Roland lets Casey and Cruz have their humbugs, contented with the scene of two loved ones spending time together. “I'll never demand it of you both, but a little distraction can be fun. I will foist sweets on you, though.” He gives Cruz a quick little brush of his thumb when en squeezes his hand, delight visible in his posture. When Cruz describes their new lodgings, he stifles a small laugh imagining Cruz gently returning a stormy eyed person from the bath to en’s front door. “I would imagine Bellatriz would keep them out, but she might think it’s too funny to not let one in.” He stands up, heading to the kitchen. “Glad you asked, because they should be about perfect.” He returns with a cup of tea for Cruz, along with a tray of small teacakes, the scent of cherry mixed in with them. “I wanted to make something with a bit more fruit, but I’d used most of them after my last outing. Still, I had enough for these little ones.” Each teacake has a bright cherry in the center, some already staining the cake around them. “Have a couple,” Roland says, picking one up and leaving it within grabbing distance of Cruz, while Jasper looks at Casey like he hasn’t seen food in his entire life.
“I feel like at least at the Royal Beth, wayward patrons are mostly harmless,” Casey says, leaning over to scratch Jasper behind the ears. “Knowing a tiger is inhabiting your quarters though will get word to spread quickly that you’d be best left alone.” They nick a teacake off of the tray and brake a small corner off, sneaking it to Jasper when Roland isn’t looking, and then take a bite.
“Also nothing a good tightening of the locks on the door couldn’t fix either,” They add after finishing their bite. “Admittedly I’m a bit particular about that, even with how much safer it is here than other places I’ve lived, but still... sometimes a bit of extra caution really can’t harm.”
"Cheer in winter is something like an act of war upon the cold, I think, and for spite alone I respect it," Cruz begins, thanking Roland as the cakes and tea comes out -- en loses their train of thought after that, though. Cherries. Cruz's mouth waters just to look at them. En takes a scone off the plate, and, never one to save the treat for last, en does pluck the cherry on top out with ens teeth, syrupy and treacle-sweet and still warm. A grateful sip of tea. It doesn't feel like something en deserves. En is struck again with the feeling of being a trespasser in ens own skin.
Thankfully, conversation doesn't allow en to dwell on the notion.
Cruz catches the little smuggling operation Casey has undergone and winks conspiratorially over the brim of ens teacup, setting it back on the table. Though for them it appears an especially purposeful blink. "I will be tightening the locks, I think. If simply because it would be troublesome with the management if Bellatriz were to eat an unexpected visitor while I was away." Cruz's lip quirks amused, but it's not really a joke. "I don't blame you. I was having a hard time choosing lodgings that didn't seem like they painted a target on my forehead. The spires, while secure, are... awfully visible for my own taste."
Once again, if Roland has seen anything, he hasn’t said a word. Or he has, and that’s why his own little corner of snack has been quietly placed for Jasper to find. “A few good locks will avoid anything you’ll have to fill out a form over.” He thinks about the most secure locations, the Bazaar included, and nods in agreement. “As for the spires, I’m not sure. If the *Bazaar* wants you dead, it’s certainly unsafe. One of the Cu-- the Masters wanting you gone... it’s hard to tell if they can defy it.” He doesn’t push the line of questioning much further, satisfied that no sigil forms to blast his face to ash, and that Mr Veils hasn’t flown in through the window to eat him. “Regardless, a few unusual people will be far less stressful for a publisher than any serious information.” He has taken note of Cruz’s slight discomfort, but there’s something about it that he can’t place. It doesn’t appear directed at anyone or anything, and he’s not sure if pushing that would help. Instead, he scoots his chair closer to theirs. “Those topics are a bit more heavy for a simple night over, though. Cruz, I know you’ve got your Christmas Eve traditions, but would you like to visit come morning? I’d prefer you get at least some sleep if you were staying out to the midnight hour.”
