Familial Expectations [Nero/Lilith]

"You said who wants to see me?"

Nero looked at his peer with a dumbfounded expression. Of all the people he imagined to visit him, Lilith was at the absolute end of that list. Since he commonly watched television in his free time with his younger siblings, he was well aware of Lilith's presence in the world and her accomplishments. He admired the woman's success, certainly, but outside of that, she was a stranger. A successful stranger, but a stranger nevertheless. Well, perhaps that was pushing it somewhat.

From what his family had described her as, she was a dear family friend. His grandfather had always spoke highly of her. And so, he had certainly heard her name in passing, but he had never met her personally. He supposed it only made sense. He was an adopted child, after all. He had lived with the Arant family his whole life, but he lacked knowledge about a few things. It bothered him to a degree, but he supposed that made sense. Either way, he didn't want to look unorderly in front of someone with her sort of prestige. As such, he quickly devoted himself to making sure his office was in tiptop shape.

Since he was allowed a few hours since the woman wanted t osee him, he tidied his office and turned toward the door, bowing politely before the woman in his presence.

"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Blake. i didn't expect someone like... you to visit me. I must admit... I'm a little shocked."

"A-about me?"


Nero was even more dumbfounded now than he was before. The radiant energy in her spirit and the way she embraced him gave him pause. He didn't mind it, of course, but it was all so sudden that it momentarily left him at a loss for words. Mom? Aunt? His head felt as if it was going to spin. Maintain composure. Don't lose your head. She was an incredibly important member of their family. What's the worst you could do? These are the thoughts he told himself as he softly returned the hug. When she pulled away, Nero took a moment to think about what he could speak about first.

"I've heard so much about you, but this is my first time meeting you. Very well... Aunt Lilith... well, as you can see, I'm a proud member of the Vandenreich... and uhm... well, I'm in the Steingruft. We're the research division and also dabble in inventing items and technology to help elevate the Vandenreich... and the City of Lights as a whole. I live with my mother and siblings in a lovely part of the city..."

He nervously looked back at her as he chortled softly.

"Uhm... four siblings. Two girls, two boys. Ada and Emilia. Christoph and Adam. Ada's the oldest at sixteen, and Emilia is 12. Adam and Christoph are younger in comparison. The children of the family. They're twins."

The question took him for a loop for a moment, but he answered politely with a smile as he continued to adapt to this woman's energy, which was no easy task. When she commented on his hair, Nero fidgeted around nervously as he thought about an answer. She didn't seem like she'd disapprove of any answer, but he had no intentions of offering her a lie. He was an honest man at heart, and he was straightforward with matters concerning his family. After all, the reason why his hair color didn't match an Arant was...

"I'm adopted. That's why. Anything else is likely additions I made over myself over the years."