...
Sythrik and Sennan, now outside of the abnormally fancy house, entered an awaiting black carriage. It had golden emblems across it's lower edges and an extra step to help the individual in entering it. It was Sythrik's first time entering such a high-quality carriage, completely different from the wooden carriages he's been using till now.
Sythrik quietly stepped inside and sat down on the bench at the back of the carriage's interior, while Sennan sat on the further side, now opposite of each other. Sennan lightly tapped on the wall behind him twice and said, "get us to the most expensive restaurant in Lorath." His words traveled through the small, intentional cracks behind him and got answered with a simple, "as you wish, sir."
The carriage moved, dragged by two horses and accompanied by countless gallops.
Inside the carriage, where Sythrik and Sennan resided, held only silence. The two sat in quiet, simply listening to the horses gallop and the driver's whip.
However, there was a hidden difference between their quietness-one was neutral to the situation, completely indifferent. While the other, Sythrik, had countless thoughts dwelling within himself: "Was I too greedy?" "Did I demand too much?" "Even this Carriage seems out of my league!"... "Isn't he like my sugar daddy right now???"
Sythrik rubbed his temples to quell his weird thoughts in both shame and embaressment, while Sennan looked at him with a knowing look and said, "if you're worried about the expenses then stop, I could buy the whole restaurant if I wanted to. So ease up and enjoy the ride."
Sythrik paused for a moment before nodding. He leaned back and let the rare shakings of the carriage massage him while he had his eyes pointed at the ceiling, taking gentle breaths from time to time.
...
Once they arrived and the carriage stopped in it's tracks, a man from outside opened the carriage door and helped them step outside. Sythrik smiled and nodded nervously to the worker, unexperienced in such environment. Sennan followed after, giving no attention to those around as he walked passed Sythrik and made a reservation.
Sennan looked back at Sythrik and jokingly struck a slightly bowed gesture, "after you, brother."
"...Brother?" Sythrik thought. After a moment of silence, Sythrik smiled and walked inside following the professional waiter with a smiling Sennan in tow.
Sythrik observed the area, absorbing as many details as he could. The place was large and shaped in complex shapes, with large candlelights hanging from the ceiling. The tables were in countless numbers and soon, he was met with a relatively big terrace holding only three table ten meters away from each other with two chairs on each.
Suddenly, the waiter stopped and formed a smile. Then he pointed at a table for two and said with a practiced tone, "if this table is suitable for you two gentlemen, then I recommend eating your meal here. It is one of the most secluded tables that holds a beautiful view towards the upper square." Sennan looked at Sythrik for "his" approval. Realizing this, Sythrik met the waiter's gaze and said, "I have no objection." Sennan stepped forth and mimicked Sythrik.
The waiter smiled and said, "if there is anything you need or is curious about then ring that bell on the table and we will come running." With that, the waiter turned around and left to his respective post.
Sythrik and Sennan sat down, accompanied only by silence.
...
Sennan couldn't stand the silence and spoke with a curious tone, "how does this compare to the restaurant where we met?"
Sythrik was slightly startled because of the suddenness of the question. After a few seconds of thinking, he answered, "it is by far a lot fancier, and the way we were given the option to choose our seats were a knew one for me. Not only that, but the way they speak to you is almost a little too respectful..." Sennan chuckled at the statement and said, "I guess you're right, they tend to drop their human selves and become more zombie-like because of the required formalities."
Sennan, sensing the upcoming silence, quickly asked, "your sister told me of your occupation. Is it true that you're a well known philosopher?" Sythrik, slowly settling in and becoming comfortable, said, "I wouldn't say 'well known', but I would say that my words has spread somewhat. I am what one would call, average in all regards-looks, talents, athleticism and such. Getting well known when under those restrictions results in fewer targeted audiences."
"I see. That does make sense, even though I have had everything since birth, even being 'above average'. I still couldn't escape my father's lectures about appearing appealing to the people, having to care about how I look in almost all regards and even how I act needs to be dignified to gain fame. In those regards, I can somewhat understand where you come from." Senna said with a reassuring tone.
Sythrik looked at him confused, not because of hypocrisy since he found it understandable. But due to his 'dignified appearance. "Wasn't this guy leaning in the sofa, stretching, talking casual all the time and even telling a fired security guard to scram?" Sythrik's questions was suddenly answered by themselves as he realized, "I guess I should be happy then. He needed to appear dignified and perfect to the public, not family. As such, he has completely come to regard me as family or a close friend."
Sythrik suddenly came to realize yet another thing and asked, "do all the higher-ranked families make such rules or is it just a select few?" Sennan answered without even needing to think deeply about it, "only those regarded as prestigious or wishes to rise in the in rankings. Albeit me disliking the rules, they are somewhat understandable since the more well known families do need a good image. If not, their businesses could falter due to low trust in products, or forced to move because of public hate.
However, appearing 'normal' should be good enough as 'perfect' is simply impossible to achieve. As a matter of fact, we might appear as overly prideful, then hated by those with little confidence or simply don't like prideful people due to a bad history which might result in great losses."
"Where are you going with this?" Sythrik thought as he gazed curiously at Sennan.
Senna then said with a more reassuring tone, "that is why I believe appearing, and being average is the most perfect thing a person can be, no matter the wealth or fame. So don't think of it as a restriction, when it is more perfect than perfection."
Sythrik sat in a surprised daze, looking at Sennan with gaping mouth and shocked eyes. "I'm starting to wonder which one of us is the true philosopher." Sythrik said, met with a cocky smile on Sennan's part. Sythrik sighed and said, "I'll keep it in mind, Sennan."
...
A minute passed and the waiter came with a steak in each hand, placing it carefully on the table. Another beside him, a woman in her early twenties with long brown hair place two cups of red wine on each side.
"I hope you enjoy your foods, dear gentlemen. If there is anything you need, then ring the bell and we will come running." The male waiter said with a practiced tone, and left alongside the waitress.
Sythrik gazed at the steak clad in brown sauce and potatoes on the side. There was some decorative plants on the side, however, Sythrik completely disregarded them and started consuming the steak with half-rushed movements.
Sennan, seeing Sythrik's mouthful chuckled lightly and said, "don't worry, if you want more I'll pay for more. So eat with regards to your own life, okay?"
"Ah, yes, of course! My bad, hehe." Sythrik answered in embarrassment.
...
The two ate their fill. Sythrik, less modest then Sennan burped with outrageous might! With a red face and lightning fast realization, he said in a shameful tone, "I-I'm sorry..."
"haha, don't worry! Anyways, if we are done are you ready to leave?" Sennan said. Sythrik thought for a moment and said, "of course, it is getting dark, and it seems I have some plans tomorrow so I better get some rest."
Sennan pulled the chair back and stood up. He then rang the bell and as the waiter came in fast steps, Sythrik stood up as well, standing a little behind Sennan.
"What did you need, sirs?" The waiter asked in puzzlement. "The tab would be fine, I will be the only one to pay." Sennan answered in a respectful tone.
"of course, then wait here for a minute and I will return with the tab!" The waiter said as he rushed back with fast steps.
Sennan turned back to Sythrik and asked with a sly smile, "the girl you were with back when we met, was that Lynette?"
Sythrik looked at him a little confused, but didn't question it and replied, "that's right. Why do you ask?"
Sennan smiled as he saw the incoming waiter and said, "it was my first time seeing her and because of my good relationship with Leon, her brother. I believe its handy to be able to put a face on the name."
As Sennan paid for the two of them, Sythrik thought, "that does make sense..."
...
Sythrik and Sennan was finally on the way to the carriage after a long dinner, simply getting acquainted. As the two of them boarded the black carriage, Sennan said, "Its getting late so I'll hop off when we pass my home, after that, just tell the driver your address and he'll take you home as well. I've already paid for the ride so don't worry about money."
Sythrik could not help but wonder how deep his pockets ran, but laid the thoughts aside for now. As the carriage started moving, Sythrik said, "I see, thank you for the delicious food and the free trip home! It was an amazing experience." Sennan smiled warmly and said, "if you ever need anything, even if its expensive, just come knocking at my door and I'll help."
Sythrik smiled and said, "thanks, I always appreciate a lending hand."
After a moment of silence, Senna asked, "come to think of it, have you decided on the wedding?"
Sythrik thought for a small moment, long prepared for the question and said, "I have, and I'll go. Its my sister we're talking about, leaving her brotherless on her wedding would be unbrotherly of me, would it not?"
"It would." the carriage stopped and opened their doors by outside guards. Sennan, stepping out of the carriage said, "in that case, I'll pick you up in three days somewhere around two o clock."
"Got it." Sythrik responded as he recorded the time in his memory. "See you at that time then."
Sennan smiled bid farewell.
Sythrik told the carriage driver his address through the cracks above the seats, and leaned back against the wall as the carriage started rumbling and sounding out the horses' gallops.
...
As he reached home, he opened the door on his own and thanked the driver. He then walked in, took off his shoes, brushed off his teeth and relieved himself, and then went up, tired and exhausted. He undressed himself and lumped into the bed, striking a lazy form without even sheets covering him as he suddenly fell into a deep, deep slumber.