nothing like a little fear to make a paper man crumble; magnus

[magnus]

although this world is made of fearsome beasts that bark and bite
we were born to put these creatures through one hell of a fight

His days are full, the routine of them returning despite the chaos inflicted by the plague.

The dust has settled and he has managed to steer Tephra into a position of power in the West, continuing to keep her strong despite the shifting, despite the vulnerabilities such a time always presents. It is enough to make him feel content, relaxing into his schedule and habits, alert to the possibility of danger but no longer feeling as though he has to be hyper vigilant. He even manages to sleep, as little as it may be.

Today though is an easy day, and he is happy to mingle with Tephra’s residents and families—checking in on them and ensuring their safety before breaking away to turn to the border. Perhaps he would make the journey to the field—although it is a further trek than before—or perhaps he would simply walk the outskirts of his kingdom, keeping an eye on the areas where land met sea or neighboring kingdoms.

He never gets to make a decision though because before he can decide, she is there. There is something exotic about her—something ancient and powerful and wholly her own—and he smiles when she sheds the ink and the violent for her more usual form. “Epithet,” he greets her warmly, moving forward through the vegetation and letting his nose brush against her cheek. “I am so glad to see you again.”

He steps back so that he can get a better look at her, angling his head as his lopsided grin grows.

“Are you here to tease me with your presence before you flutter in the wind again?”

Magnus cannot help the teasing in his words, his gold-flecked eyes sparking with humor.

magnus

@[Epithet]