Cornett Residence
This house has been sectioned off into two living spaces, separated by floor as opposed to wall throughout the middle. The first floor has been reserved for a renter while the second floor has been claimed by the owner of the duplex. The living space is large and spacious, perfect for a summer's day when the windows are open. Much the bachelor pad, it is sparsely decorated. All the basics that are required are there but rarely used and so the area is immaculate. A large living area and kitchen lead to a hallway which contains the doors for the bathroom, master bedroom and guest bedroom. The only difference between the two bedrooms is that the master room contains a computer desk and laptop.
In the spirit of being a better teacher, Scarlett has procured a few things that may help Robert with his experimentation into witchcraft. A beautifully bound black leather notebook in which she's written a few instructions, and that he can write things down if he needs to. Several more candles. A bottle of red wine. There is a bit of pacing back and forth in front of the house before she goes to knock on the door. Chances are that he'll be at work tonight anyhow, and so she'll wind up leaving everything on the doorstep. A knock is given to the door, a brief wait, then she starts to set the bag down so she can run off.
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He should be at work and if this were any other week he very well would be. After suffering multiple breaks it has been viewed as his best interest to go on medical leave. This is something that he's not even spoken of to his family or to Hope. It's embarrassing more than anything. Currently Robert is sitting in his apartment staring at a candle. It sounds /so/ very thrilling. In fact, there are candles lit everywhere and he, for the most part, is sitting in the dark. He very nearly doesn't hear the knock at his door but eventually answers it. Bobby is wearing a pair of jeans and really nothing else as he is alone at the moment. "Scarlett?" The question comes as he really only has the back of her head to go off of.
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Crap.
Scarlett turns, smiling at him. "I brought you a few things. That will help you. With your studies." All except that bottle of wine. Still, the bag is pointed to, and she stays where she is. "I thought you'd be at work. I was just going to leave them here." A peek is given into the dark apartment. "I didn't mean to wake you. I probably should have just stayed home."
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She may not wish to have been caught but she was, and so he's going to make the most of it. Robert looks down at the gift and picks up the offerings. "Thanks, Teach. I'm sure it'll help." Looks like someone has officially earned a new nickname. "I'm supposed to be. If anyone asks I am. I just can't, not until I'm medically cleared." Bobby rubs at the back of his neck as he says this, embarrassed. "No, no. I wasn't asleep. I was just practicing." Beat. "Would you like to come in? It's not much, but it's home."
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"You're not wearing a shirt," she points out as to his not sleeping. Scarlett just eyes him for a moment, about to decline. The options are weighed. This is a bad idea. A very bad idea. "At least it makes sense why you weren't there the other evening when Helen and I were maybe, but really not, stalking you." A nervous sort of laugh is given, and she nods. "Sure, I can come in for a little while. It's probably nicer than my cramped little place." Which always amuses her since she's fine with her cramped little space, but is absolutely claustrophobic anywhere else that small.
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When she comments on his state of dress he just laughs. "Well, since I wasn't out to impress anyone I was getting comfortable. Come on in. I'll put something else on." The way he looks at her, the sincerity in his expression much just prove that he means what he's saying. Then he's laughing as well, a quiet, nervous laugh. "I've never been maybe but not really stalked before. Sorry to disappoint." Stepping aside with his gifts in his hand, he holds the door open for Scarlett. "It's a place. My little sister rents off of me. She's in the apartment downstairs." Yes, he's admitting to owning the whole place. "I've never been good at decorating or anything like that."
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"No one said it didn't impress, Slugger." Scarlett inhales a slow breath to steady herself, smiling at him as she enters the dark apartment. "You have seen my shop, right? My apartment? You know how great I am at interior decorating." Maybe she can get Helen to help her with that, and some renovations, depending on how long her baby sister is planning on staying. "My little sister is staying with me as well," she points out conversationally. "Listen, about this afternoon. I should apologize. I guessed what you were focusing on, and I should have kept my distance."
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If she guessed what he was focusing on before so easily perhaps she'll realize what he's been doing since then. Since there are so many candles around and all. The radio in his bedroom is playing just loudly enough to be heard in the living area and even then only faintly. Once she's inside he closes the door and places his gifts on the table. That's where the most amount of candles are. Robert could comment on his appeal without a shirt but just smiles instead. "Maybe I should be glad that you knew what was going to happen and didn't move away." Honesty in his own home does happen. He turns to face her, walking right up to her. "You know, I was keeping my distance out of respect for you. I really don't want to insult your intelligence."
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The candles create a beautiful glow, and despite the slight chill of the night air, Scarlett suddenly feels extremely warm. Happens sometimes when she's around an abundance of an element. When the bag is placed upon the table, she extracts the bottle of wine. "I brought more candles, but I suppose you don't need those. A "grimoire" as well. It's just a nice notebook really." His honesty is appealing, and she turns back to face him. Leaving them face to face. A dangerous position to be in. "How is being attracted to me insulting to my intelligence," Scarlett asks, voice just barely above a whisper.
Mellie pages Robert and Scarlett: Sure, I could swing something. Just let me know whenever is good!
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It is night and he should be at work. He isn't due to all of his injuries, some of which he's not mention to anyone. There are some bruises on his face as the recently broken nose is healing. His hand is in a new cast due to his re-break caused by his own temper. Currently the apartment is dark on his end yet there is movement within. Candles are lit and can be found everywhere, several of them grouped together on the table. There is a bag with other candles and a book. Robert is currently standing in front of the table wearing jeans and no shirt. In front of him is Scarlett, not Hope, and she is holding a bottle of wine. "I didn't want you to think that I would run to Hope just so I could come back to you. I didn't want you to think it was purely physical." The man then places his good hand gently to Scarlett's cheek. "Even if it did seem rather physical earlier today." Enter big, cheesy grin.
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Not realizing that her brother is entertaining, Mellie has decided to venture upstairs for a visit. It's been awhile, even despite the new proximity, as she simply got busy with her own life. Now, either because she misses hanging out with him or because she's kind of out of food, the youngest of the Cornett's comes up the stairs. She should probably knock, but hey, it's family. And anyway, the place looks dark from what little she can see under the door. So she simply moves to open the door, sticking her head in while calling out, "Hello? It's, uh - Woah." Apparently she's interrupting, and yet there's not an immediate retreat as she just stands there with some confusion.
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Incredibly, accidentally romantic. Scarlett just stares at him, eyes locking on to his. "No, Slugger. I don't know what this is. I'm not so stupid as to just jump into bed with you when you've just gotten out of a relationship. I'm not a rebound girl, and I'm not going to pressure you into anything." Forget that if they keep this sort of meet-up going she may not be able to help herself. The bottle of wine is settled onto the table, and she leans in to whisper something to Robert, which may look like she's going in for a kiss. Lips parted, poised to say something, she blinks. "Expecting company?"
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It's good that she has such a strong head on her shoulders. One of them needs to. He doesn't move any closer to her as she leans in close, figuring that if there is a kiss intended he'll let her initiate it this time. Robert listens to her, his eyes watching her lips and not her eyes. In fact, he's so focused that he very nearly doesn't hear what's being said. Bobby clearly doesn't realize his little sister is killing the mood. So he looks over to the door slowly, blinking at the sight of her. "Mellie?" Confusion hits him before anger, thankfully, else he might throw something at the door and tell her to get out.
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"Er, yeah. Who else would it be?" Mellie asks, though in part she's honestly asking, since apparently her brother has this whole other life going on that she has no idea about. She's still hovering on the threshold, neither fully in the room nor out, just her head and torso poking in through the partly open door. Most polite people would be horribly embarrassed and rush to excuse themselves, but she just looks bemused more than anything. "What's going on?" Scarlett gets a once over, as much as she can see in the candlelight, anyway, but the question is actually levelled at Bobby.
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It would appear that Scarlett is the only one left in the dark here, though she quickly throws two and two together and realizes that this is probably his little sister. She doesn't draw away from the eldest Cornett, just tenses slightly as she puts forth her best effort to smile. A smile which is then turned upon the girl in question. "I came by to drop off a few things for your brother," she says quietly. The one thing Mellie may notice in the candlelight is the black cast with roses decorating it on Scarlett's right hand.
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"Well, you're not the only one with a key." Just the only one who doesn't knock first. Robert shakes his head, the mood now gone. This is actually a very good thing no matter what he might be feeling. "I'm sorry, that sounded mean. Don't just stand there. Come in." He's certain she'll get to what she wants soon. As much as he loves his little sister dearly, she normally does always want something. His hand falls then, moving to Scarlett's lower back. "Mellie, this is Scarlett. She's been giving me some lessons." Yes, that may sound bad but it's true. "Scarlett, this is my baby sister, Mellie. The one who lives downstairs." Awkward.
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At Robert's initial reply about her key, Mellie just arches an eyebrow. As far as she's concerned, she's done nothing wrong here. If he cares that much about her knocking first, he probably should never have given her a key in the first place, by her thinking. But at his apology, she drops the brow, stepping inside, but not just yet moving to push the door fully shut behind her. "Mmhmm," is her doubtful reply to their dual explanations as to what Scarlett is doing here. "I guess you're a quick learner…" She's still really not sure what to make of this whatsoever, but does finally at least offer Scarlett a nod in greeting. "Hi."
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"Gee, Slugger. Could you have made that sound any more perverted?" Scarlett laughs, shoving at him playfully. The spell broken for now. "Nice to meet you, Mellie." The eldest Fontane is trying her best to make light of the situation. "I'm intruding on a family thing. I should go." Returning her gaze to Robert, she smiles softly. "Let me know if the notes I jotted down in the book help you at all. They're just some thoughts I had after you left this afternoon."
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This seems to be the story of his life. He just shakes his head, a hand reaching out for Scarlett's shoulder. "Or you could stay? We all could put that wine to good use." He's looking sheepish in general because he's never had this situation before. "And yeah, that sounded bad. But we are helping each other. That much is true." As Mellie continues to wait by the door, Robert smiles. "Beer and food in the fridge." It's a sad world when he thinks that is what it takes to get her inside just to hang out. "I just think it's odd for me to have company, really."
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"Hey, don't let me interrupt," Mellie insists about ten minutes too late, and sounding rather unrepentant about that fact. And then something else catches her attention: "Wine?" Between that, the broken mood, and the promise of beer and food in the fridge, it's enough to get Mel to venture fully inside, finally pushing the door shut behind her as she moves further into the apartment. "Oh, I'd believe it," she comments, of them helping each other out, though she manages to make that sound suggestive too.
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There is almost too much innuendo for Scarlett to handle. She can be a flirt at times, but she's not used to the teasing being turned on her. "A peace offering," she says in regards to the wine, when she's stopped from rushing off. "I can stay for a little while." She's not being held against her will, but she's not moving until Robert moves. "He was teaching me self defense," comes the defensive reply, casted hand held up and waved around.
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"Yeah, well, you see just how well the classes went." With both of the older two in casts it looks rather sad, all told. Robert does finally move, bottle of wine in hand. He enters the kitchen to retrieve three classes and comes back to the table. The bottle is opened and the wine begins to flow. "Mellie, if I was worried about you interrupting I wouldn't have you living downstairs." Bobby chuckles as he offers a glass first to Scarlett, then to his sister. "I won't keep you long if you have other places to be. It's just nice to have some company. It's too empty in here sometimes."
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"Yeah, you sort of look more like victims of mugging or something," Mellie notes, at least knocking off the innuendo for now as she moves in on the promise of wine. Though the self-defense lessons still don't explain the dark, candlelit apartment, but she leaves that alone for right now. "But I guess if you hit someone with a cast, you could do some damage." That's self-defense after a fashion, at least? She steps up to accept the glass of wine, lifting it in a bit of a mock toast. "Maybe we should throw a party or something," she adds in idle suggestion, if he finds the place too empty.
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Through all the sibling banter, Scarlett is silent. Her left hand takes the glass of wine, and she takes the tiniest of sips from it before placing the glass on the table. "I think if you hit someone with your cast, you run the risk of breaking your hand again." Her eyes drift pointedly to Robert's cast. Then she glances around the apartment, quietly taking in all the candles. That is quite a bit for him to have been focusing on, and she wants to ask him about it but doesn't feel right doing so in front of his sister. "That's always an idea. You could throw a party. But I guess that would be quite a bit like being at work."
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He can't help but laugh at this. "I'll admit, hitting someone with a broken hand in a cast is a bad idea. I've at least learned my lesson. So as long as Ivan doesn't try anything I will be fine." Since really, Ivan seems to be the one that spikes his temper quite a bit. Oh, how Robert has a good explanation for the candles but he'll just have to answer that later. He sips at his own glass, really, careful not to throw it back as he had done with beer not that long ago. He's a reformed man, or something. "I could throw a party. It's just awkward. I haven't really done much since Hope left." There's more to the story but he's not going to get into it now. "But sure, why not? I'll invite some people over."
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"Yeah, probably not a good idea," Mellie agrees, considering the point. "But if you needed to do some damage, you probably could." Break your wrist, but win the fight. It might be worth it, depending on the battle. "Ivan?" she asks without too much interest. Her own wine is not nursed quite so much, since she is making no attempts at being reformed. "Really? Cool," she replies, pleased that they both liked and accepted her idea. She takes another long sip of her wine before looking down into her glass, nodding with some approval. Better than the cheap stuff she usually manages to score for herself.
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If Scarlett was silent before, she's even more so now at the mention of Hope. There is a slight bit of guilt apparent on the "homewreckers" face, but she looks down toward the table. The wine glass is gently lifted, tilted toward her lips, and several more small sips are taken. Rather than focusing on what Robert has said, she grins at Mellie. "My brother. They don't get along at all well." That's enough explanation on that.
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"We used to." It's true, too. There was a day when they got along. Once. "I split his head open when Mom and Dad were in the hospital. He's dating Hope's sister." Such a confusing cycle, and there goes Hope's name again. Robert is doing his best to show that it isn't bothering him but it is, somewhat. "I'll just need to keep it small. I deal with crowds so much at work that I'd rather not do it here." That and he's not looking forward to what can happen to his place with a large group of people. "You'd come to it, Teach?" This whole situation is awkward but at least he is making the most of it, especially without the aid of much alcohol. It's amazing.
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"Yeah, sounds like you were great friends," Mellie replies, looking a little skeptical. And she thought some of her friendships were dysfunctional! "So he's dating… And he's your…" She looks at Scarlett, trying to put these rather entwined family trees together in her end, and ends up with just a simple, thoughtful, "Huh." She takes another mouthful of wine, turning her attention now to the matter of a party. "Small, sure. Just not so small that it's lame." She glances at Scarlett again, vaguely curious about her response to the invitation.
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There's the name again. Scarlett focuses on the wine, downing it rather quickly. It's unladylike, it's unrefined, but it's absolutely necessary for her to keep from getting upset. "Dating her twin, and I'm Ivan's twin." There, just to make it all the more confusing for the poor girl. "If you want me there, Slugger, I'll be there. Just don't feel you have to invite me, just because I'm standing here in your candlelit apartment." Winking at him she moves into the kitchen to pour another glass of wine. Wishing that she'd brought two bottles.
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If Scarlett goes looking, or Mellie shows her, there is plenty of alcohol in the Cornett apartment. "It is confusing. Complicated, really. But Scarlett was nice enough to not press charges when I hurt Ivan, so hey. That makes her great in my book." The alcohol consumption doesn't go unnoticed but for now he makes no comment. "Well, okay. Make a list. I'll go over it to check the size and we'll see." Bobby doesn't say that he's curious as to the names on the list. "And of course not." He moves along with Scarlett, remaining dangerously close to the woman. "I invited you because I wanted a chance to get you drunk and in my bed, obviously." It's a joke, especially since everyone (but likely Mellie) knows that Bobby is a virgin.
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"Yeah…" Mellie replies, having all but given up trying to follow whose twin is doing what with whose. Her eyebrow arches at the sudden downing of the wine, but she certainly doesn't disapprove, anyway. Inspired, she takes another long gulp of her own, though she's not quite trying to drain the glass off completely just yet. A quick grin is given to Bobby when he gives her some control over the guest list. "Okay," she agrees, not bothering to argue further. She'll wait and see if he tries to cut the list too short, and then burn that bridge when she comes to it. "Yeah, and then you'd probably sleep on the couch," she mutters to Bobby's joke, her voice low, but not really low enough. And if everyone else is relocating, she feels a need to trail after.
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The looking only goes so far as finding the bottle of wine and refilling her glass. "Wasn't my place to press charges, and since my brother was running his big mouth off again…" There is a shrug as the red liquid is poured easily into her glass. The first bit of wine is heating her cheeks a bit, causing a rosier glow in the candlelight. When she turns to head back, she nearly runs into Robert, he's so close behind her. Laughing, Scarlett winks at him. "What she said." The frightening thing is that it's possible it could happen, so she'll have to remember to have a strictly soda night.
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At this he first narrows his eyes before laughing. "My reputation proceeds me. But hey, I do have a guest room, too. I'd probably be there before the couch, unless someone else needed it." Ever the gentleman no matter what is going on. Bobby reaches out for Scarlett's cheeks once more, this time merely to check her temperature. "Are you feeling alright?" Soon enough, though, he realizes that he should be more careful in front of his sister. It isn't as if he's dating Scarlett or anything. "Mellie, don't you work tonight?" A pause. "That means I'll have to actually put more food in the house. Oh, well. At least a party might give me something to do to keep my mind off of being out of work." He then looks back to Scarlett. "Well, other than practice, that is."
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Mellie just smirks a bit, shrugging her shoulders as the two agree with her muttered comment as to what Bobby would do with a drunk woman in his bed. The interaction between the older two is watched with the keen gaze of a baby sister, though Mellie just files this all away for the most part. She drains the rest of her wine, holding her glass out towards the pair, figuring one of them would sooner fill it for her than have her up in their cuddly closeness. "I pulled some doubles during quieter nights during the week. Working on training." So he'll not be rid of her that easily. "You should get some of those little frozen pizza bagel things," she suggests, though it seems she means more in general for when she comes mooching than for the party.
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It's a touching gesture, both literally and figuratively. Scarlett smiles, laughs and nods. "I'm fine. I just tipped that last glass a bit fast. Wine tends to make me a little flushed." Honesty is very refreshing, and not something she's too afraid of. "See, Slugger. You've got that all wrong. You let the drunk people crash wherever they fall, and keep the comfort of your bed for yourself." When Mellie holds the glass out, Scarlett places her own glass on the counter, and lifts the bottle with her good hand to refill the younger girl's. "Just let me know if I can bring anything." There may not be a whole lot she can bring, but she feels as though she should do something, since she's intruding on the planning.
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Ah, but he knows his sister, all too well in fact. Something that he won't outwardly admit to her but at least he's catching on. "So should I wait for the party or pick those up tomorrow?" He's not once complained about feeding into her habits and never will, likely. Having Mellie around is actually kind of nice. Robert drinks more from his glass but is careful to not drink too much or too quickly. "Do you need to sit down?" Yes, he's worried about Scarlett. "And don't worry. Bring yourself and you'll be fine." He laughs awkwardly and shakes his head. "I don't know. It makes sense, but I like my guests to be comfortable. If there's too many I'll store them downstairs with Mellie." Wink.
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"Thanks," Mellie replies as she finds her glass refilled, not completely without manners. Bobby gets a grin, and she doesn't even have the decency to look shamed as he catches on to her subterfuge so quickly. "Well, tomorrow would probably be better, yeah," she agrees with a nod. In turn, she's not going to complain about him feeding into the habits either. She takes another sip of her second glass, leaning a shoulder up against the nearest wall. "Hey, I'm not giving up my bed," she's quick to point out. "Though I could possibly be convinced to share it with someone cute." Yeah, she just can't resist pushing buttons.
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"Stop worrying about me, Slugger." Scarlett lifts her glass up after placing the bottle back on the counter, and takes a minute little sip. "One glass of wine isn't going to make me fall over." The banter is once again just watched silently. "Just to put everyone at ease, I can always bring a few air mattresses." Why she has so many will be a question for another time. A glance is given to Mellie, an odd look coming over the face of the Fontane. Looking back at Robert, she asks, "Did you give her the jewelry?"
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"I have a few places to go anyway, so sure. I'll pick some up. Anything else you want in my apartment?" This is said with jest even if he's being serious. As of yet he's not said no to her, which should show that he's trying. "Well, I'd actually be happy if they didn't sleep here but if it comes down to it? Some more places for them to crash wouldn't hurt." Mellie's comment earns her a look. "Not in my bed, not in my guest bad and not in my apartment. That's all I'm saying on that matter." He did promise when handing her the key that he'd not invade in her personal life too much. At least he's trying. The hand in the cast finds the back of Robert's neck as he rubs it. "Well, it's kind of hard to give your little sister jewelry just because, and the last thing I want to do is be /lame/." Yes, his tone is making fun of her. Still he walks off and returns with a box for Mellie. Bracelet/necklace/ring combination, all matching. "I got paranoid so I got you this."
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"Well, if you're offering, you should maybe get some Pop Tarts too," Mellie replies with a sweet grin. That will teach him to jest about these things. But she likes being indulged, and it always does something to improve her mood. "Hey, I've been good," she replies to his restrictions, raising her hands slightly in defence. And while her hand is up, she might as well take a sip from the wine glass in it. At the mention of jewellery, it piques her curiosity, and she looks between the two. The teasing just gets a quick grin, and she's too busy wanting to find out about this gift to even offer a snappy retort. Taking the box, she's quick to open it. "Ooh, it's pretty." Then looking back up, her brow furrows slightly. "Though I … don't get the paranoid comment."
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Compliments to her work are always taken well, though this time Scarlett doesn't offer a thank you. She instead grins at Robert, and sips gently from the wine. "I'll bring them over tomorrow, or you can pick them up at the shop. That way you have them just in case, and if you don't use them that's fine." Chuckling, she shakes her head at him. "You're anything but lame, Slugger, though you're still not wearing a shirt." It's the only thing she can really tease him about at this point. "It's distracting," she mutters.
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Sadly enough, the kitchen will be stocked to meet Mellie's requirements. He just can't help himself. Until the money starts to run out it shouldn't be much of an issue, either. "I know, I know." This is said to his sister with a grin. "So that jewelry? There's protection magic at work there. It will help in case bad things come your way." He just can't bring himself to mention their mother, not yet. It's still sore with him. "For when I can't be around to beat it into submission for you." Bobby nods to Scarlett, appreciative of her offer. "I'm sure we'll work it out. Worst case we'll just see to it at next lesson." His cheeks find themselves the slightest bit of pink before he laughs. "Oh, I thought I was going without a shirt? For your eyes only? But I'll go get something."
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"Huh. I guess that's sort of cool," Mellie muses as she considers the jewellery with a critical eye, not sure quite whether to believe in protection magic or not. But she likes presents too much to give him attitude about that. She closes the box and tucks it under her arm before taking another sip of her wine. "Though you're welcome to come around and beat it up later, if that makes you feel better," she adds with a quick grin. Wouldn't want him to feel neglected as a protective big brother. As they talk about his shirtless state, her eyebrows lift again and she eyes her wine, swirling it absently around in the glass. "Still standing right here."
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"He was like this when I got here," Scarlett says defensively once more. Mellie may be just teasing, but she doesn't want the girl to get the wrong idea. "Just stop by when you're ready for the next lesson. My schedule's pretty free this week, with the exception of drop-ins." If only she knew how bad this is likely sounding for his sister. "Still not complaining, Slugger, but your baby sister is right here. I'm sure she'd rather not be looking at your exceptionally toned body." Clearing her throat, she takes a long sip from the glass of wine and then smiles at the younger girl. "I'd suggest it as everyday wear. The jewelry." Since it's not overly extravagant and could likely go with anything.
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Before he can torment his sister much more Robert disappears, returning with the polo shirt he had been wearing earlier in the day. "This is still my place, sister dearest. I'll walk around half naked if I want to." The fact that he's already dressed shows that he's teasing. "And I realize you're still here. I'm glad that you are. Someone has to help me finish off that beer." The sooner it is out of his place the better, that is. "And you know I'd be more than happy to pummel anyone that hurts you." This is actually how his hand became injured in the first place. With his glass of wine half gone he turns to consider Scarlett. "I'd like to practice as much as possible, I think. But I'm just bored. I'm going to resort to forcing Mellie to play board games with me and we all know how well that will go over."
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"Just begs the question why you want to," Mellie points out, smirking faintly at his teasing and Scarlett's defensiveness. But if she really wanted to razz them about this, she could do a much better job of it. "Ooh, beer. Yeah, I'm your girl," she agrees quickly, changing her tone at the mention of alcohol, even as she's still working on this current glass of wine. "And if someone needs pummelling, I'll let you know. Guess you'd better hurry up and heal then." Because his injuries are naturally all about her. As he mentions forcing her to play board games, she makes a little face. She'd cheat and then probably tip the board over if that still didn't help her win. Good times had by all. Glancing back at the box tucked under her arm, she gives a little nod to Scarlett's advice. "Yeah, I guess if it's supposed to protect, that makes sense."
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"To be difficult," Scarlett replies to the girl, with a roll of her eyes. "I think your anger management wouldn't like you to go pummeling people except at work." That would be the mother hen in her coming out just a little. "I haven't played a board game in years. I think the last time was at a family gathering, and Ivan tried to cheat." Not unusual. "Considering how well you did earlier today, Slugger, I'll make sure I set aside at least an hour or two a day for the next week or so. Just call or drop in. Not like I can do much of the intricate work with my hand in a cast so I've got time."
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This is a good feeling, it really is. His sister and his friend standing around talking. This makes the pain go away a little, even if he has put himself in the position that he's in. "I think I might enjoy focusing so hard." Now this is him blatantly flirting with Scarlett. But then Robert thinks of something and laughs. "Then we'll plan a night to break out the board games. If we want someone to make them more interesting, we'll invite Mellie here. No one survives a game against her that she isn't winning already." The glass of wine is set off to the side, his drinking quite through for the evening. "Okay, so I won't go punching anyone until I'm healed. That way I can be your personal man of self destruction."
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Mellie nods in agreement to Scarlett's assessment, before taking another sip of her wine. Eyebrows arch at her brother's blatant flirting, and she mutters something unintelligible under her breath, into the glass so that the liquid ripples slightly. She's shameless when Bobby points out her need to win at games, simply shrugging her shoulders. "I like to win." It's really just that simple. "My own force of self-destruction. Yeah, that could come in handy." Maybe she shouldn't encourage that particular behaviour of his, but hey, it's for a good cause: her.
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Scarlett is a fairly easy going person, so she's got no issues adjusting her evening to include one of his siblings. After all, having three of her own, she's quite used to interruptions. "I'm tempted to ask what you were focusing on before I got here," she says to him with a light, airy, teasing tone. "But we can work on that as well." A wink given to him just seconds before he laughs. "Anything but Monopoly. I always got stuck being the banker and mediator." The rest of the wine is finished off, and she places her glass on the counter once more. "I think everyone likes to win, it's human nature." The muttering doesn't go unnoticed, and she can't help but ask, "What was that?"
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"You know, anyone else would tell you that would be a bad thing." He's speaking directly at Mellie here. "But it goes along with paying rent, we'll say. I'm here to make sure you can keep paying your bills." When she pays her bills. If she pays her bills. "I really don't care if I win or lose, really. It's always been about the company." The way Bobby treats his sister should prove that he's telling the truth. There's much more that he can be saying, but he's distracted by Scarlett's comment. "You probably don't want to know," he finally admits. "At least, I'll have to tell you later."
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"Yeah, I'm sure that's all it is," Mellie teases Bobby lightly, not really believing that he'd only do it to make sure she's there to pay her bills. "Luckily, I don't really care what anyone else would tell me." If anything, it might only incite her more. "Yeah, no Monopoly. That game takes way to long," she agrees, wrinkling her nose up. Her patience is not so great that she can handle the many hours required. When Scarlett calls her on the muttering, her eyebrows go up slightly. "Oh, um, it's good wine." She doesn't really even bother to make it a convincing lie.
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"Liar," Scarlett replies lightly. She's willing to let it go though, which is good because she's become quite distracted by what Robert says. "Now I most definitely do want to know." Especially since he was shirtless when she arrived. Her eyes flit about the dark apartment rather quickly, then land on his face. "Later may be better though." His baby sister is standing right there after all. "Candyland? Chutes and Ladders? Trouble?" It's fun getting into Trouble, or so the commercial says!
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Yeah, this is almost uncomfortable, the way she's looking around and what she says. "Tomorrow," he mentions as he shifts uncomfortably. If he'd not already given up on his wine it would be his turn to finish it. "Hey, you know me too well," he continues on towards Mellie. "And no Monopoly. You know, one of these days I'll find something that we can enjoy that doesn't involve drinking." Good luck and fat chance, even Bobby knows this much. When she lies so obviously he just watches her, curious and concerned but not going out of his way to further investigate. At least not with company present.
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"Good, because I'm pretty sure I don't want to know," Mellie replies pointedly, since their subtlety isn't really covering much of anything. But it's mostly just to give them a hard time about it, rather than actually being put out. She arches an eyebrow as Bobby proposes some sort of wholesome family fun, looking pretty doubtful about that. "Yeah, okay. Keep me posted on that front," she replies wryly. With the two of them both doubting her blatant lie, she just gives them a sweet little smile and then tips back the last of her wine.
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The uncomfortable shift is noted, and she stops looking around. Scarlett shoots him a grin, then turns to Mellie. "Could always try that game Keel Over? It's like Jenga, only it's a drinking game." Wholesome family fun, with actual fun that his sister might enjoy. Yet, Robert is mentioning something that doesn't involve drinking. "There's always Taboo or Dirty Minds. Both games that don't require drinking but are better for a more adult mindset." But it's now reaching that time of night. "I really should be going, or I may have to wind up borrowing the guest room. As it is, I should likely call a cab and get you to drive my car over sometime tomorrow."
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Now she's given a look, even if he does laugh immediately after. "It's not like that." It really isn't, at least not as bad as it can be considered. Knowing that he's dug himself a hole he just drops the subject all together. "I don't know that I'm comfortable playing Dirty Minds with my sister. She'll prove that she knows things that I don't and how can I be a man then?" Again he shifts, this time more for show. "But we'll see. I'm sure there's something." It will involve drinking, no doubt. A look is cast to his spare room before Robert looks back to Scarlett. "You're more than welcome to stay, you know. We don't bite and I'm pretty sure you'll both get breakfast out of it."
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"Drinking game sounds good," Mellie agrees brightly, ignoring any pointed looks her way. "And I know things you can't even imagine," she assures her big brother, though the idea of it does get a bit of a laugh from her. She isn't really set on playing that game anyway, since it's one thing to needle Bobby about it, and another to actually show off the knowledge to her brother. She stays out of the discussion about whether or not Scarlett should stay, just giving Robert a sidelong look. It might just be at the promise of breakfast, though.
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Scarlett looks back at Robert, considering things for a long, silent moment. "No, Slugger. I should probably go." Breakfast or not, regardless of whatever this actually is, she figures its better to have things move a little more slowly than a sleepover right away. "You can always bring me breakfast and drop the car off," she teases. While her attention is primarily focused on Robert, she's not ignoring his little sister. "I can bring a few games over some time. How about I let you choose which one. Though I've got to say that the Keel Over game is likely the most frustratingly fun out of all of them." Not that she plays drinking games a lot. The majority are left over from college days and are about to be handed down to her own baby sister.
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His face turns about five different shades of red. "I'm not sure if I should lock you up or just try to get out more." As much as the whole thing seems to bother him, Robert eventually just laughs. "But you know, topic for another time. Maybe without my little sister to rub it in." He waves it off then calls for a cab, because he's already done this once for Scarlett. "I'll get your car to you in the morning, then. After I make breakfast." No, Bobby didn't forget Mellie. "But hey, Mel? If you've got some time I think we need to talk."
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"Sure, that could be fun," Mellie replies with a small grin for Scarlett. Likely she'll end up coming down on the side of one of the drinking games - or turning one of the regular games into a drinking game. Monopoly might even be fun if it were a marathon drinking session, as far as Mel is concerned. To Bobby, she just gives a grin, shrugging her shoulders. "I vote you getting out more." As Bobby sees to a cab, Mellie sees to getting herself another glass of wine, before turning back, looking somewhat curious when he mentions needing to talk. "Yeah, I've got some time…" she agrees, studying him closely like she's trying to figure out the reason for this talk already.
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With the call to the cab placed, Scarlett smiles at him. Sister there or not, she moves slightly so that she can lean up and place a friendly kiss on his cheek. "Thanks, Slugger. Appreciate it." The last time he called a cab for her, it was because she was adamant about it and needed to get away. This time, it's only because she's trying to be rational. "It was great meeting you, Mellie. I look forward to boardgame night, whatever your choice might be." An attempt is then made to rush out of the little house-apartment so that she can wait for the cab outside and afford them time to talk.
