into the dust we go

The tension on his shoulders seemed to dissipate, the more he observed Naella's attitude and listened to her words. At a better setting, Daemon would have laughed. She was just as audacious as he was and, evidently, as eager for escape.

"I guessed this much, you know." Daemon regarded her with a gaze that was almost proud and then turned away completely, patting at the side of his heavy helmet.

His steps echoed and the noise of his armour disappeared as he took the path to outdoors with a single promise upon his lips. "I will fight, I will win and then we will leave. No need to bring anything with you. Once we leave this place, you will not be Naella Targaryen any longer."

By the time Daemon reached her, it was nightfall.

The battle outside the walls was like a spec of dust beneath his shoes; he would not call it a battle either. A protest, yes, from people that had not gotten what they desired. But Daemon had seen and spoken to those plenty and he also knew that not everyone would ever be satisfied in a world as massive as this one.

"Rhaenyra is already on the ship to Dorne, they await for us to sail."

He was merely presentable, drenched in blood. Probably smelling of it too. It wasn't his; it never was. He did not wear his helmet either and the edges of his hair melted into dark redness, more blood. Daemon stood by a few lit candles that allowed them vision and his hands rested atop the hilt of his sword like they did most days. "She told me you might cower. I like to think she's wrong." Daemon said and meant it, his eyes glinting as he faced Naella with his chin pointed high.

Hearing that back at her made her nod. Somewhat of a mutual understanding at least. Something she knew she did not have with her father or the new side of the family that had come out. Leaving behind the fake pleasantries would be like a breath of fresh air. Of course knowing that she'd have to wait for his return wasn't fun, but it would be done. As much as she could try to join in a fight, it wasn't worth the hassle she'd receive from the King. Another time perhaps.

"See you soon, Daemon," short and to the point. But also a way to show she believed he would actually make it back. She would've made herself look foolish otherwise. Naella had left the scene not long after he disappeared. It wouldn't take much to prepare for his return. A proper travel outfit and perhaps a decently done braid to combat any future winds. By the time she'd heard of his return she'd gone to the meeting point and gave a quick nod.

The blood that adorned her uncle only proved the success he'd brought. There was some pride in her expression and then the smile formed when she'd that Rhaenyra waited. She couldn't help but chuckle at the idea of her cowering away from this plan. "I am here and I have no plans to turn back now." Naella had her own sword too, but certainly not one that many knew about. A failsafe if you will. She had been training privately away from the sights of her father. Besides that she had made sure to wear a more proper outfit for their travels. Not the usual dress of a princess.

but why would he expect that she would ? for however many years father had spent in penthos with his second wife, raising his daughters, of course the feelings she reserves for father would not have been the same as he. and sure, perhaps, just maybe, there were some... challenges father's other children had had with him. at the very least, he still raised them. he still spent years not having left them in his shadows, not having allowed them to wonder if he would be returning, as rheowyck did, remembering all the time he'd cast his gaze to the sky, hoping he would spot the sight of caraxes breaking through the clouds.

she felt sad for him, he reiterates in his mind, and she should. as she ought to. she wonders if father would have been happy to have gone out the way he did, she adds, and that is what finally has him huffing a sound that is almost humorous, if not for the absurdity in its tone.

❛⠀that's why i said he was selfish.  ❜

in retrospect, rheowyck understands that it may not be as simple as he thought. he understands that, for as much as anyone could recall how the battle had gone, none of them truly has an insight into what has happened. perhaps it was never father's intention to fight to the death, or to fight with the intention of leaving the children he sired behind in a world where dragons burnt most of its dynasty — though rheowyck doubts so, with how father had once chosen the tail-end of a possible glory at the heed of lord corlys velaryon and his war for the stepstones. the very war father had gone years for, and never quite properly come back.

these are old wounds, he realises. old wounds that he is trying to paint the same into the present, onto father's other children as though they too could be angry with him, and it is a moot effort. it is a useless endeavour, except rheowyck is outrageously angry. of course father was happy, he wanted to spit. at the end of the day, it only mattered what he wanted. we were only pit stops for his goal, for his larger ambition. in the end, we are nothing. but rheowyck does not say that. he walks away for a moment, he paces.

and then, around a breath, he says—

perhaps just the thought of another person from her family dying had been what made her sad. her cousins had come next. the death of her father, his dragon, and the majority of the dragons had been quite sad for her. it made her grateful that she'd been allowed to spend the time in the vale. that likely made her selfish, but she knew she couldn't have helped anyone out. she'd never been able to claim a dragon and fight like her twin sister had.

having her little dragon on her shoulder now had been a blessing and to still have her twin alive made her even more grateful. but of course her own words echoed back in her mind. yes, maybe he was selfish. then again were most people not selfish in this world. it seemed people with altruistic intentions were a rarity and that had been something she'd been forced to learn in her young lifetime. their father's own selfishness is perhaps one of the only things they might somewhat understand. they just seemed to have a different perspective on it due to their own upbringings in the world.

𝐋𝐚𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐕𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐬 💔🥺

Eyes roll only a fraction. “A thank you to a compliment would be nice,” he retorts though the banter is tried and true between them. Situations like these, where the humor comes easy and I love yous fall from them casually are why it was so easy to discover he was, in fact, gay. If it weren’t for that? He’s certain him and Elena would have been a power couple by now. 

Come to think of it, pretty much everyone would have been willing to bet on that.

Unfortunately for Elena, he is in fact gay, and dealing with a crisis that she has to help him with. So maybe they are a power couple. Maybe not in the way intended, but there's definitely something to be said by how she’s the glue holding his life together. God knows how long he’d be able to survive by himself.

“I’m so sorry to pull you away from your luxurious couch, then.” It might come off harsh or sarcastic, but Kip means it wholeheartedly. Every night he spent on that couch was a blessing even if waking up hungover caused him more trouble. The bed he had back at home was years old and lasted him through many college summers. After he hit his growth spurt and remained at the height of 5’7, the bed only ran through one replacement. He should probably replace it, but why when he’s spent many nights in others?

Russet eyes skim over the menu and it’s what he expected. Trendy items made with avocado, high protein options, multi grain toast. There is a pretty damn good option on the menu, basic compared to the others and would probably qualify for the kids menu. “Do you think avocado toast or a really greasy sandwich will make me think better?” He asks, though his decision is already made up  by the time he steps forward.

He greets the cashier, a blond girl that has to be only a couple of years younger than him, and orders the whole grain sandwich with egg and bacon with a cup of fruit on the side. Orange juice was his drink of choice, because the restaurant doesn’t provide mimosas and that is truly what he’s craving. It’ll do.

Within fifteen minutes, food is received, Kip is sliding back into the booth of his choosing and he pulls his silverware out from the napkin. Fork plunges into a grape, then a piece of pineapple and immediately is shoved into his mouth with a hum. "So. What's going on in the beautiful, glamorous world of Elena Rygg?"

Because talking about the glamorous world of Scott Hunter's closet boyfriend is not appealing right now.

Instead of an immediate she just tossed a smirk his way. A classic little head tilt for a little flair before she ended up laughing a little. To have a best friend she could have such easy banter with really had made life easier for Elena. Sure there might be things she dreamed of having, but she was happy. Well in a relative sense she was. Moreso she knew she was luckier than most people.

She may as single as a pringle. It certainly hadn't been for lack of trying. The last guy she had dated ended up being guy that ended up being a total douche. He'd been so jealous of the job she had. It fizzled out after a month, but she was okay. There had not been enough time for any real feelings to develop there. Her time would come soon enough and she wasn't in a huge rush at this stage of life. She had Kip to rely and the few co-workers she hung out as well.

The idea of ordering something did make her laugh in her head since she had already let slip her original plan for getting takeout. Would've probably been some chinese food. She'd been craving that recently. However, as she perused the menu for the place they were in she grinned. Thoughts of her original plan had just about evaporated. She prayed that this would look as delicious as it sounded and be filling too. Elena definitely needed the food for sure.

"Hey, don't be sorry about that. But also don't eat all your food before I come back with mine, k?" she gave her a stern look before laughing. Of course it had been a classic teasing moment. Also a half-truth since she hoped that could enjoy the meal together. Elena had ordered an egg and cheddar sandwich with avocado added and bacon on the side. She ended up matching Kip with the orange juice, but she hadn't been picky.