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Post by Vail on Jan 28, 2023 18:32:09 GMT -5
A small smirk formed across Vail's face as he witnessed the boy's excitement. It had been a while since he had done anything for someone else, he figured it was about time he put some good karma in. Letting this kid tag along to the tavern was a simple gesture, he'd planned on making a stop there to celebrate a successful job anyway.
"Don't worry about repaying me, just pay for your own drinks." He replies with his eyes still shut.
He stretches his arms above his head with a small groan as he rises to his feet.
"The tavern is around an hour and half walk from here, hope you're up to it. I'll meet you in the garden, try to avoid being spotted by your caretakers. The less they know the better."
Vail climbs into the window and descends down the face of the residence. He lands into a crouching stance, moving low to stay out of sight until the boy arrives. The smell of the flowers invaded his senses as he waited patiently. The young man's cage was a gilded one at the very least, perhaps that contributed to his positive demeanor. Either way, a cage was still a cage, and it was about time this boy left it.
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Post by Caspian Halonen on Jan 28, 2023 19:04:05 GMT -5
Caspian listened and nodded quickly as he made his way downstairs. He grabbed a bit of coin from his side table that was meant to be his savings for more writing supplies and snuck down the stairs and out the door fateful to use the back ways and to be as quiet as possible. Once out the door and into the back garden he moved to where he had seen the other and waved “alright I made it! Lead the way please sir!” He added happily. He wasn’t sure he could make the whole walk but he was going to try even if he had to drag himself. He wanted to see something for once and see new people
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Post by Vail on Jan 28, 2023 20:46:58 GMT -5
“Alright, if you need to stop to take a rest, just say so. Remember, the best rewards are only achieved through effort.” Vail wanted to temper the young man’s excitement while also keeping him motivated. He saw a bit of his past in the boy. People used to take care of Vail during his childhood in the Dancer’s Den, in a similar sort of fashion to the young man, The difference, however, lied in their reasons. People looked after Vail in an attempt to win favor with his father, whereas people looked after this boy out of pity. When the time was right, he was given a chance to prove himself; while this boy remained locked in his own house, sheltered from the outside world. It was about time he changed that. If this young man ever wanted independence, he needed to take it for himself. “Remember, if anyone asks, I’m your bodyguard. We’re not exactly the most normal pair of travelers, people are bound to notice us. I’m more brooding than the tavern’s typical patron and we don’t want people thinking I kidnapped you or something along those lines.” Vail walks at a slower than normal pace, making sure not to stray too far from the young man. Occasionally, a panicked traveler would pass by the pair, likely headed to the site of his earlier crime.
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Post by Caspian Halonen on Jan 28, 2023 21:02:03 GMT -5
“Right I’ll do my best!” He nodded cheerily determined to give his best effort. He tried to look calm and nodded beginning to walk by the other looking around amazed before turning to the other hearing hun talk “ah right got it!” He nodded smiling before pausing looking over curiously “wait- yeah you aren’t kidnapping me right?” He asked though didn’t stop walking. Even if it was at least he was seeing the world. He did his best to walk at a good pace by the other going back to looking around with a curious gaze at it all
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Post by Vail on Jan 28, 2023 23:51:20 GMT -5
“Well, if I was kidnapping you, this would be a rather bad start. You’re completely unbound and out in the open, plus it’s the middle of the day on a well-traveled road. Furthermore, I don’t know even know your name, so it would be pretty hard to demand a ransom from your family.” Vail states as he walks with his hands in his coat. “Are you accusing me?” Vail asks as he turns to face the young man with a smirk. He would have to take note of how he worded things around the boy. His naivety clearly wasn’t an act, he might take things a bit too seriously, much like a child would. The boy seemed amazed by every little thing out here, anything he couldn’t see outside of his window must be truly new to him. Perhaps he could actually open up to the young man without worrying about information spreading too far.
As the first hour of their trek passes, Vail strikes up the conversation again, the sights of Capitol Landing weren’t quite as amazing to him as they were to his companion. “Come to think of it, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves, have we? This whole escapade wasn’t exactly planned, so now that we’re on the road, why don’t you start?”
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Post by Caspian Halonen on Jan 29, 2023 9:30:43 GMT -5
“Ah right good to know” he nodded before hearing the following question “oh! No no not at all! I just wanted a bit of clarification as this is all new to me. Either way I’m happy to be outside and see the town” he explained. He walked and did his best only needing one rest break before they continued on looking at everything and noting them down for later, his smile bright and never leaving before his attention turned to the other hearing him talk “oh right! Sorry I’ve never had to do introductions really! Let’s see in books… yes okay. Hello, I am Capsian Halonen, it is a pleasure to make your aquaintance” he said and held out his hand
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Post by Vail on Jan 29, 2023 16:46:54 GMT -5
Vail watched as the young man wrote in his journal. Yet again he saw himself in the boy, both of them wrote to preserve their memories. If he had to guess, this boy was writing just in case he never went out again, he understood the mentality. He never particularly cared to take note of his feelings or memories until they began to be twisted without his consent. Everyone feared aging, of losing their memories to time; he on the other hand, feared that subtle, invasive influence dwelling within him. It ate away at his well-being, a curse which threatened the very concept of his reality. Only through his writing could he preserve himself. “The name’s Vail. Don’t tell anyone. Don’t worry about the last name either, it’s worthless now.” He says as he shakes the young man’s hand with his gloved right. After another hour of walking, the pair had finally reached the Dragon’s Den. The trip was as annoying as Vail had expected, the boy was constantly distracted by the sights of the city. He often had to pause and look back at the young man until his manners caught up with his curiosity. As he places his hand on the tavern’s door, he turns to face his companion. “Also try not to stare at anyone, people here are often trying to relax after a hard day's work. Some of them may still be on edge.”
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Post by Caspian Halonen on Jan 31, 2023 9:28:59 GMT -5
“Ah right well it’s nice to meet you vail” he replied happily as he shook his hand lightly. Afterwards he had put the journal away so they could continue walking. For now he just enjoyed the new sights and sounds as they went “ah r-right” he nodded lowering his head to avoid staring at people as they entered. “D-do you think there are real adventurers here?” He asked hopefully as he glanced up at the other curiously, holding tightly to his cane to keep upright after all the walking considering he had never walked so much in his life. He stayed close to vail which was a bit comforting as they entered
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Post by Vail on Feb 1, 2023 19:03:06 GMT -5
With his hand on the tavern’s solid wooden door, Vail turns to the boy. “Probably, people of all sorts pass through here, it’s the most popular tavern in Charon. There’s likely a good mixture of regulars from Sol City and tourists.”
Vail pushed the thick door and walked in before holding the door for young man. It wasn’t a gesture he’d normally do, but it did fit into the role he decided to play.
The tavern was quieter than his usual trips, although all his stops where during the night. The afternoon crowd seemed more diverse than usual, the residents of the city are likely still working, leaving mostly the travelers. The atmosphere was warm as expected, the tavern always does a good job of maintaining a relatively calm atmosphere. Likely because troublemakers are quickly dealt with by the staff. He spots an empty booth by the far wall and walks several paces before stopping suddenly. Of course, he only heard his own footsteps. With a slightly annoyed face, he turns to face the young man. “Cas, come on now.” He turns and continues walking to the booth, taking the seat facing the wall. He thought it best to give the boy a better view of the establishment, plus it would serve as a test of how well he actually listened. After a short while, one of the tavern’s waiters approached the pair. With a slightly confused expression, she looked between the two before quickly regaining her composure. “So, what will it be you two?” She asks with a hint of nervousness in her voice. “I’ll have whatever ale you have on draft.” Vail turns to face Caspian with a smirk. “What about you kid?”
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Post by Caspian Halonen on Feb 2, 2023 7:56:51 GMT -5
Caspian nodded and entered a bit curiously and nervously glancing around as he had never been in a room with so many people seemingly amazed by it all snapping back to reality when vail called him looking over and nodding, quickly hobbling over after him “right sorry!” He apologized as he soon sat once they reached the booth. He looked around curiously though made sure not to stare not wanting to upset any other patrons before looking to the waitress surprised and a bit confused by her appearance looking to vail confused a bit before explaining “ah yes I will have what my friend here is having please miss” he explained with a small smile though tried not to stare at her as he had been warned
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Post by Vail on Feb 2, 2023 20:30:57 GMT -5
Vail does his best to hold in his laughter until the waitress leaves. Once she departs, he tilts his head downward and starts to laugh hysterically. “Cas, have you even had a beer before? What I ordered was pretty strong, you might be wobbling even more than you are used to.” he says with a massive grin. “On the bright side it will help numb any pain you’re feeling.” He was rather amused by the young man, clearly his naivety extended to food and drink. He likely lived on a strict diet provided by his caretakers, yet another analogue to a life in prison. The boy’s eagerness to fit in was rather endearing, but likely to get him in situations a bit over his head. “If it’s too strong for you, you can give it to me and order something lighter. I’ll even pay for it myself.” As their drinks arrive, Vail takes a large swig of his ale before leaning back into the booth, letting his body relax into the soft cushion of the seat. “Ah, feels good to finally rest. So, Cas, you’re rather inquisitive, but you’ve hardly spoken about yourself. Part of making conversation is understanding that it’s a two-way street, some might find it rude that you are busy jotting down notes and asking questions when they are trying to have a conversation. So then, how about you tell me about your family?”
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Post by Caspian Halonen on Feb 5, 2023 21:35:04 GMT -5
He looked over blushing a little at the laughing rubbing the back of his head with a small smile "Well I may never get to try it again so might as well right?" he asked happily and curiously. He wanted to make the most of this trip that was for sure. "Ah are you sure? But i'm supposed to be paying for this all" he replied not wanting to seem unfair as he had already agreed to pay since the other was helping him as it was. As their drinks came he thanked the woman and watched cas drink before taking a swig himself, his eyes widening in surprise at the taste and burning of the liquor swallowing it before coughing. "Ah sorry I didn't mean to be rude. My father is a nobleman and my mother works in the market. I hear they both do great work in what they do. My twin is a traveler and loves adventures and helping others. We always wanted to help people when we were young and even wanted to be knights so he promised to do it for both of us. He sends me notes when he can and sometimes presents with it. He is my only friend" he smiled a little "I was sick since birth and my parents worry quite a lot so I never got to leave the house grounds. I was homeschooled and My brother would tell me stories of the academy, his friends and their adventures and he would even bring me new books to read that she learned about" he explained
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Post by Vail on Feb 7, 2023 19:32:34 GMT -5
Vail’s eyes drift as the young man replies. His mind lingered on a feeling of frustration brought on by his companion’s words. He kept talking like this was a one time thing, as if he’d be trapped in his gilded cage for the rest of his life.
A smile reemerges at the boy’s reaction to the drink.
“See I told ya, it’s a lot for someone as green as you. There is no need to rush into the deep end Cas.”
He listened intently as the young man described his family before looking across the tavern absently as he reflects on his own past.
“I’ll be honest. Despite your sickness, you’re rather lucky. I never knew my mother, my birth simply served a purpose. I am a grasp at power rather than the product of love. My father stood at mid level position of power in a criminal organization. I was set to be an asset to the organization, a tool for him to rise the highest point of power in Darkveil. I barely ever saw him, until one day, he betrayed the organization and I suffered for his actions.”
Vail stayed quiet for several minutes. He’d taken extra care to not mention specifics or even his own death, while also painting an image of the cruel world he originated from.
With a long sigh, he closes his eyes momentarily before staring at the young man.
“Caspian… What do you plan on doing with your life?”
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Post by Caspian Halonen on Feb 8, 2023 8:13:28 GMT -5
He made a face at the alcohol taste for a moment before recovering “it’s still worth a try” he smiled some “perhaps something lighter would have been a better start” he added
He then listened as the other talked about his past, eyes wide in shock and worry. He leaned over the booth and grabbed the others hand with a sad look “I’m so sorry all that happened to you… I…I couldn’t imagine…” he looked down not sure what more to say. He had soon let the others hand go and sat back in his seat in the silence before pausing at the others question
“Well… if I could I would like to see the world, have my own adventures to write about in my journal and see the people. Talk with them, help them, befriend them. Just… not be trapped in a home honestly” he gave a weak laugh
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Post by Vail on Feb 9, 2023 18:25:06 GMT -5
“Go ahead and order something lighter, I’ll cover it.” Vail winces when he notices Caspian’s hands holding his gloved right. What was meant to be an act of compassion had the unintended effect of reminding him of his condition. The young man could have been holding his hand for hour now and he would have never felt a thing.
"Don't worry about it too much, it feels like it was a lifetime ago." He says as the young man sat in silence.
“Idiot...” He muttered to himself as listened to the young man’s response to his question. The boy clearly felt his shackles, yet waited for someone else to break them. He turned to his companion with a visible look of frustration.
“Then what hell are you still doing there? You don’t want stay cooped up in boring place like that forever. You’re still young, don’t waste that youth. Everyone dies eventually, you can’t live in fear of your own fragility, no matter what your parents think. You simply need to accept your reality and live in spite of it.”
With a sigh he relaxed his posture.
“Look, you don’t need to leave today, but you need to get out of there. The world will pass you by if you just sit there waiting. Hesitation can cripple you more than any illness.”
He takes a long drink as he stares off into the distance.
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