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[color=#B8041A][[/color] Ayla's Dorm [color=#B8041A]][/color] | [color=#B8041A][[/color] [@Ti] [color=#B8041A]][/color]
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Kaspar strolled down the street between dormitories, looking quite casual despite the turmoil inside of him. 

Willa was likely already at his residence, no doubt frenzied by his absence. Hopefully Adala’s presence could keep her calm—but right now, he couldn’t be too concerned about it. He’d cut it close by leaving so late, but the boy didn’t want to disturb the flow of time. Well, no more than he already planned to. 

He stopped outside the door, vague memories of a mid-night escapade bringing him—and a scaly companion—to this same building. This time he’d be using the door and actually speaking with the occupant, though. 

And thus, softly rapped the knuckles of Kaspar Elstrøm von Wentoft upon the door of Ayla Arslan.

[b]“Sqqqaaaaawwwrrr!”[/b], a loud squeaky roar comes through the door as the boy rapped his knuckle upon it, accompanied by scratching at the bottom upon it. After a moment, the scratching stopped as the door gets unlocked to revealed Ayla carrying Asier within her arms as the Puff-lion was sniffing eagerly toward him.

[colour=009fff]“He is only dangerous if you show fear, So if you are scared, don’t get within biting distance.”[/colour] She winked toward Kaspar, as she lowered Asier back upon the floor as she reached out to take upon Kaspar’s hand to bring him into the Lion’s den and well within biting distance of the puff-lion, and the lion cub of Varrahasta herself as she placed kiss upon his cheek.

As the pair walk through the door, she gestures for Kaspar to make himself comfortable as she moved to the kitchen area to bring out the welcoming set as she brought the boy coffee. a range of colourful macaroons to enjoy, and some dried-meat for treating the puff-lion too. [colour=009fff]“What brings you to see me, Kaspar?”[/colour] The metal spoon clinking within the cup as she stirred the coffee as she smiled warmly toward him.

Kaspar sat down at the table, crimson eyes taking in the small spread before him. He took some dried meat in hand, holding it down to be happily devoured by the Lion Cub’s lion cub. Once his fingers were determined to be empty enough by Asier, he picked up a macaroon in a pale blue and nibbled on it, one hand wrapping around the coffee offered to him. 

He looked up at the warm smile of Ayla, and felt that warmth slide into place in his chest. There was a sort of guilt, too, in knowing that she seemed so at peace and he was here on less happy business. He’d be nearly at a loss for words, in a different time. If it weren’t for… Well. 

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[color=#D0D0D0][i]Kaspar was hyperventilating. From an objective standpoint, he understood that—but it didn’t change the burning in his chest, the panic in his mind. He’d kept it together in front of Willa and Adala, but he’d practically run the second the door had shut. No matter how fast he ran, he couldn’t outpace the coming change. 

[color=#B8041A]”I’m not—I’m not me, I’m… I can’t be him, I can’t, I don’t—”[/color] He sucked in a deep breath, nearly choking on it. Something, pained and desperate, wrenched itself from his throat. [color=B8041A]”I don’t know who I am.”[/color][/i][/color][/indent][/indent]
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If it weren’t for [i]her[/i]. The glimpses of future he saw in her eyes. 

Ahn-Dami. 

He knew exactly where to start. 

[color=#B8041A]“In Torragon, you told me to be who I wanted to be,”[/color] he said, voice steady. [color=#B8041A]“And to find you, once I knew what that meant.”[/color] His eyes flickered up towards her face, and he saw so many choices laid out before him. [color=#B8041A]“I want to be who I am.”[/color] He felt like the floor had been pulled out from underneath him, like he was dropping into a great chasm. But rather than flail… He was going to let himself fall. And maybe the ground would never come. 

[color=#E65836]“I am not Kaspar Elstrøm von Wentoft. And I never have been.”[/color]

Ayla raised an eyebrow at the final comment as she looked toward him. She is not exactly sure what to make of it, but there is a pause, [colour=009fff]“You’re not my Kaspar?”[/colour]. She turned to look toward Asier who appeared calm in his presence, which rules out any kind of illusion magic.

There is silence for a moment as she thinks back to Torragon, the refuge, and how they found… [colour=009fff]“...Felix, Kaspar is your brother's name, isn’t it?”[/colour], she sighed in relief as she extended to take his hand, holding upon it.

He hesitated for only a moment before relaxing his own hand into hers. He took in her words, trying to think how best to redirect her.

[color=#E65836]“He’s not my brother. Not… by blood, at least,”[/color] he stated. [color=#E65836]“Kaspar Elstrøm… [i]is[/i] an only child. I… was born the son of artisans, a few months after Kaspar. By the time we were eight, he was sickly and I…”[/color] He hesitated, fingers shaking in Ayla’s grasp. He looked down at the drink in front of him. [color=#E65836]“I hurt someone my mother loved.”[/color]

[color=#E65836]“Supposedly, Kaspar died. We looked strikingly similar, so… The Elstrøms took me in. Raised me as if I were Kaspar. They provided proper training so I wouldn’t… So I’d be able to help people. In exchange, I would be their heir. No one would ever know the truth.”[/color] 

He gently tightened his grip on Ayla’s hand, finally looking back up to meet her eyes. A small and tired smile tugged at his features. [color=#E65836]“You were close. Kaspar—the [i]real[/i] Kaspar—never died. He has the tethering. I didn’t know until I met Felix, and it was… difficult to understand. But I was never Felix, or Kaspar. I’m just…. Alaric.”[/color]

Ayla looked toward [i]Kaspar[/i], no, [b]Alaric[/b], with interest. The story certainly [i]out there[/i] but it wasn’t unheard of for families to treat family members like pariahs due to suspected tethering. Even her own aunt was made to ‘disappear’, and there were rumours that due to her own more fragile stature, she was likewise afflicted and came to befriend Maura Mercador, a girl just like herself.

She stood up from the chair as she came alongside Alaric. Her arms stretched around him to give him a hug, pulling his head against her as her fingers caressed through his hair as she cradled him there against her for a heartfelt moment. She gently broke the embrace as she looked toward him, [colour=009fff]“Hola soy [b]Ayla[/b], it is nice to meet you, [b]Alaric[/b].”[/colour]

It had been difficult to let down the shield. For half his life, it was what he depended on. Shielding the truth, at risk of dishonoring his family [i](at risk of endangering himself)[/i]. Shielding his emotions, at risk of endangering those around him. When it finally came down… [i]All[/i] of it came down. 

He relaxed into Ayla’s embrace, breath stuttering but something so [i]warm[/i] in his chest. It made it easier, to trust the decisions that brought him here, those he still had to act upon. As she pulled back, introducing herself, the boy [i]laughed[/i]. Wet, through tear tracks on his cheeks, but genuine. He smiled, perhaps wider than he had since he was a boy, and whispered, [color=#E65836]“It is nice to know you, Ayla.”[/color]

She smiled as she moved to sit herself back upon her seat then began to pour herself another cup of coffee, using a teaspoon of honey and a dash of milk, and moved to refill Alaric’s cup likewise. [colour=009fff]“Is your intention to come out publicly and renounce your… adopted parents and titles?”[/colour] she continued to gaze upon his features as she pondered his intentions, [colour=009fff]“What are Felix’s… Kaspar’s… thoughts on this, what would he like to do?”[/colour]

Alaric wiped his eyes, taking a deep sip of his coffee as Ayla refilled it. [color=#E65836]“[i]Felix[/i] has told me he wishes to have nothing to do with the Elstrøm family,”[/color] he explained. 

[color=#E65836]”As for what I want… I never wanted the titles or the inheritance, but that was my duty to uptake. Fortunately… this will change soon,”[/color] he said, voice rather even. [color=#E65836]”The Marchioness Katka Elstrøm is with child. They plan to ask me to abdicate all ‘birthrights’ and join the Stresian Order.”[/color]

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[indent][indent][color=#D0D0D0][i]Kaspar lived alone. 

The Stresian Order did not make for a terrible life. He adjusted, as he always had. He kept mostly to himself. The other monks left him to his own devices as often as they could. He projected solitude like a wall, and it was respected enough. 

Kaspar wasn’t happy. Not that he had been, after he became Kaspar. There was a brief time, in his first year at Ersand’Enise, but… His studies kept him from dwelling too much.[/i][/color][/indent][/indent]
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His fingers drummed on the table as he sipped yet again from the warm cup. [color=#E65836]”Even with an heir, revealing the truth could greatly dishonor them, and endanger me. I will gladly abdicate. But with my abdication, they will lose all rights over the course of my life. I will not cause them trouble, but neither will I take the path [i]they[/i] have chosen.”[/color]

He sighed, silent for a moment. Glancing back toward Ayla, he smiled softly. [color=#E65836]”The Stresian Order is… not what [i]I[/i] want.”[/color]

Her eyes continued to focus upon his features as she leaned back in her chair. [colour=009fff]“Are you asking for my advice, my assistance, or simply my friendship?”[/colour] She lent forward as she pinched one of the macarons between her fingers, popping it into her mouth as she bit into it, smiling as she savoured the taste. [colour=009fff]“You have the power to choose what you want, you have only to wish for it. What does Alaric wish for?”[/colour]

Alaric watched her eat the macaron, that soft smile never leaving his face. [color=#E65836]”Alaric simply wishes for a chance at life with the person he cares about,”[/color] he murmured. [color=#E65836]”For the opportunity to choose. And, if he’s so lucky… To be chosen in return.”[/color] 

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[color=#D0D0D0][i]He died alone, too. Not of old age, not of sickness. He was murdered. 

He died alone, in the dim light of a study. He didn’t see who—just felt the twisting of his chemicals, too fast and too powerful for him to fight against. The ground, as his hands found it, and then his arms—and he was curling in on himself. It was dark outside, and then it was dark inside… And then it was just dark.

He didn't know who, or why. He could guess—perhaps something to do with the strange manas in his blood. Lightbringer and Demoncaller might pose a threat to someone's ideal future. Maybe a fool, trying to weaken the Elstrøm family by killing a "beloved son". Or maybe the Elstrøms themselves. 

He didn’t know what kind of funeral a monk of the Stresian Order earned. That wasn’t knowledge gifted to him—if the Elstrøm family provided for something. If those he knew at Ersand’Enise were even told of his death. If Ayla was. 

Kaspar died alone, and he was sure he was buried alone, too.[/i][/color][/indent][/indent]
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He took a steadying breath, seeming nervous again for a moment, but his voice was gentle as he continued, [color=#E65836]”Given the opportunity… I would choose [i]you[/i], Ayla. Your friendship, always, but… If it is what you want, I would choose something more.”[/color]

Ayla paused for a moment as she was caught off-guard by the boy's comments. She had been thinking about how she could rescue Alaric from his plight, how she could tell him that they had no power over him, and he had all the power over them. She was thinking of what she would do for him, bare her fangs toward the Elstrøm family and make them cower before her. Yet, when given the choices offered before him, it appeared Alaric had chosen a fourth, an unspoken choice that even she did not consider.

After a loud silent pause, she finally broke the silence, [colour=009fff]“Alaric Arslan does have a ring to it.”[/colour] She moved to take one of the macarons from the plate as she chewed upon it slowly. She struggled to string her thoughts together coherently, as her mind was racing. There was a lot to consider, and it is far from simple. She is already betrothed to another, and whilst Alaric, a boy of no notable standing, title, and had no ties to consider, she could stand to lose everything with such a decision. Even if he had asked such as thing as Kaspar Elstrøm, it would have been a difficult decision, though the loss in prestige would be something she could at least recover from. [colour=009fff]“Do you… know what you ask of me?”[/colour]

His soft smile saddened, though understanding sat upon his features. [color=#E65836]”I do,”[/color] he admitted softly. [color=#E65836]”Perhaps not by heart, but by mind.”[/color] Alaric sighed, eyes returning to his coffee. 

[color=#E65836]”Your friendship, always. There is nothing more I need, and nothing more I would press you for. If it came to pass that there could be something more,”[/color] he paused, trying to find the words. [color=#E65836]”Then I would be glad. But… I know what we wish may not always be possible. I lack noble blood, but that is a lesson this nobility taught me well.”[/color]

Ayla frowned as this situation forced her to appear shallow. She truly cherished Alaric, and more than a friend at that. Already that loss of their innocence was missed as she recalled the boy struggling to understand the concept of a sandwich, and has decided to now open up a stall which specialized in providing them. 

She moved her hand upon Alaric’s, keeping it held there as she squeezed upon it. [colour=009fff]“We don’t want you gone.”[/colour] She sat and waited with him, as she moved her fingers to intertwine with his. She was stuck, she was lost, and it felt like all she could do was physically hold upon his hand tightly, scared. [colour=009fff]“Perhaps there is a way for you to stay by my side. We could always hire a mage of your potential, then you don’t need to go anywhere, especially not to the Stresian Order.”[/colour]

He was content to sit in the silence between Ayla’s words, her fingers wrapped in his. The feeling of flesh against his hand, after all these years, still brought a tremor—but it brought comfort, too, and so he did not let go. [color=#E65836]“Even if there was not a station for me, or should I need to spend some time away…I will not set myself upon the order. Their work is noble, but… It is not mine to perform.”[/color]

As he spoke, Alaric’s fingers plied the gentlest pressure into the back of her hand, back and forth like the plucking of some silent tune. [color=#E65836]”No matter the circumstances, or what solution we find… I’ll be there when you need me. Even simply as a comfort, inept as I may be. You have been a support to me from the first moment. I could offer no less than the same in return.”[/color]

Ayla nodded and smiled warmly to him, giving the hand three squeezes. She sat with him for a silent moment before she let go and removed it. [colour=009fff]“You would need to excuse me for a moment, we need to freshen up.”[/colour] She excused herself, waving as she moved toward the washroom as she left Alaric in the company of Asier. The puff-lion cub looked up toward Alaric as it tilted its head to the side, approaching as it pawed toward him, requesting more treats from him.

Alaric was easy to convince, palming a few treats and offering them to the cub with a soft smile. It was good practice for when Varmkorv finished hatching, though he wasn’t sure how well a puff-lion compared to a froabas. Slowly, so he didn’t startle Asier, Alaric slid himself off the chair and onto the ground, trying to convince the small beast into his lap with bribes of treats. Asier peered up toward Alaric as if he pondered the decision, before committing to the treats as he crawled upon the lap to sniff and bite upon the treats, accepting ear scratches from the boy.

After a while, Ayla returned, freshened up as she appeared to have washed her face, applied some make-up, and seemed more pleasantly fragrant than before. [colour=009fff]“Thank you for waiting, we would appreciate your support”[/colour], as she smiled warmly toward him, though pausing as she looked very confused at him laying upon the floor.

Alaric was still on the floor, though his position had changed. What greeted Ayla was the boy sprawled across it, his tongue half sticking out as he stared dead-eyed at the ceiling. Asier appeared to be gnawing on his arm, hampered only by the sleeve between him and the mage’s flesh.

Ayla walked toward him as she picked up Asier, the puff-lion with a treat in its mouth as she cuddled him within her arms, [colour=009fff]“Oh well, we liked that one Asier. Now we got to try to hide the body now.”[/colour]. She smirked as moved over and sat beside him. Her hand stroked through his hair as she giggled, and then flicked his nose.

The faint red of a blush crawled up Alaric’s cheeks as Ayla wandered over, like he’d somehow not expected to be seen. He tried to play the part convincingly as the girl spoke with Asier, mouth twitching to avoid breaking into a smirk. The boy’s blush deepened as fingers moved gently through his hair, the flick of his nose earning Ayla a soft sound, half surprise and half amusement. He shifted his head, leaning against her leg as the mage pulled a treat from his dampened sleeve, offering it upwards to the puff-lion. [color=#E65836]“Perhaps you could chew on the body, that would help hide it,”[/color] he whispered to the pet, a smirk finally settling on his face as he glanced up towards the Arslan beside him. 

Ayla lowered Asier upon the floor as she moved his head upon her lap, allowing him to use it like a pillow. [colour=009fff]“There are a good few years in front of us, Alaric. Your tuition is paid for, you are an accomplished gift user, the academy can offer you a stipend…”[/colour] and she leaned down to whisper by his ear, [colour=009fff]“[i]The price for your silence doesn’t need to be cheap either.[/i]”[/colour] She pinched his ear playfully, [colour=009fff]“Perhaps we should approach Afraval, we can support you if you desire.”[/colour]

Alaric’s eyes roamed over Ayla’s face, quiet interest as she talked. As she brought up the future, the struggles it may hold… And the solutions, as well. He felt like he could see the claws she was holding back, ready to sink into the Elstrøm family. He sighed softly—something peaceful at the simplicity of the moment, and something scared at all that lay before him.

[color=E65836]“I’ll think about it,”[/color] Alaric whispered, eyes drifting shut.

As they spent time together, somewhere nearby… A snake, dastardly thing that it was, slithered through cracks towards the pair, looking to infiltrate their peaceful room. Its scaled body pushed into the improperly latched door, prying it from the frame. With a hiss, it darted forward—and was stopped in its tracks by the teeth of a fearsome puff-lion cub, biting into its neck. With several vigorous shakes of his head, the threat was put to an end. No snakes would bite on this evening. 
 

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