everyonelives | only death can part us now

No.

[None of the Fords are particularly combat ready.]

I bake feelings into cakes. Into any baked good, actually.

[Which is a rather blunt way of putting things but sometimes cutting right to the point is the best way to handle it.]

Most of them are more quirks than anything else.

What kinda feelings?

( He doesn't -- understand the idea. )

That's a quirk, alright. Everyone here, your brothers, everyone has quirks? Braid?

You've been to my bakery, haven't you? How do you feel after you eat something here?

[It's incredibly consistent, no matter how terrible your day has been - aside from that one day after the death of his wife, anyway. He usually aims for warmth and contentment, a projection of how much Bairre does enjoy preparing food for other people.

That being said, when it comes to his brothers:]

All of my brothers, plus my Dad. It starts when you turn twenty, so the girls, if they get them, haven't kicked in yet.

[Normally it would be assumed, but Bairre's wife was a witch, and there's always a chance that they could wind up with magic instead, and Bairre isn't sure if one cancels out the other.]

Depends. Changes, I guess. Real loved up most of the time. Warm. But I go with Cole, so, it's bonding time.

( But maybe that's reinforced. Emphasized? Kinda cool to think he has an influence on him. His feelings. There was a melancholic day, but he'd never blame him. )

Not just a guy thing, then. ( He scans the Ford's in different parts of the venue. ) What's Braid's?

You'll have to talk to him about that.

[It's one thing to explain himself, it's another to out his brothers' and the choices they might have made as a result. But before he could continue there, Catroina is coming up to his side with a small smile.

"Bairre, love, the photographer wants to get a picture with you and the girls."

Right. He's still the best man and is supposed to be photographed. He nods before stepping away, giving Niall a small nod and leaving him in his mother's care.

Catroina looks over to him with a small smile. "And how are you doing? Quite the exciting ceremony, no?"]

( He will, then. He gives Bairre Jr. a nod of acknowledgment. A silent thanks before perking up for Catroina. )

Understatement, but everyone had it handled. Thank you for helping with the kids.

( It's weird to be back here with this family, but it also feels right. Cole is comfortable. Happy. That's his biggest concern. )

Proud day for you. Must be somethin' having everyone all under one roof again.

Oh, of course.

[The goal was always to keep everyone safe. That's why Lindsay decorated the way she did.]

And yes, it is. Of course, I'd prefer for it to be something far less formal, but we take our opportunities where we can get them, considering my sons chose to throw themselves to the four corners of the world.

[But that's what your children are supposed to do. They're supposed to go out into the world and find their own way.]

London isn't too far.

( But, New Orleans and wherever Brogan goes on tour - far. )

Bairre gave me the crash course in your sons' legacies. My gran' was a clairvoyant. Seems I'm in good company.

London is far enough.

[She's just grateful she didn't lose all of her sons to the Brits. Catroina nods at the mention of the family legacy, however, considering carefully.]

It would seem you are. Did she realize her gift? Or was it more uncanny predictions that just happened to pop up?

You ask her, she fully realized it. I just thought she was eccentric.

( And had some lucky instincts. )

Probably runs in the family, but I am not the one gifted. Got my gift, anyway. ( His son, and he looks off in his direction, fondly. ) Reconnecting these last few months - I'm real grateful for it, Catroina. Gave me the touchstone I needed after the divorce.

We've been happy to have you, truly.

[It hadn't sat right the way Bradan had let him slip away, no matter what his reasons, but she knows that he was young and had a lot to figure out about himself. Still, no matter what happens between them, she hopes that Cole will give them a reason to stay close.]

You are always welcome. Always.

I was feeling unmoored when I made the connection at the Christmas pageant. The last six months have been everything I've needed. And everything I think Cole needed.

( He's even closer to his best friend now, too. )

I know I lost touch, but you should know, I saw you all as family. Every one of you. I really missed this.

Oh, darling. That feeling was mutual.

[She gives his shoulder a small squeeze as the dinner service starts to be delivered to the tables.]

Come. Have a drink, eat, and then the fun will really begin.

[Because as with all Ford family events, the more alcohol that's gone around the more exciting things get.]

Don't have to ask me twice.

( The maudlin moment set aside, he joins the party portion of the evening. He is his charming, cheeky self, and can't help keeping one eye on his old friend. There's a power within him. Something else that makes him special. Niall's always seen him as special, power or not. It's easy to stay in his orbit. And his family's. )

[Bradan's been kept to his side of the room for most of the evening, but as dinner service passes and the dance floor opens up, Cal seems to be pulled in to the jazz singer from a few nights ago, and Bradan intends to give him space to do just that.

It's few and far between that his brother gets to make an actual connection. He's not going to stand in his way, even if it's only a one-off.

Sophie and Eliot head off to dance, and Bradan and Vincent head over to the bar for a drink, leaving Cal and Serena alone. Eventually, they're joined by Freya, which allows Bradan to take his whiskey, slip from the conversation, and find his way to the seat next to Niall, giving in to the need to check in that he's been sitting on since the end of the ceremony.]

Partied out already?

( Callahan for his part, keeps his distance but has drank enough to dance like a spaz. Is this the most fun his brother has seen him have since? Probably. He's careful, aware he's around other people and their swaying hands and moving arms. But, other than directly kissing anyone, he's covered head-to-toe.

Niall has done some silly dancing, a lot of conversing and some light eating. It's still a bombshell, but it's settled more now.

His face scrunches as he shrugs. )

I wouldn't say that. Just taking a breather. Wedding's always high energy. It's been a day. My batteries just need a little recharge. ( He laughs, shaking his head. ) Look at Cal.

[Bradan follows his eyes and glances to his brother with a smile. Serena is very much matching his energy, breaking out some old school moves of her own.]

Yeah, they seem to have hit it off, for better or worse though with those dance moves, it might be worse.

[Kidding. You should always have someone who matches your dance energy.]

Definitely worse. But, I haven't a leg to stand on there. I do a mean sway, though. Turn. Dip. They're classics for a reason.

( And make him think about the first dance at a wedding, like the one he did once upon a time. )

I like this family of yours. Feel real adopted.

Even with the supernatural intervention?

[He's sure that Bairre filled Niall in on some things, but there's certainly been people who would run the other way from the vampires. Bradan certainly couldn't blame them.]

Because we do like having both you and Cole around.

Doesn't that make it more special? Your powerful family sees something in me, in my kid. It's an honor.

( To be in their presence. To be in his. )

Feelings mad mutual. Probably the best six months I've had in years. If I can keep this streak up. ( Though. ) And the best man let me in on the family secret. Look at me, in the know.

( He studies Bradan's facial features, trying to get a read. What kind of power does he sport. Is it an emotion? Something cooler? He wants to know all his secrets. And then some. )

[His face falters more than he would like (7). Possibly the whiskey, possibly the long day, possibly the fact that if he does know then what excuses does he have to roadblock himself. All the same, he nods.]

He did, did he? Now you know why his cakes are so good. Not that I can tell.

[The tricks don't work on family after all.]

Tell me your quirk isn't your taste buds. That'd be a real bummer. And ironic that your brother cakes his cakes in with literal joy.

( Man, that'd be an Alanis Morisette sequel. )

You don't have to tell me, though. I know... it's probably real personal.

No, nothing like that. It's just that the family quirks don't work on the family, so it just tastes like good cake to me.

[He pauses for a moment, because he should tell him. It feels silly to keep the secret now. It's still hard to say, because he knows it's part of their past, but Niall doesn't.]

I can see connections between people. Potential great loves. Kind of like a red string of fate from one person to another.

Liar. It's great cake. Top tier.

( He says it with a smile, though.

He takes this in, appreciating that Bradan is trusting him with this knowledge. It's important to uphold. To treat it fairly. )

Is that how you got into your line of work?

It was Hannah's idea. Making money from it. I'm not sure it was the right choice sometimes, but we've made a lot of people happy.

[So maybe that's worth it in the end. That it's all about the people you made happy and not how cynical it made you.]

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