watching.

Their initial instinct was to duck out of the room once they had set the tea down, but Jonah’s request stopped them. “O-oh, uh…I’m Avery, sir.” They clasped their hands in front of them. “And you’re welcome for the tea.”

They knew full well that it wouldn’t be wise to just go around touching things, but they can’t help but be enamored by the study. They hadn’t been in it before, and though they hadn’t been able to read many books before now, they suddenly itched to read any of them.

He probably wouldn’t want them to do that, though. So Avery simply turned to the bookcase closest to them, idly admiring the spines. “What are all of these books about, anyway?”

-—❧ He fixes them with a smile. It almost lit up the room. His eyes follow theirs, and then he looks vaguely spaced out as he picks up on their desire to read the books upon the shelves. He sips his tea as they watch the spines, and then he puts down the cup on the desk and slides off.

Their frantic heartbeat slowed a little, and they let go of his hand once they were steady. “Oh, well…” They laughed halfheartedly. “I didn’t see much of the previous Mistress, either. Most of my duties are more ‘behind the scenes’ than anything, so that could be why.”

Avery took another deep breath, trying to calm themself. They didn’t want to put him in more distress. “Okay. I’ll go throw these away first, and then I can get changed and get you tea.” After giving him a small bow, they headed off to the kitchen to dispose of the broken dishes.

Once they had changed and had a new cup with them, they walked up and into his study. They bowed again after setting it on the side of his desk. “I have your tea now, Master Jonah.”

-—❧ That wasn’t what he meant, but he didn’t bother trying to correct them. Even if he’d gotten over this months ago, it still stung how fast they replaced him with the most senior footman and then hired a maid in place. 

He focused his gaze back on Avery when they spoke again. He nods, bowing his head, and then walking in the opposite direction to his room so he could change his clothes and leave them in the room to be found and washed. He changed into more relaxed emerald pants and vest with a loose and silky white shirt beneath it. 

He was sitting behind his desk, writing in a large book when they entered. He carefully shut the book and smiled at them, standing up and walking around to sit atop the desk. He takes their tea from the corner and lifts it to his lips, taking a sip to taste, and he hums. 

It was hard for Avery to focus, now that they were employed under Jonah. They’d been so stressed before, always trying to figure out when their next meal would be, or if they could find somewhere to sleep without being attacked. And now, when they had a warm room in the estate and the cooks more than willing to make them food at the end of the day, well. Falling into a haze should’ve been expected.

Of course, that didn’t mean it was okay. Case in point, their ramming into Jonah and spilling his own tea all over them. Their mind immediately went into panic mode, and they dropped to the floor to pick up the now broken dishes. “I-I…I don’t know, god, Master Jonah, I’m so sorry…”

They knew deep down that he wouldn’t be unreasonably upset at them, but they didn’t want to wind up in the streets again. Apologizing was the least they could do. Their hands shook as they gathered the broken pieces, but they took his hand and pulled themself back up. “Please, is there anything I could do to make up for this? I could get a new cup of tea, or get you some clean clothes, or…anything, really.”

-—❧ He seems startled, and then a brief, dark thought crossed his mind. What had happened that he’d gotten fired in the first place? This exact situation. Watching them apologise over and over made his mind ring and it was dizzying. He touches his forehead for a second, his eyebrows furrowed, before he speaks rather sharply.

❝ It’s! Fine, it’s... fine, really, you can stop apologising it’s... ❞ He stared at his sodden clothes, and then shakes his head. He has a feeling that they wouldn’t forgive themselves unless he said... something. 

After Laughter Sentence Starters

-—❧ Jonah turned his head to face Mike as the words leave his mouth. His earring jangles before settling easily against his jaw. 

Mike and his (new) family had been invited over for the afternoon to talk over tea, but Jonah had hung back from the socializing, merely for a few moments to gather his bearings. He leans against the frame of the doorway, facing the vast avatar completely now, taking in the lichtenberg scars and the eddies of all the other entities that swamped his form.

Lights Out Sentence Starters

-—❧ He chuckled, gaze sliding to hers. His irises gleamed threateningly, the mystic gold swirling like molten gold, casting a glow despite how well-lit his office was.

Atem looked down at the name tag clipped to the right strap of his apron. His name was written in a lovely cream color on the baby pink plastic. He opened his mouth to say something before his jaw shut with a small click. Slowly, very slowly, his cheeks turned an embarrassed shade of red. A soft “aha..” escaped the bakery worker as he lifted a bashful hand to rub at the back of his neck. 

“My name tag- I completely forgot that was there! Oh gods you probably think I’m an idiot, don’t you? Well you’re not wrong but-” Atem waved his hands wildly all at once, almost as if he were trying to wave away the cloud of awkwardness that fogged over them. “Merit?” He snorted slightly at the idea of the accusations being true, “If you believe that they’re right then I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you what the hell you’re on because I want some.” The man laughed, shoulders bouncing and smile nearly blinding. The sound of his chuckling bounced off the empty walls of the bakery, deep and rich like melted chocolate. 

He watched the peculiar customer begin to leave, shoulders slumping as he glanced to the clock. There was only thirty minutes left of his shift. Maybe… 

“Hey, hey, hey!” Atem called out suddenly, planting his hands on the counter and trying to dramatically leap over it. The maneuver only worked half way through and Atem ended awkwardly sliding halfway before stopping. He paused before awkwardly scooting the rest of the way off, landing on unsteady feet and wobbling slightly. Once the bakery worker collected himself, he planted his hands on his hips and grinned widely. “You seem like a rather interesting fella and I’m bored as hell! How about I come with you, huh? Not to toot my own horn but I think you’re diggin’ my amazing personality, so why don’t I just continue to keep you company?” 

-—❧ Elias was merely amused. For once he hadn’t used his very special ability and still he drew a baffled reaction from the person. He almost rolls his eyes as Atem begins to attempt to explain himself, excusing his actions as merely those of a fool. He furthermore doesn’t really pay attention to the dismissal of his opinion, only responding shortly.

❝ Well, I never rule anything out. ❞ 

Elias halts in his tracks when the man tells him to stop. With his back still turned to Atem as he attempts and fails to vault over the counter, he rolls his eyes for real this time. He turns and fixes Atem with a gentle smile, easily masking his distaste.  ❝ Whatever you like, but I am heading to back to work. ❞ 

He opens the door of the bakery and waits for Atem to exit, before he follows him out and begins to walk down the street, forcing himself to adopt a slower stride than usual because of how short Atem was. He opens his mouth to say something, something that probably would have been incredibly offenses, but he stops himself. No point in being needlessly cruel right then. But he also does nothing to spur forth any conversation.