The snide remarks just would not do, that respect for his elders seemed to have gotten lost in the void somewhere, perhaps after Tal had passed away. Though, James would allow it for now, he only knew Lazarus from a distance and that was something he planned to rectify the moment he took the boy under his wing. James expected it to take some work, he was a patient man and tended to look at big picture things. What he could do with Lazarus by his side! The possibilities were seemingly endless! Yet, the man tugs on those patient strings once more, allowing that amused smile to remain on his lips, curling ever so slightly at the corners of his mouth. "I suspect you youngsters need a lesson in proper liquor then," James sighs though he hardly stops himself from sipping that drink, careful to keep that disgust from his features.

When James extends the invitation, he expects the boy to deny him, perhaps give an excuse, the Hunter hardly batting an eye at the use of the nickname. He would allow Lazarus to have his fun, at least for now. Still, his smile widens slightly at the flat out denial of the invitation, James merely shrugging in that immaculate suit, "I supposed I can't count on you to tell Elain that I'm in town, can I?" He muses quietly, his eyes flashing up to Lazarus as he regards his nephew, "I hear she started working at that new bistro in town, I think I'll swing by and extend an invitation in person," James says casually, his words hardly threatening. Though, he knew his niece well enough that even if her father had warned the Daray siblings away, Elain could not stay away from family. The lightness in her always seeing the good in others. It would be a simple task to ask Elain to dinner, knowing full well Lazarus wouldn't let his sister come alone.

When their conversation shifts to such unpleasant times, James can see that flash of anger that dances through his nephew's eyes. My, Tal had done a number on the children. Still, James doesn't respond to those taunting words, the man having learned through the years that angry people tended to need to spit spiteful words out. Again, Lazarus next statement doesn't surprise him, instead, James takes on a more soften tone, his hands gesturing out in front of him in an almost vulnerable way. "I admit, Lazarus, I was a man filled with darkness before. Since the death of your parents I have re-evaluated the way I live and what I want in my life," he says with a gentle smile, that mask carefully held in place by centuries of practice, "I've changed and I simply want to restore the Daray Council, the Hunters have disbanded since the death of your parents," he explains with a small shrug.

"I can prove it to you if you give me the chance," James states, dropping his hands onto the counter, only to grasp that drink and polishing it off. Finally, the man insists he wants to get to know the two siblings, Lazarus quick response merely has the man smiling, "You can join me for dinner first, give me a chance to show you who I am. If you don't want to bring Elain then so be it, you can deem me a trustworthy Hunter before you bring her along," James nods before standing. "I would be happy to answer more questions, at any time," James says easily, reaching into the inside of his jacket pocket and retrieving a business card with all his contact information. "Please think about it," the man uses those manners in hopes to sway his nephew before retrieving cash from his pocket and setting it on the bar with a nod to the bartender, "Anything else he drinks is on me, bill me accordingly," he tells the bartender before those eyes turn back on the boy.

"I have someone waiting for me, if I haven't heard back from you in a few days I'll just come find you again," James explains, making it clear that he would persist this relationship.