Peril Of The Fates

ZEAK'S DEBUT

Zeak grabbed a glass of wine, and in one single swing drank the entire glass. Zeak was taller than everyone there, including the host Prince of the dragon race. Zeak was a rare contender that wasn't royalty, but was still a great racer.

Zeak stood up from the bar, and looked around. Almost everyone made some look or another at him. Zeak was teetering on the edge of being furious. This place had nothing stronger than wine. It was then He said in his mind, "Zeakiel, stop. You're drawing attention to yourself."

Zeak waved his head around his face, like an invisible way to shoo the voice away. Zeak ducked minorly under the doorframe. At 6'2 he was like a giant in the Laelan Dynasty. The main thing drawing attention to him wasn't his height, but the crimson corruption on his arm.

It was like a curtain of viney sinew that flowed through his flesh. Slicing through his body. It wiggled and squirmed, slightly, but noticeably. It was then that Zeak saw Ren, and Zeak froze, his mood having changed immediately. He looked at Ren, and immediately knew that Zeak was, for lack of a better term, developing a crush on the elf.

Zeak was known for making rash, sudden, decisions that were often not made in the best mind frame, and being slightly intoxicated didn't help at all.

Zeak smiled, as He said, "Don't even think about it. You're here to make a name for yourself, not have another one night stand with an elf."

Zeak waved his hand around his head, shooing Him away as Zeak muttered, just under his breath, "Oh shut up. What do you know. This is love, damnit."

He said, "You said that about Lian, and the elf before him, and even the elf before him."

Zeak didn't offer that a reply, instead approached the young elf. He had a black cloak on, with a hood down, to prevent the warm sun from scorching his pale skin. When Zeak saw Ren's red eyes, Zeak immediately thought of a vampire.

But, Ren wasn't a vampire. Ren was, however, a healthy albino. Zeak sat down, grabbing a pastry, before biting it gently and chewing it, swallowing it, before saying, holding out his corrupted arm, "Nice to meet you, I'm Zeak. Well, actually I'm Ezekiel, everyone just calls me Zeak."

Ren grabbed the hand, it felt like a carpet had been wrapped around Zeak's hand, and Zeak was extremely strong. Ren inspected the crimson corruption mildly with a look, as he said, "My name is Ren. Nice to meet you, Zeak."

Ren held a pastry in his hand as well. Each of the royal contestants brought a large amount of food from wherever they were from. There were no Orcish racers, a few summer Fae had joined the race. They had brought rice patties, nuts, jerkies, things that were light, but hearty for food.

Only three humans joined them, all three from the Republic of Unity, and all three brought the same thing. Steaks, mashed potatoes, corn stalks, rabbit and turkey jerky, as well as other assorted fruits like pineapples.

Fourteen elves joined them from across the Laelan Dynasty and Elvish Empire. They had mostly bread and pastries, and dragons were with each rider, representing the Valley Of Beauty.

Zeak allowed himself to notice the long scar on Ren's face, and felt like asking a question or two, but didn't feel like answering a question or two about his corruption. So instead he let go of Ren's hand, and Ren did as well. The two of them stayed there, eating and drinking, when Zeak heard Him, "Zeak-"

Zeak harshly whispered, "Shut up. Just shut up."

"Don't you think what you're feeling is lust, not love? All you care about is physical intimacy, not true love. You need to abandon these feelings, they're no better than a crush."