"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
01-28-2019, 12:13 AM (This post was last modified: 01-30-2019, 11:24 PM by Breckin.)
OForcing a summons out upon the tails of a previously held breath, she braces herself against the coasts harsh gale. Anxious Impatience surrounds her, her normally bright eyes having seemingly gone dull since the last meeting flicker across the grey sands in search of signs of familiarity. That impatience begins to wither in the light of camaraderie however when the first of Nerine’s own begin to join her. The flat line of her mouth slowly curls to a smile as they settle and she shifts her head beneath the tangled knot of her forelock to better meet their curious glances.
”Sisters and Brothers, thank you for coming.” It’s a modest skim over the niceties she might normally like to indulge in, but subtle urgency drives her and her thoughts feather across the weight of her sides before turning back to the task at hand.
”There are a few kingdom changes to notify you of. Firstly, Icicle Isle has been acquired as a territory functioning under the kingdom rule of Nerine, ran under the guide of Leilan and a council comprised of three members: Jesper, Camomila, and Ardashir. Taiga is operating as a neutral herdland at this time. For their service to our kingdom, Leilan, Heartfire, and all of those who offered their support in the Isle’s acquisition, I’d like to say thank you. Your actions are appreciated. . A moment passes as she finds the gazes of those surrounding her with the warmth of a steady smile.
“Secondly, an heir to the throne has not yet been named for some time. Today, I am proud to be able to announce the designation of my daughter, Eurwen, as the next in line. However, she will not be following behind me directly in her acquisition of the crown because I am stepping down as Nerine’s ruler.”
”Nerine deserves a more focused leader at this time than what I can offer you. For that reason, I am naming Heartfire as your new Queen.”. Her voice falls to silence with her last decree as queen, turning her dark eyes to find the striking blue of her successor’s, she savors the almost unrecognizable taste of relief upon her tongue.
OOC note: please let @[Heartfire] post next first if she would like to do so.
She slips comfortably alongside Breckin as she gathers the residents of their kingdom together. She doesn't anticipate a large group, but she hoped to change that very soon. She remains silent however, allowing Breckin to say what needs saying. She might be shifting the mantle of queen, but she has always had Heartfire's respect, even when she had brought difficult insights and suggestions to the spotted mare.
There is much that needs saying still, though Heartfire gives them time to digest what Breckin has shared with them. There would be time enough to discuss particulars later, once the dust had settled. Turning her gaze to those who had gathered, she considers them silently as Breckin finishes her small speech, only glancing back to meet the woman's gaze once she her last breath had trailed off. She offers her a faint nod, the slightest upward twitch of her lips. An acceptance and a release. Breckin had worn the title well, but it was clear it had wearied her, that she felt relief in the absence of its weight.
After a moment, she returns her attention to her fellow Nerinians. She speaks then, filling the silence Breckin had left in the wake of her abdication. “Breckin has done well by Nerine, and I intend to do the same. In fact, I believe Nerine has so much more to offer, and I would like to bring us there. However, before we continue, does anyone have any objections?”
Her blue gaze is sharply assessing as she peers out at those who had gathered, as bold and daring as she'd always been. She still has so much to offer this kingdom, but if she wanted to achieve those visions, she needed the full support of her kingdom's residents. If there were any doubts lingering out there, she has every intention of addressing them now.
We got older and I should have known that I’d feel colder when I walk alone
Nerine is so very much a women's kingdom.
It had fought hard against that Amazon image lately, but eventually, it must become clear to the women here that it simply was just that, as it had been clear to him. And it's not that this would be a problem (in fact he's pretty happy for them, that Breckin had had girls). It's not that he didn't love them. They're his family, and his family is home, it's no more or less complicated than that. Some of these mares though... had a tendency to overcomplicate things and then when he asked if they needed help, just tell him to stay out of it. Or maybe that's just his mother... Oh, well.
There had been plenty other mares in the world that had in fact needed a shoulder. The effect of such encounters remain unclear still, but he has an inkling of an idea now, why Hestoni never had left the Jungle.
So he had stayed out of it, either because of his preoccupation with other things or simply because he finally figured out that it wasn't worth challenging his mate or his mother over such (petty) things. Brennen could handle the plague and whatever protection Nerine needed from him, just as well, he'd thought. So much so that he'd moved, even if he never thought that he ever would do that again since coming home. Poured all his energy in acquiring the island next doors, because hey, he'd never actually leave or anything. But it had stricken him as quite odd that with the exception of Nalia, who was near birthing and therefore needed the safety from the plague, it was mostly the men of Nerine living there now. Somehow the ancient division still stood, through all that time.
Despite all that, he still shows up at the meetings. Not because he's politically involved (although that should be the reason, he knows that; he just can't be wholly bothered sometimes) but because she asks. But she's tired, and he knows that, so that she has been looking for a successor doesn't surprise him. Oftentimes he wonders if it's the crown or himself causing her such a burden, but talking to her about it would never be helpful for she would always deny he is in fact tiring to be around.
He can't quite say Heartfire is much different than him, really, but perhaps that means she has the energy to provide the direction Nerine needs, if there's any clear spot on the horizon to work towards at all. He's glad that he doesn't have to do it though. A Territory is more than enough (in fact, knowing how much effort it takes to even recruit people and make them stay there, he wouldn't dare involve himself with an actual leading kingdom).
But again - it's not as if any of this is his decision. At least he knows he can trust his niece. They're not too different, he knows, though they have different ways of coping with it.
Which perhaps, is why, after making sure Breckin is comfortable again after stepping away, he can't help but smirk at the new queen and point something out. "Why, niece, we couldn't object to any of your visions if you don't tell us about them, could we." Not like he planned to do anything, and this should be clear from his body language as well as the mischievous look on his face when using that one word she surely knew he had chosen on purpose... but hey, he can't help but challenge her at least this tiny bit. Nerine wasn't an easy kingdom to lead. She should know she has nothing to fear from him leadership-wise; in fact, she's the one who put him in this position, isn't she? Perhaps not with this outcome in her mind, but that's not his problem.
Relaxed, he waits then - a retort, a roll of eyes, or even pointedly ignoring him, it's all good. As long as no-one is put in any actual danger or he doesn't personally get thrown out, he really doesn't mind which of the girls around here take the lead. For as much as he cares, they could all be queens.
And perhaps that's precisely what defines an Amazon, he muses for a moment.
Leilan
no. 7 | ice forged in fire
don't ask me while he's serious and idiotic at the same time bc idk either
Two things I know I can make: pretty kids, and people mad.
She lingered on the fringes of Nerine, pacing back and forth with no regard for the tired colt trailing endlessly behind her. Were it not for the promise she had made to her granddaughter, she would have already left for certain, would not have come back since the day she gave birth to Arctyrus in the forest. Bile rises to the mare's lips in remembrance of that day, and her pace hastens. The black colt at her heels bleats uselessly for her to slow, though he knows better than to think that his mother would heed his pitiful request. To her credit, at least, the child appeared well-fed; despite the failure of their bonding due to... certain circumstances (read: a mother, abandoning her son without even so much as a glance back, forced to rejoin him by the men in her life who yet had hope that she could still become who she once was before she became a whore), Scorch managed to will herself to feed her son. He was ravenous, though, promising to become a relative giant compared to her; soon, she would be weaning him. Far sooner than she had her other children.
At long last, the call came. Without warning the mare plunged into the kingdom, easily navigating the rocky hills at a speed that a monthling could simply not hope to keep up with. When Arc's bleating became almost too faint to hear over the howling of the coastal wind, Scorch finally stopped, the stub of her tail swinging irritably as she awaited the arrival of her son. "Keep up," she snapped, not so much as checking to see if he was okay before continuing.
After that, Arc kept a better pace, though he never again came within speaking distance of his mother.
They settled without ceremony in the fragmented crowd which gathered to hear the passing of the crown, the failed Matriarch and the son she did not love. Despite the love that she held for each individual member here, despite her literal blood relation to them and if not that, then her adoptive nature to them, she practically did not listen. When her old self tore through the flaming armour which she wore now, crackling gently against her fire-eaten skin, she nearly began to sob.
How could she not care more about Breckin's health, the recruit whom she'd brought in and raised and watched flourish for so many years? How could she not feel more ecstacy upon watching her granddaughter wear a crown that, by the laws of blood, belonged solely to her? How could she not laugh and make a joke with her trickster son as he stood moodily but faithfully alongside his lover and new queen? How, oh god, how could she mistreat her youngest son so, so terribly?
A single tear evaporated against the fire armor she wore before the mare stuffed down the feelings, swallowing them whole as though to do so would permanently remedy the situation which threatened to ruin her life.
"I pledge my support to you," Scorch called brusquely, shoulders tense as eyes turned to her. Although it seemed as if she ought to have said more, the Matriarch instead fell to silence; once more failing to meet the expectations of any around her.
He heard the call from across the bay. Nerine called for a kingdom meeting. While he did not fall under the category of direct resident, he thought it in the Isle's best interest if he attends. And so, the black stallion aborts his agenda to nibble away at the overgrazed lawn and, heads towards the eastern coast. He plunges into the cool waters, a nice break from all of the mid-winter swims, without hesitation. Jesper pushes through the dark sea with ease until his unshod hooves scrape bedrock. Forelimbs extend and sink into the sodden ground of the mainland. He heaves the other half of his chassis onto dry land and, proceeds to shake any loose water from his sleek pelt.
The desert-bred male wastes no more time and, picks up a balanced trot to carry him to the assembly. He arrives just as the spotted mare, Breckin', is relinquishing the throne to a blue-grey and white dame. As his aquamarine gaze settles upon the mare, Jesper recognizes her from the Isle. He offers a soft smile in greeting and, a shake of his poll when she asks for any objections. He trusts Breckin' and, if she seems this mare worthy, he had little to say. As Leilan's familiar voice reaches his bronze-tipped ears, Jesper finds and locks eye contact with him. He hopes that this new leader would allow for more time between the Ice Prince and the former Nerinian Queen.
As the meeting unfolds, the black allows his gaze to search the crowd. He recognizes Scorch, who bears a tiny shadow at her left ankle. He offers a warm smile to the fatigued kiddo and, for a moment, Jesper nearly loses himself to the still unanswered question: what ever became of that night with Lamb? And, of course, the subsequent question: Am I a father? Jesper rids his thinker-box of such pointless musings and, instead searches for the familiar features of his grandsire. He does not see him but, makes a mental note to seek him afterwards.
diamonds are found only in the darkness of earth as truth lies in the darkness of mind
Even though she knew what to expect, she is still nervous - or maybe because of it. The spotted filly might know it to be irrational, yet she wonders if people will agree with the proposed, or decreed, changes in leadership. Her father might not entirely like it perhaps (he seemed more happy about his island being settled than that he was happy about leading it per say) and Oisín could bother her for the rest of her life. Most of all she hasn’t spoken to Heartfire before, in person anyway. Perhaps it’s the lack of an idea what to expect that makes her the most nervous.
Yet - even if the yearling filly might look tense, otherwise she doesn’t show any nervous ticks. She used to be a flee-er when it comes to danger, but she had learned to fight that instinct. She knows better, she tells herself - though perhaps she just knows it is not the solution to everything.
Mother finished her speech and Heartfire does so too. It all goes by in a bit of a blur, and her peripheral vision catches sight of her parents nearby. Her mother looks relieved. Perhaps one day she’ll be the same, or does Breckin think that her daughter being slightly different from her (not enough, Eurwen thinks), will do better?
The spotted girl attempts a short sideways look to her older cousin, wondering if the much different example will help her personal growth - but then her grandmother arrives, a baby in tow - draft-like in build much like her family members. Then, the girl breaks loose from the crowd to great them, but Scorch’s neutral tone withholds the filly from greeting her younger uncle. It might be better not to, not right now anyway. Still, she spares him a small encouraging smile, before looking at the other horses that have gathered
It occurs to her that they all need a little more encouragement, as far as she can tell from their faces. Even her father’s joke seemed a little moody to her.
Briefly, her gaze lingers on the lean stallion near her father, wondering if she should remember him or if he lived on the Isle. But her strength lies more with silent encouragement than with long speeches, and she doesn’t feel like interrupting whatever is going on, right now.
Nalia was unfortunate enough to learn of a summoning soon after she had finally made the journey back to Nerine, a very long journey for both herself and her daughter. The now three-month-old filly was exhausted from her journey across the open ocean to Nerine from her birth place on the Isle, and Nalia herself was tired as well.
The pair had started out by flying for a good portion after Nalia taught Alcinia to sit on her back so she could carry her for a portion of the journey across the ocean. It had taken a good bit of time to do so, but after a month's worth of teaching, the filly was able to comfortably sit on her dam's back for a good portion of time, just long enough that they got a major part of the ocean swim out of the way when Nalia's strength gave out.
They still had a bit of swimming to do, but Nalia's flight had saved time and helped Alcinia preserve the energy she needed to swim the rest of the way. It was not easy for the filly, even with the calm waters and Nalia taking the brunt of the current against her body to help Alcinia focus, but with time and patience, plus a lot of good fortune that the weather did not turn, the pair made it back to the coast of Nerine safely.
Nalia had told Ardashir that she wished to take Alcinia to Nerine not only to give her access to the mainland and other foals her age, but so that she could see the other kingdom her parents were part of and experience the ocean swim for her first time. It would've happened eventually, but the more practice she got in now, the more comfortable she would be as she got older and in time would make the swim by herself without Nalia's help.
Obviously, the pair had spent a good portion of the day they returned and the next resting, Alcinia being too tired to do much other than feed from her dam's milk, gallop in a few circles or on the banks of the ocean sand, then return to Nalia's side and sleep for a good few hours. Nalia, ever the watchful dam, stood by her daughter's side as she rested, happy that now the hard part was over and Alcinia could recover before Nalia took her out to see more of Nerine, and then Beqanna.
Especially the playground; she wanted Alcinia to meet foals close to her age and potentially make some friends.
But their plans for rest were short-lived when Breckin called for Nerine's residents to gather, and Nalia was compelled to answer the call. Nudging her filly awake, the duo made their way to the gathering spot, where Nalia could see that Heartfire, up by Breckin, Eurwen, Leilan, Scorch, Jesper, and a few others had already gathered.
Nalia and her daughter took up a spot near Leilan and Scorch, noting that the latter had a young colt with her, listening as Breckin spoke of the two important matters of business she called the residents here for. The first piece consisted of information about the Isle and Taiga under Nerine's leadership, but did not get far.
The next piece was far more interesting. Not only did Breckin announce that her daughter Eurwen was due in line to rule Nerine after her, but that, until that day came, another would be taking Breckin's place as she rescinded her claim to the throne.
Heartfire stepped up and offered the chance for any horses to object. Leilan was a bit more sarcastic about the matter, but did not insult the new queen. No one else seemed opposed to Heartfire's words, and that included Nalia. The filly at her side nickered to her mother, whispering in the few words she had already begun to speak, asking what was going on, to which Nalia replied that Heartfire was a new horse they'd have to get to know in time.
Alcinia, not opposed, nodded and pressed herself closer to her dam's side for comfort. Nalia nuzzled her filly and turned her attention back up to Heartfire and Breckin, patiently waiting to see if they had anything more to say.
So he was a little late but it was fine, he'd fuckin' be there.
"C'mon, babies, keep up," he snapped at them, but he immediately slowed the hard pace and touched his baby girl in apology, smoothing over his sharp haste. It was an important day though. And he damn well wasn't about to be late. The twins should see this themselves. And he wanted to also, of course.
He herded them into his side and eased them into a walk when he saw the residents gathering in one spot. A wicked grin stretched his mouth and he reached to tap each of them on their shoulders with a silent check this out. He lifted right back up into a confident lope, keeping his children close, his blood dribbling from his legs and baptizing this land with the black of his soul. He strode right up to Heartfire because not a damn thing was gonna keep him from his babe, smearing blood on her neck as he brushed her sweetly with his muzzle, the skin split with his bone rupturing grotesquely out of it.
"Well, hey there, sexy," he purred with a smooth smile. "Who the fuck are you to leave me with the kids so you can become royalty, huh?" He nipped her sharply with a tease, leaving a trail of them all the way to her beautiful jaw. He very nearly got a suggestive comment in about a Queen and her sex slave disappearing for a while, but Dagen shoved in between them to claim his momma's side and cling tightly to her. He clipped the boy's flank in sharp rebuke but left it at that. He knew Dagen was such a Momma's boy and had been missing her far deeper than he'd let anyone see.
That was fine. He had a favorite of these two too.
He waited for Brazen to get her cuddle in too before he stole her over for himself and brushed his lips over her beautiful dawn-fire skin. "Look at you. Badassest little princess there ever was, you know that?" Not that he knew anything about royalty. He'd always been a bottom-feeder himself. Somebody's gotta do the dirty work and he was damn good at it. And he'd fuckin' do it here too if someone gave him reason to fuck shit up.
They had come not just from the kingdom, but from across the strait, answering Breckin’s call. Heartfire had been among the first to step foot upon the isle when it rose from the sea, and for all the it is it’s own entity, it is as much Nerine as anything else. It’s not the land that makes a kingdom, but it’s residents. She thinks most here would understand such a thing.
She watches them gather, her eyes lingering on each as they come. Leilan, of course. She fully expects him to comment. He’d never had a very good ability to remain mute, and she is unsurprised by his retort. She merely tilts one brow at him, faintly amused.
“Indeed,” she murmurs cryptically in response, a hint of question in that single word. She doubts it is her visions they would have objected to anyway.
Scorch is there, as she had promised. Her youngest trails behind her, silent and uncertain. She is aware of the deeper story there, but this is neither the time nor place for such introspections. Jesper, who she had met so briefly, under such strained circumstances. And Eurwen of course, the heir to be. She seems uncertain, but then, it is the curse of youth to feel such, isn’t it? She recognizes Nalia, though they had not truly met before. But she would be remiss if she were not aware of all those who reside here, or across the strait. And finally Dovev, herding their children, a wicked grin curling his lips as he pushes his way to her side. Her blue eyes flash momentarily before she turns to drop a soft kiss on each of her twins foreheads. The briefest of greetings before she returns her attention to the gathered residents.
She spares Dovev only a sharp glance, as much reminder as she would give that there is a time and place. She makes no comment on the suggestive greeting or streak of blood he’d left on her neck. Perhaps she is not given to public displays of affection, but neither would she hide what is there.
When there is no objections to her ascension beyond the wry comment made by Leilan, Heartfire steps forward, eyes moving from resident to resident, taking them all in. There may yet be stragglers, but they would no doubt catch the gist if they came. “Nerine has always been a kingdom defined by its residents rather than land it sits upon, and I intend to keep it that way. You are important. You are what keeps Nerine alive. Which means it is on all of us to ensure Nerine continues to thrive.” She pauses then, her blue eyes weighted as she considers them. “I intend to make changes to the ranking system, to give each and every one of you opportunities. Icicle Isle is very much a part of Nerine - of the North - and will be included as such.”
There is more, of course. There is always more. But there is time enough for all of that. For now, she merely wants those gathered here today to know that she intends to bring this kingdom into the present. To return it to relevance.
“As you are all Nerine, I also intend to ensure that your voices be heard. I will be instituting a council to that end. For now, the seats remain empty. However, if you have interest in being a Voice for the North, prove yourself to the kingdom, and a seat is yours.”
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Jesper
