#slyx

Another one of these- this was one of the first reference sheets I ended up making in this style! My beloved monster was the first to get a double page spread all to himself so I could show off his shapeshifting. I could have used some of the space better (that last pose in particular is a little stiff) but overall I'm quite pleased with it.

Nyx knew with all the changes going on, she had to make sure that the future Queen was in good hands. So she tailed Sled’s detail with the to-be queen, watching as he stood in the corner and gave her space, watched closely as clumsies came up to her and she went up to them asking questions.

All-in-all, she was fairly pleased with his training, despite his sometimes dopey sort of look, Sled was still keen to his surroundings even when it seemed he wasn’t paying close attention.

She tested this by kicking a rock a few feet away from him as he glanced to the future queen, “Fancy meeting you here, Captain.” He grinned as she now approached him and Atta. “Sled, seems you’re doing well with the queen apprentice.”

He just grinned, and waved at Atta to come over so he could talk to the Scouting Guard Captain. “Yes, it’s all been quiet. You can ask Miss Atta.”

Nyx cleared her throat slightly, “When you return to the Hollow, I’d like to speak with you.” And with that she ducked out of sight again, going over what she wished to speak with Sled about in her head on her way back to the Hollow.

------

When Sled returned he made his way to the Perch where Nyx was looking out onto the training grounds, little apprentices throwing their first spears and trying to string up their bows. 

As he came to stand with her, Nyx had a sort of wistful look on her face, it was softer than he’d seen in a while. “You know, Eoghan,” He didn’t think he’d ever heard her say this first name before, “I took this position quite a few moons ago because it was the only thing I felt I still had control of that filled my life.”

“And something else is.” The former sledding talent said gently. People didn’t think he noticed, but although he may not be the smartest of the scribes, he was observant and wise like a snow owl on its perch, watching the little forest animals scatter and go about their business. Nyx had been distant lately. She’d been completing her duties, but there were less nights he saw her holed up in the Perch going over plans. 

The Captain gave a slight nod, “I know many look to you over me despite you not having been a Scout in name for long. You’ve lived the moons I have many times over.” Sled went to protest but Nyx held up a hand, “Don’t worry, I’m not giving up the seat... but I may have to ask you to act in my stead soon, or maybe for you to aid someone else in that position.” 

Sled raised his brows with a bit of a smile, “Nyx Quillspear? Taking a break from duty?”

She all but growled in response, her arms crossing, “I can do without your teasing thank you, Scout talent Sled.”

The sledder just chuckled and put a hand on the shoulder of the smaller fairy, “I think it’ll be good for you, Nyx. Truly. For both of you.”

It was then that Nyx fully turned to Sled, straight-faced, “I don’t know who you’re talking about. I didn’t mention anyone.”

Sled smirked slightly, “She’s not just anyone to mention, Captain Nyx” 

Nyx couldn’t help the slight upturn of the corner of her lips, “Indeed.”

The older fairy’s eyes clouded slightly, as if he weren’t present in this moment but in somewhere long ago, “Don’t wait.” Nyx could hear the layer of pain? Hurt? Regret? That lay under his even tone. She knew Sled had a lot he’d lost back when they first came to Hollow. “Your duty will always be here. She won’t.”

“Eoghan...” Nyx sighed, “I know you’re a sledding talent but you’re dragging around a big burden on those runners that you won’t let anyone else help with.”

He offered a sad smile, “Well, maybe I’ll work on that in your absence.” She gave him a bit more of a stern look, “Okay. I will work on that in your absence, Captain.”

“Good.” She turned back towards the entrance, fluttering her wings, “We never had this conversation.”