Leon glanced nervously over at Jin Li, but to his surprise, the Martial Artist was not angered by the fact they were abandoned and left outside. Actually, that was only for a moment as the manservant quickly returned and guided them to a side room and even sent for tea. The room was ornate, with varnished sidetables of which the stand was carved into long curving leaf shapes, the table nestled upon them and matching sofas with every inch of the cushioned seating embroidered with fine silks. Paintings and calligraphy adorned the walls, metal scrollwork braziers stood in one corner and fine rugs of beautiful fur lie at their feet.
Jin Li took all of this in his stride and lounged upon the sofa as if it were no matter, whereas Leon sat more gingerly, worried to dirty the sofa; they had travelled along way and had yet to freshen up. "Sit still," Jin Li ordered, before tugging him closer to his side. "All of this is for show."
"What d-do you m-mean?" Leon murmured softly, unsure even on whether he should raise his voice. Jin Li brushed away at a loose strand of Leon's hair, which so annoyed him in the end, he stood up and tugged the snow jade pin in his hair loose.
As the familiar sensation of long, slender fingers began tugging his hair to untangle and neaten it, Leon couldn't help but relax and even lean closer against Jin Li's legs. "If we were unwelcome or just mere acquaintances of Sun, we would not have even walked this far, but rather been shown to a reception room closer to the main gates," Jin Li explained as he wrapped the silver metal crown about Leon's hair and once satisfied replaced the pin. Jin Li had him turn and lifted his chin in order to better exam his work. Pleased, Jin Li nodded and sat back down upon the sofa. "Instead, we have been welcomed to a room likely attached to the patriarchal hall, where resides the head of the house. That indicates trust, however, it does not mean that they will not continue testing us. Showing off wealth and power, seeing how we react to all of this and to waiting an inordinate amount of time."
"Oh," Leon didn't really understand it, but if Jin Li said that it was alright, then surely it must be.
Actually, thinking of his own family, Jin Li's parents weren't really known for these tricks, however, his old grandfather had been and so his eldest brother had been taught practically at the man's knees while growing up. But old grandfather had an incident while attempting to break through to denary stage cultivation and incurred Heaven's wrath. He had survived it, but had fallen to the level of an idiot. Out of filial duty, he was taken care of, but his place as head of the family had fallen onto Jin Li's father's shoulders... though not without some bloodshed. Those foolish branch families had thought they could steal the reigns of power? Such laughable dreams.
It took the time in which Jin Li polished off two pots of fine tea before they were granted audience with the Ramas family patriarch.
When strangers meet for the first time, it is natural for there to be an in depth evaluation, whether that be by word or just by sight. Jin Li and Leon came to be guided in front of an elder man, light wrinkles upon his weathered face and white and silver streaking his faded auburn hair. His eyes, though set deeply into his face, that held no excess fat or luxury, were bright and sharp and not tired nor dulled with age. He gave off an aura of a man who it was not wise to trifle with.
To one side of him sat five men each with varying features that seemed to stem from the man. The first had similar eyes, but the sharpness seemed to stem from cruelty rather than shrewdness, the second had similar lines of face and expression, yet it seemed cold. The third and fourth were almost like a parody, both showing varying stages of indulgent behaviour that morphed the older man's features into something entirely else. The last was the least like the old man, just had his colouring, but his mood seemed distant and his mind clearly elsewhere.
Mond and Sun stood behind the second man stating that this man was their father.
Jin Li bowed formally towards the senior man, with Leon following suit. Though they might have private criticism of Leon's awkwardness, none could fault the elegance and respect held in Jin Li's greeting. This made shrewd and interested eyes that much more open and evaluating than before.
Sun stepped forward to offer introductions. "Grandfather, father, uncles," he said giving order of obeisance. "These are my friends from the Institute. Jin Li and Leon."
"Oh? No family names?" The most round of Sun's uncles inquired, revealing his disdain immediately. "Since when do our family's sons make friends with commoners?"
Sun's face altered from its current wane shade to red, but it was a mix of shame and anger that tinted his skin. A hand fell upon Sun's shoulder, father giving pause to his son as his grandfather voiced; "Since when do my family's sons forget their manners in front of guests?"
The old man was once a general and though now retired, he had naturally commanded men of varying backgrounds. He had seen both commoners and nobles fight until there was no breath in their bodies and both tremble in fear as the 'glory' of war became a reality of mud and carnage. So he would not judge as easily as this disappointing son whose swordplay was long forgotten and the only exercise was lifting chopsticks to his mouth. His third son's face soured, but he daren't whisper a breath in front of his old father.
"Sirs, this one's surname is Jin," Jin Li rarely spoke of his family, not as he had no feelings for them, just he felt there was little point declaring it in front of middle-realmers who did not know them, but that did not mean he would have others dare ridicule them. "This one's family are Martial Artists and known well in one's place of birth. Naturally, this one followed the path set for one at birth and can modestly declare oneself a Martial Artist, in training."
"A filial son," General Ramas said, approvingly, his eyes flashing grievance at his own offspring. The second and fifth son had some talents in Martial Arts, but neither could be said to be his heir of title. His second son, even without internal roots, was too inflexible as a commander and his fifth son would follow more the path of a Beast Tamer with his love of equines over weapons and battle. His sixth grandson had awoken roots, but his physique was too lacking. No one could take him seriously as a Martial Artist. His hope now lie on his eighth grandson, who was some seven years junior.
The old man turned his attention to the other before him, a frown marring his forehead. The white stripes upon his jet black hair suggested he suffered deviation in the past, yet Sun would have this one still called a friend? Still, the old general was not quick to make judgement. "And you, young man? Do you study Martial Arts as well?"
"N-no," Leon replied, awkwardly. "I st-st-st... I'm an alchemist."
Five sets of eyes to one side immediately had faded interest. Ah, so this one was actually a servant after all.