Word Count 897

Kestrel slid on her work bag and exited the studio slowly, sighing softly as she walked out towards the street, sliding into a black polished car after it approached, and sighed, leaning back and shutting her eyes.

Tired as she was from work, she had family affairs to attend and today this meant her mother and aunt's partner. Oh, they weren't married, but after her aunt had recovered from her divorce and her mother her father's death, they met the same man. A man open about being polyamorous, and, contrary to what people thought, the pair knew. And he wasn't the scum to either. In fact it was why he didn't marry - he wasn't used to looking after them, or her cousin,

Kes and her brother Joey, however, were older, and as such didn't see him often, instead being summoned for stiff visits. He wasn't unkind... Merely... Stiff.

The car turned into the restaurant district and stopped before aMandarin restaurant, Kes sighing and sliding out as she was let in, and led to the corner table. Her mother and Ayunt's artner sat waiting patiently, reading the menu quietly. eyes finally flicking up at her approach as she shouldered off the bag and sat, sighing.

"Hello." Kes drawled. He nodded, placing the menu down neatly before lacing his fingers together, studying her intently. The man never smiled, never seemed to seem pleased, yet through his stone face, Kes saw the effort at kindness in his face. He meant well. and he finally spoke in a calm, drawn out voice.

"I trust your business was fruitful this day." He said calmly. Kes nodded, sighing as she propped her face in a alm.

"It was. If but annoying a bit with a few callers."

A brow raised.

"You let your lessers creep under your skin? Then your mother is right to object to your failure to call lately." He said calmly.

Kes paused, tensing as she blinked, before swallowing, and looking away. Could she tell him she was a page? Of the war she was involved in?... No. No, never. He couldn't understand.

"Bust is all. Extra gigs."

"You need to work less and focus more on your family." He drawled in response. "You never know what might occur."

At that, Kes paused, eying him in surprise. He was calm as ever, but seemed to read her exoression as a book, motioning.

"My father passed suddenly, leaving me and my elder sister - his favored - to decide how to go on. Suffice it to say Kestrel, we split our company. I do not wish for you to lose someone to realize how important the rest of the family is."

He motioned to a waitress, ordering supper as Kes sank in her seat. He wasn't even married in, It wasn't his family - not to her, or Joey. Maybe to Aiko, whom never accepted hr biological father, but this man? She adored. Kes couldn't tell this man off, either, and she sighed, instead looking away in frustration.

"Yes, sir."

Kes sighed, sinking lower in hwr chair as her mother's partner reached, slowly and awkwardly patting her hair slowly. Kes sighed. He tried, she knew that, but she still had trouble, and allowed herself the affection from the man whom struggled to feel as he withdrew.

"Further, Kestrel," He began, and a rare smile blossomed on his face, earning a raised head.

"If your work is keeping you away, have you considered an assistant?"

"No sir. I've not the money." Kes rolled her eyes again, earning a good natured chuckle, and the man adjusted.

"I'd be happy to pay them."

"I don't want to impose."

"It is no imposition."

He leaned back, the meal arriving and Kes took chopsticks in hand, closing her eyes. The image or Cordoba filled her mind, visions of her time talking to Xifeng, of trying to restore her wonder, and the DJ sighed. She had important work restoring her Wonder, to keeping Order's morale high, and to the War. She couldn't risk a civilian. Still, he was in a mood, and clearly planning, and Kes looked up, sighing.

"Mr. Shenguai, I-"

"Hui Jun, Kestrel. I'd think we're on first name basis by now."

"--Hui Jun, truly, I appreciate the offer, but I'm not sure an assistant would help." She said politely. She nibbled her noodles, ensuring to slurp for his sake. She did enjoy the food and appreciated the meal, but it simply troubled her ti rsk her secret. Hui Jun was not deterred.

"Nonsense. Only the best for the Eldest daughter. We we look starting tomorrow for someone whom suits your needs."

Kestrel sank, eyes going wide in horror. Was he kidding? There was no escape. He was doing this. He was... Parenting. She groaned softly, ignoring the eying she got as she slurped, sighing. He was aware she was too old for this right? Or did he not care? Regardless, it added complications shje did not want, and she fully planned to stall as long as possible. Still, Hui Jun eemed pleased, and Kes didn't argue further, simply continuing the meal in silence even as the businessman across from her, so intgent on fathering, ate calmly, motioning to an aide to schedule the outing.

Whatever the plan was, Kes wanted none of it, instead merely slurping away and wishing she was anywhere but there.