Legend of Ransera

Posted: **Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:38 am**

“That seems the kindest sort of reception.” Rhydian conceded with a nod, “And it shall ease the framing of the flattery I will be expected to offer after the curtain falls.” It wasn’t that Rhydian wished for the Kalzasern interpretation to be a failure. Far from it. But how could it possibly measure up? The singers in Sol’Valen were mired in traditions older than oceans and mountain ranges. Older by eons than the Avialae race that ruled these foreign lands. Low expectations could lead to pleasant surprises. In this case, he would be pleasantly surprised if he wasn’t offended by the mediocrity of this alien endeavour.

He sipped his tea, eyes dancing to the window as he was reminded of the beautiful vista without.

“Strange to think that this land was ours once…” It was an easy thing to forget, given the current state of things, that this, as all other realms, had once been an Hytori province. He couldn’t help but feel that it ought to have moved him more to think on it, but the Boundless Empire was a cold, distant thing. There were moments in his life when the thought of their former glory brought him to tears. Here, now and regarding this foreign sky trafficked by winged mortals it only felt like a half-forgotten fairy story. This may as well have been another planet. The Hytori had ruled those too and the stars above felt just as aloof.

“That sounds like a technique.” Rhydian sighed. He still hadn’t doffed the armour he wore in public. Perhaps if they were back at home he’d have softened by now. Familiar environs eased such transitions, but in the here and now the prince was still cool as the blades of his katanas.

“You want me to write for me, not for him. Because you think it will exorcise my dolour.” He pursed his lips and glanced down at his cup. He hadn’t even realised he’d emptied it. He placed it back down on the saucer on the table and sat back, nodding in answer to the offer of more.

“Do you ever manage your own whims by writing letters you don’t intend to send, or do you reserve such exercises for me?”

Posted: **Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:15 am**

The tea cup was brought to Karrhei by one of the attendants before he could consider retrieving it himself, he poured some more tea and thanked the servant who then brought the cup back to Rhydian.

"I do not mean it simply as an exorcise, if you wish to send them then do so. I think you should share these feelings and experiences with him. Writing them down will serve as a reminder of the things to go over with him when you return. I know you will remember to tell him the important diplomatic aspects of the trip, but by the time you return will you remember to tell him your initial reaction to the view here?"

Karrhei's gaze turned to look out the window at the foreign but beautiful city. It wasn't like this when it was theirs. It was impossible for him to imagine what this land looked like when it was part of the Boundless Empire. There was a sadness to the fact that they would never see that version of this place, but it wasn't Kalzasi then.

"I tend to draw or sculpt the things I want to share, but the sentiment is the same. I will certainly try to sketch this view, though the one I want to share it with has already seen it." A hand rose to his pendant that bore a symbol of Suion that the Court of Erotes wore.

The situation was different of course. Karrhei was able to share this with Suion and with the love she had gifted him. Even if that love was something that he was meant to hold onto alone, he could use it in her service and still be beside his beloved prince. That was enough for the priest. He knew that he was meant to help Rhydian.

"I just want you to be happy and secure in your love, as does Suion."

Posted: **Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:25 pm**

"Perhaps not..." Rhydian conceded, "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to write letters, even if His Majesty never reads them." The young prince sighed,

"I apologise for being arch with you, Karrhei. I am just tired and sore from travel. Serrhion? Draw me a bath."

"Highness." Serrhion acknowledged with a sharp nod, before stepping into the door he'd explained led to Rhydian's assigned bedchamber. Lifting his teacup and holding it now in both hands, he lifted it to take a delicate sip, impossibly silent without even the shadow of a slurp.

"It is harder, I think, when one's love is more than a mere man. I love Sol'Valen itself, and our ancient motherland has many admirers vying for its attention. It is hard to know when I can afford to be comfortable and casual, when so oftentimes the realm requires so much of him. Letters are a nice compromise. As long as it is clear my missives are not urgent, then he can read if and when he's keen. And if he's never keen, I need never know..."

Serrhion returned with a silken bathrobe slung over his arm and stood beside the chaise.

"Ah." Rhydian placed the cup down on the coffee table and rose to his feet as Serrhion opened the robe and lifted it aloft. The prince stepped round, and two of the other servants approached to disrobe him whilst the robe served as a changing screen to maintain Rhydian's modesty before Karrhei's eyes. In a matter of moments, Serrhion was closing the robe about the prince's slender shoulders and then tying the robe closed with a scarlet belt that matched the florid patterns set against the shimmering black of the robe.

"Do you wish to join me, Karrhei? I hope you'll sit with me, at least. We should decide upon dinner."

Posted: **Wed Mar 20, 2024 4:51 pm**

"You have nothing to apologize for. It was a tiring trip, I am simply grateful the floor no longer feels as if its moving. Flying was certainly a new experience for myself, the way you handled it so gracefully my prince, I am in awe of your abilities as always." There certainly was a sense of pride audible in Karrhei's voice at how amazing he found his friend to be.

A solemn nod of understanding was offered to Rhydian's insightful words. They both understood the realities of Rhydian's relationship with the king involved, but sometimes the heart was less than rational in its desires. The same passions that often drove Rhydian to want to be with His Majesty at all times and to consume all of his love, caused Karrhei to resent the king in the moments when his precious friend felt ignored and uneasy. Rhydian was perfection, and deserved a love that was equally perfect and attentive. The reality was the the Sovereign of Sol'Valen could not be that for Karrhei's beloved prince at all times as they both so desired. Sometimes the dissonance caused thoughts in him that Karrhei had to push away, but there was no denying that Rhydian was king in his heart.

When Serrhion came back with the robe, Karrhei turned his attentions to the view again, this time standing and walking to the window while the other undressed in modesty. It was something he did not miss from his life before joining the temple. Perhaps if he wore armor or carried weapons he would still have an appreciation for being assisted with dressing and undressing. He certainly had no qualms helping others, though now in most circumstances it was intimate in nature if he were assisting or being assisted. That was the main difference now wasn't it? Nudity itself was not intimate, but being undressed felt different.

Serrhion's movement was what signified that Karrhei could turn his attention back to the freshly robed prince. "Of course, I will be along momentarily. If you'll excuse me my prince."

Posted: **Fri Mar 22, 2024 1:44 am**

Rhydian softened. Most people might have seen it as a cold expression warming, but Karrhei knew the prince well enough to recognise that coldness didn't come into it. There was always warmth behind that mask he wore like a security blanket to those who could see past its implacable stillness.

"You shouldn't be awed." He replied, though it was clear from his gentle smile that he was pleased Karrhei had said he was. "You have many skills and talents I lack. Whilst I was learning to ride giant raptors, you were learning how to navigate love. Something I never learnt... and fear I never will." His eyes darted down, but quickly danced back up with a sharp inhalation.

"Anyway." The pause that followed his interjection, suggested it was not the prelude to some new thought, it was merely uttered to broadcast he was done with the previous one. He knew it was vulnerable. Overly so. Maudlin, even, and he didn't wish to invite the inevitable response to such self-deprecation. He wished to move on, and so the mask of stoicism returned to his impossibly smooth face.

Rhydian seemed to regard being undressed by servants with no particular sentiments, intimate or otherwise. It was just something to which he was accustomed. He was perfectly capable of dressing and undressing himself, of course, but when servants were present it felt almost rude not to let them do their jobs. His mother had taught him that, when he was a child and went through a squirmy phase that wasn't remotely long lived. Even as a child, Rhydian had been of a dutiful, placid bent and once that instruction had been conferred, he took it to heart and accepted the help when it was inevitably, wordlessly offered.

He turned back to face Karrhei, now that the robe was closed and fastened, nodding his head once, sharply.

"By all means. I shall be in the washroom." Pivoting on his now bare heel, he padded through the door on the right, and took in a deep breath of the warm, steamy air that greeted him. It smelled of vanilla. It ought not have surprised Rhydian that his servants from home would treat these foreign waters with the same tinctures he enjoyed when bathing at home. He looked to Serrhion, his eyes soft and his lips pursed in the approximation of a smile, and it was better than a verbal expression of gratitude to the seasoned valet, who nodded in acceptance of the unspoken thanks. With that, he helped Rhydian out of the robe he'd draped onto him moments earlier, as the young prince descended into the warm embrace of the sunken bath, and seated himself beneath the bubbles on the submerged bench that rounded the walls of the whole bath.

Posted: **Tue Mar 26, 2024 4:05 pm**

Karrhei sincerely wanted to tell Rhydian that wasn't true, that of course he could learn to navigate love, that he would be far more successful at it than Karrhei ever could, even with the priest's devotion to Suion. He wanted to let Rhydian know that he would always be there to help him through any troubles, and how much the prince deserved to enjoy the full glory of Suion's gifts. But he could see from the down casted glance that Rhydian wanted to drop the subject, and so he let it fall.

"Thank you."

As his prince turned away to head towards his bath, Karrhei headed to the door Serrhion had pointed out as his own room. There was a moment of stillness as he found himself alone in his own accommodations, figuring out where things had been put away and pulling out a robe, placing it on the bed before he began to undress. It was a simple task when alone. The travel clothes he had been wearing were gently draped over a chair and the robe was quickly put on and tied at the waist. His long hair had been braided and twisted into a bun for the trip. Catching a glimpse of himself in a dressing mirror he had to admire the hair style some. Usually he wore his hair down, or pulled it back while working so it was out of the way. This was one of the few times it had been pulled back not only for practicality but for style as well. It was impressive that it had maintained the style despite flying here, and he almost felt guilty taking it down as it had been done up for him so perfectly. Still, he reached up and started taking out the pins that held his braided hair in place. Sleeping on them would be uncomfortable, but the braid itself he left intact for now. His hand moved to his right ear and the amethyst earring found there. He hesitated, wondering if he should wear it into the bath or not. He usually took off his pendant before bathing, he assumed the same should be done with the newer piece of jewelry. He placed it in a drawer, safely next to his heart of Suion and a few other personal effects he had brought for the trip, before exiting his room.

The scent of vanilla reached him the moment the door to the bath was opened for him. The familiar scents were making this new place more comfortable. Rhydian was already situated in the bath by the time Karrhei joined him, moving to the bath and sitting on the edge of the bath across from Rhydian. He let his fingers dip into the water to feel the temperature before disrobing and descending into the water as well.

"The water feels so nice." A relaxed sigh left him as he looked across at his friend. "Have you thought of what you may want for dinner?"

Posted: **Tue Mar 26, 2024 6:37 pm**

Rhydian's breaths slowed as his body warmed in the waters of the hot bath. It was just a hair shy of uncomfortably warm, as was his preference, and one of the hotel's amenities seemed to be magically treated baths. The temperature would remain just so without cooling no matter how long he lingered in repose there. He sighed out another slow breath as he let his head tilt back until his scarlet hair spilled onto the tile there with the condensing water. He shut his eyes and tried to think of tranquil things. Oftentimes he found that if he relaxed his body enough, his mind would calm down as well. At least somewhat.

Rhydian didn't lift his head or open his eyes when Karrhei stepped into the room or into the bath. Surely he'd heard the splashes of water heralding the arrival of his friend, yet only when the other man spoke did his lips part and his head rise.

"I feel as though we should sample the local fare... If you aren't partial to anything in particular, I might just let the hotel staff decide on what sort of cuisine is not to be missed for first-time visitors..." Rhydian was not known for having a particularly large appetite. His food intake was regimented, as were so many aspects of this prince's life and if he wanted for more than he was allotted, he never seemed particularly so. For this evening, he'd have been perfectly contented to split a few small plates with Karrhei, rather than indulging in a heartier entree. Diversity was, in this instance, preferable to quantity.

"Are you hungry now? I can send Serrhion to place an order for us whilst we bask."

Posted: **Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:45 am**

It was nice to see Rhydian relaxed like this. The water was a bit warmer than Karrhei usually preferred, but he never said anything about the temperature, just checked it before hand to see what he would have to adjust to. The warmth was good for the muscles and would probably help with the soreness that would normally accompany riding, or in this case the flying. The water reached the tops of his shoulders as he relaxed into the bath and closing his eyes.

"That sounds wonderful, it will be nice to try things in privacy of the suite." Karrhei was not so improper as to be rude if he did not enjoy a dish, but he did know he didn't have the most refined or adventurous palate. He would eat what was placed in front of him if in the company of others, but when it came to feeding himself on his own he tended to prefer snacking on something light rather than siting down and having a meal. Of course if he was alone he was probably too busy working on a sculpture to think about food. He often found himself so focused on a piece that he didn't remember to do much else. He hadn't worried about the food here before now, but he did hope he found something he truly enjoyed.

"I'm not in a rush, I have no qualms waiting. I was very happy to have had some tea already." Tea was something he had grown to appreciate. He especially enjoyed the ritual of making tea in the morning. On mornings he woke up to find himself in the rectory, making tea was part of his morning routine.

Honey eyes opened to look at Rhydian again. There were things he wanted to say, things that kept scratching at the back of his own mind that he kept pushing away, the quiet wasn't helping though. He flashed a smile, mainly trying to quiet his own rhythms again. "Do you want to make a wager as to what opera they will be performing tomorrow?" His tone was playful, and of course any wager would simply be for fun amongst the two friends, not for money or favors.

Posted: **Wed Mar 27, 2024 12:26 pm**

Rhydian stretched his arms over his head and extended his legs as far as they would reach beneath the water, then relaxed with his elbows resting on the ledge behind him.

"Indeed. I am weary from travel and do not fancy the notion of socialising with strangers straight away. There will be more than enough of that on the morrow. No need to rush into it whilst it can still be avoided... Serrhion?" The valet glanced down to where his charge was basking.

"Would you have the tea brought in here?" Serrhion nodded, and stepped out of the room to instruct the footmen below him.

"Just because we're brewing doesn't mean we shouldn't continue to avail ourselves of the tea that's already steeped." Rhydian noted, with something of a wry smile painting his fair face. It faded slowly as he regarded Karrhei. His Aura was inquisitive, but cautiously so... the very milquetoast question he posed was certainly not what had tinged it thus.

"That isn't what you want to ask me, but I suspect it will be 'Arsoren Basileus'. It always is." He offered with a blithe shrug. "Now, about what do you really wish to enquire?" The arch of Rhydian's brow looked stern... perhaps even a bit cross, though Karrhei would know that was more a matter of directness in the prince, rather than irritation. In Rhydian's opinion, they'd known each other too long to talk small in private. Of course things were different in public for myriad reasons, given their differences in rank and position in the world, but that was one of the reasons Rhydian was keen to dine in. To avoid those discomforts in favour of familiarity.

A footman arrived with the tea tray and knelt to place it at the bath's edge beside and behind the prince. Cups were promptly poured.

Posted: **Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:59 pm**

Even though he knew Rhydian could see through the question, the prince's answer still made him laugh. "That sounds right."

Karrhei sat up a bit more, straightening his posture. As his thoughts turned back to the question at hand he realized it was more of a subject he was afraid to broch rather than a single question he was afraid to ask. Since the subject of this trip came up he had been dealing with the complicated feelings a trip with Rhydian brought up. The thing foremost on his mind was their first trip together. It had been fun at first right? All he could remember of that trip was returning home without Rhydian.

It wasn't so much an actual frown, but the disappearance of his smile spoke volumes. Karrhei was fairly certain that what Rhydian remembered most about the trip was meeting the king for the first time. He was trying not to bring up Ailuin, but there was no dancing around the anxiety anymore. A small sigh escaped him as a small smile reaffixed itself to his lips. "I can't help but think of our trip to Silfanore as children... how traveling to the capital felt so strange and new, and exciting... and then I don't remember anything else. Just returning to Aerion."

"I know this is very different. Rationally, it doesn't make sense to draw comparisons, but we both know anxiety tries to dismiss logic. Its just a matter of reminding myself of it. I didn't mean to trouble you with this Rhydian." Karrhei took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to relax again and fix his aura.

His smile returned by the time the footman brought the tea in. It was defensive smile, a reflex to try and quickly mask any real feelings and vulnerabilities, Rhydian would be able to tell from a thousand yards away. He wasn't trying to hide it from Rhydian, just stop the anxiety from growing. They were friends, but that didn't mean Karrhei wanted to bother Rhydian with his old fears.

Legend of Ransera

From Sol'Valen with Love

Re: From Sol'Valen with Love

Re: From Sol'Valen with Love

Re: From Sol'Valen with Love

Re: From Sol'Valen with Love

Re: From Sol'Valen with Love

Re: From Sol'Valen with Love

Re: From Sol'Valen with Love

Re: From Sol'Valen with Love

Re: From Sol'Valen with Love

Re: From Sol'Valen with Love