"But the dream, the echo, slips from him as quickly as he had found it and as consciousness comes to him (a slap and not the gentle waves of oceanic tides), it dissolves entirely. His muscles relax as the cold claims him again, as the numbness sets in, and when his grey eyes open, there’s nothing but the faint after burn of a dream often trod and never remembered." --Brigade, written by Laura
hold me in this wild, wild world 'cause in your warmth I forget how cold it can be
Despite the increased number of dwellers in Ischia, the number of bodies to patrol, Brennen is also frequently found patrolling. Having Jesper in Sylva (despite his wanting to be there) and Leilan in Loess (though it worries him a good deal less) makes the bay king almost itchy with anxiety, and he fills any extra hours he finds himself with pacing along stretches of border, or trotting long distances around the exterior of the island. So the first time he catches a hint of a familiar scent - not one he can place exactly, but familiar - he ignores it. He’s not unreasonably jumpy, just alert. But when it comes again, paired with the strong sulfuric scent of Tephra, the flicker of unease blooms into something greater, and Brennen heads into the interior of Ischia on the trail of Tephran scent paired somewhat inexplicably with Trekori’s quite familiar one.
It doesn’t take him long to find the pair; and when he sets eyes upon them, at least one thing comes clear. It has been most of a year since he saw Krone’s daughter, but he recognizes the young mare nonetheless. He didn’t exactly expect to see her here, which is why he had such trouble placing her scent the first time he crossed it, but her mere presence doesn’t set him on edge, either. In fact, it’s soothing to be able to put a face to the visitor. He’s happy to be friendly with Tephra, with the potential for something more, as he’d told their diplomat, but he had not been thrilled with the idea of a Tephran just coming along into Ischia alone and uninvited; they are not as good allies as that yet, and the bay is more than a little territorial. Karat is something of a special case; she was born here, after all, and lived here a year before her parents moved them away.
On top of that, she’s with Kori. Brennen’s amber gaze swings to his young friend with a little smile on his face, and a hint of true amusement lurks in his eyes because only a blind man could miss that there is something between the two of them. Ah, young love. They’re at the right age for it, too, and forgetting somehow that ‘young love’ often leads to ‘young people making stupid decisions’, the king assumes that she’d come to Ischia on her own, and doesn’t even consider the idea that Kori might have stolen Karat from her family and home. “Hello Kori, Karat,” he says, lightly. “I trust your family is well,” he adds, gaze on the gray-and-purple girl once more.
hold me in this wild, wild world and in your heat I feel how cold it can get
BRENNEN
@[Karat]/@[Neo] & @[Trekori]/@[Sid] I figured I'd let them have their flirting or whatever in the other thread and put this on its own :3
They had explored some together but she found it all to be the same as it always had been. Not much had been left un-turned when her and her brother had lived here, so nothing the golden colt could show her that she hadn't already seen.
They stroll about nevertheless and find themselves walking side by side down a trail. A casual flick of her lilac tassels ridd her graying pelt from the insects that called Ischia home. Soon there wasn't much to talk about anymore and so her thoughts wondered to the farthest edges of Beqanna. If leaving Tephra had been the best choice? Or ponderings on what Krommie was doing at that moment? Partially surprised her father hadn't come knocking down Ischias front door yet. Krom must have kept her secret, is all the explanation she had. She had asked him too so why would she think he wouldn't?
Another stride forward and suddenly she has this feeling...
A deep voice sounds and at first she suspects her father has found them. Her heart begins to race as her head turns to view the direction in which the sound has come. Amethyst eyes adjust to the form of the dark winged bay. Having known him from her mothers rule, she doesn't question who he is. Though she is partially worried of what he thinks of her presence on his island. A former princess may not be greeted as kindly as just some random stranger, but his tone is matching of his posture and so she straightens herself. Decorative armor of crystals and shells conform to her sleek figure. Attempting to hide her nerves from him, she speaks quickly, "I believe they are, sir." She meets his gaze before turning to Kori for assistance. After all, she is unsure what Brennen all knows of her being here...
i'm freezing, it's not winter yet but my fingers and toes are shivering beneath these sheets and i feel so alone i don't want to die, i want to sleep
Our hours together have grown into days have grown into weeks. Though not unpleasant, something about the way Karat never seems fully excited by everything I have to show her puts a damper on what I thought would be a romantic gesture. And it had been romantic - that first day on the beach, when she'd found that pretty pink shell to guild to her forehead? That day had been like magic.
But magic fades; any Beqannian knows this much.
We're walking along in silence today, having already run out of conversation choices. A part of me twangs at the thought that I've severed Karat from her loving family, simply for my own selfish ambitions and wants. I have other duties in this kingdom besides serving her, she who'd I said would be my princess... If I cannot fulfill my promise to her, how is it fair of her to stay in Ischia? These thoughts plague me as we walk, my ears responding lethargically to the surrounding jungle din as we go.
Hello Kori, Karat. His voice surprises me, but my attention is caught by the way Karat suddenly becomes animated, turning to face my king with an energy I'd not expected. I pull a face at this. But upon seeing Brennen's characteristic little smile shone my way, I straighten my back and toss an equally companionable expression upon my lips, walking with Karat to close the distance between us.
"Good afternoon, Brennen," I offer a little uneasily, knowing that I'd better fess up to my little dramafest of a steal before he finds out from anyone else. An idea comes to me all of a sudden, and I want to ignore it, to talk it through with Karat first - but my impulsion refuses to be waited upon, and suddenly I am spewing out of my mouth like a melted winter spring.
"Well actually, she wouldn't really know since I stole her about half a year ago - but I feel really badly about it, especially since now Tephra and Ischia are allied, so I was - I'm returning her to Tephra." My purple eyes flash worriedly to Karat, not knowing how she'll react. "Today, actually..."
The light purple of his form has placed itself upon Ischia shores a time or two since the mutiny. Always it was to find Kylin. Ensure her wellness and that of their soon to be child. He could not ensure her safety. Not here. He has no say here, no control. That is why she asks her to leave this place. To come to Tephra. Each request is met with refusal though and so each time he has left empty handed...
It is in one of these such times that he has returned to Tephra. To only find out his own daughter has disappeared(as well as Krone and Kwartz). In attempt to find them, he consults with Warrick and his son, Krom. Wherein his iron child leaks the information he had searched for. Immediate anger fills him at the blatant disrespect of this "Brotherhood". His departure from the gathering and ashy soils is swift and he finds himself creeping upon Ischia shores once again. Landing with a thud, body slick with sweat.
Silver eyes narrow to his surroundings. Finding himself nearest to the land bridge as Karat would have to cross here. A light trail of two separate tracks file down the shoreline, mingled with a faint scent of his daughter. With haste he follows the disruptions in the sands. Seething with each step forwards...
There is a break and then he sees them. Lavender ears just catch the tail end of Karats words. He was unsure if he was more upset with Ischia or his daughter. Eyeing those gathered, he recognizes Brennen immediately and assumes the golden boy was the culprit behind this intrusion. He doesn't hide his discontent as he approaches and just after Trekori informs Brennen of his decision to return Karat home. His pace doesn't slow and his voice calls out gruffly, "Don't bother boy." His body files in next to Karat and before Brennen. Eyes landing a hard glance at Kori before turning to the their leader, "So the brotherhood steals daughters from other kingdoms now does it... I hope you had little knowledge of this Brennen." His words are stern but not hostile. "I'll take my child back now, thank you. I trust you will deal with this issue accordingly," his muzzle reaches to his daughters shoulder with forceful instruction to move. Turning himself in the same direction as he guides her. An irritated flick of his tail is all the more they will see of them...
Klaudius
I was lightning, before the thunder
@[Brennen] @[Trekori] this work as a finale? Maybe if Kori comes back out, him and Karat can meet again
He doesn’t expect the purple mare to be thrilled to see him, not with whatever her parents have undoubtedly been spewing in her young ears, so he is content with her somewhat nervous response and doesn’t reply except to continue to offer her the slow, patient smile of greeting he already was wearing. Trekori’s nervous response is a different story, and the tone of his voice makes Brennen take a second look at the situation, turning his full attention to the young stallion as he launches into an explanation.
His first response is a surge of frustration, of annoyance, but he tamps down on it hard before anything can escape his careful mask against feelings, because he knows when he forces himself to wait a breath and take a second look at the situation that to react the way he might have in the moment would be a mistake. They hadn’t been allies with Tephra six months ago, though Brennen still would have preferred the Brothers not to mess with Krone’s family in their self-imposed exile; and Kori is remarkably young, despite all he has already done for the Brotherhood.
He’s almost ready with a more reasonable response, his first strong temper simmered to a mildly censorious glance, when The shrieks of birds above herald the purple stallion’s arrival, as he shoulders his way into their group and launches into his own tirade. Brennen would never have unleashed his temper on a Brother, much less one as earnest and honest as Trekori, but Klaudius will receive no such kid-glove treatment. Almost as soon as he has opened his mouth, Brennen’s ears are pinned flat to his neck and his words are sharp and cold.
”That ‘boy’ is already twice the man you will ever be, Klaudius, and he’s apologized for acting like a lovesick child when he was still a child. What’s your excuse for your behavior?” he isn’t sure of Kori’s motives but he’s guessing, after all he isn’t stupid either. “You’re no longer welcome in Ischia, Klaudius. And since Karat was stolen before we were allied in Tephra, she won’t be going with you.” he reaches into the cold feeling of the ice-magics and shifts to ready himself for motion, because his soul might be Tundra-cold but his temper is running hot and he’d like nothing more than to attack Kladius at this moment. It is, as they say, the straw that broke the camel’s back. “I will allow you this chance to leave unharmed, out of respect for the alliance Warrick and I have agreed to. I will escort Karat home when she is ready to go, after the children have a chance to say their farewells. You will leave now, or I will make you leave.”
He doesn’t say anything else negative about Trekori in front of Klaudius besides addressing him in a juvenile manner such as he has never done before - that is the extent of his scolding. Klaudius who is not a brother has no right to witness any discipline handled within the Brotherhood, no any right to dictate such.
Brennen is more than ready to make good on his threat of violence.
@[Neo], @[Sid] sorry Brennen just wasn’t going to let that kind of thing go in my head /shrugs/
