ikarosx

[ikarosx]

You wake with a jolt, your breath shallow, the edges of the world growing indistinct as the vision takes hold. The sight is wrong - distorted, like a shattered mirror, and for a moment, you cannot move, cannot breathe. The future… it’s empty. No more threads weaving the tapestry of time. No whispers of what comes. Just a suffocating, impenetrable void.

Then, like the first cracks of dawn breaking through a storm, you see it. The sound of horns - deep, mournful, and sharp - rips through the silence. Their curve, like the sickle of a blood-red moon, echoes in your mind. The horned Kossith stand tall, their eyes - hungry and sharp. Their feet stir the ashes of Lysaran soil as the flags of Progress Day ripple overhead.

You try to turn away, to flee from the vision, but your body remains locked in place. You cannot escape it. You cannot change it. The overwhelming sensation of dread presses down on you, heavy like a weight you cannot lift, and a soft, strange warmth fills the space around you.

The Dark One is coming. 

Ikaros received a vision of the Kossith landing in Lysara on Progress Day, a holiday on April 1st that the Lysarans use to celebrate the innovations of the past year. Ikaros is no longer able to see anything that will occur after this, for the first time in his life, he’s completely in the dark.

It's black; void of light, void of hope, void of feeling. Emotions were colors, colors were feelings, but darkness? Black did not always mean it as such, but red? Anger, blood, it was everything, and Ikaros felt like he was wading in it.

Ikaros had felt something like this before. He'd been in Eterna, in the Tower; he'd felt that wave of apprehension, of hunger. But it wasn't a sort of hunger that was satiable. It was all consuming. A hunger for darkness, and this dread roots him to the spot.

There weren't too many times that Ikaros couldn't pull himself from a vision. He had figured out ways in his five hundred years of life to protect himself, to force his way out by touch, or perhaps by magic alone. It was his to control, he'd always tried to learn it as such. Yavanna's calm words, Titania's promise that it would be okay, strong women that guided his hand to ensure that he would be able to learn – it meant so little when he felt like he was endlessly falling.

The Kossith were coming, the Dark One was upon them. It reminded him of Lusacan, of that path and destruction he saw. But that image had been of the past, this was of the future. And then, as the Norns weave, as the Fates cut, as Fen'harel chased, there was nothing.

What do you see, da'len?

Ikaros chokes, on the empty future, on the past, on the feeling of loss that he knew so well. Elvhen were emotional on a spiritual level; they felt things so deeply, and Ikaros was no exception. No matter how hard he tried, he felt it. In his soul, to push through the feelings, until there was nothing.

It broke him from his reverie, the dagger he held in his hand falling and clattering onto the white stone floor. Ikaros let out a breath, his heart rattling in his chest. He picked up the dagger once more, setting it down onto the table to be with the other one. He tried again, looking for more, ignoring the building pressure behind his eyes. He couldn't panic, not now. Yavanna was lost, Titania was mourning, and she had such little time to even do so.

He took a breath, hand curling into a fist. He'd have to find Titania, but could Avalon truly do anything? With an Old God looming behind a gate, perhaps everyone was truly on their own.

[ikarosx]

#dying

[ikarosx]

@lucanisvanyaril Location: Arvandoril of course Notes: A bLoOD oATh

The Prince expected Lucanis, but still, too many things had been left unsaid. Not to mention the question about going somewhere, standing outside the temple that house the Dragon of Night itself. An old god, loose within Avalon, essentially, no matter how removed the broken branch remained. Falon'Din's Hollow was lost to them, Yavanna and Luthonár had willingly entered. She'd told him that it was never goodbye as long as the wheel had weaved, but did a soul return that was blighted as such? Yavanna had chosen her death, to not die in a bed, plagued with the Blight. She'd put on her armor, her pegasus' armor, and had saved them.

"Don't you have a blood oath to be fulfilling?" He tries to be funny, Abelas seems to do it easily. Meanwhile, Ikaros had a bitch face that would be written about in tomes for future Elvhen. He stood up from his bed, it wasn't often someone managed to get in here, but it just meant that everyone out there was working against him. Again. "Thanks. For coming to get me."

[ikarosx]

Ikaros had remembered that lullaby. Words had changed, but the melody had not. Yavanna's voice would float to him in his dreams, even now, as the Oracle remembered his restless night of sleep before. Avalon could no longer soothe him. The sights that he'd witnessed while within Falon'Din's hollow, there had been enough dark magic to curse him. But still, there'd been a reason he'd seen pink dragon scales. And it all only made sense after the fact.

A profound sense of loss seemed to follow him, more than it normally did. And while dragons were a new, welcome addition to Avalon, one now residing within Mythal's Glade, there were others who were clearly...out of place. Fyren had been a stalwart defender, and faced with a branch that was littered with the bones of Elvhen and dragon alike. The branch of the dead, forever becoming a tomb. And with Lusacan within, Avalon was alone. More alone than they had been. "Fyren," Ikaros tilts his head now, wishing he'd had more time to show the other around Avalon. But the future had called, and perhaps now, the prince's sight was finally coming true. "Thank you, for your help. Falon'Din's Hollow was your home. And we'll see it restored."

The ancient crux of his soul was part of which retained the light of the great tree, if ever Fyren had been unsure, crossing the threshold had thus abandoned such fears. Even if the unity between dragons and elvhen was currently fractured, Fyren liked to believe this pointed them in a direction to restore many of what had been lost. Time did not have to bury days of age's past, it could celebrate and rejoice, support what once was while still traversing onward. Grand statues of Mythal greeted them on the other side, the just protector, in life and in death. Their eyes panned up; it was any wonder what other venerations to those of the pantheon he'd find within, but it spoke of much to look forward to.

"I must be of great importance then," Fyren tried to subdue his prideful smile, but he was a dragon, after all! "I wonder why it was me who clouded your dreams?" They rather liked this game for obviously the reason had been Fyren was a dragon, but this prince did not know that yet! Dragons were always fond to share their cryptic wisdoms, even if it offered nothing of clarity; Fyren stated, "I grew up with a song, a lullaby my parents sang; to be certain in need and that a path would form to a home tomorrow, and time could thus be the joy it once was." An elvhen lullaby, rather sad when one looked closely, but it currently resonated hope for Fyren as he gazed upon the current state of Avalon, no matter how fractured it truly was. "It's an elvhen song, does it sound familiar?"

[ikarosx]

"Shenuvun," Ikaros greeted her in kind, but he didn't look up from the book until she was bowing. He gave a half smile, one that didn't really reach his multicolored eyes. He was tired, hadn't slept much from their quest into Falon'Din, but he had enough sense to be polite. She was rattling off questions, however, and he closed the book he'd been reading. "I researched disconnected branches months ago. I took who I thought would be best, and we could only solve the puzzles before Lusacan's influence took over. I don't have any questions for you."

He figured that was a nice way to say it, but Ikaros was more thinking about his grandmother, standing alone with her Pegasus against the Dragon of Night. "You can ask me whatever, Nuvi. But I don't know if it'll be useful. We all saw the same thing. Why don't you tell me about your study of the veil in Lysara?"

who? @ikarosx where? Arvandoril Library

Needless to say, there was only one place Shenuvun could find herself going to after the whole— Let’s call it adventure. — After the whole adventure into the Falon’din library, and back out. The library beckoned, and she would have not been who she is if she had not answered the call. It’s there where she runs into the prince, entirely by coincidence — or perhaps the Weave’s design. She is returning from another journey deep into the Falon’din Hollow’s section — sparse as it is —, when she turns a corner and finds herself in front of the prince. A burst of rapid, and surprised, blinking follows, for she had expected him to be quite literally anywhere else than in the library, but she soon recovers. 

“Greeting, Your Highness,” she offers with a quick bow, hoping that it’s enough, because really, she knows little of how to treat royalty and barely anything worth saying about how to treat nobility. “Do you need help while looking through the books? Or did you want to ask me some questions about our quest? And if not, could I perhaps ask you some questions about what happened before we arrived? I am researching the Hollow right now and anything could prove useful.”

[ikarosx]

The round platform that held the Moongate, the one that exited to Taravell, was guarded by large statues of Mythal. The goddess stood beside each pillar, larger than an Elder Dragon itself, perhaps, as the golden light of Avalon shed itself onto Fyren after he entered. Ikaros stood, curiously watching the other as he made his way through. He half expected Fyren not to be able to, but even now, there was the normal assurance that the light lived within the other's chest. At a time, there used to be many more pathways – frequent one that were traveled to branches now lost. The ones that remained held their pathways, or the Eluvian that would take them to the heart of each.

The Eluvians had their paths written along the frames in Elvhen, the declaration of each branch along the top with the shining jewel of each. He tilted his head, and while Ikaros knew that a newcomer to Avalon was somewhat common amongst the faiman of their kind, he couldn't truly understand why that term sparked his clairvoyance. He had no idea who this Fyren was, or what they were.

Still, around the platforms other Eluvians were not alight. Some were broken, others were missing most of their pieces, and Ikaros could only watch the stranger's features. "I saw you. In a vision. Here, as you are now. And If I saw everyone who walked through, well...that would be a massive headache."

He'd become protective of the Steel, despite her growing impatience for Fyren to enact any sort of plan to ensure they'd not be detected by the Aetherian's again. He'd not come up with such solution because it was an impossible feat, something marred by too many possibilities and paths for him to defeat any true probability. Fyren turned to Avalon not only out of familiarity but because his oath had been taken to beat out despair of the world and to be a glorious beacon for all who may live within it. As a dragon, obviously, this was an easier feat to accomplish for himself as opposed to others who may have taken the oath, but fear tested even the minds of the greatest dragons and crusaders; he was not immune to that.

Avalon awaited them through one step through the Moongate, and he smiled in return as the prince passed through first. One step then another, Fyren had half a foot in when he closed his eyes, passing through to the other side unsure of what awaited him. He'd heard of the creeping Blight, of desolation wrought from wars, sometimes he wondered if he listened close enough, he could truly hear the Great Tree weeping for help.

His eyes opened to the other side, a mirror image to the realm he'd just left, but still the great dragon breathed a sigh of relief; he'd been unsure with all he'd heard if his passage would be granted but here, he'd found himself, finally back within Avalon. "Time... it moves far differently where I'd been," it went to say that he didn't know how long it'd truly been since he'd been removed from Avalon, but it'd still been far too many years, all warped by Aetheron's fall.

[ikarosx]

Ikaros was known for taking very calculated risks, and this would be one of them. The Prince knew that when there were those who were not of Avalon, that came and found it again, normally there was one who came with them. Fyren was alone. But still, his accent was – unfamiliar. Language of the Elvhen, everyone had learned that as of late. "Old blood? You could say that." The Elvhen loved their tradition, didn't they. His clairvoyance told him little, that the other was...uncertain. Hesitant, but pure. Still, the Prince didn't trust easily, and a friendly smile wasn't going to make him reconsider what would happen if the other's presence made him distrustful.

He took a step back, then another. Standing beside the Moongate, Ikaros tilted his head. "Enter then, Fyren." There were few that invoked a title of Falon'Din, their god of death and the afterlife was a more...muted, one. Teachings from beyond, so little remained to the Merciful one within Avalon itself. Ikaros gave Fyren a small smile, entering the Moongate first.

They'd been in hiding for a few years and it was fear that held him back; so much of the world had transitioned to something unrecognizable and it had seemed impossible for Fyren to find scant glimmers of the world he once inhabited. What hit the hardest was the knowledge of the Dark Ages, a cataclysm which was said to have weakened the Veil, forcing the Elvhen to rebuild and heal far from the mortals. Fyren couldn't imagine what crackled and broken world await him on the other side of this moongate, and he wasn't even certain if he could truly cross it. Harmonious people, broken off from the world through blighted means, he frowned at the agony they seemed to have also endured, something separate than what the dragons endured, but just as withering to the spirit.

Still, the old song still echoed inside, a foothold to something he'd become a stranger to and when this one identified himself as the prince, all Fyren could do was smile. "Your heart beats with the old blood," leave it to any dragon to be ridiculously cryptic, "Scryer, lethanavir." Maybe not quite a friend of the dead, but this one spoke of how he'd seen him, and instantly, Fyren was invested. "Prince Ikaros, you may call me Fyren, and it's my hope that I can cross through this moongate and see Avalon again."

[ikarosx]

Ikaros gave his friend another smile, but he couldn't help himself. "You don't need me to tell you to suck dick for some information. I know you're more than happy to do that." He couldn't lie – and this wasn't one of them. He put his hand on Tianyou's shoulder, "We all can't be everywhere at once. And besides, with this Blight..." something told him that he knew better than to let his friends waste their time with...distance. It was something that weighed heavily on his heart, anyway, and Tianyou would never have enough time when it came to being with a Legionnaire. His long life was staring him in the face, after all. "I will. I'll see you soon."

"Really?" To be honest, Tianyou wasn't sure how he felt about that. Would he have preferred to go into the Eluvian with Ikaros? Absolutely. He hadn't been there for Abelas when he needed him most so he needed to be there for them every single time now. He had to drop everything for them. But it seemed Ikaros wasn't going to let him do that. And who was he to tell the Prince of Avalon that he'd decide what he wanted to do? Top of the list or not, he still wasn't sure how to feel about the fact that he had merely been relegated to fucking for information. It could've been worse, he guessed. Thankfully, Tianyou wasn't the type to take things personally so he hoped that the words that left his mouth were taken as the joke that they were. "Sure, I'll go suck some dick to get that Legion information about the Old Gods." The fact that he had been able to say that meant that he was telling the truth and he was mentally punching himself for giving Riandur any sort of satisfaction in that fact. Shut up, was all he said in his head towards the damn silver elvhen before he looked back at Ikaros. "You let me know how it goes though. If I'm missing out, I need a good story from you."

[ikarosx]

He was the Prince. Of course Lucanis wanted to be around him. It went deeper than that, however. Ikaros knew that much. He didn't wish to spurn the other, but he had enough weight on his shoulders – he didn't wish to tackle all of his different feelings for Lucanis at the same time. Not that he wasn't an excellent multitasker, but that was beside the point he was trying to make. The Oracle saw enough of the future, of what others wished to do – and Lucanis was lucky enough to only have what he wanted out in Taravell. "The perfect Vanyaril? If there is anyone who understands a legacy, it's me. And you ran." Ikaros frowned now, his usual demeanor. His anger, however, was not directed towards Lucanis, not always. Right now, however, he didn't wish for the pity Olympics.

"I think..." Ikaros chose his next words carefully, taking a step towards Lucanis now, "...that you carry the weight you choose, and ignore the rest. You run away instead of figuring it out. You run away from Avalon, from your family, from your...commitments. Unless it's for the mortals, out there paying you because they don't give a damn about what your name is. Or so you say. If you choose that your place is there, then choose. You can only dance in and out of Avalon for so long. Never truly good at anything." Ikaros leaned away now, moving to pick up one of the last gauntlets he needed before leaving. "I'm going into the Eluvian, with others that I've chosen. I'll see you soon. Or maybe not. Enjoy Taravell, Lucanis."

"I want to be around you, Ikaros. Is that so hard to believe?" Maybe it was given the prince's words. Lucanis had never truly seemed like he cared about much outside of his own interests. Honestly, he'd be a liar to say that the opposite was true. Everything he had done since he left Avalon for the first time had been for himself because he had never had that option before. His mothers had told him what his duty was. His grandfather had trained him for it day in and day out. He wasn't sure if it was exhaustion or something else that had caused him to become the way that he was, but he just didn't care. He didn't care about Avalon as much as he should have. The elvhen wanted to though. He truly did. It was ingrained in his mind to. Yet he had been steadfast in his desire to stay within a world where there was the very real possibility of him becoming a silver elvhen. So yeah, maybe it was hard for Ikaros to believe that he wanted to be around him. Lucanis probably would have thought the same if their positions were switched.

There was a small part of him that reveled in the fact that Ikaros could not say that he didn't want Lucanis there. He didn't show it, but that was reason enough for him to want to stay here. For now, at least. For as long as the prince would have him. If he wanted him at all. But that was completely besides the point. That wasn't what Ikaros was trying to say to him. Not really. Yes, the other elvhen couldn't say that he didn't want Lucanis around, but he couldn't say that he did either. And there was an explanation given along with it that put thoughts in his head again of just what he thought of this place. Brows furrowed, he looked down at their hands for a moment before letting go and putting space between them. "You're right. I don't know what I want. I'm not the perfect Vanyaril like the ones before me. I left here to figure that out and I still haven't. People don't hire me out there because of my family name. They hire me because I'm damn good at what I do." He paused and moved forward again. "And you know what the worst part about that is? I'm only good because I'm a Vanyaril. How are any of us supposed to know what we truly want with that weight on our shoulders?"

[ikarosx]

"I think you should stay out here." Ikaros said it before he could say anything else, knowing Tianyou would insist on coming along with the prince into the Eluvian. But he couldn't have that, not now. "I've already decided who I want to ask to come with me, and before you argue, of course you were at the top of that list. But I think there are other things in play, now. You were there when the stones came back to life, and I think it's connected – it has to be. But I can't be sure. I need you to figure out what the Legion knows about the Old Gods. That's what you should do."

“Yeah, I wonder.” The both of them knew who could be behind it, but there was also the chance that Abelas had no idea about it at all. Animals were his friends. They looked out for the elvhen just as much as he looked out for them. That was why Areina liked him so damn much. Sometimes much more than she liked Tianyou and he had raised her. Anyway, that would be a conversation for another day. There were a few other things to be concerned about as well. It wasn’t like Tianyou could hole himself up within the walls of Caer Glas Keep and wait for it all to blow over. He has a role to play just like everyone else that was involved with this. Which, at this point, felt like everyone. “Into the Eluvian?” A sigh fell from his mouth, hands planting themselves on his hips. “Well, let me know when and I’ll be there.” At the question, he shrugged his shoulders. “Riandur doesn’t leave me much room to ask him questions, but I’ll let you know if anything comes up. There’s a griffon that they have acquired recently if that’s of interest.”

[ikarosx]

"That's exactly what it means, Lucanis," Ikaros cocked an eyebrow, wondering if the other even listened to half the junk that came out of his mouth. Something told him that he didn't, and it was just Lucanis talking out of his ass. Ikaros didn't mind that. It just meant the Prince always had the upper hand. He enjoyed the look of surprise on the other Elvhen's face, some sort of bit that he'd finally gotten the upperhand on the mercenary. The prince of Avalon was always calm and collected, he was always hiding what he felt, what he was thinking – it was easiest, and most could leave him alone. Lucanis hadn't been around when the visions had become too much, when the oracle had to hide himself in a darkened room so no one would bother him as he tried to heal his mind.

It was only this thought that kept Ikaros at arm's length from Lucanis. This bitterness that settled deep in the Elvhen's chest. He went to move his hand away, but caught in Lucanis' grip, Ikaros' gaze darkened. His mismatched eyes lingered on the other's mouth, "Lucanis, I don't–" his voice hitched on the words, the lie unable to exit his mouth. It only fueled his anger, and the prince and his perpetual frown only got more bitchier, "I don't think you actually know what you want." That was easier to get out, some other emotion crossing Ikaros' face now. His hand relaxed, but it didn't mean much other than the fight leaving the prince for the time being. "You don't know what you want, or what you need, and if you do, then you're too worried about something to act on it. And I don't mean me, I mean this. Avalon. And you know where I stand." Ikaros would not be a fool to the Vanyaril – not like how love had spurned Titania.

There was a short laugh at Ikaros’ words that caused him to shake his head. “Just because I spend all of my time out there doesn’t mean I don’t want to be around you.” A brow rose for a moment as his chin tilted upwards. As much as he wanted to just rip the bandaid off and stop pretending, he preferred to keep their relationship just like this. Only for now though. If they crossed that line, they would never come back from it. Regardless, that didn’t mean that he wasn’t going to still flirt with the prince at any given moment. Lucanis was much too enamored with the reactions he got from the other to do that. Whether it was flustered or annoyance made no difference. Maybe he preferred the latter more than he did the former most of the time, but he would never express as much.

As Ikaros moved closer, there was visible shock on Lucanis’ face that he did a terrible job of hiding. This was certainly more than he had ever gotten so he would bask in this for now. “Not a single detail please.” His gaze flickered to the prince’s hand on his wrist and then back to Ikaros’ face. He almost moved closer to close the space between them, but then there was a hand on his chest to push him away. Another short laugh fell from his lips as he let his feet drag him back and away from Ikaros as the other spoke. “Who said I’d stay behind? All you have to do is say ‘Lucanis, I want you to come.’ and I’ll be there.” He dared to step closer again, his hand gripping onto Ikaros’ own. “Unless you don’t want me to come.”

[ikarosx]

Gwaern rumbled as Fharzai put his hand upon him, and Ikaros watched as the obsidian dragon flew off to the tiny one that remained in the dreamscape. The Dúnedain's words were moving, of course they would be, but he spoke about things that were confusing enough to the Elvhen. The Tower of Olympia being a necessary force for light, for one. Yet still, a Dúnedain was an ancient reincarnation of the first children between human and elvhen.

"We've helped Lysara. Avalon was there when Aventia fell. We offer as much as we can, and don't expect much in return, do we?" Ikaros searched Fharzai's gaze, and while Avalon had to face the blight completely on their own, it was typical another would seek him out and ask for more. Those of the mortal realm always would, his mother had told him that once. Queen Titania did what she could, and Ikaros wouldn't see her pushed to her limit as her mother slowly withered away from the Blight itself. "You see, Dúnedain, we live with the blight within Avalon. There is no protecting us. Not like Eterna, not like Xul'nithar." Ikaros figured he wouldn't have to remind the druid, but he would. The prince crossed his arms over his chest, wishing he could divine something immediately to help soothe the other's worry. Yet still, the oracle would have to wait to visit Xul'nithar again and use his ability there. "My mother has not left Avalon since Arethusa took the throne. If anything, I would go in her place, and Leander for Arethusa. We are already the diplomats to such a place; what are you trying to get us to agree on?"

Caimriss saw all that Fharzai did, which meant the little dragon's world was quite vast. Nestled within the druid's cloak on every walk, he was privy to the dreams of beings from many realms and creeds. If he could, he'd show Gwaern the many skies he's soared through on the backs of great dragons in their dreams, but kisses were all he was capable of. Still, Fharzai knew it would make his baby happy to leave the gift of flying dreams for Gwaern, and so he did, pressing a glowing hand to the black dragon's neck as he gently stroked his scales.

"I'm not just any Dúnedain. I've staked my very soul on Lysara's continued success. I truly believe this nation, and the Tower of Olympia specifically, is a necessary force for light and balance across the continent. She is like a child to me, and I will protect her at all costs," Fharzai shares, by far more forthcoming than he'd typically be, denoting how serious he took this dream. "The threat of the Blight that Lysara faces is the same as Avalon's. Aventia's fall is a bad omen for both our homes. We need to use every tool available to force the darkness back. It's critical." At this, he faces the prince, his gray gaze peering intensely while still seeing past him in a way. As candid as Fharzai had been before, there were still aspects of his dreams he couldn't share with all. "What I wish is a united front in a request for help, from the Underdark. You were there when I connected the mortal realm to Xul'nithar. Between that an my efforts since to protect the dreams of the drow as I do any Lysaran or dragon, I'd hope my intentions ring just. If we can get Queen Titania and Queen Aruthesa to enter talks with the Matron Mothers as a united front, maybe we can help to negotiate an accord, an agreement for mutual aid between our realms so that all our peoples can be protected from the Blight."

[ikarosx]

There were only certain times that Ikaros got a vision pertaining to something very specific. He'd been in Arvandoril, had searched through texts for information on Mythal's Glade, information on a dead branch, and it had led him to a section on dreamers. The information had been scarce, yet still, it had given him flashes of pink scales, of whispers of the temples of old, and a blinding headache to follow. Yet still, it'd been enough for a face, one that had him standing outside the moongate.

He'd dismissed the guards that were normally there, yet still, plenty were watching from within the wild's. The stranger's approach had Ikaros tilting his chin up, "And you're too unscathed to have not been led by the feywilds themselves," he gave a small smile. "I am Ikaros, Prince of Avalon. I've seen you – but why? What brings you to the Moongate?" He noted the ears – a High Elvhen? A Silver? A High Faiman? Perhaps a descendant of those from the dead branch; it was said their powers were inherent. Either way, he would be curious to see the other enter the Moongate if they could.

starter for @ikarosx.

where: we're at da moongate

when: current timeline

note: heyyyyy how y'all doin

Fyren had made the trek from the Silverlands on their own, the Feywilds was not to be greeted lightly, even for a dragon, and they wished to traverse it by themself first before daring to take Talisa to the true home she'd not likely remember. So much of their survival since Aetheron crumbled had been on the basis of sticking together, but Avalon had been an indelible piece of the dragon, and if they were to solidify further against the mages, he was certain it would be through speaking with the elvhen of today's world.

Someone, however, was already situated at the moongate; whispers of where to find it were futile and Fyren was confident it was the creatures within the wilds that had granted him safe passage to its entrance. "You're too put together to be a guard," in cryptic terms, Fyren noted he was clearly expected by this elvhen.

[ikarosx]

Ikaros remembered the man who'd joined he and Abelas, Akanis. While the Silverlands were as familiar to the Prince as the Feywilds were, he was spending more time within them with his dragon and cat-sith. Saleba was watching from afar, as she always did, never one to interfere unless she had to. The Feywilds were her place of happiness, and she preferred the silence to Gwaern's rumbling and crashing through the undergrowth.

Still, the Prince was a master of stealth, always heading through and remaining unseen. It was something he'd wished to learn a long time ago – the art of assassination could be seen as cowardly, but it was just deadly. Still, Akanis was alone – talking to himself. It seemed as such, but Ikaros crossed his arms over his chest and waited to be noticed, "Akanis," he said with a smile, tilting his head and watching the other, "Of course I'll join you." An Elvhen always accepted hospitality, it was engrained into Ikaros' very being. "Am I interrupting?"

Who: @ikarosx

Where: Silverlands

Akanis wasn’t one to forget faces nor was he inept at politics enough to have not realised that Ikaros was royalty, maybe at the time Ikaros hadn’t known he thought a changeling worthy of the blessing of a dragon. It had been a small gesture, maybe one the prince didn’t take full notice of at the time, but one Akanis held close.

After Aventia maybe some were looking for thicker walls to hide behind but Akanis had embarked upon a journey of self discovery with Ingrid and unknown to him the prince's brother. On their way back from the Feywild they had decided to rest for a few days in the silverlands as there was nothing like being reborn to make your bones ache.

With a warm blow of stew and a hearty chunk of bread being slowly eaten by one of the champions of Aureliath as he smiled into what seemed like a newly acquired pocket mirror. Not many knew that he was talking to Ingrid, they weren’t best friends but they could at least laugh with each other which was a first. So much so he hadn’t noticed Ikaros till the other was standing in front of him. He quickly slammed down the mirror and stood to attention “Your highness…” he committed to a deep respectful bow “Would you do me the honor of joining me at my table?”

[ikarosx]

Ikaros had dreams about that Red Dragon. They weren't SFW dreams, either, so the Oracle kept that to himself. He looked at Araceli, and while he didn't know much about her, he was grateful so many from other places had come to help Abelas. It had been a weathering and trying trip to Blackrock, and even now, Ikaros had to plan yet another to try and restore more of the temple and the pool. "He didn't speak much of the Elvhen. Just broken promises that date back far further than what Avalon perhaps is or remembers." He sighed now, "Thanks for your help, Araceli. If you need something, come to the gate and let them know. They can deliver something within to me."

[ikarosx]

matthew daddario for bello magazine

[ikarosx]

Ikaros nodded after a moment. This was something he could do for his brother. The Blight was pressing upon Taravell, upon the creatures that Abelas held so dear, and that was the only thing that could pull Ikaros' attention away from the Laurelin. Away from the Blight that was rotting at the core of his home. If Abelas could come with him, then he would mention it – his idea to venture into the Eluvian. For now, though, he gave Abelas another smile, "Maybe a fancy treat? A dance? I've seen how the new Griffon gets excited to see you." Shrike had been skin and bones, yet now? Thriving, going between Caer Glas and visiting Abelas.

"Of course. Just no one I have to carry, alright?" It was a good joke, a great joke even – he'd done his best for Icarus, and yet still, that had been difficult enough when watching out for others. For now, he looked towards their dragons, romping around, "Come on. I think Gwaern wants to show you how fast he can fly now."

Ikaros did not need to say that the pegasus, even if it did, would not outlive his friend for long. Some heartbreaks lasted forever; while Abelas would never think for a moment that any humanoid creature should never die, he did think nature was particularly cruel for not giving animals the immortality they deserved.

"I think-" Abelas was thoughtful for a moment, the Blight had taken so much from not just them, but everyone. "if the Legion wants to beat back the Blight, they'll need all the help they can get." That included griffons and there was no one better than the Avalonian brothers to help the Legion of the Dead regain what was lost. "Will you look into it at the library for me?" Abelas asked, "Maybe any references to how it was done in the past, I'm sure I can get close, earn their trust, but the griffons are noble creatures - like everything else there's probably more to it." A bow at the right angle, a gift, or maybe just copious amounts of treats. "I'll have some things to get together, maybe we should bring some people with us."