Just Popping In

Pearce had never thought of himself as a mentor. Never imagined he would be tasked with molding young minds, let alone that of the hier apparent himself, Prince Jasper Rost. He had never suspected that his personal quest for knowledge would call attention to him for the king to entrust that in him. Well, it probably had more to do with his mother serving as a diplomat for years before her death.

At first, he had been uncertain of teaching a royal. The boy had been intimidating to the Viscount, even as shy as he had been. But the two had come to teach each other a lot. Not just about language and history and culture, but about emotions and being one's self. When Jasper came to him with his deepest and most heartfelt concerns, the man had felt honor that he could be that support for the young man that he had never had himself. Pearce was more than fond of the young man and considered him almost like the son he had never had. Not that he would dare confess as much anywhere that might get back to the King. That sort of sentiment was not the least bit proper.

Their latest exchange of letters had ended abruptly when the young man returned home. Pearce had been visiting a few friends in Farvald and had missed all of the commotion at the man's return but had hoped to see him eventually. Lounging in the library with his nose in a book and a cup of tea at his elbow, he had not been expecting to hear there was royalty awaiting him in his sitting room. He thanked Todd and pushed himself up, dusting himself off and carefully marking marking his place in the tome and setting it aside.

He knew before he made it down the stairs who was in his sitting room. Even still, he paused around the corner of the open doors to run his hands through his hair and straighten his collar and lapel. Pearce offered a nervous smile and nod to the Prince's Red Guard and rounded the entryway into the green room.

"Your Royal Highness," he greeted, this smile a lot easier even as he bowed at the waist. Near privacy or not, knowing Jasper's dislike of formality, Pearce couldn't help himself. But he didn't kneel, and he looked back up at the young man who seemed to have grown since the last time they saw each other. "Your travels seem to have done you well."

It was good to see the young man after such a long time. It might have been six years apart but it felt like longer and shorter all at once. "It is so very good to see you," he continued, as if not hearing the man chide him for his formality. He couldn't help it. Maybe it was simply something that helped calm his nerves but maybe it was his worry that more than just the man's physical appearance had changed. What if he was here on formal business? Or had decided he wanted more distance? Pearce didn't want to overstep or assume.

Pearce would owe the young man any number of hugs he wanted. In private. And he reserved the right to hesitate sometimes. But admittedly it did feel good. The Viscount was uncomfortable with most forms of physical contact, which was unfortunate for how much he craved amd desired to give affection. Just another thing he blamed his father for.

He nodded and moved to sit in an armchair across from Jasper. A servant appeared at his arm to pour a fresh steaming cup of tea. Soft porcelain clicks filled the room for a moment as Pearce picked up the cup and saucer. "Much the same," he said, trying to figure out how to explain. "Persephone is still looking for a suitor and Tobi and I are st-still childless," he said with an awkward but unapologetic shrug. He supposed he was setting a poor example. Certainly he was allowed to like men. He simply wasn't allowed to do anything about it. In fact he wasn't allowed not to have a family with a woman. Going through all the trouble to marry had bee more about appearances and taking care of his dead lover's sister. Children...in over forty years, Pearce still found the topic frustratingn and anxiety inducing. Every time Tobi brought it up he panicked.

Yet Pearce would encouraging the Prince to do what he could not, even if that made him a hypocrite. Being monarch was different.

"A f-favor from me? You know I am at your d-disposal, my Prince. What could I p-possibly do for you?" He meant it seriously but the way he spoke was familiar enough to indicate he was being a bit playful. He couldn't begin to fathom though what Jasper would need from him. Was this something personal? Or official? Was he in trouble? Pearce tried not to jump to conclusions and instead took another sip of his tea.

The Viscount was well aware of how honorable and responsible the Prince was. He was as good as his word. But more than that, Pearce knew him for the friend he had become. They both knew each other well enough to understand strengths and weaknesses, joys and discomforts.

It did not go unnoticed that Jasper waited for Pearce's staff to quit the room. He raised a concerned and intrigued eyebrow before the man even began speaking. "A d-diplomatic mission?" He breathed, clearly finding the idea confusing. Not that he thought the Lutrians entirely brutes but certainly they didn't seem the talking sort!

"Jasper...I am no, no, no diplomat. I believe you have me confused with my late mother..." He said, trying to awkwardly laugh the idea off. Wouldn't that be dangerous? What if they tried to attack them? To kill the Prince? He'd have to bring a whole army, which of course, was asked for a fight. "I-" he trailed off as the other man continued.

Pearce nodded eventually. "You make good p-p-points, but that does not mmmmean I like the idea." Of course he hadn't said no exactly, had he? "Is your father aware of th-this? What do you hope to gain from sp-speaking to them?" He said, asking somewhat better questions.

It wasn't often he used the Prince's name so familiarly but he did sometimes. Especially if he felt comfortable enough depending on where they were and what they spoke about. Certainly he had gotten the man to call him by his own first name and that was only fair.

"Of course I d-do not like it," he confirmed. "But it is a better idea than charging into a fight head first." Not that he doubted that was what the King wanted anyway. Admittedly, Jasper's reasons were sound. But Pearce was concerned that none of it mattered. Only he wasn't certain how to phrase that, if at all. "I am g-glad to see the king granting you more responsibly." That seemed a safer track.

Pearce nodded further, taking another breath and another drink. He was worried himself. Not so much about these casual invasions moving further south, but certainly about all the innocent people caught up in it. These were farms and villages, not military outposts being targeted. A diplomatic envoy was a step. "I certainly hope it is not for fun," he agreed softly, distracted. "From my understanding, they used to migrate much more frequently in the north. Perhaps they have a problem more with those farms encroaching on their territory than with us."

The Viscount always preferred to find the 'nice' way of saying something. There was not always a good way to say something but Pearce would do his best to find it. If one had nothing nice to say, and all that. He supposed Jasper could think of it as just another trip but the young man seemed a bit more focused than when he discussed returning to Taknier to sightsee and explore and discover some part of the larger world. Not that Pearce had blamed him, the older man was quite a travel enthusiasts himself. Being in charge of the estate and house politics made that more difficult and since the assassination, somewhat more stressful.

"It is an...curious turn," he agreed. What might cause them to settle he wasn't sure. As far as he knew, the King had not forbid them from traveling through Manthiran claimed lands. Perhaps the herds weren't moving the same or some new leadership was in place. "Our ancestors were nomads once too, ages ago," he pointed out thoughtfully.

Pearce frowned. He both wanted to say no and to say yes. Felt compelled to help because he had made a blanket statement before knowing anything and was loathe to walk it back. But he knew Jasper wouldn't press him. Still... "...and a diplomat," he added hesitantly, not wanting to impose the request, but by extension giving a soft agreement to join the Prince. Pearce didn't mean to imply Jasper inept, but he certainly wouldn't consider himself one. He was more a historian and teacher than anything. He could certainly offer advice but...

"P-perhaps my sister Persephone could be of assistance?" He had no idea if she was present at the estate or out on the town or even, Light forbid, was on a date. Technically, as head of their house, Pearce should organize suitors and give his blessing in their father's place but the man reckoned he and his siblings had had enough 'well meaning' and overbearing interventions in their lives. She might be considered a social pariah for being unwed at her age, but he would gladly deal with the gossip and their more pushy peers so that his sister could enjoy her life.

Pearce imagined the Prince had met his sister but wasn't surprised he had come to him first. They were close after all. While he wasn't certain his little sister had had much practical training, but regardless, she had as good a knack for language and speaking as he did and knew more Lutrian than anyone he knew. Even should the Prince prefer his advice, Persephone could translate.

Pearce grimaced but covered it with another sip of tea. Jasper was right, he could worry about such an expedition later. If he went. He would probably go. Right now, the important bit was simply seeing the young man again. "Far too many years," the Viscount agreed. "Hopefully we shall have...have plenty of time to catch up."

"I heard you might have found your future Queen?" He asked carefully. He wasn't about to press into their relationship, especially knowing the future King would prefer a King Consort. But laws amd tradition had their place and even Jasper could not upend the system without first gaining respect and sway as a leader. But it was also Pearce's way of inquiring if the man had found anyone else on his travels. Notably, he had come alone, but perhaps he had brought a friend from elsewhere. He simply wanted the young man to be happy. And careful.