Usually, Ares Deerling isn’t much one for gift giving outside of his family and inner circle---Arielle and Apollo had been well spoiled, as per tradition, and so had his fiancée, War General, Royal Healer, and Captain of the Guard---but everyone else, he’d left to his advisors and servants to take care of (which usually meant his poor baby sister needing to assist in the process).
However, if there is anything to be said for the High Lord, it’s that he’s a strategist, for this reason and this reason alone, he’s had a particularly special gift prepared for Gemma Sommers---the Royal Advisor of Autumn Court. Throughout the year, and leading up to the Winter Solstice especially, Ares has been doing everything in his power to assure a three way alliance between Spring, Winter, and Autumn, and he hopes that the cherry on top will be a delightful surprise for Miss Sommers.
Of course, he made sure to have her thoroughly investigated, he discovered that she was far more than just an advisor, but a trained archer---something that Ares himself was impressed by. Because of this, he had a specially made bow and quiver crafted for her as well as a set of arrows, whose golden feathers have been pruned from Ares’s own phoenix bird.
Spring Court is known for their vast love of animals, but Ares has always preferred them for their great use in combat, hence his Royal Army’s fondness for Pegasus horses. It is ... uncommon, to say the least, to gift another court with a foal from his own personal stable, but Ares is determined to make an impact on Miss Sommers---as well as to showcase the Spring Court’s many, many assets.
Gemma will be greeted by the sight of a fully-grown Pegasus, one that Ares has taken great pains to ensure it is trained expertly and ready to be used immediately for combat purposes. Her name is Hera, and it boasts an expressive wingspan, as well as a gold-trimmed saddle that’s been fitted precisely for what he’s observed is a rather lovely rear end on the Royal Advisor.
And that’s that, along with a letter detailing his admiration of her skills with a bow, and the extension of an invitation to join him at Spring Court for tea if she has time in the New Year.
Until then, he’ll eagerly await her response.
