The Academy: PALESTINE; the dark to my light

“mos nunquam operor quisquam huic universitas vacuus virtus. Is est maioribus species of mens tunc ut veneratio"

We all have our fears. Nicodemus had many, though his top fear still stood. The fear of commitment. He has already begun to trust again after all his years of mistrusting, and yet he finds himself fearing for it. Fearing that in the dark of the night his ghosts will return to grasp him, that those he had begun to trust and love would come to stab him in the back. It was these fears that kept him away from so many, these fears that rendered his voice. He remains quiet, patient Nicodemus driven by fears. Perhaps Palestine would be one to break his trust once it was gained. He trusts few though, and instills faith in even fewer. Thus far those who he trusted had shown him nothing save kindness, but things change. Things always change.

He had always held the fire’s bond. Nicodemus was the name that the flames hissed, and so he had always followed naively at it’s will. But now he had learned to control the fire that hissed inside of him like a snake. Now Nicodemus could be considered the Lord of the Flame, for it takes great skill to hold flames. Even as he had them he would never call himself their master, for flames were their own. They were forever wild and unruly, much as my stallion was unbridled by so many. Though it was Kale that held his loyalty, not because he was now the King, but because it was Kale who had shown Nicodemus so much. They had been friends before he was King, and Nicodemus could only pray that they would be friends still.

He tries to be inconspicuous in her presence, and yet he burns too brightly. Even Arrakis had said that there was something captivating in my fire-stallion. But he does not parade about brandishing his own beauty. In fact, he curses it. Nicodemus had always been a humble thing, and perhaps it was that which made him all the more beautiful. He is light to her dark, and yet he would never say such a thing. He would never even think it. For even in the worst monstrosity, he always finds that if you look hard enough, there is always beauty in everything. You just had to look closer. So he does not shy away, does not repulse like perhaps so many had. He even steps forwards, not smiling at her words but finding them with great expectation. His eyes are kind, nothing hidden between them but perhaps his murky past that he was so unwilling to share. Even to Kale. He presses his muzzle to her cheek before whispering. “Good.” Even in a hushed whisper, his words speak volumes.

He retreats from her then gently, turning his back to her for only a moment. He knows that she will follow somehow. When she does fall to his side he begins off at a steady walk, his eyes to the sky. “Most would say that some elements are inferior to another. But I have been taught and have seen very differently.” He has led them to a small creek, and he finds this an ideal spot for a lecture and teaching. The warm eyes of the Phoenix light as Nicodemus summons her power. She takes to the skies then, watching over them both as they need perfect peace. He takes a hoof to the dead grasses beneath him and ignites a small fire. With his mind he wills the fire to the water where it is quickly extinguished. “You see?” he nods before pressing on. “Fire may consume Earth, and Water may extinguish Fire, but it all plays into a greater balance. Fire causes the rebirth of Earth, Water cleanses. And so you see….” he chuckles lightly. “They (we) are all connected in the Great Circle of Life.” his eyes find her then, and Caoimhe comes to land upon his back once more, her eyes closed softly.

“Tell me something of yourself, Palestine. Let us discover together what objective I may forge for you.”

LVL I

**NICODEMUS//CAOIMHE**

To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.

Picture Copyright to Blinck at Deviantart