06-27-2022, 07:40 PM
There was a moment of tense silence that followed Arthur’s request.
On top of it all, such a subtle, well-placed insult to the food served brought all four Brennans to stare, in their own ways, at the man that had voiced it. Miriam’s smile finally cracked and fell from her powdered features, and she opened her mouth to reply – only to be interrupted by a strange noise from the opposite side.
A laugh. Involuntary, genuine, and cut off almost as quickly as it slipped out, as Malachi released Arthur’s hand to cover his mouth.
That was quite possibly worse than anything Arthur could have said, if one was judging from the look on Miriam’s face. Taking a breath, she raised her chin and waved a hand for one of the servants to pass the salt in her stead. She dabbed her mouth with her napkin needlessly, and made to scoot her chair back.
“Excuse me a moment.”
“Ah- mother, should I–”
In a short motion, Miriam slapped Levi’s hand where it touched her arm. She offered another smile to the table, stood, and made her way out of the dining hall.
Levi shot a strange look to his brother. Without delay, he pushed out his own seat.
“I should help her with the – dessert,” he said, standing. “Please excuse me.”
As soon as he turned to follow after his mother, Malachi drew in a deeper breath, as if the air had suddenly been let back into a suffocating room. Mara appeared unfazed by the little scene, sparing a glance to the door her husband disappeared through before returning her attention to her meal.
“That lasted far longer than the last time you were here,” she commented, without looking up. “Perhaps she is finally warming to you.”
“Perhaps she still believes the good doctor will fuck her if she behaves well.”
“Ah,” the corners of Mara’s lips quirked upwards at that. “Is that it.”
A breath escaped Malachi that might have been an irritated huff at the idea that he, himself, presented.
“Doctor Adams,” she lifted her gaze. “You are managing them so well. I fear they only get worse, but I commend you for your efforts. Civility is not their strong suit.”
On top of it all, such a subtle, well-placed insult to the food served brought all four Brennans to stare, in their own ways, at the man that had voiced it. Miriam’s smile finally cracked and fell from her powdered features, and she opened her mouth to reply – only to be interrupted by a strange noise from the opposite side.
A laugh. Involuntary, genuine, and cut off almost as quickly as it slipped out, as Malachi released Arthur’s hand to cover his mouth.
That was quite possibly worse than anything Arthur could have said, if one was judging from the look on Miriam’s face. Taking a breath, she raised her chin and waved a hand for one of the servants to pass the salt in her stead. She dabbed her mouth with her napkin needlessly, and made to scoot her chair back.
“Excuse me a moment.”
“Ah- mother, should I–”
In a short motion, Miriam slapped Levi’s hand where it touched her arm. She offered another smile to the table, stood, and made her way out of the dining hall.
Levi shot a strange look to his brother. Without delay, he pushed out his own seat.
“I should help her with the – dessert,” he said, standing. “Please excuse me.”
As soon as he turned to follow after his mother, Malachi drew in a deeper breath, as if the air had suddenly been let back into a suffocating room. Mara appeared unfazed by the little scene, sparing a glance to the door her husband disappeared through before returning her attention to her meal.
“That lasted far longer than the last time you were here,” she commented, without looking up. “Perhaps she is finally warming to you.”
“Perhaps she still believes the good doctor will fuck her if she behaves well.”
“Ah,” the corners of Mara’s lips quirked upwards at that. “Is that it.”
A breath escaped Malachi that might have been an irritated huff at the idea that he, himself, presented.
“Doctor Adams,” she lifted her gaze. “You are managing them so well. I fear they only get worse, but I commend you for your efforts. Civility is not their strong suit.”
