Lafayette "Fate" Robinson is a rejected guide just trying to live out her exile in quiet solitude. She's got everything she could ever want: a house, a dog, and miles of land all to herself. All she has to do is wait until she's out of her prime, a...
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{for those unfamiliar, a solarium is basically a big room with more windows than wallspace made to let in light}
The sun shone brightly into the doorway, illuminating the entire dining room behind when Jack opened the solarium doors. The rest of the house seemed like a dark hovel in comparison to how bright and airy the solarium was. Unlike Fate's tiny greenhouse mudroom or Bess' cozy home nook, the glass wall sloped down from the first floor to just below ground level where it met the beginnings of the garden. Well manicured trees and short palms hung in ordered disarray, blocking the view of the outside. The dining room door opened into an elegant mezzanine built of dark wood where several black wicker couches and tables were arranged with enough room to seat a dozen or so.
Beyond the immediate impression of a high profile show-house, the clear indication of a lived-in home was apparent. Crawling plants and blossoms decorated the railings and there were even a few cacti in pots clearly modeled by small children. Gardening tools with fresh dirt still on them were tossed into a crate by the far door, and mismatched stained glass suncatchers were hung here and there by some antique hobbyist. Just like the rest of the manor, Fate found that though her immediate imprssion was awe and opulence, upon closer inspection it was far more of a home than a showpiece.
Jack let her gape for a little bit longer before leaning over, "This room faces east, so you can watch the sunrise over breakfast." Fate suddenly felt the strong impression of the two of them sitting on the wicker loveseat and sipping coffee in the gray morning light. Jack projected the thought like a beacon, she was sure even his mother could feel it, especially since everyone was right there.
"Oi, are you going to stay up there all day? I'm hungry!" came a gruff voice from just below the mezzanine. Jack's daydream was cut off by the good natured murmurs of the clan seniors down below. Fate of course had felt their presence since she'd left Jack's room, but not up close and personal her own nerves were starting to feel a bit overwhelming. These weren't just any local clan elders, these were the Hammond clan elders! they had more money between them than several small countries and more power in their alliances than the Senate! In fact, one of them was on the Senate herself!
How was she supposed to meet them? Was there a ritual like with the Kabbarwhals? Was she supposed to kneel or curtsy? Jack hadn't told her any details and with utmost clarity she knew she was about to make an absolute fool of herself in front of these fancy people .
Unperturbed, Jack led her down the stairs to the waiting group of people. A few already had drinks in hand as they milled about on the stone pathway. There were twelve people in all, neatly paired slightly behind Sigfried and Martha. Their eyes were kind but each and every one of them had an aura of confidence and dignity that seemed impenetrable. Fate's hand gripped Jack's as she felt the eyes look her up and down. Jack was bolstered by this little move. He radiated confidence as he let go of her hand...only to wrap his arm tightly around her waist.
