The Christmas period had not been kind to Bryony. She'd been pressured to spend much more of it at Pineview Hall than she'd have chosen to and with it had come near-constant criticism and belittlement. Her mother had even put her on a strictly-controlled diet that had seen her lose a few pounds too quickly to be really healthy. After so many months away from her old home, going back had been a shock to the system for Bryony and she hadn't been entirely able to shake the resulting depression of spirits.
Seeing Marcus would hopefully help with the latter. Though she'd been back at her aunt Hecuba's since the second week in January, she hadn't seen anyone outside of Braith and occasionally Ophelia. Even at the studio her usual enthusiasm had been dimmed and she just knew Braith was reconsidering her apprenticeship.
After spending far too long making her excuses to her aunt, Bryony finally apparated into Marcus' flat. She smiled when she saw his familiar figure standing by the window. "Sorry I'm late..." she apologised as she approached, though they hadn't settled a specific time. "Have you been waiting long?" She paused at his side, part of her wanting to put manners aside and lean against him, just for a moment. Instead, she looked up at him. "How are you?"