A collision with Reality

[Korvaelis]

Korvaelis Dahshida

Aurin’s touch made the baby squirm and coo at what they thought of as affection. Garnet placed their head softly on Korvaelis shoulder and smiled warmly as to who would’ve been recognized as their father. In a perfect world, maybe. Korvaelis thought to himself as he rocked his body slightly to keep the child calm. Indeed, in a perfect world, he would’ve also better planned this all. So that he– no, they could’ve properly prepared for the red jewel of his eye.

Korvaelis couldn’t read the human’s emotions well. He doesn’t remember the last time he’s seen Aurin like this, but he would be a liar if he said it wasn’t called for.

Couldn’t you just play my game?

He thought he could tell a little fiddle and that everything would be alright. Korvaelis is already a parent, so what if he added a child to his small family? The story should’ve been believable, to say the least. After all, something of this sort is what he worked for. All those classes, etiquette training, and cultural lessons would’ve eventually led to something like this. So if he decided to skip it all– courtship, marriage, and that fateful wedding night that many looked forward to (for the second time) – and create the family he so desperately needed, what of it? It was nothing groundbreaking.

“I guess there will be no time for a boat ride.” He let out a deep sigh and looked away. “You should know what happened. I’m nothing like Humans or Avialae or anyone else like you. Aurin, you gambled with me and struck gold depending on how you see it.” Korvaelis placed the opposite hand over his child’s ear. Garnet couldn’t understand too much. He didn’t want to take the chance of her repeating anything anyway.

“You were a, uh, great team player. I decided how the game would end anyway and I just didn’t want to get you caught up. Well, at that time.” Korvaelis knew it was wrong to come to him now. He should’ve given Aurin the choice. He promised that in normal circumstances he would’ve done that too. The young lord was just scared of losing what he had. The status, the name, and most importantly, Aki. What if the Dahshida household found out the truth and he was to face exile? He couldn’t handle it.

“I was being selfish when I made this decision. So if you hate me, I get it.”

35th of Frost, 123

[Aurin]

"Oh, we definitely have time for a boat ride," he said, face lighting up. He laid his hand upon Korvaelis' shoulder, arm draped like a cape behind the proud mother. Aurin began to walk toward the docks where a rowboat or similar might be rented. "If you promise not to drown me."

At this point, Aurin could hold his own at court, though he largely eschewed it, preferring instead to have his eyes and ears planted there. He still wasn't angry; after all, he had never been miserly with his seed - odds were there were other red-headed bastards running around with a hint, at least, of his features. It didn't seem as though Korvaelis was attempting to use little Garnet as a lever to move him, and Aurin's reputation wouldn't take a hit at the revelation. House Dahshida might take a dim view of him, but at this point, they didn't have a view of him. Korvaelis was the one with something to lose.

Despite his calculated distance from court and his roundabout way of getting there at all, he was more a master of his mien. He had made a small gaff, not expecting Aki to be out of the loop as well. Perhaps he was dimmer than Aurin remembered; living with Korvaelis, he ought to have figured things out.

"Are you happy now, my fair fae fishie?" he asked, genuinely curious. Aurin was not the sort to lay all his cards on the table, but he had been relatively honest with Korvaelis from the beginning. Certainly, a connection with a Great House could be lucrative, but that was a long-game gamble. He had been kind and supportive of the lonely widower, and his affections hadn't been feigned. Being shut out hadn't sent him spiraling or anything, but it might have upset him - just a little bit - but he wouldn't admit it if so.

Despite the boats on offer that were magically powered, he paid for a row boat, helped them onto it, and then doffed his coat and rolled up his sleeves. He made a comical face at Garnet.

"Whoo! Cold!" But once they were settled, he began to row, forearms flexing muscle, and he began to warm up. Parts of the lake were certainly frozen over, but taxes kept the harbor clear, at least.

[Korvaelis]

Korvaelis Dahshida

Korvaelis rolled his eyes as he was guided toward the docks. It was a playful eye roll, although he was a little annoyed that he didn't know too much of what was on the sly fox's mind. Despite thinking of himself as a rather introverted person, the lord found himself opening up a lot more and spilling his secrets than the father of his child. It felt so natural and smooth too, talking to Aurin about his past and feelings. Why didn't the man he had grown to care about do the same thing? The realization made him click his tongue and give Aurin a look of disappointment. Asshole. The expression on his face went away just as quickly as it appeared.

“I cannot make such a promise to you, sir.” The fae's tone was somewhat serious as his mind dwelled on past thoughts. The water was too cold anyway. Korvaelis believed he was nothing like his ancestors, who yearned for the feel of water against their skin and took it no matter how it came to them. He enjoyed the water too but with conditions. One of them was that it had to be of a certain temperature for him to emerge his entire body into it. 

He's heard of cities built in the ocean for his people. Some are very much thriving like Kalzasi and someday he would like to see them for himself. However, not in weather conditions like today if that is possible.

“I am happy for Garnet.” He shrugged and cradled the child against his chest.  “She deserves the world. But I must conquer it first.” 

Korvaelis placed the child on the floor so that Aurin could help them both in the boat. He sat across from the redhead with Garnet snuggled up beside him. The young child’s face watched the human closely as he prepped himself for the boat ride. Aurin caught them in a good mood, Garnet was full of giggles as they copied their father by making the same face. At the moment, Garnet was his twin. 

“I hope you come around to know this gem and like them as much as I do. There is a lot  to catch up on.”

35th of Frost, 123

[Aurin]

"If anyone can conquer the world on their back..." He smirked, but didn't cross the line. His fair cheeks were starting to flush as the chill chafed them and his blood began to warm for the rowing. Perhaps he was bringing Korvaelis out where he could drown them. Or perhaps he just wanted the clarity of cold air and exercise, the privacy of spans of water between them and anyone else.

Aurin wondered if they looked like a happy little family on holiday. He might have snorted at the thought; he just didn't have any positive, pleasant family memories upon which to base such a daydream. Of course, he had observed other people, even borrowed the sensations via his knowing trick.

"So..." He shipped the oars, then pulled his coat back on so he wouldn't lose too much heat. It truly was beautiful out there, what sunlight that came around the edge of the eclipse glittering across the waters. "Now you want me to babysit, I take it?"

The fox-faced man grinned. Likely Korvaelis would never ask, fearing the confidence man would teach them all sorts of bad habits, which was probably true. He would be a terrible babysitter, let alone a father. Mists, Torin had been horrified when he mentioned hiring a proper whore for Timon once the lad's voice started to crack. He was a bad man. He wondered how wise it was for Korvaelis to reach out once more, to introduce him to his spawn.

"Huntress is still alive. A child can't be that much more difficult to keep alive than a wolf pup..." He rubbed thoughtfully at the ginger shadow limning his chin.

[Finn]

Review

Experience: 10 xp for use at your discretion

Injuries: n/a

Loot: n/a

Notes: Closing this down as it's old and Korvaelis seems to have drifted away again. Curious to see what happens next time he drifts back!