Men who play games of war and soldiers born from circumstance...
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“I appreciate it, but I will need to speak with my companion on the matter first. We are anxious to get to my home village.” Kso’ppghiel knows what the white haired Captain would say if he suggested the idea. While sleep was nice, Bal’thial would want them as far away as possible from the creatures. He also knows the younger one would prefer he stick around as long as possible. White eyes look back towards Yu’seal’s barely conscious form as he sits to Bal’thial’s front. He feels the older creature’s concern is warranted, he did not look good. “I hope you are correct. It would not be just her that suffered if he did not survive.” Mismatched eyes stare ahead rather blankly, the tall Captain doing his best to keep himself awake by focusing in on the irregular breathing at his front from a man he’s not sure will survive the choice he’s made. Every breath his old friend takes grows weaker, each intake accompanied now by a soft wheezing that sounds as if the sickness as sunken deep down inside of his lungs. Beneath him the ever growing shadow he knows to be the older of the two creatures’ shifts and before him, riding with the one he loves is the younger –content to have that ‘piece of himself’ she’d managed while continuously saying things that worry him more and more. The village is less than an hour’s ride ahead and for every step their horses take, he finds himself increasingly impatient for this entire ordeal to end. The burden they’d placed upon both he and the Harbinger is more than any man should have to bear and the toll it’s now taking on a person he used to call ‘friend’ may very well prove to become a dept he’ll owe without hope to repay until the day he dies. “T… hia…” the mercenary’s whisper is almost lost amongst his wheezing as he pulls Bal’thial from his scattered thoughts and soon mismatched eyes slide down to meet silvery gray that have taken on the slightest hinting of a glow. “Will… you remember… me if… if I don’t… liv-“ “No matter the outcome, Yu’sa.” The white haired man interrupts as he returns blue and green eyes ahead. “You will always be remembered as a friend…” The faintest of smiles forms on Yu’seal’s lips as he allows his eyes to slide shut when he finds his lids too heavy to keep open, leaning back against the one behind him and content to know that even if he dies, there’s one person in the world that will carry him in their thoughts somewhere. Far ahead, the small girl reaches back to pull the tied lock of hair over her slim shoulders, deep eyes glancing at it when she finally speaks “I do not understand… if our new companion does not survive, will you be saddened?” “Yes.” But in ways Kso’ppghiel does not think she will understand. He will be sadder for Bal’thial, rather than the creatures or Yu’seal. He will be sad that the Captain will blame himself for Yu’seal’s death should it happen and that is a burden he should not have to bear. “I do not wish for Yu’seal’s death and I do not wish you to be without a companion, but I also do not wish my own companion to take upon himself things that are beyond his control.” If Yu’seal does not survive, they cannot stay, they cannot help them find another and he does not think either creature would allow them to simply leave, especially the older one. She would most likely take it upon herself to attempt to claim Bal’thial once more, which would result in killing both Captain and Harbinger as they would fight until the very end to stop it. The woods begin to clear as they reach an empty dirt road, the blonde remembering a few of the landmarks they pass from their first journey up nearly a week ago. The village was close and he couldn’t be happier at the prospect of this coming to an end. Dark eyes glance back to stare at the white haired man and his charge as the village grows closer, catching his tired blue and green gaze and holding it for a few moments longer before she decides to look away. Settling back against the Harbinger, she sighs softly. “He is a good companion. I want our new companion to be as good to us as yours is to you and you are to him. I hope that I have chosen right…” “I am sure you have. Yu’seal is a good man.” The closer they reach, the more anxious Kso’ppghiel is finding himself. Soon, the neglected wooden arch that marks the entrance to the creature’s town comes into view. A sigh of relief leaves the blonde’s lips and he trots on ahead at a slightly faster pace. The dawn sun slowly moves into morning and heats up the world around them as they move along. “You are nearly home now…” Behind the Harbinger and his charge, the mercenary’s eyes snap open to reveal glowing orbs directed up towards the white haired man. A loud cry of pain streams from his lips and he flails so suddenly that his movements startle the steed they ride, sending the creature back while Bal’thial attempts to pull the reigns in order to calm it while still maintaining his hold over his struggling friend. “We must get to the square” the small girl says matter-of-factly as both slow enough to watch the scene playing out behind. “he is losing his form and it will be easier for him to transition if we are there.” Kso’ppghiel stops his horse abruptly; jumping off to the dirt covered ground and racing over to Bal’thial’s horse. “She says to take you to the square, just hold him.” He receives a nod from the Captain as the blonde grabs hold of the reigns and he drags them along at a run, the small girl removing herself from the horse behind and following. As they reach the square, Bal’thial jumps down, carrying Yu’seal’s now seizing form and lies him down carefully on the ground before grabbing hold of Kso’ppghiel and pulling them both back. The shadowy shape of the older creature slides beneath them as they continue to move away while the mercenary’s body convulses against the broken brick ground, Yu’seal’s movements coming to an abrupt end soon after the shadow slides below. Silvery gray eyes snap open as a loud gasping cry spills into the air just as his darkened skin suddenly bursts into ash and crumbles down, sinking into the shadowed ground a moment later. The small girl moves out from behind both Captain and Harbinger as they look on while all traces of the mercenary begins to fade from view. Dark eyes stare at the spot the man had just been for a few moments herself before the shadowed creature begins to fade as well and soon a small smile forms on her lips when she speaks. “He has survived.” Mismatched eyes take a moment to pull away from the place his friend had been before he slides his gaze to the child standing near the Harbinger’s side, his tone flat and rather abrupt. “Then our bargain has been fulfilled.” Pulling his hand free of the blonde’s body, he turns to walk back towards the horses that are standing still somewhere behind. White eyes follow Bal’thial’s form for a moment before shifting down to where Yu’seal once was, no trace of the man left for him to see. He stares speechless for a moment then turns to the child, kneeling down to meet her eyes. “It is time for us to leave. You have your companion, now I must go with mine. Thank you for your help, I would not still have him if it was not for you. Take care of each other, child.” Kso’ppghiel stands, taking one last glance at the ground before turning to walk away. The small girl stares at the Harbinger for a moment as he continues to move away, all the way to the point where the white haired man has mounted his horse before she lurches forward and runs for him. Petite hands reach out to wrap around his and she tugs back lightly to stop him, finding the taller man’s gaze sliding down to meet her dark eyes. “Please do not go. You both need sleep and she will be with him while he recovers so I am alone. I will protect you both.” Kso’ppghiel gives her a small smile, hiding his slight nervousness that either she won’t let him go or Bal’thial will step in and attempt to remove the child by force. He shakes his head. “We cannot. We need food and supplies. There is none here. I am sorry, I must go with my companion.” White eyes turn away, not wanting to see the child hurt by him leaving as he gently pulls his hand from hers. Clawed fingers slip from her small hands before she drops her arms to her sides, deep eyes watching the Harbinger as he continues towards the other man and the three horses ahead. Her gaze falls to the ground beneath her and she nods just a little, her voice quiet and low. “I… understand.” Kso’ppghiel mounts his horse a few moments later and Bal’thial pulls back on the reigns, mismatched eyes taking one last look at both the stationary child and the spot behind her his friend had been before turning towards the path that lies behind, a single kick delivered sending his animal galloping away. Turning his horse as well, white eyes glance back to catch the girl’s deep gaze and she smiles a sad smile right before she speaks. “I …will not forget.” The blonde nods, quickly pulling his own eyes away before turning towards the path, a kick of his own sending his steed after the Captain’s immediately after. Both men leaving the young child like creature all alone.
Several hours later, the pair reaches a small, newly built town just south of N’taiya. Kso’ppghiel rides up to Bal’thial’s side, barely able to keep his eyes open as he speaks. “I want to be fully rested when we visit my family. We need sleep and supplies and I need you entirely to myself for a day. We need to stop.” Bal’thial nods a tired nod, pulling back on the reigns to slow the horse he rides before directing the animal towards the town. “Then we will stop…” mismatched eyes slide over to meet white and he sighs. “My head is full and I fear that I will fall from my horse if we do not rest soon. I want nothing more than to spend the next day’s time in a soft bed with you at my side.” He smiles. Kso’ppghiel returns the smile and soon both men are moving past the town’s barely weathered entrance towards the inn standing tall only a few yards in. The innkeeper and patrons barley give them any notice as they commandeer their room, stopping at the tavern end to pick up hot food before slowly finding their way up the stairs. Both men sigh as they stumble through the door to their room, dropping their things and falling onto the plush mattress. “It is… finally done.” Kso’ppghiel groans, fighting the heavy closing of his eyes. There is one thing he wanted to do first before they finally slept. Pushing himself weakly off the bed as Bal’thial makes a half-hearted protest, the Harbinger stumbles over to their things, reaching into his bag and pulling out a small but ornate wooden box and bringing it back over as he sits down heavily. “He had said he wanted us to wait until he was gone before we opened it. Yu’seal was your friend…” He hands the Captain the box. Metal adornments capping winding horns chime softly as Bal’thial pushes his body up, the effort of that alone harder than he’d ever imagined it would be. Crossing his legs to his front, clawed fingers run over the intricate carvings covering the box, mismatched eyes following his movements while the blonde watches just the same. “So this was the heirloom he gave you…” he says more to himself than to the other, pulling a slow nod of confirmation from Kso’ppghiel. His thoughts on Yu’seal and the recent events are so jumbled at the moment, the mercenary’s departure abrupt and sudden. On one hand he’d wanted to stay in that village, to have that child like creature show them that his old friend was really and truly okay and that he’d be happy in the new life he, himself had practically thrust upon him. But on the other he’d had a desperate need to get away from there after watching him turn to dust right before his eyes –the slight fear that not only had his friend not actually have survived, but the older of the two would still find a way to change her mind to keep them there with her attempts of dooming them to the same fate so he couldn’t stand still a second longer just waiting for it to happen. It still bothers him though… leaving the way that they did with no true goodbyes and no finalizations said. He knows that the departure bothered the Harbinger as well, but he has yet to have found a way to speak of it, and in truth he is so tired from lack of sleep, that he wants nothing more than to curl up with the blonde in his arms and let the sweet abyss of sleep drown out the thoughts he has not been able to stop since they’d left that square. But before he can do that, there is this… a family treasure that Yu’sa had been keeping secret in all the years he’d known him, bequeathed to them for reasons he’ll most likely never learn from his friend’s mouth himself. Tracing over the top one final time, the tall Captain hooks the tips of his clews beneath the latch and flicks it open. Lifting the lid soon after, both men find a set of patterned amber stones resting inside. Mismatched eyes slide over the details of the stones, the intricate surfaces and warm glow nothing he’s ever seen in all of his travels. “Well… it looks like he had really been holding out on me all these years…” Kso’ppghiel nods before reaching for one, the white haired man taking the other and just as he’s setting the box down in between them and the two stones are lifted together, a soft flickering sparks briefly in the center of each. “What… is…?” He starts as he turns the one in his hand, the glow fading when it’s pulled away from the other. Blue and green eyes flick over to the other and he pushes the stone forward, the glow immediately rekindling the moment the two amber stones meet. “This… is beautiful.” He whispers while he watches the light emanate from the amber they hold, the stones themselves growing warm and comfortable to the touch. “I have never seen a stone do this…” “Nor have I.” Kso’ppghiel agrees in confusion as the stones continue to glow when pushed close. “Yu’seal had said something to the point of ‘if what he thinks will happen, happens, he will know I was the one’. I was unsure of what he meant. He had said he wanted to give it to you, but the timing was never right.” He places his stone in Bal’thial’s hand, the glow ceasing as soon as he lets go. “By this I am to assume it happens only when each holds their own, though I am not sure what or why.” The blonde picks a stone back up, the spark rekindling as he does so. He smiles slightly as he reaches out, clawed fingers traveling lightly through tangled white hair. “We will need to find a female to redo your braids, perhaps we can find a jeweler who can make these into necklaces for us.” A tired smile forms on the tall Captain’s lips and he sets the softly glowing stone back into the box with one hand, while reaching out to cover the Harbinger’s with his own and slide clawed fingers free of his hair. Tilting his head to the side and touching full lips to the palm of the other man’s hand, mismatched eyes close soon after. “We will find these things and more…” reopening his eyes without relinquishing the hold he maintains, Bal’thial’s gaze slides back up to meet white. “Once we have found sleep. I would hate to allow another in here to tend to this hair of mine and then find myself unable to remain awake to see what has been done.” He laughs softly. “This idea is good.” Kso’ppghiel smiles as he takes the box from Bal’thial’s hand and places it down on the nightstand. He takes a few moments to pull them both from their tunics before laying down against the soft mattress, the Captain’s arm around him soon after as they quickly drift off to sleep.
 The taller man leans in; full lips touching as he kisses the one below softly while fingers continue to play idly in snow colored hair. “That I did…” tilting his head to the side, he traces along the line of the other man’s mouth with his own before claiming another brief kiss. “And you… I trust… slept well in return?” “In this real bed with you by my side? Of course.” Kso’ppghiel muses. “Though I fear we have already missed most of the day, the chance of us finding a hairdresser or jeweler may be lost. I may have to take on the task of cleaning and arranging your locks myself before they become too tangled.” Their lips meet again as the blonde leans up in the slightest. “I am… happy to have you to myself once more. Perhaps I feel the need to keep you that way a little longer.” Bal’thial grins a little slyly, clawed fingers tracing down the line of the Harbinger’s torso as their lips are separating again. “Taking on the task of tending to my hair will not be an easy endeavor…” he teases as he reaches Kso’ppghiel’s waist, tracing down towards his back. “Especially for hands that are skilled mainly in war.” he flattens his palm against the small of the blonde’s back before slipping in between long legs, suddenly pulling the other man’s body free of the bed to slide him into his lap. Mismatched eyes lock with white as the Harbinger’s own fingers tangle in his hair when built chests meet and he smiles, tilting his head up just slightly to steal another taste of his lips. “Though as it is very late and we have slept most of the day away, it will be a little harder to find a woman willing to take on the task…” claw tips travel around structured hips to wrap around Kso’ppghiel’s thighs, his movements pulling the softest of sounds from the blonde’s mouth. “Not impossible, I am sure… but I am finding again that I think I will enjoy having your hands, and yours alone tending to this hair of mine.” A small but wicked smile forms on the Harbinger’s lips. “If I remember correctly when we were arriving, they will bring heated water to your room for an extra fee and there is a provided basin for bathing. Though I feel something will have to be done to warrant your hair needing to be cleaned and tended to.” Bal’thial pulls their hips together harshly, a small moan leaving them both. The blonde bites down on the Captain’s lower lip as his back is lowered to the mattress, the taller man keeping their bodies close in the movement. White strands cascade around as their mouths lock together in a passionate kiss. Clawed fingers waste no time reaching the ties of the other’s pants, exposing hard flesh as both men move to fulfill a desire they have not been able to fully enjoy alone for almost a week. The Harbinger arches up against the one above, clawed hands reaching to grip tightly in flowing snow colored strands as the Captain’s body thrusts deeply into his own. Low moans spill into the surrounding air, one free and unabashed while the other is muffled only a little against the heated skin of the shorter man’s neck as Bal’thial remains wrapped by tight flesh for as long as he can possibly manage until slowly, he begins to pull himself free. White eyes clench, the grip he maintains growing harsher as the blonde works to keep himself grounded while the one above almost slips away before a sudden, harsh movement snaps their bodies together all over again. Short, panting breaths leave Kso’ppghiel’s lips as the Captain’s thrusts continue to slowly drive into him, the pace arduously slow and keeping both men highly on edge. Sweat begins to slick heated bodies, the friction heightening everywhere they touch as they continue to try to meld with the other. Bal’thial’s fingers move beneath the small of the Harbinger’s back, pushing hips closer as he penetrates deeper, the moan that leaves the blonde’s lips quiet in his ear before sharp fangs bite down of soft flesh. Clawed hands grip harshly around structured hips, the strangled cry that’s torn from the white haired man’s mouth when teeth sink deep echoing loudly throughout the small room. The resulting thrusts come hard and deep and as the Harbinger’s blood stained lips slip away from the other man’s ear and his face sinks down against Bal’thial’s neck, the last of both their control shatters with the movements to send them toppling over a paper thin edge that breaks in one shuddering jolt. Long legs spread wide as the taller man snaps in one final time to take him in as far as he can go, their moans commingling as liquid heat soon warms both inside and out. Both bodies remain locked against one another for long moments after release has taken them, the sounds of their combined heavy breathing continuously filling the air until finally the tall Captain begins to pull back. Mismatched eyes quickly find white as clawed fingers rise up to push sweat dampened locks away from his face and he smiles down at the blonde while his own hands slide away from Kso’ppghiel hips to find their resting spots at both sides of his head. “I think…” he starts while the one below him continues to comb through long strands, his breathing still labored as he speaks. “…that this was a good excuse to warrant you tending to my hair…”
 “Hmm…” the taller man starts as his head drops back long enough to steal a quick kiss from the man behind him. “Then we will have to go pay a visit to that jeweler once the sun rises again…perhaps they might even be able to tell us why they react the way that they do when we hold them. I have not sensed any real magic emanating from them and in truth… I have little desire to return to that town, seek my old friend out once again and ask him myself…” clawed hands slide down soap thickened strands and he drops his head forward, the softest hinting of a coy smile forming on his lips as strong fingers continue to clean through his hair. “I do find however… that I am on the verge of calling that young woman back in here to take over this task simply to see the reactions she will elicit within yourself as she does so.” Kso’ppghiel smirks. “I have a feeling much of our lives are going to be spent seeing who can make the other more jealous and possessive. Sadly, I find little wrong with this.” He chuckles. “She has already offered to take on the task of braiding as I had asked where we could find someone willing. Seemed overly enthusiastic as well.” The blonde’s smiles fades slightly as his fingers comb through soapy strands absently. “While I do not wish to return to that town, I did not like our abrupt departure. I would have preferred to know if your old friend was well in his new form and that the girl understood our need to leave. Though I am unsure it could have been any other way, but it still did not sit well with me.” Blue and green eyes reopen slowly, the taller man’s smile fading as he stares ahead while clawed hands work through his hair. “I apologize…” he says finally, his voice rather low. “For the abruptness of our departure, I am sorry. While I was concerned about Yu’sa and what was becoming of him as we watched him turn to dust before our eyes… I found myself more concerned over that child’s attachment to you and the older one’s attachment to me. I was… fearful that he had not actually survived, or that he would not survive in the end and once either of them realized it, they would again turn to us for replacements. I needed to get away, I needed to get you away and leaving as I did was the only way it seemed possible…” claw tipped fingers slide up to his temple and he sighs, allowing his eyes to close once more. “Though I know it is not right and as much as I do not wish to delay that visit to your family’s graves further, it might be best to return once we have fully rested here…” “I did not like it, but I do not know what would be best. I do not know if going back would complicate things once more. I am torn on what to do. I do not know how to properly say goodbye to the child. While her attachment I believe was innocent, it was still an attachment I could not return and I prefer not to give false promises of returning visits. As an adult she may be as dangerous as the older one and as you have said, if Yu’seal did not survive, she would not allow you to escape twice.” Kso’ppghiel shakes his head. “This is why I preferred never to engage in friendly contact with others while on my own, it adds expectations and commitments.” The blonde sighs as he leans forward, resting his forehead on Bal’thial’s back. “I will leave the decision to you.” The smile returns to Bal’thial’s lips and he reaches back to run claw tips along the Harbinger’s legs, leaning into the one behind as he speaks. “It… is a difficult decision to make.” More difficult than it should be because there are good reasons to either go back or not all around. “I think I will sit on it for a while and give myself time while we are here to weigh out all the possibilities. On one hand I would like to return simply to make sure Yu’sa will be okay in order to clear my conscious of this burden those creatures cast upon me, while on the other I know that should we return to find him dead, as you have said… there will be no second chances to free ourselves of them and it it this fact alone that had me flee in the first place...” The tall Captain shakes his head just a little, sending a few soapy suds spattering out from the movements before he sighs. “I would much rather prefer our time running from my former Queen were spent as this… or that our worries mainly entailed watching young woman or men squirm while they work to gather each of our attentions away from the other.” He laughs a small laugh. “Though I suppose it would be too much to ask to have only those issues to deal with out here in this world away from my silken sheets and soft beds.” “Life in a castle has made you delicate, apparently.” The Harbinger chuckles. “Unless you were this way before I met you… in which case we need to toughen your exterior.” Bal’thial laughs as clawed fingers grab the stoneware bowl, dipping it into the water and pouring it over Bal’thial’s head to begin rinsing the soap away. The Captain tilts his head back, mismatched eyes closing as the warmth falls over him. Once white hair is free of lather, Kso’ppghiel gathers longs locks, twisting them over the taller man’s shoulder. The blonde stares for a moment before claw tips lightly run over the lines of Bal’thial’s shoulder blades. “Your kind has wings, does it not? I have never seen yours and you have never spoken of them.” Blue and green eyes open and peer back as clawed fingers wipe the water away from his face, a sly smile forming on full lips while the man behind him continues to trace around the lines of strong shoulder blades. “I do have them.” Slipping his hand over to travel along the long wet locks twisted across his shoulder and ring some excess water out, the white haired man rises up onto his feet soon after and turns to face the Harbinger. “I have not spoken of them because there has been little need. In Io’fayl’s kingdom, I spent more time with my feet on the ground and had no use for my wings beyond the flying I did when I was left alone…” sliding a water soaked hand away from his hair to touch the tips of his claws beneath Kso’ppghiel’s chin, white eyes meet his gaze and he grins. “I could however be persuaded to show you them Harbinger…” leaning down, full lips barely touch for the briefest of kisses before he pulls back just enough to speak directly against the other man’s mouth. “…With the correct argument given that is.” The blonde’s fangs graze across Bal’thial’s lips as the taller man pulls away and Kso’ppghiel rises from the water as he follows him up, rivulets streaming from his hair and body. His fingers push white locks back over the Captain’s shoulder as his lips move to the ear he had bitten earlier, grazing over broken skin as he speaks. “I feel this can be arranged.” The blonde smiles as a soft moan leaves Bal’thial, his mouth moving down the Captain’s structured jaw and to the muscles of his throat where he nips once more at warm skin. Claw tips travel down the line of his back as he sinks down further, barely touching until his lips hit hard flesh. Kso’ppghiel lingers, blowing softly over the heated length and pulling back every time the Captain attempts to create contact. “You show me, then I will continue…” He smiles wickedly as white eyes glance up into lust-filled blue and green. The taller man bites down at his own lip, not managing or caring to stifle the equally wicked smile that forms on his mouth as clawed hands slide up into soaked strands of white blonde. “You can be very cruel when you want to be… my Harbinger” he teases as the one below slides his tongue out to feign skimming once again, ripping a breathless moan from him before he’s pulled away despite his furthered attempts to keep Kso’ppghiel’s head close by the grip he maintains in his hair. “…but I suppose your terms are more than fair.” An instant later he whispers the spell that drops the magic keeping his wings concealed and soon after, large light colored leathery appendages stretch into view. Lust filled mismatched eyes close momentarily as the translucent wings spread far to his sides, reopening to meet the gaze riveted beneath him as their presence fills the small room quickly to shadow them both and he offers the slyest of smiles before whispering. “I trust I did not disappoint…” Kso’ppghiel rises, pulling the white haired man forward and out of the large water basin. Walking behind, he ducks under a large wing as clawed finger reaches out to trace lightly over the muscled appendages, slowly moving outward to the delicate bones of the individual flanges before circling back around to Bal’thial’s front. He smiles as their lips meet again. “I see why you keep them away, it makes you more of a sight to behold therefore you would have more potential suitors to fend off.” He muses before the quiet words of a spell leave his lips, dropping the seal that hides is own wings. Translucent gray appendages appear behind him as he smiles a bit wickedly before stepping forward, pushing Bal’thial back and laughing as he crashes over the edge of the basin and back into the water. Before the Captain can right himself, Kso’ppghiel climbs over him, hands moving under structured hips as he pulls them up and out of the water, bringing his mouth down over hard flesh to take him in his entirety. Clawed fingers fly towards white blonde hair, the taller man’s body arching as much as the basin will allow and light colored wings near splaying as wet heat wraps him whole. Gripping down in the Harbinger’s hair, a moan reverberates against hard flesh to rip the softest of his own free of full lips moments before the other man begins to slide up. Fiery mismatched eyes find their ways open as the blonde’s pace begins to quicken, settling on the translucent gray wings that also work to stretch up behind and he pulls a hand away from wet locks and curls his body up just enough to flatten his palm in between strong shoulder blades. Scraping back, a deep cry streams from his mouth when the action earns him the grazing of sharp fangs along his length that nearly sends him toppling as he instinctively pushes structured hips up in an attempt to dive as deeply as he can into the heat that continues to cover him. It does not take long for the blonde’s motions to send Bal’thial flying over the edge, Kso’ppghiel taking in as much as he can while the taller man finds his release beneath him. The Captain’s fingers move back to his hair, gripping harshly as he tries to hold himself steady. A small smile forms on the Harbinger’s lips when the loud moans turn to soft pants as Bal’thial’s body slowly calms. He pulls away, leaving a soft kiss on the taller man’s hip before sitting upright, dragging the other man with him as they both settle back into the basin. Mismatched eyes remain closed to the world and the Captain reaches out to bring Kso’ppghiel close, neither saying a word as they simply enjoy the other’s presence. Water slides across the surfaces of leathery wings, streaming down in torrents as the white haired man shifts enough to lift them free of the water and curl them around the one he holds. A soft smile forming on his lips as claw tips reach out to trace idly along their surfaces and a moment later blue and green eyes slide back open before he tilts his head down to leave a kiss against a crown of soaking light blonde hair, resting his chin in between spiraling horns right after. “Very persuasive, my Harbinger…” he chuckles softly as he continues to watch the other man ‘s fingers traveling along the tops of his wings. “With arguments such as that, I may end up having these wings of mine out more often than not…” “I find seeing all of you is not a bad thing.” Kso’ppghiel smiles. “I rather enjoy seeing parts of you others rarely or never see. I also enjoy flaunting this fact more than I should.” He chuckles before leaning in to meet Bal’thial’s lips with his own, the kiss slow and sweet before they pull away. The blonde reaches out, claw tips moving along the side of the Captain’s jaw before threading into wet plaits. “But we must untangle your hair before it dries, otherwise it will mat and you will be forced to cut it all off.” He leans over the side, picking up a towel to dry himself off before removing himself from the basin and leaning down to pick up an ornate wide toothed comb made of bone and tossing a clean towel to Bal’thial. The tall Captain grins as he stands in the basin when a clawed hand catches the towel thrown to him. One soft shaking of translucent wings as he begins to dry the water from his lean body sends liquid droplets all around moments before he whispers the spell that seals them all over again. Stepping free of the basin soon after, the white haired man begins moving towards the small bed as he glances back to the one still behind him with a smile. “Preventing mats would be in my best interest…” he starts as he slings the towel over a broad shoulder, white eyes soon traveling down the lines of his body as he moves. “Because in cutting it, I fear I would end up looking like my brother…” a smirk forms on his lips before he turns and falls gracefully back onto the plush mattress’s surface, his blue and green gaze glinting in amusement as he finds those same white eyes riveted on his naked form. “…which is the last thing I would like to do…” Kso’ppghiel seals his own wings before walking over and joining Bal’thial on the bed, sitting the taller man up as he settles behind and pulling wet plaits of white back over his shoulders. “Even if you were to look exactly the same as your brother, I would know the difference. I cannot imagine your brother carries himself as you do or has eyes that have seen true war.” He separates the strands, combing through wet hair lightly. “Just as I would not be the same had I not seen war.” Clawed fingers pause, reaching up to lightly run over the ridged horns that sweep back from the Captain’s head, smiling as the various charms clink together when he passes before renewing his task. “All parts of you are beautiful, as I am sure your brother is as well, but they are uniquely you.” A smile forms on full lips and Bal’thial reaches back over his shoulder to grab onto one of the Harbinger’s hands, titling his head to the side while pulling him in close to touch his mouth to the other man’s palm. Biting down softly before his mismatched gaze glances up, Kso’ppghiel leans in a moment later to steal the slightest of kisses from his lips. “Again I find myself taken by your charms, Harbinger… it is little wonder you were able to steal my heart.” his whisper against the blonde’s mouth earns him an amused smirk before he turns himself back to the front as the one behind is pulling away, the fine toothed bone comb once again threading lightly into snow colored strands. “While I know myself to be… pleasing to the eye,” He muses and his eyes close as he drops his head just a bit to enjoy the sensations the Harbinger’s attentions to wet locks are bringing. “…I am not sure I ever considered myself to be beautiful. I suppose if I were to think this, I would have to think the same of my brother since we share a similar face… though as you said, despite our likenesses we are still different in many ways, especially to those who care to truly look.” He smiles. “I do not think too many did this though, including myself.” “I would have no choice but to see you differently. He is not you, nor you him, just as I am not my father despite those who seemed to believe I was such just because I look as he did. Those who choose not to see the difference will never truly understand.” Kso’ppghiel finishes detangling most of the Captain’s hair before he begins combing his own, tossing it aside after a quick run through blonde locks and settling back on the sheets. “I already know that if I ever meet your brother, he will be a completely different creature from yourself.” Turning to his side, the white haired man reaches out to touch at a broad shoulder before pushing Kso’ppghiel onto his back while rolling in the movement to straddle him soon after. Long wet flowing strands spill back as Bal’thial straightens as stares down with a grin spanning his lips. “I am very glad to hear that you will not be taken by another who wears my face, my Harbinger…” sliding a clawed hand up to push long hair back, a smirk replaces his grin immediately after. “Because if my brother is as he was the last time I saw him, he would not fair too well against my blade… or you against my jealousy…” The blonde pushes himself up close, meeting the Captain’s lips with his own as a smile forms across them. “I have mentioned I like this jealousy of yours, have I not?”
The door to the room opens, the Captain returning with hot food as he shoves the heavy wood closed behind him and walks over to hand a plate to the blonde. Kso’ppghiel puts the stones down, taking the plate as Bal’thial joins his side. “I wish to find out why these react the way they do.” Mismatched eyes travel over the delicate stone’s and their rigid lattice etched surfaces before shifting away to meet white. “Perhaps the jeweler can enlighten us as to why…” sliding gracefully back onto the bed’s surface and crossing his legs to his front, he lowers the filled stoneware into his lap before lifting a piece of meat free. “Though I have never seen anything like those in my travels, he might have.” Taking a bite, Bal’thial smirks soon after. “If not, I suppose it will concrete the decision to return to that village in order to seek out Yu’sa and learn the status of his welfare. I am sure if they were passed down within his family line, he would know the reasons for that glow they take on when we each hold our own.” Kso’ppghiel nods. “I think he does know, he had said he wanted us to open the box once he was gone because he felt they would react in a certain way, one he did not wish to see. I can only assume he means the glow, but I do not understand why.” The blonde takes a piece of bread and begins eating. “They are beautiful regardless, especially when they glow.” Clawed fingers reach out to lift flowing white strands. “While we are out, we should bring the items you had braided into your hair and find a female to redo them. Who did them originally? I do not see that woman ever doing something like that and there were rarely females among your ranks.” “You might be surprised… Queen Io’fayl did fancy playing with my hair occasionally…” Bal’thial muses, mildly amused for a moment at the thought of his former Mistress choosing to groom him. “Though, the intricate braiding and weaving was not really her forte. For this…” he motions back to his hair with his head as he’s taking another bite of the meat he holds. “…she had her own groomers tend to me. Male, most of them… the occasional female when she summoned them from her lands. Whenever it was needed, she made quite the show of it.” He smirks. “Apparently having me sit in her chambers while someone had their hands on my hair was something she enjoyed watching.” Kso’ppghiel frowns slightly at the unwarranted jealousy that streaks through him as he thinks of Io’fayl enjoying anything of the Captain. Bal’thial was among her ranks for thirty years while he himself has only been part of his life for mere months. The blonde was also finding he was annoyed that he would soon be enjoying of the taller man something she did as well. He shakes his head as he randomly pushes at his food, finally settling on a piece of meat. “Any we find to do this I am sure will not be as skilled as that woman’s grooms, though I am sure they will enjoy the task just as much.” A small smile finally reforms. “Hmm, yes…” the tall Captain returns the smile with a sideways glance, watching for a moment as the blonde lifts his food to full lips with fixed eyes. “I think I will enjoy having your eyes on the task far more than I could have ever enjoyed hers.” Setting his food quickly down, the white haired man reaches swiftly out to wrap a clawed hand around Kso’ppghiel’s wrist as the other man’s hand is sliding from his own mouth and he pulls it close to his while leaning forward. Mismatched eyes remain locked with white as his tongue slides out to lick at the Harbinger’s fingers very slowly, a sly grin forming soon after. “Or perhaps… more than simply your eyes…” A wicked smile forms on the blonde’s lips as he watches Bal’thial’s tongue move playfully over his fingers. “You will have all of me once it is complete.” He puts both his and the Captain’s plates to the side, bringing his fingers down and replacing them with his own lips to pull the white haired man into a deep kiss. They break after several long moments and Kso’ppghiel gives him a sly smile. “Though I fear that if we do not make an effort to actually leave this room to accomplish these tasks, we never will. I would like to make it to N’taiya tomorrow. There is also still the Mastersmith’s son we have a package to deliver to as well.” “Yes there is that…” Bal’thial laughs before sliding himself away from both the Harbinger and the bed, straightening soon after. “Since my hair will most likely take up the next several hours, leaving this room now would be as you said, the best then” Turning away and moving for the stand that holds the wooden box, metal adornments chime softly as the tall Captain reaches down to snap the small lid closed before lifting it up, mismatched eyes glancing back to meet white. “…this is assuming that the jeweler here will be able to make these stones into something suitable before the day is out. You may have to leave me alone with the female we find to do my hair in order to meet those deadlines you seek, Kso’ppghiel.” He grins slyly. “That…” The blonde smirks as he rises, taking his food with him, “Will not happen. It would give her more of a chance to attempt to charm you and less time spent making it very clear you belong to another. If we bring the stones to the jeweler first, he can then utilize the time spent on your hair to do his craft.” He quickly finishes off his meal before fetching their bags, pulling out the pouch that holds the adornments that came from Bal’thial’s hair and tying it to his waist before walking over to grabs his swords. He straps the twin blade to his back as the Captain finished off his own meal. “I will be holding on to these until we find someone.” The blonde smiles as he moves close, lips barely brushing the white haired man’s before turning to walk out of the room. Swinging the strapped hold for his own weapon across his back, the taller man slides the buckle swiftly in to secure before his sword follows soon after. Bending down to retrieve the small leather pouch that contains his gold, he straightens to follow with a smile of his own painted on his mouth…
“No.” Kso’ppghiel speaks up. “We are not looking to sell them under any circumstances, we are simply looking to find out why they react as they do and to have them made into something wearable by us both.” He takes the stones from the jeweler’s hand, giving one to Bal’thial and holding the other himself. The stones instantly light up with a soft glow as each man holds their respective stone before his clawed fingers deposit his back down into the jeweler’s hand. “They glow while we each have one but they do nothing either by themselves or with any other.” Tilting the stone in his hand, the jeweler’s expression is contemplative as he studies what he holds, occasionally sliding it out to touch at the one still in Bal’thial’s hand before pulling it away, the confusion as to the lack of glow rather clear. “Strange… strange…” the man says with a shaking of his head before he holds his other hand out, the tall Captain reaching forward to deposit his amber into his palm before the slight man clinks them together. “Never seen anything like it and I’m not detecting a spell...” “There is none that either of us has found.” The white haired man says quietly. “Where did you say you found these again?” the jeweler asks as his orangey gaze slides up to meet mismatched blue and green. “We did not say as it is of little consequence to you.” The Captain frowns. “Can you do as he has asked however, is of consequence to us.” “Of course.” The jeweler nods as his gaze shifts over to meet the Harbinger’s white. “But I do not want to be blamed should my work interrupt whatever magic is keeping it glowing when the both of you hold them. Also, it will not be cheap as I have never worked with stones of this manner, you understand...” Kso’ppghiel smirks. “If you are unsure of your skill with simple stones…” he reaches out faster than the jeweler can follow, clawed fingers removing the amber stones from his hand. “Then we can find another who has more confidence in his art and will not charge us extra to make a mistake. It is not a requirement we be able to wear them as they can exist just as well in their box.” He gives Bal’thial a knowing smile before turning away towards the shop’s door, followed soon after by the tall Captain behind. The blonde would not give the jeweler a chance to swindle them out of extra money. “Wait.” The jeweler says quickly while holding up a hand to stop both men from leaving, his gaze traveling between both mismatched eyes and white. “I did not say I would charge you for a potential mistake.” His eyes travel over to the hilts of dual weapons before moving towards the jagged edges of the Captain’s and back again with a nervous smile. “I just said I don’t want to be blamed should it happen. I can do what you asked, and it’d be a shame to have you take those elsewhere and watch them truly get ruined…” White eyes glace back across his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. “We will only allow it if you charge the regular rate. If you feel the need to place us with extra fees we will take our business elsewhere. As I have said, it does not concern me if the stones sit in their box, we have no desperation to have something made with them.” Kso’ppghiel’s gaze continues to lock on orange eyes as he waits for an answer. Bal’thial has to pull a clawed hand up to his mouth in order to stifle the amusement that wants to break free as he watches the jeweler grow increasingly more nervous beneath the other man’s pointed stare and soon enough, the merchant nods while offering the Harbinger an agreeable sort of smile. “Of course.” He nods. “I wouldn’t try to charge more than I’m worth, especially to good men such as yourselves. Locking the beauty of those stones away would be shameful to anyone in my field, so I would rather we could come to an understanding to ensure this doesn’t happen.” Kso’ppghiel turns around, walking back up to the jeweler and moving to hand him the box with a smile. “Then we have a deal. We are leaving tomorrow morning so it would need to be completed by this evening.” He pulls the wooden box away just before it would reach the other man’s hands. “Unless you feel the time constraint is too much for you. I would not want to press your work.” The jeweler frowns only in the slightest at the Harbinger’s words before another tight lipped smile forms on his lips. “I have nothing else pressing this day so I can have them ready in time.” With a smirk, the blonde completes the action and sets the wooden box in the smaller man’s clawed hand. “If you come back when after the sun has gone down, I should be finished. The shop will be closed but simply knock and I’ll answer.” “We will return then.” Kso’ppghiel turns around and the two men step out the door without glancing back to begin to look for someone to accomplish their second task. “I am slightly worried that altering the stone will alter whatever maintains its glow.” He smirks. “I also do hope the jeweler has no plans to cheat us. I have no desire to make enemies in a town so close to my home. Removing his hands is not something I would hesitate to do.” A soft laugh slips free of the tall Captain’s lips as they begin weaving through the now bustling town, gaining a few stares and looks along the way. “You and I both… it would be as shameful as that man said to have whatever magic is in them taken simply because he did not know his craft as well as he claims.” Mismatched eyes slide over to the side and an amused smile forms just at the corners of his mouth just when they make a turn that carries them down a large section of town riddled with various shops. “One way or another we will not be cheated. You may have that jeweler’s hands should he try and I would claim his head…” he chuckles before turning his gaze back to their fronts. “It would not be a good thing, for him to either attempt it or for us to be on the receiving end. Even though we will be eventually be making our ways into my home territories, it is better to have doors open for future trade and killing one of this town’s people would close those doors I suppose.” Kso’ppghiel is about to speak when the giggling of a group of young women catches his attention. As white eyes shift over, they immediately drop their gazes and rush into a nearby shop. The blonde smirks before turning back to Bal’thial. “I think we may have found our females.” The Captain nods, rather amused as they both make their way over to the shop that turns out to be a small bakery. Immediately upon the two men entering, the group of females attempts to meld themselves with the walls, trying not to be noticed while they stare. Kso’ppghiel rolls his eyes a little before walking right over to them as they freeze in shock. “Excuse me, we are in need of some help. My companion is used to having his hair bound up in braids and he was forced to take them out a little while ago. He needs help replacing them and we were wondering if any of you would be willing to take on the task.” At nearly the same time, the group’s eyes widen before traveling away from the Harbinger at their fronts to rest on the taller man standing silently behind, the slightest of amused smiles cracked at the corners of his lips before traveling back again. All four of them speak up, blurting out that they’d be more than happy to do what the blonde is asking and one of those girls; a petite pale girl with straight glancing horns and shiny green eyes manage to catch say it just a little faster. Immediately a slight argument ensues between them about who would be better suited for the task and Kso’ppghiel’s gaze slips back while the babble continues to meet the mismatched eyes of his companion, both men exchanging the softest of smirks. After a few moments, Bal’thial steps forward, instantly silencing the chatter with his presence alone. “Ladies…” he starts with a grin. “Despite my own personal preferences, this task is not something done better in numbers and since she was the first to speak, it would only be fair that she be the one we choose…”
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