Hope Falls

“Lynette wouldn’t get along with her own double.” Kenna chuckled. “If you are not our family she doesn’t like you.”

---

“But I can’t. You know that.”

"You haven't tried." Cassius laughed quietly, "It is up to you what you do, but I will be going. As soon as they fall asleep. I want to see the baby horse."

---

"I bet that makes your adventures eventful. What about this Farrah, what are her quirks? At the moment you all sound very different from one another, very ragtag."

“Farah is a healer… she’s amazing at what she does.”

---

“Can you not wait till morning?”

"That isn't a personality," He pushed quietly. "There are hundreds of healers in the world who are gifted, talented. What is she like, Kenna?"

---

"No, I want to see it."

“And you can, tomorrow.”

---

“She’s quiet, is Farah. She tends to keep her opinions to herself. But once or twice I’ve seen her snap when she’s stressed. The world could be ending but she’s one of those people that just manages to keep calm.”

"It is always useful to have someone like that near. I have Wyatt Hawk as that cool head, nothing shakes him - not a thing. I don't know how he does it." Kael cast a glance towards the bard playing, applauding lightly as they finished a song.

---

"Why are you acting like our parents?" Cassius asked, voice sharp.

“I have been told it is an age thing…”

---

“Because it’s my responsibility to look after you too.”

"Wyatt is one of the oldest people I know so that makes sense." Kael nodded his understanding. "It is rude to ask people their ages, so I am sorry before I ask but how many years of experience in life do you have? Enough to call me a 'boy Prince'."

---

"You can't stop me."

“It wasn’t a comment on your age in comparison to my own. More to your mothers and the rest of your people. You were one of a handful of last children born before nothing for years mm? And very little before that? Most of your population is at least twice your age if not more. And I bet your mother has had socks for longer than you’ve been around. It happens.” Kenna chuckled. “I understand the likeness though, being only twenty five myself.”

"Twenty five." He echoed, downing the last half of his drink. "Shall we see what our five year age difference makes on our ability to hold our alcohol?"

“I grew up with sailors.” Kenna grinned, shaking her head. “I am more than confident in my abilities.”

"Then let's consider this pirate verses royal. A conflict through drinking is the best kind of conflict I can endorse." He laughed, nodding towards her tankard. "Do you like that? I will get us plenty more of that if you like, a single gulp drinks similar to it too. Let the war games begin, Kenna Zaretsky."

“Not my name.” Kenna reminded him with a light hum. “I’ll drink anything you are.”

"Kenna. Kenna, remind me tomorrow, of your last name. When the importance of them matter." Kael dismissed with a wave and chuckle, getting to his feet to go up to the bar. Returning, only minutes later, balancing a tray in his hand filled with shots. A barmaid behind him carrying the tray of tankards.

“You went all out mm?”

"War is war," He grinned, sitting down as he began dividing up the drinks. "Whoever gets through the lot first wins."

“What does the winner get?”

"One request." Kael held up an index finger. "We have one condition each for it. Mine is it has to be something that can be given now, nothing that applies to the future - even as soon as tomorrow morning is too far away. The cut off for requests is when the moon hits her peek tonight. What is yours?

“Which means you have a request in mind… What’s the request? And I’ll see if I want to grant it if I do indeed lose.”

"None yet, it is merely fun, Kenna. Tell me your condition."

“Nothing is ever merely fun.” Kenna shook her head with a laugh as she took a shot. “We have established that whilst young I wasn’t born yesterday, Prince.”

"I only want to be Kael tonight, no titles, please. Since Fiadh died it has only been Prince this and Prince that with everyone other than my parents. Its tiresome." Kael's nose wrinkled. "I have no anterior motive here, I swear. No ill content. I want to act my age."

“Apologies, Kael only tonight.” Kenna nodded in agreement.

Kael offered a grateful smile, before prompting, "So, your condition, to our drinking game?"

“I suppose we’ll play evenly. A request granted to the winner.”