Hard Discussions (Estaban & Frederico) - Frederico's Haven

His brow rose.

"What does that mean, exactly?"

He smiled and gave his fathers hand a squeeze.

"It means I need to get off my ass and get my confidence back. But.. I would like to just be here and spend time with you and Rosita for a little while. Earlier you said I havent spent enough time with my family lately. Would you mind?"

He smiled.

"Not at all. Stay as long as you like."

He smiled saoftly, a little sadly but trying and looked from to Rosita.

'How are you two doing? what have you been up to?"

He smiled at the Toreador.

"Oh, just the usual, my son. You have successfully changed the subject, though, I believe."

He smiled back.

"I am already beginning. i refuse to wallow anymore. I will start to correct the situation, starting by spending time with my family. I need to make sure i do not ignore those who have been with me longest and I need to center myself.. better father?"

He smiled.

"Much, yes."

He nodded.

"Good."

He frowned.

"I do wish you would stay, though. Let Rosita and I take your troubles away for a little while. We are family, after all."

He nodded.

"You are and it means much to me. But... I am not ready for certain things and I would not want to continue to refuse you both. Just to be with you a little while, share rumors and chatter, relax with you too.. that would mean much to me."

His brow rose.

"Not ready? Truly? You would say such to me?"

He shook his head.

"what father, you know I have been through much lately."

He smiled.

"i know father, and you are right. give me a day or two, and the first one I come to, once i can handle the fact that she is gone.. will be you. "

He looked at his son grimly... but he nodded.

Crisis averted... for now.

He held onto his fathers hand and looked at rosita.

"And you sister, have you enjoyed this new place?"

She slipped into Estaban's lap with a smile.

"Very much. Couldn't you tell?"

He rolled his eyes. She was as bad as his father.

"I do not see you outside of our meetings. Certainly you have met others."

She shook her head with a little pout.

"No. My darling brother has not introduced me to any of his friends."

He laughed.

"You need help meeting people? Now that i have trouble believing. And father knows everyone of note.. don't you father."

Her brows rose.

"Perhaps I want my influential brother to introduce me to his friends. I'm starting to think you are ashamed of me, Estaban."

She pouted coquettishly.

He laughed at her.

"Oh sister. Of course I am not ashamed of you. Frightened and trying to hide you less you seduce the other half of this city, those father hasn't seduced.. well yes. but not ashamed."

She laughed quietly.

"So it is is a date, then?"

He rolled his eyes.

"Very well, I will introduce you to the city."

She seemed satisfied by the answer, though she did lean close and bite his throat -- a little roughly -- at the eye roll. She hadn't done anything wrong or worthy of any eye roll.

"Thank you, my brother. I would be delighted to meet others."