Her hair was disheveled, and looked to have been pulled out of place. The makeup on her face had long since run down her cheek.

Between Luca and Lynn was a winged monstrosity. The hindlimbs looked like the legs of a raptor, with large talons that threatened to shred through Lynn. The legs were completely bird-like and covered in a thick layer of black feathers. Luca would be able to see the faint outline of blue feathers on the front. The wings of this monster were massive with each one being as long as this creature was tall. They were completely spread out and filled the entirety of the room. The monster had a broken glass bottle in their clawed hand.

”Lynn!” Luca shouted again, running forward. He ignored the pain in his limbs as he pushed completely past the creature, putting himself between them without touching Lynn herself. The rotting aura would touch both - a prickling, at first. He held up his hands. ”Stay back.”

The Rot cackled in his mind, but Luca ignored it.

Lila’s eyes shifted downward towards Luca and she raised an eyebrow. A second later Jasper impacted, shoulders to Lila’s waist, and Lila barely moved from her spot. Lila knew this would happen. She knew that her monstrous form would be too much for the boys, and that they’d lash out violently. She thought that until she realized that Lynn was on the ground crying and there was a bird monster approaching. She looked at the way Jasper was dressed, how Luca was dressed, and realized they were just coming home from a fancy night. Could the fancy night be their first date?

“Oh my God. Did you two just get back from a date,” Lila said as she cupped her cheeks with her clawed hands. Lynn looked to Jasper, then Luca, and raised an eyebrow as a wicked smile broke through the sadness. Jasper looked to Lynn, and then to Lila but he was too confused to even think about anything other than the changes Lila presented them with. “What the fuck?”

Luca’s eyes widened, and he put his hands down. That… that was why the Rot was laughing? Because it was Lila. What happened? Did the training go wrong? He went from concern for Lynn to concern for them both.

”What- what happened?” he asked, before fully registering what Lila said. His cheeks heated up and his eyes widened slightly. Back from a date? He wished it had been a date. It would be really nice if it had been a date. He could see why Lila thought it was. But she’d said she wouldn’t say anything about his crush! Why was she asking so openly? He tilted his head up towards her, shaking his head slightly.

”Are you both okay?” He moved past it without explicitly saying it wasn’t a date, or that it was. Just in case… he was allowed to hold onto a little bit of hope, right? ”You’re… not able to change back, are you, Lila?”

“I was treating Luca to a wonderful night on the town,” Jasper paused as he moved away from Lila. His eyes looked to the kitchen and saw a bunch of empty bottles in the sink.

“Oh I’m fantastic! Incredible! I just had a fight with Trisha, a lot of crows died, and the maiden tried to take over so I had to use her magic a bit to not die,” Lila paused knowing the story was much more complicated than Lila’s words suggested but Lila’s brain hurt too much to even think of a proper explanation. She must consult Linqian or Aryin on how to handle functioning with a singular brain cell. She smiled as she looked towards Lynn, her head nodding ever so to allow her to tell her story.

She also wanted to shift the conversation away from Luca’s question.

“I’m trying to get sober. A lot of alcohol was poured down the drain by her and that made me sad,” Lynn sighed as she tried to wipe the tears from her eyes. “Needless to say but I think Lila and I have had a rough day.”. Lynn pulled her knees in close, wrapping her arms around them, before she started to sob again. Lynn looked at Lila, eyes wide with a steady stream of tears and a visible frown forming with her lips. If Lila thought she could get away with not telling the whole truth she was sorely mistaken.

“No. I can’t change back, at least yet. The magic is weakened and I can not force my body to do that big of a change.”. Several crows made their presence known, flying out from the guest room and quickly found positions across the room.

Jasper walked to the sink, eyes wide with curiosity, before he saw all their bottles of mouthwash empty in it. “Why did you pour out the mouthwash?”

“Lynn is getting sober and I wanted to remove all temptation.”

“They’re alcohol free,” Jasper chuckled as he pulled out his phone and pulled up a delivery app. He placed a quick order that should be delivered within the hour.

“I wanted to remove all temptation.”

”... but my gums are really weak, Lila,” Luca said quietly, still processing everything. The maiden had tried to take over but Lila had sort of won? But she couldn’t change back because of it. At least she was herself mentally. Even if she was a bit slow… Lynn, on the other hand, didn’t seem alright at all.

”Why don’t we… have some ice cream? And catch up. You two seem like you’ve been through a lot, maybe talking a bit more would help. Or we can just put a movie on!” Luca quickly managed to get over what was happening, moving over to sit down on the couch with a groan. Then his eyes widened slightly, and he looked over at Lila.

”Wait, you fought Trisha? As in, Trisha Vanburen?”

“Oh yes! It was fun! Her bees versus my birds,” Lila smiled while turning around, her wings slapping Jasper in the back causing him to stumble forward. “Ice cream sounds divine I’m famished.”

“What in the fuck,” Lynn sighed as she pressed her head into the wall.

“I’m okay,” Jasper said as he fell into the wall. He pushed himself off it a second later

“I love the new open concept design, when did you have that done,” Lila gasped as she once again cupped her head as she turned and looked at the busted door. Her wings once again slapped Jasper back into the wall.

”Jasper- are you okay?!” Luca jumped towards Jasper, then paused when he realised he might hurt him with the Rot… he laughed awkwardly at Lila's question. ”It was a Rot related accident… I'll need to get it replaced. People might break in- not that there's much to steal!”

“I’m okay,” Jasper said as began to move away from the wall.

He shook his head, approaching Lila carefully. ”Maybe you should sit down, Lila?”

Lila looked towards Luca, her wing striking Jasper one final time. This time, however, Lila realized that she was hitting Jasper and folded her wings in as close as they could get. “Sitting sounds nice,” Lila said as she simply sat down on the floor and she crossed her legs.

“That’s your last free shot Lila,” Jasper said as he moved well clear of Lila. He rubbed his shoulder as he joked.

“Sorry about that Jasper,” Lila said as she giggled. She was oh so very hungry, and her crows were looking for whatever they could find to fill that void. This hunger was making her a bit silly.

“I chose a bad day to quit drinking,” Lynn cried out as she pressed her head into her knees.

”Don’t say that, Lynn,” Luca said softly, looking over at her with concern. At that moment he really wished that he could hug her… offer a more solid form of comfort. But he couldn’t. It would just kill her. ”Better it’s a day everything’s going to shit anyway, right?”

Lynn nodded her head but knew it would’ve sucked this bad regardless.

He awkwardly laughed, before looking over at Jasper. His lips pulled up into something closer to a smile. ”Oh! We brought leftovers too, if either of you want something more than ice cream.”

Lila’s stomach rumbled loudly. Her head shot over to Luca as she leaned forward, palms pressed into the floor. It was like the Rot finally gave Luca the ability to read her mind. “I would very much like to have some leftovers. I am hungry.”

”Of course, of course, you'll love it, Lila- Jasper, do you mind grabbing those? Sorry to ask you to do so much, I would, but-” He held up his hand with an awkward smile. ”Unless you want to paint the glyph on both of my hands.”

Jasper raised an eyebrow as he walked over, eyes shifting between Luca and the wings, before he summoned the magic once again and painted a glyph on each hand. He winked as he squeezed Lucas’s hand after the spell took hold. Jasper was starting to feel very weak from the continued use of his magic but he pushed through it all the same. A second later Jasper pulled himself away and returned to the hallway and grabbed the food. He had simply used the excuse to hold Luca once again.

“Thank you, thank you!”

Luca blushed, looking away from Jasper. It was difficult to suppress those fluttery feelings in his chest. He just wanted to keep hold of Jasper’s hand, and get closer but… Jasper walked away. And he wasn’t gay! But he didn’t want to let the glyph go to waste, though, so as Jasper prepared the food Luca hopped up and went into the freezer for the tubs of ice cream in it. Since Jasper, Lila and Lynn moved in, the freezer was always stocked with it… It was nice.

”Here you go, Lynn! Some sugar will help!” Luca said cheerfully, handing her a bowl of ice cream. He then took his own to the couch, curling his legs up against his chest. ”At least we’re all here, and safe, now… The evening can get better. We’re all together. And we’ll all help you stay sober, if you want.”

Lynn was still sobbing as she grabbed the ice cream. The sobbing softened as the first scope of ice cream entered her mouth.

Lila, meanwhile, snatched the first bag of food Jasper accidentally held up to her and she began to devour the contents with a rabid intensity. The food was cold but that made little difference.

Jasper scooted over to Lucas’s side. He placed a hand on his shoulder as he kept up the smile on his. He held the food much closer to him as his eyes slowly shifted down to Luca. “Sooooooo….. whatcha think?” Jasper asked as his eyes drifted towards Lila.

”I’m glad that she’s in control, at least,” Luca replied softly, leaning in towards Jasper without really thinking about it as he looked at Lila. While she was devouring the food as if she’d never eaten before, he wasn’t getting any signs that Maiden had some amount of control. It was all Lila… just in a different form. ”She’s taking it well? A lot of physical changes, but she’s still Lila… which I’m happy about. I was worried- still am! Not sure how she’s going to sleep, though. Do we need to make her a nest?”

“Agreed,” Jasper said as his eyes shifted down towards Luca, “is this.. typical adjoined stuff? She is.. different. Still Lila, but different.”

”It can be,” Luca said, still looking at Lila, not even realising that he was practically leaning against Jasper now. ”Adjoined come in all forms. Ones were person and Apparition are separate entities, ones where the lines are more blurred… People with complete control, those who can’t turn their powers off, people irreparably changed by the adjoining… She’s still quite similar to me. The effects on her are just more visible.”

“I will defer to your judgment,” Jasper said as his body shifted over and pressed into Lucas. “We’ll take care of both the girls. Should we bring up your idea for the future?”

”Not yet,” Luca shook his head, tilting it up towards Jasper with a smile. Then he blushed, realising just how close they were. But Jasper hadn't pushed him away so… was it really a problem? Friends hugged all the time! ”When things are more definite. But once they are, they'll be the first people I tell. Then Ken… he won't take it as well.”

“No matter what, I’ll be here right alongside you when the time comes. Now, let’s take care of the girls and salvage this night. The bees won’t ruin anything more.”

”We’re all having bee related problems,” Luca found himself laughing, looking up at Jasper with a bright smile. It was easier to deal with- and joke about- these things in company he liked so much. Then he looked back over at Lila and Lynn. ”Sounds good. You heat up the leftovers, and I’ll pick out a relaxing movie for us to watch. I think that’s a good way to spend the evening with them, yeah?”

Jasper smiled as he looked back at Luca. “Yeah, that’s a good way. Just two single parents trying to take care of our emotionally fractured children”

Recollections: The Compendium

The Map of.the Drunken Sailor
| The map will always take you to whatever destination you wish but you need to all yourself if the risk it brings is worth it | "I swear if I see another monster around the next corner I will be so mad." ORIGINS & CREATIONS: | The Map of the Drunken sailor is a powerful tool created centuries ago by pirate adepts. It has the ability to show those who command it any location they desire, and have the ability to lead you to whatever object or person you wish. The map itself will change the topography to match the location, and when you use it to track an object or a person it will give you a dotted line to follow with an X to mark the spot. | TYPE: | Artifact | LOCATION: | Emperor | NOTABLE OWNERS: | Jolly Rodgers, Edward Teach, The Commodore, The Elite| ABSTRACTION-GRANTING: | No. | .............................................................................	The map was originally created by an adept known only as Jolly Rodgers. He used the map to locate merchant ships, hidden treasure, and find powerful artifacts for both himself and his coven of the seas. The map was constantly fought over by other pirates who wished to use it for their own gain When he passed, the map disappeared from record for six hundred years until it came into a pirate known as Edward Teach’s possession. At first, he used it as a navigational aide but soon the allure of riches drove him to use it as Jolly Rodgers did. It was here that the curse of the map revealed itself. When it was created, a curse was placed that caused any who used it besides its creators to face a terrible challenge. Along its marked paths monsters were summoned and in order to progress along the path the wielder would have to defeat the monsters. This claimed the life of Edward and his crew, and it has claimed the life of many foolish souls in the centuries to come. The monsters come in various shapes and sizes, but always seem to have an aquatic element to it. The closer you get the mark on the map the more monsters you’ll have to defeat to progress. Eventually on the final leg of the journey the holder of the map will face the final horde of monsters. This final test will present three monsters, the kraken, the siren, and the hydra.

Recollections: The Compendium

The Mirror On .The Wall
| I can see all, but the question is can you get the answer | "Mirror, mirror on the wall where might find power beyond most if not all?" ORIGINS & CREATIONS: | The Mirror on the Wall is an ancient, powerful artifact that dates back to the annals of history. It is a widely known, if seldom used, artifact that can provide the location of anything, or anyone, at any given moment. It was created during the aftermath of a war long since forgotten, legends state that an all-powerful apparition was sealed within the confines of a mirror and forever trapped. At first, it raged against the walls of its enclosure. Able to project the worlds it once sought to conquer onto the mirror surface but was never able to travel or see them for itself. One might have expected this apparition to go mad and seek revenge. Time is a fickle thing. To a mortal the rest of existence living such a life would drive them mad. To an all seeing apparition, it found a strange joy in the ways it could torment mortal beings. | TYPE: | Sealed Apparition | LOCATION: | Emperor | NOTABLE OWNERS: | The Evil Stepmother, The Slightly Less Evil Stepfather, Elite | ABSTRACTION-GRANTING: | No. | .............................................................................	The Mirror is willing to pass along its knowledge of where this are to any who ask, and to do so it must be asked with the ‘Mirror, mirror on the wall,” words being spoken first. From here, the mirror will know the answer. To get the answer the mirror will ask you three riddles. If you fail any of the riddles the mirror will instead show you your deepest, darkest, fear. It has the ability to penetrate any emotional field, and if you ask the mirror your question it will know how to hurt you. Each riddle will be progressively harder than the last and usually the last riddle will be nearly impossible to answer. The difficulty will also rise and fall depending on the question. If you ask where a missing pet is, you may have three relatively easy questions. Ask the location of a powerful artifact, and be ready to be truly tested. When a person looks into the mirror they will see the apparition sitting, or meandering about inside the mirror. They are a short, pudgy looking creature who have a thousand eyes.

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

THE 317

GREENWOOD COVEN

317 MAIN COMPOUND - 317 NEW COMPOUND

Jordan sighed as he finally got food right at closing time. As usual he was adventurous with his food choice as he once again got the same taco order he normally got. It was good, it was easy, but most importantly it was consistent. The 317 had closed a few hours earlier and the only people left inside was a small crew of artists, Octavia, and Faith. Jordan, as always, sat by the door trying to enjoy his dinner in full before the crew went out again tonight. The cold air nipped at his skin, and Jordan simply used his green lux to heat himself up.

Rohan walked past Jordan, holding a taco of his own in a gloved hand. Juno snored in his pocket.

”Long day?”

“Oh yes,” Jordan said as he waved to Juno, “but I enjoyed it. A long day means that this,” Jasper paused as he took a bite from his food, “much more worth it.” He paused as his eyes scanned the area outside the entrance to the 317 for any threat, sudden alliance meetings, or anything that would once again prevent him from finishing his food tonight. “How about you? How was your day?”

”Same as usual. I fixed a few old floorboards today, and regrew some branches on my tree.” Rohan seemed mellow, just like he always was. His eyes were lazily scanning around the outside of the building.

Out past the trees, far behind Jordan, Rohan’s eyes stopped moving, and looked at something in the distance.

There was nothing there.

The light pitter patter of scuffy shoes on the 317's polished floor was the only indicator of an artist finally done with her day, and now up to her usual mischievous antics. With Jordan's eyes focused on the front, she snuck up behind him, wiping the smear of paint on cheek with a sleeve before cupping her fingers are the man's eyes.

”Guess who~!” Aislin chortled, glancing at Rohan with a ‘don't tell him’ look to her face.

Jordan smirked as he allowed the mysterious artists, “oh who could it ever be? You sound much too cheerful to be doom or gloom,” he said in reference to Rien and Alex, “and your hands are far too soft to be Summer. That still leaves way too many people for me to guess Aislin.” Jordan simply took another bite of his second taco. Only one more taco to go. Jordan hoped that he’d finally be able to finish a taco order without anything happening to stop him.

Aislin's voice hitched as she tried to dissuade him. “Nooo, no, no, no. You're far from the truth. Try again!”

“... who are you calling doom or gloom?” Came the voice of one of doom or gloom, silently sneaking up on the small group outside, though not trying anything fun like Aislin was. Rien was hefting a large, work in progress painting under their arm, their face and overalls covered in flecks of paint. They rested it on the wall, folding their arms and looking at Jordan. “Not me, I hope.”

“I’m not calling you doom and gloom,” Jordan paused as his eyes were still covered, “only doom. Alex is gloom.”

“It's actually quite the nice nickname. I'd take your win and run with it, Rien.” Ailsin playfully stuck her tongue out at him, then sighed, admitting defeat and dropping her fingers from Jordan's eyes.

“Fine, you win this time, Jordan. But I'll catch you by surprise yet, I swear.” She said, turning to lean into the space in front of him, a mischievous grin still on her face.

“We have very different definitions of nice, Aislin,” Rien intoned, but they just shrugged. Aislin hid a chuckle behind a hand, just smiling.

Outside the window, a green light came out of the blue felt like. Casting an ominous glow on the environment… And if one noticed, they would have saw a ghostly pirate ship arriving out of a portal. It aimed its cannons at the building, before letting loose a volley of explosive, ghostly, cannon rounds..

Jordan saw the ship arrive and the last bite of his taco fell from his mouth.

Jordan and Aislin were both hurled to the side by Rohan, who had tackled them out of the way of a cannonball. Juno tumbled out of his pocket, and ran for the building.

”Indoors, now!”

Jordan shot up and backpedaled towards the door. What. The. Fuck? He held his position a second later, pushing his magic through his entire body to boost his durability, speed, and power. There was no chance that volley went unnoticed by Faith and Octavia, and he knew they would either come to see what had transpired or put out a call for help once someone told them. Regardless, they were on their own in this fight for now. A fight against a spooky ghost ship. With cannons.

“You heard the man, inside NOW” Jordan shouted as he made sure he was placed in between the ship and his crew.

Aislin was wide-eyed, shooting a grateful look to Rohan before scurrying inside.

The ship unleashed another volley of around twelve explosive cannon balls.

Rohan whirled around and got inside, like a bat out of hell. He didn’t stop and wait for anyone else, or even look over his shoulder. In a moment, he was gone.

Jordan saw the volley hit the building again as he removed his glasses from his face and tossed them to Rien. He knew that the ship was far too high for him to jump up to, and he knew that none of their range species were there, save for Octavia, but knowing her she was going to try and protect the building as much as possible. So he had to do what he could in the meanwhile. Jasper grabbed some of the rubble that had fallen down and, much like a shot put throw, sent the rubble flying upwards at great speed aimed for the ship.

It collided against it, knocking it off balance for just a moment.

---

“What the fuck was that,” Cyrus said as the meeting room shook around him. He was wearing a brown, oversized sweater, over a simple band t-shirt and skinny blue jeans.

Faith and Octavia looked at each other before Faith pulled out her phone and immediately called Ruby. “That sounds like we’re under attack,” Octavia said as she grabbed as many cans of spray paint as she could carry. She had already placed a strong number of her Solid Support glyphs around the 317 but they would not be able to withstand this onslaught that was falling down on them. Faith stumbled as another volley hit the building. “Fuck this,” Octavia said as she dropped several spray paint cans and activated the various Solid Support glyphs, causing a wide swath of the roof and supporting walls to glow a dull yellow. Octavia fell to one knee as parts of her life force was drained in the activation of all the glyphs. It would be returned when the glyphs eventually failed.

Faith meanwhile began to activate all of her created monsters. She gave them all one single command, defend this building. As she did this she placed her phone in between her shoulder and head as she ran into Summer’s Workshop. The phone was still ringing when she emerged with a short sword that radiated magic energy. She handed Cyrus the weapon and looked him dead in the eye. “Defend the halls with this Cyrus, don’t let any past you. You two are on me.”

“Okay, why do they stay down here and I have to go up and fight,” Cyrus asked as he checked the weapon. He’s never been in a fight before but he smirked as his hands gripped the weapon tighter.

“There is only one reason someone would attack us right now,” Faith said as she pointed to the two girls, Monica and Riley, “this is a raid. They’re going to help me defend the vault.”

“Okay,” Cyrus said with a cocky grin, “I’ll try and save some for you. I’ll try.” Cyrus took off up the stairs and emerged into the hallway. He could hear the heavy metal door lock behind him. He pulled out his phone, pushed his Bluetooth earbuds into his ears, and pulled up his playlist. He waiting for the first fucker to appear before they hit pay.

Downstairs, Faith was still pacing the room waiting for Ruby to answer. Octavia was busy calling the rest of the 317 back. Her nose was bleeding from the activation of the glyphs. Octavia had reached Alex already, and Alex was going to portal around and pull people back from their homes. Still, the current ensemble of members would be fighting alone until help arrived.

“... Heeeeey, wasssup! Is it time for the Greenwood-317 orgy, babe?” Ruby answered.

“Ruby, Ruby thank fuck,” Faith paused as the sound of gunfire filled the air, “we’re under attack. We need help.”

At that moment, Aryin and Linqian appeared through a painting. A second later, close at their heels, Summer and Zeri appeared. ”What the fuck is going on,” Aryin asked as she dragged Linqian towards the armory, ”she’s with me,” Aryin shouted as she grabbed a chainsaw off the wall and placed it into Linqian’s hand. Summer meanwhile activated her homunculi defense force. Across the building doors unlocked and opened on their own. Near the front of the building where the fighting was currently taking place ten humanoid homunculi walked out of the door, their armor a pristine white with yellow lines all across their body, and they began to deploy a barricade. Two walked at a slow pace towards either side of the door.

“Undead hordes,” Zeri said, her eyes pure white, allowing her to look through her button cameras, “with guns.”

“Shut the fuck up and defend the building,” Faith shouted, “undead fucking horde with guns attacking us.”

“Shit, wait, under attack b-” Ruby cut herself off before she said, “Greenwood is all over St. Portwell right now. I’m going to coordinate where everyone is and then see if I can teleport there.”

“Hurry.” Faith ended the call as Thomas and Jason emerged from the painting. They looked at Faith before Jason slammed his hand into Thomas and pulled him towards the stairs. The fight would be decided in the coming minutes and hour. Whether or not the 317 still stood depended entirely on who was already here, and who would be arriving soon.

---

Jordan watched as the dull yellow glow covered the building. He sighed in relief, as he chucked another ruined part of the building up towards the spectral ship sailing the night sky. “Rien, you got anything that can touch that?”

“I do,” Rien grimaced. They pulled a medium sized painting out of the front pocket of their overalls, placing it on the ground. Their hand went into the painting, pulling out Panoptes. They then pointed at the ghost ship. “Attack that.”

Pan's many eyes turned on the spectral ship, shooting various psychic beams at it.

“I have Night inside… I can pull him out if we need to, but it might cause more damage,” Rien said to Jordan. “But then we can get up there.”

“Go grab Night,” Jordan said, “this is probably just the start. We need options.” Jordan said as he heaved a wooden table far into the night sky.

From another part of the building, windows started opening. A moment later, streaks of orange shot through the open windows, flying up and hitting the hull of the flying ship. Arrows, lit on fire and launched from a bow that ensured arrows would never drop until they hit their target.

Someone in this building was looking to set the ship on fire, it seemed.

Rien raised an eyebrow, then nodded to Jordan. They pointed at Pan. “Attack the shop, protect him, use telepathy to get in touch.”

They then looked at Jordan. “She'll stay with you. I'll be back soon.” Then they disappeared into the building. Panoptes looked at Jordan with some of her unnatural eyes, continuing a psychic bombardment on the ship.

Its cannons primed again, before letting out another volley of twelve cannon blasts. However, four massive portals opened up in front of the building, hordes of undead men and women poured out of it wielding rifles. Whoever was exposed was fired upon.

“Stay back.” A twisted, feminine voice told Jordan - seeming to come from Panoptes even though she had no mouth. Ethereal arms raised up, precise telekinesis stopped the bullets in the air in the area immediately in front of her and Jordan.

Yellow streaks shot across the scene from the doorway as the homunculi fired from cover.

Jordan looked towards Panoptes and nodded. He boosted his durability to the max as he turned around and grabbed Aislin and carried her inside. Behind Panoptes a mist began to appear, and from it rose Dri. Dri had her trademark ball of fire in her hand and she was ready to use it. A second later she spun the ball of fire before she pressed it upwards send a pillar of fire skyward towards the ship. The pillar of fire would be bright, and light up the night sky for all paranormal to see. Behind the portals that spawned the zombie horde two red slashes quickly appeared in the fabric of reality before they were pulled inwards and Dread shot outwards and charged towards the zombie horde.

”Why the fuck is it always zombies?! Why do these ones have fucking guns?!” A freezing cold foot slammed into a zombie's chest, kicking it out of the way as Linqian pushed her way past the homunculi and outside where the fighting was worse. She definitely wasn't dressed to be outside - in a worn hoodie and leggings, with her hair tied back in a messy bun and, worst of all, she was wearing her glasses. ”What the fuck am I even defending?!”

Then she revved the chainsaw and shoved it in another zombie, red lux channeling into it so the blade was infused with ice. ”Whoa, this is fucking sick.”

A zombie that had aimed its rifle at the back of Linqian’s head was shot to the ground as a flaming arrow went clean through its face. From a window, she could see a man holding a longbow, his face obscured by a mask resembling an antelope. There was a wooden staff slung over his shoulder.

”Unless you’re bulletproof, move!” Rohan shouted, as he lifted up a jar of some strange brown liquid and hurled it at another group of zombies.

Aryin, meanwhile, was dressed in an oversized shirt and sleeping shorts. ”Linqian welcome to the 317! I am,” Aryin shouted as she channeled her energy into her fist before she slammed it into the ground, shattering the asphalt and grass in an expanding cone shape that grew wider as it moved towards the portals. From each crack in the ground, and across the entire earthen surface, red tipped mushrooms sprung up. A field of landmines now greeted the coming zombie horde. ”They just keep coming,” Aryin gasped as she watched a hundred explosions ring out across the battlefield and as legs were blown off bodies. The horde kept advancing. ”Shit we’re about to be overrun. SHIT WE’RE ABOUT TO BE OVERRUN.”

”I’m not bulletproof but I'm not afraid of taking some!” Linqian shouted to the weird man shooting out the window, cleaving through zombies with the chainsaw. ”Fuck- I got your back, bitch!” Linqian ran over to Aryin, destroying a bunch of zombies. She slammed the chainsaw into the ground, sending spiralling ice that caught and froze the zombies getting near them.

More flaming arrows were let loose, taking the zombies out one by one. It might’ve kept some of them off of individuals, but it wasn’t going to give them breathing room for much longer. The zombies trudging through the puddle on the ground got stuck, as their skin and flesh seemed to slowly turn into tree bark. It was something Rohan never told anyone about, but he could do that.

“Get in the building!” Rien reappeared with a massive painting. Panoptes moved back towards them, telekinetically catching any bullets that came their way. They shoved their hand in the painting, grimacing at the amount of effort it took, gold and black magic intertwining as they pulled out their strongest Apparition. A massive, shadowy dragon came out of a painting that shouldn't have housed something so big, roaring. It stomped on all the nearby zombies, not even reacting to the bullets that hit it.

Dri stopped the pillar of fire. A new command was given to get by the mother of monsters. The fog that emanated out from them covered the entire battlefield in a thick blanket. While she could incinerate most of the zombies with her magic, and she even wanted to, the command was to level the playing field. The form of Dri spun upwards to the sky until she was on level with the height of the building. The fire from the pillar of fire finally returned to her hand, reforming the ball. She then sent it out with the fog and a red wave soon washed downwards and then radiated from it. The fog was commanded to react to just the guns of the horde, specifically any clip or magazine, in an attempt to cook off all the weapons she could. She was reaching the upper limit of her magic, but she had enough in the tank to keep this up for several more minutes. Faith hoped that by leveling the playing field she could get help before they were overrun.

As the weapons were destroyed, Rien directed Night to crash through the crowds of zombies, tearing them to pieces. Once he was deep enough in to not catch any allies, he let out an icey cold, shadow breath in an arc in front of him.

More homunculi joined the battle, pushing their barricades closer to the front of the building. Their yellow tracers tore through any target who was unlucky enough to catch it. More were heading towards where the fighting was but others still spread out to secure the rest of the building. Dread, meanwhile, kept dancing across the battle with their supernatural speed, slicing at every target they could reach but also careful to avoid being grabbed.

Aislin, pulled back again by Jordan, watched in amazement as they went from the frying pan and into the fire. Her wide eyes quickly glanced to Jordan. “There's gotta be someone behind this. Tell me to scale the ship, I'll find whoever is commanding these zombies!”

There was fervor in her eyes, she wouldn't take ‘no’ for an answer.

“Hey, hey, hey we have the dragon out, we’ll find whomever did this and make them pay. I need you to help defend inside in case any get past durability team. Can you do that for me,” Jordan asked as he heard a louder commotion outside. “I’m going to help Aryin and her sleepy looking friend, okay? You stay here and be our second line okay?”

Aislin gave him a pained look, then shrugged, saluting the man. “On it, boss.”

---

On the deck of the ship, Scott Reese stood on the edge as Berlioz approached. He had a lit cigarette in his mouth, as he gave Berlioz the side eye.

“... Burr,” Scott Reese said. “It's chilly up here.”

Berlioz pulled a glock from underneath his cloak, and aimed it at Scott.

“Oh, it’s time for the beast to have his fun?” Scott Reese asked, before raising both of his hands. “If that's what you think is best?”

Berlioz pulled the trigger and the bullet hit Scott Reese square in the chest. Suddenly, his veins began bulging and pumping with a black liquid. He stumbled backwards, and fell off the side of the ship. As he fell, his muscles grew, his skin turned black as massive spikes grew from his arms and his teeth turned razor-sharp. He picked up momentum… Closing his eyes…

He crashed into the ground in front of the building like a meteor and dust and dirt exploded in all directions. Footsteps could be heard in the midst of the chaos… Red eyes pierced through the fog.

Scott Reese stepped forward.

Then leaped forward into the 317 defensive line.

”Scott Reese,” Aryin gasped as he landed. Instantly her mind was folded with the sight of all his victims, all of their bodies, and all the fear she once had as a kid. Her eyes shook and she looked over to Linqian and back to Scott. Instead of that sadness, that fear, she instead only felt rage. Aryin shot forward ready to take the force of Scott head on when she was overtaken by Jordan, whose muscles were pushed to the absolute limit that his body could push without transforming into a manic, rage fueled state himself, and he reached for Scott ready to grapple.

”I thought we killed that bastard!” Linqian shouted, following behind Aryin, trying to find a way in without hurting Jordan.

Scott let himself get grabbed, with both his arms in the air. “... You should have double-tapped.” Scott said before he pounded both of his hands on Jordan.

Jordan took three hits before he pushed Scott into the ground. Each hit felt like the worst he’d ever felt, and his regenerative ability was enough to keep him from breaking, but he had a limit. Jordan did not budge, however, and he kept throwing enhanced punch after enhanced punch into the throat of Scott. Which functionally bounced off.

”Fuck!” Linqian dropped the chainsaw to one hand, the other arm turning into a spiked vine. It extended out and wrapped around one of Scott's wrists, trying to dig in the thorns while stopping him from punching Jordan again… with one hand at least.

”JUST FUCKING DIE,” Aryin shouted as she jumped over Jordan, fist glowing bright, ”Falcon,” Aryin paused as her first collided with the face of Scott, ”PUNCH.”

He just stood there.

Laughing.

He quickly reached to grab Aryin’s arm.

Aryin’s boxing training may have been the only thing that saved her in that moment. While her momentum from the leap still carried her forward, she was able to adjust her body enough to be out of reach long enough before she cleared the danger and landed behind Scott, rolling to a stop. She needed to stay grounded. As long as feet were on the ground she could not be moved back. Jordan meanwhile grabbed the outstretched arm with one hand, and Scott’s shoulder with the other, and used his entire strength to try and pull one from the other. Scott flexed his arm upwards and launched Jordan into the air.

Linqian's vine withdrew, hand turning back to normal and she swiftly sidestepped round to behind Scott Reese. She shoved the magically freezing, incredibly sharp chainsaw into his back. He screamed as it penetrated him, but he dropped his weight and swung a hand outwards towards Linqian. She pulled out the chainsaw, twisting herself so his hand hit her side with a loud crack. Her cold, hardened skin dampened the blow a bit but it was still enough to have her stumbling back towards Aryin. And it hurt like hell.

Aryin swapped forms quickly and charged as much energy as he could. “EVIL SPIRITS BE GONE,” Aaron shouted as he cast out his energy beam, it lasted two seconds before Aryin came back out and she began walking towards Scott.

Jordan, meanwhile, had fallen to the earth some distance away. His durability and healing factor meant he was not hurt. He did feel his rage building and soon it pushed him too far. His body began to expand outwards, his sweater ripping in an instant and the bottom half of jeans soon followed. As he rose to his feet it was clear he had become a monstrous mass of muscles and rage. He roared as he charged at Scott on all fours at a blistering speed, jumping with an outstretched hand towards the legs of Scott.

Scott tanked the hit, before he raised a foot and brought it down on Jordan.

All while the pirate ship unleashed another twelve cannon rounds on the surrounding area. The shadow dragon fighting zombies roared as it was hit by cannon rounds but kept going, others stopped with telekinesis before they could hit any people… keeping the area they were fighting clear.

Aryin moved to the side and was ready to throw a punch towards Scott’s kidneys when she instead took a side strike from the rage filled Jordan. She tossed and tumbled a few seconds before she came to a rest in the middle of the zombie horde. Before she could react all the zombies around her suddenly lifted into the air. A hundred zombies at once were squeezed by an unseen force, spilling the contents of their body to the ground below before they too fell to the ground. She looked over and saw Thomas and Jason emerging from the buildings. Thomas began to use his magic to keep the zombies away from Aryin, lifting and squeezing or throwing them into the next with one hand while the other began to pick up all the rubble around him.. Jason meanwhile put his two fists together, side by side, before pulling them apart. As he did, an intense bright light emerged from his hands and when they parted he had two blades of plasma in each hand. He began to slice and slash at any zombie that came at Thomas. Cyrus came out a second later, a purple energy in his left hand and blade in his right which rested on his shoulder. He placed the purple energy on his chest, twisted, and several ghastly versions of him appeared from alternate realities. The ghastly forms shot out at the zombies charging Thomas, and eventually one readied a strike. Thomas swapped places with the phantom and cut the head off the zombie. Thus began to repeat across the coming horde.

”DEFEND THOMAS,”Aryin shouted as they swapped forms. The hit from Jordan had nearly filled his energy reserves. He channeled his spell for several seconds, forming a blindingly bright ball in between his palms. This would be one of the most powerful spells he’s ever used. He pressed it skyward towards the ship and, with his shout, sent it skyward. The intense Evil Spirits Be Gone impacted the ship with an explosive fury. The zombies who tried to get closer to Aaron suddenly found them peppered with the rubble from the building as Thomas began to try and thin out the crowd as a whole. Aaron used half of his energy with his strike. He then channeled the other half into his hands again.

“HEY YOU PIECE OF SHIT EAT THIS,” he shouted as he launched his Evil Spirits Be Gone at Scott’s head.

”Hey, you fucker, go back to the shadow ass crack you came out of!” Linqian shouted, in sync with Aaron’s blast. She pumped elemental energy into the chainsaw, switching the type she was using, blade spinning with flames. Her own temperature dropped further into subzero, pushing what she could do while still being more durable. She jumped forward, fiery chainsaw slicing towards Scott's torso while her freezing cold foot came up to kick him in the ass.

At the same time Jordan began to push up against the sheer strength of Scott. Enough so that he could get the leg he so desired. Jordan began to squeeze as hard as his strength would allow. He also tried to pull the leg at the same time to try and break it.

All attacks connected… Evil Spirits, the Kick, the Chainsaw, and Jordan’s feeble attempts to break his leg. He was clouded by dust. By the time it settled, he was regenerating from what little damage he took.

“So… Useless!” Scott Reese growled, he raised his hands, and slammed them on the ground so hard it shook the building. He laughed as he pushed off the ground and began running towards the main entrance.

Jordan roared as he pushed himself up and locked eyes on the running form of Scott. His arms swung back, connecting with Linqian on accident with a strong strike, before he lept into the air and wrapped his massive arms around Scott as he crashed to the earth. He dug his feet into the ground, and began to squeeze. Aaron had swapped to Aryin and they began to sprint towards the front door. Their speed boosted by the imminent danger posed to her friends. There was a mound of corpses forming where the three amigos attempted to hold the line. The mound was already three feet high, and was quickly growing with each strike.

Aryin used the strike by Jordan to get in front of Scott. She planted her feet, shot out her hands, and made contact with the chest of Scott Reese. Her feet began to slide backwards, and she pushed back with every ounce of strength she could muster. Her whole body began to glow a dull light from within. She could not let him into the building, she could not let him kill any more of her friends. One of her arms fractured under the stress of holding Scott back, but Aryin used her one hand all the same. At the same time, Thomas began to use his telekinetic powers to try and lift up the hulking Scott Reese.

Linqian was thrown to one side by Jordan’s strike, feeling a rib shatter, but she ignored it- she wasn’t going to fucking fall here. Her body turned colder, ice appearing on the ground beneath her feet, and she used it to slide towards Scott Reese. She grabbed one of his legs, trying to freeze it.

Scott Reese reached the front steps, with Jordan around his waist and Linqian freezing his leg. He grinned before turning around and looking up towards the spectral pirate ship, and roared… The ship unleashed a volley onto him.

Before the shells landed Jason was finally in range and stabbed Scott in both eyes with their plasma blades. He sank them as deep as he could before dragging them downwards and around Aryin. Thomas attempted to create a telekinetic barrier, but it would no doubt be ineffective against the whole barrage.

Linqian shoved the flaming chainsaw upwards, aiming right for Scott Reese’s groin in a hope it might be a weak spot. She twisted her body to be under him as much as possible, secondary explosions crashing against her hardened skin - dampening them, but burning wounds opened up all across her. Exposed areas were entirely burned, shards from the explosion embedding into her skin.

As the shells landed around them the telekinetic shield stopped some but not all. Explosions sent 317 members, homunculi, and even Jordan flying. Cyrus, Jason, and Thomas were all sent flying backwards and through the walls behind them. Jordan was knocked off Scott’s back and was sent flying back into the zombie horde. Aryin still held out strong, but a voice spoke out telepathically to both Aryin and Linqian, “let it through.” Aryin recognized the voice as the newest 317 member Monica, and she instead let herself be carried by an explosive blast back through the same walls as her friends. Linqian had no fucking idea who was talking to her, but she followed Aryin’s lead, letting go of Scott (and the chainsaw in him) as more explosion threw her through the walls.

Without Aryin blocking his way Scott Reese would have free access to the door that led downstairs. A door guarded by a single short haired woman holding a valuable artifact called the Sundered Sky. Upon seeing Scott breaking free she simply ran back behind the door, locked it, and ran downstairs.

Down these stairs the 317 would make their final stand against Scott.

In the distance, the large shadow dragon ate yet another zombie with a loud crunch. Then another. And another. All tasted the same, but all were eaten nonetheless.

Dread, meanwhile, was commanded to portal behind Scott and slow the advance of Zombies and he added to the body pile by a foot of height at a time. Dri continued her effort to rob the zombies of their guns. Jordan’s rage was also directed towards the swarming horde and zombie viscera was sent sky high. Their combined efforts had little effect on the swarm. Suddenly, the walls of the 317 exploded outwards as two giant creatures accelerated through the ruins and began to assist with fighting the horde.

Out of the portal came dozens of tentacles… they burst out, and wrapped their tentacles around the Apparition to pull it in.

---

Scott laughed as he charged down the stairs to the lower floor; the walls and ceiling were ripped to pieces as he continued his brutal charge into the lower floors.

At the bottom of the stairs there was Faith. She had dressed herself in the Robes Of Agatha, a replica of the First Spear, and a replica of Athena’s Helmet. She was incredibly powerful with all of this gear, but the sight of Scott barreling towards her was enough to make her take several steps back into the middle of the floor. In the office on the far side of the room Scott would notice the remaining 317 members retreating to relative safety. If he wanted to get to them, or to the vault, he would need to get through Faith.

When Scott reached the bottom of the stairs, he grinned at Faith as he walked over towards with heavy footsteps. He laughed,

“... We don’t need you. Or the rest of these sub-human fucks. We just need what you got…”

He began as he marched forward.
“... So, are you really going to go down for… what? Some? Old ass rocks and sticks? Some swords?”

“One thing you’ll learn about us artists,” Faith started as a hand reached out from the office, connecting with the ground of the floor. Instantly, the entire floor turned into a portal and Scott would have no option but to fall. “We don’t monologue.” Faith remained where she was as she watched Scott fall down and down, her robes granting her the ability to fly. A moment later the portal was closed. Alex had connected the floor to a portal in Ohio, it was one that was in an old barn in the cornfields outside a town known as Kent. It would take a few minutes for Scott to make his way through the other side. The plan was to trap Scott in the art dimension but the repeated use of their power had taken a toll already. Alex collapsed to the ground, blood coming out of their eyes, ears, and mouth as they gasped for air. Their breathing started to become more labored.

Faith turned around and ran towards the office. Sypha had already shot a few tentacles towards their friend and was in the process of stabilizing them. “Get them out of the danger zone but conserve your strength. Your brother is hulking and we’ll need you to stop him when this is over.”

Faith pointed towards Octavia and motioned for her to follow. “Everyone else grab artifacts and be the final defense here. We’ll slow them down.”

---

Thomas was the first to get up. He groaned as he stood up, his arms peppered with shrapnel and splinters. His head was ringing from the close range explosion, but he could see the zombie horde breaching the building. He quickly channeled his magic, and began to push the horde back to the door, his arms bleeding even more as the force of the magic began to wreak havoc on them. Next, Jason slowly rose to his feet. His hands were extremely burned, and he will be unable to use his plasma blades any more. Instead, he formed a ball of plasma in the air between his two hands before he shot it forward into the approaching horde. Cyrus shot up, but he soon realized that his blade had cut a wound into his thigh. He pulled out his phone, unplugged his ruined earphones, and went to call for the man who saved the world but he was carried away by a zombie before he could hit call.

Aryin was the last one up. Her arm was completely broken, and the misshapen nature of the bone was completely evident. Thankfully, for all four, adrenaline was pumping extra hard so they would be able to fight for a little while longer. Aryin tried to swap forms but soon found that her body refused. She instead walked forward and began to throw punches with her only working arm, exploding heads with the enhanced strength. The horde still pushed through the three. Aryin was standing tall at the front, but Cyrus was forced to retreat to the ruined room behind them, meanwhile Jason and Thomas fell back to each wing of the building respectfully.

”Watch out,” Linqian reappeared from where she'd been thrown a bit further away in time to slam an ice cold foot through a zombie at Aryin's back. Her left arm was completely shattered, a bone sticking through her shoulder. She still took her place beside Aryin to fight.

The horde was relentless. Despite their best efforts the zombies still poured in. Aryin punched, slapped, jabbed, kicked, and shoulder checked zombies. She was aggressive, brutal, and showed no signs of stopping. “Aryin,” Octavia shouted from down the wing by the door to the basement. Thomas was next to her, and the entire floor in front of them was pulled up and was nothing more than a solid slab. On the front facing them was the sigil for Octavia’s spear spell. Aryin knew what was about to happen, and she quickly grabbed Linqian and put herself In between Linqian and the slab.

A moment later ice spears began to shoot from the slab when Octavia activated the glyph. These spears were long, if thin, and shot down the wing at an incredible speed. Zombies were carried with the spears, sometimes several zombies to each one, and flew down the opposite wing. Jason avoided death and destruction by ducking into a room. After a few moments of chaos the spears ended, and Aryin let go of Linqian as she returned to punching the additional zombies. This time Faith stood with them, a shadow hand around her waist at all times.

Without dread stopping their advance at the door, the zombie horde pushed through the confined space as if they were a wave of flesh.

”Will they ever fucking stop?!” Linqian gritted out, the horde of zombies pushing her further away from the rest. She grimaced as she punched and kicked but… fuck, the defence was nice, but the cold wasn't enough. Her ice cold fist went through a zombies face, and she looked over at Aryin, then the 317 members. ”You’re welcome for the amazing shit you're all about to see.” Her temperature shifted, going from cold to burning hot. Her clothes completely burned away, but she stopped at a temperature just before her glasses would go too… because she still needed to see. She shoved her good elbow in a zombie, easily burning through its already rotten flesh.

Octavia stumbled backwards as her life force was drained ever so by the use of her magic. At this moment Octavia’s nose was dripping blood. Her magic would not be enough to stop this horde, at least right now. She knew one person who could boost everyone to fight stronger, the girl from last night. Bianca. Octavia pulled out her phone and called her number, pressing it to her ear. Octavia waited impatiently, hopeful that she would answer quickly.

”Hey babe, what's up? I'm kinda- shut the fuck up, Trevor, or I'll shove my gun up your ass- sorry, you okay?” Bianca answered pretty quickly. There was a lot of background noise, some kind of rattling, and the clear sound of bullets being loaded into a gun. Maybe Bianca making real on her threat.

“Were under attack, do you remember boosting us yesterday? We need that- FUCK,” Octavia shouted as a zombie got too close for comfort, Faith dispatched it with a stab to the head, “fucking zombies, Bianca.”

”Where there was the pillar of fire? Or is there another fucking paranormal fight going on- if it isn’t tell me where… if it is, on the way already. Stay alive, retreat and go on the defensive. I'll be there soon- can't quite estimate, I ain't driving. And don't fucking freak out! If you've been attacked you ain't getting arrested- we're coming to help. I promise.”

”Giant ghost ship in the sky firing down? Yeah that’s,” Octavia paused as she thought about the final words. “why did you bring up not arresting us?”

There was silence on the other end of the line for just a moment, before Bianca seemed to make a decision. The muffled background talking was a bit more obvious while she didn't speak, even though none of the words were clear enough to make out. ”I work for the PRA. That's why I'm still on the phone rather than jumping in my fucking car- part of the response force- _{most of our force}. You can get pissed I didn't tell you last night later- just let me make sure you and your coven are kept safe, okay?”

“If the zombies don’t kill me I’ll do it myself,” Octavia said half joking. How the fuck did she fuck a Fed? “Fuck it, I can’t focus on that right now. Just help us and then we will talk. Fuck, got to go.” Octavia thought she ended the call but she simply put the phone in her pocket, Bianca would be able to hear everything. “Thomas, move the slab flush with the wall,” Octavia shouted and the sound of the slab moving filled the air. Bianca would hear the sound of Thomas crying out in pain, his one hand shattered under the constant use of his magic, before the sound of a spray paint canister being used filled the air.

Octavia activated the glyph, sending her ice wall crashing down the wings, covering the main entrance in a thick wall of ice. She fell to the ground and began to cough up blood. Her wall would buy the defenders a minute to catch their breaths before the horde broke through once again.

As the horde inside was thinned out further, Cyrus once again pulled out his phone and called Jack.

”There’s too fucking many!” Linqian bent over behind Octavia's wall, making sure to stay far enough away to not melt it. Underneath her glowing skin were visible burns all over her body from the rapid shift of temperature. Blood dripped down their good arm from a large gash. She could still keep going, but she was in fucking agony. Sure, they were thinning them out, but they'd die before they got rid of them all.

Mere moments later, darkness fell over those behind the wall. It was as if someone had flooded their trench with smoke, so thick and gloomy that the outside world was nothing more than a faint drone. Even the zombies were blinded, unable to see who they were just hunting down.

A pocket of light opened up around them, mostly due to Linqian’s burning skin. From out of the dark, Jack appeared with a scythe already in hand.

”What would any of you do without me?”

”You’re fucking late!” Linqian twisted her head to look at Jack, not even shocked by his appearance - she was used to it. While her words were harsh, her tone was very much grateful. She managed to grin at him through the pain. ”Ready to beat some pieces of crap just like old times?”

”There are a lot more zombies than old times,” Aryin laughed through the radiating pain of her broken arm.

“God damn Sycamore’s,” Faith couldn’t help but join the laughter. This added variable was one that helped tip the odds in their favor. “If we survive this I want to talk to your leaders.”

”We don't have fucking leaders,” Linqian snorted, straightening back up. ”Tried that, didn't fucking work, you can just talk to us… after we survive. We're going to fucking survive.”

“You unorganized fucks,” Octavia spat out a chuckle as blood dripped from her mouth, “how do you even function.”

”In much the same way we are going to cripple this assault. Through chaos,” Jack said, kicking open a magical door to the 11th Path right in front of everyone huddled together in his dome of darkness. He reached a hand through the haze of purple light, and pulled out two bottles of dark rum.

”I saw the airship before I arrived. In my experience, many things in life can be solved by setting them on fire.”

Cyrus cleared through the remaining zombies in front of them, once again stacking them in a pile three feet high. He was all out of magic at this point but he chuckled. “Anyone got a light.”

”Oh we don't need a fucking light,” Linqian grinned, pointing at Jack with both hands, burning hot fingers directed towards the bottles of rum. ”Light 'em up, Jack, let's fucking destroy them.”

Jack grinned, his scythe and the gloomy cover disappeared. He cracked both of the bottles open and hurled them both at the nearest zombies. The bottles shattered, spilling the highly flammable contents all over them. These creatures were stupid, and had a habit of huddling together. It would only take seconds for the fire to spread…

”Now!”

Linqian took quick steps past the melting ice wall, slamming a fist into the nearest zombie. It instantly caught alright, flames licking her hand and further burning them… but she quite frankly didn't give a fuck. Her whole body was already in agony and covered in burns, what was a little more. It instantly started spreading as she backed away. ”... fuck, won't this burn the building down?!”

“DON’T BURN MY BUILDING DOWN,” Faith shouted as she gasped.

“I mean,” Cyrus paused as he weakly pointed to the various levels of destruction already around them.

“The foundations are strong, as long as they hold we can repair anything Faith,” Octavia groaned as she coughed up more blood.

“I will make whoever is attacking us pay,” Faith groaned as she stabbed another zombie through the head.

In the distance there was a mysterious white light…

”Aw fuck,” Linqian squinted, panting heavily and punching another zombie not quite caught in the fire. ”We fucking dead?”

Of the zombies that had started burning alive, one vanished. So had Jack.

Up in the sky, a faint red glow of fire could be seen appearing on the deck. Jack reappeared.

”While they’re distracted, we can use their own weapons against them,” He said, before Gloomy Stepping off into the horde again, teleporting the occasional zombie that wasn’t burning up onto the deck of the ship. Gunshots rang out, as the zombies tried to fire on him, only to miss as he vanished too quickly.

Mere moments later… smaller portals opened above the group. The flaming zombies that were placed onto the ship were hoisted out through the portal by a tentacle before being thrown back at the 317 defensive line. Then a burst of explosive cannonball fire followed.

Jack teleported back, saw that someone else other than him could make portals- The AUDACITY- and use his Grasp of Nothing spell on the zombies that were sent back.

”That’s what I thought, their portals come from the ship.”

”Well great, but they're still fucking coming,” Linqian rolled her eyes, pointing to the walls that were being pummeled by canonfire, and then punching another zombie. The waves just didn't stop.

Cyrus was carried back by the explosion once again and his entire body bounced off the wall. He tried to stand up but his legs were completely uncontrollable at this point. His vision was blurry, his head in pain, and his coordination gone.

”Keep holding this spot,” Aryin sighed as she knew that the inevitable was coming. They could not hold out much longer.

More cannon blasts came from the ship.

The 317 itself began to crumble more and more under the weight of the explosions. Chunks of the building shattered, falling to the ground both inside and out. As well, the explosive pressure sent concrete spalling raining on the people inside the building. Thomas, using the last bit of magic his good hand could handle, grabbed the biggest chunks and deflected them away from the group. The spalling still peppered the group. Aryin was unbothered by it, but Jason screamed in pain as he took a back full of the shrapnel. Linqian only grimaced, heat saving her from feeling the pain as much as pieces pierced her skin, embedding.

The white light glowed brighter…

”... MAIDEN FLASH!”

Ruby could be heard screaming from the direction of the white light as it transformed into a massive beam of energy that collided with the ship and launched it aside. A gigantic hole pierced through the ship…, and then a monstrous bolt of lightning hit the ship afterward as the ship was launched away.

”Oh thank fuck its the hippies,” Linqian groaned, falling down on one knee. Sure, there were still the zombies, but she was hot enough that most burned as soon as they touched her.

Another white light appeared in the distance as James Carmicheal quickly jetted over with the axe in hand. He landed directly next to Linqian with the axe and grinned, “... Sorry for the wait, cuh!” He laughed. “The main attraction’s gotta show up fashionably late, you know!”

”Too fucking late,” Linqian grunted, gesturing to the barely standing group. She was breathing heavily, and honestly with the state one of her arms was in she really should’ve passed out from the pain. ”Fucking hell… people could’ve died… fuck me…”

“Sorry! We had to gather the whole gang together!” James laughed. “We went fast as we could!”

”Oh fuck you bro, leaving a beautiful girl like Linqian waiting? Is your healer with you,” Aryin asked as she let out the biggest breath of the night. Relief flooded over her as she wanted to hug James all the same.

“Kashmira is… somewhere…” James awkwardly laughed. “I honestly forgot where the lil’ bit went! But she’s with Naomi! That I know.”

The ship rotated somewhat to turn its cannon fire towards the white light, and James laughed.

“... Just what we wanted!” James laughed. “Now, shit, we gotta find Kash and Naomi!”

“James I could kiss you right now,” Faith chuckled as she leaned against the wall.

“Less talk more kill zombies,” Octavia groaned.

”Should I be ready to be wowed by what you have in store,” Aryin asked as she grabbed a stray zombie around the throat, hand glowing, before she squeezed it into a fine paste.

”Better be real fucking impressive,” Linqian grunted, pushing back to her feet to knee a zombie.

“Oh, these guys?” James pointed Shango’s axe at the incoming horde. “These guys are bothering you?” He placed his other hand on the axe.

“... It’s about to get hooooooooooooot!” James shouted before unleashing an inferno of fire directly at the horde of zombies that traveled outwards like an oversized flamethrower. The inferno spun, and the raw heat emanated from the blast was probably enough to give anyone too close a second-degree burn! He laughed as he effortlessly cut through the zombie horde.

---

The monsters struggled against the tentacles. Dri was lucky that she was less solid, and the tentacles passed through her. Dread was busy portaling around, avoiding the grasping tentacles while still slicing through the horde. The more he killed, the bigger he seemed to grow. Jordan was having a gay old time, laughing maniacally as he crushed zombies under fist and foot. Rien was having a less good time, having to command Shadow back over to protect them, as he tore through the horde and fended off tentacles. Panoptes’ psychic blast off the boat had stopped as she moved to the more immediate problem of tentacles.

The next wave of zombies had special undead mixed in… not wielding weapons but glowing with a strange black light with lightning arcs bouncing off them. If attacked or approached, they would explode in kinetic force and leave behind necrotic energy that sapped away at the strength of those nearby.

These ones are dangerous, Panoptes spoke in Rien's mind as she got too close to one of the special undead. She moved a distance away and started hitting as many with psychic beams as she could. Rien grimaced, climbing on top of Night and ordering him to fly up. He started using his ice cold, shadow breath on the zombies.

Rohan descended on the battlefield from above, leaping over the horde like a fucking frog thanks to his mask, and landing by Rien and their minions. He pointed the Ashen Scepter at the zombies and began spraying columns of fire at them, hot enough to cremate a few. Normally, he’d never use this thing, but tonight was just one of those nights.

Jordan watched with an evil grin as the ship was hit by Greenwood’s attack and roared as he tossed a zombie far into the air. A moment later he was caught in the wave of fire. His skin burned, melted off the body, and was replaced by new skin. His eyes slowly drifted towards James and he growled.

Jordan leapt into the air, fists raised high, and descended towards James.

“... JAMES, LOOK UP!” Naomi shouted from the side, with Kashmira right behind her.

“Oh wha- what?!” James shouted as he stopped shooting fire and then shot forward. “Bro! What the fuck?! We on the same side here - even I set you on fire! My bad!”

Jordan did not care, as he descended closer to James he no n both firsts downward in a rage fueled strike. James flew backwards to dodge.

Octavia saw this happening and just went “shit.” She had seen Jordan like this just once before. Octavia knew that he was not Jordan right now. He called his magic Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and right now the monster was out and they needed to find a way to either calm him down, or hold him back long enough for Sypha to have the energy to hit him with the cure.

“He overused his magic, he’s not himself so there’s no sides right now. He’s strong, and his healing factor is fucking insane. Hold him back, I’ll get his sibling,” Faith shouted to Greenwood as she turned around and ran downstairs.

“Don’t worry, I go-” James said as his hand crackled with electricity.

“... James! Zombies!” Naomi sharply shouted as she flew through the air, swinging off an ethereal glowing web. She landed right next to James and pointed towards the horde of zombies. James nodded as he continued immolating them. Naomi stood before Jordan and said, “Hey, big boy! After me!”

“Don’t let him get too far away,” Rien called out from just above their heads, ordering Night to shoot a targeted breath at Jordan. It wouldn’t kill him, it probably wouldn’t even hurt him much, but it should weaken him. They then landed, looking even paler than normal. “I need to find my paintings.”

Jordan’s body was enveloped in the necrotic energy of the blast and he instantly fell to his feet. His body healed through the fire faster than it could be damaged but the necrotic damage sapped at his strength faster than he could replenish it. He fell to one knee, before both, before he had to use both hands to keep himself at least holding up.

A moment later Sypha emerged from the front doorway, walking on her blood tendrils like a bloody Doc Ock. They had a concerned look on their paler than normal face. A moment later all but a few tendrils shot out with and impacted all across Jordan’s body and began to pump him full of the blood born diseases that will break him from the spell. It would take a minute, but he will return to normal. The blood tendrils all collapsed into pools of blood on the ground and so did Sypha. The blood loss from healing Alex away from death, and curing Jordan, had taken its toll and Sypha was going you be out until their healing factor healed then as well.

Faith emerged a moment later. She had a concerned look on her face as she looked at Jordan. He did his best to protect everyone, thankfully he did not cause any more damage than he did. He’d be out long enough to allow the rest to clean up. “Odds have changed in our favor, shall we press the advantage? This had to caught the attention of the PRA.”

”Aw nah I ain’t sticking around for the PRA,” Linqian muttered, looking over at Aryin. ”Those assholes gassed us before, and I threw a bible at one of ‘em… I ain’t risking the arrest.”

“Fucking..” Faith rubbed her temple. “Christ sycamore, priorities. Fucking priorities,” she paused as she pointed at the zombie horde, “unless Greenwood can finish the fight let’s focus.”

”Bro,” Aryin stumbled over to Linqian’s side and whispered into her ear, ”I know a way out of here without us being spotted. Let’s stay until the Feds get here and we’ll leave. Sounds fair?”. Aryin would not be of much help with the rest of the fight but she did not want to show weakness around her friends, and allies. She had to be dependable.

”Alright, fine, so long as we avoid the fucking feds,” Linqian muttered back, slinging her good arm up to lean on Aryin very lightly. Cause she knew her friend was absolutely fucked up, and she was too. But she also refused to back down from the current fight. Louder, she said. ”Alright, we’ll fucking help clear up- also it’s Linqian, not Sycamore!”

“Alright Linqian, I’m Faith,” Faith said as she smiled, “I’ll be sure to grab your number from Aryin

”If the PRA does arrive-“ Jack beheaded a zombie with his scythe, looking like a monster from someone’s nightmare thanks to his Night Terror spell. ”They will behave themselves, or never see the sun again,” he commented, swerving between the zombies with an unsettling amount of speed and cutting them down.

“Hehe, Naomi!” James shouted from over his shoulder, “Tell ‘im about them helicopters we took out!” He grinned.

“Oh, lord, no!” Naomi laughed.

The pirate ship opened fire from where the blast came from, only for most of them to get deflected by a powerful tornado. The ship, however, began to rotate back towards the building…

… A golden beam of energy came from the distance, collided with the pirate ship, and created a massive hole through it. From the other side, a fiery phoenix flew out of nowhere and spewed an inferno of fire onto it as it descended.

It fell through a portal, which quickly shut after the pirate ship fell through. The remaining undead minions sunk into the ground and disappeared.

Maximilian Cornell slowly descended in front of the group, he landed, before looking to the left and right. Then Samson Brown landed right right to him. Maximilian looked at the group, kicking the remains of an undead soldier before he shouted,

“... Is everyone okay?!” He looked around before glancing toward the approaching armored vehicle with blaring sirens. “Does anyone need medical attention?! Our healer is on the way!”

“Do we look okay?” Rien said, as they slid off their apparition and gestured to all of the injured and straight up passed out members of 317. “Loads need medical attention. I hope your healer is good.”

“He’s…” Maximilian facepalmed. “... Sufficient.”

Linqian shuffled backwards, nudging Aryin, eyebrow raised and mouthing, ”out?”

”Out,” Aryin said as she motioned for Linqian to follow. Linqian nodded, following their friend closely to sneak away. ”I don’t want to be a bother, everyone else needs so much more and I don’t want to take away from them.”

”Agreed, we’ll be fine,” Linqian murmured, staying close to Aryin. It was just two PRA members but there’d be more. ”Let’s fuck off…”

“Lots of injuries. One down in the basement, four upstairs. Alex in the basement is in desperate need of healing, but is stable, the rest will be good for a little while longer,” Faith turned around and finally collapsed to the ground. She saw that her life’s work, her legacy, was in a state of ruin. It would take so much work, effort, and time to fix it. “One second,” Faith paused as she commanded the Living Shadow to retrieve Alex from the basement, and the hand around her waist fell to the ground and combined with the shadows around the area. A second later, the shadow returned and rose out of the ground and Alex manifested out of it, falling to the ground. Their face was more red than pale but they were very pale.

After the dust settled, Kashmira immediately went to work, she ran out in the middle of the battlefield and raised her hands, waving them back and fourth as she shouted, “HUDDLE ALL THE INJURED TOGETHER, PLEASE!”

Kashmira quickly put her hands together before closing her eyes and singing a song in Gujarati. Then, a glowing green dome of healing energy extended outwards in a wide radius. It healed slowly, but it could heal several people at once. James and Naomi stood by her.

“Is there anyone still in the buildin-” Maximilian shook his head, “Hold on a second.”

Maximilian took in a deep breath before disappearing in a burst of speed and quickly going through the entire building in the blink of an eye. Maximilian brought Octavia, Thomas, Cyrus, and Jason one by one and placed them in the healing field that Kashmira created.

At this point, the armored vehicle rolled up and came to a stop, the first person out was Cindy Keagan, and she looked around. “Oh my Lord, this place is a warzone…” She quickly pulled out a badge. “... What happened here!?”

“A party,” Rien intoned, from where they were digging through the rubble for their canvas. They were completely unbothered by the badge on show.

“... A party doesn’t involve a section of the city becoming a warzone,” Cindy sharply answered, pushing her glasses up her nose.

“I don’t know where to start,” Faith paused as she stood up and turned around. Faith commanded her monsters to disappear. The Hell Beast and Dread quickly retreated from view in their own portals, and The Slithering Terror simply ran inside. “We were wrapping up a meeting inside when the ship appeared above us and all hell broke loose.”

Bianca jumped out the armoured vehicle pretty close behind Cindy, looking around and letting out a sigh of relief when she spotted Octavia. She then looked at Cindy and pointed to Kashmira. ”Permission to boost their healer as well as Agent Obott, boss?”

“Do it,” Cindy nodded her head.

Faith walked up to Cindy and offered a hand to shake. “I’m Faith, I own the 317.”

Cindy took her hand, and then said, “Senior Agent Keagan of the FBI.”

Bianca nodded, holding her hands out in front of her with a soft orange glow. She began to boost the strength of both Kashmira and Trevor’s abstraction, enough they could definitely heal all the injuries between them. The injured underneath Kashmira’s veil were rapidly healed, while Trevor got to work giving people the healing touch.

Rohan ran over, his Antelope Mask pushed up over his face, Steelfeather slung over his shoulders. He leaned on his scepter and grimaced at all the remains of the fighting. ”I’m getting too old for this…”

“You got enough juice to help me find my canvases, old man?” Rien asked, looking at Rohan with a hint of a smile. “Can’t put my monsters away till I have them.”

“Was that a joke, doom,” Jordan groaned as his muscles began to fade away and his half naked form returned to normal. He still had a very muscular frame visible for all to see.

“Can everyone tell me everything you all saw?” Cindy asked. “Aside from the pirate ship… What other magic was used? Did any of you see any other beligerents? I ask so we can investigate this and get them out of the city if they are going around attacking people.”

“No,” Rien answered, dropping the sarcastic tone to look up and over at Cindy. Them and Jordan were the only ones that were outside the whole time… and he’d been hulking half the time. “Zombies, portals, and tentacles out of portals. Some of the zombies were strangely glowing and sapped strength. Actually, there was this monstrous guy. He had a huge dick which someone burnt off.”

Zeri and Summer emerged from the building and Zeri walked over to Cindy. “I saw a lot. It’s more of what was said. Pirate ship in the sky, zombie horde with guns, tentacles.”

“I think the monster was named Steve? No, no it was Scott. Scott Reese,” Jordan stood up and shook off his own monstrous form completely.

Bianca looked up sharply at Jordan. ”Scott Reese is dead.”

”Scott Reese died a thousand times, and he never stays dead, Bianca.” Jack teleported back to the aftermath of the battlefield, covered in zombie blood. ”I could not find him, he seemed to have escaped, unless he was on the ship when it fell through that portal.”

”Fucking hell, Jack,” Bianca muttered, though she didn’t so much as flinch when he appeared out of nowhere. Work experience, or just used to his sudden appearances back in the day…

“We sent him away,” Faith added, “Alex opened a portal under his feet. He’s in Ohio. It was the furthest we could send that freak with the energy they had left.”

“If he is dead he fights with the energy of someone very much alive,” Jordan sighed, “there was Aryin, Sycamore girl, myself and we couldn’t even slow him down. Even after my strength was pushed to the absolute max. I’m very strong, extremely strong.”

“I used my telekinesis as well,” Thomas groaned as his shattered hands began to heal, “I couldn’t even touch him. I was crushing whole sections of the horde and my magic couldn’t even get a grip on him.”

“Two plasma blades in each eye. Healed right through them,” Jason sighed as the burns and charred flesh retreated from his hands.

”This is bad news,” Bianca said, frowning and looking at her colleagues. ”He was a Herald or some other shit of the Stygian Snake. Presumed dead. Obviously not. Most of the Sycamore Tree coven couldn’t even touch him.”

“That sounds rough, but we have some heavy hitters ourselves,” Cindy said, before reaching into the breast pocket of her suit and pulling out a card. She quickly pulled out a pen and wrote something down, before handing it to Faith, “This is my contact information. It has my phone number, email, and even my fax number. Let me know if something else happens and I can get a team out there to help you all. So now...”

A swarm of ethereal birds, thousands of different types of birds, came from Helena and quickly extended outward as they began picking up the various dead body parts left behind from the undead minions. Along with any other signs of chaos… Maximilian quickly darted around at speeds the eye couldn’t process grabbing chunks of concrete and other heavy objects.

“... We have to clean this mess up.”

“AW THE WORST PART OF THE JOB!” Trevor shouted, throwing his hands up into the air.

”Ah, you don’t have to worry about that, I can just burn them all,” Rohan gestured to his Ashen Scepter. ”You kids already saved us, that’s more than enough.”

“... You all just went through hell and back,” Cindy rolled her eyes at Rohan. “Just… take it easy. We got this.“

“The help is needed all the same. I’m too,” Faith paused as she grabbed the card from Cindy, pulled out her phone, and entered the contact information. “This is my first time dealing with this. Do you help with cover stories? Like how do we explain this,” Faith paused as she gestured across the completely ruined facade of the building, “to the mundane?”

“Yeah,” Octavia said as she rose to her feet. She looked at Bianca with an intense look in her eyes, “you,” Octavia paused as she pointed directly at Bianca. She no longer needed time to process the events of the night. “Explain.”

“We got this,” Cindy said with a smile to Faith. “We can also arrange for your building to be fixed… it’ll just take a lil’ while.”

“Thank you,” Faith said as she walked over to Alex. Alex was on the ground, frog blinking as they looked around at the carnage around them. Faith fell to the ground and gave them a hug. “You did particularly good tonight, Alex.” Faith then walked over to Jordan, Thomas, Jason and Cyrus and gave each a quick hug as she moved down the line. “If you need any help with the designs, or funding, let me know. I need to know everyone’s monthly expenses, I’ll get you paid until we can return to work.”

Bianca laughed awkwardly, holding up her still glowing hands and approaching Octavia. Work be damned… she’d take a lecture or whatever for doing this on duty. She was on duty more often than she was off! ”I’ll explain! There’s not really much to explain… I worked for the ‘FBI’.” She gestured towards the armour vehicle. ”It’s not really something I could bring up on a first date, Octavia… but I’m sorry, honestly, I should’ve said. But I was entirely off duty that night.”

“Oh, and why was that? Why couldn’t you tell me,” Octavia paused as she took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and shook her head. “I am feeling some very strong feelings about not being told that. I’m not saying it would’ve made a difference, but you’re a fucking fed! I am a paranormal fucking artist, don’t you think I deserved to know that? I just feel that was information I should have had, you know?”

“... I’ll, um, start cleaning! Let me know if you need anything!” Cindy said as she quickly departed and went to cleaning.

”Yeah… You got this, Octavia.” Rohan turned and walked off towards a zombie that had, by now, been petrified completely into wood.

“Hey wait up Cindy,” Jordan said as he ran over, also ready to get away from the drama, “I don’t remember you commanding this much authority back in Boston.”

“You do deserve to know, absolutely. But it’s confidential- I can’t just tell everyone I meet who I work for. My family barely know, and I wasn’t sure if I’d see you again, but-“ Bianca, without any care for the fact that half of her coworkers were in the area, got down on her knees in front of Octavia. ”I really like your company- and you. I’m so so sorry I didn’t tell you. I fucked up. But I promise, I’m not bad for a fed… most of us aren’t.”

Octavia stared at Bianca for several long seconds, without blinking. “Whatever,” Octavia kicked a hand away from her feet, “whatever, I am going to need a day or two to think this,” she paused as she sighed, “all over. Fuck me, what a fucking day.” Octavia squatted down and wrapped her arms around herself. “This is not what I expected for a second date.”

”Hey, I like to keep things fresh and exciting,” Bianca managed to joke, smiling a bit too brightly for someone who was still in the ‘bad books.’ Octavia had called it a second date, so that was a win. ”I’d try be all romantic and offer you my jacket, but I only got this body armour-” she gestured to the padded chest piece she was wearing. ”Take all the time you need… but even if you decide you don’t want this, I’ll still come running to protect you and your group if shit hits the fan. And not just cause it’s technically my job.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Octavia looked back up to Bianca and smiled. Secretly Octavia had begun to wonder what time Bianca would be done tonight. She could use a bottomless pit of alcohol and where they’d take it. “I’ll let you know regardless.”

Alex walked over to Octavia with a concerned look on their face. They placed a hand on Octavia’s shoulder. “Lady trouble? That’s rough buddy.” Their face was completely coated in blood still, and they shook their head side to side as they looked at Bianca.

Jack looked around for a moment, and realized something.

”Has anyone seen Aryin and Linqian?”

“Who?” Rien asked, having wandered over carrying two large paintings, their apparitions finally put away. “Oh, Aryin’s gone. Dunno about the other one.”

“The one who was using the chainsaw,” Thomas clarified.

“She got to use the chainsaw? I’ve always wanted to use the chainsaw, why did she get to use the chainsaw,” Alex pouted as they crossed their arms.

“You don’t have an abstraction.” The entire 317 said in unison. It was clear that this was a topic of discussion that was discussed many times prior. Alex, instead sulked off. If anyone was paying any attention it would be chest that they were looking for the chainsaw.

Bianca was laughing over Alex’s comment, finally getting up off her knees, looking over at Jack. ”They were here? You know Linqian probably ran off in case I arrested her for the bible incident.”

”She’s injured, and so is Aryin. Where did they go?”

“I dunno,” Rien shrugged, pointing in a random direction. “That way, I think.”

”Hey, don’t worry about them too much, Jack. We seen worse ten years ago, I’m sure. They’ll be fine. Look… I’ll text her.” Bianca said, as if Jack couldn’t do that too. Still she pulled out her phone and shot off a quick text.

---

Aryin and Linqian shot out of the back door of the 317. They had good arm wrapped around each other as they were singing a song, badly, as they tried to match the accent, badly, and to everyone who saw them they would be able to tell that they were injured badly. As they took their first steps out of the building Aryin noticed the upper torso of a zombie that was splattered across the ground. The head, surprisingly, was still completely intact.

”Duuuuuude,” Aryin paused as their eyes remained locked on the zombie's head, ”should we, you know, play some catch?”

”And I would- Fuck yeah,” Linqian interrupted her singing to look at the head, before grinning. ”One armed catch, bitch, first person to drop it loses.”

“And I would walk 500 miles, and I’d walk 500 more. JUST TO BE THE MAN WHO WALKED ONE THOUSAND MILES JUST TO FALL DOWN AT YOUR DOOR,” Aryin and Linqian began to sing together. Their tones were off, the lyrics not quite right, and their Scottish impression terrible. Yet the two seemed overly giddy after the fight. And seemed to not have a care in the world, least about the damages they sustained in the fight.

Back at home, Linqian’s phone buzzed. Their screen alight with a missed text.