Xing Han pointedly did not look at the Thing that walked by. He focused his attention on Kyle, smiling and joking as normal. However, his eyes did follow the Thing's movements in his peripheral vision because you know, he had to be vigilant.

The Thing was sneaky.

As Nitocris walked past and headed for the kitchen, a ghost of a smile on his face appeared.

Oh, could his little puppy be any more cuter? The way he sat there, pretending not to notice him walking by but those cute little brown eyes following him.

"Nitocris, dear, what are you doing here?" asked Rheia, upon seeing her beloved son entering, "Dinner will be ready soon. Go join your brother and friends in the living room."

Nitocris gave her a gentle smile and took the dish that she had scooped into the serving plate. He bent down a bit and kissed her on the forehead, saying, "I can help with this much, at least."

Nitocris greeted Master Shifu with a slight nod of his head, "Father."

Master Shifu nodded in acknowledgment, "Nitocris. Your mother is right. You've just got back from work. Freshen up, at least."

"I will, Father," Nitocris replied, then went out to put the dish on the table.

May smiled pleasantly at him and was setting the table, her big belly looking like a ripe watermelon ready to burst.

Nitocris gave May a slight hug and rubbed her belly, "Be good, little one."

May smiled wider, "He's been very good, Brother Nitocris. Your godson is good and strong."

Nitocris smiled, then walked back to the kitchen. He talked a while before heading to his room to freshen up a bit.

Meanwhile, back at the living room, Xing Han saw the entire scene in surprise. He had never seen such a kind look on Nitocris's face before, nor show such gentle care and administration to other people.

Well, he was Kyle's 'brother', so to speak, so he couldn't be that bad but still! When he remembered the way Nitocris looks at him smugly, and the way he always monopolized Kyle's attention as he did so, he couldn't help but feel agitated.

Xing Han decided to ignore the Thing for real this time and turned to interrogate Kyle, "What was that all about? The snapping up and flipping over sofa whooosh whoosh thing?"

"Whoosh whoosh?" Kyle asked, while trying very hard to hold back his laughter.

"Well, ye-ah! I mean, you got up so fast and jumped over like the wind. Whoosh whoosh!" Xing Han explained, looking at Kyle as if it was so obvious.

"Oh, that?" Kyle said, waving his hand dismissively, "Thought I felt something. It was nothing, so forget it."

Xing Han nodded, fully accepting the explanation.

Kay, too, had felt the killer aura and looked inquisitively at Kyle. Her senses weren't as sharp as Kyle so she could not determine where it came from. All she felt was the sudden increase in the feeling of 'danger'.

Kyle shrugged [It's nothing. It came and left very quickly, so it is highly unlikely that whatever - or whoever - it was, poses any danger. Master Shifu is also here and he didn't react]

Kay nodded, understanding. It was just as Kyle said. If the person meant any harm, the killer aura wouldn't have been extracted that quickly. Still, it wouldn't hurt to be more cautious.

✿ ✿

The dining room was lively, livelier than it normally is since the addition of three teenagers. They brought a certain 'youthfullness' atmosphere. Normally, mealtimes would be quiet, or have a little bit of conversation here and there.

Generally, the temperaments of the original occupants were just like that. Master Shifu only spoke when there was something profound to say, Rheia was the quiet type and only spoke when she saw people weren't eating.

No need to mention May, that would only speak when spoken to - not because she was in her little shell like before, but because she was more focused on Hawthorn. Hawthorn was the non-inquisitive type so he never asked nor took the initiative to share anything.

As for Nitocris? Even more so.

But now, with the three young ones, it was different.

Granted, the one that was causing the most ruckus was Xing Han. He would talk animatedly about his day, giving accounts of 'Kyle moments' in an exaggerated manner, filling the table with laughter. Even Hawthorn was listening and laughing along.

Only Nitocris was silently eating, seemingly oblivious to the ruckus around. Doing his own thing, in his own way, nothing out of place.

Xing Han rolled his eyes at that.

Why was that man always so perfect? Even though he was annoyed by the Thing, he couldn't deny how perfect he always was, be it in his mannerisms or his features.

The way that silver steak ran through the perfectly slicked back black hair was perfect. The way his suit fit his sculptured body perfectly, not a crease in sight. For dinner, he had taken off his jacket and his sleeves were rolled up - but even then, it was so neat!

The way he ate even, with movements so fluid and delicate, yet strong. His hands, that looked like it could snap a person in two, could hold a pair of chopsticks so well as he aimed towards the dishes.

Xing Han had no idea how to put it into words but it felt like Nitocris was this perfect shell of a person. Nothing out of place. Like a picture cut-out. Perfect, and cold.

Yet before, he was warm.

For the first time in his life, Xing Han was curious.

Just what sort of person was this Thing, really?

"Kyle, see me after dinner," Nitocris said, as he took another piece of meat.

"Sure thing, Big Bro Nic," Kyle replied, "Where? The office?"

Nitocris gave a slow smile as he turned to look at Kyle, "No. My room."

Xing Han gritted his teeth, chomping on his food.

The Thing IS annoying.