Talon Firadel

HISTORY

The Firadel family tree was about as “pure-blooded” as they get, and took great pride in that fact. Talon’s mother, Helena, adored her son with every fibre of her being - and, though she never told Talon’s father, had a non-magical parent, and couldn’t have cared less about blood purity, which Talon remembers (with fondness) causing plenty of friction with his more old-fashioned family members.

Helena was particularly gifted at Transfiguration and was a registered Animagus, her form taking that of a jackdaw, and so she was delighted when Talon also showed an aptitude for it - his first bouts of uncontrolled magic as a child usually involved accidentally transfiguring his toys. Helena and Talon were always as thick as thieves - they shared a wicked sense of humour, their love of cats (his mother bought him Bandit, his three-legged, extremely dramatic cat), and Talon’s fondest memories are of his mother teaching him to play the piano, a skill he has continued into his education at Freythorn.

Talon’s father Kaiser, however, was far more concerned about raising a suitable heir to the Firadel bloodline, and his talents lay in Charms. Kaiser in public was outrageously charismatic, and could wrap just about anyone around his little finger whether magic was involved or not - but behind closed doors he was callous and cruel to both his wife and son, often subjecting them to intense emotional abuse where magic was very much involved, from altering their memories up to using the Imperius curse on them to keep them both in line. 

This continued up until Talon was about 15, and he and his mother made their first - and only - attempt to escape Kaiser. It almost seemed they had succeeded, at first, until Kaiser tracked them down with magical means - and, when they were escorted home, Helena died very suddenly.

Kaiser told Talon it was a suicide, and for a long time, Talon believed it - believed he was part of the cause, the reason that she couldn’t get away, and the guilt never stopped eating at him.

But then, Kaiser also told Talon he was an only child for most of his life - and shortly before Talon left for Freythorn, he discovered he had a half-brother: one Prosper Esposito, a Narcana, who had managed to escape Kaiser’s clutches and find his own mother in Venice, Italy when Talon was 4 years old. The two are close, despite Prosper’s lack of magical abilities; Talon often writes to him about his time at Freythorn, and he makes an effort to visit him every summer.

Talon doesn’t believe his mother’s death was a suicide any more, but he’s never quite been able to shake the feeling that it was still his fault.

FREYTHORN

Freythorn was a much-needed and highly welcome escape for Talon; he was homeschooled up until the invitation arrived, and thankfully Kaiser saw it as a reputable enough institution to allow Talon to go.

Cassius ''Cass''| Luca || Yumi

The boy turned around when he heard Talon. Smiling brightly at him. ''Talon! You made it.'' He hugs the boy. Then pulls back. ''It's okay. I don't mind the wait.'' Then his eyes went wide and holds out his hand with a toy snitch. ''You want this toy snitch? I currently have two of them.'' He was excited to hang out with his bestie.

Talon & Icarus | Ren

Talon's smile widens, warm and genuine, as Cassius pulls him into a hug, gently ruffling his soft hair. "Course I did. I wouldn't leave you hanging," he says, before his gaze falls on the snitch in Cass' hand. "Oh, shit, hell yeah," he says, genuinely pleased that Cassius kept one for him. "Did you get these from the goodie bags? I got the fuckin' ... sweets that apparently make you puke, so. Seems like you got a lot luckier than me."

Cassius ''Cass''| Luca || Yumi

''Oh I got one of those before as well. But I traded it with Ezra for one of the toy snitched. And then after it I got a second one from a bag.'' He laughs softly. Then he frowns when he thought about what Talon just said about the candy. ''Wait...those make u puke? Ezra and Esma told me they were energy candy...'' He scratches his head in confusion.

Talon & Icarus | Ren

"Ah," Talon nods, "smart move, trading." He hums thoughtfully at Cass' question, cocking his own head slightly. "Energy candy, huh? Weird. I'm sure I heard someone saying they made you puke. Well ... good thing you got a snitch instead, then, either way." He leans across the table, looking a little warily at the more ... interesting looking snacks. "Speaking of weird food, you tried any of these?"

Cassius ''Cass''| Luca || Yumi

He looks at the snacks wary. ''They are charmed. I had the butterbeer cupcake earlier and I got hiccups right after. I saw someone with sticky hands as well.'' He pockets his toy snitch in his pocket. ''They think someone pranked the snacks...So just be careful.'' He didn't wanna see something bad happen to his friend.

Talon & Icarus | Ren

"Ah, fuck, of course," Talon sighs; he has a pretty good idea which particular students might have been behind something like that. "Thanks for the heads up. Maybe I'll pass, then. If I fancy some adventures with snacks tonight maybe I'll just try my luck with the goodie bag candy." He decides to move a little further down the table to find a platter with something a bit safer to eat on it. "You managed to get a dance in yet, by the way? I hope you've saved at least one for me." Talon gives an over-the-top flutter of his eyelashes, though the playful grin on his face gives away that he's mostly joking.

Cassius ''Cass''| Luca || Yumi

He sadly looks at the ground. ''No, I haven't danced yet. Nobody asked me to..'' He plays with the cuffs of his sleeves. That was becoming a nervous tick of him lately. The Arietal boy has just been sitting around and talking to people. Nobody came up to him for a dance. Then he looks up at his friend. ''We can be each others first dance for tonight?''

Talon & Icarus | Ren

Talon's expression softens when Cassius says no-one's asked him to dance, casting a quick wave back to Sindri before returning his attention to Cass. "Absolutely we can," he says, "just as soon as I have eaten because fuck me, I am starving." He grabs a couple of handfuls of this-and-that, avoiding the Pranked Snacks as best as possible, and quickly wolfs them down.

Cassius ''Cass'' | Luca || Yumi

He was glad his friend wanted to dance with him. ''I would have brought some of my own made cookies with me if I knew the snacks were pranked...'' He sighs as he shakes his head. His eyes going wide as he wolfs the food down. ''P-Please, be careful, Talon! Don't choke on the food.'' Looks with a worried look.

Talon & Icarus | Ren

Talon lets out a somewhat unattractive snort, his mouth still half-full, when Cass laments that he should've brought his own cookies, genuinely endeared by the idea; and quickly swallows, wiping his mouth before he speaks. "Fuck, I wish you had. I love your cookies. But, anyway," he says, holding out a ringed hand to his friend once he's finished, "shall we?"

Cassius ''Cass'' | Luca || Yumi

''I'll bring you some tomorrow. I made a bunch a day ago.'' He chuckles as he grins. Taking his ringed hand. ''Let's go dance~'' He then blushed. ''I can't dance that well though...So sorry if I step on your toes...'' He whispers.

Talon & Icarus | Ren

"You are a saint," Talon tells him, sincerely. "I would kill and die for you." He gives Cass' hand an affectionate squeeze, leading him out towards the ballroom. "Just follow my lead," he says, winking playfully. "We'll figure it out."

Cassius ''Cass'' | Luca || Yumi

The boy laughs at his friends antics. ''You know I would do the same for you.'' Cass was holding his hand as he follows Talon to the ballroom. ''At least we are gonna have fun and that's the most important part!''

✦

Cass walked in the ballroom with Talon. He looked a little bit excited and nervous. He knew his bestie was gonna help him with the dancing. But he didn't wanted to step on his toes or hurt him in general. His eyes went over the crowd. Eyes going slightly wide as he saw a woman in a suit dancing on her own. Oh wow, she looks really confident.

Chi >Vida Howlen<>Keir Daflion<

Her blue eyes falling upon the blonde as he entered with another person, she smirked giving him a wink, enjoying the attention from around her. With every move she would get closer to the couple eventually end up on their side holding out a hand to them. "Keir Daflion, Nice to meet you." She introduced herself.

Talon & Icarus | Ren

Talon gives Cass a soft smile, seeing how excited his friend is to dance and endeared at the sight, before his attention shifts to Keir as she introduces herself. He nods to her, but since it was Cass she appeared interested in, decides to let Cass take the lead on this one.(edited)

Cassius ''Cass''| Luca || Yumi

Cass didn't expected the woman to come up to them to introduce themselfs. Eyes going a bit wide as he gently shakes her hand. ''Cassius Ranzothe, nice to meet you Keir!'' He smiles brightly at her. ''This is my best friend, Talon!'' Motioning to Talon. ''We were just gonna go dance. We both haven't danced yet this night.'' The innocent arietal boy says softly. His smile not leaving his face.

Talon & Icarus | Ren

Talon nods, his smile widening a little when Cass introduces him as his best friend, a gentle blush creeping up into his cheeks. He's certainly lucky to know someone so sweet, especially someone who actually likes him at the same time. "Nice to meet you, Keir. We were indeed," he says. "Loved your dancing, though." It's a genuine compliment, though the tone is a little tinged by Talon's usual awkwardness when giving out compliments to unfamiliar people. "Can't promise I'll be pulling any moves like that, Cass. Hope that's okay." He accompanies the words with a gentle, playful bump of his shoulder against Cass'.

Chi >Vida Howlen<>Keir Daflion<

Keir would nod at the couple, holding a hand to her chest and another showing the way towards the Dance floor. "Thank you very much for the nice words. You two have a wonderful night. If you need someone to dance with, let me know." She bowed and went to the food tables to get herself something.

Cassius ''Cass''| Luca || Yumi

Cassius waved at Keir. ''You also have a wonderful night.'' He then turns back to Talon. ''She looked really cool dancing like that.'' His eyes sparkling a bit in admiration. Then he giggles at the playful bump. ''That's okay, if we have fun, that's most important!'' He drags Talon towards the dance floor that Keir showed them.

Talon & Icarus | Ren

Talon gives a small wave of his own as Keir departs, grinning back down at Cass. "She did, right? Good for her." He laughs as Cass starts dragging him to the dance floor, and once they're there takes up the position to lead him, taking one of Cass' hands gently in his own and resting the other at the small of his back. "Ready?" he asks, eyes bright and warm even as his smile is a little shy and nervous. "We'll go slow. Don't worry about stepping on my feet, I wore my big boots for a reason," he teases gently.

Cassius ''Cass''| Luca || Yumi

The boy looked a bit nervous before he nods. Both of them were apparently nervous for this. ''A..Alright...'' He says shyly before giggling at that last comment. ''I'm glad you wore them for this.'' Cassius had to admit that he felt glad that Talon was gonna lead. It would be a big disaster if he tried that.

Talon & Icarus | Ren

Talon smiles reassuringly down at him, sensing Cass' own nervousness, and starts to slowly lead him around the floor in time to the music. He keeps his movements slow and easy to follow, and finds himself surprisingly enjoying it, sharing a dance with his best friend. It's been so long since he both enjoyed someone's company and trusted someone this much, without any expectation of something more than friendship. He knows without a doubt he would do just about anything for his sweet, kind friend, who asks for nothing but gives so much; and Talon is filled with warmth at the knowledge that he gets to be Cass' best friend, that Cass trusts and likes Talon just as much as Talon likes him. Drawing himself from his thoughts and back to their dance, he grins playfully down at Cass before dipping him low, hoping to draw a laugh from the other boy.

Cassius ''Cass''| Luca || Yumi

Cass was looking down at their feet when they started to dance. To make sure he didn't step on his feet. Eventually he stopped looking at them and looks back up. He didn't know how he deserved a friend like Talon. Cass  never expected to trust someone this hard. But it happened and he doesn't wanna lose that. In all his years at Freythorn he could finally call someone his best friend and he was happy that person was Talon. His thought were interrupted when the other dipped him low. Eyes wide before he laughs. Cassius hoped they can be best friends for a long time. He wasn't concentrating for a second and stepped on Talons foot. '' Sorry ! " He blushes out of embarrassment.

Talon & Icarus | Ren

Talon beams as Cass laughs, eyes bright and fond, before pulling him back up, but just laughs softly when Cass steps on his foot. "Hey, don't worry, it's okay," he soothes, opting to just sway gently with him for a moment. "Big boots, remember? Hardly even felt it."

Cassius ''Cass''| Luca || Yumi

He giggles. "I forgot about your boots for a second." The swaying makes him smile even more. Then he blushes. "Hey Talon, thanks for asking me to the Yule ball a-and thanks for being my best friend." He said softly with fondness in his eyes.

Talon & Icarus | Ren

Talon's playful expression softens as Cass speaks into something warm and affectionate, and he gives Cass a gentle squeeze. "Hey, of course," he says softly. "Thank you for saying yes." He laughs softly, tucking one of Cass' stray curls back from his forehead almost absentmindedly. "And, y'know, I'm glad you're my best friend. Nothing beats a best friend who brings you the best homemade cookies, after all," he grins. "But, honestly. You're the best. I couldn't ask for anyone better."

Cassius ''Cass''| Luca || Yumi

Cassius's cheeks were a bright red at this point. Instead of dancing, the boy just hugged his best friend. ''I'll make all the cookies you want!'' He laughs before returning into the dancing position. He really don't know how he deserved this man as his best friend. But it made him really happy.

Talon & Icarus | Ren

Laughter spills out of Talon before he can stop it as Cass pulls him into a hug, and he hugs him tightly back, grinning as Cass promises him all the cookies. "I'm holding you to that," he teases, giving his soft curls a brief ruffle, before he too returns to their previous position, taking a moment to spin Cass in a wide circle. He's having a lot more fun with this than he expected - the dancing, since he already knew he'd have plenty of fun spending time with Cass - and seeing that Cass is enjoying himself too only makes it that much better.

Cassius ''Cass''| Luca || Yumi

The boy couldn’t stop smiling during all of the dancing. Even if he couldn’t dance that well, he was glad he was able to spend it with Talon. It was the most funnest Yule Ball he had till now. Well he didn’t even went to the previous ones but oh well, doesn’t matter now! Cassius giggles more when Talon spinned him around. “You are really good at this!” He said. He could feel his energy was slowly going down though.

Talon & Icarus | Ren

Talon can’t stop smiling either, glowing with happiness at getting to spend this time with his best friend; and as the music slows to its end, so too does their dance. Sensing that Cass’ energy is dipping - and so is Talon’s, to be fair - Talon pulls Cass into another tight hug.

“Thank you for a great night,” he says. “This was awesome.”