 |Who's On First? | Challenge Accepted.| | :Ink For Blood: | Team SUITS!|
Elinor couldn't help but laugh when Nigel rapped his kuckles on the desk after declaring that, thus far, he hadn't had to deal with any unruly children. She had never been around when there were children in his presence, but she visioned that he was more scared of them than they were of him. He must have truly loved what he did, if he faced dealing with people-- and children-- just to get to stand at his cauldron.
She noted that the first letter was from her sister, moving it to the back of the stack, when he returned the inquiry. "It's been a very tiring few days, I must admit. There's some sort of odd infection spreading, and, so... You can imagine that I'm getting my exercise." The second and third letters had been redirected from her work correspondance.
"Plus, we're still on that DeTalone case that the Prophet was reporting about. That's still not wrapped up, but there are only so many people to go around you know?" She glanced up and gave him a crooked smile, because she knew that Nigel did know. He had, at one time, attempted to hire an assistant or two. She recalled it hadn't ended well.
Her smile faded slowly when she read the name on the last envelope. "ALYSSA HALL" She put down the envelope and stared at it, reaching over and picking up the apple, even though the sight of the name set a rather large knot in her stomach. She took a bite and, shaking her head, lifted the envelope again. It was never good news. Ever. Elinor let out what could have been interpreted as a distressed sigh. It wasn't until after the fact that she realized she would have to divulge to him the reason for her reaction to a seemingly harmless envelope.
Her green eyes looked up to his, and for just a second, she let her gaze linger there. It somehow softened the effect of the words she was about to say.
"It's from my mother."
She let that sentence stand by itself before she realized she would have to explain her reaction. Nigel had, up until now, heard very, very little about her mother. For which she was grateful.
"My mother doesn't write a letter unless it's important, and by 'important', I mean it's something I probably don't even want to think about..."
She flipped the envelope over and tore the side away, sliding out the folded parchment paper. She just wanted to read it and get it over with, especially since she knew what was coming. The letter concerned Nigel, too. She took another bite out of the apple to occupy herself as her eyes flitted over the words. Once. Twice. She read the letter three times quickly, before setting the paper down on the desk.
"My mother has invited me over for a visit," uncomfortable pause. "And she wants me to bring you along."
Elinor knew this day was coming, she had just hoped it would be... well, never. But she had made the mistake of divulging Nigel's existance to her sister, and now she had to stew in the mess she had made for herself.
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