There was never a time that humans knew what they were doing. Sure there were plenty who were good at faking it, those that rose to power having the support of others. But on the whole, humans were idiots who didn't know what they were doing and yet wouldn't let anyone stop them from proceeding to continue doing it. With each passing day Rene realized more and more why Karo had called her stupid when they first met. 

Sitting on a bus bench, her entire body was slumped at an odd angle to allow the back of her head to rest on the edge. She stared at the passing clouds in defeat. They hadn't been able to find Michael or Declan in the field, so much for being knights recusing the fair ladies. If she wasn't careful she'd end up pulled into the pit from all this. Slapping her face, she tried to pull herself together and away from the encroaching dark thoughts. Days like these she did miss the Asylum, which was...well crazy and stupid and stupid crazy. However, there she could fall into the dark for days, just staring at the world speeding by, without it mattering. Sure Danny and Cassie would try to help her back to the light, but usually they would just have to wait with their outstretched arms for her to wade back through the black. Somethings magic couldn't fix.

"Rene."

She pried open her eyes, unsure when they had dropped shut, to see Cassie smiling at her holding up a flier. It read something about a band playing in a garden for free that night. 

"Wouldn't this be fun?"

Pulling with sickening sounds that popped and squished as her mind fought the black, she stepped back into the light. "Maybe, I always liked live music, but I really don't think now is the time."

"Well, what else are we going to do? You said no to shopping and my makeover montage." Pouting, she turned the flier back to herself. "Besides, this drummer looks really cute!"

"Cass..." She couldn't bring herself to say it, that her mind couldn't keep up with and tolerate this manic pixie dream-girl vibe Cass was putting out. Not right now. Why did she have to keep swimming back out? How much longer could she hold it together?

"You know, we could make our way back to my psychiatrist, if you want that is. Or even find a therapist, no pills just talking." 

Rene raised her eyes to meet Cassie's. They had softened, taking in Rene's state, seeing through to her soul like always to see the frayed and ripped mess it was. 

"I'll be fine." Rene forced a grin. "Fake it til you make it right."

Her mouth opened and shut a couple times, trying to weave together the right words. "It may be a saying, but I don't think that means it's always true." 

Silence dampened the day, making it feel gray. She hadn't meant to make Cassie worry or be a bummer about the concert. It really did seem fun in theory, there were just to many others things going on. Why couldn't she stop the fraying at the edges? Why couldn't she be stitched back together stronger?

Danny slipped out of a store, making his way toward them. He head twitching to rub his ear on his shoulder. Man it was just one of those days wasn't it.

"You good?"

He froze, realizing the tick. After a second he smiled, "Yeah, I'm good. The stress just isn't helping and if I ignore them too long they get angry."

Rene looked over his shoulder, as though she could see the voices whispering. Her chest twisted, that uneasy feeling of not being able to help her friends. Maybe they did need a break, Michael and Declan would still be lost tomorrow. She had to have faith they could keep their crap together til then. Otherwise, it might not even matter because the crazies would fall apart. Given that they were over half the crew, it was necessary to keep all the pieces functioning.

"Fine let's go see the band."

Dusk fell as they sat down in the garden for the music. It was some rock alternative band. Not a band choice for music, but she couldn't imagine relaxing enough to enjoy it. Cassie was sitting beside her, bouncing slightly as she sipped an iced coffee. Caffeine may not have been a good idea. 

From the corner of her eye, she could see Danny chatting with the barista still. They had gotten their order maybe fifteen minutes ago, but he and the guy seemed to have clicked. It was so good to see him smile like that. It had been a while. She couldn't even remember the last time Danny had expressed interest in anyone. He had been too focused on everyone and everything else. He was awkward and out of practice. His grin though was goofy and eyes shining. Butterflies bubbling out of his stomach in a quick laugh with each joke the guy made.

"They're cute huh?"

"Yeah..."

Rene watched him stick out his arm. A black marker gliding across his skin as the barista scrawled out was presumably his number.

"Cass. Am I the reason Danny and you never went out with anyone at the Asylum?" She shifted, pulling her knees in with white knuckles. "I mean, so many people there were hooking up it was ridiculous. They gave out birth control like mints because they gave up on stopping the teen hormones of any still aware enough to be able to act on it. Condoms were more popular contraband than cigarettes at a prison."

The band started playing, pounding drums and metallic melody ringing from the guitar. They were pretty good, for a band that focused on covers. The loud bass resonating in her chest. The main singer was a lanky female with black pigtails. Her head shaking them around as she got into the song.

"I mean, it's just. You two are both, well just the best people in the world. You deserve love and happiness. I don't see how no one would've seen that at the Asylum besides me. Especially with you, you fawn over guys all the time and yet I've never even seen you hang out with one besides our friends."

"Rene." Cassie sighed. "Not everything is about you."

Rene choked in shock, a mix of a laugh and sob trapped in her throat. Cassie was right, how self-centered could she be.

Blue hair tickled her face as Cassie got in front of her and pressed her head against her own. "Hey. I know what you are doing. You're spiraling. You're thinking man what an ego I have making everything about me. But I know you are also still wondering if I'm just not saying the truth to sooth your feelings."

The song changed, leaving them in silence. Rene raised her eyes, unclenching from her hunched form as Cassie pulled back. The next song started, something familiar that tugged at memories and feelings.

"You're overthinking and you're anxiety is lying to you. The truth has nothing to do with you. Danny's reasons I'm sure he'll tell you one day, as for mine. Well, let's just say I was holding onto hope that when I got out someone would still be waiting like he promised." Cassie got a dreamy look in her eyes. "Regardless it had nothing to do with you. If anything you helped me keep that hope in my grasp and not just fall into the carnal lust so many did there, especially when I underwent my medication testing to find the right doses. So thank you."

Tears dripped down her face. Damn it, why did she cry so much lately? Emotions were so annoying and wonderful.

Cassie continued. "Spiral away Rene. I know you can't help it sometimes. It's easy to say just stop, compared to actually doing it. So for now, spin because each time you do Danny and I will be here to keep you from being dragged down the drain."

Rene bit her lip, blood being drawn as she tried to wrap herself around everything that was going on inside her head. "Hey Cass, if I hug you can you please not make a big deal of it?"

A small squeal emitted before she was tackled to the ground with an embrace. "Sorry couldn't wait, next time you can start it."

"Dog pile."

Danny dropped into the tangled mess as laughter rippled through them all. Soft at first, childish giggles, before becoming gut wracking cackles that released so many emotions woven into them out to the world. To say they got looks was an understatement. One woman even tried to shush them, to which without hesitation Danny and Rene flipped the one finger salute.

With time though, the moment and erratic release passed. Leaving them out of breath and sitting facing each other, the music background to their lives.

"Just so you know, I am deeply hurt. I thought we agreed that if any of us got together, it had to be as a trio so no one felt left out." Danny said.

"Says the boy who just went and got digits."

Cassie giggled, reaching out to clutch Rene's arm. "Yeah you left us, so we turned to each other for comfort."

More laughter, a more relaxed echo of before.

The song changed, something sad and sweet. Rene recognized it, without thinking she began singing. Her voice drowning out the spinning waters of her mind as it focused instead on the words.

And in the quiet, came welcome words laced with annoyance and if she wasn't mistaken a hint of relief.

Mortals