As they walk along Rei once more finds the prince's hand on his head. For a moment his mind reflects on the act as if it is a puzzle. [i]'I know I have seen people doing this before, to friends or children, but for the most part patting the head is reserved for pets or other domestic animals.'[/i] He glances up at the prince. He listens to the man's words even as his brain continues working thing out. [i]'So, does this mean he sees me as one of those? I suppose, he is a prince, and many royals see any non royal as less than they, which would mean I can see him seeing me as a pet. After all, I am technically his personal guard dog, but at the same time there are those times where he seems to look at me strangely. Looks at me in a way I do not recognize, but at the same time I know one would not look at a pet that way'[/i]

At the last part of what the prince says his eyes go to the flag stone and his brows furrow slightly. He walks even with Alessandro, entering the room without coming out of thought. [i]'By his words, he likened me to his sister, however he can not see me as family. If that is the case, that leaves friend, however just two moons ago I was in this very room, ready to kill him. I do not see that being conducive to a friendship, and that aside, we barely know one another'[/i] Looking up as the prince once more speaks he listens, still lost in thought. [i]'He has been liberal with his hands, if I am any judge of such things, ever since he first caressed my hair. Perhaps he is just fascinated with laying hands on me? I find that a very confusing prospect. . .I do not normally have to think on such things. Perhaps as I am around him more, and around humans other than assassins, I will learn more of all these odd interactions, and what they mean. . .'[/i]

Taking a seat as he is bidden Rei lets out a soft sigh, his mind returning to it's blissfully smooth and 'in the now' state of being, the deeper thoughts sliding away like butter on a hot skillet. Setting gently on the string of information Rei decides to address it all in order. “Going over your plans beforehand will be useful, and give me a chance to check some things. I can think of a few tomes that I would like to review, but eventually I would like to read them all. I like books. . .” His voice trails off an for an instant he looks like the young man he is before going back to his normal disinterested self. “Now that I am here and under this unwritten contract, I can not leave here and return to the village. Not until you release me, or I fail. I will not risk leaving you alone, not with the dangers even within your own home.”

His mind drifts back to the well used secret passage and the eyes of those in town that had appeared ready to take the prince's life at any time. [i]'I can not leave him. Even his own family is a threat, with these “Replacement Sons” and so many assassins willing and able to at the least get within a dozen paces of him. No, I may be here for many years'[/i] Rei does not lament this fact. He has a long time to live, and Alessandro will be dead long before the fae will even be considered fully grown. He may be mature, and by his species' standard what one would call breeding age, however majority is still years off for the little fae. “There is far too much danger around you at this time. I saw at least three of my profession as we rode through town, all with eyes for you. It would seem my employer had a redundancy plan. Smart when you want someone dead.” He does not sound as if he is giving a compliment to the person who hired him, simply stating the fact.

The final question leads to a pause for the young fae. He stays silent as a pair of servants come to deliver the food, his mind wandering over the possible responses to the query. There is a very simple answer, a less simple answer, but for Rei, he feels as f the full answer may be more entertaining to tell the young man. [i]'After all, he listens to me. When I returned to the village after the last kill, none really wanted to hear from me, sensing my taint, but unwilling to just turn me away. I have never told anyone the full truth of it, and perhaps this one will actually enjoy the telling. . .'[/i] Unable to come to the decision on his own he looks to the prince, blinking one of his slow blinks before inquiring softly. “Do you really wish to hear of my 'father'? I am eager to speak on it, if you truly wish to listen, however it may prove to be a long story, and if you would rather not hear the story of a. . .Murderer as you call me, then I will understand.” He looks down, not really feeling what his face and body is showing, but all the same not being dishonest in it either. “None have wanted to hear of him, nor of my life, corrupt as it is.” He looks back up. “You liked the tales of my kind, or so it seemed. I am not so sure you would like to hear of my human upbringing. After all, it is what made me into this monster you see before you.” There is no hurt in his tone, and he does not know why he is carrying on, however as those last words leave his lips, he at last falls silent, waiting calmly for his answer.