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It took a little while, but Asporyx started to feel the most normal he had since coming to Prismarc as he made his way to the Citadel Bazaar alongside Enoldria. The iridescently green-black dragon’s mind was more focused on his normal interests: botany and alchemy, though after the very up and close look of his Isle Partner, Elrenlani, and the way her tongue felt against his dragonhood… he’d be lying if his lust was completely locked away again. He could still taste her slightly salty arousal and cum. The dragon was just thankful the aforementioned dragon hood was comfortably back inside his body.

“So, what’re you gonna look at here, Dria?” Asp asked the golden drame. Given how intense his experience in class was, and the impact it had on him, she’d decided to walk with him, particularly given Elrenlani apparently needed her space after that.

“Hmm… well, I’m a crafter and our isle’s stone is… blegh.” Dria said. “So, gonna look and see if we can terraform or if I can get chunks of stuff. And Sryl’s… He’s having a hard time adjusting. I wanted to look into some stuff for him, too.” Asp remembered her saying that; he also remembered she’d said something about learning the particulars in the Bio class tomorrow. “You? Besides the fish info Ellie’s asking you for?”

“So much,” He sighed. “I was told one bag; I was never told there wasn’t really a size limit on the bag. I just assumed it was whatever I could carry. Dad waited until the last moment to tell me. Just in terms of necessities… nesting materials, cookware including at least a tea kettle, garden tools… That’s not to mention the stuff I want… new herbs to grow, a proper alchemy table, rune magic books and materials...” Dria let out a low whistle that made him wince. “And that’s not even mentioning Elrenlani and I both wanting to expand our island: she wants more underwater space and I just want more forest and herb fields. Maybe a proper hunting ground.”

“Thinking about the long game already, huh~? You know a lot can change in our third cycle, right?” He blinked and shook his head. “Wow, your Dad really didn’t tell you anything, huh? Guess that makes sense; he probably had a hard time choosing who to send. Our different Isle Kyndoms’ll grow, you know that much, right?” He did nod at that. They were tasked with creating an island that suited them first and foremost, but they also would be competing to create the largest, well run kyndom among the Isles. Essentially, the spaces they built for themselves were also meant to attract the Kyn and Wilds that would arrive over time starting in four cycles and the early arrival of the Dragons gave them three cycles to start to build out their island.

“Well, starting in the third cycle, we’ll be allowed to change partners or even just join other Isles. Or create our own.” Asp blinked at that. An isle of his own? That… didn’t sound too bad; he’d at least stop being a bother to Elrenlani. “I mean, any forfeited land is turned into points, so it’s not awful if a new dragon were to join~” She teased; Asp just bumped his nose against her with a huff. Dria seemed quite open and rather flirty. Most of the time, given they’d just met, he figured she was joking. Like now. And her playful grin definitely made it seem that way. “Or if you want to split off on your own.”

“Huh, that would be something to talk to Elrenlani about; she might prefer if we split at that point…” He sighed. Dria bumped against him this time and he nodded; no point in dwelling on that right now. This was all reconnaissance anyhow. “So… just why do you know so much about this?”

“Oh, us Yellows were, and are, a big part of this place! There was no land out here at all before we came.” Dria puffed up quite proudly at that. “And there’s a clawful here to handle the isle expansion alongside a team of Greens and Blues. And I’m super close with my Mom; I probably shouldn’t know half the things I do~ I even know a bit about you, truth be told.” Asp blinked at that and raised an eyebrow. “At least I’m assuming ‘eccentric, plant-obsessed toxin specialist’ is you? You’re mildly famous among other kyndom’s higher ups, you know.”

“Whoa, wait… what?” Asp stopped in his tracks, furrowing his brow.

“Oh yeah, your hybrids are the talk of the Kyndoms! Those fruits in particular.” Asp blinked; he’d made fast growing fruit trees just to see if he could splice the effects of a fast growing plant with a tree. He’d done it for his herbs and other plants in general, too. His batch hadn’t turned out… great; they were fruit, alright, but that’s all he could say about them. They tasted very… bland. “Mom said you get most of the credit, at least; others did have to put some effort in to making them taste good.” He did remember his dad taking a few of the fruits; he figured he’d done that to pacify the young drake. And he had been young; he’d barely been into his adolescent stage when he’d made those, proudly showing off a number of different fruits he’d grown so quickly… before he tasted them. Kinda hard to forget how disappointed he’d felt, the taste of mushy water, and his dad clearly trying not to laugh. “Don’t think your actual name’s gotten around, but I kinda figured after we talked earlier. And rumors about you being here or not given the Golden Leaves.”

“Dammit, just how much did Dad not tell me?” Asp sighed, the dragon deflating a little. Dria just laughed, but the lick to his nose told him it wasn’t at him, in particular.

“Come on, Aspy~” He let out a proper warning snarl; he did not like that nickname. He barely tolerated his parents using it. “Whoa, that’s even worse that Ellie’s reaction… Asp it is! Anyways, let’s go to the registrar first. Check out how many points we have.”

Asp nodded; that, at least, had been in the guidebook they’d been given. They were given points for… well, a lot of things. Asp was kinda surprised at how generous they were being given each point was the equivalent of 1 Chroma Copper to the merchants. Everything from events to just showing up to class. And completing objectives; he saw something about “raising population” as well, but he figured that wouldn’t be something he’d worry about until the fourth cycle started. Granted, they hadn’t said how much, but the duck meal he’d gotten earlier, while pricey at 350 points, was still within the 500 each they’d started with. Once at the registrar’s office, though, he got… quite the shock from the Orange drake behind the table.

“… 30, 650? Is that right?” Asp furrowed his brow. “The class was only 10,000, wasn’t it?” Dria was biting her lower lip, though.

“Yes, but that’s what the log has your Isle Kyndom with. And the only transaction history was ‘personal contribution to Prismarc.’ Keep up the good work!” And… Dria started laughing, hard, when the realization hit Asp. 20,000 for that?! Asp couldn’t believe that his and Elrenlani’s demonstration had gotten them that much. Wait, did Elrenlani not buy anything for lunch? Though… she does like to fish. Wait, that’s not the biggest thing here!

“Hahaha~! 10,000 for each of you! Nice! Though seems a little low… but maybe because you guys were half hidden away? Seriously, I think only really Fai and me really got an eyeful outside of the quartz screen~” Asp bonked his head on the counter, only partially because of what Dria was saying. “Though… does make me wonder just how much me and Sryl might get tomorrow?” She sounded slightly worried; Asp figured that was the biology thing again. He vowed, tomorrow, to tease her at least half as much as she did today. He raised an eyebrow towards her, but all she did was use a wing to tap his nose.

“This place is so weird…” He sighed, turning to the Orange drake. “So… can I get info here about the whole Isle Expansion process?”

“Yes, of course! Here; I’m guessing you’ll want one as well?” He asked Dria, pulling out a couple of thin books. Asp breathed a sigh of relief; he didn’t even have a recording tablet… he had not been looking forward to trying to remember this system in particular. The drake seemed to have noticed. “All the non-food stall shops in the bazaar have catalogs, whether scrolls or books like this. Gonna need a bag to carry them all!” Asp nodded with a slight sigh; at least their point budget should allow for that. Dria looked through the book’s table of contents and then frowned.

“Anything about terraforming or transmuting into better materials?” Dria sounded almost like she was pleading. The Drake seemed to catch her drift and shook his head.

“Not yet; that’s some complicated rune magic still and they’ve not sourced enough to offer it up. I know some of the crafters and smiths sell raw materials, though, and all the bazaar’s shops have a order-in policy.” Dria looked subdued at that, and while Asp managed to suppress the sudden urge to nuzzle her like he had Elrenlani. He put that urge up to the pollen’s weird aphrodisiac effect on him; he did put a wing around her. “Now, which isle are you two from, again? We’ve limited on catalogs; should keep that one safe until we’ve got a new version, at least. And we can’t go giving out to many without charging points.”

“GB-1,” Asp tried to recall the information he’d seen in their guidebook and on the post. Green-Blue-1, he imagined, since he and Elrenlani were the first Green-Blue Isle Managers.

“HH-1” Dria shrugged off Asp’s wing with a thankful smile; he just tilted his head as he tried to figure out HH. Maybe the GB was part of a different system? “And thanks for letting me know. Guess we’ll have to check the crafters’ stores.” She pulled Asp with her out into the bazaar proper. With the way the Prismarc Island was set up, with the Citadel at the center, the bazaar was, really a long slope from the landing docks and into the first floor of the Citadel (which was, essentially, a food court, with a balcony that looked out on the isles in addition to the auditorium). It was such a stretch that rune magic trams were being installed along the sides for the Kyn and Wild who couldn’t cover the same distance as Dragons. The stores were all the same size, though a business could rent out both sides of one “block”. Given the gradual slope nature, the store blocks were designed… well, admittedly weird, at least to Asp’s mind: there was one store lower than the other by a fair amount, but the space above the lower store was occupied by the merchant’s accommodations: two separate suites; each store had access to one.

He and Dria followed their noses to a leather goods store, following the pungent, distinctive smell of the tanning process, where they were greeted with by what Asp was pretty sure, was a Gnomekyn: a tanned, scaleless being that had a head of hair and wore cloth over their body. He’d met a few Dryads who looked similar, though they were apparently very different. He got a couple of water-resistant, medium quality bags for himself and Elrenlani; Dria got a large bag for herself. After that, they went around to the different crafters to grab their catalogs… at least the ones who were giving them away; a few places tried to sell them their catalogs, cheaply, but both dragons considered their bags enough of a purchase. And they both ordered a large chest to be delivered to their separate isles. Once they came to a botanist, though…

“What type of soil is need for Starvein, and what are it’s uses?”

“Dark, compact, and wet soil and Starvein is used for basic medicines, rune magic formulae, and, in a pinch, can be used to staunch bleeding, though the wound has to be treated with Myrherb afterwards.” The response was automatic, triggered by a familiar voice and routine he’d had back home. Dria just looked at him in surprise while Asp processed what he’d done and heard. “Master Li’red?”

A Verdant kyn appeared from behind some boxes; Asp was quite familiar with the sight, but Dria just let out a surprised gasp. To most anyone who hadn’t seen one, Verdants were, well, weird: they were plants, but they were also animals. Specifically, they were sentient plants that could grow into the form of animals. Their root system was entangled around a seedcore of magic and they were considerably long-lived. The one in front of them, Li’red, was a Verdant whose vines and form had grown to resemble a large cat: a pelt of moss covered fines that formed into that almost trademark musculature. And most of his visual plant matter took on a reddish hue. “Settling in, Asp? And this is?”

“Yeah… decently enough, I guess, and this is Enoldria, a friend exploring the place with me.”

“Call me Dria!”

“Are Po’loana and Jice here? I thought merchants were basically moving here like we were.”

“They’ll be here when the other Kyn enroll; they’ve got to handle moving the rest of the inventory. And it’s a pleasure to meet you, Dria. Glad to hear you’re settling in alright; was worried about those Golden Leaves. They’re even making me a little crazy.” Li’red looked between the two of them meaningfully. Verdant’s eyes were more pools of magic, so it was hard to tell exactly where they were looking, admittedly, but Asp knew Li’red well enough by now.

“Seriously, just friends. My Isle Partner went back for the day… we had an intense class.” Asp grumbled a bit; he definitely didn’t notice Dria’s smirk slightly out of the corner of his eye, no. “So… do you have gardening equipment here? Or at least a watering bucket? And crazy, how so?”

“I’m sure we’ve got something around.” Li’red made his way behind the counter. “Oh, nothing really, just can’t sleep all that well. I’ve been working since I got here yesterday evening and have not needed much of a break.”

“So… you’re to blame for Asp’s plant obsession?”

“No, Drame Dria,” Dria was about to correct him but Asp shook his head; that’s just how Li’red was with anyone that wasn’t a proper student, employee, or family. And even employees, it was fifty/fifty at times. “That’s all him, I just take credit for the knowledge.”

“You also helped me with my theories, and selling my hybrids, and…” Asp blinked, for two reasons. “Were basically my handler weren’t you?” Dria’s mention of his fame was still nagging at him and it was making him see, well, a lot in a new light. Li’red was also carrying something he recognized in various fines that rose from his body, looking like the stripes of a green tiger rising off his fur. “And you’re not going to try and sell me my own stuff, are you?”

“Guess it’s out, huh? We figured as much. And watching over you was, and is, only a part of my job, Asp. I’m still very much a humble botanist and alchemist.” Li’red said, the limbs of entwined vines setting a bag front of Asp as well as the water carrier he had brought that had Asp’s old garden design on it: a simple black scale burned into the wood. Asp let out a snort at “humble” but let it go for now. “Your father figured it was best to give you a place to work and leave you alone. A couple of those toxins you neutralized were from Specialist hatchlings, though. As for selling… technically I have to, but we’ll call it a 100 point transportation fee.” Asp breathed out a sigh of relief; he’d seen the prices at the general store and those scared him. A similar water pail was 1000 points. And if Li’red had brought his old work gauntlets and tailblade, then he’d saved him and Elrenlani more than 30,000 points; Asp hadn’t realized how expensive his old equipment had been. “Couldn’t bring the alchemy tables or your books, though. I think Ji’cyl is bringing a few with her.”

“That’s amazing, and it’s great to see you again… even if I’m learning you’re basically keeping an eye on me for my father.” Asp sighed; he figured it was something he was going to have to reconcile eventually. Li’red gave a small bow of his head.

“It is good to see you too, Asp. I look forward to any experiments you have for me.” The Verdant said. Asp looked at the bundle of tools: while Li’red could carry things with vines the Verdant grew, Asp had had no such luxury. Back home he’d just fashion a harness of sorts out of wild plants with magic, but everything here was stone. Once he and Dria left, he stopped by the shop’s street side to transfer what he could.

“You were… surprisingly restrained.” Asp commented while he worked on fitting everything, taking inventory as he did. In addition to the water-pail, he had his metal work gloves, his tailblade, his teapot and some of his teabowls… it wasn’t everything he would’ve brought with him, but it was the most essential things. He also found the catalogs for him and Dria in there; he’d forgotten about those.

“Oh, I figured it was better to make a good impression; I very much intend to pump him, and I’m guessing his family, for stories~” She stuck out her tongue at him. “But in all seriousness, I’m not that bad, am I?”

“I guess not, my experience is limited to mostly private interactions with me, Elrenlani, and that… Fai drame I’m just realizing I probably don’t know the full name of. Makes… some sense you’re pretty casual with us, though weirdly flirty with me, even from the auditorium.”

“Faistyve.” They started to walk back up the slope towards the citadel; it was starting to get late and the Citadel’s shadow was stretching along the bazaar. “And… I guess you’re right. It’s no excuse, but I had just come out of my heat cycle before coming here. But, well… more importantly, most of the drakes here are pretty full of themselves.” She sighed. “As in, out of the 12 or so here, about… 8 of them were eyeing us drames like prizes.” Asp had heard about that. While the Territory wars had done a number on populations just because of the damage, most of the fighters were males… which meant there were not a lot of them left. Asp realized now he’d probably gotten out of the fighting because of his pursuit of knowledge and what he’d produced. But those drakes still around were in demand and a fair number of them knew it; got full of themselves because of it.

“Well, I was kinda nervous… I’m not exactly a socialite.” Asp half joked.

“Fair, but even once I snapped you out of it, you were more… I dunno, innocent about it? Plus, I like your scent. I’m a yellow and you smell, well, foresty and loamy, reminds me of a proper earth smell~ Not, like, hygienically or anything.” Dria purred most of that, though the last part was added pretty quickly. Asp blinked, but guessed that made some sense. He’d spent nearly 12 years working his herbs and alchemy, and his garden was basically like it was now, just bigger: a clearing in a forest. He was missing the nearby river for water, though. “And then, what I saw today!”

“Yeah, okay, you can stop.” Asp nipped at her, which only made her laugh. He didn’t even need to ask what she’d meant by that; already that pressure he’d felt the first day was starting to return. He was going to have to figure out a way to deal with that pollen before he lost his composure entirely and had to walk around with his dragonhood on display all the time.

“No, but seriously, are you always that… productive? I’ve seen a few Yellows and it’s not even comparable.” She did seem genuinely curious, even if she was teasing. Asp shrugged.

“Not something I know much about myself, before or now… I was kinda, well, I don’t think I lost consciousness, but definitely wasn’t aware there towards the end. Even with the professor transmitting the lecture into my head, I missed some of it at points.” He sighed. He and Dria had made it to food court; he picked up some herbed deer and then got a fish meal to go: it’d been wrapped in some broad leaves and steamed with vegetables. Dria got some of the same deer and they sat on the balcony to eat. “So, how about your partner? He eyeing you like you said?”

“No? Yes? It’s… complicated. He’s not gonna be a problem, I think, so long as we’re fine with being… frugal.” She looked at her food with a slight sigh. “No, he, the Indigo, and what I think was a White and Blue Helix are the other three that seemed, well… normal. But I don’t really know most of the other drakes in particular besides the indigo… and there’s another one… and speak of the bastard.” She let out a little snarl.

Suddenly, there was a midnight blue dragon, almost as dark as Asp was but with a little more color to him. And his underscales were black. More strikingly, he bore a number of scars on his metallic scales: a nasty one just behind his jaw, on his side and the opposite shoulder. Eyes were bright, clear blue. His fins were ragged, torn in likely the same fights that gave him those scars. His wings were a mess, too; he was probably just barely able to fly. “Enoldria~” His voice was raspy; Asp had to guess that that scar behind his jaw ran deep. “I saw Ren after class… She was positively cold to me! And she smelled so good.”

“Isn’t she always, Dilorphus?” Asp blinked; Dria called… well everyone their age a nickname. And her voice had an edge to it he hadn’t heard. “Why don’t you give it up? Once the Kyndoms broke the boundaries down, you weren’t her only option anymore.” The midnight drake just hrmphed; Asp only now noticed a Silver drame trailing behind him, watching rather patiently but staring daggers at Dria.

“Doesn’t mean she’s not mine, or part of my destiny, just like Argloni here~” The silver drame looked all proud and satisfied. “If she’s not careful, she’ll wind up second or even third seat… Argloni has a sister coming in the full class she’s assured me will just adore me.”

“I wouldn’t hold your breath,” Dria said, shooing him off. Dilorphus didn’t even acknowledge Asp; the silver drame Argloni just looked him over with a derisive look. His only response was to go back to pointedly finishing his food. As they walked off, Dria returned the dagger stare to both of the sauntering dragon’s backs.

“… Yeah, him. I don’t know exactly what he’s done, but he’s probably a large part of why Elrenlani is so cold to you, Asp. He was the only surviving Blue male of our generation from the war, so he got it in his head that all the Blue girls would be his harem. Forgetting all the males who didn’t go fight and contributed indirectly like you did. Blues did, and do, place a lot of value in strength. Not the only value they look for, though. It’s maybe 2nd or 3rd after Honor and Skill.” Dria shook her head a bit. “But enough on that, you should get back. I’ve got something I want to take care of… well, now a couple of things, I guess.” She grumbled. Asp simply nodded, absorbing the short info dump he’d just gotten while he put the bags he’d bought back on. After throwing out his trash, he took off from the balcony and made his way back as the sun set.

-===================-

Asp set down in the clearing by the lagoon; he wanted to give Elrenlani the fish dish he’d gotten her from the food court and talk about what he’d found at the bazaar. He barely had time to take note that he didn’t see Elrenlani when the water in the lagoon surged and rushed out at him. He’d just set the bags down when this happened and was slammed into by something. He grunted, twisting with the momentum of the hit with a flare of his wings. He heard a vaguely familiar snarl, but it was much more vicious and dangerous that he could’ve imagined. And he reacted.

He may have been more of a scientist, but maybe because he was smart, he’d kept up with combat lessons his father had insisted on. They’d been mostly sparring, though, so even he was shocked when muscle and magic memory kicked in. Every time he was rushed, his body twisted while who he could only assume was Elrenlani managed to dodge the blades of grass he grew to try and trip her up. He wasn’t wearing his battle bracers; they were just up at his garden, so he didn’t have a supply on hand of anything more than the grass beneath their claws. Not unless he wanted to fling a tree at his Isle Partner. Shit, she’s fast; can’t even call out to her. One of her hits hit him more squarely, but on reflex, he’d twisted with it and slammed himself into Elrenlani’s side, his neck biting on her throat and his claw on her chest. He felt his teeth push between her scales and into her neck just a little. It made her thrash harder; he felt her claw rake against his chest and he growled out, loudly, again.

“Damn you, Dilorphus, I will kill you for this!” Her voice was laced with venom. “You get one whiff of heat-” Asp blinked; he hadn’t let up his bite yet, waiting for her to calm down, but her mention of heat… that made him tense, biting a little harder, while his mind sent a vivid picture of what he could do to her in this position. It cut her off; she snarled when she felt his bite’s pressure tighten, teeth breaking skin just a bit. He did remember one detail and spread his wings. “...Asporyx?” She stopped thrashing after a few moments; he still heard anger in her voice, but he let go of her neck anyways and met her eyes with his. She looked… frenzied, her eyes were wild. “Your wings… they have a green tint through them… And are not injured” Her breathing was heavy. He leaned down, rubbing his nose against her neck; she flinched and he pulled back. “I am sorry Asporyx. I mistook you for someone else.”

“Yeah, we’ve met. Didn’t get the vibe he’d follow you back to the isle, though.”

“He would. And more.” Was all Elrenlani said. Asp nodded, lifting his hand off of her chest. “You are unhurt?”

“Nothing serious at least, scale scratches and my shoulder’ll be sore.” He stepped back a bit. He rolled said shoulder and tilted his neck side to side. “You?”

“Pride, mostly… and my neck, but nothing serious. You are… impressive.”

“Green’s battle strategy is to use hits to fuel your own. Charging us like you did was exactly what we were trained to stop. And apparently on edge and in heat?”

“Yes. It started shortly after our class. I had meant to talk to you about it tonight after we got back; it was not supposed to start until the half-moon, though.” She frowned a bit. Asp caught the scent, or realized he’d been breathing it in for a while; his dragonhood had slipped out and was throbbing, drooling. “I had not realized just how pent up you were and had planned to ask what you thought we should do. Guess I have my answer.” She sighed; he snarled a little, his tail swatting at her flank, hard, which made her yelp.

“So what if you smell good right now? Didn’t realize you had that low of an opinion of me, still.” He growled. He went over to the bags and pulled out the fish, dropping it by her. “Here, have a good night.” He snorted.

“… Asporyx?” She sounded bewildered while he turned. “Wait, so… am I unable to move for some other reason?” Asp blinked, about to start walking away.

“What are you talking about?” He was growling, looking at her from the corner of his eye.

“I… thought… you had used your toxin to paralyze me. To, um…” She was blushing, her voice quiet. Asp snorted again, but thought back.

“Ivylight,” He groaned. She let out a curious whine. “I stopped for dinner with Dria on the way back from the bazaar; the deer I got must’ve had Ivylight on it. It’s an herb that makes my toxin a paralytic. It should wear off, but I don’t know what other herbs they used. I use it when I’m hunting so I didn’t think anything of tasting it with deer.” He turned back to her and settled down on the ground, trapping his length beneath him, out of sight. He may have noticed her eyes unable to stop looking in that general area.

“Oh, right, walking with Dria. That went well?”

“Except for meeting the drake you mistook me for, yeah. Coldest I’ve seen her. Spoiled quite a bit, honestly. Maybe she’ll be better tomorrow after Biology; she was weirdly insistent that I was there.” He recapped the highlights of their walk, including their purchases; he could see her trying to tally the points up in her head but she kept frowning and shaking it. “You alright? Beside the paralytic?”

“Y-Yes.” She blushed, but she seemed to realize Asp didn’t buy it. “This heat… it is intense. My mind is hazy. Even seeing Dilorphus earlier triggered… i-ideas. And I know what he has done; I will not repeat it. That he stalks me pales to his other atrocities. Compared to that, that I am unable to move my legs or body is nothing.” She sighed. He nodded in understanding; her scent was making him imagine… a lot. And not just with her; Enoldria was entering those fantasies, as was that Fai drame and even that Silver from before. “… You did not splurge too much, I hope?”

“Maybe a little, but not too badly, I think. We still have more than twenty thousand; my garden budget just got a lot smaller, too. Someone from home turned out to be a merchant and brought some things I’d left behind. Had to pay a transport fee, apparently.”

“Yes. Merchants cannot be free couriers. Or show favoritism. Part of their agreement with the Prismarc Program.” She eyed him. “You are alright this close, Asporyx?”

“Yeah… I won’t lie, my body is screaming to mate you, and my mind is making it very clear just how I can do that.” He sighed. “If it had started this morning, we might not have made it to class… and I would probably have more than a few scale scratches.”

“Damn right you would have!” She huffed. He used his tail to swat her flank again, which made her yelp; he swore he heard a similar coo to the one he’d heard when he kissed the base of her headfin.

“But I am in control; class helped for sure.” There was suddenly a loud, and by now somewhat familiar, thumping explosion. Now that it was dark, Asp could see a brief glow a ways away; likely a dragon on another island. They stayed quiet for a time, Asp occasionally bumping his nose against Elrenlani’s neck; the last few ones she started to purr quietly. “You able to move yet?”

“My claws, yes.” She flexed them a little to show him. “But, in truth… I have been thinking.” Asp raised an eyebrow. “Do you want me to have your clutch?” Asp blinked, growling a little.

“I mean, if my mind’s fantasies the last few days are anything to go by, I’d definitely not mind it. Pretty sure I want it; even if you don’t seem to care for me.” Asp sighed. “Those trees’ pollen seems to have really gotten into my system, but who knows?” He sighed. “I’ve never been worked up this much for this long; I doubt that’s all the trees.” He stood and stretched; he noted her eyes immediately looking between his legs.

“Well, I am yours to do with as you please.” Asp blinked. “You have beaten me in combat, even if I cannot fully think straight at the moment.” He snorted a bit. “You have also put up with me despite my… curtness. And your frustration.” Asp did look her over, properly, for the first time. His head lowered, rubbing against her chest and along her belly; her white underscales seemed to have a blue glow to them under the moonlight. Asp’s nostrils flared as he drew closer between her hinds; he tilted his head a bit and looked back towards her; she’d closed her eyes. Her scent was definitely laced with... something, but it was strong. And somewhat familiar after their demonstration this morning.

“… You want this, don’t you?” Her only reaction was a slight jump and eep; her paralyzed body could only move so much after all. If he had to be honest with himself, he was starting to get more than a little annoyed. Between her shortness with him and what felt like a full turn in her attitude towards him.

“N-not in par-particular!” Her voice was higher; slightly shrill instead of her usual smooth, calming melody.

“Well, I’m not going to breed you as some sort of consolation for me or pity.” He growled, his tail thwacking against her flank again; she whined out. “And I’m definitely not going to risk this all being some heat induced thing; we’re stuck together for two cycles, at least. I don’t need an angry isle-mate who claims I’ve taken advantage of her. I’m just going to sleep.” He growled. He didn’t get up, but he did turn away from her; he did figure he needed to be nearby in case the paralysis didn’t wear off. He had no idea what else they’d seasoned the deer with and if some odd herb or side-effect showed up, he needed to know. He was just settling in when he felt something bump the back of his head. He used his wing to brush, he guessed, her muzzle away.

“Asporyx,” He growled. “Asporyx… I need it.” He growled louder, in warning. “This is intense, this need.” Despite his sympathy, and the throbbing of his length, he figured ignoring was the best play. At least until she nipped at him, harshly; he growled and turned, about to pin her head down when he caught her look. “I need a drake… I want that to be you, right now. Even if you do remind me of… him, physically.” She looked… scared, but oddly eager and excited, if Asp had to guess.

“… You know if I give in right now… your safe word isn’t likely to stop me?” He warned. He wasn’t lying; he could almost imagine the relief it’d bring, to mate with her; if he got a taste of that, he wasn’t sure he could stop. She nodded. “And I might bite you again and you’ll be paralyzed longer?” It took her a few moments, but she nodded again; this time he definitely couldn’t ignore her blush and raised an eyebrow.

“… I find that being unable to move is…well, the idea more intense. With an odd appeal. And when I felt your jaws and teeth…” She seemed to struggle with what she was saying, but she eventually went on. “Seems I have discovered something new about myself.” She sighed, rather elegantly. “Well… a few th-things.” Asp held her gaze, her blush growing. Her voice was quiet. “… Your tail, though I can only hope that if you were spined I would not have the same reaction. And I… I get the feeling that even if I was not in season, I would find myself curious what your seed would feel like filling me. There was a lot, before.” Asp took in what she was saying and silently stood up, moving away and then turning to push his head against her side to roll her onto her belly. He at least got the feeling she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight and that she did seem to want the relief he could offer. “Asporyx?”

“Quiet,” He growled, letting an edge creep in to test her reaction. Catching her eye, that faint blush only grew stronger. One of his older brothers had told him some drames preferred a more commanding male when it came to mating; seemed like Elrenlani was one of them. He licked the base of her fin and felt her tremble; her scent only grew stronger and her eyes closed. He looked around, making his way over to her sleeping area and grabbed one of the pillows she’d brought. “This works better submerged, right?” She nodded; he spotted her tail swaying sluggishly; at least the paralytic seemed to be wearing off. He dunked the pillow in the lagoon before bringing it over and setting it by her head. “Get comfortable,” He rumbled out.

Elrenlani whined a little, but she hugged the pillow to her chest as she shifted. Asp watched as his isle partner moved, splaying out on her belly with her hind legs pulled forward. Asp nodded, stepping closer and rubbing his nose along her fin base: while she seemed… mostly composed, almost shy, she seemed to be trembling. But her fins weren’t pulling down in fear, though maybe angled back a little in anxiety. “Is my…” He thought about what he’d call her; what little he knew, he could guess ‘toy’ wouldn’t go over well. And he wasn’t sure they were really ‘mate’ material, together. ‘Concubine’ felt too archaic. He suddenly remembered an older legend, though. “Siren, excited?” She eeped, burying her head into the pillow. Sirens are dryad-like Kyn that were enchanters in the Blue Kyndom; they were known, at least in legends that’d reached even his ears, for a sort of “catch and release” style of mating as a predominately female species even before the Territory Wars. They were also stereotyped as near sex-fiends, from his understanding. Seemingly, she at least didn’t mind being compared: her response was to lift her tail up and to the side, wrapping it around her hind leg to keep it out of the way.

Asp just wandered behind her, using a little fire breath to create some light for a moment. “Hmm, might be a bit of an angle, maybe this siren doesn’t want to be bred?” Asp growled, even as he shook his head. He wasn’t sure where this was coming from, honestly, and he was making a mental effort to not go too far with this ‘bit’ he’d slipped into. And he swore he could even start to feel his testes ache while some of his arousal drooled out of his length onto the grass. Elrenlani carefully shifted a little, her hips lifting until Asp gave his growl of approval. Her slit was even more noticeable than it had been in class: a blue blush surrounding it and with the way she was positioned and her need, the shallows of the small drame’s depths visible already. Regardless, he brought his head in, licking at her and burying his nose against her, the drame cooing out with a quiet, stifled whine. “Relax, Elrenlani, I won’t punish my siren for noises of pleasure and want. I just don’t need her questioning me.”

“……Ren,” She spoke up quietly, her voice breathy. “And, if you would… M-Master,” Asp nearly choked on her salty arousal; he hadn’t expected her to go this far with… the roleplay, he guessed? “I am unsure how much more I can take.” Asp sighed, letting the heat of his breath mix with her own and brush against her entrance. Asp said nothing, though, licking at her a bit more and feeling her squirm around his tongue, her cooing and whimpers growing in volume, particularly as he ground his tongue on that pressure point he had in class; her hips jumped at that and bucked in small circles.

“Seems like my toxin has just about worn off… I’ll just have to fix that.” He growled, starting to climb over the blue drame with his irredescently green bulk, nuzzling back up along her spine and fin. “Now… how to do that? Dunno if my siren has earned a kiss yet~” She shook her head, wiggling a little when she felt his haunches press against hers; his pointed dragon cock cupped against her slit and he felt her need drooling around his barbs and ridges. Asp settled his fores behind hers, claws gripping at the ground beneath them both. Ren spread her wings out from beneath him, her fin pulling tight against her back as she felt him settle on top of her. He ran his nose up and down her neck, licking against her scales and where he’d bitten earlier, some of his saliva coating her wounds, which would let some it take hold. But the angle wouldn’t work out like this: her fin was in the way.

He had a flash of inspiration, though it was more a memory he’d seen of a pair coupling just out of the public’s eye; it might even make it so that she could still move… some of her body. His head slid down along her neck; Ren’s fin perked up and she whimpered. “Ma-Master?” She then eeped but he let it slide… mostly, his tail did give her a thwack on her flank again and Asp felt more of her lubricant drooling over his length. “I-I am sorry, Master. I just… need this. I should also mention this is my first-” In one a single motion, Asp rolled his hips back and then up and forward, the tip of his length pushing into his Isle Partner’s folds, the barbs on his length petting against her as he pushed forward and felt her stretch around him. At the same time, he bit down, carefully, at the base of her neck with a loud snarling growl, teeth pricking against her flesh and starting to intoxicate the drame beneath him. “- TIME!” She yelped out; Asp felt her body squeezing down on him as he pushed deeper and deeper, feeling each ridge push into her one after the other. He had a flash of inspiration and shifted slightly, pushing her tailbase up a little more as he eased his weight down. The motion made the points of his cock’s plates grind against that pressure point, both outside and just behind it as he pushed in. He heard Ren start to pant, her wings flaring up for a moment; he flared his own and batted hers down with a few flaps with a snarl.

“Master, you are too big for me~” Ren just... moaned out. He felt her body starting to lock up under his toxin’s effect. He just grumbled a warning, hips stopping for a moment before dragging back. Ren cried out, claws flexing and scratching at the ground: those barbs that had stroked against her somewhat now tugged and dragged against her, pulling her hips with his, slightly, as he let out a groan of his own: his pre shot into her with a forceful throb and twitch of his length. Already, too, his knot had started to swell. He pulled until almost out before pushing back in, settling into a long stroking rhythm with his hips as he bore his weight against her back with his chest. He let go of where her neck met her shoulder, loosening his jaw and then licking where his teeth had pierced at skin. Ren didn’t even seem to notice, judging by her breathing… at least Asp hoped that was hers and not his: it was all he could hear. He was focused on working his cock tip deeper before his knot swelled too much, even as he felt Ren convulse around his length and she shot out a shot of her blue flame while flooding his groin with her cum. Each thrust pushed him deeper and deeper into her while he pumped virile pre into her, faint attempts to claim the eggs her body had ready. “M-Master, you are going to make me so big,” Ren groaned out.

“Over and over; my siren will always be full of our eggs.” Asp snarled against her earfin, licking at it before he dropped his head down and tucked his head against hers and pushing up; he was positively wrapped around her, their bodies entwined as his hips started to pick up the pace. “Does my siren think she can handle her Master’s knot?” He groaned out; he felt that swelling bulge trying to spread her wider, her hips jerking as much as her paralyzed state’d allow, though.

“N-not yet, Master… you might have to train your siren. But… your siren might need as much as you deem fit to give her, tonight, so it might be for the best.” The drame half-snarled out, her body convulsing and milking, hard, on his length again. His long thrusts became shorter and shorter, letting those ridges and barbs work against her sensitive tunnel. He pulled his head back, focusing on holding back as long as he could; it wasn’t much longer, though. He was still a young, inexperienced drake, after all. Each thrust coaxed a fresh growl from him, but he finally slammed himself to the start of his knot and let out a roar that shook them both. Ropes of virile dragon seed pumped into the drame beneath him; her only response was cooing encouragingly to him. It felt like forever until he’d finished, overfilling what she could handle and making a mess beneath them and some of it was pushed past her cervix. Her purring changed pitched when she felt that, getting higher at the odder but, he guessed, pleasant sensation. “S-so that would be what Master’s seed feels like inside me.” She murmured, her body trembling again, a third orgasm seemed to have squeaked out.

“How does it feel?” Asp ran his nose along her neck. “And was it enough for my siren?”

“Good, Master. And your siren regrets to say she needs to ask you for more; she is sorry to trouble you so late.” Asp’s only response was to growl lustfully, feeling like a beast had been unleashed for both of them.

===================

“Asporyx, wake up.” Asp groaned a little; this felt familiar. Though the voice was quieter and softer. He and Elrenlani had mated… a lot until her heat had finally died down. He vaguely remember her complaining, in her weird submissive way, that she’d started to feel bloated but still needing more. On the other hand, their last mating had seen them quite literally tying the knot, resulting in their strongest orgasms that night. They’d fallen asleep not long after, but Asp could tell he’d woken up on his side, so they must’ve shifted in the night. “Asporyx, Enoldria will be quite upset if you miss biology.” Asp cracked an eye open and found Ren lying beside him.

“Already trying to push me off to another drame after last night?” He groaned, pulling himself up. He was… pleasantly sore. Most of him, anyways. He was uncomfortably sore between his legs, though in a different way than he had been. He stretched a bit while he looked over at Ren, stopping for a moment. “I did only sleep a night, right?” Her lower belly was noticeably distended, as if she was just starting to show the signs of having eggs growing in her.

“Yes; my Master seems to be quite… productive.” He choked on his own saliva, remembering how they’d acted in full last night. She was blushing, heavily. “But… we can talk about us and last night later; if all this Enoldria’s been hinting at is what I think it is, she will be very anxious if you are not there. And if you find yourself looking at her differently afterwards, well… at least be kind about it, please? And you might want to swim part of the way there.” Asp nodded; he could feel the results from the night before on his groin and tailbase.

“Take it easy, alright, Ren? I’ll be back this afternoon, though I did want to check out the Labs, too.” At the citadel, there was a whole floor of labs where they were able to make things until they got their own private facilities on their islands. She nodded, resting her head back on the pillow and stretching lazily on her side, almost as if she was showing him what he’d done to her.

“Of course, Master, your siren still needs to recover in case she needs more help. And I will water your garden when I can get up.” He was going to forever be thankful for dark scales it seemed; he’d done more blushing in the last few days than he had in… well, the rest of his life, as far as he could remember. With that sight, and a nuzzle of thanks, he dove into the water surrounding their isle.

While not as graceful as Ren was, he could at least dragon paddle and crawl along the seabed, though he was surprised at how deep the water was. So, really, he stuck to burst swimming; his second eyelids that normally protected his eyes while flying doing the same underwater. He shot forward in bursts, propelled by the motion of his legs and while his tail was used for turning. He managed to catch a few fish as he swam; he didn’t relish raw fish and the bones were annoying, but the drake didn’t want to be late. Once he was fairly certain he’d bathed enough, he slipped out on a sandbar and took flight, closing the distance to the Citadel much faster. He wasn’t the only dragon out and about, either; he saw a few others, including a familiar gold in the distance by the Citadel beside an odd shade of red. He also saw Fai as he got out; she didn’t seem to notice him as she headed… he guessed towards his isle; Ren must’ve told her where it was.

Since he was alone, he went up to the fourth level where the different labs were, following signs to the biology room. The class was small; there were 6 others there, at a quick count. He… didn’t see Dria, though, which did confuse him a little, but he found a place to sit, a little apart from the others; the Lab classrooms were set up a little different; the rooms were much larger than the classroom he was in the day before, but only a third of the room had seating and there weren’t near as many seats for dragon and kyn here. They didn’t seem to expect these classes to be as populated. There was a quartz screen on the wall opposite the seating and above a short stage that could fit… maybe five dragons side by side. The rest of the room was tables and shelving, though there seemed to be more quartz screens there as well.

Professor Visarune came in, prompting those few talking together to fall silent. “Welcome everyone; for those I’ve not met, I am Professor Visarune, and this is Biology, both of Dragon and Kyn. These classes are offered to further the goals here through knowledge, mostly inter-species knowledge. This course does touch on some matters a few might find delicate, but if you bear with me, you’ll gain a better understanding of kinds of dragons and kyn besides your own. We hope this will help you with island development and forge relationships with others, even fruitful ones.” Asp blinked. They surely didn’t mean…? “And yes, what you’re thinking is likely true. We do mean biologically fruitful. Remember, the Citadel does have an adoption out program as well as resources to both raise and aid in the raising of any offspring borne here. Though, interspecies offspring is a mostly new frontier, so we ask your patience as we adapt. But for today’s class, the topic is entirely draconic. And that is of draconic hermaphrodism. We do have two models, but they’ve asked to keep their identities quiet and, as such, have been glamoured slightly and their color bleached.”

Asp tilted his head. Glamours were extremely difficult to hold for long, and color bleaching rendered a dragon basically a completely average Shade, that is to say, a grey dragon, via illusion. Both were techniques of Shade dragons, so he imagined the Professor was already casting the spells. “Now, if the first model will come up, we will begin.” One of the drames got up; Asp only now realized there were two greys in the room. She bounded on stage; it seems like they’d rehearsed a bit given she went right to a certain spot, and as she did, the quartz screen behind her lit up. Displayed was the sight between her legs, one that seemed… mostly normal. “There are two forms hermaphrodism takes in dragons: the two slit hermaphrodites and the single slit. As you can see here, this drame is a two slit hermaphrodite.” In addition to what Asp would expect of a drame, to see her vaginal slit and her tailhole, there was a second slit where a male’s would be: they were slightly offset normally with the male’s a little more towards a dragon’s hip even in more common anatomy. “A hermaphrodite is a dragon possessing the reproductive systems of both a drake and a dame,” Visarune explained. Asp raised both eyebrows; was this what Dria talking about? And was she one of the models? “If you would, miss.”

The drame on stage nodded, shifting a little, her stance getting wider to show her vaginal slit spreading while the forward slit split and a length not unlike Asp’s own slipped free. On the screen, in considerable clarity, was a member that was clearly detailed with barbs and ridges, though while his own were pointed, this drame’s ridges were smooth. The other drames in the class, or at least the four that weren’t models, started whispering. Asp just tilted his head, though part of him was very thankful for Ren and his mating session the night before. While he found the sight curious, intellectually, he still felt his own length stir a little and he shifted. “A two-slit hermaphrodite is fully functional as a drake or a dame, so are quite valuable in these times. At this time, we’re not fully sure how the inheritance of this trait works or if it even can be inherited and not just a random mutation. The same goes for a single slit, at least as inheritance goes.” Visarune nodded to the other drame, who was much more hesitant about getting on stage. She seemed to need to psyche herself up, but she did eventually take a position. In contrast to the dual slitted drame, the single slit only had the one, and it wasn’t where either drakes’ or drames’ normal one was, but sort of in between.

Asp watched as the second drame took a similar stance and revealed herself. This drame seemed to only have the pointed ridges, likely the most common anatomical quirks of dragon cocks. A shift of her hips showed that the vaginal passage was just behind the base of her length. “A single slit herm is usually only fertile as a drake or dame, though, and it doesn’t seem to physically manifest and has to be determined by rune magic. Or simply trying when he or she comes of age. Thank you both, I think we’ve seen enough.” Both of the models shook themselves out of their statuesque stances as the quartz screen went dark. “Now, interacting with a hermaphrodite can be somewhat tricky; they will likely think of themselves as more drake or drame; some do prefer just ‘dragon’, whether it’s because they don’t see themselves as more one than the other or find that it depends on their mood.” Both of the models slipped off the stage and left the classroom; Asp guessed the illusions were going to be lifted soon. “Usually, they’ll let you know should the need arise. And often a guess can be made by their nickname; if it’s more feminine or masculine. Of course, the use of ‘they’, like with any non-binary, is acceptable. Now, that’s it for today; a short lecture and no lab or up close examination is available, but if you have questions, I’ll field them now. You are free to go, else-wise. And, as I will end every lecture: I ask you to respect those with differences: everyone is a someone.” The drames seemed to glance over to him; he could tell a couple were nervous to voice their question while he was here for whatever reason. He was already getting up, bowing his thanks to the professor for the lecture, and making his way out. He was starting to suspect if he had questions, he could get first hand knowledge.

===================

“You’re okay, Sryl, it’s over,” He heard Dria say; he followed her voice to a lounge, fortunately. Seemed like it was a fairly private room, too. Or at least would be if the door had been closed.

“Ugh, yesterday and now today!” A surprisingly masculine voice, given what he’d just seen. “I just wanna to crawl into my den… back home…”

“Aww, but I’d get so lonely! Please stay!” Dria cried out. Asp turned the corner and saw Dria with her head close to a miserable looking dragon: a heavy metallic red-orange helix judging by the orange streaks running along the dragon’s body like a tiger, and if Asp had to admit it, a rather lovely looking one at that. While a bit androgynous, his first guess as to drake or drame of… Sryl, he thought he heard, would be drame. Asp also smelled the scent of heat in the room, which made him shake his head a bit.

“Yeah, right, you’ve already got- What is he doing here?!” The dragon seemed to notice Asp and snarled, making him step back. “Oh hell no, get out!”

“Sryl! Be nice! Asp is here to say hi?” Dria looked to him, almost pleadingly. He moved closer and rubbed his nose against hers, which only seemed to make her melt and purr.

“Yeah, just here to say hi to Dria. I’m Asporyx,” He bowed his head to the helix, who just backed away a bit.

“Srylumdar, but don’t come any closer! I’m warning you.” Asp blinked and looked to Dria, who still looked a little blissful before noticing his look. She waved her wing in the air, wafting that heat scent around.

“It seems your show yesterday took it’s toll… any drame near her heat, or even his. You don’t seem to be as pent-up, though… in fact…” She stepped closer, sniffing at him and spreading her wings, and eyes, in surprise. “No way! Am I going to be an Auntie?~” Asp rolled his eyes and bopped her nose with his wing. “I didn’t think Ellie would open up so quickly! Particularly given how similar your coloring is to Dilorphus!” Sryl snorted at that name. “You’ve got to give me the details~! I’ll even tell you about-”

“ No you will not! ” Sryl nearly roared; Dria looked rather abashed and Asp winced. “Asporyx here is the reason I’m like this already, like hell I want him hearing about last night. No offense.” Asp shook his head.

“Trust me, none taken, I’m… fairly certain she’s joking. And besides, I’d rather let Ren tell you what she wants to tell.” Dria’s eyes went wide again and she leaned back in surprise, as she leaned back, Asp caught an eyeful of her own length. Given Sryl’s scent, if it wasn’t for last night, he’d be in a similar state, so he couldn’t fault his friend. It also confirmed what he suspected; she was the dual-slit herm of the pair.

“Whoa, now I really gotta talk to her!” Dria said. Asp said a mental apology to Ren for the questions Dria was going to bombard her with. “She hasn’t even told me to call her Ren!” He also made it his mission to keep his isle partner and friend from meeting up too soon; if Dria saw Ren’s current, bloated state, Asp was seriously worried about how curious Dria might get. He used his wing to block her from leaving, actually.

“Hey, you’ve got your own partner here still, remember? Later, I promise. You’re invited, too, Sryl. And, I know this is a delicate subject at the moment, from me, but you do prefer to be thought of as a drake, right?” Asp asked.

“… Yeah, that’s right. I’m guessing Dria’s mentioned me a bit?” He shot Enoldria a look and she nodded.

“Nothing revealing, I promise! Though, I’m guessing Asp’s worked out a few things by now.” Dria said; Asp nodded, though and Sryl growled in annoyance. Asp did think for a moment more, though, and then looked to Sryl.

“Uh… have you been making rather large explosions?” Asp watched as Sryl’s face just lost all color, at least figuratively. “Guess that means we’re technically neighbors.”

“Sorry about that; getting paired with Dria and then going into heat… not a great start for me.” Sryl said; Asp found himself feeling rather angry and it must have shown. Dria bumped her head against his neck to get his attention and shook her head. Sryl looked a little worried too. “Sorry, that came out wrong, I have nothing against Dria personally, but you do know how the isle pairings were determined, right?”

“Pseudo-randomized?” Sryl snorted at that answer.

“Pseudo my tail! They’re breeding experiments!” Dria winced at that; seemed this had set Sryl off a few times. “Maybe for you more binary dragons, they randomized it, but Dria and me are the only herms in this grouping. We’re a fairly close knit bunch; most others aren’t interested in us or are disgusted by us.” Asp was starting to feel like all his herb gardening had left him really out of the social loop. Dria’s rather subdued look confirmed what Sryl said, though. “And for us to be paired up together? That had to be on purpose.” Asp had to agree given what else the Professor had said.

“Yeah, that sounds about right… and you said yesterday jump-started your heat? Sorry about that.” Asp said.

“From what Dria said, that’s not your fault. And it sounds like you’ve had your own troubles because of this pollen.” Sryl sighed. “Let’s get out of this room, I think Dria’s about at her limit given how enclosed it is in here.” The golden drame was pressing a little close to Asp but seemed to be eyeing Sryl.

“Oh definitely! Any longer and Asp might not even have to hear about last night; he might get to join in on repeat~” Dria purred. Asp used his tail to thwack her flank like he had Ren… which apparently he needed to work on if he wanted to ever use it something more than kinky; that only made the gold purr louder. Sryl rolled his eyes.

“Well, I was going to check out the labs before heading back, see what their rune and alchemy set-up was like. How about you two?” Asp started to walk backwards out of the room, finally unblocking the way.

“I gotta go blow off some steam… again. Maybe find somewhere else where I won’t bother people.”

“And I’m gonna go see Ellie and get all those details~! Or I could go help Sryl~”

“Oh no, you’re coming with me. I’ve got some questions.” Asp said, wrapping his tail against hers and tugging; Dria’s wings shot up in surprise and she yelped. But she grinned all devilishly; Sryl flashed him a look of thanks and Asp nodded as the helix left.