The dragon is grateful for the kindness shown to them by both of the Edge attendees of this meeting. Had shock and surprise not been present in the girl's addled and frozen mind, she might have appreciated how the philosophy of the Qian lived on through the new leadership and members of her former home. The name of the Qian had always been associated with greatness to the girl, a powerful idea founded by her mother, an idea that still lived on within the girl, albeit in different ways. She could not see it in herself, the way which she so easily slipped into the role of supportive cousin, holding her Sultana up against the tirade of fear and insecurity that trembled through the FireDancer's self. No, Amaris could only see the strength with which Tandavi stood before the King, her equal, the dragon realised with mized emotions running rampart through her.

Carefully she guarded herself against showing the terrifying array of thoughts that cascaded through her troubled mind in the seconds that followed. While she watched as her cousin spoke like a Sultana, the girl could not help but feel utterly proud of her cousin, but also utterly ashamed of herself. Who was she, compared to the FireDancer? Who was she, compared to all of them present? Merely a girl, returned to a home she had not returned to previously, a home that had birthed her and that would accept her back gladly, that she still walked away from. Was it easy? Never, never had it been easy. But Amaris could not see the strength that it took to commit to the actions and choices she had made; she oculd only see the shame. Shame, that she had fled at all. Shame, that when she came back, she had not bothered to venture here, to express her worries and reliefs that the lands were still safe, that the Qian was still alive. Shame, that in her absence all she had done was travel, learn about the fascinating draconic side of her heritage, but essentially miss the life that continued on here. Shame, that while in her absence, her beloved cousin had risen up and proven herself - this was the only thing she held pride for. The girl could never begrudge her FireDancer her time as Sultana, never hate or feel jealously, but still she felt shame that she had not done more to help her cousin, more to prove that she was now committed to the Throat.

And, the most shameful thought of all, was that she did not even know where she could even begin to show the commitment she wanted to. Her new home had accepted her, but had she accepted them yet?

For her cousin, her Sultana, she would.

The words that passed through the King's and Sultana's lips had ended by the time her tumultuous thoughts had slowed down again, and the girl returned to reality just as the Glazier shaped a piece of the old, ruined wall into something new. Giving it a new purpose, a new life, and aiding her new home on its journey to complete the quest that required the entire herd to participate in. That, if nothing else, lifted the girl's spirits, so much so that the blue dragon spirit who accompanied her seemed to come to life again (he had been made privy to the tumbling thoughts of the girl's mind and had simply acted as a sponge to them, helping her process them while also keeping himself busy). The light of blue descended from the canopy above, singing his draconic tune as the golden-girl looked to the object Parelia had so generously made for them. A smile touched her lips again, as she looked appreciatively at the details of the work, the meaning of it weighing heavily upon her. Time would tell whether that meaning helped or hindered her troubled mind.

"It is beautiful, and perfect. Thank you." Warm tones were extended to the glazier, genuine gratitude flowing thick within them. Feeling their time at these lands of memories and mistakes wascoming to a close, the dragon did something that she hoped was appropriate, something she had wanted to do since arriving here, and stepped forward, towards the mighty King of the Edge.

Tentatively at first, and then more confidently, she extended her muzzle to the steed, seeking contact from his own velveteen maw, and should he allow it, she bent her body into a curve that would result in a small embrace, napes entiwined. It was short-lived, but the girl felt it was utterly necessary, and upon its completion, satisfaction settled upon her brow, her thoughts were in a far less troubled state. There are benefits to holding no rank at all, she thought wryly to her blue companion. Being what she was, a mere citizen, gave her some immunity against the politics of higher ranks, and the shame that consumed her before slowly dimmed, but never would it disappear completely.

Daniel Schiersner @ flickr & larfsalot @ deviantart