Wine Night!

[sparrowfreling]

Wine Night!

Hypatia's Apartment

Two days ago, Hypatia Stone received a text message from her sister's ex-partner, letting her know that they'd be joining her at Enodia Station. Surprise! 🎉 The two had always been fond friends and had gotten along swimmingly at family events...but they haven't talked much since the divorce. So it's equal parts celebratory and awkward to be getting back in touch.

But how awkward could it be, really?

Keen to get Sparrow Freling off to a good start at Enodia Station, Hypatia arranges for a wine night with friends at her apartment the evening of their arrival! There will be wine (obviously), cute hors d'oeuvres, and homemade needhams. Will this help them feel at home? Maybe! The guest list includes Rory Fairfax, Lou Sweetapple, and Rufus Kearney. Just a nice group of gents around their age! An ideal welcoming committee!

Sparrow arrives shortly before 7PM (they're early! who'd have thought!), armed with a bottle of wine, two letters for 'Auntie Hy' from Shiloh and Joss, and some stunning prints of rolling fields accented with emerging Riftland oddities from a recent work trip. Are these pretty? They hope these are pretty.

Let's get this wine night going!

---

What could go wrong? . . .

Comments

HYPATIA'S APARTMENT: Boys Inc.

[sparrowfreling]

Despite themself, Sparrow laughs and looks down briefly into their wine and thoughtlessly reaches up to touch the back of their neck and their short hair. "We cut it ourselves these days," they respond without considering how this will sound to the new arrivals, they're just talking to fill up the silence, "It's easier."

For a split second, they feel inclined to ask Rory if he likes it but...no.

Instead, they look up again and try not to get preoccupied with Rory's familiar but unfamiliar face -- that beard really does suit him and it's good that he's finally allowed have one and -- focus, Sparrow. "We're...glad to be somewhere new!" they offer after looking at Lou again, not willing to lie but not eager to get into the complexities of the truth just now either, "You guys look like you've been through it, though. Riftlands?" There's a warmth to their tone, revealing genuine concern and curiosity and fondness despite their obvious discomfort.

HYPATIA'S APARTMENT: Boys Inc.

[sticks_and_stones]

Hypatia, who is very very excited to introduce her new friends to Sparrow, is on the verge of popping up off the couch when she notices the very strange energy that's going on. And the comment about 'small world'. And the fact that Lou knows their name. And Rory knows that they've had a haircut. Smiling but clearly confused, she looks between everyone before rising with a little less jauntiness than she'd initially been going to.

"Oh!. You each other already?" Is that...good? Everyone is acting weird. "I'm really sorry to drag you guys out." Maybe this was a terrible idea. She sets aside her glass of wine, looking to Sparrow for a moment, unsure of what to do, before looking back at the newly arrived guests. "Let me pour some wine. And some water, to help balance it out."

HYPATIA'S APARTMENT: Boys Inc.

[loudon]

"Oh, we're good!" Lou insists quickly, because he doesn't want Hypatia to apologize for anything. He knows they all look rough, but that's beside the point.

"Riftlands, yeah. Giant moles. But don't worry, it's all good," Lou gives them a double thumbs up. "When did you get here? And how do y'all know each other?"

HYPATIA'S APARTMENT: Boys Inc.

[coulee]

"Oh, we're good!" Are they, Lou? ARE THEY? Sparrow's AT THE STATION like in the MEET MY GOOD FRIEND WHO'S LIVING AND WORKING HERE FOREVER way and he's using collective pronouns which means he probably came along with whatever hot(, committed, knows-what-they-want) af spouse he ended up marrying and also he's LIMINAL and now that means this goddamn station has Leon AND Sparrow AND Colin AND Rufus has to deal with even more of his bullshit at once and– Oh. Shit. Rufus. He should've introduced– but now it'd be awkward– and what does he even say–

Cool, another way to fuck this up!

In the beautiful, silent moment between Lou's questions and Sparrow's chance to answer, Rory extricates himself from the conversation by mumbling something about Cody needing to go outside (even though she'd done so not ten minutes earlier). He sends two texts as soon as he and Cody can head down the hallway at a clipped pace: one to Rufus ("🐖🔥👻   🙏😵‍💫🤯") and one to Isaiah.

HYPATIA'S APARTMENT: Boys Inc.

[sparrowfreling]

Rory's abrupt departure, in their life again and gone again just as suddenly, leaves Sparrow feeling somehow even more off balance. Maybe the window plan had been the way to go after all. Rather than allowing their eyes to linger on the now empty doorway, though, they take a large drink from their wine glass before glancing at Lou and Hypatia again.

They both have the same question and they're the only one left to answer.

"We used to date Rory, a long time ago," they tell Hypatia. "And Hypatia is our former sister-in-law," they tell Lou. They smile and shrug their broad shoulders as if this is some sort of charming and funny little coincidence, but their next drink empties their wine glass.

HYPATIA'S APARTMENT: Boys Inc.

[sticks_and_stones]

Hypatia is in the kitchen, pouring everyone their glasses of wine, when Rory exits. She tries her best to convince herself that he truly is just taking Cody out, though it's hard to really believe it with how the general atmosphere is feeling. Still, she's smiling, practiced at grinning and bearing it. Everyone says they're good! Take them at their word, Hypatia!

She goes to hand Lou and Rufus their wine when Sparrow explains. And. Oh. Her eyes dart to the door. Oh no. She has truly royally fucked up, though she can at least admit to herself that this isn't something she could have foreseen.

"...definitely a small world." Never once has hostessing required her to fix this sort of situation. Hypatia wants to apologize so badly, but knows that will likely just make things more awkward. "Rory and Lou and Rufus have really been taking care of me since I got here, and Sparrow and I always had a nice time at family things, so..." Ugh!!!!! "At least we have wine!"