<span style="font-family: 'Didact Gothic', 'sans-serif'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0080">Evie stuck the end of her straw in her mouth, not wanting to admit that nerves were starting to overtake her. Finding the straw with her teeth, she bit down, looking from her father to the two men in suits. It didn't escape her attention that neither of them stood to greet <i>her</i>; so why should she give them any kind of nicety? Wrinkling her nose instead, she settled into one of the empty seats, feigning an interest in her latte. She looked down at her manicured nails: french with black tips, because why not? So far, her nails were more interesting than what was going on here. She heard her father sigh before he settled into a seat as well, the four of them lapsing into an uncomfortable silence. Evie slurped at her straw, annoying her father and hopefully the other two on purpose. Really, she knew she should be on better behavior, but something about this situation just didn't sit right with her.<br/>
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Especially when the door opened again and Maeve walked in with her parents. Evie knew who they were, of course, considering they were probably her father's two most hated people ever. Immediately, she sat up straighter, though she didn't smile at her friend. Instead, she shot her a confused look, one her friend turned on her parents. Maeve's father gripped at her arm tightly, however, shutting her up. Frowning as the mute threesome approached them, Evie fixed a flat look in her father's direction. Only he wouldn't look at her, and short of standing and doing some dance moves on the table, she didn't see him looking in her direction anytime soon. What the hell?<br/>
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Maeve's father greeted the men as well. Evie scooted over in her chair to allow her friend to sit if she wanted; it was obvious that whatever was going on, they were going to need each other. Their parents rivalry be damned. Another silence fell over the seven of them, broken only when one of the suited men's phone chimed. It seemed everyone's eyes turned towards him, waiting with bated breath to see what he would do. When he stood, he took Evie by surprise, though it was nothing compared to the surprise she felt when he instructed her and Maeve to follow suite. Still confused, Evie stood, her half empty latte in her hands. "Excuse me?" She questioned, looking around at everyone. Even Maeve's parents. <br/>
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Suddenly not interested in the coffee anymore, Evie dropped it in a nearby trash can and then turned back to the group. "Where are we going, exactly?" She asked further, his grin making her uncomfortable. The other man had stood as well, and he gestured towards the door, a matching grin on his own face. Brothers, she realized, looking at them now. How had she not noticed that before? They had to be related. Turning her head to look over her shoulder, she spotted the limo outside. A flutter of <i>something</i>- excitement? fear?- coursed through her. But, holding her head high, she started out of the cafe, shivering when the cold night air bit at her exposed shoulder. Adjusting the neck of the sweater, she turned to the others as they walked out behind her.<br/>
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"Anyone care to speak, now?"<br/>
</span><br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffffff">---</span><br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0080"></span><br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffa6">Benjamin ran his hands over his black suit- he'd specifically chosen the black one because a, he looked good in it and b, to ofset his brothers choice- as the first family approached. The father instructed the girl to say hello, but instead, she fixed them with a curious, yet slightly bitchy look before settling into one of the empty chairs. She started inspecting her nails and slurping her coffee, the sound of which made him wince. Grateful that the unladylike one belonged to his brother, he waited anxiously for the mint-haired girl to arrive. He actually almost missed it, as he'd been looking around the cafe when she entered. He felt his brother nudge him and turned his head, spotting her instantly.<br/>
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She was beautiful; even moreso than the picture had shown. His face lit up in a grin, though he still didn't stand as she approached with her parents. The father greeted them again, and Ben nodded in their direction, though his eyes immediately fell back to Maeve. A unique name for an obviously unique girl. Leaning forward, he would have spoken if his brothers phone hadn't chimed at that moment. Excitement flickered in his gaze as he realized that the limo must have arrived; their ride. As Atlas stood, he followed suite, grateful when everyone else did, too. The girls were not instructed to do anything but follow them, but of course the girl with the pierced dimples found it necessary to speak and question them.<br/>
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She would learn.<br/>
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Following everyone outside, Ben merely gestured to the limo when she turned to face them again. "It's time to get in the limo, girls." He nodded towards the car. The driver got out and opened the back door, standing there stoic, even in the cold. Ben really did appreciate that man. Shifting his attention back to the girls, it annoyed him slightly to see that they hadn't moved. He didn't want to reach out and touch them, thinking they might flip out (or at least one of them) and cause a scene that they desperately didn't need. Making a slight face, he glanced towards Atlas, deciding to just go ahead and get it over with. "Listen, girls. Maeve. Evangeline. Your parents- and your father- have agreed that you two will go with us."<br/>
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Once again, he nodded towards the limo. "You see, and we can go into more detail later, you two are payment, if you will." Ever the blunt one, he resisted the urge to shrug as he spoke. Trying to appear calm and commanding- which he was good at- he took a step towards Maeve. He kept a smile on his face, though, even as he reached out to offer her his arm. "All you have to do is get in the limo. All will be explained in good time."</span></span>