The day started simply enough. Wake to the side of his beloved Eulalie, check on the children and ensure that all was well, then enjoy a mug of coffee before beginning his day. There was hardly any time to simply take it easy, especially since the fires of Viride. The process of regrowth would be a slow one, but gradual; any effort put into rebuilding what was lost was a tumultuous task, but one that the citizens of their court seemed to embrace.
Mottled wings stretched wide as he stepped outside of the citadel proper, letting himself bask in the chilly autumn air. It was hard to believe that it was already fall… With the arrival of the new season came the twins’ birthdays, and it was even more difficult to believe that his children were one year old. It seemed like hardly any time had passed since they had been born, and yet here they were, one year later. Breathing in deep, the Dawn King glanced about the main courtyard, nodding to those in passing and murmuring soft ‘good mornings’ to those who greeted him in kind with warm smiles.
Peace had settled upon Delumine, and Somnus knew to relish it. Only Oriens knew what else might be in store for them now, and unfortunately his patron deity had not been seen since they had escorted the squirrels to their new home.
Stepping away from the citadel, the golden dun walked slowly around the courtyard, stopping every now and again to check on Ipomoea’s gardens and smell the autumn blooms. It was as he ambled about, lax and at ease, that he spotted a somewhat familiar lavender colored woman. She was a pretty thing with ivory tresses and a fine visage, and Somnus smiled warmly and cleared his throat as he approached her. They had spoken, albeit briefly, and he knew that he needed to do better at becoming acquainted with the other individuals who called the Dawn Court their home.
“Mesnyi, wasn't it?”The accented inquiry spilled softly from dark lips as the dunalino stepped closer to the lilac woman’s side, dipping his head in cordial sort of greeting. “I believe we’ve met, but only in passing, I’m afraid. How are you this fine morning?”
ashes to ashes and dust to dust lord show me a woman that man can trust
T
he morning had been a peaceful one; Mesnyi enjoyed an early breakfast of greens and various fruits native to Delumine before heading out to explore the court. Without a lover at her side, she had no reason to stay up late or sleep late, and so, she woke with the dawn. It was her natural rhythm, the rhythm of independence. She pretended not to like it, sometimes. Sometimes she touted herself as an early bird, but only after she got the worm.
She was doing her rounds again, hoping to see something or someone of interest. Her social life had been dry at best, and unfortunately lacking in the rich and famous. She was made for better things, she thought, but as she rounded a dawn-lit corner she spied a familiar golden stallion. Mesnyi smiled as she approached. She crossed her legs and dipped her head in the bow of some land she’d once passed through. ”Somnus, how lovely to see you. It is a shame we have not crossed paths sooner.” She tilted her head, waves curling over her shoulder as some slow fog across a mountainside. ”I am well. Still getting my bearings, I’m afraid, but glad to be here. It is quite a lovely country. Yourself?” Her gaze danced up to the light peaking over the roofs, glowing against the sky. ”Is Alba about?”
"You see, women are like fires, like flames. Some women are like candles, bright and friendly. Some are like single sparks, or embers, like fireflies for chasing on summer nights. Some are like campfires, all light and heat for a night and willing to be left after. Some women are like hearthfires, not much to look at but underneath they are all warm red coal that burns a long, long while."
tracker plotter
please tag the proper character for replies
Somnus knew that he would never grow accustomed to the individuals of this land treating him like royalty. He wasn’t, but it no longer bothered him as much as it once had. The months following his ascension had been difficult as he struggled to understand why Kasil had shouldered him with such a task, but… Somnus was nothing if not loyal, and his King had needed him. Now? Well… Now, he did what he could to keep Kasil’s legacy alive, as well as maybe instill a bit of his own. Yet he would never consider himself royalty, for he was very much just a man.
Infallible. Imperfect. Mortal. Mistakes would be made, but he grasped the determination now to learn from them, as opposed to let them drown him.
As Mesnyi greeted him with a flourish of a polite curtsy, Somnus dipped his obsidian crown to her, a warm, cordial smile spread upon the dunalino’s dark lips. Small talk was easy. It always had been, especially when he had so dutifully served within two kingdoms, now. It was also easy because he found that he genuinely cared what the members of Delumine got up to, or how they were doing. Their plight was now his plight, after all.
“I would be delighted to remedy that shame now,” he began, the clipped, polished tone of his accent carrying on a jovial tone, “But I’m glad, that you’ve been settling. I know that the process can take quite some time, so don’t ever feel discouraged. If you need any assistance, please Mesnyi, never hesitate to let me know, hm?”
Following the lavender woman’s keen gaze upwards to the sky above them, he arched a brow. Lowering his jaw, the Dawn King chuckled warmly, his smile turning into a far more mischievous grin as the topic of a certain barn owl came up. “She’s hunting, I believe. This hour of early morning has always been Alba’s favorite hunting time, and I tend to leave her to it.” That had been one mistake that Somnus had quickly learned from; when hunting, leave Alba to her own devices. He definitely did not want a repeat of that.
Clearing his throat, Somnus motioned forward with his muzzle. “Would you care to join me for a morning stroll about the gardens?”
esnyi smiled warmly. He seemed truly kind, and one would be hard pressed to find fault in his manners. She did not come from gentle people, but she spent such time in their presence that she had come to appreciate the sheer effort it took to maintain a perfect facade. Although, to his credit, (and hers), it seemed effortless, and on his part, genuine. ”If you need any assistance, please, Mesnyi, never hesitate to let me know, hm?”
”Of course. I truly appreciate the welcome.” She had, in her time here, gotten wind that the ruler was, indeed, a man named Somnus, but she had not confirmed that this was him. He certainly seemed to wear courtesy like a crown. The lavender mare tilted her head in amusement as Somnus chuckled over his familiar. ”I do not imagine I would follow any creature hunting, no matter the size. I wish her luck.” She did not, truly, delight in death or suffering, ever, but she had no intention of allowing it into her life, either.
”Would you care to join me for a morning stroll about the gardens?”
Mesnyi dipped her head. ”That would be lovely.” She would follow at his side when he began to walk, not allowing herself to lead. She would, instead, see if that was his duty. ”I do not imagine there are many with such a name…but are you the Somnus that leads these people? Or - “ she giggled sheepishly, false embarrassment known to only the keen ear, ” - our people, I suppose.” The words went a little sour in her mouth - the ownership it implied was not her intention. Too forward, too comfortable. She held no ownership over this land, and it held no ownership over her, and she intended Somnus to believe. The statement did not line up with the image she was building before Somnus, but her visage remained placid and content as ever.
"You see, women are like fires, like flames. Some women are like candles, bright and friendly. Some are like single sparks, or embers, like fireflies for chasing on summer nights. Some are like campfires, all light and heat for a night and willing to be left after. Some women are like hearthfires, not much to look at but underneath they are all warm red coal that burns a long, long while."
tracker plotter
please tag the proper character for replies
At her acquiescence, Somnus dipped his head in a nod. He turned, a glisten of gold against dawn’s early breath, and began walking at a leisurely pace along the cobblestone path of the courtyard. He took caution to monitor his pace, careful to not walk too fast or too slow. He was in no hurry. There was no reason to be, not today.
When was the last time that the dunalino had just enjoyed a peaceful stroll through the courtyard gardens? Breathe in the chilled morning air and taste the earth on the wind? For now, duties were cast aside. Perhaps selfishly, he just wanted a little moment of freedom, away from obligations and expectations. Whether or not he would find that here was something that remained to be seen.
A golden ear tipped towards Mesnyi’s direction when the lavender hued maiden spoke. Verdant eyes slid sidelong in her direction, a brow arching elegantly. A somewhat amused smile crossed the stallion’s dark lips, but there was something oddly humble about such an expression. Just as well, there was some sort of inflection to the woman’s tone, something forced, but Somnus felt there to be no reason to bring it to light. It was her own personal business, and he was not one to pry.
“Ah,” the tactician began thoughtfully, glancing away to focus ahead on their immediate surroundings and the path that lay before them, “I am afraid that I do not ’lead’, so much as ’serve’ the individuals who call Delumine home. I am just a man; hardly anything more.”
Eulalie would disagree, he knew, but his beautiful life-mate was not here to chastise him. Later, perhaps, should her knowing, keen ears ever gain word of what was said here today. Somnus already felt himself shudder at the thought of her clipped tongue and merciless, yet breathtaking stare. Gods above, but he was smitten. The Dawn King offers Mesnyi a sheepish little grin.
“Although I do suppose that individuals would say I lead, yes.” Although Somnus wasn’t too keen on seeing it that way. Was he not the ultimate servant of Oriens and the people of Delumine? The burdens of Kingship fell to his shoulders, and Oriens be praised, but the mantle was heavy. It was not his to carry alone, however, not with the Regime and Council at his back, and the citizens to be the foundation. Without all of them, he knew that he would never be strong enough to shoulder the role of King.
Hoping to move the conversation along, the dunalino quickly inquired into Mesnyi’s own fancies. “And what of you, Mesnyi? Be it duty or desire; what calls to you, here?”
I wonder little at my fate (it is the bringer of my escape)
M
esnyi smiled (genuinely, now) at his description - “I do not ‘lead,’ so much as ‘serve’…” Perhaps if she was different a snort would have fouled her image; perhaps if she was different she would have been impressed. All she thinks is, good man and all she says is, “Good leader,” for he is not truly a servant, no matter what he says. But are the greatest leaders not those who do not wish for power? It is often so, though Mesnyi cannot claim to know very much about politics on the larger scale. She met his grin with her own; some real things could be held on to if they were indiscernible from her false things. She tried not to think about it for too long.
She did not often have such reciprocal conversations, but the lavender mare was certainly delighted at the genuinely pleasant talk they were having, and so, she welcomed his question. ”Desire, of course. I have little duties of my own; should my family find me here I may join them again, but I do not think that will be for some time.” The separation did not quite sting yet - it would likely be quite a while before the road called her and the Benevolent appeared, sensing her loneliness, though they never seemed to know it. It seemed wrong to say she was “homesick” - for the road was not a home, no, but it was something of the same feeling. Mesnyi could vaguely recall the sadness of her younger days, when she yearned for her parents and the woodland of her early childhood.
”They are still here, I believe. Wandering and singing and such. But they will be off soon, and this land is very far from anywhere I have been before.” A soft huff escaped her nostrils. ”I have not a single reservation about my choice. Delumine has been kind to me.”
"You see, women are like fires, like flames. Some women are like candles, bright and friendly. Some are like single sparks, or embers, like fireflies for chasing on summer nights. Some are like campfires, all light and heat for a night and willing to be left after. Some women are like hearthfires, not much to look at but underneath they are all warm red coal that burns a long, long while."
tracker plotter
please tag the proper character for replies
Try as he might, Somnus could not hide the look of genuine concern and worry that stole across his face. Verdant eyes remained rooted upon Mesnyi’s own, searching her expression for a sign of something, for a tell or tick as to anymore information. Was the separation a rather uncomfortable, sensitive topic? Was the maiden of lilac and ivory determined to find them? Or was she content to just let the cards fall where they may?
With furrowed brows the dunalino softly cleared his throat. “Do you need assistance in returning to them? Or perhaps finding them?” The inquiry came gently, as though cautious to thrust himself in a place where he might not be wanted or welcome. After all, they hardly knew one another, and Somnus did his best to give everyone their space… Yet he wanted nothing more than to help those in need, and while Mesnyi seemed calm and comfortable where she stood, head high and sleek shoulders back, he couldn’t help but wonder.
“Apologies. It isn’t my place to ask such things, but…” He trailed off, surprisingly at a loss of what he should say. Family was precious. That was something he understood in a familiar, intimate way, but was he not a contradiction to his own belief when it came to his very own brother? Thought of the russet roan stallion sullied his mind and spread a bitter taste on his tongue, but Somnus pushed past it. Now was not the time.
At least she seemed at peace here, and her words of Delumine treating her with kindness and fairness was relieving to his troubled heart. “Very good. I’m glad to hear it, Mesnyi, truly.” A quick, cursory glance to see if he had irritated her, and then he continued, that worried look transferring back into a more amicable, warm smile and dancing emerald eyes. “Do you come from a wandering troupe?” He knew of a few nomads or gypsies down in Denocte, but he was unfamiliar with any that might be holed up within Delumine proper.
he wasn’t expecting him to seem so worried. It wasn’t that she didn’t find genuine care and concern amongst her family, but in her daily life and social wanderings it was rather…rare. Mesnyi spent her time performing and socializing, which were the same thing, really, for someone with aspirations (greed) such as herself. Somnus continued to surprise her with his honesty and kindness. It was nearly a shame he had found a lover; though Mesnyi hardly ever thought to waste the time and hearts of those that had plenty of good to lose. It was a little easier if they were already a bit broken, and didn’t remind her so much of Aleph.
”No need to worry Somnus, though I truly appreciate it. One does not encounter such kindness so often, but I left of my own accord.” She smiled at him, no masked hurt or anything of the sort; she was simply grateful and acting in accordance with her nature. ”Do you come from a wandering troupe?”
Her eyes lit up at the opportunity to glorify her people. ”Oh, yes. We are called the Benevolent, and we travel between worlds to sing and dance and gather up those who wish to do the same.” The lavender mare paused, musing upon some turning scarlet leaves before continuing. ”This world is farther than most, however, and I do not believe my family will return for some years. I doubt that there are few, if any, Benevolent in these lands, though I am certain that there are some like-minded individuals.” It didn’t sting yet, for the separation was new, but she could never predict when the ache would come. ”The ones whom I arrived with helped create the maze in Denocte this past summer. It was quite a spectacle.”
"You see, women are like fires, like flames. Some women are like candles, bright and friendly. Some are like single sparks, or embers, like fireflies for chasing on summer nights. Some are like campfires, all light and heat for a night and willing to be left after. Some women are like hearthfires, not much to look at but underneath they are all warm red coal that burns a long, long while."
tracker plotter
please tag the proper character for replies
![[Image: 26y3cfu.png]](https://i.imgur.com/26y3cfu.png)
