Sani Descheeni

*Cursed?*

He wanted to ask Jack more.

DING, the sound of the door bell chimed. Someone walked in.

Hyeon recognized the man from his video interview months prior. Seeing him through a computer screen didn't do him justice. His new manager wasn't exactly Hyeon's type, but wow. This person's rusty-red hair was pushed back to show his actor-like face. Although he wore black reading glasses that spoke business, his grey eyes were very noticeable.

And Hyeon was a sucker for suits. That dark grey Hugo Boss attire just...

*I can't even.*

Hyeon jumped forward to shake his hand. "That's me. Again, I'm sorry for missing the earlier ferry."

"Pleasure. I'm sure it won't happen again," Sani Descheeni greeted, reaching out to return the gesture. His words were laced with passive aggression. So…he WAS peeved that Hyeon was late.

Hyeon wanted to save face, but he pointed to Nammi on his shoulder instead. "It was sort of her f-fault." When he was nervous or being confronted, he had a habit to either provide too much information or stutter if the pressure was too much.

"Nammi ended up escaping the hotel room and ate the oatmeal."

*PLEASE SHUT UP.*

Sani tilted his head forward to look at Hyeon over the rims of his glasses. He pushed his glasses back with a pointer finger and pulled out a fountain pen from the front suit pocket to write some notes. "Hmm, we need to do a little work about your...interesting speech. The Master won't like it."

Hyeon's inner introvert was in pain. Someone, please yeet me out of here.

"Oh, and you can refer to me as Sani. I don't particularly like the formalities compared to others at Festr Castle. I have a car waiting outside to take us there. If you don't mind, please follow me." Sani placed the pen back in his pocket.

What Jack said earlier about Festr Castle was still bothering him. "Um, I heard something about the…castle…that is worrying me."

Intrigued, Sani asked, "And what about it did you hear?"

"T-he manager, Jack, claimed he rarely or never sees the people who work there. It's also cursed." Hyeon said 'cursed' with a shy whisper. The word seemed so ridiculous to say out loud. Nammi was purring away in his ear, probably enjoying his awkward agony. He waited for Sani to laugh as soon as he said it.

Instead of laughing, Sani was staring at the ocean view outside. He was thinking.

"Festr Castle has been on this island for a long time. It's secretive and difficult to find without someone who knows how to get there. There are many rumors and stories that have been passed through the generations – some are preposterous, some are closer to the truth."

Sani looked at Hyeon. "I can promise that your only duties are to serve the Lord and his needs. Now, it's getting late and you still have to unpack. Are you ready?"

Hyeon recalled another thing Jack mentioned.

"Oh! Have you heard of something being called a river monster around here?" Hyeon scratched his forehead as he was trying to remember the specifics. "Maybe it was the monster of the river or something...," he muttered.

In a darker, serious tone, Sani said, "Whatever you do, don't mention those names to the Lord of Festr Mansion. Let's go."