Completed [Sacred Arch Hotspring] Three Ravokians and a Drykas...

[Aoren]

Aoren studied Caesarion's olive green eyes for a moment before he moved closer and extended his right hand. There on the back of it shimmered the Seer's Lily. He let his hand linger there for a few moments before splaying his fingers causing the pattern to shimmer in the light of Leth.

"Do you know what this is?" He let his hand linger there for a moment longer before pulling it back and running that very hand through his hair. "It's a Godsmark. Given to me by Avalis, the Goddess of Seers. I see the world a lot differently as a result. I have seen the stones when they were boulders. I have seen rivers that were once oceans. Mountains that were once forests. I have seen the world when the world was a very different place. As a result the world around me doesn't quite hold the same meaning as it does for everyone else." He flexed his hand and looked down at the Lily with both an expression of resigned sadness and quiet contemplation. "The world was a different place once..." With that he fell silent.

"I bear no ill will to any man or woman who bears no ill will to me. Besides, when all I have to do to learn about a person's motives and past is concentrate on their divine thread of fate it takes the mystery out wondering who people are and why they do what they do." He smiled at Caesarion. "Fortunately I seldom feel the need to do so." He winked at the young man seated nearby.

"We all wear masks, Master Caesarion. We lie, we cheat, we steal and we perform acts of great kindness and great cruelty. I've seen it all. Lived through it all. So why should I judge men for those things when all of us do them?" He closed his eyes in thought for a moment. He could feel the weight of those ageless times that stretched back into the depths of eternity. There were times when he could not grasp it all but he did spend a great deal of time contemplating the things he'd seen. "I've spent a greater part of my adult life trying to help people deal with the trauma of their past. Because if there is one thing I always know...it's the Past."

He considered Caesarion's question for a moment before he sat upright and turned his body to face the young man fully. He let it pass unanswered at first.

"No. We're not up here because the water is too hot. We're up here because I wanted to get a better look at you." Aoren winked at the Ravokian man with a hint of a smirk on his lips. After a moment however his face relaxed and gained an observant expression. He studied the way Caesarion's hair caught the moonlight and shined slightly in the darkness. He studied the handsome features of his face and the athleticism of his body. It was his eyes however that caught Aoren's attention the most. They drew him in. The olive green tones were beautiful. The Drykan male leaned in closer so that he could study those eyes more carefully. When his face was only a mere few inches away he spoke softly.

"Yes. I'm interested in you, Caesarion."

[Caesarion]

That seemed really weird. He knew that everyone had a weird potential in them for a great many things. Magic, connection with the Gods, stuff like that. But as a regular person, with no power, no connection to any God, he found Aoren's abilities to be very peculiar. Very foreign. He was curious about this mark, but the speech that followed the introduction of his Gnosis was something that shut off his curiosity. It seemed like something that he would never be able to handle. All of that... clairvoyance. He liked to see the world simply. "The world was a different place, but the nature of its inhabitants was not. Everything that has happened today was bound to happen. We can forget about the past." There was no Caesarion a hundred years ago. The world must've suffered greatly for it. Right, that was sarcasm.

He continued to listen as Aoren spoke more about his ideals, his beliefs. They were very kindhearted, which was admirable. The man himself often believed that people only carried these beliefs in the present. Captains would say they'd go down with their ship. Husbands would say they'd love their spouses and their children forever. But when it boiled down to it, it was often bullshit. His father proved that to him. He spoke often of his selfless ideals, but they were just ideas. Not the reality. This time, though, he felt inclined to believe this person. Aoren just... he radiated a feeling around him. You just knew that he was honest, honorable, a good person through-and-through. Caesar wished he could be that way. He just didn't know. "Looking at my past would bore you to death and shame me to death," he smiled brightly. "And I'd rather we both stay alive." Especially since his biggest goal in life was to not die a virgin, mostly thanks to Rhaenon's endless teasing. That little bastard.

In response to his earnest speech, Caesar just nodded. He himself wasn't very wise or moral, so what could he say? Aoren was correct. He'd just stick with believing that. "That confirms my suspicions," he grinned. The man had figured as much, but it was much more pleasing to hear it rather than to think it. He knew the Drykas found him appealing, now, which was a greater feeling than anything. He was attracted to him, too. His face was so masculine looking, from his wide jaw to his chin, his eyes, everything. The look he had on his face was always very honest. It felt like he understood Caesar from the moment he saw him. His muscular body was the best part, for an inner deviant like the Panthos. The pectorals to the abdomen, and the shoulders to the biceps... they were all very thorough. He obviously didn't spend his time idly. He spent the time admiring his body with a scarlet face, and a shy smile. He didn't need to be shy anymore, though. Everything was, apparently, out in the open.

He almost felt unprepared for the long seconds that followed the staring between the two. He leaned in, and answered him, finally. His heart was ready to explode before that affirmation, but now that it was out in the open... he felt calmer. Not calm enough to throw away the opportunity for a kiss, though. His first one!

The man was nervous. He wasn't sure if he'd be any good. It was just a stupid kiss, but for someone with shit zero experience, that was a big deal. Finally, he summoned up the courage to respond to Aoren's obvious intentions, and leaned even closer. His lips brushed up against the other man's for a moment, followed by a gentle kiss onto his lips. The man's lips parted to allow a more heated experience, and he pulled his lips away once that was over. He didn't stop there, though. He had years of passion to make up for! Caesarion kissed his neck, his shoulders, his abdomen, everything. He wasn't even sure if this was real life. God damn, if it was one of his brother's dream altering, 'magical' trolling sprees, he was going to jump into a trashcan and die.

"Can we..." He stopped for a moment, and mentally slapped himself. Wow, really? "Wait, forget I said anything." You couldn't blame someone for thinking of it, after ten years of enduring abstinence! "Y-yeah. Wow, this is all really weird. Also, I had a ton of beef this afternoon, I hope I don't taste too cross to you." That was just him trying to prevent the wound known as... uh... horniness from festering.

[Aoren]

Aoren could tell that this was Caesarion's first kiss. The hesitation and the uncertainty of his movements said as much. The Drykas man had experienced kissing with only one other person in all of Mizahar but they had done it often enough that Aoren had a little more confidence in such things. When their lips touched he moved closer to Caesarion and reached up running his fingers through that dark hair. It wasn't entirely silken but it was a mixture between soft and coarse. He pulled Caesarion closer deepening the kiss.

Here with Aoren's feelings laid bare he was truest to his Drykas heritage. A people of passion who embraced their emotions with an intensity they were famed for. When Caesarion parted his lips welcoming Aoren's passion the Drykan took the opportunity to explore the inner depths of the Ravokian's mouth. When they finally broke the kiss Aoren's breathing was definitely elevated. His cheeks were slightly flushed and he groaned softly as the other man kissed the rest of his body.

"You're better at this than you think." He chuckled and leaned forward running his hands through Casarion's hair. With one hand he gently massaged the back of his neck whilst the other hand lightly explored the contours of Caesarion's body. He leaned into another kiss. This one more tender than the initial passion filled opening. He kissed the young man while he massaged the contours of Caesarion's athletic form. From his taut abs, his broad shoulders, toned arms and strong chest. When finally Aoren's arousal peaked he pulled back only to rest his forehead against Caesarion's.

"I see the tales of Ravokii passion are true." He looked into those olive green eyes. In all truth Caesarion was still a stranger. A young man he was attracted to that he still knew next to nothing about. He didn't want to spoil what -could- later become something more by rushing into things.

"I won't take advantage of you. I.." Aoren couldn't believe he was going to say this but here he went. "...I like you. I know we've really just met and maybe I'm just lonely but that doesn't lessen the fact that I want to get to know you better." He smiled at the other man before sitting up straight. He wouldn't let this go any further. Not tonight and certainly not before there was something stronger between the two of them than pent up passions.

"You're a very good kisser, Caesar." He winked at the Ravokian after shortening his name.

[Caesarion]

This guy had more experience than him. He could tell. It was kind of a bummer, because he knew the Drykas probably had better once. Whatever, though, right? Now was probably the best minute of his life. He had to enjoy it, whether or not he was the best partner ever. Aoren seemed to be enjoying it, at least! The man's passion was a lot more raw than Caesar's, probably because of his heritage and experience. And he was very good at the whole... well, everything they were doing right now. Caesar was at a loss of breath when Aoren pulled away from the kiss, but that didn't stop him from trying to do better. The man's groan was a very rewarding sound for him; it meant he was feeling something powerful, like Caesar was.

He was complimented, and then they went back to kissing and caressing and... "I try," he said between breaths. The exploration of his body triggered a moan in the small time frame that he could, while responding to Aoren's passionate kissing. He locked his arms around Aoren in an embrace, smiling brightly at him after the heated moment came to what seemed like a close. He had always wanted to just wrap him in a big hug, from the moment they started talking and he realized how kind Aoren was. How genuine he was. And it wasn't a let-down; Aoren's muscular body completely eclipsed Caesar's. He felt protected, which was cheesy, but it was one of the simple pleasures in life. "You haven't seen anything yet," he threw in response. It was definitely a bluff; Caesar's "passion" would probably be nothing more than fumbling stupidity if it ever came down to it, and they ever...

"You were a lot better than me, though." He had a small smile on his face, and still, a big blush. The brave new experience he was enduring was probably enough for him right now, regardless. He needed some time to contemplate before their relationship got any... er... steamier. He forbid himself to ruin this. A guy like him would probably never have a second chance. After all, with every new year, he got a little more bitter. "I understand. It was stupid of me to think of something like that. I guess I got greedy," he laughed briefly. He had to at least think of taking the opportunity, right? If not, then he'd just disappoint himself. "I like you too, Aoren, and I don't care how long we've known each other. Feelings are feelings. I'm not going to ignore mine just because of some assumed presumption on how 'long' people should wait." He was very excited to get to know the Drykas; discover the small and strange things, the insignificant, the important. Anything.

Suddenly, living in this place that despised him didn't feel so bad. He was just about ready to return to his birthplace, but now they'd have to take him kicking and screaming. "I'm not sure if I like your kissing," he said in response, a smirk rising from his lips. "I'll need more testing to be sure." That was his way of saying that he wanted to do that more often. And, that was him trying to be witty.

"So... Aoren," he started, slowly escaping the embrace between the two, as much as he didn't want to. "I just realized that we're in public." Seriously, before now, he kind of assumed that they were in a different plane of dimension. Nothing could ruin his moment, not even that girl with her mouth dropped open that he'd sworn to have seen at least once while they were making out. Well, it was kind of an interesting sight, he supposed... two half-naked guys getting all touchy-feely with each other... "Which kind of makes me a hypocrite, because I hate those couples that constantly broadcast their relationship by making out all over everything." Ugh.

The Ravokii stood up tall, stretching his limbs after those close-quarter moments. He pulled a towel from the rack, wrapping it around his waist as best as he could (which was horrible). "Hey, you live around here? I've got a house down by the city walls, but I've got a few free-loaders, so it wouldn't be very private. I'm not asking if I can come over to get funky with you or anything, I just want to have a night with someone more interesting than those fellas and fellettes." He probably had a terrible way of phrasing these questions, but uh... whatever.

[Aoren]

"Haha, well you needn't worry about prosecution of any sort. As far as I know passion in all of its forms are tolerated by the Knights. I believe a few Knights themselves and Squires are...of a different persuasion from what I hear." He shrugged but understood the Ravokii's desire for privacy. He glanced over at the young girl who had watched the two of them engage in deeper passions than most people were accustomed to between two men. Aoren didn't much care. There was a time when once he might have quivered at the thought of being caught sharing affections with another man but he grew out of that fear after he experienced what a relationship had to offer.

"I live within Stormhold Citadel in Syliras proper. It is deeper within the city and I have only one bed to speak of but it is yours if you would like a quiet place to rest your head for the night." Aoren stood up rising to his full height of six feet and three inches. He ran both hands through his hair and took a deep breath enjoying the night air. There was a renewed feeling within his core. It was small but the spark of something different had definitely taken root within the center of his being. He walked the line of the pool over the rocky ledge near the spring. He knelt next to his belongings and picked up what appeared to be a teardrop shape sapphire on a silver chain. He placed the gemstone around his neck then reached into his pack and pulled out a fresh pair of undergarments. He turned away from Caesarion and removed his current sopping wet undergarment then pulled on his fresh pair. He turned back around to face the other man and blushed, smiling bashfully as he pulled on his clothes.

"You are welcome to come if you like. I could make us a proper meal and we could speak a bit more freely without the fear of prying ears." He nodded to a group of men and women who jumped into a nearby hotspring. Once he was fully dressed Aoren pulled on his boots and stood up stretching his renewed muscles. He extended a hand to Caesarion with a small smile.

[Caesarion]

He hoped Aoren was right, but he had heard differently before. Meeting Ethen a while ago, who was a knight of that persuasion, he thought it was okay. Lheesi made an effort to prove him wrong about that, mostly because she feared for him. Either that or she just didn't want him to get a boyfriend. Both possibilities made sense, considering she probably couldn't even function without Caesar around. He knew she'd probably be worried sick at home, waiting for him to come back, but it wasn't the first time he disappeared for a night. He grew tired of being surrounded by people from his past. Now was a good time for a break.

Unlike Aoren, though, Caesar was worried about being 'caught', in a manner of speaking. He didn't care for the most part, but he was used to being ridiculed when he revealed his nature. Back in Ravok, his family and the families surrounding him weren't so accepting. They were all about the lineage, carrying on the name and whatnot. If he didn't have Rhaenon as an older brother, he'd probably be forced to live an unhappy marriage with some evil tart back in Ravok. Anyway, his mind was rambling on when he should've been walking.

Since he didn't plan on running through the mountains wearing a towel that was barely secured around his waist, he held his pointer finger up as a sign that he wanted Aoren to wait. He walked over to where he had put his clothing, and slowly slipped each piece on after drying his body. Of course, he paid special notice to the moment where Aoren slipped off the wet pair of underwear... er, you can imagine what he was thinking. "Uh..." Well, anyway, he continued to dress himself, taking extra care not to reveal as much as the Drykas did. He didn't have the same bravery as the other, apparently. Although, Aoren did look a bit shy while he was dressing. It was adorable to Caesar, which would honestly describe a lot of what Aoren did, despite how manly looking he was.

"Sounds great." That was a good way to cut off the strange line of thinking, really. Food. He rarely had any quality food anymore. It was all just dead animals that he probably killed himself. When you have to witness something die, the lights going out of its eyes, et cetera et cetera, it made the meal following it a lot less tasty. "Alright, let's go." He took the man's hand, which was difficult to do at first. He guessed they'd be... walking around, fingers locked and everything? Seemed so strange, like they were a proper couple or something. That wasn't something he thought could even happen to him. But it was great. It was really great.

Once they were away from the Sacred Arch, walking down the stairwell that ran across a hill, he brought back the conversation. Caesar usually liked to be quiet, but he felt obligated to show a little personality, since Aoren wanted to get to know him better. Most of what he had to say, though, didn't really pertain to him personally. "I live with three people. Two girls, and one guy. One of the girls is really old, like... sixty, I think. Her name is Lavinia. The other is my age, and she's Lheesi. The guy is really boring and weird. Every time I try to talk with him, he gets all tense and stares at me like he's a startled kitten or something," the Ravokii laughed lightly. "His name is Rokan. He, Lheesi and Lavinia all share a room. My house isn't very big, so we don't have any better options, eh?" He didn't get to the reason as to why he had three free-loaders that he didn't like, but he'd get to it eventually.

Although he trusted Aoren, he didn't trust the walls around him, since apparently they had ears. He knew Syliras had a reputation for rooting out all "evil", and Caesar's situation could be misunderstood as such. "They all came with me from Ravok." That was as much as he'd elaborate, for the time being. He doubted Aoren was all that concerned about it, anyway. He was just rambling. After a moment of silence, he turned to his... companion, and smiled at him. "Oh, and I hope your bed can sport two. I'm not going to have you sleep on the floor just because I'm coming over." It may have sounded a bit ludicrous at first, but he made sure to clarify. "And don't reject if you want to keep your balls. I'm not going to make any weird moves on you. You know I don't have the courage, anyway." That was true, at least.

Hehe. Caesar was really excited. This was already shaping up to be the best night ever, and it was far from through. Just being in Aoren's home environment would make him feel content. Feeling like he belonged there, as silly as it sounded, would've been great. "Where the heck is this Stormhold Citadel?" If it was in the proper, it was probably far away. He wasn't about to let over-zealous walking ruin the mood.

[Aoren]

"Then I will make a meal. I'm no extravagant cook but I can make a good stew out of dried meats, potatoes, carrots, and some celery." He accepted Caesarion's hand and laced their fingers together. He wasn't certain at first how the Ravokian male would react to the gesture. When he didn't try to pull away after a moment or two Aoren tightened his grip just slightly. Not uncomfortably so but enough to reassure the young man that either way they were holding hands and holding hands together.

"If you get uncomfortable just say so and we can simply walk side by side. I have made my intentions clear but I don't want to do anything you aren't ready for. I am a gentleman after all. Or at least I've been called a gentleman." He chuckled. As they walked through the area of Sacred Arch in the early evening air, as Aoren was fairly certain it was still early evening. The sun hadn't set too long after he arrived but then again who knows how much time had escaped them when they were lost in their passions?

"One house and four people. I suppose that is a decent amount. It must get rather crowded though in such a small space. I've heard there families as big as twenty people in one household in Cyphrus among the Drykas Clans. I don't know whether this is true or not as I've never been." He shook his head. "At least you have some familiar faces here in Syliras. You're not entirely alone." He was referring to the fact that they had accompanied him from Ravok. Aoren wondered for a moment what Caesarion's life in Ravok must have been like for him to want to get away so badly. He had hinted at it but he hadn't given Aoren any specifics. He blinked at Caesarion for a moment. His cheeks went scarlet as he blushed.

"W-well I suppose it can. I just wasn't sure...I..." He cleared his throat and smiled. "Yes. It can. I know you won't try anything. I won't let you." He gave Caesarion a wink. "Stormhold Citadel is another name for the inner keep of Syliras. I live underground like the majority of Sylirans in one of the apartments that the Knights provide for citizens out of the goodness of their hearts." The last part was said with only a hint of bitterness but for the most part his statement was generally sincere.

"It is not a far walk. It should only take us about fifteen chimes to get to the gates of the city and from there only a few more to get to my apartment." He rubbed the back of Caesarion's hand with his thumb before continuing onward and onto the main road leading back to the gates of Syliras.

"You're luck to have those people in your life you know. I've only ever really known one person in Syliras. She was taken from me a year ago though. She was like my sister. Always making sure my head was squarely on my shoulders. Always telling me to walk straight, live by a code of honor, treat others with compassion and she was always the one watching my back when things got difficult." He smiled as he thought of Ileera but that smile soon faded and he glanced at Caesarion.

"She's gone now though. Taken. Where? I do not know. I believe somewhere in the North." He shrugged. "I want to find her. I want to bring her back home but I do not even know where to begin. She had always wanted to travel. To see the free cities around the world. I don't think she wanted to travel that way though."

Aoren thought deeply about what he wanted. He pondered the things he wanted to do, places he wanted to see, things we wanted to experience. He wanted to become a great sage. A man of great wisdom who's counsel was sought around the world. He wanted to be a great warrior. A powerful wizard. He wanted many things. But which of these things mattered? As those thoughts wound their way into his head he looked at Caesarion for a moment.

"What is it that -you- want, Caesar?"

[Caesarion]

"You won't let me?" He pinched Aoren's neck with an almost sadistic smile on his face. Mostly, he was just playing. He admired him for being so easily capable of saying I won't let you. He didn't want to be a burden, but part of having a partner was the hope that you could rely on them. And he couldn't rely on himself when it came to keeping it in his pants. "Hehe. Goodness of their hearts. My ass." Living underground didn't sound safe, or pleasant. It was actually very nice that they provided people homes, even considering the conditions, but Caesar had too much resentment for that group to say anything good about them. He wasn't even sure why he didn't like them, now that he thought about it. Maybe it was because they all had ugly hairstyles? They were all rude and acted so superior? Ugh, it was probably the hairstyles.

He kind of smiled when Aoren said "my apartment". He wasn't sure why, but those two words kind of made him happy. Maybe because of all those teenage fantasies of... Ew, no. "Fun stuff," he replied. His voice was kind of sarcastic, but he really was expecting for it to be good fun. He just liked to downplay situations, especially the ones that made him as excited as he was right now. Couldn't look too giddy, after all.

The giddiness was kind of paused when Aoren started talking about this... girl. He didn't say her name, so he could start with that. "What was her name?" He would've liked to have something to refer to. Calling her "the girl that got away" or "that one kidnap victim" probably wouldn't make Aoren laugh. "I can't tell you that I understand what it feels like to have someone taken from you, but I'm sorry that she was. She sounds like a very good friend to have." Honestly, Lheesi was kind of like that, although he hated to admit it. He may have thought that Lheesi would probably implode without him, but it was probably the other way around. She was strong, whereas he was just... him. Aoren, on the other hand, already seemed like such a powerful and reliable person. Was it because of her teachings, or was he just always like that? Honestly, the Ravokii kind of hoped that he could learn how to be like that. He was tired of always riding other people's coattails. If he could be strong like Aoren, then that would make him very happy. "I'm not all that incapable. I'm good with a bow, a sword... I could help you find her one day, if you'd like that. Then," his voice switched to sarcasm, "we could all light the chimney together and live as a happy family with eight children mysteriously conceived by our butt pillaging."

Er, maybe that wasn't as funny as he thought it was, but it was worth a shot. Wow, wait. He was asked a difficult question. "Um..." What did he want again? It used to depend on who asked it. With Rhaenies, his dad, he wanted to help the family in any way he could, and to marry some beautiful woman, whatever. With Maenas, his mom, he wanted to explore the world and become a famous writer. With Rhaenon, his brother, he wanted to live life as a punching bag for Rhaenon to shit on whenever was necessary. It wasn't that he would change himself to fit each person, it was just better to have changeable goals than a real one that would actually be what's right for him, instead of someone else. "I want to be happy." Wait, that was horrible. Everyone wanted to be happy. Uh... "I'm sure everyone says this, but I don't care. I don't want money, I don't want power. I don't need to be strong or attractive or impressive or anything. I just want to be really special to someone. I was never ever very special to anyone."

...He thought on what he said for a moment, and then mentally slapped himself. God, that was so cheesy. The sad part was that he was really saying that from the heart. He was a romantic inside. He didn't know what he wanted. Maybe just whatever the person he cared for wanted. "Wow, that was horrid. Do you have a sword for me to fall on? I left mine at home."

[Aoren]

"Ileera. Her name is Ileera and I know that she is still alive out there somewhere." Aoren knew this in his gut. He could still feel her out there even if he couldn't find her. "And no. I won't let you." He smirked at Caesarion. Aoren brushed aside a lock of hair that fell into his face. He wasn't wearing his customary grey cap today. That was usually saved for when he was laboring around Syliras be it at Stormhold Salves, at the docks, or just running about the citadel.

"You offer to help find her is appreciated but it will be a little while longer before I am ready to leave Syliras in search of her. As a matter of fact I don't intend on staying in the city much longer. I need to learn more. I need to study more. I cannot do that here in Syliras without joining the Knighthood and I have no intention of devoting myself to the city in that manner. I plan to join a caravan headed for Zeltiva by the end of the Summer season. When the watchtower turns red I will leave in search of greater knowledge." What that knowledge was? Aoren did not quite know yet but he intended to find it. Magical or mundane he would find what he was searching for one way or another.

"You could come with me if you like. If we are still pursuing each other by that point." Aoren certainly hoped that they were. Despite, it would seem, Caesarion's lewd manner with the comment about magical children created from their...intimacy...he was an enjoyable person to be around.

"I've never been one for country cottages or simplicity." He chuckled. Aoren was an honest man. He was a man who believed in something greater. He was many things but at this point in his life he was not simple. No more was he the lost boy with not a family and no name. "Besides, Ileera would rather die on the battlefield than as a withered old hag in her bed surrounded by children. Those children would probably be fighting alongside her." He shook his head with a smile at the image. When Caesarion spoke of his simple desire Aoren could appreciate it. He didn't specify how he wanted to be happy. He didn't say how he wanted to get that happiness. He just wanted to be happy. Plain and simple. But how would he achieve that? That was not a question for him to ask. That was for Caesarion to answer.

"You are special, Caesar. You just haven't found yourself yet." He looked up from the road to find that they were coming upon the main gates of Syliras. The knights standing watch looked down at their joined hands. There were looks of disdain on their faces but they said nothing else. Aoren hailed them before they had the chance to question them both as was their routine. "My name is Aoren Skycrown. I live in the Maiden District and we are headed back to my apartment." The knights nodded though they seemed hesitant to do so. What were two travelers to them? An easy kill no matter how powerful and skilled the two of them were. When they were past the guards Aoren leaned closer to Caesarion and whispered in his ear.

"See? Now that wasn't so bad was it?"

[Caesarion]

Ileera. Hn. He knew a chick named Ileera once, but she was one of those weird Konti chicks, and she tried to scam his dad out of like a bazillion with her "magical orbs". That was the one time his father had actually said something funny, but he wasn't sure what. Just that it involved a woman with magical orbs. "I'm sure she's thinking right now about all of the ways to be as bad-arse as possible during your rescue scene. She's unsure as to whether she'll shank her captors first, or let you do the honors as she gives them a farewell speech. Mhm." That was totally random, but well... Anyway.

When Aoren talked about leaving Syliras, and soon, the young man suddenly felt a painful distaste in his gut. He didn't like the implications of that. If he was leaving so soon, then they'd never have a chance to try this whole relationship thing out. He was about to speak up and tell him that he wanted to come along, but Aoren thankfully made the offer before he could raise his concern. "I have no great attachment to this place." That he didn't. He thought he'd love it at first, but it was different than it was... well, advertised. "You can bet we'll still be pursuing each other. Even if it's in a different way, like you pursuing me through the streets trying to behead me after making a joke about your sexual performance." He was sure that wasn't going to happen... probably.

He wasn't sure what to make of Ileera's... ideology. Fighting was such a temporary solution to things. Fighting, no matter how bravely, how efficiently, wouldn't solve the real problems of the world, like the nature of the humans and other races duking it out. He didn't want to fight. He wanted to learn about the finer things, like art and literature and whatnot. It was kinda funny, since the only thing he was ever good at was fighting. "I don't know if I'd be happy in some cottage, either. I guess a part of life is not really knowing what's best for you. You're right. I just have to find myself." Now, how the heck was he going to go about that? Mizahar was a dangerous world, not the best for experimentation.

Well, he'd focus on the current experiment at the time being: romance. "I find it kind of laughable that I'm already asking you for wisdom, but you're a lot smarter than me in this regard, I'll admit that." Oh, and then came the gates. He wasn't excited about this part, and it lived up to his expectations. Aoren might have not been bothered, but he was really uncomfortable. The guards were such dicks. One of them stared at him for way too long, and the more Caesar stared back, the shorter his lifespan seemed to get. Whatever. With a smile on your face, most people won't hurt you. He learned that from... common sense, really.

As Aoren whispered to him, he whispered back. "Yes it was. I thought they were going to feed me to their broodmother." He wasn't sure if they had one, but considering the unrealistically large population here, it was a possibility. "Let's hurry to your house. I hate this place." Luckily it was nighttime. Or maybe unluckily, depending on the current itinerary of the thieves and murderers of the city. Once they had gotten a bit deeper into the city, Caesar followed the signs that directed people around. He wanted to get to Aoren's house sooner rather than later. He looked around at the closed market stalls, the lights from the windows, and the large fortress of the knights. It was much more admirable when there were less people around. "I'm tired, Aoren. Carry me with your big strong arms off to your barbarian encampment by the sea." Of course, less people around meant more spontaneous, random and sarcastic Caesar remarks. "Seriously, though, where's your house? These signs suck." Or Caesar just wasn't good with direction, whichever.