Fight! Fight! Pillow fight!

[meridio]

[For someone so fixated on the concept of fairness, Somnus was never known for observing formalities. The Oracle has retired after a trying day, a servant tells him, and must be allowed her rest. He brushes the night guard aside with the snap of his wrist, and it's a matter of seconds before he's striding across the chamber to where Aera slumbers. That she looks so peaceful where she lies doesn't deter him in the slightest.

His brother might scold him for his brusqueness, if he were here. He isn't.]

Oracle—

Comments

[indelebilis]

[ It's not that Aera doesn't like Somnus, because she does. He is family, or rather, he will be, and he is a brother in arms so to speak. They've never been the closest; his ideals have always been far different, far more extreme than her own. Than Ardyn's. But she's been patient with Somnus thus far, as much as one can be when in such a position.

The dream she was having was amazing. A field of sylleblossoms, warm sun, and happiness all around. As a matter of fact, she'd just been reaching towards the image of her beloved, Ardyn smiling at her, opening his mouth... and saying 'Oracle' in a voice that is clearly not his.

It happens before she can stop it, really. Just a reflex, because the pillow that she was just resting her head on is ripped out from underneath her and hurled towards Somnus with such precision that it's almost as if she, too, has been trained to perform amazing feats in battle such as he has.

She hasn't even lifted her head. Hasn't opened her eyes. ]

No.

[ That's it. That's what he gets. ]

This is the one place you are not allowed to bother me, Somnus. Whatever is on your mind can wait until morning. Go to bed.

[meridio]

[ His face has already begun to crinkle into a scowl when the pillow makes it mark and drops to the floor just over one of his feet. Interrupted a pleasant dream, has he? No doubt one that involved his brother. It's of no importance now. Aera is awake, so she'll just have to deal with him instead.

(He won't be going to bed: He just got up.)

In other words, he completely ignores her protest and carries on. ]

Oracle. Your duties to the people and the gods have kept you away all day. Now that you have returned, I—

[indelebilis]

[ Oh, look. He hasn't quite gotten the hint. It's very fortunate that her bed has two pillows, isn't it? She'd just been about to stuff that one under her weary head when he starts speaking again.

Unceremoniously, it, too, goes flying at a high velocity directly at the poor man's face. ]

And you should have been awake when I returned. My duties are to the gods and to the people, yes, not to you. And right now, my duties are to my bed and to my dreams. Leave me, Somnus. I mean it. I will not tolerate you for much longer.

[meridio]

[ The second pillow meets the side of his face as he turns his head, before it joins its predecessor between his feet. What an ungraceful display for one who communes with the gods. One of these days, someone is going to mistake her pluck for immaturity.

Not for much longer, she says. Then she can tolerate him for that much. The dream she was enjoying is long gone by now, anyway. ]

This matter concerns those very people.

[ Their people. She may not answer to him, and no one is as overly devoted to them as his brother, but Somnus knows that Aera's conscience will do half the work for him. He can put up with her irritability in the meantime. ]

[indelebilis]

[ If she were more awake, she'd be amused enough to ask him why he hadn't bothered to try and catch those pillows but Aera is neither amused nor is she fully awake. Groaning, she rolls over irritably, pulling her blanket tightly around herself like some sort of cocoon. ]

...You have five minutes. Also, come over here because I am not getting up.

[ A hand tiredly comes out to pat the bed, inviting him to sit down so they don't strain their voices. Also... so she can curl up again. ]

[meridio]

[ Because those pillows aren't his and he can't be bothered to pick them up. So he steps over them on his way to her bedside, where he sits on the edge without so much as a glance at the blanketed cocoon.

Five minutes is highly generous. Mentioning the people was the correct choice. He knows, however, that she won't keep it once he says his piece. ]

Don't travel west tomorrow.

[indelebilis]

[ It's fine, Aera doesn't need pillows to sleep. Mostly.

She feels her bedding dip under his weight but she cannot bring herself to move. It's chilly, and her blankets are warm and also she's hoping he will bore her back to sleep.

Except he doesn't, because unfortunately, this sounds serious. With a groan, she finally forced herself to sit up, shifting so she can properly sit next to Somnus. She let's her legs dangle over the side of the bed, blanket wrapped around her shoulders. ]

Why? What is happening in the west?

[ Squinting, she pauses long enough to toss one end of the blanket over Somnus's shoulders, too. ]

You are going to catch cold at this rate... did you sleep all day again?

[meridio]

[ He reaches for the blanket over his shoulder and lightly throws it back over Aera's lap. Five minutes were generous. He doesn't need that much time, and he's moved around enough that he's still warm.

(And he didn't sleep all day. Most people sleep off their stress; it keeps him awake.) ]

I'm sending my men there.

[ It doesn't concern her what he's up to, but he throws her a treat lest she badger him and keep them both. Ardyn's little pilgrimage has yet to make a dent in the infected populace, so Somnus must try something different, and Aera won't like what she sees if she goes. He rests his hands on his knees as he prepares to rise. ]

While it won't be the same as receiving the Oracle, they've been assigned a message to relay. Yours is better off heard elsewhere.

[indelebilis]

[ She huffs quietly when her offer of warmth is rejected, and she's quick to tug the blanket back around herself tightly. Unlike him she hasn't moved around in a few hours.

Her eyes narrow in the darkness, however. ]

As it so happens, my next visit happens to be in that particular direction. Perhaps, then, I will accompany your men.

[ She's not sleepy anymore, and now she's going to be up all night. Great. ]

Are you going to be accompanying them as well?

[meridio]

[ Not if he smothers her with the pillow. That'll put her right back to sleep. ]

They depart at dawn.

[ He glances at her. The implications of this should be clear. There's no way she'll recuperate in time to accompany a marching unit, not when there are accommodations that must be afforded to the Oracle.

Though he doesn't say, he too will be gone once she rises. But rise, he does. The sooner he leaves, the less room she'll have to argue. ]

As the only one among us who was granted the role of Oracle, you require rest before setting out again. Think on my words and make your decision in the morn.

[indelebilis]

[ Go on, try it. She wants you to... ]

Excellent.

[ She knows that. She also knows that he doesn't particularly want her presence regardless. Which is fine, naturally. But she's got a feeling he is up to no good. But look, now he's trying to leave.

Silly man.

She reaches out to gently grasp his wrist. ]

As if I could sleep now. Sit with me for a while, Somnus. We have both been busy, and we've not had any time to talk recently.

[meridio]

[ Somnus stills before sitting back down. She's of the notion that she has the power to hold him here, and this is somewhat true. If he pushes his way too much, she'll become rebellious; that's the last thing he needs. ]

We'll talk, then.

[ But he didn't come here to chat. Being busy doesn't mean he has much to share. Aera will have to lead on this, and she'll have to make it quick. ]

[indelebilis]

[ She's not, not really. It's a simple request, really. Despite their differences, she's fond of him. He's family, he's been a constant in her life from the time they were children.

Besides, he owes her. He woke her up. ]

Thank you.

[ when he sits again, she smiles faintly, before she folds her hands in her lap. ]

I'm worried about you.

[meridio]

[ She's the one who pushed him when they were children. He owes her nothing.

He almost scoffs. There are more important things for her to be worried about; he shouldn't be anywhere on that list. Glimpsing her smile from his periphery, he doesn't look impressed. ]

On what grounds?

[indelebilis]

[ They were kids, get over it. Besides, he deserved it.

She shifts a little, looking down at her hands. ]

You've grown distant. More so than before. I'm concerned that you are overworking yourself, dear Somnus. I miss our conversations and bantering.

[ Mostly she wants this strangeness between Somnus and Ardyn to end, because those two have become increasingly distant as well. She just wants to be a normal family, is that so much to ask? ]

[meridio]

[ No.

She comes back to the citadel exhausted beyond words, yet she claims that he's the one overworking himself.

What choice does he have? He can neither commune with the gods nor heal the people with a touch. They're all drowning in a country of plague, and he's expected to keep himself afloat while buoying the people. Thus he's toiled away for a solution that he will, finally, put into practice tomorrow.

His crumbling relationship with his brother is the least of his worries right now. Aera's priorities aren't straight. ]

The future of this country is at stake, and we're no longer children. What time is there for banter now?

[indelebilis]

[ Of course she worries. She worries for Ardyn, too... both of the Caelum brothers are extremely hard headed and stubborn in his own way, after all.

She shakes her head. ]

I understand that far better than you may realize. [ The gods whisper in her ear, after all. They remind her daily what is at stake. ] I don't care about bantering. I am worried that you are isolating yourself... I can't help but worry, you're family.

[ And she does love the nap king. ]

[meridio]

[ Truthfully, Somnus has nothing against Aera. Free-spirited though she may be, her devotion to the gods is exemplary and she does her part. Still, her concern doesn't move him. ]

It is as you say. We've all been busy.

[ He hasn't been making a conscious effort to avoid anyone. After this, though, others might start to make that effort for him. ]

[indelebilis]

That may be so, but I am worried, and I cannot help it.

[ Moved he may not be, but stubborn she is. Besides, she can find a way to spin this, in a way, and she knows of a good way. She reaches up to gently place a hand against his cheek so that she can tip his head in her direction. ]

Besides, we still have no answer from the Crystal. Should it deem you King, you and I will be working together quite frequently, yes? Actually, that reminds me... I was actually hoping that you would accompany me on a journey in a few weeks time.

[meridio]

[ When she touches him, he doesn't protest—only narrows his eyes at the mention of the Crystal. She speaks of the future with such ease.

The Oracle's place will be with the King. Aera's, though, seems better suited beside his brother. ]

My presence is required by my men. Perhaps my brother can accompany you instead.

[indelebilis]

[ That's her job. She heaves a sigh and drops her hand back into her lap. ]

You know as well as I do that Ardyn will not accompany me. I've not even seen your brother in over a month.

[ A fact that has her looking off to the side sharply, huffing. She knows Ardyn is busy... but she's lonely. And both of the Caelum brothers seem to enjoy ditching her. ]

[meridio]

[ It's his turn to watch her, for Aera's displeasure is much more obvious than his own in the way she grouses like a spurned wife. The fault partly lies with him, he supposes, for starting an argument with Ardyn over a month ago. But Ardyn's actions are his own and Somnus won't take responsibility for them. ]

Send a messenger. If you can manage to coordinate a common route, you might be able to share the grace of the gods with those he's saved.

[ Leaving the condemned on the other side of the country to perish, he adds inwardly. ]

[indelebilis]

[ Looking down again, Aera shakes her head. This isn't just an outing she wants because she's lonely, no. This is more or less a request for Somnus's sake. She's not a fool; despite his bravery and pretty face, he's not nearly as popular or loved as her dearly beloved among the people.

A little face time with those people may change their tunes, and that's exactly what she wants for Somnus. She doesn't know who will be chosen to reign as King, but if it ends up being Somnus she wants for him to be just as loved as Ardyn. ]

Perhaps, but you know how he is. He is far too busy, and that is fine. Besides, I would much rather request your presence for this particular trip.

[meridio]

[ Aera the bribe-to-be would have jumped for that chance. Aera the Oracle insists on him instead, and Somnus knows that it's not just because she worries. her request for his accompaniment is more calculated than that.

Will that calculation still hold once news reaches her tomorrow, he wonders.

Somnus makes to rise again. ]

Very well. Share the details with me another time. I must prepare for my men's departure.

[indelebilis]

[ When tomorrow comes, she's going to be furious. When tomorrow comes, she's going to want to confront Somnus about his foolish decision ASAP because she's never thought him to be a murderer.

When tomorrow comes, she's going to have to do some damage control.

She looks up at him. ]

Somnus, I have one last request before you go.