Letting his eyes grow heavy, he began slumping where he stood, and then snored. He startled. "Oh my apologies." He feigned repentance and sheathed the sword, back where it had been previously and strolled off the the side. "I'm more worried of the fact that you'll be my age by the time you learn anything." He looked back toward the boy. "If you didn't get that I'm calling you slow." He said, completely serious.

"However I don't think being a slave is correct payment considering just how much I would have to teach you." He provoked blatantly, the kid looked lackluster. All talk no bite.

Xae rolled his eyes, much like the grouchy teenager he was. "You're very funny, aren't you?" He mused sarcastically, grinning as he walked off a little. "No, really?" He asked, feigning shock with wide eyes and a dramatic gasp. "I would never have guessed." He continued, stretching his arms up above his head. "I can promise you, I'm a very fast learner. Consider me an apprentice." He offered, stifling a snicker at the meek provocation. "Well then, name your terms. Surely there's something a lonely old son of a bitch would want. If it's money, I have that- I just didn't think you would be interested in something so material." He shrugged, rolling his shoulders. "I can take care of your farm for you." He said, nodding toward the hollow tree. "I'm fit, able, and I know my way around livestock."

The man bit his tongue, something about promises really sucking but he didn't want to share. The kid didn't really know a lot about him. "It's been at least a decade and a half, kid. What makes you think I still know anything?" He didn't want anything either. Content exactly where he was.

Though he did like the sound of help with the animals, he didn't like this boy. He was rather annoying and way more enthusiastic than he had patience for. "Words mean nothing. I don't see any potential. You're a little mehh." He stated bluntly.

Xae simply chuckled softly at his first words. "Things like that don't leave the mind." He answered flatly, stretching out again. "Sure, you do. I have the capacity for magic, and if you can't see that, I'm afraid you're more senile than I'd wagered." He offered, reaching a hand out directly in front of him. A thick, somewhat thorned vine burst from the ground and curled around the man's ankle. "It's in my blood. I think you're just too afraid you won't be able to manage me." He shrugged, lowering his hand and crossing his arms. "Now cut the chit-chat for Dunne's sake. What do you want me to do for you to show that I'm worthwhile?" He sighed, tilting his head at the man in front of him.

Pierce looked down at his ankle, wiggling it slightly. The vine didn't budge. His armed crossed, unconcerned. The kid talked a lot. "I'm sure a lot of stuff is in your blood." He murmured, his head tilting gently.

"Well, personally I'd like to know why Katya let you back here." He stalked toward Xae, unhindered by the vine that untangled and shrunk as soon as he put pressure on the plant. "And a little bit about how you found me." He commanded.

"Lots indeed." Xae grinned, watching the older man approach. He waved a hand dismissively at the question about who he assumed the Wyvern was. "The pretty little wyvern up the road? She has a taste for frothy mead. She was very sweet." He shrugged, inspecting his nails. "I tracked you. Your last know location, then the area around it. It took a little more than a month, but most of that was traveling. You'd be amazed at how many drunkards are willing to give up any information.

A hand shot out, asking for pause even after he spoke. "You gave my dragon mead?" He asked accusingly, he wasn't surprised about the drunks, mostly that they were still alive considering its been a while since he'd been in a tavern.

He glared at the boy, his jaw lightly clenched. He stared silently for a moment. "Unless you've got a good threat, get off my land." He growled, a small accent sounding out as his voice raised. Then he started to walk away.

"No. I gave your wyvern mead. While similiar, both animals are subtly different." Xaeden corrected sweetly, grinning at the old man. He blew out a sigh as the man began to walk off. "Fine. I really didn't wanna have to pull this card, but so be it. Train me, or suddenly, somehow, everyone will know exactly where you went. I'm sure your many adoring fans would swarm your doorstep within a few days. Less, maybe." He challenged, eyes narrowed and brow set.

Pierce clenched his fists and continued to stroll toward the forests. He hesitated slightly. He was very sure and he had been that people would hate him if he showed his face. He didn't feel like a hero and he didn't want to be one anymore. He continued lumbering.

"I don't hear you following me Rookie." He growled, walking into an empty forest.

Xae watched the man in front of him stroll off with narrowed eyes, about to guffaw and go back to pestering him when he spoke. He raised his eyebrows and jogged after the older man. "Really? It was that easy? I was expecting at least 5 more minutes of arguing." He grinned, following along like a happy puppy.