8 — Cups & Confessions
At Stanley Park, Thomas investigated the manifestation of a tree whose fruit was said to curse any disease. He tapped into his divinity to quell a developing mob situation and restore order before anyone could be hurt, an awesome moment was witnessed by an approving James Dou.
From there, Thomas met the others at the Clubhouse, his good mood immediately hitting the wall of Weave and Dee's shared bad mood. Once everyone was caught up on the events of the afternoon, the Band brainstormed what "Florentine infection" might mean. The topic of Steps' vaccine led to Thomas asking why Weave had gone after Lily when she was infected. Weave tried not to answer, but resisting Apollo's curse only weakened her resolve, and she had to admit to being extremely jealous of Lily's relationship with Thomas. Thomas asked why Weave would be jealous when he and Lily were just friends, and Weave was forced to answer truthfully: "Because I'm in love with you, you absolute fool!"
As Thomas processed this new data, Dee feigned a coughing fit while hastily creating a portal to an alley behind a coffee shop, and Step put on their headphones and turned on some music to try to give his friends privacy.
Thomas apologized for thoughtlessly asking a question, and said that he had no idea Weave felt that way. Weave admitted that she probably never would have told him if she hadn't been cursed. Thomas explained that he hadn't let himself think of her in that way because they are a Woven Band, but that he has feelings for her too, and proposed that they talk about it once Weave was no longer cursed. When Weave said that she would be tempted to ask him questions if he was the cursed one because she isn't a nice person, Thomas pointed out her kindness and generosity. Weave agreed to talk later, and took an out that presented itself via texts from Possum.
After Weave took her leave, Step checked in with their cousin. Thomas promised to try to be more open about his own secrets, and shared that his sibling had contacted him. Step ventured the topic of Conspiracy, and Thomas opened up about his divine parent, and his beliefs around free will and the gods. Step asked about Thomas' mortal family, and Thomas admitted that his parents are followers of Conspiracy, and realised that his sibling should be 22-years-old, but "Ty" said they were thirteen in their letter. Step suggested that the letter may have been written years ago and only delivered now, and offered to search for Ty online.
In a coffee shop nearby, Dee had an espresso and took some time to themself, heedless of the cute barista who was interested in them and pointedly ignoring Medea checking in. When they returned to the clubhouse, Thomas and Step suggested a number of ideas on how to get Dee's ritual book back, but they were exhausted and unwilling to return to Olympus anytime soon.
When Step asked if they wanted solutions or space, they asked for space. Step lent them his headphones so they could listen to music while they decompressed. While lying on the floor in the dark, they talked about Apollo, Medea, and their own wrathful tendencies with Ophelia, who comforted them in her own way.
Downstairs in the Library, The Media cousins began a search for Taylor Trask. Step found her Facebook page, but the last updates were dated 4 years prior and were memorial posts from her university classmates. Thomas was unwilling to believe that his sibling had really died and pronounced that Conspiracy must have something to do with it, perhaps faking her death. Step did find an announcement on her passing from the school, but did not find any obituary, which only encouraged Thomas' speculation.
