Chapter Text
It's soothing, he's found, working for Them.
The odd pair of men who own the manor are young, and possibly affair partners, though he could never tell, and does not care to know. They look younger, now, than he does, though he knows that his father was previously employed by Them until his sudden death, leaving him in Their care when he was a young man. But the years were kind to him, and the 26 years after his father's death when he was 12 only show on his body as perhaps 10, if he was feeling particularly critical.
The elder of the pair was a changeable man of odd colouring; his skin and hair near to the same pale shade, though his hair was perfectly white, and cold red eyes as bright and ever-present as the moon's glow. He wore his straight hair relatively short, though longer than would be acceptable if he weren't very clearly of the level of nobility that would bear no scrutiny under threat of terrible repercussion. It was this man, Lord Scott, who had been insistent on raising him, and that he was addressed as "father".
The younger, Lord Owen, had taken little interest in his upbringing. His equally pale hair, however, was as long as one might expect of a woman, and as curly as a pig's tail, and his skin darker and ashen, with eyes which burned fiery hot through your very being when he deigned to look upon you and were the boiling red of flames to match.
If he were anyone else, if he'd been raised any differently, perhaps he would have left Their employ as soon as was polite. But as it were, Abolish Veylocke Goldsmith was content to serve his odd masters, in whichever way They asked. Because They always asked, They had never once needed to order him or make demands, though Lord Owen's tone when he asked would often sound to others as though he did nothing but make demands, and Lord Scott would always phrase his requests as orders in outside company.
It is in the middle of serving his masters lunch that he comes. A sudden halt of all movement from Lords Owen and Scott as they seem to hear something too faint for his own ears is all the signal he needs. Who on earth would be calling in the middle of the night, Abolish has no idea, but he knows it's relevance is minimal as he finishes pouring Lord Scott's wine before hurriedly leaving to answer the door. The small man on the other side of the door is ushered into the entry hall posthaste. The local wolf packs never cross over the bridge, but this late at night, this is the customary excuse he is meant to give unexpected guests.
"I'm so sorry to disturb you, sir. I've been travelling all day and I'm afraid I've gotten quite lost. Would your master be willing to allow me to spend the night?" The young man was visibly weak and weary from travelling, and his brown hair had leaves and twigs through it, as though he had lost the path several times and wandered into the denser parts of the surrounding woods. His orchid-blue eyes were shadowed and nervous. Such an innocent boy he must be.
"Ah, well you've arrived about in time for dinner, and lost souls find their way here often." He said, taking the traveller's heavy satchel and coat to put up, "If you'd give me your name, young sir, I can direct you to a place you can wash up while I inform my Masters of your presence and get a place set for you at the table. Not to put too fine a point on it, but you look like a good supper would do you quite some good." Already leading the visitor towards the cloakroom, Abolish wondered if this guest would be one of the few one of Them selected to have stay to visit a while before suddenly disappearing to "continue on their way", or if this man would be lucky enough to leave in the morning.
"Ah- Jack Von Pyroscythe, sir. Dinner would be most welcome, though I wouldn't want to put too much strain on the staff if a guest would prove too strenuous for the hour," the newcomer, Mr Von Pyroscythe, meandered.
"Nonsense, the manor may be large, but its residents number few. I'm sure my masters will appreciate the company for the night," he said, before indicating to a bell pull just outside the door.
"When you've finished, ring for me, and I will take you to the dining room. It is imperative that you remain here until I come get you. These halls can be quite confusing late at night and I would hate for you to get turned around." He did not wait for a response, leaving the guest to his business to inform his masters.