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Aldaine was brought out of his despair-ridden contemplation as Diane and Reynard queried further. Aldaine noted Diane’s previous vote of confidence in being able to handle the danger that encompassed Arthur. The two really had no idea what they were dealing with. Looking at the two with a sharp gaze, he answered, “That man you encountered with my father…he was my mentor…Gerot...” Aldaine took a deep breath before continuing, “He was the man who instructed me in combat, you could say he is the reason that I was as well regarded in combat as I was at the Trendel Academy. I wouldn’t pass my father off so easily Diane. You said the two of you could get a decent idea of the situation? That’s nothing if not comical. You two can barely comprehend how dangerous these two truly are. You saw it yourself, didn’t you Reynard? He walked in, as if he appeared out of nothingness with no sound or sign of forced entry. Gerot has dedicated his life in the art of covert combat. He’s killed gods know how many political officials, soldiers, or people of a notable presence for the High Council, more specifically, my father. Don’t dare think for a second that I’m over-exaggerating the situation, I’ve seen only a fraction of what Gerot is capable of, I know better than anyone. I suppose you could say...I was trained by an assassin...” Aldaine stated with a grim expression, as he recalled past memories he’d rather have forgotten.
Aldaine’s tone left a lot to be desire, but he let it slide considering how much stress the shifter was under. Still, his words were a bit vague and didn’t give them any real reason to suspect that Arthur and Gerot couldn’t be handled as needed. Yes, Gerot might be a killer, but so was he, so was Aldaine…Assassin or not, any man could be killed.
“Aldaine, I understand that these men are dangerous, but these vague descriptions don’t help us get you out of the City.” He stated firmly. “I’m assuming that Gerot’s raiment has something to do with sound and the way he can seemingly appear without anyone being the wiser?” What better raiment for an assassin?
Aldaine stared at Reynard straight in the eye, before replying "Let's just say, he is able to move more quietly and stealthily than any human should be capable of. He's also developed techniques so as to prevent shifters like ourselves so that we don't pick up his scent. As long as Gerot is here, getting me out of the city may as well be a pipe dream. He'll just be one step behind us, that's provided he knows what we're up to. As for my 'vague' descriptions as you talk about, I was trying to spare you the gory details. But, if you insist, I'll tell you..." Aldaine leaned forward almost threateningly as he stated, "You two are strong, but he is beyond any strength you or even I possess...if he wanted, Gerot could walk in here right now as I'm talking, kill the three of us, and leave before we had time to scream and no one would be the wiser... Aldaine stated as he sat back in his seat. "Take it from me, the last thing you want to do is underestimate him..." The more Aldaine spoke, the more he felt the despair grow within him, crawling up his back, giving him shivers.
Again, while Reynard understood that Aldaine was stressed and being pushed to his limits, it was as if the Jaguar didn’t want to give any helpful information that would assist them in getting him out of the city. Did the shifter have a death wish?! Growling low, Rey narrowed his gaze on Aldaine. “If I didn’t know any better, De’Fraye…” He said in a firm, irritated tone, purposefully using Aldaine’s surname rather than his first, “…then I would say that you didn’t care if we helped you. I would say that you had given up all hope and didn’t even wish to fight for yourself.” He knew he was being harsh, but sometimes, a person needed a slap in the fact before receiving a pat on the back.
“If you don’t want to help us so we can help you, then you might as well go turn yourself in. Diane and I are willing to risk everything, literally and figuratively, to help you and you wont even help yourself?! Where is the man that I fought on the battlefield?! Where is the man that looked me in the eye and fought me with his fangs and claws ans well as his swords?! I want that man by my side when we face those demons!” He knew that Aldaine wasn’t that man anymore, or was he? The man he’d faced on the battle field had wanted death, he’d run toward it dead first…now, Aldaine seemed to wish for it, but for other reasons, or where they the same? In any case, Aldaine needed to find that fighting spirit again if he hoped to continue living.
Aldaine stared at Reynard. Admittedly, as small part of him was in shock at what the Captain had just said. Aldaine, unintentionally found himself releasing a facetious, yet, heavy, saddened laugh at Reynard. It was not a mocking laugh, more so, a defeated one as he met Reynard's gaze once more, a different tone now present in the jaguar's eyes...a look of pure, untainted sorrow as he replied, 'Where is that man?' 'Face those demons together?' Do you hear yourself?! Do you think that this is a GAME?!"
It happened. Aldaine felt himself snap. The jaguar found him shooting off his seat towering over the two shifters in front of him "This isn't the war, Reynard, you think this is going to be as simple as charging someone on the battlefield?! I l tell you this, one wrong move in this situation, AND YOU COULD END UP GIVING ARTHUR ALL THE REASON HE NEEDS TO START A ******** WAR!!! And then what, will you apologize to all the heartbroken families left in that war's wake?! Are you truly, TRULY WILLING TO PUT YOUR LIFE, YOU MEN'S LIVES. YOUR FUTURE MATE'S AND CHILDREN'S LIVES ON SAVING A MAN WHO UNTIL RECENTLY YOU LOATHED?! RISK IT ALL, FOR A GOOD-FOR NOTHING, PATHETIC, OUTRIGHT ******** USLESS COWARD LIKE ME?! Are you truly willing to risk everything, ******** there is to lose?! Are you?! ARE YOU?!" Aldaine felt his heart pounding, his mind racing. Truthfully, he acted before he thought, it was like all the emotions, everything that had be building up...it was like it was all coming to a head.
Rey knew that Aldaine needed this. He needed to shout and to cry and to just get his emotions out and his words had done the trick. Watching the shifter, he gently pressed Diane from his side so that he could do what needed to be done to get something through Aldaine’s head. Aldaines shouting, his emotions, it was an outlet and one that Reynard would take onto himself – this was his doing after all. The moment Aldaine came to a stopping point, he moved out of his seat. Coming face to face with the jaguar, Reynard placed both hands firmly and squarely on Aldaine’s shoulders, holding him steady, their faces close so Rey could look Al in the eye and speak to him directly.
“YES.” He said the word firmly and calmly and with resolve that only a commanding officer could give. Staring Aldaine dead in the eye, he nodded. “It’s no secret that you and I were once enemies Aldaine. We tried to kill one another, we’ve shed each other’s blood and in some strange, ******** up way, that binds us. I might have loathed you at one point, but these past few months have turned you from enemy into acquaintance, to colleague and to friend. We are brothers, you and I. Not because we’re both shifters but because we have both been thought hell and come out the other side. Before, I wouldn’t have trusted you at my back but now I do and that means that I have yours as well.” He stated firmly.
Gripping Aldaine’s shoulders firmly, he held his gaze and didn’t waiver. “You are innocent, Aldaine. And what kind of person would I be if I sacrificed the life of an innocent? We are getting you the ******** out of here one way or another and if we can’t then we’ll hide you for as long as it takes. This island isn’t huge, but it isn’t small either…” He said with a little smirk. “Don’t you ******** give up on yourself, De’Fraye, I haven’t.”
Aldaine could only gaze at Reynard. In all honesty, he'd expected the fox shifter to beat him senseless for his outburst. But, to hear this...to hear these words from Reynard...in any other case, Aldaine would have suspected the fox was only trying to comfort him, but, looking into those emerald eyes, he saw that it was no act. That's when Aldaine noticed, the small trails of tears that flowed from his eyes. There was some small part of him that felt freed if he was honest. Aldaine felt his knees give in, and all he could do was cling to Reynard for dear life, like a child, Aldaine thought had died so long ago. The jaguar felt his voice crack as he spoke, "Forgive me...Reynard..."
When Aldaine’s legs gave out and he held onto him to keep standing, Rey took the shifter’s weight and held steady. Seeing the shifter’s tears, he felt any of his last remnants of ire toward the man melt away. The moment Aldaine apologized, Reynard drew him in for one of those manly-brotherly hugs. Holding him tight, chest to chest, he didn’t say anything for a long moment. “There’s nothing to forgive, Aldaine. But to ease your conscience, I forgive you for whatever transgressions you still feel you committed. I’m sorry that we had to meet on the battlefield, brother, but we are allies now and we will fight for each other.” He stated firmly and with resolve.
After a few moments Aldaine stood, wiping away his tears. Looking at the fox, he couldn't help but wear a small smirk, "By the gods...after this I could ******** use a drink...but for the meantime, we'll have to come up with a plan...So, what did you have in mind captain?"
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Aldaine De'Fraye || Reynard Balgaire
ShinigamiWolves
Chelly Usagi
Raiyun
