Broken Trust (Aelodil, Quetzal)

[Brenton]

It had been so long since the old king of Du Weldenvarden left to become stronger. He had left to harden his heart to the pain of losing Vaentr and in the process lost Grazael as well. Now though, he had gotten rid of the Cruxis Crystal and the dark magic that permeated his body and mind so thoroughly. He had vowed to change because he was hurting his friends with the way he had been acting while controlled by the Crystal. Yet all it did was drive Isrydia and Eragon further away from him. So Brenton left and started a journey to rediscover himself, not as king but as the knight that he actually was inside.

Weeks had passed since they when Brenton finally made it back to the forest of his homeland, lonely and saddened by how Isrydia had treated him before they left. He made sure to not stew upon his hurt too long for she had every right to be angry with him. After all, Brenton hadn't allowed himself to realize that she didn't like him the way he did back then. That was a month previously that Brenton realized all of that. It had been two months and two weeks since the Crystal was destroyed and Brenton was changing ever so slowly.

Of course his visit to Laetri had been eye opening to say the least. The elf had been so angry at him and Brenton nearly caused a war between them all because he didn't like the way a dragon and her rider thought of him. So Brenton had done as much as he could to avoid Laetri as well, seeing as his friend no longer wished to see him anyhow. Yet today was different. Brenton needed to see them both to figure out how he could show them he was changed.

Inside, the half elf knew that he was still the same person he had been back when Laetri first met him. Reckless yet friendly and loyal. A true warrior. But he also knew that he was wiser and had changed from his time with the dark magic. He could see just how the world had been so close to demise and he could tell that now more than ever it needed people to be friends. He was more hesitant about trusting people and a lot calmer than he had been. Call it calculating but Brenton preferred to wait and see just how the scene would unfold before he attacked.

So that was why, Brenton now rode Frost Fire as fast as he could from the small tree house he built himself in the wilds of Du Weldenvarden. He rode long and hard towards the lake where Laetri lived, hoping that maybe the elf would be there and possibly Isrydia as well. Although that would be too easy if they were. As he arrived, Brenton dismounted and walked slowly to the door of Laetri's hut. With a quiet knock, Brenton hung his head and placed his hands behind his back while he waited.

[Aelodil]

The day had been long. Not that Laetri was complaining. He had spent a lot of time, to be precise the entire amount of time of the day, with Isrydia. Ever since he had worked up the courage to make a move for her every day was brighter than the one before it. More often than not he didn't dwell on his fallout with his old friend Brenton. He thought about Brenton himself - how he used to be when they first met. But few times did he ever think of the day he quarreled with him. Having finally disentangled himself from Isrydia he headed over to his lake where he took up residence so that he could wash himself up.

He had no idea what kind of a surprise was waiting for him as his doorsteps as he finished bathing in his own house. With just barely enough time to tug on some pants, he hurried over to the door and opened it wide. Struggling to contain his surprise, he made sure to not assume an aggressive stance much as his old primal instincts yelled at him to rip the throat of the man who had threatened him and Agaravel. Instead he smiled, a charming smile with genuine kindness. Even if they had argued, he wouldn't dwell on the past too much.

"Hello Brenton. It's been a while, no? How have you been? Haven't really heard from or about you since.. well, you know." he said, his voice steady and not at all like the mad voice in his head.

"You're too forgiving, Laetri. I'm astonished you'd let such an insult slide. Usually I would have to calm you down from trying to kill someone for something like that." Came the steadily calm and calculated voice from Agaravel in his mind.

"You said it yourself. Normally you're the one telling me to calm down. Should I be the one calming you down this time?" He replied with the same steady voice.

Suddenly the lake exploded outwards. As the water calmed down, he saw Agaravel standing in what little clearing there was around the lake. Her brilliant, wet, blue scales glimmered in the sunlight. Without giving any special notes of aggressiveness she turned her thoughts to Brenton and said, "If it was up to me I'd rip your throat after last time. Though it seems like Laetri still holds a place for you in his heart as a dear friend. In respect to that I won't be doing any fighting with you.. unless given proper reason to." not bothering to try being pleasant.

Laetri waved a hand, "Don't worry about her. You know how dragons are. Even wilder than our feral instincts as humans and Elves. Would you like to come in?" he said to Brenton. Without waiting for a response he turned his back to the man as he went back up to his room. Like usual, he had readied some hot coffee waiting for him after his nice bath. Not bothering to go searching for his shirt - he had a tendency to lose his shirts way too often, making a search for any too much of a hassle for him. Instead he sat there sipping from his coffee with his bare, fair skin without a single scar left on it.

"Don't be shy, help yourself. Assuming you want some, that is. How do they say it? What I own is yours. Mostly, that is." His voice crossed to Brenton. Of course he was just trying to break the ice. Not that it was easy. Now more than ever he wished Isrydia were with him.

When you die, your world ends. The world may go on, but in your eyes, the world ends with you.

-Carpe Diem

[Brenton]

Brenton looked up and smiled sadly as Laetri tried, and surprisingly succeeded, to hide his rage towards him. The growth of this man was astounding since the half elf still remembered a time when they would have fought anyone together who had done what he had to Agaravel. I'm sorry Laetri. I had to avoid any conflict in order to find myself again but figured it was time to apologize to those that I hurt. Although... The half elf knight looked at Agaravel for a second as she exploded from the lake in just as much outrage as he had seen her last.

I think I will just not speak to Agaravel for awhile. Some wounds are too deep to heal with simple words, especially when the subject is still just as angry at me as they were before. Without looking at the dragon again, Brenton walked into the house and heard what his friend said to him about helping himself. So he poured some coffee and sat a safe enough distance away from the elf.

Laetri, you speak of dragons being wilder than our feral instincts as humans and elves. I know you want to kill me just as badly as she does yet you reign in your temper much like you have shown capable of before. What makes you believe I am worth saving this time after all of the foul deeds I have committed in the past? What could possibly make me any less feral than an angry dragon when I have killed so many, hurt my friends, and lost everyone due to hubris? Laetri, my friend, I may have grown and changed enough not to be the same person I was back then but you still can't possibly have any solid evidence saying to not execute me on the spot.

[Aelodil]

Bump

When you die, your world ends. The world may go on, but in your eyes, the world ends with you.

-Carpe Diem

[Quetzal]

Isrydia spread out her parchments and carried on work on finding equations for figuring out how far away the stars were and how to maximise the magnification of her telescopes. Laetri had gone off to wash, and she wasn't one for hanging around idly by waiting for others. Arlyn was in the forest somewhere lazily batting the undergrowth. As far as they were aware the remainder of the day was to be as pleasant as it had started. For a time it was, but then she thought she could hear a familiar voice. Once it would have cheered her to hear it, but now it was not one she wanted to hear. She had avoided it for nearly two months now, so supposed sooner or later he would have come seeking her out.

Did it have to be now? She missed their friendship but wasn't in the mood for dealing with Brenton. There was no mistaking him as the owner of that voice. Then again, she was never likely to be in the mood for dealing with him. However good his intentions, there were always some ulterior motive. It always went wrong and she had put up for it for far too long before putting her foot down. There had always been some excuse; he was dealing with losing Grazael, the stress of being king, then the cruxis crystal... it had taken him waking up with exactly the same feelings and taking the same actions after ridding himself of the crystal to convince her he would never change regardless of his empty promises. Actions spoke louder than words, after all, and he had never failed to let her down.

With a sigh she reluctantly drew herself away from her research and slunk towards the conversation. She guarded what she was seeing from Arlyn to stop him overreacting. For now all she allowed him to feel from her was the work she had been doing just now, so unless he focused on her he wouldn't notice a change in the connection. A big splash told her the same had not been done between Laetri and Agaravel. For now she kept to the background behind Laetri, glaring at Brenton and calculating his every movement. She did not trust herself to speak just yet. Not until she knew what was happening. It was so easy for things to go wrong with Brenton she didn't want to take even the smallest risk.

[Aelodil]

Laetri was just about to respond when he noticed a presence behind him. Turning slightly he saw Isrydia with a look on her face that she was even less thrilled than he to see Brenton. Trying to calm her a little bit, he gave her a gentle smile. Reaching out to her mind he said, "You have every reason to not stand him anymore but try not to scream bloody murder. I'd like to talk to him a little. Even if it may be as fruitless as trying to find a needle in a haystack." projecting his thoughts; that he agreed to be angry but he would give his old friend a final chance.

Turning back to Brenton he took a quick sip from his cup and responded to his old friend's question, "I'll tell you what makes me think there's any salvation left in you. A blind fool's hope. I have no solid proof that you'll have returned to being the same man I had first met long ago. In fact, all the evidence shows to quite the opposite. But can you blame someone for hoping for something, regardless of how unlikely?" his voice soft and low, just barely enough for the people in the room to hear.

Wondering how to soften the mood in such a tense atmosphere he began some small talk. "Well with all of us here why don't we have a chat? I'll start, I do think. To begin with, I do recall that you two know one another so I won't bother with any introductions. So over the past few months which led to the death of Galbatorix I can't really say I've done much interacting with the world. I set to restoring the Water Branch and deepening my friendship further with Riptide, and my friendship with a few select other special people," here he stopped for a second to steal a glance to Isrydia with the ghost of a sly smile on his mouth, "Which I do believe leads us back to right here and now. Your turn, Brenton. Any interesting things happen with you while we weren't aware?" he finished, raising the tea to his lips once more to resume his sipping.

When you die, your world ends. The world may go on, but in your eyes, the world ends with you.

-Carpe Diem

[Brenton]

Brenton had noticed as Isrydia slipped behind Laetri and glared at him from across the room without ever speaking. Well at least he now knew that she was still just as upset with him as she was the last time. Maybe that would have hurt more if he hadn't already expected it, but instead the knight dipped his head in acknowledgement and turned back to Laetri.

That really depends on who is asking, Laetri. If Isrydia asked it would go from the last time I saw her at Utgard since she was there. You would have limited knowledge of that day so wouldn't be able to understand if I didn't explain. Let's see, the war ended with Galbatorix's death, all of the Riders congregating to decide on what to do. I had little to contribute, being a volatile person at that moment. So I left and flew to Ristvak'baen with the intentions of ridding myself of the cruxis crystal. When I arrived I met up with Eragon and Isrydia, both of whom agreed to help me cleanse myself of the evil. The process was painful but the crystal was destroyed. I fell unconscious and when I came back to my senses I was overcome by every emotion that I couldn't feel previously. I made a mistake and went after one of my friends physically but Eragon stopped me. Arlyn and Isrydia escaped and I insulted the person I thought was my half brother. Finally I left and started traveling to figure out why I was still as difficult a person even though I had lost the crystal.

He stopped for a second and closed his eyes, remembering the look on Isrydia's face as he exited Utgard and approached her. She had been defensive and didn't want to see him anymore than he felt he deserved to see her. Now that distrust had turned to hatred and he still felt no way to change that person he had been. When Brenton opened his eyes again, they shined with contained tears as he pushed past that day.

I roamed the land for awhile, refusing to return to Ellesmera because I was no longer fit to be king. While out in the former Empire, I found two students. One of them was David. I trained those two for awhile and then David and I started towards the forest. I had told him of ways to train like no other Rider as long as we reached the old training grounds here. In my mind it was a way to atone for the mistakes I had made with previous students like Isrydia. It was also a way to feel like I still had Grazael by my side even though I knew I didn't. So we reached the forest and I came to see you Laetri. That day was just as terrible and I left. It showed me I was not ready to approach my old friends anymore. After that not much has happened.

Brenton looked at his hands and then at Isrydia, letting the steel of determination enter his gaze once more. He may have been worthy of the hatred but that didn't change the fact that he would fight it like he used to before the dark magic. Hate me all you want, Isrydia, but I came to apologize to the person who was possessed and killed my dragon. I came to apologize because you were my friend at one point in time and I don't like having friends upset at me. If you insist on being agitated for my mistakes then maybe it would be just as fair to hold against you the moment you couldn't control your actions. Maybe I should spend just as much time making you relive the moment you cast a spell and killed someone who meant the world to me.

Brenton, as he spoke, never let his voice raise or his body show any signs of anger. This was a calculated approach and it was never him being angry with Isrydia for the witch possessing her and Arlyn. Oh and since I'm sure Arlyn doesn't know about my presence, would you be so kind as to let him know that Grazael wants to speak to him while I am here?

[Quetzal]

Isrydia agreed with Laetri, having not planned on screaming at all. She didn't want there to be an argument any more than he did. She listened to what she already knew about the destruction of the cruxis crystal, then about his life following that. She knew David, but hadn't realised Brenton had trained him. From the sounds of thing he had largely been keeping to himself and recovering from all that had happened. Good. She had been worried he would carry on the way he had been before, unable to have a simple conversation without getting angry and killing someone. It had been a real concern to the wellbeing of anyone around him. Whatever side they were on, it was murder to kill someone unprovoked outside the battlefield as he had been. Not to mention it made her too scared of him to be near him, especially with the way he looked at her.

He said he wanted to apologise, but he was bringing up Grazael's death as well. That was a mixed message if ever there was one. She frowned as the usual wave of guilt returned to her. What surprised her was the lack of anger in Brenton. By now he'd usually have hit something or started crying. Probably both. "I'll tell Arlyn, sure," she agreed, re-opening their connection and sending the knowledge that Grazael had something to say. Arlyn knew where they were and began heading straight for the place.

"I don't hate you... but for the last couple of months before you left, every time we met something bad happened. I always felt terrible after speaking to you, and a friendship like that just isn't healthy. It was better we didn't see each other for a while, else things would have only got worse." She explained. There was no way she was going to let that escalate. "You know Arlyn and I will never stop feeling guilty about Grazael, but there was nothing we could do. Not that we weren't trying. It wasn't even me who cast the spell, either, it was Arlorven, you must know that. The moment's burned so permanently into my memory I can't imagine how strongly it's fixed in yours," she said with some element of defeat though her words were true. It was not the witch who had possessed her who killed Grazael, though she still was convinced there must have been a way for her to fight harder and stop it happening.

She sighed. "I can forgive you for what you did when you physically couldn't control yourself. It's what you did when you could control yourself that I find harder. Before the cruxis crystal, and after. You kept promising you'd reign in your anger, or ignore your feelings for me, or even that you had no feelings for me, but the same thing kept happening over and over again. You'd lose your temper. People would die. After all that, I desperately want to trust you, and I'd been clinging to some hope you'd keep a promise once the crystal was gone, but how do I know my trust won't be misplaced again?" Like Brenton, there was no anger in her voice, only sadness. She truly did want to be able to hear and believe him, but with all he'd done and all the lives he'd taken she didn't think it possible. With that Arlyn landed with a thud outside, poking his head and neck through the door to nuzzle his Rider. It gave her comfort. He looked at Brenton curiously and warily, awaiting Grazael's message.

[Aelodil]

Laetri pushed back from the table a little and stretched his back, propping one leg curved on the ground and the other crossed above it. He had had a feeling if he called Isrydia here it would make for quite some tension but he didn't expect this. There wasn't much for him to say. Unlike Isrydia, Laetri had only been in contact with Brenton once in the past, well, it seemed like a decade now, few months. Not as though that had been pleasant at all. Letting a sliver of thought, a wave in his mind, slip outside his mind and into the lake he caught onto Riptide's presence. The Guardian seemed to have a presence in every body of water. "Enjoying the show, are you?" he asked Riptide as he closed his eyes and took in deep breaths as he felt the calming sensation of the water come over him every time he came into contact with it.

"Oh yes actually, I'm not going to lie. This is quite something. I don't think I've ever witnessed such a drama since.. well, since there was drama between the Guardians. I do suppose I enjoy this. But what about you, Laetri? I know you're unhappy with it all. You want to just get up and thrash Brenton around until he swears in the Ancient Language not to ever leave again, don't you? But you've matured enough to know that isn't possible. So what, I do wonder, will you do?" came the sarcastic reply. Sometimes the Guardian seemed as full of venom as a scorpion.

Letting out the breath he took, Laetri opened his eyes and looked between Isrydia and Brenton. "Hm well then. This is well and all but really I think you two ought to take a look around you. We live in the now, not the then. Remember yesterday, learn from today, and live for tomorrow. There's no point if you live for yesterday. I'm not really good with this whole 'Oh I'm so wise' speech thing so I'll keep it short. In my opinion, if there ever was a person you treasured in your life then nothing will make you dislike their presence. If you get to the point where someone you treasured started to become someone you couldn't stand then it's obvious you never actually treasured them. I don't mean to be a hypocrite, I've been there before. When Brenton visited me I was almost tempted to just kill him then and there when he gave me the opportunity long ago. But while I treasured my friend, that annoyance with him was only temporary. The fact that I treasured him was something that was permanent. So you decide. Do you treasure your friendship with each other or not? Ah, hell, I've been spending too much time with Camarat." he finally finished his speech and laid down on the floor, once again propping his legs in the same fashion as before. Closing his eyes, he muttered a little and his face flushed. No matter how many times he gave these ind of speeches it never made him feel any less insecure about them. He really was spending too much time with Camarat.

When you die, your world ends. The world may go on, but in your eyes, the world ends with you.

-Carpe Diem

[Brenton]

Brenton sighed and put his head in his hands. That day would never leave his memory. It had been right after the crystal was created and he had caught word of Isrydia being possessed. So the two of them went to confront their friends and Grazael flew at her. Isrydia was the target of a spell cast by Arlorven that missed her and Grazael exploded. At that time he could only feel rage so had no tears to shed. Even after the crystal was destroyed, Brenton still had no tears.

Isrydia, that day will forever haunt me. I couldn't cry for him because all I felt was blind rage. I only knew the bloodlust that raged through me when I saw you kill him. It is only now that I can realize you had no control. Still I know Arlorven cast the spell and not you. He did that because you were killing others though.

With that, the half elf stood and withdrew Grazael's eldunari. He placed it upon the table and turned to walk outside. If you truly have so little faith in what I say then there is no point in defending myself. I know you won't have to worry about unwanted advances and you can be happy with Laetri instead. I have a wife who I need to devote myself to anyhow.

As Brenton walked past Arlyn he realized he had been carefully watching his friends. He had noticed the way they stayed so close and how they seemed comfortable around each other. If they were happy then he couldn't interrupt that. So he walked outside and his body rippled.

A blue dragon stood in his place and then took to the air. The half elf knight needed time to himself while they talked.

Arlyn, I may not be able to see your expression but I know you. Enough being wary around him already. He made mistakes but he has done more to protect people than even he remembers sometimes. Plus if not for Brenton, you two very well might not have had training. Not to say he was right in his actions but I'm tired of not speaking to you because our riders want to be stubborn. Grazael spoke to Arlyn alone for a bit then widened the connection to include Laetri and Isrydia.

You two claim him as a friend yet never thought he would see that you are in a relationship. You both expect him to be understanding and forthcoming but when it comes to it he is devastated by your wrath or distrust. When he came to see Laetri last what did you and your Branch do? You attacked him and he left. When he, in a moment of true weakness, attacked Isrydia because he couldn't bear the overstimulation of his emotions what did you do? You showed fear and distrust. It didn't matter that he had nearly died in those moments because all any of you saw was a monster. Deny it all you want but he left because he knows neither of you fully trust him anymore. And I don't blame him. Some friends the lot of you two legs have been to him lately. Grazael was not as calm as Brenton. His voice was filled with rage at their behavior and his thoughts burned through their minds showing them the man they ran away from. The man who was living on the streets because of their actions, who thought of ending his life because he had been shunned, who had taken students because he hoped it would change him. And the man who after both incidents had stabbed himself in the arm just to have pain to take his mind off their betrayal. Grazael withheld nothing and showed everyone the broken man who tried to change only to hear that he was still not trusted even after everything he did.

[Quetzal]

Isrydia listened to Laetri, and thought while there was some truth in what he said she disagreed in part. "Of course I treasure Brenton's friendship. He's helped and taught me so much, was there for guidance for the first few months of Arlyn's life, and I enjoyed his company," she replied. As much as she did treasure his friendship, she still didn't trust him now. How she felt now in no way changed what had happened in the past; that was fixed. He had been a good friend to her. She had been and still was glad it had been there. Yet whatever the past had been like, people changed. He had become someone she didn't like, someone she would have not become friends with had she not known him from before he changed. Whether or not he had grown again back into someone she could trust had yet to be seen.

Encouraging as Brenton's words were, Isrydia had heard similar things from him before and didn't want history to repeat itself. Before she could say anything he flew off. Arlyn watched Grazael's Eldunari with longing and listened to everything he had to say. "I miss you too, brother," he replied simply. This was a time more for emotions to speak for themselves. He let his old friend feel how much he'd missed him and longed to be able to fly with him again, properly, with Grazael back in his old body. It could never happen but that didn't stop him wanting it.

The angrier tone and true words made Isrydia feel guilty. She looked at her feet. It was bad of her to have left her friend like that. She knew that. Yet at the same time, as guilty as she felt and terrible as it was that Brenton had not been able to cope, she remained convinced she had done the right thing. "It sounds to me like Brenton is still mentally very unhealthy," she said sadly. The way he described didn't count as evidence for him being as much of a pain as before. She simply was upset to hear he was still, from the sounds of it, mentally ill. "I may have coped a lot better than Brenton, but I didn't want to lose his friendship either. Otherwise I would have taken a step back a lot sooner. I had actually been thinking of telling him we needed to keep our distance earlier, but he needed help getting rid of the cruxis crystal. The way he reacted afterwards wasn't the only reason I left, it was the final straw in something that had been building since the very first time I rejected him. To me it proved he never would change and I didn't think it was at all healthy we saw each other so often in what had become an extremely toxic friendship."

As bad as she felt, she had to remind herself that this wasn't just about Brenton. She didn't want to make herself miserable and tense because someone else couldn't move on from bad friendships. This situation had to be handled extremely carefully. She wanted the friendship she'd first had with Brenton, the one she thought might have lasted even after she first rejected Brenton, until she realised his advances weren't stopping. "I want to be friends with Brenton again, really I do, but I don't know if that's possible. If these feelings can't die and he keeps on with these advances, any friendship we manage will just get tense and horrible again, with me afraid to be near him again and him constantly being rejected. It's just not healthy. I wish there were some way I could know for sure he wasn't going to make advances again but he's broken so many promises for that it doesn't seem possible any more. I'd like things to be as they were when we first met. Truly. I just don't know how to help him with whatever's wrong with him, I don't know any doctors who can help heal his anger issues and whatever's broken in his mind," she said. If there were someone who dealt with sickness of the mind, he needed to see them. She had no clue how to treat him without hurting him, she simply wasn't trained in how minds like his worked and so was scared it would end badly by no deliberate means.

[Brenton]

Bump

[Aelodil]

I thought I'd wait for David to post .. though if he can't then I'll get on with it.

When you die, your world ends. The world may go on, but in your eyes, the world ends with you.

-Carpe Diem

[David Lightningsword]

(Thats, funny, considering I was waiting for a good opening to come in at, one that didn't seem too coincidental, however if you want me to post I shall )

[Brenton]

One of you two just post

[Brenton]

Bump

[Aelodil]

Laetri sighed and kicked back. Really he wasn't cut out for this kind of thing. Maybe he'd ask Riptide to help. Pondering on that, he wondered. That could either end really well, or extremely bad, or not really change anything. Opening an eye to stare at Isrydia he sighed. She really did seem to mean what she said. He'd give it a shot, though he probably would regret it sometime in the near future. Reaching out to the nearest lake he grasped for Riptide's presence and began his plea, "Riptide? I've got a favor to ask."

[/i]"Hm? What is it? It better be worth waking me up, Laetri. I was having the sweetest dream ever."[/i] came the rumbling response from a relatively grumpy Riptide.

"See I could use your help here to put some sense in two, well, youngsters in your eyes I guess, in their minds. They used to be friends, lots of dramatic problems happened and now they can't seem to get back together." he explained, hoping Riptide wouldn't catch on to every emotion he felt though he knew the Guardian would.

An amused thought floated through their connection to Laetri who grimaced. "Never fear, Laetri. I'll deal with this. Step aside and watch a master at work. Though before I do.. are you sure you want this?" Laetri ignored what he meant; did he want Isrydia to be a dear friend to Brenton again. He did, much as it hurt him to think of it it hurt him even more to see her suffering like this. He gave Riptide the green light.

Galloping out the lake Riptide shook his mane and began sending waves of thought towards Brenton. Firstly to knock before communicating with the man; last time they met he had threatened the Guardian who had meant so much to the man and almost the man himself. He continued without waiting for a response saying, "It's been awhile has it not, Brenton? How have you been faring? Better than before I do hope. Now let's set aside differences. Get back over to where Laetri is and let's patch up this problem."

Trotting into Laetri's house, Riptide gave thanks to the fact that it was spacious. Else he doubted he'd have even made it through the door itself. He openly studied Isrydia curiously. He knew Laetri had a lover for the past few weeks but he had never met her. He dipped his head a mere few inches to her, acknowledging her with the respect he'd show to someone so close to Laetri whom he adored.

"So what's a horse gotta do to get some food around here, eh Laetri? You ask me to work like a slave and you don't even give me food. Shame on you." he said to everyone round without much thought. Grumbling, Laetri picked himself up and headed out to get something suitable for the Guardian to eat. He had never seen him eat and had no idea. Would he eat hay like any normal horse? It was a strange thought.

Turning his attention back to Isrydia once more, Riptide rested his eyes on her in concentration. "Who'd have thought. One of the few Elves left with royal blood in their veins and he chooses a commoner. Not that I'd expect less from him. Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you Isrydia. I've heard so much about you. The name's Riptide. How do you do? without waiting for her response he plowed (ha pun intended) on, "I hear you're having troubles with Brenton. Understandable but it seems Laetri's worried enough to ask me to try to fix it. So tell me my dear; what is the issue exactly? Perhaps the friendship you yearn for isn't long gone." as he lay down as comfortably as possible in the house.

When you die, your world ends. The world may go on, but in your eyes, the world ends with you.

-Carpe Diem

[Brenton]

Brenton, having very little patience for Guardians and their meddling, was tempted to ask Inferno to handle this situation. Instead the elfling turned around, still as a dragon, and flew back to the house. He landed heavily and soon as a bipedal again. As the former king, now knight, entered he cast a withering glare at Riptide but didn't remark on the Guardian calling him back.

Unless you can fix this all in a matter of minutes then it is best I am not around. Isrydia is clear about not wanting me around anymore and who am I to argue. After what I did to her I have no right to be here anymore than Inferno has to come down and stomp your equestrian rear when you act up.

[Quetzal]

It wasn't hard for Isrydia to guess who Riptide was when the Guardian made his appearance. Laetri was the Water Elder and had a strong connection with him. She bowed slightly to him in return. The Guardians were owed great respect, being almost as gods walking the earth. "Riptide," she said respectfully, acknowledging who he was. Water was obvious as the horse's strong point, nothing about him seeming like an ordinary animal.

She sighed as his question. Too right this wasn't left to lie, but it was a tough thing to confront all of a sudden. Arlyn snorted, giving her a mental nudge. He wanted her to be friends with Brenton again more so he could talk to Grazael more often and in better circumstances. Even so, he still recognised why that was such a big problem. Friendships were built on trust; that was perhaps the most fundamental thing about them. When trust was gone, friendship collapsed. It was as simple as that. "I do miss our friendship, and I honestly wish we could be friends again. But while we were friends he kept going into speeches about how much he loved me or trying to kiss me. Each time I told him sorry but that wasn't happening, and each time he promised it would never happen again. He's never kept that promise and got more angry and violent, so the last time it happened I'd had enough. I couldn't believe his promises any more, and with him hurting people I thought it was healthiest and safest for everyone around him if we didn't see each other. That seemed to be the only option left. It's not like I didn't try, I tried for months." She looked down sadly.

She heard Brenton land and looked up again. "You've helped me so much, Brenton, it would be such a shame if we couldn't be friends. But that's the thing. How can I know that friends is good enough for you? Even you getting married didn't change anything! It's just not healthy for either of us to have such a poisonous friendship as ours ended up!" The friendship had hurt Brenton more than it had her, she had seen that much in his eyes every time she looked at him and saw him seeing the lack of attraction. Now she had Laetri she feared for him too. Jealousy was a terrible thing.

[Aelodil]

Riptide snorted and shook his mane smartly. These youngsters were a handful. Eyeing Brenton and turning around to face him he stared squarely at him. Inferno had the right to kick his rear? What? "Well no use dwelling on it I guess.."[/b] thinking out loud, he continued, "But really, if you continue saying what you say Brenton no wonder it's not gonna work it. What's the point of going to a battle that you've convinced yourself is a lost cause?"[/i] turning back to Isrydia sharply he pondered.. and pondered.. ( ha see the pun; pond ) until he couldn't stand it.

"Riptide, I got you some hay. I don't suppose you eat it do you?" barging into his house Laetri dumped a bunch of dry grass on the floor in front of Riptide, earning himself an amused neigh in response.

"How primitive do you think I am, Laetri? Hay? Really? Do I look like a normal horse to you? Like, at all. What part of me shouts out 'Hey, I'm a normal horse! Feed me some normal hay!'?" came the bemused retort from Riptide, resulting in an exasperated sigh from Laetri.

Throwing his hands up, with a mutter under his breath Laetri sat back down. Seeing Riptide eye him, he grumbled, "You want your special food Mr. Special Horse? Go get it yourself buddy." only slightly as sulky as he was showing. Mostly really he was just trying to lighten up the mood though he doubted it'd have much effect.

Giving a small chortle of laughter Riptide turned back to the issue at hand. Giving as much a sigh as he could all things in consideration he thought about it. "Let me tell you a story. Once, many millennium ago, there was a certain shiny blue horse. This certain horse enjoyed to put out fires while a certain large dragon enjoyed to set fires. At one point these two kindly creatures met. Wanna know what happened? They broke their promises time and time again, every time they tried to become friends again they would mess it up until finally it worked out for the benefit of them and everyone around them. See the key is to never give up hope, Isrydia. The moment you let hope slip away from your grasp is the moment you surrender. So hope. Hope for that friendship, and hope it'll continue as you want it. Take the leap of faith. If you are not willing to do that as frequently as is necessary like Inferno and I did then there's no point in trying it."

When you die, your world ends. The world may go on, but in your eyes, the world ends with you.

-Carpe Diem