[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190120/b458a81531631a6916fa9413063c5f80.png[/img][/center][right][sub]Tiptoeing around [@Hero], [@Achronum] and [@Scribe of Thoth][/sub][/right]
With the last haze of feeding clearing away and the realization that he’d answered the door looking like a stabbing victim setting in, Aaron hastily returned to his bathroom, peering into the vanity mirror to assess the damage. Sure enough, blood was dripped and smeared from his puncture site down his neck to his shirt, the collar soaked through to his collarbone. It was indeed a grisly display, but what interested Aaron more was that strict and proper [i]Varis[/i] had been the one to make this mess. He couldn’t help a bit of a smirk; go figure, the heir to House Sinnenodel was a messy eater. Black [i]had[/i] been a wise choice, then, though this shirt would be allocated to feeding duty only from now on, he decided. Maybe he could work up the courage to do it shirtless if Varis would allow, to cut down on some laundry damage.

He pulled the shirt off, careful not to smear his face and hair with blood in the process, and dropped it into the sink, turning the faucet on cold. He let the water run as he cleaned himself up, luckily a quick job, and he was back into his room in no time, pulling on his shirt and tie. He paused before returning to the study, though, and went back to his bathroom for a clean washcloth, wetting it in hot water and carefully wringing it out before bringing it back to the study with him.

As he crossed the hall, he noticed Max still standing in the foyer and mentally slapped himself. Damn, he’d been so preoccupied with getting out of sight he’d forgotten to give him any kind of direction. Either that or the feeding had thrown him out of whack; he’d have to get a handle on that. 

More out of habit than anything, Aaron painted on a polite smile. [color=f0d705]“Sorry about that. I think we’re leaving soon, but in the meantime please feel free to take a seat in the living room.”[/color] His voice took on a practiced cordial tone and he gestured down the hall with his free hand, falling back into old habits. He had more than one question for Max, but now was hardly the time. 

Max made some noncommittal sound in response, but followed where Aaron indicated; Aaron assumed that was just about the best he’d get out of the other mage. But that was fine by him, and once Max had seen himself settled, Aaron continued into the study, doing his best to take up as little space as possible as he handed Varis the washcloth with a bow and waited to see if anything else was asked of him.