Becoming a patient Wolf (Lucien 2.0)

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien had plucked his godson from the cesspit that was the real world of crime. He dragged him above water and he was determined to transform the now rugged son of Shorn into a icon of refinement. It promised to be no easy task and lucien half expected, that if young Shorn was anything like his father, it would see Lucien dance with death on several occasions. The first stages of the Young Shorn regeneration program was to burn off the chaff, that required a fire and a big one was needed, in this case it was the man who turned Lucien from a cocky public school brat into a petty criminal.

"Ask Lucien to come in here Please" Lucien said glancing up from a data pad.

Lucien expected that young lucien would accept his summons and go to lucien's office immediately. When the boy did arrive with one of lucien's numerous servants Lucien glanced up momentarily and gestured toward the sofa across from him.

"Lucien sit down , Harrington Pour the tea then have my off the rack Dinner suit pressed and have Mr. Udoon Lay out appropriate accompaniments, I will need him to be present at 5 tonight" Then he looked down again, he didn't look up until his servant had left. Then placing the data pad face down and picking up his tea.

"Good morning Lucien" He took a taste of the tea grimaced and placed it back down. Was he the only one in this household who could make tea. He poured in a touch more milk and stirred. following an intricate pattern of revolutions whilst he continued "What would you do if I were to place you in the same room as the boy who meddled with that saber?" He finally looked up giving his attention to lucien. The boys answer to this question would tell lucien whether he faced a marathon or a triathlon.

[member="Snowflake"]

 

[Lief]

Luce had been sat in a small solar, eating a hearty breakfast, when he had been summoned by one of his sponsors many servants. No doubt his name was Dranok, but that's a whole other story. It was safe to assume that his brief squalor-filled stint hadn't produced much in the way of income, and so the growing boy was naturally ravenous. While he didn't exactly feel as though he had his fill of food yet, he knew better than to keep Lucien waiting at this point.

Rising, with one sorrowful look back at what had meant to be a very suitable brunch if he had his way about it, he followed the servant through the halls and down toward the office, ensuring that no time was wasted what so ever. Once inside he stood off to one side while Lucien told another servant to tend to a few things, including pouring what must have been poorly made tea if the man's reaction was anything to go by.

Moving into the seat he had been gestured to in the silence which followed, Luce watched as the man casually set down his datapad and then looked straight at him. If he could have shrunk he likely would have. He hadn't been in the same room as the man who had dragged him away from Nal Hutta since they came to his estate. Luce would swear blindly he wasn't avoiding him, if asked, but that would have been a lie. He had many reasons to dodge a conversation with Cordel.

"Good morning, Sir" he quietly responded, fingers messing with the sleeve of his shirt. Not having expected an audience so soon, Luce was wearing the self same clothes as he'd had on Nal Hutta, though he had done his best to clean them since. He didn't trust the servants to do it, after all they had likely been given orders to burn them or something. When Cordel was finished tending to his tea he spoke again, only Shorn was not expecting what he said. Looking away from the man he cast his gaze outside and grit his jaw in frustration. He knew that the answer lingering in his mind was most definitely not the appropriate one.

After mulling it over on his tongue for a steady minute or so, the boy sighed. "I would put him through the same pain Lars faced." There was no malice in his tone, however, it was quite the matter-of-fact statement. Not returning his gaze to his sponsor, he continued to stare out of the window.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien looked the younger shorn over, He thought he'd told his servants to burn anything that the boy had had when he was 'liberated' no matter he would soon have those garments replaced with with something more appropriate for now it was inconsequential. As for his lack of interaction with his godson it was once again inconsequential whether Lucien was being avoided so long as his godson came when summoned Lucien would remain happy.

He sighed as Lucien gave his answer, A triathlon it was it seemed. "Well I am going to put you in the same room as him and I fully expect you to be nice to him ... You are a gentleman now and the mark of a gentleman is the ability to go before their enemies with a casual class and an effortless grace and charm them as if they were not scum" He stood up, he often paced when he was teaching and space allowed. "I can understand your desire for revenge and you shall have your revenge but not like this, the revenge you propose is sharp yes but also quick ... He'll be dead before he feels pain and the only one to suffer will be his parents" Lucien could empathise with his godson, in the eyes of one inexperianced in the ways of the galaxy death was the harshest form of revenge but Lucien knew harsher "Our kinds revenge is equally sharp but it is also slow our vengeance lingers and in most cases leaves our target begging for death's release ... I'm going to teach you to attain that sort of revenge but to get it you must smile and play nice" He "You see we like all people are wolves the differences we are patient wolves and though our strikes take far longer and seem from the outside far weaker than those of our blunt counterparts when we do land the blow it hurt all the more for the time" Thus endeth the lesson. Then he sat back down and returned to his tea.

"Back on topic, you and I are going to attend a Party tonight to announce the sale of your young friends family home, you see your friend's parents have recently arrived upon a ruff patch financially and they are saving face " He drank his tea looking over the boy again "I doubt you've brought anything appropriate to wear with you so we shall have to get you something ..." He focused in on his godson's face he was grime free now but still looked somewhat rugged "you need a trim too, I know a gentleman who can help there " He added. Perhaps he was being rude but it was his job to get young Lucien ready for the high society life and part of that was looking the part. "Unless you have any qualms the 'Ride' as I believe your age group says is ready and we have much to do" Shorn Junior required a lot of restoration it was alarming how quickly the taint of squalor latched on.

 

[Lief]

Luce curled his left hand into a tight fist, keeping his gaze steady on the trees he could see outside the window. He watched as stray leaves fluttered down from the branches, only to be lost when the window pane abruptly ended. Their color suggested the changing seasons on world, which left him wondering exactly which planet it was that he now inhabited. Asking would be extremely out of place, however, given the present conversation. Knowing that he could not avert his gaze from Cordel's forever, Shorn reluctantly broke his attention away from the window and looked across to his sponsor.

"You want me to be polite? Would you have me smile and ask how he is doing? Perhaps shake his hand, break some bread over dinner?" Only now did the boys tone begin to take on a somber, sarcastic edge. "And while I'm at it, why don't I joke about old times? Act as if there isn't a man-sized corpse lingering in the awkward space between us!" Luce realised that he was trembling and proceeded to slowly exhale. In turn he managed to regain a small margin of control. By this point Cordel had risen and begun to pace the room, choosing to continue his conversation in such a manner.

What the man said next wasn't what the boy had been expecting.

His proposal was to find a way to draw it out, instead, no doubt he had a plan in mind already though it seemed as though Shorn would not be privy to such details quite yet. The mention of his suffering parents made him cringe; that would lead to a vicious circle of death no doubt, and who did he have in this world save for his sister? No, Luce was not willing to risk the possibility of Katya being dragged into his affairs. He did not know where she was, or even really who she was, these days... But at the end of the day they were siblings, blood, more than that they were twins. He would bring her no harm, from his own hand or the consequences of his actions.

"How can I play nicely after what he did?" This time the question was entirely genuine, with the young Shorn asking for advice rather than making a snide snip at the older Lucien. "If I see him I don't know if I'll be able to stop the backlash of what he did." His gaze followed Cordel as the man took a seat once more and occupied himself with his tea. Whatever the man had added must have made the beverage more tolerable. The next statement he mulled over for a moment, before raising a brow. "Financial trouble?" he inquired, "They seemed to be doing fine a few months ago." But he brushed it off all the same.

When he mentioned clothes and a trim the boy grimaced. He had grown quite attached to this unkempt appearance, and the thought of letting his clothing out of his reach was unsettling. No doubt they would be burned. As for his hair... He doubted he would have much left by the end of the day if Cordel had any say in the matter. Frowning, Shorn decided it was best to play ball for the time being. With a slight nod of his head he said a simple "As you wish", though his disdain was palpable. It would not be easy adjusting back into the high life of the upper class. Luce was never meant to act like a Lordling.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Luce was tense that was plain to see. The clenched fist, the averted gaze. It was very angsty , it was very shorn like. Lucien was more like his father than first thought, that was a worrying development. Mikhail was a terrifying force and in exchange for power he had surrendered to isolation by and large. Lucien had watched Mikhail and it was quite clear that his life sucked, Lucien didn't want that for his godson so something would have to give Lucien could only hope that revenge would quell the Mikhail In Luce and then maybe Luce could integrate.

Lucien nodded as [member="Lucien Shorn"] Let loose his torrent of anger. "I want you to do all that and more, He must believe that not only have you forgiven him but that you have come to befriend him" He was not angered by Lucien's backlash. It was best that the anger burst free now rather than in public. He had been dealing with Shorns' and their snide remarked for most of his adult life they didn't bother him, he knew in the end that things would go his way anyway. It wasn't like his ward had much choice in the matter. there were very few place Lucien could go.

He smiled slightly as the boy calmed. The young Shorn's tone dropped and lost it's edge, Lucien nodded "It won't be easy but nothing worth doing is ever easy ... you'll just have to relax I can promise you the bitter taste will be worth it and I can also assure you it will only be one of many poison chalices that you will be forced to take in your life, the sooner you learn to smile through the better" Lucien was speaking from experience he had been forced to attend meetings and make nice with the men and women who had degraded him publicly, snatched away his credibility and forced hi two closest friends into exile. Lucien knew exactly what the younger shorn was going through.

"Oh they were fine a few months ago but things change quickly in the world of finance " Especially when one made an enemy of the minister of finance in the galaxies business hub "It has recently come to light that Mr. Orlono might be avoiding taxes and just a few nights ago the stock price took a dive, his shareholders are rather displeased" Lucien smirked, a smirk which said I did good work there. "It's so very sad"

Luce was a square peg and the upper-class was a round hole. Lucien was determined to force the square peg into the round hole, For now he was whittling away at Luce's edges, that way luce would look the part even if he couldn't play it, but if Luce could still not be made round Lucien was quite read to keep slamming the peg into the hole until one gave, one way or another Lucien would get his godson into high society even if high society had to break first.

Lucien ignored his ward's distain at the announcement that it was time to break with the kidnap victim look "Good, we'll go now " He was certain that once Luce got to experience high society he would take to it. servants, Decadence ... Intrigue what was there not to like. Lucien didn't speak again until they reached the barber he didn't want to push the young shorn too much and judging by earlier behavior lucien doubted that the young man wanted to talk either, it was the first call purely because Lucien refused to take his godson to his tailor looking like a tramp, He had a reputation to uphold after all and the tailor was of an old cast which tended to be judgmental. Lucien had his door opened for him first before the chauffer went around to let Luce out.

"Tidy him up" was the only instruction Lucien gave to the barber, the rest was down to the barber and the boy.

 

[Lief]

Luce said very little after giving in to Cordel's request. He could play the role of a gentleman for an evening, and then there would be time enough to truly learn the art before he would be faced with another bombshell from his past and was made to face that too. It is just one evening he told himself, I can feign interest in his life, pretend to enjoy his company... With that a thought popped into his head. "Perhaps in doing so I can learn of something to use against him" he murmured, more to himself than to Lucien. Revenge was far sweeter when it was on a more personal level. Although their decline in wealth was a very good start, that was to be sure.

Rising from the seat Luce said nothing more as the pair exited first the office and then the manor itself. The journey was not particularly long, and his sponsor likewise chose not to say anything which was fine by the young Shorn - they had said more that morning than they had in a while, best they didn't push it too much to begin with. Still somewhat hungry, having finished his breakfast early, Luce really wanted to stop for lunch... But he knew that they had a very busy day ahead of them. No doubt clothes-burning and hair-cutting were scheduled in somewhere. He really didn't want to lose his wardrobe in favour of... Suits.

When they stopped Luce went to open the door only to find the chauffeur there instead. Biting his lip in order to refrain from a snippy comment he simply exited the vehicle and walked around to where Cordel was, finding the whole thing entirely unnecessary. Entering into the barbers, the boy glanced around and found the shop empty. Had Lucien called ahead? Perhaps he did not wish to be seen with such an unruly charge... Luce wondered how much of a hindrance he was proving to be, and couldn't help but question why the man was helping him at all. He could easily have carted him off to another school.

Settling into the seat Luce watched as the man, with his orders in tow, began to first trim his hair... Before thinking better of it. Within no time the ground around the boy was lined with locks of hair which had taken over a year to grow in. With a somber expression he simply said nothing, it would grow back with time. Best he please his sponsor for at least one evening. When the barber was finished Luce looked a lot more respectable... Save for the beard which was more unkempt than his hair had been, a remarkable feat given his age, no doubt. "Keep some of it" he muttered, hoping that Cordel could not hear him. He didn't want to end up with a baby face, after all!

When all was said and done, Shorn glanced over himself in the mirror. It was strange to look this way again, and honestly he could find no fault with his appearance. He felt better for it, of course he would never tell Cordel as much. Lifting a hand he ran it down along his jawline first before bringing it up through his hair. There was enough to style, but not so much that it fell past his ears. He could work with this. "Happy?" he snipped, overdoing the somewhat grumpy tone. He didn't want Cordel to win this round, or at least know that he had.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Loyalty. that was why he was helping [member="Lucien Shorn"], "Loyalty, Propriety and dignity" Lucien was regularly found to say to himself. It was the only lesson his grandfather had taught that he listened to, boarding school hadn't worked for the young Shorn before and he was fairly certain it wouldn't work if he tried it again. Thus Lucien (The original and the best) felt duty bound to take his godson under his wing and homeschool him. He owed that to Mikhail and Andra.

As for the hair, the suits and the chauffeur. They were the most vital weapons in lucien's arsenal, they were a show of force. Without them there was nothing to divide lucien from the common man, His image suggested he wasn't to be trifled with. Lucien (The sequel) would come to learn that, strong men fought with fists. Smart men fought with shadows. Lucien sat in the empty shop half lost in his thoughts half watching his godson. He had called ahead to tell his barber he would be coming, he hadn't ordered the shop be empty but he didn't need too. The situation suggested discretion.

the sound of cast silver scissors being placed back onto granite. he nodded to the barber, his skill was truly unmatched. Then his godson spoke. Lucien gritted his teeth and glared at the boy "I was until my godson was replaced with a petulant four year old" he said into his godson's mind then he stood up and turned to the barber "I apologize for the boy ... he has recently suffered a degree of trauma" The cost was paid and Lucien returned to the car he expected Luce would follow.

Lucien didn't speak until the transport had pulled away. He glanced from the window and spoke "Take that tone to me in public again and I'll put you in a hutt prison myself" He didn't shout or raise his voice but his tone suggested anger. Luce was becoming more like mikhail every day, he didn't like being disrespected and especially not in public . It suggested dissension and Lucien couldn't stand that. He wasn't entirely annoyed by Luce's performance in the barber he was mostly upset. He was doing his best to protect his godson from the fate his father suffered but also the constant shornisms sparked the grief for his dead mentor again.

"We are visiting my favoured Tailor now" Lucien employed many tailors but the firm they were heading two were his prefered one. He went to them to attire him for all his important functions "Do try to be polite and save your snark for when we are outside public hearing range, can you do that ?" He asked still avoiding eye contact. He did admit that luce looked tidier. He also looked painfully like his father, Lucien felt a knot develop in his stomach this might cause issues. He didn't say any of this to his godson though that would be an unprovoked show of emotion and they weren't close enough for that yet.

 

[Lief]

The words which rang within his mind as a response left the boy dumbfounded. Nevermind the fierce tone or the annoyance Cordel surely felt, one word within the ensemble was enough to bring everything crashing down around him. Even as Lucien rose to leave Luce remained rooted in place - his eyes were wide, his body unmoving. He could hear the thumping of his heart in his ears, pulse steady yet unnaturally loud. He heard the door open, the bell which was above it tinkling to note the occasion, and only then did the boy rise up.

But his motions were too fluid to be conscious, as if moving in a daze. Sat in the car the boy stared ahead, processing what he had just learned. Had Cordel meant or planned for this slip up? Or was it purely accidental? Not a word left the boy throughout everything that the man said on their way over to the tailor, he sat as stiff as a board and in a strange way actually looked far more presentable sitting that way even with the rags he called clothes than he had done prior.

Finally, however, the boy exhaled. With it the knot that was his body seemed to loosen up; he did not look over at Cordel, instead he simply spoke. "You are my Godfather?" he quietly inquired, as if everything that had been said up until this point - the threat of prison, the promise of a visit to the tailor - was nothing at all. Why hadn't the man said this before? There was no way that Luce would have acted the way he had done had he known, he likely wouldn't have even left the school after the incident. After all, this made Lucien the closest thing he had to family. Luce could not really remember any of his family.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien swallowed. He had not meant to drop that bombshell. "Yes" He said with a sigh. He had blown it now likely traumatised yet another ward. He could hardly mind wipe Luce though and no doubt he would be unable to convince him that experimental age reversal was a good option. So he wold just have to make this work, perhaps the knowledge that he had a family now would help [member="Lucien Shorn"] settle. Prehaps ...
Lucien supposed expensive gifts might help to, who didn't like expensive things. Then again Mikhail was never one for materialism so mayhaps his son wouldn't be ether.

Lucien turned from the window "I didn't mean for it to come out like that ..." His voice caught "I'm sorry" Apologising didn't come easy to lucien, not genuine apologies anyway "Are you ok?" He asked finally having mustered the strength. This was going to be awkward. The transport pulled up outside the tailors "Drive round the block" He instructed the driver. He wasn't going to take Luce inside until he was sure that the boy was suitably recovered. In truth lucien needed time to recover too his knot had got bigger, potentially hurting Luce was too close to hurting Mikhail and Andra and he couldn't stand that.

 

[Lief]

Luce ran a hand up through his hair and held it there, small strands poking through his fingers. He said nothing for a solid minute before shaking his head. A slight laugh escaped his lips, though there was no humour to it or the look in his eyes. "Why didn't you tell me?" Turning his attention to his namesake, Luce bit his lip to hold back another sharp retort to the whole thing and flexed his hand. "How long have you been watching from afar, and keeping this from me? Why would you do that?"

It was, of course, impossible for the young Shorn to understand Cordel's relationship with his mother and father. And the pain of the memories that must have been brought up from the dirt at the sight of their children. All he could feel was discomfort in the pit of his stomach, he had felt alone for so long and it hadn't even been a necessary experience. A Godfather was as close to a father as the young Shorn could have ever had, so why had he kept his distance?

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien turned to Luce as the laugh escaped him. Then he looked back out of the window "Being close to you is ... painful" he sighed "When I look at you I see your father and to a lesser extent your mother ..." He swallowed back tears " ... and in them I see my failure ..." Lucien had lost many battles and taken many beatings but he cared only about Andras and Mikhail's death that was the one defeat he would never get over, indeed he would take every other defeat and every beating he'd ever suffered again and twice as bad for just one more day with Mikhail and Andra.

Of course he understood the younger Lucien's pain "I have watched since the day you were born ... I couldn't let you be harmed as they were" He pinched the flesh of his left hand it distracted him from the pain in his chest "I ... I told myself that Keeping my distance was best for you ... that, that was a lie " He rubbed at his eyes "I'm sorry ... I can't say anything other than that I'm sorry" He inhaled breath sharply through his nose, he had't cried since he was 12 and he wouldn't cry now. Even the news of Andra and Mikhail's death hadn't brought tears. He had thrown a glass and devastated his office his clothes and his skin but he hadn't cried. He had been bedridden for a week afterwards but he didn't have the luxury of that time now ... so he would just have to cope. "I have no excuses" he sighed tipping his head back against the headrest.

[member="Lucien Shorn"]

 

[Lief]

In his namesake Luce saw but a reflection of himself, older, wiser, with more experience, yet a reflection all the same. Had the boy not done similar upon the loss of Lars? Had he not run from the responsibility it bore him? At least Lucien had done something, but Luce? Luce had thrown away all he had accomplished thus far in his short life. And that thought made him as miserable as his Godfather appeared. So could he blame the man? Not at all. Certainly he could be a little bitter, knowing that things could have been different, but could've and would've didn't matter. You could not change the past.

"I'm sorry for my outburst" the boy said instead, trying to force himself into a somewhat more modest position. He did not appreciate the incident being brought up, he presumed that Cordel felt the same of his parents and the situation thereafter. He rubbed at the palm of one hand as if attempting to remove some skin-deep stain, before sighing. Staring at his lap he realised how much of a pain he must have been, and the way his actions had reflected on Cordel and his parents. Not anymore. "C-Can we just sort out some clothes now?" he asked, feeling embarrassed all at once for his appearance. "If you want we can get something a little more presentable for me to change into before we see the tailor..?"

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

An apology. Now that was unexpected, perhaps his namesake had some potential after all Humility and the ability to stand down when circumstances clarified where the mark of a true gentleman. They were also traits that were few and far between. He didn't see a failure in Luce, he saw potential which had gone feral, that was partially his fault. He chuckled despite himself how quaint that despite their differences both of them were damaged in the same way a pair of chipped diamonds. And as for changing the past while perhaps you couldn't change it with wacky science and some dark powers you could do practically the same thing.

Lucien didn't respond to Luce's apology verbally he just turned to the boy tapping the boy's hand with a smile. He watched the boy he looked as if he had been punched in the gut, Lucien might have to teach him how to hide such things later. On the positive side Lucien was sat up straight now and if the signals coming from his thoughts were anything to go by he regretted his attitude. When Lucien did speak it was as if nothing had happened "Yes, we are quite late now " He lent forward "The tailors now." Hearing [member="Lucien Shorn"] ask whether he should change first and the elder man shook his head "no time " was his reply "Give me your cravat" he ordered the driver. Then he passed it back to Luce "Put that on, If you need me to tie it for you tell me ..." Lucien did hope he would have been taught such basic skills in school but one couldn't be sure.

The vehicle came to a stop outside the tailor "Are you ready?" He asked " No one outside this car should see anything that implies you're not entirely hunky dory"

 

[Lief]

Cordel chuckled but nothing more with regard to their almost heartbreaking revelation, and in truth Luce was more than happy to keep it that way. Water under the bridge, he knew who the man was now that was what mattered. Now he just had to work on returning his pride and trust in the boy. No easy task.

So it was that they were brought to the tailors, with Luce being handed what resembled a large tie to try and... formalise him? He wasn't certain. Now, the young Shorn was not familiar with this kind of thing, as he had worn only standard ties or sometimes - and he would not admit this to Cordel - no tie at all while at school. Biting his lip, and trying to downplay his humiliation, Luce quietly asked for the assistance of his Godfather in tying the cravat.

Once public decency was tended to he spent the rest of the short journey re-composing himself, so much so that by the time they drew up outside the tailors he was indeed hunky dory. "Yes, Sir" he responded, before exiting the vehicle when the time was right. Luce hated getting clothes fitted, but if it would please Cordel then he supposed it might be worth it.

After all, he did owe the man - Godfather or not...

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Secretly Lucien remained proud of the boy, it was hard to taint Lucien's first impressions he was stubborn like that. Luce had the distinct good fortune of being the child of the two people Lucien had most respected in the entire galaxy. His malfeasance had therefore been overlooked and lucien was a little impressed by the boys grit.

Lucen smirked at the boy's request for help. Did they teach nothing of use at private schools any more "C'mere" He tutted "Remind me to teach you how to do this "

None the less he tied the cravat casual style, then stuffed the silk into Luce's collar. He looked better now, it wasn't perfect but at least luce looked somewhat like he had just come off a yacht. Albeit in cheap fabrics and clashing colours. A good Valet would see that issue resolved and Lucien had a good valet lined up.

nothing else was said until they arrived. Luce looked neat and composed now. The remark made as Luce got out was evidence of this, being called 'sir' drew a smile from the older Lucien. He got out a moment after Luce "Go fetch dinner then collect us, we'll be an hour"

Luce would find little to feel uncomfortable about this tailor was good , very good. They entered the small tailors to be greeted by a well dressed man and woman who offered them drinks almost immediately. "The young man needs to be sized up for a whole new wardrobe but I am short of time so he needs black tie attire made to be used today then a selection of items for various dress codes available by weeks end." Much like the barber his orders here were swiftly met "Show him the options, he has free reign"

[member="Lucien Shorn"]

 

[Lief]

When the time came to exit the vehicle and enter the establishment Luce halted on the sidewalk and frowned for a moment, before speaking up. "I... You may want this" he said, reaching to the back of his trousers, under his shirt, and pulling out a small blaster. He had acquired it sometime on Nal Hutta, and since now he was trying to be a good Godson and all, he figured it was time to relinquish it. Careful not to scare anyone who may be close by, he handed it over to Lucien should he wish to take it from him.

Then, without a word, the boy entered the tailors.

Remaining quiet throughout the pair's exchange, Luce stood to one side and glanced around at the show-suits and the fabrics. Not to his tastes but he could at least try. When Lucien said that he had free reign, however, the young Shorn stared at his Godfather. Did Luce trust himself with this task? Truly he wouldn't have minded if Cordel had made the choices this time, he did not even know where to begin! So instead he remained quiet as the tailor sized him up and began to bring out fabrics to try; the boy watched Cordel's expression for any hint of what would be best, not wanting to show him up by speaking what was currently on his mind.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien raised an eyebrow at what Luce produced. A blaster? That shocked Lucien at first but then the cogs clicked in his head and it made sense. The blaster must have been from Nal Hutta. Lucien rolled his eyes and shook his head before taking the blaster. The thing looked like a death trap, not in the intended way though. That was however to be expected of a gun bought in a back alley planet, Lucien carefully disposed of the gun into his chauffeur's hand "Have that locked up, I may find use for it"

One in lucien's position could never tell when an unlicenced, unregistered gun might become useful. The possibilities were endless Blackmailing a debtor, assassination, crime scene manipulation, gift for a troublesome friend ... endless possibilities. Beyond that gentleman such as the two had no use of such weapons, If the younger lucien wanted a blaster he could have a proper one, Though lucien didn't see the need.

Lucien was once again pleased to see the change in his godson when they entered the tailors. No petulance, no scowl. He was pleasantly surprised when his god-son looked over to him in what lucien assumed was a silent request for advice. Of all the base fabrics offered Lucien nodded at only two, both wool one weaved in to barathea and the other into mini-herringbone both equally suited to black-tie, he nodded only at pure black anything less would be far too common. Silk was the only lapel fabric that received a nod and only when cut to the peak style. Shawl lapels would age luce and Lucien prefered them for himself. He gave his approval only to single button suits, purely for practicality, double breasted suits where a pain when one came to sit down.

He did however remain silent throughout the process, he had given [member="Lucien Shorn"] free-reign and that was what he would get.

 

[Lief]

While [member="Lucien Cordel"] may have been encouraging free reign in his Godson, Luce picked up on the subtle suggestions being brought forward and simply followed suit. Personally preferring the barathea weave, and knowing that Cordel seemed pleased with either of the two, this was perhaps the only conscious decision the boy made as he stood there and allowed the tailor to do his job. Every so often he would glance off from his Godfather into a mirror, but his attention would always return to Lucien. Was this out of respect?

When all was said and done, and the attire was made to Lucien's liking and Luce's... agreement, the boy returned to his Godfather's side in silent contemplation. There were so many things he wanted to ask the man, mostly concerning his parents, but this was most definitely not the time or place for that. Maybe once this dinner party was over? Still he had noted the black look in Cordel's eye, the grief, when they had been brought up in even the smallest of manner. Could he really allow the man to have to relive it all?

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Fitting done with Lucien rose, if he spent too long in the tailors he would end up buying something for himself and that would likely displease his Valet. It might be odd to think of a master fearing reparation from a servant but ones Valet was his boon companion, they were a confidant as well as a wardrobe specialist and a displeased valet could cause a lot of trouble. His own issues aside it was time they left. he turned to his godson and nodded, a nod which expressed a deeper approval. Then he looked back to the tailor "Thank you Sir, my agents will return for the black tie attire in two hours then return again in a week for the other items I commissioned payment will be settled then, Good day"

Then he left.

The driver was waiting outside with the transport door open. Do it fast and they will think you important that was the rule of the rich, money talked only so loud time was the better showman. The less time the underlings had the better they would use it. Lucien could only hope that [member="Lucien Shorn"] had left just as fast or the whole show would look rude. Once the boy was aboard as well the driver pulled away Dinner was waiting on the back seat. Restaurant take out. Good stuff, "You did well in there ... I'm proud of you" Lucien said eyes down on his lunch. He kept his eyes down "I suppose after our talk before you have a hunger for information on your parents ... I have a deal" The box opened but lucien still didn't look up finding some minor triviality to busy his eyes. "Perform flawlessly this evening and I will show you what a woman your mother was, you're not strong enough for your father yet ... I'm not strong enough for your father yet" He sighed a deep breath "Is that agreeable I will stand for no negotiation on this" He really didn't want to do what he was promising but if not now then it would never happen. His eyes lifted "This offer is take it or leave it but I want offer this again"

 

[Lief]

Luce was hot on the heel of his Godfather, though he did not realise that he had helped to upkeep the impression Lucien was attempting to give off. Honestly, the boy simply didn't want to dawdle in the tailors, the man while agreeable set him on edge a little, though Luce could not quite place his finger on why. Still, it mattered not for very soon they were back in the transport provided with food to boot! Having been made to finish his brunch early, Luce welcomed the take out and immediately plucked one of the boxes from the side, ready to tuck in.

But then Lucien spoke, and all thought of eating was banished from his mind. "Thank you, Sir" he said, before listening intently to what came next. He felt as though a brick were lodged in his throat for a moment, and rather than answer he stared out of the window and pondered. It was likely the best offer he was going to get, the only problem was that Luce didn't know how he would react to seeing the bastard who had caused Lars to lose his life. His jaw set for a moment, before he inhaled and thought back to all his Godfather had taught him in this short span of time.

"I worry this may mean I will never learn of them" he said quietly, before running a hand up through his newly cut hair. "Lars was my closest friend" he said aloud, his expression turning sullen for a moment, surely Lucien had to understand what he was going through? "But... There will be better ways to avenge him. So I agree to your terms, Sir." It was very difficult for him to say those six words, because deep down he really truly wanted the brat to suffer for what he did. For all he had put Lars' family through, and the lingering guilt Luce himself felt for being the one to deal the damaging blow.

"Is it my fault?" he suddenly asked, his voice breaking slightly. "Was there any way for me to know that the foil was active?" It was a genuine question, something he had to know - was there ever a visible difference between a lightsaber set to stun and one which would cause damage? Of course there wasn't, but Luce did not know for certain. He had to settle this in his mind, it was eating away at him.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]