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

Sparrow & Hypatia (Pre-Guests)

[sparrowfreling]

The warm expression on Hypatia's face when she opens the door scatters Sparrow's unease with surprising swiftness. She's still family, after all. If she wants to be. Without stopping to think, they step in and pull the woman into a firm one-armed hug. "Hypatia! It's good to see you too! We've missed you." They're a moment into this crushing gesture of affection when it occurs to them that...maybe this is too much to expect. They begin to draw back.

Sparrow & Hypatia (Pre-Guests)

[sticks_and_stones]

The hug is a little bit of a surprise, if only because she wouldn't blame Sparrow for not wanting to be super affectionate with their ex-wife's sister. But the moment that Hypatia's brain catches up, and before they can pull away, she hugs back whole-heartedly. Skittles, wanting to be involved, rubs up against Sparrow's leg before meandering back further inside.

"I missed you too." Feeling her eyes starting to sting she pulls in a breath, centering herself. "Here, let's get you inside so I'm not just leaving you trapped in the hallway."

Sparrow & Hypatia (Pre-Guests)

[sparrowfreling]

No doubt now. Still family. And that's...really nice. Sparrow smiles and squeezes Hypatia firmly once more before releasing her and following her into the quaint, well-kept apartment. Predictably, there's a thorough spread and an open bottle of wine and a collection of five glasses with cute little charms dangling from the stems. And needhams, which immediately earns a laugh from them. "Really rolling out the red carpet for us..."

Once she's shut the door, they hold out the bottle they've brought as an offering. "This is for you. And these. We stopped by...Montserrat's on the way in." They gesture to the trio of envelopes they're holding; one large and sturdy, two small and decorated with stickers and lettering in bright colors. A hint of discomfort passes over their face, but they don't allow it to stay. That's just how it is now. Her place, where the kids are. And their place...out here. But at least it's not far.

Sparrow & Hypatia (Pre-Guests)

[sticks_and_stones]

"...I hope it's not too silly." Hypatia says quickly; she keeps telling herself to be more confident, but it's hard not to fuss, especially when she's feeling a little emotional all of a sudden. Still, she forces a smile, especially as she's handed the wine, though the expression fades somewhat as Sparrow's own does.

"You didn't have to bring anything, but I really appreciate it. And..." she pulls in another breath, "I'm really glad you could stop by and see them." After a long moment, Hypatia reaches out her free hand to gently touch Sparrow's arm, adding a little softly. "I'm so sorry that you have to go through this, Sparrow. It's not fair at all."