S O L S T I C E
and at last i see the light, and it's like the fog has lifted
Solstice had been here almost a year now. She could remember the day she came, as if it was yesterday – the way the sun had fallen on the flowers, warm and welcome. The way Ipomoea had welcomed her, without questions or demands, with simple kindness. She hadn’t known then that he was the king here, but had learned of it as she’d wandered, finding herself even more impressed with his humble demeanor. For in her past, Solstice had known only ruthless leaders and kingdoms built on rigorous structure and authoritarianism. She’d had no voice, no free will, no autonomy. But in Delumine, she had it all.
In the time since she’d come to Novus, the shy girl had gained a quiet voice. Her words held weight here, her desires obeyed, her confidence growing. Now she had built herself a home, modest but warm and personalized. What had started as a simple room now brimmed with books and paintings, with flowers perched on the windowsill and bright sunlight streaming through bits of colored glass to cast kaleidoscope patterns on the floor. Warm straw filled a comfortable bed, scented herbs creating a soothing space for her to calm her spirit and reflect, finding her peace. It was everything she’d ever wanted. But now, Solstice found herself wanting more…
She wanted to belong to the community here, to give her talents toward a greater cause. During the last year, she had been content to watch and to float along, like a feather in the wind. But now, the mare had felt a twinge of calling, watching the way healers had selflessly treated the hurts of their people, and finding herself curious to know more. Long into the winter nights, she’d read books about herbs and treatments in the library, finding her curiosity only growing with every new bit of knowledge. Now, she knew it would be her calling here – to heal and to help.
So Solstice wanders toward the garden, remembering that during their meeting long ago, Ipomoea had suggested he spent considerable time there. Spring in the court’s garden was beautiful, flowers brilliant with color and birdsong filling the air. She followed along a bubbling brook, tawny eyes watching as golden fish slipped between the rocks, lazily swimming beneath the crystal blue surface. Somewhere in the distance, a musician sang with a haunting voice, as much for herself as for the small audience which gathered to listen.
And when Solstice finds the sovereign, a smile breaks widely across her face, bright and warm as she murmured to him in greeting. "I thought I might find you here…”
In the time since she’d come to Novus, the shy girl had gained a quiet voice. Her words held weight here, her desires obeyed, her confidence growing. Now she had built herself a home, modest but warm and personalized. What had started as a simple room now brimmed with books and paintings, with flowers perched on the windowsill and bright sunlight streaming through bits of colored glass to cast kaleidoscope patterns on the floor. Warm straw filled a comfortable bed, scented herbs creating a soothing space for her to calm her spirit and reflect, finding her peace. It was everything she’d ever wanted. But now, Solstice found herself wanting more…
She wanted to belong to the community here, to give her talents toward a greater cause. During the last year, she had been content to watch and to float along, like a feather in the wind. But now, the mare had felt a twinge of calling, watching the way healers had selflessly treated the hurts of their people, and finding herself curious to know more. Long into the winter nights, she’d read books about herbs and treatments in the library, finding her curiosity only growing with every new bit of knowledge. Now, she knew it would be her calling here – to heal and to help.
So Solstice wanders toward the garden, remembering that during their meeting long ago, Ipomoea had suggested he spent considerable time there. Spring in the court’s garden was beautiful, flowers brilliant with color and birdsong filling the air. She followed along a bubbling brook, tawny eyes watching as golden fish slipped between the rocks, lazily swimming beneath the crystal blue surface. Somewhere in the distance, a musician sang with a haunting voice, as much for herself as for the small audience which gathered to listen.
And when Solstice finds the sovereign, a smile breaks widely across her face, bright and warm as she murmured to him in greeting. "I thought I might find you here…”
― @Ipomoea
