A/N: Welcome back to another one. And this one's back to being a bit longer (I have a feeling no one will complain, though). No too much else to say for this one.

Anyway, as always, feel free to favorite/follow and leave a review if you like the story. As always, enjoy...

Chapter 25: Preparations

Crack, crack, crack.

Indigo awoke to the sound of something tapping on rock. Faint, but close by, it stopped after only a second or two, and Indigo relaxed to try to go back to sleep once again. She was just about to disappear back into her dreams when the sound repeated, and to her frustration her mind began to wake up even as she willed her body to ignore it and go back to sleep. But it was too late; already her body was taking note of the feel of the ground she was on, the annoying amount of light in her eyes, and the distant sound of waves.

Suppressing a groan, she opened her eyes to see a seagull standing only a few feet from her head. A snail was in its beak, and the bird seemed to be trying to get at it. Banging its head down, it knocked the shell of the snail against the stone floor.

Crack, crack, crack.

Indigo growled in annoyance, startling the gull who jumped up with a squawk. It gazed at her for a moment, then dropped the snail gave a cawing cry. She repeated her growl and snorted, and almost indignantly the bird picked up its meal and flew out of the cave into the dim light outside.

She gave a huff and raised her head, watching it go. Her mind registered that it was probably early dawn, and she frowned at the thought. She hadn't even meant to fall asleep at all, but she obviously had. Her last thoughts were talking to Darkstalker about the stars outside and mentioning taking a swim in the tidal pools before she must have closed her eyes. So much for that swim now.

…And thinking of Darkstalker, the Nightwing was still beside her, asleep, his wing covering her like a blanket. There was a small contented smile on his face as he gave a few soft snores. The heat of his body was warm and comfortable against her own scales, and she resisted the urge to curl into him and try to go to sleep once more. But the outside light said that it was probably best to get up and return to the palace. She could sleep more once she was there.

Gently, she crawled out from under Darkstalker's wing and made her way across the cave towards the entrance. It felt like it was getting late, but she needed to gauge just how far the sun was up in the sky. If it was still early dawn—which it looked like—then maybe she could take another dip in the tidal pool before they had to go.

Yet, as she looked out of the cave to the east, she couldn't seem to find the sun at all. Which was odd, since light wise, it felt like it really should have been up by now. So she searched the sky and was finally able to find it…setting in the west.

Indigo froze in confusion, then shock. It wasn't sunrise, it was sunset! She and Darkstalker must have slept the entire Seawing day, and now was the beginning of the Nightwing morning.

Several of the implications for that hit her full force, and an instant later she was rushing back to the still sleeping Nightwing. "Darkstalker," she hissed his name loudly once she reached him, and she nudged his snout with her own. "Darkstalker, wake up! It's dusk!"

He gave a small groan as his eyes opened and he blinked. "Dusk?" he grumbled, "It can't be. I just closed my eyes for a second…" he shook his head, coming to himself, and he stood up on all fours and glanced outside. He frowned, then turned to her. "I guess I didn't, then."

"We need to get back," Indigo told him, "They'll be missing us."

Darkstalker yawned lazily. "Probably." He didn't seem too concerned.

"I have a shift to guard Fathom," Indigo explained, "…And if I recall correctly, you have that meeting for your peace meeting with the Icewings that the queen told you about."

His face fell a little at that, and he looked to be remembering. A moment later, he winced. "You're right," he gave a hiss directed to himself, "Seven stars, I don't even know when that's supposed to be."

Indigo shook her head, similarly frustrated. "Maybe Fathom knows?" she suggested, "If he's supposed to be there, too, that is. I don't know how involved we Seawings are supposed to be in all this."

Darkstalker nodded, "He probably will be. Vigilance would want to—" he cut himself with a heavy growl, putting a claw to his face, "Fathom," he sighed, "We need to tell Fathom."

"About the meeting?" Indigo asked.

"About us."

Indigo froze for a second as that suddenly sunk in. If she was honest with herself, she'd given rather little thought to her prince's reaction to what she'd now gotten herself into, more so caught up in the moments with Darkstalker that she'd been looking forward to. But now she suddenly realized that she would have to somehow explain it to him, and she wasn't looking forward to it. But then again, they weren't a pair like Darkstalker and Clearsight were supposed to have been. She was Fathom's friend, not his lover; surely he could understand.

But all the same, it didn't keep the twinge of worry from springing in her chest as Darkstalker pushed past her and headed towards the exit.

"Come on," he told her, his voice void of enthusiasm, "It's best we go now. Better to get it over with."

Indigo agreed with him in concept, but all the same it took all her willpower to beat her wings and follow him into the sky as they made their way back to the palace.

The good news, they found out upon landing at the palace entrance, was that they weren't late for the meeting. In fact, they had about an hour left before it would start. Indigo was quite relieved at that; she would have hated it, to put it lightly, if the whole plan to talk with the Icewings had fallen apart just because she spent a night out with Darkstalker and they overslept.

The bad news, however, was in the way she actually found out about the news. It was from bumping into Lionfish, who was walking through the hallway on the way to Fathom's room. He hardly had a chance to even speak once before Darkstalker had questioned him about the meeting which, luckily, he'd known since Fathom and all his guards were supposed to attend. But it was after the initial shock at Darkstalker demanding answers from him that he looked at Indigo and said the words she feared:

"Prince Fathom wants to see you."

Actually, her prince had sent Lionfish to try to find her, which didn't make it any easier. Indigo didn't exactly know how he knew, but somehow, she knew in that instant that he did. Of course, it could have been simply that she was late for her shift, but no, that would be too simple an explanation. Nothing could be that easy.

Indigo had never been worried or nervous about being in Fathom's presence up until that very moment, and if it weren't for Darkstalker putting a wing on her and guiding her ahead she probably would have stayed right there, or even fled away. As it was, she still wasn't completely sure why she was so uncomfortable. It wasn't like there was anything going on between her and Fathom like there had been between Clearsight and Darkstalker.

…Right?

Of course not, Indigo huffed to herself, even as they reached the door to the Seawing prince's room and she hesitated, Fathom had all the opportunity to return my feelings when I offered them to him. He made it clear that things couldn't be that way, even if we wanted it.

It was with that thought that Indigo regained herself once more. She straightened herself out, standing tall and in her guard mentality. Expressionless. Controlled. She placed herself back in that role of a protector, of one who had a job to do, for regardless of what would happen her duty was still to ensure Fathom's safety.

She knocked on the door and Wharf opened it. The other guard regarded her for a brief moment, frowned, then pushed past them and out of the room without a word.

That's not ominous at all, Indigo couldn't help but think, trying not to let any actual worry return, and she heard Darkstalker give an amused snort at her thought.

"Come in," she heard Fathom's voice say from across the room, and she caught sight of him standing in front of the balcony, looking outside. Indigo did as he said, and Darkstalker followed her. Fathom turned to look at them as they did, a stern kind of expression on his face that seemed to be almost similar to the mask she now wore as a guard. It was only the frown she saw Darkstalker wearing as he no doubt heard Fathom's thoughts that gave her any clue as to what he may be thinking.

"You're late," Fathom said as she presented herself before him, "This isn't like you to miss a shift, Indigo," he spoke rather unlike he normally did, each word more deliberate, more formal. Like she really was nothing more than a guard.

"That would be my fault, Fathom," Darkstalker spoke up, coming to her defense, "I kept her longer than I should have."

Fathom's eyes flickered to him, and he took a long, deep breath. "Yes. I am aware."

A silence fell, and despite herself, Indigo couldn't help but shift uncomfortably. "Fathom—"

"Clearsight stopped by yesterday," Fathom cut her off before she could say another word, "She was very upset about something, I'll have you know."

Indigo felt her heart fall in her chest. Yep…that wasn't something she wanted to hear.

"Then she told you what happened, I imagine," Darkstalker said, a bit warily.

"She did."

Indigo did her best not to wince. She knew that Darkstalker hadn't exactly gotten to break things to Clearsight like he'd wanted to, and that seemed to be something that would hold true with her and Fathom. At least Fathom didn't seem to be furious like Clearsight had been.

"And?" Darkstalker probed.

The Seawing prince lashed his tail and looked away, back to the outside where he'd been focused on before. He gave a long, hard sigh. "I'm not angry," he finally said, "If it's what you two want, it is not my place to interfere."

Giving her own sigh of relief, Indigo felt her wings relax from the tension at his words. But she could hear the strain of his voice; there was more to be said there.

Darkstalker took a step forward. "Fathom…" he ventured, but he was stopped by the raising of their friend's claw.

"If it's okay, I think I'd like to be alone with Indigo for a moment," Fathom said, and Darkstalker gave a nod and stepped back. The Nightwing gave her an apologetic look and made for the door before pausing and looking back.

"Before I go, Fathom…" he said, and the Seawing prince gave him a nod to continue, "Clearsight told me that she wouldn't be helping me with my plans because of all…this. Are you—"

"Don't worry, Darkstalker," Fathom said, not really looking at him as he spoke, "I understand that that's something bigger than us. I'm not about to quit on it."

Darkstalker looked relieved and sighed. "Thank you," he said as he turned to go.

"Darkstalker," Fathom stopped him.

"Yes?"

"Take good care of her."

The Nightwing gave a small smile and a nod, then left the room and closed the door behind him. Where he went, Indigo didn't know, but it wasn't really important. For now, what was important was that she was alone with Fathom. It was something that used to feel so right and natural, and now served only to fill her with apprehension at the words that would come.

Fathom remained where he stood for what felt like several minutes but was probably only a few seconds. A deafening silence had fallen with the departure of Darkstalker, and while Fathom's parting words to him inspired confidence, she still had no idea what to expect. And she wasn't even sure if Fathom himself knew. For his gaze remained down on his claws, lost in his own thoughts about what he would say.

As much as she loathed it, Indigo decided to be the one to break that silence. "I'm…sorry," she said.

"Why?" he asked, and that was something she certainly was not expecting. She opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came out. He lifted his gave and saw that, and he gave a soft snort. "I'm not upset with you, Indigo. If I'm upset with anyone, it's myself."

He shook his head and raised a claw to it. "I suppose I shouldn't have even been surprised by something like this. After all, I wasn't exactly tripping over my tail to keep you at my side. I've made no secret over my worry about you being near me, with my powers and all…but all the same, I just thought that…that…" he gave a small hiss to himself and looked away.

"Yeah…I know," Indigo said, the reason for her reservations about talking now finally revealed. Because Fathom was not only her best friend, he was also a dragon that she had loved. He was one who's love she would have returned, had he given it.

Fathom gave an almost amused snort. "I should have figured that pushing you away would, well, push you away. I just didn't think it would be like this. I never realized that I would wake up one day and my chance would be gone. I guess I took it for granted, that you would always be there regardless of what I did."

Indigo swallowed and stepped towards him. "No, Fathom…it wasn't anything you did—"

"You're right," he agreed, "It was something I didn't do. Something I should have done but never did, and now it's too late," he took in a deep breath and let it out in a long sigh, "I never told you I love you."

…And right there it was. The thing that Indigo had been looking forward to hearing for so many years, for so much of her life. She would have given so much to hear him say that before, overcome any trial and defeated any foe. Once, she would have been filled to the brim with joy and happiness at hearing those words. Now…now it just stung.

She looked away, unable to face him. How could she face him? So many things had changed, so much had happened to remove that sense of feeling that she should have had for him. Because while a part of her urged her to jump on that like she would have, she wouldn't. She no longer had those feelings for him. Indigo had moved on.

All the same, it did hurt to hear this now. To know that just a few months ago she could have had him like she'd wanted him. All Fathom had ever had to do was say the word and she would have been his, and now that he finally did she couldn't be. Oh, how her life could have been different if he'd said that only a few shorts weeks ago.

Yet at the same time, Indigo knew in her heart that what had happened was good, too. Better, even. Because she loved Darkstalker. He was not a cheap replacement for Fathom, nor was he someone that she would toss aside at this revelation. No, Indigo had what she wanted, and what she wanted was the Nightwing that she had spent the last night with. He was the one that made her heart sing, that made her feel so alive. Perhaps Fathom could have been that one in a different world, in one of the different threads of the thousands of futures that Darkstalker or Clearsight could peak into, but he wasn't in this one.

She shook her head. "Fathom, I don't how to say this, but I don't…"

"I know," he interrupted her with a nod, "I didn't see it then, but I can now. The smile on your face when you come back from being with him, the eagerness in your step…you look like you did before the massacre, before everything changed. I can see that you love him, and I won't try to stand in your way."

Indigo swallowed and let out a shaky breath. "Thank you."

Fathom glanced away and sighed. "Perhaps this is for the best," he said after a pause, "I doubt I would ever be the dragon you needed anyway. My curse saw to that. I'd never be able to truly love you even if I wanted to."

"Don't say that!" Indigo snapped at him without any true bite, "You're a good dragon Fathom, and your animus magic can never take that away from you. Someday you'll learn that for yourself, and maybe then you can find a life like the one we could have lived."

Her friend and prince refused to meet her eyes, only taking a few deep breaths, in and out. "Perhaps," he finally said, "But Indigo…I don't want to lose you."

"You won't," she told him, finding something within herself and taking a step towards him, "Fathom, you have always been my greatest friend. Nothing can take that away. Nothing. And though my heart may be elsewhere, I will always stand by you."

He met her gaze, and although there was plenty of sorrow in his eyes, he gave her a soft smile. "I know," he paused and gave a long exhale, "And I'll stand by you, Indigo."

Returning his smile, she took a few steps towards him and pulled him into an embrace, and he leaned against her as she put her wings around him. She held him there for a while, the feel of his scales warm against hers. And Indigo felt love for him in that moment, but not the same as she held for Darkstalker. This was the love for a friend, for her closest confidant and staunchest supporter, the same love and trust and support that she'd felt ever since they were little dragonets that didn't know anything of love or friendship. Yes, Indigo loved Fathom, and she would always love Fathom no matter what and no matter where her affections lied.

After several long moments, Fathom pulled away, a slightly larger smile on his muzzle now. "Thanks," he said with a small huff, a bit more light in his eyes, "I think I needed that."

She reached out and set a claw on his. "Anytime, Fathom. I'm still here for you." She gave a small, amused snort. "After all, I am still your guard."

"And the best one there is, at that," he said, looking calmer by the moment, even if she could tell that he still wasn't completely okay. "For what it's worth, I'm glad that you chose him, of all your options. Darkstalker may not be perfect, but he's a good dragon, and if anyone can make sure he stays that way, it will be you."

Indigo allowed herself a small laugh. "Yes, well…I do try, don't I?" And while it was true that Darkstalker still had that animus magic that Fathom still feared, Indigo couldn't say that was afraid of it anymore. She'd seen Darkstalker—the real Darkstalker—and whether or not he used his magic, he was a good dragon. He wasn't a killer; he wasn't insane. He was just a dragon. And while she didn't really think that she would have to, she would do her best to make sure he stayed that way, magic or not. Because magic or not, she loved him.

"That you do," Fathom confirmed, almost echoing her thoughts more than her words. He looked away and slowly pulled his claw out from under hers. "Here," he said, motioning towards a couple scrolls set on the table, "There's a few things I still need to go over before the meeting. It may help to have another pair of eyes looking stuff over…"

She grinned. "Yeah," she told him, glad that it had gone so well. There's still be some tension, she knew, but Fathom wasn't the kind of dragon to hold a grudge or try to dissuade her form her course. He'd said he'd stand by her, even if he may not fully want what she wanted, and she knew Fathom would honor that promise, just as she would.

They made their way to the table, and she sat next to him, picking up a scroll filled with what looked like a bunch of boring political-sounding jargon. In fact, they all looked this way, and suddenly Indigo realized why Fathom had wanted her help. She shook her head and nudged him with a wing. "So…does it look like anything remotely interesting will happen there?"

Two hours into the preparation meeting, the answer to Indigo's question was a resounding no.

That's not to say that the things that were discussed weren't important, because they most definitely were. Topics ranged from the layout of the city and the town hall where the meetings would be taking place to the arrangement of the army that would be waiting outside the Sandwing town of Redstone to ensure nothing happened (and, of course, how to approach the Icewing army that would be stationed on the other side of the town). Supply lines and departure times weren't left out either, and many lists of preparation materials were drafted with timelines and duties assigned.

Yes, it was very important, but to a dragon like Indigo who's only duty would be to guard Fathom (like always), it was all very, very boring.

She sat next to Darkstalker as one of the Nightwing generals droned on about the importance of strategically covering such and such an area in the event a fight broke. And she really was trying to pay attention, but she just couldn't help it if she kept getting distracted by the Nightwing beside her that she kept exchanging glances with, and who's tail resting against hers felt absolutely warm and wonderful and it was all she could do not to wrap it around hers like she'd do in a second if they weren't in the middle of a formal meeting. Part of her wished that she was mind-reader like he was so they could have a nice discussion in their heads instead of having to listen to everything—even though it was a bit more important for Darkstalker to pay attention—but instead she had to settle for letting him read her thoughts and guessing his response from the looks he'd give her.

Of course, their subtlety wasn't exactly unnoticed by a few of the dragons present, most of who ignored them at best. At least Fathom and the other guards were next to her on her other side so that her being next to Darkstalker wasn't quite so conspicuous. Of the dragons that she felt watch her, only three were really of note: Darkstalker's father, Arctic, who sat on his other side and looked mildly annoyed but said and did nothing, then Queen Vigilance, who gave a scowl when she saw Darkstalker whisper something to her at one point. And, of course, Clearsight.

Vigilance's top seer did not look happy to be here at all, that much was clear. Clearsight still seemed to be fuming from what had happened the other night, and she cast daggers at Indigo and Darkstalker whenever they so much as looked her way. But, Indigo had to think, at least she was here. And despite what she'd apparently said to Darkstalker, she did seem to be helping. At least it looked like it. Several times throughout the meeting Queen Vigilance asked her for her thoughts or visions concerning things, and each time Clearsight's response was to whisper something in her ear, inaudible for all but the queen. Sometimes Vigilance smiled at the results, sometimes she frowned, but never did it cause her to dismiss the idea of the meeting, and so it appeared that Clearsight was still doing some part in moving their plans along. She just was only serving her queen, not Darkstalker. Which, for as long as the two goals aligned, worked out fine.

Indigo just hoped that the goals would stay the same. Darkstalker didn't seem to trust his own queen that much in regard to holding the meeting with the Icewings and seeing things through, and so Indigo didn't either. Yes, maybe some of that was from the blatant insult the Nightwing Queen had given her at the party, but even now, watching her, Indigo felt she could detect a bit of hesitation—a bit of displeasure—in the queen's words and posture as she held the meeting. It just rubbed her scales the wrong way.

Then again, maybe she was just on edge from everything. Between Fathom having revealed he still had feelings for her and Clearsight looking like she would be more than willing to go claw to claw with her, perhaps she wasn't in the best situation to be thinking such things right now. She was probably just paranoid and a little concerned. Her focus should be on her job, on what she was here for: protecting Fathom in the upcoming meeting, not anything or anyone else.

Once that was over, then she could worry about everything else.

She glanced over to Darkstalker once again. Now that is something that will be interesting, she thought, How would it work, the two of us, once this is over? Would I need to resign my commission? Would I even be allowed in the Night Kingdom if I'm no longer Fathom's guard? And what about Darkstalker? How will the rest of the queen's court and nobility look at him if he's with a Seawing?

She felt a wing jostle her side and was pulled out of her thoughts to see that Darkstalker had nudged her. Assuming he'd been hearing her thoughts and was telling her not to worry, she opened her mouth to give a silent apology before he motioned over with his head. Indigo followed his direction in confusion before her ears caught up with her and she began to listen again to something outside her own thoughts.

"…And this is where you come in," Queen Vigilance was telling Fathom, who was sitting tall and proud like a true prince as he looked over a document mirroring the one Vigilance was pointing to now on the large strategy table, "Once we enter the city, we should meet a delegation from the Icewings like the one we'll have sent. While you'll have been traveling with us, make no show of support of us in their presence. Understood?"

"Yes," Fathom answered, almost expectantly, "We Seawings are impartial in all of this."

"Good," Vigilance told him, "Now, you'll likely be separated from us for the majority of the meeting, with your quarters being in this wing here," she pointed to a location that Indigo couldn't quite see on the large map of Redstone's town hall layout, "Queen Scorpion has indicated that she may be attending, as her tribe is hosting it. Interact with her as little as possible, if it is avoidable. She is a snake that will play any side that suits her and is not to be trusted. Your focus should be on the Icewings. Namely, ensuring that they go through with things while ensuring favorable terms to us. See if you can judge any hidden intents, and if so, communicate them to me. Remember, Prince Fathom, your impartiality is a ruse. That is why are you are here."

Fathom seemed to grow the tiniest bit nervous at that, but gave a nod of his head, "Understood."

"Now," Vigilance continued, "General Stargazer will be organizing the specific schedule, which we will know once we arrive. You will be present at all major meetings, but may not be needed at preliminary ones, and you should not appear at any inner-tribe sessions that are held as you are not Nightwing. You and your guards will have full reign of the town hall as third parties. When free, I expect you to make full use of that to identify any Icewing plans and strategies that may assist us."

Fathom tapped his tail and gave a very small frown. "I am well aware of my duties as a negotiator and peacemaker, your majesty," he said diplomatically, "I will do what I can to end this war in a way satisfactory to you."

Vigilance gave a small frown of her own, then snorted. "Very good. You'll be getting more details as we go, as we all will. Unfortunately, the quickness of this situation requires haste, which can lead to disorder and inefficiency. Luckily, that will also hold true for our enemy. Exploit that, Prince Fathom, and we will get the kind of peace we want."

She moved on then, and Indigo tried to keep herself expressionless as the topic changed once more. Aside from a few mentions here and there at the beginning, mainly in map layouts and room instructions, Fathom and the Seawings in general hadn't been brought up at all. She couldn't help but feel that the mention they had right here was all it would be, too, meaning that that little exchange is what she'd been made to sit through for two hours and counting for.

Ah well, such was the nature of diplomacy and politics. Indigo had been in far longer and duller meetings in the honor guard than this one. It was her job to put up with it.

Fortunately, it didn't take too long after that—maybe a half-hour at most—for the meeting to adjourn for the midnight meal. Apparently, it would resume afterwards, but on a narrower scope, meaning that she and her fellow Seawings wouldn't be made to attend. Which was fine with her, considering that they barely even needed to be in this one. She could have easily studied all the maps and diagrams pertinent to Fathom on her own time.

She was on her way out of the room, walking with Fathom and her fellow guards and looking forward to a short break with Darkstalker, when she heard Queen Vigilance call the Nightwing animus back for something. Glancing back at him, she saw him give her an apologetic look as he was forced to leave her and she him as she escorted Fathom into the hallway outside the chamber, maintaining in all this as much of the formalities as she could. These were serious matters, after all, and they would be treated as such by all involved.

Once they were out of the meeting room, however, Fathom dropped his more princely vainer and allowed his wings to droop as he gave a yawn. The other two Seawing guards did something similar, and despite herself Indigo likewise followed suit. She didn't like to be informal while on guard duty, but she was still tired from the previous night and the emotional start to this one, so she figured that she would allow it.

"Well…that was long," Fathom said a bit sarcastically to none of them in particular, echoing her thoughts from earlier, "At least we don't have to go back—I pity those that do. Right now, I'm not sure if I want to take a flight to stretch my wings or just take a nap."

"Either sounds good to me, but only after eating, I'm sure," Indigo commented. She for one had missed breakfast with the rush and conversation earlier, and she was beginning to feel a bit ravenous. She wondered if Darkstalker would have to go back to the meeting after the break. He probably would, but if not, then maybe they could fly to one of the lakes or even the ocean and catch some fresh fish.

"Of course," Fathom said, "I meant after that. We'll have to see if…" he trailed off and Indigo cocked her head in confusion until she followed his eyes to the side, back towards the meeting room. Or more specifically, the Nightwing seer that had just exited the meeting room.

Clearsight was frowning at her, and with Darkstalker gone, Indigo suddenly felt rather vulnerable. Not physically, of course—she had the training and was sure that she could deal with Clearsight should she have to—but it was just that she wasn't sure what the Nightwing was thinking. She'd spent time with her in the past with flights with Fathom and everything, but she simply didn't know her like Darkstalker did. If something were to happen, he wouldn't be here to diffuse the situation.

But Clearsight didn't make any move. She simply stood there for second after second, her eyes slightly narrowed as she frowned, taking deep breaths through her snout which exhaled smoke with each puff of breath. Her stance held bared claws and was threatening, but thankfully the Nightwing held herself back.

"Can I help you?" Indigo finally asked, straightening her own stance and putting confidence into her words. If Clearsight expected her to back down from anything, she'd be sorely mistaken.

The Nightwing ignored her question, giving only a snort. "You already had an animus," she spat, casting a sharp look towards Fathom to punctuate her words, "Why did you feel you had to take mine?"

"Clearsight," Fathom spoke up, taking a step forward, "Don't…"

"That had nothing to do with anything. You know that," Indigo answered, trying not to match the same hostility she held, "And if that was all he was to you, then maybe it's better for both of you this way."

"He was more than that," Clearsight bit, "He was my future! He was always supposed to be my future. Why couldn't you have been content with that? Why couldn't he have been content with that?"

Indigo genuinely didn't know the answer to that. Then again, it was not her question to answer. She stayed silent, casting only a glance to Fathom and her two fellow guards, the former looking extremely concerned and the latter looking very confused.

"You weren't even supposed to be here!" Clearsight tried to growl, but her anger was breaking. She looked closer to tears now than attack. "Why? Why did you have to come? Why did you have to ruin everything?"

Indigo swallowed as she looked at Clearsight, but still remained silent. And honestly…Indigo felt bad for her. She could see in her the heartbreak she herself had once felt, when she'd been separated from Fathom after the massacre, when she'd been told she could never hope to be with him. It was a crushing weight, and it was crushing Clearsight.

She found herself taking a step towards the other dragoness. Maybe…maybe she could help, if Clearsight would let her. She didn't know what it was like to have so many visions of yourself with another dragon, but she knew full well the hopes and dreams it entailed. Clearsight had always struck her as a reasonable dragon. If she was willing, then maybe they could simply talk…

Clearsight looked at her, and Indigo could see the tears clearly in her eyes. Her face softened towards her, and Indigo began to raise a claw, to offer her a claw. And it actually looked like Clearsight would accept it.

But she didn't. Clearsight blinked once, and the look in her eyes turned darker. She took a step back, then hiss and turned away, whipping her tail around as she turned to leave them, stomping off down a hallway. Indigo gave a sigh as she watched her go. Fathom did too, but his was more one of relief.

"Was she like that when you talked with her?" Indigo asked him, still watching the seer walk away up until she turned a corner and was gone.

"Actually, she was quite a bit more upset," Fathom answered, "I've no idea how I calmed her down, but it seems like that was temporary. What's our saying, back in the Sea Kingdom? 'Better to face a hungry leviathan than a dragoness scorned', isn't it?"

"Yeah, something like that," Indigo said, her mind still distracted even as Fathom and the others began to walk away, no doubt towards the dining hall. Of the two reactions of their friends, Indigo had to admit that she had unequivocally gotten the better one in Fathom's understanding versus Clearsight's anger. Because Clearsight was clearly still more than a little bit upset.

She shook her head as she followed her prince to food and to a (hopefully) less stressful rest of her day. But she couldn't help but have a rather unnerving thought. That little proverb of Fathom's may be a bit spot on. Because if Clearsight was really being so wrathful while still helping with the meeting with the Icewings…well, Indigo suddenly felt a lot more nervous about what was to come.