Great relief washes over him as Illiendi calls his hobby “noble”. He's never thought of it as such, what with most people laughing at it and calling him a dreamer when they spot him sketching a flower or a leave with deep concentration. He feels warm, happy, and gives the demon one of his brighter smiles as the beast comes over and begins actually looking at his art without scoffing. He wants to thank Illiendi, but he knows such over expressions of emotion are not something the creature understands and contents himself with smiles and happy swaying. He listens intently as the demon speaks on the matter of art and how foolish humans have become about such things and feels like Illiendi is speaking his own thoughts aloud. Nodding he motions for the demon to go ahead and pack them however he sees fit and goes over to his wardrobe to pick out something to wear for the evening.

[i]'Mother likes the red bow, so I think the rust with the black shoes. . . .'[/i] He pulls out an outfit he thinks will work, pulling on the easy bits before settling and letting Illiendi cater to his hair. He does his best with his bow, letting the other straighten it before putting on his jacket and settling it properly against his chest. Nodding, he lets the demon go with a wave and paces over to the window overlooking the garden. Opening the curtains and window itself, he lets the gently breeze bring the smells form below up to his room, bathing him in their soft scents. “I think I will miss this place. . . .Just, a little bit. . . .” he murmurs, looking down at the beautiful place beneath him. He can't see what happened bare nights ago between his mother and the creature now serving him. His view is clear, and sees only the peaceful, innocent place he's always seen.

When at last it's time to head to dinner, he leaves his room and falls into the tall, proud walk Illiendi is training into him. He meets his mother on the stairs and with a graceful smile and bow he offers his arm to take her down to dinner. She smiles warmly back at him and takes his arm without a word, patting his cravat with a cheerful look before turning to be lead town to the dining room. He keeps his posture as they walk in and nods slightly at Illiendi when he spots the demon waiting for them. Seats are soon taken and the exotic looking man leaves for the kitchens, leaving him alone with his mother. She provides the talk at first, tittering on about learning to take care of the flower he gave her while also expressing her continues lack of true enthusiasm for this “little trip” he's decided to take.

He's spared much in the way of needing to respond as his father arrives soon after, taking away all the attention from him. Normally, this would be perfectly fine by him, but he knows that he needs to stop being so happy to be out of the line of attention and tries to come up with something to interrupt with while his father is complaining about his “troublesome and meandering” conversations with a foreign merchant today. He opens his mouth to cut in, wanting to bring up his trip, but his brothers arrive with loud voices, making his mouth snap shut quickly. The middle brothers seem to be in disagreement about the affections of a girl they both talked to today and do nothing to curb their talk as they take their seats and soup is placed in front of them.

The eldest and his wife are absent, but this is no particular surprise as they often have meals in their room rather than enduring the younger siblings and critical father. It does leave Amano with only one real ally at the table and this fact keeps his mouth shut save to take in food through the soup course. When Illiendi appears however he can feel his confidence bolstered. His father waves off the carving duties, looking only slightly miffed at not having the meat he'd wanted. 

Amano catches his cues perfectly, carrying on small interactions when handed to him by his manservant, surprisingly drawing some of his mother's attention away from his father, a feat he's never accomplished before. His father recognizes this happening and a calculating expression crosses his features. When Illiendi's gone again however, the youth falters and his father sweeps the conversation back up with a satisfied smile.

[i]'Well, talking in front of him, let along [b]to[/b] him has always been difficult at the best of times. . .But I can not give up!'[/i] Taking a deep breath, he decides to start with something he's always felt passionate about, and with Illiendi's support of it, now feels confident that he's in the right. Looking to his mother he clears his throat and smiles as he manages to catch her eye. “Mother, I was wondering, since I am unsure if I will have much room for too many gifts on my trip, would you like for me to sketch some of the lovelier fashions I come across so that I may have them made for you upon my return?”

Her eyes light up while his father looks none too pleased. Before he can say anything however, his mother lets out a delighted sound. “Yes, well, that sounds lovely my dear. I'm not sure such foreign styles will suit me, but I would love to see the noble life in other lands. You have always been so good at capturing the beauty in things my dear Amano.” She smiles brightly.

Feeling emboldened Amano replies, “You could make even the most wretched dress shine like the evening sun mother, so I do not think we need fear the style not suiting you. It is your beauty that would make the dress glow.” She giggle happily at this, covering his face shyly. The pause however gives his father an edge to cut in on.

“So, you're bringing those time wasters you call a hobby along with you, hmm? I thought with the announcement of this trip you'd had grown beyond such childish ambitions.” His tone is scathing, but calculated, and Amano finds he's able to answer back easily.

“I will need some way to document my travels father, and we both know that a picture is worth more than many a scholarly scroll on a subject. Being able to see something beyond words to describe it will give more life to what I am able to see and experience in my travels, and with some more practice, I will be able to share this new part of the world with more people better than some dry old scholar could.” He keeps his tone respectful, but the note of confidence is something his father is still not used to. 

He gets a bit hot and looks ready to snap at his son, but Tawney pipes up first. “So you're trying to say your kiddy scribbles are better than anything you could write? Man, you must have bribed the tutor to give you good marks then, seeing as those “pictures” are pure crap!” The two older brothers laugh together over this while his father takes on a slightly satisfied smile, obviously feeling that Amano had been properly rebuffed.

Amano however, isn't done. A small spike of defiance sparks inside of him and he replies smoothly, “I don't know why you are laughing Burtus. I know for a fact you bribed your own tutor with favors for him not to tell father you spent half your lessons asleep after a long night of drinking.” The face his brother has is priceless. He and Tawney are completely still, and it is the lack of denial that turns his father's wrath from Amano's smart mouth, on to his more robust son. While his father lashes into an inquiry on the matter, Amano turns his attention to his mother, speaking softly with her about all the things he wants to capture with his art while he's away so he can share with her when he gets back. She is only slightly distracted by her husband's muted anger, and manages to smile at her youngest as she speaks softly with him.

When at last it's time for dessert and Illiendi returns to the room, the youth is feeling quite proud of himself. He smiles at the manservant and nods slightly, showing him silently how good he's feeling. His eyes however go quickly back to his mother and their discussion on maybe finding some fabrics she's not seen before and sending them to her should he be able to. Burtus has fallen silent, staring at his dessert with a mix of shame and anger – mostly anger – but he dares not say anything to Amano now that Illiendi's back in the room. Tawney doesn't look up either, eating his treat quickly in a clear desire to leave as soon as possible.

[i]'I made no promise to keep those things I've seen my brothers do secret, so I feel no shame in pointing them out to father now. After all, my brothers are suppose to be taking over positions of power in this town and starting off based on lies will only lead to ruin. . . . Not that I mind them failing and being seen as the self centered fools they are. That just rolled off my tongue so easily, I couldn't pass up the chance to say it'[/i] He lets his father take back his mother's attention, complaining about Burtus and explaining that he'll need some re-education while she gives him sympathetic looks and nods.

And finally, the meal is over. Kissing his mother's hand he leaves her and his father to continue their “talk” and makes his way out of the room, motioning for Illiendi to follow. Taking a sharp turn in the hall outside the dining room he makes his way out the back door to the garden. The sun is nearly set, setting the sky on fire and making the place glow an intense orange color. He takes a few minutes to catch his mind up with his actions before letting out a chuckle and turning to look at the demon with broad smile. 

Unable to contain himself he describes how he'd put his foot out and actually took part in a conversation at the table. He goes on to talk about how he'd derailed his brother's insults and turned his fathers anger from himself and on to the other. “I know it's not much, but it's more than I've been able to do in the past by far. Mother never pays attention to anyone but Father normally, and tripping Burtus up like that. . . .I felt good.” He smiles proudly, puffing up slightly, hoping Illiendi will approve.