Listen, And The Stars Shall Speak

New Plans

Haze sighed as she walked over to her father, preparing herself for yet another confrontation. She shook herself slightly, trying to shake off all these strange emotions that filled her mind.

She'd been dealing with far too much sappy emotional stuff lately.

After this talk, Haze swore to herself she would go find something to stab. Feelings were not her thing. That was more Boysen and Permafrost's territory.

But this discussion had too happen, whether she liked it or now. Haze watched her father, and remembered their fight earlier, and every part of her wanted to turn around and never look at him again. And she almost did. Haze whirled around and started to walk away, but then her brain kicked in.

No, she yelled at herself. You promised Boysen you would talk this out.

She groaned. Oh, the things she did for that dragon. 

So she turned again and marched up to her father, ready for a fight.

"Dad." She started.

"Haze." He replied, staring at her. Haze softened slightly when she noticed the hurt and grief clouding his eyes. She sighed, swallowing her last bit of pride.

"I'm sorry." she began, but Meerkat cut her off.

"No, I'm sorry." He insisted. "Haze, I'm so sorry. I should have been there for you more often. I know I wasn't, but I guess a part of me just assumed you would be fine, because you're always fine. You've always been strong like that. But I was wrong, and I apologize for that. I'm sorry about your mother, and for everything that happened with her. You didn't deserve that, and I should've been there with you when you found out about her death. I should've asked how you felt before I started dating Sunny, and if you really don't like it, then I'll break it off. I just... I never really knew what I was doing when it came to you, and sometimes it just seemed easier to let you handle yourself."

"I'm sorry too," Haze offered. "I don't.... It's not like I hate Sunny, alright, I was just being selfish and I was hurt. But you were right, it's good for you to be with her, and I shouldn't get in the way of that. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Mother sooner, and that I told you the way that I did. I should have spoken to you more, and I'm sorry, okay?"

There was a pause, and Haze shifted awkwardly.

"So....are we good now?" she asked. Meerkat half-smiled.

"Yeah. We're good, Haze." He pulled her in for a hug.

"Good, now can I go? All these emotions are making me feel weird."

"Emotions will do that." Meerkat paused. "So, what made you finally come around to talk to me?"

"Oh, Boysen guilt-tripped me and stuff. That dragon is VERY persuasive."

"Right..." Meerkat thought for a moment. "And where is he? I think I need to have a little chat with him."

"Hey- killing my boyfriend is not allowed!"

"Woah woah woah, who said you could have a boyfriend!?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

As Haze and her father continued their chat, and the rest of our crew realized that summer was drawing to a close, a young dragon was concocting something evil.

Deep in the Scorpion Den, Drought, son of Prickle and Rattlesnake, stood before a room, looking infuriated.

"With my father dead, and his murderer still at large thanks to my incompetent uncle, I have taken charge of the Sting. " he declared. "And things are going to be very different around here."

The members of the room exchanged glances. Drought was still very young. Did he really deserve their loyalty?

"The way I see it," Drought continued. "Several of our organization's problems come from the same source- my traitorous relative, Coal. He's been here multiple times since his first betrayal, but nothing serious has ever been done! Sure, we've kidnapped his wife, big deal. We've tortured him for information that he didn't give, and instead persuaded another member to abandon us. And then we had his son, RIGHT IN OUR HEADQUARTERS, along with his accomplice, who attempted to kill my father, and then later succeeded. And somehow, THEY MANAGED TO ESCAPE AGAIN? Well, no more. I am done playing this game. It is time we ended Coal and his little rebellious streak once and for all."

"How do you suppose we do that?" Someone piped up. "Kill him and his family?"

"No." Drought insisted. "Coal would exchange his own life in a second for his family's sake- heck, he's done it before. No...We need to strike him where it hurts. Killing would be too simple..." 

A smirk appeared on Drought's face and he grinned wickedly.

"I propose we turn his family against him."