#oc:tavir

She spends so much of her life changing, and these moments are the ones where she fully remembers that. These moments when she’s sitting, in the wide open world, making noise that feels comfortable and okay and... and no one can hear it. At least not the way she can. She realizes it when she remarks on the intricacy of the animal’s sounds in the forest and no one can relate. She knows very well how much of herself she changes, but she doesn’t mind.

She sighs, leaning back to lay down on the docs and study the stars, her fingers lacing behind her head. She doesn’t mind changing, if it lets her see more. Her recent trip away from the city has only made her want to see more, learn more, meet more people. 

She smiles to herself, kicking her legs where they sit over the edge of the dock before sighing and deciding to do what she rarely allows herself to do, for fear that she won’t want to come back. She sets her things on the dock, folding up her jacket and stockings and setting them aside before sliding to the end of the dock and jumping down, letting the cold, fresh water wash over her head. She immediately moves to dive as low as she can, taking a deep breath and letting the water move through her gills. She immediately feels more at ease, sighing in a rush of bubbles as she grips the rocks so she can sit still and look at the stars now. 

Through the water, they look so much different. She grins, mentally noting each one and setting off to swim down the river, further into the forest. She knows she’ll return home, if only for her mother’s sake. The animals that pass pay her no mind, aside from getting caught in her hair and making her take a moment to untangle them and pet over their bodies in apology. The world here is so much easier to understand, quiet and dark and gentle, every ebb and flow of the current moves her with it, leading her along the bottom of the river with little effort.

She stays for a few hours in this little world, one where she fits and where she is understood, where nothing is expected and she’s learned so much, before finally breaching through the water and leaning on the bank, slowly getting herself used to breathing air again, getting used to the scratching, grating feeling.

But when she does, she finds a surprising thing. Another person, sitting on the bank this far into the forest, silently staring at the stars. A fox lays beside them, it’s head in their lap as if it were a tamed dog. It doesn’t even look up when she breaches the water. The other looks down at Morgan as she makes a surprised chirping sound, instinctively sinking further into the water as they make eye contact. They look her over, their bright, wide orange eyes taking in what’s before them before they speak. 

“...You’re... the girl from the guard. The quiet one,” It’s when they speak that she recognizes them. They’re that dragon who comes in and out of the city several times a week, picking up supplies for their mother and always refusing help bringing the massive baskets of things home. She nods in response to their statement, pushing herself up enough onto the bank to fold her arms atop it, looking at the other questioningly. They pause a moment, reading her expression before looking back to the sky. 

“I’m out here for the same reason you are. The stars look best at this time, when everyone’s lights are out,” They mumble, their voice quiet. “And it’s quiet”

Morgan thinks for a moment about asking how they’re getting a fox to lay with them like that before she decides against it. She wants to ask something else instead.

“...May I sit with you?” She asks, pushing herself up onto the bank. The other nods, glancing her way. 

“...M-Miss Carla?” Linkoln speaks up, his voice wavering for a moment. It brings the attention of Tav, their lips pulling back in a snarl before they throw themself at the boy, a hand wrapping around his throat to pin him to a tree, a loud choking noise leaving his throat. 

“Who are you!? What have you done to my Mama!?” They scream, cutting off in a cry of pain as a claw formed from ice wraps around their chest and pulls them away, throwing them to the ground with a loud thud. Xilian growls, hand outstretched to cast the spell as his brother drops to the ground, a hand at his throat as he tries to catch his breath.

“Don’t touch my brother!” He growls, moving to again lift the larger dragon from the ground before he feels a small, warm weight hit his stomach, pushing him back with far too much strength to match the gentle nature of it. 

“Baby, baby no! Please! No more pain, n-no... no more pain...” Carla begs, the boy’s spell dissolving as Purity moves to sit at Carla’s feet, as they always do when around her. Tav gasps for air from their spot on the ground for but a moment before pushing herself up at the sound of Carla’s quiet sob. 

The clearing goes quiet, save for the distant sounds of screaming and creatures roar’s, and all three young people find themselves on the edge of tears, along with the small, gentle woman before them. Xilian looks down, letting his hair cover his face as he wraps his arms around her shoulders, hugging her tightly. 

“...Yes Miss Carla. No more pain. We’re sorry. but please... what’s happening?” 

The woman takes a breath, her darkened wings folding behind her back before she pushes herself away from Xilian, shaking her head.

“...We have to set up a protection spell. Stronger than the one I have, and then... then I promise I’ll tell you whatever I can,”

With Xilian and Carla’s combined power, along with some help from Purity, it isn’t long before a protection spell is placed around the clearing, also helping to block out the increasingly unnerving sounds spilling from the city.

Tav meanwhile, goes over to, ashamedly, help Linkoln up, their head turned down and away from the boy. 

“...I am... sorry. That I harmed you. I understand I was wrong,” They mutter, hand still outstretched as Linkoln stares up at them, already feeling the bruises forming at his neck. Though, kind boy that he is, it doesn’t take him long to reach up and take their hand, nodding. 

“...You were protecting Miss Carla. I can hardly fault you for it. Are you her new charge?” 

They nod, turning to watch the magic users return and start off towards the house before rushing to Carla’s side to help her walk. Linkoln watches after them both, gulping and feeling an icy shiver move down his spine. When they were so close, hand around his throat they looked... excited. He could of sworn he saw a small smile on their lips past the growl.

He shakes off the thought and follows the others inside, watching as Carla is sat in a chair and Purity shifts their form into that of a cat to better settle into her lap, purring loudly. Linkoln takes a seat while Xilian and Tav both take to standing, perhaps too anxious to sit. The young mage crosses his arms, looking down at his feet after placing the worn bag on the table.

“Okay Miss Carla... What’s happening? What are those... things attacking the city? And why did Koi insist we come here and take this bag?”

Carla’s bright eyes fall to the bag and she sighs, those rare tears of sorrow still slipping down her cheeks as she reaches to grab it. 

“What’s happening is, a child got very lost in his way, and has fooled himself into believing he is an Apostle of the Lady. Those “things” are creatures he’s created, via necromancy to... cleanse the city of those he finds guilty of sins against the Lady,” She takes out a worn, beaten tome and brushes it off, a sorrow behind her eyes that’s just so very deep and old and tired. 

Linkoln looks up at her, frowning at seeing their old friend, their mother in a strange way, so very sad. 

“Why would he want to do that? And how do you know?” 

“There’s a lot about this city that you don’t know. And a lot you shouldn’t,” She sets the book down, Tav finally sitting down as they stare at her in awe, eyebrows furrowed. “I promised your father that you both and your sister would live well, happy, and safe. But I fear that to allow you to do so means... making you remember this day, this attack when so many others will not,” 

Xilian stares at her, frowning heavily to himself. 

“...Miss Carla. What is in that book?” 

“...A spell I’d hoped I’d never have to use again. And another, to call the Lady home,” 

“Call her home? Where is she?”

“They are with your father. But not for long,” She opens the tome and Purity jumps on top of it, soon changing to a shapeless mass of green flame as a whirlwind goes through the room, the green flames reflecting off the tears on Carla’s face. 

“There is much you have to know my children. And I promise you, I will tell you all of it. But first,” Carla reaches into her pocket and crushes a handful of herbs before throwing them into the flames and blowing the smoke into the children’s faces.

First Xilian, then Linkoln, and finally Tav’s eyes close and they slump over, each falling to the ground in a deep sleep. 

“...Sweet dreams babies. I’m sorry you had to be in so much fear,” She whispers, guilt swirling in her stomach until she uses it to cry out into the flames. 

“Firae! Return, and guard this land from those who abuse your domain!” The flames grow taller, kissing the ceiling and making her take a step back before suddenly receding, Firae sitting before her on the table with Purity curled against their neck, lighting their skin with an electric green glow.

“Miss, you know you don’t need to be so formal with me. You need only call my name and I will rush to your aid,” They mumble, their eyes hidden in their hair as they stand themself up, Purity jumping down to curl up with her master with a quiet purr.

“I understand, but Firae there’s-”

“I know what’s happened Miss. I can hear my children crying... calling out against the wretched man who pulled them from their loving home in my darkness,” They reach up and pull their hair back, their bright eyes glowing in the dim light as their blackened wings stretch behind them, green flames matching those of the familiar at Xilian’s side leaking from their mouth. Carla feels an odd sense of pride rise in her chest as Firae turns to face the window, baring their fangs in rage.

“This fool calls himself my Apostle. He is but a thief, stealing my children away. He shall taste the power he so desires as it rips itself through his body and tears his soul to shreds,”

“...Be careful baby. Don’t strain yourself,” Carla says, reaching out to take Firae’s hand. It’s cold in hers, and thin, but for just a moment, their slender fingers squeeze hers tightly. 

“...I won’t. Stay here, guard these children. I promise you, peace shall reign again in our home. And we will disguise this scar from their memories,” They look at her, taking a moment before dropping to a knee and bowing their head. 

“And then, when his journey is finished, I will bring your boy back home safely. All will be well Miss. I swear it to you,” They kiss her knuckles, getting a nod in return before disappearing in a flutter of wings and a stiff breeze.

Carla takes a deep, painful breath before looking down at the sleeping three on her floor.

“...I’m so very sorry. I should have seen this coming, should have protected you... I should have protected everyone,” She covers her face, sinking to her knees by their heads. What good is it being hailed as a god, when all you can do is let people forget? What good is it when it’s all an illusion?

Tav looks up, squinting past the pain to see Carla’s face above them, and allowing their eyes to follow her as she kneels in front of them, petting their hair back from their face.

“Good morning baby. I knew you’d be the first awake,” The woman smiles, though Tav’s eyes look through it, studying the dark circles, how her kind, unnaturally bright blue eyes are dulled by the shadows of old tears. They can feel her hand trembling, can see how her lips pull up a bit less than her real smiles, hear how her voice is quieter, rougher... Mama’s lying again.

“I asked you not to pretend. You promised you wouldn’t...” They mutter, letting their head tilt as their fingers wrap around her wrist. “You... you look scared? Why are you scared? I promised to protect you, I’ll protect you Mama I swear it,” 

Carla blinks, looking them over before the smile moves that fraction of an inch closer to being real and she sighs, kissing their forehead.

“You did protect me baby. You did a good job, you were very good,” 

Tavir feels their heart swell with the praise, the pain in their head fading not in actuality, but in comparison as they get up. They look at the others, the strangers. Two males, no older than they are... twins. And a small creature created from fire that they can’t hear, which is awfully unsettling. The scent is familiar, but mixed with something new and strange. They give a hum of thought and help Carla up.

“I’ll make tea. I know you won’t sleep, but rest. You can’t do anything until those two are awake, right?” They are relieved when she nods and takes a seat, that book still open on the table.

As they go off to make the morning’s tea, they allow their racing thoughts to sort themselves out, falling into quiet silence as usual. They’re... afraid. That’s what this tight feeling in their chest is, it’s fear. They’d known that their Mama was part of some dangerous things, but this is so much. This woman had taken them in, was the only person who had never hurt them, who sat with them and taught them the things they didn’t know, who woke them with a gentle touch... this woman was the only family they had ever had and now she’s being hurt, she’s being hurt so very much-

Tav cuts off the line of thought as tears hit their hand, hot and burning the scrapes from the night before. Bruises ache at their ribs, their back scraped raw and old cuts reopened and rehealed overnight. They wonder if it was their own quick healing that did it or if their Mama had once again tired herself for them on top of it all.

They wipe their eyes and get back to work. No time to think of those things. You have to make it better, for Mama. They think, ears perking to the sounds of the others waking up behind them. They silently take out two more cups, taking the chipped one for themself.

“Boys, you’re awake. Good morning,” Carla mumbles. Tav wonders if these boys can hear the waver in her voice.

“Miss Carla? What... what happened? Wha-” The thinner one says. He gets up, that odd creature jumping onto the table as he sits down, a hand on his head. He smells like paper and leather and ink past his scent, and as Tav sets his cup before him, the way he pauses makes them to the same.

“...There’s not honey in this, is there?”

Tavir is surprised by seeing him look directly at them. Mama’s guests never look at them past a glance, and they’re even more surprised to see that he’s waiting for them to answer.

“N-no... w-would you...” They trail off, irritated by their inability to form the last part of their sentence. They expect irritation as the pause lengthens, but the boy smiles their way and shakes his head, bowing it over his cup soon after.

“No, thank you. I’m allergic, so I wanted to be sure,” They nod, jumping a bit as the larger of the two reaches out to take his own cup, his hot fingers brushing their skin. They glance his way, guilt flooding their body as they spot the already-darkening bruises on his throat from their attack.

They shake the guilt away before moving to sit beside their Mama, handing her her tea. The larger boy speaks first, Tav’s ears perking to the lilt of his voice, a hint of some accent there they try to place.

“Miss Carla, what happened last night? Why were we on the floor? Is the fighting over, are the creatures gone? What about Koi?” 

Tavir blinks at both the speed, and the clarity of his questions, wondering what it must be like to speak so quickly and with such conviction. Their attention switches when Carla speaks, though their eyes shift to the smaller twin’s hands and how they shake against his mug. They begin to worry he might break the cup and cut himself by mistake if he holds it any tighter.

“One at a time baby. Last night was an attack from a man who called himself the Lady’s Apostle. As for being on the floor, I put you to sleep so you wouldn’t have to listen to the fighting all night, and to be quite honest, carrying you to bed is awkward now that you’re adults. In a size way, not a personal one. As for your sister...” Carla pauses, looking out the window to the surrounding forest, the protection spell set the night before giving a slight shimmer to the light that Tav wonders if others can even see.

“Your sister is strong. Stronger than any of us can imagine her to be. Even if these creatures did get inside the walls, I can promise you both that she found some way to protect herself and your home,” 

The two boys sigh in relief, the smaller one who smells of books placing his head in his hands and removing his glasses. Tav wonders how seeing in less clarity will help him relax any.

“Gods above... Miss Carla, you said you had much to tell us, but... what does that have to do with anything last night?”

Carla bites her lip in that way Tav sees when they ask her difficult questions, like she’s trying to bite back the urge to simply say “I don’t know” and move on. They realize that this is going to be hard for their Mama, and subconsciously move closer, whimpering very quietly under their breath.

“...I promise, it’ll all make sense. For now, we have to wait for my spell to take effect in the city, and for Firae to awaken and fetch your sister. You all have to be here for this, but I fear your sister already knows everything I am about to tell you,” She sighs yet again, covering her eyes for a moment.

Carla frowns then, confused by the child’s statement but afraid that she knows all too well what they mean. 

“...I’m not...” 

They sigh, seeming almost disappointed as they look back down, eyes flickering over their scarred hands as they consider their words, unsure if it’s kind to say them. 

“...You give up so much for others. you give up your home for me, your happiness for this ‘Hummingbird’, your freedom for the people of the city... Doesn’t it hurt you?” Tavir looks over, frowning to themself and showing that small, ever important bit of emotion that Carla’s learned to cherish. 

The woman pauses for a moment, playing with the handle of the knife in her hands as she thinks over the words, her eyes falling to her counter. A simple, stone counter, one she can remember making with her own two hands. She hums a bit, nodding quietly before smiling to herself. 

“...Well baby, I-”

“Don’t pretend,” Tavir cuts her off, their voice coming out louder and more stern than they intended. With the shocked look from Carla, they look away, biting their lip. 

“I don’t... want you to pretend. You always pretend. You pretend to sleep through the night, you pretend like people forgetting you doesn’t hurt you...” They trail off, only looking up to Carla’s quiet sigh and the sound of her knife being set down on the counter.

“...It hurts. Of course it does,” Carla answers, looking out the small window in her kitchen to the midday sun, the clouds peeking through the trees... She smiles, the action edged with a lonely darkness that Tavir had seen many a time when people left after a visit or when Carla looked too long at that back room that’s always locked and smelled like metal and something vaguely smokey. The woman nods, as if answering a silent question.

“But you see darling, as a mother, at least as a good one, you learn that... pain doesn’t matter as much as long as the ones you love are healthy and happy,” Carla gets back to cutting up the meat for lunch, still with that dark, sad smile on her lips. “This city doesn’t bind me. I stay because I want to be sure it’s safe, that all of my children are safe. And with Firae on their trip, there’s no one else here to protect it. And for your information, my sweet little Hummingbird doesn’t make me give up my happiness, I merely send some with him so he isn’t lonely while he’s gone. I know he’ll return to me eventually, one way or another,” She chuckles, keeping her eyes down on her work, as if trying to busy her mind.

“...And as for being forgotten... It is how things have to be. All power comes at a price, and this one is mine to pay. I pay it because it’s the right thing to do,” She moves to place the meat in the soup pot to cook, Tavir watching after her with a frown. “I’m sorry to worry you baby, but you shouldn’t think of such things. You’re only a child, you should be having fun, playing. Don’t worry about this old lady,” 

She stays at the stove, the room going silent save for the sizzling sound of cooking meat.It stays that way until she feels a cold embrace wrap around her neck, Tavir’s strength carefully reserved as they bury their face in her hair. 

“...I’m going to worry Mama. You deserve to be taken care of too...” 

And with that small, simple statement, Carla feels something in her heart tear, and next thing she knows, she’s trembling, ever so slightly, and tears are burning behind her eyes. She takes a breath, a hand moving to rest against Tavir’s arm. 

“...You’re such a good child...” She sighs, smiling to herself. They are good, so terribly, wonderfully good. But all she can do is hope that won’t make it that much worse when they finally forget her.

Any other night, while in this part of the forest, close to the scent of a cooking fire as she is, one would hear a gentle, comforting song. A tune, beckoning the lost and sick towards salvation. And yet tonight, under the pale light of the moon filtering green and dappled through the trees, there is nothing guiding her but the gentle flickering of the fireflies. 

But this girl has not been here long enough. Dropped off by the caring hands of her brother not long ago to heal the wounds hidden under the floral mask resting cool and heavy at her cheek, she’s yet to learn the ways of this forest. She’s yet to learn the dangers, why the two creatures known as Mother Melody and the Lady of Death are so very revered, to the point where their names are engraved into the city’s way of life, into their thanks and well-wishings. Into their curses. 

And she’s yet to learn why, even without the song of the Mother to guide her, she’s found her way into this clearing. This beautiful, warm clearing.

She feels her breath catch as she looks at this beautiful place, a small, humble home standing before her in the center of a perfectly circular clearing. The house is made of worn, tired stone, the faded clay of the bricks intersected by many a saturated, lively vine. The plants of the garden surrounding the home are almost unnatural in their beauty and life, some seeming almost to glow and dance in the night wind, as if conscious and alive.

The noble’s good eye, the one that still holds her doll-like beauty and childish wonder looks over the home as her boots shuffle through the lush grass dotted with wildflowers, the blades attempting to tickle her knees. She feels a grin come to her lips as she makes her way towards the front door, feeling... at home. Protected. Loved by this place, the very air around it wrapping around her like an embrace she’s missed so very much for so long. A mother’s embrace. 

It’s when her foot finally meets the front step of this home that it changes.

A growl, not unlike the hounds she’s heard guarding people’s homes in this place. Before she can turn her head, expecting to comfort a scared pet, the wind is knocked from her lungs and she crashes to the ground, a heavy, cold weight settled against her body. 

The growling is loud, too loud, and she’s flipped over onto her stomach as her arm is pulled behind her back very hard. Too hard. There’s a sickening pop as her arm is torn from it’s socket and she yells out, her scream of pain almost muffled by the animalistic growls above her head. 

The noble can barely hear the door to the home slam open and a sharp, shrill whistle, the growls stopping short as the air suddenly becomes still again, save for the girl’s quiet, whimpering breaths and the sound of footsteps coming running. 

“Tav, get off of her! She’s a child!” The weight against her back seems to disappear, a whimper sounding from behind her as the girl refuses to move, afraid to be attacked again. It isn’t long though before a gentle hand meets her cheek and that fear seems to.... fade away.

Her face is tilted up and her now wet and muddy hair is pushed back from her face with the gentlest touch she’s felt in some time. When she dares to open her eyes, she is greeted by... one of the most beautiful women she’s ever seen. The dragon’s dark skin reflects the moonlight in a blue glow, her impossibly blue eyes seeming to only heighten the glowing nature of her. Dark, singed wings sit folded and bandaged at her back, forcing the noble girl to notice the bandages wrapped around the woman’s neck, her jaw, her wrists, and she feels... angry. Angry that someone would hurt her. 

The woman seems worried, sad, and a tad bit angry as she sits the girl up, putting a hand to her arm. A person moves to sit behind her, their bright orange eyes downcast and their torn, metal-adorned ears pinned back to their skull as they shrink down. They seem... much like a chastised dog, down to the slight whimpers leaving their mouth. The woman pats a hand against their leg, but otherwise ignores them. They look between the two briefly before going inside, leaving the door open.

“This may hurt baby, I’m so very sorry. I promise I’ll make it up to you,” Before the girl has a chance to ask what she means, there’s another loud pop and a spike of pain as her shoulder is jerked back into place with far more strength than this small dragon looks to possess. She cries out in pain and collapses into the woman’s chest, getting a gentle “shhh” and a hand placed into her hair in return. 

“I know baby. I know... come, let’s clean those wounds and get you a warm cup of tea. It’s far too wet and cold to be out here alone. I’d tried to keep you children away for a while, but you must be very lost,” As she’s gently coaxed to her feet, the girl finally finds her voice, her brow furrowing in confusion. 

“...Ma’am who... who are you?” The woman turns her face and smiles, the expression sad and so, so very tired. 

They’ve seen Mother sitting in her garden, at the little table amongst the marigolds, with a cup of tea wrapped in her hands and a cup of black coffee sat across from her, going cold. 

They’ve always wondered why she keeps coffee in her house, as she’s never drank any of it while they’ve been here, but when asked, she simply gave a small smile and remarked that she liked the smell. 

Tav first heard the name Hummingbird when the Mother thought they weren’t listening. She’d been sitting at that table, early in the morning, before the sun had risen. She’d had a small, intricate piece of machinery shaped like a hummingbird on her finger, and at first Tav had thought she was talking to the toy. 

“My darling Hummingbird,” She’d said, pulling what looked to be a men’s shirt, much different to her usual attire, tighter around herself to stave off the morning chill. “I know you’re listening somewhere, if you’re awake. Which you probably are,” 

The woman had chuckled, resting her cheek on her hand and looking up at the sky. “...I always forget if the sun rises for you first. You know how bad my memory can be,” 

Tav can remember listening, getting a sudden feeling that they were... intruding. That they shouldn’t be listening to this one-sided conversation, but they listened and watched all the same. Mother had set the bird down on the edge of the hot cup of coffee in front of her, smiling at it almost like one would smile at a lover, though the expression was... sad. She’d sighed, looking down at her own cup and shaking her head. 

“Oh Hummingbird do I miss you. I know I say it often, but... every day it seems to get worse. Maybe... maybe it’s time to leave this forest,” 

Tav had felt their heart jump into their throat in... fear? Rejection? Anger? But before they could pinpoint the emotion, Mother sighed again, giving a quiet groan. 

“...You’re right darling. I could never do that to this place... You know me too well,” Tav listened in confusion, positive they hadn’t heard another voice. Right as they were about to get up, go ask Mother if she was alright, the woman stood and picked up the small bot again, running a thumb over it’s head. 

“I’m glad you left this for me. One more tie to you to keep me sane,” She smiled, kissing it’s metal beak ever so gently. “If you are watching somewhere... I love you. Remember that alright?” She then set the little bird down and went back to pick up her cups, the bot seeming to watch her a little longer before moving to flutter about the garden in it’s mechanical way. It was then that Tav gave up their listening and got up, pretending to be getting a cup of tea.

Ever since then, they’ve heard the name come up again and again, mumbled under Mother’s breath often when she finds something out of place or strange, or laughed in the early mornings when she thinks they aren’t awake. Tav starts to wonder if this has something to do with the room they’re not allowed in in the back of the house, right beside her bedroom. The room that always smells like metal and some strange scent they aren’t quite able to place as anything like the floral smells that surround it. 

Over time, the curiosity settles into a passing notice, a perk of the ears. That is until the attack, and the moment when Mother stops speaking of this Hummingbird, avoiding the small metal toy in the garden, hiding away inside the house. It’s then that Tav realizes that whoever this Hummingbird is, he may be the only one who can help Mother be back to the caring, gentle soul that cared for this place, but all the same, they aren’t even sure he’s real. 

She knows the festival is due to start soon, and as it does every year, a pit of worry swirls in her stomach. She’s never much liked this festival, the connotations it brings with it. 

She doesn’t like to be worshiped like this, she doesn’t like this feeling of loneliness and isolation that it brings with it, the feeling of being tied to this home with no escape. She looks down for a bit, taking a deep breath. It’s only when she gets that familiar tap to the cheek that she looks back up. 

Tav looks her over with those infuriatingly understanding eyes, pulling a chair over and sitting across from her. They simply pause and look her over in silence, hands folded in their lap. She takes a breath, about to paste a smile onto her face before giving up. They’ll see through it regardless. 

“...Baby I... Why do you stay here? You haven’t asked me for anything, and you know you won’t remember this time when you leave. You could ask me to fix anything, and then go on with your life, be happy. I don’t understand,” 

The larger dragon looks her over before taking her hand, their own strong and calloused, holding hers like she’s made of glass. 

“You are... good. Soft, and kind, and the only Mama I’ve ever had. I don’t want to forget you,” They mumble, smiling at her. She likes when the warrior manages to smile, the expression lighting up their whole face. She looks them over before smiling back and reaching up to pet their cheek. 

“...You’re so good to me baby. Thank you for keeping me company,” Tav leans into her touch, as they so often do. For such a wild, violent creature, Carla can’t help but see them as they are, a scared child who was never taught differently. Tav’s bright eyes move over her face before they sit back. 

“...If... if we could get Hummingbird back, would that make you happy Mama?”

Carla blinks, confusion coming over her face. 

“Where did you hear.... have you been eavesdropping?” She says, Tav’s ears folding back at the scolding. 

“...Does he make you happy? You’re so sad here. I’ll go with you, why don’t we go find him? Mama, I... I just want you to be happy,” They mumble, looking at her pleadingly. Carla sighs, ruffling Tav’s hair and shaking her head. 

“We don’t have to find him, I know where he is,” 

“Then why is he gone? Why aren’t you with him?” 

“Because baby, I have a job to do here. And he has a job to do there. When he can, he’ll visit, and you can meet him then okay? I’m sure he’ll love you as much as I do,” She cups their chin, pulling them down to kiss their forehead. She ignores the sadness that comes up in her chest at the thought of her love, deciding to make herself be happy with the child before her. And happy with them she is, ever grateful for these chances to be the mother she never was able to be. She pushes herself up, handing the shirt to Tav. 

“Why don’t you finish sewing that up, and I’ll make you some tea. Don’t worry about me so much,” 

“...Yes Mama,” They bow their head and get to work in that obedient way that always worries Carla so much. She looks over the scars that mark their skin and swallows down the sick feeling in her stomach as she goes to make a pot of tea. 

Mother Melody glances up, blinking at the small group that breaks through the trees and pushing herself to her feet with a slight grunt. Her long hair has been pulled up out of her face, her sleeves rolled up. Her beautiful face is smudged with soil, though the dirt does little to mask the serene beauty of her smile.

“Hello children, are you lost?” Her companion stands beside her, watching the others warily. They’ve never been a trusting sort. The man at the front of the group smiles, his hands folded behind his back as he steps forward. 

“Hello ma’am, may I ask where we are? You see, my men and I are trying to find our way through the forest to find someone,”

Mother Melody tilts her head, wiping her hands on a cloth she’s tucked into her belt as she walks up to meet the group. 

“May I ask who it is you’re looking for?” 

“Why madam, we’re looking for Mother Melody. We heard she resides somewhere in this forest. We have something to ask of her,”

She blinks before smiling and nodding and giving a slight bow. She chuckles as she straightens up, rather proud of this group for finding their way to her. “Ah, I see. You did a good job in your search, as you’ve found me. What do you need children?”

The man blinks, smiling a little wider and bowing his head. 

“Well, I’m afraid ma’am, that we need your head,” 

“I’m sorry, wha-” Before either Mother Melody, or her companion can act, there’s a rope wrapped around the small dragon’s neck and people are on her limbs, half the group breaking off to grab her charge as they start to growl and try to rush forward. 

“”What’s-” She barely manages to choke out, already fighting against the ropes as the group speaks up around her. 

“You see ma’am, sadly, we’re all trying to find a way to live forever, like you and the Lady of Death. And to do that, to earn our immortality we assume the Lady needs some kind of price. And what better payment than the head of her opposite?” 

Mother Melody looks on in confusion, her wrists straining at the ropes before she begins to smell smoke past all of the activity. It’s not long before she starts to feel heat on her skin and she gasps, fighting harder against her binds as a fearful growl rises in her chest. Sadly, as strong as she is, she’s been caught off guard, and there are too many people holding her down to get out of the ropes. 

The leader leans down, smiling and staring with those orange eyes that so match those of the child fighting to get to her and only ending up getting themself tied up as well.

“I’m so sorry for all this. We’d hoped you’d be... bigger. Scarier perhaps, something a bit easier to cook up and serve on a platter. But this is fine too. Easier,” 

Mother Melody tries to speak, to curse this evil man, but all that leaves her mouth is a loud shout as even past the shock she begins to feel the ropes tying her start to burn, searing her skin as she’s released by the ones holding her so that they won’t get hurt as well. 

As she falls to the ground, still reeling from the sudden nature of this attack, she half-hears a loud, growling shout and many voices calling out in surprise. They’re speaking Common, she knows they are, but she can’t understand, not past the pain. Footsteps run to where her child was being held, though they hardly last long. Her child, her charge... what are they doing? She tries to push herself up, but swiftly a boot is placed in the center of her back, shoving her back to the ground.

“Please do stay down. We don’t want you to get tough for our Lady,”

There’s the gushing sound of a fireball, sudden and short-lived, a cry, thuds of bodies hitting the ground, all tied together by that loud, animalistic growl and the hot, searing pain of the burning ropes around her body. What could be making that beastly sound? Surely not her companion, no, surely not.

She can smell her feathers burning, her wings trying to beat out the flames. The spots beneath the ropes, on her neck, her wrists, her waist... all try their best to heal themselves, only ending up tangling the flaming ropes into her skin.

It feels like minutes, hours, even days until that heavy boot is removed from her back, and even longer until she feels hands on her again, the ropes getting torn away before she can even bring herself to open her eyes. She can’t tell if she’s screaming or silent, her heart pounding in her ears too loudly to hear it. She tries to struggle out of the person’s hold, a voice slowly but surely worming it’s way into existence. 

She’s spun around and shaken, the hands on her rough and cold, and when she finally opens her eyes, everything is dark, a blur of pain and ringing in her ears. After a few moments she can finally make out Tavir before her, their eyes holding more fear and worry, more emotion than she’s seen yet. Slowly, she takes in the way half of their jaw, their neck, over their shoulder is burnt, the skin peeling away painfully, though they hardly seem to notice. Blood stains their mouth and their fingers, and behind them she can see the bodies of their attackers strewn about the garden, crushing her flowers and feeding yet others with the blood that flows from them.

So that noise was them? Oh Gods...

She tries to swallow down the nausea forming in her stomach, the pain in her skin. Finally, she can hear what that dim yelling was. 

“Mama, Mama, please....” That thickly accented voice comes to her ears, and she looks at Tavir, finally looking into those bright eyes. “Mama...” They whimper, holding her up, carefully. as if they might break her. 

And Mother Melody forces herself to breathe, to be strong. She puts a shaking, burnt hand to their arm and nods, trying to catch her breath. She got lucky, she was blessed with this child who would protect her... She was so very lucky. 

“...It’ll be alright baby...” She counts the bodies. Six people. All taken down by this one child who was holding her so very carefully, who just a few minutes ago was silently learning how to plant tulips in careful rows. She counts the bodies and takes a painful, smoky breath. It was all over so quickly.

Six graves she’ll have to dig. If only these people hadn’t been so foolish. Though, she thinks, they should be glad that this was their end. For if they’d showed up at the Lady’s door with her head on a platter...