#servant reader

You carefully brushed out his hair, avoiding his gaze as was customary. It is a disgusting sin to lay one's eyes upon an unmasked individual, especially if they were unmarried and even more so if they were your employer. To prevent this all servants, except high ranking servants, are given leather masks. The masks covers the servant's eyes and blocks a majority of their vision. The servant is left with a pinprick of sight and forbidden from raising their head in their master's presence.

The brush cards through his dark hair, the inky strands gliding effortlessly between the soft horsehair bristles. His delicate locks shimmer under the candlelight and are soft to the touch, like silk. Your hand lingers, pausing to take in the fine, glossy wisps. Your master's hair is so soft despite how often it's colored, you envy his healthy tresses. Yours is brittle by comparison. You feel his head tilt up, signyfing that you must continue caring for his hair. Exhaling quietly, you resume your duties, eyes focused soley on the locks the brush caresses. You hear his breathy sigh and your shoulders tense as you pause yet again. He exhales sharply and waves his hand, gesturing for you to continue, which you only recognize due to the bells hanging from his wrists. A kind addition that some nobles will bear to spare their servant the stress of misinterpreting hand motions. once again you resume brushing through his hair, much quicker this time as you fear he grows bored.

Pulling the brush away, you place the engraved object on his vanity and reach for a ribbon in the deep color of purple and deftly pull his hair back, tying it gently in a low braid that hangs just below his shoulder blades. He swiftly rises from the winged velvet chair, ghosting it as he glides pass, sashaying to his bed, and your eyes follow his hips. The bells ring obnoxiously as he traipses. He carelessly tosses off his silken robe and gracefully collapses onto the bed. A loud jingle following his motions. Hurrying after him, you avert your gaze as he turns to face you and bow your head, blindly grasping for the robe. He chuckles in a low tone, relishing in your flustered behavior. The black haired man exhales benginly and then sits up, pulling his knees under him until they only peek out from beneath his satin slip. Cradling the blue robe close to your chest as though to protect yourself from whatever he intends to do, you turn away and clamber to his wooden closet. Pulling the doors open, you hang the article gently on its hook and close the doors.

You hear him sigh once more and then you hear him call your name, followed by a pet name. "Dear." Shoulders tense once more, you raise your head, to signal that you are listening and he chuckles yet again. His gentle voice beckons you to his side. "Come here." And you follow, as is your duty. Facing your head down, you stagger to his side and stumble when you halt. He adjusts his position yet again, removing his legs from underneath him and places his hands on either side of his thighs, the movement causes his bells to ring. The man raises a hand and listlessly gestures for you to grab it, you do. Grasping his smooth, tanned skin and momentarily squeezing it as you desperately crave connection. So does he, it seems, as his voice begins to suggest that the two of you have a rather suggestive conversation. "That mask of yours, it is so...impersonal, no?" Squaring your shoulders, you gulp nervously. Whenever your master begins to suggest unmasking you, it causes anxiety to swirl in the pits of your stomach. "Mine is already off, it would be rude to cause me such distress with no compensation." You did not ask him to take his mask off, he did so of his own volition and eagerly too and being bareface causes him little distress. Pulling you down to his height, he continues his persuasive speech, "Surely it is not necessary between us, we are so close after all." You have served him loyally since the two of you were young children in school. He has shared with you secrets that no one else on earth knows and it is a heavy burden to carry.

His soft hands caress your callous skin, his manicured nails claw lightly at your the back og your hands as he tugs you closer. Yet, you continue averting your gaze, determined to avoid encouraging his bad habits. He sighs once more, seeming to give up the game as he releases your hand. "Is it too much to ask my dearest servant and closest friend to see their face? Do you truly believe me to take advantage of such a intimate thing?" You do, he is no stranger to manipulation or cruel games brought on via bribery. He seems to lament, flopping back onto the duvet and covering his face with his arm. Peeking from the corner of your eyes, you observe the way his slip spills beneath him and the elegant framing it provides him. Embarassed, your face flushes and you are eternally grateful that he cannot see your face beneath this leather prison. He sighs and requests something unexpected. "Say my name." Uncertainity drowns your voice as you mutter the name he is referred to by those in society. "Ellis?" Groaning loudly, he sist up hasitly and slams his hands on the plush surface beneath him, bells jingle. "NO! My real name." Your hesitant expression is difficult to read as your face is obscured by your mandatory mask, but he knows you well and reads your body language even better. "Do not be hesitant, i will not hold it against you." He tries to reassure you. His voice unusally insecure as he shifts to sit on his knees, reaching for you once more. "Please, say my name. I fear that I have forgotten it." Sorrow drips from his melodious voice, an uncommon emotion for him to display and you risk a glance at him. Your eyes take in the pinched brows that remain their orignal ashy purple and the dark bags that drag his brown almond eyes down. You notice the small breakouts of acne that have occured due to stress and the cracks on his thin, pale lips. He looks ill, like he hasn't rested properly in days.

You look away, he pulls you closer. "Do I have to beg? It is such a simple request." Biting your lip, you try to ignore the guilt that twinges your soul. "Have you forgotten it as well?" Your heart breaks, his sorrow traps you in an endless pool of sympathy and you relent, mumbling his name with the shyest of tones. "Daelan.." His weary eyes widen and he gazess at you for a moment too long then sighs softly as a look of relief crosses his face. His brows lose their furrow and his hands run up your arm. "It has been so long." Daelan's tender hands graze your skin, pads of his fingertips imbedding themselves in your memory as he rises, still on his knees but now level with you. "Everyday it slips further and further from my mind. It is such a distant sound now and no one seems intent to utter it anymore" His tan hands slide over your shoulder, lingering for a moment then continuing upwards to lovingly cup your face, forcing you to face him. "I wonder if my parents even remember my name. If they will ever see me as..." He's hesitant to speak the word. "Daelan again" His breath hitches as he speaks his birth name, struggling to pronounce it properly. "Or if they even care to remember me that way." Daelan touches his forehead to yours, direct contact prevented by the mask you wear. His hands work to hide within your hair, nudging the string that holds your mask on. "Perhaps not. Perhaps they have always wanted me to be" A mournful sigh predates the utterance of his noble name. "Ellis." He speaks it wiht bitter distaste, reserved only for enemies.

Your mask comes loose as he manages to untie the knot holding it up and it flutters to the ground in a rather casual manner. Vulnerability attacks you as you are forced to face him with no buffer, to personally interact with him. You notice his smile, the way his mouth curls and the small dimples that joy forms. "With you, I feel.." Daelan pauses once more, fighting the cautious part of him that warns him to pull away, to put up the wall. "free." But he doesn't listen, embracing you and slotting his lips against yours, kissing you feverently as his fingers card through your hair. You reciprocate, despite your better judgment, and sturdy hands grasp his shoulders then begin to creep up his neck and eagerly claspes his nape. The motion pulls him closer, a passion sparking between the two of you as hungry lips fight for dominance. Both of you battling for control, your hands begin to wander and he mimics your action, grabbing your waist while you grab at his upper back. You briefly note the satin fabric wrinkling beneath your touch, but refuse to linger on anything other than the man before you who manages to pull you into bed. Daelan parts temporarily, gasping desperately as his hands continue to wander, exploring the uniform his loyal servant wears. He bites the corner of his pale lips, eyes narrowing as his mind races. Brown eyes search your features, memorizing what it can and simultaneously asking a sincere question which he soon voices. "If it pleases you, might we continue?" His gentle voice wavers, as though afraid you would reject him. Instead you nod and agree. "It would please me greatly, Master Daelan." His face flushes a vibrant red and his grin grows as he rapidly resumes his previous actions, kissing you yet again and pulling you as close as possible.

Tonight he was free, tonight he could enjoy a moment of intimacy with someone he trusted. Tonight is enough, It has to be.

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Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed and i might make a part two. I've got a few more ideas, but idk. Apologies if my writing is off, i'm writing this at 6:19 in the morning on no sleep. :p started writing it 4 hrs ago

Tell me what you guys think about Daelan and the small bits of lore i dropped. Below is Daelan, a very average looking individual. Those red spots are supposed to acne, but i gave up. That's his old mask.

Your train of thought was rudely interrupted by the head maid.

“Why are you staring at the basket of laundry like it just killed your entire family?”

“Oh, I'm so sorry, I just zoned out for a second.” You were embarrassed that she caught you fawning over a guy you don't even know, and even more embarrassed with how red your ears were by now.

“Okay…hurry up then.” She walked away, graceful despite her elder age.

As you exited the room you were cleaning into the outside, carrying the murderous laundry in your hands, when someone caught your eye. You turned your head to see a procession in the courtyard near you, it was….the EMPEROR?

Wow, he was covered in elegant, opulent jewels, the finest silk that must have been imported from the western regions, and he was followed by high-ranking advisors. You couldn't help but stare at the young man, he had long black hair that was shorter near the front, glowing blue-teal horns sprouting from his head, but there was something about him.

You continued to gape shamelessly at the man until he seemed to notice your gaze, shifting his eyes and making eye contact with you. His eyes seemed to…widen?

You looked away immediately, flustered, and your skin was now the color of the tomatoes in the kitchen downstairs. Not realizing you let the basket go, you dropped the laundry onto your feet.

OWWWWWW

That brought you out of your delusions.

You exhaled, solemnly looking at the toe-killing basket.

You decided to put your romantic fantasies to rest, just continue on with life, and accept reality.

Well, that would be the case if Dannie didn't come back to interfere.

It was a few minutes after your shift ended, and you were starving, but you were so tired. There wasn't any dinner left either since you took too long finishing your chores. You couldn't venture into town since most places would've already closed down by the time you got there, not to mention you were a penniless pauper from sending all your earnings back to your family.

It's okay, one night won't hurt. It wasn't like you were a stranger to going to bed hungry; it just wasn't what you preferred.

Just as you made peace with your sad predicament, walking through cobble streets of the palace grounds so you could at least splash your face with some water before you collapsed, you felt a tap on your shoulder.

“Salutations.”

Dannie???

“I apologize for my recent absence. I have been rather preoccupied with, uh, stuff.” His face was youthful but with very evident stress built up underneath. His lips were curled into a small smile, like almost afraid of expressing joy.

You took the young man in, the one you had just made peace with, never seeing again. You couldn't deny that you felt a surge of happiness swell within you. Maybe life was finally going your way.

“Oh, it's okay, I've been…busy too.” You said almost silently, too nervous to let a single breath out of your body. Why are you so anxious? This is good. Why are you like this? 

“I was…wondering,” he seemed to be overrun with a certain nervousness now too, “would you…like to have dinner together?”

You let out a small surprised sound at his offer, DINNER? Was he CRAZY? Why would he want DINNER? Your mind zoomed through all of the worst options while your heart did backflips so violently you thought it might just come up out of your throat.

You stared at him, deep breaths, “S-Sure. How would we do this dinner? There's no food left in the servants’ dining hall.”

“I was thinking…a picnic?” He brought out a fancy little basket from behind him.

“A picnic, now??? But it's almost nighttime!” You weren't opposed to the idea, but you were wary of being outside, alone, with only a mysterious man to accompany you.

“Yes, if you don't want to, that is perfectly acceptable, but I know a nice little spot under a tree right outside the palace walls that I go to to think sometimes.”

Who is this guy?!

You thought for a moment, since it was just outside, there must be guards there, so you were safe, hm. “Okay, I'll come.”

Dannie’s small smile grew a little wider, and his eyes a little calmer, “Perfect.”

He reached for your hand but stopped himself midway. His cheeks and ears grew a deep shade of red, and he looked away immediately.

“Uh, follow me. I'll show you where it is.”

“Okay.”

With that singular word, you followed him into a future you weren't sure you were ready for.

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: ̗̀➛ a/n part dos: hellooooooo again im so sorry this took so longgggggg and hello the love of my life @all-skedaddle-and-no-bop

banner art credit goes to @ruri_R_rikka on twt/x

---

The life of a servant was not easy, apart from early morning wakes and short nights due to requests from some residents and guests, not always very understandable and sometimes almost impossible to accomplish (as this noble woman, who wanted to enter one of the princes' chambers in order to try to seduce and marry the man she desired; it was as if that had ended with the dismissal of the said noble woman) did not allow you to have a good quality sleep.

But this life of servant, you would not have exchanged it for any other, because beyond the rebukes of some older servants and lords and lady, who could be haughty. You were in the service of the Targaryens, and although some nobles and peasants did not carry the members of this house in their hearts. You were not treated badly, on the contrary, you were considered better than servants of other smaller houses.

Since your early childhood you remembered having met people with Valeryan blood. Your parents had served under the late reign of Maegor and survived him because of their good labours. They then served Jaehaerys. You had followed their ways, as was customary for the people. You had become multi-tasker, allowing you to be better paid, and help your parents who were beginning to get old to serve the Targaryen house as well. You could go from kitchen to floor scrubbing, from washing clothes to helping princesses dress or hairdressing.

But more than that. More than this work. There were in that castle two small heads with silver hair, for which you had taken affection.

A few years ago, you had become a servant of Princess Alyssa when she was pregnant for the second time. You were one of many servants, but you always did your best to allow the princess to have everything she needed, in order to make it easier for her to wait for the birth of her second child. Being a hectic life, the rest offered and almost ordered by the masters, bored her to the utmost point, towards the end of her pregnancy, she could no longer ride on Meleys and was irritated for nothing, whether it be on the servants, her ladys in waittig. But when she calmed down, unlike other nobles, Alyssa apologized, knowing that she would not have reacted in this way if she was not pregnant.

But even in those moments, you loved the princess, not that you envied her, no, you loved her because she always behaved with respect.

---

When you seen the baby Daemon, you had taken a liking to him, how many times did you manage to give him gifts, however humble? You hadn’t counted, all you liked was to see Daemon play, or eat the cakes that you had prepared in the kitchens during your working hours. Just seeing him smile and recognize you made your heart warm. You didn’t forget the princess or Viserys when you made the cakes, but your favorite was always Daemon.

You always had a maternal nature, to care about others, but that nature is just manifesting more greatly towards Daemon. You never disrespected Alyssa, on the contrary, you worried about her, even though she was your age, you sometimes nursed her slightly, just out of concern for her health, like the day when she took baby Daemon to fly on Meleys’s back, you were worried.

“Princess Alyssa... are you sure you want to do this?...” The masters have advised against your health...”

Would you be afraid that Meleys would face evil against Daemon? Or would you not trust me?

“I have faith in you, princess... I know that you did the same thing with Prince Viserys.... It’s just that...”

“Fear not, Meleys will do nothing against Daemon, it’s only a little theft after all. It won’t hurt me.”

It is the close heart that you watched the princess go towards the dragonpit.

During the whole morning of labor, your mind was not focused on your spots. Every moment you could forget about Alyssa’s flight, something made you think of her or the children. Some servants with whom you shared your time of work, found your behavior strange, not understanding why you showed so much kindness and devotion to the royal family, that family which did not spank attention to the servants and people of the people, At least according to them.

All your stress went away when you saw Alyssa and baby Daemon return, it is with a sincere smile that you welcomed the princess, taking care of her and Daemon with the other servants.

Although you were a simple and humble servant, you had become close to Alyssa over the days, months and years, even when travelling for tournaments or festivities in other parts of Westeros. Alyssa ordered you to accompany her, the other servants did not see this in a good way, nor even the nobles who found it unnoble approach on the part of the princess. For they thought the nobles should stay among them, the others were nothing but nothing.

---

You saw the children grow, the first steps of Daemon towards Alyssa even gave you a small tear in your eye, so proud of Daemon’s progress. Not forgetting the progress of Viserys, He was 4 years old when you met him and now from his future 7 years, he loved playing with you, loving his wooden dragons by lending one only when it was sure to get it back later. He was a rather easy child, even more so because of his attraction for food, asking for cupcakes, the masters had more than once ordered you not to give any more to the young prince, but behind their backs, you gave one or two to please him.

You were not in direct contact with other members of the royal family, except Baelon, whom you saw radiating to the coast of Alyssa, as well as to her sons.

When the news of the new pregnancy of the princess. Everyone was happy, it took three years, but all hoped that the future event would be happy.

Oh... Alyssa...

---

You were awakened in the middle of the night, guards had come to fetch the princess’s servants. The corridors of the castle were dark to the limit of gloom, although they are illuminated by torches. To the right and left you could see servants, midwifes, guards and masters running through all the censes.

You felt a cold sweat through your back, a wind of panic engulfed you. Midwifes, was a sign that the princess was in full labor and about to give birth. But the presence of the masters, was bad omens, they came only when the birth was complicated to see serious. Alyssa was the only known person in the castle who was pregnant and about to give birth.

You passed in the corridor of the princess' apartments, horrible screams pierced ears, spanking you stop at the door, heart pounding, fear to sell, guards took you by the arms to force you to continue walking. You were assigned to the supervision of children while other servants were assigned to take over the orders of masters.

When you arrived, Daemon and Viserys were sleeping, unaware of who was going on in the castle. You sit on one of the chairs, watching the children, while trying to calm your breath, reassuring you as much as you could, praying to the gods, for the survival of Alyssa and the baby (whether you are a believer or not).

It was only in the morning, when you helped the children to prepare (make sure that Viserys does not wear his tunic upside down, tie their shoes), that Baelon entered. His hair was glued to his forehead by the sweat, his breath saccader. You turned your head to look at him before getting up from the ground on which you were kneeling, in order to bow down as required by protocol. But before you got up, Baelon raised his hand to stop you and walked towards the boys.

"My prince..." Your heart was beating, the anticipation of the news was great.

"The work was hard..." Baelon knelt before Viserys and Daemon, before taking them in his arms.

"Work?" Viserys looked at his father with questions.

"Your mother giving birth to a little brother..."

"Little brother?" Viserys’s eyes lit up, while Daemon seemed to be a bit soft.

"Yes, you will soon."

Baelon was happy and reassuring, he gave them each a kiss in the hair before raising his head towards you.

"Alyssa will need you, for now she needs to rest."

"Of course, my prince..."

"I know you’ll look after her."

You shook your head gently, your head was full of questions, all revolved around the princess and the newborn baby, the cries remained in your memory.

You only saw the princess when she was awakened after several hours of being unconscious. She was so full of life, she looked like a living dead, almost diaphanous. Her simple vision gave you a terrible desire to cry. Alyssa, seeing you, smiles softly, feverishly. You walked towards her before sitting down to lean out of her bed and gently take her hand, holding her company, explaining that Viserys and Daemon were happy to see her soon and have a little brother.

Alas, Alyssa’s health did not improve much, after almost a year the princess was very weak.

---

One morning, the nannies who took care of Daemon and Viserys had not been available, between one who was falling ill and the second who had to return to King’s Landing for family business, Baelon, whom you saw rarely, He ordered one of his servants to find you, so that you could look after the children. It was now days that the masters watched Alyssa, who slept more and more, ate less and less. Worrying everyone in the castle.

You decided to please the children, to make them stretch their legs in the company of guards, in the gardens of the castle.

The sun was shining, the light breeze of wind was refreshing, and you had placed yourself at the side of one of the fountains, watching the boys running in the garden gates gave you a smile, temporarily preventing you from thinking of Alyssa, and allowing you to live a little in carelessness. When Daemon fell to the ground after having tripped, he started to cry slightly before watching Viserys continue to run, he watched you with his eyes. You smile gently, before he gets up and walks towards you with tears in his eyes, he showed you his hands, covered with dirt and gravel.

“Y/nickname! Its hurt!”

“It’s all right, my little dragon, I’ll look.”

You gently took his hands, leaning gently to observe his hands, before taking a cloth, for the soaked in water to gently clean Daemon’s hands, he sniffed softly after moaning on contact with the cloth.

"That’s right, my little dragon, you are brave, like a proud warrior.” The tone of your voice was sweet and comforting to the young Daemon.

Daemon looked at you, then looked at his hands red with rubbing against his palms. When you laid a kiss on each of his palms, his eyes lit up, all forms of pain and sadness had withdrawn from his face. After all, soft drops on the little bobos are always miraculous remedies for children.

“Do you want to continue playing?”

Daemon shook his head, a big smile on his face, he went back to join Viserys, laughing as he pursued him.

You only came back at the time of dinner which could not be taken outside, the children in the company of members of the house Targaryen present at the castle, except Alyssa and Baelon, who was at his bedside. As for you, you were eating in haste in the room dedicated to the servants, talking with your friends, discussing the latest news while walking through the dark corridors.

The servants' dinners were often more courtly and of lesser quality than those of the nobles, but it was enough to give energy for all the day’s work.

“Apparently, Prince Baelon refuses to leave his wife’s bedside...” One of the king’s servants had just spoken.

Yes, her health is in perpetual decline, the masters fear that she will not pass on the next moons. One of the servants who had been looking after Alyssa had just answered her.

You listened to the exchange with attraction, trying to get information that had not yet been disclosed. But their discussions stopped when they noticed you. All knew of your closeness with the princess and children, taking care not to tell you about the royal family, lest you speak about it with the princess. You shrugged before looking at your friends and talking to them. It would have pleased the servants who did not like you, to show them that their behavior touched him. It was only when you were called to serve the young princes that you went out into the corridors, arriving near the dining room, Daemon ran in your direction, followed by Viserys. You took them in your arms before walking, a hand in the small hand of Viserys, while Daemon clung to your neck, while you carried it. The guards would follow you, ensuring the safety of the children.

Once in the children’s shared room, Viserys settled into a pillow that covered part of the floor in one of the corners of the room near one of the windows.

You settled down beside him, Daemon sitting on your legs in the direction of Viserys. It was a sweet evening, punctuated by the preparation of their bath, and some childish quarrels.

It was only when the guards opened the doors, and you looked in their direction. that you had a cold sweat.

The queen herself entered, she seemed paler then before, she almost wore a sick complexion. Your heart began to beat, your intuition told you that something serious had happened and how much you would have wished to have been wrong.

---

It was excuses, in the end. We had a choice. Simple as it was. Obedience or Death as it may have been. To the Dragon morality? We were to have chosen Death. There is no compassion for cowards. Mercy for the cruel and self-serving. Not even, if it is all you can do, to survive. Perish instead, die proudly, Be Dragon, says the Black Dragon.

Of all the Dragons, THEY are not the kind one. Not the merciful nor sweet nor wise. THEY are Justice. Vengeance. Debts paid as they are due. They were feared but no one could get rid of them. For who could rightfully argue against Justice? Debts paid? What, people would ask, did you have to hide?

Everything. They always did. And they DISPISED the Dragon for it. For being impossible to fool. Impossible to bribe. Their Champion's an avatar of their Will. Endlessly carving paths of destruction through sin and debauchery, usually paid for at the cost of those who served. To see the Black Dragon? Was to know Justice was coming.

Like the fist of a wrathful God. The mauling of a beast. Burning through like a wildfire, leaving nothing but ash in their wake.

It was an isolating life. Terrible. I... I remembered, Before this life, Another. Bits and pieces. Disjointed at first. Yet over the years I have come together. Social isolation is a torture. I KNOW this. People go insane. And... and a dragon is not human. Could not possibly be enough, even if they WERE excellent companionship. People need support structures.

So I tried.

Volunteered to be the one to bring Kuro Ryuko her meals, much to the relief of others. Tried to sneak treats and festival snacks in. Little toys and books borrowed from the central library that maybe they would like. I tried. Again and again. Everything I could think of. Quietly and subtly, so as not to get punished. So I would not be stopped. And...?

It amounted to nothing.

Silence.

Did I become too comfortable? In my habits, too arrogant? That I forgot exactly how DANGEROUS the forces I meddled with, truely ARE? At worst... at WORST, I expected her to ignore me. She had such even temperament. A calm, smooth voice. Still and ponderous, like deep waters. How? HOW?! I could not-! Did NOT-!

Not far behind our group, a great expanse of wall exploded to the side, as a god-like section of the Black Dragon's body crashed through it. One small part of a single twinning loop. Insignificant compared to the full beast, which seemed to consume the sky itself.

It was MASSIVE.

We would have died instantly.

Choking on our screams, desperate not to attract notice, we threw ourselves forward. Nearly tripping on our skirts. Two of us DID, but were instantly hauled back to their feet by friends or nearby survivors before they could fall. No one. NO ONE, was getting left behind. It wasn't long now. W-we could do this. We HAD to do this. Survive. Escape. Whatever comes next, so be it.

There were supposed to be other Dragons. To Balance each other. Had they turned on us too? Were they dead? Did it even matter anymore? None of us had ever been so glad for Madame Shimei's secret gaurd lover before, the one we all knew about but all pretended we didn't. They were cute together. Everyone hoped they would marry.

I...I hoped he wasn't dead. It would break her.

There! The outer wall! I could sob with relief. The secret side entrance was open. Madame's Gaurd still there, alone. Frantically searching until he laid eyes on her. Desperation melting into unspeakable relief. He starts forward. We... we are so close...!

CLAWS.

The Dragon's hand, smashs down between us. Crushing everything. Cutting us off from any escape.

Now. NOW we scream. There is no point not doing so. We have been found. Barely visible, past the crushing force, Madame's gaurd appears alive. Unhurt. Refusing to run and leave her. They are not young, it was no grand tale of beauties, but in the face of certain death? He has shown what sort of man he is. She begs him to go. Live. It sounds so very far away, as I follow the line of that limb. Up and up and UP.

Titanic and seething, the Black Dragon's eyes glow. My soul laid bare. Every failing, every mistake, each injustice. How... how worthless I am. I... I deserve this. How dare I run. How dare not pay for my sins? I deserve to burn. We all deserve to pay for our-...

"Not that one. That one's mine."

I am on my knees. Tears streaming down my face. The others weeping, cowering, praying around me. Only a few made the mistake of actually looking the Dragon in the eyes. The others beg them to wake up. They won't. Trapped in a terrible trance, they weep. It take me a long moment to even register my freedom. The source.

Kuro Ryuko. I know that voice. Who else could it be?

She stands, the picture of Judgement and Cold, Calculated, Wrath. Long black hair, blowing in the wind generated by the Dragon's mere presence. Their mere WEIGHT upon the world. Her eyes glowing like suns from within. Golden beacons of light, inhuman marks of absolute power. She... She is looking at me. Why is she looking at ME?

"I have decided No More." Her voice echos in the silence like a command, the declaration of an empress. "They will not listen. Think they can hide. Pester and pander, seek to cage me even as they poison me. Enough. I have tolerated this insolence long enough! It burns, all of it. They may start again from the ashes."

"Now come here, Mouse. We are leaving."

There are certain commands you can twist and some you can not. Some you can argue and some you can not. It depends on how reasonable the person speaking. What they will DO, should you defy them. The cost you would pay. If... if I DON'T heel like a pet? My eyes flick to the other maids. Madame makes eye contact, her horror clear. Experience has taught her EXACTLY how this must end.

Through tears, I offer her a smile. It... it will be okay. Somehow, some way, it will be... be okay. Live. Survive this. K-keep going, alright? Promise me? We have not spoken. Just gaze alone. But the grief and determination painting her face? Tells me she understands.

I'm so, SO sorry.

I get up. Face Kuro Ryuko. A perfect servant's pose. Head up, but not so far as to be haughty. Shoulders back, but not so far as to thrust out the chest. A smile that is pleasing but promises nothing, does not entice. Hands folded, ready to serve, artful not idle. Measured steps as I move forward. I remember my lessons.

Terrified. I am... I am so... so unspeakably afraid. I move regardless. Smile politely. What is one death? If the others survive. I may shake, my soul may howl and tremble, b-but my friends get to LIVE. A-And... and have I not lived before? I am being selfish. This fear is selfish. They get to live. Repeat it. Gods, we must repeat it.

They'll get to LIVE. T-They'll get to LIVE. D-Don't b-be... be...

I can not let myself cry. Refuse to show weakness NOW. Here, at the end. Before this terrible, terrible thing. Tears have no use before a beast with no mercy. I have so little dignity left. The least I can give, can HAVE, is my final memories be one of strength, in the minds of those who loved me. Lie as it may be.

There is blood on her cheek. I can see no wound. And from the angle it stains her? It can only be splatter. Shines, just faintly, with the golden sheen of an Avatar's gift. Their blessings. I guess I know, now, why Shiro Ryuko has not risen to stand against them.

They can not.

I wonder if they are wounded or simply gone.

The Black Dragon has moved its focus to me. Adjusting it's stance to do so. It clears the path and, with despair, the others flee. I... I hope they live long lives. Good ones. Would give anything to join them. But here and now, I do not turn my head. Stare straight ahead and think of nothing. Pretend my hands do not... do not shake.

I am fine.

This is fine.

Kuro Ryuko moves, jumping through the air in a way that denies reality it's laws, it's limits. What are physics to a god? Mere gravity to a DRAGON? She moves as she pleases and the world bows to her will. Touching down with the grace of a frightful hunting bird, weapon swept elegantly to her side, as she rises to regard me. We have never stood so close. Some vaguely hysterical part of me notes... huh, I'm taller then her...

"Hello, Mouse, I am your mate. We are going to be together, forever. Come." There was no uncertainty in her voice. No asking. Just absolutes, command. Her hand expectant as it hung, outstretched towards me. "This place is filthy and does not deserve you. I will find us a better one. Flowers, perhaps? A luxurious bed? You will tell me on the way. Give me your hand."

What else could I do? But obey here? So close, the Black Dragon's every breath rolls across me like waves of heated death. A subtle reminder of at who's mercy, I stand. Her skin is almost too hot to touch. Hand calloused from a warriors training. I am dragged close. Against black silks with golden trims and embroidering. A possessive arm, like steel, sliding around my waist.

She takes a moment. As though to savor holding me close for the first time. Her other hand flicking her weapon up into the air, leaving it to float, weightlessly. Just so she can bury it in my hair, which had half fallen from it's styling, during the run. Pressing her face against the side of my head. Nearly hard enough to hurt. Dragging in air, all but hissing it, through her nose and gritted teeth.

Like it's not enough. Like it will NEVER be enough.

Like she wants to craw inside my skin and wear me. Needs me. Wants to CONSUME me.

Her hands have claws. I can feel them prickling, five painful little points, on each one. Where she holds me still. Bruisingly strong. A pleased hum that rolls like a growl. Pressed close against my skin like a secret.

"Mine. Just mine now. No more patience. No more 'behave'. Just MINE. You and me. My Mouse. Pretty fidgety MY Mouse. Shy and nervous and MINE. Gonna take such good care of you. Give you everything you need. Love you, Mouse. And you'll love me."