Kaj

The Stormbringer

Kahlua

The Sunshower

As the sun sinks lower, sapphire sky fading into navy silk above them, duties begin to slacken. There are no newcomers to greet, no spars to dictate or watch over, no council to come at his heels with desires and ideas blooming on their lips. The golden King breathes in the dusk air and shutters pale blues against the sight of it. He could not aggrieve Kahlua for her desires to roam, to be free, but his shoulders were weary with the work. It pleased him nevertheless to be busy, and yet the sinking of the sun washed away the stress clinging to his skin like the mists that amplified as the rays lost their power. All is beginning to quiet, and a soft sigh of contentment escapes pale golden lips as eyes open to view it all, see the young foals tiring and curling up in the budding grasses, see comrades bidding one another goodnight or even resting in the presence of one another. His home is beautiful, full of love and peace, but Kaj fears it is not something that will last.

"Weyrleaders!"

Kaj jolts, crown moving towards the borders, powerful body seizing muscle and hardening in preparation. A heavy frown plays on his lips at the unknown voice that speaks a title long since removed. Another herd has come to his borders. Gaze goes to those that have been alerted, their comfortable bedding routine disrupted. "Be at ease," he speaks soft but strong, and turns to disappear into the mists. He will not have his people worrying if he can help it. But they are new and young, fighting to find their own path free of Mirage's shadow, and he knows they will do it no matter what words he creates as a barrier around their minds.

Who could be calling at such an hour? With such a title on their tongue? Long legs eat up earth, massive wings tucked close to his looming frame, as that voice resonates further within his harks. "We are a delegation from the Aurora Basin, come to discuss matters of importance between our two herds." Ah, and there came his answer. The Aurora children had come to his home. He closed his eyes briefly and prayed that he could make the right choices, come this meeting. He slows only as he grows closer, worries in his heart, for what would drive the Basin to their borders? He prays it is kindness they seek, instead of trouble in Helovia or in their snowy reaches. It is unlikely, a condolence he seeks in his mind long before they will ever speak it to him in truth.

Drifting like a golden wraith past the broken glass he is massive, unmovable, but his face is reservedly kind and curious. "That title is long dead, my Lady. Mirage's power has passed. Kings and Queens are all that reside here, so let us speak as equals; I am Kaj the StormBringer, King of the Edge." Head tucks deep and leg extends in a bow to the mistress before him, recognizing her power and status, but not in a way submissive to her. Standing, he moves closer, smile like a ghost on his features. Eyes flicker over to her companions, and he nods to himself. "Welcome, children of the snow, to our home. Let my council arrive in short time, and we will speak of what has hurried you to our borders." Smile is more brilliant, more politely welcoming this time as he curls his neck to call into the darkening mists, names already on his tongue, knowing with surety who it is that he will be calling to his side. "Council, stand by your borders!" He dimly hopes Aaron will keep his head, should he choose to arrive. But he does not wish to overwhelm the small entourage with the numbers of his council, and hopes they will know that when they decide whether or not to come.

Crown swivels to stare calmly into the golden glow of Illynx's gaze, awaiting Kahlua to warm his side as he was more than sure she would. Bad blood lay between them, long past, but this meeting would determine whether they could stride past that river of disease and in their changes find something better for them and their people.

---

@[Resplendence] and @[Aaron] if possible! All other council of the right tier may post, but try to keep numbers low for speed!

The day was done, and the bonded pair was just about to settle in for the night when I call rang out across the Edge. "Weyrleaders!" Well that was a term he had not heard under Kaj and Kahlua's rule.... Surely this must be someone who knew Mirage still to be lead here.... Not that the Qian was not still calling the Edge home.... Just the titles had changed. The next words Aaron heard however made his blood run cold and Alanna's fur at her spine stand on end. "We are a delegation from the Aurora Basin, come to discuss matters of importance between our two herds." What did those murderers want?

Yes, after all thios time Aaron still held the Time Mender and the Basin responsible for his mother's death. D'Artagnan most certainly without a doubt was, and if he was still among thier ranks then Aaron would not change his mind. Then again, just like the leadership had changed here, the leadership could of changed there. Alanna remembered one of the herd meetings, where Mirage had warned the Qian about the threat of a group that lived among those of the Basin.... The Plague. Were they still calling the Basin home?

"Counsel, stand by your borders!" That was their cue. Wordlessly the pair moved towards the voices. Kahlua seemed to of arrived by this time, and was speaking about one of the delegation from the Basin. His eyes remained hard as he moved to stand on the other side of Kahlua. He wanted his friend and Queen to know she was safe, should the Basin try anything. "You were not a monster, that creature that took over your body was." Aaron knew that creature from experience. He had been attacked while protecting Luken from Kahlua. His only saving grace was the pine cone still tied in his mane. It was worthless now, so he hoped. "Aaron, Glazier. One of the counsel."

Alanna had circled wide just before they were in eye sight. She was making sure everything was alright, and that no more were coming. It would be just like the Basin to try a sneak attack. He did not trust them, any of them. She now moved to stand close by her bonded. Together, they would find out the information the Basin was bringing.


"talk talk."

Weryleaders! The call rang out in the air around them in such a crisp manner it had Resplendence jolting as she yanked a herb from the ground and stumbling back into a tree. Valiance only waited a second to ensure that she had not gathered a gash before he took the trees like a rocket, flying to where the sound was as she stumbled forward, looking at the already pulled herbs now entwined in her tail. A huff of annoyance escapes her maw as she yells out "Valiance! Get back here!" Alas, her bonded did not want to listen today - not as if he ever listened - and she was off at a brisk canter after him.

It was only a few strides in that she heard the call for counsel members, and she supposed that she was one of them, being a Moon Doctor and all. So, she picked up her speed, flowers from the herbs still entwined in her tail and slowly being ruined, which only served to annoy her a little bit more. She seemed to be late, but Valiance had shown up but a minute earlier. Forever protective he is aiming himself towards the basin group, flapping his wings at the chestnut who also seemed to be pulling in at the same time. "VALIANCE!" her voice rings out, and it stops him mid-dive for his face only to have him instead float two feet from his face and puff up, trying to look big and threatening (when let's face it, he was tiny and too adorable to look that way at this age). "HERE!" Res commands, exasperated before she pulls up to the other side of Kaj.

Valiance, pouting in his own manner, comes and curls up on the tiny mare's poll who is now finally taking in the three before her. Horns. Big. Powerful. Smell of Cold. Her mind processed those things, and her fear of everything kicked in (as it always does), and she is instantly pressing up against Kaj, doing her best to not show her trembling muscles.

Alas, that attempt at slowing the trembling of her muscles does little when her voice clearly shows her unease. "R-Resplendence. Moon D-Doctor. S-Sorry about V-Valiance." she whispers, ducking her head and not daring to look at any of them in the eye. Instead, she keeps her eyes trained on Kaj, Kahlua's and some of Aaron's feet. The desire to get in the middle of the pack had never been so great - but she did not want to break Kahlua away from her two protectors. So, instead she hung a little farther back, her shoulder level with the end of Kaj's barrel, wishing that Quilyan might appear. Or, if he didn't, that Kaj would be willing to allow her to press up under his wing.

She was always stronger when she wasn't alone - or when she was the only one who could really help. But, even Valiance pouting against her poll, still attempting to puff out his chest and look strong did little to calm her nerves.

The nerves were much higher with her during this meeting than they had been at the Falls, the personal problems between herself and the leaders of this wretched forest far greater and more poisoned than those that were held at the land of the Lord Earth. That she is disgruntled and uncomfortable is read only in the lazy way that she stands there along the border, adopting a guise of nonchalance and total assumption of comfort rather than displaying the weakness she harbored in her heart. After all, she was not the only one here today that had lost their home here, and she was also not the only one who had come to save children from the clutches of a hypocritical Dragon; she glances to Lena alongside her, who appears more solid in her convictions to be here than her Lady feels, though Illynx knows its likely a storm of conflicting desires within the breast of the Mender, as well.

Too much was looming ahead of her for the gilded wench to turn away now, even if the thought of having to be kind to that slut made her heart want to grow legs and kick her every step on its way out of town.

Thankfully, she didn’t have to wait long; they are first greeted by a golden pegasus, a great boldness to his step and a vagueness to him in her memory that meant this was either a new one of Mirage’s toys or she had finally managed to lead alongside someone she wasn’t screwing. What surprises her most is that it isn’t the Dragon Queen who comes to greet them first and foremost, the black mare strangely wraith like in her mannerisms and ability to be seemingly everywhere she needed to be at all times.

But her answer is given to her, drawing a smile to her lips that she forces to assume the guise of one more friendly and welcoming than its true form of delight and heinous glee that the era of dragons has come to a close within the Edge. "Of course," she amiably agrees in accordance to Kaj’s suggestion that they await the arrival of the others, smugly thinking to herself that such things were obvious though still wearing her cordial, conversationalist’s grin, "if you would so patiently await our introductions until all are present, for the sake of a Lady’s sanity." Her smile falters only briefly as a painted mare familiar to her arrives to stand alongside the proclaimed king, her introduction of self as the co-ruler who had taken Mirage’s place nearly severing the composure that held the giddy golden bitch in check.

This is who had replaced the most formidable foe her people had ever faced?

Up until this very moment, she’d never had a name for the River Walker, but that the single most foolish woman she’d yet to meet in her years of life had come to be a Queen was so laughable that it took all the restraint the Lady held within her not to fall into hysterical, mocking giggles. Instead, her smile broadens, eyes burning with her smothered laughter, an elegant appearance of one truly interested in the turning of events that pass before her.

Queen Kahlua, mistress of cotton and vapid smiles.

She simply cannot explain how delighted she is to know that Mirage is gone and all she has to worry over now is a silly girl who dances on frozen water like a fool.

That the other woman was also a monster as she was draws minute interest from the Lady, but mostly because it is toward one of her company that her gentle thanks of salvation is offered.

"Lena saves many, her heart most kind and benevolent," she says as Kahlua notes on the friendship of sorts shared between she and the healer, the golden Lady smiling all the more sweetly as her ego purrs in her head, petting her for being so wise as to bring the healer along with her on this venture, "I would not be here but for her, either." Surely, the painted woman does not harbor kindness and love towards her, not since she’d assaulted both her and her buckskin companion that winter passed, and it is likely that the presence of Lena spared Illynx sharp words on behalf of that moment…

Though, perhaps not, she thinks, remembering another time when the Sunshower (who would ever tremble in awe and respect before that title, anyway?) had come to the Basin baring gifts, her lips sealed then, as well. Could it be that the Edge has chosen a coward to lead them? Her mind purrs viciously, hoping that this is the case; cowards turn and run when the hoards come to devour one’s kingdom, and without a Queen to guide them, any herd would be sure to fall much more swiftly than had she stayed. It was a simple matter, really; leaders were not meant to win the wars.

They were meant to rally others to battle for them, to guide where their horns would strike.

A third party arrives, another stallion, taking station alongside the Queen, admonishing the soft hearted paint’s words of monstrosity and introducing himself as Aaron, a Glazier. One glance at the wall behind her makes her wonder if he’s any good at his job or if things are really so poorly off within the dilapidated structure that he hasn’t the time to touch it.

Both are pleasant thoughts. She likes the way this meeting is playing out before her.

Believing all to be present, she parts her lips to grant all present with the names of her companions and self as a red bolt streaks through the gathering, puffing up his frame before Roland and attempting to subdue the intruders with his punitive, crimson mass. A startled snort escapes her nostrils, her lips grow into a scowl as she watches the idiot dragon assault one of her company, a shout from inside the walls stalling the beast’s game as her golden eyes shoot to the pale mare who arrives after the creature called Valiance.

Luckily for the young dragon, this is not the time for her to smash other kid’s toys, however badly she wants to rip the wings off the idiotic wyvern; it is not even a time to let her annoyance linger for long, the Lady brushing off her aggravation with the unprofessional and obviously terrified equine for the sake of the conversation at hand.

Resplendence.

Thus far, Illynx is unimpressed with most all in the delegation but for the King and his Glazier, dubiously looking at each from her inner windows while smiling as if she truly likes each of them. There is a herd in there, behind them, and while they may be led by seemingly daft oddballs, she knows how deeply loyalty can run.

"I am the Lady Illynx, and these are my companions, the Time Mender Lena and our promising Impersonator, Roland," she nods to each face that stands before her in turn, assuming (perhaps wrongly) that they all can place the names of her accompanying unicorns to whom they belong without her pointing to them, "We’ve come to discuss politics, the potential bonds between my people and yours." She pauses, looking to Kahlua in specific as she chooses her next words. "We have not always been friends, for obvious reasons that I will not regale for the sake of efficiency," she returns to looking to each face in front of her, sure to keep her words soft and kind in tone, "but we are watched by the Lord of Time; Time brings changes. More changes than just this simple offer of peace and unity, my friends, for there are threats growing outside both our borders, snakes that have sunk their fangs deep into my people already. We come to share what we know of them, to learn what you might have learned of their whereabouts."

She pauses, sighing for added effect, a dark and heavy sound that relates some of the angst and sorrow she feels for Arah and her daughters, the rage that broils within her belly for the whore queen Confutatis. "Tell me, King and Queen of World’s Edge," she drawls after a short pause, golden eyes burning as they find the face of the golden stallion known as the Stormbringer, "what do you know of the Regime? They are said to reside not far south of here."

Kaj

The Stormbringer

Kahlua

The Sunshower

Pale blues watch the golden mistress opposite him, not sure what to make of her, but her smile is flawless and her words are calm and courteous. It is a brisk, but refreshing change of pace, one Kaj is more than comfortable with. These are matters he has participated in for years, from foaling at least, and so a bow of head and a gentlemanly smile is given to the smaller lass. He conceals his thoughts, for he is not quick to trust just yet, allowing her to see only the political rigidity of his actions that belies she has not won his confidence yet. "Of course. You are our guests, after all." But the waiting game isn't something he's eager to play, and one he luckily does not have to participate in. Kahlua is quick to come to his side, nuzzling him affectionately. Wing lifts to brush her side and turned to breathe warmly against her cheek, muzzle soft as it touches her but fleeting in face of these strangers. It is a sign to her that later, he will be more receptive, while also professional enough to show them as a united force to the group before them. Intimacy was a weakness, should they prove unable to be trusted, and he would not have them using Kahlua against him. Call him paranoid from the last invasion, but he would rather err on the side of caution, especially with the Edge completely free from alliances and thus allies.

Soft words touch his harks and head nods to acknowledge he has heard, but no comment falls from his lips, nor do his eyes stray from the trio standing across from them. And soon, his own trio has formed as Aaron comes to stand among them. Eyes flicker and rest upon him, a ghost of a smile on his lips that Aaron has come despite their own personal grievances. But the next arrival is not such a welcoming presence, and Kaj bristles as Valiance comes flying overhead to fly into the face of one of the diplomats. As Resplendence heels him Kaj's face is like stone, form rising higher and wings rustling in anger and disapproval. "Control your companion, Resplendence," he does not childishly snap, for his voice is like thunder, low and angry like a coming storm so appropriate for his title. "I will not tolerate foolish attacks on a diplomatic entourage." Eyes are like cold blue slivers of ice as they cut to her, but he allows her to cling to his flank like a babe, inwardly sighing as he raises his wing to brush slowly against her should she not shy away. It is far behind him, this motion, and out of sight. He does not wish to hurt her, but he did not approve of her childish dragon ruining things. He was in luck if they did not take it as an attack, and all possible deals would dissolve like the mists of the Edge beneath the sunlight.

It is time for introductions. He does not extend formal apologies for Valiance's actions, for his disapproval and reprimand is clear sign enough that it was not intended. Ears flicker regardless, a silent apology, as the Lady begins to speak. He nods to each in turn as they are named, not needing to state those of his own group as they have claimed that right themselves. Instead he watches the Lady, not bothering to pin her brethren beneath his stare, ears attentive but face neutral as she reveals what it is she has come to achieve. A regal nod is all that is offered as she mentions their past invasions, for he will never forget, but perhaps he can forgive. Perhaps.

And as her eyes find him, he shifts. It is time for words, now. Words he must carefully construct, in this game he plays, a dance which steps he has memorized since birth. This is his realm, and he is comfortable in it. It is time to show that he deserves to be the King of these lands, that he will not fail his people nor draw them into the darkness of grudges. "You speak too truly of Time, Lady Illynx. And as Time has moved you and your people, so it has moved us in the Edge. We are changed; you must see this plain. This...Regime. It has not touched my ears." A pregnant pause consumes him as he hums contemplatively, wings tucking tight and militaristic against the healthful swell of his golden sides.

"You said that this Regime has struck your people. If you may feel comfortable, would you bestow upon us details? If it is war we fight, I wish to know what my enemies have done to wrong them in my eyes. And should they be found guilty...then I wish to know them from entrails to hide. One cannot be too prepared or well-informed, as I am sure you can agree, Lady Illynx?" A half-smirk curves his lips, chuckle deep but meaningful. There is a glint of something old in his eyes, of days past when he had bled for the title of peace. A promise that should this Regime prove dangerous, he would trust in the strength of not only his shoulders but his own body as well. Kahlua did not desire war being the price of that period of calm, but Kaj had paid that price a thousand times over in his days as a soldier. The wicked scar, bared to the trio upon his foreleg, is testament to how hard he'd worked to achieve a title that allowed him to lead and protect his people. And somehow, it had led him to the title of StormBringer, to the position of King. He and Aaron are the only battle-scarred among the group, but he doubts they will need to prove anything right then and there.

The pieces are moving across the board. Kaj can only hope this game does not end in his people being hurt.

---

I'M SO SORRY HEATHER I MISSED LENA'S TABLE AND I POSTED BEFORE YOU ;______;

L E N A

Once upon a time we fell apart
You're holding in your hands the two halves of my heart

Expectations curbed and altered, a flow of water curved into a wayward bow; she pieced together the strange circumstances as evidence layered out in awkward formations: no more Weyrleaders, no more shadowy Mirage with hate at her breast and heaviness in her heart, no more foaming quandaries and beckoning fathoms wanton for their collapse. Instead, a Pegasus, and Kahlua, warm, sunny, bright, Queen of the Edge, curtailed her apprehension, released a heavy sigh, a molten breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. The bridge between the ghosts of their past tribulations seemed to flicker and die, cast off into the shells and shackles of former wraiths, all the regrets, all the violence, all the scandals, all the eaves of the forsaken and chained, were forged beyond with a glimmer of the nymph’s returned smile. She beamed, she prospered, she raised her head to the painted figure, once a glassmaker, now a monarch on a misty throne. Even Imogen, who before had chirped, had swayed, then sent an inferno towards someone else (because Kahlua was never a monster, never a demon, never a fiend, she’d been possessed like all the others, cast into stones and scythes), twirled and cajoled her bountiful nature towards the belle. A sweeping, valorous exultation floated amongst the Mender’s lips, curled and pulsed into coiled manifestations of joy, of buoyancy; companions found in the darkest of places. “Congratulations, Kahlua.” She bowed thereafter, a slight touch of her chin to her chest, gave reverence to another crowned maiden, bejeweled and glazed. Her muzzle grazed towards the sovereign’s outstretched velvet, a singular representation of her friendship, untainted, unsoiled, throughout the vivid trials and maelstroms, bedlams and heartaches. The rest of the scene nearly passed without incident, a glare or two riddled from unknown faces, a smile still polished across her features (for with comrades and brethren nearby, she’s suddenly the sylph instead of the damned again), but a long, piercing screech mottled the air, and she searched for the rhyme, the reason, for its expanse. Draconic wings, leathery conjectures, like a maddened fireball pacing the sky, drew wrathful outlines towards Roland, and her heart gave a sudden leap. The ivory kitsune at her feet felt the same; suddenly sharpened into audible hisses, quiet, droning sibilations, following Lena’s quick steps as she placed her frame in front of the Impersonator’s, staunch, stalwart, calm, composed, ready to receive the dragon’s threat, the rage, the infernal contempt that Roland didn’t deserve. But just as keen, just as swift, it stopped altogether, finally controlled by its bonded. Her eyes drifted once to Roland, arching a brow and stifling a laugh (she didn’t know whether to choke back a giggle at the audacious scene, be concerned for their lack of influence over one another, or simply be relieved that he’s been unharmed for another day), before swerving her gaze back upon the newcomer, Resplendence. She was familiar, from the days of cave wandering and dungeon drolls – the nymph’s smile was painted back upon her face, lips stretched a little too thin – she wanted to say so many things but none of them made it past her mouth, naught but the slightest inclination of pleasantries. “A pleasure to meet you.” Lena paused, tilted her head towards the dragon, eyeing his features while Imogen quieted below her, extending song and influence along his might and courage. “Have patience, little one.” Thereafter, she ruminated further upon the discussion around them, the threats rising past cliffs and shoal, past stoic peaks and harbored valleys, harpoons waiting in the dusk. Kaj, the gilded flier, the golden King, wanted more details of their plight, and her grin faded into the blighted weight of their circumstances, thoughts forged and formed upon Arah and her beautiful daughters (kind, gentle, tender and benevolent, undeserving of the munitions plagued upon them). The sylph, the nymph, the fairy and fey glanced towards the GildedBlade, nodded to ensure she’d relate the measures of what they’d seen, what they’d experienced at the saddened march of their beloved brethren. Dignified and regal, harmonious, she tied the strands of Arah’s heartbreak, the threads of her babes’ suffering, into the wiles of vigilance and perception, steeling her honeyed gaze towards leaders and onlookers. “One of our comrades and her children were taken by them. No one should have to experience the wounds and scars they now carry.” The details, fresh, rich, resting beneath the shades of her song, bleeding little entrails of horror, of terror, glanced over her heart, her mind, her soul, but she persisted, delivering the ditties, the strains, the melancholy vows of a requiem’s affair. “The Regime may seek to take more heads, more crowns, and more lands.”

As the group talked, Alanna searched for anymore arrivals. One more She whispered, just as another horned figure slipped into place along with the first two from the Basin. Moments later, Resplendence arrived. Her arrival was proceeded by a young red dragon, who flew at those from the Basin. Inside Aaron cringed. It was actions like that, that caused wars to begin. Carefully the Glazier watched the unicorns reactions. As he studied them, Alanna took a running leap to land on her bonded's back. From there, she would have an advantage if the delegation suddenly changed to an attack.

Now that everyone was settled, the Lady of the Basin began to speak. "I am the Lady Illynx, and these are my companions, the Time Mender Lena and our promising Impersonator, Roland," So the trio was comprised of a leader, a healer and a sneak... Interesting. He was glad they were outside the glass wall, even if the wall was falling apart. He really wished to take the walls down and turn it into the panels he needed for the greenhouse...

She goes on to speak of time, and how things between their herds had not always been good. Damn right they haven't, bunch of murderers Alanna nuzzled softly into Aaron's mane to calm him. Now was not the time. His eyes did not change color. But then, the Lady speaks of something that perks the paint's ears. "what do you know of the Regime? They are said to reside not far south of here." A new group, a new danger to the Edge. He listened as both leaders said they knew nothing about this new group. Aaron could only concur with that. Oh if only he knew that beast of a stallion and drooling mare he had met months ago in the Threshold had gone on to create this new danger. "What else do you know of this Regime? What are their goals other than a herdland?" Yes Aaron cut straight to the point. He needed to know things like this, if he was to help protect his family. His heart burned for the fact that they would attack a Mother and her babes.... This made the Regime, a enemy to all.


"talk talk."

Not much attention to the idiot with the dragon was paid after Roland forgave her the incident, the Lady turning her focus to the leaders of the herd they had come to visit and forsaking all other words that didn’t pertain to her mission. Surely, it was satisfying to see an inept equine berated by her superiors and kin, but Illynx has deeper needs to fulfill on this day than a sated racist ego; pointedly, she turns to catch the words of the King, her smile sweet and believable on her ruthlessly beautiful face.

She nods when its appropriate, the most notable her reply that yes, she can see that Time has worn away quite heavily on the borders of the Edge. Her smile is on that seems to understand and relate to the golden lord of the mists, but it truly reflects her self made reminder to thank the Lord of Storms for blessing her with such a gracious thing as the fall of the Dragonheart, to have replaced her with a tender sunflower and a valiant knight rather than her entourage of beastly dragon pets or hardened, distrustful soldiers. Its with no surprise that she has found the painted Queen wanting on words or wisdom in comparison to her counterpart, and for that she is thankful – more than a simple racist, the burgundy streamers of feminism burn within her, a firm belief within her mind that, while males were generally physically superior, there was no finer honed edge than that of a woman’s wit.

Kahlua the Sunshower was no more than raw flint, rounded and with the traces of purpose yet to be revealed, and in comparison to the steel of the Lady of the snow, so outmatched was the other femme fatale present that Illynx might indeed be chuckling at the lack luster intelligence and pride of the Queen (for what true woman lets a man do the speaking for her?) rather than the partial joke woven into Kaj’s words.

"Oh, certainly," she chimes in with a giggle, agreeing that facts are important before making decisions as steep as siding with the serpents coiled tight round the bosom of the Steppe, though it is Lena that answers the question adeptly and with her signature sorrow laced palm to palm with her inner sweetness. The doctor’s words are met with another question rising from counsel man Aaron, to which Illynx turns her face with that same gentle and friendly expression she has worn throughout the trivialities that have led to these words of importance.

Darkness and doom don’t bother her, not one bit; its evident in how lightly she talks about the wolves snapping their teeth outside her door.

"They are led by Confutatis, self called Daughter of Warlords and a menace to all she meets, a mare of no good intensions for even the world she lives in," she says, flicking her mangled, half melted ear to them in a testament of her own encounters with the rotten Skullface, "if I could procure the vision of Arah and her daughters for you, sweet Glazier, I would. No one seeking only a bit of paradise is so cruel to their captives as what befell our friend and her darlings; I firmly believe that if Arah had not managed to escape, she would have died at their hooves. She very nearly did."

"If you want my honest opinion on what they are seeking to attain…" a pause slips between her words, her smile a stark contrast to the dark words that fall from her lips next, "she comes to burn down the world, singing along to the sounds of our death throes. She wants nothing, and she’ll obliterate everything until she has it."