halfbloodhill | Action | Saturday, April 28

[And Dany exits from the forges empty-handed once more, only to run into a very stern-looking Ariel Enjolras.

His stern, solemn face was no stranger to her, but Daenerys had learned in her time knowing Enjolras to pick up the subtle nuances in his body language and determine the hardly-smiling boy's actual mood.

And this one's not exactly one she should hide from, because the son of Apollo has a wrath that's almost as strong as her own.]

Hello, ser.

[Still, she tries to greet him casually, using her nickname for him, as if nothing's wrong.]

What are you up too?

[It’s best to cut to the chase, no beating around the bush. He looks at Dany, keeping his arms crossed over his chest. His expression is stern, but there’s a certain glimmer of curiosity in his eyes. He really does want to know what she’s doing.]

I was just working in the forges, helping my brother create a new sword. He said his old one was lacking.

[It was true, she did help her brother, just to save face. He did, after all, always want the best. But she pauses for a moment, and looks up at Enjolras, then around to make sure no one's listening.]

I've something to show you, if you can still keep a secret...Ariel.

[She dangles it over his head a bit, as if to say, 'I've kept yours, you keep mine.]

[It's an automatic reaction to stiffen when he hears his first name, looking around immediately though he knows Dany would never use it in front of others. It's just some campers had big ears, and recent events have left him a bit paranoid ~~he's still not sure how Gabriel found out his name~~.

But there's no one around and if he's to understand the unspoken implication...

Enjolras groans, just a bit.]

Whatever you're hiding better not explode in my face.

[Whatever secret she's going to share he'll keep until his dying breath.]

[Oh, she knows that, and once she sees him stiffen she grins, satisfied. She knew Enjolras would understand the implication.

She almost laughs, and she just takes his hand in hers, leading him towards the Hephaestus cabin with a knowing smile.]

Now, I cannot promise that.

That eases my concerns so much.

[He drawls, letting her lead him towards the cabin. Alright. It couldn't be anything major if she's keeping it inside the cabin.

Little did he know...]

I believed it would.

[She gives his hand a little squeeze, and once they've gotten to the cabin, she looks around before going inside. Thankfully, Viserys isn't there. Things would be completely soured if he was, and she might even 'wake the dragon'.

That's the last thing she needs right now, especially with Enjolras near.]

You must promise to be quiet.

Dany… You know the rules about keeping pets in the cabins.

[He shakes his head with fond exasperation. Really from the way she was acting he expected something a lot more dangerous then a secret pet.

Out of habit he looks around the cabin when they entered, grateful to see that Viserys isn't in. If he were to be honest, he really couldn't stand Dany's older brother, and still has a lot of trouble reconciling the fact that someone as kind as her could have... Well. Viserys as a sibling.]

I'll be quiet as a mouse.

[The exasperation has faded into amusement, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards.

It's a look that's going to quickly be replaced when he sees the dragons.]

These aren't my pets, Enjolras.

[She knows Enjolras' feelings toward her older brother, and it's one of the reasons that she's a bit glad that Viserys isn't around. The last thing she really needs is for the two of them to get into another one of their shouting matches. It really does neither of them any good, and it makes her more frustrated than anything. Screaming doesn't change things or make a person more powerful than the other. Action is what truly does that.

She kneels down by a large metal box, covered by a fireproof blanket, and uncovers it slowly. Underneath, three baby dragons, each not much larger than an ordinary squirrel, lie sleeping.

Well, two do, anyway. The two curled up next to eachother are a brilliant green, sleeping in a small ball, and a cream-colored one. He stretches his wings, stirring, and it becomes clear in the light that his scales are speckled with gold.

The one that's fully awake seems more rambunctious, as he's cawing loudly, and Daenerys has to put her finger to her lips a few times to quiet him. He still hasn't learned commands too well, yet. This one's a little bigger than the other two, with jet-black scales and red wings.]

I was the first one they saw upon their hatching. They think me their mother.

[And if that is the role her blessing has given her, then she'll be happy to take it on.]

[The shouting tends to be inevitable, even when Enjolras tries his best not too. It really can't be helped. And really, maybe if Viserys learned to respect his sister and others a bit more Enjolras wouldn't end up shouting so much.

The smiles dropped completely, expression going suddenly blank.]

Daenerys.

[When they had first met Enjolras use to always use her full name - often mispronouncing it in his thick accent. It was only after a year or so of knowing her that he had begun referring to her as Dany. Now a days he only ever uses her full name when he's being very serious or angry.

He's not angry, yet, but his expression has shifted into a deadly serious one.]

Where did you find these?

[He's keeping his distance, having read enough about dragons to be cautious.]

[She knows his stern face well, and her full name comes out. She knows now that the situation has taken a turn for the worse, that it is more dire, more grave.

She had thought their birth to be something he would congratulate her over, something he would be proud of.]

They were in the attic of the Big House. Jon helped me to find them. It was cruel, Enjolras. They were sitting cold inside their eggs, waiting. It would be unfair to keep them as prizes, only spoils of war. A living thing is not a prize to be won.

They're dragons, Daenerys. What do you plan to do when they outgrow that cage?

[Well isn't this shaping up to be an actual argument between the two.

He knows that his tone is probably cold, that his words might be cruel. But right now all he can envision is the camp in flames and three very large dragons circling them. He knows that they can be tamed, but for some reason he still can't help but jump to the worse case scenario.

To make matters worse they're stolen, and it's no real surprise Jon helped her.]

They were put in the attic for a reason. What will you do if whoever it is that put them there comes looking for them?

I believe Percy Jackson keeps a hellhound in the arena, does he not? They will make good companions for her.

[She stands now, and the dragons sense hostility in her voice, since she's raising it. Well, the black one does, anyway. The white one is still working on being awake, and the green is far away in dream-land.

She's fixing her posture, looking up at Enjolras, since he's a bit taller than her, and fixes him with a determined glare.]

I will explain my stance to them. Dragons can be trained to do good, Enjolras, you know that. We have Peleus for a reason, as well. I see no harm in three more dragons coming to keep us safe.

[She gestures to the little creatures, then looks back to him.]

They are defenseless yet, Enjolras. They cannot even breathe flame. Someone needs to protect them.

And what will happen when someone comes to claim them? Regardless of your stance?

[He's doing his best to keep his voice even, seeing the way the black one shifts at the growing hostility. They may not be able to breath fire, but they will one day and he doesn't want to be the first target.

Taking a step back, he tries his best not to fidget with his hands, but sometimes it's hard to keep them still. It's one of the reason he gestures so much. In the end he settles on crossing his arms, which probably still comes across as threatening, but it's better then his hands flying around.]

Peleus is one dragon. You've found three. You can't hide them forever, and I doubt Chiron would pleased to find out you stole them! What were you even doing in the attic to begin with?

They will not. I thought you'd known me better than this, Enjolras. I do not plan to shake in fear and yield because someone plans to take something that is mine.

[The black dragon creeps closer to the edge of the cage, and Daenerys hears it. She's become very attuned to the padding of tiny clawed feet in the past few days, mostly due to what Enjolras fears.

She crouches down next to the cage and looks the tiny creature in the eye.]

Drogon, no.

[The dragon seems a bit confused and continues to move towards the bars, and she has to repeat her command another time for him to understand. He just continues to look on.

She then stands back up, strong-willed down to her last bone.]

While what you say is true, I know he will change his opinion once he sees that they are being raised to be proper creatures, not beasts meant to torch everything in sight.

[She pauses for a second.]

I was exploring to see if there was anything useful.

I never thought you would shake in fear. I only worry you'll get hurt.

[He watches her speak to one of the dragons - Drogon? - and there's a bit of curiosity softening the stern expression. To be honest he's never actually seen a dragon up close (he's always been wary of getting close Peleus), and never a baby. Yet here were three hidden away right under everyone's noses.

The curiosity is almost enough to make him yield, but he doesn't. He only shakes his head in exasperation. Dany is strong-willed, but Enjolras is not one to back out of an argument until he's covered all points.

And he can't help but point to the dragons at the world 'mine', parroting back her earlier words.]

"A living thing is not a prize to be won", and they are also not things to be claimed as yours.

[He arches an eyebrow.]

And why go to the trouble of sneaking around looking for something useful instead of seeking permission?

I won't. You know that fire cannot kill a dragon, Enjolras.

[She lights up the palm of her hand, a tiny tongue of flame appearing in it for just a second, just to prove a point.

But that next bit makes her actually narrow her eyes at him. She's actually angry now, but she doesn't want to hurt Enjolras by accident, and extinguishes the flame in her palm in a plume of smoke.]

They are not my prizes. They are my children. And I know your mother would have felt the same way, Enjolras, despite what you may think.

You're not a drag-

[He stops, going very still. Because of all the ways he expected this discussion to go, he did not expect her to bring Mère into it.

When he speaks his voice is barely above a whisper and cold. A nerve may have been struck.]

My Mother has nothing to do with this.

I believe she very well does.

[She's heard his voice like daggers before, but it's never been directed at her before - only at things coming to hurt her. She tries to not let her resolve falter, but her voice is still calm despite the fire in her eyes trying to melt the ice in his.]

What I mean for you to take away is she raised you well, and I intend to do the same with my children, Enjolras.

[Really, he was lucky to have even known his mother well.]

[His hands form fists, knuckles white. There's a part of him tempted to leave the cabin, but that won't end well at all. He knows that. Running from an argument only makes things worse.

He takes a deep breath through his nose.

It's becoming increasingly clear that no matter what he says she won't hear it, won't change her stance. Why did he even think she would? When Dany set her mind to something there was never any way to sway her.

After a long silence he sighs, uncurling his fists and running a hand through his blond curls. The ice still sits in his voice, but it's melting around the edges.]

What are their names?

[He still doesn't like this, let it be known. But arguing in circles will get them no where.]

[Dany realizes he's about to leave, trying so desperately, but she knows he won't. It's unlike him to run from something like this.

She sits down next to the cage she crafted, patting a spot next to her for Enjolras to sit at.]

This one is Rhaegal, named after my oldest brother.

[She motions and points to the green dragon.]

The cream-colored one is called Viserion.

[At the sound of his name, Viserion stirs more, raising his head - Dany waves a hand at him, and he lowers it to go back to sleep.]

And the largest of all is Drogon.

[She gestures to him, and the dragon - who seems to know his name - caws out a cry.

She looks to her children for one last moment, then back at Enjolras.]

Would you like to pet one? Viserion is the most even tempered.

[Unlike his namesake.]

[It is unlike him to run away, but his Mother is still something he doesn't talk about often. An ugly wound that hasn't properly healed despite the time that's passed.

There's a bit of hesitation but he takes the seat besides her, eyeing the dragons warily. And he really can't help but roll his eyes as Viserion.

Viserys does not deserve Dany as a sister.]

Who is Drogon named after?

[He glances at her, then the cream colored dragon he believes is Viserion. He doesn't necessarily want to pet the dragons, but...]

It won't bite me, will it?

He's named after a friend of mine. From where I lived before this.

[If it was any earlier than this year, Dany would have said 'from home'. After the Battle of Manhattan, though? It firmly cemented the idea of Camp Half-Blood as where she belonged. Her birthright.

She shakes her head and opens the cage door - Drogon tries to leave, but Daenerys gives him a sharp glare that keeps him inside. She reaches in and takes Viserion out, nestling the baby dragon in her arms.]

No. I swear it on my life.

You must have been very close to them.

[There's a bit of curiosity there, and he tries to imagine what kind of friend could leave such an impact on Dany.

He watches her handle the dragons, keeping Drogon from leaving the cage with a sharp glare. That makes him chuckle, and any ice that remained in his expression or voice vanishes.

Of course the wariness was still there. He looked at Viserion, then Dany, then the baby dragon again. He was certain he was going to be bitten, because while he trusted Dany with his life... The dragons not so much. Still he reaches out, tentatively petting the dragon.]

He was one of my closest friends. It was rumored we were to be married when I was older, though nothing ever came of it. He is gone away now, but I should hope his memory lives on in Drogon.

[She gives the black dragon a fond smile, and extends the white dragon to Enjolras. He seems to enjoy the feel of soft fingers on his scales, and caws softly, as if there is still some sleep left in him.]

If you're gentle, no harm will come to you, I promise.

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WELL THIS ESCALATED QUICKLY. Way to go Enjolras.

NO DRAGONRIDING FOR U

IT'S OKAY. HE CAN'T EVEN RIDE A PEGASUS YET

WHOA OK DEEP FEELINGS EXPLORATION TIME

OH NOES. I DONNO HOW TO FEEL ABOUT THIS EXPLORATION

ITS A LESSON IN TRYING NOT TO CRY

THIS LESSON WILL END IN TEARS, WON'T IT?

PROBABLY

I'LL GET THE TISSUES

IM READY

Re: IM READY

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