"Okay, show me again-" Vanyel's face was set into a mask of concentration as he lifted his sword again, facing off against Raveyne. As vexing as he found the other boy sometimes, he also had an easy grace in the salle that Vanyel sought to emulate. If nothing else, he was a welcome distraction from the concern he felt over Tylendel's growing obsession.

"Feet." Raveyne pointed with the tip of his sword to Vanyel's foot placement, tapping his rear heel to move it backward and to the side a little, giving his knee more room to move rather than locking it in place. He enjoyed working with Vanyel. Aside from drastically improving the scenery with his beauty, there were aspects of his person that felt familiar to Raveyne. Unlike most of the humans at the Collegium, Vanyel's feelings- usually at the forefront of his outbursts- burned almost as hotly as those of his own people. For all that he attempted to mask his inner self, it came through in every tip of his head and every gesture of his hands.

Like now, Raveyne Felt frustration with himself bloom in Vanyel's chest at being corrected again. It happened every time he made a mistake, instantly the boy would begin to chastise himself. Raveyne half smiled, tipping Vanyel's chin up, shrugging. You're too hard on yourself.

"Yes, yes, feet, sorry-" Van sighed, changing his position slightly. These training sessions, he found, were vastly improved now that Raveyne was somewhat more understandable. "Now, please. Again?"

Raveyne nodded, standing next to Vanyel, mirroring his position, bringing his elbow forward, flipping the handle of the sword in his hand to face an imaginary opponent, stabbing forward, and turning the blade again in his hand to pull it back to a ready position. He kept a mental ear tuned to Vanyel's state, waiting until his confusion was replaced with tentative recognition. "Now you- move- ah- ahead?"

"Forward, I think." Vanyel nodded, his dark brows tensing slightly, his tongue curling against his lip, fumbling a little with the motion that Raveyne had made look so easy, dropping the sword to the floor with a clatter. "Gods damn it-" He sighed in frustration, picking it up.

"One more time- what how do you- My fingers get in the way-" He exhaled noisily, puffing his cheeks out.

"Mnh?" When Rae looked at him questioningly, Vanyel lifted his hand, wiggling his fingers.

"My fingers. Are uhm- they get in the way. What do you do with them?" He moved back into a 'ready' position, bracing himself.

"Ah-" Raveyne moved to stand behind Vanyel, putting one hand over Vanyel's sword hand, guiding his movements. "Like this-" He moved in close to Vanyel, close enough to smell the light sheen of sweat on his skin. Vanyel felt a tingle run up his spine, he wasn't used to having anyone other than Tylendel this close to him. And with Tylendel so distant, it felt oddly comforting. He followed the motion of Raveyne's hand, turning the blade in his hand as he pulled it back. "You see? Smooth."

"I think so-" he nodded and swallowed, turning around and finding Raveyne very close to him still. His cheeks flushed, "I- uhm- th-thank you." He looked down at his feet, shuffling a little. When he wasn't teasing him, Raveyne wasn't completely awful. It was sort of nice to have someone else to work with, who wasn't doing it just because he felt sorry for him, or because he was Savil's nephew, or Tylendel's lover. His fan club had all but abandoned him once it became apparent that he wasn't going to be returning their affections. He did appreciate Raveyne taking the time to spend teaching him. He certainly doesn't have to. Like everyone else around here, he has more important things to do than spend time with me. His lower lip poked out slightly as he stared at his feet, trying not to feel sorry for himself.

"You- are welcome." Raveyne smiled slightly and ran a finger down Vanyel's nose slowly.

"Why do you do that?" Vanyel frowned, and swatted the hand away from his face, his lower lip poking out a little more. "Every time- you do that- is it just to toy with me, or what?"

To his consternation, Raveyne smiled faintly. "Like you. Peacock. You- are beautiful. Noisy, but beautiful." The smile broadened into a smirk as he leaned down and touched his lips lightly to Vanyel's. For a moment, Vanyel froze with his lips lightly parted, his eyes closed and eyebrows lifted a little. With Tylendel possessed by revenge, he had little interest in comforting Vanyel, or in long slow kisses that lasted all afternoon. But, unfortunately, Raveyne wasn't 'Lendel.

"Mmnnnno!" Vanyel pulled back, pushing Raveyne backward with both hands, wrenching himself away, ignoring the hurt and sorrow in Raveyne's eyes. "I love Tylendel-" He shook his head, dashing from the salle, his eyes filling hotly. He nearly tripped several times, skidding across the cobblestone courtyard. He couldn't go to he and Tylendel's room, 'Lendel would want to know what was wrong- Maybe. He might not even notice. Vanyel couldn't be sure which was worse, if Tylendel questioned him or if he didn't notice at all. Instead of his bedroom, Vanyel turned, cutting through the gardens to the Companion's field, seeking the quiet comfort of he and Tylendel's grove.

Why would he do that? He snuffled and rubbed his nose with his sleeve, burying his face in the soft grass. He clung to his anger like a shield, protecting him from the memory of Raveyne's soft lips against his. When he first arrived at Haven, there had only been Tylendel who saw him as something other than the vain spoiled little brat everyone else saw, even Savil, his own family only scarcely tolerated him because Tylendel vouched for him. And soon even Savil wouldn't even be able to protect him from his father. He sobbed quietly, shaking his head. With Tylendel vanishing before his eyes, soon he wouldn't have anyone left to take care of him.

What am I going to do?