[hr][center][h2]C[color=8D918D]ommon Ground:
A Desmond x Evander production[/color][/h2][/center][hr]


[color=8D918D]The Ersand’Enise courier showed up at their usual time. Passing out letters and mail to students from far away places, family homes, and between other students. Sworn to protect the words and gifts they carried on their travels was the honor of the Eresand’Enise couriers, an honor that was shared by some of the most talented professional mages of the time. 

A neatly dressed courier approached the Noble Quarter dorm of Sven. Quietly the courier slipped new mail into the designated box. The home was registered to a renter named Desmond who for the first time may have received mail at this address. One neatly pressed rectangular-shaped envelope stuck out with a waxed seal denoting the sender was Revidian. 

Desmond was given the mail by Sven when he made his return home. Upon reading the letter, Desmond found the following letter:

[hr]

[i][color=FFFFFF][quote]Dear Desmond Cautalus,

In Oraff's name - I hope this letter finds you well.

Your reputation precedes you. Congratulations on your victory as the new Champion of the Underground. I was not in attendance but heard through trusted sources you fought with skill and grit. Your conviction to never give up was most obvious to those who witnessed your feats. Well done.

Now for the purpose of this letter. I believe there is an opportunity for us to work together. I hear you are one to keep an eye out for work as a hired gun, a talent I am interested in. So, I thought it best to invite you in person over a glass of wine I recently purchased from you at the auction as a token of my goodwill and discuss what business may look like between us as a hired gun.

To that end, if your interest is peaked, join me at Dorm A10 in the Noble Quarters on Victendes on the 9th at 5:48 HO.[/quote][/color][/i]

[hr]

Desmond found himself in front of Dorm A10, it was a place with much grandeur like most Noble dorms. Multiple rooms, balconies, and even some small gardens for a single person and their servants that waited to cater to the whims and needs of their master. Desmond sighed as he adjusted himself one last time, making sure he looked as presentable as could be. His clothing was cleaned like always, his bathing rituals he now does every day, and he even decided to make sure he did his hair for this talk. 

Once done with his final checks, Desmond made his step forward to the door and saw the large ornamental knocker on the door. The visage of the Black Devil was the largest feature of the Door knocker, yet there were many features within it that showed the amount of time and money that went into such a simple item such as multiple inlaid details of brass and gold to highlight scales and limbs, while within the open mouth of the Sea Serpent having a ring of gold inlaid with orange and red gems that shine. This intensely intricate and ornate item almost made Desmond hesitant to use it for its purpose, yet Desmond did so anyways as the large and gorgeous door seemed to have been made without a door handle at all. 

[i][color=gold]Knock Knock Knock[/color][/i]

Clicks and ticks. Clicks and ticks. The sort of sound Desmond would hear on his side of the door as Evander manipulated the iron pins in a certain order within the door using his magnetic gift to unlock it. Click. 

The door slowly opened toward Desmond. There were no creaks, no signs of wear, and no loose parts. When walking into Evander’s suite he sees a large hearth with a fireplace. In front of the fireplace, there were two ornate dark wood chairs with red velvet cushions sown into them. The back of the chairs was open with two sea serpents entangled down the center. Between the chairs was a round dark wood table with two wine glasses. Underneath the chairs and table in the fireplace area was large orange and red area rug with the Synesti crest woven in it. The same type of fabric hung above the fireplace on the hearth as a small tapestry showcasing Synesti’s crest and motto. 

Evander stood behind the chairs in the center of the room directly in line with the entrance. He casually waved Desmond in, [color=BC3823]“Welcome Desmond, I am happy you’ve decided to take me up on my offer,”[/color] his face cracked into a smile as he approached Desmond to shake hands, [color=BC3823]“did you arrive thirsty?”[/color]

Desmond noticed the furniture that seemed to have decorated Evander’s home, the gorgeous tapestry, the ornate woodwork of furniture, and the beautiful rugs and table. Yet what seemed to almost pull the room together was the man who had waited for Desmond. Desmond met the man’s smile with a warm smile and a shake of the hand, [color=gold]”I’m thankful my reputation precedes me. And yes, I am quite excited to have a drink of the wine”[/color].

Evander gripped Desmond’s hand firm with a touch of warmth, [color=BC3823]“Please sit down then.”[/color] He flipped his palm to face the ceiling while slightly curling a few fingers to emphasize his index which pointed to the seats. As the two rounded the seats to sit down, Evander picked up the Ellermane Blue, slowly he poured the Ellermane into two polished goblets. The sound of the pour could relax any wearying soul, and the aroma could be smelt even by those with the weakest of noses. All while pouring, Evander pulled in the heat from the room. 

Once completing the pour, he raised both goblets handing one to the seated Desmond. Turning around he casually waved his hand to draw the curtains across the windows using his kinetic gift. The room grew dark and protected from the mid-afternoon sun. Evander sat, waved his hand back across, and the fireplace sparked to light up in flames.

Evander turned toward Desmond, [color=BC3823]”I hope you do not mind, I find wine is better when enjoying it in front of a fire.”[/color] He raised his glass to toast Desmond. The clinking of the goblets and shared sip between acquaintances was to demonstrate what Desmond could expect from Evander if there relationship were to grow; the acknowledgement, the attention to detail, the comfort.

[color=BC3823]“Desmond, let me start by congratulating you in person on your championship. Not an easy task to compete at our age against some of the brutes that linger too long in places like that arena.”[/color] Evander drew up the goblet to parse a sip from the vessel. The goblet was as manicured as intricately designed as the rest of the Noble man’s dorm. Except, these goblets were made through a special process and craft. [color=BC3823]“I am curious to know, as a champion, what other dreams do you have?”[/color]

Desmond drank from his goblet and felt the atmosphere, it was one that was quite enjoyable. A calm fire, a smooth drink, and just enough light to feel comfortable. Desmond takes another sip as he says, [color=gold]”I think the atmosphere is enjoyable”[/color]. Desmond listened to the lip service given by Evander as all Desmond did was smile and nod. Desmond took another sip of his goblet as then finally came the segway, as Desmond said with a light chuckle, [color=gold]”Ah, becoming the Champion was nothing more than a small thing, all it was a is stepping stone to becoming more connected in the underground ring. My dreams are different, however. Furthering my craft, learning what interests me, and living a life I can be proud of. Those are my dreams and what I aspire for”[/color]. 

Desmond spoke with a calm voice, this talk wasn’t uncommon, as people often wonder what the mercenary wished to do and Desmond was more than willing to answer. Once Desmond finished what he had to say he took another drink of his wine before asking his host, [color=gold]”What about yourself? A man of your caliber must have aspirations of your own. So I am curious what you would need a Hired Gun for”[/color].

Evander listened as the young man across from him dreamed a life he could [i]proud of[/i]. A goal every man had at one point or another in their life Evander suspected. One last sip. He reached for the Ellermane bottle as Desmond reflected the question asked by Evander. Pouring a little more wine, he motioned the bottle with the tip toward Desmond as if to gesture, ‘want more?’ 

As the two refilled, Evander answered,  [color=BC3823]“Aspirations of my own?”[/color] He thought for a second.  [color=BC3823]“In a sense.”[/color] His eyes fixating on the flames and sound of crackling wood from the fireplace,  [color=BC3823]“Something is coming Desmond, something that will risk the lives of the innocence, it feels like more than a war…”[/color] His eyes drifted down. 

 [color=BC3823]“...a culling perhaps?”[/color] The memories of the Laughing Sanguinaire killing wrecklessly, Sister Cadence’s warning of an Arch-Zeno traitor connected to someone called the Traveler, the list of Reshta, and finally the effervescent joy of sharing joy between a Belzogg girl who lost her balloon. The last image, the one of the little girl shattered in his head to reveal his imagination and prediction of fire and the dead cut him deep. The prediction of war between Parrence and Revidia felt as if it would end up in more than simply two nations fighting, it would be a war of attrition that would drag in all of Sipenta’s natural forces to collide with innocence caught at the center. 

Evander gradually turned his head toward Desmond,  [color=BC3823]“Your aspirations are your own, I can respect that.”[/color] He paused while keeping his gaze connected,  [color=BC3823]“I am learning mine have never been my own. At first, I rejected it. Then, I accepted, in fact, I have found it more fulfilling to align my aspirations with something more than myself, I honor it.”[/color] Evander broke eye contact to look up at the family crest woven into the tapestry above the fireplace and then back down to Desmond,  [color=BC3823]“Why do I need a hired gun?”[/color] Evander smiled,  [color=BC3823]“I think you mistake the purpose of my invite. I do not need a hired gun, I want someone who understands that when the world begins to crumble…”[/color]

[color=BC3823]“...all that will be left are those who wish to keep it burning and those who wish to rebuild.”[/color] Evander leaned in, [color=BC3823]“I am looking for those who value life over death, who seek to leave this world a bit better than when they came into it, I am seeking someone I can trust to protect those who will be caught in the middle and fight for those who will be ready to rebuild a world after it burns.”[/color] Evander’s intensity rose slightly to emphasize the gravity of his statements,  [color=BC3823]“I do not need you Desmond, I wish to honor you, and help you with crafting a life you can be proud of.”[/color] 

Evander leaned in a tad closer, [color=BC3823]“Do you understand? In times of chaos, trust is the only currency, I wish to give you mine in exchange for yours, to prepare for what will come.”[/color] He softened his gaze, leaned back, and swirled the contents of his goblet cupped in his hand,  [color=BC3823]“the question is, what path will make you more proud, preservation or destruction?’[/color]

Desmond listened to Evander as he spoke, he had a seriousness to his tone, his voice was calm and clear, and his words carried the weight well, as Desmond could feel the weight of ideas, and feelings, and it even invoked memories from not but a few days ago. Desmond kept himself calm, a light smile that never left his face, as he lightly sipped from the goblet, Desmond was finally asked a question, [i]‘what shall he do’[/i]. Desmond took one last sip of his wine as he said, [color=gold]”I understand, thank you. What path shall make me proud? I wonder.”[/color] Desmond said as he looked up lightly and thought about what it would mean, what would he be doing. Desmond thought for but a minute as he finally sighed as he looked back down until finally he looked back up and leaned forward to Evander and said, [color=gold]”I believe…I believe I would like to follow a path I haven’t yet. I think I’ll give my trust to you. Whatever that shall mean”[/color]. 

Evander looked at Desmond with eyes like that of a friend. Their moment was true, a mutual adoration of strengths and a complementary understanding of how they could enrich their world together rather than separate. Evander leaned into meet Desmond, the silence was booming of reverence and he held out his hand to shake Desmond’s once more. 

[color=BC3823]“Desmond, we will make this world our own, please stay as long as you’d like.”[/color]

Desmond had a smile lay on his face once more as he saw Evander’s eyes, as he took the outstretched hand, Desmond shook his hand as he said, [color=gold]”I would love to stay, however I do have other work I need to attend to. Me and Brother Castel are cleaning the sewers today. I can’t let him do it by himself, he’ll hurt himself all too easily”[/color]. As Desmond began to rise he looked to Evander and said with a smile, [color=gold]”I would love to speak more some other time, I will bring more wine next time, it was good”[/color]. And with that farwell, Desmond headed off, slightly changed.[/color]