[Rearing Stallion] Half-Formed Plans (Aren)

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

He quickly covered his windmark up again. Until they got to the Sea of Grass, he supposed there was no need to be showing it off still. Looking over Aren once more, he felt immensely better at the idea of having the huge warrior on his side should they run into bandits or monsters along the way, which was entirely likely. He considered going out to find Aiken again, if possible, to see if the kelvic wanted a change of scenery. It was unlikely a kelvic would charge out of nowhere to help him take out a predatory, but if he made his own providence by seeking the wolf-man out... "There are seven horseclans," he said, filling his soon-to-be companion in on his culture. "Named after seven of Semele's gifts. I'm part of the Sapphire Clan, or was. The pavilion... it's like a traveling group. An extended family. Smaller than the horseclan, but not too small. My grandfather was the Ankal of our pavilion, our leader. I suppose... gosh, I suppose if I go back, I'll either have to hope someone adopts me into another pavilion or... rebuild my own." His brown eyes widened at that. It was a greater and graver responsibility than he had ever dared consider. "I suppose... oh, I suppose... we could leave at Midsummer. The 45th? Serena would probably appreciate a bit of notice before I bugger off and leave her one stablehand short. Would that... would that give you time to take care of your business here?"

[Aren]

The cultural lesson was certainly interesting, but it didn't help with explaining that mark that Sam had shown Aren. Was it some type of identification? Like the markings of the Cerulean? Hopefully not; there were enough psychopaths on this trip already, even if he didn't rear his ugly head too often. "Midsummer... sounds good." The 45th. Almost twenty days; plenty of time to tie up any loose ends. "I suppose I'll see you at the gates then," said the Akalak, as he extended his hand towards the young man sitting next to him. "So, we're going home. Been awhile." Aren felt a wicked smile at the back of his mind, and he didn't like the fact that bastard was peeking out of his hole now, of all times. "Keep it to yourself," he snapped back, but as he felt that smile in the darkness once again, he realized the irony of that statement. "Just... be quiet."

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"Midsummer," he said, shaking the Akalak's strong hand, feeling safer already for that strength being on his side. He wondered if there would be a time where he would see that scythe in action. He also wondered if Aren would let him practice pickpocketing him if he promised to give it all back. The again hidden windmark symbolized only his bond with dead Hasieran, the strider stallion who had died in defense of the seven year old man, Sama'el, who had died with his pavilion, leaving only Sam behind. Sam the slave. "Well, I wasn't expecting that."

[Aren]

OOC :

Don't know if you realized, but dialogue that's in bold means that Aren's other personality is talking to him. Blue italics mean Aren is talking to himself, or more commonly, to his other half. Just for future reference.

Aren readied to leave, as he should probably have been resting, even now; he had simply needed to get out of the house for awhile. Tomorrow, however, was going to be a long day and the stubbornness of Syliran Knights was bound to make it seem even longer. Perhaps not though, perhaps he'd be pleasantly surprised. Not likely, but one could always hope. Shaking his head, the Akalak gladly stood from his stool, which was much too small for him to comfortably sit in it, even if it hadn't been an uncomfortable hunk of wood to begin with. After stretching his legs for a moment, and rubbing his half-numbed butt cheeks, Aren headed towards the Rearing Stallion's door. "Try not to get into too much trouble, Sammy," he said with a smile, looking back for a moment at the interesting young man he'd met. Even though he knew better, the Akalak sincerely hoped the trip would prove to be an uneventful one. No stampedes, no glassbeak packs... no forest fires. Now wasn't the moment to worry about that stuff, though. How it was even possible he still felt tired from the past five days, Aren simply didn't know, but he knew what his body told him. "'Damn..." he muttered, "...reimancy," he mumbled.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

OOCI figured it out. Sam was suitably impressed by the massive bulk of the Akalak warrior, even if he did seem to move like a weary giant. The idea of this trip had been unconscious until he had spoken it aloud in jest, and now it seemed like the gods were throwing help into his path to make it happen. So this was what was supposed to happen. Perhaps. He smiled and waved. "I'll meet you outside the gates on the morning of the 45th. If you need to find me before then, I work at the Windmount Stables. Get some rest." It certainly looked like he needed it, and he would need it even more to complete the arduous journey ahead.

[Aren]

Aren acknowledged Sam with a wave, but he didn't turn around. "The gates, the 45th, the stables," he reiterated. He did notice that the young man had chosen to remains silent about any advice to stay of trouble. The Akalak smiled, knowing that likely meant he may have been planning to do just the opposite. Sam had the right idea suggesting rest, and as Aren crossed the threshold of the Rearing Stallion, the cool night air didn't help things any. It was almost inviting him to sleep. His body felt heavy... heavier than it did this morning. It was a feeling he had become all too familiar with in the past few days. It made the Akalak wonder if Wystern was ready for the curse magic brought, along with it's amazing gifts. Again, however, Aren had to remind himself that he was going to find that curse, one way or another. The thoughts on his mind worried him, and he knew they wouldn't be conducive to a good night's rest, and so the Akalak did his best to shake them off. Tomorrow would be another day, and he would face those concerns when he got to them. Things sometimes worked themselves out, perhaps, if he was lucky, this would be one of those times. And so, Aren headed home to his cozy little place in the castle, a place a few days ago he never wanted to see again. Now, he could imagine it's walls embracing him like a warm blanket.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

END

[Dusk]

XP Award! Samael XP Award: Observation: 1 XP Lore Award: Rolling Drunks, Sharing Your Heritage Aren XP Award: Observation: 1 XP Lore Award: Whimsical Journeys Additional Note Hey guys! Sorry, not much XP to give for this since it was a short set-up scene, but I hope you had summer fun!