from pressure, diamonds

To Jen, it feels like all she might need is some water. But when she clears her throat, it changes nothing, as if something sits on the tip of her tongue, swallowing up every syllable.

Dani moves closer, hoping to provide some support and stability for her cousin, who is likely still weak. She wants as much explanation as she can get, but she's not going to rush Jen. The new coven leader is concerned, watching all of her family members get in serious trouble because they just couldn't communicate well. She wonders what her mother would say now -- she wonders how much of this is because of the way her mother ran things in the first place.

She stares with concern as Jen fails to produce any sounds. It's more than just a dry throat, by the sound of it (or lack thereof). "Woah... here, let me get you something to drink." Dani rushes out to the kitchen and comes back, holding out the glass. It's her cousin's element, maybe it will help her.

It doesn't matter in the end, what could have been. It is not the time for air and its ephemeral nature, but something known and solid. Her older sister is trembling and Jac hates herself a little more for putting this on her. An apology isn't enough, could never be enough after everything, but Jac still tries to shuffle a little closer, so their knees are almost touching.

"Okay," Jac breathes out. It's hard to believe Dani, and the younger witch knows that she will find ways to doubt it like she always has, but tonight she lets her defenses fall away, and she pitches forwards into her sister's arms. She doesn't deserve a hug, but she gets one anyway, and she tries not to think about where they go from here.

END.

He's got a quick moment to breathe from work, and it's not that big of a trip over to the plaza to relax during lunch - so he makes sure to grab some take out from a nearby truck before parking on a bench to wait for his dining companion for the day. When she arrives, Jace offers Dani the extra tea he'd ordered for her, still tucking into his food - as quick as possible.

"I was thinking about that whole conclave shebang, and some of the people I talked to." He says, too fast, after swallowing down a lump of food, and getting right back to it. "Met a guy - hunter guy. And I had what you said on my mind, and I'm supposed to meet him soon to talk about deals and shit. But I wanted to make sure I was talking to my coven leader first."

The title is a slight tease, but he means it. There's respect, underneath it. "You cool with chatting about that before I gotta run back to the hospital?"

It honestly surprises Dani that after everything that went down at the Conclave, Jace is still eager to dive into local politics. She wonders if that's just who he is, or it's his element talking. A smaller part fears it's because he doesn't have faith in the new Feng leadership after their brief discussion at the event. Spending more time with him will either be a good idea or a terrible one.

"Thanks, Jace," she says, accepting the tea with a smile and nod. Danielle watches him for a moment and laughs -- she's listening to his words, sure, in between the bites. "Sorry, but... do you always eat like it's your last meal on earth? Or first? You don't want me to be the one doing CPR if something goes wrong."

But the mention of 'a hunter guy' has her worried from the onset. Jace thankfully wasn't here for the Summerfest incident, last year's Masquerade, any of the recent territory wars... "Wait, what did I say that inspired you to talk to a hunter? You know one killed my cousin's wife, right?" Dani shakes her head, trying not to be her mother -- to act like she knows best. She doesn't, not when it comes to leading like this. But is a trial by, well, fire, going to be her first showing?

Hey...

Hey!

Not yet, stupid! Turn around! You've got so much more to do!

Jen wakes up, lungs full like she's drowning, like a huge weight sits in her chest, needs to be pushed out. She can't breathe, can't shake the feeling of that voice in her ears. Eventually, she feels like she can breathe again. She's not at the Arts Center. She's not in her house.

All things considered, the gala went... pretty well. Dani didn't break a blood vessel in her eye or cause a minor earthquake, so she's qualifying that as a win. Though the news of the Wyrmwood witch's death, no matter what political sentiments were behind it, rings a little too close to home for comfort...

But no gathering is without complications, and no Feng family affair without incident, it seems. She's just glad it wasn't Jac this time. KBBQ is on hold until Jen recovers, though, from whatever strangeness befell her at the Conclave. She's glad Jac was able to get her, and help in bringing their cousin home.

Dani hears feels the vibrations in the floor before she hears the movements, both relieved and terrified that Jen is awake.

The winds are slowing, she can feel that much instinctively, and Jac wonders if she would be any help now or if she would just makes things worth. She decides that the city has suffered through enough of her for one night.

"No, I... if you were here, then I would be crying over both of you," Jac shakes her head, voice cracking slightly when she considers the possibility. "Wait, where are-" She looks around for their other siblings, knowing that if their mother sent Dani away, then she must have sent them all away together. "Did I-"

Yes, it was her. Every death, every destroyed car and flooded home, everything was her fault. "I... I didn't mean to."

Dani feels too full and yet too hollow. Emptied out, but a thousand feelings are rushing in to fill the void. This isn't something she's going to be able to push down, like every other stress in her life. This is foundation-shaking. She will have to rebuild.

It's not just the house, or her sense of family. She's going to have to rebuild the coven -- or at least, someone is, until perhaps their eldest sibling can return from overseas. And, perhaps most difficult of all, she'll have to rebuild her understanding of her little sister. Jac's power, Jac's place in all of this. She also just lost her mother. They lost everything together -- and whatever power Jac has gained is probably a hollow replacement for that, too.

"Everyone else is at my apartment. I was coming back, because..." It was as much their mother's stubbornness as it was her love that sent the children away. Dani wipes her eyes and her mouth hastily, the waning storm feeling ineffective at cleaning her. "I know. I know you didn't mean to."

It's as true as the next words, but there's no venom in her voice. Just that earthen energy, matter-of-fact, the way she always has been.

"But... you did. Whatever this spell was... now we have to figure out what comes next. I don't know what to do, Jac, I won't pretend to" she hiccups, casting another glance to their mother's cold, still body. Her eyes burn anew, the three Fengs laid bare beneath the elements that bind their family and shape their lives.

"But whatever we do, we need to do it as a family. Okay? You've always been a part of that. I don't want to lose anyone else today."

"Jesus." He breathes out, rubbing at his forehead. How much had happened in the years since he's been away from Port Leiry? Too much, he thinks. Too fuckin' much.

"Yeah, I've met one or two just in passing. Some blending in, some just giving everything the evil eye." The muscle in his jaw jumps as he clenches his teeth. Hunters can be fine to work with, when they have the right resources - but he worries about the ones without a cause or care. "So you're thinking it's only a matter of time before something big happens again? That means we gotta prep."

"Hopefully they know better than to try anything here. Especially with the foreign delegations. The last thing we need is a group of Scandinavian werewolves getting in a full on pack war with the Pacific Northwest," she sighs. But no, Dani isn't putting that energy into the air tonight. "I am sure someone will do something rash tonight -- I don't know much but I know the talk of daylight jewelry is very polarizing."

This is exactly the sort of thing she wishes she could ask her mother. Danielle has always been interested in creating gems -- it's just one of earth's many facets (hah) as an elemental presence. Gems are beautiful, yes, but they're difficult to achieve. A symbol of pressure and time and dedication. Making stones out of vampire blood seems strange and unnatural, but also... the perfect challenge for her powers. But is it right? Is it smart? After all, look what the vampires' 'solidarity' got them last time.

"Oh, please -- just try doing schoolwork to please your Asian parents. I know militant. Besides..." She thinks for a moment of Jac, and everything she endured because of her struggles with her power. "...you can't force magic. You can't treat witches like soldiers. Anyone here tonight who thinks otherwise is in for a rude awakening."

The idea that someone could just do that makes him nervous. Not for tonight, but in general - If someone decides they have it out for Feng-Lindon, then what are they to do? He's gotta start making deals. Start looking out and figuring out who to play and how to play them.

He sniffs, wondering if he's overthinking things again.

Dani knows he's joking, but oh, does it give her a preemptive heart attack. She wishes her mother were here handling the diplomacy while she stayed at the 'kids table' with her sister, their siblings, her cousin, and the others. She doesn't want to have to mother anyone here, but she does have to lead. And sometimes that feels like the same thing.

"Well, at a party like this, most people end up under the table. I guess the top isn't a bad place to be."

She wants to ask him if he's bold because his element is fire, or if that just comes easily to him. Danielle herself wonders how much of her personality is built on the element and the teaching she received from her mother, or if she'd have always been this way. But, woof, that's too much to spring on Jace now.

She twisted her hands in a sort of show off way, “Plus they don’t call it liquid courage for nothing, though I admit getting toasted if probably not the smartest idea. But I trust you to be the best judge of your own limits.” Charlotte smiled and resisted setting a reassuring hand on the woman’s shoulder, “I more just wanted to let you know we are here for you.”

Charlotte remembered how devastating it had been to lose her Father, he had been the light that lit her adolescent years. His words and song a magic that even she had been enchanted by, ‘twas the León way. But she, not quite like Dani, had had to stand tall after putting him in the ground, she had had people who depended on her too.

“I am having fun,” she nodded, “I didn’t know if I would tonight but I will say this evening has not disappointed. What about you?” She smiled conspiratorially, “Have you found any fun or have you decided tonight it all work? Because we can fix that.”

"Thank you, Lottie," she responds. There's this weird feeling inside of her, almost a nakedness as she knows that everyone in her coven can sense that air of vulnerability she's always tried so hard to guard. Dani usually shines in political networking events -- it's easier to do it for a purpose outside of herself. But the coven... she wants to fight for them as well but her mother never prepared her for this. So even when she's offered congratulations, condolences, or champagne, accepting it feels like admitting weakness.

But it's probably fine.

"I promise to pace myself -- I refuse to let my guard down around those Mariposa witches," she signs as conspiratorially as she can. Still, Dani shakes her head and gives a bit of a laugh. "I know it sounds weird, but I do find fun in my work. Usually. But I just don't think I'll be able to relax tonight -- but please don't let that detract from your enjoyment or anything!"

The last thing she'd want is for any of her coven members to then spend their night worrying about her. It sounds like Charlotte hasn't had any trouble engaging in the full festivities, though.

He doesn't really like the words, shaking his hand in a 'so-so' motion. "I think I've had too much champagne already." Hence, the water. He lifts it up with a sheepish smile.

Dani just blinks at his quick reply. Blinks and then nods. "Right. Empowering," she echoes. It feels antithetical to the notion that she's only in this position because her mother died. Because Jac did something beyond the realm of irresponsible and killed their mother by accident as a result. But her mother and their shared element... Even broken down into pieces, rock was still strong. And pressure made diamonds.

"Well, since you're not here to do work, you should enjoy the party. But remember, you represent the coven too," she says playfully, her idea of teasing even if there's a kernel of truth in it.

Jasper slips into his best Paul Rudd: “Hey, look at us.” Then he glances at the frothy glass in his hand, as if remembering the drink only now. “Oh yeah, I managed to convince one of the bartenders to use the coconut cream I, uh, strategically smuggled in. Wasn’t really sure what the vibes were going to be.” His thumb strokes condensation, proud of the illicit little umbrella bobbing inside. He extends the pina colada as a peace offering. “Untouched, scout’s honor, if you want a sip. Extra straw incoming if you’re brave.”

"Wow, some security they've got here," Danielle jokes, though internally she's wondering if something as mundane as coconut cream could make it through, what other oddities might have snuck into the venue for the night. (Their distinguished guests notwithstanding.) "And some bartenders, huh?"

Jasper is... hard to describe. From their brief encounter just a month or so prior, Dani gets the sense he exists in a realm slightly askew from reality -- he's got a brightness, a levity and an energy that just don't seem phased by the nature of Port Leiry. With or without the pina colada in hand. She envies that, but even since she was young she can hardly remember a time where care and free came remotely within an inch of each other in her day to day.

"Oh, uh... sure, I'm brave," she says. It's not exactly a lie, is it? But she doesn't want to rely on liquid courage tonight, not when she's got such an important part in tonight's discussions. Dani leans in with the offered straw and takes a sip. Even the drink matches Jasper's determined singularity -- unique, an outlier among the more refined tastes of the evening, no matter how many people were simply trying to convince themselves they loved the embittered taste of clear or cloudy spirits.

His question deserves honesty, but Dani wouldn't dare let a single ear hear the truth of how she felt. "It's... a bit overwhelming, but nothing I won't handle." It's not a matter of can or cannot, after all. "I really hope everything goes well. Especially because I refuse to be responsible for something bad happening to the Mayor. Not when he's trying to help people, and make things a bit better for our more vulnerable neighbors."

Absolutely not.

Avi makes a beeline for Dani as soon as he spots that. He's been meaning to speak with her, anyway, what with the new crown and the favor he'd asked of her a while back. But this? This requires that meeting be moved to an earlier time. This is an emergency.

"Come, come. Walk and talk, walk and talk," he says, herding Dani towards the bar. "Now, don't look. I said don't look." His brows raise pointedly. "About 30 feet behind me, your dear sister is in the clutches of the enemy." She's different since she'd woken up from her coma, clearly, but Avi doesn't expect her to have a spine against someone like Arleen.

"Oh, okay."

Avi has always had a fiery sort of energy to him, in contrast to her more earthy, stable demeanor. But tonight, Danielle is all shaken up and out of sorts, so she allows herself to be herded away with hushed tones and urgent movement. Maybe people will give them a wide berth, considering they are two of the representatives of Port Leiry tonight. Official business, and everything.

"Okay, I'm not looking. What am I not looking at?" Despite his protestations, she turns her head but tries to make it look casual. Knowing Avi, Jac isn't in any real danger, but she just has to be sure...

Where: The Conclave

The last time Charlotte had seen anyone from that side of the Feng-Lindon clan they had been in elementary school. But as she took in the new leader of Feng-Lindon, Danielle Feng bore the creased forehead of a stressed out matriarch. And yet she was still no older than her own younger sibling.

So Charlotte collected the comfort she knew how to give, grabbing a mimosa and plotting an extra few raspberries in as garnish, she approached the young woman. “You got this,” she signed as she set the drink down in front of Dani “We are all behind you.” She gave the girl a warm reassuring smile. Charlotte didn’t think her support meant much, but as someone who knew what it was like to go without it, she felt she should offer it all the same.

For a coven with a hyphenate name, Port Leiry's branch really centered on the Feng family -- whether that was by her mother's design or some other circumstance, she isn't sure. But Dani wants to rectify the situation moving forward. They don't need an arranged marriage to make every witch between them stronger. They just need some communication, for a start.

"Oh my gosh, do I look that tightly wound?" Dani signs back, a little rusty on her gestures (though her work in City Hall has given her good practice). "Thank you."

She admittedly remembers so little of Charlotte, and Jace for that matter, but they were always kind. Dani takes the drink she's offered and sips it gently. "I am going to try not to get drunk before the midnight meeting," she signs back, laughing at herself -- whether it was a funny joke or just an unbelievable set of circumstances to be in.

The collective sympathy of the Conclave will only go so far for Feng-Lindon, and for Dani herself. She needs to prove they are strong. It comforts her somewhat to remember she is not the coven alone. But after last year's attack, and the hurricane... their numbers have taken quite a hit.

Wishful thinking, really.

"I just figured I'd check in before, you know, congratulating you - seemed rude." A shrug, and he brings his glass of water to his lips, wondering what, if anything, has been said about the Lindons in general here in Port Leiry.

"Ah, thank you. I get it. I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to be taking everything anyways," Dani says.

Every congratulations is couched in condolences. That is, if others even think her leadership is something to be acknowledged. This gala is her debut, but it really means that someone so young and unprepared must put herself before the world for scrutiny. She's wrapped in all these unspoken expectations, her potential far from realized. Are they all debating her chances of success?

When pressed, will she become a resilient diamond? Or will everyone just end up with dirt on their hands?

He knows he needs to touch base with the air witch, and she's on his mind-- but first it's the leader he needs to approach.

He hears people discussing her before he sees her, and follows the trail of gossip until he spots her. There are no nerves here as he approaches, tall and confident as he is in all things.

It's not that she hasn't paid attention to the Lindon side of the coven, but admittedly, Dani isn't as close to them as she knows she ought to be. Some of that is by the nature of her never being involved with the arranged marriages and alliance to try to birth more powerful mages. Some of it is just how inwardly focused she's always been on her immediate family.

Now that she's head of the coven (until someone like her eldest sibling comes to claim their rightful place), Dani wants to fix that on her part. There's so much involved with leading a united coven and one gala filled with foreign dignitaries isn't the place to save the world, but tonight isn't a party for her in the slightest.

It's a miracle she gets a moment to herself even once during the evening, though she notices the young man approaching and quickly turns back 'on' for the conversation.