[Outside Endrykas] Outriding (Denen)

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"I apologize. That was ... strange. I suppose it was an intuitive observation more than anything. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." Sam himself was not feminine, though he was quite young and it showed. He fought, he hunted, he worked with the animals, but he was only really good at riding, and that was a unisex endeavor. It felt so strange to be out of practice with his native culture: the language, the customs, the littlest things that one didn't even think about until one had messed them up. "I'm sorry," he repeated. "I didn't mean that as a... I don't know. You are just very kind and I appreciate that."

[Denen Sunsinger]

Denen shook his head, biting his lower lip. "You haven't made me uncomfortable. I'm just...not accustomed to compliments. They mean a lot to me when I receive them." He tucked a loose strand of hair behind his ear, offering a shy smile. Denen tried to ignore the fact that he wasn't exactly masculine. It made him feel less than useful. His father had been disappointed in him. He never said it, but Denen knew it. They were healers, yes, but his older brothers were strong, like Stone himself was strong. Each of them was fit to be an Ankhal, and Denen knew that such a role would never be his. He supposed he would be content to just be a healer, even if that meant he never got to have a pavilion of his own. "Please, don't apologize. It was kind of you to say. Kind words should never be followed by an apology. Thank you, Sam." He ruffled Reth's mane, and then looked back to the other. "How long have you been back?"

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"Only a couple of weeks," he signed, only too glad to gloss over the more intimate talk. "[i]I'm still feeling out of place. I suppose it will just take time. And friends." He flashed a shy smile at the last. It was good to have companions; it was only that he was unused to it. Unlike Denen, he did have the drive to become an Ankal. He might be young now, but he would age. He might not be as strong as his wolf kelvic, but Endrykas would hone him like a blade, he hoped. And perhaps one day he and Denen would become blood-brothers, and then there would be a healer in his little pavilion.

[Denen Sunsinger]

Denen nodded, giving a quiet smile. Only a few weeks, and already Sam seemed more ambitious than Denen could ever dream of being. "I will be more than happy to help you, Sam," he informed. After all, what else did the boy have? He didn't want to live in his father's pavilion for the rest of his life, but he didn't expect or desire to ever marry. Girls were nice and everything, but not exactly Denen's cup of tea. Looking to Sam, he felt hope. Perhaps, if things went well, Sam would let him join his pavilion. It would be better than being by himself for the rest of his life.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

END

[Tundris]

Sam'ael +2 Storytelling +1 Riding +1 Leadership Lores: Grassland Sign: Fluent, Friendly Drykas Greetings, Protecting the Heart, The Sorrow of Remembered Loses, Learning to Trust a Helping Hand, History of Denen Brokensong, Getting Back in Touch with One's Culture Denen +2 Storytelling +1 Riding Lores: Friendly Drykas Greetings, Curious Strangers, Accepting One's Purpose, Drykas Independence, History of Sam'ael, Drykas Injustice, Being a Helping Hand, Learning to Gain Trust Notes: I LOVED the use of grassland sign in this, it really makes you choose words carefully, making them really direct and to the point. You're both such skilled writers I loved reading this. Denen your character is a beatifully unconventional male drykas, I can't tell you how intriguing and awesome I find this. Thank you for breaking down the norms!