Diaval laughed a little as he watched Aurora practically skipped the way back toward the house, obviously pleased with herself for convincing her godmother so easily though Diaval knew that Maleficent would never have told her no over something like this, even if Maleficent would make a show of complaining about it.

"Mischievous little brat." He heard Maleficent mutter, though there was no heat in the tone.

"You probably were the same at her age."

Diaval quipped, earning a chuckle.

"Yes, I am sure I was."

Maleficent responded with a bit of amusement in her own tone, obviously recalling some of her own youth.

"Pretty sure I gave Balthazar a headache most days. The man had more patience than a saint."

"Why do I have the feeling you have a story to back that up?"

Diavel chuckled, trying to imagine what Maleficent was like as a kid.

"Several and before you ask, no I am not going to tell you."

Aurora, though she was excited, finally dropped back to walk with them. Her endless chatter amusing both of the adults.

Neither expected Aurora to trip over a bramble of heather, landing with a yelp into a muddy stream of runoff.

"All this rain hasn't proven any luck for you. Beastie." Maleficent commented, moving to help her up.

"Why do we have to live in the rainiest part of the world?" Aurora grumbled though she laughed when Maleficent nearly lost her balance on the uneven and slippery surface, the cane splattering her with gunk.

"Brat," Maleficent growled out, though she grinned a little as she managed to pull her goddaughter back to her feet.

Diaval watched the pair bicker lightly amongst themselves. That was when a rather mischievous streak hit him. He would have to get Aurora in on the plan once they actually got Maleficent to actually go camping.

"Godmother?"

Maleficent sighed as she turned toward Aurora, who was standing partially hidden by the door in a way that reminded Maleficent of the first day Aurora had moved in.

"I'm listening."

"I can't sleep."

Maleficent sighed and nodded, motioning her inside.

"Any particular reason?" She asked, earning a shrug.

"Nothing in particular. My mind just won't stop racing and I saw your light on so I figured it was okay to come to talk." Aurora answered, coming to sit on the bed while Maleficent read something at the desk.

Maleficent sounded tired and something else, something that Aurora couldn't quite place.

"I can leave if you want to be alone?" She said, earning a sigh as her godmother stood and came to sit by her.

"No, it's alright Beastie. Just re-reading some things from a long time ago." Maleficent responded before adding "I've been thinking that we'd visit some of my family next week. That is if you would like?"

She wanted to say 'since you're family too' but she kept herself from saying it, not wanting to make the child uncomfortable.

"Can we? I mean...I want to know where you come from." Aurora answered, earning a nod.

"You'll meet my foster father first. I think you'll like him. His name is Balthazar."

This news sort of caught Aurora by surprise. After all, Maleficent was so elegantly spoken. How could she be so similar to her?

"He's the one you talk about sometimes. Are you close?"

Maleficent sighed and nodded.

"We are or rather were, before what happened."

Aurora felt bitterness in her stomach at that.

"What my father did."

Aurora corrected, earning a sigh.

"Yes but I don't want you to hate him, Aurora at least not because of what he did to me."

Maleficent replied, running a hand through Aurora's hair, earning a sheepish look.

"I know I shouldn't, he is my father and he never did anything to hurt me." Aurora responded though she leaned into the touch a bit.

"Aurora, he did hurt you though. Did he not? All the harsh words, didn't those hurt?"

"But that wasn't...That's not the same thing." Aurora argued weakly, earning a sigh as the hand on her hair stopped briefly.

"It still counts, Beastie. Just because he never struck you doesn't mean he didn't leave behind damage."

Aurora didn't argue with her godmother on that, instead choosing to lean against her, absorbing the rare warmth.

It isn't the same. What she is describing is abuse and it's not the same, is it?