When Malura had brought a shade-loyal hatchling into the clan, Darron was one of many to voice his concerns. However, the clan's leader Crail eventually decided that she could stay, and while most dragons eventually came to at least begrudgingly tolerate Shade, Darron could not do even that.
His mate Canopy shared his concerns over whether she could be trusted, or if she would turn on the clan eventually - until that fateful day, when the ceiling came crashing down and killed half the clan. When the resulting Emperor tore through the survivors, cutting their numbers in half again, it was Shade who stepped forth and fought it. It was her who lured the beast outside and even chased it off, almost losing her leg in the process.
After this, none of the survivors questioned her loyalties, Darron included.
What he did question, however, was the shade's motivation in this. It had spent considerable amount of energy ensuring that its minion survived the fight, then afterwards "revived" the mortally wounded Leimakid - now loyal towards the shade, of course. Only Malura called this a miracle.
When they revisited their old lair the next day to search for other survivors, the shade had already left its mark there. Akos, the only other surviving Imperial, came into contact with this corruption, and became terribly sick. Then, a few days later, the shade itself appeared inside the lair, wearing the skin of one of their deceased clanmates. It was allowed to stay only under the condition that it would not corrupt any dragons - which was later changed to not allow dragons to become corrupted unwillingly, after Yoldu decided she too wanted to become stronger.
It was around this time that Akos, who'd been unwillingly shade-touched, decided to leave the clan and search for a cure elsewhere. Darron had begged his mate to come with him and Akos, to leave the clan before it was too late, but she'd refused. And though his heart broke when he left Canopy behind, he just couldn't bring himself to stay, to let himself be dragged down towards damnation with them.
Technically Domanic and Malura getting to know each other!
Domanic stared as his friends sat next to him. His blood slushie slurped as he listened to Marina complain about her problems and gossip about people. For a marionette she talks a shit ton. He sighed and stood up from his spot and threw his container away. "I'm going outside." He said and they all waved after him. He walked through the lunch room doors and sighed leaning against a tree before sliding down.
He felt calm here. He sighed and pulled out his phone seeing some old pictures he took. A lump appeared in his throat and he rubbed away the itchy feeling in his eyes. He put his phone away and looked up at the sky. It seemed the barrier for the school was still as strong as the day he came. He smiled a little, but his smile slowly faded when he heard a rustling in the tree.
He looked up at it only to find a blue hoodie catching his sights. He climbed up to see Malura dangling from the tree eyes shut. "And people call me the weird one." He said and her eyes slowly opened. She looked up and used the one foot that was holding her up to toss herself up next to him. "Sup." Her muffled voice replied. "Don't you have like.... friends or something... I mean Randy has made you part of his stupid buddy system." He said pointing at the brown straps attached to her arm.
She blinked and looked at it then back. "I'm a sorta living being, moron, I can do what I want and where I want to." She said flicking his forehead. He grumbled and rolled his eyes. "Great, now go do something somewhere else!" He said jumping down. "Sorry no can do." She said swinging her legs. "I like it where I am." She said and he growled. "This is my tree damn it, it's where I go to be alone!" She rose her brow and jumped down next to him.
"What did you piss on the damn thing?" She asked and he stared at her like she insulted him. "Just askin'." She stated arms crossed. He rolled his eyes and she stared at him. "Why are you so annoying?" He said stomping off. She grabbed his arm suddenly and he found himself turned and falling. The both hit the ground before realizing it. She stared up at him blinking. He blinked back and sat up. "The.... hell...." He whispered and she rolled her eyes. "Gettin' a little handsy aren't we?"
She said and he glared moving his hands off her. "I'm not the one who wanted that!" He growled and she rolled her eyes. "Listen to me for a sec, can you do that dead beat?" She asked voice coming through clearer. He blinked looking at her to see her tube came out. "I..... just wanted to talk about the cave incident." She said putting her tube back. "I really don't have time for..." He stopped feeling her grab his wrist and he stared shocked at being pinned down.
"LISTEN ASS HOLE!" She shouted at him and he blinked. "I wanted to tell you that it's okay!" She said and grabbed his collar of his shirt. "I've been through some horrible shit, I know exactly how the fuck you feel." She hissed and he froze before suddenly glaring. "How the fuck would you know what it feels like to tear into someone you love!" He shouted at her and she slapped him. "Because I kill the love of my fucking life!" She shouted back and he stared wide eyed. "You..... did.... too..." He said a little star struck. "Yes!" She said tears slipping down her masked face falling out the bottom. "I loved her.... with a passion. She said hands shaking as she reached up and pulled the mask off.
Her mouth was leaking what looked like black blood, her cheeks were torn into and showed her teeth. Her nose wasn't so bad but a chunk was missing in the middle. Her right eye was sown shut and her tears were green and toxic. "I killed her with my poison." She said looking away. "Your... toxic." He whispered and she nodded. "I've hated myself ever since I kissed her. She was my only friend.... my genie.... and I loved her.... with everything I could have had." She sobbed and he sat up hugging her. Ignoring how her tears burned holes in his clothes and sizzled on his skin. "Shhh..." He whispered and she hugged him back. "It's okay." He whispered and they slumped against the tree. "I know how you feel." He whispered and she smiled tearily. "I know you do." She whispered and they lay like that for a couple minutes.
He sighed and she put her mask back on. "Lunch is almost over." She mumbled and he cupped her cheeks making her look at him. "If you need to talk to me.... I will be here for you." He said and she smiled hugging him and after only a few minutes the 2 fell asleep curled up against the tree. Domanic holding Malura in a way, only he could. The feeling of knowing they had each others backs.... was the best feeling they've felt in a while.
One, Malura hoped to keep. Even if it wouldn't last long. She'd treasure these moments... just like she treasured her brother.... and her now dead friend. This was the best day she could of asked for..... and Domanic knew how that felt.... cause he felt it to. The calm feeling.... the one they'd grown use to missing... was.... amazingly beautiful. and Malura wouldn't want it.... any other way.
Tbh I would’ve added more gembond thingies but then I played Sims and suddenly the day was over and I only had my lineart so for that I think I did pretty okay.
