Tylendel x Van University AU

[peacockherald]

Vanyel looked around the campus dubiously, back pack over his shoulder and lunch in hand in a small brown bag. He could see his mother, in his head, all a flutter over the idea of him carrying a brown bag sort of lunch! She had always liked the finer things, and he thought if he had not put his foot down she might be fluttering after him in her skirts and any number of attendants and assistants. 

Thankfully, that was not the case, though with a pang he admitted he missed her company now, and the fair weather company of what friends he had had at school (not withstanding his brothers, who were more about giving him noogies than companionship). Looking around the tree-laden campus, he wondered where he was going to sit, if there was a protocol for it. He was sure it wasn't like his high school, but you never knew. Suddenly, so much freedom was... daunting. 

Licking his lips, he made his way slowly down the steps and towards the grass, edging his way towards a free tree, perhaps a little frightened some boy twice his weight would come barreling up and tackle him (it had happened before, on many occasions). 

Comments

[buriedinwhites]

No one here was planning to jump the boy, though 'Lendel could tell, from the set of his shoulders, just how afraid he was. That wouldn't do at all.

Hands in pocket, he sauntered across the grass toward the man -- boy, really. And he couldn't help noticing just how beautiful he was, even if he carefully stored that thought in the back of his brain.

"You look lost." He gave his best smile, to show that he wasn't a threat.

[peacockherald]

Vanyel almost jumped out of his skin, hearing that, and felt his body brace. Which was silly, because his brothers never actually gave him warnings. In some ways, he had had to become a bit like a cat - sensing for the danger before it appeared. Thankfully, in the barns, he had found refuge, many of the animals as displeased with his siblings as he was.

But no, it was not them, it was a rather attractive blonde, and he felt his cheeks heat a bit, especially with that smile. It was very white, and very nice.

"Not lost, just having a hard time picking out where to sit," he gestured with his sack lunch, brown bag crinkling noisily.

[buriedinwhites]

'Lendel didn't miss the blush, and his grin widened. He wasn't playing the field anymore -- not after what had happened with Nevis -- but the boy was cute. And fun to tease.

Really, he was carrying a sack lunch. That was just precious.

"Well, then it sounds like you need a native guide," he said cheerfully, sliding an arm around his shoulders.

[peacockherald]

He made no move when the shoulder slid around his arm, immediately wondering if this was a trap. He didn't want to be so suspicious, but growing up around his family and with the people at school, it was a natural reaction for him.

"Native huh?" he inquired, not moving away from him, because despite himself he enjoyed the attention of the pretty man and he didn't want to loose it so soon even if he was a bit paranoid. "Does the native have a name?"

I'm so sorry for the delay. Holidays.

[buriedinwhites]

"He does." 'Lende looked absolutely by his own ridiculous answer. He danced around an actual answer cheerfully, steering Van toward the cafeteria.

"What's in the bag? Don't you have a meal plan?"

Re: I'm so sorry for the delay. Holidays.

[peacockherald]

Vanyel raised his brows, waiting for more information, but sighed when it wasn't forthcoming, it seemed.

"Well, I do, but I wasn't very sure what was in the cafeteria, so I thought I'd bring a lunch..." he shrugged, looking at him curiously, but it was mixed with trepidation. "Besides, I bet my sack lunch is healthier."

[buriedinwhites]

"The point of college isn't to eat healthy, my dear--" 'Lendel trailed off in his laughter. "I'll make you a deal," he said, ruffling the shorter boy's hair. "I'll tell you my name if you tell me yours."

[peacockherald]

He slapped at the other's hand and pouted at him, smoothing the dark locks back into place, including the silver streak across his brow. His mother said he had been born with it, but he wasn't so sure...

Ah well.

"All right. My name's Vanyel Ashkevron." He looked at the other expectantly.

[buriedinwhites]

Tyendel pouted right back at getting slapped away from such a gorgeous head. Come on, Vanyel... he's not so bad.

"Tylendel Frelennye. It's nice to meet you, Vanyel."

[peacockherald]

"Tyldenel..." he murmured the name, almost caressing it. "It's nice to meet you too."

He glanced around the campus as they walked, once again looking a bit like a lost puppy amongst the pack of wolves.

"I guess it's pretty obvious I come from small town, right?" he laughed at himself.

[buriedinwhites]

"Nice to meet you, too," 'Lendel can't help but smile at the way Van's voice curls around his name. 'Vanyel' isn't too bad, either.

But beyond that, he's just so adorable, the way he's wandering around, trying not to be noticed. It only makes the upperclassmen zone in on him faster, which is why 'Lendel has to curl protectively around him.

"Just a little. First time away from home, huh?"

[peacockherald]

"You could say that yeah," he nodded. "My family - we run a horse farm, a big one. We breed race horses. So I was usually on the farm or at school or something. If I traveled, it was to help take the horses to auction or to see how one of our sells did and get more clients."

He shrugged his shoulders. He had traveled around the world, almost - Japanese, England, the Middle East. Any place their horses would sell, he had gone with his father, but there had never been much chance to make friends. Most of the men they dealt with were much older, after all.

"What about you? Did you live around here or did you come from far away too?"

[buriedinwhites]

Home wasn't something he really wanted to talk to Vanyel about. But he doesn't show it. He grins brightly, shrugging his shoulders.

"Not that far, and yet a world away. Nothing as exciting as horses. Did you ride often?"

If he can get Vanyel talking about his own home, the conversation will be safely derailed.

[peacockherald]

He nodded. "Oh yes. I learned to take the horses through warm ups, though I'm much to tall and big to be a jockey. I raised a few actually. My latest is Star, but I have to leave her behind when I came here." He said it sadly, almost wistfully. "She's to gentle to race, but she makes a good riding mare and I'm sure soon my father will option to breed her."

A decision he would have no part in, of course, making his brow darken. He would probably go home and Star would be fat with a foal. Only his presence had kept the mare from being bred, and he would lose his riding companion when she was.