12.Apr.12, 03:08 AM
R’nd watched Talian go until he couldn’t make out the man’s figure in the darkness and turned to head for the baths like he had originally planned. He was going to do his best not to think about what had happened, knowing it would only further frustrate or sadden him. Talian was a good kid and he had every right to be angry but he had to start letting go in order to move on and find some sort of happiness again. Realizing he was starting to think about the encounter, R’nd chuckled and tried thinking about other things only to have a familiar voice float out from the shadows before the owner followed.
“Shel!” He was happy to see his friend since they hadn’t had a chance to really talk since the Hatching and so much had happened in that time but he was also worried about I’shan choosing now to appear. His fellow bluerider had a habit of showing up in critical moments and hearing too much and either making a fuss then or making a fuss later on when he could use it to his advantage. When I’shan spoke about how cute Talian was and made the crack about crazy men in bed, R’nd suppressed a groan. That confirmed it; the man had heard their conversation. “I don’t want him in bed – or any other location!” He knew how both of their minds worked and had to add in a disclaimer before I’shan, now off changing back into his clothes, could point out several other handy locations off the top of his head.
When all he received in response was a wink without even a parting word, R’nd wondered what else I’shan was up to and if he should follow to make sure Talian wasn’t harassed. But when he got a whiff of the alcohol that seemed to cling to I’shan’s very essence, R’nd stayed where he was and frowned. “Oh, Shel… he’s not worth it.” his voice had dropped to a soft whisper, knowing even as he spoke aloud he had no reason to since the man was already gone. R’nd had seen the way N’gelt left the Hatching feast, leaving I’shan devastated but he hadn’t had a chance to track down his friend and make him talk about it. Then again, given how he had met he brownrider, I’shan likely believed R’nd to be the last man to understand his pain. While that was probably true, he was still a friend first and couldn’t stand to see I’shan suffering. He’d have to find the man soon, hopefully while sober, and have a good talk.
With a sigh, R’nd turned back to the entrance, changing his mind on the relaxing soak that brought him out. Sleep seemed like the much more appealing idea after the encounters he had just gone through.
“Shel!” He was happy to see his friend since they hadn’t had a chance to really talk since the Hatching and so much had happened in that time but he was also worried about I’shan choosing now to appear. His fellow bluerider had a habit of showing up in critical moments and hearing too much and either making a fuss then or making a fuss later on when he could use it to his advantage. When I’shan spoke about how cute Talian was and made the crack about crazy men in bed, R’nd suppressed a groan. That confirmed it; the man had heard their conversation. “I don’t want him in bed – or any other location!” He knew how both of their minds worked and had to add in a disclaimer before I’shan, now off changing back into his clothes, could point out several other handy locations off the top of his head.
When all he received in response was a wink without even a parting word, R’nd wondered what else I’shan was up to and if he should follow to make sure Talian wasn’t harassed. But when he got a whiff of the alcohol that seemed to cling to I’shan’s very essence, R’nd stayed where he was and frowned. “Oh, Shel… he’s not worth it.” his voice had dropped to a soft whisper, knowing even as he spoke aloud he had no reason to since the man was already gone. R’nd had seen the way N’gelt left the Hatching feast, leaving I’shan devastated but he hadn’t had a chance to track down his friend and make him talk about it. Then again, given how he had met he brownrider, I’shan likely believed R’nd to be the last man to understand his pain. While that was probably true, he was still a friend first and couldn’t stand to see I’shan suffering. He’d have to find the man soon, hopefully while sober, and have a good talk.
With a sigh, R’nd turned back to the entrance, changing his mind on the relaxing soak that brought him out. Sleep seemed like the much more appealing idea after the encounters he had just gone through.