Despite everything, it’s still you.
It was with a critical eye that the Dawn King regarded the squirrel, watching as the flames twisted and turned in the air, smoke slowly rising from its petite, flaming spines. Ever so slowly did the flames begin to dwindle, waning like a dying ember until complete extinguishing itself. He watched, transfixed, as the keratin spines remained almost white-hot, and the dunalino took a moment to admire them like he hadn’t before. How resilient they must be to withstand the very heat that they could create.
A golden ear tipped back at Oriens’ approach, and the Sovereign lifted his gaze away from the smoking squirrel to watch the forest around them come alive with movement. So many more squirrels began to emerge; one, then two, then three… Five, ten, so many beginning to wind their way from the forest around them, clearly hesitant but curious. The tension in the air seemed to dwindle and relax as the little creatures became emboldened, going so far as to play and leap upon the backs of the gathered equines. One darted around upon his very spine, and he watched the little tawny creature with a look akin to pride and affection.
Perhaps this would work out after all.
Then, his name from above. Oriens’ words rang clear in his ears and Somnus’ expression grew pinched as he thought.“Majesty?” Gentle but curious, Somnus ever so carefully unfolded his legs from beneath his own person, and cautious not to step on a little squirrel, gradually lifted himself up and to his full height. As the Wise God went on, he hummed thoughtfully with a nod and opened his mouth to speak. “Indeed. I would loathe to see them all homeless and displaced due to something that they could not control, or something that has gotten so out of hand… But I worry, keeping them here.” Turning his head, he regarded the gathered squirrels and their joyful, jubilant ways, how they paired off and darted around the legs of the standing equines. They had not meant to harm the forest, but keeping them close to the capitol, to the Library, would not stand. And, as they were now having burnt down a majority of the forest, the squirrels would be in danger of select predators… But they could not simply abandon them to their own devices. Abruptly, however, something came to the stallion and his verdant eyes lit up with an idea, dark lips twisting up into a somewhat elated smile. “Perhaps there is a place…”
Shifting where he stood, Somnus cleared his throat before speaking up softly. He maintained that gentle, compassionate tone from before, not wanting the little squirrels to think they had changed their minds in regards to the kindness and benevolence they were displaying thus far.”There are a few islands just off of Delumine’s coastline, and one or two may be connected by a land-bridge. I’ll need to scout the area to be certain. Perhaps we could find suitable accommodations for them there? I would offer my own services to ferry them across should one be just out of reach… But I do not want to simply see these creatures remain without a home. We are not the only ones to have suffered loss in such an accident, it seems.”
As the last of his voice echoed on the breeze, Somnus’ verdant eyes turned to regard the rest of the Court in his company, as well as Oriens. Would they approve? Would they call him foolish? It was difficult to say, but to Somnus, it seemed as fair a compromise as they could achieve with such limited resources.”Perhaps, even once the forests have recovered, they could return? The islands themselves are still within Delumine proper, and…” Once more directing his gaze towards the gathering squirrels, he chuckled, smiling fondly own at them with a compassionate benevolence. “You, my little friends, will always be Delumine’s children.”
Now that they have proven themselves to not be hostile, Somnus suggests to volunteer and help the squirrels find a new (perhaps temporary?) home on the islands surrounding Delumine. :D
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A golden ear tipped back at Oriens’ approach, and the Sovereign lifted his gaze away from the smoking squirrel to watch the forest around them come alive with movement. So many more squirrels began to emerge; one, then two, then three… Five, ten, so many beginning to wind their way from the forest around them, clearly hesitant but curious. The tension in the air seemed to dwindle and relax as the little creatures became emboldened, going so far as to play and leap upon the backs of the gathered equines. One darted around upon his very spine, and he watched the little tawny creature with a look akin to pride and affection.
Perhaps this would work out after all.
Then, his name from above. Oriens’ words rang clear in his ears and Somnus’ expression grew pinched as he thought.
Shifting where he stood, Somnus cleared his throat before speaking up softly. He maintained that gentle, compassionate tone from before, not wanting the little squirrels to think they had changed their minds in regards to the kindness and benevolence they were displaying thus far.
As the last of his voice echoed on the breeze, Somnus’ verdant eyes turned to regard the rest of the Court in his company, as well as Oriens. Would they approve? Would they call him foolish? It was difficult to say, but to Somnus, it seemed as fair a compromise as they could achieve with such limited resources.
Now that they have proven themselves to not be hostile, Somnus suggests to volunteer and help the squirrels find a new (perhaps temporary?) home on the islands surrounding Delumine. :D
