So It Goes... (FOP)

The image that was burned on his retina sure didn't think of leaving anytime soon. Caelum sighed heavily when he exited the inn, as confused as he had ever been. Never in a million years had he thought to find his cousin Ezekiel with... Someone else. He didn't know who it was, but it was clear they um.. Liked eachother... Very much so. A frown appeared on his face when he thought about it. What about Chaska? Caelum had never been in a situation like that, he had always safely stayed inside his own little bubble at Lythrania. He never had the chance, or well, took the chance, to go out and meet.. Certain people? Is that whay you call it? But he did know what they were doing, and.. What they were probably about to do. He was glad he didn't stay to see that happen, though. But was Chaska okay with this? And who was that person? Caelum had so, so many questions.

He shook his shoulders and head loose, hoping that the image of his cousin pushed against the wall would go away. Sadly, it didn't. Caelum sighed again, looking up as he found himself lost, once again, in the streets of Al-Qahil. Now the sun was gone and darkness came over the city and... There were less people around to ask for directions. He wondered if he'd be lost all night, and he wouldn't be too surprised if that would actually happen. Maybe he could.. Wait for Ezekiel and the stranger to be done and... Then he could go with his cousin back to their place? No, that wasn't a good idea. But wandering around like a lost puppy wasn't really alluring to him either. So there he was, a lonely Vylasar looking around in the hope to find something familiar, or someone to guide him back home.

+ Lauriel

He hadn't seen the woman passing him, having had his back turned away from her as he was looking around for a familiar something to guide him back home. A lamppost, a certain door, a missing brick in the pavement, anything that could help him back home. So when he heard the voice behind him, it spooked him first and foremost. Caelum quickly turned around, meeting the smile of probably one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. He blinked, stumbling on his words a little and looked around to avoid eyecontact, he was never really good at that anyway.

'I, uh, yes, I am actually,' he stuttered with a nod, looking back at her with a little nervous smile. He blamed the alcohol in his body for his behaviour, even though he was sobered up pretty much completely after his encounter with... His cousin and his, acquaintance. And he didn't like being lost, obviously, so that made him a little nervous too, of course. But she didn't look like she was from around here, so would she be able to guide him back home? 'I uh, I don't know my way around here,' he chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head.

Her bright smile encouraged him to speak his sentence, even though it actually made him a little bit more nervous. Who was he? When he told her he was lost, she immediately asked where he needed to go, offering to help him find it. Caelum chuckled softly, smiling at her. 'Ah, that is nice of you, really.' Again, he wasn't sure if she was actually from around here, because she didn't look like it. But if she offered to show him the way, or well, help him to find the place he's staying at, she must know a little, right? Right? 'Are you familiar with Al-Qahil?' He thus asked her. 'I'm staying at the Zinyra's.' The Zinyra's were a well known family in Al-Qahil, so someone who actually lived here would probably know the way. He was curious to find out if the woman in front of him knew it too. He looked behind her for a moment at the door of the inn he just exited. Would it still be a good idea to wait for Ezekiel and his companion, or could he trust that she knew the way?

Her answer didn't really make him believe she actually knew the way. She just, kind of pretended to? But the name Zinyra came familiar to her, as he had guessed already. And she thought she could lead him there, unless he wanted to try for himself. Caelum was a little skeptical of how well she would guide him back to his bed, or if they were just going to get lost even more. But he also didn't want to wander around all on his own. So he quickly shook his head when she stepped closer to him. 'Oh, No, no. You can guide me, if you wan to,' he said with a nod. 'And I.. Well, I rather not be alone anymore,' he chuckled. 'Been lost for.. Way too long,' he continued with a heavy sigh. And he kind of wanted to get out of here. Just imagine if Ezekiel came out of that inn and saw him still standing here. No, he rather walk now, trying to find his place. 'Let's um, just go this way, I'm sure we will find something familiar eventually,' he said and started to walk in the direction that looked like it would lead to a main road. 'I'm Caelum Vylasar, by the way.' He felt like he needed to introduce himself and he was curious as to who she was too.

He did agree with her. It was basically the worst to be alone, lost, feeling the lasting effects of a whole day of drinking even though he was already sobered up again. And at night. No, Caelum was actually glad he had met this woman. He wasn't all too trusting of her capabilities of showing him the correct way back to the Zinyra's, but at least she was company at a night like this.

He chuckled at her reaction after he introduced himself and nodded. 'Even though we are neighbouring countries, but yes. It does feel like I am quite far from home.' Especially now he was lost in a city he had never been before. It was definitely not how he thought the night would go. The elf introduced herself as Lauriel Sythaeryn, a name he wasn't familiar with. He looked at her, his head slightly tilted. 'Where are you from, Lauriel?' He asked her curiously. He didn't think he ever heard of a Sythaeryn in Lemuria, but then again, he spent almost all his life in Lythrania anyway. 'I am enjoying them, yes certainly,' he answered her question. It had been an interesting day, to say the least. He did really enjoy himself. 'It's not something I do often, go to festivals and, well, party like this,' he chuckled. 'Are you enjoying it?' He asked, even if he already knew the answer to that.

She answered his question with a question of herself, asking him where he thought she came from. Caelum turned his head to her, looking her up and down. Definitely not from Xaila, and Ravaryn was a pass as well. Ashmoor he didn't even think about. So that left Avalon and Lemuria, and despite her looks, her gown made him lean more towards Avalon. 'Hmm, I'd say Avalon,' he thus answered expectantely. He never heard of any Sythaeryn anyway and that was probably because she wasn't from Lemuria aswell. He hoped he got it right.

She clearly liked to party, he hadn't guessed otherwise anyway. He chuckled by her words, nodding in agreement. 'I suppose it's not hard to see you like it, yeah.' He didn't really know if his own view on parties had changed now. He wasn't much a partygoer back home and while he enjoyed the festivities in Xaila, these last couple hours made him doubt his choices very much. But it was not half bad and definitely an experience to take back home. Yet he wasn't all too sure when Lauriel asked if he would like to go have a drink. It had already been such a long day and night and he felt the tiredness creep up in him. She must've seen his doubt, placing a hand on his shoulder and making a promise to go seek for the Zinyra's place afterwards. Caelum smiled a little and nodded, he couldn't find himself saying no to her. 'Okay, yeah, I suppose a drink more can't hurt.' He didn't want to force her to go without a drink aswell, especially in this heat. And he supposed he could use a drink after what he had witnessed just earlier.

His eyes sparkled when she said he got it right when he guessed where she came from. Her dress was a giveaway though, it would be weird if he had said anything else. Her bright smile seemed to infect him and his mood. He didn't really feel like having another drink, but he couldn't seem to say no to her and her smiles. Besides, he was quite intrigued by her and he would be lying if he said he didn't want to spend some more time with her. It wasn't often he was alone with the company of a woman in a strange country. So when she said any party can be a hoot with the right person, he could only agree. He followed her as she found a place she liked enough to enter. Some place called the Swift Pepper Bar. Caelum blinked at the name, not sure what to make of it. Would the food be peppery? But Lauriel liked it, so he wasn't one to complain. His heart beat a little faster when she took his hand in hers, dragging him inside the bar.

Inside the bar it was busy, which wasn't weird with the current festivities, but it wasn't too busy. Caelum saw enough places to have a seat and it was a lot less stuffy and cramped place than the bar he just came from. The sight of his cousin pinned against the wall clouded his mind again. The sorcerer quickly shook his head to clear his mind. The picture perfect image of Lauriel in front of him cleared all those images as snow in the sun. He supposed he should take the lead now, as he didn't want her to have to take care of herself the whole time. She already chose the bar, he could at least order her a drink. So Caelum walked with her to the bar and smiled at her. 'What would you like to drink?'

Lauriel let her eyes go over all the bottles behind the bar. Caelum followed her look. He had to be honest, it wasn't often he drank or even tried something different than what he was used to. It was mostly wine. He didn't quite like beer. Lauriel wanted to try whiskey however, fire whiskey even. Caelum hestitated a little, but nodded eventually. He didn't want to back down on an experience, he came so far already this night. Besides, this would be the perfect oppportunity to try something new. 'I'll try it too, yes,' he answered and leaned a little on the bar, his hand up to try to get the attention of the barkeeper. He wasn't quite used to this, ordering drinks at the bar. He was getting quite nervous now. Caelum laughed nervously and was relieved when he finally got the attention. He was already afraid he had to stand there the whole night, trying to get a drink. 'Two fire whiskeys, please,' he ordered, laying down some coins on the bar, paying for both of them.

Caelum smiled at Lauriel while waiting for the drinks. She was actually, so beautiful. It was the first time this night he actually paid close attention to her. Of course he had noticed how beautiful she was outside in the streets, but now he was closer to her. The lights inside of the bar accentuated her face perfectly and her bright blue eyes made him suck in a little breath. He didn't even notice he was holding his breath when the barkeeper put their drinks down. He nodded at the man and took his glass, raising it up a bit to clink it with hers. 'Cheers, then,' he said with a smile and  took a careful sip.

The sip Lauriel took was the opposite of what he had. He had taken a careful sip, tasting the strong and spicy flavour in his mouth before it would burn his throat. Lauriel was far more enthusiastic, taking a big sip. He could see on her face and scrunched up nose it was spicy, something he too was experiencing in his mouth right now. He didn't actually like it and was trying to hide that, swallowing the burning whiskey down his throat. Caelum never could handle spice that well. She began on a sentence, but was interrupted when she suddenly needed to sneeze. Caelum looked in surprised, opening his mouth in a little 'Oh!' Then he let out a chuckle. He quickly covered his mouth, afraid it would offend her, but was relieved when she too let out a chuckle. 'It's okay. I can't handle spice that well either. And uh, well, this drink is rather spicy,' he said with another chuckle. He was almost afraid to take another sip from it. But he didn't want to back down so easily, so he daringly took another sip, letting the burning stuff go down his throat again. The Vylasar didn't try to hide his scrunched up face this time, letting her know she wasn't in this alone. 'And it's certainly doing its job, gosh.' He already felt the alcohol entering his bloodstream, making sure it was the start of an unforgettable night. 'But I think I'm getting used to it,' he let her know, taking another little sip from his drink.

She asked if he felt it rushing through his veins. Well, when she came close like that, he certainly felt something rushing, and that was blood. If it went up to his cheeks of down, is left for the imagination. But it might've been both. She said she was taking it slow, and Caelum thought he'd probably be wise to do so too. But he felt himself getting used to the burn of the drink, and he quite liked the feeling it gave him. Caelum wasn't often drunk, or tipsy for that matter, but in this situation he felt he needed it a bit more than usual. He cursed his shy self, but luckily he could turn to the drink in his hand for a little help now.

She prompted to sit somewhere else, and before Caelum could say something, she had his hand in hers already. He felt himself burning up again, feeling the touch of her warm hand in his. Was he imagining things or did he feel electricity between their hands? She pulled him to a table, a bit in the back and away from the rest. She sat down on the bench, patting the spot next to her. He hesitated again, but sat down besides her. There wasn't much room on the bench, and while he didn't try to sit completely against her, it was inevitable for them to touch shoulders and knees. It sent sparks through his body. He smiled at her, still a bit shy but the alcohol was doing his job slowly but surely. 'This is nice,' he said with the same smile, sipping his drink again.

Lauriel agreed with him, which was even more nice. It would've been a sad turn of events if she didn't think it was nice, he thought. But there was no use in thoughts like that, because it was nice and they both thought so. He looked at her a little surprised when she asked what life was like as a sorcerer. He hadn't quite expected that question, and it had to make him think. What was life like as a sorcerer? He smiled at the thought though, being reminded of his familiar Cat, the cat. 'It's great, actually,' he said with a smile and nod. 'We can summon up familiars, so that is like an animal who is at your side. You build up great bonds with them,' he explained. 'My familiar is a cat. He uh, well, I named him Cat, when I was young.' He chuckled, a little emberrassed at the name. He wasn't the most creative when he was young, but the name stuck and he couldn't change it anymore now. And it did give character, he thought. 'Cat is the sweetest ever, he's so great,' he continued, gushing over his familiar with a bright smile. He was sad he couldn't show Cat now, since he didn't bring his staff with him tonight. Caelum left it at home, safe and sound, where he was sure it wouldn't get in any dangerous situations. 'What is your magic like?' He of course knew moon elfs, but he wasn't all that acquinted with them, and especially not other elfs in Odiria. He was curious about what she could do.

He loved the way Lauriel seemed to hang onto his every word he spoke about his familiar Cat. Caelum adored talking about the little critter he had shared almost all his life with. He nodded enthusiastically when she said she didn't know they had such a personality. He looked at her with the biggest sparkles in his eyes. His whole face seemed to light up from talking about Cat. He could talk all night about Cat's personality, but he stopped himself. He didn't want to bore her. Besides, he was really curious about her magic and how that worked.

So when he asked her about it, something changed in her. She straightened her back a little and her eyes looked less lively than before. Caelum worried he had said something wrong. She had looked so beautiful and happy just now, and now.. Well, she still looked beautiful obviously, but also a little hurt. Yet she told him what wood elfs could do with their magic. Caelum looked at her, his mouth a little open at the wonder. He thought it would look so cool to see vines and plants just moving and growing out of nowhere. Then she moved closer to him and automatically, he too moved his face closer to her, hearing her whisper close to his ear. He held his breath and looked at her, realising they were so very close to eachother. He too realised again that night that her eyes were so very beautiful. He almost forgot to speak. 'What can you do then?' he asked breathlessly.

He was so mesmerised with her beauty and grace, he didn't quite grasp the tension inbetween them. Of course, he noticed they were close to eachother, barely inches apart, and her eyes were shining like the brightest stars and her words enchanted him as she spoke, that it was all so very sudden when her lips met his. He needed a moment to process what was going on, barely able to kiss back when she already pulled away. He breathed out softly, his lips still slightly apart, looking at her as if she just performed a wonder. In a way, she actually had. This surely hadn't been on his bucket list this year, but he was certainly not complaining. Caelum swallowed then, when she pushed a lock of his hair behind his ear. When she pulled her hand back, his eyes were drawn to something shiny. A tiny crystal, no a diamond, had formed in her hand. '..Woah,' was all he managed to breath, looking back up at her. He then smiled, a soft chuckle leaving his lips. Woah indeed. 'I'm not sure what magic I'm most impressed by...' he spoke his thoughts out loud. But it wasn't that big of a secret, especially not for him, feeling his body react in ways he wasn't all too familiar with...