but I have promises to keep [Scorch, Hestia, Any]

[Scorch]

WATCH THE FLAMES CLIMB HIGH INTO THE NIGHT

"A lifetime of experience may contain some wisdoms I will agree... But when you get with someone as linguistically indulged as me, it usually takes a while to actually impart them. Somehow, I don't think you mind though," the Queen offered with an affectionate chuckle. It was still strange to her that so many of Beqanna's residents needed explanations and stories from her in regards to, well, her whole appearance and history; before her death, everyone had just known. Scorch'd been raised among a Beqanna with a people landscape that nigh-on did not exist any more, besides herself, Brennen, and very few others. Hestia had been one too, and there's Djinii and Nayl - but of the more active members of Beqanna, almost none knew anything about Scorch's past life.

And that's okay; just... Weird.

Scorch pulled a sheepish face at being called out for having been dead, but covers the expression with an expert eye roll. "I didn't think it was worth mentioning - all I did was be dead for a while, not much wisdom to impart there. End of story." She chuckled again, grinning at Breckin, knowing that this off-handed explanation would absolutely not satisfy her newest and most promising diplomat. But still, she'd always been a bit of a rascal once you got to know her; it felt good to have a close friend to tease again. Better than she could have imagined.

"Peace caste it is," Scorch smiled, mentally jotting down Breckin's place in the ranks. "I'll be immediately promoting you, for your participation in the tournament as well as your travelling to Hyaline. Bring me a recruit, and you'll be brought up another level." Dry stuff, but her subjects needed to know that their efforts were recognized. When the subject of her son's antics come up though, she's glad to leave behind the politics of it all.

"That sounds about right," Scorch laughed, the sound smoky and disjointed but altogether her. "I could use that exact line in reference to Hestoni and I's first encounter, decades ago. Now look at us - married with eleven children and countless grandchildren." She made a face as if she weren't implying anything, simply just telling a story like the little angel she was - y'know, a burnt, scarred, hairless angel. "But that's telling..."

When the questions turned towards her, her own ears flopped to the sides. Heaving a great sigh, Scorch averted her dragon gaze to consider the kingdom that stretched out before them, rolling and overhanging and beautiful. "If I'm being honest, Breckin, my time to rule has long since passed. I am immortal, but more than that I'm old. Although I recognize that right now there is no one else suited to the throne - I just wish I could have continued as Nerine's Advisor, the second in command. But when the first in command dies, I suppose this becomes my duty by default." She snapped her eyes back to Breckin, momentarily worried that her vulnerable expression of emotions would somehow defame her in the eyes of her speckled friend; but the worry passed when she remembered that this was a safe space for her to speak. "I love Nerine, and I will of course serve her as Queen - I am excited in some ways, and I have the expertise to at least no fuck it up at worst. But when my heir, Wishbone, comes of age - it will be a relief not only to me, but probably to all the residents of this land whose eyes hurt when they look at my crispiness."

"I... I hope that wasn't too forward of me to say, Breckin. I know you'd prefer to hear that I'm elated and ready for anything - but I'm not. I've seen too much of this world for that; but for now, I am at peace. And maybe that's enough."

Scorch

Once Khaleesi of the Amazon Jungle

@[Breckin] Literally just zoned out and let Scorch write this post, expected it to be like 3 paragraphs max and... then this happened. Ooops