nexuses | Fight! Fight! Pillow fight!

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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—

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[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

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.

[ 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.

[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

[ 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.

[ 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.

[ 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.

[ She's rather pushing her luck tonight, just as he's been of late. Somnus looks over his shoulder.

This may be the last time she looks at him like that. ]

What is it?

[ She's not giving up on him. Not now, and not ever. Because she has a feeling...

...that doesn't matter right now. ]

Promise me you will be safe.

[ He never did confirm that he'd be going. Of course, it doesn't take a genius to glean that he would based on his convenient silence. Aera is sharper than that. He turns back to face forward. ]

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. ]

Good. You know that I will be praying for your safe return.

[ 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!

[ No sooner after she said that does he throw the second pillow at her with stunning precision. This one comes at her with less force. ]

The night is young, Oracle. You'll be needing those.

[ Now he leaves. ]

Hey, wait——!

[ 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. ]

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Fight! Fight! Pillow fight!

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