Warning: Airplane food can kill (attn: therese)
Vaughn slid his card through the reader. Tobi was good at keeping the security online and even making the cards. He and his sister had decided to grace the new passes with custom designs. Glancing down at his, Vaughn laughed to himself. The image was some scientist staring with an exaggerated look of horror at a decapitated woman's head being carried by a mismatched monster. Definitely Tobi's work. He wondered if the choice had signifigance and then decided that it might be best not to know.
Heading into the communal kitchen on the main floor, Vaughn opened the refrigerator and looked inside.
"Do you have any special eating concerns?"
His wife and his daughter would not have eaten even half of the things stocked in the kitchen. It was a good idea to ask such things when it came to the pack.
"We've been through there a few times. I can see why you need some new winter clothes. They have some nice weather and beautiful buildings."
She would not mention at the table any of the other trouble she got into while there. Some things you did not say while one of your parents was listening even at thirty plus years of age.
Therese seemed a little old to be an Andre but some kumpania took that coming of age trip at different times. Perhaps it was a matter of being put off for one reason or another.
"Is this part of your journey?"
There was mention of a job but it could be something she was planning to do for a year or so and then move on. Tavi had worked on the police force during her own travels. It had been an interesting experience. She had a tough time initially convincing them that she was old enough to work and then she was perfect for working undercover as a teen.
He nodded agreement with Tavi. They had been through Coimbra a few times. It was a favorite of his in Portugal. There was a colourful mix of people despite the large city and a lot of students from the university made for a more open minded atmosphere.
Pouring the last of the wine into his glass, Vaughn remained quiet. He took a sip of the wine and savored the ability to relax for just a moment. He did not think Therese was on her journey at this time. Curious, he would like to know why she chose to move away from her family but Vaughn did not feel it was his place to pry.
That was what nosy younger members of the pack were for.
"It is worth going back to at some point."Â?
Journey? Thérèse cocked an eyebrow at Tavi in some confusion. It took a second or two for her to understand what Tavi's question really was and even then she couldn't answer it directly. She -couldn't-. Thérèse had very specific instructions on what she was and was not allowed to say regarding why she'd left her family and come here on her own.
She hated herself for it but the lie came easily and smoothly. After all it wasn't really a lie, it was the truth. Perhaps just not the whole truth.
"Non, not as such. Applying for the curator position at The Arch was the next logical step on my resume and it will make it easier for me to get jobs once I rejoin them. Besides mon grand-père felt someone should come to Nachton and I was the obvious choice"�
"Ah, furthering the career then. Good enough reason to me."
She smiled and then leaned back, tipping her glass up to drain the last of liquid in it.
"No doubt you miss them. Hopefully it won't be long before you have a surrogate family among the R'asa here."
Getting up, Tavi gathered her plate and the empty wine bottle. She put the plate in the sink and the bottle in the recycling. Turning back to the two of them at the table, Tavi gave them both a bright smile.
"Well, I am off to bed. It has been a busy day!"
Passing the table, she gave Therese a little wave.
"It was good to meet you. Just let me know when you'd like to go shopping. My room is up in The Rails. The high security ward. Hard to miss with all the padded walls and such."
((OOC: Tavi Out))
He was mildly surprised that Tavi expressed any empathy towards someone missing their family; Vaughn always assumed that his daughter, who could be so distant, would happily do without her own. He had to admit that he was to blame for her situation and Vaughn wished he could be the father that Tavi was worthy of. Why did he find that so hard?
It was those green eyes that looked at him so often with accusation. He deserved that look... and more.
Watching her grin so cheerfully struck him deeply along with his present thoughts. Vaughn smiled warmly back and watched as she picked up her bag and left for her room.
"Yes, my children thought that the padded cells were brilliant. They both were drawn to them immediately. I wonder what that says about them and the possibility that I should send them both to therapy."
He took a drink of his wine and wondered if his children were both long past the help of such things. Tobi was alright most of the time. His son seemed to not even notice the stressful things going on around him. But Tavi, she took in everything.
"It is good to see her in such good spirits. I am not even going to contemplate the cause of them."
"I will keep you posted. Pleasant dreams."Â?
Based on that little bit of conversation Thérèse rather liked Tavi. She suspected Tavi could be a bit of trouble, but that wasn't always a bad thing. She would certainly be looking her up to go shopping.
The padded cells had brought raised eyebrows but apparently Vaughn had anticipated that. She chuckled and shook her head though.
"I do not suspect there is any need for that. Besides if they are already in padded cells, what could therapy possibly do for them?"Â?
Apparently Tavi might be more trouble than Thérèse suspected.
"As my father used to say so long as he did not see blood on the floor it was probably safe to leave well enough alone."Â?
Frowning at her near empty glass, for once she finished it there would be no real reason to linger, she added.
"You have another child?"Â?
He sighed and said.
"I don't know maybe it would help them come out of those rooms someday or at least keep the straight jackets off."
Though he couldn't say that either; Tavi wore a modified straight jacket as a coat.
Vaughn nodded his agreement with Therese's comment.
"Your father sounds like a wise man. We shall definitely heed that advice tonight."
To her other question, he exhaled a long tired breath.
"Oh yes, I have a son. They are the same age. It has made for many exciting times. How about you? Any children? Would you like some? I can offer two to a good home at a decent price."
Vaughn smiled to say he was kidding. As crazy as it had been to raise Tobi and Tavi he didn't begrudge a minute of it.
Thérèse shrugged philosophically. Certainly there were those that thought she and her family were crazy and how many great artists had lived outside the norm. There was a time to judge and a time to accept, she tried not to mistake one for the other.
She smiled and nodded her agreement. Yes her father was a wise man. It was all very Sun Tzu, he knew when to fight and when not to fight. Perhaps that is why he and her mother had stayed together so long.
"I did not always think he was, but I find I appreciate his wisdom more as I mature."Â?
The final swallow of her wine threatened to come out her nose when he offered her children. But she refused to let that happen. What kind of impression would that be to give the Alpha?
"I cannot even get my luggage from point A to point B and you offer you children. You may not be so sane yourself."Â?
Thérèse teased him with a shake of her head.
With her wine finished suddenly she was very relaxed and aware of how long and eventful the day had been. Not wishing to fall asleep in the kitchen she stood to excuse herself.
"I thank you for the hospitality sir, but I think I should retire for the evening as well. It has been a pleasure though. If you will excuse me?"Â?
After waiting for his response she left to find the room she'd been directed to earlier. The one with her one carry on bag in it. Well better one bag than none. It had been a busy day and an eventful evening. She'd most likely sleep like the dead.
((OOC... Thérèse out))
He wouldn't know a father's wisdom but Vaughn did understand how growing older could change a person's outlook; though he hadn't experienced that firsthand either. He concluded from this that he had indeed been a strange child.
"Perhaps there is hope that one day my own children will stop looking at me like I am the most "uncool" person on the planet."
Vaughn laughed at Therese's witty retort. Running a hand over the back of his neck and looking chagrined, he said.
"So I suppose "free to a good home" would be worse, then?"
Vaughn rose when Therese did and smiled at her.
"It has been a pleasure indeed. Thank you for the most excellent conversation. I would have been eating my late meal alone and I am terrible company. Have a good night."
He watched her leave before picking up the glasses and heading to the sink. Vaughn washed the remnants of dinner away and then set the clean dishes out to dry before returning to his own rooms.