NAYL, ANY, ALL

[Nayl]

She spun the stars on her fingernails And just like that, it’s done. Frozen in place, Nayl reflected on what happened. The battle was raging then suddenly stopped as though the curtain fell on them. Naga retracted from the brutality and withdrew herself from the entire battle. What Nayl anticipated to be a vicious fight ended in a peaceful resignation. Unable to fathom it, she hung behind for a long moment while Naga departed. This is the first time they see each other since the battle, as Naga announces her resignation. Torn, Nayl hesitantly listens. In her mind, she anticipated returning to Nerine battered but victorious, the taste of it sweet on her tongue. Instead, she returns almost like a criminal by forcing a pacifist Queen onto the battleground. The flavor is mild in her mouth, nowhere near as exciting as she planned it to be, but she cannot allow it to stop her or hinder her motives. Quietly Nayl listens as the panther bids the throne a farewell with additional words to encompass her royal departure although she will, of course, remain in Nerine. To be too new as a Queen is the dilemma of each rising woman. They never ascend the throne experienced or knowing exactly what needs to be done. They each learn throughout life, but Nayl has already stripped Naga of the opportunity. Seeing the coastline so quiet and vacant for nearly a year had been difficult enough; Nayl merely wanted to end the land’s struggle. She didn’t hate Naga then and she doesn’t hate her now. Their relationship has always been rigid, built on nails and mistrust, and it’s questionable whether it can ever be mended. The piebald looks at the fallen queen now, their eyes briefly meeting as Naga concludes. Nayl placidly steps forward then and takes her place. The metaphorical crown settles heavily on her head as her eyes rake across the few who are among their ranks. She considers what they will do, what direction they will follow. ”First and foremost I simply want to know who is here – truly here – and not a ghost in these parts,” Nerine had been empty, quiet, and so now she aims to understand who is actually a part of this herd and who is going to step away now while they have the chance. ”There will be minor changes with ranks,” she muses aloud before adding, ”and stallions will remain here with the potential to hold ranks.” The rumor can be squashed now that she would make them into slaves, that she would enforce old traditions in this new land. They were – are – wrong and her heart patters excitedly against her chest at the notion of this. Her autumn eyes sweep across to find Djinni then Stillwater. Their names burn into her mind but she doesn’t yet mention them. ”There is much to consider so if you have questions, please ask them now.” There is no speech to waste their time, no words of dreams and hopes. Blunt and forward Nayl looks ahead to where Nerine and the residents will go. Nayl covet and myrina's creation