Caelum
i've had just enough time"
A princess is a lady.
Her mother had explained that to her plenty of times as she spoke of the way Caelum must carry herself, how to read others and how to read a courtroom. How to know when to politely accept a dance, and how to catch her father's eye subtly when she needed a well timed rescue. Caelum had only recently lost her kingdom, her people, her parents and her crown in one fell swoop . . . No, the crown was still hers . . . and she was well aware that before the Autumnius Court had closed their gates, protected their capital by magic, citizens of Primulan City, her home; had found shelter there . . . But Florumian Court - the lands the court had governed for so long . . . they were decimated by the wrath of those who had acted in vengeance against her. Her parents' lifeless corpses had waited for her to stumble upon them with in the chamber, her mother and father with the determination still captured on their faces, frozen in a time of protecting their people and their court.
Nocte's body was gone.
She was hopefully he had led as many to the safety of Autumnius Court, where his best friend and the heir to the former Winter Fae court had welcomed them. He'd have been the sort to find the out like that, knew all the secret ways to Autumolos from his time venturing their to further a friendship that their parents had originally detested. She prayed it was that friendship that sheltered her people now. Kept them safe until the time the Florumian Court might be able to be re-established, if it could ever successfully be so. As of her last time fluttering through those lands, those monsters still lay in wait, watching for her return to finish off what they had started. But Caela had hope - the longer she waited them out, the more likely they'd give up.
Hope.
It was what pushed Cae further on, what drove her to being more than just a shell of a mare who'd lost so much. She'd seen death and destruction up close. She'd buried a child before she should have ever had to. She'd seen the light of Arson's vibrant green eyes pale into the dull green-grey of death. She'd whispered her goodbyes to the stars, and shed more tears in the rain than she cared to remember, but hope pulled her forward. Hope that her kingdom would one day become alive - even if it was her heir that would have to lead them on. Hope that this bad luck curse that left those around her as good as dead would be lifted, and she might find happiness and friendship once again (she'd already decided any more romances were out of the question - three dead lovers was three too many).
No, no more.
But, perhaps friends could be gained once more - and perhaps it started as simply as this - a conversation that led into knowing more about one another. Luvena was quick to assure her that she hadn't been rude, and stated that she had her ailment from the time of her birth. Those words helped Caelum's concern die a touch more into reluctant acceptance - an ailment that long, than surely the mare would have had a handle on it, even if her limbs trembled like a leaf, and she was faint enough that a mild breeze might knock her over, "If you do not mind, what sort of ailment is it that you suffer from - especially for so long?" And was there anything Cael could do to help?
She knew.
But then, it can't be too hard to read all of the subtle mannerisms Caelum carried, the perfect daughter, the perfect princess, the perfect future queen. A soft smile touched Caela's face as she gently inclined her head in an affirmative before she allowed herself to re-introduce herself, "Please, I am Caelum Bella Knoxx, Crowned Princess of the Florumian Court, the Blessed Flower of Primulan City." She spoke the words softly, but with an underlining power and strength. Her titles were a source of who she was, a pride in her people and her court. "Although, I do fear there is little left of the once beautiful lands of Florumian Court. Not after those vile beings came and destroyed it all. But the titles, they are still mine to hold." Her face softened, a soft sorrow touching her features, but she braved the memories with a smile. Not all had died, Autumnius Court had proven the alliance between the Summer and Winter Courts strong.
The survivors were safe.
At the other's sudden bitterness Caela's head snapped towards her, her expression softening with surprise and then gentle understanding, "Living life waiting for history to repeat and tarnish the world around you is no life to live. You'll fade into bitterness and regret." How often had Shiori said the same things to her, "Even when it seems hard, coming back from such a disaster . . . don't focus on the sorrow and heartache. Live for the hope, live your life fully for those who did not. And . . . remember that even when the world seems bleak and cold and we feel so alone . . . our loved ones never truly leave our side." She owed so much to Shiori, but perhaps she could share some of that wisdom with another now.
If only for a moment.
"Speech"
Thoughts
@Luvena
Her mother had explained that to her plenty of times as she spoke of the way Caelum must carry herself, how to read others and how to read a courtroom. How to know when to politely accept a dance, and how to catch her father's eye subtly when she needed a well timed rescue. Caelum had only recently lost her kingdom, her people, her parents and her crown in one fell swoop . . . No, the crown was still hers . . . and she was well aware that before the Autumnius Court had closed their gates, protected their capital by magic, citizens of Primulan City, her home; had found shelter there . . . But Florumian Court - the lands the court had governed for so long . . . they were decimated by the wrath of those who had acted in vengeance against her. Her parents' lifeless corpses had waited for her to stumble upon them with in the chamber, her mother and father with the determination still captured on their faces, frozen in a time of protecting their people and their court.
Nocte's body was gone.
She was hopefully he had led as many to the safety of Autumnius Court, where his best friend and the heir to the former Winter Fae court had welcomed them. He'd have been the sort to find the out like that, knew all the secret ways to Autumolos from his time venturing their to further a friendship that their parents had originally detested. She prayed it was that friendship that sheltered her people now. Kept them safe until the time the Florumian Court might be able to be re-established, if it could ever successfully be so. As of her last time fluttering through those lands, those monsters still lay in wait, watching for her return to finish off what they had started. But Caela had hope - the longer she waited them out, the more likely they'd give up.
Hope.
It was what pushed Cae further on, what drove her to being more than just a shell of a mare who'd lost so much. She'd seen death and destruction up close. She'd buried a child before she should have ever had to. She'd seen the light of Arson's vibrant green eyes pale into the dull green-grey of death. She'd whispered her goodbyes to the stars, and shed more tears in the rain than she cared to remember, but hope pulled her forward. Hope that her kingdom would one day become alive - even if it was her heir that would have to lead them on. Hope that this bad luck curse that left those around her as good as dead would be lifted, and she might find happiness and friendship once again (she'd already decided any more romances were out of the question - three dead lovers was three too many).
No, no more.
But, perhaps friends could be gained once more - and perhaps it started as simply as this - a conversation that led into knowing more about one another. Luvena was quick to assure her that she hadn't been rude, and stated that she had her ailment from the time of her birth. Those words helped Caelum's concern die a touch more into reluctant acceptance - an ailment that long, than surely the mare would have had a handle on it, even if her limbs trembled like a leaf, and she was faint enough that a mild breeze might knock her over, "If you do not mind, what sort of ailment is it that you suffer from - especially for so long?" And was there anything Cael could do to help?
She knew.
But then, it can't be too hard to read all of the subtle mannerisms Caelum carried, the perfect daughter, the perfect princess, the perfect future queen. A soft smile touched Caela's face as she gently inclined her head in an affirmative before she allowed herself to re-introduce herself, "Please, I am Caelum Bella Knoxx, Crowned Princess of the Florumian Court, the Blessed Flower of Primulan City." She spoke the words softly, but with an underlining power and strength. Her titles were a source of who she was, a pride in her people and her court. "Although, I do fear there is little left of the once beautiful lands of Florumian Court. Not after those vile beings came and destroyed it all. But the titles, they are still mine to hold." Her face softened, a soft sorrow touching her features, but she braved the memories with a smile. Not all had died, Autumnius Court had proven the alliance between the Summer and Winter Courts strong.
The survivors were safe.
At the other's sudden bitterness Caela's head snapped towards her, her expression softening with surprise and then gentle understanding, "Living life waiting for history to repeat and tarnish the world around you is no life to live. You'll fade into bitterness and regret." How often had Shiori said the same things to her, "Even when it seems hard, coming back from such a disaster . . . don't focus on the sorrow and heartache. Live for the hope, live your life fully for those who did not. And . . . remember that even when the world seems bleak and cold and we feel so alone . . . our loved ones never truly leave our side." She owed so much to Shiori, but perhaps she could share some of that wisdom with another now.
If only for a moment.
"Speech"
Thoughts
@Luvena
