Bistro

'It's a nice little place.'

'I am quite fond of it myself, but I'm biased. My niece owns it.'

'Oh, I see, that's nice.'

'Hey, good to see you! This is a nice surprise.'

'Speak of the devil! Hello. It's lovely to see you too.'

'Hi Raya.'

'Who's your friend..?'

'Nalini Faux.'

'She's Ellis' partner.'

'Thought that was Heath! I'm Saraya Greene.'

'Nice to meet you.'

'You too. He did say he'd been assigned someone new after maternity leave.'

'And well, here I am. I've only been here for a short while.'

'What made you choose Sunset Valley?'

'The politics.'

'Well, it was because it looks like a nice little town, but absolutely, the brilliant politics definitely helped.'

'So how much do you know...?'

'I know that the police force is corrupt as f- uh, as hell. Which probably would've turned me away from here if I'd known beforehand. And that the mayor has a dazzling personality.'

'Oh yeah, he's lovely. Can't get enough of him, personally.'

'We're all best friends.'

'But Dad, you hate Uncle Tate.'

'Oh, sweetheart, that's the point.'

'No wonder. I've been "fortunate" enough to hear him tell someone his true opinion of them. I'm glad he didn't notice me, I don't think I could've hidden my disgust.'

'It's a good job he didn't spot you, he might have hit on you.'

'Alright Saraya, she doesn't need that mental image.'

'...Oh God no, he wouldn't. I mean, really?'

'You are a woman, after all.'

'Ooof, I hope he's not blind then, because he'd be sorely disappointed. Plus I think that might send me running to be sick!'

'More like counting his lucky stars...!'

'Oh, um, thank you. Don't mind me, my sense of humour tends to lean toward the self-depricating, haha.'

'Mine too.'

'So what can I get you all?'

'Tea for me, please.'

'Juice!'

'I'm fine, thank you.'

'Won't be two minutes, then!'

'Thank you for this.'

'You're welcome.'

'So, Vincent, how was school?'

'Okay. But Julius put a whoopee cushion on my chair and everyone thought I farted.'

'Oh dear! Hopefully you weren't too embarrassed.'

'Only a bit. He got in trouble but he wasn't bothered.'

'That definitely sounds like Julius.'

'Is he used to getting told off for pranks then?'

'He pulls pranks all the time! Especially to Uncle Tate.'

'Pulling pranks is very naughty, of course.'

'I'm always good.'

'Yes, you are.'

'Maybe your good influence can rub off on him.'

'I think that would be nice.'

'I'll try!'


Elsewhere...

'Oh, finally. You're late.'

'Sorry, I had a busy day.'

'I already ate. Saved you some, though. How was work?'

'Oh, thank you. Work was... interesting. I can't share any details, but I made a good development. And how was school?'

'Oh, that was very interesting. I found out something you'd love to know.'

'Ooh, that sounds promising. Go on.'

'I think Tate's forcing Carmella into marriage.'

'...What.'

'Oh yeah. I heard her saying she didn't want to get married to "this old guy" but "Dad's insistent about it."'

'Wow... Oh Lord, it all makes sense! That must have been who the dinner guests were!'

'Ah, that old rich twat and his son? I get it now!'

'I hope by "old guy" she meant the son and not the father, because that would be even worse...'

'What a vile piece of shit Tate is.'

'You're not joking... It seems that arranged marriages are the only type he knows. He's proven that twice already.'

'Ugh, and to think that got you related to him.'

'Not any more, dear God. Can you imagine us sitting together at family functions? I know people aren't supposed to like their in-laws, but that's a rather extreme case.'

'You get on with Uncle Rikard and the others well enough.'

'I was very lucky in marrying your mother. In many respects...'

'...Yeah.'

'Sorry, I won't start that again.'

'It's fine. I know you miss her. I do too, even if I didn't know her.'

'Oh, Hazel. It's horrible to lose a mother. I understand it, I really do.'

'Lucky us.'

'...I'll go have that dinner. Then maybe we can see what's on TV.'

'Sure, I'll see what reality shows are on. I know they're your favourite.'

'Oh, absolutely.'

'That was very nice, thank you.'

'Thank you!'

'Glad you both enjoyed it.'

'Are you Dad's new girlfriend?'

'N-no, love.'

'Wh - I, um, we're friends.'

'Why not?'

'Well, she can do much better than that...!'

'Y-You seem perfectly nice though.'

'Oh! Th-thank you...'

'Dad's very nice.'

'And so are you!'

'Yay! Thanks.'

'Little angel, aren't you, Vin?'

'It's been lovely to meet you. To see both of you.'

'I'll let you get back to your run now. I'll see you again soon?'

'I'd like that.'

'Me too. Alright, bye then.'

'Bye!'

'Goodbye.'

No backing down

'Oh, hello again.'

'Hello, Nalini.'

'Erm, are you alright? I'll get out of your way if you're busy.'

'No, it's fine. It's just been... a difficult day.'

'Ahh. I'm sorry to hear that.'

'Thank you. I hope you've had a better day than me?'

'Not too bad, thank you. I thought I'd go for a jog, because it's not like I get enough exercise chasing criminals about all day.'

'May as well stay prepared for the real thing. When did you finish?'

'Not that long, I left work and immediately changed for a run.'

'Ah, I see. Sorry, I don't want to hold you up.'

'Oh, it's fine. I can carry on any old time. ...Although, don't let me stop you if you need to go.'

'I'm in no rush... To be honest, though, I'm probably not very good company at the moment.'

'...Do you want to talk about it? Although, shit, can you? Confidentiality.'

'Oh, no, it wasn't a session... It was a student being quite, well, abusive. To me.'

'...Oh, I see. I'm sorry to hear that.'

'I mean, I'm being overly sensitive. God knows why I'd let it get to me.'

'Is it possible to be oversensitive to someone being abusive?'

'No, but it's ridiculous to let a seventeen-year-old upset me. It's just that she went straight for the jugular...'

'How charming.'

'There's a very long story behind it.'

'Ah, I see. I won't press you to tell me if you don't want to, then.'

'Thank you. B-because I just had to explain it all to my colleague, and it's quite a draining experience...'

'Oh right... Erm, do you want to go somewhere, maybe? For a bit of peace. Once you've picked up your son, I mean.'

'Oh! Okay. That sounds nice.'

'Great. Anywhere in particular you feel like going? If it was just me, I'd probably go over to a park, or something.'

'I think I fancy a drink. If that's okay with you. We could still go to the park if you prefer.'

'That's fine.'

'Good.'

'Hi.'

'Hello, love. Vin, this is Nalini, she's a friend. And this is my son Vincent.'

'Hello there.'

'Are you a vampire?'

'I am. It's nice to meet you.'

'Cool.'

'We're going out for a drink with Nalini. To the bistro. You can have some dinner there too.'

'My treat.'

'Really? Are you sure..?'

'I wouldn't have offered otherwise, it's fine.'

'Well, thank you very much.'

'Not a problem. Do you want to lead the way, then? I haven't been.'

'Alright, we'll take a walk over. Let's go, Vin.'

'Okay!'

'Father, can I have a word?'

'Of course you can. What is it?'

'Look, I understand that the Fortescues have helped you out, and pissing them off isn't the best idea, but... you can't make Carmella marry Quinn. You have to call it off.'

'Why?'

'Because she doesn't want to. It'd make her miserable, having to stay there and follow all those ridiculous, outdated rules. We're in the modern age, aren't we?'

'It's not about that. Sometimes, sacrifices have to be made. This is for the good of the family. I'm sure she can put aside some personal discomfort for the rest of us.'

'It's more than that though! Nobody wants to be... um.'

'Nobody wants to be what?'

'...Stuck in a loveless marriage.'

'You know this is a prestigious family. Farringtons don't marry for love. It's just how things are.'

'So why is she the only one? You haven't picked out a woman for me or Zeus, have you?'

'No. But it's not a terrible idea. I couldn't bear to see you with someone who wasn't good enough, after all.'

'Well jeez, Father, I'd hope to have some input.'

'Don't worry, I'd take your opinions into account.'

'But not Carmella's?'

'Why are you so bothered?'

'She's my sister... I love her, and I don't want her to be upset. You get that, right?'

'Oh, Tristan. I understand where you're coming from. But we can't let our futures be ruined for sentimental reasons. There's just too much riding on this investment. You have to learn to put your feelings to one side.'

'...I guess it helps if you don't have them.'

'To be honest, yes. It does.'

'Okay. I get it.'

'Good. Just let this go, alright? Ultimately, I'm the head of this family and I make the final decisions.'

'I know. I wouldn't question that.'

'I'm glad.'

'Yeah...'