Reunite Once Again

Jacob is looking better and better every time that Aelwyn comes to visit him. Today, he looks almost like the Jacob that Aelwyn remembers before their fateful parting. If not for the terrible burns on Jacobs face as a reminder of what has transpired between them... but then they can never forget entirely. Jacob sits at the table, pouring tea for them both, smiling at Aelwyn warmly. "How are you my friend? Well I hope?"

If Aelwyn remembered nearly dying in Jacob's hands, or watching his brother die - he never showed it. Instead, it was all grins and flamboyant cheer. Perhaps even to the excess. Stretching it.

Still, a freshly baked loaf of bread - with odd cinnamon, pumpkin spice flavor - laid on the table between them, threatening the good tea. "Ah, only a friend now?" The Dragoon teases. "Should I bring chocolates as bribes to regain standing?" He had dropped his usual accent he held around others - he never really felt too close to the makari speak. "The winter is coming. It is awful, the snow here." He makes a face. "How are the accommodations, Brother?"

Jacob smiles back. "I never much liked the snow myself. The accommodations are fine. Though I think the priests are trying to convert me." He chuckles a little light-heartedly here. He's already wearing the gray robes of an initiate so he could be mistaken for a vardaman if one wasn't paying much attention. "You know how I feel about you brother, you've been inside my head after all haven't you?"

His eyes hold a shimmer that's a little harder to read now and then he pours the tea into cups one for both of them. "How have you been? Tell me all about it. There's nothing but dull hours here, so I could use the story."

"Ah, naturally, would not everyone wish to convert such a good looker? Must be driving everyone around insane." Aelwyn teases and picks up the tea. It was not a drink he had a particular fondness for - but he could gnaw around the cup all the same. He doesn't let the mention about being inside one's head - quite literally - phase him. "Not me, only heard the rumors."

The ruddy sith-makar holds the warm cup in his hands. "Tch. This one does miss the warmth of the golden sands. Should have headed towards the Jade Islands instead." There's another longer pause, before the question seems to pick him up. And there's a wide grin on the Dragoon's face. It was quite disturbingly wide, in fact.

Fingers drum roll the table. Then, almost unbearably giddy, he pulls out something out of his bag and holds it out to Jacob. The mark of the Order of the Cockatrice. "Do you know what this means?" He asks, with narrowed pupils and a cheeky grin.

Jacob takes the mark and looks it over carefully, eyeing it. It has a familiar air to it, but he can't say that he recognizes it right away. "I can't say that I do. Not immediately." He smiles sadly. "But then my memory hasn't been what it used to be. What is it?"

Aelwyn, defeated. Deflated even. Yet that only lasts an instant, before he flashes his teeth again. "The mark of a Knight-Errant," He gestures at the clasp again. It has the cockatrice clutching at a rose, with wings spread. "_My_ mark of the Knight-Errant." He tilts his head, trying to see if Jacob understood. "I was made Cavalier of the Order." Another final, near murderous, grin. It was amazing how the makari could spread his mouth wide like that. And that he had such many sharp teeth.

Jacob's face transforms into an expression of pride and joy for his brother. "Really? That's amazing. That's great! Look at you making waves." He clasps the sith-makar on the shoulder and grins back fiercely. "A Knight-Errant."

Jacob shakes his head and whistles.

Aelwyn bows his head. "It is not as impressive as being the Grand Master of the Crimson Circus, but this shall strive to reach the height." The draconian rumbles in amusement. He takes hold of his cup, takes a brief look at it, then puts it away.

The draconian reaches up and clutches Jacob lightly on the shoulder. "My only regret is that you were not there. I am looking forward to the day you will be out."

Jacob smiles. "They're letting the rest of the troupe go." He says, trying to sound happy. "They had less to do with my foolishness after all. I think that they might even let me out of here one day. If the fiend that crawled inside my head is ever defeated..."

Jacob shakes his head. That seems a far-fetched idea really, but one has to have hope. "What will you do in the meantime?"

Aelwyn reaches out and stops Jacob. "_When_ will be defeated." The draconian says with a direct voice. "The most powerful of this city are hunting that worthless thing as we speak." He would not hide the disdain from his voice, even if he could. It would have been easy for Jacob to pick up the boiling anger in him.

But then the news reaches Aelwyn's face and he flashes his teeth. "They are? Ah! We should have a feast here then. Like back in Veyshan - let us then see who the priests here wish to convert." His grin is impossibly wide. "This one desires to see them all with smiles again."

The question makes the Dragoon lean back, and he takes in a deep breath. He taps his fingers on the table, as if pondering his answer, but then he says. "Arrange a festival," He instead replies, spreading his arms. "A show only fire can remember! Running across the streets, burning the show in the hearts of bystanders and plant seeds of regret in those who do not partake!" He bombastically says. "... like the Troupe could, back in the day."

"You do have a taste for the past." Jacob says with a fond smile to Aelwyn, but this is not a statement of sorrow. "I like it though. Perhaps when the fiend is gone the Troupe will rise again, and we will have out show of fire." He sighs deeply and looks at the robes he is wearing.

"Though I will certainly be in need of a better tailor." He laughs then, picking up his tea and taking a sip and then setting it aside. "We've better days ahead my brother. Better days."

"It will," Aelwyn says with a grin. "It certainly will." And then he opens his mouth, closes it for a time, then says, "... if that is what is you wish." He tilts his head. "Though I hope it will not be crimson as blood this time." He reaches out and takes hold of Jacob's head, pulling him closer -

And then leans his forehead against his brother's. "I will continue to search the skies for the dragons." And then there's a wider grin. "But this one shall get you a tailor."

A moment later, he gets up from the chair. "I will return soon again."

-End