[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

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

Would you like to be brought before the Seelie Queen and explain why we are acting like hormonal teenagers?

[Though one of them is technically still a hormonal teenager...]

[Action]

[wildgift]

[Shut up no he isn't]

You started it.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[Okay, sure. You're grown, Stefen.]

I never said I would have regrets.

[Action]

[wildgift]

[HE TOTALLY IS OKAY]

No, I suppose you didn't.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[More grown than Vanyel most days.]

Reputations be damned, hm?

[Action]

[wildgift]

I must say, I do enjoy not having to worry about it quite so much.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[He laughs, holding his ribs as he does so.]

As... [A cough interrupts his words and he drinks from the wine cup.] ...do I.

[Action]

[wildgift]

[That worries him even more.]

Are you certain you're alright, Van?

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

My ribs haven't completely healed, I suppose. [Don't mind him while he belittles that problem.]

[Action]

[wildgift]

You suppose?

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

The fractures should be mended. [Should be, yes. But he's bruised from the saddle.] Don't worry.

[Action]

[wildgift]

You aren't helping me not to.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

Then allow me to distract you. [He holds out another cup of wine.]

[Action]

[wildgift]

[He accepts it but makes a face.]

That wasn't exactly what I meant.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

If you worry too much, you'll grow up too fast.

[Action]

[wildgift]

I seem to have managed just fine so far.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

Only because you're damn persuasive.

[Action]

[wildgift]

I do't find that to be so horrible a thing.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

Neither do I. [He smiles softly, alluringly.] I'm fond of the night you convinced me.

[Action]

[wildgift]

How fortunate. So am I.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

I love you the way you are - young, persuasive and stubborn.

[Action]

[wildgift]

Well, I hope you'll still love me when I'm old, persuasive, and stubborn.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

Without a doubt. I look forward to seeing you grow. [He presses his lips to Stefen's forehead.]

[Action]

[wildgift]

Do you?

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

Without a doubt. I'll love you young or old or anywhere in-between.