⋯✧・♪♫♪・✧⋯ The way his face lights when he steps in the room is as unsettling as it always is and it's more that this man has always been a little too close to them for comfort to allow that look to do anything short of making his skin crawl. He was far too close to Helakan and he was far too close to Setä Huippu and Täti Hiekka too. Way too close and he still holds beliefs to this day that he had something to do with it.
But that's not why he's here and that's something he just remains quiet about to this day. No one listened to them then, so no one would listen to them now.
"Sitriini, to what pleasure do I owe for your appearance?"
And he can't say he likes the tone in his voice. It's far too familiar and he has always always ALWAYS hated it when he uses his first name. He never gave him permission to do that and quite frankly he doesn't give a damn about his station. It doesn't absolve him of the very basic cultural rules.
It's a half snarl from the symphony as he stops before the preacher's desk with one hand on his hip as he glares forward.
"What about the prince? You don't seem very happy."
"Why would I be happy to hear about how you've been treating my nephew? Do not forget - "
"He's more like a first cousin once removed. You know you and Aurinko aren't actually brothers. Don't be silly now, Sitriini."
The growl that rumbles up from the back of his throat is entirely involuntary and he just finds himself doing it as his arms raise to cross over his chest.
"Pissing me off at the start isn't good way to take this Sumu."
He watches as the Silver Fog straightens his back in his chair and motions to the one in front of his desk.
"Forgive me. I know how close you and His Majesty are. Sit down, tell me what's on your mind."
"Sielu said that he can't handle this himself, implying that you banned a royal Soul Bind from the Church. He said the way you treat Pilvi is horrible and that you've been rude to his prime. You know can't ban a Soul Bind from entering the Church of all places, right?"
"Well His Majesty has asked that I do not enter the palace unannounced, I can ask the same of a Soul Bind - can't I?"
"One that's entirely different. You got banned from the palace because you spoke out of line about Setä and Täti. Two, you can't stop a Soul Bind from bringing you issues in concerns to their Liege."
"Shouldn't he process them through Tulet first anyways?"
"He can't process anything through Revon if part of the concerns are about Revon. Sielu said you were being colorist to him and I swear that better not be the case."
There is a sigh from the older man as he listens and then folds his hands in front of himself with his head dropping ever so slightly.
"I understand you're upset, Sitriini but you have always been one with a fiery temper ever since you were a boy. Take a deep breath for a moment and we can have some tea and talk this out like men. If you're all riled up, we're never going to understand each other."
He finds himself half leaning forward in the chair he was sitting in to growl a little at the mention of his own anger before he's sitting back and taking in a deep breath. He watches as the elder man calls for one of his attendants and asks for some Star Flower Tea to be brought for them.
"It's your favorite, right?" He asks and he swears there is a smile behind his mask as he watches deep blue eyes soften.
"You and Sielu are close, right? Good friends? I don't know him very well since I'm not at the palace every day but there had to be a reason that His Majesty picked him to teach the prince, isn't there? What do you think?"
And it feels like a trap. It feels like a trap to bring down his walls and he hates how fast it works. Sielu is - the fastest way to ease his anger and he just can't bring himself to hold on to any kind of flame when he lets that man's waters surround him. He can already feel the blush creeping into his cheeks as he thinks about him.
He was just trying to see how many animal shaped erasers he could balance on his nose this morning and even if everyone else would see him as a clown, he knows better. He has always found his silly little antics endearing.
"Friends, Joo. He's my best friend." He starts as he finds his hands lacing together to have his fingers push and pull at themselves while he thinks of blue. While he lets his whole mind fill to the brim with the color.
"Oh I see. It's quite serious then? I had no idea. Tell me about him."
"He's brilliant. He's dangerously intelligent - like Valo is but in other ways. He's silly and fun and a bit of a clown. He knows how to make me laugh and I love his jokes. He's the most brilliant musician I have ever met. Truly, he's been blessed by Lord Haya. He plays cello and his voice - " there is a dreamy sigh as he pauses. "- he sounds just like a Mist Dragon when he sings."
"I see. He sounds like quite the catch."
And there are eyes on him, practically watching his hand as he reaches for the cup of tea that was sat down in front of him. He's bringing it to his lips and he can't deny how good it tastes and there is a small hum of contentment as he takes a sip. It's - it's sweetened with just a bit too much sugar - just the way he's always liked it when it makes the whole cup transform into some kind of liquid candy.
It would be a waste to just let it sit there. It would be a waste to not drink it all. So there is a second drink and then a third and soon he finds himself relaxing from the heat of it all. His phone is ringing and he doesn't know why. It's past his hour, so he doesn't have any where to be today.
He's sliding it out of his pocket to see Kummisetä's number bright on the screen but as he moves to answer it -
"It can wait, can't it Sitriini? I think what we're talking about it much more important and I never get to see you. Things have been going well for you then - " The elder man asks, smiling as he watches the Symphony merely turn his phone over and place it face down on the desk in front of him.
"Joo I - " He pauses for a moment as he tries to think. His head is a bit fuzzy and he's trying to remember what they were talking about. " - Sielu wasn't it? He - Ei - he hates the church - he wouldn't want to come here."
"Oh? Why's that - what has he said - "
And he doesn't know if the likes the tone of the other's voice so he take a moment to drink more of his tea in the hopes it will clear his head so he can think a little better.
" - He thinks you're an idiot. He hates you. All of Pilvi's binds do. They hate how you treat him - " He's pausing again to take yet another drink of his tea as he shakes his head again hoping it will help him think.
"I - I'm sure they don't understand. The boy tends to overexaggerate. You know that as well as I do."
"I - joo. You're right. He can get really wound up for no reason... "
"Oh um - Kummisetä - I should - "
" - He can wait. It's not like he's your actual father. We should talk more about Sielu - Don't you think you deserve someone a little better - who doesn't hate the church?"
"He doesn't hate the church - he hates you."
"I see. That's almost the same thing though isn't it?"
He's taking a few more drinks of his tea to help clear his head but it's getting so hard to focus - he finds himself rubbing at his eyes trying to see it will help clear everything up.
"Ei I - what were you saying?"
"That you're going to find someone much better for you than Sielu. You shouldn't have someone so negative around you Sitriini. You should be focused on your work - "
"I - really? That doesn't seem quite right."
"My dear boy, I think you're confused - perhaps you just need a moment to rest. You should go back to the palace and get some sleep, Sitriini. I'll - see you soon, okei?"
He's nodding but it feels weird to stand and even weirder walking. Everything is wobbly and unsteady and flying is a beast to accomplish right now. He feels like he's almost forgotten how to do it - and right when he feels himself wobble in the sky strong arms are steadying him only to scoop him up entirely and carry him back to the palace himself.
"I've got you kiddo." The voice comes and he knows the deep rumble of the shadow's voice when he hears it. For now- it's safe. Varjo will put him to bed he's sure. He can sleep until they get back home.