alone in the evergreens (thomasin - coronation)
Aug 21, 2024 15:05:56 GMT -7
fleabittengray and A z z y like this
Post by JUNIPER ! on Aug 21, 2024 15:05:56 GMT -7
into the forest i will go
to lose my mind & find my soul
to lose my mind & find my soul
The last few weeks had been quiet. The scandal that had overcome the Light kingdom had thrown Sepris into a spiral — he understood why it had to be this way, yet it did not take the sting out of it. Queen Nixi was steadfast in her beliefs, and the skull faced stallion knew that the Helkaer Commander needed to be taken down. The spiral itself wasn’t quiet. No, his mind was a whirlpool of violence, but all else was normal. He enjoyed the moments of clarity within Omashu’s borders, hopeful that each day would be the end of the episode. Nobody noticed this internal breakdown, and he appreciated his ability to remain stoic in the face of others. On occasion, Gidge would look unto him with curious suspicion, but asked few questions. He appreciated this, too. Sepris missed his mum in those moments, knowing she would know what to say when he was like this. After four days of it, he paced the creek that he’d once crossed to enter Omashu, distressed and anxious. Those nearby looked on with pity as they watched him continue on the loop for another day, until he finally crossed the threshold of his newfound home to nowhere in particular. Sepris never did anything without reason, and his spindle legs were headed somewhere, somewhere that terrified him as much as it excited him. He wasn’t sure what had so suddenly compelled him to take the leap to head for the Dark Kingdom except for the thought of a chance of knowing who his father was.
His thoughts were consumed with questions. Weren’t they always? He had never gone farther than the Highlands, always taking great care to avoid the Dark lands, too scared of what he might find in its dwellings. Nelly had cautioned him some, and it was only recently that he realized that it was to protect him from whatever truths might lie there. Sepris’ fragility was no secret, and the anger he used to feel as a colt when she attempted to protect him was now a feeling of gratitude. His real mother was mostly a nobody to everyone except those who called the Free lands their home, all too familiar with her terrible temper. Sepris, on the other hand, was known to them as the object of that temper. He could never escape the knowing glances any time he was present, a pain that greatly contributed to the swelling of emotions in his chest that came before the breakdowns of his inner world. He had started the day completely disconnected to what was around him, but as his legs carried him farther away from Omashu, the more the fog cleared to make way for him to climb back into his own body. He felt at peace for everything except the pang of pain that was gripping at his stomach … He’d neglected to eat much — if anything at all — and his belly shuddered. Gidge had warned him of the treacherous path that lead into The Keep, anxious that he would falter in the water he’d be forced to cross.
Sepris blocked out the haul across the waters. They weren’t as angry as they appeared, and his mind was filled with vivid colors that were grossly contrast to The Keep’s foreboding aura. Reaching the other side, the obsidian void shook out the water from his pelt with as much as force as he could muster, lupine eyes opening slow to better focus on the village. His head whooshed against the distant sound of laughter and celebration, trying to focus on where it was coming from. The nerves along his neck tingled, the feeling pulling all of his attention from anything but the wracking that was happening inside of his chest. Sepris wasn’t sure what he’d stumbled on, but a party was the least expected scenario for his first time within the Dark lands since his foal hood. The stallion closed his silvery eyes again. Through ashy nares he took a deep breath, and then a second, taking in what was around him. The aroma of sweet grass and wheat told him there was sustenance nearby that wasn’t tainted with bog water, and the hopelessness he’d felt washed away rather quickly. Sepris came up the bank with his head low and neck snaked as if his very existence would incite a quick onset of violence in the Keep’s streets, merely a precaution in case this was a private event. A line of guards came into view, and Sepris halted to stare upon the array of faces.
One of the guards motioned to the path with a tense brow, irritated by the presence of the lanky, gawking stranger. His delicate sonars flecked backward, picking up a slow trot past the line.
The void kept his head low on approach. The air was at ease, surprisingly enough, and his nerves settled some. It was a shock to see Darks standing for a joyous occasion, enjoying themselves. They smiled at each other, laughing, giggling. Sepris was overcome in overwhelm, coming to a slow stop at the edge of the clearing. Looking to the faces, he saw no one he truly recognized, something that both relived and unsettled him. An equine stood a few feet to his left, grabbing his attention as being the only one alone like he was. What brings us together this day? He inquired casually. He wasn’t sure how to express that he had no business, aware of how out of place he was. There was a prickling underneath the skin of his shoulders, feet switching weight back and forth without him knowing. The stranger raised an eye to him with an amused look about them before they shook their head.You’ve come to a coronation and ask such a foolish question? They asked. Sepris blinked hard, a quizzical look on his face. A feeling of rejection stung his throat, clearing it and firming his stance. Has something happened to the Queen? His tone was quiet. He had heard no news of Selven’s disappearance, assuming he’d out reigned his beloved wife. This time the stranger looked perturbed, snapping their jaw his way. Queen Thomasin announced her chosen King. Selven is no King here.
The bite of their tone and the words of which they spoke weighed on him like bricks. Panic crossed his lupine eyes, face tensing to keep the emotion from spilling out unto them or anyone in earshot. Sepristine had come all this way to see the King. The King knew his father, he was sure of that, but did Thomasin? His mother, Staella, was a stain on the Dark alliance; she was no Lady or rule following member of their society. Vharag at the very least stayed well connected through his dams madness. The other horse didn’t linger there any longer, breaking off from the skull faced imposter and slipping closer to the festivities. Sepris felt like there were eyes all over him, and the crawling began again.
He remained in the clearing for a short time. He crossed paths with the new King, bowing his head to pay his respects as he stood before him. Sepris felt an impending doom in his chest standing next to the massive brute. He was cordial, as expected of him. Congratulations. I wish you a bountiful reign, Lord Damocles. His tone was low but not quiet, yellow gaze switching to the Queen, finding her face to take her in. Sepris was a nobody to any of them but he wasn’t going to compromise this personal mission by burdening Royals in their higher element. He refused to bring shame or suspicion to his home of Omashu, desperate to keep the two separate at any cost. From what he knew of the ruling Darks the void felt a pang of sadness. Selven being gone surely meant more than just a new King, though he tried not to assume. Queen Thomasin… He finally said, trailing off for a short pause. I hope the transition is kind to you. It was the most genuine he’d ever been considering the state of his brain, a moment of clarify to offer a silent acknowledgement without bringing direct attention to it. There was something awry here, something he wanted no part in. Sepris didn’t wait for a response. Bowing his head and turning slow on his haunches to head back to the far edge of the clearing, landing further away than he’d been when he arrived. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the luminescent glow of a cluster of fireflies that headed down a worn footpath off set from the coronation.
Consumed by the dancing specks of firelight, the lean obsidian mass was drawn away. He thought nothing of leaving or the repercussions that would come from his wandering feet. He was barely 20 feet from the coronation when the forest broke open to another meadow. This one was far smaller, no glamorous rock formations or pedestals. Wildflowers had taken over the clover rich grasses, tree tops almost interlocking overhead from the dense forest around it. The lights disappeared into the opposing tree line, and Sepris slowly made way to the center on his spindle legs. When he was sure the fireflies had truly gone, he straightened his position and sighed. Alas, it was quiet here, giving his brain a short lived reset when rustling in the brush behind him alerted him to his mistake of leaving. The void stayed in a neutral position, not wanting to further incriminate himself.
His thoughts were consumed with questions. Weren’t they always? He had never gone farther than the Highlands, always taking great care to avoid the Dark lands, too scared of what he might find in its dwellings. Nelly had cautioned him some, and it was only recently that he realized that it was to protect him from whatever truths might lie there. Sepris’ fragility was no secret, and the anger he used to feel as a colt when she attempted to protect him was now a feeling of gratitude. His real mother was mostly a nobody to everyone except those who called the Free lands their home, all too familiar with her terrible temper. Sepris, on the other hand, was known to them as the object of that temper. He could never escape the knowing glances any time he was present, a pain that greatly contributed to the swelling of emotions in his chest that came before the breakdowns of his inner world. He had started the day completely disconnected to what was around him, but as his legs carried him farther away from Omashu, the more the fog cleared to make way for him to climb back into his own body. He felt at peace for everything except the pang of pain that was gripping at his stomach … He’d neglected to eat much — if anything at all — and his belly shuddered. Gidge had warned him of the treacherous path that lead into The Keep, anxious that he would falter in the water he’d be forced to cross.
Sepris blocked out the haul across the waters. They weren’t as angry as they appeared, and his mind was filled with vivid colors that were grossly contrast to The Keep’s foreboding aura. Reaching the other side, the obsidian void shook out the water from his pelt with as much as force as he could muster, lupine eyes opening slow to better focus on the village. His head whooshed against the distant sound of laughter and celebration, trying to focus on where it was coming from. The nerves along his neck tingled, the feeling pulling all of his attention from anything but the wracking that was happening inside of his chest. Sepris wasn’t sure what he’d stumbled on, but a party was the least expected scenario for his first time within the Dark lands since his foal hood. The stallion closed his silvery eyes again. Through ashy nares he took a deep breath, and then a second, taking in what was around him. The aroma of sweet grass and wheat told him there was sustenance nearby that wasn’t tainted with bog water, and the hopelessness he’d felt washed away rather quickly. Sepris came up the bank with his head low and neck snaked as if his very existence would incite a quick onset of violence in the Keep’s streets, merely a precaution in case this was a private event. A line of guards came into view, and Sepris halted to stare upon the array of faces.
One of the guards motioned to the path with a tense brow, irritated by the presence of the lanky, gawking stranger. His delicate sonars flecked backward, picking up a slow trot past the line.
The void kept his head low on approach. The air was at ease, surprisingly enough, and his nerves settled some. It was a shock to see Darks standing for a joyous occasion, enjoying themselves. They smiled at each other, laughing, giggling. Sepris was overcome in overwhelm, coming to a slow stop at the edge of the clearing. Looking to the faces, he saw no one he truly recognized, something that both relived and unsettled him. An equine stood a few feet to his left, grabbing his attention as being the only one alone like he was. What brings us together this day? He inquired casually. He wasn’t sure how to express that he had no business, aware of how out of place he was. There was a prickling underneath the skin of his shoulders, feet switching weight back and forth without him knowing. The stranger raised an eye to him with an amused look about them before they shook their head.
The bite of their tone and the words of which they spoke weighed on him like bricks. Panic crossed his lupine eyes, face tensing to keep the emotion from spilling out unto them or anyone in earshot. Sepristine had come all this way to see the King. The King knew his father, he was sure of that, but did Thomasin? His mother, Staella, was a stain on the Dark alliance; she was no Lady or rule following member of their society. Vharag at the very least stayed well connected through his dams madness. The other horse didn’t linger there any longer, breaking off from the skull faced imposter and slipping closer to the festivities. Sepris felt like there were eyes all over him, and the crawling began again.
He remained in the clearing for a short time. He crossed paths with the new King, bowing his head to pay his respects as he stood before him. Sepris felt an impending doom in his chest standing next to the massive brute. He was cordial, as expected of him. Congratulations. I wish you a bountiful reign, Lord Damocles. His tone was low but not quiet, yellow gaze switching to the Queen, finding her face to take her in. Sepris was a nobody to any of them but he wasn’t going to compromise this personal mission by burdening Royals in their higher element. He refused to bring shame or suspicion to his home of Omashu, desperate to keep the two separate at any cost. From what he knew of the ruling Darks the void felt a pang of sadness. Selven being gone surely meant more than just a new King, though he tried not to assume. Queen Thomasin… He finally said, trailing off for a short pause. I hope the transition is kind to you. It was the most genuine he’d ever been considering the state of his brain, a moment of clarify to offer a silent acknowledgement without bringing direct attention to it. There was something awry here, something he wanted no part in. Sepris didn’t wait for a response. Bowing his head and turning slow on his haunches to head back to the far edge of the clearing, landing further away than he’d been when he arrived. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the luminescent glow of a cluster of fireflies that headed down a worn footpath off set from the coronation.
Consumed by the dancing specks of firelight, the lean obsidian mass was drawn away. He thought nothing of leaving or the repercussions that would come from his wandering feet. He was barely 20 feet from the coronation when the forest broke open to another meadow. This one was far smaller, no glamorous rock formations or pedestals. Wildflowers had taken over the clover rich grasses, tree tops almost interlocking overhead from the dense forest around it. The lights disappeared into the opposing tree line, and Sepris slowly made way to the center on his spindle legs. When he was sure the fireflies had truly gone, he straightened his position and sighed. Alas, it was quiet here, giving his brain a short lived reset when rustling in the brush behind him alerted him to his mistake of leaving. The void stayed in a neutral position, not wanting to further incriminate himself.
