It had started as a simple outing between father and son. Honestly it had been far too long since he and Regis had spent some good, quality time with one another outside and away from the Dawn Court and the shackles of duty and obligation. Perhaps it was that lingering paranoia of Atreus’ company, but the thought of stealing his son away to wander the lands they called home and build bonds was a calling he simply could not ignore.
So, in the early morning hours and after a kiss to Eulalie’s pale cheek, Somnus had guided Regis away from the Dawn Court citadel to head northward towards the Viride Forest. The threat of danger had long since passed and without the fury of the wildfires, Regis could now go far without risking his already frail health. Together both father and son, along with their bondeds, traveled the forest, both lush and burnt. Even now, with the ashen ground passing underhoof, grass and shrubs had begun to regrow. Seeing life slowly returning to the land filled Somnus’ breath with relief; if such a decimated location could recover and regrow, then surely so could they.
They paused whenever Regis needed a break, and sometimes Somnus himself would halt their little adventure simply to breathe, rest, and take in the beauty of the world. While he knew that his young son - now a yearling, Oriens be praised! - had a level head on his shoulder and was far smarter than he gave himself credit for, there were lessons that the dunalino knew he would need to pass down to the young Prince to prepare him for adulthood. This little adventure was the start of many lessons to come, but he made certain to have fun along the way.
Gradually the Viride Forest merged into the Eleutheria Plains, the thick forest beginning to dwindle until only sparse trees and tall grasslands remained. Above them the skies began the ever constant cycle of switching from dusk to nightfall, and he knew they would need to find a place to bed down for the evening. The tall grasses and Regis’ shorter stature clearly did not mix, and Somnus took great care to not let the dun boy be swallowed.“Stay close please, Reggie. I don’t think your mother would appreciate it if I got you lost in the grass.”
Weaving through the grass, it didn’t take long for Somnus to catch sight of something odd glowing in the distance. He paused, an ear flicking forward as his stance grew somewhat rigid. What in the world? Glancing upwards at the evening sky where Alba circled overhead, the dunalino tilted his head. ’Keep an eye on things, Alba. Don’t let Regis out of your sight, just in case.’ The barn owl swooped down low but did not land, choosing instead to remain in the air. Her reply was instant; ’Of course.’
“Do you see that glow, Reggie?” It was eerie, and Somnus wondered how he had never taken note of it before. Was it new? Had he just not been around when the time was right? Was it a seasonal thing? It was hard to say. Regardless, father and son made their way through the tall grasses, the dunalino continuously glancing over his shoulder to ensure that Regis was following. He knew that the boy was not prone to wandering off, but the last thing he wanted was for him to get lost.
Eventually the tall grasses ended, revealing a golden, glowing pool of what Somnus highly doubted was simple water. He had encountered enough magic in his lifetime to know when what he was looking at was magical, and this was just that. The blood in his veins seemed to grow warm with his pulse, narrowed eyes watching the glowing, swirling pool of water somewhat distrustfully. The sheer vibrant glow of the mysterious pool of water seemed to illuminate the world around them as though night had not even fallen, or at least early evening, and Somnus turned his head to brush his muzzle against Regis’ forelock.“Careful, son.”
The analytical part of the tactician’s brain snapped to work. There was no way that this had been here for very long. Somnus was certain that he would’ve seen it before, or heard rumors. With how often Ulric patrolled Delumine’s borders, the Warden had never once mentioned a glowing pool of mystery liquid. What could it be? Daring a step closer, Somnus lowered his head, breathing in deeply to catch the scent. It smelled… Strange. Foreign, yet oddly familiar. As he examined the pool, however, he realized something positively strange; his throat growing mysteriously dry and scratchy, as though he were terribly parched. He coughed, trying to rid the feeling from his throat, but it did not relent.
No one else was around save he and his son, but nothing bad seemed to happen. Sending a short, mental prayer to Oriens, the Dawn King slowly took a step into the glowing pool, watching as the liquid sloshed about his hoof and covered it entirely. Nothing happened. The water was warm and the very air about them seemed oddly humid despite the autumn season, but it was almost soothing, the warmth from the pool. With another deep breath, Somnus ventured further into the pool of water until it was up to his chest, and he glanced back at his son.
“… Sometimes, Regis, one must search for clues in ways that seem positively inane when faced with the unknown. If you’d like to come in, I see no harm, just be careful you don’t slip.” The glowing water soothed his muscles, the golden shine almost matching his gilded coat, but his eyes were rooted to the form of his son.
tag: @Regis
So, in the early morning hours and after a kiss to Eulalie’s pale cheek, Somnus had guided Regis away from the Dawn Court citadel to head northward towards the Viride Forest. The threat of danger had long since passed and without the fury of the wildfires, Regis could now go far without risking his already frail health. Together both father and son, along with their bondeds, traveled the forest, both lush and burnt. Even now, with the ashen ground passing underhoof, grass and shrubs had begun to regrow. Seeing life slowly returning to the land filled Somnus’ breath with relief; if such a decimated location could recover and regrow, then surely so could they.
They paused whenever Regis needed a break, and sometimes Somnus himself would halt their little adventure simply to breathe, rest, and take in the beauty of the world. While he knew that his young son - now a yearling, Oriens be praised! - had a level head on his shoulder and was far smarter than he gave himself credit for, there were lessons that the dunalino knew he would need to pass down to the young Prince to prepare him for adulthood. This little adventure was the start of many lessons to come, but he made certain to have fun along the way.
Gradually the Viride Forest merged into the Eleutheria Plains, the thick forest beginning to dwindle until only sparse trees and tall grasslands remained. Above them the skies began the ever constant cycle of switching from dusk to nightfall, and he knew they would need to find a place to bed down for the evening. The tall grasses and Regis’ shorter stature clearly did not mix, and Somnus took great care to not let the dun boy be swallowed.
Weaving through the grass, it didn’t take long for Somnus to catch sight of something odd glowing in the distance. He paused, an ear flicking forward as his stance grew somewhat rigid. What in the world? Glancing upwards at the evening sky where Alba circled overhead, the dunalino tilted his head. ’Keep an eye on things, Alba. Don’t let Regis out of your sight, just in case.’ The barn owl swooped down low but did not land, choosing instead to remain in the air. Her reply was instant; ’Of course.’
Eventually the tall grasses ended, revealing a golden, glowing pool of what Somnus highly doubted was simple water. He had encountered enough magic in his lifetime to know when what he was looking at was magical, and this was just that. The blood in his veins seemed to grow warm with his pulse, narrowed eyes watching the glowing, swirling pool of water somewhat distrustfully. The sheer vibrant glow of the mysterious pool of water seemed to illuminate the world around them as though night had not even fallen, or at least early evening, and Somnus turned his head to brush his muzzle against Regis’ forelock.
The analytical part of the tactician’s brain snapped to work. There was no way that this had been here for very long. Somnus was certain that he would’ve seen it before, or heard rumors. With how often Ulric patrolled Delumine’s borders, the Warden had never once mentioned a glowing pool of mystery liquid. What could it be? Daring a step closer, Somnus lowered his head, breathing in deeply to catch the scent. It smelled… Strange. Foreign, yet oddly familiar. As he examined the pool, however, he realized something positively strange; his throat growing mysteriously dry and scratchy, as though he were terribly parched. He coughed, trying to rid the feeling from his throat, but it did not relent.
No one else was around save he and his son, but nothing bad seemed to happen. Sending a short, mental prayer to Oriens, the Dawn King slowly took a step into the glowing pool, watching as the liquid sloshed about his hoof and covered it entirely. Nothing happened. The water was warm and the very air about them seemed oddly humid despite the autumn season, but it was almost soothing, the warmth from the pool. With another deep breath, Somnus ventured further into the pool of water until it was up to his chest, and he glanced back at his son.
@Random Events
This is set in a time where no one else is at the pool. :D
***STAFF EDIT
@Somnus has rolled a 6! He has been awarded +150 signos point for interacting with the pool.
