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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Aug 13, 2023 14:12:36 GMT -5
Going to the beach was not something that was necessarily on Zarius' immediate to-do list given all the havoc that has been wrought in recent weeks. But the circumstances of the invite and the knowledge that many of his allies would be attending was draw enough to arrive, albeit very late into the event.
This was purposeful, however, seeing as being on an exposed beach during the daytime would no doubt cause discomfort not only for himself but doubly so for his vampire companion. As such they appear on the sandy shores of the Crescent Isles after the sun has already set and the festivities have been cloaked in the comfort of darkness.
The beach is still fairly active, with people having set up bonfires in the sand to share in drink, food, and music performed on any instruments one chose to risk getting covered in sand. Hopeless romantics stroll along the water's edge, their forms only illuminated by moonlight. Others lounge on towels as the sand slowly cools without the blazing sun overhead to heat it.
The pair were also accompanied by another. A little duckling by the name of Askr whose experience in life had been limited to sitting in a hole for gods knows how long waiting for someone to find them. It was deemed important to take Askr along for a number of reasons. One, for experience's sake. Two, for giving the young mercenary the chance to connect with other adventurers and strengthen their network. And three, to hopefully counteract anyone (Astrid and Kamille specifically) from getting any ideas about Zarius and Caedes arriving as a couple.
It was a calculated decision, as always. Though how effective it would be was yet to be seen.
The trio find a spot a ways from the fire and the drunken loons dancing around it, closer to some rocky tidal pools which are less popular for others strolling about in the dark without any way to see where they're going. It was a good place to get some privacy without being completely isolated from the activities of the early evening.
Zarius sets his pack which mainly has a beach blanket inside it down on some exposed coastal rock in an attempt to keep things from getting coated in sticky sand. A futile attempt, but an attempt nonetheless. He goes about setting up what little he brought along for them while Caedes and Askr get their bearings on their surroundings.
The waves lap at the sandy beach, the tide having withdrawn a fair way at this point in time. The draining waters have left all manner of little sea critters and other treasures washed up on the shoreline for any prospective beachcomber to find.
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Aug 20, 2023 16:17:31 GMT -5
“ Aw… looks like we missed out on all the early afternoon fun.” Caedes laughs, adding to the gentle commotions of what’s left of the festivities as they pass by it. His pale gaze lingers on the drunk hooligans in the distance dancing around their bonfire, a bemused smirk quirking at the corner of his lips, but turns away after a moment of watching a gaggle of drunken morons kick sand at each other. “ Can’t say I’m too terribly disappointed by that, though... ”
When they navigate far enough from the hooligans, he offers their duckling a playful pat on the back and swoops past Zarius as the fellblood starts to set up the few things that they’d brought. He is, as usual, arriving on Zarius’ invitation— and while the trip to the beach was unexpected given everything going on— he can’t say he’s particularly upset about it. Zarius needs a fucking break. Granted, there is no real rest for the wicked; and their breaks often take the form of a less complicated ulterior motive anyways; the most likely, in this case, simply being to maintain Zarius’ reputation and connections to the allies he’s made. But hey, at least there’s a nice view while they do so. The changeling hops up on a sand-speckled coastal rock that juts out nearby; its jagged, the width of it transitioning into a coastal tide pool full of crystal-clear water, kelp, and divots likely filled with little critters and corals left after the waning tides. He takes a moment to stamp sand from the grooves of his boots on the stone, before flipping back the hood of the dark cloak that he’s draped over himself for a great portion of their journey. Partially for his own privacy; but mostly because he can no longer stand the sun for long in his state. Moonlight licks across rolling waves, truly supporting the Luna Sea’s name in the way that even the stars shimmer off of its maritime blues. It has a different energy than coming to the beach during the day; when the sun is warm, the air is salty, and even the breeze is tepid— that feels energetic— similar to the lunatics prancing around their fires. This, though… feels calm. It’s quiet. The breeze is cool, and the night air is at peace; it’s pretty nice, all things considered.
“Good choice of spot!” He calls back to Zarius with a laugh; he takes a moment to pull his hair from the folds of his cloak, shaking it free, before glancing towards Askr. “Place is relatively harpy-free, all things considered. What do you think?”
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Post by Askr Mimameith on Aug 27, 2023 15:58:26 GMT -5
“Vacation” is a relatively new word in Askr’s vocabulary.
It is not as though he had never heard of it; he still remembers Hearth Day well, his initial confusion over the other mercs of the Ring of Cinders dispersing to spend their time with family and lovers alike, his walk out to Zeinav’s Oasis for the sake of going to visit Nyr, the day they’d spent together and the foreign feeling that had blossomed in his chest once the moon rose from its resting place and the sun went to sleep. That, apparently, had qualified as A Vacation, and while it remains Askr’s only one to date, he will not forget the warmth that had settled over him in the wake of it, the softness of Nyr’s hand, the brightness of his smile.
So the concept of A Vacation is very new to him, but Askr’s one experience with it has been… quite impactful. He does not think he will forget it anytime soon.
He wonders if this one will be similar.
Askr is quiet as he trails along behind Caedes and Zarius, not unlike a duckling following behind their mother, careful to mind his step the whole way. It is similar to the last time he wandered the beaches of the Crescent Isle– then, too, he had wandered behind Caedes, though the air had been colder, their pace faster, their purpose different. This is more… leisurely. He is not quite as armed, having left the majority of his swords behind, keeping only Glasir on hand should he need it, and Yggdrasil at his call, and he has traded his usual padded vest and gloves and mercenary’s garb for short swim-trousers and a loose, short-sleeved shirt, his sand-gold hair pinned out of the way to keep it off of his neck.
He follows along until they stop, standing obediently at attention until he is addressed– by Mister Caedes, no less, calling back to their excursion with the harpies from months past.
“There do not appear to be any harpies around,” he says, though he does pause to give the area another once-over, squinting up at the skies, searching for any traces of talons and feathers. “It seems relatively clear, Mister Caedes. I think that we are safe.”
However, though no harpy catches Askr’s eye, something outlined by the starlight overhead does– he walks a short distance to kneel beside it, scooping it up from its place in the sand, eyeing it curiously. It looks like a piece of glass, yet smoother– and it is blue instead of the ordinary full translucency he’s used to seeing. He blinks at it, tilting his head, before turning to present it to Zarius and Caedes.
“What is this?” he asks, blinking up at them expectantly.
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Aug 27, 2023 19:20:59 GMT -5
"Yes, it would have been incredibly fun having to worry about you burning up in the sun," Zarius jests.
He glances up as Caedes swoops past him and jumps up onto the rocks jutting out of the sand. The white gleam of moonlight strikes the vampire's pale skin, making him near luminescent in the dark. Like a beacon of light, how ironic given the assassin's affinity with the inky black shadows.
It is a moment before Zarius realizes that he's been staring, snapped out of...whatever that was by Askr appearing in his periphery and standing stiff like a soldier.
"You can relax, with any luck we will not need to be on our guard for a few hours."
Caedes and Askr exchange some comments about harpies, and the fellblood sighs in resposne.
"I would hope so. I doubt no one did a thorough sweep of the area prior to the event given that Queen Consort herself made an appearance earlier."
Honestly, missing that whole publicity stunt was probably a blessing. They'd surely get a recap from Cyran who was present during the Queen's declaration that the Legion of the Black Sun was being deployed to "help" all regions in hunting down Scern and putting him back in prison.
Had Zarius been present to hear such a brazen abuse of power that only works because of the ignorant populace they have kept the truth from, he may well have snapped then and there. Manipulation is an art form, a craft, and watching people with so much power bulldoze their way around without any care was just infuriating when he had to walk on eggshells every day of his life just to keep himself out of jail or a grave.
Though, for now, none of that was a worry. It was a future problem. For now, some blissful ignorance of their own let them enjoy the beach for what little time they could spare.
Askr then fetches something from the sand and returns with it.
Zarius takes a look at the blue stone-shaped piece of worn and weathered glass. It is likely a testament to how far and how often he travels by ship that he does have any idea what this is, but he does recognize the material after picking it up and giving it a closer look.
"Ah, it is seaglass. Likely from sunken ships or from coastal towns. It gets worn down by the ocean currents and then shows back up on shore. I believe some people make jewelry and other artwork out of it."
He places the piece back in Askr's hand.
"You can find all sorts of things washed up on beaches if you take the time to look. Just avoid anything that may move or has spines."
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Aug 29, 2023 20:17:42 GMT -5
Caedes looks at Askr as the young man approaches; his smile, subtle at first, transitions into a lopsided grin and furrowed brows as Askr matter-of-factly states that there are no harpies around, and then takes the time to look for the fuckers. It takes all of his willpower not to crack up; and instead, he takes a deep breath before jumping off the rock; and he claps a hand on Askr’s shoulder as he approaches. “Yes, thank you, Askr. I can always count on you for vigilance and a keen eye.” He responds; although, he can’t keep his bemusement at bay for long. He lets out a soft bout of laughter as Askr walks away; and the changeling swings leisurely around on a heel to stand next to Zarius as if his presence there is something natural. He tilts a hip, crossing his arms as he watches Askr stoop down into the sand. “Gods, this kid is something.” He remarks, fondness softening the usual snark in his tone; his pale eyes follow the young man’s motions as he plucks something from the sand. Whatever it is glints in the moonlight; and when Askr returns to them with it, curious, he listens to Zarius’ explanation.
He turns his head slightly to look at the fellblood while he speaks, appreciating the way the moonlight outlines his sharp features for just a brief heartbeat. He turns his eyes away and clears his throat as he steps forwards and circles Askr to look at the shard. “My mother used to say that it was a good metaphor for life. ‘It’s been weathered so many years by the waves— but if it hadn’t been through so much hardship, it never would have become as beautiful as it is now.’ They take like… a century or so to look like the way this one does; it’s good luck to find a piece.” His mother really was such a romantic— finding small joys and meanings in the little things; she could delight in so many useless little trinkets and baubles, turning them in the light through the window to show him with a smile on her face. She could find meaning in just about anything, but he never really understood how or why; but the amount of random bullshit he could regurgitate that once came from her quiet hobbies and beliefs are endless. It pinches something in his chest to do so, but speaking it aloud still feels as though he’s keeping something of theirs alive. “ If you like it, keep it; Cyran’s fiancé is a blacksmith or something, right?” He glances over his shoulder at Zarius as if for confirmation. “ She probably knows a thing or two about working with jewelry; maybe she can teach you how to make it into a pendant, or a ring, or something like that if you ask real nice.” He shrugs his shoulders, then hesitates a moment when Zarius warns Askr about things on the beach. “ Mm; and watch out for anything that looks weirdly gelatinous. I wouldn’t touch anything with eight or more legs, either; or... ah... you know what, I’ll just come with you.”
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Post by Askr Mimameith on Aug 30, 2023 1:26:07 GMT -5
A subtle glint of curiosity flickers to life in Askr’s golden eyes as soon as Zarius looks the shining blue object in his hands over, picking it up between two fingers and observing it with one of those keen eyes. Only a minute passes before Zarius definitively announces that it is something called Seaglass– ordinary glass weathered by the saltwater, dyed by the depths of the sea, and cast back up onto the sands. The name is quite simple. Easy to retain. Self-explanatory. Askr does not think he will forget it easily. It is, if he may gauge it aesthetically, prettier than ordinary glass– at least the glass he’s used to.
“Ohh,” he says, giving a nod of understanding as Zarius places the piece of seaglass back in his hand, and a second one as he is instructed to be careful around the things that may wash up on the shore. So not all things are as pretty and safe as seashells and seaglass. Shame. “Understood, sir.”
As soon as Caedes steps around and leans down to look at the seaglass in his hand, Askr is quick to look up at him, a new sense of curiosity shining in his blank expression as soon as the other man starts telling a story his mother once told him– one of things like these symbolizing the tumult of life leading to… beauty, of all things. It is difficult to understand. Can suffering truly make anyone or anything more beautiful once they’ve surpassed it…?
“So hardship makes things… beautiful?” he asks, tilting his head. He supposes… it does make sense. He remembers suffering through that temple in the sands with Nyr, the stark difference between the boy he’d first met in the Frost Gale and the boy he’d seen on Hearth Day– the shining smile on his face, pretty as the moon. He wonders what trouble Mister Caedes and Mister Zarius went through to become so pretty. Does swallowing a ball bearing count as a hardship? Did that make Mister Zarius pretty? “I see. I understand a little.”
When Caedes tells him he should keep it if he likes it, Askr gives a short nod, moving to slip the seaglass into his pocket– he isn’t sure what he should do with it just yet, but… a pendant does not sound like a bad idea. He is not fond of jewelry, outside of the ring he wears beneath his gloves or on a chain beneath his clothing sometimes, but it would make a nice gift, perhaps. Maybe he can find more– a hope that only grows as Caedes says he’ll come with him to look around on the shore.
“Mister Zarius, do you want to come look for things as well?” he asks, glancing over to the fellblood. “Maybe Mrs. Zewala or Miss Eameia will like something. A seaglass or a seashell.”
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Aug 30, 2023 11:44:22 GMT -5
"You have grown quite attached." Zarius points out to the assassin, a bit of a teasing tone in his voice.
It was fine if Caedes grew some close bonds with others. The changeling had been left with a meager hand in the gamble that is life. One can hardly play the game with only a single lonely card. It was good to see that the young man could make bonds with more than just spiders.
Zarius remains silent as Caedes speaks of his mother. He feels the slightest pang of something, maybe guilt, at hearing the changeling recount his mother's words. The fellblood has been so focused on his own pursuits that he's hardly had a moment to make any headway on helping the assassin make forward progress on exacting his revenge against the Crimson Hand. Caedes never complained or made any snarky comments, but he has no doubts he's been anxious about it.
"It can," he adds. "But it can also be too much for some to handle."
There is no shortage of tragedies and cautionary stories of those who endured so much only to crumble into dust when they overextended themselves. Overcoming hardship is a part of life, but if those hardships pile up they can easily collapse on those trying to clamber up the sides.
Zarius often thinks of Cyran who is one who risks being buried. The elven man had a complicated past, an occupation he may be good at but is hardly suited for, and his heart is too open to any big-eyed orphan he crosses paths with. He manages it well enough, and maybe that is a testament to his lifetimes of experience over the fellblood. Perhaps he should give him more credit.
He nods when Caedes looks to him for confirmation of Del's occupation. The end of his tail twitches at one comment Caedes makes before Askr directs a question towards him.
"Sure, why not?"
As he moves to trail after Askr along the beach, he casually bumps shoulders with Caedes and lowers his voice so that the young mercenary does not overhear.
""I wouldn't touch anything with eight or more legs", huh? Good thing Miss Charlotte is enjoying time with her favorite herbalist." The shit-eating grin on his face is clearly visible even in the dark.
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Aug 30, 2023 13:55:12 GMT -5
Caedes makes a face at Zarius when he remarks that he’s grown attached to Askr, but he doesn’t affirm or deny the statement. He simply rolls his eyes with a subtle smirk as he turns back to look at Askr. Truthfully, he’s still not entirely sure how Askr effortlessly found his way into his good graces: perhaps it was his gentle cadence; or perhaps it was his desire to learn; or perhaps it was his penchant for taking everything so literally (which, he finds very funny). No matter the case, he finds himself with a simple desire to teach Askr what he needs to know to protect himself in the kind of life he’s chosen to live; to teach him about little things when it arises and hope that the young man learns to formulate his own opinion and act accordingly. Darkveil and the world at large is a harsh place; the kind which stomps on fragile innocence when given the opportunity. The more he’s around Askr, the more he wants to ensure he’s equipped to handle the unfairness the world might throw at him. He shrugs as Zarius adds to his mother’s metaphors, “ For every piece of sea glass you find on shore, there’s a thousand more still out in the waves.” He agrees, keeping on theme with his mother’s rambling. “ Even more than that have already been weathered by the ocean without being found; that’s what makes the one you’ve found unique.” He pats Askr’s shoulder as the young man passes, but lingers behind to wait for Zarius after he agrees to come along. He quickly regrets that move. Caedes offers Zarius a puzzled glance when he bumps shoulders with him; but an arched brow and pursed lips quickly turns into the briefest look of shock when he repeats his own phrase back to him. Caedes promptly scoffs, and the beginnings of a grin quirk the edges of his lips. What a bastard.The accusatory look he gives the fellblood has no poison behind it. “Shut up,” he answers in a breathless laugh, but he keeps his voice low. “You know exactly what I meant, and I didn’t mean Charlotte. You’re going to thank me when that kid doesn’t pick up a poisonous octopus and warrant us another trip to 'Charlotte’s favorite herbalist'.” He purposefully bumps Zarius back, poking his tongue out at the fellblood tauntingly. "I'm saving you from enduring yet another face full of glitter from Kvasir's favourite purple cherub." Although, he does clear his throat to add, "Seriously though, don't you dare tell Charlotte I said that. She's gonna look at me with her sad eyes and I can't handle that shit."
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Post by Askr Mimameith on Sept 4, 2023 0:23:59 GMT -5
“Understood.”
As Zarius agrees to come with him and Caedes as they search the tide pools and shoreline for anything else of note, Askr begins to take a step forward– but he pauses, looking to both of the taller men for their approval, as if he is afraid to take the lead without permission. He is… unaccustomed to wanting, still, to taking initiative, to branching beyond orders when they are given; it is… slowly getting easier, but not by very much. There is always a moment of guilt before it evens out and drifts away, and it is… difficult to let it pass.
But he lets the hesitation drift away on the summer wind like dandelion fluff and takes another step, and another, until he is taking the lead, passing Caedes and Zarius by– though not without Caedes’s hand gently landing against his shoulder. It is… a kind gesture; it is similar to those claps on the back other mercs give each other after a job gone right, he thinks, but gentler. Softer. It is congratulatory, he thinks, but he does not know what he has done to warrant congratulations. It is enough to make him freeze in place, looking up at Caedes with wide eyes, but after a moment, he gives a little nod of acknowledgement, briefly setting his hand against the other man’s own before continuing to walk forward, eyes glued to the sand and stone.
…What was that?
It is less the gesture and more the feeling that followed that confuses him; why does his chest feel so… light? Askr is quite confident that is not normal. Is this death? He does not know if he can die by orthodox means, so this is a possibility. Perhaps Caedes shattered a bone, but if Miss Issala has yet to do that, then Caedes probably could not. His shoulder still feels warm where Caedes touched it despite Caedes always being cold. It is illogical. It does not make sense.
But…it is not… bad.
He does not think he is dying.
Askr continues walking along the shore, finally stopping when he catches sight of a large, pale pink shell, one vaguely shaped like some pastries he’s seen in bakery windows before– it curls inward and then outward, the opening leading inward. He does not hesitate before picking it up and turning to Zarius and Caedes, holding it out toward them, not even aware of the tiny, blue crab scuttling out from the inside.
“What is this?”
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Sept 6, 2023 21:59:07 GMT -5
Zarius snickers at Caedes' childish and bratty retort. "Careful, or else you will bite your own tongue on those fangs of yours."
His expression then immediately gets annoyed at the mention of the Wizard of the Wastes and scam artist supreme, Morrigan Moonweaver. Gods. Why did he have to go and bring up that idiot? It feels like just alluding to them would be some sort of signal for the fool to shop up streaking across the sands in the moonlight or some other bullshit.
"Going to be real hard to not leave a trace anywhere if I use that glitter to dust all your clothing," he responds with a bit of a hiss, but he lets it go. No point letting someone who wasn't even around ruin his evening.
He glances at Caedes when he clears his throat and continues before scoffing in response himself.
"Sounds like you are in quite the predicament then." He then leans in close and whispers in Caedes' ear. "What are you going to do to buy my silence?"
Before Caedes can respond, he pulls away as if nothing was said and focuses forward just as Askr returns to them with the next item he's found washed up on the shore.
This time, the duckling fetched them something a little more alive than the previous offering.
"Ah, that is a conch," he explains. "It is a type of seashell. It would have had a snail in it originally, but it looks like it is occupied by a crab currently."
Zarius reaches forward and gently pokes the blue crab back into the shell with a finger. The critter isn't too keen on it but prefers the safety of the shell over being exposed to the giants looming outside it.
"You should find a tidepool for it," he suggests and gestures over to the tidal pools. "Come morning the shore birds will be furiously picking at any poor creature still out on the sand."
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Sept 8, 2023 21:34:29 GMT -5
Zarius is so easy to rile up. His hissed threat of dusting glitter over his wardrobe is met with restrained laughter from the changeling; he could continue to poke a hornet’s nest and it is tempting— but the hope of tonight is for Zarius to actually relax on this trip.
Caedes waves a hand dismissively, tamping down his mischievous desires. “Alright, alright; even I’ll admit that was a low blow. I won’t mention them again.” he promises, placing a hand over his heart as if to swear on it before he ever mentions the spider. However, Zarius’ following scoff catches him off guard; he opens his mouth to counter him— after all, if Zarius doesn’t say anything, there is no predicament to start with— but the fellblood leans in unexpectedly, causing Caedes’ shoulders to tense ever-so-slightly. What are you going to do to buy my silence?
The warmth Zarius naturally carries with him fades to chill as the fellblood pulls away; and whatever Caedes was going to say previously is forgotten. The unspoken words left on his tongue ultimately culminate in a disbelieving chortle of a scoff. He shoots Zarius a bemused, but accusatory look despite the lopsided smile on his lips; should the moonlight not hide it, he might even be flustered. Is he being blackmailed right now? The absolute nerve.
Zarius is lucky Askr's here to distract him from biting back.
He lets Zarius off the hook for now, tilting a hip as he crosses his arms over his chest. He looks at Askr with the remnants of a smile still on his lips. “ It was a conch, but it’s a hermit’s house now.” He remarks, watching Zarius poke at the little creature. It retreats back into its shell, looking at them in a way that Caedes can only interpret as spiteful. He would be too if someone picked up his whole home. He motions at Askr to follow, dropping his arms as he moves away from Zarius with the intention to be sure Askr doesn’t pick up anything particularly suspicious while he’s finding a new home for the crab. He hops up onto one of the nearby rocks leading to the tidal pools, cloak swaying around his ankles as he steadies his balance on the ledge of it. “ You’ll find a lot of little creatures like that one at the pools— just be careful of what you pick up or touch. That little guy can’t breathe underwater or swim well, sooo… maybe find a nice, shallow pool for him for now.”
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Post by Askr Mimameith on Sept 18, 2023 14:16:50 GMT -5
Just as he remains unaware of most things, Askr remains quite blissfully unaware of the playful tensions beginning to brew between Caedes and Zarius whenever his back is turned, hardly noticing the ghost of a hiss, the vestiges of a taunting smile, of annoyance– his focus remains solely on the sand and the sea and the treasures kept within it, any implications carried in the words whispered when he’s not listening flying over his head. As far as he knows, no conversations unfold behind his back to begin with– he’s too lost in the glitter of seaglass and the pastel hue of shells to know any better.
Even so, a look of muted surprise washes over his face when Zarius informs him that the conch in his hand is currently occupied– Askr turns it around, blinking curiously at the now barely-visible outline of a little blue crab seeking refuge in the inner ridges of the shell. It’s very small, its legs and claws tiny, but he can practically see the displeasure on its little crustacean face.
“Understood,” he says, giving a short nod as soon as Zarius gestures over to the tide pools, already quietly looking over them, surveying which of them may be most suitable for a little blue crab. He is… not well educated on sealife, hardly aware of what would sate the little creature, but if Zarius says a tide pool would be better for the little crab than the sand, then Askr trusts his word– the man has yet to steer him wrong, after all, even in the wake of all the wrongs Askr has brought his way. “Ah… um…”
He furrows his brow, still trying to settle on which tide pool would be best, when Caedes suddenly steps forward, gently motioning for him to follow along– and, like a duckling obediently trailing after its mother, he does, though he stops at the base of the rock Caedes leaps upon, looking up at him with a sense of quiet wonder as he speaks, explaining the ideal conditions for the little crab in his hands.
“Ah.. alright,” Askr nods, glancing between a few of the tide pools before settling on what looks to be the shallowest of them, kneeling on the sand beside the stone before setting the conch down, half in the water, and half out. “Would this be good?”
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Sept 18, 2023 16:36:35 GMT -5
Zarius returns Caedes' lopsided smile with a sly smirk. He doesn't follow as Caedes leads Askr away and instead folds his hands behind his back while watching the two fool around in the tide pools. His smile softens ever so slightly as Askr scans the pools for an appropriate place using Caedes' guidance.
The scene is so innocent that it's almost hard to believe that the two are trained killers, one an assassin and the other a mercenary. Askr trails after Caedes like a shadow, much like how the changeling often does with the fellblood. Though, unlike the fellblood, Caedes wasn't leading him into danger.
His smile falters.
Thoughts of the changeling's undead condition, his revenge, and the Crimson Hand cross his mind. It's a dire situation, and there is no telling how things will pan out in the end. They may never get another moment like this again.
After a moment longer, he steps away and wanders across the sands closer to the water's edge.
All in all, it's a fairly peaceful evening despite some of the drama and shenanigans from others earlier in the day. The sound of the waves washing up on the shore is almost soothing enough to drown out the worries and stresses bearing down on the fellblood.
Almost.
But then he looks out at the horizon and is reminded of everything that lies beyond it. Of Zeinav, of the Ash Lands, and of Darkveil. Even across the continent, there's not a moment of escape from everything he's pursuing, and everything pursuing him. It's all so heavy, and he is so tired.
He takes a deep breath and lets out a slow sigh.
Hearing Askr and Caedes' voices, he turns back around to see what they've gotten up to while his back has been turned.
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Sept 22, 2023 20:03:21 GMT -5
Caedes’ smile is subtle as Askr gears into motion to follow; he watches the duckling with a quiet sort of fondness; and waits for him to reach the same level of the tide pools before he turns to follow Askr’s curious wanderings as he glances between the available tide pools. The changeling seems to take the most inconvenient detours through the tidepool — favouring his chances on any rock that bobbles beneath the heels of his shoes and threatens to dump him into the adjacent tide pools— over the relatively solid natural formations circling the tidepools.
Caedes is stepping between two precarious rocks when Askr settles on a new home for the crab; he warbles between them before quickly hopping from one to the next to get to the young man. The momentum of the hops are essentially the only thing that saves him from being tipped directly into the pool when the second rock tips violently after the displacement of weight.
“You found one already?” He comes to a halt, his smile lazy as he watches Askr dip down; he seems fragile and cautious; even when he’s releasing a little hermit crab back into the wild of all things. It’s not surgical, by any means, but he can’t help but chuckle. “Don’t ask me— ask the crab. It’s gonna be living here from now on.” He pulls back his cape as he crouches in the sand next to Askr and crosses his arms over his thighs. He sweeps his pale gaze into the shallow water, watching the ripples extend towards tiny barnacles, mosses, and corals swaying in its shallow pseudodepths.
Slowly but surely, the grains of sand beneath the conch start to shuffle as the crustacean unfurls. A claw, a couple of eyestalks, and many legs slowly peep out one by one. Its antennae shuffle grains of sand the way a dog’s nose might snuffle, and as the crab unfurls more, the conch slowly lifts from the sand with the extension from its limbs. After a moment of absolutely no movement, it starts to undulate its legs as if to dig.
“I hear no complaints.” Caedes remarks with a chuckle; he pats Askr on the back before rising to his feet. “Good choice.” As he rises, Caedes shakes a bit of sand from the edges of his cloak before letting it fall around his shoulder once more; he glances back towards Zarius to check on him, and finds the fellblood gazing out towards the ocean in relative silence.
The moon silhouettes him in silken silvers; and glitters off the golden caps of his horns— despite his appreciation, the scene is melancholy to say the least— and Caedes stifles a slight sigh.
Zarius has had far too many responsibilities as of late; stretching himself thinner and thinner.
…Which is exactly why he needs to cut himself loose, even if for one night only.
Caedes clicks his tongue, side-eyeing Askr when the young man finally does stand.
With alternative motives, the changeling sweeps over to him. “Askr. Ashe. My son.” He remarks, playfully referencing their first meeting together. “I was just thinking… Zarius has been sooo busy lately, and he still seems a bit… stressed…” He glances out towards the fellblood, ensuring he’s not heading their way, before glancing back at Askr. “I think what would really cheer him up… is seeing a seashell in its natural habitat. Say…” Caedes glances towards Zarius again, internally doing some math. “… Say like, shin-deep… eh… maybe knee-deep in its natural habitat. Out in the water is where all the best shells are, after all— they’re less broken, since people don’t step on them as much.”
Caedes perks up a little when he notes motion, and waves innocently in Zarius’ direction.
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Post by Askr Mimameith on Jan 6, 2024 15:52:44 GMT -5
There is something very strange about the way Caedes looks at him.
It is something Askr has been aware of for some time, now– a subtle little shift that happened sometime since their journey into the Frost Gale and Crescent Isles, after their encounter with the caravan and their battle with the harpies. The sharpness that used to linger at the corner of Caedes’s eyes is absent, no tension held in the creases of his eyelids– now there is something soft about the way his features sit on his face, his smile easy, no knot between his brows. He is calm, no longer a predator surveying his surroundings nor a prey animal waiting to fight back– he is a person, sitting on the beach, relaxed and unreadable in a completely different way.
Askr is not quite sure what to do with it. He knows what it looks like when someone likes him, now, though it is always a little different– the Captain always looks a little exasperated with her fondness, Miss Issala brazen and unabashed– but it is hard to understand what he might have done to warrant Caedes’s fondness. But the evidence is there. There is the gentle touch, the smile, the way Caedes’s voice goes all cloudy and soft when he speaks to him– undeniable evidence of fondness. It is strange.
But it is not a bad strange. It is a most welcome strange.
Askr really, really hopes Caedes doesn’t stop.
The tiniest trace of a smile pulls at Askr’s lips when Caedes voices his approval at the hermit crab’s new home, and he gives a little nod before watching the little blue crustacean dig at the sand, curious in its investigation of the terrain it has been set into. Askr almost wants to give it a little pat, the same way he might pat Ebony’s head back at h– the Rookery, but something tells him that he should give this little creature its space. He is learning. He is learning, and that is good.
“I cannot talk to crabs to begin with,” he says in reply as he rises, mirroring Caedes’s movements after a moment longer of observing the crab. “But I think it is content.”
Askr’s comment seems to fall on deaf ears, however, because Caedes is seemingly lost staring out at the moonlit sea. Well. Not quite the sea, really– more the man standing by the sea and staring out at it; it takes a moment of guessing the angle, but if Askr tilts his head, he can see that Caedes’s attention is firmly focused on Zarius’s form and not the water itself. He is uncertain as to whether or not this is a common or uncommon occurrence, but regardless, Askr will not interrupt, and so he stands obediently in silence until Caedes’s attention finally drifts away from the fellblood by the sea.
It doesn’t take more than a few seconds, naturally– Caedes is very aware of his surroundings, after all–, but Askr does blink in surprise at the way the other man sweeps over, referring to him the way he had when they’d first met, when they’d needed to pretend to be other people– when Caedes had played at being Askr’s mother, and when Askr had played at being wanted. He jolts a little in surprise, but he stares up at Caedes with wide, attentive eyes, listening to every word the other man says with unbroken focus.
“...A seashell… in the ocean?” he muses to himself. He does not know why he must do it, but he supposes he can. “Yes, sir. I will help Mister Zarius see a seashell.”
Askr does not wait for further orders; he marches over to Zarius like a soldier on the field, walking past him and taking his hand so he can lead him over to the water, already starting to step out until he is knee-deep in the glistening waves as ordered. He stares blankly through the moon-haloed water, eyeing the sand intently, searching through seaweed and fragments of what must have once been shells before–
Aha.
Askr leans down to pluck a pale pink scallop from the waterlogged sand, sweeping his thumb over its ridges to wipe the sand away before decisively holding it out toward Zarius, staring up at him expectantly.
“For you. So you can be happy.”
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