into the dust we go

Jacaerys had told himself that dying would have been worth it if it meant protecting his family. He had failed to save Viserys, but had managed to at least make it possible for Aegon to escape. Surviving the Gullet had been a pleasant surprise. Jace had woken up with Vermax curled around him protectively. He could seldom believe it, and it wasn't until every single one of his limbs began to ache with pain that he knew he was very much alive. Tending to his own wounds had been difficult, but Corlys had raised the three Velaryon boys to be hardy sailors. That was how he had managed to catch enough fish to sustain himself while Vermax hunted nearby. It was out of necessity that Vermax had ventured out of the safety of their cavern and been spotted by nearby townsfolk. "I'm not certain I should return." Jace grumbles, eyes downcast. "The queen will surely punish me for acting against her orders, and I've failed to rescue Viserys.." His voice is soft and full of melancholy, "But I cannot remain here forever. I've grown quite tired of fish, and I could use a proper bath." He pushes away from Vermax who watches the pair with expectant eyes of molten bronze. "--I'm too weak to ride. Vermax will follow Moondancer." He places his free hand upon Baela's hip, offering her a smile of emboldened hope and promise. "Would you mind if I rode with you?"

The longer she had time to see Jacearys in his current made her sad she hadn't been able to find him sooner. It also made her realize that the sooner they could have him be properly tended to. The look of their queen, his mother, when he hadn't returned from the battle also flashed through her mind. Regardless of any anger he seemed to believe Rhaenyra might have she's more certain she'll be pleased to see him above all else. The anger, if still there, could show itself later. At least Baela hoped that would be the case when they eventually returned home. "Staying out for too much longer will likely not help. You've both done well to recover as much as you have," she looked to Vermax and back at Jace as he stood by her side. The ride back should not be long, but she believed they could make it. So she nodded once, allowing a small smile to form with her lips. Baela turned away to glance up at Moondancer, having a shared look of understanding with her she-dragon. "embrot," she spoke to the dragon before watching Moondancer lower their body down so their belly rested on the sand. Once that had been done she looked back at Jacearys. "Are you ready?"

an  ungloved  palm  presses  to  moondancer's  flank,  pale  green  scales  smooth  to  the  touch.  concealing  a  warmth  that  only  dragon  blooded  found  comfort  in.  she  trills,  a  high  and  pleasantly  sweet  sound,  and  baela  feels  it  everywhere.  in  the  answering  call  that  had  left  her  restless  in  cradle  ─  curled  around  an  unhatched  egg  awaiting  her  arrival.  she  only  recalls  being  made  perfectly  whole  in  a  single  moment.  how  might  she  beg  rhaena  to  forget  that?  to  make  herself  into  something  else  entirely?     “     we  shared  a  womb  do  not  think  me  blind  to  your  suffering,  sister  ...     ”     lavender  eyes  soften  as  they  lift  from  moondancer's  serpentine  gaze,  dragon  breath  fanning  over  cheeks  as  she  turns  to  look  at  her.     “     tell  me  how  to  help  you.     ”     something  in  her  gut  swishes  mercilessly,  an  aching  emptiness  that  strains  to  be  filled.     “     were  muña  here  perhaps  this  would  be  easier,  but  she  is  not.  so  tell  me  what  to  do.     ”

eddie did his best to hold back to scoff that bubbled up his throat, her version of trying and his own? well they lived on two different planets, but he did knew that she was at least making an attempt. he knew his uncle would tell him that had to count for something. but it didn't. he'd been ostracized his entire life - that he was used to. but then he'd been hunted, a murder had been pinned on him. and meredith hadn't even stopped to wonder if maybe, just maybe he'd been innocent. that sucked. and eddie didn't think he should have to pretend it hadn't. "sure, whatever." he finally muttered, his best attempt to hide his contempt failing, "well i'm alive so…you can go now. i know this place isn't up to your standards." he looked around the trailer he called home. it wasn't like the old one. it was way too new, no character - as wayne had put it, but one day they'd make it their own.

perhaps this contradicted her own goals, but with what's been going on in the town some of her goals had been put on a temporary hold. school still went on, for the most part, but it felt like things were being restricted on hawkins. the family member she'd been staying with had fled town after the initial fallout and earthquakes. meredith had stayed, especially when uncle wayne and her had been able to have a real conversation. this had been something she probably should've done years ago, but she was kind of an immature brat at that age. "i've been here for a few days actually," she blurted out, turning around to take a seat on the nearby chair. "i've been helping uncle wayne out after the quakes happened and i don't plan to leave." she didn't want to be alone in a house she'd probably get kicked out of anyways.

❝ seems like i always want you around when everything feels all fucked up. guess that means something. ❞

“ i don’t know how long i’ll be able to protect you for, but i guarantee you, i’ll only stop with my final breath. ”

❝You should consider going to the Salvatore School,❞ Hope suggests. Even though she was no longer going to the school, she was still campaigning for it. The school was a savior for some people. Not so much her, even though she had told people plenty of times it had, but for others. Hope knows that she'd have thrived better in New Orleans, being trained by her mother, the werewolves, her aunts, & brother. Going to public school there, or even being homeschooled. ❝I know it's scary, but they are designed to help people like you.❞

"My mom has been trying to convince me to look into it," she blurted. Maya felt hesitant but knew it was likely the responsible thing to do. There wasn't really another place within a 50 mile radius that could help her. Knowing that supernaturals existed and knowing you were part of that was one thing. Knowing how to properly deal with it all and not cause a mess was something else entirely. "There's a lot I'm still trying to accept and quite a few things I'm scared. I haven't told Ethan about any of this either."

Baela stood her ground as she kept her eyes locked onto Vermax. She felt own dragon now beside her and it instilled her with a stronger sense of determination. Her words had not worked, but then she heard it. His voice echoed back in her mind on a constant loop. Days had passed since they last spoke before going into battle together. All the hope she'd felt at maybe finding him poured out into her expression. The sight of him, in his weakened state, made her feel a little unsteady but Moondancer helped her stay on her feet. Baela kept one hand on her dragon, grateful to still have them by her side. Especially at this time. She looked over up at Moondancer's head as decided to let go of their side and close the distance between herself and Jacearys. Knowing what she'd seen happen to him and actually seeing again now, especially up close, really made her glad she'd chosen to follow the rumors. "Yes, I made it back to Dragonstone when we couldn't find you," she paused, steadying her voice. "Then the rumors came and I had to fly with Moondancer. I clung to the hope that they were true and now they are," she reached out to gently touch his arm. It felt so much more real now. "I'm here to bring you back."