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[uptowngirl]

a.sato@tanagura.gov or T080669516@tanagura.gov

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[uptowngirl]

[ But, ah...Asami's family was a decidedly complicated subject as well. Mary had been very open with her own family history, so even if Asami generally avoids talking about her father, she felt she owed Mary something. ]

Well...right now it's just me. [ At least it felt that way. ] My mother died when I was young and my father...isn't in the picture anymore.

[corona_spinea]

[Mary had meant it when she said it wasn't anything she needed to know, even if she wanted to. She wanted Asami to feel comfortable opening up to her, and a smile tugged on her lips when the other woman started to talk. But it went away given the gravity of the matter. Families were tremendously complicated things.]

I remember you said Future Industries was your father's business. What happened to him?

[uptowngirl]

[ The better question might be "what did he do?" For being such a forgiving person, Asami was finding it very difficult to look past the atrocities her father had taken part in. Back home she had begun to receive a few letters here and there, but she never read them. That was a chapter in her life she was resolved to close.

And yet, she clung so closely to the legacy he had left her--in a way, Future Industries was her family, the better parts of it. ]

...He's incarcerated. [ Saying it out loud to someone who didn't know him...it was a strange feeling, as if she was admitting something to herself. ] The reputation of the company was understandably hurt by that, but we've been able to put Future Industries back on the map.

[ The "we" decidedly did not include her father, and it was easier to talk about the company than the man behind it. ]

But I have great employees and great friends. I like to think of them as my family.

[corona_spinea]

[Incarcerated. There were a lot of reasons for a man to be in prison. Mary decided then that she was never going to ask Asami what her father had done. She didn't care if he embezzled or committed mass murder. To ask that kind of question would open the possibilities of others... and they all had their skeletons. Mary knew the things she'd done in her pursuit of the Throne of Roses. No one would ever be told about the Ghetto if Mary had any say in the matter.]

Friends are the family we get to choose. [There was a pause as Mary finished her cigarette, and caring filtered through Mary's voice.] Are you okay?

[uptowngirl]

[ There was a definite sense of relief when Mary left it at that. Asami appreciated it, but it wasn't surprising--Mary never seemed like the kind of person who would pry. She was too respectful.

There was a sigh on Asami's end, but her voice carried a smile in it. ]

Yes, I'm okay. In a lot of ways, I'm really the lucky one.

[corona_spinea]

Oh? I can think of many ways you're the lucky one.

[uptowngirl]

Would you happen to be one of them?

[corona_spinea]

Where should I start? [She hummed in mock thought.]

You're brilliant, beautiful, happen to have a colonel wrapped around your finger, and a place that doesn't leak when it rains...

[uptowngirl]

[ She laughed--at least at the first part. Clearly Mary meant to make light of her living situation, but Asami's first instinct was always to try and fix something if it seemed broken. ]

Does your roof leak? I could send someone over to have it looked at.

[corona_spinea]

Ion's insisting on trying to repair them himself.

[Mary laughed a little, and that might actually be the first time she'd ever referred to him as Ion as opposed to the Count of Memphis in casual conversation that wasn't with Esther.]

I'm letting him try until he gets frustrated. Then maybe we can talk about a repair man if you're feeling so generous, luv.

[uptowngirl]

Oh, is it?

[ Asami had no clue if he had any experience with structural engineering, but she knew better than to assume. ]

I don't want you sleeping under a swimming pool. Just let me know.

[corona_spinea]

[Mary knew the pampered Methuselah noble had probably never had to repair anything in his life before. She, on the other hand, knew how to patch up leaks in a ship's hull, but that was only enough to make due until they made it back to port. That wouldn't work well in this case and it had been many years since she had to.]

We're in Lhassa, so it's not as bad as it could've been. I'm sure my old place in Mistral Park is far worse. And we won't even talk about that bloody shithole Esther used to live at in Ceres.

[uptowngirl]

In Lhassa?

[ Asami realized she'd never actually asked where Mary lived. Was that an oversight? She knew she couldn't invite the woman over to her apartment, but still... ]

That's definitely better than some of the alternatives. I'm glad you've all found a safer place to stay.

[corona_spinea]

It's also more economical with the three of us living together instead of having our own places.

[And Mary wasn't going to let Esther live alone with a vampire. Even more so knowing said vampire had the most irritating puppy love for her sister. She was content to be an eternal cockblock to Ion and hopes Esther NEVER notices his feelings for her.]

You're welcome to come by anytime you want; we're in Neal Darts, 5C. There... there are some elites that live out here, so stopping by for a brief visit won't be too bad. [As long as no one was following Asami for any reason.]

[uptowngirl]

[ Yes, Lhassa was a decidedly less questionable place to put herself in, and not one that people would give her many second glances. (Though that may depend on what she wears.) ]

I'd like that. I;ll have to bring a housewarming gift.

[corona_spinea]

[That's where long coats come in handy.]

That's not necessary thought I certainly won't tell you no. Though, I do need to ask you... I do smoke from time to time, usually when I'm stressed or trying to relax.

Does that bother you?

[uptowngirl]

Smoking?

[ She had detected a faint scent the last time they were together, but Asami had assumed it was the lounge atmosphere. ]

Not really. I don't smoke, but I did try it once or twice when I was younger.

[corona_spinea]

[There was an audible sigh of relief.]

Thanks. If it ever bother you, let me know. And I'll continue trying not to light up after certain... activities with you.

[uptowngirl]

[ She couldn't help but smile at that, idling twirling a lock of hair around her finger. ]

Activities that I hope we can continue...?

[corona_spinea]

As long as you want them to, luv.

[Mary then laughed a little.] I shouldn't phrase it that way or we'll end up losing like three days.

[uptowngirl]

You're going to start getting me hopes up if you talk like that.

[corona_spinea]

If only I could afford to miss three days of work.

[uptowngirl]

I guess forging a doctor's note wouldn't quite cut it, huh?

[corona_spinea]

Unfortunately not. Such a shame, too. I can fake being sick really well.

[uptowngirl]

I really wish I could invite you over. Sometimes this apartment feels too big for one person.