Having her morning caf, reviewing reports from home.
She needs to set up an appointment with the Director of Naval Resources and Development over some... questionable requirements.
Of being cutthroat. Power hungry. Controlling. Manipulative.
My mother is a formidable woman, but make no mistake—everything she does, she does for /her idea/ of what the family should be.
Even if the family would prefer it otherwise.
> at hiding it. That just makes it all worse.”
A bright smile.
“Thankfully I have managed to find a few good people to remind me why I am still needed.”
Gently patting her eyes dry.
“Ugh, I needed that,” she hums. “All of this gets… so wrapped up in red tape and lies so quickly. I always end up with headaches and bad feelings.”
A deep breath and a sigh. “It’s like I know when they are lying, too, even the ones who are good >
There she is.
That's what he was hoping for. Even if she has to go right back into all the stress and worry when they part, at least he got her to laugh.
And he joins her, that gruff chuckle a nice bass note to go along with the golden chords of her laughter.
For just a moment, she is dead silent.
But it breaks when she laughs—a real laugh, enough to shatter that calm poise she wears so well until nothing but a normal woman is left.
Trying to find room to breathe around the relief.
It's good to see her let it out, and be real about the frustrations and the situations.
He's more proud that shocked, and he lifts one hand to his chest in mock-scandal.
"Stars, Senator, is that All?"
He's grinning all the while.