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Fight! Fight! Pillow fight!
[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—
His brother might scold him for his brusqueness, if he were here. He isn't.]
Oracle—
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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.
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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?
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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? ]
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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?
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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. ]
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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. ]
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[ 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.
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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.
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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. ]
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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. ]
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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.
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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.
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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.
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This may be the last time she looks at him like that. ]
What is it?
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...that doesn't matter right now. ]
Promise me you will be safe.
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With the powers bestowed unto our house by the gods, I shall return.
[ Then he goes. Several steps into his departure, his feet prod the pillows she'd thrown at him. Somnus crouches down, scoops the one up by the middle, and—after a split second of thought—flings it carelessly at Aera. ]
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[ And that he doesn't do anything too reckless. She sighs as he makes his way out... she's still not sure how she is to go back to sleep now, still just a little bit irked that he dared to awaken her like that.
And that's when the favor is returned: the noise she makes as the pillow smacks her right in the face is a mix of surprise and indignant. ]
——Somnus!
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The night is young, Oracle. You'll be needing those.
[ Now he leaves. ]
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[ WHAP. She's cut off when the second pillow hurtles directly into her face.
The last thing he will hear as he is leaving is a frustrated noise, and an extremely pouty tone: ]
That wasn't fair! Come back!
[ Except she deserved that and she knows it. Well... at least she didn't have to get up to go get her pillows. ]