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The two Supers finished up their 'breakfast', which was more classified as a lunch. They chatted while they ate, finally decided on visiting the track, as Dio said there was supposed to be a race today.

With that, they headed down to the garage. They decided to take Dios speeder, a black albeit classy one, rather than Cosettes which was bright red and the latest model. They both headed down to the racing circuit, looking forward to a little bit of fun.

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Richard led the way for Lorey up to the large apartment complex. He had just taken her fora brief shopping trip, and he had to admit, the both looked dashing for a simple dinner with his mother. After recalling the apartment number, Richard led Lorey inside and straight to the elevator. He had said nothing since they left the shop, feeling his stomach knot up already. He had this stern shadowy look on his face he actually wasn't aware he had.

He said nothing more for a bit longer, before finally turning to give her a smile. "Lorey...You look lovely...and...I love you..." he leaned down and kissed her a brief, fleeting passionate kiss. One that seemed to be laced with the butterflies he was feeling ,as well as the defiance over not caring what his mother would think of him or his situation.

It was soon after that the elevator came to halt, with a soft bump and a light ding. the metalized doors slid open as Richard led Lorey out into a hallway, the flowers in his free hand. He led her down the hall, mumbling something about how she moved once when father died and he had left, so she could have a smaller home to herself. This was an upper scale area. She had most likely afforded it when she got part of his father inheritance, and part from checks Richard used to send her monthly till he became jobless. Nonetheless, she was doing just fine on her own.

Towards the end of the hall, Richard stopped in front of one of the doors. He hesitated only slightly before letting out soft rhythmic rap on the door. There was a pause, before you could hear the clocking of the the door unlocking. An older but dignified woman answered the door, looking worn, but still had a strange spark to her. She was dressed in a simple stylish, somewhat elegant gown, her completely white hair up in a tight bun. She had dark brown eyes just like Richard's. Nothing was said fora brief awkward moment before Richard flashed his biggest most dazzling smile. "Mom..." he said in a loving tone, handing her the bouquet.

Richard's mother said nothing a moment, just taking the flowers and giving the two a disdainful once over. But there was no hiding a softening when Richard called her 'mom'. "Well, don't stand out there like a bunch of statues, come in." She said, turning away without another look, smelling the daffodils as she disappeared into the house. Richard shot Lorey a apologetic but soft smile, taking the lead in, but shutting the door behind him.

"These are lovely Richard, but are you sure you could afford them?" She had asked over her shoulder as she disappeared into what Richard guessed was the kitchen. Her apartment wasn't as modern as Richard had expected, guessing she did that purposefully so that it would feel like their old home. Dark walls were crowded with pictures. Every table was as well, holding at least one or two frames. All of the furniture was very old, and very classy looking. A tall grandfather clock stood in the far corner of the living room which Richard led Lorey into. It had a vague victorian feel, with a modern twist here and there.
"Yes mother, I've recently gotten myself a new job. I've had various other ones as well...I've been taking good care of myself." he explained, wishing she would just stop stalling and come meet Lorey.
"Yes well..." She re-entered the room. acting as if she had just noticed the woman with Richard. Richard put his arm around Lorey, smiling.
"Mom, this is Lorelee Burnheart. She's my fiance..." he said proudly.
She seemed to look Lorey over a minute before nodding her head slightly. "Ah, how dreadfully rude of me. I'm Abigale Mentaro, pleased to meet you dear..." She took Lorey's hand lightly before turning quickly. "I've got a roast burning in the oven, so excuse my rudeness for jsut another moment..." She called, scurryingo ff back into the kitchen.
Richard sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose already. He leaned down to whisper to Lorey. "I'm sorry..she's a bit...flighty in her old age...she'll switch from loving mother to stuffy old woman fast so be on your toes..." He sighed as he turned to get a look at the place.

He was drawn to a picture, hanging on one wall. He smiled, shaking his head. "This is my mother and father before he died..." he explained, moving out of the way so Lorey could see.

Richard nodded, looking at the picture with a mixture of pride, honor, affection, and slight anger. "Hm....I was supposed to be like him in a lot of ways..." he sighed looking around a bit more. There were a few pictures of Richard alone, at various ages. A lot from his teenage years. There were a lot of pictures of him and his mother when he was young too. Smiling, laughing, playing. But there were very few to no pictures of he and his father in a casual setting. Only in family portraits where they both looked solemn.

One such portrait made Richard laugh though. "Ha...Here's me in my early to middle teens...I was in a rebellious stage. I refused to cut my hair." he smiled shaking his head.

"And apparently you haven't grown out of it yet...seriously young man, you need a hair cut..." Abigale snapped as she returned with a tray of tea and cups. She set it on the coffee table, offering for them to take a seat. Richard brought Lorey over to the couch while his mother took a near by red velvet chair.
"I like my hair like this..." he sighed, reaching for a cup. She disregarded his comment, looking up to Lorey.

"Well I see Richard took nearly no time at all to get back in the saddle... how long have you known my Richard?" She asked, the hair on the back of Richards neck raising slightly. It had been roughly 7 years since Rose died. He had spent that 7 years grieving...

"Hm..." was all she really said as she gave Richard an unscrupulous look. Richard tensed.
"we're going to have a long engagement, so that we can have all the details squared away before we actually wed..." He explained, keeping his eyes on a spot on the carpet. She cocked an eyebrow, setting her cup down gently.

"Well thats one smart thing you've done in a long time..." She replied jut as coolly, and suddenly the temperature in the room dropped suddenly. Richard said nothing, his brow furrowing slightly.

Though feeling the tension in the room rise, his mother's face softened. "Well, since I am his mother, it's my job to show you embarrassing pictures.." She stood and walked over to a table, piking up one photo graph from inside a hidden drawer, walking back to hand it to Lorey. "This was him as a baby..." She explained, sitting back down. She seemed to be trying to be cordial now, which was very odd.
Richard had always thought his mother developed some sort of bipolar or double personality disorder shortly after his father died... Maybe thats the reason they drifted apart.

Abigale's smile softened as she looked at Richard. "Yes, he took after Johnathon, his father, in many ways...he was a dashing man..." She looked back lovingly at a painting of Johnathon Mentaro in his full military swag.
"Though sadly he didn't take after his work ethic, let alone ethic in his marriage...." Richard grip on his tea cup tightened. "They married so young...Richard was still just a baby himself..." She shook her head as she added a sugar cube to her cup. "He swore he'd provide her with the best, but after his father died...his grades in the Military academy fell, then he got caught up in some silly scandal...causing him to be brought down a few ranks...though instead of handling it like a man, he quit and became a police officer instead..."
"They were disgusting horrors of men who didn't deserve the power handed to them.." Richard said lowly, though his mother ignored his comment.
"Well he'd always had trouble with direction, being as rebellious as he was, but he soon learned not listening was deadly. Rose died because of his arrogance..."
The sound of glass breaking silenced the room. Ricahrd had shattered the tea cup in his hand, causing it to bleed a bit. He stood suddenly, angry.
"ROSE DIED BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO BRING HONOR AND TRUTH TO VERATIA!!!" He screamed at her. She didn't even flinch. She merely stirred her tea idly.
"I was merely warning dear Lorelee here of the danger that seems to follow you...so she knows what's she's getting into..." She paused a moment, glancing up at the seething Richard. "And now she can see what other bad traits you possess...." The room fell deadly silent.
Richard looked down at his bleeding hand, breathing heavily.
"...I'll go get soemthing to clean this tea up..." He mumbled under his breath, walking briskly, straight backed to the kitchen.

"I don't think poorly of anyone..." She replied curtly. "I think poorly of actions." She took a sip of her tea, sapping her fingers for a droid to come out and clean up the tea and glass Richard had dropped. "I dont really care where you came from... It just depends on your actions..." She glanced up to Lorey. "...and from what I can tell, you're fine. Your intentions seem somewhat clear to me about why you'd marry my son. He's been a immature, grief stricken lush for years. But you've seemed to see past that and take him in your heart." She set down her cup and stood. "And for that I thank you..."