Early Morning

Adaceus grabbed a pale and filled it with water, and splashed it on the head of Fiora, trying desperately to scrub the hair clean of any dirt or filth that clung to it causing foam to multiply, while she calmly and letting it happen. While the other, Agie, was energetic in the water, splashing around the bubbles that floated.

It was early in the morning, and all three of them, Adaceus and the 3 girls, were in a bath that was provided by Hainan. Enid was the one that directed them when they awoke earlier, and was sent here in the request of Hainan, and as the opportunity of a bath came, they gladly said yes. 

The bath they were in was large and spacious, with enough space for them to run around in, as seen with Agie, who sprinted all around when they first entered. The entire room was spotless and clean, polished to a nice and shiny surface, with common fitting furnishings all around, and at the center, a normal looking bathtub.

Thus here they are, with Adaceus scrubbing away at the girls bodies outside the tub. After a few minutes and a rinse later, the girls were finished. Dry and clean they left the bathing room, going to another room where Enid awaited for them outside. 

Now it was Adaceus's turn.

He first made sure the perimeter was clear, looking around for any prying eyes that would come look at his visage. After rotating another turn for certainty, he finally decided to strip, first taking off his helmet, where a flicker of flame escaped from the top of his head. He then went to the sink, observing his skull face that reflected in the mirror in it, it just the head as his body was not tall enough to reach it. Taking of his remaining clothing and putting it in the sink, he grabbed a robe and put it on his waist, and after reaching the tub, sunk his body in the soapy water.

#### # # 

Adaceus walked to the other room, steam following from behind him as he exited out the other end. This room, was just a simple changing room in this house, nothing out of sorts. He began to dry himself of, rubbing into the crevices of his body and started to put on his leather cloths, making sure to secure tightly his gauntlets and his mask, where he exited out as soon as he was done to his room.

Opening the door to his room, he was met with Enid, with the girls dressed with pretty looking cloths. 

"What is this? Enid," Adaceus asked questioningly. 

"Oh," she said with glee, "Adaceus, your done."

"Yes, I am, but, may I ask what is this?"

"I was just helping them get dressed."

"But, where did the cloths come from?"

"They came from Lord Hainan."

"But, why though?"

"Oh, c'mon Adaceus, you can't just expect them to go around in those pitiful rags, do you? Plus, thy look rather beautiful wearing these, right?"

"Ahem, yes, but..." he paused, "I wouldn't know how to repay this," stuttered Adaceus.

"Oh, Adaceus, please pay no mind to it, just consider it as Lord Hainan's gratitude, no need to worry."

He watched as Enid laid the finishing touches, where the two girls then walked over to Adaceus, their eyes wide and seeming to glow with their colors. They both wore soft colored dresses; Fiora's, a light red dress with a jewel encrusted bow on her neck, and for Agie, a yellow color, with a ribbon that reached her waist.

He patted their heads gently as if almost on impulse, and the strange chirping sound arose from them, which seemed to surprise Enid as her eyes widened at the sounds-he wished he could explain this. He kept stroking in a slow pace, and a feeling rose from his chest. He felt relieved, calmed from this even, but he couldn't figure out why. It was like he was plunged into warm, enigmatic waters, strange and unexplainable that coated his chest, but it felt good, and even soothed him-he couldn't understand why. 

"Ah! Right!" Interjected Enid suddenly. 

Adaceus jumped up, his attention to her.

"What is it? Enid," he wondered

"Lord Hainan wanted to let you know that the lady will be returning soon."

"Ah, right, Hainan's wife?"

"Yes, and he also told me she's eager to meet you.'

The mention of his wife intrigued Adaceus, he was interested in meeting her as well. 

Footsteps sounded from the door, and a figure appeared from outside. Stopping in the fram, he knocked on the wood. 

"Good morning!" He shouted with joy, and it was Hainan, greeting them with a large smile.

"Ah! Lord Hainan, how are you," she said tenderly.

"Haha," he chuckled, "Just fine, Enid, as I hope you are," and he turned to Adaceus, "How about you? Adaceus."

"I'm good also."

"I like to hear it! Now, lets go downstairs, breakfast is ready so lets be quick with it."

"Affirmative, let's get going now, all of you."

The girls then shuffled closer to Adacues, clutching at his side.

"Right, lets go."

## ## ## ## 

Enid walked in front of the group, holding the knob of the door to the dining room and opened it with elegance.

"Thank you, Enid," Hainan said before going in.

Adaceus followed, waving goodbye to Enid as she closed the door behind him. He looked to the dining room. There was a large table at the very center, long and oval shaped, with a long cloth decorating the surface. Rows of chairs aligned with the shape, and at the front of his vision two seats stood, different from the rest. They were larger in comparison but one was smaller than the other, but more elegantly shaped, like a piece if art, 

"Come," Hainan directed, "take a seat."

He walked to the two greater chairs, and sat down on the smaller ones, adjusting his robe to fit the seat and he signaled to the 3 to also sit. There were utensils placed on this section, a complete set one would use to eat that were all placed in Hainan's left side. Adaceus helped the girls up on the seats as they couldn't reach it, before he himself sat down.

A group of 4 maids then appeared at the door behind them, and in their hands were dishes places at their chest. They placed it in front of him, freshly cooked food off all sorts came into view that steamed a tasty aroma, causing a trickle of saliva went down the girls mouths.

"Dig in," Hainan announced.

Not a second wasted the girls tucked in, grabbing the nearest eating tool available, and began tucking in to the meal. Hainan followed the breakneck speed of the girls with a surprised, and happy smile, cutting a piece and putting it on his mouth. 

All the while, Adaceus's heart was beating out of his chest.

Dammit what should I do!? He panicked out of his mind.

Should I refuse and just not eat? No, that's just rude. Should I excuse myself? Wait for them to finish? No, that's just suspicious. Maybe I can, just lift it slightly? No, even my jaw will be visible.

He worked his mind, frantically coming up with a solution, shaking in his seat and staring at the food with crazed eyes.

Eventually Hainan noticed he was not eating.

"What's wrong Adaceus? Why haven't you eaten?" He said.

"I-I'm, just not that hungry, Mr. Hainan," he said with a stutter. 

"Really? Is the food not to your taste?"

"No, its fine, I just don't have my appetite yet."

"Well, maybe you could take off your mask? And may I ask why are you still keeping that on? Were indoors and I would like to have the chance to "

"No," Adaceus said, with a stern tone carried along with it. He did it without raising his voce, but the way he said it was contained a seriousness in it, one that Hainan quickly understood.

"Ah, okay, right, I apologize for prying," nervous he said this, taken aback before he resumed to eating.

Crap, was that too harsh? I did the best to use a gentle tone, but I think I may have overdid it. Damn it, why did I slip up.

He then lurched like a snail hiding in its shell, placing his fingers to his face in annoyance to the situation that happened. He glanced forward, dragging his fingers away, and glanced upon a brilliant structure just outside the windows that made him rise out of his seat. 

It was like a coliseum, made of a white material that had accents of blue and gold within, with their outer parts dangling flags, that had crest in them. It was dazzling to look at, a masterfully crafted monument that surprised him when he saw it.

"Mr. Hainan, may I ask what is that?" He said, pointing at it like a child pointing at something interesting. He was genuinely curious as to what it was, but it also gave him a way to change the subject, and 'out', one might say.

Hainan saw what he was pointing at, and replied, 'Oh, that? That's our personal training grounds, a place where the warriors of house train in."

He turned his head to see the admiration of Adaceus, his intense gaze as he was told what it was. 

"Hmm," Hainan hummed, "You now what? You should check it out."

Adaceus shook his head and looked at Hainan in what seemed to be astonishment.

"Can I really?" He said.

"Of course, we can go after we finish if you want."

"Yes, I would quite like that."

And Hainan's face lit up to a smile.