Eclipse - Act 1 - The Healing

Chapter 9 - Killian

Neptune

The two reunited siblings sit at a wooden bench with their hands on the table, speaking with one another to catch up on all the things that has happened in between the years of which they have missed together. Dulcis stands on the table beside his master, or mother figure since she raised him ever since he was just an egg. Neptune looks so much smaller in comparison, yet it has become clear where he has taken so much inspiration from – his hair, the way he acts, even the colour of his clothing.

He looks up to her so much.

He stammers, collecting his thoughts and questions as best as he possibly can, fumbling on letters in his mouth as he speaks. "S-So...w-what have you been doing? It's been years since we last met, did you go back to the Mountains to that tribe?" Neptune nervously asks his older sister who prunes the feathers of her beloved Altum Eagle.

"Mhm, continued my meditations...wanted to get my anger issues under control, y'know?" Eryka begins to explain as she looks over to him, and he nods his head with understanding.

"How's that been going lately?" He asks her, concerned curiosity in his voice.

"Better, especially on the journey here – met quite a few assholes getting here. Old me would definitely have broken their noses and jaws, but now I can just shrug it off." Eryka explains as she kisses the top of her Eagle's head, stroking his feathery body with her hand. He slowly walks across the table, scraping his curved talons through the wood, his eyes constantly observing the world around him. Searching for prey and any threats that could be eying them from the shrouded lands.

"That's good...but...I guess the reason you are here is because...Glynda asked you to come?" He presumes, since it feels like with all the other relatives arriving to protect their kids from the sinister Black Gallows, it makes sense she is here for the same reason. She nods her head with a smile on her face.

"Well, not the only reason. I've been meaning to see you for a few months now...but with the Grimm attacking so many villages in Mistral after the Battle of Beacon...I couldn't. But I'm here now, and I have to ask as the big sister I am." She begins as she leans forward and she uses her senses to check his body for any wounds, anything at all. Staring at the smallest marks on the skin of his arms, the faint bruises on him after the battle. "How are you feeling, little bro? I've seen my fair share of Grimm attacks but the Battle of Beacon? That was something else entirely...you can tell me." She assures with a smile, knowing how he tends to bottle his emotions up all the time. Not wanting to burden people with his problems, selfless old Neptune being himself all the time.

"I..." He sighs, closing his eyes and looking away from her – since he does finally actually open up about some problems he has been having. "It's been pretty tough...everything seems to be getting worse even when we are trying to make it right. We have been going around the destroyed areas to find any bodies that have not already been uncovered; some people are already feeling pretty sick. Nothing serious though, thank the gods that would be the last thing this place needs after that attack from the Grimm." He explains, feeling a chill on his shoulder, causing him to turn and look at the hills where the Grimm still stalk menacingly, waiting for the opportunity.

"I'm sorry buddy, I can help you if you want, take your place for the night? Sure your team won't mind." She presumes, then his eyes wide with fear – not for her safety...but out of embarrassment.

He knows Sun will never let him hear the end of how attractive his sister is, Sage had the same thing happen with his older sister. "Nuh-uh, totally fine." He terribly says, Eryka snaps onto the way he says that immediately, analysing that forced smile on his face.