End of the Beginning (Emilian/Adara/Artemisios)

[Artemisios Snow]

Artemisios took the boy's silence for consent. It would be enough. He watched Sota a moment longer, enjoying the boy's discomfort, then turned his gaze to Adara, still silent and faraway. "Adara, wake," he commanded, speaking English this time in acknowledgment of his guest's presence, and the boy's cooperation, however hesitant.

"Mr. Sota has agreed to accompany me to Schneewittchen, to learn the running of the estate. Is this not good news, Prinzessin?" As always, he took care in his phrasing. Adara was most impressionable when returning from one of her episodes, and he wished her to see things from his perspective.

[Adara Snow]

Adara blinked, her eyes focusing first on her hands, then rising momentarily as she took in the room around her. She recalled herself however, and lowered her gaze once more as she heard her father's words. Her lips curved. "It is wonderful news, Father," she replied, then dared to look aside at Emilian from beneath her lashes. She did not recall the conversation which had occurred around her, a blessing for her, and returning to find that all was well was a relief.

[Emilian Sota]

Emilian hadn't exactly agreed to do it, but he didn't have much choice, so he didn't argue the point. "When?" he asked, his eyes focused on a point somewhere by Snow's shoulder as he thought. His shop would have to close, he didn't have anyone to look after it, unless he could get Michael to do it. He mentally shook his head, he couldn't see Michael agreeing to that.

[Artemisios Snow]

"As soon as possible," Artemisios said. "There is much happening at this time of year, with preparations for the harvest, and my presence will be missed. It would be an excellent time to introduce you to the overseeing of the lands under Snow jurisdiction." It would also be overwhelming to a spoiled and lazy boy who had no concept of true responsibility. "My daughter will be concentrating on her studies," Artemisios added, emphasizing the words to impress them upon her, "and so the timing could not be better."

[Adara Snow]

Adara lowered her gaze again at that subtle admonition. She knew that she had fallen behind in her studies, and though she had tried to catch up and owl her work to her professors, she was still behind. She said nothing, but then, she knew that she wasn't expected to say anything, only to listen and obey, as she had been doing so little of lately.

[Emilian Sota]

Emilian nodded but didn't respond. He wasn't looking forward to it, not in the slightest. He turned his eyes back towards Adara, focusing on her as he thought, and at the same time tried not to think, about how the following months would play out for him. He couldn't stop wishing that there was some way around it, at least a way to see Adara more than purely when her father said he could.

[Artemisios Snow]

"Let me know when you will be ready to leave. I will have permissions ready for an international Portkey within the week." Artemisios hoped that the boy was silent from submission, and not because he was too dense to understand what was happening, but he prayed that the boy wasn't that stupid. "You may go. Both of you," Artemisios said, standing. "Adara, I will expect to hear that you have returned to the school and your studies."

[Adara Snow]

"Yes, Father," Adara said, following her father's example and standing. She didn't want to go back to the school! She wanted to stay with Emilian, but if he was leaving, then it was for the best. He would learn much from her father, especially if they were on better terms now, which it appeared they were. Adara let her optimism buoy her; she wanted to think that this was for the best.

[Emilian Sota]

Emilian stood as well, "I'll be ready in a few days." He would tell Michael what was going on, and try to spend as much time with Adara as he could, try to take in enough of everything about her to hold him over until he could see her again. It hadn't really sunk in that he wouldn't be seeing her for a long time, until her father decided he could visit, but it would, when he was able to hold her in his arms again.

[Artemisios Snow]

Artemisios inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment of the boy's words, then saw the two out of his office. Once they were gone, he called in his associate and began putting his plans into effect. There was much to be done, aside from the Portkey. He would not make this easy for Sota.