Not-so-long time, no see.

"A wanderer isn't always lost."

Shortly after being trapped within a large open space with so many people and strangers, it was inevitable for Deniel to give himself some alone time and a break. Not only that, but his pet dragon had been trapped inside of his back collar for a long period of time, and was in dire need of fresh air. So around half an hour into the Ball, Deniel excused himself away from the grand room and on to one of the balconies. Pulling off his small stunt that involved Raven was definitely a nice way to start everything off, and he suspected it caught the attention of a lot of her members, but he'd rather not die or be punished from such a daring move. Sooner or later he planned to apologize, though.

On the balcony, Deniel could get a grasp of the fresh cool air of the night wind, without the heat of the building or everyone gathering together. And wearing such a thick black suit didn't necessarily help him to cool off while inside of it. He coat was already opened up, and the first button at his neck had been opened as well, so there wasn't much he could do. As he exited and placed both of his palms out of the balcony, he felt something stir about at the back of his neck. His seven inch pet dragon scurried right out of his collar, straight on his shoulder go grasp at the fresh night air, and even gagging several times. "Ahhh...it's stuffy in there!" Deniel couldn't help but smirk at his dragon, as he gazed all the way down to the land below, and up into the night sky filled with stars. It was a wonderful night, and there was plenty to enjoy from merely the view. A brief gust blew straight through his hair, readjusting his position for it shifted back to its initial position. "Beautiful view, Nidhogg."

The two of them enjoyed the view in their sweet solitude. They planned not to stay there forever, eventually returning to everyone else and perhaps meeting new people, but they always needed their alone time. Little did they know it wouldn't last long.

Notes

"A wanderer isn't always lost."

Another peaceful gust of wind passed through Deniel's hair, and as it did, he closed both of his glowing red eyes and inhaled the small breeze. He would stay here only a little while longer to enjoy the peace and solitude his current state had granted him. It would only be a few moments until his serene intake was interrupted, however, for shortly after he took in another breath he heard a very familiar voice, asking him a question he should have seen coming. It was Alyia, of course, the one that had been left in charge of Eclipse Soul after the very sudden leave made by himself, which was only justified by a note that had not even given the reason why he left. And he was glad he did not explain, for he couldn't find the words for it when he first made his departure, but knew it was for the best. And after being away from quite some time, now he could explain it...but whether or not she would accept it would be entirely up to her.

He turned himself around on the balcony, placing both of his elbows over the railing on it to relax himself. He crossed one ankle over the other, and stared in Alyia that stood behind him. "It's nice to see you, too." The very least she could have done was greet him, despite that probably not being her mindset, but he made sure that he did. Nidhogg swiftly crawled from Deniel's right shoulder over to his left, but pressed its scaled body down on Deniel's shoulder so it would not get in the way of either of them making eye contact with each other. "Where have I gone? No where, really. I've simply been around. I haven't joined another Guild, nor do I plan to...I'm simply wandering Fiore, and perhaps the rest of the world. Maybe I'll even find a way to get to other worlds. But you are probably wondering why I left, correct?"

Notes

"A wanderer isn't always lost."

"Huuuh..." He mixed in a sigh with his expression of thought, and turned himself all the way back around to face the open air behind he and Nidhogg. He looked down to the ground far below where the two of them stood, and then up at the limitless sky that they could only reach for. "I guess you could say it's a journey of self discovery...or even redemption." He didn't look into Alyia's eyes, or at her for that matter, as he explained himself. He crossed both of his arms together on the railing, and with half-open eyes he stared back down at the ground, with his dragon silently watching as well. It seemed like Nidhogg hardly spoke at all, and the reason for that was he preferred his master to explain himself rather than doing it for him. For despite being his best friend, and closest companion, there was still plenty he did not know about them.

He smirked to himself in regards to the earlier comment about the paperwork. Indeed, he did find it quite irritating, but eventually he would get used to it and grow accustomed to it. However, paperwork was far from the reason he left. "I've wasted nineteen years of my life following a path that was chosen for me. By my mom, my dad, and Ver--....my brother. That day should have been the end for me, but it wasn't. And immediately after I had the duties of being a Guild Master. I can't say I didn't like it, I truly did...but my time for that isn't quite there yet. I spent my childhood locked up in a cell, my teenage years inside of a cave, and now here I am as an adult, turning twenty in several months. And yet I don't know how I feel about myself, morals, life, or the world. I want to know more about the world. About myself. I want to chose my own path, not stay cooped up in an office all day shuffling through paperwork."

He looked at Alyia momentarily, realizing that she wasn't necessarily as old as he was, and perhaps it was selfish of him to give those duties to her rather than himself. He tried to give her a smile, but quickly broke it away and looked back down. "Maybe one day that will be what I should do. But for now, I want to see the world. I want to learn about Magic as well. And I also want to know exactly who I am. I once thought I was an emotionless Nephalem who could never make a friend. Obviously I was wrong, and I don't think myself too different from humans in nature. However, unlike most people, it doesn't seem like I have my own 'destiny' as they call it. And I want to find it." He sighed and practically hit himself on the head, thinking to be sounding like an idiot, but continued on so he could finish. "One day I may return. Or I may not. Or maybe I'll die out there from someone stronger. Perhaps end up killing myself..." The last part sounded much too bitter, and the chances of it happening were next to nothing. He turned himself to where his back was facing the railing, leaning himself over on them and staring at Alyia. "Should I ever return, it will be when I'm older, wiser, stronger and...maybe ready to once again try and become a Guild Master? After I discover my own destiny and redeem myself...I might be able to help others find theirs much better."

Notes

"A wanderer isn't always lost."

Alyia had mentioned something that did not upset Deniel, but in fact made him a little concerned. She still thought that he was searching for his parents. Well, she would find out soon enough that those two were no where near to what he was looking for. He placed one of his elbows on the railing, and pressed his palm into it as he listened to what she had to say intently. She was also not over what had happened to the two of them...and frankly he wasn't either. Obviously he was scarred by the occasion, and although not fearful of making friends, but fearful of having someone whom he could "love". He wasn't entirely sure if he could gave such a feeling, anyway. Maybe he had mistaken his feeling for her to be something else...or he was right. Either way, that was not what his journey was after, and he was clueless if he could ever muster up that much courage again in his life. It was no shock to him that several members of Eclipse Soul had missed him, especially her, but that was not something he could ponder on for too long. The other names she had mentioned...he had never heard before. Perhaps new members. That was good.

When it came to the mentioning of her home town, he did appreciate the fact that she was able to go back there to give her respects. The topic of that also opened up the opportunity for him to explain something. "Well Alyia, I'm no longer searching for my parents. I found them....and I killed them both." He looked straight into her eyes when he had explained that part of his story, and spoke in a tone that was ever so serious. Then, he suddenly lightened himself up and looked back down at the world below. "But above all...I paid my respects to them as well. My mother was no doubt a wicked woman like I had heard, but in her last moments she showed me who she really was. A kind and caring one. Her last words to me were: 'But no matter what happens remember: I love you Deniel'. And my dad? He was one mean old bastard. And his last words: 'Hey, Cry-Baby! You've grown strong, I'm proud of you!'" When imitating the sound of his father, he attempted to make his voice sound much older and raspier, which to some extent had worked. "My point is they were not terrible people...but perhaps misguided. And as I dug their graves, I linked both of their hands so they could spend an eternity together. It's good that you will pay your respects, Alyia, just as I did."

He took one last breath of the fresh night breeze, and brushed some of his black bangs that had fallen over his eyes up to his forehead. "If you or Eclipse Soul truly need me in the future...I'll be there."

Notes