nexuses | Fight! Fight! Pillow fight!

[ There are more important matters to discuss before he touches on the baby. Namely, the mother. ]

What brings the Oracle to my chamber?

[ She couldn't go through the front gate and greet him at the steps when it was bright. He has no patience for her ways. Better that they cut to the chase now so he can address it properly in the morn. A part of him suspects he'll be up for a good while longer, however. ]

[ This is divine karma right here. Keeping him from being able to sleep properly, that is. But business is business, she can tease him again later. ]

You bring me here. You've not written me back at all, and I've heard rumors floating about that your newfound powers are taking a toll on you.

[ She pushes herself up to her feet, wobbling just a little bit. ]

So, I am here to see what I can do to assist you. Specifically, health wise. Because I, too, have been bestowed with new powers as well... both fortunate and unfortunate, really.

[ Health-wise, she says while depriving him of his rest. Somnus glances in the opposite direction, where nothing but the empty corridor greets him. Gilgamesh has done well to keep out of sight. ]

The gods have seen fit to bestow unto the Oracle powers divine.

[ Akin to that of the late healer, he adds inwardly. Mentioning such a person has been taboo for years now. As for Aera, unfortunate is more like it. But the full scope of her newfound powers are unknown to him, and he dares a question that he wouldn't give voice to in any other company. ]

Are they similar?

[ Will she, too, become a monster? ]

[ He did this to himself by accepting the crown and the tasks that came with it, she has little to no sympathy for him, really. ]

They have.

[ She sighs because of course he'd take it there. Of course he'd ask her, and while she was ready for it... well. It's still a touchy subject. The fact that she cannot even get to Angelgard to even be near Ardyn bothers her greatly. ]

They are, but not in the way that you may be thinking. I have not been taking the scourge into myself, but when I do heal, it exhausts me. Give and take, I suppose.

[ Compared to the last time the world has seen such a power, the price for this one is next to nothing. Exhaustion can be treated, after all. Somnus has his doubts, but doesn't consider this the time to be searching for evidence that might not be there.

The same problem as before persists. The world seems doomed to be lacking in this precious resource. Just like his brother, Aera is only one person with finite energy. ]

The Scourge has yet to afflict me. You're better off leaving the Citadel and seeking patients elsewhere.

[ Except she's with child. From his periphery, he sees that she can't even stand up properly. The Oracle and king must bear an heir both. To stay here, though, means wasting her power. ]

I have no intention of staying here any longer than necessary. Scourge or not, you need help. I can see it in your eyes and I can see it on your face, the exhaustion you feel. Not to mention you need to learn that when you do not write back, you are going to get unexpected visits.

[ To be fair, she's just a little bit sore from scaling the walls like some sort of assassin in the night, and the little bundle of joy that's taken up residence within her seems to enjoy kicking the daylights out of his or her mother. Ungrateful... ]

My healing is not meant just for the Scourge, Somnus. I've noticed that I am able to mend wounds and heal other ailments as well. So tomorrow, I will use this ability on you and see what we can do. I would say tonight, but you are already lacking in sleep, it would seem. Which is a very strange thing to imagine.

[ She was probably like that as a fetus, too. Little bundle of ungrateful joy.

Somnus cranes his neck to look Aera in the eyes. It's difficult to make out expressions in the dark, but he sees her face well enough. Raising an arm, he waves toward the corridor. ]

Your chamber is as you left it. The servants will be informed of your presence at dawn.

[ They'll see to her needs until it's time for Somnus to pay her a visit. He's going to have to do some planning tonight. ]

[ That is BEYOND not true. Probably. He's one to talk...

Well, at least he's not trying to turn her away. Not that his attempt would work, it's not like she can be stopped once she sets her mind to it.

Smiling, she waddles over to Somnus, and just as it had been before she left, she leans up to kiss his cheek for a proper greeting. ]

Thank you. Get some sleep, dear. I will see you in the morning.

[ And out she waddles. Of course, she's true to her word: as soon as there's even the faintest bit of sun in the sky, she's back. Whether he's ready or not. She walks to his window to properly draw the curtains open, filling the room with... extremely dim sunlight. ]

Good morning, dear Somnus~! And what a glorious morning it is~

[ He isn't ready. After Aera's departure, he stayed up longer than intended to make sense of everything. His body has been conditioned to rise with even the dimmest of sunlight, however, and so he grudgingly rouses from his slumber.

Of course, Gilgamesh did nothing to stop her from entering. Aera isn't exactly a threat. Just a noisy menace at the worst of times, being as stubborn as he is. Somnus can't fault his Shield for this.

His eyes, screwed shut tightly to ward off the light, flicker open. There, he's awake. He's yet to actually move or speak, is all. What a dreadful morning. ]

[ Poor Gilgamesh. She's already greeted him, too, naturally. He's not much of a conversation, but she does like the man and the fact that he's stuck by Somnus through thick and thin is enough for her, really.

Besides, she doesn't think that he can deny that shaking up His Majesty's routine just a little bit is just the slightest bit amusing.

Aera hums a chipper little tune as she whirls to face the bed in which Somnus lies. ]

Come now, we have much to do!

[ Don't make her come over there... ]

[ Unfortunately, she's right. With an internal sigh, Somnus sits upright before climbing out of bed to attend to his (short) daily ritual. First, to make himself presentable for the rest of the kingdom. Facing his back to her, it doesn't matter much to him if Aera sticks around to watch or not.

In fact, let's make use of this time. ]

Your first order of business, Oracle.

[ She'd hoped that he'd have softened just a little after getting his hands on the throne. There was no one left to be jealous of, he had his crown and power, and yet he still continues to ever be... himself.

Fortunately for him, she's not going to watch, of course. She's going to walk off and make herself a little bit busy with her back to him, to give him some sort of privacy because she has no idea what his morning routine consists of, but the last thing she wants to ever see if a naked Somnus, thanks. ]

Ah, ah. Is that any way to greet an old friend?

[ She pouts, fighting off the urge to flail about and cry. This is no easy task, considering these ridiculous mood swings. ]

My first order of business is tending to you. Once you are decent, take a seat.

[ That'll teach her to not expose her legs in front of him in the future.

Oblivious to her mood swings, Somnus goes about his routine until he's fully dressed and freshened up. Well, as much as he can be fresh. He's terribly tired, but Aera claims to have a solution for that. He sits as bade.

After everything, she would still call him a friend. ]

Go ahead.

[ Please. He thinks that was bad? He hasn't seen anything yet. Just wait until she pops this baby out.

He won't be oblivious much longer if he keeps being mean. But that doesn't matter right now. Once he gives her the okay, she is happy to turn around, releasing a breath of relief that he's very decent. Moving over to stand in front of him, she hums again. ]

My magic does take a few days to take full effect, though you should feel something once I'm finished. Hold still.

[ That's all the warning he's going to get as she reaches out to place her hands on his cheeks and leans in to press her forehead against his. ]

Blessed stars of life and light... [ Ardyn didn't need to murmur any sort of incantation, but she does. And she did. A warm light emits from her palms for a few moments, and as it fades she steps back to allow him his freedom. ]

We will do this again tonight, and again tomorrow. If it seems to be helping any, then we will have to come up with a schedule for the two of us to meet in the future.

[ Her touch is gentle, which is more than he deserves. Combined with the warmth of the light, this is truly the caress of a healer. Did his brother's touch feel the same way to those he saved?

When she steps back, he glances down at his hands. The faint scars on his left persist, though this comes as no surprise. However her power works, he feels the magic weave through the fog in his head. It's as if he's managed to sleep twice the hours he got, and that leaves him wondering as to the full effect. ]

You have my thanks.

[ Those scars are, unfortunately, his to bear. Such is one of the many burdens of the Lucian King. She won't be able to remove those; not all of them, at least. But if she can return his health to a somewhat better state, then that is what really matters. So long as she is able to do this for him, then she will continue to do so... as will her children and theirs for his family.

....This is also a momentous occasion: he's actually thanked her, and that... is a first. In a long time, at least. ]

You are very welcome. I'm glad to be able to help. If at all possible, try not to overuse the Ring for right now.

[ Because she can't stay forever. She's needed in other parts of the world. She's needed in Tenebrae, considering that the people there have decided that they want her lineage to rule over them. Tenebrae is tiny compared to the vastness that is Lucis, and she thinks it a bit silly to have any sort of monarch for lands so small, but who is she to turn the people's wishes down? ]

Have you found any suitable brides yet?

[ She's going there. She can't be the only one producing heirs around here, that's not part of the deal... and the divine are getting a little restless. ]

[ He uses the Ring as he must. The power of the Crystal is a last resort, and that says something about the state of the kingdom when he's already developed the side effects of overuse. The Scourge ran far too rampant before he sat the throne. And though the kingdom is better now, it isn't as well as Somnus would like it to be.

Aera will be here another day, perhaps two. After that, she'll have to return to Tenebrae with a swollen belly and maybe an attendant hidden somewhere near these grounds. For insurance, he should send one of his to go with her.

Leaning his arms against his knees, he covers his left fist with his right hand. This obscures the Ring from view with its ridges digging into his palm. Now that Lucis is better, it's time to start considering other plans for the future; some have already been set into motion. ]

A few. I'll be wed before the year's end.

[ What with his health and the precarious foundation of the kingdom, it won't be too soon to start producing an heir. He—as well as Aera—won't be young forever. ]

[ She hopes that the future kings and queens of Lucis are able to back down on using it, at least a little bit. Somnus won't live to see an old age, and neither will she. So she hopes that, as the generations of kings and oracles go on, that life span expands.

For now, she takes a seat across from him, folding her own hands in her lap. He can hide that Ring all he wants, it doesn't change anything. That thing is cursed... but so are both of their bloodlines, aren't they? ]

Congratulations to you, then, dear Somnus. How do you feel about that? Is it anyone I know?

[ It's good to know he's thinking about settling down, in a sense. What's sad to her, is that it's not because he wants to or for his own happiness, but it's out of duty. Something she knows all too well. She feels guilty for carrying the child she's got right now... this was meant to be Ardyn's, and yet it's not and there's nothing she can do about it. ]

I hope, whomever you choose, that she is just as righteous and steadfast as you are.

[ How he feels about an arranged marriage isn't important. What's important is that Lucis benefit from the union. She doesn't even need to be righteous: That's for what he's here. ]

The candidates' families are eager to serve the kingdom. Being members of nobility, you would know them in passing.

[ Growing up, Aera spent most of her time with the Caelum brothers. She is, however, as learned and connected with the country as them, if not more. It's debatable how well she'd know each lady from the less prominent houses, but she should at least recognize them to varying degrees.

When Lucis was first formed, there was a power vacuum. Those who didn't make it past the initial rush for power have begun to find other ways to garner influence, and what's better than planting a female from the household beside the king? They underestimate him. He'll see that they stay in line while making full use of their affluence. On the other hand, good men and their daughters are there for consideration as well. ]

I see.

[ She feels that they should at least be able to like one another. That he should at least like and be able to be friendly towards whomever is chosen for him, and likewise. Though she can't entirely say that anyone is completely trustworthy because she knows how people are when presented with power. Or rather, a chance to be seated next to power. ]

Be careful in your decision, Somnus... make sure you have some sort of a say in this. You are King, don't let your council have all the say in who you will marry.

[ Because she knows most of those old coots and she knows that they're going to want to push whoever they think is best at Somnus. And honestly? She's not sure she trusts them, either. Not that she's going to express that out loud right now. Somnus has his own judgment and also Gilgamesh, he's not in any sort of immediate danger. But she does worry.

She winces suddenly, placing a hand on her belly and patting it slightly. ]

...May I confess something to you? Between friends.

[ His eyes flit to her middle at the wince. Is she due soon? If so, she was reckless to come here at this time. It's a poor habit of hers where she'll act without thinking at all.

Some might say that he, on the other hand, thinks too much. He'll have the final say on whom he marries, because he knows better than to entrust the fate of the kingdom in hands other than his own. He is king. Any mistake he makes will cause a terrible chain reaction, ergo he must be as careful as he can possibly be.

He pushes the thought aside. The Oracle beseeches him to listen, but not as a king. Somnus relaxes his hands. ]

What is it? Aera.

[ Somnus has no idea just how soon she's due, honestly. This tiny little soul has a few weeks left to go, at least... at least she thinks. She's lost track of time -- being easily distracted has also been one of her biggest flaws in life.

She drums her fingers on her belly for a few moments, glancing off to the side. ]

I am unsure I am meant for motherhood. I am... concerned. [ ...That's an understatement, and she shifts. ] ...Frightened? That seems more like the proper wording. I am frightened, because I am unsure of how to be properly maternal.

[ He'll throw his hands up in the air if she goes into labor on the journey back to Tenebrae. Sometimes she can be so foolish.

In any case, all positions in life come attached to some degree of misgiving. A little bit of fear is normal when one is new to their assigned role. He sees no problem here. ]

You have your attendants. If there's anything of which you're uncertain, let them handle it.

[ And learn from their example. ]

[ She is 78% certain that she will be able to make it home before this baby is born. Probably. She thinks.

She sighs and looks down, frowning slightly. ]

Yes... but what if this child does not like me? I feel guilty because it isn't as though I really wanted it. I just... had to. [ That sounds really bad, and she straightens as she tries to fix her own wording. ] I am happy! I am happy, and I love this child despite never meeting them. But I just... feel... worried about it all, I suppose.

[ At least she's not stuck with anyone, at least this baby's father will never realize that she absconded with his unborn child. ]

I know this is something we have to do, but I suppose I dislike feeling... forced. It makes me feel cornered.

[ And that is not a feeling she'd want anyone to have to feel. But she knows that Somnus can relate on that level, at least. ]

[ That 22% is highly concerning.

She would have preferred to carry his brother's child. That, and Aera never did like much being told what to do if it didn't suit her fancy, which is a trait that features in all three of them. To say nothing of the gods' involvement in this particular scenario . . . At any rate, hers is a foolish worry from his perspective—of course the child will like her ]

All you can do is push onward. It's too late to withdraw now.

[ Like walking through a narrow tunnel with the hope that the path will eventually widen and lead them out of that corner. There's no backing away from that. And if they don't do it, someone else will have to. ]

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