Nothing But Memories - Junicorn 2022

The garden was filled with the scent of flowers, the wind causing that lovely scent to drift through the air, reaching the Quirlicorns that stood below the blossoming trees. 

Sonnet could feel the magic that hummed inside the bark of the trees, along with the magic in the branches, the leaves, and of course, the numerous flowers. A quick glance at Minuet and a gentle telepathic prod told him that she, too, could feel the same magic in the trees. 

He knew there were Quirlicorns that wielded magic which they used to influence or even change the growth of flowers and trees, aiding or hindering various flora, and allowing plants to grow at their whim. But he had never heard of trees that had inherent magic within them. He hadn't imagined that such a tree could exist, despite spending much of his time amongst plants that had clearly been touched by magic. 

There truly was a lot he still had to learn about the world around him and the magic that tinkled like the crisp yet gentle sound of wind chimes in the wind. 

"I see you two noticed the magic inherent to the trees grown in this room," his father said.

Sonnet looked up in surprise, turning his head in the direction of his father's voice. "Father," he greeted, "I didn't see you there." Neither had Sonnet heard hoofsteps, or felt anything else that would indicate the presence of another Quirlicorn. 

"Just the result of a touch of illusion magic," Noxaeterna explained. 

Uncle Luxaeterna shimmered into view, beside Sonnet's father. 

"Invisibility magic?" Sonnet questioned. 

"Correct," Uncle Lux nodded. "Now, brother, perhaps you should unveil Psychomyth, Martine, and Mother."

Sonnet's father grinned, before magic glittered around his horns, and three more Quirlicorns shimmered into view. Next to Uncle Lux, now stood Psychomyth and Martine, with Grandmother Radiance standing in the middle.  

"Sonnet, Minuet," Regent Radiance said, greeting her two grandfoals, "We decided to have this little meeting, to explain a few things."

"To clarify, you two already know about your grandmother being the Regent of Candentia, and the role you two were meant to play. However, there's still much you don't know about what you two are," Psychomyth explained.

"What we are?" Minuet asked.

Sonnet also wondered what Psychomyth meant by that last statement. Sonnet knew what his position in Candentia was, and that he and Minuet were meant to rule over Candentia. He also knew what 'rule' meant, with Psychomyth and Martine insisting that Sonnet and Minuet both follow along and learn as much as possible, as they went about their daily business in Candentia, with and without Regent Radiance. And he also knew what being 'Heir' meant, from the whispers and conversations he heard in the streets of Candentia.   

Uncle Lux gave Sonnet and Minuet a warm smile. "You know that your grandmother is a deity. And You've met your dam before. Khaalida, is also deity. And your grandsire, would be Haywire. Like your grandmother and Khaalida, your grandsire, Haywire, is also a deity. Not to be confused with the Greater Deities you two should already know of."

"Is that why Minuet and I were born with our magic?" Sonnet asked. "And why I'm much more powerful than other Quirlicorns?"

"The blood of the deities flowing through your veins, is indeed why that is true," Uncle Lux explained. "Your father and I were also blessed with magic in our blood, but not to the same extent that you and Minuet were born with."

"The reason you two were born, was because of a prophecy," Sonnet's father said, gently guiding the conversation towards a different direction. "A prophecy that your mother had."

"Was Sidra a part of that prophecy?" Minuet asked. 

"We don't believe so," Noxaeterna said, "She... was very much an unexpected surprise. But that prophecy is why you two were brought here, to be raised in Candentia."

"That prophecy is also why you two are the Heirs, rather than your father and I," Uncle Lux further elaborated. 

"Also add in that Nox and Lux didn't particularly want that position," Regent Radiance said with a grin. 

Uncle Lux continued speaking. "Sonnet, remember the prophecy I mentioned before, but didn't explain? This is that prophecy. It's... a complicated prophecy, and one we still don't fully understand. Perhaps one day, you and Minuet will be able to piece together exactly what it meant. For now, however, you just need to know that your birth and the magic that you'd be born with was foretold, as was your eventual position in the world one day." 

Clearly, Uncle Lux had been designated as the one that would explain everything. He took a short pause, before he continued to explain,  "You two, as you were previously told, are the Heirs of Candentia, and were prophesied to rule, side by side. Now that you two are older, there's going to be a ceremony to officially designate the two of you as the Twin Heirs of Candentia."

Minuet looked Uncle Lux in the eye, apprehension evident in her features. She opened her mouth, and then closed it. After a short moment, she finally opened her mouth again, tentatively asking, "What would happen if- What if I don't want to be that- to rule Candentia?"

"You don't?" Sonnet asked, shocked. "But we'll be such good rulers! And especially with that prophecy behind us, we could make Candentia so powerful, together!"

"I know that you, Sonnet, would be happy being the ruler," Minuet said gently, carefully picking her words. "But I, don't think I'd be happy. I do want to use my magic, my power to help Quirlicorns. I just don't think I'd enjoy meeting with Quirlicorns every day, discussing politics, and making sure every Quirlicorn is happy."

Sonnet's confusion slowly shifted into understanding, as he thought of how Minuet would put on a carefully blank mask, showing just enough interest so no one thought she was bored. But Sonnet always knew how bored she was, and always heard her complaints about what he found to be so fun. 

Minuet gave Sonnet a smile, and said, "I'd much rather be in the library like Uncle Lux, or or perhaps just in my own part of the palace, reading all the books I wanted. Imagine how much I could learn, and all the things I could experiment with if I had the time to. If I didn't need to rule over Candentia."

"Is this something you're certain about?" Radiance asked, "You'll still need to attend the same classes as Sonnet, and you'd still need to appear at certain ceremonies and celebrations." 

"Yes, I'm certain, Grandmother."

"Then what about you, Sonnet?" Radiance asked, directing the question to him this time. 

Sonnet looked up at his grandmother, carefully studying her eyes. Eyes that were joyful, yet held traces of exhaustion and tiredness in them. Eyes that told of how much she loved the land and city that she called hers, but eyes that also told of the difficulties and challenges she faced. Then Sonnet thought of Psychomyth and Martine, who worked tirelessly to help Candentia prosper. He thought of how everything so far hadn't just been fun and games, but also watching Martine deal with letter after letter, trying to balance the wants and needs of every Quirlicorn that lived in Candentia. 

And then he thought of how long his grandmother had ruled over Candentia, and how she probably had wishes and dreams, beyond ruling her land. And how both his father and uncle had refused to take the official position of being Heir, leaving that role to fall to him and Minuet.

And now, that role rested solely on his shoulders. If he said no, would Radiance be able to find another Heir, to take over Candentia in her stead? Or would he and Minuet be forced to rule together?

The magic in the flowers around him reminded him why he had thought that he'd rule over Candentia with Minuet by his side. Because, they had been born with the bloodlines of three deities, and had been born with unimaginable power already flowing through their veins. Because, his magic meant other Quirlicorns would almost automatically respect him. And because the magic in his blood meant he was more powerful than most other Quirlicorns, and could protect the Quirlicorns of Candentia. 

"I'll do it. I'd love to be Heir."

He'd trust the prophecy that the older Quirlicorns didn't fully understand. 

Besides, he wanted this. He wanted to stand before the Candentian Quirlicorns, and have them all look upon him in admiration. He already knew that he loved the feeling of standing behind Regent Radiance, as she addressed all of Candentia. 

Standing alone, in front of Candentia couldn't be all too different, he figured. 

Even if Minuet wasn't going to be there, standing with him, as he had originally imagined, in all his guesses of what the future would be like. She'd still be in Candentia, and she'd still be by his side, most of the time, when Sonnet wouldn't be standing in front of masses Quirlicorns.

He was Sonnet, he'd be fine.