All Welcome Erm... - Printable Version

Somnus

Somnus had awoken that morning to crisp air and frost upon the window glass. Fall had swept into Novus seemingly overnight and settled in the bones of the earth, the world beginning its preparations for the oncoming winter. It would be his first change of season within Novus, but hopefully it would be the first of many more to come.

From his chambers he departed, hooves creating a lazy cadence along the stone floors as he traipsed the hallways of the citadel, wings furled close to hold in body warmth and fight off the lingering morning chill. His pace was slow and leisurely, for he truly had nowhere to be nor any pressing matters to attend to. The golden tactician had half the mind to seek out Ulric and spend the morning lazing about with his dear companion or engaging him in the art of friendly debate, but decided against it. Ulric had become quite busy as of late, and the last thing that Somnus wished to do was divert his friend's attention from something incredibly important.

So, that was how the dunalino found himself in the Dawn Court's impressive library. He felt at home there, amidst the tomes and pages and manuscripts, relishing in the wizened atmosphere. Vast knowledge was housed within these halls, and he wanted nothing more than to memorize every piece of wisdom provided before him.

The silence was music to his ears, undisturbed and non-distracting. He would deftly pull old books from their designated places with great care and reverence, grasping every tome within dark lips as though they were made of delicate glass. From there, he would tuck himself into a corner, flipping each page as intelligent verdant eyes skimmed every line, absorbing every word with quick wit and remarkable efficiency. After completion, Somnus replaced the novel with just as much care as he had removed it with, before moving on to the next, and that was how the strategist spent his morning. Pouring over novels, over documents, over books nearly the size of his head, he focused on nothing else save the words written down on pages.

Noon arrived, but still the dunalino was not bored nor discouraged, bogged down by reading book after glorious book. The only troublesome realization, however, was that the rows were growing higher and in turn, becoming more and more troublesome to read. There, Somnus stood, tail flicking in irritation as a thick tome lay just out of reach, hanging above his head like a savory treat and he, a starving, insatiable knave.

Oh, certainly, he had wings, but the simple thought of attempting to take flight within such an enclosed, precious space was positively asinine. What if he knocked the books from the shelves, sending them into disarray? Truly, he wanted to read them, to know what secrets were tucked amidst countless pages, but Somnus was not a creature who would abuse inanimate objects for his own satisfaction. So, instead, he stood there, indignant and thoughtful. How could he possibly hope to reach it...?

Verdant eyes narrowed, focusing entirely on the dusty tome just overhead. He focused, brows furrowing, lips taut in a deep, disdainful frown. How in blazes did the other members of the Court reach?!

Abruptly, there was a shift. So focused as he was, focused on the red-spined tome still so far out of reach, Somnus was unaware of the changes, of the subtle thrum of something in the air. In one moment, the innocent book remained situated between its parchment companions, and in the next, it twitched, unceremoniously yanking itself free and shooting across the room as though thrown.

There was a clatter of hooves as the dunalino practically jumped in surprise, in wonder, as the book soared through the air and landed with a muffled smack! against the rump of none other than the Dawn King himself, Kasil. For a moment all Somnus could do was stare, mouth partially agape, emerald eyes wide as saucers in surprise. "Ah! Erm..." Truthfully, he hadn't even been aware that his King was in his presence, so focused on his reading as he was. Normally so swift of tongue, the tactician found he was at a loss of what to say. "Apologies, Majesty. I... Was quite unaware that the books within these halls could fly."