[Liv's brow furrows, her head tipping slightly as she studies the visage of her father. True, he could be an illusion, but he doesn't fray at the edges the way an illusion would. Her hand tentatively reaches out, and Joshua steps back before she can touch him.
"You know better. You know these things have a catch."
She scowls, before nodding.]
That certainly sounds like a real dad.
[If he's a bribe, then he wouldn't have denied her.]
[Now that's new. Liv raises an eyebrow at her father, because she doesn't recognize that voice. Joshua's face is ... unhappy.
Not just unhappy. Guilty. And with that context, Liv can't help but look. She turns to squint at the form standing behind her, raising an eyebrow as she watches him.]
Let me guess. Our uncle that never got the chance to be our uncle?
("The merge has never been about who's stronger or who's weaker," Josiah says. "It's only about the person willing to overcome and the person that gives themselves away. It's for the betterment of the coven. I have no hard feelings. I loved my brother. Love. Sorry." Despite what he's saying, there's still a prick of distain under his words.
"The merge has always been cut and dry. Just painted with different colors. Mother said she believed in me. Father resented me."
But he's not here about old family grudges, even though that's what this family is for.
"I do wish Kai or his sister were here. Or Shepherd. I feel him, too. You made this a real family affair, Olivia. Luke.")
[That resonates with Liv more than she'd care to admit. After all, she had been the one prepared to give way when the time came, to let Luke live his life and be content to just be part of the greater whole. It's why she didn't quite know what to do with herself when Jo stepped up and played her role.
She glances over at Josiah, taking him in more purposefully and nodding.]
You can thank Jo for that. She's the one who figured it all out. Once she said it might be able to break our curse, we were all in.
["It won't be easy," Joshua points out, looking at Luke. "You'll need to be precise. Specific." Things that Liv hasn't historically been good at, but Luke with his alchemy and chemistry succeeded with more.]
["You have to choose." Joshua's voice is level, even, eyes focused on his son. "I don't think you summoned me here intentionally. I'm sure it was a lack of options to choose from on the spell's part. But you still have to choose."
Between what you left behind or what would help you move forward.
Liv frowns, her attention still going back to Josiah.]
And you? Are you just a reminder of what's at stake?
( He presents one fist, wrist up. What does it always come down to?
"We're blood. I'd be happy you haven't lost enough people for this to be as simple as it is." He clears his throat, looking at his brother, bringing his arm down, gesturing. "Don't touch us, you're in the clear. And we can't help you. But, I don't think either one of us wants to stay here, either. You both know we shouldn't be here. Don't you?")
Yeah, that's a given.
( Okay, so, he's done with whatever this all is, and he first goes through the nearest shelf of office supplies. (13) )
[She's opens the box, staring down at the elaborate key inside. It flickers, just for a moment, and she knows she has to let it go. She commits, curling her fingers around the key and pulling it out.]
I'm sorry we didn't get to actually meet, I guess.
["What ifs are always just that, Olivia. You know that."
Olivia grits her teeth as she tightens her fist around the key and staring down her father.]
Yeah, and just barreling towards the inevitable was fantastic for my mental health. Maybe it would have been bad and things would have been different. That doesn't mean I can't be sad about everyone that got pulled into the wake of this stupid curse.
[As a similar key tattles in one of the drawers Luke is pulling at, Liv sees a very obvious door appear on the other side of the room, with two locks glowing in the frame.]
( Luke's eyes go wide as he pulls his drawer all the way out in anticipation. It drops to the ground and the key clangs with it. With a sigh, he takes the key out of the drawer and brings it close to his eye. )
You don't think there are fake keys, do you? More distractions? No offense.
("None taken. Neither of us asked for this. But, it is good to see you two all grown up. And in relationships. It's more than what we'd want for you." Maybe more than their father wants. He's not sure Tyler would be his brother's choice. He doesn't speak of what Joshua thinks about his nephew's sexuality. )
[He might have liked Robin ... for his daughter. Robin is an upstanding young man with a good job and a useful talent. But Joshua is wise enough to keep his comments on the matter to himself.
Liv smiles at Josiah.]
I'm gonna tell Ty we have your blessing.
[Not that they need it being basically married in all but name. She then turns her attention back towards the door.]
( He makes a peace sign gesture before joining his sister and shuffling toward their dead relatives. As he passes, he does take one moment, looking down. )
[On three, they both twist their keys and the latch of the door flips open with a clack. The door opens in a matching bright wash of light, and they pass through quickly to the other side.]
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everyonelives2025-07-26 07:05 pm
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"You know better. You know these things have a catch."
She scowls, before nodding.]
That certainly sounds like a real dad.
[If he's a bribe, then he wouldn't have denied her.]
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( "The two of you, always so sure," another voice says. This one comes from right behind Liv. But there wasn't someone there a second ago, right? )
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Not just unhappy. Guilty. And with that context, Liv can't help but look. She turns to squint at the form standing behind her, raising an eyebrow as she watches him.]
Let me guess. Our uncle that never got the chance to be our uncle?
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"The merge has always been cut and dry. Just painted with different colors. Mother said she believed in me. Father resented me."
But he's not here about old family grudges, even though that's what this family is for.
"I do wish Kai or his sister were here. Or Shepherd. I feel him, too. You made this a real family affair, Olivia. Luke." )
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She glances over at Josiah, taking him in more purposefully and nodding.]
You can thank Jo for that. She's the one who figured it all out. Once she said it might be able to break our curse, we were all in.
["It won't be easy," Joshua points out, looking at Luke. "You'll need to be precise. Specific." Things that Liv hasn't historically been good at, but Luke with his alchemy and chemistry succeeded with more.]
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( Is there a point to this?
He starts making mental notes, looking in those filing cabinets, under this stack of papers. Boxes. Keys are somewhere. )
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Between what you left behind or what would help you move forward.
Liv frowns, her attention still going back to Josiah.]
And you? Are you just a reminder of what's at stake?
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"We're blood. I'd be happy you haven't lost enough people for this to be as simple as it is." He clears his throat, looking at his brother, bringing his arm down, gesturing. "Don't touch us, you're in the clear. And we can't help you. But, I don't think either one of us wants to stay here, either. You both know we shouldn't be here. Don't you?" )
Yeah, that's a given.
( Okay, so, he's done with whatever this all is, and he first goes through the nearest shelf of office supplies. (13) )
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She still can't help herself from looking over at Josiah.]
Dad never talked about you much. But you were still there, weren't you? Like Kai is with Jo?
[Luke, on the other hand, has to search a little bit longer, and Joshua steps carefully out of his way to give his son room to work.]
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What's your point?
( He can look and ask his sister things. Not in that, that, or that. )
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[She's opens the box, staring down at the elaborate key inside. It flickers, just for a moment, and she knows she has to let it go. She commits, curling her fingers around the key and pulling it out.]
I'm sorry we didn't get to actually meet, I guess.
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( Statistically.
He crouches down, looking in one of the storage boxes, pulling at small desk drawers. They're small enough for a key, at least. )
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Olivia grits her teeth as she tightens her fist around the key and staring down her father.]
Yeah, and just barreling towards the inevitable was fantastic for my mental health. Maybe it would have been bad and things would have been different. That doesn't mean I can't be sad about everyone that got pulled into the wake of this stupid curse.
[As a similar key tattles in one of the drawers Luke is pulling at, Liv sees a very obvious door appear on the other side of the room, with two locks glowing in the frame.]
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You don't think there are fake keys, do you? More distractions? No offense.
( "None taken. Neither of us asked for this. But, it is good to see you two all grown up. And in relationships. It's more than what we'd want for you." Maybe more than their father wants. He's not sure Tyler would be his brother's choice. He doesn't speak of what Joshua thinks about his nephew's sexuality. )
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Liv smiles at Josiah.]
I'm gonna tell Ty we have your blessing.
[Not that they need it being basically married in all but name. She then turns her attention back towards the door.]
Only way to know is to try.
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( He makes a peace sign gesture before joining his sister and shuffling toward their dead relatives. As he passes, he does take one moment, looking down. )
I don't really know what else to say. Dad.
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Liv nods as she steps forward, sliding her key into one of the key holes. She glances back at Luke and nods.]
On three?
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( He slips his key into his matching own. )
See you on the flipside. That's - to my sister. I hope I won't see you both for many, many, many years.
( "Likewise, Luke." )
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[On three, they both twist their keys and the latch of the door flips open with a clack. The door opens in a matching bright wash of light, and they pass through quickly to the other side.]