Abby wasn't one for scheming [it's just not fun for her], but she wanted to have her cousin come to her next ballet show, but she knew Ben was coming also for the first time, and Ophie….tolerated him on a good day. So, she decided that they would both go to her show, they just won't know that they have seats next to each other! It would be perfect and they would have to get along somewhat. Abby knocked on the door to her cousin's home, waiting patiently.

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She was expecting her, after all she had buzzed her cousin in, so when the knock on her door came Ophilia didn’t do more than a cursory glance out the peephole before opening the door. “Abby, come on in. To what do I owe the pleasure?” They hadn’t really had anything scheduled or planned as far as Ophilia was aware. Between the holidays and life, finding time to see her cousin in a personal setting was relatively rare. After all, most of their free time lately has been taken up with training. She was still working on her own magic and fighting skills so she took all the assistance she could get.

After guiding the other woman inside her apartment, Ophilia moved over to her kitchen and pulled out two glasses. One she filled with water for herself and the other she left empty, “tea or water?” She could offer a glass of wine but first Abby was still underage, and second she wasn’t sure if the younger woman was driving. Neither of which bode well for imbibing alcohol right now. Of course if Abby was spending the night… that was different. A little liquid libations were always welcome in those kinds of situations. Besides, it was always nice to have a real ‘girls’ night like they were when they were younger. Popcorn, ice cream, and drinks. A real nostalgic evening. “Are you here for work or just to see your beautiful cousin?” Ophilia teased as she pulled out a few nibbles, ever the accommodating host.

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Oh she loved spending time with Ophie and she missed it greatly. But between training [both ballet and powered shenanigans], Ben, and preparations for a wedding[which was still very far off, her mother was insistent though], there was just not enough time. However, she would see if she could maybe stay over for a day. She was sure Ben would be fine without her for a day [She was debating on whether to send him a text or not just be mean]. “Oh I just wanted to see you Ophie. I miss you~” She gave her a quick hug before stepping inside. She watched as her cousin went into the kitchen, offering water or tea, “I'll take tea please with honey and lemon if you have it.” Abby couldn't wait to give her the ticket, smiling while she waited.

“I'm here to see my beautiful cousin of course~ I have something to give you.” Oh she was so excited and trying to be still was extra hard today, but she was going to try to keep the suspense and not to give anything away. Ben was…Less than enthused at his ticket but that was because he was a man and had no taste for the finer things [well, he did sometimes, just not ballet].

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“Hot or cold?” She pulled out a mug as well. Ophilia had both so it was up to Abby which she would prefer. It was definitely cold enough that some hot tea, or hot chocolate, would be quite nice. The honey and lemons were placed next to the sugar bowl. All that was left was pulling out the electric kettle to get the water boiling if needed, or the pitcher of tea from the fridge.

“Flattery will get you everywhere… presents even more so,” but she narrowed her eyes at her younger cousin. “But you're up to something. Spill.” Ophilia paused a second before brightening, “You're not breaking up with that neanderthal are you? Oh please tell me you're here to go out and party to celebrate!” She disliked that man, even more so every time she saw him. Mostly out of principle since Abby could do much better. He was absolutely dating up in Ophilia’s opinion. “Come. Sit. Tell me all the details! Did he cry? Did he beg? Do we have to hide the body?” She patted the bar top at the kitchen island even as she pulled out a wine glass and served herself a very nice red. “If the body needs disposing I am sure we can just toss it in the Rift. After retrieving the starseed of course.” Might as well make him useful for once in his life.

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“Hot please~”

“Oh! caught I suppose.” Abby giggled and was about to speak when Ophie did what she usually did anytime she came to visit. “Really Ophie? Ben isn't that bad!” She playfully rolled her eyes and hopped onto the stool, “No, we did not break up. The relationship is going well actually.” Yes her fiancé was indeed a Neanderthal sometimes, but she liked that about him. It meant he was rough around the edges, but he was a…Treat to look at whenever he got out of her bed in the mornings.

Had she dated someone of her…pedigree, she was absolutely sure they would be boring, unless they were like Rene…But then again she was privy to some stuff he alluded to doing with Alex and no thank you.

One Rene was enough.

She took a sip of her tea before continuing, “Besides….Weren't you the one that encouraged me to sleep with him in the first place?” Granted, she was sure Ophie did not mean to get engaged to Ben, but that was the deal their parents made if they got along. “Daddy said something about needing a construction company for some weird reason so this works out. The Keegan's are considered one of the top construction companies.”

Whatever reason her father needed their business is irrelevant as far as she was concerned.

“Oh! So originally, I wanted to give you this!” She pulled the ticket out of her purse, “A ticket to my show coming up this weekend~ It's The Nutcracker, but it would mean so much if you could come see me perform!”

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“Bah,” Ophilia muttered, waving away Abby’s comment about the man being ‘not that bad’, while putting together a mug of tea for her. It didn’t take long before the mug full of hot tea was presented to the younger woman, mixed just the way Abby liked. “I just wanted you to get laid darling. You really were,” and still was to some extent, “too pure for this city. You needed to learn just what guys are like. And how they are only useful for one thing.” She shrugged and sipped her wine, not at all ashamed for basically referring to men as only useful for their bodies. Considering just how bad her own dating record was, it wasn’t exactly a surprise she thought that way.

The woman put her wine glass down to take the offered ticket. “Oh? Already? I can’t believe it's coming up this soon. You know I won’t miss it darling.” She glanced down at the ticket, absently noting the seat number and smiling since it was in one of the nicer seats. “So who are you playing this year? One of the fairies again or are you going to be pulling one of the big names like Clara or something?”

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Too pure? Sure she guessed she was, but she couldn't see it. “I guess that would be true…” Ben was useful for more than just bed activities, but she wasn't about to tell her that. “I will finally be Clara! Andy is going to be the Nutcracker prince for the first time as well.” Marie and Jacob got into Juilliard so it was now their time to shine.

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“Oh that is wonderful dear,” She finished off her glass and came to give her a hug. “Come. We should go out to celebrate, unless you have to go to rehearsals or something.” Ophila pulled back a bit to look at her cousin. “I’m sure I can get us a table at that place down town you like,” She practically bribed. It would be nice to go out to dinner with Abby, besides there might be men at the restaurant that were more in their league so it was always possible to dump that man. The papers weren’t signed yet so there was always wiggle room, regardless of what her father wanted. Although Ophilia saw the finances of her parents, she had a pretty good idea of exactly why Abby’s father wanted a partnership with a construction company. It was quite a bit more than a typical security company made so there was definitely something else going on. She didn’t really care either way. As long as it didn’t affect the family as a whole that is.

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Celebrating was nice!

“Yes let’s go!~” Abby wasted no time gathering her things so they could leave. Spending time with Ophie was exactly what she needed for a break.