[ that's a fair, logical explanation. but, rafayel isn't sure if he buys it. or maybe he doesn't want to believe it's that simple. perhaps, because he fills a role that relies heavily on duty and faith, he can't help but to think there should be more behind a decision. or maybe, that's also subject to the fates?
maybe they're meant to go to earth?
either way, he seems satisfied to fulfill the man's whims for now. though, it's not without the confidence of him thinking he's not actually as much of a hostage as he may, theoretically, be? though, he does get the feeling the other party after him may have been easier to deal with than sylus. sad.
at the question, he releases a dark chuckle, like finding it funny. ] Why tire of something we strive for with our own hands? [ ... ] But, I think everyone looks for some type of change. Isn't that why I exist?
[ because the people need something or someone to believe in, and external change was all the easier to seek out than what's within. ]
[ Not everyone strives for power, but he wouldn't be too surprised of Rafayel did. He seemed like the type of insecure person that needs the power to feel confident. And all this talk about change... Is he unhappy or something?
Maybe that has to do the attack he just narrowly escaped? ]
You exist because people are weak.
[ Lifting a brow, keeping Rafayel's gaze. ]
Is that why you're going along with my plan like a good little boy? Relieved to finally be around someone not begging for your help?
in reality, he's likely feeling something closer to practiced apathy. where he wonders if there was much of life beyond his purposes. even this attack doesn't exactly seem to affect him beyond thinking it's just another wrench in his plans. he also didn't think it was necessarily productive to waste his energy on casting blame on those who desired more power— instead, all he could focus on was his current circumstances.
... and the person he seemed to share them with.
at sylus' words, his brows knit together momentarily, his head shaking. ] From where I'm standing... [ he pushes a hand against sylus' chest, lightly, but clearly with the intent to make him step back. ] You don't appear any different than the rest of them?
After all, I'm here because you also want me. [ it isn't a question.
but, he will try and plug the coordinates in for earth, as if to say he wasn't afraid. ]
[ He lets Rafayel settle his hand against his chest, watching as he puts in the coordinates for Earth with an expression that reveals very little.
If there's genuinely any connection between him and Earth, Sylus doesn't give anything away, and for the most part, his explanation seems true: it is a place with no connection to either of them, and also without any particular allegiance in this war that they've found themselves in. It makes strategic sense.
Once Rafayel has charted their course, however, Sylus' hand with shoot out to grab his chin, angling his face to meet his own. ]
You price yourself cheaply, princess. All it took for you to come with me was a little desire?
[ His right eye glows slightly, warm amongst the harsh lights of the escape pod. ]
Would you have gone along with the Khaosi army if they asked nicely enough?
honestly, he half-expected no response at all. with their destination set, he figured there was little else to discuss between the two of them. or maybe that was just his own thoughts. when sylus seizes his chin, rafayel makes no signs of pulling away. he didn't want to reveal that type of vulnerability so openly, and to be fair...
he doesn't view sylus as much of threat as he logically should have.
though, his brows to furrow just slightly at "princess." ] You should save those words for your future betrothed. [ don't all rulers or rulers-to-be inevitably marry some sort of princess? someone or anyone who can increase their influence? ... does that make him the princess in this case.
damn, he doesn't want sylus to be right. ]
Of course not. Had you not interfered, I'm sure they would be on their knees, no different than the other fools who fill the court. [ finally he lifts his hand just to hold onto sylus' wrist, but he doesn't brush him off just yet. maybe it's because sylus' eye glows with a light that feels both foreign and familiar at the same time, but he finds himself wanting to stare for just a moment longer. ]
Briefly imagines the hilarious concept of marrying Rafayel. Sylus isn't opposed to political marriage depending on the person and the benefits (and the ease of being able to kill them off if necessary), but Rafayel... Seems like too much trouble.
He grabs onto his wrist, which is fine. Even though there's nothing tender about the smile he gives in response to Rafayel's words. ]
What court?
[ Whatever remains is in ruins behind them, and he has no doubt the army will be merciless as they scour in search of the man in front of him. Sylus might think Zynlai is an idiot, and that this attack is foolish, but he still carries some confidence in his home army.
He releases Rafayel's chin, though his gaze lingers on his expression, searching for hurt, anger or grief. Anything other than the mask of indifference. ]
Maybe you should take a nap. It's a long way to Earth.
when sylus releases his hold, rafayel also loosens his grip. it's just for a moment, where he looks off in the distance— his eyes on the dark expanse in front of them. funny enough, more than hurt, more than anger— he seems exhausted in that moment. to be honest, he didn't care who remained in power as long as his own goals were met. that didn't mean he didn't tire of seeing the worst in others, though.
regardless, that's not a point he settles on. he's quick to balance that out with a shrug as he releases his hold on sylus completely.
he settles into the nearest seat, trying not to show any sign of caution. as if putting on yet another front like he isn't being tossed into the unknown with this man. ]
If you expect someone to take rest in front of you, do you not believe you should also show some sincerity? [ then again, sylus did appear oddly relaxed for their situation. he wonders if sylus didn't hear rumors about him, or if he just didn't care. ]
Even the cats wandering the gardens had more manners than you.
The exhaustion does escape Sylus, not with how closely he's looking at the man in front of him. It catches him by surprise. The resignation, as though burdened by loss several lifetimes over.
And he'd heard the Santarch was quite young. ]
I haven't shown you a moment of insincerity. [ Sitting down next to him, looking at him like he's stupid for not accepting the suggestion to get some rest. ] And your garden cats are likely more spoiled than I am.
[ Maybe if you pet him and fed him snacks he would also have manners. ]
[ he releases a loud exhale that may as well have been a laugh.
he at least pretends to find sylus' joke funny. jk, he does think there's something there. he just isn't sure if it's really humor he feels. instead, he look at him through his peripherals, before settling his gaze back on space. ] I don't know about that. Ironically, I think I know of a kitten who started off just like you. Overly confident. Seemingly fearless. Greedy with no lack of ambition. And yet, he purrs the loudest at my hands.
[ he then looks back at sylus and gestures with his fingers. pspspss ]
[ he looks back at him at the "overly" confident bit. he just nods? like yes? can i help you? did you need anything additional? a definition? the word used in a sentence?
though, he soon chuckles a little at his next words. ]
Should we test it? [ he draws his hand close enough to sylus' face. he doesn't actually think sylus will draw in any closer. not if he was smart. that said, HELLO???? he's a respectable man here... love potions sylus ]
[ whether it's this world, or in linkon city, it's difficult for him to walk away from an actual challenge. besides, if they were going to be traveling together (before he can potentially give him the slip), the last thing he'd want is to come across as a coward.
hence, he reaches over and just lightly brushes the back of his knuckle right under sylus' eye. it can barely constitute as a touch, but—
can he say he won? he does look like it, as the very corner of his lips turn up slightly. ]
[ Rafayel doesn't need to worry about Sylus finding him to be a coward. He might think some other unsavoury thoughts about how he heads a pointless institution that has no place in the ecosystem, but he can acknowledge Rafayel's hustle.
That doesn't mean he's placated by being pet like an animal.
So he pretends to bite at Rafayel's fingers when he draws his hand away. ]
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no subject
maybe they're meant to go to earth?
either way, he seems satisfied to fulfill the man's whims for now. though, it's not without the confidence of him thinking he's not actually as much of a hostage as he may, theoretically, be? though, he does get the feeling the other party after him may have been easier to deal with than sylus. sad.
at the question, he releases a dark chuckle, like finding it funny. ] Why tire of something we strive for with our own hands? [ ... ] But, I think everyone looks for some type of change. Isn't that why I exist?
[ because the people need something or someone to believe in, and external change was all the easier to seek out than what's within. ]
no subject
Maybe that has to do the attack he just narrowly escaped? ]
You exist because people are weak.
[ Lifting a brow, keeping Rafayel's gaze. ]
Is that why you're going along with my plan like a good little boy? Relieved to finally be around someone not begging for your help?
no subject
in reality, he's likely feeling something closer to practiced apathy. where he wonders if there was much of life beyond his purposes. even this attack doesn't exactly seem to affect him beyond thinking it's just another wrench in his plans. he also didn't think it was necessarily productive to waste his energy on casting blame on those who desired more power— instead, all he could focus on was his current circumstances.
... and the person he seemed to share them with.
at sylus' words, his brows knit together momentarily, his head shaking. ] From where I'm standing... [ he pushes a hand against sylus' chest, lightly, but clearly with the intent to make him step back. ] You don't appear any different than the rest of them?
After all, I'm here because you also want me. [ it isn't a question.
but, he will try and plug the coordinates in for earth, as if to say he wasn't afraid. ]
no subject
If there's genuinely any connection between him and Earth, Sylus doesn't give anything away, and for the most part, his explanation seems true: it is a place with no connection to either of them, and also without any particular allegiance in this war that they've found themselves in. It makes strategic sense.
Once Rafayel has charted their course, however, Sylus' hand with shoot out to grab his chin, angling his face to meet his own. ]
You price yourself cheaply, princess. All it took for you to come with me was a little desire?
[ His right eye glows slightly, warm amongst the harsh lights of the escape pod. ]
Would you have gone along with the Khaosi army if they asked nicely enough?
no subject
honestly, he half-expected no response at all. with their destination set, he figured there was little else to discuss between the two of them. or maybe that was just his own thoughts. when sylus seizes his chin, rafayel makes no signs of pulling away. he didn't want to reveal that type of vulnerability so openly, and to be fair...
he doesn't view sylus as much of threat as he logically should have.
though, his brows to furrow just slightly at "princess." ] You should save those words for your future betrothed. [ don't all rulers or rulers-to-be inevitably marry some sort of princess? someone or anyone who can increase their influence? ... does that make him the princess in this case.
damn, he doesn't want sylus to be right. ]
Of course not. Had you not interfered, I'm sure they would be on their knees, no different than the other fools who fill the court. [ finally he lifts his hand just to hold onto sylus' wrist, but he doesn't brush him off just yet. maybe it's because sylus' eye glows with a light that feels both foreign and familiar at the same time, but he finds himself wanting to stare for just a moment longer. ]
no subject
Briefly imagines the hilarious concept of marrying Rafayel. Sylus isn't opposed to political marriage depending on the person and the benefits (and the ease of being able to kill them off if necessary), but Rafayel... Seems like too much trouble.
He grabs onto his wrist, which is fine. Even though there's nothing tender about the smile he gives in response to Rafayel's words. ]
What court?
[ Whatever remains is in ruins behind them, and he has no doubt the army will be merciless as they scour in search of the man in front of him. Sylus might think Zynlai is an idiot, and that this attack is foolish, but he still carries some confidence in his home army.
He releases Rafayel's chin, though his gaze lingers on his expression, searching for hurt, anger or grief. Anything other than the mask of indifference. ]
Maybe you should take a nap. It's a long way to Earth.
no subject
when sylus releases his hold, rafayel also loosens his grip. it's just for a moment, where he looks off in the distance— his eyes on the dark expanse in front of them. funny enough, more than hurt, more than anger— he seems exhausted in that moment. to be honest, he didn't care who remained in power as long as his own goals were met. that didn't mean he didn't tire of seeing the worst in others, though.
regardless, that's not a point he settles on. he's quick to balance that out with a shrug as he releases his hold on sylus completely.
he settles into the nearest seat, trying not to show any sign of caution. as if putting on yet another front like he isn't being tossed into the unknown with this man. ]
If you expect someone to take rest in front of you, do you not believe you should also show some sincerity? [ then again, sylus did appear oddly relaxed for their situation. he wonders if sylus didn't hear rumors about him, or if he just didn't care. ]
Even the cats wandering the gardens had more manners than you.
no subject
The exhaustion does escape Sylus, not with how closely he's looking at the man in front of him. It catches him by surprise. The resignation, as though burdened by loss several lifetimes over.
And he'd heard the Santarch was quite young. ]
I haven't shown you a moment of insincerity. [ Sitting down next to him, looking at him like he's stupid for not accepting the suggestion to get some rest. ] And your garden cats are likely more spoiled than I am.
[ Maybe if you pet him and fed him snacks he would also have manners. ]
no subject
he at least pretends to find sylus' joke funny. jk, he does think there's something there. he just isn't sure if it's really humor he feels. instead, he look at him through his peripherals, before settling his gaze back on space. ] I don't know about that. Ironically, I think I know of a kitten who started off just like you. Overly confident. Seemingly fearless. Greedy with no lack of ambition. And yet, he purrs the loudest at my hands.
[ he then looks back at sylus and gestures with his fingers. pspspss ]
no subject
He just slow blinks (like a cat) at Rafayel's gesturing, eventually raising a brow. ]
You can't spoil me the same way as a cat, you know.
[ Also, aren't you the big baby that prefers to be on the receiving end of the spoiling? ]
no subject
though, he soon chuckles a little at his next words. ]
Should we test it? [ he draws his hand close enough to sylus' face. he doesn't actually think sylus will draw in any closer. not if he was smart. that said, HELLO???? he's a respectable man here... love potions sylus ]
no subject
Waiting for him to dare and try pet him.
Go on. Do it. ]
no subject
hence, he reaches over and just lightly brushes the back of his knuckle right under sylus' eye. it can barely constitute as a touch, but—
can he say he won? he does look like it, as the very corner of his lips turn up slightly. ]
no subject
That doesn't mean he's placated by being pet like an animal.
So he pretends to bite at Rafayel's fingers when he draws his hand away. ]
Like I said. It'll take more than that.
[ You WEIRDO. Don't look so victorious!! ]