Early December 2012: Leena's B&B

[damncompass]

December is damn cold in the badlands. Good thing the B&B has a good heater. Due to the cold and Joshua's typical inclinations, he has been getting up a bit earlier than usual to make breakfast for Morning Meetings, which he's been running more often than not because Artie just doesn't want to leave the Warehouse in the cold. (Not that Joshua blames him in the slightest).

So this particular morning, Pete and Myka were already on a case from yesterday involving rather frightning office supplies, so Joshua was making tea instead of the usual coffee, and much less bacon.

It still smells damn good, though.

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[timelessinventor]

It's not too long before Helena comes down (though Claudia and Steve will probably be a while yet); she heads into the kitchen to see what Joshua's up to. "Hello, darling."

[damncompass]

Joshua looks up from the pancakes he's minding with a smile. "Hey, you. While you're over there, can you grab me one of those plates to put these on?"

At the moment, he's still in a t-shirt and boxers. Both probably fairly amusing.

[timelessinventor]

Helena fishes a plate out of the cabinet and hands it to Joshua. "You may wish to put on some trousers before your sister comes downstairs."

[damncompass]

"Meh. Claud's seen me in my boxers before." It's not as if he's wearing tighty whities or anything like that.

"I'm mostly just too lazy to go back upstairs just for pants."

[timelessinventor]

"Ah. Well, I do hope you're prepared for later." As soon as the tea's ready, she takes the liberty of pouring herself a cup.

[damncompass]

"What's later? When Claudia comes down and makes snarky remarks about my terrible boxers?" He turns, confused, but turns his attention back to the pancakes.

[timelessinventor]

"No, when we go to Minneapolis and find things to wear for next week." She may have made the arrangements when it became apparent Joshua had no intention of doing so (and when she realised they couldn't get by with what's available in Featherhead).

[damncompass]

"Wait, what? I'm not going anywhere today?" He pauses, and a bit of panic crosses his face. "Fuck. That is next week, isn't it? Oh, fuck." The pancake might be burning.

[timelessinventor]

"You're burning a pancake, darling." Helena takes some dishes to the dining room, the better to start setting the breakfast table. "It is next week, and if you don't show up under your own power, it's just as likely Mr. Kosan will ensure you get there. Better to be prepared. Besides, I'll need something to wear as well."

[damncompass]

"Fuck." He scrapes the pancake off of the pan and dumps it, making a new one. "I... why does he care if I go or not? I... I'm not that good, Helena. I shouldn't even in the same room as some of these people."

[timelessinventor]

"You did groundbreaking research that you can - and should - be recognised for. And you need to start learning to embrace the power you've got." Which Helena suspects is a good deal more than Joshua realises, but this isn't the time to bring that up. "You've earned this, darling."

[damncompass]

"I... I looked into the other guys who're getting awards. They're like.... fucking amazing and have done so much work. I'm just a kid from South Dakota who stumbled upon something interesting." He waves the pancake turner around, perilously close to burning yet another batch.

[timelessinventor]

"Eyes on the food, Joshua." At this rate, there won't be any batter left to eat. "Do you really think you're the first person in the world to get recognition for something and feel that they haven't quite earned it?"

[damncompass]

"Crap." He flips the pancake, then sighs. "I know, Helena, I know. Never mind." He turns back, rather sullen and a bit defeated, finishing up a bit more of breakfast.

After a bit of silence, he starts some bacon.

[timelessinventor]

"Claudia is right, you know. You can't get away with a sweater-vest at this particular event. I doubt you could even if the dress code were less strict." She leans back into the kitchen and smiles at Joshua. "And for all I am not bound by current fashion or even good taste, I can't very well wear anything I currently have to such a function as this."

[damncompass]

"Yeah, you'd probably turn a few heads if you showed up in your Victorian dress."

Especially since that dress isn't even a fancy gown by Victorian standards.

He sighs, and puts all of his efforts on a plate. "Guess Claud and Steve are going to end up with cold breakfast."

[timelessinventor]

"It's also far from appropriate for the occasion." Helena smiles. "I would try to rouse them, but I dare say it's not worth the effort. Cover the dish and let's eat our own breakfast. We need to be underway in a couple of hours."

[damncompass]

"The hell'd you do?" Joshua sighs, and shakes his head.

"Alright." He puts a plate on the extra food, and takes his to the table. "If they don't arrive soon, they might miss morning meeting such as it is."

[timelessinventor]

"Well, is there a case for them? If so, I'm sure Artie would delight in the opportunity to fill them in."

[damncompass]

"Not as such, so I guess it was more family breakfast and possible debrief from what they were working on yesterday. I think Claud was doing something in the gooery and Jinksy was helping." He shrugs. "Just, you know, trying to make us more than shadows in the night."

[timelessinventor]

"If they happen to make it downstairs, we can still do precisely that. If not, you're still going to Minneapolis. If we put this off much longer neither of us will have anything to wear."

And to some extent, Helena's still not used to moving in the fully-pre-made-clothing world. If something needs tailoring, this is about as close as they can cut it and still have their clothes when they need them.

[damncompass]

"Alright, alright." Joshua sighs, poking his fork at the pancakes on his plate. "Looks like you've already made plans for the day." He's still a bit sullen, but he'll get over it.

[timelessinventor]

Helena sighs. "Darling, what's wrong?"

[damncompass]

"Don't worry about it. I'll get over it." He sighs, finishing his breakfast and standing up. "I should go up and pack then, shouldn't I? What's our timing on this?"

[timelessinventor]

"I took the liberty of packing for us both while you were busy yesterday - and don't worry, I restrained myself." They're going out with the express purpose of buying clothing, after all; no point in packing excess amounts. "You needn't rush, but the sooner we can be on our way, the better."