Chryseth Keenblaze

Chryseth is... fiddling with something. But then he generally is, when he's in the workshop. Looks almost like an alchemist's set of tools. Excitement with titration?

Ilthus gets himself settled on the post just outside. He watches the entrance for a moment and then begins to thoughtfully tune the... mandolin he brought with him. His eyes flit up to the door every now again, watching for magelets.

Chryseth earquirks -- and Sooty's off with excited greeting-trills. "Wren, s'at y-you?" the elf asks, still not looking up from his work.

Ilthus is prepared for hatchling greetings, flicking his fingers out to toss a small, rolled packet off to one side, a diversion for the phoenix to chase. At the call from within he clears his throat, gives the mandolin a dramatic strum, and begins to sing. Not well perhaps, but passably.

"When I was a young man, and very well thought of
There was nought I could ask that the ladies denied.
I nibbled their hearts like a handful of raisins,
And I never spoke love, but I knew that I lied..."

Chryseth turns, laughing quietly. The phoenix takes the offered bait and is delighted by the explosion, the sparks, the firework elementals. "N-nibbled their whats like raisins?"

Ilthus pauses in his playing to smirk at the mage. "Their hearts, Chry. Hearts. Bawdier nibbling I saved for a different song. This one is meant to be romantic." And romance does, indeed, seem on his mind if the lavish picnic basket, assortment of flowers and rather gaudy box of chocolates are any indication. He quirks a brow and lifts the instrument again, making the gesture almost a threat, his eyes twinkling with mirth.

Chryseth earquirks, raising one eyebrow as he takes another step forward. Sooty meanwhile has deduced the noisy thing is supposed to be a weapon. Perhaps daddy needs protected from it? The hatchy swoops over to investigate.

Ilthus is trying very hard not to laugh and does, in fact, nearly fall backwards off of the post in his efforts to protect the mandolin from the curious elemental.

Chryseth watches in amusement. Sooty isn't so easily dissuaded from his object of interest -- he tries to land on it, and the sounds he makes are vaguely threatening. "W-want me to call him off?" He doesn't seem particularly inclined to do this.

Ilthus reaches out with his free hand to try and distract the hatchy with scritches. "The man I borrowed this thing from might prefer that you did, yes. Though he can't fancy it too much or he'd never have trusted me with it."

Chryseth laughs again. "C'mon, Sooty, go home to mommy. I bet he n-needs help with whatever he's up to." The phoenix chirrups and lingers for a bit more attention before taking wing.

Ilthus watches the hatchling flutter away and then turns his smiling attention back to Chry. Laying the instrument aside he hops down from the post and drops into a jaunty mockery of a formal, courtly bow.

Chryseth ...doesn't quite seem to know what to do in response to that. He blinks and shrugs his shoulders awkwardly before managing a bow in return. "M-my lord?"

Ilthus scoops up the bundle of flowers before moving in to present them to the mage; firebloom, cinderbloom, heartblossom and twilight jasmine. "I judge by your reaction that you'd rather have these than another verse, hmm?"

Chryseth takes them, giving the bouquet a deep sniff before replying. "I dunno, do you want to sing more about raisins? Do I n-need to bake you cookies?" He gets a rather odd look on his face but it's quickly gone.

Ilthus reaches a cautious hand out to stroke down Chry's cheek. "I have some. In the basket. Romantic picnic on the beach, if you're so inclined. No raisins though. Sadly. I suppose I'll need to find something else to nibble, eh?"

Chryseth relaxes at the touch. "Not too close to Ratchet," he murmurs. "D-don't need the audience. Want -- w-want to go somewhere else?"

Ilthus smiles and nods. "I have a few thoughts in that direction. Some more romantic than others."

Chryseth: Well -- well what d'you want?

Ilthus: That depends on you, dear magelet. Does the traditional approach appeal to you?

Ilthus gestures back at the mandolin, basket and chocolates. "Or would you prefer something a bit more unconventional?"

Chryseth looks at the things. He looks at the rogue and back at the things again. He shrugs and offers a hesitant smile. "You went to all the trouble of this. I'm n-not gonna turn my nose up at it."

Ilthus laughs and holds out a hand for the mage. "You are worth any amount of trouble, Chry. And you know me. I have contingencies in place if you'd rather we give the usual accoutrements of romance a pass."

Chryseth takes his hand and steps closer, trying to turn this into a nice big hug. "But m' h-hungry," he says.

Ilthus slips his arms around the mage and nuzzles agsint his chest, seemingly oblivious to the height difference, or just not minding it much. "Mm... alright then. Someplace quiet and pleasant for lounging on the grass.."

Chryseth pulls him tight. "All r-right. Where d'you have in mind?"

Ilthus: Mulgore? It's near enough. And peaceful, especially in the higher reaches.

Chryseth mms, leaning down to press a kiss to Ilthy's forehead. "Fly if you wanna," he says. "The rocket's ready for duty."

Ilthus' eyes slide closed and he sighs contentedly. "I'd like that... might not have enough room for the basket -and- the instrument though. You'll be depried of my singing. Tragic thought, I know."

Chryseth gives him another kiss, sliding along to teasingly nibble an ear before pulling back. "Can still sing a capella, hm?"

Ilthus clicks his tongue in mock disaproval. "If your'e going to serenade a lover it needs to be done properly. Preferably while they're loking down longingly at you from a balcony. Seeing as how we're going to be lacking one on the plains... "

Ilthus: I think the songs will wait.

Chryseth looks sheepish. "Sorry, m-my mistake. D'you wanna drive or shall I?"







[And Mulgore, voila!]

Ilthus flops down beside the basket but doesn't seem to be in any hurry to open it. "Lovely view." He says with a smile while not looking at the landscape at all.

Chryseth shifts to nudge against him. Just a casual touch, honest. "I like the l-lake," he murmurs. "I'm glad, you know, the Scourge never g-got this far."

Ilthus nods, shifting nearer to sneak an arm over the mage's shoulder. "They tried. At Hyjal. And again in the Barrens. With the quilboar, yeah? But I don't know.." He gives a little half shrug. "This land feels too... young. Too alive to ever fall the way the east and the north did. Or maybe they both just feel old and tired -because- the Scourge have held them. Who's to say?"

Chryseth immediately snuggles against him. "Yeah... maybe. Dunno what it was l-like here, sixty years ago. No tauren, I guess. But you didn't bring me here for history and my q-queer obsessions, right?"

Ilthus chuckles and gives Chry's shoulder a squeeze. "I had no agenda in bringing you out here other than te pleasure of your company. A light lunch. A pleasant view. And a young mage to study, and adore, and possibly write very bad poetry for."

Chryseth raises an eyebrow. "G-gonna write me poetry? Obscene limericks? My m-magelet's eyes are nothing like the Sunwell?"

Ilthus laughs. "Just don't ask me for anything impromptu, eh? This little diversion into Mulgore forced me to leave behind the poet I'd hired to feed me verse."

Chryseth laughs too. "Jess agreed to that?" he asks. "I'm shocked."

Ilthus laughs all the louder. "Oh... oh no. Jess'd be the last elf I think I'd ever ask for romantic advice. Well.. him or Torian, I s'pose. Never had to work for it, y'see. Used to the ladies coming after him."

Chryseth leans closer for an earnibble. "I dunno what sort of poems Torian'd write. Doubt I'd find em very enticing. Not that I can imagine finding anything about him enticing.'

Ilthus leans back, watching the mage with lazy curiousity. "And what is it about him you find so repellent?"

Chryseth pouts and doesn't answer right away. His gaze slips back to the lake. "I guess I'd have a hard time g-getting over how repellent he finds me," he says finally.

Ilthus moves with a quickness that probably isn't very surprising by now, lunging in for a nip at the younger elf's ear. "Mmn... is that all I have working in my favor? Just that I want you?"

Chryseth holds very still. He lets out a soft breath and then shakes his head once Ilthus has pulled back. "Not at all. I j-just -- it's the thing about Torian I'd never -- I can't even..."

Ilthus doesn't pull back very far. "And if it were to change?" His finger move to brush Chry's hair back from his face, fingertips lightly skimming along the mage's cheek. "Could be you've already risen in his estimation, hmm?" He gently plucks a discarded insect leg from the hair behind Chry's ear and flicks it off into the grass. "For one reason or another."

Chryseth shakes his head again. "I haven't," he says with certainty. "And even if I had, there's all s-sorts of other things that'd make me not want to have d-dinner with him, much less stay late for n-not-coffee. Light, Wren, a fellow needs a reason to..." He blushes. "A reason to, not a reason n-not to."

Ilthus throws his head back with laughter. "Not trying to suggest you should take a tumble with him, Chry. Just curious how deep the wound was and if there was a salve for it. For family harmony's sake if nothing else." He gives the mage a friendly little nudge. "May also have been fishing for a compliment or two. Or at least to be favorably compared to my striking elder brother. You know.. for the novelty of it."

Chryseth hmphs. "I want as l-little to do with him as possible. He's not interested in being my ally, cept to the extent it could help his own position. He's n-not interested in being my friend, cept maybe to use me. If there's to be any salve for that, f-find ways to make him less of a dick. Anyhow, course I prefer you to him. I like you. I l-like spending time with you. What more d'you want? I w-want nothing to do with him, and plenty to do w-with you."

Ilthus sighs theatrically. "I suppose that will have to do. One must take praise where it's given, hmm?" And, so saying, he reaches for the basket.

Chryseth frowns. "N-not enough?" he asks in a small voice. "I should find more? Say I l-like your ass better?"

Ilthus pauses to glance back over his own shoulder as though trying to judge this for himself. Then he laughs. "Would you believe that I actually am flattered by that?"

Chryseth earquirks and blushes again. "I'll try to spend m-more time thinking of him as a potential sex object then, so I c-can make appropriate comparisons. Pity I've never seen him naked, eh?"

Ilthus digs an apple out of the basket and offers it to Chry. "Doubt I would compare too favorably on that score to be honest."

Chryseth takes it. Crunchcrunch. "Oh now I'm curious. N-not curious enough to try to get a look, but why you think that way. J-just fond childhood memories? Or do Blood Knights get, you know..." He gestures rather crudely with his non-fruity hand. "Maybe all paladins do. Is this why Netha married Ash?"

Ilthus quirks a brow. "And doted on bloody Truestrike before that? Fel.. maybe. I wouldn't know. Never been with a Blood Knight. Or a paladin."

Chryseth suddenly sobers and looks away again, ears flattening back. He doesn't speak. He just eats his apple. Savagely tearing into it... or maybe he's just hungry.

Ilthus quirks a brow, ears flicking toward the mage. "I say something wrong?" he asks, hand dipping back into the basket for an apple of his own. "I could go back to the poetry if you like."

Chryseth shakes his head. "No, it was -- n-nothing you said." He forces a smile and leans closer again. "Just... mnh."

Ilthus smirks. "Just thinking about Dawnforged and his Light-gifted... endowments?" Mmm... apple. Crunch crunch.

Chryseth shakes his head. "Noo. Though I g-guess you are now." He has another chomp of apple and... tries to get under Ilthy's arm. Red mage needs snuggles badly, apparently.

Ilthus happily lifts an arm for him. "Nah... not a thing I tend to dwell on. Not even curious. Honest." He hides the smile in the mage's hair, nuzzling a bit and peppering the area behind one ear with a string of little kisses. "So what is it then? Bearing in mind that 'None of your bloody business, Wren!' is a perfectly acceptable response."

Chryseth snuggles closer. No reply for a few long moments, but his free hand steals over to Ilthy's. "Someone I used to be with," he says finally, forcing the words out. "I shouldn't talk about it."

Ilthus frowns. "Same sort as the one who threatened you?"

Chryseth nods. "Same one."

Ilthus makes a soft hissing sound and shakes his head. "I see. Let's think no more on him then tonight, eh? Best not muddy our feet. I won't even ask the obvious question."

Chryseth looks relieved. He gives Ilthy's hand a squeeze. "Thanks for n-not being mad at me," he murmurs. "You know, you're n-nothing like him -- but I should stop it."

Ilthus pulls him a little closer. "If it's something you need to speak on, I'm always here to listen. If it's a thing you'd rather never speak of again, I won't pry for more. And I will never threaten you, Chry. You have my word on that. For what it's worth."

Chryseth glances down at him. "You c-could if you thought it was needful. For the future of Azeroth or something. But no, I believe you n-never would over silly things just between the two of us. You're n-not... you don't..." He gives a half-shrug and starts in on his apple core. "Even if you hated me, you wouldn't be cruel."

Ilthus presses a kiss to his forehead. "Can't ever see myself hating you. Might have to stand against you someday if you go the way of some mages and start trying to destroy the world. But even so... s'different. S'not me just wanting to make myself bigger by pushing you down."

Chryseth leans down for another kiss. "I know. And you're n-not so insecure you have to keep everyone else down. Torian, w-well, maybe he is."

Ilthus: Maybe it's a Blood Knight thing, hmm?

Chryseth: M-maybe... but no, no, Seol, he's not like that.

Ilthus bursts out laughing and has to squirm away from the mage to rummage in the basket for a bottle before he can get himself calm again.

Chryseth ...just stares at him before letting out a hesitant giggle. "As to the other, I c-can't say but I don't think it'll ever come up in, ah, ever."

Ilthus breaks into another fit of helpless giggling. "I imagine... it probably doesn't... very often."

Chryseth whaps him lightly on the arm. "His business and n-not yours unless he goes poking it into you," he says.

Ilthus manages to regain control again with a few long, if shaky, breaths. "Sorry. Didn't mean to offend. Just... hard to picture. And suddenly I found I couldn't help but try. The price I pay for being so debauched, I suppose."

Chryseth whaps him a few more times, still playful. "You'd r-rather think about Seol naked than me."

Ilthus sobers a bit, placing a dramatic hand over his heart. "Now now, magelet. You know there's no one I would rather make a thorough study of nude. This is just... scientific curiousity."

Chryseth sulks anyway. "Sure it is. You'd r-rather make me go fuck Torian and, and, and..." Maybe he's serious?

Ilthus: Can't very well make you do anything. Nor am I game to try.

Chryseth reaches for his hand again. He starts to say something, stops himself. "What else is in the basket?" Obvious subject change time.

Ilthus takes the hint and leans forward to open the basket again with a flourish. "There are meat pies which I am assured are made from talbuk, spicy crawfish if the pies frighten, three different varieties of roasted veg, and cinnamon tarts for the finish."

Chryseth perks up at the start of the litany and by the end of it he's got an eager grin on his face. "All sounds lovely to me. Don't let me have m-more than my share, right?"

Ilthus presents him with a meat pie as though it were a jeweled crown. "Every morsel is yours for the claiming, love. Though I will step in if I fear you're likely to overindulge to the point of stomach ache. Wold quite upset the rest of my plans for the evening."

Chryseth takes a relatively delicate first bite. Then chomphomph. "Oh y-yeah? What plans've you got in mind?"

Ilthus grins and goes digging in the basket again, coming up with a small jar and a pair of delicate paintbrushes. "Thought we might practice caligraphy." He gives the mage a wink.

Chryseth stuffs the rest of the pie in his mouth. "Mnf ffnf frhaar?" he asks, then chews and swallows. "Like Ash?"

Ilthus shrugs. "Possibly. Though that's not a question I'm likely to ask him or my sister anymore than I'd ask about our little theory of the Light and it's possible physiological side effects."

Chryseth giggles again. "So this is -- caramel? Chocolate?"

Ilthus: Chocolate. Less sticky. Though I am given to understand that in certain shops one can purchase a wide array of colors and flavors for truly elaborate art. I, however, am a traditionalist.

Chryseth grins. "I'll do my best to not g-get too stuffed then. I c-can draw whatever I want on you?"

Ilthus pops one of the crawfish bites into his mouth with a grin of his own. "Anything you like. Anywhere you like. So long as it pleases you."

Chryseth reaches into the basket to get another crawfish bite, offering it to Ilthy once he's finished his first. "And we c-can go swim in the lake after we're all done. Best not to go home sticky."

Ilthus tilts his head. "If it pleases you. That is the entire reason for this little excusrion, after all."

Chryseth takes that as an invitation to nibble along the rogue's jaw. "W-well, it's more I don't want to put my robes back on if I'm sticky. So I could just stay naked!"

Ilthus makes a soft sound, deep in his throat, shivering at the touch. "Very... tempting notion. One I would heartily endorse if we were spending the evening out. But seeing as we'll have to ride home before it gets too very late.."

Chryseth gives him another few nibbles and nips. "Mmm. Maybe -- maybe another night we could plan to stay out. If you w-wanted."

Ilthus sits very still, eyes closed, enjoying the attention. "I would.. like that. A great deal. Sometime soon. Yes?"

Chryseth mms, not pulling back. "Yeah, just let me know when. I can m-make arrangements. Don't feel l-like I should stay away unannounced, but..." Nibble? "So l-long as I can let him know beforehand."

Ilthus turns his head to brush his lips lightly against the mage's. "I'll have to come up with something special for that night. Give me a bit of time to plan, hmm?"

Chryseth mms again agreeably. "Sure. Just let me know when." His hand sneaks back to the basket for more noms. Selfishly, they're for himself. "Unless -- unless you m-mind planning?"

Ilthus shakes his head, pulling back and concentrating, for now, on his food. "Something special..." A smile sneaks onto his lips. "Oh yes. I think I'll enjoy the planning a great deal."

Chryseth watches him, pausing in his own eating long enough to focus on Ilthy's face. "Then you g-get to. Just -- tell me if you, you know. W-want to take a break from it."

Ilthus quirks a brow. "Let you plan our romantic interludes, you mean?" He is being, quite obviously, intentionally dense.

Chryseth nods. "Yeah. It shouldn't all be on your shoulders, not f'you d-don't want it to be."

Ilthus laughs and shakes his head. "Come to think of it, I don't believe that I've ever been courted either. We could take turns, if you like? Give both of us a chance to have that novelty, hmm?"

Chryseth stops to look at him again. "N-never? Because any time you would have wanted it, you took the initiative? I dunno how t-to court somebody anyway, so you'll end up disappointed, but I can try."

Chryseth: Or I can f-find you someone who knows what they're doing.

Chryseth ...is probably? teasing?

Ilthus chuckles. "Well, you can't hide them in the bushes to feed you romantic lines and ideas. That's been done and I expect originality from my magelet."

Chryseth hmphs. "I didn't m-mean that. Though if I were to try it, I'd ask Ash." He grins impishly. "He knows all about charming, or so I'm told."

Ilthus lets out a barking laugh and shakes his head. "Oh. I'm sure he can be, so long as I'm not involved. Where I'm concerned his wit seems to take an much more.. comical bent."

Chryseth earquirks and snuggles closer. "Y-yeah? He likes joking with you, I know. More'n he does with me." Is that a note of jealousy?

Ilthus snorts. "Oh yes. Great fun. Did he tell you about the girl at the wedding reception?"

Chryseth shakes his head. Mmm crawfish crunchies. He munches away, waiting for the story.

Ilthus leans back, resting his head on his hands and balancing the bottle of wine on his stomach. "I'd had a few drinks. Maybe more than a few. Watching Netha and Ash dance and thinking... well... thinking. And I notice this girl looking at me rather intently."

Chryseth: W-well couse she was, you're worth looking at. But that wasn't it, was it.

Ilthus smiles at that, hand snaking over to give the mage's leg a little pet and squeeze before he continues. "Soon as our eyes met her expression shifts. And now she's looking at me like she knows me, and I should know her. And she starts moving through the press towards me."

Chryseth reaches down to pet Ilthy's hand. "Did she w-want to dance with you? I wanted to dance with you, but -- but... m'not good at it."

Ilthus lets his fingers curl with Chry's. "Wanted to dance with you too. Just didn't think it was appropriate. You were there with a date, after all."

Chryseth shakes his head. "I w-was there with my beloved, and with Alevh, and -- I dunno. But g-go on, she didn't want to dance?"

Ilthus: No. In fact she skipped right past any sort of introductions or pleasantries and just said "Well?!" Still loking at me like I should know who she was and what in the fel she wanted.

Chryseth earquirks again. He gives Ilthy's hand a squeeze. "And you d-didn't know her?"

Ilthus shakes his head. "Never seen her before in my life. So I just stammered out something very witty. I think it was. 'What? Well... what?' I had been drinking rather a bit, mind."

Chryseth laughs. "Ever witty, you. So if I n-need to get you at a loss for words, I should break out the silverwine first?"

Ilthus gives the mage a wicked grin. "Oh there are plenty of option for rendering me speechless where you're concerned."

Chryseth blushes but looks rather pleased. "I'll have to w-work on that. Get better at it."

Ilthus: Always happy to volunteer my services if you feel you need more practice.

Ilthus waggles his eyebrows and winks.

Chryseth: Maybe after the story. And food. With the chocolate.

Ilthus' eyes flick to the basket but he makes no move to fetch anything for himself. "Right. Story. Well... she gets horribly offended that I don't recognize her and starts making a rather loud fuss about it. I think you and your beau had already retired by then or I don't see how you could have missed it."

Chryseth takes out a pie to offer him. "I m-might have been busy watching people. Or talking to Veltric, we had a g-good little chat."

Ilthus accepts the pie with a slight pursing of the lips; a question forming behind them and then being discarded. "She had a rather piercing voice," he says instead. "And kept going on about how hurt she was that I didn't know her now after all we'd been to one another."

Chryseth resettles against him. "But you didn't know her," he says. "So she w-wasn't anything to you, right?"

Ilthus laughs. "I'll admit she had me panicked for a moment there. I mean... she was in the Argent getup. Armor and the like. Just back from a guard patrol I think. So it was possible I might have known her once in a softer setting and just didn't know her armored and clipped and muscled up, yeah?"

Chryseth earflicks and glances away. "I guess so," he says. "So you thought you m-might know her if she took her clothes off? Did you suggest that?"

Ilthus busts out laughing. "Oh... I almost wish that I had, knowing what I know now. Might have thrown her right out of character. Or I might have gotten hit in the face with a plate gauntlet. Not sure I fancy another scar."

Chryseth grins. "Nah, w-with Ash there you wouldn't have gotten a scar. No way. I can see it now, him breaking away from his celebrations because hurrah! Someone's hurt, I g-g-get to heal em!"

"He'd have owed it to me, I think," Ilthus mutters darkly. Then he shakes his head. "Doesn't matter. I didn't say it. Just stammered at her a bit, trying to figure where I knew her from. But by that time she'd gone off on a different tact."

Chryseth pets his hand some more. "What w-was that?"

Ilthus: Now she was telling me that it didn't matter. Because we'd found one another again. And she had kept herself for me alone. And now we could be married as we surely would have been had the Scourge not come and seperated us all those years ago.

Chryseth lets out a sharp laugh. "Oooh yes, d-d-damn those Scourge for keeping you from your love. Isn't that Torian's story? S-sort of?"

Ilthus shakes his head. "He'd lost her long before that. The Scourge might even have been the thing that brought them back together if they hadn't killed her first. No, I think Jess is the one who comes closest to that tale. He could blame the Scourge if he wished to. Albeit somewhat obliquely. They didn't actually push the blade in, of course." The smile flickers out at that, eyes darkening.

Chryseth gives him a hug. This isn't a quick squeeze, it's a lingering one-armed embrace. He doesn't say anything.

Ilthus leans against the mage for a long moment before pulling away with a small shake of his head and a reach for the bottle. "Anyway... my expression must have been comical. In fact, I was on the verge of shouting. 'Oh Light! Is that a Titan over there?' and then running as fast as my drunken state would allow in the other direction."

Chryseth: And n-no doubt tripping over a dwarf or something, huh? So what did you do instead?

Ilthus: Nothing. I never had the chance. She started laughing first about halfway through her spiel. And when she'd gotten control of herself enough to answer the question on my face all she said was "Dawnforged is a bastard, isn't he?"

Chryseth laughs. "So he s-set it up, huh? I wonder what he had on her to do that."

Ilthus shrugs. "Fel. For all I know I did know her way back when. Maybe sedced her sister or her mother or a cousin or something. Could have been me she thought she owed."

Chryseth thinks that over. Another snuggle-hug? "M-maybe. I guess you slept with a lot of sisters and cousins and stuff, huh?"

Ilthus shrugs. "I don't have exact numbers. But a few dozen, at least. Yeah."

Chryseth: So there c-could be loads of cousins and sisters and aunts still left. Dozens could have lived.

Ilthus leans forward to snag some of the orasted veg. "Don't worry, Chry. I doubt any of them think of me as their one true love. Never would have fallen for that line the first time if I'd been sober."

Chryseth steals some too. Nibblenibble. "Not what I m-meant. More meant that Ash could find a few m-more dozen people who'd be happy to help prank you. Hopefully he r-runs out of em soon?"

Ilthus sighs. "Least he's not likely to have someone show up with a child that's supposed to be mine. Too many issues of his own on that score for him to make light of it." He chews thoughtfully for a moment. "I hope."

Chryseth has another bite. "What w-would you do if someone really showed up who had, you know. Had f-feelings for you? Guess it'd depend on the girl..."

Ilthus nods. "I suppose it would. I think... well I like to think I could be gentle. Try to find out what it is she really wants that she thinks she remembers in me. Maybe point her at Ash for a chat. He's good at that sort of thing. And it'd serve him right for making a joke of it, eh?"

Chryseth nods. "It w-would. But there's n-nobody you'd want to hear that from? Not, like, oh I love you marry me let's make babies, but -- but someone you might like... something like what we have? With them?"

Ilthus shrugs again. "There are some I remember fondly. Bu I think.. I think if I'm to find something like this. What we have... well... it'll come of looking forward. Not looking back. Not a soul I know from those days who hasn't changed massively since."

Chryseth thinks this over. "I g-guess so." He shifts a bit, stretching his legs carefully to avoid jostling the foodthings. "I'm g-glad you want this with me, you know."

Ilthus smiles, stretching in turn and chuckling at how much shorter his legs are than Chry's. "As glad as I am that you haven't yet found my company tedious."

Chryseth slings his leg over the rogue's. "I think -- I think I'm less susceptible to that than you are. I mean, I find ways of keeping m-myself entertained regardless, but..." More crawfish, yum.

Ilthus smirks. "Just run through Arcane equations in your head whenever I start talking? Trace little runic diagrams between the clouds while I'm busy betwixt your legs?"

Chryseth laughs and blushes. "No, I never m-mind listening to you, and as to the other -- fel, you're not boring. But I m-mean, I mean, you're the one who's gonna get bored of me. Not because I'm b-boring, but you just -- it works like that for you."

Ilthus thinks on that for a bit, nibbling at a hunk of roast carrot, looking out over the plains.

Chryseth doesn't press him for an answer. He has another pie, eating this one slowly to properly savor it.

Ilthus speaks softly. "Could be that I will, down the line. But I don't think it'll be the same. I won't just... let it fade out. Maybe just... that one part of it will. And even that might only fade for a while. Or just become... infrequent."

Chryseth thinks that over. "You m-mean if you find someone else to fuck," he says finally. "Yeah. I know."

Ilthus quirks a brow, leaning back a bit. "You seem to manage two without any problems. I could likely manage the same. May try to juggle three or four even, jsut to prove that I can."

Chryseth hesitates and looks out at the lake. "W-well, with... With Levh, things go... more or l-less at... as I want." He drags those words out almost unwillingly.

Ilthus nods, not seeming much surprised by this. "As it generally is with me in my romantic dealings. I think we're well suited for each other and for... whatever this is that we have."

Chryseth glances back at him, a bit surprised. "You mean your -- your former beaux -- they never came after you for, for, sex?" He finds this rather hard to believe.

Ilthus chuckles. "From time to time I would get an invitation someplace. A picnic or swimming trip perhaps and I would know how they intended the evening to end. But I never encouraged any of them to believe they were my only lover, either."

Chryseth looks back to the lake. "I wouldn't -- I mean, I like being with you, I don't regret it. But if he wanted me to be just his, I think I'd be fine w-with that. It's just stupid to be faithful to someone when they've g-got no use for it, when it's just..."

Chryseth bites his lip and controls his breathing, still not looking to Ilthus.

Ilthus takes a moment to think on that as well, letting a hand drift idly over into Chry's. "I could let it go, you know," he says quietly, after a moment. "That part of it. If you wished it. Or he did. I care for you, Chryseth. A great deal. And would, still even without..." He gestures with one hand vaguely and lapses into silence.

Chryseth hugs tight against him, both arms this time. "There's n-no point. Nobody'd gain anything by it. It's all the same to him, and to me it's -- I dunno. I dunno how to explain." He takes in a shuddering breath, lets it out.

Ilthus ventures a guess, nuzzling his cheek against the mage's hair as he says softly. "Nice to know you're wanted?" A little nip at his ear. "You are, you know."

Chryseth shivers and leans down to make the nibbling easier. "Yeah. It is." He blinks a few times, eyes suspiciously damp. "Is that such an awful thing? I shouldn't w-want it so badly. Right?"

Ilthus happily obliges with more little nibbles. "I don't see anything wrong with it. It's not cloying. Not to me, at any rate. And it's nice for me, as well. Nice to have someone pleased to see me."

Chryseth relaxes. "Well, you l-like having people... what was the word? Swooning? I dunno. You l-like feeling important." There's no reproach there, no judgement. If anything, Chry seems sort of relieved at the thought.

Ilthus laughs. "Was it Netha who told you that? Or Jess?"

Chryseth shrugs. "Does it m-matter? Is it false?"

Ilthus sighs, resting his head on Chry's shoulder. "Not the wording I'd have chosen, perhaps.. but no. Not false. Doesn't everyone like to feel that they matter?"

Chryseth thinks that over. "No, I don't think so. Some people'd run away if they f-felt like they were important to somebody. But I guess -- being important to someone isn't the same as just, you know, being important. Big."

Ilthus chuckles. "And I don't often feel that."

Chryseth looks down at him, amused. "S-sorry I'm so tall. Maybe I can have Ash make me some potion that'd make me tiny. Cept knowing him he'd take it t-too far, and I'd be little enough you'd feel like a pedo and what's the fun in that?"

Ilthus laughs. "Not just the height, love. Company I keep in general these days. Baby sister is my boss, for all intents and purposes. Spend most of my time in the company of a bloody Quel'wythar when not roaming about with a genius tinker-mage. Fel... even the things I was good at I find I'm second class. Dawnforged's been doing them all longer and does them all better than I could hope to."

Chryseth doesn't seem to quite know how to reply to this. He makes a few false starts -- do? I? you? I? -- but then quiets down to think.

Chryseth: Don't w-worry, he'll be old and decrepit soon enough and then you'll be at your peak.

Ilthus laughs and wraps an arm around Chry for a hug. "I'm not unhappy, magelet. S'been... almost good for me, I think. In a way. If you were to ask Torian I'm sure he'd agree I've needed some humbling for a long while now."

Chryseth leans back down, this time to give a few nibbles instead of get. "I think Torian needs some humbling, if anybody does." Nipnip. "Maybe once Dori's g-grown up and surprises you all."

Ilthus makes some very interesting noises though they stop abruptly at the mention of Dori. "He'll put it on you, you know. Corrupting influence. It's bullshit, of course. But I know how he thinks."

Chryseth doesn't stop with the attentions. Nipnip? "I know. But Dori w-was working on it before he ever met me. If Torian's that allergic to the truth, there's not much I can do about it. And frankly..." Deep breaths, deep breaths. "If I can take the fall for some of it and preserve family harmony, isn't that what everyone'd w-want anyway?"

Ilthus turns his head somewhat sharply. "No!" A sharp, almost angry exhalation. His face and tone soften almost immediately and he repeats. "No. Family harmony includes you, magelet. You're going to have to get used to that."

Chryseth shakes his head. "I'm not, though. I mean, Netha thinks of me as another brother, and she's in my House for now, but -- it's n-not the same. It's kind of you to think so though."

Ilthus shakes his head again. "It's not blood. But you're family, all the same. So's Jess. Family isn't just a thing you get born into. It's also a thing you build yourself as you grow and open yourself to people. And sometimes you have to choose between the two."

Chryseth bites his lip. "It's n-not the same though. I'm a friend. Family's where, where, you've g-got this common..." He gestures, looking frustrated. "Welfare. Because you're all the same House, and working towards good for all and everything. Right?"

Ilthus tilts his head at the mage. "And if one of us were ever to get into any trouble? Or needed anything at all that you could give?"

Chryseth h-hmphs. "It's not the same, I'd be doing it out of choice and not f-family obligation.

Ilthus laughs. "Explain to me how exactly choosing to love and help and build a future with someone, or a group of people is somehow less valid than being born into the group and feeling obligated to serve their interests."

Chryseth: Cos I could choose to stop at any time. You don't know how f-far you can depend on me. If I'll get 'bored' and w-wander off when you need me most.

Chryseth tilts his head, looking back at the lake.

Chryseth: Course, j-just ask Netha, blood family does that too.

Ilthus winces. "Torian was angry. More angry than I think I'd ever seen him. But I understood. And then later.. what with the wedding and all. Well.. I came to understand that too. Torian still doesn't. Jess either, I don't think. But they don't need to."

Chryseth twists the ring on his pinky. "But n-none of you are indebted to me. You've got no reason -- well, maybe Dori does, he takes the whole apprentice thing pretty seriously." He tries to laugh. "And if the best way I can help him in the end is to be the bad guy for his eldest brother, I will."

Ilthus: He won't let you. He'll tell Tor the truth. Pompous prick might choose not to believe it. But.. fel.. if any one of us can tell hi something in a way he'll actually hear it's Dori.

Chryseth: Not l-like being a warlock is a big deal anyway, these days. Not illegal exactly. Not like, mmh, necromancy.

Ilthus shrugs. "The latter is abit more current, isn't it. Wait till the next time the Legion pop in for a visit. See how warmly people greet the village warlock."

Chryseth finds Ilthy's hand again. Petpet? "Depends on how useful the warlocks have been, and how much a w-weapon they are against the Legion. I have faith in Seldorin."

Ilthus nods. "True enough. Not like we had many necromancers standing up with us to fight the Scourge."

Chryseth: Were there any? At all?

Ilthus: None publicized, certainly.

Chryseth starts to say something more, but again a subject change seems to be called for. More earnibbles? "What did you say you brought for d-dessert, other than yourself?"

Ilthus laughs and dives into the basket for the tarts.