Office Tea (Closed: Vincent and Count D)

[Count D]

Upon entering the Count's office, one would find not a smell of animals, but the sweet aroma of incense. They may also detect a hint of baked goods. A tea set was placed neatly upon the cherry wooden desk in the back of the room, with steam still rising out of the kettle. Animals littered the room, of all kinds; dogs, cats, birds, muggle animals, and magical creatures unbeknownst to even some of Hogwarts finest teachers. The office was dark, with shades of purple and maroon accenting the walls an furniture. Chinese decor made the room seem elegant.

The Count made his way over to his desk, and poured himself some more tea. Giggling, he brought the kettle over to Vincent, and began to pour some into his cup. "Welcome."

(( I totally did not steal the first paragraph from my original office post XD ))

[Vincent Valentine]

Vincent's eyes were wide as he entered the Count's office. It really was like nothing he'd ever seen. "This room is amazing. Did you decorate all this yourself?" Vincent's own office was a bit of a mess, with papers, books, and assorted souvenirs he'd picked up over the years scattered everywhere like a storm had hit.

[Count D]

The Count nodded, placing the kettle back on his desk. "Yes, I did. It's not as nice as my shop, but it's good enough." He smiled, before sitting in his desk chair. "Please, have a seat." With a snap of his fingers, a teen boy, with shaggy hair and ram horns protruding from his head, brought an almost royal-looking chair over beside Count. Count D smiled at the boy, and gently patted his head. "Very good, Ten-chan. You're getting better." The boy grinned.

[Vincent Valentine]

Vincent eyed the boy with slight interest before he sat down next to the Count. "Interesting... I'm going to assume that he's either an Animagus or a transfigured animal. Either way, it is rather interesting." He took a sip from his mug, his eyes shut in thought.

[Count D]

"Transfigured animal. He wanted me to let him keep his horns, but I think they look silly." Count D glanced up at the boy, who huffed. D smiled. "Alright Ten-chan, back to your home." The boy made his way through another door in the Count's office, and shut it behind him.

Count D looked over at Vincent, a soft smile on his face.

[Vincent Valentine]

Vincent shrugged. "I don't know. Personally, I think the horns add character." He set his hand on his chin and looked around the Count's office. "You have a very nice office. Would you mind redecorating my office one day, per chance?" A small smile graced his features.

[Count D]

"Oh, that would be fun!" He clapped his hands together with delight. He's such a woman. The Count crossed his legs neatly, and leaned back in his chair. "So, Vincent, tell me; how has life treated you thus far?" His dark friend seemed very closed up to the world, and he wanted to see if maybe he could get into Vincent's pretty head.

[Vincent Valentine]

Vincent's expression darkened, and his voice took on a bit of a hard edge. "If you have to know, like a chew toy. Whenever good seems to come into my life, sooner or later something will take it away from me." He drank from his mug before he continued. "My mother, my friends, my job, my wife..." He sighed and leaned into his own chair, his eyes shut tightly. "And people wonder why I seem to hate everything."

[Count D]

Count D's face remained unchanged as he listened. He set his cup down on the desk, and faced Vincent. "I don't think you hate everything. It seems like you deserve to, however." He closed his eyes. "Such a shame, Vincent. All that happened to such a good person."

[Vincent Valentine]

Vincent snorted. "Me? Good? I'm probably no better than the Devil himself." He bowed his head. "I willingly worked for a group I knew was doing wrong. That was my sin. And this... Me, living alone, everyone I love gone... This is my punishment." He reached for his mug and half-heartedly took a sip.

[Count D]

With a soft chuckle, the Count shook his head. "Well, certainly Hogwarts wouldn't hire someone as evil as you've described yourself." He tucked a strand of hair behind his left ear, the orchid in his visible eye flashing. "We've all sinned, Vincent. But it does not mean you can't move on."

[Vincent Valentine]

Vincent looked over at the count, his own crimson eyes showing signs of confusion. "You honestly think so? I've been feeling guilt over my misdeeds for 3 entire decades. Can I really just forgive myself for what I've done?"

[Count D]

"Surely you can. Things happen that we are not proud of, Vincent. But should we let it take over us, then it can very well ruin our lives." He calmly sipped at his tea, "Forgiveness is a key to living."

[Vincent Valentine]

Vincent stared into his mug, lost in his own thoughts. "...you're right, Count. I've already been forgiven by others..." An image of Lucrecia, smiling at him before she passed on flashed through his mind... "I guess it's time for this old codger to forgive himself." He turned to the other man and smiled. "Thank you."

[Count D]

The Count nodded, a soft giggle passing through his lips. "I didn't say anything you didn't already know." He faced his desk once again, placing his cup down.