The weather was perfect for a day at the races. Not a cloud in the sky to mar it. How long had he known Miss Mariano? Long enough to bring her here, where he could be himself. "Miss Mariano, I am certain you will recall that my father hired you on for two reasons. While the primary of the reasons is indeed to manage the finances of the businesses he has appointed you over, the other was to educate me. Let us call this..." Bastian swept his hand out to indicate the crowd at large, "...an experiment in finance and mathematics." His smile was flawless, though for a sixteen-year-old at a horse race, Sebastian certainly was reserved. When he realized why Rubee was digging through her purse Sebastian addressed his butler, "Henry, if you please."<br/><br/>Sebastian nodded his head toward the popcorn vendor and Henry promptly inclined his head to his master, "Of course, Sir." The butler turned his attention on Rubee, his blue eyes kind toward the lady whose company his master so enjoyed, "Miss Mariano, allow me if you would." Henry produced enough coin to cover the popcorn Rubee seemed to desire and set it in the hand of the vendor, never once coming into actual, physical contact with the man.<br/><br/>"Now then, with the matter of frivolity resolved by the instructive nature of our visit here... Let's take our seats in the stands. The races will begin soon." Bastian was still smiling when he offered an arm to Rubee and gestured toward the stairs leading up to the stands where the nobility sat. So popular were the races that most people could not afford a proper seat. The fact that the Hatch family owned seats even with the finish line was something Bastian rather enjoyed. "Father bought this horse for me for my birthday. He's supposed to be of quite impressive breeding, and thus likely to perform very well. Henry said father spent a small fortune on the stud fee, and more on the animal itself." He paused briefly, turning his green eyes on Rubee, and for once they actually held a hint of excitement in them, "How many races do you suppose a horse needs to win to repay the cost of its breeding?"