Winter Enters the Fox Den

The dining room was elegant in a minimalist sort of way, yet still echoed the natural world outside the manor. The table dominated the space, an elongated ellipse of oak with the raw bark at the edges. The tree had been a victim of a violent storm a few years back, upended root ball and all coming out of the Inari Compound. The chairs had come from the same tree, each one beautiful in its simplicity, all clean straight lines and high backs. The floor beneath it all was a granite tile slab, and with the cream walls and tall mullioned windows it was a fitting place for casual conversation and first meetings.

Kalina opens the sliding wooden door from the kitchen and brings out the porcelain plates, setting them out on the four spots on the two sides of rectangle table. Another girl follows out the door and to set down red cloth napkins, striking up casual conversation. "Shame that Shin couldn't join us, but guess it makes sense considering the growth of his company. He's going to miss out on meeting this lucky girl who stole your heart though!" She giggles out.

Kalina brushes back her hair, smoothing out the wrinkles in her maroon sweater, adjusting polka dot blouse peaking out from underneath. Her silver leaf necklace clinked against the wood table as she reached over to place the last plate. Brushing her hair behind her ear, she speaks gently, "Yeah...glad you could make it though Sammy." She says to her sister with a smile. "I hope you and dad like her; she's really special to me..." she whispers out bashfully.

"Aw, you're cute Kali! If you love her, I'm sure we will love her too. I mean, you've seen how dad has gotten with my past boyfriends, he's always been pretty good. And don't worry, I hid all the embarrassing baby photos for you." Samarra says with a wink. Loosening up the gray scarf around her neck, Samarra steps back to admire the festive table, nodding in approval of their work. Walking around she gives her sister a bear hug, shaking her shoulders up and down. "Loosen up sis! You can't be nervous! From what you've told me when we've talked on the phone, Yukiko sounds like an amazing girl. And you look gorgeous, so just carry that confidence for a few more hours."

Kalina gives out a giggle, her older sister easing some of her tension for the meal that was going to take place in an hour or so. She was excited for her girlfriend to meet her dad and her sister; almost thankful that her brothers couldn't make it so it wasn't as overwhelming for Yuki. Glancing at her phone she realizes that she still has some time before Yuki was supposed to show up, so she moves to go wait in the living room until her girlfriends arrival.