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intih watched as Tristan put on his charms on the man. Despite being a good businessman and used to haggling, Sin was sure the man had never faced someone like Tristan, who had once convinced people he was the King of Rynmere because he thought it to be an interesting joke. Sin watched as the Duke kept pushing him, refusing to give up. He had to admit he was pleasantly surprised to see Tristan work so hard for something. Aside from his art, his parties and his daughter, Sin didn't think Tristan had ever put such effort into anything before. "I can't just give out information about my other clients to anyone who asks. I'm sure you'd appreciate the same level of privacy if you were my client."Sin's eyes locked with Tristan as the Duke glanced at him. He nodded, ever so slightly, as to let Tristan know he was aware of what was happening here. It looked like the Duke was able to follow the same line of thought as Sin in this situation. Despite that, Tristan didn't let up, trying something else when he couldn't get the information about Oonco's clients from him. Sin focused on Lear, trying to read his face while Tristan spoke. When Tristan spoke about people not being happy with him being here, Sin expected to see that unhappiness on the man's face, perhaps even a hint of anger or outrage, some sort of colonial pride. Instead, for a trill, he thought he recognized fear in the man's eyes. "You are not unknown, that is true. I didn't mean to imply such with my words."
He'd seen a similar look before, most often when people had been trying to get away from the patrols after having done something bad. The moment they knew they were about to be caught. The moment before his foot connected with their family jewels was also one of these, at least when they saw it coming. He even knew what that moment felt like. The Nulliem brought that moment with them wherever they walked. Sin wouldn't be surprised to learn that every Yludih, aside from perhaps the ancients, carried that moment with them for the rest of their lives. In the instant he saw those eyes, Sin knew that Lear Oonco was not the Noble-hating rebel that Sin had thought him to be but just another pawn in the games played between men of power.
For a moment after Tristan asked his question, Lear sat in silence, obviously thinking about his reply. "It is not that I don't want to do business with you, your grace. I simply don't have the capacity for it at the moment." Curious. Sin tilted his head slightly as he listened, going over the words again. Basically, he'd given Tristan the same message but his words were different, his approach seemed difference. "My other client..." He hesitated again, formulating his words. "They would become a Thorn in your side if they knew you're the reason I'm late with my deliveries. He seemed to stress the thorn in particular, as if he wanted Tristan to know about it. Sin's eyes widened for a moment at the words and he turned his attention back to Tristan to see if the Duke had understood them as he had.
Before Tristan could respond, however, Lear stood up from his seat. "Now, I still have a lot of work to do, I hope you understand, your grace." His hand motioned out towards the door, inviting Tristan and Sintih to get out, preferably as quickly as possible. Sin was curious to see what Tristan would do in this situation. On the one hand, a man of lower standing, by all means a commoner, was throwing the Duke of Oakleigh out of his place of business, in the nicest way possible. On the other hand, he had just told them exactly who was standing in the way of the Duke's wishes. Sin stepped away from the wall, ready to follow Tristan's lead, whether that lead went outside peacefully or not.
