The Age of The Masrui

"How would I know that, I'd be asleep. Shut up..." She mumbled sleepily.

---

Dorian shook his head at the offer. "Forget it..."

“Sleep well.” Archer encouraged gently, holding her close as he closed his own eyes.

---

“I’m happy… i promise.”

"Not sleeping, just listening to the film. Shush." Scarlett scolded gently, genuine grouchiness creeping in then.

---

"Ok. Okay..."

Archer was silent then.

---

Odette sipped quietly at the wine.

Dorian shook his head, putting his own drink to the side with a mumble of not being in the mood and heading into the livingroom.

---

Scarlett drifted off less than half an hour later, silent, still and fast asleep.

Archer was soon asleep too.

---

Odette sighed deeply as he left.

(( Skip? Up to you how long ))

((Were you thinking like days/weeks?))

(( I don't mind, it's up to you ))

((Who do you want me to post for??))

(( Anyone you like I'm going to go to bed in like 40 minutes ))

Three weeks later…

---

Wren was sat with her back against the paddock fence, knees up to her chest as she watched her horses in the field, having just turned them out after a ride. A content look on her face though she kept checking her watch to watch the time go down until she had to return back to the centre.

---

“How was she today? Lunch and then the ride?” Karsi asked as she passed Cain and Tesni over a coffee each, sitting down on the couch next to her daughter. “She’s still quiet with me and your dad, can’t really get too much out of her.”

---

((Post for whoever else you want))

"She's fine, just fine - quiet. Hasn't said much." Tesni mumbled as she scrolled through messages on her phone, having been completely distracted all day.

Cain rolled his eyes as he watched Tesni. "You could just go out there and ask her yourself, mom. Just because she isn't speaking to you doesn't mean you shouldn't speak to her."

“Trust me I’ve tried honey… it’s like talking to a brick wall.” Karsi sighed softly as she took a sip of her drink. “How about you two, how are you both doing?”

"Now Wren is out and about Tobi has decided we best not go away just in case and its pissing me off." Tesni mumbled.

(( Night night ))

“Is he still not sleeping, waking up in the middle of the night screaming and everything?”

Tesni nodded subtly, "He went into work today, not that he'll be any good there. I wanted him to stay home, we're both exhausted."

---

"I've shown up too late for a ride." Nathan mused as he wandered over, though clearly had no intention of riding as he was in his work uniform - having just finished a shift.

“Hi!” Wren greeted happily, jumping up from where she was sat and wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug.

---

“We can have the kids tonight if you want? If you need to catch up on your sleep.”

Tesni nodded subtly. "Yeah, yeah. Obviously he wakes up screaming, then it wakes the kids and there is no hope of getting back to sleep after that. If you could have the kids, that'd be.. really nice."

---

"Woah, hey. I - this is.. I thought you'd scream at me, not do this." Nathan grimaced, hugging her back gently.

“Missed you.” Wren whispered, squeezing him tighter.

---

“We’ll have em for a few nights if you need to. I’m up early anyways most mornings aren’t I so I can get up with them and then we’ll work it out between me and your dad. I’m sure Mila wouldn’t mind having them either?”

"Mila and I would be happy enough to take them, yeah." Cain whispered with a small nod.

"Great, pick them up from school then mom?" Tesni whispered. "Tobias can't protest too much if they are already here when he gets home from work."

---

"You have?"

---

"Is there a reason I've had your team moaning to me that you're being a shit to them since you've been back in work?" Dorian asked Tobias, having made his way into the security hub at the resort. Leaning back against the wall and crossing his arms. "Have they not been up to scratch recently? What's been going on?"

“I’ll have it all sorted baby, you get yourself some rest. Try convince Tobi to get the help he needs.” Karsi nodded, reaching out and gently rubbing her arm. “It’ll be okay, just a rough patch.”

---

“Of course.” Wren nodded before letting him go and stepping back. “Sorry - was that too much?”

---

“They’re missing small things. Not double checking locks, not noticing that someone’s left their bag unattended, not checking the bins to see if anything’s been hidden in them. Basic stupid shit. They’re all incompetent.” Tobias muttered irritably as he stared at the cameras. “Taking five minutes to respond to a basic radio call, idiots”

"No, you just... you confuse me." Nathan whispered with a small frown. "I don't know if I am coming or going with you, I just... don't understand."

---

"Danny says this happens sometimes, that it is better just to ride out the storm then push him into anything." Tesni whispered. "I - I don't know what to do, don't know what is for the best."

---

"Not up to standard, no." Dorian agreed quietly, walking up to Tobias' side and following his gaze onto the camera. "Though nothing that warrants me being bothered by them moaning about the way they claim your speaking to them. If your not ready to be back here yet then it is fine, Tobias. You're tense, your health needs to come first."

“I’m tense because I’m doing their work for them. This is why I said you needed to hire more ex soldiers on the team but you pushed back against it. They wouldn’t be crying about being told to do their fucking jobs properly.”

---

“It’s been a few weeks. You’ve tried riding it out. It’s time to give him tough love.”

---

“Sorry… sorry.” Wren whispered, looking at her feet. “I’m a mess and it’s - it’s not an excuse but it’s a reason. I’ve been working really hard at the centre to get myself normal… I’m sorry…”

"This isn't a war zone. I appreciate your thoroughness, it's part of the reason I hired you but you need to be more lenient. If we get too strict on security then it isn't going to be a nice experience for my guests, I don't want them to feel they can't leave their bag on a lounger whilst they go and get their kid an ice cream."

---

"So where do I stand, Wren? What - what is going on here?"

---

"He's having a tough time as it is, I don't want to make it any tougher." Tesni mumbled. "Prefer holding him until he can breath again to harassing him to speak about things he doesn't want to speak about."

"I'll do it then." Cain shrugged. "Problem solved. I'll come over later for dinner, and I'll have words."