Rochefort paused after the doors opened to reveal Lord Montesserrat and one of his Demons hovering behind him. He almost didn't recognize the Incubus at first in his new clothes.
He had been informed by his servants that the noble Vampire had made a strange request... He looked the Incubus over, not only had he gotten a change of clothes, he was also sharing Lord Montesserrat's room - favoritism was clearly at play here.
"Please come with me," He invited Dulce Montesserat, starting down the hallway. "How did you like your lodgings?"
"It's decent," Dulce said absently, looking around like he could guess where the others' rooms were by simply studying closed doors.
Ruoxi knew where their rooms were, but he kept the information to himself, relaxed in his new clothes as they walked further and further away from their wing.
Rochefort kept trying to spark up a conversation, but Lord Montesserrat's disinterest couldn't be clearer.
"Where are the other two?" Dulce asked as soon as they arrived at the dining room.
Rochefort had a grim expression on his face, glancing at the sketchy Incubus who smiled at him harmlessly and wriggled his fingers. Lord Montesserrat seemed to see nothing beyond his Demons.
Had the Vampire gone completely senile?
Dulce looked around with a frown, not being able to see either Fiend or his assassin, could very well mean that one of them was dead.
"I have already had servants sent to fetch them." Rochefort said with patience he didn't feel. "I didn't know that Lord Montesserrat had a Demon hobby," He noted, forced to remain standing because Dulce Montesserrat refused to sit.
Dulce sighed, muttering. "I wouldn't exactly call it that." He said vaguely but made no move to sit down.
Ruoxi didn't either, standing right next to Dulce. The Demon seemed relaxed, his curious gaze scanning the table, but that was merely at first glance. It was clear he had positioned himself at the perfect spot to defend Dulce if the need came.
Ruoxi stared at the table, it was laden with food, a pleasant surprise. He didn't think the boot-licking Vampire would take it so far as to prepare a sumptuous banquet for Lord Montesserrat's Demons when the Vampire couldn't eat.
It didn't take long for the other two Demons to make an appearance, both of them wearing scowls in their own ways.
"You kept us waiting," Ruoxi spoke up for the first time, beautiful eyes crinkling at the corners.
Kath'tan had been about to ignore the Incubus when he noticed the other's dressing. "You seem well adjusted." He said dryly, but it couldn't be further from a compliment.
Ruoxi's smile remained bright, "Do I? Dulce had these clothes made for me." He said casually, pulling out a chair for the Vampire in question.
His words caught the attention of Kath'tan and Asael, anger flaring up in the Fiend's eyes. It had been a week, and yet he hadn't gotten new clothes, yet this reprobate Incubus had gotten them the very night he was summoned.
Asael just quietly took his seat, it was just the five of them at the table, and the strange Vampire had hastily taken one of the seats closest to Dulce.
Before they could even approach the table, both seats were already taken, leaving the last two on the opposite sides of the table for them.
Dulce was just pleased to see the two of them unhurt, joining the conversation. "Perhaps we could spend the day here so clothes can be arranged for anyone who would like them?" He offered generously, although it wasn't his money or labor paying for the clothes.
Rochefort glanced at the Demons, who were grudgingly satisfied by this arrangement, not at all regretting it. This way, he could have Lord Montesserrat in his debt.
"I would be honored to have you extend your stay," He said generously, "I'll have proper tailors come in from town..."
Dulce frowned, worried about their identity. "There's no reason to go to such lengths, your servants did a really nice job."
"Oh, but I insist," Rochefort said with a smile, leaning closer.
Ruoxi pulled Dulce closer to him, smiling so much it had to hurt. "Then we will have to trouble you, Lord Rochefort." He said smoothly.
Rochefort straightened up, lowering his gaze to the silver goblets on the table. That had gone exactly how he predicted it, it may very well be easy to gain access to Lord Montesserrat by utilizing his Demons.
Dulce was the first to dig in, it was dinner, and they were supposed to be eating. Fine cuisine such as this was a rarity for him now.
The only two startled by this were the two seated on either side of him. Ruoxi had been completely unaware that the Vampire could have normal sustenance. It also brought about the realization that Dulce had been walking around unharmed by the sun.
Rochefort had heard of it, but he had never seen it for himself. He watched with envy, deep-seated in his red eyes, what he wouldn't give to taste food again. It was craving as strong as feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin again.
Asael dug in, never one to pass up food. Kath'tan did the same, resigned to doing whatever he needed to survive.
It had just been a week, yet it felt far longer to Kath'tan, timeless. He had begun to forget the role he was delegated to play in Threnval; things like fighting to build his reputation while chasing his father's approval, amidst his brothers' sabotaging him, had begun to lose their meaning.
Ruoxi didn't eat, he stirred the unfamiliar meal around on his plate, his head lowered to hide the anguish in his eyes.
Cubi could eat, but in captivity, they were often starved of food to leave them dependent on their captor.
"If the food is too strong for your taste, maybe try a fruit." Dulce's quiet voice broke him out of his thoughts, offering him a deeply red fruit.
Ruoxi straightened up and took the fruit, staring at it intently. It was so red it felt like it would bleed if he bit into it, but he didn't bite down, content to fiddle with it in his hands.