eachdraidh | [Video / Open to Both Courts]

[He has been incomplete for so long. Yfandes can only fill part of that gap - though he dearly loves her for supporting him and encouraging him to live. But now he feels that empty part of himself trying to heal. The pieces are trying to knit back together and he...

There's guilt, but he is pointedly ignoring it. There is so much strangeness around them and Stefen is his only true comfort. He's not going to kick a blessing in the teeth.

Vanyel slides his fingers through the Bard's hair and he kisses the skin behind his ear.]

Tell me about your life. Where were you before you entered the Collegium?

Edited 2014-08-19 04:54 (UTC)

[He sighs again and holds on to Vanyel just a little tighter.]

I don't know. I didn't know much before I got there. I didn't know what the Collegium or, hells, I didn't even know what Valdemar was until Lynnell snatched me.

How is that possible? [He is truly baffled. One of his hands moves in soothing circles over Stefen's back.] What do you mean she snatched you?

I was on the street. I don't know where. I only know that it was awful, and it only got a little better once my "caretaker" figured I was better at singing than begging. Lynnell happened by one day and heard me. As I understand it, she only waited long enough to verify that I didn't have any living parents and she grabbed me in the night and deposited me in Haven.

Oh Stefen... [How could his heart not ache? He presses a kiss to the corner of the Bard's mouth and murmurs:] I can't blame her. I would have snatched you up myself if I had seen you in that situation.

{It scares him to think about Stefen dying on the streets. How many more children are stuck in just such a position? It needs to be rectified and quickly.]

You must have been terrified.

I thought I'd been sold until Medren convinced me otherwise.

Gods... [He holds him tighter.] I am so sorry.

When we return, I'd like for you to tell your story to Randi and Shavri. More needs to be done for the innocents on the street.

What else can they do?

Funds can be used to build safe houses at the very least. I'd also like to keep track of any children seen frequently on the streets.

[He looks thoughtful.]

Some sort of patrol, perhaps.

It would be a miracle if you could find the manpower for that.

Yes, it would, wouldn't it. [He leans back against the trunk, gritting his teeth.] I'm not even sure a spell would help.

I don't know much about magic, but I don't believe it would.

It will be added to the list of urgent matters. Children should be cherished and protected - not used and neglected.

If you can find something to do, I'm sure someone will appreciate it.

You've left that life behind. Thank the gods Lynnell found you.

Edited 2014-08-19 05:32 (UTC)

I do every day.

And now you're here. [His voice lowers a notch.] I thank them for that.

[He at least tries to make a joke and bring some lightness back to the converstion.]

Well, they had to. Someone has to keep you in line.

They better send reinforcements. [He laughs throatily.]

You don't think I can manage on my own?

I don't know; can you?

I have had some practice, so I think yes.

Practice with me? I am one of a kind. [Oh hello there, mock ego.]

Of course. Who else would I practice with? [He does like the double entendre.]

When you put it like that... [He quickly busies himself with drinking more wine.]

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