Unlike his fellow colleagues, no-one stood waiting for Malachai when the ship docked and the rats jumped for the comfort of land and home. The youth had lingered, lurking in the usual shadows that he excelled in until most of the passengers had disembarked and he could walk the deck relatively alone. Or so he had thought?
[color=#9df9ff]“Still not checking all your corners, Malachai.” [/color]
The line across his face turned upwards at the corners, his pace drawing to a halt with the familiar chiding tone. Bhaal. If there was one thing Malachai had missed about Minrathous it had been his mentor and tutor. The younger man turned, hand pulling the hood of his robe down to grin slightly, shoulders bobbing lightly. [color=#ff851b]“My corners are at least clear of whatever is growing between your ears, because again, you are late.” [/color]
[color=#9df9ff]“You still waited.” [/color]
[color=#ff851b]“Habit.” [/color]He’d argue, gaze narrowing. [color=#ff851b]“It’s rude to make people wait. Especially when they’ve been summoned home?”[/color] A brow arched, but Bhaal could provide no explanation, the reason only compounding Mal’s suspicions. There better not be a marriage proposal happening. He pushed it from his mind for now, joining his mentor for the journey back to the Valentius estate.
What greeted him there was the familiar coldness of the servants, the cook especially. Spiteful cow. Her eyes landed on him and the two sneered at each other, Mal reacting quicker than she at hurling an insult at the other, [color=#ff851b]“Yes. The Half-Breed isn’t dead. I’m afraid Ginny gets your winnings, Flora. I’m only here to change and I’ll be out of your sight soon enough.”[/color] Why he had to leave the relative comfort of the military academy he had no idea, but apparently his father had deemed Mal worthy of the break.
When she couldn’t produce an answer, Mal merely smiled, the smirk of victory spreading across his face while he walked away after procuring an apple. He ignored her spluttered protest, leaving the kitchens for the furthest wing of the estate and his rooms. Despite the elegant rooms and grandeur each step felt laden with a growing frustration that may only be abated with a drink and not within the confines of this god awful place. Even Bhaal’s company couldn’t warm the homecoming that was the indifference of his so-called family. Being a bastard had its curse.
A quick refresh and new set of clothes and Mal was once again climbing out his window, down the trellis and onto the rooftops before even an hour had passed.
[color=#9df9ff]“Still not checking all your corners, Malachai.” [/color]
The line across his face turned upwards at the corners, his pace drawing to a halt with the familiar chiding tone. Bhaal. If there was one thing Malachai had missed about Minrathous it had been his mentor and tutor. The younger man turned, hand pulling the hood of his robe down to grin slightly, shoulders bobbing lightly. [color=#ff851b]“My corners are at least clear of whatever is growing between your ears, because again, you are late.” [/color]
[color=#9df9ff]“You still waited.” [/color]
[color=#ff851b]“Habit.” [/color]He’d argue, gaze narrowing. [color=#ff851b]“It’s rude to make people wait. Especially when they’ve been summoned home?”[/color] A brow arched, but Bhaal could provide no explanation, the reason only compounding Mal’s suspicions. There better not be a marriage proposal happening. He pushed it from his mind for now, joining his mentor for the journey back to the Valentius estate.
What greeted him there was the familiar coldness of the servants, the cook especially. Spiteful cow. Her eyes landed on him and the two sneered at each other, Mal reacting quicker than she at hurling an insult at the other, [color=#ff851b]“Yes. The Half-Breed isn’t dead. I’m afraid Ginny gets your winnings, Flora. I’m only here to change and I’ll be out of your sight soon enough.”[/color] Why he had to leave the relative comfort of the military academy he had no idea, but apparently his father had deemed Mal worthy of the break.
When she couldn’t produce an answer, Mal merely smiled, the smirk of victory spreading across his face while he walked away after procuring an apple. He ignored her spluttered protest, leaving the kitchens for the furthest wing of the estate and his rooms. Despite the elegant rooms and grandeur each step felt laden with a growing frustration that may only be abated with a drink and not within the confines of this god awful place. Even Bhaal’s company couldn’t warm the homecoming that was the indifference of his so-called family. Being a bastard had its curse.
A quick refresh and new set of clothes and Mal was once again climbing out his window, down the trellis and onto the rooftops before even an hour had passed.
04-09-2024, 06:40 AM
