Reunion [Khyan]

[Hilana Chenzira]

Hilana didn’t mind at all. She rather liked seeing him a bit happier, and if such a small gesture could do it, why not? There was too little kindness in this world anyway. She had never understood the need to hoard resources; be it money or food. As long as someone could make their way, they had enough. Had they been in the Sands, he would have been welcomed at the fire and taken care of, no matter the circumstances. Pack took care of pack. Her Wildness knew it, had known it since they’d parted ways. Pack always looked after pack.

She had another bite of her pita as he spoke, watching his face and listening to him. As much as she could talk anyone’s head off given the opportunity, she knew when to stay silent sometimes, and this was one of them. “You had some strange friends,” she did remark, though, raising her eyebrows, scooping up more of the stew. She couldn’t imagine doing that, but her own upbringing had been about as different from his as one could get. And she might have been biased, all things considered; as Khyan was perhaps one of the most striking, if not the most striking, men she had ever come across. But the life of nobles was one that seemed to involve a great deal of pretense, and acting one way while feeling another. She had had to live that life for the last year and a half, and she had not liked it. Put on the mask, and play the role.

“He wanted to make you strong,” she told him gently. “Iron sharpens iron, Khyan. And you are strong,” she set the bottle down as he handed it to her, setting it on the table between them, dusting her floured hands off. Once he wiped the unbidden tears, her hand found his, squeezing, trying to offer comfort to him. “You are stronger than you think you are. Even now. You will find them. You will be together again. You’ll be able to argue with him, and push back on the boundaries and expectations… remember, where there is a will, there is a way,” she tilted her head, looking at him, her eyes searching his. For someone who had been fairly upbeat and cheerful so far, she was very solemn now. “We just need to find the way. Sometimes the impossible just takes a little longer. But there is always hope. Do not let go of that.” Argenti may be flying high now… but even vultures cannot soar forever.

[Khyan Nykara]

Khyan arched a brow at the outright critique of his former friends. Had he been more self-aware it might have occurred to him that he was being protective of the very people who'd dismissed him out of hand as soon as he was inconvenient. And that none of those friends he'd known his whole life would have ever done as much for him as Hilana without expecting something back. But instead of self-awareness, his reflex was umbrage.

"My father is a bloody half-Re'hyæan with a Platinum father who held the highest position one of our caste can possibly achieve. A position, I might add, which he acquired by being impossibly charming. Also, he looks like a statue from Varværyn times, so no. I don't think it's at all strange to find him more intriguing than some half-drunk brat they see every day at the academia." He'd gone from bitching about his father to being protecting quite quickly, it seemed- But these were emotional days.

As often when he bristled he was quick to soften again. Another thing of which Khyan was unaware was that he spoke differently to Hilana because she'd been born to a lower caste. It didn't matter than she now outranked him, his default made him quicker to critique and the sort of candour that didn't benefit the recipient. But there was something about her consoling words that took him out of that, and brought him back into balance with her.

"Iron sharpens iron. I like that." He wasn't so certain he was strong, but he knew his father was. He didn't often think of them as being alike, but now that they were separated perforce, he was surprised to find it felt kind of nice to be connected to him. He'd always been told he should be proud to be a Nykara, but now he actually felt it and for altogether different reasons.

He turned his hand to grasp hers in return.

"My mother always said not to worry about things outside ones control. She was so good at that, but to me it always seemed like one of those 'easier said than done' sorts of things..." He trailed off,

"Anyway. How've you been keeping busy, aside from homemade mead brewing and checking up on me?" He winked at the last, reaching back across for the aforementioned mead.

[Hilana Chenzira]

When the rebuke came, she wasn’t surprised by it. She had just delivered a fairly cavalier insult to what Khyan doubtless thought, perhaps subconsciously, was her betters. And he had been in that rank until a few short months ago, so maybe he took it as a slight against him and his pride, too. Hilana didn't know. Strange was not a good word here. She didn’t mind it when it was applied to her, because she was not ashamed of it. But she had also thrown expectations and standards to the wind and ended up where she could be strange and wild within the rules established for her.

She didn’t flinch or blanch at his tongue, or look away, the latter course of action she might have had to have taken out of self-preservation had he still his rank. There was no apology out of her for giving offense, either, like there would have been. But as it was, Hilana just watched him and listened. She watched the emotions on his face and in his eyes, she listened to the tone and level of his voice. She would rather he get it out than hold it back in and let it fester, and she knew that she was a safe enough target for it. Water off the buffalo’s horns, after all.

“Iron sharpens iron,” she repeated. “I would think he was willing to be misunderstood in the short term in exchange for being able to show you his love in the long term.” That was how it had been explained to her before, that tough love, the raising of the bar and shifting posts and ever present expectations. She hasn’t gotten that from her family, certainly not her own father, but she had experienced it in her pack. Family that wasn’t blood. Expectations of growth and change, because by growing, the pack was strengthened.

When he grasped her hand and spoke of his mother, Hilana smiled at him. Her fingers threaded into his, interlacing, and squeezed. “She is right, and so are you, you know. When you find the courage to let go of what you can’t control… it frees you to focus on what you can. And that can be a magical moment, Khyan. It changes things. But it’s hard, because we get wrapped up in what…what often ends up being inconsequential of the day to day, but we can’t let it go. Learning to let go is a habit to develop. But once you get into it… you might feel better for it.”

She took another bite of her pita, and when he winked at her she let out a muffled chuckle. But she wasn’t embarrassed for showing concern for someone she felt a connection with, when his fate had been so uncertain. She swallowed as he reclaimed the bottle. “Well, I’ve explored a bit more. Visited the Umbrium a few times, mostly when I get sent down there for errands. I haven’t visited Noctis Aeternae yet, though…” she looked thoughtful. “But I’ve been working and studying, mostly,” she admitted, indicating the bowls lined up on the table beyond where they were eating. “Vasilei is putting me through my paces,” Hilana explained. “A herbalist needs to know what they’re working with to make the medicine, right? So I have samples, and a lot of labels. He did take my study book away,” she laughed. “He has a big book, about this thick,” she held her free hand a fair few inches off of the table. “And it has all kinds of details about plants in it. Not just what we have here in Atraxia, but in the world beyond our home. And he was kind enough to mix in enough poisonous options that I can’t use taste to tell what they are.” This actually seemed to amuse her - but it seemed that the girl enjoyed the challenge. “I have these few left, but I’ll get to them after. He’ll check them when he comes in tomorrow.”

[Khyan Nykara]

“I especially like the analogy as it applies to us as humans…” He’d gone through a phase where he hadn’t identified as human at all. He still took pride in his Elven blood and he knew it revealed itself in his physical attributes, but only subtly. That he was slender, hairless in most places, and fair of face in that soft, delicate way that was so common amongst their master race. But, in the end, he didn’t look like an elf. His dusky complexion would was distinctly Vastian. On an elf he’d have resembled a dreaded Dratori, understood to be less outwardly ugly than Orks but more corrupt within. He’d grown accustomed to his humanity, and even toward the end of his tenure as a Patrician, grown to appreciate the unique position in which it placed him. Had his father been less ambitious or less outspoken, he’d have been well situated. The machinations of the highest castes were deadlier and more mercurial than those at the top of the middle.

“The elves lay claim to precious metal- Platinum, Gold and Silver, but we are as functional and indefatigable as Iron. We are the Smith’s anvil and the barge’s anchor. We are the base of the pedestal on which the Race of Re’ha blazes…” It was a proud, patriotic train of thought. Perhaps he’d gleaned more from his father than he’d realised. He wasn’t even critical of the system that so failed his family, it made sense. Humans were abundant, hardy and short-lived. It was meet that they bow before elves as elves before dragons. It was a just and natural order.

He drank, as Hilana offered her perspective and advice. She knew more of being an outsider than Khyan, and so he would take it with more credence than he might otherwise. She hadn’t been a Serva, but being closer to their caste, she had seen things he’d have overlooked.

“Ah, the Umbrium…” That was what he clung to of what she’d said, because he had more a frame of reference for the undercity he now inhabited, as opposed to herbs, poisons and all matters mercantile.

“That’s where I live now. With my Dominus being a Sentinel, he prefers to rest his head closer to their Prætorium.”

[Hilana Chenzira]

Khyan was right. It was an excellent analogy, considering what they were to the Elves above them. She wondered if old Caron had thought of it in that regard when he had told it to her the first time. She hadn’t considered it from that angle before, but it simply made sense. Hilana hadn’t had that level of indoctrination regarding fealty to the Re’ha that Khyan had, or the others who had grown up in the cities… they had just a priest that visited the pack when they were close enough to one of the cities every now and then. That wasn’t to say she was disrespectful or didn’t believe in it, but the worship was taken to a new level here. In its way, the fervour and passion was thrilling on its own. Her thumb stroked the side of his, her eyes on him.

When he commented about living there, she found herself nodding slowly, like she was connecting the dots. That made things make more sense as to why he hadn’t seen his parents, even if they were essentially the property of the same family. Different households, one above, and one below. It was surely safer for him that way, but she remembered Asher’s warning. You never knew who was watching and listening. But perhaps Cetus could visit his parents for Khyan, if only to be able to find out for him. But they were past that point where Hilana had asked about it before, and there was no need to reiterate it.

She offered a small smile. “It is good to have friends in high places, isn’t it? I guess I should have spent more time down there, then, when I was looking for you. Do you enjoy it more?” She finished off her pita, shaking her fingers to remove the flour, her hand reaching suddenly for a label off the pile to stick it by the one of the unlabelled bowls before she returned her gaze to him. “I may have to ask you to come by one day and see if I have anything suitable for the nightlife down there.” That, she had a feeling, was just asking for a lashing, or worse, from someone she considered a friend. But she knew it was better to be prepared rather than rejected at the door.

[Khyan Nykara]

"I can tell you from experience, it's better to be the highly placed friend than to be indebted to one, but yes..." Khyan chuckled wanly, "I am most fortunate indeed." His attention returned from the drink back to the food, as he spooned himself a bit of stew for dipping pita. He tore a piece of the bread in twain.

"The Umbrium?" He glanced up, as folded up one of the pieces of bread. "It's proven to be a better spot for me all round, I think." He turned the pita to face the broken bit down, since it was more absorbent to soak up stew.

"Most of my old mates are Luxians, of course, while Her Divine Radiance reigns from the Solar Court, so living outside of the Sorokyn District means I'm less likely to run into anyone I knew in my former life. Obviously this is preferable, given that the weather is far from fair in the House of Nykara..." And those so-called friends had fled at the first sight of a cloud.

"I only really have to be careful when I..." He paused, and lifted his head to glance back toward the door through which he'd entered, and then to quickly scan the shoppe in case anyone else entered whilst his attentions were forward. He leaned a bit closer and lowered his voice, "I did duck out to visit the Noctis Æternae the other evening." His expression was almost apologetic- as if he owed HIlana some sort of excuse for taking risks with his own life. She had, after all, put in such effort to find out whether he'd survived, so it felt somehow rude to place himself in greater danger now that he was aware of her efforts to that end.

"I was very careful and I didn't go anyplace I used to haunt... I think I've figured out a way to be even more secure, using some of my Academia training." He paused the lazy swirl of pita in bowl, to lift the now soup-drenched bread to his mouth. He had to wipe at his lips with the back of his hand, for how it dripped. A slip of his graceful air.

"You want me to dress you for a night out?" He had to snigger, "I suppose a bit of personal styling is the least I can do to thank you for your diligence in seeking me out."

[Hilana Chenzira]

She understood that feeling better than she’d ever wanted to admit. Hilana knew her share of people whose generosity came not with strings, but with chains that would readily choke the life out of you. Her own father was one of them. Still, at his wan laugh, there was half a smile that wasn’t fully realized on her, and it did not reach her eyes. She understood, alright. Perhaps all too well.

The half-smile faded as she listened to him, taking the bottle back for another sip of the blackberry mead and letting the spirit perk up her tongue. When he talked of avoiding people he used to know… she nodded slowly. There’s none to decline your nectared wine, but alone you’ll drink life’s gall, she knew, but she let it be. That was a realization he might well come to on his own when he was ready, but there was no need for her to shove his face in it. All she could do was listen. But in a way… she felt for him. There was so much pretense, so much hiding… “The world survives on pretense. Help it along,” her great-aunt had advised her. It was a way to survive. But it didn’t seem to Hilana like it was a good way to live.

When he started and stopped and then looked around, she leaned in a bit towards him and raised her hand. pointed at the door, silently indicating the bell above the door as if to reassure him and try to make him feel more at ease. It was alright. It was just them. Had more people come in, Hilana would have needed to take care of things, but such as it was, she could devote her time and attention to the young man beside her. Despite his assurances about being careful, Hilana’s eyes searched his. At the mention of Academia training, she was downright concerned, and it showed in those expressive eyes of hers. She was glad he was being some version of careful, but she also didn’t know just what he meant by that. Her own education compared to his was severely lacking, and she knew it, but just what did he mean?

“When you what? What did you do?” She asked him, just as quietly, her head tilted as she watched him eat, the bottle back down on the table, starting to shred her second pita. She wasn’t looking at the food, though, her gaze was fixed on him. She couldn’t hardly lecture him; Avaerys Eternal surely knew the colossal list of stupid, foolhardy things she had done in her life, some of which she had only escaped by the skin of her teeth… and it struck her that her worrying about him was likely how some of her pack had felt about her and her own reckless behaviour.

“I was told to keep a low profile here, and focus on my training… but I’d like to see it,” she admitted when Khyan snickered. “You mentioned it, and I’ve heard it spoken about by others. But if I show up there looking as out of place as I imagine I am right now…” she had a wry smile on her face, “I’d be getting more attention than I would if I was dressed properly for it. You know this city. You know the district. You know what to expect and what counts as acceptable fashion here. I know some from Tertium, but this is the Capital.”

[Khyan Nykara]

"Oh, when I go out without my collar. I didn't wear it when I went out the other night." Khyan clarified. He'd half dropped that thought, but had continued the bit where he went to the Noctis Æternae. He supposed he might have left the impression that he'd gone with his Dominus or that it wasn't a risky move, but with this elaboration the danger would be clear enough. He wouldn't go into the unnecessary detail of the other rules he'd flouted on that outing.

He nodded,

"As you should. It's a spectacular place. So much so that I can't even help myself but to visit in spite of the dangers it now presents me." He noted, spreading his hands presentationally before returning his attention to the stew at hand, and taking a few bites as Hilana spoke.

"And you're quite right about that." He said, swirling a piece of bread lazily in the bowl. "The Noctis Æternae boasts some of the most exclusive clubs in the realm, though if you'd prefer not to slip too far out of your comfort zone, I could suggest a few dives that might be more comfortable. Those just don't tend to have the same level of, um... Mind-blowingness? I'm sure I could come up with better, but..." He trailed off and grabbed the mead bottle with his free hand, now that it was available again, as if that might lubricate his mind toward accessing more appropriate vocabulary.

"Grandeur isn't quite it, either..." It hadn't helped, after all. "We'll just go with mind-blowingness." He placed the bottle back down and took the last bite of stew-soaked pita into his mouth, chewing with a contented sigh.

"But there's really no need for ostentation in some of these places. Just something simple and well tailored should suffice. You can never go wrong with black and silver in the Umbrium- especially if you're trying to avoid too much attention."

[Hilana Chenzira]

At this revelation about his going out without his collar, Hilana’s eyes widened and she went pale underneath her dark, dusky skin. Aside from that, the outburst he might have expected from the girl simply didn’t come. When she got excited in a more joyful way, she was more inclined to throw caution to the wind. But on the reverse end of that, she just let out the breath she had not realized that she was holding and did not ask him flat out if he had lost his mind. She already know how that went when you had pride. How many times had she been screamed at, only to square her shoulders and do it again anyway?

“So where did your Academia training come in to this?” Hilana was still trying to figure that out. “Some sort of Arcana? Did you use Animism to shrink a bit so that it could slide off? Just, be careful please,” she told him. “Consul Argenti may not know much about you, but what he does know is that you are the pride and joy of your parents. You know he is determined to hurt them. Do you think he would hesitate to harm you to further that aim, if he found out that you were running about without your collar? He’s going to take that as a big taunt, should he find out. Your Dominus may have claimed you to protect you, but can he fight off his own father to do so? You know better than I that when you are in public, there is always someone watching in this city, and there is surely always someone listening. He is the Consul, and I’m sure that he has enough wanting his favour that they would inform on you if you were recognized.”

She had gotten enough lectures like that, too. She understood his desire, his need, to have some facet of his life back. To try to claim some control somewhere now that it had been completely ripped from him. “But I do understand, though, Khyan. I get it. I do. Our hearts are wild creatures… that’s why our ribs make cages,” she smiled a little at that, eating another piece of her pita. “I’ve done my share of reckless things to try to get my, well, version of normal back, too.”

She considered what he said. Would she normally have shied away and stayed hidden? No. It was prudent to do it now, but at the same time… ships are safe in the harbour, but that’s hardly what ships are made for, are they? “I’d like to try the Noctis Æternae,” Hilana shook her head, sitting back in her seat, thinking about it. “You said that one is the best… so it has to be worth doing.” On the subject of clothes and ostentation, she bit her lip and considered; though it wasn’t a difficult recollection. Just about almost all of her skirts here were brightly coloured, and she didn’t have many of them. Most of them were all cotton, anyway, which was helpful for the heat and the weight considering how full she liked her skirts... but they hardy said luxury. “I don’t think I have any black or silver clothing, though… I’m pretty sure I left that in back in Tertium.” Which meant that they were going to have to go shopping. “The copper is going to have to go too, isn’t it?” one finger indicated her alternating earrings.

[Khyan Nykara]

Khyan remained silent with his eyes fixed upon the table between them as Hilana chastised him. He did not interrupt her, but his gaze darkened and he physically withdrew as she completed what he perceived as a tirade. Incensed, he lifted a quivering hand to gently stroke the snake settled on his slender shoulders. After a few moments of silence, he lifted his gaze to look her in the eye for the first time since she started to critique his actions.

"Animus is not the Rune I mastered." Although the way he was baring his teeth and hissing through them as he spoke, he looked like he might access it now. "It is the one I took on secondarily, because I was so quick to master the first. It is my primary Rune which accords me the ability to shirk unwanted attention. If you don't know me well enough to recognise that I am a classically trained mage of marked puissance, I certainly don't believe you know me well enough to assess how great a risk I am taking truly is. You know? I did not come here to be censured by a-..." He interrupted himself, ere he speak irretractable insults. He huffed through his nose, and shook his head- His sharp tone softening somewhat.

"You know what? I don't know why I came here. I guess I thought this was one place in the Luxium where I might not be judged as harshly." He stood slowly- even in his wrath, he was conscious of Tiaz' comfort and didn't wish to alarm the innocent serpent.

"Please..." He gestured, "Take Tiaz and, for the love of the Founders, do not wear copper in the Umbrium. One of the miners is like to mistake you for a wall and take a pickaxe to you if you wear bloody copper."