RP:A Passed Up Meal

The Pass Through Xalious

Thamalys drags one foot after the other one, in a rather graceless fashion. Whatever sort of wound he is suffering within his right wing, it is clearly an open one, which leaves a bloody trail upon the dirt of the road. Not that is matters, though. The blue eyes of the Avian are exclusively focused on an increasingly closer mass of buildings, not too far away now...

Valen would have been making his way from Frostmaw back towards Cenril. His dead skin was still affected by the much colder temperatures of that area, and if anyone were to touch him right now they might think he was simply running on pure adrenaline and close to death by the sheer chill in his touch. It was as he made his way through the pass that it hit him like a huge carriage...the smell of blood and the realization that he had perhaps gone far too long without feeding. As he scanned the area, looking for who it possibly could belong to, he spied the Avian quickly and felt a pain in his chest. Eyes narrowed as he seemed to be focused on something but quickly dismissed it with a mumble to himself. "It's fine, you are just over-reacting...She is human, and you will outlast her. Then you will have all the time in the world, and you can...well..." Realizing that this individual must be injured, he would very cautiously make his way towards him. His own piercing blue eyes taking in the sight, noticing the blood trail as well as the right wing. He prepared himself as well for that onslaught of his favorite smell, a racial trait he had discovered about Avians though he was not sure if they all possessed it. "Excuse me, Sir?" he would offer, hands in a non-threatening gesture. "Do you need some assistance...?" For the moment, he did his best to keep his fangs out of view though as hurt as this male seemed he doubted he would be looking for them.

Thamalys said, "Who... a human? By the Wind, where am I..." he rather unsuccessfully tries to voice clearly, while gazing upon the somehow uncomfortable features of the immortal. He couldn't help to turn his head at Valen's question, but the neck of the Avian is a wreck, so that the only result is a mighty dizziness and some more pain in those cracked ribs. The voice sounds friendly enough, though. I... my name is..." a long pause, too long a one for being a matter of breathing only "... Lathmalys. No, wait, that's not even true!" he hastily adds almost shouting, his tattooed right hand trying to connect with his brow in the attempt - apparently - to clear his thoughts a bit. In another circumstance he would have been mortified by his miserable look: the uneven stripes of dusty fabric that once could have been a proper shirt barely hide his chest, a pitiful look indeed if one adds to the mix those filthy pants, oozing a metallic stench worth of the foulest of the Fermins. "Thamalys, that is my name. Yes, Thamalys. Assistance, you said? And who would you be?"

Valen was not expecting a full on introduction from the wounded man, and something about it all struck him as rather humorous though the laugh would most likely occur later once he got this one some help. Rushing over to him at realizing just what form of bad shape Thamalys was in, he would move an arm to fit underneath the avian's own two, and behind his back to help steady him in case he lost his balance. Great care would also be taken to not touch the injured wing, nor aggravate it further. An answer of his own name would be given, not giving two damns about the stench (foul as it may be), or how cold he would appear. All of his concentration now was focused on not giving into the hunger, as well as aiding and assisting to the best of his abilities. "Valen Veldair. A pleasure to meet you Sir Thamalys, though I would expect that you would wish to have had this meeting in considerably better condition." His mind could also not seem to shake the fact that the forgetting how to pronounce his own name, may be due to some head trauma so for now he tried his best to keep the conversation simple. "I did say assistance, and I certainly hope that you allow me to give it to you. If you like, I may be able to get you to a spring that is known for it's healing abilities. It's not that far." A soft, friendly smile would be offered, though he then looked a ways to the distance, as if judging to see if his words would even matter. "If it helps, I -can- carry you."

Thamalys nails his gaze onto Valen's features. Something just does not look entirely right about the unnaturally youthful profile of the Immortal. And yet, there is nothing specific that Thamalys can actually pinpoint. A lifetime within a most isolated Avians' community doesn't exactly make you an expert with respect to races, not even if the person you are talking to happens to belong to the one race most hated amongst your own blood. And the stranger is just too fast. Too many words - albeit rather kind, he would have to admit - uttered so gracefully by someone who now even dares to touch him, as if the Avian would be just a wounded bird fallen from the sky. Interestingly, the latter is rather close to the truth. "You, a human, would dare to *carry* me?" His eyes flash wildly, while what does remain of his strength would build up and desperately try to unfold the mighty mass of his wings. With very little result, obviously, but for a sharp spike of pain that would force him to his knees, possibly right in time for the Immortal to save him from yet another bruise. However, there is no time for manners at this stage. Driven in equal measure from the pain and the overwhelming number of questions still throbbing in his head, Thamalys is about to embrace the evidence that he would need to accept the offer, even if that pale, bewildering look on the Immortal face does stir something in his guts. "I... my apologies..." he would eventually add while trying to catch his breath, "Surely I am not at my best. And I don't even know how to address you properly, I am afraid. You'll have to forgive my manners. It's just that... well, who cares?" The Avian would stare at his own feet for a moment only, before concluding in the most tired of tones' "I seem to recall you mentioned a spring... that mean water, does it not? Well, that would be much, much appreciated... and yes, I would be very grateful indeed if you can help me to get there. As you can see, I am not much of burden to carry anyway. Oh. One last thing: where in the name of the Wind are we?"

Valen was used to being looked down upon, by more than just Avians at that, but at being called a human his eyes would flash a warning and a stern tone given. "Elf. I am an Elf, sir." He was not sure why it had upset him so...usually the vampire was much more calm and accepting yet at the same time something about that simple mistake made his blood boil. The first utterance of 'human' he had simply chalked up as being perhaps too far away and a failing vision though that certainly could still be the case. Calming down considerably, an apology would be offered. "Forgive me Sir. I understand all too well how pride can separate us from what we need, and I should not have been so quick to anger. Your acceptance of my offer humbles me in a way you cannot possibly imagine. As for where you are, you are in between the region of Xalious, on the way to Kelay and the Sage Forest." He could sense the unease, smell the cloak of disgust...though perhaps it was once more that silver liquid instead? In his mind he made note to ask about that at a less dire time. "As for a form of address, Valen will simply do. as for who cares...?" His eyes would once more turn stern, though there was a glitter of that same charming and friendly smile behind them this time. "I do, very much. Which is why I will hope you forgive the abruptness of this but you need that spring. It's waters will mend your wounds, but as I said...I hope you forgive me for this." Without even so much as a second thought, and in a swift movement, he would bring the male in his arms, cradling him in both arms. Once more, the utmost care would be given to not injure him further as he takes off at a breakneck speed towards the mystical waters.

Thamalys does not really have any time to think about it - which is probably for the best. A tiny sigh - just enough to point out that without the help of the Immortal he would have probably now be laying in the dirt - and off the two of them would go, the bloody shapes of the Avian comically entangled with those of the Immortal in a rather odd picture. "Something is wrong with my wings...", Thamalys realizes aloud; and thus he would turn his head around, just in time to witness yet another droplet of blood lazily leaving his thrashed wing, only to hit the top of Valen's hand a mere moment after. "Oh, for pity's sake... look at me..." And then, all of the sudden, a subtle awareness would crawl into his mind: how exactly is this Elf managing to casually run away with an adult Avian - albeit a rather skinny one, it has to be said - in his hands? Not a single hint of any sort of effort... Elf, yes, the Immortal pointed that out rather clearly. "Apologies for my mistake..." Thamalys would try to say aloud enough to be heard, "... it must seem impossibly stupid to hear anybody addressing an Elf as Human. In my defense, though..." and here the speech would break for a while, the time needed for the Avian to adsorb the pain caused by the tiniest of missteps within the otherwise flawless, light pace of the Immortal; "... you are the very first representative of your race that I have ever seen. Well, at least I think so. I have heard of the Xalious mountains, that much I have..." but that is the only piece of information that is currently making any sense into Thamalys' mind. The rest is fading away into the swift stride of the Immortal...

Spring of Vitality

Valen would have pushed his feet to the limits...he had to. His other two modes of transportation would have possibly proved too much of a risk given the critical condition that Thamalys was in. Mind racing, feet doing the same, he would expertly dodge the trees and any other obstacles in their path. The forest would come upon them in almost a blur, though the Avian's ride would be a smooth one almost as if this being was simply taking a casual walk though both knew that was far from the truth. He made up his mind, that at the end of this, he would tell him the truth. After all, his performance and spectacle in the Avian city of Schezerade was proof that once someone got to know him, or at least what he could do, things were not so bad as they seemed. Finally, in a short time, they would start to slow down and Valen would lay his charge at the base of the spring. the nymphs would scatter, as they usually did even though they knew him by now most likely, and Valen would quickly start to dip his hands into the healing waters before placing them on the most grievous of wounds first before doing the same. Panic was pounding in his chest, and as he went he remembered that he had learned when someone was going into shock like this the best thing for it was to try to keep them alert and talk to them. "There is no need to apologize. It was i who was in the wrong, as my hair does in fact tend to hide my ears." So...Valen was the first elf that this man had seen? A roll of his eyes would be given at that thought as he knew he was certainly not what he would considered a good ambassador. "Well I certainly hope I make a good impression then for my fellow elves. You, on the other hand are only the third Avian I have met. the first was the founder of your city, Schezerade. Her name was Cerinni, if the statue up there was who I thought it was, there did not seem to be a name plaque but I do remember her metal arm quite well, as well as her wit." He would spare the man the tale of the second one, as he himself was unsure of how to even approach that subject...or if he would berate him for having romantic feelings for one who was not even his own race though that avenue seemed to only be a pipe dream. "Let me know if me putting this water on you hurts."

Thamalys said, "What is this place?" Even in his dreadful conditions, the Avian would recognize the powerful charm that evenly radiates from the green, leafy neighborhoods, culminating in what it seems to be a pool of the clearest water guarded by some tiny creatures Thamalys wouldn't even try to label. The words of the Immortal would seem to flow away in a liquid confusion, as well, at least till the water does touch the wounds of the Avian. A colossal feeling of ease immediately flows through the mauled shapes of Thamalys. He can almost see it, growing from the tips of his fingers up toward his neck, depicting complex patterns according to the ink on his skin. He cannot even recall in which shape - if any - the beautiful forms of the ivy tattooed on the whole of his body do end on the back of his shoulders. The pain is fading away at an amazing speed, the memories of his crash landing upon that cliff now a bit clearer, as the latest of the Immortal's words seem to stand out a bit as well. "This... this is some sort of ancient wonder for sure, is it not? I can feel this water working down to my very bones..." A long awaited outtake of breath would follow, while the Avian would relax slightly into the care of his unlikely savior. "Ah, Schezerade... I suppose it truly exists somewhere... the Elders would spend ages telling about the marvels of the Fountain of Wishes. You see, ..." he would now go on, not before locking his eyes on the pale features of the Immortal "... my memories would still fool me as of now, but I do know that I grew up far away from most of the inhabited world... and then... then everything is just a foggy chaos in my head." As if in a dream he would keep on talking, the effect of the water lowering his barriers till a more or less peaceful look starts to grow into the icy blue of his eyes. "I woke up hours ago on the top of some cliff, not so far away from where you picked me up" he says while frantically trying to point is comically long arm toward some unclear, pointy shape in the distance. "I think I was fleeing... well, flying, I think, or both... from some place I just can't recall. I believe you are the clearest memory I have at the moment, to be fair..."

Valen answered his new, friend? That is what they seemed to be, speaking in such ways, so yes, for now they were friends. "This is the Spring of Vitality. Magic runs deep here, and these waters have saved my neck more than once. I used to hate coming here, but I will tell you why later. I haven't seen her here in quite some time." He listened now, a charming smirk given at the other's lack of knowing that the city had indeed been found. "I can take you there once you are better, if you like, to Schezerade. The fountain of wishes is indeed quite marvelous, and actually seems to do just as the name suggests. I can certainly attest to it for my part." As the seconds passed, and the magic of the waters worked it's dance across Thamalys, a sigh of relief would escape him and a matching look would spread across his face. He had to admit, the patterns of ink were indeed very beautiful to look at as well as..- He stopped those thoughts right where they formed. In no way was he going to let himself be distracted from his task, not until this one was safe and sound. The listening continued, and nods of understanding given. "It will come to you I am sure, Sir Thamalys. The fog will roll back, and you will eventually be able to recall those things. It sounds to me like you took quite the tumble...It is only natural that your brain became quite scrambled, depending on how far up you actually were." He had been like this for hours?! It was a blasted miracle that he had made it as far as he had, though then again Avians did seem to hold quite the resilient quality. Valen looked now, in the direction of where he had pointed, and strained to try and see just what that pointed shape was though could not make it out for the life of him though in his mind he felt some sense of warning, for why he could not say. Looking back to him, he would actually lean down to cradle his head and give the strands of his hair a gentle stroke, trying to soothe him further. "Funny thing that you mention memories friend. I happen to be quite gifted in working with them. If you wish to remember, I could easily help, though I would prefer and reccomend even that you let your body attempt to regain them first...Magic, does not always solve everything after all." It was then that a thought came to him, and it actually made him rather nervous but perhaps now was the time to simply allow the truth to sink in. "I actually have a confession to make though, and I feel that it must be said." Closing his eyes, ready for the worst, the words of damnation and perdition to come. "Truth is Sir, I am not simply an Elf. In nature...I am a Vampire." He is quick to add, with conviction "Though not by choice. I did not ask for it, and I do not relish it. I simply make do."

Thamalys would feel the magic of the water washing away the weight on his chest. "Much of the pain is gone already", he would mutter in a soft voice. Was it not for Valen's presence, he would have tried to unfold his wings a bit, but that will have to wait, now that the subtle dance of the Immortal's words seems to have come to a bitter end. Vampire. For a moment only Thamalys would freeze, the tiniest movement annihilated by the extent of the realization. Then he would start to shiver horribly, while looking the Immortal as if the latter would have just spent half day torturing him instead of healing him for good. "Vampire! Our Elders told us about your kin as well! Dreadful, wretched creatures not even worth of the deepest pits of Darkness, that's what you are!" Such a spate would be followed through a mad attempt to grab the fabric of Valen's shirt, the legs of the Avian thrashing around, his eyes the portrait of the perfect mixture between fear and rage. "Off! Get off me, you beast!" he would yell at the Immortal, his voice broken into a most unpleasant shriek.

Valen was founded in his fear, it seemed. The truth, once again, brought about those cold words of hatred and pain. He would of course, do as the man said and stand fully...setting his head down as gently as possible before moving to stand a few feet away. Sadness, pain, regret, self loathing...it all was bore upon his face now as he spoke. "Yet were it not for me...You would be dead. Did they not tell you that we are wretched creatures, devoid of sympathy, unable to do a single good thing for those in need? Did they tell you that we are simply bloodthirsty creatures? Did they?!" His voice was full of hurt as well, his very soul breaking it seemed that one who seemed to almost enjoy his company in just the past few moments was now a screaming mess. "If all of that was true why would I waste time to heal you?! I am not like the rest! Why, in all of the gates of heaven and the perditions of the nine hells would I have wasted time to get you here when I could just as easily have either drained you dry and left you for dead?! There would have been no evidence, as you were simply bleeding out! You tell me why I would do all of this if I was even half the monster that your Elders and teachers claim me to be!" Oh...he was distraught alright, though he remained away. He hoped, that reason would prevail. He hoped, that things would become as they had been...calm, nice...friendly. Idly he looked down at his shirt that had a hole ripped through it now at the attempt to pull away just as the Avian had grabbed him. A sigh would be given at the sight before he shakes his head and...just sits down. "The truth is," he says, calming down again though still loud enough to be heard. "That I saved your life."

Thamalys would hear the words of the Immortal hammering his thoughts as never before. "By the Wind, is this what I have become?" he would stare into the pool, the glares of the waters mocking him. He would then turn toward Valen himself, shaking is head as if only now awakening from the darkest of the dreams. "Have I forgotten already that you carried me here out of kindness only? That you healed me, that you kept me alive? Am I to judge you by a choice you didn't even make? What IS this madness?". He will bury his face into both his hands, sobbing horribly. "I... I did not mean a single word... truly I am sorry... too much happening too quickly... I am a disgusting being. Please forgive me if you ever can, oh, please do!" Despite the pain stabbing his senses to the very limit, the Avian would pull together what it is an unmistakable attempt to bow. Eyes staring into the grassy soil, he would extend his arm, blindly, toward the Immortal. Still shacking, still so ashamed of himself. The bloody mist in his head is getting clearer now, the recall of ancient fears giving way to the obvious truth that Valen just stated once more. With them the additional shame of not having offered a single word of gratitude to his healer. Blushing is not an option, but a sharp twist of his hand will have to do. The Immortal did most certainly save him from a rather unpleasant death, alone and forgotten into the mountains. Race is a silly detail at this very moment, so that the Avian would try to summon a hint of elegance while stating "Valen, I own you my life, and this is a fact. I am afraid to confess that I don't really have anything to pay you back with. These silly clothes you see on me are the only things I have. And I offended you deeply, possibly beyond forgiveness... I am sorry, I truly am... however..." he would add while raising his ring finger as high as he possibly can, "... I am now in your debt: if there is anything, ANYTHING in this world I can do for you, you just name it, whatever that will be, and I will do it or die in the attempt. For what the word of a miserable being such as myself is worth, it is yours to command". There would be no force left in the Avian, not even enough to prevent him to fall onto his knees, while a warm, soft darkness embraces his senses.

Valen would watch the Avian have his own breakdown and swiftly scramble from his sitting position to be at the ready just in the off chance that he would try to throw himself into the spring. the fact is though, thamalys -did- mean every single word, though through no fault of his own. The mind was a muscle, and muscle had memories. So in fact, he may not have meant it but his memories did. At the self-depricating words Valen would shake his head fervently. Seeing the man like this was even more heartwrenching as the previous words that were said! "Never...ever call yourself disgusting Thamalys. You are unique, you are one individual adrift in the cosmos, and I have yet to meet anyone who was disgusting or unimportant!" At the statement of a life debt, if Valen could pale he would have. "D-don't say things like that, please! I did what anyone should have done just out of common decency. It was really no trouble!" Oh and to top matters off the poor dear was also copperless. He could not, and would not willingly put such a person into indentured servitude or have any sort of debt owed, though he doubted the Avian would take no for an answer. There was one thing though that bugged him in the back of his mind, something that would not go away unless it was said and it caused that sly charming smile to grace his features once more. "Anything...you say? I may have something for you to work on, nothing big and nothing hard. Just one task. But if you ever talk down about yourself again I swear I.." He didnt even know how to finish that. Moving to keep him upright, or at least to hold him up and standing..he would simply whisper in his ear the task. "What I want...is for you to stay with me, at least until you get your own place." With that, he would embrace him in a hug, holding him tight. "Everything will be alright Thamalys, I promise to ensure that." It had certainly been...an odd day.