Robyn was excited to see some family members after being away from Rhydin for so long. She had texted Miranda to meet her at a diner just off the main square, Angela's, they were clean, quiet and served good food. It was run by a ghoul, but he only worked on the books, the regular staff were all nice, neat living beings (or polite undead). She had already ordered herself and Miranda some hot chocolate as she waited.

Considering who she was married to, it was probably a good thing that she hadn't given him any specifics. Rufus wasn't particularly fond of undead, even the ones who made an effort to fit into society. As it happened, she was just a few minutes late arriving, but it had been a very busy week. As usual, she was dressed to the nines, even for lunch, and upon spying Robyn gave a very girlish squeal and made a beeline toward her to wrap her in a warm hug. "Robyn, dear! How are you? It's been ages!"

She rose up to meet the hug, believing that hugs should get more energy than she could give seated. "Ages and ages." She laughed brightly, a warm and genuine smile on her lips. "It's just so hard to go from New York to here sometimes, not that it's a great excuse, and I've missed everyone here so much!" Releasing Miranda from the hug and leaning back a bit to look at her. "You look good, have a seat, I ordered something hot to drink. The food here is better than you'd think too."

"Oh! You've been in New York! That's my favorite city! There are a few portals there that will whisk you back to Rhy'Din pretty quickly, but you have to know where to look. I can mark them out on a map for you later, if you like," Miranda said, releasing her from the hug and sliding into a seat, her purse going on the table beside her. She leaned in to whisper quietly. "I heard the cook is a zombie. I hope it's not true."

"Trust me, the food is good. I was skeptical at first too, but really, top notch." Her hands wrapped around the hot chocolate to keep them warmed. "Tell me what you've been up to lately' We need a family news letter to go out to keep everyone up to date. I feel like I missed a decade worth of stuff in the months that I've been gone." A waiter approached and she looked to Miranda. "You want to just go with pancakes" The pancakes here are to die for and are good any time of day?"

"As long as there's syrup," she replied with a grin. Apparently, she had quite the sweet tooth, hence the hot chocolate suited her fine. "Well..." she started, folding her arms on the table and leaning in with a happy twinkle in her eyes. "Not everyone keeps in touch, but I can fill you in on some things. But first, I want to know what *you've* been up to. What have you been doing in New York?" She chose that moment to take a sip of her hot chocolate, licking the whipped cream from her lips.

First things first. "We'll take two orders of the STACK, and if you wouldn't mind bringing out the selection of syrups?" The waiter nodded and smiled polite, moving off to put in the order. "I managed to trick some people into letting me play the role of Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde again on Broadway." She sounded very pleased about that. "It's a lot of work but I love the part and I love that they get new leading men in every couple of months....And Shon'ge has been a good sport about being in New York. We'll be staying here for a bit to make up for it though, he's not really a city guy."

Miranda wondered if she should tell the waiter to make sure there weren't any brains in her pancakes, but she trusted Robyn's judgment. Rufus might not agree later, but what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him. "Oh, that's exciting! You're enjoying the theater then?" she asked, perfectly manicured fingers curled around her mug. "And how is married life treating you?" she added with a grin.

A soft blush crept up her neck and across her cheeks. "Pretty well, actually. Some days I'm angry with myself for not realizing I should have said something sooner to him, but most days I just enjoy it. I can't believe he still puts up with me." Soft laughter. "And you? You still haven't told me anything about you or the rest of our crazy family." Said with great affection.

"Good men are hard to come by. When you find one, hold on tight and don't let go!" She should know; she came close to losing hers once. Miranda giggled a little at the remark about family. "They're as crazy as ever!" And she meant that with affection, as well. "Let's see. Where to start." She tapped a finger against her mug as she considered a moment. "Jon and Vicki have a perfect pair now - girl and a boy. I predict they'll have a few more before they're through."

"That seems to be the way of our family." Robyn grinned. "That's why I'm probably not going to have any....maybe in a decade from now, but no time soon."

"Nonsense! It's good for the family. And Humphrey is elated about all the little ones. His reputation as the family grump is highly inflated, you know. You should go by the house and say hello. I'm sure he'd love to see you....and Shon'ge, too!" Miranda reached across the table to touch the younger woman's hand. "But don't feel like you have to have children just because some of your cousins are having them. You do what?s best for you."

"I like other peoples kids more than I think I'd like them myself. Until that changes...well, I'm enjoying my life as it is. I'm planning on visiting the house this weekend." She grinned, and then grinned wider as the food was delivered. The fluffy pancakes smelled like heaven and they were given an array of syrups in a neat little basket. "I've managed to catch some breakfast with Gigi so far but everyone else is out of town or busy. We should start planning a barbeque for when the weather lets up enough to do it. Food brings out Grangers faster than nearly anything else." She laughed.

"Yes, we should," Miranda agreed, taking another sip of her cocoa as the plates were set down on the table. She politely thanked the waiter before turning back to Robyn. "Have you heard from your brother lately' I'm afraid I've lost track."

"No, I haven't and that was one of the reasons I came back. I...think he might be a little angry with me. Staying away too long or something. I'm hoping to fix that because I miss him a whole lot." She pushed the pancakes around with her fork, that subject was one that was causing her a lot of pain, something she wasn't really good at hiding. "I'm sure we can work it out, just need to hunt him down."

"That's another trait for a Granger right?" She laughed. "But it's good to hear. I can't believe how many kids are around some days. Feels like just last summer we were the crop of kids, doesn't it?"

Miranda chuckled. "Darling, you're making me feel old!" She was, after all, probably old enough to be Robyn's mother. "But yes, times flies." Her expression turned serious a moment as she debated another more personal bit of information that Robyn might or might not know about. "I have a daughter about your age. She lives in New York." Yes, Robyn had a cousin she had likely never met or had only met briefly.

Miranda chuckled. "Darling, you're making me feel old!" She was, after all, probably old enough to be Robyn's mother. "But yes, times flies." Her expression turned serious a moment as she debated another more personal bit of information that Robyn might or might not know about. "I have a daughter about your age. She lives in New York." Yes, Robyn had a cousin she had likely never met or had only met briefly.

She blinked. "What' How....how did I not know this" You should give me her information!" Robyn was big on family, she looked a bit shocked that this was news to her.

"Yes, well ....She was ....kind of a secret. It's hard to explain, but her father has a lot of enemies, and we needed to keep her safe. Her name is Bethany. I can give you her address, if you like."

"Please! Her number too so I can warn her before I stop over." She grinned widely. "Huh, this family, always surprising me."

"Fair warning, though. She and Jason have twins!" Miranda added with a twinkle in her eyes, reaching for her purse to produce photographs. She rummaged a bit before she finally came up with a small book that was labeled "Grandma's Brag Book". She flipped through a few pages to point out the photo of the twins and showed it to her. "That's Brody," she said pointing out a photo of a baby boy with a blue cap. "And Evie," she said pointed to the baby with the pink cap.

She was leaning in to look at the photos. "Goodness! Twins no less. You have any other family members hidden away?" She teased.

"No," Miranda laughed. "Just a daughter." And a husband, but that much was obvious, especially considering the rock she was wearing on her left hand.

She had heard about the husband, so that wasn't a shock. "I still feel like I'm lost. Hopefully that will fade with a week or two being back. I....was thinking of bringing Shon'ge out more so others can get to know him. He's kind of quiet when you first meet him, takes a bit before he warms up and shows the man I know him to be. Shane knows him well, but I don't think anyone else in the family has gotten to know him yet." It was clear that she was in love with him, she got that far away look when she spoke about him. "He wanted to be here tonight but he had an emergency."

"There's plenty of time for getting reacquainted, dear. Do you have everyone's numbers?" She thought about taking her phone out to share some numbers when she remembered that Robyn had texted the family a few days ago. "If you have trouble getting in touch with anyone, let me know."

"Will do, and I think I'm going to start planning a girls night out. Will send a save the date thing soon as I nail down a possible day. Or maybe a girls night in" I did one of those awhile ago and it was pretty fun..." She thought about that. "It's good seeing you again."

"Sounds good! So long as the men don't get into any trouble while we're there," Miranda said with a teasing wink. "It's good seeing you again, too!"

Robyn laughed. "The men will get in as much trouble as they're going to get in. Never needed a reason for it before."

"That's true, except they have us to answer to now." Miranda grinned, glad she'd had this chance to catch up. She glanced at her watch and frowned. "I should really be going."

She nodded. "I figured you wouldn't have much time. Thanks for coming out." She got up so she could collect a proper hug. "I'll see you again soon, yeah?"

Miranda pushed away from the table and offered the younger woman a motherly hug and a brush of lips to her cheek. "Anytime, dear. You know how to reach me."

"Love you, talk with you soon."

Miranda smiled. "Love you, too, darling. Don't be a stranger!" And out she went. Robyn might notice she'd left enough money on the table to cover the bill and then some. It had been nice to catch up with family. She could only hope that they'd stay in touch.

((Based on live role-play between Miranda and Robyn. Thanks to Robyn's player for the opportunity!))