Of Elves and Pirates

[Niya]

((OOC: I have permission to use Elhadron. Since...y'know. He's mine.))

"Is that where we're going?" Doe asked. "To see elves?"

"Yeah," Niya said, "I don't really know why--Mae makes all the decisions and the rest of us just roll with the punches. But that's where we're going, to the elven kingdom of Vysvada. They say they have homes and castles made of trees and that that one of their towers reaches as high as the moons! Walking through their halls is like walking through a silver forest at night and the elves twinkle like stars in the darkness."

Niya stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Of course, most of that is bollocks. But wouldn't that be something? Imagine, a tower reaching to the moons...."

Niya grinned. "Goddess, that'd be a lot of stairs though, wouldn't it?"

Silence descended for a while and Niya lost himself in the scenery. The forest was rather gorgeous. As they neared the borders of the actual kingdom, however, a slight foreboding slammed into him and he instinctively reached out for Doe's hand.

Suddenly, an arrow whizzed down and planted itself in the earth in front of Mae's feet. "Look what we have here, brother," a musical voice called from everywhere and nowhere at once. Niya cast about frantically, trying to figure out where the voice had come from. "Seems we have visitors."

A moment later, a tall, slender figure dropped from the trees. Long brown hair swirled about his head as he stumbled a bit and looked around, as if trying to gauge whether anybody else had seen it. Still, when he pulled himself up to his full height, his bright brown eyes fierce in the dawn sunlight, Niya didn't have the guts to say anything about that. He had the distinct impression that he would be run through with the sword, or another arrow, if he did.

"Pirates, eh?" the elf said, glancing to Mae and then taking in the rest of the crew. "What business do you have in our fair kingdom?"

[Condir Narendryl]

Patrols were normally boring. Condir had literally lost count of the times he had wished to be doing something-- anything-- elsewhere. As much as he adored spending time with his brother, he didn't adore it so much when they were skipping through trees in search of enemies. It wasn't as if they found threats often, either, or else he might have found it exciting. Unfortunately, the case was that it was monotonous and dull, neither of which were things Condir dealt well with.

Suddenly, he shushed his brother, pulling an arrow from his quiver. There was a group advancing toward Vysvada-- loudly at that. Condir leapt to the next branch over, peering down beneath the leaves. He recognized that human leading...

With no preamble, Elhadron fired an arrow straight in front of the woman. Condir fought not to roll his eyes.

"Look what we have here, brother. Seems we have visitors," he said, dropping to the ground. He stumbled, though, and Condir snickered quietly. Despite his brother's success over him as a warrior, he certainly hadn't bested him in grace or elegance. "Pirates, eh? What business do you have in our fair kingdom?"

Condir's eyes landed on a boy behind the familiar woman, and his heart stopped. The boy was gorgeous. Immediately, Condir dropped to the ground beside his brother, determined that Elhadron wouldn't send them away.

"Now, now, El," he said calmly, his eyes finding their way back to the captain. "Surely you recognize our good friend..." What was her name again? Mary? Miranda? Oh, right... "Maelyn. A pleasure to see you, as always." He offered a polite bow, and when he straightened, his eyes landed back on the boy. He had such bright eyes that it left Condir breathless. "Please, disregard my brother's lack of trust. We would be remiss not to escort you to the gates, would we not?"

Satisfied by this, Maelyn gave a nod of greeting before she continued on. Leaving Elhadron to his own devices, Condir wound his way to see the beautiful boy.

"My apologies," Condir told him. The poor thing looked positively terrified. "We did not intend to frighten you. I am Condir. Tell me, what is your name?"

"I-- I'm Doeteain," the boy stuttered.

"Doeteain," Condir repeated. An odd name for a human... Nonetheless, Condir lifted his hand to his lips. "You are positively enchanting. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." It occurred to him suddenly that Doeteain, who was now blushing brightly, was not travelling alone, and he turned his eyes to the other boy. "How terrible of me-- I am sorry. What is your name?"

[Niya]

"Now, now, El, Surely you recognize our good friend..." the second elf, nearly identical to the first, floundered a bit for Mae's name before continuing, "Maelyn. A pleasure to see you, as always. Please, disregard my brother's lack of trust. We would be remiss not to escort you to the gates, would we not?"

Mae seemed satisfied and gave a nod before tromping ahead. The second elf wound his way over to Doe, though, and Niya stared at him. What did he want...?

"My apologies," Condir said and Niya fought down a surge of irritation. He was scaring Doeteain, and coming over to him wasn't helping matters any. Hadn't Doe been scared enough in the past? "We did not intend to frighten you. I am Condir. Tell me, what is your name?"

Niya couldn't help but notice the first elf, El, shoot Condir a dirty glare before rolling his eyes and turning to continue his job of escorting Mae to the gates.

"I-I'm Doeteain," Doe stuttered out.

The elf, Condir, repeated the name, pulling Doeteain's hand up to his lips and kissing his knuckles. Niya was indignant. He wasn't sure why, but it bothered him, this elf flirting with Doeteain. "You are positively enchanting. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Almost as if only just now noticing that Niya existed, Condir glanced at him. "How terrible of me-- I am sorry. What is your name?"

"Niya," grumbled the pirate, before tugging Doe's hand a bit. "C'mon. Mae's getting too far ahead. We don't want to be left behind."

As they caught up to the other twin, he glanced at Niya's grumpy face and Doe's rather terrified one. "Do not mind him. He is a flirt, but he is mostly harmless. I am Elhadron, son of Orchaldaer. My mother, Sileveth, is the Lady of this place"

"Niya," Niya returned. "And this is Doe. Nice to meet you."

Elhadron gave them a terse nod and a half smile before moving to the head of the party. A long walk later, they arrived at the gates and Niya had to catch his breath.

The legends weren't quite as bollocks as he had thought, he saw. Sure, the tower didn't reach all the way to the moons, but everything was so...beautiful. He wasn't sure what was actual tree and what was just clever craftsmanship. All of the elves were beautiful, too, walking about with a grace that astounded him. Music filled the entire place, either from some lyre being played in the distance or an elf maiden singing a sad and beautiful song in a language Niya didn't understand, but which filled his head with images and ideas anyways.

It was truly breathtaking. "Doe," he breathed, "Have you ever imagined such a place as this?"

[Doeteain Ean Evariic]

"Niya. C'mon. Mae's getting too far ahead. We don't want to be left behind."

Doeteain blinked at Niya for a second, but he let himself be pulled along. Was it just him, or was Niya suddenly less friendly? He looked upset... Not knowing what else to do, Doe squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"Do not mind him," the other elf said. "He is a flirt, but he is mostly harmless. I am Elhadron, son of Orchaldaer. My mother, Sileveth, is the Lady of this place."

"Niya." Doe opened his mouth to introduce himself, but Niya beat him to it. "And this is Doe. Nice to meet you."

Doeteain jumped, a blush lighting his face back up, when a hand rested against his back. He turned wide eyes to Condir, who only shot him a playful smile. With all the blushing he was doing, not to mention the fact he was wearing more clothes than he had his whole life, Doeteain was feeling so warm that he felt as if he might pass out. At the thought, he stumbled a little as they came to a clearing of sorts... but not the usual sort of clearing. They were still surrounded by trees, and music, and beautiful elves.

"Doe, have you ever imagined such a place as this?"

Shaking his head, Doeteain turned to look at Condir, who was still at his side. "Y-you live here?" There were so many places he wanted to climb. That tower, in particular.

"Do you like it?" Condir asked, still smiling.

"It's beautiful," Doe whispered.

"You are free to stay as long as you wish," Condir offered, shooting his twin a look. "We have more than enough spare rooms."

"We had not planned to stay long, Condir," Maelyn called from the head of the line. "I had only wished to pass through come morning."

Condir's face fell noticeably. "I see," he said. "Well, I hope you change your mind. I personally would be honoured should you stay longer."

[Elhadron Narendryl]

"You are free to stay as long as you wish," Condir offered, shooting his twin a look. "We have more than enough spare rooms."

Elhadron snorted, although he'd never admit that it was a snort; that was just not acceptable elf-lord behavior, as their adviser was so fond of always telling them. "As if you mean for Doeteain to sleep in any one of those rooms, Connie. You would rather have him in your bed," he teased.

Niya's grip tightened on Doeteain's hand, and El couldn't quite contain the smirk that pulled at his lips; it was obvious the pirate had a thing for the darker-haired boy. He wondered if Niya himself had figured it out yet. Doeteain obviously had not. Doe didn't seem to realize that Condir was into him, either, and he couldn't be more obvious about his intentions.

Suddenly, the female pirate he remembered as Maelyn called, "We had not planned to stay long, Condir. I had only wished to pass through come morning."

Condir's face fell, and as usual, Elhadron felt like comforting him. At the same time, though, he didn't really like visitors and he was thankful they wouldn't be there long. "I see," Condir said after a moment, "Well, I hope you change your mind. I personally would be honoured should you stay longer."

"Yes. Honored. But please," Elhadron added, "Make yourselves at home for however long you choose to stay. Our home is just down the path, and we have food and merriment for weary travelers such as yourselves. I only ask that you avoid the tower, as it is off-limits to visitors. Now, if you will excuse me?"

He gave a quick bow to the visitors, his hand over his chest in a respectful salute, before he turned and headed towards the tower. It was time or his daily visit to their father.

[Condir Narendryl]

"As if you mean for Doeteain to sleep in any one of those rooms, Connie. You would rather have him in your bed."

Condir vowed that he would repay his twin for that one. Not only had he used that infuriating nickname, but to insinuate that Condir's intentions were anything less than gentlemanly... Although he would certainly never decline an offer from his interests should they decide to take things to a bed, he would never initiate that intimacy, either. Elhadron knew that, too.

"Yes. Honored. But please, make yourselves at home for however long you choose to stay. Our home is just down the path, and we have food and merriment for weary travelers such as yourselves. I only ask that you avoid the tower, as it is off-limits to visitors. Now, if you will excuse me?"

Condir waited for Elhadron to disappear before he turned to the pirates. "Maelyn, I trust you know the way," he said.

"My memory isn't that awful, Condir," she remarked. He gave an apologetic nod as she continued walking, eventually disappearing into the hollows of a tree. At last, Condir returned his attentions to the absolutely charming being before him.

"Doeteain," he said, "Would you, perhaps, deign to accompany me to the treetops? I can't help but notice your fascination over them."

"I-- um..." He turned his eyes to his companion, Niya. Condir supposed he should have clarified their relationship before attempting to woo Doeteain, but he couldn't help but be blinded. "Niya, can I? I-I mean, would Maelyn...?"

"I promise to return you to her by dinner," Condir added, although he really would have loved to keep Doeteain at his side until it was time to retire to bed. Still, he would take small steps.

It was obvious that Doeteain was shy and unaccustomed to crowds; Condir would have been blind not to see that. If it were a result of some tragic past, he would have to be careful. He wouldn't want to hurt Doeteain inadvertently.

"O-okay..." Relinquishing his grip on Niya's hand, Doeteain tried on a smile that looked absolutely adorable, shooting it at Niya, as well. "I won't be long, Niya."

[Niya]

"Doeteain," Condir said, "Would you, perhaps, deign to accompany me to the treetops? I can't help but notice your fascination over them."

"I-- um..." Doe glanced at Niya, who had actually gotten distracted by the other twin leaving and heading off by himself and then Maelyn's departure, but at the sound of Doe's voice, Niya glanced over at him. "Niya, can I? I-I mean, would Maelyn...?"

Niya opened his mouth to try and dissuade him, but Condir cut in before he could get out a word. "I promise to return you to her by dinner."

"O-okay..." Relinquishing his grip on Niya's hand, Doeteain tried on a smile, and how the hell was Niya supposed to argue with him? Still, he felt the loss of Doe's hand almost immediately. "I won't be long, Niya."

Niya nodded and tried a smile as well, but even he didn't think the smile was quite genuine. "Yeah, okay. See you then," he said, trying not to let the disappointment show in his voice.

He would have Doe back by dinner time, he told himself. And it wasn't like Doeteain was his or anything. In fact, Niya had no claim on him whatsoever. If Doe decided to go tree-hopping with this elf, or even if he decided to stay behind permanently, who would Niya be to tell him no?

Niya waited until Doe was out of sight before sighing and kicking absently at a root. He was already feeling the loss of his newest friend. He didn't really have much to offer. Even the sleeping arrangements ended up being uncomfortable for the Evariic on the ship, and he hated water. This place was heaven. He honestly couldn't see any reason why Doeteain would bother staying with him.

Besides. He'd gotten on without Doe before, right? It wasn't like they'd known each other a long time or something like that. He was almost as much a stranger as this elf was.

Sighing again, Niya began walking along through this wonderland of silver trees. His eyes eventually wandered to the tower, which rose above everything. He had to admit he was curious about that spooky tower he could see rising in the distance. What was in there? Treasure maybe? Of course, he didn't mean to steal any of it. But he liked looking at treasure, and touching it, and basically just being around it. Even if he didn't take it in the end.

And it wasn't like he'd ever been very good at following rules. This new adventure on mind, he began heading towards the tower.

[Doeteain Ean Evariic]

"Yeah, okay. See you then," Niya said.

One hand resting against his spine, Condir led Doeteain to a marvellous spiralling staircase, which they took to what seemed to be a web of silvery branches. Condir soon was traipsing along one, and Doeteain figured he was meant to follow.

The second he had reached the middle of the first branch, he couldn't help but pause. It was absolutely beautiful up here. Condir apparently mistook his astonishment as fear, though.

"Don't worry," the elf said gently, "I'll be sure you don't fall."

The comment took Doeteain's mind back to Niya, and he felt his heart ache slightly, although he wasn't sure why. Pushing that from his mind, Doeteain took the hand extended to him, following Condir farther into the sky.

At last, the elf seemed to determine that they were high enough, and he dropped to a sitting position.

"You can see all of Vysvada from here."

"It's perfect," Doeteain breathed, leaning against the trunk of the tree. The Evariic in him was dying to swoop between these branches and head straight into the sun. Slowly, he managed to seat himself next to Condir, his legs dangling over the branch. He swung them, a content smile on his face as he looked around them.

"Doeteain..." Doe shot the elf a curious look, the smile still present. "I trust you have noticed my attraction."

Doeteain blinked. "Wh-what attraction...?"

It was Condir's turn to blink. "You haven't?"

"Condir, I don't-- I-I'm sorry... what do you mean?"

"Doeteain, I would very much like to court you properly. Romantically."

Blushing, Doeteain dropped his gaze, staring at his swinging feet with wide eyes. "O-oh," he said, as if he understood. He didn't, though. Why would anyone want him romantically? He was tiny and frail, and socially awkward, and not at all attractive like Condir or the rest of the elves or Niya.

"I assume from your silence you do not have an answer for me. I will wait, of course. Although I must ask for you to make a decision before your captain decides to leave."

"I-- I'll... I'll think about it," Doeteain managed. That seemed to be enough for Condir, who stood.

"Until then," he said, bowing. Doeteain nodded, and the elf flitted off.

Alone, Doe sat and thought. What answer could he give? Would he be expected to stay here, if he said yes? He thought he might like that. It was beautiful here, and Doeteain felt at home up in the trees. If he said no, he'd probably have to return to the S.S. Chimera, despite the terror he felt being near water. He didn't want to do that.

But the ship was where Niya was. Doeteain liked Niya... Suddenly, he perked up and stood. Maybe Niya would be able to explain this. Doeteain followed the route he'd taken to reach this spot, and headed back through Vysvada, eyes peeled for Niya.

[Elhadron Narendryl]

The trip up the stairs of the tower was always a pretty lengthy one, but before long, Elhadron arrived at the top, where his father's room was situated. He quietly slid the key he always had on his person into the lock and stepped inside. He didn't think to lock it behind him--nobody ever came in the tower anymore--and so he moved over to where his father was situated next to a window.

"Hello, father," Elhadron said, slowly taking the seat next to him and looking out over Vysvada. Orchaldaer didn't so much as blink in acknowledgement of El's presence, though, as usual. In the beginning, he'd been wild and unmanageable, sometimes even violent. He would burst into tears without a second's preamble and would just sob uncontrollably for hours, and then laugh maniacally after that.

Now, he mostly just sat by the window in a catatonic state, staring out over the expansive forest silently. "We have visitors today," El continued, sounding more casual than he had in front of the guests, "Pirates. I don't think you ever met Maelyn, but I've told you about her before. She is quite the spitfire. I wouldn't ever want to cross paths with her if I were an enemy. But she brought this strange boy with her. Doeteain. Much too pretty to be stinky human, if you ask me, and of course Condir is out to get him like always."

El slowly reached over and put a strand of his father's graying hair behind his ear, a serious expression on his face. "We still haven't found the people who did this to you. Con and I look every time we go out on patrol, but it would be so much more productive if mother would just let us leave Vysvada for a while. Still, we will find them, father. One day, we will have your vengeance."

Honestly, most of the family was shocked the Orchaldaer hadn't passed on from the torments he'd received. Elves were perfectly capable of dying whenever they lost hope or their hearts got broken. Instead, Orchaldaer lingered in this state. El had long ago decided that it was pure bloody-mindedness that kept him alive, and one day, if he just took good care of him and watched over him, he would come back and be his normal self again.

Suddenly, a light sound caught El's attention and his eyes narrowed. Somebody was in the tower. Slowly, he stood, his hand moving to the sword at his side. He quickly made his way over to the door and stood up against the wall, just waiting for whoever it was to stick his head in so he could lop it off.

A moment later, the door flew open, and El acted, reaching out and grabbing the throat of the intruder and slamming him against the wall, the sword pointed at his throat. It was the pirate. Niya.

El narrowed his eyes dangerously. "What are you doing in here? I told you specifically that this tower was off-limits."

"I-I'm sorry. Whenever someone tells me that, I can't help but...well. Investigate. I thought...I thought you were hiding some treasures up here. And I had to see them. Not to take them," Niya quickly added when El's grip on his throat tightened, "But to see them. I just want to see everything there is to see, y'know?"

"Well, as you can see," El said, "There is no treasure for you up here. Get out."

Elhadron released his grip and let Niya slide to the floor. The pirate crawled over to the other side of the door and used the frame to pull himself up, a hand rubbing at his throat. His eyes landed on Orchaldaer. "What's wrong with him?" Niya asked before he could stop himself.

"There is nothing wrong with him," Elhadron returned bitterly, "He is ill. Temporarily. And he will get better. You should leave. Now."

Niya blinked, ignoring the command. "Is he your father?"

"Yes, but I don't see why--"

Niya suddenly turned to him with a big grin. "I'm sure he'll be just fine. Elves are sturdy people. He'll be whole and healthy again in no time."

"...He's been like that for almost a thousand years..."

Niya choked. "Wow! You guys live that long? How old are you?"

"That is none of your concern! Now, if you would kindly leave me to my father," Elhadron moved to grab Niya once more and tripped. The pirate laughed at him, and then danced away out the door. Before he left entirely though, he smiled again.

"I meant it though. I can tell he's really strong. He'll come out of it. You'll see." With that, the pirate headed down the stairs and left Elhadron wondering just what kind of pirates he was dealing with nowadays...

[Doeteain Ean Evariic]

Doeteain had looked everywhere, and Niya was nowhere in sight. He didn't know what else to do. He couldn't even seem to find any of the pirates; all he saw were pretty elves. Had they all left him behind? He was very nearly in tears at the prospect that Niya would leave him without so much as a goodbye, but he forced himself to think positively. Niya wouldn't be so cruel...

Doeteain was beginning to come to terms with the fact that he hadn't really known Niya well enough to mourn the loss when he spotted the other emerging from one of the trees, and had he been less reserved, he would have flung himself into Niya's arms. As it were, he only ran over to him and grabbed his hand tightly.

"I've been looking for you for-- for forever," he breathed, relief colouring his voice. "I-- I wanted to ask your advice... I-I mean, you have to know better than I do, because you know, well, everything, and... I just... I don't know what to do." Interlacing his fingers between Niya's, Doeteain started pulling the pirate through the streets, or the paths that were as close to streets as Vysvada would ever see. He bit his lip. How exactly had he planned to ask Niya about this?

"Ni... Condir, he... he wants to 'court' me. I-- I don't even think I know what that means, b-but... I don't know what to say... I think..." I think he's making a grave mistake, was what Doeteain wanted to say, but he didn't. That sounded a little too much like self-pity, even for him. "I just-- I don't understand, and-- and what would be expected of me? And-- and is that even allowed, elves being with Evariic? What if-- what if he thinks I'm human, o-or something? And... I... I just don't know what I should do, Niya..."

It didn't seem to occur to Doeteain, even for an instant, that what he wanted could be factored into the decision. And even if he had taken that into account, what then? He didn't know what he wanted, either. He only wanted to know what Niya thought he should do, and hopefully then, he could make his choice.

[Niya]

Niya had just left the tower when he was suddenly grabbed by the hand. He nearly jumped ten feet in the air before he realized it was just Doeteain.

"I've been looking for you for-- for forever," he breathed, relief colouring his voice."I-- I wanted to ask your advice... I-I mean, you have to know better than I do, because you know, well, everything, and... I just... I don't know what to do."

Niya blinked in confusion. Hadn't he been spending the day with Condir? Niya hadn't expected to see Doe until dinner was on the table. A moment later, Niya realized what Doe had been saying. He wanted his advice? What about?

Doe answered that question a moment later. "Ni... Condir, he... he wants to 'court' me. I-- I don't even think I know what that means, b-but... I don't know what to say... I think..."

Niya's heart began sinking. This was it, then. Doe was about to tell him that he felt the same way about Con, that he was going to stay and be doted upon by an elf-prince and would live happily after. That he was leaving Niya for the beautiful tree-tops of Vysvada. And could Niya argue? No. Doeteain hated the water. And why shouldn't he get doted upon? Niya couldn't provide for Doe half the things an elf-prince could.

But then Doe surprised him. He said, "I just-- I don't understand, and-- and what would be expected of me? And-- and is that even allowed, elves being with Evariic? What if-- what if he thinks I'm human, o-or something? And... I... I just don't know what I should do, Niya..."

"Okay," Niya said, moving so that his hands were on either of Doe's shoulders and he was looking directly into the bright blue eyes of the other. "This is what you have to do. I want you to close your eyes. And imagine yourself as the happiest you an be. Now imagine who you would want by your side for that moment of supreme happiness. If Condir is there...then you'll march up to him and tell him you accept his proposal to court you. If not...then maybe it's not meant to be."

Of course Niya wanted Doe to be happy. He would never stand in the way of that. If Doe decided Condir was what he wanted, Niya would support that 100%, even if he'd really miss having the Evariic by his side. Sure, they'd only been together one night, but Niya enjoyed having someone as sweet and wonderful as Doe by his side. He could see himself getting really close to him. The other crew members meant a lot to him--but none of them were anywhere near his age group and didn't really get him. Most of the time, he felt like they were just indulging him.

With Doe, it hadn't felt like that. He'd felt a genuine connection there, between the two of them. He wasn't sure what exactly it came from, but it was there and Niya didn't want to lose that. But Doe deserved to be pampered and taken care of, because he hadn't been for a dozen years and it just wasn't fair. No matter how much Niya wanted to keep that genuine connection with Doe, he wanted Doeteain to be happy that much more.

[Doeteain Ean Evariic]

"Okay." Niya grabbed his shoulders and stared into his eyes. Doeteain felt another blush coming on, and he wanted to tear his eyes away, but he couldn't seem to break the eye contact. He couldn't even seem to blink. "This is what you have to do. I want you to close your eyes. And imagine yourself as the happiest you can be. Now imagine who you would want by your side for that moment of supreme happiness. If Condir is there...then you'll march up to him and tell him you accept his proposal to court you. If not...then maybe it's not meant to be."

Doeteain held Niya's gaze for a moment longer. Was this really going to work? And what if he did see Condir with him? That still didn't answer half of his questions. Still, he supposed it was worth a shot. With a half-hearted breath, he closed his eyes.

The happiest he could be... He'd have to be flying. Doeteain imagined it, his wings outstretched, the clouds beneath him. It was dawn, and the orange sky seemed to match the wings that extended to the sun. It was beautiful, and serene, and free. But who would he want to spend that moment with? He didn't even know anyone he could spend it with. Last he knew, elves didn't fly, and humans certainly didn't, either. So what then?

What if he didn't see anyone in his happiest moment?

Swallowing hard, Doeteain opened his eyes. "And... if-- if I don't see Condir... what do I do now...?"

It wasn't that he wanted to be alone, or that he was destined to be alone, he reasoned. Maybe he just hadn't found the right person yet. Or maybe, and this was more likely, it wasn't the right time. He'd only just had his first taste of freedom. He didn't know what courting involved, but he did know what it was meant to lead to: marriage, or a similar binding, which could only mean the loss of the freedom he'd never had before.

But was he really free now? He was a part of something, of the pirates' band. He was still expected to stay with them, and in essence, that meant that he was tied to the S.S. Chimera.

"What if... I-- I don't see anyone?"

[Niya]

"And... if-- if I don't see Condir... what do I do now...? What if... I-- I don't see anyone?"

Niya fought down a strange surge of relief; Doe wasn't interested in Condir like that yet. He wasn't sure why that made him so happy, but it did. It meant he might be able to have Doe near him that much longer. Possibly. But Doe still had another choice before him. Mae didn't ask anyone to follow her any further than they would. If Doeteain wanted to stay here, it was perfectly within his right.

"Then you haven't met the right person, or you haven't come to the right time," Niya said in response to Doe's question of what if. "But now, you have to think on this...what, lately, gives you the most happiness without quite getting to that happiest moment? And what path do you think will take you to that happy moment sooner?"

Niya reached down and grabbed Doe's hand. "You don't have to answer now though. Just think about it. It's time for dinner, and then, tonight, we will sleep like kings in the palace quarters!"

The pirate pulled Doe closer so he could drape an arm around his shoulders and then began heading towards the Hall where they would be having the meals. He hoped he could figure out the way. If he and Doe got lost...well. Mae would probably be irritated. And Niya would feel bad, too, because he really wanted to watch some of the entertainment with Doe. After all, he acknowledged that tonight might be the last night he would be able to enjoy the Evariic's company, and he wanted to make the most of it, either way.

[Doeteain Ean Evariic]

"Then you haven't met the right person, or you haven't come to the right time. But now, you have to think on this...what, lately, gives you the most happiness without quite getting to that happiest moment? And what path do you think will take you to that happy moment sooner?" Niya reached down and grabbed Doe's hand, which made him about as happy as he could get without being somewhere high. Did that count? Was that the answer to Niya's question? "You don't have to answer now though. Just think about it. It's time for dinner, and then, tonight, we will sleep like kings in the palace quarters!"

Niya pulled him closer and slung an arm around him, and Doeteain nestled into his side. Aside from heights, this was what made him happy. Being near Niya. Wherever he chose to stay, he wanted Niya with him. But would Niya even want to stay in Vysvada? Probably not. He loved the S.S. Chimera, and Doeteain didn't think he wanted to take that away from him.

Sighing, Doe pressed closer to Niya. He still didn't have the slightest idea what choice he should make. He felt like Niya's advice was probably good advice, but he didn't know how to follow it. He wasn't sure what would make him happiest, or what would bring him to the happiest moment more quickly. The moment he had in his mind wasn't exactly something he needed to wait for.

Doeteain blinked. It wasn't something he had to wait for at all, was it? He could do it right now. He wrestled out of Niya's hold and began taking off the cloak.

"I think... I-- I want to try now. I don't... My... "moment"... I-- I don't think that it matters what I'd choose. And maybe-- maybe I can have it right now. U-um, and if... you wouldn't mind, I'd at least... I mean, I think that..." Doeteain swallowed, blushing again as his eyes found their way to the ground. "Condir took me to the treetops, and... I'd really like if... maybe we could go... and I think I... of course, y-you can go ahead to dinner, and I won't be too long-- but I... I want to try to fly."

[Niya]

"I think... I-- I want to try now. I don't... My... "moment"... I-- I don't think that it matters what I'd choose. And maybe-- maybe I can have it right now. U-um, and if... you wouldn't mind, I'd at least... I mean, I think that..." Doe seemed to blush even brighter, if that were possible, and swallowed hard. "Condir took me to the treetops, and... I'd really like if... maybe we could go... and I think I... of course, y-you can go ahead to dinner, and I won't be too long-- but I... I want to try to fly."

Only then did it dawn on Niya what Doe was trying to say; he wanted to try and fly now? Was that safe? Niya didn't think so. But he couldn't keep Doe from flying forever. That definitely wouldn't be right. And here was as good a place as any to practice. There were soft leaves on the ground, rather than harsh seas or hard stone, so Doe most likely wouldn't die if they didn't go too high.

Plus, it would probably come naturally. He just hoped the previous injury to the wings wouldn't put Doeteain at a disadvantage.

Still, he smiled. "I'll come with you. But just remember to be careful. I don't want to see you all broken at the foot of a tree, now do I?"

Niya moved back to just holding Doeteain's hand, and motioned with the other for the dark-haired boy to lead. "Where should we start climbing at?"