"Yes Some Days It Feels Like I Don't Stop. Hence The Smoke Breaks." Cindy Chuckled Before Nodding. "Indeed

"Mm, not really, I suppose there are times when it's interesting. But it's for the state so often that I never really get any of the 'fun' cases." Cynthia said with a small shrug, she didn't usually mind it. "I'm doing well, certainly looking forward to new year, I always tell myself I'll do these exciting things. Do you have a resolution at all?"

Work has been fraught, and he's very glad she attempts to change the subject. A soft smile and a shrug as he holds his drink in one hand. "You must have some interesting stories." He points out. "Everyone does. We just... all happen to forget them the second we need to tell them to people." Gus laughs, and starts to fold a napkin into... something. Origami? Maybe? "Work's not worth talking about. How're you? Excited for a new year?"

Cynthia didn't have any food in front of her yet, instead she was nursing one drink slowly. It wasn't that she was against the conversation, she just wasn't expecting it. So it took a moment for her to respond.

"I've had bits and pieces, it wasn't the worse I've ever had. I recommend the hot stuff though. Better off sufficiently warmed."

Where: Some Bar Status: Open

Alcohol is almost tradition after a finished 'truck day'. Thousands of pounds in meat and carcasses all coming in, hung up in the freezer, and awaiting carving. Tiring for any man, let alone an ex-con with a stiff knee and a sore back. Losing his touch, it seems. Maybe age catches up with everyone. But Malachi has sat himself down for a drink and eyes the person beside him. He's not a conversationalist, but spending your entire day in utter silence while heaving around the dead in a giant ice box makes you lonesome. "Have you had the food here?" He taps fingers on the laminated little menu taped to the counter. "Don't normally trust bar food."

"That sounds like a good idea, but I will admit that it is not the most exciting case." Cindy gave a quick warning before she started to explain more about the case as they walked.

Eyebrows raise slightly, but she finds herself nodding. It's not that she needs the distraction, really - work is plenty enough, but it gives her a goal. Maybe a goal is what she needs. "I'd love a coffee, actually - There's a place not too far from here that has really wonderful cheese danishes. Give me the cliff notes as we go?"

1x07 / 2x07 / 2x10 / 2x11

@detbell

"Thank you for meeting with me Will," Although Cynthia and Will were divorced she still loved him, even if that didn't always come across very well due to her own stubborn bitterness. Meeting in a neutral place seemed to help and she gave him a small smile as she sat down at the table.

"I wanted to talk about Christmas, I've managed to get the brood to agree to come over all together for Christmas Eve, they're all busy on the day itself." That fact stung but she quickly brushed past it. "I want you to be there. If you can make it."

NEVER HAVE I EVER 3.09 | ...Had an Indian Boyfriend

She was a young lawyer trying to make her name. She didn't have time for feelings. Didn't have time for her anxiousness or guilt. But the things she saw still struck her, even if she tried to ignore them. She couldn't. The people she saw in work, even those she was prosecuting, some were so young and well, innocent until proven guilty she always believed in. She never spoke to the young boy, never tried to stop what was happening. But she remembered.

As Cynthia walked into the meeting room her steps faltered, he was older now but those eyes god she recognised them. Still she didn't want to show that and instead shook his hand before sitting down. "Cynthia Bell-Vasquez but Cynthia is just fine. Thank you for coming in, this won't take long it's just to talk about what to expect in court. Have you been a witness before?"

@ofprosecution | Setting: Court | Local Time: 14:32 | TW: abuse, minor self-harm

"How could you fuck up this badly again." The grip of his father's hand is rough on Max upper arm. He's young, way too young for this, way too young to complain as his father pulls him to the counter of the department, fingers digging int his skin so harshly that he's starting to feel nauseous. "I'm sorry, I-" "You shut the fuck up." Max quietens down as his father pays, his eyes only darting to the side when he notices the woman standing close, but he doesn't dare to say a word as tears gather in the corners of his eyes and start to spill down his cheeks. He also doesn't speak up when his father starts dragging him out. He never does.

Years later, Max is in court for an entirely different reason, but he can't help and be reminded of that specific night. The flashbacks catch him before he can skill them away, memories of a fist hitting his cheek and his stomach and and and clear and visible in his head as his fingernails dig into his skin so hard that they draw blood. He recognizes her face immediately as she enters the room, and through all the mails, all the phone conversations, he had never known that it was her.

"Hi.", Max croaks out, vision blurred by derealization, as he wipes his hands on his black trousers and then offers them to the woman for a shake, "Nice to finally meet you. I'm Max Miller. The witness."

Cynthia was grateful to see Laurie, it was nice to see someone with whom she needed to have no pretence and instead could be herself. The fact he was quite handsome helped too and she didn't hide that either.

When he put his glass down she chuckled and took his hand. "Oh you need not worry about that. I have Spanish blood, we're brought up dancing but I can tone it down, for beginners." She teased.

Laurie loved New Year’s Eve. It was the best night of the year to party and drink as much as he wanted and to dress up in one of his finer suits. He also knew he’d always get a good glass of champagne at a big party.

By the time Cynthia had appeared, Laurie had almost finished his first glass and was well on his way to drinking more. He smiled brightly at her when she approached and stood up straight.

“Hello to you, too, stranger. Long time no see.”

Laurie took a final swig of his champagne before setting the empty glass down on the nearest available surface and then turning back to Cynthia. “I’d love to dance. Just don’t show me up; I have a reputation to maintain.”

Cynthia gave a brief laugh before nodding. "Yes I think that's the jist of it, got to find some way to make it edible." She liked the bar, but she came here to drink not eat so the food was never quite important to her.

"I'm sure someone would be willing to share for you."

Sufficiently warmed. "Cooks off the fungus, I guess." Not the most pleasant answer, but Malachi isn't the most pleasant person.

He has a drink in front of him already - just whiskey, which he's taken a sip or two of. Bony fingers tap a few more times as he mulls it over. Then, a look back at his present company. "Think the fries are warm enough?" Then a brief moment of pause. "Might need a taste tester."

susan gately + cigarette + those  h a n d s