Ascending to the Stars as one | The Great Accord

[Cheri]

There was much to consider.

Expecting something from him, Obscene’s non-response would’ve irritated Cheri if she didn’t know him; rather, his quiet contemplation on her ideas intrigued the young Queen. For once she was desperate to know what was mulling around in that unusually thick skull of his, but for all her effort and curiosity his thoughts remained as quiet and private as ever. She couldn’t exactly tell if he was enlightened or enraged by the idea, thanks to the years of practice he had when it came to playing nonchalant. His most valuable asset, she considered as her gaze swung to Reave.

They met eyes across the distance, Cheri’s sparkling with as much intrigue as she could muster. Her couz had always been gifted at being coy, so she took quick notice of how very sharp he was in comparison to that. No; Reave seemed different, somehow - more demanding. His claim that Taiga was the North’s problem (and that it was being dealt with) made Cheri smile softly with a sort of incredulous mirth. He seemed very decided on the matter, though her Uncle - and current King, for now - stood alongside him. She wondered when the two branches had begun to grow in opposite directions. On that matter, she quickly thought less.

Her own rise to claimants had been swift when the decision was made. She wouldn’t argue with Reave on the matter - she’d promised to never go against him, after all. If she had reservations (which she did) then she would see to them privately.

However, his idea of solidifying alliances and crushing the opposing powers between them was an interesting counter to her original proposal. Though she would’ve argued that she had no intention of losing anyone’s head anytime soon, Cheri altered her attention to Nashua when he counseled them both toward better relations. She had even less intention of seeing The South or the North fall, so she nodded; time was something she was willing to spend if it bore the fruit of a lasting dominion.

The idea of gathering territories? It had a weight to it that she liked when tested by forethought. When no other horse seemed eager to chime in afterward, their black-and-green host took the liberty of responding herself.

“That seems a steady course, rather than changing everything drastically.” She agreed. “Reave,” Cheri turned her head to look at the bone-armored stallion, “do you agree? Would this course of action be successful if we took it?” Her eyes lingered on him for a minute longer than normal, the very hint of a smile hovering at the edges of her dark mouth.

“And would you want to apply your talents of ‘acquisition’ toward this little adventure, Obscene? It could spell Success for you, if done well enough.” She turned her cheek to the Fae Prince suddenly. Behind her eyes danced a vision of him, no longer Prince but King of the Pampas. Anything is possible, she smiled.

“Or are we taking too large a risk, I wonder?” Cheri sighed, finally stepping toward Nashua with a flick of her vibrant tail and the flutter of her feathery wings. Maybe what Gale and Mazikeen wanted wasn’t land at all, but something more chaotic. Something senseless, really - nothing that could be stopped or prevented. “Should we really be expanding? Or should we be working to break the Curse … maybe even halt it for a time.” The pegasus mare wondered with a sigh. Thoughts of Gale entombed within the Mountain came to mind.

“Perhaps we could do both. Maybe in our efforts we’ll unveil how to stop it entirely. Either way, I think action is a better course than inaction.” She decided, glancing ‘round her to take in the sight of them all gathered and attentive, bending the future toward their combined will. “Are we in accord, then?” Cheri asked them all.

@Oceane
@Obscene
@Reave
@Nashua
@Leilan

[Obscene]

I can see through you, see your true colors
Cause inside you're ugly, you're ugly like me

Of course he had his own plans when it came to the menace of Gale, the same plan that involved the scales along his body that refused to fade. If he was successful then the worry of the Curse would be broken. Temporary perhaps but maybe that would be enough. Succeeding would leave him little room for “acquiring” much but it offered a distraction in the meantime. As well as keeping Cheri in the dark as much as possible on his end game, even if he had given her a promise.

Glittering red eyes meet her bright green ones as his voice rumbles from his place in the shadows. “I wouldn’t mind a vacation home.” The devilment in his gaze is mixed with something predatory as he speaks, a clear agreement to this accord they were beginning to reach. Aela held one of the island’s leaders even now. It shouldn’t be too hard, taking a deserted island. She turns her cheek to him and his iris’s narrow as he follows her movement, watches the way she flutters her wings as she steps closer to the King of the North and sighs her misgivings.

”No reward without risk.” He says. “No reward if we are all dead either.” He says with a nonchalant shrug and his trademark smirk. ”There’s no reason both goals can’t be worked on, simultaneously.” He doesn’t move from where he leans against the hard edge of red cliff although his attention travels from her to the others around her. “The sooner it’s dealt with though, the easier it will be for everything else to follow.” He can’t help but add nonchalantly, a brow raised as he lands on Nashua and says slowly, “I can’t imagine we will make much progress with broken legs….” Glancing at Reave with a knowing glint in the depths of red, he continues. “Or when it eats your heart.”

And then it lands on the new Queen and the look he gives her is no longer one of smooth indifference but one of intensity. “Make your moves Cheri. But make them carefully.” And then he falls quiet, having nothing more to say on the subject.

obscene

@Reave

[Reave]

i am the mace, the map, the fall and the high

The future is such a fickle thing. He has seen many things, but they are always fluid - always changing. This moment is one of those where many possibilities lurch forward on tangential paths. One of those where fate and destiny is still being decided.

Reave has never been shy about taking the horns of fate and directing them where he wants to go.

Nashua does not counter his declaration about Taiga. Reave knows the pegasus had held out hope his twin would return to take it again. He also knows they do not have the luxury of waiting for that to happen. Ever the politician however, Nashua does not gainsay him. Perhaps he would in private, but not now. Instead he launches into the story of the hydra, and a slow grin curls across Reave’s lips as he watches his elder sibling.

He understands perfectly the moral of this story. He understands it because it is precisely the premise he wishes to adopt. It seems he and his far more upstanding brother are not quite so different after all.

When Cheri reclaims the reins of the conversation, Reave returns his gaze to her, blue eyes thoughtful. He tilts his head when she singles him out, grin toying with the corners of his mouth. He knows what she is really asking of course. It’s tempting to simply agree, but he would not paint himself so wholly into a corner. “There are no such things as guarantees,” he replies slowly, eyes strangely bright. The future is too tangled for that. “But I agree with Nashua.”

She continues then, her attention turning to Obscene. The fae stallion councils both risk and caution, and Reave has to bite back a laugh. It’s a politician’s response if ever he heard one. Of course, he is likely the only one of the five leaders present who lacks a glibly political tongue. He is far more accustomed to inspiring turmoil with his words than despelling it.

He doesn’t try to hide the deepening smirk when Obscene glances slyly in his direction, insinuations on his lips. Chuckling, Reave blandly retorts, “It would have to find my heart first.”

Along with the rest of him, though he leaves that unsaid. It’s no coincidence that Reave has not yet had the pleasure of meeting his cursed relation.

With impish amusement lighting his masked features, Reave returns his attention to Cheri and offers her a broad grin. They are in accord.

reave

@Nashua

[Oceane]

oceane

a little white light
in a sea gone black

Oceane takes a backseat as Cheri’s guests arrive and gather around the plateau and at the base of the escarpment, though the concession is not initially an easy choice for her to make. But with the inside of her cheek caught anxiously between her blunted teeth, the outgoing Loessian Queen watches with decreasing uncertainty and mounting pride as her successor makes her first moves as the Kingdom’s sovereign. The young woman presents herself well, stepping into the role confidently and with poise. Her idea is received well ─ a long, slow exhale falls from Oceane’s maw at this fact ─ and she takes the constructive criticism offered in return with grace.

Even the commentary provided by Obscene, the one individual she knew Cheri had, at one point, harbored uncertainty in working with, is handled well by the young Queen. And it’s at that moment any of Oceane’s remaining misgivings are swept away.

They reach an accord much more swiftly than Oceane could have hoped (she has a brief flashback to the chaos following Castile’s reign, pleased now with just how far they had come in diplomatic relations) ─ it’s atypical to bring so many together and find the strength to point each person towards the same goal, but the discord in the East has come to their aid in this way. And when the gem-encrusted woman has begun to draw their meeting to a close, Oceane steps closer to the precipice of the hillock upon which she stands.

When she finally speaks, it's to those who have congregated at the behest of the kingdom's new matriarch. “I find myself increasingly optimistic for the future of our kingdoms,” the genie's voice is warm and dignified, “in part, thanks to all of you who have gathered with the willingness to embrace change. But also thanks to Cheri, whose innovative ideas will propel us into the future.” Her warm amber eyes turn to the young Queen, a warm smile blossoming across her lips.

“Please join me in congratulations Cheri as she takes the helm of the Southern kingdom.” She nods gracefully to the younger woman, relinquishing the burden of the kingdom with a sudden nicker of melancholy. “Please let Ledger and I know how Sylva can help in guiding your vision forward. Congratulations, Cheri. You are going to do great things.”

— @Cheri et al —
“”

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