The youth doing his best not to cower in his chair bites his lip as the exchange between the demon and his father begins. However almost as if taking strength from the very sight of Illiendi keeping his cool and forging ahead expertly he manages to sit up strait once more, sipping at his tea and keeping his gaze at some point out the window. [i]'As long as I can keep to what I have been taught, and show no fear in Illiendi being swayed, I at least can pretend in my own mind to have some guts'[/i] He keeps his breathing steady, listening to the exchange with a dispassionate look on his face, despite several parts causing an internal reaction. [i]'I was right. He does have a way of talking that is false, but for some reason I don't think father can hear it. He indeed is a very talented man, almost made to recognize honeyed words, but he does not seem to hear them now. . . Though, they feel so obvious to me'[/i]

His eyes flicker over to the demon for an instant before looking away, fighting a smile. [i]'It also feels like Illiendi wants nothing more than to “teach the man some respect”. Not that I would not mind watching such a display, but I do not really want that, especially now that he seems to be calming down. . .I do not know what mother would do should he die right now'[/i] Once more he feels the sting as Illiendi calls him a fool, though it fades quickly, knowing it must be true since so many have called him that now, and even the one here for his benefit echoes the title. 

Amano does his best to tune out the rest of the exchange. Despite Illiendi making arguments that he himself would have no problem bringing up himself, hearing them from others hurts for some reason. [i]'It is one thing to know yourself and admit the truth. It is a whole different animal to hear the truth aloud, and from the lips of ones you hold in high esteem'[/i] he muses, looking at a bird settling on the roof across the street. [i]'A baby bird must be kicked from the nest, knowing it can not yet fly, however, eventually, if the parent was to never do so, the baby would remain flightless for life. . .'[/i] He shakes his head at his foolish sentimentality. [i]'I really am a fool'[/i] Despite his depressing thoughts, Amano remains as the demon has taught him, and as the conversation draws to a close his gaze once more returns to his father.

Kenneth settles in, tapping his glass once more and eyes hiss son curiously. “He's quite a head on him boy. I don't know what you've promised him, but. . . .” His eyes narrow slightly, and the youth can see the question forming in his eyes before he even asks it. However, he lets his father ask it anyways before providing him an answer. “You were never worried for losing him, were you boy? That look in your eye. . .”

Amano gives the middle aged man a very slight smile, knowing his next words would gauge the man's mood more than anything else he could conceive of. Kenneth raises an eyebrow. “Well father, you have always told me: Never enter a battle you do not intend to win. I had no fear you would take him from me, because I would never be so foolish as to dangle something you really want in front of you unless I knew I could keep it.” The man's expression remains unchanged and Amano adds slyly, “What better way to prove my worth that to out fox the fox?”

The man remains silent for several second, Amano's smile staying in place even as his heart rate sky rockets. When at last the silence is broken the youth can not help but jump, despite the response being positive. Downing his glass Kenneth slams it back down and barks out a laugh. “You really have grown a pair, you little pain in my backside. Out foxing the fox indeed.” He points over at Illiendi and nod,s his expression becoming almost frighteningly serious for an instant. “If he was not as good as he is however, I would have the skin off you back for speaking to me that way. I hope you know that lad.” Amano nods, not trusting himself to speak, least h slip up and his father decide to try and take the skin anyway.

Waving a hand the portly man stands and begins pacing in front of the windows. Amano stays silent, knowing his father's habits, and that the discussion is almost at an end. When at last he stops, looking once more to his youngest, the youth tilts his head ever so slightly to indicate he is listening. “You go finish what you need to do, send me the paperwork on it so I can look it over. I'll not be aiding you in this, but I will be interested in your progress. You have my interest runt, now don't go slipping up and ruining this potentially profitable venture now.” Amano knows he's being dismissed so he stands carefully, and with a bow heads to the door. Waiting for Illiendi to open it for him, knowing every little show will count while in his father's presence, and while still in perfect stance steps out into the hallway once the door is open.

It is not until the door is closed and the two of them are a bit of a ways down the hall that Amano relaxes ever so slightly. He can not relax entirely, knowing that the shouting will have called his brothers to the scene. Ignoring the eyes gazing around the corner at the end of the hall he instead looks to Illiendi with a slightly detached gaze. “I will be in my room working on preparations for the next hour. You are free to do as you will in that time, but if you are not back before the hour is up, you will come find me in the market, southern quarter.” His voice, while outwardly authoritative, has an obvious note of something else in it. A kind of tension, the need to express himself but unable to that makes it almost sound like a note of suffering.

The two younger of the three elder brothers all but flee as the pair of them approach, however Raoul waits and greets his youngest brother with a curious smile. Amano returns the smile and motions back toward their father's study. “I assume he will be calling you soon. After all, he shares such important happenings with you openly. I am sure he would welcome your presence now.”

Raoul nods to his little brother, wondering for an instant what Amano himself will not speak on the matter. However with a chuckle he reaches out and ruffles the youth's hair, warning a small laugh from the smaller male, and a disgruntled sound as he pushes the hand away. “I am sure you are right little brother, and I planned on seeing him anyway. I look forward to learning of this big secret you seem to have been hiding from us.” Amano smiles wider, nodding to his brother before heading off towards his room.