The moon was high and full, bathing everything in its silver embrace. The perfect kind of night, one where the sky was so clear that all the stars could be seen, twinkling above. In the distance an owl hooted softly, warning others of its presence. Upon a hill, Enyo would reside, watching the serene valley below. Every once in a while there would be a deer late at night, snacking on some silver blades of rich grass. For now, her belly was full. The peace she gained from observing was more rewarding at the moment than any satisfaction of a successful kill.

Enyo would sit there, deep in thought. Afraid to think too deeply about her life for it would become apparent that she was becoming everything she feared. She was too weak to push against the tide. Too weak to dare rebel. To take her life in her hands. Instead, she remained complacent, no worse... she remained obedient. Yes Nike. Yes Cassius. Yes Erebros. If she didn't keep herself in such a tight grip she would perhaps be crying.

But there was no outlet. No way to get her emotions out. No lover to seek comfort in. It was just her. It always had been. There was a soft coo as Foberos took a few steps, staring at her with a sharp eye. Enyo would lean down and press her forehead gently against the smaller creature's head. At least Foberos could relate, Enyo was certain she was intelligent enough. Women usually were.

She sighed, "I'm sorry Foby" she whispered as she pulled away. There were many times before where she considered releasing her dearest friend. Allowing her to be free. One time she had, only for the loyal bird to come back weaker than ever. It was then that Enyo realized that she was Foberos. What would she be if not used? Who would she be if not a tool? Where would she go? What was her purpose. That was perhaps the moment she accepted defeat, she was only ever going to be what she was now. So much pride was invested in her family.... what would that make her if she rebuked it?

A fool.

"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

upon the rift of a breeze, he caught the scent of his older sister. for a moment, he questioned whether to disturb her or not. wondering if he was unwanted there. Nike always made it clear that keeping himself limited was best. that not everyone appreciated his gifts and talents.. let alone his company. his family held him in such a captive state, influencing his behavior even while distant from him. he thus felt a ping of shame fill his rounded belly; because the relief he felt, the freedom he now had, was everything he wanted for months now. dare he say since he was born. but he couldn't share this feeling, these emotions with anyone. it risked his exile and surely, his head by the might of Nike and the elders in his family clan. Érebos was merciful that day they came to insomnia borders. had Father, Nike or even grandfather been around to see that, it would've surely ended in blood. because the dunamis were kept on their toes no matter how much they bled and cracked. no relief for them in the world their family confined them to. no cure for the pain they were born into. rigid and filled with thorns, zephyros learned to crave the tightness of the chains draped in gold that they all called the dunamis legacy. Zeph knew better.. it was a birthright curse. but he'd never share that aloud, not even with his sister who might've been suffering all the same internally.
and for a moment, he was deep in his own thought while he stared at the ground, sitting all this time upon a neighboring hill in the dark night. it's when the shuffling of nearby deer broke his trance of deeper ponder that he finally did rise up to head towards Enyo.
after some minutes, he came to approach from her right with not even a pant seizing his breath. his mountainous form coming to loom over the woman as he came to lay next to his sibling had she not moved. he joined her view, looking far over the valley. speaking only after some moments of silence passed. "Can't sleep?" he poked, trying to figure what was on her mind.


"talk" - "think"

table by scarlet, art by alo

She did not hear her brother but she did smell him. A soft breeze carried his scent, the stench of insomnia was still new to her and so it stood out. As most scents do. Enyo sent Foberos off to keep watch, her bird letting out a single shrill to let her know a friendly was approaching. Enyo did not move but her face was a clean slate, the previous inner turmoil showed no trace as she turned to look at her brother as he lay next to her. His ebony pelt mixed lightly with her black and white one. Zephyros was one of the few she would let so near.

Despite their closer relationship, there were many things she dared not share with Zephyros. Enyo felt more bonded and had a deeper sense of understanding within her younger brother, or perhaps a stronger sense of siblinghood. Ever since the day she pulled him aside and guided him were they just closer than the others. She remembered that day, it felt forever but they were all quite young. Zephyros was not yet two and she not yet three. The more she realized this the clearer it became that these memories, despite their sense of distance, were really only months away. Putting her life on a timeline only filled her with more dread, there was going to be quite some time till she would be freed from her family. Only death could bring that.

Often she answered questions in her mind, but mostly she ignored her inner needs and wants. It was easier to maintain sanity by disregarding her

"Sometimes the quiet of night brings peace. The days are busy." It's nice to not be needed. To get away. It was one of the few times she could get away with doing nothing. If another brother had joined her she would lie and say she was keeping surveillance over the valley. Trying to "learn" and become accustomed to the land. In reality, she found much peace and beauty in Boreas. Especially the areas they were in, this interest in exploring the beauty was sparked by that obsidian beach Erebros called her to. Oftentimes as she explored she found herself mindlessly wandering about. Her brain was peacefully empty when she was alone. Operating like the machine she was, no thought no questions to ask.

"And what about you brother? Is sleep fleeting tonight?"



"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

it was peaceful and serene- a stark contrast from his internal inferno. it was too new here, too much of a difference from home. it left a distaste in his mouth how everyone continued on like the machine dogs they were. ears splayed, reflecting his often conflicted state of being. enyo spoke about peace. if only he could relate. he craved for screams and pain, anything to take him away from the present moment. "yes." he lied, sighing as his large chest heaved. Érebos bothered him much these day, complaining that he spent his days alone and too far from insomnia. he never did make a den there. "and how is everyone there? the queen, do you find her easy going?" or easy to control.
he wasn't filled in and frankly, he didn't need to be. zephyros found meaning elsewhere-, far from his siblings, fighting for them in his own way. his own display of love was twisted and manipulated by Nike. his mind going back to the first moment he ever called her "mama". his pupils shrunk then, having to subtly snap out of it as he noticed enyo asked him question. "pardon." he growled lowly, tense as he shifted his weight- attention resurfacing. it was obvious something bothered him but he gulped it down. "I don't sleep much." he admitted, concise words leaving his dark lips, red eyes darting ahead as he watched the horizon with vigilance and distrust.


"talk" - "think"

table by scarlet, art by alo