Boy of Light and Dust

Dayin

Dayin almost wished they had used the magic to get to the school. But knew that the risk that came with it probably wasn't worth it. He was tired of the desert landscape and wanted, more than anything, to lie in a proper bed again.

"Are you really sure that William is okay?" he asked quietly. The old man looked like the wind could knock him over if it was strong enough. He wasn't sure that he could hold his own against anyone, especially if they had magic. He didn't mean to keep repeating himself. He knew he'd already asked and knew that Ica said he'd be fine, but... William just didn't look like he'd manage.

He wasn't sure if Ica had heard him at first and opened his mouth to repeat himself when Ica turned his head to look over at him. "I've never met a warlock that could beat William. I'm sure he's fine." The brown-haired boy glanced up at the sky, studying it for a moment. "If William was in trouble, then we'd have a lot more to worry about than just getting you back to the school."

Dayin frowned. Ica seemed to dig himself a deeper and deeper hole and it wasn't making him feel any safer or better about him being the only one around.

"Ah," Ica said, backtracking. "I didn't mean to make it sound like you're in danger out here." He pursed his lips, pausing for a moment. "You're safe with me. I can protect you if anything happens, not that it will." He closed his eyes, making an even more annoyed face. "I need to shut up. I'm just making it sound worse."

Dayin stifled a small snort of laughter. At least he'd realized how far he'd dug himself.

"So, I imagine you're pretty well educated?" Ica inquired lightly, quickly switching topics. But Dayin didn't mind so much. "Because of the tutors and what not?"

Dayin cringed, but hoped Ica didn't notice. He hated talking about his life inside the Palace. There were so many memories he wasn't fond of. Most people weren't aware that it wasn't as glamourous as they assumed. "I tried to focus on art more so than other subjects. I can play the piano very well. History, on the other hand..." He made a face. History was not his favorite subject, though he wouldn't lie: when Ica had talked about the warlocks' history, it had been pretty interesting. "Tutors can only do so much," he added with a shrug. His father had tried for years to get him to do better in anything besides art, with little to no luck. His mother had always appreciated his love for the arts; his father... Not so much.

Ica offered him a smile; thankfully, he hadn't seemed to notice Dayin's cringe. "A normal human then," he laughed, which made Dayin feel a little better. His father hadn't seemed to understand that, hadn't cared enough to understand that. "I'll make sure I say nothing to William about that. He'll be on your ass to change that," he grumbled, making Dayin wonder what subject William enforced Ica to do better in. "Are you any good with weapons?" he inquired with a gesture to the golden daggers hanging from Dayin's hip.

"They're just for looks," he admitted sheepishly, thinking back to his brief training session with William. "William wasn't impressed when he realized I couldn't actually use them."

Dayin waited to be chastised by Ica, but it never came. "We'll change that," he promised with a big smile. "I'm awesome with a lance," Ica beamed with a loving pat to the weapon strapped to his back. Dayin hadn't thought to ask him about it. "You can try your luck with it if you want. Get a feel for whatever you like," he suggested with a shrug. It was weird being offered something without actually expecting something out of it. "Or, you can learn to use those daggers, if that's more your thing."

Dayin nodded, slightly taken aback by Ica's willingness to help. It was rare for someone to genuinely want to help without expecting something in return, given his background. "That would be nice," he said, allowing himself to smile a little.