The Day That Keeps Giving

Vincenzo picked up his saucer from his seat and took small sips of his tea. Ah, it was exquisite. The exotic Japanese blend mixed perfectly with the lovely hum of his magic in his tongue. When he was done, he placed the tea aside and reclined on his chair, folding his hands on his lap.

"Ah, I see. You two are the entitled types. You come into a Fontana family heir and top student of Starlight's house uninvited at a precocious time where he's working on his undergraduate thesis, sit awkwardly in his couch, and insult the various hospitable gestures he offers you, especially the expensive tea he took out just for you because... you think... he's obligated to accommodate you? Is that right? Did you know that gyokuro tea costs $100 per kilo in addition to shipping it in a remote, magically warded island? Insulting my best tea, offering nothing, being rude. You might get into your heads that I'm an oddball, but personally I think you two are being rude, and if your intent was to waste my time, then congratulations, my time is wasted."

He smiled, and took a bite of his scone.

Vincenzo happily took the stew and opened the lid to check what was inside. "It looks delicious. I'm sure my fiance would appreciate this. Thank you." But what he appreciated more was when she gulped her cup down in a hurry. That should be enough.

He picked up his own cup again and blew lazily at the hot water, taking small, careful sips before gulping it down. He poured himself another cup. Ah, yes, the completely poisoned tea, being happily drank by their forced host, to be gawked and weirded out by even though neither of them were even obligated to go inside his house. How charming. This guy wasn't the smartest tool in the shed, was he?

"Talking about me while I'm right in front of you? The rude behavior just keeps piling up. Where are your manners?" He smiled softly at Keira. "I don't care much for your rude brother, but I like you. Do you want to stay for dinner? My fiance is coming over in a few hours. He's moving in in a few months' time. It would be so lovely if you two got acquainted."

"His name is Milo," Vincenzo said enthusiastically, clasping his hands together. The enthusiasm was genuine. He adored his fiance so. "He's a tall grumpy guy, but don't let the grump fool you. He's a sweetheart. He runs the school art club and he works at a shelter. You should see him during lunch at school. He likes to go outside and pet cats. I love him a lot."

Vincenzo pulled out his phone and moved to the edge of his seat to show off pictures of Milo on his phone. "This is him at the shelter, bottlefeeding a kitten. This is him letting children pet his rats. You'll love him. He's a darling and a great listener."

As they went through the pictures, Vincenzo's eyes met Kuro's. "You're still here," he pointed out dryly, obviously displeased. "If you're not here to play nice, then I'm asking you to leave my home. I don't want your negativity in my safe space."

Vincenzo leaned forward, his stance somehow a mix of civil... and combative. He looked at Kuro with all the condescension a pampered heir had to offer.

"You playing nice..." He began, tone sharp, "...is still not up to standard if you want to stay at a stranger's house. How dare you disrespect me in my own home? I don't want you here. In fact, you never gave me a reason to accept you into my home. It looks like your sister doesn't want you here either. If you don't leave right away, I'll have to consider your presence trespassing and call the cops to forcibly remove you."