Clarion’s reign was winding down and it was approaching the time when the Spring and Winter fairies would have their annual promise ceremonies. Nyx didn’t want to wait another moon let alone another dozen to make sure Clarion was completely hers and they could start their life together.
So she had devised a little something with a few talents that Clarion would see on their fly-about today. She would act as normal until they got towards the training grounds and then things would look a little different than usual.
She knocked on Clarion’s door before peering her head in, small sort of secret smirk on her face that only Clarion saw behind her serious demeanor, “Queen Clarion? Are you ready for our fly-about?”
Nyx and Clarion believed that Atta was ready to perhaps handle the Hollow alone for at least the morning and that Sled was capable of performing his duties well enough to ensure her safety.
The Captain’s day off was today, and given the current situation and their preparations for the upcoming moons, she needed a little bit of a break, despite how much she didn’t want to. She supposed that if she were to have this break and Atta were able to take care of some of the duties in the morning, that she and Queen Clarion could find themselves a moment.
Nyx wasn’t unaware of the shift in their relationship. With Atta’s appearance, it meant that Queen Clarion was being phased out and would eventually retire, which left her to possibly have thoughts of things other than the Hollow that she had been entrusted with for centuries. What those things in particular were, Nyx didn’t know.
She flew into the center of the tree and with two long beats of her wings she landed gracefully on her feet. Nyx gave a small nod to Sled who beamed at her at his post near a door where she assumed Atta was inside, waiting for Clarion to emerge. At the flutter of familiar wings, Nyx bowed her head in greeting, formalities were never lost on the Scout Captain, “Queen Clarion. I am ready to escort you wherever necessary for the morning.”
The Navy was in Port Swynlake. At least two ships full of them. Nyx had heard rumors of course, but when a particularly smarmy looking man came up to her spouting off at the mouth about how he was going to be the winner and defeat every last Magick out there, leaving them dead in the water, well, that just confirmed the Navy pond scum had arrived.
The Quartermaster, of course, turned to the man and said he would be lucky to leave with his life let alone win. Long story short, wagers were set and Nyx met the man out back in the pig pens where he took a real nice nap after meeting her fist. Repeatedly.
With a fuller bag of coin, boots definitely muddier than she left, hair tousled in the scramble, she hopped aboard the QCR and saw candlelight coming from Clarion’s quarters. Surely, the Captain would want to know of her time in town (also Nyx had bought herself a celebratory drink or two so she was feeling bolder).
She kicked off her muddy boots, feeling better in her bare feet anyway, and waltzed into the Captain’s quarters, “Captain.” She smirked a bit as she poked her head in. “Think we’ve got one less competitor on the naval side for the competition.”
Nyx had fallen asleep in her bed alone the night of the dream. Alone. Happily satisfied with how the events of the Games had played out that day and the celebration that followed.
Within the dream, days and nights passed, but she wasn’t alone in those. Each day and night she found herself with a crew and most importantly a Captain. A Captain she had gained through the demise of the Hollow she loved. She had become something she didn’t recognize. Someone full of hate and wrath, but also full of love. Full of a love so brazenly flaunted with a superior. That superior being her actual Queen in reality. The one she was sworn to protect just as she’d sworn to protect her Captain in her dream.
Normally Nyx never dreamed, she’d stopped herself long ago or so she’d told herself, it was filled with hawks and screams and missteps and inadequacy. Dreams were not for a Captain of the Scouting Guard. There was ambition and goals, but never dreams. She wouldn’t dream. Furthermore, not all dreams had to have meaning. Dreams were not something you controlled easily. Especially not a Swynlake dream. She had been here long enough to when those rolled through. It felt different.
As much as she would love to process and reflect on the matter, the thing was that Nyx understood duty, duty she had to uphold. And in her duty to her Queen, magical dream or no dream, she had an appointment at dawn.
As the sun peaked up slowly through the branches of the trees, and the early rising fairies began their morning routines, Nyx landed at the Pixie Dust Tree, perched at her normal spot, waiting for Queen Clarion to appear so that she may escort them to the training grounds for their last session of spear throwing practice.
Darting from tree top to tree top, making sure any last minute issues were solved and that scouts were all at their posts, Nyx made her way to Queen Clarion’s corridor. Her wings streamlined for speed, the scout fairy was never late for a meeting, especially not with Queen Clarion. They had their weekly and, sometimes if a catastrophe had occurred, daily flyabouts (or walkabouts depending on the weather) where they would recount the goings-on in the Hollow, as was the duty of the Captain of the Scouting Guard.
She came to the top of the tree, just below the covering of leaves where the branches all took their final paths and landed in front of Queen Clarion who was always expecting her. It was something that Nyx admired greatly in her Queen. Her sense of duty and her promptness. She never seemed to be caught unawares.
Immediately she dropped to one knee and bowed her head, even if they’d done this hundreds of times and Queen Clarion had become to feel more like a very familiar friend, Nyx would never forget her place. She was a scouting-talent. It was her duty and honor to serve the royal-talents. “Queen Clarion, I’ve come to deliver my report.”
Basically, Nyxion gets drunk at the Harvest Moon Dance, discussions are discussed, dancing is danced, flying is flown
@the-queen-clarion
Nyx Quillspear
The Harvest Moon Dance was in full swing and Nyx was already several drinks in. She, of course, wouldn't drink on all three of the nights as the Scouting Guard took shifts on protecting the Hollow. But everyone had their night off to participate in the dance and drinking. It was a very important time after all.
Nyx wore a deep burnt orange pantsuit of fall leaves that sparkled like the night sky that draped behind her and wore a crown of multicolored leaves on the top of her hair which was let down to flow around her shoulders. One of the garden talents had very insistently poised the crown on her head. Not that she didn't love a good flower crown every now and then, especially when she had a few drinks.
She watched as the dancing continued, fairies all around her already looking like they were being knocked over by blustering winds. She spotted Clarion coming towards her and she bowed her head, a bit of a tipsy smile on her lips, "Queen Clarion."
Queen Clarion
Clarion admittedly had also had a few drinks herself. She usually had a little at least, as she didn't want the Hollow fairies to feel that she wouldn't participate. There had been plenty of drunk experiences in her lifetime, and she had the feeling that perhaps this harvest moon might turn into one of them.
You see, it was still so awkward. And Clarion's mind still went to that dream of piracy and a romance that shouldn't be possible. So yes she had had a drink. Then a second. A third. And after that she decided counting was just silly.
She'd made herself a flower crown, setting it on her head and then her typical crown was crookedly attached to it and slightly tilted. If it looked a little silly...well. It would just have to look silly. She had just finished another drink of hers when she twisted around to face Nyx. "Nyx. I've told you so many timeees." She stepped forward and put a hand on her shoulder. "Just Clarion will do.”
Nyx Quillspear
The Scouting Guard Captain actually let out a bit of a laugh. "Sorry... just you know. Formalities are my default especially after... well, being much less formal on a pirate ship. Suppose I overcorrected my reality." She gave a bit of a grin and downed the rest of her drink before looking at the crown on a crown, "Well, if you didn't look very royal already, I think you sealed it with a second crown, your highness."
Queen Clarion
"I would certainly say so. It was a dream you know." Of course she knew that Nyx knew, but it was still weird. Awkward. Her hands went up toward her crown and she couldn't help but laugh. "Yes well it's important to participate in things you know. I'm not just a queen...I'm a fairy like everyone else.”
Nyx Quillspear
"It was. But you know, some people, not necessarily me, of course, think dreams can mean things. Warn you of things." She shrugged one shoulder, "Had to be sure." Liquid courage flowing through her as she spoke to Clarion. She adjusted her crown, sure it was crooked by now. "So Clarion, as a fairy, are you partaking in the Harvest Moon dancing?"
Queen Clarion
"Mhm. Of course. Definitely not you." Clarion teased, a small smile spreading across her face. "Hmm...that depends. You know, I could dance...if I had the right partner of course."
Nyx Quillspear
The Captain straightened up a bit and cleared her throat, "Well, I've been told I am a suitable partner at clumsy functions. Perhaps that would qualify me for fairy ones as well? You'd have to check my references to make sure, of course."
Queen Clarion
Clarion's lips curled up into a smile and she glanced her captain over. "Oh? And what kind of references would that be? Who do I need to be speaking to to make sure?"
Nyx Quillspear
Nyx's smirk grew as she stretched her arms behind herself, her wings fluttering behind her, "Oh, well, not to boast but the queen thinks very highly of my dancing, Clarion." She chuckled, "Other than that, my father also believes me to be quite an excellent dancer as well, reputable dust fairy that he is."
Queen Clarion
"Oh does she now?" Clarion hummed, taking a step toward Nyx, her own wings fluttering a little and spreading a little pixie dust behind her in her wake. "I suppose those are pretty fine qualifications. Alright then, I accept. I was waiting for the right partner."
Nyx Quillspear
"She does indeed. Told me so herself at a very terrible clumsy death party." Nyx's own wings fluttered a bit as Clarion stepped forward. She took the other fairies' hand in hers and easily glided up into the air before turning to face her quite beautiful dance partner with a smile, "Suppose I'll lead then?"
Queen Clarion
She took the hand offered and flew up into the air along with Nyx, a smile lighting up her face as the two faced each other in the air, wings fluttering to keep her upright with her. "That would probably be the right move. Show me how great a dancer you really are."
Nyx Quillspear
The Captain chuckled and pulled Clarion in closer, voice lowering, trying to make sure that she was completely coherent though given the drinks, "Sounds like a challenge, Clarion." Her eyes sparkled a bit mischievously before she slipped a hand to the fairy queen's waist and began to lead them in the air, wings fluttering in tune with the beat as well as keeping them afloat. That was the thing about going to clumsy parties and dancing, they'd never really know the true magic of dancing on air and the added grace of wings moving along to the beat of the music.
Queen Clarion
"That's because it was one," she replied cheerfully, a smile lighting up her own face as Nyx started to guide them through a dance in the air. There was something truly magical and beautiful to watch Nyx hold to the beat and keep them going with perfect ease. Dancing like humans did was nothing like this. "I have to admit, you're doing pretty well."
Nyx Quillspear
"I follow up on what I claim to be. I think you'll learn this about me very quick in that I rarely ever lie. So you should watch what questions you want real answers to." This was of course, a lot of the beverages she'd consumed flowing through her. Her mind was cloudy but her wings and feet never failed her. She led Clarion about the air in the area where the dance was being held, wings fluttering and swaying.
Queen Clarion
"Oh really? So if I asked you why you felt you had to resort to calling me Queen Clarion again...you'll answer completely honestly?" Clarion had more she could ask, but this was the least bold thing to go with. She spun in the air with Nyx, pixie dust trailing down beneath them every time they moved.
Nyx Quillspear
had honestly not been expecting that. And she most likely should have. She blamed the drinks she'd consumed before this on not keeping her perceptive skills quite as sharp. But she wouldn't back down from what she'd said. She spun Clarion out briefly before pulling her back in, composing her answer in her cloudy mind, her eyes looking over the Queen's face which was now fairly close to her own, "If you asked me that specific question, I would say that the dream made me evaluate how... friendly we've become and perhaps I took it as a warning."
Queen Clarion
hummed, letting Nyx spin her out, though she tried to keep focused on Nyx's eyes and what she might say."You don't like being friendly hmm?" She might be a little intoxicated, but she knew what Nyx really meant by that. "You don't want to be friendly with me hmm?" Maybe it was too bold, but she still found herself reaching up to brush some of Nyx's hair out of her face. "I understand."
Nyx Quillspear
Okay, so she wasn't expecting that one either. The Scout Captain just sort of opened her mouth and then closed it and then opened it again. Her eyes a bit wide. "No!" She cleared her throat and looked down as Clarion brushed her hair from her eyes, cheeks sort of flushing, "I mean, it's just not... I wouldn't want to impede your duties or my own with being distracted by... friendliness."
Queen Clarion
"Of course, of course. I understand." And a sober Clarion would never have pushed at all. She, after all, knew very well hat duty came first, anything else...well it was extra and it was unnecessary. But she couldn't help but feel that something had felt right with that dream, no matter how twisted it was. "I apologize for pushing Nyx. I wouldn't want to impede your duties either."
Nyx Quillspear
"You don't have to apologize, Clarion. You wouldn't have known if you hadn't pushed." She led them around, her wings fluttering as her hand adjusted itself on Clarion's waist suddenly feeling a little bit like she was a fire-talent and her hands were going to burn right through the queen's dress. She dropped her voice rather low though and said, "If it's not too bold to say, I did enjoy certain bits of the dream. Really mostly everything except my hand getting chopped off and utterly failing the Hollow."
Queen Clarion
"That's true." And she was both glad she knew more, and annoyed by it. She wasn't sure what she was expecting. But she wasn't sober, and that meant she was a little bolder herself, and a little less responsible and collected. She let herself want things, a dangerous pastime like this. "Hmm...it's not too bold. I enjoyed the moments that we had. It's been....many many years since I was really held by someone like that. Well, it was a dream so I suppose that's not real...but I did enjoy it. The good points."
Nyx Quillspear
It was a hard place to be put in. Nyx had all these memories that were not hers and yet hers with Clarion in all sorts of emotional states. Moments where they'd revealed much more than they had ever attempted to in reality. A drunk Nyx was a Nyx who's emotions seeped through her armor. All that she felt poked through the shell that she kept it in. A glimpse of the twirling tornado that she would never when sober let someone near. "Do you miss it?" She didn't know where she was going with that question, but it tumbled out all the same.
Queen Clarion
It was a slightly unfair question to ask, because they had both lost their Hollow in that dream. They were different people then, and she certainly couldn't miss being as cuthroat as she had been in that dream. But the feeling? The comfort? She did. "I miss the closeness. I haven't allowed that for myself in a very long time. It was nice having that. I can't be selfish like that, but I do wish sometimes...."
Nyx Quillspear
There was a very dark, obscured portion ahead in the tree that Nyx found herself in at the moment. She could climb back down and circumnavigate that path, or she could climb further up, risk slipping off. She had her wings of course, she wouldn't plummet, but it would be embarrassing all the same. She slid her hand along Clarion's lowerback and dipped her down, wings beating in longer strokes. "I miss closeness sometimes as well." She glanced over Clarion's face before letting her back up and the new song began once more. Would drunk Nyx say the thing she was going to-- "If you should want your wish granted... there really is no time better than the Harvest Moon."
Queen Clarion
This was a dangerous direction to let their conversation go, but Clarion had already put her foot into it. And Nyx had put her own in, and now Clarion had an option before her that she shouldn't take. She shouldn't...but she desperately wanted to. "And you'd grant me my wish Nyx?"
Nyx Quillspear
It was a moment. She could back away. She had one more opening to rescind the offer. But much of her just wanted to feel Clarion next to her again, in her arms. To see if maybe that dream had been telling her something. She wanted to know. Their dance had slowed by now, barely moving as the dust fell beneath them and their wings fluttered on, "If I was who you desired to be close to."
Queen Clarion
She sucked in a breath and let it out again. She felt as if she were fluttering over the edge of something, the breath before the dive into flight, a moment before a plunge. "Of course it's you Nyx...I haven't....you're the only person I've thought of in that way in a long time.
Nyx Quillspear
It took a lot to shock the Captain. Leave it to Queen Clarion to do it in a sentence. Her wings faltered a moment, just dropping her an inch or so before she was back again. Her cheeks heated up, even more so than what they had been from the drinks earlier. "Oh." She didn't have words so being a fairy of action she just took Clarion's hand and flew off, leading her towards a tree where they'd still see the festivities but were high up and it was dark enough to where they wouldn't be seen. She landed lightly on the branch and turned back to Clarion, "I've never really been one to think of Evergreens and partners and promises, of being close to someone, my entire life has been to reach the height of Scouting Guard Captain." She bit her lip slightly, "And I didn't know if what was happening between us was just admiration for a shared sense of duty or something more. And then the dream happened and I was worried for both of us." She held onto the hands of the Fairy Queen, thumbs running over them, "But I'd like to know if... we'd feel the way we did in that dream, should we let ourselves become closer.”
Queen Clarion
Nyx's cheeks were rosy, and it gave Clarion the dangerous urge to rub her thumbs over them, or kiss them...she shook herself out of that a little, letting Nyx lead them to a tree and settling down next to her slowly. "I understand. It's not something to rush...I'll admit the drink has made me a bit more bold than I might be otherwise. But...I too want to know." She sucked in a breath, trying to keep herself steady. "It's selfish of me to want to know this...but I do. I want to know how it could be."
Nyx Quillspear
The Captain folded her wings behind her as her back touched the trunk of the tree as she settled into the small curve of a dip in the bark. She was sitting quite close to Clarion, hands busying themsleves with the autumn colored leaves of her suit, mind cloudy and yet oddly clear. "Perhaps we could compromise with our sober selves." She took a breath, "Something that, well, could be between friends and is quite friendly without entirely meaning to be something more, although I'm sure if anyone saw me in that sort of state they'd be shocked." She gave a snort as she looked over to her dance partner, smirk playing on her lips. "Been quite some time since anyone's seen me do anything beyond a pat on a shoulder. Although, I shouldn't really be talking as I am, indeed, quite a bit younger than you."
Queen Clarion
This startled a laugh out of Clarion. Of course she was considerably older than Nyx. She was considerably older than all of the fairies in her Hollow now. That was just the way of things as a royal talent. "You are younger yes, but that doesn't negate the length of time you haven't done something. My lifespan isn't something to make comparisons on." She smiled and put a hand on Nyx's shoulder. "Do what you want to do Nyx. Just for a moment. What is it that you want to do?"
Nyx Quillspear
Didn't consider herself a funny sort of person so whenever she made someone laugh her instinct was that they were laughing at her. However, she did know drunk Nyx had a bit more charm and let out a bit of wit here and there to warrant a laugh. "Right, right, very improper of me to bring up a fairy's age. What has gotten into me tonight." Her eyes flickered to Clarion's, a little hazier than usual. She let out a breath, "Is it that easy?" She looked out into the night, the twinkling stars and pondered over what she wanted. "I'm very decisive, Clarion. You know this of course, but I'm not sure of what I want. I suppose I wish to be more than what we are." The Captain's hand came up to the one placed on her shoulder and laced her fingers with the queen's, pulling the hands from her shoulder to kiss the back of Clarion's.
nyxii answered your question: How do you put asks in the queue? ;_;
You can :D After you answer, press ‘Alt’. You’ll be given more options :)
Oh. My. Gosh. I love you, Stephanie. I want to find an appropriate 'hold you close and nuzzle your face' GIF, anime style, but I may take awhile to find one.
