My Cup of Tea

No one stopped him. Or at least, Vervain didn't. Her blue eyes blazed with cold fire as she watched Kalt out of the door, reminding herself to spread the word to her bartenders that he was no longer welcome in the establishment. When - and only when - she knew he was gone did she glance back to her daughter, though her expression remained the same for a moment or so. "I'm only going to say this once, Ashe, because I need you to understand that I am serious," she murmured. "I do not give a single fuck about what Kalt has been through. If his life was as bad as yours, or better, or worse - I don't care." Her tone was soft, quiet, like they were discussing the mundane. "You are the only thing I care about when it comes to this ridiculous situation. He's helping you? Up here?" She tapped the side of her own head. "And instead of coming to the people who love you, who have helped you before - instead of letting your family know the situation straight away - he sequesters you away so you can have his brand of care instead? His help? After not seeing you for years?" Vai raised her eyebrows, skeptical. "Are you telling me you don't see how that is fucked up? You're living with him - you're defending him - and he's done nothing but enable your isolation. Unless it comes to him, of course." Vai sighed, sinking down onto one of the bar stools and scritching at Chunk's ear as he padded over. vervain touch-a touch-a touch me I wanna be dirty