Cain looked like a crow in a cornfield, a stand-out in a full black suit and cane walking through the late summer greenery of Espoir. He was in no particular hurry, which was fortunate since he was traveling on foot, the sun just catching on his eyes from under the brim of his hat as he frowned at the distance.
He had never been to Soubi's house, but going out to meet younger Soubi sounded more plausible than sending out Riff to fetch him or expecting the boy to find his way through Espoir on his own. With no retention of where he was, Cain thought he might get lost in even the small village. How many times had he run into garden, hoping to be lost as well in the brush?
But then Riff invariably found him, a comforting presence in black and white, whose smile was always unnervingly warm.
As Cain approached, recognizing the sight of the cat-eared figure before deciding the address was right, he offered young Soubi a faint smile, liesurely crossing the remaining distance between them. The smile felt tentative and out of place on his own face, but the amusement in his eyes was genuine. Seeing him de-aged and in this state -- it was curious, indeed, like a playful spell in a fairy tale.
[Soubi gave a polite bow of course. It was his people's custom after all af he had been brought up well. He smiled back, but his was genuine from his lips to the tips of his ears. He was slightly jaded, but had not yet felt all the pains and woes of what would befall his older self. There was still a glimmer of hope and want for affection, in those eyes.]
Hello, Cain-san. Thank you for inviting me to tea.
[Cain nodded in greeting, nothing more formal required of an earl coming across a young boy of questionable birth on the street. He wasn't on close to Soubi, even less so with this younger incarnation, though he didn't bear the same instinctive distrust for a child of eight with cat ears and a tail as he did for the older, glasses-wearing, smoking man. His looks were shrewd or teasing, whereas the wide-eyed innocence of younger-Soubi... well, it was easier to open up to, enough said]
You thank me before you've even tasted it? That's generous. [He quipped, smile turning mischevious] But then maybe you've heard, my butler makes the best tea in the land. What's more [Here Cain leaned in and murmured more on the boy's level] it is perfectly safe to drink. His is the only tea I will take.
[Soubi's ears perk up some as he leans a little in as Cain does. not enough to be in his personal space, but just a bit closer. His tail swishes behind his as well, showing his interest]
Has someone tried to give you tea that wasn't safe, Cain-san?
[There was a flicker of wariness in Cain's eyes before he decided to answer rather than evade the question, nodding soberly] Yes.
That is why only Riff's tea will do, because I trust him. That and the taste is incomparable. [A somewhat forced smile this time before Cain straightened up again] Come on. We still have to walk back.
[Cain stiffened, nearly drawing his hand back out of surprise and unfamiliarity with hand-holding. He was not given to that sort of intimacy as a boy and while he might be compelled to keep Merry close by hand - if she tolerated it, well - Cain wasn't prepared for it. But he seemed to decide it was tolerable, leaving the other hand free to hold his cane]
I depend upon him. I don't suppose you're accustomed to having servants?
Ah, yes. Well, Riff does all of those things, but he also cares for my person. I don't have need for a valet. [More accurately, he won't abide having someone else undress him and touch his scars]
He had never been to Soubi's house, but going out to meet younger Soubi sounded more plausible than sending out Riff to fetch him or expecting the boy to find his way through Espoir on his own. With no retention of where he was, Cain thought he might get lost in even the small village. How many times had he run into garden, hoping to be lost as well in the brush?
But then Riff invariably found him, a comforting presence in black and white, whose smile was always unnervingly warm.
As Cain approached, recognizing the sight of the cat-eared figure before deciding the address was right, he offered young Soubi a faint smile, liesurely crossing the remaining distance between them. The smile felt tentative and out of place on his own face, but the amusement in his eyes was genuine. Seeing him de-aged and in this state -- it was curious, indeed, like a playful spell in a fairy tale.
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Hello, Cain-san. Thank you for inviting me to tea.
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You thank me before you've even tasted it? That's generous. [He quipped, smile turning mischevious] But then maybe you've heard, my butler makes the best tea in the land. What's more [Here Cain leaned in and murmured more on the boy's level] it is perfectly safe to drink. His is the only tea I will take.
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Has someone tried to give you tea that wasn't safe, Cain-san?
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That is why only Riff's tea will do, because I trust him. That and the taste is incomparable. [A somewhat forced smile this time before Cain straightened up again] Come on. We still have to walk back.
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I depend upon him. I don't suppose you're accustomed to having servants?
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There were people that kept the school clean, cooked and other things. I think those are servants.
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You should be so lucky.
[Breaking away from the main path to head across the lawn towards the mansion, Cain glanced at their elongated shadows, joined in hand]
He was the first servant under my father's employ that spoke to me, that showed any sort of tenderness. The others were strictly forbidden.
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[Well, nearly] He is strict with you.
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It's just how he is.
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