Cerenai did not trust easily. Trust among a species that would kill its own offspring if it had the slightest flaw was virtually nonexistent, and what alliances were formed were shaky at best, and lasted only as long as it benefited both demons. Those that trusted, died. Let your guard down, and you were vulnerable. That was just how it went, and that was a worldview that Kyras had yet to shake. He probably never would. He had no reason to trust, others had no reason to trust him, and he rather liked it that way.
Of course, in addition to the lack of trust, it probably wasn't so much to assume that Cerenai weren't exactly the most hospitable of creatures...
So when Elinsha offered up her "services", Kyras simply paused in midstep, shifted Lenrizel a little, and ran his oddly-colored, almond-shaped eyes over her quickly as though looking at her for the first time. But it was more that he was sizing her up. He didn't actually believe any of the creatures here would pose much of a threat to him, but it was another habit, and a good one to have at that. One could never be too sure, and he certainly couldn't say he trusted her motives. But, the same was true for everyone in Kyras' eyes.
Considering what he'd been through and what culture he'd come from, and considering how he himself was...it would be foolish to be any other way.
Hrm...well, Kyras certainly couldn't say he was experienced with training slaves, at least not on this side of the fenceâ€"he knew what it was like on Lenrizel's side all too well, but that wasn't the same. Especially since he himself could admit that he wasn't really trying to train the boy so much as use him, in more ways than just his powers. He didn't want the boy to be completely trained and obedient, really...
Like hell would he ever say the real reason why. Not even to himself.
But, in any case, a little more punishment couldn't hurt. And he couldn't help but be curious about this creature; she certainly was not human, which was...well, in an odd way, a relief. Humans were boring. And even if he didn't trust, and even if he viewed these non-Cerenai as lesser, it didn't mean he didn't get bored, and despite their violence and distrust, they were rather social. As long as you were tough, useful, and possessed no natural flawsâ€"scars did not countâ€"you could count yourself as relatively safe if you were careful. It didn't mean others wouldn't try and knock you off and take your place, though, if they felt they had the capability to do it.
"...I expect you'll keep your word, otherwise I'll kill you," Kyras finally replied, voice nonchalant and gaze steady. He meant every word of it, and killing her would be to him about as bad as killing a gnat. But it was also a test to see just what kind of being she was, if she was easily intimidated or what. Perhaps even a chance to back off, a warning. This, for Kyras, was being rather civil. "I don't care how you treat himâ€"he cannot dieâ€"but I expect you will forget everything the whelp was spouting a few moments ago. As for a place to stay, I hope you're not expecting luxery or maid service. My home is very...humble. You can sleep there, but as for everything else, you'll have to fend for yourself."
He was no host, after all.
And he meant everything else. Even if he didn't say it, so long as she "behaved", she would be unharmed. He had no reason to kill random people here, because he was outside of his own society, and things just worked differently hereâ€"different laws, different culture, different everything, and he was a minority here, and he accepted that. So, unless she managed to piss him off, he had no reason to hurt her. And, just as he found Lenrizel beautiful in his own way, this girl was rather exotic and unique, herself, and beauty was prized among his kind, as he knew all too well.
She wasn't a Cerenai, but Cerenai ways only worked among other Cerenai. Or when Cerenai were the majority in a land. But his kind were few, now, and he accepted that. He was adaptable.
And, though he'd never admit it, proud of his race though he was, he was also a little glad it had been torn apart.
For his own reasons and own benefit, of course.
