This made for a lovely surprise when I got home from work ~bluelamphinianJuly 31 2009, 04:37:51 UTC
Flail took more to sunning these days than wanting to work, but Rahal supposed that was part of being a lizard and a female one at that. They needed warmth to help with breeding, even if there was absolutely no chance she would breed here, but the cycles of nature were unstoppable at times. He let her have her time to bask, as he had already completed their morning drills and work out anyways.
That being said, he found himself with a disappointing lack of things to actually do. It was an ongoing problem for him, finding a place to fit in here at Budehuc. He worked part time as a tailor, but the business had slowed of late. He needed to walk, to think, to just... be calm, center himself. Roog might have found meditation laughable, but Rahal found it rewarding, and what better place to try and meditate than the gardens?
He headed over, picking his way through a back route that involved more physical activity than the broader, more well known path. He liked the ache and sting it brought up in his muscles now cool after the work out earlier that day.
He wandered in, breathing deeply of the scents, the heady aroma of earth drizzled with a splash of lake. He slowed his walk, letting himself float in the smell and the serenity of the place, sure he was alone.
He unworked his braid, running his hands through his still slightly sweaty locks and rounded a corner, pausing when his instincts said someone was there. And when he saw who it was, he nearly blushed.
Culgan.
In an instant the night from a few days ago rushed back. Getting drunk, their conversation over dinner... kissing him. And Culgan kissing back. It was all rather confusing really. But, avoiding the man wasn't the answer, and Rahal had never made a habit of avoiding problems or issues - or anything really.
Re: This made for a lovely surprise when I got home from work ~highlands_swordJuly 31 2009, 04:58:09 UTC
He'd been aware that someone else was wandering the gardens, of course. It was an inevitable habit from war; one he would not be getting over anytime in the near future. Still, he knew the castle was relatively safe. He wasn't concerned, nor would he be unless the movements ceased sounding normal.
The only reason he even looked over from his own retrospection was due to the pause in footsteps. He was vaguely surprised to see Rahal standing there, but at the same time... not. The dragon knight seemed just as surprised to see him, not that Culgan showed it.
Culgan shrugged slightly. "I have been fine-- Seed and I went to Vinay del Zexay to purchase a horse for me." He was pleased with what they had picked out, too. A good match for both him, and Seed's mount. Now he would actually be able to keep up with the red head.
Rahal could only offer a short shrug. "Far less exciting than that," he chuckled, even though his mind flashed with that night, mouth filling with the phantom taste of liquor and Culgan.
But the mention of horses brought that little smile to his lips again. "Speaking of horses - I owe you a ride on Flail don't I?" It was a rather subtle hint he recalled their conversation that night, and probably much more.
"I see." He replied, arching a brow. Honestly, he was not even sure Rahal remembered anything of that night.
"Ah, yes. But I am afraid I will have to decline for the time being." Culgan responded, quietly, with a shake of his head. "My time in the infirmary reduced my riding stamina, unfortunately, and I am paying for it now." He said with chagrin and a slightly apologetic expression. What he meant was he was saddle sore, and wasn't keen on the idea of sitting at the moment.
Rahal understood well enough. He'd had those days too. A dragon horse might be a bit bigger and easier to sit than an equine, but it came with some of the same downfalls.
He lapsed into silence after giving a nod of acceptance,wondering how to broach what was truly bothering him. With nobles you danced around the subject, slowly winding your way in till the noble thought it was their idea to bring the subject up. But with a solider you were direct, no sugar coating, and none of those vile pleasantries that meant exactly squat - not that their current conversation was like that of course.
Finally he sighed, taking a seat next to Culgan, though he kept a polite amount of space between them. "I remember what happened after dinner."
Culgan had an idea of what the silence was about, but rather than keep his gaze on Rahal he turned it toward the sky to give the other man time to gather his thoughts. Silence was fine with him anyway, though he did also like the sound of voices sometimes... not that he would admit that to anyone, except perhaps Seed... who probably knew anyway.
When Rahal finally spoke, he turned his gaze back towards the man. "I thought that may be it." He responded to the younger man, then shrugged slightly. The older man remained silent, waiting for Rahal to continue.
All right, it was awkward now. What as he supposed to say? He had spent most of the morning after wards fighting off a hangover and mulling over what had happened. He couldn't deny he liked the kiss they'd shared, or Culgan's arms around him. It had felt good to be touched like that again, to have some form of intimate contact instead of the formal handshakes and the looks that meant anything from support to a silent threat.
"I feel I should apologize," he said at last. "I put you in an awkward situation, and that was wrong of me. And I hope that what happened doesn't change the fact we're friends. I'll understand, of course, if you'd prefer never to enter a tavern with me again." He laughed a bit at that last part, though his insides churned.
He still felt slightly alone here at Budehuc, still unsure of his footing in a place where his calling as a dragon knight was both foreign and unneeded. He prayed that the Sun wouldn't let his foolishness the other night cost him perhaps one of the few people he called a solid friend here at Budehuc.
There was no telling what was going on in his mind. He had spent many years training himself to be that way, and had never let his 'talent' get dull. It was useful in pretty much any situation, and had a habit of making others so uncomfortable that they couldn't keep anything from him. The only possible immune person alive was Seed.
"I will not deny it." Culgan replied after a few contemplative moments. "I am a very private man, Rahal, nor do I flaunt how I am anywhere." He shrugged slightly, and ran a hand through his hair subconsciously. Then, he chuckled a bit. "You certainly cannot hold your liquor at all. I am curious what else it is that you want to say to me, though."
Rahal understood that, and respected that part of Culgan. He was so used to Roog's rowdiness that finding another like him that actually thought about things before they said them was a breath of fresh air - amusing and somewhat awkward all at once. But he didn't hate the feeling. It was sort of fun, actually, trying to figure out what Culgan was thinking.
He physically relaxed at Culgan's words, glad his own failures and less than brilliant decisions weren't coming with disastrous results. But, of course, that didn't mean his next words might not.
And these weren't spur of the moment. He'd spent the days between that night and now contemplating, wondering, asking himself over and over if he was ready for this. In the end, he was just tired to being alone.
"I think I remember you returning my kiss," Rahal continued, letting the words come out with confidence he partially felt, but hid the parts that weren't. "And if you did, I was wondering if you might consider us attempting something more than friendship. Of course nothing like I was suggesting that night, not so quick. Perhaps just a few walks in the garden first?" He smiled a bit shyly, not used to this sort of thing and wondering if he'd done this right.
Culgan sat in silence for a few minutes while he contemplated the answer to that particular question. His gaze was on a cloud as it flitted across the sky, reminding him of something else.
Although it didn't show, he was not in a particularly up mood at the moment; the result of several factors. The ex-General didn't say anything. Instead, he leaned toward Rahal and quite simply, kissed him.
If ever he had expected an answer, that was not it. A yes or no would have sufficed, no real explanation needed. But to be kissed...
His shock faded quickly, melting like ice before noonday sun in the middle of summer. He leaned back in, pressing against those warm lips, letting his own soften and become pliant. He found it strange how his mouth seemed to fit to Culgan's, how soft they were. He somehow expected them to be harder, though he couldn't say why.
He pulled away after a moment, Culgan's warmth lingering on tongue and lips. "I'll take that as a yes?" he asked softly, still leaned in close to the other man, blue eyes watching with contained hopefulness.
Culgan didn't particularly want to talk. Nor did he really want to think, maybe that was part of what led to these particular actions. When Rahal spoke again, he said: "You talk too much."
A relationship was not what he wanted. There was only one person he'd ever wanted one with, and that was never going to happen. So. Here he was, doing what he'd done in camp so many times before... among other places: Leaning forward to kiss the other man again, in an attempt to shut him up.
Seed had been looking for Culgan for a while, now. While he was at the stables, currying Bataille, he had heard of a fair being held in Iksay, and thought that it could be a source of entertainment for his friend, who seemed to have been wandering aimlessly through the last few weeks. He could also bully Percival into coming, which would make two birds with one stone.
Pleased with his idea, Seed turned a corner and caught a glimpse of a familiar back. "Hey!" He called, quickly making his way towards... "Cul-" The word died in his throat as he realized what he was witnessing. Culgan. Rahal. Kissing? Rahal. Culgan. Kissing!
Emotions raged through him faster than he could identify them, probably registering on his face, as he was always one to wear his feelings on his sleeve: Surprise, disgust, consternation, but, most of all betrayal.
Turning on his heels, he walked away as fast as he had walked towards his friend.
That was all it took for Rahal to understand. Like Culgan, he didn't want a deep meaningful relationship. He had that, if not in the entirely intimate way that would make it complete with the one man he truly could say he loved above all others.
Like Culgan he'd sought out those that would give him the ability to briefly forget that what he wanted was forever out of reach. It never filled the void, but it filled some of it. Never for long, but long enough.
He pressed closer to Culgan, his kiss more confidant this time, tongue gliding out to brush against Culgan's. His fingers slid up, brushing the edges of the silver hair, a quiet, slow moan working up past his lips.
That being said, he found himself with a disappointing lack of things to actually do. It was an ongoing problem for him, finding a place to fit in here at Budehuc. He worked part time as a tailor, but the business had slowed of late. He needed to walk, to think, to just... be calm, center himself. Roog might have found meditation laughable, but Rahal found it rewarding, and what better place to try and meditate than the gardens?
He headed over, picking his way through a back route that involved more physical activity than the broader, more well known path. He liked the ache and sting it brought up in his muscles now cool after the work out earlier that day.
He wandered in, breathing deeply of the scents, the heady aroma of earth drizzled with a splash of lake. He slowed his walk, letting himself float in the smell and the serenity of the place, sure he was alone.
He unworked his braid, running his hands through his still slightly sweaty locks and rounded a corner, pausing when his instincts said someone was there. And when he saw who it was, he nearly blushed.
Culgan.
In an instant the night from a few days ago rushed back. Getting drunk, their conversation over dinner... kissing him. And Culgan kissing back. It was all rather confusing really. But, avoiding the man wasn't the answer, and Rahal had never made a habit of avoiding problems or issues - or anything really.
"Culgan," he called, waving slightly.
Reply
The only reason he even looked over from his own retrospection was due to the pause in footsteps. He was vaguely surprised to see Rahal standing there, but at the same time... not. The dragon knight seemed just as surprised to see him, not that Culgan showed it.
"Good afternoon." He said with a nod.
Reply
"How have you been?" he asked. "I haven't seen you in a few days."
Reply
"And you?"
Reply
But the mention of horses brought that little smile to his lips again. "Speaking of horses - I owe you a ride on Flail don't I?" It was a rather subtle hint he recalled their conversation that night, and probably much more.
Reply
"Ah, yes. But I am afraid I will have to decline for the time being." Culgan responded, quietly, with a shake of his head. "My time in the infirmary reduced my riding stamina, unfortunately, and I am paying for it now." He said with chagrin and a slightly apologetic expression. What he meant was he was saddle sore, and wasn't keen on the idea of sitting at the moment.
Reply
He lapsed into silence after giving a nod of acceptance,wondering how to broach what was truly bothering him. With nobles you danced around the subject, slowly winding your way in till the noble thought it was their idea to bring the subject up. But with a solider you were direct, no sugar coating, and none of those vile pleasantries that meant exactly squat - not that their current conversation was like that of course.
Finally he sighed, taking a seat next to Culgan, though he kept a polite amount of space between them. "I remember what happened after dinner."
Reply
When Rahal finally spoke, he turned his gaze back towards the man. "I thought that may be it." He responded to the younger man, then shrugged slightly. The older man remained silent, waiting for Rahal to continue.
Reply
"I feel I should apologize," he said at last. "I put you in an awkward situation, and that was wrong of me. And I hope that what happened doesn't change the fact we're friends. I'll understand, of course, if you'd prefer never to enter a tavern with me again." He laughed a bit at that last part, though his insides churned.
He still felt slightly alone here at Budehuc, still unsure of his footing in a place where his calling as a dragon knight was both foreign and unneeded. He prayed that the Sun wouldn't let his foolishness the other night cost him perhaps one of the few people he called a solid friend here at Budehuc.
Reply
"I will not deny it." Culgan replied after a few contemplative moments. "I am a very private man, Rahal, nor do I flaunt how I am anywhere." He shrugged slightly, and ran a hand through his hair subconsciously. Then, he chuckled a bit. "You certainly cannot hold your liquor at all. I am curious what else it is that you want to say to me, though."
Reply
He physically relaxed at Culgan's words, glad his own failures and less than brilliant decisions weren't coming with disastrous results. But, of course, that didn't mean his next words might not.
And these weren't spur of the moment. He'd spent the days between that night and now contemplating, wondering, asking himself over and over if he was ready for this. In the end, he was just tired to being alone.
"I think I remember you returning my kiss," Rahal continued, letting the words come out with confidence he partially felt, but hid the parts that weren't. "And if you did, I was wondering if you might consider us attempting something more than friendship. Of course nothing like I was suggesting that night, not so quick. Perhaps just a few walks in the garden first?" He smiled a bit shyly, not used to this sort of thing and wondering if he'd done this right.
Reply
Culgan sat in silence for a few minutes while he contemplated the answer to that particular question. His gaze was on a cloud as it flitted across the sky, reminding him of something else.
Although it didn't show, he was not in a particularly up mood at the moment; the result of several factors. The ex-General didn't say anything. Instead, he leaned toward Rahal and quite simply, kissed him.
Reply
His shock faded quickly, melting like ice before noonday sun in the middle of summer. He leaned back in, pressing against those warm lips, letting his own soften and become pliant. He found it strange how his mouth seemed to fit to Culgan's, how soft they were. He somehow expected them to be harder, though he couldn't say why.
He pulled away after a moment, Culgan's warmth lingering on tongue and lips. "I'll take that as a yes?" he asked softly, still leaned in close to the other man, blue eyes watching with contained hopefulness.
Reply
A relationship was not what he wanted. There was only one person he'd ever wanted one with, and that was never going to happen. So. Here he was, doing what he'd done in camp so many times before... among other places: Leaning forward to kiss the other man again, in an attempt to shut him up.
Reply
Seed had been looking for Culgan for a while, now. While he was at the stables, currying Bataille, he had heard of a fair being held in Iksay, and thought that it could be a source of entertainment for his friend, who seemed to have been wandering aimlessly through the last few weeks. He could also bully Percival into coming, which would make two birds with one stone.
Pleased with his idea, Seed turned a corner and caught a glimpse of a familiar back.
"Hey!" He called, quickly making his way towards... "Cul-"
The word died in his throat as he realized what he was witnessing.
Culgan. Rahal. Kissing?
Rahal. Culgan. Kissing!
Emotions raged through him faster than he could identify them, probably registering on his face, as he was always one to wear his feelings on his sleeve: Surprise, disgust, consternation, but, most of all betrayal.
Turning on his heels, he walked away as fast as he had walked towards his friend.
(ooc: Vince invited me to crash the thread.)
Reply
Like Culgan he'd sought out those that would give him the ability to briefly forget that what he wanted was forever out of reach. It never filled the void, but it filled some of it. Never for long, but long enough.
He pressed closer to Culgan, his kiss more confidant this time, tongue gliding out to brush against Culgan's. His fingers slid up, brushing the edges of the silver hair, a quiet, slow moan working up past his lips.
Reply
Leave a comment