<span style="font-family: 'Didact Gothic', 'sans-serif'">"Aren't you ready yet?"<br/>
<br/>
Lifting her gaze from the game of candy crush she'd been playing, Evangeline Rivers quirked a brow at her impatient seeming father. Him being impatient was nothing new; she had to have gotten the trait from somewhere. According to her brothers, their mother had been an angel of a human being. Her getting sick had devastated the family, especially their father. Although he was far from an emotional man- he hadn't even cried at her funeral- it was clear to those who knew him that watching her deteriorate and then finally leave this world had killed him inside. Michael remembered her the most, so if Evie ever wanted stories about the woman, it was him that she would go to. She and Luke were only a few years apart; neither of them remembered her well beyond pictures.<br/>
<br/>
Of course, that had all been years ago. Evie, now twenty three, rarely thought about her anymore. Her pictures all showed her current life. Going out with her friends, current pictures of her and her brothers, even a picture or two of her and her father. He wasn't a man who enjoyed pictures very much. He took them for the media or for his job, but getting him to take one with his family was like pulling teeth. Michael was like that. Growing up, he'd spent alot of time in his room, taking apart electronics and figuring out how to put them back together. It led to his degrees in software engineering and computer programming. He was extremely smart, but also extremely single.<br/>
<br/>
Pursing her perfectly painted lips in her father's direction, her eyes dipped back to the game. She moved a few more pieces of candy before she heard the man clear his throat, drawing her attention again. The two of them stared at each other for another few seconds before she sighed heavily, rolling her eyes and flipping onto her stomach. Shutting her screen off, she tossed her phone aside and pushed herself up, stretching her back. "Of course I'm ready. I've been waiting on you." It wasn't the truth, but oh well.<br/>
<br/>
Obviously, Henry didn't believe his daughter. "Get dressed, Evangeline. The car is leaving in ten minutes." He turned on his heel and left the room, the sound of his shoes echoing throughout the halls. Evie plopped onto her stomach, another sigh escaping her red lips. <br/>
<br/>
But still, in fifteen minutes time, she'd changed clothes and ran a brush through her hair. The coffee shop they were meeting at wasn't far, though Evie still didn't understand why she had to go. Her father never included the kids in his business meetings; why start now? He wasn't giving anything away, no matter how much she pouted and asked. With her arms crossed over her chest, she stared at the scenery passing by. It was going on seven PM, and the weather was already starting to be biting. She was grateful for the sweater she'd chosen. The car pulled into the off-brand coffee shop parking lot, and she made her way inside with her father. Ordering an iced vanilla latte, she realized her father hadn't even come to the counter. She located him in the corner easily, sitting with two men who were also dressed to impress. Quirking a brow in their direction, she waited for her latte and then headed in their direction.<br/>
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<br/>
Benjamin, ever the impatient one, drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair impatiently as he waited for the others to arrive. He and Atlas had made sure they would be here first, so that they could inspect and observe the others as they entered. Both brothers had been given a packet of information on the girls, who as it turned out, were friends despite being from rival family's. It was an interesting fact, and an important one. He kept it in the back of his mind as they waited, their coffee long having since gone cold. Things were being done a bit differently this time around, since there were two of them. Their sister was not being included in this deal, as she was a female. Not necessarily looked down upon, as she was clearly their father's favorite. She just didn't need to be involved in this.<br/>
<br/>
Yet still, the girl found a way to wriggle herself in. Ben's phone rang, and he glanced at the screen without moving his head. A soft sigh escaped his lips as he recognized the selfie Trinity had set on his phone. He reopened his eyes on the second ring, glancing over at Atlas, who appeared disinterested. Well fine then. Grabbing his phone, he swiped it to answer and pressed the device up to his ear. "Trin, I'm a little busy at the moment. Can't you call father and bother him for whatever it is you need?"<br/>
<br/>
He could <i>feel</i> the pout from across the phone line. "He won't tell me where you guys are, either. What are you doing with Atlas, Benji? Why are three new rooms being set up, and for females, it looks like?" She waited a beat, then continued. "I mean, the walls were repainted, new furniture brought in, new curtains and bedspreads. They're really nice, too, they feel like silk-"<br/>
<br/>
"Trinity." Leaning forward in his chair, Benjamin winced slightly, both at the hated nickname she used for him and the realization that she was being more nosy than usual. "Are you <i>in</i> the room?"<br/>
<br/>
"Better." She giggled, and he grimaced. "I'm in the bed. The maids are all set up and everything, so they left. What's going on? Why won't anyone tell me who's coming to stay?"<br/>
<br/>
"Why are you even there?" Ben groaned, rubbing his temples with his other hand. "You don't even live there. Did dad give you a key?"<br/>
<br/>
"I have my ways. Who's coming?" <br/>
<br/>
"Thank you for avoiding the question. Goodbye, Trin. And make the damned bed." Without waiting for her protests, Benjamin hung the phone up and groaned, setting it back down on the arm of the chair where it had been before. He didn't say a word, just reached for his old coffee, taking a small sip from it. Making a face, he set the cup back down and leaned back in his seat. They continued to sit in silence until the door opened again, and Benjamin recognized Henry's entrance. He also recognized the girl, thanks to sneaking a peak at Atlas' packet. "Finally." He muttered, pushing himself to his feet and greeting Henry as he walked over. Evangeline took a few more minutes as she ordered coffee- cold, in almost Winter?- first.<br/>
<br/>
"Evangeline, this is Benjamin and Atlas Badwinds. Please say hello."</span>