She's got the devil's eyes

When one lives here long enough, it becomes almost easy to forget how magnificent the kingdom truly is. Truthfully, Heartfire had never been one to admire the view overly much, but even she had been forced to admit the crashing waves and craggy cliffs and seemingly endless sunsets are beautiful from time to time.

As of late, she’d had little time to truly pause and consider it however. Little time to admire her home in the way it should truly be admired. She has always been too caught up in the foibles of its residents to take the time to admire its landscapes. Still, Nerine is not the easiest of the kingdoms to reside in, it’s weather not nearly so forgiving as many other lands. At times, it tests her residents. But then, perhaps it is why it has always suited her so well.

She had never been made for an easy life.

It’s a rare moment that finds her standing idle. Though, anyone who knew her would know she is not truly idle, no matter that she appears to be standing easily at the edges of a cliff, staring out over the sea. Her body may be still, quiet, but her mind most certainly is not. But then, gathering the knowledge that she so often has at her disposal requires work. A great deal of it.

Thus, it is not terribly surprising that she notices him so easily. The lone stallion that wanders into Nerine, his route meandering and curious. Not the appearance of a man with any sort of mission, but that of one who seems lost in the moment, comfortable with himself and his arrival.

She does not approach immediately, instead watching him almost absently as he moves from the waves to the well-worn paths leading from beach to cliff. He seems to have no great motives, no sense of urgency here, and so neither does Heartfire. Others might have moved to intercept him before now, but Heartfire has always found it far more advantageous to gather what knowledge she could before confronting the unknown. And in this case, mere observation tells her enough to surmise he is likely harmless.

Finally he draws near enough that she stirs from her perch, turning to find him. Her approach is casual, as though she had happened upon him by chance, and the sight of him had changed her course. Her lithe frame is unassuming against the vibrant Nerinian backdrop, mottled black and gray and white, neither stunningly beautiful nor unsightly. Exceedingly normal even, especially in comparison to the riot of colors that now infuse Beqanna’s residents. Only her blue eyes stand out, stark and bright against the dark mask of her features, cool and curious as they land on him.

“Hello,” she greets mildly as she settles nearby, carefully placing herself so that they might comfortably converse. “You are new to Nerine,” she then states rather baldly, never one to mince words. “What brings you?”

and they'll cut you like a weapon

She's got the devil's eyes

She watches him almost idly as he turns towards her, a smile stretching his features almost automatically. It’s common, to be greeted by such, a simple and friendly expression to make. For all that, Heartfire has never been particularly given to the gesture. Indeed, even now, greeting a new resident so amicably for the first time, her features remain unsmiling. Still, she does lack the usual hard edge that sharpens her eyes and the lines of her face when she is feeling less relaxed, though the stallion couldn’t know her well enough to be aware of such a thing.

Heartfire has never been given to extensive verbiage, so she remains silent as the young stallion expounds on his presence, his reason for being in Nerine. His acquaintance with Eurwen, her youthful heir. Though her features remain still and serene throughout, she does find it heartening to see new faces come into the kingdom. New faces that would perhaps, one day, become old and familiar faces.

Her newfound companion fills the silence without prompting, a fact she has often taken advantage of. She has found that silence is the best way to induce others to speak. Most do not seem nearly so comfortable with the absence of conversation as she is, and it is natural to fill that silence with words. And she makes no effort to interrupt.

When finally his words fade, she peers at him openly, her lips faintly quirked as she considers what he had told her.

“We haven’t,” she informs him confidently, answering his last pointed comment first. “You are of course welcome to stay. Nerine has much to offer those who seek it.” She lifts her gaze briefly, surveying the kingdom that surrounds them. It’s more than a land, of course. Nerine is her people, not the cliff they stand upon. After a moment, she returns her eyes to Alvorr and introduces herself. “And I am Heartfire.”

and they'll cut you like a weapon

She's got the devil's eyes

Unfortunately for the spotted stallion before her, Heartfire has never been a woman prone to casual conversation. A fact that must make it exponentially more difficult for a man who appears to thrive on such idle small talk. Were she a different woman, she might try harder to ease any discomfort with inconsequential chatter. She is not however, nor has she any desire to be. Still, if he could find his way around that stretched silence and unbending directness, no doubt he would prove himself quite valuable to Nerine.

Heartfire is well aware of her own weaknesses. And it certainly behooves her to have others around that are not lacking in that same manner. Her strengths lay elsewhere, she is comfortable enough with herself to omit pride when needed.

“And you, Alvorr,” she returns simply, indicating she was pleased to meet him as well. Her expression is inscrutable as she returns his regard, blue eyes bright, almost discomfiting. As though she could read his entire life’s story simply by peering at his face. In a way, she can. Not that he would have any reason to be aware of such a thing, of course, though intuition can be a damning thing.

Finally, after several long breaths, one corner of Heartfire’s lips twitches upwards, the barest hint of a smile. “I think,” she begins softly in casual observance, “there is plenty of room for you here. If you are ever bored, come find me.” She glances briefly into Nerine before returning her gaze to him, her expression somehow less sharp now. “Nerine has plenty to keep one busy.”

and they'll cut you like a weapon