Seeing the moment where their hearts became connected almost wasn't as strange as he'd anticipated, as the sight of their lights interweaving to merge into a different color indicated much in turn. It was as those lights between them faded, however, that the lingering sensations of warmth and encouragement still clung to his heart like a blanket. Even now, as Talon still kept him embraced within his wings, Rickter felt all that fear gradually ease down in turn as he listened.
Not just with his ears but with his heart, for within he could feel just as much as Talon allowed him to. There had been a void... no. A chasm. Something that seemed fairly recent in truth, even if the jagged edges were weathered over time, that indicated the prince in turn held onto the pain of his own. Though beyond that pain existed more fear than what Rickter could've expected, layers and layers of fear that tied heavily towards other aspects of Talon's life. It was vast as he sorted through these feelings on his own, understanding little by little the parts of Talon he came to know.
Compared to him... the wolf's own pain seemed more trivial in turn, and the fear something far more simplistic in nature in turn. Rickter knew it stemmed from their own upbringings, and that a whole world of difference is what made up all that fear. Even so, that did not mean he felt more or less fear than Talon. If anything he shared in that fear just as Talon did with his, understanding as well that the prince had much more to undertake. All that seemed to gradually ease in turn, and for Rickter it felt like the tiny glimpses he'd been given, also eased to a point where he could barely sense them any longer. Or rather they were there for him sure, but the connection itself felt as though clarification became hazed in turn.
That didn't matter to him though. Innately after sharing these feelings with one another, his eyes already felt on the verge of brimming once again. Of course, he went about covering it quicker than before, as he brushed one of his wrist's over his eyes to wipe them clear in turn. He understood Talon on a much more fundamental now, and where he felt respect for the man before, he now possessed compassion in turn. How could one such as him stand alone against everything stacked against him? All that residual worry and not just for him, but to those who were around him instead.
It was when Talon started to speak again that he looked at the man, the somber curves around his eyes lessening as he looked at him sincerely in turn. Rickter wasn't alone anymore... he said. That much the wolf had determined himself now, because, after everything he'd just experienced, there wasn't a shadow of a doubt as to what he wanted to do. Even if uncertainty plagued every aspect of his decision, Rickter knew he had to see this Argent Hand trial to its full completion. Even if he failed, he wouldn't stray far from the prince's side anymore. Because Rickter wanted to do the same as Talon did, to help him overcome all those obstacles set before him. To show him that with even just a wolf at his back, he'd be supported in his endeavor to help those around him.
"I... I doubt that'll be the case anytime soon." The wolf lightly remarked in regards to Talon's mentioning of the doorway between them. Truthfully he still felt unusual now that the idea had been seen through, still wrapping his mind around the Bond itself in turn, as he for a moment felt the amusement in Talon's chuckle. Strange how it easily seemed to well within him, now that he started to slightly smile in return. Had Talon known he pondered on the Bond still? It was likely possible he just understood Rickter's own curiosity more than anything, and even then, the wolf realized that he was clearly overthinking things by that point.
To be assured that he would have Talon and Aoren there for him, only when he needed them, generated a wave of calmness over the wolf just then. However, when he felt that connection gradually wane his eyebrows rose, the residual warmth in his heart dampening in turn as only the calm remained in his mind. So that was how it worked then? Those feelings that diminished weren't entirely gone, just seemingly distanced or perhaps watered down in turn. That told him that the Bond itself was intuitive, and that like his companions, he too could allow his emotions to carry over to them marginally. Still, to feel those feelings return back to him in turn, Rickter could only softly groan as he passed on feelings of acceptance. Gratitude even. What this was... what this meant to him... Was beyond any amount of words he could share aloud, for this was a gift from a friend he wouldn't take for granted any time soon.
In being told to take a deep breath the wolf practically did so on prompt, his features completely softened to a state of calm as he looked sharply to the Avialae. "Best get to it then." He remarked in turn to the prince, giving Talon a pat on the shoulder in turn when he passed, leading the way beyond the door and back into the lobby of the tavern. Admittedly seeing the number of eyes on him generated small discomfort, but the wolf didn't feel the need to hide away as he normally would. Instead, his blue eyes fell upon the group as a whole, his expression still calm if not fairly reminiscent of the stoicism he usually displayed.
"My, my! All those private thoughts and feelings, privy to be shared among three incredibly handsome men." Hannah sounded teasing in regards to Aoren, who'd taken a seat with a drink in his hand, and a lingering thought prominent within his mind. Admittedly Rickter's curiosity bubbled but hardly to a point where he needed to ask, although as he was still new to the Bond and its concept, such feelings remained easy to register for his bandmates in turn.
"That's actually a good thing though," Telion remarked in turn with another glance at the open door of the restroom, "I've no doubt he'll cherish that connection greatly." When she noticed that the pair walked out, Telion in turn straightened up on her stool, moving the ukulele from her lap onto the bar behind her as well. In turn, she shifted to stand on her feet once more, her gaze filled with concern and intrigue as she smiled at Rickter in turn.
It was almost odd how convoluted everything felt before, when the wolf felt the whirlwind of emotions plaguing him moments earlier. Because now he could think with a bit more clarity than before, as though his troubled thoughts no longer held weight within them. He still felt rather bad for having to step away abruptly though, and seeing the grins Telion and Hannah had led him to timidly smile back in turn. Outright he knew he'd been upset about the surprise, mainly due to the fact it meant they'd done some digging on him behind his back, but mostly overall because of his distaste for surprises in general. He'd never really liked them at all even as a child, as he never really knew how to react when presented with a situation of that nature.
But the anger itself wasn't an important thing he held onto, because he knew the act was genuine at heart, and that specifically, Telion went out of her way to prepare for it as well. Was he happy though? At the moment he wasn't sure, even though he felt as though he should've been. It wouldn't be until he approached the bar in turn where the rest sat, that Ricter decided on what it was he felt at that exact moment. "Feel better?" Telion inquired almost with a tone of endearment, her head tilted slightly as she looked at him with her arms behind her back. The wolf looked down at her for a moment, and then to Hannah for another, before he let out a sigh and drew closer to them.
It was an unusual gesture that neither of them expected, but the wolf used his arms to shepherd Telion closer as he reached out to do the same with Hannah. Both of them turned rigid for a moment as the act clearly caught them off guard, before Telion seemed to lightly laugh and hug him and Hannah both in turn. The brunette herself was clearly taken aback entirely, and yet, after a moment of being caught in the embrace of the pair, she too finally chuckled before patting the both of them a couple of times. "I take it you and the Prince did some talking then." Hannah figured as she eased herself away from them, breaking the brief group hug the trio made before she looked up into Rickter's eyes.
Yet the wolf didn't look away. His gaze didn't dart nor avoid direct contact, just simply bore down on them as he nodded to them both in turn. "I'm sorry I had to step away earlier... I was caught off guard by your song." Telion's mouth dropped agape as though she were about to gasp, clearly worried that it might've bothered or offended the wolf in. Rickter, however, raised a finger up to prevent her from speaking. "I actually liked it... a bit." The delay of those two words created a short bout of mirth from Telion, as the bard then looked up to him with a smile on her face.
"Guess I'll have to work on it more, huh?" To that Rickter shook his head slowly, the faint yet calm smile still present when he answered in turn.
"It's good."
"So is this cake Wolfman." Hannah chimed in with a playful tone in her voice, her fingers dancing along the outer rim of the platter it rested on. Rickter glanced to the cake and then, wryly, grinned a bit as he emitted a bit of an amused groan.
"Would you be surprised to know that I've never actually tried it before?" He shared with the group in turn, his hands tucked away inside his pockets as jaws practically dropped as a response.
"Shut up!" Had been Hannah's response to the statement, her eyes as wide as Telion's as they gawked at him in turn.
"Ever?!" Was the bard's immediate reaction, to which Rickter shook his head slowly again. "Wow... So that's why you didn't eat the sweets at the palace?" This time he nodded slowly instead. "Huh..." Telion then shifted to look over the bar at Margo and Rien, her expression suddenly filled with delight as she addressed the both of them. "Say, would you mind bringing a knife by chance? I think it's time Ricky here had his first taste of a real cake."
Not just with his ears but with his heart, for within he could feel just as much as Talon allowed him to. There had been a void... no. A chasm. Something that seemed fairly recent in truth, even if the jagged edges were weathered over time, that indicated the prince in turn held onto the pain of his own. Though beyond that pain existed more fear than what Rickter could've expected, layers and layers of fear that tied heavily towards other aspects of Talon's life. It was vast as he sorted through these feelings on his own, understanding little by little the parts of Talon he came to know.
Compared to him... the wolf's own pain seemed more trivial in turn, and the fear something far more simplistic in nature in turn. Rickter knew it stemmed from their own upbringings, and that a whole world of difference is what made up all that fear. Even so, that did not mean he felt more or less fear than Talon. If anything he shared in that fear just as Talon did with his, understanding as well that the prince had much more to undertake. All that seemed to gradually ease in turn, and for Rickter it felt like the tiny glimpses he'd been given, also eased to a point where he could barely sense them any longer. Or rather they were there for him sure, but the connection itself felt as though clarification became hazed in turn.
That didn't matter to him though. Innately after sharing these feelings with one another, his eyes already felt on the verge of brimming once again. Of course, he went about covering it quicker than before, as he brushed one of his wrist's over his eyes to wipe them clear in turn. He understood Talon on a much more fundamental now, and where he felt respect for the man before, he now possessed compassion in turn. How could one such as him stand alone against everything stacked against him? All that residual worry and not just for him, but to those who were around him instead.
It was when Talon started to speak again that he looked at the man, the somber curves around his eyes lessening as he looked at him sincerely in turn. Rickter wasn't alone anymore... he said. That much the wolf had determined himself now, because, after everything he'd just experienced, there wasn't a shadow of a doubt as to what he wanted to do. Even if uncertainty plagued every aspect of his decision, Rickter knew he had to see this Argent Hand trial to its full completion. Even if he failed, he wouldn't stray far from the prince's side anymore. Because Rickter wanted to do the same as Talon did, to help him overcome all those obstacles set before him. To show him that with even just a wolf at his back, he'd be supported in his endeavor to help those around him.
"I... I doubt that'll be the case anytime soon." The wolf lightly remarked in regards to Talon's mentioning of the doorway between them. Truthfully he still felt unusual now that the idea had been seen through, still wrapping his mind around the Bond itself in turn, as he for a moment felt the amusement in Talon's chuckle. Strange how it easily seemed to well within him, now that he started to slightly smile in return. Had Talon known he pondered on the Bond still? It was likely possible he just understood Rickter's own curiosity more than anything, and even then, the wolf realized that he was clearly overthinking things by that point.
To be assured that he would have Talon and Aoren there for him, only when he needed them, generated a wave of calmness over the wolf just then. However, when he felt that connection gradually wane his eyebrows rose, the residual warmth in his heart dampening in turn as only the calm remained in his mind. So that was how it worked then? Those feelings that diminished weren't entirely gone, just seemingly distanced or perhaps watered down in turn. That told him that the Bond itself was intuitive, and that like his companions, he too could allow his emotions to carry over to them marginally. Still, to feel those feelings return back to him in turn, Rickter could only softly groan as he passed on feelings of acceptance. Gratitude even. What this was... what this meant to him... Was beyond any amount of words he could share aloud, for this was a gift from a friend he wouldn't take for granted any time soon.
In being told to take a deep breath the wolf practically did so on prompt, his features completely softened to a state of calm as he looked sharply to the Avialae. "Best get to it then." He remarked in turn to the prince, giving Talon a pat on the shoulder in turn when he passed, leading the way beyond the door and back into the lobby of the tavern. Admittedly seeing the number of eyes on him generated small discomfort, but the wolf didn't feel the need to hide away as he normally would. Instead, his blue eyes fell upon the group as a whole, his expression still calm if not fairly reminiscent of the stoicism he usually displayed.
"My, my! All those private thoughts and feelings, privy to be shared among three incredibly handsome men." Hannah sounded teasing in regards to Aoren, who'd taken a seat with a drink in his hand, and a lingering thought prominent within his mind. Admittedly Rickter's curiosity bubbled but hardly to a point where he needed to ask, although as he was still new to the Bond and its concept, such feelings remained easy to register for his bandmates in turn.
"That's actually a good thing though," Telion remarked in turn with another glance at the open door of the restroom, "I've no doubt he'll cherish that connection greatly." When she noticed that the pair walked out, Telion in turn straightened up on her stool, moving the ukulele from her lap onto the bar behind her as well. In turn, she shifted to stand on her feet once more, her gaze filled with concern and intrigue as she smiled at Rickter in turn.
It was almost odd how convoluted everything felt before, when the wolf felt the whirlwind of emotions plaguing him moments earlier. Because now he could think with a bit more clarity than before, as though his troubled thoughts no longer held weight within them. He still felt rather bad for having to step away abruptly though, and seeing the grins Telion and Hannah had led him to timidly smile back in turn. Outright he knew he'd been upset about the surprise, mainly due to the fact it meant they'd done some digging on him behind his back, but mostly overall because of his distaste for surprises in general. He'd never really liked them at all even as a child, as he never really knew how to react when presented with a situation of that nature.
But the anger itself wasn't an important thing he held onto, because he knew the act was genuine at heart, and that specifically, Telion went out of her way to prepare for it as well. Was he happy though? At the moment he wasn't sure, even though he felt as though he should've been. It wouldn't be until he approached the bar in turn where the rest sat, that Ricter decided on what it was he felt at that exact moment. "Feel better?" Telion inquired almost with a tone of endearment, her head tilted slightly as she looked at him with her arms behind her back. The wolf looked down at her for a moment, and then to Hannah for another, before he let out a sigh and drew closer to them.
It was an unusual gesture that neither of them expected, but the wolf used his arms to shepherd Telion closer as he reached out to do the same with Hannah. Both of them turned rigid for a moment as the act clearly caught them off guard, before Telion seemed to lightly laugh and hug him and Hannah both in turn. The brunette herself was clearly taken aback entirely, and yet, after a moment of being caught in the embrace of the pair, she too finally chuckled before patting the both of them a couple of times. "I take it you and the Prince did some talking then." Hannah figured as she eased herself away from them, breaking the brief group hug the trio made before she looked up into Rickter's eyes.
Yet the wolf didn't look away. His gaze didn't dart nor avoid direct contact, just simply bore down on them as he nodded to them both in turn. "I'm sorry I had to step away earlier... I was caught off guard by your song." Telion's mouth dropped agape as though she were about to gasp, clearly worried that it might've bothered or offended the wolf in. Rickter, however, raised a finger up to prevent her from speaking. "I actually liked it... a bit." The delay of those two words created a short bout of mirth from Telion, as the bard then looked up to him with a smile on her face.
"Guess I'll have to work on it more, huh?" To that Rickter shook his head slowly, the faint yet calm smile still present when he answered in turn.
"It's good."
"So is this cake Wolfman." Hannah chimed in with a playful tone in her voice, her fingers dancing along the outer rim of the platter it rested on. Rickter glanced to the cake and then, wryly, grinned a bit as he emitted a bit of an amused groan.
"Would you be surprised to know that I've never actually tried it before?" He shared with the group in turn, his hands tucked away inside his pockets as jaws practically dropped as a response.
"Shut up!" Had been Hannah's response to the statement, her eyes as wide as Telion's as they gawked at him in turn.
"Ever?!" Was the bard's immediate reaction, to which Rickter shook his head slowly again. "Wow... So that's why you didn't eat the sweets at the palace?" This time he nodded slowly instead. "Huh..." Telion then shifted to look over the bar at Margo and Rien, her expression suddenly filled with delight as she addressed the both of them. "Say, would you mind bringing a knife by chance? I think it's time Ricky here had his first taste of a real cake."
