It felt strange to have thread pulled from her skin.

Like something between a tickle and a shock.

But it was mostly healed.

Deez watches as Yensid presses a bandage against her abdomen, where little drops of blood were forming from the holes left behind.

She bites back a hiss of pain from the pressure.

It wasn't her normal, but she'd take it over the constant throbbing reminder.

"Remarkable." Yensid looks her over as Uma quickly wraps the bandage in place, "I knew you all to be capable, but to successfully perform a rite of this magnitude? You are all truly astonishing."

"So it's all gonna be okay?" Gil asks as he continues to gently run his fingers through her hair.

"That is a very nuanced question," Yensid strokes his beard with a frown, "as she has healed, but there is still the problem as to why the stab wound hasn't done so completely."

Gil looks down at her stomach in concern, "why, though?"

Yensid is quiet for a moment, "it may be the depth of the injury itself, though there is the possibility, with what stabbed her, that it may never fully heal."

Uma and Gil stare at Yensid in horror.

"What do you mean, 'never heal'?" Uma demands.

"It's fine-"

"Is it?" Gil and Uma both exclaim.

She winces, "it could be worse."

Gil's eyes narrow before the wind seems to leave his sails, and he sighs in defeat as Uma in her own right, deflates.

"Well, it still ain't good." Uma jerks her hip and places her hand on it.

"No," Yensid sighs, "it isn't. I will have to examine the blade for further information, but if my theory is correct, Deez is, most unfortunately, cursed."

She bites her lip as Uma and Gil surge closer.

"Cursed!?" Gil cries out in distress as his arms engulf her, "can we fix it?"

"With time, research and the right resources, all magic can be undone." He sighs, "but as this is the Isle," his eyes soften, "it might be rather difficult to find what is needed to right what is wrong."

There was still something that bothered her.

The blade hadn't been able to cut her until she'd tried to burn Mim. And once it did stab her-

It all happened so fast, but she remembered the feeling of her fire being pulled.

Of not being in control of it.

She hadn't been in any kind of control that night, but that, the feeling of her flames being taken.

Siphoned from her very being.

Or at least, that was what she remembered in hindsight.

"Could it be something else?" She asks tentatively.

"As I said, it is just a theory, it will take a few days for me to really delve into this, and we need time to assess whether you heal further or not." Yensid pauses, "but if it is as I fear," he takes a deep breath, "it might be quite more permanent. For now, it is a waiting game, sadly."

She nods before she relaxes in Gil's grip.

Uma lets out a heavy sigh, "so more of the same then, we're just stuck."

"Regrettably that does seem to be the case." Yensid admits hesitantly.

"At least it doesn't hurt," she offers optimistically.

Uma looks at her suspiciously, "are you sure?"

Gil studies her with the same doubt in his eyes, "or are you jus' sayin' it ta make us feel better?"

Yensid's lip twitches as he turns his gaze to her to keep Gil and Uma from seeing the amusement in his eyes.

"It really does feel better." She quickly assures them, "I mostly don't notice it. And it's definitely not constant throbbing anymore. Is that a better explanation?"

"Mm." Gil looks her over with disapproval.

Uma crosses her arms, mirroring his look.

Daniel steps between them and looks up between Uma and Gil with his own disapproval, rubbing one finger over another as if he were saying, shame on you.

Which he probably was.

Daniel points to her, and then crosses his arms and shakes his head.

She can't help her smile, "I guess none of us are completely okay, but this is an improvement."

Daniel nods as he takes her hand with a 'humph'.

Gil groans as his head tips back, and he looks at the rocks above them, while Uma runs a hand down her face.

"I appreciate the support." She smiles as she squeezes Daniel's hand.

Daniel grins up at her with a nod.

"Insubordinate Lil' Demon." Uma mumbles under her breath.

Daniel turns to her with a frown as he squeezes her hand.

"Can't we just take this win?" She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, "we need time to figure anything else out, so, yeah, for now can't we just be glad it healed and isn't as painful? Please?"

She hadn't realized how much she needed this.

They'd just sealed their tie as a family.

She'd gotten the family mark on her palm.

She was getting a tattoo.

All she wanted was for this night to stay this way.

Daniel points to Uma's tattoo, and then Gil's before he points to her, and shrugs with a sigh.

"This, being able to get the seal-" she glances down at her wrapped palm, "getting to have the family tattoo, it's worth any pain. And I get to finally have that part of the magic."

Gil glares at her, but after a moment shuts his mouth, "it is gonna look wicked on you." He admits with a smile.

"Right?" She grins as she pulls herself to sit up.

Uma shakes her head, "least it's a silver lining."

She nods before she turns to Yensid, "can I help you research?"

"Yes!" Gil quickly encourages, "I think that's a great idea."

Uma's eyes brighten, "yeah, hav'ta agree with Sweet Boy, you're so good at it."

She smiles.

"I certainly wouldn't turn away help in this endeavor." Yensid tugs at his beard, "also, I believe the current resident god mentioned needing to return to his home tomorrow, so we won't have to deal with any unpleasantness from that interaction."

That had been her only worry. Talking to Yensid about what happened in that cave was already going to be hard, she couldn't imagine trying to do it with her father slinking around.

Uma and Gil share twin sighs of relief as Daniel's tension drains and he nods emphatically.

"Then I shall fetch you tomorrow after his departure." Yensid says before he leans closer and pats her on the shoulder, "I am relieved to hear you are feeling better. Enjoy your magic and I will see you later."

"Thank you." She calls out as he leaves before she rolls to her knees, smiling at the fact she can do so again, before she turns to her family, "so, where were we?"

Uma grins, "lettin' Gil get in more practice while we take some time to just, not, for the moment."

She laughs.

Not.

They hadn't had time for nothing lately.

Not really.

Not since the night with the dancing lights, anyway.

"That sounds good to me."

Gil stares at Faustina in disbelief, "you want me to what?"

"It doesn't have to be a tentacle, at least not yet." Faustina shrugs, "and it would be yet another tie for us to remember where we belong."

"But he's jus' so… little."

Deez crosses her arms over her chest before she glares up at him, "little? That's your argument?"

He holds up his hands, "young, I meant young. He's like still gonna grow-"

"Aren't all of us?"

"I mean…" Gil frowns, "closer ta as big as we're gonna get."

Deez frowns before she mutters under her breath about hoping that wasn't the case.

"I understand your hesitation, my Lion, that's why I'm suggesting a partial tattoo you can extend as he grows." Faustina offers, "that way you can add to it until you're comfortable finishing it."

He frowns before he turns, "Uma," he cringes at the whine in his tone, "what do you think?" He asks as hoping the Captain would see reason.

Uma bites her lip as she looks from him to Faustina and Deez and then to Daniel. "Well, Sweet Boy, I think it is ultimately your call. You're the one with the talent an' ability."

Daniel walks over and pulls on his shirt as he looks up at him with wide eyes and a quivering lip.

"That's just mean." He accuses with a frown.

"It ain'nah bein' like he be bein' forced, Mate." Harry grins as gently traces the curved herbs forming a heart on his calf.

"But-" he looks around the room before he sighs in defeat, "fine."

Daniel claps as he jumps up and down in excitement before he scrambles to the table and rolls up the leg of his pants, pointing to his calf.

"Thank you, my Lion." Faustina hugs his arm, "I understand your apprehension, but this initiation signifies the depth of our love and loyalty to one another. And, despite our brief time together, I believe our Little Demon understands that."

Daniel nods his head emphatically before he gestures to all of them and then himself.

Gil tilts his head back with a groan, "alright, Lil' Demon, you win."

Daniel grins widely before he pumps his fist in triumph.

Faustina giggles as she squeezes his arm, "thank you, my Lion."

Mhmm.

Like any of them had given him the choice. "But it's only gonna be a little one, like ya said."

It wouldn't be hard. He'd been drawing compass roses since he could remember. Four lines.

He could tattoo four lines, to appease his family.

Four short lines.

On what had to be a five-year-old.

Why did that not feel wrong to anyone else?

He rolls his eyes, probably cause they weren't the ones doing it.

Daniel grins as he claps his hands before pointing to his exposed calf.

"Alright, alright." He chuckles at the boy's enthusiasm. "But ya gotta sit still."

Daniel salutes him with a nod.

"We can be fixin' that," Harry adds as he holds out a tin to Daniel, "this be ah makin' it so ya ain'nah feelin' ah thing."

Daniel grins as he nods his head and sticks up his leg impatiently.

"Oh ho! I be gettin' trusted 'nough ta be helpin'?"

Daniel nods before he gestures around them and hugs himself.

"Aye ya wee mate," Harry kneels beside Daniel and carefully rubs Faustina's ointment into the back of his leg, "we all be ah lovin' an' lookin' out for each other."

He sighs, at least it was that. He wasn't sure he would have agreed, short of the numbing agent being applied. It would turn his stomach to cause a kid pain. Even consensual pain.

Faustina squeezes his arm one last time before she walks over and takes Daniel's hand, "okay my Little Demon, you've got to be patient, so remember to squeeze instead of squirm."

Daniel nods his head once in understanding before five eyes settle on him, "think of it as practice for our Star Gazer, my Lion."

He sighs. She had him there.

"This shouldn't take long." He sighs, "still don't feel right…" he grumbles.

"It wasn't enjoyable for me to mark him either, my Lion, but you've made such a beautiful contribution to our ties. Scars fade, tattoos are a forever reminder."

"I wouldn't mind gettin' a compass myself," Uma chuckles, "if you're willing to-"

"It's not like there's a height requirement." He rolls his eyes.

Deez snorts before he feels a hand on his arm, "are you okay?"

He sighs, "it just, I don't know… I mean, I guess if it's okay with Angel an' Uma," he shrugs, "an' Daniel wantin' it so bad… It'd feel wrong not ta give 'im one."

"Stuck between a wave and a cave?"

"Yeah, somethin' like that." He nods. "But," he purses his lips, "guess s'long as I don't have ta finish it, guess it ain't that bad. I can always patch it up as he grows."

Deez smiles up at him before she looks over to where Daniel was waiting, "sounds like you've already made up your mind."

He nods, "I jus' don't want somethin' like this ta look bad when he gets older- But I can deal with lines."

Maybe that's what his problem was. He was an artist, and the thought of one of his pieces stretching didn't sit with him well.

Or maybe it was the fact Daniel was a child.

He shrugs, "but I get 'im wantin' the whole experience."

"So do I." She looks around the room, "it's something pretty special to be a part of."

He grins down at Deez and kisses her head, "thank you."

It had been so hard to sit still.

Deez stares at her shoulder as Gil takes the needle away.

She blinks away the blur.

Finally.

She finally had her mark.

Had her tattoo.

She eyes the dark ink against the pale pinks and whites of her skin.

A treasure chest clutched protectively by the Kraken tentacle.

What little color Gil had, he'd used to really highlight small details.

Colorful jewels and coins spilling from the chest.

Knots and whirls in the wood of the chest itself.

Her cheeks hurt with how happy she was.

It was beautiful.

Perfect.

Just like her family.

"Thank you."

Gil smiles at her, "was happy to do it." He hugs her tightly as he kisses the top of her head, "I've dreamt about givin' ya one since I got the idea."

She wraps her arms around his neck and rubs her face against his chest.

It was a dream come true for her too. To get to be the same as her family.

To get Gil's art on her arm.

Have the family crest on her palm.

It hurt to have lost her fire, but that pain paled in comparison to the sheer joy she felt right now.

She'd have given it up a long time ago if it meant being part of this.

The magic of her family, having this visible connection to them.

A physical reminder that they belonged together.

All seven of them.

"Alright," Uma clears her throat, "today's been, well one of the best we've had in-" she pauses, "today's been amazing, but time for bed. We still be havin' shit ta be doin' an' I don't need any o' us outta it tomorrow. Bed, all o' ya."

"But UUUUmmma," Harry whines, "we ain'nah even-"

"Don't make me make it an order." She glares at her first mate, though she can't hide her amusement.

She smiles at Harry, who seemed just as amused.

"We all sleeping in here then?" Deez asks as she leans against Gil's side, still happily running a finger over the bandage on her upper arm.

She turns to Faustina, who thankfully stopped helping Daniel with his lock at her declaration.

Faustina smiles brightly, "I'd like that very much," she turns to Daniel, "what about you Little-"

Daniel interrupts her with a vigorous nod.

She chuckles, "ta bed with ya then."

Gil grins as he sweeps Deez into his arms, "ya heard the Captain."

"Aye," Deez giggles as she wraps her arms around his neck, "let's get the nest set up."

She smiles as the two disappear before she turns her gaze on Harry.

"Aye, aye Cap'n." Harry salutes her as he helps Daniel off Faustina's lap and helps her to her feet.

"Thank you, my Prince." She kisses a chaste kiss to the corner of Harry's lips, before the three of them follow Gil and Deez to their cavern.

She bites her lip.

"Actually, Beauty Girl, if ya don't mind sendin' the wee demon and your Prince along- I'd like to speak with you for a moment."

Faustina turns with concern, "of course, my Queen." She pauses to ruffle Daniel's hair, "be good for the others, my Demon."

Daniel nods as he maneuvers from her to Harry.

"We'll join ya'll soon." She assures a confused Harry.

"Aye, I be ah keepin' ya to that." Harry nods as his eyes linger between her and Faustina before they too disappear into the shadows.

Faustina waits a moment before she joins her, "yes, my Queen?"

"I do like that name." She grins before she looks around the room, "so, T was out for a little bit. I think we were all surprised he didn't immediately try ta run off."

"Even T can recognize the significance of something as important as our families' rite of initiation."

"Good. That makes me beyond happy to hear," she bites her lip, "but I also know that means we do need to get a plan in place."

She sighs as she closes her eyes.

She hated this. Hated to admit she didn't know what to do next.

Strong leaders were always ten steps ahead, had everything plotted like a course on a map.

And yet, as embarrassing as this would have been only a year ago, she trusted Faustina to hear her out.

Hear her out, and have ideas to get them back on track.

She sighs again, "not gonna lie, Beauty Girl, I've lost my way here."

Faustina frowns before she places her hand over hers and squeezes, "my Captain, I can't imagine the struggle and burdens everything has put you through, but we've come so far due to your guidance and direction, and I know you will lead us further still." She bites her lip, "We may have lost a battle, but the war is far from over. There are still many steps for us to take, but I'm afraid you might not be fond of my thoughts on how to proceed…"

"To be honest, I don't like anything we're gonna have to do." She pauses, "haven't liked anything we've done, either. But, I know we're doin' the right thing. It's just a lot of hard calls."

Faustina sighs, "I'm sorry so much has been placed on your shoulders in such a short span of time, I hadn't anticipated so many drastic upheavals to my ploys. So, in a way, I believe I understand you, my Queen."

"Thank you," she steps forward and, watching Faustina for any signs of discomfort, wraps her arms around the taller girl.

Faustina's arms wrap around her gently, "we've made it so far, my Queen, and unfortunately we still have some way to go, but I have faith that we can still do this. It won't be easy, and we've lost much ground, but the task in front of us isn't insurmountable. It'll just take some finesse, forethought, and, unfortunately, much loss in its wake."

Her grip tightens before she takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, "I know. I don't always admit it to myself, but it's always there." She shakes her head, "so, what should I be thinking about?"

"We've already poisoned their water supply once, and know of which camps no longer contain our Isle Born…" Faustina bites her bottom lip as her eyes drift away from her, "so, it might be time to use a more… permanent solution to the challenges the cleared camps represent."

She frowns as she pulls away to study Faustina, trying to discern if the other girl was being serious.

Faustina shifts as she starts to fiddle with her sleeve, "I know it isn't ideal, but I believe it's better to decimate their forces now, rather than wait for them to do in kind to us later…"

She tilts her head to the side.

Should she be concerned about a thought that had not occurred to her before?

"I never intended for my concoctions to aid in the demise of so many." Faustina offers quietly, "that I would end up with so much blood on my hands, but- If it means a future for us, I would gladly do so a hundred times over. Our resources are next to deplete. Our morale more so, with nearly losing our Star Gazer, but the war isn't over yet."

Blood on her hands.

They all had blood on their hands, except they never asked to fight for their lives.

Their freedoms.

So yeah, if blood on her hands is what it took, then she'd bathe in it for all she cared.

She was not going to lose anyone else.

"Fair point," she slowly agrees.

Faustina turns to her with a small smile, "there is still hope for us yet, my Queen. It will just take coordination, timing," she pauses, "and assistance from Harriett."

"Harriett?" Her eyebrow raises, "you're still in contact with Harriett?"

Faustina bites her lip, "we thought it would behoove us to have someone on the inside. Shan Yu has learned much from his dealings with Mulan. Women too can be warriors."

She closes her eyes as she takes several deep breaths.

She'd thought she'd seen Harriett at one of the camps.

"Before you get upset, know T wasn't wrong in his choice to allow her to shoot him. It was one of the fastest ways for her to move up in rank. No one else had the courage to face off against-"

Her eyes snap open. "Shot? When the fuck did T get shot?"

Faustina blinks, "oh dear…" She covers her mouth.

"Wind's outta the sail now," she glares, "spill."

"The night before Deez was summoned, T ran across Harriett's platoon. To ensure her rise in ranks, he gave her little choice but to fire at him."

She blinks, "but, she shot him. Where?"

Faustina frowns before she moves the neckline of her blouse to reveal the Weave covering her shoulder, "nowhere important."

It was hard to think with all the questions she wanted to ask, "how bad?"

So T started the night off getting shot at one camp and then had to race across nearly the whole damn Isle after facing off against Atilla.

How the fuck had he pulled it all off?

Without her finding out!

She takes another deep breath.

There was nothing she could do about it.

It was done.

So, as much as she wanted to demand T show himself, so she could pinch his ear until he agreed to never do that again-

They had other things they needed to plan, things that could go just as wrong if she was focused on the wrong thing.

But oh, how she wanted to focus on the wrong things.

Something she could at least have control over.

She sighs again before she straightens her shoulder and looks up, "so, you have a rat behind enemy lines."

Faustina nods. "My apologies for not offering such information sooner, but the less aware of the situation, the safer Harriett was… But now might be the right time to extract her."

She nods, "it might be. Let me talk to Harry first, so he's not blindsided."

Faustina bites her lip, "if that is the case, my Queen, it might be best to rip off the entire bandage."

She closes her eyes and groans, "There's more?"

Faustina shifts her gaze to her feet, "isn't there always?"

Is there more?

Funny Umes, of course there is. T and Tina are the worst at divulging sensitive information, especially when it involves the safety of another.

And, seriously, never expected Faustina to become such a adviser to Uma during this-

It certainly didn't happen in the disgusting amount of rewrites we've destroyed in the last two years…

Any thoughts or feelings on the matter from you?

Fuck yeah bitches! D finally got her family mark! And with her paper white ass, best believe that shit is vivid as fuck. Gil has to be beside himself with that piece of work-

Speaking of Gil though-

Poor outnumbered bastard-

He really didn't feel comfortable tatting Daniel at all, not that I can blame him. The thought of a child with a tattoo, that isn't culturally based, is fucking weird to me.

Like, little kids are so finicky. Constantly moving from one interest to another-

And then the growing part?

What a mess of a canvas.

And for anyone curious about why true-loves kiss didn't work on D's theoretical curse?

Guess you're gonna have to keep reading to find that one out ;P

Much love and appreciation

-Twisted