Nina listened to Chronus' ravings with patience. Before she could even open her mouth to respond, Ryker had stepped in and told him off and then immediately apologized.

"No, Ryker, you are quite within your rights. Upon accepting this job, you'll be self managing yourselves. You'll have to learn to handle the stressful situations, and should you fail to accept this kind of talk from each other and instead choose to take it personally, I doubt you'll survive these locations." She turned back to look at Chronus for a moment before walking to the couches surrounding the long coffee table.

"I hope you're enjoying the refreshments." Nina said to Sara and Cedar. "I made them myself. Had I anticipated hardly anyone was going to eat them, I wouldn't have bothered."

[color=Brown]"Oh. They're wonderful."[/color] Cedar offered, feeling a little put on the spot. She didn't know what to say about no one else eating or drinking anything. Now she was nervous the food might not be safe.

Oh well. She was in the process of killing herself last night. Did it matter if someone else did it for her tonight? She shook her head and tugged down on her sleeves to better hide the jagged scars on her wrists. She needed to stop thinking about her brothers and about suicide.

"Chronus, please simply trust that we knew how to get our hands on that music for the time being. I believe the fact that your parents have been missing in Pompeii for nearly a week is a little more important to you. But if you truly don't think you need this work, then by all means, please take your leave. I'm sure James would be happy to walk out with you." Nina nodded toward the door where James looked to be about to leave. Cedar glanced up, looking a little crestfallen at the departing figure. Disappearing family members caused the grief to well up again. She didn't want to see Chronus' reaction. He would either throw a fit or not care, and either one would be difficult to see. How could she not empathize with the outburst he may have? How could she not hate him for his potential apathy toward losing his family?

"It will only be a matter of time before the authorities start to suspect you had something to do with their disappearance. If you think you can handle that and keep your bills paid while your family accounts are frozen, then I wish you the best of luck." Nina's voice was pleasant and silky as she spoke the warning.

"Now. If you'll please come sign these contracts so we can get everything finalized."

Cedar tore her eyes away from James, which had been fixated firmly on him until then. She took a contract, set down her portfolio, and took a seat to review.

[color=Brown]"What if we don't know what charity we would like to use yet?"[/color] Cedar asked.

"Then take some time in these next two days to decide and we'll have you complete that page before your departure." Nina smiled warmly at Cedar. She nodded and started filling out the contract. Nina, on the other hand, picked up Cedar's portfolio and began looking through it, seemingly disinterested now in anyone unwilling to follow her instructions.

"These photos are fantastic. We chose the right photographer for the job." Cedar was sure Nina was only trying to make small talk now, but the compliment made her blush. She didn't want to be seen as egotistical, but she was proud of her photographs, especially the ones she had chosen specifically for that portfolio. She was glad she hadn't brought it in vain.