11-16-2017, 08:54 PM
”I outgrew it,” he replies, half lying. In all honesty, Castile isn’t sure as to the true reason he left Hyaline. He enjoyed it as a boy, albeit briefly, and he sought to rescue it from the fire, but then he never returned. Ivar took him into Sylva and suddenly he was entangled by the web of trees, comfortable in the dappled sunlight where it was always seemingly autumn. When he returned, it seemed different. It wasn’t the child’s sanctuary as he had been led to believe as adult creeped across the border to join the ranks. The cluster of young friends dissipated as the land became a regular kingdom.
And then there was Ciri.
But he doesn’t think of her right now. No, his attention is tunneling to Solace where there are gentle eyes peering up at him with reined curiosity. She hungers for the reasons why he left Hyaline, and the subtle glance of solemnity almost passes by without Castile’s notice. He can’t help but look at her again, to trace her lithe body with his mismatched eyes, but then he glances away – forces himself to break his stare – to the babbling river at their sides. It has always been a lullaby to him, the sound of moving water, and it soothes his electrified nerves even as she rejects his offer of warmth. Had he not seen her tremble only moments prior? For a fleeting moment, Castile second-guesses himself, but then he nods with that boyish grin playing across his lips. ”Good, I’m glad you’re warming up.” He doesn’t pry deeper, deciding to take her word even as his spine tingles with the thought that she isn’t quite telling the truth. They are close enough, he reassures himself, don’t push it.
As his breath coils in white plumes, Castile slowly sweeps his gaze to Solace once more, softening as their conversation continues but still remaining guarded as Amet’s name replays in the back of his mind again and again and again. Solace belongs to the gilded stallion – every girl in Hyaline does, he assumes – and it poisons Castile with uncertainty. ”Where did you live before Hyaline?” He is desperate, but also nervous, to keep their conversation alive as he breathes in her scent, mingled with the familiarity of the hilly landscape. When he blinks, he imagines Amet arriving to interrupt them, but when his eyes open again they are still alone. A breath of relief escapes him unconsciously.
And then there was Ciri.
But he doesn’t think of her right now. No, his attention is tunneling to Solace where there are gentle eyes peering up at him with reined curiosity. She hungers for the reasons why he left Hyaline, and the subtle glance of solemnity almost passes by without Castile’s notice. He can’t help but look at her again, to trace her lithe body with his mismatched eyes, but then he glances away – forces himself to break his stare – to the babbling river at their sides. It has always been a lullaby to him, the sound of moving water, and it soothes his electrified nerves even as she rejects his offer of warmth. Had he not seen her tremble only moments prior? For a fleeting moment, Castile second-guesses himself, but then he nods with that boyish grin playing across his lips. ”Good, I’m glad you’re warming up.” He doesn’t pry deeper, deciding to take her word even as his spine tingles with the thought that she isn’t quite telling the truth. They are close enough, he reassures himself, don’t push it.
As his breath coils in white plumes, Castile slowly sweeps his gaze to Solace once more, softening as their conversation continues but still remaining guarded as Amet’s name replays in the back of his mind again and again and again. Solace belongs to the gilded stallion – every girl in Hyaline does, he assumes – and it poisons Castile with uncertainty. ”Where did you live before Hyaline?” He is desperate, but also nervous, to keep their conversation alive as he breathes in her scent, mingled with the familiarity of the hilly landscape. When he blinks, he imagines Amet arriving to interrupt them, but when his eyes open again they are still alone. A breath of relief escapes him unconsciously.