[Kallile]

It was hardly what he had been planning to do with his day, but it was certainly something he would do again and again as long as it took to get it right. The massive black and purple Voidbringer soared through the sky. It was dark—almost midnight—but that was the prime time for dark deals to go down.  Tovin knew the routine well; fly in under cover of darkness to avoid detection and infiltrate the lair of the enemy. However this was not the enemy…or so he hoped.

With a heavy sigh he glanced over his shoulder into the darkness—his tail giving off just enough light to make out her form in the darkness. She was dainty even for a female Sailfin, though the shadows cast over her body only made her look smaller.



It was hard to read the emotions from this distance but Tovin knew one thing—the facts that he was both her half-brother and a male were the only reasons she still followed as loyally as she did at this moment. Even in the afterglow of his tail he could make out the short chains hanging from her neck and ankles—they were the reasons she was so passing. To her this was just another delivery Father had orchestrated for her to grow his line and reputation.

Tovin smiled sadly at her. She didn’t know that with any luck, she would never have to wear those shackles again after tonight. But he couldn’t get too ahead of himself. First he had to find this place his mother, Deadpool, had told him about and establish that it was all true. And second…he had to try to land them to the closest things to a leaders den that he could find.

If they were captured before that and separated not only would his position be harder to explain…but Azazel would be lost to her fear and helpless. If they didn’t execute them both on sight with the wails he knew would follow her terror, it would be a miracle.

He hoped it wouldn’t come to that. With the mountains in sight he dropped altitude a little, making sure that Azazel did the same behind him. Now to find that den…if one did truly exist.

[Jaykobell]

Despite the night being quiet and actually quite clear, that was no reason not to do a daily check around the Hive.



The massive Frost paragon flew at a relatively low altitude as he kept his eyes peeled for any sign of activity, whether in the air or on the ground. He was just finishing up; it was already dark, and it was slowly getting harder for him to see everything. He knew the outline of the plains by heart, but if a dark-colored Paragon ended up being on the ground, he wouldn't be able to spot them under this kind of light; or rather, the lack thereof. He always did a check around the Hive regardless of weather, since it had happened before that some Paragon would just injure themselves awkwardly from the terrain. Fortunately, everybody had seemingly gone home. With a yawn, the Frost could also head home.

He would've done just that if something hadn't caught his attention in the horizon. A small, faintly flowing light was in the distance, moving along straight towards the Hive. There were a few flame-tailed flying Paragon at the Hive, so the Frost wasn't all that anxious about the approaching light; the question was, who was possibly coming back this late?

His curiosity asking for more, the Paragon made his way towards the flying light. He kept his attention on it, trying to outline the shape of the Paragon flying towards the mountain. It wasn't anyone he could recognize; beyond that, the Paragon himself was extremely dark. "Hey!" the Frost called out to the approaching stranger, whose companion he couldn't see from this distance. "I've never seen you around here before," he added as he got closer, his voice genuinely curious and not threatening in nature. "Who are you, and where are you heading?" He kept his composure welcoming without seeming weak or defenseless, although he couldn't tell who this was supposed to be.

[Kallile]

At the sound of the voice and the soft white splotched shape moving towards them, Tovin cursed under his breath and quickly dropped his shoulder to swing around the smaller female. “Don’t leave, be quiet.” He commanded harshly. The very words killed him…it was his sister. He shouldn’t ever have to be the one to see her like this…but he had to. It was the only way to pry her away from Quil long enough to give her this chance.

And now some proverbial white knight was flying up to meet them. This had never been a part of the plan Tovin had wanted to run into. The Voidbringer eyed the masculine shape that approached, noting the sheer size of the other. As soon as Azazel caught sight of Dunstan her limbs began quivering, giving off the soft clinking of her shackles into the night sky. Tovin glared at her from over his shoulder but said nothing else to her.

“Travellers.” He answered. He didn’t doubt for a moment that the other would be able to ignore the sound of the chains behind his bulkier form. “Looking for someplace I’m not even sure exists.”

Tovin gave a small grin however. If there was one paragon out here and he claimed he had never seen Tovin around it meant one of two things. The first and most likely being that the poor soul had been in the mountains so long that he was a bit batty. The second was that his mother had been right. “But maybe you can guide us right where we need to go. This is a place called the Hive, yes?”

The closer Dunstan got, the more Azazel shook and the closer to Tovin she glided to try and stay out of sight. Oh this was bad…so bad. He was too big. He was too scary. She didn’t want to be left with him. Her mind whirled and before she knew it she was all but standing on Tovin’s back with her head barely peering under her brother’s wing with each flap. Of course not a claw even came near his scales—she would be sorely punished for touching a male without being told to. She just hovered close and tried to stay hidden for now—hoping and praying this wasn’t the male she had been brought out here for.

[Jaykobell]

There were two options that popped into the Frost's mind as he heard the stranger's words. Clearly, this Voidbringer was looking for the Hive; the Frost's expression changed to a little bit of surprise when he heard it. He could also hear the clicking sounds of chains or something metallic coming from behind the Voidbringer; judging by the size of the second Paragon, the Frost could only assume she was a female. Even though it was so dark out at this time, he could still see the Sailfin looking absolutely terrified.

Knowing that, his first option could be to lead them to the destination they were looking for and let Izotz, their leader, make the decision as to whether he would accept their request — whatever it was to be seeking the Hive.

Or his second option could be for the Frost to question this Voidbringer, if only considering the state of the Sailfin following him. If he did bring him back to Izotz unaware, the Frost could be leading a potential enemy right back home; the female looked genuinely scared, but that male was certainly normal enough to be a threat.

"My name is Dunstan," the Frost introduced himself quietly, keeping his demeanor as non-threatening as possible. "And I am a member of the Dragon Hive you are looking for," he added, confirming Tovin's question. "If you want to come anywhere close, though, I want you to tell me what you're looking for," Dunstan requested, though again, his tone was welcoming and not menacing. Still, the Sailfin's position was suspicious; why was she bound in such a way, and so very afraid? Was it just a trap, or was there more to it? "Just tell me your reasons. I'm not the one who will make the final decision, but I want to make sure you're not the enemy."

[Kallile]

Noticing that she had been noticed, Azazel quickly pulled herself back out of sight with a tell-tale jingle of her bondage. Oh no, this was bad! He wasn’t the one they were here to meet…but if not him, that might mean other males were around too. The prospect had the Sailfin nearly hyperventilating.

Tovin glanced over his shoulder, moving his tail slightly to still her trembling chains from drawing further suspicions. “I’m afraid, then, that you aren’t privy to know my dealings here.” He said as evenly as possible. He really didn’t want this to be blown out of proportion, however, so he opted to continue humoring the Frost by giving him something at least close to the answer he wanted.

“In fact, I’m not even sure I would care to find this place again. I am here only on her behalf—to be her voice if you will—and after some terms are agreed upon I will likely never been seen here again. So an enemy I am not—my interest is purely vested in my sister’s well-being.” He was using his best Quil-tone that he could muster to stay commanding…although he had purposefully dropped the little breadcrumb that it was his sister following him.

From what he understood of most normal family emotions, seeking shelter for a blood relative was something very noble to do. Of course the Frost might think different, but his demeanor thus far told Tovin that just that bit of information coupled with the way his sister was bound would urge this…Dunstan….to lead them to the head of the Hive.

[Jaykobell]

The first answer rubbed Dunstan the wrong way, and the Frost's initial thought was to drive the Voidbringer away, together with the suspicious Sailfin that was meekly following him along. His expression did change to something a little bit more unpleasant, but the Frost said nothing initially. Whether the final decision was his or not to make mattered very little. He still had to make sure he wasn't bringing about an enemy to the Hive.

Fortunately, Tovin did add to his story and that answer was a lot more satisfying. The Frost craned his neck a little to get a better view of the sister in question. Dunstan's assumption was that this Voidbringer's sister needed help and that, for some reason, Tovin thought the Hive could provide it. The Frost still looked a little perplexed, but mostly he was still slightly ticked at the Voidbringer's first answer. Maybe it was time to just call it a day. "Fine, then. I'll lead you there," he eventually replied, his voice even as well. When his friends sounded upset and irritated, Dunstan often let it go — he knew them well. When it came to strangers, though? He found that certain words could really crawl under his skin.

Regardless, the Frost kept his word and lead the pair of siblings towards the mountain, flying at an average speed so that Tovin could follow with ease.

It was hard to identify the scenery at this time of the day, considering the darkness. However, a thick forest could be seen shielding the mountain, and small dens all lined up on the mountain could also be seen if one bothered to squint their eyes a little. There were a few lit torches by certain dens, mostly to make an even design all across the mountain. It had a cave-like feeling to it despite this being the outside part of the Hive. It was also empty at this time of the night, with no dragons flying around and no dragons or hatchlings hanging in the clearing on the ground.

Without wasting time — and also because dwelling about might make them look suspicious, all things considered — Dunstan flew down and reached for the largest den, where a large rocky plateau stretched out in front of it. Quietly dropping down in front of the den, the Frost turned to Tovin. He was hoping to himself that his sister's chains wouldn't get anyone looking too curious; to a third party, a male Paragon bringing along a chained female? It wasn't something you saw every day. "Our leader is inside," Dunstan warned as he lead Tovin further and guided him inside the den.

A little ways inside, and with the Sailfin's chains probably clicking loudly in this silent den, Dunstan called out to the light, white shape that was inside. "Izotz, I came across someone who has a request to make."

The closer the little group got, the more defined the white shape became — together with a much smaller and darker Paragon that was with the leader.



Upon being called to, the white Frost turned his attention to Dunstan and the two strangers he'd brought along. "Welcome back, Dunstan," he greeted first before craning his neck and shifting positions so that he would be facing the little group. "A request, you say?" he asked curiously, tilting his head at the two strangers, although his presence felt welcoming.

Unlike the Sailfin next to him, whom looked a lot more serious and not as ecstatic about being bothered so late at night, especially not because of some strangers found outside their territory. Despite that, the female said nothing beyond also turning around to face the group.

[Kallile]

Tovin gave only a nod and turned to follow the Frost with the Sailfin in tow. The Voidbringer took in little of the scenery as they past; his words to Dunstan had been very honest. He had no desire to come back here. Ever. And the less he could remember the less likely it would be for Quil to pressure him into giving away Azazel’s new dwelling. Coming at night had had a secondary purpose in that way—less landmarks for him to be able to notice.

As they landed outside the den Azazel seemed very practiced at keeping her bondage quiet—shuffling along the metal bonds made limited sounds against the ground. It was present but muffled, certainly better than if she had, say, been skipping into the territory. Once on the ground she shrunk into herself like a dog beaten into submission and followed sheepishly behind the males. She twitched at the slightest movement that seemed aimed at her and would often near sink to her belly  when looked at.

Tovin kept moving however and thus she followed out of orders into the den and towards the white shape. Unfortunately for Izotz it did not matter how welcoming he was—at the sight of him and the stern female at his side Azazel did drop completely to her belly and curl into herself as much as possible. Tovin closed his eyes and inhaled deeply as he sought for the strength to be indifferent to it. She would be better off without him.

“A request of the gravest matter, I’m afraid.” The voidbringer began by stepping out from in front of the small Sailfin to put her in full view of the leaders. “For I come bearing a tormented soul who desperately needs a sanctuary.”

He paused and let his sister be the object of survey and speculations. “The way you see her now is the state she has been kept in since the day she was hatched. Our father has no love of females for any reason other than making them mothers to his offspring, and has used this, his first born, as fodder to build himself a dark and twisted empire.” He lowered his head, bright red flames licking at his teeth as he continued to speak and his rage built.

“Though I now could overpower our father and cannot overpower the shadow he has cast on the world. This place is her final hope at a normal life, although she can honestly give you nothing in return. I am here with the request to strike a deal for her freedom from her life of abuse.”

[Jaykobell]

The sudden fear and reaction of the Voidbringer's partner did surprised Izotz, and if she did surprise the dark Sailfin, she gave no sign of it. However, the white leader seemed very perplexed at Azazel's reaction. Dunstan, whom understood that the small Sailfin didn't look very happy to be here, was surprised to see her become so afraid so quickly.

This kind of fear, though, wasn't something they weren't used to. Intrigued, Izotz did listen carefully to Tovin's words, taking a look at the exposed sister currently deeply shrunk by fear in front of them. Hearing those words and the story attached to it, Izotz was swayed almost immediately by Tovin's request. "While not conventional for us," he started with, giving his full attention to Tovin, now that he had gotten a good look at his sister, "if we can find a solution for this to be a profitable offer for both parties, I would—"

"—not let this female join us," the dark Sailfin interjected suddenly, her words and composure much more intimidating than the male leader. "If she cannot even speak for herself, this Paragon has no place with us in the wild," she added bluntly, quite literally cutting off Tovin's attempts to work something out to balance out for his sister's obvious weaknesses.

"Slavica," Izotz called out, looking clearly displeased at being cut off so indecently. "The decision will be mine to make," he reminded his supporting leader, his tone quickly shifting from the friendly leader to one of presence and authority.

Despite that, Slavica pushed on, only giving Izotz a determined look before looking back to Tovin. "While we can relate to your circumstances, this is not the place for your sister," she repeated, this time with a clearer message. "This Hive has no use for useless members."

Perhaps it was the way she was trying to make his decision for him, or perhaps it was because Slavica was outwardly insulting a Paragon she didn't know — regardless of the reason, that last interjection left Izotz standing up and growling menacingly as his head-spikes prickled angrily. "Enough," the leader growled deeply, facing off in a glaring contest with his second-in-command. "We will work something out where no one here will be useless," Izotz added, slowly overwhelming the dark Sailfin enough for her to quietly step back, despite her expression being worth a thousands words.

With the situation back under control, Izotz turned back to Tovin, his demeanor still menacing, but the presence slowly dying off. "I apologize," he started with with a long sigh. "We will welcome your sister to our Hive, under the condition that we can find a way to make this profitable, as you initially proposed."

[Kallile]

The quad eyes of the Voidbringer bounced back and forth as the two leaders effectively puffed their chests at one another to see who would come out on top of the argument. He couldn’t say he blamed the second-in-command; a working clan was no place for someone useless. He had no way of quelling the tempers here—he was merely an observer. But for the sake of Azazel he had to keep up his in-control appearance.

“Useless now, yes. But think of her as a large hatchling. While no use now, she may yet be molded to fill a gap.” She was used to being broken and molded to the wills of others—only in this case it would better her rather than degrade her. “She has potential, but none of us have ever seen what that potential might be. She has been a tool, not a free-thinking being.” This he said straight to the dark Sailfin with a darkening look. His father’s training gave voice to the thought of how much Quil’lian would enjoy breaking her tough spirit; a thought he quickly ushered from his mind.

But he would humor her at least. Turning to Azazel he gave her a slight nod. “Speak to the lady.”

Like a trained mutt Azazel slunk forward on her belly; trembling at the sight of the two male Frosts still in the room. “M-my n-n-name is Aza…Azazel ma’am-m-m…” She finally managed to squeak out before slinking back in hasty retreat. Tovin glanced back up to the leading pair with narrowed eyes.

“There is much she needs to overcome, and none of it will happen while she remains with our father. I will find a way to provide anything you ask; name your price in exchange for her freedom.”

[Jaykobell]

Despite him asking for a price, Izotz had to admit he couldn't even begin to think about anything he could ask Tovin to do. He simply continued to listen to Tovin's arguments, although only with one ear. The other was busy trying to figure out a way to make this easier for Slavica — and the entire Hive, for the most part — to accept this poor broken soul into their clan.

Meanwhile, while she was keeping quiet, Slavica was certainly still keeping close attention to the whole thing. She could anticipate Izotz's words like an open book; she could read him without any problems. He was a bleeding heart that sometimes made unconventional and even dangerous decisions because he was too gentle to turn anyone down. The Sailfin knew that Tovin's sister would end up with them, because that was something Izotz would just do. She didn't believe the whole thing about the deal, either.

She returned Tovin's dark gaze without flinching or even hesitating; it was clear that this particular Sailfin wasn't bothered or fazed by very many things. She was the smallest of the whole group in the den, yet she hadn't hesitated to face off against Izotz. As such, when Azazel spoke, Slavica was left very unimpressed, simply looking down at the other Sailfin with a hard look and eventually turning her head away. "Do what you want," she spoke to Izotz, though her even tone made it hard to see if she were now for or still against Azazel joining.

Izotz wouldn't deny that Slavica's agreement made it a lot easier for him to make a decision. They clashed all the time; she was a lot colder than he was and very business-oriented. She was right to say that the Hive couldn't afford useless Paragon; her intentions were understandable, but she often came off as distant and not open to discussions.

Izotz, on the other hand, would probably accept anybody to the Hive if he had the chance. Especially someone coming from a story like Azazel's, where he could literally feel his heart bleeding for the poor female Sailfin who'd never gotten to be herself.

Izotz eventually shook his head at the two siblings. "I can't think of anything to even it out. I will give your sister the chance she deserves, as you requested," he answered the Voidbringer, nodding. "We have had cases similar to hers before; they've learned how to get better with time." He gave a quick glance to his supporting leader, whom still had her head turned the other way. She wasn't pouting; she was just expressing her disagreement. "Is this good enough for you? If that is all you wanted to talk about, Dunstan here can lead you outside our territory — solely out of protocol."

[Kallile]

Tovin listened carefully to the leader of the Hive and nodded when appropriate. The disapproval of the dark Sailfin was very apparent, but there was little the Voidbringer could do to remedy that. He only hoped she would treat his sister fairly. "That is all I wished to speak of. Though the less distance the scout would accompany me the better. I don’t wish to remember this location to give our father easier ground on finding her again.”

He gave a deep bow before turning around to face his much more timid sister. Azazel shrunk, if that was possible, more as the four eyes of her brother fell upon her. Reaching out slowly and steadily with a  large hand, Tovin took hold of the bonds that wrapped around her sister and slowly unlocked each one with a large claw. One by one the shackles fell away with a soft clatter on the floor and when she was left with only her skin Azazel trembled more—feeling even more exposed and unnatural than usual.

“Your place is with them now. You will listen to them and do your best at whatever they ask of you. Understood?” The Sailfin gave a small nod of her head and snaked her neck backwards before reaching up to gingerly rub where the shackle had once been and feel the soft and raw scales underneath.  Tovin then leaned closer and laid his chin atop her head.

“You’re free now…just do your best to make a life for yourself here.”

With that he nodded towards Dustan. “I am ready to be escorted from your territory.”

[Jaykobell]

Izotz nodded at Tovin's requested to keep the escort as short as possible. With Tovin's request and his reasoning, the leader could understand why he wanted to be escort just, perhaps, at the end of the forest, and no further. "Dunstan will escort you until the plains, and no further," he answered as he turned to the larger Frost, whom gave a nod to indicate that he understood his instructions.

The three wild Paragon watched as the scene between the two siblings unfolded, and all of them had their own reactions. Dunstan watched with pity, mostly from seeing Azazel cower so much; Izotz had a similar chain of thoughts, where he felt like it would become his duty to make sure this poor Sailfin would be protected. Slavica seemingly remained unfazed towards the whole scene, but the breaking point was when Tovin laid his chin over his sister's head, and the words he spoke to her. While unseen in the dark, the Sailfin's expression darkened, and she felt her claws scratching against the rock beneath her, as she tried to sink them into it. Besides that, she did nothing more.

Once Tovin confirmed that he was ready to leave, Izotz nodded and motioned for Dunstan to do as he'd been instructed. "I wish I could invite you to visit your sister when you can," Izotz started, glancing down at the poor Sailfin in front of him, "but I understand that it doesn't sound possible for you. This Hive is peaceful; I will do my best to give your sister a chance to become her own Paragon," he added, bowing his head shortly to prove that he was being sincere. "Have a safe trip, then."

[Kallile]

Tovin approached Dunstan with a solemn aura that was akin to someone leaving after the burial of a loved one. Azazel was effectively dead to the family now though; it had to be this way for her to remain free and live out the rest of her life happily. Perhaps one day, when Quil was old and weak, Tovin would finally end their father with every ounce of cruelty he’d ever spread onto his offspring. When that day came perhaps he would try to find this place again—to find Azazel and see how many little nieces and nephews he might have running around. But that day was far away with the Voidbringer not even in his prime while his father was still very strong and health.

“Another, brighter day perhaps. I will not forget this kindness.”

And with that he followed Dunstan outside. Though the next morning, when the Frost would again surely be scouting, he would find several kills just outside the territory with one large, red razorblade atop of them from the Voidbringer’s wing. A physical token of gratitude—a meal for the Hive to make Azazel’s acceptance more palatable.

~*~

Now alone with the frightening Frost and his Sailfin accomplice, Azazel felt as if she had just been skinned.  Instinctively she reached out and pulled a single shackle closer to her—cuddling it as the last remaining thing that was familiar as a hatchling might cling to their mother on her first day back to her duties. Wild and fearful eyes flickered between the two forms that stood out in the darkness and Azazel waited for orders to be barked at her.

It was the only way she was truly used to being spoken too—orders for her to do this or that or lay still….there was no asking or pleading. Only demanding. When no demands instantly followed Tovin’s leaving her anxiety rocketed through the roof. “W-what shall I do for you?” She finally managed to squeak out, still clutching desperately to her unhinged shackle.

[Jaykobell]

With a solemn nod, Izotz bid his farewell to the Voidbringer as Dunstan escorted Tovin outside, the two eventually leaving the den with quiet flutters. This only left him and Slavica with their newfound member, whom was still just as fearful and insecure as she'd been from the very beginning.

Izotz was surprised to see Azazel cling to the chain Tovin had unlocked and thrown away. The meaning to her reaction was completely lost for the Frost, and for a moment, the leader thought it would be best to keep the chain away from the small Sailfin. It didn't linger with happy memories for her, considering the story Tovin had told them. Latching onto that chain would bring nothing happy or worth remembering to Azazel; except maybe that one memory of the night her brother had unchained her.

Regardless, Izotz left Azazel to her memories and didn't try to force the chain away from her. Instead, he turned to Slavica as Azazel kept to the one thing that connected her to her past. "You will be gentle with her, won't you?" he whispered to the dark female, his voice barely above a whisper so Azazel wouldn't hear them.

Slavica glanced in Izotz's direction and replied nothing initially, simply closing her eyes. "I don't like reliving that time," she murmured back, voice cold and let out other emotions that only Izotz and very few others could understand.

"Then you can understand what she went through," Izotz replied back, hoping his supporting leader would bring herself to care. Slavica didn't use to be this way, so cold and seemingly uncaring and expecting perfection out of everybody. She used to be strong and powerful, just as she was now, but she had once been motherly, caring, friendly. It did hurt Izotz to see one of his oldest and most precious friends slowly bringing herself to care less and less about everything.

The conversation was cut short when Azazel spoke on her own. Izotz wouldn't deny that he was surprised, but it was a pleasant one; he wouldn't deny that he'd been afraid the little Sailfin would have a hard time here, being that she'd been mostly unwilling to speak up on her own. Glancing shortly at Slavica, Izotz slowly made his way closer to Azazel. Instead of staying up on all fours, though, the white Frost slowly crouched down until he was lying on his belly, just like the Sailfin before him.

Izotz eventually ended up lying down his entire body on the ground, neck and head included. He was entirely flopped on the ground, and his plan was that his submissive-looking position would inspire Azazel to not be afraid of him. He understood that she was very submissive and afraid of males, but the exact level of her fear was unknown to him.

"Hi there," he started with, speaking with Azazel eye-to-eye; another reason why he'd flopped down. He also kept his voice as gentle as possible, although the typical male deepness still showed; but he couldn't do much about that. "Don't worry, you'll be treated well here. You can call me Izotz." He figured introducing himself to Azazel personally might make her feel more comfortable, but that was yet to be seen. "I'll introduce you to another Paragon here, and you can live with her while you learn how to live with us. Her name is Careen; she's really nice, I promise." He tried to speak to Azazel the same way he would speak to a young hatchling. They sometimes needed to be treated more gently than grown Paragon, and laying everything out to them often helped them understand and grasp concepts, as well as reassuring them that the events to come would be pleasant and harmless. "And then we can do more things tomorrow. All right?"

During the whole exchange, Slavica remained where she was, silent, but watchful. The irony was that Izotz, whom had never had any hatchlings of his own, was better at raising them than Slavica had been to her own. Awaiting her own orders, the dark Sailfin simply watched the whole exchange in silence.

[Kallile]

As she watched the other two talk, Azazel began to quiver. She could understand their words just fine—behind her shyness was actually a wealth of intelligence squashed by her upbringing and oppression. That didn’t mean she trusted the words they were saying. How often had father sent her somewhere that rescue had seemed likely, only to find herself beaten and heavy with eggs instead? Cruel people had cruel ways of getting what they wanted and Izotz and Slavica would be no different no matter how genuine they tried to sound.

At least, that’s what she thought until the Frost came up to her—belly and all to the ground—and started talking to her calmly and slowly. At first her reaction was to spring away from him; the action itself she had never done without her shackles and even their slight weight being absent made the action appear that much more animated. Instantly she mimicked him in a weird display of “who can get lower to the ground?” Azazel went so far as to flatten out her wings entirely and helplessly, though they did twitch with the desire to pull back up and cover her spine from attack.

Her wide eyes were even quivering back and forth slightly as she watched the Frost, his words taking a long time to finally sink past the fear and be comprehended. She was…not here for them? For someone else instead? Her entire body quivered at the idea.  How many hands would she be passed through until  they were done with her? Tovin’s assurance of freedom was just about as good as Izotz at the moment. Though he had always been kinder to her, he was Quil’s chosen son. His trickery might run just as deeply as Father’s.

“I shouldn’t….use names.” She began weakly, her head jerking away as if he might slash her face for the answer. “Names are t-too personal.” Any other temporary ‘master’ would often try that trick. Formal names were never allowed to pass her lips. Ever. Punishment for doing so was always some form of blood loss.

“B-but I will go!” She added hastily, again fearing wrath may be waiting to pounce just behind that gentle tone. “I will…will meet her and stay w-with her if that is y-y-your wish.” She had been trying to keep herself from backing away from the larger Frost like a serpent—crawling pathetically on her belly.

“I will do whatever you ask of me. I will be a good girl…I p-promise…” She finally whimpered out. More things tomorrow? Her fragile heart was crumbling slowly at the prospect that she really would be here forever…and what horrors these new masters might conjure up.