Frankenstein smiles.

Nobody notices it because he's the only person in the room. It isn't one that's come into being due to that though, nor one of something other than happiness. Sure he can smile if he isn't happy (it is a way to mask your emotions so if anything he's a professional at it. at smiling when he's lonely or angry or sad. and not ones that reveal those emotions. fake ones that seem happy, that seem genuine, that seem pleasing. it isn't as useful here in Lukedonia with nobles who subconsciously pick up on surface thoughts and emotions to communicate, or to make sure he isn't sad like Urokai does, but it's useful when dealing with other humans) but right now it's just a simple joyful action.

A result of a scene he witnessed in the large room of Raizel's perpetual stay. As always, the man stood at the window, looking out to a harsh sunlight that one would think would hurt his eyes. Yet no, he remained there. So surely he must be able to observe things, like the stirring of the birds with their pitched tweets and songs, or the hushed whispers the trees directed to the wind that took shelter in their branches. Stray cats playing in the grass, hunting, napping in the warm sun or cool shade in the gardens.

While he had been in that dark room (the walls were too deep a red. it brought a despondent mood, much like how most nobles themselves seemed to be. he preferred Urokai's red to theirs, it was warm and hot and loving even if it sparked and ran a tad wild. there was life there, and he had enough death in himself, screams in his company, that it attracted him), they had come to visit. As always he turned to greet his visitors, and as always the curtains billowed behind him (slow and dramatic, for emphasis) despite the fact that all the windows were closed. In that moment Urokai had managed to ask (timid despite how eager his voice had been) "Ser Raizel, would you sit with me?"

Maybe Raizel simply didn't know the different ways those words could be interpreted. Maybe he was humouring his bonded. Maybe he had feelings for him too.

The noblesse indeed took a seat. One right beside Urokai on the plush sofa (the one that needed deeper cleaning, something Raizel had once assumed to mean soaking it with water. it wasn't wrong but he would have preferred many things to what had happened. like the outer layer being removed first, or it being outside, or him not having been soaked as well. not that it was all bad. after all it led him to his bonded) that could barely fit two people. They were close, so much so that his bonded was red in more places than just his hair and eyes (and blood and flesh but he supposed that was a given). So much so that he was pressed up flush against him. So much so that there was no way his blush could be hidden.

But it could be ignored.

Raizel didn't mention it, and Frankenstein had sat across from them, his amusement obvious on both his face and the tingling of the bond. They had all talked then, and he had excused himself soon enough to "go make refreshments."

At that Urokai had basically sprung to his feet like a deer spooked, and offered to "come with you. I don't want you to do everything." Of course he had refused and so now here he was preparing tea (something that apparently Urokai had no real fondness for, only deigning to drink it when served it, and with too many spoonfuls of sugar. it made sense. no wonder he didn't bother tasting the blends when he made some for Raizel. the sole time he ever did) with his bonded's favourite cookies.

Delaying, he's been baking the cookies from scratch even though there are plenty in his pouch. It is all to give them more time together. Alone. That and the cookies taste better freshly made.

The batch is already being baked so he's brewing tea now, careful not to splash or spill any on the cream walls, wood floors, of the kitchen. Pouring some into a ceramic teacup (a beautiful green one with a twined and veined pattern procured from the far east. it's a set he left in this mansion to use whenever he visited. like now), he takes a sip. It's hot. Very hot. Still a satisfied sigh leaves his lips.

It's a good blend and he hasn't burnt the tea, nor has it steeped too long. Straining it, he dries the leaves for another time since they have barely been used, and places the set on a tray. The cookies are done too so those go on a plate as he cleans up.

One last glance back at the tidy kitchen with it's stone and wood furnishings places another smile on him. Then he's off, shoes quite on the thick carpeted floor (as enjoyable as the clack against the stone of Urokai's territory. or the muffled thuds upon dirt and thin rugs that cover wooden floors) that reflect just how extravagant the entire mansion is.

Maybe it isn't the same sort as the Lord's palace which is lit up with torches on the walls, open pathways overlooking courtyards and the forest and town. Marble of white with grey rivulets, and rich red and gold. Fanciful. Meanwhile it's dark here, many corridors that seem more like narrow alleyways leading off into a cold black. Dust has settled, made its home here, and webs don't even try to hide, silver spiralled over the edges where none can reach with ease. Compared to the palace that's explored, known, this place is desolate, abandoned even though it has a resident. Not that it matters much these differences, neither estates are lived in. They're sad. Lonely.

It makes Frankenstein glad he doesn't have to stay here, or in the palace. The Agvain territory is good, almost like he's among fellow humans again with how sociable the nobles of the clan are. Not that he can mistake them as his own species when he sees someone take a handful of lava, place it in a glass, and slowly sip at it, or when he spots some strange fluid flow down from the lips of an excited clan member which then drips to the ground, bubbling, and melting whatever is below them to the chagrin of others. Nor can he do that even if it weren't for the impossible feats because they're much kinder, more loyal, than the fellow humans he has given his company to.

With one firm knock, he enters the room. It isn't necessary but, consider it a warning. Urokai needs it. He knows that from the bond where he's so focused on Raizel that his responses to Frankenstein are slow. Even a gentle touch to the flaming core doesn't merit an immediate response.

Inside not much has changed. The blush that was previously present has subsided, and Urokai talks animatedly. All else is as it was, calm, undisturbed. He smiles and places the tray on the table, pouring them all tea.

"How much sugar do you want?" He knows the answer but he still asks in the hopes that they say something different.

Urokai's eyes are more on the cookies than the tea. "The usual is fine!"

"Same for you too?" he asks, question directed to the noblesse.

Raizel merely nods.

The first cube of sugar goes in easily. So does the second and third. Then his movements slow on the fourth. A fifth goes in too. By the sixth he's grimacing at the thought of the overwhelming sweetness that will drown out the taste anyway, the seventh makes his mind spin, and then there's nine in without him having realised it. The same happens for the other cup. No matter how many times he does this, it still shocks him.

Heathens. Too sickened to look at the sugar, he refrains from any in his own cup. Sitting down he takes a sip, savouring the flavour of the blend, something that Urokai and Raizel most assuredly cannot do. At least his bonded is honest about it, and everyone knows not to ask him to make them tea, but the noblesse just sits there, drinking in a manner that would make others think he's elegant.

He avoids looking at Raizel. It's better to watch Urokai take the entire plate of cookies and eat them happily (Raizel does too. he finds the action adorable, and very much preferred to the arguments he used to have with Frankenstein). Midway, with a cookie still in hand, he remembers there are others, and it's funny seeing him flush red again; embarrassment colouring the bond.

Almost in limbo, his feelings fluctuate between being willing, and being reluctant, as he offers the plate to Raizel. "Do you want some?"

Frankenstein watches bemused. He can tell that the man is struggling between taking one, and refusing because he thinks Urokai's actions are cute. The fight is bitter. For some moments he sits there staring as the plate is held out and the situation grows awkward. In the end he suppresses his own sweet tooth, opting not to take anything.

"No, I don't want any." A quiet tone no different from all his other words.

Urokai's eyes light up and the plate is back in his lap. The speed at which he goes though them is, fast. So fast that it's very obvious he intends to finish them before talking again. Frankenstein is glad for it. After all, it's a cute scene and the reason why he made these specific goods. Perhaps he'll make something for the noblesse later to repay him. That or he'll leave the pouch of cookies here when they leave.

He has to because Urokai is light in the night and gloom and haze. The thickest fog, one that makes all others fade, all thoughts slip away, can't cover up his glow. It's like an anchor, a rock, a staff. Pulsing sporadically, their bond comforts him, and keeps him steady. Stable.

The conversation continues when Urokai places a clean plate on the table with a happy smile. There isn't much that catches his attention until-

"What happened to the cat you brought before?"

Was the noblesse referring to the day of their bonding? It's the only time he remembers Raizel meeting one. Urokai looks at him confused, and 'he probably means Izil' is murmured through his mind.

"Oh. Izil is fine. She's grown now though, much bigger than she was back then."

"She lives with you?"

"I mean yeah?" Urokai's confusion grows. "Where else would she be?"

Raizel doesn't say anything to that and there's a silence. Nobody says anything and it goes on, and on, and on.

"Do you uh, want to see her?"

A nod. Frankenstein holds in his laughter at the ideas Urokai contemplates when seeing that. 'Just invite him over. You know she doesn't like leaving the house for anything.'

"Then uh. You can visit our territories at any time right? Why don't you come over in a few days?" A softer red, faint, colours the skin of his bonded.

Again the noblesse merely nods, and Frankenstein joins in, discussing when it would be best for him to come. Today is nearly over, and though none of them require sleep, the night is reserved for Urokai to carry out his clan duties (not that he has many. his clan is strange in that way. the clan leader is merely to go to meetings and present their ideas for them, otherwise they have no work. Urokai still does have some, but that's not because he's a clan leader and moreso because he's a clan member who is skilled in an area that greatly benefits it's structure).

When they are by the gardens, leaving (he already left the pouch of cookies on the table. it can't be missed with it's purple velvet, and definitely not with the nobles' awareness of their surroundings), he says, "If all goes well maybe you can try to court him."

"Court him?" A strange feeling ran through the bond as Urokai shook his head. "Dum vivo, spero. Because I love him, but I won't because Edian does too."

Frankenstein rolled his eyes the moment his bonded turned, and trailed after him. The idiot liked Edian as well, so he should just court them both. The only question he had concerning this now was whether Raizel had feelings for Edian. That would be what decided everything.