Backdated to around the 7th

[aerial_ace]

[ACTION; CLOSED TO FON FABRES, ROBIN AND HANS]

[The last time she had been to the estate was for her aunt's birthday, and, quite frankly, it hadn't been long enough. This time, she made quite clear to her parents--particularly her mother, multiple times--was purely for business; there has been word of some goings on that needed the rangers' attention, and, as an adviser to their mission, she, along with her assigned analyst, needed to meet with her father.

So, of course, when the two of them arrived, there was a large welcoming party of servants and family.

This was going to be a long day...]


***


[After finally going through the grueling process of "negotiating", and the long line of questions from her mother, Cordelia managed to get away, retreating to her old room. Everything was as it had been, which was a blessing in disguise.

After a few moments, music began cascading down the hall from the open door. A full-sized harp, resting close to her bed, rested against her shoulder. It had been too long since she was able to play.]

[ACTION; LATER THAT NIGHT]

[Later in the evening, Cordelia can be found hiding out at a table in Teeters, a stein of some kind of alcohol sitting next to her. Her head is down, hair haphazardly thrown over her face, and she is otherwise draped over the tabletop. The poor thing looks positively miserable and could use a hug.

Or another drink.

Or heckling.

Really, she probably could do without any of those things, but she wasn't going to get out of it, was she?]

Comments

Action @ Teeters:

[freelyfalling]

[Here's someone, at least, on a mission to bring her out of it...]

Hey, hey. What's wrong here? You look like someone drowned your Magikarp...

[Shooting a cheeky, friendly smile, Braig pulls up a seat on a nearby table and looks over.]

Action @ Teeters:

[aerial_ace]

That might have me in a better mood.

[He gets her to raise her head at least. Progress! She doesn't look like she's having a good time of it, though.]

[freelyfalling]

Damn.

[Well, it's a start.]

That bad, huh?

[aerial_ace]

My mother.

[A look of utmost dread. Not the sort of "a family member died" kind of dread, more of the "I would like to crawl under a rock and die now" kind.]

[freelyfalling]

O-hoh. Family drama? [Kicking his chair around to point more at her table-] Man, do I feel for you.

[aerial_ace]

Excuse you, but I highly doubt that you do. [Huff you don't know me Braig]

[freelyfalling]

[Maybe he doesn't know her - but he does know drama. He just raises an eyebrow at that-]

Hey, if you say so. So, care to fill me in?

[aerial_ace]

I have the worst cousin in the history of existence.

[Wow, strong words.]

[freelyfalling]

Impressive. Any other family members making you lose feathers? Or should I just assume one's as bad as the next?

[aerial_ace]

Although Robin did not make things any better.

[That more to herself, under her breath.]

My mother, but she was being herself, jumping to conclusions. You open your home to a friend for a few weeks, and suddenly she hears wedding bells.

[Ugh. She takes a big drink.]

[freelyfalling]

Ah. [He smiles.] I've heard that old song and dance before. "Now when are you going to settle down..." [That last with a mimed puppet motion with one hand.]

[Then again, what kid would want Braig as a father? He's a confirmed 'cool uncle', but past that...]

[aerial_ace]

"He's a nice man, but really, does he have to be so short?"

[Head on table.]

[freelyfalling]

Man, now that one's just low.

[aerial_ace]

My mother...

[Siiiigh]

[freelyfalling]

[It takes him a moment, shaking his head, before-]

Would another drink help with that?

[aerial_ace]

[She lifts her head a little.]

I would love another drink right now.

[freelyfalling]

[He peers at what she's got for a moment, wanders off, comes back with a couple and pops one down on her table.]

This one's on me.

[aerial_ace]

[She takes it gratefully, taking a big drink.]

[freelyfalling]

[He just chuckles for a moment and knocks back a swig of his own.]