MAEGYA | vii. "I LIKE YOU A LOT." LOVE ALL, TRUST A FEW
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THE NIGHT CAST a shroud of azure blue across the dingy motorboat which cut through calm waters. The distant golden lights of the hotels and buildings merged with the moon's silver glow. Small waves lapped at the sides of the vessel that carried the trio—all suited up—Daaryo Dahal, and Fury across the murky canal where just hours ago, a mysterious catastrophe reigned imminently.
Though she thought Serafina's order for the Commander of the Valoqar to follow her at all times was her version of helicopter-parenting, Thea figured it wouldn't hurt to have some backup. Every so often, Fury would shoot Daaryo a look and then at the teenage girl who commanded him. It was a remarkable accomplishment, he had to admit, and in his line of work, there were plenty of sights that the average mind couldn't behold.
"Stark left these for you."
Thea looked behind her to see Fury passing a small, plain wooden case towards Peter who received it in curiosity. He flipped open the top, revealing a pair of aviator glasses resting on top of black velvet emblazoned with the words "Stark Industries."
"Uneasy is the head that wears the crown," Fury recited and looked at Peter knowingly. "Stark said you wouldn't get that because it's not a Star Wars reference."
"Deny it to a king? Then happy low, lie down," Thea murmured. Drawing their curious eyes to her, she smiled softly and explained, "Shakespeare."
"I don't think your head is too uneasy," Fury remarked. He extended a pristine white envelope towards her. "This was in his will. He left something for you."
Receiving the envelope, Thea carefully tore the end. She was nervous to go any faster, despite her burning curiosity, to handle the precious materials inside with care. She pulled out a folded sheet of archival paper.
Her eyes desperately read over the text but the twisting of her lips into a watery smile made Bex ask, "What is it?"
Thea's eyes skimmed the immortalized words over and over as if one time couldn't bring validation to the gift Tony had left behind. "Our lab... it's mine. Tony left funds, training and housing for the Valoqar, the dragons, and our airships."
She couldn't believe it. The entire building and the equipment he designed to help discover the depths of her power, nurture and train her dragons, and help her become the Maegya she was at that moment— all of it, for her.
The lights of the city faded away, leaving them briefly shrouded in darkness before entering a drained conduit below the canal. It was built entirely of what looked like pale stone, though radiating gold by the few scattered sconces casting light across a contingent of men and women. Fury docked the boat, wasting no time in waiting for the teenagers and Daaryo to exit and making fast strides down the wet stone floor.
