[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.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[The eye roll makes him chuckle. There is much to like about this Bard; he can see why he would be charmed by him in the future.]

I know I could turn you into ash, but I wouldn't. [Power without control isn't the sort he wants to wield. He has seen what his Gifts can do when they run rampant.] I would not fight you at all.

[Action]

[wildgift]

How kind you are, Herald. [Unsurprising, really. But he was still just a touch resentful.]

Is there anything else I should know of this place? A way to leave, perhaps? The King will be needing me in Court in the morning.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

What happened to Van? [Herald is more proper, but they're not in proper circumstances, are they? And he likes some familiarity - even if he doesn't know where it stems from.] I'll accept Vanyel.

[Now comes the hard part.]

We're trapped. [Inhaling deeply, he tips his head back and closes his eyes, seeking out the barriers.] The magic is stronger than any I have ever encountered.

[Then, he opens his eyes, surprised.] Why does King Randale need you?

[Action]

[wildgift]

I didn't think it was appropriate, Herald Vanyel, seeing as evidently we don't know each other. [And maybe keeping his distance would make it hurt less.]

Trapped. Damn. I suppose they couldn't make it so easy. [He sighs.]

If he is to hold Court, I'm to be there. He can't function without me. [It's not even bragging. It's just the truth. He's just a little too worried about other people for his own taste at the moment, when he's certainly earned a good wallow in selfishness.]

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[It stings more than it should to hear the rebuttal. But it makes sense.

It's logical, which he admires.]

Do as you please, Bard Stefen. [His smile has faded into nothing and his grey eyes are keen on their surroundings.] No, they wouldn't. It takes quite a lot of effort to bring us here, I'm sure.

[His focus returns to Stefen and he peers into his eyes.]

...there is something you do for him? [He doesn't want to reveal King Randale's condition unless Stefen already knows.]

[Action]

[wildgift]

Other than keep him upright? I've some Wild Gift, they tell me, to sing the pain away.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[His eyes sting and he very nearly embraces Stefen. Very nearly. He catches himself and breathes out.]

Thank the gods. He has been suffering for so long.

[Action]

[wildgift]

I know. But it doesn't do much except make him more comfortable. It's painful to see.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

We're still no closer to finding out the cause, are we. [It scares him. For the kingdom's sake; for Shavri's sake and for his own.] What of Queen Shavri? Did she deliver the babe safely?

[Action]

[wildgift]

Jisa? Yes. Rather a stubborn young woman, too. I wonder where she picked that up?

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

Her parents, I suspect. [He turns his head to hide a relieved smile. His daughter is safe. No, Jisa is their daughter.]

[Action]

[wildgift]

That seems the most likely, yes. I do hope her husband is prepared for it.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

Husband? [Sorry, that word is choked and he whirls around, eyes wide.] Is she old enough for - ?

[Action]

[wildgift]

Yes, Herald. I don't imagine they would have gone through with it if she weren't. The pair of them are--[He nearly chokes on the word]--l-lifebonded besides.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[Gods, that word hurts and fills him with elation at the same time. His knees feel weak and he stumbles a short distance away, sliding down to rest against a wall.]

Lifebonded... [He licks his dry lips and sighs.] I don't know whether to be proud or terrified.