NoriWasHere

Recollections: Primal Sinister

That’s the true story of this slice of life. The war between Furies and The Fury Killer. His name is Father Wolf.

Recollections: Primal Sinister

We all know that answer.

Recollections: Primal Sinister

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Mountain At My Gates - Foals

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Cloverfield, once a beacon of modern progress and quiet prosperity, now stands as a stark testament to the aftermath of devastation. Built along the banks of the sprawling Nimtaké River, the city was known for its vibrant life and magnetic appeal, drawing visitors from all over America. For decades, Cloverfield was a destination, a hotspot for travelers, and a center of culture, with its economic heart pulsing on the north bank and its industrial might anchored on the south. Yet, the Cataclysm that struck a year and a half ago, unleashed by Nyrah the Ravager and her host, Princess Nadine, has forever altered the city. The final battle between Nyrah and Cloverfield’s defenders resulted in widespread destruction, and though the town emerged victorious, its scars run deep. The city of Cloverfield is split clean down the middle by the Nimtaké River, which has always served as a physical and symbolic divide between wealth and poverty. On the north side, the downtown district shines again, rebuilt with millions of dollars in investment. Its skyline is returning, full of promise and opportunity, with high-rise buildings, boutiques, and nightlife. Universities and financial institutions stand tall, their marble steps bustling with students and businesspeople. Fancy restaurants and world-class nightclubs have reopened, drawing in the wealthy from neighboring cities, eager to forget the devastation in Cloverfield and immerse themselves in the city's luxury. But across the river, the story could not be more different. The South Bank, once an industrial powerhouse, is a shell of its former self. Factories that once buzzed with life now lie in ruins, their skeletons rusting under the dim light of an overcast sky. The lower district, already struggling before the Cataclysm, has been left to rot, ignored by city officials who focus all their resources on revitalizing the north side. The council's disdain for the South is evident in the crumbling infrastructure, frequent blackouts, and minimal aid sent to the struggling residents. Poverty and crime are rampant, and the police presence is overwhelming, not to protect but to suppress. The once-proud working-class heart of Cloverfield has been reduced to a forgotten wasteland where the people are left to fend for themselves.

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The divide between the two sides is more than just economic. Culturally, Cloverfield's north and south banks were always different, but now those differences have deepened into a chasm. The north side is cosmopolitan, drawing in people from all over the world. Its streets are filled with cultures, languages, and cuisines. Upscale art galleries and museums showcase works from every corner of Dazzle, and the universities are melting pots of intellectual discourse, innovation, and multiculturalism. Magical scholars, politicians, and wealthy travelers mingle freely, their lives untouched by the struggle just across the river. On the south side, the ethnic and cultural diversity takes on a different tone. Immigrant communities, who once found stable work in the factories and warehouses, are now trapped in a cycle of poverty. These communities, primarily made up of people from magical lineages, descendants of workers, and those who had once thrived on the fringes of Cloverfield’s economy, have had to band together for survival. Magical traditions that once thrived in secret have come to the forefront as the people here turn to their ancestral practices to find hope and strength in the face of adversity. Magic has always been a part of Cloverfield's identity, but in the wake of Nyrah the Ravager’s destruction, the magical scene has taken on a new, more volatile life. Magic is a carefully controlled and regulated academic pursuit on the north side. Meanwhile, the south side has become a hotspot for dangerous, uncontrolled magic. With the devastation brought by Nyrah, magical creatures that once stayed hidden in the mountains and forests surrounding Cloverfield have begun to encroach on the city’s outskirts. Werewolves have been spotted hunting in the shadows; vampires are rumored to be establishing new covens, and ancient, long-forgotten creatures stir in the dark corners of the woods. Those in the lower district are often the first to encounter these threats, as city officials remain indifferent to their plight. This has led to the rise of magical vigilantes and factions who take it upon themselves to defend their community with whatever powers they can muster. The battle with Nyrah may have been won, but the city's magical defenses are fraying, and the people of Cloverfield know that something darker is on the horizon. On the surface, the north side of Cloverfield may appear to be thriving once more. Still, beneath the polished façade, the city is teetering on the edge of collapse.

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Cloverfield’s location, nestled at the foothills of the ancient Appalachian Mountains, only adds to the growing sense of unease and impending doom. Once a source of pride and natural beauty, the Appalachians have taken on a sinister aura in the wake of Nyrah’s devastation. The earth beneath Cloverfield seems cursed by her lingering magic, with frequent tremors and cracks running through the once-stable ground. Some believe the mountains are stirring, as though Nyrah's battle awoke something much older and far more dangerous. The once-bustling trails that attracted hikers from across the country have become abandoned as more and more people have begun to vanish without a trace. Whispers now spread through the magical and mundane communities, rumors of an ancient evil deep within the Appalachian caverns.

For the people of Cloverfield, the future is uncertain. Some cling to hope, working tirelessly to rebuild their lives on both sides of the river. Others have grown bitter and resentful, watching the rich side flourish while their homes remain in ruins. Tensions between the North and South are simmering, and it’s only a matter of time before they boil over. Protests have already begun to erupt on the south side, with calls for equal aid and investment growing louder by the day. But the city council, backed by the elite of the north, remains deaf to their pleas, focused only on maintaining their grip on power.

In the magical underground, factions are rising, each with its agenda. Some seek to harness Nyrah's lingering power to reshape the city in their image, while others work to protect Cloverfield from the new threats that lurk in the shadows. Amidst the rubble and ruins of the lower district, there is talk of revolution, of tearing down the barriers that have long divided the city and building something new in its place. The battle for Cloverfield is far from over. The scars left by Nyrah the Ravager have yet to heal, and with monsters stirring in the mountains, political tensions rising, and magic growing more dangerous by the day, the city stands at a crossroads. What happens next will depend on the choices made by those who call Cloverfield home: choices that could either save the city or doom it to destruction.

FACTIONS

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THE.KEEPERS.OF.THE.GROVE " You know too much and that means one two things will happen. One, we kill you or two we wipe your memory. It’s up to you which option we choose."	. The Keepers of the Grove The Keepers of the Grove are an ancient order that are based out of an old, run down church up in the community that sits in the mountains that overlook Cloverfield. This coven was founded to, and still does, maintain an underground grove simply known as Grove of Vitality. The Grove is a pool of crystal clear water within a difficult to access and navigate cave system near the community of Hopes Rest. The waters of the grove are a place where any and all wounds will be healed. No one knows where the cavern Grove came from, nor who created it, but it has been here for several centuries at least. The coven has hid the location of the grove successfully for many years and every action they take is to protect it from outside influences. Even as the city around them was being destroyed, and thousands were injured and in need of help. As the city has emerged from the battle victorious this grove has drawn renewed interest from many of the various factions that call Cloverfield home, especially those on the north side of the river. The Grove’s waters are magical and can heal all wounds, whether physical, emotional, or magical. The waters are also able to return the dead back to full life without any strings attached. The Grove is illuminated by the ceiling of the cave which is painted in a strange, unknown yellow paint that not only gives off light but warmth as well. It also enables this underground location to support the plant life that manages to grow here. There are no structures and nothing man made here. The waters of the grove work passively however there is a chant that can be uttered by the coven to speed up the process, or empower the effect. The Coven will defend this grove with their lives even if they’re numbers have dwindled over the years. The coven is led by Elara, a direct descendant of the original leader who perished in the cataclysm.
THE.HALLOW.TAP.COVEN " While those rich fucks get everything handed to them on a silver fucking platter we’re forced to sit here and beg for the fucking scraps. Are we going to let them destroy our home or are we going to do something about it?"	. The Hollow Tap coven gets their name from the infamous two-story bar centered at the heart of the lower district. Flanked by abandoned warehouses, and with a constant police presence around it, the ambiance of this location is gritty and worn. The exterior walls are marred with graffiti that has long since become a stable of its image. The inside maintains this as the dim lighting hides more in the shadows than it reveals in the light. There is a jukebox in the corner that is locked to a selection of old country music and the blues. Despite the crime in the area, and the desolation that surrounds it, it is constantly packed each night with regulars and newcomers alike. It was one of two bars that survived the cataclysm, and the only one that stayed open afterwards. The Hollow Tap coven maintains the bar as a sort of neutral spot for all the other criminal elements of the city and it has dedicated tables for each group that are always reserved for them. The second floor of the bar is the VIP lounge where business matters are handled. No phones or other electronic devices are allowed in this space. This place, and this group, is an open secret that has long blighted the powers that be over on the north side. As such it has been raided and shut down twice over the past year yet nothing seems to stick. Despite the constant police presence around it and the pressure from the rich folk across the river nothing seems to stick. This is in part due to the coven having a significant number of the local police force, and the local PRA group, in their pocketbook. As well, they maintain a solid database of compromising information on politicians and other influential figures. They maintain these secrets but never deal in them. The group is led by Gideon, a man born and raised in the lower districts. He wants to unite the district, and force out the north side influences. He often directs his crew to build up support for his vision, through threats of force and the brutal application of it.
THE.BROTHERHOOD "In Tenebris Fortitudo."	. The Brotherhood is a secretive order of knights founded during the medieval era of Europe, a time marked by superstition, fear of the supernatural, and rampant violence wrought by malevolent Apparitions and Aberrations. A coalition of brave warriors, scholars, and clerics gathered to ally to safeguard humanity from these dark forces. They established their first sanctuaries in the crumbling ruins of ancient monasteries and hidden cathedrals, drawing upon knowledge and ancient texts to develop their combat techniques and magical practices. This early formation emphasized martial prowess and the understanding of magic as a force to be respected and wielded responsibly. Over the centuries, as Europe transformed through the Renaissance into the modern age, the Brotherhood adapted, remaining vigilant against evolving supernatural threats and maintaining its mission in an increasingly skeptical world. Recruitment into the Brotherhood is a selective and often tricky process. Candidates are typically individuals who have encountered the supernatural firsthand, whether through personal tragedy, the loss of loved ones to Aberrations, or as witnesses to horrific events. Prospective members often come from diverse backgrounds and initiates undergo rigorous trials that assess their resolve, intellect, morality, and ability to wield magical artifacts. Those who pass are bestowed the rank of Acolyte, tasked with learning the Brotherhood’s ancient rites, combat techniques, and magic secrets. The Brotherhood’s hierarchical structure consists of several ranks, each representing different levels of mastery and responsibility. At the pinnacle is the Grandmaster, a figure shrouded in mystery, believed to possess extensive knowledge of the Paranormal and unparalleled combat skills. Beneath the Grandmaster are the Councilors, seasoned knights who advise on strategy, recruitment, and training. The next rank, Paladins, represents the elite warriors of the Brotherhood, skilled in martial combat and the use of magical artifacts, including legendary weapons such as the Vampire Hunter and the Undead Hunter. These artifacts are steeped in the order’s history and designed to combat the undead and other dark forces. Paladins lead missions and are responsible for confronting powerful Apparitions, while the Acolytes, still in training, gradually take on field assignments under their guidance. The lowest rank, Novices, are the newest recruits who have yet to prove their worth. The Brotherhood's operations are often shrouded in secrecy, with members conducting missions that range from small-scale reconnaissance to full-scale assaults on strongholds of evil forces. They combine traditional combat techniques and magic, often relying on artifacts steeped in their order's history. These artifacts are carefully guarded, each possessing unique powers that enhance the wielder’s abilities and safeguard against dark forces. The Brotherhood also gathers intelligence, maps out areas where Paranormal occurrences are reported, and tracks activity to strike before chaos ensues preemptively. Some members advocate for a more aggressive approach, arguing that striking decisively against Apparitions and Aberrations is the only way to send a clear message and deter future threats. Conversely, others within the Brotherhood urge restraint and deliberation. This philosophical divide creates tension during council meetings, where strategies are debated and missions planned, reflecting the Brotherhood's struggle to balance aggression with caution in an ever-changing world of supernatural threats. The membership primarily consists of Adepts, and there is a stigma against Aberrations, including those who are Adjoined, Abominable, and Afflicted, further complicating the dynamics within the order. The Brotherhood's arsenal includes a cornerstone weapon known as the Knight's Edge, a mass-produced artifact that serves as both a sword and a versatile tool. Forged from a unique alloy with magical properties, it can adapt to the wielder’s needs, shifting between forms such as a traditional blade or a ranged whip. It is customizable to imbue it with elemental properties or temporary enchantments. Alongside the Knight's Edge, members employ specialized weapons like enchanted crossbows, spears, axes, shields, etc. As time progressed, the Brotherhood transitioned to more modern weaponry, integrating firearms enhanced with enchantments to maintain their effectiveness against supernatural foes. While the Brotherhood primarily operates within Europe, its influence and reach extend to other continents whenever the threat of Aberrations arises. This expansion is marked by careful planning as they connect with local groups and individuals who share their mission. Through meetings and cooperation with other factions, the Brotherhood ensures that the knowledge and tools required to combat supernatural threats are shared, creating a web that spans borders. This adaptability reflects their understanding that evil knows no bounds and that their vigilance must extend beyond the confines of Europe to protect humanity from the encroaching darkness. While the Brotherhood does not have a sect in Cloverfield, they participated in the Cataclysm, and have some membership working in Cloverfield to recover the Undead Hunter, and the Vampire Hunter.

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Recollections: Primal Sinister

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Recollections: Primal Sinister

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OVERVIEW

Welcome to Recollections: Primal Sinister, a slice-of-life RP set in the supernatural horror/urban fantasy universe known as the Recollections universe, It is set in a strange and unique universe where magic reflects the core of its humanity and its emotions, beliefs, and thoughts. In Primal Sinsister, the story is centered on a mysterious town with a tragic past. Originally it was a simple town built along the flanks of the sprawling Deepwater river. Like most modern towns it had its problems, none more so than the income disparity between its two sides. On the north bank of the river sits the bustling center of the city and finan hub of the state. There are fancy restaurants, world class night clubs, and countless centers of higher learning. It is a travel destination, and used to see hundreds of thousands of travelers each year. On the south bank of the river sits the lower district. It was once a manufacturing capital of the country but has long since known its absence. Situated close to the mountains and thus the minutes it used to be the heart of the city that pumped life into the other districts. Now, it is an over policed, under funded, and desolate place that the city council turns a blind eye to in the hopes that everyone will either be arrested or murdered in the streets. Even before the Cataclysm came to Cloverfield the powers that be were plotting to acquire and place over the residential areas of the lower districts.

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PLAYLIST DISCORD SERVER

A year and a half ago the city was rocked by the cataclysm that had threatened the world, magic and mundane alike, when Princess Nadine, herald of Nyrah the Ravager, descended from the skies and began to flatten the city. Several large cities had already found their destruction at her hands, and Cloverfield was poised to be the next on the way to the complete destruction of Dazzle. Yet, unlike the others that came before it Cloverfield was not only able to hold back the onslaught but also break Nyrah, and seal her and her destructive magic in the body of Princess. Unlike every city before it Cloverfield has deep connection with the land around it, cultivated by the various covens that trace their lineage back to the founding of the city itself, if not further back. This connection, this city, and these people ultimately did the impossible and saved the realm of Dazzle from further destruction. However, despite this grand victory, the city has begun to show its ugly side in the years since. While the North side has had billions of dollars invested into the rebuild of the downtown district and other impacted areas the lower district has seen pennies on the dollar. While the bright lights of the city shine every brighter, the lower district has to contend with rolling blackouts.

White the skyline slowly returns to the north side; the lower district has seen their homes flattened and destroyed. The town that had accomplished so much is being pushed into a boiling pot with no path out. As well, as a result of the sheer destruction and suffering brought by Nyrah, monsters have begun to stir up in the mountains and in the haunted woods. Werewolf packs have begun to hunt once more, reports of vampire conclaves have begun to make the rounds in the magical circles in town, and ancient and terrible monsters long since locked away in the have begun to wake. If legends are to be believed the town could face a new threat in the coming months, if not years, that would shatter the fragile balance of the city. Thus it is here, amidst the backdrop of one of the oldest mountain ranges in Dazzle, where the inhabitants of Cloverfield must find their place. In this most fantastical of locations countless factions move to place themselves on the top of the proverbial ladder. They can choose to exist, as they are and always were, in this city despite what has happened. They can choose to uplift themselves and those close to them by playing the game and finding a place for themselves on the steps of the ladder. They can also choose to help burn it all down. Or they can choose to investigate the strange happenings in the woods and up in the mountains. Choice is the gift that was given back to the people of Dazzle and each person will have their own choices to make. Above all else, its thematic will be Connections, Identity, Emotions, and Memories.

RULES & NOTES

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1. First and foremost, I reserve the right to reject anyone from the RP and boot them out at any time. I hate to do this, and I will try to avoid it, but sometimes, some people are too disruptive to the RP or aren't a good fit and must be removed. 2. Please try to be respectful towards all other players. 3. The Recollections Universe is a dark off-urban fantasy set in the real world, so it'll be relatively realistic. I want all characters to make sense, have a realistic (or natural) faceclaim, etc. You can pretty much go crazy with any character of any sexuality, gender, race, religion, etc. Just stray away from sociopaths/psychopaths, please. 4. The tone of the RP will be relatively dark and brooding... not super gritty or edgy (only a little). It'll have plenty of dark moments and probably some pretty graphic moments - with occasional nudity. However, the absurdist humor inherent to the setting will offset it. 5. no "wip" sheets on the OOC. Post a complete sheet, or don't post anything at all. If you need something looked over, feel free to private message me. Speaking of which, the character tab is for accepted characters only. 6. Keep in mind that your character can die. If they make the wrong move, it can result in their death, and I will not jeopardize the story to save them. 7. You're allowed to have as many characters as you can handle... don't go too crazy. I want to keep it to about two characters max per person, but if you have a good idea, I'll allow more. 8. Keep in mind that this RP isn't quite a regular superpower RP (even though you'll ignore this); it's an off-urban fantasy with horror themes. It's a weird blend of thirty different genres, but that's beside the point. I want the abilities in this setting to be more grounded in magic, the fantastical, and the thematic over everything. I like abilities that somehow reflect the user, but I'd appreciate seeing how you interpret it. I would prefer if you stray away from scientific abilities like gravity/magnetism manipulation, but I will allow it if you insist. 9. I only describe the essential lore for character-making. That is because I like doing stuff from top-to-bottom, meaning I like to explore the supernatural world in character. Please let me know if you want any details about the lore for making a character.

10. The following abilities are banned: Magic Negation/Replication, "instant death" powers, reality-warping, anything with "Omni" attached to it, complete defense/indestructibility, and any other ridiculous ability. I will explain why if necessary. 11. This RP will strictly be "first come, first serve." I will not reserve any /characters/roles/etc, and they will go to whoever finishes their character sheet first. If there's a conflict over it, I will decide the outcome. 12. All I ask for is one post a week. Your character will be deemed inactive if it's been a week since your last post. Please be aware that once your character has been deemed inactive, I have free reign to control them, or they can be killed off. 13. The RP runs off of the Ambiguous Time Period. This means the RP will have aspects from different periods with no set year, so placing a specific period would be hard. 14. Don't fill out the weaknesses section of the character sheet. I'll fill that out for you! 15. This is optional, but I can write a magical power for your character. It'll be a fun little thing for both of us. 16. I'm going for a lower power level; think like "street level." Like I don't want characters throwing around buildings, but I want a focus on the wielder/esoteric abilities. 17. Some rules are so beaten into your head that it should be obvious. ...................................................................

LINKS

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RESOURCES

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• The NPC List
• The Compendium

Recollections: NPC list for Primal Sinister

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Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

“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.”

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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-”

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“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.

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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

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

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

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.”