#dragonmoms

[poshdragons]

What an amazing customer you are as well @princess_reptiles You were a joy every step! We are so happy you choose posh! Thank you for sharing your experience we are always thrilled when we satisfy a customer and get our babies in a loving forever 🏡 home !! ❤️ Enjoy her! #beardeddragonbreeder #dowhatyougottado #pogonavitticeps #beardielove #dragonmoms #reptilelife #newbabyinherhome #⚜️#PoshDragons ™

#beardeddragonbreeder #dowhatyougottado #pogonavitticeps #beardielove #dragonmoms #reptilelife #newbabyinherhome #⚜️ #poshdragons

[dragon-moms]

Epilogue 6 - Merry

“Can I open my eyes yet?” I asked as Myrmidon lead me down the passage.

“Not yet, my sweetest. We’re almost there,” Myrmidon said, their voice clearly happy.

“Why exactly do I have to keep my eyes closed?” Philly asked from my bag. “I’ve been working with Baroness, I know what you’ve been building.”

“Just let them have their pointless moment,” Dagger’s voice said. “Make them happy.”

“Okay, okay,” Philly said, chuckling.

Finally, Myrmidon let me stop. “Alright. Open your eyes.”

I did, and I gasped! I couldn’t believe it! It was a huge kitchen, Diary! At my place, my kitchen is, like, functional? Comfortable. But kind of small sometimes. I make it work because I have to, you know? But this kitchen had so much space to work! So much storage space! And two ovens for me to make bread in!

I put my claws over my snout. “Myrmidon, this is… this is so much!”

“I want you to be comfortable here, my sweetest,” Myrmidon said, smiling happily. “And it was no trouble at all.”

“Don’t listen to them,” Dagger’s voice said. “I’ve had to hear them worry about every little stone in this chamber for weeks now, wanting it to be perfect for you.”

I rushed over and gave Myrmidon a big hug. “Thank you…” I said. “Thank you for working so hard…”

“Ah, I live to serve…” they said, but I could tell they were a little emotional too.

Philly, who had buzzed out of my bag and into the air, looked around the kitchen. “It is very nice, Myrmidon, now that I’m seriously looking at it.”

Myrmidon, looking up from our embrace, smiled happily. “Just wait until you see what we have made for you, my cleverest.”

“For me?” Philly asked, confused.

“I am glad my ruse worked, to have focused so overwhelmingly on this while you studied with your grandmother,” Myrmidon said. “Come, follow me!”

We went down the passage, towards what would be soon be my chamber, with Myrmidon, and next to it was a door I didn’t recognize.

Myrmidon opened it. “Here, Philly. This is your chamber.”

Philly flew in, and we followed as Philly made a little surprised noise.

Inside the chamber was a platform, much like we saw in the White territory. Upon it was Philly-size bedding, a little Philly-sized cabinet for her dresses, and a stand to hold books while she read them! There was also a bookshelf, and on the wall! Well, on the wall, Dagger had painted a mural of a White dragon wizard studying under a tree on a nice day.

“You… you didn’t have to do all this…” Philly said softly. “I’ve been fine just sleeping wherever…”

“If you don’t like the picture, I can paint something else…” Dagger said, materializing beside us.

“No, no, it’s… all this… this must have taken a lot of work…” She landed on the platform, running a claw over the little cabinet.

“It was our pleasure,” Myrmidon said. “You need your own chamber. If not now, then soon enough.”

Philly sat down on her bedding. “It’s… this is…” I could tell she was crying.

“Are you alright?” I asked, moving a little closer.

“Y-yes, yeah,” Philly said, chuckling, wiping at her eyes. “It’s just… I guess I really am where I belong… this is silly to cry about… that should be obvious… but I just… I never had… this… a chamber of my own... that wasn’t a prison…”

I held out my claws, and she let me pick her up and hug her. “I’m just sorry it took us so long to get this for you,” I said. “I didn’t have room in my little place… but now, we’re all here… and things are going to be better, I think, you know?”

Philly nodded. “Yeah… yeah, it’s only going to keep being better.”

“You all keep telling me this is a group hug situation,” Dagger said. “Are we not doing that anymore?”

“Come here,” I said, smiling.

Myrmidon and Dagger joined us for a little hug. Then I sat Philly back down.

“Well, this calls for a celebration, you know?” I said. “I should make us all a big dinner!”

“I think that would be wonderful, my sweetest,” Myrmidon said.

“Yeah,” Philly said, smiling.

I went to my new kitchen, and got to work! It took me a while to find my way around, but I made a great meal with what little Myrmidon had already stocked! I’d have to go shopping soon, but it was so great, Diary!

When we were sitting down to eat, Baroness looked into the chamber.

“You are eating here,” she said.

“Yes, my lady,” Myrmidon said. “Construction is complete, and so we’re celebrating Merry and Philly officially moving in with us.”

Baroness took a moment to process that. “I had not realized it would be so soon.”

“I am very efficient, my lady,” Myrmidon said.

“...may I join you for your meal,” Baroness said.

“Sure! Of course!” I said, smiling.

Baroness sat down, and we dug into the food.

“How’s the book coming along?” Philly asked.

“Well enough,” Baroness said as she sat down. “We may need to run a few more tests to ensure some of my conclusions are accurate.”

“Just let me know when,” Philly said.

“With you here, it should be trivial to set up,” Baroness said.

Philly nodded and took another bite.

We ate a bit more before Baroness spoke again. “I am pleased you all are here,” she said.

“We’re happy to be here!” I said.

“...I was looking forward to getting back, and focusing on work,” Baroness said. “But I found myself missing the interactions we had on our excursion. I am glad we can continue to have them.”

“Of course!” I said.

“Yes…” Baroness said, looking unsure what else to say.

“Did you see the mural Dagger painted on the wall of my chamber?” Philly asked.

“No…” Baroness said.

“You should! It’s really cute,” I said.

“No, it’s not…” Dagger’s voice said, sounding embarrassed.

“I shall have to see it soon,” Baroness said.

Those of us who could eat, ate, and we all chatted about nothing in particular. It was really nice! But as I started to pick up all the dishes to clean them, Baroness stood up as well.

“I… would like to say something,” she said.

“Go on, my lady,” Myrmidon said as we all looked to her.

Baroness averted her eyes a bit, clearly embarrassed by the attention. “I would… simply like to thank you all… for being my family. I know I have not made it easy in the…”

“Stop it with the ‘I don’t deserve it’ stuff,” Dagger said, materializing in front of her. “You’ve made lots of mistakes, but we all have. We all decided we wanted you around anyway, so just accept it.”

“...yes. I apologize,” Baroness said.

Dagger made a little noise and disappeared.

“Ey’re right, though,” Philly said. “We’re glad you’re our family too. So don’t worry about it, okay?”

Baroness nodded.

Smiling, I carried the dishes over to start cleaning them. Myrmidon came up next to me, without me even asking, drying each dish.

This is going to be the rest of my life, Diary… dinner with everyone here, this place, this closeness, you know? I think I’m ready!

I’m so excited!

The End

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms

[yrdeervvitch]

A thank you to Somarin for being the sweetest friend to me and June <3

#dragonmoms #are #best #moms

[dragon-moms]

Epilogue 5 - Gloria

“She isn’t cooperating…” the Queen said. Reliquary was fussing and crying while the Queen attempted to feed her.

“That’ll happen,” I said.

The Queen frowned as Reliquary knocked the food away with her little claw. It dropped to the ground, which only prompted her to cry louder.

“...perhaps you should take over,” the Queen said. “We are clearly ill-suited to this…”

I moved to start cleaning up the mess. “You’ve got this, your highness.”

“She does not like us. She cries around us all the time…”

“All the more reason you should feed her tonight,” I said. “That’s the whole reason we scheduled this block of time. You thought it was a good idea yesterday.”

The Queen looked back to Reliquary, still crying in her carrier.

“Of all the things you accomplish on a daily basis, this is what you decide you’re incapable of?” I asked her.

“This is a different sort of task,” the Queen said.

I picked up the bowl of likely highly nutritional and way better than anything I could have made baby food that had been brought for us and put it back in the Queen’s claws. “You got this.”

It took many more tries, but finally, Reliquary gave in, and started to eat.

I watched the smile build on the Queen’s face as she fed our daughter. It gave me a strange feeling. An overwhelming lightness. Joy maybe, even, if I was going to say that.

I never had anyone to share this sort of thing with. Maude wasn’t willing, outside of helping me out now and again, and I couldn’t blame her. Guster sure as fuck wasn’t going to care about our kids. It was just me, fighting this fight and reaping the benefits. It was worth it, and I was happy to do it, even on the worst days, if I was being honest with myself. I did it by myself, and I figured that was for the best.

But now this woman, this gigantic, strange woman that I loved, and who loved me, trying so hard for our daughter?

I had no idea that was something I wanted in my life.

Reliquary finished eating, and the Queen picked her up, holding her close, and murmuring soft things to her.

“See? You did it,” I said.

“Yes, we did,” the Queen said, smiling softly. “And she seems to have calmed down.”

“Not being hungry does wonders,” I said.

The Queen hesitated for a moment, then turned to look at me. “We appreciate you attempting to save these things for us.”

“She’s your daughter too,” I said. “Wouldn’t want you to miss all of this.”

The Queen gently pulled me closer with her free claw, and I pressed up against her, smiling. “We are glad we won’t.”

Soon, the Queen had another appointment, and I knew we couldn’t just stay there, relaxing, for too long. It wasn’t super great, having to schedule moments like this, I have to admit.

But we’d have these family moments. We’d keep having them. I was going to make damn sure of it.

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms

[dragon-moms]

Epilogue 4 - Maude

“I’m back! Finally!” I called as I pushed into our place. It frustrated me to be out so late when Coral wasn’t out working, but the Queen had pulled me into too many things that needed to be done before I left.

“Thank goodness!” Coral called. “I may have totally ruined this, please come in here and rescue me.”

“Surely it’s not that bad,” I said, dropping my bag and joining her. It was then I noticed the smoke. “Well, okay, maybe a little bad, let me handle it…”

Coral gladly backed away and licked my cheek. “My hero.”

I chuckled. “Just go set the table.”

In the end, it wasn’t too badly burned. I was able to salvage the fish just fine.

“Queen still working you to the bone, I take it?” Coral asked as we sat down to eat.

“Yeah… she keeps thinking of little things that she can ‘only trust’ to me or Glory, but Glory has basically filled all her available time with the new kid and other duties, so here I am…”

“Sounds exhausting,” Coral said. “I’m lucky the freight never makes extra demands of me like that.”

“It’s been nice, being friends with the Queen,” Maude said. “But tiring.”

“I can imagine,” she said. A few bites later, Coral spoke up again. “Maybe we should get away for a few days.”

“What, a vacation?” I asked.

“Sure,” Coral said. “We haven’t had one that wasn’t visiting your family or my family in years at this point, eh?”

“Can we even swing that?” I asked, thinking. “I’m pretty busy right now, as we just established. I think you’re booked for shipments for quite some time.”

“I can get someone to cover for me,” Coral said, waving that away with a fin. “And it’s not like we’d leave tomorrow. Just soon. A break.”

“Where would we even go?” I asked.

Coral shrugged. “We’ll figure it out.”

I chuckled. So this was just something nice she was saying to make me smile, and not a real plan. “Sure.”

“How about this, then?” Coral said, smiling. “I know an island over in Dwell I go past on really long hauls. Basically just full of rental places. A nice beach.”

“Probably not a single thunderstorm on that beach,” I said.

“Way better than Storra,” Coral said, chuckling.

“It’s not much of a beach without thunder and rain, thank you,” I said, smiling back.

“Seriously, though, I’m heading out that way next haul. I could go talk to them, book a place,” Coral said. “If you’d take a break with me, that is.”

“Where did this come from?” I asked. “You’ve been thinking about this?”

“Maybe a little,” Coral said.

“How come?” I asked.

“Well, with all your friends having big romantic what have yous, figured you might be feeling left out,” she said, smiling softly. “And again, been a long time since we took a trip for just us.”

“I’m not jealous, Coral,” I said, chuckling. “You know that.”

“Oh, of course, but I saw you looking at the Queen and Gloria at their little party. It’s easy to miss fresh love. Especially when you’ve been with an old lady like me for so long.”

“You’re not that old,” I said. “We’re basically the same age.”

Coral chuckled. “Still, think I’ve made my point.”

I took another bite of dinner and thought about it. It had been a while. “It would be nice to read a book for fun,” I said. “In the warm sun.”

“Exactly,” Coral said, grinning. “Though I promise to attempt to distract you away from that book at every turn.”

I smiled. “You do, do you?”

“Wouldn’t be a very good partner if I didn’t,” Coral said.

“I think I could handle that,” I said.

Coral reached a fin over the table, and I took it in my claw.

“It’s settled then?” she said.

“Sure, alright… though let me talk to the Queen first, so she can plan ahead.”

“Deal,” Coral said. She tugged me to the side, making me laugh as she pulled me close against her chilled form. She licked me softly across the snout. “You know I love you, yeah?”

“Only if you know I love you too,” I said.

Coral licked me again, fins gripping me firmer, making me squirm happily.

“We’ve barely even started on dinner,” I said softly.

“It’ll reheat, surely,” Coral said, her tongue starting to work down my neck.

I couldn’t disagree with that.

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms

[dragon-moms]

Epilogue 3 - Juliet

I gritted my teeth as I heard the pounding of construction echoing all the way to our little place.

“Guess they’re back at it already,” Carrie said, listening with me.

“Mm,” I said, starting to fry up breakfast.

Carrrie watched me as I cooked. “You okay?”

“We should have asked for more,” I said. “They’re too close.”

“It’ll be fine, Julie…” they said, frowning.

“Mm.”

“You don’t think it’ll be nice to actually see people once and a while?” Carrie said.

“...I was happy, Carrie.” I said. “I was fucking happy. And now everything is changing.”

“Doesn’t have to be a bad thing,” they said.

“I guess not,” I said, but clearly my heart wasn’t in it.

We ate breakfast to the sounds of construction. We both jumped a little when there was a knock on our door.

“Who is that?” Carrie asked.

“I’ll take care of it,” I said, getting up.

I opened the door to a Green, smiling at me. “Hey,” he said.

“Hi. Do you need something?” I asked.

“Food smells amazing,” he said.

“We don’t have enough to share,” I said. “Don’t they feed you at the work site? You are from there, right?”

“That’s the thing,” the guy said. “I’m one of the people in charge over there. We were supposed to have a cook coming, but she hurt her wing, can’t make it. Now I have a whole bunch of hungry workers and nobody who knows how to cook worth shit.”

“Good luck with that,” I said. “Anything else?”

“Julie,” Carrie said, coming up behind me.

I shook my head.

“Are you offering him a job?” Carrie asked.

“Yeah, at least for a bit, if what you cook is as good as it smells,” he said.

“I have the farm to look after,” I said. “You all haven’t taken all of it yet.”

“Surely it wouldn’t take that much more time to make enough for them?” Carrie said.

I took a breath. “Excuse us for a moment.” I shut the door and turned to Carrie. “What are you doing?”

“The farm will be fine. It won’t take that much longer than you usually take to cook to make more,” they said.

“I don’t want to cook for them,” I said. “I learned to cook for you.”

“They’re going to be here whether we want them to be or not,” they said. “We might as well make friends now, right?”

“I don’t want to make friends,” I said.

“Julie.”

I felt acid building in my mouth. I clenched my claws.

“We don’t have to be scared anymore,” they said, putting a claw on my shoulder. “As ridiculous as that sounds, we don’t have to be.”

I just shook my head.

Carrie gave me a hug.

I sighed, and opened the door again.

The Green was looking at me, a bit confused.

“Can’t do lunch,” I said. “I have to work the farm. I can do morning and evening meals, as long as you supply everything and I can bring enough home for us.”

“And pay him, of course,” Carrie said.

“Yeah,” I said.

“Sounds perfect to me,” the Green said, smiling, and holding out a claw. I shook it. “I’ll see you around dinner time then.”

“Alright,” I said.

We negotiated a fee, which mostly just involved him giving in immediately to my number, and he flew off.

“Was that so hard?” Carrie teased.

“Yes,” I said.

They laughed and hugged me again.

I smiled, and held them close.

“Julie, we should probably get to work…”

“A little longer,” I said.

“Sure. Of course,” Carrie said.

I’m not really sure how long we stayed like that. But it was nice.

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms

[dragon-moms]

Epilogue 2 - Nobody

“Hey, kid!” I called out over the banging I was hearing.

“Miss Nobody!” Plato called, the banging stopping for just a moment. “Please hold on, I am shaping this… I’m almost done with this step.”

I went farther into his workshop to see what he was doing. He had some sort of metal bar that he was putting a curve into, hitting it hard with a tool while he occasionally breathed on it to keep it hot.

“What’s this supposed to be?” I asked.

“We are…” Bang! “Attempting to…” Bang! “Make a vessel for a” Bang! “Portable scrying pool.” Plato held up the metal, pulled his goggles off his face, and looked at it. “This is for the rim, as I’ll need to put quite a few enchantments in it. Not quite curved enough yet, but I suppose I can stop for now.”

“You can’t move a scrying pool,” I said. “Even I know that much.”

“Exactly!” Plato said, grinning. “That’s why it’s a fun puzzle, ma’am.”

“How in the world did you get like this?” I asked. “Wasn’t my fault.”

“Just a major flaw in my character, I guess, ma’am,” Plato said. We smiled at each other. “What did you bring for dinner?”

“They were selling stew in these big containers, and its smell got me,” I said, motioning to the big bucket-thing of food I was carrying. “Figured it could be your breakfast, too.”

“That sounds wonderful! Let me clear off some table space…”

I helped him shove a bunch of notes and scrap metal off of a table, and we sat down to eat.

“How have things been for you, ma’am?” Plato asked in between bites.

“Frustrating as hell,” I said.

“Still angry they blew your cover?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said. “But I know they were wanting to help. And it was the fucking Queen’s idea, so what am I supposed to do.”

“I’ll admit it’s still hard to see you as the Successor, ma’am,” Plato said. “But impressive, in a way. Quite a heist, to potentially steal the throne.”

“I fucking wish it was just a job I was running,” I mumbled into my food. “I just assume some day she’s finally going to look at me and realize this was a mistake, but I feel like she’s more sure I’m the right pick now than when she picked me on a fucking whim.”

“Well, they say the Queen picks what qualities the Queen is lacking in appropriate amounts. Perhaps the Queen needs a thief?” he said.

“I have no idea what the Queen could do with my skills,” I said. “Maybe my history research, but there’s got to be actual academics who know that shit better than me.”

“I think you’re underselling yourself, ma’am,” Plato said.

“Maybe. I just don’t really want to be Queen,” I said. “I mean, what will happen to you if I’m suddenly busy doing all the bullshit the Queen does?”

“I’ll be fine, ma’am. I’ve gotten along on my own many times before,” Plato said, in a tone that I know was meant to make me feel better. But it honestly had the opposite effect.

“Exactly. I’ve left you alone enough,” I said. “Too much. I don’t want to do that anymore.”

Plato smiled. “Ma’am, I appreciate all you’ve done for me, but it’s not like you’re my mother. You don’t owe me anything. You’ve done plenty.”

I felt a spike of anger surge through me. I looked away. “Yeah, well, what if I fucking wanted to be, but couldn’t?”

Plato blinked. “Wanted to be what, ma’am?”

“Y-you know…”

“...be my mother?”

“Yeah,” I said.

Plato laughed for a moment before he realized I was serious. “Oh,” he said.

“Just fucking never mind. Forget I said anything,” I said, shoveling the rest of my stew into my mouth.

We sat there in silence for a while.

“It’s just a strange thought,” he finally said. “There was a time where I wanted that, when I was little. But I’ve worked hard to move past it.”

“You’re too young to have to have done that,” I said, digging claws into the table. “I fucking suck at all this.”

“I’m still glad you’re here, ma’am,” he said.

I took a big breath and stood up.

“Ma’am?” Plato said, confused.

I went over and hugged him.

“O-oh,” he said.

“Whatever the fuck I am to you, whatever the fuck we are, I love you, kid. Just… remember that for me,” I said softly.

Plato made a little noise of surprise. “I will… I will, ma’am.”

“Good,” I said, unhooking and lifting my mask a little to get tears out of my eyes. “Don’t make me say that again any time soon, fuck…”

“Say what, ma’am?” Plato said. “I must have missed it. If you could just repeat it for me…”

“Fuck off,” I said.

Plato chuckled.

“I should clean up your dishes or something,” I said. “Put the rest of the food away.”

“I’ll help, ma’am,” Plato said, standing.

“Don’t you have your scrying pool thing to get back to?” I said.

“I’d rather work with you,” Plato said.

I smiled a little. “Sure. Yeah, let’s do it together.”

We headed to the tiny area that served as his kitchen.

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms

[dragon-moms]

Epilogue 1 - Flare

“Did you get all that?” I asked Clemmy as he wrote on his clipboard.

“Yes, I got it,” Clemmy said.

“I want it to look really neat!”

“I got it, Flare,” he said.

We were outside of Mommy’s place, walking around as I called out my ideas. Well, I guess it’s my place now, though! Mommy said there was no way she was going to use it, since she was going to stay with her wife at the Peak, so I might as well have it if I was going to stick around.

“Are you sure you want all this above ground, though?” Clemmy asked. “This is going to be a really strange job. I’m sure Boss and the boys can figure out how to put it together, but it’s going to be expensive.”

“It’s for Progress. It’s got to be the best,” I said. “And have room for lots of people! A real temple, like the one we found in the White territory!”

“I’m not sure if you’re hearing me,” Clemmy said. “Where are you going to find the coin for this?”

The Voice of Progress filled me with a happy beat, and I just grinned. “I have a few ideas. I probably wouldn’t be able to pay for it immediately, though, you’re right.”

Clemmy nodded. “I mean, I’ll get it priced for you, but I’m sure Boss is going to want a lot of it up front.”

“That’s fine! It’ll work out,” I said.

Clemmy jotted down a few more notes, and then sighed. “You really believe this stuff, huh?”

I smiled. “I do. I can feel Progress with me. It’s pretty nifty.”

“And you’re going to force a lot of other people to feel it?” he asked.

“Not force,” I said. “Just, you know, tell them about it, if they want me to. I haven’t tried to force you, have I?”

“I guess not,” Clemmy said.

“See? I’m good at this stuff,” I said, grinning.

Clemmy looked back down at his clipboard. “Don’t you feel weird doing this to the place where we grew up? This is going to totally change it.”

“Not that much, below ground,” I said.

“Still, though.” He sighed. “Then again, I guess you ran away from it with no problems.”

“You going to miss it, Clemmy?”

“Not really. I mean, I know it’s just a place. Still feels odd to do, though.”

I smiled. “It’s the only land and stuff I have. It has to be here.” I put my claw against the Voice of Progress, hearing the music swell, and for a moment, I could see it after it was done. A beautiful meeting place of stone dedicated to the best and most important god. “And besides, I can see it. It’s where it’s supposed to be.”

“If you say so,” Clemmy said, putting his clipboard in his bag. “Well, I should go. Tyrion is cooking dinner tonight and I said I’d join him.”

“Dinner sounds good!” I said.

“Just us two,” he said.

I frowned a little. “Aww.”

“I’ll cook for you tomorrow, though,” Clemmy said. He didn’t even sigh this time!

“Thanks!” I said, smiling.

Clemmy flew off, and I was left there, looking at the space where the temple was going to be.

It’ll take me a while. Everyone wasn’t going to just believe in Progress overnight.

But I’ll get there, I know it. I have the guidance of my god, after all. There’s nothing I can’t do!

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms

[dragon-moms]

Entry 203 - Gloria

Today my daughter hatched.

Merry’s party had seemed like such a good idea at the time, but it was such a headache. Even after having spent so much time ensuring the Queen could come, problems of course came up that morning.

“We shall be there as soon as we can,” the Queen said.

“If you can’t make it, it’s alright,” I said. “It’s just my friends and family.”

The Queen looked at me. “It is supposed to be our wedding party.”

“Well, we can do that later, if we need to,” I said.

“It is important to us to interact with your other loved ones. We will be there,” she said, before heading out.

After that, it was just setting up for the party, but I very quickly realized I was just getting in the way of aides and others who’d set up parties for government functions a million times before. So I just took a walk through the Peak instead.

I ended back up at the Queen’s garden, and went outside. I hadn’t had time to get it fixed or anything yet, so it was still a mess. A pile of dead plants.

But sometimes you just have to make space to be able to do what’s really important.

I flexed my wing a little. I hadn’t really had reason to, but it felt right, in the sun. Then I went back inside.

By the time I made it back to the chamber we were using for the party, things were nearly set up. Food was being brought in. There was a large “Congratulations!” banner on the wall that was more than I really wanted but I wasn’t going to tell them to take it down. It felt too official, though. I wanted this to be intimate, not some government thing. But everything seemed to be official at this point. I could already tell there was going to be a lot of that, going forward. I wasn’t going to be able to escape it. Everyone who learns my title starts bowing to me. It’s frustrating, but not worth the fight, I figured. Clearly someone was making that etiquette decision without my input.

“Are you alright, ma’am?” one of the aides who arranging food on a table asked.

“Hm?” I said.

“You’ve just been staring for a while,” she said. “Is something not right?”

“I’m sorry, just thinking,” I said. “Everything looks great. Thank you.”

She gave a little bow and went back to work, which was immediately interrupted by Flare.

“Woah, look at all this food!” he said, hurrying over to the table.

“Calm yourself, terror,” I said. “Let’s wait until everyone gets here.”

“It looks good though,” he said, looking at the spread. “All nifty and fancy!”

“Please, help yourself,” the aide said, smiling. “I’m just working on plating it all nicely.”

Flare grinned and stuffed a little sandwich in his mouth.

“You could at least wait until everyone else gets here,” Clementine said, who had, at some point, entered with Tyrion.

“Oh, right, Mommy, Clemmy is here! With the other guy!” Flare said.

“I’m the ‘other guy’ now?” Tyrion asked.

“Well, I don’t know you!” Flare said.

“Flare, this is Tyrion, Tyrion, Flare,” I said.

“Hi,” Tyrion said. “You’re Clementine’s big brother?”

“That’s right!” Flare said. “And you are…?”

“I guess we’re going with boyfriend now,” Tyrion said, smiling a little sort of embarrassed smile. “Which is a new thing for me, but hey. And I’m… well, I’m also the father of your Mom’s Egg.”

“What!” Flare said.

“You missed a lot, playing with the humans,” I said.

“So you’re… what are you to me?” Flare asked, wondering.

“Flare, let’s do not this right now, alright?” Clementine said. “We just started dating and Tyrion and Mom broke up quite some time ago now. We don’t need to figure out his place in all this just yet.”

“I just want to be appropriately happy to see him and stuff,” Flare said.

“Gloria!” Maude called, and I took that as reason to extract myself. She and Coral were walking towards me, smiling.

Coral slapped me on the back, her fin still a little wet from swimming in. “I cannot believe you actually did it! You ladykiller!” She laughed.

“Yeah, well, sometimes dreams come true,” I said, chuckling.

“Seriously, though, congratulations to ya’ll,” Coral said. “Been hauling and haven’t had a chance to say it before now.”

“It’s alright,” I said, smiling. “I’m glad you could make it, though.”

“Same, same,” Coral said.

“You still look happy, Glory,” Maude said, smiling. “That’s good, that it’s not fading.”

“Maybe I’m too busy to hate it yet,” I said.

“I doubt it,” Maude said, chuckling. “You’re not happy unless you’re busy anyway.”

I shrugged and smiled.

“Oh, come here…” Maude said, and we both hugged each other. “I think we’re past the worst of it, if we’re having a party. We can hug and be emotional now.”

“I would hope so,” I said, and licked her cheek, before holding out a claw for Coral, and pulling her into the hug.

“Now, you go do your host thing,” Coral said. “We’ll go get some food.”

“Yeah, pretty sure working the crowd is part of your new job description,” Maude said.

“You’d know, you wrote it,” I said.

“I didn’t write it, exactly. I just pulled a lot of examples and things from the archives,” Maude said.

“And then chose which examples they should follow and how to follow them,” I said.

“Maybe,” Maude said, smiling. “But seriously, Glory,” Maude said, tilting her head towards Ivana and Plato, who were standing in a corner and clearly did not know what to do.

“Yeah, I’m on it. Enjoy yourselves, okay?” I said.

They nodded, and joined Flare, Clementine, and Tyrion at the tables of food.

I headed over to Ivana and Plato.

“Oh, hello, ma’am,” Plato said, giving a little bow. “Congratulations once again on your marriage!”

“Thanks,” I said, and looked to Ivana.

“What?” she said.

“No congratulations from you?” I asked.

“Fuck off,” Ivana said. “You don’t need it from me. You married the Queen.”

Plato chuckled. “Perhaps that is a near-unbelievable feat worthy of congratulations, ma’am.”

“Traitor,” Ivana said.

Plato chuckled some more.

“Yeah, sure. Congratulations and whatever,” Ivana said. “You know I’m on your side, nearly died for you holding the Queen at bay, you shouldn’t need me to say things like this.”

“It’s still nice to hear,” I said. “Thank you.”

“Where is the Queen anyway?” Ivana asked.

“She had some business to take care of, but she should be here soon,” I said. “But for now, just get some food and mingle.”

“I’ve never been one for mingling,” Ivana said, and sighed. “Maybe I should get used to it, though.”

“Let’s at least go say hello to Miss Maude?” Plato asked.

“Yeah, sure, kid,” Ivana said.

A soft hint of music hit me from the food table, and I turned to see Philly hovering in the air, filling a plate with food with her glowing magical claws.

“That’s a lot of food,” I said as I approached.

“Oh! Hi, Gloria,” Philly said. “I… yeah, it’s a lot of food. But I’m starving. Merry and Myrmidon are walking all super-slow with Baroness and the adjudicator escort, but I couldn’t stand it any longer… I’ve been flying more today....”

“I’ve seen you eat that much, but it’s still hard to process, with you so small,” I said.

“Yeah…” Philly said, taking a bite of food. “I’m doing the eating and I feel the same way.”

“Does it feel okay, being away from Merry?” I asked.

“It’s odd?” she said. “This idea that I can just get around alone is odd… even when I was a human, in human lands, I couldn’t do that… it was kind of nice, just flying in here.”

“Philly!” Merry called out.

“I’m here, Mom, I’m fine!” Philly called back.

“As I suggested, she was just fine, my sweetest,” Myrmidon said, smiling.

“Dagger followed me anyway,” Philly said. “I was just fine.”

“You weren’t supposed to notice,” Dagger’s voice said.

“I was just guessing, but I guess I was right,” Philly said, smiling.

“Mm,” Dagger said, materializing nearby.

“Were you worried, my dear sibling?” Myrmidon asked.

“Maybe a little,” ey said, body spiking a little defensively.

“How are you doing, Gloria?” Merry asked. “The Queen isn’t here? Is everything alright?”

“Yeah, it’s fine,” I said. “She had some work to finish up, but she should be here soon.” I looked over to the corner, where the adjudicators were building a perimeter around Baroness. “Hold on, let me deal with this…” I hurried over there.

“Gloria,” Baroness said.

“Please be careful, ma’am,” one of the adjudicators said.

“Thank you for escorting her,” I said. “We’ll let you know when we need you to help her back outside.”

“Ma’am, the lich is…” the adjudicator started.

“Baroness is a friend and a citizen. She’s fine. Go wait outside so she can enjoy the party,” I said.

“...yes, ma’am,” the adjudicator said, and they started heading out.

“You did not need to do that,” Baroness said. “I understand my nature. Also I do not particularly know what one does at a party.”

“You just talk and enjoy being close to everyone, you know?” Merry, who had apparently followed me over, said. “And eat! But I guess you can’t do that part… But the rest is fun, you know?”

“There are a lot of people here,” Baroness said. “I am surprised to know most of them.”

“You’re better connected than you know,” I said.

“It is… a nice feeling,” Baroness said. “I will not move from this spot, for everyone’s safety, however. I hope this will not hinder the party.”

“Not at all,” I said. “Thanks.”

“I should instead thank you both. For the countless things you have done for me,” Baroness said. “I am here due to this assistance. I get to watch my children have a family.”

“You’ve done plenty for us too, you know?” Merry said. “So much for Philly and me…”

I smiled. “It’s what friends do.”

“...yes. You are correct,” Baroness said.

Everyone talked and chatted about this and that for some time. Eventually an aide pulled me aside, and asked if it was okay to bring in the cake.

“We should wait for the Queen,” I said.

The aide looked at me, confused. “But the Queen is in her chambers. Is she coming?”

I took a moment. “Let me check on that,” I said.

I apologized, and hurried to our chambers.

The Queen was there, holding our Egg, which was glowing very brightly.

“Gloria,” she said. “We are sorry about our tardiness.”

“Is everything alright?” I asked.

“We… are nervous,” she said. “We are not used to being nervous. We thought we might calm down a moment. So we retrieved the Egg, to bring to the party. But that was not enough, so we came back here to prepare. But we suppose that turned into quite some time.”

“What’s there to be nervous about?” I asked. “We’re just going to eat some cake.”

“We are to be in a chamber of people important to you,” the Queen said. “Maude, we understand. We are also close to Maude. We have interactions with Nobody, of course. But so many of these others, we were not there. We have missed so much. And we worry we will not be able to connect with them.”

“Look, the whole idea of getting married so fast was because of just that, right?” I said. “We’re trying to make up for lost time. And everyone knows that. It’s not like you’re going to be expected to be someone you aren’t.”

“It is difficult, wanting them to not see us as Queen, but instead your partner.”

“I’m sure it is. But seriously, they get it. They helped get us to this point.”

The Queen nodded, and then her expression changed.

“What?” I asked.

“The Egg moved,” she said, looking down at it.

The Egg was glowing so bright.

“Fuck,” I said. “Set it down.”

The Queen did so. “It’s hatching,” she said.

I nodded.

We watched as it moved, and cracked.

The Queen used a big claw to pull me closer to her. I didn’t mind in the least.

And then, out peeked a small, Green head. It looked around for a moment.

The eggshell lost its balance, and fell over, and it immediately started crying.

“Oh, come now, there’s going to be so many worse falls than that,” I said. “Just wait until you learn to fly.” I picked the little dragon up, and started cleaning it off even as it cried and cried. “Looks like a girl,” I said, smiling. “Suppose we’ll see eventually, though.”

“She is beautiful,” the Queen said. “This is… incredible…”

I offered her to the Queen, and she took her. The size difference was huge, but she held her so very carefully. “Hello, child,” she said softly.

“You’re a Mom now,” I said.

“We suppose we are…” the Queen said, wiping a tear away. “We hope we can do right by this little one.”

“You will,” I said. The Queen handed her back to me, and I did my best rocking her, trying to calm her down. “We never talked about a name.”

“Did you have one in mind?” the Queen asked.

“...yeah,” I said. It had been something I’d been thinking about a long time. Since the Egg came into my life. “Not sure if you’d like it, though.”

“Tell us.”

“I think we name her Reliquary,” I said.

The Queen was silent for a bit. I looked to her. Our eyes met.

“Yes,” she said. “Reliquary.”

“Thank you,” I said.

I held up Reliquary, and looked her over. She couldn’t decide if she wanted to keep crying, or if she was done. “I’m glad you’re here,” I said.

That set her off crying again.

I chuckled and pulled her closer again, rocking her a little. “Yeah, yeah, I know… it’s scary outside the eggshell…”

We spent a bit more time calming her down. Once she was finally quiet, I looked up at the Queen. “Well, shall we go show off our new daughter?”

“We would like that. As well as the cake we were promised earlier.”

I chuckled. “Hopefully they saved some for us.”

We headed to the party and enjoyed that cake. Everyone made appropriate oohs and ahhs at Reliquary, even Ivana.

My whole family was in that chamber. Family, friends… they were all there. And now it’s one bigger. The little girl sleeping next to me in her crib right now.

Thank goodness for that.

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms

[dragon-moms]

Entry 202 - Merry

Dear Diary,

Today was a good day!

We had to get up early to be there for Baroness, you know? Because they were sealing her phylactery away.

“I do hope my mother is right about this,” Myrmidon said, looking worried as they ate breakfast.

“She’s existed for millenia,” Dagger said. “Even if she’s making a mistake, and gets destroyed, she’s had a good run.”

“I am unsure if it is appropriate to talk about our mother that way,” Myrmidon said.

“I don’t really care, though,” Dagger said.

“I understand your point, Dagger, but I think we’d all rather she stick around for a while,” Philly said.

“Yeah! And she’s smart, you know? I’m sure this is the right thing to do,” I said.

“She knows magic, but she’s never known how to handle stuff like this,” Dagger said, and then sighed. “But I guess I’d rather her stick around a little longer, at least, too, so whatever…”

“It will be nice to go home after this,” Myrmidon said. “I am glad we waited, but I am filled with nervous energy on getting back to our place. I am sure there is much work to be done.”

“Yeah, I wonder what state my kitchen is in, you know?” I said. “And I bet I’m going to have to make all new bread starters, after being gone so long… they might have gotten, like, ruined or something…”

“Never fear, my sweetest, I shall get to work immediately building you quite the kitchen and oven when we return,” Myrmidon said, smiling.

“What? Why? Mine is fine,” I said. “At least, it should be.”

Myrmidon took a moment. “Ah, I… had assumed at this point you would be moving into my mother’s place with me.”

That caught me by surprise, Diary! “I am?”

“Well, it seems difficult for us to raise a child together if we are living apart, does it not?” Myrmidon said. “And I need to be close to my mother due to my duties… it also seems easier to expand our place than yours, as it was designed with future expansions in mind.”

“Well, that makes sense…” I said. “We’re all a family, we should be, like, in one place, right? But I like my little place…”

“We can see once we get back,” Philly said. “There’s no rush on this stuff any more.”

I smiled. “You’re right, there’s not!” Then I gasped. “Oh! Now that you don’t have to be a secret, we’ll have to build you a chamber!” I said.

Philly chuckled. “I was fine sleeping on the table…”

“There’s a lot to do,” I said.

“We shall get it all done, I have no doubt,” Myrmidon said.

Soon, we’d all gathered in a place far down in the Peak, the entrance to the Hoard of Antiquity. We found Maude waiting for us there.

“Hello!” I said, waving. “What are you doing here? I, like, didn’t think you liked Baroness that much.”

“Hi,” Maude said, smiling. “I’ll just be honest, I’ve never seen a lich’s phylactery before. I wanted to look at the enchantment. And I doubt Glory is going to tell me to leave.” She rummaged in her bag. “Also, I have some more parchment for you all.”

“I’ve spent the last two days signing things… aren’t we done yet?” Philly asked.

“Almost,” she said. “Turns out there’s a lot of things that go into giving up an entire territory.”

“It’s not even mine,” Philly grumbled.

“Hey, I want to be done too, and get back to the archives full time,” Maude said. “This part-time aide stuff is exhausting.”

Philly spent some time signing things while we waited for everyone to get here.

As she did, Maude chuckled. “I can’t get over the enchantment on that crown. I doubt I could design something so efficient for my own element. It doesn’t tire you out?”

“Not enough for me to worry about it?” Philly said, also still humming, somehow, her magical glowing claws holding the parchment while she signed it. “I just wish it was on something else.”

“It suits you,” Maude said.

Philly made a displeased noise, and handed Maude the parchment back. “There, I’m done.”

“One more thing,” Maude said, and handed her a piece of parchment.

“This doesn’t look like…” she started, looking at it.

“It’s your proof of citizenship,” Maude said. “Citizen number is right there. You’re official now.”

Philly just stared at it for a while, until I couldn’t stand it, and gave her a big hug.

“M-mom,” she said, chuckling.

“I’m sorry I’m just so happy!” I said. “I’m so glad you don’t have to hide anymore…”

“Maude finally get everything figured out?” Gloria walked up to us, with the Queen behind her.

“Yeah, I think I’m finally free of it, after I get all this turned in,” Maude said.

“Thank you for handling this issue for us,” the Queen said. “It was… we appreciate the hard work. Allowing us to trust you eased our mind on a difficult situation.”

“Of course, your highness… any time,” Maude said, embarrassed. “I’m just better at the research part than the rest of it…”

“Where is my mother, may I ask?” Myrmidon said.

“A team of adjudicators is clearing passages around her. They’re moving very slowly to be careful,” Gloria said. “Should be here soon, though.”

“Only Baroness, a contingent of guards, and I shall go inside to the vault,” the Queen said. “We hope this is acceptable. There were quite a lot of concerns about our safety during this, and this was the solution that was agreed to.”

“We understand,” I said. “We just want to be here for Baroness, you know?”

The Queen nodded.

Soon, some adjudicators appeared, and a bit after that, a very nervous-looking Baroness carrying a package wrapped in lots of cloth walked into view.

“...hello,” she said.

“Mother!” Myrmidon said, approaching Baroness.

“Look out!” an adjudicator shouted.

But it was too late. Myrmidon had already taken Baroness’ free claw in theirs. “I am so glad to see you well once more…”

The adjudicators seemed very confused and on edge. Gloria pulled them aside to try to explain.

“You should have told us you were doing this,” Dagger’s voice said. “But of course not, you just do whatever you want…”

“I am… sorry,” Baroness said. “But I had assumed we desired to get back to our place as soon as possible, after this ordeal… I did not want to delay further…”

“It is alright, as long as you are safe,” Myrmidon said.

“It’s good to see you outside of bars,” Philly said from my shoulder.

“Yes… thank you for coming,” she said. “Though I am capable of handling this transfer alone…”

“Is that your phylactery?” Maude asked.

“...yes,” Baroness said, holding it close. “As I promised.”

“Mind if I see it, before you seal it away?” she asked.

Baroness seemed nervous. “I… suppose that would be acceptable… but it is charged with the same energy as myself, so please do not come close…” She gently unwrapped the cloth.

“It’s a book!” I said, surprised. “I thought it would be, like, a magic something!”

“It is very powerfully enchanted,” Maude said, looking at it. “But I don’t recognize the title.”

“It is… of no importance,” Baroness said, averting her eyes.

“Surely you chose it for a reason, my lady?” Myrmidon said.

“It is… it is the research report of my University thesis…” she said, wrapping it back up. “But it is unimportant…”

“I’m sure that’s exactly why you used it,” Dagger said, eir voice full of sarcasm.

“If we may,” the Queen said. “Our time is unfortunately limited, and we are required to open the vault. So Baroness, if you would.”

“Yes, your highness,” Baroness said. “I should be back shortly,” she said to us.

With the adjudicators keeping Baroness far away from the Queen, they entered.

“Are you all heading back to Orin after this?” Gloria asked. “You could probably get back there tonight, if you flew hard.”

“I suppose there is little additional reason to delay,” Myrmidon said.

But that didn’t feel quite right to me, Diary. Like, I wanted to go. I wanted to try to get life back to a normal, you know? But Gloria wasn’t going to come back with us. And we’d all been so separated, so stressed, even after we got here to the Peak… it seemed bad to just leave, you know? After all we accomplished?

“Do you not think so, my sweetest?” Myrmidon asked.

“What?” I said.

“Gloria asked if we would like to bring a dinner with us for our flight. Do you not think that a good idea?”

“Oh, I’m sorry… I was distracted…” I said.

“What were you thinking about, Mom?” Philly asked.

“Just… well, I mean, we can’t just leave, right?” I said.

“Are we forgetting something, my sweetest?” Myrmidon asked.

“I just mean… Philly hatched, you know? And Gloria, you got married! And Baroness is free now… and… it just feels like we should celebrate, right?” I said. “Be all together and, you know, have a party, maybe…”

Gloria chuckled. “A lot of party-worthy things have happened, I suppose.”

“Yeah! Right? And if I was at home, I’d make a lot of food or something… but if I go home, some people probably can’t come, so we should probably do it here before we go, right?” I said.

“I am not sure if we are capable of throwing a party here, my sweetest,” Myrmidon said. “We are simply borrowing a small chamber from the Queen, after all.”

“Right…” I said. I looked to Gloria. “Should we just go then?”

Gloria ran her claw over her spines. “Well, I suppose we haven’t really celebrated our wedding yet,” she said. “Maybe the Queen and I could throw a little thing, for family and close friends, and we can double up with those other reasons to celebrate.”

My face lit up. “You think so?”

“I mean, sure. Flare won’t stop pestering me about it anyway,” Gloria said. “Let me talk to the Queen about it. Spend one more night here, and I’ll have an answer by the morning.”

I went over and gave Gloria a hug. “Thank you!”

“Nothing to thank, Merry,” Gloria said, looking a little embarrassed, maybe. But happy! “I can’t promise anything… but I think it’ll be possible.”

Soon, Baroness and the Queen came back out.

“It is done,” Baroness said.

“We shall keep it safe,” the Queen said. “Please do not violate our trust in you.”

“I am a good person,” Baroness said. “I promise not to misuse your faith in me.”

The Queen nodded.

We went with Baroness to the small place she had stayed in since arriving, and talked.

“How does it feel to be a grandma?” I asked her.

“...not significantly different,” Baroness said. “I am unsure if I am supposed to alter my actions in any way.”

“Nothing like that,” Philly said. “Just, I don’t know… be yourself, like you have been.”

“...I seem capable of that,” she said. “At the very least, I would like to get back to our magic lessons.”

Philly smiled. “I would too. I have a lot to learn!”

“I may be… busy with other tasks… research tasks… but I should still have time,” Baroness said.

“Maybe I can help you with those, too,” Philly said. “That’s what an apprentice does, right?”

“...you are correct,” Baroness said.

They both looked happy at that idea, Diary. I hope they have fun, if they work on it! It seems hard, but I mean, I guess some people would find baking hard, so that’s fine!

When we finally got back to the chamber we were using, there was a letter waiting for us.

“Ah, it seems Gloria has put together a party as you suggested,” Myrmidon said, smiling. “Two days from now.”

I was so happy, Diary! “Oh, I’m so glad! Should I make something?”

“I am sure it will be catered, my sweetest,” Myrmidon said, chuckling.

“Eating in front of everyone else is going to be a little embarrassing,” Philly said. “What with how much I eat…”

“It’s how much everyone eats…” Dagger’s voice said. “It’s fine.”

“I suppose so…” Philly said, chuckling a little.

I’ve been thinking a lot, Diary. About getting back to normal. About how “normal” is actually a big change, you know? And I’m happy, I really am!

But I’m glad we can have a little party, and all be together again. After all we’ve been through.

I hope we get to do it again, soon, after that, too!

For now, though, it was a good day! Probably a 7.8!

Goodnight, Diary!

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms

[dragon-moms]

Entry 201 - Baroness

The decision has been made. I suppose I cannot go back now.

“I wasn’t expecting demands,” Gloria said, holding my letter to her.

“I am giving you my entire existence,” I said.

“I’m not complaining, just saying I wasn’t expecting it,” Gloria said. “Wouldn’t be here if not. I’ve been working on all of them.” She looked up from the parchment. “Only one I can’t actively promise you is Juliet and Caroline’s farm, and that’s simply because there hasn’t been time for people to get there, negotiate with them, and get back.”

“That one is… important…” I said.

“I know, it’s a priority for me, too. But once we get Philly signing everything and making White dragons and the White territory officially part of the dragon lands, we can’t not have access to the entrance. We have to get people down there to study it. So we’re going to attempt to negotiate for the smallest piece of the farm we can in order to access the territory, and give them some land on the other side to make up for it. That’s the plan.”

“I promised them they would not have to give us their farm,” I said.

“This is reasonable. Honestly, if I didn’t know they were good people, and I didn’t care, I’d want the whole farm to set up a base of operations. But instead, we’ve done this. But that’s up to them, if they accept that.” Gloria sighed. “I just hope they don’t run the aides we’re sending down there off or something.”

“This delays the proposed plan significantly,” I said. “It will take some time to hear back.”

“Yes, it will. If you want to wait, that’s up to you,” Gloria said.

“What about my family?” I asked.

“We were already doing that anyway, so it’s no problem,” Gloria said.

“What about… what about me?” I asked.

“Well, I’ll admit I don’t know shit about magic,” Gloria said. “So I did my best to explain what you wrote down to the magical research bureau. Your proposed write-up of what you know about the element of White dragons and their magic they for sure want. Other than that, I showed them the diagrams you sent. They seem positive on it, at least in general. There hasn’t been a lot of research done on necrotic energies in the last few generations, or so they tell me. Too many deaths. But they could see the potential in you doing those experiments, at least. If you were trustworthy. Which is the whole deal we’re working on.”

“And I would be able to work from my personal lab?” I asked.

“Well, no offense, but they wouldn’t want you at a crowded research facility, so I’d think so,” Gloria said.

To be honest, asking for this made me somewhat uncomfortable. I have always held my skills in high esteem. I did not feel like I needed assistance to make my research worthy. I am a very good wizard. But given my current status, even if free, I could not just talk to those in charge of such publications. “I hope it is alright, for me to have asked this.”

“I didn’t put any pressure, just showed them the proposal and explained your whole situation,” Gloria said. “I’m not twisting their leg, promise.”

“What about research materials?” I asked.

“Maude sends stuff like that via courier basically constantly,” Gloria said. “If you’re approved, you’ll have the same benefits.”

“...there are still a lot of ifs,” I said.

“You told me not to force a research contract, so I didn’t,” Gloria said.

“I simply mean, I am still worried about this,” I said. “I believe you are doing the best you can.”

Gloria nodded.

“...the last part, about me. I want it to be the right thing to do. To have asked,” I said, finding myself repeating my point from earlier.

“Baroness, your family wants you happy. I’ve got no problem with you doing what you need to make that happen.”

“...thank you,” I said.

Gloria pulled a piece of parchment out of her bag. “Here’s a map to a place outside of the Peak, but close by. If you go through with it, come back there. We’ll have someone you know check it every day. Stay there until you make contact, and then we’ll get the next step going.”

I took the parchment from her, and looked at the map. I would have to take time to memorize it. “I have written a letter for my children to explain the situation,” I said, and offered it to Gloria.

“I’ll make sure it gets to them,” Gloria said.

There was a moment of silence.

“You can back out,” Gloria said. “Or stall, like you suggested earlier. Just making that clear.”

“I will go tonight,” I said.

Gloria nodded. “Travel safe.”

And so I studied. And late at night, when I hoped to have the minimal number of people around in case of problems, I activated my ritual. I felt my skull crack from the energy feedback. It was unpleasant.

It took me some time to reform. I took it slow, remembering my errors of last time.

And then finally, I sat before my phylactery. I deactivated the protections around it. Once they were gone, it looked much less impressive. It was simply a book, a cheaply bound one at that. My University thesis. An amateurish bit of research by my current standards. I ran a claw over the cover, then opened it. I had not opened it in years, and I worried it would become damaged in some way. It did not. It held too much power now. Placed into a carved indentation in the pages of parchment was the vial of my blood. The bit of essence holding me to this existence.

I closed the book, and salvaged what I could from its hiding place to make it as safe to transport as possible.

The trip back took many days. While I was not injured, and could move faster, I still had to apply stealth when possible. While I had permission to travel, I had no way to prove this, and I was still potentially upsetting to view.

Still, I travelled with little issue, and soon arrived at the agreed at place. The door was unlocked, and I carefully entered. It was extremely bare bones, just a small living chamber and a sleeping chamber. But the sleeping chamber had bedding. I had missed bedding.

I set up some basic protections around my phylactery and quickly fell asleep.

I was awoken to “Barry!” being called at me. “Barry! Barry!”

“What…” I mumbled, waking up.

“Wake up! I can’t get close to you but wake up!”

“I am awake…” I said. “Yes, do not get close to me…”

I turned my head to see Flare, standing next to me and grinning. “You’re back!”

“...yes,” I said. I knew Gloria had told me someone who I knew would meet me, but I had not expected the Paladin. I was expecting Myrmidon.

“Are you alright? Feeling better? You were just a pile of bones and stuff last time I saw you!” Flare said.

“I have reformed, yes,” I said. “I am functioning well now.”

“Neat!” Flare said. “Did you get your thing?”

“Thing?”

He seemed to reach for a word, putting a claw to the artefact on his head. “Phylactery,” he finally said. “That one.”

“...yes,” I said. “Please do not get near it. I am unsure how your aura might affect it.”

“That’s fair,” he said. “Don’t want to cause you trouble. I’m just excited to see you.”

I considered what to say. I could not honestly reciprocate that statement, due to my previously stated expectation that Myrmidon would be the one meeting me. But there was some relief in knowing the Paladin wished me well. “Thank you for checking on me,” I said, hoping that was sufficient.

“I’m supposed to go tell Mommy you’re here, since you are. Oh, and Merry and Myrmidon and Dagger and Philly all stuck around the Peak waiting for you, so I’ll tell them too!”

“They waited for me?” I asked.

“The Queen has deemed them free to go home, but they didn’t want to go without you,” Flare said.

“I see,” I said, feeling somewhat embarrassed by this.

“Hey, Barry,” Flare said.

“Yes?”

“This thing you’re doing? It’s really brave,” he said.

“I am… just doing what is sensible,” I said.

“No, this is big and stuff,” Flare said. “Like, it’s the source of your power, right?”

“...in a sense,” I said.

“I love my family, but if I had to give up my connection to Progress for them, well… that would be tough,” Flare said, averting his eyes. “I mean, I’d do it, probably, cause that’s what a hero would do, but… that connection is the thing in life that’s given me purpose. It’s the thing that’s helped me to become a better person, and is going to keep helping me. I don’t know what I’d do without Progress’ guidance at this point.” He turned back to me and smiled. “I know this is the thing that makes you keep coming back to life or whatever, and that’s really different, but it’s defined you for a long time too, probably. It’s allowed you to help people a couple times at least, right? To give that up, that’s a lot.”

I considered this. “Maybe you are… somewhat right. But it is worth it, what I am doing.”

“I’m sure it is,” Flare said. “I’m just saying, you can think of a time it wouldn’t have been, right? You’ve come a long way since I cracked you in the skull with Obbligato. Progress would be proud of you, if you wanted to believe in it.”

He grinned. I felt at a loss.

“Sorry, I’m bothering you with all that sermon stuff,” he said, chuckling. “I just got to do that with people again when I went to visit the humans! I missed it. Think I’ll probably try to get back to it, if I stick around here... gotta be some dragons who want to hear about Progress, right? And life can’t be all adventures. At least, not the kind we’ve been doing, anyway.” He headed for the door. “Anyway, relax and stuff! I’ll let everyone know and we’ll get it done! I’ll see you soon, Barry!”

“...yes, soon,” I said as he left.

I found, after I finally got myself up from my bedding, he had left my Diary for me. I have recorded what needed to be, I believe.

Soon I will give my phylactery away.

But as I told the Paladin, it is worth it.

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms

[dragon-moms]

Entry 200 - Gloria

Today my son came back.

I’m sure I’ll probably write how ridiculous it is to wake up next to the Queen every day for a few more weeks still, because I still can’t believe it. I’m also just not used to being held. I do the holding, usually. But with our sizes, it just makes more sense like this.

She’s also way more in control now, than before. I suppose I shouldn’t find that a surprise. With anyone else, it would probably annoy me. But honestly, it’s kind of relaxing, after everything that’s happened, to know she wants me. Besides, I have confidence I’ll figure out how to turn the tables back at some point.

“You do not have to get up with me,” the Queen said, stirring. “We had thought that obvious by now.”

“Too much to do,” I said.

“The lich is gone, and you have no major projects at this time,” the Queen said.

“Sure, you may think that, but you told me to take this stuff off of you, so I am. I still have a bunch of groups of your aides to get on board,” I said, yawning. “Fitz, over in your commerce bureau, he looks like he wants to claw me to death every time we talk.”

“Yes, we suppose he would be like that,” the Queen said. “But he knows what he is doing.”

“Yeah, you have good people picked. Anyone would be frustrated about me being just pushed into the system like that.”

“They will see reason,” the Queen said. “You will show them.”

“I still think it would be easier if we got everyone together at once and had you explain I have your trust,” I said. “It’s easy for them to dispute it when it’s just me talking to them.”

“We have said as such to everyone who asked,” the Queen said.

“Still,” I said.

The Queen got out of the bedding, much to my sadness. “It’s not a bad idea. Perhaps a dinner. It will help everyone to adjust,” the Queen said. “We have been busy adapting to this new form of existence as well.” She turned back to me and smiled. “Of course, organizing it should likely fall to you, Gloria.”

“I’m starting to think you like giving me work,” I said.

“It is still liberating for us, giving tasks away and knowing we need not check in and intervene,” the Queen said. “That said, you may always refer to us if you need assistance.”

“Yeah, I will,” I said.

We both got cleaned up and ready for the day, and soon I was tending to the Egg while the Queen went over her morning correspondence. The Egg was glowing happily as I rocked it. It had seem happier since we moved in here. Or maybe it was just responding to me. Maybe I was the happy one.

Eventually I realized the Queen was just watching me.

“What?” I asked.

“You are good at that,” she said.

“You doubted me?”

“You… never struck us as a mothering type. Your first son was somewhat of a surprise to us.”

“Well, I wouldn’t really think of me that way either, but I guess I grew into it,” I said. “Do you want to hold it?”

A bit of fear flashed across the Queen’s face. “Perhaps not.”

“Come on, it’s your Egg too,” I said.

“We are too big, and it is very small,” she said.

I frowned. “Your highness. Come on.”

The Queen reached down gently and took the Egg from me. She could hold it easily in a claw, and did so, cradling it gently.

“It does not like us,” the Queen said, looking at the Egg, whose glow had dimmed.

“It doesn’t know you yet,” I said. “But it will.”

“Hello,” the Queen said to the Egg. “We… are going to be your other mother. If that’s alright.”

The Egg glowed a little, cautiously.

“See? There you go,” I said, grinning.

She’d just started to calm down while holding it when there was a knock at the chamber door.

“Yes?” the Queen said, handing the Egg back to me.

“Your highness, I have some news you will want to hear!” said the adjudicator at the door.

“Come in,” the Queen said.

The adjudicator opened the door, and seemed shocked to see me there.

“Something wrong?” I asked.

“S-sorry, ma’am, still not used to… anyway, your highness,” they said with a bow. “The diplomats you sent to human lands have returned.”

“Thank you. We shall make arrangements to meet. Ensure they are given quarters and whatever they need, and inform them we will send an aide with information on when we have time to meet,” the Queen said.

“Yes, your highness. And, uh, sorry again, ma’am,” they said, bowing to me too.

I would really prefer they didn’t do that, but there I was. “It’s fine, as long as you don’t have a problem with the Queen being my wife. I know it’s a big change.”

I could tell on their face they were somewhat shocked by my word choice, claiming the Queen instead of her claiming me. But that’s a good shock, likely. “Of course not, ma’am,” they said, and then bowed again before heading out.

“We are your wife, hm?” the Queen said.

“Something inaccurate about that?” I asked.

She leaned down and licked me. “Not at all. But we must go. Look at our schedule and make a time to meet with your son and Nobody. During a meal if you have to. It is a matter of urgency.”

“I’ll get on it just as soon as I get the Egg to the nursery,” I said.

The Queen nodded. “We shall see you later.”

After most of a morning running around and attempting to push things on the Queen’s schedule here and there, an exhausting time, I had managed to free up a decent chunk of time before dinner, that could bleed into dinner if needed. I didn’t know how much there would be to say. I couldn’t imagine Flare would be involved in any sort of deal or negotiation that was complicated.

I got to the Council chamber, where we were meeting to talk, early. Turned out to be a bad decision, because then I had some time to worry. Whatever they said would affect Merry and her family. But I had to trust them.

“Mommy!” Flare said as he entered the room, and then stopped, seeing my wing. “Oh no, Mommy, are you okay?”

“You knew I was hurt, terror,” I said.

“Well, yeah, but you weren’t supposed to be that hurt…” he said.

“That’s what fighting is,” Ivana said. “Not all games like you seem to fucking think.” Then she saw me. “Fuck, though, a whole wing, huh?”

“Yeah,” I said.

“...sorry,” she said.

“Not your fault,” I said. “Terror, come here and hug me already.”

Flare came over and gave me a big hug. And with that, I relaxed a bit.

“So?” Ivana said.

“What, you want a hug too?” I said.

“Fuck! No!” Ivana said. “I mean, where’s the Queen?”

“She’s coming. I had to reschedule a lot of things on the fly. I’m sure she’s running a bit behind,” I said.

“YOU had to reschedule?” Ivana asked.

“Yeah,” I said.

“Oh, Mommy, did you hear? One of the adjudicators told me the Queen got married!” Flare asked.

“She might have,” I said, chuckling.

“Fuck, seriously?” Ivana said.

“Yeah,” I said.

“What?” Flare asked.

“The Queen and I got married while you were gone,” I said.

“What!” Flare yelled. “I missed the wedding!”

I chuckled. “Oh, now you want to be around for things.”

“Yeah, I want to be there for you and stuff!” Flare said.

“Well, we haven’t really done any official celebrating yet. When we do I’ll let you know,” I said.

“Oh dang, that makes the Queen my Mommy too!” Flare said.

“No,” Ivana said. “I will not allow that.”

“But she’s married to my Mommy!” Flare said. “That’s just facts and stuff!”

“No, that is too creepy no!” Ivana said.

And then the Queen walked in.

“What is too creepy?” she asked.

“You being my new Mommy,” Flare said.

The Queen looked taken aback by this. “We had… assumed you and your brother had no interest in us actively being a stepmother… but if that is what everyone desires…”

“Just ignore that for now, your highness,” I said to her. “We can discuss it later.”

The Queen nodded. “Yes, perhaps it’s best to handle the matter at claw first. Please, tell us about your mission.”

Flare started to speak, but Ivana put out a claw. “Please let me handle this?” she said.

“Fine,” Flare said, pouting a little.

Ivana took a breath. “So I think we’re okay, but for odd reasons,” she said.

“Such as?” the Queen said.

“Well, the human Queen is apparently a little kid,” Ivana said. “Like, not even a year old, from what they told us.”

“What?” I said. “Terror, what’s going on?”

“She was an older lady when I left!” Flare said. “I don’t know!”

“Why would the humans pick a child that young to rule?” the Queen asked.

“According to what I gleaned from our conversations and from what Flare told me, they rule via family bloodlines, like we did back before the Unification,” Ivana said. “This Bulle was essentially serving as Queen until the actual Queen could come of age.”

“That all makes some sort of sense and stuff. Bulle said that the little Queen’s mom died in childbirth?” Flare said. “But they kept introducing the baby as Philomena Ivalice the Second, and that was the last Queen!”

“Didn’t Philly say she was the Fifth?” I said, thinking.

“Yeah! That’s why she fit the prophecy and stuff about the Fifth running underground!” Flare said.

“It seemed a silly lie to call them on for no gain, so I made Flare keep his mouth shut, but it does seem odd,” Ivana said.

“Yes…” the Queen said, thinking. “We are unsure what could be gained by this.”

“Maybe it’s something we should ask Philly about,” I suggested. “I hate to bring that stuff up, because I know it was a really bad situation, but maybe she’d be more comfortable talking about it now that she’s a dragon and not in any danger of having to go back to it.”

The Queen nodded. “We shall leave you to that in the coming weeks. Please, Nobody, continue with your explanation.”

“After getting past all that, we sat down to talk about Philly,” Ivana said. “When we said we could not return Philly, we were told it was too late, and not a problem as long as she was dead, and would not be returning to claim the title of Queen.”

“I tried to explain she wasn’t dead but Nobody stopped me,” Flare said.

“If they want her dead it’s easier just to say that than to explain all the shit that happened,” Ivana said. “Safer for Philly too. She doesn’t want to be human Queen, from what I’ve gathered, but someone might assume she does, if they know she’s alive.”

I nodded. “Don’t want them coming for her. That’s the whole point.”

“Right,” Ivana said. “Anyway, after that, I figured I should try to actually get something done instead of just this vague ‘I’m not interested in war’ I got, so we worked to draw up a peace treaty like we should have after the war. It was a huge fucking pain. I started with the most bare-bones thing and he kept saying no and by the end of it we got back to my original fucking offer!”

“It was a lot of building up support,” Flare said. “I ran a lot of ceremonies and did things in Forward at the temple while I was down there! I missed it. And I got a lot of people on board with wanting a secure peace, as I talked to followers of Progress and told them what was up with the dragons and stuff, and I think they talked to this Bulle guy!”

“Yeah,” Ivana said. “It was Flare that did it, really. I kept getting angry and having to step out. He eventually got the agreement together.”

“I had help!” Flare said, smiling. “Clearly, this is what Progress wanted, and guided me in the deal-making!”

“Sure, terror,” I said. “But good job. I knew you could do it.”

Flare grinned.

“Anyway, here,” Ivana said, pulling a piece of parchment out of one of her pouches and unfolding it. “In theory they signed this. It’s so fucking small I can’t really tell. But here is a peace treaty, your highness.”

The Queen took it, and put on her lenses to read it. “This is very simple.”

“I’m not a diplomat, really,” Ivana said. “I just tried to get something in writing.”

“No, we can work with this,” the Queen said. “Though we will have to get a lens powerful enough to confirm the humans have signed off on it.”

“I’ll get someone on that,” I said.

“Thank you, Gloria,” the Queen said.

“They have a copy too,” Ivana said. “Fuck if I know what they’re going to do with parchment so much bigger than them, but I wasn’t going to sign something I couldn’t read.”

“We shall have to remember to send appropriate lenses if future negotiations are required,” the Queen said.

“Yeah. Anyway…” Ivana said. “I hope we helped or whatever.”

The Queen nodded. “Yes, we believe you did. Thank you.”

“It’s about dinner time. Would you like to join us?” I asked.

“Yeah!” Flare said.

“I should go see the kid. Haven’t had time yet,” Ivana said.

“Go get Plato and bring him, then,” I said.

Ivana hesitated. “Okay, sure, fuck, why not, I guess…” she said. “I’ll be back.”

Ivana left, and I made sure enough food was going to be brought. And then it was just me, the Queen, and Flare.

“Do you truly desire us to act as stepmother?” the Queen asked as I came back into the room.

“Yeah!” Flare said. “Though I guess I don’t know what that involves and stuff, but if you’re with Mommy, you’re important, right? Just like Maumau!”

“Maumau?” The Queen asked.

“You know, Mommy’s friend, Maude?”

“I see,” the Queen said.

“Don’t pester the Queen, terror,” I said, sitting back down.

“I’m not pestering… she’s just family now, right?” he asked.

I wanted to say yes, but I knew what kind of pressure the Queen had on her. I’d seen how hard she was trying to make time for me, now that I was around her so often. I hadn’t put much actual thought into what relationship I wanted her to have with my sons, honestly. Too much had been going on.

But the Queen spoke before me. “Yes, we are.”

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes with family and stuff,” Flare said. “Going back to Ivalice, and Forward, just kind of reminded me of that more. Like, I have good memories there, with the humans and stuff, learning about Progress. It’s all important to me. But I know I lost sight of those who care about me. I’m not going to do that again. So if you’re part of the family, then I want to welcome you! Even if you are the Queen and stuff.”

The Queen smiled. “Thank you, Flare. We appreciate that.”

Soon, food was brought in. Ivana returned with Plato.

“Oh, your highness! Miss Gloria! Congratulations on your marriage!” he said, giving a little bow.

“Thanks, Plato,” I said.

“When you left the hospital, I was a bit confused as to what was happening, but I was pleased when I learned the answer from Miss Maude,” Plato said, smiling.

“Hi again, Plato!” Flare said.

“H-hello, Mister Flare,” Plato said, expression turning a bit nervous.

“It���s good to see you again,” Flare said, smiling.

“Are you going to hug me again, sir…?” Plato asked.

“No… you didn’t want me to, right?” Flare said. “I’m sorry, I got excited last time… Nobody had told me so much about you! And there’s something about you that I can’t quite...”

Ivana made a loud cough to cut Flare off. “Look, the food is getting cold, let’s eat.”

“Oh, right, good idea!” Flare said, nodding.

We chatted and had a wonderful meal. Then the Queen needed to attend to other things, and we all went our separate ways. It wasn’t until late that evening, when I saw the Queen again, that we could talk about the repercussions.

“We believe it would be safe for your friends to return home to Orin,” the Queen said. “We shall ensure the treaty is processed and approved by the Council soon, and then they can leave.”

“They’ll be happy to hear that,” I said. “I’ll let them know to get ready.”

“...we hope to continue to do right by your family, Gloria,” the Queen said. “In this current incarnation, we were a bit of a hermit, as you are aware… we are not sure how much is necessary.”

“You’re doing more than I could ask for, honestly,” I told her, and stretched my neck to the limit to lick her cheek. “Thank you.”

“Mm…” the Queen said. “Let us finish up our evening business and get to our bedding.”

And now I’ve written this, and I think I’ll do just that.

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms

[dragon-moms]

Entry 199 - Baroness

Conquest continues.

I was visited by Gloria today.

It startled me, as intrusions do at this point. I have become, for better or worse, accustomed to the nothing each day brings.

“You look terrible,” Gloria said as she walked in, the adjudicator closing the door behind her.

“I have but one functional claw,” I said. “You appear to be missing a wing.”

“Yeah. Doctors had to remove it,” she said. “You in pain?”

“Yes,” I said.

Gloria nodded. “I’m really sorry. Doubt that’s enough, but for what it’s worth, I am. And I’ve been working since I got up and around to get you out of here. It’s just slow going. And I’ve been out for a while too.”

“Thank you,” I said.

Gloria crossed the safety line they’d put on the ground and sat down next to the bars. An adjudicator outside keeping watch threw the door open to call a warning. “Ma’am, it’s…”

“She’s a friend and I’m fine. Give us privacy,” Gloria said.

The adjudicator didn’t seem happy about that, but closed the door.

Gloria sighed. “Finally got around what my situation is, and now everyone is super protective.” She looked to me. “Let me put it to you honestly, Baroness,” Gloria said. “Myrmidon has been trying to help you, but in doing that, they’ve basically written anyone who could possibly pull strings, and they’ve all pulled information on liches, and there’s basically a lack of trust due to what you are. It’s not fair, but it’s the situation.”

“I understand,” I said.

“So what we need is a plan to get them to trust you,” Gloria said. “I’ve been running around for a few days now trying to figure out what would be enough to satisfy people that you’re a good person. And there’s only one thing I’ve come up with that seems viable, and I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

“What about my children?” Baroness asked. “They are more important.”

“We’re still holding them as a formality at this point, until we can be sure that Philly being a dragon now means the humans aren’t going to go to war for her. Once my son and Miss Nobody get back, that’ll be dealt with, theoretically, and Myrmidon, Dagger, Merry, and Philly can go home. Or at least we’ll be able to figure out a doable plan from there. But I’m trying to trust Flare and Miss Nobody that they’re going to work that part of things out. I owe them both that at least.”

I considered this. “I believe I also trust them,” I said. “I am glad my children and grandchild will be safe.”

“Grandchild, huh?” Gloria said.

“...yes, that is… what they have asked of me,” I said.

“Makes sense,” Gloria said, nodding. “Congratulations on that.”

“I did not really do anything,” I said.

“Still,” Gloria said. “That’s what you say when a grandkid hatches.”

“I see,” I said.

Gloria sighed. “Anyway, I’m stalling. Have you heard of the Hoard of Antiquity?”

“I believe it was only just established when I was alive,” I said.

“Well, it’s grown into this big thing. Lots of historians working there now. Queen still buys up things occasionally to put there. There’s even a chamber where they display some of the less sensitive or expensive stuff for the public. But the point is, it’s very well guarded and very safe. I’m told there are inner vaults that only the Queen can open without, I don’t know, blowing through large chunks of mountain.”

“I am unsure how this is relevant,” I said.

Gloria ran a claw over her spines. “We want to move your phylactery there.”

I felt stunned. “No,” I finally said.

“Yeah, I figured,” Gloria said. “That’s what Myrmidon said you’d say.”

“Does Myrmidon believe this to be a good plan?” I asked.

“Not at all, but I can’t think of a better one, and trust me, I’ve been trying. Everyone needs to feel safe from you. The only way I can think of to do that is to give them a way to stop you, if you become dangerous.” Gloria looked at me seriously. “You won’t become dangerous, but they have no way of knowing that. This gives them a reason to give you a chance.”

“Do you understand what my phylactery is?” I asked.

“Myrmidon gave me some idea,” Gloria said.

“It is the core of me, and it is very fragile. It would take little effort to destroy. A simple mistake in handling it could be enough to affect it.” I looked down at my one functional claw. “Previously, I have existed because it is what I am, because I had no choice. However, I have things to exist for now. I do not believe I can risk that.”

“I get it. I’m not going to force you,” Gloria said. “But if you do it, we’ll handle it all best we can. We won’t have anyone unknown handle it. Fuck, we’ll clear the space and let you put it away, if you need. And we will put it in one of those inner vaults I mentioned, so only the Queen can affect it.”

I looked to her.

Gloria sighed. “It’s the best I can do. I’m sorry. I don’t want anything to happen to you. I want you to be able to go home. But the situation has kept changing, while you’ve been in here. I’m back to working for the government. I can’t just cover for you if you’re a fugitive. If that’s what you want to do, then, like I said, I get it, and I won’t try to stop you from escaping. But I won’t be able to protect you. That’s all I can do.”

“I cannot,” I said.

Gloria nodded, and stood. “I understand. I’ll keep trying to think of something better, but again, I really don’t know what else I can do to help… but I will make sure these pointlessly scared adjudicators get you what you need in here. And I’ll get you permission to send letters to approved parties. Your kids and such. I think that’s doable. Just know someone will probably read them, though, before delivery. Doubt I could stop that.”

“Thank you,” I said. It would be relief to have a clear line of communication with my children, other than waiting for the rare visits they are allowed.

“I need to be doing more, but that’s what I got for now,” she said, turning to leave, and then stopped. “And Baroness?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for your help with the ritual. It… worked out pretty well. And it’s made me very happy. It means a lot to me. And your help with Philly’s situation, similarly. Made Merry very happy. I’m sure you know that one, though.”

“It is… it is not a problem. We are friends. I am glad I could help.”

Gloria nodded. “Yeah. I’ll keep doing everything I can. I’ll keep you posted.”

She left. Some time later, a frustrated adjudicator came in with stationary and envelopes with which I could write letters.

I sat, debating what to write for some time.

I do not want to burden my children.

I trust Gloria. I know what she is saying is true. I believe she is attempting all she can.

I would like to be trusted. Not because I have much desire to interact with the world at large, but because I would like to cause less issues for my children. I would like to achieve the life I set out to lead when I found myself freed.

My friends have risked their lifespan for me, and for my family.

I have decided.

I will write up a list of demands, and send them to Gloria. From there, we shall see.

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms

[dragon-moms]

Entry 198 - Merry

Dear Diary,

Today was a good day!

We got a letter from Gloria! Last I heard she couldn’t send letters, so that was exciting!

“Merry, Myrmidon, Dagger, and Philly,

I hope things are well.

We need to talk about current situation. So I’m inviting you all to dinner. Someone should pick you all up this evening.

Sorry for the short letter. A bit busy. I’ll explain tonight.

Gloria”

“That’s a good thing, right?” I said after I finished reading the letter to everyone. “That means she’s out of the hospital?”

“I do believe it does,” Myrmidon said.

Philly lifted into the air and looked over my shoulder at the letter. Her little wings made a little buzzing sound as she moved them so fast. And she had such good control! She’s learned so well! She’s so smart, Diary! “I hope she knows how much I’m eating these days,” Philly said. “I don’t think we’ve really talked about that with her.”

“If it comes to that, you are welcome to my dinner,” Myrmidon said.

“Thank you, but I’d rather everyone get to eat,” Philly said.

“Everyone eating, sounds fun, have fun with that,” Dagger’s voice said.

“Would you like to try to eat, my dear sibling?” Myrmidon asked. “I had assumed you were uninterested.”

“I’m made of nothing, it’s not important,” Dagger said. “Just awkward, sometimes, when you’re eating and I can’t join in.”

“Is there something we can, like, do to help with that?” I asked.

“...no… I’m just…” Dagger started, and then sighed. “I’m sorry, I’m just complaining… I feel cooped up here… without my own space to get away to… and I’m trying to be involved in more but I’m worried about a lot of things… but that’s not a particularly good outlet, complaining...”

“It is tight quarters and a stressful situation, even when we are doing our best to take care of ourselves,” Myrmidon said. “Hopefully soon we can go home.”

“This whole thing… I need to take it slower, maybe…” ey said softly. “I feel overwhelmed a lot…”

“It’s alright,” I said. “You can always take a break if you need, you know? You’ve helped us take a break when we needed it… that’s why we’re all together, so no one person needs to do everything.”

“That, and love,” Philly said.

“Well, yes, that too,” I said, swishing my tail a bit in embarrassment.

Philly chuckled.

“Maybe I will… for a bit, then…” Dagger said.

“Rest well, my dear sibling,” Myrmidon said.

We all decided to take it easy until our dinner with Gloria too. It’s good to relax, you know?

The person who eventually came to pick us up wasn’t an adjudicator, though.

“Hi,” she said, smiling. She was a bigger Green wearing a lot of jewelry and a bag that looked more decorative than functional. She didn’t even react to seeing Philly on my shoulder. “I’m Birch, one of the Queen’s aides. I’m here to escort you.”

“Hello! It is wonderful to meet you,” Myrmidon said, holding out a claw.

Soon, Birch had shaken my claw too, and even Philly’s sort of! “I was told there was a fourth? A spirit? Not quite sure what that means, but I thought I’d ask,” she said.

“Ah, that would be my sibling, Dagger,” Myrmidon said.

“Dagger?” Birch asked.

Dagger materialized behind Myrmidon. “Hi.”

Birch held out a claw. “It’s wonderful to meet you as well, Dagger.”

“You don’t want me to touch you,” Dagger said. “I’ll just make you very cold.”

Birch didn’t pull her claw back.

Dagger sighed and shook it, and then disappeared.

Birch shook her claw. “Ey weren’t kidding, that was quite cold,” she said, chuckling. “Well, it is wonderful to meet you all. I’m part of the diplomatic bureau. We’re looking forward to working with you getting this treaty solidified! But we’ll worry about that later, for now, dinner, yes? Follow me.”

She lead us down paths I hadn’t gone before, to an area that seemed to be made up mostly of offices, though it looked like everyone who was still there was getting ready to leave for the evening. Which made sense! It was, like, dinner time, you know? Eventually, she lead us to what looked like a dining room, with many tables set up in it. And in the back, reading some parchment, was Gloria.

“Our break room is not where I would have picked, but she insisted,” Birch said, chuckling. “Well, I’ll be taking my leave, but we’ll speak again soon, yes?”

“Thank you for bringing us,” Myrmidon said.

“It was my pleasure,” Birch said, and then headed out.

By this point, Gloria had noticed us. She set her parchment aside and smiled.

“Gloria!” I said, and hurried over to her. Philly, a bit surprised, flitted off my shoulder and transferred to Myrmidon’s, as they were moving at a more steady pace. I hesitated just long enough to know she was okay, and then finished reaching Gloria. “I’m so glad you’re out of the hospital! What are you doing here?”

“Hey,” Gloria said, and to my surprise, pulled me into a hug. I swished my tail a little, embarrassed. “You all still okay? Been taken care of?”

“We’re fine,” I said. “Like, just fine, I think?”

“Yes, the Queen has taken fine care of us,” Myrmidon said. “I do wish the same could be said of my mother, however.”

“I see Philly is still getting better with the flying?” Gloria said.

“I’m not constantly terrified doing it any more, at least,” Philly said. “Just mostly. But I need it to get around, so.”

Gloria nodded. “Well, get comfortable. Food is supposed to be coming. I didn’t really know why, but I was told that you were getting three full meals delivered, so that’s what I told them to bring, along with something for me.”

“I… eat a lot now,” Philly said, as Myrmidon set her on the table.

“Huh,” Gloria said. “Well, there’s a lot we don’t know about what you now are, I guess.”

Philly nodded.

“Anyway, I hope Birch didn’t talk to you about business on the way here,” Gloria said. “We’ve got enough to cover. But she insisted on bringing you once I told her who you all were.”

“She was quite polite,” Myrmidon said. “Do you know her?”

“I’ve known her for all of two days and she is a very exhausting person,” Gloria said, smiling. “But good at what she does, I can tell.”

“What are we doing here?” Dagger’s voice said. “None of this makes sense from what we last heard from you.”

“Probably right,” Gloria said. “There’s been some changes.”

“What kind of changes?” Philly asked.

“Well, I got married,” Gloria said.

“What!” I gasped. “What do you mean you…” I started, but was interrupted by two dragons bringing in food for everyone. After plates had been set down in front of us, I got back to it. “What do you mean you got married?”

“The Queen and I got married,” Gloria said.

“Ah, wonderful! That was what you desired, was it not?” Myrmidon said.

“Well, yes…” Gloria said, looking a little embarrassed and clawing some food into her mouth before continuing. “It’s been a lot, but nice. We’re all still processing it. But part of the whole thing is they gave me a fancy title and the Queen put me right to work. Which is like her. That’s basically what happened when I first started flirting with her years ago.”

“Ah, a title? Should we be referring to you differently?” Myrmidon asked.

“Please don’t,” Gloria said, her face showing she was already exhausted by it. “But the title someone came up with is Royal Consort.” She shook her head and took another bite of her dinner. “Anyway, the idea is I handle smaller things for the Queen so she can focus on bigger stuff.” She pointed a claw at Myrmidon. “And problem number one is all these letters you’ve been sending about Baroness.”

“They were being received then!” Myrmidon said. “I was beginning to wonder.”

“Can you get Baroness out, with your new title?” Philly asked.

“Yes and no,” Gloria said. “I’m in a better position to help, but we still need a solid plan. She’s still a lich, and at this point, with her being down there and you all drawing so much attention to the Council about it, people are reading up on them. They know how dangerous they are. We’ve got a big hill to climb on showing she isn’t, so we can get her home. I was wanting to make sure I knew everything I could before I started making a plan. I don’t want to make any mistakes.”

“Well, Baroness came up with, like, a plan herself,” Merry said. “But I don’t think we really liked it…”

“What was it?” Gloria asked.

“We brought her her Diary, you know? And she was using pages of it to devise a spell to destroy herself, I think,” I said.

“My mother would reform elsewhere and thus have escaped,” Myrmidon said. “But we were not comfortable with her remaining a fugitive, which would happen in that instance.”

Gloria nodded, eating and thinking. “How does Baroness reform?” she asked.

“It is a combination of expending will and forcing the energy that forms her into the proper shape, as well as the use of the focus of her being, called a phylactery,” Myrmidon said. “My mother is, of course, the expert on things magical, but from what I can remember during my time before our freedom, that phylactery is essentially her true form, and that which we interact with is but a projection of her consciousness.”

“So without her phylactery?” Gloria asked.

“Ah, my mother would cease to be,” Myrmidon said. “Not die, of course, since she is already dead, but essentially that.”

Gloria nodded again. “Thank you for trusting me with all that,” she said.

“I would hope I could trust you, after all we have been through,” Myrmidon said, smiling. “I would not be where I am without your assistance, after all.”

“Maybe there’s a solution in there,” Gloria said.

“I am not sure,” Myrmidon said. “Even I do not know where my mother has kept her phylactery. I am unsure if she would be comfortable with any solution involving it.”

“That’s fair, I suppose,” Gloria said. “Well, what else do we have?”

We talked about it for the rest of dinner, throwing out ideas. None of us felt very confident about them, though. None of them would change the fact that, if Baroness weren’t such a nice person, she’d be a danger to others. Gloria didn’t think anyone would accept that we had to trust her. I think everyone should, though, Diary! But I guess I understand. It’s difficult to do, not knowing her. But they should probably get to know her!

Eventually, Gloria had to get to other things, and the food was done, so we started packing up. But I felt like I needed to say something, Diary…

“Philly, do you mind going with Myrmidon and Dagger for a moment?” I asked. “I want to talk with Gloria for a second…”

Philly looked at me for a moment. “Sure, Mom. See you soon,” she said, and flew over to Myrmidon, who gave a little half-bow, so as not to knock Philly over, and headed out to give me privacy.

“Something up?” Gloria asked, noticing I was still here as she began looking at the parchment she’d put down for our meal.

“I, um,” I said, now that I was here, not knowing what I really wanted to say.

Gloria set the parchment down and looked to me.

“I was just… wondering why you hugged me?” I asked.

“Was that a problem?” she asked.

“Well, no, just… I don’t know… we don’t… really do that much…” I said. “I mean, you have while I’m upset… but I don’t know if I’m upset right now? I don’t think so… is something wrong I don’t know about?”

“I was just happy to see you,” Gloria said, clearly trying to hide an embarrassed expression. “And happy to see you happy.”

I nodded, still feeling a little confused.

“This whole thing, getting married, happened fast,” she said. “But I feel a lot of relief from it. Like, finally I feel like I know where things are going. Haven’t known that in a long time. I was finally feeling recovered from my last marriage, and then Flare disappeared. And then everything with you… I don’t know. It’s been a while since I felt on firm ground, that’s all. Makes you see things in a different light.”

I still didn’t feel like I was following. “I’m glad you’re feeling good about it, you know?” I said.

“Just…” Gloria started, and then stopped for a moment, looking for words. “I care about you a lot. I tried to be reasonable or whatever for a long time with it, but after all we’ve been through, it seems silly to hold back. So. I care about you a lot, Merry.” She came over, and put her claw on my head. I swished my tail, embarrassed. “It’s taken me time to process, because it’s different. I’ve always done so many of my friendships through romantic ways. But you… I don’t know. You’re like the daughter I never had.” My inner flame flickered a little as I heard that. “I’m going to watch out for you. So if you ever need anything, and I mean anything, just let me know, alright?”

“I will…” I said.

“Good,” Gloria said, smiling. “Thank you. I know you can take care of yourself, but thank you.” She went and sat back down. “I’m probably not going to be around as much anymore. Especially with this wing situation. But I hope you won’t hesitate, if you need me. I’ll make it work. I promise.”

I felt like I couldn’t talk. There were just too many words, Diary. I didn’t know which ones to say.

“I’m sorry, was that too much?” she asked.

I shook my head, wiping at my eyes a little. “No, I just… that’s… thank you… you know?”

“Thank you for…” Gloria started, and clearly lost her words too. “Just, thank you.”

I rushed over and gave her another hug. She chuckled, and gladly hugged me right back.

“I do have work to do, you know,” she said, smiling.

“Sorry! Sorry…” I said, smiling too.

I headed out and caught up with Myrmidon and Philly.

“You seem happy,” Philly said.

“Things are just… life makes sense, you know?” I said. “Really good sense?”

Philly flew over to me and I gave her a little hug.

“I think it’s starting to get there, at least,” she said.

“Good… I’m so glad…” I said, smiling.

I feel really happy, Diary. I always leaned on Gloria so much. I’m just… I’m happy she wants me to, I guess… I didn’t want to be a burden… and I���m happy for her, too! She got married! Once I can bake again, I’m going to have to make them a wedding cake, you know? I wonder what kind of flavors the Queen likes… do you know, Diary?

Even with Baroness, I feel like we can solve it… we can do it, right?

Today was a 9, easily.

Goodnight, Diary!

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms

[dragon-moms]

Entry 197 - Gloria

Yesterday I got married.

Which was kind of a lot out of nowhere, to be honest.

She wasn’t even going to give me a warning. I was lucky I heard about it ahead of time from Plato. Reliquary would have explained every bit of the plan to me, painstakingly discussed each point. So I suppose she’s not Reliquary, exactly, like she says. Or at least years of having to lead have changed her approach to relationships. Maybe I should be taking that as a warning sign.

But I’m pretty happy with the results nonetheless.

I was in the middle of a riveting book on proper barracks construction budgets, the sort of thing I’m sure Clementine could probably tell me more about than the book was, when a nurse came in, looking nervous, and told me that the Queen was waiting to see me.

“About time,” I said.

The nurse, who I think was named Ingrid, gave me an even more nervous look at the idea that I might be displeased with the Queen.

“I’ve just been waiting here a while on her orders, and feeling cooped up. You know how it is,” I said, setting my book down. “Watch my Egg for me while we talk?”

“Of course,” she said, forcing herself to smile now that the conversation was on ground she could handle.

I walked out of my chamber, and once again into the large waiting chamber, which had been cleared out to make room for the Queen. She sat there, waiting.

Our eyes met.

“Gloria,” she said.

I had spent days thinking about what I was going to say to her. What I was going to ask her for, how I was going to approach things after our last encounter. That all immediately disappeared the moment I saw her. “What took you so long?” I asked, more emotional than I expected to be. “Were you not getting my messages?”

“We were… we were busy,” the Queen said, averting her eyes. “You have put a lot of work on us, on top of our normal duties.”

“On you? Seems like you threw it all on Maude, from what I’ve seen,” I said.

“She is assisting us, yes, as someone we can trust with these projects of a more… personal nature,” the Queen said. “Are you… are you healed?”

“Yeah,” I said. “I mean, they say it’s going to scar over more and such over time, but I’m way better than last time. Can stand. Not in pain, really.”

“We are still sorry...” she said.

“Just lick me already,” I said. I knew these things needed to be out there. I knew that eventually, I’d have to confront that she did this to me more than I had. But that’s not what I wanted at the moment. I wanted what I’d been passing the time thinking about and enjoying for many nights. Or at least a little bit of it.

The Queen hesitated for a moment, then leaned down, and licked me on what I assume was supposed to be my snout but ended up being a lot of my neck and all my head.

“We are…” the Queen started, clearly embarrassed.

But I just took her head in my claws and licked her back.

And then she picked me up and it was honestly a miracle we got disentangled a bit later as it finally dawned on me that this place wasn’t particularly private, and said so.

“You… are right…” she said, setting me down.

“Later,” I said, trying to get control of my breathing.

“Yes… We did come here on business, if you can believe it.” The Queen attempted to compose herself.

“Of course you did,” I said.

“It is Council day,” the Queen said. “And you will be needed in the Council chambers.”

“Surely you’re not expecting me to be the Council of Orin,” I said.

“No, you have been replaced in your absence,” the Queen said. “We assume that is no surprise. Hibiscus is young but will prove a solid leader, we expect.”

“Hibiscus,” I said, thinking. “What, the farmer?”

“Yes,” the Queen said.

“Well, he’s pushy enough to be able to get things done in the Council chambers, I suppose,” I said.

The Queen nodded.

“Then what am I needed for?”

“We wish to approve a new position in the government,” she said. “That of my spouse.”

I just looked at her.

“There is some precedent. Several Successors, in early times, were married. It created some hardship, so a tradition of picking Successors who were unattached was begun. But now, as we have some autonomy in this matter, we would like to revive the practice and give it an official nature.”

“And why am I involved in this?” I asked.

“Gloria…” the Queen said.

“You’ve left me waiting. I would really like to hear you say it,” I said.

“You left Reliquary waiting for quite some months, if we recall,” the Queen said. “And then left her for the battlefield.”

“And now I see how terrible a move that was, being on the other side of it,” I said.

“We have wasted enough time, Gloria,” the Queen said. “That is what we think. Waiting has served us poorly in this area in the past. While there are many unknowns in our new relationship, there is no reason to delay.”

“I agree. I just never expected to be married again,” I said.

“This will be better,” the Queen said with the sort of confidence from which she gave orders. It was… comforting, to say the least.

“I have an Egg, you know. What are we going to do about that?” I asked.

“We are unsure. Is the father involved?”

“He’s a nice guy and we’ve patched up our friendship, but it’s my Egg,” I said.

“We are unsure how much time we will have for parenting. We have only barely been able to establish we can have time for something resembling a relationship.”

“I’m sure you’ll find time, if you want to find time,” I said. “Do you?”

“We assumed we would no longer have children,” she said. “Having a child is a risk, as they might be leveraged against us.”

“You might say the same for having a spouse,” I said.

“You can take care of yourself in that regard. We trust in your skills,” the Queen said.

“Those skills are rusty, or have you forgotten you’ve given me a desk job for years and years?”

“Still, we are not worried about that.”

“Your highness, do you want a kid or not?” I asked.

The Queen went silent for a moment. “Reliquary did for some time. When it became clear it was not possible, she turned her focus to other pursuits.”

“Right, but what do you want?” I asked.

“We want you,” she said. “We would like to make up for lost time. We had not considered your Egg. But we will do our best for your children.”

“If we’re doing this, I want the Egg to be yours too,” I said. “If I have to go through getting married again I don’t want to half-ass it. I want a real partner this time, someone I can share all of this with. That’s...” I hesitated a little, feeling like I was getting too emotional. But where else was that emotion supposed to go. “That’s a lot of what I think about, when I think about what Reliquary and I could have had. That sharing.”

The Queen looked into my eyes for a bit. But it wasn’t the kind of stare where she looked through me. She wanted to see me, not what I was hiding. “We will not be able to split things 50/50. You will still have to take the majority of parenting duties, as well as many other things. We will never not be the Queen. There will always be more to do.”

“That’s fine,” I said. “I raised two boys alone, I think I can handle another. But with a little help from you, it’ll all be a better experience, I expect.”

“It would please us to share in what we can,” she said. “As we said, we would like to make up for lost time. Those are some of the things we’ve lost. But we cannot promise a lot. We are Queen.”

“I know. But again, if you want to be there, you will. We’ll figure it out. So you wanting to be there, that’s enough.”

The Queen nodded in agreement. “Then that is settled. We should depart soon.”

“No it’s not,” I said. “You still haven’t asked me.”

“Gloria…”

“You’re the Queen now, right? You’re decisive? So make it official. Say it.”

The Queen touched me gently with a claw. “Gloria, marry us. We are confident the rest will fall into place from there.”

The last time I was asked that, it was mocking. It was a threat. If I didn’t accept, I’d been convinced I’d never be accepted anywhere. And so I gave in.

This was not like that at all. This felt warm, like a surge of relief. Like relaxing a muscle I didn’t know had been tense for so long.

“I’ve waited 300-something years to hear that,” I said. “Yeah, let’s get married.”

“Come. The Council is waiting,” the Queen said, immediately turning to leave.

“Just like that, huh?” I said, following her.

“We can celebrate later in the privacy of our chambers,” she said.

I liked that idea.

The moment I walked into the Council chamber behind the Queen, all eyes were on me. Most of the Council clearly expected not to see me again, and the rest were shocked by my missing wing.

“We are sorry for our delay,” the Queen said, sitting down and putting on her lenses. “Thank you for your patience.”

“Your highness, with all due respect, what is she doing here?” Baal asked, pointing a claw at me. “She’s a traitor.”

“I agree,” Haramond said. “This is a breach of protocol, is it not?”

“We had hoped to save this matter until the end, but if it concerns you all, we shall open with it,” the Queen said, and made motion to an aide in the corner of the room, who started passing out parchment. “Gloria and I are to be married immediately following this meeting. As such, she will need access to things like Council meetings and other government functions in order to support me as my wife. So we are proposing the creation of a governmental role called the Royal Consort, the details of which are being distributed to you now, and we are nominating Gloria to fill that role.”

Baal glared at me. “What is this? Can’t stand to be out of power?”

“It’s her idea, not mine,” I said. “I just want to marry her.”

“Where were you, Gloria? What happened?” Ivy asked.

“She was performing a secret mission for me, which we were unfortunately unable to share with you all, due to its nature,” the Queen said. “Suffice to say, a detailed report is being prepared for you all describing the mission. But Gloria is not a traitor of any sort.”

“What… what sort of mission would you be unable to share with us, I wonder?” Boron said. “Like, I thought we were the sort you plan that stuff with. That’s our entire purpose, among other things.”

“We are sorry. But with the humans potentially having connections to the Council itself, we could not risk to spread the nature of the mission,” the Queen said.

Grant, who had been reading over the documents he’d been given, spoke up, “You’re giving this Royal Consort serious governmental power. Letting the Consort be your replacement in some capacities.”

This was the first I’d heard of that. I looked to the Queen.

“It is necessary,” she said.

Everyone disagreed with that.

The argument went on for hours. I didn’t say much, as when I did I only seemed to make things worse. The Queen refused to budge on any of it, speaking of my long service record as adjudicator and Council, and insisting that all doubt spread on me was necessary due to the mission I was apparently on. I really couldn’t feel like anyone was the bad guy in this. Everyone had good reasons, I knew. I wouldn’t trust me either, at this point.

Finally, the Queen caved slightly, and it was set that anything the Consort decided could be overturned and forced to Council meeting with just three Councils disagreeing. That sounded like it was going to be a pain. But it also sounded reasonable. The Consort didn’t have the wisdom of the Queens. I wasn’t sure why it was a role being trusted with so much power anyway. There was also a decision to revisit the position in half a year’s time and determine if adjustments needed to be made. This also seemed reasonable.

At that point, everyone was exhausted, and it was decided they would reconvene the next day for all the normal Council business that was forgotten in the argument. And soon I was alone in the Council chamber with the Queen.

“That went better than we had assumed,” she said.

“It was a disaster,” I said.

“Not at all. We got more power in your claws than we expected. And once they see the sorts of tasks we will put you to, they will relax, as it will be clear you will not threaten their power. This is good. This will help us to be a wife and, we suppose, mother.” She turned to me. “The only way this works is if you shoulder as much of the burden of Queen as you can, Gloria. This is what we have determined during the time you were healing. We need someone we can trust to take care of issues, be involved in minor events that take up so much of our time. It is the only way we will have free time for you and for the Egg. We hope this is acceptable.”

“If you think I can do it, I’m sure I can,” I said. “Sure didn’t think I could do the Council thing when you nominated me for it, but I did alright. And anyway, Maude’s been having me study for the whole time you’ve had me locked up. Don’t want it to go to waste.”

“No, we do not,” the Queen said, smiling. “And your first task will be to deal with the issue of your friends. We have been receiving multiple letters daily about the situation. We trust you will handle it well.”

“Consider it done,” I said.

“Good.” The Queen stuck her head out of the chamber and summoned an aide, which approached with a marriage contract. “Let us sign and be done with it then.”

“No ceremony?” I asked.

“No time for that,” she said. “We have celebrating to do.”

I smiled. “Fair enough.”

We signed. The aide congratulated us. And then the Queen hurried me to her, or I guess maybe now our, chambers.

We had no idea what we were doing. Like two virgins. It was a bit exciting and embarrassing in that way.

I wasn’t sure it was real until I woke up this morning to her getting up to get ready for the day.

“That happened, huh,” I said.

“Yes,” the Queen said. “It did.”

I just let myself fall back into the gigantic bedding. “Fuck,” I mumbled.

“We will prepare a list of tasks for you to take care of today. Mostly introducing yourself with aides and organizations here in the Peak you will be interacting with regularly,” she said. “We have also had collected the many letters we, and the Council, have received about your friends for you to review.”

“Don’t even get a honeymoon?” I asked.

“No.” She turned to me and smiled. “Surely you knew what you were getting yourself into, Gloria. You are now essentially the head of our aides.”

“What about the Egg?” I asked.

“Already at the Nursery,” the Queen said, eyes running over some document that had been left for her during the night. “It is in good claws, we are told, though I have not informed them yet that it is now theoretically my Egg as well. You should be able to pick it up from there when you are done for the day.”

“Alright,” I said, stretching. “Guess I need to get to work, then.”

The Queen leaned down and licked me. “We will be busy the rest of our years, but we will be together. We consider that an improvement.”

“I do too,” I said.

The Queen left, and now I’m here. I need to get going too.

But fuck.

Fuck.

No time to waste, I guess. I have a new life to live.

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms

[dragon-moms]

Entry 196 - Baroness

Conquest continues.

I was unsure how much parchment I would need to design the ritual necessary, so I have not been writing. But now that I am done, I believe it safe to keep record once more.

The simple solution to my imprisonment is to dispose of these broken bones. It will take time to reform, and I will still, in theory, be unwelcome in the dragon lands. But I would be free. I could potentially visit, occasionally. Or my children could visit me. It would be an improvement, one that was realistic, as what I would prefer did not seem to be as such.

The difficulty with implementing this solution comes from my hindered state. Much of the energy that makes up my body that I use for casting is tied up in holding me together, and I am unable to access it. I also have to keep the ritual itself the size of a page in my Diary, as I likely would not be allowed to draw on the floor, which limits the complexity of the ritual I can create. Finally, I do not want to do any serious damage to the surrounding area, as I do not want to hurt anyone.

I have designed a ritual to these specifications. It was an interesting challenge I was thankful for over many empty days. I do not think it will have many practical applications outside of this escape, however.

The only thing holding me back from implementing my plan was my children.

Clearly my previous plan was unsatisfactory. And some part of me worried that this plan, even though I had created it by incorporating their feedback, would also disappoint them in some way.

They want me to be a grandmother. I would like to give them this. But I am unsure if I am capable or what they would desire of me in that role. Clearly my capabilities as mother are poor at best. It would be optimal to limit my need to use such skills. But would they be required as grandmother? I did not know.

I tell myself this, but even as I write it, it is obvious I am attempting to justify my own decision. I think of so many who have told me to be honest with my own feelings in these matters. And the fact is this: I would like to be part of the family my creation and their partner are creating.

I am not sure why this is a concern now, of all times. When I was alive, my parents provided what was necessary for me to succeed in my studies and goals. They asked greatness of me, and I did my best to provide it. And once I did, I felt little need for their contact. I simply provided for them and made arrangements when they began to decline, as was required of me. Certainly I did not feel close to my husband in any way but physical. Much like my parents, it was a useful arrangement. Even Dagger, then, was simply a means to an end, a way to pass on what I knew and the traits I had.

What has changed? Surely those previous situations could be considered a family, but I cared not for them. Did something change inside me during my long period of being controlled? Did I lose something I once had, which made these things unnecessary?

But I am drawn to something my creation told me some time ago. That they were positive I had constructed them because I was tired of being alone. That I was lonely.

I now believe I was.

I believe it is likely that I am forgetting things that happened so long ago, when I was alive. Forgetting support and interactions that sustained me. That I have discarded them as unimportant, when perhaps they were quite essential.

I have had to face these things, due to Myrmidon’s encouragement, and soon, that of other friends. And I have found that I am a good person. I have found that I can be wanted, and can want, without obvious gain. I have found…

They came to visit. I was not expecting it after so many days.

My apprentice, Philly, can fly now. She is becoming quite skilled at it, I am told.

Myrmidon is still working hard to petition those who will listen for my release. I am lucky to have them.

Merry has brought me a pillow so that I am hopefully more comfortable. I am unsure it will work, but it is appreciated.

And Dagger…

“Still planning on rotting in here?” ey asked me.

“No,” I said. “It was… you pointed out several flaws in my plan…”

“...good,” ey said.

“I have created a new plan,” I said.

“Does it involve you being separated from us?” Dagger asked.

“I… well, yes,” I said. “I am unsure if there is another simple solution that…”

“Then it’s a bad plan,” Dagger said, cutting me off.

“It is the only…” I started again.

“That’s what you said about the last plan,” ey said, eir body spiking as ey floated close, eye close to my skull. Ey pointed a fin at me. “Any plan that makes those three unhappy is a bad plan.”

“My dear sibling, surely you do not need to be so dramatic…” Myrmidon said.

“It’s the only way she’ll understand,” Dagger said.

“I…” I started.

“No excuses!” Dagger said.

“It is the only plan I can execute that gives results that are at least partially within the parameters you’ve outlined,” I said.

“Then maybe you need a plan we all can execute,” Philly said.

“Yeah, we’re here, you know?” Merry said. “Well, when the Queen lets us be, anyway… as often as we can, so… we can all work on it.”

They all looked to me. Even Dagger, though ey still seemed upset.

“...allow me to… explain what I have created… and perhaps you can suggest a better use for it,” I said.

I explained the ritual I created, and my plan. And while everyone was not pleased with my planned alternative exile, they also did not know what else to do with the ritual, now that it was created.

“We should… we should talk to Gloria, maybe,” Merry said. “She’s good at planning this stuff, you know? Maybe she can see something we don’t, now that you made this spell?”

“I suppose it cannot hurt, my sweetest,” Myrmidon said.

“As much as I just yelled at you, probably use it if they try to take it away from you,” Dagger said. “Better that than nothing.”

“Perhaps you are right,” I said.

“But we’ll come up with something!” Merry said. “Right?”

“There has to be something, yes,” Philly said. “I just… don’t know what. It would be helpful if we could talk to the Queen again, figure out what’s been going on. Other than telling Maude to draw up those legal documents.”

“I am not sure we can rely on the Queen in any case,” Myrmidon said. “She seemed more friendly to us in our meeting, but she still has a history of making things difficult.”

In the end, we did not come up with a solution before we were told time was up.

I will continue to think on it, and stay here. For now, anyway.

I do believe I belong with them.

I would like that to be true.

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms