[Riconus Xind'ell]

Kella

Riconus gave a small laugh as his creativity in naming things was noted. In all honestly, creativity was far from his forte. "Haha, thank you, I hoped others believed the Sapphire Guard had some sort of ring to its name. Actually, the name stems from where I first developed the Guard's idea, in Syl'rosya's Restwood glade. My estate there is surrounded by a natural wonder called the Sapphire Grove, where the flowers emit a blue mist- so it wasn't really all that creative. I would have encourage you to visit the Sapphire Grove at least once, though."

Her outlook on life was certainly a human one, for under the presumption that immortality would keep him around for a very long time, Riconus always tried to have a distant outlook on what he hoped to achieve. Alas, all never went as planned, so perhaps it was better to simply take life as it came. Another sip finished his glass of wine, and as he commented on Kella's hopes and dreams, so too did he grab the bottle for yet another refilling of his goblet.

"Lady mercenaries, you say? Sounds quite like the interesting idea, although I would stress you be careful in your selection. Choosing a lady like Victoria might be necessary for the Imperial Legions, but choosing her pyschotic character for a private military firm might have disastrous results.

When you see fit to end your military career, I would urge you to see me again, then. The mercenaries and the noble house will already be provided for you- all you'll need to choose is your team."

The two were close enough to the shoreline that an aggressive enough tide came straight up to their feet. Riconus took note of it everytime, happy to see that the water was warming up underneath the summer suns. He rose from his seat on the beach to soak his feet a bit in the water, while answering Kella's question allthewhile.

"Hmm, I'm not quite sure this is exactly what I believe would become of me when I was younger, and I surely didn't consider the ways I would have to survive if I wanted to succeed. When I was a younger man, I suppose I imagined that I would become a member of the Phalanx Mortale in Syl'rosya, marry young and live as a successor to my father's house.

But I'm glad that's not what has happened. Birth rites, regiments, marriages; all are just things that would bind me against doing what I wanted. You would not agree?"

Riconus bent down to feel the water with his palm, citing a nod upon his approval and moving back to his wine. Despite trying to be a gentlemen whenever he could, those manners were brushed a side for a moment as he polished off his glass of wine in one quick gulp, and upon setting it back down, began to peel back the buttons of his shirt. His down dressing was quickly explained, so as not to confuse Kella.

"The water is quite lovely at this time of brightening, so I believe I'll go for a swim. Perhaps you would care to join me?"

His shirt was peeled off to reveal an atypical military form, well developed and with a few scars below his left pectoral. He pointed them out, almost as a badge of honor to his guest. "Got that scar from the Battle of Centripax, when Audrey De Lylles defeated Julos the Mad for the Imperial Throne. One of Julos' undead warriors got to me before I could hack it down- nasty bastards, those things." While removing his shirt was nothing unorthodox, relieving himself of his slacks was perhaps a little odd at first, for it left the Syl'rosyan as nude as the brightening the Gods entered him into the Material Plane. However, perhaps it could be attributed to patterns in the Imperial Legions where the nude form wasn't all that uncommon, be it in the lavatory, infirmary or gymnasium.

Nevertheless, Riconus seemed anything but shamed or uncomfortable as he entered the water, soaking his entire body underwater once before returning to the surface, and looking to see Kella's decision. "Well then, you coming? There's nothing to be shy about, and the water is perfect."