He was leaving Solterra until last - completely ready to soak up the warmth of that desert heat, to feel the scalding sun upon his mahogany skin and face the militaristic Maxence. They'd met before, of course, upon the battlefield where they had sparred as strangers. It was only after they had finished, sweaty and panting with neither victorious, that they had introduced themselves and begun talking. Maxence was a man that stood apart, unafraid and willing to take on the challenge of Solterra and it's court. He had a hefty challenge ahead of him, considering the stubborn and seasoned warriors that filled his desert home. The thought filled Reichenbach with a mischievous amusement, his lips stretched into a wry smile as he entered the realm of Delumine. 

He'd been here before, only once, before Sovereigns had been selected and Novus had once again turned into four fully formed courts. It was stunning, the Dawn Court. Absolutely breathtaking and surreal, filled to the brim with colour. Where Denocte had a silent, eternal beauty, Delumine shone with colour and light, the sound of birdsong filling the air, the scent of dew hanging just out of reach. Reich adored it instantly, pledging to return if his meeting with the new Sovereign went well. Reichenbach had heard of Kasil in passing (secrets, rumours and information was often filtered to The Night King through his band of crows) and had heard nothing but kind words toward the man. It was pleasing news, that among the four rulers there could be at least one with his head firmly set on his shoulders. After all, Dawn had always pledged themselves to knowledge over war. 

Reichenbach paused at the entrance to the Court, a vision of star-kissed smoke and ebony, looking utterly out of place amongst the scholars that hurried past without a second glance. He was all vibrancy and life, a man to read about in the many scrolls that would tell of their time. The Sovereign of Night waited patiently, hesitant to enter the court herself until he had had a proper invitation. 

@Kasil (and possibly @Ipomoea since we've been wanting to thread for a while!)

Ipomoea sat under the shade of a broad-leafed tree, his forelegs propping him up as he knelt on his haunches. His mottled ears were cocked in concentration, listening to the birdsong chattering up above him in the interlocked branches. The wild avians were taking turns, and his own companion had promptly joined in, twittering a brief set of notes to join to their’s. One bird would sing, and the others, one by one, would repeat the same set, but each made different, like a fantastic game of “he said, she said” played so innocently amongst the wild creatures in song. It was beautiful and had snared the painted boy’s attention, drawing him to listen and his companion to join in.

He wasn’t sure how long he sat and listened to the birds sing, quite content to sit out of the way of the hustle and bustle of his Court. One by one the birds began to dwindle in number, flying off solo or in pairs, occasionally in groups upwards of three. Some would return, or new ones took their place, but with a ruffle of his feathers Alorus floated back down to the equine perch he had claimed, bidding his farewell. Obediently, Ipomoea shook the tension from his spine and rose to his legs, happy songs filling his mind and mellowing his heart into a steady beat. A swish of his cropped, midnight hued tail and they were off, headed back to the rush of the city.

Ipomoea was certainly not shy in the crowds; every man, woman, or child he passed, he made a point of to look at, to smile and nod in greeting even if few or no words were exchanged. He paused for the water-bearers, allowed others to cross before him, picked up a fallen book for a rushing young boy who smiled and thanked him and continued on his way. He was in no rush; the day was young and filled with flowers and birds, and Po planned to enjoy it.

He seemed not to be the only one. Someone stood, not quite in the Court but not quite out of it, sticking out to Po as a sore thumb amidst all the movement he defied. There was no hesitation, no last minute thinking; his course was simply altered, a detour he was all too happy to make.

“Hello!” he called out, voice raised to be heard above the many voices surrounding him. He smiled as he drew near, head held high and jovially as he came hear to the bejeweled stranger. “It’s beautiful, is it not?” gesturing to the Court, to the diversity and life found within its walls.



@reichenbach @kasil
short n sweet greeting, po doesn't want to assume he isn't from dawn hehe
“I’m here!”

KASIL

He had been wandering the streets, stopping to speak with various members of the court. He wanted to hear how everyone was getting along, how everyone seemed to be transitioning with his ascension to the throne. And he wanted the truth. He was patient as he listened, sometimes twisting his ears to and fro in order to catch other snippets from those that merely wanted to whisper behind his back. It would take him a while to gain the trust of Delumine, even though he had spent his boyhood serving the court -- it seemed that much had changed in the years he had spent away. He spent the better part of his morning listening to concerns, sharing a few laughs and overall connecting with the people that he felt driven to serve.

He had just broken away from a mare with concerns about the safety of the citadel, and spotted someone standing near the gates of the city, when the sounds of a skirmish reached his ears. The winged stallion turned his head, frowning with uncertainty. He had begun to turn himself away from the visitor at Dawn’s gates, when...

”Give that back! It was mine!”A shrill voice cried, just as a pair of youths came barrelling around the corner. The white colt had some sort of plaything hanging from his lips, his longer legs giving him the advantage over the younger looking palomino. However, he was so distracted -- turning his head back to taunt the other child -- that he ran full on into Kasil, and was thrown back onto his rump. Bewildered, the young colt struggled upright in a flail of limbs and opened his mouth to undoubtedly spew an unsavory word when he realized just who he had run into. Kasil was becoming more and more recognizable in the Court, the gold adornment sitting upon his head and the dark wings at his side beginning to stand out.

The child stared up at the Sovereign with a wide, frightened gaze -- his body lain out on the stones. Kasil pinned his ears back in something resembling the stern look that his grandfather had used to strike fear into his heart as a lad, and looked up at the other child who had come to a rolling stop just feet away. The plaything was forgotten on the ground between them, and both of the youths looked as though Kasil was the most frightening thing he had ever seen.

”It’s foolish to run like that on stones like these.” Kasil said, frowning. ”Up with you, boy.” He said a little more harshly, waiting until the pale colt had found his footing before continuing. He let his head crane around the colt’s body, inspecting him for anything more than than deserved scrapes and dirt. Kasil raised an eyebrow at him, beckoning the palomino child to come forward as well. ”Tell me, what were you thinking?”

It took several minutes for the boys to explain themselves, a childish squabble over the ownership of the plaything. Kasil listened intently, as though it were the most important case that he had ever heard in his life. At last, he deliberated in silence. ”What do you think?” He asked of the golden boy, indicating the other child. ”Are his scrapes and bruises enough of a punishment for stealing what was yours? He asked, raising an eyebrow. The sunlight glinted off the top of his crown, and he watched as the pale colt looked pleadingly at the decision maker. After a long moment, the child nodded much to the pale colt’s relief.

Kasil nodded, thinking it to be fair. Having the piss scared out of him for running into a Sovereign was probably enough of a punishment as well, but he had to be sure such a thing would not happen again. ”Fair, but if you are caught stealing again...it will be a mark. Do you understand?” He asked, lowering his head to meet the boy’s eye. A Mark of Sin was no small thing, and to be branded at such a young age would surely mean the end of his life. A Mark of Theft meant that he couldn’t be trusted, and it would be difficult for him to maintain a productive place in Dawn Court society.

The entire exchange perhaps took less than fifteen minutes, and when Kasil turned away -- the two colts had run off together. He tried to recall what it was that he had been doing beforehand, and it was the sight of Ipomoea and a stranger at the gates that reminded him. Shaking his head, he began towards them -- feeling as though the dark stallion were familiar to him somehow. Despite that uncertainty, Kasil’s smile was warm as he came to stand within range. Others of the court bustled around them, busy going about their daily lives. ”Good day!” The Sovereign said lightly, taking a deep breath, glancing over at Po. It was good that the reddish stag was around, Kasil had important business with him later.

"Hello!"

The voice was jovial and pleasant, an instant welcome and a warm one. Reichenbach grinned, silver eyes glinting as he set his gaze upon the man that approached - a beauty by any standards. He had suspected that Delumine might have hidden a few beauties, but the man that walked toward him surpassed even his ecxpectations, with his mile-long legs and long lashed eyes, the softness of his skin and the gentle, subtle scent that preceded him. 

"It is."

Reichenbach agreed, his deep voice a lovely harmony as it mixed with the murmured voices whisking past. "Breathtaking, even. Thriving." The admission was one he was more than willing to make - the truth was, Dawn was one of the strongest courts to befriend. Their library was endless, a cavernous and ever-hungry yearning for knowledge passed down and down throughout the families of Delumine - Reichenbach doubted he could even fathom the depths of that knowledge, the intricacies of it. If he could prove that Denocte's armies and multi-skilled people were as much of an asset to Dawn as Dawn was to them, something beautiful could be born. After a moment of watching the busy court, the rough-hewn Sovereign bowed his head slightly, lips parting to provide his name and his intentions - instead his gaze was caught by a striking man with vast wings, crowned by a golden headpiece. 

Watching closely, The Night King followed along as the children came scampering around the corner only to receive stern but fair discipline from the subtly handsome pegasus. Reich's silver gaze trailed his approach, smiling warmly and offering a deep dip of his handsome head. 

"Good day. Reichenbach, of The Night Court, at your service."

---

@Kasil @Ipomoea  ew hate this post but I wanted us to be able to continue!

It’s obvious the gypsy-coined man is foreign to Delumine, from his musky scent to the strange lilt in his voice. Even the way he stands, enthralled as he was with the inner workings of the Court, and the wonder carrying over on his voice give him away as someone with little experience of the Dawn Court way of life.

But there is no scoffing, no judgement passed by Ipomoea. On the contrary he is delighted, wanting little more than to take the man by his hand and lead him further in. To march him past the gates and into the fray, proudly showing off his home and inviting the newcomer to stay a while, to find the same joy and welcome he himself has within the northern border. And Reichenbach, with his easy smile and easy words and the set way by which he stood, almost as if getting ready to jump right in himself, seemed not the type to deny Po the honor of guide.

But he remains composed (for now), the spreading of his smile and the crease at his eyes the primary display of the boy’s enthusiasm.

“You’ve come on a good day,” he agreed, bobbing his head along pleasantly. “The merchants and busybodies are out in force today because of the good weather.” His attention shifts, sneaking a peak at the stranger’s dark face while he was busying studying the streets. It was handsome indeed, all strong lines and subtle depths giving him a rather exotic look here in the land of sages. He inhaled as if to speak, and Po found himself leaning forward in subconscious anticipation—before both their attentions were diverted.

Ipomoea found the source almost immediately, the King’s regal pose standing out amongst the crowd as a beacon. As always, he watched the sovereign’s careful diplomacy in wonder, amazed at the skill by which he passed his fair judgements. “My lord,” he greeted respectfully, warmth filling his tone at the familiar face despite the awkwardness of the formality on his tongue (for Po was still uncertain how to address him.)

“This is King Kasil of Delumine,” he spoke to Reichenbach, taking it upon himself to make the formal introductions, despite Reich seeming to already recognize the Sovereign. “And I am Ipomoea, his Emissary.” His own title still felt foreign rolling from his lips, but repetition remained the only way to get over it; a slight shake of his head and he had moved past it.



@reichenbach @kasil
i am back n ready to post!!
i don’t remember if this was before or after he was appointed but it just kind of fit!
“I’m here!”

KASIL

When Kasil came to stand as the third pillar of the group, he drank in the dark stranger who had come to visit. It was nagging him, this feeling of familiarity -- the delicate clinking of coins and a rich woodsmoke filling his senses like an urn filled with wine. It was not until the stallion announced his name that it all seemed to click together, and Kasil’s smile widened into one of pure adulation. The Night King! Oh the stories that were told about this one! His amber gaze flickered to Ipomoea, sure that his emissary knew just who stood in their midst. He felt like a awestruck child, clearly elated to meet someone with such an interesting history. His ear flicked in the cherry colored stallion’s direction, and he made a small face.

”Come now, Po. There’s no need for such formalities here. I am just Kasil, please.” He said brightly. He was beginning to find just how difficult it was to escape his title as king and sovereign of Delumine. He rarely even referred to himself that way anymore, unless it seemed appropriate or he needed to draw upon that power for himself. He was beginning to prefer his given name, and he would rather those he considered his close advisors to treat him as a friend. ”We welcome you to Delumine.” He said, turning his attention back to Reichenbach. ”Have you come on business, Reichenbach?” He asked, taking his own advice to heart.

He was always the type to consider everyone his friend first, rather than his enemy.

Perhaps one day it would be the reason for his death.

“This is King Kasil of Delumine, and I am Ipomoea, his Emissary”

Though he had begun to form his own conclusions on the title of the crowned man before him, Reichenbach found himself pleased to discover that this was the freshly crowned Kasil. Kasil. The name had been whispered on many Denoctian lips, on lips all over the realm - for four new Sovereigns was some of the largest gossip Novus could provide, and exactly who would now be ruling the four Courts was of a vast interest to the population. 

Reichenbach couldn't blame them - already it seemed as if tensions were building, as if this reign of extended peace might now be broken. It was why he was here, as well as to satiate his own curiosities. Kasil's reputation was a fair one, and small. He had been relatively unknown within the other Courts - a nobody to those that thought of rank the old fashioned way. Yet it was this that had appealed to Reichenbach - to connect with someone who appeared to care for his people over his politics? Dawn and Night had a lot more in common than their two Courts thought.

It was up to Kasil, Reichenbach and their emissaries to right the counterfactual information running strife throughout their two Kingdoms. 

"Business and pleasure, Kasil"

Came his good-hearted reply, his voice boisterous and life-inspiring. It was difficult not to be caught within the spell of charisma that Reichenbach cast, his handsome, easy smiles impossible not to return. 

"Firstly - Delumine is as beautiful as it has always been. I am glad that your new reign has not changed that -"

He glanced around, silver eyes appreciative as he continued;

"If anything, it appears to have animated your courtiers."

Indeed, Delumine was a bustling city now - not the quiet, strictly ruled city it had been the last time Reichenbach had visited. It had been when he was still a teen with sticky hands, eager to feast upon a new city of unsuspecting citizens - though he'd been sorely disappointed when he realized that Delumine valued information above all else. 

"Secondly... I would like to extend an invitation. It would please me greatly if Ipomoea returned with me to Denocte - so that we may begin forming amiable relations."

A pause, before he said smoothly;

"To be blunt, Kas" (he shortened the name casually, easily, as if they were old friends) "I would like for Denocte and Delumine to have an alliance. I believe we see eye to eye on many of the same issues." Another pause, in which Reichenbach glanced at Ipomoea in amusement - the handsome Emissary would be bombarded with lovers in Denocte, looking the way he did. "As a sign of trust and welcome, Ipomoea would be escorted through Denocte and well educated in our customs and ways. Then he can return to you and report what he has seen, so that you may make a well-informed decision."

Politics were by far not his favorite thing, but if Kasil and he kept things simple, straightforward and transparent... hopefully there would be little need for such things.


@Kasil @Ipomoea Once we've finished here, this can lead straight onto the Ipo/Nimue thread if you like!! 

Ipomoea found himself studying the night king’s eyes as he addressed Kasil, swimming in the deep silver pooled within. He was quite content to let the two kings greet each other, addressing each other instead of him—for now he could sit and listen to Reichenbach’s deep, lilting tone, without needing to think of a response.

Mention of his own name was what snapped him out of it.

Like a schoolboy caught sleeping in class and not knowing the answers, he looked to Kasil for guidance. The invitation, exciting as it may have been, caught him off guard: unsure if he should reply or if he should be allowing the king to speak for him (like property), he found words pouring out of his mouth without consent. “That’s a generous offer,” he stuttered, knowing how closed off the southeastern portion of Novus often was. “I’d be honored to visit your city, I’ve heard so many stories about the Court of Caligo.”

But he glanced at Kasil in between, studying the lines on his face, trying to read them. But despite having come to better know and understand the dark haired king, he couldn’t interpret the look he was faced with. He was on his own.

He turned back to Reichenbach, mind slowly turning over what leaving now would mean. Just a few months prior he would have gone without a shadow of a doubt, dropping anything and everything in the call to see more of the world. But now? Now he had responsibilities, appointments, a to do list that, although short enough in writing, implied far more than what met the eye. He visualized this list, scrutinizing it in his mind, unable to get around it. Rosy eyes lifted to meet Reich’s silver ones, his next words perhaps more hesitant and better thought through than before.

“However, I have a meeting in the morning with one of our Champions. Perhaps I shall meet you in Denocte?” he answered politely, looking back to Kasil when he had finished for approval.



@reichenbach @kasil
po still has lots to learn about politics lol
“I’m here!”

KASIL

Quietly, the king of dawn considered all that had been said to him. He could not stop the way that his ears fell back at the blunt way that his name was cut. He supposed he was surprised to hear it cut so short, his mind rolling the word over to try to decide if he liked being ‘Kas’. It was not the most pressing thing that had been presented to him, but for some reason it was what struck him. He supposed it was because he had constantly been presented with politics since he was a child sitting at the knee of his grandfather -- but no one had ever called him anything but Kasil.

Tucking that internal struggle away for later, he kept silent for a while longer -- letting Ipomoea speak for himself -- while he considered the night king’s offer. The pair of stallions could have been siblings, he thought idly as he looked over the gypsy. His ear flicked in the direction of his young emissary as he announced his intentions, and he gave a small nod. ”Your offer is kind, to take my emissary and show him the ways of Denocte -- however, I must ask that this invitation to stay be postponed.” The King mused aloud, considering his position. ”You see, Po was not born here in Delumine. I believe he has more to learn about his own home before I send him out to stay with anyone else in the name of this Court.” He offered a small smile.

”I think an alliance between our courts could be beneficial, and I hope that you can understand my position. He’s free to travel to Denocte after his meeting with our Champion tomorrow -- but I’ll need him back soon.” He adjusted his weight, the tips of his feathers brushing against his belly as they shifted as well. ”I hope that I can make a visit to Denocte very soon. It’s been quite a while since I visited there.” He smiled fondly, remembering how different night court had been from dawn -- and why it had been his favorite place to hide from his duties.

Ipomoea's obvious excitement had Reichenbach's grin returning, a flash of charm underneath the sultry sun of Delumine. This new world was so different to the old one, a world where the Courts had feared and harassed one another for the sake of ancient fears and rivalries. It seemed the world had been washed clean after so many years of turmoil - or at least, so he hoped. 

His silver gaze flicked from the Emissary to Kasil, watching and listening closely to the Dawn King, a slight disappointment lingering in the depths of his eyes before it vanished - he was an impatient soul, always wanting things to move swiftly, something he'd slowly been trying to acknowledge. The Dawn Court was not known for making rash decisions... perhaps something The Night King could learn from them. 

"In that case,"

He turned to Ipomoea with a pleasant smile,

"I look forward to greeting you at the Pass tomorrow, for a day of exploration."

It was genuine, the pleased expression that crossed his handsome face. He did find the Emissary charming, and there was nothing he liked to show off more than the beauty of his wild homeland. Turning back to Kasil, he dipped his head;

"I hope that day comes very soon, Kasil. The South has a lot to offer. For now, though, I will return to Denocte. My thanks for your hospitality, I do hope we can return the favour."

Reich flashed a last grin, coins jingling as he dipped his head once more, then turned to make the journey back to the South of Novus. 

---

@Kasil @Ipomoea bit of a poop ending but shall we close this here?