Sssssssip.

'Twould not be much longer until the cup Zynisch siphoned from was drained of its contents; when it was, he politely set the cup on the saucer upon which it was brought. Without delay did his attendant appropriate the saucer and return to the kitchenette he'd erected to facilitate her ability to cook and clean at her whim. Elle never ceased to amaze him with her particular level of expertise when it came to tea. She always had knack for teasing out just enough mint to match his degree emotional duress during his work. It was almost like she could sense his feelings a tad too intimately. The numerous, paranoia-drawn thoughts pervaded his mind as he thumbed through the roster of students that Crios had on file, a pair of digits rising to soothe his temple with a minor massage.

Truth be told, he was having a difficult time deciding who next he would take on as a proper challenge to teach. The private nature of his instruction meant he'd some leeway in the selection process; however, that just made it all the more troublesome. His was an inquiring and ultimately interest-centric mind. There were a plethora of gifted, willing pupils to examine; however, the more he did so, the less intrigued by them he became. Oft had he wondered as to whether such was a trait bestowed upon him by his tenure as Enigma or if he'd always been that way.

"Hmm....That one's far too skilled to need my help....That one's got a bit too much of a reckless streak in him. That one is literally a fairy, and as interesting as that might be....I've dealt with enough chaos in my life to satisfy several prison sentences."

"You seem exceptionally troubled yet again, Milord," spoke the ever-observant maidservant as she returned with another pot, cup, and saucer atop a moderately-size tray. Additionally, a plate of freshly baked cookies were situated upon the arrangement as well, leading the Swordmage to question just how long she'd been spending in that space of hers.

"Whilst I admire your fervor, you do realize that I don't require sustenance. This body may process it, but I will never expire from hunger," he challenged once she had set the tray down. Nevertheless, the man would reach for both cup and cookie out of habit and respect for her tireless efforts to please him. Returning to the student record he'd been given, he observed the guise of a woman with green hair that he'd sworn he'd seen before. Narrowing those luminous spheres, Zynisch adjusted the glasses he didn't need upon the bridge of his nose in curiosity. Looks as though someone managed to acquire his attention.

"....Lesinda Loa Silverblood-Chazore-Helston....Goodness, was that a mouthful. Let's see...Guidance Counselor....Mhmm. Lives in Vampire House. So, she's a Kindred" Huh....Wait. Silverblood"! Chazore"! ...and Andu mentioned this Helston person once before. So, she's related to Arthour" How have I not met this one before?" In a fit of anxiety, he would slam a hand upon his desk and fix his gaze upon the woman he'd just playfully admonished. Whilst aware of his brazen actions, he was not wont to apologize for them until after his habitual officiousness had been properly excised.

"Hm-hm. As you wish, Lord Lucis. I will request that she meet with you here in your quarters. Please await our arrival." That having been said, she adjusted her garments as best she could, perhaps even slipping out of the apron she'd been baking in so that she might look presentable to her master's addressee. Regardless, she would soon vacate the office, a mystified Zynisch looking on for a moment.

Now left to slouch into the back of his chair and tap at his temple in solitude, he would regard the doorway with an uneasy glare. "...Lesinda....Hmm. Why does that name ring so many bells when I don't believe we've ever met?"

"Mi'lord! I've returned with your person of interest!"

"Good, good. Prompt as I'd expect from you, Elle. See her inside."

As they entered, the woman was swift in her attempts to quiet the vampiress's myriad worries with a soft smile befitting of the maidservant to a generally kind individual. Were she permitted to do so, Lesinda would find one of Elle's palms placed upon her shoulder with great care and measured pace.

"Now, now....Do not fret. The Master is a troubled, but friendly soul. Even so, I'd advise good word choice nonetheless. He's a tad particular about....Oh, what did he call it' Eloquence" Just be mindful," she finally remarked as she gestured for her to step past the entryway hall to the office proper. As she made her way, the green-haired girl would find herself beset on virtually all sides with bookcases and couches, albeit situated around the centerpiece that was the desk behind which he was poised. Clad in silken linens, the rather young-looking teacher would raise his nose from the tome he'd been perusing to look upon Lesinda with intense orbs.

"...At last, I'm able to meet with you on my own terms. Have a seat," a work-weary Lucis muttered as he gestured to the rather posh chair on the other side of his desk. Though his tone lacked the vibrancy of others she might have encountered from their shared kin; however, there was a tender sort of warmth to be gleaned therein....a fondness. Nay, perhaps a yearning" "...Before we go any further with this, I must ask....I'm not typically wont to trouble her for it, but should my faithful attendant deem it amiable, would you like to speak over a pot of hot tea and a tray of biscuits, perhaps? Oh, erm....I promise there's no garlic in our stores. Perfectly safe. Mmhm."

Dear gods, Zynisch.

In the wake of her insistence, his countenance softened. Though she might not realize it herself, he was just as perplexed by her presence as she was of his. Even so, he would remain steadfast....This was merely an administrative meeting, no' So, then....why was he so bloody nervous" Unbeknownst to himself, his awkwardness was beginning to manifest in his subconscious meddling with the thick braid that Izumi had woven his newly elongated, indigo strands into. Couple that with the quietly frantic perusal of her student records and you've got one case of neurotic professor at the ready.

"Hmm' Oh! Y-yes, right. The reason for bringing you in. You're not in trouble or anything. I merely wished to see you with mine own eyes."

After a momentary bit of blank staring, he would clutch the midway point of the aforementioned braid extremely tightly. What a loathsome turn of phrase that was. Try again, Zynisch. You're more professional than that. Whatever you do, don't let her get the wrong idea.

"I erm....Sorry. Please don't misunderstand my meaning. I was merely taking a look at your file, and I was quite impressed with your achievements. ...I also managed to run into something that had me curious. Tell me this..." he trailed off, pressing a heavy palm upon his desk after banished the bits of parchment he'd collected upon his desk to its requisite, magicked storage.

"...What association do you have with the Silverbloods" Namely, one Arthour Chazore-Silverblood....Who are you to that man?"

"Your....your mother and father" ...Then, that must mean... Though he trailed off, it was clear there was something a-working in that peculiarly blue-draped noggin of his. Raising a hesitant finger to his lips, he considered the possibility.

"...To think they took in another, and didn't even bother mentioning me" Hmph. It just goes to show that not everyone can be as special as that self-righteous fool. I would only expect my little brother not to speak of his kin to his progeny....but Mai, as well?" he muttered audibly enough for anyone to hear. Elle, in particular, glanced up from her position, curious as to the reason her master was suddenly behaving like a spurned child.

So, the fact that he was brother to both of them meant that Lesinda could feasibly refer to the nutty professor as Uncle if she so chose, then"

"Bah, but enough about that nonsense. It's always a pleasure to see new faces from family. I am wholeheartedly surprised we've never been acquainted before, my precious little one. ...Erm. Pardon my sentimentality. In any case, that wasn't the only reason I summoned you here. In truth, I was curious as to whether or not your stay at Crios was going well. Is there anything you need" Is there something you have yet to fully comprehend" Are you making a lot of friends?" Oh, gods....He was losing control of himself again. Poor dear. Elle let out a chuckle at his adorably awkward antics all the while.