@occulte-amour
He fell in step besides her as they left the mansion behind. As the other couples vanished from sight, he was suddenly aware that this was the first time he had extended an invitation to walk with a girl, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it for long before she spoke up about her brother. His expression turned serious, but this time it reflected concern rather than anger or frustration. “It must be difficult for your family.” Elliot could tell from her voice that she missed her sibling, and her vague response only raised more questions about his disappearance. However, as brash as he could be at times, he knew not to pry on a topic she didn’t seem eager to speak about.
“My parents aren’t as social as your uncle,” He answered truthfully, though he didn’t say that social gatherings were further complicated by the position of the Nightray house in society. Of course, Elliot was more than proud of his family name and would never think to hide it, but in a casual conversation that did not carry the weight of politics, it didn’t seem important to mention. He had always wanted to be approached not as a Nightray, or even a noble, but as an individual.
“My siblings and I have been attending in their place. Fred is taking over most of their duties as the next heir. He’s getting married soon, so father will probably make the announcement then.” Little did Elliot know the event would never come to pass, but speaking of it now lightened his mood, and he felt comfortable enough to share the information with her.
For Ada too it was the first time she’d done anything with a boy her own age, but that fact wasn’t particularly on Ada’s mind either. The conversation was still going, not to mention that it was about a topic that was still sensitive to the Vessalius to this day. Though no names had been exchanged yet, and though a part of her didn’t think he knew who she was, an irrational part of her mind had made her think that he did know who she is, so in one respect despite the fact that she wasn’t naming particular names, something made her believe that he understood what she meant.
“I still miss him, my uncle does at well. My mother hasn’t been around since I was born, so it’s just been my uncle and myself most of the time. He’s good to me though, I know he loves me as if I was his own.”
That was good, switching the topic over to Oscar helped bring Ada out of what would’ve been a lowered mood. There were many reasons that family leaders weren’t the most social of people, Oscar was just a rare exception as someone who enjoyed any and all gatherings. She knew the Rainsworth Duchess’ health was occasionally a factor for her absences at gatherings. Zai’s constant absences were for reasons technically unknown to his daughter, though she knew that the man avoided a lot of human contact when he could. The Nightray’s patriarch wasn’t present too often, much like this boy’s parents were. Ada knew some about the Nightray family, but not quite a whole lot. She knew they had several children, but their ages and gender were unknowns to her; no time together had been spent with the children of the two families for obvious reasons, and unfortunately for Elliot and Ada it was showing now. But being the girl that she was, the mention of a wedding in the future perked her interest, and her expression turned to one of curiosity.
“Who by chance is your brother marrying? I don’t know of any of the nobles who’re in a serious relationship, it’s been years since I’ve been to a wedding. You’ll be at the ceremony I assume?”
He looked to be about her age, and since Ada knew nothing about him, she wasn’t sure if there’d be something that’d prevent him from being at his brother’s wedding. A doubtful reality, but one could never be sure. But in any case her curiosity was still piqued. Perhaps if the Vessalius’ were invited to the ceremony as well she could meet up with this boy again, have someone her own age to talk to. Ada knew she’d enjoy that prospect and she’d hope the same would go for him as well.