Trouble Drags You Back In

Once the spring thaw had begun, Rylen had, once more, been set back to task in dealing with the undead situation in the Ninetails Dominion. The winter snows had largely held back the hordes there, protecting them from growing larger. However, with spring on the horizon, it is only a matter of time before they need to be dealt with.

Thus, he has been using his new-found training from Uta to make contacts with the different Merchant Princes of the dominion, bringing them together with a plan that may not solve the problem, but would at least hold it back for a time. Time they desperately needed, with a potential war with the Palace Lands looming on the horizon.

So, that is why Rylen is here... but at the moment, he seems to be doing something entirely other than playing the role of diplomat. He is currently in a courtyard near the Isekai Ryokan, working out. Push-ups, sit-ups, lifting crates... Shirtless and muscles showing, the Pooka certainly seems to be quite intent on what he's doing...

    Xander has been not so involved with the war or-- any war really. Giving advice when asked? Sure. Helping landers stay safe? Yes. All background acivity and off of everyone's main radar unless you knew where to look, but even then, the Salamander always had a way to blend in and vanish amongst the crowds.

In this case, with hooded cloak and leather gear does the black scaled draconic man find himself walking toward the ever focused elven man. He leans his shoulder against a near by building, watching him work. Looking at the sweat glistening in the light before he says with a coy, playful tone. "My my. You keep looking that good and your going to have a hoard of women chasing you around, begging for your hand in marriage, hot stuff."

There was a flick of his tail and while the hood shadowed most of his face there was no hiding those draconic fiery, gold eyes. "... You like something to at least eat? Got a few apples on me." He said with a more serious tone.

There is a bit of sweat that lingers on Rylen's forehead, wiped off with one arm as he stops at the end of a push-up, looking over towards the dark-scaled man oh-so-casually leaning against the wall. "After a winter off at the Ranch, I need the exercise. Otherwise, I'm going to go soft." He smirks, then neatly shifts his legs beneath him and up onto his feet.

Everything the man does seems to be graceful, even now. "Mmm, hordes of adoring fan-girls. That would take me back." Rylen had lived that life for a number of years. One-night stands, throw-away relationships, he... was not the same person anymore.

"I may appreciate a beautiful lady from time to time, but you're the only one I drag to my bed, and you know it." He smirks, folding his arms over his chest.

At the offer of food, the Elven man shakes his head, "I'm good. Just trying to get a work out in before I get dragged into war meetings. I think we just about have what we need to do something about these undead. At least temporarily." He looks over towards Xander, then. "You checked in with your people to see how they're fairing with the current news?"

    Xander continues to lean against the wall, his tail moving side to side ever so slightly behind him. He watches every movement that Rylen makes, as if taking it all into memory. "You also know I know how to make you sing like a canary and sleep like a baby." He gives a wink himself. "But in all seriousness, what you do on your free time..." There is a hand wave, but trust between them. A light tease, a playful jab.

Though when the tone grows more serious, Xander leans away to stand up on his feet, before reaching into the pouch to pull out an apple. He looks it over in his hands, his claws being careful to not damage to shiney, red skin. "... No." He says firmly. "And I have no interest in talking to them. While I did some things here and there... I am as far removed from them and like to remain so."

He looks back to Rylen. "My ideals... my thoughts... my feelings-- don't exactly mesh up anymore to many of theirs. Maybe one day, but for now-- I seem to be more in line with those who rather live here, then try to escape." He then takes a bite out of the apple. He chews, swallows before he continues. "I uh, hehe... ya know," Perhaps thinking back on their previous conversations. "... Nevermind."

"I wouldn't exactly call that 'singing like a canary'." Rylen replies, a lopsided smile showing on his handsome features. The man laughs, shaking his head, a few strands of white hair shifting across his eyes. "As for the throngs of ladies, I've been there, done that, dear-heart. Not something I care to repeat."

Leaving it at that, the Elf seems to consider Xander's words, knowing that some of this has been coming for a long time. "Well, you know you're always welcome in Crescent Moon, or any of the other Olympus guilds. I'm sure the Sleeping Knights would welcome you if you wanted to go that route." He very clearly does /not/ suggest Plant Hwyaden. Rylen may very well have 'feelings' about that guild.

Laying that out there, Rylen continues, "But you should at least keep an ear out on what's going on. I assume you've at least heard about what happened over in the Palace Lands?"

    Xander tilts his head, but doesn't respond. He noms on the apple a bit more as Rylen speaks, before glancing over to the other man. He stares at him for a moment. "Not in great detail, no. I guess someone pissed off someone else? Normal political stuff between waring countries? But-- this and that, nothing concret."

He shifts his weight a little, tossing what is left of his apple into the grass nearby for the birds and whatever else to chew on the remains. "But what is going on in more detail?"

It is Rylen's turn to lean against the wall, though he makes sure to position himself near enough to Xander that they can have a quiet conversation. There are things that might be best not communicated to the general public. Ninetails is stressed enough as it is without causing more panic.

"So, the New Worlders did something on New Years that somehow opened us up to being able to travel out beyond Yamato. They found a place called the Palace Lands, which is the East Asia server." He rubs at the back of his neck, "Uta probably knows more than I do, they've been over there."

He continues then, "Nearest I can tell, Scale beat the Floor 10 boss, and caused a Wave that happened over there. In the middle of defending the Palace Landers from the Wave, the group turned on the Yamato Adventurers and tried to kill or capture them. Then they attacked their base at Seeker's Landing. Most people barely got out."

Rylen lets out a breath, "From what I've heard passed through the Chimlinks, it sounds like we're on the verge of War with the Palace Lands, and I'm not sure anyone really understands why. So all we've got is a very real threat, and a lot of theories."

    Xander listens to this and Rylen can slowly see his face, even under that hood slowly go dead straight, before raising his hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose. "... kids..." He hisses through his teeth.

".. and this is why I don't get involved anymore. They are all a bunch of kids that don't even begin to understand political climate, stresses, or triggers of warfare." And yet, here is Xander, a resource in the Scale-- a former soldier-- playing farmer.

Then he slowly lowers his hand. "... someone started something, made us look like the bad guys. Thus a setup maneuver to create a growing, possible global war. If someone doesn't find /who/ started this.. the possible growing cold war, will turn into more and more a true war."

Xander then shakes his head, "Then this whole matter with the undead will seem like child's play, because it will no longer be against monsters who seem to just want territory to nom on people, but actual people-- with actual tactics... and possibly fear driving both sides."

"Easy there, old man." Rylen replies, his tone kept teasing as he smirks, "I'm pretty sure the people involved were doing the best they could, given the circumstances." He reaches out a hand and pokes at the Salamander. "Maybe, if someone like you got involved, there wouldn't be as many mistakes. Ever think of that?"

Yes, he has heard Xander's complaints, and being the bad influence that he is, Rylen is always trying to get Xander to reach outside of his isolated little world. "No one knows what exactly the trigger is. Maybe it was what Scale is doing. Maybe it's learning about how much influence we have here in Yamato. Maybe it's the threat of the Waves." Rylen shrugs. While he might be getting more into the political game, it is still beyond much of his understanding.

"The fact is, no matter how it started, it's here now. Our people are being threatened. Not just any one Alliance, but all of us." Rylen's expression shows a hint of worry lines that have started to form. "We can't just stand aside and play farmer at the ranch, Xan."

    Xander tsk softly and then goes to step away when Rylen brings out the obvious, including then the fact he can't just keep standing around. He turns to look back at Rylen, the hood hiding most of his face beyond his lower half. "... I can't risk it, Rylen. Maybe you can... But I can't. Not again."

He then lowers his head, shifting his weight. The sword was still at his side. So much of the gear the Salamander wore was old; It needed to be upgraded.

He-- needed to be upgraded in essence.

"I-- I can't..." Xander tries to say, but his words start to fail. His old issues slowly creeping back up. The trouble with his brain, the damage done. "You-- you don't realize what you are asking of me right now."

Rylen raises his brows, taking on his usual quiet attitude when he knows Xander is working through something in his own head. He, of all people, knew just how much the man was struggling with things. How it had stuck him to the ground like stone for the past months. Rylen wasn't a therapist, at least not the kind that worked with fractured minds anyways. So there is only so much he can do.

"I look at it this way. Every day of our lives is a risk, both here and in the real world." The Elf begins to explain. "You could wake up one day, and your mother is dead, your sister is in a coma, your ankle is held together by pins and duct tape." He's obviously referring to himself and what had happened to him. "I would have given anything for that day not to have happened, but it did. And I rebuilt myself and my life from that moment forward to who I am today."

He sighs to himself, "You are who you are because of the choices you make, and how you choose to face each and every stone that life throws at you. None of us understand how this place works, so it's a risk every day. Every time you step outside of a root town. Every time you fight a monster. Every time you do /anything/ it's a risk. But... you can't just stop living."

The side of his mouth lifts in a fond expression, "You are who you are, not because of that one memory you can't seem to get back. It's because you care about people. You care about what happens to them, sometimes more than you care about yourself." He hesitates then, "It's one of the things that made me fall in love with you."

His voice is soft, though, when he speaks, "But if you need time, take what time you need. If you need to look into what is happening with your head, with your memories, do that. Face what is happening and find a way forward. Just... don't bury your head in the ground, because this... all of this. It isn't going away."

    Xander listens to everything Rylen is saying and lowers his head once more. He goes to speak, but falls silent still. Listening and listening. It is when Rylen stops, does Xander look up at him. "... Rylen... Yoshi... That is the problem. I /want/ to help, but..." He looks at his hands.

He stares at them long and hard, before he closes them into fists. "... what if I lose some part of myself and that part is why you /did/ fall in love with me? What if I forget some part of my past that /made/ me who I am today. This man you love."

Xander then looks at him directly, pulling back the hood, before placing his hand on his own chest. "What if I forget everything that made me not only /me/, but," His hand then tightens on the cloak. "... what made me fall in love with you... and what if..." He then looks at Rylen. "... I forget it, Yoshi."

It's impossible not to feel a pang in his chest at hearing Xander struggle quite so hard with this. Especially hearing that part of the fear comes from ... well, him. He doesn't have all the answers, that much is clear, but his expression is gentle when he speaks. "What happens if it's me who forgets? Or Uta, or anyone else you care about? We're all in the same boat here, but we can't just stop living and doing the right thing."

Rylen reaches out then, laying one of his hands over Xander's balled fist, only letting it fall again when the Salamander moes to lower his hood, looking at him quite so intently.

"Every day, wake up, look over at me, and tell yourself the things you know. He's Rylen Corvus, Kiyoshi Takayama. He's my boyfriend, my lover, my friend..." His voice takes on an amused tone, "He's fantastic in bed and the absolute most handsome man in the universe. Write it down if you have to. I won't mind."

He stands in front of Xander, then, making sure that he can see him. Really see him. "Every day, you and I, we're making /new/ memories. The memory of your drunk ass nearly falling off my Peko. The memory of kissing you the first time. The memory of that breakfast I tried to make that I burnt to a crisp."

The man is just charmingly sincere when he says this, "If you and I are a wall, we're built brick by brick, day by day. Even if you lose one... the wall still stands. And if you remember how you feel, even in just one of those small moments, that's not something you can ever lose."

    Xander closes his eyes, still listening, but his silence remains. He inhales deeply, before softly exhaling. "I-- can't argue... I want to, but I can't." He opens his eyes to look at Rylen.

The man isn't moving away from the other, his eyes looking into his. "Just... let me process this, alright? I know time doesn't stop for anyone, but... I just need a moment. If," He goes to rest his head against Rylen's unless the other moves away. "If I can find it in me. My bravery. My soldier will... that strength you give me... I will do what I can to help in what comes. I just need-- a moment, alright?"

He then goes to move away slowly, before trying to give Rylen a smile, "Besides-- you need to get back to your training. Can't have that wonderful soft skin getting to soft, you know?"

"Take whatever time you need, love." Rylen replies, his voice still soft as he lightly nudges his nose against Xander's. "I'll be here to give you a push from time to time, though. It's kind of my job."

That said, he chuckles, returning the smile, even if it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "After we finalize these plans against the undead, I'll be coming back to Carmina Gadelica. We need to do some re-enforcements around Crescent Moon's HQ, the Academy, the Peko Ranch. They're all possible targets."

"If you want something you can do, start there. See what you can do to shore up defenses back home, okay?" Rylen may be facing the front lines, but at least this is something relatively 'safe' he can suggest, at least for the moment.

"And... do think about that suggestion. If Scale isn't the place for you anymore, find someplace new. Okay?"

    Xander nods his head. "I'll-- see what I can do. If I do, I'll probably start with the Academy. It will be the largest target, tactically speaking, given its possible education of new soldiers and recruits."

He then shifts his weight. "... well... I better get back. I'll think about it on my travels back. Just be safe with the undead, alright? Hate to lose you... even if temporary."

"I'm always careful." He's not. Rylen offers a bright sort of smile. "Don't worry, we got this." He isn't nearly as certain as his bravado is putting on.

"And... you take care of yourself, too. I'll be home soon."