Snow had poured from the skies in Sebastian's absence. The grounds were familiar with the season, but it had been years since he had been able to see the property that had been under the Steele name for generations. From his sole ownership, the Dominant had only lived at his own residence for little less than three years before beginning his time at two different Academies that were as far from the estate as possible. To ones that only knew him as an orphan, the suspicion that his distance served as an emotional barrier, something that would prevent him from reliving memories and heartache. In reality, recollections of his beginning were clearly thought of instead of avoided, planning each step ahead of him so he could wind up exactly where he stood at this moment.
The brick exterior faced the gray clouds that shielded the late sun from its frigid work. Seasoned in the white flakes, Steele Plantation was drenched in white, the color that was known for purity to most while serving as mourning for those in the culture the raven-haired man was fond of.
Black eyes gave no attention to the slave behind him, greeting him only with silence as the gaze continued to penetrate through the glass before him, taking in the details outside with an unyielding mind towards his thoughts. A long moment passed, daring the other to continue without instruction until the unspoken offer was accepted.
"Ms. Stoddart has received her dress for dinner as you requested," the male's voice continued softly. "Would you want the table to be set now, Sir?"
The cigarette between the fingers rivaled the alabaster coloring of the paper it was made of as it reached for his mouth simply. With a solitary intake, the tobacco his land was infamous for etched a new layer in his organs before withdrawing from his lips. "If a single chip of porcelain is seen on that table," his throaty voice expressed calmly, "your pancreas will be served on it." Tipping the head back imperceptibly, smoke streamed out easily. "Don't wet my appetite."
Without turning around, the reflection of the older man was seen in the glass, watching from the peripheral vision how his body shifted before nodding. "Yes, Sir," he spoke before biting his lip lightly, bowing with a final parting of sentiment that was discarded, leaving his owner to wait for Angela's arrival with another cancerous breath.