Song as Old as Rhyme

[yamikuronue]

He rolls his eyes as he buttons his top. "What, like a pony?"

[CalamityJade]

"What? No! Why the hell would you think that?" O shook his head. "Look, if you're gonna try to dodge getting a dressing down for missing the party, don't do it in a way that most guys apologize to their girlfriends." Of course, he'd probably just deal with it now rather than run off to the club. "So instead of bigger, how about 'more meaningful'. This thing was kinda a big deal, remember?"

[yamikuronue]

Lance pauses, resting his forehead against the mirror on the back of the closet door. "I know, okay? I know. And I meant to be there. I know I've been weird about him being gay and I know I don't exactly get along with his fiancé and  I know I complain about his daughter and I meant to be there so he'd know I don't mean it and I fucking blew it. I'll... I'll figure something out."

[CalamityJade]

"...Go for something for the kid." O gave a long sigh before smiling. "I know you're got some hang-ups, but I doubt you actually hate any of them. Siegfried knows that too. Best bet is finding something his daughter'll like. Make it a little harder to be pissed at you."

[yamikuronue]

"Thanks." He takes a deep breath, then steps back from the mirror, adjusting his hair a bit. "Alright. I'm going. Wish me luck."

[CalamityJade]

"Heh. Don't be lucky, Lance. Just use your head. That you can control, at least."

[yamikuronue]

The storm that was threatening in the afternoon blows in properly in the evening; Siegfried seems quieter than normal at dinner, but otherwise doesn't let his displeasure at Lance's absence show. He's just clearing the table when there's a knock at the front door -- which is particularly strange given their reclusive habits, distance from the main road, and Lance's disdain for knocking. Who on earth would be visiting in a thunderstorm like this?

[accalia]

Julie, in human form for once and joining the family at the table, raises her eyebrow at the knock and makes as if to rise to answer the knock.

[CalamityJade]

Morden gave something of a sigh. "I'll get it. You can remain seated." He had calmed considerably from earlier in the day and was making an effort to be sociable, and while some instincts would say he should have a very...heated conversation with his soon-to-be brother-in-law Morden was aware that would not be helpful. Somewhat satisfying, yes, but not helpful. That and he was sure to catch hell if he left scorch marks anywhere in the house.

He rose from his seat and made for the door, adjusting his glasses and hair to make sure he was presentable before opening it.

[yamikuronue]

The girl on the doorstep has certainly seen better days. Her dress is muddy and bedraggled (and surprisingly low-cut), and her ballet flats are most likely ruined from long walking on uneven gravel and mud stains. Mascara runs down her cheeks, giving her an especially pitiable appearance. At least her hair is short enough not to drip into her eyes. She was clearly punk, as she had both a lip ring and an eyebrow ring; she tugged along a rolling suitcase, black, nondescript, but quite large.

"Please, can I u-use your phone?" she asks, in a small, pitiful voice.

[accalia]

Julie, already standing, follows Morden partway to the door, remaining out of direct line of sight from the door, but also close enough to be useful in the case of attackers. must protect family. must protect master. protect master's family.

Julie sighs inwardly, it's getting harder and harder to control her more animal side...

[CalamityJade]

Morden blinked in surprise...huh...and he'd keep an eye on her...but he couldn't just let her sit out in the rain. "I'm sure you can." He opened the door a little wider. "Hold on here and we'll also see about a towel." She didn't seem like she would be much trouble.

[yamikuronue]

"Thank you," she says, looking off to the side in embarrassment as she steps across the threshold. They really should get better security; if Horvar had bitten her already, she'd still have had no trouble here. She tugs the suitcase with her.

[CalamityJade]

Morden closed the door after her. "Now, if you give me a moment, I will find a cordless phone and a towel. Could you please wait here?" She had some magic, but not something he was familiar with...it also did not seem overly strong or focused. Possibly a student biting off more than they can chew? He needed to take a less filtered look, but it was likely she would be gone before that was needed. He moved back towards where Siegfried was likely to be. "Do you know where the towels you don't worry about being spotless are?"

[yamikuronue]

"No such thing," he teases, tiredly. "But the ones you mean are in the front closet, third shelf from the top."