[AW] The Court of Dreams —

[Aislinn]

Aislinn  magical, wild thing you are Defiant and proud; a pillar of stone against a battering stormy sea. The embodiment of of falling stars and hurricanes. Standing on the edge of the fray, she was at the perfect vantage point to watch over the crowd gathered beneath the darkness and smoke. She panted until her breathing slowed; taking deep inhales of the cool night air, heavy with the musk of bonfires and jasmine. A scent that was much too close to what his skin smelled like; the warmth that had flooded over her where his lips touched her a phantom that continued to haunt her. Her gaze never faltered from the dais, a silent watcher, noting all of the little details. She watched from the edge of the firelight as the red-horned man joined their king, a younger looking boy in tow. Emotionless, until a boisterous figure accompanied them — Rostislav, she realized, with a grin toying with her lips at the sight of him. The brute stallion she had fought on a clear night very similar to this; with a familiar hound not far behind him. Although he did not see her from across the market square, Aislinn couldn't help but dip her crown momentarily in mutual respect for a fellow soldier, much like the handsome man of stars and smoke at his side — Your eyes haven't left him, have they? Surprise like sharp and tangy candy hit the warrior-gypsy as she realized someone was speaking to her. Blinking against the heavy smoke, she took note of a small-but-mighty little thing that had gathered next to her on the stairs. Not directly looking at her, but too close to have spoken to someone else. Aislinn's eyes searched to find a shred of familiarity to the young girl; to her strong and delicate frame, red and gold like a ghost of scorched deserts and hot summer nights. No.. she could not place her, but she surely would not forget her all the same. With a smirk, she huffed and continued her watch on the crowd, half a thought of ignoring her entirely. Instead, she replied. "As is my duty to watch over the King and his people," Aislinn retorted, a little too tightly; blatantly ignoring the obvious context to the girl's words. She had successfully been able to keep the memory of his voice out of her head, the record finally broken; the shadow of his kiss on her wing nearly vanished. But all too soon did they begin to flood back to her as the Night King addressed them all. The Court of Dreamers they were; reunited under a sea of shining stars and blessed by the Goddess. Much like the night Aislinn regreted, where she had said and unsaid all of the nothings and somethings running wildly in her heart. One by one, she half-listened as Reichenbach began to announce the new members to join his council.. the true Court of Dreams. Her ears pricked as Rostislav was named their Warden; and with a swollen heart, she was overall glad to know she would be working closely with a capable warrior such as himself.  Aislinn, I would like for you to be our — I'm in love with — we aren't.. can't — Her lip curled at the memory, shaking her wild starlight-colored mane to rid the voices from her thoughts. Her features were neutral once more when he finally looked at her — really looked at her — through the dancing firelight across the square. She could not help but quiver internally as his deep voice resonated with her name; and not just any name, but her kinvadantee title gifted to her by the Rahilah Crone. Her heart jumped into her throat as her azure orbs met with his of molten silver; dipping her crown in answer, and nothing else. No emotion, no tears, no visible heartache. When his announcements had ceased, and the revelry had begun anew, Aislinn finally took her leave and stepped down into the thick of the crowd. Her blood still sang for music and dance and freedom, and with lighter hooves, she moved again, her body matching the drums beating around them. Embers reached for the stars as Calligo smiled down on them all; as a gypsy woman danced to forget, to lose herself entirely. She should be delighted, happy even.. but the lingering ache was a shadow still sewed into her soul. With a shriek of laughter — not completely a lie — Aislinn used the tendrils of her mind to lift a glass of summer wine from a nearby table, downing it in it's entirety. For she was the Champion of Battle; and although duty called to her, she instead tried to take a moment for herself. A foolish one, but still a moment. @reichenbach @camdis @Raglan @rostislav @mila all mentioned c: Directly speaks to @Mila! "Aislinn speech." ★