[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/459180049359175681/480458768388194314/Mauriusheader.png[/img]
[h3]North Center, The Hotel Lord Byron
-Dining Room, Approaching Noon-[/h3][/center]
There was little and less that he could do but frown in response to her barrage of disappointments. He had set his sights too low, far far too low. Expecting the state of the world itself to impress her was a mistake, the enormous stature of his servant in life had been sorely underestimated. This absolutely had to be corrected, even if only in part. It was impossible to meet her high expectations in this venue, but things could still be better than they were.

As the server turned to leave Maurius' snapped his fingers, an almost deafening noise in the empty dining room that drowned out the gentle pre-canned piano from the intercom. No. That was not just the snap of fingers, there was more to it than that, a subtle echo, a strange ringing of the ears, an odd and almost imperceptible delay between the physical snap and the sound after. The abruptness of the young man's halting was almost unreal. "[color=7ea7d8]The house red was not satisfactory, please return with your absolute best stock.[/color]" Even though the magus offered a smile as he spoke there was nothing left jovial in his lackey. There was no response at all in fact, he merely turned away with a newfound and awkward stiffness as he dismissed himself to tend to his duties.

Maurius turned back to Berserker as if nothing was out of the ordinary. "[color=7ea7d8]I appreciate your faith in my ability, despite my poor judgement in our current accommodations.[/color]" He began to pick at his food as he spoke with a series of non-committal jabs with his fork and no other purpose than to keep his hands busy. The appetite was gone, spoiled by his failure even if it was truly inconsequential. If she could not trust him to attend her needs as ■■■ ■■■■■ ■■ ■■■■ then why would he be capable in more proficient matters? If this kind of mistake could be made why not other more important mistakes? Never mind the fact that Maurius knew full well the two were wholly unrelated, he still could not overlook even a minor error in judgement on his part.

He caught himself in the midst of a third barbarism, playing with his food, and promptly set his fork down; Dwelling on this wold make it worse so it was best to speak. "[color=7ea7d8]...Though it would be dishonest if I didn't express some dismay in your assessment. Words are cheap, often free, but in the coming days I will leave no room for even the greatest of heroes to question the depths of my desire.[/color]" A bold declaration and perhaps a bit premature, but the conviction with which it was delivered was a complete reversal of his moping not ten seconds prior. "[color=7ea7d8] No, actually, that won't do... Allow me to assuage any and all doubts of my determination before the sun next rises.[/color]" And yet bolder still.
[hr][@Red Alice]