:Silver Lined Bones:

A PLAGUE's FARe 2

"No."

"Mom-"

"I said no." Dahee's glare snaps from her father to Taehyung.

"You don't comprehend the dangers you will bring upon our family by allowing a Jeon to marry your son," Minsoo interjects, the haphazard wrinkles betraying his age deepened by his furrowed brows.

"You raised me to be welcoming and loving to others," Dahee retorts, setting her chopsticks on her empty plate.

"To our people. Our kin," Minsoo spits and he doesn't raise his voice, per say, but it still booms through the dining room. "Humans cause nothing but pests of all kinds. Me, of all dragonborns, knows that."

Dahee visibly deflates at this addition and she lowers her gaze on her glass of wine, her hands disappearing under the table. Taehyung glances at his grandfather, at the scar marring the angle of the jaw, cleaving up to the forehead, the right eye socket deprived of its organ.

"Must I remind you humans were the ones who decimated my family? My family's family among dozens of thousands more? Your own ancestors?" Minsoo's hand flies to what is left of his amputated right leg, fingers squeezing to ease down the quivers Taehyung can notice.

"I know what was done to dragonborns," Dahee starts, her mellowed gaze meeting Minsoo's, "however I, and other members of the Council, believe we can learn to-"

"This marriage and any other the Council will agree with will provide an effortless way for humans to slither inside our politics."

"Yes. However it'll be done in a controlled environment where what knowledge the humans will earn will not only be reciprocated with their own, but also wisely chosen by us. It's an exchange, Father. Our Elders have worked themselves to the bone to ensure the survival of our people, hence the Accords made after the Great War, but it is not enough anymore for many reasons."

"Dragonborns don't need more than that," Minsoo ripostes. "All humans know is plundering, killing and war. I will not allow my grandson to-"

"You seem to forget that you are not part of the Council anymore since you have resigned and allowed me to take leadership in your place." Dahee tilts her head up and Taehyung shifts on his seat, unsure on what to do to diffuse the argument. "You do not have a say in this matter, Father."

"What about me, then?" Taehyung shoots.

"Is the race of your betrothed the only reason why you are so averse to this union?" Dahee fires back, peering at Taehyung.

"As I said before," Taehyung begins and he can feel the ire radiating from his grandfather, "if my betrothed is a dragonborn, I have no problem with the marriage."

"If so, we shall proceed with the wedding negotiations," Dahee says with finality.

"This is madness!" Minsoo's fist slams on the table, the cutlery and plates rattling together and Taehyung has half a mind to do the same.

"What is madness is how measly, ancient, and bigoted your mind is." Dahee's anger is palpable, her eyes shifting to those of her dragon counterpart in reflection to her father's. "As dreadful and tragic as the Great War was for dragonborns, remaining stuck in this old age segregation will serve us or humans no good in the long run." She rises to lean forward on her hands and look down at her father. "Allowing humans inside the Council will grant us more land to hunt and live on. Expansion. It'll give us access to their science, influence and more. Possibly including their warlocks. All that dragonborns need in order to survive and thrive toward a prolific future."

Taehyung rubs his palms on his face. He heaves a deep sigh and slumps back in his chair. "I understand what you aim to achieve, Mother, but it remains incredibly hazardous. It could backfire at any moment."