The Reading of Wills

Sloane was once again making her way through the labyrinth that was the British Ministry of Magic, trying to stay positive this time around. Last time, she had been lucky enough to get rescued by Ella Woods, but she was hoping that today would be more straightforward, that she could make her way on her own. The wild goose chase she had been sent on before had made it easier to navigate the never ending maze of corridors and offices. Today she was definitely to meet with the lawyer. No more questions about it.

She didn't know what to expect from the meeting. She had never inherited anything, let alone been named an executor of a will. She wasn't sure how she was going to react - y'know. Emotionally. She supposed the lawyer had probably done this before, probably knew what to say and do to make it easier on her, but she was still finding herself worried. What if... she didn't feel like crying? Did that make her a horrible person?

It was just so... weird. Honestly, it felt like Skyler had been gone for years anyway. He had put so little effort into remaining apart of their family that the news had only made his estrangement permanent. Furthermore, she was just still so surprised that she had been asked to handle all of his things. Didn't he have friends?

She arrived in the waiting room that led to the office she had been directed to and approached the secretary. "Sloane Ahmadi-Berkowitz for Mairen Tierney?"

Of all the things she disliked about her job - yes, there was a list - Mairen most hated this part. The wills. The writing of them, the reading of them, all of it. She just couldn't stand it. But it wasn't up to her, and today was hardly the day to start reacting. She had someone waiting on her.

Quickly clearing off her desk, Mai gathered herself and was ready just on time when the secretary knocked on the door and asked if she was ready for the appointment. She confirmed and waited for Sloane to make her way down the hall. Once she appeared in the doorway, Mai moved around her desk and offered a hand.

"I'm sure you're tired of hearing this, but I do hope you're doing alright, all things considered." A sympathetic frown tugged at her lips, but she hurried onwards. "You can call me Mai, if you like. It's a bit simpler than either part of my name," she added, as if she were confiding some amusing secret. "Whatever suits you. Go ahead and take a seat."

Sloane followed the secretary, pulling on her shoulder strap of her side bag, having brought a larger bag under the assumption that she would be taking a ton of paperwork home. She didn't know how this whole thing worked, and had not been able to bring herself to take to the internet. It all felt so impersonal, and she was already finding herself struggling with the idea that this was actually happening to her as it was. She could wait and see.

The door opened to reveal a woman much younger than Sloane was expecting - which was happening a lot these days. Was the U.K. just... younger? It suddenly made Sloane feel bad for even being there, sorry that this young lawyer had to deal with her family's tragedy. Maybe it would be simple, a quick signature and the usual slew of condolences before Sloane could be on her way. Best for everyone that way.

"Thanks," Sloane said, grimacing a bit, still not really sure what was the best or quickest way to get past these necessary sympathies. She lifted a corner of her lips at Mau's greeting, responding, "Sloane," she added, supposing first names were appropriate with such a sensitive talk. She took a seat across from Mai's seat and said, "Sorry you're assigned to such dreary business. I can't imagine it's your favorite part of the day."

Mai let her lips turn down into a sympathetic little frown. If absolutely nothing else, she understood the feeling of loss. Not death, per se, but something nearing that concept. Perhaps that wasn't a fair comparison to make, considering she was thinking of Scorpius again, who had gone and then come back. But at least Sloane looked like the hardy sort, who could deal with things like this.

That, or the poor thing had already done her crying and just had nothing left to give on that front.

"..That would be fair to say, yes. It may sound cliché, but seeing people in pain really gets to me. Not easy for anybody, though of course, my reaction is nothing compared to theirs." Yours. Mai stopped herself from letting that one out. Instead, she told her eyebrows to stop pulling together like that, and reached for the file they were meeting to discuss.

"I was... surprised, I suppose, by this will." That was easy to confess. It was very odd indeed. "It seems like it might be some sort of family inside joke or tradition, maybe? You see," Mai held it out towards Sloane, open so she could glance at the list he had left, "the list is quite.. unusual."

Sloane was getting very well acquainted with the symptoms of sympathy, and even though she knew people couldn't help it, it was becoming a tiresome routine. It just felt like she was cheating everyone who offered her pity, seeing as she hardly knew her brother in the end. People were losing loved ones every day, thrown into the depths of grief, and Sloane was just... trying to get Skyler's affairs settled. She supposed it would really hit her once they finally got around to having the funeral, when it was real, when it was permanent and unchanging.

It was nice to discuss someone else's problems, given that they would be laboring over her own for the rest of the meeting. She offered a grimace, struggling to make eye contact as she chewed thoughtfully on her cheek. "I can't imagine having to deal with it on a regular basis. Thank you, I guess, for choosing such a gloomy job." She offered a twisted sort of grimace, an almost-smile, her soft eyes flickering to meet the gaze of the redhead.

As the lawyer continued, Sloane's brows wrinkled in confusion. She had no recollection of any sort of a traditions or jokes in her family. Her parents had been violently adverse to either, only adhering to them by accident. Sloane shook her head, saying, "I don't know anything about that..." She reached out and took the will, turning it around so she could read it.

It was weird. It had been so long. She knew this handwriting was his, but it felt like knowing the blue was supposed to be sky, rather than because she had intimate knowledge of Skyler Ahmadi-Berkowitz. Her face grew more and more astounded, almost worried as she read the will. She looked up at Mai, shaking her head. "I have no idea what this is supposed to mean. Why would he bequeath... goldfish? I don't know half of the people on this list."