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The woman across from him started writing again almost as soon as he'd finished his first sentence. Of course, this didn't really help his nerves, but he nonetheless managed to continue until he'd listed the only job qualifications he possessed. Vergil had promised to start more hands-on training with Necromancy soon but they didn't get the chance to start much with that before now. Honestly, it was kind of embarrassing for him how few practical skills he possessed, especially when in a setting like this.
These thoughts had muddled his mind and pulled his focus away from the marks of the other's pen. When she next spoke to him, Hector blinked up at her, appearing startled but saying nothing. In this case, though, what she said provided him with some semblance of relief. The Imperium itself would provide education and job training for him. At least, in the end, he'd be useful. His only real preference would be to work in the same vicinity as Vergil and to keep his profession in line with his preferences and what skills he did possess.
"I've been told as much…I'd, um, started to study medicine under Vergil along with what my parents have taught me. He'd said my progress was good…" Hector did try to sound at least somewhat confident, though it didn't entirely work; the suede texture of his voice was still laced with his nerves. What he said, at least, was true.
At that, the woman indicated that she was finished with the papers set before her and stood, gesturing for him to follow. When he did, the two left the room and collected the pair of guards that stood outside. Hector's gaze shifted over to Vergil while the woman dropped off the paperwork. He stood to follow the group as his name was called, acknowledging his younger companion with a soft smile.
With the two reunited, those of the Imperium led them out of the room and down another corridor to presumably escort them out of the building. As they walked, the woman, whose name was never stated, continued to speak. She was telling them what to expect in the days to come. Everything sounded fine, except, well, dropping all prior affiliations.
Hector considered both the Kindred and Menders to be family beyond simply factions or faith and Vergil believed the Cult of Mending to be what truly allowed him to flourish in his career and life in general. They had also given both men their Vitalis marks, freeing them from the bindings of mortality. Both parties believed in the Cult's cause, but in this scenario, both had been cut off from everyone they'd known of either group. It would be a difficult concept to adapt to, but at least for now, it would be easy enough to pretend. If their guide looked at them, they would both acknowledge her with looks of understanding but otherwise said nothing.
By the time she'd finished speaking, the group arrived at the grandest door they'd come across so far and they rightly assumed it to be the building's entrance. As the woman opened the door before them, she officially welcomed the pair. They'd seen the city overhead from the airship but hadn't spent much time outside on the ground yet. It was…different than what they were used to. Warmer, wealthier, more decadent. Neither of them had anything to complain about, really. Hector just hoped they wouldn't be dropped off anywhere particularly uncomfortable.
As the door shut behind the group, the woman stopped before what would appear to be some strange method of transport. It was entirely mechanical, not pulled by animals as they were used to. Hector looked at it with open curiosity and admiration while Vergil's expression was much more subdued with a simple raise of his brow. The human guard opened the vehicle's door for them at the same time as the elf spoke in whatever the city's native language was to the driver.
Hector immediately climbed into the vehicle once the opportunity came– this whole situation was fairly overwhelming and he would really prefer it to draw to a close. Vergil, on the other hand, regarded the woman who had served as their introduction to the city with a polite smile and thanked her. The guards and the driver were stony and uninterested. While the woman might be putting on a friendly act, at least she made the attempt to be warm, and that, Vergil thought, warranted some thanks at the very least. They were complete strangers in the city and anything to help them acclimate would be greatly appreciated.
Once they were both inside, the guard closed the door behind them and the driver turned the vehicle on without a word. The silence from him was a bit uncomfortable but one cannot expect everyone to be friendly. Neither of them knew how such an engine worked whatsoever– was it aether? Something else? It drove smoother than anything the two had ridden in before. Regardless, the driver pulled away from the building that had received them and made its way through the streets of Gel’Grandel.
Hector sat without speaking, though for him it was not for lack of anything to say. The mere presence of the third party unnerved him on top of everything else so he stayed quiet. Vergil could very much tell how uncomfortable his friend was simply by looking at him. Everything about the elf was tense– facial expression, posture, the way he pulled at his fingers and bounced one of his legs. Vergil took hold of the other’s wrist and slid his hand up to both hold onto Hector’s and stop him from continuously cracking his knuckles. As he did this, lavender eyes flit from their twined hands up to the human’s pale features and then toward the window of the car. Vergil’s gesture did offer the elf some succor, serving as a reminder that through everything, he wasn’t alone.
…….
The ride to their new home wasn't particularly long. Vergil, at least, liked the opportunity to see some of the city on their way there. The vehicle slowed, turned, and finally pulled into the front of a rather nice looking stone apartment building. Without switching off the engine, their driver turned to face the pair of new arrivals. Speaking accented Common, he rather brusquely told the pair the number of their unit and handed Vergil the keys. The doctor offered a polite smile and bow of his head in return.
Not letting go of Hector's hand, Vergil opened the door and stepped out. The elf followed, not wanting to linger either in the car or outside. Neither of them did, really. Both mages entered the building and began climbing the wooden staircase to the left of the building's foyer. Their unit was number 303, and given the fact that the building itself was three floors, the older of the two had made the correct assumption that they'd be on the third.
Vergil unlocked the door, and once the pair had crossed the threshold to enter, he let the door fall shut again with a soft click and locked it behind them. The older vampyre closed his eyes and took a deep breath in an effort to release some of the tension he'd held within. While he was much better at stabilizing himself than Hector was, that didn't mean the weight of this entire situation didn't rest heavy on his shoulders.
The younger vampyre had been desperate for some semblance of peace, of quiet solace, ever since the rift tore the sky. While the airship that ferried them from Zaichaer was a welcome change from the destroyed city, it was still very loud, very busy, and very overwhelming. Once he'd entered the apartment, he'd taken a few cautious steps forward, looking around to figure out the unit's layout. The living area was furnished with hardwood floors, walls painted a cool, light stone grey, and most of the furniture was made of sturdy, varnished wood that was dark in color.
There was a wall immediately to their right and another across from them, though this one was composed of exposed brick and open in the middle leading to a kitchen. Instead of connecting to the kitchen, the wall to their right opened up to a small hallway with three doors– one on either end and one in the middle leading to the bedrooms and a bathroom.
Overall, it was far nicer than either of them really expected. Such a thing was a welcome relief from the tumult of the days that'd come to pass since Searing's 34th. As they rebuilt their lives, they could at least live comfortably.
By the time Vergil opened his eyes again, Hector had vanished from sight. The elf had moved with footfalls near silent– only the click of the door farthest away from him betrayed the botanist’s path. He was a little disappointed that the other had sequestered himself so quickly, but it was understandable. Hector desperately needed to decompress.
With languid steps, Vergil walked through the living area and into the small hallway. Turning toward the door he'd heard his friend enter, the vampyre rested his forehead and forearm against the sturdy wood for a moment before speaking.
"Hey, I…if you've any need of me, even just of my company, I'm here, okay?" His words were gentle in tone but loud enough for the other to hear in the next room.
With that, Vergil turned to the door opposite of him. He could finally rest properly.
Hector had curled himself up in a nest he'd made out of his duvet, sheets, and an extra blanket he'd found. The setting sun left the room without much light to shine through thick, coal grey curtains. Three of the walls were painted the same as the living space, though the window's was exposed brick. The elf hadn't bothered to look around the room much aside from the large, wooden armoire he'd pulled the extra blanket from.
From where he lay, his mentor's words did reach him. Traces of guilt stirred within as he realized Vergil had probably wanted to spend some time with him before night truly fell. He just…really wanted time by himself right now. Despite everything the two had gone through together, everything they'd seen of one another, Hector still felt like his emotions were a burden unto the other. They'd both just lived through the biggest tragedy seen since the Sundering. The older vampyre would have his own volatile cocktail of grief, sorrow, loss, anger and so on to deal with and the elf knew that, should he break down in his presence, Vergil would toss whatever pain he felt aside for the sake of comforting him.
Ultimately, that's why Hector had scurried away so quickly. Pretty much as soon as he'd shut the door behind him did he burst into tears. While Vergil's company would be immensely soothing, the elf very much did not want the other to try and take any of the weight he carried. It just…it wouldn't be fair.
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'Thoughts'
"Common Tongue/Speech"
"Mythrasi Tongue/Speech"
"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"
Aidolon Speech
