nexuses | Fight! Fight! Pillow fight!

[ The slap is sudden, faster than even his eyes can follow. Gilgamesh knows better than to interfere, thus Somnus does not raise his own hand to stop him. The strike stings. Swallowing, he faces Aera.

Yes, he thinks bitterly, they trust him to do right by them. He may not have his brother's powers, but he'll travel as far as he must and round up as many monsters in hiding as he can, that the people might sleep in peace knowing their neighbors will not be descending upon them. And none shall be left to mourn that they were abandoned by the healer, for Somnus will put those who've been afflicted to rest.

He hasn't betrayed anyone's trust. What he's done is cruel, but he has not turned his back on the people. ]

Those were monsters. By eradicating them, I've done my part in protecting the people.

[ She's in total disbelief. This man is the complete opposite of Ardyn, this much she already knew. But she never thought that he would go to these extremes, and she knows when his brother finds out, he'll be devastated. She is devastated for these people who were burned. Their families mourning and the people cowering.

She grits her teeth. ]

Those were people. Don't you dare pull that on me, Somnus. Do not try to flip what you've done to make it sound like it's something good. This was over the top... do you even realize what you have done?

[ But she doesn't want to have this conversation out here. Not in front of his men, she's done enough by being bold enough to slap him like that in front of them, in front of Gilgamesh too. She sucks in a deep, sharp breath to steady herself, to try and calm herself. ]

You need to come inside, and we need to talk about something. Now.

[ He realizes. Ever has he been of logical mind. He knows exactly what he's done and he knew well the backlash he'd receive for embarking on this path. She doesn't need to lecture him on how dirty his hands are.

Those were people. Then they became monsters, and they died as monsters. Nothing he does will undo that change brought upon them by the plague.

With a backward glance at Gilgamesh—do not follow—Somnus strides past Aera to go inside as requested. ]

[ Look at him, high and mighty as usual. Walking ahead like that... it's going to get worse with the news she has to deliver. She glances at Gilgamesh and gives him a small, albeit polite bow before she walks after Somnus, right at his heels.

Stupid man, with his legs that are longer and stronger than hers now.

As soon as they enter, she nabs him by the elbow and pulls him into the nearest room —— a formal dining room of all places, but it is empty and it will do. She shuts and locks the door, brows drawing together as she looks back at him. ]

A decision has been made. Someone has been named King, and I need your absolute word that this will stay between the two of us for right now. I swear, Somnus, you cannot say a word to anyone. Not even Gilgamesh. Not until I tell you it is alright.

[ Between the three of them, Aera has always been the most hands-on. Somnus scowls when he's pulled into the dining room, offering no resistance. The furrow of his brow deepens while she locks the door.

She cuts straight to the chase. His expression promptly falters at the mention of a king, but is soon replaced by another frown as he swallows again. Suddenly his throat has gone so dry. ]

What say the gods?

[ There's a truth to that; she's been dragging both of the Caelum brothers around for years. Ardyn has always welcomed it, Somnus... not so much. But at least he's allowing it this time around, even if his expression says otherwise.

She wants to corner him, tell him he has to say he swears that he will not say a word. But she cannot, she will not, because this is important and he needs to know.]

The Gods have chosen you, Somnus. You are to reign as King.

[ But her frown deepens, and she reaches up to place her hands on his shoulders. ]

I need you to listen to me. The people are afraid right now because you burned people. I need you to keep this news to yourself until things calm down, until I can do a little bit of... damage control, so to speak. Please, Somnus. I am begging you.

[ Somnus hardly feels her hands on his shoulders.

The gods have chosen him. Him, not his brother the healer, who is blessed and beloved by all. Is she lying to him? No, Aera would never use the gods' names so vainly.

He fooled her once, and he supposes he ought to be shamed for it. But does she want to be fooled twice by asking a favor from a man who already betrayed her good faith once? This is the problem with Aera. Few are her weaknesses, but those that show are near fatal.

Now that the shock has passed, he knows what this is. In her haste and desperation, Aera has outed herself. This here is her gambit to make him stop before he can go too far on his fiery crusade. ]

How do you propose on doing that?

[ What's done is done. He burned what was once people to keep the people safe. That act in and of itself was damage control. So what's left to control? ]

[ Right now, her focus is on trying to make this transition of power so to speak as smooth as possible because honestly? She'd been sure that the chosen would be Ardyn, too. But this may be for the best; as good of a king as Ardyn would have been, his place is out among the people, and his place shall remain there unless Somnus says otherwise. And she has a feeling that even if Somnus tells him no, Ardyn will find a way to be out among those who love him so regardless.

She's going to need to send for Ardyn, but that can come a little bit later.

Right now, her job is to make the people see Somnus as an equal to Ardyn. Healer or not, she needs to make him come off as a benevolent ruler full of kindness and compassion and his little burning stunt is not going to make that an easy task. She knows that, in his own way, his heart was in the right place. Does it make her any less angry? No. ]

I've no idea yet. I need to think on it... which is why this news must stay between you and I for right now. Tell Gilgamesh if you must, but I ask that you please do not let it go any farther than that. I mean it, Somnus. Please don't make this any harder than you already have.

[ He's made this harder than it needed to be, she tells him, when his brother is spreading false hope to the people who are desperate for a cure. There is no cure. His brother is only one man, and a mortal besides. But the damage there has already been done, and everyone is drunk on the false promise of salvation. Yet the only one whose efforts must be undone is Somnus.

He knows why Aera feels this way. Even so, a part of him resents being talked to this way. More importantly, feelings won't save the people. ]

I will keep your message between us; however, I've stayed my hands long enough. The plague will not wait for anyone—not even you, Oracle. If you have no ideas to offer, I must continue on with my own.

[ He has made it harder than it needs to be. He's being brash, he needs to take a step back and think about the more political portion of all of this. She lets out a frustrated puff of air through her nose because she's not so sure that she actually believes him. She hopes that he will keep his mouth shut, he's lucky that she's even told him.

But then he has to just keep going on about his own ideas, and it instantly brings her back to the rage she'd been feeling moments ago. ]

Absolutely not! Somnus, I will not stand by idly and allow you to continue doing what you did! I care not if you are King, if you wish to keep the favor of the Gods on your side, I would proceed forward with caution. Your hands must remain stayed, because right now your people are afraid. I need for you to remain here for now, because the last thing you or anyone needs is any sort of rebellion. Burning people only solves so many problems.

[ And causes far more, as far as she's concerned. ]

Edited (coding y) 2019-09-28 02:42 (UTC)

[ What do politics matter if there are no people left to rule? Holding back now will only do the kingdom greater harm than good.

Those aren't people. Not anymore. But the sting of her palm against his cheek still burns, and he holds his tongue. ]

The gods must understand. Hope with inaction will endanger the people who remain unaffected by the scourge. Rebellions can be quelled. Hoards of monsters are a larger threat than the disgruntled citizenry.

[ He is no fool when it comes to leading. Strife is inevitable. The quality of a king lies in his ability to navigate everyday conflict during his reign, and making those difficult choices is owed to his people. ]

[ At least he's not pushing past her and trying to do his own thing right now. At least he's pretending to listen to reason here. ]

I understand that. But Somnus, do you not realize what you've done? You've not only burned daemons. I've also been told you were very busy burning anyone you thought had the scourge. That is not fair, and it is murder.

[ She knows why the Gods chose Somnus, ans for the most part? She agrees. He is a strong, brave leader and he is capable. But he lacks the empathy that Ardyn has in spades... perhaps, at least now, they can finally put their heads together and work as one instead of against one another. They can both learn a LOT from one another, at least she thinks so. ]

Do you know the suffering that comes with being burned alive? I know that your intentions are good, Somnus. I know that you, too, grow impatient with this scourge. As Oracle, it is my responsibility to aid you in this quest... so from here on out, I would ask that you allow me to join you. We need to work together, and burning people that you suspect are infected... that is cruel, and cannot happen again.

[ He knows it's cruel. Cruel though it may be, lenience could lead to a resurgence of the Scourge. After days, weeks, and months of deliberation, he found no better solution. Even now Aera has yet to convince him to pursue another path, simply because she has yet to show him one. ]

I need more than your attendance. if you have nothing else to offer, I cannot allow you to join me.

[ She'll meddle. Her heart is in the right place, naturally; however, heart will not save the country. ]

Then I must put my foot down. Because I am the Oracle, and everything you are doing goes against what I stand for. So I suppose that the two of us will have to sit down together and talk, won't we?

[ She's not taking no for an answer here. King or not, just as he does, she also has a job to do. ]

[ How fortunate that they should be in a dining room, then. Somnus gestures to the table beside them. Rather than sit down, perhaps reclining would be a more suitable word of choice.

He has his doubts about reaching an agreement, but a discussion is a good idea. Far better than Ardyn's answer of walking off in haste to seek the nearest person on whom to lay his healing hand. ]

Let us talk, then.

[ ...Okay, this was not planned. This is highly convenient! She squints at the table, but she does slowly allow herself to take a seat, hands folded politely in her lap.

To be fair, she hadn't really thought he'd agree to just talking. Or you know. Actually want to do it now. ]

Very well. I want to come with you in order to determine who could potentially be infected. There can be no mistake otherwise, and no innocents would perish. Is that so much to ask?

[ Somnus settles into place across Aera, whose proposal is remarkably equitable. ]

And if I were to disagree with your assessment?

[ What he wants is assurance. If she can make her presence beneficial in any shape or form, he'll happily arrange for accommodations to bring her along. ]

[ This is the most formal and most civil they've been to each other in a good, long while, and it is a really strange feeling to be having this conversation with Somnus. Especially after her outburst earlier; she still thinks he deserved that. But the fact of the matter is simple: she's not giving him enough credit here.

He could have hauled off and hit her back, he could have refused to talk to her. He could have ignored her advice and stormed off to tell the world of the Gods decision. But he hasn't. And that makes her feel the slightest tinge of guilt. ]

My assessment won't be wrong. I know what the infected looks like, I can feel the daemonic presence stirring within. If for some reason you feel that I am wrong, then I will have to make an effort to present my case to you.

[ Yet another failing of his, brought to life. Unlike his brother, Aera knows better than to assume the authority is hers simply for being blessed. The army is his; they won't listen to anything she has to say until he gives the order.

At the same time, there are advantages to having the Oracle on site. Her presence alone will quell the religious folk and she can streamline the search for the infected, provided that she's able to keep up. She's robust enough, he supposes. ]

The newborn country is vast, and I intend to cover as much ground as possible in a set period of time. I will tolerate no delays. Present your case swiftly if you must.

Do you think me weak, Somnus?

[ Because she wants to get this out of the way right now. She's got nothing to prove; not to him, not to Ardyn, not to anyone. But her eyes do narrow, because she does take offense to what he insinuates. ]

Because I can very much assure you, I can and will prove you wrong.

[ No. Aera is young; her will, iron. Somnus wouldn't call her weak, only softhearted. But she knows when to aside that sentimentality and push onward. If she didn't, he wouldn't be this inviting of her proposal in the first place. ]

I look forward to it.

[ He rises. As far as he's concerned, they've reached an agreement and this preliminary conversation is over. His men are still out there. ]

My men are waiting. Once I've dismissed them and gathered intelligence for the next march, I'll send for you.

[ Which is to say that he'll go to her. It's much more efficient that way. ]

[ She is going to push forward and onward no matter how long and how far he asks of her just to show him that she is capable of traveling and doing the same things as he and his men. That she can take care of herself, that she's got spine of steel. ]

As do I.

[ Sort of. Mostly. But when he stands she does too, and once again she's striding up to him with a purpose. Except she does not move to slap him again, no. She pushes herself up onto her toes to press a kiss against the same cheek she struck earlier. ]

I'm sorry I lashed out at you. Go, do what you must, we will talk later.

Edited (TOES NOT GOES SCREAM) 2019-10-03 07:01 (UTC)

[ Aera really is soft. If Somnus were in her shoes, he would have made no conciliatory effort on his end. He watches her draw back with a lingering look before turning toward the door. ]

Yes. [ He approaches the door, unlocks it, and steps past the threshold. ] We will.

[ The gods have made their choice, and so has he. He has much and more to think about . . . But finally—finally—he'll be acknowledged. ]

Fight! Fight! Pillow fight!

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