Oresti
Oresti Naolosnaonar- Laegavve
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Oresti was born to two inspired demon perents, so it is little surprise he too is an inspired demon - though his grandmother was an arcane demon. He remembers very little of his immediately family, as they died from a disease known as the Wasting when he was only twelve - though he recalls his mother was a dancer and his father a clay artisan, and his grandmother would sing him and his late siblings battle marches as lullabies. Much of his memory was effected by his own bout of the disease, which has left most of his body covered in pox scars and blinded him.
He was taken in by his great uncle, Lord Faori - the Head of Castle Administration in their shared home city of Noskanar, as the only relation of his that could be found. Faori had no children of his own - nor interest in partners. He had never agreed with his parents' decision to disown his sister for marrying an inspired demon commoner, but as it had been her own desire that they should, never spoke out against it. Most see Faori as a cold man, but Oresti came to know his great uncle as merely reserved and understated in expressing his emotions.
As an adolescent, Faori often took Oresti with him on errands around the castle - helping his nephew learn his way around after he'd recovered from the worst of the Wasting. It was during one of these trips that they ended up in the burgeoning wyvern aeries, and Oresti discovered an interest in the giant, acid-spitting birds their people were working to tame. He started visiting the aeries by himself, and as it was the first place Oresti took the initiative to go on his own, Faori made no move to stop him. As not many wished to risk their lives caring for the avians, the grooms happily accepted Oresti into their number when he sought an apprenticeship, despite the added difficulty his blindness could cause in an already dangerous profession.
Oresti loved working with the wyverns, and perhaps his inability to see them made him less wary in certain situations than those that could - which gave him a way with the birds soon recognized by the higher ranked grooms. He was soon helping with the mounts of the Naolosnaonar - the ruling family of Noskanar. And when the senior groom in charge of Petty Prince Exmarre's mount retired, Oresti was chosen to take their position - at their request.
While Blue, Exmarre's mount, was Oresti's favorite wyvern, he found the Petty Prince himself unimpressive. As he'd heard, the man was an incorrigible flirt and took nothing seriously, and Oresti was often walking in on Exmarre with partners in the stable. But, as he took good care of his mount - never slacking as his father often did - Oresti merely found the Petty Prince annoying when they first met. Oresti's closest friends found this assessment amusing, but very inline with Oresti's character.
Over time, however, Oresti's opinion improved - as Exmarre asked after the groom's family while talking happily of his mothers and brother, or insisted on taking Oresti on exercise flights when he realized how desperately the groom wanted to be in the air. When they began sharing more personal feelings during their trips away from the city - Exmarre revealing his apathy regarding being Petty King and desire to be, of all things, a fashion designer... how the Petty Prince became uncharacteristically shy regarding his passion, fearing Oresti's disapproval like the disapproval he'd recieved by society at large. How Exmarre listened attentively when Oresti finally spoke of his guilt at not remembering his family well, and that he was the only one to survive - and how Exmarre didn't laugh at his mediocre poetry after asking to hear it so politely.
Meeting Exmarre's brother Joron formally - as well as their mothers Damari and Aega - also elevated Oresti's opinion. He learned from them that while Exmarre did not take an active role in politics like Joron, he often made anonymous donations towards social campaign initiatives in the city - and made sure his more politically savvy brother got wind of any that could use an official boost. He did not consider these as anything remarkable - as to him it was merely giving away some money and passing the 'real work' to Joron - but it was this attitude that made Oresti appreciate that he made such efforts more.
Oresti drew out the kindness Exmarre so often buried to keep himself safe under the watchful and expectant eye of his father, Petty King Gavaon - and when Exmarre finally worked up the courage to confess his romantic attraction to Oresti, the groom happily returned those feelings.
When Exmarre propsed, Oresti knew it was going to be a fight - as a traditionally-minded conservative like Petty King Gavaon would never allow his intended heir to marry a commoner inspired demon like him. And while Gavaon did forbid their union, the Petty King had for once overestimated his reach - Faori had been Head of Castle Administration for many years, and had a great deal of respect within the court; as did their family line. Joron, too, held significant influence in the court - as many would prefer that he be the brother to inherit, having the more active role in politics. Rather than being able to make Oresti simply disappear, as he'd no doubt intended, Gavaon found himself in a struggle to maintain control of his court.
When it seemed that a duel between Exmarre and his father would be the only way to resolve the conflict, Demon King Ergirri announced his nomination for successor - his commonborn General, Jurao.
Gavaon saw an opportunity - and made a deal with Exmarre. Should the Petty Prince take part in the Royal Trials, no matter the outcome, he would allow Exmarre to live his life as the petty prince saw fit. Exmarre, despite his reputation for foolish behavior, ensured this promise was put in writing at the Temple of Vemera before he agreed.
Oresti waited for Exmarre to return in Noskanar - as he was safer from any attempts by Gavaon there than abroad. The pair both thought it was unlikely that anyone would be able to beat Exmarre, as he was an incredible combatant despite his lack of passion for combat. But that could be overcome - if Exmarre need serve as King, it would only be for a century at least; then he could retire and finally be free to live as he wished. If he failed, it was all but certain Gavaon would attempt to go back on his word, despite binding it before the Goddess of Judgement.
So when Exmarre returned joyufully defeated, Gavaon having been thwarted by the Deity of Combat Aeganes from going back on his promise, Oresti was just as relieved and eager to be wed as his partner.
Now he and his husband spend most of their time traveling - Exmarre studying the fashions of the Beastkin, Demon, and even Human Realms and Oresti simply happy to spend a large portion of his time on wyvern-back.
In Which a Demon King Does Not Have a Romantic Interest in His Human Gardener
In Which a Demon King Has a Realization and Attempts to Court His Human Gardener
In Which a Demon King Meets His Romantic Partner's Family
In Which a Demon King Takes Care of His Romantic Partner
In Which a Demon King and His Partner Do Something Exciting
In Which a Demon King and His Partner Attend Events
In Which a Demon King and His Partner Enjoy Time With Their Friends
In Which a Demon King Meets His Human Partner's Parents
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