The Cat's Eyes and Ears

[silverlunettes]

Who: Reim Lunettes and employees/people involved with the Cat's Eye.
When: Oct. 14th, during Reim's lunch break.
Where: The Cat's Eye
Summary: Reim goes to the Cat's Eye by invitation of Fai's in order to discuss some serious matters.
Warnings: Nothing yet

Comments

[reflectedstasis]

Now that the lunch rush was well and truly over, and the kitchen repaired, Fai has time to step out to the small grocery and take a quick inventory - especially since he Vincent had been so gracious as to help him cut through all that lovely red tape so that he could continue to sell it.

Though he's still a little dubious as to just how badly he was going to pay for that later.

But then, worst case scenario, he can always wipe the memory of their deal clean with the young man none-the-wiser.

Now, however, he simply glances up at the sight of his friend and smiles as he pushes up to standing. A few steps had him down to the dining area as he nods a greeting. "Reim, my friend. Glad you could make it. I thought, perhaps, you'd prefer to eat with a bit of privacy, so I've got a late lunch waiting for us upstairs."

[silverlunettes]

Reim smiles faintly at him, but the stress is pretty obvious on his face. He's not able to hide his emotions well. "Oh, thank you. That's thoughtful of you." Although the cafe was a nice place to sit and chat, this was hardly a discussion to be having in a place where people could easily overhear.

[reflectedstasis]

Fai simply waves the thanks off with a smile before he nods towards the hallway past the public restrooms. "Seemed more ideal given how ah... agitated... you seem at the moment."

He pauses just long enough to signal to Rain that he's leaving, then unlocks one of the doors, leads Reim up the stairs and through the kitchen, gives a wave over to the rest of the apartment.

"Come in, come in. Make yourself comfortable while I get everything out of the oven. Would you like something to drink? tea, perhaps?"

[silverlunettes]

Fai's really perceptive, or Reim's far too seethrough for his own good. In either case, it's probably a bad thing. Luckily, this isn't with a normal person. Him and Fai are friends, after all.

Reim follows, taking looks around at the furniture and things before Fai talks to him again. "Thank you." Reim steps inside and takes a seat. "Ah, tea would be nice."

[reflectedstasis]

Fai hums a quick acknowledgment, then moves across the kitchen to fill the tea-kettle, set it neatly on the stove. As he does so, he calls back over his shoulder, "Would you prefer a nice red or black? Either would be fine with lunch."

He cast a quick glance back and smiled, then pulls a wide bowl and place-setting out of the drawer before moving to the table and setting a proper place for Reim to eat.

Only one place-setting, though.

"I've spent the morning taste-testing, so I'm afraid I'm not very hungry. That just means I hope you are, or else there will be far too much of the chicken bouillabaisse leftover for Sakura's after school snack!"

[silverlunettes]

Reim blinks. "I've never tried a red tea before. I'll go ahead and try some." Tea is one of the few things he's broadened during his stay here. I doesn't change a lot of his routine, but that's one thing he will. They have so many different types of tea in the house, Reim can't help but wonder why Xerxes hasn't said anything about it yet.

One place setting. Alright, fair enough. His stomach makes an odd noise. Reim's neglected to eat all day. His mind has been to full. He blushes lightly. "I... don't believe it will be a problem." Don't worry, he won't eat it all.

[reflectedstasis]

Fai casts him a quick smile before going back into the kitchen. He sets about getting the tea brewing properly, then dishing out a bowl for his friend, though he does shoot the man a curious look or two before he finally speaks up, carefully ladling out pieces of chicken as he did so.

"So.... too soon to ask what's bothering you?"

[silverlunettes]

Reim pauses for a moment before letting out a sigh and taking off his glasses to clean them. Nervous habit. "It... has something to do with Vincent-sama. I hope this won't be a problem."

[reflectedstasis]

"With Vincent?"

There's a note of mild surprise there in his voice before Fai turns away to pull the kettle off the stove. This is, if nothing else, the perfect opportunity for him - Vincent is, after all, something of an enigma that he's still puzzling out. That the man is a potential thread, again, is something that Fai doesn't doubt - it's the methodology, motivations, and matter of severity that leaves Fai guessing. So for him... this is something of a golden opportunity to get some more intimate information about the man without worry that Vincent will find out, by the sound of it.

Which is why, a moment later, he crosses the space between them and sets down the glass and bowl on the saucer waiting there, then drops into the seat across from Reim. He props his chin on the heel of his hand and waves to the food. "Enjoy. As for Vincent... we speak, but we're not friends and really... he can't reach you here, not now that I'm better, so you can speak freely, Reim. It's fine."

[silverlunettes]

"Ah, thank you." Reim tries the food first. He wouldn't want it to get cold over the conversation. It's quite good, but it doesn't pull away the frown on his face. "This is really good." It's the most he can offer at the moment.

Now back to the topic at hand.

"... I upset one of his friends, who threatened to kill me, and now he's asked me to call him. Although this shouldn't be a problem, I'm fully aware of how Vincent-sama acts towards people that are harmful to himself and his companions. And given his abilities... I feel that my life, as well as Xerxes', might be at a great risk."

[reflectedstasis]

"Because of his chain."

A statement more than a question, before Fai slouches back in his seat. He knew full and well what that death was like - and he knew there was a level of threat (if not malice) that lay beneath Vincent's layers.

It's not something that he wants visited on anyone, much less someone that's done nothing except offer him kindness.

Which is why, after a moment, he cuts his gaze back to Reim and offers softly, expression somber, "...would you like for me to set a barrier around your house? Or... hmm... if I set one around you, it could well effect your own chain's ability to manifest, but I can probably set one around Mister Break easily enough."

[silverlunettes]

"Yes, exactly."

Yeah, it was more of a statement than a question, but Reim still felt the need to acknowledge it before going back to the food for a moment. He couldn't tell if it was the atmosphere of the building, or merely the company, but this was some of the better food he'd tasted in some time. He'd certainly have to come by the cafe more often, now that he had the money.

But, onto the topic at hand.

Reim thought about it for a moment. "I don't believe having something effecting the way our chains manifest would be a good idea, especially with myself... are you familiar with my chain's ability?"

[reflectedstasis]

"With your's? No... I don't believe you've ever said."

It was heartening, seeing his friend enjoy the food, but not the purpose of him being there, really. Though he did remind himself to make sure he sent some home with the other man as well - for him and Mister Break.

For the moment, however, he turned more of his focus on the topic at hand so that he could clarify, "If you're both willing to let me feel the presence of your chains, I can build a barrier around your house that should leave them exempt, so that you're at least safer there... or I could attempt to speak to Vincent myself? I rather doubt that'd help your situation though."

[silverlunettes]

Reim is quiet, but just for a moment. "My chain allows me to fake my death. Should I find myself in any harm, I can use it and appear lifeless. Although the length of time is unknown. It could be anywhere from seconds to days, and I've only actually used it once. I'm... not entirely sure how long the effects lasted then either."

Reim pauses again, but this one is much faster. "I don't believe Xerxes would be as willing as I would be. In fact, I believe he would say no the instant I brought it up."

[reflectedstasis]

"Ah...I see."

Fai sighed, then leaned forward enough to prop his elbow on the table and drop his chin to rest on the heel of his hand. He let his gaze drift to the side, silent and thoughtful for a long moment, before finally asking softly, "Well, If I can't do that, is there anything I can do to help? I hate to think you can't feel safe in your own home. It's just not right."

He pauses, then cuts his gaze back as a small smile touches his lips.

"...I can always put a sleep barrier up. Anyone not carrying express permission that crosses it can be put to sleep before they even reach the door."

[silverlunettes]

Reim is quiet for a moment, considering the possibilities in his mind before he speaks.

"Perhaps the sleep barrier could work, but how does someone gain permission to cross it?"

There's something soft in his words, as if he's unsure of what he's dealing with, and there's some truth to that. Though Reim's range of knowledge is large, he knows little to nothing about magic. It makes him a little uneasy, but if it's used to protect himself and Xerxes, perhaps it will not be too bad.