Wrathion, Prince of the Black Dragonflight (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
undertheweight) wrote2025-05-24 10:55 am
undertheweight) wrote2025-05-24 10:55 am
I will tell you only if you give me your word that you won't be angry with him. I believe he is angrier with himself right now.
No. If you saw me at my worst, I would expect you to kill me. One life for the sake of many, it isn't a choice. I would never feel anger towards you, I would be thankful.
Can you sense me, brother? I will call to you.
No. If you saw me at my worst, I would expect you to kill me. One life for the sake of many, it isn't a choice. I would never feel anger towards you, I would be thankful.
Can you sense me, brother? I will call to you.
Wrathion does not particularly want to give his word. However, this is Arman. Therefore...]
I swear by the Aspects that I shall do my abject best to not be angry at whomever it is. I cannot promise better, but I can promise to avoid this individual until my ire has cooled.
There are ways to stop you that need not mean your death. Though should you truly harm an innocent, I would grant you a swift end. It would be what you wanted.
I will find you.
I swear by the Aspects that I shall do my abject best to not be angry at whomever it is. I cannot promise better, but I can promise to avoid this individual until my ire has cooled.
There are ways to stop you that need not mean your death. Though should you truly harm an innocent, I would grant you a swift end. It would be what you wanted.
I will find you.
Sansa takes his hand and squeezes it gently.
"You needn't worry about the specifics of it if you don't want to get into it but I would be happy to listen. You know I never mind listening to your problems." Sansa would say that to several people in her acquaintance but since Wrathion has literally saved her life, he gets more of her ear than most.
"We can just have a nice dinner."
"You needn't worry about the specifics of it if you don't want to get into it but I would be happy to listen. You know I never mind listening to your problems." Sansa would say that to several people in her acquaintance but since Wrathion has literally saved her life, he gets more of her ear than most.
"We can just have a nice dinner."
I had an argument with Kelson, I told him he would end up alone if he did not start thinking about consequences. He froze time for me.
Even before that. The dragon was willing to try to consume the woman I fell in love with, it will not hesitate to hurt an innocent.
I will be waiting.
Even before that. The dragon was willing to try to consume the woman I fell in love with, it will not hesitate to hurt an innocent.
I will be waiting.
He froze time? I was not aware he had that particular power. Ugh.
[Arman can't see how Wrathion pinches the bridge of his nose, or hear the truly exasperated sigh.]
You are not wrong in that regard. We shall speak more when I arrive. I am on my way.
[He is perhaps not as swift as he can be--the day has been a long one, but Wrathion said he would find Arman, and find Arman he would. He does eventually spot him, and comes winging carefully in to settle down nearby, tossing his head a little.]
Would you prefer I stay in this form, or take Visage again? I do not wish to trouble you further.
[His brother has endured enough, lately.]
[Arman can't see how Wrathion pinches the bridge of his nose, or hear the truly exasperated sigh.]
You are not wrong in that regard. We shall speak more when I arrive. I am on my way.
[He is perhaps not as swift as he can be--the day has been a long one, but Wrathion said he would find Arman, and find Arman he would. He does eventually spot him, and comes winging carefully in to settle down nearby, tossing his head a little.]
Would you prefer I stay in this form, or take Visage again? I do not wish to trouble you further.
[His brother has endured enough, lately.]
Wrathion's lips thinned. "I probably ought to warn you, then."
But first, he lifted Sansa's hand to his lips to bestow a kiss on the back of it. Only then did he release it and straighten again.
"Were you aware that Kelson was...attempting to make things right with Aemond Targaryen?" By the tone of his voice, Sansa could definitely assume that things might...not have gone as well as they had hoped.
But first, he lifted Sansa's hand to his lips to bestow a kiss on the back of it. Only then did he release it and straighten again.
"Were you aware that Kelson was...attempting to make things right with Aemond Targaryen?" By the tone of his voice, Sansa could definitely assume that things might...not have gone as well as they had hoped.
Sansa colors just a touch when Wrathion kisses the back of her hand and she pulls it back reluctantly when he releases it. It's a courtesy between nobles, no more and no less, but she appreciates it all the same.
"Oh by the Old Gods and the New, please tell me he didn't try to corner the man in a room again? I told him that a Targaryen of King's Landing wouldn't stand for anyone posing a threat toward them even if it was in ignorance and not carefully-crafted intent. Do tell me what happened after I get us some wine."
The fae always let Sansa pay for her things using just her voice - even the most mundane song delights them - so she sings them the first stanza of Seasons of my Love and a girl with branching flowers growing from her hair and along her arms claps her hands in delight and goes to fetch the wine. Once it's presented, Sansa asks for them to bring whatever is on special for the evening, no trouble, and she and Wrathion are alone again.
"Are we going to go through more than one bottle, do you think?"
"Oh by the Old Gods and the New, please tell me he didn't try to corner the man in a room again? I told him that a Targaryen of King's Landing wouldn't stand for anyone posing a threat toward them even if it was in ignorance and not carefully-crafted intent. Do tell me what happened after I get us some wine."
The fae always let Sansa pay for her things using just her voice - even the most mundane song delights them - so she sings them the first stanza of Seasons of my Love and a girl with branching flowers growing from her hair and along her arms claps her hands in delight and goes to fetch the wine. Once it's presented, Sansa asks for them to bring whatever is on special for the evening, no trouble, and she and Wrathion are alone again.
"Are we going to go through more than one bottle, do you think?"
"No, no. Aemond was not there this time, Titans be praised. He and Eoghan Cousland exchanged...words...at the market, but he left Kelson before more than that could happen, and I stepped in as he left."
Not that Wrathion hadn't heard all of it. Sometimes he wished that his senses weren't quite so keen, but then again, it was more fodder for his hoard of secrets.
He shook his head, then. "No, I'd best not have too many cups. I do not want to be in them by the end of this. Something has happened with Arman, and he asked me to come see him, so I must still do that tonight."
Not that Wrathion was about to cut dinner short to do that. Arman was patient, blessedly. He'd simply have to wait.
Not that Wrathion hadn't heard all of it. Sometimes he wished that his senses weren't quite so keen, but then again, it was more fodder for his hoard of secrets.
He shook his head, then. "No, I'd best not have too many cups. I do not want to be in them by the end of this. Something has happened with Arman, and he asked me to come see him, so I must still do that tonight."
Not that Wrathion was about to cut dinner short to do that. Arman was patient, blessedly. He'd simply have to wait.
Sansa frowns softly at the mention of Arman needing something and she presses her lips together before taking a sip of her wine.
"Well, I shouldn't keep you if you have to talk to him," she says. "Our dinner was merely to spend time together and nothing of terribly great import. It seems you have had many things on your agenda today and I do not want to keep Arman waiting if it is important."
At the mention of Eoghan and Kelson exchanging words, she merely sighs.
"I do not understand why he must be so strident in everything he says. There are times to be disagreeable, naturally, but one should want to make friends and allies and not offend everyone he meets. I've tried to do that. There are things I stand firmly upon, of course, but otherwise why not be friendly?"
"Well, I shouldn't keep you if you have to talk to him," she says. "Our dinner was merely to spend time together and nothing of terribly great import. It seems you have had many things on your agenda today and I do not want to keep Arman waiting if it is important."
At the mention of Eoghan and Kelson exchanging words, she merely sighs.
"I do not understand why he must be so strident in everything he says. There are times to be disagreeable, naturally, but one should want to make friends and allies and not offend everyone he meets. I've tried to do that. There are things I stand firmly upon, of course, but otherwise why not be friendly?"
[ Despite the fact that he knows Wrathion is coming he still starts a bit when he sees the shadow, but it calls to him in ways that no other soul does here. His veins are still glowing when the dragon lands nearby and he walks over quietly, nudging their foreheads together with a sigh.
No other here knows the struggle, he thinks, none so intimately. Wrathion knows the hatred from the outside, the scarcely contained rage within and the constant struggle to maintain that fragile peace. Arman closes his eyes, lifting a hand to rest it atop of his scales in a soothing gesture. ]
Stay like this, the dragon is less likely to be suspicious of a brother.
[ Despite the fact that his voice remains level he balls up a fist. ]
I could have killed him, Wrathion. And if the dragon took over in the common area? Many more people.
No other here knows the struggle, he thinks, none so intimately. Wrathion knows the hatred from the outside, the scarcely contained rage within and the constant struggle to maintain that fragile peace. Arman closes his eyes, lifting a hand to rest it atop of his scales in a soothing gesture. ]
Stay like this, the dragon is less likely to be suspicious of a brother.
[ Despite the fact that his voice remains level he balls up a fist. ]
I could have killed him, Wrathion. And if the dragon took over in the common area? Many more people.
You speak in so many might have beens, brother. And not of what is.
[Arman chose, and that is all well and good with Wrathion. He closes his eyes and inclines his head, letting Arman touch his forehead to his own forehead plate, moving slowly. Not that he would be in a rush to move away. Instead, he curls himself into a ring around Arman's human form in a protective maneuver. Dragons they may be, but there are still things that prowl the fae lands.]
That you worry is good; it is something we must do for the mortals as a matter of course. We are dragons. But my kind have always been held to a higher standard--and by that I mean all the flights of my homeworld. Though perhaps my flight in particular, considering its history. Still. It is good that you kept your temper. It is good that you practice keeping it. I do it as well. I do not have halves, as you seem to, but I still have a temper...
[Aspects, does he. Sometimes he wonders if Kelson Haldane is his personal penance for how he wronged Anduin Wrynn. If his patience is being tried accordingly.]
You spoke sharply to him, I am sure--I would have done no different. I have done no different, especially when he's been particularly blockheaded. Did he not provoke you with words? Did he not attack you, in a way?
[Wrathion would call freezing time around himself an attack, were he not the one to do it. And there was no way he could, he was no bronze to wield time as a weapon.]
I cannot presume to know how your Mira would act, learning of what transpired with you. So I shall not speak for her. But I am proud of you for your restraint.
[Arman chose, and that is all well and good with Wrathion. He closes his eyes and inclines his head, letting Arman touch his forehead to his own forehead plate, moving slowly. Not that he would be in a rush to move away. Instead, he curls himself into a ring around Arman's human form in a protective maneuver. Dragons they may be, but there are still things that prowl the fae lands.]
That you worry is good; it is something we must do for the mortals as a matter of course. We are dragons. But my kind have always been held to a higher standard--and by that I mean all the flights of my homeworld. Though perhaps my flight in particular, considering its history. Still. It is good that you kept your temper. It is good that you practice keeping it. I do it as well. I do not have halves, as you seem to, but I still have a temper...
[Aspects, does he. Sometimes he wonders if Kelson Haldane is his personal penance for how he wronged Anduin Wrynn. If his patience is being tried accordingly.]
You spoke sharply to him, I am sure--I would have done no different. I have done no different, especially when he's been particularly blockheaded. Did he not provoke you with words? Did he not attack you, in a way?
[Wrathion would call freezing time around himself an attack, were he not the one to do it. And there was no way he could, he was no bronze to wield time as a weapon.]
I cannot presume to know how your Mira would act, learning of what transpired with you. So I shall not speak for her. But I am proud of you for your restraint.
"You aren't exactly keeping me, either, Sansa. My brother will understand. And it's not as if as I have to come back here to sleep. If I sleep. It isn't as if I've never spent a night in a cave, in all my life."
He's trying to make a joke of it, but Wrathion would not be at all surprised if it fell flat. In any case, he'd still make the attempt.
"Please. You needn't concern yourself too deeply," he said. Though having someone concerned about him? That was nice. "And it isn't as if I don't want to spend a few calm hours with you before I need to gird myself again and get back out there! I suppose I ought to get used to this--it isn't as if being a diplomat and smoothing ruffled feathers is not a thing I signed myself up for, even before I arrived here."
It's just that if he wasn't here, Wrathion would be doing it elsewhere. But his expression changes slightly at Sansa's frustration at Kelson. It was something the dragon could understand--why not be friendly? But...
"Perhaps he's never really had friends? He was never really allowed to be a child, and so he is so set in ways he feels as if he has to act. He never really learned how to be himself, before he learned how to be his duty. If that makes any sense?"
Really, Wrathion understood all of that altogether too well.
He's trying to make a joke of it, but Wrathion would not be at all surprised if it fell flat. In any case, he'd still make the attempt.
"Please. You needn't concern yourself too deeply," he said. Though having someone concerned about him? That was nice. "And it isn't as if I don't want to spend a few calm hours with you before I need to gird myself again and get back out there! I suppose I ought to get used to this--it isn't as if being a diplomat and smoothing ruffled feathers is not a thing I signed myself up for, even before I arrived here."
It's just that if he wasn't here, Wrathion would be doing it elsewhere. But his expression changes slightly at Sansa's frustration at Kelson. It was something the dragon could understand--why not be friendly? But...
"Perhaps he's never really had friends? He was never really allowed to be a child, and so he is so set in ways he feels as if he has to act. He never really learned how to be himself, before he learned how to be his duty. If that makes any sense?"
Really, Wrathion understood all of that altogether too well.
"No, I understand that feeling all too well. I never had a childhood either, not after I went south, and I had no friends and no one I could trust. He seems to have had one person, an advisor, but that is hardly an agemate. This may be his first opportunity with such things," Sansa says.
"I want to help him. I do think there is good in him and good intentions but there is also a sense that he is used to forcing his way into any situation due to his magical abilities. He has been in my mind before as well but I threatened him if he looked at anything about my husband."
"I want to help him. I do think there is good in him and good intentions but there is also a sense that he is used to forcing his way into any situation due to his magical abilities. He has been in my mind before as well but I threatened him if he looked at anything about my husband."
"It is dismaying, how similar our pasts seem to be. At least on the surface. I am certain there are differences to be found." Especially considering his species, and her gender.
Wrathion frowned darkly. "Perhaps I ought to take him for another swim, then. I told him that should he ever choose to force his way within my mind again, I would take that as the offense it was. Perhaps I should tell him that if he does that to you again, I will take it as an attack against your person, and make him regret it."
At the moment, he isn't certain how he could manage that without seriously harming Kelson, but the Deryni is definitely giving him incentive to do so. Still. Discussing things with what rationality he could muster was an important first step.
Wrathion frowned darkly. "Perhaps I ought to take him for another swim, then. I told him that should he ever choose to force his way within my mind again, I would take that as the offense it was. Perhaps I should tell him that if he does that to you again, I will take it as an attack against your person, and make him regret it."
At the moment, he isn't certain how he could manage that without seriously harming Kelson, but the Deryni is definitely giving him incentive to do so. Still. Discussing things with what rationality he could muster was an important first step.
"He did at least seem to fear me enough to not slip into those memories," Sansa says. "Or respect me enough. Either way, he did only as allowed and I cannot fault him for it. Apparently I remind him of someone though he said not who."
Sansa has no idea who could be in his life quite like her but she'll accept it all the same.
"He does think that he has experienced the same...humiliation and torture I experienced because he saw into the memories of a girl who was attacked. I took offense."
Sansa has no idea who could be in his life quite like her but she'll accept it all the same.
"He does think that he has experienced the same...humiliation and torture I experienced because he saw into the memories of a girl who was attacked. I took offense."
To my knowledge, we have no specific rituals. Though this could have been kept from me by the other flights, I do not think Ebyssian or even Sabellian so cruel.
Our kin, the dracthyr, remember the names of those they have lost. They often wear very specific horn and wing jewelry, unique to them, and a piece of this is collected and taken with the others of their weyrn,
Do your people have specific rituals?
[Part of this is Wrathion's ever-present curiosity, but he genuinely also wants to know, and perhaps draw Aemond out a bit. He has felt his brother's despair.]
Our kin, the dracthyr, remember the names of those they have lost. They often wear very specific horn and wing jewelry, unique to them, and a piece of this is collected and taken with the others of their weyrn,
Do your people have specific rituals?
[Part of this is Wrathion's ever-present curiosity, but he genuinely also wants to know, and perhaps draw Aemond out a bit. He has felt his brother's despair.]
We can, though I have nothing that was his. Well.
Arman told me that the Lady of Summer, Queen Sunna, gave him a necklace that showed images of his family. He...left it for me, but I am not certain I feel right about accepting it, even if our brother wished me to have it. Her Highness did not bestow it upon me.
I am sure, if we put our heads together, we could find something that reminded us properly of him. But I would be grateful. We should do this.
Arman told me that the Lady of Summer, Queen Sunna, gave him a necklace that showed images of his family. He...left it for me, but I am not certain I feel right about accepting it, even if our brother wished me to have it. Her Highness did not bestow it upon me.
I am sure, if we put our heads together, we could find something that reminded us properly of him. But I would be grateful. We should do this.
He left his flute with me. I've no ability to play it, but perhaps we can repurpose it somehow and share it between us. I would not covet this gift alone if you are returning the necklace.
[ After a brief pause: ]
What do you need, Wrathion? I wish to help.
[ After a brief pause: ]
What do you need, Wrathion? I wish to help.
Arman trusted you with it. Hold on to it for now. It may be that we need not do much for it and preserve the greater part of the flute, and simply have small parts sawn off, to make something from the rings of it? I am thinking, and of course I need to speak to Her Highness about the necklace.
[And it's probably a good thing that Wrathion is the one to do it.]
Though if you think of something, by all means, let me know? You, too, have a clever mind and may think of a thing where I do not.
[And it's probably a good thing that Wrathion is the one to do it.]
Though if you think of something, by all means, let me know? You, too, have a clever mind and may think of a thing where I do not.
"Good. I hope he continues to fear you, then. If that does not suffice, he ought to know to fear me."
Or at least fear being unceremoniously dragged off and thrown into the ocean again. This time, Wrathion might not tow him to shore. How many times were they going to have to have this discussion?
He grimaced, at least making the attempt to stifle the growl that escaped him. "He what?" The dragon shook his head.
"Simply because I saw something in another's memories does not mean that I could ever comprehend what happened to them. I would think there was a remove, at the very least--I do not expect you to understand about what happened to me, either. I do appreciate that you made the attempt, however. Nor do I blame you for being offended. I think I would have taken offense on your behalf."
Damn right he would have.
Or at least fear being unceremoniously dragged off and thrown into the ocean again. This time, Wrathion might not tow him to shore. How many times were they going to have to have this discussion?
He grimaced, at least making the attempt to stifle the growl that escaped him. "He what?" The dragon shook his head.
"Simply because I saw something in another's memories does not mean that I could ever comprehend what happened to them. I would think there was a remove, at the very least--I do not expect you to understand about what happened to me, either. I do appreciate that you made the attempt, however. Nor do I blame you for being offended. I think I would have taken offense on your behalf."
Damn right he would have.
"No, just as I could never understand what you went through in your egg and shortly after birth, you cannot understand what happened to me when I was married. We can attempt it, of course, and offer sympathies, but to say we understand it completely is false."
Sansa's face falls a bit. "It made what I felt seem...small, in a way. As if this one event, viewed through another's eyes, was just the same as my torture. The only people to understand that were his other victims. No one else."
Sansa's face falls a bit. "It made what I felt seem...small, in a way. As if this one event, viewed through another's eyes, was just the same as my torture. The only people to understand that were his other victims. No one else."
Wrathion takes a step or two closer, now, resting his hands on Sansa's shoulders.
"I believe you might manage. It would not be the same, by any means, but you have dealt with much. That, and you have imagination." The dragon's words are gritted out with less enthusiasm than he should have when having a private dinner with Sansa, but the topic is...a trial.
"That is what he would want, and remember. He cannot want anything any more. You made certain of that, and you triumphed over him. He can never, ever make you feel small again. Do not let anyone aid a dead man. Let him rot and be forgotten."
"I believe you might manage. It would not be the same, by any means, but you have dealt with much. That, and you have imagination." The dragon's words are gritted out with less enthusiasm than he should have when having a private dinner with Sansa, but the topic is...a trial.
"That is what he would want, and remember. He cannot want anything any more. You made certain of that, and you triumphed over him. He can never, ever make you feel small again. Do not let anyone aid a dead man. Let him rot and be forgotten."
Sansa nods quickly. "I know. I should keep him buried. It is difficult, sometimes, and that was a day that it was difficult. I don't think Kelson could ever understand the magnitude of it."
Sansa bites her lip. "Thank you for understanding, Wrathion. You always seem to understand, even if it is in the smallest of ways. I like to pretend that if this place could bring him here that you would roast him alive or drown him in the sea."
Sansa bites her lip. "Thank you for understanding, Wrathion. You always seem to understand, even if it is in the smallest of ways. I like to pretend that if this place could bring him here that you would roast him alive or drown him in the sea."
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