Laurence Zelkovii

The first thing that Lanny looked for upon pulling into the parking lot were the vehicles of James and Jeff, and he was faintly relieved to see none of them yet. They'd be here any minute he knew, but any time they had to get their thoughts sorted out and their act together would be beneficial. "It sounded like he plans on discussion heavy things tonight. Just remember Cass, whatever he says, you've got to take it in stride." The bronco shuttered and went silent after he'd parked it and taken the keys out of the ignition. "The absolute worst thing we can do is insult him; he's got a sharp mind, and no tolerance for anyone undermining his authority. Just watch Dave, he's the true lead of it all, and even he more often takes a backseat to Tom than not."

Cassidy*Others

On the ride home, the young woman had calmed significantly, by keeping very quiet and turning her attention to Raine, who had gone back to sleep in the carseat. Her hands had been shaking a little at first, indicating the remnants of adrenaline, but that faded as they put more road between themselves and the airport. At least at home, Johann would be there - he could help field some of the questions. But Lanny's words got her attention again, and she looked up from where she'd been gazing at the slumbering child, seeming to just now realize that they were home. "This is my specialty, Lanny - this is what I've done all my life, for myself, for the gang; now for Johann, for Raine, for you... I'm up to it. Just..." She shook her head, and bent to unbuckle the little girl, scooping her up. The child barely stirred as her mother cradled her, and Cass made a motion with her head to ask Lanny to go around and get her door, so that she could get out without disturbing their daughter's rest. Once he'd done so, and she clambered down out of the Bronco, she stood at looked up at him for a precious second or two. "Lanny... you know me. Better than I'd let most people know me. You know how I get, whenever I'm about to lose my hold on all those pretty words that I'm going to need to use with him. If that starts to happen, you stop me, understand? I'm a manipulator, and I'm pretty good... but I'll admit I'm a little touchy, where Raine's concerned. Pinch me, poke me, whatever you have to do... but don't let me blow it. This is too important. This is everything. Okay?"

Laurence Zelkovii

Lanny looked in the rearview mirror, half expecting to see Jeff's white Escalade pulling into the lot. Failing to see that or his brother's vehicle yet, Lanny stuffed the keys in his pocket and stepped out of the vehicle, where he walked around to open the door for Cassidy and Raine. "I know, and I'll be right there beside you the whole way. Johann and James will be too." With those names, he reminded her that she was far from alone, and that they all would be there together to bare whatever it was that Tom had to say. "I'll do that. And if you feel like you've been pushed too far, let me and the others handle the talking." Once Cassidy was out of the car, Lanny opted to take the diaper bag again, and offered a hand to Cassidy before they'd make their way inside again, to meet briefly with Johann before the others inevitably arrived.

Cassidy*Others

The promise wrought a smile onto Cass' face, and she might have hugged him then, but Raine was still asleep, and she didn't want to wake her. So instead, she took his hand, and answered, "Good. I'll hold you to that." With that she began to head toward the door, and stood back to let him open it again before passing through. "I imagine Uncle will need a hand in the kitchen, and if I'm to make brownies, I'll have to scramble to get them in the oven so they'll be ready by the time we're done eating. Could you get Raine down, and then just do a last sweep, make sure everything's tidied?" As she asked him that, it was clear that she was multi-tasking, because she was walking along ticking things off on her fingers - likely putting part of her focus on being certain that she had everything that she'd need to make her famous triple-fudge brownies. And indeed, a few moments later, she asked, "Do you suppose James and Sher have about a half-cup milk we could use? I can make them with water, but they're not as good that way."

Laurence Zelkovii

Shrugging the strap of the diaper bag higher on his shoulder so that it wouldn't slide off, Lanny used his free hand to hold open the door of the apartment complex for Cassidy to enter. "I suppose I can manage some sweeping." Chores had never been a favorite of Lanny's, and considering the shape of the apartment room he use to share with his brother, it was a wonder that he even knew how to use a broom or vacuum. With Tom and Dave expected over any minute however, Lanny was willing to do anything to make the place look as good as possible for their guests, knowing that the first impression was important. "They should have a gallon of milk in there, I only hope it's up to date. Do you want me to take her and grab that before I put her to bed?" Lanny stopped in front of the door to their room and opened it for her.

Cassidy*Others

Ordinarily, she and Johann usually dealt with the cooking and cleaning that needed to be done around the apartment, both knowing that Lanny wasn't particularly good at them and didn't enjoy them, and mostly let him watch Raine to keep her out from underfoot while they did those things. But now, he knew that time was of the essence, and Cass took advantage of that in asking him to help her. "That would be great. Here." In a maneuver that she had by now perfected, Cass stopped on one of the landings of the stairs and turned to shift Raine into Lanny's arms, and then from there moved to slip the strap of the diaper bag off of his shoulder so that he wouldn't have to carry both; now that she'd caught up with the others her age, Raine was quite a little armful, and the diaper bag was pretty heavy too. "Meet you upstairs," she told him, and then began taking the steps up quickly so that she could gain a few extra seconds to work once she got up to the apartment. In this situation, those few seconds were vital.

Laurence Zelkovii

After giving up the diaper bag, Lanny settled Raine into one arm, with a bit of adjusting to make sure he was holding her securely, and that she was comfortable enough that she'd keep sleeping. "I'll be back in a minute." He moved on after that, carrying the child with them back to his old apartment. In a matter of minutes, he was back to the fourth floor, with a hissed curse when he spilled some of the milk in the hallway while trying to open the door. It hadn't occurred to him to simply take the entire jug of milk, instead of pouring the needed amount into a pitcher. After fiddling with the knob for a moment, he finally got it open and stepped inside, "Cass, Johann? Can someone take this?" He held the pitcher out for one of them to take, while he looked down at Raine to see if she were still asleep, and hadn't been woken up all his movement and noise.

Cassidy*Others

"Oh Lanny, here!" Almost before the young man had even finished his sentence, Cass was darting around from the kitchen and crossing the living room to take the pitcher and put one of her feet against the door so that he could come inside, and yet still cradle Raine in a way that would keep her drowsing. The child had been sleepy enough, after having been awoken early by the call from James and the following rush to get ready, that she hadn't awoken even after the bumpy trip up the stairs; even now, she only murmured some nonsense under her breath and slapped her father's chest with an open palm, responding to something in her dream before scrubbing her face against his vest and settling again. Cass reached up with the apron she'd tied around her waist and caught a bit of drool before it could hit the young man's good clothes, and then turned back for the kitchen without another word; there was too much to be done to stand around chatting idly. Fortunately, the apartment looked neater than it had ever been, with even all of Raine's toys that were usually strewed on the floor in the living room stowed neatly in a large bucket at one end of the couch. And soon enough, the sound of stirring and light, feminine mumbling in Italian filled the air, to go with the already ambient noise of chopping and the deeper voice of Johann as he muttered to himself about this and that as he finished up the promised lasagna, popped it into the oven, and then turned his attention to the alfredo sauce.

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

After stepping inside, Lanny's first action was to wander over to the window and peer outside, where they had a view of the parking lot below. Neither Jeff's nor James' vehicles were here yet, and he contemplated calling his brother to get an update. In the end he left the phone in his pocket and strolled into the other room where Raine's crib was. "Nighty-night Raine." He whispered as he eased the child down into the crib, leaving her in the outfit she'd been put in before leaving. "Mommy and Daddy have some things to take care of, you be a good girl in here." He kissed the top of her forehead and pulled a light blanket up around her, then began to back out of the room with light steps, listening and watching to see if she was going to actually stay down for a nap or not. If she did, it would be better for all of them - Cassidy for one wouldn't have to deal with Tom paying too much attention to her child, even though that was bound to happen sooner or later.

Cassidy*Others

Raine stirred very faintly when she was settled into the crib, making a tiny noise of protest and wriggling for a minute... but fortunately for them all, she settled once Lanny drew the covers up around her, frowning intently and letting a breath out through her nose. Once she was down, he was free to bustle around the house and get things ready, just as the others were. "Watch your head, Uncle!" Cass requested that as she reached to a cupboard over his head to fetch down a baking pan, and he ducked obediently as she pulled it down. The two shared the kitchen admirably well, considering that the room was so small, and really more an extension of the living room. "Cass - garlic salt?" She reached into the spice cabinet at her right and tossed it a few inches to it; he caught it without even looking and had the lid of in an instant, adding this to the veggies he was making to go with the lasagna. It was rather peculiarly like watching a dance, because they were moving in perfect rhythm.

Laurence Zelkovii

Lanny reached over to click the light off in the room, then waited in the doorway for several moments until he was sure that he heard no sounds of impending protest from the child. Only then did he quietly pull the door shut and move off to retrieve the broom from the closet. For the next few minutes, there wasn't much to talk about as he went about sweeping, and past the swish of the bristles across the linoleum, the only other sounds were of Cass and Johann as they moved to and fro in the kitchen and put the finishing touches on the meal. After all had been swept, Lanny moved to the window again, and this time he spotted both vehicles just before they turned into the parking lot. "Hey guys, they're here." Lanny looked over to the pair in the kitchen, to get an idea of how close they were to being done, "How's the meal coming?"

Cassidy*Others

For the next several minutes, only the occasional sound of a request from either the old man or his niece, sometimes in English, often in Italian; they hadn't spoken much in the tongue, since Lanny had been living with them, as it was rather rude to use a language that not everyone understood. But with as big a hurry as they were in, it was easier and quicker to use it, and they were both too worried about what was coming to notice whether Lanny minded or not. By the time he spoke up, most of the preliminary preparations were done; Johann was stirring vegetables on the stove, and Cassidy was stirring the last bit of sugar into the brownie batter. "Almost done," Johann answered, speaking up where Cass kept quiet. "Ten minutes at most; that will give us time to get the preliminaries out of the way, anyhow. Let's just hope Raine sleeps through it."

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Any other time, Lanny might have been a little irked by their discussions in Italian, because although he knew many words and several key phrases, he was by no means fluent in the language. Today was different though. He had too many thoughts occupying his mind to pay much attention to what the two were talking about while they put the final touches on the lunch, and further knew that they too had a lot to take care of. The young man mostly kept to himself in the final minutes, doing a rare bit of cleaning wherever he saw it was needed, until he heard footsteps in the hallway and moved briskly to the door. "With any luck, Jeff might talk them into going to his place after lunch." The last thing he wanted was to sit around for hours 'talking', and with Raine there to make things more tense for Cassidy and himself. Soon enough, there was a predicted knock on the door, and Lanny was swinging it open to greet a host of familiar faces with a wide smile. "Come on in, lunch is almost ready. You can sit there on the couch, if you'd like." Tom was the first to step inside, followed shortly by Dave. James and Sheryl filed in next, and behind them, Jeff and Mary, filling up the small apartment rather quickly.

Cassidy*Others

"Alright, my girl... here goes nothing." That was all Johann had to say, but Cassidy put down the brownie batter for a moment to give her uncle a squeeze, indicating that she understood it as meaning to be a reassuring statement for her, and appreciated the gesture. He returned the hug only briefly, but in that time Cass pulled her smile on, and went back to stirring up the brownies and pouring them into a pan. So when finally the door opened to admit the Elders, she was looking diplomatically correct, as she should, and as the more or less official man of the house, and also the only person among them who had not yet greeted them, Johann wiped his hands thoroughly on a cloth and moved around into the living room to greet their 'guests'. "Dave, Tom - it's been a long while, hasn't it? Hey James, Sher. Wow, Jeff and Mary! I didn't know you were coming; it's going to be a little snug in here... no matter though, we can make room. It's not the largest place, but I think we can squeeze another table in here."

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Tom was all smiles again, a courteous, formal show of teeth that were as white as the hair on his head, minus the very marginal amount of gray peppering here and there. However, it was Dave this time that spoke first and extended a hand out to shake, "Johann, it has been a while. How are things going?" The shorter man's personality always came across as more bubbly and excitable, but those who knew him were well aware of how quickly he could show his other side when something or someone crossed him wrong. When he had finished shaking hands, and Tom had reached out a palm of his own to do the same with Johann, the two men moved towards the couch. Dave sat down, while Tom decided to stroll towards the window instead and have a peek outside, giving a bit more time for Mary and Jeff to say their 'hellos' to Johann, and to offer him a quick under-breath apology for showing up when they knew they weren't expected - Tom had insisted they tag along. "This is quite a place you have here. Low key." In the background, Tom commented on the appartment in what could be a compliment or a very minor slight against the small quarters; it was hard to tell with him sometimes.

Cassidy*Others

Fortunately, of all the things that Johann was, one of them was a near-perfect host, and his practice with the art that he'd later on taught Cass made him perfectly capable of taking a couple of subtle jabs from the two men. "Good to see you, Dave. It's been pretty quiet recently, if anything can be called quiet with a toddler around. Usually the 'quiet' happens mostly this time of day - right around nap time." It was a joke, meant to be friendly and unassuming, and yet also let both of the men know in a very subtle way that the child was sleeping, which he hoped would minimize somewhat how intense things would get between them as they work on their lunch. He shook hands with Tom straight afterward, and began to show the way into the living in an inviting way, while at the same time offering Jeff and Mary a calm face that indicated he wasn't bothered by their surprise presence - indeed, he knew that the couple had an affection for Raine, and had known Cassidy's mother, and hoped that they would try to help work things in their favor. "It's been very handy," Cass spoke up then, answering Tom's quiet, slightly barbed comment from the kitchen, while using a light tone herself. "James and Sher are right downstairs, so it's been easy for her to spend time with her favorite uncle and auntie." Of course, James and Sheryl were the only uncle and aunt that Raine had, but that was kind of beside the point. Of all the things Cass knew after a lifetime serving this gang, she knew that family was important to all of them, and used that also to emphasize her continued dedication to the CS, which she figured was one of the things that the Elders would be looking for.

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Tom remained at the window for a few moments before striding back towards the couch and finding himself a seat there. Dave was already planted in his seat, "I remember those days, and they've been gone longer than I care to admit." He laughed, showing a humorous side that so far was lacking in the taller man, "You're lucky to have another pair of little feet running around Johann, you should cherish it. My youngest grandchild is already seven." "Paige?" Lanny questioned, as a way to get into the conversation, and to show his familiarity with the family, even if he hadn't seen his distant relative for at least three or four years now. He knew that as soon as they sat down at the dinner table to eat, the conversations would go from casual to business, and he wanted to build up as much of a positive relationship with the two Elders before the. Tom, despite his comments that were borderline offensive, responded more positively to Cassidy this time around, "James was telling me about that. It's a good arrangement here, while Raine is still young."

Cassidy*Others

"Shhhhh... don't give her any ideas!" That was Cassidy's protest to the idea that her child would one day get older, even though she knew it was inevitable. It was another little comment to keep the conversation casual, and Johann also shook his head. "That child's going to be two here in a few months, and once that happens, I'm going to issue an edict forbidding her to get any older." It was strange to hear something like - well, it sounded like a joke! - coming from the old man, although Cass knew that it wasn't genuine, despite her uncle's talent at portraying exactly what he wanted to. She smiled and finished pouring the batter into the pan and setting it aside until she could put it in the oven, while coming around the corner into the living room. "Don't let that old man fool you - he absolutely loves having a toddler underfoot," she told them, and grinned mischievously at her uncle, who grunted and didn't answer, but it could still be taken as a grudging sound of agreement. And about that time, the oven's time alarm beeped, prompting the old man to get up from his chair and tend to their dinner, and that left Cassidy to that the seat he'd vacated. "Honestly though, I can't picture Raine at seven. I was stunned when we had her first birthday, because it didn't seem possible she could be that old. I believe it was James at the time who was teasing me about that." She offered the co-lead a smile for that.

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

"Ah, before you know it-" Jeff found his way into the conversation next, "-she'll be grown and you'll have grandchildren running about. Believe you me, time goes by quicker than you'd think." As an older member of the gang, he and Mary had grown children of their own, and were more than happy to offer advice to the younger ones. "That'd make them great-grandchildren for you, wouldn't it?" The short, brown-haired man never missed an opportunity to pick a bit at his comrades, though it was always in good nature. This time around, he was grinning cheekily at Johann. Tom and Dave took a backseat during this phase of the conversation, and Lanny could only hope that they were getting the right impression about it all - that he, Cass, and Johann were all very fond of Raine, as any doting family would be of their little one. James was the next one to take up a few words, brought into the discussion when Cassidy mentioned his name, "Her second birthday is going to be the same I'd reckon. Sometimes I even wonder where the time's gone."

Cassidy*Others

Jeff was one person whom Cassidy was more comfortable with, in the roomful of people. She might have been more familiar with James and Sheryl, by virtue of living just a floor above them, but even though she'd grown up like a sister to James, there was still the gang respect to be maintained with him - and goodness knew that she didn't trust the young man's fiancee any farther than she could throw her. And that overnight stay at Jeff and Mary's house had set her very much at ease with the older couple; they were innocently interested in Raine, and though loyal to the gang in their own way, she had been warmed by how family-oriented and open they had been while she and Lanny stayed there. They had very few ulterior motives that she could pick up on, and that made Cass naturally more trusting of them. So the husband's remark made her smile, and invisible to the naked eye, a couple of muscles in her back relaxed too. "I don't even want to think about that!" she laughed, and ran a hand back through the dark red curls. "I'm too young to have gray hair! And if that child of mine has kids, you know they'll give me gray hairs." Similarly, Johann offered Jeff the corner of a quiet smile and a muffled chuckle, but again didn't answer, because he had something else to say. "Soup's on! Or in this case, lasagna. We've got complementary veggies and salad - and for those who want it, there's spare alfredo sauce here. And we've got water, milk, juice, all manner of soda - and even a few kinds of wine in here. Not as well stocked as your collection Tom, but there are some good vintages in here. Lanny, did we get that extra table in here to fit everybody?"

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Of all the CrypticSilvers in Atroe City, Jeff was easily one of the more trusted, down to earth kind of guys who could always be counted on for giving a straight answer and not hiding things. The catch was dealing with how he liked to poke fun at and pick at others, to the point of occasionally getting on their nerves. This wasn't one of those times however, because he was very aware of how delicate this situation was and how much tension was riding below all their casual words. "You still got a good while before you need to worry about that anyway. I'm afraid it might be too late for Johann though." Lanny and James shared a grin as they looked in tandem at the uncle, but the moment could not last long. It was time for dinner, and with that, Lanny was scrambling up and jogging for the door, "Tom, Dave, why don't you two find a seat at the table? I bring in the other in a minute." The younger Zelkovii slipped out the room as the two Elders now got up and headed for the kitchen area. Tom was look apreciatively at the impressive meal that Johann was setting out, "I don't suppose you have any cabs?" He asked, speaking of one of the drier variety of wines, and a type that Lanny couldn't stand.

Cassidy*Others

As long as they were on slightly lighter subject, Cass could relax just a little, even though every time that either Elder said Raine's name, she had to push down the impulse to panic and get very defensive. It never showed, but she felt it harshly. Fortunately, she was well accustomed to doing this very thing, and kept very casual and calm outwardly, whatever chaos was reigning within. "That's okay - I'm allowed to pretend Johann's an old man. That's what nieces are for!" She laughed quietly, and as Lanny moved to leave, she also moved into the kitchen to help Johann begin moving food to the table. That also helped her to draw away from the intimidation of the Elders, now that Lanny had left the room - in the kitchen, subtle things that Johann did helped to reassure her, since he understood that she was very much worried about the outcome of this lunch. "We'll have to see if we can save a little lasagna for Raine - you know how she loves Italian." She kept up the conversation so that it wouldn't be perceived that she was nervous, and Johann nodded. "I bet there will be at least a little left over - I've made enough for a small army." She offered him a gentle kiss on the cheek, and then moved into the dining area with the vegetables, diplomatically moving herself and reaching around Dave to set the bowl on the table. "I'm sure that we do... I'm not sure how much is left, but it's a good vintage. Johann, could you reach Tom down a wine glass? And - does anybody else want any?" She turned her eyes around the room, politely accounting for the other two couples in the room, more simply because it was courteous to ask than because she expected them to share Tom's choice in wine.

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

When Cassidy moved out of the living room and began to help with Johann, the conversation turned back to the group, mainly focusing on some information that James was bringing up about the gang and what they had been up to lately. In the downtime, Cassidy and Johann were able to share their brief moments together without being pestered by either Tom and Dave, up until the question was put out about drinks. "I'll have water." Dave requested with that same smile in place. "Make that three waters, for Mary and I." Jeff chimed in after him, leaving Sheryl to speak up next, "Do you have any sweeter wines?" James' girlfriend didn't like wine much at all, but around the Elders, she felt pressured to show class, even though she'd already been accepted into their ranks years ago. James' response was to be expected, "Coke. Might as well get one for Lanny too, I know that's what he'll want." Soon enough, the younger brother was sliding the door open, and maneuvering in a fold-up table to be set up in the dining room. "Food smells great, Johann! Tom, you'll think you're still in Italy when you taste this. This man can cook." It was perhaps one of the last few light-hearted quips to be had, before the real discussion would start as dinner commenced.

Cassidy*Others

"So that's three waters, three Cokes counting Uncle, a Sprite for me..." Ticking things off on her fingers, Cass opened the fridge, not feeling pressured to drink wine as Sheryl did - of course, that could be mostly due to her utter distaste for alcohol, which in turn was due entirely due to what she had seen booze due to the two men in her life. She took a moment to survey the fridge, and then called back to Sheryl, "We've got some zinfandel in here... or there's a reisling, if you prefer the semi-sweet. Which sounds good to you?" After the long-term tension between herself and the other young woman, it was a miracle that Cass could be so polite and friendly toward Sheryl, but she was nothing if not a master manipulator, and figured pretty well that with the Elders already having approved of Sher, it would look badly for her if she showed anything other than warm feelings for James' fiancées. For his part, Johann moved to tuck three Cokes and a Sprite into the pockets of his pants so that he could carry them and still manage the large tray of lasagna and the hot plate, maneuvering it toward the second table that Lanny had set up. "Watch that dish, guys - it is burning. Okay... three Cokes, one Sprite - Cass, you got the wine?" "Working on it," she answered, and he began to pull cans from his pocket and set them out on the table. "Lanny, think you could come grab some serving spoons for all this?"

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Jeff and Mary both chipped in to help Lanny get the folding table set up, and to transfer some chairs in as well, until there were enough seats for everyone. He, Mary, and Sheryl found places for themselves, while Lanny and James moved on to help round up and distribute the silverware and dishes to everyone. And when Sheryl settled for a reisling, it was Lanny who stepped in to help Cassidy. Though he still couldn't quite see the quiet tension between the two, he'd learned that it was there from Cass, and he wanted to do what he could to make this as less stressful as he could for her - even if that was as simple as taking the wine to Sheryl so that Cass didn't have to. "You guys have your hands full; I can take that over for you." He looked up over his shoulder soon after saying that, to respond to Johann, "Yeah, I'll grab those in a second." With the last few things being taken care of, and most everyone now in their seats, it was almost time to eat. "It smells phenomenal." The compliment came from Tom, commenting on the aroma of the lasagna that was set down. Heeding Johann's advice however, no one made a move for the food yet.

Cassidy*Others

Johann and his niece were clearly going to be the busiest serving their guests - and in a moment, answering questions. As everyone else seated themselves, Cass was pulling down another wine glass for Sheryl and pulling the riesling from the fridge - and smiling faintly as Lanny came over to help and took over the wine, thus keeping her from having to deal with the other young woman. She offered him a more relaxed posture and leaned her head against his shoulder very briefly, pulling away a little sooner than she'd have liked simply because she wasn't comfortable with everyone who was here, and instead reached to pop the brownies into the oven and set the timer. "There... those brownies should be done by the time we're done with lunch. I hope everybody like triple-chocolate chip fudge brownies as much as Lanny does. If not, I'm sure there's some lemon pie left over." With that done, there was nothing else for her to reasonably distract herself with, so she moved over to the table and took a seat from which she could see both Tom's and Dave's faces clearly, which would hopefully give her an advantage in the coming discussion. Johann took the vacant seat a little ways away from her, leaving the open chair directly beside Cass for Lanny to take. "Alright then... everybody feel free to dig in. We don't stand on ceremony around here; anybody for garlic bread?" He hefted a small basket that he'd set the garlic bread in, looking around.

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Lanny lingered near Cassidy long enough to let her lean her head on him, ready to give her all the support he could as discretely as possible, so that neither of the Elders would pick up on the fact that both of them, but primarily Cassidy, were stressed about this meeting. Even in their own home, Tom and Dave's presence made the younger Zelkovii feel slightly out of place and on edge, but he hid those things as he carried the glass over for Sheryl and took the empty seat by Cassidy. "Save room for dessert, because those brownies are to die for." Lanny said as he took a piece of garlic bread, resisting the urge to take two or three before passing it on so that it could circulate around the two tables and their gathered guests. A small silence settled over the gang, with the clank of silverwaer and the shuffling of food filling the space, until Tom started in. After swallowing a few bites of bread and taking a sip of wine, he was looking to Cassidy, "So Cassidy, have you a job here?" Again, it was one of the questions that could either be a pleasant attempt at a conversation starter, or very sly attack against her previous profession. Lanny wasn't sure if Tom and Dave even knew about that chapter of her life, and he couldn't pick up any hints from their expressions.

Cassidy*Others

Once everyone was seated, Cass smiled and faked a little smack at Lanny's arm, making it a joke, but it wasn't the relaxed, casual motion that she ordinarily would have offered him, even if it looked like to to anyone who didn't know her well. Lanny and Johann would know it, and James might even pick up on it if he were paying attention, but of course he had other things on his plate. "Have I mentioned he's talented in the art of exaggeration?" She asked laughingly, in response to the young man's compliment to her brownies. "I think all of us know that anything with chocolate in them is 'to die for' in Lanny's book." She laughed lightly, and proceeded to pass the veggies, and after that everyone was occupied for a few moments with passing around food and getting their plates filled. Cass took those precious moments to get all her thoughts in order, while still managing to make polite conversation - and then after a minute or so, Tom dove into the thick of it. Fortunately, this was a comment that she was prepared for, whether it was an innocent question or a slur; she was accustomed to having people talk bad about her due to her former profession. "You mean outside the gang? Oh, no - between the gang and being a mother, I'm kept busy enough! While I was recovering from the C-section, I got a hand in some with the kind of keyboard related work that Johann does, because I wasn't allowed to fill my usual place in the frontlines. But I'm cleared for all that now." All of that was completely truthful, because at current, she did not have another occupation - and yet, it avoided completely denying her former profession, not only because she wasn't sure whether they knew about her days as a girl who 'worked nights', but because she was very carefully controlling the impulse that made her want to dare them to mention that, because as she'd mentioned to Lanny, she wasn't ashamed of her past life. Maybe she hadn't liked it at the time, but it had been her own choice and it had kept her financially secure, and she didn't see any reason she should allow anyone to make her feel like less because of it.

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

"Hey!" The young man feigned surprise when she gave him a playful swat, grinning some as he did so. This little interaction was noted by the Elders, and while Lanny didn't think twice about it, James was recognized it as a positive sign - on a subtle level, it showed how close the two were, and how comfortable they were in each other's presence. And with their relationship being one the main things that Tom was sure to scrutinize on this trip, such things as this were important for them to see. "But of course, chocolate makes everything better." With that moment come and gone, Lanny tucked into the lasagna, and tried to keep his demeanor as casually attentive as he could make it, which was surprisingly harder than he anticipated, even though being co-lead of the gang had ensured that he'd been in plenty of high-stakes conversations and encounters in his life. Of course, none of them were quite as personal as this one, and few had involved the de-facto leaders of their gang's empire. Tom chewed on another bite of bread after dabbing it in sauce, and had it swallowed by the time Cassidy finished replying. "Are you thinking about getting into the kind of work Johann does?" Lanny could breath a sigh of relief when neither Tom nor Dave made any remarks on her previous profession, or criticized the fact that she didn't have a job outside of the gang yet.

Cassidy*Others

The young woman hadn't really thought before offering Lanny the playful smack, but it seemed to have turned out well. She couldn't read the Elders as well as the others, because she wasn't familiar with them, but she could see the tiny light in James' eyes that said he had reacted positively to that, she knew she had done something right. At this point, she delicately began to set into her lasagna, for once having absolutely no appetite despite the tempting feast Johann had put before them, which could ordinarily stir mild hunger pangs even in a picky eater like Cass. "Easy now - don't get too loud or you'll wake Raine. And it's her you'll answer to, not me." That was a completely unserious threat and scold to Lanny, meant more to help Cass remain at ease than really because she expected the young man would wake the little girl. The next question, Johann chose to partially field. "Cass could do my job, if she wanted to, and with a little training - she's got a natural knack for it. She's got the basic instinct for how people's minds work and how to go about searching through data and figuring out where they might try to hide or change something. A lot of people think this job is all about interacting with the computer, but a lot of it is getting inside the head of your opponent and figuring out what their reactions will be to a given circumstance. That's where she's handy to have around, and Lord knows I could teach her the computer end of things - what little she doesn't already know, that is." That thought should make Laurence happy, since he was growing more and more antsy nowadays about letting Cassidy go onto the frontlines as she had always done. Cass might not enjoy it so much, but to answer Tom both diplomatically and truthfully, she told him, "I've always done field work - it's all I know. But if the Silvers needed me in that capacity, I would do it. I think Uncle exaggerates my talents a bit, but I would do what was needed." Of course, Cass knew perfectly well that Johann was not one to give idle compliments - if he said something kind, it was because he meant it - but it kept her words from sounding overly full of herself.

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

"I think I can handle Raine with a goofy face or two." Lanny quipped back with his light, dimpled grin that never seemed to stay away from his expression for long. Whatever the other two thought, it wasn't immediately known. Tom didn't make any comments regarding their playful banter, not when he had things in mind that he wanted to cover with Cassidy. Still, James couldn't help but think that the interaction had been a subtle but meaningful signal to Tom. "We could always use members in the gang who have the level of ability that you've shown, Johann." He started off as saying, heavily implying that he thought Cassidy would do the CrypticSilvers good by helping out her uncle, or even carrying on such a job under her own accord. "In speaking of your computer skills, have you come up with any leads on who stole Kenny's payment?" The question caught Laurence off guard until he searched his brother's face and found James unruffled by the query. It quickly dawned on the younger Zelokovii that James must have informed Tom of the problem, to avoid looking suspicious or of trying to hide things from him, should the problem be uncovered at a later date. On one side, Lanny winced at the question, and on the other, it was a short reprieve for Cassidy.

Cassidy*Others

"Yes, and then we'll all get to see you make a fool of yourself," the young woman answered mildly, knowing that Raine was one of a very few people that could influence the co-lead to act very undignified for no reason other than to please her. But she allowed the conversation to be led away from lighter things for awhile as Tom delved into more serious matters, and Johann nodded. "It shouldn't take me long to teach her what little she lacks, if you think it would be wise," he told Tom, pausing for a moment to get a couple of swallows of coke into his system, with a very tiny grimace creasing his features as he moved that bad arm of his. After all, it had been quite a morning on that arm, between cleaning the apartment and cooking for their guests. "I agree with you there - she'd be a valuable asset to the team, especially since I'm the only intelligence officer in this branch of the gang. We could work through information twice as quickly - and after raising her, she and I have a kind of system. We compliment one another's strengths well; she's got the corner on the intuitive and emotional market, and I've the influence around town to get things done." Since the Elders seemed to be interested in seeing if Cass could be a value to the gang in this niche, Johann voiced his willingness to help her develop those skills. The latter subject was a little more tense one perhaps, but Cass only let her face get slightly more somber, which was entirely appropriate for the serious topic, and Johann answered the men smoothly. "I'm in the process of making a few inquiries as we speak; of course, there's no cameras to check to see if the perpetrator was caught on film, because the drop point was chosen deliberately for its lack of video surveillance, naturally. But the issue here is that stealing only half of the payment is a very bold move on someone's part - they're making it clear that it was a deliberate thing to send a message to the gang, because it can't be mistaken as a simple theft of opportunity by an unrelated person. So they're powerful, and influential... and most of the people in this town who have that much affluence and persuasion are either in our employ, or have otherwise found it advantageous to them to not interfere with our activities. I'm subtly rechecking the loyalty of those persons, just to be safe... but that leaves only two or three people who might be responsible."

Laurence & James Zelkovii

"I see it everyday." Jeff couldn't miss a chance to tease the co-lead, knowing he could get away with doing that and benefit the group by supporting the light-hearted end of the conversation while it lasted. Lanny feigned a hurt look that was plenty easy to see through, and that was the last they got out of him before Tom's question dominated the discussion at the dinner tables. The various adults sitting around the table were wise to turn their unfettered attention to Tom, who first addressed Cassidy's potential future roll in the CrypticSilvers. "Good, good. Why don't you start training her more in that area, and see where it goes. The CrypticSilvers would benefit a lot from it." Lanny didn't particularly like the way that Tom imposed his will on the matter and more or less commanded that Cassidy took up that profession without talking to her more about it, but he wasn't foolish enough to speak up against it. He could only listen and keep his cool as the Elder moved on to the subect of Kenny's stolen payment. "I understand there's still a few other gangs trying to scratch out a name for themselves in this town. Do you think it's any of them, or do you think there's an issue with any of the higher authorities here?" The police were always an issue, but as Tom last understood, the Silvers were still in cahoots with the ACPD and the mayor.

Cassidy*Others

The young mother offered Jeff a laugh and a smile, grateful for his aid in keeping the conversation light while it could last. "Not at the volume I do," she replied, referring to the fact that she was with Lanny almost constantly, and had plenty of opportunity to watch him make a fool of himself. She didn't react, however, to Tom's insistence that she be trained in the same kind of work that Johann did, aside from nodding to the elder to indicate that she would obey and permit herself to be taught all that she could learn. After all, his words might be entirely innocent; this gang, aside from its faults, had a very certain respect for their women, as far as keeping them protected and not allowing them to be abused, and this might be nothing more than trying to keep her out of direct harm's way - particularly if they were going to approve of her and Lanny together and raising a child. Lanny was already on the frontlines a good bit of the time; perhaps they were only thinking to keep Raine's other parent as safe as possible, in case the unthinkable happened to her father. Cass could have shuddered thinking about it, but she kept it cut off from herself by putting a few dainty bites of vegetables in her mouth, and by viewing Tom's instructions for her training in this way, she managed to show nothing but polite interest and obedience in response to him. "As soon as you and Dave have finished your business here, I'll start in on the more advanced methods with her," Johann answered them in his turn, while privately thinking that he wouldn't object to his niece being in the more protected environment that a desk job like his own offered. "It shouldn't take long to get her up to speed on most everything. After that, it will only take a bit of practice to get accustomed to navigating the computer most efficiently." With his intent to do as they said established, he moved on to the equally pressing issue of the missing money, and shook his head to Tom. "The other gangs are bold... but they are not stupid. They know perfectly well that our grip upon this city is too tight to permit them to pull stunts like this right under our nose. As for the authorities - again, I think it exceedingly unlikely. They benefit from our presence here, and would be sorely unhappy to see those benefits disappear if we became displeased with them. No... no, I believe this is an independent party - one with enough influence to accomplish what was done, and yet seemingly insignificant enough to believe they can pass unnoticed." Beneath the table, Cass' foot shifted very carefully and slowly, so as not to bump anyone else's feet as she scooted her leg closer to Lanny's - he would be able to feel the tension in the muscles of her leg once she stopped moving; clearly, Johann's statement had meant something to her.

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

When he realized that Tom wasn't participating in the lighter end of the conversation, or even giving so much as a chuckle or smile for that matter, Jeff backed off. He could push a little further if it had been James that they were talking with, but not Tom. The Elder clearly meant to get down to business now, and expressed that through the way he zeroed in on Johann and Cassidy without a twitch of a grin or a mere glance at the others. Lanny, too, went quiet and his lop-sided grin vanished along with the characteristic dimples that always came with them. The co-lead had to bite his tongue and listen with an air of respect and attentiveness as Tom questioned Cass and Johann, all the while giving her what support he could offer without being too obvious about it to the others, lest he give away how nervous either of them were. When her leg edged toward him, Lanny responded by placing a hand on her knee, where it would not be seen by the rest, yet would still remind Cass that he was right there and in full support of her. Meanwhile, Tom was nodding lightly, showing his approval over Johann's training proposal, "I'd like an update at some point in the future as to how well things are going. This town is too valuable to let our grip on it loosen any, and the kind of work you two will do will secure Atroe for us even tighter." That was that apparently - Tom definitely wanted Cassidy in the gang, leaving a ray of hope that he would also approve of her relationship with Lanny. Butterflies still swarmed in the young man's gut though, because there had yet been no mention on the latter subject, and he could only listen and wait with increasing anxiety as the discussion went on. "What independent party would this be, if not another gang?" The older man looked hard at Johann, then to James. The leader straightened in his chair, "We're still working on it. I spoke with Mayor Spelts just last week, and she's still behind us one-hundred percent."

Cassidy*Others

So they're not here to kick me out of the gang. That was the first pleasant thought that occurred to Cassidy, which allowed her to feel a tiny measure of relief. It didn't show on her face, but perhaps Lanny would receive the slight reward of feeling the tight muscles beneath his hand relax a little bit - but she wasn't off guard by any means; no, now she was wondering even more just what they wanted... and what they thought of the relationship between the two of them. It wasn't something she could come out and ask about though - not to the Elders. So she was forced to endure the conversation and keep a calm but attentive face, and to answer when spoken to. "If that's what the gang needs, then that's what I'll do," she told them soberly, and Johann followed that up with a hopeful statement too. "With Cass to help me, this investigation will go even faster. Twice the hands and twice the eyes will go a long way to singling out the culprit - and directing out information to see to it that they are reminded that this is our city. I'll have that information to James as soon as I've got it worked out, and you know he'll deal with it appropriately." That was another slight hint, putting out a vote of confidence for James and reiterating that he and Cass were devoted to the gang and its leaders, which would hopefully remove any question that the Elders might have as to that, and increase the young woman's merit, in their eyes.

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

"Good." Tom raised his glass up, gave it a small swirl, and took a sip of the deep crimson wine. In the short silence that followed that, Lanny thought frantically, trying to come up with something to say to keep the conversation on the gang, with the idea that maybe, just maybe, the Elders already approved of Cassidy and him and wouldn't start in on questioning her. With a light clink, Tom's glass was set back on the table, and he started speaking again before Lanny could come up with anything meaningful to say. "I expect a full report of what you two uncover. I've asked Raul to stay for a while and help oversee things in the meantime." James almost choked on the bite of lasagna he was working on, and had to swallow fast to avoid causing a minor scene. Raul was an older cousin, one that they only saw during the times that they went overseas to visit with the family, and the fact that Tom was having him come to Atroe City... he was clearly concerned with how things were being run here. James felt a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach, and a bite of indignation to know that his authority was being overruled for a short period, and there was not a thing he could do about it. Covering this emotions, he tried to remain calm in appearance and in tone, "He can stay with Sheryl and I. When can we expect him?" Lanny and Jeff both could heard a forced tone in Jame's voice, and so could Tom. "He'll be in this Thursday, around four. Now then," His eye shifted to Cassisy, "-there are a few things I'd like to go over with you."

Cassidy*Others

Those muscles beneath Lanny's hand tensed hard again, which compensated for how Cass kept her face very even; she knew that having an assigned overseer, so to speak, definitely meant that the Elders were very serious about the 'problems' that they believed were occurring in their area - even if James hadn't half-choked on his lasagna, she would have known that, having been with the gang since she was born. She also knew Raul, or rather knew of him, having heard a little from the Zelkovii brothers every now and then. Fortunately, Cass was still mistress of her own expressions - she let her brows furrow to indicate that she understood the situation was very serious, but did not flinch or act startled, even if a knot tied its way into her stomach. Now not only did she have the Elders to deal with, but Raul was going to be hanging around for an indefinite period, and undoubtedly not only reporting to the Elders about the gang's activity, but about the relations between herself and Lanny as well. She wasn't sure what to say to those words, and anyway she was pretty sure that her input wasn't invited there. So she kept quiet until Tom addressed her again, and though she'd been in similar situations hundreds of times before, never had so much been riding on her specific talents - she was intent, even if she portrayed only an attitude of attentiveness. "Yes, I suspected you might have a combination of questions and instructions for me. It would be foolish for you not to, and I have never believed you to be foolish. What do you want to know?"

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Lanny didn't risk a look to his brother, even though he wanted to share his feelings of support with his older brother. Having Raul sent to look over their doings came as a direct blow to him too, since they'd never had this happen before, and he knew it came as a direct result of all that had been going on the last few years. And it may not just be their issues with the other gangs that were still clinging on in the Valley, or the deaths of four of their own members... and Tom quickly got down to the heart of the matter that the young Zelkovii was dreading most. "Your daughter is how old now?" Tom's first question brought a defensive twinge out of Lanny, one that he smartly didn't react on. As much as he wanted to respond to the Elder himself, he knew it would be out of line - Tom was looking squarely at Cassidy. "When there are new additions in the family, we tend to hear about them well before the child arrives."

Cassidy*Others

Now that the subject had turned clearly to Raine, every nerve Cass had was on high alert - she had always been hyper-defensive of her daughter, and that extended to this situation easily. Everything was riding on this, everything. The Elders could offer protection to Raine, keep track of her, ensure that she was safe and well cared for - or they could ostracize her, and perhaps even see her killed because she was a potential distraction to Lanny. She could not go through that again... not again. She let that run through her very quickly, feeling it fully but keeping stern control of her features, and answered Tom with deliberate calmness. "Raine will be two next month. And I know we weren't entirely forthcoming at first about her, but... well, you have to understand that our daughter wasn't exactly... planned." She traded a look with Lanny, not only because it would be a comfort to meet eyes with him, but because it was appropriate to the situation - it would enforce an intimacy to their relationship and also indicate that she was sharing responsibility with Lanny, which would in turn give a strong idea that both of them were responsible for Raine's creation, thus making him more definitely the father, in their eyes. "At first, I didn't even tell Lanny - I... wasn't really sure what to do about it. And then, there was the point after I told him where I was trying to take responsibility for all of it - neither of us had intended to be parents, and I didn't want Lanny to feel like he was suddenly saddled with a child we hadn't meant to have. He ponied up right away, because that's just the kind of guy he is," she smiled faintly at the young man there, and turned back to them. "... but it took me awhile to become convinced that it was really what he wanted, and not just something he felt like he had to do. And then, as I'm sure you've heard, there were complications with the pregnancy - hemorrhage, and all. I was in the hospital nearly a month altogether, and out of action for six more after that. By that time, Raine was toddling around and I was getting back into gang business. It just... never seemed to happen. I should have contacted you, I know that now... there's not much I can do to fix that except to apologize."

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Among the familiars in the group, from Lanny and James, to Jeff and Mary, there was the collective feeling of protection and care for Cassidy and Raine, a feeling that was easily bestowed on any one of them when they were in trouble. And yet with Tom here and a quiet Dave watching and listening, there was no room for any of them to speak out. Jeff picked distractedly at his plate, while James had stopped eating altogether - his eyes were still a little watery from nearly choking on his last bite of food. Lanny's posture had stiffened, and his mouth had drawn as tight as his set jawline, displaying a characteristic appearance of anger in the young man. It was something he did subconsciously, and couldn't hide as well as Cassidy hid her true emotions, even as Tom looked to him now, "Two years? I would have expected more promptness out of you, Laurence." The younger man briefly dropped his eyes, just after holding Cass's gaze and reinforcing the look they'd shared with one another. "With everything going on here, and having a baby to take care of, I-" "-couldn't handle so much at once? That isn't a fitting quality for one in your position as second in command." Lanny's cheeks began to color slightly; it was his turn to feel the burn that his brother had a few minutes ago. As quickly as he'd jumped to ridicule Lanny, Tom went back to Cassidy, "How certain are you that this is Laurence's child?" The question was incredibly brazen, but then... this wasn't your average gathering of family members and friends.

Cassidy*Others

This was the place where the young woman wanted to come to Lanny's defense and emphasize that it wasn't his fault - and yet, just as he had when the questions had been directed to her, Cass knew that she had to keep quiet and let him take the scolding. Likewise, the old man a few seats down held his tongue as well, though he wanted very much to jump out of his chair and face down anybody who threatened the unity of their family, and thus the happiness of his little girl, and his grandchild. Like it or not, this was one threat he couldn't face down for her; she had to do this herself. And though she wanted to go mother-bear on the Elders as well, Cass admirably kept her cool, externally at least, and proved that she was capable of defending her family. "It is impossible for Raine to be anyone else's," she told Tom smoothly, and it wasn't entirely a lie - after all, Michael Carlyle was dead, so she couldn't be that man's daughter anymore, and as far as Cass was concerned, the child had never been his. It sounded like she was claiming that she hadn't slept with anyone else, which was odd on so many levels because it was Lanny that she hadn't ever been with, but she kept right on moving forward. "She's got his eyes and his nose... and his laugh, you should hear it. Even that little snort at the end he gets when he's laughing too hard. Though I do keep hearing she looks like Mom. I hear that constantly."

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

The great food that Johann and Cassidy had worked on might as well have been a bland frozen meal for all that anyone was able to enjoy it this afternoon. The only ones who were taking regular bites was Sheryl and Dave, and Tom who would go for a mouthful of lasagna when he waited for his questions to be answered. It was hard for any of them to be focused when the core unit of their gang was under such scrutiny. There was no little half-grin or chuckle when Cassidy mentioned the familiar snort of Lanny's when he got to laughing, but she did rally some support from one who'd been quiet up until now. "She got to stay with us the other night." Mary began with a light smile and pleasantly soft voice. "It's amazing how much she takes after Lanny. I see it more every time I see Raine, and you can't deny the resemblance she has to Cass's mom." Mary's comments were given in such a sweet, unoffensive tone, that Tom couldn't take objection to how she'd cut into the conversation that wasn't meant for her input. With her part done, Jeff's wife took a sip from her glass and went on to cut a section of lasagna up with her fork. Tom spoke after a short length of time, "She has your mother's features, that as much I recognized earlier." Before Lanny could breath a sigh of relief, in thinking that they'd dodged the most dangerous bullet tonight, Tom picked right back up and was looking between him and Cass again. "Seeing that she's near two years old, I would wonder why her parents are both single still?"

Cassidy*Others

Cassidy was another one who was managing to eat, not because she was enjoying it or tasting any of the delicious food that had been prepared, but because it was normal, and helped to indicate to Tom that she was not bothered by his questions - even if that was a total scam and she was really very much stressed by all of this. She chewed methodically and swallowed without tasting, reaching for her glass a moment later and washing it down with some sprite. And it was a good think she swallowed quickly, because otherwise she might have spat it back out in surprise over the next direct statement that Tom made. It wasn't as touchy a subject as the matter of Raine, and yet... it was something that she and Lanny had still never had an open and honest talk about to further define their relationship. Sure, they'd been playing house for near to two years now, but... Stopping that line of thought before uncertainty could creep onto her face, she smiled slightly at Tom and spoke up assuredly. "As much as I hate to argue with you, Tom... you've only been here for a couple of hours. Just get around the city for a little while, and listen to the common folk talk - Lanny and I are quite the hot topic, particularly as Raine has gotten older. We're not single." It was a bold statement on her part, and right out there where Lanny could promptly disagree if he wanted to - she was taking a serious risk there, but there was one thing she knew, from only days ago when Duke had knocked her to the floor; she'd seen the flare of jealousy in the younger Zelkovii's features, heard that protective tone in his voice that subtly indicated territorial behavior. In other words, he wasn't just mad that Duke had hurt his friend - he was mad that Duke had been blatantly flirting with and kissing his girl.

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Had he asked just about anyone else, he would have gotten just about the same answer, minus the feelings of uncertainty that Cassidy was feeling. As far as the residents of Atroe City were concerned, she and Laurence were a couple, every bit as much as James and Sheryl were. Tom looked from Cass to Lanny, to confirm what the young woman had said. With cheeks already mildly reddened from Tom's earlier chastisement, the touch of nervous blushing that would have come from this newest question was thankfully hidden, leaving him only to retain what calmness and nonchalance that he could, despite how nervous he was feeling. Relief was the main feeling that ran through him with Cassidy's response, and he answered back to Tom with a twinge of a smile, to bring a bit more emotion to the subject - and the smile wasn't all that forced, either, "In a small town like this, there's no hiding anything." Despite not having really covered that topic prior to the Elders' arrival, the pair had handled it remarkably well. So well in fact that it seemed to catch the others off guard, rather than themselves. If it weren't for Tom and Dave sitting there, many remarks would be crossing between those gathered, but as it was, the most that they could do was keep their thoughts to themselves until the two higher-ranks were gone. Lanny pointedly kept his gaze away from James, who he could just feel was staring at him right now. He had to keep focused, because Tom was not done with them yet, "So then, are there any plans for the future?"

Cassidy*Others

Perhaps the only one at the table who wasn't surprised at the way Cass had chosen to handle that question, Johann smiled faintly behind his coke glass and silently congratulated himself - he'd raised the young woman well, taught her all he knew about negotiations, when to hold back and when to take risks like the one she just had... and she'd played her cards perfectly there, indicating that he had been successful in teaching her. Cass could feel his eyes on her, but unlike the way that James' hovering glance was almost uncomfortable for Lanny, the young woman could detect a palpable warmth and pride radiating from Johann, simply from long, long experience with the enigmatic man. Probably nobody else would pick up on that, but it gave Cass a much-needed boost of confidence, and allowed her to smile back at Lanny's returned joke about how small the town was, and how little point there was to trying to keep secrets. "Matter of fact, I think it surprised Lanny and I more than anyone else," she answered, interjecting a bit of lightness that still stayed on-topic, and turned a glance at her uncle then. "I think Johann had it figured out before anybody." With his input now invited for a moment, the old man spoke up mildly. "Talk about ridiculous, my girl; two of you took your sweet time about it, after everybody else all knew." Subtly, it was a message of approval from the man, indicating that he was glad to know that the relationship had been cemented - but without indicating that it had been defined only just now, by Cass' assertive statement. His piece said, Johann fell silent again, remembering of course that this was still the Elder's conversation, and Cass returned her eyes to the Elders. "Now that word future, Tom... that's an umbrella term. It can mean five minutes from now when I take those brownies out of the oven, or when we're sixty five and Lanny and I are raising our grandchildren." It was a careful turn of phrase, which subtly told Tom that she expected Lanny to still be around when they had grandchildren, and yet also allowed her to move to her next point, which would help her better compose her answer. "We'll be able to give you a better answer if you give us a timeline, and maybe the kind of things you want to know."

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

With so much attention and focus on the younger pair, the smallest fires of jealousy had started to work up in Sheryl, though for once, it wasn't against Cassidy... not exactly. It was a jealousy over the attention to their relationship, and a reminder that she and James, who'd been together much longer, hadn't even discussed taking their partnership to the next level with things like engagement and marriage. Of course on the other hand, they didn't have a child, so in the Elders' eyes, there wasn't as much pressure on them to hurry things along. Completely unaware of the new source of tension that was started to brew in his future sister-in-law, Lanny was hanging onto the unexpected source of relief that had come over him, and using that to better cover over his other emotions. "Some things you just can't rush." The young man added on, after Johann had taken his turn to speak. It was meant as an excuse for why they'd never really gave the Elders a heads up about the matter, and deflect attention away from the idea that either one of them had been overwhelmed or to busy trying to protect their small family from an unknown threat. As Cassidy addressed Tom's question more directly, the older man came back with a response that was just as much to the point, "I'm most interested in any plans of marriage." A smile finally graced his clean-shaven face, and... it looked as though it might actually be sincere. Lanny wasn't ready to trust it yet, but he had to admit, things were going remarkably well so far.

Cassidy*Others

Marriage? Now there was an idea that blew Cass' mind a little bit; she was just now coming to terms with the fact that Lanny wasn't just her friend anymore - he was her boyfriend. Of course, she couldn't imagine him not being in their lives as Raine grew older, but... well, the thought had never even crossed her mind. In the end though, she handled it with grace, offering Tom an expression that was somewhere between a smile and a serious face. "There are a lot of ways we could answer that question, Tom... but in the end, that's all up to you two, isn't it? You and the rest of the Elders." Again, it was a very, very careful answer, and she turned a glance to the young man beside her, the hand beneath the table moving to the one he had on her knee, so that she could squeeze his hand for reassurance. "After all... it's not really our decision unless you approve first."

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Under the table, Lanny shifted his hand, to go from resting on her leg to embracing her reaching hand. He was doing his level best to keep a straight expression, because if either of them showed too much surprise at that question, it would further convince Tom that they didn't have their act together, and that there might be more to the story than what he knew. There was of course, and Lanny would do anything to keep the Elder from finding out. "You're a smart girl." Tom's smile broadened, and quite suddenly Lanny felt the urge to order the Elder out of their home. He may be use to this sort of treatment from his superiors, but when it came to more personal matters like this, it was hard to sit back and take as he was. "There has been a lot of talk going on about you and Laurence, from those back home. I have to say I had serious doubts about this arrangement at the start, but some of those things I'm willing to overlook." The older man leaned forward in his chair a little. "I'd like to see how your training goes with Johann first, and how committed you are to this gang. I understand there was a point that you left the city for an extended period of time, with no prior warning or explanation?"

Cassidy*Others

"I could hardly be Johann's niece if I were not a 'smart girl'," Cassidy answered quietly, but with a little smile as though she had enjoyed the bit of sarcastic joke Tom had made, even if it made her want to throw things. The muscles in her arms tensed, begging to release the blades on her person, but she held them back, and kept her face in proper form. "And it's one of those things that I've always applied in the gang, including the sort of training you want Johann to give me." That rather sharp remark turned aside with grace, she had another slight problem to deal with, in that the Elders obviously new of her year-long hiatus... she could only pray they didn't know about what had occurred during that year. It was a low blow - and yet, somehow familiar and comforting, because Cassidy was used to other people playing dirty; her usual opponent Mr. Linus being one of those who could be so subtle and yet so threatening. And in some strange way, that also helped her focus and keep on track. "Yes - a year, and nearly a month over that. I was seventeen at the time, and a little flighty, I'll admi - I was having a 'search for yourself' kind of thing. But before that, and ever since, my record in the gang is spotless. I endured my punishment upon my return without complaint and have rendered my complete loyalty since that time. And you can speak to any member among us to confirm that... and several of the people who have tried to defy us would back that up too." The Wallocks were probably high on that list, but though they occurred to her, she didn't name names.

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

For Lanny, who was not the cool-headed manipulators that Cassidy and Benjamin could be, this was a very tough spot for him to be in while maintaining his composure. He still remembered the night that he'd found Cass out in the cold, along the Slough road, and the thought of that made him want to rise up and tell off Tom, to tell him it was none of his business to be questioning the young mother like this. She'd been through enough as far as he was concerned, and yet... the co-lead could do little but sit there and listen. To do anything else was to suggest to Tom that there was more to the story that they weren't telling him. "Search for yourself? And what did you do in all those months that you were gone?" Tom's question could have been a curious one, or an accusing one - Lanny didn't know. He could only hope that the old man had no idea what had really happened in that year, and was merely trying to cover base with Cassidy.

Cassidy*Others

With Tom absorbing her words and coming up with a new question, the young woman took this moment to take a few more bites of the lasagna and then reached for bread to sop up some of the alfredo sauce that had managed to squish around her plate as it oozed out of her food. Popping the bread into her mouth next, she looked up at Tom as he raised another question, and though it stung she squared up and offered another laser-targeted answer, viewing it as vengeance against him for bringing up the subject. "What do most girls do when they're out on their own for the first time? I got a part time crap job at a gas station, a small, crummy apartment, cut my hair into this weird, spiky layered thing, and wrote a bunch of nonsense into a journal to help me work out my thoughts. I even did a couple of paintings in that time - secret talent that I never knew I had - though I understand that most artists don't start out in their blue period." She flicked her pinky then, to dislodge some imaginary speck of food that maybe had fallen onto her hand, and reached for a napkin to dab her lips delicately. "You've got a granddaughter, right Tom? Younger teen? Probably listens to loud, angry music when she's mad at her folks, just like I did. It's one of those things all girls do when they're growing up. I just chose to do it somewhere that my behavior wouldn't embarrass the gang."

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Tom and Dave remained the only two who seemed to be genuinely enjoying their meal, unlike the others who were either picking at it, or taking their bites without really tasting or enjoying it. "In other words, you abandoned the gang." That accusation was the most direct one yet, and the most threatening by a longshot. Lanny had just started to feel confident about how things were going, even if these questions were far from easy for Cassidy. This one, however... it had gone into very dangerous territory. "I do have a granddaughter, three in fact. I've also got four grown children, and not one of them has ever run off and disconnected themselves from their family." Things got tense in a matter of a few words. James and Lanny both were waiting and try to figure out when and where they might be able to pitch in and divert some of the attention from Cassidy, but Tom knew exactly where he was going with this, and continued without giving anyone else the chance to chime in, "That is what concerns me the most about this arrangement. How can we trust you?"

Cassidy*Others

"The term 'abandon' is defined as withdrawing one's support from a cause, or to completely cease one's interest in a matter. Neither of those is the case." Showing her intelligence a little more, Cassidy met Tom's gaze in order to say that. "Never did I display any ill intent or favor toward anyone in the gang, or withdraw my interest in the furtherance of it." That was a certain statement, making it absolutely clear that her intentions toward the gang had never changed - and even though she wasn't telling Tom the entire truth about what had happened in that year, that much was true; she'd never held any enmity toward anyone in the gang. As a matter of fact, she'd just been too embarrassed to face them. But as it was, the next statement Tom made got her intense attention, and she allowed her face to get very serious. She knew that he had referenced families very deliberately - he was waiting to see whether she'd roll over and bark, or stand up and face those words. She squared up her shoulders and looked him straight in both eyes. "Yes... and your children and your grandchildren had living parents, a privilege I was never afforded." Her voice was calm and clear, and yet carried a hint of determination; she was not going to roll over, not only because every nerve she had screamed against it, but because she knew Tom was looking at her with an eye to the future. He was eyeing her as someone who could potentially be in a very powerful position one day - the wife of one of the co-leads of this division of the Cryptic Silvers. And someone in that position had to be able to face a situation like this and stand up to the intimidation, and she wasn't going to show the Elders anything less. "At seventeen, it's only natural for a girl to look to her parents, her mother particularly, as she tries to make her way in the world and establish herself as an adult. And as kind as Uncle Johann has been to me and as well as he has protected and raised me, he is not my mother. Without the natural benefit that your children and grandchildren received, I muddled through the only way I knew how. And I believe that the service I have offered this gang the years that I have been here prove more than anything that my muddling had valuable results - valuable enough that you have instructed my uncle to train me in his line of work." That said, she took a slow, cool drink and dusted her hands briefly on her napkin, calmly observing the two men before her. "As for how you can trust me... if my previous answers are not enough, we have a child now. I will not leave her, I will not take her away from her father, and you know that Lanny would never leave. That is the best evidence I can give you."

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

"You have your definition and I have mine. You weren't there to help if it had been needed, and you left on your own will. In my book, that is abandonment, and it isn't something we take lightly." James had his turn for a verbal reprimand, followed by Lanny. Now it was Cassidy's turn, and the words against her were stronger than it had been for either of the brothers. As they had to sit and endure the lecture without the benefit of anyone standing up for them, so too did Cass have to endure it without Lanny to stand up and defend her. Oh, he wanted to, but knew that it would only make things worse for them both. In place of verbal support, he kept his hand close to hers. "That you are here today, still in the gang, is something you should be thankful for, because most don't get such a privilege." The warning was a very stark one, matching the look in Tom's eyes that could pierce fear and intimidation through almost anyone that crossed him wrong. It wasn't the same one that Benjamin could conjure; no, Tom didn't share the same level of sophistication and intelligence as the secretive leader of Atroe's little known society, but he was exceptionally good at holding his position as the de factor leader of the CrypticSilvers, and had the confidence and personality to keep that title. "You've already heard me point out the mistakes that James and Laurence need to improve on if they expect to maintain control of this town. If you are planning on being with Laurence, you had better make sure that you can handle those responsibilities and not make the same mistake that you did before, because it won't be looked over a second time." Silence crept over the dinner tables.

Cassidy*Others

"If I were not entirely aware of my duty to this gang and my intentions toward its members, I would hardly have made such a bold statement," Cassidy pointed out, taking the verbal lashing that she was receiving from Tom without flinching. Truth be told, the intimidating stare she was receiving did make her a tad nervous, only because she was aware that Tom held the trump card in this situation; if he decided to be her enemy, she and her family would be gone - period. But of all of them, she knew how to take that nervousness and make it into something constructive, and that she did. "If you did not believe my presence to be of benefit to the Silvers, you would have set me aside at that time. Obviously there is some quality that I have that you would prefer to keep in the gang. That in mind, my words are not so far fetched as they might seem, and clearly any 'mistakes' I have made are left in shadows cast by whatever qualities I have, or I would have been set aside. I'm no fool, I know how this gang works. I'm like a fine blade - I may not be entirely refined yet, gentlemen... but I recognize my own potential as you do. Wise man say, 'First, know thyself.' I know myself, sirs... I know myself very well. And I never make the same mistake twice. Never." Johann had gone quiet, subtly tapping his fingers against one of his thighs beneath the table as he studied this creature he'd created; oh, she may or may not truly be his child, but Johann had molded and shaped her, creating her in his own image, so to speak. Half of him was very impressed at how well she was coping with fencing with Tom - and the other half was secretly terrified that this was the point where she might push it too far, and everything they'd fought to build would collapse around them. "Besides, if I'm to be in the position that you suggest, you don't want a wet fish who's willing to flop over just for anybody. You asked for my opinion and I've given it; in the scenario you've suggested, honest input would be a benefit, even if my methods are perhaps more coarse than what you are accustomed to. Particularly in a situation where you feel that there have been mistakes made that need to be corrected - blunt truth is marvelous for that."

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

The risk that Cassidy took with her words was a great one, which could have any number of possible consequences, depending upon how Tom took her tone and response. Lanny was holding his breath again as he and the other two couples listened on. Food was no longer appealing to him and he'd stopped eating in favor of looking between Tom and Cass, knowing as well as the others that Tom could decide right here and right now that she was not 'suitable' for him or the gang. What caught them all by surprise was Dave, not Tom, speaking with authority, "There's no mistaking who raised you." The smile on his face, one that made his eyes a little squinty and drew a number of wrinkles in around them, looked far friendlier than Tom's. It wasn't a guarantee of anything though, Lanny reminded himself, because Dave was well known for keeping his negative thoughts and feelings of others to himself, then using Tom as a spokesperson of sorts to do the dirty work for him. "We've trusted you this far after that blunder a few years ago, and we haven't regretted it yet. I see no reason to think you'll disappoint us now. Quite the opposite." Tom withdrew his arms from the table towards the end of Dave's decision and leaned back in his chair some. Dave's mind had been made, and that was that - for this issue.

Cassidy*Others

"I'll take that as a compliment Dave - thank you." It was a fond comment, and more subtle than the earlier statements she'd been making, but still very powerful - she was not ashamed of being compared to her uncle, who had been a faithful servant to and valuable member of this gang since his teen years. And yet at the same time, she knew not to take the words to heart at all; despite how directly offensive Tom had been this time, she was almost more wary of Dave, simply because he hadn't said much and so she had less of an idea of what to expect from him. So she was careful with her answer there, and chose to make that compliment to Johann rather than to again try to push it with the Elders. After all, she wanted them to know that she wasn't a pushover that would obey just anybody... and yet, she wanted it understood that in-gang, where it was appropriate, she knew how to keep her place and to follow orders. It was a very difficult balance that she was trying to keep, but there again it was something she was very good at - her manipulative instincts thrived in intense situations like this. So she offered Dave a calm, contented-looking smile and went on, "I'm sure that, in time, you'll find that I got all that out of me in that year. And it-" About that time, there was a beeping from the kitchen, and Cass looked up, turning her head that direction. "Welp, that's my cue, gentlemen - hope everybody likes chocolate as much as Lanny does." And she used that statement in hopes of being excused to retrieve the brownies, which would also give her a few moments to set her thoughts back in order.

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

The short man continued to smile lightly and nodded back at Cassidy in a gesture to confirm that the comment was meant as a compliment, and not some sly insult or anything of the like. Oddly enough, Tom was staying quiet now and focusing on his meal, taking several neat bites of lasagna after cutting them out with his fork. The break from those direct, personal questions allowed for everyone to gather their thoughts and emotions, and Lanny was grateful for that. He couldn't manage to eat much of his dinner, but he took a few sips of his coke and reflected back on all that the Elders had brought up so far, ticking off issues in his mind as he tried to figure out what else was left for them to question. Dave broke his train of thought soon enough however, "Lanny's always had a sweet tooth. Weren't you the one who took a bite out of Claire's wedding cake before they had a chance to cut it?" Lanny didn't blush when this embarrassing event from his past came up, because he had only been nine at the time, and it paled in comparison to the tough things he and Cass had already dealt with in the last several minutes. "That was me, and you can bet I never repeated that stunt again." The slight reprieve ended there, because the next thing out of Dave's mouth stirred up Lanny's nerves again, "And while we're on the topic of little ones, when are we going to be able to see Raine? We hardly had a chance to meet with her at the station."

Cassidy*Others

One of the only people in the room aside from the Elders who'd managed to eat a good portion of her meal, Cass got up with a smile and headed for the kitchen, disappearing momentarily behind the partial wall, not daring to relax but taking a few leisurely moments to remove the brownies from the oven and sprinkle them with powdered sugar and curls of shaved chocolate - and to gather her nerves for what she was sure would be round two when she got back to the table. As she rounded the corner again, she teased, "Now there's two dozen more where these came from, so everybody feel free to have a couple or three. And yes Lanny, there's batter left over; I'll make you a dozen tonight just for you, so don't hog them." She offered him another smile, which looked genuine, but which she was aware that he would recognize as her 'working' smile, and seated herself at the table again - and the second round started more quickly than she had expected. She'd been looking at the brownies she'd just set down, and so she proceeded to grab one for herself and pinch off a small corner to chew down really quick. Closing her eyes for a second in apparent enjoyment of the chocolate, she nevertheless offered Dave her prompt attention and a little clearing of her throat as though something had gotten caught - which gave her an excuse to reach for her drink. Handling that gracefully, she finally replied, "Well, she's napping now; that's usually an hour and forty-five minutes or so. She's so energetic when she's up that she sleeps a good long while. If we wake her up now, you won't see her at her best. She is Miss Cranky if her nap gets interrupted." That said, her tone indicated that she wasn't refusing to wake the child - she was just offering a mother's warning that she knew her child, and that the toddler might be prone to being troublesome if they woke her now.

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

The aroma of brownies was one surefire way to hook Lanny's interest and get his stomach growling, whether he was truly hungry or full to bursting. Right now however... he scarcely realized that the heavenly smell of baking chocolate goodies had engulfed the room for the past several minutes, and didn't feel much of a drive for eating any of dessert either. But because the Elders were here, Lanny couldn't afford to continue poking around at his food and showcasing how nervous he was, especially since Tom had already called him out and significantly cowed him earlier about his leadership skills. "Better start me off with two brownies, and we'll go from there." To give Cassidy's fuax nonchalance attitude further merit, Lanny shared a smile with her before she sat back down at the table with them. And as he reached over to select two squares for himself, using his fork and fingers rather than a spatula, the young man carried on with Dave, "You're staying till Thurdsday, right? How about we plan a dinner for tomorrow night. Raine'll be wide awake if we time it right, and leave after she wakes from her afternoon nap." It was at this point that Mary pitched in to help couple, speaking lightly and with a smile of understanding for the young child that she'd had the delight to look after, "That sounds like the best plan if you want to avoid the grumps." Dave didn't bother to confer with Tom before he made a decision, flurishing another one of those smiles that was almost too much, "Dinner sounds lovely. And what eateries are there in the area that you would suggest?"

Cassidy*Others

"Awwww - you do know our girl, don't you?" Cass answered, allowing a smile to bloom that was a little more genuine than what she was offering the rest of them, and favoring Lanny with it. She took another sip of her drink and set the glass down softly. To the Elders, she prompted, "Raine takes her afternoon nap at about four, usually. Right about supper time should be perfect. She can really be quite adorable when she's wide awake - you should see how quick she melts either one of my men-folk." She offered Lanny's hand a squeeze and let her smile warm, and then offered her uncle a glance too, knowing perfectly well that both of them were particularly vulnerable to the toddler's charms. Johann offered a semi-softened facade, and that gave her the excuse she needed to continue. "There are a couple of more formal restaurants in town, but with a toddler, we don't often get to them. About as fancy as we get is the occasional night out to Sarducci's. Best breadsticks this side of paradise. Then there's the cafe, but that's pretty informal. Let's see... Lanny, any ideas?"

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Lanny managed a bite of brownie while the others were talking, and another shared look with Cassidy that continued to give the impression that they were more emotionally stable than they really felt at the moment. "She's a charmer, and she's got the Zelkovii dimples." Between his last bite and a new one, Lanny worked on improving Raine's standing in the Elder's eyes, and one of the best ways to do that was to remind them that she was one of them... even if she wasn't. "I'd suggest Sarducci's too, for the breadsticks alone." And honestly, he'd have loved to go there, but knew that the Elders would find the place a little less than charming, no matter how good the food was. "How about the Bistro?" Jeff was now pitching in with a helpful suggestion, naming the most expensive restaurant in town. "We can swing by Sarducci's on the way and grab a few breadsticks to keep Lanny and Raine occupied." Always with a penchant for joking and poking very light fun at others, the short-statured man laughed and turned his squinty-brown eyes at the co-lead, then darted them knowingly to Cass to include her in the fun. As Tom remained sidelined, Dave responded merrily, "The Bistro it is. Say, 6:30?"

Cassidy*Others

With a grin that she didn't quite feel, Cass turned her glance to Lanny. "Does she now? I hadn't noticed," she answered, and it was a tease that all of them would pick up on, because it was meant to be so; she'd noticed that Lanny's dimples were echoed in the child, and had been glad for their presence, not only for the fact that it lent credit to their claim that she was Lanny's, but simply because she found them very charming in the young man, and comforting to see in her child. The matter of another meal with the Elders had to take her attention though, and she turned her attention back to them pleasantly, and to Jeff's suggestion. "Wow, I couldn't tell you the last time I went there. Family on a budget, you know. But yes that sounds perfect, if everyone's agreeable?" She glanced over to Tom and Dave to get their thoughts on the matter, and then offered Lanny another mischievous glance. "Yes, and if you start whining or misbehaving during the meal, I'll banish you to the car with your breadsticks and let Raine have the seat next to me. Got it?" One last tease in edgewise, mostly to help relieve some of her own tension, she returned her eyes to Dave. "That should be just right. We'll have plenty of time to eat and do some talking before she starts to whine for bedtime."

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Jeff knew well that Cassidy and her family didn't have the most money, and even James - leader of the gang - had to suffice with living in one of the shabbier apartment complexes in town, so he followed up his suggestion with a friendly offer, "Dinner's on me tomorrow." Jeff and Mary weren't exactly made of money either, but they both had very secure finances, and steady jobs outside of the gang, not to mention many years to build up their wealth and investments. "My guess is that everyone's getting lobster now? And Silveroak Cab?" The last question was directed at Tom, who was renowned for his expertise in wine and taste for the higher end, drier varieties. The older man brought forth a smile at last, after finishing a bite of brownie, "Do you have to ask?" He then went on to produce a compliment, and a sincere one at that which was somewhat removed from his blunt questioning earlier. "These are good, Cassidy. You've got an eye for presentation." The remark was aimed at the simple fact that she'd added sugar and chocolate shavings, and though it was a minor compliment about a minor topic, it was a positive sign coming from the Elder. Lanny, in the meantime, was thankful for the break in serious conversation, and grinned cheekily to Cass, "Yeah, I'll behave."

Cassidy*Others

"You're a prince, Jeff," Cass answered, and made it a light thing - but it was definitely a load off of her mind to have the meal paid for, especially with all the expenses of a child; particularly when that child had a need for braces to straighten her one crooked leg. After all, working in a gang didn't exactly provide health insurance to help cover the expense of such treatment; that was a major reason they were still living with Johann, because he helped them to foot some of the bills for that. The gang took care of their own, yes... but Johann saw to it that his grandchild got the best things. So Jeff's offer was very much appreciated, and she gave him a soft smile for that. Next, she was turning that expression graciously to Tom for his compliment, which she allowed to create a blush on her cheeks. One of the few topics that Johann enjoyed getting compliments on was the quality of his cooking, and apparently, his niece was no different. "Eh, that's Johann and Raine's influence. If it's chocolate, Lanny'll devour it, even with no decoration. But Uncle likes to be artful with food, and Raine will cry for the 'curlies' if they're not there. She's got exquisite taste like you, Tom."

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Jeff's smile was the only one amongst the three older men that could be judged as sincere and real, and without the falseness in Dave's, or the subtle look of judgement shadowing Tom's overall expression. "Nah, don't mention it." Like her husband, Mary's persona was just as personal and inviting as she complimented Jeff's comment, "It's the least we could do, for letting us spend some time with that darling of yours." It was well known that the couple, and in particular Mary, were fond of little kids now that their own were grown with families of their own. It was yet to be seen what Tom's attitude towards Raine would be, or whether his sharp eyes would be able to pick out any traces of the child's true father in her... but at least for now, the Elder had been satisfied with their earlier discussions, and was settling in to enjoy the meal that Johann had prepared for them. "That tends to be a Zelkovii trait." His compliment was directed at Cass's comparison of Raine and himself, "So tell me, have you tried your hand at Italian cooking?"

Cassidy*Others

Cassidy was much more comfortable with Jeff and Mary in this situation than she had been even when they'd stayed in the couple's house a few months back. Perhaps it was because time had passed, or maybe simply that Tom and Dave were clearly the more threatening figures at this time, but either way, she found herself touched by their efforts at making this easier. But she kept that carefully concealed to the polite level that should accompany their offer to foot the bill, knowing that to display more would display her relief, and thus clue the Elders into the fact that they were hiding something pretty major. So she merely offered the couple a smile, and then returned her gaze to Tom. "So she gets it from both sides then - from Johann, and then buried somewhere way underneath in Lanny." Yet another way to subtly imprint upon their minds that Raine was one of them, and not the child of an enemy, she next turned her words quietly to respond to Tom. "Never on my own, no - Johann's the master chef in this house; I'm just the assistant." "She's got the capacity for it though," the old man spoke up, after keeping his silence for most of the meal - but then, he was a quiet man, and his silence was expected if he wasn't being directly addressed. "Fine Italian food requires a great deal of patience and a dexterous hand to prepare; both of which she has. And you know I wouldn't have had her in my kitchen all these years if she were going to bungle things."

Lanny & Others

Jeff and Mary were like-wise ready to play off their offer as nothing more than an act of kindness that was familiar in the gang, especially amongst the closer members. And for the most part, it was just that; though the middle-aged couple were sharp enough to know that Cassidy and Lanny were both stressed by this meeting, and they were willing to do anything at all that would help them. "I'm sure we'll see more of it tomorrow." The way Tom phrased that comment... Lanny wasn't sure if he was simply being social at this point, or whether the Elder suspected that Raine's parentage was in question and was subtly calling them out. The young man took a quick swig of his Coke, while Tom calmly swirled his whine glass and took a small sip. "You'll have to spend the evening with Sherry and I, and we can teach you a few good recipes. I'd almost say Johann's got us beat though, if this meal is anything to judge by."

Cassidy*Others

"There is one advantage that Sherry has over me," Johann replied, speaking his mind quietly, and yet achieving the silence of the younger people in the room out of the same sort of respect that had always kept Lanny from being too directly ugly to him; the old man had been with the gang a good long while, and that position demanded respect - from everyone but the Elders, at least. Still, there was a smile on the lined face as he went on, "Sherry's got one of the best herb gardens in the state, and I simply haven't the yard room to have an herb garden here, if I even had the knack for growing things like she does. And even though I use herbs in my dishes, they're always dried - fresh ones are the best." Now that the heavier questions were over and done with, Johann felt free to move onto more social comments - and subtly, he did so in a deliberate, careful way, to take a little of the pressure off of Cass. It didn't show, but the slight moisture of her palm where it lay in Lanny's indicated her tension all the same, in an involuntary way, and there must have been something that the uncle picked up on from even her perfectly-composed face; it must simply be his long-term, intimate familiarity with his niece that let him see it from his distance. At any rate, he knew that Cass was screaming just behind her eyes, wanting to overturn the table perhaps, and chase the Elders out - but knew she didn't dare, and so he drew some of the attention in his direction. "One of these days, you and Sherry, and Cass and I will have to get together and make a meal for everyone - now that would be something for the ages, wouldn't it?"

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Dave took the last few bites of his meal by scraping together some of the leftover lasagna on his plate and finishing off the tidbits, leaving little more than traces of sauce on his plate to show that he'd thoroughly enjoyed his meal and Johann's cooking. Tom was finishing off the last of his food as well after catching up on it while Dave had been talking. "You should consider growing a window garden. When it comes to authentic Italian, there is no substitute for fresh ingredients." Another sip was taking from the wine glass to wash down his last bite of brownie, before he set his utensils on the mostly empty plate and pushed it forward to signify that he was finished. "One of these days soon, I would imagine?" Johann's efforts to distract Tom were good, and they succeeded in drawing him away from Raine, but the Elder went right back to the couple on a different note. This time at least, there were no undertones to his words, and nothing to construe as threatening, though even this vague hinting at a wedding was enough to make Lanny's head spin. "The meal was fabulous, Johann." Dave was breaking into the conversation again, and once more Tom took a backseat. "As were the brownies. Unfortunately..." He turned his wrist to look at his watch, "I'm afraid it's time for us to take our leave. I've got a few phonecalls yet to make."

Cassidy*Others

The only one aside from the Elders who'd finished her meal, Cass popped the last of her brownie into her mouth with a look of relish, and followed it with a swallow of sprite to make it go down smoothly, when it tasted like paper in her mouth. "Perhaps the next time you come, if you bring Sherry with you, she could show me how to go about such a thing," the young woman answered, not truly interested in gardening at all, but willing to speak as though she was in order to keep this pleasant between everyone. And if, in the future, Tom did bring Sherry to that purpose, it was a lie that she could afford to support - she could feign interest in a window box, if need be. "I've never really grown anything in my life, except those bean plants for that project when I was in elementary school... but I suppose there's a first time for everything. Who knows - we might even make a gardener out of Lanny." That careful phrasing avoided mentioning the suggested wedding directly, and yet acknowledged that some day, the Elder would likely come back - and that Lanny was still going to be here. She allowed a blush to tinge her features when Dave complimented her brownies, and even Johann made a vague but pleasant comment and averted his eyes - both like compliments on their food, and yet received them with very few words on their side; this could easily be perceived as modesty. And then came the part that Cass was waiting for; the Elders were leaving. "It's such a shame Raine wasn't more wakeful for you," she answered, pushing up to her feet and starting to come around the table, as if to see off their guests. "She's really quite adorable when she's awake - or asleep, and I've pictures to prove it. Particularly a few I've snapped when she's napping with Daddy." She giggled faintly there. "But we'll have better luck with that tomorrow night, I know it."

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

"I was rather hoping our next visit would be with you at our house." Tom said with a smile, more or less stating that he wasn't expecting to come back here any time in the near future, and that he instead expected them to come see him. "I'll leave Sherry to do the teaching. Quite frankly, she's better at that stuff than I am, though I can set you in the right direction on how to make a window box." The Elder set his wine glass down, and stood up shortly after Dave and Cassidy had. After taking a moment to run a napkin over the corner of his mouth, Tom folded the paper up and placed it on his plate before pushing his chair in. "You might bring a few of those pictures tomorrow, I'd love to see them." He reached a hand out, offering Cassidy a formal shake, "I'm looking forward to tomorrow's dinner." Dave was walking around behind Tom, and also brought his hand forward for a shake. "It was a lovely meal." Lanny and James had scrambled up by now as well, though instead of the handshake with the Elders, both engaged in brief, one-armed hugs that showed a closer connection between them and their relatives. Once all of those formalities were taken care of, James was the one to walk Tom and Dave to the door, and on out side, speaking with them on another matter.

Cassidy*Others

"Ohhhh now that would be a privilege," the young woman answered, her voice light and cheery, as though that were something that she'd definitely look forward too - even if it wasn't. It also slightly recovered what had almost been a bungled phrase suggesting that the Elders should again cross the country to come see them. It made it sound like she'd said that only so that she wouldn't sound presumptuous in inviting herself over to Tom's, "I've heard such wonderful stories. And if I may say so, you are a little too modest as to your gardening skills... I've heard a few things from the others - Mary especially - and they speak well of you." She reached to shake his hand then, her touch soft and delicate, and yet not without a hint of strength behind it; she didn't want to come across as challenging, and yet had already asserted one thing, and she meant to make them remember it. She wasn't a wet fish, and wasn't just going to roll over and bark for anybody, because that wasn't what the gang needed, in somebody they were viewing with a perspective to potentially be Lanny's wife, one day. "Consider it done then - I've half an album started, one of my few feminine pursuits, aside from the mending around here. And you should hear these menfolk when I get to sewing... they tease me mercilessly. At any rate, I've probably got more pictures than you'd ever care to look at of her. Blackmail material for when she gets older, you know." She allowed that to be one last little cheery comment before she bade them farewell, and watched quietly as they left. When they were out of sight, and the door closed behind them, Cass turned to Mary and Jeff, and actually moved over to offer the woman a hug, of all things; apparently, she was getting a little more comfortable with displaying affection. "You guys are wonderful," she whispered, mostly to the fabric over Mary's shoulder, and then released the woman to offer Jeff a handshake. Johann stood back, watching them... and not seeming too surprised.

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

The dinner ended off on a largely positive note for everyone, thanks mostly to a few carefully worded interventions from Jeff, Mary, and Johann throughout the meal. Cassidy keeping a level head during it all certainly played a huge part, as did her feigned interest in the herb box and visiting with Tom and Sherry at a later date. Tom briefly mentioned some new landscaping that he'd worked on, and once more showed interest in seeing Raine's pictures, and then he was out the door with Dave and James, and the small group left behind were able to breath a sigh of relief. Mary returned Cassidy's hug with a tight squeeze and a genuine, caring smile, "We've had a few years to learn how to handle Dave and them. And don't you worry about them fussing too much over Raine. Tom's good with kids, believe it or not." Jeff in turn shook Cass's hand, though he would have just as easily taken a hug too, being the personal sort of man he was. He also kept to his jesting fairly well, as he did now with a grinning face, "I wasn't joking about the lobster either. I know you can pile away the food, Lanny." He gave Lanny a little slap on the side of his arm, prompting Lanny to force a half grin himself and tease back, "You should have thought about that before you offered."

Cassidy*Others

Once Tom and Dave were gone, Cass dared to let out a huge breath. She shook Jeff's hand mostly because she wasn't quite comfortable hugging him the way she was Mary, but the she'd always been a little wary of men, given her profession... and particularly men who were a good bit older than her, as those were typically the kind that frequented the bridge. She didn't think of Jeff in that way of course, but she still felt it necessary to keep a little distance between them, where Mary was a more easily-trusted figure in her eyes. Nevertheless, she was grateful to them both - and at the same time, was also ready for them to leave, not because they were unwelcome, but because she was very tired, and wanted to be alone in their apartment with her family again. Still, she had to be polite, and thus murmured, "You've been so good to us since Raine was born. We really appreciate it." And then she turned her thoughts to the matter of lobster, and laughed, "Well you don't have to worry about me on that count; you remember, I'm allergic to shellfish. But I do have a weakness for salmon, I admit." This was her way of subtly getting the conversation to slowly wind down, and Johann seemed to pick up on it, because he offered, "We've got plenty of brownies and lasagna left, Jeff - did you guys want to take some with you? It'll end up going bad around here before the four of us eat it, and that's even factoring in Lanny's appetite."

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Mary held her smile, "You're part of the family after all. And you know we'd do anything for that darling of yours." Before Johann subtly tried to encourage the couple to be on their way, Mary had taken it upon herself to gather the dishes that she and Jeff had eaten off of, and move them to the sink. Sheryl was doing the same, which was quite a rare feat for her, considering how unkempt her apartment was with James. "If you've got some to spare, I can't pass it up." Jeff even pitched in, taking up Tom and Dave's plates to move them to the counter top. "Toss in a few brownies, and we'll call tomorrow's dinner even." By this time, Lanny was feeling a little less tense, and after a belated moment he seemed to come around and hop into action. "Got any tupperware, Johann? We'll get some of that food packed up for them - Sheryl, is James driving the Elders back?" He said this to encourage his future sister-in-law out of the apartment for Cass's sake.

Cassidy*Others

As the others were helping to tidy up, Cassidy also moved to take some of the dishes from the table, to move the lasagna and the brownies back into the kitchen so that they could be more easily scooped into a container for Mary and Jeff to take home. She even went so far as to offer a glance to Sheryl, and query politely, "Did you and James want some too, Sher? We have plenty to spare," mostly out of courtesy rather than any real effort to be friendly. At the same time, Johann was gesturing to a cupboard where Lanny would find an assortment of tupperware, including a stack of the cheap throw-away kind that he obviously kept for just such a purpose; he often sent food home with people, and this way, there need be no bother about trying to get the tupperware back to him. "There, just to the left. Veggies, Jeff?" At this point, Cassidy too had crowded into the kitchen with the food, and was reaching around Lanny to fetch a knife, with which to cut a few more squares of brownie to send home with the couple.

Laurence Zelkovii & Others

Sheryl was shrugging her coat on after setting her plate by the sink, "As far as I'm aware, we are. I should be getting down there." That was in answer to Lanny, and to Cassidy the young woman made things even simpler, "No, our fridge is filled enough as it is. Thanks for supper, guys." Her effort to be friendly wasn't much more engaging that Cassidy's, but it wasn't unfriendly or fake either - her mind was understandably preoccupied as well, and she was familiar enough with these people that she didn't feel the need to be formal with them. "We'll catch you later." She was out of the room soon after that, with her brisk steps out through the narrow hallway fading as the door slipped close behind her. That left only Jeff and Mary, and the two filled tupperware containers that Lanny was handing to them. Jeff took them and shook his head to Johann's question, "As much as I should say yes, I think I'll skip on those. We'd also better be heading home if Tom and them are going that way. They'll have a hard time getting into the house when we have the keys." There was yet another little grin on his face as he took the keys from his pocket and gave them a jiggle. Mary started for the door, and her husband followed after, "If you guys need anything, just give us a call. Thanks again for dinner, it really was fabulous."

Cassidy*Others

"Alright, but if you change your mind, you know where we are," the young woman answered, even as Sheryl scooted out the door. It was almost a joke, and when finally the other young woman was gone, she gave another smile to Jeff and Mary. "One of these days, we're going to have you over and have a real dinner. And Raine can tell you all about her colors and her numbers... we're teaching them to her in English and in Italian. She's really quite bright." That was a mother's pride, and sounded as she saw them to the door. "Best not to keep them waiting," she told them, and then waved goodbye as they left. When at last the door was closed, she turned around and leaned her back against it, closing her eyes and letting out a long, deep sigh. Finally, she scrubbed her eyes and looked up, her gaze resting on Johann. "Uncle... would you get the baby, please?" He put aside the dishes and wiped his hand on a cloth, and obeyed without questioning, moving in and scooping the slumbering Raine out of her crib, propping her against his shoulder and not even once disturbing her. When he had that done, Cassidy gave a quiet nod, and moved into the bedroom, closing the door without even a word to Lanny. Johann moved over into the kitchen, and as he picked up his task again, all with the toddler propped in one arm, he advised Lanny, "Best stay out of there for a minute or two."

Laurence Zelkovii

As much as he appreciated Jeff and Mary - and he sincerely did - Lanny was keen on getting everyone out of the house as well, mostly for Cassidy's sake because he knew her well enough to understand she was far from the calm emotions she was displaying on the outside. He offered smiles and a few complimenting words to the pair before they went on their way, and once the door closed for the final time, the young co-lead puffed his cheeks out with a long-winded sigh, and gave Cassidy a look. Unfortunately... that look was missed when he found her eyes to be closed, and before he had a chance to move in and say or do much, she had gathered herself and asked for Johann to take Raine. And right after that, she had gone into the room and closed the door behind her, a sure sign that she did not want him to follow; and a sign he almost ignored at first, "Cass?" Yet he stopped and resisted the urge to follow her in, instead turning to her uncle and murmuring quietly, "I'll give her a minute or two, then I'm going in." Whatever determination was in his voice, it was quiet and overshadowed by concern that reflected in the wrinkled skin on his forhead and between his brows.

Cassidy*Others

The older man had already gone back to his place in the kitchen, and was proceeding to clean up the mess there, while still holding Raine supported easily in one arm. If Lanny turned to look at him, he'd notice that it was his bad arm that he had the child in, which undoubtedly would make him very sorry later. But he seemed accepting of the fact that Cassidy was going to be in the other room for a bit, and shrugged a little to the younger man's words. "Well, just as you say - but if you go in there before she comes out, you won't like it." He shrugged faintly, and went back to what he was doing; and soon enough, Lanny would probably understand just what he meant by that. Cass might be in the other room, but the walls of the apartment were paper-thin - and after just a moment, there was a long series of retching sounds, followed by silence... and then the sounds of water as the sink in the bathroom turned on. Through all this, Johann remained nonchalant, and didn't even look in that direction, apparently unconcerned. The sound of the water running continued for several minutes, as the old man quietly scraped the remnants of baked-on food out and up-ended the dishes over the trash can. He didn't speak again until the familiar sound of a toothbrush at work caught his attention. "See what I mean?" he questioned turning his eyes toward the bedroom door, which was still closed. "She always does that."

Laurence Zelkovii

Lanny meandered towards the window to look absently out of it. His mind was elsewhere though, swirling with all the things Tom had said, and weighing all the false emotions and expressions Cassidy had displayed during the dinner. She had done better than him, and it appeared to have worked on Tom - they'd made it out of the interrogation relatively unscathed, and their relationship had been approved of, after that rocky discussion about Cassidy's disappearance. Yet he knew she had suffered for it all, and somehow held everything back until all their guests had left. Rather than watching the two vehicles below pull out of the parking lot, the young man was listening to the sounds of Cass's retching, and the subsequent clatter of water running from the faucet. He'd heard what Johann had to say, but instead of responding to the man or looking his way, Lanny pushed himself away from the window frame he'd leaned against and turned to the bedroom, giving the door a few solid raps, "Cass?"

Cassidy*Others

The water running in the bathroom was truly a very soft sound, and yet between the thin walls, and the tension that all of them were still feeling, it seemed to thunder in the quiet apartment. It stopped very suddenly when Lanny took to knocking on the door, though there was a bit of a silence before there were any words to be heard. "I'm alright, Lanny. Just-" Her answer was a whisper, and yet carried easily through the door; she must have taken the time to cross the room and stand directly on the other side of it. "-just give me a minute." Her steps shuffled as they moved away from the door, and next they would hear the subtle shhh of silky fabric - apparently, Cass had decided to get out of her dress. Johann had taken to his silence again while the girl talked, but when she was done, he spoke up again, more quietly. "This always happens when she has to eat and negotiate at the same time; whatever she ate comes right back up again. Nervous stomach, I guess. But she gets really tiffed about it. Best just to let her get herself tidied." The old man spoke with long experience on the matter, and yet didn't seem too surprised that Lanny hadn't listened to him thus far; he was young, and had just come out of the kind of intense negotiations that none of them enjoyed - so Johann understood that his advice was probably going to go unheeded. Nevertheless he offered it, and continued calmly cleaning up the kitchen.

Laurence Zelkovii

Lanny would have been a fool to believe she was 'alright', but he let that slide and murmured a quiet, "Alright." He leaned back from the door and prepared to wait a few more minutes, figuring that she probably did need the time to get tidied up and find a more comfortable change of clothes. As he was waiting and listening to the faint sounds of Cassidy moving about in the other room, Lanny looked over his shoulder at Johann in the kitchen, then returned his gaze to the space in front of him, "I'd like to knock them down a peg or two." That was for the Elders, and how defensive he felt about Cassidy - and infuriated that he couldn't do or say much to protect her during the discussion. As far as Cassidy's level of distress and tension, the young man remained broodingly quiet, and after giving Cass a few minutes, he rapped on the door once more, "Can I come in?"

Cassidy*Others

There was no response to Lanny's second statement, letting his agreement pass without another word, though there continued to be soft sounds from the bedroom as Cass moved about and changed her clothes. "And you think I don't want to?" Johann's voice was very quiet as well, but not pointed or argumentative, as it might have been in the earlier days of Lanny's relationship with Cass, when her uncle had still been wary of the co-lead's involvement with his 'little girl'. "You and I both know that Tom needs a good punch in the nose to wipe that grin right off his face. But neither of us is in a position to do so, and fantasizing about it does nothing but subtly encourage you to act upon it when next you have the chance. None of us can afford that." The whisper-soft rumble of anger was just barely hearable in his voice, indicating that he must be furious indeed, but he said no more than that... and when again Lanny turned and knocked on the door, the young woman opened it, stepping quickly out of the room and latching onto the young man so suddenly that at first, it was hard to see what she'd changed into. However, Johann could see it from where he was; the jeans were her own, but the purple and silver bunnyhug she'd pulled over her head was Lanny's. Apparently, she'd been looking for anything with long sleeves to stay warm inside the slightly-chill apartment, and in her upset over the events that had just passed, she hadn't paid any attention to what she'd put on.

Laurence Zelkovii

The power that the Elders held over them and the very real threat they could be to Cassidy's life had they decided not to accept her... it was far more prominent on his mind than the lecture and punishment that he and James had to endure, which normally would have kept the young man fretting and fuming. Johann's quiet, subtly angered voice reached him as he waited beside the door, and though the co-lead still didn't flick so much as a glance at the older fellow, he did dip his head in a slight nod of agreement, "Then I guess we're all lucky things went as smoothly as they did, because I don't think I'd have been able to keep myself back if he went too far." That spoke of his unquestionable loyalty to Cass, that he'd risk his life to defend her from them, even knowing it would do little but drag himself down with her in the end. When finally Cassidy left the room, Lanny found her immediately turning to him, and he reacted just as quickly to enfold her in a tight wrap of arms. After all, it wasn't common for her to seek such comfort and protection from him, and that she did so now underlined the stress she was dealing with. "You okay?" His voice was quiet and deeply concerned, "You did good, you know. Tom was impressed by you, I could tell."

Cassidy*Others

"Well, there's one thing we know from this, at least," Johann answered after a few moments, moving slowly to shift the toddler's weight into his other arm, receiving a small sound of protest from her that forced him to devote both hands to her for a moment, in order to keep her sleeping. He was quiet for those few seconds, muttering softly to Raine under his breath in Italian, and had to get her settled before he could continue. "They're not going to break you and Cass up. They won't give you an easy time of it, but they're not going to cast her out, or worse. That's something all of us can celebrate, once we all recover our wits." That proved once and for all that he approved of Cass and Lanny, which was something that had been fairly well understood for some time, but which he'd never said verbatim before. By this time, the young woman in question was exiting the bedroom abruptly and holding tight to Lanny, and Johann had the courtesy to look away and give them a private moment. Silence stretched for a couple of moments before she spoke to answer him though. "The whole time I wanted to take my fist and put it right through those perfect white teeth of his," she rumbled at last, and her whole frame shook briefly as she spoke. "If he didn't have the power to-" She didn't finish that, not even wanting to say what the combined power of Tom and Dave could have done to their family, and instead finished, "I wouldn't care the first grain of rice for what he thinks of me."

Laurence Zelkovii

"Yeah, there is that." And he was truly grateful for that. Yet, for all the relief that brought to him, there was the worrisome reality that Raine wasn't his, and the very real potential that the Elders might somehow find out. What if someone else who'd known about the relationship came forward? What if Raine started displaying more of her father's traits as she grew, and suspicion was raised from that? There were an endless stream of these troubling what-ifs running through his head, but for Cass's sake, he tried not to dwell on them too much at the moment. Instead he focused on holding her close and leaning his head down so that it brushed very lightly against her's, "That makes three of us." For a moment he could cherish the thought of doing just that, but it was a fantasy that none of them would ever get to live out, if they wanted to stay alive, and on that note, he murmured, "I wouldn't either Cass, but it's his opinion of us that matters."

Cassidy*Others

His part done in injecting a little hope into the scenario, Johann went back to scrubbing down the dishes in a curious show of one-handed dexterity, leaving the young couple to soothe one another's frazzled nerves. Unfortunately, the same thoughts tormenting Lanny were at the forefront of Cass' mind too, and she'd just taken the brunt of the nasty suggestions and outright challenges presented to her by Tom, so at the moment, the comforting was a little one-sided. It showed that she'd developed a very deep trust for him though; no one else would ever see this sort of display from her, much less be allowed to hold her while she worked things out in her mind. She let out a few fast-paced words in Italian, which probably made no sense to him but the tone of which made it clear that she was raining insults down on the heads of the two Elders; and then, she sighed heavily. "Well... round one's out of the way, anyhow. But it's round two I'm worried about. It's not taking her into a room full of judges with black robes and a tall desk, I grant you - but they're here to examine her, in whatever ways they can get away with while still pretending innocent interest in her, make no mistake."

Laurence Zelkovii

The words might not make sense to him, but her tones were clear enough. If Cassidy couldn't physically assault the Elders and let them know how she felt, she'd do it verbally, if only to vent her feelings. He was still holding firmly to her, enforcing a protective grip rather than the clinging one that she was using, because he knew that she needed the reassurance much more than he did right now, and he was going to offer it for as long as she needed it. "Everything's going to turn out in our favor, you wait and see." The certainty of his tones didn't exactly match his own feelings, but he used it all the same to bolster Cass's confidence, "Everyone who's met Raine this far has said she takes after both of us. The Elders are going to see that too." Lanny gave her a little squeeze, turning the hold into a brief hug, "We'll have Jeff and the others with us too, and they'll be behind us all the way. It's going to be fine."

Cassidy*Others

More than anything, Cass was grateful for Lanny's presence right now, and was hanging tight to him in a way that had been unusual to see from her until just recently. "I'm just glad Raine was napping; I was so ready for them to go away." That phrase prompted her to look up and seek out Johann, almost seeming to have forgotten for a few moments that she'd requested that the old man take the toddler. Once she spotted the child, still slumbering soundly in his arms and innocently ignorant of all that had just passed, Cass released Lanny and took quick steps over to take the child from Johann. He released Raine to her easily, and seamlessly went on to finish his task in the kitchen, while commenting quietly, "There's still tomorrow night. And you better not let your guard down for that. They're wanting to see Raine, it's true - but they'll be watching anything and everything you do with her. How she behaves, how many words she knows... it's a judgment of you as much as the girl."

Laurence Zelkovii

Lanny was ready to stand there for however long Cassidy needed him to, more focused on consoling her frazzled nerves than wrapping his mind around the knowledge that she was so actively and openly turning to him for support, revealing a vulnerable side to her that he'd rarely seen before. "In a few more days, they'll be back home and out of our hair for a good long while." When eventually she withdrew from him in order to gather Raine up from Johann, Lanny walked after her, and brushed two fingers deftly over the child's forehead, even though her hair really wasn't in need of sweeping from her face. "That just means we'll have to play the same game as we did today. It should be easier sailing though, now that the biggest obstacles have been overcome."

Cassidy*Others

Once her uncle had relinquished the toddler back to her care again, Cass relaxed a little more, cradling Raine against her in a fiercely protective way, which was perhaps expected after the situation they'd just left behind. "Can't come soon enough for me," she answered Lanny, and watched his fingers trail over the child's forehead, knowing it was purely an affectionate and protective gesture, not unlike how she'd immediately reclaimed Raine once she'd come to her senses again. For her part, the toddler didn't so much as flinch or frown at the caress, and remained fast asleep throughout, which left the adults to talk. "As long as we don't have to do it anymore today, we should be fine," Johann was noting, as he wiped his hands on a towel, which was hung from the handle of the oven for that very purpose, and came around the corner into the living room. "At a dinner, there'll be a limited amount of things they can do with her, anyway." Cass nodded, but came up with a caution only a few seconds later. "Yeah, until they decide to pass her around the table."

Laurence Zelkovii

Lanny eventually drew his hand back and folded his arms in front of him when Raine remained asleep. He may not be able to keep himself or Cassidy spared from the Elder's intensive questioning and threats, but he would go to any lengths to keep their daughter safe from them. To find her sleeping peacefully and too young to understand the danger her family was mixed up in, made everything a little easier for Lanny to bare. "No, I don't think they'll want to talk with us any more today. And if they do, it'll likely be gang-business with James and I. If it comes to that, I want you to stay here with Raine." He didn't think they'd request his presence while they had James to talk with, but he would put his foot down to keep Cass at home if he could. "To give you a fair warning, Tom at least will want to hold her. Dave isn't so much for kids, but Tom's actually pretty good with him, and that's one of his more admirable traits." Though he couldn't imagine Cassidy would be happy with it either way, Lanny spoke with a lack of anxiety over the issue, showing that this was one area where he wasn't feeling intimidated by the Elders, even with something so precious as their daughter.

Cassidy*Others

Despite the fact that the Elders were now gone, Cassidy didn't relax; she couldn't relax, knowing that tomorrow evening, they'd have to let them see Raine up close and personal, right where they could examine her and have plenty of opportunity to scream Carlyle all over the place. She ducked her chin down to rest on the toddler's head in a gesture of protection and comfort, but the child remained asleep, ignorant of all the tension around her. "I... don't want to share her with them," she managed after a moment. "They don't love her like you guys do. You guys know... how she came to be... and you love her anyway." Johann took this moment to reach to the side of the couch, where there was a small chest, in which many of Raine's things were kept for easy access; he dragged a blanket from it, and moved over to stretch it around the child. Cass leaned back a little to let him tuck the blanket in, and that offered him the opportunity to give her forehead a small kiss. "They do not love her as we do, it's true. But it is because they do not know her. Give that child of yours time, Cass - she can charm even a heart of stone. And, despite the rumors... yes, Tom does have a heart under there. You watch him tomorrow with Raine. You'll see."

Laurence Zelkovii

For all of his composure right now, and all his words of confidence, Lanny sure didn't feel any of it himself. His insides felt as though they were bound up in knots, and every ounce of him was wanting to keep Raine away from the Elders. Not because he feared for her safety so much any more... but for the chance that, if they found out her true history, Cassidy would be done for. And Raine would be left to them. "I don't either, but we have no choice. If we don't bring her, they'll start to wander, and the last thing we want to do is give them a reason to be suspicious." Lanny had left Cass's side to peer out the window again, making sure that the Elders hadn't doubled back for some reason or another. Finding the lot mostly empty, he stepped back over beside Cass to be near her. "They'll never love her like we do, but they won't do anything to her. You have my word on that." But they would hurt you. And me. He didn't need to say that, as they both knew it all to well. "Johann's right. The second she smiles, Tom will melt. He's heavy-handed and authoritive with everyone else, but his nieces and nephews, and all other young people in the family get a special pass from him."

Cassidy*Others

"Maybe them hurting her isn't what I'm afraid of," Cass answered quietly, indicating that she too was quite aware that the Elders could choose to kill all of them - and to keep Raine alive for their own purposes. And after years as a frontline warrior, battle-tried and tested many times over, it wasn't her own death that Cass feared either - she'd faced that plenty of times. No... the menfolk were her concern, and what would happen to Raine if the Elders decided to take her away. She turned a little to fold against Lanny, both requesting and offering protection in her own unique way. The child in her arms made a small noise of protest, and Cass looked down, resettling Raine carefully so that she wasn't getting squashed between she and Lanny. "You've known Tom much longer than I have. I've never had the opportunity to see him with a child. I can only nod to your greater experience. There are only so many things that even my abilities can tell me. But I warn you, both of you... if he does try to hurt her, or to take her away, that'll be the end of it. I'll take her and I'll go." "Cass-" Her uncle began to try to talk her out of it, but she stopped him before he could even start. "No Uncle... I won't have that. I won't have her taken away. Not again." Her voice got darker, and Johann turned his face aside; he couldn't answer that fierceness in her, not now, knowing about the child she'd lost. "Now child... you know I didn't mean it that way. I merely meant that rushing off as you're known for doing is not a wise strategy." He very rarely called her 'child' anymore, but it had its effect - Cass softened her facade, and seemed more receptive to be talked to.

Laurence Zelkovii

The young reacted without a second's thought to lay one arm around her opposite shoulder, and the other against her arm, near Raine. Only a few months ago, such an affectionate, protective display would have made him feel somewhat awkward or uncertain. But not now. After all they'd been through, and particularly today, he'd shrugged off the last of those insecurities. "He's not going to hurt her. And you are going nowhere but here." Firmly spoken, yet quietly enough that it was still consoling, Lanny let his feelings be known without a doubt. He was not going to lose Cassidy again, especially not now that they'd become a real family. "None of them are going to find out; Maracheck is on our side about it, and no one else knows." Right..? Somehow, he didn't feel quite so assured when he said that, as if something buried in the back of his mind was trying to warn him. For Cass's sake, and his own sanity right now, the young co-lead shrugged off that nagging doubt, "Come tomorrow evening, we'll have a nice dinner, probably talk about gang issues, and Raine will socialize a bit, that's it. Then the Elders will be going home that following morning, and we'll be done with them."

Cassidy*Others

"If I have to, to keep them from taking her away, then I will," Cass answered stubbornly, even as she tucked into Lanny's embrace. "Child, running from them isn't the answer," her uncle replied patiently, realizing that with the strain she was under, Cass was looking for a backup plan that would ultimately keep the toddler safe, if all else failed. "They'd only be that much angrier when they caught up with you, if you'd tried that." Cass snapped a look to the old man, and though he didn't flinch, he was silent as she spoke again. "They don't own the whole world. I managed to keep them from finding me for a year before, and could have stayed gone if I'd wanted to. I-" She might have gone on, but Johann interrupted her. "No, my girl - they don't own the world. But you seem to forget that you're not alone, in the world. Lanny and I aren't going to stand by and just let them take her from us. And as he's said - the likelihood of that even coming into play is quite remote. Don't jump the fence before we even get there; let's just get through this dinner tomorrow, and if we have to do something after that, we'll do it... all together. Okay?"