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Asporyx turned over the modified seeds for his ‘countermeasure’ commission, modified in the early hours to require the Golden Leaves pollen to grow. “Alright, Drake Asporyx; once these have been verified, the points will be deposited into your personal account.” The gryphon hen, Bertuzza, was saying. For once, he was at the citadel offices meeting the dark brown gryphon hen. Asp nodded in thanks. “Now, if you’ll go join everyone in the auditorium.”

Asp felt himself deflate a little at that: it was going to be a large crowd. At least the irredescently green-near black dragon could relax with his isle-mates in the dragon stands. That was what he thought; he was waylaid and herded on stage by General Toriltide, an Elder, scarred, matte blue dragon who was one of the three in charge of the overall Prismarc Program. “Just turning in those seeds from yesterday, Drake Asp?”

“Yes, sir. Now... why am I on stage?”

“You are one of the isle heads, are you not? And Myradona’s Guardian.” Asp blinked and frowned a bit. “Did I forget to mention this yesterday?”

“Yes sir.”

“Sorry. Don’t worry, you are not required to speak. Well, besides an affirmation.” Asporyx nodded as he followed the drake up onto the stage. Nyferona was there; she bowed her head to him a little. She, normally, was a pale forest green drame with a toned form, but her eggs with her Isle-mate, Zecerwryt had caused her belly to swell out by now. Asp... tried not to focus on that and the ideas it put in his head (and was grateful for his own Isle-mate, Elrenlani, and her sharp sex-drive increase while gravid). He didn’t recognize any of the other six dragons on stage with him, though; he was surprised. He figured at least Marinolok would be there, though he imagined one of the other drames in their various states of gravidness was the blue-white drake’s isle-mate.

“If you’ll all line up at attention. This won’t take too long.” Toriltide said; it was a little hard to hear him given the crowd that was facing them. Compared to when Asp and the others arrived, most of the seating was taken up. And as the dragons did as they were told, Asp got the feeling he was being maneuvered to be more and less centered. That Nyfe refused to catch his eye, despite her sense of duty towards him, confirmed that.

“WELCOME!” Toriltide roared out; the noise almost immediately died down. “This will be kept quick; I’m sure you’re eager to settle in and explore. First, these eight dragons are the various Isle Patriarchs and Matriarchs.” Toriltide’s wing indicated Asp and the others. “Over the last three cycles, they have been preparing their isles for your arrival. We encourage everyone who wants to to try and join an isle; you are not owed a spot on one. Tours will start this afternoon; be sure to listen to each isle’s rules. A few of them have some dangerous spots.” Asp slightly winced at that; his poison lab would be one of those. Verdants and more like them would not have to worry, but there were plenty that just walking in there would make them sick.

“I’m also sure that you’ve heard rumors of a new Kyndom and Matriarch, one who would be coming here. I’ll let her speak in a moment.” There was a clamor, particularly among the dragons and what few drakes there were. “HOWEVER, I want to make clear that the program will not condone any ‘duels for her claw in mateship’ or anything of the sort. We’re not encouraging those in general. While we recognize it is part of some cultures, both she, and her appointed Guardian, are quite formidable fighters. We do not need others getting hurt over something she has made clear she will not honor anyways. Now, Drame Myradona?”

Asp watched as Myra made her way on stage, striding calmly and still, somehow, reminded Asp of the elegance of a doe. Her disguise had been completely dropped and her helix nature was on full display: light, just noticeably violet scales covered along her neck and disappearing from most’s view. Her major coloration, made up of individual metallic scales that seemed to gradually turn from tinged violet to pure white, seemed to glow a bit. Her horns were on full display; decently sized, elegantly curved, and just shy of seeming antler like. “As General Toriltide has stated, I am Myradona, the Matriarch-to-be of the Spectral Kyndom that is, currently, in the process of being built and governed with input from all 8 other kyndoms. I was chosen to become Matriarch; coming here is my attempt to learn all I can about all the different cultures and societies I will one day be trusted with.” She said. “I am also entrusting myself to you all, though with help and an official Guardian; Drake Asporyx?”

I fought the urge to sigh; she was looking back at me with an apologetic smile, but she gave a slight motion with her wing. “You will be entrusted with my safety and health, should you accept?”

“Of course, Drame Myradona.” Asp managed to keep from adding... a lot more to that. Barely, to his surprise. And stuff that would sounded more like declaring himself her mate, not just guarding her. She nodded.

I’d kiss you right now if this wasn’t so public~ Came Myra’s voice in his head. “Thank you. And thank you all; I look forward to learning alongside you.” Myra said back to the crowd, retreating to stand with Asp so Toriltide could dismiss everyone. “Sorry; you did great, though.”

“It’s fine, Myra...” Asp blinked; he knew it was her name, but it was weird to say it instead of her alias. “Wow, that’s going to take some getting used to. As is seeing you like this.” Asp smiled. “So, uh... how restrained do we need to be as consorts?”

“In public? Probably best if we kept it... professional, at least for a cycle or two. In private?” She purred. I fully plan on having my own share of fun with you~ Got a lot of time to make up for~ Asp felt his wings flare a bit in surprise. “Relax, I know Ren’s a priority right now. I’m worried about her, too.”

“Speaking of, she mentioned a medical facility?” Myra blushed but she nodded.

“Or at least laying rooms. And separate nests for Dria and Ren. At their request!” She quickly added; she saw Asp’s brow furrowing: hearing that they both wanted separate nests... hurt, particularly his consort Enoldria. Love, relax. They’re... concerned about so many eggs in a nest with so many dragons. Apparently it was your mother’s recommendation.

Doesn’t mean I have to like the idea, though... Asp replied. He could tell Myra wanted to nuzzle him reassuringly. Someone else interrupted them, though. Asp felt someone duck beneath his wing, and unlike the scales he’d gotten used to, Asp could tell it was a familiar, though much larger than he remembered, form. The Verdant... Dire Wolf was the only way Asp could describe his childhood friend, moved to stand between the two of them.

I take it this is Ji’cyl? Myra’s psychic voice sounded... amused.

“Relax, Jice.” Asp chuckled, letting his wing pet along the verdant's back. “She’s a friend.” He saw the look Myra gave him when he said that and he just envisioned giving her a kiss in response, assuming she’d kept the link open.

“You’re just randomly accepting responsibility for a drame you’ve not... met... wait...” Ji’cyl was... a little slow on the uptake at times. “It seems I have a lot to catch up on.”

“Well, it has been three full cycles. There’s quite a lot... depending on how much Li’red’s told you?”

“Dad, and Mom, have been quite elusive with their information. Something about not wanting to gossip.” Asp snorted a bit at that; Li’red, sure, but Po’loana?

They probably wanted her to see for herself. Myra told him; he had to agree. It was a pretty dramatic transformation, he had to admit. Ren’s headed to the registrar and expansion offices; you should go meet her. She seems stressed. Dria headed back to the isle as well, love. I can explain to Ji’cyl, if you want? If she doesn’t know about Ren...

Thank you love, and yeah, that would be... a lot.

“What’s going on?”

“Sorry, Ji’cyl... or is there some sort of title I should refer to you as?” Myra asked. Various races had titles, like ‘drake’ or ‘drame’ after all.

“Well, normally it’s by whatever animal we model ourselves after, as reference, but Ji’cyl seems like it’s alright.”

“There is... quite a bit to catch you up on, but Asp needs to go take care of some things before going back to the isle. I can catch you up, though.” Ji’cyl turned to look at him, the golden magics that made up her eyes looked concerned. Asp just bumped his nose against hers: he was still impressed with how much she’d grown her size: she was roughly the same height as Ren, though maybe a little shorter.

“It’ll be fine. And I know you can keep her safe, not that I’m too worried. Oh, and if you see a violet drame shadowing you, that’s likely Lytrina. She’s also sort of Myra’s bodyguard.” Asp smiled. “Honestly, it’ll probably be easier on us both if you hear everything from her. Unless you’d rather see me flustered and embarrassed?”

“It is pretty cute.” The verdant said; Myra tried not laugh when Asp did, indeed, get flustered when Jice said that to him. “But alright.” Myra nodded to him and walked with Jice towards the landing. He turned in the opposite direction and headed to meet up with Ren. The Registrar office was... pretty busy.

“What’s up, Ren?” Asp said, nuzzling against her neck; he felt how tense she was.

“I wanted to check our balance and get everyone’s account accessories, but... my instincts.” She leaned against Asp as his wing draped over her, pulling her gravid form to his side. “So many dragons and others in general; I would rather not get jostled around.” His own instincts were starting to get riled up; he almost growled when someone got too close to her.

“Wanna return to the isle?”

“N-No; I figured it would be best to put in the expansion order now.”

“It should be less crowded over there... but I don’t want to leave you alone, either.” Asp looked around, but he sighed. “Here, let’s go over here.” He pulled her with him, guiding her to a landing area. “Feeling better?”

“Yes. Crowds never bothered me before.” Ren looked troubled. “But...”

“Yeah, I was getting riled up, too. Almost growled at someone.”

“At least you controlled yourself.” Ren blushed. “I should apologize. Some Shade I did not know.” She said, looking around.

“So, did you have your plan written down somewhere?”

“A map sketch and some notes, yes.” She shifted her wing to maneuver a bag around and pulled out some scrolls. Asp took them despite her snort of protest.

“Look, it’s way more crowded here than it has been. And, while you’re quite lovely... we both don’t need to be flaring up whenever someone we don’t know gets close to you.” Asp put the scrolls in his own bag for now. Asp did see a blue drame approaching and felt like his scales were rising, but Ren shook her head.

“Ceri, what is it? And this is Asporyx. This is one of my younger sisters, Ceritona.”

“I was coming over to mostly say hello... and to see if what mother said was true, but I didn’t need to get close to see that!” The drame said. “Is it safe for you to be around so many like this?”

“It is... difficult. Might be too stressful.” Ren admitted.

“Yeah, it caught me by surprise. I also didn’t realize just how uncrowded and empty it had felt here before. A little less on edge over here.” Asporyx told the (admittedly pretty) drame. “I was just going to escort her back to the isle-” Ren snorted. “Which I know she doesn’t need, but it’d be for my own peace of mind. You’re gonna have to put up with me being protective, Ren.” He snorted right back; she just... stared at him, but sighed. It surprised him to hear Ceritona giggle, though, even as he looked at Ren.

“We would not get our bands or the expansion order in, though. I would rather not place another one without knowing just how many points will be left for the isle. Those escalating prices are cumbersome.” Ceritona let out a curious trill and her sister explained the basics of the isle expansion process to her.

“Huh... that’s an... odd system.” She said. “But I guess it could serve as a way from keeping isles from getting too big. I heard your isle was already quite large and had planned to check it out.”

“Is that so? Hmm... Asporyx?” Ren tilted her head. Asp knew what she was asking and took a moment to respond; he did, also, know that if he escorted her back, she’d be annoyed with him for wasting time. “Oh, though... Enoldria is there.” Ren looked at her sister with a side-eye, who grimaced.

“Ugh, really? That’s got to be an interesting story.” Asp felt a growl start to form in his throat until Ren headbutted his shoulder lightly.

“You need to relax; her problem with Enoldria is more personal than anything else. Nothing for you to get upset over, at least. She has calmed down considerably, though, Ceri.” Ren was right; while Dria did still like to tease, she didn’t jump to it right away anymore. Honestly, Asp got the impression she felt like she had to be more restrained or careful, though.

“If you say so.”

“Alright, then... so long as Dria won’t be upset when I get back. Or worked up.” Asp sighed. He figured he could trust Ren’s sister to keep her company and safe, just in case. The sisters nodded and started down the stairs to the landing dock after Asp nuzzled his isle-mate; she nuzzled him back in reassurance. He turned, took a deep breath, and dived into the growing crowd. It took... a lot longer than he expected: the newly enrolled had to get their welcome kit from the registrars. And more than a few stopped him to ask about his isle, to which he really wasn’t sure what to say or how to... promote it. Or even how much he wanted to promote it: he didn’t plan to have a whole city or anything on the isle, after all. At least the expansion office was... quieter. Though there were a number of dragons there as well. Asp was pretty sure that by the time he finished, it was lunch-time. Instead of waiting at the line that had formed in the cafeteria, though, he flew... pretty hard towards his isle.

He landed by the fields, fighting the urge to just drop there and then. He at least made it to the kitchen where Sryl had left out a few covered meals and grabbed a Deerflame-roasted one for lunch (in addition to being a neutralizer for his poison, it seemed Sryl and Dria quite liked it). He also left the bands there: each one had their designed runes put into it with a number next to it; his had both his and the isle’s. And while the numbers said 0 next to the personal ones, the isle’s still read, well, a lot: just short of 196,000. And that was after ordering the latest expansion idea.

He waved his wing when he saw Dria, Ceritona, and Ren on the beach by the lagoon before ducking into the forest with the food. And relaxing by his workstation with a stretch as a breeze kicked up. And after downing the food and some of his tea, he had just closed his eyes for a bit when he... felt someone nearby. It was a feeling he hadn’t felt in cycles, really. Now that Asp thought about it, if he hadn’t grown up with Jice, the whole ‘verdants appearing out of nowhere in the middle of a forest’ thing would be really unsettling. He’d gotten used to it and even had a sort of... sense when they were about, though. And even who.

“So...” He rumbled without opening his eyes.

“Myra’s landing nearby, don’t worry.” He heard Jice say.

“Oh, that’s not what I’m worried about, honestly.”

“What she told me? It’s... a lot to take in. Though even I had heard about the ‘duel punishment’ rumors... granted a fair number of those said you were the one who took this... Dilorphus in front of everyone.” Asp made a face at that.

“Definitely not. I do feel bad about the whole ‘heat curse’ thing, though.”

“About that... have you figured out what about Elderbark or Sunweed makes their effects reverse in you?”

“Kinda? But reversing the pollen would hurt all those traits. And when we did try it with the enhancers, my body just neutralized it as a poison.”

“Sounds like your biology wants you to put drames at risk every time you mate.”

“Oh, I’d realized that a while ago.”

“Did you try the enhancers plus that and a poison, though? Might trick it.”

“Already? I thought you’d take the afternoon off at least, catch-up more properly... explore the isle.” Myra was saying while sliding in beside Asp, her back against his belly and just melted into him.

“Plenty of time to do that later, but if Asp is in trouble and this solution could help...” Jice said. Asp did finally open his eyes and look at the verdant.

“No... we didn’t try that; honestly until recently we couldn’t. Not... precisely, anyways.” He rumbled. Myra just sighed and Asp could feel the familiar influence block settle in his mind. “Sorry, love.”

“No, no... I would rather you try out the idea first. Else-wise you’ll never get to relax. Ren mentioned how you both about snapped at others earlier. I should’ve realized those instincts of yours’ would kick in, both her and yours. But verdants are super interesting. And-” There was a slight warning growl from Jice and Myra stopped talking. That was interesting; Asp’d never heard Jice growl with embarrassment before, but there was an unmistakable note of it.

“I would never have guessed she was like you, Asp.” Jice sighed. “So... what do you need to try this?” Asp told her while he and Myra set up the rune-formula: verdants could go into his poison lab no problem, so he had her get one of the less potent ones. It took... a fair portion of the afternoon to carefully select all the traits. He did have to wing-wave while Dria or her friend (and Wryt’s sister) Kastrimri, an indigo drame who was carrying his herm consort’s eggs now, too, showed essentially tour-groups around. Asp thought he saw a few of his younger siblings at one point, but he couldn’t exactly drop his focus to check without ruining the work.

But the result... should work. Jice’s idea about using a poison and inversion trait together to trick his biology seemed to be the key. Myra sort of insisted all that was counter-acted were the heat-inducement, fertility-enhancement, and libido enhancing aspects of the Golden Pollen toxin (as we’d started calling it). Asp knew why, but they were both blushing as she said it. Jice didn’t seem to care either way. Myra did telepathically tell Asp to make a version that was only a libido-stabilizer, too. That was easy enough; he’d discovered that he could hold the stored traits in their rune and just supply fresh ingredients to iterate on the formula. He was really in no hurry to test either version, though: Ren sort of needed his libido at the moment after all. Even so, he set the new herbs to grow in the ‘lab room’ as he’d dubbed it: the ‘poisonous’ effects the new herb-flower would give off now only really effected him after all: in anyone else it effectively did nothing. There technically was a poison with no effect, though. Maybe a slight decrease in drakes and drame-herms’ libidos.

“Well... guess it’s on to figuring out how to make the Meke Blossoms’ effect permanent.” Asp said with a sigh. He honestly didn’t even know where to start to make a version that wasn’t dependent on his toxin: the plants he’d made with that involved had a hard time reproducing, ironically.

“Wouldn’t combining it with a poison be enough?” Myra eyed the poison lab.

“It’s where I was planning on starting, but not necessarily. Poisons seem permanent because they cause damage, but the body’ll heal that damage overtime, in theory.” Asp told her with a nuzzle; his eyes were half-closed. Between the anxiety from earlier and this new magic-eating alchemy... he was definitely not feeling so energetic. “But... that’s another time. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next phase after I get into the class routine.” He stretched and then nuzzled Jice. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Good to see you too, Asp. You’ve been busy... at least ten eggs and three mates?” Asp’s wings flared and he snorted while Myra giggled.

“N-not mates yet!”

“I know you; like you’ve not been considering it.” Jice said; she had him there. “Though, it would be pretty complicated, wouldn’t it?” Asp just nodded with a sigh. Myra let out a little trill and rubbed her nose against Asp’s.

“Yes, love, even you. It’s more trying to wrap my head around...” Asp licked the drame’s nose. She nodded; she knew mateship to her had... responsibilities beyond the normal needs. “I am a little worried about Ren’s position, though...”

“That’s a talk you two need to have... eventually. Likely years off, though.” Myra waved her wing a bit. “Now, food and relaxation. And let Jice explore a bit? Or give her a tour?”

“Oh, I’m fine.” The verdant said. “Verdants are pretty attuned to plants; you’re over-watering some of the herbs by the way.” Asp groaned. Her idea of ‘over-watering’ was like... a few drops of over-watering.

“I’ve told you, I can’t exactly set up a precise system.” He rumbled.

“Fine, fine. They’re not drowning. But anyways... yeah, I’ve got a good idea of most of the isle, anyways. The orchard seems intriguing.”

“And our area’ll be growing tomorrow. Granted, not with trees, we’ll have to plant and nurture those.” Asp walked with Jice and Myra to the ‘communal area’; Ren, Dria, and Kastri were dozing on the wood. “You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d wonder if you two wore out Dria somehow.”

“Tempting~” Dria wiggled a bit and then perked up. “But this must be Ji’cyl?” The verdant bowed her head.

“Yes, from what Myra’s told me... you’re Drames Enoldria, Kastrimri, and Elrenlani?”

“Myra, you didn’t tell her to just call me Dria?”

“I did!”

“It’s not her fault; you’ve met my father, yes? He was... very strict about the titles thing when interacting with dragons. I will try to remember unlearn that. Or at least let it drop.”

“That’s all I ask. Particularly if you’re as close to Asp as we’ve heard~!” Dria said with a sultry purr.

“Well... maybe not as close as you; it’s not like verdants mate, after all. Or that the two of us can have kids. But I do care and want to protect him. And all of you, of course.”

“Oh, between Asp and Myra, I’m sure you’ll be able to overcome at least one of those obstacles.” Dria smirked; Myra squeaked and snorted, squinting at the golden drame. One look told Asp that Myra definitely had some thoughts on that; Jice’s odd behavior only added to that. Well, that explained why the verdant got embarrassed earlier. “But it is good to meet you; I’d get up to greet, but... I get stupidly tired quickly these days. Guess someone’s eggs, plus those tours... Dunno how Ren’s managing.”

Asp did turn his attention to the dozing blue drame, moving closer; she growled quietly for a moment before she seemed to register it was him and he nuzzled along her back and neck. “I am not a tour guide.” Ren said simply. “I did speak to a few of your siblings after they saw how busy you were.”

“Oh? I hope they weren’t too much trouble.”

“Purimox, Griclegor, and Sonesis. They wanted you to know they were hear at least.” Asp tilted his head; he had... a number of siblings, so it took him a minute to realize who they were.

“Oh! Puri and So! I’m sure they’ll be fine. I don’t know Griclegor as well, but if he’s with those two, they should... probably keep them in line.” Puri was a plant-weaver (the Green Kyndom’s ‘construction’ workers) and So was a farm-studies researcher. Girclegor, Asp realized, would’ve just gotten out of soldier training: he hoped the young drake wouldn’t be too overwhelmed.

“They said there were a few more of your family around, too.” Kastri said. “And there was a drame looking for Dria? A helix no less.” Asp slipped into the lounge area and settled between Dria and Ren, the blue drame snuggling closer. He absent-mindedly ran his claw along her belly for a moment before Myra bumped his nose. He blinked and Ren let out a quiet huff.

“Oh yeah, Emza! I directed her towards Cael like he asked. Dunno exactly why he wanted to meet her. She is a pretty famous artisan, though, so...” Dria shrugged. Myra’s eyes lit up and her tail swayed a bit; Asp bit back a chuckle.

“What kind of hybrid?”

“Orange and yellow; she’s my half-sister on Dad’s side.” Dria wiggled a bit on her back and Asp rolled his eyes before nuzzling against her belly. He could almost see Myra drooling at the idea of what hatchlings of those two could do; she was just managing to keep her curiosity under control. Asp smiled when he heard Dria purr under his muzzle. “Not too much longer before I start to show, I bet~”

“Here’s hoping I can keep up with you and Ren for the next cycle.” Asp rumbled out.

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

Asp wasn’t sure whether to be thankful or not, but he discovered Dria wasn’t near as... excited to be gravid as Ren was. While she did have the occasional hormone-induced horniness most drames had, she wasn’t borderline insatiable like the blue drame was. And their fears about Ren’s health seemed to be... mostly unfounded. Granted, over the next cycle, Ren did, well, balloon and she couldn’t walk without her belly brushing against the ground. But she was at least still able to move (and that she could spend a lot of time in her lagoons helped).

Kastri and Dria both started to show, too.

Asp was surprised how happy he was for the days he was in classes learning about the different Kyndoms’ cultures and histories. While the gravid drames there definitely caught his eye and reminded him of the three (well, four, but he tried not to look at Sryl like that, honestly; Sryl was a lot more into drames, after all) back on the isle, he at least had something else to focus on. Myra seemed to be amused by his... excitement around all of this, too; she was attending most of the classes alongside him. She seemed content, for now, to just share his nest with Dria at night; Ren had taken to sleeping underwater as she got bigger. It seemed to be more comfortable for her, at least. Honestly, Asp was thankful; while he did feel less and less ‘used’ (or at least got used to that feeling, he honestly wasn’t sure which), that Dria rarely needed him and that Myra was happy waiting was a relief.

It was during a stormy night that he had just drifted off to sleep that he felt Myra almost urgently tapping her wing against him. He rumbled awake and was about to say something when he heard a roar. “And that’ll be Sryl.” Dria sighed. “I was wondering how close they’d be together...”

“Honestly amazed Ren’s held out this long. She seems... oddly excited, though?” Myra tilted her head. “Dear gods, if she has an egg-laying fetish ontop of being gravid~” Asp used his wing to bump her nose and she squeaked. Before he registered what she said, at least.

“Whoa, wait, what?” Asp twisted onto his belly and stood up, maybe a bit quickly given how dizzy he got. He heard Ren roar out and his wings flared, adrenaline spiking. Asp tore out of the room before Myra and Dria could calm him and he hop-glided from the second to the first level where they’d put the laying rooms. Jice, who, because of the pollen, didn’t really sleep all that often, motioned in a direction with her muzzle to point him towards the first laying room inside the medical area.

Remember, love, approach slowly. She might not even recognize you right now. Myra’s voice finally cut through his panicking mind. I’m going with Dria to check on Sryl; his mind’s about to just give-up. Asp had no idea what she meant by that, honestly, but she was their isle’s resident medical drame, basically. He carefully slipped into the laying room (which, really, was just a single nesting room combined with a bath in the same room), though he kept his distance. He also fueled the soundproofing formula, though it didn’t keep out the rumbles of thunder: they’d decided these needed to be triggered instead of automatic given the nature of them.

Ren had been spending the last week, once her nesting instincts kicked in, preparing for her laying and filling out the nest with a number of different materials that ended up being a mix of mosses and underwater plants for the most part that she kept damp. He heard her let out a loud warning snarl as he moved to be in her eyeline, though, even as she pulled her huge, egg-heavy form up with her claws resting on a shelf cut into the wall for this purpose. “Oh, sorry Master~” She cooed out: she looked... almost drunk? And Asp could smell just how excited she was. “Come to watch your Siren lay your eggs~?” Her eyes were half-lidded, her muzzle hanging open.

“I came if you needed help.” He rumbled out; he leaned his head down to lick at her fins lightly and she let out a low moan as her back arched. And then she let out a growl, biting on his neck for a moment as her wings flared out and tail lashed. She whined when she let go, though, in apology and he just licked her nose. Both the lesson just before he’d bred her and a few lessons afterwards in the biology classes he’d attended with Myra explained that either egg-laying or birth were not painless processes. There were herbs that he could’ve grown that would’ve helped, but Ren had denied them. Sryl had, too; Asp was pretty sure the drake-herm still didn’t quite trust alchemy or him in particular.

“I... I might need your help, Master. This is... oddly pleasurable when my body relaxes. I can almost feel myself opening up, ready to let your eggs come out... and to make room for more~” She cooed. “And I find it hard to concentrate and keep my tail up already.” Asp nodded; he made a mental note to ask Dria to add some sort of tail-wrap bar for her and Kastri’s own laying. He nuzzled against her belly, to her whine, purr, and moaning. He could smell her arousal spiking and noticed the dripping... fluids between her legs. He was pretty sure it wasn’t all arousal. He thought for a moment before he licked her nose and stepped outside for a moment before coming back with some vine-woven rope and a bandage. “What is Master going to do with that?”

“Just relax; I’m going to try something; I can’t really think of a good thing for your tail to wrap around at the moment. Ideally, I guess, a limb or my neck, but I don’t need my Siren’s contractions strangling me. Besides, if I need to do something else...” He cut the bandage a bit and looped the pieces together to create padding that he slipped over her tail, mindful of her fin, while the other went around the base of her neck. And then he used his magic to do the more delicate work of wrapping the vine rope around the padding, tightly, while Ren squirmed and whimpered. “Something wrong?”

“... No.” She said quietly. “I... I just had a brief idea is all. Of me at Master’s mercy like this.” She looked over her shoulder at him with a blush. “With... significantly more vines. And less ability to move.” Asp blinked; he did remember the night that had led to this and how she said she’d liked being paralyzed. They’d not really experimented any further on that front, though, given their eggs. Asp was not willing to potentially harm his offspring after all.

“I will have to keep that in mind.” He rumbled out, almost dismissively; he knew that’d just make her whine and whimper more. What he didn’t expect was a full-on climax, though, her whole body shuddering and her slit started to drool out her femcum in addition to everything else. She let out a moan and squeaked, her hinds shifting a bit. Asp dropped his head down, nudging along her belly and flaring his own wings; he could feel the firmness of her first egg working it’s way down her tunnel as she panted and growled. “Good girl, just push.” He rumbled out; he brought his own tail up to her muzzle in offering and suppressed a yelp when she bit down on a thicker part of it after a few moments.

He didn’t realize he was holding his breath, his nose following her egg until it was just about to her entrance proper. His tongue licked out against slit, feeling them bulge apart around the hardening shell and her whole body tensed when she bit even more against his tail. He winced; Myra would definitely need to look at it afterwards. “M-Master, I hate to ask, but could you spread me? Your eggs are quite big for my small body~” She whined. Asp nodded against her thigh and shifted to lay on his scarred shoulder, his talon slipping between her legs and spreading his isle-mate’s slit open, her scales yielding beneath his talons as the first of their eggs started to slip free. With a whimper and yelping groan, Ren managed to push the oblong orb out... with a whole mess of femcum and shuddering afterwards. Asp’s tongue immediately lapped up the familiar, slightly salty taste from her folds. “M-Master!” She whined. “Pl-Please, I am already on edge. How is our egg?”

Asp looked the orb over, using his green flame to bathe it in light given, well, there were a lot of shadows at the moment. Even in the green-tinged light, he could see the typical marbled texture of a dragon’s egg, though where most were uniform in color, this was more ‘blue with green veins.’ And exposure to the air was making the shell harden by the second: there was some elasticity to them when first laid, after all. “I’m no expert, but it seems good, girl.” He rumbled out, nuzzling her inner thigh. She let out a groan of relief, and then snarled and snapped on his tail for a moment while he winced.

“M-Master, the second one’s is already close to lay!” She warned; Asp’s brows shot up and he quickly moved their first laid egg off a bit. And so it went... eight more times, though by the third, she couldn’t really speak: it was just more groans and moans of pleasure of “Master” mixed with the occasional pained snarl. Asp was pretty much holding her up from beneath her much less taunt belly by the fifth, though, her legs nearly giving out after it was laid. Finally, the remaining eight were laid and Ren, weakly, nudged him out of the nest without a word. Honestly, it seemed like she was trying to push him out of it, but didn’t have the strength to do much more than that. She didn’t even notice her tail was still tied up, though she did notice that Asp had, at some point, gotten hard and seemed driven to lick at him. Asp himself hadn’t realized that his dragonhood was aching at this point, though, until he felt her tongue against him and he shuddered at the relief and pleasure that came from that single lick. He cut the vine and moved away, her head trying to follow until he blocked her with his wing and licked along her fin.

“Sleep; your duty for the night’s done.” He rumbled out in his most ‘commanding’ tone.

“But Master needs relief, too~ After his siren came so many times~” She slurred out, but gave into the order and started sleeping, curled around the freshly laid eggs (which were all varying shades of blue and green; Asp was surprised he could remember the order they were laid in). He moved to the bath and rinsed himself off of her fluids and the bites to his tail before emerging to find Myra dozing by the wall. The storm had turned into a steady rainfall and Asp knew that that tended to put Myra to sleep. He was surprised when she looked at him; he expected her to be out cold once he noticed her lying there.

“How’d it go? I tried to come in at one point, but she looked like she’d kill me if stepped one claw into the room. Though, the pair of you enjoying egg-laying? Didn’t see that coming...” Myra said, standing up. “We should probably stock the room with stuff for them to bite on; Sryl almost bit his tongue off.”

“Well, no danger of that with her, was worried about my tail, though.” Asp said; showing Myra the damage. It, truthfully, wasn’t all that bad, but even so, she let out a quiet growl of reproach at him before she set about healing the bites with her magic. It was an odd sensation, her violet-tinged flame making the wounds itch and burn a little, but it wasn’t in a bad way. “And, honestly, not sure if it was the egg-laying or her whole siren act... or just knowing how much she was enjoying it.” Asp figured the door’s view had given her quite the eyeful of his drakehood.

“Fair enough. Sryl’s... not in great shape. Even his instincts are rejecting the eggs.” Myra sighed. “Dria’s staying with them for now. Sryl went back to his own room... not sure we’ll see him at all tomorrow... or well later today.” She gave him a lick on his cheek. “Glad Ren pulled through, though. Even better than we dared to hope~ Maybe we should keep her on as a... brooddrame, I think she’s called herself~?” Asp’s wings flared and he snorted, looking at the white-violet drame. “S-sorry, I kept my empathic sense on in case something came up, but well...” It took Asp a moment to realize what Myra was hinting at and tilted his head.

“I’m surprised you can stand~” He stuck out his tongue; she huffed and kissed said tongue, pulling it into her muzzle to suckle on. Okay, that was not helping his hard dragon cock soften.

“Oh, I could feel when she came, but it’s not like I shared in it.” His consort purred, rubbing against him as she walked in front, her tail lifting. Asp had never seen beneath her tail... somehow, now that he thought about it. But her slit was fully swollen and on display, and in contrast to her tinged violet underscales, the flesh they normally hid was much more vivid (Asp reckoned on any other drame that color would still be pale, but it looked pretty vibrantly violet compared to the rest of her). “So... I am a bit jealous and annoyed at the moment.” She called back, her tail tip beckoning him with her. Asp tried to follow, but she kept herself just out of reach while showing off; before he knew it, she had guided him into their den.

“I am sorry we’ve not been... together, yet, love.” Asp really did feel bad about that, but Myra shook her head.

“It’s not like I asked, Asp. Imagine if your scent got on me too early and everyone figured it out~” She purred. “Besides, it’s not like I didn’t know you’re attracted to me~” She winked; having an empathic consort was... well, it wasn’t a challenge, it’s not like Asp really had anything to hide. But it did mean she knew a lot about him, Ren, and Dria at any given moment. “But now... we don’t have to worry about Ren~ And her libido isn’t in a vicious cycle of being reinforced and compounded every time she moved.”

“... Wait, doesn’t that mean...”

“I’m not opposed to using my own tongue. Or Dria’s.” She stuck her tongue out, though the thought of both of his consorts enjoying each other like that... well, explained why Dria’s own horniness hadn’t gotten away from them. “My only regret is not being near my season right now~ I really wanna try and beat Ren’s record. Now, lay on your back, love~” Myra purred out and Asp furrowed his brow. But he did as he was told, settling into the nest on his back. Instantly, he realized how tense he’d been and how sore being in that odd position for so long had made him. It seemed the adrenaline was wearing off and he yawned slightly. “If you’re tired, though...”

“I am, but I highly doubt I’ll be able to sleep for a while if I stay this hard. And after someone telling me how pent-up she’s been. Or wanting to beat that record~” He rumbled out; the idea of a gravid Myra made him really happy... he almost couldn’t stand it (which was weird to him; he never felt that strongly before). “Even if such a state would make me worry about you.”

“Oh, I’d worry about me, too, but my pride as a drame and as part of your harem would be on the line~” She purred, climbing into the nest and ontop of him, settling so that her haunches straddled his hips and he could feel her warm slit pressing, drooling over his cock while she kissed his nose. “But who knows? Maybe we could make a whole nest of specialists~?” She grinded down against him with a coo, Asp’s wings flared and he shivered, his back arching at the ache soothing pleasure that created. “I-I actually have a theory about how we could do that... sort of an offshoot of an idea I had while talking with Jice~” She cooed, her hips rolling and catching Asp’s tip before sliding back onto him.

Unlike Dria, who in this position, would barely come up to half his chest with her own, or Ren, who definitely wouldn’t come up quite that far, Myra was laying almost mirrored in size to him, if only slightly smaller in overall size. This meant she wasn’t near as tight or felt as stretched and taunt as her body took his full length into itself. Her wings spread out and she let out a coo and moan, her tail wrapping around his. Even so, Asp felt his tip press into her cervix when scales kissed against his base. Her wings spread in surprise and she shivered.

“I knew you were big, hun, but still~” She purred. “Definitely deep enough to put your eggs in me next season~” She licked his lips almost hungrily and Asp blushed as she set her talons against his chest and pushed up, grinding down on him. She tilted her head a bit, though, and furrowed her brow before she seemed to have a realization. “Have you been just been mounting this whole time, love?”

“I guess? I... didn’t really realize there was a way to mate with a drame like this... only with her on her back or belly.” Asp muttered; he wasn’t quite embarrassed to admit that, but at the same time... it sounded like she knew of other ways.

“Ugh... never thought I’d actually be thankful for my mom’s ‘den arts’ lessons. Granted, I only know the theories... you are my first after all~ Well, like this... I kinda practiced my tongue skills on Dria~” Well that he hadn’t known, about him being her first, though he could’ve guessed. But it wasn’t a bad thing to hear (or imagine). She squeezed down on him; Asp watched her shudder when he felt his spines and ridges dig into soft walls. This... gentle softness was nice. Not that he was about to stop mating Ren or Dria, either. “How did it go...?” She used her tail to move his a bit to press it down. Asp’s wings flared and his eyes went wide when his hips pushed up against hers and she smirked with an approving purr. “My virile mate is tired after helping his siren lay, after all... So I can do most of the work, not all. Particularly when your knot swells, love.” Asp shivered when he heard her call him ‘mate’; he’d avoided using it since it’d feel... really official, but by now... he couldn’t envision a future without her (even if that meant becoming a Patriarch).

He did his best to radiate his desire to kiss her; whether or not she picked on it, a moment later, their tongues were dancing as she rolled her hips against him and he used his tail to work his hips up to meet her. Her talons on his chest held him down as they both basked in the feeling of his dragon length finally claiming her depths: Asp could almost feel this sort of tension coming off of her, and as he experimented with his tail to find different angles to thrust at, he felt that tension grow tighter occasionally. Once he figured out what he was noticing through their link, he smirked into their kiss and shifted to hit that angle again and again as she whined and moaned into their kiss and tried to twist her hips away occasionally.

Dammit, love, if you make me cum first, you might not get to finish. He heard her mentally groan in his head. He just suckled on her tongue and wrapped his wings around her, his own talons dragging along her sides. She shivered and growled into the kiss, both of them panting as his knot began to swell; it took a few moments to make slight popping sounds as Myra drew herself off of him and he chased after her with a low growl. A familiar pressure was building up in his groin while he felt her own tension threaten to snap. He focused on a fantasy he’d had... well, a few times: a gravid version of her Faistyve illusion watching on while he claimed Myra’s heat, Ren, Dria, and Kastri waiting with their tails raised for him and drooling their own seasons. Though Kastri had her muzzle wrapped around Dria’s length. And Ren may or may not have been all bound up in vines; he’d never admit it, at least. His way of saying she was his first choice among the three... and maybe trying to send her over the edge, mentally.

Myra’s wings snapped open and she let out a loud cry into the kiss as his knot tied them together, swelling even further to lock them. She finally broke the kiss and let them both pant. Those soft walls convulsed and gripped down hard on him, and he let his own pressure release with an answering groan: Myra trilled and cooed when Asp felt the first ropes of his seed shoot into her, both of their hips wiggling as she lowered herself down to rest ontop of him. Asp curled his wings around her more and nuzzled into her neck as she settled and got comfortable. Asp grimaced, realizing how sore his tail had gotten with that new way of using it.

“... Don’t you dare leave those three wanting, love.” Myra purred in his ear, and she got rewarded with a heavier jet of his seed shooting into her while she giggled. “Di-Didn’t realize you thought of Kastri like that, though.”

“W-wasn’t sure if you’d get the picture of it...” Asp panted, his talon trailing against the individual fins along her neck. “And... I dunno, I think of her more as ‘Dria’s’ than mine, if that makes sense?”

“Oh, a glimpse, but it was enough. How did you know where to hit, though?” She huffed.

“There was this weird... tenseness that kept tightening.” She whined and huffed with a blush.

“I wish I had a better control on this~” She whined and purred, arching a little and stretching. “And whoa, those two were not lying... you cum a lot, love~” She licked at his neck and under his jaw. “Most drakes only get... maybe 5 or 6 spurts before they’re done, I’ve been told. Already lost track with you~” Asp rolled his eyes and kissed her nose. “Gonna have to find a few more drames, I think... and also see if Jice still has her own fantasies.” He huffed and nipped at her while she giggled.

“I’m starting to think it’s not just the whole ‘mixing’ thing that gets you excited, hun. Bet you wanna watch, too.”

“Or be involved~” She cooed and wiggled on his knot with a grin. “I mean, just imagine a dryad or a ifritkin trying to handle you! You’d probably break a sylphkin, though...” She squeezed down just as Asp felt his spurts start to turn into trickles; she let out a playful, pleading whine and he just snorted.

“Another time, hun. I bet you’re tired from helping Sryl.” He rumbled. She sighed and nodded, wiggling a bit more on his knot to get comfortable enough to sleep. He purred and rumbled softly, his own exhaustion hitting him now. He drifted off still feeling the tie while she licked at his chin and neck.

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

It was late the next morning when he woke up. Or, more accurately, Jice woke him and Myra up. It seemed that Kastri had tried to take on cooking and... well, the kitchen wasn’t a wreck but it was concerning enough that Jice figured it best to get Myra. It turned out the white-violet drame liked to cook as well, but was more a casual hobbyist about it than Sryl’s calling to it. The two of them bathed and Asp went to check on Ren, who was soundly asleep still and curled around their eggs. He checked on Dria, too, who was awake, but looked annoyed.

“I... can’t bring myself to be away from them for too long. And I’m only the sire!” She whined. “It’s not as bad a pull as last night, though. I think it’s the way Sryl...” She seemed to deflate and he nuzzled against her with a purr. She nuzzled back in appreciation and smiled weakly.

“If it helps, Ren seems... well, I’d say fine, but she’s still asleep.” Asp said; he nuzzled along Dria’s form and against her own slightly swollen belly as he eyed the newly-laid eggs.

“Oh, I’ll bet. I’ve never seen Myra so worked up!” Dria giggled. Asp tilted his head with a curious murr. “Watch her fins sometimes. They’ll blush or tremble.” Asp... felt annoyed he hadn’t noticed that. “It’s faint, stud. She actually told me about it; she wanted to know my own tells. And given I don’t have fins.” Asp tilted his head. He’d never actually noticed Dria’s physical tells, either. Maybe her tail rising a bit, but he wasn’t sure if that actually counted.

“Have you decided what to do with them?” Asp asked, watching Dria as he nosed the eggs; she nodded her approval. They were various shades of yellow, red, and orange.

“I had hoped to keep one or two, given, well, they are the first I sired. But Sryl’s reaction... might be best to let them be adopted or community raised back home. I’m almost scared to even ask him.” Asp tilted his head. “Well... he said he had to fight the urge to break them.” She said softly and Asp’s wings spread and he let out a small snarl; that was... a heavy rejection. Most did it if they found their ‘partner’ unfit. “Asp! Asp! Calm down, stud.” Dria said, getting up and nuzzling him. “Myra managed to get him to work out it wasn’t a rejection of me, more the entire situation. Hell, that it was me and not some random drake is what kept him from doing it right away.”

“... Alright...” Asp rumbled, still feeling rather angry. His love for Dria was almost as intense as the one he had for Myra, after all.

“Either way, he couldn’t get out of the room fast enough.” Dria said with a sigh. “But... enough about that! How’d it go with Myra~?” She purred playfully. Asp huffed. “Oh come on, I can smell her on you. Or at least noticed enough of a change in your scent to guess.”

“It was good... different, though.”

“I’ll bet, you’re a challenge for me to take!” She purred. “Hmm... should play with Kastri at some point...” The indigo drame was about half-way between Asp and Myra’s sizes and Dria’s size; it turned out she was a few years older than Dria, after all.

“At some point, but at least now... it’ll be by choice.” He purred happily. “Though, I guess we haven’t actually tested if that herb helps me stay... normal.”

“Nope!~”

“Hey, Asp, I’m gonna go get the medical teams to let them know the layings finally happened; Ren’s awake now, too. And morning, Dria.” Myra had poked her head in.

“Morning! Might want to avoid Lytrina~!” Dria stuck her tongue out and Myra huffed.

“Don’t I know it.” Myra grumbled. Asp... was not looking forward to that, but it would happen eventually, he knew. He could only hope the protective drame wouldn’t be too upset with him. At least they’d not waited until Myra was in season to mate?

“You alright if I go check on Ren?” Asp asked and Dria nodded, licking his nose.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. I have been able to leave the room at least before I get too worried about them.” She said with a chuckle. Asp smiled and gave her a nuzzle before he went to check in on Ren. He found her bathing, on her back. It was almost odd to not see her so egg-heavy at this point, though.

“Morning, Asporyx.” She groaned, stretching and wiggling with some of her body underwater; he nosed against their eggs curiously, his tail flicking. “Thank you for your help last night.” Asp rolled his eyes a bit and snorted.

“As if I wouldn’t.”

“You would be surprised, then. A number of drakes assume this is all the drames’ responsibility.” Ren said.

“How are you feeling?”

“Tired. Gross. Like I do not want to mate for a week. I did not expect last night to be so intense. Or to enjoy it so much~” She purred. Asp chuckled a bit and nodded.

“And about them?” Asp said; his own mind was... oddly indifferent? He did care, of course, but he wasn’t feeling any particular draw to them. He was a little disappointed by that.

“... That’s harder to determine. I am oddly attached to a couple of them.” Ren pulled herself out of the water and came closer, nosing against the eggs Asp remembered being the first and last laid. He chuckled a bit at that. “But... I am certain I can part with the others in a few days, thankfully; not sure we could handle so many hatchlings. How is Sryl doing?” Asp told her what he knew and she sighed. “We were both afraid of that, honestly.” He knew Sryl and Ren had spent a considerable amount of time together given they’d been bred at the same time. “How’s progress on the blossoms going?”

“Slowly. We’ve managed to prolong the effect, but making it permanent is tricky. I mean, it should be enough to make him virile for a while at least. But... we wouldn’t be changing his equipment if we went that route.” Asp sighed, settling by the eggs. “Compounding the effect just makes the plant less stable to grow. Having all those different courses takes up a fair amount of time, too.” He grumbled; he was at the Citadel at least four days a phase between the different Kyn and Kyndoms’ history and culture classes (including Green; his parents hadn’t been big on proper schooling). And then there were the two bio courses: dragon and kyn; there he was more Myra’s guard, though the topics were interesting. As far as practical courses, there was Rune Magic (Bylinvu flinched whenever she saw him at this point; Wryt and him together made her look like she was about to snap) and the combat practice. All of that was five and a half days... and his current alchemy experiments took nearly a full day to really dive into. So he only got a couple of days a phase to work on the Meke Blossoms commission.

“Sounds like you should talk to Li’red; about what, I do not know, but I imagine he would be useful to consult with.” Ren said. Asp nodded; he honestly planned to do just that here soon after he exhausted what he could. “And we should get more to join the isle, I think. Now; I am still exhausted, Master. I need to sleep, still.” Ren curled between him and the eggs; her use of ‘Master’ told him she wanted him there until she fell asleep, so he did stayed, his talon trailing along her back, until she drifted off.

He did have to admit... he had put off looking at those who wanted to join the isle. Partly because some were just submitting applications to everyone, another part was having to worry about Ren, but, well... the responsibility of choosing new isle residents and having to actually pseudo-govern? That was... terrifying. Everyone on the isle seemed to be understanding, but at the same time... it was part of their cyclical goals, which was just leaving points on the table.

“Drake Asporyx!” He heard the isle’s advisor’s voice. Bertuzza was walking with Myra. “I hear that Drame Elrenlani is alright! That’s a relief.”

“She’s asleep right now, though.” Asp said. “But yes, both her and Sryl’s eggs were delivered without incident.”

“Good; I do need to confirm, though, that you’re opting to send some eggs back home?” Asp nodded. “Alright; we’ll send the Gatherers in a phase to give all parents time to sort things out.” The gryphon hen said; Asp guided her to the laying rooms where she saw Ren curled around the eggs, fast asleep. Dria waved with a wing. “Drake Srylumdar?”

“Might need some time.” Asp sighed. “I’ve not personally checked on him. Given our... history of sorts, I doubt I’d be overly welcome.”

“You two really should work that out.” Bertuzza said; Asp shrugged. He wasn’t entirely sure how to even go about “working out” the whole ‘put a drake-identifying herm in a strong enough heat he gave in to being bred’ problem. Even if that shouldn’t be a problem anymore. Truthfully, it rarely came up, but Asp figured that the results of said breeding having just been laid, that particular subject would be a raw nerve.

“We’re fine most of the time.” Asp replied. “Besides, Myra was there.” Asp nuzzled the white-violet drame, licking her cheek.

“Yes, she’s said as much. As well as that Drake Srylumdar’s mental state is still... what was the word you said?”

“Hysterical?” Myra said; Asp raised an eyebrow. “He should be fine in time: it’s more like a depression caused by, what he considers, an absurdity. That he’s actually carried eggs to term is something he never expected to have happen, so he has to come to terms with that.”

“He knows he could’ve terminated it early on, right?” Asp furrowed his brow; he was sure they’d talked about that at least briefly.

“He felt that he wouldn’t be allowed to given his thoughts about the whole ‘breeding program’ conspiracy. Even though he is sort of right about that, he still would’ve been allowed to terminate. He also said he didn’t like the idea of termination in general and would feel hypocritical doing it.” It seemed like Myra had spoken quite a bit with Syrl about that. Given her interest and training in mental and physical well-being, Asp wasn’t too surprised. Asp did raise an eyebrow, though, when she confirmed the whole ‘breeding program’ thing. “What? It really only goes as far as to make sure situations where you and Nyfe were isle-mates weren’t a possibility. It’s more about eroding the barriers between kyndoms, but there is plenty of interest in just what the pairings will produce.” Myra did know a lot more about the program; she’d helped design it, after all. And no, despite my... own interest, I was not the one who put forth the pairing rules. She told him through their link while she blushed. It was actually the Red Patriarch who brought it forward, surprisingly enough.

“At any rate, congratulations and its a relief that Drame Elrenlani is safe. And that there shouldn’t be a repeat?” The gryphon hen said. Myra... couldn’t quite meet the hen’s eye. “Dear, you do know Lytrina would insist on moving here if that were to happen, right?”

“Insist or not, I wouldn’t let it happen.” Myra snorted. Asp inwardly groaned.

“I promise to make every effort to keep Myra safe and happy.” How he was going to do that without her trying to out do Ren... he wasn’t sure. The gryphon hen nodded.

“Alright then; I’ve left a fresh pack of applicant files in the mailbox, Drake Asporyx.” Bertuzza said with a bow. That got him to let out a groan out-loud. “You no longer have a health concern to hide behind, and an isle this big should have more on it.”

“I know, I know. I just... can’t figure out how to go about deciding.”

“Well... what does your isle need? What do you want to produce?” Asp frowned; technically, his herb garden was their ‘isle product’ right now. Not that it produced too much actual product at the moment. “Food, textiles, herbs, even crafts, fighters, or labor, though that would be harder to show off at the festival. Or at least less impressive.”

Oh, right, that was coming up; there would be a quarterly festival where isles showed off what they produced that was open to the public as well as a recruitment drive of sorts. It was also a competition of who could sell the most of what their isle produces (and the isle’s main export counted as double).

“I guess... what I’d really want to produce is alchemical regents, but without mining...” Asp grumbled.

“Oh! That will be on the docket for the next meeting, actually! Before an official announcement, so you didn’t hear this from me.” Bertuzza said. “They finally settled on how they were going to handle that and a few other things. Licenses will be available to be earned through testing. Mining is one, alchemy is another, as is cooking... medical... farming... offspring rearing... While mining, medical, and alchemy are the only ones required for their practice, the others are a way for those in the dorms to show off what they can do!”

“I’ll have to tell Dria.” Asp said. “But in the mean time...”

“Mean time, what?” Kastri asked. Asp noticed a bit of flour on her and brushed it off. Sheesh, he really hoped Sryl wouldn’t get too upset when he saw whatever state the kitchen was in.

“Just trying to figure out something for the festival. Officially, we have ‘herbs’ listed as our produced product, but not a whole lot of them would be ready without quick growth, which would just weaken their effects.”

“Why not do something like paper then?” Kastri stretched. “You do go through a lot of the stuff. Can never find any for myself, even.” Asp blinked; he hadn’t realized that. “Though... trees would be an issue on that front.”

“Wait... what?” Asp furrowed his brow. He had somewhat, indirectly learned how to make paper from the history of the Green Kyndom class, but he was pretty sure his kyndom didn’t use trees for it. He had been confused as to why there’d been a whole section about paper making Myra couldn’t help but giggle when both of them looked confused.

“Asp, most kyndoms aren’t exactly lush forests of a ton of plant matter, remember? Trees were the biggest source of it.” Asp, like the dragon the class had mentioned, suddenly connected the dots once he gave it more thought.

“Oh, right. I was gonna plant those vine curtains...” Asp remembered. Between classes and working on the blossom project, and looking after Ren, Dria, and Kastri (though, she was pretty low maintenance so far; as long as she had books, she was happy), that’d slipped his mind. “So we could use the excess growth of those for the paper, huh? We’d need workers, though...” Myra rolled her eyes and looked at him pointedly and he winced. “At least I sorta know what skills to really take into account now...”

“Yep, builders, artisans... maybe a smith or two...” Kastri said; Asp blinked and tilted his head. “Well, I mean, you could ask the artisans to build their own houses, but that seems risky. Plus, most are probably able to do both.”

“Alright, that’ll have to happen this phase-end after my lab-time.” Asp said. Myra tilted her head.

“Hmm... I did have something I wanted to talk to you about that.” The drame said. “But it can wait until that morning.” Asp nodded, though his brow furrowed. Bertuzza left after checking on the eggs. And Sryl. She came out without singed feathers, so... that seemed to be a positive step in the right direction?

The rest of the phase went routinely enough, and true to Ren’s word, she was only protective of the first and last of the eggs she’d laid. The other seven joined Sryl’s five with egg carriers (and while dragon eggs were durable once laid, they were still packaged with the utmost care and even rune magic to continue incubation) and were taken off isle; Asp was... kind of sad to see them go. Dria was... much more effected, to everyone’s surprise. Including the golden-drame’s. Myra spent the night with Ren while Asp spent it comforting his consort without any actual mating (to even further surprise of most everyone). Plenty of lavishing on her own egg-filled belly, though. And reassurances that he wouldn’t ask her to give up any of their eggs. Kastri poked her head in to wake them up... and promptly had to make a similar promise once Dria saw the indigo drame.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Dria said; her voice was the smallest Asp’d heard it since they’d met. Kastri slid into the nest after a few moments, sandwiching the drame between herself and Asp.

“I’ve seen you go through so many rejections, hun.” Kastri hmmed. “So... your eggs being so soundly rejected, even though it’s not your fault or even part of your reason...” Asp blinked and raised an eyebrow, looking at the indigo drame. “... Fine, may have helped Myra talk through her thoughts on what was going on.”

“Okay, yeah, that sounded more like her.” Dria said; Asp had to agree with a nod. Kastri whined and let out an indignant snort. “H-Hey, we’re not saying you don’t care, just...”

“You’re better at articulating facts and technical theories than emotional analysis.” Asp said, stretching and running his talon against Dria’s somewhat swollen belly; he knew Ren was the exception, and one that shouldn’t be repeated, but he’d gotten really used to how big she’d gotten and already missed having a belly that big to love on.

“Fine.” Kastri huffed. “She did also mention she was worried you might get... angry, to put it mildly,” Dria’s brow furrowed and tilted her head a bit before her eyes went a little wide and she huffed.

“Dammit, yeah, even thinking about Sryl at the moment makes me want to bite and claw at him.” Dria grumbled. Asp licked at her nose and along her neck. “... I’ll have to work on that.” She sighed, purring slightly. “It will depend on how he’s acting, though.”

“We’ll just have to see, Dree.” Asp stretched again as she snuggled into him. “What’re you gonna do today?”

“... I think it’s best if I get off the isle, at least. After... whatever class I wind up in, I’ll check out the bazaar, I guess. Maybe talk with Lytrina or someone. Or see if the medical offices have a counselor or something.” Dria sighed.

“See if you can find out anything about licenses; they’ll let you mine if you get one of those.” Dria did instantly perk up at Asp’s suggestions and nodded. He almost couldn’t help her and Kastri out of the nest fast enough, really. They took off, the two drames heading towards the Citadel while Asp sighed. He looked at Sryl’s eggs, his mind trying to decide how to leave them on their own. Dragon eggs were pretty hardy, at least a few hours after they’d been laid, so he wasn’t too worried about them. Even so, he went and got a stone bowl and filled it with stripped branches, lighting it aflame and leaving it near the bath in the laying room.

“Alright, can’t put it off...” He sighed to himself; he left the nesting room and went to their mailbox, getting the applications for his isle. He settled just outside the kitchen while he started to look over the applications. Myra came over and joined him; the two of them rested together while looking through the potential candidates.

“Ugh... I can’t help but wonder how many of these are truthful.” Asp said with a sigh. “Think it’ll be okay if we make licenses a prerequisite?” The files had a picture (of sorts, as best as rune magic could properly capture) as well as a list of skills each applicant supposedly had. But Asp had some doubts: there was a Wolfkyn who had 'flight' listed as a skill. And there were no wings in the picture, at least. Asp figured he couldn't rule out magic, or even some technology he hadn't heard about, but the doubt was already there in the back of his head.

“If you’re that worried about it, sure. It will set us back, though.” Myra sounded worried and Asp shrugged.

“I’m not too concerned about the first festival.”

“Oh?”

“I mean, the points would be nice. But we’re not hurting for them.” Asp showed Myra the isle’s band on one of his talons. After their latest expansion, they still had enough for at least one or two more, still. His own account was low, but he wasn’t too concerned about that just yet. That band was less ornate, so it wasn’t hard to tell between the two. “But we’ve had so many other concerns, and successes, that I’m more worried about making sure our isle has the... society we need and like?” Asp tilted his head. “Not sure that’s the word I want to use...”

“Population might be more appropriate. And I imagine that’s fair. Not like we can’t make a big splash at the next festival.” Myra purred. Asp nodded in agreement and licked her cheek with a smile on his muzzle. “I imagine you’re worried about Sryl and Dria, too?”

“Oh, definitely. And it’d be unfair to ask either to leave.” Asp frowned. “How’s he doing?” He was assuming she had checked on the drake-herm recently.

“I think still in shock. He’s not as... all over the place, though, with his emotions. That’s a good sign. I don’t have the training to know what his main... sources of anxiety are, though. I mean, educated guesses, sure.” She sighed. Asp couldn’t help but smile while he listened to her and she just looked at him with an almost wary look. “What’s with that look?”

“Oh, just... glad to have someone so caring and competent at my side~” That made Myra squeak and blush; she looked like she was fighting the urge to run away. Instead, she settled for kissing Asp, properly, while their tails entwined.