[ the house is not actually haunted; but rumors abound and they have a way of churning out a life of their own, replacing truth just because it's more sensational to hear, because it's better than mundane facts. graves is no stranger to sensationalism, but he has no patience for it. he has a son to bring up, and somehow no amount of money can ever secure himself the services of a tutor, of which his son is bereft. tristan is young and impressionable, and graves has things to attend to that takes him out of the lavish, immense manor for days at a time, sometimes.
the butler, malory, does his best -- but in between running the household smoothly and minding the young master, his attentions are more towards keeping the maids, cooks and kitchen hands in line than. eventually, however, there is a response from a young man, clever and good with words but inexperienced. graves takes it immediately.
he just hadn't expected the tutor to be so... young. he is barely older than a boy, and with that youthful face he carries with him a beauty that graves can't help but notice, a keen, understated intelligence that captures his attention. tristan loves him, too; and the young man has such a way with his son that he finds himself impressed despite himself.
tristan can be difficult sometimes, precocious and curious, but with credence he behaves, perhaps cowed under that gentle but firm hand, and so credence becomes the latest fixture in the graves manor. it's not a bad addition at all, he supposes. as far as tutors are concerned, he can definitely do worse.
his payment is prompt and generous; graves sees no reason to withhold payment if an employee performs satisfactorily, and with tristan's glowing review of credence's teaching skills, perhaps a raise is on the horizon. not that he will bring it up until he's ready -- or perhaps at all. it would perhaps be easier to simply have the payment reflect that raise without pomp or circumstance.
tonight, graves is in the other study that credence quietly tries to pass -- it's rare that he will make his way here, this wing where credence is to make his home, but then again this is a rare occurrence. a welcome one, all the same.
he looks up from his book when he spots a fleeting shadow in the doorway; credence does always have a habit of trying to make himself as small as possible, he notes. it's endearing and polite, and for a young man who had been poor as a church mouse before this, his polished manners impress. ]
Credence? [ he asks quietly. ] Come in, please. [ graves has been doing a spot of reading, his outfit impeccable -- black vest and the crisp white shirt, still wholly put together despite the time. the only thing missing is the scarf and the greatcoat, neatly put away by another of the maids. the room smells faintly of cigarette smoke and whiskey, and graves is stubbing out the remnants of a cigarette in the ashtray. ] I hope I am not interrupting.
no subject
the butler, malory, does his best -- but in between running the household smoothly and minding the young master, his attentions are more towards keeping the maids, cooks and kitchen hands in line than. eventually, however, there is a response from a young man, clever and good with words but inexperienced. graves takes it immediately.
he just hadn't expected the tutor to be so... young. he is barely older than a boy, and with that youthful face he carries with him a beauty that graves can't help but notice, a keen, understated intelligence that captures his attention. tristan loves him, too; and the young man has such a way with his son that he finds himself impressed despite himself.
tristan can be difficult sometimes, precocious and curious, but with credence he behaves, perhaps cowed under that gentle but firm hand, and so credence becomes the latest fixture in the graves manor. it's not a bad addition at all, he supposes. as far as tutors are concerned, he can definitely do worse.
his payment is prompt and generous; graves sees no reason to withhold payment if an employee performs satisfactorily, and with tristan's glowing review of credence's teaching skills, perhaps a raise is on the horizon. not that he will bring it up until he's ready -- or perhaps at all. it would perhaps be easier to simply have the payment reflect that raise without pomp or circumstance.
tonight, graves is in the other study that credence quietly tries to pass -- it's rare that he will make his way here, this wing where credence is to make his home, but then again this is a rare occurrence. a welcome one, all the same.
he looks up from his book when he spots a fleeting shadow in the doorway; credence does always have a habit of trying to make himself as small as possible, he notes. it's endearing and polite, and for a young man who had been poor as a church mouse before this, his polished manners impress. ]
Credence? [ he asks quietly. ] Come in, please. [ graves has been doing a spot of reading, his outfit impeccable -- black vest and the crisp white shirt, still wholly put together despite the time. the only thing missing is the scarf and the greatcoat, neatly put away by another of the maids. the room smells faintly of cigarette smoke and whiskey, and graves is stubbing out the remnants of a cigarette in the ashtray. ] I hope I am not interrupting.