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[P] Opening the Gates - Printable Version

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Opening the Gates - Somnus - 01-10-2019



No man was ever wise by chance.
The silence was soothing. Comfortable, almost, as though it wrapped about his gilded frame like a heartening mantle or a lover’s embrace. These halls… Archaic tomes lined the walls, rows and rows of books situated upon shelves of natural wood, concealing the largest collection of knowledge and secrets that Novus held. Many overlooked these vast hallways and wooden arches, scoffing at the notion of visiting such an ancient place, thinking it petty, or useless… But Somnus knew. He knew, and he understood.
 
With vast knowledge came vast power, but it was not the power that he sought. Instead? It was understanding. Knowing. Learning. He, a studious-minded fellow from the days of colthood, never found himself too old to read and learn. There was nothing wrong with slipping away for some time into the grand Library, smiling and nodding to the fox-like keepers of the Library. Seeing them made him think of Milo, Regis’ playful young fox kit, and the thought filled his heart with joy.
 
With the pleasant thoughts milling about his head, Somnus ventured to the large, common room. From there, he wove through the hallways towards the specified wing for Delumine’s rich history proper, bypassing bookcase upon bookcase of tomes and scrolls situated as far as the eye could see. The sounds of his hooves scraping against the ground echoed throughout the otherwise silent Library, and Alba, curious Alba, fluttered on ahead.
 
’What are you looking for?’ The question came innocently enough, manifesting itself as Alba’s voice in the back of his brain. The Dawn King’s verdant eyes lifted to focus upon the barn owl’s gliding form just above him, a golden brow arched.
 
“Anything, my dear,” he began, careful not to speak too loud. This was, after all, a Library, and it was common knowledge to always keep your voice down. “One is never too old to learn, and I find that there is still much in regards to Dawn Court’s very own history that I know little of.” That, yes, but Somnus found that he had simply begun to miss the library. He felt at home here, tucked away amidst dusty shelves and olden scrolls filled with words penned in nearly forgotten times. “But if you must know… Anything written by Simon the First. It is his words I hope to find today.”
 
Reaching the wing dedicated to Delumine’s history, Somnus took a few moments to browse the shelves. Eventually he settled on a dusty old tome, pulling it free with a good deal of caution with his telekinetic abilities. For a moment, a single moment, he thought of the time that he had unintentionally flung a book at Kasil, but quickly allowed that thought to fade. Now was not the time to think of ghosts. Instead, he clutched the book close to his chest and retired to one of the reading cushions, settling down with his knees drawn close, and began to flip leisurely through the book.
 
Nearby, Alba settled upon a branch and closed her eyes, content to nap while her bonded divulged in a book.
 

tag: @Sloane



RE: Opening the Gates - Sloane - 02-04-2019


Knowledge had always been something Sloane had valued. There weren’t a good many things that the mare ever really cared about, but surprisingly, knowledge had been one of them. Knowledge led to secrets and secrets could be bought and sold to the highest bidder. In her days of wandering, Sloane had been known to deal in secrets and she had become quite good at it…even if some of her secrets had been collected less than honestly.

You see, before coming to Novus, Sloane’s powers of invisibility had been unchecked. They were powerful and she had wielded them with grace and expertise. How many times had she lay hidden in the shadows for secret lovers to stumble into her trap. She had gathered knows of affairs, of plots to kill the king, and of things has mundane as who took the cookie from the cookie jar. She had been the ghost in the corner, haunting others with her knowledge. People had come to her to pay her to snoop on others, to plant lies, and to exchange a secret for a secret. She had been great once.

But here, she was nothing…a nobody. Here, people didn’t know of her reputation for the buying and selling of secrets. So in her quest to perhaps make a name for herself, Sloane traveled to the library. She was intent to sift through scroll after scroll of history and ancestry trees. She would look through anything to find some type of dirt on someone.

She meanders the halls, trying to find a contender. But as she rounds the corner, her eyes first rest on the owl. She’s seen that owl before. Somnus is here. And just a few steps later, she eyes him settled neatly upon a pile of pillows, his eyes resting on an open book.

She is weary of Somnus. She’s never been one to be ruled by another, so having a “king” was a strange thing. Sloane, not caring whether it might offend him or not, simply thought of him as an equal - it made her feel better about herself. But this was not the time to dwell on her hatred for monarchs. Instead, she needed to at least be tolerant of him today. After all, she needed information. “Can you point me in the direction of a book on ancestral trees?” He didn’t need to know why she needed to know who was related to who. Sloane hoped he would simply point her in the right direction without any unsolicited questions.

@Somnus - OMFG, I’m soooo sorry I forgot about this thread D:






RE: Opening the Gates - Somnus - 02-04-2019



No man was ever wise by chance.
Alba heard her first, her keen hearing picking up on the rhythmic steps of an individual that was far too heavy to belong to one of the Library’s many nimble, quick footed helpers. Beady black eyes opened and peered at the dark colored mare, staring down at her in a critical sort of way. Oh, but Alba remembered this woman; the one who clung to the shadows, who spat conviction and arrogance where it was not needed. Always hiding, this one, as though a snake waiting for the opportune moment to strike… But where Alba distrusted her and her intentions, Somnus seemed to not share her sentiment. Foolish mistake. Lucky for her bonded that Alba’s diet consisted of snakes.

’… The shadow-woman is here,’ Alba muttered through the mental connection that she shared with Somnus, knowing that the stallion heard when a golden ear flicked in her direction. For dramatic flair, the barn owl twisted her head around to focus on Sloane once more and popped her beak a number of times at the dark mare simply because she could.

Lost in his book as he was, thoroughly enjoying the recorded accounts of Simon the First and how he unified Delumine beneath Oriens’ banner, Somnus paused in his reading when Alba’s voice filled his mind. An ear flicked in her direction, and verdant eyes quickly darted away from the written scrolls to watch Sloane approach almost reluctantly from the corner of his eye.

Quite honestly, the woman was an enigma. Somnus did not claim to know her nor know the background from which she came, but her aloof persona was somewhat concerning. While not a paranoid man, well, not before his brother’s cursed arrival, the dunalino was not stupid. He was cautious and careful but not a distrustful as Alba, who downright did not believe Sloane was worth her weight in salt. Then again, Alba was a rather opinionated barn owl who was grumpy without her afternoon naps.

Regardless, back to the matter more pressing. Marking his place within the written text, Somnus lifted his head and offered Sloane a sincere, warm smile. “Ah, Sloane. How good it is to see you.” From there, he listened with an arched brow and a tilted ear. Interesting. Ancestral trees? Giving it some thought, he frowned, mulling it over before turning his head to focus on the other branching hallways that lead to the other wings of the library. “Are you searching for ancestral trees of Delumine? Or perhaps of another Court? I could assist in your search if you are looking for something in particular.”


tag: @Sloane



RE: Opening the Gates - Sloane - 02-08-2019


Sloane didn’t trust the owl. She had seen the way the bird studied her, as if she might know more than she let on. It was a shame that Somnus’ bonded only spoke with himself. Because, Sloane would be highly interested in what went on in that pretty little head of hers. The thought of just how many secrets she was privy to made her lips curl into a grin. She could give her so much information and yet…Somnus would never share his owl’s secrets. Unfortunately really. Ignoring the way the owl popped her beak at Sloane, she kept her attention on the golden stallion. It was he that could help her with her agenda for today, not his owl.

Her attention turns to Somnus, watching as he reacts to her approaching form. And when she asks him about the books she’s looking for, she can almost see the way the wheels are turning. He’s curious, even if he doesn’t admit to such a curiosity just yet. He returns her rather abrupt greeting, giving her something far more friendly and pleasurable than she had given him. Niceties were not her specialty. Whereas he was friendly and conversational, she was abrupt and on a mission.

Finally he seems to understand what she’s asking of him and he is lost in thought for a moment. Sloane uses this quiet moment to look around her, to study the name of the book directly in her eyesight. She waits patiently, which is saying something, for him to figure out if he could help her or not. And when she speaks, she cannot help the coy grin that spreads across her lips. “All of them.” If the people here would not give her secrets to buy and sell, then she would find her own secrets. Some might call her intentions blackmail, but she liked to think of them as opportunities to jumpstart her business.

She steps closer to Somnus, keeping one eye on the owl. She didn’t trust the bird. She was always looking at her with such judgmental eyes. Perhaps she should be judging her. After all, there was a lot of things about Sloane worth judging. “We can start with Delumine, if that’s easier for you to locate.” She wanted to study them all. Surely there was a bastard here and there, a murdered family, or some other sort of goodie just waiting for her to uncover it.

@Somnus






RE: Opening the Gates - Somnus - 02-18-2019



No man was ever wise by chance.
’All of them.’

Well, what a positively enigmatic answer to someone who never showed interest in such things before. Somnus arched a brow but did not pull the smile from his lips, remaining steadfast and polite. Sloane had always been a bit mysterious and off-putting, but he had never had a reason to outright distrust her, even though she tended to lurk in the shadows, remaining lucrative in her dealings and intentions. Acclimated to the inner workings of court-life as he was, however, the dark woman’s actions and attitude were nothing new.

He had dealt with far worse when he had been two years old and new to Vhallen. He learned well how to read the silent words emitted by others; body language was exactly that, a language, and he was very literate in each tell-tale sign. Sloane was letting off far more than she realized, with her crooked grin and the occasional glances at Alba.

“Interesting.” The statement was said with that same cordial tone, but the look in his eyes shifted into something far more knowing and he did not even bother to attempt to conceal it. Keeping that little grin fashioned on dark lips, the dunalino took a moment to stretch out his spine, satisfied at the cracks and pops that emanated, and then straightened with a shift of wings. “I can assure you that it’s no trouble at all. I know this place quite intimately. Come along, please.”

There was a brief glance upwards from verdant eyes and he smiled up to where his bonded had perched. Keep an eye on her, my dear, if you would be so kind. Quick and to the point, and the satisfaction that radiated from the barn owl was immense. Her answer was immediate.

’Oh, I will.’

In a graceful swoop, Alba spread out her wings and glided down from her afternoon roost in the low branch of the vegetative canopy to perch instead upon Somnus’ croup. Her beady black eyes remained fixated on Sloane, determined to miss no detail. As they left the studying quarters, Somnus attempted to strike up a bit of amicable conversation, emerald eyes darting Sloane’s way as he began to guide her through the familiar twists and turns of the library and towards the wing dedicated to Delumine’s most richest tomes and scrolls.

“My apologies for being so busy as of late to not give you the warmest welcome into Delumine, but your acts within the Dawn Court have gone noticed, I can assure you. I hope that you have found some semblance of a home here. It is a pity that it has taken up until this point for us to have a true conversation, wouldn’t you say?”


tag: @Sloane



RE: Opening the Gates - Sloane - 02-18-2019


She looks at him curiously, when all that leaves his lips were “interesting”. He didn’t need to know the specifics, but she was not dumb enough to think he didn’t want to. Truthfully, she would be a little hesitant and cautious too if someone asked her for information on something that seemed to small and strange. He knew her well enough to know that it wasn’t nighttime reading that she was looking for. But that still didn’t mean he needed to know why she was looking for the information she was.

She watched him try to stretch, his eyes on her questioning and telling. But she did not let it phase her. He could question her intentions all he wanted. But as of yet, she had done nothing to cause him to think she meant Dawn Court any harm. However, he should be happy to note that she had no immediate plans to shake up the court. She was simply okay with living on her own little private island and watching the squirrels on the next island over, burn it all to hell.

He finally offers to show her the scrolls and books that she’s searching for and she nods her head slowly. Admitting that she needs help has always been difficult, the mare prideful and independent. But she sucks it up if only for a moment and follows him. Perhaps this would stop him and his bird from being so distrusting.

She watches as the bird swoops down over her, landing on the rump of Somnus and watching her with those strange beady eyes. Owls had always given her the creeps, so his bonded was no different. As they walked, Sloane could not help the words that were spoken beneath her breath, but perhaps loud enough for Somnus to hear. “You don’t need a body guard today.” Tomorrow, maybe, but not today. The fact that the owl was just there staring at her made her uneasy, but she did not show it. However, just as the owl watched her, she stared right back.

It is Somnus’ words that catch her attention. Although she does not look at him, her eyes resting on the owl, her ears flick forward to take in his words. “You speak as if my acts should have gone unnoticed.” While she could be stealthy when she wanted to be, when she made herself known, she didn’t exactly go about doing things quietly or the easy way by the standards of others.

But, he has a point. She had been in Dawn court since the time of the squirrels and she cannot think of a single time when she found conversation with any of them. If they didn’t want to try to get on her good side, then it would be their loss later. Sloane was not one to run after another. Either they were on her side, or they were an enemy. “It seems as though many have been preoccupied.” Preoccupied being an understatement. But, it was no loss to her. “The little island off the coast has suited me well enough.” She liked the quiet. The hustle and bustle of court life was simply not for her.

@Somnus






RE: Opening the Gates - Somnus - 02-19-2019



No man was ever wise by chance.
Once more, Somnus arched a brow, tossing the close-lipped mare a curious glance. Then, abruptly, his expression shifted into something far more amicable, a warm, humored grin pulling taut across dark lips. That knowing glisten remained rooted within keen verdant eyes, but his posture loosened, the natural cadence of his stride returning to his limbs.

“Not at all, Sloane. I believe you misunderstand my intent.” Turning his head, the Dawn King continued to lead the way, nodding towards every library assistant that they passed. Some of the petite creatures would pause and watch them with wide eyes as they passed, but for the most part they seemed intent on tending to their duties of maintaining the library itself. “I merely implied that your acts within Delumine thus far have been commendable. Assisting with the fires as you have, as well as engaging the little rascals responsible… My apologies, if that came off as a slight. It was never my intent.” Even with his words, that smile still remained. Entertained, almost, as though humored with her affront.

Then, another nod from the dunalino, but this time in acquiescence to her words in regards to her living arrangement. “That’s good to hear.” And it was.

Together the two equines wound their way through the vast annex of the library before veering off towards the historical wing of Delumine proper. They arrived, and the room widened into a proper chamber, the natural-built shelving housing the many ancient scrolls, documents, and rare tomes collected over the years since Novus’ creation. The various nooks and crannies were illuminated by the floating spheres, granting them plenty of light to properly peruse by. Somnus stepped inside the room with grace, letting his eyes roam the familiar pieces that he had previously read and the many more that he longed to explore. It would be a long time until he could read them all, but oh, how he would try.

Twisting his neck, he glanced over his shoulder to where Sloane was standing. ”Here we are. You said familial histories, correct? I’m afraid that I’ve seen very little in regards to the family histories of Delumine. The Dawn Court’s founder, Simon, did not have children other than the disciples that followed him and Oriens’ teachings. Perhaps you will find more in the later generations.” There had been strife in Kasil’s family, but where they had all gone or what they had done was lost on him. That had been far, far before Somnus’ ascension.


tag: @Sloane



RE: Opening the Gates - Sloane - 02-24-2019


She follows behind Somnus rather quietly, her eyes resting on the barn owl. If she was going to enter in a stare down with Sloane, she needed to realize that Sloane could win every time. At least this wasn’t a true staring contest. Owls had this strange ability to keep their eyes open far longer than necessary without blinking. It was disgusting if you asked her.

It was only Somnus’ words that caught her attention. She was quiet as he explained his true intentions. Perhaps she was so used to people not appreciating her in the least bit that she just assumed Somnus had a problem with how she conducted herself. But she supposed stranger things had happened. “No one has ever paid me compliments. They feel foreign.” In fact, she wasn’t sure she knew what to do with a compliment. Some days, she just wished people gave her insults. Insults she knew how to handle. She’d return them with quick sarcastic whips. But compliments? How the fuck was she supposed to respond?

Instead, she simply followed him in silence until they came to the small room where she supposed the information she was looking for was housed. Her eyes ran over the scrolls and books, and for a brief moment she wondered where she ought to start. But it was Somnus’ words that caught her attention. He spoke of the founder having no children. She scoffed. “That you know of. Bastards are everywhere.” She was a bastard, not that it really mattered. A bastard and an exile. But again, none of that mattered.

She eased alongside Somnus until she was looking up at the shelves that stood before them. She perused the book titles, trying to find something that might be of interest to her. And then she found one. Grabbing it by the teeth, she pulled it from the shelf and moved to set it on a stone table in the center of the room. She opened it and began to skim it’s pages, forgetting to tell Somnus ‘thank you’. She didn’t forget, truthfully, she just never thanked anyone for anything.

@Somnus






RE: Opening the Gates - Somnus - 02-25-2019



No man was ever wise by chance.
Somnus’ amused smile remained. While Sloane seemed rough around the edges, as though only capable of thrusting up a defiant, stubborn front, Somnus knew better. She was so much more than she gave herself credit for, and he did not feel threatened by her for even a single degree.

All it took was a single statement, a proclamation of ’bastards are everywhere’, for Somnus to realize just what Sloane might be looking for. Dark deeds across Delumine, secrets she could whisper for power. A self-proclaimed manipulator, perhaps? Funny, for Delumine had nothing to hide, yet it was cautious for someone to try and snatch a way to ruin their own Court.

“Ah, Sloane,” he remarked along the deep rumbles of a chuckle, “Not everyone gives in to temptation, even a monk who vowed abstinence to appease his patron deity. ‘Body and soul’, he had promised to Oriens.” The dunalino’s verdant eyes glanced sidelong to Sloane, that knowing smile still in place. Let her think of it as she wanted. Something told him that no matter what he said, Sloane would create her own facts. “Now, there are also recollections of his clergymen and their respective families, as well as noble houses rising up throughout the years, all dating down to His Majesty Kasil, the sovereign before myself. Perhaps you’ll find something that tickles your fancy.”

Somnus wondered, briefly, what Kasil would have thought of Sloane. Distrust, probably, given her self-proclaimed cunning and secretive nature. Kasil had been far more a paranoid man than Somnus was, and rightly so. Their years of kingship were vastly different. It still hurt to think of the bay stallion, and so just as quickly as the thought arrived, he willed it away.

When Sloane stepped up to his side, scanned the scrolls and tomes, only to snatch one with her teeth and retire to one of the tables to read, Somnus allowed her to go. He glanced back towards the shelves, hummed a little under his breath, and then turned on his haunches to step towards the exit. No word of gratitude was needed. Sloane was nothing if not predictable.

“Do enjoy your reading, my dear. I hope you find what you are looking for. Good day.” With a momentary glance and a grin in her direction, the Dawn King ambled out of the room with a flick of the tail. Alba remained perched upon her bond-mate’s croup, watching Sloane until the point where the woman was out of her view. Only then did the barn owl turn about face, head tilting.

’Do you expect treason?’ Somnus’ smile slipped away at Alba’s inquiry, a golden ear tilting back in her direction. Together they wandered back down the hallways, the Library helpers scurrying away and doing their best to remain out from under passing feet. It was only when they had left Sloane far, far behind him that Somnus answered.

“What a positively queer question, my dear. I’m afraid I’ve yet to form an answer.” And that was that.

tag: @Sloane


Somnus' exit post.