The morning breeze was quite pleasant on his face. Aris blinked as he rested his chin on the open window, his drowsy eyes staring out into the city that was just beginning to wake, lazily tracing the movements of people heading for their jobs early in the morning.
His hair was disheveled, not in a messy way, but just enough so that it made him look comfortable. His eyes were only half open, his tired gaze barely present. Still, even though he had just woken up from a messy sleep, his face looked as beautiful as ever.
The silk shirt he had worn last night had slipped off of his shoulders, only clinging to his body because it had managed tighten itself around his arms. He pulled up one of the collars, letting the other hang loose on his shoulder because he knew it was going to fall off anyways.
Aris let out a small yawn. Then, blinking the moisture away, he slowly pushed himself away from the window. Heading to the bathroom to get ready.
It had taken him most of an hour to get ready.
Not because it required that long.
He simply preferred it that way, taking it slow made him feel like he had control over what happened with him. And he had to put attention to his appearance for today, having a lot of things that he needed to extend his attention to.
By the time he stepped out of his apartment, the sun had fully rose into the horizon, the blinding rays of light illuminating his silky silver hair. There wasn't much activity going on in the hallways apart from the few usual noises, he walked unhurriedly towards the elevator, giving himself a one last look-over on the metal slides before he stepped in.
The lobby was comfortably quiet, the lethargy of the early morning still hanging in the air as Aris stepped out of the elevator. He took a small moment to scan the room, spotting the person that had agreed to meet with him today.
Silas was comfortably seated on one of the couches, one leg folded up on the other as he patiently waited for Aris. It looked like he had been here for a short while, confirmed by the fact that no one else in the room was paying attention to the presence of a whole awakened leisurely sitting in the lobby.
When he finally noticed Aris, he straightened, unfolding his legs as he gave Aris a cheery wave.
"You took your sweet time." He got up from the couch as Aris approached.
"I'm pretty sure i told you to come thirty minutes later,"
Silas gave him a light shrug. "One can hardly wait when such a wonderful day awaits them."
Aris raised an eyebrow.
Silas averted his gaze, clearing his throat as he led the way.
"I brought my car, we'll be going to the awakened association headquarters first?"
"Mm" Aris hummed in return, quietly following after Silas.
The man was dressed rather stylishly today, not in the obscene way, he noted, but the kind that made it interesting to study. He wore dark trousers fitted without being deliberate about it, a black shirt with the half of the buttons undone, a small peek of his chiseled body out for the world to see.
A jacket in a muted brown hung off one shoulder, the other sleeve properly on, with the relaxed asymmetry of someone who had put it on while walking and hadn't bothered to finish. Sleeves rolled to the elbow on the side that was actually wearing it.
Impressive, he noted, for someone who looked like he was actively not trying to put up an appearance.
He held the door open for Aris as they reached the car, giving him a small bow as he closed the door behind him.
The drive was short.
The parking lot of the association building was quite busy today. Aris noting that there were an unnatural amount of awakened gathered here, he scanned the surroundings for a moment, a bad feeling settling in his stomach as he let the pressure of the combined presence settle on his skin.
He glanced at Silas, a silent question in his eyes.
The observant man noticed his hesitation, of course he did, so he explained the situation as they got out of the car.
"There were rumors spreading about the appearance of a new S rank, might be why there's so many people."
Aris looked at the awakened association building, a faint frown creasing his soft, thin lips.
"Horrible timing." He said, after a moment.
Silas shrugged.
"I mean," He locked the car, waiting for it to beep in confirmation before continuing. "They couldn't have known we were coming in for re-evaluation."
He turned to look at Silas.
Then after a long moment, let out a quiet sigh. Cursing his luck.
Navigating the sea of awakened was quite the task, especially because of the size difference between these genetic monsters and Aris. He had to closely follow behind Silas in order to not get lost, occasionally being interrupted by morons who who stopped him for a chat.
It took way too long, in his opinion, to get to the door of the building.
Silas had to argue with the guards for a bit to finally let them go inside.
His voice stayed level, but there was an edge to it that made the younger guard straighten unconsciously. Identification was checked twice. Then a third time, teetering between the thin line of formality and rudeness.
"Re-evaluation floor is restricted," one of them finally muttered, after a long hesitation.
"We have an appointment, literally issued by the chairman." Silas replied, his voice firm.
The guard's eyes flicked briefly toward Aris.
Lingering.
Then back to Silas.
"…Fine."
The doors unlocked with a heavy mechanical click.