The young Harkes let out a sigh of contentment as he sat down on the balcony with Seifer. The two of them had taken a long bath in the Guild Headquarters before coming here. Seifer looked out at the view of the pool and gardens below.

“Beautiful place you have, Orion” he said honestly.

“Thanks, this is my favorite spot. Usually father would join me but he’s going to be in the Nox City for the next few hours at the very least” said Orion.

“Oh, what happened?” asked Seifer.

“ Huge damages to the potions he provides for the partnership between him and your grandfather. He’s investigating with your grandfather’s assistant but there are no traces, seems like an inside job” said Orion

“It’s strange, there were only damages to the potions, no theft. Plus the fact that it seems like an inside job means they need to find the culprit as soon as possible” continued Orion, unaware that the culprit was sitting right in front of him.

“I see.” said Seifer, pretending to be deep in thought.

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“Anyway, it doesn’t matter right now, let’s have a few drinks” said Orion with a laugh.

“You know, I’ve been saving this for far too long. What better occasion than almost dying?” Seifer said.

“What, you got a bottle of Redmoon wine or something?” asked Orion.

Seifer simply brought out a bottle of dark pink liquid from his tulak ring.

“You do have a bottle of Redmoon” said Orion with an open mouth, watching Seifer pour a small amount into the two glasses with anticipation.

“To almost dying over something stupid” intoned Seifer.

“To almost dying over something stupid” repeated Orion with a chuckle as he clinked his own glass with Seifer’s.

For the next hour and a half, they talked and laughed like old friends. The guilt in Orion’s heart grew steadily but he pushed it down, knowing there was no chance that his father would take his feelings into account.

“Oh by the way, do you work with your father for the Potions he supplies to my grandfather and the Patriarch?” asked Seifer.

“Yes I do” said Orion.

“Can I see your potions workspace?” asked Seifer.

“Oh I forgot you were a Potioneer yourself. But I don’t know if that’s a good idea” muttered Orion.

“Why not?” asked Seifer, faking confusion.

Orion hesitated to let anyone get close to the vampire. Usually only he or his father would work in the Potions Laboratory that was closest to the vampire but he supposed there was no harm in letting Seifer see the laboratories that were further away.

“Alright let’s go” said Orion.