The boy was sweet, and Alaras felt guilty. He didn't think he was being dis-genuine, or trying to mislead him. He didn't look the sort, despite his upbringing. He couldn't be entirely certain, but he still believed Basren when he said he would pass on good things. He let on that he'd been asked to relay what he thought regardless, and he hoped that was simply standard, not that they had some sort of inkling that something was off.<br/><br/>Naive enough that he would pave the way and help him get closer to Sovele. Orders were not to try to kill him, of course. It would be stupid to make an attempt after all the planning. He was here to gather information that could be used against him instead. There really was not a much better way than if the man showed an interest in him as well. It would mean they would be seeing more of one another, company he would have to learn to tolerate for the sake of others.<br/><br/>Alaras set his weight back on his heel when Basren stepped closer to him, but stopped himself from taking a full step away. No need to insult the boy when he'd just agreed aid him, and if he could not even stand Basren, how was he supposed to tolerate closer proximity with the man he hated most in the world? He took the extended elbow, a loose hold, and allowed Basren to show him the rest of his garden. His smile was met with a weak one in return. The boy really did look like his father..<br/><br/><br/>–<br/><br/><br/>One thing that was sure to put Sovele off was his wife. He'd been up, working, hoping that she'd leave after but she'd made her intentions known. He wouldn't mind another child by her, after all the bloodline was pure, but more attempts failed than anything. She left him frustrated (not in a good way), and she was just as scathing about him not being able to perform his duties. He backhanded her for that one, and sent her on her way. It was just the same, with her providing him frail children.<br/><br/>Sovele noted Basren had come in, and his expression gave no indication whether he was pleased by this or not. He approached, and touched tentatively before starting to work the tension from his shoulders,<br/><br/>“Credit to my line, hm? I think I'd rather call my wife back in here.” His words were a sarcastic growl. Basren was well aware of how their coupling usually went, and he expressed no interest in the Langlais boy, imagining what he might look like now.<br/><br/>“A small spell, you say?” Sovele questioned, but only mildly curious.<br/><br/>“I do not think I would like him,” he spoke, pulling Basren around, and pressing him to sit on his desk. “Not the way that I like you.” Sovele was feeling cruel, and he usually said something pleasant like that before it started.<br/><br/>“Maybe he'd settle for you. Low content royalty, to make up for his own.. lackings,” Sovele spoke, smiling, finding the thought amusing. He would never send Basren to someone he was threatened by in any sort of way, but the Langlais boy had so much to make up for, he didn't think he'd be bothered. It had been a joke, despite his wife's constant pressing to pair Basren off.<br/><br/>“I can only imagine that fat, wheezing man trying to put a child in you.” Sovele snorted a laugh. The thought didn't bother him, just so long as Basren didn't enjoy it the same way he enjoyed things with him. “And then I could get that bitch off my back about it.”