[Sunset Falls] A Fine Evening (Rys, Open)

[Rhuryc]

80th Day of Summer, 510AV

Rhuryc forgot how much he hated traveling. Especially during summer. His knowledge of the wilderness was equivalent to an infants, so the two and a half day hike to the Sunset falls was an advent of frustration and anger. When he set out from the gates Rhuryc neglected to purchase any form of camping supplies; food, sure, but sleep was a seldom companion when your bedding was constructed of naught but grass and your own pack. Yet his tenacity kept him afloat. On little more than meals of bread and cheese he ventured ever onward, keeping to the obvious landmarks his uncle had shown him on their old trips out of the city. The journey itself passed with little excitement and its completion held no grand spectacle, just a simple reward in the end itself.

The young man stood near the edge of the falls with an ambivalent countenance. His thoughts were impossible to gleam as he watched the majestic falls crash into the pool below, the golden hue of the setting sun caught and displayed back like a mirror of heaven itself. The constant splash of the water kept any lone observer company whilst they immersed themselves in the crisp, fresh smells of the surrounding wilderness. The sight remained one worthy of an artist's brush; the lone, coated traveler standing amongst the rocks of a natural beauty, his gaze cast upward in some peculiar contemplation lost on perhaps any but the gods. And the roll of a vagabond he did fulfill. With his sword belted to his waist and a pack slung over a single shoulder, Rhuryc could have been mistaken for some wandering blade master, not just the apprentice smith from reality. With the tough, physical build he possessed, there must have been some kind of warrior there. Or not.

Metal scrapped against leather as Rhuryc drew his sword from its sheath, the echo sprawling across the lake and deep into the wilderness. The blade of the weapon hovered in the air before the man's chest and his eyes flicked to the worn, illegible markings that decorated the flat end. What he would give to be able to read those.

[Ryshaltze]

A Drykas leaned back and sighed. The wonder of nature. Whether created from destruction or shaped by magical energy already found in the world, the beauty of nature never failed to amaze him. He had seen the symbol of Leth's lover rise and fall many times, framed against many an unfamiliar landscape. Yet, he loved to admire the journey of the orbs in the heavens, just as much as he loved music. It was a pity that he could not find any bard willing to apprentice him.

Ryshaltze lay on the grass, half-leaning on his huge cello casing and half supported by his right arm, sitting with a single knee up in a lazy manner that showed that he had all the time in the world. After all, when one had lived as long as him, there was really no hurry to rush anything, would it? Time stops for no man (at least naturally) and it'd be best to appreciate what is happening here-and-now for the experience of the present will never come back again.

There was a faint scrapping sound that came from higher up, and he turned to see the source of it. He was on the lower part of the slope on the edge of the falls, mostly hidden by the towering grass and rocks of the uneven terrain. To his left was a man looking at his blade with an expression of contemplation. Judging from his physical appearance it was mostly that he lived by the sword and would be fairly good in its utility. Which should be so, as a man lacking the knowledge of combat would most likely be suicidal in travelling to such a wild land by himself at this time of the day.

"Love the colors, eh?" He called out, wondering if the strange man shared the same appreciation of beauty.

[Rhuryc]

Rhuryc's gaze lingered upon the instrument of war. There he watched a mirror of the falls, its unique light reflected off the metallic surface and into his own eyes. For a moment he felt at peace. For once. When merged with the solid serenity of the environment, the young man's thoughts and philosophies seemed at ease to a fine point of meditation. It was this that reminded Rhuryc why it was he made this venture.

The foreign voice did well to draw the man from his stupor. He flicked his vision in the immediate direction, all the while his posture straightening in some direct conflict with the unknown. There was the shape of an individual hidden behind the various foliage; benign, perhaps, whoever it was did not appear hostile, seated as he was and in the possession of a rather large instrument. Or so it seemed. A curt nod to no one in particular lead to the sheathing of his blade and Rhuryc made a formal gesture to his companion - a slight bow and a lowering of his chin. A term of mutual respect.

"The sounds more-so." The young man spoke with a heavy baritone, the musical qualities of his voice echoed from the waters beneath. "I find it aids the mind in concentration." A grin spread itself across his lips as he spoke, his eyes lit with a subtle humor in those words.

[Ryshaltze]

It seemed that this man had a pretty good upbringing, or was simply being formal. Or courteous. Probably both. Ryshaltze did not rise from his position, but returned a two-finger salute to the man after he rose from his slight bow as an equivalent greeting and form of respect.

It was always intriguing to view the exchange between his beloved god and his lover, and it always energized the Ethaefal to view the rise of his patron divinity, not to mention being the most obvious signal of the commencement of his daily transformation. He looked like a Drykas, but when the marvelous scene framed against the waterfall in front of him was completed he would turn into one of the Celestial Fallen. Ryshaltze hoped that the man would not be overly startled, or be one to be the type to easily reach for his blade.

Gods above, maybe he's one of ours too. We'll only know when it happens, yeah?

Ryshaltze gestured at the man with one hand, "Mind an introduction of sorts? My memory finds it quite unseeming to always internally refer to you as 'The Nameless One'. I'm fine if you'd rather maintain anonymity though."

He'd not be surprised by that preference, if made, for he had met many a mysterious being who would rather stay in the shadows and remained unknown.

"I'm Ryshaltze, pleased to meet you. And would be more so if you share that same sentiment."

[Rhuryc]

"Rhuryc." He spoke without hesitance. In fact, once Rhuryc realized this new comer was benign his hand had not so as even brushed his blade's hilt. The best fights were those avoided, or so was the philosophy he preferred to practice. "Thought 'The Nameless One' is a more auspicious title." His lips curved into a smile in retort to Ryshaltze. The expression, more so than his words, were an offering of peace. Nothing spoke louder than actions after all.

Yet despite his jovial greeting, Rhuryc began his usual study of a potential opponent. Thick, muscled, and well built, the other man struck him as a warrior - a strange one, but a combatant nevertheless. He even carried himself with an air of confidence mixed with something else, albeit it was far from Rhuryc's comprehension to determine just what that unknown factor was. He ignored for the time and instead determined that he liked this person. The obvious preference for music was the last fact of endearment, judged by the rather large instrument case left where he once sat.

"Honestly, I did not believe I would find anyone else here, but I can't say I'm surprised. Seeking inspiration in the eye of the falls?" He motioned with a single to the cello.

[Ryshaltze]

Rhuryc.

Ryshaltze found that this human was that of the stoic, silent type as opposed to the more talkative (and less trustworthy) types. He appreciated beings with personality such as his, for he felt that actions definitely spoke louder than words. The subtle movements that Rhuryc performed (or more accurately, the movements that Rhuryc did not do) were caught and understood and the Ethaefal's mind was put at ease. A grandmaster of unarmed combat had once told him that the best duels were those avoided, and he believed in that saying sincerely. For what use would bloodshed and sorrow be if a more peaceful outcome could be derived?

And definitely worth more than the words of those greasy merchants promising more than their wares can deliver.

He had bad experiences regarding such transactions with certain merchants before in the past, but now was not the time to reminisce about unpleasant exchanges. It was the time to view the beginning of a daily marvel and mark of the commencement of his physical transformation.

Ryshaltze acknowledged the man's motion towards his cello case and nodded, "I usually come here to seek inspiration and peace from the usual hustle and bustle of the city crowd since I've decided that I'm going to be based here for now."

He did not seek to deceive the man, however, and since they were no longer in a civilized place with certain societal rules to follow, he supposed that there would be no harm in showing Rhuryc what his cello case really carried.

"The music I make is of a very different kind than what you'd envision however." He started to unzip his cello case.

"Do not be alarmed, my man." He did not want Rhuryc to accidentally perceive the drawing of his intimidating great sword as a challenge.

Without much ado, there was sharp clang as he drew Angra Mainyu out of its sturdy sheath - securely fastened in place inside the cello case - with a single hand and kept it raised in the air. He motioned towards it with his other hand, the massive blade reflecting the enchanting rays of the setting sun, creating a temporary - if accidental - sort of artwork.

"Don't you love moments like these?" There was a half-grin on the serene face of the Ethaefal, himself personally enjoying the visual scene directly in front of him: A large sword reflecting the rays of the sun beautifully, as it set against the frame of a large waterfall. It was like a painting, in which the painter wanted to show how the artificial can co-exist with the natural, creating a beautiful end result.

Ryshaltze sighed. He tended to read too much into art and music, but living too long can make anyone philosophical.

[Rhuryc]

Oddly, Rhuryc had found just how little he spoke this passing season. The new faces had taught him that his words were rarely wasted and seldom in supply. What a strange epiphany.

He bobbed his head in accordance with Ryshaltze's words. They confirmed what he had imagined, a reason very similar to his own journey - albeit the trek had little to do with an artistic mind. The story itself was a long, drawn out process, but suffice to say he had come to the falls for a single evening's experience. To remember, perhaps, and nestle within the comfort of nostalgia. In contemplation of his intent Rhuryc found his vision unfocused and the form of the other man became ethereal, unimportant. Once more the crashing water drew the brunt of his attention. With the sun rapidly descending a myriad of colors could be seen just beneath the fall, a miniature rainbow that only those whom knew how to look could see.

It was the sword that brought him back to reality. The warning of alarm prevented Rhuryc with withdrawing his own weapon, thankfully, but it did not ease his nerves. When Ryshaltze produced the massive hulk of a weapon Rhuryc found himself in a state of heightened awareness, one he had been taught to adapt when he feared for his life. Despite his will to perform otherwise adrenaline began to pump and the man felt felt his muscles tense. On the exterior, thought, Rhuryc merely turned his gaze with a stoic approach, his countenance unreadable. Almost.

"That." He started, flatly, "Is a big sword." In some way Rhuryc almost felt like less of a man with his blade so dwarfed in comparison. Really, he almost kicked himself for that thought. "I ah, think the moment of is lost on me. Currently I'm trying to figure out if you're going to try and stab me with that thing."

Despite the possibilities, he at least seemed content with the situation. Even with the potential stabbing.

[Ryshaltze]

Ryshaltze choked on his saliva when Rhuryc uttered that last bit. He did not know why, but he felt that remark oddly hilarious. The blade stopped gleaming when the sun finally decided to rest for the day, and his suddenly heightened senses and a whole other myriad of mysterious emotions that assaulted him confirmed that he was now an Ethaefal in the visual sense. He put down the sword and began to return it to its original position in the sheath hidden inside his cello case.

"I have no intention of doing so, Rhuryc. At least not yet." He chuckled mischievously as he uttered the last part, intending it as a joke.

He noticed that the air around the human had changed somewhat, even if his countenance had not. Whatever it was, this man had a very good control over his external expressions, and it was beyond Ryshaltze's ability to tell what the exact change was.

Nevertheless, he paused in the midst of sheathing the giant claymore, turning his head to glance at the Rhuryc's weapon. It was not the kind that normal soldiers would use. From experience, he knew that it was smaller than his but a great deal bigger than a standard longsword.

He gestured at the man's blade, and the sharp eyesight that Leth had given him caused him to find some faded markings on the sword.

"I wouldn't mind some pointers if you know how to use that, though. Pardon my curiosity, but do you mind telling me what those words say, anyway? The ones on your sword."

[Rhuryc]

Rhuryc produced a lop-sided grin in response to Ryshaltze's humor. He was about to speak himself, but his words were sharply cut-off when the sun took its final course and the other man changed. Somehow. What stood before the apprentice smith now was no longer a simple Drykas but something more. Much more. There was a celestial quality to the man, a heightened, divine light that it seemed the sun hid during its reign. Speechless, Rhuryc could only stare as his mind attempted to comprehend what had happened in just a few moment's passing.

So it was that Ryshaltze went about his activities without hesitance while Rhuryc watched in some muffled form of awe. Really. That did not happen every day. Or any day that he remembered. Whatever. As the divine touched begin spoke again, Rhuryc was able to shake himself from his stupor, but both his words and mannerisms were beset with a bemused expression. The witty, idle banter that was to be expected gave way to a less-than eloquent conversation.

"I, ah." He paused momentarily as he attempted to collect his thoughts. "Don't know. Too faded to read. Top says Naravane, though, name of the sword and the family name." At least he managed to stammer that much.

"Really, though, if you don't mind, could you explain the whole physical shift. Thing. The horn. You know. Kind of." Although the change in subject was sudden, it was in no way unwarranted. "Strange."

[Ryshaltze]

Ryshaltze observed the human with a bemused grin when the usual stoic, witty demeanor dissolved into a stumbling, confused one. He tended to have that effect on people unfamiliar with his race, and even more so on the ladies. Though he was not exactly welcome of that since women tended to either hate or love his unearthly appearance due to jealousy or physical attraction respectively.

"I'm an Ethaefal, my good man. Leth is my chosen divinity, and as such I return to my actual form when He reigns supreme. When Leth gives way to his lover, Syna, I adopt the physical appearance of my previous male incarnation, which is that of a Drykas." He continued, "Though what you see isn't what you get, huh?"

The ethereal masterpiece chuckled and explained further, "I cannot tell you more, for I do not know the details myself, but I was one of Leth's chosen to break out of Lhex's grasp, but for some reason I find myself back on this earthly realm." He wanted to continue with his signature phrase 'such is life', but he did not want to seem overly dejected about this. Negative emotions tended to be contagious, and he did not want infect the mood.

"Going back to the previous subject, that would mean that you'd be addressed more properly as 'Rhuryc Naravene', am I right to say so? That is a finely crafted blade you have there." He complimented the man, for the family sword was indeed a marvelous creation with great attention paid to details. How it would hold up in actual combat, however, he did not know for he could not tell if it was supposed to be a sword meant to be fought with or simply an ornamental one, as most family swords usually are.