The starry dracarae boy had listened from their den as his mother yelled at his father, but all he could really process was the emotions in both of their voices – anger. When Lahmer entered the den, he bounded up to her as she spoke between hitched breaths. He was about to ask if she was okay until she said they were going to visit family. Syrax ran in some excited circles, despite the overall somber mood, and left the den as mother led them to Hawthorne. On the way, his ears perked at his father’s call – for dragons. He was a dragon. However, his starry pelted mother had muttered some words that made the boy wince. Why was she talking so negatively about their father? There were no other words from anyone until they reached the Hawthorne border, at which point Lahmer let out a howl, calling for their grandmother. Again, silence followed.

”If Daddy said something mean, I can go give him a talking to.” Elsa spoke, breaking that awkward silence. Their mother let out a short laugh, that the pups likely would not see as forced, and spoke. ”It’s complicated, honey.” Her words were distant, her crimson eyes gazing into Hawthorne. Syrax’s green eyes looked to his two sisters, mainly Elsa, as he remained confused, but his head whipped at the sound of another voice, inland. ”Lahmer, my sweet girl! Did you make me a grandmother?!” It came from a black wolf with dragon wings just like their father, but she was donned with red eyes, just like their mom, who lit up with a smile when this black female practically skipped over. ”I did, momma.” Lahmer spoke, her voice holding back from showing she was at the breaking point. Syrax noticed this and wanted to comfort her, however, his green eyes were pulled to the black female as she ducked her head and began to speak to he and his sisters.

”Hello my little grandbabies~ I am your Nana.” Syrax smiled broadly, his tail wagging fast. ”You look like father.” Vhagar had chimed in, to which Syrax gave her a look. ”No, she has red eyes like mom does.” His emerald eyes looked over Lucaya, noting the features that made her unique from their father. ”What are all of your names?” She spoke, to which Vhagar introduced herself first, but Syrax noted that she was swaying, and before he could introduce himself, Elsa spoke up. ”My name is Elsa, and that’s Syrax.” Syrax whipped his head to his other sister, annoyed that she introduced him. ”Hey! I could have done that.” He barked, which was followed by a pout as he looked to Lucaya, whose attention was now on their mom. ”Lahmer, what’s wrong? Where is your mate?” Lahmer’s eyes became more wet, but no tears or sobs left her maw. Elsa chimed in once again. ”I think Mother fought with Daddy. But they’re both great, only Daddy hurt Mother, and I want him to apologize.” A single sob broke out of Lahmer after these words, her starry head moving down to nuzzle Elsa. ”My little sweetheart…” was all the prior princess of Hawthorne could get out before Elsa spoke again. ”Can you help them apologize, Nana?”

Their mother pulled her head back up from Elsa, looking back to Lucaya. Little Syrax found his gaze jumping between Elsa, Nana, and Mom, who was now letting some tears flow. He padded his way up to his mother’s legs, gently rubbing himself among them, to which Lahmer attempted a smile amidst the sobs. ”He helped with Aya, momma.” The mother did not want to talk about war around the children, in fact she hoped they would never have to experience it. Nor be captives of war. She gulped. ”I didn’t…make the connection…until now...” The pauses were filled with hiccups as Lahmer tried to catch her breath between sobs. Her next sentence had rage intertwined with the words, now strung together without the breath hitches. ”And now he’s off collecting dragons – I’m sure you heard the call from the Ice Caps.” Lahmer huffed, rolling her eyes. Syrax had made himself comfortable against his mom’s leg, leaning against it, as he spoke to Lucaya. ”Mom was really angry and upset with Dad. I don’t understand why he has to collect dragons though…he has us…” Syrax looked to his paws, a frown on his face. Were they not enough for Dad?

Actions & Words.