𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑡 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠

us protecting you does not diminish that fact . a part of her knows that it's the truth — even the strongest creatures may or may not require assistance at some point in their lives , but . . . talia hates feeling like the weak link . ❛ i hope that you are right . ❜ that she is going to be able to protect herself and others in time . the whitelighter rolls her shoulders , trying to ease some of her tension while her fingertips run through lychee's fur . ❛ i appreciate you saying that , but you are biased . ❜ yet , her lips curl into the tiniest smile and she nods her head before she focuses on vasilkaera . ❛ you are very lucky with lacey . she has been so calm and quiet . ❜

𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐤𝐚𝐞𝐫𝐚  𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬  𝐢𝐭  𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧  𝐬𝐡𝐞  𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬  𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭  𝐡𝐞𝐫  𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠  𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚  doesn’t  mean  that  talia  won’t  be  able  to  protect  herself  .  and  talia  will  not  be  a  weak  link  .  “  you  will  learn  .  we  will  all  help  you  to  ,  if  you  wish  for  us  to  .  but  you  are  very  strong  .  you  made  it  through  purgatory  ,  you  stood  up  to  aspasia  for  me  .  you  are  so  strong  .  ”  she  tries  to  reassure  talia  as  she  watches  her  pet  lychee  .         “  so  ?  you  are  amazing  .  the  most  amazing  .  really  .  ”  she  smiles  softly  .  bias  or  not  ,  talia  is  .  nothing  could  make  her  change  her  mind  .  “  i  have  been  .  very  lucky  with  lacey  ,  very  lucky  with  you  .  i  have  two  beautiful  ,  beautiful  daughters  .  the  absolute  best  .  ”

now that is an interesting statement , one that could easily be overheard by said humans . ❛ i suppose they can be . though you might want to make sure they do not hear that . some may question your choice of words . ❜ dimitri places the keys in the inner pocket of his jacket , a small chuckle leaving his lips . ❛ oh , i will . they are not mine , but it would hardly be fair to get friends in trouble because i lost their keys . i hope you and your children have a good day . . . with no one attempting to pet that dog . ❜

𝐬𝐡𝐞  𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬  𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝  𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧  𝐡𝐞  𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬  ,  shaking  her  head  .  “  none  of  them  can  overhear  me  from  where  they  are  .  and  if  they  do  ,  the  alternate  threats  can  be  explained  to  humans  as  an  overprotective  mother  worried  about  animals  .  ”  she  says  ,  humming  .  “  perhaps  your  friend  ought  to  be  more  careful  .  ”  she  chuckles  ,  shaking  her  head  .  “  wait  ,  you’re  the  new  institute  head  ,  aren’t  you  ?  ”  she  asks  ,  realising  she  remembers  the  team  she  usually  works  with  mentioning  their  inquisitor  taking  over  .  and  while  she  does  not  spend  much  time  at  the  institute  ,  she  has  come  to  recognise  many  of  the  shadowhunters  from  passing  .

julian is well aware that she wanted to give him that berry . . . they have been through it time and time again : vasilkaera doesn't do anything she does not want to do ( not that he always believes her ) . ❛ i know you did , but i would have felt like a jerk . ❜ she is the one that found the blueberry , after all . it is only fair if she gets to be the one that enjoys it too . the malvagi places the basket over his arm and proceeds to pick a few berries before he accepts the one that is offered to him . ❛ i have to ? and here i thought you already realized i don't tend to do what i'm supposed to do . ❜ still , he pops the blueberry into his mouth and nods in response to her words . ❛ functioning a taste tester can be arranged . ❜ it is no secret that anything else should not be expected . the kitchen of house wrath was never built for wrath himself . ❛ if you say so . . . ❜ he shrugs before handing her a berry in return .

𝐬𝐡𝐞  𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬  𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭  𝐡𝐞  𝐢𝐬  𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞  𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭  𝐬𝐡𝐞  𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝  𝐧𝐨𝐭  𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞  𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝  if  she  did  not  want  to  .  but  she  accepts  his  reasoning  .  “  you  would  not  have  been  ,  but  i  appreciate  you  .  and  i  do  not  want  you  to  feel  like  a  jerk  when  you  are  not  one  .  ”  she  says  and  continues  to  pick  berries  that  she  then  drops  into  their  basket  .  she  nods  .  “  i  do  .  but  i  also  know  that  you  like  it  when  i  am  happy  and  it  would  make  me  happy  if  you  eat  the  blueberry  that  i  insisted  you  to  eat  .  ”  she  giggles  ,  smiling  up  at  him  when  he  eats  the  offered  berry  .         “  good  .  that  and  your  company  is  all  i  ever  need  you  to  be  when  food  is  involved  .  ”  she  nods  .  “  i  know  that  the  actual  baking  or  cooking  is  not  your  thing  ,  but  i  enjoy  having  you  with  me  ,  and  i  enjoy  getting  to  share  it  with  you  .   ”  she  takes  the  berry  he  hands  her  .

it is celeste's squeal that breaks auraline from her thoughts ; the little one runs off , arms wide as she collides into kayra . alina follows behind her twin quietly ( as is usual ) while ryella remains in the queen's arms . auraline smiles at ceren's greeting , happy to see the fellow seelie . ❛ ceren . i am overjoyed to see you . ❜ she would embrace the other if they both didn't have little ones in their arms . ❛ it is been far too long . are you well ? ❜

𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧  𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬  𝐚𝐬  𝐤𝐚𝐲𝐫𝐚  𝐚𝐧𝐝  𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞  𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞  ,  and  she  watches  as  kayra  tries  to  wrap  her  little  arms  around  both  twins  ,  giggling  as  she  does  .  even  if  she  hadn’t  spent  months  asking  about  seeing  friends  ,  once  plans  were  made  ,  she  had  talked  about  the  twins  quite  a  bit  .  ceren  reaches  to  squeeze  auraline’s  shoulder  softly  ,  in  place  of  a  hug  .  “  i’m  …  as  well  as  i  can  be  .  these  two  make  things  better  ,  and  it  is  getting  easier  ,  at  least  .  ”  she  shrugs  .  “  how  have  you  been  ?  ”

the whitelighter appreciates the fact that ceren seems to be mindful of her comfort , but this cannot be easy for her either . ❛ i will keep that in mind . the part about answering questions . ❜ still , there is no need to buy her anything . her body was a necessity . that sentence echoes through her mind and talia cannot help but wonder . was it ? sure , resurrecting her required a new body and they could not have done it without one , but guilt continues to overwhelm her . every now and then , anyway . ❛ it does make it easier . it feels like looking at a version of yourself that has grown and changed with the years . . . not like i am looking at a complete stranger . ❜ she admits , even if there are exceptions to the rule . ❛ a vessel wakes up when the intruder leaves the body soon enough . that is . . . not going to happen here . ❜ she sighs , fingers tapping against her iced latte .

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬  𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭  𝐛𝐞  𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲  𝐟𝐨𝐫  𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫  𝐨𝐟  𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦  𝐭𝐨  𝐠𝐨  𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡  ,  but  she  does  not  want  to  cause  too  much  discomfort  since  she  could  already  tell  how  confusing  this  conversation  was  at  first  for  talia  .  “  alright  but  if  we  do  have  another  round  of  coffee  while  here  ,  it’s  on  me  .  not  because  i  have  to  .  but  because  i  appreciate  you  taking  time  to  explain  things  to  me  .  ”  even  though  she  does  think  that  talia  deserves  some  sort  of  appreciation  for  her  honesty  and  willingness to  talk  to  ceren  despite  it  being  overwhelming  .         if  a  body  is  required  for  resurrection  ,  then  she  does  see  it  as  a  necessity  .  and  while  it  would  be  ideal  that  no  one  took  over  a  living  being  ,  she  knows  that  it  happens  ,  and  she  had  made  peace  with  losing  the  old  talia  a  long  time  ago  ,  and  while  it  is  sad  ,  it  isn’t  something  either  she  nor  talia  can  change  .  “  that  makes  sense  .  it  makes  it  less  risk  of  any  sort  of  dissociation  ,  i  assume  ?  ”  ceren  nods  .  she  hums  ,  head  tilting  .  she  probably  should  have  a  sadder  reaction  to  hearing  that  the  old  talia  will  never  wake  ,  but  she’s  already  rationalised  the  use  of  her  body  as  necessary  .  “  oh  ,  i  guess  that  makes  sense  .  means  you  get  to  keep  your  body  forever  ,  yes  ?  ”  her  head  tilts  ,  and  she  takes  a  sip  of  her  own  coffee  ,  humming  softly  .  

it is hard to imagine that ceren could be frightening and yet , talia is well aware that looks can be deceiving . purgatory forced her to learn , her family forced her to learn well before then . ❛ i suppose it is . ❜ she murmurs . at the end of the day , she is not the right person to discuss semantics anyway . words and phrases once familiar to her are mere ghosts of the past now . ❛ you do not have to buy me coffee or pastries . ❜ there is no need for her to go out of her way just to get answers . it hardly seems fair . the whitelighter takes a deep breath , hands wrapping around her iced latte as she tries to gather her thoughts . ❛ my own body was too damaged to return to it . i never asked my mother why or how , but i suppose it fit . my birth name was anthalaena and she used to call me thalia . there are visual similarities to who i used to be and i suppose that is how i ended up with her , but . . . she is not exactly a vessel . ❜ which may or may not be the hardest truth . not just to speak , but to hear .

𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬  𝐜𝐚𝐧  𝐛𝐞  𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲  𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠  ,  𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲  𝐢𝐧  𝐚  𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝  where  so  many  of  them  have  been  around  for  very  long  .  “  meaning  depends  on  who  you  ask  and  context  ,  i  suppose  .  ”  she  shrugs  .  they  change  with  time  and  ceren  has  had  to  relearn  some  words  in  her  lifetimes  .  “  i  am  imposing  on  your  time  with  something  that  is  overwhelming  .  it  would  be  the  least  i  can  do  is  pay  for  your  refills  .  and  answer  questions  about  myself  if  you  have  anything  you  would  like  to  know  .  ”  she  offers  .  she  does  not  find  it  unfair  .  “  ah  ,  well  then  the  need  for  her  body  was  a  necessity  .  it  would  make  sense  why  she  would  choose  someone  with  a  similar  name  and  some  visual  similarities  .  i  suspect  that  it  is  slightly  less  jarring  to  be  in  a  new  body  that  holds  some  familiar  features  versus  someone  completely  different  .  ”  she  says  ,  head  tilting  .  “  how  do  you  mean  ?  ”  she  asks  ,  brow  furrowing  .

cosimo understands where emilian is coming from . things would get complicated if kaelie refused to set foot in the underworld . ❛ i am sure she will be . i guess it's a good thing that she is an unseelie and not someone hopelessly attached to the village of spring . ❜ which is only a partial joke . pride's fiancée is used to this climate and that could certainly make a difference when it comes to her comfort .

𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠  𝐤𝐚𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞  𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬  𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞  𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤  𝐡𝐞  𝐰𝐨𝐧’𝐭  𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞  𝐭𝐨  𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲  about  her  refusing  to  step  foot  in  the  underworld  .  but  he  still  wants  to  make  sure  she  is  safe  and  comfortable  while  there  .  “  if  she  were  hopelessly  attached  to  the  village  of  spring  ,  i  would  find  a  way  .  ”  he  shrugs  .  kaelie  is  used  to  the  climate  ,  yes  ,  but  if  she  were  not  ,  he  would  try  to  make  things  comfortable  for  her  .

a sigh leaves his lips , but it comes from a place of sympathy and not annoyance . ❛ you do realize that holding on to that is exactly what makes people react the way they do ? ❜ no one argues that vasilkaera is happier at house wrath , but that is not the point . ❛ if you say that you cannot live apart , you are making it seem like you are completely and utterly codependent . is it that surprising that the people who care about you do not want that for you ? ❜ there is a difference between codependence and connection , after all . ❛ i chose this realm because i enjoy it . i do not want to move , but i could . ❜ which is not that different , even if the archangel refers to a realm and the dragon refers to a person . ❛ people worry about you . not just lacey . and i am certain they mean well . ❜

𝐬𝐡𝐞  𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬  𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧  𝐚𝐭  𝐡𝐞𝐫  𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐭  ,  shaking  her  head  .  “  i  know  i  can  live  apart  .  logically  .  we  did  not  live  together  before  .  but  i  …  feel  like  i  need  to  be  close  to  him  .  we’ve  already  been  separated  twice  .  ”  she  says  softly  .  if  they  are  together  ,  they  can  protect  each  other  .  and  perhaps  part  of  her  frustration  comes  from  her  fear  .  she  shakes  her  head  ,  “  i  do  not  mean  that  i  cannot  leave  if  i  chose  to  leave  .  ”  she  reaches  out  to  stroke  her  fingers  on  lacey’s  back  humming  softly  and  smiling  when  the  little  dragon  purrs  quietly  at  the  touch  .

that piece of information is one that makes sense to kaelie . violet seems to be good at holding families together and maybe that has always been fueled by lust's dormant energy . ❛ i suppose there is a lot to work through . ❜ as siblings as well as individually . a sigh falls from her lips , but she nods her head and glances at the pendant . ❛ she chose well . she knows me well . ❜ and the gift reflects it . the unseelie's gaze meets emilian's and she nods once again . ❛ of course . i do not mind accompanying you the first time i visit house pride . i suppose anything else would feel wrong anyway . ❜ she admits with a slight frown .

𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞  𝐨𝐧𝐞  𝐭𝐨  𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞  𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦  𝐬𝐞𝐞  𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧  when  things  went  wrong  .  he  nods  ,  “  yes  .  it’s  been  a  long  time  since  most  of  us  have  seen  each  other  ,  plus  needed  to  get  our  houses  situated  and  weed  out  anyone  we  can  no  longer  trust  .  ”  it  will  take  time  ,  but  it  will  be  okay  ,  he  thinks  .  “  yes  ,  she  did  .  she  does  .  ”  he  nods  .  he  will  see  if  he  can  find  something  that  will  compliment  it  to  allow  her  into  his  house  at  will  .  “  it  would  be  safer  .  even  though  i  intend  to  ensure  it  will  be  safe  for  you  and  inês  to  visit  as  you  please  .  ”  he  nods  .  it  will  be  open  to  them  to  visit  as  soon  as  he  knows  who  can  be  trusted  and  removes  anyone  who  cannot  be  .

it is hard to imagine that anyone would want to pet that dog without permission , but . . . that does not mean that dimitri would put such disregard past mundanes . ❛ i must be unaware of the terrible dangers that lurk in central park . ❜ false , but most of said dangers would not be deterred by a dog . ❛ but i do apologize for startling you . simply needed my keys . ❜

𝐬𝐡𝐞  𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬  𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭  𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭  𝐰𝐨𝐧'𝐭  𝐩𝐞𝐭  𝐚  𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞  𝐝𝐨𝐠  ,  but  there’s  always  someone  who  thinks  it’s  acceptable  ,  whether  the  dog  is  one  of  the  scary  dog  privilege  dog  or  a  service  animal  or  an  actual  friendly  dog  .  “  even  humans  can  be  dangerous  ,  if  given  the  right  circumstances  .  and  while  a  dog  may  not  be  as  much  protection  from  every  danger  that  lurks  in  the  world  ,  it  at  least  deters  some  .  ”  she  says  ,  fingers  stroking  along  lila’s  fur  .  “  no  need  to  apologise  .  though  it’s  best  to  keep  track  of  those  .  ”  

of course she knows that vasilkaera would do everything in her power to protect her . they lost each other once and she knows her mother well enough to be aware that she would try so very hard not to let that happen again . ❛ i do know that , but . . . i do not want to be protected . i want to be able to protect myself . ❜ she refuses to become a damsel in distress in the upper world , especially after she managed to survive purgatory for so long . a sigh leaves her lips and she rubs her temples before she nods . ❛ i will sit down and make a game plan . soon . ❜ she has had enough excitement for one day and while she will continue to practice orbing , it makes no sense to add something new tonight that would only overwhelm her further . ❛ yes . maybe . ❜ the whitelighter murmurs , chewing on her lower lip .

𝐬𝐡𝐞  𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬  𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭  𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚  𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬  𝐭𝐨  𝐛𝐞  𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞  𝐭𝐨  𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭  𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟  .  they  all  want  that  .  but  until  she  can  ,  she  has  vala  to  protect  her  .  “  and  you  will  protect  yourself  .  you  will  learn  ,  and  you  will  be  able  to  protect  yourself  .  us  protecting  you  does  not  diminish  that  fact  .  i  want  you  to  be  able  to  protect  yourself  too  .  you  are  so  strong  .  you  will  be  able  to  .  ”  she  promises  .  talia  survived  purgatory  ,  she  protected  vasilkaera  when  aspasia  threatened  her  .  vala  has  no  doubt  that  she  is  strong  and  will  learn  to  protect  herself  with  her  new  abilities  in  this  world  .         “  take  the  time  you  need  .  ”  she  says  softly  .  more  today  could  be  too  much  .  she  does  not  want  it  to  become  too  overwhelming  .  “  you  will  be  amazing  .  no  matter  what  happens  .  you  already  are  .  ”  there  is  nothing  she  can  do  to  make  vala  think  anything  else  but  that  her  daughter  is  amazing  .

the girls do not fall over , but it does not keep them from darting off to play in the snow . kaelie's gaze follows them for a moment , but the two of them tend to stay close and it opens up the opportunity to talk , so it should be fine . she is not entirely sure why she is feeling so on edge today , anyway . ❛ let us hope that he stays gone . ❜ she murmurs . ❛ you are making a lot of sacrifices to keep them safe and it should have been up to him , not you . ❜ and no , ceren should not let him step back into their lives like that was nothing . ❛ but you did not answer my question . you only talk about the girls . i am asking about you . ❜

𝐬𝐡𝐞  𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬  𝐭𝐡𝐞  𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧  𝐚𝐬  𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲  𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡  𝐨𝐟𝐟  𝐭𝐨  𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲  𝐢𝐧  𝐭𝐡𝐞  𝐬𝐧𝐨𝐰  ,  smiling  wistfully  as  she  does  .  “  yes  ,  let  us  .  he  was  never  good  for  cemre  .  ”  she  has  no  idea  what  her  sister  saw  in  her  ex  .  “  they  are  safer  with  me  .  far  better  off  .  ”  not  that  she  would  stop  the  girls  once  they’re  older  if  they  want  a  relationship  with  their  sperm  donor  .  but  she  has  no  plans  to  let  him  back  into  their  lives  until  they  are  old  enough  to  choose  .  “  i’m  …  i  don’t  know  .  i  miss  my  sister  ,  it’s  been  a  lot  to  adjust  to  ,  changing  my  work  schedule  around  to  accommodate  everything  .  ”

flying sounds like a bigger milestone , but maybe that is just because the unseelie princess never had to learn how to fly . still , there is a chance that it will come to her like it's nothing — no one taught kaelie how to use her siren voice either . ❛ maybe the universe decided it's time to reward you for once . ❜ but even if lacey turns out to be as chaotic as inês , it is crystal clear that vasilkaera is going to love her . that is all that matters , isn't it ? chocolate brown eyes land on lacey , but she listens closely to the blonde's words . ❛ it sounds so foreign . being happy . ❜ the concept is fairly unfamiliar , as harsh as it may sound . ❛ i don't know . do i ? ❜

𝐟𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠  𝐦𝐚𝐲  𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝  𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞  𝐚  𝒃𝒊𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒓  𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞  ,  but  both  are  so  important  .   overall  ,  flying  will  come  to  lacey  similarly  to  walking  ,  from  what  vala  remembers  .  she  wasn’t  taught  .  but  depending  on  when  ,  vala  helping  may  speed  the  learning  process  along  for  her  .  “  perhaps  .  but  something  tells  me  she  will  not  stay  so  calm  .  after  all  ,  she  is  going  to  grow  up  around  our  family  and  most  of  us  are  a  little  bit  chaotic  ,  at  least  .  and  i  believe  that  a  certain  someone  is  going  to  warm  up  to  her  and  probably  teach  her  lots  of  mischief  .  ”  she  giggles  ,  giving  inês  a  fond  squeeze  .  regardless  ,  vala  will  love  lacey  the  same  whether  she’s  chaotic  or  calm  .  “  well  you  deserve  it  .  you  really  do  .  in  my  opinion  ,  you  deserve  the  whole  world  .  happiness  is  only  a  part  of  that  ,  but  you  should  at  least  get  part  .  ”  

the dragon is not wrong , they picked the perfect weather for this adventure . it's sunny today and yet , it is also cool enough for him to stay comfortable while they are picking blueberries — a suggestion that makes way more sense to julian now that they are actually eating them . still , he shakes his head when vasilkaera offers him one and declares that it's the best she found so far . ❛ you should be the one eating it then . finders keepers . as a matter of fact , i refuse to eat it . ❜ they both know that she is awfully stubborn and the wicked crosses his arms to show her that he is willing to match that attitude . he watches her for a moment before he decides to steal the basket from her as well , just so that she can focus on her daughter and the actual part of picking the berries . the second suggestion of the day makes sense to him too , but he snickers anyway . ❛ there is a chance that you picked the wrong person for that . as delicious as that sounds . ❜ would anyone be surprised if he finished them off , by the time that they are done ? ❛ you ask as if i am ever helpful with baking . i would have fun eating that though , yes . ❜

𝐬𝐡𝐞  𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬  𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭  𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲  𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞  𝐡𝐚𝐝  𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝  𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐤  𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡  𝐭𝐡𝐞  𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫  𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲  .  his  comfort  is  important  to  her  ,  and  she  is  glad  it  is  not  as  hot  as  some  august  days  in  new  york  can  be  .  she  loves  fresh  berries  ,  and  she  is  glad  they  got  to  come  here  .  she  smiles  up  at  him  when  he  says  she  should  be  eating  it  .  “  i  wanted  to  give  it  to  you  ,  but  okay  .  but  you  get  the  next  one  .  ”  she  says  as  she  pops  the  berry  into  her  mouth  ,  humming  at  the  taste  .  she  lets  him  take  their  basket  without  argument  ,  and  holds  out  another  berry  to  him  ,  her  other  hand  stroking  along  lacey’s  back  .  “  you  have  to  eat  this  one  .  is  also  one  of  the  best  ones  i  have  found  .  ”  she  says  ,  turning  to  nuzzle  her  face  against  his  shoulder  .         “  if  we  have  enough  left  for  anything  after  our  picnic  ,  i  will  need  a  taste  tester  to  eat  it  .  ”  she  says  .  she  knows  very  well  that  the  actual  baking  is  not  his  thing  but  he  can  eat  it  ,  which  is  what  she  wants  him  to  do  .  “  you  eat  my  food  and  keep  me  company  .  is  very  ,  very  helpful  .  ”  

it was true that, behind every great man, was a woman that kept him in line. for leopold, auraline was that force—somebody to stand at his side and, in calahan’s eyes, soften the hardened twist of privilege. behind their father, too, had been a woman that was untouchable, and he had been born with her same golden eyes, the same angels in his face. it wasn’t that he was any different—raised and gilded—but calahan never did see when he was the one in the wrong, blind to his own missteps, perpetually stuck being second. best “that’s the thing. the stupid argument was all over a cinnamon bun.” his hand waved into the air, a puff of exhaustion. “but we growl like bad dogs when we’re angry and now he thinks i want to hurt his family. our family. that was never even close to being on my mind.”

𝐢𝐭  𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐬  𝐭𝐨  𝐛𝐞  𝐭𝐡𝐞  𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞  .  there’s  always  a  woman  keeping  the  men  in  line  .  at  least  in  many  cases  .  odd  ,  since  both  genders  can  be  equally  frustrating  .  although  she  knows  that  it  depends  on  the  relationship  .  she  is  certainly  not  keeping  logan  in  line  .  but  their  relationship  is  hardly  conventional  .  the  curiosity  in  her  wonders  whether  she  would  if  things  were  different  .  but  she  likes  how  things  are  .  she  hums  ,  “  a  cinnamon  bun  ?  ”  she  asks  ,  eyebrow  arching  .  “  can  i  ask  how  ?  ”  she  asks  ,  curious  how  a  cinnamon  bun  caused  this  much  distress  .  “  maybe  he  just  needs  some  time  to  calm  down  .  surely  he  knows  you  wouldn’t  want  to  hurt  your  family  .  ”  she  looks  over  at  him  .

it feels like a knife to her chest , but that is not ceren's fault . the statement simply reminds her how much vasilkaera would have loved to teach her how to be a dragon after all of this time and she cannot help feeling guilty . she averts her gaze to hide the tears that well up in her eyes , but she nods her head after a moment or two , confirming that the other may sit with her . ❛ yes . ❜ she murmurs , clearing her throat before she continues . ❛ you do not seem very frightening . ❜ which is a compliment , not an insult , and talia hopes that she takes it as such . ❛ trust would be an overstatement , but . . . ❜ she is not uncomfortable with her either and that is a start , no ? the whitelighter takes a deep breath before she glances at ceren . ❛ what exactly do you want to know ? sorry , this is . . . overwhelming . ❜ but she would do her best to explain .

𝐡𝐞𝐫  𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧  𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬  𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧  𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚  𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬  𝐡𝐞𝐫  𝐠𝐚𝐳𝐞 ,  curious  as  to  why  she  does  but  thinking  that  may  be  more  personal  then  she  is  willing  to  share  with  a  stranger  .  she  offers  a  small  smile  when  talia  says  she  does  not  seem  very  frightening  .  “  i  am  trying  not  to  be  frightening  .  ”  she  nods  .  she  is  glad  that  she  is  not  frightening  to  talia  .  “  of  course  .  i  meant  more  like  ,  not  quite  trust  ,  i  suppose  ,  but  willingness  to  tell  me  what  you  will  ,  or  have  .  similar  enough  .  i  always  thought  of  it  as  a  form  of  trust  .  ”  she  shrugs  .  she  does  not  want  talia  to  feel  uncomfortable  .  she  pauses  when  asked  what  she  wants  to  know  ,  head  tilting  .  “  how  did  you  end  up  with  talia  as  a  vessel  ?  and we  can  stop  at  any  point  .  i  promise  i  will  not  be  offended  or  hold  it  against  you  . and i can tell you things about me in exchange . or buy you more coffee or pastries or something .  ”  she  feels  a  little  bit  guilty  ,  especially  since  this  is  difficult  .  but  she  wants  to  know  ,  since  she’s  offered  .