[Video]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[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.]

Comments

[athousandcurses]

Vanyel?

[Grainne's shocked by what she sees in the locket, and though she has known him for a short time, concern is clearly etched on her features.]

What happened? Why is your hair like that?

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[It takes him a moment to remember her. Lady Grainne - a kind woman - a mother. Those descriptions stand out to him starkly and, because of them, he finds the strength to give her an honest answer.]

The Nodes bleached it of its color, my lady. [His voice is low, tired, but calm. For her.]

[athousandcurses]

[A small hand covers her mouth a moment. Nodes? Who are they? But she pushes the question away in favor of one more important.]

Vanyel... Hearing you so distraught troubles me. I can send someone if you have need.

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[He isn't being descriptive at all. Magical Nodes are what he uses to draw power from the land. They are all connected to various Heartstones.]

I have had...healing. [In the physical sense and he was just beginning to have some in the mental sense when he was abruptly returned.] You needn't worry.

[Except she should because he's not sure he has control over his emotions anymore - which means he doesn't have tight control over his powers either.]

The Drabworld wished for me to be stronger, perhaps.

[athousandcurses]

I... [A brief shake of her head.] Forgive me, but I... I hardly know you and yet you sound so very different from the last time I spoke with you. It is no trouble at all if you need help.

[Though she gives him a curious glance.]

Why do you think that?

[vanyel_ashkevron]

You are kind. [All the more reason he doesn't want to burden her.] My magic is stronger. I have tapped into many Nodes... I can find them with relative ease - even in this land.

[athousandcurses]

[Unfortunate for him, Heralds probably didn't have a lot of experience with stubborn Irish princesses.]

What are Nodes? Is this to do with the elementals we had talked of before?

private video (hover for trans)

[bythewaves]

Vanyel? [ Oh, oh, it hurts, to see that gentle soul hurt so ]

Vanyel, Órecalimo what happened?

private video

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[The voice is kind and familiar. So much time has passed for him and he is still in a state of shock, anger and grief. Yet his thoughts are racing behind his silver eyes and he suddenly murmurs:]

Maglor. [He flexes his fingers stiffly, the bruising from his attack still visible on his skin. His body hurts, which just makes him more defensive. Except...

He likes Maglor. He's kinder than he knows.] I was attacked by bandits.

[And raped. Repeatedly.]

private video

[bythewaves]

Aye, aye tis I. Where are you, Vanyel? Do you need a healer?

[ Even over the lockets he can see the bruises, and he wants to weep, that any would treat so kind a soul so, and he wants to rage, and show those who would what it means to touch one who offered himself to the Feanorionnath (they are many things, but they take care of their own) but he keeps his voice gentle and soothing, the way he used to for injured brothers and angry frightened twins, long ago ]

Can I come to you?

private video

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[As much as he wants to stay alone, he knows it isn't good for him. He had just started reaching out to Yfandes and Stefen and he knows he can't stop the healing process. He has to get better for them and for himself.]

My healing has been seen to. [The shape the bandits left him in doesn't deserve words. They paid for their transgressions with their lives. Vanyel isn't the most forgiving person when he is in survival mode.]

If you wish. I'm not the best company.

private video

[bythewaves]

Where are you, Vanyel? I will come once the moon rises.

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[vanyel_ashkevron]

I can meet you...somewhere in between.

[Video] Oh, you poor canon updated baby! :(

[bondedgryphon]

[Zhaneel's ears flick forward and back again, her expression and gaze filled with concern, but also resolution.]

Where are you sh'el? [She wasn't Yfandes or Stefen. In fact, she was of a time so far before his own as her bones would have begun to wear down in the earth, but... she was of the same world and Vanyel was, in her heart, family.

Wherever he was, she would find him.]

[Video] Canon sucks, can he live with Gryphons? ;-;

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[She brings a small smile to his lips. If anyone possesses a gentle heart worth protecting in the Drabworld, it is Zhaneel.]

I found my way to my room in Caer Glaem. The door is open for you - and my windows if that is easier.

[Video--> Commentlog] He can, the poor lamb. *pets*

[bondedgryphon]

[It was all too possible a thing that Vanyel would either ignore her, or decline her offer. Though she didn't know yet what had happened to cause such a change in his physical appearance, or to draw such a verbal slap, she would let neither dissuade her.]

I shall be there in moments. [It's a softly spoken reassurance, as she is already on her way to his room, her form cutting almost silently through the air.

Her gaze is bright and alert as it moves from one balcony to the next until she catches sight of the proper one. Her landing can be heard, class and talons scrabbling on the stone as she makes due with the smaller landing sight. It's not a completely flawless landing, but she isn't concerned about her own appearance. She folds her wings along her back, ear tufts flicking forward as she pass into the room, voice gentle as she beckons.]

Van?

[Video--> Commentlog] <3

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[Even in this state, he doesn't have the heart to snap at her. Her landing only enforces that feeling and he uncurls, pushing against the wall to stand up. His movements are sluggish and stiff, but he is able to greet her as she comes into the room.]

Here. [He wraps a robe around himself, highlighting that he is thinner and physically frailer than he used to be. However his magic is stronger than ever.]

Thank you for coming.

Commentlog

[bondedgryphon]

[The brief glance of him over the pocket didn't show but a sliver of what she confronts when he rises to meet her. She can feel the magic coursing through him, tingling over and through her skin and she shivers, feathers fluffing up in reaction.

The hair color had translated and she'd seen several of the Mages in the army in similar states after working world-altering magic. Her ear tufts flick back, though, at the bruises that aren't hidden by his robe... at his thinness of form. She is no stranger to abuse, even if her own did not extend into sexual.]

Ke'el... [The shift from brother to something closer to blood bound, but it comes naturally and without any sense of artificialness. She pads forward, her entire soul hurting for him, and upon reaching him shifts to encompass him under a wing, drawing him in close and burying her beaked face into his chest.

It might be the wrong move, reaching out to him so freshly after his abuse, but she knows well how one might withdraw and wither away if they are not engaged by others.

She doesn't know who or what the details are, but there is a slight trembling to her body against his. When she speaks though, it is with an anger almost never known to the typically timid gryphon.]

Do they live, ke'el? If they live, I shall find a way to return with you... I shall rend their limbs and bleed them for you.

Commentlog

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[The name touches his numb heart, causing him to feel a spasm of pain. Logically, he knows the pain is good; he can't stay numb forever, but he hates the tears that spring into his eyes nonetheless.]

Zhaneel... [Her wing is soft - as are the feathers on her head. He gives into his exhaustion and heartache, wrapping his arms around her neck. She isn't the only one trembling and he isn't sure his knees can hold him much longer.]

I killed them. [His voice is tight with complicated emotions.] I m-made them hurt. I exacted justice, but.... It wasn't justice. It was just revenge. I hated them...

[Video]

[wildgift]

[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?

[Video]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

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.

[Video]

[wildgift]

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

Where are you? I'm coming.

[Video]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

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

[Video]

[wildgift]

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

[Video] -> [Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

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.]