TIMESTAMP: Earth's Rest 9, Ash 122
NOTES: Continuation of this.
NOTES: Continuation of this.
► Show Spoiler
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Æros bristled at the question. For whatever reason, he did not expect to be asked about the recent past in this scenario. But, to be entirely fair, he did not expect to be in this scenario at all, let alone in this moment, on this day, under any circumstance. He'd not had much in terms of direct contact with Janus throughout most of his life, though this was in large part due to his mother's interference. The elder of the two had actually attempted to make contact with his estranged nephew a few times since he'd sequestered himself away in the Umbrium, though Æros found himself frozen when it came to replying; shame and embarrassment were powerful things.
One can ignore a missive, but one cannot ignore the man if he actually showed up unannounced, and so here he was. A range of emotion ran through the half-blooded elf when he set eyes on his uncle, and such a range only served to expand as the two spoke. He wasn't sure how to adequately react, what to do, how to speak. At the same time he felt immense relief and appreciation towards Janus, he also felt an equal amount of anxiety and fear of the unknown, of that very same shame and embarrassment he always felt when he read those ignored missives. And so when he was asked to share with the other man what exactly he'd been up to in the recent past, his eyes fluttered and his mouth ran dry as his nerves spiked– for a few brief moments, he was frozen.
Where would he start? Because, well, there was a lot to say. What did Janus already know? How much should he leave out? What was safe to share? These questions immediately shot through the star-touched Faerie's mind when his companion in conversation finished speaking. A lot had happened. A lot had impacted him, but how much of it was worth sharing and how much of it could he? Though his uncle was a member of the senate, he didn't have any direct– or known, rather– ties to the Vigilia Argenti. To divulge some of the more sensitive details might very well be a faux pas, but it was also possible that the other man knew more than Æros was capable of anticipating. Politicians were always full of secrets, always holding their cards close to their chest. Maybe he did have an information tap to the sentinels. Ultimately, however, it was safer to err on the side of caution than not.
The Færie's golden gaze shifted around the room briefly before refocusing on the figure before him; his chest tightened, fingers on his dominant hand twitched and drew that fist to a close. These actions all occurred in less than a few seconds, yet an astute observer would read all of that anxiety well. Janus did. Æros realized this and, as if to self correct, flexed the smallest amount of his own æther to self-soothe. For as much as this would make him feel better, it was also about appearances. Soon, it would appear, he'd have to learn to anticipate correcting his own emotions prior to expressing them, even if such an expression were small.
And when he did finally open his mouth, "...I do wonder what exactly you've already heard, but…It's not my place to ask, only to answer. A soft smile appeared on his lips and while it would come across as polite on the surface, there was an overall coy nature to the man's expression. “Though first, I will say that a not…insignificant portion…of what I’ve been up to has been, ahm…not worth mentioning? At least, I would think.”
Janus chuckled in response. “So you may think.” He smiled something knowing. “...but nevertheless, what you deem as ‘important’ says almost more than what actually happened.”
In truth, Æros hadn’t actually considered that angle. His mind began to drift for just a moment at the sheer volume of small judgments the other could make based on what he’d say, but he stopped himself; no sense in overthinking this, after all. “Truthfully, my life hasn’t really been that interesting since I left. At least…not until very recently.” His expression turned somewhat sheepish, though still maintaining its prior levity. “That being the case, I’ve mostly been living as a performer; that much, I’m sure you’ve heard? I’m fairly popular in several of the Umbrium’s venues.” To that, Janus nodded in acknowledgment for the half-Fæ’s reputation did precede him in that regard.
“The day-to-day of that…really isn’t that interesting.” This sounded dismissive entirely because it was, but of what, Janus couldn’t exactly say. “But I’m sure you heard of my brief disappearance earlier in the season after my mother’s attempt to abduct me? I do wonder if she tried to keep that quiet,” and though he said this, he didn’t leave much of a pause for the other to answer, “...regardless, the foreign warrior I found and sponsored turned out to be more than I bargained for. To what degree, however, I can’t much talk about. I…would, but I don’t have the authorization to do so, it’s…far above my station to speak on. You understand, yes?”
While Janus knew about Æros’ warrior and their escapades in the Arena, to his knowledge, the mysterious fighter had abstractly disappeared nearly as fast as he had climbed through the ranks. It was a topic of gossip, that much was for certain, for the official explanation was brief and, to many, suspicious. It figured that whatever the cause, it had to have been something of some sort of importance lest it wouldn’t be so secret, now would it? “So I heard…and it is such a shame you cannot speak more on the subject. I was ever so curious,” he said. His response was inflected with hyperbolic dismay and very obviously sarcastic, though he was legitimately disappointed that his nephew couldn’t say more. “So many things can bind our tongues…I can only wonder which one it is that has yours in this case.”
Looking off downcast and to the side, Æros smiled something almost forlorn before reverting his gaze. “Mind, I do wish I could. The experience was a fascinating one inasmuch as it was agonizing and as much as it was far and above the most exciting thing that’s happened to me– and probably in general, at least for many– in a long, long time. I…bit off far more than I could chew, hence why your…visit? Is so very serendipitous. You’ve no idea how much of a blessing it feels like…” the star-touched elf had said these appropriately vague words with a trail. He wanted to stress the sheer gravitas of these events even though he could not say at all what happened. “I thought I’d ruined my life before, but I could’ve…found far worse consequences had things gone any different,” and these words were said with full eye contact held for emphasis.
Leaning back in his chair, Janus’ dominant hand floated to his chin as the other was drawn across his chest. “It pains me you cannot say more, then. I have worried for you and I was hoping that this conversation would serve to assuage at least some of that, but,” he chuckled, “...I fear what you have said has only made such things worse. But since you are here in front of me, I imagine that it went…fine enough. If you ever find yourself able to speak freely, do let me know.”
“I will. Of that, you’ve my word,” Æros punctuated this with a sincere sort of smile. “Beyond that, I’ve found a slave I want to acquire, was marked with a new Craft, Semblance, and have been trying to push my skills with both that and Masquerade. It’s been going…fine. My nature is impatient and I strive for perfection, so I’m not happy with the pace, but…so it goes.”
“That I heard about, too. Insofar as the slave– there has been gossip about that, too, given the reputation of the boy you want and his lofty price tag. I wonder very much what about him that appeals to you, but…I am not daft. I did watch you grow up; I know you a bit more than you might think…and isn’t it funny that he is a master Sembler and that happens to be your new Cardinal Rune?” The older man smiled with a wink. His assumption was accurate and Æros could tell, leading him to feel distinctly exposed in these moments.
“I…funny, yes.” Though he laughed, it was so very awkward. “It was, er…his skill with Semblance that caught my eye and then I found myself wanting to wield that power as well. That’s all.” No, it very much was not, but the older elf had made it clear he’d connected the dots. There was no need to say more.
Janus took great amusement in exactly how uncomfortable his words had made the other, having a bit of a giggle at Æros’ expense. “I don’t blame you! The rune is so very useful in such a wide breadth of situations. Having a slave with the magic gives you the ability to see through two sets of eyes, even. I understand completely.”
“How…um, how has it been back at home?” Æros was, at least, a little curious.
Janus would answer and the two kept talking for a little while longer. It was cathartic for both of them to reconnect in this way and when the older man left, Æros felt genuine hope for his future.
One can ignore a missive, but one cannot ignore the man if he actually showed up unannounced, and so here he was. A range of emotion ran through the half-blooded elf when he set eyes on his uncle, and such a range only served to expand as the two spoke. He wasn't sure how to adequately react, what to do, how to speak. At the same time he felt immense relief and appreciation towards Janus, he also felt an equal amount of anxiety and fear of the unknown, of that very same shame and embarrassment he always felt when he read those ignored missives. And so when he was asked to share with the other man what exactly he'd been up to in the recent past, his eyes fluttered and his mouth ran dry as his nerves spiked– for a few brief moments, he was frozen.
Where would he start? Because, well, there was a lot to say. What did Janus already know? How much should he leave out? What was safe to share? These questions immediately shot through the star-touched Faerie's mind when his companion in conversation finished speaking. A lot had happened. A lot had impacted him, but how much of it was worth sharing and how much of it could he? Though his uncle was a member of the senate, he didn't have any direct– or known, rather– ties to the Vigilia Argenti. To divulge some of the more sensitive details might very well be a faux pas, but it was also possible that the other man knew more than Æros was capable of anticipating. Politicians were always full of secrets, always holding their cards close to their chest. Maybe he did have an information tap to the sentinels. Ultimately, however, it was safer to err on the side of caution than not.
The Færie's golden gaze shifted around the room briefly before refocusing on the figure before him; his chest tightened, fingers on his dominant hand twitched and drew that fist to a close. These actions all occurred in less than a few seconds, yet an astute observer would read all of that anxiety well. Janus did. Æros realized this and, as if to self correct, flexed the smallest amount of his own æther to self-soothe. For as much as this would make him feel better, it was also about appearances. Soon, it would appear, he'd have to learn to anticipate correcting his own emotions prior to expressing them, even if such an expression were small.
And when he did finally open his mouth, "...I do wonder what exactly you've already heard, but…It's not my place to ask, only to answer. A soft smile appeared on his lips and while it would come across as polite on the surface, there was an overall coy nature to the man's expression. “Though first, I will say that a not…insignificant portion…of what I’ve been up to has been, ahm…not worth mentioning? At least, I would think.”
Janus chuckled in response. “So you may think.” He smiled something knowing. “...but nevertheless, what you deem as ‘important’ says almost more than what actually happened.”
In truth, Æros hadn’t actually considered that angle. His mind began to drift for just a moment at the sheer volume of small judgments the other could make based on what he’d say, but he stopped himself; no sense in overthinking this, after all. “Truthfully, my life hasn’t really been that interesting since I left. At least…not until very recently.” His expression turned somewhat sheepish, though still maintaining its prior levity. “That being the case, I’ve mostly been living as a performer; that much, I’m sure you’ve heard? I’m fairly popular in several of the Umbrium’s venues.” To that, Janus nodded in acknowledgment for the half-Fæ’s reputation did precede him in that regard.
“The day-to-day of that…really isn’t that interesting.” This sounded dismissive entirely because it was, but of what, Janus couldn’t exactly say. “But I’m sure you heard of my brief disappearance earlier in the season after my mother’s attempt to abduct me? I do wonder if she tried to keep that quiet,” and though he said this, he didn’t leave much of a pause for the other to answer, “...regardless, the foreign warrior I found and sponsored turned out to be more than I bargained for. To what degree, however, I can’t much talk about. I…would, but I don’t have the authorization to do so, it’s…far above my station to speak on. You understand, yes?”
While Janus knew about Æros’ warrior and their escapades in the Arena, to his knowledge, the mysterious fighter had abstractly disappeared nearly as fast as he had climbed through the ranks. It was a topic of gossip, that much was for certain, for the official explanation was brief and, to many, suspicious. It figured that whatever the cause, it had to have been something of some sort of importance lest it wouldn’t be so secret, now would it? “So I heard…and it is such a shame you cannot speak more on the subject. I was ever so curious,” he said. His response was inflected with hyperbolic dismay and very obviously sarcastic, though he was legitimately disappointed that his nephew couldn’t say more. “So many things can bind our tongues…I can only wonder which one it is that has yours in this case.”
Looking off downcast and to the side, Æros smiled something almost forlorn before reverting his gaze. “Mind, I do wish I could. The experience was a fascinating one inasmuch as it was agonizing and as much as it was far and above the most exciting thing that’s happened to me– and probably in general, at least for many– in a long, long time. I…bit off far more than I could chew, hence why your…visit? Is so very serendipitous. You’ve no idea how much of a blessing it feels like…” the star-touched elf had said these appropriately vague words with a trail. He wanted to stress the sheer gravitas of these events even though he could not say at all what happened. “I thought I’d ruined my life before, but I could’ve…found far worse consequences had things gone any different,” and these words were said with full eye contact held for emphasis.
Leaning back in his chair, Janus’ dominant hand floated to his chin as the other was drawn across his chest. “It pains me you cannot say more, then. I have worried for you and I was hoping that this conversation would serve to assuage at least some of that, but,” he chuckled, “...I fear what you have said has only made such things worse. But since you are here in front of me, I imagine that it went…fine enough. If you ever find yourself able to speak freely, do let me know.”
“I will. Of that, you’ve my word,” Æros punctuated this with a sincere sort of smile. “Beyond that, I’ve found a slave I want to acquire, was marked with a new Craft, Semblance, and have been trying to push my skills with both that and Masquerade. It’s been going…fine. My nature is impatient and I strive for perfection, so I’m not happy with the pace, but…so it goes.”
“That I heard about, too. Insofar as the slave– there has been gossip about that, too, given the reputation of the boy you want and his lofty price tag. I wonder very much what about him that appeals to you, but…I am not daft. I did watch you grow up; I know you a bit more than you might think…and isn’t it funny that he is a master Sembler and that happens to be your new Cardinal Rune?” The older man smiled with a wink. His assumption was accurate and Æros could tell, leading him to feel distinctly exposed in these moments.
“I…funny, yes.” Though he laughed, it was so very awkward. “It was, er…his skill with Semblance that caught my eye and then I found myself wanting to wield that power as well. That’s all.” No, it very much was not, but the older elf had made it clear he’d connected the dots. There was no need to say more.
Janus took great amusement in exactly how uncomfortable his words had made the other, having a bit of a giggle at Æros’ expense. “I don’t blame you! The rune is so very useful in such a wide breadth of situations. Having a slave with the magic gives you the ability to see through two sets of eyes, even. I understand completely.”
“How…um, how has it been back at home?” Æros was, at least, a little curious.
Janus would answer and the two kept talking for a little while longer. It was cathartic for both of them to reconnect in this way and when the older man left, Æros felt genuine hope for his future.
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'Thoughts'
"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"
"Vastien Tongue/Speech"
"Valasren Tongue/Speech"
"Common Tongue/Speech"
