"So you're blind now, big deal," quipped the vampire. "You still don't get a free pass to act like an invalid in denial if you want to remain useful." He leaned back in his chair, now rather weary of the topic at hand. "So quit acting like I slapped you, as I'm sure many people would like to. And for your information, any children of mine would be holding their own much better."

Really, what was with everyone in the mornings. These people were diurnal by simple biology--if anyone had a right to fly off the handle at all, it was Aidou. His dignity was worth far more, and not even taking into account everything weighing on his mind, his behaviour was phenomenally better than it could be. The fact that he could even sit here and act calm was an amazing force of will.

Continuing on, he said, "Longer than that." For once, he didn't balk at the answer, though he did glance at Sasuke for a moment. Not as long as the boy himself, though. Wasn't much of a consolation.