A Reunion (Or Two)

 Sunburst.  Zenobia hurries in after her meeting with the lawyer. 

Iris: Casey, stop playing on your phone and eat.  

Casey: I'll have plenty of time to eat when Dawn gets here.  You two are gonna go blah-blah-blah til bedtime. 

Iris: We aren't going to be here that long.  We're going to the shop and make plans.  

Zenobia: Welcome to Sunburst!  I'm Zenobia.

Dawn: I'm looking for... oh, there she is.  (waves to Iris)  I'll just have some coffee, please.  

Zenobia: Cream and sugar? 

Dawn: No.  Just strong black coffee. 

Zenobia: It'll be a few minutes for the coffee.  I started a fresh pot.

Dawn: Excellent.  I'll also have this taco thing Iris is eating.  (Stops Zenobia when she moves away.) I hate to sound like some kind of stalker, but who is that woman over there?  In the wheelchair? She looks very familiar. 

Zenobia: That's Candy Pike.  She's a pretty well known photojournalist, so you've probably seen her work, but it's odd that... 

Dawn (excited): Was her maiden name Barr? And no, I'm not being a smartass.  I actually once knew a girl named Candy Barr. We were in a couple of foster homes together.

Zenobia: I believe it was.  I can ask her, she won't mind.  I'm friends with her sons. 

Dawn: Please do. My name's Dawn Lung. 

Zenobia: This is going to sound really weird. 

Candy (laughs): Most of the things you say are weird, Zenobia, but that's why I like you. What's up? 

Zenobia: The lady sitting with Iris Patrick?  She thinks you two were in a foster home together as kids.  Her name's Dawn Lung. 

Candy (thinks for a bit): There was a Dawn.  We ended up in the same home twice, once when I was ten or so and then when I was a teenager. (scrutinizes Dawn from across the room, then smiles broadly)  That is her!  

Candy:  It's me, Dawn!  (To Zenobia) Oh, I hate this wheelchair.  Help me get over there.  

Zenobia: I have to put in her order and get her coffee.  I'll ask if they mind you joining them. 

Candy: Oh, yeah, I guess I shouldn't just horn in on them. 

The Giant

 

Zenobia's phone chimes as she's leaving The Tor.  It's her boss.

Midna: I got Esmeralda to stay over until you get to work, just in case this meeting runs late.  Is it true your dad hired The Giant to defend him?  Doesn't seem to fit what I know of him.

Zenobia:  He's good at ignoring your defects if you are of use to him.  The Giant's the best defense attorney on the planet, so it only follows that Dad hired him.  

Midna: I was shocked the first time I saw the guy.  I expected... well, a giant. 

Zenobia: He's a giant in the courtroom.  Also, there's probably some irony there.  

Midna: Like calling a skinny guy Fatso.  Anyway, don't sweat it about work.

Andre: I suppose you're wondering why I asked you to meet me here, at Mr. Rhee's office.  

Boudicca: He's Family Law, and we are here about family matters.  It's only logical to have him involved. 

Andre: Exactly!  Your father told me you were smart.  And Zenobia, you've moved back into the family home to help.  That must be a sacrifice for you.

Zenobia (not sure if he's being sarcastic): Mom instilled a strong sense of family duty in all of us.  My siblings need me, so here I am. 

Andre: Excellent.  Since the matters of home and family fall under his purview, I'll give the floor over to Mr. Rhee. 

Jimin: Thank you, sir.  (To Zenobia and Boudicca) There was some question of locking down your father's finances, but given the needs of  minor children, I managed to keep some funds available.  Household and educational expenses, for example.  Boudicca's tuition and books are paid from her own accounts, so we don't need to worry about that. 

Zenobia:  Yeah, Mom saw to that.  When I decided against higher education, he tried to take my college fund. She didn't want him doing that to the others if they pursued unseemly careers. 

Jimin: There are some formalities, papers to sign regarding custody of Draco and Leia, but no surprises.  Besides a collective tightening of the proverbial belt, I think life will mostly go on as usual for them. 

Andre: There were some questions as to Zenobia's ability to fulfill her role. 

Zenobia: Yet I was the first person he called to do it.  (imitating Paris) You are the eldest child, it falls upon you.

Andre (trying not to smile): Questionable morals aside, you pass muster as a responsible adult.  

Boudicca: I think Draco might have sealed that deal, anyway.  Shot himself in the foot, telling the investigator what a sleazy slimy slut you are and then praising your friends as good people.  Albus in particular. 

Zenobia: He does have a lot more respect for Albus than I would've expected. 

Andre: Well, then, once these papers are signed, we can all go about our day.  I'll be back in touch with you regarding Paris's defense.