Margaret Atwood

Cynthia couldn't help but worry about him, she took the time to look at him properly, taking in the tired gaze, the uncertain words. It broke her heart more than the awkwardness. She wanted to ask if he was well, if someone was looking out for him. But she wouldn't, couldn't, she didn't know how she'd feel with either answer he could give.

"I wouldn't have asked if you weren't wanted Will, honestly. You're still their father I don't know why you act like they wouldn't want to see you," Cynthia said with a sigh before reaching across the table to take one of his hands. "Either way, I want to see you. That should be enough for them... They do know though. I made it clear that it'd be a family occasion."

Honestly, he hates this. Not Cynthia, of course - he could never hate her - but everything else. The way this feels like a business transaction, almost, after decades of marriage is what bothers him most. It's not that he doesn't understand why things are going this way - he has entirely too much awareness of it all, and how incredibly his fault it is.

Holding a cup of coffee between his hands, he looked at her, his bright blue eyes offset by dark circles beneath them. "Right. I guess that makes sense. They're all... grown now." He shrugged slightly, pausing a moment. "I should be able to. If you really want me to." That was the part that he felt the least sure of. "Do they know that you're asking me?"

"Criminal prosecution," Cynthia said with a small smile, as much as she enjoyed her job she was never sure how to talk about it. So many people found it odd or boring. "What about you?"

Law interested her. Especially when she was reading over some of the contracts that Mr. Morganthal had. She liked to double check things for him. "What exactly do you do?" Cemre knew there were different branches.

@emmaxkennedy

"I'm here and I come baring gifts!" Cynthia was known to spoil her friends and Emma's children had been included in that as soon as they were born. So Cynthia had turned up on the Kennedy's doorstep with her arms laden with far too many bags for the five people in the family. "Happy holidays!"

[raquel cassidy — 50 — she/her] Introducing CYNTHIA BELL-VASQUEZ. Word on the street is they are a PROSECUTING LAWYER, and despite what others might think, they remain NON-CORRUPT. Though they are QUICK TO JUDGEMENT and STUBBORN, they can also be INTUITIVE and INTELLIGENT. In the chaos of New York City, they’re sure to fit right in. 

Heya! I'm C, very excited to write with you all.

— BASICS

Name: Cynthia Bell-Vasquez Age / D.O.B.: 50 + 28/09/73 Gender, Pronouns & Sexuality: Ciswoman, she/her & Bisexual Hometown: Madrid, Spain Affiliation: Law enforcement — Not corrupt.) Job position: Prosecuting Lawyer Education: College Degree Relationship status: Divorced Children: 3 Positive traits: Intuitive, Intelligent, Maternal, Patient, Quick thinking Negative traits: Quick to judgement, Stubborn, Nosy, Workaholic, Bitter

— BIOGRAPHY

Cynthia was born in Spain, her father was a general practice doctor and her mother was a lecturer at the local university. They had high expectations for their daughter but not a lot of time for her.

When she was 14 the family of three moved to New York. It took Cynthia a bit of time to adjust and she was marked as different for her accent.

Instead of focusing on bullies she kept her head down and studied. She studied hard soon getting top grades. One 'distraction' was William Bell. She was smitten with him very quickly.

Cynthia got into university and already had plans to major in Law when the time came. She liked the idea of bring justice.

But then life changed, just after graduating high school Cynthia found out she was pregnant. She loved William but the idea of a child was terrifying. They got married too. When their first child was born Cynthia struggled to adjust to motherhood, especially when William then went to the Naval Academy. Not to mention the fact she'd had to put her college dreams on hold.

Overtime she adjusted though, she did love being a mum but the thirst for more didn't go away. When the Bells first child reached the age of childcare she applied once more and got in.

Although finding the balance between mother and student was difficult she managed and eventually graduated with an offer to intern at one of the city's top firms.

Over the years Cynthia was able to worker way up in the ranks at work as well as having two more children with Bell. Although she is aware of the corruption and danger from the gangs she has been resolute in her fight for justice and refuses to be corrupt.

Eventually her personal life turned difficult though and, after seeing William's paranoia and lack of trust begin to bloom she asked for a divorce. Whilst she wanted to make it work she knew that it was getting worse.

She keeps an eye on him from afar and sees her children at least once a month. It hurts that she's lost the family she treasured and so she has currently been throwing herself into her job.

"Real? Dear god please make sure you find out where it is so I can avoid that store forever." Cynthia was laughing though. She could see the appeal for some people but to her that truly sounded like a nightmare. "That's sweet that you listen to your partner so closely, you should take him there."

Mars grins. "Wait, I love that idea... but no, they don't touch anything. They're just above everything. They're not sentient, just. Weird animatronics. Like It's a Small World, but with a grocery store." He leans onto his strong arms. "It's a real thing. A real grocery store. 's why I ask, babes. It's absolutely mental. My-" His what? "...Someone I'm seeing, he. Has a weird fascination with them. We've been chatting about them, and. I shouldn't have ever told him about this grocery store."

1x07 / 2x07 / 2x10 / 2x11

Cynthia was used to nervous witnesses, for some of them what they'd seen was the worst thing they'd ever see in their life. It was only natural that they'd be hesitant when meeting her. She couldn't help but wonder if it was something more for this young man though.

His questions made her frown slightly. "Oh no, no please whatever the defense ask you, you must answer. To lie or omit anything only leaves us open to appeal or mistrial." Cynthia spoke sternly. "All I want you to do today is go trough your timeline of what you saw."

Max couldn't help his hand being a little shaky as she touched it, and a familiar sense of feeling dirty slipped right back into his mind. He may have been older, grown now, but moments like this always made him feel exactly the same. Guilty. Guilty of staying, even after all these years.

"Nice to meet you. Uh, yes, yes I have. I work as a paramedic, so that kind of comes with it depending on the district. And since I drive in most of them..." His smile is brief and falters when he looks at her again. Being in court already feels bad enough, having to meet someone that saw him in such a vulnerable state... "Is there anything you don't want me to say or mention, or something you especially want me to bring up?" He was too used to lawyers being bribed not to ask before she could tell him.

"I know they don't but my little ones have flown the nest so let me spoil your kids rotten whilst I can." Cynthia missed her children's childhoods and although she was closer to them than Will was it was still not the relationship she'd wished for when they were little. "I'd love a coffee,"

Emma shakes her head at her friend, who always did seem to spoil her children, even when they didn't deserve it. "Happy Holidays Cyn." She takes the gifts, placing them down before giving her friend a hug. "You know you don't have to do that. It's not like they need anything more." The redhead gives a small laugh. "Come in, I'll make us some coffee, or do you want tea?" It was nice to have some time off for the holidays.

"Oh you shouldn't have to be nicer. I'm sure he can cope," Cynthia said with a small shrug, perhaps she was becoming more callous than usual but she was sure if the roles were reversed Cemre would have been expected to be fine.

"Not interrupted at all, just a cigarette break."

Cemre wanted to believe she dealt with it. She was sure Smith would give her a call in an hour with the same story and she would have to stand her ground. Thankfully there was only one more day before she was off for a little.

"I hope so. I don't think I could be much more nicer to him." She offers the woman a smile. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything." She had already made a fool of herself.