[Video | Open to Anyone | After Feast]

[wildgift]

[This one looks rather ostentatious, though it isn't really through any choice of his own. He's red haired and dressed in Scarlets, muttering to himself and trying not to look too concerned. He's actually doing quite a good job of it, though the look in his eyes might give him away to anyone who knows how to read it.]

Safest Bard in Haven, indeed. [Never mind that he'd been the one to say that.] When Vanyel hears of this, I'll never hear the end of it. [Here he adopts a different tone, clearly imitating someone else.]

"Do you see, Stefen? I was right. My enemies will only use you against me." [Sigh.] Yes, he certainly needed another excuse to try and be rid of me.

Hellsteeth.

[He takes a few cautious glances around, but shakes his head. Apparently he doesn't like much of what he sees, but he does at least try to give an endearing, albeit self-deprecating smile.]

Would someone mind please informing me as to where I am? I'm afraid I've not much to provide in the way of a reward for your help, but I would certainly appreciate it. I'm sure I can find some way to repay you.

Comments

[Video]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[Hearing his name is bound to get his attention. He comes to a halt in his investigation of, well, everything, brow furrowed intently.]

Surely you refer to another Vanyel, Bard? I cannot say I know another who shares my name, but the world is big and I know better than to make assumptions.

[Based on his appearances alone, he is younger than Stefen will remember. There are white strands scattered throughout his hair, but the raven black remains prominent. He also looks less fatigued - i.e. the circles under his eyes are less obvious.]

Are you from Valdemar?

[Video]

[wildgift]

[Now that is a voice he'd recognize anywhere, even if the face doesn't quite match up. Was this magic? He narrows his eyes, but dismisses it. It isn't important.]

Van? Where are you? Where are we? Is this a joke?

[Video]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[The familiarity catches him off-guard and he shakes his head slowly.]

I do not believe we have met? [Yet if he is a Bard, he could use adequate protection.] I will find you. Stay put.

[He lets his senses guide him. It surprises him how easy it is to find Stefen. In fact, he's so surprised that he comes to a halt and swallows with difficulty.]

We have been summoned.

[Video>Action]

[wildgift]

What? Van this isn't funny. Did Medren put you up to this? Because he's a right bastard if he did. Or is this one of your schemes to put me off?

[But then Vanyel is standing right in front of him. And as much as he wants to just fall into the man's arms, he's holding himself incorrectly. His body language is off. And that makes him resist.]

Summoned? By who? What for?

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[The words are confusing. How does this Bard know about Medren? He's too young to have even visited the Collegium.]

I have no intention of "putting you off". [Whatever that means.] How is it that you know Medren? And me?

[There is a growing tension in his neck and back - familiar tension. It happens when he's stressed. Being cut off from Yfandes and having to adjust to a strange kingdom has set him on-guard.]

I cannot say. Which Court have you been placed within?

[Action]

[wildgift]

[That's when it hits him and he looks, for a half a breath, like he might be in pain.] You aren't joking. [That hurt quite a bit. But he schooled his expression back to neutral, hiding as much as possible behind all his training. Maybe...maybe he'd work out something...]

Medren is a friend of mine. I think everyone in the Kingdom knows of you. [It was too late to even pretend that that covered everything, but that would be the only answer he'd be giving.]

Ah..."Seelie," I think. To be quite honest, Herald, I'd never heard of such a thing before.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[The pain is easy for him to feel and it further confuses him. He lifts a hand, eager to soothe the emotion away, yet he knows it isn't his place. His fingers curl back against his palm and he tries to smile.]

Then you are a friend of mine, though it confuses me how you could know him. He is too young to be a Bard or otherwise.

[It excites him to think another of his family might have Gifts, however.]

It refers to faes. [He steps closer and rests a hand on Stefen's shoulder, solid and comforting.] I am in the Seelie Court as well. We will not be forced to fight one another, at least.

[OOC: And of course this starts playing.]

[Action]

[wildgift]

I certainly don't remember that being the case. He's older than I am, if only slightly.

[And, thankfully, not upset with Stefen being jumped to Master over his head.]

Good. I imagine I wouldn't stand much a chance against you.

((lolol))

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[That only leaves one possibility.

Time alterations? Vanyel wants to argue that such a thing isn't possible, but the proof of it stands before his eyes and he is skilled at telling a liar from someone truthful.

Stefen is being truthful.]

We... You're from...

My future?

[The hand on the Bard's shoulder drifts, momentarily, to touch the boy's cheek before it retreats like a frightened animal.]

I wouldn't give you any competition.

[Action]

[wildgift]

[The idea makes his head hurt, but...it could be the truth. He had no idea what magic could do, really, and really, what else could it be?]

It seems so.

[He forgets to breathe, though, when he feels Van's hand touch his cheek, if only briefly, but he manages to roll his eyes.]

Please. The great Herald Mage Vanyel Demonsbane seems far more than an equal to a Bard.

[video]

[justike]

Specifically or in general? I have a map, but that won't be much help if I don't know where you are either. [Although despite saying so, he glances away and digs around for it.]

Re: [video]

[wildgift]

Both, I suppose. I can imagine a map will be useful eventually.

[justike]

They call this place the Drabwurld. There's another name but it's too much of a mouthful. [He shakes out the map, glancing down at it.]

If you tell me more about where you are, I can probably point it out. I've traveled some.

[wildgift]

I'd still like to hear it. Is there someone who could tell me?

Ah, it seems I've been found, but thank you.

[justike]

I think it's something like "Ahli Darah"? [He grimaces a little, well aware that he mangled that pretty badly.] You could try asking one of the fairies, if you have any. The imps aren't much help.

[wildgift]

[He still can't get over the whole "faeries" bit.] Thank you, I will. I'm afraid I don't know much about the place, they may get tired of my questions.

[justike]

[Seriously, tell him about it.] They're the ones that brought us here without asking. It's the least they can do.

[wildgift]

You might be right. I'm sure we're all owed something for the trouble.

[justike]

I think so. [And, remembering the earlier part of the message:]

If it helps, a large battle just finished. Things should be more quiet for a while.

[Video]

[fell_to_hell]

[Okay. This Stefen is familiar with someone named Vanyel. Not too many Vanyels running around Drabwurld, so he assumes that the two are from the same world. It doesn't take being a child of Athena to put two and two together.]

Depends on how you got here, if you want specifics. Generally speaking, you're in the Drabwurld. Also, Vanyel is here in Caer Glaem.

[He tilts his head.]

Stefen, right? I'm Nico.

Re: [Video]

[wildgift]

Pardon me, he's where?

Well-met, Nico. I'm afraid you'll have to explain a little more. I've never heard of "Drabwurld."

[Video]

[fell_to_hell]

Caer Glaem, capital of Glaschu, the Seelie territory. If you got escorted or kidnapped or whatever by the faeries, or got sent by a faerie ring, then you get sent here. The opposite side of it all is Caer Scima, where the Unseelie are. Those people are usually kidnapped by imps.

Drabwurld is what everyone calls this whole planet. I think there's a more formal name for it, but it doesn't seem to matter much.

Re: [Video]

[wildgift]

[Sigh.]

If I weren't seeing all of this, I'd be convinced I was dreaming. Or losing my mind. I don't know if I'm much more convinced I'm not dreaming.

[Video]

[fell_to_hell]

I've been here long enough to know it isn't. Sorry.

[He hesitates.]

If you have any questions or anything, I can try answering them. There's a library, too, that's open to everyone. Some sections are forbidden, but there's always asking the High King and Queen for access.

Re: [Video]

[wildgift]

I think the only question that really matters doesn't have an answer.

Thank you. I'll look into it.