Legend of Ransera

"Ha. I doubt I'd be the first Solunarian magnatus to indulge in exhibitionistic displays if I did..." Arvælyn trailed off, after a moment thinking to add: "But I shan't."

He grimaced slightly at the offer.

"Why carry my word when you can simply bring my whole self along with you? Your talents for Traversion make what would be an epic pilgrimage into a casual jaunt. I may not be able to spend weeks away from the court while things are getting situated, but we can spend a few hours here and there, I'm sure." His grimace turned into a smile, if a wan one.

"I hope that I can join you for at least some of your adventures. I fear both sides of my family, the Zalkyrian and Phædryn alike, intend for me to be heavily involved in the new Umbrian court. A great deal of time and attention will need to be paid. It will be a lot of work, but it will position me well to shift the cultural mores of our domain to better align with the morals of you, my conscience. I don't know how far we can push, or how it will be received, but perhaps the Umbrium might be a kinder realm to humans and other races aside from dragons and elves." In the standing social hierarchy of Solunarium, Arry's very existence represented an instance of the sovereign of the greater draconic race deigning to mate with a member the subordinate elven race, albeit one of divine pedigree.

"If you would prefer to withdraw from the Sentinels, I'm certain that's something we could arrange. I could patrnise you for your art alone, if that is how you wish to spend your days. It seems only meet. I'm sure you don't wish for me to get jealous that your supposed muse still awaits his symphony, when Talon's was completed over a year ago..." A wry, playful smile painted his face as he extended a wing to drape it over Finn's broad shoulders.

"Could do..." Arvælyn granted, "Or you could have one of the Sentinel Traversers pop you to Kalzasi. A few travelled with Phocion during his visit, and they have a system to disseminate... Well, whatever it is you Traversers require to map your slip-streams. I think they pop each other over or something of the like. I've no idea how it all works." He shrugged one shoulder, acting as though it were a casual suggestion when it was, in fact, born of his aversion to too much time away from Finn. The protracted time apart whilst he was in the Dragon Chamber reminded him how much more pleasant life could be with an anchor like Finn to ease him through the rapidly shifting winds of this desert realm.

"It is rather a prime moment to be a Sentinel." Arry encouraged. He hadn't been particularly inclined toward Finn's remaining in the Order, but for whatever reason he was pleased that he was keen to remain. "From what I understand so far, it is like that the Vigilia Argenti will be expanded when the Umbrium is its own sovereignty. Gold above and silver below, so... lots of room for advancement, even if I weren't here to nepotise you amply." He grinned rakishly. It faded as he considered the fuller implications Finn presented.

"Changes I deem important..." He contemplated that for a long, silent moment. "I suppose I shall have to develop an ethos beyond merely survival and advancement." He wrinkled his nose in distaste, "Næ, I think I'd rather just adopt yours. You like people more than I do, I think... care for them. Perhaps you find more concord in their Symphonies than I do, or perhaps its just your sweet nature. I shall lead in this realm for my family, I shall improve it for you." He leaned over to kiss Finn's cheek.

Arvælyn tipped his head back, and stretched his legs out in front of him- one of the wings twitched involuntarily as he did so, as if wanting to spread with the other, more seasoned limbs. It was strange. With the advancement of his Craft, he could read more into Finn's Symphony than ever before. These were the movements he knew better than any other... Many of the melodies he knew by heart, but now he could follow the wending ways of thoughts to a greater and more specific extent. He could focus on what Finn was focused upon, and know that he was working his way through the byzantine complexities of Solunarian politics.

Would Thalya IV ruled another century? Would Arkænyn succeed her or Vrædyn? Where was a Starborn sovereign expected to hold their court, and would a Moonborn monarch still occupy the Palatium Umbrarum in a world where the dragons claimed it as their seat? These, he supposed, would be the problems much of Frost was spent negotiating. And well did he know that he would be party to many of these conversations. It was why he couldn't take the longer trip with Finn that he wanted to. These musings halted sharply, with the shift in Finn's focus.

"Don't you dare worry about any of that, Farstrider." He shifted his body so he could face Finn more directly, leaning forward to kiss him adoringly. "There is no telling what fortune will bring for either of us. An early ending for me, or a delayed death for you. We're young and we're together. We can wage those battles when we're both better rested and less distracted. But know this, Finn. To keep you with me for as long as possible, I will do everything in my power..." Perhaps his eyes glowed a bit brighter as he emphasised,

"And my power is on the wax."

"That is precisely what I wish, dilectus pulcher." Arvælyn replied, punctuating the sentiment with a kiss. It still amazed him how attracted he remained to Finn... How the sight of his fair flesh still stirred him so consummately. The set of his jaw, the fullness of his lips... those striking eyes and that delicate nose. He didn't feel exactly the same as he had when they'd first met, but there was no less passion behind the attraction. There was more. There was a sort of familiarity that could only be achieved via the common Craft they shared between them.

"I suspect Vrædyn is just that." Arry agreed. "I know that he and Phocion have grown closer of late." He pursed his lips, "He invited you to meet with him?" Fiery eyes narrowed slightly. At first he was a bit miffed that Finn would be invited without him, but he supposed it made practical sense given their common Emblem. From what he understood, Supremacy functioned differently from Majesty. It might be a good idea for him to meet with Phocion when Finn met with Vrædyn. Ultimately, his expression softened and he nodded.

"That all seems sound." He conceded. Then his lingering gaze took on a fresh edge as one wing closed slightly about the shoulders of his human amatus.

"Since we weren't able to spend my birthday together, I wonder whether we might treat ourselves to a bit of physical fun tonight? I think I might like to mix things up a bit. Now that I look more the predator, perchance you might be willing to portray the prey?" He smiled deviously as he ran his tongue over his top lip, an errant hand sliding under the taut cushion of Finn's rear to squeeze him where he sat.

Strategy was, indeed, a discussion for another day, it seemed, as Arvælyn's attentions shifted toward one of the many comforts he'd been denied over the past few weeks. Though he'd certainly been in no condition to pursue carnal relief for most of that time, that didn't make him feel any less pent up for having been deprived. To make matters worse, during the toughest times, he'd even seen reflections of Finn- harsher and more exacting than their source, but no less beautiful or tempting. There was even something particularly enticing about that variation on this theme, but at present his mind was turning toward another variation.

"Of course, love." Arry chuckled, pleased at Finn's easy assent. "I may not be able to work these wings yet, but I'm mightily hungry which is sure to lend me speed in my hunt." His teeth may not have grown sharper during his transition, but there was certainly a sharpness to the grin he wore as he devoured Finn with his eyes.

"Saddling wyverns is one thing..." The dragonborn elf conceded, as he used one wing to draw Finn even closer as he leaned over to close the distance between their faces, "For me, I hope you'll at least ride bareback." And with that he began to kiss that pale neck with unbridled fervour. Hands roaming down that familiar form that had been denied him as if this were their first foray. After a few minutes he paused abruptly, and withdrew, sliding from his seat and rising to his feet.

"Come." He crouched slightly and picked Finn up bodily, cradling him between his arms. The difference in their sizes made Finn an unwieldy bit of baggage, but his weight bore no part of the burden as Arry marched him across the threshold into their bedchamber proper and deposited him onto the lavish duvet of their huge, new bed.

"I shall do such things to you..." A quote came to his mind, and he misapplied it to their current situation wholly for their amusement, "The things I will do. What they are, yet I know not, but they will be the terrors of the earth."