Four years. Then at least one of the two had already passed. As far as he had been from the teen in comfort, if not physical distance, he remembered that hadn't been particularly easy for either of them. The world only ever saw his grin and Vincent's frown, but there were nights still when he shed a tear or two over it all. Time hadn't made that wound easier to bear so much as it'd made it easier to cover up.

He follows Vincent along with ease, making note of where they're going. So far, it isn't far from his own farmland in the vicinity... In fact, they may even be going toward the same plot. Are they? "For me? Only as much as one can imagine. Every day, a different face in my parlor. Always someone needs tending."

Not looking to venture too far into that subject, he takes to the university in a slight hurry. "Goodness, it's been so long. You'll be a handful yet. You Phantomhives always are. Not that long ago, you were half my height and chasing... what was it you were chasing?" Distraction. It's good for them.