Ezra thought a party sounded fun. Reis thought it all sounded daunting, especially the sort of extravagances Andras was used to. At least he wouldn't have to plan one that year. Planning it was nearly as exhausting, and his parents would be happy to see him involving himself in all the normal social activities of their society.<br/><br/>“Simply reading about them does not do them justice. You will see though,” Andras said, his voice sounding promising. If the asha was simply delighted to be included in having tea with them he certainly would enjoy one of their galas. His intelligence was remarkable. None of his asha had ever been able to read, but Andras could see that as almost being a fault. He enjoyed playing games with the simple minded, but so long as Ezra couldn't outsmart him in any capacity he imagined that would be enough. Reis allowed the asha to come sit beside him, and he tried a piece of his food, which Ezra informed he hadn't eaten right. He covered his irritation at being corrected with fingers pressed against his lips, setting the napkin down.<br/><br/>“And how is the proper way?” Reis asked though he seemed to find amusement in Ezra's cheeky behavior towards his cousin. It was a very honest thing to point out, reminiscent of Ezra's innocence. Almost childlike, though he most certainly was no child. Ita nodded to Ezra once, acknowledging his request to pass the information along, though she was standing off to the side, close enough to be useful if anything else was needed. Eventually, Reis dismissed her to go on to some other more exciting task. The cousins made small talk, Andras coming to understand what he knew likely to be true already. Nothing all that much had changed with Reis, even if he'd purchased a fancy new pet. He was beginning to doubt he was utilizing Ezra anywhere near to his full potential, so that fell in line with Reis either being misled, or the asha being an impulse buy based on his intelligence. There were some qualities he could see that Reis might appreciate. Andras watched Reis stand once they were finished eating lunch, any remaining tea having gone cold. He'd picked his finger sandwiches apart, knowing Yhet tried to hide odd things within them in the off chance that Reis didn't check. He knew his tricks by then.<br/><br/>“I need to go fill in my newest staff member in on his duties,” Reis said, going to step out.<br/><br/>“The ugly one?” Andras inquired.<br/><br/>“Yes, Andras,” Reis confirmed tonelessly. When Ezra went to stand, Andras grabbed hold of his wrist gently, preventing him from following his master.<br/><br/>“Let him stay, Reis. It will be a boring conversation, and you should not leave your guest without company,” Andras requested. Reis looked to Ezra, thinking perhaps he probably wouldn't find the conversation very interesting, and some of it probably needed to be said while the asha was not around. Lined drawn, boundaries made clear, house rules, and then there was the notion of giving the man freedom and offering him fair pay in his household. All of it would be a lot, and it would be a fairly serious conversation.<br/><br/>“Stay then,” Reis said, “Do not give him anything, Andras. Actually, why don't you take him outside? To the garden.” He'd had some sunshine, but if Andras was willing to keep his asha occupied for a time it couldn't hurt to send him back out again. Andras looked as if he might argue but then decided the garden suited him just fine.<br/><br/>“Okay,” he told Reis, filching a bottle of wine before heading out towards the gardens. He had the passing idea of tempting Ezra into a sip. It was fruit, after all, what could it hurt? Ground keepers had lit candles and torches within the garden, of course, so that was no issue. Andras perched on a bench, pouring himself a glass and sipping idly as he watched Ezra.<br/><br/>“Do you like your master, Ezra?” Andras asked, tilting his head to the side curiously, though he sounded almost bored. “Is he good to you?” His voice had insinuation and perverse undertones though he wasn't sure the asha would pick up on that.<br/><br/>“Reis does not keep things like you. I wonder if one of these days he might sell you to me. I think there would be much more for you to do at my estate. You would be the only pet. My cousin's attention is so divided.” His words were almost sympathetic, feigned.