#reuben.

Natalia had been talking to people since the funeral ended. Thanking people for coming, entertaining their stories about Richard, and generally trying to leave good impressions on whoever took time out of their day to say goodbye to him. Seeing as this man knew more people than there were names in the phonebook, Natalia was exhausted.

Needing more than a ten minute break here and there, she decided to sneak away from the guest area and head upstairs. Mrs. Tristan has barred non-residents from the upstairs floors so she knew she'd be safe from running into anyone there. All she needed was twenty uninterrupted minutes in her room, away from the mourners and their incessant chatter and sympathies.

However, when she reached the third floor, she came across Reuben sitting in the common area. In a near instant, the exhaustion that once felt deep in her bones was gone. A spark lit in her chest, reigniting the fury she felt during the funeral when Reuben had so thoughtlessly disrespected Richard during his eulogy. She strode right up to him, a vicious look in her eyes.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

Natalia was on her way to her room for a brief lie down, passing the Common Area as usual. Her attention was caught by the sight of Reuben sprawled on one of the couches, an expression of deep contemplation on his face. With a wry smile, she decided to take a detour and approach him.

"Trying to find your talent in between the cushions? I don't think it's hiding there," she quipped.