The anticipation grew with every step he took, saturating his veins so that they burned and ran as though it were fire instead of blood filling them. His energy continued to grow upon itself until he nearly pranced along the winding path, neck craned to try and capture even a glimpse of the Night Court, shrouded in the valley as it was. It would be smarter—and safer—were he to watch his footing, to pay closer attention to the loose rocks and gravel upon which he could very easily slip. But such thoughts were far from his mind.
Denocte. Even the name sounded exotic, reminding him of Reichenbach’s subtle accent, the ’oh’ rolling off his tongue with such a lovely lilt.
Not even the political business he brought with him—a scroll bound with Kasil’s unbroken seal waxing the ends together—could distract him from the mystery unfurling before him, fog dissipating in the warming sun.
He was not alone, either, which had helped distract him somewhat. Even if Nimue was not quite impressed with his own humor and antics as he was, still, having company on his journey was warmly embraced.
It was not until they reached the end of the trail, and Po took his first step upon the dewey grass at the mountain’s base, that he paused. Even Ipomoea, young and untrained though he was, knew one could not simply seek out the King of Night unannounced. No, he would wait for an escort—meanwhile giving himself time to take in the beauty of Denocte. Purple flowers upon long spines tickled at his knees, prompting him to bend closer in inspection, their fragrance drowning his senses in an instant. If he were lucky, he might get the opportunity to pick one or two of the fine specimens before he took his leave.
"What do you think these are called?" he inquired of his companion, slowly wandering farther away with his head firmly lowered to the earth, wading into the sea of purple petals. It may seem childish and unprofessional to most, sure--but until they were greeted by a Night Court citizen, he would stop and smell the flowers.
Every step, every further meter of distance from her library, was cause enough for her displeasure. She, a once-goddess now mortal seeress, was running a royal errand. A fool's errand, perhaps, she did not know. For she did not care to use her newly found gifts to See what her King had bound and written on the sealed scroll held by her company, her Emissary, Ipomoea.
As her King's chosen Champion, leader of Dawn's sages, and mistress to the wealth of knowledge in the court's plethora of libraries, Nimue could not feasibly excuse herself from the offer of joining her emissary on his journey to a foreign court. Oh, she had wanted to. She did not have to step one, delicate hoof outside of the castle walls unless she needed to. Her Sight could tell her so much, if only her abilities would work. But now, with an uncontrolled grasp on her visions, she had seen this errand as an opportunity. An advancement of her knowledge. To potentially find her brother, and to weed out the weaknesses of the other kings and queens that held the mantle of each court.
A headache had formed as they traveled; a knot in her temple above her mortally-blind, otherworldly eye. Pounding, relentless, merciless, for having used the sheer moments of her gifts to See who would greet them. She was met with shadows and smoke and stars, her vision unclear. Her breath had been hot and thick as they walked, now muddled with a string of colorful curses. What use was the relic of the Time god if she could not use her Sight to it's fullest potential? Nimue, a guardian now trapped in a rose-touched mare on earthen soil, whom had watched the Universe's timelines concurrently with her twin.. now damned with a youth's grip on such a precious, precious gift. Now, she was no more than a child. A Witch Child; befitting to the name her tribe had given to her when she had landed in this accursed world.
What do you think these are called?
Nimue could barely contain her eyes rolling into her skull, her annoyance a beast that she did not care to chain. Air huffed through her nostrils, her patience thinner than new ice on a creek in early winter. "I do not particularly care for flowers." Her right orb of blue violet flickered over momentarily, to watch her Emissary smelling each and every blossom that littered the dewy ground beneath the shadow of the mountains. Childish, for someone who was supposed to hold sway in their Court. She had not realized how far they had walked then; more so contained in her own bubble, her own misery. Shivers ran down her spine as her company vanished from her side, autumn's fingers toying with the dapples of her skin. In the shadows beneath the rocky mountains towering above them, the air had dropped several degrees, where in the sun, heat would kiss her rosy complexion. Instead, she decided to stay put; a statue of stone, pressing the limits of her Sight despite the migraine that threatened to grow.
Her lips drew in a hard, unforgiving line as she closed her eyes and willed for someone to show up, to greet them. The quicker, the better, for she would sooner prefer to crawl back into her library than later.
@ipomoea @reichenbach ♡ Holy muffin I'm so sorry for Nim's crankiness xD
@sid Po is so precious I love him :3 "Nimue speech."
It would be a rare day indeed if the King of Gypsies left the greeting of emissaries to an escort, if he simply allowed someone else to be performing the duties that, in reality, had an effect on the whole of Denocte. While he had already met with Kasil and found him to be quite charming and amiable, there could be no telling how the Dawn emissary and his companion would react to the wilds of Denocte - and it's citizens. The Dawn Court had been a country of soft, elegant beauty and knowledge, boundless in it's wisdom and serenity... almost an exact opposite to the chaotic freedom of Denocte. It was possibly why their Court had such a terrible reputation - why Dawn had not set foot in The Night Court for many years now.
While Dawn had their elegance and knowledge, Denocte had other talents, other beauty. They had the variation of their people - less straight collared than the other Courts, more diverse - with multitudes of foreign talents and inspirations. Denocte had the most beautiful of dancers, singers and performers to offer to the world around them, along with uncommon talents like fire eating or hypnosis. The Night Court had her dark side, of course, one Reichenbach himself was quite associated with - knife throwers, thieves, weapons in all shapes and forms, not a strict militaristic force but something more... Calligo-esque.
He'd been forced to consider these sorts of things lately... the wealth that lay in dangerous weapons, skilled warriors.. alliances. Reichenbach had rarely given much thought to alliances in his life, either he was friendly with someone or he was not - and Calligo save whoever he was not friendly with. The King of Thieves was a merry, jovial soul - but he enjoyed bloodying his fists just as much as he enjoyed mischief with his Crows, and his temper was a fierce, unforgiving thing. Politics really were not his strong point, though he doubted he'd need to use them much around the sweet hearted Ipomoea.
As if his thoughts had led him directly to the fresh faced emissary, Reichenbach stepped neatly, pleasantly, out of the surrounding trees. His lips crinkled as he grinned, emanating warmth and woodsmoke, completely at ease with the company he greeted, despite never having met the razor boned Champion of Wisdom. He looked her over now, silver eyes quick and subtle below his ebony lashes, catching the sharp intelligence and the honed elegance of her before he offered a pleasant smile and welcoming bow;
"Welcome to Denocte, Ipomoea... Nimue."
His baritone voice hummed with a music that had been absent lately - a music that was slowly returning with Rostislav back in his rightful place. He did not bother to explain how he knew who Nimue was, nor did he think they would ask - it was in the best interest of the Sovereigns of all the Courts to know these things. He lifted his gaze after raising from his bow, grinning at the sight of Ipomoea, so dainty and lovely, amongst the flowers of Denocte.
@Nimue @Ipomoea yewww got the groove back guys I'm keen <3
Nimue’s curtness had no effect on him—whether she smiled or snapped he seemed absolutely oblivious, happy to simply have her company with him. His joy and energy was more than enough for the two of them combined, making it all the same to him.
“Oh, that’s a shame,” he said absently, pausing to observe an exceptionally beautiful blossom. Its dark violet petals faded to white in the center, thin red veins streaking through its middle. He inhaled deeply. “There are so many different types, I’m sure there’s one you’d like…” His voice drifted off as he moved on to the next flower, lists on names and species already flying through his mind. Nimue certainly did not seem like a daisy or (list flowers here) type—expound on flower species ere.
But… maybe a lily?
Ipomoea was delighted at the thought, making a mental note to do some more research when he returned to Delumine. There was not an ounce of doubt in his mind that Nimue did indeed like flowers (for who couldn’t?) He just had to find the right sort to share with her.
Such thoughts, however, were cut short by the sudden appearance of the Night kind.
He was exactly the way Po remembered him: strong, dark, and handsome. If it weren’t for his many gypsy coins tapping and chiming against his sides, Po might not have even noticed his presence before he spoke (those thick, dulcet tones and the rolling of ’Denocte’ off his tongue sending shivers down Po’s spine). As it was, he had just enough time to turn and face the bay stallion, a smile shining upon his face in greeting.
“Thank you,” he took a moment to dip his head low in respect, extending one foreleg before him and pausing for a heartbeat. Then he lifted his head, wading his way through the sea of flowers to join Nimue. “These flowers are beautiful—their perfume is so strong for such small plants.” He hoped it would cling to his skin, following him back to the Dawn Court when he left. “Do any of your artisans sell a perfume made from them?” There was hope in his voice, for it had an effect similar to that of lavender, washing his senses and calming his soul. Surely Po would leave the Night Court with emptied pockets if there came the opportunity to buy a few bottles. He gave himself a shake, resisting the temptation to lower himself back to the flowers, to roll in their aroma. To do so would undoubtedly be seen as unprofessional.
“King Kasil sends his regards from the Dawn Court,” he added, squaring his shoulders in an attempt to look more self-assured, the way Reich always seemed to look. “He had business in the capitol preventing him from accompanying us today. He sends Nimue and I in his stead.”
@Nimue @reichenbach @any night courtians!
ohhh nim you've done it now, po's gonna be knocking on your door and leaving flowers for you every where you go now lmao
!!!.
unaware of where i'm going
or if i'm going anywhere at all
but i know i'll take the leap if it is worth the fall
Colors swirled and morphed before her eyes, fighting and struggling to create definition; her Sight grasping desperately for a clear picture. Her rosy face screwed up in a grimace as she pushed harder still, a knot forming in her temple above her left eye as she did so. With a trio of blinks, her magic was blissfully unleashed; her vision suddenly crystal clear with a satisfying snap. The edges of her gaze were muddled and blurred as she hurriedly sifted through multiple overlapping timelines until she found the one she desired to See.. the crowned king under a goddess of onyx and galaxies. She did not hear her emissary's words of rustling through the meadow, instead focusing all of her energy to the power that swirled in her blood and bones. Her Sight showed her his face; the cool, near inky dark of his bronzed skin, and eyes like molten, miniature moons. Nimue was about to watch their meeting unfold before her very eyes when —
She heard him before she saw him melt from the obsidian shadows underneath the mountain — a true embodiment of the court he ruled. All shadows and smoke and stars.
Welcome to Denocte, Ipomoea.. Nimue.
Her Sight had not failed her, as she batted away her power, blinking as she watched him emerge before her for a second time. The rosy witch rose her chin, her haunting gaze narrowing as she took in the King of Thieves. He, of warmth and mystery and smoke, ever befitting of his title as the physical embodiment of Calligo. Reichenbach was all that his reputation had told him to be; passionate and unbound and emotional. Handsome too, she added. But she did not voice such things. Instead, the witch listened and waited. She did not falter at his rumbling voice formed her name; did not think twice of how the Night King knew of her, when they had not yet met. Surprise did not coat her tongue, and she did not waste a thought of such things. Nimue did not balk; instead, she was amused, a wicked grin tugging her ivory lips upwards into a cruel smile. Perhaps her reputation had reached across the neutral lands and into the corners of the star-kissed country of the demi-goddess. The thought brought a shred of contentment blooming in her chest.
Nimue could almost swear that the gathering shadows slithered and clung to every gods-damned blossom beneath the mountain; Calligo's fingers grazing every empty space with darkness. Her dappled skin crawled, either from the feeling of the shadows dancing across her rose-touched coat or from Ipomoea joining her. Either way, she did not care. She played the perfect part; shoving her discomfort and impatience down into a cage made of shining alabaster bone and adamant. Her Emissary's rambling of flowers had her almost grimacing, but her soft smile did not move, concreted onto her lips.
She would set fire to every one of those colorful weeds if it meant that her lord would never speak of them again.
King Kasil sends his regards from the Dawn Court. He had business in the capitol preventing him from accompanying us today. He sends Nimue and I in his stead.
Yes.. send the flower child and a witch together. What a grand idea. Nimue dipped her crown slowly in respect to the foreign, mysterious king. When she rose, her forelock fell perfectly down the center line of her delicate face; her haunting, blind eye and blue-violet orb open. She had half a thought to call her Sight once more, to See what was to be decided before they spoke. With a short inhale, the witch decided against it. The last thing she wanted was to do something to upset her King.. not when she had just been granted a role that she herself could thrive in. Then there was the other king, the man who stood before her now, with silver eyes and a star that gleamed where his third eye would be; like a constellation plucked from the night skies themselves.
"Your reputation proceeds you," she said simply, "King of Stars and Smoke."
@ipomoea @reichenbach ♡
Do ittttt. She's so cranky omg. "Nimue speech."
Reichenbach's wide grin only grew as he drew further into Ipomoea's flowers, his scent of jasmine and woodsmoke clinging to the ripples of his dark skin, subtle and hidden among the pungent flowers the Dawn emissary waded through. He was picturesque, looking more like a painting than a man within the violet sea of flowers - The Night King could see it now, the snapshot of Ipomoea captured perfectly by Denocte's artists, rendered in pastels or oils, even watercolour... and if he were looking for perfumes, the poor boy would be overwhelmed by the array they had in the markets.
"I believe you will enjoy our markets, Ipomoea. They have much to offer - perfumes are only a small aspect of what we can provide from Calligo's lands."
Not just Calligo's land either, but many supplies from many continents, all delivered by hand or by ship to their vibrant territory. The markets boasted such a varied and bountiful display that they were the pride of Denocte - under-utilised by the other Courts, though that could soon change.
"And for you Nimue,"
The King of Thieves turned his bright silver gaze to the witchling, assessing her before saying;
"We have many different travelers settling in Denocte... information from other lands, other worlds... it often ends up in our laps"
Or... close enough. Reichenbach didn't need to mention that his Crows, his thieves and spies, were the most accomplished in Novus. They wrested information and secrets from even the hardiest of equines, whether through force, persuasion or poisons. He would have liked to see Nimue face his twins, Mila and Lavinia, for they had the same sharp gaze, the same intelligence resting in the sharp angles of their razor boned faces. A battle of words between the three would be.... interesting. If Reichenbach was not so certain his girls were loyal only to him, he might have found some concern in his great heart that they would choose to leave and train underneath the Champion. Though...
He studied her subtly, lowering thick lashes as his brain whirred. Perhaps Mila and Lavinia could benefit from learning the ways of another Court - though all his Crows were made to study and learn about the other Courts, in case one day they needed to escape and adapt. He would not have his orphans become vulnerable - would rather die than do so. Yet... If Dawn and Night allied (such a thing had never been heard of, never been spoken of.. until now) he could safely send the twins to learn what they could from the Champion. She had many secrets hidden behind her long lashed eyes, that much he was sure of.
"Walk with me, if you would"
He began, his voice like a breath of thunder and music. The muscles underneath his skin slid and moved easily, his step fluid and graceful as he moved toward the path to the City of Starlight. As they walked, he turned to Ipomoea, asking:
"Have you heard news of Dusk allying themselves with the Solterrans?"
@Nimue @Ipomoea -happydance- these three are the cutest trio
Ipomoea had always had simple pleasures, with simple wishes. Flowers alone were enough to clear his mind or settle his emotions, bringing him to the happiness of childhood (one which he had not yet fully left). The thought of being able to take these flowers with him when he returned home—even if only in scent and memory—was enough to cast a broad smile across his lips. As Reichenbach spoke, he dipped his head once more to the flowers, breathing deeply and taking in their scent.
“I will be sure to make a stop there while we’re here,” he promised the Night King. It certainly was good he had not brought a pack with him—otherwise, Ipomoea might have walked away from Denocte with half the market in his pocket.
He fell into stride easily at Reichenbach’s request, mottled legs maneuvering attentively around the violets. He took special care to not trample any of their delicate stems or petals, despite the waywardness it caused his path to take. One ear was tilted attentively back to his companions, engaging in the conversation despite his distraction.
“We have indeed,” he responded, hopping a little to the side to avoid a particularly large bush. “It would seem appropriate, that Sovereign Maxence would want to have a court of healers on their side.”
Thoughts of Florentine, with her golden hair and fluttering wings, filled his mind. The other Emissary had only ever been kind to him, and Po continued to count her as a friend despite never having met her queen. Even his one meeting with Maxence, when he had snuck in to steal soil from Dawn Court’s river, had ended in a good note—or so Ipomoea hoped. It would not do to make an enemy out of Solterra.
’Out of anyone,’ he reaffirmed to himself silently, remembering his goal here in Denocte. Kasil was trusting him… Ipomoea vowed to represent Delumine well.
”What do you think of their alliance, Night King?”
@Nimue @reichenbach a little bit shorter, I’m so sorry for the wait!
!!!.
unaware of where i'm going
or if i'm going anywhere at all
but i know i'll take the leap if it is worth the fall
