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

[meridio]

[ 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.

[indelebilis]

[ 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. ]

[meridio]

[ 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. ]

[indelebilis]

[ 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.

[meridio]

[ 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. ]

[indelebilis]

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. ]

[meridio]

[ 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.

[indelebilis]

[ ...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?

[meridio]

[ 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. ]

[indelebilis]

[ 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.

[meridio]

[ 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.

[indelebilis]

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.

[meridio]

[ 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. ]

[indelebilis]

[ 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.

[meridio]

[ 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. ]