#ninainteracts

[secrettyrant]

closed starter, tuscany nina and JAKOB @ofwrxth

There's a wider grin across her lips than Nina normally ever shows, a glance taken to Ines in the distance and then to her baby brother. Then to the shifter again, and then back to her baby brother. For a moment, she wonders if Jakob thinks his staring is concealed by his sunglasses but she eventually chuckles. "Well, she's adorable, obviously." Nina remarks simply, flicking open a pamphlet with the intention of finding something to do on a day or two of the trip. "Don't worry, I won't say a word." she adds, still not looking to Jakob despite an amused smirk twitching over her lips as she reads. She clearly speaks of the two oppressive figures in their lives, the ones who make any personal venture near impossible to navigate without their input or opinion. "I think it would be rather hard to hate her, though. Nobody intelligent hates cats." the older witch continues, amusing herself again momentarily. "The Count will like her, that's for certain."

[secrettyrant]

"Well, I know you don't really mean it which is why I refuse to take it seriously." Nina doesn't stutter her reply, but there's a subtle hint of her struggle to speak it. A rapid series of blinks, a faint shake of her head. She has an issue with her own statement because Felix has always said precisely what he means. And the fact he is so adamant on tearing away from their family fills her with a sense of dread. One she doesn't feel in any other areas of her life, a fear only reserved for watching her brother spiral. She scoffs out as Felix continues, a roll of her eyes as her tone reaches an urgent note. "Resentment!? No, the only resentment boiling away here is yours, Felix. Don't you dare even twist this. When have I ever lorded anything over your head!?" she retorts in offence, certain it's obvious that she has always been on his side. Isn't it?

Abruptly, Nina angles her way through the other people walking towards them, slipping by with a begrudging tsk to keep up with Felix's determined strides. "Can we stop pretending that if I didn't smooth things over with them, you'd take that as an insult too? Nobody can ever win." she responds, but her arguments feel weaker now. And this is a gift only Felix has, she thinks. He dismantles too much, too fast. It's an onslaught into a family that built a legacy from aloofness and coldness. She can see precisely where his comments poke and stab when at family gatherings, and why they provoke the response he receives from their parents. She can see precisely why she ran from the coldness herself, but she fails to see why Felix never worked out how to balance the two as she did.

Her steps finally stop with his, but now it's her turn for the onslaught and disruption. Her turn for cutting words to dive deep and rearrange her demeanor. Despite Nina clutching at composure, the look of shock sweeps over her features. He hasn't stabbed at her, he's gutted her with guilt. "I..." she blinks, swallowing thickly. "I thought it was different, Felix. I didn't know how bad it was until Oskar told me." it's the worst excuse she's ever had to give, but it's the truth. And also highlights Felix's own trait for a lack of communication. "You could have said! I would have been here sooner, Felix!" she defends her actions, but this is where an apology is owed. It chokes her, Nina staring to Felix in quiet dismay. She wasn't here and nobody else was there to stop it. "I don't care that I'm here if it means it helps but you're-" she doesn't need to finish her words as Felix paces away, proving what she was about to say on his avoidant nature. So Nina just lets him, remaining halted in the street and watching his figure disappear further from her.

END.

"That's what happened, isn't it?" Felix challenged Nina's age old habit of placation. Something he found amusing about his sister, because she refused to placate anybody else in her life. Not even Oskar could escape her abruptness or to the point remarks. No, Nina never once held people's hands but for some reason she was adamant on smoothing everything over with their parents. "I'm literally begging you all to just fucking be done with me so I don't need to look at any of you. Consider it a mercy killing."

Felix hummed out in sarcasm, the note of his tone resonating beneath Nina's. "What do you call it then? Doing me a favor? Because I didn't fucking ask for it, Nina. And maybe it will explain all this resentment, don't you think? You keep doing things for me, which I never fucking asked for, and wondering why there's nothing in return." he continued staring straight ahead as he marched through the street, forcing other pedestrians to move around him by refusing to acknowledge their oncoming steps. Nina's statement brought out the laughter again, and even managed to bring Felix to a stop.

"Okay, here's the thing. You weren't there, Nina. In fact, you weren't here until two months fucking later." he stated, bitterness creeping up in his tone. "I don't want to talk about it because I know no one else does either. Does that make sense? I think so." Felix shrugged, his words spiraling into contempt. "I'm so sorry that I'm the reason you've been dragged back here, and you can't keep fucking running away from how disgusting our family is. Truly, Nina. If I knew just walking home one night would ruin your little set up, I would've taken another route." he flourished the statement with a cold grin before he paced away again. "There you go. Talked about. Now fuck off."

[secrettyrant]

closed starter, tuscany nina and felix @manybcdthings

Nina tries to immerse herself in a book, one she's been intending to read for weeks but can never find the time. The general liveliness around the pool is easy background noise for her to filter out, but there is one sound that isn't. Felix's voice. As Lilith uses a precise movement of long legs to turn the page, it's Felix's self amused laugh that pulls Nina straight from the words to his face. "What on earth are you droning on about? I haven't listened to a word." she remarks, Lilith scurrying from cover to her hand as Nina peers to her brother over her sunglasses. "If this is about capitalism again, I'm going to drown you."

[secrettyrant]

closed starter, tuscany nina and isabella @rviner

"Oh, a breakfast champagne. Lovely." Nina comments as she hears the familiar pop of cork, beckoning the witch towards Bella and the table of food. "Have to say, when Felix mentioned this trip, I was expecting a forced Vegan week for all." it's only a teasing comment as she eyes the bacon, eggs, pancakes and the lingering catering staff. Immediately, a hand reaches out to take her glass of champagne with barely a flicker of acknowledgement for their service. Slowly, she glances through the villa and the quietness of the morning that's yet to be disturbed by the rest of their group.

Nina clears her throat, still surprised for wrangling herself free from her work schedule to be here. Also surprised by the sense of gratitude for being invited. "You know, I..." the words falter ever so slightly on her lips before something peculiar occurs. Stiffly, Nina's free hand moves out to bring Isabella into an awkward and very brief embrace. It's over within a flash, Nina straightening her posture once more as if it never happened. "I think I've made it obvious that I can tolerate you far more than I can other people. But after Switz..." she tsks. "After Sweden, I haven't quite thanked you. In some ways, my younger brother is back. The one I can remember from when we were younger. Ever since he met you." she nods sharply, ensuring her words are delivered with a steadiness. "I look forward to calling you my sister-in-law at some point." Nina adds, lifting her glass to Isabella's in a soft clink.

[secrettyrant]

closed starter, asphodel nina and odessa @rviner

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The thought of being a mentor can easily bring a cackle out from Nina. There's nothing nurturing or guiding about herself which she has long accepted, just two of the ways she reminds herself of her own mother. Instructing, however, she can do. And does. Even if she begrudges Felix's fall from grace that has now landed her time at the institute. But, this little file plopped on her lap is certainly interesting. An Odessa Kashirsky with an apparent limited knowledge in magic entirely. Curious. And then a little note: listens better to women. Well, already Nina can relate. She gives a slight smile as she sets down the papers, glancing to Odessa opposite her desk. "I see you had a few sessions with Quinlan before this. He's an acquired taste, I don't blame you for wanting someone else." Nina begins with a flippant air. "And for some reason they then thought my brother Oskar would be better." she snickers then arching a brow. "Apologies for that. Surprised you haven't slit your wrists. Anyway, Kashirsky is Russian, hm? Try and hide that from Felix if you meet him, he won't leave you alone."

[secrettyrant]

Nina's glare remains fixed on Nate, eyes slowly scanning over him as he rattles off more jokes. There isn't even a twitch of a smirk from the witch, if anything her only response comes as a heavy roll of her eyes while she takes a deep breath. "You're lucky I even talk to you. Do you know that?" she says next, considering their families back and forth and the hostile atmosphere between the Hawthorne's and Ranstroms leading up to Felix's attack. Nina doubts the wolves are behind it, but that doesn't stop her from using whatever she can as leverage. Her grin only arrives as Nate waves to Lilith, one of the spider's legs lifting up in response. "That means nothing." Nina quips, taking her drink with her as they meander from the gathering. "Despite never wanting to hear you sing one of those songs again, I'm not going to champion for ethical magic, Nate." she mutters, taking a sip from her glass as she surveys the other supernaturals. "Anyways, before you can sing about your pretty titties. Do you think Asphodel is lacking funds?" Nina's tone lowers, glancing back to the wolf. "All hands on deck for security measures because of a dodgy bank account. Or is this meeting a very polite way to say how Beckett Rhodes fucked up and it's a price we all have to pay?"

Nate chokes back a laugh, knowing that while she has some patience for him, it's growing thinner by the second. Soon, it'll shatter. He recognizes that, somehow, he's got more bandwidth than most (he's not sure how), but still he clears his throat and nods, shifting in his seat. "Okay, fine, you didn't dance." The werewolf winks, "you probably just had like ants in your pants or something," he reasons when Lilith crawls on his shoulders. Giving the spider a small wave, he glances to Nina, "Rude, but fine. If you insist." Nate agrees before humming ah ah ah I wanna fuck your gf, shoulders shimmying a bit, taking Lilith for a little ride. "More your speed, right?" He gives her an innocent look, like he's just making a friendly suggestion before holding up his hands. "Kidding. Look. It's not my fault they're ear worms. Maybe you need to bring up a motion about making songs addictive."

[secrettyrant]

closed starter, asphodel nina and oskar @dxrkenedheights

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"Is it just me or are mother's texts getting more and more unhinged?" is Nina's smooth way of greeting her older brother, slipping into the room as if it belongs to her and showcasing her phone. Upon the screen is a thread of messages from dear Agneta, clearly struggling with the voice to text function. Naturally, Nina takes a moment to study the space Oskar has been provided for his training. A judgmental glint in her eye that can't be erased for love nor money. "Mine's bigger." she comments, as if it isn't obvious the institute will give a vaster working space for an instructor that spends more time within Asphodel walls. "Anyway, she's too old for all of this. Who showed her the microphone?" Nina adds, whipping away her phone back so she can begin the grueling task of responding to their mother. "Surprised she's even still breathing these days." what with the constant threat of a heart attack looming overheard from Felix's shenanigans, the thought of which causing Nina to glance back to the open door. "He's showing his face, right?"

[secrettyrant]

Nina doesn't scoff because of Aiyla's words, but merely for how they venture far too close into the realm of art for her liking. A world she knows nothing about, bar the basics, and nor does she care to find out much more. "Please. Having a fruitloop aunt as an artist means I've heard enough about statements, Aiyla." she speaks without ire and plenty of amusement embedding into her words. A more genuine smile stretches over her expression to the compliment, but as her family name dictates there's only a shallow reach of it within her eyes. "I appreciate that, thank you. But I do think Italy hasn't fully left my system yet. Once I've been here for a year, we'll revisit that." she laughs, sure the city will choke every bit of life from her by then, along with her brothers and their parents. Nina waves her hand encouragingly, almost as if she's shooing Aiyla and Madisyn to the club there and then. "No, no. By all means. I don't really think there'll be much to find there, if I'm being honest, Aiyla." it's not her trying to rain on a parade, it's a simple opinion she gives. "Then again, they probably would be stupid enough to talk business somewhere so open."

The discomfort never leaves Nina whenever Felix is a topic. She can't even control the way her gaze narrows, as if she's attempting to discern any potential comments or insults that may be thrown into the air about her brother. It's fine when done by family, of course. "I think, Aiyla...this is something that none of us are equipped to comment on. Even if we have the best intentions." she offers her friend a smile, but it's nothing more than a request to move on. A warning. Nina hums, having to consciously force away the discomfort sitting in her chest so she can return to the whole premise of meeting with Aiyla in the first place. "You knew he was difficult when you married him, hm?" she glances to the other witch with a slight grin, able to feel lighter now the spotlight isn't shining on her brother and in turn highlighting her utter helplessness for the entire situation. "Do you still fuck?" she asks, matter of fact and with a smile.

;

"Oh, no. No, I wouldn't because some fashion is just a statement. It's not meant to be worn, Nina. But don't ask me what the elf shoes were a statement for. It wasn't even Christmas." Aiyla laughs and accepts the compliment from the other witch with a wide and grateful smile. Even if there's soon a spoiled pout on her lips for Nina's insistence. "Fine." Aiyla huffs, rolling her eyes. "You're not pushing forty until you're thirty-nine, though. By the way." she comments with a slight grin. "Besides, nobody would even tell. You're basically a model. Youthful glow." she adds, deciding that Nina maintains it from keeping a fair distance from men at any given time. "But fine, if you're comfortable with us claiming all of the credit for whatever we find and your name nowhere near it. We'll just go." it might be a cheap shot but it's worth it if Nina does finally cave.

Aiyla's frown returns, this time with a hint of sympathy as she thinks about Felix. One that also extends to the obvious concern that she can observe in Nina's expression and tone. How could anyone know how to navigate it and Aiyla even gets chills at just the thought of losing her magic. "There must be some..." she pauses, glancing through the bar before hushing her tone. "There must be some others somewhere who have been through the same thing. Surely talking to them would help?" she suggests, ever a problem solver even with an uncomfortable topic. Or, so she thinks until her friend's words bring back Aiyla's petulance and the passion returns to her tone. "Don't you start. I absolutely want to divorce him, Nina. He's just difficult and I'm returning the favor. Why should he have an easy life when mine is far from it? It's the...principle. Nothing else. It's about respect, actually."

[secrettyrant]

Nina doesn’t gain any satisfaction from the quip she directs to Felix at Isabella's expense, but she does manage a slight grin and rolls her eyes heavily. "Oh, please. I never said it was a bad thing." she backtracks, throwing up a weak hand in apology. "And there’s no way either of you will survive a trip together without someone there with a brain. I was actually complimenting her." It isn’t a lie. People like Isabella Belcourt are necessary, Nina thinks, to balance out the world that might otherwise be ravaged by people like herself. She glances between her brothers, noting how Oskar dances on the edge of intrigue about the notebook despite his usual aloof facade. That brings a more genuine grin to her lips, and Nina nods as if the situation has resolved itself.

"Great. Well, that’s settled." she says, clapping her hands together and taking one last look at the boxes they stand among. "You both talk to the ladies who hold your leashes and get back to me. Then I'll sort out some dates." a shiver of excitement crawls up her spine, making Nina shrug her shoulders in a contented wriggle. "I think we should place bets. Just some harmless fun. I say abyssal magic, and she killed her children with it. Greta survived." Nina speculates, slowly raising her hand and looking at her brothers. "Possibly accidental, possibly not." she adds, her tone contradicting the sinister topic.

Nina doubts there is anything else of interest in the boxes, but she takes another look at the notebook as thoughts churn briefly. "Greta might reach out after your visit and tell our dear mother about this, so we should think ahead." she says and although communication between mother and daughter has been limited for years, Nina doesn't take any chances. "Or, try to be coy about how you mention it, if either of you can manage that." her gaze flits between the brothers again, wondering if this trip might help them better understand one another. But Nina doesn’t particularly want to be there for the brotherly bonding itself, predicting it will be nauseating and something that could have been resolved years ago. "Despite how fun this was, I need to go." she declares, heading straight for her purse and coat to conclude the afternoon on her own terms. She pauses at the door, turning slightly to give one last nod. "I mean it, though. You do look well, Felix. Less gaunt. But maybe next time you'll offer us a coffee." @dxrkenedheights

★・・・・・・★

It's obvious how they have retreated into their own corners and it's not them against the world but against each other. Retorts are thrown into the ring, spinning blades to see who gets cut first. Oskar remembers a time when it wasn’t always like this, though he can’t pinpoint the exact moment things shifted. His adulthood started long before Nina’s and Felix’s, and sometimes he blames that for the rift. He wasn’t really there, but he still remembers flashes of a bond that felt real. It’s as if one day it vanished, or maybe it bled out slowly, a wound compressed but never truly healing.

Hearing about his daughter’s struggling magic hits him, though Oskar has long known that Madisyn keeps him at arm’s length. He reads the expressions on Nina and Felix’s faces, keeping his own stoic. A slight scoff escapes him when Felix finally reveals Madi's attempt to open the book, finding a flicker of humor in his brother’s dry remark. Yet, none of this quells Oskar's desire to wash his hands of the entire ordeal. He wants to keep whatever secrets the book holds buried, far easier to deal with that way. When Nina calls him out, he throws his hands up in a careless shrug. "Okay. My point still stands. She lived years ago, and she died a while ago. We've managed all this time without knowing what's in there, so it can't be that important."

Like Nina, Oskar shifts his attention to Felix who talks about going to Sweden for answers. The mention of Madi wanting to join piques his interest further. He understands why immediately. Just because Oskar doesn’t openly discuss emotions doesn’t mean he doesn’t notice them. His head bows slightly, absorbing the revelation that his daughter feels as disconnected as he feared. Countless years have passed without him mending that gap. Before he can respond to Felix, Nina takes the lead, outlining the trip from start to finish. When she mentions Bella, Oskar’s eyes flit briefly to Felix feeling a twinge of guilt for Nina’s offhand comment about the Belcourt.

As always, he remains quiet, hands slipping into his pockets as he reflects. "I…" Oskar hesitates, shrugging cluelessly. "It could only be for a week, but that's more than enough time." he glances at Felix. "I'll need to talk to Thea first. I can’t just whisk my son away to another country whenever I feel like it. I hope you both understand." his voice carries a dry hint of his own sarcasm, though it's brief. "I still don’t see why anything in this book matters, but…" Oskar pauses, considering Madisyn’s desire to connect with the past she was deprived of. Considering the reasons why Felix wishes to dig into secrets. Another emotion that Oskar can highlight yet doesn't dare speak of. "I have no problem helping." his tone softens. "I think this is a waste of time. Just so it’s known." @manybcdthings

[secrettyrant]

Stepping into the meeting room, Nina isn't surprised by the sly glance her mother gives to the clock followed by cold eyes moving to the coffee cup in her hand. Far more than just business is discussed between mother and daughter, even when no words are said at all. Scrutiny beams from Agneta's eyes at any given time. A presence that can be felt more than acknowledged.

Nina takes her work seriously, as expected, but not even five or ten minutes on the clock can save her from punctuality being questioned. She's now old enough to know it's all by design, but behavior roots itself like second nature and she reverts instantly. On edge, stepping on egg shells. She's already moving to the chair when Agneta gestures to it, fighting back a scoff and instead using every ounce of her energy to compose herself. "Yes." she remarks as her mother pulls the report, watching the way Agneta scans over it.

Her hard work is under the firing line next but Nina wears a contrived smile to her mother. "Of course it's realistic." a faint nod moves over her head. "The fifteen percent increase has come from using digital channels for engagement." a dainty hand reaches then to pluck the paper from her mother, a pen pulled from the holder to underline where she reads from. "Here." she passes back the report, a silent gesture that perhaps her mother should open her cold, dead, eyes. "Now we will shift to personalized outreach and advanced data analytics to better understand and predict audience preferences. This way, we can tailor our talent's content to what the audience really wants." Nina explains, tone direct and to the point. "Naturally, we will see an increase."

where: zenith entertainment

with: agneta ranstrom and nina ranstrom @secrettyrant

★・・・・・・★

As Nina steps into the meeting room, Agneta's gaze flickers briefly to the clock on the wall before drifting back to her daughter. It's then that her eyes deliver a silent critique for the coffee cup in Nina's hand. Her daughter may not be late, with minutes still to go until the arranged start, but this doesn't stop Agneta from noting the time with an almost clinical disapproval. She smooths out the papers on the glass table before she gestures to the chair beside her, an invitation and command. "The latest performance metrics." Agneta begins with a controlled murmur as she scans the report. Her eyes finally meet Nina's with a slight smile surfacing over her features. "A fifteen percent increase is a step in the right direction, but you and I both know it's not nearly enough." she says in a deliberate tone. "Do you think twenty percent is realistic for you?"

[secrettyrant]

Nina: Since when did you have those meetings? Why aren't I involved? Nina: Not funny, Felix. Nina: Rude. I like Bella, I'd send flowers too. And a sympathy card. Nina: How the hell did you get hold of those? Nina: I can be free tomorrow

@dxrkenedheights

Oskar: I have meetings with Olaf and Agneta at 12 every day Oskar: So also not free Oskar: Yes, thanks. We're working on it. Oskar: Felix if this is an engagement or pregnancy announcement, can you please say so and I will send flowers to Isabella

@manybcdthings

[secrettyrant]

Nina blinks at the question, not because Felix's directness ever takes her by surprise. Nor does his anger, his frustration, his pain. She sees it all clearly, not only etched over his expression but from the very way he carries himself. She blinks because she's asked herself the same question so many times, and always arrives to the same answer. Because he's her brother. He's Felix. The baby she remembers being armored by. Just five years old and thinking how she actually has a brother. An actual one. A thought that sometimes still rears it's head when with Oskar. Like tonight as he glossed over the true issues with an expert precision. "Fine, if that's what you want." Nina deflects from truly answering, flailing her hand in a wide shrug. "I'll just tell them how you were late, insulted them all and this is all entirely on your shoulders."

But of course, a question from Felix is never just a question and he follows it with stinging words. Another blink as Nina refuses to let him march onward without her following right at his heel. "Is that what you think I do, is it? Almost forty years old and scurrying for their praise? Well, no wonder why you think I'm pathetic." she hums out in sarcasm, scoffing a laugh at the idea. Outwardly. Her voice bounces in time with the quicker strides she takes, arriving to Felix's side again within a brief moment. "Oh, because you are so forthcoming and welcoming of us talking to you about anything!" she exclaims out, glancing to him with a puzzled yet scorned expression. "You need to make up your mind, Felix. Do you want anyone to talk to you about it or not!?"

Felix was used to it. The empty eyes he was always met with. Ironically, the hollow gazes were half of the reason why he felt more and more inclined to speak his mind. Over the years, it almost became a game. A test. What would actually warrant a genuine reaction from anyone in his family? What would make Oskar look as if he could feel something other than disappointment, what would make Nina feel as if she could take the fucking mask off for longer than five seconds?

Somewhere, Felix refused to believe that any of them could really be these people. Because that meant he was, too. He didn't want to be, nor did he feel as if he was. But there was only so long that he could stare back into nothing and not feel it embody him. He helped himself to more whiskey, watching as the inevitable happened. Oskar snapping to Nina, Nina quipping back, always as if he was never there. But his sister's words did warrant a sinister smirk to lift over Felix's features, finding a moment to be thankful that it was starting to be obvious to all of them. They were all a fucking mess, and the people to blame weren't even in this room.

Felix didn't utter another word as they all peeled from the restaurant and to the street, until Oskar stoked the flames. "I'd be prouder if I didn't have this family as a family." he declared, voice carrying loud enough so his brother would hear him as they parted ways. Felix eventually whipping away his arm from Nina's hold. "No." he replied sharply, as he had no intention of going home. And Felix also had no intention of having a lecture from his sister. "Why do you do that?" he asked, but his tone suggested he was accusing her of something instead of offering a question. "I don't fucking ask you to deal with them. Jesus, just...don't deal with them!? They're not children." he bit about their parents and the way Nina always seemed to use herself as some kind of buffer. "Are you actually that desperate to be acknowledged by them? Why? As if making them proud is an achievement?" Felix wasn't coy with his deflection, even continuing to walk away to further himself from her questions. "Don't fucking talk to me about it now, Nina. It's been months and the first time you want to actually acknowledge it is now!? Fuck you."

[secrettyrant]

"How dare you." Nina teases with a soft tone of playful offense. Her grin becomes knowing as Jakob looks to Ines, finally returning his attention to the moment. The second their gaze meets, Nina quirks a brow. "Well, we'd be there. Felix seems to be doing his new wolfy thing, too." she shrugs, waving a fleeting gesture to their brother in the distance. The witch isn't sure of the technical name for it, but Felix's sudden protective streak is most amusing to her. And slightly touching. "There's no rush, though. Obviously. I just mean that it probably won't be that bad when it finally does happen." Nina adds with more sincerity, as it hasn't been long since Ines appeared in Jakob's life. She glances to the pamphlet at his question, giving a soft shrug before passing it over to him. "I can't decide. You can do the honors. I think the little yacht thing seems nice, but not if there's other people. Peach picking seems hilarious, too."

Jakob waves a hand. "You know what I mean. Don't go all Felix on me." He says with good-natured affection towards their brother. Nina has an annoying habit of reading between the lines and, truthfully, even Jakob knows that the lines aren't very hard to read. Not when it comes to Ines. He glances back at his sister, lifting his shoulders. "Just because she can handle it doesn't mean I want her to have to." The younger Ranström sighs and rakes a hand through his hair before scoffing. "Well...I never said that." And, quite frankly, it's the exact opposite. It's the fact that he wants Ines to stick around that he doesn't want to put her in the line of fire. But by that logic..."But I guess you're right. If she is...it'll have to happen eventually." It's the nature of being a Ranström and having parents like theirs. "I'll think about it." Jakob finally concedes before nodding at her pamphlet. "What's on the agenda for today? I'll go with..."

[secrettyrant]

Nina points in playful warning to Bella, as if catching the Belcourt out within a conspiracy. "I knew it." she says dryly through a grin, but quickly decides it's enough teasing between the two of them. As if on cue, Nina's demeanor shifts as the lighthearted humor sheds from her like a second skin. "No, I'm quite alright with this." she nods sincerely, lifting the champagne flute in her grasp. "None for you?" Nina asks but there's a hint of curious suspicion in her tone, eyes moving to Bella's stomach before flicking to the other witch's face.

As they sit beside one another, Nina lets out a slight laugh. Watching Bella scramble to not offend her is perhaps the most amusing thing she's seen so far, and Nina plays along with a serious nod of her head. "Well, you can possibly say. Because I'm asking you. Do I seem as if I would have stiff hips, then?" she asks, another grin forming over her lips quickly. "You can relax. I know they're not." Nina finally concedes, relaxing back in her seat and leaning to bask in the Tuscan heat. Of course, she has gravitated to a place with ample shade beside the pool. "A dance off?" Nina lets out a genuine laugh to the idea, but she pauses to consider. "Hm, maybe. I think it depends how much wine and percoche is flowing."

"Yeah, it is super peaceful here." Bella nods in quick agreement about the villa. It always felt like it's own world tucked away from everywhere else. Somewhere that forced everyone within it to escape, unable to even think of anything beyond it. As she finishes fixing her plate for breakfast, she grins faintly to Nina's teasing, leaning into the joke happily as she chuckles. "Well, I would...perhaps, celebrate it, yeah." she says in a light jest, knowing she has (hopefully) already established herself as the non-militant type. A quick laugh bubbles up to Nina's wit, and she offers the witch a playfully innocent shrug. "Unfortunately, that's all there is so welcome to the dark side." she teases before shaking her head. "I'm kidding, there will be others, if you want that instead."

Bella doesn't dwell on the brief show of affection by Nina. She knows it's something she will never utter a word about. Except to Felix, obviously. But, she's overjoyed that the Ranstrom witch even felt an inkling of that sentiment and wears a subtly proud smile as she follows. Bella gets comfortable beside Nina, setting down her plate before the question takes her by surprise. The Belcourt blinks, glancing to Nina and then back to her breakfast as she takes a bite. Quickly, Bella is shaking her head. "I don't think I've ever seen you dance, so I couldn't possibly say." except for the fact she has seen the briefest glimpse of Nina's dancing, but Bella wouldn't dare mention it. "I really doubt they're stiff...I mean, even if they were, which I doubt they are, nothing wrong with that. If I don't focus, it becomes super obvious how dominant the Belcourt genes are." she laughs for a moment and then waves a hand. "But honestly, I mean it. I doubt that they're stiff. Why? Were you thinking of...a dance off, or something?"

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"Interesting is an opinion." Nina quips, her tone level as she fixes her attention to her book. But, she should know better that Felix never leaves anything alone. His questions and statements leave him at a rapid speed, leaving Nina no choice but to abandon the pages of her book again to stare at her brother. She blinks, leaving a long pause of silence between the end of his words and the start of her own. "There is one topic of discussion that is universally agreed upon to be interesting, Felix. And that's how big of a baby you were. And how mother dearest quite obviously bounced you on her knee when there were low ceilings."

Her only interest comes when she's almost enlightened about the altercation by the pool between Chloe and Ines. But, almost is the operative word. Nina's grin slinks away into a frown when Felix explains next to nothing. She gives a tsk when he mistakes Switzerland for Sweden, perpetuating the cycle and the likelihood of her doing the same thing. "For Christ sake, I don't know why I even bothered asking you." she mutters in annoyance, turning back to her book but glancing over the top to Chloe at the question. "She reminded me of the last puppy picked from a litter, left to wonder why since she wasn't the runt and saddened that the brother and sister with the weird legs and tail were more appealing than she ever was."

Felix's expression fell neutral at his sister's comment, throwing a hand up in a sarcastic surrender as clearly his input wasn't asked for. "Okay, fine. I won't try and talk to you about something interesting." he said with a teasing bitterness as he settled back in his seat and turned his face away from Nina to make his point. "That means it will be small talk now, I hope you know that." Felix then said and waved a hand to the villa. "Are you coming to the vineyard thing today? I think all of us are, I'm not sure. Except for Tyler. Talk about dedication. He's great, isn't he? I can really see why him and Rosie work. They sort of remind me of Jakob and Ines." he laid on the small talk thick, purposely choosing topics he knew his sister disliked the most. "And this weather is great for it, too." he added with a smirk but the act quickly fell away when Nina nodded to Ines the other side of the pool.

Felix shrugged at first, not sure if it was something worth mentioning considering Ines and Chloe seemed to be staying well away from another. And, there didn't seem to be any atmospheres impacting anybody else's time. "It was weird." Felix admitted, his nose wrinkling because he was still convinced there was a manipulation at play from Chloe. "It was weird but also stupid." he added, not that it clarified much but he sat straighter so he could lean closer to Nina. "Be honest. In the spirit of Switz-" he tsk'd. "Sweden. What did you used to think about Chloe? When she was with Jakob?"

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Nina lets out a controlled laugh, but her expression allows for genuine amusement to reach her eyes. "Of course you didn't. But, would you actually wear them? I highly doubt it. You always look phenomenal, Aiyla and I don't think I'd want to know you if you were suddenly plodding around with those things on your feet." she chuckles but composes herself in order to give the other witch an unconvinced glance. Nina's head is already shaking as Aiyla tries to entice her. "Nope." she chirps contently with her mind already set in it's ways. "I'm pushing forty, Aiyla. That's just sad." but a certain type of party will always be worth her while, just not one that ever takes place in a nightclub. "You and Madisyn have my blessing. Just fill me in on what you see."

She sees the frown again and the motion is almost expressive enough to cause Nina to mirror the same look. It's the sharp breath she takes through her nose that allows her to maintain composure, Aiyla's words pulling at the particular consciousness she keeps tucked away. "Well, obviously." she says at first, a slight fluster but only in the form of her rapid blinks. "But none of us..." None of them are equipped to help Felix through this, as they couldn't even help him when he was balancing along the edge before. "He's not exactly an easy person to help." Nina decides and knows her words are both deflection and truth. A grin works it's way to her lips as Aiyla continues, Nina studying over the Avci witch with a look that's both impressed and curious. She says absolutely nothing as her expression shifts, mouth falling slightly open into elegant surprise. "You don't want to divorce him." she states before she laughs. "I'm right, aren't I? I know I am."

;

"At least you'd only have a year to put up with him if he did." Aiyla comments with a self-amused laugh, elegantly scooping up her drink as she listens to Nina's not completely untrue opinion. However, fashion is dear to Aiyla's heart and she wrinkles her nose. "I didn't hate it. Not even the elf shoes." she admits with a chuckle. "It feels like so long ago but it wasn't even a year, Nina. I bet you miss Milan, hm? I would." although, it's understandable why she's returned to New York and Aiyla still has no idea how to navigate the topic. Giving her friend a mischievous grin, Aiyla chuckles again. "Oh come on, just for an hour? Not even an hour. That's all we'd really need to catch onto something, I bet." she entices with a slight movement of her shoulders as if she's dancing. "Not even a little boogie?" but the thought of a night with Madisyn also appeals to Aiyla, not to mention the air witch's gifts with eavesdropping. "Maybe the three of us, Nina! It's overdue."

She's no stranger to a family that ignores an elephant in the room, not even her divorce is spoken about often but Aiyla can't control her frown as Nina speaks. "Aren't you worried about..." her words trail off and her head tilts ever so slightly. "Well, you know what everyone says. What could happen." it's such an uncomfortable subject that Aiyla feels her words becoming a small croak. But it's Nina's suggestion that finally brings a laugh from her and she grabs her drink again, swiftly shaking her head. "That is illegal, I'm not in the mood to be sued for fraud. Roman would just love that and I'm not in the mood to give him a reason to be a smug little toad either." Aiyla states, passion igniting her tone as she wags her hand. As if the legality of something even matters to an Avci witch. "Mm-mm. He would love every second of that. I'm keeping it simple and just...rescheduling negotiations and all of that good stuff. Can do it until my last breath."