Alexi lets out a long sigh, knowing, or at least he thinks he knows, how much his beloved Joseph hates the auction house. [i]'Well, perhaps not the house so much as the guests, and the actual auction itself. I know it is cruel to ask such a thing of him, however in this life one must give if one expects to receive, so as he asks of me something, so too must he be willing to give. And Joseph, dear Joseph, is always seemingly willing to do just that'[/i] As they reach to bottom of the stairs Alexi reaches up, now able to divert his attention from his feet, and touches his head slave's forehead gently with his palm. “Thank you Joseph.” he murmurs before allowing the vampire to help him to the private dining hall. Slipping his arm away from the slave so he's standing on his own he smiles and nods.

“I am fine Joseph, now if you please, fetch what I need for your trip, and send for Uwin so I can have him arrange a ride for you.” giving the vampire's arm a squeeze Alexi slips alone into the dinning hall, watching as his brother first looks up, then stands up, his normally unreadable expression growing dark at the sight of his obviously weakened brother. He does not object when Mois flies over to help him to his seat and just smiles warmly, trying to calm his distraught sibling. Once Mois is seated, and Alexi served, the younger Vandros dismisses the servants standing by and looks to his brother with his most placating smile. It doesn't help, much. 

However before Mois can fly into a rage Alexi reaches across the table and after a few silent moment the elder sibling huffs and reaches out as well, laying his rough callous hand in Alexi's soft pale one. Alexi wraps his fingers around his older brother's hand tight and murmurs, “I am sorry to have worried you, brother. I did not mean to, however last night I was in no condition to tempt my luck on the stairs.” Mois's grip tightens, but he stays silent. As children, Alexi always had a habit of rambling, and Mois never knew if what he had to say was important or just more random inane babble. They set up this system so that Mois would always know when to hold his tongue, and when he was free to interrupt his crazy little brother. Despite having the same father, the madness they both knew may afflict them seems to have as of yet to manifest in Mois, if he even has it to begin with. They know not if he is blessed enough as to have not inherited it.

Taking a slow breath Alexi calculates what he should and should not tell his brother, knowing he can trust the man, but not with everything. [i]'Technically Mois has more control over me than Joseph does, however since I have convinced him of the one thing, I may be able to. . .'[/i] With a huff, his mind does it's magic quickly and with another warm smile he begins speaking again. “I know the last thing you wish to hear is that things are going smoothly, at least as far as my plan goes, however I can not spare you the pain of knowing that yes, indeed, things will be progressing faster than predicted.” Mois visibly bites his lips at this, but otherwise his face returns to it's natural neutral state. “There has been a small change, one that will not affect the outcome, however I will have to warn you of some changes you may see in me over the next several weeks.”

[i]'What did you do Alexi, you madman!?'[/i] Mois holds his tongue, unable to completely hide how worried he is, however as they sit there, the elder listening to his brother speak, he is able to calm his raging emotions to a point, allowing his brother free reign to speak. However at the mention of changes in Alexi his heart beat begins picking up again. [i]'First I have to hear from Joseph that you sliced open your own wrist, and that the plans are going to be sped up, but now I have to expect you to be changing!? [b]GAH![/b]'[/i] However, holding his tongue is one of the elder's specialties, and even as he goes on the only sigh of his worry remains his bottom lip being worried by white teeth.

[i]'Poor Mois, I pray you forgive me some day'[/i] Just as he opens his mouth to explain Joseph comes in with the things he'll need to attend the auction and he shoots him a soft smile before turning his attention back to his brother. “He trusts me now, at least a little, and to keep things running smoothly, I have agreed to partake in that part of the plan personally, letting the exchange be mutual.” Mois's mouth snaps open however a sharp piercing look from Alexi snaps it back shut. Mois knows better then to just start blurting stuff out while not in somewhere secure like his hut or Alexi's room. His face becomes once more placid and he gives Mois' hand another soft squeeze. “It will be alright. He is not cruel, I will be fine, and that is all I will say on that matter.”

Mois knows Alexi will hear no argument so even as he pulls his hand back, leaving the elders hand limp and alone on the hard wood surface Mois tries to come up with what to say without letting anything slip while out in the open. His eyes cast about the room while he thinks, his hand eventually sliding back to pick up his fork, poking at his breakfast absentmindedly. Finally, he looks once more to his brothers face and murmurs, “You've been crying.” A simple statement, not a question, however Alexi knows he expects an answer.