Thread: Checking up (att:Miranda only) 7-9-10

Miranda is sitting with her knees drawn to her chest, an open book on the bed before her when her phone chimes with an incoming text. She looks over to the discarded handbag from where it fell a few nights before and frowns, considering ignoring it. Making a face, she slides her legs down and off the bed, bare feet silent as she walks to the bag and lifts the phone. When she sees the message is from Mackenzie, her expression lightens and she texts back:

<t>will need a few mins, but would love company. should be in my office in 30<t>

Miranda looks down at the nightgown she hasn't bothered changing out of, makes another face and sighs. She goes to the massive antique wooden wardrobe in the corner of the room and shuffles through a few dresses before picking a casual, bohemian dress of soft cream cotton and pulling it over her head. She runs a hand through her disheveled sable hair, and goes to the door; picking up the handbag and slipping on a pair of flats left by the exit. As she is leaving she stands in the sewer right outside her door and gazes back in at her sanctuary, taking strength from it before making her way out to her car.

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Miranda pulls the Vantage to a stop right outside the galerie and steps out of the car, the night breeze tousling her hair. She walks inside, pausing to speak briefly to the receptionist on duty, letting them know she is expecting company and to send Mackenzie back when she arrives.

Once inside her office, Miranda turns on a few lamps and starts the electric fire. She makes herself busy for a few moments, pouring wine and setting glasses on the table, waiting for her guest.

Mackenzie takes her time getting to the shop. She doesn't want to make Miranda feel rushed. She arrives about 35 to 40 minutes after she recieved the response. She walks into the galerie and frowns slightly to herself as she looks down at her blue jeans and grey t-shirt with a ying-yang on it.

You know, Mackenzie, it's not like you don't have nicer clothes you could wear. She sighs slightly. But I don't need to impress anyone...either they want to know me or they don't. And me is comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt.

She walks up to the receptionist and is slightly surprised to be shown back immediately. She goes back to the office and pauses at the doorway. She knocks softly on the doorframe. "Evening, Miranda."

Miranda looks up when Mackenzie knocks with a smile, "Hello again." She motions towards the seating arrangement in the middle of the room, "Make yourself comfortable."

She lifts one of the glasses she had prepared and looks to her guest, "Would you care for a drink?"

Mackenzie smiles at her and walks in. She settles herself in the seat she sat the last time she was here. "Thank you, but I lack the ability to enjoy food or drink anymore." She smiles again. "I appreciate the gesture."

She glances around the room for a moment and then rests her eyes on Miranda again. "How are you this evening? I saw you briefly the other night when you were at the club, but that night did not appear to go very well." She makes a slight face. "And after everything, I didn't know how the City was treating you. I wanted you to know that someone was thinking of you...and cared that you were back in the City."

Miranda nods and leaves the glasses on the table. She takes a seat across from Mackenzie, slipping off her shoes and pulling her legs beneath her, listening as the other woman speaks.

"That means quite a lot to me, thank you. I spent a great deal of time shortly after returning wondering exactly what was the point of it all. I felt I had no connections, no one to care. I think it's the bonds we form that keep us going, I'm glad you consider me a friend." She pauses and smiles.

"I regret how things ended up at the Asylum. I was so self absorbed in my own sorrow that I couldn't see what I was causing. I owe Isabella a great favor for what she did for me, helping me to see clearer. I regained something I believed to be lost to me that night, and it has helped immensely."

A moment passes as Miranda's gaze is turned inward. She then tilts her head to the side and regards her guest. "Perhaps I might ask a question of you?".

Mackenzie nods. "Yes, the connections we make are what keeps us going. I'm glad you have some to keep you in the City again." She smiles. "Of course you may ask me a question. I can't promise I have the right answer, but please." She folds her hands casually in her lap.

"Of course. It just occurred to me that as Harpy you are lot more connected to the City than I and I was wondering..." Miranda stops and swallows before continuing, unsure of how to say what she needs to say.

"If I wanted to talk to someone about," she shakes her head and tries again. "If I felt myself slipping, giving in to the bestial urges that we all fight. If I wanted help keeping in touch with my ...humanity, who could I go to?"

Mackenzie seems a bit surprised at the question and then looks at Miranda closely. "With what you endured, it does not surprise me...and I'm sure I don't even know a tenth of what all happened." She genuinely looks concerned. "Well, I have been told that Emma is a good person for that...but ultimately you need to find someone you are comfortable with that is still holding on to theirs. Do you feel comfortable with Emma?"