Tour
A ripple of unease moved through the new recruits. Hearing someone call their boss with that nickname made their faces twist with complicated expressions. But Sulien only chuckled when he heard the name.
Although he was the one who sent him a note with the nickname on it, he didn’t think that Snow would actually address him as such, and he did that publicly as well. It was starting to feel like he was being teased by it. He looked Snow directly in his eyes and flicked ash off the cigar butt.
“So?” Sulien started. His eyes trailing on his coat which was draped snugly around the other. “What brings you here?”
Snow didn’t reply immediately. He just tugged down the straps of his bag and pulled his bag off his shoulder in one swift motion. He took out the black phone then held it out toward Sulien, giving it a little tap in the air as if to say take it already. Snow held it out bluntly with a simplicity that made the gesture almost curt.
“You left this with me,” he said.
The line could have sounded biting in another’s mouth. In his, it was merely factual. A return of lost property, nothing more.
Sulien rose from his lean and stepped forward, his presence filling the space like a tide. He took the phone slowly, fingers brushing deliberately against Snow’s for a fraction too long before withdrawing. He chuckled once more and placed the phone in his pockets without even looking at it.
“Is that it?” His tone was low. His gaze zoned in on Snow’s face, curious, as though genuinely puzzled if this was truly all he came for.
“That’s it. It was yours, not mine. I just came to return them.” Snow’s answer came flat. He slung his backpack over his shoulder again, tugging it to make sure it was securely in place. “And since I have, I’ll be on my way,” he said simply.
“What? You’re leaving already?”
Snow blinked at him. “I never planned to stay long.”
Sulien’s eyebrow twitched. He didn’t know why but he got strangely annoyed when he heard Snow. Still, he forced down the brewing annoyance and smiled at Snow. His lips curved further, smoke trailing as he drew once more on the cigar. He tilted his head, as though considering the boy in front of him. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he gestured toward the interior of the estate.
“Don’t be in such a hurry to leave. You came this far — at least see the place before you decide it wasn’t worth the trip.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Snow’s voice was even. He adjusted the strap of his bag again, gaze already flicking toward the door. “I only came to return what you forgot and left with me. That’s all.”
“Mm,” Sulien hummed, the sound was low and amused. He let the cigar roll between his fingers, ash falling to the ground. “You came all this way, and you’re content to walk out without even looking around? And here I thought you’d be more curious.” Sulien stepped forward, closing the small space between them. “Tell me,” his eyes sharpened, voice softening as if coaxing, “do you really have something more important waiting?”
The question hung in the air. Snow stilled, his lashes lowering slightly. For a moment, the silence stretched, his refusal balanced on the tip of his tongue. Then he sighed, sliding his hands into the coat pockets.
“Fine. I guess I can take a quick look around.”
Sulien’s smile stretched, like a wolf who had just stumbled upon a flock of sheep. That was victory enough. He flicked a glance at Grimm, wordlessly telling him to stay put, before extending his arm in a faintly mocking gesture, as though inviting a guest into his own parlour. “This way, then.”
Sulien turned without waiting for a reply, he flicked the last of his cigar into a nearby trash can as he led the way.
Grimm, as well as the rest of the men, stared at their backs as they walked deeper into the mansion.
Snow walked, hands buried in his pockets, eyes wandering with that detached calm that seemed to irritate more than it soothed.
The tour around the house was not what Snow had expected it to be. With the type of man he knew Sulien to be, he thought he would parade him through grand sitting rooms or show off wine cellars. But he didn’t. Instead, he chose his route carefully, as if already mapped out in his head.
The first hall they entered was lined with portraits. Men and women in oil paint, dressed in fine clothes according to past decades. Their eyes followed him as he walked past, at least, that was what it felt like. He hadn’t pegged Sulien as the sentimental type, well, certainly not the kind to display some portraits on the walls like some proud noble. And yet, here they hung, shadows strangers staring him down in silence.
Snow paused once, gaze lingering on a man painted with a glass of wine in one hand, a pistol in the other. He had a striking resemblance to the man in front of him, only older and seemed more experienced in life. The plaque beneath read Luthais Vexley. Then it dawned on him. Were these all…
Snow’s eyes flicked back to Sulien. “Your family?” Snow asked offhandedly but edged with curiosity.
Sulien glanced at the portrait, then at him. He smirked, tugging his cuffs straight. “Family is such a tedious word. But yes… they’re all mine, in blood if not in spirit.” His tone carried that lazy bite, dismissive yet sharp. “Why? Do you want a tour of the graveyard too?”
Snow’s lips curved faintly, not in kindness but in recognition of the deflection. It was a kill he had mastered all too well. “Hn. No need for that,” he said, eyes sweeping the portraits one more time before moving forward. “They look like the kind of people who’d rather haunt than rest.”
Sulien glanced at him then, a brief flash of amusement sparking in the grey of his eyes. “Careful. You talk like that, and they’ll come for you next.”
“Uh huh,” Snow hummed, smirking. Then slipped his hands deeper into his pockets.
The sound of Sulien’s low chuckle lingered in the hallway, carrying them forward.
The Author Has Something to Say
Sulien: Author, can you edit the part where I wrote “Sully” on that note? Don’t you think he’s abusing it a little too much?
Author: What? I thought you liked it when he calls you Sully.
Sulien: Well, now he’s spamming it.
XL: Come on, now, Sully. You should know better.
Sulien:…