Family First

“breakfast tomorrow morning sounds good. i am okay with either of our chambers. if you would prefer mine, so that yours do not become tainted with this conversation, we can do that.” she offers a small smile. “i am sorry it is not better circumstances that brought us together again.” she wishes they could relax more, be themselves rather than the political pawns she sometimes feels like she is. who have to appear a certain way, have to behave, speak eloquently and never show weakness, lest it be used against them. she wants to be home, where she can hide away in the libraries reading whatever she wants or spend time training on her own terms, wander around where she wants, while wearing whatever she wants instead of having to look perfectly put together, and not have to worry about who might see her. “of course. we can all catch up for real, and actually have time to relax.” she nods, sitting down as well. “do you ever just… miss just being the child?” she asks quietly. “instead of…” she gestures at them both.

Relaxing, Aeolus felt a real smile creep onto her face. It wasn't often she could drop the High Lady face and actually be herself, but with Zaina, things were different. She understood more than the others. "Your chambers would be perfect. I appreciate that, it's very kind of you." A stray strand of black hair fell in her face and she twirled it around her finger before tucking it back with the rest of her hair. "I agree, these circumstances are not ideal. I hope you're holding up okay."

THE HIGH LIEGES OF THE EIGHT COURTS HAD ALL GATHERED TOGETHER TO SPEAK OF THE VOICE AT THE BONFIRE. While it unnerved her, it didn't quite shake her - it lacked the terror, the bite that normally would accompany such an eerie situation. A crown, falling? Ominous, however it was not that horrific. But, Yiren was no fool - she knew worse things were undoubtedly ahead.

Though the fae around her had mostly wrapped up their meeting and were discussing more leisurely topics, Aeolus still felt the growing boulder of pressure on her shoulders. And while Yiren's smile lessened the burden quite a bit, the damned thing would never really go away. Still, her face relaxed even more as her own smile softly shone. Until she began to speak. Simplicity? "Oh gods, please don't say that. Her shoulders slumped ever so slightly, but she held her head tall.

she doesn’t want to cause further stress. even if she thinks the sooner they figure this out, the sooner they all get to go home, relax. “thank you.” she smiles. “when you are feeling up to it, i would like to share my own thoughts, as well. i do not want to leave anyone in the dark.” she wants to work with the other courts. “i’m here if you need anything. related to this or not,” she adds. as much as she has to be a high lady and protect dawn first, she has always kept the secrets of others if it does not endanger anyone to do so, and she will always be a listening ear for her friends. “it has. once we’re out of this whole mess, we’ll have to have a real visit. come stay in dawn for a few days, bring whoever you want.” she smiles. “other than all of this, how have you been? is there anything new or exciting happening in the summer court?”

Considering, Aeolus responds. "Maybe we can meet for breakfast tomorrow morning? You can come to my chambers or I to yours, if you'd like. We can chat then, about whatever we need to discuss. Your theories. Mine, if I have some by then. Strategy." Already exhausted by the prospect, Aeolus simply smiles, taking a seat to relax.

zaina offers an apologetic smile. she knows everyone is probably sick and tired of being questioned, or of questioning others, and of coming out without any answers. but she doesn’t want to mislead anyone, needs to be clear with what she does want to know. she’s been discussing things with her own circle, and even if others haven’t decided on what they want to do, she wants to at least try to get an idea of where they are all at. and figure out how they can all work together, if she can. but she wouldn’t ask anyone to make decisions without discussing with their own circles. just share ideas.  “no, don’t apologise. we can return to the topic later,” she shakes her head when aeolus apologises. “i’m sorry for bringing it up so abruptly. i’m just worried about everyone.” her own court and the others as well. “at the very least, despite the circumstances, it is nice to see you,” she says softly.

Relief settled over her like a warm blanket in the icy air and she breathed out forcefully. "I appreciate that very much, Zaina. I promise, if I can think of anything, I'll find you." But right now, she just needed to clear her mind. Looking off into the night, she longed to be a part of the shadows. If she'd been alone, she would already have done so, but at least she could hear their whispers. Even without their comforting, dark embrace. Aeolus sighed, wishing she didn't have to hold so many heavy burdens, and then smiled at Zaina. "I worry too, and it's lovely to get to spend some time with you. It has been a little while since we've run into each other."

zaina has always liked aeolus, has always respected the high lady of summer. she tries to get along with all of the high rulers, to come up with solutions to any conflict she can, because she does respect them, but aeolus and her always seemed to have more in common, even just with having taken their positions at similar times. but many of the current high rulers seemed to have taken positions more unexpectedly than previous high rulers. she’d been devastated at her parents’ deaths, and then at her own loss of what freedom she’d had. the magic had washed over her and she’d snarled and killed the fae who had killed her parents. her family had known she would be next, but she’d thought her parents would have lived longer.  zaina smiles when aeolus agrees to join her, and follows her out of the hall, drink in hand. she knows that the questions are likely just as suffocating for her, but she still needs to ask, to check. she's doing it to all of the high rulers, to see where they're at. “i apologise, because i know we are all a bit suffocated with this, but what do you make of this all? do you have any ideas for how we might solve things?” she asks once they’re clear of any prying eyes. “we all seem to be just as lost. i just want to see what we are all thinking, maybe see if anyone has ideas that if working together, we could be successful.”

Irritation groaned in her brain, but she kept a smooth smile. She understood why Zaina was asking. Heck, she'd even had an idea to ask her about things, at some point. But right away? She'd just gotten out of that noisy ballroom and hadn't even had time to think yet, and now her brain was overloaded with everything that was going on.

Jia shook her head. Memories were still scrambled and they had the sense of agreeing to something that they may not have fully thought through.

It seemed a bit suspicious that the admiral hadn't wanted to reveal what court they were from. Aeolus frowned, but considering what was going on, that wasn't anormal. "Well, it seems you know who I am, then." Nodding, she accepted the respect they'd shown her. "Do you have a name? Or shall I call you Not important?" It hadn't come out accusing at all, just mildly curious.

she had not expected or cared whether she got her throne, but she had it. and now… now she is overwhelmed. she’d never been prepared for this. her whole court trapped in another? and she can’t protect them. they may not be entirely safe, and yet she has no answers. jamie has a point. she is powerful. but how much can she do other than look into ways out and make sure her people are okay, despite the circumstances? she’s trying. but she cannot force winter to do anything. and they aren’t solving anything. but neither is anyone else. she’s making her way through the high rulers to try to see what they know, and attempt to get the courts to work together. but as many theories as she has… she sighs.  she is watching the other high rulers, and when she sees aeolus walk towards the bar she’s already perched at — snooping on other conversations — she offers a smile at the high lady of summer. “i suppose it is,” she nods. “walk with me?” the high lady of dawn requests, lifting her drink from the bar as she stands gracefully. she knows aeolus, like her, had been young when she took her throne, that she had done so not long after her.

Aeolus smiled at Zaina, a sense of kinship sparking in her heart. Of all the High Rulers, she had taken to the High Lady of Dawn the best; they seemed to have a lot in common. Not that she was necessarily close to any of them; but at least Zaina seemed to understand her a little bit. Still, Aeolus wished constantly that anyone else had been able to take Summer's throne besides herself. She would have gladly supported any of her siblings, or any of the inner circle of her parents'. When she'd come into power–in the middle of her favorite supper, no less–she had nearly fallen to the floor in grief. Not only grief for her parents, who had clearly perished, but grief for the life she had known and the freedom she'd had. Of course, there was no choice, though. Once you're chosen, that's it.

Jia sat down with her head resting in her hands. So much chaos, no way out. The voice did not disturb the admiral, nor did the murder. They had seen scarier things on starless nights far into the sea. The panic that set into Jia was purely based in being trapped with no way out.

Aeolus could sense the anxiety and panic coming from them, and she nodded with a tight-lipped smile. "Unfortunately, yes. I wish there was something we could do about that. But of course, if there were, we'd be gone already, wouldn't we?" She sighed, sitting down beside Jia. "It seems you already know me, but I'm not sure we've met before. What court are you from?" Sure, she'd been to other courts and met with their High Rulers when needed. She would have dinner with the inner circles, or those that were around. But this face...she didn't recognize this face.