Ezra grew more confident as the days passed, falling into a meticulous routine with his master that seemed to suit both males well. They woke up early, freshened up and ate a hearty breakfast before spending the days tending to Reis' various pets or running errands in town, though that didn't happen often as Reis much seemed to prefer remaining on the estate. It was rare for Reis to not allow Ezra to join him on these rare trips. Ezra believed Master enjoyed teaching him about Belmir, or at least he enjoyed it about as much as he enjoyed anything. Reis, though always maintaining a careful, cool distance between them, became softer with his words and more permissive, however he still put his foot down now and again when Ezra's desire for intimacy pushed the boundaries of what Reis deemed appropriate. Instead of falling into a melancholy when Reis told him “no,” Ezra accepted his master's eccentricities with a casual smile. He was beginning to understand that Reis' icy demeanor was not a reflection of Ezra's behavior, it was merely how Master was. Strange, yes, and unfamiliar, but not wholly unlikable.<br/><br/>Adjusting to Reis' household was becoming easier. Yhet fed him well, and Ita was always sweet with him, always gentle. Avoiding Mister Andras was more difficult, however, and sometimes Ezra suffered through brief moments of faux innocuous touching before Reis took him away. Master was always diligent in ensuring Andras and the Asha were never left alone, asking Horvath to watch over Ezra if he couldn't do so himself. Ezra was grateful for this. Though he liked the large, ugly man, he missed his master desperately when he was away.<br/><br/>Ezra's good behavior faltered the night Master sent him away from the bedroom. The stranger he had brought into the house fawned over Ezra, but Reis would have none of it and kept the pet away. He wallowed in his old bedroom, crying at Horvath and asking over and over again why he couldn't stay, but the gentle giant had no words for him. His tantrum had been minor, but it was difficult for Reis' staff to scrub out the dark inky stains from Ezra's pillowcases the following day.<br/><br/>The air in the manor grew thick and muggy as Master's event approached. Tension coiled itself around Reis' entire body, leaving Ezra feeling sharp pains against his flesh, like a thousand tiny needles pricking him repeatedly. He ached for his master, wishing him serenity, but Reis waved away the Asha's concerns. It would only be for an evening, he said, reassuring Ezra he had suffered through worse. The pet accepted this, though a bit reluctantly, and said little more on the topic until the date of the party finally arrived.<br/><br/>“These clothes are heavier than I'm used to,” Ezra remarked, shifting and turning his limbs in an effort to adjust. Reis had allowed him to wear only the bare minimum as long as he remained on the estate, but with a piece of the upper crust coming to fill out Reis' usually empty salons, he was adverse to letting Ezra keep his body on display. The clothes were soft at least and did not leave Ezra itchy and wishing for release.<br/><br/>He watched from a large window in one Reis' various sitting rooms as guests arrived, flooding the foyer and greeting Reis and Andras with muffled voices. They were loud and excitable, forcing a shift of energy inside of the manor that was impossible for Ezra to ignore. “Master must be agitated,” he mused lightly, though Ezra found it all to be quite exhilarating. He wanted to go and meet some of Reis' guests, to mingle and learn and talk, to ask about their extravagant outfits and inquire about their lavish lifestyles. Reis had given Ezra permission to do as he pleased, so he saw no reason why he should remain in the empty room when all the life was<i>out there</i>.<br/><br/>Ezra hopped up from his perched position by the window and rushed from the room, spying his master moving down the hallway, alone. “Master Reis!” Ezra called, bounding to his master's side, smiling wide. “This is exciting!” he exclaimed, nodding fervently. Ita had tied the Asha's thick curls back into a loose plait, though a few rebellious strands had managed to escape and bounce down by his temples. “So many people I have no seen before. These are your friends? I was going to say hello and welcome to your home. My home. This is a nice thing for Asha to do, yes?”