There might be a chill to the air outside, but it’s preferable to how confined the inside of Kykuit seems right now. A thought that doesn’t seem fair when things are running more smoothly than they have in a while, and he’s known too much war in his life not to be appreciative of that. Samson’s got his brother back, and if Ethan’s honest with both of them he figured they’d be bringing him home in a body bag. Which wasn’t a comment on the exorcist he’d been sent. Only that he’d learned by now not to pin any hopes on a best case scenario. Better to prepare for the worst.

It doesn’t surprise him to find Taeko outside, even less to see her with a book in hand. That intelligence is part of what kept here here, because he’ll deny any sentimentality playing a part of it. It’s easier than admitting a certain sense of responsibility there, because he remembers her father and he remembers what happened to him. It’s fitting that it brought them both into this life, just as fitting that it’s why there’s an exorcist still sitting inside the walls behind him. Death was a more binding force than life most times.

“Can’t complain.” He doesn’t agree or disagree, but she should be used to him by now. He gives a nod of his head before focusing on the book in her hand. “What’re you reading?”

It would be lying to say that when she’d first came to the estate that people’s more distant dispositions didn’t bother her. But over time she’d grown to accept it and realise that it was nothing personal. While it was something she had refused to let herself take on, Taeko could see it’s benefits, even if she was on a silent one girl mission to bring a little more happiness into people’s lives. Get them to smile just a little or even open up ever so slightly was always an achievement. So when it came to Ethan, her smile didn’t dim any when he didn’t give her a definite agreement, too used to how people around here worked.

Ever since having been bitten, Connor liked being outside a lot more. He didn’t mind the cooler weather, actually tolerated that a little more, too. Only a few of the advantages of having become a werewolf that he had come to admire. But he still had a long way to go to completely embrace the beast that had so quickly become a part of him. The Tenebre still accepted him despite what he was, but there was still concern over whether he could truly control himself. Connor worried about it at times himself, but for the most part, he felt he had a good grasp on his emotions. It was just when he was angry, that was when it got hard to control…

For now, though, he was fine. Perhaps still a little restless since the last full moon a couple days ago. No unusual incidents from that night, which he was thankful for. Connor had decided to take a stroll outside, figuring some fresh air would help ease his concerns, and being out and about would ease some of the pent up energy he had left over. He knew going on a hunt would definitely help with that, but nothing had come up yet.

While he was out, he spotted Tae seated in the garden, nose in a book. He gave a soft snort at the all too familiar sight. When wasn’t Taeko reading? Probably when she was out on a hunt. She was too keen on wanting to know everything, to learn something new. Reminded him a lot of Laurel; so eager for knowledge. He made his way over to her, hands tucked in the pockets of his jacket.

“Very nice day,” he agreed, then nodded toward the book in her hands, “what’re you reading up on today?”

The smile on her face widened upon seeing it was Connor. While their little group was forged from loyalty and a desire to keep the world safer, a lot of people there built up walls around themselves. While it was undeniable most would take bullets for each other in a heartbeat, Taeko couldn’t claim to be overly close to that many people - though not through lack of trying. Connor was one of the ones she had managed to form a close bond with and his company was something she always enjoyed. “I couldn’t resist it, just had to make the most of it while it’s here.”

Max didn’t often do things for the gratitude. No need to thank him or give him a reward. He’d never been taught that way because it was never something his mother would have expected from any of the people she helped along the way. He hadn’t truly expected the Tenebrae would be different. No matter his thoughts on the organization and what bureaucracy he thought went on behind closed doors, no on in this line of work did it for the thank you. 

But…he couldn’t deny the feeling that a fucking thank you would have been nice. It had been the first time he’d truly been able to show this Sect what he could do. Exorcising a demon from Eli like it was child’s play. There was a cockiness to the way he worked because he knew his power and he knew his skill. He also knew that this move to the Tenebrae had him dealing with a different set of demons. Ones that didn’t already know his name. He wouldn’t let it lure him into a false sense of security, because he also couldn’t deny that the reason he’d come to the Tenebrae in the first place was that his name was preceding him to most exorcisms. Already on the tongues of demons he had yet to meet. His mother’s had been as well. She’d died for it. And he wasn’t ready to go yet. 

A walk in the garden wasn’t something he did regularly. He could care less about the grounds. He was getting restless. It happened after exorcisms. Especially when there was such a palpable unrest in the manor as people settled down from it. 

He snorted when the question was aimed his way. Couldn’t say that he’d always gotten along with Taeko. She was a rabid fangirl in his opinion, just of the few times they’d conversed since he’d gotten here. But she probably had her own conclusions about him and he was well aware of them. 

“I’ve seen better,” he said, mostly because he was starting to build the habit of always picking an argument with her. Though there was no real malice behind it, he got a kick out of the teasing.

There’d always been an effort made on her part to form bonds with other members on the team or at least settle into a civil exchange for the most part. She wasn’t naive enough to believe that they would always get along or even that she would be liked by everyone but the bare minimum she expected was for people to try to react to her in a similar manner.  To her it didn’t seem like too much to ask but in Max’s case she was clearly hoping for too much.