Will Your Shoulders Hold?

[Aeros]

TIMESTAMP: -
NOTES: -

► Show Spoiler

- - -

- - -

At the notion of Solunarium being long overdue for expansion, Æros nodded, his face painted thoughtful. “I feel like we’ve been in a sort of stasis for a while. With the massive changes that have already happened, I think it best to capitalize on that momentum, to keep going with further change, but in the shape of expansion.” As the horned hybrid spoke, his countenance shifted ever the more optimistic.

“I’ve…suggested such a thing to other senators when I’ve felt it appropriate, too; there are those amenable, but persuasion can sometimes be a slow art. Some are hesitant, thinking we need to focus internally for now. But…I think if I continue to sow seeds and keep the ball rolling, I might get more on my side,” and he fully intended to do so, his words woven with ambition, dreamy though his voice was.

Æros had so much faith in the Kingdom he served, and to push forth its expansion would be nothing short of the highest of honors.

Khyan’s continued commentary warmed his heart, sweet as the sentiment behind the boy’s rather grandiose suggestions was. “I do like the way you think, dear,” punctuating the sentence with a light, exhaled laugh, "but, yes– I do think serving as an ambassador might be a more solid spot to start."

At the mention of his beloved’s current station, Æros' expression shifted; he looked away as he thought for a moment, then, returning his gaze to Khyan, his face held a soft, loving sincerity. “Much as I admittedly do like having you beneath me in servitude, if ever I were to rise high enough, I’d like to do more than just free you…I’d like to reinstate the whole of your disgraced family, I just…unless, no, until I can do that, I just want to keep you close.”

- - -

'Thoughts'

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

[Khyan Nykara]

“Indeed… I just wonder how we could practically expand at this juncture. Our old colonies have been abandoned or co-opted by cultures that didn’t even exist when they were ours… I suppose we could seek to retake South Ecith without open warfare, but what it lacks in practical defences it more than makes up for in arcane peculiarities… I’m certain our mages would be up to the task, but… it would be a challenging ordeal without collaboration between the Crowns.” Though Khyan may have shirked his political responsibilities, it seemed he was not altogether ignorant of current events and how they interplayed with ancient history.

"Provincia Kalædia would be quite a gem to retake, but I understand our old citadel has been long occupied by the locals, who no doubt have deep rooted alliances with their neighbours, while we've been isolated from direct contact for centuries." He wrinkled his nose. Truly they had been failing Aværys, though it was hardly a slave's place to make that case to a senator.

"An ambassadorship, hm? I expect the Sentinels will oversee all that, but I don't doubt your contacts here at the Palatium could be very beneficial. It's good that you're here so often, so you stay in front of their eyes and thus on their minds... Where would you want to be sent if you were to take on an ambassadorship?" Khyan inquired, because he was genuinely curious. He hadn't really known Æros to long for foreign vistas before, not that he himself had expressed any interest in such either. Now that it was on his mind, it did hold some appeal, though anxiety accompanied that as well.

"Heh... Well, hopefully we can make that happen. Have you spoken to Finn about it? Or His Exalted Highness?" He wasn't sure whether Æros had run into them in the corridors during his many visits to this chamber.

[Aeros]

TIMESTAMP: -
NOTES: -

- - -

- - -

Æros listened as Khyan spoke and he found himself in agreement with the boy’s conclusions. His own were in line, relatively; he’d always found it to be a great shame that Solunarium had let most of its other cities, colonies and the like fall away as they had; Tertium currently served as their only city alternate to their dual capital. After his lover spoke of Provincia Kalædia, he nodded.

“Growing up, I always found it strange that we’ve, seemingly, let go of the concept of expansion altogether…and the fact that we’ve been stagnant, though stable, for most of the current Luxium Crown’s reign never really…sat right with me.” As he spoke, he would appear thoughtful, and his disappointment he did not bother to conceal.

“Provincia Kalædia would be interesting to retake, but you’re right, it wouldn’t be easy. We’d likely need to start with sending a small party to re-establish contact, but at the same time, it’d be wise if that party had reconnaissance agents within it to move about and assess whatever current circumstances have overtaken the citadel. Those who would be able to move around unnoticed; Semblers and the like, with the initial goal to gather information only.” Æros had no idea how hard a task like that would be, but in order to even begin, the first step would have to be taken with a subtle hand. "I can only imagine what that part of the world looks like now…" Truth be told, most of what he's read about Ailizane has been…terribly outdated.

But when Khyan spoke of the Sentinels, of Æros’ contacts, and then asked after just where it was he’d ideally go, the starry senator tilted his head slightly, pondering the question. “I…I’m not sure. There’s so many options. Those ‘arcane peculiarities’ of some of our more local destinations are intriguing, certainly, because the idea of harnessing them for our benefit is enticing…but then, if we ever felt compelled to treat with Sol’Valen, or other more distant locales…I’m drawn to that, too. And just as well, given our new draconic crown, to navigate the intricacies of forming accords with other dragons would be incredibly exhilarating to participate in, not to mention what we’d stand to gain if we could influence further dragonflights.” He laughed, knowing he’d just listed a smattering of options rather than anything remotely specific.

“I do wish I could hone my vision such that I could narrow my scope a bit more, but…my eyes are on the horizon, and it is so very vast.” This time, however, his voice rang with genuine excitement, his features alight with hope regarding the future’s potential. "I suppose, if given the choice, I'd prefer a colder climate," he added with a soft chuckle.

Regarding speaking to those he knew within the Palatium, “...I haven’t, but…they’re never far while we’re here. I’ll make sure to discuss it with them both prior to our departure; both of them could pass along my interest to further relevant parties and I imagine both of them would also hold valuable insight of their own on the subject.”

The next time he’d come across either of them, he’d at the very least request to sit down and speak on the subject.

- - -

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

[Khyan Nykara]

"Her Divine Radiance has ruled for as long as I've been alive... Since before my human grandparents were born. With all the might of her own magicks, alongside her army of Mesmer Mages, did she compel us toward complacency?" Khyan wondered. It wasn't the sort of question he'd have uttered aloud this time last year. Perhaps that veil was being lifted in the Umbrium, now that the Sentinels no longer served at Her Radiance's pleasure. That Mesmer Militia was smaller now, and he wouldn't have put it past Her Serene Highness Cithæra Princeps to ward her Umbrian realm against the influence of the upper city. Whatever the cause of the complacency, it had clearly started well prior to Thalya's reign.

"I suppose I'm a bit more curious about the world than I once was." Perhaps that, too, was part of the Luxian Crown's ministrations. They'd been educated in how far superior their way of life was to that of the rest of the world. They were a realm of princes set apart from a world of peasants. He hadn't had any inclination to travel, because there was always the strong sense that it would be a disappointment. What could be better than what he already had? Even so, sometimes different was reason enough... it just hadn't been a notion that occurred to him until now.

"Sol'Valen?" Khyan was taken aback at the notion of diplomacy with the realm that wronged the Re'hyæans. Sol'Valen was to the children of Re'ha as the Commonwealth was to the children of Vastium, or so Khyan had always been given to understand. His father was half-elven, but too practical to have focused overmuch on such remote concerns as contact with Sol'Valen. During Solunarium's isolationist epoch, that possibility seemed as distant as the years that had elapsed since the initial offence.

"That would be interesting..." He conceded, "In any event, I do think it would be wise to narrow your scope, as you say. My father often bemoaned the limits of his position as Consul and his need to home in on specific objectives, despite his desires to foster broader-scoping initiatives."

[Aeros]

TIMESTAMP: -
NOTES: -

- - -

- - -

It gave Æros proper pause when Khyan mentioned the probability of Her Divine Radiance having perpetuated Solunarium's sorry state of complacency– sure, they were comfortable as they were, but…he couldn't help but think that such a thing had cut their ability to flourish as a nation for the sake of…what? Safety? To what end was their isolation good if it clipped the wings of their nation's potential ambition? Given how long Solunarium had been stagnant, however, he knew it couldn't have started with her– but that meant nothing when it came to whether or not she, for the length of her reign, kept it going. The thought created a gnawing pit in Æros' stomach; a pained sort of feeling; an empty, hungry, sort of disappointment if such a thing was true,

"I…wouldn't doubt that, honestly. I do feel as if I've lost some inhibitions regarding expressing my ambitions, my desire for more on this particular front than I had in the past. Granted…I can't say how much of that is connected to reasons more personal versus the potential lift of manipulation Mesmeric." Æros couldn't quite be sure on the subject, but his instinct told him their supposition was correct.

When Khyan indicated he was more curious about the world than before, the starlit Re'hyæean smiled something soft, something sweet. "Full glad am I to hear that…it's nice to know you do share that interes of mine, at least somewhat," he chuckled, voice warm. Æros leaned in to kiss his lover's forehead, closing his eyes and lingering there for a moment.

When the half-breed pulled back and the conversation shifted to his various potential pursuits, Khyan's reaction to his mention of Sol'Valen drew a half smile 'cross his features. "I think it'd be fascinating. We've had no contact with them for so long…it makes me wonder just how much has changed; as much as old blood might make things messy, I have to admit my own curiosity eclipses any malice held towards them within myself," he laughed a bit, a bit like he'd just admitted something perhaps a bit shameful. He wasn't ashamed, though, at least not really. It's just that he knew the notion would take many of his kin aback.

His intent was not to create an amiable relationship between the two nations. Æros would be satisfied with any result that benefited Solunarium in any way; in doing so, it'd sate his curiosity about the northern elves regardless. Whether or not Sol'Valen and Solunarium ever achieved harmony with one another did not, ultimately, matter to him– rather, the starry senator simply believed that talks with them could garner a variety of useful results.

"All elves are steeped in magic, are they not? Should Solunarium wish to be at the apex of the arcane, the secrets of others might prove invaluable. Who knows what secrets lie within Sol'Valen?" Æros offered in explanation.

"...but yes. I suppose it would be easier to narrow my scope once I learn which options are even realistic for me to pursue, but my predilections will always lead me in whichever direction leans most magical, akin to the way a compass always leads north." He was open to a world of possibilities to gain power, but at this point, his choices really would have to be made based on realism for his station.

- - -

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

[Hector]

Review

Æros

Points: 10/non-magic
Injuries/Ailments: n/a
Loot: None

Khyan/Tyrann

Points: 10

Notes: i really should have graded these earlier but kept forgetting! sorry! RIP but free points to Tyrann x_x