like the dawn, you broke the dark - magnus/any

[magnus]

desire consumes me like a fire consumes me

The rhythm of the meeting is ancient to him, and he breathes in the pattern easily. His chest expands and falls, his gold-flecked eyes kind, but observant, watching the trio and then his own diplomat as they come together. When Rhaegor approaches, stepping forward into his mother’s embrace, Magnus just smiles, a corner of his scarred mouth tipping upward. He knows what it means to love your mother, to feel a deep appreciation and respect, and a burning need to step outside of their shadow and prove yourself.

It is only when the tentacled thing steps forward that his attention is dragged away, even a little.

He watches with amusement as the woman slithers forward, filling the silence with her clacks and ancient tongue. When she presses her tentacles onto his face, he fights the instinctual desire to spook, to put as much distance between himself and the stranger. Instead, he stills, maintaining eye contact and studying her, the wind moving his forelock across his broad forehead, something like understanding sparking.

“It is truly a pleasure to meet someone so unique, Yidhra,” he does his best to mimic the way that her tongue formed around the syllables of her name, but it comes out clumsy in comparison, and his grin grows a little sheepish in apology. As she withdraws, he angles his head toward Dawn, giving her a barest hint of a smile, an encouraging dip of his head, and then to Solace, the Queen amongst them.

“I know of healers, but we currently have none that call Tephra home,” he says, thinking of his niece while his smile again turns apologetic, wishing he could show Solace a more healed version of his home. “We would appreciate the attention of your healers, should they wish to make the journey or if those who are ill feel up to traveling.” He holds her gaze steady. “It would be a great kindness to our people.”

He then falls quiet, listening intently as she fills him in on the latest to happen in the East.

When she falls quiet, he gives her his familiar crooked smile. “Tephra remains strong. We have risen as the kingdom of the West, with Ischia and Island Resort becoming territories.” It feels strange to call them that, but he has no true desire to stretch out his political hand to stir their waters. “For now, both are left their independence and given free rein, although should there be problems, we’ll see how that goes.”

He has no doubt that Island Resort would remain peaceful, but he has heard and seen things to give him pause about Ischia and the creatures that reside there. He would need to travel soon to see for himself.

good shouldn’t need to tempt us above