Noctifer quirked an eyebrow at Gideon’s relaxed posture and casual greeting, but said nothing of it. Instead he simply smiled, though it was a bit too wide, and a little eerie around the edges–it almost resembled one of Alatair’s more manic grins, with a bit more composure.
“Yes, indeed it is.“ He agreed, sweeping further into the room, shadowed by the soft rustling of his gown trailing in behind him. “I came to ensure that the automaton was still alive. Alatair would like for his little beastie to join us for breakfast, in the grand hall.“
Striding past Gideon, Noctifer put his back to the golem as he strode up to the door of Smokes’ pen. Peering down his nose at the crumbled ‘bot with a mixed look of disgust and disinterest. “What a pitiful creation.” It was unclear whether he was speaking to himself, to Gideon, or perhaps both.
However, from the seemingly-endless sea of hair floating out behind him, one-by-one pairs of eyes began to open; solid white orbs glowing in the dark nest they clung to. All of them immediately focusing on Gideon. There were still several with their eyes still shut, keeping hidden and quiet. But the older ones began to chatter, softly.
A disturbing static-like hiss as they conversed with one another. They found Gideon interesting, and there was a predatory sort of curiosity in the way they pinned him down with their many eyes.
“Well I can see that you’re still breathing,“ Noctifer spoke down to Smokes directly, now. “On your feet, then. I won’t have you lying around feeling sorry for yourself all day. You can do that all you’d like when you die, and you’ll die when I allow it.“
Gideon gave a slow nod. Of course Alatair would want something impossible with little time to prepare. Who cares what it takes to make something happen. Being the mages servant was mentally exhausting.
He was pulled from his thoughts as Noctifer hissed down at the other automaton in the room. A smirk curled at the corner of his lips and Gideon was ready to explain to the god how he was not a whole god and in fact was still part pitiful creation.
Whatever ill thoughts he might have had instantly fizzled as the multitude of eyes began to peer back at him. The golem stood from his chair and placed his hands on the table, staring dumbfounded into the sea of black.
There was no way Noctifer had collected enough strength to make more shadow fiends. Lucy didn’t even return now that her mother was back on the living plains, how could these creatures form? Here? Now?
One was easy enough to control but ultimately brought Gideon’s whole reign down... and now Noctifier had an army of them. The thing that Gideon wanted most. He stood, slack jawed and for the second time in his existence was absolutely speechless.
Noctifer’s words grated on Smokes’ good ear. He clenched his teeth and shivered. He kept his eyes pinched shut and his body curled in tighter. Then suddenly throwing off the blanket to the side, as if he didn’t need it.
He pushed himself up on one elbow and huffed. His metal was still covered in frost and the lights of his eyes were faint and brown. Every movement brought about pain. He struggled to push himself to half sit and his limbs were stiff. He wheezed heavy and mist poured out for a few breaths before turning to heavy smoking coughs, then falling back to wheezing steam again.
“Then.. .I suggest... ya get... a mechanic.” He choked out but still struggled to stand. “Might... do ya... some good. Yer joints gettin’... squeaky.”
