Shape of Things to Come (Invite/PM to Join/Open to VDM)

[Leonie von der Marck]

A slightly frustrated sound rose quietly in Leonie’s throat as her brows drew together before she could stop it; she had never been one to shirk modern medicine, if only because of her own health issues throughout her entire life. Asthma was no joke and even though Mara’s teas and tinctures had certainly helped when she was a young girl, nothing took the place of a rescue inhaler or a good course of steroids and antibiotics when it was out of whack and uncontrollable by other means. And, of course, because as far as she was concerned, traditional medicine had saved Alis’ - and her own - life when things went south with her pregnancy. They could discuss more later, perhaps, but Leonie had every intention of continuing their daughter’s regular check ups and immunization schedule, no matter what. Her mouth set in a firm line for a moment before she uttered the one and only thing she would say on the current matter, trying her best to keep the thunderous look off her face and out of her eyes: “I’m aware,” she began, “But it has its place, like everything else. So tell me, what if there is some medical reason for this... this mess... and it happens again? What then, Louvel?”

Even though she knew there was no sense in arguing with him and even less in trying to force or guilt him, as she took time busying and calming herself with the running of her fingers through her daughter’s soft curls, she had the right to ask for assurances, she thought. For some kind of plan or course of action beyond a need to investigate. She hefted a sharp sigh, trying to rid herself of some of the tension and uneasiness that tried to creep over her and settle in her spine.

She cleared her throat gently and nodded, moving to open the door so they could head to the kitchen. It had occurred to her that he was probably famished, but it had been too whirlwind a morning to even think to suggest it. As they walked, she thought about what else he’d said. “I don’t know how much more Buddy will be able to tell you. I haven’t just been running Alaric’s corporation, I’ve been trying to keep up with everything here, too. Not to your standards and there’s a lot I’ve missed, of course but... he’s been invaluable, helping around here and the... cottage.” She paused as they arrived at the kitchen and began puttering around, pulling out the high chair so he could settle Alis in if he wished, and busied herself pouring two fresh cups of coffee, since the other two had been long forgotten in her bedroom. “I’m good, just coffee for me these days. Alis usually has morning snack around now, so I’m sure she’ll be happy with some fruit and toast, or anything, really, you’d like to make.”

She flashed him a small smile and passed a cup over before leaning against the counter. There had been some minor upgrades to the kitchen - appliances, mostly - but he would find it almost exactly the same as it had always been. Right down to the bowl of trail mix still resting in the cabinet. She rubbed her fingers over her temples and slipped both phones out of back pockets to rest on the counter. She had called out but that didn’t mean there would be no urgent emails to check over when she had a moment.

“I’ll work on my father,” she said, a thousand-yard stare settled upon the door, knowing it would not be an easy task. But once they had a better understanding, he had to come around. She would accept nothing less, once enough time had passed for him to compartmentalize and move on. After he'd acknowledged he had a lot to make up for, Leonie had every intention of playing that card with Oskar if need be.

[Louvel von der Marck]

Louvel held Alis in the cradle of his right arm while the left was making easy work of getting the highchair situated for use. Despite his first exposure to the particular set up it was evident, as his wife would know, that it was hardly the first time he dealt with a child and the modern convenience of elevated and adaptive seating.

Many budding von der Marcks had been under the very same roof they now where they were sharing their first morning together. Louvel was the first to initiate the children towards the spacious kitchen it provided. Farm to table was a huge part of his upbringing and he represented its importance in the family to any and all, young and old. Now as his gaze fell briefly down to the silky curls beneath him he realized for the first time he was able to share the world as it was important to him with his own flesh and blood.

“Let’s see what we have to work with in here.”

A stretch of his arm and step to the side had him opening the refrigerator to reveal the contents within. As his eyes took inventory he soon realized by the dates on the containers that he had been robbed of the same amount of time she had. Alis was proof. His cottage covered in sheets was certainly another sign. So was the soft stroke of the unusually long length of his hair against the shirt she had picked out for him to wear. A flash of light caused him to blink. An internal ominous chuckle vibrates within his ears for only him to hear. More unsettling was that it sounded familiar. His fingers curled firmly to fit over the edge of the door. His gaze danced between a selection of fruit and vegetable basket. As he leaned back to glance at his wife the inner distraction disappeared. He counted on that result.

“I think I have all I need to make breakfast for two.” His smile returned while his arms soon managed to collect the ingredients needed to fulfill his task at hand. The door closed and he was visibly heading to the kitchen island for the prep needed. “And if you change your mind then I am willing to share.”

A quick wink to the Lioness was followed by the crack of the first egg against the stainless steel mixing bowl. Sun kissed bronze fingers disposed of the egg shell and soon snapped four more against the inner rim leaving five empty shells in the wastebasket nearby. All of the actions were typical except a bit more speed involved.

Those in witness would find it a bit curious if unaware of the training that had been involved to bring Louvel von der Marck to the ability level he was currently. Eighteen months may have passed but he clearly had not lacked or slacked on his growth during that time. He was stronger than ever, faster than ever and if anyone was keeping count… richer than he ever intended to be. Then again, knowing him as well as his family did, that was never important to Lou. He smiled again at the faces that were. Leonie and Alis. His insides melted with the realization they were there and for the moment perfectly fine. What more could he ask for?

“Buddy doing well?” The off the cuff creation of vanilla bean crepes seemed to be as natural as watching him blink, wave a hand in greeting or smile. Most of which he had already done which he couldn’t help doing again as he waited for an answer. “Please tell me he has kept my truck running.”

Lou took great pride in the automotive relic. From the bench seat that was stuck in his chosen position to the eight track tape player. Mara’s collection from the van they used travel in when he was young had better be able to be accounted for. Some treasured the high label, contemporary things that could be easily coveted or sold or upgraded. Buddy had a set of keys to it and was known to use it whenever it was sitting unattended. Keeping it in operating condition was a bit of a secret Louvel took great pride in under wraps.

“He knows the transmission is sensitive.”

Louvel performed a few quick moves that sent a set or crepes in each of the two pans into the air flipping with perfection despite how difficult it was known to be. A hiss reverberated through his ears as his eyes set on his wife’s. He held the focus while he waited for an answer. Beneath the layers of his bruised but otherwise health appearing skin a slow burn set in.

[Leonie von der Marck]

The von der Marck Lioness typically was eternally grateful for the easy-going nature of her only child, but this morning she was even more so. Alis went easily into the high chair with a smile and a babble that sounded an awful lot like 'thank you' as her father worked the equipment like an old pro (as Leonie knew he would). The wolf was seated on the tray and as soon as she was settled, the woman moved to the pantry to grab a small handful of dried yogurt drops for the toddler to occupy herself with while Louvel cooked the pair a breakfast that soon filled the kitchen with a fragrant sweetness that took the woman straight back. She dropped a soft kiss to her daughter’s cheek and moved to lean, between them, against the counter to watch him work.

It was a familiar scene; maybe a little different with the addition of the small child in the room, but familiar all the same. They had spent many a morning this way, tucked away in the smaller, cozier kitchen of the cottage, cooking up all kinds of fun things, and although the present meal smelled and looked wonderful, it didn’t inspire any hunger. She simply shook her head when he suggested she might change her mind, though, not about to explain that the act of eating had become a chore in and of itself and that precious little of it happened anymore. She consumed just enough bland, boring, low-calorie meals to keep herself going, though she avidly cooked for Alis when she was home to do so. She just didn’t partake much. The truth was, it had lost all its charm and luster to enjoy the task or the spoils without the one who inspired her to do so in the first place. Plus with the hours she worked, it was pretty much pointless when she basically lived on caffeine anyway. As a result, she was back to her jet-setting, party-girl figure... maybe even a little thinner than that... though she refused to dwell on the consequences that might eventually be taken upon her health. For now, it was survival mode and it had seen her through well enough.

She smiled as he expertly flipped the crepes and gave a reassuring nod when he brought Buddy up. All the while, she didn't think she could sit so idle for long and so she busied herself with pulling out a cutting board, a knife, and a few containers of fresh berries. “He’s great. I just saw him a couple days ago. Don’t go surprising him, though... not sure how his heart will hold up.” She gave a slight, mirthless smirk. Not much could shake that man, but the sight of Louvel appearing in the flesh might just be enough to do it, she thought, as she washed the fruit and began cutting it up, all the while glancing up to check on Alis. She had only a few yogurt drops left and would soon be clamoring for more or banging on the tray. Leonie wiped her hands off and moved to grab a few more for her, plus a couple of toys from a nearby basket, before returning to her self-appointed task, though not before another kiss and a tickle for her daughter was given. Her laughter was like music to the Lioness, spilling through her and giving her more strength than anything else. “You’ll be happy to know that he’s kept the truck running. He even stopped using it for himself about a year ago, but made sure its been maintained and all is in working order. Its in one of the converted barns. Gets a little drive every few days or so.” She blew out a soft sigh and lifted her mug, sipping from it and eyeing him over the rim of it. So far they’d covered some unknowns and minor housekeeping issues, but she wondered when or if they’d get into other pressing things, too. So far, the only two things she knew, beyond a doubt, were one, he didn’t lie and two, he had zero recollection of the past year and half. There was a lot more ground to cover, let alone the practical questions. Things such as where the hell would he stay? Where would he sleep? Half of her wasn't ready to resume their relationship, to pick up where they'd left off as if nothing at all had happened in the interim and she wasn't sure when or if she would be, but the other, louder, more insistent half was terrified to let him leave her sight for even a minute.

What the hell were they going to do?

But as he turned that smoldering, mossy gaze upon her, she could feel the heat in it just as strongly as she felt the same beating in her own blood as hazel met green and locked. And suddenly none of that mattered... for the time being, at least. They would figure it out. For the first time that morning, she felt the possibility affirming itself that maybe, just maybe, she'd be able to drop her guard and try again.