Atticus stood still and unfidgeting as Master Ryan looked at him silently. He held his tongue, and lifted his chin a little as the moments stretched, his amusement of a minute before lingering in the form of a slight smile. He was use to such scrutiny, though he didn’t think Master Ryan had looked on him so intently since their first meeting.<br/><br/>When the maid entered he blinked and looked towards her as she passed him on his blind side. He watched her – it was easier than looking at the tall proprietor – until she left again.<br/><br/>He met Master Ryan’s gaze when the question was asked, the sound of his name making his stomach flutter. He couldn’t help but smile as he shook his head slightly before saying, “No, Sir, I’m accustomed to them. I sometimes... think I see things,” He gestured  at the left side of his face, “but the doctor says it is normal. I will try harder to not let it distract me.”<br/><br/>He wondered how to word his request, how to present it in such a way it would not seem ungrateful. “Master Ryan, please... please don’t think I am not thankful for all you have done for me, and whatever you think and decide, I will abide by...” He was doing it wrong already! He shifted his weight and sighed in aggravation at himself, his gaze moving over the trinkets in the room as he sought the right wording.<br/>