Spare yourself the view

❝ A masterpiece of tragedy, turning even stars into dust. ❞

They had been here for some days now and honestly wasn't certain what to think of the Vylasars and their hometown. Well the city was stunning and the magic protecting it was certainly something else. On the surface it truly was perfection and the sorcerer family had done their best to maintain it while it was in their care, that much was for certain. But what he had heard here from just wandering the halls of the castle made him frown every time. What kind of drama was unfolding inside these walls? A side of him didn't even want to know, but it was impossible to ignore some claims and rumours. Such as the fact that the heir of this place had been attacked by someone and was currently not able to preform his duties. It sounded like carelessness on their part. Because, well, he always made sure Fauna was alright. She always had someone with her at least, someone to watch her and such. And she wasn't even technically heir to anything. But she was part of the royal family and that was more than anyone in this place in his eyes. Or maybe it was something else... Oh well... Regardless, it was questionable how they could let this happen to such an important person. If anything, it made this place look weak.

But all of that was none of his concern. Once they had gotten everything back in order they could return to Ravaryn. Because at the end of the day, there was no way Fauna would remain in the underwater city simply because the man she had to marry wanted to stay with his sister. Ridiculous if you asked him. They were all adults after all, weren't they? And they all had jobs to fulfil. Did they not see how important she was compared to them. Slightly annoyed he let out a sigh as he leaned back a bit. He had tried to get some writing done, but his mind had been wandering again. Or, so it would seem. He couldn't even focus in the slightest... And it annoyed him to no end. Normally he would be able to remain calm and use those feelings somewhere else. Zuhayr was a pretty collected person, after all. If he remained alone... As soon as someone else entered the room he usually lost himself. It was why he had been alone in his chambers for quite some time. And it had allowed him to let loose of some of the easier parts of his being. A rare occurrence to say the least.

So... When he had enough of that feeling, he stood up and gotten dressed into something more properly. Putting on some of his gloves as well as some furs so that most of his body was covered. When he double checked everything, he let out a sigh... And left his room. He was so out of place here. Not only in what he was wearing, but also how he carried himself in regards to others here. It made him uncomfortable and truly, who could blame him? He had travelled from Xaila to Ravaryn to Lemuria in the span of weeks. With little time to catch his breath. He was tense and his mind was racing from everything he had to think about. There was just so much going on. So he kept on walking through these halls at quite a pace, his eyes focused on the ground. Which, eventually, resulted in him running into someone. And well, since he was tall and broad compared to whoever it was, he didn't slow down at first. It was only after that he turned around with a frown, followed by regret and slight panic. What had just been a stern expression melted away in seconds. "Oh Xeion," he murmured softly. "I- I wasn't looking where I was going and I am so sorry," He said quickly, turning himself to the person in question. "Are you okay?"

❝ A masterpiece of tragedy, turning even stars into dust. ❞

He had been lucky that this little accident hadn't triggered his magic, because he honestly didn't know what he would do in his current state if he saw any visions or predictions. To be haunted in a place like this while he was supposed to care for Fauna... He couldn't allow that to happen. He had to stay focused, keep his head clear of nightmares. He was already having a harder time sleeping at night than normally, indicating that something was definitely wrong with his magic, but to actually work on it would mean risking a heavy lash back. When he was back in Xaila, he could actually take them on, as he would spend days on end in his room trying to calm himself down from the horrid scenes that plagued him on a daily basis. But as the weeks had turned to months... And eventually years, he knew that he didn't take the time anymore to process shocking scenes. He would meet his punishment in his dreams, where the negative effect took root in sick and sadistic ways. This so called blessing was truly a curse.

The woman in questions spoke and Zuhayr slowly lifted his gaze to meet hers. Tilting his head ever so slightly as he nodded again at the young woman. He hadn't seen her before, so he couldn't really place who she was... But the way she was dressed and the fact that she was carrying a staff gave away that she was a Vylasar. Ah... Just great. He didn't want any trouble with the summoners over something like this. It kind of made him scared, not knowing what he could expect of this family. He, himself, was a tie between the Zinyra's and Rizals; something that was reflected in the way his magic worked and functioned. So he kind of knew how each family did their things. But the third sorcerer family... Well, it was a complete mystery who they were. The woman went on to say that she was fine and the southern man decided to nod again at her, not really knowing what he could say or do with all that. She was fine... Which was good. Perhaps he should be back on his way before he made things uncomfortable.

The sorcerer was already turning himself somewhat away from her, his broad shoulders tilting back the other direction until they were stopped in the motion by her next words. Oh... Quickly he spun back around, blinking rapidly. Right. Formal things. He was supposed to do that here. Man... These kind of situations really made him nervous. He had just wanted to go outside, get a bit of fresh air... And then get back to work. But now it would seem that fate forced him to make some acquaintances. Perhaps a good sign, as he wasn't social in the slightest. So... Her taking the first steps in the conversation, greatly aided it. He smiled awkwardly as she introduced herself as Chaska. And like he had suspected, she was a summoner. For a moment the tall man looked at her hand. His gaze fixated on the one thing he dreaded the most; risking touch. It was such a silly little thing, yet it was so deeply ingrained in him. It was perhaps the reason why he couldn't focus completely on her name, so the puzzle pieces didn't click. Because he had clearly heard from someone who the sister of Deimos was, the reason why Fauna had to travel here and not the other way around. Well... This stranger made sure he knew now.

At the mentioning of her brother, he looked at her for a moment, their eyes crossing for a moment as he held his breath. "I'm sorry," he said softly as he shook his head, waving ever so slightly at her gesture. "But I can't risk a handshake," He took a step back as his gaze averted once more. The tension clearly noted in everything he did; from the tone of his voice to his posture. He could barely keep it together. But he he at least had the decency to introduce himself as well. "I'm... Zuhayr Rizal," He said, slightly hesitating as soon as his last name rolled of the tongue. He kept his focus on the ground for a moment as he put his hands behind his back. Slowly locking one hand around his other wrist as he fiddled a bit with his glove, how annoying. "Pleased to meet you..." This felt wrong. In these empty halls he felt cornered. It made his muscles tense up, which caused his chest to give in to that tightening sensation. Why couldn't he shake the feeling that something was off?

❝ A masterpiece of tragedy, turning even stars into dust. ❞

Even though he had been wearing gloves ever since his family in Ravaryn had offered it up to him, he still had a habit of simply not touching people. He could shake her hand, no problem and all, but in the back of his mind it would be a problem. An accident happened in an instant. He had already been blessed by the fact that his magic hadn't been activated by running into her. But once again, he had learned to cover almost every inch of his skin from the Rizals. They had stated that, without skin to skin contact he would be fine. And their claims have been proven correct ever since. Yet, after all those years of small little accidents and trauma after trauma due to his curse, it had become second nature to him to avoid touch all together. It was just better this way. Besides, in a place like this he couldn't afford to have a vision. Because he wouldn't know what kind of effects it would have on him mentally. In the familiarity of his home, he could lose himself to the chaos and panic of the visions all he wanted. But here, in the belly of the beast, he had to be more cautious.

The lady looked a bit offended that he didn't take her hand, but he tried to shake it off. Averting his gaze as to not meet hers. He didn't need to see how offended she was by this action. Because he wouldn't be able to fix it. It would haunt him for the rest of the day that he had hurt someone without any real intent. And that was punishment enough for now. If he would try and fix it, it would only make it worse for her and him. And then she spoke, one word. And as she did, he glanced at her for a moment. He wanted to go, feeling the shift in the air weigh heavy on him. And he didn't know what he could do about it. His instincts told him to just walk away, but that would just be icing on the cake in regard to his awful behaviour. Maybe it was the way she was holding herself, or maybe it was the way she was speaking to him. But just something felt off. And he didn't like it one bit. Zuhayr had never been good in social interactions, but when his gut told him something wasn't quite right... He usually had a right to trust it, as it had never been wrong before.

And then she spoke his name and the broad man looked up at her, one of his hands resting on his arm as he had awkwardly tried to maintain a sort of posture that didn't look like he hated being here. His face visibly cringed at the title she gave him and he averted his eyes, clearly displeased by that way of speaking. Yet, she went on to ask him if he wanted to join her for a walk through the garden. He kept his eyes focused on the ground, already forgetting what he was going to do in the first place. His mind blanked out as he felt his anxiety creep up on him. By the gods, lord Rizal... He hated hearing that. He hated that he was labeled by his magic and heritage that had only caused him pain and a life of solitude. A curse that would forever force him to be alone. He would never have someone, would never share a hug with anyone or would ever have his first kiss. He would die living an empty life, his desires and needs never being met as his magic had forced him into this life. It wasn't fair... But he had to learn to live with it, he didn't have a choice.

He shook his head slowly. "Please don't call me that," he said slowly, not daring to meet her gaze as he said those words. "The only reason why I was given that name is because of my magic, but I am not a Rizal in any other way," He hadn't been raised in Ravaryn, he wasn't even born there. He had none of the features that related to them and he sure as hell wasn't even born with that last name. If anything, he was more of a Zinyra than a Rizal. "Sure... We could go for a walk, I suppose," he said, his soft-spoken voice sounding somewhat hesitant as he looked at the window beside them. He was clearly uncomfortable with the situation. And maybe if she hadn't mentioned the title that feeling would have already faded by now. But now it had only underlined it... And the only reason why he agreed to her offer was because of duty and the fact that he felt guilty about not even shaking her hand. Compensation for his seemingly horrible behaviour so far. But even a a blind person could see that he was going to mess this up too.