Men who play games of war and soldiers born from circumstance... MAIN PROFILES ALBUMS STORIES EXTRAS LINKS Scroll 04 : 04 The tall Captain smirks. “And I am feeling …something.” More than just something, what he feels is in no way good for his health especially considering the consequences of even the actions he’s already taken. Mismatched blue and green shift away from Sav’real’s gaze once again and wanders back over to rest on the crackling fire, his voice falling low. “If I could purge these thoughts from my mind I would. I am beginning to suspect I desire something that is unattainable… and even if he were attainable, still completely forbidden to me regardless which is something I have never had the problem of before…” a small sigh passes from in-between full lips as he pulls his arms free of his knees and slides them down to cross at his front, leaning back a moment later onto his palms. “Countless men and women have passed me by, countless people who have desired my attentions… some I have given, others I have not, but the thoughts for me were all fleeting, nothing deeper than the physical and never enough to hold me for very long. Yet this one… how foolish.” Another smirk forms on his mouth and he shakes his head. “It would have been better if my interest had simply been as I first thought it to be.” “That, unfortunately, is something I have no advice for. I would tell you to follow your heart, since it rarely speaks up like this, but yeah, I kinda like you alive just as I’m sure you like being that way. I also think if he really was the type to just go running to her, that’s not the type you’d want to be with and therefore who you are actually interested in doesn’t exist.” Sav’real shrugs. “All I can suggest is just talk to the guy again, solidify it. Maybe if he’s just a blind follower to our Queen it’ll lessen what you feel.” He smirks. “Under different circumstances, I think you two’d be good together.” Bal’thial can’t help laughing at his comrade’s words and for the first time in weeks, far behind him, his men turn hopeful eyes back towards the pair that only goes un-noticed by the white haired man. “Under different circumstances my friend, you just might have been right…” Taloned feet click against red marble as the small feathered creature walks through the vast halls towards the Queen’s chambers, escorted by the silent white haired figure that follows closely behind. Bal’thial’s mood had improved in the slightest as their journey continued, the usual merriment and sense of camaraderie returning quickly amongst his men. But as their return grew closer, that cold distance once again crept back into blue and green eyes and soon the tall Captain’s words became near nonexistent only away miles from their home. Sav’real spares a quick glance up towards his friend, the gesture not returned as the other man’s mismatched gaze remains fixed to his front while each new step brings them closer to the chambers resting at the far end of the hall. The doors are soon opened and their Queen smiles as she welcomes them home and into her chamber. Kso’ppghiel does his best to avoid pacing in front of the Captain’s room. He was allowed away from Io’fayl’s sight so long as he left his sword and wore the mask that has since been relieved of the heaver enchantments. As much as he hates complying, he needs to see him, he needs to get this out of his mind and be done with it. The instant he’d heard Bal’thial had returned, he’d begun stalking his room. The few guards that had attempted to come near him were quickly thwarted by growls and threatening glances, not one of them wanting to risk bodily harm from the Queen’s apparent chosen. Mismatched eyes are lowered and the tall Captain’s head is bowed as he remains near the entrance while Sav’real steps completely into their Queen’s room and as her intelligence officer begins conversing, the white haired man spares a quick glance up to sweep over the large room only to find her Harbinger nowhere in sight. His gaze slides over to Io’fayl’s bed, resting momentarily on the swords secured against the wall before he lowers his eyes once again towards the floor, finding himself mildly confused as to why her chosen isn’t close by. When the conversation is over, Sav’real looks back towards his friend with mild concern. This Kso’ppghiel business is really affecting him and eventually, if something doesn’t change, their Queen’s going to notice. He startles the Captain slightly as he moves towards the exit, silently shoving him along as the doors close behind and giving him a look of sympathy as the two travel down to Bal’thial’s quarters. The sound of shifting armor reaches his ears and Kso’ppghiel pulls himself into an alcove, waiting for the two to reach the end of the hall. Clawed fingers reach down to ruffle blue feathers just as they reach his chamber doors and he smirks. “Do not concern yourself too much my friend…” mismatched eyes meet serpentine blue and he offers the one besides him a small smile for the first time in days. “I will sort myself out before I am ever noticed.” Pulling his hand away from Sav’real’s head, Bal’thial moves into his room soon after, the soft clicking of his doors leaving the small creature in the hall alone. “I need to speak to him…” Kso’ppghiel’s quiet words startle the little creature and he jumps with a yelp. “But I do not know exactly what to say…” Sav’real takes a few moments to get his racing heart under control before turning to the Queen’s Harbinger, seated in an alcove to his side. “You scared the crap out of me…” The small creature turns, walking tentatively towards the blonde, not exactly sure what kind of man he’ll be dealing with. He knew the Queen hadn’t gotten to him yet, the Harbinger would be all anger and violence if he wanted nothing to do with Bal’thial anymore. “I guess it depends on what you want to talk to him about. He’s reasonable; you should know this by now. Just try…” He shrugs. “Can’t be any worse than it is currently.” Sav’real turns to walk away, ignoring Kso’ppghiel’s look of confusion. “He’s a good guy; don’t make this more difficult for him…” The blonde narrows his eyes at the comment. Difficult for him? Why? He rises slowly, completely unprepared for any sort of conversation but knowing there is no other way to stop these strange thoughts. If the Captain refuses to talk to him… he’s not quite sure what to do. He stands in front of the heavy door, claw tips pressing on the wood for several minutes, wondering if this is even a good idea. He has never been as unsure of himself as he is when it has to do with this man. Long braided plaits spill down the Captain’s back as he strips off the heavy tunic beneath the armor already shed and throws it towards the growing pile near his wardrobe with a soft sigh, the quiet chime of metal adornments capping long horns ringing softly from his movements as he turns towards his bed and scoops up a linen wrap to drape around his muscular frame. He hasn’t been back in days, spent most of the mission preparing himself for this return and what he would be back to, yet two steps into his Queen’s chambers sent him on a path of indiscretion that could have cost him dearly if his eyes had lingered longer than they actually had. He needs to get a hold of himself, find a way to purge the thoughts pertaining to her chosen from his mind because if he doesn’t get it together soon… Perhaps Sav’real was right and it will be easier if he does see the Harbinger at her side, following her around like a love sick dog and no different than all her others because then he’ll know for sure he’d simply judged the other man wrong and will be able to look at him the way he looks at all others; nothing worth his time… Movement on the other side of his door catches his attention and pulls the white haired man from his thoughts, and annoyed sort of look crossing his features as he turns and moves towards the entrance while clawed hands begin twisting the ties to the wrap now draping him. The door opens abruptly before Kso’ppghiel has a chance to knock and he finds himself face to face with annoyed blue and green eyes that instantly look away the moment he does. He doesn’t know if he can do this, he doesn’t even know what he’s doing or what to say. Maybe it is a bad idea after all –this coming here to speak with Bal’thial. He’s annoyed, he’s angry and he’s hurt, all because of this man and he simply wants it out of his head. White eyes narrow as he forces himself to bring them back to the one in front, his annoyed words muffled through the mask. “We must talk.” A single snow colored brow quirks at the Harbinger’s demand, the tall Captain forcing his gaze back to lock with irritated white. The blonde is lucid surprisingly and Bal’thial takes a quick note of the missing enchantments adorning the mask that contains him, only helping to confirm that he did indeed misjudge. Their Mistress would never have done this if she wasn’t confident of her control over the other man which can only mean one thing… “As our Queen’s chosen wishes…” the Captain says flatly, stepping aside to allow the Harbinger access to chambers he’s been in countless times before.

Ish'talla is a co-created story written by Nezumi and Syrinxfox and is (C)2009 to us both. All related characters, images and artwork may not be used, copied or taken in any way without written permission.