(Untitled)

[shinou_heika]

[Day 15, 10:27 AM]

After his encounter with two versions of Rufus von Bielefeld, there is much on his mind. It should not come as a surprise, then, that he is paying little attention to where he walks. Brow furrowed, he barely catches the faint flicker of motion nearby from the corner of his eye. Stopping abruptly, he looks in that direction,

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[shinou_heika]

He has had far more experience with the guards here than he cares to consider over the past few days, so it is without the slightest thought that he ignores the stuttering youth. He is only conscious of the boy to know that he cannot allow his surprise to show too clearly or word will spread quickly that events are easily outstripping his every effort to keep abreast of them.

So it is only the faintest lift of an eyebrow that changes his expression when the woman speaks; the voice enough to confirm for him that this woman is in fact the one he had suspected. It is difficult to keep himself mastered then. First, he becomes aware of long-dead ancestors from his own time again walking the world, and now -- this woman, whose soul was given over to Shibuya, stands before him. She is living, breathing, and it is only reflex that causes him to reach out and catch her outstretched hand in a light grip, lifting it until his lips almost touch the soft skin.

"Susannah Julia von Wincott," the name is murmured in a stir of breath across her knuckles, a light touch of his maryoku given carefully to ease the unfamiliarity he senses in her words.

"I have seen many things in recent days that have come as a surprise, but I cannot claim any more pleasant than this. After all you have done for the Mazoku, I would have thought it too much to ask to once again be honored by your presence."

The honeyed words cover the sudden clench of anxiety in his chest, and though he knows she cannot see it, he smiles, projecting an air of ease that he does not truly feel.

[shinou_heika]

"It would seem, Lady von Wincott, that if the events that currently plague this castle are my doing, I have forgotten the hows and whys of their accomplishment," he lets a bare hint of wry exasperation touch his tone for an instant.

"However, to once again be in your presence is a pleasure I am glad to be given, no matter how gained." He smiles, knowing that though she cannot see it, it will alter his tone.

"Have you suffered any difficulty in your return, Lady von Wincott?"

[shinou_heika]

He is a little startled at the forwardness of the woman, though it is almost welcome amidst the cringing, fawning and outright confrontation that he has thus far been exposed to. Noticing that the young man that had been guiding her has apparently vanished he frowns in vexation.

"Your young friend," his tone is as emotionless as he can make it, though it does take some effort to restrain an urge to snort. "Capable I will grant you, though he has yet to master the melding of both facets of his personality. I hold hope that will come in time.

"Cecilie von Spitzberg is very knowledgeable in such matters, so I would trust her assurance that rest is exactly what you need. In such a case, it would be unkind for me to detain you any longer."