07-01-2016, 12:24 PM
Sleep keeps him under longer than normal this day.
For a man accustomed to shrugging off dreams and pulling on responsibilities like a thick coat, it is a nice change. Not one he can indulge in often, but one he does now. Ea had long ago left his side. He’d heard her in the early hours of dawn, shaking off the last vestiges of sleep and preparing to make herself useful. He should have done the same, too, but his eyes dropped too quickly for him to catch them, to hold onto the wakeful state that his queen had found so easily.
When he finally does stir from his slumber, the sun is creeping close to the middle of the sky. Ramiel blinks at it, disoriented and amazed that he could stay under so long – especially when the first rays of the day were his alarm. He is not surprised to see that Sela is absent, however. Surely, the boisterous girl playing and wreaking havoc elsewhere is answer enough for his ability to catch extra sleep. A smile worms its way across his lips then. If he ever needed motivation to be awake for every moment he could, it was his silvered daughter. The ghost-king sets off to find her, eager to start his day, albeit late.
The Dale is as majestic as it always is, even under the harsh glare of the mid-day sun. There are hardly any shadows at this hour, and it makes everything stand out all the more for it. Every tree rises pointedly into the air without the softening effect of darkness around it. The river, too, glistens sharply – like a million mirrors shattered. He will always look to the winding curve of the water first, his favorite part of the kingdom. Today is no different, and he is heading for a refreshing drink when the voices catch his ears.
They are familiar ones, so he does not worry or hurry to intervene. But still, Ramiel would be completely out of character not to assess the happenings within his home. He meanders his way towards the pair, his focus not entirely on the conversation sounding just out of earshot. It is good for Ea to find her own voice when it comes to ruling the Dale. Maybe he should leave her to her own devices. Maybe she will resent him for stepping in now, late into the words they exchange. But he reminds himself that they are a team, and an extra pair of ears long familiar with the weight of the crown between them is never a negative.
“Good morning Phaedrus, Ea,” the greeting is out of his mouth before he realizes what he’s saying. He looks up unconsciously, sheepishly, before leveling his gaze to the pair. They don’t need to know that he’s only woken; he wonders if Ea will hold her tongue or if it will be too difficult for her not to have the chance to reprimand him instead. He wagers it will be the latter. “I only heard the tail-end of your conversation, but it sounded both inspired and smart. We were meant to hold a competition with the Amazons years ago, but… war put a damper on many plans.” His golden eyes find Phaedrus’ own. The blue and black man was there beside him fighting in the Chamber. He knows more than most how the war affected them all; Ramiel respects the soldier more than most for choosing to stick it out with them.
“Those all sound like good systems for each caste should we have a tournament. We are currently allied with the Jungle and Falls, as you both know.” Ramiel’s gaze finds Ea’s and Phaedrus’ in turn. “For their support in the war, I’d like to add the Deserts to that list. Perhaps the two of you could visit them and propose an alliance and an invitation to the games? As well as a visit to our other allies for a similar invitation?” He smiles easily, waiting to hear their answers. “I also like the idea of inviting the non-caste members for socializing purposes. We need to build relationships as much as strengthening our ties to the other kingdoms.” After, he looks to Ea exclusively. He hopes she doesn’t think he is undermining her power; he is certain they will “talk” about it later. “It would be a good chance for you to represent the Dale as its new queen, as well.”
For a man accustomed to shrugging off dreams and pulling on responsibilities like a thick coat, it is a nice change. Not one he can indulge in often, but one he does now. Ea had long ago left his side. He’d heard her in the early hours of dawn, shaking off the last vestiges of sleep and preparing to make herself useful. He should have done the same, too, but his eyes dropped too quickly for him to catch them, to hold onto the wakeful state that his queen had found so easily.
When he finally does stir from his slumber, the sun is creeping close to the middle of the sky. Ramiel blinks at it, disoriented and amazed that he could stay under so long – especially when the first rays of the day were his alarm. He is not surprised to see that Sela is absent, however. Surely, the boisterous girl playing and wreaking havoc elsewhere is answer enough for his ability to catch extra sleep. A smile worms its way across his lips then. If he ever needed motivation to be awake for every moment he could, it was his silvered daughter. The ghost-king sets off to find her, eager to start his day, albeit late.
The Dale is as majestic as it always is, even under the harsh glare of the mid-day sun. There are hardly any shadows at this hour, and it makes everything stand out all the more for it. Every tree rises pointedly into the air without the softening effect of darkness around it. The river, too, glistens sharply – like a million mirrors shattered. He will always look to the winding curve of the water first, his favorite part of the kingdom. Today is no different, and he is heading for a refreshing drink when the voices catch his ears.
They are familiar ones, so he does not worry or hurry to intervene. But still, Ramiel would be completely out of character not to assess the happenings within his home. He meanders his way towards the pair, his focus not entirely on the conversation sounding just out of earshot. It is good for Ea to find her own voice when it comes to ruling the Dale. Maybe he should leave her to her own devices. Maybe she will resent him for stepping in now, late into the words they exchange. But he reminds himself that they are a team, and an extra pair of ears long familiar with the weight of the crown between them is never a negative.
“Good morning Phaedrus, Ea,” the greeting is out of his mouth before he realizes what he’s saying. He looks up unconsciously, sheepishly, before leveling his gaze to the pair. They don’t need to know that he’s only woken; he wonders if Ea will hold her tongue or if it will be too difficult for her not to have the chance to reprimand him instead. He wagers it will be the latter. “I only heard the tail-end of your conversation, but it sounded both inspired and smart. We were meant to hold a competition with the Amazons years ago, but… war put a damper on many plans.” His golden eyes find Phaedrus’ own. The blue and black man was there beside him fighting in the Chamber. He knows more than most how the war affected them all; Ramiel respects the soldier more than most for choosing to stick it out with them.
“Those all sound like good systems for each caste should we have a tournament. We are currently allied with the Jungle and Falls, as you both know.” Ramiel’s gaze finds Ea’s and Phaedrus’ in turn. “For their support in the war, I’d like to add the Deserts to that list. Perhaps the two of you could visit them and propose an alliance and an invitation to the games? As well as a visit to our other allies for a similar invitation?” He smiles easily, waiting to hear their answers. “I also like the idea of inviting the non-caste members for socializing purposes. We need to build relationships as much as strengthening our ties to the other kingdoms.” After, he looks to Ea exclusively. He hopes she doesn’t think he is undermining her power; he is certain they will “talk” about it later. “It would be a good chance for you to represent the Dale as its new queen, as well.”
R A M I E L
this is a man pulling at his iron chains