Valuable Assests

Brotherly Love

The days feel like minutes and soon we're home. Sigmund packs a small bag including a rag doll he made himself for his daughter and heads off to a new carriage of his own, smiling and waving as he leaves. He's downright giddy. My sadness for his departure subsides and I'm beyond happy for him. After all, who can deny that smile?

Within ten minutes of coming home, I'm greeted by a familiar face- Devin.

"Hey," he says with a smile bright and cheery, "I just wanted to thank you. I little birdy told me you helped Tobias pick out the flowers. I've never seen roses like that. They're gorgeous."

I smile. "No problem. Roses come in so many colors; red is overrated," I shrug.

"Well, thank you anyway," he says again. "You should sit with us come dinner time. That is, if you don't have other plans," he offers, gesturing to Mason with a smirk as he finishes. I'd usually just grabbed my food and ate in the main room, but I've no reason not to accept a direct invitation.

"No, of course not. I don't have other plans, I mean. I'd be glad to come with you if it's not an inconvenience."

Devin chuckles in response, a goofy, kind sound not associated with the stern man he'd been when talking about Mason's absence at his own meetings. "If it was an inconvenience, I wouldn't offer. We'll be glad to have you," he turns away, waving as he leaves. "See you at dinner!"

I plunk down in a chair, the crowd of people ever present in the foyer chattering idly with beer-tainted breath. I lean back and close my eyes, relaxing. Mason had gone into another room and Miles isn't anywhere in sight. I open my eyes when I hear the clink of glass on the table in front of me.

Max's smile is so much more genuine here than it ever was in the carriage. It's bright and flashy- a celebrity smile. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your beauty sleep," he chuckles.

I just laugh lightly in response and sit up. "Not a problem," I say, a slight smile crossing my lips.

"You know, you should with Mason and I. It's always lonely when it's just me and him after Sigmund leaves for Neverland."

"Oh," I say, both surprised and disappointed, "I can't. I just told Devin that I'd eat with Tobias and him, sorry."

He waves a hand to dismiss it but I recognize the disappointment in his own eyes. "It's ok. Maybe next time," he says as he takes a swig of the amber liquid in his cup. He holds it out in my direction, offering me a drink. I take a sip. It's sweet, but the alcohol is definitely there.

Handing the cup back, I smile. "Do you mind if I sleep in the bunk again tonight?"

He laughs, a powerful, purely happy think. It lightens my heart to feel this atmosphere after being held captive by the carriage's oppressive one for so long. "It's your room too, Aline. You don't have to ask."

I shrug. "I guess."

"Max," I voice I don't recognize calls out. Max looks over his shoulder and looks back to me, picking up his drink.

"You'll have to excuse me- sorry about that." I give him a small grin and shake my head.

"It's not a problem." Nothing is a problem here. All problems were left to die on the road back here. I stand as well, heading for the office as Max departs to I can only hope is his friend.

I knock on the solid white door, standing a little straighter. Mason smiles when he opens the door, his eyes glittering. "I wasn't expecting you to be over this soon," he notes, almost marveling.

I shrug. "It's hard to find better company," I lie. He steps out, shutting the door behind him and slipping his fingers through mine.

"You're in a rather cheery mood today, aren't you," he laughs.