[center][h3][color=C0392B]Rudolf Shilage[/color][/h3][/center]

It hardly bore any repeating at this juncture, but the five years Rudolf had [i]really[/i] spent had left him very, very good at feeling someone's gaze falling upon him. He could see her out of the corner of his vision, probably skeptically raising a brow as he relayed what he remembered the benefits of blue peaflower to be, rather than their shared love in coffee. For his part, he maintained his innocently easygoing smirk, catching Éliane's gaze for a moment during the interplay between Breien and Cadon— before flicking his eyes down to the cushion he'd handed her, leaning forward, and tapping at his own lumbar vertebrae.

Really, it brought him little joy to find those suspicions confirmed, but at least the extra support for the bottom of the spine would serve to— [i]Eyes front, you're back in the conversation.[/i][sup]1[/sup]

[b][color=#8fbc8f]..."W-what [i]happened[/i] to you, kid?"[/color][/b] 

Rudolf's brows rose slightly at the sudden interrogation, the man before them a thoroughly wrung-out rag compared to the tight knot he'd been before he realized that half the skin of his "ward's" face was slag. More than fair to the poor guy, Rudolf himself had been caught in a sputtering loop only weeks before by the absent party of this little farce they'd all decided on— were that it left him any bearing on where this one was intended to go...

[color=c0392b]"Hm?"[/color] he murmured, before closing the burnt eye and appearing to brush the storm of worry off as it met him, like one might an unwieldy swipe with a blade. [color=c0392b]"Oh, this. Just some trouble I got into after Cadmon sent me on my way— the road these days is getting dangerous. To answer your other question, as it stands,"[/color] He continued, downplaying the care with which he was choosing his words. This was where even [i]he[/i] couldn't deny his father leaping out of him— Rudolf was willing to push this bit as far as it would go, committing to the false pretense for the Viscount's sake as much as anyone's. But speaking personally, half the fun was seeing how far you could go within that by never outright lying— just telling the truth in the right amount, and right way.[sup]2[/sup]

[color=c0392b]"I met these two not too long after I set off, and they were a great help in getting me back in one piece through all the swashbuckling. You know, mostly, but [i]that's[/i] not exactly their fault. At the very least, they both have taught me some valuable lessons— so we at least can say that's worth it."[/color] he wryly amended, reclining again as Halvor poured himself likely all of what soothing bluegrass water they had left from the first pot into his own cup.

As the viscount began to chatter with Esben about his graduation from the garden, Rudolf nursed his tea, sipping lightly. So far, so true, as much as he meant to keep score. However, from behind it, he too would inevitably raise a brow at the mention of a surprise. And more important even than that—

He glanced over to Éliane again, before letting his eyes narrow for the first time since the man entered the room. [color=c0392b]"A full [i]day[/i] here?"[/color] he demanded, for whatever clarification it may yet wring out of his supposed mentor. [color=c0392b]"He wasn't lying about us having matters to attend to in Solitude, sir, and we already strayed off that course. People need checking up on, under the curtain—"[/color]

But the man was possessed, already letting his mind spin off into all the preparations he was due to make for the upcoming dinner party. "They ought to be here by morning"... who else could the guy have showing up? He tried to steal a look at Esben face for clues, but the SEED seemed like he was just about as lost. Damned old prick, Cadmon— if he was going to drop this distraction on them all, he could have at least let them know something, [i]anything[/i] about it. Hell, he'd even made it [i]sound[/i] like the place wasn't a third of a day off-course.

He took a deep, long breath through the nose, and quietly bottomed out his teacup. Hopefully, he hadn't let too much of that show on his face— but at least he wasn't actually trying to con a man who had spent five years learning to read his mood through whatever mask he dug up to try and hide behind.

[color=c0392b]"I did see the primroses, they look nice."[/color] he began, figuring it wouldn't hurt to play to the pride the man warding him clearly took in his green thumb. Rudolf had been a sure-hit plantkiller for years now[sup]3[/sup], whenever he'd gotten it in his head to try. [color=c0392b]"For now... I guess just let me know what I've been away for while I was up north. The others are probably at the smithy, I'd guess, so we may be putting some work into that... Oh."[/color]

A thought struck, and this question was guileless for it.

[color=c0392b]"There's this village we stopped in at about a halfday down from the border checkpoint that's in rough shape, seems like their steward is AWOL. They had to scrabble together their own militia to try and keep themselves safe. Any idea how that may have gotten that bad? I know they aren't exactly 'the neighbors', but we owe them one for their hospitality..."[/color]

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[list]
[*][sub]1. I do my helpful bit outside of combat too.[/sub]
[*][sub]2. I do my helpful bit outside of combat too.[/sub]
[*][sub]3. I do my helpful bit outside of combat too. This one's more of a side effect, though. I don't have that much against plants.[/sub]
[/list]