Wartorn

    The city of dragons, Breg Epona. Home city for many Salamanders and some very fierce nomadic fighters. It is a place of combat, arenas, and soldiers. With the war brewing, it is also possibly a very active hub of activity of training and preparation for a larger, possible offensive to come; Or remaining on the defensive for trouble.

One such player who has been helping those in need of some basic training has been staying here and keeping an eye on any possible trouble. This individual is a black scaled Salamander named Xander Scaleharth. Who is actually not training today, but rather keeping an eye on supplies coming and going, along with the landers and adventurers alike. In essence, he is playing guard-duty.

He is also dressed up in full armor, from the horned helm, the scale mail, to the leather cape in back. All that wonderful gear of his Mammoth armor. He even has on the gloves that Mikage made him so long ago. Though he does seriously need to upgrade that shield and sword of his.

The most recent ship to have arrived in the harbor near Breg Epona is one showing the flag of the Fourland Dukedom. Some of the crew have already come ashore, disembarking on longboats and setting to various tasks including gathering supplies and restocking. This is only a stop-over point for a longer journey that will find them eventually in the Ninetails Dominion.

It may very well be hard to recognize Rylen at first, amongst the others who head down the pier. Two thin braids start at the side of his head, pulling strands back from his bangs and eventually forming together at the back. From one of them dangles an accessory that seems to be made of a quite large peko feather, with a gemstone that glows faintly attached by leather cord. He has a neatly kept scruff of facial hair and he is dressed like someone ready for battle.

Leather and padded armor is half-unbuttoned, the only call back to his previous, shirtless days. He still carries no weapons, but there is a edge to the man, as if the events of recent months have hardened him, somewhat. So much so, perhaps, that even though he is well aware that Xander may be within the city of Breg Epona, that he isn't even looking.

"Alright, you all know your tasks. Food and medical supplies are our highest priority. If you can get the Salamanders to spare a few weapons, grab those, too. We don't have much time so no dawdling." His voice carries more command with it, as well.

    War can change people and with change comes not fully realizing someone you known close to you. This would be the case when Xander spots the group coming up. There was a slight clench in his jaw before he calls out, "One at a time! Need to make sure none of you questionable." As he says this, his hand is already resting on the hilt of his blade.

Though for he briefest of moments he thought he heard--
-- But he would chimlink ahead, wouldn't he?

So, maybe- it was just the wind playing tricks on him.

    Each lander and adventurer that was with Rylen gets checked over one by one. No matter how much they may or may not protest. That is when Xander gets to Rylen and when he runs that inspection with a swipe of his hand, he pauses.

Those cold, fiery gold, draconic eyes fall on Rylen in the shadows of his helm. His hand slowly lowering as he stares at the man. It wasn't the wind-- he was /right/ here.

Xander's lip twitched slightly and his brows knit gently as he fought back every ounce of himself to not just tackle the man in a massive hug. "Sir," He starts out with a low rumble to his voice. "... are most of these individuals your crew?" Now it was the question, who was going to make that first move.

It is the voice that stops Rylen briefly in his tracks. He stands near the back of the group of men and women, clearly acting as their leader. Since taking a key role against the undead in Ninetails, he has been stepping more and more into the shoes of someone in command, but this may very well be the first time Xander really /sees/ that at play.

"You heard the man. Hats and headgear accessories off. Don't give them any trouble." He warns, and the group seems to heed that from him. Each one has gone through this more times than they could likely count, so it seems almost second nature by now.

That is, until Rylen brings up the rear of the group. He stands there, right in front of Xander, taking a moment to remove the accessory from his hair to show that he wears nothing that could be interpreted as a Crown. "They are. I can vouch for each and every one of them personally as a Knight of the Peko Army." He sets one foot down and there is almost a quake that runs through the pier. It's subtle, but it is enough that it gives his words an feeling of authority.

"Are we going to have trouble here?" He asks, folding his arms over his chest. "Let me guess, you're going pull rank to show how tough you are, drag me away for interrogations?" He stares /right/ at Xander. From the outside, it might look as if he were staring him down, but there is almost a playful expression there.

Then, Rylen turns to the others, "Go, you've got your orders. I'll deal with this asshole." The crew looks uncertain for a moment, but then start to make their way further along the docks and into the city. Rylen, for his part, just stands there, looking expectant.

    Xander feels the quake and his eyes narrow a little. It gets the attention of the others, but in the shadows of the helm he grins. Showing his fanged teeth. "You are a feisty one, arn't you and given you decided to make a scene, I might just have to now pull you off to the side."

Then he speaks more lowly, "Including calling me an /ass/hole. That is definitely some /you/ and I time alright." He reaches out with a sheen across the metal surface of the armor, moving to take a hold of Rylen's arm. "Come on you. Let's have /that/ talk." Then Xander points to the other guards, "And you lot keep inspecting those that come in. This won't take long."

Breaking free or not, Xander is taking Rylen to around the corner and getting them both out of the line of sight of anyone, with him rumbling, "... You little, brave, Pooka bastard."

If nothing else, Rylen has always been a showman. He plays his part well, regardless of if it is high-flying acrobat or mouthy mercenary. When Xander grabs for his arm, there is another flare of that power that comes with it and the Pooka all but rips his arm free. "Thought as much. Let's get this bullshit over with." There is just the right edge to his voice to make it believable, but the hint of a smirk on his features that only Xander could catch, that is a sure sign that he's enjoying this game.

Once around the corner and out of sight, Rylen laughs more openly, lifting his hands up to rest them both behind his head, turning to walk backwards and look at Xander with that boyish smirk clearly evident. "Aww, you missed me that much, did you?" He asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Good little soldier-boy, what are you going to do now that you have me all alone, hmm?" There is a hint of challenge in that expression, but something else there as well. Xander has known this man long enough to know this playfulness is also a front, it is a way that Rylen uses to guage people. The two haven't seen each other for months, so he very well seems to be trying to get a read on Xander to figure out his next steps.

    Xander gets Rylen away from the eyes and when Rylen shows those old colors, the Salamander continues to walk toward Rylen, he continues to walk till Rylen either comes to a stop or is forced to by a wall. "What am I going to do?" He asks back with a chuckle. "... That is a silly, damn-ass question."

He removes his helm, with that messy hair of his following, before he inventories it and then goes to grab Rylen, by his shirt before pulling him into a deep, passionate kiss. He tries to hold him there for a moment, before he moves his lips away just ever so slightly. "I fucking missed you, Rylen. That is what." Then goes to kiss him again.

As Xander steps towards him, there is a certain measure of challenge in the way that Rylen stands. Yet, he relents and moves backwards until his back is pressed against one of the nearby walls. One of those damn expressive eyebrows of his lifts, still seeming to wait to see just what the Salamander will do.

Then, it is all motion and feeling. Rylen doesn't care if Xander's hair is messy or sweaty from the helmet. His hands move through the dark strands anyways. He makes a sound that is one part pleasure and one part relief in returning that kiss with an equal level of pent up passion.

Yet, in that moment, Xander would likely be able to feel the ways that Rylen has changed in these recent months. It isn't just the scruff of a beard that he wears. He had always been athletic but there is a hard edge to Rylen's muscles now. After the second kiss, he lets his arms settle on Xander's chestplate and /pushes/ him back. In the past, he would rarely use that strength, but now... it is easy to guess that he very well might be stronger than Xander.

"Maybe you should have come to see me then, did you ever think of that?" He asks, though his hands don't actually leave the armored chestpiece. He slams it with an open palm, instead. "Show a man you care about him as more than just a fine piece of ass. Not that I argue that I am, you're lucky as hell to have me, darling." He accentuates that last word, that smirk still playing there but there is some real hurt behind it. There is obviously more he wants to say, but in that moment, he just looks at Xander, obviously trying to see if there is more beyond just the passion.

    Xander is pushed back and he can tell who has been far more on the frontlines these past weeks? Months? It has been months hasn't it? The Salamander tilts his head gently as the palm slams against his armor. His eyes soften a little. "... Ry--" He goes to start then his voice softens, "... Yoshi... I am sorry."

His eyes then drop, as his arms come to his side, before they close. "... and yeah, I am lucky and I have seriously missed you. Just my heads been," He opens his eyes and looks around, "Here." Then he looks back at him. "I lost track of time-- though I know that is no excuse."

Xander then goes to reach for the man's wrist that's resting on his chest armor. "And I didn't hear from you either, you know, but I also know you been more out in the front. That happens. I know that. That is one curse of war." The Salamander then tilts his head slightly to the side, his ips part to say something but they close. "... and yet, here we are." He at last manages to get out. ".. staring at one another. You are angry at me for being out of contact. I am feeling guilty cause I have been, but not upset-- and we both have our jobs... and I wish.. We could both go fuck it all and run-- but neither of us can do that."

There are only a precious few people in this world that know Rylen's real name, and when Xander uses it, it always seems to get under his skin. It softens some of the hurt in his expression. "Don't be sorry, Marcus." He states, his voice still firm. "This is my fault, too. I knew what I was getting into when we got together. I just hoped that some kind of stability and the fact that you had someone who care would help. But who am I kidding, I'm no psychologist."

There is a tenderness there in his expression as he reaches his free hand up, lightly tapping against Xander's temple where his skin shifts to black scales. "You've always lived too much up here." That same hand shifts into his hair, looking achingly uncertain. "When the war started, you changed, and I get that. I get that this takes you back to places you never wanted to be again. But I can't help you when you flat out refuse to let anyone in, not even me."

He doesn't try to pull his hand away, allowing Xander to hold that wrist against his chest. "Let me be clear. I'm /not/ angry at you. I love you. Marcus, Xander, you. Just sometimes, I don't know how to help you. I want to stand by your side. I want to fight with you against anything that comes our way because I think that together, there's nothing we can't overcome."

He takes that same hand that Xander is still holding and balls it into a fist, pressing it against the Salamander's chest. "That doesn't mean we have to be together all the time. We can have our jobs, we can have our things that we need to do. It means that when we're appart, we talk. It means that if you're scared, you tell me, and know that I'm going to fucking fight to make you feel safe. That you aren't facing all of this alone. So don't shut me out."

     "I never meant for you to feel shut out, Yoshi. I swear that." Xander says softly as he looks at the other man. His hand slowly releases and just with that same slow motion, he goes to gently touch Rylen's face. "I never wanted or meant for you to feel pushed out... I am... I am just not sure how to open up anymore... but i am trying." He then goes to lean forward, to rest his head on Rylen's. "I am trying for you."

Then if Rylen allows, the Salamander goes to kiss the forehead of the other. "So thank you for being patient. Thank you for being better than me on these days... and know i am trying Yoshi... And ill try to do better at staying in touch from here on out." Xander then moves back a little. "Alright?" He looks the elf directly in the eyes.

"I know you're trying." Rylen's voice is soft as he replies. "Trust me, I'm not perfect by a long shot. All my relationships prior to this one were pretty much all physical and I never let my emotions get involved. I didn't care about people enough for that." It may be hard to imagine, sometimes, that the person behind the Pooka could have ever been that way. It seems so counter to who he is as he stands today.

"This is serious to me, I hope you get that. I know I can't fix everything. I know there will be times you want to bury your head in the sand. But I just need to know that when that happens, you'll trust me enough to take my hand and let me pull you through it, okay?" Before Xander had left for the Holy Empire, their last real conversation had been Xander all but shutting down at the idea of war and what it might mean. Then... just gone for months on end.

Rylen doesn't pull away from the contact, seeming to treasure it for the brief gift that it is. "Yeah well, you better." He seems to have let that teasing persona slip, meeting Xander's gaze. "I have a few hours before we have to catch the tide out to Ninetails. Do you think you can make some kind of excuse to get free?"

Then, that smirk returns, "I have a few plans for you to pay back for what you've put me through." There is a quirk of one eyebrow.

    Xander listens to what Rylen has to say and he remains quiet for the time, before he nods gently. His hand gently moves over Rylen's ear tip, then down his jawline, as if taking in everything about the other man before him. "I'll-- try." Xander says again. "Just... I have to get use to that idea, you know? I have to get use to the idea of-- Letting someone that in, but for you," He then rests his nose against Rylen's, "I'll try." Before giving him another kiss.

Then when Rylen brings up that he has a few hours he grins a little. "I-- Have an idea how we could /extend/ this, hm, talk. Just requires a bit of yelling, some struggling, and me taking you to one of he private holds." There was a wink that followed. "After all, you started this little show of 'force' and honesty-- I am bugged by the fact your stronger than me." He then nips Rylen's lip, his sharp canine's almost pricking the skin. "... I can't let that stand forever."

    Then he goes to playful shove Rylen away back toward where they came from, as he puts his helm on. "Now why don't /you/ repeat that to me again, you pointed ear little knightling." This probably lead the two to their 'play' confrontation and Xander using some 'fake' force to take Rylen away. Just heated male stuff in the desert.