I will be there in silence
You will know what it means
You will know what it means
There was a lot that Ard put up with to ensure that his brother was happy, but Erd did the same for him, so he didn’t find it right to complain. Not that he could honestly deny his brother anything. Still, venturing up towards the Arma Mountains to wander along the snowscape and forests was mildly unsettling, if only for the fact that it reminded him vividly of the atmosphere and setting of Luminous.
Yes, there was a strange nostalgia about it, but they had far more terrible memories within Luminous than happy. They had always been together, yes, but the cruelty and pain they had been exposed to had left a lasting impression on both of them. Regardless, Erd wanted to go wander the mountains, and who was Ard to tell him ‘no’? He couldn’t. One look at his brother’s pleading, pouting face and the younger warlock was undone, swayed by his brother’s damnable charm and pitiful appearance.
So, they wandered, ducking behind rocky outcroppings and weaving between large, thick pine trees as the snow fell down lazily upon them. Ard remained close enough to his twin brother that their sides and wings could be touching at all time, and throughout their venture they made small, menial conversation. Really they spoke about nothing and everything, catching up on each other’s lives despite the fact that they hadn’t been apart since being unceremoniously dropped into Novus years ago.
’Do you think Theodosia and Marisol will ever kiss?’ Erd had asked rather randomly, and Ard had responded by rolling his eyes.
’They’re both emotionally constipated. I doubt it. Marisol seems pretty ‘uptight’ about the whole damn thing. I doubt she even knows Theodosia likes her like that.’ The response had been quick and blunt, rather monotone despite his genuine curiosity.
More conversation had followed, about the Halcyon and the recent new additions, the Dusk Court proper, and the winter festivities. Ard hoped he would have enough sticks of charcoal to participate in the drawing events, and made a mental note to run off and find some before the festivities were under full swing. The brotherly camaraderie and peace that settled between them, walking with nimble steps through the snow and always touching, was inevitably dashed, as it usually was.
The heavy sound of crunching footsteps in the snow caught his ears, and Ard froze. He turned his head, teeth barred and ears pinned, appearing far less jovial and welcoming than his twin brother. He shifted, his lithe body sidling closer to Erd’s side for both protection and defending, and suddenly they were not alone. A golden figure stepped from behind the trees, golden and glowing almost like the sun. His ivory hair was a mess from the wet snow, and his look of surprise upon seeing them was quick to pass. Immediately Ard understood. He had been following their tracks. Paranoia bloomed within his breast and he glanced momentarily towards Erd, not surprised in the least to see his far more engaging, charismatic brother grinning at the golden stranger like an idiot.
One day that trusting nature would get him in trouble, Ard just knew it.
Growing quiet and sullen, the younger twin fell back and refused to participate in the brief discussion, pressed up entirely against Erd’s right side. The stranger’s name was Michael. Ard didn’t care. He had been enjoying the peace and quiet, the nice, quiet little bonding moment between two brothers. Why did this always happen?
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