In Cassandra’s opinion, the afternoon had been rather loathsome.

A bore, if she was any less inclined to call it anything. It had been spent with her husband and daughter. Of course, when on vacation in Ionia, exploration of the beautiful city was in order.

However, the matriarch’s mood was only comprised of that of her only child’s. And Caitlyn was having a difficult time with all the crowds of the people, the heat and sunlight, the stimulus of the glittering streets.

Therefor, enjoying the evening was difficult to appreciate with her daughter bringing down the trip. At least, those were her thoughts before they arrived at the restaurant for dinner.

Understanding dawned on Cassandra when Caitlyn was barely able to order her drink from the waitress, when her entire face seemed to break as she’d been instructed to extricate her earbuds at the table, for it was horribly rude especially in a prestigious local restaurant as this one. They’d had a reservation for months, after all.

Her annoyance faded as she realized the situation. Caitlyn shutting down. She sighed, she was always a bit lost when this happened, a bit…dare she say inconvenienced by the reaction. Still, her daughter was shutting down, retreating inside herself. She was obviously in dire need of support, and certainly no expressions of despondency.

Shooting a warning look to Tobias, her husband, as he attempted to touch her arm, she got up and kneeled beside Caitlyn. It was horrible restaurant etiquette, but it would only be for a moment. She spoke lowly.

“Caitlyn, follow me to the lavatory. You mustn’t speak if you don’t like, but you must stand and follow”

Cassandra did her best to be clear and concise without being harsh. She would take this step by step, like Caitlyn’s psychologist had detailed when they’d gotten her formal autism diagnosis the past Autumn.