Ea
She stiffens when he insults her. Ea is not accustomed to being spoken to like this, and she expects it from Ramiel least of all. She had expected something else, truthfully; for him to be kind and warm like she remembered. Perhaps it had been too long. She shouldn't have been so eager. “A nose that grows, hm,” she says, quiet but harsh, standing still when he moves towards her. She doesn’t recognize his playfulness, only hears the unforgiving truth in his jest. She doesn’t want to move away from him, to show any weakness, but in that moment she isn’t sure she can be so close to him.
She stands there, eyes fixed on the ground and hears the silence between them, thinking how it was a bad idea to come back to the Dale - she should have left for the Amazons, made a name for herself not only as Scorch’s daughter, but a jungle warrior in her own right. She should have taken a new land for herself when she knew the Dale wouldn’t be hers. She should have stayed a wanderer. She is disappointed - though her disappointments stem not from others, but from herself. She is disappointed that this is what she has been reduced to: just a mare being scolded by her king for not being his dedicated servant.
And then he speaks, again, and his words are different. Softer. This is the Ramiel she came home for. She opens her mouth, to form the words I’ve missed you, too, but chokes them back instead. The silver-girl takes a step forward when he finishes and reaches out to gently touch his neck. It’s a sign of affection - one that she has tried to fool him with before - but it is genuine this time. “I’ll be here. I’ll stay,” she says, and draws away once again.
ea
now you're staring at a queen.