S O M N U S

"What if I fall?"
"Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?"


Since his recent arrival to Novus, to Delumine and the Dawn Court, Somnus rarely ventured from the mortar hallways of the Court. As a matter of fact, the golden tactician could count upon one feather a time in which he had departed Delumine all together. He found it oddly soothing and satisfyingly productive in a place so unnaturally quiet, learning, memorizing, locking away every stretch of stone, every room, every nook and cranny of the Court into the recesses of his mind, perfecting a mental map so thorough that should the occasion ever arise, he could navigate the twisting halls blindfolded.

Some called him obsessive. Somnus merely liked to say that he had, and quote, 'contingency plans for his contingency plans'. It was simply the way that he was. Thorough. On point. Prepared.

No amount of preparation, of warning, of ill-fated timings could ready the winged stallion for what the day would hold, however. Finally feeling the clawing fingers of self-imposed incarceration wearing down upon his mind, the dunalino gentleman took to the skies in search of a moment to clear his head, rich caramel wings carrying him along the wind with composed, practiced elegance. The rushing Rapax River sped by under hoof, the verdant tops of the Viride Forest arriving soon after, and acute, perceptive eyes scanned the land beneath the trees as he passed overhead like a bird upon the wind.

An obscure mar against the land caught his eye amidst the thinner section of trees, a dark creature, clearly equine in shape, venturing about. A beat overhead, a curious narrowing of emerald eyes, and the tactician tilted his wings just so, whirling back around and spotting two more shapes beneath the canopy of hickory trees. Visitors, perhaps? Members of the Dawn Court of whom Somnus was not yet acquainted with? Both options were very likely, and deciding to take the gentlemanly route and inquire as to their needs or offer his own assistance, the winged male sought out a suitable barren patch of earth for his landing.

Wings spreading, feathers billowed in the breeze and sudden shift as he came in for a landing, hooves elegantly coming into contact with the earth. Amber feathers ruffled and shifted, wings coiling to tuck comfortably against pale flaxen sides, and only then with all four hooves upon the ground did Somnus direct his attention to the individuals he had spotted from above. Intuitive eyes met the first, a particularly robust fellow of a chestnut-bay mix, with proud horns upon his brow and a flask strewn about his neck. A companion trailed in his wake, a sleek, ebony creature that closely resembled a canine, but Somnus was wise enough to know that this creature was not exactly that. He was a stranger, this broad built fellow and smelled nothing like the Dawn Court, but the tactician was a diplomat through and through, and so he offered him a tip of an onyx crown in greeting before emerald eyes sought out the second form.

The second, well... Somnus recognizes him instantly, but his mind is hesitant to believe it. A head of solid ebony save for a kiss of white, eyes of piercing, rich gold, and a strong body of silvery blue roan. Wings were tucked against scarred sides, but one, half ot the left feathered appendage has been crudely wrenched from the rest of his body... But Somnus already knew why. How odd, finding him here. Still, the tactician couldn't help but smile as recognition truly took hold.

It was a reserved sort of smile, a taciturn expression formed from years of strict composition, but crisp verdant eyes positively smoldered with elation, with unfathomable joy. A familiar face, here, in Novus. How incredibly unlikely, but blissfully welcome.

"Ulric," Somnus greeted fondly in his lilting accent, his stance still at attention, formal and eloquent as always, "To find you in Novus... I can scarce believe my eyes." And here, because Somnus was not rude to anyone who did not warrant it, he turned his head towards the robust male and his sleek canine companion, that smile slowly fading into a more professional expression but the joy in his eyes irreplaceable. "Be welcome, good sir. Please, come closer. I am Somnus."

S O M N U S

"What if I fall?"
"Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?"


Just as he recognizes Ulric, does Ulric recognize him. It had been many, many months since they had last seen one another, in a land far away from and quite different than Novus. The Kingdom of Vhallen was nothing more than a fond memory for Somnus now, a modernized land with tall buildings made of ivory mortar and granite, a King whom he respected, served, loved, and a title and job of royal chamberlain to his name, but that was all in the past and would do him no favors to recall now, other than flare a deeply rooted agony within his breast. Instead, he focused on the present, on the 'there and now' and the blissful reunion that was right in front of him.

The tactician's verdant eyes crinkled about the edges with his smile, formal, reserved, and polite, and as Ulric dared to take a step closer and lessen the distance between them, Somnus found himself doing the same, rich amber feathers ruffling in anticipation, the tendons of his neck unconsciously stretching outwards to extend his muzzle for a greeting. The roan warrior spoke, his somewhat lazy drawl striking a chord within the mixed stallion. Gods, even his voice was very much the same, along with his manner of speaking. Indifferent, but heartfelt. Only Ulric could master such unscrupulous ways of communication and still get his point across.

"Settling," he murmured softly, finding no reason to hide his struggles of calling the Dawn Court his home, "I could ask the same of you, my friend. I have made my way here, to the Dawn Court, and it is to them who I now serve." Not Vhallen. Not his King. The ache within his chest pulsed in time with his bleeding heart. Not now. Later. Much later.

From there, Somnus' piercing gaze swept across the grasses and trees to the robust chestnut and his black compatriot. He introduced himself with a practiced eloquence that the golden tactician could immediately respect and relate to, and the winged stallion listened with forward ears and earnest eyes. Rostislav is what he introduced himself as, of the Night Court, and only a flutter of trepidation roused his pulse. He had yet to encounter anyone from the Night Court yet. The black canine perched before him, seated upon her haunches, was dubbed as Damaris, and Somnus filtered that information away into the recesses of his mind, where the information would linger, never to be forgotten.

Then, Rostislav inquiries as to their privacy, to the intimacy of reunions, and Somnus is quick to offer a beguiled chuckle and shake of his head, pale locks of ivory sweeping in the air with the motion. "Ah, no. That shan't be necessary, Rostislav, but thank you for your consideration. Ulric and I go back a few years, hm?" The Sage's eyes wandered once more to the blue roan, admiring him fondly, so, so grateful for his arrival, and the dulcet lilt of his voice continues among them. "But I must admit, I do not wish to squander the opportunity to meet one of the Night Court. A pleasure, Rostislav, and Damaris." Then, because he was a formal creature, poised, regal, and prepared, Somnus dipped his horned head in a bow of acknowledgement and respect.

"I hope that your travels have been well, both of you. Rostislav, may I ask what brings you to the Dawn Court?"

S O M N U S

"What if I fall?"
"Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?"


It seemed that Ulric shared his sentiments in allowing Rostislav and Damaris to remain in their company. It was a good choice, a sound choice, for denying a member of the Night Court to share in their moment may prove to be a poor diplomatic choice. No, Somnus was well rehearsed in maintaining Court relations; it had, after all, been his job in Vhallen, as advisor to the King. There was no denying, however, the fluttering feeling of relief that Ulric also desired some time alone later, to catch up, to discuss the lives that they had lived since splitting ways, and perhaps, learn more about one another than their briefly allotted freedom in Vhallen had provided.

His inquiry, as to why a member of the Night Court had come into Delumine, was so simple that it wrought a warm chuckle from the tactician's maw, sharp emerald eyes glittering as he glanced the robust draft's way. "Indeed." He answered, his tone jovial and light. "Then I am glad that your exploration has brought you on this particular path, if only to join in our company."

Eloquence was an art form, and one that Somnus handled with considerable poise and perfection. As Rostislav began the trek out of the forest, Somnus fell into step with him, ensuring that Ulric was following with a glance over his shoulder before allowing himself to relax. The stallion's wings drooped ever so slightly, releasing pent up tension, feathers brushing against pale flaxen sides, and even rubbing against Ulric's own feathered appendage whenever their gait matched in perfect tandem. Damaris was skulking about, seeming entirely fixated by the sights and smells which surrounded them, and like her traveling companion, the gilded hybrid offered her a cursory once over. Before he could ask another question of his own in regards to the black canine, however, Rostislav asked one of his own, and a golden ear flicked forward at attention.

"Ah, well..." Hmm. It was a simple question, but one that had a myriad, complex answer. At least partially. "I hail from humble beginnings, I'm afraid, but I last resided in the Kingdom of Vhallen. I came to Novus, to Delumine, to settle down once more and put my skills and insight to use. I am not content to simply sit idly, and there is plenty for me to keep myself busy with here." Somnus did not intend to go into much more detail than that. Some of the details were painful, and better left hidden away in such recently made company. Finally, after his answer, Somnus gave in to his insatiable curiosity and with a glance in Damaris' direction, inquired to Rostislav's knowledge.

"... I don't believe that I've ever encountered a creature quite like Damaris in all of my years. Forgive my forwardness, Rostislav, but what is she?" As a man of knowledge, Somnus simply needed to know these things, and he hoped that the Night Court herald would not be offended by his curious audit.