Have you heard of Idrila? I am one who follows them ardently, as a Knight of Beauty. If you ever wish to ask anything of me, I will gladly answer, and do my best to assist.
NOTE
The universe is filled with beauty. No matter where one is in the cosmos, this is a truth ingrained in existence itself. Therefore, I shall treasure every meeting between each and every beautiful soul I cross paths with.
[He doesn't react until the last part, which gets a soft sound from him as his gaze darts.]
Don't let me hurt you. If you persist in this folly, then at least ensure that you will still stand strong at the end of it all. You won't reach me. You won't be able to stop this. But if I can't persuade you to stop trying, then at least ensure you are prepared.
[ Now both of his hands clench into fists, and he just can't help it - he steps forward despite that earlier reaction. Despite that there could be a hint of danger to it all.
He does have an endless amount of faith in Fray, but even so, it isn't just well-wishes that carry this drive. ]
You would not hurt me. [ Not now. Though he knows from experience later is a certainty. ] And even if you did, it wouldn't be because I let you.
But...even so, this faith in you has not broken.
Yes, my dearest and beloved Fray, I promise to you that I shall not allow my determination to waver, nor break. Anything you say indeed will never deter me. [ Then he brings one fist to rest on his chest, eyes a blaze with passionate devotion and resolve. An indication of how much he is willing to persevere once more. ] Even if you should go far, far away, I will always be there to come and bring you right back! I swear it!
[ Argenti's gaze never drifts from Fray, focused on him all the while, not in grim determination - but beautiful, unerring strength of will. ]
[Radiant and stunning as always. Argenti's declaration gets his eyes to dart again, but he doesn't reach for his sword this time.]
You will be disappointed in what you find.
[It's a warning as much as it is a simple statement of fact. But even so...]
I cannot stop you from pursuing me, then. Very well. Do as you will, I won't attempt to deter you further. Just know that this path will not end where you hope it will.
[ Argenti steps closer, and closer, until they're not that far apart. He wants to show Fray that he is unafraid.
That he means every single word he has said. Even if he knows the true challenge in that - in making his every effort in rescuing the other man will be tested once he's found himself deep within the depths of his Palace. But, Argenti will not accept anything other than a victory for a result.
He will have his dearest back by his side. He will show him just how much he loves him, with each and every single word - with every action - with each part of himself he has to give. ]
I doubt I will be.
[ He says softly, but also somehow firmly. ]
...You may believe this for now. That it may be futile - but I will be there to open your eyes.
But, Fray, before you or I part [ Argenti is stubborn so he imagines it will be Fray who will need to leave first. ] and before this all ends with us facing down one another, can you grant me an opportunity to still reach out to your heart? For me to see your face, again, and give you a proper send off until then?
[ Argenti asks softly, yet audaciously, fixated on Fray. Will he let him give him a kiss? ]
[He doesn't argue. How can he, when Argenti is so steadfast in his belief? He's said all he has to say, and yet he lingers anyway, allowing the other knight to say his piece. That request, though...
Something in his gaze softens, then. His eyes dart once more, fixating on some point in the distance without truly seeing it.]
There is little point in it.
[And yet his hands come up to carefully remove his helmet unbidden. His hair is tied back in braids, similar to the ones Argenti modeled on him before, but much more clumsy; woven by hands that are unaccustomed to such fine work.]
Best make it count, then. You won't get another chance.
[The words sound empty, hollow. They aren't teasing or laced with the usual near-gentleness - after all, this isn't exactly Fray speaking anymore, is it?]
[ Argenti just knows that Fray's heart is deep in there. That deep inside all of that conflict stirring in the depths of his soul, that he is fighting to stay as himself. All of these little signs - the way he can't look at him, the way he even flinched away, even if his hand seemed to near his blade afterwards...like a warning.
But, he thinks he knows Fray well, and he knows that the man does not mean it all with any semblance of malice. He remembers his own reaction in turn.
He has given so much to Fray. Still, seeing him like that, removing his helmet, Argenti takes a breath. Not because of simply the action, but the sight of what lay underneath it, unveiling those braids - clumsily done, yet all the same. ]
...I shall claim my other chance when we have truly reunited, my dear.
[ Argenti's words are gentle, yet firm, as he reaches out, fingers rising to at first ghost along Fray's face, almost as if to cup it on either side, but they instead slide back against the skin, to gently ride atop the haphazard work. Then, he softly hums for Fray, wanting him to hear something from him - every Knight of Beauty knows how to sing, after all. Songs that are more ethereal than human, even if he plans to save the final performance for later, when Fray is back with him. ]
You are beautiful, like a spring flower that has just bloomed; your crimson Beauty is beheld by your dear lover. Enduring, everlasting, enrapturing.
Remember this moment well, my dearest Fray.
[ Then, Argenti presses his lips, soft and daring, against Fray's, as his hands far from that hair to lie still, against his back as he leans into him. It's not a chaste kiss. It's not the desperate parting of bittersweet feelings. It's not a symbol of resignation. It's an expression of undying passion, of unwavering devotion - of love. He seeks to impart it to Fray - to mark it deeply upon his soul - as he envelopes him by such an action an embrace that he intends to temporarily cause his heart to be unable to deny the flame it may rekindle in him. ]
[He doesn't look, not until Argenti's fingers are brushing against his cheek and then he simply can't look away. The feelings that rise within his chest are strangled, conflicted, and hesitant - because he shouldn't dare to feel them like this.
And yet.
Argenti hums and his melodic words captivate Fray; there's no denying that the look in his eyes has softened by the time Argenti kisses him - and for one brief moment, he returns that kiss. It's a reminder of what once was.
...It's a reminder of what once was.
He pulls back, shaking his head, eyes downcast.]
Then let that spur you to pursue me, if you won't listen to reason.
[His feelings settle back into something more familiar; his expression hardens into something downright cold.]
Until next we meet, Argenti.
[And with that, he's already moving to leave and put his helmet back on.]
[ It feels startlingly like a mirror image in some respects, of when he too had been under that influence of the darkness of his own heart. But, undoubtedly, a marked difference all the same, one that allows him to see the frigid nature of those eyes looking right back at him.
Still, despite that, and despite how troubling what the end of this encounter will spell out what needs to be done, Argenti doesn't feel completely at a loss. He doesn't feel that any of the drive he's felt is insubstantial.
If anything, he feels that those feelings have been stoked even fiercer inside of him. The emotional flames of resolve flare deeply within his heart, having already taken flight. So, even if there is a feeling of something bittersweet, that is not the only emotion that's come alive. ]
Fray...
[ He starts to say, the Knight of Beauty pausing for a moment, but then he shakes off whatever is holding him back from putting together the words he wishes to convey, his own bright, determined, yet loving gaze still meeting Fray's cold ones. ]
Yes, I shall see you once again. Until next time, my light of my life. At which time...I will guide you back to me.
[ But, Argenti will linger further, even when Fray begins to truly walk away. Perhaps waiting until the other man leaves in earnest.
And all the same, his heart is set. The words he's spoken today - the emotions he's displayed to him and shown to Fray - are all distinctive evidence of the promise he has made; a vow of his own, immense, powerful yet deep.
Which he will stop at nothing to make come true. To have Fray once again by his side...so they can claim their happy ending. ]
no subject
Don't let me hurt you. If you persist in this folly, then at least ensure that you will still stand strong at the end of it all. You won't reach me. You won't be able to stop this. But if I can't persuade you to stop trying, then at least ensure you are prepared.
no subject
He does have an endless amount of faith in Fray, but even so, it isn't just well-wishes that carry this drive. ]
You would not hurt me. [ Not now. Though he knows from experience later is a certainty. ] And even if you did, it wouldn't be because I let you.
But...even so, this faith in you has not broken.
Yes, my dearest and beloved Fray, I promise to you that I shall not allow my determination to waver, nor break. Anything you say indeed will never deter me. [ Then he brings one fist to rest on his chest, eyes a blaze with passionate devotion and resolve. An indication of how much he is willing to persevere once more. ] Even if you should go far, far away, I will always be there to come and bring you right back! I swear it!
[ Argenti's gaze never drifts from Fray, focused on him all the while, not in grim determination - but beautiful, unerring strength of will. ]
no subject
You will be disappointed in what you find.
[It's a warning as much as it is a simple statement of fact. But even so...]
I cannot stop you from pursuing me, then. Very well. Do as you will, I won't attempt to deter you further. Just know that this path will not end where you hope it will.
no subject
That he means every single word he has said. Even if he knows the true challenge in that - in making his every effort in rescuing the other man will be tested once he's found himself deep within the depths of his Palace. But, Argenti will not accept anything other than a victory for a result.
He will have his dearest back by his side. He will show him just how much he loves him, with each and every single word - with every action - with each part of himself he has to give. ]
I doubt I will be.
[ He says softly, but also somehow firmly. ]
...You may believe this for now. That it may be futile - but I will be there to open your eyes.
But, Fray, before you or I part [ Argenti is stubborn so he imagines it will be Fray who will need to leave first. ] and before this all ends with us facing down one another, can you grant me an opportunity to still reach out to your heart? For me to see your face, again, and give you a proper send off until then?
[ Argenti asks softly, yet audaciously, fixated on Fray. Will he let him give him a kiss? ]
no subject
Something in his gaze softens, then. His eyes dart once more, fixating on some point in the distance without truly seeing it.]
There is little point in it.
[And yet his hands come up to carefully remove his helmet unbidden. His hair is tied back in braids, similar to the ones Argenti modeled on him before, but much more clumsy; woven by hands that are unaccustomed to such fine work.]
Best make it count, then. You won't get another chance.
[The words sound empty, hollow. They aren't teasing or laced with the usual near-gentleness - after all, this isn't exactly Fray speaking anymore, is it?]
no subject
But, he thinks he knows Fray well, and he knows that the man does not mean it all with any semblance of malice. He remembers his own reaction in turn.
He has given so much to Fray. Still, seeing him like that, removing his helmet, Argenti takes a breath. Not because of simply the action, but the sight of what lay underneath it, unveiling those braids - clumsily done, yet all the same. ]
...I shall claim my other chance when we have truly reunited, my dear.
[ Argenti's words are gentle, yet firm, as he reaches out, fingers rising to at first ghost along Fray's face, almost as if to cup it on either side, but they instead slide back against the skin, to gently ride atop the haphazard work. Then, he softly hums for Fray, wanting him to hear something from him - every Knight of Beauty knows how to sing, after all. Songs that are more ethereal than human, even if he plans to save the final performance for later, when Fray is back with him. ]
You are beautiful, like a spring flower that has just bloomed; your crimson Beauty is beheld by your dear lover. Enduring, everlasting, enrapturing.
Remember this moment well, my dearest Fray.
[ Then, Argenti presses his lips, soft and daring, against Fray's, as his hands far from that hair to lie still, against his back as he leans into him. It's not a chaste kiss. It's not the desperate parting of bittersweet feelings. It's not a symbol of resignation. It's an expression of undying passion, of unwavering devotion - of love. He seeks to impart it to Fray - to mark it deeply upon his soul - as he envelopes him by such an action an embrace that he intends to temporarily cause his heart to be unable to deny the flame it may rekindle in him. ]
no subject
And yet.
Argenti hums and his melodic words captivate Fray; there's no denying that the look in his eyes has softened by the time Argenti kisses him - and for one brief moment, he returns that kiss. It's a reminder of what once was.
...It's a reminder of what once was.
He pulls back, shaking his head, eyes downcast.]
Then let that spur you to pursue me, if you won't listen to reason.
[His feelings settle back into something more familiar; his expression hardens into something downright cold.]
Until next we meet, Argenti.
[And with that, he's already moving to leave and put his helmet back on.]
no subject
Still, despite that, and despite how troubling what the end of this encounter will spell out what needs to be done, Argenti doesn't feel completely at a loss. He doesn't feel that any of the drive he's felt is insubstantial.
If anything, he feels that those feelings have been stoked even fiercer inside of him. The emotional flames of resolve flare deeply within his heart, having already taken flight. So, even if there is a feeling of something bittersweet, that is not the only emotion that's come alive. ]
Fray...
[ He starts to say, the Knight of Beauty pausing for a moment, but then he shakes off whatever is holding him back from putting together the words he wishes to convey, his own bright, determined, yet loving gaze still meeting Fray's cold ones. ]
Yes, I shall see you once again. Until next time, my light of my life. At which time...I will guide you back to me.
[ But, Argenti will linger further, even when Fray begins to truly walk away. Perhaps waiting until the other man leaves in earnest.
And all the same, his heart is set. The words he's spoken today - the emotions he's displayed to him and shown to Fray - are all distinctive evidence of the promise he has made; a vow of his own, immense, powerful yet deep.
Which he will stop at nothing to make come true. To have Fray once again by his side...so they can claim their happy ending. ]