mister hyde

let the arrow fly

What purpose was held in traversing the night? Surely it was required to hold a partner upon surveillance held so late in the evening especially when one was still in training. Maybe that is what one had tried to indulge earlier in the evening, that plans had changed even as one only half listened. Then again none had stopped him from exiting the grounds to wander out into the night. None had issued any other instruction and yet they very well could have thought he attended to more personal matters in these fading hours. Whatever they thought he was out here now, this journey would be over soon enough.

It had to be. No matter how twisting thoughts said otherwise, how breath quickened upon a rising pulse and nerves brought a mind to swim. This was a mistake. This was nothing more than foolishness he should have implored against undertaking. Before the sun’s rays could creep into the path of stars he would back in the safety of the light, back home; all before the encroaching darkness could consume him entirely. Yet no matter how one fought for focus the world around him seemed to fade away. Overtaken by the sensation of feeling lost, of floating in some blackened abyss.

Steps growing unsteady as worries brought blood rushing to his head, a frame bracing against the thickness of a nearby trunk in hopes to ground himself even as wild unfocused eyes peered out into shadows. Jaws pressing tightly against one another as one fought for self-control, to fixate upon whatever sound may rise from the surrounding woods. Anything that may reel him back to the present, to the faint din of the distant tavern, the commotion of another housed just beyond the veil.

once you know your aim is true

My lord. The servants had greeted Valther like a king and he strode around the manor like royalty, as temporary head of the family, he was finally being treated to the kind of life that he deserved. No more scurrying through the streets after rats to fill his belly or doing someone's dirty work. He would build his own criminal network and be his own boss. What he lacked was influence and connections, but he was confident that his inheritance would sway people to his side and if he couldn't charm them then he could find a way to break them. Everyone had a price whether it was paid in gold or blood. And he was about to put those skills to the test by accepting as many invitations as he could.

The young lord Calyx was in good spirits as he walked home from a particularly notable dinner party. Alcohol warmed his blood enough that the winter night air didn't bother him. He hummed a jolly tune and wandered further into the dark. Brown eyes twinkled with mirth when he saw a spotted youth sitting beneath a tree. A tree? Maybe he was a little more drunk than he realised. He obviously wasn't in Rionna anymore. Not that it mattered because he had found a friend to play with. “Good evening, Sir Spots. Mind if I join you?” he asked, but of course he didn't wait for permission he was already plonking himself down besides him.

A more sober Valther might have at least introduced himself before making himself at home, but he was high on his success and revelling in his elevated status. “You look nervous,” he remarked, tilting his head curiously, a single folded ear bouncing from the motion. “Were you expecting a monster to pop out? I’m sorry to disappoint,” Valther couldn't help teasing the other boy a little. He looked too soft to be out this late and that made Valther want to play with him all the more.

code: elyon | art: ashon