Living with all men who were bachelors was rather pleasant. It allowed her the freedom of being lady of the house and it lacked the pressure of dealing with a stranger trying to make a place for herself here and sharing the responsibilities she had. She didn't mind other women, not at all, but she liked her position, uninterested in losing it to anyone else.
But as it seemed unlikely that Rosier would ever marry, that Hypnos was more content to sleep and be covered in flowers and that Osiris would go grey before marriage while working, things were good.
Smiling fondly at the servant who came to pour them tea, she turned her attentions to the fragrant Ryugunese tea. From beneath her lashes, Persephone sent Syrinx a discreet, studying look. The girl was on the frail side of things but pretty in that way. More like a doll to be kept on the shelf than a person, though. The silk sleeves of her dress fell back down her arms when she lifted the cup to her lips but she only inhaled, not ready to drink.
"What do you think of the blend, dear?"
Syrinx was not comfortable, her life was simple and her background was humble, she would never have money to the extent Osiris and his family did. Yet she enjoyed his company all the same and had never been offended that her name had never been brought up with his family.
His sister was quite elegant, had Syrinx been a different type of person she would've been jealous. Instead, she simply admired the other, trying not to stare too much or touch too much or even breathe too much. She looked down at the cup, then up at Persephone once more, debating her answer.
"I... it is a very fine blend. Never had anything like it before. Thank you."
A sincere, easy smile was offered and Persephone finally took a sip of the tea. "Ryugu-jo exports more than they ever import. But they prize their tea and fish quite a bit. I think the price climbs almost every few months."
The cup was looked at with something akin to affection. "Yet they have us all hook on tea and we'd pay nearly any price for it. I suppose we could stick to Babylonian coffee but..." She laughed. "What's the point when you're addicted?"
Her attentions then did turn to the girl again. "How have you been?"
Syrinx didn't think addictions were a good thing, however she choose not to voice those thoughts and instead took the cup in her hands timidly. Coffee was a no-no for her since it dried her throat and the taste was too bitter for her liking. "I... have been well, thank you." She couldn't really touch the tea though, nervous as she was and instead placed it down again. "You...don't... have to be nice to me. It's okay, I mean..." she withdrew her eyes, "I don't mind that he- h- Osiris, never mentioned me. He should be happy, that's all."
When she was finished with this she moved her stare to the tea, and tensed up, a bird ready to fly off at the smallest sign of danger.
Addictions had everything to do with her business. She knew they could be terrible things but to voice would be wrong. They were needed, that was all.
"I don't?" Elbow on her knee and fist against her cheek, she appeared almost thoughtful. "So I should be rude? Maybe brush you off? Pretend you don't exist? Somehow, I think that doesn't seem right. And I've always fancied myself a civil and good hostess. Or that's what I've been told. I'm almost sure it's because of who Osiris is. Or Rosier. He's a terrible face when he's not happy about something." Her voice dropped a bit thought not low enough in case someone was listening. "I think that's the real reason why he's unmarried."
"I..." Syrinx seemed floored at her answered, "I ... just mean that I'm not- you are a good hostess, yes." She swallowed and looked down, then up, then down again. "Ah... he's not like.. him then." Him being Osiris of course, somehow she found it hard to say his name without feeling like the most awkward turtle ever.
How did Persephone manage to be so composed? Syrinx just wanted to flutter off and back into the safety of her home, or at least if Osiris had been around she could've grabbed onto him and stayed close and quiet.
Sometimes, it was just awful of her to tease like that and she took pity on the girl. After a swallow more of the tea, it was set down. "Now, now. Don't fumble and fret. I'm only teasing you. And I know. Osiris is more refined in ways. Softer." Reaching across the table, she laid a hand over the girl's.
"He's a good man who makes for a lovely friend. His nature is quiet but firm in its own way. His cleverness is apparent but not flashed about." There was a brief pause. "And I think he needs more people in his life."
The hand steadied her and Syrinx felt a little more comfortable and a little bit braver than a moment ago. "Sorry." At least the apology came without flailing, and now that Osiris' virtues were being discussed she turned a little pink as she nodded in agreement. "I think so as well. He... he should be happy, have someone who loves him and makes breakfast with him in the mornings and makes sure to cover him with a blanket when he passes out on the couch and..." A small shrug, she did want Osiris to be happy, his sister would surely understand that.
Happiness was a rare thing, yet that was how she felt when she was in his company. Happy, relaxed and comfortable. Osiris deserved someone who could give him that and more.
That was sweet. And rather romantic. A dark brow rose up all while she reached out to pick a sweet off one of the nearby plates. She contemplated it a moment before popping it into her mouth, rolling her thoughts around in her mind as it rolled around on her tongue and melted. When it was finally gone, she tossed the girl a question.
"Have you ever done that for someone or are you imaging all this now?"
Syrinx shook her head quickly, "No, not for someone just..." Him. Ah and now she was beginning to turn pink. This was not going well, Persephone seemed to relaxed and content in comparison to her flailing and wanting to curl up- hide away. Oh god. Had she said too much?
"I'm sorry... I... it is not my place to say so much. Just... want him happy. That's normal right? I mean."
"It is. Friends should always wish one another well." She felt one of the fat cats that enjoyed sneaking into the house nudge her bare toes. Wiggling them back even while knowing that one would be batted or even bitten soon, she focused on the shade of pink Syrinx had turned.
"Why are you blushing, Syrinx?"
Syrinx was not a cat person, in fact the appearance of one had her pulling her legs up and curling a little. Did Persephone not mind them at all? They were such... tricky beasts. She preferred not to even get involved with them. "Oh... I am? Ah." She ducked a little hiding her face. "Just...nervous and he..." Well talking about Osiris with his family made her blush. Besides it wasn't like she would want just anyone to be happy- yeah, she didn't wish ill but she really wanted Osiris to be happy. Him most of all.
"I...want him to be happy, out of everyone I know ...I want him to have that the most." she looked away once more.
Did little Syrinx have a tendre for Osiris? How interesting-- Ow. Feigning no injury from the furry beast, she drew her feet up beneath herself and selected another sweet. The creature darted off soon after that.
"The most. More than anyone you know, more than the neediest person in the world?" she mused, then licking the coconut from the carrot-based treat, wondering if Rosier was around for her to poke with her sticky fingers later. "It sounds like you'd like to be more than friends, if you don't mind my saying."
Syrinx felt like she had been discovered, yet she had also known that- somewhere deep down. She had never been good at lying or pretending she didn't understand the question. It was too direct anyway to pretend otherwise. "Yeah, maybe, I don't know." She drew up her knees and rested her chin on them, arms wrapping around her legs. "I ...wouldn't presume- anything, I mean-!" she looked alarmed for a moment, "He- I- we... we're not, and that's okay, I don't mind. I'm happy enough being friends with him."
Really, she truly was.
"If you don't mind very much again, I think that's lovely." How Osiris would react she had no idea. "And to be happy enough to be friends is fine. But should an opportunity present itself, perhaps you should tell him. With care, of course. A hint or two. And feel him out."
Whether Osiris wanted someone extra special in his life or not, she didn't know. It was entirely likely he was happy to be spouseless. Or perhaps he silently yearned for someone to come home that could give him the comforts that only a spouse could. She presumed he wasn't much of a brothel man but she'd never inquired.
Maybe she should.
"Oh... I could never do that, what if he- no, no I couldn't." Syrinx seemed to sink down on her chair, a little depressed because she really couldn't do this- not because she was incompetent, but because quite frankly she wouldn't be able to tell him without ... well telling him entirely. And maybe...that was not... "I'm happy to be whatever he wants."
Yes, that was fine for her.
Somehow she doubted anything would happen if they both held back. But she wasn't a matchmaker. She was trouble, indeed, but in her own business and affairs. There was another good strong doubt Osiris wouldn't appreciate her meddling.
Still, she reached out to pat Syrinx's hand with her non-sticky one. "Just be good to him. That's all that matters right now. Anything else is left in fate's hands."