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@Somnus @ipomoea
Private - to say what others cannot utter
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@Somnus @ipomoea  As they were interrupted, the Dawn King’s verdant eyes, sharp and piercing, locked upon the cloaked guard that stood at attention. The guard did not waste time with formalities, for which Somnus was grateful, and instead cut straight to the point. ”The caretaker, Pavetta, wishes for an audience.” Pavetta? Somnus’ gaze drifted until they met Ipomoea’s rosy eyes, and he could not help but wonder just what Pavetta might want. The fierce woman had been making quite a name for herself since her arrival in Novus; engaging both members of Delumine and the other nations, unafraid to speak up, to act, to take initiative… She had left a lasting impression on Somnus upon their first meeting all those months ago, and he could still recall the swift transition between desperate, fierce warrior and silver-tongued diplomat. Coming to a decision, Somnus’ head dipped in a nod. Returning to the main hall with his compatriot, emerald cloak swirling about his legs as he took up position, the guard nodded to Pavetta. ”You may enter.” With that, the two guards focused on their tasks in mutual silence and let the striped woman pass undisturbed. When the caretaker in question inevitably arrived, Somnus’ warm smile remained as he stood beside Ipomoea.  IPOMOEA confess my love
W e will do what we can.”What does that even mean? Ipomoea, for the first time in his young life, wanted to scream his frustration out loud. Never before had he felt so helpless, so unsure of where to go—and that was saying something for the young stallion. His life so far had been filled to the brim with uncertainty, but he had always chosen to look at it as one big adventure. This however, did not feel like an adventure. His usual optimism refused to shine, his smile hidden beneath a layer of doubt. His eyebrows furrowed, cerise eyes looking at Somnus with a strange mixture of insecurity and dependence. A pause followed, filled with heartbeat after heartbeat. Is this what it felt like to grow old? “We will do what we must,” he agreed reluctantly. He knew not what their next step would be... but he trusted the dunalino, and he trusted in their patron god, despite the outcomes of the meeting. His eyes followed Somnus’, unaware of the slight frown he wore as the guard spoke. He wracked his brain, trying to match the name to a face, struggling to make the puzzle pieces fit. Pavetta... He shook his head slightly at himself. Po was usually so good with names, but his mind felt like such a mess. Perhaps revisiting their topic at a later time would be for the best; give the appaloosa time to collect his own haphazard thoughts. He made sure to twist his lips back into a smile just in time for the striped woman’s entrance. Somnus spoke with such warmness, it was obvious he had met her before; it was reassuring for Po. “Pavetta,” the syllables rolled loosely off of his tongue as he inclined his head respectfully in greeting. “What brings you here today?” Hopefully it was some good news… Ipomoea could use a pick me up. @Ipomoea | "speaks" | notes: text
@Ipomoea @Somnus @Orion An eye for an eye and the world goes blind. It was relieving, to hear that everything was well. Still, Somnus’ verdant depths did not miss the brief moment of hesitation that marred the brindled woman’s confidence, a telling second that less experienced men may not have noticed. His eyes narrowed minutely, watching, careful and curious as to what thoughts were swimming about in Pavetta’s mind. What was this about? Still, he dipped his head in a polite nod at her confirmation, relieved that she truly seemed unharmed and unhindered.
Standing beside Ipomoea, the Dawn King held his tongue and listened to why Pavetta had so suddenly inquired an audience. It was definitely no social call, no friendly bout of banter, but instead something that would completely shift the Dawn Court’s Regime. Somnus’ gaze held considerable weight as he watched the way that Pavetta held herself as she admitted what, exactly, she wanted, and he catalogued and memorized every feature. ’I wish to challenge Orion for the position of Emissary, and seek your permission to do so.’ The dunalino’s eyes slid closed, letting the weight of the words wrap themselves around his shoulders like a heavy mantle. Of course. To be a King was a heavy, cumbersome burden. He adored every soul who lived in his Court, from his fellow equines, the wild animals, and the spirits that danced within the forests. Everything he did, he did for their benefit, to broaden the touch of Oriens’ knowledge and broach the many mysteries in life and engage in understanding. Opening minds, opening opportunities… Somnus would never crush nor stand between the aspirations of one of his own, yet this? This… This was not just a dream. This was a shift. A desire. A chance to prove ones worth. Could he truly say ‘no’? Orion had been promoted rather quickly after arriving within Delumine’s borders. They got along amicably, he would admit, and the dunalino recalled Orion’s odd fondness and infatuation with him since their introduction. Somnus recalled the day of the meeting months back, and how Pavetta had brazenly offered herself as Emissary. He would admit that he had given her quite a bit of thought, but something had stopped him. Maybe it was her own juvenile experience to their homeland? Perhaps it was her age? Inexperience? It was so long ago, yet not… But since then, Pavetta had achieved what Orion had not. It was a sobering, bitter thought that set the typically steadfast and undaunted Sovereign at unease. Had he made the wrong choice? Had he made an error? His perfectionism could hardly stand it, yet this was not the time to question his own shortcomings. Where Orion had remained in the confines of the Dawn Court, daydreaming of his new future and opportunities, Pavetta had come and gone repeatedly, leaving the safety of their borders and seeking out the world. She familiarized herself with the workings of the other Courts, integrating herself into their lives and their cultures, embracing their differences and offering diplomatic relations… She was, quite honestly, already acting as Emissary in Orion’s stead. The realization was a bitter taste on his tongue, and only then did Somnus’ wise emerald eyes slide open and focus upon the brindled woman with a piercing stare. There, Somnus turned his head to regard Ipomoea. He knew his little brother’s dislike for being put on the spot despite his position as Regent, and yet… Somnus valued the appaloosa’s words far more than any amount of Signos. I’m so, so sorry for the wait on this! <3 Somnus has given Pavetta his blessing to challenge Orion for his position as Emissary. IPOMOEA confess my love
A s he stood there listening to first Pavetta and then Somnus have their say, he became uncomfortably aware of the world shifting its stance. How one minute, one sentence, one claim could change the course of not only one life, but of several. How it could change the course of the Court as he knew it, and by extension, all of Novus. Life never did stop turning; it was up to him and every other man and woman to catch up to it. “I wish to challenge Orion for the position of Emissary, and seek your permission to do so.” As if it were only yesterday, Ipomoea remembered when he had become Emissary. He had not had nearly the amount of confidence as Pavetta did, nor had he done anything to prove himself for the position. But Kasil had seen something in him that he had not realized existed; he had taken a chance, and months down the road had declared his hunch to be correct. Perhaps Po never would know what the ex-King had seen in him; perhaps it was the same thing Somnus had seen, when he had named him his Regent. Perhaps it was something else entirely, something he had yet to truly prove. But if his lasting time in these ranks proved anything at all, it was that Ipomoea was more styled to lead than he had ever imagined. And as he stood here looking at the Caretaker and listening to her plea, he remembered each of his mentors. The blacksmith from Solterra; Grainne from Denocte; Odet, his own Bonded, who’d traveling with him from Terrastella; Kasil and Somnus, his kings. They had all taken a chance on him based on no more than what they saw when they looked upon him. So now, Ipomoea strived to look upon Pavetta with the same wisdom and optimism that his teachers had shown him. ‘She’s young, like me,’ he thought. ‘But also scarred. She has seen more than her years would suggest.’ And she did not look away from them. She stood her ground, her presence commanding attention and respect by example. She was bold, but not arrogant; Her role as a Caretaker, the very one she had begun gaining notoriety for, demanded she put others’ wellbeing before her own. But when that title was replaced, would she still demonstrate the same humanitarianism? Ipomoea had a feeling that she would. And unfounded though his hunch was, knowing little of this mare’s personality or history, he was inclined to trust his gut - the same way his King and the King before him had. ’And she’s here, putting forth her claim… she wants this,’ he realized, with a bit of a start. And in his experience, the people who wanted something most were more likely to receive it… and to do well with it. His cerise eyes turn to Somnus, a quizzical mixture of apprehension and optimism. It was still so strange, being asked for his opinion when he had spent a good deal of his life overlooked. But he would give his opinion nonetheless, and try to be good and wise about it. “I think that if Pavetta wants to prove herself, we should let her.” He turns from Somnus to address the striped mare herself, his eyes full of contemplation, interest - and hope. And when he spoke, his voice was just as honest and sincere as he had always been. "I wish you luck, Pavetta." @Somnus @Pavetta | "speaks" | notes: text |
