Well, he had certainly stopped and gotten a flower crown from the lovely Ipomea, glad to meet the Regent once more as they had talked back and forth while the man had woven flowers together. In the end, he ended up with a regal crown of red roses and white orchids, each carefully placed in positions that could keep them out of harm's way as much as possible.
Now he merely lingered about the festival, a little uneasy if only because he wasn't sure what to say or what to do with anyone. It felt so strange, being so nervous, and he shook his head tenderly, blinking milky eyes and pausing, well aware there were eyes on him, on his scars. Carefully, he turned his head away, exhaling and walking among others. Here and there he greeted them as old friends would, pleased to meet some that didn't stare at him.
It didn't take long for him to lapse in to his more royal persona, taking up his position of Emissary and becoming the political creature he had been raised to be. Here and there, he greeted warmly, smiling, becoming more at ease, allowing himself to slip in to his own thoughts while he could.
At least, until there was a flash of gold, and he paused, flicking and ear and turning himself a little, his horned head lifting and --- "Somnus," he greeted. A smile flickered to his lips, his eyes roaming the familiar man, finding themselves on that chiseled face, admiring him.
The sound of his name reached his ears through the din of the festival attendees and the said King turned, verdant eyes seeking out the source as he carefully avoided knocking into a rambunctious young filly wearing a crown of roses with his wing. There were so many children about, thrilled with the plethora of flowers, the arts, and the music. The Dawn King’s gaze focused on the one who had called his name, recognition glistening within keen emerald eyes. It was Orion. The mottled grullo looked particularly dapper with his floral crown, an arrangement made of red roses and white orchids. Clearly he had been to see Ipomoea, and the sight of him caused Somnus to smile.
“Orion. A pleasure to see you. I see you’ve paid good Po a visit?” His Emissary seemed particularly at ease, and the dunalino couldn’t help but wonder if it had something to do with his upbringing. Court life could never really be forgotten, no matter how long one might be absent from such a lifestyle. He hoped that Orion was settling comfortably into his new role. “Red roses and white orchids… They suit you.”
Seated upon his croup, Alba blinked up at Orion with wide black eyes before letting out a pleased little chirrup. Oh, she had not forgotten the Emissary’s kind words, and wouldn’t anytime soon. The barn owl wore a small woven crown of her own, tucked beneath a few feathers in places to ensure that it would not fall off. It was a tiny thing, woven together with violet irises and strands of green holly. It matched Somnus’ own; modest, yet made with love. Vines of holly twisted from the crown that sat atop his poll, dangling and wrapping about the dunalino’s ebony horn. It hung in great loops before his face, swaying in the breeze, and made their usually composed and sophisticated look nothing more like a prancing gypsy. Even though he wasn’t one for crowns, and as such did not wear one even though he was Sovereign of Delumine, there was something particularly fond and appealing about wearing a crown made of one of Delumine’s most beautiful aspects.
The other courts called them ’flower pickers’, mostly in insulting tongues. Somnus would gladly embrace the title of ’Flower Picker King’, if that was the case. Let him revel in pride and enjoy the beauty of his home. There was no shame in such an act.
Unaware that he was doing it, Somnus bobbed his head in tempo with the nearby vocalists, but his gaze remained upon Orion’s grullo frame. He smiled, showing teeth, clearly relaxed and at ease. Nearby a dance began, shouts of joy and ’whoops’ being called into the air as a traditional Delumine dance picked up. It tugged at his heart, and the Dawn King glanced towards the dancers that had begun to sway and stamp their hooves with a look of longing before focusing back upon Orion. His smile grew. “Care to join me in a dance, Orion? I could use a good dance partner.”
Perhaps he was taking his job too seriously, or maybe he was taking himself too seriously. Orion thought himself still somewhat of a newcomer to the Court, rather than its Emissary, and it was a foolish thought to partake in. He was worried, perhaps, that many would not see him as fit for the role, and the pressure was something that rested on his shoulders. It was thinking that would get him in to trouble some day, certainly.
The Emissary shook himself out of his thoughts, deciding to push them away elsewhere as his ears perked and a lazy smile pulled on scarred lips. "That I have. I couldn't refuse such a lovely service, and it's good to see I'm not the only one that visited." The red and white was tangled upon his horns on the back of his head as well as his forehead, but he found himself relaxed. For the day, he was simply a member of the court, enjoying its festivities. A flutter in his stomach came to life briefly at the compliment, before it was gone and he found himself smiling more warmly. "You look good with such a looping crown of your own. As do you, Alba. You both look wonderful."
He was not one to ever forget that young owl, and he chuckled as he stepped a little closer toward the two of them, more at ease than anything else, and seeking the company and closeness, so they didn't have to shout over a distance.
The music and singing had him curious, though he did not bob his own head, he was aware that the other was beginning to bob along. The invitation clearly startled him, though he was quick to offer a sheepish smile and a soft laugh. "Are you so certain you want me, then? I've never been one to learn how to dance, I fumble." That didn't stop him from walking a step or two closer. So long as there was space.. well, he could try to dance, couldn't he?
That, and he couldn't help but want to enjoy himself with Somnus. A soft spot indeed.
Orion’s words came quickly and with little fanfare, but Somnus appreciated them all the same. It was always a treat to speak with the recently promoted Emissary, who did not care to hold his tongue or treat him any differently. It was nice. Better than nice, if he were being honest. The Dawn King smiled and chuckled beneath his breath, giving a shake of his head at the young grullo’s words. The woven holly swayed with the movement, the petals of his floral crown shifting slightly with the action, yet they remained rooted in place. Alba, as with all of Orion’s compliments, seemed to positively puff up with the praise. It was always nice to see that the barn owl, typically so finicky and uncertain of others, so warm and comfortable in Orion’s presence.
He was truly something else.
“Nonsence,” Somnus countered, lifting a front hoof, letting his posture change and shift as he picked a comfortable stance to begin their song, “I’m a lumbering git on the dancefloor, if we’re being honest, yet I have an inkling that none will care how graceful we may or may not look. It’s all about having fun, my good man.” Legs stretching, back arching, wings splaying, the Dawn King looked elegant and regal and just a tiny bit awkward as he waited for Orion to join him. Alba, jostled by the movement, gave a hiss of indignation before spreading her wings and lifting into the air with effortless poise, where she swirled about before perching into a branch of a nearby tree to watch them.
It was only when Orion had fallen into step at his side, close enough that they were nearly brushing with one miscalculated step that Somnus allowed himself to fall into place among the other dancers. It was a simple dance, really, one diluted down so that the foals could keep up despite their innocent giggling and incoordination. A few steps to the right, a stomp of a hind leg, a few steps to the left, another stomp. Rinse, repeat. Shift and turn. Sway and laugh. It was all in good theory, of course, for Somnus, while having taken lessons in Vallen, was still not the best dancer, yet it didn’t matter. So long as they had fun and enjoyed themselves, that was the true meaning of the moment. Right?
’You look like a ridiculous child,’ Alba teased, head tilted as she watched them make utter fools of themselves, ’A jester, not a king.’
Verdant green eyes rolled and he gave a snort, but the smile remained upon his lip. Nonsense. If one cannot live for the moment, then what does one have to live for?
The owl remained silent on that, content to watch both her bonded and the Emissary as they began their dance together. Alba couldn’t truly belittle them, not when it was clear that they were quite enjoying themselves. Good, good. She hated to see Somnus so stricken by his duties. This was good for him. Orion was good for him.
"Are you sure? We are part of the Regime after all, but perhaps it's a good thing, blending with the people and just enjoying ourselves." In all honesty, Orion wasn't worried about looking foolish, and it was easily told he didn't mind because he spoke in a soft and joking way about it as he took himself to the dancefloor, to join Somnus. All the same, milky eyes watched as Alba took flight to a nearby tree, and he finally let himself fall in to the rhythm of motion.
Surrounded by giggling foals and others as well as Somnus made Orion relax, and his steps were taken to shuffle with the rest of them. All the same, it was no surprise to him that he bumped against Somnus a moment or two in, releasing a laugh as their flanks touched, and his horned head bobbed slightly. At least in this way, they weren't going to end up sprawled on the ground, just the occasional touches here and there of off rhythm flanks jostling, dark and gold touching here and there, bringing delighted laughter from the Emissary's mouth.
This festival was a wonderful break from the activities that usually weighed on them both as Regime, and it was good for the both of them to be out, so he thought. Dancing among others, wearing crowns of flowers and vines, laughing and smiling. The grullo could forget about his lost path in life. He found a home in the lands of Delumine, and companionship in the dunalino beside him, a warmth that settled in his gut and his chest, spread through him and made him feel more content than he had in years.
Orion was laughing without realizing it as they danced with their people, and his horned head turned toward Somnus. He meant to open his mouth to say something, but what happened was a soft bump of their faces together. He let out a noise that was something of an 'oop' between his lips, before he laughed again, softer. Warmth ran through him, but he didn't seem to mind such an innocent bump, nor the closeness.
"Maybe I should take some dancing lessons," he finally managed as they moved like the fools they were, chuckling all the same.
