Snippet #2823078

For Aetherius, the scent of the sea was the scent of freedom. Therefore, the scent of the ports was the scent of shackles and cages, a suffocating imprisonment under Ivelda's watchful eyes, where she could breathe down his neck if she felt so inclined, where the rest of his fellow "coworkers" usually stayed along with her. He hadn't been particularly fond of most of them, perhaps thanks to the fact that he was really never around enough to get to know them before he was off on his next sailing trip for a couple months, out of watchful eyes and leashing commands. Sure, there were still rules to follow out on the ocean's waters, but with no one there to enforce them, it practically gave him lawless reign, just as he liked it.

The ship jolts lightly as it settles into the shallow, quieter waters at Lostein's ports, anchors slowly settling into the reeking mud and filth that most these sort of docking areas held. Only the bottom feeding fish remained here, eating away trash and tasteless plants that could barely sprout in the unhealthy waters, and their stench only made it worse. It smelled nothing of the fresh, salty breeze that he loved in the freedom of his sea, and silently he was grateful that stops here only lasted a short while, a couple days, maybe a week or two before he was back out to his endless stretch of blue.

Things settle in, his (or, truthfully, his queen's, but he felt like he deserved some control and name over them) fleet of ships docked and resting in the pier. The noise of the city reaches their docks soon enough once the creaking and groaning wood settles, chatter and regular hustle and bustle of the streets, animals and marketplaces. He doesn't feel much for the sounds, not beyond the faint hint of smithy work, but even that feels too distant to bring any comfort as the soothing sway of his ship slowly disappears. They were truly docked now, and the shackles were locked around his wrists and ankles. Something unpleasant rises in his throat, but he swallows it hard, makes his way for the board that gives the crew a way off the deck and boat, down to the city streets below.

Pausing as he took his first steps onto it, a glance back to his crew shows them all staring at him. A click of his tongue and a laugh, and he throws his hands up in a shrugging gesture, "if you do your work like you're supposed to, who am I to tell you what you can and can't do while we stay here? Get your asses into gear and you can have as much playtime as you want!" Cheers erupt from the deck as the crew scurries to finish what they can as soon as possible, and he waves a hand backwards, "I'll see you bastards at the taverns tonight, don't start too many fights without me, I'll need some of the actions for my nerves!"

Down to the streets he goes, glancing around the area as regular fishermen and sailors not apart of his fleet flit about, gathering their supplies for the day and avoiding him and his men as much as they can. Who wouldn't, really? Even for sailors they were rowdy, uncontrollable, and they stirred up trouble no matter where they went. Sorry, miss Ivelda, he really does what he can to keep them under control, he promises! At least he only has good news to report practically every time he returns. No one dared to face them, and those that did were laying in their deep graves, food for the fish.

Uneasiness still pokes at him, though, even as he tries to calm himself with the internal banter and shit talk he'd never mutter a word out loud to Ivelda. Something about every visit with the woman left him in a haze, nauseated, for weeks afterwards, gave him migraines and internal conflict that he could never solve, haunt him with nightmares of a tiny girl's scream that was so familiar, at the tip of his tongue, but when he looked to her face, there was nothing there.

A hand lands on his shoulder then, and in a swift move he has it in his grip, tightening as he turned around. At first he'd expected some sailor trying to look for a place to lay complaints over the noise already being caused by his busy workers, but instead it was one of his own. Glare softening quickly, he rolled his eyes, faint grin flashing straight white teeth in the direction of the lycanthrope that had put his free hand up in retreat. "Come on captain, don't break this poor sailor's wrist again, it just healed!" Ash's "plea" for mercy was met with Aetherius's grip loosening and dropping back down to his side. "Didn't mean ta scare ya bossman, just wanted to exchange a couple words before you're behind bars at the palace again." A shake of his wrist as he spoke with a half joking accent and slur, Ash's gaze glanced around the, before his head was tilting, pointed ears flitting slightly with the breeze and sounds. Aetherius's gaze remained for a moment, before arms crossed over his chest, puffing out slightly, "and? Out with it, our queen doesn't like when I'm late."

Ash's gaze flittered away for a moment there, a hand moving to rub the back of his head, only messing his disaster hair further. "Not meaning any offense, just wanted to offer. Need me to tag along with you for extra backup to the queen? You know, just so you don't feel like you're trapped alone. I know you hate goin', and well...none of us like to see how you get after it, so..."

"Mm? Saying I'm shit after my visits with the queen, huh? Really looking to be thrown into the port's swamp, I see." It's entirely playful; truly, the offer means a lot to him, but there was no way he'd ever let any of them accompany him through those halls, "offer's generous, Ash, but don't worry about it. You keep watch over the others while I'm away, and I'll join you for a drink tonight, hm? Now get off my back before you slow me down any longer, or I'll blame you if she's angry at my arrival." Ash's ears only drooped faintly, tail's wag slowing to a halt as he rolled his eyes and let his head fall back toward the sky, "don't say I didn't try, then! Good luck, Aetherius, don't get your ass kicked too hard." A light smack to the back of the wolf's head, and Aetherius turns his way back to the palace, a middle finger extended towards the man in mocking, "I'm more than capable of dealing with those piss boy servants and our queen!" Is all that's left for the docks to hear, and he's on his way.

As always, entry is easy for him and his status, slipping in through the gardens even with all the loathing stares he got from the lower ranking servants and guards, but he's not even allowed peace and quiet before a familiar voice pricks his ears.

"Aetherius, you've arrived?" Jiayi's soft, airy tone is unforgettable, and his gaze turns back to the elegantly dressed man sitting on one of the garden's benches nearby, gently shutting a book in his hands. Donning the hanfu he always wore during his downtime, he stood up from his spot, the airy material flowing softly with the movement and breeze. "I assume you're making your way to her majesty's chambers? Care to allow me to join you?"

He chokes back a groan at the other male's request, before letting out a soft sigh and nodding, "of course, how could I turn down my little junior's request, hm? Hurry up, before she yells at us both." Jiayi is quickly making his way to his side then, hands placed over his front as he makes pace with Aetherius's more heavy footed steps. "Have you been well?" Comes the other's first attempt at conversation, and he glances down to the shorter man, giving a shrug, "as long as I'm at sea, I'm always well. It's only here that I'm not." He mutters the last part, though he's sure Jiayi hears it loud and clear, watching his brows furrow slightly.

"It would be nice to see you here more, you know." Is all he says, and all Aetherius does in return is roll his eyes and pinch the bridge of his nose. They both knew he would rather die than visit more than required.

Making their way through the halls, it's not long before they come across the first familiar face, Adrian Wells. His head of bright red hair was unmistakeable, and Valken's gaze stays on him for a moment before Jiayi speaks up from the side, a slightly cheerful, "Hello, Adrian. Welcome back." Leaving him, before he returned to his straight posture with his hands behind his back. A small sway to his steps appeared with his pace now, comfortable and airy; he seemed content that so many of them were gathered here now.

The rest of the walk is mostly quiet, and he does his best to relish in the peace of it before the doors of the chambers catch his eyes, the bad taste on his tongue returning all too quickly. Jiayi spares him a glance as his face twists slightly, but as it settles he returns the concerned look to the ground, and then in front of himself. "Her Majesty seemed to be in a good mood today, so perhaps your meeting with her won't be so bad. Keep your mouth clean, though." He clicked his tongue at the words, heaving out a sigh before pressing his hand against the doors and letting them open, allowing the two of them to move in.

In comparison to Jiayi, he looks far from regal and composed; half slouching, keeping his steps the same, letting his gaze wander and letting himself act as he normally does around the palace. The woman should be used to his almost disrespectful manner by now, and he doesn't care to change it up. Glancing around the room does give him a view of the other in the room: Ryder, and oh so fortunately for him, he's arrived just in time to hear the latter man's gag worthy words and compliments. The bitter taste in his mouth grows, watching him suck up to the woman, but truthfully, who didn't a little at this point? At least enough for their safety. He'd quite frankly never allow himself to drop to the blondie's level, though.

Jiayi is already kneeling in respect for the woman, and he finally brings himself to do the same, falling carelessly onto one while using the other to rest his forearm on, head dipping low towards his queen, "Your Majesty," he says, raising his voice so the words come out clear and crisp, "I've returned from Rhindeval's seas, on time as you had requested. We didn't encounter much trouble these past months, but any who tried have been buried in the waters. A small island was discovered as well, though it is uninhabited and there's nothing of value in its sparse lands."