[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/nAyf7qz.png[/img][/center]
For a moment, he almost pitied them.

He had been in this same position before, standing on the opposite end. If he forced things, perhaps there would be some disciplinary actions taken against him, but these men would end up losing their jobs. Could he bear the burden of such thing? Could he sleep at night, knowing that he ruined two lives, just for a momentary pleasure? A flicker of emotional release? A period of nostalgia that he could indulge in, one obtained even more easily if he simply waited for after orientation to do so?

Yes, he could.

Ferrucio had failed far more, to deathly consequences, and had still managed to scarf down his bread and broth, still managed to snatch sleep from cold stones and blood-crusted cloaks. And anyways. He was getting tired of this. If he wanted it, he should just reach for it. If he [i]sought[/i] it, there was no reason to second-guess it. Compromise now, be reasonable now, and what would that get him? He clenched his teeth. Let out a low breath. His knuckles were white against the handle of the basket of foodstuffs he had. Saliva gathered, then was swallowed, the joy of living out a peaceful, sunny, perfect day gradually being smothered by the anxiety of doing something unlike himself.

The bastard-child raised his eyes.

[b]"I will return through the main gate and leave it to speculation as to how I left the estate to begin with."[/b]

[i]Let's see how far I can push it.[/i]

[b]"But I [i]will[/i] leave."[/b]

And with that, he walked, mirroring the same gait, the same confidence, that Sherry once held. A steady stride, a straight back, and eyes that expected all obstacles to give way in his very presence.