♞ cullen rutherford (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
wickedgraceless) wrote2020-08-15 10:52 pm
wickedgraceless) wrote2020-08-15 10:52 pm
darilaros
[ In the ever changing tides of war, Cullen is not one to complain at an assignment. Even when that assignment brings them to a deep, untouched bog, one covered in a thicket in trees that seem nearly impenetrable. He has to wonder why Daenerys was even asked to join him on this particular mission, given that the heavy overhead of thick, damp trees seem impervious even to her dragon's flames.
But here they are, trudging through it all the same, searching for the dark magic that has seemed to be spreading throughout the neighboring countrysides. The entire place gives him an uneasy feeling, and he has not yet been able to shake the idea that they're being watched. Still, he presses on, sword in hand, wading his way through the swamp. ]
I think, if we are able to get to the center of it, we might be able to get some sense of things.
[ Admittedly, that's only a guess, but it seems just as likely a place to find answers as any. Granted, he's not entirely sure they're successfully navigating towards the center- but he sure hopes he's correct.
But here they are, trudging through it all the same, searching for the dark magic that has seemed to be spreading throughout the neighboring countrysides. The entire place gives him an uneasy feeling, and he has not yet been able to shake the idea that they're being watched. Still, he presses on, sword in hand, wading his way through the swamp. ]
I think, if we are able to get to the center of it, we might be able to get some sense of things.
[ Admittedly, that's only a guess, but it seems just as likely a place to find answers as any. Granted, he's not entirely sure they're successfully navigating towards the center- but he sure hopes he's correct.
no subject
I'm fine. Let's just go.
[ The answer is almost reflexive, despite the tense set of her body, the way she seems to slouch forward just a touch – the posture Viserys always criticized, while to Dany, it was nothing but a means of protecting herself. She has grown immeasurably since her childhood, since watching Viserys lose more and more of himself to sadistic madness. She stopped being the frightened little girl lifetimes ago, and she would never tolerate so much as a hand raised to her, but in her mind? In her dreams?
The sting of betrayal and abuse is a scar she'll surely wear to her grave. ]
But, Dany, you're not fine. Why lie to your knight? I know my sister best.
[ Anger wells in Dany before she can tame it back, and it bursts from her like her own dragon's flame.
(She releases Cullen's arm without realizing.) ]
You have never known me!
[ Lacking a solid figure, Daenerys simply yells to the sky, her eyes turned upward, scanning the area around them. ]
I am no child to cower at your feet!
[ The voice laughs. ]
You think a brave face makes you powerful? You think your rage makes you fit to seize our family's rightful throne? You aren't prepared for the blood on the hands of a conqueror. You were not made for the life of a Dragon.
[ The ground beneath them shakes. Mighty footsteps crash down on craggy rock, massive echoes in the surreal world around them. From the fog-filled atmosphere, a rising form steps forward – a long neck, broad chest, enormous wings that spread and block the eerie green light of the Breach above. A dragon emerges from the mist, its flesh rotting from bone, a crown of molten gold dripping down its gnarled face.
When it opens its mouth, flames lick at its teeth, the voice following each hissing breath. ]
You are nothing but the shameful remains of a mighty dynasty, little sister. And now you cower behind a knight no better than a toothless mongrel.
Look how far you fall.
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If nothing else, he at least makes the attempt to protect her, moving to stand between her and the beast, sword drawn. If any of his strength had still not returned, it is certainly back now. Cullen looks quickly back over his shoulder at her before turning his attention to the grotesque dragon. ]
Do you... know this creature?
bless cullen "i'm going to fight a nightmare dragon by myself" rutherford
I am Viserys of the House Targaryen, the Third of his Name, Emperor of Orlais, Lord of the Dales, and Protector of the Realm. I am the rightful heir of my father's usurped empire, and I am the Last of the Dragons.
You are no dragon, and you are no king.
[ Daenerys spits it like a curse, and again, the dragon laughs. ]
No? Look at me, sweet sister. Am I not a dragon? Do I not wear the golden crown your body paid for?
[ Daenerys's fists grip her thin dress, fingers curling so tightly her nails bite crescents into her palms. ]
He's not real.
[ She speaks to Cullen as much as herself. ]
He's just— an illusion.
Does this feel like an illusion?
[ Viserys's twisted voice echoes around them, and green fire spews forth from his rotting maw, spreading across the ground before Cullen and Daenerys. ]
—Cullen!
[ Dany grabs hold of Cullen's arm to yank him back, away from the flames.
(It may not burn her, but Cullen is another matter entirely.) ]
he wants to help ;(
I-- we-- [ He looks between her, the nightmare, back to her again. ] We should run, right?
what a good boy :c
Yes.
[ They should definitely run.
Her current outfit is far less practical than the traveling dress and trousers she'd been wearing (not to mention the boots), but Dany hikes up her skirt, turning to take off in the opposite direction.
She highly doubts Cullen needs to be told to follow.
The rotting dragon tilts its head back and roars with fury, wings beating in the air to lift it off the ground.
Oh, Maker damn it.
To Cullen, as she half-runs, half-stumbles down a rocky path, ]
We just— need a way out!
no subject
It seems hopeless, fruitless, as though they were running in place, and yet he still continues, the threat still close on their heels. At last, it seems they've found an answer to their desperate escape- a vicious tear through the air, pulling apart the confines of the air. It glimmers and shifts in a way that is almost grotesque, but through it, reality can be seen flickering. ]
Come on!
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(She's not his Queen or his Empress; he has duties that stretch far beyond Dany's personal march towards her throne.
But still, he pulls her along with him.)
Dany's fingers curl tightly around Cullen's, desperate for an anchor as the sound of the nightmarish representation of her brother beats its wings through the air. She can hear flames roaring behind them, feel the heat, as her lungs scream with every gulped down breath.
And then—
—there.
Dany pushes her legs harder as her brother's twisted howl of rage, a scream of her name, shakes the world around them, makes her ears ache.
With her fingers still clinging to Cullen's, they both finally slam into the shimmering, gnarled rift. Dany feels like her skin is stretched too tight, like she's being ripped to pieces—
The cold swamp air hits her face first. Daenerys gulps down the foul smell of bog as her vision swims, her eyes tearing with the sudden shock to her system. But— no, no, this feels real, and the crackling, snapping sounds of the rift behind them flashes brighter before crashing shut with a thunderous "boom!" ]
no subject
Daenerys-! [ He is too frantic to think better of addressing her by her name, and he reaches for her, gripping her by the arms, trying to steady her. ] Are you alright? I- That was-
[ The sound of the right closing momentarily draws his attention, head whipping around just in time to see it close before turning his attention back to her. ]
Maker, that was...
[ He trails off, unable to properly finish the thought. ]
no subject
But Cullen is a sturdy force, firm hands grounding her with touch, pulling her back to reality outside of the Fade. Her eyes focus on his face as he looks away from the newly-shut rift, and that moment of contact seems to jolt her back to her senses.
Shame colors her cheeks, and she reaches up to brush away her tears with the heel of her palm. ]
It's done, whatever it was.
[ She forces her voice steady, taking another deep breath. ]
And now we can leave, yes? Is there anything else the Inquisitor expected of this expedition?
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[ It's going to be quite the report for him to make. What gets done with that information is for the Inquisitor to decide, but he will be happy if he doesn't have to think of that place again.
Almost without thinking, Cullen pulls her into his arms, embracing tightly. If it is inappropriate, he will worry about that later, as it is as much for his own benefit as it is for hers. Cullen remains that way for a long moment, holding her, before letting out a long, heaving sigh. ]
Alright then. [ He releases her gently, cheeks flushed. ] Let's get out of here.
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She's too startled to move, at first. There's no immediate sense of alarm or indignant anger that accompanies the action; again, relief and comfort overtakes her so suddenly that she almost can't grasp it for herself. Her eyes eventually close over, for only a brief moment, and her fingers gently clutch his coat.
As quickly as it came, he pulls away from her, and Daenerys feels the loss too keenly. This place, however, is not the ideal for addressing that affection.
Dany's hands fall away from Cullen, and she nods properly. ]
Drogon will carry us, if you still have no objections.
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Yes... of course. [ He chuckles nervously, but it feels good to laugh in any capacity. ] The sooner we can leave, the better.