10-18-2018, 08:30 AM
”Oh, you do,” he sheepishly echoes with a low chuckle, his eyes cast down for a moment before lifting to meet hers again. He never assumed himself remarkable or memorable in any way. In Nerine, he was just a boy clutched to mother’s side and shuffling in her shadow. The fact that Heartfire remembers him is both surprising, but admittedly, heartwarming. Liquid fire pours through his veins and melts the discomfort he initially felt upon his return. He isn’t a total outcast; there is at least one familiar face among the sea of new ones. They don’t share much history, but what they have is enough to put him more at ease. A shrug ripples through his shoulders as he considers her question rather methodically. He doesn’t have a grand scheme or debonair plan. ”Purpose,” he begins thoughtfully, thumbing through his memories to recall his initial meeting with Breckin at the border.
But Heartfire’s question doesn’t crave a single-worded answer. It hovers steadily in the air between them, drawing more from Castile as he further broods. ”I’ve only really belonged here,” it could be perceived as weak, pitiful, because he preferred the home of his mother rather than branching out like so many others. ”Hyaline doesn’t sit well and Loess was a place to sleep, but nothing more, really. Being a Regent was incredibly brief,” a husky laughter slips past his lips as his head slowly shakes. There were more responsibilities, yes, but it seemed like it was over in the blink of an eye as a new king ascended the throne, replacing Lepis.
None of it matters now, however. His sights have once again settled on Nerine. A sideways glance finds the Cliffside that he has already enjoyed taking flight from. A crooked grin, a bright-eyed expression. She can see it in him that this is where he has always thrived.
Another sweep of his gaze scrutinizes Heartfire. She remains untouched by time, something that he has noticed in himself as well. ”You haven’t even aged,” he comments accidentally, his thoughts coming to fruition and plunging from the tip of his tongue. ”Has much changed?” He adds quickly, diverting and trying to recover from the odd misstep. Albeit more of a compliment than an insult, mother had always silenced him when he asked her age. She, too, always appeared so young and vibrant. Immortality kissed her, and even him, but he never thought of others outside of their bloodlines. Age still deepens the lines in some faces he has seen and death always seems to loom.
But Heartfire’s question doesn’t crave a single-worded answer. It hovers steadily in the air between them, drawing more from Castile as he further broods. ”I’ve only really belonged here,” it could be perceived as weak, pitiful, because he preferred the home of his mother rather than branching out like so many others. ”Hyaline doesn’t sit well and Loess was a place to sleep, but nothing more, really. Being a Regent was incredibly brief,” a husky laughter slips past his lips as his head slowly shakes. There were more responsibilities, yes, but it seemed like it was over in the blink of an eye as a new king ascended the throne, replacing Lepis.
None of it matters now, however. His sights have once again settled on Nerine. A sideways glance finds the Cliffside that he has already enjoyed taking flight from. A crooked grin, a bright-eyed expression. She can see it in him that this is where he has always thrived.
Another sweep of his gaze scrutinizes Heartfire. She remains untouched by time, something that he has noticed in himself as well. ”You haven’t even aged,” he comments accidentally, his thoughts coming to fruition and plunging from the tip of his tongue. ”Has much changed?” He adds quickly, diverting and trying to recover from the odd misstep. Albeit more of a compliment than an insult, mother had always silenced him when he asked her age. She, too, always appeared so young and vibrant. Immortality kissed her, and even him, but he never thought of others outside of their bloodlines. Age still deepens the lines in some faces he has seen and death always seems to loom.