#ᴛʜᴇ sᴀᴅ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪs ʏᴇsᴛᴇʀᴅᴀʏ ᴡᴇ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴄʜɪʟᴅʀᴇɴ - Jaehaera Targaryen

[wcrriorhearts]

Jaehaera did her best to be a good daughter, to follow rules and do as she was told, but unfortunately she was also blessed with the gift to become selectively deaf and unseeing whenever she didn't want to do something, or felt compelled to do as she pleased. Her Septa regularly complained to both the Queen and the young girl's mother about Jaehaera's behavioral problems, not only because she refused to speak, but also because she struggled to behave herself in the way that was expected for a princess. While her brother was a quiet and avid student, Haera had a habit of just walking out of the room whenever she decided that she had had enough for the day. That was not a sign of her disinterest in learning, but rather a reflection of how bored she was. Given her muteness, none of her subjects challenged her, because most people in her surrounding expected the girl to be slow witted. While her sweet brother was learning his letters and started to read, Jaehaera had already taught herself that years ago - which no one truly knew, because she didn't speak of it. She could often be found with her nose into books, but no one expected her to be actually reading. It was just assumed that she found it soothing to stare at letters.

That sunny morning, Haera had once again waited for her Septa to turn around and help Haerys with an exercise, so that she could slip from her chair and abandon the lesson altogether. On silent - and naked - feet she left the room, leaving not only her brother behind, but also her shoes. Another one of her oddities. Jaehaera had a strong dislike for shoes and had also fought clothes when she was younger, but at least that stage was one she had outgrown since. Strolling down the corridor, she decided it was a good day to go visit Malice and her newly born foal Cloud, when she unfortunately bumped into her own mother in the hallway, who had not been supposed to know just yet that Jaehaera had done something she was not supposed to again. "Ma", she greeted happily nonetheless, because she always loved to see her mother. Around her, Haera even spoke. It was rare that she used full sentences, but her communication with the princess was much more open than with anyone else aside from Jaehaerys. Reaching out for her mother, Haera hugged her middle, but let go quickly. She knew her mother was not fond of physical touch and even though she offered it to her children freely, Haera saw how she rejected it from everyone else and was mindful of it.

@enduringmystery gets a plotted starter

[wcrriorhearts]

Jaehaera did not appreciate that the small dragons were treated like dogs, paraded around on leashes as if they were not the most powerful beasts these handlers would ever meet. She would never impose on their freedom like that and had no interest in letting it slide. Neither Shrykos, nor Morghul were used to being restricted in their movements and just because they were not big enough yet to defend themselves, didn't mean they had to endure this. Haera was a quiet child, but she had a stubborn mind and a perpetual air of haughtiness, so she just demanded to be heard, even when she barely said a word. The dragon keepers looked somewhat startled by her order, but knew that she was to be obeyed as princess of the realm, despite being only eight.

Shrykos had curled herself around Haera's neck, while she patted Morghul in her arm and followed uncle Aemond. She was aware that Vhagar was ancient and not to be underestimated, because she was just as stubborn as the girl herself, but she liked to just look at the massive dragon, imagining hers to grow to that size one day. Haera was not entirely sure that would happen during her lifetime, but nonetheless. Morghul would have riders after her and hopefully turn over 100 years old as well one day. Hard to imagine right now, given he was the size of a small cat, but dragons grew steadily their whole lives long.

Aemond's question gave her pause and she cocked her head to the side briefly, considering, before she shrugged. She was seriously not too fussed about flying and even though she imagined Morghul being grown and majestic, she liked his current size. It made him a pet she could keep close to herself and that was worth something. "Maybe", she said non-committedly, because that question was not so easy to answer. "Not soon", she added, because she was still very small herself and had no desire of flying a dragon by herself. With others, gladly. But for now both her and Morghul were children and should enjoy their childhoods.

They reached Vhagar a moment later and Jaehaera was smart enough to stay back, knowing that the old Lady was not fond of unwanted visitors and children were easy snacks for her. "Vhagar", she said appreciatively and smiled, pointing at Aemond's mount. He obviously knew that this was his dragon, but she felt the need to say it. Sitting down on a rock very far away from the dragon, she kept a good hold on the two hatchlings, because they were also prey sized for Vhagar.

It brightened his heart to see Jaehaera’s reaction to the dragons. She loved them greatly, he knew that. It was something they all had in common. The profound love for their dragons. It only made him smile more when she made clear to the dragon keeper that she would not in any case allow the two dragons to be chained around her. He couldn��t agree more. Dragons were not meant to be chained. In that aspect, he was glad that Vhagar was as big as she was, because it quite simply made it impossible for the dragon keepers to try and chain her down. She was old and beautiful and Aemond was certain if anyone even figured out how they could chain her, she would burn them before they even got a chance. And if she didn’t, then he would make them pay for ever doing that to such a majestic beast.

“The princess knows her dragon. You would do well to trust her judgement.” He spoke to the dragonkeeper with a glare. Turning his attention back to his niece, he knelt down with a smile on his lips. “They have missed you, I can tell.” He mused before following her finger to where Vhagar had found solace lately and tilted his head for a moment. “Hmm, we can see if she is awake, yes.” 

Perhaps visiting Vhagar with his niece and the two small dragons in tow wasn’t the greatest idea, but honestly he knew it would be alright. Vhagar would not harm them, he knew it to be true even if he was uncertain of why exactly that was the case. Time had taught him that somehow the old she-dragon was fond of Jaehaera, perhaps because she was different, or because she was as fierce in the love for her own dragon as he was. Either way, it always brightened his day as well when he was able to visit Vhagar. 

So he rose to his feet again and smiled. “Come on, let’s go see if she is awake.” Perhaps today, after he returned Jaehaera home, he would seek out Vhagar again and go flying. It was freedom, it was heaven to be out there. “I bet you cannot wait until Morghul is big enough to fly with you, hm?” He asked, knowing full well that when he was younger, all he ever wanted was to have a dragon and be able to fly it. 

[wcrriorhearts]

@crumbledstatues said: ❝ You have a gentle heart, but you do not understand. This is how it has always been. ❞ - alicent to jaehaera

Lavender eyes peered up at the dowager Queen, as Jaehaera took in her figure, bathed in the light of a crackling hearth. She was beautiful, her auburn hair reflecting the flames and shining like fire itself, but her features were hardened, pale and worn. The last weeks had changed her family. Her mother was descending deeper into madness each day, her father was more dead than alive after losing a battle on his dragon and everyone else around her seemed to have become more cruel and heartless.

The silent girl was not one to speak. Words were never her first choice of communication and it was rare that she used them at all. For as long as she could remember, she had loved and hated words equally. They were so beautiful when written with ink on paper, but spoke out loud they could be more deadly than the sharpest weapon. And she had struggled with them her whole life, which was why everyone had accepted by now that Jaehaera was silent. Many courtiers and servants believed her to be slow witted, but she was the opposite. A sharp mind well above her age was hidden behind her quietly observant facade and they were too easily fooled by her small, unobscure body and angelic face.

"I do understand", Jaehaera spoke, words uncharacteristically fluent and sharp. It was rare that she broke her muteness, but when she did, it held meaning. "But I don't think you do. Just because it has always been done that way, doesn't mean it is right."

[wcrriorhearts]

It was late in the evening and Jaehaera was well aware that she should have been asleep. Her brother Maelor had been tucked into bed with her hours ago and had not stirred since, but the girl had spent an eternity staring at the ceiling, before she gave up and sneaked back into the sitting room in the hopes of finding her mother there . Unfortunately, the Queen was nowhere in sight, so Haera made do with what she had.

A book open in her lap, she alternated between lining her toys up in neat little rows and reading a few pages. She liked to do more things than just one at the same time, because it helped her focus. A warm fire crackled in the hearth and warmed her back as she sat on the rug before it, engrossed in a tale about dragons and mermaids. Haera was not a good sleeper and often spent big portions of the night like this. Her mind was too active to allow her to find rest, but she didn’t mind it. Sleep was dull anyway and it was more beneficial to use the time for other things, like learning. Ever since her brother had been slain, however, she feared sleep, because it brought dreams with it. Memories she didn't want to revisit, nor think about.

It felt quite ironic to the child that behind her silent facade she had a brilliant mind, yet people at court believed her to be slow witted, solely because she didn’t speak. There was a difference between choosing silence and not being able to talk. Technically Haera was more than capable of it, she just didn’t. Lost in her story and thoughts, she was startled by the opening of the chamber door, confused by the intrusion at such a late hour. Even more so, when it was her mother who entered, given she rarely did since Jaehaerys had died. She had secluded herself to her own chambers and rarely came out, unable to tend to the children the same way she had before. The girl froze, toy and book in hand, lavender eyes quietly trained on the woman before her, waiting, hoping.

@ivory-forged-steel get a plotted starter

[wcrriorhearts]

@drunkenusurper continued from here

small fingers brush gingerly over the wooden surface of a small figurine that sits in the palm of her hand, lavender hues fixed on it as she takes in the sight. the girl has not let go of it for days, always carrying it with her, because it was her brother's. not his favorite one, because she made sure that it was with him when he was buried, but his second favorite. a small, slightly wonky horse which jaehaera always found ugly, but now it is one of her most precious possessions, because it was his. it has been difficult to process such a profound loss at such a young age and jaehaera still grapples with it daily. she feels like she is trapped in a dream and will one day wake up to him back in the bed next to her own. a world without her haerys in it seems unfathomable. the little boy was easily the better one of the two. unlike haera, he was eager to please people, loved talking to them, had no troubles interacting with servants and courtiers, was always happy and had a natural affinity for following rules - all of which jaehaera lacks.

she doesn't like people, refuses to speak, does not care what anyone thinks of her and following rules is optional in her book. it feels like an immense waste to have slain the one twin that was good and important. jaehaera may be small, but she has already understood that her value as a girl is very limited. she will one day be married off to the highest bidder and her worth will be determined by how many heirs she produces. jaehaerys would have been KING. naturally, that made him the bigger target. yet, in her eyes the world lost someone magnificent and to her, she lost almost her entire world. when she was scared to speak, haerys would do it for her. when she got in trouble, he would protect her. she doesn't know what she will do without her other half for the rest of her life.

her gloomy thoughts are interrupted by someone entering her chambers and jaehaera looks up at the sound of her name. her face lightens significantly and she gets up from the floor. "pa", she calls out and runs over to him, hugging his middle. while her mother barely leaves her chambers anymore in her grief, her father has begun visiting her more often and that makes haera happy. the more time they spend together, the more jaehaera has learned to be calm in his presence and manage to speak more. even though it is far from normal, she is slowly improving, perhaps also because she can no longer hide behind jaehaerys, who could read her without words and was able to tell the people around them what his sister needed. clutching her father, she buries her face against his leg. "up", she then orders, lifting her arms so that he can pick her up.

[wcrriorhearts]

Jaehaera's face briefly lights up at the idea of more stories. The Septas are not fond of fiction and prefer it when the children read proper books. As a matter of fact, the twins' Septa constantly complains about Jaehaera, noting that she cannot be sure the child is even capable of reading, because she doesn't speak. She has even called her simple minded and slow witted, even though that couldn't be further from the truth. To the contrary, Haera is exceptionally bright, she just doesn't like to talk about it.

"Yes", the small girl says very softly, nodding. Her index finger gently runs over the illustration of the girl in the tower and she wished she could tell her grandmother how much she feels like the princess. Trapped. Not necessarily in a tower, but inside her own mind that will not allow her to be normal. There are so many things she would love to tell the people around her, but she cannot. Her grandmother looks like she also finds herself in the tale and Haera reaches out to caress her cheek. In the dim light of the chamber, Alicent looks beautiful to the little girl. Her hair has the color of glowing embers and though the grief of the past days clings to her expression, Haera drinks it all in, memorizing it. "All will die", she says quietly, shrugging with sadness. "War." Indeed, she is sure that this was only the beginning of their losses, because war takes and it takes, until there is nothing left.

Alicent gives her granddaughter an indulgent smile and presses a soft kiss to the back of her head. Jaehaera reminded her so much of Helaena when she was the same age. Sweet and quiet, but her little darling. "I shall see to it that we find you some good books about dragons," she decrees, a voice of mock solemnity. She smiles again and gives her granddaughter a little squeeze as she reads the book.

Her eyes studied the pages, and although she's read this story hundreds of times--the effects of the pictures reflect too closely to her own story. There's a slight dim of light in her eyes, her eyes smoothing over the illustration of the prince. If only a prince had absconded with her before she'd been married to the dragons. Alicent shakes it off and she gives Jaehaera another soft kiss to her head. "Is this one your favorite, my sweetling?"

[wcrriorhearts]

Jaehaera aesthetics

[wcrriorhearts]

the maids had told her to leave her mother alone in the wake of the funeral procession, but jaehaera had slipped past them in an inattentive moment, walking down the corridor to her mother's chambers. she was never left unattended anymore after what had happened and though the girl understood the reason, she experienced it as oppressing. there were watchful eyes on her constantly and she felt like she could not grief in peace, nor come to terms with what had transpired, because she could not allow to feel her feelings in front of others.

she also had not seen her mother since the night it had happened. the maids had whisked her away to change her out of the blood sprayed nightgown she wore and she never saw the queen again. her mother needed to rest, they said, recover from the horrors of what had happened. but who else loved her the way her mother did? jaehaera needed her. but jaehaerys needed her the most right now, because she was the one who had known her brother best. his body had been returned to the catacombs and would be laid to rest later that day in the presence of his family, a thought she wholeheartedly resented. how could she stand there and pretend like her life would just continue when his had ended? half of her was gone and she would never recover from it.

she knocked on the door to her mother's chambers and entered, finding her where she would usually sit as well, on the sofa, embroidery needle in hand. approaching, jaehaera held out a small wooden dragon and elephant out towards her mother, lavender hues filled with immeasurable sorrow. "haerys", she said quietly, once again struggling with her words. it was rare that she spoke in full sentences, even though she was capable of it, but when she got nervous or excited or anxious, the words would never come over her lips. she needed her brother to have his favorite toys with him, when he was laid to rest, because she was sure he needed comfort when he passed on, given he was without all of them already. "not alone", she added softly, hoping her mother understood that she didn't want him to be all alone.

@freshwaterperle gets a plotted starter

[wcrriorhearts]

The world was in shambles. Jaehaera had never experienced so much fear and sorrow in her young life and would not stop shaking. She had been taken from her mother's arms into a quiet chambers, while all the guards and maids had been called upon, both to be questioned and to remove every trace of what had happened from the nursery. Jaehaera, who was naturally a quiet, almost mute child, had retreated into a corner in the unfamiliar room she had been brought into and just sat there, shaking, her little night gown blood soaked. Several maids she didn't know had tried to coax her out so they could wash and change the girl's clothes, but she had resorted to biting one of them and so they had left her alone.

Even on a good day the little princess didn't like strangers, let alone at the moment. She wanted her mother or grandmother, but was unable to ask for them, because she struggled to speak with people she didn't know. The words just wouldn't come out. When the door opened once again, it was finally a familiar face. One of her mother's Ladies entered and Jaehaera felt a sense of relief. Though she never spoke to her mother's friends either, she felt somewhat comfortable around them. Her thin arms immediately reached out to Vaenna, even though she didn't move from her corner. Tears ran down her pale cheeks and all Jaehaera wanted was for someone to hold her.

@velcryons liked for a starter

[wcrriorhearts]

@dreamedfyre continued from here

She dislikes public gatherings. Perhaps not as much as her mother, but Jaehaera prefers the quiet isolation of her nursery to the loud buzz of people drinking and celebrating around her. Unlike her twin brother, who is quite social and likes to mingle, the girl is the exact opposite. Jaehaera does not speak in the presence of strangers, nor does she engage with them. Most people in her surrounding have never heard the girl utter a single word, including her own father, so she will surely not strike up conversations with half drunk courtiers, who pinch her cheeks and tell her for the umpteenth time that she is small for her age and somewhat strange. They do it with affection, but it doesn't soften the sting of their words.

Jaehaera knows that she is growth stunted and odd and doesn't need others to tell her. They believe her to be slow witted due to her silence, but behind the unmoved face lies a sharp mind that she is very able to use. But she has nothing to prove to those people, given that she is just the spare and of no importance to future politics until she is of marrying age. Her brother is heir and should, Gods forbid, anything happen to him, there's Maelor. Girls are just tools to further men's political agendas, something she has already learned at her young age by the way she watches her grandsire scheme and plot. Her own father is not very interested in politics at all, which is probably unfortunate, given he has usurped the throne.

A hand takes hold of her and Jaehaera immediately knows it's her mother's, before her lavender eyes have even fixed on her. She would recognize her among a million people, because she is the only person the girl feels close to. Whisked away into a corner, Haera points over to the dais where Jaehaerys is propped on their father's knee, who is drunk and laughing with his knight, most likely about something inappropriate to her for a child. She has no objection about leaving the feast, because the whole spectacle is wearing her down. Her grandmother has tended to her for the majority of the night, until Haera wandered off after a little mouse she spotted minutes ago. Unlike her mother, she is not particularly fond of insects, but rather small furry creatures, like mice, rats, moles and ferrets. She can tell now that her mother is anxious and wants to escape the loudness of the great hall and the prospect of even more unwanted conversations. "Leave Haerys", she suggests, because her brother seems content and their grandmother and grandsire are still present to watch and return him later. No one trusts their father around the children on his own.

[wcrriorhearts]

Her limbs were stiff when Ser Criston helped her down from his horse, eyes burning from unshed tears and the wind that had whipped around them as they rode. Small fingers flexed and balled into fists to chase away the numbness in them as she stood beside the horse, gently digging them into its fur. Her heart felt like an unbearable weight in her chest, dragging her towards the ground and unsteady legs barely kept her upright. Everything she had ever known lay behind them, everyone she ever loved dead in the ground. The girl's fingers tightened around a tuft of fur, a shaky breath drawn into aching lungs. She wanted to run back home, to find her mother in their sitting room with an embroidery needle in hand, her twin brother playing at her feet with his wooden toys. Hell, she even wanted to hear her father tell drunk stories from in the presence of his guards, laughing at his own jokes. But they were all gone and Jaehaera couldn't understand why she wasn't. She should have been. There was no sense anymore in being...here.

While Cole busied himself with the small amount of luggage they had hastily packed before their departure, which had mostly been an escape, Jaehaera stared at the small house they would inhabit. She had never lived in a house this tiny before, but it mattered not. Nothing did. He had taken her with him out of the goodness of his heart, but she wished he hadn't. Perhaps her aunt, the evil Queen, would have had her executed as well. At least then she could have been with her family. Her fingertips brushed over the fabric of her dress, intricate embroideries made by her mother of moths and little butterflies. She had always done this for her children, embellished their clothes and blankets. Never had Jaehaera imagined it would be all she would have left of her one day. Not now, when she was only a child.

Her hand finally let go of the horse, already missing her poor fat little pony Malice, whom they had left behind. Her stubby little legs wouldn't have been able to keep up, but Jaehaera worried what would happen to her. Perhaps her cousin Aegon would take care of her. The two children had only briefly met after Rhaenyra took the capital, but he had seemed a kind and quiet boy.

@kingmaketh liked for a starter from Haera <3

[wcrriorhearts]

@ironf0rged continued from here

she has not seen her mother in days. every morning she asks for her, yet the answer is always the same: she is not well enough to be seen, she wishes to be alone. the dowager queen has been taking care of the two remaining children since the incident, but everyone seems to focus on little maelor, who still needs so much care, and not the twin that was left behind.

this day has not been an exception. again and again she has asked to see the queen, but everyone told her it was not possible. alone in her cold, dark nursery however, the absence of her twin was so obvious that jaehaera threw all caution to the wind and walked down the hall to her mother's chambers without permission. she is her mother, after all. does she not want to see her children? the door creaks when she opens it and she finds her mother sitting and staring at the sky. for a brief second jaehaera fears to be rejected when helaena stiffens, but then the offered hand is taken and the girl relaxes, lavender hues fixing at the sky above them.

she doesn't know what to answer her mother. it is not new that she speaks in riddles, but jaehaera fears she is searching for answers she will not find in the sky. unlike most people in her family, the girl does not believe in the gods. never has and now never will. "clouds and the moon", she states softly, observing the scenery in a very matter-of-fact way, as she always does. jaehaera is not a child of many emotions and not interested in nonsense. she sees the world in a very analytical way that most would not associate with a child this young. "he is not there, mother. the dead belong in the ground, not in the sky. you will not find him there." her voice is quiet and unusually gentle for the child, her hand patting her mother's.

[wcrriorhearts]

They had called for the dowager Queen. The maids had tried to soothe the girl for over a day and whilst she did not cry, rage or scream like her parents. she would not stop shaking, would not sleep, nor eat. Given the state of the King and Queen, they were not to be bothered about the princess, so in a last attempt at comforting the traumatized child, the former Queen had been called to her side. The girl had been put into a different room, since her former nursery was in the process of being stripped of all reminders of the gruesome murder, but Jaehaera had not moved from a corner in the chamber. Back pressed against the cold wall she sat, legs pulled against her chest, staring blankly ahead.

When the door opened and the dowager Queen entered, Jaehaera's head snapped up and she looked at her grandmother, lavender eyes briefly scanning her, before going out of focus. Two days had passed since the murder and Jaehaera didn't know how to function without her brother. He had always been the more outgoing and entertaining of the two. Where he had been talkative and lively, Jaehaera was silent and introverted. All her life she had hidden behind him and experienced the world by watching him, but without his protection and her mother's absence, she felt lost. She didn't move from her corner, nor did she acknowledge the Queen further, but her presence but her at ease at least a little.

@xx--ofmanythoughts--xx liked for a starter

[wcrriorhearts]

@damnatusregina said: tender .   kiss  my  muse  on  the forehead / jaehaera - damnatusregina

Jaehaera's eyes flutter shut when her mother's lips gently press against her forehead in a kiss and her little hand reaches out to cup her cheek. She knows that unlike her, the Queen is not fond of physical touch, but whenever she offers it freely, Haera is more than willing to accept and return it. A smile forms on the girl's own lips, lighting up her pale face as she withdraws, hand still caressing her mother's cheek. There is no greater love in her world than that she shares with her mother and twin brother. They are everything to her and in their presence the anxious child feels less abnormal, less judged for her silence.

"Mama", she says quietly, still beaming at Helaena, thin arms reaching out to embrace her mother fully. Nothing is as good to her soul as her mother's gentleness and love. She has always adored her children, despite their oddities, and Haera worships her. Every moment spent with her is wonderful to the girl and she rarely stays from her mother's side during the day. Holding her close, she sighs contently. What a gift it is to be loved so unconditionally.

[wcrriorhearts]

@dreamedfyre said: [ wipe ] sender wipes away receiver's tears (for jaehaera)

Silent tears rolled down the girl's cheeks and she stifled a sniff as her mother wiped some of the wetness from her cheek. Jaehaera was not one for big emotions and rarely wept, because she didn't like to show her feelings that outwardly, but some occasions made it impossible to contain her sorrow and this was one of them. Maelor, being barely more than a babe and not entirely aware of the repercussions of his actions yet, had taken two of Haera's most beloved wooden animals and thrown them into the fire during a tantrum, because she had taken them from him several times in the past hour. He was not good at sharing and didn't understand the concept of belongings yet, so he just took whatever he wanted from his siblings. Needless to say, the twins did not support that, though Haera had not expected him to just throw the toys away like that. She wasn't entirely sure if he had truly aimed at the fire, or they had just landed there accidentally, but the effect stayed the same. Wiping her own eyes with one sleeve, Haera looked pitifully at her mother. "Sad", she said quietly, because she was indeed very sad and upset about the occurrence. The girl was quite attached to her toys and now two of her dear friends were missing.

[wcrriorhearts]

jaehaera looks up from the horse and meets her mother's gaze, smiling at her words. in her presence, haera often talks, even in full sentences if necessary, but her mother understands her without speech as well. aside from jaehaerys, no one knows her like the queen and haera loves her even more for it. she reaches out, small fingertips gently caressing her mother's soft cheek for a brief moment, before she withdraws, knowing helaena is not always fond of touch. she has never denied to touch her own children and never corrected them when they demanded physical contact from her, but jaehaera is old enough now to understand her discomfort and refuses to put her own needs above those of her mother, unless absolutely necessary. she can feel close to her without touch. "morghul, mummy", the girl says softly, question in her voice, because she would like to see her dragon as well. both shrykos and morghul are being kept in the dragon pit, despite their small size, because no one wants dragons inside the castle. only once a week a teacher takes the children to see their hatchlings and jaehaera doesn't think that suffices.

the work of the needle and thread was one of the few things taught to the young queen that she welcomed by the septas of the keep, the miniscule actions to create a picture of creatures she held dear to her forever immortalised in handkercheifs and garments - when her mind became plagued by feelings and images, the distraction of needle piercing flesh-of-cloth was welcomed. her finger tips had grown rough with callouses from the hours spent creating her pieces, the flesh now red from where the eye of the needle had pressed in. a small smile pulls at the corners of her lips as jaehaera traces the image of the beetle, the iridescent thread shining a multitude of colours as sunlight streamed into the nursery. moving to place the embroidery hoop at her side, the young queen gently pats the wooden horse on the tip of its nose, tracing the intricate carving - careful to not capture flesh with flesh. " i find your ideas refreshing, haera. "