The proximity of Cynix stirred something in Raglan that he couldn’t quite place; it was a warmth in his gut, comforting and familiar. It was the feeling of home, but more concentrated, more pure. The Crow could only guess that it was the yearning he felt for Denocte and his adopted family combined with the bittersweet presence of the small-winged male standing before him now. It was as if his soul was trying to cradle the essence of Cynix’s presence and hold it close enough to erase the reality of being locked out of Reichenbach’s Kingdom. So while the lad resisted pull of despair, he allowed himself to relax into the feeling of belonging that spread over him as he basked in the presence of his friend.
Cynix was a candle’s flame held against the dark, keeping the unknown at bay and offering solace where there was none.
Raglan did not miss the smile that lit the alabaster stallion’s pastel eyes - and what expressive eyes they were, catching the light of the fading sun and shining brilliantly amidst the deepening shadows. It did his heart good to see expressions of happiness from the somber stallion that his friend had grown into. It made the innocence of the past seen closer than it was, more tangible in a way that brought a lightness to the horned Crow’s chest.
Yet Cynix’s next words tore a painful path through Raglan’s newfound cheer - not because of the harsh nature of Cynix’s words, no, the words hurt because they held so much truth. Raglan was rife with disappointment and weighed down with a sensation of betrayal at the hands of his king. Reichenbach was supposed to take care of his people, he was supposed to protect his Crows. He was supposed to protect Raglan, not as a king, not as a monarch or mentor, but as a Crow. As the first Crow. He who had rescued the young and filthy from the cobbles of Denocte and brought them to unimaginable heights... only to abandon his first, his Silvertongue.
Right as the sorrow swelled enough to overtake the bloody bay, Cynix raised his lips to brush over the gem in Raglan’s forehead, a soothing salve to Raglan’s invisible wounds. Silvery eyes slid shut and a sigh escaped his chest, a peace spreading delicately over his lithe frame.
Delumine is hosting a festival... perhaps we could go there, and shed our misery for awhile?
A lopsided grin sprang to life on the Crow’s face at the thought of mischief and laughter and more memories shared with the feathered scholar. Opening his eyes and finding the soft coral gaze of his friend, Raglan nodded vigorously, nearly salivating at the potential of the evening. Stepping back so that he could sweep into a flourishing bow, Raglan winked up at the galaxy clad male before him, “Lead the way, Sweet Sinner, there is mischief afoot!”
@Cynix *spongebob narrator voice* two years later
