milliways_bar | (no subject)

"No . . ."

James scowls, unconsciously, but adds, "He didn't want to worry anyone."

"Well, I'm sure he thought it was the noble thing to do. But it might have been better had he exhibited a little more trust. You're his older brother after all; you would have helped him keep it a secret, I'm sure. If any one in your family had suspected something you could have helped him come up with the clever answers in response to their questions. Or, at the least, you would have been there to stand beside him had they not believed you."

The Rider gives a bit of sigh. "Will is young, though, mind; he does not always make the wisest decisions."

James is so easy to manipulate.

"I wish Will thought the way you do," he says glumly, and then starts. "You won't be telling Dad about this, will you? Not that I'd mind, but -"

"Will is young," the Rider responds sympathetically.

The Rider's lips twitch at James's question--towards a smirk or scowl, whose to say? Whatever it is, he manages to keep it from fully manifesting itself.

"No, I won't tell your father. I am afraid that I am not, and haven't been for awhile, in a situation that would allow me to leave the bar and see him. A shame, really. Your father was delightful to do business with."

"I'll make sure to convey your respects," James says politely. "I know he'd be pleased to hear from you."

*And, ever so conveniently, here is Will, coming across the bar towards them.*

*Looking very amiable and polite, oh yes.*

"Ah, yes, be sure to give your parents my regards. They are lovely people, indeed."

He turns his head ever-so-slightly to see Will coming towards them. The Rider smiles at him politely.

"Good evening," he says calmly, if rather coolly.

"Hullo, Will," James says cheerfully. "Looks like I got here before you, this time."

*amiably* Hullo, James. Mr Aphelise.

So you did.

"It's so lovely to see more of your family in the bar. We were just speaking of your wonderful parents."

Smile of the not-so-charming kind, but neither is it unpleasant.

"Mr. Aphelise?"

James looks puzzled.

The Rider smiles down at James and responds without batting an eye.

~~"It's my name on the internet."~~

"Ah, yes. I am a man of many names, James. I do go by Aphelise in this bar." He adds ruefully, "I'm afraid it comes with my job."

*Will blinks, looking rather puzzled.*

I thought you were a diamond dealer? They mostly don't need aliases, do they?

"I don't think so," agrees James, pleased to see that Will is Just As Puzzled As He Is.

"Mostly," the Rider ~~gasp~~ agrees blandly with Will.

*Will continues to look politely curious.*

James looks really remarkably like Will.

Damn that Stanton family resemblance.

The Rider looks back at them blandly still.

"We all have our little secrets, don't we, Will?"

Very polite, he is.

*He shrugs, still puzzled but politely agreeing.*

I suppose. Shall I call you Mr Aphelise or Mr Mitothin, then?

He is smiling back just as politely.

"I suppose Aphelise would be best, since that is how I was introduced to most people in the bar."

"Does our father know about all your aliases?" James asks, rather curiously.

"No," the Rider says cheerfully enough. "It's rather an important part in having aliases," he adds kindly.

*slightly dubiously* All right.

*politely changing the subject* How goes your business, then?

The Rider's smile falters for a fraction of a second.

"It's a bit down, actually," he recovers smoothly. "Fortunately, however, I am presently taking a holiday, so it works out rather...nicely."

His smile becomes slightly more strained by the end of his reply.

James' brow furrows.

"Wait, I thought you couldn't leave? That's not much of a holiday, is it?"