I imagine.

If Miraye managed to escape, he would not let Tic know. Not at all, Tic would be told that Miraye was recaptured and put back in her jail.

"Maybe you so long for escape because of that dirty cage I was obligated to put you in."

The muscles in Tic's body tensed under Larkin's fingers and he slowly let his grip die, merely resting his hands on the boy's shoulders. Was he angry at Miraye for leaving him? Larkin didn't know - but if so, for the better. Part of him knew that Miraye would come back for Tic, but part of him wanted the guards to catch her. Maybe she wasn't as clever as he had assumed, and he would not loose the power that Miraye gave him. It was a fifty-fifty risk he was taking. Either way, he still had Tic and more knowledge than anyone in his power ever had about the Sink.

True, Larkin had used his kindness to deceive Tic and Miraye once before, but now his voice was bedaubed with a gentleness, unwavering in that sincerity. He grinned inwardly at the thought of Tic being angry, angry at Miraye for leaving him behind. Then again, maybe he wasn't angry. Maybe he was glad that Miraye had gone. They had worked this escape out together. One of them was clever, at least.

Now, Larkin's voiced echoed through the massive, empty hallway. "I'm sorry," he said, "but never trust what you do not know." He let out a long, loud sigh and gently turned Tic around to face him. He wanted to be seen and listened to. Was Tic even acknowledging him? He leaned over slightly, a good head taller than Tic was, and smiled with his velvet red lips.

Whether it was shock from Larkin's apology, Miraye's leaving, or simply fear of being in this man's overwhelming presence, Tic's mouth was hanging open. His eyes were wide, aware, and locked onto Larkin's face, and that ... so disarming smile of his.

Larkin itched to know what Tic was thinking, and what he was feeling. What was his impression of Larkin? The man's smile remained, expression unchanging and unrevealing of any thoughts that passed through his mind. From Tic's face, Larkin's eyes trailed all the way down his shabby appearance to his feet, then swept all the way back to those violet eyes.

He took one hand from Tic's shoulder and brushed away a clump of dirt and dried blood, as if that would do any good. "I imagine you would like to be out of those clothes and into something cleaner and warmer, hm?" There was no answer, but Tic's mouth closed and his mind shut up, thinking. During the silence, Larkin's scrutinized Tic. Under all that dirt and all those rags was something pretty.

Tic gave a reluctant nod.

"Ah, good, come with me." he turned Tic back around, putting one arm around him and gripping his upper arm in strong fingers, fearing that maybe Tic would make a dash for it. He doubted it, but he did not know Tic that well. He was still labeled as something unpredictable. Still... Larkin lead him down the long hallway, and entered one of the more busy areas of the castle, where three servants were ordered to cease their chores and take Tic away.

"They'll take care of you," he whispered to Tic before he was taken away by the ladies, "be good."

And when the four were out of Larkin's sight, he found a guard and ordered the man to assist the servants if need be.