[b]Adila![/b]

You have a plan. It is a terrible plan, but it is a plan that has more of a chance of succeeding than most of the other plans. You need to get up this massive, achingly huge tree without being detected. Dragons are big and tend to be easily detected, but you are the TIME DRAGON, which is crucial for the success of this plan.

Step one: become kitten-sized, hop into Hornet's arms.
Step two: fast-forward to the part where you're standing on the top of Argossa with Hornet.
Step three: immediately find a place to hide and begin reconnaissance.
Step four: identify mission targets (Ourania, fellow princesses, Oberon) and proceed from there.

There is only one problem: you need Hornet to trust you enough to hold on and not let go while you propel both of you forwards through time. It's going to be disorienting and confusing, and if she drops you she risks being [i]lost in the time vortex[/i]. You could leave her behind, but you might as well toss her directly to the Garthim to save time if you do that.

This is complicated by the fact that Hornet has gone completely non-verbal, and is huddled with her arms around her knees and her head hidden behind them. What do you say to her, Adila?

***

[b]Kazelia![/b]

You didn't see the moth until it was too late. And now you're stuck inside the Tormenting Puzzle-Box of Val Odroon.

This is your first time inside of it, actually! After what happened to Asteria, you all learned that when Father started playing with the slats and interlocking mechanisms of the Puzzle-Box, it was time to stop playing games, immediately smarten up, and apologize for being bad girls. And now you know that it wasn't just an idle threat.

The insides of the box are covered in viciously barbed chains which suspend you in the air, contracting and slacking in turn to make sure you are never, ever in a comfortable position. The walls pulse orange and blue at random intervals, blasting you with unbearable heat and cold in turn, making you sweat profusely and then freezing it solid, only to melt it again moments later. Your hair is a [i]mess[/i].

But it's even [i]worse[/i] for someone with fur. And while you're currently turned away from Shiva, you can't not hear the frantic whinnies and brays.

And the worst part? There's no [i]escape[/i]. Once the box is shut, only someone on the outside can open it. You have no idea how long you'll be in here. Maybe he'll toss you into a chest and even when your friends defeat him, he'll spitefully refuse to explain where you are or how to open the box. You're at your father's mercy, totally and completely.

And you dragged Kyouko along, which is secretly actually the worst part of all.

***

[b]Alina![/b]

"Not so strong now, are you?" Cassian is squeezing your cheeks together, as half a dozen Garthim strain to keep you from bursting free and throttling him. Your hair is in your eyes, you just know that after he finishes taunting you he's going to stuff his handkerchief in your mouth, and then he's going to take you to his father. But all of that? That's okay.

You're the distraction.

Because as the Garthim seized you, as the darkness fell over you... you saw, deep and far away, a flash of coral pink.

Rita is safe. You have to believe that. If there's one princess who's not you who'd do anything for her...

"Nasty little brat, aren't you?" Cassian nods your head up and down and you drag the Garthim on your left side half an inch, which makes him flinch. Maybe just a [i]little[/i] throttling...