Sit Back And Relax

[Pearce Lockheed]

Heather was the head housekeeper of Bright Hollow. She was quite aware of the goings on in her home away from home.

The cousin that Lord Lockheed had invited to stay hadn't surprised her. The dog, however, had. It was difficult to determine which of the two was more of a chore to clean up after.

Normally, as much as she observed, Heather didn't offer her own opinions. Lord Lockheed was always quietly accepting of her passive aggressive suggestions and she imagined he wouldn't think anything of her being a bit more forward. Which was why, while she didn't typically do such things, she had invited a young man over for the lord of the house to meet.

She had met him while out a few days ago. He had said something about being a doctor. Or well, perhaps not a doctor. Healer might be a better word. In her earnest to help her employer, she migjt not have paid quite so much attention to what sort of healing. But even if it was a bit...different, Master Amir seemed the nice sort. And that bird! She knew Lord Lockheed would like him. She hoped Amir might be able to help him feel better.

"Master Amir!" She greeted him in the foyer. She insisted on the title regardless. "Glad to see you found us alright," she said with a smile, gesturing for him to follow her. She had spoken of her employer a little, how anxious he was. "Lord Lockheed is taking air in the garden." It was a bit cold for that but the air was fresh. And she imagined it would suit the owl much better.

"My Lord?" Heather called as they exited the house. "This is Master Amir Barteau."

Pearce was sitting on the bench in the gardens, a heavy warm red sweater snug around him and Breeze curled up in his lap. He looked up as the pair approached and offered an uncertain but friendly smile. "Welcome. I would st-stand but I d-don't think I am allowed to move," he said with a few winces.

He hadn't slept well the last few nights and he hadn't taken any tea either. Hard to know yet whether that was a good idea but he disliked the consequences of having that around others.

[Amir Barteau]

This was a new Aralore. Very different from his last visit but still very similar. What was also different was being approached on behalf of someone else. Still, the woman seemed genuinely concerned for the man. Thr fact that she was so willing to help her employer at least spoke to the kind of this Lockheed fellow was.

Finding the manor wasn't a terrible trouble. Some of the guards gave him rather confused looks but didn't say much to him. Perhaps they were concerned about a stranger with a large bird coming onto the property. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Miss Heather." He stated with an easy smile.

Beau stayed perched calmly on the mans shoulder as they stepped outside. Amirs eyes wandered about the garden with a soft smile before landing on a man seated on a bench. "Please no need to stand on my account." He said with a warm and gentle smile. As the owl stretched it's wings a bit the man leaned down to see the cat on his lap. "And hello to you too, miss."

Amir stood again to introduce himself. "I'm Amir. This," he motioned to his owl who nuzzled his hand affectionately, "is my companion Beau. I understand you've been having a bit of a rough time."

[Pearce Lockheed]

He was immediately enamored with Beau even before Amir made introductions. The owl was quite gorgeous. Or handome or whatever one was to call a good looking owl. Pearce knew only a little about birds, certainly not enough to know what sort of owl Beau was but he liked the creatures immensely.

Breeze too seem to be interested in the winged beast on Amir's shoulder, staring up at him unblinking. She didn't move however, still rather attached to the warm cushion that was her person.

Pearce blushed slightly. He felt embarrassed for not standing but at least the other man seemed to understand.

"A p-pleasure. Your companion...suits you well, Amir. Please, have a seat?" He indicated the other side of the bench. The noble gave Heather a strange look as Amir mentioned 'rough time.' The servant didn't seem to notice and made herself scarce rather quickly. Likely to ensure refreshments were prepared indoors for if they had need. "Um...I s-suppose so. You're not another d-doctor, are you?" Heather had mentioned him meeting a friend of hers. But from her leaving and Amir's question, he had a feeling this was about something else.

Him. It was about him. He hated things about him.

[Amir Barteau]

As Amir took his seat the owl moved to wander curiously on the ground in front of him. "He's a sweet boy." Though it seemed Beau was a bit more interested in watching the feline than anything else.

When asked if he was a doctor Amir quickly shook his head. "Ah no. There won't be any poking or prodding." It wouldn't be the first time peoole were apprehensive after hearing his title. Not that he couldn't do some decent patch up work in a pinch. But taking care of physical wounds wasn't his area. "I'm a healer, of sorts." He started with a small chuckle.

"I take care of wounds that can't simply be wrapped or stitched up." As he spoke Amir pulled some treats out of a pouch in his hip. He offered them to Beau who took them greeidly with an excited chirp. "Have you been feeling anxious or not sleeping well?"

[Pearce Lockheed]

"This is Breeze, by the way. I...am not sure she has ever s-seen an owl so close before." The cat lounged like a queen on her throne, overlooking her subjects. But rather surprisingly, she didn't appear immediately hostile to Beau. Pearce wasn't sure what to make of that

No poking or prodding. Even just hearing the terms and what they suggested made him squirm. But it was good to hear. He wasn't comfortable being touched by strangers or asked to remove his clothes or told to do this or that so they could observe the result. He was relieved but then a little confused. Healer of...not simple but complicated injuries? Or diseases? The marquis mulled the man's words over for a long moment, unsure what he meant but didn't bother Amir by asking further.

He watched the bird accept the treats and of course Breeze sniffed after them as well. She was quite curious.

When the questions started he sighed. He appreciated that Heather wanted to help but he was used to feeling this way, he was fine. "Yes. I'm...almost always anxious," he said with a blush. Or stressed. He found it difficult to relax and accept things. His body never seemed to calm down even when he wanted to, his heartbeat racing or pounding. "I s-suspect Heather has told you I haven't slept well the last few nights..." If she had noticed, Zander certainly had and the redhead would go a lot further than his housekeeper. He dreaded the boy confronting him about it, already guilty about what happened to Briella.

[Amir Barteau]

It was fairly common for people to be uncomfortable talking about their problems. Most of the time it seemed people just took their constant and daily stress, sadness, or anxiety as apart of their lives. It seemed to be the case with the marquis as well. That was fine.

"Is there any particular reason for your anxiety? Troubles with work or family?" Those at least seemed to be the most common reasons. As the cat inspected the treats in his hand Amir chuckled and shook his head. "I don't think you'd be terribly interested in dried insects, miss." Still he held out what was left in his hand for Breeze to further inspect if she wanted.

If he was being honest Heather hadn't needed to tell him how bad Lord Lockheed had been sleeping. Amir could tell when he first saw him. That could be a sign of stress but it was often a sign of deeper problems. "We don't need to talk about anything you don't want to. I'm here to help you relax not to pry."

[Pearce Lockheed]

Pearce still wasn't entirely sure what Amir was supposed to help heal but he didn't press the subject. If it didn't involve being touched he was already more comfortable. He walked a strange tightrope with talking to new people. On one hand, he liked socializing and meeting new people and having friends. On the other, he struggled to feel entirely secure around new people. It depended on the setting and how many people and honestly the person themselves. Most of the time, he warmed up quickly.

Amir's easy going demeanor, engagement with animals, and the fact that he wasn't here to push something made Pearce feel a lot better.

"Uh, family, I s-suppose," he said quietly. He didn't have all that much work, at least not at the moment. Or not things he couldn't delegate to others. He was a teacher out of boredom and enjoyment, not need. He watched Breeze stiff the bird snack a bit longer and then pull back with a soft huff. She stood and kneaded his lap before jumping off with a meow and attempting a closer inspection of Beau. Pearce winced at her sharp claws poking him but it wasn't enough to hurt. "She is too curious for her own good," he murmured with a chuckle.

Pearce looked back up at the man. "I could do with more relaxatio... S-sorry, I don't share much even with my..." boyfriend, had been the word. He studied Amir a moment and then continued. "With my boyfriend. It's...I" he shrugged and let that thought go unfinished. Something. He probably should talk to Zander more but he disliked talking about himself just as much as the redhead did.

[Amir Barteau]

Amir listened patiently but couldn't help the soft giggle that left him as the cat turned her nose up at the treats. As he stepped to the ground Beau tilted his head in curiosity. His dark brown feathers puffed slightly as he hopped closer towards her. "Beau is also terribly curious."

He pulled his attention back to the marquis as he spoke and tilted his head a bit. Much like his feathered friend. While Amir didn't much care about a persons romantic choices he wasn't ignorant to the idea that there were people who found fault in it. "Does your family not approve of your boyfriend?" He asked more genuinely curious.

"Is there any particular reason you don't share much with him?" It also wasn't uncommon for people to not communicate things with their partner. Usually out of fear of their reactions. "Is your boyfriend hard to talk to?" Amir couldn't really relate to relationship troubles but they were something to be worked on nonetheless.

[Pearce Lockheed]

Breeze hissed softly at the owl as it came closer. It was more of a polite warning. She understood owls had talons and while she was a large house cat, if either creature wanted to fight, they could deal a lot of damage. As it was, she sat down, quite content to watch and let Beau come to her for now.

Pearce smiled faintly at how much the owner reflected his bird companion. This Amir was a strange soft spoken fellow. He wondered where Heather had met him.

He should have expected the question. And he did, but he was still suddenly nervous addressing such a thing to a stranger. "Ah, no, they...they don't." At least the ones that knew. Which was just Percival, though he got a lot of flak and some concern for not being married at all. It wasn't just because Zander was a man either. He hesitated to say more, not really trusting himself to make complete sentences.

Pearce swallowed and shrugged. "Not p-p...not really. He's easy to t-talk to. Doesn't always listen to reason but..." He trailed off, catching himself about to say more again only this time wondering why he felt compelled to say anything to the man.

Because these were questions that begged an answer but no one ever asked. He shouldn't need prompting to share, especially not with his boyfriend but he did. Because...well, because "I don't like attention," he said softly. He always worried he would be a problem or get the wrong kind of attention.

[Amir Barteau]

The hiss was enough to cause the owl to hop back. While Beau had taken down prey about as big as the cat he wasn't too keen on getting into that fight again. His human wasn't in danger and he certainly couldn't eat the feline. When she sat down he took to more cautiously moving towards her.

Hearing the marquis family wasn't approving of his lover wasn't by any means surprising. While he'd found Aralore a little more open minded there were still plenty of people who were still stuck in their ways. Especially those from higer class families. Still, he didn't say anything just yet. Simply listened as the man answered his questions. It was fairly obvious these weren't topics he was practiced in talking about.

Hearing his lover didn't often listen to reason made him chuckle a bit. "Is he a soldier?" From his experiece Soldiers tended to be more stubborn in their thought processes. Not often wanting to listen to rationality or reason. Especially when upset. Hearing the marquis didn't like attention though made him nod.

"You know I don't particularly like attention either. People in on their own are pretty unpredictable." Amir was far too aware with unpredictability not even just from his line of work.

"But not all attention is bad."

[Pearce Lockheed]

Breeze seemed to approve of the caution from the bird and as he drew nearer, stretched out her muzzle toward him to take in his scent and say hello.

Pearce didn't talk about a lot of things he should. If his family was a more open he might be able to. Then again, he wouldn't have these problems.

Pearce gave the man a confused look at the correct assumption. "I d-don't see how profession matters here." His cousin was an artist of sorts and he was stubborn. Come to think of it, so was he sometimes. The marquis supposed Zander's inclination toward violence and stubbornness lent itself to being a soldier.

"No, it's not," he agreed softly, though clearly from his lack of offering more information on any topic, he wasn't comfortable. "Where are you from, Master Amir?" He asked instead.

[Amir Barteau]

Beau sniffed the cat curiously before tilting his head again and moving around to get a full view of her. The comment on professions made Amir blink a bit then laugh softly. "Ah it's not I was just curious. I usually work with soldiers and your manor has a lot of..." He trailed off a bit to think of the right word.

"Playful but aggressive energry in it. You don't seem the aggressive type so I only assumed when you said he was stubborn." There was in fact a lot of different energy coming from the manor but it was less exhausting to simply focus on what was coming from the man next to him. When asked where he was from Amir thought for a moment then shrugged.

"Well I was born in Teronna but I like traveling. I never stay in one place long." The topic of travel in fact seemed easy enough.

"Were you from old Aralore? Have you visited anywhere else?" At least these questions were less personal. Something of a way to ease the marquis anxiety about too much attention.

[Pearce Lockheed]

Pearce wasn't sure what the man meant by energy, exactly. He caught himself looking around the garden. Playful and aggressive? Well, okay, Amir likely didn't mean the garden, but between the marble floors and fine drapes and plush rugs and soft upholstered furniture, and fine stonework tables, Pearce wasn't sure Bright Hollow was very playful or aggressive. Admittedly, he sort of would prefer it be a bit more playful. Imaginative might be a better word. The library was that way, but the rest of the house.

Still, he didn't understand so he didn't reply, merely smiled at Amir. He supposed the guy wasn't wrong. And besides, he lived with plenty of assumptions in his life, one more about his boyfriend that was right wouldn't hurt.

"Teronna is a lovely place," he said pleasantly, if noncommittally. "Ah, yes. My f-family traveled abroad in the years before the queen returned. I was educated in Tresteria and visited Teronna and Ithias once." Talking about travel was easy enough, as long as he didn't get too specific about the family part. He had enjoyed his family more in those years than others. Or at least, not disliked them so much.

[Amir Barteau]

Amir didn't entirely expect people to understand what he meant by energies. He also wasn't one to explain them unless someone directly asked. Talking about auras and energy that came from places and people and things was complicated without talking about his magic. Even then it could get rather confusing. He was a little relieved when the man didn't ask him what he meant.

As he spoke about study and travel Amir listened with an easy smile and nodded. Hearing someone call Teronna beautiful felt odd. Of course outwardly speaking the island itself was gorgeous but it was so scared with pain, hatred, confusion, and anger. "Have you thought about traveling anymore?" He asked with a small curious tilt of his head.

As Beau returned to his side Amir placed his hand down for the bird to run his head against his palm. "Perhaps you could visit Teronna with your lover."

[Pearce Lockheed]

"Not in a long time," he said regretfully. Pearce had been rather fond of sailing and exploring new places. Not for the places themselves, really, but doing so with people he cared about. It had been a pleasant distraction in his youth. He supposed it might be fun to do again if he ever found the time.

He blinked in surprise at the suggestion he go to Teronna with his 'lover.' Hearing that all in combination from a stranger without any malice or distaste was strange. Not unheard of, just...strange. "I expect Zander might like that, considering it's his homeland." He used the term 'like' loosely, considering he knew Zander's feelings about his past there and the present political climate. "Perhaps once things are...more accepting." If they ever were. Pearce knew very little about the war on magic besides that it had displaced many. While his experience with magic was very limited and mostly centered around Zander's, the marquis doubted magic itself was dangerous. It's use, and the power it afforded others certainly was, but any fool could mishandled any power.

Breeze continued to sit and watch for a while before fining herself bored. She purred her way through Pearce's legs, seeking attention and he absently reached down to scratch her chin.