' observes him with the faintest of smile. '
revelries of the year’s rotation — a helix of time spiraling about the savior’s existence —
configures familiarity in amassing counterparts. they are not within january’s
commence, rather the anniversary of a gemini’s birth — an isolate star
amidst the fallen manifestation of the heavens. the formalities of a ‘ birthday ’ were always trivial to the healer, recurrently ushered beneath schedules’ carpet to be forgotten on all accounts. for the last
seven years, he had been reprieved of
the attention — the gathering of townsfolk an auspicious delight exclusively
for his brother, their sovereign. explicitly would izunia’s
people devote, commending his age and applauding his knowledge for
another year. such laud was never a
necessity for ardyn, not until his anointment; eulogizing tongues, letters, and
persons of the sort now overpraising his ‘ survival
’. after all, is that not what a birthday
entails? a figurative medal of honor to be pinned upon
youthful, or matured breast so as to instill your endurance within the universe?
such is the arrogance of mankind; an attribute the savior could never quite
understand.
nonetheless, postures strut, cavort, and flounce
— filing themselves into coherency of a line
nearest the dining table as eldest brother dons the hierarchy of its laminate
carvings. seated at outermost length of its structure, a solitary wooden
chair for the ‘ head ’ of the celebration, a founding elation is thrust upon him. a masterful technique
to keep the caelum in one place ( as he so often wanders to cure ),
fashioning his posture with distant associations, vague acquaintances, and
jovial progenies of those securing loyalty of the regal bloodline. children
were a blessing to this earth — this desolate world blistered by the seasons
of hell’s
fire. the ashen lungs of the late ifrit
breathes heavy to its disarray, kindling ardyn’s yearn to leave, and to help. he buries such intentions with
a proclivity to smile; the unity of man’s compassion flickering across porcelain teeth, bestowing izunia’s ( ardyn’s
) people with regenerative hope. virtuous was his benevolence, and resonating were his eyes — a golden spark of hallowed
amber to bequeath the anxiety of those grasping his hand, bowing upon
presentation of gifts, and doting him with dependant tears. ‘ save our families , ’ they pray,
ignorant to the effects the scourge will have upon the very man they implore, ‘
we believe , we believe . ’
bountiful silence weaves charisma
into curiosity. accommodating a room full of strangers, a comprising assortment
of ages and lineage, the countenance of prophecy
faces the substantiality of eyes.
hundreds were loitering, patient and benign
as reservations of initial present
lingers betwixt temperate fingers. ‘ the
tag reads it is from —— well , i never would have expected odin to partake
. had i forgotten to tell you not to get
me something ? you are so ardent ,
when assimilating . to appear as a mortal man and act the part , buying your
subject — a gift … ’ this token would not be like the others; he knew as
much. natter of the intellect spurs pause,
a branching hesitation preceding digits’ grasp of parchment’s splendor. slate
blues, soft as the pastels of the sky — luminous
as the reverence in lion’s gaze — enchant the exterior of the offering.
whispers of a babe, a lamb to cling upon the solace of its mother’s leg, plead
eagerly for the caelum to open it. relieve them of cosmogony’s grievances, and
pamper the innocent. why not?
thumbs break the seal. ardyn maintains view of the sentinel — blurred by distance, shoulders and heights
— so as to relay his appreciation for whatever may occupy this humble box. a flusterment for him,
having avoided doing this for many years, it bridles his composure. gifts
were always so nerve wracking. this anticipation acted as a harness for
the god, a deity who seemed oddly content
from his corner of the room. transient ripping
and expectant tearing displaces reflective papers to the floor, an appealing
silence in their descent. provocative
was the final clasp holding secret to the contents of the package, blunt in its
make yet impressively crafted.
impulse counsels sincerity of hands, having the caelum pull open its lock. in
the midst of a breath, the room leans
— lid is guided ajar, and eyes are
rewarded — a charming numbness fiddling with his knuckles. it is clear
why the god smiles; an amiable ruse.
the box is empty.
“ that is … quite bold of you , cor —— ” inclined to return the bluff and assume victory
of the ploy, ardyn adopts the allure of a jester.
only the lion and his master know the truth, an advantageous detail for limbs now covering the box’s maw. “ —
however , for future reference … i would keep something of this nature for the privacy
of my chamber , as there are children
in the room . ” giggles trail his ‘ suggestion ’ from the youths nearest his
seat; a disarming smirk upon clever
lips as the deity’s features evolve into the bloom of a most vibrant red. this was odin’s first attempt at
outsmarting the chosen ( adorable ), a delectable
outcome rousing ardyn’s pleasure.
underestimate his ability to modify, and secure e a joke for his own resolve —— well, most do not
make the same mistake twice.
“ ——— i will thank you for this later tonight . ”
