Ittindi knew he was supposed to laugh or smile at compliments, but he was still nervous sharp enough for a dreadnought was a compliment right? He’d see her reaction to him mentioning Sylvie and wonder if she didn’t like cats? Then quickly realized that he didn’t mention that Sylvie was a cat, he wondered what Captain Anika was thinking about before she walked to the doorframe. Ittindi did lose frame and start laughing heartily at her reaction to putting her hand out as if to shake his cats hand.
While Ittindi was all for manners, he had never met any cat that cared for anything besides themselves and their owners or loved ones. It was the refreshing part that made him a cat person more than dog, the ability even in the direst circumstances to stick up for oneself. It was something that he had admired about the Young Master as well, the idea seemed unapproachable in his own life. Service, sacrifice that was needed in the world and no one powerful seemed to think so, they left it for those that were weak, meager or loyal even a combination of those traits. That was part of what made him want to be the world’s best butler, to show that those traits didn’t have to be the sole defining factor of their class or job. There had to be more one could be loyal, servantly and sacrificial no one had the will or power to strive for it, Ittindi would be the first. After he recovered from laughing he’d speak while Sylvie would go up and sniff Captain’s Anika hand then quickly move back to behind Ittindi’s legs.
”I’ll take Sylvia back to our room she sometimes needs encouragement to take a nap. I imagine an early serving of food will do the trick. Do you mind coming to my room real quick, or would you rather meet at my car?”
Regardless of her answer Ittindi would start walking back to his room, their rooms weren’t to far apart, Ittindi with the new Colonel position had his office adjoined to his apartment. They’d walk through the mostly empty Ministry of Communication main office. The whirring of papers printing with different propaganda as well as information from every country of the council was an ambient sound for both Ittindi and Sylvia at this point. A couple salutes here and there for the late-night workers trying to prove their worth to Ittindi, he knew their names by heart even if he didn’t address them as such. Better to see who had loyalty to the cause then to Ittindi himself, those were the soldiers he wished to promote.
He'd put his palm on the door releasing the magical lock holding the door open if Captain Anika had decided to come into his room. It was a basic enough common area, littered with pictures of Ittindi with different employers and employees. From Café’s to Mansions his stoic impassioned face plastered across an array of suits and a decent number of contrasting smiling faces in the same pictures. His desk was organized with papers in different bins all organized with labels, the room had been shortened to make room for Ittindi’s massive walk-in closet which had the label clothes above it. Ittindi would walk to his magic refrigerator an expensive investment and pull out a Sylvia’s wet food while going into a cabinet to get the dry and a specific mixing bowl with a spoon that mimicked a cat’s paw for the scoop. Opening his door and placing the food bowl inside Sylvia would saunter in while Ittindi closed the door.
Heading to his vehicle he’d notice how brisk the weather was outside and be reminded of the Head Butler speaking on the pursuit of romance. That a women should never open a door for herself, he had recently washed and waxed his mana car and as a result its black luster beamed even in the break of dusk. That’s when he had another idea a surefire way to know whether this was professional. Before they got in the car, he’d open the door for Captain Anika and say.
”After you Captain Anika, uhh…do you think we should drop our ranks for the night by the way or is this more business oriented?”
The words felt awkward coming off Ittindi and if Captain Anika looked closely as he walked to his side you could see him cringe after the question. Going to the driver’s seat, he’d flick on the magic radio while heading through the city. Era had its own beauty as he’d drive down from their headquarters on top the largest hill in the city. It wouldn’t take more than 10 minutes before they were in the biggest district in Era colloquially called the Era Streets. Their destination was 6th street. When they arrived Ittindi happened to know the Concierge on service, he had helped the man with his first ever Trinity knot. Rolling down the window the man would see Ittindi with what appeared to be a date for the first time in history.
”Colonel Ittindi, a pleasure sir, I’ll take your vehicle for you. I have to say I was inspired hearing about you saving that burning building full of children. And that time you helped my family with their debt, you're a magnomanis man.”
Ittindi would sigh as the valet would open the door for Captain Anika and he was wondering why the man would make up so much about him. And why he used the word magnanimous incorrectly, he'd have to tell the captain once they were inside. There was a small line and a bouncer, but he recognized Ittindi as well opening the door and beckoning him into the groan of those in the line. One muttering “nice catch” under his breath to Ittindi as he opened the door into the bar. The stairs up were higher steps than he remembered, he'd offer his elbow to Captain Anika if she wanted the aid climbing it, but wouldn't be offended either way.
Once at the top they were greeted by the lights of the city a sight that Ittindi had hoped they would make it to in time. A sea of light beads dotted the landscape with Era’s Rune Knight headquarters sitting above all like the star on a Christmas tree. As Ittindi lead Captain Anika to a table for two with elevated chairs and a clear glass table, it’d be obvious that the patrons didn’t seem to notice them but all the staff kept staring their way. A server would appear at their table before others, a women in her late twenties in a white button up with black slacks and matching vest. Looking at Captain Anika they’d ask.
”What can I get you to drink madam?”