:: The Joust of Riley's 17th Year ::

[eblouissant]

It was the first time that Riley had been on the field, he'd trained hard for this. Very hard, all around him the area of people watched from their stands and seats. His armor gleamed pristine, the visor over his head, the jousting javelin tucked firmly underneath his arm.

Riding astride on his stallion, he galloped toward the ready line as the Games Crier spoke out his name. "Sir Cyril of House Valiase and his opponent Sir Germaine Moreau, please take your positions." and then Riley was in place, his heart thundering in his ears even while all around him the stadium turned as silent save for a few coughs here and there. The horn was blown and then he dug his heels in, pressed himself forward and started.

Grounding himself into the saddle, his eyes never leaving his opponent. Pounding hoofs the only thing to break the silence. That moment of fear, the way his stomach hit his throat and made him choke, so close so close. Held Breath. And then the sound of armor where he prepared for anything. No thinking, nothing-- head empty.

A clatter behind him as he charged forth. He had expected weightlessness, pain, but nothing as he made it to the end and he turned his horse around to see the attendants on the field rushing to Sir Germaine's side to help him from where he had stopped. Already they were assisting him off his horse, medics and his page. And then the crier called out.

"The Winner, Sir Cyril of House Valiase!" and the crowd went almost wild. Somewhere in the stands, he knew that his father was smiling approvingly, but his eyes did not search for his father. But a pair of eyes that he knew quite well, sitting in the royal box. There he could see them there, clapping along with the crowds-- his father not too far away from King Etienne itself.

A polite smile at his father and his King. And then his eyes searched out his best friend Guillaume with a far more shy smile; he was handed a rose by his page and there was a moment where he tried to figure out what to do with it.. he knew what to do, give it to a young lady of the court as was the proper procedure. A look at best friend, fleeting before he cantered his horse up to one of the young ladies of the Court and he handed her the rose.

--

Parties were like this, the celebrations were massive and with no expense spared. Now Riley could have found much more useful things to spend money on than a fountain of champagne and one of matching chocolate side by side-- but he did not make the rules nor did he hold the purse strings, so he held a glass of wine and watched the dancing.

He'd already done the required dancing with the young lady he'd given the rose to, also had been grilled on his mother on if she would make a suitable 'wife' for him. He did not care either way, if they arranged it then they did, it was not uncommon for parents to arrange matches for their children though he'd heard Guillaume state that his father the King was attempting to change that, to make Olympia more accepting. Trying to bridge the gap between Sylvia and Olympia, attempting to give women more rights.. everything that most Lords balked at (including Riley's father).

It felt like a fairy tale that was told, a fairy tale where magic existed and where women could be knights, where a marriage was only dictated by love. it was such a beautiful fairy tale, but Riley heard his father speak in contempt of such things, and Riley was not sure of the country was ready for that yet.

Comments

[giveanything]

"All right. Then we'll talk to him. Whenever you think is the right time."

Was there a better time for this conversation than others? Liam didn't know. After all, he'd never met this Impresario, and he had no actual idea what he was getting into. There were hints from what Riley and Kay'dia were saying though.

He sounded like the sort who'd fiddle while the world burned, if it were interesting enough. And if he knew how to play the fiddle.

He tipped enough to lean into Riley. As long as this Maduin wouldn't turn him over immediately to the Crown, he supposed he could roll with whatever else came.

[eblouissant]

There was really no warning for Maduin except for that he was insane, other than that it was completely and randomized as to what he could or would do. Just depended on the day of the week as well as inherent mood that the other man would be in. Riley glanced over at Liam, and then back at Kay'dia-- "Probably not tonight, he is usually very very tetchy when it comes to the fallout over interacting with people for an extended period of time."

"We could hide you here until we get out of Faori proper." Kay'dia said this thoughtfully. "And then revel you once we are out on the road. It would at least give you time to get out of the city in case he decides that his whims doesn't want to pick up a stranger."

[giveanything]

Liam nodded. It was a sound plan really. If this Maduin wanted him to leave the caravan, he would, but it would be so much better if that were when they were beyond the city limits. So Liam would stay hidden until then, and try not to interfere too much with Riley's life and schedule, and to stay out of Kay'dia's way as well, given that she was being very understanding about him bunking up with her roommate.

He supposed they were lucky that her timing hadn't been a few minutes earlier. That would've made for an even more awkward introduction.

"I'm grateful. I don't really have the words to express how much." To this elven woman he'd only just met. And to his Riley. He let his gaze trail back to his knight. "And... I hope he lets me stay. I want to learn about this caravan, the people here. They've been your home, and I'd like to know about the life you've led while we were apart."

[eblouissant]

The elf lifted her head in acknowledgement.

"Well, I'll let you say, this is the first time I've seen him smile with his whole mouth." she gestured toward Riley who at the moment was lowering his head to rest against the other man's shoulder, locks of blonde scattering against dark fabric. "Dare I say he's prettier when he smiles?" of course Kay'dia meant it as a tease.

Being that she had been told that three times already today that she should 'smile' more by Olympian men who did not know what was good for them.

"Either he lets you stay or I leave with you." this was said in a way that brooked no complaint whatsoever, the knight had already made his decision, and it was very hard to veer the other man away from the path when the mind was made up.

"That being said, I think I'll leave you both alone tonight, I can bunk with Eden-- you both probably have much to catch up on." if you caught her drift.

[giveanything]

"He's always beautiful," Liam murmured softly, glancing down at where Riley rested against him before turning back to Kay'dia, "But he does have a stunning smile." The most stunning. It was one of Liam's favorite things to see, the way Riley's entire face lit up in a soft, gentle glow, warm and bright like clouds clearing and the sun coming out.

His hand tightened around Riley's at his lover's reassurance. He knew Riley would stay with him even if he wasn't allowed to remain with the Caravan. But Liam didn't want to drag Riley away from people who he cared about and who cared for him.

"I feel bad putting you out of your room, but... I think you're right. We do have a lot to catch up on." Drift caught, yes.

[eblouissant]

"I have something to smile about again." he said this quite seriously even as he squeezed that hand right back, allowing himself to rest. Though he did flush at the drift which had also been caught on his end. "I mean, I would like some time alone but I do not want to be an imposition.. and i will only allow it if you allow us to do something for you in return."

And well Riley would insist.

"Both of us can take over your morning chores tomorrow so that you do not have to wake up quite so early?"

That felt like it wouldn't be amiss; what Kay'dia did was tend to the horses and get then fed and watered, so doing such a thing would allow her to be able to lounge about a bit more.

"Well, I won't refuse if you want to give me an hour to sleep in.."

[giveanything]

There was Riley saying words that simultaneously broke and remade his heart. But oh he understood that too. He was happier in the few hours of this evening than he'd ever hoped to be in all the years that had laid themselves in between him and Riley.

He was quickly nodding in agreement with Riley's offer to Kay'dia.

"Happily. It'll be nice to feel like I'm pulling my weight, at least a little." His father had at least raised Guillaume and Patrice to understand that there was reward in working hard, that even royal hands could and should pitch in where they were needed. Liam had no idea what these chores were, but he trusted Riley to know whether he'd be a help or a hinderance when he'd offered.

Horses would be a good fit. He knew how to tend to them, so he'd actually be helpful, hopefully.

[eblouissant]

"Then we will, I cannot forsee either of us being of much sleep with still being in Faori." And Riley wanted to put as much space as he could between them in the capital city, he had already sowed a few seeds of possibility and the common man was usually good at watering and letting unrest grow.

And to find Patrice and Sir Dumas? That should be the priority.

"Great, then you both have fun and I will enjoy my bed for an extra hour." That would also likely prove Liam's usefulness. She reached into one of the makeshift drawers and pulled out a pillow case and started to shove some of her things in there for an impromptu slumber party.

[giveanything]

Liam was in agreement. He had to find Patrice and Sir Dumas, reassure himself that they were still alive. He knew that his brother likely thought him dead. Everyone had, with the sole exception of his demonic master. What would Patrice say when he found out? It would be a complicated discussion, given the price that Liam had so willingly paid to ensure Patrice's safety.

But that bridge could be crossed when they came to it. First came getting out of the city in one piece.

Well, okay, first involved trying to disappear into Riley's embrace for the rest of the night one way or another, or all ways, all the ways together that they could possibly think of. "Thank you. For this, and for keeping care of Riley all this time."

[eblouissant]

"I hardly took care of him, I just did my job." Kay'dia said matter of factly even she she finished gathering up her things and then made her way the short distance to the door. "Really if I'm being honest, he's probably one of the most well-organized and thoughtful person in this caravan, and it was he who was taking care of all of us like he needed it to fufill a purpose or something similar."

And then she glanced over at the two men.

"Enjoy your time alone, let me tell you it is really hard to get a moment alone together otherwise.. so think of it as a gift."

"It is true.." Riley said with the hint of a wry smile. "No privacy in this place, whatsoever."

And then Kay'dia was gone, leaving the two men alone.

[giveanything]

Liam waved at Kay'dia as she left.

And then it was just Riley and him. He turned towards his Knight then -- always his Knight, even if both of them had lost their titles when they'd died -- hand brushing back some of that sunshine gold hair. "She was kind. I'm glad you found your way to kind people."

Infinitely glad for it. Riley had always been, well, a treasure. And he deserved to be cared for. Liam would have worried about it, if he'd known Riley was still out there. Though what Kay'dia had said about Riley had not been surprising. "Still the caretaker though, hmm? Always looking out for everyone else. My brave, handsome, gallant knight."

[eblouissant]

"Oh, she is kind-- but she is also the sort that the phrase 'do not take my kindness for weakness' exemplifies.. I have seen her many a times stare a hole into someone, and then there are the times when she's shot a hole in others, those were not the lucky ones."

The way that Liam brushed hair back from his brow made his heart smile and he lay back against the bed though supported by a few pillows. "You know I took an oath to protect others, and I take it very seriously." he gave Liam a wry smile. "There was a time though when I felt that I had failed.. part of me knew I should've insisted on coming with you.. but-- I could not countermand his orders, and your father understood that I think.. but it was still difficult to live with that afterwards."

[giveanything]

"Duly noted. I will do my best to stay on her good side." He would prefer not being used for target practice. It didn't sound like something he -- or anyone sane -- would enjoy.

His fingers lingered in Riley's hair, winding a blond lock around them gently. He shook his head slightly, but even as small as the motion was, it was adamant. No, he knew Riley might have believed that, knew that the other man was the type to carry guilt even when it was in no way his burden to bear.

"No, my heart. You didn't fail. And if you'd been there..." Then he would have lost Riley for real, wouldn't he have? "I wouldn't have this miracle, of finding you here. Now."

[eblouissant]

"I understand that now, but I did not.. at the time-- and I did not understand until perhaps this very night when I found you alive again." the two of them alive in this moment, it was a miracle and he still almost felt like he was dreaming.

"Honestly, I think you need to pinch me.. so that I understand I am not dreaming." because a blowjob hadn't been enough, he knew that he would've had dreams about that. "Or maybe I should chase Kay'dia and get her to shoot me, maybe that will prove that this is real."

But there was Liam, strong and firm-- there was nothing wishy washy about him; he allowed his entire presence guide him even now he could see it. There was a purpose there that Riley would nurture, would support.. for this was his King, but more importantly this was his love.

[giveanything]

"Please do not go ask the intimidating elf lady to shoot you." Liam clucked his tongue gently, allowing a playful smile flickering over his lips. The expressions were still strangely tentative, like he was remembering how to make them, how to actually feel emotions besides a depthless despair.

But he was growing surer with them bit by bit. The panic from his nightmare was fading too.

Leaning closer, he very deliberately bit at that strong jawline. "How's that? Or do I still need to pinch you?"

[eblouissant]

"She has the best aim of anyone that I know, so no.. I am not inclined to though.." and then he felt the bite against his jawline and yeah, that was a feeling but also it was actually pretty sexy having Liam bite him like that. It brought him to mind of all the times they'd made out while they were trying not to get caught.

Those teenaged fumblings.

But they were not teens anymore, even though that giddy feeling in his stomach made him feel like that. By 30 years old, the teenaged phase may have worn off, except there was a lot of time that had passed them and it still feel like he was a boy again. "Oh gods, that is.. yeah-- okay, that is sufficient, this is real and I'm not dreaming."

[giveanything]

They had been so young and eager and caught up in the thrill of being in love -- and the added danger that they skirted with being discovered. They were older now, sadder, but in all this time apart, for Liam at least, that love had only grown, even if he'd thought that it would only ever be love in mourning and longing.

Now it had shifted, to something alive, fire rising from embers that he'd thought were ashes, burning with a not unfamiliar heat.

So he couldn't help a little nibble where he'd already bitten. "Good. We've established that much, which is good. You aren't allowed to be a dream." Liam wouldn't survive having this be only fantasy.

[eblouissant]

The closeness and contact felt like everything that he thought he'd never have again, a fire thrumming through him as he tilted his head to the side so that Liam could further brush mouth against his neck while he let out a patently happy sigh. "Then you are not allowed to be a dream either and you will still have to be here when I wake up, so that we can both tend the horses together."

He tilted his head them so that he could look over at Liam, a smile playing across his mouth and those grey eyes settling with a softness.

"We will get back what is rightfully yours, first your brother and then.. well we'll focus on what you want from there." and Riley hoped that it involved ousting King Valiase from power, but he would understand if it did not.

"Your choice in all of this, you know."

[giveanything]

"I would never be a dream to avoid chores," he teased lightly, lips brushing a gentler kiss where his teeth had been playing. He leaned back enough to meet Riley's gaze properly, unable to stop himself from reaching up and tracing his fingertips along the shape of Riley's smile, over those pretty lips. He loved that smile so much.

A nod in agreement. First Patrice, to make sure he was alive still and safe and at least let him know that Liam was still alive himself.

"Our choice, love. We'll decide together." Because what Riley wanted mattered to.

He was quiet for a long moment, and Riley likely knew him well enough to understand that he was turning something over in his mind. Eventually he spoke again. "But I... I can't leave that murderer sitting on my father's throne. My father deserves justice. And Olympia deserves better, someone who will lead for its people and not for his own benefit."

Oh part of Liam wanted to run, to flee somewhere where no one would know him or Riley or anything about Olympia, but that part of him paled in comparison to the rest of what he wanted. "We'll need allies, and it may be best to find some outside Olympia as well. Resistance with in and assistance from without. The Kirklands might be sympathetic. Everything I learned about them in my studies makes me think they'd be the best bet..."

[eblouissant]

"Then we will." Riley said with a soft smile, proud of Liam more than words could say. There was that strong sense of justice, and the nobility that would've had Riley following the other man into hell and back again-- even before he had understood that he was in love with the other man, he would've gladly given himself to the cause and served Liam his entire life.

Still would.

The way that Riley's lips shaped a smile against the touch of fingertip, well that smile reached his eyes as well.

"There is the man I am in love with, and all the reasons why I fell for him in the first place."