[A z z y]

The night hag watched as well wishers came and went, some more suspicious than others. The brief look of shock that rolled across the features of the Vigilum member had not gone undetected by the Dark regent. Her golden optics had landed upon his own mahogany ones in that instant, knowing that if anyone could possibly unravel this guise, it would be him. Did he now pose a threat to them? Maybe, but to target him here, now, would raise more of a red flag than his own shocked face ever could. Setting her voluptuous lips into a thin line, she played her part in acknowledging those that had made the effort to attend. Rasa and Xovad had been faces she had not necessarily expected to see, but she was not surprised either. It was the opportune moment for them to come crawling out of the woodwork, to show that they were not afraid, that they respected them only to a point but not enough to stay away entirely. Thomasin had remained silent as they uttered their congratulations, her gaze set upon them like a lion's on the antelope. The weight of her scrutiny did not leave their shrinking spines until Xerxes then emerged. The dreadlord said his piece then settled into the gathering, no doubt enjoying sitting smugly in the presence of his nemesis.

The neutral queen, Boudicca, gave her congratulations but she looked… tired? Had the war taken such a toll on the new monarch already? And what of Avinash? Her brow furrowed subtly before a winged being caught her attention. Akroma. The night hag cast her steely eyes over her dam, concern beginning to filter into her lenses as the once subtle frown deepened. As she passed the moving body of Boudicca the air about her seemed to spark, her mass tensing slightly before relaxing almost instantly again. A curious reaction perhaps, but one that was none of her business… for now. The spotted beauty was dashed with lesions and wounds, her jaw fat from fluid supporting a fresh injury. It is not enjoyable to crown a ruling partner when thy heart dost yearn for another. A single lobe flicked towards her mother then as she spoke, her own optics briefly dancing to Xerxes before back to the task at hand. If anyone knew the hurt that radiated within her, the cavernous ache in her chest that seemed to only grow day by day. But had Akroma at the very least trusted the one who then sat beside her? What became of Selven and is there anything that I can helpeth with? The question was enough to have her swallow, her throat dry as she swept her gaze over the gathering crowd.

Breaking the silence, her regal accent cut in with humoured words of You look like shit, she mused, her tones slightly louder than those Akroma had addressed her with. Let's see what we can do for that, her mug gestured towards the swelling in her dam's mandible, a clear indication of her intentions to any who had heard and saw. Would herbs with pain killing agents work on the dead? It wasn't something she had ever considered but it was enough of a reason for Akroma and Thomasin to leave the main body of the coronation. With a slight incline of her head to Damocles, she then gestured for Akroma to follow her. Moving through the timbers in silence, she waited until the two could no longer hear the hum of the gathering. Thomasin did not turn to face her mother, her gilded eyes blinking saline away furiously as she watched the sun sink behind the citadel on the hill. He… he vanished. Like the twins have… it was then she turned to Akroma, her features hard, statuelike, but the pain in her eyes was tangible. Had news of the loss of the twins reached the ears of Akroma? Had she known? Damocles is not the King, she admitted, almost bitterly, He is but part of Belial's plan to remain as anonymous as he can… she almost spat the words into the ether, her obsidian cords slicing against her quarters viciously. Those halcyon runes flashed dangerously behind the veil of her abyssal tresses, How did you do it? She asked her mother, genuinely wanting to know if there was some secret she'd missed.

TAGGED - Zohyd//
WORDS - 736
MUSE - good
NOTES - Not sure what to do with her like this...

Speech

[Zohyd//]

Mismatched gaze scanned the many faces before them. So many she did not know; once upon a time she would make an effort to learn their name and begin to build a relationship of sorts with them. Now? She let them be. There was no inkling to introduce herself or learn of their past. What good would it serve her? Vision locked on a familiar ebon hide accented in ivory. Her son. What would the adorned, painted beauty she had fought not long ago do with his presence? Did she even know what he looked like or was it simply a name she was going off of? Regardless it was something she would keep watch of- although, she doubted the fiend would let his mother get involved.

It made her wonder if reincarnation was something she should still be pursuing. The twins were home safe and hopefully the war would be coming to an end. Xerxes had his end of the bargain to keep up on. But how would her children fair? Granted, she had been an absentee mother so it probably wouldn’t make much of a difference. She’d share with them any information she could dredge up before she finished the entire process- but what if she could do more good should she become active in their lives? One they could actually call upon? Given their values within the Dark ways she wasn’t sure she’d be of much help there either. While she would go many lengths to protect those she loved- she would not burn all her bridges because of the ones that came out of her.

Upon her approach the semi-leopard, over wench can see her daughter examining her and the wounds the littered her frame. The Dark Queen did not ask any questions and Akroma did not offer up any explanations. It was war; were any truly needed. She knew Thomasin had heard her speak as an audit rotated within her peripheral. Gilded gaze danced to Xerxes momentarily, Akroma following that very gaze of her daughter. Akroma had ruled next to four kings, two she had crowned herself. The fallen monarch did not vocalize that Xerxes was the scenario she might be able to relate with- but Thomasin was clearly not deaf to the history of her dam. Akroma did not speak of her relationships much with her children- or lack their of. Historical ones of importance for political dealings- sure. But never offered current feelings and was relieved they never asked.

You look like shit, let's see what we can do for that. These words were not spoken in hushed tones like the ones Akroma had just spoken. The vocal vibrations were meant for prying auditory systems would there be any. It was a clear exit signal for Akroma that led her to believe there was more to be shared where others could not overhear. This certainly caused a curiosity that would hopefully be fed shortly. The fallen monarch watches as her daughter gives the newly crowned king a silent nod before exiting the area, her graceful frame heading in a direction towards the thicket of the foliage and away from flowing conversations. Akroma followed.

The demoness had no intention of letting her daughter care for her injuries, so she certainly hoped the beautiful mortal would not insist and this was just an excuse to step away. He… he vanished. Like the twins have… Thomasin was not yet facing her but the words were heard loud and clear. And while his disappearance would cause obvious distress it was the new of the twins that hit Akroma the hardest. She had warned her daughter of the target that would be on their back and immediately felt pain that some sick-fuck had, more than likely, taken them. It was not something she had wanted her daughter to endure and yet here she was, dealing with the same, agonizing painful absences she had felt herself. Offering her condolences would be logical given it was any other equine she spoke with- but this was her blood. Her daughter. You don’t offer something so formal and generic… it would seem wrong and not genuine. Her features were soft however and there was a motherly sadness that glazed over her gaze. Art ye aware of either party’s whereabouts or whom had a hand in their vanishing? it was possible Selven vanished on his own doing- but extremely unlikely for her kin to have done the same.

As her daughter turned to face her Akroma could read she was pain stricken, even through her regal beauty. No lover. No children. Both potentially ripped from her grasp, uprooting the life she was living and the happy family she had created. Being riddled with pain was going to be a given. Damocles is not the King. He is but part of Belial's plan to remain as anonymous as he can… This caused her invisible brows to furrow. There is an obvious distaste in the words spoken of this Belial… and why does he want to keep anonymity? I taketh ye art not fond of this Belial, having to lose a ruling partner you love to then place one you cannot stand or trust- it was a cruel transition in the world. And what dost he hopeth to gain from this secret Kingship? Can he not faceth the trials that cometh with thee crown? Akroma was not sold on the decision to let Damocles be the puppet for whomever Belial was. He sounded like a coward. If this is but a way to hath thyself worn down from the duties of the crown so he can tosseth ye aside; I will be taking matters into mine own hand. Akroma would make his life an absolute Hell- and not the kind Darks wished to live in; but the kind they sought to deploy on others. Belial would not know peace or complacency. Akroma would seek to destruct everything he wished to build, at least until Thomasin called her off.

How did you do it? It was this question that caught her a bit by surprise. Thomasin was grieving a loss of a life built and knew her own Mother could relate. Velvet kissers pursed slightly- pain radiating from the movement of her jaw and tension on the lesion upon her facade. Not gracefully. Akroma started off, voicing her own judgement on the failing cope mechanisms. I can telleth ye that getting under another, truly dost not get ye over one. Granted, she had not done that after she removed Xerxes… but had done it the night of Grizmar’s coronation. When she had to crown Zephyr she had felt like she had been suckered punch. Akroma couldn’t catch her breath since his removal and she hated the entire event. But the alliance didn’t care. Sure, certain individuals might actually extend a heartfelt word or two- but the rest doesn’t give two shits. Politics is not a game for the weak; something she knew her daughter was not. The alliance and politics alike dost not careth what ye hath lost- and anyone looking to crosseth ye will doth so now whilst they thinketh ye weak. A sigh passed through her nares despite the lack of need for oxygen, There is but no easy way I am afraid. The pain dost dull over time- if but slightly… or their mother will cometh to kill thee in thy chambers. While she offered not laugh there was a tinge of humor upon her own death and how her scenario played out.

Akroma would do anything to go back to leading with Xerxes, not for the fact of a ruling title but just to have the split second again where their relationship was pure bliss. Where she felt like it was only her that had his attention and before they had both spilled too much gasoline and lit a match from both ends. When Everest and Venari had been conceived and things felt… right. Granted she hated her Lady of the Underworld position and felt she failed the demons and Xerxes daily, at least she got to be with him on that level she had wished for so long. The fallen monarch could only imagine her daughter wanted the same. To just go back to how it was. But it wouldn’t. Life dost just really fucking suck sometimes. The crown being especially unkind- as ye art finding out. There was a reason why so many positions seemed to be a bit of a revolving door every couple months or years. Doth not lose thyself, my dear. As hard as that may be when facing these challenges. Grieve the life ye lost so it dost not consume ye- but, unfortunately, there is nothing ye can doth to maketh thy pain quickly subside forever. Thomasin needed to certainly feel the emotions she had to bury today for this coronation. She would need to continue facing them and expelling them so they did not gnaw at her from within, preferably in a solitude environment so whispers did not get around of her being weak or heartbroken. Akroma could only hope that the Dark alliance respected her daughter more than herself and didn’t try to pull away from being under the order of the royal reign.

ooc ;
I did this on my phone, so please ignore autocorrect typos and me being too lazy to change speech color
A z z y i
"Words look like this."

[A z z y]

Those molten gilded eyes stayed honed in upon the opaque structure of the citadel as it blocked out the setting sun, eerie shadows stretching across the lands ominously. It pained her, saying the reality of the situation - her king and their children, lost. Whilst hope remained for all of them, it was dwindling, burning out day by miserable day. Going through the motions, crowning a King she did not care for much, fulfilling her duties... all whilst longing to see her beautiful foals again, all whilst longing for the touch of Selven's mug against her flesh. Thomasin knew loss - she had come to know it when her mother left her with The Surgeon, it was a loss she had not understood at the time, but now she mourned what could have been. Would she and her family been protected if she had not been so intricately woven into the tapestry of The Surgeon's life? If she had been shown off as a princess, as Akroma's daughter, would Oath and his family kept her out of their sights?

Art ye aware of either party’s whereabouts or whom had a hand in their vanishing? she turned to face her dam in time to capture the question asked and the veil of sadness that seemed to fall across her features. Was it something she too had endured? The loss of her children? So many hardships she knew Akroma had endured... was this one of them? Was this their curse? Thomasin inhaled deeply, her incisors tugging at the membranous tissue if her inner cheek for a moment, her crown bobbing slowly. Underoath's children, Julius & Albion took them... we have not been able to locate them since, she spoke matter of factly, distancing herself from the tidal wave of emotion that loomed over her, threatening to break upon her at any moment. As for Selven... she rolled her sleek shoulders in the equine approximation of a shrug, a soft, short expulsion of air was forced almost viciously though her nares. It occurred to her then, did Akroma know? I suppose though I should have foreseen this - given that Underoath is now a resident here... she studied her mother for a reaction, wondering what the winged woman would think of this revelation.

For now, thankfully, Akroma kept the topic to Belial, the recently yet deceptively crowned king. I taketh ye art not fond of this Belial, the words roused a bitter snort of carbon to be forced viciously through her nasal passages, her crown shaking adamantly. I do not trust him - he is not as clever as he believes himself to be... she admitted dryly, her obsidian tendrils snapping against fetlocks before continuing on. However, of the options I had to choose from, he would likely be a better fit for the Kingdom as we come out of this war... whilst it pained her to admit as such. If Malice had come to her the day Rasa had declared her intentions, she would have had him by her side in an instant. And what dost he hopeth to gain from this secret Kingship? Can he not faceth the trials that cometh with thee crown? If this is but a way to hath thyself worn down from the duties of the crown so he can tosseth ye aside; I will be taking matters into mine own hand. Thomasin studied her mother for a moment, the flicker of an appreciative smile grappling at the corners of her lips as the woman exhibited the ferocity that likely kept her in a throne, both in this life and the next. Yet the snow-capped regent was unsure of the real answer, the real reason as to why Belial believed he would be immune to the long arm's of their enemies.

He believes this approach will give him, us, the upper hand... what with Selven vanishing and the way King's have fallen before... Thomasin sounded tired, her words evidently bored of thr situation she had found herself in. Perhaps he should have thought of that before breeding with a helkaer... she hissed in amusement, silently wondering, hoping, that Harlan may very well take her pound of flesh. Thomasin was not jealous of Belial's escapades, she cared not for whatever hole he decided to stick his cock in lest it be one that may bring harm to her alliance. And this was one such hole. She broached the question of how her mother handled such trials and tribulations of ruling an alliance. The loss of Sly had left a vacancy in the Helkaer and she would be lying if she said she hadn't considered a change in vocation... Not gracefully, her mother began and Thomasin found herself half chuckling in response. I can telleth ye that getting under another, truly dost not get ye over one, a brow quirked at her dam and a small smirk curled her lips. There is no fear of that happening... she uttered dryly, her feelings towards the new King strictly professional, at best.

The alliance and politics alike dost not careth what ye hath lost- and anyone looking to crosseth ye will doth so now whilst they thinketh ye weak. Her lobes twisted to heed the words Akroma spoke, a thoughtful hum vibrating from within her chest. Let them try, she spoke, an edge to her tones now. She would no longer hope for the goodness in the hearts of all, she would no longer plan a defense. There was only offense now - her blades were sharpened, her incendiaries primed. There is but no easy way I am afraid. The pain dost dull over time- if but slightly… or their mother will cometh to kill thee in thy chambers. Thomasin kept her golden eyes upon the painted beauty as she spoke, hinting to her own demise at the hooves of Artemisia, Xerxes' mother. Thomasin had never met the once Lady of the Underworld, but she had heard enough about her to know how vicious she had been.

Life dost just really fucking suck sometimes. The crown being especially unkind- as ye art finding out, again Thomasin hummed her agreement, a pained smile curling her lips as she looked to her mother from beneath the veil of her obsidian tresses. We can't say you didn't warn me... she acknowledged quietly, her ribs expanding as she inhaled the evening air. Doth not lose thyself, my dear. As hard as that may be when facing these challenges. Grieve the life ye lost so it dost not consume ye- but, unfortunately, there is nothing ye can doth to maketh thy pain quickly subside forever. Not a truer word had ever been spoken, yet the witch queen wondered if she was yet to even find herself. They said diamonds were forged from pressure, but she was not rough cut gem stone. There was a ferocity within her, something that rolled beneath her skin that she was yet to identify, something she was yet to harness. What did you do? When you were wronged, when you were hurt? she asked the woman tentatively, hoping the mare would not take offence. Had her mother sought retribution in her mortal life or had she let these attacks upon her throne, her family, slip by without revenge?



TAGGED - Zohyd//
WORDS - 1200ish
MUSE - good
NOTES - ❤️

Speech

[Zohyd//]

No part of Akroma could prepare herself for that answer her daughter was about to offer forth, Underoath's children, Julius & Albion took them... we have not been able to locate them since. The words caused her very figure to become statue like as it digested the information. Immediate guilt gnawed at her and she could not help but blame herself. Albion she had not met.... but Julius she had- when he was a mere colt. He had held so much hatred for the Darks and blamed it on his sire. The very sire she had fallen in love with so many years ago and was the sire to a few of her own children. Back then he had sworn to kill her eventually. Since someone had beaten him to the task then it appeared that her lineage would have to take the brunt of his hatred for the Dark Alliance and her specifically. As for Selven... Her motions clearly indicating that she was unaware of his location or what drove her King away. A position she had been in but also a position she had left a King in. It would be hypocritical for her to comment on his departure of the throne without communication. I suppose though I should have foreseen this - given that Underoath is now a resident here... Invisible brow raised above her mocha colored optic as her feminine dial tilted- that bit of information clearly an interesting bit to hear. A shake of her dial caused ebon locks to bounce slightly before a single chuckle vibrated and escaped her smoky maw. Once upon a time I hath begged that stubborn bastard to convert and becometh Dark King before Grizmar had filled the role. At the time, it was clear he would never doth such a thing. How times have changed. A slight hum at the end as she found it ironic.

Akroma had not reached out to the steely, dappled beast from quite some time. He had made it evident that his need to get revenge was more important than however he might feel about her. And while she certainly didn't seek revenge on his actions she had cut him off in her own form of punishment. Something she knew that was not enough for the Isle specifically. As for his own children, I cannot helpeth but taketh some blame. She started, knowing this wouldn't be completely all her fault, but she had met the enemy and gave him something to strive for. When I was first crowned Dark Queen I had met Julius, he was just a young colt but had made it evident his own goal was to but kill me. And all the other Darks. It was where I had first learned of Underoath as well. He was actually born and raised in the Isle to a wench by the name of Hollywood Horror before Underoath did taketh him. Albion is also related to Diavolo and Lucifer; names of the past that maketh the current Dark Alliance and Underworld seemeth easy in comparison. This, to her, had always been the most remarkable turn around. Coming into a position where the Dark were at a civil war against one another an an Underworld that hated the royals and sought leadership over the mortals that would follow. The two had never done anything whilst I was ruling- I doth apologize their brainwash hatred for the alliance, and specifically myself, hast now made ye and thy family a target. Underoath had mentioned time before that the foals that carried mine and his own lineage were not safe to Julius and Albion. They art monsters he certainly created. But it is only those aligned Dark that are evil.hmph. Akroma should have taken the threat more seriously. She should have made it known within the royal herd and maybe her daughter would not be going through this. Akroma had warned Thomasin of the target her children would have; but that clearly was not enough. The semi-leopard, overo wench should have done more to protect the Dark Royal herd... despite it not being her assigned herd.

The questioning on her daughter's trust for this Belial beast was clear that Thomasin was not pleased with the beast in the slightest. I do not trust him - he is not as clever as he believes himself to be... Ah, so a King who already took the position thinking highly of himself before having any idea what the position entailed. Would he even get a true taste for it if he played behind the scenes and let someone else sit in the electric chair? However, of the options I had to choose from, he would likely be a better fit for the Kingdom as we come out of this war... Doth ye ever have those days where ye wished ye could but rule alone? Sometimes a ruling partner is more of a pain in the ass and not always what the Alliance needs. Efforts would be better spent elsewhere then letting some new beast's ego fill the empty space and catch them up to speed- only for them to potentially undo everything. Her thoughts voiced aloud hoping that it was not only her that had felt this way while on the throne. The middle of a war was not always the best time to put someone new on the throne. Why distract so many when there were larger things at play?

He believes this approach will give him, us, the upper hand... what with Selven vanishing and the way King's have fallen before... Perhaps he should have thought of that before breeding with a helkaer... Oh, my dearest, ye art but in the thickest of political bullshit. Is it not fun? The words clearly laced with jest and the and the question rhetorical. I never did quite understand why men thinketh that blood ties will strengthen some form of alliance. As if positions doth not changeth enough around here. I always felt it to be an excuse to fuck something and giving it a purpose besides that of just wanting to get their dick wet. Mismatched orbs rolled in their sockets. Had there ever been a newly crowned King that hadn't slept with some other position-having wench to try and make some alliance, or find a reason that made it "good for the alliance". It must be hard to be a new beast in power and have a flurry of beautiful mares throwing themselves at you.

The demoness had no doubt that her daughter was capable of handling the alliance, or enemies, should they take this time to try and personalize another attack. She had been to enough coronations where Thomasin had made statements that showed just how violent and ruthless she could be. They would be foolish to try and cross the ebon and ivory beauty now. She hated that what she hard warned her daughter of had come to light. Hated that her daughter felt the need to say we can't say you didn't warn me.... Akroma had wished they were in times where she didn't need to do that. But, alas, that was not it and the Dark Alliance would probably rebel with boredom if they lived in such a world.

What did you do? When you were wronged, when you were hurt? An interesting question for sure. It was not secret that Akroma had allowed actions to pass without punishment. Too many times... nothing. She admitted. My upbringing had me believeth I was to be seen, not heard. When I pulled together the Versai and Helkaer to stand with the Dark Royals in the civil war against a common enemy, it was my King that rolled over and granted Diavolo and his herd freedom for the Royal ruling. And I graciously allowed it to happen. Her words almost spitting in disgust at how she had been so forgiving and weak back then. When The Surgeon did rape me because I showed up in his lands smelling of his own enemy, Underoath, nothing was done. Grizmar had given false promises he would handle the situation- but he did not. did Thomasin know of how she was created? Given that Akroma had found the ebon beast in a crowd to stand next to more than once was enough to note the two had clearly worked past that issue. Upon my return... I did not sit by and obey orders. When Xerxes toldeth the alliance we would hath to hand over our best soldiers to fight alongside the Helkaer to attack the Neutrals, I did refuse and made it clear my soldiers would be instructed to kill the Helkaer. He attempted to belittle and maketh me a fool in front of the alliance, but I refused and did giveth it right back. She paused for a moment before adding, It was Artemisia's revenge I taketh thee most pride in. That bitch did test my patience beyond anything I could overlook. A slight shake of her dial as she continued on, I knew she would cometh for me. Upon my death I presented myself to the Lord of the Underworld, Artarius, to fill the absent role of Lady beside him. I did telleth him that his brother would be coming for it and only I would be able to saveth him. I obviously did not careth should Xerxes taketh the position, I just needed the power. Which I was granted. It did alloweth me to strip Artemisia of her powers and handeth her over to her brother, Pagan, the only individual she feared so he could kill her again. On the other side of mine own plan, Grizmar wanted to be accepted into the Underworld. I did have him rape Rousselet because she gaveth Kraken Underoath's name while I was still Queen and I was not much of a fan of that. So I forced Artemisia into reincarnation and the plan fell beautifully into place. I could hath killed the bitch myself, but I much preferred seeing the fear upon her face when I did calleth upon Pagan and let him have his way. Far more satisfying. Shoulder muscles rolled casually as she ended her words. So much information she had just offered Thomasin in this quick conversation. While her jaw certainly felt the side-effect it did not stop her from sharing details for her ruling daughter. Do not be like I did use to be. The Dark Alliance will turn. Another warning. While she could never see Thomasin being as forgiving as Akroma had- she hoped the spotted Queen would heed her warning.

ooc ;
Sorryyyy this took so long to get to.
Akroma had a lot to say and lots of history to share this time around!
A z z y
"Words look like this."