[Video / Open to Both Courts]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[The locket is resting in the palm of Vanyel's right hand as he sits under a tree. His legs are crossed and his eyes are closed.]

No matter how hard I push, the barrier remains intact. [His eyelids open, revealing silver irises.] I have used every spell in my arsenal to test our colorful prison, but to no effect.

[Sadly, he isn't surprised.]

Do hot springs exist? I know I could put them to good use.

[How can he feel so old when he's so young? Rising and shifting the locket so his face stays in view, he stretches carefully. Old wounds are a pain.]

I would not wholly mind some company should I visit them either. The Tayledras are completely without shame where their hot springs are concerned. I promise to not follow in their footsteps.

[Meaning he will wear something instead of being fully nude.]

Comments

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

Thank you for waiting.

[Action]

[wildgift]

I'd wait forever if I had to.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

I would find my way back to you far sooner than forever.

[Action]

[wildgift]

That, at least, won't test my patience quite so much.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

I'd rather not test you at all.

[Action]

[wildgift]

Unfortunately, I fear, you'll have to.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

Unfortunately...

And I pray you know where my heart lies.

[Action]

[wildgift]

[Sigh.]

Yes, I do.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[He brushes his lips against Stefen's ear.]

I'll get better at this.

[Action]

[wildgift]

I'm sure you will.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

You're part of me.

[Humming, he slides off of Stefen, picks up the gittern and begins playing a song.]

Re: [Action]

[wildgift]

[He looks a little sad for about half a breath when Vanyel pulls away, but he recovers quickly enough and sits up, listening to the song.]

Was that for me, then?

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[He stretches out his legs and adopts a position he had used often when he was a teenager. It is somewhere between careless and carefully posed. Either way, he makes a nice picture as his fingers move across the gittern's strings.]

I wouldn't feel skilled enough to compose a piece for you.

Re: [Action]

[wildgift]

I wouldn't mind.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

I'll work on it. [His cheeks grow hot and his fingers pluck out the melody for Shadow Lover.]

[Action]

[wildgift]

I'd like that.

You seem particularly familiar with that song.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

I wrote it. [He sighs and smiles sadly.] I wasn't happy with living.

[Action]

[wildgift]

I hope that's changed.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

It's beginning to. [He leans forward and kisses along Stefen's jawline.]

[Action]

[wildgift]

Only beginning? Clearly, I've been neglecting my duties.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

No, you haven't. I'm far more comfortable in my own skin and I don't...

Death isn't something I seek.

[Action]

[wildgift]

I can't say as I'm disappointed to hear that, love.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[The gittern is put down and Vanyel soon wraps himself around Stefen, a soft smile on his lips.]

That means a great deal to me.

[Action]

[wildgift]

[Stefen's arms are around Vanyel immediately.]

Good. Then I'll continue thinking it, then.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[He allows himself a moment to relish the contact. There is nowhere else he wants to be - even the pain of being cut off from Yfandes is lessened.]

I would never want to break your heart.