I eventually open up to Selene about why Alpine mind controlled me. She growled a lot when she heard what I did to protect him and said that as a mother she agreed with Alpine's actions wholeheartedly, though she did admit that the whole command thing was a little much when he could've just frozen me down or something.

Since her growls woke Melanite, I've got a cute little Morphwing snuggled up on my lap now. She's been happily chatting away to Camo, wanting to get to know the strange dragon she's distantly related to due to their species.

"Can I ask you something?" I ask Selene after a while. "Of course," she nods. I think about how to word this for a moment before just coming out with it. "What do you want with me?"

She looks at me in confusion. "What do you mean?" "Why do you care about me being here?" I rephrase. "What makes you want me to stick around?"

"Because you're my daughter and I love you!" She says without hesitation. "Why?" I persist. "You know nothing about me. You could've just kept on with Asher and Melanite and had a perfect little family. But instead you go looking for me, you're patient enough to deal with me and you're still sticking around. Why?"

"Indi, I may not know much about you and I may not have been able to act like it over the last few years," she takes my hands in hers as she speaks, looking me in the eye again.

"But I'm still your mother and you're still my daughter. I could never just leave my baby like that on purpose. When you finally showed up again, it was just amazing. I know it'll take time for you to trust me, but as long as I get to see you at least once in a while again, I'll wait as long as it takes. I just want to be the mother you deserve to make up for all those years apart. I just want my little girl back. That's all I want from you, but if you don't want it to be like that then I won't stop you from leaving this time. I promise."

There's only sincerity and longing in her voice which leads me to conclude that she's genuine. So I'm a way to repay her debts so she doesn't feel guilty then? Hm... better than what it could be, I suppose.

Ugh, what am I saying? Spending my time acting like everyone with a human form wanted something out of me for years has clearly affected the way I view others. Not like that's a surprise, but still.

I slowly lean back against the cave wall, tired. The cold comforts me. "Asher... if he's here, I'll maybe show you all something. Not with Adriana, though."

Selene looks to me curiously, then stands up. "Melanite, be good for Indigo for a few minutes," she tells her daughter, who nods briefly before continuing to hop around with Camo.

Selene quickly runs out of the cave, most likely to get Asher. I'd show Adriana what I'm going to show my family, but I don't completely trust her yet. My plan right now is to sort a few things out with Asher, then if the time feels right I'll show them.

Asher and Selene are quick to return, though Selene heads back out to give us some privacy, saying about how she'll catch some food for later with the spare time. Asher hurries right over and stretches out his arms. I hug him lightly before pulling away. "Asher, we need to talk quickly."

Slowly he nods, running a hand through his messy hair. "Yeah, I know. Look, Indigo, I'm sorry about what happened the last time you were here, I-"

"What do you want from me?" I come straight out with the question once again. He seems shocked, but quickly comes to his senses and answers.

"I want my little sister back. Indi, you used to be so sweet and kind and innocent, you wouldn't hurt a fly. When I couldn't see you again I hated it. I couldn't stop worrying about whether you were okay. You were so young that I thought you'd die without anyone to take care of you. But here you are, you're already much more mature than me and you're so capable. You did all the growing up that you'd need and then some."

He shakes his head for a moment before continuing. "I used to always think I was protecting you before we were separated, but you unknowingly swore to protect me. I want to be able to do that with you, make up for all the times I should've been there to protect you when I wasn't. I should've been there to beat up all the boys that came near you, I should've embarrassed you in front of your friends, I should've been there for my little sister. I want that back. I want my little sister back."

I listen to him rattle on about what he wanted from me. It's basically what Selene wants. They both just want their family back, it's clear. The only one who isn't begging on their knees for this little family to become one step closer to being whole again - aside from Melanite, who has always seen it as complete as she never knew me from all those years ago - is me.

Selene comes back in in her dragon form and dumps a load of fish in the corner before she morphs back into human form and crouches beside us. Just in time. Melanite decides to join us too, which is also helpful.

"I want my family back, too," I admit. "It's going to take so much more time and effort, though. It's hard for me to adjust to this. But I want to have my family back. I have an idea that Camo can help me with. Give me until tomorrow and we can get it done if he'll help."

"Of course I'll help," Camo agrees, moving closer. I stand up and walk over, whispering to him what I want. He nods to me. "Lie down. I don't want you hitting your head."

"What's going on?" Selene asks. "Camo is going to help me," I reply. "This will help me trust you guys much more. Unless... something else happens, which would make me lose my trust in you completely. Though if everything I've been told is correct, that won't happen."

I lay down and Camo leans over me. "No poking around where you have no business," I tell him. "Stick to this and nothing else. There are things in here you don't want to see."

"The only thing you have to worry about me looking at is where you hide the dragon nip," he replies. "You ready?"

I nod and look into his eyes. The world turns hazy and I see only black as Camo's hypnosis takes effect. "Disrupt Camo and something dangerous could happen to Indigo, so let him work," I vaguely hear Stylive warn my family before I completely zone out.