Atticus felt the tension close to his bones relax as Master Ryan turned his attention away from him. It wasn’t that Atti was uneasy about such close examinations, but the businesslike consideration he’d seen had been eerie. Like Master Ryan had been considering putting him back on the books.<br/><br/>Had it all been a test?<br/><br/>He wasn‘t doing himself any favours thinking this sort of thing. Master Ryan wouldn’t do that... though what had he been thinking so deeply about? It might not have anything to do with him. Master Ryan had mentioned their first meeting before he’d started to close off. He could have been reminiscing about the Teahouse at that time. Or it could have been anything, anything at all.<br/><br/>The small smile Master Ryan showed him was unexpectedly vulnerable, and allowed Atticus to let go of the last of his stress. Whatever it was, he trusted the Master of the House. He treated his staff and his stock well, with a firm hand but with respect.<br/><br/>Atticus had rarely felt such annoyance at a simple door knock as he felt just then, but he trained his gaze back on the plate and took up eating again, flashing Mary an amused look as she prodded Master Ryan before she was sent to draw the Master’s bath. Atticus swallowed quickly and laughed.<br/><br/>“Am I so dishevelled you can’t bear to have me walk to my own rooms to tidy up?” He flashed a grin to show he wasn’t really protesting at it – indeed, he was grateful at not having to climb the stairs just yet, then put down the cutlery again, having finished off the meal.<br/>