A Little Sitdown, Let's Chat For The Day [Emil, Nero]

A spoon stirred a lovely wide-brimmed cup of black tea, moved with such grace that it did not so much as clink against the fine bone china it encircled, a perfect stir that flowed milk and honey to color it's blackened appearance into a gentle dark brown, a sweet aroma wafting from the small cup before it was brought up for a tender sip - lovely as always, this tea house's sourcing was top notch; of course it was thanks to him...

Within one of the more upscale districts of the city, Emil had sat awaiting a particular young man's arrival; he had been so swept with work he hardly had time to interact with the public; couldn't go disappearing for too long else it'd cause people to worry, you know? Current goingabouts were quite the nightmare alongside long sitting ins of hearings and quieting of local news was never easy. Twas the labors of dealing with major catastrophes atop one dangerous agent deciding to go rogue, and another going missing...

Yet, despite the taxing circumstances, there he was with a pleasant smile, enjoying tea as if it were no other day.

It had been quite some time since Nero spoke with Emil. They had engaged in a spar that tested his mettle to a shocking degree, a battle that still lingered in his mind to this day. Since then, the man seemed relatively quiet on most fronts, and he hadn't exactly broached the subject of approaching him again, but here he was, preparing to meet the man and speak with him again.

How had he been since, then, he wondered? So much had happened since then, he wondered what the man would even ask about. In a proper and mannerly outfit, he stepped through the door, recognized the table Emil sat at, and assumed a spot opposite the man at the table.

"A pleasure to be speaking with you again, Mr.Holsen. I take it time has treated you well since the last time we spoke?" He ventured, a polite smile creasing his lips.

"Ah, there you are, young Arant!" A cheerful tone played out from him as his arms extended outward, welcoming the young man to his proximity with the utmost performance of warmth, "Yes, yes! Awful busy but perfectly manageable. Family has stolen some of my time as well; it's quite taxing to ensure everything is alright."

There had been a familial gathering or two to discuss the current situation, a good twelve hours of discussion per, only for him to have to travel back to the city right after. It wasn't any trivial matter; with the state of the world, anything could make their fortunes fall in - strategic planning and frequent confiding was commonplace during such times of strife. The Greys weren't such fools as to allow complacency to make the path their ancestors had carved fall in, and he certainly was one to not allow such a waste.

"Though, I do care to ask... Have you met with your elder as of yet? It has been quite a while since you landed here, and he is a rather well known colleague of mine."

"That's good to hear. Glad to see you in such an illuminating mood, Mr.Holsen."

Nero chuckled softly as he placed his order in for a cup of tea. Of all the opinions in his regarding this man, he was certainly eccentric, but it was the endearing(mostly) kind of eccentricity that he could interact with and experience little issue in doing so. When Emil posed the question regarding his elder, Nero offered a sheepish smile, softly rubbing the back of his head. Anything concerning his elder was always a sore subject by default, but he supposed their meeting was inevitable. The universe wanted them to reunite one way or another, huh? Even Emil seemed to show mild interest in the subject now.

"Not yet, no. I've been quite busy since then, shifting from divisions, watching over my younger brothers and sisters... Though, I won't deny half of it has also been my own... reservations, either. We haven't talked to each other in years, and I highly doubt he holds me in high esteem."

No need to burden the young man with such useless language; there was not a single reason he would need to be concerning over him. If he held lesser opinion of him perhaps, but no. His hands were folded, his posture was relaxed - perfectly engaged for discussion with the young man, tireless nights having yet to afflict him terribly. And oh, the young man was still troubled about that? With the display he'd given him last time, there was some prediction it'd motivate him to be more bold, slight disappointment in his inability showing on his face as concern, a droop of the eyes signalling such.

"Your senior isn't quite the same man he was. I certainly caught his, commentary, when I was about your age," He seemed to meet such memories with nothing but a serene smile, it was merely like momentary scenes flashed in his mind entirely for collection purposes, "How long can you stomach waiting, young man? Years skip along quickly as you age, you know; a year could easily become five, become ten, til death makes meeting impossible. Why wait?"

"Well..."

Nero didn't have an immediate reply at hand. He didn't expect this conversation, to be sure, nor did he imagine Emil would've been someone wholly invested in the subject. He seemed, to some extent, to know about the subject matter that made Nero hesitant toward approaching his elder. Yet, his expression looked so peaceful, as if any commentary he received was but a lost echo in the wind. Lightly clicking his fingers against the table, he sighed softly as he cast his gaze downward.

"I've heard that twice now. And I know that life isn't promised. One day he could die in the field of battle, and I'm left with a lingering regret, or one day... I could die, and I can never tell him how his words hurt me, how much I wanted to live up to his ideal vision of an Arant. I want to approach him soon, certainly, but up until now, I've always feared he never changed... and now people tell me he's changed. As you can imagine, that's been something of an awkward thought to adapt to."

He'd give a gentle wave to the waitress, exchanging a charming word or two to order something for Nero; he had a good idea of where his tastes may lie. Sipping his tea with tender elegance, his pale eyes were peeked open just a little to present he was still attentive as the boy would explain his predicament. His smile was touched to recede just a little as the cup was placed down, a hand on his chin,

"I know for certain how it may feel, that despite everyone's insistence of the contrary, that person who had harmed you in the past may simply harm you again," His voice was a delicate timber, relaxed and composed, yet commanded attention all the same, "Do not take my insistence as me saying you must see him. I only advise such out of concern of your peace of mind,"

His hand removed from his chin, gesturing along with his words, "Think about it for a moment; if you go speak to him, and he still thinks harshly of you, then you've been validated in your worry - and have no obligation to see him again. If he acts remorseful, then you are pleasantly proven wrong - either way, you get what's most favorable to you. I understand full well the want to appeal to your elders, but if they refuse to acknowledge you... Then it simply isn't worth the worry, i'd say."

There was little fault to be found in his advice. He'd be hard pressed to find any. It was the same piece of advice his aunt offered him recently.

Approach him and see where the chips fall. Hers was far more positive and geared toward the bright side, whereas Emil's was relatively pragmatic, rooted in reality. There were only two ways their meeting ended.

If he truly had changed, then perhaps they could bury the past and move toward a greater future. But if he was met with that similar disdain that nearly shattered his confidence in the past, then he would know he hadn't been wrong in his belief - his suspicions would be confirmed. Ever since the subject was brought to his attention, he's cycled through the possibilities.

What would he feel like? If he changed, would it bring him happiness? If he didn't, would he be upset? At the end of the day, at his core, he ardently wanted it to be the former. For the man he once admired as the hero of their family, he wanted to be able to look at him with pride. He wanted to hear that he'd made him proud.

"Your advice is sound, and I admit I've held it off long enough. I'd be remiss to say part of me... doesn't want the former to be true, to know he's moved past his archaic point of view. I just guess I haven't prepared myself for the possibility of dissapointment yet."

He paused for a moment, gazing down at the table before looking back at him, curious.

"If... you don't mind my asking... has there ever been anything you've looked forward to only to be dissapointed in the end?"

Good, the young man wasn't frightened to entertain the possibility the least favorable outcome would come to fruition. That boldness would carry him well into serving within the future; there was no room for shrinking violets here, in a world more hazardous to their existence than ever. But, he'd prompt his face to lighten up with that question, and then gently twist into a look of deep thought - disappointed, ah?

Perhaps there was a single time in his life, where he felt that... Despite all their attempts, squabbling for mother's affections, and treachery, his siblings were so disappointingly easy to dispatch, during that night. He supposed the sensation he felt, as he crushed his dear younger sister's windpipe, could be described as 'disappointing in the end'.

"Ah, there was my wedding; a friend of a cousin had promised a wondrous cake, had the clear experience for it and all. Unfortunately, it fell over before it made it to the venue. My dear was in tears over it, but it was only ever something we recollected happily. We ended up settling for cupcakes from a bakery."

He'd laugh softly to himself, hands clutching one another, "Unfortunately I haven't had that experience with a relative, so mind my insensitivity."

"That must have been awful..."

Nero had never really entertained the thought of marriage, but the thought of watching a well-prepared wedding cake fall to the ground before you certainly sounded disappointing. It didn't quite match the disappointment he might be facing soon, but that was alright. He didn't quite expect Emil to relate to his plight entirely to begin with, but a second point of view and advice never hurt from a wizened and experienced peer. His intentions were just, and that was all that mattered in the grand scheme of things. Nero softly consumed his tea as he thought of how else they might progress their conversation.

"That's quite alright, Mr Holsen. This is... a sensitive subject I've held off for far too long. Without addressing it, I can't ever reach my full potential. Regardless of what happens in the end, I need to move on in one form or another."