nexuses | Fight! Fight! Pillow fight!

[ 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. ]

[ Look, she doesn't make the rules here. This baby makes the rules... and this baby comes when it wants to. Much to Aera's horror.

She leans back in her seat, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. ]

Yes, perhaps...

[ She cringes again, though, before she allows herself to slide down in her chair just a little bit. ]

...She's trying to kill me, you know.

[ Exaggerating, as always. Unless . . .

Somnus straightens, voicing the same question he asked himself earlier. ]

Are you due soon?

[ IT'S NOT EXAGGERATING WHEN IT'S TRUE!!

She's quiet a moment, before she reaches for his hand so that she can place it right over a spot on her belly. Specifically, right where this baby is kicking her non stop. ]

Yes. A week or two, give or take.

[ Somnus’ fingers twitch. The baby is just like the mother: restless. Aera’s been pregnant for a near full term and is due within the week or two.

Pulling his hand back, he rises. ]

Stay in the capital until you’ve given birth. Tenebrae can wait for the return of its Oracle and her child.

[ Aera blinks at his offer. This was... unexpected. He's being very hospitable right now, and the sentiment is very much appreciated.

She watches him stand. ]

Are you certain? You really wouldn't mind?

[ Just as the Oracle must assist the king, so too must the king attend to the Oracle. Besides, the people will be falling before her feet for an opportunity to help. He starts for the door. ]

The servants will be informed in order to prepare for the labor. Don't do anything reckless until then.

[ She supposes a few weeks in Lucis won't hurt, and besides, it means catching up with both work and people here, Somnus included. Not to mention she's eager to explore the city now that he has expanded upon it.

Pushing herself up to her feet, she nods. ]

Thank you, Somnus. Let me know how you are feeling by this evening, if you are up to it I will use my magic on you again.

Conserve your strength until then.

[ He'd better not hear about her healing anyone and everyone in sight. But it's no concern of his where or to whom she decides to go.

Morning turns into afternoon into evening. In the end, Somnus neglects to inform Aera of his condition. Matters of the state have occupied him all day, and he finds himself without a good place to stop. At least this will have given her ample time to tour the city. ]

I will, thank you, Somnus. [ Except when she does, inevitably, bless and heal those who clamber to her for it. But, details. At the very least, she'll have conserved enough for Somnus. But he doesn't have the time to let her in on how he's feeling, of course, ad she can't particularly fault him because she knows that he is, in fact, a very busy man. So she has distracted herself with touring the city, and making lots of new friends. But as the day turns into night, and as the hour grows later, Aera needs to find Somnus. It's for his own good, after all, so she will roam the familiar castle until she finds the poor man. ]

[ Dang it, Aera.

Like clockwork, he sweeps down the hall to his quarters once darkness cloaks the Citadel. He doesn't doubt that he'll run into Aera, who ought—ah, speak of the devil. ]

Consider the baby, Oracle. You ought to be asleep by now.

[ When has she ever really listened to reason?

She's made herself at home right outside the door this time around; she's not about to barge in on him twice, after all. Not this particular trip. It's late, and yet she's more awake than she was earlier. ]

Good evening to you, too, dear Somnus. Ah, the baby would not allow me to sleep even if I wanted to.

[ She's huge. She can't get comfortable. She hasn't seen her own feet in months. ]

How are you feeling? How was your day?

[ The baby is restless, just like the mother, who's definitely going to be pampered by the servants. They're all too eager to serve the Oracle and see to her needs.

Glancing at Aera's swollen belly, Somnus nods in lieu of a verbal greeting. ]

Busy—and there's more to be done still.

Our meeting this morning will ensure that I rest easily. You can return to your quarters.

[ That much is for sure. She's had servants following her all day long, even after she'd politely dismissed them from time to time. No one wants to seem to leave her alone for too long. ]

I'm certain there is. Are you retiring for the evening, then?

[ Her head tips to the side, as if she's really mulling over his words. ]

Are you certain, though? You did not over exert yourself? You have to promise.

[ Because he's not given her a reason to trust him in this aspect. Two years of silence on his end is to blame for that. ]

No.

[ Well, it isn't a lie. Overexertion is when he can barely stand on his feet. Right now, he's just tired. Compared to the previous nights, though, he's in peak condition. He has Aera to thank for that. ]

It's time that I retired. The same goes for you.

Yes, yes... I suppose. I will see you in the morning, dear Somnus.

[ As per usual, she leaves him with her usual kiss to the cheek. There are already attendants waiting for her at the end of the corridor and she is happy to greet them and head back down towards her quarters. Their giggling and chit chat can be heard echoing off of the walls, eventually fading off into nothingness.

When morning rolls around, however, Aera does not see Somnus in the morning. She's been presented with a different, far more difficult task: having this baby. Sorry about that, Somnus. ]

Fight! Fight! Pillow fight!

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