Her homework for the weekend was done. She had checked the modest financial portfolio that her aunt and uncle let her maintain and looked into a few new investment options. She had done her reading of financial reports from various financial firms. She had re-read the New York Times Dealbook, as well as read through the rest of the paper. She was now on the first article in the latest copy of the Economist.
Cassandra put the magazine down. She was done with anything finance-related for the night.
She was exhausted. She knew she was pushing herself too hard, that she was going far beyond what was necessary or good for her health. Nevertheless, whenever Cassandra Black wasn't pushing herself to her very limit to get that extra bit of studying in, that little voice in the back of her head would come out to nag her, to tell her that she would amount to nothing, that she would end up like her mother.
Like her mother, with no career prospects and unable to provide for her family. Dying as nothing more than a footnote in history.
As much as that voice irritated her to no end, and as much as it had gotten to the point where she felt jittery if she wasn't being productive, Cassandra couldn't keep pushing herself like this. Cassandra was going to do something she hadn't done in a long time. Cassandra was taking an extended break. The rest of the weekend would be dedicated to some long overdue relaxation.
She knew it was prom night; it was impossible not to have heard the buzz around school. Everyone who was anyone had gotten their date and their outfit and special ride and blah blah blah. Cassandra didn't really care about prom night. She was single and not even remotely interested in engaging with anyone romantically. She didn't like dancing. She didn't like spoiled rich kids flaunting their wealth with their limos and sweet afterparties. Nothing about prom interested Cassandra, so she ignored the buzz going on around her and had kept her head down, working. As she always did.
It was just before dinner, so everyone else was probably getting ready. They were their pictures taken by their overly excited parents. They were beaming with joy for what would be the most memorable night of their lives. Cassandra may not have been going to prom, but that didn't mean that she couldn't have a night to remember as well. And a night to remember had to start with a meal to remember.
A Night Off
Cassandra Black's Prom Night, in several parts
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BROseidon†
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A Night Off
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BROseidon†
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- Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:08 pm
Meredith had been pleasantly surprised when Cassandra came downstairs and asked if she could help make dinner. Cassandra was always so busy with her nose in a book that she didn't interact much with her aunt and uncle. While Meredith and Cassandra would usually have dinner together, Joe was out of town for work most of the time. Beyond eating together and pleasantries in the morning, Cassandra typically kept to herself. Meredith always felt the girl worked too hard, but knew that trying to interfere was not a good idea. The hard work was Cassandra's coping mechanism, and the months of yelling when Cassandra first moved in had taught Meredith to take a step back and let the girl manage herself.
Cassandra said she wanted the meal to be special. She wanted to help make something really good. Meredith had just been planning on making a simple salad and some burgers, but if Cassandra was willing to help cook, then she could help make something a little nicer. Joe was coming back from the office after spending the week in Chicago on what seemed like a particularly frustrating engagement, so having something nice for him would probably cheer him up as well.
Cassandra pulled out Julia Child's Joy of Cooking and started flipping through for something to make. Cassandra loved everything French; to her, French dining represented everything she strived for. Meredith couldn't help but smile at the enthusiasm and vigor with which Cassandra was looking at the recipes. This was perhaps the first time Meredith ever saw Cassandra beaming with so much energy. She looked like a teenager instead of an adult in miniature. Cassandra settled on a beef recipe with a cauliflower side dish and an upside-down apple tart for dessert, and Meredith grabbed the keys to make a quick run to the grocer's to pick up what they were missing.
Cassandra smiled. This meal was going to be spectacular.
Cassandra said she wanted the meal to be special. She wanted to help make something really good. Meredith had just been planning on making a simple salad and some burgers, but if Cassandra was willing to help cook, then she could help make something a little nicer. Joe was coming back from the office after spending the week in Chicago on what seemed like a particularly frustrating engagement, so having something nice for him would probably cheer him up as well.
Cassandra pulled out Julia Child's Joy of Cooking and started flipping through for something to make. Cassandra loved everything French; to her, French dining represented everything she strived for. Meredith couldn't help but smile at the enthusiasm and vigor with which Cassandra was looking at the recipes. This was perhaps the first time Meredith ever saw Cassandra beaming with so much energy. She looked like a teenager instead of an adult in miniature. Cassandra settled on a beef recipe with a cauliflower side dish and an upside-down apple tart for dessert, and Meredith grabbed the keys to make a quick run to the grocer's to pick up what they were missing.
Cassandra smiled. This meal was going to be spectacular.
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler BROseidon. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
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BROseidon†
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Joe didn't know what to think when he got home two hours later. He had never seen anything like it in his life.
The table was neatly set with the nice china. Cassandra was taking the baked cauliflower au gratin out of the oven and Meredith was flipping the upside down tart. In the center of the table stood a glorious pan filled with beef bourguignon, and next to it stood a bowl of noodles to accompany the dish. The food smelled like it had come out of one of the haut restaurants that he dined at with his clients to celebrate a successful engagement. Joe also knew that with this delicious food came with more butter than Thanksgiving with Paula Deen. He'd need to loosen his pants for this one.
"Wow ladies, this looks delicious. I was expecting a plate to heat up in the microwave."
The three sat down together and began to eat. Joe couldn't believe what he was eating. The beef had been perfectly browned before braising. The wine's acidity had produced wonderfully tender meat. The cauliflower was beautifully rich and creamy. He could tell that Cassandra and Meredith were also enjoying what they had produced. They were all eager to try dessert.
As they ate, they had a conversation. A real conversation, for once, instead of one filled with pleasantries and platitudes. Cassandra lit up as she talked about the book she just finished reading or the latest investment that she made. She showed interest in Joe complaining about his frustrating client in Chicago, where the lead man on the client's side was too nervous about his new position to function properly. She discussed her school life and classes with her aunt. Cassandra's energy grew over the course of the dinner. She felt invigorated in a way she hadn't since before her mother was killed, and she radiated the new energy. Meredith and Joe were both smiling as well, because, for the first time that they could remember, Cassandra seemed relaxed.
Cassandra seemed happy.
The table was neatly set with the nice china. Cassandra was taking the baked cauliflower au gratin out of the oven and Meredith was flipping the upside down tart. In the center of the table stood a glorious pan filled with beef bourguignon, and next to it stood a bowl of noodles to accompany the dish. The food smelled like it had come out of one of the haut restaurants that he dined at with his clients to celebrate a successful engagement. Joe also knew that with this delicious food came with more butter than Thanksgiving with Paula Deen. He'd need to loosen his pants for this one.
"Wow ladies, this looks delicious. I was expecting a plate to heat up in the microwave."
The three sat down together and began to eat. Joe couldn't believe what he was eating. The beef had been perfectly browned before braising. The wine's acidity had produced wonderfully tender meat. The cauliflower was beautifully rich and creamy. He could tell that Cassandra and Meredith were also enjoying what they had produced. They were all eager to try dessert.
As they ate, they had a conversation. A real conversation, for once, instead of one filled with pleasantries and platitudes. Cassandra lit up as she talked about the book she just finished reading or the latest investment that she made. She showed interest in Joe complaining about his frustrating client in Chicago, where the lead man on the client's side was too nervous about his new position to function properly. She discussed her school life and classes with her aunt. Cassandra's energy grew over the course of the dinner. She felt invigorated in a way she hadn't since before her mother was killed, and she radiated the new energy. Meredith and Joe were both smiling as well, because, for the first time that they could remember, Cassandra seemed relaxed.
Cassandra seemed happy.
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler BROseidon. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
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BROseidon†
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Cassandra had returned to her room. 10:30. Cassandra was wondering where her time had gone.
No matter. She had enjoyed the conversation with Meredith and Joe. She didn't feel tired at all, despite the fact that this was normally when she would begin to slow down. Instead, Cassandra couldn't sit still. She had to do something. She had never been one for physical activity, though, and it was too late to go outside anyways. Maybe she could pick up her novel...
No. That wasn't going to happen. A special night did not consist of doing something that she normally did. Memorable, that was the word of the night. Even if she couldn't go on some epic adventure with her besties to celebrate the close of four years of high school – there would be time for that sort of behavior in college – she could still do something to remember the night.
Cassandra opened her computer and logged into Netflix. Her parents had always had the account, but she had never used it. Maybe she could find something that looked fun to watch. She had never been one to watch television or movies; books had always been Cassandra's default pleasure. However, maybe she could broaden her horizons. Maybe she could find something new.
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How had it gotten to be 5am?
Cassandra knew how. She had been watching Downton Abbey for the past several hours. She'd heard good things about it; some of the other girls at school talked about how sophisticated and British it was, but Cassandra had been skeptical. Still, she'd seen that she could stream it, and so she decided it was a better bet than a stab in the dark.
She'd found it hilarious. The humor was witty, the plot engaging and twisting, and the setting beautiful. Lady Violet in particular was one of the most hilarious characters she had ever encountered in any fictional work.
No matter. She was now tired, exhausted. She had done something she would remember for a while, and she'd had a nice, relaxing night. Sunday would be similarly relaxing. Sleep in, brunch, watch more Downton.
Life was good.
No matter. She had enjoyed the conversation with Meredith and Joe. She didn't feel tired at all, despite the fact that this was normally when she would begin to slow down. Instead, Cassandra couldn't sit still. She had to do something. She had never been one for physical activity, though, and it was too late to go outside anyways. Maybe she could pick up her novel...
No. That wasn't going to happen. A special night did not consist of doing something that she normally did. Memorable, that was the word of the night. Even if she couldn't go on some epic adventure with her besties to celebrate the close of four years of high school – there would be time for that sort of behavior in college – she could still do something to remember the night.
Cassandra opened her computer and logged into Netflix. Her parents had always had the account, but she had never used it. Maybe she could find something that looked fun to watch. She had never been one to watch television or movies; books had always been Cassandra's default pleasure. However, maybe she could broaden her horizons. Maybe she could find something new.
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How had it gotten to be 5am?
Cassandra knew how. She had been watching Downton Abbey for the past several hours. She'd heard good things about it; some of the other girls at school talked about how sophisticated and British it was, but Cassandra had been skeptical. Still, she'd seen that she could stream it, and so she decided it was a better bet than a stab in the dark.
She'd found it hilarious. The humor was witty, the plot engaging and twisting, and the setting beautiful. Lady Violet in particular was one of the most hilarious characters she had ever encountered in any fictional work.
No matter. She was now tired, exhausted. She had done something she would remember for a while, and she'd had a nice, relaxing night. Sunday would be similarly relaxing. Sleep in, brunch, watch more Downton.
Life was good.
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler BROseidon. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.