11-05-2017, 04:59 PM
if there's a light at the end, it's just the sun in your eyes
Much of Amet's openness has diminished since the last time he had seen Ciri. She had been running for the outskirts of Hyaline, in the direction of their secret place, and he had watched her go. He has closed in on himself since, finding it easier to revert to the habits of his younger self to keep his thoughts separate from the torment of heartbreak. It helps, but only barely, when others expect nothing more from him but cold indifference and a motivation to throw himself only into tasks for the benefit of Hyaline.
Solace has noticed the change in him, he is sure, but the gilded King cannot find it in himself to open up about his thoughts. She is a quick study ─ motivated, willing to please, terrified to fail, and Amet knows he should be more open about how proud he is of her. So when they decide to take the trip to Ischia to congratulate Circinae and her tribe on their move, the leather-plated King starts their journey by tapping Solace gently on her neck with his nose and mumbling, "You've been doing a wonderful job, Solace. I knew I was right about you." He gives her a hint of a smile, though it doesn't entirely reach his lightless amber eyes.
They head towards Ischia via the River, where Amet hides his sourness for the place beneath an emotionless facade and a fairly quick pace. He'd rather not spend time here beside the raging waters, where his mind will undoubtedly travel to Ciri and Castile.
Arriving upon Ischia's sandy shores, he is waterlogged and the Akhal-Teke stallion coughs saltwater from his maw and shakes his head to rid his forelock of the briny drops. He turns his amber eyes towards his blue-tinted companion to be sure that she has fared well before he turns towards Ischia to call for Circinae.
He hesitates briefly before putting a little extra force behind his call in an attempt to mask his disheartened demeanor. He hopes that she will not notice (or, if she does, will not mention) the hollowness to his frame or the way his eyes have sunk. At least the saltwater has gifted his dull scales with some semblance of their usual shine, so perhaps his malnourishment and his lack of preening may be hidden from the water-wolf.
"Circinae was my Protector before making Ischia her own. I figured this would be a good place to start your diplomatic visits," he says quietly to Solace as they wait.
Amet
@[Circinae] @[Solace]