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Post by Cynthia Darling on Apr 3, 2009 18:14:38 GMT -5
Cynthia felt horrible to hear the news of Roland's death. She didn't know him well, or really at all. But on the occasions she had seen him, he always seemed so confident and in control that it was hard to believe he was gone. She also felt terrible for his partner, Riley. She couldn't imagine how she would feel if her partner, Jacob, had been killed.
Although she tried to keep things strictly business with Jacob, the truth was, she liked him a lot. He was sweet and strong and caring. She hadn't known many men like that. He was a gentleman, and that could be very hard to resist.
She was feeling very depressed as she walked into the meeting room. As she caught sight of Hayden and Riley, her eyes widened. She really hadn't expected to see either of them today. And yet, she rather admired them for being there.
Unable to catch their eyes, Cynthia slipped into a seat on the other side of Jacob, giving him a slight smile.
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Post by Cassidy LaRose on Apr 3, 2009 18:25:01 GMT -5
Cassidy was nearly sick over Roland's death. Of course, she'd been practically terrified of the man, but he was a good auror, and he had such a big, close-knit family... it had to feel awful for them. Her first instinct had actually been to visit Tyler as soon as she heard the news, but then she was called into this meeting. She knew as soon as she left here, she'd be going to visit Tyler.
Angelique was busy talking to an unfamiliar-looking woman, so she wasn't able to say hello to her. She just quietly slipped into the room and sat down next to Fabian. Then she looked over at Riley and Hayden.. they were so strong to come here... She felt her eyes welling up.
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Post by Hayden Ferrera on Apr 3, 2009 18:31:58 GMT -5
Riley glanced at the coffee that was being held out to her, and then up to Hayden, who was holding it, and she was honestly shocked. She had been avoiding his gaze since he walked in, certain that he must blame her for what happened. Certain members of the family had made it quite clear that they did, and she couldn't really take that away from them. She blamed herself, too. The coffee felt like a peace offering, and she honestly didn't know how to handle it. Her eyes teared up, and she just prayed that she wouldn't cry in front of Hayden. She reached out and took the cup from him, smiling softly. "Thank you," she whispered. His attempt at a smile failed again, however the evidence of an attempt was there. "Don't mention it," said Hayden as Riley took the cup. "I brought sugar too. I didn't know if you liked that or not." He reached in his robe pocket and pulled out a couple of packets, laying them on the table. Seeing Riley's eyes tear up tugged on his heart. He was not going to fall apart. Hayden couldn't afford it. |
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Post by Veronica Massey on Apr 3, 2009 18:32:22 GMT -5
Like everyone else, Veronica was upset about Roland's death. She was trying not to dwell on it too much, however. Based on what she knew of Roland, he wouldn't have wanted everyone to be crying over him. He'd died bravely, and that was what she'd always thought he wanted. It was sad that he was gone so soon, but at least he went out the way he would have wanted. That might not have been a comfort to everyone, but it was for her.
She arrived at the meeting quietly and nodded at Ted. He had mysteriously taken a few days off, but she could tell it had something to do with Andromeda. And it felt so good to see him back to his old self that she didn't question it. Obviously, Andromeda made him happy, and that was a good thing.
She sat down and waited for the meeting to begin.
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Post by Riley Neves on Apr 3, 2009 18:36:10 GMT -5
Riley stood up, setting the coffee down next to the sugars that she would definitely use.
She hugged Hayden. It was funny, everyone telling her how sorry they were, and it was the coffee that got to her. It meant more, though she'd never say that to anyone who spoke to her. She appreciated their concern.
But she had no more words for Hayden. She just hugged him and pulled back, smiling just as weakly.
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Post by Hayden Ferrera on Apr 3, 2009 18:45:08 GMT -5
Hayden wasn't really expecting a hug. Once Riley put her arms around him, Hayden automatically put his arms around her. He held onto her. It was probably the first time he hugged anyone that wasn't family.
After she pulled away from him, he gave a very weak smile but it was there nevertheless. Hayden wasn't sure what to say afterword, but he didn't think there was really any words needed at the moment.
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Post by Riley Neves on Apr 3, 2009 18:52:42 GMT -5
It made her feel infinitely better, like someone actually understood what she was going through, and she would owe Hayden for that for a long time. It was someone who didn't condemn her, who wasn't telling her that everything would be fine because they knew it wouldn't.
"Thank you again... the coffee's been keeping me going," she said as she sat back down, tearing open all the sugar packets he brought her and dumping them into the coffee.
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Post by Hayden Ferrera on Apr 3, 2009 19:00:42 GMT -5
"Yeah," he said. "I needed some. My dad has drank all the coffee we had." Hayden tried to keep things light, like Ted had done for him. "I thought that you would like more." He understood what Riley was going through and Hayden wasn't going to just feed her that he thought everything was going to be alright. He knew just as well as she did that once they found out if the body was Roland's or not, things would probably get a little worse. Plus, there was the funeral and everything that still had to be done.
"After the meeting, do you, do you mind if we talked for just a minute?"
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Post by Riley Neves on Apr 3, 2009 19:53:01 GMT -5
Riley smiled. "I can understand that," She said, blinking back a tear or two. "I'm just about out of coffee at my place, too."
When he asked if they could talk after the meeting, her expression turned worries. She shouldn't be, after he brought her the coffee, but she was so scared he was going to yell at her for letting Roland die.
Or maybe he just wanted reassurance that Roland wasn't in pain and that he died like a hero. She nodded.
"Of course, Hayden."
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Post by Hayden Ferrera on Apr 3, 2009 20:09:33 GMT -5
"Don't worry Riley," he spoke honestly. "Its nothing bad, I promise." He could understand the look on his face. It seemed like Aunt Cara blamed Riley for Roland's death, but Hayden didn't. He could understand why his family was being standoffish at the moment, but he wanted Riley to know that he didn't blame her at all. He didn't want Riley to be in anymore pain than she already was. Hayden didn't want to ask about Roland because he knew that he would probably break down and that was something he had built himself to not do.
"And thank you."
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Post by Riley Neves on Apr 3, 2009 20:37:19 GMT -5
Riley nodded, a weight lifted off her shoulders when he assured her it was nothing bad. She wouldn't blame him if it was, but it was better that it wasn't.
"Okay," she said. "I'll wait for you when the meeting's over, then," she said, sipping at the coffee. The familiar taste was never sweeter.
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Post by Hayden Ferrera on Apr 3, 2009 20:46:25 GMT -5
He gave her a nod of his own. Something made him take a chair that was on the other side of her. Sitting in the back was usually his style anyway, however something told him to sit down next to her. Part of him wanted to look over to Andi and tell her congratulations, but he kept his mouth closed about that. There would be a time when he could tell her that later.
"Do you mind if I sit here," Hayden thought to ask, "If not, I can always move..."
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Post by Riley Neves on Apr 3, 2009 20:53:37 GMT -5
"No, it's fine," Riley said. When she came into this meeting, she wanted to be left alone entirely. But she was finding that she was doing better with people around, as long as they weren't telling her how sorry they were and asking how she was.
Hayden was amazing, she decided. A true lifesaver. There was a tragedy they could go through together, instead of feeling so isolated. Andromeda was sweet, but she was crying a little, and Riley didn't know what to say to make her feel better.
She also hadn't noticed Fabian come in yet, but she needed to talk to him, too.
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Post by Ted Tonks on Apr 3, 2009 20:55:10 GMT -5
Ted waited for Riley to say yes before he sat on the other side of Andi, smiling softly.
He could see it in Riley's eyes that she was just barely holding it together, but Andi and Hayden seemed to be good for her. He was quiet though... he didn't want her to feel suffocated.
He took Andi's hand under the table.
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Post by Jacob Tanner on Apr 3, 2009 20:57:33 GMT -5
Cynthia felt horrible to hear the news of Roland's death. She didn't know him well, or really at all. But on the occasions she had seen him, he always seemed so confident and in control that it was hard to believe he was gone. She also felt terrible for his partner, Riley. She couldn't imagine how she would feel if her partner, Jacob, had been killed. Although she tried to keep things strictly business with Jacob, the truth was, she liked him a lot. He was sweet and strong and caring. She hadn't known many men like that. He was a gentleman, and that could be very hard to resist. She was feeling very depressed as she walked into the meeting room. As she caught sight of Hayden and Riley, her eyes widened. She really hadn't expected to see either of them today. And yet, she rather admired them for being there. Unable to catch their eyes, Cynthia slipped into a seat on the other side of Jacob, giving him a slight smile. Even though the mood of the room was depressing, the sight of Cynthia made him sit a little straighter. He liked that he was able to work with her. They both got along and they seemed to make a good team together. Seeing her smile a little, made him do the same. He liked her, there was no doubt about that, but he was going to keep that quiet. Jacob didn't want to make things awkward between them if he just told her that he liked her. "Hi," he said in a whisper. |
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Post by Hayden Ferrera on Apr 3, 2009 21:07:27 GMT -5
"No, it's fine," Riley said. When she came into this meeting, she wanted to be left alone entirely. But she was finding that she was doing better with people around, as long as they weren't telling her how sorry they were and asking how she was. Hayden was amazing, she decided. A true lifesaver. There was a tragedy they could go through together, instead of feeling so isolated. Andromeda was sweet, but she was crying a little, and Riley didn't know what to say to make her feel better. She also hadn't noticed Fabian come in yet, but she needed to talk to him, too. Hayden understood the feeling for needing to be alone. He was like that whenever he came in. Being alone could have been dangerous and Hayden was wondering if he should stay alone. The Ferrera anger could have gotten the best of him and he could have attempted something rash, but there were people that needed him to keep his head on straight. Sitting beside Riley didn't feel bad. He knew that she meant something to his cousin and he must have meant something to her to. That in itself made Hayden feel like he should be there. He wasn't going to mention anything about him. It was for both of their benefit for the moment. He gave his trace of a weak smile again. "Thanks." |
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on Apr 3, 2009 21:55:29 GMT -5
Andi squeezed Ted's hand, then leaned in closer, so that her head was on his shoulder. She wasn't even in the mood to care whether it looked unprofessional. Hearing that Roland had loved Riley, and had probably never told her before he died really shook her up. That could have been her, if Ted had been killed in the attack. She was now more sure than ever that she had done the right thing in eloping with him.
But other thoughts were running through her head. Roland had died a hero, not because he wanted to be one, but because he was fighting for what he believed in. He was fighting to protect others. She'd thought that was what she wanted, too. But the thought of losing Ted, or of leaving Ted behind was a nagging pain in the pit of her stomach. They had fought so hard to be together, and it wasn't fair that it could be ripped away so suddenly.
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Post by Cynthia Darling on Apr 3, 2009 22:16:38 GMT -5
Cynthia looked at Jacob, but she couldn't seem to smile. "Hey," she said, her thick Australian accent apparent even in the single word. "So this is bound to be a depressing meeting, don't you think? Did you hear the rumor that there's already been a replacement hired? Some American girl. That's kind of harsh, don't you think?"
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Post by Kit Cunningham on Apr 4, 2009 0:26:06 GMT -5
Kit already had everyone hating her and she hadn't even done anything yet except make one really awkward comment. She told herself that she was used to it, that she didn't care, but... well, deep down it sort of bothered her. Why was it that she just didn't seem to fit in anywhere? She was good at her job... the head Auror at the American ministry told her so repeatedly. And yet she was always in trouble for breaking protocol or mouthing off to superiors. It was part of a trend; she'd had the same troubles in school. And now here she was, back in hot water again.
She nodded at Angelique. "OK, thanks. I'm... I'm sorry about what happened. I mean, the guy that died. And I'm sorry I said what I did. I'll try to keep my big mouth shut."
With that, she sort of slunk into the meeting room and chose a seat very close to the back.
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Post by Jacob Tanner on Apr 4, 2009 6:59:12 GMT -5
Jacob must have been out of the loop because he missed the fact that there was someone else coming in. "Yeah, it is going to be a depressing meeting," he agreed. "A replacement? Really?" He didn't understand why there would have been a replacement. Even Jacob knew that no body could 'replace' Roland. His eyebrows raised and then looked to the girl that walked in. He never seen her before and figured that she was the one.
He gave a look of curiousity toward the girl then looked back to Cynthia. "I think that is kind of harsh to already have someone else that fast."
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