you don't own me, i'm not one of your many toys
you don't own me, don't say i can't go with other boys
The little fae felt herself humming with energy.
Good, bad, in between. She wasn't sure. But when the summons had come, she also knew she couldn't ignore it. Would this be because of her words at that meeting? Perhaps this was a reaction to Caelum's digging for answers. Was it obvious the upbringing she had? Should she have dumbed down her questions? Was Israfel about to threaten her to keep her from challenging her, herself? Surely not, anyone you asked would state Caelum was a medic, not a leader. A healer, not a queen . . .
Ironically, they were both right or wrong.
The fae queen shifted as she looked around her bedroom in the back of the tea-shop. Her gaze reflected in the mirror she'd willingly paid a pretty penny for - vanity had always been important to the fae, and she was no exception when in private. She stared herself down, stood herself taller and took a deep breath. She was Caelum . . . No, she was more than that. She was Caelum Bella Knoxx, last surviving member of the Royal House of Knoxx, ruling family of the Florumian Court of Fae. The Light of Summer, the Blessed Flower of Primulan City. Her Majesty, the reigning Queen of the Florumian Court Fae. Damn it, she wasn't going to be scared! She wasn't going to be nervous. She would meet this summons with the grace of a reigning queen meeting the sovereign of another land.
Israfel just wouldn't be aware of her standing.
Unless Lu had told her. No, Luverna was her friend, her best friend. Her salvation and safety net in this land. She had to pray Lu would also continue to keep her identity a secret, just as she kept quiet of Lu's past, where Lu came from. Besides, Lu might be crushing on the new queen, but; at least where Caelum was aware; that was the extent of that . . . maybe if this meeting goes well, she can play a little matchmaker there, herself. Either way, she just hoped this meeting would be a smooth one.
Smoother than her current heartrate at least.
And so the fae took to the air, a trail of faerie dust left in her wake, as she flew out of her home, unintentionally healing the small bits of damage to the hardwood floors as her magic acted on its own. She continued out the door, and through the land to where the Night Court's Sovereign would be found. Hopefully Isra would understand she was travelling from the Lake, not the markets, or directly in the center of the court like many others of Denocte.
Caelum liked her privacy.
She landed in the courtyard, before making her way to where the note had told her to have her audience with the queen. She approached with her head held high, once more traveling by flight, rather than walking, partially to keep any flowers from blooming where she walked (a trouble now that she'd come into her magic, her proper fae-hood), but also for the comfort it provided her to be in the air, "Queen Israfel, Sovereign of Denocte." She greeted formally, allowing herself a slight bow, even if her own upbringing refused to let herself bow too deeply to the new ruler of Denocte, "You sent me a summons, I apologize for my tardiness, it's still a distance to cover between Vitreus Lake, and the Court proper. Might I enquire what this summons is about?" The runaway queen asked, ears flicking, expression calm, neutral, the face she'd learned to wear long ago within a court setting, the one that kept her emotions and feelings hidden.
She just could shake those lessons.
"Speech" Thoughts
@Israfel Notes: hehehe here ya go :) Figured they could have a chit chat proper. I did NOT include any knowledge that she might be aware of Lu and Isra courting, she is only aware enough to know that Isra is the mare that caught Lu's attention, and that based on Isra's pause on Lu, suspects the attention may be returned.
and don't tell me what to do, and don't tell me what to say
and please when I go out with you, don't put me on display
With the changing of power came a lot of unrest among the courts people, though Kamdrick was fairly confident in how she assessed others and their new Sovereign seemed to have no clear edge of deceit. This, combined with the voices of support she hears for the most part made that she was sure the silent whispers of doubt would soon disappear. Time would only tell, of course. It would not be the first time even she miscalculated something.
Kamdrick had been enjoying a small walk through the court to familiarize herself with the way of the land before another summoning came - only this one was different. 'She wishes to speak to me?' Thoughts ran rampant through her head before she put a stop on it, calming herself down with a deep breath. She was a Soldier, of course the Queen would like to have a word with her.
With these thoughts she had made the small trek, nodding at the guards as she stepped closer to the more than impressive fiery woman.
everybody in the world are you with me?
it's too late to try to run, we run the city
it's my time, it's your time
The mare stared out into the sea, ignoring the silence of dusk settling around her. The wind wafted around her, causing her bound up mane and tail to float slightly, but her eyes were hard, cold, uncaring, unseeing. Ears twitched, before her muzzle unhinged, fangs glinting in her muzzle, razor-sharp as a predator's should be. A shriek, a call, reptilian, fear-invoking, tore through her vocal cords, a sound last heard millions of years ago, when creatures the size of small mountains traveled the land, reptiles of vast sizes. Her ears pitched forward, desperate for a call, desperate for a response from Duellum. But, there was nothing. Silence. Still. No, scatter of claw on rock as he attended to her side. No familiar feel of his own canines nipping at her flesh in play, offering to mock fight with her to let her loosen the stress, the tension.
She was truly alone wasn't she? Fuck. When had this happened, why had this happened. It hardly seemed fair. Trapped in a world she was not used to. The trees to small, the ferns non-existent. The air to dry. Nothing was familiar here. There were no sounds of her people. No dinosaurs to cross the path with. Nothing. Nothing but these weak, frail-minded horses that seemed to be so peaceful. Bah, don't they know what peaceful got you. Dead. It got you dead when something bigger, more dangerous fucking showed up with a red-tinted gaze of blood lust and hunger. Pangaea wouldn't sink to that level. She knew better. She knew what awaited those who hid behind peace and laziness. Death. Fucking Death. And she wasn't doing it. She had battled all odds to get to this point. She'd been the sole survivor of her clutch. She'd survived her pack being massacred. She'd slammed Duellum back into his body when she almost lost him too. Grasped his soul and refused to let him leave, to let him escape. Sure, he might not be alive in the same sense, but it was damn close enough.
And he had kept her from being alone. Funny how that shit's all kinds of fucked up now. This place made her feel more alone than ever. Her ears pinned back, the feeling of metal in her ears as soothing as the heavy, cold metal around her neck, the bangles in her mane and tail that kept the unruly curls pinned down. The saurian-horse turned from the water, walking along the edge of the beach, hooves dainty, her hind claws curling so they wouldn't catch and leave drag marks in the sand. Did she look a frightful mess to anyone who saw her? Scales, and claws? Fangs, and slitted eyes. Wings that mirror a bat more than a bird (and a pteranodon more than a bat at that). Would the ones in this world be afraid of her?
A cold sneer twisted across her face. They had better. She didn't have time to deal with them. No point really. She'd learned the hard way, packs only lead to heartbreak, and while this world might not be so cutthroat . . . well, she was a different sort anyways . . . Who would really wanna break bread (or steak, if she had her choice) with a creature like her? Yeah, it was easier to be alone. She wouldn't be alone for long anyways. She'd find Duellum, he was all she really needed anyways.
held me down, now it's don't-give-a-fuck time
"Speech" Thoughts
@Faction Notes: Figured I'd also set this as an all welcome, incase anyone wants to brave dealing with Faction AND Pangaea in the same thread.
it's go time, it's show time
sing it with me everybody, let's go
i sense there's something in the wind
that feels like tragedy's at hand
and though i'd like to stand by him
can't shake this feeling that I have
the worst is just around the bend
She was in a state of confusion.
Her heart hadn't slowed, her mind hadn't calmed. If anything, now that they had gone separate ways again, her mind was all the worst. So, she went searching for someone to talk to - and her decision, of all places, led her in front of the one-room house in town. She was certain she could hear the two inside, so the mare didn't bother, didn't hesitate, she strolled right in, a trail of frost left in her wake with each step, climbing like latticework up her limbs, fractal patterns against her pelt. She nodded briefly to the twins, before she collapsed in a weary mess of an emotionally drained mare. "I think I'm in trouble . . . . romantically . . . I mean."
Her words were casual despite the turmoil that her heart was in.
Her ears flicked, her eyes, both sets; turning towards the twins, "What do you do when your best friend suddenly declares he's in love with you?!" She asked with a huff of worry, staring up at the boys from wide, worried expression, "I mean, we've been friends for two years. Best friends, for two years. And now, all of a sudden, he's in LOVE WITH ME?"
She flopped, her head on one limb, her tail flat on the ground, like a beached whale, as her vapors rolled down her sides.
"I don't know what to do, what to think. I don't even know what I'm supposed to feel." She huffed, before pausing, flushing, "Oh, sorry, I kinda just laid that all out, huh. Uh, Hi guys, how are you?' The hydrokinetic battlemage asked sheepishly, before flopping her head back to her legs with a heavy sigh. This was so outside of her element!
"Bel" Yukime
@Ard @Erd Notes:: There you go, she flopped in for assistance. Literally. Beached whale in the middle of their floor.
Mortal realms had always been a curiosity for her. She had never dared to traverse any of them while she existed in the heavens; after all, she had existed for eons without actively interfering with the souls that prayed to her. It had always been her way, to remain unseen and far out of reach of her worshippers. All Zelda could see was strife once immortals got involved in the realms of the frail, perishable creatures that claimed the celestial beings like herself were deities. She had watched her fellow celestials meddle in the affairs of mortals, sowing chaos and destruction in their wake. Some had good intentions, but the earthly creatures had such a jealous streak.
Besides, her first impression of the mortal world had not been a good one. Because of them, her other half was gone - banished into a temporal existence without knowing who they truly were. Cursed to forever be incomplete without their soulmate.
At first, Zelda held a deep, burning grudge against the mortals she found herself existing among. They were, after all, the source of all her pain and despair. Or at least, that's what Zelda told herself for the first handful of weeks she existed. Weeks? Days? Years? She wasn't quite sure, to be honest. Time was a silly thing to an immortal, and hard to keep track of when one had a singular goal in mind. Zelda knew she had existed, in this physical form, for quite some time. She had existed not as a goddess, but as a regular creature, long enough to figure out the universal language and appropriate customs that all nations seemed to respect. By pretending to be a demure, lost noble lady, she was able to survive while on her hunt in plain sight. When some became suspicious about her agelessness, Zelda simply moved on: vanishing in the night without a trace, lest any suspecting mortal tried to follow. Certain lands stripped her immortality from her at times, much to her alarm and chagrin. Zelda did not linger in those lands for very long.
This land was no different, at first. The blue and purple mare was content to lazily stroll through the whisper golden grass of the vast plains that stretched around her. The last rays of the sun's dying glow proved enough light for Zelda to navigate more treacherous paths while the first stars of the night sky glimmered over her head. She spared a sad smile for them, though grateful for her sisters and brothers' distant companionship. The thin chiffon draped over her frame rustled in the summer's breeze, though the breeze was still quite warm and offered no relief from the lingering heat of the day. Despite the normality around here, there was something that piqued Zelda's interest. Energy emanated from the ground, the trees, the creatures all around her, and the wind carried a taste of magic on its wings. This realm, whatever it may be, possessed magic - perhaps strong enough to reawaken her dormant abilities someday. Though most importantly, it offered perhaps the brightest glimmer of hope. Hope blossomed in her chest, despite her best attempts to not allow her enthusiasm to run wild.
For if there was magic, her other half had to be close.
tagged: n/a notes: ooof I am rusty.
"Zelda's speech!" Zelda's thoughts!
but now you make me wanna live forever
all that runnin', gonna give it up for you
nothing ever get me high like you do
The mare pranced in place as she waited just with in the mouth of the cave.
It was a new day of adventure, excitement, promise . . . . A new day where she could further figure out what this was between her and Sol. Her . . . And Sol. Her hooves paused as she shifted almost nervously at the thought. Her and Sol. It was frightening. Exciting. Unknown. She shook her head, quelling that thought for now. What would it do to focus too hard on that. It would be better, to just focus on the here, the now. And right now they were going on an adventure . . . Like they used to, like before. Nothing had to change. Nothing was different, except for the stowaway of course. No way wasn't Jiri going to come. She'd made sure of that. When she'd sent a message with a water beast earlier.
Crafted carefully from water an ice, the dove had delivered the message.
An invitation for them both - she had bolded the part where Jiri was not to be left behind - to come explore the Abigo Caves with her. And so now she waited, Glowing very faintly in the darkness of the cave, the summer sun outside keeping it too bright to actually be in full glow. On her back, Yuki was napping, her own deep navy glow just noticeable.
She didn't know what they'd find today . . .
But she was excited, she couldn't wait to find out. And as she straightened her shoulders, as she leaned against a wall, her vibrant smile proved that. She didn't care what came of her adventure, as long as they all had fun together.
just breathe through me we'll keep the fires alight
Dawn breaks. Damp dew clings stubbornly, soon to be chased away by the heat of the afternoon sun.
The cascade of colors rise with the sun, piercing the dark streets of the markets and illuminating the world around them, stirring it into wakefulness with the song of birds and gentle murmur of hungover voices. Soon, these silent streets will be bustling with life once more. The hours of silence here were few and far between, as the Night Court seemed to be nothing but a true self-fulfilling prophecy.
The busiest Court in Novus, people had called it. Isra knew well by now that such a statement wasn’t a lie.
The Sun Daughter moved through the streets of the market, stepping nimbly off of the main thoroughfare and giving a polite nod to those she passed by. Best to enjoy the simplicity of taking a stroll in the streets while she could, before everyone knew her. Word would arrive soon enough, be it by rumor or by her own tongue that evening, but Israfel desperately wanted to be the one to tell Luvena the results of what had happened.
Her heart clenched uncertainty within her breast, stuttering and nervous as gilded, cloven hooves guided the new Queen of Denocte towards a humble clinic. The revelation within Veneror still clung to her, stealing her breath, making her muscles quake and tremble with nerves… But it was fine. It would be fine. Wouldn’t it? It had to be.
This.... This affection, this fond adoration, it had been a very, very long time since she had felt it to such a degree. It was poisonous, rotting her veins and cloying her thoughts and made it terribly hard to function. A simple task became that much harder, because inadvertently, the ivory woman’s mind always cast itself back to this clinic, shunting itself back to thinking of its inhabitant and wondering how she was doing, what she was doing, if she needed anything…
Heaving a breath, Israfel rolled her eyes. “You’re a fool, Isra,” she muttered bitterly, contrite and chastising, gritting her teeth firm enough that it nearly hurt, before she relaxed her jaw.
Love.
She was in love. With Luvena.
With Luvena.
… Fucking hell.
Despite her plethora of complicated thoughts on the matter, however, Israfel still found herself standing outside of the wooden clinic door and hesitating. It was the right thing to do, she consoled, letting her thoughts bolster her confidence even though it wavered like a filly taking her first steps, She won’t be mad. She’ll understand.
Right?
Heaving a breath, the Sun Daughter gave a gentle knock upon the clinic door, took a step back, thought about it, and then took a second step away from the door before waiting. She stood at attention, shoulders tense, wings held primly and properly, the joints tired and fatigued from her flight from the Steppe. Was it too early? Would Lu still be sleeping? Should she have brought coffee? Did Luvena even drink coffee? No, no. She was a ‘tea-person’. Abruptly, the Sun Daughter’s expression wrinkled with a grimace. Of course she would fall in love with a ‘tea-person’. Maybe flowers… Fuck, she should have brought flowers. Isra grumbled quietly to herself for a second in disappointment at her lack of foresight. She had even stopped in Eluetheria on her way home, and there had been tons of wildflowers.
Oh well.
Maybe just bringing ‘herself’ would be a suitable enough gift.
Power has been cried by those stronger than me
Straight into the face that tells you to rattle your chains
If you love bein’ free
Night had not yet fallen when the summons rang throughout the city. Already whispers were echoing along the evening breeze, carried along by hushed proclamations from tongues and lips far too loose from equally far too many cups of spiced ale, mead, or whiskey.
’Did you hear? Ira forfeited his challenge.’
A gasp, scandalized. ’No, I didn’t!’
’Aye, didn’t even show, I heard. Gave the throne right up, he did. That new firemage challenged him, I heard.’
A hum, contemplative and curious. ’Does that mean…’
There is talk, of course, of the Night King’s absence prior to his challenge. There is talk of promises made, ambitions set, and a resulting silence that emptied the streets of Denocte like an illness. Fatal, really, if left untreated, and while Isra had never considered herself a medic of any kind, she liked to believe that she had picked up a few things since spending more time with Luvena.
The said woman waited. Funny, she thought briefly, of how much waiting she had been doing lately.
The grand courtyard gradually filled. Israfel stood before an unlit pyre, waiting for them to come, her ivory body aglow from nearby torchlight and the dying embers of the setting sun. Solaris roosted upon her Chosen Child’s croup, glancing around those that gathered, the large, elegant Phoenix unlit for the time being. This was not the first visit Israfel had made before casting out a summons. Her first visit had been a far more personal affair, something more tender, more private, more heartfelt, within the sheltered confines of a small, humble clinic tucked in a quiet alleyway.
This was business. A personal business, of course, but business nonetheless. It tugged at her heart, and she spoke, casting her voice loudly to be heard among all of those present.
These people were no fools. They were smart, keen, and sound, these ‘misfits of Caligo’, as she had heard them called. Denocte had changed hands enough times for them all to be familiar enough with this cycle, endless as it was. Beginnings and ends, which in a way, opened doors to new beginnings.
“Thank you for coming,” she greeted politely, once the general masses had arrived and the hushed, curious, nervous whispers began to die down, “Denocte, Ira has stepped away from his crown. I challenged him, and he failed to defend his throne. To defend you.” Her words were spoken calmly, without ire, without blame or aggression or violence. Such tact was no longer her style, especially for something as tedious as this.
“My name is Israfel.” She paused, glanced about, vermilion eyes flicking across the various faces and resting on Luvena for but a breath longer before focusing up. Politics were never her thing, but Israfel had fallen in love with this Court, with these streets, with this gift of a second chance that she would do what it took to ensure its safety and survival. Would they know that? Would they understand? Or would they condemn her for challenging the right of a stagnant king and a vacant throne? “Some of you know me, some of you do not. Denocte has been quiet lately. Subdued, in a way that has never been our style.”
She grinned, then, cocksure and confident. “I have served Novus for many, many years. I will continue to do so, but for the heart of Denocte. My promise is to defend our home, this place we love, this place that offered all of us second chances. They call us the ‘court of misfits’,” the Sun Daughter paused, shrugged a slender, powerful shoulder, and chuckled. “Maybe they’re right. But this is our home, and we cannot allow this quiet, stagnant cancer to swallow our streets and quiet our songs any longer.”
Israfel paused, glanced about, and continued. “I’m sure a lot of you have questions, and I’ll answer them in what way I can… But I can’t shelter, guide, or revive the glory of Denocte without all of you. For too long, Night Court’s ranks have sat empty and barren. Should you consider yourself capable, worthy, or simply curious, speak up. Let your neighbors hear your voices.”
Solaris moved then, shifting, wings spreading before sweeping down in a powerful arc that lifted her into the air to move from Israfel’s croup to the ridge of the unlit pyre.
"Speaking."
Israfel has called a meeting for Night Court. Welcome even to those not in Night!
you don’t want me to hurt you
you don't want me to bite you
A letter is delivered to Solterra on the dawn of a new day, the first of a new era.
Roosting upon the back of an empty throne, a large, imposing Phoenix -unlit, for now- waits with a letter clutched between sharp talons, keen lavender eyes piercing through anyone who dares try and wander too close.
She does not belong there. There are no records of any Phoenix living within Solterra and had not been any records for many, many years.
’What is this?’ A chamberlain asks, fearful of the implications of an ancient bird of lore looming upon the back of the King’s throne. ’Go on, shoo!’ Was it a curse? A warning?
Yet the Phoenix does not move. She sits, roosting, waiting, her head tilting and turning to those who pass by, who try and make her move, and fail every single time. Any who grow too bold are quickly chased away by the harsh kiss of a flame. The talons, long and dangerous, scratch the surface of the noble seat, where attendants will later fret over its scuffed state.
It is only when the King of Solterra arrives, a King so recently crowned, that the Phoenix drops the letter. It falls slowly onto the plush cushions of the throne, and her eyes, so intelligent, so dangerous, so knowing, pierce through the King and wills him to read what has been given.
The letter is marked with a blood-red wax seal, stamped with the imprint of a rising Phoenix atop a quarter-moon.
There is no address, no flowery greeting spilling nonsensical words meant of humbling, placating, and honoring. Some might be horrified that a letter meant for royalty would not even care to address them. The Phoenix, however, understands, and expects no less from her Chosen Child-turned-Queen.
“Congratulations on your recent ascension.
We’ve never met, but word carries quickly, especially on tongues who hold such little regard for your precious desert. I hope Solaris does not burn your kingdom down during her stay, but I can’t really be held accountable for her actions. She should behave… But then again, it isn’t her fires you need to fear.
There has been bad blood between our lands for some time. I do not know what you intend with your new seat of power or that shiny new crown upon your head, but know this; one wrong move against Denocte and its people and I will burn your kingdom to the ground. I will burn down everything you love, everything you hold dear, everything you have, and even everything you hate. I will destroy you until there is absolutely nothing left of you, and the desert beasts will pick your bones clean.
I am not afraid of you. My kingdom is not afraid of you. We will not bow to you.
Keep that in mind.
That said, I hope you do great things for a land that has been otherwise neglected and abused, time and time again. Solterra knows well the taste of violence, manipulation, deceit, and war… For your own sake, I hope you don’t plan to follow in the steps of your tyrannical predecessors.
Solaris will await your response before leaving.
Good luck,
Israfel Azardokht
A Queen of Denocte”
Still seated comfortably upon the back of the proud throne, the Phoenix, Solaris, waits.
This flaming guardian could be your worst nightmare...
Time never seemed to be on his side. The stallion snorted as he looked at the dawning light and then back to the filly that he adored with his whole heart. Nudging her gently, he woke his daughter and had her get atop his back. Soon enough, she would be too large for that, but for now it was the easiest way to travel long distances. Stepping out of his house, he stretched his multiple wings and felt the muscles as they splayed under his rich pelt. The sky seemed to call to the stallion, the radiation from the sun dancing in his veins.
It was harder to lift into the sky with the added weight on his back, but he found that he cherished the knowledge that he had her safe with him. Without thought, his wings angled so that he was soaring towards the Dusk court. Toward his dearest friend.
The stallion was not ready to brave the swamp again, landing instead in the fields and hoping that she would be there. He tucked his wings with methodical precision, revealing the foal that had fallen back to sleep on his broad back. Moving as fluidly as he could, he paced around the fields. His golden eyes were seeking the familiar form, his heart dropping as he didn’t see her.
"I am sorry Bel… I didn’t mean to hurt you." He murmured, hoping in his heart that she wasn’t truly wounded and merely just angry. It would be work to try to find her and he had no idea where to start.
