Reginald walked Ryuji all the way to the other side of the house to his fathers study. They had walked in silence for most of the way which Ryuji only took to be a bad thing. Reginald was usually a very talkative elf; surprisingly, it existed in stark contrast to his stoicism. Why did they walk all the way instead of teleporting? It was a mystery to Ryuji. Maybe it was to build suspense. Maybe it was to make him think about what he had done…although he hadn't done anything. Even though he was aware he was getting the silent treatment and in his 70 years he had grown accustomed to silence, his little 6 year old body felt incredibly uncomfortable. No matter how much he tried to stop himself, he still couldn't fight the urge to say something to break the tension.
"How did you know where I was?" Ryuji asked. He said something, why did he say something? It was hard to control his mouth, he hated being a child.
"I have known about your hiding spot from the beginning, Allishtar," Reginald said.
Ryuji was in shock, how could he have known? He made sure that no one saw him each time he went to it. Was he omnipotent? Omnipresent? Could his magical power be beyond the prowess Ryuji believed? It was doubtful. It was more likely that the mind of a six year old didn't pay attention to things as well as it probably should.
"Why have you never stopped me from going there before?" Ryuji asked.
"I never had a reason to," Reginald replied, "you never snuck there to get away from your studies so I never had reason to intervene."
"And now you do?" Ryuji said, confused, "because my father asked for me. He has only called on me a few times to 'check-in'…this chat is much closer to the last time I saw him than the others though…there must be something he needs…" Ryuji thought out loud.
Reginald stopped and turned around to look down at Ryuji, "it will always astound me how you can be one of the most astute and immature individuals in the world. You appear wise beyond your years but then try to run away at the most inopportune moments. You truly are an enigma Allishtar."
Ryuji felt like a deer in headlights, did Reginald know something? He had to act fast to defuse the situation, "welcome to the life of a six year old," he ended up saying. It wasn't a great response but he felt it was good enough.
Reginald almost smiled a little but quickly put it away. He turned and continued to walk. They entered into a long polished wooden hallway with a beautiful carpet that led to a set of double doors. Ryuji knew it well, it was the only room he had ever seen William in before.
Reginald gestured to the end of the hallway, "I will wait here to escort you back to your wing when your discussion has concluded," Reginald said.
"Thanks Reggy," Ryuji said, reaching up for a high-five. He knew he wouldn't reciprocate but hey, he enjoyed a little bit of annoyance. Ryuji hoped he would grow out of that. After being left hanging he began to walk down the hallway towards the study. There was an ominous feeling in the air or at least it felt like there was supposed to be. Most people would dread such a conversation but for Ryuji it filled him with…elation. He had little chances to talk to his father, little chances to examine the man's mind with his own eyes, and this was one of those few chances. Ryuji knew that under normal circumstances going to see his estranged father would be a thing of dread, but it was actually quite stimulating. Each conversation was like a game of chess, each trying to gain the upper hand. Ryuji loved the mental acumen given that everyone else around him either treated him with harsh disregard or like any other child…which to give them the benefit of the doubt he is a child. But his father didn't. He might be the first person in existence to actually thrive off of their father and expecting more of them from a young age. Ryuji was in no pursuit to please his new father, but he did seek to understand him, and understanding came through respect.
Ryuji knocked on the door to the study, "come in Allishtar," a voice from the other said. Ryuji opened the door and smiled at his father. William stood there looking through a book he was very obviously pretending to read to show disinterest, classic technique.
"It's good to see you father," Ryuji said entering the room, "I'm impressed to see you reading that book, it is one of my favorites."
William looked at the cover of the book even more so revealing he wasn't actually reading it, the contest had begun.