Morningstar Manor

There were several familiar faces gracing the Mocha this morning.

Jason sat at a table in the corner - his uniform looking crisp, shoes polished, badge cleaming - and sipped a coffee as he worked on some forms attached to a clipboard.

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Demitri had some early lessons to teach this morning so had stopped in for coffee and a bagel.

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Max had numerous meetings to attend to that day so was up as well, dressed smartly and having his coffee and reading the paper while he waited for Micah to arrive with the car.

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Erik too was in the Mocha, having tea before heading to a meeting with his agent.

It wasn't terribly early in the morning, not yet ten, that found Persephone in the pool, in a light blue two-piece, tied behind her neck. She liked to swim, and since this place had one she would have ended up there sooner or later.

Every now and then she broke the surface of the water and listened for a minute, waiting to hear any approaching footsteps or the distinct rustle of over-clothes coming off. When she didn't notice any noises signifying people approaching, she ducked back under and continued the lengths she was swimming.

Persephone stood in the lobby of the manor, relatively unsure of the new surroundings. But she's at least here, and that's a step. The sounds were enough, with the echoes off the walls, for her to judge about how big the lobby was; unfortunately anything not making noise was a big harder to locate.

She could smell coffee, and debated going over to find something to drink, but that would have meant leaving her suitcase there unattended, so she waited.

Hello Persephone,

it was very nice meeting you the other day at the Students' Association. I found this email address for you on the list of Marvin's friends that we got off his computer before we donated it to his old school; I hope it is still working?

I have been thinking about what you've told me, and am wondering if you'd accept my hospitality until the University makes room for you on the floor for blind students, or gets more dorm space converted; the dean promised me they were working on it. But until then, you'd be welcome to stay in Marvin's old room.

I hear public transport to the University is quite easy to use, and there are other kids from the Manor that study there and go by car, and might take you.

Tell me what you think!

Yours, Maude Temminck

Saturday afternoon, and there was a tea for friends and contributors at the rooms of some worthwhile cause that Maude supported. Nothing new there.

But when she got out of the limo and was greeted by her hosts and introduced to some of the students, Maude Temminck was reminded of why she was here, and not, let's say, over at the Opera Society.

If things had been different, Marvin might be one of these kids now; or maybe, given how much time had passed, he might be one of the grad student tutors?

Maude chatted to people, friendly as ever, but realised she did miss her middle son quite often. When she got home she' give little Morgan a cuddle, and feel better.-