With Kiko present, Grayell's demeanour changed entirely. His eyes closed at her touch and when they opened, he was smiling, his eyes now warm. He looked back to Margrett and seemed to wake from a slight dream and continued their conversation.
I'm not leaving at all. What I need to do is maintain appearances in Wistvale or any attempt at secrecy would be seen through. I have to maintain the illusion of just being who I have been all this time. But the guard has to reel it in and focus in town. Acting outside of Wistvale should be outside the guard's jurisdiction.
I also have a certain group of mercenary thugs calling themselves the Vanguard to deal with. I won't have them crapping on something my father worked so damn hard to maintain. I don't need glory. I don't need a statue. I just want the Vanguard to mean something again.
But that leaves us with those other pressing issues. The council and so on. But I can tell you this much.
Grayell licked his lips then and stared at her with a grin.
The Vanguard won't be subject to the whims and wants of whoever ends up running Wistvale. And the moment an imbalance occurs in the natural order of things... well you may have your hands full. I wouldn't see it come to that.
There are many details to iron out and I will be looking for some willing souls. But if you thought I was picky with the guards....
Grayell laughed aloud then, it was quite humorous to him at least.
Kiko stepped back. She did not want to interfere and her input would be useless in any case. She gave a gentle squeeze to Grayell's hand and then turned away. If nothing else she could freshen the tea. Of course, none of that stopped her from listening to the conversation. She just was not obvious about it. Something learned from her mother, too.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Kiko rested her face in the middle of Grayell's shoulderblades. She returned when Margrett started down the ladder her voice soft.
I do not think your friend is quite so friendly anymore.
The emphasis she put on the word friend carried the note of disbelief, too. Margrett certainly did not act like a friend from her experiences. Or, maybe she was, Arata had claimed to be her friend once.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell's arms wound about Kiko and his cheek rested on her forehead then. He smiled, it was entirely unintentional and merely the reaction to her presence. Fingers stroked her skin and he shifted his face to kiss her forehead.
Ah, she never has been really. It's complicated... perhaps more now than ever.
Grayell placed his cheek there once more.
She won't see things my way and that's fine. But I only want what's right. I want to protect that town... and a guard cannot do that. It shouldn't even have to.
Grayell laughed and stepped away from her then, his hand on her arm. He pulled out the chair for her.
They are not the Vanguard. They are a bunch of fools who have adopted the name and are trashing it's heritage. I won't be using them, I intend to make sure they are never associated with the Vanguard again.
He didn't run it. There never was a single leader, not so much as I knew. I didn't know a lot about it though, I was but a child and that was a long time ago.
But yes... I would honor my father. I believe what he stood for, what he stood for was right above all else. Wistvale is my home now, I would defend it in every capacity. If that means me leaving it alone... well then that is what honor demands I do.
Grayell only studied her and smiled, he hadn't asked this of her.
Hm. You, Kiko; are the one light in my life. I owe you for that.
Grayell reached into his pocket then, it had been there some time. He draped it about her neck, then fastened it gently. His hand ran under it, looked at the amulet a moment before he pulled away.
The Caress or Orlune. - A beautiful charm that glows with a faint light, it is prized not only for it's beauty but it's rarity. - Accessory. - This amulet will glow if a lesser creature or creatures is stalking or about to ambush the wearer. - This amulet upon command will emit an aura of light, covering a 20 foot radius. This light does no damage. - $125.
Grayell got tired if describing his smiling at her all the damn time, they need more words for it dammit.
He touched his palm to her cheek, his thumb stroking her face gently. He then leaned forward, his hand shifting to her chin and enticing it to lift as his lips met hers. It was not hungry but was instead entirely emotional, a longing bond that spoke words he could not utter.