[P] it's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah

[Orion]

ORION

exiled prince

The world was cold, even more than usual. Orion had once held warmth and joy in his heart, a steady heat that got him through the days, but now? Now he felt as if some part of him was missing, was broken.

Burying Rigel hadn't been easy, nor was raising Pyxis alone. It felt like a massive weight on his shoulders, pressing on to his spine, and the Emissary no longer felt like he belonged in his role. How could he? He couldn't do his duties when he was raising his son on his own, and he couldn't much take the young boy anywhere, not when he was sick. Not when he was scared of losing his son now more than ever, just as he had one of his closest friends.

So a choice had to be made, and a heavy one. A difficult one.

Orion walked slowly, the young foal at his side, and reaching the rooms, he was glad to nudge the small boy to the pillows, watching as he tottered toward them and finally slumped in them, bright eyes closing as his head dropped and he tucked in against the comfort. The grullo let out a breath, his chest expanding before his body relaxed, and he blinked a little, turning milky eyes toward where the others would normally be.

Weariness wore on his features, and he looked exhausted, even as his hooves led him toward the two with uneven steps, and he dropped his horned head, looking at the two of them. "...I need to talk to you.. both of you." His voice was hoarse from unuse, and he swallowed, his eyes stinging, his body feeling awkward and heavy. Lack of sleep wore on him as much as anything else, and he exhaled.

"Forgive me for interrupting."

@Somnus @Ipomoea || Pyx may come in with his own posts later but for now I have him as a mention haha

[Somnus]

An eye for an eye and the world goes blind.

There was much to be done, and little time to do it.

Somnus was busy. Ipomoea was busy. They were all busy. In the wake of the Summit Meeting, all hell had broken loose and little time could be spent catching up on rest or trivial pleasantries. The world was thrown into unbalance, all semblance of normalcy replaced, and there was little time to dawdle. Standing idle would mean disaster for Delumine.

He thought of his children; little Anemone, so brave and headstrong. Little Regis, so sickly and frail. He thought of his beloved Eulalie, her soothing words of ’I love you’ a mantra that filled his soul and heart with determination. He wouldn’t fail. Not for this. Not when everything he ever knew and loved was at risk. The stallion would readily lay down his very life before allowing harm to befall them.

The Dawn King paused his words mid-sentence as he and Ipomoea stood in discussion as another entered the room. This was not the first time that they had been interrupted, and it would definitely not be the last. Especially with the stresses their home faced. Keen verdant eyes flickered to the newcomer, spotting Orion easily enough and took note of the boy who accompanied him.

“Orion,” Somnus greeted softly, “No need for apologies. Is everything alright?”

Somnus was a smart man, and he had a pretty good assumption as to what this impromptu meeting was about. He remembered the fierce and passionate Pavetta, and her petition rang clear in his ears. As such, so did his own words of acquiescence. Orion had become a father since gaining the title of Emissary, and he was a dutiful sire, doting upon his child after the tragic passing of Rigel. It was heartbreaking, really. Loss was never easy, Somnus knew… Yet he was also a firm believer that no matter the travesty, one could not simply stop. Life did not halt for you to grieve. It offered a respite, perhaps, but it did not halt and wait timidly for you to pick yourself up, dust off your shoulders, and continue on your way.

Life was cruel, yet it was also beautiful. Somnus only had to look in the eyes of his children to know that.

Once more, Somnus thought of his and Eulalie’s offspring. He would do anything for them. That was why he continued to fight, to push, to think and plan and prepare, when at times all he wanted was to drop to his knees and weep. He would not bow out, not if it meant that action promised salvation.

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tag: @Orion