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[ Things have been okay, surprisingly, with Rhy. There have been mutual assurances between the both of them that what occurred was something desired, not forced - even if the initial push had been an outside source. It was good, and he felt good - and it seemed as though Rhy did as well.

Kahlil hasn't had much intention of pursuing Rhy more seriously. He knows the man has quite a few admirers and lovers - for better or worse Kahlil knows himself to be the jealous type in these matters. But there's still flirting, and something open-ended left on the metaphorical table.

He could never have this in Basawar.

Tonight he invites Rhy out with him to a tavern in the castle city. The place is a little nicer than his usual gossip-gathering haunts, and he actually allows himself to drink a little than he might if he were alone. The mood has been somber amongst the natives as of late and people are still wary of the Summoned, but there's still pockets like this where people don't stare at them when they take a table in a corner and order some wine. Reminders of the burned harvests and tainted waters are here in the shortened menu lists. The mood is good, at least. There's a troupe playing instruments in a corner, and a few inebriated folks are attempting to dance. ]

I wish they'd move a little farther from the fire... [ Kahlil says with a wince and a wry look as he takes a drink from his glass, enjoying the warmth in his belly - and the handsome company. ]

Edited 2022-12-02 00:51 (UTC)

[ Of course, Rhy can't refuse an invitation like this. Truth be told, despite putting on his best appearances for the newly Summoned and trying his hardest to make them feel welcome, he has been feeling rather out of sorts ever since being trapped on that awful beach for what felt like weeks by himself inside the Horizon. He's always been a social creature, but lately, being alone has been harder than ever. A crowded place like this with familiar company is comforting.

He's had a bit to drink already, feeling pleasantly warm and a little bit buzzed. Rhy follows Kyle's gaze to the would-be dancers and laughs softly. ]

We could dance near the fire instead. To protect them. A public service, you see.

Oh yes, obviously. [ The younger man's soft laughter has him grinning as he takes another drink - glad to hear the sound of it again. Rhy's been shouldering a lot these past months, more than his fair share. And what happened to him in the Horizon - it wasn't like the strange labyrinth and haphazard towers Kahlil and the others experienced. At least they weren't alone in those.

The question still is: why did it happen to Rhy?

That's not on his mind right now, though. Kahlil cocks his head to one side, leaning in a little closer. ]

Oddly enough, they didn't hold very many dances at the monastery. Think you can take the lead?

[ It's a slip. He hasn't mentioned much about his past, nothing about where he was raised or by whom. He doesn't notice. ]

[ Rhy laughs again, easy and warm, then downs the rest of his drink to place the empty cup with a decisive thump on the table. He slips out of his seat and, with a flourish, offers his hand to Kyle. ]

Happily.

[ As soon as his companion takes his hand, Rhy will pull him up out of his chair and toward the makeshift dancefloor.

On the way, he just has one question: ]

What's a monastery, and what do they have against dancing?

[ There's the briefest of hesitations. Kneejerk, but it passes quickly and with a playfully seductive grin he takes Rhy's hand to be pulled toward the dancefloor. No one pays them any mind, just like all the times before. He's getting better at this, he thinks.

The question has him raising both eyebrows, surprised. It's the first time there's been a language gap, and it's with a word he wasn't expecting. For a split second he wonders if he's being teased, but then he answers: ]

Ah, like a temple? A holy place. [ He turns to face Rhy, placing his free hand on his shoulder. ] Did I forget to mention I was a priest?

[ Considering he's told only a handful of people, yes. ]

Ah, I see. [ Rhy pulls him closer, into a simple dance without clear steps. His other hand rests on Kahlil's waist. ]

And clearly you must've because this is the first I'm hearing of it.

[ He steps them forward, then back, swaying in rhythm. Apparently, priest at least is a word he knows. ]

Though you said you're not much of a healer.

[ The song is a lively one. It's easy enough to fall into rhythm. Kahlil wasn't trained in dancing, but he's been trained in other ways that make his movements graceful. ]

I'm terrible at it, but maybe I should learn that too one day. [ Another grin, and he teases: ] You're a complete mystery, though

[ Has Rhy ever told him anything about his home? All he really knows is that Kell is he brother, the red-headed man with the strange eye. The pair of them couldn't be any more different in personality. ]

[ Rhy only really brought it up because those two things -- the concept of a priest and a healer -- are so intertwined in his mind; he immediately assumed that Kyle must have received some training of that type to be a priest, but the miscommunication isn't clear, and so he just accepts it. Maybe in his world it's not based on such talents. Rhy doesn't press further, finding himself faced with questions of his own.

He laughs once, short and quiet, not entirely mirthful. His fingers curl in the hem of Kahlil's shirt, bunching it up above his hip before realizing what he's doing and letting go. ]

I kind of like the sound of that. There's something sexy about a mystery, right?

[ But it's not really a secret, not most of it. He doesn't tease Kahlil long. ]

You can ask me whatever you wish. Where shall I start?

[ Just that small touch sends both a thrill and fear through him. It flickers across his features before he can bury it with another sly look, and he takes a second to think, unable to help when his gaze scans the room behind Rhy for a second.

It's different here, he reminds himself for the thousandth time.

He dips his chin, eyes half-lidded. ]

How many lovers do you have? Here, and missing you back home?

[ There's a playful lilt to his tone. ]

[ That's not the sort of question Rhy thought he would ask, and the surprise shows on his face. It's not that he's embarrassed by it, but the unexpected turn in the conversation gives him enough pause that the answer doesn't come as quickly. ]

Really? That's what--

[ There's an attempt at a laugh, but it cuts off.

A flicker of something else crosses Rhy's face. Confusion, perhaps. His brows furrow, and his grip on Kahlil tightens suddenly, steadying, like he might lose his balance if he didn't grab onto something fast. ]

[ For a second he's proud of himself for catching Rhy off guard, but that feeling immediately dissolves into concern when the younger man's laugh cuts off and he grips him like that so suddenly. The hand on Rhy's shoulder becomes steadying at once, his other hand slipping around his waist in case his legs actually do go out beneath him. ]

Rhy? [ The concern on his features bleeds into his tone. Too much to drink, he might think, if they hadn't only just started and he'd already seen how much Rhy could put down while still able to stand on his feet. ]

Come, lets sit again. [ He glances toward their table in the corner, still empty and available. If Rhy doesn't protest he'll lead him back that way.

A few of the patrons around the tavern are looking at them curiously now, despite his best efforts. ]

Or if you need some air...

[ The immediate response to brace him is appreciated, as suddenly the nagging unpleasant feeling in the back of his head explodes into a throbbing headache that triggers a wave of dizziness so strong, all he can do for several seconds is lean against Kahlil and breathe.

Thankfully, it passes nearly as quickly as it came on, leaving Rhy stunned and shaken, the color drained from his face despite the warmth of the fire and the wine. ]

Some- some fresh air... would be appreciated. [ he gets out finally, fumbling at his belt for his coin purse to leave some money on the table before they duck out. ]

[ Kahlil gently pushes Rhy's hand from his coin purse, shifting so that he can keep one arm around his middle while the other fishes for coin out of his own pocket. He motions for a serving woman and hands the money to her so that they can keep walking toward the door. ]

Keep leaning on me.

[ The shift in the air is immediate as soon as they're outside, the winter air bracingly cold against any bare skin. The street is still lit with the soft light of magically lit lamps, there are few people out and about at this time of night.

Softly: ]

We should head back to the castle.

[ The burst of cold air shocks him back to the present effectively enough, fills his lungs so suddenly it makes his eyes water. ]

No.

[ It comes out more forcefully this time, in response to Kyle's suggestion. ]

Find a bench or something.

[ He hesitates for a moment, as if he might argue, but then seems to concede to the demand.

They're not far from a nearby square with a fountain, still running warm water despite the chill in the air. He leads them that way, where steam prettily mists in the air around the water streaming out of winged fish statuary. There, he seats them at the closest bench, letting Rhy sit first before taking the place right next to him, their legs touching.

He waits quietly, keeping an eye on the shadowed alleys and movements of the few people moving in and out of the square at this hour. ]

[ Rhy doesn't say anything for a bit. He sits, less shaky now -- physically speaking -- but oddly glassy-eyed and out of it, with a tight-jawed expression that twists his lips like he's eaten something bad.

They sit on that bench near the fountain for a good five minutes, maybe more, before Rhy finally seems to remember Kyle is there with him and turns his head to look at his companion, rather than staring off into space somewhere in the vicinity of the fountain like he has been all this time.

He tries to speak, finds his throat too tight. Stops, clears it. Tries again. ]

Thank you.

[ Kahlil waits, tight-lipped, until Rhy is finally able to speak again. He lets out a breath, shaking his head. ]

If you really want to thank me, you'll let me take you to see a healer.

[ Instead of sitting out here in the cold. But despite that, he doesn't try to stand up and get them walking. Instead, his brow furrows. ]

What's going on? [ Are you alright? ]

I... I do not think this is a job for a healer.

[ Rhy slumps, elbows on his knees, and rubs his hands over his face. He keeps them there, taking shaky breaths, his shoulders trembling. At first, he's trying not to cry; then, he's just trying to keep it reserved. ]

[ He's used to Rhy brushing off concerns about his health in the wake of the fires and all the work that needed to be done, his exhaustion. But this is something different. And at first he's at a loss, especially when the younger man's shoulders start to shake. It takes Kahlil a second to gently put a hand between his shoulder blades, and if there's no resistance he slips it properly around his shoulders, allowing Rhy to lean against him.

His voice is low and soft. ]

It's alright. [ To let this out. ]

[ It's enough. At the first touch, Rhy melts into him, curling up against Kahlil's side. The shock was numb at first, and then the anger, confusion and a dull, aching horror. Now, pressed up against another person's warmth, the heavy sadness drags it all down instead, and leaves him crying into Kahlil's shoulder. It is quiet, not wracking sobs so much as trembling, painful breaths, and his throat keeps closing up.

It's a few minutes before it passes. The numbness comes back; the anger will probably return later, but not yet. ]

I'm... sorry. I just...

Remembered something.

This isn't how I wanted tonight to go.

[ He holds Rhy close, pressing his cheek against his hair as he shakes with the effort of his breaths. It's hard to feel and listen to without something in his own chest clenching tight. This isn't like a physical wound he could bear for him, he can only wait as Rhy struggles with himself, his grip tightening as he gently half-mouths, half-whispers Rhy, it's all right... into his hair, though he knows the words are useless.

He waits until the younger man regains his voice, wanting to interrupt you don't have to apologize, but holding his tongue until he seems to finish.

His brow pinches, and softly: ]

I just want to make sure you're okay. [ They can always go out again. A beat, then: ] Remembered what?

[ Rhy stays there, leaned against Kyle's shoulder. His eyes are not quite closed, but he doesn't look up, staring at the sidewalk ahead of them and listening to the running water in the fountain. He is silent again for a few long moments. It's not because he's thinking of what to say. He's just too sad to say it. ]

You asked me about my lovers here. And I thought of... someone. Who isn't here anymore.

And then I remembered something I think he made me forget.

Someone I cared about very much--

[ His voice catches. Rhy shakes his head slightly, closing his eyes and taking a few deep breaths to push down more tears. ]

We disagreed over something important. I think he-- might have used magic to make me forget the disagreement. Then, he just... ignored me. For weeks.

And now he's gone.

I feel--

[ ... ]

I don't know how to feel.

[ He really shouldn't be dumping all this on Kyle, but at the same time, Kyle deserves an explanation. He doesn't know what to say. ]

[ Kahlil listens. He'd been half flirting, half actually curious when he asked the question. He hadn't expected this. It's a disgust that rises first as Rhy tries to explain what he thinks was done to him - and then a cold anger.

Slowly: ]

If he did all that too you... Rhy, that is an awful betrayal. I'm so sorry.

[ He knows too intimately what it's like to lose memories. But in Kahlil's case he has no one to blame but himself.

After a moment, carefully: ]

He's definitely gone?

[ His domain has vanished from Horizon?

He asks because if not - he's contemplating violence, cold and calculated and swift. The reaction is second nature, moreso than acts of comfort. He's not had many people he's cared about in his life, or been in a position to do something to the ones that directly harmed them. ]

[ He nods, still without lifting his head, so Kahlil will probably feel it more than see the barest movement. ]

He's gone.

[ Him and Kylo Ren. Fitting, that they've gone together. And easier, too. Rhy doesn't think he could look Kylo in the eye either after that, knowing he'd almost certainly been aware.

It doesn't occur to him why Kyle is asking. Probably for the best, since he'd still insist against violence and would feel terribly guilty for having told anyone if Ronan ever did reappear again (Rhy really hopes he doesn't).

His shoulders sag. He turns his head further, forehead pressing into Kahlil's shoulder, and one hand slides into his lap, seeking his to hold. ]

My brother says I trust too easily.

[ Like he's doing now. The irony isn't lost on him.

Rhy lets out a soft, mournful laugh. ]

But I don't want to become the kind of person who expects betrayal.

[ That's the kind of person Ronan is. He'd known that, nearly since they met. He'd just thought, if he was open and trusting and showed Ronan how much he cared about him, just as he had for so many months, that he could assure Ronan he would never betray him. That he would always listen, and try to understand.

But there are some things even Rhy has a hard time forgiving. And the realization makes his chest feel like it's caving in. ]

[ His free hand moves to hold Rhy's, feeling a certain relief when he assures him that this person is gone, unable to cause more harm. There's still a part of him that wants to make sure, and speaking of Rhy's brother - Kahlil might reach out to him to get more details and confirm that with him. But that's something to figure out later. ]

It's not your fault, what happened. Expecting enemies all around you, from those you trust the most, it's... a lonely way to live.

[ Never being able to trust anyone. Never getting too close to anyone. Alidas was his only true friend in the two years he lived in Nurjima, but they still kept each other at arms length. Because in the end, Alidas' loyalties were to his house. No amount of affection for Kahlil could change that, and Kahlil himself understood that.

It's not a life he would hope for someone like Rhy.

He shakes his head. ]

You deserve better.

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