Silence is Golden (Even if Shouting is Fun) [Æros]

[Hilana Chenzira]

36 Frost, Year 122

[Closed - Æros]

Hilana was coming back from another one of her lessons in the Praetorium with Sentinel Ævril. It had been a good one, as the Sunborn was apparently a firm believer in the fact that the only way the girl’s aetheric capabilities were going to develop and grow was in encouraging her to go as far as she could, be it in a single sustained act or multiple casts of spells, but it also left Hilana relatively relaxed after. Wildness served her well with it, and the tea she had in her bag, from the combination she had come up with earlier in the season, was helpful. Hot, warm, or cold... it soothed the pinched feeling away from her temples and the Vastiana and her snakes were heading for the lift.

But to get there, she would make her way through the Subpalatine district and into the Argentine district. She was getting used to this route by now; though Hilana still sought to switch it up if only to help herself explore and see what else there was to see. She did have to stick to the streets, but there were countless little lizards begging for her attention. It was like they were teasing her, urging her to follow and travel after them, but she knew better. This was not a place where one explored estates: you stuck to the road and streets and stayed with them. If she wanted to track and trail, there were better districts to do it in.

She stepped lightly and off to the side to stay out of the way of traffic, Tiaz hanging around her shoulders. Fiya was rapidly getting used to the daily handling, just as Tiaz had as a hatchling, and she was winding her way around Hilana’s fingers, half her steely-grey body mostly secured around her wrist. That was perfectly fine, after all: she was a baby, and she was learning. This wasn’t something you could rush, after all, and Hilana was patient. She didn’t have Mesmer, and she had no need to see it used on the baby. She hadn’t required it for Tiaz, and she wasn’t about to start with this girl. “You are such a sweet girl, aren’t you?” she smiled at her. Fiya spent most of her time in a bag or on Hilana, or in the woven basket in the shop. She only went into a terrarium at night. Tiaz wasn’t about to prey on her, but when she wasn’t watching, better safe than sorry.

But she saw a familiar figure up ahead of her, from those that had left the Senatus Solunarius Subcuria, and she perked up. She may have had a good, long class, but she was pleased to see Dominus Æros there. While she normally wouldn’t interrupt her more highly-ranked friends in the presence of those of their Caste, Hilana figured saying a quick hello wouldn’t hurt. So while the girl in her brightly coloured skirts that seemed to feature green sea turtles amongst the different shades of blue that made up the tiers of her skirt stayed off to the sides, she was still deliberately making an effort to get towards the star-touched Fae. “Good evening, Dominus. How are you?” Hilana beamed at her friend, inclining her head and shoulders in a small bow to him. When in the presence of others... she knew to show the proper respect.

[Aeros]

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Splitting the senate was an endeavor most chaotic, smoothed over as it was by the myriad systems and people put in place to ease such a transition. At first Æros had really wished he'd been given the opportunity to serve in this role far sooner, but more recently, he had started to consider that joining at the start of the nation's split government was ideal. It gave him an incredibly unique perspective compared to others and he found the overall outlook of those down below to be far less grating than what he had been told of the unified one in the past. As much as he was wary of the intentions of ones as old and storied as the dragons, the starlit one found himself excited when he thought about what the future held both for himself and Solunarium as a whole.

Still, not every day was exactly exhilarating. Some, more than others, were filled with bickering far more petty where a few members couldn’t find a way to bring themselves to an agreement. Sometimes, the subject matter of discussion dealt with minutiae that was of little overall interest. Small things that, while important, were grating upon the nerves to handle. Today in particular there wasn’t anything pressing, so while Æros did quite enjoy his new position, he was happy to be leaving for the day.

For the moment and for the evening, the Fæ did not have any pressing plans. Rare as this was, he didn’t like putting unnecessary engagements over his free time in advance simply because he did value both the ability to be spontaneous as well as time to himself. Even if dressed simply, Æros was hard to miss in the Umbrium’s relative darkness, coruscant and glowing as the stars on his skin were. Further, the peculiarities of his blood and developing magic gave the man’s skin itself a soft sort of glint to it as well, as if lit from within, though this was subtle and only visible in particularly low light. The stronger he became as a mage, the more empyreal an air did he carry.

As fellow senators and others that had business in the building flooded out around him, the elf could detect a familiar symphony signature he didn’t exactly expect but was happy to hear. Hilana, and in addition to her, her serpentine companions. Æros did not have to move much to figure out from where came the song as the girl had already done the legwork to approach him. Odd as it might be to some of his peers for her to have done that, most of them would just assume there was some noteworthy business; after all, why would it be personal given their class disparities? Most people knew that what caught his eye was not what currently stood before him, too.

Nonetheless, Æros smiled at her approach. “Good evening to you, too, Hilana. I’m well enough; been busy with all of the growing pains and varying little things required of me when it comes to, ah…helping to transition a split society and writing the rules that will run it.” He shrugged, speaking fairly casually despite the gravitas of the subject matter.

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'Thoughts'

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

[Hilana Chenzira]

“That is challenging, isn’t it?” Hilana was sympathetic. “But you’re well-situated, and I think you’re one of the right people for the job,” she smiled up at him. “Was it a long session today?” She was wondering, offering him the grey snakeling to hold. Fiya’s black eyes peered up at the starlit, horned Fae, whereas Tiaz was perfectly content around Hilana’s shoulders, a big rope of black, grey, and white muscle. The female’s colours were different than his, but apparently, she preferred that colour scheme when it came to her pythons. “Are you going home now?” She was going to visit the Temple, if only so she could sit in quiet reflection and practice some meditation, and hopefully meditate on the revelations of Ash. Perhaps he wouldn’t mind coming with her, though it was in the opposite direction of his family’s estate down below. She also wouldn’t mind picking his mind about something. She couldn’t very well ask Dominus Palaemon: while he was her teacher, and they had a shared adoration of botany and ecology, and now Elementalism... the Moonborn simply had no interest whatsoever in politics. It was not his forte, and he deferred to his cousin, Æros, now that he had been appointed to the Senate for the House.

Hilana was personally having a hard time with the split of the cities. She worshiped and adored the dragons and she was determined to see them return to the Kingdom. She had promised the Founders that she would succeed in locating the Zalkyrian Horn or die doing so, and the Vastiana didn’t really intend for it to be the latter. Reptiles, and therefore dragons, were one of the great loves of her life. Beyond that, nearly all of her Pack had sworn to the House of Sol’Zalkyrion. Arry was the Crown Prince of the Umbrium. Finn was his Amatus. Raithen was a Dux of House Phaedryn, which had sworn to Sol’Zalkyrion at the Jubilee. Dominus Æros had committed House Saelyan to the Umbrium not long after. Perhaps it was silly of her to consider otherwise.

On the other hand, the girl had feelings of guilt. It may not have been as deeply ingrained as those who had been raised in the cities, constantly awash in Mesmer by teachers and priests and agents of the Crown, but it was still there. The Solar Sovereign was considered to be the living representation of their ancestors, His Divine Radiance and Her Argent Luminescence, and that was where the rub was. What was Their opinion on all of this? They were apparently free, but had not returned to claim the Sceptre and Scourge. The girl didn’t understand that, but it also wasn’t her place to understand or question why. Their reasons were their own, and surely They had them. Hilana was going to need to go hunting and get a proper sacrifice, and perhaps she could ask Them if They deigned to offer further guidance in the matter. The advice they had given her before had been solid, and Hilana had made strides towards her work in her quest that They had set her on, and would soon be getting ready to go and see what happened where Melindranovion had made his stand against Israxa, but...

As it was, Hilana hadn’t made any commitment to either Sol’Zalkyrion or Sol’Avaerys, and the problem was that she was going to have to choose, and soon... lest she be stripped of citizenship and rights within her own home. And she didn’t like it at all. But her friend was, perhaps, uniquely suited to help her ponder this. She could at least trust him to offer his opinion, and he knew far more about this subject than she did. Even if a walk wasn’t hardly the best place to do it, but with his ability with Mesmer and Masquerade... it could be a very quiet conversation.

[Aeros]

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The question posed by Hilana was simple, but the girl's Symphony sang an altogether different tune. Though she tried to be surface level casual, the anxieties she carried with her may as well be written in lights to somebody so experienced in Mesmer, and, if he wanted, he could look at her Aura as well…but the song was loud enough. Æros had made his choice early; he knew where he stood on the subject right away; he wanted Solunarium to adapt, evolve, and of his options, Sol'Zalkyrion was the house he had to pledge fealty to.

"Long…not particularly pleasant today, though only because of the tedium. There's also chatter of superiority regarding those of us who've already made our pledge…so on, you know how people are," Æros laughed, but it was a tired sort of sound.

To her second question, "I was. My plans, for the moment, are clear. Why?" He could tell the inquiry was mostly asked out of curiosity, but also that Hilana really wanted to talk to him.

As he tilted his head and leaned forward to get a closer look at the little silvery snake, Fiya, Æros absentmindedly continued, "I've time if you'd like it. Headed to the Temple? I can tag along." This wasn't fancy guesswork– he'd pulled the information from the girl's Symphony. The little serpent slithered from her hand to his, winding around his fingers. "So very precious…my little Lydia is doing well herself. I might bring her along when she's a bit bigger; I'm sort of paranoid I'll end up losing her, though I don't know why. I could track her easy enough by Symphony…" he spoke with a trail, knowing his fear was unfounded, yet still did he worry.

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'Thoughts'

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

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[Hilana Chenzira]

Hilana listened as Æros told her a bit about how it was going. She could imagine some of the more mundane, dull aspects of sitting in a senate seat were incredibly boring, but she hoped he would be able to get through it. Still, sooner him than her. Politics was serious business, and the horned Fae was far more educated in matters like this than she was. She had no business in any such arena. She knew and understood the laws such as they were. But she also did not have the passion for political bloodletting that she understood could be necessary. She knew enough about the type of people who tended to excel in the Senatus Minor… like Uncle Mattia. Her father would have done well, too: his ability with business and negotiation and figuring people out tended to work well for him. But she knew one undeniable truth: the higher you climbed, the more you exposed yourself.

“I do. I know how people are, but I wasn’t sure how different the Senatus Major is from the Senatus Minor,” she smiled ruefully. “But I suppose it is a headache either way, isn’t it?” When he asked her why, Hilana knew full well he knew, and she was certainly relieved when he offered to tag along. “If you’ve time, I’d like that. I wanted to pick your brain about something,” she admitted. “You’ve been very helpful in numerous other subjects... and I think you are perhaps uniquely suited to this one.” The girl smiled at him as Fiya moved easily onto Æros’ hand, getting comfortable. The little snakeling’s symphony was calmer than it had been that day in the shop nearly a month ago, but she was clearly increasingly comfortable with the constant handling. Because when Hilana went anywhere, it seemed Fiya was going with her. The grey noodle’s tongue flickered, and she was scenting Æros and apparently scenting her sister. But she was not at all stressed out, even with the people around them.

Tiaz was welcoming, at least, he liked hanging out on Æros, and given the opportunity once they stopped with the walking, he might very well want to do it again, as he lifted his head from Hilana’s shoulder. “Put her in a cotton bag,” the girl advised. “Like the one Julis gave us to take them home in. She can breathe through it and it's dark enough to be comfortable. You may need some sort of pouch accessory to put it in though,” she smiled at him. “That’s how I raised Tiaz. He never had a terrarium until I was recalled to Tertium, and even then, he only went into it to sleep. Except for when he was digesting or shedding,” she did have to concede that point, considering he did still go in there for that. “But now if he’s not on me, he can hang out in the rucksack, and Fiya has her own compartment to go into in her bag, or on the belt pouch if I wanted to wear that.” Though Æros did need to be more mindful of his attire and appearance than she did, so perhaps it was a little more difficult to quite swing that. “How is Lydia doing? Growing right? Hasn’t refused anything?” She didn’t think the little python would have, because Dominus Æros could tell from her symphony if she was hungry, and both he and Khyan could see the little one’s aura to know the same.

When they cleared away from the crowds around the Senatus Subcuria, Hilana looked up at him. ‘Do you think that turning away from the Solar Sovereign to support the Zalkyrian dynasty is blasphemy?’ It wasn’t said out loud, though she mouthed it. He would be able to read that question easily from her, but Hilana wanted to keep it quiet between the two of them. While she wasn’t wearing her mask right now, she didn’t want the attention of others who might be listening. They’d touched on the subject in the safety and privacy of the greenhouse, and this was, perhaps, more of the same. But it was different in a way, as the Immaculist faction was still essentially spearheaded by House Phaedryn... which was still a royal house descended from the Founders.

[Aeros]

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To Hilana’s first comment, Æros replied, “...well, the scale and scope are bit different, but people are people. Different setting, different priorities, same level of scheming, same emotions, and so forth.” That, and the Senatus Major definitely considered themselves to be far more important. To what she said next, Æros regarded his friend with a curious cant to his head and an expression in the same vein. “Is that so? In that case, lead the way.” He didn’t know where she was going necessarily, but it’s not as if he didn’t trust her to pick an adequate setting for whatever their conversation would be about.

As they began to move, Fiya had slithered around his fingers, much like an elaborate piece of jewelry had owned. It was odd to have a real animal as opposed to metal adorn his hand like this, but she was as pretty as she was cute. “Mmm…that’s a good idea, if she’s in a bag, she can’t very well slither away. I would hear her Symphony departing, so I doubt I’d ever actually lose her, but that extra precaution would help put my mind at ease,” he replied with subtle relief woven into his words. To her question, “she is well! According to the parameters given to me by Khyan, she appears to be growing on par with what is to be expected; eats just fine, too.” It was nice to have two Semblers when handling the little serpent because it was easy enough to spot something anomalous. While Æros might not know what an anomaly in her Aura would mean, he’d at least be able to spot it and then ask.

After a bit of walking, Hilana offered a silent inquiry. He gave the girl a supportive half-smile. ‘No. I made my fealty pledge on the day we were told we’d have to choose. I think the Solar Sovereign is lost in the past, stuck in the reeds of tradition. I don’t think she’ll lead us to ruin…but she won’t lead us forward, either. I want prosperity, not stagnation.’ Æros paused, thinking. ‘Do you wonder how the Founders themselves would feel?’ This was his primary concern. They’d been silent thus far.

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'Thoughts'

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

[Hilana Chenzira]

His affirmations regarding the Senatus Major made sense, and Hilana knew that that wasn’t something she would ever really deal with. She was unlikely to need to; since if she had to, she would ask Raithen to make the claim over her and keep her well out of it. Beyond that, she was not particularly likely to be involved with the Patricians, though she wasn’t going to count her father’s scheming with his best friend out just yet. But even still, hearing from the Fae was an excellent warning, as far as it went.

But with Æros being amenable to coming along with her, Hilana was thankful. He had given her solid advice before, and he’d made introductions that had been, well, magical. She smiled at him as he held Lydia’s sister, as Fiya continued to steadily weave and climb herself along. She wasn’t super fast, though she was definitely faster than Tiaz. But then again, perhaps the white, grey, and black python had moved like the little girls did when he was their age. “The bag is really your best bet. Just a nice cotton one with a drawstring up top. She won’t bother trying to get out of that, and if she does, you’ll feel her,” she offered helpfully. “But those are great signs. Normal is good. As funny as it seems, I’ve heard of pythons going on hunger strikes because they weren’t happy about something,” she raised her eyebrows at that with amusement. “Never had that problem, though Tiaz is lazy enough that he doesn’t want to be bothered with killing his own meals.”

As the two of them walked on towards the Temple, Hilana didn’t rush him and tried to keep her concern and anxiety over the matter quieter. There was reassurance there, intended or not, at the news that he had committed his House to House Sol’Zalkyrion from the start. But that was true. Things had gone largely unchanged in the last century under Thayla IV Imperatrix. Stagnant water could kill, after all, and was the same thing happening here? From their conversation in the greenhouse last season, this supported the viewpoint being expressed now. ‘I wonder about that myself,’ the girl admitted. ‘I know His Divine Radiance is here, but I don’t know how He feels about all of this. I am going to go get a sacrifice and take it to one of the Temples and see if He will answer. I know that the Solar Sovereign is meant to be Their representative... but if They are freed now...’ That was clearly her big problem with declaring for House Sol’Zalkyrion. No one knew how they felt about it. ‘But perhaps we’ll get some answer from Them about it. Is it turning my back on Them as Herald to support the Umbrian crown? That is what I am concerned of.’

[Aeros]

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All of the questions that Hilana posed were valid things to be concerned over. For a moment, he pondered his own answers, looking down to the little snake that coiled around his fingers. ‘I am not fain to speak for Them, for I have no place to do so, nor any idea what minds as old as Theirs would make of what has happened. However, I can’t help but believe that, since what we’ve been following has been a hastily put together manuscript, and many are prone to interpreting what of Their words we’ve transcribed in myriad different ways. It’s altogether not impossible that They would look upon the current Solar Sovereign and state of affairs with disgust. On the other hand…it is very possible that they would look at those siding with the draconic crown with scorn.’

Æros paused, collecting his thoughts. ‘In my opinion, we should go with which crown holds the future that we want. We can only make decisions with what information we do have. Given that Aværys roams free, we have to believe that his silence is deliberate, but beyond that, nothing is certain. I see myself happiest in a future ruled with what I know of the Sol’Zalkyrion crown, so it is with them I have pledged myself. If the Founders find themselves displeased with this choice…then I have no doubt that They can right whatever flaws they see in whatever the new system looks like at that time. I doubt hostility will be held in any case, all things considered; they were ancient allies with the dragons, were they not? Do they not also deserve similar respect? And…regardless of what current crown we choose, the realm is always Theirs; that much does not change.’

Æros understood that for many, the Solar Sovereign was considered a paragon of the Founders and should be treated with similar respect. The thing about that was that the system was put in place in lieu of Their actual presence. Now that They were returned, the Solar Sovereign as a figurehead would be judged by Them. He knew not what decision they would make, but he genuinely doubted they would view those who’d fled underground with much ire; how could they? The covenant between them and the dragons ought to be honored and, easily enough, they could take their place as rulers alongside the draconic line, or above them, however they so desired.

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'Thoughts'

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

[Hilana Chenzira]

Hilana was quiet for a while, digesting this and ruminating over it. It wasn't that she disagreed: it was more that she was going through his logic and his reasoning, in order to understand why he made some of the choices that he did and then to apply that logic and understanding to her own situation. Herald or not, she was essentially a nobody here. She was not a politician, and she had little desire to be. She liked to improve things for people are a more personal level because that was what she had chosen to do. She understood that sweeping policies could be enacted by those who were entitled to those stations as their birthright, but beyond those policies, few actually cared as to the overall benefit of the population, much less those that fell through the cracks. And in Solunarium, very little changed. Stability was a good thing, yes, but was stagnation? One didn't need to be afraid of giving up the good to go for the great.

They walked on, and her eyes were on the roads ahead of them, her hands on the straps of her rucksack since Fiya was contentedly flicking her tongue at Dominus Æros. What he said made sense, in any event. Had the Sacred City been split in twain before, would she have any hesitation now? Was she balking because it was something new, shocking, and that was uncomfortable? That line of thought didn't hold much water for her, all things considered; Hilana was not one that was afraid of things that were odd or different. She had always been interested in the strange and lonely.

Further, he was right: they could not know the thoughts of the Founders. He was obviously staying silent for a reason, but He knew about this. Was He watching to see what House Sol'Zalkyrion did? Where was Her Argent Luminescence? Was He waiting for Her return for Them to decide on how They wanted to proceed? There was silent resolve in the girl, at least. She was going to have to go hunting and get a sacrifice, and see if He would honour her by giving some guidance on the matter. But whatever His thoughts were, They could make whatever changes They decided on when the time was right for Them. Her thumbs felt the well-loved leather of the straps, but if there was one thing that was certain, she still had time before she had to make a commitment one way or the other.

'I thank you, Dominus,' she smiled at least, inclining her head respectfully and with gratitude. 'I knew you would have something to say on the matter, and you have given me much to think about. You've always given me good advice, and today is no different. Gratias.' Hilana lifted her head, looking on at the enchanted lights that gave sight for those who were inhabiting the cavern, either as denizens or visitors. The Temple of Midnight's Mother was becoming visible in the distance. 'A wise man changes his mind, but a fool never will, or so the saying goes, doesn't it?' She reflected. 'I like coming this way sometimes depending on when I have my classes and work... if it is quiet and not busy... it is a good place to practice meditation.'

Here, at least, she had to behave herself, she had to practice stillness, and she had to be quiet. When you had a setting like this... nothing less would do.

[Aeros]

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There was little tension in the silence between them, even as Hilana ruminated on that which Æros had conveyed to her. ‘Twould seem that the girl was amenable to his suggestions on their own merit, without him having to compel her with æther, and for that, he was most pleased. He didn’t really like playing with the emotions of those he had any modicum of respect for, and in this scenario, he wanted Hilana to make her own choices– though if such choices had her siding with the current Solar Sovereign, he would be hard pressed to stand by and simply allow that line of thinking to pass.

When she did respond, however, he smiled. ‘Yes. A fool hides within his comfort, refusing to consider that which would move both himself– and others– forward. Of course…one must seek balance between progress and tradition, but to not move at all? What a damnable fate.’ Languishing in stagnation was an idea that certainly repelled him.

‘I’ve walked the Umbrium’s quieter paths myself when I want silence, but not to return home yet, too. I’ve not spent much time on meditation myself…but I think I ought to. I do need lessons in restraint.’ As much as that was, perhaps, vulnerable to admit, it was certainly true.

The Temple of the Midnight Mother would serve well as a place for one to go to if one sought quiet contemplation, certainly, and, given their proximity, it would make sense to detour there, should Hilana express interest in doing so. While, arguably, the starlit senator spent perhaps too much time in his own head, he did not spend enough of that time exercising the discipline to work through, and thus silence, thoughts more obtrusive. His favorite strategy was to banish negative emotions with his Mesmer, but did that really ever teach anyone anything?

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'Thoughts'

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"