The Annual Drug Test

Theres some loud steps as Rowan walks up to the door and quickly knocks

Cole quickly goes to answer the door, "Hello"

Hinata puts her head on Luna's shoulder and watches the door.

Rowan looks a bit out of breath as he holds a carboard box, "I know I heard. It's valentines. Can I come in for a second?"

Cole raises an eyebrow as he steps to the side

Luna looks up and waves to Rowan, "Oh hey!" Her eyes have returned to their usual glowing blue.

Rowan steps in and instantly eyes the gift on the table, "Hello hello." He seems somewhat focused as he goes to set the box by the gifts and takes out a small microscope.

Cole closes the door as he sighs and watches

Luna watches Rowan work, "Uhhhh-- wait, are you thinking what I'm thinking? I was wondering if those were spiked chocolates too."

"Now that you mention it Lu, I wouldn't trust his 'food' either." Hinata agrees and watches Rowan.

Rowan breaks the seal on the chocolates and lays it open. He takes a small needle to poke a chocolate as he wipes the residue onto a slide. He puts the silde under the microscope and inspects, "Happens every year."

Luna looks dumbfounded, "wait hang on, how long has Lochlan and Mailman been together??"

Cole sighs and shakes his head, "I wouldn't be surpised if it was drugged to be honest"

"Me neither. Honestly, the flowers are sus too." Hinata nods.

"Almost always atleast one of them. And today marks five years. So I'm getting pretty good at finding the odd one out" He sets it aside and does the same with the next one but with a new slide and needle.

"There's always one that's drugged? How the fuck are they still together? Like I was mentioned there's some bullshit earlier with how he was acting. I wanted to sock him in the nose but I know he wouldn't feel anything." Luna growls.

"There has to be some extenuating circumstances in play here. What the hell." Hinata looks confused and scared.

Cole rolls his eyes, "Clearly you aren't aware of how strong manipulation is"

"Ask anyone stuck in a situation like this, most of them are ganna say they were completely different when they were first dating. Same thing here. Number one match until Romeo decided to change the game." Rowan continues testing each chocolate.

Cole nods as he continues watching

Luna exhales, "then what do we do? I want to find Lochlan someone new, but I'm only now beginning to dig into this rabbithole. Didn't realize this would be so difficult, not to mention I have no idea what she even likes."

"And to add onto the problems, they would probably need to be strong enough to fend off Mailman. Cuz you know if he's manipulating Lochlan, then he won't just take no for an answer."

Rowan pauses a moment to glance at them, "What do you mean find her someone new?"

Cole snickers as he shakes his head

Luna takes a deep breath then explains. Her voice seems determined by tone alone, "We owe Lochlan for getting us together with Cole's secretary Viper. And we thought that finding her a new partner would be fitting payment. But now I'm hearing all of this stuff about Mailman and how he's even drugging her chocolates and I have no idea how the hell we're gonna pull this off. It'll be a miracle!"

His euebrows raise in surprise, "Is she like condoning this idea? Was it her idea?"

Cole is watching the interaction with a grin

"It was her idea. Her exact words were," Luna pulls up her notes on her laptop, then reads from there, "You owe me. I already know I'm unmatchable and you guys won't be able to get back at me."

"And mind you, this was in the context of her getting us with Viper, hence a date." Hinata adds.

Rowan claps his hands and rubs them together with a laugh, "You're telling me that fucker has finnaly had it with that doush bag?"

Luna looks over at Cole confused, then returns to Rowan. She smiles very slightly while speaking, "Perhaps. I think it's more that she realizes what Mailman's doing and taking appropriate action for it. She's realizing that she can be angry without necessarily hating, and seeing all of his actions in that light is helping."

Cole shakes his head and mutters, "It's just a little funny to me"

Rowan resumes checking the chocolates as he laughs again, "It's like getting to see a romance novel in real life."

"Sometimes real life can be stranger than fiction." Luna mutters.

Cole playfully rolls his eyes, "Real life will always be stranger than fiction because it's happening in front of our eyes"

"So what kind of drugs does Mailman usually use anyway? I'm unaware of nonferal drugs honestly." Hinata asks curiously

"Usually just shit that makes her really happy and then crash horribly the next day... bingo!" Rowan takes one of the chocolates and puts it in a plastic bag. He takes the others and puts them away in the box. He gets out a vaguely similar box of chocolates and sets them by the flowers. He starts putting away the slides and microscope

"Well thank you for doing that Rowan. Like genuinely, you've been like the biggest help with her. First with the Loonism stuff and now keeping an eye on her gifts from Mailman." Hinata smiles brightly.

Luna nods in agreement, "I can't thank you enough."

"What's with the new box though?" Luna asks

Rowan shrugs, "I dont trust cross contamination."

"Good call." Luna nods.

Cole looks curious, "I wonder what he uses..."

"Not important." He closes the box, "So who we thinkin for her? Im thinking like a power couple dynamic, ya know? Something interesting." Rowan becomes a bit sassy as he gets into the topic

"So like the two of us then, got it. We would need Lochlan's literal soul mate then." Luna closes her eyes in thought.

Hinata speaks up, "maybe Methamphetamine? Intense euphoria followed by a crash."

Cole nods as he mutters, "I'll have to test that out"

"Not on Lochlan."

Rowan scoffs, "Was about to say. I don't think lochaphetamine quite rolls off the tongue."

"Oh gods did you just make a shipping name for Lochlan and Methamphetamines???"

Cole after some thinking asks, "Rowan if i where to invest in something, what would you recommend?"

"I heard Sage back at the carnival give someone finacial advise on investing in the construction companies. Could be pure bs." Rowan looks to Luna, "It's better than lochman or maillan."

"No no, I was more complaining about shipping names in general. It's so weird to do in real life. I've heard people call the two of us Eclipse. Like excuse me, I am a real cat themed robot woman, I am not a ship."

Cole looks confused, "Of course you aren't a ship, you aren't 41,700 tons of steel" Cole then squints at Luna, "Or are you...."

"Nah I only weigh like 70lbs." Luna shrugs.

Hinata facepalms. "Different kind of shipping. It's like those two anime girls you like so much."

Luna seems to be confused before it clicks. "Ohhhhhh.. Ah."

Rowan begins to speak, "I personally like Lunata better. Keeps the traditional forma-" Suddenly he's cut off by Lochlan who walks into the opening of the hall. Her hands are clenches into fists by her sides and her face is red from crying. She sounds very upset, "You did your funking job now LEAVE."

Cole jumps as he snaps to staring at Lochlan with a confused expression

"Oh ew Lunata?? Don't ship us p-- Lochlan!?" Hinata looks over at Lochlan worried.

Luna jumps from the both the pairing name and Lochlan's sudden entrance, "What the hell? To both of you."

Rowan pauses as he was surprised. Lochlan continues as her voice cracks some from the force in her tone, "I said LEAVE. I heard what you called him and hearing you gossip makes me funking sick. This isn't your perfect little fairy tale you get to rewrite to your every whim." Rowan stays quite and lets her finish, "It never was one from the start cuase unless I'm mistaken none of youre happy go lucky stories start with physical abuse." Rowans ears lower some.

"The man literally destroyed your leg and just about killed all of us Lochlan. At least Rowan's trying to help out!" Luna responds, her tone serious and mostly monotone. She is staring at Lochlan without any emotion on her face.

Cole looks between Lochlan and Rowan as he stays quiet, hoping it'll eventually calm down

Hinata is silent and ready to intervene in case things get out of hand.

Lochlan snarls at Luna, "Trying to help is not chatting behind my back like a bunch of chickens!"

Rowan stays quiet as he's nolonger smiling.

Luna responds calmly, though still emotionless, "We were discussing your deal with me and Hinata, and the fact that your yearly valentines candy is always drugged. Nothing more. All we want is to help you."

Cole looks ready to intervene incase things get violent

Lochlan growls, "I don't NEED anyone's help!"

Rowan mumbles, "You asked me to help."

Lochlan's eyes snap to Rowan as they fill with rage. She takes a step to his direction. This is that violence u were lookin for

The light flickers off then flickers back on to being a dark red as Cole suddenly and violently grabs Lochlan by the upper arm

"Whoa." Luna steps in front of Rowan, unsure what's even happening anymore.

"The hell is this Cole??" Hinata looks scared.

Lochlan is stopped in her tracks as she tries to pull her arm away. Rowan backs up towards the door.

Cole lets go of her arm as he walks in front of her, he doesn't seem to acknowledge Luna and Hinata's concern

Luna and Hinata just watch over the situation, still completely unsure about what's going on. But they figure Cole's got this handled.

Lochlan snarls as Rowan fumbles to dip out the front door, leaving the box behind. Lochlan shows her teeth as she growls, "Get out of my way you-" she suddenly cuts herself off and growls.

Cole grabs Lochlan by the forehead as he stares down at Lochlan, "Go. To. Your. Room." Cole's voice is full of authority

"Whoa." Luna and Hinata both say at the same time out of shock. They continue to watch over the scene both confused and terrified. (edited)

Lochlan reaches to her jacket pocket where she keeps her pocket knife

Cole starts squeezing her forehead, "If you pull out that knife you will be taking a very long nap, on the floor"

"Look, I agree with you, Lochlan needs to be put into time out but not dead." Luna looks scared and is trying to deescalate.

"AHH" Lochlan's hands instinctfully go for Cole's hand, despritely trying pry his fingers off.

Cole lets go of her forehead, "Go. To. Your. ROOM." Cole leans closer with each word, his voice maintaining authority

"Lochlan, please just do what he says. We're not asking for much. We'll talk to you later." Luna pleads.

Lochlan bites the air infront of Cole's face as if to threaten him before turning and heading to her room.

Cole doesn't flinch as the light flickers then it returns to being it's normal color

"The fuck was that shit Cole??? Since when could you do that!?" Luna still looks really nervous. Those red lights were vaguely familiar to her.

"Yeah uh no bueno Cole. Hang on, lemme check on Rowan." Hinata walks out to get away from Cole.

Cole clears his throat to look over at Luna, "i've always been able to do that, it's a good intimidation tactic"

"Pretty sure your intimidation tactic rubbed off on the two of us too, and we didn't even do anything to deserve that. What the fuck." Luna growls at him and walks out to the kitchen.

Cole looks slightly confused as he shrugs and leans next to the hallway entrance

Hinata sits on the couch. Luna returns with a peanut butter and banana sandwich. She seems a lot better.

Hinata walks out to check on Rowan if he's still out there

Rowan is standing at the top of the steps. He quickly wipes his face before turning to face her, "Is she ok for now?"

"Yeah, she's fine now. Cole had her go to her room." Hinata rubs the back of her neck sheepishly.

"I uh. I'm sorry she over heard me talking like that. I know she's a bit rough to deal with with her emotions everywhere."

Hinata smiles slightly to reassure him, "It's okay Rowan. None of us could've predicted that, but we'll deal with it. What matters is no matter what, we're gonna help her get past this. Sound good?"

Rowan nods, "Thank you."

"Anyway, unless you need us for something else, I'm gonna head back in." Hinata’s stomach growls a little.

Rowan nods, "Im going to ask the others something first."

"Alright, come back in then." Hinata returns inside and holds the door open.

Rowan enters

Rowan enters, "Hey, Cole? Luna?"

Cole looks over at Rowan, "Yeah?"

"Can I help you?" Luna asks

"Would both of you be ok with me staying the night. I want a serious talk with Lochlan after she's calmed down."

"Yeah I'm fine with that." Luna nods with a soft smile, "Cole?" 

Cole nods, "I'm fine with it, also uh...sorry if i scared you a little bit ago i just wanted to make sure that she didn't try anything stupid"

Rowan nods, "It was more of habit dipping out like that... but thank you." Rowan sits down ojbthe sofa and gets out his phone to type. Rowan gets up and snatches the flowers from the table. He heads down the hall and to Lochlan's room.

Rowan cracks open the door to see Lochlan pacing back and with clenched fists. Rowan sighs as he enters and sits on the edge of the bed. He rests his head on one hand as he watches her go back and forth. He speaks up, “I know you didn’t mean what you said so why are you actually mad?”

Lochlan growls, “Because he winning and I can’t do shift!” She turns to face him, “I can’t even curse him out properly!!!”

Lochlan resumes pacing as Rowan continues, “I still think he will get what he deserves.”

Lochlan rolls her eyes and grovels, “Yeah and he thinks he deserves me for whatever reason. He doesn’t deserve shift.”

Rowan smiles slightly, “No he definitely deserves you. All of you.”

Lochlan pauses in her tracks as she glares at him, “The funk did you just say to me?”

Rowan stands up and walks up to her, “He deserves your whining, your bitching, your groaning, and your revenge.”

Lochlan furrows her brow as he shoves the bouquet of flowers into her arms and continues, “He’s willingly giving you his weak little twisted heart and thinks you’re too much of a pansy to crush it.”

Lochlan holds the flowers and looks down at them. The rage still stirring as Rowan stands beside her, “I know you have it in you to break up with him. Millions of texts of you complaining about every little thing he’s done to you. Every bite, kick, and slice. All of it is him just asking for this. And he thinks he’s so high and mighty but its only because he’s confident that you won’t do it.”

Lochlans grip on the flowers tightens. Rowan looks over at her, “If you do decide to do it, promise me one thing.”

Lochlan glances over at him.

“Give him Hell. But do it-” Rowan does a spin as he swings his head, “-with style.”

Lochlan scoffs with one hand on her hip and the other recklessly twirling the bouquet in the air, “I’ll give that onion layed funk head a taste of his own medicine.”

Rowan does a stage bow, “Well I can’t wait to see your performance.”

Lochlan does a bow in return. Rowan begins to head out the door as Lochlan comments, “Get his ego up higher. I wanna watch it freefall for as long as possible.”

“Got you covered,” Rowan finger guns at her before leaving.

Rowan had left and Lochlan enters the livingroom with the flowers in one hand, "Question." 

Luna looks over, "I might have an answer for ya. What's up?"

"Anyone have a lighter or a match I could borrow?"

Cole suddenly yells from the hallway, "NO FIRE"

"what do you need it for?" Luna asks, ignoring Cole's yelling

Lochlan makes a face towards the hall, "Uh yeah, just ganna burn these real quick."

"If you're okay with it, I can set them on fire with my powers. Satisfies Cole and the fire is controlled. I don't have a lighter past that." Luna says, her tone seeming sad

"I guess if its ok with him?" Lochlan glaces towards the hall, "Don't get what he has against it though."

Luna shrugs, "I doubt he'll mind if it's magical fire. Man's acting weird lately."

Luna walks outside. "Follow me, we can do this safely."

Lochlan follows

Luna walks out and waits for Lochlan

She snaps an old coffee can and places it on the sidewalk.

Lochlan steps out and sets the flowers in the can

"Okay, and now we just add some fire." Luna focuses on her hand as a small orange flame seems to float on her palm. It floats from her palm to the flowers which sets them on fire. "The flames from Hell set the flowers of a bad romance ablaze."

Lochlan folds her arms and watches it

It's burning brightly. Luna is watching them over. Watching the fire.

"So how's it feel to have Mailman's gift burnt and destroyed? I think it feels good. I forgot how much I like fire."

"Good but it also smells nice."

Luna takes a whiff and enjoys the scent too as the fire begins to smolder out. Come to think of it, she has no idea what kind of flowers she just burnt.

lochlan sits down as she watches the smoke

Luna stays standing. The coffee can is now just flowery smelling smoke. Ashes too. "The ashes of a renewal. And our path forward. No more looking back," Luna smiles towards Lochlan

"I'm ready to help you step forward if you are."

"Just have to wait for him to show his face one more time."

Luna nods wordlessly while shivering slightly. "We'll make this happen. No longer will you be terrorized by a shitty boyfriend. We can push for a better future together, and for you, a new chance at love. Anyway, I'm headed back inside. It's cold." Luna walks back in.