The Midnight House was comfortably crowded—enough bodies filled the lounge to make it feel full and warm without being overwhelming. Maryn loved these evenings, when drinks splashed in glasses and the air hung heavy with anticipation. It made her skin sing and her heart race.

She was engaged in conversation with a guest and was trying to decide whether to test out one of her new potions on him when a stern-faced woman stepped between them. Her sharp green eyes caught Maryn’s attention immediately, piquing her curiosity. She looked slightly familiar, though Maryn wasn’t quite sure why.

She promised to catch up with the guest later, then gestured to a small space available on one of the couches in the lounge. “For you?” she said playfully. “Of course I do.” She led the woman through the room and took a seat on the couch, patting the cushion beside her. After taking a sip of her drink, she smiled. “What can I do for you?”

Katerina really didn't care who the woman had been talking to. She had plans to protect her sister and no guest of this place was going to prevent that. Following who she assumed was Alura she sat down, perching on the edge of the couch. She never felt comfortable in the place though, even with Ravin assuring her she was welcome. "Alura right?"

Clasping her hands together she hadn't really been sure how to ask this. She didn't want to pay the girl or feel in debt, but talking her way through things had never been her strength. "You know my sister Eden yes?" That was a good place to start, and Kat figured she could judge if she really cared about her sister at all.

The dark-haired woman sat beside her, and Maryn tilted her head slightly to one side. “That’s me,” she said, a curious smile curling across her lips.

As soon as the woman mentioned Eden, realization blossomed across Maryn’s face. “Eden! Of course!” She leaned forward slightly. “I knew you looked familiar.” She ran a hand through her dark hair and propped her elbow on the back of the couch. “Darling girl, your Eden.” The serious look on the stranger’s face suddenly made her stomach twist, and the playfulness vanished from her tone. “Is she okay?” She cast a glance about the room, searching for Ravin’s newest dove, but she was nowhere to be found.

Katerina knew her and her sister had a lot of similarities. So the realization on Alura's face was a little slow coming, but not too bad. Yes, we've been told we should be the twins rather than my brother and I. She usually never shared anything about herself, but it made people comfortable or whatever.

Shaking her head it was actually nice to see the concern on the girls face. Clearly she liked Mina enough to be worried. She's great, and I'm actually hoping you'd help keep it that way? Crossing her legs she figured Alura seemed straight forward and that was the they way to go with this.

“You’ve a brother as well?” Maryn said, and a pout pulled at her lips. “I’ve always wanted a brother.” She let out a wistful sigh. As a child, she’d spent many days playing alone, wishing her parents would grant her a sibling, but it wasn’t to be.

Everyone thinks that and then you get five, not worth the hassle. She loved her brothers, especially her twin, but they could be so infuriating at times. She supposed that wasn’t unique to the Van Zant family, although she had no way of knowing or really caring.

The smile faltered a bit as she wondered if this dove was really observant at Mina described her. Hopefully she’d have known if someone was a problem, but at this point she was still the best option. No nothing yet, that’s why I wanted to talk with you though. Drumming her fingers she looked around the room, hoping her sister really did have the night off like she said. Mina likes to fight her own battles, but would you be willing to keep an eye on her a little? Nothing intense, but helping with your skills if needed?

Maryn’s lips curled up in a smile. “Five brothers, hmm?” She glanced around the Midnight House. “And do they all know how Eden fills her pockets?” Her tone was light, teasing. Her parents would’ve been horrified to find her in a place like this.

The woman looked about the room, and Maryn used the moment to study her. She seemed…on edge? Perhaps she was always this way. Or perhaps she was just in need of a strong drink.

“Of course.” She sat forward a bit, a serious expression falling over her face. “I don’t have a sister, but I’ll look out for her as though she were my own.” She considered reaching out to place a caring hand on the woman’s knee, then thought better of it. She preferred keeping all five fingers where they belonged.

“What’s your name?” she said. “I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced.”


^{[Katerina Winters ]}