RP:Can We Talk?

Summary: Their last conversation did not go as hoped, so Alvina seeks Meri out with the hope they can talk and resolve more of their issues.

The Rebel Room: Art Gallery - Cenril

Alvina wasn’t sure if she had the right address. It’s the same address the flowers were sent to, congratulating Meri on her new child. In many ways, Alvina didn’t want to intrude. Being a mother herself, she knew how precious those first few weeks and months were. She’d wasted it, the first time around. But then she’d been drowning. Today, though, as she approached the art gallery for the first time, she wasn’t reflecting on the bad parts of having her children. Only the blessed good that could swell a heart beyond imagination. In her hands, she carries various sized bags and so does her escort. A thin, tall man wearing a black suit. He carried the most, moving slow beside Alvina with relative disinterest. When they reach the door to the gallery, uncertain what lies beyond, Alvina will politely knock on the building’s door. If no one should answer, she’ll proceed inside to try and find another door that might lead her to Meri.

Meri hadn't had this address for long, but Alvina may be aware of that as her husband was in the real estate business. Even if this property was not connected to Hudson, it would not be too hard to uncover the details that this property had only been purchased a few days after Meri had her child. Meri has not had the place long enough to really properly furnish it with artwork yet. It was all a work in progress but Meri was trying her best to get her life back in order now that she was a newly single mother. When Alvina arrives the front door of the establishment is unlocked but the knock on the door goes unanswered. Alvina will be forced to wonder inside of her own accord. A bell on the front door will chime the moment the door swings open and shut, just another clue to try and get Meri's attention. Meri will not be in plain sight but were she to look left down the elevated catwalk, she would see that a normally locked door has been left wide open today. It appears to lead to a living room, one can only assume that Meri is home because there are the sounds of a fussy baby inside. The blonde was not sure if she was willing to forgive the Landon's just yet, but she also was not so petty that she'd throw the flowers away. Alvina would see them in plain sight on the living room table. Meri's home right now is only sparely furnished, the living room table only one of the few things that Meri has managed to purchase. There are a lot of boxes around, waiting to be unpacked..or built. Alvina would not have too long to take in the details, it turns out that while Meri heard the knock on the door and the chime of the bell...Well mom duties sometimes take priority. Putting your crying child down takes a second times, you know? A frazzled looking Meri steps out of Fleur's bedroom so that she can investigate who has shown up at her shop. The surprise on her face is obvious when she finds it to be Alvina. "Hi."

Alvina , feeling intrusive despite the clearly ‘public’ area of the art gallery, makes her way through cautiously. She is both afraid to startle and be startled, though her companion doesn’t look concerned so she shouldn’t either. It’s the sound of Meri’s child that draws Alvina’s attention. A strong blip on her parental sonar. She wouldn’t rush through the open door but then she didn’t have to; Meri is standing right there and staring at them. Alvina swallows and offers a sheepish smile, lifting the bags she was holding like a white flag. The man with her looked at Meri, determined she was the woman Alvina’d wanted to visit and adjusted the various packages in his own arms without maintaining eye contact. “H-hi.” Alvina stutters before clearing her throat. “Sorry to drop in, but I thought I’d come see how you were doing?” It had the air of a question but she was, clearly, already here. “This is Milo,” She gestures to the man who dips his head appropriately but says nothing. “He’s helping me carry a few things.” He isn’t here as a threat, is what she wanted to say. “I know it’s sudden, sorry, I won’t take up too much time…” The bard clears her throat anxiously again, unable to read Meri’s expression beyond her surprise. “...Can we...come in?” She smiles but it’s too wide, tell-tale sign of nervousness on her part. “I wished we could have had more time to talk last time. And if you don’t want to, by all means we can go.” She looks at Milo, who is now examining the cat walk with interest. “I know it doesn’t fix anything but I feel horrible about everything and I wanted to see you...and your bay.” The sentiment was genuine. “Oh, and I wasn’t sure what you had time to buy before so...we brought a couple things just in case.” Given that Meri hadn’t known how far along she was when they’d talked in the bakery, her water breaking seemed a surprise to everyone. It’s the least she can do, really.

Meri eyed this Milo with a certain amount of mistrust. Were it anyone else, she'd probably demand that this person wait outside, bag carrying or not....but this was Alvina, and Alvina was here without Hudson this time around. The surprise on Meri's face does not fade when Alvina explains why she is here. Their talk did not go well either time, Meri not sure what else they could possibly have to say that has not already been said? "Yeah. You guys can come in. Sorry about the mess. I haven't been here long. Still working on getting this place all put together." Meri was pretty sure that Alvina understood the stresses of building a home up for a family. Meri had managed to acquire a couch, it was just covered in all sorts of junk from Meri's move. Outside of that, there was two chairs, which means someone would have to stand. Probably MIlo. "But come in, try and make yourself comfortable." Now that Meri has an idea of who is at the door, Meri temporarily leaves the room to fetch her still fussing child. Thankfully by the time Meri reappears Fleur has quieted. Even if there is one of two chairs still opened, Meri is not quick to claim it yet. She's doing that whole rocking/lighting bouncing the baby thing. It's helping to keep Fleur quiet. "So what's up? Not to sound like a huge jerk, but I wasn't sure that we had that much left to talk about based on how things were going last time. But it seems like you've got something on your mind....and...baby gifts?" Meri is assuming that is probably what is in those bags, based on Alvina's words. "Thank you for that..."

Alvina breathes a sigh of relief before following Meri in. She understand completely the stresses of being a single mother (believe it or not) and trying to manage everything alone. Her and Hudson had separated, briefly, and during that time she refused all involvement and assistance. “No need to apologize,” She’s quick to whisper. Milo follows the women with a slow gait, searching the room for a stable surface to put his boxes on. He finds a patch of flooring by the couch and crudely arranges them (because he’s a man and don’t care about this kind of thing). Nothing in the boxes was breakable anyway. Alvina likewise sets her bags on his boxes, fussing quickly over the arrangement while Meri retrieved her child. She resists that oh so common urge to rush the mother and ask the routine round of questions. It doesn’t surprise her, though, when Meri cuts to the chase about what they had to talk about. Milo moves off, meandering outside the house in the gallery to give the two women space. He was not there to intervene, truly. “Thank you, sorry.” Alvina’s quick to say, brushing her hair back and fidgeting with her fingers. “Oh no, I just felt it ended sorted of...abruptly.” Alvina’d been a crying mess and hadn’t been in the state of mind to offer any real substance to the conversation. “I really do want you to know that isn’t...how I wanted it to be and I’m so sorry that all this happened. I can’t say it enough.” She couldn’t. She’d keep saying it forever, probably. “But I did mean what I said about help, in any way. It’s a hard change. Just like having a baby -” She smiles at the bouncing child. “I don’t want to derail but tell me about them? You’re child is so beautiful Meri.” There was more Alvina wanted to say but it could wait just a moment.

Meri relaxes when Milo moves out into the gallery of his own accord after arranging the bags and the boxes. Meri was peering at the pile curiously, and not because she was judging the way it was stacked...just, who is not curious about gifts? Meri was still not pleased with the Landon's, but there was enough confidence in Alvina's nature that she was certain the bard would not harm a hair on Fleur's head. The child is passed off to Alvina, as if letting the redhead hold her was the same was telling her about the baby. "Her name is Fleur." Outside of that, Alvina would be able to tell that the baby had blue eyes, and looked like she was probably going to have black hair. She was a delicate little thing, possibly because Meri had been early? As if the blonde would be able to help any doctor to determine that, but given that Fleur has found her lungs...early or not she seems to be healthy. "The conversation started abruptly. Awkwardly. We invited you guys out to talk and then it looks like you're bailing? What would have even happened if we had not run into you guys? Who would have come to talk to us? Just Hudson? And how would that have played out?" Meri shrugs, remaining near Alvina so that she could reclaim Fleur whenever Alvina was done holding the kiddo. "What it have even been a conversation? I think the conversation did end abruptly, but I also don't think it was going any where productive, and there is a lot that I saw that day..." With Alvina and Hudson trying to get out of Cenril? "And heard that day....that does not sit right with me right now."

Alvina takes the babe and holds her close, even if she should cry or whine. It melts her heart; she’s tearing up. Sweet, precious things, babies. They are so warm and smell SO GOOD. Why do babies and cats smell so good?! “Lovely to meet you Fleur.” Alvina coos before Meri moves on to address the conversation at hand. “I wasn’t bailing. I didn’t know, until after, that a meeting had been set up. Hudson was concerned that you all might have turned me in.” It was the truth. “And he wanted me to get out of the city for a week or two, until he was sure. I swear, I didn’t know anything about it. I assume he would have met with you and Khitti alone.” Guilt eats are her expression. She offers a thin smile and hands Fleur back to her mother. “He wouldn’t have hurt anyone. I can promise you. That was agreed upon long before you and I talked in the bakery. We’re friends.” Even if it hadn’t looked it at the time. “He told me afterwards that he just wanted to talk to you about the same thing; offering help and explaining why things played out the way they had.” It hadn’t gone anywhere productive. Everyone was on edge and defensive, within reason. “And I came by for the same reason. It didn’t sit well with me either, so I wanted to talk just the two of us. I know I didn’t send word, so if you’d rather I can just go and we can talk another time but...I ran into a problem that made it even more unsettling.” Alvina draws a deep breath. “Eleanor came to...say hello the other day.” She frowns. “And threatened to tell the authorities about...things if I didn’t arrange a meeting with her and Hudson. Hudson’s going to meet her but Meri I…” Don’t want to go to jail. Don’t want to be seperated from my kids. “I’m not so much worried about Hudson, just…” She couldn’t find the right words. “Please believe what happened was an accident that won’t be repeated. That he is helping me, figure everything out. Like I want to help you, if I can. I don’t want to be seperated from my kids…” She pleads, looking at Fleur with glossy eyes. “Please tell me what didn’t settle right and I’ll explain it as best I can, honestly. I didn’t come with Hudson because I didn’t want you to think he was swaying my answers. Whatever’s said here will be just between the two of us, I promise. Please tell me what I can do.” To gain Meri’s trust, for Meri to keep Alvina’s horrible secret.

Meri is not as entirely convinced that Hudson would not have hurt anyone, but at this point all they can do is accept the word of one another and try and move past things. It was hard to cut someone like Alvina out of her life, they've known each other for how long now? At least since Alvina was trying to live life as a single mother herself. "I think....What it boils down to is the fact that I'm just raw. I don't know if there is any explanation that you can give. Even if hindsight is twenty-twenty...and no party involved probably handled the situation the based that they could have....but knowing that doesn't just make the sting disappear?" Meri slumps into a nearby chair. She sort of wanted to put Fleur back down into her crib for the duration of this chat, yet the new mother also could not be bothered. "I think this is a case where actions are going to speak louder than words. If you don't like how things turned out....Prove it." Meri motions to the pile of gifts with a toss of her chin. "And I think that you are trying." Not that Meri believes every gestures should be materialistic, she is not that sort of gal. She is saying that she appreciates the effort made thus far. "I meant it when I said that I understand that accidents happen. I used to hang out with Eirik. I get it. I would say that Khitti is the one who is more concerned about if this accident will repeat itself...and you and I are in the same boat there. You heard what she said, I have to figure my crap out just like you do..." Meri frowns. Try as Khitti might to explain that comment away, there was some sting in those words too. When Meri first became a werewolf, Khitti had told her that she trusted Meri. She reminded Meri that she had saved Callum's life once, as a werewolf. She made Meri believe that she should be more confident in her ability to control herself....and now Meri is back to feeling like she was an accident waiting to happen. "Khitti is at this point the only one who knows the whole truth. I have no real interest in saying anything that might cause enough trouble for you that you might end up separated from your children." They needed at least one stable parent. Who knows what sort of trouble Hudson would find himself into. The fact that Eleanor's name was mentioned has not escaped Meri's attention. She's just saving it for last. Given the work Meri has done for Hudson in the past, she's especially curious to know, born from some of the same concerns that Alvina has. Sort of. It's not like if Meri is arrested Fleur will have a daddy to step in to fill both roles. "What...in specific is Eleanor threatening to tell the authorities about?" Ideally, it will have nothing to do with anything Meri has helped Hudson with in the past.

Alvina nods, knowing this kind of breech doesn’t mend overnight. She wasn’t the materialist sort either but help was help and babies were demanding. The gifts she’d brought weren’t over the top - nothing brand heavy or overly expensive. Just brand new versions of things she’d found helpful and in short supply to often. “I really do understand, and I’m more than willing to do my part.” She couldn’t say for Hudson. He valued Meri as more than a person who’d worked for him. He’d said before that she was their friend. That had been the reason Hudson opted not to kill the woman Alvina’d turned. If it had been a stranger, it would have been easier to tie up loose ends. Not that Alvina wanted that either. “Khitti’s been through a lot…” Not that Meri hasn’t. Khitti’d explained her own experience with Vampirism. A thing she’d fought very hard to cure though Alvina didn’t know the full story. She doubted anyone did but Meri. That’s her guess, anyway. Alvina doesn’t want to make light of the comparison between Vampires and Lycans - but on the upside, Lycan’s didn’t have to hunt to survive. Meri’s reassurance that she didn’t want to get Alvina turned in and taken from her children is a huge relief. She’d been scared when Eleanor approached her. She’d told Hudson that Meri wouldn’t, no matter how mad she might have been. “She just made mention of speaking with you, and implied she knew about what happened between us.” She wags her finger between them. “It sounded like she threatened to tell about the situation if I didn’t do what she asked.” Nothing about Meri’s relationship with Eleanor or anything that might get the blonde arrested. “Hudson said El’s in a tight spot right now, that he’s going to meet with her and see what she wants. I don’t...understand it all.” Hudson didn’t fill her in on all the details. It’s just terrifying that she’d be threatened with it. What if Eleanor needs something else and threatens the same thing? Alvina was Hudson’s soft underbelly. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for his family. Alvina hadn’t wanted to ask about the father since there was nothing in the living room (that she could see) that alluded to another tenant. “I don’t want to take up too much time. I know the situation is delicate and can’t be rushed...I just wanted to make sure you knew my intentions and to see how you felt.” To see if Meri’d be mad enough to turn Alvina in or if she’d told Eleanor enough for the rogue to cause the same outcome. “And sincerely offer our help. We are here for you, Meri.” For what it’s worth.

Meri lifts a brow. Meri is suddenly wondering what Eleanor's angle is. The blonde has no issue in sharing what has or has not been discussed with Eleanor, because it's not like she was really trying to play Hudson out. She has said things to Khitti in a fit of rage, and things were left tense, but they had not escalated to that point that Meri has committed to a war with Hudson. "What I told Eleanor was that she has been gone for awhile now, and things were not the same as they were in the past. I informed her that things were tense between Hudson and I at present, as I was curious to know how she felt about it given their extended work history. I told her that maybe we'd work it out, maybe we would not. There was a lot of variables for us to figure out still, but that for the time being I wasn't going to be breezing through the Office like I did in the old days." Hudson does own that property, no? "And that I was not sure I was keen on supporting his business like I have in the past." There was a slow shrug, as far as Meri was concerned given where they left things...these were all legitimate feelings. "She does not know that I am a werewolf, unless she has some fancy rune-spell that can tell her that, let alone who bit you. If anything, she's fishing for the rest of the story because I didn't give it to her." Fleur, who has been quiet for a decent chunk of time, is starting to get a little fussy again. It's not the full blown cry that Alvina heard the first time, but she's making some noises....and why suddenly becomes apparent. Babies are good at a few things, sleeping, eating, and pooping. It's the last one that she's done now, both Meri and Alvina can hear it. Gross. "Ah...I was just going to say, maybe we could spend a few minutes going through what you bought us?" Well Fleur. "But I think that someone might need a little bit of a bath after that one..." A beat. "But I appreciate you stopping by. One day at a time, yeah?"

Alvina listens, on edge, when Meri explains her conversation with Eleanor. When she’s finished, Alvina nods. “I see.” So Eleanor didn’t have the full story. She’d just used what little she had or assumed to try to contact Hudson. He’d said Eleanor was in a bad place, unable to work in Cenril because of her mentor? “That’s more than fair. Please know he doesn’t bear any ill will. He’s just scared.” A man like Hudson? He was a parent too, no matter how hard he was on the streets of Cenril. She can only hope that things will improve with time. This serious discussion is brought to a halt by the natural order of babies. Alvina laughs enough that Milo pokes his head back in the doorway to stare at the women incredulously. Even he could hear Fleur and squints at Alvina before his footfalls take him back to the gallery. “We don’t have to go through all of it now. At your leisure.” She knew what a pain diaper rash could be and how horrible those sorts of things smell. Alvina gives Meri a quick rundown; diapers, glass bottles with rubber nipples, even a hand pump if Meri’s so inclined. Little outfits ranging from newborn to one year. Fleur’d grow three times faster than other children so she’d tear through the clothes in no time. “And, a rocking bassinet.” Great for early morning crying, when you just don’t have the strength to bounce and pace. “It was so useful with Bryce, I hope it serves you well too.” Other little gifts - baby safe toys, soft stuffed animals and wedges to keep her from rolling onto her back. A little mobile with ships and stars. “And, this is the last thing.” Alvina digs out a wooden box and opens it, handling the contents since Meri’s hands are full. “A small clockwork dove that would unfurl and flap it’s wings when the key was turned.” It’s head would also twitch, it’s beak opening and closing slightly. “Not useful now.” She laughs. “But eventually.” She sighs. “They grow up so fast.” After demonstrating the bird, quickly, Alvina tucks it back in it’s box and sets it on the couch. “Don’t hesitate to call on us.” Alvina smiles, dipping her head. “It was lovely to meet your Fleur!” Milo appears in the doorway again, groaning with childish impatience. “One day at a time.” Alvina agrees, more than satisfied with Meri’s decree of appreciation. They could be okay. This only served to give her hope. Now, she’d just have to watch what she said to Eleanor until Alvina could determine her true motives. With that, the bard would lead the guard out with another wave to the women.