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Thane had a feeling Rei was just flattering him with those words of compliment, but he was grateful nonetheless to hear them. He continued to watch Noir eat, glad that the cat was willing to eat the food he made, even if he messed up a little while making it.

When Rei spoke again, he looked over at the man, a little perplexed as to what he was talking about at first. Then he understood and gave the man a small, soft smile. He had gotten better in expressing different forms of the same emotion by now. And for Rei, who had been kind enough to teach him the various ways and given him the opportunity to be more of an individual, and less of a stick of mud, he found no need to be thanked.

He liked the man enough to consider him a friend as well and despite the fact he was human, there was a string of closeness they shared that he liked. "You're welcome," he replied when the man was finished.

"It doesn't bother me to do something as simple as that. I would rather you be comfortable in bed than uncomfortable on the couch when you are asleep. I know humans are more sensitive to pain and discomfort. Simply, I wish for you to avoid any unnecessary pain whatsoever. If I can prevent that while I am in your care, then I shall do so," he replied simply, as if he were just stating facts. Inflections of voice and being a little more tactful in his speeches was still something of a challenge, but if one was to look past his still lingering mechanical way of doing things, they would notice his pure intentions were still there. And behind them were genuine feelings.

"Thanks... That's very nice of you Thane." smiled Rei before ctaking his now empty plate and disposing of them in the sink.

He then returned to the bathroom and brushed his teeth. No reason of going to work if it meant offending your clients with your breath. After gargling for the third time, Rei finally emerged from the bathroom, his teeth in better shape than a while ago. His breath also lost the smell of the cheese that he had added on the omelet.

"Alright... Ready to go Thane?" asked Rei.

Rei let the man finish his business with his feline friend first, looking at his wristwatch every now and then to check the time. Luckily, he still had plenty of time to reach work even if Thane took his sweet time with Noir. Once the other man joined him though, he pushed past his apartment door and locked it before heading downstairs. Hailing a taxi for their trip, they made their way towards the city but not necessary to Rei's workplace.

"I have a business on Rockfeller Center so we're making a stop there. Boss wants me to arrange the airings of Alcador's ads." told Rei as he checked his cellphone as well as several other sheets of paper. "We watch TV right? Well, now you're gonna see how people actually get into the television." chuckled Rei.

When prompted if he was ready, Thane glanced over at Noir who was smacking her lips and cleaning herself. Once she was done, he pointed up at his shoulders and crouched low next to her to allow her to hop up in a single leap. She nestled behind his neck and let him pull the hood over the both of them before nodding at Rei and following him out of the apartment.

He shadowed the man out to the streets and sat with him in the cab. At the mention of going somewhere else besides his work, Thane was a little curious to know what it was. He nodded in response, saying nothing though indeed he found the idea of learning about the workings of the television to be interesting. It was a human invention and entertainment system.

While the immortals like himself had many ways of entertaining themselves during the brief moments when they didn't want to surround themselves by their work, none of which involved a television or any human-type media. Since humans were so limited in what they could do, it was fascinating what sort of imagination they had, and how they used said imagination, that piqued his interest.

They drove over to Rockefeller Center. When the cab came to a park, they got out and Thane followed Rei out. Like at his business office the day before, Thane followed the man's lead, looking around like a child would as they went.

After paying for the ride, Rei stepped out of the taxi, briefcase still in tow. He looked over at Thane who had just wormed out of the car before it took off. He gestured a bit at the busy yet strangely picturesque scenery behind him.

"Well, here we are. Rockefeller center. One of New York City's busiest place." introduced Rei.

The statue of Atlas carrying the world was clearly visible from where they are standing. Rei didn't know if Thane knew Atlas in person since he too was pretty much a creature of myth so to speak but he feared that the question be a little too far-fetched for the man if he asked. They continued walking past the sunken plaza where yet another piece inspired by a Greek deity, Prometheus, was showcased in front of a fountain. The golden statue depicted Prometheus introducing fire to mankind.

Soon they were in front of the GE Building or better knows as 30 Rockefeller and yet more as simply 30 Rock. Rei entered through the main entrance, making sure that Thane was following so that he did not get lost. The building was quite a shift of scene from his usual work place. There was a lot more artistic quality in this one than the Alcador Building. They boarded the elevator for the 51st floor where the person Rei needed to meet with was.

Thane gave a look around. His eyes landed on the statue of... "ATLAS" and stared at it for a moment. Who in the world was that? Svunda? Wait... no, it wouldn't be. If it was, the image was completely wrong.

Shaking his head slightly, he moved on and followed Rei. His gaze came to various other prominent features of this place. It was rather extravagant to say in the least. When he looked at the one called "PROMETHEUS" and the fire held in his hands, he almost wanted to laugh. These humans didn't know half the full story of that.

But nevermind. He wasn't going to go into history and the truth of things that wouldn't be accepted by human logic anyway.

Looking up at the building they were in front of now, Thane gave it a once over before following Rei inside. As they stood in the elevator, Thane took the risk of speaking since they were the only ones riding this particular "car."

"What will you do here?" Who would Rei meet? What did people do here anyway?

"Well... I'm meeting an important person from a TV station. You know all those commercials that you're so eager to watch?" asked Rei to the other man.

After the man voiced his reply Rei continued.

"Well... Alcador corporation also has commercials, but you gotta negotiate with the TV station owner in order for our commercial to be put on air." told Rei. "I'm going to meet with a man named John Reynolds, he's the chief of the advertising sector of the TV station." explained Rei further. "I'll explain more when we get home." chuckled Rei, looking at the slightly confused look that Thane had.

The elevator stopped on the 30th floor and opened but there was no one behind the door. The one who pushed the button probably got tired of waiting and decided to take another elevator. Thane and Rei caught a glance of a taping of Saturday Night Live from behind the door. Rei had tried to teach Thane about human humor only to end up in more awkwardness than one person could handle.

"Look there... There's where that show we watched on Wednesday is being made..." pointed Rei behind the door before it closed.

The elevator continued on it's ascent up the massive skyscraper.

"Don't worry Thane. We'll see the sights after I'm done with this." smiled Rei.

Thane followed Rei's directions and looked out the doors to the open set several dozen feet away from them. People were together, gathered around what looked to be a faux news setting. He couldn't hear what was going on, but he imagined it was supposed to be funny. Supposed to be. It depended on whose definition.

And considering Thane's "dictionary" of human life and all that encompassing it, he had a hard time connecting the show to "funny." ...Oh well. That was a sour attempt for another time.

As they continued up, higher and higher they climbed to the 51st floor. They stopped one more time in between to allow a couple of people on, then once more to let them off, but by the end they made it to their designated floor. Thane paused to look around before he got off, following after the man as they came to a secretary desk.

It was only after speaking with her that they were allowed entrance further in to the office of the person Rei was supposed to meet. Thane lingered in back as they went, finding the company of the wall more appealing that standing close. He had a hard time being exceptionally close to people aside form Rei. It was hard to say why, considering he surrounded himself by these creatures all the time, but that was how it was.

"Ah yes, the payment for the ad has been forwarded to the account right? I'm just following up on the details Mr. Reynolds." told Rei.

"Yes indeed. We've received the payment and we'll be ready to air the first run of the commercial later tonight. I believe Frank has requested that we run in on a 57 minute interval?" asked the man who was sitting on a desk labeled John Reynolds.

"I see." replied Rei before jotting down the response on his timetable before looking back at John. "I will report of it immediately to Mr. Alcador. Thank you so much for your time." said Rei with much gratitude.

"Not at all umm... Rei was it?" asked John.

"Yes... Rei Davis." nodded the man before placing his timetable on his pocket and picking up his other stuff. "Have a good day now, sir." said Rei before heading out of the office.

With Thane in tow, they boarded back the elevator. Instead of pressing the button back to the ground floor, Rei pressed the button that would lead them to the topmost floor.

"We're going to the top of the rock!" smiled Rei.

After the elevator reached the top, they came upon something that wasn't so common in normal buildings. It was an observation deck similar to that of cruise ships. The view of New York was simply breathtaking in it.

"Tadah!" smiled Rei.

Sailing up the elevator once more, Thane wasn't sure why they were going to the top. He found out almost right away, though. It was the view. He smiled softly to himself at that; he always did like the heights. If time ever permitted it for him, on occasion he liked to just stand there and look over the length of the world up to the edge of the horizon.

Even without the bustle of people, nature itself was very relaxing to look at. There were so many differences between his world and Rei's. He really did enjoy just standing there and looking at it all, and marveling at the scene before him. If he continued to look out, the shine of the sun and the buildings and the sky were the perfect ingredients for a picturesque view. Placid. Calming. If he looked down below at the people, the mill of "ant" like creatures upon the streets, there would be a sense of otherworldliness, a separation that could certainly thrill a person. Almost give the semblance of God watching over His people.

Thane did both, standing by the railing as he did so. Noir was cautious about being so close to the edge of a really tall building and clung to him tightly. She knew he wouldn't risk her fall, but animal instinct still made her wary.

Looking over at Rei, he smiled at the man. "It's lovely," he said. "I've always liked tall places."

"Yeah... Who doesn't?" smiled Rei as he walked beside Thane and leaned on the railing, watching the scene along with the other man. "Well... Maybe people who have fear of heights but... details." he chuckled.

Rei continued to watch the scene unfold it's beauty one moment at a time before speaking up.

"Thane... Before I met you, life was... Well... Let's just say that life wasn't always this lively for me. Every day was the same as the last one and the one before that." continued Rei as he shifted his weight to his left leg. "But now... I... I always have something to look forward to when I go to bed. There's always something new I want to show you. New things I want you to experience." smiled Rei. "Funny huh? Death being the one to inspire a person to love life." snickered Rei before looking at Thane. "But... Even if others laugh at the idea, I won't. You've made my life better Thane. Thanks."

Rei then wrapped an arm around Thane's shoulder.

"You're my bestfriend." he ended.

Yes, it was a rather humoring idea to hear about Death being an instigator of Life. It wasn't heard of. Just the same as it wasn't heard of Death extending someone's life for his own personal reasons. Death never---should never have---bended the laws and saved any human soul from its predetermined end. Rei was supposed to die that day. But... here he was, still alive.

"You're welcome..." Thane replied quietly.

Feeling Rei's arm around him, he looked at his hand. Then, slowly, he reached out and returned the gesture, drawing them closer together. Best friend, huh? That was a step up from just "friend." Thane found himself inexplicably happy to know that. He was able to not just make a friend but a best friend. Perhaps this was one of the reasons why humans were so jovial. Maybe this was why sometimes, they fought so fiercely over one thing or another.

Because of friends. Because of people who made an impact on their lives. Because of those who they want to remain exceedingly close to them for always. Kind of like lovers, only more universal.

"...Same here."

After a few more moments of watching the scenery together, he looked at Rei. "You still have to go to work," he noted, trusting his comment to be correct. It wouldn't do to have the man late for work, even if it was peaceful to look out like this over the city. Slipping his arm from around Rei, he bid the man take the lead so that they may continue on with the day.

Hearing and feeling Thane's response was truly an amazing thing for Rei. For a minute or two, he thought that he was going to have a heart attack due to the emotions that were running high on his system at the moment. He soon got a hold of them and calmed himself. Being reminded of his work, Rei raised his left wrist and looked at his watch.

"Yeah I do..." smiled Rei before the watch made a beep. "Yep, just in time. Let's go." nodded Rei, boarding the elevator once more and descending to the bottom.

They boarded another taxi cab that would take them to the Alcador corporation complex. During the ride, something of interest passed the window although Rei did not notice it for he was sitting on the other window. On the sidewalk was Aubrey, clinging tightly to another man. Rei was currently calling Melissa, his fellow secretary, to forward the confirmation of NBC about their ad.

Thane nodded in return and walked with Rei back out to the elevator, then rode it to the first floor. And from there, to the street and yet another cab. It was rather inconvenient for Thane to travel this way. Well, as Death anyway. With his current semi-vacation from the job, it was fine enough since he was learning the ways of being a human and whatnot. But as Death himself, while on the job, he would never use this method if unless the person he was searching for was going to die in the car---that is, prior to any accident or crash; he wouldn't be in the car otherwise and merely wait until after it happened to retrieve the soul.

But anyway. As they rode, as always, Thane took to looking out the window to observe the people they passed. When his sights came upon a familiar woman, Rei's lover, Aubrey, in the arms of another man, he couldn't help but let his gaze linger, his head turning to look out the back windshield to stare after them. She certainly acted like a woman in love. But... she wasn't in the company of Rei when she did that.

Glancing over at the man next to him, a small knit formed on his brows. He was a little confused. Weren't most humans advocates of single person devotion when it came to that sort of love? Then why was Aubrey sharing that with another man? Or was Thane wrong in his supposition and in actuality the actions Aubrey committed weren't indeed what he thought them to be?

Looking out the window again, Thane didn't say anything. He couldn't anyway, seeing as how the man was on the phone and Thane was playing "invisible" to the public. He'd have to wait until they were in private to speak with him.

They arrived back at the Alcador building and was quick to make their ascent to the floor where Rei spent his working hours.

"Ugh... Looks like it's going to be a busy day today. Just come back here at 12 for lunch okay?" told Rei to Thane and Noir before sitting on his desk and beginning on his task.

Time passed rather slowly for this day mostly because Rei couldn't find much enjoyment on what he was doing. He was sorting through the latest batch hopeful applicants that wanted to try their luck in making it big in Alcador corporation. It depressed Rei a bit when he had to dispose of some of the applications. Some of them looked like their owners worked hard on preparing them even though they were a bit lacking. Sadly, this was big business and there was no room for mediocre quality employees. Rei looked on his wristwatch and saw that it was just a few minutes short of 12.

"I'm going to take my lunch break now, Mel..." told Rei to his co-secretary.

Thane nodded at Rei before repeating his task from yesterday. Wandering around, watching people, observing, learning... it was for the sake of being able to understand the human mind and all that which governed their thoughts and actions. While he knew the immortals responsible for some of their actions and feelings, it was the manner and reason behind each one that intrigued him.

Yet despite this, a few things nagged on his mind enough to distract him from the better fruits of learning.

As he walked throughout the building, visiting various floors, he learned a little more about the working atmosphere and the people involved. Following a young man to the elevator, he went in with him, slipping against the back wall and staying there, well away from him. It wasn't until after he got off, and Thane pressed the appropriate floor, that he suddenly felt a familiar presence next to him.

Turning his head, he saw Eros to be right there, leaning against the wall, one hand balancing that cigarette between his fingers. "Seems like forever since I last spoke to you."

Thane blinked at him then leaned against the wall beside his cousin. "Only because time differs between the two realms," he said, his gaze moving up to stare at the panel indicating what floor they were on.

"Yet it seems like forever. You're hardly the person I remember."

Thane lifted a brow but said nothing. Even as he provided only silence, though, a hand reached out and turned his head toward Eros. His gaze was dragged over to look at the other man.

"Not quite so cold anymore, not quite so stony, not quite so... dead... You really have changed in this short amount of time. It's hardly been a month but already, look at you. Do you know what's on your mind? Do you realize you wouldn't have even considered thinking about him in that manner if not for your own growing curiosity and continuous lingering at his side?"

Thane said nothing, merely staring back at Eros as he continued to hold him still. Their gazes were unwavering as their eyes met, and even though Thane had the will and strength to move away, he let the man continue to hold his chin hostage for the sake of continuing this "talk."

"What is that growing in the pit of your chest, Thane? Should there be anything growing at all?" The elevator pinged, announcing its arrival. The doors opened, yet neither man moved, continuing their staring contest.

"He is a friend," Thane said after a moment longer of silence. "I am concerned. I wanted to know many things and he has been kind enough to help me. Humanistic though it may be, I consider it no less than appropriate to express that concern and act upon it. Besides, what would it matter? She'll soon be dead anyway." Despite how blatantly obvious what that sentence meant, it was equally cryptic in nature. No names were mentioned, but both immortals knew who the other was talking about.

And it was to this Eros gave a soft frown, his brows knitting in. "So close, and yet so far," he quoted from someone unknown to him. "You've grown, Thane, in so many ways, even if you don't realize it yourself. Even if you choose not to realize it. Yet... you still have so much more to learn." He gave his jaw a soft tap, almost in a brotherly manner. "I await to see how much more you're grow by the end of this. But don't forget, your job comes first. Always."

Thane's eyes narrowed slightly. As if Eros had the right to tell him that. It was because of work that he was doing this. In order to focus better, he was getting rid of this problem of his with the help of Rei. Speaking of the man... Thane finally took a step away from Eros and turned away. The moment he stepped out of the elevator, he knew his cousin to be gone, just as easily he had come.

But nevermind him. Thane moved on to meet up with Rei, hoping the man wasn't irritated with him for being a little late.

"Hey Thane!" greeted Rei before stepping in front of Thane. "Let's go." he nodded Before taking the man's hand and leading the way to the elevator. Like yesterday, the 5th floor was their destination for this time of the day to have lunch. "So how was your little trek today? Any interesting floor you've come by?" asked Rei as the elevator made it's way to the lower floor.

The car they were on reached their destination and a sudden jerk from stopping shook Rei a bit. The metal door of the elevator opened and the two of them stepped out before the horde of employees crammed inside the now empty car.

"Oh, I forgot! It's pizza Wednesday today..." smiled Rei as he rubbed his stomach. "I haven't had pizza in days. I like to cook but that doesn't mean that I'm not a sucker for the stuff." laughed the man.

He adjusted his glasses before walking towards the counter and getting three slices of pizza and some fishsticks for Noir. He got a can of soda and a carton of milk for beverages. Sitting in their usual spot at the back of the cafeteria he passed Noir's food to Thane before eating a slice of his pizza.

"So good..." he sighed.

Thane told Rei the general stuff he witnessed and saw when he asked about it. He didn't mention the arrival of his cousin, that conversation left for the privacy between the two of them. Just the same as the conversation he hoped to have with Rei sometime soon about Aubrey. In private.

He followed after the man to the cafeteria, his expression unreadable though his eyes seemed dark with thought. Aubrey... A lot had to do with her. The fact that Thane was concerned about her in more than the normal fashion proved something was wrong with him. Just the same as how there had to be something wrong with him when he thought about Rei himself.

Lowering his gaze, he just followed the man to the same bench as last time. He sat down and went about feeding Noir, certain it would distract him for now and turn his focus away from those troubling thoughts.

Besides. If not for Eros, he wouldn't be thinking about his anyway. That man was overreacting. Thinking up something as ridiculous as that. He was the same as always---end of story. Nothing changed. Nothing will. Everything was going to go back to normal once this was all done. And then Thane would leave. And when they met again, it would be to take Rei's soul rightfully. Just the same as he was going to do to Aubrey. And the rest of the people on this planet.

"I see... I'm sorry if things are going a little slow with our lessons but, I know that you can understand why perfectly." smiled Rei before dusting off some of the crumbs that had been stuck in his hand.

Rei couldn't help but notice the slight change in mood between him and Thane. For the last two days, the other man wold pepper him with questions and stories of his little trips but now... Now Thane was awfully quiet, pretty much like the first time they've met. Rei wasn't one to worry this much about this kind of things but he couldn't help it. Taking a deep breath, he decided to inquire about it.

"Hey Thane... Is something bothering you?" asked Rei.

He placed a hand on top of Thane's outstretched one and he looked the other in the eye.

"If somethings bothering you, you know that you can always talk to me about it. Alright?" told Rei.

Thane looked up in pause when he heard Rei speak out to him. He looked at the man, then down at his hand as it came over to rest atop of his. It made him twitch slightly, the contact unexpected and rather... well, it was a little strange. It was hard to describe what he felt about it, good or bad, or anything else in between. He could only stare at it a while before looking up again to meet the man's gaze.

Something... bothering him? He pondered this. Well, it wasn't a lie. Something was bothering him. The subject was clear. But now and here wasn't the place he wanted to talk to Rei about it.

Giving the man a small smile, he just shook his head. "Thank you, but I don't think this is the right time or place to discuss the matter. I'd rather wait until we were at your home to say anything."

He drew his hand away to give Noir another fish stick, content to spend the rest of this mealtime in relative silence. In fact, that was what he did. He let himself get lost in his thoughts, and ponder the subject that was troubling him. He didn't think it the time to even speak about Eros and his blabbering. However, when the day was done, and if Rei still wanted to know when they were home---his home---then he would speak of Aubrey.

Until then, no.

So for the rest of the man's workday, Thane spoke nothing of what was on his might, merely avoiding it with his usual quiet questions and comments about what he saw and might've interested him. He imagined this sort of routine would continue to the weekend, the welcomed "holiday" for many standard, white collared workers that occurred every week.

Rei merely put the subject on hold, seeing as Thane didn't want to talk about it in the office. Whatever was bothering the other man must've been really deep for him to avoid it until they got home. Rei just tried his best to support Thane and try to uplift him from the dreary atmosphere that was threading behind him.

"Okay... I understand." nodded Rei before finishing the last slice of pizza he had ordered.

After which, work resumed as usual. Rei tried to keep focused on it but his mind would drift every now and then on what could possibly be causing the fuss in Thane's mind. He was praying that the matter didn't involve him in some extent but he doubted the likeliness that that would happen. For the past few days, he was the focus of death's attention and it could only be him that was causing him to become troubled.

Rei's shift had finally ended and he was quick to relinquish his desk for the night shift employees. In the meantime, he had pressing matters to resolve. As soon as he saw Thane's observant figure, he took his hand and left the company grounds through a cab. The ride was filled with silence between the two, the usual casual questions breaking the ice every now and then. They soon arrived at the apartment and Rei quickly paid the fare while Thane went out of the vehicle.

The two made their way up to Rei's apartment. Rei loosened his tie and shed his coat before speaking to Thane.

"Would you like to talk about it now?" asked Rei.