eachdraidh | [Video]

Entry tags:

[Video]

[Vanyel's absence was brief and likely unnoticed, but he has returned...changed. His once black hair is now mostly white and his eyes are a much paler grey. He is sitting on the floor in his room with his back to the wall. Every inch of him says "don't touch me", yet something prompts him to open his Locket and use it.]

Why did you bring me back? What use am I...here? Without Yfandes? Without Stefen?

[His pillars have been ripped away and they expect him to stand; to fight?!]

I could kill whomever you wish. [There is something distant in his eyes. His heart can't handle the guilt of his actions.] I could drop them into the bowels of the Drabworld and leave them to suffocate.

Is that what you want of me? [He's beyond tears and out of answers.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[That looks more like the Vanyel he knew back in Valdemar, and while he was enjoying himself getting to know him younger, there's still a relief of being back to something he knows, at least. Even if he's not going to ask how that happened. But still...there's something...different. Off.]

Van? I'm right here. Where were you? [Pause.] Never mind, that doesn't matter. What happened?

Stefen. [There is such a longing - such an ache - when he sees the Bard. He brings the Locket close to his chest, wanting him as close as possible.] Do you not...?

[A mixture of relief and agony enters his smile.]

It is too terrible for words. You are the only one I ever want to...touch me... ["Touch" is a layered word.] Bandits took advantage of me. They hurt Yfandes.

Vanyel... [Now, it seems, they're even. Last Stefen knew, they were safe in Haven.]

Where are you? I'm coming.

My room... [His voice breaks.] The door will open for you.

I'm coming now. I'll be there as soon as I can.

I bring you nothing but complications, love. [He is sitting near the door, his hands clasped together between his knees.

Alshoa is perched on the back of his chair, equally ruffled.]

[He doesn't bother knocking--Vanyel knows he's coming and he'd be able to tell when he was at the door, anyway.]

So nothing has changed, then. [Complications are basically Vanyel's life, and, by extension, his own. He kneels down next to the Herald, though, and hesitantly reaches out a hand. He's seen enough on the street to know he has to be careful with him, even if he'd rather be much less so.]

Van...

I'm afraid not. [He makes no move to stop him. He wants Stefen near and he had healed enough in the caverns to not completely avoid all touch.

Smiling weakly, he slides his hands over the Bard's neck and then he lets his fingers tangle in the fiery hair. Here is the only one that can chase the deep chill away.] I don't know if you can forgive me.

[At least he isn't being turned away, so he rests his own hand on the side of Vanyel's face.]

For what?

I couldn't fight them off and then...I killed them. But not just them. I killed a boy and an old man too. Innocents.

[He bows his head, unable to meet Stefen's gaze.]

What? When did that happen?

After we discovered that the other Herald-Mages were...gone. I set out to find the Mage responsible for their deaths and you follow me. Bandits attack us on the road.

[And he is so glad they don't kill Stefen...or Yfandes.]

I-I...that's...oh. [He's confused and frustrated by that, but there's not much that he can do about it.]

A-and then... [And then terrible things, apparently.] Never mind. What do you need me to do?

[He hates to see Stefen struggling. Shakily, he gathers the Bard into his arms, resting his forehead on his shoulder.]

It's not about...you doing something. If you're mad, be mad. I couldn't protect us.

I'm not angry, Vanyel, I'm worried.

You stop me, you help me heal. I don't know where I would be without you.

That does go both ways, you know.

Yes, how would you ever exist without someone who drags you into a dangerous territory and -

[His eyes glisten and he shakes.]

And who loves me even if he has to leave sometimes? And who protects me? And who is absolutely perfect even if he refuses to think otherwise? I wonder.

How could I not love you and protect you? [The "perfect" comment makes his cheeks burn and he shakes his head.] You are more amazing than you know. Your patience with me is...

[No word is good enough.]

I couldn't move, speak or take care of myself after. Yfandes and you took care of everything.

Don't go telling me that or I'll need new hats.

Now. What do you need?

You. Just you. [He shrugs off his robe, revealing the tattered remains of his Whites underneath. They have been cleaned to some extent, but there is still blood on them.]

[Sigh.]

You should change out of those. They look a mess, and keeping them on isn't doing you any favors.

[It's such a simple notion, but he doesn't like the idea of being bare. The clothes are a barrier of sorts.

But he's with Stefen. Breathing out, he moves to stand up and grab another tunic and pants.]

You can look away.

Alright. If you need me to, I will.

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video] -> [Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]