Stay Determined...
Ash and soot marred the typical bright gold of his coat, but Somnus paid it little mind. This was not the time for fretting about his appearance, not when the people of his Court were displaced and fearful. What else would be taken from them? What else would they lose? They clung to their families and friends, grasped their most important possessions close. Cried for their lost homes and lost friends, unaccounted for as the fires waged war around them.
It broke his heart.
Somnus did not have time to even think about how disheveled he appeared, how his mane and tail and wings were burnt from staying so long at the fires’ edge, his coat seemingly permanently stained with ash and dust, hooves stained black from char. He did not want to. Instead, he shared the grief and fear of his people. He cried with them, he held them close and offered them soothing words, he did what he could to stand valiantly alongside his Warden and those fighting on the front lines as they bucketed waters and dug trenches and did everything in their mortal power to alter the paths of the unrelenting wildfires.
It seemed that they had little victory. Whenever one fire was dampened or even put out, another would ignite in its place. How could they win against a force that never seemed to dwindle? How could they save their home? Something needed to be done, but Somnus found himself beginning to wonder just what the origins of it all could be. Every day he prayed to Oriens, to his Lord of Wisdom and Justice, praying for assistance, for guidance, for mercy to come to their home and province.
There was a meeting, Somnus knew, housed by Ipomoea. He was late to the arrival, and guilt clung to his heart like a vice. Still, his dutiful Regent handled the pressure beautifully, the appaloosa’s youthful face plagued with worry and sincerity, speaking eloquently and using the poise and grace he had developed as a brilliant emissary to his advantage. Timid as he could be, Ipomoea had a way with words that made even Somnus envious and proud. Mostly proud, of course. The dunalino came to stand a few paces behind his Regent, watching the younger male’s back as he lingered, letting him guide and control the meeting to how he saw fit. Above them all, Alba wheeled through the air before fluttering down to land upon her bond-mate’s shoulders.
Verdant eyes then scanned the faces gathered, spotting friends and strangers alike among the crowd. Then, his eyes focused once more upon Ipomoea as his speech came to a lull, and slowly Somnus approached from behind him, hooves guiding him closer so that he came to stand at his brother’s side.
“Well done, little brother,” Somnus offered affectionately in a softly spoken tone, casting Po a lethargic and apologetic smile, “You handle yourself beautifully. Apologies for not arriving sooner, but it seems like you were more than capable of handling this on your own, hm?”
From there, he lingered and watched. The crowds seemed to deliberate among themselves, watching, waiting, speaking as though ruminating over the words of their speckled Regent. One figure finally broke through the crowd, approaching with a straightforward confidence. Somnus’ gaze assessed her quietly, quickly trying to recognize her, but he did not. She was a stranger, a foreigner to their lands.
Brows raised, the Dawn King listened as she spoke. An ear flicked forward in concern and intrigue. ’Cost?’ Verdant eyes stared at the dark colored woman, patient and kind. He then glanced to Ipomoea, wondering if the Regent knew who this woman was. Perhaps she was new to their Court, arriving to their province while the wildfires raged around them?
“’Cost’ you?” Somnus repeated, as though perplexed by the notion. Upon his shoulders, Alba’s head tilted curiously to the side, watching the newcomer as well. “Food and shelter are free to any who need it. We’ve plenty to provide and right now, many who call Delumine home are in grievous need of assistance.”
A pause, but then the Dawn King went on, his accented voice still set in that constant, patient, soothing pitch.“If you are able bodied, any assistance will be beneficial to protect Delumine and be greatly appreciated, but that is never something we would force anyone to do. No. Should you need assistance, simply say so, and we will do all we can to remedy your needs.” Another pause, this one a bit longer than the others, and Alba’s beady black eyes remained rooted upon the dark mare standing before the lingering crowd. Abruptly, Somnus smiled, warm and welcome.
“I don’t believe we’ve met, Miss, but is there something we can do to assist you?”
tag: @Ipomoea @Sloane
It broke his heart.
Somnus did not have time to even think about how disheveled he appeared, how his mane and tail and wings were burnt from staying so long at the fires’ edge, his coat seemingly permanently stained with ash and dust, hooves stained black from char. He did not want to. Instead, he shared the grief and fear of his people. He cried with them, he held them close and offered them soothing words, he did what he could to stand valiantly alongside his Warden and those fighting on the front lines as they bucketed waters and dug trenches and did everything in their mortal power to alter the paths of the unrelenting wildfires.
It seemed that they had little victory. Whenever one fire was dampened or even put out, another would ignite in its place. How could they win against a force that never seemed to dwindle? How could they save their home? Something needed to be done, but Somnus found himself beginning to wonder just what the origins of it all could be. Every day he prayed to Oriens, to his Lord of Wisdom and Justice, praying for assistance, for guidance, for mercy to come to their home and province.
There was a meeting, Somnus knew, housed by Ipomoea. He was late to the arrival, and guilt clung to his heart like a vice. Still, his dutiful Regent handled the pressure beautifully, the appaloosa’s youthful face plagued with worry and sincerity, speaking eloquently and using the poise and grace he had developed as a brilliant emissary to his advantage. Timid as he could be, Ipomoea had a way with words that made even Somnus envious and proud. Mostly proud, of course. The dunalino came to stand a few paces behind his Regent, watching the younger male’s back as he lingered, letting him guide and control the meeting to how he saw fit. Above them all, Alba wheeled through the air before fluttering down to land upon her bond-mate’s shoulders.
Verdant eyes then scanned the faces gathered, spotting friends and strangers alike among the crowd. Then, his eyes focused once more upon Ipomoea as his speech came to a lull, and slowly Somnus approached from behind him, hooves guiding him closer so that he came to stand at his brother’s side.
From there, he lingered and watched. The crowds seemed to deliberate among themselves, watching, waiting, speaking as though ruminating over the words of their speckled Regent. One figure finally broke through the crowd, approaching with a straightforward confidence. Somnus’ gaze assessed her quietly, quickly trying to recognize her, but he did not. She was a stranger, a foreigner to their lands.
Brows raised, the Dawn King listened as she spoke. An ear flicked forward in concern and intrigue. ’Cost?’ Verdant eyes stared at the dark colored woman, patient and kind. He then glanced to Ipomoea, wondering if the Regent knew who this woman was. Perhaps she was new to their Court, arriving to their province while the wildfires raged around them?
A pause, but then the Dawn King went on, his accented voice still set in that constant, patient, soothing pitch.
Who's the biggest scrub of them all? Me. I am. This one right here.
