Dorian felt his heart pound hard against his chest as the carriage took him, his belongings and Alexius to Alexius' estate in Asariel.

He was surprised that he was even going there, having not expected for anyone, let alone a Magister to be willing to tutor him after everything he had done.

Then again, despite Alexius warm and welcoming demeanour, Dorian doubted that anything would come off it. The expectations, the ignoring, everything would come back to ruin everything, just like it always did.

Still, his chest had fluttered ever so slightly when Alexius had told him during their stay in the Gilded Quarter, that he and Halward had had a talk and that his father had been willing to let Dorian come stay with Alexius to be tutored. He wasn't sure when his father had come to see Alexius and he felt a slight ache inside from knowing that his father had been in Minrathous without even telling him.

He suspected that the reason was mostly because of the rumours that had been set to motion by Dorian's latest antics; rumours so vicious that it left Dorian with a nauseating feeling at the pit of his stomach as well as feeling guilty.

He had not meant for it to go that far, but it was too late now. The damage had been done and now his family was paying for it.

Alexius, however, had promised him a different experience, a new setting and had seemed confident that he would be able to make Dorian feel better about everything.

Dorian wished he could believe him.

Alexius had also told him that he had a son that was about Dorian's own age; Felix.

What had surprised Dorian though was that Alexius has told him that Felix himself had little to no magical talent, despite the fact that his parents were both talented mages. What was more surprising though was that Alexius has spoken with such pride that Felix was going to Orlais to study at the University there, as the boy had a flair for numbers and mathematical equations unlike anything he had seen.

Alexius, Dorian saw, did not care one bit that Felix could not continue his family's legacy. He just wanted his son to be happy and to pursuit something that made him happy.

It was the first time Dorian felt truly jealous of someone he hadn't even met and the feeling disgusted him.

The trip to Alexius' mansion was long, but uneventful, requiring a couple of stops on the way so they could stretch their legs, but Dorian didn't mind. It gave him time to adjust to what was about to happen as well as mentally preparing himself for the worse, even if he didn't mean to do so.

He wanted to give this a chance, to not mess something up for a change.

It was late in the evening on the second day of their departure when they actually reached Alexius' home, but there was still light coming from a couple of the windows.

When Dorian stepped out of the carriage, he could have sworn he saw someone look out one of the windows at the top floor, but the dark shadow had vanished as soon as he spotted it.

"Welcome home, amatus," a warm, female voice from the front door and Dorian couldn't help but look towards it.

In the door was a young, beautiful woman, dressed in simple, but tasteful robes that Dorian assumed was some sort of simple evening wear. He also knew that his mother would not be caught dead wearing something so plain, but he couldn't help but think it looked nice on this woman. She didn't need jewels or intricate details on the dress to compliment her appearance; the long, dark hair braided loosely and adorned with silken ribbons, sun-kissed face warm and welcoming with only a hint of tinted cheeks and kohl around her green eyes.

"Darling," Alexius replied just as warmly, taking quick steps towards her before greeting her with a kiss as he took her hands.

"It is good to be home again."

"You have been missed," the woman said warmly before looking towards Dorian.

"And I take it you are Alexius' new apprentice?"

Dorian hesitated before nodding. "... Yes. My name is Dorian of house Pavus. It is a pleasure, madam," he replied stiffly, giving a small bow.

The woman merely chuckled along with Alexius. "Amatus, are you sure you have the right boy," she mused. "This one has manners."

"Rumours, Livia," Alexius mused, waving his hand dismissingly before gesturing towards Dorian.

"Come, Dorian. It has been a few long days and we felt that you could do with an evening for yourself in a proper room. Are you hungry at all?"

"No, I... I am fine," Dorian replied hesitantly as he stepped towards them, feeling just as nervous about entering this house as he had when he had entered his first Circle seven years ago. It was a strange feeling, almost alien since he had spent the last couple of years with a rather nonchalant attitude, but he thought the difference was the fact that he had not been forced to come here.

He had been given a choice by a man that had come out and said that he -wanted- to have Dorian as a student.

This was not something his father had decided, nor had the man been paid to take Dorian off his father's hands.

The man was willing to take Dorian into his own home, to tutor him, out of his own pocket.

That alone helped make Dorian feel just a smidgen of self-worth and with that, the nerves and fears had come back.

The fears of not being good enough, of not being what was expected of him.

Dorian wasn't sure if he could stand failing again.

"Are you sure," Livia asked as she smiled at Dorian, taking a step to the side as a human man, dressed in simple, but nice-looking clothes, came walking out, quickly bowing for Alexius and Livia before he hurried over to the carriage.

"We do not mind dishing up a little something for you. I am not about to let you go to bed hungry."

"I am sure," Dorian murmured, giving a small, forced smile.

"Do not worry about me."

"If you are sure," Livia murmured before nodding at the man as he returned, carrying Dorian's chest in his arms. "Please show the young man to his bedroom, would you?"

"Of course, my lady," the man said before bowing his head to Dorian. "Please, young master, if you would follow me."

Dorian blinked his eyes in surprise before looking up at Alexius, who merely smiled and nodded at him. As the man started walking, Dorian quickly followed, trying not to be obvious about how he looked around himself.

This was very different from how his household was in Qarinus and he struggled to put his finger on exactly what it was. Maybe he was just too tired to see it because he had a feeling that it was staring him directly in the face.

"Right in here, young master," the man called out to Dorian as he opened a door and bowed his head, gesturing for Dorian to go in first.

"The Lord and Lady hope it will be to your liking."

As Dorian stepped into the room, he couldn't help but gawk even more, feeling his breath catch in his throat.

While it was smaller than the one he had had back home, it was more... Welcoming.

The bed was grand four-poster bed with red curtains tied to the poles, revealing the inviting pillows and sheets on the bed itself. On both sides of the bed was a nightstand, both adorned with a glass, a candleholder with a unlit candle and books, different ones as far as Dorian could see.

There was also a large desk in the room, already set and ready with several sheets of parchment, books, quills and a large ink-house.

By the large, slightly opened window were a smaller table and a very comfortable looking chair, the table adorned with a larger candelabra, a tall glass and an empty carafe. By the wall were three grand bookshelves, all shelves packed with books of different subjects.

Finally, next to a washing basinet, wooden tub and a large, full length mirror was a grand, wooden closet and when Dorian opened it, he could see two sets of robes hanging inside. As he turned to look at the man, he noted the simple cloth-hanger by the door as well as a beautifully carved staff-holder by the door. In the staff-holder was already an unfamiliar staff, simple in its decorations, but sturdy-looking.

Dorian knew that you had to be an idiot not to realise that the room was tailored for him to be comfortable in.

"Is it to your liking, young master," the man asked as he walked into the room, placing the chest down by the bed.

Dorian had almost forgotten that the man was still there, jumping some as he spoke up. "Y-yes, i-it is," he managed to squeak out, then cleared his throat in an attempt to get rid of the sudden cracks in his voice.

"Please thank Master Alexius and his wife for me."

"Of course, young master. Don't hesitate to call for us should you need help," the man replied and bowed again before stepping out of the room, closing the door behind him so Dorian could have his privacy.

Dorian remained almost frozen in place before he finally started moving, slowly moving over to his chest and opening it.

Everything he had brought with him to the Order of Argent was neatly packed inside: all his books, his clothes, his personal belongings.

With a sigh, he started digging through his items until he found his night-shirt, not wanting to spend another night in the clothes he was wearing. Despite bathing while on the run, he hadn't found anywhere to wash his clothes so while he himself was clean, his clothes were feeling more than a little dirty.

He left the rest of his items in the chest however, not trusting himself with unpacking right now. He still had that gnawing feeling at the bottom of his belly, telling him that this was fleeting at best. He would be sent out on his ass before long anyway because he would somehow mess up.

He always messed up.

Shaking his head hard, Dorian walked over to the small washing area and started getting undressed.

As if they had expected that he would go straight to his new room, a bath had been prepared for him and Dorian could see that the water was still warm thanks to the steam that was floating on the surface.

Dorian smiled some, once again feeling that twinge inside him before he continued to strip out of his clothes, more than a little eager for a proper bath.

A sigh of pleasure escaped him as he let his body sink into the warm water, leaning back against the wooden surface behind him as he allowed himself a moment to just enjoy the luxury of having a proper bath. Now that he was in the water he could smell the faint aromas of vanilla which was a luxury he hadn't had in a while. He allowed himself to be slowly enchanted by the smell, closing his eyes as he felt his body relax ever so slightly, only now feeling just how tired he was. It was like the last days were nothing more than a bad dream.

Only when the water started turning cold did Dorian actually stir in the water, quickly washing his skin and hair before standing up, reaching towards a large towel to dry himself off.

After tugging on his night-shirt, Dorian took a moment to look at himself in the mirror, taking in his appearance now that he was all but stripped bare of his costume. Only the nose-ring revealed the more rebellious side and as Dorian touched it, he twisted it around slightly, feeling it move inside its hole.

For a moment he considered taking it out before deciding against it, bringing his hands to his hair instead so he could bind it up for the night. He did not want to deal with the mess his hair became when bathing before bed.

As soon as he deemed himself ready, he gathered up his clothes and carefully folded it up, leaving it by the tub so it could be dealt with in the morning.

Barefooted he walked over to the bed and pushed the covers aside, smiling a little as he climbed into the bed and made himself comfortable. With a flick of his wrist, he waved out the few lit candles that were in the room, plunging in into darkness save from the faint light coming from the moon outside.

He remained like that for a little while, just looking into the darkness while resting his head against the soft pillow, blanket tugged up to his chin as he tried to make himself feel comfortable.

His head was spinning with the results of the day: the amazement of how lord and lady Alexius had welcomed him into their home, hands extended and ready to give him a chance, but also the black pool of nerves, of fears and anxieties that were boiling inside him, threatening to spill over.

It left him feel overwhelmed, tired and as he lay in the bed, in darkness and silence, he could truly feel how his body and head ached from it all.

Inhaling deeply, Dorian closed his eyes and buried his face against the pillow, deciding that there was only so much he could stand thinking before he would go insane.

'Tomorrow is another day,' he thought to himself as he allowed himself to drift off, feeling the fade pull at him, luring him with promises of a temporary escape from it all, if only for a while.

Before long, Dorian was asleep, the only sound audible in the room the sounds of his breathing.

xoxoxoxo

"Is he asleep already?"

Alexius looked towards his wife with a smile and a nod, carefully and silently closing the door to Dorian's room.

They had given him a while to settle in before Alexius had decided to check in on him, only to find the young Pavus boy already in bed, dressed in a simple, white shirt and all but cocooned inside the sheets.

Despite being sixteen years of age and teetering on the boarder towards manhood, Alexius could easily see the young boy now that the layers were pealed away.

Gone were the dark clothes, the make-up, the piercing, replaced only by the vulnerable shell of a boy who was still trying to find himself.

"The poor boy was exhausted," he murmured as he offered Livia his arm, walking with her back towards the sitting-room. "I cannot blame him for just wanting to sleep, though it seems like he did jump to the opportunity to take a bath."

"I just hope he will remain this calm," Livia murmured, worry flickering over her face for a moment. "If the rumours are anything to go by..."

"If you are worried about Felix," Alexius started, smiling at his wife. "-then I don't think you need to worry about Dorian doing anything to him. If anything, I believe Felix will influence him instead. It will be the first time he is around someone his age that is not talented in magic, and who will not be impressed by it. I believe they will be able to learn from one another."

"I do hope you are right," Livia replied, releasing her husband's arm as they walked into the sitting-room, moving over to the soft chair by the fireplace.
"I just don't want anything bad to happen to Felix. I know that I should not listen to the rumours, but I cannot help but worry."

"Which is why you make such a wonderful mother to our dear son," Alexius murmured, smiling as he watched her sit down into the chair.

"But I honestly would not worry. The boy is a complete mess and in severe need of guidance, yes, but he is not without hope. I believe that with us, under our guidance, he will flourish."

"But what if he starts acting out here as well?"

"I do not think he will. He is talented, yes, but I doubt he has been complimented for his accomplishments in years. He is expected to be able to know the things he knows and thus has become invisible to his tutors as well as his own parents. This facade he has put up is a result of him making himself visible in the only way he knows how, even if he is destroying himself in the process."

"You sound so sure about that, amatus."

"You did not see him when I did, my dear," Alexius murmured, sitting down onto the couch, picking up a bottle with wine and pouring them both a glass.

"You can say what you want about the Pavus-household, but Magister Pavus severely overlooked his own son in the chase of restoring past glory. The boy has been given the entire world and is expecting to carry it without question. He has not been given a chance to find out who he even is."

After sliding the cork back into the bottle, Alexius reached over the table, holding out one of the glasses towards his wife who took it with a soft smile and a word of thanks.

"I am sure that with us, he will be given that opportunity. I will be able to give him my full attention and hopefully guide him towards a more suited direction. Not just for himself, but for the future."

He lifted his glass up and gave a silent toast towards his wife.

"This is the beginning of a new chance for the Pavus boy, and I do not think I am exaggerating when I say that the boy will grow up to do marvellous things."

Livia merely chuckled softly and lifted her own glass, mimicking her husband's toast.

"To you then, my dear. May you be as good with him as you were with our dear Felix."

Alexius smiled and took a sip from his wine before leaning back against the couch. "Trust me, my darling Livia. I shall give Dorian the attention and structure he needs and craves. Just wait and see."